Protective device for at least one electrical connector.

Abstract

Protective device for at least one electrical connector. Protective device (1), in particular with respect to an electrical risk, for at least one electrical connector (50), in particular of a power unit (201) of a vehicle (200), the protective device (1) comprising:- a protective screen (3) configured to at least partially surround at least one electrical connector (50); and- a fixing system (10) for fixing at least one conduit (60) intended to circulate a fluid, the fixing system (10) comprising at least one fixing element (11) mechanically linked to the protective screen (3), on the side of an external surface of the protective screen, the fixing system (10) being capable of releasing said at least one conduit (60) in the event of an external mechanical shock Figure for the abstract: 4

Description

Title of the invention: Protective device for at least one electrical connector.

[0001] The invention relates to a protection device for at least one electrical connector. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such a protection device.

[0002] In a motor vehicle, it appears important to provide a protective device around a high-voltage electrical connector in the case where such a connector is to be arranged in an area of ​​the vehicle likely to be subjected to an external shock.

[0003] However, the protective devices usually used have drawbacks. In particular, such protective devices have a high cost.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a protection device and a method of manufacturing a protection device which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the devices and methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to produce a device and a method which are simple and reliable and which have a reduced cost.

[0005] According to the invention, a protection device, in particular with respect to an electrical risk, for at least one electrical connector, in particular of a motorization group of a vehicle, comprises: - a protective screen configured to at least partially surround at least one electrical connector; and - a fixing system for fixing at least one conduit intended to circulate a fluid. The fixing system comprises at least one fixing element mechanically linked to the protective screen, on the side of an external surface of the protective screen and the fixing system is capable of releasing said at least one conduit in the event of an external mechanical shock.

[0006] The fixing system can be directly mechanically linked to the protective screen, without using any additional part, in particular without using a nut.

[0007] The at least one fixing element may comprise a projection cooperating with an opening in the protective screen, the projection being chosen from the group comprising a boss and a pin, in particular a fir-tree pin.

[0008] The at least one fixing element can be chosen from the group comprising a staple and a clip, in particular made of plastic.

[0009] The protective screen may comprise at least one plate intended to cover at least at least partially at least one electrical connector, the at least one plate being in particular made of sheet metal.

[0010] The protective screen may comprise a first plate intended to be arranged on the side of a first face of at least one electrical connector and a second plate intended to be arranged on the side of a second face of at least one electrical connector opposite the first face.

[0011] The fastening system may be capable of breaking in the event of an external mechanical shock.

[0012] According to the invention, the vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises at least one protection device defined above.

[0013] The power unit may comprise a charger, said at least one electrical connector being intended to connect the charger to another element of the power unit of the vehicle or to another element of the vehicle.

[0014] The motorization group may comprise an air conditioning system comprising an evaporator and a condenser, said at least one conduit being intended in particular to connect the evaporator and the condenser.

[0015] The attached drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a protection device according to the invention and an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a protection device according to the invention.

[0016] [Fig. 1] shows a protective screen for at least one electrical connector.

[0017] [Fig.2] represents a protective screen for at least one electrical connector, a conduit being fixed to the protective screen by means of fixing of the type usually used.

[0018] [Fig.3] represents a result of a simulation of an external impact on an area of ​​the vehicle in which the protective screen is arranged.

[0019] [Fig.4] represents an embodiment of a protection device.

[0020] [Fig.5] represents an embodiment of a fixing system.

[0021] [Fig.6] represents the result of a mechanical simulation of the protection device, in the absence of external shock.

[0022] [Fig.7] represents the result of a mechanical simulation of the protection device, in the case of an external impact.

[0023] [Fig.8] is a top view showing a power unit of a vehicle equipped with a protection device.

[0024] In a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle with an electric or hybrid engine, the power unit has a large footprint, in particular due to its small overhang and the high number of components required for its operation, in particular components required for the operation of an air conditioning system, for example based on a heat pump. A conduit may be required to circulate an air conditioning fluid, particularly low pressure and / or high pressure, between an evaporator and a condenser.

[0025] Reference will be made to a direct orthonormal reference frame XYZ usually used in automobile design, in which the X axis designates the front-rear longitudinal direction of the vehicle, oriented towards the rear, the Y axis designates the transverse direction of the vehicle and is oriented from the left to the right of the vehicle, left and right being defined according to the point of view of a driver of the vehicle, the Z axis designates the vertical direction, and is oriented upwards, the vehicle resting on horizontal ground.

[0026] The powertrain may comprise a charger and at least one electrical connector for connecting the charger to another element of the powertrain of the vehicle or to another element of the vehicle. A protective screen may be provided to at least partially surround the at least one electrical connector.

[0027] In particular due to the lack of space available in the engine group of a vehicle, the applicant sought to fix to such a protective screen a conduit intended to circulate an air conditioning fluid. This makes it possible in particular to use a conduit of reduced length compared to conduits of the type usually used.

[0028] The route of the air conditioning ducts or pipes is usually very long because it is not direct. The route of the air conditioning pipes is usually located on a cradle forming a support for the motorization group, at a high distance from the high voltage connectors.

[0029] Fixing a conduit to a protective screen for an electrical connector provides a direct path for the conduit. This results in a minimized conduit length.

[0030] An example of a vehicle 100 comprising a charger 101 is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The charger 101 is for example electrically connected to a first electrical connector 111, a second electrical connector 112, a third electrical connector 113, a fourth electrical connector 114.

[0031] A metal protective screen 120 partially surrounds all of the first, second, third and fourth electrical connectors 111, 112, 113, 114. The protective screen 120 comprises a first plate 121 arranged on the side of a first face 111a, 112a, 113a, 114a of at least one electrical connector 111, 112, 113, 114 and a second plate 122 arranged on the side of a second face of at least one electrical connector 111, 112, 113, 114 opposite the first face 111a, 112a, 113a, 114a.

[0032] The first electrical connector 111 comprises at least one external plastic portion.

[0033] A fixing of a conduit 150 to the protective screen 120 via two means of attachment 130, 140 is described in more detail below with reference to [Fig.2].

[0034] The conduit 150 is intended to circulate an air conditioning fluid.

[0035] The conduit 150 is fixed to the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120 via the fixing means 130, 140. The fixing means 130, 140 are of the type usually used for fixing a conduit for circulating an air conditioning fluid.

[0036] The fixing means 130 comprises a first flange 131 and a second flange 132. The first and second flanges 131, 132 surround the conduit 150. The first and second flanges 131, 132 make it possible to fix the conduit 150.

[0037] The fixing means 130 comprises a fixing lug 134. The fixing lug 134 makes it possible to fix the fixing means 130 to the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120 via at least one assembly comprising a screw and a nut. The fixing lug 134 is rigid, for example metallic.

[0038] The fixing means 140 comprises a third flange 141 and a fourth flange 142. The third and fourth flanges 141, 142 surround the conduit 150. The third and fourth flanges 141, 142 make it possible to fix the conduit 150.

[0039] The fixing means 140 comprises a fixing lug 144. The fixing lug 144 makes it possible to fix the fixing means 140 to the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120 via at least one assembly comprising a screw and a nut. The fixing lug 144 is rigid, for example metallic.

[0040] The fixing lugs 134, 144 are located on the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120. The flanges 131, 132, 141, 141 are located next to the protective screen 120. The flanges 131, 132, 141, 141 are located substantially offset from the protective screen 120 in the transverse direction Y.

[0041] The portion 151 of the conduit 150 held by the two fixing means 130, 140 extends substantially along the longitudinal direction X close to the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120.

[0042] A result of a simulation of an external mechanical shock and a calculation of deformations in the area of ​​the external mechanical shock is described below with reference to [Fig.3].

[0043] Following the external mechanical shock, a downward deformation of the conduit 150 is observed, the latter being fixed at two fixed points and rigidly to the protective screen 120 by the two fixing means 130, 140. The conduit 150 comes into contact with a portion of the first electrical connector 111 which is not covered by the first plate 121 of the protective screen 120 and presses on the first electrical connector 111. This results in an impact on the first electrical connector 111, which risks damaging it. In addition, the protective screen 120 risks being damaged by the deformation of the conduit 150 and no longer being able to ensure its function of protecting a user against an electrical risk.

[0044] The invention proposes to fix a conduit, in particular intended to circulate an air conditioning fluid, on a protective screen configured to at least partially surround at least one electrical connector, via a fixing system capable of releasing the conduit in the event of an external mechanical shock.

[0045] The invention proposes to use a fusible attachment of a conduit intended to circulate a fluid on a protective screen.

[0046] An embodiment of a protection device 1 for at least one electrical connector is described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0047] The protection device 1 is in particular intended to protect a user against an electrical risk.

[0048] The at least one electrical connector may be an electrical connector of a power unit of a vehicle.

[0049] The protective device 1 comprises a protective screen 3.

[0050] The protective screen 3 is configured to at least partially surround at least one electrical connector 50.

[0051] The protective screen 3 is intended to protect the at least one electrical connector 50 in the event of an external mechanical shock.

[0052] The at least one electrical connector 50 is for example a high voltage electrical connector.

[0053] The protective screen 3 is intended to prevent an individual from accessing the at least one electrical connector 50, even after an external mechanical shock.

[0054] The at least one electrical connector 50 may be intended to connect a charger, in particular a high voltage charger, of a vehicle to another element of the engine group of a vehicle or to another element of a vehicle.

[0055] The protection device 1 comprises a fixing system 10 for fixing at least one conduit 60 intended to circulate a fluid.

[0056] The at least one conduit 60 may be a conduit of an air conditioning system.

[0057] The at least one conduit 60 may be intended to circulate an air conditioning fluid.

[0058] The at least one conduit 60 may be a pipe.

[0059] The at least one conduit 60 may be rigid. The at least one conduit 60 is for example in aluminum.

[0060] The at least one conduit 60 may be intended to connect an evaporator and a condenser of an air conditioning system.

[0061] The fixing system 10 is mechanically linked to the protective screen 3, on the side of an external surface of the protective screen 3.

[0062] By external surface of the protective screen 3 is meant a surface opposite a surface facing said at least one electrical connector 50.

[0063] The fixing system 10 is capable of releasing said at least one conduit 60 in the event of a external mechanical shock.

[0064] The fixing system 10 comprises at least one fixing element 11 mechanically linked to the protective screen 3, on the side of an external surface of the protective screen.

[0065] Advantageously, the fixing system 10 can be directly mechanically linked to the protective screen 3, without using an additional part, in particular without using a nut.

[0066] The at least one fixing element 11 may comprise a support portion 12 mechanically linked to the protective screen 3.

[0067] The support portion 12 of the at least one fixing element 11 may comprise a projection 13 cooperating with an opening in the protective screen 3.

[0068] The projection 13 can be a boss or a pin.

[0069] The projection 13 is for example made of plastic.

[0070] Advantageously, the projection 13 may be a fir tree pin. The projection 13 comprises, for example, fins 14 in the shape of a “fir tree”. An advantage of such a pin lies in the fact that the protection device 1 can be manufactured simply and quickly, such a pin being able to be easily arranged in an opening of the protection screen 3. Furthermore, once such a pin is placed in an opening of the protection screen 3, such a pin remains arranged in the opening of the protection screen 3 during normal use of a vehicle, in particular thanks to the fins 14.

[0071] The at least one fixing element 11 may comprise an attachment portion 16 intended to fix at least one conduit 60 intended to circulate a fluid.

[0072] The attachment portion 16 of the at least one fixing element 11 is capable of releasing said at least one conduit 60 in the event of an external mechanical shock.

[0073] The attachment portion 16 may in particular be chosen so as to allow the at least one conduit 60 to exit the attachment portion 16, preferably without deforming.

[0074] The fastening system 10 may comprise at least one staple or at least one clip, in particular made of plastic.

[0075] The at least one fixing element 11 may comprise a staple or a clip, in particular made of plastic.

[0076] The at least one fixing element 11 is chosen so as to allow the at least one conduit 60 to detach from the protective screen 3 in the event of an impact.

[0077] The fastening system 10 may comprise a first fastening element 21 and a second fastening element 22.

[0078] The first fastening element 21 is for example a staple or a clip, in particular made of plastic. The second fastening element 22 is for example a staple or a clip, in particular made of plastic.

[0079] The fastening system 10 may be capable of breaking in the event of a mechanical shock. outside.

[0080] The fixing system 10 can be fusible.

[0081] The protective screen 3 may comprise at least one plate 4 intended to at least partially cover at least one electrical connector 50, the at least one plate 4 being in particular made of sheet metal.

[0082] The at least one plate 4 may comprise at least one metallic material or at least one alloy of at least one metallic material.

[0083] The at least one plate 4 may be intended to at least partially cover a set of four electrical connectors 50, for example a first electrical connector 50-1, a second electrical connector 50-2, a third electrical connector 50-3 and a fourth electrical connector 50-4.

[0084] The protective screen 3 may comprise a first plate 5 intended to be arranged on the side of a first face 51 of at least one electrical connector 50 and a second plate 6 intended to be arranged on the side of a second face of at least one electrical connector 50 opposite the first face 51.

[0085] The first plate 5 may comprise at least one fold, in particular at at least one of its ends along the X axis. The second plate 6 may comprise at least one fold, in particular at at least one of its ends along the X axis.

[0086] The at least one fixing element 11 of the fixing system 10 can be mechanically linked to the first plate 5 of the protective screen 3, on the side of an external surface of the protective screen.

[0087] A result of a mechanical simulation of a protection device 1 of the type described above is shown in the absence of an external mechanical shock ([Fig.6]) and after an external mechanical shock ([Fig.7]).

[0088] During an external mechanical shock, the conduit 60 does not bend or deform, in particular the part 61 of the conduit 60 located between the first fixing element 21 and the second fixing element 22 does not bend or deform. The conduit 60 does not move along the Z axis, in particular downwards. The conduit 60 does not move towards the at least one electrical connector 50 to be protected. In the case where the conduit 60 is fixed to the first plate 5 of the protective screen 3, the conduit 60 does not move towards a possible second plate 6 of the protective screen 3.

[0089] An advantage of a protective device of the type described above is that it allows the at least one conduit to detach from the protective screen in the event of an impact. As a result, the at least one conduit is not impacted in the event of an impact. The protective screen can thus perform its function of protecting at least one electrical connector without disturbance by an external mechanical impact.

[0090] An advantage of a protective device of the type described above lies in the fact that the fixing system is mechanically linked to the protective screen without using a nut to attach it to the protective screen. This results in a reduced cost of such a protective device. This results in a manufacturing method for such a protective device that is quick to implement and has a reduced cost, such a manufacturing method not including a step of screwing the fixing system to the protective screen.

[0091] An example of a vehicle 200 comprising at least one protection device 1 of the type described above is described below with reference to [Fig.8].

[0092] The vehicle 200 may be a motor vehicle with an electric or hybrid motor. The vehicle 100 comprises, for example, a motor unit 201.

[0093] The motorization group 201 may comprise a charger 203.

[0094] The vehicle 200 may comprise at least one electrical connector 50 intended to connect the charger 203 to another element of the motorization group 201 of the vehicle 200 or to another element of the vehicle 200.

[0095] The motorization group 201 may comprise an air conditioning system comprising an evaporator 211 and a condenser 212, said at least one conduit 60 being in particular intended to connect the evaporator 211 and the condenser 212.

[0096] The evaporator 211 can be arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and the condenser 212 can be arranged on the front face of the vehicle 200.

Claims

Claims

1. Protective device (1), in particular with respect to an electrical risk, for at least one electrical connector (50), in particular of a motorization group (201) of a vehicle (200), the protective device (1) comprising: - a protective screen (3) configured to at least partially surround at least one electrical connector (50); and - a fixing system (10) for fixing at least one conduit (60) intended to circulate a fluid, the fixing system (10) comprising at least one fixing element (11) mechanically linked to the protective screen (3), on the side of an external surface of the protective screen, the fixing system (10) being capable of releasing said at least one conduit (60) in the event of an external mechanical shock.

2. Protective device according to claim 1, the fixing system (10) being directly mechanically linked to the protective screen (3), without using any additional part, in particular without using a nut.

3. Protective device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the at least one fixing element (11) comprises a projection (13) cooperating with an opening of the protective screen (3), the projection (13) being chosen from the group comprising a boss and a pin, in particular a fir-tree pin.

4. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one fixing element (11) is chosen from the group comprising a staple and a clip, in particular made of plastic.

5. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the protective screen (3) comprises at least one plate (4) intended to at least partially cover at least one electrical connector (50), the at least one plate (4) being in particular made of sheet metal.

6. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the protective screen (3) comprises a first plate (5) intended to be arranged on the side of a first face (51) of at least one electrical connector (50) and a second plate (6) intended to be arranged on the side of a second face of at least one electrical connector opposite the first face.

7. Protective device according to one of the preceding claims, the fixing system (10) being capable of breaking in the event of an impact. exterior mechanics.

8. Vehicle (200), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising at least one protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, the power unit (201) comprising a charger (203), said at least one electrical connector (50) being intended to connect the charger (203) to another element of the power unit (201) of the vehicle or to another element of the vehicle (200).

10. Vehicle according to claim 8 or 9, in which the power unit (201) comprises an air conditioning system comprising an evaporator (211) and a condenser (212), said at least one conduit (60) being in particular intended to connect the evaporator and the condenser.

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