High voltage connector protection flap device for mating face of high voltage connector

Abstract

To provide a protective flap for a high voltage charging connector for a vehicle or charging station having a high voltage connector.SOLUTION: There is provided a high voltage connector protective flap device (2) for a high voltage charging connector (0) for a vehicle or charging station having an electric traction motor, having a holder (20), an actuator (30) and a protective flap (50). The protective flap (50) is configured to be pivotable between a closed position (G) and an open position (O) of the protective flap device (2) in the holder (20) that is a part of a connector housing (1) to open and close a mating face (10) of the high voltage connector (0), and the protective flap device (2) is designed such that the protective flap (50) can be electromechanically pivoted by the actuator (30) as intended, and further, the protective flap (50) can alternatively be manually pivoted as intended.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-voltage connector protection flap device for an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular for a high-voltage charging connector for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular a high-voltage charging connector, and an electrical high-voltage entity, each for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station, respectively.

Background Art

[0002] In the electrical field (electrical engineering, electrical engineering, power engineering, etc.), a number of electrical high-voltage connectors are known. These are used to transmit voltages in the high-voltage range (high voltage: AC voltage exceeding 24V and up to over 1kV, DC voltage exceeding 48V and up to over 1.5kV), currents in the high-current range (high current exceeding 25A and up to over 1kA), and / or powers in the high-power range (high power from 20kW to up to over 350kW). In this case, high-voltage connectors for supplying and / or distributing electrical energy in cold, warm, sometimes high-temperature, contaminated, wet, and / or highly chemically reactive environments must ensure problem-free transmission, both in the short term and / or permanently.

[0003] Due to a wide range of applications excluding terrestrial power engineering and the like, a number of such high-voltage connectors are known in the automotive and non-automotive fields. In the automotive field, such high-voltage connectors are suitable for connecting electrical high-voltage and / or high-current lines to corresponding electrical high-voltage entities or vice versa, for connecting electrical high-voltage and / or high-current lines to each other, or for different types of electromechanical high-voltage and / or high-current contact connections. In this specification, the term "high voltage" is intended to encompass the terms high voltage, high current, and / or high power.

[0004] Due to the high cost of fossil fuels and efforts to reduce environmental impacts, hybrid or electric vehicles are needed, for example, in the automotive field. As one aspect of these vehicles, they may handle high charging voltages and operating voltages as well as high charging currents and operating currents, and the corresponding components of the vehicle need to be designed accordingly. This applies in particular to high-voltage and / or high-current lines (such as twisted wires, conductor bars, busbars, etc.) and associated high-voltage and / or high-current terminals (such as connection parts, flat contacts, busbars, conductor bars, etc.), and thus also to high-voltage connectors.

[0005] When a high-voltage connector is arranged on a high-voltage cable, flying (plug) connectors or couplings are also referred to. When a high-voltage connector is arranged on an electrical high-voltage entity (see below), for example, a part of its housing, connector devices such as (built-in / attached) connectors are also referred to. In the context of power engineering (preferably involving three-phase high-voltage transmission, the generation, conversion, storage, and transport of high-voltage currents in the power grid), due to its complex structure, on the contrary, cable accessories are referred to.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Efforts have been continuously made to improve electrical high-voltage connectors. In particular, next-generation electric mobility is in this case characterized by faster and more convenient charging methods for fully electric and hybrid on-road vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles. For this purpose, high-voltage charging connectors require a protective flap to prevent contact with the conductive parts of the high-voltage charging connector. The object of the present invention is to define a protective flap for a high-voltage connector, in particular for a high-voltage charging connector for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a high-voltage connector protection flap device (also simply referred to as "protection flap device" in the following description), in particular for high-voltage charging connectors, for vehicles or charging stations each having in particular an electric traction motor, a high-voltage connector, in particular a high-voltage charging connector, and a high-voltage electrical entity. Advantageous refinements, additional features and / or advantages of the present invention may be inferred from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] The protection flap device according to the present invention comprises a holder, an actuator, and a protection flap, the protection flap being configured to be pivotable in the holder between a closed position and an open position of the protection flap device in order to open and close the mating face of the high-voltage connector, the protection flap device being designed such that on the one hand the protection flap is pivotable as intended electro-mechanically by the actuator and preferably further such that on the other hand the protection flap is pivotable as intended alternatively manually. That is, the protection flap is operable independently of each other, in particular both electro-mechanically and manually.

[0009] The holder is installable on the high-voltage connector or is part of the high-voltage connector, for example a part of its connector housing. Such a connector housing may be designed, for example, as an essential connector housing, a partial housing, an external or internal housing, a housing valance, a housing part, a housing region, etc. of the high-voltage connector. The protection flap is in particular in the form of a lid. The mating face may be designed as the only mating face or as one of a plurality, in particular two, mating faces of the high-voltage connector. In the second case, the high-voltage connector may be designed as a CCS high-voltage connector (CCS: Combined Charging System), and the protection flap device is used in particular to open and close the mating face having the DC pole.

[0010] For the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap, the actuator may engage the protective flap in a translatable or rotatable manner. For the manual pivoting of the protective flap, a clutch may be configured in the force flow between the actuator and the protective flap, by which the protective flap is separable from the holding force of the actuator. That is, the clutch is designed as an actuator separation clutch and may further be designed or designated as a slip clutch, a barrier body clutch, a release clutch, a disengagement clutch, a short-circuit clutch, etc. In this specification, the concept of "force" shall include the concept of "torque" which is equivalent thereto where appropriate.

[0011] The protective flap may be pivotable about a pivot axis. In this case, the protective flap device or the protective flap has a radial lever with respect to the pivot axis, the actuator engages the radial lever, and the protective flap is pivotable via the radial lever. Further, the radial lever of the protective flap device or the protective flap and the cover plane of the protective flap may be configured at an angle of approximately 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180° with respect to each other. The radial lever, and thus the radial extension of the radial lever, and the cover plane, and thus the radial extension of the cover plane, are preferably arranged essentially radially with respect to each other with respect to the pivot axis, and an angle deviating therefrom (180°) by approximately 10°, 20°, 30°, or 40° may be configured.

[0012] The actuator may be configured to be movable substantially by translation so as to move back and forth in the holder for the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap. In this case, the actuator is, for example, guided and mounted on the holder. The holder preferably guides the actuator by means of protrusions that are slidable, for example, in grooves on two opposite sides. For this purpose, the grooves may be configured in the holder / actuator, and the protrusions may be configured in the actuator / holder. The protrusions are preferably particularly elongated protrusions and are preferably somewhat shorter than the grooves (stroke of the actuator, compensation for tolerances, safety).

[0013] The actuator may have actuating means by which the pivoting means of the protective flap device or the protective flap are movable about the pivot axis. When the actuating means actuate the pivoting means, the pivoting means may move parallel to the pivot axis. The circumferential movement angle of the pivoting means with respect to the pivot axis is preferably at least approximately 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180°. The actuating means of the actuator may be designed in particular as an actuating recess, and the pivoting means of the protective flap device or the protective flap may be designed in particular as a pin having a preferably round, particularly circular diameter.

[0014] A bearing between the actuating means and the pivoting means may convert the translational movement of the actuator into a rotational movement of the pivoting means about the pivot axis. For this purpose, the pivoting means may preferably move by both translation and rotation in relation to or in the actuating means (see below). The bearing between the actuating means and the pivoting means may be configured as a plain bearing. The plain bearing is designed as both a radial plain bearing and an axial plain bearing, and this radial-axial plain bearing is substantially simultaneously subjected to distortion forces in both the radial and axial directions when the pivoting of the protective flap occurs.

[0015] The actuator, together with the actuating means of the actuator, may be essentially formed as a claw in the region of the swiveling means. The extension of the claw in the direction of the swivel axis is preferably at least twice the diameter of the swiveling means. The actuating recess forms the opening of the claw. In this case, in the hexagonal view, it is preferable that the claw is open on three sides (front and both side parts) and closed on three sides (rear and top and bottom) (see, for example, FIGS. 2, 6, and 7).

[0016] The protective flap device may be designed such that when the electromechanical swiveling of the protective flap occurs, the entire clutch also swivels. Furthermore, the clutch may be held in the closed state by friction locking and / or form fit in the no-load state. In addition, the manual swiveling of the protective flap may be realized by the clutch. That is, the protective flap may be separated from the holding force of the actuator by the clutch by means of a manual swiveling movement. Furthermore, the clutch may enable the manual swiveling of the protective flap substantially independently of the position of the actuator.

[0017] The clutch may comprise a clutch assembly, by means of which the force flow between the actuator and the protective flap can be configured on the one hand and blocked on the other hand. In the idle state of the clutch assembly, the force flow may be configured between the actuator and the protective flap. During the electromechanical swiveling of the protective flap, the force flow may be configured between the actuator and the protective flap. During the manual swiveling of the protective flap, the force flow may be blocked between the actuator and the protective flap.

[0018] The clutch assembly may be mounted on the holder so as to be pivotable or rotatable around the pivot axis, and the clutch assembly is preferably installed on the holder via a clutch shaft. In this case, the pivoting ability of the clutch assembly may be limited to, for example, less than 360°, 270°, 180°, 150°, 120°, 105°. Of course, the pivoting ability may be greater than 360°, and may or may not include the rotating ability of the clutch assembly. The clutch shaft is preferably designed as an internal pivot bearing and does not transmit significant torque, while the clutch assembly seated on the clutch shaft transmits significant torque. The clutch shaft only mounts the clutch assembly and optionally a protective flap to the holder.

[0019] Furthermore, the clutch assembly may be installed on the clutch shaft so as to be movable (play) back and forth in one or both axial directions. That is, the clutch assembly is pressed against the clutch shaft, and preferably at least a slight radial play is configured between the clutch shaft and the clutch assembly. Furthermore, the clutch assembly may be designed to have elasticity or resilience in the axial direction of the pivot axis. In addition, the clutch assembly may be designed in a drum shape or a box shape.

[0020] The clutch assembly may include two pressure components movable towards each other. The two pressure components may be configured to be mechanically pre-tensioned towards each other axially in the clutch assembly. This may be implemented, for example, by an elastic element such as a spring element, particularly a coil spring (preferred) or an elastomer element. The two pressure components may be designed to guide each other axially so as to be pivotable or rotatable only in conjunction with each other circumferentially.

[0021] The guiding devices of the pressure parts acting on each other may engage with each other for the mutual guiding of the pressure parts. The pivoting means of the protection flap device for the protection flap may be configured axially between the pressure parts. In order to keep the pressure parts configured to be movable towards each other, the pivoting means is mounted on at least one of the two pressure parts axially, preferably by a plain bearing. This preferably relates to both pressure parts. Torque may be introduced into the pressure parts or the clutch assembly by the pivoting means.

[0022] The guiding device may be designed as an axially elongated guiding device. In this case, at least one guiding projection of the pressure part may be guided axially in the guiding recess of the other pressure part. Furthermore, ignoring the pivoting means, the pressure parts may be in the form of a crown and may engage with each other by their forks. The forks of both pressure parts engage with each other, or the guiding projections of both pressure parts are inserted into each other such that torque about the pivot axis can be transmitted from one pressure part to the other and vice versa here.

[0023] Only two guiding devices of a single pressure part of the clutch assembly that are directly adjacent to each other circumferentially may be connected to each other by a radially inner circumferential connection (to increase stability). In this case, the circumferential connection is configured in particular at (also) the free ends of the two guiding devices.

[0024] The clutch assembly may be configured between two mounting means of the protection flap, and the two mounting means are further mounted so as to be pivotable or rotatable about the clutch shaft. The associated mounting means may be designed here as mounting tabs protruding from the protection flap. The mounting means or mounting tabs may have through recesses for mounting the protection flap on the clutch shaft.

[0025] Furthermore, the clutch assembly may have a clutch surface of the clutch of the protective flap device on at least one axial outer surface. In particular, this relates to both axial outer surfaces. At least one mounting means of the protective flap may have a clutch surface of the clutch of the protective flap device on the axial inner surface. In particular, this relates to both mounting means.

[0026] For the transmission of force within the protective flap device, two clutch surfaces related to each other of the clutch assembly and the mounting means may be formed as friction surfaces and / or form-fitting surfaces. Two clutch surfaces related to each other of the clutch assembly and the mounting means may have a clutch locking device related to each other.

[0027] The related clutch locking device may be designed as a form-fitting locking device that can be designed as a protrusion or a recess. In this case, one clutch surface may have a protrusion (clutch locking device or form-fitting locking device), and the related other clutch surface may have a recess (clutch locking device or form-fitting locking device). Preferably, one clutch surface of the clutch assembly has a protrusion, and the related other clutch surface of the mounting means has at least one recess, but of course, this may also be formed conversely.

[0028] The clutch locking device of the clutch surfaces related to each other may interact such that the protective flap can be rotated both electromechanically and manually between a closed position and an open position. In particular, two clutch surfaces related to each other are configured between the clutch assembly and the related mounting means on each side of the clutch assembly.

[0029] For the transmission of force within the protective flap device, the clutch surface of the clutch assembly may have a single clutch locking device for catching the clutch locking device of the mounting means. The clutch surface of the mounting means may have at least two, in particular three, clutch locking devices which are arranged offset relative to one another in the circumferential direction. Each two clutch locking devices which are directly adjacent in the circumferential direction may be configured, optionally, at an angle of approximately 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100°, or 105° on the clutch surface of the mounting means. The clutch surface of the mounting means may have a clutch locking device for the manual open position, electromechanical swiveling, and / or manual closed position of the protective flap device.

[0030] The protective flap device may be designed such that a self-blocking is substantially configured between the actuator and the clutch assembly or preferably a single pressure part in the closed position of the protective flap device and / or in the open position of the protective flap device. The actuator may here be seated on the clutch assembly such that the clutch assembly prevents further movement of the actuator. Further, the actuator may here be seated such that the respective planar areas are in contact with the planar area of the clutch assembly or the planar area of the single pressure part, respectively. These two areas are configured, for example, on opposite sides of one another in the actuator in the area of the actuating means.

[0031] The swiveling means of the protective flap device for the protective flap may be designed as a pin produced independently of the pressure part or as swiveling means in the pressure part. In the second case, the cross-section of the swiveling means is designed, to the extent possible, in the form of an arc cross-section or an elliptical arc cross-section. The holder, actuator, protective flap, and / or the respective pressure parts may be integrally formed.

[0032] Integral formation is understood as the formation of the relevant components (holder, actuator, protective flap, and / or pressure part) in which there is only a single component that can be divided only by destruction. The component is manufactured from a single piece of raw material and / or a single raw material compound (plastic melt) that is necessarily integral as a result. Internal coherence is caused by adhesion and / or cohesion (only). In this case, a coating or the like may additionally be present.

[0033] The protective flap device may have a motor for actuating the actuator. The motor may here be designed as an electric motor, a linear motor, or a drive with this. The motor is preferably configured in the housing. Furthermore, whether the actuator of the motor has a mechanical operating connection to the actuator, or whether the actuator of the protective flap device is designed as the actuator of the motor, or vice versa. The holder may preferably be screwed to the stored motor. The protective flap device may form part of the connector housing of the high voltage connector. The holder may be mounted on the connector housing or may be part of the connector housing.

[0034] The high voltage connector according to the invention comprises at least one connector housing and a protective flap device, the protective flap device being designed according to the invention. In this case, the high voltage connector may of course also have an electrical high voltage contact device having at least one electrical high voltage terminal. The high voltage connector may be designed as an electrical module, for example for servicing or replacing the high voltage connector.

[0035] The high-voltage entity according to the present invention comprises an electrical high-voltage device and a protective flap device and / or an electrical high-voltage connector, and the protective flap device and / or the high-voltage connector are designed according to the present invention. Such a high-voltage entity may be designed, for example, as an electrical component, an electrical module (e.g., for replacing a high-voltage device together with a high-voltage connector), an electrical appliance, an electrical device (such as a charging station), an electrical assembly, etc.

[0036] In addition to vehicles having an electric traction motor, in particular motor vehicles (road vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles, etc.), railway vehicles, water vehicles and / or aircraft are understood as motor vehicles which may have, in addition to the electric traction motor, further non-electrical drive units such as internal combustion engines. That is, a vehicle having an electric traction motor may be understood, for example, as an electric vehicle (with only electric motor drive), a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, etc.

[0037] Based on the exemplary embodiments, the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings which are not to scale. Parts, elements, components, units, components, and / or schematic diagrams having the same, specific, or similar design and / or function are identified by the same reference signs in the description of the drawings (see below), the explanation of the signs, the claims, and each figure of the drawings. Static and / or kinematic inversions, combinations, etc. of possible alternatives, exemplary embodiments of the present invention or their components, figures, units, components, elements, or parts which are not described in the description of the invention (see above), not shown in the drawings, and / or not comprehensive may be further inferred from the explanation of the signs and / or the description of the drawings.

[0038] In the present invention, features (parts, elements, components, units, constituent elements, functions, dimensions, etc.) may be realized explicitly, i.e., may exist, or may be realized potentially, i.e., may not exist. In this specification (description (description of the invention (see above), description of the drawings (see below)), explanation of reference signs, claims, drawings), potential features are not explicitly described as features when it is not important that they do not exist according to the present invention. That is, an invention that is actually implemented and not constituted by the prior art is completed by omitting this feature.

[0039] The features of this specification may be applied not only in the types and / or manners shown, but also in other types and / or manners (separation, combination, substitution, addition, alone, omission, etc.). In particular, based on the reference signs and the features assigned thereto or vice versa in the description, explanation of reference signs, claims, and / or drawings, it is possible to substitute, add, or omit features in the claims and / or description. Furthermore, thereby, the features in the claims may be interpreted and / or defined in more detail.

[0040] The features of the description may also be interpreted as optional features (initially usually unknown) in view of the prior art, i.e., any feature may be interpreted as an optional, arbitrary, or preferred feature and thus not mandatory. Therefore, it is possible to separate a feature, optionally including its periphery, from the exemplary embodiment, and at this time, this feature can be converted into a generalized concept of the invention. The absence of a feature (potential feature) in the exemplary embodiment indicates that the feature may be optional (for those skilled in the art) with respect to the present invention in some cases. Furthermore, in the case of technical terms for a feature, general terms (possible further hierarchical classification into subtypes, etc.) for that feature may be implicitly understood, and accordingly, for example, in consideration of equivalent effects and / or equivalence, generalization of the feature is possible.

[0041] In the schematic diagrams of the drawings, merely by way of example, it is as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0042]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0043] The following describes the present invention in more detail based on exemplary embodiments of two embodiments (FIGS. 1 and 2-8) of a protection flap device 2 for an electric high-voltage charging connector 0 for a vehicle (see FIG. 8: CCS high-voltage charging connector 0 designed as a high-voltage charging socket 0 (also see above)). Of course, the present invention is also applicable to other electrical connectors (see above), particularly high-voltage connector 0. For this purpose, the high-voltage connector 0 may be designed, for example, as an accessory connector 0, a built-in connector 0, and in some cases, a flying plug connector 0, etc.

[0044] The present invention will be described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited by the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather is of a more fundamental nature. Other variations may be derived from them and / or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. The present invention is applicable in electrical high-voltage entities (see above), generally in the electrical field, that is, also in the non-automotive field. One exception is overhead power engineering and the like.

[0045] In the drawings, only the spatial parts necessary for understanding the present invention among the objects of the present invention are shown. Terms such as connector and mating connector, terminal and mating terminal, etc. should be interpreted synonymously, that is, they are interchangeable with each other as necessary. The description of the present invention based on the drawings (also see above) will hereinafter refer, inter alia, to the pivot axis SA of the protection flap device 2, its axial direction Ar (undirected), its radial direction Rr (undirected), and / or its circumferential direction Ur. The pivot axis SA is preferably coaxial with the clutch axis 430 (see below).

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first embodiment of a protective flap device 2 according to the present invention. The protective flap device 2 includes a holder 20, an actuator 30, and a pivotable protective flap 50. The protective flap 50 is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis SA in the holder 20 or the protective flap device 2 in order to open and close a mating surface 10 (see FIG. 8) of the high-voltage connector 0. The protective flap 50 is electromechanically pivotable by the actuator 30 to travel as intended between a closed position G (FIG. 7) and an open position O (FIG. 6) of the protective flap device 2.

[0047] For this purpose, the actuator 30 is translationally engaged with the protective flap 50, and a radial lever 52 of the protective flap 50 (FIG. 1) or in the protective flap 50 (FIGS. 2 to 8) converts the translational movement of the actuator 30 into a rotational movement of the protective flap 50. For this purpose, the actuator 30 has an actuating means 304 designed as an actuating recess 304, which gives the actuator 30 the appearance of a claw in the region of the actuating recess 304 where a pivoting means 404 of the protective flap 50 or the protective flap device 2, in particular in the form of a pin, is installed. Here, the claw may be constituted by a single claw portion or a plurality of claw portions, in particular two claw portions.

[0048] The pivoting means 404 is configured to be pivotable about the pivot axis SA, and the rotational movement of the pivoting means 404 about the pivot axis SA is generated by the translational movement of the actuating recess 304. For this purpose, the pivoting means 404 moves in the actuating recess 304 by a slight translation or also by a slight rotation, and the pivoting means 404 also performs the translational movement of the actuator 30. The translational movement component of the pivoting means 404 within the actuating recess 304 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the translational movement of the actuator 30. Of course, a rotary actuator 30 is also applicable.

[0049] Figures 2 to 7 show exemplary embodiments of a second embodiment of the protective flap device 2 according to the present invention. The protective flap device 2 is designed in the same manner as the protective flap device 2 of FIG. 1 and further includes a clutch 40 or an actuator disengaging clutch 40. The protective flap 50 is manually rotatable by the clutch 40 to travel as intended between the closed position G (FIG. 7) and the open position O (FIG. 6) of the protective flap device 2. That is, the operation of the protective flap 50 by the actuator 30 is bypassed. The clutch 40 is configured here in the force flow between the actuator 30 and the protective flap 50, and the protective flap 50 is separable from the holding force of the actuator 30 by the clutch 40.

[0050] The actual clutch (see particularly FIGS. 2 and 3) is arranged here between two mounting means 54 of the protective flap 50, which are particularly designed as mounting tabs 54, and a preferably drum-shaped or box-shaped clutch assembly 400 (clutch surface 550 of the mounting means 54 and clutch surface 450 of the clutch assembly 400) arranged therebetween. Both the mounting tabs 54 and the clutch assembly 400 are seated such that they are movable to some extent (play) axially Ar on a clutch shaft 430, which is preferably installed or mounted on the holder 20. The actual clutch of the protective flap device 2 is configured between the inner surface (clutch surface 450) of the mounting tab 54 and the associated outer surface (clutch surface 550) of the clutch assembly 400.

[0051] For the electromechanical swiveling of the protective flap 50 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7), the clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the mounting tab 54 and the clutch assembly 400 related to each other are fixed and in contact with each other, in particular by friction locking and / or form fitting, and thus, via this, torque can be transmitted, in particular from the clutch assembly 400 via the mounting tab 54 to the protective flap 50 (see below: the clutch locking device 452 engages with the clutch locking device 552). That is, the clutch 40 engages. The protective flap 50 and the clutch assembly 400 can be swiveled substantially (play) by the same angle here. For this purpose, the actuator 30, in particular its actuating means 304 engages with the clutch assembly 400, and for this purpose, the clutch assembly 400 has swiveling means 404.

[0052] For the manual swiveling of the protective flap 50 (see in particular FIGS. 4 and 5), the above-mentioned fixed connection between the clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the mounting tab 54 and the clutch assembly 400 related to each other (see above, the relative positions of the clutch locking devices 452, 552) is disengaged, and thus the protective flap 50 can be swiveled independently of the clutch assembly 400. That is, the clutch 40 disengages. No significant torque is transmitted between the protective flap 50 and the clutch assembly 400. The torque that can still be transmitted in this case is only that resulting from the sliding frictional force of the mounting tab 54 against the clutch assembly 400.

[0053] To enable the clutch 40 to be disengaged, the clutch assembly 400 is designed to be elastic, resilient, or compressible and relaxable in the axial direction Ar so that the length of the clutch assembly 400 can be reduced and then increased again in the axial direction Ar or increased and then reduced again. The clutch 40 is configured to be independent of both electromechanical rotation and manual rotation. The clutch assembly 400 has an enlarged size during electromechanical rotation and a reduced size in the axial direction Ar during manual rotation. The force for reducing the size of the clutch assembly 400 is here generated from the force for manually rotating the protection flap 50.

[0054] The force flow during the electromechanical rotation of the protection flap 50 occurs from the motor-driven actuator 30, through the clutch assembly 400 and the engaged clutch 40, to the protection flap 50, and the clutch assembly 400 also rotates. The force flow during the manual rotation of the protection flap 50 occurs from the protection flap 50, through the clutch 40 that is in the process of being disengaged and then has been disengaged, and the clutch assembly 400 does not rotate and is fixed by the actuator 30.

[0055] Hereinafter, a single mounting tab 54 and two clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the clutch assembly 400 related to each other will be described in more detail with respect to their design and their functions (see particularly FIGS. 4 and 5). The description thereof is also related to the other clutch surfaces 550, 450 on the other side of the clutch assembly 400 particularly in the axial direction Ar. In this case, the clutch surfaces 550, 450 are preferably substantially circular in a first approximation and in a top view in the axial direction Ar, and are coaxially arranged with respect to the clutch shaft 430.

[0056] The clutch surface 450 of the clutch assembly 400 preferably has a clutch locking device 452 for catching the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 of the clutch surface 550 of the mounting means 54. In this case, the clutch locking device 452 is designed in particular as a form-fitting locking device 452 and is preferably conceived as a projection, although recesses can of course also be used. Depending on the design of the clutch 40, the clutch locking device 452 may comprise more than one projection and / or more than one recess.

[0057] Furthermore, the clutch surface 550 of the mounting means 54 preferably has three clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 offset in the circumferential direction Ur. Here, the clutch locking device 551 is conceived for the manual open position O, the clutch locking device 552 for the electromechanical swivel, and the clutch locking device 553 for the manual closed position G. The associated clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 are designed in particular as form-fitting locking devices 551, 552, 553 and are preferably conceived as recesses, although projections can of course also be used. Depending on the design of the clutch 40, the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 may comprise more than one recess and / or more than one projection, provided only that they are formed substantially identically to one another so as to be able to interact with the clutch locking device 452 of the clutch assembly 400.

[0058] The preferably single clutch locking device 452 on one side of the clutch assembly 400 is used to catch the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 of the mounting means 54. When the clutch locking device 452 is locked with the intermediate clutch locking device 552 in the circumferential direction Ur, the protective flap 50 is movable by means of an electric motor from its open position O to its closed position G and also from its closed position G to its open position O.

[0059] Here, two cases will be described: a case where the protective flap 50 is manually moved, and a case where the clutch lock device 452 is locked with the intermediate clutch lock device 552 in the circumferential direction Ur. During the manual movement of the protective flap 50, the clutch assembly 400 compresses due to the interaction of the protrusions provided between the clutch surfaces 450, 550 related to each other, that is, on the one hand, the protrusion 452 of the clutch assembly 400, and on the other hand, the protrusions formed between the clutch lock devices 551 and 552 or 552 and 553 (see FIG. 5). Of course, this occurs on both sides of the clutch assembly 400, and the clutch 40 is thereby disengaged.

[0060] When the protective flap 50 is manually moved from its closed position G to its open position O (starting position: the clutch lock device 452 and the clutch lock device 552 are engaged), the clutch 40 is disengaged in such a way that the clutch lock device 452 fits into the clutch lock device 553. When the protective flap 50 is manually moved from its open position O to its closed position G (starting position: the clutch lock device 452 and the clutch lock device 552 are engaged), the clutch 40 is disengaged in such a way that the clutch lock device 452 fits into the clutch lock device 551. By operating the actuator 30, the clutch lock device 452 can be engaged with the clutch lock device 552 again.

[0061] In order to make the clutch assembly 400 elastic, resilient, or compressible in the axial direction Ar, the clutch assembly 400 may have two pressure components 410, 420. The pressure components 410, 420 are located on opposite sides of each other in the axial direction Ar and are arranged to be rotatable, particularly on the clutch shaft 430, and preferably engage with each other so as to guide each other in the axial direction Ar. For this purpose, a spring element 440 is configured to mechanically pre-tension the two pressure components 410, 420 toward each other in the axial direction Ar, particularly on the clutch shaft 430. The spring element 440 is designed particularly as a coil spring 440, an elastic element, an elastomer element, etc. The spring element 440 particularly realizes the re-engagement of the clutch 40 after disengagement.

[0062] For mutual guidance, the pressure components 410, 420 have guide devices 411, 412; 421, 422, by which the pressure components 410, 420 engage with each other, and as a result, they can only pivot or rotate in conjunction with each other in the circumferential direction Ur (clutch assembly 400 without the spring element 440). Preferably, pivot means 404 in the shape of pins are configured between the two pressure components 410, 420 to operate the clutch assembly 400. For this purpose, the pressure components 410, 420 are installed accordingly, and thus, the actuator 30 can engage with the pivot means 404.

[0063] The first pressure component 410 includes at least one or preferably at least two guide protrusions 411 formed particularly as guide pins 411 (guide device 411). In this case, it is preferable that two guide protrusions 411 directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Ur do not have a circumferential connection portion (see below) inside the radial direction Rr. Further, the first pressure component 410 includes at least one or preferably at least two guide recesses 412 formed particularly as guide longitudinal recesses 412 (guide device 412), and one guide recess 412 may be configured between the two guide protrusions 411 in the circumferential direction Ur.

[0064] The second pressure part 420 comprises at least one or preferably at least two guide projections 422 (guide device 422), which are formed in particular as guide pins 422. In this case, two guide projections 422 that are directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Ur preferably have a circumferential connection 423 inside the radial direction Rr. Furthermore, the second pressure part 420 comprises at least one or preferably at least two guide recesses 421 (guide device 421), which are designed in particular as guide longitudinal recesses 421, and one guide recess 421 may be configured between two guide projections 422 in the circumferential direction Ur.

[0065] In the clutch assembly 400, the guide projections 411 of the first pressure part 410 engage with the guide recesses 421 of the second pressure part 420, and the guide projections 422 of the second pressure part 420 engage with the guide recesses 412 of the first pressure part 410. This mutual guiding by the guide devices 411, 412; 421, 422 also ensures the ability to transmit torque from one pressure part 410 / 420 to the other pressure part 420 / 410.

[0066] The protective flap device 2 is preferably designed such that in the closed position G and / or the open position O, the actuator 30 seats on the clutch assembly 400 or on one of the pressure parts 410, 420 in such a way that the protective flap device 2 is prevented from moving internally by itself (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In this case, the actuator 30 prevents further movement of the clutch assembly 400, and the clutch assembly 400 prevents further movement of the actuator 30. Preferably, in each case (closed position G, open position O) here, the planar area of the actuator 30 seats on the planar area of the clutch assembly 400 or on the planar area of the pressure parts 410, 420.

[0067] Refer to FIG. 6 where the upper part of the actuating means 304 of the actuator 30 is seated on the radial part of the pressure component 420. Also refer to FIG. 7 where the lower part of the actuating means 304 of the actuator 30 is seated on the part of the pressure component 420 extending in the circumferential direction Um and the radial direction Ra. Of course, this may be similarly achieved using the pressure component 410.

[0068] Finally, FIG. 8 also shows a CCS high-voltage connector 0 preferably having connector housings 1 of multiple parts and two mating surfaces 10, 12. In this case, the first mating surface 10 is designed to be able to be covered by the protective flap device 2 (closed position G of the protective flap 20). Further, this figure shows the stored motor 60 (referenced above), by which the protective flap 50 can be pivoted via the actuator 30 and the clutch assembly 400. The motor 60 or the housing of the motor 60 may be fixedly connected here to the holder 20, particularly by screwing.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0069] 0 (Electrical) high-voltage connector for the (electrical) high-voltage connection part 1 Connector housing 2 (High-voltage connector) protective flap device 10 (First) mating surface 12 (Second) mating surface 20 Holder 30 Actuator 40 Clutch 50 (Pivotable) protective flap 52 Radial lever 54 Mounting means, particularly mounting tabs 60 Motor 304 Actuating means, particularly actuating recess 400 Clutch assembly 404 Swiveling means, particularly pin 410 (First) pressure component 411 Guide device, particularly guide protrusion 412 Guide device, particularly guide recess 420 (second) pressure part 421 guiding device, in particular guiding recess 422 guiding device, in particular guiding projection 423 circumferential connection part (inside the radial direction Rr) of two guiding devices 422, 422 430 clutch shaft 440 spring element, in particular coil spring 450 clutch surface of the clutch assembly 400 452 clutch locking device for catching the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 550 clutch surface of the mounting means 54 551 clutch locking device for the manual open position O 552 clutch locking device for electromechanical swiveling 553 clutch locking device for the manual closed position G O open position G closed position SA swivel axis Ar axial direction (undirected) of the swivel axis SA Rr radial direction (undirected) with respect to the swivel axis SA Ur circumferential direction (undirected) with respect to the swivel axis SA

Claims

1. A high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) for an electrical high-voltage connector (0), in particular a high-voltage charging connector (0) for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station, having a holder (20), an actuator (30), and a protection flap (50), wherein the protection flap (50) is configured to be pivotable between a closed position (G) and an open position (O) of the protection flap device (2) in the holder (20) for opening and closing a mating surface (10) of the high-voltage connector (0), wherein the protection flap device (2) is designed such that the protection flap (50) is pivotable electro-mechanically as intended by the actuator (30) and further such that the protection flap (50) is pivotable manually as intended characterized in that it is a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2).

2. For the electro-mechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50), the actuator (30) engages translationally or rotationally with the protection flap (50) and / or For the manual pivoting of the protection flap (50), a clutch (40) is configured in the force flow between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50), by means of which the protection flap (50) is separable from the holding force of the actuator (30) characterized in that it is the high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to Claim 1.

3. The protection flap (50) is pivotable about a pivot axis (SA), the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) has a radial lever (52) with respect to the pivot axis (SA), the actuator (30) engages with the radial lever (52), and the protection flap (50) is pivotable via the radial lever (52), the radial lever (52) of the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) and the cover plane of the protection flap (50) are configured at an angle of approximately 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180° with respect to each other and / or The actuator (30) is configured to be movable substantially by translation so as to move to and fro in the holder (20) for the electromechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The actuator (30) has actuating means (304), and by means of the actuating means (304), pivoting means (404) of the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) are movable around the pivot axis (SA), a bearing between the actuating means (304) and the pivoting means (404) converts the translational movement of the actuator (30) into a rotational movement of the pivoting means (404) with respect to the pivot axis (SA), the bearing between the actuating means (304) and the pivoting means (404) is configured as a sliding bearing, and / or the actuator (30) is essentially formed as a claw in the region of the pivoting means (404) together with the actuating means (304) of the actuator (30). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

5. The protection flap device (2) is such that when electromechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50) occurs, the entire clutch (40) also pivots, the clutch (40) is held in a closed state by frictional locking and / or form fit in a no-load state, manual pivoting of the protection flap (50) is realized by the clutch (40), and / or the clutch (40) enables manual pivoting of the protection flap (50) substantially independently of the position of the actuator (30). It is designed as follows The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

6. The clutch (40) comprises a clutch assembly (400), and by means of the clutch assembly (400), the force flow between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50) can be established on the one hand and interrupted on the other hand, in the stationary state of the clutch assembly (400), the force flow is established between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50). During the electromechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50), a flow of force is established between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50), and / or, During the manual pivoting of the protection flap (50), the flow of force is interrupted between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that.

7. The clutch assembly (400) is Mounted on the holder (20) so as to be pivotable or rotatable about the pivot axis (SA), and the clutch assembly (400) is preferably installed on the holder (20) via a clutch shaft (430). Installed on the clutch shaft (430) so as to be movable to move back and forth in one or both axial directions (Ar), and / or, Designed to be elastic or resilient in the axial direction (Ar) of the pivot axis (SA), preferably drum-shaped or preferably box-shaped. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that.

8. The clutch assembly (400) includes two pressing parts (410, 420) movable towards each other. The two pressing parts (410, 420) are configured such that mechanical pre-tension is applied to each other in the axial direction (Ar) in the clutch assembly (400). The two pressing parts (410, 420) are designed to guide each other in the axial direction (Ar) so that they can only pivot or rotate together in the circumferential direction (Ur), and / or, The pivoting means (404) of the protection flap device (2) for the protection flap (50) is configured between the pressing parts (410, 420) in the axial direction (Ar). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. The clutch assembly (400) is arranged between two mounting means (54) of the protection flap (50), and the two mounting means (54) are further mounted so as to be pivotable or rotatable about the clutch shaft (430). The clutch assembly (400) has, on at least one axial (Ar) outer surface, in particular on each of both axial (Ar) outer surfaces, the clutch surface (450) of the clutch (40) of the protection flap device (2), and / or, At least one mounting means (54) of the protection flap (50), in particular both mounting means (54), has, on the axial (Ar) inner surface, the clutch surface (550) of the clutch (40) of the protection flap device (2). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that.

10. For the transmission of force within the protection flap device (2), Two clutch surfaces (450, 550) associated with each other of the clutch assembly (400) and the mounting means (54) are formed as friction surfaces and / or form-fitting surfaces, Two clutch surfaces (450, 550) associated with each other of the clutch assembly (400) and the mounting means (54) have clutch locking devices (452; 551, 552, 553) associated with each other, and / or, The clutch locking devices (452; 551, 552, 553) of the clutch surfaces (450, 550) associated with each other are mutually interactable such that the protection flap (50) is pivotable both electromechanically and manually between the closed position (G) and the open position (O). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

11. For the transmission of force within the protection flap device (2), The clutch surface (450) of the clutch assembly (400) has a single clutch locking device (452) for catching the clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) of the mounting means (54), The clutch surface (550) of the mounting means (54) has at least two, in particular three, clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) arranged offset from each other in the circumferential direction (Ur), and / or, The clutch surface (550) of the mounting means (54) has clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) for the manual open position (O), electromechanical pivoting, and / or manual closed position (G) of the protection flap device (2). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that...

12. The protection flap device (2) is in the closed position (G) of the protection flap device (2) and / or in the open position (O) of the protection flap device (2), Substantially self-locking is established between the actuator (30) and the clutch assembly (400) or preferably a single pressing part (410 / 420), The actuator (30) seats on the clutch assembly (400) so that the clutch assembly (400) prevents further movement of the actuator (30), and / or The actuator (30) seats on the corresponding surface part of the clutch assembly (400) or on the corresponding surface part of a single pressing part (410 / 420) such that the corresponding surface parts are in contact, Designed as such The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that...

13. The protection flap device (2) has a motor (60) for operating the actuator (30), The holder (20) is preferably screwed to the stored motor (60), and / or The protection flap device (2) forms a part of the connector housing (1) of the high-voltage connector (0). The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that...

14. An electrical high-voltage connector (0), in particular a high-voltage charging connector (0) for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station, In the high-voltage connector (0), the high-voltage connector (0) has at least one connector housing (1) and a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2), The protection flap device (2) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Characterized in that Electrical high-voltage connector (0).

15. An electrical high-voltage entity, in particular for a vehicle having an electric traction motor or a charging station, In an electrical high-voltage entity, the high-voltage entity comprises an electrical high-voltage device and a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2), and / or an electrical high-voltage connector (0). The protection flap device (2) and / or the high-voltage connector (0) is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 14. Characterized in that Electrical high-voltage entity.

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