FIXING A HIGH-VOLTAGE DOUBLE RAIL

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for attaching a double rail to a vehicle. State of the art

[0002] In addition to classic round-conductor and single-rail systems, double-rail systems are increasingly being used in the field of e-mobility for the transmission of electrical energy, as they offer advantages in terms of lower electromagnetic field radiation due to field cancellation. The forces of thermal expansion and vibrations from the vehicle that occur along the rail's installation path directly affect the components connected to the rail. It is essential to keep these forces away from the contact areas while simultaneously fixing the double rail within the vehicle body. The rail fixing must both hold the rail in place within the installation space on the body and be positioned directly at the interfaces with components such as charging sockets, switch boxes, or batteries. Currently, the rail is fixed using plastic components with appropriate spring geometries.These solutions generally cannot withstand the forces exerted on an aluminum rail. Currently known solutions merely hold the double rail within the installation space but do not absorb the resulting forces, natural oscillations, and vibrations. In particular, the connected interfaces on the double rail must be free of forces, as otherwise the transmitted forces can be transferred to other components such as the charging socket, switch box, or battery. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle. For a specific design of a double rail, JP 2005-160273 A discloses a fastening device comprising an elastic cushion and a mounting clamp for attachment to a vehicle. Further prior art can be found in DE 102017116445 A1 and US 2019 / 126864 A1. Description of the invention

[0003] One object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle, which is easy to assemble and can absorb the forces and vibrations of the double rail in order to keep interfaces force-free.

[0004] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0005] The described embodiments apply equally to devices for attaching a double rail to a vehicle and methods for attaching a double rail to a vehicle.

[0006] Furthermore, it should be noted that all embodiments of the present invention relating to a method can be carried out in the described sequence of steps. However, this need not be the only possible and necessary sequence of steps of the method. The methods described herein can be carried out in a different sequence of disclosed steps without deviating from the corresponding embodiment of the method, unless expressly stated otherwise below.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to claim 1 is proposed. The device comprises an elastic cushion and a mounting clamp. The elastic cushion has a first recess configured to receive a first rail of the double rail and a second recess configured to receive a second rail of the double rail. The elastic cushion has at least one slot configured to allow lateral insertion of the first rail of the double rail into the first recess and lateral insertion of the second rail of the double rail into the second recess. The mounting clamp has a recess configured to receive the elastic cushion and a fastening mechanism configured to attach the mounting clamp to a vehicle.Furthermore, the device has a fixing mechanism designed to fix the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion.

[0008] Accordingly, the fastening device comprises two components which together enclose the double rail, for example, a high-voltage double rail. The inner component, the elastic cushion, which is preferably made of silicone, is slotted on at least one side to allow the rails to be inserted individually into the designated recesses and held separately within the elastic cushion. The insertion of the rails through the slot in the elastic cushion can occur not only longitudinally but also transversely to the rail. The outer component, the mounting clamp, can be positioned and pre-fixed over the elastic cushion after it has been attached to the rails. For this purpose, the mounting clamp has a recess into which the elastic cushion can be received.A fixing mechanism on the elastic cushion and / or the mounting clamp allows for the pre-fixing of both the elastic cushion and the mounting clamp to each other, as well as the entire device on the double rail. This pre-fixing can, in particular, hold the mounting clamp and the device in position on the double rail until the device has been permanently attached to a vehicle using the fixing mechanism. The mounting clamp can thus serve as a screw point, while the elastic cushion encompasses the rails and is held by the mounting clamp. The mounting clamp can be provided with elongated holes as a fixing mechanism for bolting the clamp in the vehicle's installation space. The device can therefore be attached and bolted in any position within the vehicle's installation space.

[0009] By attaching or screwing the device in place within the vehicle's installation space, the double rail it contains can be pressed and fixed in place. The mounting can absorb the forces, oscillations, and vibrations that occur, thus keeping them away from the interfaces. Positioning on the rail can be particularly advantageous if it is located directly next to the interfaces on the rail, in order to optimally absorb the forces acting on the rail. Furthermore, the device can be attached to the rail as many times as necessary to secure it within the installation space.

[0010] The device according to the invention is compatible with all components occurring in the routing path of a high-voltage double rail, which must be free from forces of thermal expansion or vibrations. The system is scalable to any dimensions of the high-voltage double rail.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic cushion has a tongue designed to separate the first and second recesses. This tongue can, in particular, be attached to an inner wall of the elastic cushion and project into a cavity within the cushion to divide this cavity into the first and second recesses. Alternatively, this tongue can be configured as a connecting bridge between two halves of the elastic cushion. In the assembled state, the tongue separates the two rails of the double rail from each other and fills the space between the rails.

[0012] According to the invention, the elastic cushion is designed to completely enclose the first and second rails of the double rail along at least a portion of the double rail's length. This means the rail is completely enclosed by the elastic cushion and protrudes only at the front and rear. The rail thus runs through the cushion, with the two rails running parallel to each other. Particularly in the assembled state, the cushion can be compressed, closing the slot for inserting the rails.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting clamp has an upper plate and a lower plate, the upper plate having a recess designed to receive the elastic cushion, and the mounting clamp having a connecting mechanism designed to connect the upper plate and the lower plate together, thereby enclosing the elastic cushion between the upper plate and the lower plate. The mounting clamp can thus be designed in two parts, with the elastic cushion being received and enclosed between the two parts of the mounting clamp in the two-part embodiment. In this embodiment, the two parts of the mounting clamp are provided with a connecting mechanism that holds the two parts together and can optionally also hold the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting clamp is designed to compress the elastic cushion, thereby fixing the first and second rails of the double rail within the elastic cushion. For example, the elastic cushion can be pressed against the vehicle by the mounting clamp, thus compressing the cushion and fixing the first and second rails of the double rail within the elastic cushion. Alternatively, the compression of the cushion can occur between the upper and lower parts of the mounting clamp, provided the clamp is designed in two parts.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic cushion has at least one tab, and the mounting clamp has at least one opening, wherein the tab is attached to an outer surface of the elastic cushion and is configured to engage in the opening of the mounting clamp to fix the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion. Additionally or alternatively, the elastic cushion has an outer profile on an outer surface, and the mounting clamp has a corresponding inner profile on an inner surface, wherein the outer profile and the inner profile are configured to engage with each other and thereby fix the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion. These combinations of tab on the elastic cushion and opening in the mounting clamp, or of outer profile and inner profile, can be understood as the fixing mechanism that secures the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion.The tab is pulled through the opening, and its shape prevents it from slipping out. In the alternative design, particularly in combination with the two-part clamp, the interlocking profiles prevent the elastic cushion from slipping out of the two clamp parts.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic cushion has two tabs attached to opposite sides of the cushion, and the mounting clamp has two openings designed to receive the two tabs of the elastic cushion in order to fix the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion. This significantly improves the fixing and assembly process.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, the mounting clamp has at least one bead and / or a raised edge to increase its stability. Beads applied laterally to the mounting clamp, particularly in the bend of the clamp, can stiffen the component. Additionally, the upper edge of the clamp can be raised.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the elastic cushion consists of or contains a thermally conductive material, and / or the mounting clamp is made of plastic or metal, preferably stainless steel. By using, for example, thermally conductive plastics, the mounting device can also be used to cool the system, in particular the rail and connected components. The plastic can thus absorb the heat from the rail and dissipate it to the vehicle body via the metal clamp. The mounting clamp, which can geometrically enclose the cushion, can be made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the mounting clamp can be made of plastic.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for attaching a double rail to a vehicle using a device according to one of the preceding embodiments is proposed. The method comprises the step of providing a device according to one of the preceding embodiments, as well as the step of inserting the first rail of the double rail into the first recess and the second rail of the double rail into the second recess of the elastic cushion. Furthermore, the method comprises the step of fixing the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion by means of the fixing mechanism, and the step of attaching the mounting clamp to the vehicle by means of the fastening mechanism.

[0020] Therefore, the advantages offered by one of the above-mentioned aspects apply equally to all other aspects and vice versa.

[0021] The invention essentially relates to a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle. The device comprises an elastic cushion and a mounting clamp. The elastic cushion has a first and a second recess to accommodate a first rail and a second rail of the double rail, respectively. The elastic cushion further comprises at least one slot to allow the lateral insertion of the two rails of the double rail into the recesses. The mounting clamp has a recess to accommodate the elastic cushion and a fastening mechanism to attach the mounting clamp to a vehicle. The device also includes a fixing mechanism to secure the mounting clamp to the elastic cushion.

[0022] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of advantageous embodiments and the accompanying figures. Brief character description

[0023] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2A and 2B The figures show schematic representations of an elastic cushion according to an embodiment of the invention from different angles. Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion attached to a double rail according to an embodiment of the invention. Figs. 4A and 4B The figures show schematic representations of a mounting clamp according to an embodiment of the invention from different angles. Fig. 5A and 5BThe figures show schematic representations of a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention from different angles. Fig. 6A shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion according to a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6B shows a schematic representation of an upper plate of a mounting clamp according to the second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6C shows a schematic representation of a lower plate of a mounting clamp according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figs. 7A and 7B show schematic representations of a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the invention. Figs. 8A and 8B show schematic representations of a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9shows a schematic representation of a device attached to a double rail for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to the third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10A shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10B shows a schematic representation of an upper part of a mounting clamp according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10C shows a schematic representation of a lower part of a mounting clamp according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. Figs. 11A and 11B show schematic representations of a device for attaching a double rail to a vehicle according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0024] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements are consistently identified by the same reference numerals. Detailed description

[0025] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 100 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention. The device comprises an elastic cushion 110 and a mounting clamp 120. The first rail 201 and the second rail 202 of the double rail 200 are inserted into the two recesses 111 and 112 of the elastic cushion. The mounting clamp 120 is pre-fixed to the elastic cushion 110 by means of a fixing mechanism 123, in this figure a combination of a tab 118 on the elastic cushion 110 and an opening 128 on the mounting clamp 120. The device 100 can be attached to a vehicle by means of the fixing mechanism 122, for example by means of screws.

[0026] Fig. 2A and 2BFigure 1 shows schematic representations of an elastic cushion 110 according to an embodiment of the invention from various angles. The elastic cushion 110 has a first recess 111 and a second recess 112 for receiving the double rail 200. A tongue 114 runs between the recesses, separating them from each other. A slot 113 on the side of the elastic cushion 110 allows the rails of the double rail 200 to be inserted laterally into the recesses 111 and 112. Two tabs 118 are also attached laterally to the elastic cushion 110, which can be inserted into corresponding openings 128 of the mounting clamp.

[0027] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion 110 attached to a double rail 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The first rail 201 and the second rail 202 of the double rail 200 are inserted into the elastic cushion 110. The fixing mechanism 123 allows the elastic cushion 110 to be pre-fixed to the mounting clamp 120.

[0028] Figs. 4A and 4BFigure 1 shows schematic representations of a mounting clamp 120 according to an embodiment of the invention from various angles. The mounting clamp 120 has a curved shape, forming a recess 121 into which the elastic cushion 110 can be received. The fixing mechanism 123 is formed by an opening 128 for receiving the tab 118 of the elastic cushion. An elongated hole serves as the fastening mechanism 122. The mounting clamp 120 has stiffening beads 130 and a raised rim 131. In this embodiment, the mounting clamp 120 can be made from a sheet metal part that has been shaped by deep drawing or a similar forming process.

[0029] Fig. 5A and 5BThe figures show schematic representations of a device 100 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention from various angles. The elastic cushion 110 is received in the recess 121 of the mounting clamp 120 and fixed in the opening 128 as a fixing mechanism 123 by means of the tab 118. The first recess 111 and the second recess 112 are designed to receive the rails of the double rail.

[0030] Fig. 6AFigure 1 shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The first recess 111 and the second recess 112 of the elastic cushion are separated from each other by the tongue 114. In this embodiment, the elastic cushion 110 has two slots 113 for inserting the rails of the double rail 200 into the respective recesses. An outer profile 119 of the elastic cushion 110 serves in this embodiment as part of the fixing mechanism 123.

[0031] Fig. 6B Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an upper plate 126 of a mounting clamp 120 according to the second embodiment of the invention. Here, the upper plate 126 has the recess 121 for receiving the elastic cushion 110. The device 100 can be screwed to the vehicle by means of the fastening mechanism 122.

[0032] Fig. 6CFigure 1 shows a schematic representation of a lower plate 127 of a mounting clamp 120 according to the second embodiment of the invention. The lower plate 127 has a connecting mechanism 125 for connecting it to the upper plate 126. This mechanism may be a snap-fit ​​mechanism. An inner profile 129, as part of the fixing mechanism 123, serves in combination with the outer profile 119 of the elastic cushion 110 to pre-fix the elastic cushion 110 in the mounting clamp 120.

[0033] Figs. 7A and 7BFigure 1 shows schematic representations of a device 100 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the invention. The elastic cushion 110 is fixed between the upper plate 126 and the lower plate 127 of the mounting bracket 120 by means of the fixing mechanism 123. The parts of the connecting mechanism 125 connect the upper plate 126 to the lower plate 127. The two rails of the double rail 200 are inserted into the elastic cushion 110. In this embodiment, the two plates 126, 127 of the mounting bracket 120 can be made from a sheet metal part that has been shaped by deep drawing or a similar forming process.

[0034] Figs. 8A and 8BFigure 1 shows schematic representations of a device 100 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the device can be made of a plastic. It is also possible for the elastic cushion to be integrated into the mounting clamp as a holder as a two-component (2K) component. The device 100 can be manufactured as a two-component injection molded part, with the upper plate 126 being connected to the lower plate 127 of the mounting clamp 120 by a film hinge as a connecting mechanism 125. The elastic cushion 110 can be divided into two halves.

[0035] Fig. 9Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 100 attached to a double rail 200 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to the third embodiment of the invention. Here, the first rail 201 of the double rail 200 was first inserted into the first recess 111 of the elastic cushion 110, and then the two plates 126, 127 of the mounting clamp 120 were folded together, thereby positioning the second rail 202 of the double rail 200 in the second recess 112 of the elastic cushion 110.

[0036] Fig. 10A Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an elastic cushion 110 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Each recess 111, 112 is assigned its own slot 113. Fig. 10B shows a schematic representation of an upper part 126 of a mounting clamp 120 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10CFigure 1 shows a schematic representation of a lower part 127 of a mounting clamp 120 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The connection mechanism 125 can be designed here in the form of a screw connection.

[0037] Figs. 11A and 11B Figure 1 shows schematic representations of a device 100 for attaching a double rail 200 to a vehicle according to the fourth embodiment of the invention. The elastic cushion 110 is located between the upper plate 126 and the lower plate 127 of the mounting clamp 120. The double rail 200 runs through the recesses of the elastic cushion 110. In this embodiment of the invention, the upper plate 126 and the lower plate 127 of the mounting clamp 120 can, for example, be made of die-cast aluminum.

[0038] Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, these drawings and descriptions are to be understood as illustrative or exemplary and not as limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and carried out by those skilled in the art carrying out the claimed invention with reference to the drawings, the disclosure, and the dependent claims.

[0039] It should also be noted that "comprehensive" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0040] 100 Device 110 Elastic cushion 111 First recess 112 Second recess 113 Slot 114 Tongue 118 Tab 119 Outer profile 120 Mounting clamp 121 Indentation 122 Mounting mechanism 123 Fixing mechanism 125 Connecting mechanism 126 Top plate 127 Bottom plate 128 Opening 129 Inner profile 130 Groove 131 Raised edge 200 Double rail 201 First rail of the double rail 202 Second rail of the double rail

Claims

1. Device (100) for fastening a double rail (200) to a vehicle, the device (100) comprising an elastic cushion (110) and a fastening clamp (120); wherein the fastening clamp (120) comprising a recess (121) configured to receive the elastic cushion (110), and a fastening mechanism (122) configured to fasten the fastening clamp (120) to a vehicle, and wherein the device (100) comprising a fixing mechanism (123) configured to fix the fastening clamp (120) to the elastic cushion (110), wherein the elastic cushion (110) comprises a first recess (111) configured to receive a first rail (201) of the double rail (200), and a second recess (112) configured to receive a second rail (202) of the double rail (200), and at least one slot (113) configured to allow lateral insertion of the first rail (201) into the first recess (111) and of the second rail (202) into the second recess (112), and wherein the elastic cushion (110) is configured to completely surround the first rail (201) and the second rail (202) of the double rail (200) over part of its length, such that the double rail (200) is entirely enclosed by the elastic cushion (110) and protrudes from the front and rear of the elastic cushion (110).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic cushion (110) comprises a tongue (114) configured to separate the first recess (111) from the second recess (112).

3. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening clamp (120) comprises an upper plate (126) and a lower plate (127), wherein the upper plate (126) comprising the recess (121) configured to receive the elastic cushion (110), and wherein the fastening clamp (120) comprising a connecting mechanism (125) configured to connect the upper plate (126) and the lower plate (127), thereby enclosing the elastic cushion (110) between them.

4. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening clamp (120) is configured to compress the elastic cushion (110), thereby fixing the first rail (201) and the second rail (202) of the double rail (200) in the elastic cushion (110).

5. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic cushion (110) comprises at least one tab (118), and the fastening clamp (120) comprises at least one opening (128), the tab (118) being arranged on an outer surface of the elastic cushion (110) and configured to engage the opening (128) to fix the fastening clamp (120) to the elastic cushion (110), and / or wherein the elastic cushion (110) comprises an outer profile (119), and the fastening clamp (120) comprises a corresponding inner profile (129), the outer profile (119) and the inner profile (129) being configured to interlock, thereby fixing the fastening clamp (120) to the elastic cushion (110).

6. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic cushion (110) comprises two tabs (118) arranged on opposite sides of the elastic cushion (110), and the fastening clamp (120) comprises two openings (128) configured to receive the two tabs (118) in order to fix the fastening clamp (120) to the elastic cushion (110).

7. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening clamp (120) comprises at least one bead (130) and / or an upright edge (131) to increase its stability.

8. Device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic cushion (110) consists of or contains a heat-conductive material, and / or wherein the fastening clamp (120) consists of a plastic material or a metal, preferably stainless steel.

9. Method for fastening a double rail (200) to a vehicle using a device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the method comprises the steps of: providing a device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8; inserting the first rail (201) of the double rail (200) into the first recess (111) and the second rail (202) into the second recess (112) of the elastic cushion (110); fixing the fastening clamp (120) to the elastic cushion (110) using the fixing mechanism (123); fastening the fastening clamp (120) to the vehicle using the fastening mechanism (122).