Device for fastening an electrical connector to an electrical member

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for fastening an electrical connector (2) to an electrical member (3) to be connected to a circuit, the device (1) comprising a socket (4), intended to be linked to one of the electrical connector (2) and the electrical member (3), and a pin (5), intended to be linked to the other of the electrical connector (2) and the electrical member (3), the pin (5) being inserted into the socket (4) so as to have facing cylindrical surfaces (7, 8) in tight contact with one another in order to establish an electrical and thermal connection between the electrical connector (2) and the electrical member (3).

Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0019] The cryogenic fluid in question includes, for example, liquid nitrogen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates in perspective an example of an electrical connector incorporating a second part of the fixing device of [Fig.1];

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

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

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

[0031] [Fig.7] partially reproduces [Fig.6] according to a cutting plane passing through said fixing device;

[0032] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a second stage of the removal process shown in [Fig.6], according to the same cutting plane as in [Fig.7];

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0062] - a cooling stage, particularly cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on pin 5,

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

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

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

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

[0067] - a cooling stage, particularly cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on pin 5,

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

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

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

[0071] - Tool 50 is inserted into pin 5, in particular finger 53 into pin 5 while pin 5 is not inserted into socket 4,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (20) of a device for fixing (1) an electrical connector (2) to an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, together with said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3) to be connected, said electrical connector (2) comprising a bus bar (21), said device (1) comprising a socket (4), intended to be connected to one of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), and a pin (5), intended to be connected to the other of said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3), said pin (5) being inserted into said socket (4) so ​​as to present facing cylindrical surfaces (7, 8) in close contact with each other to establish an electrical and thermal connection between said electrical connector (2) and said electrical component (3).

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

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

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

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

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

7. Assembly (20) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said pawl (5) is made of material from said omnibus bar (21).

8. Vehicle comprising an assembly (20) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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

10. A method for removing an electrical connector (2) from an electrical component (3) to be connected to a circuit, wherein said connector (2) has been inserted into said component (3) to be connected according to the fastening method of claim 9, said removal method comprising: - a cooling step, in particular cryogenic, having a thermal constriction effect on said pin (5), - a step of extracting the pin (5) from said socket (4).

11. Tool (50) for implementing the fixing and / or removal method according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein said tool (50) is configured to be fixed to said pin (5) and / or to cool said pin (5), in particular using said cryogenic fluid.

Images