Electric closing element

Abstract

An electric closer comprising a first connection lug, a second connection lug electrically insulated from the first connection lug, the first and second connection lugs each having at least one recess in a contact region disposed within a guide housing, an actuator for driving a contact element, the contact element being disposed in a guide housing between the actuator and the contact region of the connection lugs, and by the actuator from an open position, in which the connecting lugs are insulated from one another into a closed position, in which the connecting lugs are electrically connected to one another via the contact element, is displaceable, wherein in the closed position the contact element is accommodated in the recesses of the connecting lugs and wherein the contact element is guided in the displacement direction simultaneously in the respective recesses of the two connecting lugs during the displacement of the two connecting lugs.

Claims

1. Electric contactor comprising: a first connection lug; a second connection lug electrically insulated from the first connection lug, the first and second connection lugs each having at least one recess in a contact region arranged within a guide housing; an actuator for driving a contact element, the contact element being arranged in a guide housing between the actuator and the contact region of the connecting lugs and being displaceable by the actuator from an open position, in which the connecting lugs are insulated from one another, into a closed position, in which the connecting lugs are electrically connected to one another via the contact element, the contact element being received in the recesses of the connecting lugs in the closed position, wherein during the displacement the contact element is guided in the direction of displacement simultaneously in the respective recesses of the two connecting lugs; and wherein the contact element is formed in at least one contact region, in which it is held in the recesses in the closed position, as a flat part, wherein the shape of the contact region is essentially complementary to the recesses of the connecting lugs.

2. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the contact element is formed at least partially from an electrically conductive material, preferably at least partially from an aluminium material and/or a copper material and/or in that the connecting lugs are formed at least partially from a conductive material, preferably at least partially from a copper material and/or an aluminium material.

3. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the surface normal of the surface of the contact region facing the recesses in the open position is substantially parallel to the displacement direction.

4. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the contact regions are spatially separated from one another, in particular that the contact regions lie opposite one another with respect to a central axis of the contact element extending parallel to the displacement direction, in particular that the distance between the contact regions is substantially equal to the distance between the recesses.

5. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the contact element is shaped and/or dimensioned relative to the recesses of the connecting lugs in such a way that, during displacement, a positive connection, in particular a press fit, a transition fit or a clearance fit is formed between the contact element and the connecting lugs.

6. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the connecting lugs each have a connecting part facing outward of the guide housing and a part arranged in the guide housing and guiding the contact element during displacement, and/or in that the receptacles are arranged on opposite sides of the guide housing.

7. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the recesses of the connecting lugs and the contact element have latching lugs and/or latching recesses which are shaped and dimensioned relative to one another in such a way that, during displacement, a positive connection, in particular a latching connection, is formed between the contact element and the connecting lugs.

8. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the guide housing has a guide channel in which the contact element is displaceably arranged.

9. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the contact region of the connection lugs is disposed at a first end of the guide channel and the actuator is disposed at a second end of the guide channel opposite the first end.

10. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein at least one insulating element is arranged for insulating the contact element between the contact element and the contact region of the terminal lugs, the insulating element preferably being formed in two pieces, in particular from two insulating caps, in particular in that one of the insulating elements in each case covers at least the surface of the contact element facing the terminal lugs in the open position.

11. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the insulating element is formed from an insulating material, wherein the insulating material has a specific electrical conductivity of at least less than 10-5 S-cm-1, preferably less than 10-10 S-cm-1, particularly preferably 10-15 S-cm-1, in particular that the insulating material has a dielectric strength of at least more than 5 kV/mm, particularly preferably more than 20 kV/mm, especially preferably more than 50 kV/mm.

12. A motor vehicle with a power line and an electric contactor connected to the power line in accordance with claim 1.

13. Electric contactor according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an actuator element and a displacement element, in particular that the actuator element is an electric, a hydraulic, a pyrotechnic or a mechanical actuator element.

14. Electric contactor according to claim 13, wherein the displacement element is formed as a sliding carriage or as a bolt, the contact element being connected to the displacement element in a positive-locking, preferably force-locking, in particular material-locking manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail using a drawing showing embodiments. In the drawing show:

(2) FIG. 1 a view of an electric contactor in an open position;

(3) FIG. 2 a sectional view of an electric contactor according to FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 another sectional view of an electric contactor according to FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4a-c A view of various design examples of a contact element;

(6) FIG. 5 a view of an electric contactor in a closed position;

(7) FIG. 6 a sectional view of an electric closer according to FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 another sectional view of an electric contactor according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

(9) FIG. 1 shows a view of an electric closer 1 in an open position. An open guide housing 12 can be seen, which forms a guide channel 14 in its interior. An actuator 6 can also be seen, which consists of an actuator unit 8 and a displacement unit 10. The actuator unit 8 can be formed as an drive and convert electrical signals into mechanical motion. However, actuator unit 8 can also be designed as a pyrotechnic actuator unit and, for example, generate a mechanical displacement by igniting a squib by means of a pressure wave. The displacement unit 10 can, for example, be formed as a displacement slide or as a piston which is driven by the actuator unit 8 and performs a translational movement.

(10) In the case of an embodiment in which a pneumatic impulse is triggered by the actuator unit 8, the guide channel 14 must be well sealed to the outside. In order to prevent an overpressure from occurring during a displacement of the displacement unit 10, which counteracts the movement in the displacement direction, it is proposed that a vent opening (not shown here) is arranged in the guide channel 14, or that the corresponding space is evacuated.

(11) Furthermore it can be seen in FIG. 1 that a contact element 20 is arranged on the displacement unit 10, which in this view is covered by an insulation element 16. For the purpose of a more understandable representation, its arrangement is indicated by a dashed contour. The contact element 20 is firmly connected to the displacement unit 10 either by positive locking, frictional locking and/or material locking.

(12) The contact element 20 is preferably made of a flat part and an electrically conductive material, preferably aluminium or copper.

(13) A more detailed view of the various embodiments of the contact element 20, including the designation of the respective contact areas, contact surfaces and surface normals, is shown in FIGS. 4a-c. These figures are referred to below if individual elements of contact element 20 are not shown in other figures due to the clarity.

(14) In the open position, the contact element 20 rests on the housing 12. In this position, the contact element 20 has a surface 20 facing in the direction of the receptacles 22a, 22b of the connection lugs 4a, b. As can be seen from the arrangement according to FIG. 1, the surface normal 20a of this surface runs essentially parallel to the direction of displacement indicated by arrow 30 when the contact element 20 moves from the open position to the closed position.

(15) It can also be seen that the contact element 20 has at least two spatially separated contact regions 24a, b, which are spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction indicated by the arrow 30, preferably also perpendicular to a height direction of the contact element 20. The contact areas 24a, b can be designed as shown in FIG. 1, in particular in relation to a central axis of the contact element 20 running parallel to the direction of displacement. Thus a contact area 24a or 24b can be provided on both sides of a central axis of the contact element 20.

(16) The contact surfaces 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d of the contact areas 24a, 24b of the contact element 20 intended for establishing an electrical contact with the terminal lugs 4a, 4b also have a surface normal 20b each. This respective surface normal runs essentially perpendicular to the surface normal 20a of the surface 20 of the contact element 20 facing in the direction of the 22a, 22b receptacles.

(17) The contact element 20, which is essentially cuboid in shape according to FIG. 1, thus has at least four contact surfaces 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, via which an electrical connection can be established between the connection lugs 4a, 4b. A first and a second contact surface 26a and 26b are arranged at the contact area 24a, whereas a third and a fourth contact surface 26c and 26d of the contact element 20 are arranged at the contact area 24b. The first and second contact surfaces 26a, 26b, as well as the third and fourth contact surfaces 26c, 26d are arranged spaced from each other according to the thickness or height of the contact element 20. Both the first and second contact surfaces 26a, 26b and the third and fourth contact surfaces 26c, 26d are also arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the contact element 20.

(18) The contact surfaces of the connection lugs 22a, 22a, 22b, 22b arranged in the recesses 22a and 22b as shown in FIG. 2 also run substantially parallel to one another, in particular in the receptacles. The distance between the contact surfaces of the receptacles 22a, 22a, 22b, 22b preferably corresponds substantially to the distance between the first and second 26a, 26b or between the third and fourth 26c, 26d contact surfaces of the contact element 20, which may correspond to the height of the contact element 20 in the contact areas 24a, b. The distance between the contact surfaces of the receptacles 22a, 22a, 22b, 22b preferably corresponds substantially to the distance between the first and second 26a, 26b or between the third and fourth 26c, 26d contact surfaces of the contact element 20, which may correspond to the height of the contact element 20 in the contact areas 24a, b. The distance of the contact areas 24a, b to each other is also preferably substantially equal to the distance of the recesses 22a, 22b to each other. This ensures that the contact areas 24a, b in the closed position are both arranged in the recesses 22a, 22b.

(19) The displacement element 10 for insulation is at least partly made of an insulator, preferably at least partly of a plastic.

(20) It can also be seen that two connection parts 2a, 2b of two connection lugs 4a, 4b protrude from the housing 12. The connection lugs 4a, 4b also extend into the interior of the housing 12. Inside the housing 12, the connection lugs 4a, 4b run parallel to each other, parallel to the direction of displacement which runs along the axis II-II up to their contact area 18a, b, in which the connection lugs 4a, 4b each have at least one recess 22a, 22b. The connection lugs 4a, 4b can be arranged directly at the edge of the housing 12. The connection lugs 4a, 4b can also be arranged at least partially within a recess 28a, b of the housing 12.

(21) The recesses 22a, 22b of the connection lugs themselves are preferably hook-shaped and/or U-shaped in the direction of the contact element 20 and have a base.

(22) An insulation element 16 is arranged between the recesses 22a, 22b arranged in the contact region 18a, b of the connection lugs 4a, 4b and the contact element 20 in order to effectively prevent electrical contacting of the contact element 20 with the connection lugs 4a, 4b in the open state of the electrical contactor 1.

(23) The insulation element 16 is preferably made of two parts, in particular two insulation caps 16a, 16b, which are placed on the displacement element 10. The insulation caps 16a, 16b preferably have not only a low electrical conductivity and a high dielectric strength required for insulation purposes, but advantageously also have a low tensile strength, breaking strength and shear strength.

(24) The latter properties are desirable since, when a pulse is triggered by the actuator unit 8, it is preferably provided that the contact element 20 breaks through the insulation caps 16a, 16b during the acceleration of the contact element 20 in the direction of the contact region 18a, b at least in the region which, in the open position, directly adjoins the recesses 22a, 22b of the connecting lugs 4a, 4b. Preferably a separation of the insulation caps 16a, 16b is thus provided at least in the region of the interface between the insulation caps 16a, 16b and the surfaces of the contact flaps 4a, 4b pointing in the direction of the insulation caps 16a, 16b. In particular, the insulation caps 16a, 16b at the connection lugs 4a, 4b are at least partially separated, preferably torn off or sheared off.

(25) In order to easily break the insulation caps 16a, 16b, the shape of the contact element 20 can also be adapted. For example, contact element 20 may have a chisel-shaped or wedge-shaped taper at its end remote from actuator unit 8.

(26) In addition, it can be advantageous if the insulation caps 16a, 16b have, in addition to a low breaking, shearing and tearing strength, additionally (not shown here) predetermined breaking points which are preferably arranged in a potential contact region of the insulation caps 16a, 16b with the contact element 20 and in a potential contact region with the connecting lugs 4a, 4b, in particular the surfaces of the contact lugs 4a, 4b pointing in the direction of the insulation caps 16a, 16b. Thus the insulation caps 16a, 16b can advantageously be more easily broken through the contact element 20 and sheared off from the connection lugs 4a, 4b when the impulse of the actuator unit 8 is received.

(27) FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an electric closer 1 along line II-II as shown in FIG. 1. This view also shows the arrangement of the contact element 20, which is fixed to the displacement element 10 and hidden in the view shown in FIG. 1 by the insulation caps 16a, 16b used to insulate the contact element 20. The displacement direction of the contact element 20 runs from the displacement element 10 in the direction of the recesses 22a, 22b. After the triggering of a pulse of the actuator unit 8, it is intended that the contact element 20 is accelerated in the direction of the recesses 22a, b. Reduced to the contact tab 4b shown in the sectional view, the opening of at least part of the insulation cap 16b is provided after acceleration of the contact element 20, so that electrical contact can be established between the contact surfaces 26c, d of the contact element 20 and the contact surfaces 22b and 22b of the connection lug. From the moment an electrical contact is made between contact element 20 and connection lug 4b, contact element 20 is preferably guided in the direction of movement in recess 18b. The movement of the contact element 20 initiated by the actuator unit 8 is continuously slowed down by the continuously increasing contact surface between the contact surfaces 26c, d of the contact element 20 and the contact surfaces 22, 22 of the terminal lug 4b and the associated greater friction.

(28) A corresponding movement and contacting is also provided between the contact surfaces 26a, b of the contact element 20 and the contact surfaces 22a and 22a of the connection lug, which are not shown in this sectional view, after a pulse of the actuator unit 8 has been triggered.

(29) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an electric closer 1 after a section along line III-III according to FIG. 2. This view also shows the arrangement of the contact element 20, which in the open state of the electric closer 1 is still insulated by the insulation caps 16a, 16b, separated from the connection lugs 16a, 16b.

(30) FIG. 4a-c shows a selection of different embodiments of the contact element 20 that is by no means to be understood as conclusive.

(31) FIG. 4a shows a substantially cuboid contact element 20, which comprises the separately arranged contact areas 24a and 24b. The contact areas 24a, b are arranged at the outer edge areas of the contact element 20 and each have the contact surfaces 26a and 26b or 26c and 26d arranged on opposite sides of the contact element 20.

(32) Furthermore, the surface 20 is visible, which points in the direction of the receptacles 22a and 22b when the contact element 20 is installed. The surface normal 20a of this surface is also shown, which runs essentially parallel to the direction of displacement when the contact element 20 moves from the open position to the closed position.

(33) In addition, the two surfaces 20b and 20c, each arranged perpendicular to the surface 20a, together with their respective surface normal values, can be recognized. The surface normal 20b is perpendicular to the wide surface of the contact element 20. The surface normal 20c is perpendicular to the outward facing surface of the contact element 20.

(34) In addition to an embodiment formed as a cuboid flat part in accordance with FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of a contact element 20 in which the end of the contact element 20 facing away from the actuator is tapered, in particular is formed tapered in the form of a chisel or bolt. Such an embodiment not only has the advantage that the insulation caps 4a, 4b can be cut more easily when the actuator unit 8 is triggered, but also allows the tapered part of the contact element 20 to be inserted into the recesses 22a, 22b in a simple manner, even with given manufacturing tolerances, the formation of a press connection between the contact element 20 and the recesses 22a, 22b of the connecting lugs 16a, 16b. By means of a press connection it is possible to at least partially remove impurities or passivations from the surfaces of the components to be contacted during the contacting by friction, thus guaranteeing high-quality contacting. In addition to the contact areas 24a and 24b, the embodiment according to FIG. 4b also has a third contact area arranged between these two areas, whereby in this case not only four contact surfaces but also a total of six contact surfaces with the contact surfaces 26a-f are arranged.

(35) FIG. 4c finally shows an embodiment in which the contact element has 20 latching lugs and latching recesses in the contact areas 24a and 24b, which serve in particular to prevent the electric closer 1 from opening after the closer 1 has closed. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the contact element 20 and the recesses 22a, 22b of the connecting lugs 4a, 4b are formed in such a way that the contact element 20, in a closed position of the closer 1, preferably engages in the receptacle in a positive-locking manner. It goes without saying that corresponding latching lugs and latching recesses can be arranged not only on the contact surfaces 26a and 26c, but also alternatively or cumulatively on the contact surfaces 26b and 26d.

(36) FIG. 5 finally shows a spatial view of an electric closer 1 in a closed position.

(37) In the closed position the contact element 20, in particular the contact areas 24a, b of the contact element 20, are arranged in the recesses 22a, 22b of the connection lugs.

(38) An electrical contact is established between the two terminal lugs 4a, 4b via the direct contact of the contact surfaces of the contact element 26a, b, c, d with the contact surfaces of the recesses 22a, 22a, 22b, 22b, so that electrical charge can be dissipated safely and reliably via the two interconnected terminal lugs 4a, 4b.

(39) In this position, the contact element 20 is arranged in the mounting of the connection lugs 4a, 4b and thus closes them short. By short-circuiting the connection lugs 4a, 4b, it is possible to allow the discharge of residual capacities, as may be necessary in the event of an accident with a motor vehicle. It can be seen that the insulation caps 16a, 16b have been partially separated at the connection lugs 4a, 4b, whereby only the sheared off remainders of the insulation caps 16a and 16b remain at the contact surfaces between the connection lugs 4a, 4b and the insulation caps 16a, 16b. The remaining part of the insulation caps 16a, 16b is finally arranged between the contact element 20 and the wall of the housing 12.

(40) The displacement is triggered by the actuator unit 8. After initiation of an electrical impulse, for example, another electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic impulse is triggered in the actuator unit 8, which accelerates the displacement unit 10 together with the contact element 20 arranged in the direction of the contact area 18a, b of the connection lugs 4a, 4b. The displacement unit 10 can be formed as a displacement carriage or as a piston which pushes the contact element 20 in the direction of displacement into the receptacle.

(41) During this movement, the contact element 20 first breaks through the insulation caps 16a, 16b arranged between the actuator unit 6 and the contact area 18a, b, before the contact element 20 is finally inserted into the recesses 22a, 22b of the connection straps 4a, 4b.

(42) FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an electrical contactor 1 along the line IV-IV as shown in FIG. 5. In this view, the electrical contacting produced between the contact surfaces 26c, d of the contact element 20 and the contact surfaces 22b and 22b of the terminal lug can be seen due to the offset of the view. In addition, in the contact area 18a, b of the connection lug 4b, in addition to the contact element 20 now arranged within the recess of the connection lug 4b, the part of the insulation cap 16b sheared off at the connection lug 4b can also be seen.

(43) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of an electric closer 1 along line VII-VII as shown in FIG. 6. In this view, in addition to the contact element 20 arranged within the recess of the connection lugs 4a, 4b, the parts of the insulation cap 16a, 16b sheared off at the connection lugs 4a, 4b are also visible.

(44) With the help of the electric closer 1 it is possible to establish a fast and high quality electrical connection between the connection lugs in order to guarantee a fast and safe removal of residual capacities.

(45) The proposed electrical make contact 1 is not only electrically well insulated and mechanically fail-safe, but also allows a reproducible and satisfactory contact between the contact element and the terminal lugs.