FR3119946A1 - AID DEVICE FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF PARTS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (DA) makes it possible to assist a person during the assembly of electrical equipment (EE) comprising a first part (P1) comprising a first element (E1) in the vicinity of which passes a free part of an electric cable (CE) and to which a second part (P2) must be coupled. This device (DA) comprises a part (PD) comprising a first coupling sub-part arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to the first element (E1) and at least one first retaining sub-part (SPR1) arranged so as to retain temporarily this free part during the coupling of the second part (P2) to the first part (P1). Fig. 2

Description

AID DEVICE FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF PARTS OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the assembly of electrical equipment, and more specifically to the assistance of persons carrying out this assembly.

State of the art

In certain technical fields, such as for example that of vehicles, possibly of the automobile type, electrical equipment is used comprising at least first and second parts which have to be assembled and secured together. Sometimes, the first part of the electronic equipment being assembled includes an electric cable comprising a part which is free because it will soon have to be connected to a connector after the attachment of the second part of the electronic equipment to this first part. Since this part of the electric cable is free, it may be pinched, crushed or damaged (possibly severed) when securing the second part, which may lead to a leak and/or a short circuit or malfunction of the electronic equipment. The probability of this situation occurring is further increased when the first part has to be turned over to place it on the second part before joining them, as is the case when assembling certain electric machines (or motors).

It would certainly be possible to temporarily tape the free part of the electric cable to one face of the first part intended to be oriented towards the second part. But the tape can peel off or leave glue on the electric cable when it is removed, which can then cause the latter to stick untimely to a wall, which can slow down assembly. In addition, on an assembly line, this requires supply management and induces a large consumption of tape and therefore waste that must then be managed.

The aim of the invention is therefore in particular to improve the situation.

Presentation of the invention

It proposes in particular for this purpose an aid device intended to aid a person during the assembly of electrical equipment comprising, on the one hand, a first part comprising a first element and a free part of an electric cable passing in the vicinity of the first element, and, on the other hand, a second part to be coupled to the first part.

This aid system is characterized by the fact that it includes:

- a part comprising a first coupling sub-part arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to the first element, and

- at least a first retaining sub-part arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part before and during the coupling of the second part of the electrical equipment to the first part of the latter.

By virtue of the invention, the aid piece is used before each coupling of a second part to a first part of electrical equipment, until the attachment of these first and second parts, thus making it possible not to damage or jam the free part of the electric cable. Then, the helper part can be reused when assembling the next electrical equipment, and so on.

The aid device according to the invention may comprise other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

- the first coupling sub-part can be a protrusion secured to a first face of a main wall of the part and intended to be housed in a hole of the first element during the temporary coupling of the part to the latter;

- its part may comprise, at a distance from a first side of the first coupling sub-part, a second coupling sub-part arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to a second element of the first part located on a first side of the first element;

- the second coupling sub-part can be a wall delimiting a first groove arranged so as to temporarily house part of an edge of the second element;

- its part may comprise, at a distance from a second side of the first coupling sub-part, a third coupling sub-part arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to a third element of the first part of the electrical equipment located on a second side of the first element;

- The third coupling sub-part may be a wall delimiting a second groove arranged so as to accommodate part of an edge of the third element;

- its part may comprise a fourth coupling sub-part defining a clipping lug intended to clip it onto the first element;

- the first retaining sub-part may be a wall secured to one end of a main wall of the part and defining a flexible hook;

- its part may include a second retaining sub-part arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part of the electrical cable during the coupling of the second part of the electrical equipment to the first part of the latter;

- the second retaining sub-part can be a wall secured to a second face of a main wall of the part and delimiting a housing suitable for temporarily and partially housing a connector fitted to one end of the free part of the electric cable during coupling temporary from part to first element;

- its part may include a third retaining sub-part arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part during the coupling of the second part of the electrical equipment to the first part of the latter.

The invention is particularly well suited, although not limitingly, to the case where the electrical equipment to be assembled is an electric machine (or motor).

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings (obtained in CAD/DAO (“Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Drawing”), from which certain levels of gray), on which:

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, part of an example of electrical equipment being assembled, with an example embodiment of an aid device according to the invention coupled to its first part and to which is coupled an electric cable,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, the part of the electrical equipment of the once a second part has been secured to its first part and before the decoupling of the aid device,

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from above, the aid device of Figures 1 and 2, and

schematically illustrates, in a perspective view from below, the aid device of Figures 1 to 3.

Detailed description of the invention

The object of the invention is in particular to propose an aid device DA intended to help a person during the assembly of electrical equipment EE comprising a free part of an electrical cable CE, so that the latter (CE) remains integrated.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the electrical equipment EE to be assembled is an electric machine (or motor). But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the DA aid device can be used during the assembly of any electrical (or electronic) equipment comprising a first part comprising a free part of an electric cable and to which a second part must be coupled.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the electric machine EE is intended to equip a vehicle, possibly of the automotive type (such as a car for example). But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, the electrical machine (and more generally electrical equipment) EE can equip any system, and in particular vehicles (land, sea (or river) and air), buildings, installations (including industrial) , and electrical (or electronic) appliances.

In addition, it is considered in what follows, by way of non-limiting example, that the electric machine EE is a driving machine intended to be part of a powertrain (or GMP) of the all-electric or rechargeable hybrid type of a vehicle, being associated with an inverter receiving electrical energy from a battery (possibly rechargeable and for example of the low or medium voltage type (typically between 220 V and 600 V)).

Schematically represented on the part of an example of EE electrical equipment being assembled, here an electric motor machine. This electrical equipment EE comprises a first part P1 to which a second part P2 must be coupled (see ).

In the example illustrated without limitation in Figures 1 and 2, the first part P1 comprises a stator ST at one end of which is fixedly secured a first casing C1, and the second part P2 is a second so-called closure casing to be fixedly secured to the first crankcase C1.

The first part P1 comprises in particular a first element E1 and a free part of an electrical cable CE passing in the vicinity of this first element E1 and the end of which is provided with a first connector CN. The latter (CN) is intended to be soon connected to a second connector after the attachment of the second part P2 of the electronic equipment EE to the first part P1.

It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first element E1 is a connection lug constituting one of the three electrical terminals of the stator ST, the two other electrical terminals being constituted by two other lugs of connection hereinafter called second E2 and third E3 elements (the usefulness of which will appear later).

As mentioned above, the invention proposes to temporarily use an aid device DA to help a person during the assembly of the electrical equipment EE so that the free part of its electrical cable CE remains intact.

As illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, an aid device DA, according to the invention, essentially comprises a part PD comprising at least a first coupling sub-part SPC1 and a first retaining sub-part SPR1. The first coupling sub-part SPC1 is arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to the first element E1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The first retaining sub-part SPR1 is arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part of the electric cable CE before and during the coupling of the second part P2 to the first part P1.

Thus, just before a person begins the coupling of the second part P2 to the first part P1, he grabs the part PD then can, for example, couple the latter (PD) at least to the first element E1, then can couple the free part of the electrical cable CE at least to the first retaining sub-part SPR1 in order to cause it to be retained. As a variant, the person can grasp the part PD then the free part of the electrical cable CE in order to cause it to be retained by at least the first retaining sub-part SPR1, and finally can couple the part PD (whereas it now retains the free part) at least to the first element E1. The person can then couple the second part P2 to the first part P1 without risk of damaging or jamming the free part of the electrical cable CE. Then, once the attachment of the second part P2 to the first part P1 has been carried out, the person can decouple the part PD from the first part P1 then the free part of the electrical cable CE from the part PD or else decouple the free part of the cable electric CE of the part PD then the part PD of the first part P1.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first coupling sub-part SPC1 can be a protuberance which is secured to the first face FI (which can be described as lower) of a wall main PP of part PD. In this case, this protuberance SPC1 is intended to be housed in a hole that comprises the first element E1, during the temporary coupling of the part PD to the latter (E1). In the example shown, the hole is used for screwing onto the first connection lug E1 of the stator ST of part of an electric bar bus from an inverter (but it could be an electric cable from this inverter), after joining the second part P2 to the first part P1. In this case the protuberance SPC1 can, as illustrated, be a cylinder of circular section with a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the hole. This embodiment is advantageous because it makes it possible to systematically position and couple the part PD at the same place (the hole of the first element E1) on each first part P1 of an electrical equipment EE to be assembled.

In a variant embodiment not illustrated, the first coupling sub-part SPC1 could be a clipping lug similar to that described below under the reference SPC4.

Also for example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first retaining sub-part SPR1 can be a wall which is secured to one end of a main wall PP of the part PD and which defines a flexible hook . It will be understood that the free part of the electrical cable CE is introduced by the person ensuring the assembly into the internal loop defined by this flexible hook SPR1, and the latter (SPR1) exerts pressure on this free part which presses it against the end of the main wall PP and thus allows its retention.

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that, when the first part P1 comprises a second element E2 located on a first side (here left) of its first element E1, the part PD can comprise, at a distance d a first side (here left) of its first coupling sub-part SPC1, a second coupling sub-part SPC2 arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to this second element E2. This makes it possible to reinforce the temporary coupling of the part PD to the first part P1 while promoting positioning of the part PD in the same position.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second coupling sub-part SPC2 can be a wall which delimits a first groove R1 arranged so as to temporarily house part of an edge of the second element E2. This wall SPC2 can be secured to a first end (here the left) of the main wall PP of the part PD.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that, when the first part P1 comprises a third element E3 located on a second side (here right) of its first element E1, the part PD can comprise, at a distance on a second side (here right) of its first coupling sub-part SPC1, a third coupling sub-part SPC3 arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to this third element E3. This also makes it possible to reinforce the temporary coupling of the part PD to the first part P1 while promoting positioning of the part PD in the same position. It will be noted that the part PD can comprise either the second coupling sub-part SPC2, or the third coupling sub-part SPC3, or even the second SPC2 and third coupling sub-parts SPC3. In the last alternative, the positioning in the same predefined position of the part PD with respect to the first part P1 is systematically guaranteed.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, the third coupling sub-part SPC3 can be a wall which delimits a second groove R2 arranged so as to temporarily house part of an edge of the third element E3. This wall SPC3 can be secured to a second end (here the right) of the main wall PP of the part PD. This second end (here the right) of the main wall PP can, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, be the one to which the first retaining sub-part SPR1 is secured.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that the part PD may comprise a fourth coupling sub-part SPC4 which defines a clipping lug intended to clip it onto the first element E1. Thus, the temporary coupling of the part PD is permanent and allows a displacement of the first part P1 with a possible reversal with a view to its coupling to the second part P2, without fear of a decoupling of the part PD from the first part P1 .

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in the , the clipping lug SPC4 may have a U-shape having a first part descending under the main wall PP and extended by a second part going up and passing through an opening O defined in the main wall PP, so as to have a free end located above a second face FS (which can be described as upper because it is opposite the first face FI (lower)), of the main wall PP and therefore operable by the person ensuring the assembly during the decoupling of the part PD of the first element E1. Clipping to the first element E1 is then ensured by a protuberance PR defined on the second part of the clipping lug SPC4 (see ) and wedged under a wall of the first element E1 during coupling.

When the coupling sub-part SPC1 is a clipping lug (and not a protuberance as illustrated), the part PD does not need to include another clipping lug such as that described above and referenced SPC4. In fact, in this case the coupling sub-part SPC1 can be similar or identical to the clipping lug SPC4.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that the part PD may comprise a second retaining sub-part SPR2 which is arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part of the electrical cable CE during the coupling of the second part P2 to the first part P1. This increases the retention of the free part of the CE electric cable, which can be useful when it is relatively long.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in the , the second retaining sub-part SPR2 can be a wall which is secured to the second face FS of the main wall PP of the part PD and which delimits a housing LC. The latter (LC) is capable of temporarily and partially housing the connector CN which equips (possibly) the end (still free) of the free part of the electric cable CE during the temporary coupling of the part PD to the first element E1. It will be understood that when coupling the electrical cable CE to the part PD, the person performing the assembly introduces the connector CN into the housing LC so that the latter can retain it. This introduction can be done by very slightly force-fitting when the first part P1 must be turned over during its coupling to the second part P2.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that the part PD may comprise a third retaining sub-part SPR3 arranged so as to temporarily retain the free part of the electrical cable CE during the coupling of the second part P2 to the first part P1. This makes it possible to increase the retention of the free part of the electrical cable CE, which can be useful when it is relatively long and/or when the first part P1 must be turned over during its coupling to the second. part P2.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, this third retaining sub-part SPR3 can be in the form of a hook. This SPR3 hook can advantageously be defined at the free end of the SPC4 clipping lug, as illustrated without limitation. It can also facilitate the action on the clipping lug SPC4 of the person performing the assembly, when uncoupling the part PD from the first element E1.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in the , that when the first part P1 of the electrical equipment EE comprises first E1, second E2 and third E3 elements which are all provided with a hole (for example for screwing), the main wall PP of the part PD can comprise on its first face FI two centering pins PC intended to be housed in the respective holes of the second E2 and third E3 elements, in addition to the housing of the protuberance SPC1 in the hole of the first element E1. This is advantageous because it allows the person performing the assembly to determine whether the first E1, second E2 and third E3 elements are correctly positioned relative to each other. Indeed it is only when the two centering pins PC and the protrusion SPC1 are housed in the three corresponding holes that one is sure that the first E1, second E2 and third E3 elements are correctly positioned relative to each other. .

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, that the part PD may comprise on the second face FS of its main wall PP a gripping sub-part SPS allowing the person performing the assembly to grip it and manipulate it. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 to 4, this SPS input sub-part can be arranged in the form of a cylinder of circular section.

It will also be noted that the PD part can be produced in a thermoplastic material by means of a 3D printer or else by molding (or injection) of a plastic or synthetic material.

Claims (10)

Aid device (DA) for aiding a person when assembling electrical equipment (EE) comprising i) a first part (P1) comprising a first element (E1) and a free part of an electric cable ( CE) passing in the vicinity of said first element (E1), and ii) a second part (P2) to be coupled to said first part (P1), characterized in that it comprises a part (PD) comprising a first sub-part (SPC1) arranged to be temporarily coupled to said first element (E1), and at least one first retaining sub-part (SPR1) arranged to temporarily retain said free part before and during said coupling of said second part (P2) to said first part (P1). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said first coupling sub-part (SPC1) is a protrusion secured to a first face (FI) of a main wall (PP) of the said part (PD) and intended to be housed in a hole of said first element (E1) during the temporary coupling of said part (PD) to the latter (E1). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said piece (PD) comprises, at a distance from a first side of said first coupling sub-part (SPC1), a second coupling sub-part (SPC2) arranged so as to be temporarily coupled to a second element (E2) of said first part (P1), located on a first side of said first element (E1). Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said second coupling sub-part (SPC2) is a wall delimiting a first groove (R1) arranged so as to temporarily house part of an edge of the said second element (E2). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said part (PD) comprises, at a distance from a second side of the said first coupling sub-part (SPC1), a third coupling sub-part (SPC3 ) arranged to be temporarily coupled to a third element (E3) of said first part (P1), located on a second side of said first element (E1). Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the said third coupling sub-part (SPC3) is a wall delimiting a second groove (R2) arranged so as to temporarily house part of an edge of the said third element (E3). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said part (PD) comprises a fourth coupling sub-part (SPC4) defining a clipping lug intended to clip it onto the said first element (E1). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said first retaining sub-part (SPR1) is a wall secured to one end of a main wall (PP) of the said part (PD) and defining a hook flexible. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said part (PD) comprises a second retaining sub-part (SPR2) arranged so as to temporarily retain the said free part of the electric cable (CE) during the said coupling of said second part (P2) to said first part (P1). Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said second retaining sub-part (SPR2) is a wall secured to a second face (FS) of a main wall (PP) of the said part (PD) and delimiting a housing ( LC) capable of temporarily and partially housing a connector (CN) fitted to one end of said free part of the electric cable (CE) during the temporary coupling of said part (PD) to said first element (E1).