High-power plug connector system

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulating element for a high-power plug connector system, comprising at least one stop formation for limiting the distance of insertion into the high-power plug connector system and at least one cutout, which allows contact to be established between a receivable high-power contact and at least one electrically conductive bar. The insulating element has at least one retaining formation, which is located on the periphery of the insulating element, near the stop formation.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on an insulating body for a high-performance connector system according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Such insulating bodies are used to insulate high-performance cables in a high-performance connector system from the surrounding area, which, for example, must not be in contact with electrically conductive components for safety reasons. Particular attention is paid to their applicability in the underfloor areas of rail vehicles, especially the connection between railcars and railcars. State of the art

[0003] The state of the art includes solutions that enable the transmission and / or distribution of high electrical currents and / or voltages between vehicles or between vehicles with attached modules. However, these solutions generally involve an unfavorable and sometimes irreversible fixation of the corresponding contact elements.

[0004] A particular disadvantage of the current technology is its lack of ease of maintenance and, as a rule, its increased space requirements. However, especially for contact elements subject to high levels of wear, such as those used in rail transport, the ever-increasing demands on repair and maintenance are increasing, for example, due to increased electrical erosion caused by high currents exceeding 500A.

[0005] Insulating bodies are known in the state of the art in a wide variety of designs, see, for example, the insulating body described in document DE 41 26 923 C1. However, there is no design that allows for quick and easy assembly or installation. Especially in the area of high-performance connectors, it is desirable that the relatively large components allow for easy handling during assembly, maintenance, and / or repair. The state of the art does not provide a satisfactory solution in this area.

[0006] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 600 06 937 T2, DE 600 04 607 T2, DE 31 18 490 A1 and EP 0 863 579 A2. Task

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an insulating body for a high-performance connector system which allows particularly easy handling during assembly, maintenance and / or repair.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a high-performance connector system which is designed for the use of an insulating body according to the invention.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0011] One embodiment provides an insulating body for a high-performance connector system, comprising at least one stop shape for limiting the insertion path into the high-performance connector system and at least one recess which enables contacting of a receivable high-performance contact with at least one electrically conductive rail, wherein the insulating body has at least one holding shape which is located on the circumference of the insulating body in the vicinity of the stop shape. The insulating body is designed, at least on one interior side, with at least one shaped element which advantageously increases air gaps and creepage distances. The insulating body and the high-performance connector are designed in particular for currents greater than or equal to 80 amperes, preferably currents over 500 amperes, specifically currents in the 800 ampere range. Furthermore, currents in the 1000 ampere range or even currents in the 1200 ampere range are also feasible.This ensures, in particular, that it can be used in rail vehicles, especially under the floor of wagons, railcars, and railcars. The term "near" refers to the distance between the holding form and the stop form, essentially meaning a distance of less than or equal to 25 mm. In particular, the term "near" refers to a distance of less than or equal to 10 mm. Preferably, the term "near" refers to a distance of less than or equal to 5 mm.

[0012] A preferred embodiment provides that the retaining shape is designed to be moved into positive engagement with at least one fastening shape on a cable connection housing of the high-performance connector system. This particularly means that the retaining shape is designed as at least one extension on the insulating body. A radially molded retaining shape is particularly advantageous, with the retaining shape being engageable with the fastening shape in the style of a bayonet lock.

[0013] In a practical embodiment, the holding form is designed essentially congruent with the fastening form. This means that the holding form is initially guided through a through-hole in the cable connection housing, at least in one orientation. After rotation of the insulating body, the holding form and fastening form are then brought into overlapping engagement. Additional shaped elements can ensure locking. For this purpose, the holding form and fastening form can have, for example, interlocking tongue and groove, cams, wedges, or similar elements.

[0014] In a clever embodiment, the retaining shape is guided through at least one cutout in the cable connection housing for fastening, wherein the cutout is connected to the through-opening. This means that the retaining shape extends substantially beyond the radius of the through-opening. A corresponding fastening shape thus essentially defines the radius of the through-opening, but allows the retaining shape of the insulating body to pass through at least one cutout.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the holding shape is designed substantially congruent with the recess. This embodiment ensures in a simple manner that the holding shape can be guided through the through-opening and subsequently engaged with the fastening shape. A particularly clever embodiment appears to be one in which the holding shape, the fastening shape, and the recess are designed congruent.

[0016] One embodiment provides that the holding mold and the fastening mold are aligned in an operating state such that the recess enables the mounting of the rail with the high-power contact accommodated by the insulating body. This means that after the holding mold and the fastening mold have been brought into engagement, the insulating body points the recess in a direction in which the high-power contact, which is carried by the insulating body, is fixed to the rail in the cable connection housing. For example, the insulating body is arranged in the operating state such that the recess points in the direction of a housing cover of the cable connection housing. In this way, a rail for transmitting electrical current and / or electrical voltage can then be applied to the high-power contact and fixed, for example by means of a screw.

[0017] In another embodiment, the shaped element is essentially designed as a wave shape. The wave shape is formed by at least two rings that run around the inside of the insulating body and are spaced apart from each other. A materially bonded connection between the rings and the insulating body is particularly useful. A particularly clever embodiment is one with rings molded onto the insulating body.

[0018] A further object is achieved by a high-performance connector system for connecting and / or distributing electrical current and / or electrical voltage, wherein the high-performance connector system has a cable connection housing and an interior space, wherein the interior space has at least two through-openings into which at least one insulating body can be inserted. The cable connection housing has at least one fastening form arranged on the through-opening, which is designed for the positive-locking fixation of the insulating body. Particularly preferably, the through-opening has at least one recess which is shaped at least congruently to a holding form of the insulating body. For the sake of simple assembly, an recess can be designed somewhat larger than the holding form.A high-performance connector system designed in this way enables a more compact design than is usual in the prior art thanks to the ability of an insulating body according to the invention. In addition, the interaction between the holding shape of the insulating body and the fastening shape of the cable connection housing significantly increases the assembly, maintenance and / or repair of such a high-performance connector system. Due to the required size of the cable connection housing, it may be necessary to change the position of the cable connection housing during assembly, maintenance and / or repair. By engaging the holding shape and the fastening shape, a user can first insert an insulating body into the cable connection housing and fix it there, allowing them to pick up the cable connection housing and position it elsewhere without the insulating body losing its intended position. Example

[0019] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 shows a side view of an insulating body according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows an insulating body in a view of the interior side; Fig. 3 shows a representation of a high-performance connector system with three inserted insulating bodies; Fig. 4 shows a representation of a cable connection housing of a high-performance connector system.

[0020] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0021] The Figure 1 shows an insulating body 1 according to the invention in a side view. The Figure 2shows the insulating body 1 according to the invention in a view from an interior side 11 in the direction of a stop shape 12. The structure provides for a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, which has a connector side 10 and the interior side 11. The connector side 10 and the interior side 11 are separated from the stop shape 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stop shape 12 is designed as a circumferential ring. Near the stop shape 12, at least one holding shape 13 is located on the interior side 11. In the embodiment shown, three holding shapes 13 are formed on the interior side 11 of the insulating body 1. The holding shapes 13 are arranged circumferentially offset from one another by substantially 120°, which is particularly evident in the view of the Figure 2becomes clear. Furthermore, the interior side 11 has a wave shape 14, which is designed to advantageously increase air gaps and creepage distances in the interior 8 of a cable connection housing 4. The wave shape 14 essentially consists of several circumferentially formed rings. It is particularly expedient to form the wave shape 14 with at least two rings, better still with at least 4 rings, or ideally, as in the case shown, at least 6 rings. Finally, the embodiment shown also provides a recess 15, which enables an electrically conductive rail 3 arranged in the cable connection housing 4 to be brought into engagement with a high-performance plug contact 5 inserted in the insulating body 1 in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0022] The Figure 3shows the interaction of various components of a high-performance connector system 2. The first thing to be seen is the cable connection housing 4. Typically, such a cable connection housing 4 is a metal housing that is at least largely painted. An insulating shell 6 can be seen in an interior 8 formed in the cable connection housing 4. Three insulating bodies 1 with high-performance contacts 5 inserted therein protrude into the interior 8. The high-performance contacts 5 have a flat area onto which the electrically conductive rail 3 can be placed. Threaded openings on the high-performance contacts 5 enable the rail 3 to be fixed using fastening elements 7, for example hexagon socket screws. The use of other or comparable fastening elements and / or shaft-to-shaft connections will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.Finally, the illustration also makes it clear that the wave shape 14 of the insulating bodies 1 has a beneficial effect on the air gaps and creepage distances in the interior 8 from the rail 3 and the high-performance contacts to the cable connection housing 4. In addition, an insulating shell (not shown), which is inserted into the insulating shell 6 shown, ensures that the air gaps and creepage distances are at least adhered to in accordance with the regulations. Ideally, the nesting of the insulating shells is designed in such a way that the regulations are at least slightly exceeded. Furthermore, it can be seen that the holding shapes 13 of the insulating bodies 1 rest against the cable connection housing 4. For this purpose, the insulating bodies 1 are guided through through openings 9 arranged in the cable connection housing 4. In the . Figure 4It becomes clear that the through-openings 9 have fastening forms 20. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the fastening forms 20 are separated by recesses 21. The recesses 21 make it possible to pass an insulating body 1 with its holding forms 13 through each through-opening 9 and then, by rotating the insulating bodies 1, to arrange them in a form-fitting manner on the fastening forms 20 using their holding forms 13.

[0023] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments may be interchanged, provided that the resulting combinations fall within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. List of reference symbols

[0024] 1Insulating body 2High-performance connector system 3Rail 4Cable connection housing 5High-performance plug contact 6Insulating shell 7Fastening element 8Interior 9Through opening 10Connector side 11Interior side 12Stop shape 13Holding shape 14Corrugation shape 15Recess 20Fastening shape 21Omission

Claims

1. An insulating body (1) for a high-power plug connector system (2), having at least one stop shape (12) for limiting the insertion distance into the high-power plug connector system (2) and at least one recess (15) which enables the contacting of an accommodatable high-power contact (5) with at least one electrically conductive busbar (3), wherein the insulating body (1) has at least one retaining shape (13) which is situated on the circumference of the insulating body (1) in the vicinity of the stop shape (12), characterized in that the insulating body (1) is configured, at least on an interior side (11), with at least one shaped element, which advantageously enlarges air gaps and creepage distances.

2. The insulating body (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining shape (13) is shaped so as to be moved into positive engagement with at least one fastening shape (20) on a cable connection housing (4) of the high-power plug connector system (2).

3. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining shape (13) is configured such that it is essentially congruent with the fastening shape (20).

4. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining shape (13), for fastening purposes, first passes through a through opening (9) in the cable connection housing (4).

5. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining shape (13), for fastening purposes, passes through at least one cutout (21) in the cable connection housing (4), wherein the cutout (21) is connected to the through opening (9).

6. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining shape (13) is configured such that it is essentially congruent with the cutout (21).

7. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining shape (13) and the fastening shape (20) are oriented in an operational state in such a way that a recess (15) enables the mounting of the busbar (3) to the high-power contact (5) accommodated by the insulating body (1).

8. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaped element is configured essentially as a corrugated shape (14).

9. The insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corrugated shape (14) is formed by at least two circumferential, spaced-apart rings on the inside (11) of the insulating body (1).

10. A high-power plug connector system (2) for connecting and / or distributing electrical current and / or electrical voltage, comprising a cable connection housing (4) and an interior (8), wherein the interior (8) has at least two through openings (9) into which in each case at least one insulating body (1) according to one of the preceding claims is inserted, characterized in that the cable connection housing (4) has at least one fastening shape (20), which is arranged on the through opening (9) and which is designed to positively fix the insulating body (1).

11. The high-power plug connector system (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the through opening (9) has at least one cutout (21) which is shaped at least congruently with a retaining shape (13) of the insulating body (1).

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