Housing for power electronics, and power electronics

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (1) for power electronics, comprising a housing opening (2) and an angular cover (3) having a first limb (4) and a second limb (5). The first limb (4) lies on a first lateral surface (6) of the housing (1) so as to overlap with the housing opening (2) at least in some regions, and the second limb (5) is situated in the region of a second lateral surface (7) of the housing (1), the second lateral surface being angled relative to the first lateral surface. The second lateral surface (7) has a plug contact element (8) for connecting to another plug contact element (8), the plug contact element being provided in the region of an opening (9) in the second limb (5) such that, when the two plug contact elements (8) are connected, at least one plug contact element (8) engages through the opening (9) in the second limb (5). The invention further relates to power electronics comprising a housing (1) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] R.415115

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] Housing for power electronics; power electronics

[0005] The present invention relates to a housing for power electronics or another electrical or electronic control unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to power electronics with a housing according to the invention.

[0006] The preferred application area of ​​the invention is electrochemical systems, for example fuel cell or electrolysis stacks with a plurality of electrochemical cells.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] Power electronics provide electrical power to operate an electrical load, such as a fuel cell or electrolysis stack. Beyond simply supplying electrical power, power electronics enable the targeted control of the load's operation by adjusting the applied voltage or current. Typically, a single electrical control unit connects not just one load, but a multitude of components belonging to one or more loads, whose operation is controlled by the power electronics.

[0009] In addition to setting the electrical voltage and current, electrical power electronics allow the setting and control of other electrical parameters such as resistance, frequency, and / or the waveform of the voltage, i.e., whether a DC or AC voltage is applied. The waveform is set by a DC converter integrated into the power electronics or an R.415115.

[0010] - 2 -

[0011] AC inverters. Furthermore, due to their high electrical power, power electronics incorporate safety components such as overvoltage and short-circuit protection. These serve to protect the connected machines from damage and / or the operating personnel from personal injury.

[0012] To ensure the described functions and requirements, a large number of electrical components are needed, which is why power electronics systems have a complex design in practice. For this reason, they are susceptible to faults and damage, and regular maintenance by operating personnel is necessary to ensure efficient operation of the electrical power electronics. Furthermore, damaged components, such as fuses, must be replaced at regular intervals. For maintenance and / or repair purposes, the power electronics housing must be opened, providing direct access to the components described, which poses a significant safety risk.

[0013] The present invention is concerned with the objective of increasing the machine safety of power electronics and reducing the risk of component and personal injury.

[0014] To solve the problem, a housing for power electronics with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Furthermore, power electronics with a housing according to the invention are proposed.

[0015] Disclosure of the invention

[0016] A housing for power electronics is proposed, comprising a housing opening and an angled cover with a first leg and a second leg. The first leg abuts a first side surface of the housing, overlapping the housing opening at least partially, and the second leg is arranged in the area of ​​a second side surface of the housing that is perpendicular to it. This second side- R.415115

[0017] - 3 - surface has a plug contact element for connection with another plug contact element, which is arranged in the area of ​​an opening of the second leg, so that when the two plug contact elements are connected at least one plug contact element engages through the opening of the second leg.

[0018] The at least one plug contact element engaging through the opening of the second leg acts as a latch, preventing the cover from being removed from the housing when the two plug contact elements are connected. This creates a locking and safety function that prevents access to the power electronics housed within the casing until the connection between the two plug contact elements is broken. Only when the connection is broken—that is, when the interlock monitoring is interrupted and the component is subsequently de-energized—can the cover be removed, thus granting access to the housing opening. This minimizes the inherently high safety risk, particularly during maintenance and / or repairs. Contact with a live component of the power electronics is thus avoided, minimizing the risk of personal injury from electric shock.

[0019] The locking mechanism of the cover also increases finger safety of the power electronics, as the position of the cover is secured so that no gaps are formed in which a finger could be trapped and crushed.

[0020] Preferably, the second leg of the cover is designed in a U-shape to form the opening. The U-shape simplifies handling of the cover. For example, the U-shaped second leg can be designed like a handle, so that after disconnecting the plug contacts, the cover can be grasped over the U-shape and removed. Furthermore, a U-shaped leg forms an opening through which the two plug contacts can be connected. The opening can be larger than the plug contact element to be inserted, thus compensating for manufacturing and / or assembly tolerances. This also facilitates the insertion of the plug contact element. R.415115

[0021] - 4 - simple. However, the bracket can also be designed so that it rests against several sides of the plug contact element, for example, all the way around the plug contact element. In the latter case, a positive fit is created between the cover and the plug contact element engaging in the opening of the cover. The positive fit secures the position of the cover in several degrees of freedom, so that the cover is not only secured against lifting, but also against lateral displacement and / or rotation.

[0022] Furthermore, the first leg of the cover preferably has a varying height profile. This varying height profile serves to stiffen and mechanically reinforce the first leg. The first leg can be thicker, particularly in areas subjected to higher mechanical forces. This increases the stability of the cover. The varying height profile can be formed, for example, by webs and / or ribs that reinforce the first leg. This stiffening and mechanical reinforcement prevents, in particular, deliberate bending or twisting of the cover and thus unauthorized access to the power electronics.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, it is proposed that the first leg of the cover be arranged, at least partially, within a recessed area of ​​the housing that includes the housing opening. This recessed arrangement of the first leg helps to save installation space and protects the cover from mechanical damage. Preferably, the recess is sufficiently deep so that the cover is flush with the housing. Furthermore, this recessed arrangement prevents unauthorized third parties from using a tool to pry off the cover, for example.

[0024] Furthermore, preferably the first leg of the cover partially covers a lid part that closes the housing opening. This partial coverage of the lid part by the first leg prevents the lid part from being removed without removing the first leg or the cover R.415115.

[0025] - 5 - can be assumed. In this way, exposure of the electrical components housed within the enclosure is avoided without disconnecting the plug-in connectors. The cover therefore increases machine safety, as the cover must be removed by disconnecting the plug-in connectors before the cover can be opened. The presence of the cover also serves to close the enclosure opening, thus reducing the function of the cover to its locking and safety function. In particular, the additional cover ensures a tight seal of the enclosure opening.

[0026] Advantageously, the cover is detachably connected to the housing by at least one mechanical fastener, such as a screw, and the first leg of the cover partially covers this fastener. The attachment of the cover to the housing secures the cover. Additionally, the cover secures the position of the cover. Because the cover partially covers the fastener, it cannot be loosened before the cover is removed. This further enhances the locking and securing function of the cover.

[0027] In a further development of the invention, it is proposed that the first leg of the cover has at least one locking and / or guiding element in the form of a projecting and / or recessed geometry that can be brought into engagement with a recessed and / or projecting geometry of the housing. The at least one locking and / or guiding element simplifies the positioning and thus the assembly of the cover. This applies particularly to a projecting geometry serving as a guide element that can be brought into engagement with a recessed geometry. The projecting geometry can optionally be arranged on the cover or on the housing. The counterpart is then formed on the other component. Alternatively or additionally, the projecting and / or recessed geometry can be used to provide additional positional locking. R.415115

[0028] - 6 -

[0029] The combination of protruding and / or recessed geometries on the cover and corresponding protruding and / or recessed geometries on the housing restricts the cover's degrees of freedom and thus its movement. Depending on the shape of the protruding and / or recessed geometry, a rotational locking mechanism for the cover can also be achieved.

[0030] This is the case, for example, if the geometry has a non-circular cross-sectional shape, in particular if it forms at least one edge. Anti-rotation protection can also be achieved if more than one locking and / or guiding element is provided.

[0031] In a further development of the invention, it is therefore proposed that at least two locking and / or guiding elements be arranged at a distance from each other, such that the housing cover is secured against rotation. The stability of the anti-rotation device increases with increasing distance between the at least two locking and / or guiding elements. Additionally, by providing at least two locking and / or guiding elements, a further level of safety is incorporated, since in the event of damage to one of the locking and / or guiding elements, the locking and safety function can be taken over by the at least one further locking and / or guiding element.

[0032] Multiple locking and / or guiding elements thus increase component safety through redundancy. Preferably, these multiple locking and / or guiding elements differ from one another, particularly in their shape, size, and / or orientation. Depending on the type of load, the shape, size, and / or orientation can vary to optimize their locking and / or guiding function. By using several different locking and / or guiding elements, there is always an element that is advantageous for the respective load, and the risk of a complete failure of all locking and / or guiding elements is reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, the cover is preferably a sheet metal part, which has been manufactured, for example, by a die-casting or deep-drawing process. Manufacturing the cover by a die-casting or deep-drawing process is simple and therefore cost-effective. Furthermore, the cover can be manufactured by one of these processes with very high R.415115

[0034] - 7 - manufactured with low dimensional tolerances, thereby increasing the accuracy of fit. This is particularly important when the locking and safety functions of the cover depend on at least one positive fit and / or positioning on and around other components such as the plug-in contact elements.

[0035] Preferably, the sheet metal part is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Aluminum and aluminum alloys are easily formable and particularly easy to manufacture using the processes described. Furthermore, aluminum and aluminum alloys are largely corrosion-resistant in the atmosphere, preventing degradation of the cover and thus ensuring machine safety. Additionally, aluminum and aluminum alloys exhibit high mechanical strength at a low weight, which prevents damage or deformation of the cover.

[0036] Advantageously, the cover has a seal and / or insulation on its side facing the housing. The seal and / or insulation prevents the cover from coming into electrical contact with the housing underneath. If the housing or the cover is damaged, even partially, unwanted contact between the electrical components and the housing or other electrical components can occur. The seal and / or insulation of the cover prevents current from flowing from the electrical components to the cover. Furthermore, in the absence of another cover, the seal and / or insulation prevents liquids and / or dirt particles from entering the housing through the opening.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention relates to power electronics with a housing according to the invention. The housing provides optimal protection for the power electronics. Moreover, the housing cover protects people from contact with the power electronics while they are connected to an external power source.

[0038] Further measures improving the invention are described below together with the figures. These show: R.415115

[0039] - 8 -

[0040] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a housing according to the invention in the area of ​​a cover according to a preferred embodiment,

[0041] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through the housing of Figure 1 in the area of ​​the cover and

[0042] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover of the housing of Figure 1.

[0043] Detailed description of the drawings

[0044] Figure 1 shows a housing 1 for power electronics, comprising a housing opening 2. The housing opening 2 is closed by a cover part 12. The cover part 12 is in turn covered by a cover 3. The cover 3 has a first leg 4, which abuts a first side surface 6 of the housing 1, and a second leg 5, which is arranged in the region of a second side surface 7 of the housing 1. The side surfaces 6 and 7 are arranged at angles to each other, as are the legs 4 and 5.

[0045] The second leg 5 is U-shaped and has an opening 9 through which a plug connector 8 engages. This plug connector 8 can be connected to another plug connector 8 located on the housing 1, thus supplying electrical energy to the power electronics housed in the housing 1. When the two plug connectors 8 are connected (see Figure 2), the cover 3 is fixed in position and cannot be removed. This means that the lid 12, which closes the housing opening 2, is inaccessible and therefore cannot be opened. To remove the cover 3, the connection between the plug connectors 8 must be disconnected. Only then can the cover 3 be removed and the underlying lid 12 taken off. This ensures that the power electronics are no longer energized when the housing 1 is opened.This allows for the safe replacement of an electrical component 10 of the power electronics. R.415115.

[0046] - 9 -

[0047] The cover 3 is arranged, at least partially, in the area of ​​a recessed housing 11, i.e., set back. The cover 3 also has webs 15 to form a varying height profile. The webs 15 serve to reinforce and stiffen the cover 3. In addition, the cover 3 has several locking and / or guiding elements 13 in the form of a projecting and / or recessed geometry that engages in a projecting and / or recessed geometry of the housing 1. These facilitate the positioning of the cover 3 with respect to the housing 1, in particular the housing opening 2. Furthermore, they secure the position of the cover 3 with respect to the housing 1 or the housing opening 2. The locking and / or guiding elements 13 are of different shapes. A first locking and / or guiding element 13.1 has a rectangular recess for receiving a cube-shaped, projecting geometry of the housing 1.A second locking and / or guiding element 13.2 (see Figure 2) is designed as a blade, and thus as a projecting geometry, and is inserted into a recessed geometry of the housing 1. A third locking and / or guiding element 13.3 (see Figure 3) is designed as a pin, and thus as a projecting geometry. The pin can be inserted into corresponding recesses in the housing 1. In this case, the cover 3 has several pins, each arranged at a distance from one another. These serve to precisely position the cover 3 during assembly and, after assembly, prevent the cover 3 from rotating.

[0048] As can also be seen in Figure 3, the illustrated cover 3 further has a seal and / or insulation 14 on its side facing the housing 1. Figure 3 also shows that the cover 3 has areas 16 on its side facing the housing 1 for at least partially covering the fasteners by which the cover part 12 is attached to the housing 1. The installed cover 3 thus covers the fasteners, so that the cover part 12 cannot be removed without first removing the cover 3. R.415115

[0049] - 10 -

[0050] Figure 2 clearly shows that when the two plug contact elements 8 are connected, the cover 3 is locked by the plug contact element 8 engaging in the opening 9. This means that the cover 3 cannot be removed until the connection between the plug contact elements 8 is broken.

Claims

R.415115 - 11 - Claims 1. Housing (1) for power electronics, having a housing opening (2) and an angled cover (3) with a first leg (4) and a second leg (5), wherein the first leg (4) abuts a first side surface (6) of the housing (1) in at least partial overlap of the housing opening (2) and the second leg (5) is arranged in the area of ​​a second side surface (7) of the housing (1) arranged at an angle thereto to the first side surface (7), which has a plug contact element (8) for connection with a further plug contact element (8) which is arranged in the area of ​​an opening (9) of the second leg (5), such that when the two plug contact elements (8) are connected, at least one plug contact element (8) engages through the opening (9) of the second leg (5).

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the second leg (5) of the cover (3) is designed in a bow shape to form the opening (9).

3. Housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first leg (4) of the cover (3) has a varying height profile (10) and / or is arranged at least sectionally in the area of ​​a housing recess (11) having the housing opening (2).

4. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first leg (4) of the cover (3) at least partially covers a lid part (12) closing the housing opening (2).

5. Housing (1) according to claim 4, R.415115 - 12 - characterized in that the cover part (12) is detachably connected to the housing (1) by at least one mechanical fastening means, for example a screw, and the first leg (4) of the cover (3) covers the at least one fastening means at least partially.

6. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first leg (4) of the cover (3) has at least one locking and / or guiding element (13) in the form of a forward and / or backward projection geometry which can be brought into engagement with a backward and / or forward projection geometry of the housing (1).

7. Housing (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least two locking and / or guide elements (13) are arranged at a distance from each other, so that the cover (3) is secured against twisting.

8. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) is a sheet metal part which has been produced, for example, by a die casting or deep drawing process, wherein the sheet metal part is preferably made of aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

9. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) has a seal and / or insulation (14) on its side facing the housing (1).

10. Power electronics comprising a housing (1) according to any of the preceding claims.

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