DE102011122619A1 - Casing-type component i.e. inverter housing, for accommodating e.g. contact rail in traction network distributor distributing current in hybrid vehicle, has measuring sockets connected with contact rails and component - Google Patents

Abstract

The component i.e. inverter housing (2), has a wall provided with multiple housing-outer-side accessible measuring sockets. Two of the measuring sockets are electrically connected with electrically connected contact rails. The remaining one of the sockets is electrically connected with the component. The rails are electrically connected with a positive pole and a negative pole of a traction battery (1). Sealing units e.g. peripheral sealing rings, are held in lids for sealing the lids against the component, where the lids comprise LEDs.

Description

The invention relates to a housing-like component for an electric or hybrid vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In an electric or hybrid vehicle is strictly distinguishable between at least two existing on-board networks. On the one hand, there is a high-voltage electrical system, which is powered by the traction battery and which can have DC voltages of over 60 volts up to several 100 volts. On the other hand, a low-voltage electrical system is provided, which generally has a DC voltage of 12 volts and is used for the electrical supply of other electrical components that perceive, for example, air conditioning, radio and lighting functions.

Housing-like components according to the preamble of claim 1 are known in electric or hybrid vehicles, for example, as so-called "Traktionsnetzverteiler". They serve to bring together or distribute the electrical energy that can be assigned to the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system.

Thus, in a traction network distributor, in particular the cables coming from the poles of the traction battery can be electrically connected in a suitable manner to the connections of an inverter, in particular the inverter, and the cables coming from an air-conditioning compressor in a suitable manner.

Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly important in the automotive world. It should be noted, however, that electrical voltages that are usually present in electrical and hybrid vehicles on the high-voltage vehicle electrical system can be very dangerous for people.

Therefore, the high-voltage electrical system assignable electrical cables and components are isolated and marked in a special way.

Housing-like components, such as traction power distribution, in which components or cables of the high-voltage electrical system must be connected to each other are suitably securely closed so that they can only be opened by the trained specialist if necessary.

For safety reasons, work on the electrical system is always carried out by service technicians only when the ignition is switched off and after ensuring that there is no voltage de-energized by qualified measurement (eg in accordance with ECE guidelines). When switching off the ignition of the traction battery downstream contactors are opened, which, however, are controlled by the low-voltage electrical system (12-V battery), so that the shooters downstream components are usually "disconnected" from the traction battery and thus de-energized.

However, it may happen that contactors due to contamination, corrosion and the like do not detach themselves as desired from the contacts and therefore the shooters downstream components despite switched off ignition still carry tension. Other sources of error (eg faulty fuses or faulty controller of the battery management system) are possible.

In order to have an absolute guarantee for a given absence of voltage, the service technician must therefore measure the actual voltage present.

But even for a trained service technician is the opening of a housing-like component of an electric or hybrid vehicle, which serves to accommodate components and / or distribution of the currents of a high-voltage electrical system, not completely without risk.

An insight into the problem of voltage-free measurement is the non-generic DE 10 2008 006 223 A1 in which a voltage freedom measurement takes place with consideration of a reference voltage and by means of a matrix-shaped electrical display device.

The invention is based on the object, a box-like component according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 such that the safety in maintenance, especially when remeasuring whether a lack of voltage is present, can be improved.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments or developments of the invention can be taken from the respective subclaims.

The invention relates to a housing-like component for an electric or hybrid vehicle, which serves to accommodate components and / or distribution of the currents of a high-voltage electrical system, wherein in the component at least one with a positive pole and at least one with a negative pole of a traction battery electrically connected or connectable terminal is provided.

The said terminals can be designed in particular as busbars be, where so under the same electrical potential several electrical connections can be made.

According to the invention, it is now proposed that the housing-like component has at least one wall with at least three measurement housings accessible outside the housing, at least two of the measurement sockets being electrically connected or connectable to one of the connection terminals and at least one of the measurement sockets being electrically connected or connectable to the housing-like component is.

In other words, at least three measuring sockets are provided, wherein a first with the negative pole, a second with the positive pole of the traction battery and a third is electrically connected to ground.

In this way, it is possible for a service technician even without opening the box-like component in a simple manner and certainly to make a measurement for no voltage of the traction battery or the shooter downstream components.

Commercially available built-in laboratory connectors can be used very advantageously as test sockets, which can be screwed to the wall of the housing-like component. Such built-in laboratory connectors have insertion for contact pins of commercially available voltage measuring devices, so that a voltage measurement is given without the risk of accidental slipping and contacting another possibly live component.

A development of the invention provides that the wall of the housing-like component is provided in the region of the measuring sockets with means for fastening a cover covering the measuring sockets.

Such a lid can additionally contribute to the increase of safety.

It is conceivable, for example, that the cover is screwed with non-commercial special screws with the housing-like component, so that it can only be unscrewed by appropriately trained service technicians.

A further embodiment of the inventive concept may also provide for movably connecting the cover to the housing-like component. For example, the cover can be opened or closed via a rotation axis of a hinge joint. This allows even faster accessibility to the measuring sockets, wherein the lid is held captive on the housing-like component.

Nevertheless, it may additionally be provided to screw the cover to the housing-like component.

Instead of screwing, however, can also be provided to form the lid lockable. This would allow even faster opening of the lid.

In order to further improve the functional reliability, it is expedient to hold at least one sealing means in the cover for sealing against the component. In particular, it is expedient if two designed as circumferential sealing rings sealing means are provided, between which passage openings for screwing the lid are arranged. In this way, a very effective sealing of the lid relative to the housing can be achieved.

A further development of the invention also provides that the cover has a plurality of LEDs, via which it is possible to display optically whether a voltage is still applied to the measuring sockets. A service technician can already be visually "forewarned".

The housing-like component may expediently be the housing of an inverter, in particular an inverter. Since both electric and hybrid vehicles require an inverter, with such a technical solution, both types of electric traction vehicle can be significantly improved metrologically, d. H. A voltage freedom measurement can thus be carried out effectively while minimizing the risk potentials.

It is extremely helpful if the cover has at least three LEDs to indicate whether phases of the connected or connectable to the inverter electric machine are live or not. In the event of disruptions in the operating behavior of the electric machine, the service technician can thus visually see in advance, based on the LEDs, whether a phase of the electric machine is possibly faulty.

For training purposes, it has proven to be extremely advantageous if in the interior of the housing-like component, a transparent cover of electrically non-conductive material, eg. Of plastic, is arranged, wherein the cover has at least three openings or measuring sockets, through which a measurement of the electrical potential said terminals or the housing-like component is possible.

The cover can serve to cover in particular the possibly current-carrying components. Due to the transparency and the incorporated openings or measuring sockets, even persons who are not yet sufficiently qualified for training purposes can use appropriate measuring instruments to carry out measurements of freedom from voltage without risk.

The invention also relates to an electric or hybrid vehicle which is equipped with at least one inventive, housing-like component. Such an electric or hybrid vehicle offers a high degree of safety an easy way of measuring the absence of voltage of its high-voltage electrical system.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description. The same reference numerals refer to the same, comparable or functionally identical components.

It show, each schematically

1 an electric vehicle from above with a housing-like component according to the invention,

2 a sectional view of a part of the invention, the housing-like component in the field of measuring sockets,

3 the cover covering the measuring bushes from a view III 2 (not to scale compared to 2 )

4 an alternative embodiment of the measuring sockets covering the lid and

5 a view of a further embodiment of the inventive housing-like component comparable to 2 , but with an additional plastic cover.

In 1 an electric vehicle K is shown from above, with only helpful components for the understanding of the invention are shown and indicated by dashed lines.

Thus, the electric vehicle K has a traction battery 1 on which stores and provides electrical energy for a high-voltage electrical system of the electric vehicle K.

Furthermore, an electric machine 3 provided, which can operate in a known manner both as an electric motor and as a generator. Between electric machine 3 and traction battery 1 is the case 2 an inverter inserted. The inverter has the task of working as a drive motor electric machine 3 from the traction battery 1 To feed and to drive the drive motor depending on the driving desire and when working as a generator electric machine 3 a regeneration of braking energy in the traction battery 1 to enable.

There is also a 12 volt battery 4 indicated, which serves to store and provide the electrical energy of a low-voltage electrical system.

2 provides a simplified sectional view of a portion of the housing 2 of the inverter.

So is a housing wall 20 visible in the three measuring sockets 6 . 7 and 8th are bolted. The measuring sockets 6 to 8th are commercially available built-in laboratory connectors, which on the housing wall 20 can be screwed. These measuring sockets 6 to 8th each have insertion openings 9 (4 mm diameter) for plugging in corresponding measuring poles of commercially available voltage measuring devices.

Furthermore, from the 2 you can see that the measuring socket 6 with a contact rail 21 over a cable 23 and a cable lug attached thereto 24 is electrically connected by a screw. The contact rail 21 is electrically in turn with the positive pole of the traction battery 1 electrically connected or connectable in a manner not shown.

Equally, the test socket 8th electrically with a contact rail 22 connected, in turn, with the negative pole of the traction battery 1 electrically connected or connectable.

The contact rails 21 and 22 are on an insulating board 25 attached and thus electrically isolated from each other.

About the test socket 7 Finally, there is a cable 23 and a cable lug connected thereto 24 an electrical connection to the housing 2 or mass produced.

From the figure is still a lid 5 can be seen which to cover the test sockets 6 to 8th serves. The lid 5 has a recess 50 for receiving the measuring sockets 6 to 7 on.

Both the box-like component 2 as well as the lid 5 are made of good heat conducting metal, especially aluminum. For fixing the lid 5 are four through holes 51 provided by the non-commercial special screws 10 put through and with the housing wall 20 can be screwed.

Against penetrating moisture or dirt serve two circumferential O-ring seals 52 , which in corresponding, unspecified numbered grooves of the lid 5 are inserted and glued to these (compare also 3 ).

In the illustrated embodiment, the tapping of the voltage of the measuring sockets takes place 6 and 8th in the direction of acting as a load requirement (electric motor) electric machine 3 after already mentioned, the traction battery 1 downstream contactors (not shown) and before provided electrical fuses (also not shown).

Thus, a lack of voltage even in spite of possibly defective contactors and despite possibly defective fuses can be detected by measurement.

Furthermore, in 4 a further embodiment of a measuring sockets 6 to 8th covering lid 5 ' seen.

In contrast to the lid 5 is the lid 5 ' via a hinge joint with the housing 2 connected to the inverter and a rotary axis 16 foldable. In addition, the lid 5 ' by means of a lock 17 on the housing 2 be locked. The castle 17 is additionally by means of a rotary joint 19 pivotable lid 18 secured against dirt and moisture.

Furthermore, LEDs are in the lid 11 to 15 integrated.

The LED shows 11 on whether at the test socket 6 (corresponds to high-voltage positive pole) and the LED 12 , whether at the measuring socket 8th (corresponds to high-voltage negative pole) a voltage is applied.

The LEDs 13 to 15 On the other hand, it serves to indicate whether phases (U, V, W) of an electric machine connected or connectable to the inverter 3 are live or not.

Finally, in 5 Yet another embodiment of a housing according to the invention 2 an inverter. In contrast to 2 is also inside the case 2 a transparent cover 26 made of electrically non-conductive material, preferably of plastic, by means of suitable fasteners 28 (indicated by dashed lines) attached. The cover 26 is with three openings 27 provided, each above the cable lugs 24 and so the "metrological" access (eg with tips of measuring pins) to the cable lugs 24 or to keep these screws for training purposes risk-free.

Although in the exemplary embodiments, by way of example, as a housing-like component according to the invention 2 illustrated the housing of an inverter, but it could also be any other, housing-like component, which serves to accommodate components and / or distribution of the currents of a high-voltage electrical system, such as the housing of a traction network distributor.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

traction battery

2

Housing of the inverter

3

electric machine

4

12-V battery

5, 5 '

cover

6

Measuring socket for traction battery positive pole

7

Measuring socket for mass

8th

Measuring socket for traction battery negative pole

9

insertion

10

mounting screws

11

LED assigned to the positive pole of the traction battery

12

LED, assigned to the negative pole of the traction battery

13

LED, associated with a phase (U) of the electric machine

14

LED, associated with a phase (V) of the electric machine

15

LED, associated with a phase (W) of the electric machine

16

axis of rotation

17

lock

18

cover

19

swivel

20

housing

21

Contact rail for traction battery positive pole

22

Contact rail for traction battery Negative pole

23

electric wire

24

terminals

25

insulation

26

cover

27

openings

28

fasteners

50

recess

51

Through openings

52

O-ring seals

K

electric vehicle

U

Phase of the electric machine

V

Phase of the electric machine

W

Phase of the electric machine

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102008006223 A1 [0012]

Claims (11)

Housing-like component ( 2 ) for an electric or hybrid vehicle (K), which ( 2 ) for receiving components ( 21 . 22 . 25 ) and / or for distributing the currents of a high-voltage vehicle electrical system, wherein in the component ( 2 ) at least one ( 21 ) with one positive pole and at least one ( 22 ) with a negative pole of a traction battery ( 1 ) electrically connected or connectable terminal ( 21 . 22 ), characterized in that the box-like component ( 2 ) at least one wall ( 20 ) with at least three test housings ( 6 . 7 . 8th ), wherein at least two ( 6 . 8th ) of the measuring sockets ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) each electrically connected to one of said terminals ( 21 respectively. 22 ) are electrically connected or connectable and at least one ( 7 ) of the measuring sockets ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) electrically with the housing-like component ( 2 ) is connected or connectable. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall ( 20 ) of the box-like component ( 2 ) in the area of the measuring sockets ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) with means for fixing one of the test sockets ( 6 . 7 . 8th ) covering lid ( 5 . 5 ' ) is provided. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the lid ( 5 ' ) movable with the box-like component ( 2 ) connected is. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lid ( 5 ' ) is lockable. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in the lid ( 5 . 5 ' ) at least one sealant ( 52 ) for sealing against the component ( 2 ) is held. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that two sealing means designed as circumferential sealing rings ( 52 ) are provided, between which passage openings ( 51 ) for screwing the lid ( 5 ) are arranged. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the lid ( 5 ' ) several LEDs ( 11 . 12 ), via which is optically displayable, whether at the measuring sockets ( 6 . 8th ) a voltage is applied. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the box-like component ( 2 ) is the housing of an inverter, in particular an inverter. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the lid ( 5 ' ) at least three LEDs ( 13 - 15 ) for indicating whether phases (U, V, W) of an electric machine connected or connectable to the inverter ( 3 ) are live or not. Housing-like component ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the interior of the housing-like component ( 2 ) a transparent cover ( 26 ) is arranged from electrically non-conductive material, wherein the cover ( 26 ) at least three openings ( 27 ) or measuring sockets through which a measurement of the electrical potential of said terminals ( 21 respectively. 22 ) or of the housing-like component ( 2 ) is possible. Electric or hybrid vehicle (K) with at least one housing-like component ( 2 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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