EP1604428A2

EP1604428A2 - Battery terminal

Info

Publication number: EP1604428A2
Application number: EP04719950A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Günther Nölle; Dieter Griesenbach
Original assignee: SAK Auto Kabel AG
Current assignee: SAK Auto Kabel AG
Priority date: 2003-03-19
Filing date: 2004-03-12
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Also published as: DE10312188A1; JP2006520522A; DE10312188B4; WO2004084349A3; WO2004084349A2

Abstract

A battery terminal (1), particularly for an automobile battery (2) having a higher voltage than, for example, 12 volts, comprises a terminal connector (4), which is located on a cable (3) and which, when in a position of use, engages on the battery pole (5) in a non-positive and/or positive manner. To this end, the terminal connector (4) is approximately shaped in the form of a cup or bell in order to surround the battery pole (5) from the top and the sides and, in turn, is surrounded by a housing part (6) that, at least on the surface thereof, is made of a nonconducting material. Said housing part (6) can be displaced relative to the terminal connector (4) in an axial direction. When released, the terminal connector (4) axially rises above the housing part (6), and when in a position of use, the outer wall of the terminal connector (4) is subjected to the action of the inner wall of the housing part (6). This enables the terminal connector (4) to be radially compressed and the inside thereof can be pressed against the outside of the battery pole (5).

Description

battery terminal

The invention relates to a battery connection, in particular for a car battery with a higher voltage than, for example, 12

Volt, with a connection adhesive located on a cable, which in the position of use engages the battery pole in a force-locking and / or form-fitting manner.

Such battery connections are already known. A car battery with, for example, 24 or 42 volts can provide a much higher output at the battery poles than a conventional car battery with 12 volts. Given the higher voltages associated with this, there is a risk that when the connection terminals are loosened from the battery poles, free arcs or arcing arcs onto other metallic parts occur, which are dangerous for the installer and / or also represent a fire hazard. This danger arises in particular if a connection cable from one vehicle to another would be established.

It is therefore the task of creating a battery connection of the type mentioned at the outset or a contact arrangement or contact connection in which the loosening and attachment of the battery connection cannot lead to an external arc or sparks and the connection of a jumper cable is prevented or made difficult.

To solve this problem, it is provided that the connection terminal is approximately cup-shaped or bell-shaped for gripping the battery pole from above and from the sides, that the connecting terminal is enclosed on the outside by a housing part consisting at least on its surface of insulating material, that the housing part has an internal opening that narrows or narrows against the plugging direction on the connecting terminal, and / or that the connecting clamp widens in the plugging direction on the inside of the housing part Cross section has that the housing part can be moved in the axial direction relative to the connecting terminal, that the connecting terminal projects axially beyond the housing part in the release position and that in the use position the

The outer wall of the connecting terminal is acted upon by the inner wall of the housing part and the connecting terminal can thereby be radially compressed and the inside of which can be pressed against the outside of the battery pole.

Advantageously, the bell-shaped connecting terminal need only be pushed or pressed onto the battery pole in the axial direction, after which it is compressed in the same direction by the axial displacement of the housing part and brought into contact with the battery pole. Any arcs or sparks that occur during or during loosening are located within the insulating housing part and are therefore harmless.

So that the housing part can particularly easily compress the connection terminal or can be easily pushed onto the connection terminal, it is expedient if a slope of the inner opening of the housing part in its lower area roughly matches a slope in the upper area of the outer wall of the connection terminal and if the slope on the inner wall of the housing part, the slope on the outer wall of the connection terminal is applied in the release position. It is particularly expedient if an inner ring or part inner ring connected to the inside of the housing part via webs is provided in the housing part within the opening above the region narrowing upwards or away from the entry into the opening, the outer dimension of which is equal to or smaller than the inside dimension of the non-deformed connection terminal and which, in the position of use of the connection terminal, limits or prevents radial compression of the connection terminal in the area of this inner ring and, when the housing part is axially adjusted in the release position, causes or supports or supports the radial expansion of the connection terminal into its starting position accelerated.

The connecting terminal can therefore be clamped in the radial direction in the position of use by the housing part from the outside and / or by the inner ring from the inside. If the housing part moves in the direction of the release position, the inside and outside tensioning of the connection terminal is released, whereby, as a result of this, and due to the inner ring moving inside the connection terminal against the plugging direction of the connection terminal and acting on the inside, the radially inwardly adjusted or compressed parts of the Terminal can quickly be moved radially outwards and thus away from the battery pole. This further reduces the occurrence of arcs, which in general can only be a few millimeters long given the existing operating voltages and which break off again immediately after they arise due to the rapid increase in the distance between the live or metallic parts.

The housing part can completely or partially enclose or act on the connection terminal and can be designed, for example, as an outer ring which is connected to it interacts via webs connected inner ring.

The connecting terminal can also be designed such that the compressible parts in a relaxed position have a smaller inner dimension than the outer dimension of the battery pole and that in the release position it is widened or spanned by the inner ring and in the use position the tension is released by the inner ring and the connecting terminal The battery pole is gripped by its internal voltage and is fixed by the outside housing part.

An advantageous embodiment of the battery connection provides that the connection terminal has at least two axially running slots which are open at their lower outer edge and which at least partially subdivide the outer wall of the connection terminal. As a result, the material for the connection terminal can be comparatively hard and stable and, at the same time, the connection terminal can be flexible and radially compressible in the area surrounding the battery pole while reducing the slot width. Versions with three to six segments or slots, for example, are advantageous for good stability of the connection terminal with good flexibility at the same time.

It is expedient if an axially extending slot is provided on the connecting terminal in the area of the webs supporting the inner ring. For example, the slots, which divide the outer wall of the connection terminal into radially compressible segments, can be extended so far upwards that the webs carrying the inner ring can be guided through these slots and thus offer a fastening for the inner ring on the inside of the housing part, although this acts on the connection terminal on the outside. By arranging the In the slots in the connection terminal, an anti-rotation device is also produced between the housing part and the connection terminal.

In order to be able to easily move the housing part and the connecting terminal from the release position into the use position, it is expedient if a pivotally mounted eccentric acts on the housing part, which, by pivoting beyond its dead point, axially the housing part axially over the connecting terminal and thereby the connecting terminal itself moves in the clamping and contact position and fixes in this position of use.

An advantageous embodiment of the eccentric provides that the eccentric has an operating lever which is rotatably mounted about an axis extending transversely to the direction of displacement of the housing part, and that two pins which are eccentrically mounted to the axis of rotation of the operating lever and which are arranged in an elongated hole are arranged on the operating lever intervene on the housing part. On the one hand, the control lever makes it easy to operate the eccentric, on the other hand, the position of the control lever makes it easy to deduce the current position of the connection terminal. For example, the operating lever can lie flat on the battery housing in the use position and protrude upwards in the release position, so that in particular the accidental closing of the bonnet or the like battery cover is not readily possible. The guide of the pins in an elongated hole can be made practically wear-free, so that the battery connection can be operated reliably for a long time.

For a safe contact of the battery connection, it is advantageous if the eccentric used to adjust the connection terminal is in the contact position or in Position is self-retaining. This can be done by moving the pins in the slot relative to the axis of rotation of the operating lever in the radial direction beyond the point of attack of the operating lever on the housing part and thus into a holding or locking position.

In order to reliably keep any arcing that may occur inside the housing part and to protect the components surrounding the battery, it is expedient if the housing part surrounding the connecting terminal in the use position encloses the connecting terminal laterally beyond its cable connection.

For safe contact between the connection terminal and the battery pole against vibrations or other dynamic stresses, it is advantageous if the battery pole or a contact sleeve surrounding it has at least one recess on the outside, in particular at least one preferably circumferential groove, circumferential groove or the like, and in the interior of the cup or bell-shaped connecting terminal a matching projection is provided, which engages in the clamping position in the recess, and / or when a projection is provided on the battery pole and in the inside of the connecting terminal a matching recess is provided for a positive connection in the axial direction. The interaction of the projection and the recess allows the connection terminal "to be interlocked with the battery pole, as a result of which both are fixed against one another in the axial position and the electrical connection is also improved.

To prevent falling metallic parts, such as tools such as a wrench, from creating a short circuit between one battery pole and ground or between the two battery poles if the connection terminal (s) is removed, it is expedient if the upper end of the battery pole carries a cap made of insulating material, which also shields the region of the connecting terminal located above the inner ring from the battery pole.

In order to also protect and shield the battery pole from the side, it is expedient if the battery pole is surrounded by a radially circumferential protective wall made of insulating material, which is radially spaced from the battery pole and if the housing part in the position of use in the radial distance between the protective wall and fits the battery pole and is therefore covered on the outside by the protective wall. The protective part can also be used to radially stabilize the housing part in the use position. The battery connection can be protected in such a way by the combination of the housing part, which shields the connection terminal and the battery pole located therein, and the protective wall around the housing part that, for example, splash water can also be kept away from it.

In addition to its plastic cap, the battery pole can be protected even better against short circuits by falling metallic objects if the protective wall is dimensioned axially at least as much as the axial extent of the metallic or current-carrying parts of the battery pole.

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned illustration of a battery connection according to the invention with a connecting terminal, one comprising the connecting terminal Housing part and an eccentric in release position,

2 shows a representation according to FIG. 1 of the battery connection in the use position,

3 is a perspective view of the terminal,

4 is a perspective view of the housing part,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the eccentric as well

6 shows a representation according to FIG. 1 of the battery connection in the use position with a protective wall running around the battery pole and the housing part.

A battery connection, designated as a whole by 1, has a connection terminal 4 which engages a battery pole 5 in a non-positive and / or positive manner. The connecting terminal 4 shown individually in FIG. 3 is approximately cup-shaped or bell-shaped for gripping around the battery pole 5 and has a cross-section widening in the plug-on direction according to arrow Pf1 to its lower opening in the illustration.

The connecting terminal 4 is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, enclosed by a housing part 6 made of insulating material. The housing part 6 has an inner opening which tapers or narrows from the lower region in the opposite direction to the plug-on direction (arrow Pf1) and can be moved axially relative to the connecting terminal 4, as is clear when comparing the two FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the release position (Fig. 1), the connecting terminal 4 projects axially beyond the housing part 6, while in the use position (Fig. 2) The outer wall of the connecting terminal 4 is acted upon by the inner wall of the housing part 6 and the connecting terminal 4 can thereby be radially compressed and thus its inside or inner wall can be pressed against the outside of the battery pole 5.

So that the transition from the release position to the use position of the battery connection 1 makes the housing part 6 easily movable relative to the connection terminal 4 and the wear when the outer wall of the connection terminal 4 is acted upon by the inner wall of the housing part 6 moving downward is low, the tapering inner opening of the housing part 6 has a slope 7, which corresponds in its lower region approximately to the upper region of a slope 8 on the radially outwardly widening outer wall of the connecting terminal 4. The two bevels 7 and 8 lie against one another in the release position, as is also shown in FIG. 1. If the housing part 6 and thus the slope 7 moves into the use position shown in FIG. 2 according to arrow Pf1, the terminal 4 is compressed by the narrowing inner wall of the housing part 6 above the slope 7.

It is particularly clearly shown in FIG. 4 that an inner ring 9, which is connected to the inner wall of the housing part 6 via webs 10, is arranged in the housing part 6 within the opening and above the region or the bevel 7 which narrows in the opposite direction to the push-on direction according to arrow Pf1 , 1 and 2 it can be seen that the outer dimension of the inner ring 9 is somewhat smaller or approximately the same size as the inner dimension of the non-deformed connecting terminal 4. As a result, the inner ring 9 in the position of use (FIG. 2) limits the radial compression of the connecting terminal 4 in the upper region in which the inner ring 9 is arranged and acts or supports or accelerates the radial expansion of the connection terminal 4 when the housing part 6 is axially displaced from the use position into the release position, since the inner ring 9 fastened to the housing part 6 is also moved upwards and acts on the inner wall of the connection terminal 4 and thereby presses outwards ,

3 shows that the connecting terminal 4 has a plurality of axially extending slots 11 which are open at the lower edge of the connecting terminal 4 and which divides the outer wall of the connecting terminal 4 axially in regions into radially compressible segments 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, six slots 11, which are evenly distributed on the circumference of the connecting terminal 4, divide the outer wall of the connecting terminal 4 into six segments 12 of equal size that can be compressed radially while reducing the slot width and that do not extend above the radially outwardly widening region slotted outer wall of the terminal 4 are arranged. The slots 11 continue so far up that one of the webs 10 holding the inner ring 9 can engage in each of the slots 11. This is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 by the dashed lines of the connecting terminal 4 in the area of the inner ring 9, since the cut connecting terminal 4 is covered there by the webs 10.

1 and 2, an eccentric 13 can be seen which engages the housing part 6 and, by pivoting beyond its dead point, axially shifts the housing part downward via the connecting terminal 4 and fixes it in the position of use.

In Fig. 5, the embodiment of the eccentric 13 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is again shown individually, it being clear that the eccentric 13 has an operating lever 14 which by one to the direction of displacement of the housing part 6, the axis 15 extending rotatably is mounted and that two pins 16 eccentrically mounted to the axis of rotation 15 of the operating lever 14 are arranged on the operating lever 14 and engage in an elongated hole 17 on the housing part 6, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown, and by moving in the elongated hole 17, the housing part 6 can be axially adjusted relative to the connecting terminal 4. 1, 2 and 6, the region of the housing part 6 which forms the elongated hole 17 is not cut. The dashed line shows that a pin 16 engages from the outside in the associated elongated hole 17 and thereby encompasses the housing part 6 and the connecting terminal 4 arranged therein on the outside.

The eccentric 13 is self-retaining in the position of use shown in FIG. 2, since the pins 16 are held in the slot 17 extending transversely to the direction of movement of the housing part 6 and when the control lever 14 moves from the release position to the position of use in the slot 17 were displaced in the radial direction beyond the axis of rotation 15 of the operating lever 14 or its point of engagement 22 on the housing part 6, so that it is not possible to move the pins 16 in the elongated hole 17 back towards the release position by axially acting forces.

In Fig. 2 it can be seen that the housing part 6 encloses the connection terminal 4 in the use position up to their cable connection. The housing part 6, which consists of insulating material or is provided with insulation on its surface, can thereby protect the connecting terminal 4 against contact with metallic objects and / or with the hand.

1 and 2 show that the battery pole 5 on the outside Recesses 18, in the embodiment shown, has a plurality of narrow, axially closely spaced, circumferential grooves and that there are provided on the connection terminal 4 a number of suitable projections 19 arranged on its inner wall, which engage in the recesses 18 in the position of use in a form-fitting manner and this latching area provides the connection between terminal 4 and battery pole 5 against dynamic loads, such as shocks, and improves the electrical connection.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the battery pole 5 is surrounded by a radially circumferential protective wall 21 made of insulating material, which is spaced radially from the battery pole 5 to such an extent that the housing part 6 in the position of use in this radial distance between the battery pole 5 and the protective wall 21 fits and is thus surrounded by the protective wall 21 on the outside. The protective wall 21 is dimensioned axially such that it is somewhat higher in the axial direction than the metallic or current-carrying parts of the battery pole 5. Together with a cap made of insulating material that can be optionally attached to the battery pole 5, the protective wall 21 can effectively protect the battery pole 5 against contact and protect the short circuit from falling metal parts such as tools. In the position of use, the protective wall 21 which extends radially around the housing part 6 can stabilize the housing part 6.

/ Expectations

Claims

Expectations

1. Battery connector (1) especially for a car battery

(2) with a higher voltage than, for example, 12 volts, with a connection terminal (4) located on a cable, which in the position of use acts on the battery pole (5) in a non-positive and / or positive manner, characterized in that the connection terminal (4) approximately Cup-shaped or bell-shaped for gripping around the battery pole (5) from above and from the sides, that the connection terminal (4) is enclosed on the outside by a housing part (6), at least on its surface made of insulating material, that the housing part (6) an internal opening tapering or narrowing against the plugging direction on the connecting terminal (4) and / or the connecting terminal (4) has a cross section which widens in the plugging direction with respect to the inside of the housing part (6) such that the housing part (6) is opposite the connecting terminal (4) can be moved in the axial direction so that the connecting terminal (4) axially projects beyond the housing part (6) in the release position d that in the position of use the outer wall of the connecting terminal (4) is acted upon by the inner wall of the housing part (6) and the connecting terminal (4) can thereby be radially compressed and the inside of which can be pressed against the outside of the battery pole (5).

2. Battery connection according to claim 1, characterized in that a slope (7) of the inner opening of the housing part (6) in its lower region approximately corresponds to a slope (8) in the upper region of the outer wall of the connection terminal (4) and that the slope ( 7) on the inner wall of the housing part (6) the slope (8) on the outer wall the terminal (4) in the release position.

3. Battery connection in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the housing part (6) within the opening above the area narrowing upwards or away from the entry into the opening with the inside of the housing part (6) above Webs (10) connected inner ring (9) or partial inner ring is provided, the outer dimension of which is equal to or smaller than the inner dimension of the non-deformed connecting terminal (4) and which, in the position of use of the connecting terminal (4), radially compresses the connecting terminal ( 4) limited or prevented in the area of this inner ring (9) and, when the housing part (6) is axially adjusted in the release position, causes or supports or accelerates the radial expansion of the connecting terminal (4) into its starting position.

4. Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection terminal (4) has at least two axially extending slots (11) which are open at its lower outer edge and which axially at least in some areas cover the outer wall of the connection terminal (4) divide.

Battery connection according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an axially extending slot is provided on the connecting terminal (4) in the region of the webs (10) carrying the inner ring (9).

Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a pivotably mounted eccentric (13) engages on the housing part (6), which by Swiveling beyond its dead point, the housing part (6) moves axially over the connecting terminal (4) and thereby the connecting terminal (4) itself into the clamping and contact position and fixes it in this position of use.

7. Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the eccentric (13) serving to adjust the connecting terminal (4) is self-holding in the contact position.

8. Battery connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the eccentric (13) has an operating lever (14) which is rotatably mounted about an axis (15) transverse to the direction of displacement of the housing part (6) and that on the Operating lever (14) two pins (16) eccentrically mounted to the axis of rotation (15) of the operating lever (14) are arranged, which engage in an elongated hole (17) on the housing part (6).

9. Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the housing (6) enclosing the connection terminal (4) in the use position encloses the connection terminal (4) laterally up to its cable connection (3).

10. Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the battery pole (5) or a contact sleeve surrounding it has on the outside at least one recess (18), in particular at least one preferably circumferential groove, circumferential groove or the like and inside the cup- or bell-shaped connecting terminal (4) at least one matching projection (19) is provided, which in the clamping position has a positive fit in the Recess (18) engages, and / or that on the battery pole (5) and in the interior of the terminal

(4) a matching depression is provided for a positive connection in the axial direction.

5

11. Battery connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the upper end of the battery pole

(5) a cap (20) made of insulating material which also covers the area of the θ "-Aτ-sτ-trlτrsΩkrl-emmer f4") - by de_ιr-Bcrtrter -erpO ± - (- & ^■ ) - ate _ ± rirrπrtτ

12. Battery connection according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the battery pole (5) is surrounded by an insulating material, radially surrounding 5 protective wall (21), which is radially spaced from the battery pole (5) and that Housing part (6) in the position of use fits into the radial distance between the protective wall (21) and the battery pole (5) and is thus surrounded on the outside by the protective wall (21). 0

13. Battery connection according to claim 12, characterized in that the protective wall (21) is dimensioned axially at least as much as the axial extent of the metallic or current-carrying parts of the battery pole (5). 5

/ Summary