CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING AN ELECTRIC DEVICE TO ANOTHER ELECTRIC DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device for connecting an electrical apparatus to another electrical apparatus, with a connection by means of which the electrical apparatus can be electrically and/or hydraulically connected to the other electrical apparatus, a connection body that has a plurality of alignment sections that are designed in such a way that during a connection process, the electrical apparatus is aligned with the other electrical apparatus in a plurality of spatial directions in a plurality of steps.

Claims

1.-50. (canceled)

51. A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a module control device for controlling or regulating the battery cells; and at least one connecting device for connecting the battery module to another battery module, including a connection by means of which the battery module can be electrically and/or hydraulically connected to the other battery module, a connection body which has a plurality of alignment sections which are designed in such a way that during a connection process, the battery module is aligned relative to the other battery module in a plurality of spatial directions in a plurality of steps, wherein the connection body is designed in such a way that when the connecting device is moved in a connecting direction in a first step, the battery module can be aligned in a first spatial direction relative to the other battery module and when the connecting device is moved further along the connecting direction in a second step, the battery module can be aligned in a second spatial direction relative to the other battery module and that the connection can only then be electrically and/or hydraulically connected to the other battery module when the battery module and the other battery module are aligned with one another.

52. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein: a. the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction are perpendicular to one another; and b. the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction are perpendicular, to a connection direction of the connecting device.

53. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein: a. the connection body has at least one first alignment section for aligning the battery module relative to the other battery module in a first spatial direction; and b. the connection body has at least one second alignment section for aligning the battery module relative to the other battery module in a second spatial direction.

54. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein the connecting device has a connecting plate for connection in a detachable manner to the battery module.

55. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein at least one rail-shaped projection is arranged on another edge side of the connection body.

56. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein the connection body is hollow and the connection is at least partially arranged within a cavity of the connection body.

57. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein the connection has at least one energy line for transmitting electrical energy and/or at least one data line for transmitting data and/or a fluid line for transmitting fluid.

58. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein the battery module has at least one counter-connecting device for connecting the battery module to another battery module.

59. The battery module according to claim 58, wherein the counter-connecting device has a counter-connection, by means of which the battery module is connected electrically and/or is hydraulically connectable to the connection of a connecting device of another battery module.

60. The battery module according to claim 59, wherein the counter-connecting device has a counter-connection body which is designed in such a way that the counter-connection can only be electrically and/or hydraulically connected to the connection when the battery module and the other battery module are aligned relative to one another.

61. The battery module according to claim 58, wherein the counter-connecting device has a counter-connection body, which is designed in such a way that: a. in a first step, the other battery module can be aligned in a first spatial direction relative to the battery module and in a second step, the other battery module can be aligned in a second spatial direction relative to the battery module; and b. the counter-connection body is designed in such a way that when the counter-connecting device is moved along a connection direction in a first step, the other battery module can be aligned in a first spatial direction relative to the battery module and when the counter-connecting device moves further along the connection direction in a second step, the other battery module can be aligned in a second spatial direction relative to the battery module.

62. The battery module according to claim 61, wherein the counter-connection body has a bulge: a. into which the connection body of the connecting device can be inserted during the connection process; and b. that is complementary in shape to an outer contour of the connection body of the connecting device.

63. The battery module according to claim 58, characterised in that the counter-connecting device has a counter-alignment section for aligning the other battery module relative to the battery module in a second spatial direction.

64. The battery module according to claim 61, including at least one rail-shaped recess arranged on an inner side of the counter-connection body, wherein the rail-shaped recess is designed to complement the rail-shaped projection of the connecting device.

65. The battery module according to claim 59, wherein the counter-connection has at least one power line for transmitting electrical power and/or at least one data line for transmitting data and/or at least one fluid line for transmitting fluid.

66. The battery module according to claim 58, wherein the connecting device and the counter-connecting device are mechanically connected to one another in a detachable manner by means of a connection housing.

67. The battery module according to claim 51, wherein the battery module has a housing which encloses the battery cells, and wherein the connecting device is arranged on a front side of the housing.

68. The battery module according to claim 67, wherein: a. the battery module has a plurality of connecting devices, wherein a first connecting device is arranged on a first end section of the housing and a second connecting device is arranged on a second end section of the housing; and b. the battery module has a plurality of counter-connecting devices, wherein a first counter-connecting device is arranged on a first end section of the housing and a second counter-connecting device is arranged on a second end section of the housing.

69. The battery module according to claim 67, wherein the battery module has at least one support device for another battery module, the support device being detachably connected to the housing.

70. The battery module according to claim 69, wherein the battery module has a plurality of support devices, wherein a first support device has a first plate with a predetermined number of rail-shaped projections and a second support device has a plate with a predetermined different number of rail-shaped projections.

Description

[0149] The subject matter of the invention is shown schematically in the figures, wherein elements that are the same or have the same effect are mostly provided with the same reference symbols. In the figures:

[0150] FIG. 1 shows a connecting device according to a first embodiment from one perspective,

[0151] FIG. 2 shows a connecting device according to the invention according to a first embodiment from a different perspective,

[0152] FIG. 3 shows a counter-connecting device according to a first embodiment from one perspective,

[0153] FIG. 4 shows a counter-connecting device according to a first embodiment from a different perspective,

[0154] FIG. 5 shows an electrical apparatus according to the invention from one perspective,

[0155] FIG. 6 shows an electrical apparatus according to the invention from a different perspective,

[0156] FIG. 7 shows an electrical apparatus according to the invention from a further perspective,

[0157] FIG. 8 shows an apparatus system according to the invention with an electrical apparatus and another electrical apparatus before a connection process,

[0158] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged of a connecting area from FIG. 8,

[0159] FIG. 10 shows the electrical apparatus and the other electrical apparatus in a connected state.

[0160] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a connecting device 1 from different perspectives. By means of the connecting device 1, an electrical apparatus 2, not shown in FIG. 1, can be electrically and mechanically connected to another electrical apparatus 3, not shown in FIG. 1. The connecting device 1 has a connection 4 by means of which the electrical apparatus 2 can be electrically connected to the other electrical apparatus 3. In another embodiment, not shown, a hydraulic connection can be implemented by means of the connection 4 as an alternative or in addition to the electrical connection. In addition, the connecting device 1 has a connection body 5. The connection body 5 has a plurality of alignment sections, namely a first alignment section 6 and a second alignment section 7.

[0161] The alignment sections 6, 7 are designed in such a way that when the two electrical apparatuses 2, 3 are connected, the electrical apparatus 2 is aligned with the other electrical apparatus 3 in a plurality of spatial directions R1, R2 in a plurality of, in particular successive, steps. Since the connecting device 1 is firmly connected with the electrical apparatus 2 to the respective other electrical apparatus 3 and a counter-connecting device 3 shown in FIG. 3, during the connection process of the two electrical apparatuses 2, 3, the connecting device 2 and the counter-connecting device 3 are also aligned relative to each other, as can be seen from FIG. 9.

[0162] The connecting device 1 has a connecting plate 10, by means of which the connecting device 1 can be mechanically firmly connected to the electrical apparatus 2 in a detachable manner. The connection body 5 extends from the connection plate 10 along a connection direction V. The connection direction V corresponds to the direction along which the connecting device 1 is moved during the connection process so that the electrical apparatus 2 is electrically and mechanically connected to the other electrical apparatus 3.

[0163] The connection body 5 has a cavity 13 in which the connection 4 is arranged. The connection 4 has multiple electrical lines. The connection body 5 has a trapezoidal shape, wherein the connection body 5 tapers in cross section in a direction away from the connecting plate 10. In the case of the connecting device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, opposite edge sides of the connection body 5 each have a first alignment section 6 and a second alignment section 7.

[0164] The first alignment section 6 has a bevel in each case. The bevel is arranged on the end of the connection body 6 facing away from the connecting plate 10. The bevel is formed in such a way that the cross section of the connection body 5 decreases along the connecting direction V.

[0165] The same edge side 8 has a second alignment section 7. The second alignment section 7 is designed as a longitudinal groove which partially extends into the first alignment section 6. The connecting device 1 also has a coupling-in section 9 which is designed as a recess. The coupling-in section 9 is arranged on the end of the second alignment section 7 facing away from the connecting plate 10. In particular, the coupling-in section 9 is a recess in the bevel. The coupling-in section 9 has a greater width in the spatial direction R2 than the second alignment section 7.

[0166] The connecting device 1 also has two rail-shaped projections 11. The rail-shaped projections 11 run parallel to one another and extend from another edge side 12 in a direction away from the cavity 13. The rail-shaped projections 11 extend from the connecting plate 10 in the connecting direction V.

[0167] It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the edge side parallel to the other edge side 12 has a latching element 27 which interacts with a latching device not shown in the figures. The latching device has the effect that when the electrical apparatus 2 is in a connected state with the other electrical apparatus 3, one of the two devices can move unintentionally, thus preventing the connection from being released unintentionally.

[0168] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a counter-connecting device 14 from different perspectives. The counter-connecting device 14 has a counter-connection body 16 which has a bulge 17. A counter-connection 15 extends into the bulge 17.

[0169] In addition, the counter-connection body 16 has two wall legs 18 which are designed in such a way that they delimit the bulge 17. A counter-alignment section 20 is arranged on an inner side of each of the wall legs 18. The counter-alignment section 20 extends from the wall section 18 into the bulge 17. In this case, the counter-alignment section 20 is arranged in such a way that it is offset along the connection direction V with respect to an insertion opening 19. During the connection process, the connecting device 1 is inserted into the bulge 17 through the insertion opening 19. The bulge 17 is designed to be complementary in shape to an outer contour of the connecting device 1.

[0170] In addition, the counter-connecting device 14 has two rail-shaped recesses 21 in an area of the counter-connection body 16 that is released by the bulge 17. The rail-shaped recesses 21 are complementary in shape to the rail-shaped projections 11 of the connecting device 1.

[0171] FIGS. 5 to 7 show an electrical apparatus 2 from different perspectives. The electrical apparatus 2 is a battery module that has a plurality of battery cells and a module control device (not shown) for controlling the battery cells. However, the electrical apparatus 2 is not limited to being designed as a battery module.

[0172] The electrical apparatus 2 has a housing 23, the battery cells and the module control device being arranged in a cavity of the housing 23. The electrical apparatus 2 also has two connecting devices 1 according to a second embodiment and two counter-connecting devices 14 according to a second embodiment.

[0173] The connecting device 1 and the counter-connecting device 14 according to the second embodiment differ from the first embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in that the connecting device 1 and the counter-connecting device 14 are firmly connected to each other by means of a connection housing 22. As a result, the connecting device 1, the counter-connecting device 14 and the connecting housing 22 form a structural unit. The embodiment shown in the figures has two such structural units. The electrical apparatus thus has two connecting devices 1 and two counter-connecting devices 14.

[0174] In this case, such a structural unit is arranged on one front side of the housing 23 in each case. The structural unit is detachably connected to the housing 23 in each case. The connecting device 1 and the counter-connecting device 14 are each electrically connected to the battery cells arranged inside the housing 23.

[0175] The electrical apparatus 2 also has a support device 24. The support device 24 has an elongate support element 25 which is arranged on the housing 23. In addition, the support device 24 has a plate 26 which extends from the support element 25 in the connection direction V from the housing 23. The plate 26 forms a wall of the connection body 5 of the connecting device 1. In contrast to the connecting device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting device 1 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 has no other edge side 12.

[0176] Accordingly, the plate 26 also has the rail-shaped projections 11. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the plate 26 has two rail-shaped projections 11. The electrical apparatus 2 also has a further support device 29. The further support device 29 differs from the support device 24 in the design of the plate. The plate of the further support device 29 has only one rail-shaped projection 11, which is not shown in the figures.

[0177] In this case, an end of the connection 4 that is not shown in FIG. 6 is electrically connected to the battery cells arranged in the housing 23. The other end of the connection 4 can be electrically connected to the counter-connection 15 of the counter-connecting device 14. Likewise, an end of the counter-connection 15 not shown in FIG. 7 is electrically connected to the battery cells arranged in the housing 23. The other end of the counter-connection 15 can be connected to the electrical connection 4.

[0178] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the electrical apparatus 2 also has a support section 30 at both ends. The supporting section 30 has a supporting element 28, which is arranged on the housing 23. The support device 24 and the support section 29 are arranged on opposite sides of the housing 23 with respect to the connection direction V.

[0179] When the electrical apparatus 2 is mechanically and electrically connected to another electrical apparatus 3 that is identical to electrical apparatus 2, the supporting element 28 of electrical apparatus 2 rests directly on the support element 25 of the other electrical apparatus 3.

[0180] FIG. 8 shows an apparatus system according to the invention with an electrical apparatus 2 and another electrical apparatus 3 before a connection process. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the electrical apparatus 2 and the other electrical apparatus 3 are identical to one another. The electrical apparatus 2 is positioned above the other electrical apparatus 3. For the mechanical and electrical connection of the two electrical apparatuses, the electrical apparatus 2 and/or the other electrical apparatus 3 are moved along the respective connection direction V. The connection direction V of the electrical apparatus 2 is aligned in the opposite direction to the connection direction V of the other electrical apparatus 3.

[0181] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a connection area of FIG. 8, which is circled in FIG. 8. In particular, part of the counter-connecting device 14 of the electrical apparatus 2 and part of the connecting device 1 of the other electrical apparatus 3 are shown. For mechanical and electrical connection, it is assumed below that the other electrical apparatus 3 is moved along the connection direction V.

[0182] When the other electrical apparatus 3 moves, in a first step of the connection process, the first alignment section 6, in particular the bevel, comes into contact with the wall leg 18 of the counter-connecting device 14. When the other electrical apparatus 3 moves further, the other electrical apparatus 3 is aligned relative to the electrical apparatus 2 along the first spatial direction R1.

[0183] Then, in a second step of the connection process, the other electrical apparatus 3 is moved further along the connection direction V, so that the counter-alignment section 20 of the counter-connecting device 14 penetrates into the coupling-in section 9 of the connecting device 1. The other electrical apparatus 3 is moved further in the connection direction V, so that the counter-alignment section 20 penetrates into the second alignment section 7, in particular the longitudinal groove. As a result, the other electrical apparatus 3 is aligned relative to the first electrical apparatus 2 in the second spatial direction R2.

[0184] The electrical apparatus 2 and the other electrical apparatus 3 are now arranged in such a way that the connection 4 of the connecting device 1 can be electrically connected to the counter-connection 15 of the counter-connecting device 14. For this purpose, the other electrical apparatus 3 is moved further along the connection direction V, with the rail-shaped recess 21 in which the rail-shaped projection 11 engages guiding the movement of the other electrical apparatus 3.

[0185] After the electrical connection 4 has been electrically connected to the counter-connection 15, the electrical apparatus 2 is mechanically and electrically connected to the other electrical apparatus 3. FIG. 10 shows an illustration of the electrical apparatus 2 and the other electrical apparatus 3 in a connected state.

List of Reference Numerals

[0186] 1 Connecting device

[0187] 2 First electrical apparatus

[0188] 3 Second electrical apparatus

[0189] 4 Electrical connection

[0190] 5 Connection body

[0191] 6 First alignment section

[0192] 7 Second alignment section

[0193] 8 Edge side

[0194] 9 Coupling-in section

[0195] 10 Connecting plate

[0196] 11 Rail-shaped projection

[0197] 12 Other edge side

[0198] 13 Cavity

[0199] 14 Counter-connecting device

[0200] 15 Electrical counter-connection

[0201] 16 Counter-connection body

[0202] 17 Bulge

[0203] 18 Wall legs

[0204] 19 Insertion opening

[0205] 20 Counter-alignment section

[0206] 21 Rail-shaped recess

[0207] 22 Connection housing

[0208] 23 Housing

[0209] 24 Support device

[0210] 25 Support element

[0211] 26 Plate

[0212] 27 Latching element

[0213] 28 Supporting element

[0214] 29 Further support device

[0215] 30 Supporting section

[0216] V Connection direction

[0217] R1 First spatial direction

[0218] R2 Second spatial direction