CN111092306A

CN111092306A - Interface module, inverter and vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN111092306A
Application number: CN201911011450.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 凯文·亨布格尔; 弗兰克·舒马赫尔; 戴维·齐尔克; 曼纽尔·施瓦布; 塞巴斯蒂安·阿派尔; 安东·比歇尔迈尔
Original assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Current assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Priority date: 2018-10-24
Filing date: 2019-10-23
Publication date: 2020-05-01
Also published as: DE102018218163A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface module, an inverter and a vehicle, in particular to an interface module (1) for an inverter of an electrically driven vehicle, a corresponding inverter and a corresponding vehicle. The interface module comprises a housing (2) and at least one alternating current input (3) and at least one alternating current output (4), wherein the at least one alternating current input (3) is designed to be connectable to an inverter, and wherein the at least one alternating current output (4) is designed to be connectable to a consumer. The interface module (1) according to the invention is characterized in that: at least one alternating current outlet (3) has a first internal thread (6) for screwing with a screw (10).

Description

Interface module, inverter and vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an interface module according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a corresponding inverter and to a corresponding vehicle.

Background

In the prior art, power electronics units with three-phase inverters are known, which supply electrical energy to consumers, such as electric drive motors of motor vehicles, via corresponding three-phase interfaces. In this case, the inverter draws a direct current from an energy store, for example a battery, and converts this direct current into an alternating current or a three-phase current.

EP 0907310 a2 discloses a connecting device for thermally loaded electrical conductors, in particular in current transformers.

Unpublished DE 102018206930 discloses an inverter for a vehicle, wherein the inverter has a housing and at least one alternating current connection. The housing is shaped such that the at least one alternating current connection is accommodated in the housing in a manner such that it can be moved along the longitudinal axis of the at least one alternating current connection and only partially for tolerance compensation. The inverter also has a casting compound, wherein the at least one alternating current connection can be mechanically fixed relative to the housing about the longitudinal axis by means of the casting compound.

However, the known interfaces or known joints of inverters have the following disadvantages: when used in electrically operated vehicles, they either can transmit oscillations and vibrations generated by the electric motor to the inverter, so that the inverter can be damaged, or they have a comparatively expensive manufacturing or installation process which can only be automated with difficulty or not at all. However, manufacturing processes or installation processes that cannot be automated are relatively slow and expensive due to the high expenditure of manual labor.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved interface module.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an interface module according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

The invention relates to an interface module for an inverter of an electrically driven vehicle, comprising a housing and at least one alternating current input and at least one alternating current output, wherein the at least one alternating current input is designed to be connectable to the inverter, and wherein the at least one alternating current output is designed to be connectable to a load. The interface module according to the invention is characterized in that: at least one alternating current output end is provided with a first internal thread for establishing screw connection with a screw.

The interface module according to the invention therefore has the following advantages: the first internal thread can be used to automatically connect an electrical consumer to the at least one alternating current output. In contrast to the known prior art, which provides for coupling the electrical consumers by means of cable joint sleeves, the setting up of the screw connection can be effected in a simple manner by means of a robot arm or other suitable machine. A robot arm or a suitable machine device can position the contacts of the electrical consumer on the internal thread without special installation expenditure and then establish an electrical connection by means of a screw screwed into the internal thread. This screwing may be established using presently known robotic arms or robotic equipment. The installation of the interface module according to the invention in a corresponding system with the interface module can therefore be accelerated and made less expensive compared to manual installation. At the same time, the possibly present vibration damping properties of the interface module can be maintained, since the invention leaves the basic internal structure of the interface module unaffected. Furthermore, such a screw connection is robust and can withstand loads.

Another advantage of the present invention is: for example, in the event of damage, the screw connection can be released again and the interface module and, if appropriate, other components firmly connected thereto can be replaced in a simple manner. Likewise, the consumer can also be replaced in the event of damage separately from the interface module and independently of the interface module. This reduces the maintenance costs involved.

An electrically driven vehicle is understood to be a so-called hybrid vehicle, i.e. a vehicle which has one or more auxiliary electric motors in addition to an internal combustion engine; or an all-electric drive vehicle having only one or more electric motors.

Preferably, the electrical consumer is an electric motor, in particular an electric motor of an electrically driven vehicle.

Provision is preferably made for: in the case of electrically driven vehicles with more than just one electric motor, an own interface module is provided for each electric motor.

Provision is preferably made for: the housing of the interface module is firmly or releasably connected to the inverter. The housing of the interface module is integrated in particular into the housing of the inverter. The sealing of the housing of the interface module with respect to the housing of the inverter is advantageously achieved by one or more O-rings, which may be arranged, for example, in grooves provided for this purpose of the interface module or the inverter housing.

It is also preferred that: the interface module has more than just one alternating current input and more than just one alternating current output. The number of alternating current inputs and alternating current outputs depends in particular on the load. I.e. if a conventional electrical consumer is involved which can be supplied via two electrical contacts, the interface module correspondingly has two alternating current inputs and two alternating current outputs. If the consumer must be supplied with a three-phase current, the interface module has correspondingly three alternating current inputs and three alternating current outputs.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: a nut is fixedly arranged on the at least one alternating current output, the nut having a first internal thread. The following advantages are obtained therefrom: the first internal thread can be provided by means of a conventionally and cost-effectively available component, namely a nut. It is thus advantageously possible to dispense with the costly cutting of the first internal thread in the elements of the interface module when manufacturing the interface module.

Preferably, a nut is arranged on each alternating current output of the interface module, in order to provide a first internal thread on each alternating current output, respectively.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the nut is pressed into the opening of the at least one alternating current output. That is, the nut is preferably a compression nut which is compressed into an opening of the electrical contact of the at least one alternating current output. However, alternatively preferably, it is also conceivable: the electrical contact has a receptacle for a conventional nut, into which the nut is pressed. This makes it possible to arrange the nut on the at least one alternating current output in an equally simple and reliable manner. Compaction can also be achieved automatically, which makes manufacture faster and cheaper.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the at least one alternating current input is a first axial end of the metal bolt and the at least one alternating current output is a second axial end of the metal bolt. It has been demonstrated that: a metal pin with a suitable geometric shape on the first axial end and on the second axial end is well suited for providing reliable and easily manufacturable electrical contact possibilities on its axial end on the one hand and also ensuring good electrical conductivity on the other hand in order to connect the first axial end and the second axial end electrically conductively. The metal bolt is thus an electrical connection between at least one alternating current input and at least one alternating current output in the housing of the interface module. The typical bolt design can also be produced cost-effectively and also facilitates automated mounting of the interface module by: the bolt is automatically inserted into the housing.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the housing at least partially axially surrounds the peg. The following advantages are obtained therefrom: the bolt can be largely shielded from its surroundings by the housing, which on the one hand protects the bolt against environmental influences, such as moisture, and on the other hand prevents the surroundings from accidentally coming into contact with the bolt, which may be electrically conductive and have a voltage. In addition, the peg is also held in the housing.

Provision is preferably made for: the second axial end of the pin, which forms the alternating current output, projects axially from the housing. To this end, the housing has a corresponding opening for the second axial end of each peg. The second axial end can thus be electrically contacted outside the housing in a simple manner. A compression nut or nut is also preferably arranged on this second axial end of the bolt projecting from the housing.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the pin is enclosed in the housing in an axially movable manner. The following advantages are obtained therefrom: the pins can be moved to the respectively desired position, for example, for tolerance compensation when the interface module is installed or when an electrical contact is established on the alternating current input or on the alternating current output. As a result, mechanical stresses can be largely avoided, which in turn leads to a smaller mechanical load and thus to an improved service life of the interface module.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the pin has at least one radially surrounding groove for receiving an O-ring. The following advantages are obtained therefrom: the O-ring can be reliably arranged on the circumference of the bolt, so that the bolt seals the passage between the bolt and the housing after the bolt has been arranged in the housing by means of the O-ring. In this way, dirt and moisture, in particular, which penetrates through the opening of the housing for the second axial end of the bolt, can be prevented from continuing to the interior of the housing. The service life of the interface module can thereby be extended.

Provision is preferably made for: the pin has two radially surrounding grooves for receiving two O-rings. On the one hand, this improves the sealing against penetrating dirt and moisture, and on the other hand, a torque support can also be achieved, which supports the pin on the first axial end during the establishment of the electrical connection. It is thus possible to avoid: the bolt is moved or rotated out of the desired position during the establishment of the electrical connection.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: at least one of the alternating current inputs has a second internal thread for establishing a screw connection with the screw. The following advantages are obtained therefrom: the alternating current input can also be reliably electrically contacted in a simple manner. It is thereby also possible to automatically establish an electrical connection at the at least one alternating current input, which in turn allows an accelerated and inexpensive installation of the interface module.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the first axial end portion is provided with an opening with a second internal thread. The second internal thread is cut as in the bolt and can then receive a correspondingly configured screw. The bus bar can in turn be fastened to the bolt, for example by means of screws, so that an electrical connection is established.

Alternatively, so-called self-tapping screws can also be used, which, when such screws are tightened, produce an internal thread themselves.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the peg has a hexagonal cross-section and the housing has a guide shape for the peg. This yields the advantage of preventing the bolt from twisting, since the bolt can no longer be twisted after it has been arranged in the housing, owing to its hexagonal cross section and the guide shape of the housing. The subsequent mounting, such as the establishment of an electrical connection to the at least one alternating current input or to the at least one alternating current output, is therefore simplified as follows: it is no longer necessary to pay attention to the orientation of the bolt in the housing and in particular to correct possible incorrect orientations. This also facilitates and simplifies automated installation.

Alternatively, the pin can also preferably have a triangular or more angular cross section. This likewise makes it possible to achieve a twist protection similar to a hexagonal cross section, wherein the possibility exists of providing the first axial end of the bolt with a second internal thread.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the plug is an extruded part. By selecting a suitable pin geometry, the pin can be produced very simply as an extrusion, which leads to a significant cost reduction compared to the usual production methods in the prior art by means of turning and milling.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the guide shape extends axially beyond the first axial end of the pin and has a recess for receiving an alternating current conductor. By arranging the alternating current conductor in the recess and being otherwise laterally fixed by the guide shape, twisting of the alternating current conductor, in particular during connection with the second axial end of the pin, can be avoided. The required clearance and creepage distance can be reliably followed.

Provision is preferably made for: the alternating current conductors are designed as strip-shaped busbars which are produced, for example, from sheet metal by means of stamping. The alternating current conductors form in particular the electrical contacts of the inverter.

Advantageously, the width of the recess corresponds to the width of the alternating current conductor, so that the alternating current conductor can be accommodated precisely by the recess and is therefore fixed within the recess by the guide shape.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the housing has support ribs on its outer side, wherein the support ribs are arranged asymmetrically. The support ribs here serve on the one hand for additional stabilization of the housing and on the other hand ensure a so-called error protection effect by their asymmetrical arrangement, since incorrect mounting of the interface module, for example, on the housing of the inverter can be prevented. That is, the housing cannot be mounted on the housing of the inverter at will by means of an asymmetrical arrangement of the support ribs, but rather can only be mounted on the housing of the inverter in a completely defined orientation, which is predetermined by the arrangement of the support ribs.

An asymmetrical arrangement of the support ribs is understood here to be an arrangement of these support ribs at different distances between the individual support ribs, wherein it is not necessary for each support rib pair to have a different distance from one another. As an alternative, it is also conceivable: the support ribs are grouped into two or more groups, wherein each group of support ribs has the same respective distance between two support ribs of the group.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the interface module comprises three alternating current input terminals and three alternating current output terminals. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in electrically driven vehicles, which usually have one or more electric motors which are supplied with three-phase current.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for: the housing is filled with a casting compound. Thereby, one or more pegs may be mechanically fixed in the housing and the cavity may be filled, which results in an improved stability of the interface module. This also makes it possible to better damp mechanical oscillations and vibrations, which are transmitted in particular by means of one or more pins, so that the risk of damage can be reduced and the service life of the interface module can be extended. Furthermore, by filling with the casting compound, a torque support can also be achieved, which supports the pin on the first axial end, in particular during the establishment of the electrical connection.

The invention also relates to an inverter for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising an interface module according to the invention. The advantages already mentioned in connection with the interface module according to the invention result therefrom, in particular due to the automated production, which are also directed to the inverter according to the invention.

Finally, the invention also relates to a vehicle comprising an inverter according to the invention. Preferably, the motor vehicle is an electrically driven vehicle, i.e. a hybrid vehicle or an all-electric vehicle. Since high cost pressures generally prevail in particular in the motor vehicle sector, the interface module according to the invention results in particular advantages here if it is suitable for automated and therefore cost-effective production.

Drawings

The invention is subsequently elucidated schematically on the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows an exemplary and schematic illustration of a possible configuration of an interface module according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows an exemplary and schematic illustration of a further possible embodiment of an interface module according to the invention; and is

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary and schematic illustration of a further possible embodiment of the interface module according to the invention.

Identical objects, functional units and similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals across the figures. These objects, functional units and similar components are implemented identically with respect to their technical features, as long as they are not explicitly or implicitly stated otherwise from the description.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows, in an oblique view from two different directions of view, a possible embodiment of an interface module 1 according to the invention for an inverter of an electrically driven vehicle. The interface module 1 comprises a housing 2, three alternating current input terminals 3 and three alternating current output terminals 4. The three alternating current inputs 3 are designed to be electrically conductively connected to an inverter, not shown in fig. 1, and the three alternating current outputs 4 are designed to be electrically conductively connected to an electric drive motor of the vehicle, also not shown in fig. 1. The interface module 1 shown in the exemplary illustration of fig. 1 therefore connects the inverter to the drive motor. As can also be seen in fig. 1, a nut 5 is firmly arranged on each of the three alternating current outputs 4, said nut having a first internal thread 6 for screwing with a screw, which is not shown in fig. 1. The three alternating current inputs 3 each have a second internal thread 7, which is likewise used for producing a screw connection with screws, which are likewise not shown in each case. In this case, each of the three alternating current inputs 3 is a first axial end of the metal bolt 8, and each of the three alternating current outputs 4 is a second axial end of the metal bolt 8. The pins 8 each have a hexagonal cross section at least in the upper region towards the first axial end. Also, the housing 2 has a hexagonal guide shape for each peg 8. Thus, the peg 8 can no longer be twisted in the housing 2 after it has been arranged in the housing 2 due to the guide shape of the housing 2 and the hexagonal cross section of the peg 8. By way of example, the plug 8 is an extruded part that can be produced cost-effectively. Also seen in fig. 1: the housing 2 has support ribs 9 on its outer side, wherein the support ribs 9 are arranged asymmetrically, that is to say at different distances from one another. This results in a so-called error protection which reliably prevents incorrect installation of the interface module 2 in the housing of the inverter. The embodiment of the interface module 1 according to the invention shown in fig. 1 is relatively simple to produce or install and is correspondingly well suited for inexpensive and rapid automated production or installation.

Fig. 2 shows, in a cross-sectional view, an exemplary and schematic illustration of a further possible embodiment of an interface module 1 according to the invention, which is likewise used for an inverter of an electrically driven vehicle. The interface module 1 of fig. 2 comprises a housing 2, an alternating current input 3 and an alternating current output 4. A nut 5 having a first internal thread 6 is arranged on the alternating current output 4, wherein the nut 5 establishes an electrically conductive screw connection with an alternating current conductor 11 of an electric drive motor of the vehicle by means of a screw 10. As can be seen, the nut 5 is designed as a compression nut 5 and is compressed into the opening of the alternating current output 4. An electrically conductive connection, i.e. an electrically conductive connection to an alternating current conductor 11 of the inverter, is also established at the alternating current input 3 by means of a screw 10. By way of example, a first axial end of the metal pin 8 is provided with a hexagonal cross section, while a second axial end of the pin 8 is configured flat according to the shape of the busbar. As can also be seen in the cross-sectional view of fig. 2, the housing 2 partially encloses the pin 8 axially, only the alternating current outlet 4 projecting downward from the housing 2. By means of this embodiment of the bolt 8 and the corresponding housing 2, the bolt 8 is held in the housing in an at least partially displaceable manner. Thus, a possible required tolerance compensation can be established between the two alternating current conductors 11. As can also be seen, the interface module 1 is integrated into the housing 12 of the inverter. The alternating current input 3 is located within the housing 12 of the inverter, while the alternating current output 4 protrudes from the housing 12 of the inverter. In order to prevent dirt or moisture from penetrating into the housing 12 of the inverter, the pin has two radially surrounding grooves 13, in each of which an O-ring 14 is arranged. Here, by way of example, the two O-rings 14 also serve as torque supports during screwing of the screw 10 into the nut 5.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary and schematic representation of a further possible embodiment of the interface module 1 according to the invention in a plan view. The exemplary interface module 1 of fig. 3 comprises a housing 2 in which three alternating current inputs 3 and three alternating current outputs 4 are arranged, wherein only these three alternating current inputs 3 can be seen in the illustration of fig. 3. In this case, the three alternating current inputs 3 are each electrically conductively connected to a respective alternating current conductor 11 by means of screws 10. According to the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, the guide shapes for the pins 8 each extend axially beyond the pins 8 out of the drawing plane of fig. 3 and have a recess only in the region of the alternating current conductor 11, the width of which corresponds exactly to the width of the alternating current conductor 11. Each alternating current conductor 11 is thus laterally supported on the support point 15. This ensures that: in particular, when screwing in the screw 10, the alternating current conductor 11 is not twisted and the required creepage and clearance distances are reliably followed. In addition to the O-ring, a casting compound made of plastic can optionally be introduced into the housing 2 for securing the pin 8.

List of reference numerals

1 interface module

2 interface module casing

3 alternating current input terminal

4 alternating current output terminal

5 nut and compression nut

6 first internal thread

7 second internal thread

8 bolt

9 support rib

10 screw

11 alternating current conductor

12 inverter casing

13 groove

14O-shaped ring

15 support point

Claims

1. Interface module (1) for an inverter of an electrically driven vehicle, comprising a housing (2) and at least one alternating current input (3) and at least one alternating current output (4), wherein the at least one alternating current input (3) is designed to be connectable to the inverter, and wherein the at least one alternating current output (4) is designed to be connectable to a consumer,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the at least one alternating current output (4) has a first internal thread (6) for screwing with a screw (10).

2. Interface module (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that a nut (5) having the first internal thread (6) is arranged firmly on the at least one alternating current output (4).

3. Interface module (1) according to claim 2,

characterized in that the nut (5) is pressed into an opening of the at least one alternating current output (4).

4. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that the at least one alternating current input (3) is a first axial end of a metal bolt (8) and the at least one alternating current output (4) is a second axial end of the metal bolt (8).

5. The interface module (1) according to claim 4,

characterized in that the housing (2) axially surrounds the pin (8) at least in sections.

6. Interface module (1) according to claim 5,

characterized in that the pin (8) is enclosed in the housing (2) in an axially displaceable manner.

7. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 4 to 6,

characterized in that the pin (8) has at least one radially circumferential groove (13) for receiving an O-ring (14).

8. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that the at least one alternating current input (3) has a second internal thread (7) for establishing a screw connection with a screw (10).

9. Interface module (1) according to claim 8,

characterized in that the first axial end is provided with an opening with the second internal thread (7).

10. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 4 to 9,

characterized in that the peg (8) has a hexagonal cross-section and the housing (2) has a guiding shape for the peg (8).

11. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 4 to 10,

characterized in that the pin (8) is an extruded part.

12. Interface module (1) according to claim 11,

characterized in that the guide profile extends axially beyond a first axial end of the pin (8) and has a recess for receiving an alternating current conductor (11).

13. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12,

characterized in that the housing (2) has support ribs (9) on the outside of the housing, wherein the support ribs (9) are arranged asymmetrically.

14. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 13,

characterized in that the interface module (1) comprises three alternating current input terminals (3) and three alternating current output terminals (4).

15. Interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 14,

characterized in that the housing (2) is filled with a casting compound.

16. Inverter for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising an interface module (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A vehicle comprising the inverter of claim 16.