Electrical insulation device for busbars

Abstract

An insulating device (3) for a busbar, comprising a support (4) and at least one cover (5) made of an electrically insulating material and attached to the support (4), the at least one cover (5) being slidably mounted on the support (4) by at least one guide member.

Description

Summary of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical insulation device for a busbar, and to an insulation assembly comprising such a device. In particular, the busbar is intended for a vehicle, such as an electric or hybrid vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method for installing the insulation assembly according to the invention.

[0002] Busbars, the name traditionally given to interconnection bars, are used to interconnect the various modules of an electrical energy storage device, also called a battery or battery pack.

[0003] Specifically in the automotive industry, such bus bars are used to electrically interconnect multiple modules to form an electrical energy storage device capable of powering the drive train of an electric or hybrid vehicle. Thus, the use of bus bars allows the storage and power capacities of separate modules to be combined.

[0004] However, busbars can conduct high voltages, which can be, for example, around 400 V. It is therefore of paramount importance to protect any technician or user who is likely to work on the storage device, especially those tasked with fitting or removing it. Specifically, in such a context, it is essential to comply with the IPXXB electrical insulation standard, which aims to prevent users from coming into contact with high voltage live parts and their fingers.

[0005] To this end, it is known to fit insulating enclosures around components and / or live areas, as disclosed in International Application WO 2021 / 045395. However, implementing such a principle can prove difficult around the ends of the busbars that are located in contact with the terminals of the module in the areas where the busbars are fastened to the module, in particular by means of screws. It is therefore necessary for such ends to be accessible.

[0006] In this regard, it is known to use insulating enclosures with folding flaps or caps, but such enclosures have the drawback of being bulky and unsuitable for use in limited spaces due to the space required to allow the flaps to be opened and closed.

[0007] The present invention falls within this context and aims to provide an electrical insulating device for busbars that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, the present invention aims to propose an electrical insulating device that is compact and easy to use.

[0008] The present invention relates to an electrical insulating device for a busbar, the electrical insulating device for a busbar comprising a support made of an electrically insulating material configured to cover the busbar, and at least one removable electrically insulating cover attached to the support. the support comprises at least one orifice that can extend opposite the at least one fastening means for fastening the busbars, and a guide slot for guiding the at least one cover. - The at least one cover has a body and is slidably mounted on the support via at least one guide member connected to the body so as to be movable in a guide slot between a first position in which the at least one opening is not covered and a second position in which the at least one opening is covered by the body.

[0009] In particular, the guide member - a retaining member for retaining the cover relative to the support, the retaining member comprising a deformable portion, in particular in the form of a clip, configured to cooperate with at least one edge of the guide slot so as to prevent the cover from moving in at least one direction relative to the support; - at least one positioning member for positioning the cover in at least one of the first position or the second position, the guide slot comprising at least one positioning element, such as a recess, having a shape complementary to the shape of the positioning member and defining said positions.

[0010] The body of the at least one cover may include a gripping facilitating member disposed toward one end of the body and configured to extend as a protrusion from the support in at least one direction.

[0011] In particular, the insulating device may comprise a plurality of covers, in which case the support comprises a plurality of guide slots, each of said slots being configured to cooperate with one of the plurality of covers.

[0012] According to one embodiment option, the support may comprise at least one wall and at least one attached detachable part configured to be fixed to the at least one wall, said detachable part comprising at least one opening and a guide slot for guiding the at least one cover.

[0013] Similarly, the support may include a poka-yoke slit passing through the thickness of the support and leading to the at least one opening, and the cover includes a poka-yoke means projecting from the body and configured to cooperate with the poka-yoke slit to extend through the poka-yoke slit and project from the support.

[0014] Advantageously, the insulating device may further comprise markings arranged on the support and indicating correct or incorrect positioning of the at least one cover, the cover being configured to at least partially cover said markings depending on whether the cover is in the first position or the second position.

[0015] The invention also relates to an electrical insulation assembly for a busbar, comprising an insulating device according to the invention and a busbar.

[0016] The electrical isolation assembly may further comprise at least one fastening means disposed opposite the at least one opening and mounted to the busbar, the fastening means being a captive screw.

[0017] The electrical isolation assembly also includes: - the support is overmolded onto the busbar, or The insulating assembly may further comprise an electrically insulating base plate configured to cooperate with the support, the base plate extending at least to one side of the busbar and the support extending at least to an opposite side of the busbar relative to the base plate.

[0018] The invention may also extend to a cover for an electrical insulating device for a busbar, as described above, the cover being made from an insulating material, a body, which is in particular flat or substantially flat; - at least one guide member connected to and protruding from the body, the guide member configured to cooperate with the support and configured to be moved relative to the support, the at least one guide member being moved in a guide slot between a first position.

[0019] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for installing an electrical isolation assembly according to the present invention, the method comprising positioning a busbar on a module of an electrical energy storage device, positioning at least one fixing means to fix the busbar to said module, and moving at least one cover from a first position to a second position by sliding it relative to the support.

[0020] Further details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent on reading the detailed description given below, by way of non-limiting indication, with regard to the various examples of embodiments illustrated in the following figures: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an assembly and device for electrical insulation of bus bars. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly and device for electrical insulation of bus bars. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly and device for electrical insulation of bus bars; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of an assembly and device for electrical insulation of bus bars; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixing means and a poka-yoke device provided in an electrical isolation assembly. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cover for an electrical insulation assembly. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a cover provided with a guide member. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrical isolation assembly. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a poka-yoke device of an electrical isolation assembly. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the positioning of the cover of the electrical isolation assembly. [Figure 12]1 is a schematic diagram of an electrical isolation assembly according to a first embodiment, comprising a base plate; [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment option of a support for a device for electrical insulation of bus bars; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 illustrates schematically one exemplary embodiment of an electrical insulation assembly 1 for a busbar 2, also known as an interconnection bar. The electrical insulation assembly 1 notably comprises the busbar 2 and an electrical insulation device 3 according to the invention.

[0023] The busbars 2 may be straight, i.e., linear, or substantially straight bars, as illustrated in Figures 5, 10, and 11. Alternatively, the busbars 2 may be curved bars. It should be understood that the descriptions given below with reference to an insulation assembly 1 comprising a straight busbar 2 or with reference to an insulation device 3 for a straight busbar 2 also apply mutatis mutandis to curved busbars 2.

[0024] In particular, according to the invention, the busbar 2 in question may be a busbar 2 intended for an electrical connection module equipped with an electrical energy storage device, also called a "battery". In particular, the storage device in question is capable of powering the drive train of an automotive vehicle. The vehicle in question is in particular a vehicle with an electric power unit or a hybrid electric power unit. The vehicle in question may be of any type, such as, for example, a private car, a utility vehicle, a truck or a bus. In particular, the vehicle may be a vehicle with an online connection and / or an autonomous vehicle.

[0025] 1 through 12 illustrate example embodiments of an insulation assembly 1 or insulation device 3 according to the present invention. Throughout the following description, the terms "first," "second," "primary," "secondary," and "main" are intended to distinguish between similar components rather than to define a hierarchical order within the subject matter.

[0026] In general, an insulating device 3 for a busbar 2 according to the invention comprises a support 4 arranged to cover the busbar 2 and at least one removable cover 5 attached to the support 4 .

[0027] The support 4 is made of an insulating material, in particular a plastic material such as a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The support 4 comprises a main wall 41 configured to cover the busbar 2. In particular, the main wall 41 is configured to be interposed between the busbar 2 and a user's hand in the first direction 100. Preferably, the main wall 41 is at least partially flat or substantially flat.

[0028] According to alternative embodiments, which will be described more fully below, the main wall 41 may be manufactured as a single piece or may be formed of multiple parts that lie in one and the same plane or that lie substantially in one and the same plane.

[0029] The support 4 in particular forms at least a half-housing. Preferably, the support 4 further comprises a plurality of side walls 42 extending from the main wall 41. In particular, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the support 4 comprises at least three side walls 42. These side walls 42 are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main wall 41 and extend to at least partially surround the busbar 2. In particular, the side walls 42 are arranged in the storage device to surround an accessible area of ​​the busbar.

[0030] The support 4 has a shape suitable for the busbar 2. In particular, the support may have a parallelepiped shape or a substantially parallelepiped shape in the case of a straight busbar 2 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. Conversely, when the busbar 2 has a curved shape as previously described, the support may have a curved shape as illustrated in Figure 4.

[0031] The support 4 has at least one through opening 43. The at least one opening 43 visible in Figure 5 or 9 is located in the main wall 41 so as to extend between a first surface 411 facing towards the busbar 2 and a second surface 412 opposite to the first surface 411.

[0032] The at least one opening 43 is positioned to extend opposite the at least one fastening means 6, such as a screw, for fastening the busbar 2 when the at least one fastening means 6 and the busbar 2 are assembled in the insulation assembly 1 or in the electrical energy storage device. In this specific case, the at least one opening 43 is positioned opposite the at least one fastening means 6 in the first direction 100. Desirably, the head of the fastening means 6 and the at least one opening 43 may be centered on one and the same axis. The at least one opening 43 therefore makes the fastening means 6 accessible by a tool, such as a screwdriver, so that the screw can be tightened in the case of a screw.

[0033] Optionally, as will be more fully detailed later, at least one opening 43 may be dimensioned to have a main dimension that is strictly smaller than the main direction of the head of the fastening means 6 in question. What is meant by "main dimension" is the longest dimension measured in a direction perpendicular to the first direction 100 of the opening 43. Such a main direction may, for example, correspond to a diameter in the case of a circular opening 43 or a diagonal in the case of a polygonal opening 43.

[0034] Preferably, the support 4 comprises a number of openings 43 equal to the number of fixing means 6 used to hold the busbars in place, each opening 43 being positioned to extend opposite a fixing means 6 specific to each opening 43, according to principles similar to those described above. In this specific case, the busbar 2 is held in place by two fixing means 6, and the support 4 comprises two openings 43.

[0035] Furthermore, the support 4 includes at least one guide slot 44 for guiding the at least one cover 5. Similar to the opening 43, the at least one slot is a through slot, i.e., the at least one slot is located in the main wall 41 so as to extend between the first face 411 and the second face 412. According to the illustrated example, the guide slot 44 may be straight or substantially straight. According to a non-depicted alternative, the guide slot 44 may be at least partially curved. As will be described more fully below, the guide slot 44 is configured to at least partially receive the cover 5 so as to allow the cover 5 to move relative to the support 4.

[0036] The insulating assembly 1 for a busbar 2 according to the invention may also be embodied in different ways.

[0037] According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 or 12 , the insulating assembly 1 may further comprise an electrically insulating base plate 8 attached to and configured to cooperate with the support 4. In that case, the support 4 and the base plate 8 each form a half-enclosure, and the combination of the half-enclosures defines a housing, which may be closed or open, at least partially surrounding the busbar 2. In particular, the base plate 8 may be connected to the support 4 via at least one fastening element 9, such as a clip-on fastener. The base plate 8 extends at least on one side of the busbar 2, while the support 4 extends at least on the opposite side of the busbar 2 relative to the base plate 8. In other words, the base plate 8 and the support 4 are positioned at least one on each side of the busbar 2 in the first direction 100.

[0038] According to alternative embodiments, the base plate 8 may have a U-shaped or L-shaped profile. In particular, the base plate 8 comprises a main flank 81 extending on the opposite side of the busbar 2 relative to the main wall 41 of the support 4. The main flank 81 extends in contact with the busbar 2. The base plate 8 may further comprise one or more lateral flanks 82 connected to the main flank 81 and configured to cooperate with at least one side wall 42 of the support 4. The base plate 8 thus provides an indirect connection between the busbar 2 and the support 4. In the illustrated non-limiting alternative, the base plate 8 has a U-shaped profile with two lateral flanks 82.

[0039] Advantageously, although optional, the insulating assembly 1 may further comprise at least one fixing means 6 positioned opposite the at least one opening 43 and mounted on the busbar 2 in order to simplify transportation and installation of the insulating assembly 1.

[0040] In the case of an insulating assembly 1 comprising a support 4 overmolded onto a busbar 2, the assembly may comprise one or more removable fastening means. In that case, an opening 43 extending opposite each of said fastening means 6 is dimensioned to allow said fastening means 6, in particular its head, to be inserted and pass through. Alternatively and advantageously, in order to simplify transport and handling of the insulating assembly 1, the fastening means 6 may be captive screws. In that case, preferably, said opening 43 has a main direction strictly smaller than the main direction of the head of the fastening means 6. In that case, the support 4 is overmolded in such a way that, in the case of a busbar 2 fitted with one or more fastening means, these fastening means extend into the volume bounded by the support 4. In that case, advantageously, the support 4 forms a captivity housing, also called a captivity cage, i.e., a space in which the one or more fastening means remain captive.

[0041] According to a second embodiment not depicted, the support 4 may be overmolded onto the busbar 2. For example, this support has the features described above and may be closed or open, and may further comprise an additional wall opposite the main wall 41 so as to define a housing surrounding the busbar 2 and extending on both sides of the busbar 2 in at least one direction. In particular, the insulating assembly 1 may have a structure similar to that described above with reference to the first embodiment, with the difference being that the support 4 and the base plate 8 are overmolded onto the busbar 2 and form an at least partially integral assembly defining the housing. For example, at least the main wall 41 and one of the lateral flanks 82 of the base plate form an integral assembly overmolded onto the busbar.

[0042] In the case of an insulating assembly 1 according to the first embodiment comprising a detachable base plate 8, the assembly may also comprise one or more detachable fastening means. In a manner similar to that described above, the openings 43 arranged to extend opposite each of said fastening means 6 may be dimensioned to allow said fastening means 6, in particular its head, to be inserted and pass through. Alternatively and advantageously, the fastening means 6 may be captive screws. In that case, preferably, the openings 43 have a main direction strictly smaller than the main direction of the head of the fastening means 6. The support 4 and the base plate 8 are assembled in such a way that they surround the busbars 2 fitted with one or more fastening means, so that these fastening means extend into the volume bounded by the combination of the support 4 and the base plate 8. Such a combination then forms a captive housing, as described above.

[0043] The at least one cover 5 is a detachable part attached to the support 4. The at least one cover 5 is configured to be movable relative to said support 4, in particular relative to the main wall 41. The following description given with respect to one cover 5 may extend to multiple covers 5 provided on an insulating device 3 according to the invention.

[0044] The cover 5 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material, in particular a polyamide such as PA6, e.g., PA6-GF25. The cover 5 comprises a body 51. In particular, to reduce the overall bulk created, such body 51 has a contour having a shape complementary to the shape of at least a portion of the support 4 with which it cooperates. In this specific case, the body 51 has a contour having a shape complementary to that of the main wall 41. In the illustrated example, the main wall 41 is flat or substantially flat, and so is the body 51. In this way, when the cover 5 is assembled to the support 4, the first surface 511 of the body 51 of the cover 5 facing towards the support 4 extends in contact with the second surface 412 of the support 4. According to an alternative not depicted, if the support 4, in particular the main wall 41, has a curved contour, the body 51 of the cover 5 has a complementary contour.

[0045] The cover 5 further includes at least one guide member 52. The guide member 52 is connected to the main body 51 and protrudes from the main body 51 in at least one direction. The guide member 52 extends from a first surface 511 of the main body 51 and extends toward the support 4 when the insulation device 3 is assembled. The guide member 52 is configured to cooperate with the guide slot 44 to allow the cover 5 to move relative to the support 4. Specifically, the guide member 52 is configured to be inserted into the guide slot 44 to allow the cover 5 to be moved by sliding between a first position and a second position.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, both the body 51 and the support 4 are configured such that, in a first position, at least one opening 43 is uncovered, i.e., accessible, to allow a user to operate the fastening means 6 positioned opposite said opening 43. Conversely, as depicted in Fig. 2, 3 or 4, when the cover 5 is moved to a second position, the body 51 covers the at least one opening 43, thus making said opening 43 inaccessible. The body 51 is therefore dimensioned according to the position of said at least one opening 43 and the position of said guide slot 44, so as to cover the at least one opening 43 when the cover 5 is inserted into the guide slot 44 and positioned in the second position.

[0047] Desirably, the body 51 and the guide member 52 form a unitary entity, which means that the body 51 and the guide member 52 cannot be separated from each other without consequential damage or even destruction of the cover 5. For example, the cover 5 may be a molded part.

[0048] The guide member 52 has an elongated shape, the contour of which is configured to cooperate with the guide slot 44. Optionally, but preferably, the guide member 52 comprises a retaining member 53 for retaining the cover 5 relative to the support 4. The retaining member 53 comprises a deformable portion 53a, in particular an elastically deformable portion, configured to prevent movement of the cover 5 in at least one direction relative to the support 4. In particular, the retaining member 53 is configured to limit movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 about a point in the first direction 100, so as to prevent the cover 5 from being separated.

[0049] All or part of the deformable portion 53a is configured to be deformed from a "rest" configuration to a "deformed" configuration upon assembly of the cover 5 to the support 4. In particular, the deformable portion 53a is in the form of a clip fastening. Without limitation, the retaining member 53, in particular the elastically deformable portion 53a, comprises at least one tab. In this specific case, the retaining member 53 comprises two tabs that are arranged to have a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped profile in its "rest" configuration. The tabs are therefore inclined with respect to the first direction 100 so as to abut against the support 4 when the cover is moved in the first direction 100 when in its "rest" configuration.

[0050] For each such tab, the retaining member 53 is configured such that the free end of the tab extends a non-zero distance from the first surface 511 of the main body 51 of the cover 5. Preferably, the cover 5 is therefore engaged with at least one of the walls of the support 4 when the cover 5 cooperates with the support 4. In this way, the cover 5 can be fastened to the busbar 2, in particular indirectly, at least via the support 4, as will be explained in more detail later. In this specific case, the main body 51 of the cover 5 on the one hand and the retaining member 53, in particular its elastically deformable portion 53a, on the other hand, are engaged with the main wall 41 in the first direction 100. The main body 51 is therefore in contact with the second surface 412 of the main wall 41, while the free end of at least one of the tabs is in contact with the first surface 411 of the main wall 41.

[0051] During assembly of the cover 5 to the support 4, the edges of the guide slots 44 apply a force to the retaining members 53, which deform to allow the guide members 52 to be inserted into the guide slots 44. In this specific case, the deformable portions 53a are moved so that the free ends of the tabs are closer together to allow the cover 5 to be positioned on the support 4 in the "deformed" configuration. When the body 51 of the cover 5 extends into contact with the support 4, the edges of the guide slots 44 are no longer in direct contact with the retaining members 53. The force applied to the retaining members 53 is removed, and the retaining members 53 autonomously return to their "rest" configuration. Thus, when the cover 5 moves in the first direction 100, the tabs can limit the movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 by contacting the main walls 41, which act as end stops for the tabs.

[0052] The same principle may be applied mutatis mutandis to a retention member 53 comprising a single tab configured to cooperate with at least one edge of the guide slot 44, or comprising three or more tabs.

[0053] Furthermore, optionally but preferably, the guide member 52 may comprise at least one positioning member 54 for positioning the cover 5 in at least one of the first position and the second position, in which case the guide slot 44 comprises at least one positioning element 45 for positioning the cover 5, having a shape complementary to the shape of the positioning member 54, to demarcate or define the appropriate position at which the cover 5 should be placed relative to the support 4.

[0054] Specifically, the cover 5 includes the same number of positioning members 54 as the support body 4 includes positioning elements 45. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the guide member 52 includes two positioning members 54, while the support body 4 includes two positioning elements 45, specifically recesses. The first positioning member 54 a and the first recess 45 a define a first position in which the at least one opening 43 is not covered when the cover 5 is moved to position the first member 54 a in the first recess 45 a. Conversely, the second positioning member 54 b and the second recess 45 b define a second position in which the at least one opening 43 is covered by the cover 5 when the cover 5 is moved to position the second member in the second recess 45 b.

[0055] Thus, insofar as the positioning member 54 and the positioning element 45 impose a position and orientation of the cover 5 relative to the support in the first and second positions, the positioning member 54 and the positioning element 45 also act as indexing means.

[0056] In the non-limiting example shown, the guide slot 44 includes a straight intermediate portion 46 extending along a major axis of extension perpendicular to the first direction 100. Alternatively, such intermediate portion 46 may be curved, for example in the case of a curved guide slot 44 as previously described. The first recess 45a and the second recess 45b are positioned at the distal end of the guide slot 44. The first recess 45a and the second recess 45b are connected to the intermediate portion 46 and extend continuously therethrough along a major axis such that the cover 5 can be moved to the first recess 45a or the second recess 45b as a series of sliding movements through the intermediate portion 46. In other words, the intermediate portion 46 corresponds to intermediate positions of the cover 5, which are included between the first and second positions. Alternatively, the recesses may be offset relative to the direction defined by the major axis, for example, extending above or below such an axis.

[0057] In particular, within the guide slot 44, the positioning element 45, i.e. the first recess 45a and / or the second recess 45b, may be connected to the intermediate portion 46 by or in an indexing counterform that contributes to demarcating the open or closed position. In this specific case, such a counterform has the shape of a portion of the guide slot 44 in which the edges of said slot are closer to each other. Such a counterform creates a resistance that requires additional effort on the part of the user to move the cover 5 into or out of said position, thus allowing the cover to remain stable in said position.

[0058] Also, in the illustrated example, the first and second positioning members 54a, 54b preferably have a rounded shape, e.g., substantially circular, and the recesses have a complementary shape, the purpose of which is to complement the female shape formed by the first and / or second recesses 45a, 45b, to lock the indexing of the cover 5 in the open or closed position as previously described.

[0059] The intermediate portion 46 and the positioning elements 45a, 45b are each dimensioned to allow the cover 5 to move relative to the support 4. In this respect, the intermediate portion 46 and the positioning elements 45a, 45b have a width that is strictly greater than the width of the positioning member 54. This width is a dimension defined in a direction perpendicular to the first direction 100, in particular perpendicular to the main axis along which the guide slot 44 extends.

[0060] Furthermore, desirably, the positioning member 54 is connected to the main body 51 by a structure having a solid wall, unlike the retaining member 53 shown by way of example. Thus, optionally, the positioning member 54 comprises at least one solid wall configured to be positioned opposite an edge of the guide slot 44 in the first direction 100 when the insulation device 3 is assembled. In particular, the positioning member 54 extends in at least partial contact with the support 4 so as to enable optimized movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 and to prevent pivoting of the cover 5 in directions other than those in which the guide slot 44 extends.

[0061] Optionally, the main body 51 of the cover 5 may advantageously comprise at least one gripping facilitating member 55 intended to make the cover 5 easier to handle. The gripping facilitating member 55 may in particular be arranged at one end of the main body 51. In particular, the at least one gripping facilitating member 55 may be configured to extend as a protrusion from the support body 4 in at least one direction. In the example shown, the gripping facilitating member 55 has the form of two protrusions 55a protruding from the support body 4, in particular from one of the side walls 42, in at least one direction, for example a third direction orthogonal to the first direction 100 and the second direction 200.

[0062] According to other exemplary embodiments, the cover 5 may additionally or alternatively comprise gripping facilitating members 55 having embossments, striations, and / or ridges. Such gripping facilitating members 55b may be located on a surface of the cover 5 that is accessible when the cover is assembled to the insulation device 3. In this specific case, the gripping facilitating members 55 comprise striations on the second surface 512 of the body 51 of the cover 5.

[0063] Thus, optionally, the cover 5 may comprise a plurality of grip-facilitating members 55 manufactured according to one or more of the alternatives described above.

[0064] 1 to 6, the electrical insulation device 3 may comprise a plurality of covers 5. Such covers 5 may be identical to one another or may be manufactured according to the different alternatives and options described above. In that case, the support 4 may cooperate with a plurality of covers 5. The support 4 comprises a plurality of guide slots 44, as described above, each of said slots being configured to cooperate with one of the covers 5.

[0065] Furthermore, optionally but preferably, the electrical insulating device 3 may comprise at least one poka-yoke device 7 in which the support 4 comprises poka-yoke slits 71 while the cover 5 comprises poka-yoke means 72 configured and shaped to cooperate with such slits. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 10, the poka-yoke means 72 are intended to inform the user of the correct positioning of the defined fastening means 6, as will be more fully detailed later. For example, the poka-yoke means 72 aim to reveal whether the fastening means 6 in question has been tightened sufficiently to hold the busbar 2 in place.

[0066] The poka-yoke slit 71 is provided in the wall that includes the at least one opening 43. In this specific case, the poka-yoke slit 71 is provided in the main wall 41 of the support 4. The poka-yoke slit 71 passes through the thickness of the support 4, which here means that it extends from the first face 411 to the second face 412 of the main wall 41. The poka-yoke slit 71 is configured to extend parallel or substantially parallel to the guide slot 44. In a manner similar to that described above, the poka-yoke slit 71 may be straight or at least partially curved. The poka-yoke slit 71 also defines a path for the advancement of the cover 5 that is similar or substantially similar to the path defined by the guide slot 44. The poka-yoke slit 71 extends a non-zero distance from the guide slot 44 and is connected to the at least one opening 43.

[0067] To cooperate with the poka-yoke slit 71, the poka-yoke means 72 provided on the cover 5 may have the form of a finger, pin or tab protruding from the main body 51. The poka-yoke means 72 and the guide member 52 extend from one and the same side of the main body 51 of the cover 5. The poka-yoke means 72 is dimensioned in the first direction 100 to have a dimension strictly greater than the thickness of the wall of the support 4 in which the poka-yoke slit 71 is provided, so that when the cover 5 is assembled to the support 4, the poka-yoke means 72 protrudes beyond said wall. In this specific case, when the cover 5 is mounted on the support 4, the poka-yoke means 72 extends through the poka-yoke slit 71 and protrudes from the first face 411 of the main wall 41 of the support 4.

[0068] Thus, the poka-yoke device 7 is configured so that when the cover 5 is moved in the guide slots 44 relative to the support 4, the poka-yoke means 72 is simultaneously moved along the poka-yoke slits 71. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 10 , if the fixing means 6 is not properly positioned to hold the busbar 2 in place due to the positioning of the poka-yoke slits 71 relative to at least one opening 43—for example, if the fixing means 6 is not sufficiently tightened in the case of a screw—and at the same time the cover is moved towards the second position, the poka-yoke device 7 is configured so that the poka-yoke means 72 abuts against the fixing means 6 arranged opposite the opening 43 in question in the first direction 100. In other words, if the fixing means 6 is not properly positioned, the fixing means 6 intersects the path of the poka-yoke means 72 and prevents the poka-yoke means 72 from reaching the second position. In that case, the poka-yoke device 7 makes it possible to prevent the cover from being positioned in the second position, thereby preventing incorrect installation of the busbar 2.

[0069] The insulating device 3 may advantageously comprise a plurality of the above-described poka-yoke devices 7. In particular, the insulating device 3 may be configured such that each opening 43 comprised by the insulating device 3 is connected to a poka-yoke slit 71 specific to the poka-yoke device 7.

[0070] According to another embodiment option, the insulating device 3 may further comprise markings arranged on the support 4 and indicating correct or incorrect positioning of the at least one cover 5. The markings are arranged on a wall of the support 4 that is visible to the user, e.g., on the main wall 41 in the illustrated example. According to one exemplary embodiment, such markings may be lettered and / or colored, for example, to indicate the word "OK" for a correctly positioned cover 5, i.e., for a position in which the insulating device or insulating assembly 1 is ready for use. The insulating device 3 is configured such that the cover 5 at least partially covers the markings depending on whether the cover 5 is in the first position or the second position. For example, when the cover 5 is in the first position, and thus simultaneously the at least one opening 43 is visible and thus potentially the fastening means 6 arranged opposite the at least one opening 43, a portion of the markings indicating an incorrect positioning of the cover 5 is visible. Such a portion of the markings may be, for example, red and / or a "Not OK" or "NOK" type marking. Conversely, when the cover 5 is in the second position, the cover 5 covers the at least one opening 43 and a portion of the marking may be visible that indicates correct positioning of the cover 5. For example, such portion of the marking may be green and / or an "OK" type marking.

[0071] According to yet another embodiment option, illustrated in FIG. 13 and applicable to the first or second embodiment as described above, the support 4 may comprise at least one attached detachable portion 47 configured to be fixed to at least one wall of the support, for example, a portion of the main wall 41 and / or at least one of the side walls 42. According to a preferred embodiment, the detachable portion 47 may be fixed to the wall in question via a fixing element, such as a clip. The detachable portion 47 comprises, as previously described, at least one opening 43 and a guide slot 44 for the cover 5. The detachable portion 47 is thus configured to cooperate with the cover 5. The detachable portion 47 and the at least one wall to which the detachable portion 47 is fixed thus contribute to delimiting a space configured to at least partially receive the fixing means 6. Optionally, the detachable portion may also comprise a poka-yoke device 7. The detachable portion 47 may be configured to form the main wall 41 or to be in a common plane with the main wall 41. The support 4 may further comprise a number of detachable parts 47 each configured to cooperate with a separate cover 5 .

[0072] The present invention may further extend to a cover 5 for an insulating device or insulating assembly 1 for insulating busbars 2 according to the invention. Said cover 5 may again employ all or some of the features described above in relation to the cover 5. In particular, such a cover 5 will generally be made from an insulating material and will comprise a body 51, in particular a flat or substantially flat body, and at least one guide member 52 connected to and protruding from the body 51, the guide member 52 being configured to cooperate with the support 4 and to be moved relative to the support 4.

[0073] Finally, the present invention relates to a method for installing an electrical insulation assembly 1 according to the present invention. Such a method comprises positioning a busbar 2 in a module of an electrical energy storage device and positioning at least one fastening means 6 to fasten the busbar 2 to the module. In particular, in the case of fastening means 6 such as screws, the positioning of the fastening means 6 is achieved by screwing or tightening. Such positioning may also be achieved by a tool positioned to extend at least partially through an opening 43 provided in the support 4 that extends opposite the fastening means 6. The positioning of the fastening means 6 is performed when the cover 5, i.e., a cover configured to extend opposite the opening 43, is arranged in a first position to allow user access to the opening 43. The method then comprises, when the fastening means 6 are suitably positioned, moving the at least one cover 5 from the first position to a second position by sliding it relative to the support 4. For example, such sliding is performed by a translational movement, in particular in a second direction 200 perpendicular to the first direction 100.

[0074] Optionally, the method according to the invention may comprise the sub-step of verifying the correct positioning of the fixing means 6 using a poka-yoke device 7 and / or markings as previously described.

[0075] The invention therefore proposes an electrical isolation device for busbars, in particular busbars which are configured to connect together different modules of an electrical energy storage device, for example for electric or hybrid vehicles. The device according to the invention is advantageously configured to be suitable for use in narrow environments, while at the same time allowing for simplicity of installation while ensuring user safety.

[0076] However, the present invention is not limited to the means and arrangements described and illustrated herein, but also applies to any equivalent means or arrangements, and to any technically feasible combination of such means, so long as they ultimately perform the functionality described and illustrated herein.

Claims

1. An electrical insulating device (3) for a busbar (2), the electrical insulating device (3) for the busbar (2) comprising: a support (4) made of an electrically insulating material configured to cover the busbar (2); and at least one removable electrically insulating cover (5) attached to the support (4), - said support (4) comprises at least one opening (43) that can extend opposite at least one fixing means (6) for fixing a busbar (2) and a guide slot (44) for guiding said at least one cover (5); - an electrical insulating device (3) for a busbar (2), characterized in that said at least one cover (5) comprises a body (51) and is slidably mounted on said support (4) via at least one guide member (52) connected to said body (51) so as to be movable in said guide slot (44) between a first position in which said at least one opening (43) is not covered and a second position in which said at least one opening (43) is covered by said body (51).

2. The guide member (52) a retaining member (53) for retaining said cover (5) relative to said support (4), said retaining member (53) comprising a deformable portion (53a), in particular in the form of a clip, adapted to cooperate with at least one edge of said guide slot (44) so ​​as to prevent said cover (5) from moving in at least one direction relative to said support (4); - at least one positioning member (54) for positioning the cover (5) in at least one of the first position or the second position, the guide slot (44) comprising at least one positioning element (45), such as a recess, having a shape complementary to the shape of the positioning member (54) and delimiting the positions.

3. An insulating device (3) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body (51) of the at least one cover (5) is provided with a grip-promoting member (55, 55a) arranged on one end side of the main body (51) and configured to extend as a protrusion from the support (4) in at least one direction.

4. 4. An insulating device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a plurality of covers (5), and wherein the support (4) comprises a plurality of guide slots (44), each of the slots being configured to cooperate with one of the covers (5) of the plurality of covers (5).

5. 5. An insulating device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support (4) comprises at least one wall (41, 42) and at least one attached detachable part (47) configured to be fixed to the at least one wall (41, 42), the detachable part (47) comprising the at least one opening (43) and the guide slot (44) for guiding the at least one cover (5).

6. 6. An insulating device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support (4) comprises a poka-yoke slit (71) passing through the thickness of the support (4) and leading to the at least one opening (43), and the cover (5) comprises a poka-yoke means (72) protruding from the body (51) and configured to cooperate with the poka-yoke slit (71) so as to extend through the poka-yoke slit (71) and protrude from the support (4).

7. An electrical insulation assembly (1) for a busbar (2), comprising an insulating device (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the busbar (2).

8. 8. The electrical insulation assembly (1) of claim 7, further comprising at least one fastening means (6) disposed opposite the at least one opening (43) and mounted on the busbar (2), the fastening means (6) being a captive screw.

9. - the support (4) is overmolded onto the busbar (2), or An electrical insulation assembly (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the insulation assembly (1) further comprises an electrically insulating base plate (8) configured to cooperate with the support (4), the base plate (8) extending at least on one side of the busbar (2) and the support (4) extending at least on an opposite side of the busbar (2) relative to the base plate (8).

10. 10. A method for installing an electrical insulation assembly (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising: positioning the busbar (2) on a module of an electrical energy storage device; positioning at least one fixing means (6) to fix the busbar (2) to the module; and moving the at least one cover (5) from the first position to the second position by sliding it relative to the support (4).

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