GROUNDING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

A grounding device for a vehicle can comprise a conducting means and two contact elements, wherein the conducting means comprises at least one flat braided wire assembly configured to conduct high frequency currents, wherein a first contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a first axial end of the conducting means and a second contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a second axial end of the conducting means, wherein the first contact element is further configured to be attached to a first component of the vehicle, and the second contact element is further configured to be attached to a second component of the vehicle, and wherein the conducting means is formed at least partly as a spring element, configured to provide an elastic expansion or an elastic compression in at least two dimensions.

Claims

1. A grounding device for a vehicle, comprising: a conducting means and two contact elements, wherein the conducting means comprises at least one flat braided wire assembly configured to conduct high frequency currents, wherein a first contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a first axial end of the conducting means and a second contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a second axial end of the conducting means, wherein the first contact element is further configured to be attached to a first component of the vehicle, and the second contact element is further configured to be attached to a second component of the vehicle, and wherein the conducting means is formed at least partly as a spring element, configured to provide an elastic expansion or an elastic compression in at least two dimensions.

2. The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the spring element is formed as a wave spring.

3. The grounding device of claim 1, further comprising: a coating enclosing the conducting means, wherein the coating is configured to protect the conducting means from environmental influences comprising air or water.

4. The grounding device of claim 3, wherein the coating further encloses a sacrificial anode configured to prevent corrosion of the conducting means.

5. The grounding device of claim 3, wherein the coating is formed of at least a metal, or metal alloys.

6. The grounding device of claim 3, wherein the coating is formed of a plastic.

7. The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the contact elements comprise separate elements and are conductively connected to the conducting means.

8. The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the contact elements are integrally formed with the conducting means.

9. The grounding device of claim 8, wherein the contact elements comprise a spring turn configured to be positioned in a recess being formed on the first component of the vehicle or the second component of the vehicle.

10. The grounding device of claim 1, wherein the contact elements are configured to be removably connected to at least one fixture of the first or the second component.

11. The grounding device of claim 1, further comprising: at least a solid metal part configured to conduct low frequency current.

12. The grounding device of claim 11, wherein the solid metal part is formed as a separate spring element configured to provide an elastic expansion or an elastic compression in at least two dimensions.

13. The grounding device of claim 12, wherein the separate spring element is formed as a wave spring.

14. A vehicle, comprising: at least a first component and a second component; and a grounding device, comprising: a conducting means and two contact elements, wherein the conducting means comprises at least one flat braided wire assembly configured to conduct high frequency currents, wherein a first contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a first axial end of the conducting means and a second contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a second axial end of the conducting means, wherein the first contact element is further configured to be attached to the first component of the vehicle, and the second contact element is further configured to be attached to the second component of the vehicle, and wherein the conducting means is formed at least partly as a spring element, configured to provide an elastic expansion or an elastic compression in at least two dimensions, and wherein the grounding device is configured to provide a conductive path, comprising a low impedance path, between at least the first component and the second component.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the spring element is formed as a wave spring.

16. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the grounding device further comprises: a coating enclosing the conducting means, wherein the coating is configured to protect the conducting means from environmental influences comprising air or water.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the coating further encloses a sacrificial anode configured to prevent corrosion of the conducting means.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the coating is formed of at least a metal, or metal alloys.

19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the coating is formed of a plastic.

20. A method, comprising: providing a conductive path between at least a first component and a second component of a vehicle, the conductive path being configured to conduct high frequency current, wherein the vehicle comprises: a grounding device, comprising: a conducting means and two contact elements, wherein the conducting means comprises at least one flat braided wire assembly configured to conduct high frequency currents, wherein a first contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a first axial end of the conducting means and a second contact element of the two contact elements is arranged at a second axial end of the conducting means, wherein the first contact element is further configured to be attached to the first component of the vehicle, and the second contact element is further configured to be attached to the second component of the vehicle, and wherein the conducting means is formed at least partly as a spring element, configured to provide an elastic expansion or an elastic compression in at least two dimensions, and wherein the grounding device is configured to provide a conductive path, comprising a low impedance path, between at least the first component and the second component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described in the following with reference to the following drawings. Figures are for illustration purposes and are not to scale.

[0035] FIG. 1A shows a schematic block diagram of two components of a vehicle being connected by an exemplary grounding device.

[0036] FIG. 1B shows a schematic block diagram of three components of a vehicle being connected by an exemplary grounding device.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an exemplary grounding device.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary grounding device.

[0039] FIG. 4A shows a schematic exemplary cross-sectional view of the grounding device in

[0040] FIG. 3.

[0041] FIG. 4B shows a schematic exemplary cross-sectional view of the grounding device in

[0042] FIG. 3.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an exemplary grounding device.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an exemplary fixture holding a grounding device.

[0045] FIG. 7A shows a schematic, perspective view of an exemplary fixture holding a grounding device.

[0046] FIG. 7B shows a schematic, perspective view of an exemplary fixture holding a grounding device

[0047] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure. Identical or equivalent elements are in principle provided with the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] FIGS. 1A and 1B shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a grounding device 100 electrically connecting two components 102 (FIG. 1A) and three components 102 (FIG. 1B), respectively, of a vehicle (not shown). The components 102 may be electric components or may comprise at least an electric part. The grounding device 100 is configured to electrically and/or galvanically connect the components 102 to form a grounding circuit, and thereby reduce and/or substantially eliminate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) and thus fulfilling the requirements regarding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in a vehicle.

[0049] The grounding device 100 comprises a conducting means 106 and two contact elements 108. The conducting means 106 and the contact elements 108 may be integrally formed or separately formed. Each of the contact elements 108 is in contact with at least one component 102. The conducting means 106 is configured to conduct at least high frequency current, and therefore comprises a flat braid wire assembly 110 (e.g., see FIG. 2). The flat braid wire assembly 110 comprises at least one, preferably two, three, four or more, flat braid wires.

[0050] During operation, e.g., while the vehicle is driven, the components 102 may move and/or vibrate, particularly relative to each other so that the grounding device 100 needs to be flexible enough to compensate such movements and/or vibrations without losing contact to the components 102.

[0051] FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 show schematic views of an exemplary grounding device 100, in which the conducting means 106 and the contact elements 108 are integrally formed as a wave spring 112. The wave spring 112 is formed of wound flat wire(s) which is/are formed in wave along a circumferential direction U. The wave spring 112 allows elastic expansion and/or compression in at least two dimensions, e.g., in the axial direction A and in an oblique direction thereof, e.g., such that the wave spring 112 is bend and/or compressed in a direction B substantially orthogonal to the direction A.

[0052] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the wave spring 112 comprises four spring turns 114, and is substantially formed of the flat braid wire assembly 110. The flat braid wire assembly 110 is configured to conduct high frequency current. However, the flat braid wire assembly 110 is prone to mechanical loads, and in particular, to twisting loads. The particularly pre-determined or characteristic and stable form of the wave spring 112 prevents the flat braid wire assembly 110 from being twisted, thereby increasing lifetime of the flat braid wire assembly 110.

[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the wave spring 112 comprises four spring turns 114, and is substantially formed of the flat braid wire assembly 110, which is enclosed by a coating 116. The coating 116 may be made of a metal or a metal alloy, such as spring steel, or may be made of a plastic, such as a reinforced plastic. The coating 116 encloses the flat braid wire assembly 110 entirely (see also FIGS. 4A and 4B), thereby protecting the flat braid wire assembly 110 from external and/or environmental influences, such as water, dust, air etc. In other words, the coating protects the flat braid wire assembly 110 from the environmental influences and therefore, prevents the flat braid wire assembly 110 from corroding. Further, as exemplary shown in FIG. 4B, a sacrificial anode 118 may be enclosed by the coating, thereby reducing, or eliminating the galvanic corrosion, which may occur, particularly in case, the coating is made of metal or metal alloy.

[0054] The example shown in FIG. 5 substantially corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 3, except that the wave spring 112 comprises seven spring turns, which have different diameters, such that the wave spring 112 has a cone-like configuration. Such a cone-like formed wave spring 112 may be used for connecting three components 102 (see FIG. 1B), two of which are arranged on the same side of the grounding device 100 and in contact with a large base 120 of the wave spring 112 and one of which is arranged on another, particularly opposite, side of the grounding device 100 and in contact with the tip 122 of the cone-like wave spring 112. Although not shown in the Figures, it is possible that the wave spring may have other diameter-variable shapes, such as hourglass-shaped, in which the tips of two cones are contacting each other, or a shape having smaller diameters at the axial ends of the wave spring than in the center of the wave spring etc.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of an example of a fixture 124 holding the grounding device 100. The fixture 124 may be casted onto the respective component 102 and provides a groove 126 for accommodating one contact element 108 of the grounding device 100, wherein the contact element 108 is formed as a spring turn 114 of the wave spring 112. The groove 126 has a protruding rim 130, which protrudes towards the contact element 108, when being placed in the groove 126, preventing the contact element 108 from easily falling out of the groove 126. The rim 130 may be sectionally formed, particularly as clamp-like or bracket-like fixtures (see FIG. 7A). Alternatively, the rim 130 may be at least partly formed along the circumference of the groove 126, e.g., as shown in FIG. 7B, particularly to aid in assuring the needed contact area for surface currents.

[0056] FIGS. 7A and 7B each shows a schematic, perspective view of an example of a fixture 124 holding the grounding device 100. The contact element 108 is formed as a spring turn 114 or an outer wave of the wave spring 112, which is placed in the groove 126 (see FIG. 6) formed in the component 102. Further the spring turn 114 is fixed/hold in the groove 126 by two clamp-like or bracket-like fixtures 124 (see FIG. 7A) providing an easy-fit low impedance connection between the spring turn 114 and the respective component 102.

[0057] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the spring turn 114 is hold in the groove 126 by one bracket-like fixture 124, which is formed at least partly circular having legs 128 at respective two ends of the open circle crossing the spring turn and thereby providing a low impedance path between the component 102 and the spring turn 114. The rim 130 and/or the bracket- or clamp-like fixtures 124 may assure a conductive connection between the contact elements 108 and the respective component 102 to provide the low impedance path between the contact elements 108 and the respective component 102.

[0058] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from the study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items or steps recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0059] 100 grounding device [0060] 102 component [0061] 106 first conducting member [0062] 108 contact element [0063] 110 flat braid wire assembly [0064] 112 wave spring [0065] 114 spring turn [0066] 116 coating [0067] 118 sacrificial anode [0068] 120 base [0069] 122 tip [0070] 124 fixture [0071] 126 groove [0072] 128 leg [0073] 130 rim [0074] A axial direction [0075] B direction [0076] U circumferential direction