High-voltage connector with tolerance compensation device

Abstract

To provide an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector for at least one electrical high-voltage line, in particular a stranded line, for a vehicle with an electric traction motor.SOLUTION: An electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) includes a connector base (10) for mounting the high-voltage connector (1), and at least one terminal receptacle (30), fitted on the connector base (10), for a high-voltage electrical terminal, the terminal extending in a height direction (Hr) of the high-voltage connector (1). A mechanical articulation arrangement (20) is accommodated between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30). By means of the mechanical articulation arrangement (20), the terminal receptacle (30) is movably arranged in the high-voltage connector (1) relative to the connector base (10) for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention preferably relates to an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector for at least one high-voltage line, in particular a stranded wire, for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor. The present invention also relates in each case to an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connection, and a high-voltage electrical entity, in particular a preassembled high-voltage line, which are preferably for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor.

Background Art

[0002] In the electrical field (electrotechnology, electrical engineering, power engineering, etc.), many high-voltage electrical connectors are known. These are used for voltages in the high-voltage range (high voltage: AC voltage of more than 24 V up to more than 1 kV, DC voltage of more than 48 V up to more than 1.5 kV), currents in the high-current range (high current of more than 25 A up to more than 1 kA) and / or powers in the high-power range (high power from 20 kW up to more than 350 kW). In this case, the high-voltage connector must ensure problem-free transmission for the supply and / or distribution of electrical energy in the short term and / or permanently in cold, warm, optionally hot, contaminated, high-humidity and / or chemically harsh environments.

[0003] Due to the wide range of applications, the majority of such high-voltage connectors, apart from terrestrial power engineering and its derivatives, are known in the automotive and non-automotive fields. In the automotive field, such high-voltage connectors are suitable, for example, for electromechanically connecting a high-voltage line to a corresponding high-voltage electrical entity, or vice versa, connecting high-voltage lines to one another, or other high-voltage electromechanical contact-type connections. - As used herein, the term "high voltage" shall encompass the terms high voltage, high current, and / or high power (see above).

[0004] For example, in the automotive sector, hybrid or electric vehicles are in demand due to efforts to mitigate the high costs and environmental impact of fossil fuels. One aspect of such vehicles is the handling of high charging and operating voltages, and high charging and operating currents, and the relevant components of the vehicle must be designed accordingly. This is particularly true for high-voltage lines (e.g., solid wires, stranded wires (cables, cable harnesses), conductor bars, bus bars, lead frames, etc.) and associated high-voltage terminals (e.g., connectors, flat contacts, bus bars, conductor bars, etc.), and therefore also for high-voltage connectors.

[0005] If a high-voltage cable has a high-voltage connector, a reference is also made to a high-voltage flying plug connector or high-voltage coupling. If a high-voltage electrical entity (see below), for example, has a high-voltage connector on part of its housing or on another wall, a reference is also made to a high-voltage accessory connector. - In relation to power engineering (preferably the generation, conversion, storage, and transmission of high-voltage currents in distribution networks using three-phase high-voltage transmission), a reference is made to cable accessories due to their complex structure.

[0006] Solid conductor bars, often called busbars, are fixed to the vehicle body, for example, in the wheel arch, by mating high-voltage connectors and are provided for electrical contact connections via the high-voltage connectors. These high-voltage connectors can be firmly screwed to the body after the plugging operation. Solid conductor bars are rigid and cannot be moved as much as flexible stranded wires, and therefore cannot compensate for alignment errors when mating with the mating high-voltage connector.

[0007] Manufacturing tolerances, tolerances due to the fixing of the conductor bar to the wheel arch, and housing tolerances result in what is called axial misalignment in the insertion direction when connecting such connections. This can cause, among other things, the following problems: High-voltage connectors may not be able to be joined or fully connected. High-voltage connectors may only be able to be joined and / or inserted with difficulty and / or under high mechanical stress, which may result in damage or malfunction. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Ongoing efforts are being made to improve high-voltage electrical connectors. In particular, in next-generation electromobility, it is desirable to be able to establish high-voltage electrical connections quickly, easily, and reliably to, for example, walls or high-voltage entities within a vehicle using high-voltage connectors. - The object of the present invention is preferably to define a high-voltage connector for vehicles equipped with electric traction motors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The object of the present invention is preferably achieved by an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector for at least one high-voltage line, particularly stranded wire, for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor, and in any case, an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connection, and a high-voltage electrical entity, particularly an assembled high-voltage line, which is preferably for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor. Advantageous developments, additional features and / or merits of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and / or the following description.

[0010] The high-voltage connector according to the present invention comprises a connector base for mounting the high-voltage connector and at least one terminal receptacle mated to the connector base for at least one high-voltage electrical terminal of the high-voltage connector, wherein the terminal extends in the height direction of the high-voltage connector, and a mechanical articulation device is disposed or accommodated between the connector base and the terminal receptacle, and the terminal receptacle is positioned by the mechanical articulation device to move significantly relative to the connector base in the high-voltage connector for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector. Naturally, at least one high-voltage terminal can be disposed of in the terminal receptacle and can be connected to at least one high-voltage line.

[0011] According to the present invention, compared to the prior art, a more cost-effective mating process is achieved through a rapid mating process. Mating errors are minimized or eliminated. Reduced process time and fewer failures result in a significant improvement in customer satisfaction.

[0012] The connector base allows the high-voltage connector to be attached (seat, receive, etc.) to any wall (e.g., main body wall, wheel arch wall, housing wall, etc.), any part of, or to the connector receptacle of the mating high-voltage connector. The terminal receptacle can be spaced apart from the connector base, extend into the connector base, or extend through the connector base in the mating direction of the high-voltage connector, i.e., the direction in which its high-voltage terminals are inserted. Naturally, the terminal receptacle is accessible to the mating high-voltage connector through the through-cutout of the connector base.

[0013] The joint device can provide exactly one, at least one or two particularly limited rotational degrees of freedom and / or exactly one, at least one or two particularly limited translational degrees of freedom between the connector base and the terminal receptacle. It is obvious here that the axes of freedom are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The limited rotational degrees of freedom should be understood to mean the possible rotational or pivotal movement (greater mobility) of the terminal receptacle relative to the connector base, at least or at most about ±2°, ±4°, ±6°, ±8°, ±10°, ±12°, ±14°, ±16°, ±18°, and ±20°. If the terminal receptacle has two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the connector base, the centerline of the high-voltage terminal in the terminal receptacle can move within a preferably linear (elliptical or circular) cone having the aforementioned angle as its opening angle.

[0015] The limited translational degrees of freedom should be understood as the possible linear displacement (large mobility) of the terminal receptacle relative to the connector base (or vice versa) of at least approximately ±0.5 mm, ±1 mm, ±1.5 mm, ±2 mm, ±2.5 mm, ±3 mm, ±3.5 mm, ±4 mm, ±4.5 mm, ±5 mm, ±5.5 mm, and ±6 mm. If the terminal receptacle has two translational degrees of freedom relative to the connector base, the centerline of the high-voltage terminal in the terminal receptacle becomes movable within a rectangle or square having the aforementioned side lengths.

[0016] The rotational degrees of freedom of a terminal receptacle about the axis of a high-voltage connector, and the corresponding translational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle along this axis, can be realized by a single bearing in the articulated device. - The bearing, in principle, comprises two bearing devices. Such bearing devices may be realized as journal bearing devices, i.e., journals accepted in bushings. The journals are capable of rotational or pivotal and linear movement relative to the bushing, and / or the bushings are capable of rotational or pivotal and linear movement relative to the journal.

[0017] The articulation device may be in the form of a Cardan bearing and is used to mount a terminal receptacle to a connector base. The Cardan bearing is preferably configured such that the terminal receptacle has at least one or two limited translational degrees of freedom. This means that the terminal receptacle is received (mounted, suspended, etc.) through the components of the high-voltage connector with the assistance of two rotary bearings of the connector base, the axes of the two rotary bearings intersect at approximately right angles. Here, the axial play in the axial direction of each rotary bearing, i.e., the application-dependent travel clearance, can be used to realize each of the limited translational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle.

[0018] To achieve rotational degrees of freedom for the terminal receptacle, the articulation device may have a rotary bearing for each rotational degree of freedom. Preferably, for each rotational degree of freedom, two rotary bearing devices located on opposite sides of the terminal receptacle are configured as rotary bearings in the articulation device. Of course, the rotary bearings may also be in the form of pivot bearings.

[0019] A rotary bearing or rotary bearing device may be realized by bearing journals rotatably received in bearing bushings, and vice versa. In particular, a rotary bearing may be realized by two bearing journals rotatably received in two bearing bushings, the bearing bushings and bearing journals being coaxially arranged.

[0020] Furthermore, the rotary bearing or rotary bearing device may be implemented, for example, by a (partial) circumferential guide. This means, for example, that a (partial) circumferential projection is guided in a (partial) circumferential groove or a circular (segmented) cutout (hole). Of course, other rotary bearings can also be used. In the case of rotary bearings, of course, two rotary bearing devices with different designs can also be used.

[0021] To realize the translational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle, the articulation device may have a thrust bearing for each translational degree of freedom. Preferably, for each translational degree of freedom, two thrust bearing devices located opposite each other with respect to the terminal receptacle constitute the thrust bearing in the articulation device. The thrust bearing or thrust bearing device may be realized by bearing journals linearly displaceable received in bearing bushings, and vice versa. In particular, the thrust bearing may be realized by two bearing journals linearly displaceable received in two bearing bushings, the bearing bushings and bearing journals preferably arranged coaxially, but can also be arranged eccentrically. Of course, other thrust bearings or thrust bearing devices such as guides and linear bearings can also be used.

[0022] In an articulated device, the thrust bearing of the terminal receptacle may be realized by the axial movement clearance of the rotary bearing of the terminal receptacle. - Furthermore, the high-voltage connector may include at least one reset device for at least one of the multiple bearings of the terminal receptacle. The reset device is configured to have a tendency to return the terminal receptacle indirectly and / or directly to its original position in the high-voltage connector.

[0023] Naturally, a high-voltage connector may be equipped with at least / just one, two, three, or four such reset devices. Preferably, the reset device is in the form of a spring element, elastic element, etc., which indirectly and / or directly pushes the terminal receptacle toward its starting position, where the starting position is preferably a position centered on the connector base.

[0024] In one embodiment, the mount may be received in the connector base so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage connector and / or displaceable in the longitudinal direction (see Figures 5 and 7). In this case, the axis of rotation of the mount itself (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis of the high-voltage connector) is substantially perpendicular to the (rotational) axis of the terminal receptacle (e.g., parallel to the transverse axis / height axis of the high-voltage connector). The bearing of the mount on the connector base may comprise two bearing devices, and the actual mount is arranged between these two bearing devices in the high-voltage connector. The first bearing of the articulation device may here be in the form of at least one journal bearing device located between the mount and the connector base. The bearing or journal bearing allows a single limited rotational degree of freedom and / or a single limited translational degree of freedom of the mount on the connector base.

[0025] In one embodiment, the terminal receptacle may be received in the mount so as to be rotatable about the transverse direction of the high-voltage connector and / or displaceable in the transverse direction (see, for example, Figures 6 and 9). In this case, the axis of rotation of the terminal receptacle itself (e.g., parallel to the transverse axis of the high-voltage connector) is substantially perpendicular to the (rotational) axis of the mount (e.g., parallel to the longitudinal axis / height axis of the high-voltage connector). The bearing of the terminal receptacle on the mount may comprise two bearing devices, and the terminal receptacle is arranged between these two bearing devices in the high-voltage connector. The second bearing of the articulation device may here be in the form of at least one journal bearing device located between the terminal receptacle and the mount. The bearing or journal bearing allows a single limited rotational degree of freedom and / or a single limited translational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle on the mount.

[0026] The mount may be, for example, in the form of a frame, a ring, a circumferentially open or closed member, a cage, a U-shape, a V-shape, or the like. In principle, the mount may have any form as long as it can be used to achieve a desired number of rotational degrees of freedom and / or translational degrees of freedom in the high-voltage connector.

[0027] The axial movement clearance between the mount and the connector base can provide the possibility of translational displacement of the mount on the connector base in the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage connector (again, see, for example, Figure 7). The mount can also be arranged on the connector base so as to be buffered by at least one spring element. The spring elements are preferably each separated from the respective wall portion. In such a case, the axial movement clearance may preferably be used only against the force from the spring element. Further, the spring element serves, for example, to reset the mount to a relative rest position on the connector base after the high-voltage connector is mated with the counterpart high-voltage connector, or to reset the mount over as long a distance as possible in the direction of its rest position.

[0028] The axial movement clearance between the mount and the connector base may be limited in the longitudinal direction by a material overlap portion between the terminal receptacle and the mount. If the connector base for mounting the mount is provided with a mating means (see below), the material overlap portion is naturally realized by such a mating means.

[0029] The axial movement clearance between the terminal receptacle and the mount can allow for translational displacement of the terminal receptacle on the mount in the lateral direction of the high-voltage connector (see, again, for example, Figure 9). The terminal receptacle may be positioned on the mount so as to be buffered by at least one spring element. The spring element is preferably isolated from its respective wall. In such a case, the axial movement clearance may preferably be used only against the force from the spring element. The spring element also serves, for example, to reset the terminal receptacle to its relative resting position on the mount after the high-voltage connector has been mated with the mating high-voltage connector, or to reset the terminal receptacle as far as possible in the direction of its resting position.

[0030] The axial clearance between the terminal receptacle and the mount may be longitudinally limited by the overlapping material between the terminal receptacle and the mount. If the mount for attaching the terminal receptacle includes a bearing insert (see below), the overlapping material can, of course, be realized by such a bearing insert or the mount itself.

[0031] The (first) bearing of the mount on the connector base may be positioned between the mating means of the connector base and the bearing cover. In this case, the bearing cover may be secured to the mating means by locking, clipping, adhesive, etc. The bearing cover can be fitted into the mating means by insertion and / or sliding. The (second) bearing of the terminal receptacle on the mount may be positioned on the wall of the mount by a bearing insert. In this case, the bearing insert may be secured to the wall of the mount by locking, clipping, adhesive, etc. The bearing insert can be fitted into the wall of the mount by insertion and / or sliding. - Here, the wall of the bearing cover may extend substantially laterally, and the wall of the bearing insert may extend substantially longitudinally.

[0032] The first and / or second rotary bearings may include a reset device that mechanically preloads the mount and / or terminal receptacle in the rotational direction toward their respective relative starting positions. Here, the reset device of the first rotary bearing may be in the form of a spring element of the bearing cover, particularly a leaf spring, and the reset device tends to preload the mount to its starting position on the connector base and return the mount directly to its starting position on the connector base. The reset device of the second rotary bearing may be in the form of a spring element of the terminal receptacle, particularly a spring arm, and the reset device tends to preload the terminal receptacle to its starting position on the mount and return the terminal receptacle directly to its starting position on the mount.

[0033] The first thrust bearing and / or the second thrust bearing may include a reset device that mechanically preloads the mount and / or terminal receptacle in a translational direction toward their respective relative starting positions. Here, the reset device of the first thrust bearing may be in the form of a spring element of a mating means, particularly a leaf spring, and the reset device tends to preload the mount to its starting position on the connector base and return the mount directly to its starting position on the connector base. The reset device of the second thrust bearing may be in the form of a spring element of the mount or a spring element of a bearing insert, particularly a spring arm, and the reset device tends to preload the terminal receptacle to its starting position on the mount and return the terminal receptacle directly to its starting position on the mount.

[0034] The connector base may be in the form of a cage, plug, or plate. The connector base may also be provided with a seal on the opposite side of the articulation device. This seal may be located in a groove surrounding the radially outer side, and may be in the form of a profile seal, O-ring, etc., particularly in plate-shaped connector bases. Furthermore, a seal may be located between the connector base and the terminal receptacle. This seal is preferably based on the shape of a frustoconical surface, and may be in the form of a boot, etc. Also, the mating means of the connector base may be in the form of a bar or pedestal. Furthermore, the mating means and / or bearing insert may be in the form of a push-in and / or sliding mating element.

[0035] Each articulation device of a high-voltage connector may accept just one or at least one terminal receptacle. The high-voltage connector may also comprise just one, at least one, just two, or at least two articulation devices. Furthermore, for each individual terminal receptacle, an individual articulation device may be provided on the connector base.

[0036] Preferably for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor, the high-voltage connection according to the present invention comprises an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector and a mating high-voltage electrical connector, the high-voltage connector being configured according to the present invention. - Here, the high-voltage connector and the mating high-voltage connector can be connected to each other, and may be screwed to each other or detached from each other.

[0037] Here, the high-voltage connector may be electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage line, in particular stranded wire. The mating high-voltage connector may also be electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage line, in particular busbar. Furthermore, the high-voltage line may be electromechanically connected to a high-voltage electrical entity other than its connector.

[0038] A high-voltage entity according to the present invention, in particular a pre-assembled high-voltage line according to the present invention, comprises an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector, wherein at least one terminal receptacle of the high-voltage connector has high-voltage electrical terminals, and the high-voltage connector is configured according to the present invention. - In this case, the high-voltage entity may include, in particular, a power electrical device or the wall of a power electrical device to which the high-voltage connector is fixed. Furthermore, the pre-assembled high-voltage line may include a high-voltage line (see above) electrically connected to the high-voltage connector.

[0039] Such high-voltage entities may take the form of, for example, high-voltage electrical components (e.g., electric motors), high-voltage electrical modules (e.g., battery modules, traction battery modules), high-voltage electrical elements (e.g., batteries, traction batteries), high-voltage electrical devices (e.g., inverters, switchgear cabinets), high-voltage electrical equipment (e.g., charging stations), high-voltage electrical assemblies (e.g., electric traction motors), high-voltage electrical installations (e.g., switching equipment), and so on.

[0040] Vehicles equipped with electric traction motors, particularly automobiles (road vehicles, utility vehicles, etc.), railway vehicles, ships, aircraft, etc., can be understood to mean that they may also be equipped with additional non-electric drive systems such as internal combustion engines in addition to electric traction motors. In other words, vehicles equipped with electric traction motors can be understood to mean, for example, electric vehicles (electric drive only), hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, etc.

[0041] The present invention will be described in more detail below, based on exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which are not to scale. Parts, elements, components, units, elements, and figures having the same, unique, or similar configuration or function are indicated by the same reference numerals in the figure description (see below), the list of reference numerals, the claims, and the figures in the drawings. Possible alternatives, static inversions and / or kinematic inversions, combinations, etc., relating to exemplary embodiments of the present invention or their components, figures, units, components, elements, and parts that are not described in the description of the invention (see above), not shown in the drawings, and / or are not definitive, can be further clarified from the list of reference numerals and the figure description.

[0042] In the present invention, features (parts, elements, components, units, constituents, functions, variables, etc.) can be explicit features, i.e., present, or implicit features, i.e., absent. In this specification (Description (see above for the Description of the Invention), Description of the Figures (see below for the Description of the Figures), List of Reference Numerical Symbols, Claims, Drawings), implicit features are not explicitly described as features if there is no value placed on their absence in accordance with the invention. That is, the present invention (as actually made and not constructed in the prior art) consists of omitting such features.

[0043] The features described herein can be used not only in specific forms and methods, but also in other forms and methods (separation, combination, substitution, addition, alone, omission, etc.). In particular, in the description, list of reference numerals, claims, and drawings, features in the claims and description can be substituted, added, or omitted based on the reference numerals and the features to which they are assigned, and vice versa. Furthermore, features in the claims can consequently be interpreted and / or specified in more detail.

[0044] The features described herein can also be interpreted as optional features (in light of the prior art, which was initially little known). That is, each feature can be considered optional, arbitrary, or preferred, i.e., non-essential. Therefore, it is possible to separate features from exemplary embodiments, including their surrounding aspects, and in such cases, to transform the features into generalized inventive concepts. The absence of a feature in exemplary embodiments (a latent feature) is an optional choice in relation to the present invention (for those skilled in the art). Furthermore, in the case of feature type terminology, general terminology for features can also be implicitly understood (and in some cases, further hierarchical decomposition into subclasses, etc.), and as a result, it is possible to generalize features, for example, by considering equivalent effects and / or equivalents.

[0045] The following diagrams are merely illustrative and schematic representations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an exemplary mounting configuration of the high-voltage connector according to the present invention to the wheel arch wall of a vehicle, facing the mating high-voltage connector. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an exemplary mounting configuration of the high-voltage connector according to the present invention to the wheel arch wall of a vehicle, facing the mating high-voltage connector. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating problems that occur when an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector is mated to a mating high-voltage electrical connector. [Figure 4] This is a three-dimensional detail view of a mechanical articulated mounting or suspension of at least one, particularly one of two, terminal receptacles in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 5] This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional detail view of the first rotating bearing of the cardan bearing of the terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 6] This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional detail view of the second rotating bearing of the cardan bearing of the terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 7]This is a two-dimensional cross-sectional detail view of the first thrust bearing of a terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 8] This is a detailed three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the first thrust bearing of a terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 9] This is a two-dimensional cross-sectional detail view of the second thrust bearing of the terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Figure 10] This is a three-dimensional detail view of the second thrust bearing of a terminal receptacle in a high-voltage connector. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] The present invention will be described in further detail below based on exemplary embodiments of a high-voltage electrical connector 1, particularly a high-voltage plug connector 1, for the wheel arch wall portion 0 of a vehicle. Naturally, the present invention is also applicable to other high-voltage electrical connectors 1. Here, the high-voltage connector 1 may take the form of, for example, an accessory connector, a built-in connector, an interface, a plug, a socket, a coupling, an outlet, a flying connector, and the like.

[0048] The present invention will be further described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed, but rather takes on a more fundamental nature. Other modifications can be derived therefrom and / or from the above (Description of the Invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The present invention can generally be used in the electrical field. That is, the present invention can also be used in non-automotive fields in the case of electrical entities or high-voltage entities (see above). One exception is terrestrial power engineering and its derivatives.

[0049] Figures 1 to 10 show only the physical parts of the subject matter of the present invention that are necessary to understand the present invention. The designations of connectors and mating connectors, terminals and mating terminals, etc., are to be interpreted synonymously, i.e., mutually interchangeable. - The description of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 to 10 (see also above) below refers, in particular, to the (bidirectional) longitudinal axis / longitudinal direction Lr, the (bidirectional) height axis / height direction Hr (may also be called the terminal longitudinal direction Hr), and the (bidirectional) transverse axis / transverse direction Qr of the high-voltage connector 1. The mating direction Mr in one direction of the high-voltage connector 1 is parallel to the height axis Hr, as the insertion direction of the high-voltage terminal 32 (high-voltage connector 1) into the mating high-voltage terminal (mating high-voltage connector 5).

[0050] Figures 1 and 2 show the mounting of one embodiment of the electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector 1 according to the present invention to a wheel arch wall 0. A mating high-voltage electrical connector 5 is positioned in a cutout in the wall 0, which is connected to an electrical busbar 6 and is intended to be electrically contacted (Figure 1) or has been electrically contacted (Figure 2) by the high-voltage connector 1 according to the present invention. In this example, the high-voltage connector 1 comprises two high-voltage terminals 32 that extend in the height direction Hr and are connected to a high-voltage line 2 (assembled high-voltage line 1 / 2) in the form of stranded wire 2. In this example, the high-voltage connector 1 comprises two high-voltage terminals 32, but may comprise one or three or more high-voltage terminals 32.

[0051] As explained at the beginning, due to tolerances, when the high-voltage connector 1 is mated with the mating high-voltage connector 5, a problem called axial misalignment occurs between the high-voltage terminal 32 and the mating high-voltage terminal. This is illustrated in Figure 3. The axial directions (height direction Hr) of the related terminals may not be coaxial or parallel to each other during mating, and in each case, there may be angular offset and axial offset in two directions. This problem is effectively compensated for by the mechanical joint mechanism 20 of the high-voltage connector 1.

[0052] The high-voltage mechanical connector housings 10, 20, 30 for the high-voltage connector 1 (see Figures 3 and 4 first) comprise a connector base 10 for mounting the high-voltage connector 1 and at least one terminal receptacle 30 for at least one high-voltage terminal 32 of the high-voltage connector 1, which is matable to or mated to the connector base 10. The articulation device 20 of the high-voltage connector housings 10, 20, 30 (the device is in the form of a tolerance compensation device 20) is positioned between the connector base 10 and the terminal receptacle 30 and is used to articulate the terminal receptacle 30, and by extension the high-voltage terminal 32 positioned in the high-voltage connector housings 10, 20, 30, relative to the connector base 10.

[0053] In this example, the joint device 20 includes a first rotary bearing 21 (also called a pivot bearing 21), a second rotary bearing 22 (also called a pivot bearing 22), a first thrust bearing 25, and a second thrust bearing 26 between the connector base 10 and the terminal receptacle 30 (see arrows in Figure 4). In particular, the rotary bearings 21 and 22 may also be in the form of thrust bearings 25 and 26, and vice versa. That is, for example, large axial play in the rotary bearings 21 and 22 realizes the thrust bearings 25 and 26. Of course, it is not necessary to provide all four bearings 21, 22, 25, and 26, and only one, two, or three of them may be provided. In such cases, it is preferable to provide rotary bearings 21 and 22 instead of thrust bearings 25 and 26.

[0054] The individual rotary bearings 21 and 22 here realize a single rotational degree of freedom for the terminal receptacle 30 relative to the connector base 10, and the individual thrust bearings 25 and 26 here realize a single translational degree of freedom for the terminal receptacle 30 relative to the connector base 10. - For the terminal receptacle 30, the rotary bearing 21 realizes a limited rotational degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis Lr (via the mount 200 (see below)), and the rotary bearing 22 realizes a limited rotational degree of freedom about the transverse axis Qr. Furthermore, for the terminal receptacle 30, the thrust bearing 25 realizes a limited translational degree of freedom along the longitudinal axis Lr (via the mount 200), and the thrust bearing 26 realizes a limited translational degree of freedom along the transverse axis Qr.

[0055] In this example (see also Figures 5 to 10), the articulation device 20 provides a cardan bearing for the terminal receptacle 30 relative to the connector base 10, with two degrees of freedom. Furthermore, the cardan bearing or the articulation device 20 can provide either no thrust bearings 25, 26 at all, or one or both. - For this purpose, the articulation device 20 comprises a frame-like mount 200 that is articulatedly received by the connector base 10, on which the terminal receptacle 30 is articulated.

[0056] Here, the first rotary bearing 21 (see Figures 4 and 5) and the first thrust bearing 25 (see Figures 7 and 8) of the articulation device 20 are located between the connector base 10 and the mount 200. Furthermore, the second rotary bearing 22 (see Figures 4 and 6) and the second thrust bearing 26 (see Figures 9 and 10) of the articulation device 20 are located between the mount 200 and the terminal receptacle 30. Here, the rotary bearings 21, 22 and the associated thrust bearings 22, 26 are realized as journal bearings 21 / 25, 22 / 26 having axial mobility of their respective bearing journals 220, 340, particularly located in bearing shells 102 / 112, 244, respectively, consisting of a rotary bearing 21 and a thrust bearing 25, or a rotary bearing 22 and a thrust bearing 26.

[0057] The following description concerns the stationary position of the terminal receptacle 30 in the high-voltage connector 1, which is also shown in Figures 4 to 10. Naturally, the mount 200 is in its stationary position. The relative positions of each terminal receptacle 30, or each mount 200, are determined by how much the respective rotary bearings 21, 22 and thrust bearings 25, 26 need to move from their stationary positions when the high-voltage connector 1 is mated with the mating high-voltage connector 5. The rotation angles of the rotary bearings 21, 22 and the displacement distances of the thrust bearings 25, 26 are mentioned above as examples.

[0058] The second rotary bearing 22 and the second thrust bearing 26 (see Figures 4, 6, 9, and 10) are positioned between the bearing journal 340 projecting laterally from the terminal receptacle 30 and the bearing shell 244 of the bearing bush in the side wall of the mount 200. Naturally, this may have a kinematically inverted design. Preferably, two such bearing journals 340 and bearing shells 244 are used. Here, the second rotary bearing 22 and the second thrust bearing 26 enable rotational degrees of freedom of the high-voltage connector 1 about the lateral Qr and translational degrees of freedom in the lateral Qr.

[0059] Here, the bearing journal 340 is preferably received in the bearing insert 240 in the wall of the mount 200. Here, the bearing insert 240 is inserted into or slid into a cutout in the wall of the mount 200 and may be locked, clipped, bonded, etc. The bearing insert 240 is particularly in the form of a disc or plate and may have, for example, the thickness of the wall of the mount 200.

[0060] Of the rotary bearing 22 and thrust bearing 26, the thrust bearing 26 provides axial movement clearance d of the terminal receptacle 30 in the mount 200 or between the bearing inserts 240. 26This is achieved by (see Figure 9). That is, the terminal receptacle 30 is received in the mount 200 so that it can move back and forth to some extent. For this reason, the bearing journal 340 naturally needs to be designed to be sufficiently long. Here, the terminal receptacle 30 can be mechanically preloaded in the translational direction to its relative resting position in the mount 200.

[0061] This is achieved by at least one reset device 246, which is, for example, in the form of a spring element 246 or an elastic element 246, and preloads the terminal receptacle 30 to its relative resting position on the mount 200. In this example, each reset device 246 is in the form of a spring arm 246, and two substantially parallel spring arms 246 are used on each side of the bearing. Here, in either case, preferably, the two spring arms 246 are positioned adjacent to the bearing shell 244 or bearing insert 240 on the mount 200 and, for example, separated from their respective walls.

[0062] Furthermore, of the second rotary bearing 22 and the second thrust bearing 26, the rotary bearing 22 (see Figure 7) can be mechanically preloaded in the rotational direction to its relative resting position on the mount 200, and / or restrained there in the rotational direction. For this purpose, the terminal receptacle 30 is equipped with a reset device 318, which is, for example, in the form of a spring element 318 or an elastic element 318, and preloads the terminal receptacle 30 to its relative resting position on the mount 200, and / or restrains the terminal receptacle 30 there.

[0063] In this example, each reset device 318 is in the form of a spring arm 318, and two substantially parallel spring arms 318 may be used on each side of the bearing. Here, the spring arms 318 can engage with a cutout in the mount 200, and thus can mechanically preload or restrain the terminal receptacle 30 against the mount 200. When the terminal receptacle 30 rotates about its longitudinal direction Lr, the engagement of this locking connection can be released.

[0064] The first rotary bearing 21 and the first thrust bearing 25 (see Figures 4, 5, 7, and 8) are positioned between a bearing journal 220 projecting laterally from the mount 200 and the bearing shell 102 / 112 (including the bearing cover 110 (see below)) of the bearing bush in the mating means 100 of the connector base 10. Naturally, this may have a kinematically inverted design. Preferably, two such bearing journals 220 and bearing shells 102 / 112 are used. Here, the first rotary bearing 21 and the first thrust bearing 25 enable rotational degrees of freedom and translational degrees of freedom in the longitudinal direction Lr of the high-voltage connector 1.

[0065] The mating means 100 of the connector base 10 may be in the form of a bar or a base, and may have bearing half shells 102 for a first rotary bearing 21 and a first thrust bearing 25. On the opposite side, the bearing half shell 102 is closed by a bearing cover 110 which includes a bearing half shell 112, and these two bearing half shells 102, 112 form a bearing bush of the connector base 10. The bearing cover 110 may be inserted into or slid onto the mating means 100 and locked, clipped, bonded, etc.

[0066] Of the rotary bearing 21 and thrust bearing 25, the thrust bearing 25 provides axial movement clearance d of the mount 200 relative to the connector base 10, or between the two mating means 100 and the bearing cover 110. 25This is achieved by (see Figure 7). That is, the mount 200 is received by the connector base 10 so that it can move back and forth to some extent. Naturally, for this to happen, the bearing journal 220 needs to be designed to be sufficiently long. Here, the mount 200 can be mechanically preloaded in the translational direction to its relative resting position on the connector base 10.

[0067] This is achieved by at least one reset device 105, which is, for example, in the form of a spring element 105 or an elastic element 105, and preloads the mount 200 to its relative resting position on the connector base 10. In this example, each reset device 105 is in the form of a spring arm 105, and two substantially parallel spring arms 105 are used on each side of the bearing. Here, in either case, preferably, the spring arms 105 are positioned adjacent to the bearing shell 102 / 112 and / or bearing cover 110 in the mating means 100, and are, for example, separated from their respective walls.

[0068] Furthermore, of the first rotary bearing 21 and the first thrust bearing 25, the rotary bearing 21 (see Figure 8) can be mechanically preloaded in the rotational direction to its relative resting position on the connector base 10. For this purpose, the bearing cover 110 is equipped with a reset device 118. This reset device 118 is, for example, in the form of a spring element 118 or an elastic element 118, and preloads the mount 200 to its relative resting position on the connector base 10. In this example, each reset device 118 is in the form of a leaf spring 118, and two substantially parallel leaf springs 118 may be used on each side of the bearing. Here, each leaf spring 118 abuts against the upper surface of the mount 200 in the height direction Hr. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 0 wall 1. (Electrical and mechanical) high-voltage connector 2. High-voltage lines, for example, stranded wires. 5. Mating high-voltage (electrical) connector 6. High-voltage lines, e.g., busbars 10 Connector base 20 (Mechanical) joint devices, especially cardan bearings 21, 22 and thrust bearings 25, 26 21 (First) Rotary bearing, Pivot bearing 22 (Second) Rotary bearing, Pivot bearing 25 (First) Thrust Bearing 26 (Second) Thrust Bearing 30-terminal receptacle 32 High-voltage terminals 40 seals, such as profile seals, O-rings, etc. 50 seals, for example, on boots, etc. 100 Fitting means 102 Bearing shell, bearing half shell for first rotary bearing 21 and first thrust bearing 25 105 Reset devices, e.g., spring / elastic elements, leaf springs 110 Bearing Cover 112 Bearing half shell for first rotary bearing 21 and first thrust bearing 25 118 Reset devices, e.g., spring / elastic elements, leaf springs 130 Through cutout for terminal receptacle 30 200 mount 220 Bearing journal for the first rotary bearing 21 and the first thrust bearing 25 240 bearing inserts 244 Bearing shell for second rotary bearing 22 and second thrust bearing 26 246 Reset devices, e.g., spring / elastic elements, spring arms 318 Reset devices, e.g., spring / elastic elements, spring arms 340 Bearing journal for second rotary bearing 22 and second thrust bearing 26 d-axis movement clearance Lr Longitudinal axis / longitudinal direction (bidirectional) Hr Vertical axis / vertical direction (bidirectional), terminal longitudinal direction Mr. Mating direction (one direction), insertion direction Qr horizontal axis / horizontal direction (bidirectional)

Claims

1. An electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) for at least one high-voltage line (2), The high-voltage connector (1) comprises a connector base (10) for mounting the high-voltage connector (1), and at least one terminal receptacle (30) fitted to the connector base (10) for at least one high-voltage electrical terminal (12) of the high-voltage connector (1), wherein the at least one high-voltage electrical terminal (12) extends in the height direction (Hr) of the high-voltage connector (1), and is electrically and mechanically connected to the high-voltage connector (1). A mechanical joint device (20) is housed between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30), and the terminal receptacle (30) is movably positioned by the mechanical joint device (20) in the high-voltage connector (1) relative to the connector base (10) for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector (1). The aforementioned joint device (20) is A first bearing (21) provides a first rotational degree of freedom for the terminal receptacle (30) centered on the first axis (Lr) of the high-voltage connector (1) that intersects the height direction (Hr), and also provides a first translational degree of freedom for the terminal receptacle (30) along the first axis (Lr), The present invention is characterized by comprising a second bearing (22) that realizes a second rotational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30) centered on a second axis (Qr) intersecting the first axis (Lr) and the height direction (Hr), and also realizes a second translational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30) along the second axis (Qr), High-voltage connector (1).

2. - The joint device (20) provides exactly one, at least one or two restricted rotational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr) and / or exactly one, at least one or two restricted translational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr) between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30). - The rotational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30) about the axis (Lr, Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1), and the corresponding translational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30) along the axis (Lr, Qr) are such that a single bearing (21 / 25, 2) in the joint device (20) This is achieved by (2 / 26) and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the joint device (20) is in the form of a cardan bearing and is used to attach the terminal receptacle (30) to the connector base (10), and the cardan bearing is configured such that the terminal receptacle (30) has at least one or two limited translational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr).

3. - In order to realize the rotational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30), the joint device (20) has a rotary bearing (21, 22) for each rotational degree of freedom. - In order to realize the translational degrees of freedom of the terminal receptacle (30), the joint device (20) has thrust bearings (25, 26) for each translational degree of freedom, and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the joint device (20), the thrust bearings (25, 26) of the terminal receptacle (30) are realized by the axial (Lr, Qr) movement clearance (d) of the rotary bearings (21, 22) of the terminal receptacle (30).

4. The high-voltage connector (1) includes at least one reset device (105, 118, 246, 318) for at least one of the rotary bearings (21, 22) and thrust bearings (25, 26) of the terminal receptacle (30), The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the reset device (105, 118, 246, 318) is configured to tend to return the terminal receptacle (30) indirectly (105, 118) and / or directly (246, 318) to its original position in the high-voltage connector (1).

5. - The mount (200) is received on the connector base (10) so that it can rotate and / or be displaced in the longitudinal direction (Lr) of the high-voltage connector (1). - The bearing (21 / 25) of the mount (200) on the connector base (10) comprises two bearing devices, and the mount (200) is positioned between the two bearing devices in the high-voltage connector (1), and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first bearing (21 / 25) of the joint device (20) is in the form of at least one journal bearing device located between the mount (200) and the connector base (10).

6. - The terminal receptacle (30) is received in the mount (200) so as to be rotatable and / or displaceable about the lateral direction (Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1). - The bearing (22 / 26) of the terminal receptacle (30) on the mount (200) comprises two bearing devices, and the terminal receptacle (30) is positioned between the two bearing devices in the high-voltage connector (1), and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the second bearing (22 / 26) of the joint device (20) is in the form of at least one journal bearing device located between the terminal receptacle (30) and the mount (200).

7. - The axial (Lr) movement clearance (d) between the mount (200) and the connector base (10) ２５ ) thereby provides the possibility of translational displacement of the mount (200) on the connector base (10) in the longitudinal direction (Lr) of the high-voltage connector (1), - The mount (200) is positioned on the connector base (10) so as to be buffered by at least one spring element (105), the spring element (105) being separated from each wall portion (100), and / or - The axial (Lr) movement clearance (d) between the mount (200) and the connector base (10) ２５ ) is characterized in that it is restricted in the longitudinal direction (Hr) by the overlapping material portion between the terminal receptacle (30) and the mount (200), The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 5.

8. - Lateral (Qr) movement clearance (d) between the terminal receptacle (30) and the mount (200) ２６ ) thereby provides the possibility of translational displacement of the terminal receptacle (30) on the mount (200) in the lateral direction (Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1), - The terminal receptacle (30) is positioned on the mount (200) so as to be buffered by at least one spring element (246), the spring element (246) being separated from each wall portion (240), and / or - The lateral (Qr) movement clearance (d) between the terminal receptacle (30) and the mount (200) ２６ The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the width is restricted in the lateral direction (Qr) by the overlapping material portion between the terminal receptacle (30) and the mount (200).

9. - The bearings (21 / 25) of the mount (200) on the connector base (10) are positioned between the fitting means (100) and the bearing cover (110) of the connector base (10). - The bearings (22 / 26) of the terminal receptacle (30) located on the mount (200) are positioned on the wall of the mount (200) by bearing inserts (200), and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the wall portion of the bearing cover (110) extends substantially in the lateral direction (Qr), and the wall portion of the bearing insert (200) extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (Lr).

10. The first rotating bearing (21) and / or the second rotating bearing (22) are equipped with reset devices (118, 318), the reset devices (118, 318) mechanically preload the mount (200) and / or the terminal receptacle (30) in the rotational direction toward their respective relative starting positions, and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claims 3 and 5, wherein the first thrust bearing (25) and / or the second thrust bearing (26) are equipped with reset devices (105, 246), and the reset devices (105, 246) mechanically preload the mount (200) and / or the terminal receptacle (30) in a translational direction toward their respective relative starting positions.

11. Each joint device (20) of the high-voltage connector (1) is equipped with exactly one or at least one terminal receptacle (30). - The high-voltage connector (1) comprises exactly one, at least one, exactly two, or at least two articulating devices (20), and / or The high-voltage connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each individual terminal receptacle (30) is provided on the connector base (10) with an individual joint device (20).

12. An electrical and mechanical high-voltage connection part (1), In an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connection section (1) comprising an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) and a mating high-voltage electrical connector (5), The high-voltage connector (1) is characterized in that it is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

13. The high-voltage connector (1) is electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage line (2), - The mating high-voltage electrical connector (5) is electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage line (6), and / or The high-voltage connection part (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the high-voltage lines (2, 6) are electrically and mechanically connected to high-voltage electrical entities other than the connectors (1, 5).

14. A high-voltage electrical entity, In a high-voltage electrical entity comprising an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1), wherein at least one terminal receptacle (30) of the high-voltage connector (1) is provided with a high-voltage electrical terminal (32), The high-voltage connector (1) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is a high-voltage electrical entity.

15. The high-voltage connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the high-voltage connector (1) is for at least one high-voltage wire (2) for a vehicle equipped with an electric traction motor.

16. The high-voltage electrical entity according to claim 14, wherein the high-voltage electrical entity is an assembled high-voltage wire (1 / 2).

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