DE102021128796A1 - Electrical power feedthrough - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical current feedthrough (1) at an opening (7) of a thin-walled sheet metal part (5) which is designed for use in the area of a temperature-controlled fluid line, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, the electrical current bushing (1) has a connection (8) which is arranged in an electrically insulated manner at the opening (7) of a sheet metal part (5). that the connection (8) is fixed in the area of the opening (7) by an insulating body (9) on the sheet metal part (5) of a shielding device (2), the connection (8) being extended through the opening (7) and on a free end region (10) carries an electrical distribution device (11), insulation (3) of the shielding device (2) being arranged between the sheet metal part (5) and the distribution device (11).

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical power feedthrough at an opening of a thin-walled sheet metal part that is arranged for use in the area of a temperature-controlled object, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, the electrical power feedthrough having a connection that is at the opening of the sheet metal part is arranged in an electrically insulated manner.

Electrical feedthroughs on housings have been known for a long time and in great variety from the prior art. The probably simplest bushings include, for example, control cabinet bushings or connections for commercially available cold device plugs. Depending on the area of application, plastic components, glass or ceramic components are used as electrical insulation material for current-carrying components. In a respective connection area, e.g. contact pins or pins are used as current-carrying components, which consist largely of metallic materials. Such a bushing can be attached to the component housing in question, depending on the requirements, e.g. by clamping, gluing, screwing, welding, soldering, etc.

For the application of an electrical supply of an actively heated by a honeycomb catalyst is for example from EP 0 783 621 B1 a power connection is known, which protrudes through an opening of a casing tube into a connecting piece welded to the casing tube at the opening. In contrast, an electrical current feedthrough on a shielding device in the area of a temperature-controlled object, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, does not have to be designed to be gas-tight or pressure-tight, but is mechanically stressed more heavily by vibrations and thermal expansion.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical current feedthrough of the type mentioned which, with a simplified structure, takes up less space.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. According to this, an electrical current feedthrough on a shielding device, which is arranged as a thin-walled housing filled with thermal insulation when used in the area of a temperature-controlled object, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, is characterized in that the connection in the area the opening is fixed to the sheet metal part by an insulating body, the connection being extended through the opening and carrying an electrical distribution device at a free end, the distribution device being surrounded by the insulation of the shielding device. The connection of a bushing according to the invention is thus securely fixed in a defined manner in relation to the sheet metal part and at the same time also electrically insulated. A further advantage of a method according to the invention is that the insulating body itself consists of a ceramic, glass, mica and/or a plastic or, for example, Teflon, depending on the application and thermal stress. It can thus be used on well-known materials and mature manufacturing processes, for example, to safely supply an electric heater within a shielding device, such as in DE 10 2019 119 294.3 disclosed.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the subclaims. Accordingly, the insulating body has an outer jacket, via which the insulating body is fixed to the sheet metal part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer casing of the insulating body is designed as a metallic cylinder. The outer casing preferably has an external thread, or it is designed, for example, for welding or fixing by folding or clinching.

The fixing of the insulating body is advantageously realized by screwing, welding, folding, clinching on the sheet metal part.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating body has a shoulder whose diameter is larger than a diameter of the opening of the sheet metal part of the shielding device. The insulating body can thus only be inserted through the opening of the sheet metal part of the shielding device as far as this shoulder, so that there is a constant arrangement of bushings on shielding parts during manufacture. It is possible to mount the bushing on a shielding part from both sides, as will be specifically illustrated and explained below using an exemplary embodiment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical distribution device is arranged in one piece at the free end of the connection. In this case, the connection is designed, for example, as a piece of pipe, the free end area of which has been cut into individual tongues to form a distribution device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end of the connector terminates in at least one arm. The arm is oriented at an angle relative to a central axis of the connection, preferably by approximately 90°.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the electrical distribution device is fixed to the free end of the connection by welding, riveting, folding or clinching.

Advantageously, the electrical distribution device is designed as a stamped and bent part. As a more or less flat component, the electrical distribution device can thus be produced quickly, inexpensively and precisely reproducibly from sheet metal with largely free shaping.

In one embodiment, the electrical distribution device preferably has self-defined connections, in particular in the form of specific connection lugs, to which plugs can be fixed, or which are designed so that electrical conductors, but also heating wires, can be fixed to them by folding.

• 1: eine Schnittdarstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer elektrischen Durchführung als im Wesentlichen rotationssymmetrisches Bauteil mit zwei alternativen Fixierungen an einer Abschirmeinrichtung in einer Einbaulage;
• 2: eine Schnittdarstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels einer elektrischen Durchführung analog der Darstellung von 1;
• 3: eine Schnittdarstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels einer elektrischen Durchführung analog der Darstellung von 1 und 2;
• 4: eine Schnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer elektrischen Durchführung mit zwei Anschluss-Polen basierend auf dem Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß 3;
• 5 und 6:
  • Draufsichten von Ausführungsbeispielen von elektrischen Verteilvorrichtungen und
• 7: eine Draufsicht auf eine Anordnung von elektrischen Verteilvorrichtungen nach 6 für ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer elektrischen Durchführung gemäß 4.

Further features and advantages of embodiments according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment using the drawing. Show in it:

• 1 1: a sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough as a substantially rotationally symmetrical component with two alternative fixations on a shielding device in an installed position;
• 2 : a sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough analogous to the representation in FIG 1 ;
• 3 : a sectional representation of a third exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough analogous to the representation in FIG 1 and 2 ;
• 4 1: a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough with two connection poles based on the exemplary embodiment according to FIG 3 ;
• 5 and 6 :
  • Plan views of embodiments of electrical distribution devices and
• 7 : a plan view of an arrangement of electrical distribution devices according to FIG 6 for an exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough according to FIG 4 .

The same reference numbers are used for the same elements or method steps throughout the various figures of the drawing.

Without restricting the invention, a use of an electrical current feedthrough 1 on a shielding device 2 with two layers 3, 4 of thermal insulation between two outer sheets 5, 6 is shown and described below across all exemplary embodiments. The layers 3, 4 are formed with different layer thicknesses using ceramic flow bodies as thermal insulation to reduce heat radiation. The layer 4 preferably has a lower thermal insulation effect than the layer 3, the layer 4 being arranged with the adjoining outer panel 6 facing a heat source in an application. Due to their thermal insulation properties, these layers 3, 4 have a sufficiently electrically insulating effect even at high temperatures above 400° C. to approx. 700° C.

1 shows a sectional view of a first exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 1 as a substantially rotationally symmetrical component with two alternative fixations on a shielding device 2 in one installation position. The electrical current bushing 1 is inserted through an opening 7 in the thin-walled metallic outer panel 5 into the layer 3 of the thermal insulation of the housing of the shielding device 2 for use in the area of a temperature-controlled fluid line, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, and inserted there in fixed in a manner described below in variants. The electrical feedthrough 1 has a connection 8 which is arranged in an electrically insulated manner at or opposite the opening 7 of the sheet metal part 5 in that the connection 8 is fixed to the sheet metal part 5 by an insulating body 9 in the region of the opening 7 . In this exemplary embodiment, the connection 8 is designed as a piece of pipe and is extended through the opening 7 and the adjoining layer 3 of thermal insulation. The connection 8 carries an electrical distribution device 11 on a free end region 10 . This distribution device 11 is essentially thermally and electrically insulated by the layer 3 and the adjacent layer 4 , ie surrounded by the insulation of the shielding device 2 .

In the present exemplary embodiment, the connection 8 is designed as a tube section whose free end region 10 has been cut into individual tongues 12 to form the electrical distribution device 11 . These tongues 12 or arms serve as connections for electrical lines, the conductors 13 of which are connected to the individual arms 12 in a defined manner by welding or folding, etc. The Conductors 13 then run between the layers 3, 4 in an electrically insulated manner and therefore, in principle, do not require any further electrical insulation of their own.

The representation of 1 shows a sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 1 in one installation position, two alternative fixations of the feedthrough 1 via the insulating body 9 on the sheet metal part 5 of the shielding device 2. In the left half, the opening 7 in the sheet metal part 5 has a diameter d, where the insulating body 9 has a shoulder 14 with a diameter D which is significantly larger than the diameter d of the opening 7 . Thus the insulating body 9 rests with the shoulder 14 in the region of the opening 7 on the sheet metal part 5 and an extension 15 passes through the opening 7, this extension 15 having a radius R<d/2. The extension 15 is used to position the insulating body 9 relative to the opening 7 and has an external thread 17 on an outer lateral surface 16, into which a thread of a nut 18 engages in the first form of fixing, so that the sheet metal 5 around the opening 7 is enclosed between the shoulder 14 and the nut 18 for fixing the insulating body 9.

In the alternative form of fixation is in 1 shown on the right half that the opening 7 carries a thread in adaptation to the external thread of the lateral surface 16. The insulating body 9 is thus designed to be screwed directly into the area of the opening 7 on the sheet metal part 5 up to the stop on the shoulder 14; a nut 18 can be saved here.

In alternatives that are not shown in more detail, a thread is also already provided on the opening 7, or alternatively a nut is pressed into the opening 7 on the sheet metal part 5 in order to implement the type of fixing described. In a further alternative exemplary embodiment, the material of the insulating body 9 is matched to the sheet metal part 5 in the region of the opening 7 so far that the external thread of the lateral surface 16 automatically forms a corresponding thread at the opening when it is screwed in. In a development, the external thread of the lateral surface 16 is designed as a self-tapping thread, which creates a corresponding thread on the opening 7 during assembly. For this purpose, the outer casing 16 of the insulating body 9 is designed as a metallic cylinder fixed to the extension 15 in one exemplary embodiment.

In a further alternative embodiment, the design measures described above for fixing are to be provided on an opposite side of the sheet metal part 5 . The insulating body 9 is thus designed to be screwed in in the area of the opening 7 on the sheet metal part 5 up to the stop on the shoulder 14 from a free outer space into the layer 3 and is mirrored in relation to the sheet metal part 5 in relation to the exemplary embodiments described above Connection 8 arranged. In any case, a structure of the shielding device 2 is only completed after completion of an electrically conductive fixing of lines 13 to the connections 12 and covering of the electrical distribution device 11 by the layer 4 with the sheet metal layer 6 by fixing the two sheets 5, 6 at the edges.

2 shows a sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 1 analogous to the representation in FIG 1 . Here an extension 15 is inserted through the opening 7 into the layer 3 and thus in turn as an insulating guide. A radially closed metallic collar 19 is arranged over the shoulder 14 and is welded to the outer panel 5 around the opening 7 . The actual fixing of the electrical bushing 1 is thus carried out here via the shoulder 14. Outside the shielding device 2, a further extension 20 of the insulating body 9 is provided on the shoulder 14 for enclosing insulation of the connection 8, which is designed as a pipe section, since an electrical line can be connected by plugging it in or screwing inside is fixable. The structure of the electrical distribution device 11 between the layers 3, 4 is the embodiment of 1 indicated accordingly. The free end 10 of the connection 8 terminates in at least one arm 12; three arms 12 are shown here on average. Each of the arms 12 is aligned at an angle relative to a central axis M of the connection 8 . A bend at an angle α of approximately 90° is preferred in order to be able to arrange conductors 13 connected to the arms 12 in a plane between layers 3, 4 of the thermal and thus also electrical insulation. For this purpose, a spot weld is provided here, the contact surface by a corresponding angling compared to the representation of the 1 and 2 is enlarged.

3 shows a section of a third embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 1 analogous to the representation of FIG 1 and 2 Here, the insulating body 9 has only one shoulder 14 for contact with the metal sheet 5 in the area of the opening 7 . The outer shell 16 is provided with a ring 21 having an L-shaped cross section. One leg 22 includes the outer shell 16 in a non-positive manner, with the ring 21 being fastened to the metal sheet 5 via the other leg 23 by welding, folding or clinching. Furthermore, here the electrical distribution device 11 is no longer formed in one piece on the free end region 10 of the connection 8 . Rather, the electrical distribution device 11 is designed as a stamped and bent part leads and fixed to the free end area 10 of the connection 8, for example by welding, riveting, folding or clinching at a contact area 24.

4 shows a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical feedthrough with two connection poles 8, which is structurally based on the exemplary embodiment according to FIG 3 based. Two connections 8 are now fixed here in an insulating body 9 which rests on the shoulder 14 to rest on the sheet metal 5 . The two connections 8 run fixed in the common insulating body 9 through an opening 7 in the thin-walled sheet metal part 5 . As already described above for the third exemplary embodiment, a ring 21 with an L-shaped cross section also encloses the outer jacket 16 in a non-positive manner. In this case, the ring 21 in an exemplary embodiment that is not shown in detail is an oval in adaptation to an insulating body 9 that is reduced in weight.

The two two terminal poles 8 carry in the embodiment of 4 external thread 26 at their respective free ends. In an application, external electrical connection lines are securely fixed via the poles 8 by screwing and, with good electrical conductivity, are permanently fixed. As alternatives, plugs that are pushed over the connection poles 8 are also known, for example, for detachable connections.

5 and 6 represent top views of exemplary embodiments of electrical distribution devices 11. Above, the electrical distribution device 11 is arranged in one piece on the free end region 10 of the connection 8, with the connection 8 being designed in particular as a piece of pipe. In these exemplary embodiments, the electrical distribution device 11 is designed as a stamped and bent part. In this example, such an electrical distribution device 11 is fixed to the contact surface 24 by welding to the free end area 10 of the connection 8 and has arms or connections 12 in the form of connection lugs 25 that create a comb-like structure on one or both sides . Electrical lines that are not shown in more detail are fixed here in an electrically conductive manner on the connection lugs 25 by clamping or folding, with welding or clinching being used as permanent and high-temperature-stable connections in other exemplary embodiments.

The illustration of 7 finally shows a top view of a section of an arrangement of two electrical distribution devices 11 according to FIG 6 , which according to an embodiment of an electrical feedthrough 4 are fixed in mirror image to one another while maintaining a minimum distance at the free end regions 10 of the connections 8 . This structure with connection lugs 25 arranged on one or both sides can also be continuously continued parallel to the drawn-in central and symmetrical axis with sufficient current-carrying capacity in order to provide a corresponding number of distributed connection options for electrical lines that are not shown in more detail.

However, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that adaptations of the exemplary embodiments described above are also possible in the same way in that at least one of the thermal insulation layers 3, 4 is replaced by a high-temperature-resistant coating, for example by a thin ceramic layer, which is electrical insulation is attached at least on one side to the electrical distribution device by a pressure or immersion process.

Above various exemplary embodiments, an electrical current feedthrough was provided as a compact component, which also ensures current feedthrough in the range up to current intensities of approx. 100 A with a compact design and high thermomechanical stability. A connection of electrical components, such as connection cables, on both sides of the component penetrated by the current bushing with the possibility of current distribution to several electrical components, such as connection cables with or without cable lugs, is agreed.

Reference List

1

electrical power feedthrough

2

shielding device

3

layer of thermal insulation

4

layer of thermal insulation

5

metallic outer sheet

6

metallic outer sheet

7

Opening of the thin-walled metallic outer panel 5

8th

Connection

9

insulator

10

free end area of the connection 8

11

electrical distribution device

12

tongue/arm/connector

13

electrical conductor

14

Insulator shoulder 9

15

Extension of the insulator 9

16

Shell surface / outer shell

17

external thread

18

Mother

19

metallic collar

20

second extension, in one piece with the insulating body 9

21

Ring with L-shaped cross section

22

Leg of the ring 21 encloses the outer casing 16

23

Leg of ring 21 for attachment to sheet metal 5

24

Contact surface for connection d. electr. Distribution device 11 with the free end area 10 of the connection 8

25

Union Banner

26

Male thread for external electrical connections

i.e

Diameter of the opening 7 in the sheet metal part 5

D

Diameter of the shoulder 14 of the insulating body 9

M

Central axis of the connection 8 of the electrical feedthrough 1

R

Outer radius of the thread 17 of the outer jacket 16

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

• EP 0783621 B1 [0003]
• DE 102019119294 [0005]

Claims (10)

Electrical current bushing (1) at an opening (7) of a thin-walled sheet metal part (5) which is designed for use in the area of a temperature-controlled fluid line, in particular a fuel cell, an internal combustion engine or an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, the electrical current bushing (1) has a connection (8) which is arranged on the opening (7) of a sheet metal part (5) in an electrically insulated manner, characterized in that the connection (8) in the region of the opening (7) is attached to the sheet metal part ( 5) a shielding device (2) is fixed, wherein the connection (8) is extended through the opening (7) and carries an electrical distribution device (11) on a free end region (10), wherein between the sheet metal part (5) and the Distribution device (11) an insulation (3) of the shielding device (2) is arranged. Electrical current bushing (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insulating body (9) has an outer jacket (16) via which the insulating body (9) is fixed to the sheet metal part (5). Electrical current bushing (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer jacket (16) of the insulating body (9) is designed as a metallic cylinder or is attached thereto, the cylinder preferably having an external thread (17). Electrical feedthrough (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating body (9) is fixed to the sheet metal part (5) by screwing, welding, folding, clinching. Electrical current bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating body (9) has a shoulder (14) whose diameter (D) is greater than a diameter (d) of the opening (7) of the sheet metal part (5) of the Shielding device (2). Electrical current bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical distribution device (11) is arranged in one piece on the free end region (10) of the connection (8), the connection (8) being designed in particular as a piece of pipe. Electrical feedthrough (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end (10) of the connection (8) terminates in at least one arm (12) which is aligned at an angle with respect to a central axis (M) of the connection (8), preferably by about 90°. Electrical current bushing (1) according to one of the preceding ones Claims 1 until 5 and 7 , characterized in that the electrical distribution device (11) is fixed by welding, riveting, folding or clinching to the free end region (10) of the connection (8). Electrical current bushing (1) according to one of the preceding ones Claims 1 until 5 and 7 until 8th , characterized in that the electrical distribution device (11) is designed as a stamped and bent part. Electrical current bushing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical distribution device (11) has connection lugs (25).

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