ARRANGEMENT FOR PLUG CONNECTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

Abstract

An arrangement for plug connecting electrical connections through a housing, particularly a device for driving a compressor. The arrangement includes a first plug connection having first plug connectors and a second plug connection having second plug connectors for transmitting electrical energy in independent transmitting ranges and a receiving element for receiving plug connectors. The receiving element having first plug connectors of the first plug connection and second plug connectors of the second plug connection is thereby implemented as an integral and cohesive unit and one-piece component.

Claims

1.-27. (canceled)

28. An arrangement for plug connecting electrical connections through a housing, particularly a device for driving a compressor, comprising: a first plug connection having first plug connectors; a second plug connection having second plug connectors for transmitting electrical energy in independent transmitting ranges; and a receiving element for receiving the first plug connector and the second plug connectors, wherein the receiving element having the first plug connectors of the first plug connection and the second plug connectors of the second plug connection is implemented as an integral and cohesive unit and one-piece component.

29. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors are each a straight pin.

30. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors are each disposed within a feedthrough implemented in the receiving element.

31. The arrangement according to claim 30, wherein each of the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors within the feedthrough is entirely enclosed by the receiving element and is hermetically sealed to the receiving element.

32. The arrangement according to claim 30, wherein the receiving element is a cohesive unit and one-piece component having the feedthroughs.

33. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the first plug connection has two of the first plug connectors.

34. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein that the second plug connection has three of the second plug connectors.

35. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the receiving element of the first plug connection and the second plug connection has a sealing element acting in a radial direction and fully enclosing the receiving element in a radial direction and disposed between the housing and the receiving element.

36. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the receiving element of the first plug connection and the second plug connection has a sealing element acting in an axial direction and disposed between the housing and the receiving element.

37. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the receiving element can be fixed to the housing.

38. The arrangement according to claim 37, wherein the receiving element further comprises feedthrough openings for receiving fasteners, wherein each of the fasteners passes through one of the feedthrough opening.

39. The arrangement according to claim 28, wherein an interlock connection configured as an electrical lock is implement and electrically conductively connected to the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors of the first plug connection and the second plug connection.

40. The arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the interlock connection is fixed to the receiving element.

41. The arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the interlock connection is integrated within the receiving element at least in some areas in an assembled state.

42. The arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the receiving element further comprises formed elements corresponding to an outer shape of the interlock connection.

43. The arrangement according to claim 42 wherein the formed elements are implemented on a side of the receiving element aligned to the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors and in a volume enclosed by the housing.

44. The arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the interlock connection is formed from busbars for electrically connecting each of the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors.

45. The arrangement according to claim 44, wherein the busbars of the interlock connection are disposed in pairs.

46. The arrangement according to claim 44, wherein the busbars of the interlock connection are each implemented having a U shape, wherein legs of the busbars implemented in a U shape are configured for electrically contacting each of the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors.

47. A device for driving the compressor of a fluid in a vapor state, particularly an electric motor, comprising the housing and a stator and a rotor disposed extending along a common longitudinal axis, wherein a connection arrangement is implemented for feeding in electrical energy to the stator having the arrangement for plug connecting electrical connections through the housing according to claim 28.

48. The device according to claim 47, wherein the connection arrangement is implemented at a first end face of the stator facing in an axial direction.

49. A method for assembling the arrangement for plug connecting electrical connections through the housing according to claim 47, the method comprising steps of: inserting the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors of the first plug connection and the second plug connection into the receiving element implemented as a cohesive unit and one-piece component, and hermetically sealingly connecting the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors to the receiving element, preassembling an interlock connection on the receiving element, wherein the interlock connection is electrically conductively coupled to the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors; and inserting the arrangement into the housing, wherein the receiving element is disposed contacting the housing and hermetically sealing off the housing by means of sealing elements.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the interlock connection is placed in formed elements implemented in the receiving element and fixed in place.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the arrangement is inserted into the housing through a feedthrough opening implemented in the housing with the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors aligned in an axial direction leading.

52. The method according to claim 49, wherein free ends of the first plug connectors and the second plug connectors disposed distal to the receiving element are electrically connected to a circuit board.

53. The method according to any one of the claim 49, wherein the arrangement is fixedly connected to the housing in a region of the receiving element, wherein fasteners are inserted into the housing through feedthrough openings implemented in the receiving element.

54. A use of a device according to claim 47 for driving the compressor, particularly the electric motor, for compressing the fluid in the vapor state, for the compressor of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Further details, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention are evident from the following description of embodiment examples with reference to the associated drawings. In the drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1: a section view of an electrically driven compressor having an electric motor as a device for driving a compressing mechanism,

[0043] FIG. 2: a side view of an arrangement for plug connecting electrical connections of an electric motor as a device for driving a compressor of a fluid in the vapor state having separately implemented plug connectors from the prior art, and

[0044] FIG. 3: a side view, plan view, and perspective view of a first plug connection of the arrangement for plug connecting from FIG. 2,

[0045] FIG. 4: a side view, plan view, and perspective view of a second plug connection of the arrangement for plug connecting from FIG. 2,

[0046] FIGS. 5A to 5E: a side view, plan view, perspective view, and perspective exploded view of an arrangement according to the invention for plug connecting,

[0047] FIG. 6A: a perspective exploded view of the arrangement for plug connecting from FIGS. 5A to 5E in combination with the housing of the compressor and a circuit board,

[0048] FIG. 6B: a detail perspective view of the housing of the compressor having a feedthrough opening for installing the arrangement for plug connecting,

[0049] FIG. 6C: a perspective view of the arrangement for plug connecting in combination with a guide element disposed within the housing,

[0050] FIG. 6D: a perspective view of the arrangement for plug connecting in the state of having been inserted into the housing,

[0051] FIGS. 6E and 6F: a perspective view and side view of the arrangement for plug connecting in combination with the circuit board, and

[0052] FIGS. 6G and 6H: a perspective view of the arrangement for plug connecting in the state of having been inserted into the housing, with and without the circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0053] FIG. 1 depicts a section view of an electrically driven compressor 1 having an electric motor 3 disposed in a housing 2 as a device for driving a compressing mechanism 4. The electric motor 3 is supplied with power by means of a switch device 5.

[0054] The electric motor 3 comprises a stator 6 having a substantially hollow cylindrical stator core and windings wound on the stator core, and a rotor 7 disposed within the stator 6. The rotor 7 is induced to a rotary motion when the coils of the stator 6 are supplied with electrical power by means of a connection arrangement 8. The connection arrangement 8 is implemented at an end face of the stator 6 and comprises a plurality of electrical connections.

[0055] A support element 9 for holding connections having components of electrical connections between the coils of the electric motor 3 and the switch device 5 is disposed on the end face of the stator 1 having the connection arrangement 8. The connections are implemented having electrically conductive, pin-shaped plug connectors for electrically conductively connecting connection lines of the coils to elements of the switch device 5.

[0056] The rotor 7 is disposed coaxially within the stator 6 and rotatable about an axis of rotation. A drive shaft 10 can be implemented as integral to the rotor 7 or as a separate element.

[0057] The electric motor 3 and the compressing mechanism 4 implemented as a scroll compressor having a stationary and an orbiting spiral are disposed within a volume enclosed by the housing 2. The housing 2 is thereby implemented as a first housing element for receiving the electric motor 3 and a second housing element for receiving the compressing mechanism 4 and preferably made of a metal, particularly of aluminum.

[0058] The orbiting spiral of the compressing mechanism 4 in which the fluid in the vapor state, particularly a refrigerant, is compressed is driven by the drive shaft 10 connected to the rotor 7 of the electric motor 3. According to an embodiment, not shown, the compressing mechanism can also be implemented having a swashplate.

[0059] The switch device 5 for controlling the operation of the electric motor 3 comprises a circuit board 12 implemented having various circuit elements 11 and sockets. Various actuating circuits and components are mounted in an electrically connected manner on the circuit board 12 and are supplied with electrical power from a power line of an external power source. The sockets serve particularly for receiving plug connectors as an electrical connection between the plug connectors and the circuit board.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an arrangement 20′ for plug connecting an electric motor as a device for driving a compressor of a fluid in the vapor state having separately implemented and therefore separate from each other plug connectors 21′, 22′ from the prior art. FIG. 3 thereby depicts a side view, a plan view, and a perspective view of a first plug connection 21′ of the arrangement 20′ for plug connecting from FIG. 2, whereas FIG. 4 depicts a side view, a plan view, and a perspective view as well of a second plug connection 22′ of the arrangement 20′ for plug connecting from FIG. 2.

[0061] The arrangement 20′ for plug connecting the electrical connections of the electric motor is implemented having the first plug connection 21′ for connections for transmitting electrical power in a low-voltage range and the second plug connection 22′ for connections for transmitting electrical power in a high-voltage range.

[0062] Each plug connection 21′, 22′ comprises a receiving element 23a′, 23b′ for receiving plug connectors 24, 25, wherein the first plug connection 21′ has a first receiving element 23a′ for receiving first plug connectors 24 for transmitting electrical power in the low-voltage range and the second plug connection 22′ has a second receiving element 23b′ for receiving second plug connectors 25 for transmitting electrical power in the high-voltage range. The plug connectors 24, 25 are each inserted into the receiving element 23a′, 23b′ inside a feedthrough 26, 27 and disposed passing through the receiving element 23a′, 23b′.

[0063] Each receiving element 23a′, 23b′ of the plug connections 21′, 22′ is further implemented having a first sealing element 28a′, 28b′ acting in the radial direction and a second sealing element 29a′, 29b′ acting in the axial direction and ensuring hermetic sealing of regions of the compressor exposed to refrigerant.

[0064] The receiving elements 23a′, 23b′ are each connected to the housing by means of four fasteners, such as screws. Each screw is thereby disposed passing through a feedthrough opening 30′ implemented in the receiving element 23a′, 23b′.

[0065] The arrangement 20′ thereby comprises the two separately assembled plug connectors 21′, 22′ implemented overall having at least eight fasteners, particularly screws, and four sealing elements 28a′, 28b′, 29a′, 29b′, particularly two first sealing elements 28a′, 28b′ acting in the radial direction and two second sealing elements 29a′, 2b′ acting in the axial direction and thus having a plurality of components.

[0066] The radial and axial directions indicated are relative to the alignment of the plug connectors 24, 25 aligned substantially parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction in each case. The longitudinal direction of the plug connectors 24, 25 thereby also corresponds to the axial direction of the plug connectors 21′, 22′. The radial direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the plug connector 24, 25 in each case, and thus aligned to the axial direction of the plug connectors 21′, 22′.

[0067] An interlock connection 31′ implemented as an electrical lock is further implemented between the first plug connection 21′ and the second plug connection 22′ for controlling the transmitting of electrical power in the low-voltage range and in the high-voltage range. The interlock connection 31′ comprises at least two electrically conductive connecting lines 32′ electrically conductively coupled at the ends thereof to the plug connections 21′, 22′ by means of separate connections.

[0068] The interlock connection 31′ as a power line connection particularly enables switching off the high-voltage range whenever an electrical connection within the high-voltage range is unintentionally interrupted. The interlock connection 31′ thus fulfills a safety-related function of the arrangement 20′ by means of early interruption of the power circuit.

[0069] After the plug connectors 21′, 22′ have been assembled, the connecting lines 32′ of the interlock connection 31 are routed freely and each electrically connected to the ends of the line connectors by means of the plug connections 21′, 22′. The connecting lines 32′ are further fixed on the housing or on the circuit board by means of a fastening means, particularly an adhesive.

[0070] The arrangement 20′ having the plug connections 21′, 22′ and a high number of components having complex structures require both a large installation space and a long installation time.

[0071] FIGS. 5A to 5E show a side view, plan views, perspective view, and perspective exploded view of an arrangement 20 according to the invention for plug connecting.

[0072] The arrangement 20 is implemented as an integral component combining in one common receiving element 23 the first plug connection 21 for transmitting electrical power in the low-voltage range and the second plug connection 22 for transmitting electrical power in the high-voltage range. The first plug connection 21 and the second plug connection 22 thereby comprise a common receiving element 23 for receiving the first plug connector 24 and the second plug connector 25.

[0073] The plug connectors 24, 25 each having the shape of a straight pin are each inserted into the receiving element 23 inside a feedthrough 26, 27 and disposed passing through the receiving element 23. Each plug connector 24, 25 is thereby completely enclosed by a feedthrough 26, 27 within the receiving element 23 of the arrangement 20 and thus disposed hermetically sealed relative to the receiving element 23. Each feedthrough 26, 27 represents one component or a region of the receiving element 23. The receiving element 23 is thereby preferably implemented as a cohesive unit and one-piece component having the feedthroughs 26, 27, particularly as a one-piece injection molded element. The one-piece implementation is achieved within a forming process.

[0074] The receiving element 23 of the plug connections 21, 22 is further implemented having a first sealing element 28 acting in the radial direction and a second sealing element 29 acting in the axial direction and ensuring hermetic sealing of regions of the compressor exposed to refrigerant. In addition to the plug connectors 24, 25 disposed within the feedthroughs 26, 27 and fed through the housing toward the outside to the inverter or the circuit board, the receiving element 23 itself is hermetically sealed with respect to the housing in order to ensure that refrigerant and/or oil flowing in the compressor does not escape to the environment and cause short circuits or damage in the inverter, particularly to the components disposed on the circuit board of the inverter. The sealing elements 28, 29 are preferably each made of a duromer.

[0075] The receiving element 23 is connected to the housing by means of six fasteners, such as screws of screw connections. Each fastener, that is, each screw is thereby disposed passing through a feedthrough opening 30 implemented in the receiving element 23.

[0076] The arrangement 20 according to the invention thus comprises a receiving element 23 having the two plug connections 21, 22 and having a maximum of six fasteners, particularly screws, and two sealing elements 28, 29, particularly a first sealing element 28 acting in the radial direction and a second sealing element 29 acting in the axial direction, and thus is implemented having a minimal number of components.

[0077] An interlock connection 31 implemented as an electrical lock between the first plug connection 21 and the second plug connection for controlling the transmitting of electrical power in the low-voltage range and in the high-voltage range comprises busbars. The busbars disposed in pairs and each implemented having a U-shape are disposed within the receiving element 23 in the assembled state. The legs of the U-shaped busbars are thereby configured for electrically contacting each of the plug connectors 24, 25. The busbars of the interlock connection 31 are preferably implemented as stamped and formed sheet metal components.

[0078] The receiving element 23 comprises formed elements corresponding to the shapes of the busbars on a side aligned to the plug connectors 24, 25 and thus in the volume enclosed by the housing. The individual busbars of the interlock connection 31 can thus each be integrated within the formed elements implemented in the receiving element 23. The busbars are placed and fixed in the formed elements of the receiving element 23.

[0079] By placing the busbars in the formed elements of the receiving element 23, particularly by clipping in the desired position, the busbars are brought into electrical contact with the corresponding plug connectors 24, 25 and electrically conductive connections are simultaneously produced between the corresponding plug connectors 24, 25 and the plug connections 21, 22 are electrically conductively coupled.

[0080] The busbars of the interlock connection 31 are preassembled within the receiving element 23. The arrangement 20 is then inserted into the housing of the compressor.

[0081] FIG. 6A shows a perspective exploded view of the arrangement 20 according to the invention for plug connecting in combination with the housing 2 of the compressor and the circuit board 12.

[0082] The arrangement 2 combining the first plug connection 21 for transmitting electrical power in the low-voltage range and the second plug connection 22 for transmitting electrical power in the high-voltage range in one common receiving element is inserted into the housing 2 during assembly, having the plug connectors 24, 25 disposed aligned in the axial direction leading in the direction of motion 33. The arrangement 20 having the sealing elements 28, 29 and the preassembled busbars of the interlock connection 31 is thereby passed through a feedthrough opening 34 implemented in the housing 2 with the plug connectors 24, 25 leading. Sockets 35 for receiving the plug connectors 24, 25 are provided on the circuit board 12.

[0083] In the assembled state, the first sealing element 28 makes contact in the radial direction within the feedthrough opening 34 between the receiving element 23 and the housing 2, whereas the second sealing element 29 is disposed completely about the feedthrough opening 34 between the receiving element 23 and the housing 2 in the axial direction of motion 33. The arrangement of the sealing elements 28, 29 on the housing 2 is particularly evident from FIG. 6B, showing a detail perspective view of the housing 2 of the compressor having the feedthrough opening 34 for installing the arrangement 20 for plug connecting.

[0084] During assembly of the arrangement 20 within the feedthrough opening 34, the plug connectors 24, 25 are passed through a guide element 36 disposed within the housing 2 according to FIGS. 6B and 6C depict a perspective view of the arrangement 20 for plug connecting in combination with the guide element 36. The guide element 36 is configured in the form of individual funnels guiding the plug connectors 24, 25 into the sockets 35 provided on the circuit board 12 when inserting, each having a clear cross section of about 2.8 mm×0.8 mm, thus facilitating assembly of the arrangement 20.

[0085] The arrangement 20 is inserted into the housing 2 into the feedthrough opening 34 until the receiving element 23 makes contact with the housing 2, particularly with the second sealing element 29 disposed between the housing 2 and the receiving element 23, as can be seen in FIG. 6D as well. In the state shown in FIG. 6D showing a perspective view of the arrangement 20 for plug connecting in the state inserted into the housing 2, the arrangement 20 is fixedly connected to the housing 2 in the region of the receiving element 23. Fasteners, such as screws of screw connections, are thereby particularly inserted through the feedthrough openings 30 implemented in the receiving element 23 into the housing 2 and connected by forming screw connections. The arrangement 20 is thereby fixedly connected to the housing 2 in the region of the receiving element 23. The housing 2 is also hermetically sealed off by means of the sealing elements 28, 29 due to the implementation of the arrangement 20.

[0086] During assembly of the arrangement 20, the plug connectors 24, 25 are inserted into the sockets 35 provided on the circuit board 12 according to FIG. 6A and FIGS. 6E to 6H having the free ends thereof disposed distally to the receiving element 23 in the direction of motion 33, and thus produce electrical connections of the plug connector 24, 25 and the circuit board 12 or a component disposed on the circuit board 12. A perspective view and a side view of the arrangement 20 for plug connecting in combination with the circuit board 12 is depicted in FIGS. 6E and 6F, while FIGS. 6G and 6H show a perspective view of the arrangement 20 in the state inserted into the housing 2, with and without the circuit board 12.

[0087] Each socket 35 is implemented having a hollow cylindrical wall extending in an axial direction or in the direction of motion 33 and protruding from the circuit board 12 for receiving a plug connector 24, 25. The wall of each socket 35 is thus implemented having an end face facing toward the receiving element 23 in the axial direction for receiving a plug connector 24, 25.

REFERENCE LIST

[0088] 1 compressor [0089] 2 housing [0090] 3 electric motor [0091] 4 compressing mechanism [0092] 5 switch device [0093] 6 stator having stator core [0094] 7 rotor [0095] 8 connection arrangement [0096] 9 support element [0097] 10 drive shaft [0098] 11 switching element [0099] 12 circuit board [0100] 20, 20′ arrangement [0101] 21, 21′ first low-voltage plug connection [0102] 22, 22′ second high-voltage plug connection [0103] 23 receiving element for plug connections 21, 22 [0104] 23a′ first receiving element for first plug connection 21′ [0105] 23b′ second receiving element for second plug connection 22′ [0106] 24 first plug connector for first plug connection 21, 21′ [0107] 25 second plug connector for second plug connection 22, 22′ [0108] 26 feedthrough for first plug connector 24 [0109] 27 feedthrough for second plug connector 25 [0110] 28 first sealing element for receiving element for plug connectors 21, [0111] 28a′ first sealing element for first receiving element 23a′ [0112] 28b′ first sealing element for second receiving element 23b′ [0113] 29 second sealing element for receiving element for plug connectors 21, 22 [0114] 29a′ second sealing element for first receiving element 23a′ [0115] 29b′ second sealing element for second receiving element 23b′ [0116] 30, 30′ feedthrough opening for fastener [0117] 31, 31′ interlock connection [0118] 32′ connecting line [0119] 33 direction of motion [0120] 34 feedthrough opening in housing 2 [0121] 35 socket [0122] 36 guide element