ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection device configured to be assembled with a support for an electronic module, in particular an inverter. This inverter can be installed on a motor vehicle, for example.

[0002] From prior art, we know of document WO 2018 / 046867 which describes an electrical device and document CN 204 634 148 which describes a printed circuit board including a resilient structure.

[0003] In many electronic modules, such as an inverter in a motor vehicle, electrically conductive busbars are used, associated with different electrical phases. It is convenient to have these busbars on a common component, which simplifies their assembly with the rest of the electronic module. This component includes positioning zones that allow it to be placed on the module's mounting bracket. When this common component holding the busbars is relatively large, assembly can become challenging because such a large component requires the positioning zones to be precisely aligned with corresponding positioning pins on the mounting bracket.If such a tolerance is not respected, then the assembly of the part with the electrical bars may not be done correctly on the rest of the electronic module.

[0004] The invention makes it possible to overcome this difficulty.

[0005] The invention thus relates to an electrical connection device configured to be assembled with a support for an electronic module, in particular an inverter, this electrical connection device comprising a body, made of plastic, and electrical conductors, in particular in the form of conductive bars which are carried by the body, the body comprising at least two plate parts each carrying at least one of the conductors, each plate part comprising at least one positioning zone for the electrical connection device on the support, and these plate parts being linked together by at least one elastically deformable junction so as to allow one of the plate parts to be positioned relative to the other part with some play, when the electrical connection device is assembled on the support for the electronic module, the elastically deformable junction being formed by a bridge of material between two adjacent plate parts,The material bridge forming the elastically deformable junction is adjacent to a slot that separates two neighboring plate parts, and this slot allows these two neighboring plate parts to move closer together or further apart when the elastically deformable junction area is deformed.

[0006] Thanks to the invention, the electrical connection device, which is made of several plate parts, is less subject to tolerance constraints. Indeed, due to the elastically deformable joint, the plate parts, which are equipped with the positioning zones for the electrical connection device on the support, can undergo relative displacement of one plate part with respect to another during the assembly of the electrical connection device onto the electronic module support. This relative displacement between the plate parts compensates for the impact of tolerances in the various components of the assembly. The invention thus makes it possible, for example, to manufacture the electrical connection device and / or the electronic module support with an acceptable tolerance in terms of the industrial process. It is the elastically deformable joint that compensates for these tolerances with a clearance between the plate parts.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning area on each plate part includes an orifice configured for the passage of a positioning element such as a positioning rod which allows the plate part to be positioned with the support of the electronic module.

[0008] This rod, for example, is of a metallic type, linked to the support of the electronic module.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, the positioning rod is simply inserted into the opening of the positioning zone. The positioning rod serves for the temporary positioning (and not the final fixing) of the electrical connection device on the electronic module support.

[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, all positioning areas on the plate parts are formed by orifices.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, each plate part comprises at least two positioning zones, in particular each formed by an orifice.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, for each plate part, the positioning zones are spaced apart from each other along a direction of greater length of the plate part.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical connection device comprises three plate parts connected to each other, one after the other.

[0014] Thus the electrical connection device may include a plate part placed between the two other plate parts and being connected to these plate parts by the elastically deformable junction.

[0015] The electrical connection device thus comprises, in this case, two elastically deformable junctions, each configured to connect two plate parts together.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate parts are placed in a substantially coplanar manner.

[0017] In other words, the plate parts extend substantially in the same plane.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable junction includes a passage configured to be placed at the right of a hollow column of the support of the electronic module.

[0019] This allows a fastener, for example a rod such as a screw, to be introduced through the elastically deformable junction area.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the plate parts can thus include not only positioning holes but also passages for, for example, screws that ensure the final securing of the plate parts to the electronic module support. The plate parts can therefore cooperate with positioning rods and fixing screws.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, in the case where the electrical connection device has three plate parts, the connection device includes three pairs of positioning zones, each pair being associated with one of the plate parts.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, a total of 6 positioning zones can be provided on the plate parts.

[0023] This number of positioning zones represents a statically indeterminate assembly that requires precise positioning of the different zones. Constructing the electrical connection device in several parts allows for this statically indeterminate assembly thanks to the play possible between the different plate parts.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, there are three plate parts arranged to form a V or a U.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable junction zones are adjacent to an inner edge of the V or U.

[0026] The invention thus allows the branches of the V or U to flex towards each other.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical connection device has symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry, for example the plane of symmetry passes through the middle plate part placed between two other plate parts which are symmetrical to each other with respect to this plane of symmetry.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the slot is formed between two substantially parallel edges of the two adjacent plate parts.

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the material bridge has a substantially circular shape with a through orifice in its center.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention, the elastically deformable junction comprises several material bridges connecting two adjacent plate parts.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, these material bridges are arranged at different edge locations opposite the two adjacent plate parts.

[0032] Material bridges are, for example, solid bands of material.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, these strips of material can be relatively thin so that they can be deformed without breaking.

[0034] The play allowed by the elastically deformable joint according to the invention can arise, for example, from a small relative rotation of one of the plate parts with respect to the other.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the relative rotation can reach, for example, an angle of 10 degrees at most, or can reach an angle of 5 degrees at most.

[0036] According to one aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable junction is formed at a corner of the plate part so as to allow relative movement between two adjacent plate parts around the elastically deformable junction, for example in the manner of a pivot.

[0037] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical connection device further comprises at least one guide block for guiding electrical signal pins.

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, these electrical signal pins belong to the electronic module.

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, this or these guide blocks are formed, for example, by strips with passages for the pins, strips fixed to the plate parts. This or these guide blocks are, for example, made by overmolding, and / or from resin.

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the conductive bars are embedded in the mass of the plate parts.

[0041] The conductive bars are notably overmolded by the plastic material of the plate parts.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the conductive bars have connecting ends that protrude from the material that forms the plate parts.

[0043] The invention further relates to an electronic module, in particular an inverter, comprising an electrical connection device as described above, configured to be assembled with a support for the electronic module to ensure the electrical connection of the phases of the electronic module, the support comprising in particular positioning rods configured to cooperate with positioning zones of the plate parts.

[0044] The invention further relates to a method for assembling an electronic module, in particular an inverter, comprising an electrical connection device as described above, configured to be assembled with a support for the electronic module to ensure the electrical connection of the phases of the electronic module, the support comprising in particular positioning rods configured to cooperate with positioning zones of the plate parts, the method comprising the following step: place the plate parts of the electrical connection device onto the positioning rods of the support, possibly adjusting the relative position of the plate parts so that the positioning rods are opposite the positioning areas of the plate parts.

[0045] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [ Fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a perspective representation of an electronic module according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a view of the electrical connection device of the module of the figure 1 ; Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 is a perspective representation of the body of the electrical connection device illustrated on the figures 1 And 2 ; Fig. 4 ] There figure 4 is a cross-sectional representation of the electrical connection device of the figure 2 ; Fig. 5 ] There figure 5 is a representation of an electrical connection device according to another embodiment.

[0046] We have represented, on the figure 1 , an electronic module 100 that is part of an inverter installed on a motor vehicle. The inverter is used to convert the direct current supplied by a battery into alternating current, which the electric motor needs to drive the wheels.

[0047] This electronic module 100 includes an electrical connection device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, configured to be assembled with a support 101 of the electronic module 100 to ensure the electrical connection of the phases of the electronic module 100. The support 101 is generally in the form of a half-shell in the bottom of which the electrical connection device 1 is disposed.

[0048] The support 101 includes positioning rods 30 configured to cooperate with positioning areas 10 of the electrical connection device 1, as will be described in detail.

[0049] The electrical connection device 1 comprises a body 2, here made of plastic, and electrical conductors 3 in the form of electrically conductive bars (called "busbars" in English) which are carried by the body 2.

[0050] The body 2 comprises three plate parts 5, 6, 7, each carrying conductors 3.

[0051] The plate parts 5, 6, 7 have positioning zones 10 for the electrical connection device 1 on the support 101, and these plate parts 5, 6, 7 are linked together by elastically deformable junctions 12 so as to allow one of the plate parts 5, 6, 7 to be placed with some play relative to the other adjacent plate part when the electrical connection device 1 is assembled on the support 101 of the electronic module 100.

[0052] In the example described, the three plate parts 5, 6, 7 are connected to each other, one after the other.

[0053] Thus the plate part 6 is placed in the middle between the two other plate parts 5 and 7 and is connected to these plate parts 5 and 7 by two elastically deformable junctions 12, on each side of the plate part 6.

[0054] The electrical connection device thus comprises, in this case, two elastically deformable junctions 12.

[0055] The plate parts 5, 6, 7 are placed in a substantially coplanar manner.

[0056] In other words, the plate parts 5, 6, 7 extend substantially in the same plane.

[0057] The positioning zones 10 on the plate parts 5, 6, 7 each include an opening 17 configured for the passage of a positioning rod 30, which allows the plate parts 5, 6, 7 to be positioned with the support 101 of the electronic module. For example, there are two positioning zones 10 per plate part 5, 6, 7.

[0058] Each rod 30 is for example of the metallic type, linked to the support 101 of the electronic module.

[0059] Each positioning rod 30 is simply inserted into the hole 17 of the positioning area. The positioning rod 30 serves for temporary positioning (and not final fixing) of the electrical connection device 1 on the support 101 of the electronic module.

[0060] For each plate part 5, 6, 7, the positioning zones 10 are spaced from each other along a direction of greatest length of the plate part 5, 6, 7.

[0061] As seen on the figure 4 which is a view following arrow V1 of the figure 2 , the elastically deformable junction 12 has a passage 18 configured to be placed at the right of a hollow column 104 of the support 101 of the electronic module.

[0062] This allows a fixing element, for example a rod such as a screw 109, to be introduced through the passage 18 of the elastically deformable junction zone 12. The screw 109 is screwed onto the hollow column 104 of the support 101.

[0063] The elastically deformable junction 12 thus plays the role of a pivot point between two adjacent plate parts.

[0064] The screws 109 provide the final fixing of the plate parts 5, 6, 7 onto the support 101 of the electronic module. The plate parts 5, 6, 7 can thus cooperate with positioning rods 30 and fixing screws 109.

[0065] The elastically deformable junction 12 is formed by a material bridge 33 between two adjacent plate parts 5, 6, 7.

[0066] The three plate parts 5, 6, and 7 are arranged to form a U (a three-pronged U formed by the three plate parts). The elastically deformable junction zones 12 allow the prongs of the U to flex towards each other.

[0067] The electrical connection device 1 has symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry SP passing through the middle plate part 6 placed between two other plate parts 5 and 7.

[0068] The material bridge 33 forming the elastically deformable junction 12 is adjacent to a slot 34 which separates two neighboring plate parts.

[0069] This slot 34 allows these two adjacent plate parts 5,6,7 to move closer together or further apart when the elastically deformable junction zone 12 is deformed.

[0070] The slot 34 is formed between two substantially parallel edges 35 of the two adjacent plate parts 5,6,7.

[0071] In another example of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 5 , the elastically deformable junction 37 comprises several material bridges 50 connecting two adjacent plate parts.

[0072] These material bridges 50 are arranged at different edge locations opposite the two adjacent plate parts 5,6,7.

[0073] Material bridges 50 are, for example, solid material strips.

[0074] These strips of material 50 can be relatively thin so that they can be deformed without breaking.

[0075] The play allowed by the elastically deformable joint 12; 37 according to the invention can arise, for example, from a small relative rotation of one of the plate parts 5,6,7 with respect to the other.

[0076] The relative rotation can reach, for example, a maximum angle of 10 degrees, or a maximum angle of 5 degrees.

[0077] The elastically deformable junction 12; 37 is formed at a corner of the plate part 5,6,7 so as to allow relative movement between two adjacent plate parts around the elastically deformable junction 12; 37, for example in the manner of a pivot.

[0078] The electrical connection device 1 further includes guide blocks 39 for guiding electrical signal pins. These electrical signal pins belong to the electronic module. This guide block or these guide blocks 39 are formed, for example, by strips with passages for the pins, strips fixed to the plate parts. This guide block or these guide blocks are, for example, made by overmolding and / or from resin.

[0079] The conductive bars 3 are embedded in the mass of the plate parts 5,6,7.

[0080] The conductive bars 3 are in particular overmolded by the plastic material of the plate parts 5,6,7, and have connecting ends which protrude from the material which forms the plate parts 5,6,7.

Claims

1. Electrical connection device (1) configured to be assembled with a support (101) of an electronic module (100), in particular an inverter, this electrical connection device (1) comprising a body (2), made of plastic material, and electrical conductors (3), in particular in the form of conductive bars which are carried by the body (2), the body comprising at least two plate parts (5, 6, 7) each carrying at least one of the conductors, each plate part (5, 6, 7) comprising at least one positioning zone (10) of the electrical connection device (1) on the support (101), and these plate parts (5, 6, 7) being connected to one another by at least one elastically deformable junction (12) so as to allow placement of one of the plate parts (5, 6, 7) relative to the other part with clearance, when the electrical connection device (1) is assembled on the support (101) of the electronic module, the elastically deformable junction (12; 37) being formed by a material bridge (33; 50) between two neighbouring plate parts, the material bridge forming the elastically deformable junction being adjacent to a slot (34) which separates two neighbouring plate parts, and this slot in particular allows these two neighbouring plate parts to move closer to or further away from one another when the elastically deformable junction zone is deformed.

2. Electrical connection device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the positioning zone (10) on each plate part comprises an orifice (17) configured for the passage of a positioning member such as a positioning rod (30) which allows the plate part to be positioned with the support of the electronic module, this rod being for example of metallic type, connected to the support of the electronic module.

3. Electrical connection device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which each plate part (5, 6, 7) comprises at least two positioning zones (10), in particular each formed by an orifice (17).

4. Electrical connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical connection device (1) comprises three plate parts (5, 6, 7) connected to one another, one after the other, and two elastically deformable junctions (12; 37) each configured to connect two plate parts to one another.

5. Electrical connection device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the elastically deformable junction (12; 37) comprises a passage (18) configured to be placed in line with a hollow column (104) of the support (101) of the electronic module.

6. Electrical connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elastically deformable junction comprises several material bridges (50) connecting two neighbouring plate parts.

7. Electrical connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elastically deformable junction (12; 37) is formed at a corner of the plate part so as to allow relative movement between two neighbouring plate parts about the elastically deformable junction, for example in the manner of a pivot.

8. Electrical connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the conductive bars (3) are in particular overmoulded by the plastic material of the plate parts.

9. Electronic module (100), in particular an inverter, comprising an electrical connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, configured to be assembled with a support (101) of the electronic module to ensure the electrical connection of the phases of the electronic module, the support (101) comprising in particular positioning rods configured to cooperate with positioning zones (10) of the plate parts (5, 6, 7).

10. Method of assembling an electronic module (100), in particular an inverter, comprising an electrical connection device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, configured to be assembled with a support (101) of the electronic module to ensure the electrical connection of the phases of the electronic module, the support comprising in particular positioning rods (30) configured to cooperate with positioning zones of the plate parts, the method comprising the following step: - placing the plate parts (5, 6, 7) of the electrical connection device on the positioning rods (30) of the support, optionally by adjusting the relative position of the plate parts (5, 6, 7) so that the positioning rods are aligned with the positioning zones of the plate parts.