DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for attaching an electrical connector (2) to an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, said device (1) comprising a socket (4), intended to be connected to one of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), and a pin (5), intended to be connected to the other of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), said pin (5) being inserted into said socket (4) so ​​as to present opposing cylindrical surfaces (7, 8) in tight contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3). Figure for the abstract: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for attaching an electrical connector to an electrical component to be connected to a circuit, and to an assembly comprising the attachment device as well as the electrical connector and / or the electrical component to be connected. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an assembly. The invention further relates to a method for attaching and a method for removing the electrical connector from the electrical component. The invention also relates to a tool for implementing the attachment and / or removal method and to an assembly comprising the tool and a container for storing a cryogenic fluid. It will find particular application in the automotive field. Technical background

[0002] In this field, it is known that electric or hybrid vehicles are equipped with a battery pack comprising a casing which houses several electrochemical cells connected together and providing a high voltage at the terminals of the battery, typically a voltage of several hundred volts.

[0003] It is then necessary to equip the battery with an electrical connection box containing safety electrical components (relays, fuses) in order to cut off the current when necessary. These components are connected using busbars through which the input or output current from the battery flows.

[0004] In certain situations, the battery supplies or receives a high electrical power. This is the case, for example, during so-called fast charging of the vehicle's battery, or when the vehicle must exert significant traction. In these situations, the flow of a high-intensity current generates a sharp increase in temperature, particularly in areas commonly referred to as "hot spots," such as electrical safety components (especially relays), which are then at increased risk of degradation.

[0005] In particular, it is known to fix busbars to the connection pads of a relay using screws. This forms a planar-to-planar contact between the busbar and a ring defined by an edge of the connection pad, which limits the contact area between the busbar and the connection pad and therefore the area available for current flow between the two parts. The limitation of this area This notably results in high electrical resistance and generates even more heat at these "hot spots".

[0006] It is therefore difficult to increase the intensity of the electric current flowing in the circuit and thus in the relay, as this would further increase the heat. As a result, the charging speed of the vehicle batteries is limited.

[0007] Furthermore, the reliability of tightening the busbar bolts to the specified torque is also a major issue, making it essential to mark the tightening points during the process. In addition, the bolts themselves can become hot spots. Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention aims to overcome at least in part the previous drawbacks and proposes for this purpose a device for fixing an electrical connector to an electrical component to be connected to a circuit, said device comprising a socket, intended to be linked to one of said electrical connector and said electrical component, and a pin, intended to be linked to the other of said electrical connector and said electrical component, said pin being inserted in said socket so as to present facing cylindrical surfaces in close contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between said electrical connector and said electrical component.

[0009] The tight contact of the cylindrical surface of the pin against the cylindrical surface of the socket, that is, a tight cylinder-on-cylinder contact achieved by the pin and the socket of the invention, offers not only a particularly reliable fastening but, above all, an increase in the contact surfaces between the electrical connector and the electrical component, which improves heat exchange between these two parts. The electrical connector can thus serve as a thermal bridge between the electrical component (viewed as a heat source) and a cold source in order to allow cooling of said electrical component. This is an advantage over the prior art where the current flows to the busbar mainly through the surface of the flange of the threaded part in the relay, resulting in a very small contact surface and a very high heat flux per unit area.The invention thus makes it possible to increase the intensity of the current flowing in the circuit and therefore the charging speeds of the vehicle battery. Furthermore, the fastening device of the invention is compact.

[0010] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: said pin is configured to be positioned by insertion into said socket following a cooling operation, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on said pin, and to be fixed to said socket after thermal expansion following the disappearance of said constriction effect, • said pin has an external lateral surface and said socket has an internal lateral surface, forming said cylindrical surfaces opposite each other, • said external lateral surface is smooth, • said internal lateral surface is smooth, • said lateral surfaces have a circular cross-section, • said pin is configured to have, at room temperature, before insertion into said socket, an external diameter greater than an internal diameter of said socket, in particular greater by 50 to 200 micrometers, in particular greater by approximately 100 micrometers, • said pawn is full, • said pawn has a cavity, • said cavity is configured to allow the introduction of a fluid, in particular a cryogenic fluid, • said cavity has a threaded hole, • said cavity is blind, • said cavity is open, particularly towards a bottom wall of said socket, • said pin has a stop configured to axially limit the insertion of the pin into the socket, • said socket has a body defining a housing for said pin and a collar extending from said body, • said collar is transverse to the internal lateral surface of said socket, • said collar is intended to form an additional contact surface between said electrical connector and the electrical component to be connected, • said pin and / or said socket are made of copper and / or copper alloy.

[0011] The invention also relates to an assembly of said fastening device as well as said electrical connector and / or said electrical component to be connected.

[0012] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: • said electrical connector includes a busbar, • said pawn is made from the material of said omnibus bar, • the said pawn is placed on the said omnibus bar, • The electrical component to be connected includes an electrical protection device (relay, fuse, etc.) and / or a battery of accumulators,

[0013] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an assembly.

[0014] The invention also relates to a method of attaching an electrical connector to a electrical component to be connected to a circuit, said method comprising: • a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on a pin, linked to one of said electrical connector and said electrical component to be connected, • a step of inserting said pin into a socket, linked to the other among said electrical connector and said electrical component to be connected, so that said pin is fixed to said socket after thermal expansion following dissipation of said constriction effect.

[0015] Said pin and said socket have in particular facing cylindrical surfaces in close contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between said electrical connector and said electrical component.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for removing the electrical connector from the electrical component to be connected to a circuit, said connector having been inserted into said component according to the fastening method of the invention. The removal method comprises: • a cooling step, particularly cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on said pin, • a step of extracting the pin from said socket.

[0017] Said cooling step of the fixing process includes in particular a step of soaking the pin in a cryogenic fluid bath.

[0018] Said cooling step of the fixing process and / or the removal process includes in particular a step of spraying said pin with a cryogenic fluid.

[0019] Said cryogenic fluid includes, for example, liquid nitrogen.

[0020] The invention further relates to a tool for implementing the method of fixing and / or removing the invention, said tool being configured to be fixed to said pin and / or to cool said pin, in particular using said cryogenic fluid.

[0021] According to various additional features of the invention, which may be taken together or separately and which constitute so many embodiments of the invention: • said tool includes a tip intended to be attached to said pin, • said tip comprises a body and a distal finger extending said body, • said finger is intended to be fixed to said pawl, • said finger of said tip is intended to be inserted into the cavity of said pin, • said end piece is threaded so as to be able to engage with the tapping the pin, • said nozzle is configured to be cooled, in particular by said fluid, • said nozzle has a recess intended to receive said fluid, • said nozzle has an opening for introducing said fluid into said Obviously, • said tool includes a handle for fixing, possibly removable from the tip.

[0022] The invention also relates to an assembly of the tool and a storage container for said fluid.

[0023] Said assembly includes in particular a fluid circulation conduit between the container and the tool, more particularly said nozzle, even more particularly said fluid introduction light. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the course of the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, among which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of an electrical component incorporating a first part of a fastening device according to the invention;

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates in cross-section the electrical component of the [Fig.1], the cutting plane passing through said first part of the fastening device;

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of a connector electrical incorporating a second part of the fixing device of the [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates in perspective the assembly formed by the organ electrical of figures 1 and 2 and of the electrical connector of [Fig.3] assembled together using the fastening device shown in these figures;

[0029] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates in cross-section the entire [Fig.4], the cutting plane passing through said fixing device;

[0030] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a first step of an example, conforming to the invention, of a method for removing an electrical connector from an electrical component, applied to the whole of the [Fig.4];

[0031] [Fig.7] partially reproduces [Fig.6] along a cutting plane passing through said fastening device;

[0032] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a second step in the withdrawal process represented [Fig.6], according to the same cutting plane as in [Fig.7];

[0033] [Fig.9] illustrates schematically, in exploded view, an example of a tool, conforming to the invention, for the implementation of the removal process illustrated in figures 7 to 9 or for the implementation of a corresponding fixing process;

[0034] [Fig. 10] reproduces [Fig. 9] in assembled mode;

[0035] [Fig. 11] illustrates schematically, in exploded view, in perspective, another example of an assembly formed of an electrical component and a connector assembled together by means of a fastening device according to the invention;

[0036] [Fig. 12] reproduces [Fig. 11] in assembled mode;

[0037] [Fig. 13] illustrates schematically, in exploded view, in perspective, another example of an assembly formed of an electrical component and a connector assembled together by means of a fastening device according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 14] reproduces [Fig. 13] in assembled mode. Detailed description of the invention

[0039] It should first be noted that the terms "first", "second", "third", ... are used only to distinguish the components concerned from each other and do not imply any order or possible importance of said components.

[0040] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an electrical component 3 to be connected to a circuit and a first part of a fastening device 1 according to the invention. The electrical component 3 to be connected to a circuit includes, for example, an electrical protection device, in particular a relay. The first part of the fastening device 1 includes, in particular, a socket 4, here inserted into said electrical component 3, in particular a housing of said electrical component 3. The socket 4 has, in particular, a body 14 defining a recess 15 and a collar 16 extending from the body 14. The socket 4 has an internal lateral surface 8, in particular smooth and having, in particular, a circular cross-section. The internal lateral surface 8 delimits, in particular, the recess 15 laterally. The internal lateral surface 8 terminates at a first end by a bottom wall 12 of the socket 4 and at a second end, opposite the first end, by an opening 17 of the recess 15.The collar 16 extends in particular transversely to the internal lateral surface 8 of the socket 4. The collar 16 is located in particular at the opening 17 of the housing 15. Said socket 4 is intended to be electrically connected to active components of said electrical component 3 such as a coil, not illustrated.

[0041] Said electrical component 3 is intended, for example, to be integrated into a connection box, in particular of a battery of accumulators, especially for a motor vehicle.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an electrical connector 2 and a second part of the fastening device 1 of the invention. The electrical connector 2 includes, for example, a busbar 21 intended, for example, to connect said electrical component 3 to other electrical components of said connection box.

[0043] The second part of the fastening device includes, in particular, a pin 5. The pin 5 has, for example, an external cylindrical surface 7, in particular smooth and having, in particular, a circular cross-section. The pin 5 is, for example, made of electrical connector material 2, in particular bus bar 21. Alternatively, said pin 5 is crimped onto said electrical connector 2.

[0044] Alternatively, pawn 5 can be brought back onto omnibus bar 21, as will be detailed later.

[0045] The pin 5 and / or the socket 4 are, for example, made of copper and / or copper alloy.

[0046] The socket 4 is intended to be connected to one of the electrical connector 2 and the component electrical 3 (as is the case in the illustrated examples), and pin 5 is intended to be linked to the other between electrical connector 2 (as is the case in the illustrated examples) and electrical component 3.

[0047] As can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5, the fastening device 1 of the invention allows the electrical connector 2 to be fixed to the electrical component 3 to be connected to a circuit. The pin 5 is inserted into the socket 4; in particular, it is received in the recess 15 of the socket 4, so as to present opposing cylindrical surfaces 7, 8 in tight contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between the electrical connector 2 and the electrical component 3. The cylindrical surfaces 7, 8 are in particular the external lateral surface 7 of the pin 5 and the internal lateral surface 8 of the socket 4. By "tight contact" is meant a contact without play that cannot be broken by simple manual force.

[0048] The collar 16 is specifically designed to form an additional contact surface between the electrical connector 2 and the electrical component 3 to be connected. A large face of the busbar 21 is in contact with said collar 16, plane to plane.

[0049] The invention also relates to an assembly 20 comprising the fixing device 1, the electrical connector 2 and / or the electrical element 3 to be connected to a circuit.

[0050] The pin 5 is configured to be positioned by insertion into the sleeve 4, in particular following a cooling operation, for example cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on the pin 5. The pin 5 is in particular configured to be fixed to the sleeve 4 after thermal expansion following the disappearance of the constriction effect.

[0051] The pin 5 is, for example, configured to have, at room temperature, before insertion into the sleeve 4, an external diameter DI greater than an internal diameter D2 of the sleeve 4, in particular greater by 50 to 200 micrometers, and especially greater by about 100 micrometers. The cooling operation and the constriction effect thus allow the insertion of the pin 5 into the sleeve 4, by momentarily reducing the external diameter DI of the pin 5. After expansion thermal following the disappearance of the constriction effect, the pin 5 is fixed to the socket 4, in particular by clamping the cylindrical surfaces 7, 8 against each other, with possible material finishing.

[0052] The pin 5 may be solid or have a cavity 9. If the pin 5 has a cavity 9, it can contract more easily when cooled. The cavity 9 is, for example, configured to allow the introduction of a fluid, in particular a cryogenic fluid. The cryogenic fluid includes, in particular, liquid nitrogen. The cryogenic fluid will, in particular, drive the cooling operation and the thermal constriction effect of the pin 5. The cavity 9 may have a threaded hole 10, the purpose of which will become clear later. The cavity 9 is, in particular, blind 11. Alternatively, the cavity 9 is, for example, open, in particular towards the bottom wall 12 of the sleeve 4.

[0053] As can be seen in particular in figures 6 to 10, the invention also relates to a tool 50 for implementing a method of fixing the electrical connector 2 to the electrical member 3 and / or for implementing a method of removing the electrical connector 2 from the electrical member 3. The tool 50 is in particular configured to be fixed to the pin 5 and / or to cool the pin 5, in particular using the cryogenic fluid.

[0054] The tool 50 includes, for example, a tip 51 for attachment to the pin 5. The tip 51 includes, in particular, a body 52 and a distal finger 53 extending from the body 52. ​​The finger 53 is, for example, for attachment to the pin 5. The finger 53 is, in particular, for insertion into the cavity 9 of the pin 5. The finger 53 is, for example, threaded so as to engage with the threaded hole 10 of the pin 5. To position the pin 5 in the sleeve 4, it is thus possible to screw the finger 53 into the pin 5 before positioning it in the sleeve 4 using the tool 50. The finger 53 can then be unscrewed from the pin 5 to disengage the tool 50 from the pin 5, once the pin 5 is fixed in the sleeve 4.

[0055] The nozzle 51 is, for example, configured to be cooled, in particular by the fluid. The nozzle 51 has, in particular, a recess 54 for receiving the fluid. The nozzle 51 has, for example, a port 58 for introducing the fluid into the recess 54. The tool 50 includes, in particular, a mounting handle 55 from which the nozzle 51 is advantageously removable. The mounting handle 55 is, in particular, made of ABS material.

[0056] When the pin 5 is open, the tool 50 can bear against the bottom of the wall 12 of the sleeve 4. In particular, it is the finger 53 of the tool which then bears against said bottom of the wall 12 of the sleeve 4.

[0057] The invention further relates to an assembly 56 comprising the tool 50 and a fluid storage container 57. The storage container is, for example, a refrigerant canister. The assembly 56 includes a fluid circulation conduit 59 between the container 57 and the tool 50, more particularly the nozzle 51, even more particularly the fluid introduction light 58.

[0058] The fluid can thus be brought into the cavity 9 of the pin 5 via the storage container 57, the circulation conduit 59 and the tool 50 in order to carry out the operation of cooling the pin 5 ([Fig.6]).

[0059] During an assembly operation, the tool 50 thus allows the pin 5 to be cooled using the cooling fluid and then, once the pin 5 has undergone the thermal restriction, to be inserted into the sleeve 4. After returning to ambient temperature and once the pin 5 is fixed tightly in the sleeve 4, the tool is removed, here by unscrewing.

[0060] During an operation to remove the pin 5 from the sleeve 4, the tool 50 also allows the pin 5 to be cooled and then, once the pin 5 has undergone thermal restriction, removed from the pin 5, notably by means of the threaded hole 10 through which said tool 50 engages with said sleeve 5 ([Fig. 8]). In this case, it is possible, for example, to screw the finger 53 into the pin 5, to cool the pin 5 as described above before extracting it from the sleeve 4, and then to remove the finger 53 from the pin 5 by unscrewing it.

[0061] In other words, the invention also relates to a method of attaching the electrical connector 2 to the electrical component 3 to be connected to a circuit, the method comprising:

[0062] - a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having an effect of thermal constriction of pin 5,

[0063] - a step of inserting the pin 5 into the socket 4, so that the pin 5 is fixed to socket 4 after thermal expansion following dissipation of the constriction effect.

[0064] According to the embodiment already mentioned, the cooling step is carried out using tool 50.

[0065] Alternatively, said cooling step of the fastening process includes a step of immersing the pin 5 in a cryogenic fluid bath, particularly on an industrial scale. It is understood here that before the insertion of the pin 5 into the sleeve 4, the pin 5 undergoes an immersion step in a cryogenic fluid bath resulting in its thermal restriction.

[0066] The invention also relates to a method for removing the electrical connector 2 from the electrical component 3 to be connected to a circuit, in which the connector 2 has been inserted into the component 3 to be connected according to the fastening method, the removal method comprising:

[0067] - a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having an effect of thermal constriction of pin 5,

[0068] - a step of extracting the pin 5 out of the socket 4.

[0069] The cooling step of the removal process includes a step of spraying the pin 5 with the cryogenic fluid, in particular manually, for example carried out using the tool 50.

[0070] In other words, the fastening method of the invention includes all or part of the following steps:

[0071] - the tool 50 is inserted into the pin 5, in particular the finger 53 into the pin 5 while Pin 5 is not inserted into socket 4.

[0072] - the pin 5 is immersed in a cryogenic fluid bath (before or after insertion of tool 50 in pin 5) and / or pin 5 is sprayed with cryogenic fluid, notably via tool 50,

[0073] - the pin 5 is inserted into the socket 4, notably with the aid of tool 50 and by in particular by a translational movement of the pin 5 in the socket 4,

[0074] - after the restriction effect has passed, tool 50 is removed from pawl 5, which will remain fixed to socket 4, in particular by unscrewing finger 53 from pin 5.

[0075] The method for removing the invention comprises all or part of the following steps: - Tool 50 is inserted into pin 5, in particular by screwing finger 53 into pin 5, - Pawn 5 is sprayed with cryogenic fluid, notably using tool 50, - The pin 5 is removed from the socket 4 with the help of tool 50, in particular by a translational movement of tool 50 out of the socket 4, - the tool 50 is removed from the pin 5 by unscrewing the finger 53 from the pin 5.

[0076] Figures 11 and 12 on the one hand, and 13 and 14 on the other hand, illustrate in exploded and assembled form, two other examples of an assembly formed of an electrical component and a connector assembled together by means of the fastening device 1 in accordance with the invention.

[0077] In the example of figures 11 and 12, the organ 3 is formed of modules of an electrical energy storage device which the electrical connector 2 allows to be connected electrically.

[0078] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the pin 5 is attached to the bus bar 21. The pin 5 here has a stop 13 configured to axially limit the insertion of the pin 5 into the sleeve 4. The pin 5 includes in particular a washer 18 for this purpose and / or to serve as a stop axially limiting the positioning of the pin 5 in the bus bar 21.

[0079] The washer 18, for example, has a notch 19. The notch 19 notably accelerates the cooling of the pin 5. The washer 18 separates the pin 5 into two parts. A first part 5a is intended to be inserted into the socket 4, and a second part 5b is intended to be fixed to the bus bar 21, in particular passing through said busbar 21. The first part 5a is similar to the pin 5 when it is formed with the busbar 21. The second part 5b includes, in particular, a thread for fixing the pin 5 to the busbar 21. Specifically, the second part 5b can be inserted into a hole 22 in the busbar 21. A nut 23 can then be screwed onto the second part 5b to fix the pin 5 to the busbar 21.

[0080] According to such an embodiment, it is no longer necessary to remove the pin 5 from the sleeve 4 during maintenance operations, the omnibus bar 21 being able to be separated from the sleeve 5 by unscrewing the nut 23.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for attaching (1) an electrical connector (2) to an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, said device (1) comprising a socket (4), intended to be connected to one of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), and a pin (5), intended to be connected to the other of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), said pin (5) being inserted into said socket (4) so ​​as to present facing cylindrical surfaces (7, 8) in close contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3).

2. Fixing device (1) according to claim 1 in which said pin (5) is configured to be positioned by insertion into said socket (4) following a cooling operation, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on said pin (5) and to be fixed to said socket (4) after thermal expansion following the disappearance of said constriction effect.

3. A fastening device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which said pin (5) has an external lateral surface (7) and said socket (4) has an internal lateral surface (8) forming said cylindrical surfaces (7, 8) opposite each other, said external (7) and / or internal (8) lateral surfaces being smooth.

4. Fixing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said pin (5) is configured to have, at room temperature, before insertion into said socket (4), an external diameter (D1) greater than an internal diameter (D2) of said socket (4), in particular greater by 50 to 200 micrometers.

5. A fastening device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which said pin (5) has a cavity (9), optionally tapped.

6. A fastening device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said socket (4) has a body (14) defining a housing (15) receiving said pin (5) and a collar (16) originating from said body (14), said collar (16) being transverse to the internal lateral surface (8) of said socket (4).

7. Assembly (20) of the fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims together with said electrical connector (2) and / or said electrical member (3) to be connected.

8. Assembly (20) according to claim 7 in which said electrical connector (2) comprises a bus bar (21), said pin (5) being made of material from said bus bar (21).

9. Vehicle comprising an assembly (20) according to any one of claims 7 or 8.

10. Method of fixing an electrical connector (2) to an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, said method comprising: - a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on a pin (5), linked to one of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3) to be connected, - a step of inserting said pin (5) into a socket (4), linked to the other of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3) to be connected, so that said pin (5) is fixed to said socket (4) after thermal expansion following dissipation of said constriction effect.

11. Method of removing an electrical connector (2) from an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, wherein said connector (2) has been inserted into said component (3) to be connected according to the fastening method according to claim 10, said removal method comprising: - a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on said pin (5), - a step of extracting the pin (5) from said socket (4).

12. Tool (50) for implementing the fixing and / or removal method according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein said tool (50) is configured to be fixed to said pin (5) and / or to cool said pin (5), in particular using said cryogenic fluid.

Images