DE102020126192A1 - Temperature detection device for a connector part - Google Patents

Abstract

A temperature detection device (1) for a connector part (2, 3) comprises a latching element (10) for mounting on a contact element (20) of the connector part (2, 3) and at least one temperature sensor (11). It is provided that the latching element (10) is made of metal, with the at least one temperature sensor (11) being attached to the latching element (10) by means of a sensor holder (13). In this way, a temperature detection device is specified which has a particularly simple structure

Description

The invention relates to a temperature detection device for a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing such a temperature detection device.

Such a temperature detection device comprises a locking element for mounting on a contact element of the connector part and at least one temperature sensor.

the WO 2018/197247 A1 describes such a temperature detection device, which comprises a latching element with a temperature sensor. Such a latching element enables a firm seat and direct contact with the contact element and therefore allows effective heat transfer from the contact element of the connector part to the temperature sensor. The temperature detection device has a relatively complex structure.

Temperature detection devices mounted axially (with respect to a plug-in axis of the contact element) and preloaded with a spring are also conceivable, with increased dependencies on tolerances in the production of the individual components being able to add to a complex structure.

The object of the present invention is to specify a temperature detection device that has a particularly simple structure.

This object is solved by an object with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, it is provided that the latching element is made of metal, with the at least one temperature sensor being attached to the latching element by means of a sensor holder.

Since the latching element is made entirely of metal, it has a particularly simple structure and is easy to produce, e.g. by means of a simple stamping process. It also allows particularly effective heat conduction. For example, the locking element consists of aluminum, copper or steel. The at least one temperature sensor is mounted on the latching element, specifically by means of the sensor holder. The temperature sensor or sensors can be designed, for example, in the form of temperature-dependent resistors. Such temperature sensors can be, for example, resistors with a positive temperature coefficient (so-called PTC resistors), whose resistance value increases with increasing temperature (also referred to as PTC thermistors, which have good electrical conductivity at low temperatures and reduced electrical conductivity at higher temperatures ). Such temperature sensors can, for example, also have a non-linear temperature characteristic and can be made of a ceramic material, for example (so-called ceramic PTC thermistors). For example, however, electrical resistors with a negative temperature coefficient (so-called NTC resistors) can also be used as temperature sensors, the resistance value of which decreases as the temperature rises. Alternatively or additionally, temperature sensors formed by semiconductor components can also be used.

In concrete terms, the latching element can be formed in one piece, and in particular also from the same material. This enables a particularly simple and also precise manufacture.

For example, the locking element consists of a piece of sheet metal. In this way, several locking elements can be produced in one stamping process. Furthermore, such a locking element takes up little space.

In one embodiment, the latching element has two latching arms. A receiving opening can be formed between the locking arms. Optionally, the receiving opening has an edge area that extends along an arc of a circle. This allows a particularly simple construction and uncomplicated but secure assembly on the contact element.

According to a development, a locking edge is formed on each of the locking arms. The distance between the latching edges is optionally smaller than the diameter of the circular arc. This allows the latching element to be snapped onto the contact element in a simple, form-fitting manner and securely held thereon.

The at least one temperature sensor can be embedded in the material of the sensor holder. For example, the temperature sensor is completely enclosed in the material of the sensor holder, with only connecting lines protruding to the outside. In this way, a particularly secure fastening of the temperature sensor can be achieved.

The sensor holder consists e.g. of an electrically insulating material. As a result, no further insulation of the temperature sensor is necessary, not even when the latching element is in contact with the electrically conductive contact element.

The sensor holder can consist of a plastic, in particular an electrically insulating one the plastic, whereby the production can be further simplified.

In one embodiment, the sensor holder has two contact sections, between which a head section (generally a section) of the latching element is arranged. For example, the sensor holder grips the head portion. This enables a particularly robust assembly.

According to a further development, at least one opening is formed on the head section of the latching element. A passage of the sensor holder connecting the two contact sections is optionally arranged in the opening (or in each of the openings). The penetration connects (or the penetrations connect) the contact sections, e.g. of the same material with one another. This enables a particularly secure and robust mounting of the temperature sensor on the latching element.

According to one aspect, a connector part is provided with at least one electrical contact element for establishing an electrical contact with a corresponding mating contact element. The connector part includes a temperature detection device according to any configuration described herein. In particular, the connector part can include multiple contact elements and/or multiple temperature detection devices.

Such a connector part can be a plug or a socket. Such a connector part can be used in particular on a charging device for transmitting a charging current. The connector part can be designed in particular as a charging plug or charging socket for charging a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor (also referred to as an electric vehicle) and can be used on the part of a charging station, e.g. as a charging plug on a charging cable, or also on the part of a vehicle as what is known as an inlet. Charging plugs or charging sockets for charging electric vehicles must always be designed in such a way that large charging currents can be transmitted. Because the thermal power loss increases quadratically with the charging current and it is also stipulated that a temperature increase in a connector part must not exceed a certain temperature, it is regularly necessary to provide temperature monitoring for such charging plugs or charging sockets in order to prevent overheating of components of the charging plug or charging socket to be detected early and, if necessary, to modify the charging current or even switch off the charging device. The proposed connector part with the temperature detection device allows such a temperature monitoring, and because the latching element is made of metal and not only equipped with comparatively thin heat conductors, it also has a particularly short response time. In addition, the connector part has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture for the reasons already explained above.

The contact element (or each of several contact elements) can have a groove, in particular a circumferential groove. The latching element of the temperature detection device can be latched onto the groove and latched in the assembled state. This allows an effective direct (area) contact between the two parts and also a particularly simple assembly and at the same time secure mounting.

In one aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a temperature sensing device according to any configuration described herein. In the method, the at least one temperature sensor is fastened to the metal latching element by means of the sensor holder.

With regard to the advantages and the possibilities for designing the method, reference is made to the above information on the temperature detection device and the connector part.

For example, the sensor holder is injection molded onto the latching element, which allows the temperature detection device to be produced particularly easily and quickly. It can be provided that the at least one temperature sensor is overmoulded with the material that then forms the sensor holder. As a result, the temperature sensor can be protected particularly well. During manufacture, the latching element is provided with a latching contour.

• 1 eine Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung und ein Kontaktelement eines Steckverbinderteils in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 2 die Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung gemäß 1 in einem auf das Kontaktelement aufgerasteten Zustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 3 die Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung und das Kontaktelement im Zustand gemäß 2 in einer Draufsicht entlang einer Steckachse des Kontaktelements;
• 4 die Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung und das Kontaktelement im Zustand gemäß 2 in einer seitlichen Ansicht;
• 5A und 5B eine Querschnittsansicht der in 4 veranschaulichten Schnittebene A-A und einen Detailausschnitt davon;
• 6 die Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung gemäß 1, wobei die Lage eines Temperatursensors veranschaulicht ist;
• 7 eine Explosionsdarstellung der Elemente der Temperaturerfassungseinrichtung gemäß 1 und das Kontaktelement; und
• 8 ein Elektrofahrzeug mit einem Ladekabel und einer Ladestation zum Aufladen.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures. It shows in schematic representations:

• 1 a temperature detection device and a contact element of a connector part in a perspective view;
• 2 the temperature detection device according to 1 in a latched onto the contact element state in a perspective view;
• 3 the temperature detection device and the contact element in the state according to FIG 2 in a plan view along a plug-in axis of the contact element;
• 4 the temperature detection device and the contact element in the state according to FIG 2 in a side view;
• 5A and 5B a cross-sectional view of the 4 illustrated section plane AA and a detail thereof;
• 6 the temperature detection device according to 1 , where the location of a temperature sensor is illustrated;
• 7 an exploded view of the elements of the temperature detection device according to FIG 1 and the contact element; and
• 8th an electric vehicle with a charging cable and a charging station for charging.

1 shows a temperature detection device 1 for a connector part, e.g. for one of the 8th shown connector parts 2, 3. The temperature detection device 1 is also in a 1 shown contact element 20 of the connector part 2, 3 mountable. In the present case, the contact element 20 is a contact plug that can be plugged into a corresponding contact socket with electrical contact, wherein the contact element 20 could alternatively be designed as a contact socket into which a corresponding contact plug can be plugged with electrical contact.

The temperature detection device 1 comprises a latching element 10, a temperature sensor 11 (which is 1 not visible but in the 5A until 7 shown) and a temperature sensor 13 that can be connected to an evaluation unit via connecting lines 12. In the example described here, the temperature detection device 1 includes precisely one temperature sensor 13, although configurations with more than one such temperature sensor 13 are also conceivable.

The locking element 10 consists of a piece of metal and is produced in the present case as a stamped part from sheet metal. The latching element 10 is therefore a metal part. The latching element 10 comprises a head section 100 from which two latching arms 101A, 101B extend. A receiving opening 102 is formed between the locking arms 101A, 101B. The receiving opening 102 has an inner surface that runs along an arc of a circle. Each of the latch arms 101A, 101B has an open end. A locking edge 104 is formed on each of the locking arms 101A, 101B near the open end. The latching edges 104 face each other. The latching edges 104 describe a constriction behind which the receiving opening 102 widens. Furthermore, an insertion bevel 103 is formed on each of the latching edges 104 . The insertion bevels 103 make it easier to insert the contact element 20 into the receiving opening 102, with the latching arms 101A, 101B being displaced elastically (to the outside).

The receiving opening 102 is designed to match an outer contour of the contact element 20 , in the present case a contour designed in a circumferential groove 200 . Within the groove 200, the contact element 20 has an outer diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the circular arc of the receiving opening 102 or is designed to be slightly larger for a press fit. The temperature detection device 1 can thus be latched or clipped onto the contact element, in the present case in the groove 200.

The state of the temperature detection device 1 mounted on the contact element 20 shows 2 .

The contact element 20 comprises a contact section 201 for making electrical contact with the corresponding mating contact element and (at one axial end) a receptacle 202 for connecting an electrical line. When the contact element 20 is in use, an electric current is passed over it, for example a charging current for an electric vehicle, for example for the vehicle 6 according to FIG 8th . Here, the contact element 20 can heat up. The temperature detection device 1 is set up to monitor the temperature of the contact element 20 . Because the locking element 10 is made of solid metal, such as aluminum or copper, it conducts heat particularly effectively. In addition, it is accommodated in the groove in the assembled state and has a surface (large-surface) contact with the contact element 20 . This enables particularly short response times for temperature monitoring.

3 shows a view looking along a plug-in axis of the contact element 20, ie the axis along which the contact element 20 can be plugged in for electrical connection to a mating contact element. It can be seen that the latching element 10 can be latched onto the contact element 20 in a mounting direction perpendicular to the plug-in axis. In the present case, the connecting lines 12 of the temperature sensor 13 extend from the sensor holder in a direction that runs perpendicularly to the plug-in axle and also perpendicularly to the direction of assembly.

Furthermore, in particular based on 3 seen that the sensor holder 13 in the assembled state according to 3 directly adjacent to a surface of the contact element 20. Here, the sensor holder 13 comprises a surface that runs along an arc of a circle (and follows a portion of the surface of the contact element 20).

5A shows a cross section according to FIG 4 drawn section plane AA and 5B shows an in 5A drawn section in an enlarged view.

In particular based on the 5A and 5B it can be seen that the temperature sensor 11 is embedded in the material of the sensor holder 13 . In the present case, the temperature sensor 11 is surrounded on all sides by the material of the sensor holder 13 . The connection lines 12 are electrically connected to the temperature sensor 11 inside the sensor holder. The connection lines 12 extend out of the sensor holder 13 . The material of the sensor holder 13 is an electrically insulating plastic, in particular an injection-moldable plastic. For example, to produce the temperature detection device 1 , the temperature sensor 11 provided with the connection lines 12 and the latching element 10 are placed in an injection mold and then injected with injection molding material, which then forms the sensor holder 13 . A material area of the sensor holder extends between the temperature sensor 11 and the locking element 10, as in particular based on the 5B recognizable.

The material of the sensor holder 13 insulates the temperature sensor 11 (and the connecting lines 12) from the latching element 10 and thus also from the contact element 20. In the assembled state, the latching element 10 and the contact element 20 are in contact with one another and are therefore in electrical contact.

How in particular based on the 5A , 5B and 6 As can be seen, the temperature sensor 11 is arranged in the direct vicinity of the latching element 10, which is possible in particular due to the insulation provided by the sensor holder 13. Only a thin material layer of the sensor holder 13 is arranged between the latching element 10 and the temperature sensor 11 . This enables a particularly fast response.

The connecting lines 12 themselves are also (each) provided with electrical insulation and are stripped only in the area of the connection to the temperature sensor 11 , ie inside the sensor holder 13 . This achieves an encapsulation of the temperature sensor 11, which allows a particularly reliable electrical insulation from the potential of the contact element 20 and thus an arrangement of the temperature sensor 11 particularly close to the latching element 10.

Based on 5A and 5B It can also be seen that the latching element 10 comprises a plurality of, in the present case two, openings 105 through which the material of the sensor holder 13 passes. In the present case, the sensor holder 13 forms a passage 132 for each of the openings 105 . Each of the openings 132 connects two, in particular, in 7 recognizable contact sections 133 of the sensor holder 13 with one another, in the present case of the same material. A gap is formed between the contact sections 133, in which a part of the head section 100 of the latching element 10 is accommodated. This enables sensor element 13 to be held particularly securely and securely on latching element 10.

If the sensor holder 13 is injection molded onto the latching element 10 as in the present example, then injection molding material is injected through the openings 105 during the injection molding process. Alternatively, if the sensor holder 13 is pre-produced and then connected to the latching element 10 , the passages 132 can alternatively be designed in the form of latchable pins with open ends, so that the sensor holder 13 can be easily but securely attached to the latching element 10 .

8th shows a vehicle 6 in the form of an electric motor-driven vehicle (also referred to as an electric vehicle). The vehicle 6 has electrically chargeable batteries, via which an electric motor for moving the vehicle 6 can be supplied with electricity.

In order to charge the batteries of the vehicle 6 , the vehicle 6 can be connected to a charging station 5 via a charging cable 4 . For this purpose, the charging cable 4 can be plugged with a connector part 2 designed as a charging plug at one end into an associated connector part 3 serving as a mating connector part in the form of a charging socket of the vehicle 6 and is connected at its other end via another connector part 2 designed as a charging plug with a corresponding one , Serving as mating connector part connector part 3 in the form of a charging socket on the charging station 5 in electrical connection.

Charging currents with a comparatively high current intensity are transmitted to the vehicle 6 via the charging cable 4 .

The connector parts 2 each comprise a plurality of contact elements 20 and temperature detection devices 1 according to FIG 1 .

Reference List

1

temperature detection device

10

locking element

100

head section

101A, 101B

locking arm

102

intake opening

103

lead-in bevel

104

locking edge

105

opening

11

temperature sensor

12

connecting cable

13

sensor holder

130

body

131

admission

132

penetration

133

investment section

2, 3

connector part

20

contact element

200

groove

201

contact section

202

admission

4

charging cable

5

charging station

6

vehicle

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 2018/197247 A1 [0003]

Claims (14)

Temperature detection device (1) for a connector part (2, 3), comprising a latching element (10) for mounting on a contact element (20) of the connector part (2, 3) and at least one temperature sensor (11), characterized in that the latching element (10 ) consists of metal, wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is attached to the latching element (10) by means of a sensor holder (13). Temperature detection device (1) after claim 1 , characterized in that the locking element (10) is formed in one piece and of the same material. Temperature detection device (1) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the locking element (10) consists of a piece of sheet metal. Temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (10) has two latching arms (101A, 101B) which form a receiving opening (102) between them, the receiving opening (102) having an edge region which runs along an arc of a circle is extended. Temperature detection device (1) after claim 4 , characterized in that a locking edge (104) is formed on each of the locking arms (101A, 101B), the distance between the locking edges (104) being smaller than the diameter of the circular arc. Temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one temperature sensor (11) is embedded in the material of the sensor holder (13). Temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor holder (13) consists of an electrically insulating material. Temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor holder (13) consists of a plastic. Temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor holder (13) has two contact sections (133), between which a head section (100) of the latching element (10) is arranged. Temperature detection device (1) after claim 9 , characterized in that at least one opening (105) is formed on the head section (100) of the latching element (10), in which a passage (132) of the sensor holder (13) connecting the two contact sections (133) is arranged. Connector part (2, 3) with an electrical contact element (20) for producing an electrical contact, characterized by a temperature detection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Connector part (2, 3) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the contact element (20) has a circumferential groove (200) on which the latching element (10) of the temperature detection device (1) is latched. Method for producing a temperature detection device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is attached to the latching element (10) by means of the sensor holder (13). procedure after Claim 13 , characterized in that the sensor holder (13) is injection molded onto the locking element (10), wherein the at least one temperature sensor (11) is encapsulated.

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