Contact arrangement, and method for producing such a contact arrangement

Abstract

The contact arrangement is used to make electrical contact with an electrical component, in particular of a motor vehicle, and has a contact element (24), to which a line (8) is connected, wherein a bonding wire (22) is connected to the contact element (24) and is connected to the component by means of bonding. This enables a compact contact arrangement that is simple to produce. This contact arrangement is, in particular, part of a cell contact-making unit (2) for a battery.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Contact arrangement and method for producing such a

[0003] The invention relates to a contact arrangement, in particular for a battery with several cells, and to a method for producing such a contact arrangement.

[0004] When contacting electrical components, particularly within large electromechanical assemblies, for example those with a length of 1 m or more, where a large number of components have to be connected in a confined space, certain requirements exist with regard to installation space, ease of assembly and cost. An example of such an assembly is a so-called cell contact unit, with the help of which a large number of cells, in particular of a high-voltage battery, are connected. Such a cell contact unit, specifically for a high-voltage battery, in particular for a traction battery of an electric motor-driven vehicle, often has a cable harness with a large number of sensor lines, which are used to tap the voltage of each cell as part of battery monitoring. For this purpose, the sensor lines must each be contacted with the cell, which is a complex process.

[0005] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of specifying a contact arrangement in which assembly-friendly contact between a cable and an electrical component to be connected is possible with little installation space.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a contact arrangement having the features of claim 1. Preferred developments are contained in the subclaims. The contact arrangement has a contact element to which an electrical line and a bonding wire are connected. The contact element is therefore in particular a so-called (contact) terminal, which is usually attached to the end of an electrical line, specifically to its conductor. The electrical component is also electrically connected via the bonding wire. For this purpose, the bonding wire is connected to the electrical component by bonding, which is known per se. For this purpose, the component typically has a contact surface to which the bonding wire is connected by bonding.

[0007] The bonding wire is a bare metal wire, often made of aluminum, alternatively copper or gold, which is directly connected to a connection point of the electrical component by bonding. The bonding wire is usually comparatively thin and has, for example, a maximum diameter of 500 pm, preferably up to a maximum of 250 pm and in particular up to a maximum of 100 pm. Diameters of up to 100 pm are used for so-called thin wire bonding and are used in cases where only low electrical power needs to be transmitted. Diameters above this, for example up to 500 pm, are used for so-called thick wire bonding, particularly for applications where higher electrical power needs to be transmitted.During bonding, electrical contact is established through a material-to-material connection, particularly without the need for additional auxiliary materials, such as soldering. Bonding is achieved, in particular, by welding, particularly ultrasonic welding, of the bonding wire to the connection point specifically formed by the contact surface.

[0008] A particular advantage of bonding is that no separate connection element is required to connect the wire to the connection point. This eliminates the need for an additional contact element between the bonding wire and the component. Another advantage is the ease of automation and the small space requirement. Overall, the contacting principle described here reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, particularly through automation, and reduces the required installation space, all compared to the use of a separate contact element for electrically contacting the component.

[0009] The use of the contact element, in particular a commercially available standard contact element (contact terminal) to which the cable is connected, simultaneously enables process-reliable connection of the electrical cable. This is typically a single-core cable with a conductor surrounded by an insulating sheath.

[0010] Therefore, the contact element preferably only connects the electrical conductor of the cable to the bonding wire. The contact element therefore represents a connecting element.

[0011] Preferably, the bonding wire on the contact element is also contacted by bonding.

[0012] The contact element is, in particular, a conventional plug-in contact element. This has a connection area for the cable conductor and a plug-in area. The plug-in area is formed, for example, by a contact socket or a contact pin. The bonding wire is attached to the plug-in area. By using such a plug-in contact element, conventional, commercially available contact elements are preferably used. However, their plug-in area remains unused in that it is not used for plugging into a mating contact. Instead, the bonding wire is connected to the plug-in area.

[0013] The contact element is, in particular, a crimp contact with a crimping area as the connection area. The conductor is mechanically and electrically connected in this crimping area by crimping. Generally, a very compact contact element is preferred, with a length preferably less than 20 mm and, for example, less than 15 mm, and a width and height preferably less than 4 mm and, in particular, less than 2 mm. The crimp contact is, for example, a contact element known under the brand name "NanoMQS."

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the contact element is provided with a coating, either completely or at least in the plug-in area and preferably in the connection area for the bonding wire, which coating consists in particular of nickel and / or silver. Preferably, no tin coating is provided. This also includes suitable alloys of nickel or silver, preferably with a nickel or silver content of at least 95%. This coating ensures good and reliable mechanical and electrical contact with the bonding wire. The bonding wire is preferably made of an aluminum alloy, and the base material of the contact element is preferably copper. The advantage of such a coating is that it is ultrasonically weldable and is also a suitable moderator for the copper-aluminum material pairing.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the contact element is housed in a housing made of insulating material, forming a single structural unit that can be mounted, for example, on a support element. This simplifies handling during assembly.

[0016] In particular, the assembly is designed as a possibly modified and in particular commercially available contact plug. In this embodiment, use is made of a preferably conventional contact plug with a plug housing and the contact element inserted therein. The plug housing enables simple positioning and fastening in a desired position. In particular, the positioning can also be carried out automatically. The term "housing" is generally understood to mean a 3-dimensional design which forms a receiving space, for example in the shape of a shaft, in which the contact element is inserted. The receiving space can be open on one side and can be formed, for example, by a shaft with a U-shaped cross-section. However, the contact element is preferably completely surrounded on its circumference by insulating walls of the receiving space - at least over part of its length.

[0017] The housing is preferably suitably designed for this purpose, so that at least a portion of the contact element, namely in particular the plug-in area, is accessible from the outside for bonding, so that the bonding wire can be attached from the outside. For this purpose, the housing preferably has a cutout in a partial area, i.e.—unlike normal contact plugs—in this modified contact plug, part of the contact element is exposed and accessible from the outside. This allows the contact plug to be positioned first during assembly before the bonding wire is attached.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the contact arrangement is designed to ensure contact protection, meaning that the electrical elements, specifically the contact element and the bonding wire, and preferably also the component, cannot be touched. In particular, the contact arrangement meets the requirements for contact protection according to ISO 20653, and in particular the IPXXB protection class listed therein.

[0019] To form the contact protection, at least one structural element, and preferably several structural elements made of insulating material, such as ribs or webs, are provided, particularly in the area of ​​the bonding wire. The bonding wire is preferably guided in a channel, which is defined, for example, by two opposing webs as channel walls.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the contact element is generally arranged on a carrier. In this case, the carrier with the contact element forms an assembly unit that can be and is positioned at a desired location, particularly automatically. The carrier is, in particular, an insulating carrier. The contact element is, in particular, directly attached to the carrier, for example, plugged onto it. The carrier is preferably plate-shaped or has at least one plate-shaped base part on which the contact element is mounted.

[0021] For example, several electrical elements are mounted on the carrier or are directly integral parts of the carrier.

[0022] The carrier is, for example, a printed circuit board. In addition to the contact element, other electrical or electronic elements, such as electronic components, conductor tracks, etc., are preferably mounted on this board. One or more contact elements are mounted on the carrier.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the component contacted via the bonding wire is located on this carrier. In an alternative embodiment, the carrier is arranged next to or possibly even on the component itself. Specifically, the carrier is arranged next to the component's connection point for the bonding wire.

[0024] According to one variant, only the contact element is attached to the carrier as an electrical element.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the bonding wire itself is designed as a fuse element, in particular as a fusible link with a defined fuse rating. In this preferred embodiment, the bonding wire itself forms an overcurrent fuse with a predetermined fuse rating. The bonding wire is therefore directly designed as a fuse element, in particular as a fusible link. Therefore, no separate fuse is required, and one is omitted. The bonding wire thus provides protection for the connected line.

[0026] The fuse rating is defined by the properties of the bonding wire. Specifically, the geometric properties, i.e., the length and / or the cross-sectional area, are adjusted appropriately. The bonding wire preferably has a fuse rating in the range of 250 mA to 5 A, and in particular in the range of 750 mA to 1.5 A.

[0027] The bonding wire is typically made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In particular, it consists of a silicon-aluminum alloy with a silicon content of, for example, 1%.

[0028] Its diameter, for example, is in the range between 25 pm and 150 pm and especially in the range from 50 pm to 100 pm.

[0029] Its length is preferably in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm and in particular 15 mm.

[0030] The advantage of securing via the bonding wire is that it requires extremely little space and eliminates the need for a separate fuse element, which usually requires a fuse carrier, such as a circuit board.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the contact arrangement is part of a cell contact unit for an electric battery with multiple cells. This is, in particular, a high-voltage battery with a battery voltage of typically several hundred volts, specifically a traction battery for an electrically powered vehicle. The cell contact unit serves to electrically connect multiple cells of the battery.

[0032] The cells are connected in series and / or parallel as required so that the battery provides a specific voltage and current. Several cells are arranged in a row to form a cell stack. The cells of the cell stack each form a module of the battery. For large batteries, e.g. for an electric vehicle (electric vehicle), a correspondingly large number of cells are required and the battery is correspondingly large. For example, the battery has a width and length in the range of 0.5 m to 2 m, so that contact between the cells over a longer distance is necessary. The cell contact unit typically has a large number of individual cell connectors, each of which electrically connects the cell poles of two adjacent cells.

[0033] The individual cell connectors are held in an insulating support, which is referred to below as the holding unit. In one embodiment, this is modular and comprises individual modular holders that are connected to one another and each preferably accommodates exactly one cell connector. Alternatively, a common, non-modular, one-piece holding unit is formed, which is designed, for example, as an injection-molded element, and in which several, and in particular all, cell connectors of a battery cell stack formed from several cells are accommodated together.

[0034] Such high-voltage batteries typically feature a so-called battery management system, which, among other things, is designed to monitor the condition of the battery and its individual cells. This usually requires that sensor lines, for example for temperature, pressure, or voltage measurements, be routed to the individual cells or at least to parts of the battery. A (sensor) cable set is often provided for this purpose. Sensor lines are understood to be lines designed for only low currents (e.g., less than 5A or even less than 1.5A).

[0035] According to the preferred embodiment, such a cell contacting unit now has in particular a plurality of the previously described contact arrangements, i.e. in particular a plurality of contact elements, which are each connected via a bonding wire to an electrical component of the battery and / or the cell contacting unit.

[0036] Especially in such a design variant, which typically involves a large number of cells that must be specifically connected to the sensor lines, a particularly simple, automated assembly with minimal installation space is achieved and is particularly advantageous. Therefore, it is specifically intended that at least several, and preferably all, sensor lines are connected via such a contact arrangement.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, a voltage tapping point of a cell is contacted (potential tapping) via the bonding wire for voltage measurement, so that the sensor line is connected to this voltage tapping point.

[0038] Such a voltage measurement is typically required for each cell of a battery, particularly in the context of battery monitoring and the battery management system. The cell voltage is generally recorded via the voltage tap. Direct bonding eliminates the need for a separate connection element to connect the sensor line to the tap point for voltage measurement. For this purpose, the bonding wire is directly connected to one of the battery's cell connectors, i.e., bonded directly to the cell connector. In this case, the cell connector forms the component to which the bonding wire is connected.

[0039] Specifically in this embodiment, the bonding wire is designed as a fuse element, as described above, and thus forms an overcurrent protection device with a predetermined fuse rating. The above-mentioned special properties of the bonding wire in its fuse element configuration apply particularly to such an application in a cell contact unit.

[0040] The advantage of this design is that no separate fuse elements, no circuit boards with fuse elements, etc. are required. Overall, the voltage measurement is therefore very simple, compact, and cost-effective.

[0041] Bonding wires are generally very fine wires, typically thinner than a human hair. The bonding wires preferably have a diameter in the range of up to 0.3 mm, and preferably of a maximum of 0.075 mm or a maximum of 0.150 mm. Due to this fine structure, the bonding wires are sensitive to mechanical stress. Especially in automotive applications, there is a common problem of mechanical stress occurring due to normal oscillations / vibrations during operation.

[0042] In order to eliminate or at least reduce such vibration-related mechanical stresses, especially in the contact areas of the bonding wire, the previously described housing is firmly and play-freely connected to the component by at least one fastening element, particularly by a form-fitting and / or material-fitting connection. The bonding wire is connected to the component by bonding.

[0043] This design essentially creates a common vibration plane between the housing and the component on which the housing and contact element are mounted. This keeps the overall mechanical stress on the bond connection low.

[0044] In this context, rigid and backlash-free means that no relative movement is possible between the component and the housing. Therefore, in the event of oscillations or vibrations, the housing directly follows the movements (vibrations) of the component.

[0045] The fastening element is preferably attached directly to the housing and, in particular, is a monolithic part of the housing. This is typically an injection-molded part, so that the fastening element is a part of the injection-molded part that forms the housing.

[0046] The fastening element preferably has a pin and is in particular formed by such a pin. The pin is generally a bolt-shaped element protruding towards the component. The component has a corresponding pin receptacle, which is in particular designed as an opening. The pin is received in the pin receptacle. In the preferred embodiment, the pin penetrates the opening and projects beyond it. The pin is firmly connected to the pin receptacle, in particular by a positive connection. The pin is usually made of a (plastic) insulating material.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the positive and / or material-locking connection is achieved by hot staking. During hot staking, a deformation generally also takes place, especially of the tenon, in particular in such a way that it forms a type of closing head which is designed like a mushroom head and engages around an edge of the opening. This measure creates a positive engagement in the axial direction of the tenon between the closing head and the edge of the opening. During hot staking, an axial pressing force is exerted on the tenon while simultaneously heating it, so that the heating softens and / or melts it slightly, at least in some areas, and it is deformed by the pressing force. For this purpose, a suitable forming die or pressing die is typically used, which is preferably heated itself.During caulking, the housing is preferably pressed against the component so that it rests reliably and without play.

[0048] Depending on the joining partner, a material-to-material connection is formed during hot staking in addition to the positive connection.

[0049] Preferably, in addition to the at least one fastening element, at least one fixing element is formed, which serves to fix the housing to the component during assembly. The fixing element is in particular a locking element, which is engaged with the component during assembly and thereby fixes the housing to the component. This locking element therefore achieves a pre-fixing which fixes the housing relative to the component, so that the form-fitting and / or material-fitting fastening via the fastening element can subsequently be carried out in a process-reliable manner and in particular by the aforementioned hot caulking. In a preferred embodiment, the fixing element is also a monolithic component of the housing.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the component is one of the cell connectors. Especially in the described embodiment, in which the bonding wire is used for a voltage tap and, in particular, is directly contacted with the cell connector, a reliable contact connection between the bonding wire and the cell connector is achieved thanks to the play-free and secure connection between the housing and the cell connector.

[0051] Alternatively, the component is a printed circuit board. At least one electrical component is mounted on this board, which is contacted via the bonding wire. Specifically, the printed circuit board has a contact surface to which the bonding wire is attached.

[0052] Such a design variant is used in particular when a sensor unit is contacted via the bonding wire, wherein the sensor unit comprises the circuit board. The sensor unit is preferably designed as a temperature sensor for temperature measurement.

[0053] The actual sensor element, for example, is attached to the circuit board. This is connected via a conductor track, for example, to a contact surface on the circuit board, to which the bonding wire is connected. In this design variant, the housing with the embedded contact element is attached to this circuit board and forms a structural unit with it, at least in the assembled state. This structural unit, in turn, is suitable for being connected, for example, by adhesive bonding, to a carrier, in particular to the holding unit.

[0054] During assembly, the circuit board is preferably first attached or fixed to the component and only then is the housing put on and fastened to the component, in particular by hot staking. In a preferred development, the cell connector is also firmly and play-free connected to the holding unit, i.e. in the modular design to a respective modular holder and in the non-modular design to the common holding unit, by a preferably positive and / or material-locking connection, and in particular again preferably by hot staking. The connection is preferably made with the aid of a fastening tab. This measure also creates a common vibration module for the holding unit and the cell connectors accommodated therein, so that the various components do not move relative to one another.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the holding unit has a holding receptacle for each cell connector, on which at least one fastening tab is formed on the edge. In the initial state, i.e., before hot-staking and forming, this tab protrudes freely and, in particular, vertically, so that the cell connector can be inserted into the holding receptacle. The fastening tab is then hot-staked and, in the process, formed and, in particular, bent. In this process, it is pressed against the cell connector, in particular from above, and thus presses it against a counter-bearing of the holding receptacle.

[0056] The cell connector preferably has a central region and two edge-side contact tabs for cell contacting, wherein the previously described housing is arranged in the central region and the at least one fastening tab fixes the cell connector to the central region. As described above, in a preferred embodiment, the housing is also connected to the cell connector by hot-staking. Due to the directly adjacent fixation of the cell connector to the holding unit by hot-staking and the fixation of the housing in the central region by hot-staking, relative movements are reliably excluded.

[0057] According to an independently inventive aspect, a cell contacting unit is provided, in particular with the contact arrangement described above, wherein the cell contacting unit is designed to contact a plurality of cells of a battery, in particular a high-voltage battery of a vehicle (traction battery). The cell contacting unit has the described holding unit and the cell connectors for electrically connecting two adjacent cells, as well as a housing with a contact element embedded therein, to which a sensor line is connected. In this independently inventive idea, the cell connector is fixed to the holding unit via at least one fastening tab. Alternatively or additionally, the housing is fixed to the cell connector by hot-staking a fastening element. As a result, the previously described vibration assembly is reliably formed without relative movement to one another.

[0058] The features and functions mentioned above or below in connection with hot calking are to be applied mutatis mutandis to these independently inventive aspects.

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned holding receptacle for a respective cell connector is divided by a cross strut, wherein the housing with the contact element (terminal) located therein is arranged in the region of the cross strut. The cross strut is arranged, in particular, below the previously described central region of the cell connector. This cross strut also covers the connected bond wires and thus forms a cover or protective element for the bond wires.

[0060] The cross strut is further preferably designed as a separate component, which is fastened to the remaining holding unit, in particular by locking elements. The remaining holding unit is preferably designed as a monolithic component, in particular a plastic injection-molded component. The previously described fastening tab, with which the cell connector is fixed, is formed in particular in the region of this cross strut. The fastening tab is preferably a component of the remaining monolithic holding unit. Alternatively, the cross strut is also part of the monolithic component. A suitable tool is used for hot-staking. Preferably, each point to be hot-stuck is hot-stucked in a single, separate process step. For this purpose, the respective tool is pressed against the element to be pressed under the influence of heat, so that the element is first heated, then deformed, and finally cooled again.The tool imprints its arched tool geometry on the respective element, which the element - for example the fastening tab of the holding unit or the fastening element of the housing - takes on after hot staking.

[0061] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for producing a contact connection as described above. Here, the conductor of an electrical line is connected to a contact element, and an electrical component to be contacted is electrically contacted using a bonding wire, which connects the contact element to the component.

[0062] Overall, this results in cost-effective and easy-to-install contacting with minimal installation space and, preferably, with touch protection. A further advantage of the bonding wire solution is the short processing times and low material costs, for example, compared to a conventional connector solution, since the mating terminal (socket / pin) is eliminated. The elimination of the mating terminal is also worth highlighting in terms of the small installation space required. Furthermore, bonding requires less installation space.

[0063] In the variant with the fixed connection of the housing via the fastening element, the special advantage of low mechanical stress on the bond wire connection is still achieved.

[0064] During assembly, the preferred procedure is to first connect the cable to the contact element. The contact element is typically then inserted or plugged into the housing—alternatively, this can also be done beforehand. It then preferably forms the contact plug described above.

[0065] The contact element with the connected cable is then positioned in the desired position, preferably by appropriately positioning the housing / contact plug, for example, by inserting it into a plug receptacle of a supporting component. The housing is held in the plug receptacle with a precise fit and / or a positive fit, for example, by a latching mechanism.

[0066] This first assembly step is prepared and provided as a component, for example, a contacting unit. This component comprises, in particular, a plurality of such prepared contact elements with connected leads. In particular, this is the cell contacting unit described above. This is prepared, for example, by a contacting unit manufacturer and subsequently provided at a separate assembly location, for example, on the production line for battery production.

[0067] In the preferred embodiment with the cell contact unit, the individual cell connectors are pre-fixed in the holding unit. This is preferably a common, one-piece holding unit, and the individual cell connectors are fixed to this insulating support (holding unit) in particular by hot-staking. Preferably, at least one sensor unit is also attached to the holding unit.

[0068] The sensor cable harness is then routed along the holding unit. Each sensor cable is connected to the contact element located in the housing.

[0069] For the formation of voltage taps, for example, the individual contact plugs are each fixed to a respective cell connector, preferably using the previously described fixing elements (locking elements). Subsequently, the connection is made via the at least one fastening element, in particular by hot caulking.

[0070] In the case of at least one sensor unit, the contact plug is also fixed to the circuit board, preferably via the previously described fixing elements (locking elements). Subsequently, the connection is established via the at least one fastening element, in particular by hot caulking.

[0071] Preferably, the electrical contacting of the electrical component to be connected via bonding the bond wire only takes place in a second, separate assembly step. In the embodiment with the cell contact unit, the bond wire is directly contacted with the cell connector, and in the embodiment with the sensor unit, the bond wire is directly contacted with the circuit board. For this purpose, the bond wire is generally bonded to the component, specifically to the cell connector or the circuit board.

[0072] Preferably, the bonding wire is also only electrically contacted with the contact element at its other end in this second assembly step.

[0073] A particular advantage here is that larger positional tolerances can be compensated for by the bonding wire and the assembly sequence.

[0074] Bonding is preferably automated and in particular fully automated with the help of process monitoring and in particular process control.

[0075] Overall, this enables simple assembly and connection of a cable to a component, particularly fully automated. In particular, it enables the easy connection of sensor cables with an integrated fuse formed by the bonding wire. Conventional components, particularly conventional crimp contacts, are used as contact elements. In particular, only so-called SMD components, such as those known from printed circuit board assembly and which can be assembled easily and automatically, can be used.

[0076] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show:

[0077] FIG 1 shows a partial perspective view of a cell contact unit,

[0078] FIG 2 is an enlarged view of a section of FIG 1 with a contact arrangement,

[0079] FIG 3 an enlarged view of a contact element with connected cable and bonding wire,

[0080] FIG 4 shows a partial, perspective view from above of a cell contacting unit according to a modified embodiment,

[0081] FIG 5, a view from below of the cell contacting unit shown in detail in FIG 4,

[0082] FIG 6 is a sectional view along the section plane VI-VI in FIG 4,

[0083] FIG 7 is a sectional view along section plane VII-VII in FIG 4,

[0084] FIG 8 shows a perspective, partial side view of a further area of ​​the cell contacting unit according to the modified embodiment,

[0085] FIG 9 a partial view of a cell contact unit to illustrate the hot caulking and

[0086] FIG 10 is a partial view of the cell contact unit according to FIG 9 without cell connectors.

[0087] FIG. 1 shows a section of a cell contact unit 2 for a battery (not shown in detail here), which is preferably intended for an electric motor-driven motor vehicle and is also used there as a traction battery. Typically, the battery is composed of several modules that are interconnected. Each module, in turn, has a plurality of individual (battery) cells that are arranged in a row in a longitudinal direction L and form a cell stack. The individual cells are often cuboid-shaped / prismatic. The cell contact unit 2 also extends accordingly along the longitudinal direction L.

[0088] The individual cells of a module are electrically connected to each other in series via the cell contact unit 2. For this purpose, each cell pair is electrically connected to each other via a respective cell connector 4.

[0089] The entire battery typically has a battery management system, which, among other things, is designed to monitor the current state of the battery and, in particular, the individual cells. The module, and in particular the cells, are generally equipped with sensors connected via a cable set 6 and linked to the battery management system when installed. The cable set 6 has a plurality of individual sensor lines 8. At one end, the cable set 6 has, for example, a multi-pin connector, via which the cable set 6 can be connected, for example, to the battery management system.

[0090] The cell contact unit 2 has a modular design in the exemplary embodiment. A plurality of individual holders 10 made of insulating material are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction L. Each of the holders 10 accommodates a cell connector 4. In the center of the image, one holder is hidden to reveal the cell connector 4. The individual holders 1 are designed in particular as (plastic) injection-molded parts and specifically as identical parts. The plurality of holders 10 are part of a plastic carrier unit and, in the exemplary embodiment, form a modular holding unit 11 made of an insulating material, which holds the plurality of cell connectors 4. Instead of the modular holding unit 11, this has a non-modular design and is designed, for example, in one piece, in particular as a monolithic component, preferably as an injection-molded component.

[0091] The individual holders 10 are lined up along two assembly lines 12. Specifically, the holders 10 are slid and / or clipped onto a respective assembly line 12 and held there in a form-fitting manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the assembly lines 12 are designed as profile rails, particularly made of metal. They are preferably designed as tensioning straps and ensure that, in the final assembled state, the individual cells are held clamped against one another in the longitudinal direction L.

[0092] The holders 10 and the respective cell contact unit 2 each have a rear side oriented toward the cells and an opposite front side. They form a kind of enclosure for the cell connector 4, in which it rests, protected from contact.

[0093] In the exemplary embodiment, the holder 10 is further configured to accommodate sensor elements, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, voltage taps, etc., which are each connected via the individual sensor lines 8. In particular, connector receptacles 14 are formed on the holder 10, in which a contact plug 16 is inserted in the exemplary embodiment. The connector receptacles 14 are designed, in particular, in the manner of receiving channels, in particular continuous receiving channels. A respective contact plug 16 can be inserted into these connector receptacles 14.

[0094] Each cell connector 4 has two contact tabs 18, which are opposite one another in the longitudinal direction L and are in particular approximately strip-shaped, and which are connected to one another via an intermediate part designed for length compensation and, in the exemplary embodiment, is in particular wave-shaped. Furthermore, the cell connector 4 has a connection area, in particular formed by a connection tab 20, which is used for a voltage tap and serves as a voltage tap point. The cell connector 4 also has two pole openings, in particular circular ones. These are in particular formed centrally in each contact tab 18.

[0095] The cell terminals of two adjacent cells are electrically contacted via a respective cell connector 4. The contact tabs 18 preferably lie flat against a respective cell terminal. For this purpose, the cell terminal is preferably approximately cuboid-shaped. It also preferably has an upwardly projecting contact pin with a typically circular cross-section, which, when assembled, is received by the respective terminal opening.

[0096] Sensors are generally provided for monitoring the battery. The respective cell contact unit 2 is designed, in particular, to measure the voltage of each cell. For this purpose, the respective sensor line 8 is connected to the contact plug 16, to which, in turn, a bonding wire 22 is connected. This bonding wire 22 is connected to the cell connector 4 for voltage tapping, in particular to the contact tab 18 as the voltage tapping point of the cell. The cell connector 4 and, in the assembled state, the cell indirectly connected via it form an electrical component connected to the bonding wire 22.

[0097] The contact plug 16, or generally a (plug) housing 30, has an internal contact element 24, which can be seen in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a similar connection situation to FIG. 2. The contact element 24 shown in FIG. 3 is located in the contact plug 16 according to FIG. 2. This is preferably a commercially available contact plug 16. Likewise, the contact element 24 is also a commercially available contact element 24, which is designed in particular as a crimp contact.

[0098] FIG 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which, instead of a contact plug 16, the contact element 24 is mounted and firmly fixed on a carrier 25. The carrier 25 is, for example, a printed circuit board.

[0099] The contact element 24 generally forms an electrical connection between a conductor of the sensor line 8 and the bond wire 22 connected to it. It is typically designed as a simple metallic component, in particular a bent sheet metal part without any additional electrical function. It generally has a connection area 26 to which the stripped conductor of the respective sensor line 8 is connected. At the opposite front end, the contact element 24 has a front plug-in area 28, typically a contact pin or a contact socket.

[0100] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the contact element 24 is surrounded by an insulating (plug) housing 30 and, together with it, forms the contact plug 16. The plug housing 30 preferably has a cutout 32 at its front end, so that a portion of the contact element 24, in particular the portion to which the bonding wire 22 is attached, is freely accessible. Unlike conventional contact plugs, a portion of the contact element 24, specifically the front plug-in area 28, is thus virtually exposed and is no longer surrounded by the plug housing 30.

[0101] In the embodiment according to FIG 3, the contact element 24 is arranged on the carrier 25 so that it is largely freely accessible. As contact protection, structural elements 34, shown in dashed lines, are designed in the form of two opposing webs, which protrude in particular vertically from the carrier 25. These define a free channel between them, in which the contact element 24 lies and which is in particular open at the top so that the contact element 24 is accessible. These structural elements 34 are either an integral part of the carrier 25 or at least firmly connected to it. In the exemplary embodiment, they extend over a base plate of the carrier 25, i.e. they protrude beyond it at the edge, so that the channel also continues beyond the base plate.The bonding wire 22 is accommodated in this projecting partial area, in particular the section which is connected to the further electrical component, in the exemplary embodiment to the cell connector 4.

[0102] For voltage measurement, the voltage of a respective cell is tapped via bonding wire 22. This bonding wire 22 is connected by direct bonding, on the one hand, to the cell connector 4 and, on the other hand, to the described contact element 24, specifically to the plug-in area 28. The bonding wire 22 is thus directly connected to the respective element, i.e., without any further intermediate elements. For such voltage measurements of a respective cell, protection against overcurrents is regularly required. Conventionally, separate fuse elements are typically used for this purpose. These must be connected separately and typically require a fuse carrier and are arranged, for example, on a circuit board.

[0103] In the present embodiment, the bonding wire 22 itself serves as a fuse element and, in particular, as a fuse. The fuse properties of the bonding wire 22 are suitably adjusted by its geometry and material properties. For example, the bonding wire 22 has a total length only in the range of 10 mm to 30 mm and a diameter of, for example, 50 μm to 100 μm. It consists, in particular, of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, for example, an aluminum-silicon alloy with a 1% silicon content. Overall, this sets a fuse rating of, for example, 750 mA to 1.5 A.

[0104] The advantage of securing via the bond wire 22 is that it requires extremely little space and eliminates the need for a separate fuse element, which usually requires a fuse carrier, such as a circuit board.

[0105] The bonding wire 22 and in particular also the elements to which it is connected (the contact element 24 and cell connector 4 as an electrical component) are preferably generally protected against contact. For this purpose, suitable structural elements 34 made of insulating material are provided, as already explained above by way of example in connection with Figure 3. In addition, these also include, for example, the holder 10, which provides contact protection through suitable contouring, for example by means of webs or ribs. The connector receptacles 14 or the connector housing 30 can also be understood as such structural elements. The invention has been described here in connection with the specific application in the cell contact unit 2 and in particular in connection with the design of the bonding wire 22 as a securing element.

[0106] However, the basic principle of the contact arrangement described here, in which an electrical line is electrically connected by means of a particularly conventional contact element 24 to a bonding wire 22, which in turn is connected to an electrical component, can also be transferred to other application examples.

[0107] On the electrical component side, the bonding wire itself can in turn be bonded to a contact element, to which another line is preferably connected and led to an electrical component. For example, two different contact elements are used, such as a male and a female contact element (suitable for a plug-in connection). Alternatively, two identical contact elements are used, in particular two (pure) crimp areas (without a plug-in area). Finally, in another variant, the bonding wire is bonded with its second end to a conductor track of a circuit board and is thus connected to an electronic component arranged on the circuit board.

[0108] The described contact arrangement offers particular advantages such as its small installation space requirement, the ability to compensate for positional tolerances, and the possibility of a simple automated assembly process. Compared to conventional contact connections using conventional contact plugs with mating contact plugs or screw connections, the contact arrangement described here has significantly lower installation space requirements. In particular, the present contact arrangement also enables reliable and simple contact protection.

[0109] It should also be emphasized that the contact arrangement enables and carries out simple and fully automated assembly. First, the line 14 is connected to the contact element 24 in the conventional manner. Subsequently, the contact element 24 is fixed, for example within the framework of a more complex assembly (contacting unit), such as the cell contacting unit 2 described, in the desired position of this assembly, for example by plugging it in. In particular, it is provided that a large number of such contact elements 24 are fixed in suitable positions in such an assembly, preferably without the electrical contact being made with the electrical component to be connected in this assembly step. This electrical contact is made in a subsequent assembly step using the bonding wire. This makes it possible to compensate for positional tolerances.

[0110] The attachment of the bonding wire 22 is carried out in particular fully automatically and in particular with assembly monitoring and control, for example an optical control, so that the attachment of the bonding wire 22 can be carried out in a process-reliable manner in the smallest space.

[0111] Figures 4-8 show a modified variant of a cell contacting unit 2 in partially simplified, fragmentary representations.

[0112] FIG. 4 shows a perspective, partial top view. This shows the holding unit 11, which is essentially formed by a plastic carrier. This is, in particular, a one-piece plastic injection-molded component. This forms a plurality of holders 10 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, each of which accommodates a cell connector 4. These are typically covered on the upper side with insulating elements 36, as shown in the left half of FIG. 4. These are omitted in the right half of the image, thus allowing a view of the cell connector 4.

[0113] The cell connector 4 is held on the holding unit 11 via fastening tabs 38. In the exemplary embodiment, these cover a central region 40 between the two contact tabs 18. The central region 40 is bent downwards, in particular in an approximately U-shape relative to the contact tabs 18. The fastening tabs 38 are formed, in particular, by hot-staking. At the edge, the holding unit 11 has a guide region 42 for the individual sensor lines 8, which are only shown in section in FIG. 4. The sensor lines 8 are also held upwards, in particular, by individual, discrete, and in particular hook-shaped holding elements 44.

[0114] The right-hand half of Figure 4 shows that a housing 30 with the internal contact elements 24 is attached to the cell connector 4, and preferably to the central region 40. The housing 30 is in particular the plug housing of the previously described contact plug 16. The embodiment variant is explained below using the contact plug 16 without limiting the generality. However, the plug housing can also be replaced by a different housing. Such a contact plug 16 is attached to each cell connector 4. The contact plug 16 has two internal contact elements 24 (not shown in detail here), to each of which a bonding wire 22 is connected. This bonding wire is directly bonded to the cell connector 4 and serves as a voltage tap.

[0115] In the illustrated area of ​​the cell connector 4, a sensor unit 46 is also attached, wherein said sensor unit is designed in particular as a temperature sensor. The holding unit 11 forms a fastening area 48 for this sensor unit 46. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening area 48 is formed by a plate-shaped partial area of ​​the plastic carrier and thus of the holding unit 11. In the exemplary embodiment, this fastening area is arranged in the transverse direction on the edge next to one of the cell connectors 4. The sensor unit 46 is attached in particular between the plate-shaped partial area and a base of the guide area 42. The sensor unit 46 is fastened, for example, from below to the plate-shaped fastening area 48, for example by gluing.

[0116] Typically, only a limited number, for example, 1-5 sensor units 46 are mounted along the length of the cell contact unit 2. Due to vibrations occurring during operation, the contact point of the respective bonding wire 22 is subjected to mechanical stress. To prevent relative movement of the contact plug 16 relative to the component to which the bonding wire 22 is connected, a vibration-resistant attachment of the contact plug 16 to the respective component, namely to the cell connector 4 on the one hand and to the sensor unit 46 on the other hand, is provided, in particular by hot caulking.

[0117] The fastening of the contact plug 16 to the respective cell connector 4 is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 6: This shows a sectional view along the sectional plane VI-VI in FIG. 4. It can be seen that the plug housing 30 of the contact plug 16 has on its underside at least one fastening element formed by a pin 50 and additionally at least one fixing element 52, which is designed as a locking element. Corresponding to this, the cell connector 4 has an opening 54 designed in the manner of a bore, which forms a pin receptacle for the pin 50. A further opening 56 is formed corresponding to the fixing element 52.

[0118] FIG. 6 shows an assembly situation in which the contact plug 16 is initially fixed to the cell connector 4 using the fixing element 52. In a subsequent process step, the actual fastening then takes place, in particular by hot caulking, in which the pin 50 is detuned under the influence of heat. In this process, the front end of the pin 50 is deformed, and a closing head in the manner of a mushroom head is formed (not shown in detail here), which engages behind an edge of the opening 54 and thus forms a positive connection. The fixing element 52, on the other hand, is preferably not further discussed.

[0119] The bonding wire 22 shown in Figure 6 is shown in this assembled state for illustrative purposes only. Preferably, the bonding wire 22 is connected by bonding only after the contact plug 16 has been attached (i.e., after the pin 50 has been hot-stamped) to the cell connector 4, with one end of the bonding wire 22 being connected to the contact element 24 and the other end to the cell connector 4. Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the cell connector 4, in which both the pin 50 and the fixing element 52, as well as the corresponding openings 54 in the cell connector 4, can be seen.

[0120] Furthermore, FIG. 5 shows two recesses 58 in the holding unit 11, which provide a view of the sensor unit 46 arranged above it. These recesses 58, or at least one recess 58, allow access to contact areas where the respective bonding wire 22 is attached to the sensor unit 46 by its two ends.

[0121] FIG 7 shows a section along the section plane VII - VII of FIG 4, from which the fastening of the sensor unit 46 and its structure can be seen.

[0122] Figure 8 shows a further sensor unit 46, which is arranged, for example, at an end region of the cell contacting unit 2, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0123] The sensor unit 46 (see in particular FIG. 8) generally comprises a printed circuit board 60 on which contact surfaces 62 (see FIG. 8) are formed. The contact plug 16 is mounted on the printed circuit board 60, and the contact surfaces 62, on the one hand, and the contact elements 24, on the other hand, are contacted via the bonding wires 22. The actual sensor element 64 (see in particular FIG. 7) can be seen on the underside of the printed circuit board 60 in the area opposite the contact surfaces 62. The sensor element 64 is preferably located in an opening in the fastening area 48.

[0124] The contact plug 16 is fastened to the circuit board 60 and thus to the sensor unit 46 in the same way as previously described in connection with FIG. 6 and the cell connector 4. The circuit board 60 therefore also has an opening 54 and a further opening 56 (not shown in detail here) through which the pin 50 and the fixing element 52 are inserted. Here, too, the plug housing 30 is first fixed to the circuit board 60 before the actual fastening takes place by hot caulking. This measure also creates a common vibration plane between the contact plug 16 and the circuit board 60 in the sensor unit 46.

[0125] By attaching the contact plug 16, specifically by hot-staking, a common vibration plane is generally formed between the contact plug 16 and the component (cell connector 4, circuit board 60 / sensor unit 46) to which the respective bonding wire 22 is attached. This ensures permanently reliable electrical contact through the bonding and the bonding wire 22.

[0126] With reference to Figures 9 and 10, which show a modified embodiment of a cell contacting unit 2, the fixing of the cell connector 4 to the holding unit 11, in particular by means of hot caulking, is explained.

[0127] In this exemplary embodiment, the holding unit 11 is a common holding unit 11 that accommodates a plurality of cell connectors 4. For each cell connector 4, the holding unit 11 has a holding receptacle 70 that is designed in the manner of a frame (see, in particular, FIG. 10). The holding receptacle 70 has, in particular, a circumferential support edge on which the cell connector 4 is placed.

[0128] The cell connector 4 has the two contact tabs 18 and the central region 40 connecting them. This central region 40 rises above the two contact tabs 18, forming an elevation or, when viewed from the opposite side, a particularly groove-shaped depression that extends across the entire width of the cell connector 4. The housing 30 (not visible) with the contact elements 24 (terminals) embedded therein is arranged in this central region 40. The fastening elements, designed as pins 50, can be seen. These are designed to firmly fix the housing 30 to the cell connector 4 and are embossed against the cell connector 4 in the final state by the hot caulking described above. Figures 9 and 10 show these pins 50 in their initial state.In the exemplary embodiment, the holding unit 11 has, in the region of its holding receptacle 70, the two edge-side and opposite fastening tabs 38. These are arranged in particular in the region of the central region 40.

[0129] As can be seen specifically from Figure 10, each fastening tab is cuboid-shaped, for example, and is initially formed vertically projecting, particularly at the end of a cut-out tongue 72. Figures 9 and 10 each show a tool 74 with which the respective hot-staking is performed. Preferably, an individually adapted tool 74 is provided for each fastening tab 38 and for the pins 50.

[0130] In Figures 9 and 10, in the area of ​​the tool 74, the fastening tab 38 is shown in dashed lines in its initial position before hot-staking and in its deformed final position (solid line) after hot-staking. As can be seen in particular from Figure 10, a counter-bearing 76 is formed opposite the respective fastening tab 38 and below the cell connector 4, against which the cell connector 4 is pressed during hot-staking. This counter-bearing 76 is formed in particular by a front end piece of the cut-out tongue 72. In the assembled state, the cell connector 4 is clamped between the fastening tab 38 and the counter-bearing 76.

[0131] As can also be seen particularly in FIG. 10, the housing 30 is positioned in the region of a cross strut 78, which spans the holding receptacle 70 in the middle and thus also divides it, so that openings are formed to the right and left of the cross strut 78, into which a portion of the respective cell, in particular a cell pole, extends in the assembled state. This cross strut 78 forms, in particular, a cover that covers and thus protects the bonding wires 22.

[0132] It can also be seen that the cross strut 78 is preferably a separate component, which is particularly reinforced to the remaining holding unit 11. The previously described freely projecting tongue 72 forms slots on both sides of this tongue 72, which form locking receptacles for locking hooks 80 formed on the cross strut 78 and via which the cross strut 78 is reinforced to the remaining holding unit 11. This is preferably designed as a monolithic plastic injection-molded part.

[0133] The design of the cross brace 78 as a separate component has the advantage that the cell connector 4 can first be fixed in the retaining receptacle 70, particularly by hot-staking, and then the cross brace 78 can be attached. The assembly is particularly as follows:

[0134] 1. Inserting the cell connector 4 into the holding receptacle 70 and fixing it by hot-staking the fastening tabs 38 arranged on the sides;

[0135] 2. Inserting the (terminal) housing 30 together with sensor lines 8 and crimp contacts (contact elements 24) into the cell connector 4 and hot-staking the housing 30 over the pins 50;

[0136] 3. Carrying out the bonding process, in which the bonding wires 22 are placed between the contact element 24 and the cell connector 4 and connected to these components by bonding;

[0137] 4. Mounting / inserting the cross brace 78 as mechanical protection / cover for the bond wires 22;

[0138] List of reference symbols

[0139] 2 cell contact unit

[0140] 4 cell connectors

[0141] 6 Cable set

[0142] 8 Sensor cable

[0143] 10 holders

[0144] 11 Holding unit

[0145] 12 Assembly line

[0146] 1 plug receptacle

[0147] 16 contact plugs

[0148] 18 contact tabs

[0149] 20 connection tab

[0150] 22 bonding wire

[0151] 24 contact element

[0152] 25 carriers

[0153] 26 Connection area

[0154] 28 plug-in area

[0155] 30 connector housings

[0156] 32 franking

[0157] 34 structural elements

[0158] 36 Insulating element

[0159] 38 Mounting tab

[0160] 40 midrange

[0161] 42 Management area

[0162] 44 Holding element

[0163] 46 Sensor unit

[0164] 48 Mounting area

[0165] 50 cones

[0166] 52 Fixing element

[0167] 54 Breakthrough

[0168] 56 further breakthrough

[0169] 58 Recess 60 Circuit board

[0170] 62 contact surface

[0171] 64 Sensor element 70 Holding fixture

[0172] 72 Tongue

[0173] 74 tools

[0174] 76 Counter bearings

[0175] 78 Cross brace 80 Locking hook

[0176] L longitudinal direction

Claims

Claims 1 . Contact arrangement for electrically contacting an electrical component (4, 60), in particular of a motor vehicle, with a contact element (24) to which a line (8) is connected, wherein a bonding wire (22) is connected to the contact element (24) which is connected to the component by bonding.

2. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the bonding wire (22) is connected to both the contact element (24) and the component (4, 60) by bonding.

3. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (24) is a plug-in contact element with a connection area (26) for the line (8) and with a plug-in area (28), such as a contact socket or a contact pin.

4. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (24) is a crimp contact.

5. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact element (24) is provided with a coating, in particular of nickel or silver.

6. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact element (24) is accommodated in a housing (30) made of insulating material and forms a structural unit therewith.

7. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, in which the structural unit is designed as a contact plug (16).

8. Contact arrangement according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the housing (30) has a clearance (32) in a partial area through which the bonding wire (22) is accessible.

9. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which contact protection is formed at least in the region of the bonding wire (22) by structural elements (32), such as ribs.

10. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the contact element (24) is arranged on a carrier (25) on which the structural elements (32) are formed.

11. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the bonding wire (22) is designed as a fuse element with a defined fuse rating, in particular as a fuse.

12. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the bonding wire (22) has a fuse rating in the range of 250 mA to 5 A, in particular in the range of 750 mA to 1.5 A.

13. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, which is part of a cell contacting unit (2) for a battery with a plurality of cells, wherein the cell contacting unit (2) has cell connectors (4) via which adjacent cells are electrically connected to one another in the assembled state.

14. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, in which the cell contacting unit (2) has a cable set (6) with at least one sensor line (8) as the line, wherein the sensor line (8) for measuring a cell voltage via the bonding wire (22) is electrically connected to a voltage tapping point, which is preferably formed by at least one of the respective cell connectors (4) which forms the component contacted with the bonding wire (22).

15. Contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims and according to claim 6, in which the housing (30) is mounted on the component (4, 60) and is connected to it by at least one fastening element (50) in a fixed and play-free manner and in particular in a form-fitting manner.

16. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, in which the fastening element has a pin (50) and the component (4, 60) has a pin receptacle, in particular an opening (54), to which the pin (50) is firmly connected.

17. Contact arrangement according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the fastening element (50) is connected to the component (4, 60) by hot caulking.

18. Contact arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 17, in which in addition to the fastening element (50) a fixing element (52) is arranged, which serves to fix the housing (30) to the component (4, 60) during assembly and which is designed in particular as a locking element.

19. Contact arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 18 and according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the component is one of the cell connectors (4).

20. Contact arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the component is a printed circuit board (60).

21. Contact arrangement according to one of claims 15 to 20 and according to one of claims 13 or 14, in which the cell connector (4) is held in a holding unit (11) and is firmly connected thereto, in particular in a form-fitting manner, in particular with the aid of at least one fastening tab (38) and preferably by hot caulking.

22. Contact arrangement according to the preceding claim, in which the holding unit (11) for a respective cell connector (4) has a holding receptacle (70), on the edge of which the at least one fastening tab (38) is formed, which in the initial state projects freely, so that the cell connector (4) can be inserted in particular into the holding receptacle (70) and which is reshaped, in particular bent, after the hot caulking.

23. Contact arrangement according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the cell connector (4) has a central region (40) and two edge-side contact tabs (18) for cell contacting, wherein the housing (30) is arranged at the central region (40) and the at least one fastening tab (38) fixes the cell connector (4) at the central region (40).

24. Cell contacting unit (2), in particular with a contact arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, for contacting a plurality of cells of a battery, comprising a holding unit (11) and cell connectors (4) for electrically connecting two adjacent cells, with a housing (30) receiving a contact element (24), wherein a sensor line (8) is connected to the contact element (24), characterized in that the cell connector (4) is fixed to the holding unit (11) by hot-staking a fastening tab (38) thereon and / or that the housing (30) is fixed to the cell connector (4) by hot-staking a fastening element (50).

25. Cell contacting unit (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the holding unit (11) for a respective cell connector (4) has a holding receptacle (70) which is divided by a particularly separate cross strut (78), wherein the housing (30) with the contact element (24) located therein is arranged in the region of the cross strut (78).

26. A method for producing a contact connection between a line (8) and an electrical component by forming a contact arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 23.

27. Method according to the preceding claim, in which first the line (8) is connected to the contact element (24), then the contact element (24) is arranged at a predetermined position and subsequently the bonding wire (22) is contacted to the contact element (24) and to the component by bonding.

Images