High-voltage connector

Abstract

A connector for a high-voltage connection for electrically connecting high-voltage components, in particular of an electrical drive system of a motor vehicle, said connector comprising at least one electrical contact arrangement, wherein the contact arrangement comprises at least one ring-shaped contact element; a first inner protective element, which is arranged within the contact element and projects relative to the contact element; and a first outer protective element, which at least partly surrounds the contact element and projects relative to the contact element, wherein the first inner protective element and the first outer protective element form a shock protection for the contact element.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising: a contact element having an annular cross-section; a first protective element inward of said contact element; a second protective element that surrounds at least part of a circumference of said contact element; and a radial gap between said contact element and said first protective element, wherein said first protective element and said second protective element extend substantially beyond a leading portion of said contact element in an insertion direction, wherein a central axis of said first protective element is substantially coaxial to a central axis of said contact element.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said radial gap receives a portion of a third protective element of a counterpart connector in a coupled state of said electrical connector and said counterpart connector.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said radial gap receives a portion of a second contact element of a counterpart connector in a coupled state of said electrical connector and said counterpart connector.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said contact element comprises a leading contact surface that is oblique relative to a longitudinal axis of said electrical connector.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said contact element comprises a curved contact surface.

6. The electrical connector of claim 1, comprising: a spring, electrically insulated from said contact element, said spring inducing a contact force between said contact element and a second contact element of a counterpart connector, wherein a central axis of said spring is substantially coaxial to said central axis of said contact element.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said first protective element and said second protective element consist of an electrically insulating material.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said second protective element and a first portion of said first protective element consist of an electrically insulating material, and a second portion of said first protective element consists of an electrically conductive material.

9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said second protective element comprises a wall that surrounds at least a first part of a circumference of said contact element and at least one peg situated outward of a second part of said circumference.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein: said wall and said at least one peg consist of an electrically insulating material.

11. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein: said extending of said first protective element and said second protective element substantially beyond said leading portion of said contact element in an insertion direction provides touch protection for a human finger.

12. An electrical connector, comprising: a tubular contact element; a first protective element situated in a hollow of said tubular contact element; a second protective element that surrounds at least part of a circumference of said tubular contact element; and a radial gap between said tubular contact element and said first protective element, wherein said first protective element and said second protective element extend substantially beyond a distal end of said tubular contact element, wherein a central axis of said first protective element is substantially coaxial to a central axis of said contact element.

13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said radial gap receives a portion of a third protective element of a counterpart connector in a coupled state of said electrical connector and said counterpart connector.

14. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said tubular contact element comprises a leading contact surface that is oblique relative to a longitudinal axis of said electrical connector.

15. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said tubular contact element comprises a curved contact surface.

16. The electrical connector of claim 12, comprising: a spring, electrically insulated from said tubular contact element, said spring inducing a contact force between said tubular contact element and a second contact element of a counterpart connector, wherein a central axis of said spring is substantially coaxial to said central axis of said contact element.

17. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said first protective element and said second protective element consist of an electrically insulating material.

18. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said second protective element and a first portion of said first protective element consist of an electrically insulating material, and a second portion of said first protective element consists of an electrically conductive material.

19. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said second protective element comprises a wall that surrounds at least a first part of a circumference of said contact element and at least one peg situated outward of a second part of said circumference.

20. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein: said wall and said at least one peg consist of an electrically insulating material.

21. The electrical connector of claim 19, wherein: said first protective element, said wall and said at least one peg are configured and arranged to prevent a human finger from contacting said contact element.

22. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein: said extending of said first protective element and said second protective element substantially beyond said distal end of said tubular contact element provides touch protection for a human finger.

23. An electrical connector, comprising: a contact element having an annular cross-section; a first protective element inward of said contact element; a second protective element that surrounds at least part of a circumference of said contact element; and a radial gap between said contact element and said first protective element, wherein said first protective element and said second protective element extend substantially beyond a leading portion of said contact element in an insertion direction so as to provide touch protection for a human finger, and said contact element comprises a leading contact surface that is oblique relative to a longitudinal axis of said electrical connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of one embodiment of an HV connection according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a connector according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a connector according to the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a plan view of one embodiment of a connector according to the invention.

(6) The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in association with the description, serve to clarify principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned are evident in view of the drawings.

(7) The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown in a manner true to scale with respect to one another.

(8) In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and identically acting elements, features and componentsunless explained otherwiseare provided in each case with the same reference signs.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(9) Although the present invention has been described completely above on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto, but rather can be modified in diverse ways.

(10) FIG. 1 shows an HV connection according to the invention comprising a first connector, configured as unit connection, and comprising a second connector, configured as cable connection.

(11) It is evident from the text that follows that the designation of the first connector and of the second connector, respectively, can also be interchanged. In particular, the designation of the elements of the first connector and of the mating elements of the second connector, respectively, can also be interchanged.

(12) The first connector 100 comprises two contact arrangements or two contact poles having a respective contact element 102, a respective first inner protective element 104 and a respective first outer protective element 108. The second connector 200 comprises two mating contact arrangements configured in a manner corresponding to the contact arrangement. The mating contact arrangement comprises in each case a mating contact element 202 and in each case a second outer protective element 217 and a second inner protective element 216.

(13) For simplification, reference is made below only to one contact arrangement and one mating contact arrangement, even though a two-pole connection is illustrated. In the embodiments illustrated, the contact elements 102 and the mating contact elements 202 are configured as end contacts. End contact means that an electrical contact is produced between two end sides.

(14) The contact arrangement of the first connector 100 comprises an insulating part 103 having a contact arrangement having a ring-shaped contact element 102. The contact element 102 has bent contact surfaces and is configured as a round contact. The contact surface of the contact element 102 is furthermore beveled, as a result of which the contact surface is enlarged with the structural space remaining the same. An increase in the area of the contact surface reduces the transferred current density per unit area on the contact surface. Consequently, the heating of the contact element 102 during current transfer proves to be lower.

(15) The first inner protective element 104 is formed within the ring-shaped contact element 102 of the first connector 100. The first inner protective element 104 comprises a peg 107, on which the cap 106 is formed. The peg 107 can be produced for example from a conductive material, in particular metal, whereas the cap 106 is produced from nonconductive material.

(16) The first outer protective element 108 is formed outside the ring-shaped contact element 102, in a manner surrounding the ring-shaped contact element. The first inner protective element 104 and the first outer protective element 108 are arranged concentrically with respect to one another and together form a shock protection for the contact element 102. The distance between the inner and outer protective elements 104, 108 is not permitted to exceed a maximum distance, with the result that a test finger or a finger of a user cannot touch the contact surface of the contact element 102. In this case, the maximum distance between the outer protective element 108 and the inner protective element 104 depends on the height of the projection of the outer protective element 108 and of the inner protective element 104 relative to the contact element 102. That is to say that the higher the outer protective element 108 and the inner protective element 104 project relative to the contact element 102, the greater the permissible maximum distance between the outer protective element 108 and the inner protective element 104.

(17) In FIG. 1, the ring-shaped contact element 102 is contacted with a mating contact element. The mating contact element 202 has contact surfaces corresponding to the contact element 102. Accordingly, the contact surfaces of the mating contact element 202 are likewise rounded, bent and quenched. The second connector 200 in FIG. 1 comprises a second inner, cylindrical protective element 216, which is arranged in a manner corresponding to the first inner protective element 104 of the first connector 100 to the effect that the second cylindrical inner protective element 216 of the second connector 200 accommodates in itself the first inner protective element 104 of the first connector 100 in the connected state. The second inner protective element 216 is surrounded by the mating contact element 202.

(18) Furthermore, a second outer protective element 217 is set up in the second connector 200, and partly surrounds the mating contact element 202. The second outer protective element 217 of the second connector 200 is configured in a manner corresponding to the first outer protective element 108 of the first connector to the effect that the second outer protective element 217 partly surrounds the first outer protective element 108. Consequently, in the HV connection illustrated in FIG. 1, the second outer protective element 217, the first outer protective element 108, the mating contact element 202, the contact element 102, the second inner protective element 216 and the first inner protective element 104 are arranged concentrically with respect to one another.

(19) Furthermore, the second connector 200 comprises a spring 208, configured as a compression spring. The spring 208 is inserted into a ring-shaped recess of a flange 206 and is connected to the insulating part 204 of the second connector 200 via said flange. In this way, the spring 208 exerts a compressive force in the direction of the first connector 100 via the flange 206, such that the mating contact element 202 is pressed against the contact element 102. Furthermore, the second connector 200 comprises a guide 213 and a stop 212 for the flange 206, such that the flange 206 is guided linearly in the second connector 200 along a longitudinal axis L and is secured by the stop 212 against slipping out of the guide 212. The flange 206 is placed onto the guide 212 via a hole formed centrally in the flange 206.

(20) In addition, a damping 210 is formed between the flange 206 and the housing 214 of the second connector 200. The damping 210 can be produced for example from heat-resistant rubber or plastic.

(21) FIG. 2 shows a first connector 100 in accordance with FIG. 1 in a perspective view. FIG. 2 reveals that the first outer protective element 108 is formed only partly circumferentially. The first outer protective element 108 is configured as a partly circumferential wall with two protective pins 118 between ends of the partly circumferential wall. In the case of angular connectors, the partly circumferential wall of the first outer protective element 108 ensures a particularly compact and simple design. In this case, the ends of the partly circumferential wall are adjacent to the protective pins 118 in such a way that a maximum distance between an end of the partly circumferential wall and a closest protective pin 118 is not undershot. Accordingly, the maximum permissible distance between the protective pins 118 may not be exceeded either. In this regard, as many protective pins 118 as desired can be provided.

(22) The insulating part 103 is screwed to the housing 110 of the first connector 100 by way of three screws 116.

(23) A guide 120 is formed between the contact arrangements of the first connector 100, said guide being configured to guide the first connector 100 and/or the second connector 200 during a connection movement. The guide 120 of the first connector 100 is formed in a manner corresponding to a guide 222 of the second connector 200. An HVIL contact chamber 122 is formed within the guide 120 of the first connector 100. The HVIL contact chamber 122 together with an HVIL bridge 224 in the second connector 200 forms an HVIL system.

(24) FIG. 2 illustrates that the housing 110 of the first connector 100 has an approximately elliptical wall. The elliptical wall can optionally be provided with a sealant (not illustrated). The inner region of the approximately elliptical wall shall be designated hereinafter by sealing region. A base 114 is formed outside the sealing region. The base 114 has a hole having a thread, at which the first connector 100 can be screwed to a corresponding second connector 200.

(25) FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second connector 200 in accordance with FIG. 1 in a perspective view and in a plan view. FIG. 3 shows the screw 230 that screws the first connector to the second connector via the base 114. Furthermore, a cable connection is indicated schematically in FIG. 3. It goes without saying that a two-pole connector comprises two cables 232, even though only one cable 232 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

(26) FIG. 4 furthermore illustrates a secondary securing arrangement 220, which secures cable assemblies, for example cable contacts and/or insulating parts in the housing, against being inadvertently pulled out. In addition, a hole having a thread corresponding to the screw 230 is indicated schematically.

(27) As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the second connector 200 also comprises a partly circumferential second outer protective element 217. The second partly circumferential outer protective element 217 has two receptacles 218 configured to receive the protective pins 118 of a first connector.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(28) 10 HV connection 100 First connector 102 Contact element 103 Insulating part 104 First inner protective element 106 Cap 107 Peg 108 First outer protective element 110 Housing 114 Base 116 Screws 118 Protective pin 120 Guide 122 HVIL contact chamber 200 Second connector 202 Mating contact element 204 Insulating part 206 Flange 208 Spring 210 Damping 212 Stop 213 Guide 214 Housing 216 Second inner protective element 217 Second outer protective element 218 Receptacle 220 Secondary securing arrangement 222 Guide 224 HVIL bridge 226 Hole 228 Holding element 230 Screw 232 Cable L Longitudinal axis