FR2750824A1 - ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AND SAFETY DEVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE ON-BOARD NETWORK OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

This device has an insulating body (8) comprising grooves (13) in which are placed conductor rails (10) having plugs (6) and / or struts (7). Electrical component parts (3, 4, 11, 12) or other connection and safety devices can be easily connected to the conductor rails by means of struts and corresponding plugs. In the case of intersecting grooves, these have different depths to avoid any contact between the conductor rails.

Description

The present invention relates to a connection and security device,

especially for the network

on board a motor vehicle.

  Usually, there is in a motor vehicle, most of the time in an area enclosed in the engine compartment, a unit comprising a large number of plug-in points for various relays and for safety elements necessary to ensure the safety of the different electrical circuits. Such a unit, designated by central electrical unit, also forms a central point of connection for a large

  number of on-board network cable harnesses.

  A known connection and safety device (EP 0 495 422 A2) has several modules which each contain a partial electrical circuit,

  comprising relays and corresponding circuits.

  Each module is arranged in a plug-in box which is plugged into a plug-in plate serving as a holding device. Via a cable harness connected to the plug-in device, the modules are connected to other electrical units or

  electric controls in the motor vehicle.

  Such a connection and safety device must be adapted in a particular way to each model of motor vehicle. Adaptations are possible by adding or removing plug-in modules. In the case of functional changes, each housing of a module must be opened and the corresponding construction parts must be replaced - if this is the case.

however possible.

  The object of the invention is to create an electrical connection and safety device which is of simple construction and which can be adapted so

simple every time.

  This problem is solved according to the invention in an electrical connection and safety device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising - an electrically insulating body, which has at least one recess, - at least one body that conducts electricity, which is installed dismountable in the recess and which has plugs and / or struts produced by forming a single piece with it, on which are plugged, from the outside, the corresponding struts or plugs, and - at at least one electrical component which has plugs and / or struts which are respectively inserted into struts or plugs adapted from the conductive bodies with a view to making electrical connections between the conductive body and the construction part. The connection and safety device thus designed has an insulating body in which recesses are made for electrically conductive bodies. The conductive bodies have plugs into which are inserted counter-plugs of electrical component parts. This solution has the advantage of allowing simple replacement of the electrical component parts. If there are several conductive bodies, it is possible, as necessary, to remove or add component parts to adapt the connection and safety device to each model of motor vehicle concerned. Advantageous embodiments of the invention relate in particular to electrical connection and safety devices in which: the conductive bodies have, at their

  ends, plugs or struts, a counter

  plug or plug being plugged in from the outside onto the respective plug or counter-plug of the conductive bodies, whereby the connection and safety devices are electrically connected, in modular form, to other connection devices and security or external electrical devices; - The conductive bodies are produced in the form of folded metallic folded parts, forming a single piece with plugs and / or counter-plugs; - Each recess is produced in the form of a groove in the insulating body, each groove having at least one fixing means, by which the conductive body is held in position; the grooves are made with different depths, the conductive bodies resting on the bottom of the grooves and being unable to touch each other as a result of the different depths of the grooves, even when these grooves cross; - The insulating body has recesses in which are arranged plug-in connections comprising several electrical connections, which are each connected to a conductive body, thus making it possible to connect electrically with each other, on the one hand, the conductive bodies and, d on the other hand,

  outdoor electrical devices.

  The connection and safety devices represent a standard element, of modular construction, which can be enlarged at will. All parts are assembled during assembly and can be dismantled again at any time. It is thus particularly advantageous to be able to plug one into the other several connection and safety devices to form a single central electrical unit. The unitary parts, like conductive bodies, can be used universally for each connection and safety device. The component parts of the connection and safety device can be manufactured in such a way

  simple and be assembled quickly.

  Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail, with reference to the schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially in section) of the connection and safety device according to invention; Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a connection and safety device according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of two connection and safety devices plugged into each other in a modular fashion; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plug and a counter plug of the connection and safety device of Figure 1; FIGS. 5a to 5c are views of conductive bodies of the connection and safety device during the production of the conductive bodies; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an insulating body having conductive bodies according to Figure 5, placed inside; and Figure 7 is a sectional view of a recess

of the insulating body.

  An electrical connection and safety device 1 (FIG. 1) is placed at the center of an on-board network of a motor vehicle. It is used to control various connection operations in the motor vehicle and to protect electrical circuits using fuses. For this, the connection and safety device 1 is connected to other electronic control devices in the motor vehicle via a bundle of cables 2 (shown here in the form of a cable only). The cable harness 2 can be plugged into the connection and safety device 1 via a plug-in connection 3 with n terminals. However, on the connection and safety device 1, an electronic unit 4 can also be directly connected to a circuit arranged

  on one or more printed circuit boards 5.

  The electrical connections starting from or leading to the connection and safety device 1 are produced by plug-in connection pieces (plugs 6 and counter-plugs 7), plugs 6 or corresponding counter-plugs 7 in the device of connection and security 1 being easily accessible from the outside. The connection and safety device 1 has an electrically insulating body (8) forming a block, having several recesses 9, for example in the form of grooves 13 or holes. In the grooves 13, bodies 10 are placed which conduct electricity, for example in the form of metal rails. The conductive bodies 10 have, forming a single piece with them, plugs 6 and / or counter-plugs 7 (see also Figure 4). In these cards 6 or 7 against-cards, can be inserted respectively against-cards 7 or 6 cards of electrical component parts, such as relays 11, fuses 12 or plug-in connections 3. In the area of cards 6 and counter plugs 7, the insulating body 8 has holes 14 respectively allowing the insertion of the counter-plugs 7 or plugs 6. In FIG. 2, an electrical diagram is shown for a connection and safety device 1 according to the invention, comprising a relay 11 and two fuses 12. A relay 11 consists, in a known manner, of a coil 15, which is energized or de-energized by the control of a switch 16. In the case of the connection and safety device 1, the coil 15 is controlled by an external device, using which the switch

16 is closed or open.

  Relay 11 has a total of four plug-in connections, i.e. two for coil 15 and two for switch 16. Fuse 12 has two connections, both plug-in. On the first coil connection 15, a voltage or a current is applied (this connection will therefore be designated by current connection 17). On the second connection, the coil 15 is controlled (this connection will therefore be designated by control connection 18). When the switch 16 is closed, a current can flow from the current connection 17 through the switch 16 and the two connections of the latter and by one or more fuses 12, to an external actuator, a control unit or a unit

electronic 4.

  Electrical connections inside the connection and safety device 1 are made by the conductive bodies 10. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the positive pole of a voltage source not shown is connected by plugging into a conductive body 10 (this conductive body 10 will therefore be designated by current rail 19). The conductive body 10 between the switch 16 and the first connection of the circuit breaker 12 simply serves to electrically connect the two component parts and is therefore designated by connection rail 20. The conductive body, connected to the control connection 18 of the coil 15, or the one connected to the second connection of the fuse 12, leads to the edge of the insulating body 8. At one end of this conductive body 10, a plug 6 or a corresponding counter-plug 7 can be inserted from the outside. We therefore designate such a conductive body

by rail with struts 21.

  The current rail 19 can, at its ends, likewise have a plug 6 or a counter-plug 7, on which a counter-plug 7 or a plug 6 of a voltage connection can be inserted, such as a pole

  positive or negative pole of a voltage source.

  Another example is shown in FIG. 3.

  of the connection and safety device 1.

  In this case, several connection and safety devices are plugged in one on the other.

  other. For this, we use cards 6 and the counter

  plugs 7 of the current rail 19 or of the plug rails 21.

  Likewise, several plug-in connections 3 of the cable bundle 2 are plugged into the strut rails 21 accessible from the outside. The conductive bodies 10 comprise a support rail 23 (FIG. 4), which has one or more plugs 6 and / or counter-plugs 7, produced by forming a single piece with the rail. In FIG. 4, the end of the supporting rail 23 is produced, for example, in the form of a plug 6, on which a corresponding counter-plug 7 can be inserted. In addition, there is shown a counter-plug 7 in which can be inserted a suitable plug 6 of a component part 11, 12 or of a

  other connection and security device.

  The conductive bodies 10 (that is to say the current rails 19, the connection rails 20 and the rails against struts 21) are produced in the form of folded stamped parts. For this, the conductive body 10 is punched from a metal sheet. This results in the basic shape of the conductive body 10, which has the support rail 23, at least one pair of contact vanes.

  24 (FIG. 5a), as well as a bar 25 connecting these

  this. During the manufacture of the conductive body 10, the contact fins 24 are, after punching, folded by about 90 (see FIG. 5b). In order to be able to make a secure electrical contact, the contact fins 24 are curved in a substantially S shape (see FIG. 5c), so that the contact fins 24 press against a plug 6 with spring effect, inserted in the fins. contact 24, to improve the electrical contact. In this way, sheet 6 is

  held by the spring effect alone in the counter

sheet 7.

  After the manufacture of the plug 6 and the counter-plug 7, the carrier rail 23 of the conductive body, if desired and if necessary, can still be folded or bent longitudinally. Consequently, it is possible to obtain not only conductive bodies made rectilinear, but also conductive bodies 10 having the most different shapes, such as, for example, a conductive body 10 folded down, such as that shown in FIG. 1 and on which the electronic unit 4 is inserted. Of course, other forms of plugs and counter-plugs are also suitable for making an electrical connection. For this, for example, the plugs 6 can be produced in the form of round pins and the counter-plugs in the form of round openings. Likewise, the plug 6 can be produced in the form of a blade and the counter-plug in the form of a sheath. The plugs may also have locking grooves and the counter-plugs of the locking pins embedded therein. For the invention, the production of the plug and the counter-plug does not matter, but it is important the fact that each conductive body 10 is produced by forming a single piece with plugs 6 and / or against -sheets 7 on which are respectively inserted 7 or 6 sheets

corresponding.

  Advantageously, the conductive bodies 10, with their plugs 6 and counter-plugs 7, are introduced into recesses 9 of the insulating body 8, such as grooves 13 or holes 14, by depositing them there, placing them under pressure or with expanding, or with blocking or sliding. The grooves 13 and the holes 14 are therefore machined in the insulating body 8 so as to correspond to the shape of the bodies.

conductors 10.

  When it comes to grooves 13, these

  may have different depths (Figure 6).

  Thus, a first groove 13A is deeper than the other grooves 13B, 13C and 13D. The grooves 13C and 13D having a parallel layout may have the same depth, while the intersecting grooves 13A and 13B must have different depths if the conductive bodies 10 resting on the bottom of the

  grooves 13A and 13B must not touch each other.

  In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the first conductive body 10A is placed in the groove 13A, the second conductive body 0lB in the groove 13B, the third conductive body 10C in the groove 13C and the fourth body conductor 10D in the fourth groove 13D. The conductive bodies 10 are pressed deep enough into each of the relevant grooves 13A to 13D, until they rest against

the bottom of the groove.

  If the conductive bodies 10 rest in deep grooves 13B, the bars 25 have a length corresponding to the plug 6 or to the counter-plug 7 (see strip 25B of the conductive body 10B), so that the plugs 6 or the counter-plugs 7 are easily accessible

  from the outside. In this way, sheets 6 or counter

  plugs 7 protrude from the insulating body 8 in order to be able to establish contact with the plugs 6 or the counter-plugs 7. Conductive bodies 10 comprising short strips 25 (see strips 25A, 25C and 25D) must be inserted into grooves 13A, 13C and 13D, which are less deep. Their sheets 6 or counter-sheets 7 protrude in the same way from the insulating body 8. It is advantageous that all the bars 25 are made

  long enough for all 6 or counter cards

  plugs 7, which protrude upwards, are approximately at the same height and are easily accessible

from the outside.

  In the case of this exemplary embodiment of Figure 6, only the support rails 23 of the conductive bodies 10 are completely in the grooves 13A to 13D. Cards 6 and 7 against cards exceed

completely from the insulating body 8.

  The conductive bodies 10 can be inserted

  by pressure or with expansion in the grooves 13.

  This is how we prevent them from coming off by blocking them. For this, it suffices that the walls of the grooves 13 are slightly more distant one of

  the other than the thickness of the supporting rails 23.

  However, in the grooves 13, elastic fixing means can also be arranged (FIG. 7, or see also FIGS. 1 to 6), such as locking pins 26 or lugs which hold the conductive bodies 10 in their position. During assembly, the conductive bodies 10 are pressed into the grooves 13 and become blocked under the locking pins 26 when they rest on the bottom of the groove 13. As the locking pins 26 are elastic, the conductive bodies 10 still have a certain clearance. This compensates for the manufacturing tolerances of the plugs 6 or the counter-plugs 7. The plugs 6 and the counter-plugs 7 can thus be inserted together.

in a simple and easy way.

  The fixing means may already be provided during the manufacture of the insulating body 8, or be

  subsequently applied to the walls of the grooves 13.

  The locking pins 26 or the pins can, in this case, be made in the form of a drop or of bands inside the groove 13. They can

  also - as shown in Figure 7 -

  be arranged on both sides of the groove 13. The shape of the locking pins 26 or of the pins is not essential for the invention. However, it is

  important that they are made highly elastic.

  The conductive bodies 10 are blocked in the locking pins 26 and these hold them in position. If pins are used, these wedge the conductive bodies 10 between themselves and a side wall of the groove 13. Thus, the conductive bodies 10 cannot inadvertently fall from the groove 13, but they can be extracted therefrom. again - by exerting some effort - because the locking pins 26 and the pins are elastic. The position of the plugs 6 or of the counter-plugs 7 along the support rail 23 is determined by the constituent parts to be brought into contact, as well as the position of the grooves 13 inside the insulating body 8. There may also be more of grooves 13 or more of sheets 6 or of counter sheets 7 as necessary. In this way, the connection and security device becomes more universal. In the case where there are many grooves 13, these may, depending on the needs and the use, contain or not a body

driver 10.

  The fixing means, such as locking pins 26 and lugs, are advantageously made of an elastic plastic material, such as an elastomer or a silicone rubber. Of course, other materials having the same functional characteristics can be used. The fixing means can also be made from a non-elastic material, to the extent that it is ensured that they hold the conductive bodies 10 in a removable manner

in the grooves 13.

  The conductive bodies 10 are, for example, made of copper, iron or another electrically conductive material. As a protection against corrosion, the conductive bodies 10 can be covered with a layer of an electrically conductive material, such as, for example, brass or tin. In the case of an exemplary embodiment, the support rails 23 have a thickness of approximately 1 mm and a width of approximately 5 mm. The grooves 13 must then have a width of at least 1 mm. The width of

  Contact fins 24 is approximately 5-10mm.

  The insulating body 8 is, for example, in material

  plastic, such as polystyrene, poly-

  tetrafluoroethylene or a functionally equivalent material. The insulating body 8 can be produced in the form of a complete block, in which the grooves 13 and holes 14 are machined, for example by milling. But it can also be produced in the form of an injection molded part, the grooves 13 and holes 14 being

provided by the injection mold.

  The connection and safety device 1 according to the invention can be used for an on-board network of a motor vehicle. However, use is not limited to the motor vehicle. As electrical component parts, relays 11, fuses 12, component parts integrated in housings having suitable connection terminals, such as plugs 6 or counter-plugs 7, electronic control devices, fittings may be used.

  plug-ins 3 and similar component parts.

  The connection and safety device 1 according to

  the invention can be implemented simply and quickly.

  For mounting, the conductive bodies 10 only need to be introduced into the grooves 13. The component parts and external units are to be connected simply by plugging in to the connection and safety device 1, in a removable manner. A connection and safety device 1 can be enlarged by plugging in another connection and safety device 1 to give a larger unit. For repairs, all parts can be easily disassembled and replaced. The positions of the constituent parts are determined by the grooves 13 in the insulating body 8. New grooves 13 can, subsequently, be machined in the insulating body 8. No conductive bodies 10 are placed in grooves 13 of which there is no don't need it. Therefore, already during the manufacture of the insulating body 8, many grooves 13 are machined and, depending on requirements, only the necessary grooves 13 are equipped with a

conductor body 10.

  For the connection and safety device according to the invention, it is thus possible to use unitary parts, such as conductive bodies 10 and insulating bodies 8 with its grooves 13. It is then only necessary to provide in the configuration and to mount the only parts imposed for a specific use. A modification of the configuration is possible in a simple way by removing the parts in place and by inserting new parts. The keeping in stock of

  these parts is also facilitated.

  For the invention, it is essential that a plug is placed on one side, and that a cross-plug

  corresponding suitable is arranged on the other side.

  Thus, a removable plug connection is made.

  Therefore, in the execution examples, all of the

  sheets can be made in the form of counter

  sheets, and the counter sheets in the form of sheets.

Claims (6)

  1. Electrical connection and safety device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising - an electrically insulating body (8), which has at least one recess (13), - at least one electrically conductive body (10, 19, 20, 21), which is installed dismountable in the recess (13) and which has plugs (6) and / or counter-plugs (7) produced by forming a single piece with it, on which are inserted, from the outside, the corresponding counter-plugs (7) or plugs (6), and - at least one electrical component (3,   4, 11, 12), which has cards (6) and / or counter   plugs (7) which are respectively inserted into counter-plugs (7) or plugs (6) adapted from the conductive bodies (10, 19, 20, 21) with a view to making electrical connections between the conductive body and the building part.   2. Electrical connection and safety device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive bodies (10, 19, 20, 21) have, at their ends, plugs (6) or counter-plugs (7), a plug (7) or plug (6) being inserted   from the outside on the plug (6) or on the counter   respective plug (7) of the conductive bodies, whereby the connection and safety devices (1) are electrically connected, in modular form, to other connection and safety devices or to external electrical devices.   3. An electrical connection and safety device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the conductive bodies (10, 19,, 21) are produced in the form of folded metallic folded parts, forming a single piece with   sheets (6) and / or counter-sheets (7).   4. Electrical connection and safety device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each recess is produced in the form of a groove (13) in the insulating body (8), each groove having at least one fixing means (26), by which the conductive body (10, 19, , 21) is held in position.   5. Electrical connection and safety device according to claim 4, characterized in that the grooves (13) are produced with different depths, the conductive bodies (10, 19, 20, 21) resting on the bottom of the grooves (13 ) and cannot touch each other due to the different depths of the   grooves, even when these grooves cross.   6. Electrical connection and safety device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulating body (8) has recesses (14) in which are arranged plug-in connections (3) comprising several electrical connections, which are each connected to a conductive body (10, 19, 20, 21), thus making it possible to electrically connect with each other, on the one hand, the conductive bodies (10, 19, 20, 21) and, on the other   hand, external electrical devices.