FR3081621A1 - DEVICE FOR PERPENDICULAR COUPLING OF AN ELECTRICAL BEAM TO AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE BAR SET (S) - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling device (DC) comprises a coupling part (PC) having: a first part (P1) having a shape adapted to its placement against a part of a game (JB) of conducting bar (s) electrically, and intended to be fixedly secured to this part of the game (JB), and - a second portion (P2) firmly fixed to this first portion (P1) and comprising first coupling means (MC1) coupling a part of a electric beam (FE) remotely relative to the game portion (JB) and with an orientation perpendicular to this part of the game (JB).

Description

DEVICE FOR PERPENDICULAR COUPLING OF AN ELECTRICAL BEAM TO AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE BAR (S) GAME SET

The invention relates to coupling devices which are intended to couple an electrical harness to a set of electrically conductive busbar (s).

Here, the term "electrical harness" means a set of at least one electrical cable (or wire).

In many fields, such as that of vehicles, possibly motor vehicles, it often happens that an electrical harness must be coupled to a set of electrically conductive busbar (s) (or busbar).

It is recalled that a busbar (s) is more rigid than an electric cable, and therefore can be shaped fairly precisely in order to pass through narrow areas while minimizing the space occupied. It is therefore frequently used, for example, in batteries in order to couple cellular modules responsible for storing electrical energy. A cellular module can, for example, comprise at least one electrochemical cell for storing electrical energy, for example of the lithium-ion (or Li-ion) or Ni-Mh or Ni-Cd or even lead type.

In order to couple an electrical harness to a busbar (s), a non-intrusive coupling device must be used, that is to say that does not degrade the insulation which protects the bar (s). Such a coupling device is for example described in patent document DE 41 30 879. It usually comprises a base intended to be clipped onto a busbar (s) and a coupling part comprising a part intended to be coupled to the base (for example via ribs cooperating with a slide of the latter), and another part defining a flexible ring, defining an internal space, and open to allow the introduction of part of an electrical harness in this internal space . This type of coupling device requires coupling of the electric beam parallel to the busbar (s) which makes it unusable when it is desired to couple the electric beam perpendicular to the busbar (s). In addition, the coupling ring being placed "above" the busbar (s), it significantly increases its size in a "vertical" direction so that it cannot be used when space free space is restricted above the busbar (s) (for example due to the presence of a cover in the case of a battery). In addition, the coupling of the base to the busbar (s) does not guarantee a fixed connection, and therefore the coupling device can translate along the busbar (s) in the presence of vibrations and shocks. Furthermore, the coupling device can be initially pre-coupled in a selected position to the busbar (s) before being installed in an appliance (such as a battery), but if this position is not suitable, we are obliged to decouple the coupling ring from the base, then move the base, which is time consuming.

The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation.

To this end, it notably proposes a coupling device comprising a coupling part having:

a first part having a shape adapted to its placement against a part of a set of electrically conductive busbar (s), and intended to be fixedly secured to this part of the set, and

- a second part fixedly secured to this first part and comprising first coupling means intended to couple a part of an electric beam remotely relative to the part of the game and with an orientation perpendicular to this part of the game.

This offset of the first coupling means with respect to the first part (and therefore with respect to the clearance), makes it possible not to couple the electrical harness “above” the clearance and therefore to reduce the overall “vertical” bulk, this which facilitates integration into a tight space. In addition, the harness is no longer forced to be substantially parallel to the game, but now passes very locally over this game.

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

- The first and second parts can extend mutually by defining a one-piece coupling part;

- The first coupling means may comprise a flexible ring, defining an internal space, and open to allow the introduction of the part of the electrical harness into this internal space;

> this open ring can have a general shape of Ω;

- as a variant, the first coupling means may comprise a clamp having two branches, one of which is mounted for rotation on the other, and intended to tightly clamp the part of the electrical harness;

- Its first part can comprise at least one flat wall and intended to be placed against a face of the game part;

- It may include second coupling means defining a clip which couples it to the part of the game in order to ensure its pre-maintenance to the latter.

The invention also provides a set of electrically conductive bar (s) (or bus-bar) and comprising a part to which is coupled a coupling device of the type of that presented above.

For example, the coupling device can be fixedly secured to the part of the game by means of at least one adhesive tape adhering to its first part and to the part of the game.

The invention also provides a vehicle, possibly of the automotive type, and comprising at least one set of electrically conductive busbar (s) of the type presented above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings (obtained, for one of them, in CAD / CAD ("Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing ”), hence the apparently discontinuous nature of certain lines), on which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a coupling device according to the invention, before it is coupled to a part of a busbar (s), and

- Figure 2 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, part of an example of busbar (s) to which is fixedly secured, by two adhesive tapes, the coupling device of Figure 1, to which is coupled a beam electric.

The object of the invention is in particular to propose a DC coupling device intended to couple in a remote, non-intrusive manner and at 90 ° a part of a FE electric harness to a part of a busbar (s) (or bus) -bar) JB.

In what follows, it is considered, by way of nonlimiting example, that the busbar (s) (or bus-bar) JB is intended to equip a vehicle, possibly of automobile type (such as for example a car). But the invention is not limited to this application. Indeed, it relates to any electrical appliance (including household appliance type), electrical system, installation (including industrial), or building, since it (it) includes at least one busbar (s) to which must be coupled an electrical harness.

Furthermore, it is considered in what follows, by way of nonlimiting example, that the busbar (s) (or bus-bar) JB is intended to be part of a vehicle battery. But it could be part of other electrical equipment (or apparatus) in a vehicle.

Schematically shown in Figure 1 a DC coupling device according to the invention, before its coupling to a part of a busbar (s) JB.

As illustrated, a DC coupling device according to the invention comprises a PC coupling part having first P1 and second P2 parts fixedly secured to each other.

It will be noted that the first P1 and second P2 parts can be extended mutually by defining a one-piece PC coupling part. In this case, the PC coupling part can, for example, be entirely made by molding a plastic material, preferably electrically insulating. For example, this plastic material could be a polyamide (or PA). But it could be envisaged that the first P1 and second P2 parts are two elements which are manufactured separately, then fixedly fixed to one another, for example by clipping, gluing or screwing.

The first part P1 of the coupling piece PC has a shape which is adapted to its placement against a part of a set JB of electrically conductive bar (s), as can be seen in FIG. 2.

For example, when the part of the set JB has a rectangular section (possibly square), the first part P1 can comprise, as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, at least one flat wall and intended to be placed against a face of this part from the JB game. It will be noted that in the example illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, the first part P1 comprises only one wall, but it could comprise two perpendicular to each other and intended to be placed respectively against two faces of this part of the JB set. .

The first part P1 is also intended to be fixedly secured to the part of the JB set. For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIG. 2, this fixed attachment of the first part P1 (and therefore of the coupling device DC) to the part of the set JB can be done by means of at least one adhesive tape RA. In this case, the latter (RA) adheres to the first part P1 and to the part of the game JB. In an alternative embodiment, this joining could be done by means of at least one link, preferably elastic, very closely surrounding the first part P1 and the part of the set JB. In another alternative embodiment, this joining could be done by bonding the first part P1 to the part of the set JB.

Note that in the example illustrated without limitation in Figure 2 the first part P1 is fixedly secured to the part of the set JB by two adhesive tapes RA. But we could use only one RA adhesive tape or more than two RA adhesive tapes (for example three).

The second part P2 of the coupling part PC is fixedly secured to the first part P1 and comprises first coupling means MC1 which are intended to couple part of an electric harness FE remotely relative to the part of the set JB and with an orientation that is perpendicular to this part of the JB game.

Thanks to this offset of the first coupling means MC1 with respect to the first part and therefore with respect to the clearance JB, the electric harness FE is no longer coupled "above" the clearance JB, which reduces the bulk "vertical" »Global and therefore facilitates integration in a limited space, especially under a battery cover. In addition, the FE harness is no longer forced to be substantially parallel to the JB set, but now passes very locally over this JB set. In addition, this form of the first part P1 adapted to the form of the JB game, advantageously allows non-intrusive coupling of the coupling part to the JB game.

For example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first coupling means MC1 may comprise a flexible ring, defining an internal space, and open to allow the introduction of the part of the electric harness FE into this internal space . By way of example, and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, this open ring can have a general shape of Ω (or of a lyre). But other simple forms can be envisaged.

It will be understood that the ring is placed parallel to a lateral face of the part of the JB clearance so that the part of the electric harness FE is perpendicular to this lateral face and therefore to this part of the JB clearance.

This embodiment is advantageous because it allows the first coupling means MC1 to be produced by molding at the same time as the coupling part PC, and therefore to have a fully monoblock DC coupling device.

Other types of first coupling means MC1 than that described above by way of example can be envisaged. Thus, the first coupling means MC1 could, for example, comprise a clamp having two branches placed parallel to a lateral face of the set JB, one being rotatably mounted on the other, and these two branches being intended to tighten tightly the part of the FE harness. This clip may possibly be of the “crocodile” type. This other embodiment requires that one of the branches is defined separately from the rest of the PC coupling part, then attached to the other branch then forming an integral part of the latter (PC), or else that the clamp is entirely defined. separately from the PC coupling part, then attached to the latter (PC).

It will be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the DC coupling device can also advantageously include second coupling means MC2 which define a clip. This clip MC2 is arranged to couple the DC coupling device to the part of the JB set in order to ensure its pre-maintenance to the latter. This advantageously makes it possible, if desired, to pre-equip part of a JB game with a DC coupling device, possibly without permanently securing the latter (DC) to the JB game, in the factory for manufacturing this JB game. (and therefore well before the installation of this pre-equipped JB game, for example in a battery). This pre-equipment advantageously makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of different types to be managed and stored both in warehouse and on an assembly line (for example of batteries or vehicles).

In the example illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clip MC2 is made up of first and second legs which are substantially parallel to one another and respectively provided with spouts oriented towards one another for retaining the first part P1 after clipping. The first (shortest) leg extends an edge of the wall which defines the first part P1. The second (longer) leg extends the second part P2 by being placed "above" the wall which defines the first part P1 and the first leg. The distance between the first and second legs (and therefore the second leg and the wall defining the first part P1) is substantially equal to the thickness of the part of the clearance JB.

This arrangement advantageously makes it possible to produce the second coupling means MC2 by molding at the same time as the coupling part PC, and therefore to have a fully monoblock DC coupling device. In addition, this arrangement makes it very easy to couple / decouple the DC coupling device to / from the JB set, in particular to change its position, by a simple clipping / unclipping.

Other types of second coupling means MC2 than those described above by way of example can be envisaged. Thus, the second coupling means MC2 could, for example, comprise only a single tab provided with a terminal spout and preferably extending the second part P2.

It will also be noted, as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the second part P2 can include an inclined face on which rests part of the electric harness FE just after the first coupling means MC1, while allowing the electric harness FE to pass “above” the JB game smoothly (that is to say without a strong curvature such as to locally increase the space it occupies in the “vertical” direction). The first coupling means MC1 are defined on this inclined face, which allows them to have the same inclination and therefore to impart a slight curvature to the electric harness FE, which minimizes the vertical bulk.

To this end, the second part P2 may, for example and as illustrated without limitation in FIGS. 1 and 2, have a form of prism at right angles, well suited to the offset of the first coupling means MC1. Here the first coupling means MC1 are fixedly secured to the part of the prism which has the smallest angle, the second tab of the possible clip MC2 extends the part of the prism which has the intermediate angle which is neither the smallest nor the largest (90 °), and the wall defining the first part P1 extends the part of the prism which has the largest angle (90 °).

If a second part P2 in the form of an angle (in L) was used as a variant, it would be preferable to give an inclination to the first coupling means MC1 (similar to that of the inclined face of the prism) in order to impart a slight curvature to the FE wiring harness to minimize vertical footprint.

The invention offers several advantages, including:

- it allows the coupling of an electric beam perpendicular to a busbar (s),

- it reduces the overall vertical size of the busbar (s) with its coupling device,

- it allows non-intrusive fixing of a coupling device on a busbar (s) to facilitate adaptation to the environment, it can allow a cost reduction when the busbar (s) arrives pre-equipped of its coupling device on an assembly line.

Claims (10)

1. Coupling device (DC) for a set (JB) of electrically conductive bar (s), characterized in that it comprises a coupling part (PC) having i) a first part (P1) having a shape adapted to its placement against a part of said set (JB), and intended to be fixedly fixed to this part of said set (JB), and ii) a second part (P2) fixedly fixed to said first part (P1) and comprising first coupling means (MC1) intended to couple a part of an electric harness (FE) in a remote manner relative to said part of said set (JB) and with an orientation perpendicular to this part of said set (JB). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first (P1) and second (P2) parts extend mutually by defining a coupling piece (PC) in one piece. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first coupling means (MC1) comprise a flexible ring, defining an internal space, and open to allow the introduction of said part of the electric harness (FE) into said internal space. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said open ring has a general shape of Ω. 5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first coupling means (MC1) comprise a clamp having two branches, one of which is rotatably mounted on the other, and intended to tightly tighten said part of the electrical harness (FE). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first part (P1) comprises at least one flat wall and intended to be placed against a face of said part of the game (JB). 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises second coupling means (MC2) defining a clip which couples it to said part of the game (JB) in order to ensure its pre-maintenance to the latter. 8. Set (JB) of busbar (s) electrically, characterized in that it comprises a part to which is coupled a coupling device (DC) according to one of the preceding claims. 9. Game according to claim 8, characterized in that said device 5 coupling (DC) is fixedly secured to said part of the game (JB) by means of at least one adhesive tape (RA) adhering to its first part (P1) and to said part of the game (JB). 10. Vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one busbar (s) (JB) according to claim 8 or 9.