DE102009038168B4 - Current bridging element for releasably closing a circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

A current bypass element (100) for releasably closing a circuit within an energy store for a hybrid and / or electric vehicle, comprising the current bypass element:
A base member (101) comprising an electrically conductive material, and
A screw connection element (102), which is designed such that a screw connection between the base element and a power line of the circuit can be closed,
characterized in that
the current bridging element (100) has plug connections (103) which can be connected to the circuit and which are set up in such a way that they can be released from the circuit when the screw connection is released.

Description

The invention relates to a current bridging element for releasably closing a circuit, in particular a circuit within an energy store for a hybrid and / or electric vehicle.

Modern motor vehicles can also be designed as hybrid or electric vehicles, that is, as vehicles that are wholly or partly powered by electrical energy. Hybrid-powered vehicles, also called hybrid vehicles, have, for example, an internal combustion engine, an electric machine and one or more electrochemical energy stores. Electric vehicles with fuel cells generally consist of a fuel cell for energy conversion, a tank for liquid or gaseous energy carriers, an electrochemical energy storage and an electric machine for the drive.

The electric machine of the hybrid vehicle is usually designed as a starter or generator and / or electric drive. As a starter or alternator, it replaces the normally available starter and alternator. In an embodiment as an electric drive, an additional torque, that is to say an acceleration torque, can contribute to the propulsion of the vehicle by the electric machine. As a generator, it enables a recuperation of braking energy and onboard power supply.

In a pure electric vehicle, the drive power is provided solely by an electric machine. Both vehicle types, hybrid and electric vehicles have in common that large amounts of electrical energy must be provided and transferred.

The control of the energy flow via an electronics, commonly called hybrid controller. Among other things, it regulates whether and in what quantity the energy store should be taken or supplied with energy. The energy extraction from the fuel cell or the energy storage is generally used to provide drive power and to supply the vehicle electrical system. The energy supply is used to charge the memory or for the conversion of braking energy into electrical energy, that is the regenerative braking. The energy storage for hybrid applications can be recharged while driving. The energy required for this is provided by the internal combustion engine.

For example, lead-acid batteries, double-layer capacitors, nickel-metal hydride, zinc / air or lithium / air, lithium / polymer or lithium-ion cells can be used as energy suppliers and storage for electric vehicle applications. The cell is housed in most cases in a gas-tight metal housing. A special possibility of implementation in lithium-ion cells is in the form of a soft pack. This consists of the battery cell, which is surrounded by a foil, typically an aluminum composite foil packaging.

An important requirement of these memories is to find an optimum of the product of voltage and current for a required performance. This optimization consideration includes material and cost aspects. It is found that for the intended field of application, a system design for either high voltages or high currents is not expedient. Typical voltage ranges for optimum system design are between 100-1000 volts (V) maximum voltage, the resulting currents can reach 400 amps (A) in pulsed mode, up to 550 amperes for extreme applications and higher temperature ranges. Continuous currents are in the range of 80-100 A, but may also be higher depending on the application. A reduction of these currents in favor of higher voltages is, as already mentioned, connected to these currents for constructive and cost-related reasons with significantly more effort than a consistent system design.

In the event of a fault, short-circuit currents greater than 4000 amperes may occur. For safety reasons, it is extremely important for repairs, maintenance or even during transport, to open the circuit of the memory. In order to exclude a possible danger for the maintenance personnel, it is important to switch the storage potential free. This means there must be no voltage between the negative and the positive pole of the memory. In order to open the circuit of the high-voltage battery, there are various types of so-called maintenance separators. These can be part of the circuit of the battery. If they are removed, therefore, a part of the circuit is missing, and there is no danger of working under voltage, since the memory is secured before restarting. The safest way is when the maintenance disconnector is located on the housing of the energy storage and opening the memory is only possible when the service disconnector has been safely removed. Working inside the memory is not possible without disconnected disconnector.

Since the two contacts of the battery are designed floating, the separation through a maintenance disconnector leads to a potential separation of the HV (high voltage) terminals of the battery. This will be the Risk of electric shock by touching the battery terminals safely avoided.

Previously known maintenance disconnectors are connectors. However, it is not self-explanatory how they are to be opened or handled. Therefore, there is a potential serious threat from possible incorrect operation. The previous service disconnector are all about a complicated lever technology to remove. In this case, a lever must first be pressed in one direction, then this be pulled backwards / forwards, then to remove him up / down to remove. This technique must be known and used several times to ensure that when using the service diverter it is not damaged and there is no faulty operation which could seriously endanger the operator. The main task of a maintenance diverter is to divide the battery into smaller voltage units and to interrupt the circuit of the high-voltage battery, so that no voltage is applied between the negative and the positive pole of the battery.

From the DE 666 583 A electrical cells are known, in particular motor vehicle batteries with removable cover and interchangeable electrodes whose all connections are passed through the lid, wherein the connections of the terminals of the individual interchangeable electrodes are made independently and independently of the lid outside by slightly soluble clamped contacts and wherein the connections located outside the cells can be plugged onto the electrodes by means of plug contacts.

From the US 2 441 481 A a battery cell with a detachable connection element is known, which electrically conductively connects the electrode plates of the cell.

From the EP 0 662 730 A1 a mobile power cell is known, which consists of a battery with at least two arranged on the top of the battery terminal poles and a fixable to the battery attachment, which is electrically connected to at least one of the terminal poles self-protection circuit, an externally accessible, with the terminal poles and the Protective circuit electrically connected terminal and one of the terminal poles electrically connected control device, which emits control signals exists.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device by which a secure interruption of a circuit is ensured in an energy storage and can be closed by the other of this circuit again. This leads to a high level of safety of the operating personnel in the safe separation of the circuit in memory for any maintenance purposes in and on the memory or vehicle.

This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a current bridging element is provided for releasably closing a circuit, in particular a circuit within an energy store for a hybrid and / or electric vehicle, the current bridging element having a base element comprising an electrically conductive material and a screw connection element configured in such a way is that a screw connection between the base element and a power line of the circuit is closable.

According to one example, there is provided a method for releasably closing a circuit, in particular a circuit within an energy store for a hybrid and / or electric vehicle, the method comprising closing a threaded connection between a base member comprising an electrically conductive material, a current bypass element, and having a power line of a circuit through a screw connection element.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a current bypass element is provided for an energy store, for example a high-voltage battery (for example in an automobile or motor vehicle), which removably connects a circuit, in particular a circuit in an energy store. The circuit can thus be both closed and again interrupted or opened to allow maintenance. Preferably, the circuit to be closed or interrupted can be part of an energy store or a high-voltage battery. For example, it may be attached to the housing and additionally prevent the memory from opening under load. Lead-acid batteries, double-layer capacitors, nickel-metal hydride, zinc / air or lithium / air, lithium / polymer or lithium-ion cells can be used, for example, as energy stores and in particular as energy stores for electric vehicle applications. The cell can be housed in a gas-tight metal housing. Lithium-ion cells may also be in the form of a soft pack. This can consist of the battery cell, which is surrounded by a foil, typically an aluminum laminated foil packaging.

The current bypass element may comprise a base element comprising an electrically conductive material and a screw connection element which is designed such that a screw connection between the base element and a power line of the circuit can be closed. The base member may be formed as a part of the circuit. Through the screw connection, the current bridging element can interrupt both the circuit of the energy storage, as well as close. In this way, safe maintenance can be made possible without endangering the operator. Furthermore, a screw is self-explanatory and can only be operated incorrectly wrong.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the circuit bypass element will be described. These also apply to the procedure.

The power line may be a power rail. Under a power line is an electrical line to transport electrical charge to understand. Usually this is part of an electrical circuit. When this circuit is closed and has a power source, an electric current flows through the power line. Under a busbar, a rigid electrical line can be understood.

The screw connection element may be securable with a split pin, a holder or another mechanical blocking device or a lacquer layer. By such a fuse, a rotation or displacement of the screw connection element can be prevented, as long as no interruption of the circuit is desired. Furthermore, such securing can prevent slippage of the screw connection member with respect to the base member.

The current bypass element may include an interlock contact connected to the threaded fastener. The interlock contact may be located at the end of the threaded fastener or in the threaded fastener. Furthermore, the interlock contact could also be arranged between the base element and the power line of the circuit. The interlock contact may preferably be a leading interlock, which is connected to the contactors of the circuit. This ensures that in the case of dismantling or loosening of the maintenance separator or the current bridging element, the contactors rise to prevent a possibly occurring arc.

Since, unlike a plugged-in service disconnector, the length of time for a bolted service disconnect is significantly longer until the HV connection is broken, there is sufficient time for the electronics to interrupt a possible flow of current and avoid arcing in the service disconnector.

Leading interlock contacts furthermore make it possible to detect a fault when the circuit is interrupted and to switch off the device or the circuit in order to prevent a possible arc.

The interlock contact may further be disposed in the threaded fastener, and as soon as the threaded fastener moves a few millimeters, the contactors are energized to prevent any arc occurring.

According to the invention, the current bridging element has plug connections which can be connected to the circuit and which are set up such that they can be detached or disconnected from the circuit when the screw connection is released. Through these connectors, a further safeguard against twisting and incorrect operation can be created.

The current bridging element can be configured bow-shaped. In this way, a better attack of the current bypass element can be achieved.

It should be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with device claims. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to a type of subject matter, any combination of features that may result in different types of features is also possible Subject matters belong.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of presently preferred embodiments. The individual figures of the drawing of this application are merely to be regarded as schematic and not to scale.

1 shows a schematic representation of a current bypass element.

2 shows a schematic representation of a current bypass element according to an embodiment of the invention.

3a and 3b show a schematic representation of a current bypass element according to another embodiment of the invention.

The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale. The same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

1 shows a schematic representation of a current bypass element. The current bypass element 100 has a primitive element 101 on, which consists of several parts. The parts of the basic element are formed from different busbars. The current bypass element 100 further includes a threaded fastener 102 on. This screw connection element is connected to the base element, wherein parts of the screw connection element are arranged within the base element. The current flows via the busbars or the basic element. The primitive is isolated to the outside. Once the threaded fastener, which in this case consists of two parts and has a T-shaped handle, is actuated, and thereby the screw connection between the base member, the screw fastener and a power line of a circuit is released, the upper bus bar 101 , which is part of the primitive, removes and thus the current flow is interrupted.

At the end of the screw connection element or between the busbars, a leading interlock, which is connected to the shooter, is provided. He takes care of that; that in case of dismantling the current bypass element 100 the contactors rise to prevent a possible arc occurring.

At the in 2 shown schematic representation of a current bypass element 100 the current bypass element has a screw connection element 102 on, which consists of only one part. In addition, the current bridging element has plug connections 103 on that between parts of the primitive 101 are arranged. These connectors are also interrupted upon release of the screw.

The screw connection element usually consists of a part with internal thread and a part with external thread. There may be provided a screw connection element or a plurality of screw connection elements. Furthermore, one or more plug connections can be provided.

In this embodiment, the interlock contact is located 104 in the part of the basic element that is connected to the threaded fastener 102 connected is. As soon as the screw connection element moves by a few millimeters, the contactors are switched on, in order to prevent a possible arc occurring in this case as well. Once the screw connection is released, the connectors are removed from the busbar, which can also be a cable, and the current flow is interrupted.

The embodiment in the 3a and 3b shows a current bypass element 100 formed as a bracket, from a front and a side view. This current bypass element has the same elements as those in FIGS 1 and 2 shown embodiments.

The fully insulated bus bar, which is part of the base element and which is shown horizontally in each figure, can with the screw connection element or the bracket off 3a . 3b (both also fully insulated) firmly connected. The entire system is considered as a total system maintenance separator. On each handle, such as a T-handle, but it can also be any handle, the screw connection element may indicate a corresponding arrow, in which direction the system is opened. Thus, this maintenance diverter is self-explanatory, safe and fulfills its purpose of safe power interruption.

The current bridging element or the maintenance disconnector described herein can not be destroyed by possible incorrect operation, since incorrect operation due to the screw connection is unlikely. Due to the screw connection (preferably with an additional mechanical security), this service disconnector is more resistant to vibration than the previous ones. The service disconnector is therefore also easier to use than the previous service disconnector, as this function is self-explanatory. Due to the screw connection or the overall construction, this service disconnector is furthermore not as easy to damage as the previous service disconnector.

The service disconnector or the current bridging element described here can be screwed, that is to say it contains screw connections which control the function of the service disconnector. This system also includes a leading interlock. That is, when removing the service disconnector is caused by the integrated interlock contact the controller; to open the pilot line and thus let the shooter fall off. The circuit is interrupted to prevent the occurrence of an arc.

Claims (5)

Current bridging element ( 100 ) for releasably closing a circuit within an energy store for a hybrid and / or electric vehicle, the current bypass element comprising: - a basic element ( 101 ), which comprises an electrically conductive material, and - a screw connection element ( 102 ), which is designed such that a screw connection between the base element and a power line of the circuit is closable, characterized in that the current bridging element ( 100 ) Plug connections ( 103 ), which are connectable to the circuit and which are arranged such that they are releasable upon release of the screw from the circuit. Current bridging element ( 100 ) according to claim 1, wherein the power line is a bus bar. Current bridging element ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the screw connection element ( 102 ) is securable with a split pin, a holder or other mechanical blocking device or a lacquer layer. Current bridging element ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the current bridging element has an interlock contact which is connected to the screw connection element ( 102 ) connected is. Current bridging element ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the current bridging element is configured bow-shaped.

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