Electrical Disconnecting Device, System Comprising a Disconnecting Device, and Method for Producing a Disconnecting Device

Abstract

An electrical disconnecting device comprising a housing, a first terminal lug (4a) inserted into the housing, a second terminal lug (4b) inserted into the housing, a current path forming between the first and second terminal lugs (4a, 4b) in a closed state, a separation point (6) spatially located between the terminal lugs, the separation point (6) disconnecting the current path between the terminal lugs (4a, 4b) in the separated state, a actuator (8) influencing a separation of the separation point (6), a channel formed in the housing between the actuator (8) and the separation point (6), the actuator closing the channel on a side facing away from the separation point, and a connecting element which is arranged on the side of the actuator facing away from the channel and accommodates at least two electrical connections of the actuator, characterized in that the connecting element accommodates at least two contact elements of a switching path, in that the contact elements are each guided into the channel via connecting webs and are short-circuited to one another in the channel at a connecting point in such a way that, when the actuator is triggered, the connecting point is moved away from the contact elements, so that the connecting webs are mechanically disconnected.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. Electrical disconnecting device comprising: a housing; a first terminal lug inserted into the housing; a second terminal lug inserted into the housing; a separation point forming a current path between the first and second terminal lugs in a closed state and located spatially between the terminal lugs, wherein the separation point separates the current path between the terminal lugs in a separated state; an actuator influencing a disconnection of the separation point; a channel formed in the housing between the actuator and the separation point, the actuator closing the channel on a side facing away from the separation point; and a connecting element arranged on the side of the actuator facing away from the channel, which accommodates at least two electrical connections of the actuator, wherein the connecting element accommodates at least two contact elements of a switching path, the contact elements are each guided into the channel via connecting webs and are short-circuited to one another in the channel at a connecting point, in such a way that when the actuator is triggered, the connecting point is moved away from the contact elements, so that the connecting webs are mechanically disconnected, and wherein the housing is multipart, at least the terminal lugs and the separation point being arranged in a first housing part and the channel being formed at least partially by the first housing part and the connecting element forming a second housing part.

17. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the connecting element accommodates a battery contact, the battery contact is short-circuited to one of the terminal lug via a connecting web.

18. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the connecting element is a plug contact, in particular a plug or a socket.

19. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the connecting element is inserted into the channel, radially sealing the channel.

20. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the connecting element has a through-opening extending in the longitudinal direction, and the actuator is arranged in the through-opening, radially sealing the through-opening.

21. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein a flowable medium, in particular a gel-like medium, is arranged in the channel between the actuator and the separation point, and wherein the medium flows around the separation point immediately upon separation of the latter.

22. Electrical separation device according to claim 16, wherein the terminals, the contact elements and/or the battery contact are arranged as contact pins within the connection element.

23. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, further comprising a bolt movable along the channel arranged between the actuator and the separation point in the channel, and wherein the connecting point is arranged on the bolt in a form-fitting manner.

24. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 23, wherein the bolt has a radial recess, in particular a groove, and in that the connecting point is arranged in the recess, and in that the connecting webs are arranged at an angle to the recess, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the channel on the housing.

25. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the contact elements and the connecting point are installed in the connection element independently of one another, and in that the contact elements and the connecting point are connected to one another after being installed in the connection element.

26. Electrical disconnecting device according to claim 16, wherein the actuator is a pyrotechnic ignition pellet.

27. A system comprising a disconnecting device according to claim 16 and at least two automotive battery cables, wherein a first battery cable is connected to the terminal lug and a second battery cable is connected to the second terminal lug.

28. A method of manufacturing a disconnecting device comprising: inserting a first terminal lug and a second terminal lug into a housing, wherein a separation point is spatially located between the terminal lugs and the terminal lugs form a current path in a closed state; inserting an actuator causing a separation of the separation point into the housing, such that the actuator closes a channel formed in the housing between the actuator and the separation point on a side facing away from the separation point; and arranging connections of the actuator in a connecting element on the side facing away from the channel; arranging at least two contact elements of a switching path is in the connecting element, wherein the contact elements are each guided into the channel via connecting webs and are short-circuited to one another in the channel at a connecting point, and the connecting point is arranged on the actuator such that, when the actuator is triggered, the connecting point is moved away from the contact elements, so that the connecting webs are mechanically disconnected, and wherein the housing is multipart, at least the terminal lugs and the separation point are arranged in a first housing part and the channel is formed at least partially by the first housing part and the connecting element is provided as second housing part.

29. Method according to claim 28, further comprising forming the contact elements and/or the battery contact from a common stamped grid, the stamped grid being at least partially separated after being arranged in the connecting element.

Description

[0057] In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing embodiments. In the drawing show:

[0058] FIG. 1a an exploded view of a disconnecting device according to an embodiment;

[0059] FIG. 1b an exploded view of a disconnecting device according to a further embodiment;

[0060] FIG. 2 a view of a plug-in contact on a connecting element according to an embodiment;

[0061] FIG. 3 a longitudinal section through a disconnecting device according to an embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 4a-h process steps for assembling a subject disconnecting device according to an embodiment;

[0063] FIG. 5a, b a horizontal longitudinal section through a disconnecting device according to an embodiment;

[0064] FIG. 6 a punching grid according to an embodiment;

[0065] FIG. 7 a longitudinal section through a disconnecting device according to an embodiment.

[0066] FIG. 1a shows an exploded view of a disconnecting device 2. The disconnecting device 2 comprises a first housing element 2a and a connecting element 2b formed as a second housing element. As will be shown below, the housing elements 2a, b are plugged together.

[0067] A channel 4 may be formed in the first housing element 2a. The channel 4 may be bounded on one side by terminal lug 6a, b. On the other side of the channel 4, the connecting element 2b can be inserted into the first housing element 2a in a form-fitting manner, thus closing the channel 4.

[0068] An outer circumferential surface of the connecting element 2b is congruent with a receiving volume on the channel 4. A sealing element 8, for example an O-ring, can be provided on the connecting element 2b to close the channel 4. A punched grid 10 may be provided in or on the connecting element 2b. On the one hand, the punched grid 10 has two contact elements 12a, b and two connecting webs 14a, b.

[0069] On the other hand, the punched grid 10 has a battery contact 16 with a connecting web 18. The connecting webs 14a, b, 18 are still connected to each other in the punching grid, but are subsequently separated, as will be shown. The connecting web 18 has a terminal lug 18a for connection to the terminal lug 6a.

[0070] The connecting element 2b has an opening on the side facing the channel 4, into which an actuator 20 with a pyrotechnic actuator 20a and a bolt 20b can be inserted. For sealing the inner volume of the connecting element 2b with respect to the channel 4, another sealing element 22, for example an O-ring, may be provided.

[0071] For connecting the contact elements 12a, b to each other, a connecting point 24 is provided, for example as a contact bridge, wire bridge or the like, which may also be formed as a stamped grid. This junction 24 may be angularly shaped and engaged with a groove 26 of the bolt 20b, as will be shown below.

[0072] A lid 28 is provided to close the housing. Lid 28, first housing member 2a and connecting member 2b may each be a separate injection molded part. The materials of the injection molded parts may be different, for example, an impact resistance of the material of the first housing member 2a may be greater than that of the connecting member 2b. The impact resistance of the cover 28 may preferably be in accordance with the impact resistance of the first housing element 2a.

[0073] On one hand, the pyrotechnic actuator 20a may receive the bolt 20b and point in the direction of the channel 4 in the inserted state. On a side facing away from the bolt 20b, the pyrotechnic actuator 20a has connections 30a, b. When the pyrotechnic actuator 20a is inserted into an opening of the connecting element 2b, the connections 30a, b can be pushed through a center wall and end in a bushing-shaped receptacle 32 of the connecting element 2b.

[0074] The contact elements 12a, b as well as the battery contact 16 can be guided through the outer lateral surface of the connection element 2b and also end in the socket-shaped receptacle 32. The bushing-shaped receptacle 32 of the connection element 2b is shown in a top view in FIG. 2.

[0075] FIG. 1b shows an alternative embodiment. A punched grid 10 may be provided in or on the connecting element 2b. On the one hand, the punching grid 10 has two contact elements 12a, b and two connecting webs 14a, b. On the other hand, the punched grid 10 has a battery contact 16 with a connecting web 18. The connecting webs 14a, b, 18 are still connected to each other in the punching grid, but are subsequently separated, as will be shown. The connecting web 18 has a terminal lug 18a for connection to the terminal lug 6a.

[0076] In contrast to FIG. 1a, the contact elements 12a, b are formed integrally with the connecting point 24. This connecting point 24 may initially be bent upwardly away from the connection element 2b, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 1b. After the actuator 20 has been inserted into the connecting element 2b, the joint 24 may be bent downwardly to contact the bolt 20b, as shown by the dashed lines.

[0077] In further contrast to FIG. 1a, in FIG. 1b the terminal lug is formed in a wave-shaped, s-shaped or otherwise bent in the longitudinal direction by at least two radii. In this way, tolerance compensation and elasticity can be established between the connecting web 18 on the one hand and the terminal lug 6a on the other hand.

[0078] The punched grid 10 is shown again in FIG. 6. Here, too, the wave form of the terminal lug 18a can be clearly seen.

[0079] The actuator 20 also has an actuator 20a in FIG. 1b. As in the configuration shown in FIG. 1a, the bolt 20b may be sleeved around the actuator 20a, partially receiving the actuator 20a. However, in contrast to FIG. 1, the bolt 20b may be formed without a groove 26 at its end face. For signal separation, the connecting point 24 is applied directly to the end face of the bolt 20b in the installed state.

[0080] In FIG. 7, it can be seen that in the installed state, the connecting point 24 is in contact with the end face of the bolt 20 and is not “trapped” in a groove.

[0081] FIG. 2 shows the connection element 2b with the socket-shaped receptacle 32, where it can be seen that the terminals 30a, b the contact elements 12a, b and the battery contact 16 are arranged as contact pins. The spatial arrangement with respect to each other can be selected as desired.

[0082] Furthermore, it can be seen that the socket-shaped receptacle 32 is closed off by an internal center wall 34 in the through-opening of the connection element 2b. When reference is made here to a through opening, it is meant that an opening extends through the connecting element 2b which is interrupted by the center wall 34. In the center wall 34 are openings for at least the terminals 30a, b and additionally the contact elements 12a, b and/or the battery contact 16, so that the center wall 34 is pierced. For this reason, since the center wall 34 is not completely closed, the sealing element 22 is provided, which seals the actuator 2 and prevents gas from escaping from the channel 4 in the direction of the bushing-shaped receptacle 32 at the moment of disconnection.

[0083] FIG. 3 shows a disconnecting device 2 in a longitudinal section. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the connecting element 2b has the bushing-shaped receptacle 32 on one side and a receptacle 36 for the actuator 20 on the other side. The receptacle 36 is separated from the bushing-shaped receptacle 32 by the center wall 34. Passing through the wall 34 are the ports 30a, b.

[0084] Through the longitudinal section it can be seen that the connecting element 2b has an inner receiving volume, in particular in the region of the bushing-shaped receiving 32. This volume is circumscribed by an outer lateral surface of the connecting element 2b. Running through the outer lateral surface are parts of the punched grid 10, so that the wires of the punched grid 10 are arranged, on the one hand, in the bushing-shaped receptacle 32 and, on the other hand, running in the longitudinal direction of the connecting element 2b on the outer lateral surface. In the longitudinal extension direction of the wires of the punching grid 10, the connecting point 24 is provided. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the connecting point 24 projects beyond the connecting member 2b at the end face and is in engagement with the groove 26 of the bolt 20b.

[0085] FIG. 5a, b shows a horizontal longitudinal section through a disconnecting device 2. The actuator 20 with the pyrotechnic actuator 20a and the bolt 20b can be seen. The pyrotechnic actuator 20a and the bolt 20b are arranged on the side of the center wall 34 of the receiving volume of the connecting element 2b facing the channel 4. The receiving volume is closed off from the channel 4 by the sealing element 22. Protruding through the center wall 34 are the connections 30a, b, which are formed as connection pins in the bushing-shaped receptacle 32.

[0086] In the longitudinal direction of the duct 4 on the side of the duct 4 opposite the bolt 20b, the terminal lugs 6a, b extend towards each other and are connected to each other via a separation point 38.

[0087] FIG. 5b shows the disconnecting device 2 according to FIG. 5a in the released state. The bolt 20b is accelerated in the direction of the separation point 38 by an electrical ignition of the pyrotechnic actuator 20a and the terminal lugs 6a, b are separated from each other at the separation point 38 and torn apart. The terminal lug 6a, b pivot away from the bolt 20b into a receiving volume 44, with a web 40 being provided in the receiving volume 44 that is located in the area that forms the gap of the terminal lug 6a, b when separated. Arc quenching is effected by this web 40. The web 40 may be in direct contact with the separation point 38 or longitudinally spaced therefrom.

[0088] In addition, a liquid or pasty medium, in particular an arc-quenching medium, is provided in the channel 4 in order to quench the arc formed between the terminal lugs 6a, b when they are separated under load, immediately upon separation.

[0089] In the following figures, the assembly of a disconnecting device 2 is described in the individual steps.

[0090] FIG. 4a shows the assembly of the terminal lugs 6a, b with each other. The terminal lugs 6a, b may be formed as forgings or as stamped bent surfaces. The terminal lugs 6a, b have an L-shaped profile both in cross-section and in longitudinal section. The terminal lugs 6a, b can be formed, for example, as bent flat parts or sheets. In this case, the terminal lugs 6a, b can be provided with connection bolts or through holes (shown in FIG. 4a). In a region in which the terminal lugs 6a, b project from the first housing element 2a in the assembled state, the terminal lugs 6a, b can run in a plane to be described as horizontal, preferably parallel to one another. In particular, the terminal lugs 6a, b run in the same plane. Subsequently, the terminal lugs 6a, b are bent in the direction of their surface normals in an area that is already located in the first housing element 2a and then run parallel to one another in a plane that can be described as vertical.

[0091] Finally, one leg of each of the terminal lugs 6a, b again runs parallel to the surface normal of the legs running in the vertical plane and there the legs of the terminal lugs 6a, b run towards each other and are connected to each other in the region of the separation point 38. This can be done by means of a soldered joint, a welded joint, an adhesive joint or the like.

[0092] In addition to the terminal lugs 6a, b, the first housing part 2a is formed as shown in FIG. 4b. In this regard, the first housing part 2a may be formed as an injection molded part. The first housing member 2a may form a channel 4 extending from an end face of the first housing member 2a toward the separation point 38. The first housing element 2a may provide receptacles for the terminal lugs 6a, b such that the terminal lugs 6a, b may be inserted into these receptacles when connected. On the side of the terminal lugs 6a, b facing away from the channel 4, a receiving volume 44 is formed in the first housing element 2a. Centrally of the receiving volume 44, the web 40 points in the direction of the separation point.

[0093] The punched grid 10 may be formed as shown in FIG. 4c. The punched grid 10 may be formed of three legs, two legs extending parallel to each other and a central leg connecting these two parallel legs. On a first leg, the punched grid 10 has the contact elements 12a, b and the battery contact 16. These three elements, formed as pins, are connected via a central leg, which runs perpendicular to the first leg, to a further leg, which also runs perpendicular to the central leg. The connecting webs 14a, b and the connecting web 18 are formed on the further leg. On the connecting web 18 is a terminal lug 18a, which will be used for connection to the terminal lug 6a.

[0094] The webs 14a, b, 18 are still electrically conductively connected to one another in the punched grid 10, but this electrically conductive connection is severed in the further course of assembly so that the contact elements 12a, b and the battery contact 16 are electrically isolated from one another.

[0095] The stamped grid 10 can also be shaped as shown in FIG. 6.

[0096] FIG. 4d shows the connection element 2b. The connection element 2b has the bushing-shaped receptacle 32. To produce the connection element 2b, the stamped grid 10 can be overmolded with a plastic so that the shape of the connection element 2b is formed and the stamped grid 10 is enclosed therein. It can be seen that the webs 14a, b, 18 extend along the outer lateral surface of the connecting element 2b, in particular along the longitudinal axis. The terminal lug 18 protrudes from the connecting element 2b.

[0097] FIG. 4e shows the connecting element 2b. It can be seen that the conductive connections between the webs 14a, b, 18 are electrically insulated from each other. This can be done by using openings 15 by means of drilling, milling or laser to break the connection between the wires of the punched grid 10. The outer lateral surface of the connection element 2b is perforated in the area of the end facing in the channel 4 and is provided with receptacles 23 for the connecting point 24 formed as a wire bridge.

[0098] FIG. 4f shows the connecting point 24 formed as a wire bridge, which can also be formed as a punched grid. If the stamped grid 10 is formed as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting point 24 may be formed integrally therewith.

[0099] FIG. 4g shows the connecting element 2b with the pyrotechnic actuator 20a inserted. It can be seen that the pyrotechnic actuator 20a is received in the receiving volume of the connecting element 2b and its connections 30a, b are guided into the bushing-shaped receptacle 32. In the receptacle 23, the connecting point 24 may be inserted or bent in, but this may also be done in a later step.

[0100] FIG. 4h shows how the connecting element 2b is inserted into the first housing element 2a. The two housing elements 2a, b close the channel 4.

[0101] Then, as shown in FIG. 4i, the connecting point 24 can be provided, which is inserted or bent into the receptacle 23 on the connection element 2b. The receptacle 23 may be provided with alignment pins so that the jumper 24 is properly mounted therein and aligned with the webs 14a, b.

[0102] The webs 14a, b may then be soldered or welded to the connector 24. Simultaneously, or staggered with respect thereto, the terminal lug 18a may be welded or soldered to the terminal lug 6a.

[0103] Finally, as shown in FIG. 4j, the cover 28 is placed on the housing elements 2a, b so that the channel 4 is completely closed. A pasty, liquid or gaseous medium can be filled into the channel 4 through filling openings 28a. These filling openings can then be closed and the disconnecting device 2 is completely assembled.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0104] 2 disconnecting device [0105] 2a first housing element [0106] 2b connecting element [0107] 4 channel [0108] 6a, b terminal lugs [0109] 8 sealing element [0110] 10 punched grid [0111] 12a, b contact elements [0112] 14a, b connecting bars [0113] 15 opening [0114] 16 battery contact [0115] 18 connecting bar [0116] 18a terminal lug [0117] 20 actuator [0118] 20a pyrotechnic actuator [0119] 20b bolt [0120] 22 sealing element [0121] 23 mounting [0122] 24 joint [0123] 26 groove [0124] 28 cover [0125] 30a, b connections [0126] 32 female receptacle [0127] 34 center wall [0128] 36 receptacles [0129] 38 separation point [0130] 40 bar [0131] 44 receiving volume