Current-carrying device and heat dissipation device having a current-carrying device of this type

Abstract

The invention relates to a current-carrying device (10) comprising: at least two busbars (12) arranged next to one another, each busbar (12) having a first fastening section (14) for fastening the busbar to a current-carrying conductor or a current-carrying component in a current-carrying manner, a second fastening section (16) for fastening the busbar (12) to a further current-carrying conductor or a further current-carrying component in a current-carrying manner, and an electrically conductive connecting section (22) which electrically connects the first fastening section (14) and the second fastening section (16). The current-carrying device also has an insulating body (18) which surrounds the at least two busbars (12) and electrically insulates them from one another, the insulating body (18) having at least one cutout (20) which extends up to at least one connecting section (22) of the at least two busbars (12) in such a way that a region of the at least one connecting section (22) is exposed in order to thermally connect the at least one connecting section (22) to a heat sink (30).

Description

[0001] 202401076

[0002] 1

[0003] Description

[0004] Current conduction device and heat dissipation device with such a current conduction device

[0005] The present invention relates to a current-conducting device. The present invention further relates to a heat dissipation device comprising such a current-conducting device.

[0006] Current-carrying components such as busbars, connectors, and the like are often limited by the amount of current / voltage they carry. In particular, excessively high currents can cause these components to overheat and potentially render them unusable. High currents lead to heating, which in turn can damage components, alter material and / or connection tolerances, and thus cause problems during installation, assembly, and / or operation. Insufficient heat dissipation can also cause components to overheat, which can then damage other components.

[0007] Especially in electromobility, where high currents flow through sensitive components, it is necessary to cool or dissipate heat from current-carrying components.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a current-carrying device that enables improved cooling. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a heat dissipation device.

[0009] The problems are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further elaborations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect, a current-carrying device is provided. The current-carrying device has at least two busbars arranged side by side, each busbar having: 202401076

[0011] 2 a first fastening section for current-carrying attachment of the busbar to a current-carrying conductor or component,

[0012] - a second fastening section for current-carrying the busbar to another current-carrying conductor or component, and,

[0013] - a connecting section that links the first and second mounting sections and is electrically conductive. The current-carrying device further comprises an insulating body that at least partially surrounds and electrically insulates the at least two busbars from each other, wherein the insulating body has at least one recess that extends to at least one connecting section of the at least two busbars such that an area of ​​the at least one connecting section is exposed for thermal connection of the at least one connecting section to a heat sink.

[0014] The current-carrying device according to the invention is based, at least in part, on the understanding that while busbars are generally designed to carry high currents, these high currents can potentially lead to undesirable heating of the busbar. Particularly at currents of 60 A or more, for example 64 A or even 80 A, undesirable heating of the busbar can occur, necessitating cooling. The idea of ​​the invention is to cool the busbar itself or to prepare it in such a way that connection to a heat sink is easily possible. Cooling the busbar does not affect the mounting components. The mounting components, e.g., screw or plug connections, can be attached to their mounting points as usual. Dimensional, assembly, and installation tolerances can be maintained.Electrical conductors or components attached to the mounting sections do not need to be cooled separately, as the busbar itself is cooled.

[0015] The current-guiding device according to the invention is based at least partially on the finding that heat dissipation from the busbar can be made possible, 202401076

[0016] 3. An insulating body surrounding and insulating the busbars from each other has a recess. This recess is shaped such that a portion of the connecting section between the mounting sections is exposed. A heat sink can be attached to or in contact with this exposed area for thermal dissipation of the busbar. The busbar is thus cooled, and the mounting area of ​​the busbar, which is or will be connected to a circuit board and / or connector, does not require separate cooling. The heat-dissipated busbar acts as a current-carrying bridge that can be cooled to protect the components connected to the bridge from excessive heat input. The full current-carrying capacity of the components, as well as dimensional and temperature tolerances, can be maintained.

[0017] Preferably, the insulating body has at least one connection section for attaching it to a housing element. The insulating body can be attached in any suitable manner, e.g., by means of a screw connection.

[0018] Preferably, the insulating body has an electromagnetic shielding section designed to protect the area surrounding the current-carrying device from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the current-carrying device. The idea behind this is that busbars can interfere with adjacent electrical or electronic components. The shielding section protects the area surrounding the current-carrying device from electromagnetic radiation. Surrounding components are thus largely protected from electromagnetic radiation.

[0019] Preferably, the recess is arranged on a first side of the insulating body, and the shielding section is arranged on a second side opposite the first side. For example, the heat sink can be connected from below, in which case the recess would be located on the underside of the busbar, and the shielding section can be arranged on the top side of the busbar. In particular, it is advantageous to use the 202401076

[0020] 4. Electromagnetic shielding must be provided on the side opposite the side where the busbar connection section is exposed. The exposed area of ​​the connection section can lead to increased electromagnetic radiation, which is shielded on the opposite side by the shielding section.

[0021] Preferably, the recess is designed such that at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 50% of the connecting section of each busbar is exposed. The size of the recess depends on the number of busbars to be cooled and the desired degree of cooling.

[0022] Preferably, the insulating body has positioning sections such as, for example,

[0023] Positioning pins designed to position the current-carrying device on the heat sink and / or a housing element.

[0024] Preferably the insulating body is an injection-molded element and / or the insulating body is produced by overmolding the at least two busbars.

[0025] Preferably, the recess in the insulating body is a single recess designed to at least partially expose the respective connection section of each busbar. In other words, a single recess is preferably used when there are multiple busbars.

[0026] Preferably, the current-carrying device has four busbars arranged side by side, the insulating body electrically isolates all four busbars from each other, and the recess in the insulating body is designed such that the respective connection section of each busbar is at least partially exposed. In high-voltage or three-phase applications, three phases (L1-L3) and a neutral conductor (N) are typically used. The idea is to use four busbars (L1-L3, N) in high-voltage or three-phase applications, with an insulating body at least partially surrounding the four busbars. The insulating body has a single recess designed such that the 202401076

[0027] 5

[0028] The connecting section of each of the four busbars is at least partially exposed, allowing a heat sink to be attached. This creates a compact unit that is particularly suitable for high-voltage or three-phase applications.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cooling device is provided which has a current-carrying device according to the first aspect or embodiments thereof, and a heat sink which is thermally connected to the at least one connecting section exposed by the recess.

[0030] Further features and functions of the present invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art by carrying out the teaching presented here and by examining the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0031] FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a current-carrying device according to the invention,

[0032] FIG 2 shows another view of the current-carrying device of FIG 1 ,

[0033] FIG 3 shows a sectional view of the current-carrying device along line AA from FIG 2, and

[0034] FIG 4 shows a sectional view of a cooling device according to the invention.

[0035] Elements of the same construction or function are provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0036] Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a current-carrying device 10. The current-carrying device 10 is suitable for carrying current from one component / conductor to another component / conductor. 202401076

[0037] 6

[0038] In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the current-carrying device 10 has four busbars 12. Three busbars, L1-L3, are provided for three phases of a three-phase current, and one busbar, N, is provided for the neutral conductor. The busbars 12 are spaced apart from each other and arranged side by side. Each busbar 12 has a first mounting section 14 and a second mounting section 16, as well as a connecting section (shown in more detail in FIG. 3) that connects the two mounting sections 14 and 16. The mounting sections 14 and 16 are suitable for attaching the respective busbar 12 to a respective current-carrying conductor (not shown) or a current-carrying component (not shown). The mounting sections 14 and 16 can be attached to the respective conductors or components in any suitable manner.In the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the mounting sections 14, 16 of the busbars 12 each have a through-hole for fastening the busbar 12 by means of a screw connection. Other fastening options are of course conceivable.

[0039] The current-carrying device 10 further comprises an insulating body 18. The insulating body 18 at least partially surrounds the busbars 12. In the specific example of FIG. 1, the insulating body 18 surrounds at least the connection sections of the busbars 12, such that at least the fastening sections 14, 16 are exposed by the insulating body 18 for electrical connection to the electrical conductors or are not surrounded by the insulating body 18. This may be different in other embodiments.

[0040] The insulating body 18 is designed to insulate the busbars 12 from each other and, if necessary, to hold them in a fixed position relative to each other. The busbars 12 and the insulating body 18 can therefore form a compact unit that can, for example, be installed in a housing and connected to electrical components / conductors / parts in any suitable manner using the mounting sections 14, 16. 202401076

[0041] 7

[0042] The insulating body 18 can be an injection-molded element and / or can be manufactured by overmolding the busbars 12.

[0043] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the current-carrying device 10. As can be seen, the insulating body 18 has a recess 20. The recess 20 extends to the busbars 12, more precisely to the respective connecting section 22 of each busbar 12. In the specific example of FIG. 2, the insulating body 18 has a single recess 20 that extends to the respective connecting section 22 of each busbar 12. In other words, a single recess 20 exposes a portion of each connecting section 22 of each busbar 12. To dissipate heat from the busbars 12, a heat sink can be thermally connected to the exposed connecting sections 22, as shown in more detail in FIG. 4.Depending on the extent of the heat dissipation, the recess 20 can be designed such that at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, and more preferably at least 50% of a respective connection section 22 is exposed and can thus be connected to a heat sink.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the insulating body 18 has a connection section 24 for attaching the insulating body 18 to a housing element. In this specific example, the connection section 24 has two bores for attaching or securing the insulating body 18, and thus the entire current-carrying device 10, to a housing element (not shown). Other connection options are conceivable.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a sectional view through the current-guiding device 10 along line AA of FIG 2.

[0046] Figure 3 shows the fastening sections 14 and 16, as well as the connecting section 22 that joins them. In this specific example, the fastening sections 14 and 16 are parallel to each other, and the connecting section 22 is designed such that, for example, a height difference between the sections 14 and 16 is compensated for.

[0047] 8 can be. The specific shape of the busbars 12 depends on the individual case or installation space.

[0048] The insulating body 18 at least partially surrounds the busbars 12 and, in particular, the connecting sections 22. In other words, the insulating body 18 does not surround the mounting areas 14, 16 in order to allow for electrical connection. Of course, it is conceivable that in other embodiments not shown, the mounting sections 14, 16 are also surrounded by the insulating body 18, but in such a way that electrical connection to electrical components and / or current-carrying components / conductors is possible.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the recess 20, which extends onto the connecting section 22 and at least partially exposes it. In this specific case, the recess exposes a lower part of the connecting section 22. In other words, the recess is located on a bottom or first side of the insulating body 18.

[0050] The current-carrying device 10 further comprises a shielding section 25, which can be designed as a shielding plate. The shielding section 25 is designed to shield the surroundings from electromagnetic radiation emitted by the current-carrying device 10. In the specific example shown in FIG. 3, the shielding section 25 is arranged on a side opposite the first side, i.e., on the top side of the insulating body 18. The idea is that the heat sink can be attached to the side facing the recess 20 (here, the underside) (see FIG. 4 for further details). By exposing the connecting section 22 in the area of ​​the recess 20, more electromagnetic radiation can escape or be emitted by the current-carrying device 10. Therefore, the shielding section 25 is arranged on the side opposite the recess (here, the top side) of the insulating body 18.In this specific example, the shielding section 25 is drawn around one of the two bends in the connecting section 22. This may differ in other embodiments. 202401076.

[0051] 9

[0052] In the specific example of FIG. 3, the insulating body 18 has two positioning sections 26 for positioning the current-carrying device 10 on a heat sink and / or housing element. In the specific example of FIG. 3, the positioning sections 26 are positioning pins that are injection-molded onto the insulating body 18. Other suitable embodiments of the positioning sections 26 are conceivable.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a cooling device 28 with a current-carrying device 10, as described in connection with FIGS. 1-3, wherein a heat sink 30 is attached to the surface exposed by the recess 20

[0054] The area of ​​the busbars 12 is connected for heat dissipation of the busbars 12.

[0055] Of course, heating or warming of the busbars 12 is also conceivable instead of cooling or heat dissipation, if appropriate.

Claims

202401076 10 Patent claims 1. comprising a current-conducting device (10): - at least two adjacent busbars (12), each busbar (10) having: - a first fastening section (14) for current-carrying fastening of the busbar to a current-carrying conductor or component, - a second fastening section (16) for current-carrying fastening of the busbar (12) to another current-carrying conductor or another current-carrying component, - a connecting and electrically conductive section (22) that electrically connects the first fastening section (14) and the second fastening section (16), and - an insulating body (18) that surrounds and electrically insulates the at least two busbars (12) from each other, wherein the insulating body (18) has at least one recess (20) that extends to at least one connecting section (22) of the at least two busbars (12) such that an area of ​​the at least one connecting section (22) is exposed for thermal connection of the at least one connecting section (22) to a heat sink (30).

2. Current conduction device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the insulating body (18) has at least one connection section (24) for connecting the insulating body (18) to a housing element.

3. Current-carrying device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulating body (18) has an electromagnetic shielding section (25) configured to shield a surrounding area of ​​the current-carrying device (10) against electromagnetic radiation emitted by the current-carrying device (10). 202401076 11 4. Current conduction device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the recess (20) is arranged on a first side of the insulating body (18) and the shielding section (25) is arranged on a second side opposite the first side.

5. Current conduction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (20) is designed such that at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, further preferably at least 50% of the connecting section (22) of a respective busbar (12) is exposed.

6. Current conduction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating body (18) has positioning sections (26) for positioning the current conduction device (10) on the heat sink (30) and / or a housing element.

7. Current conduction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating body (18) is an injection molded element and / or is produced by overmolding the at least two busbars (12).

8. Current conduction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (20) of the insulating body (18) is a single recess (20) designed to at least partially expose the respective connecting section (22) of the respective busbar (12).

9. Current conduction device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the current conduction device (10) has four busbars arranged side by side, the insulating body (18) electrically insulates all four busbars (12) from each other and the recess (20) of the insulating body (18) is designed such that the respective connecting section (22) of a respective busbar (12) is at least partially exposed. 202401076 12 10. Dissipation device (28) comprising: a current-carrying device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, and a heat sink (30) connected to the at least one of the The recess (20) is thermally connected to the exposed connecting section (22).

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