JP3225148U - Charging plug with temperature sensor unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a charging plug including at least one temperature sensor unit that enables reliable temperature monitoring with a small time delay, a temperature sensor unit is protected from external influences, and can be easily manufactured. The power plug includes a charging plug housing, at least one power contact pin, and at least one temperature sensor unit. The power contact pin is electrically connected to at least one power line. Contact body 11 having at least one contact surface 12 capable of making electrical contact with a power contact socket of a corresponding connection mechanism, wherein the contact body 11 has at least one sensor cavity. The temperature sensor unit 20 is disposed in the sensor cavity 13 in thermal contact with the contact body 11. [Selection] Fig. 3B

Description

  The invention relates to a charging plug for connecting with a corresponding connection mechanism and for transmitting electrical energy, the charging plug comprising a charging plug housing, at least one power supply contact pin, at least one temperature sensor unit. ,have.

  During the charging process, a high current may flow through the charging plug. Especially in the charging process of automobiles, DC can reach up to 500A. Such a high current presupposes that the charging plug and the corresponding connecting device, for example a vehicle charging plug, function reliably after a long operating time with a large number of charging cycles, in particular with thousands of charging cycles.

  The point of contact of the power supply contacts carrying current is a source of potential danger. This is because, due to wear and / or damage of the material or of the contact profile, the contact resistance at the contact points can increase. An unacceptable increase in contact resistance results in increased power loss due to electroheating. In exceptional cases, the electrical heating at the point of contact is so high that the overheated power contact can melt or even ignite the plastic material surrounding the charging plug and / or the cable connecting it.

  For the recognition of unacceptable heating of the charging plug and the corresponding connecting device, in particular of the contact points, temperature monitoring using temperature sensors is known. As a reaction to unacceptable heating, the charging process can be interrupted and / or interrupted, for example, in order to avoid damage to the charging plug and / or the corresponding connecting device.

  Temperature measurement of electrical components carrying high currents, especially power contacts, requires sufficient electrical insulation of the temperature sensor. In addition to operating at high currents, the charging plug operates at high voltages, with a voltage of 1000 V being allowed in the norm. Such voltages also create the need for sufficient insulation to protect the electronic components, especially the temperature sensors. At the same time, it is advantageous to obtain as good a thermal coupling as possible between the temperature sensor and the contact point in order to accurately and non-inertially measure the temperature of the electrical component. For example, positioning the temperature sensor as close as possible to the electrical components in space, that is why this is associated with poor electrical insulation.

  In the case of a damaged contact, a sharp rise in the temperature of the power contact can occur as soon as the full load current is applied, so the evaluation of the connection device depends, inter alia, on how quickly the temperature sensor can follow the temperature change at the power contact. It is decisive.

  The problem underlying the present invention is that it has at least one temperature sensor unit that enables reliable temperature monitoring with little time lag, the temperature sensor unit is protected from external influences, and can be manufactured easily. It is to provide a charging plug.

  This object is achieved by a charging plug having the features of claim 1, in which advantageous embodiments are described in the exemplary embodiments of the dependent claims.

  More precisely, the underlying problem is solved by a power contact pin having a contact electrically connected to at least one power line, the contact being connected to a power contact socket of a corresponding connection mechanism by an electric contact. It has at least one contact surface that can be contacted, and this contact has at least one sensor cavity in which a temperature sensor unit is arranged in thermal contact with the contact.

  When the charging plug is inserted into the corresponding connection mechanism, electrical contact between the power contact socket of the corresponding connection mechanism and the power cable of the charging plug is realized at the contact surface by the contact body of the power contact pin. During charging, the current is guided along the contact surface, where a temperature rise can occur due to electrical contact resistance at the contact surface, especially due to worn and / or damaged materials or contact profiles. By arranging the temperature sensor unit in the sensor cavity of the contact body, it is achieved that the temperature sensor unit can be positioned as close as possible to the contact surface. Thus, the temperature sensor unit in thermal contact with the contact body can determine the temperature of the contact body spatially as close as possible to the contact surface. Advantageously, such an arrangement of the temperature sensor unit achieves that a temperature change, in particular a temperature rise, can be determined with as little delay as possible.

  Preferably, the temperature sensor unit of the charging plug has a temperature sensor, which is arranged in the sensor cavity such that the temperature sensor is arranged opposite the contact surface of the contact body. This achieves that the heat transfer takes place in a straight path from the contact surface to the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor unit. Advantageously, this allows the temperature sensor to be spatially close to the contact surface, so that the temperature change can be determined with as little time delay as possible.

  More preferably, the temperature sensor is arranged in a jacket made of a non-conductive and highly thermally conductive material. The jacket of the temperature sensor is preferably made of a thermally conductive plastic or a suitable ceramic. In addition, the envelope in the sensor cavity is at least partially in material-contact with the contact body. By arranging the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor unit in the envelope, it is achieved that the temperature sensor is effectively protected from currents flowing through the contact body, in particular flowing spatially near the contact surface. Protection from applied voltage is also achieved by the jacket. At the same time, an effective heat transfer between the contact surface and the temperature sensor is achieved due to the thermal conductivity of the jacket. Effective heat transfer also requires that the jacket be at least partially in contact with the contact body. Accordingly, the shape of the jacket is adapted to the sensor cavity. Advantageously, this jacket ensures a reliable operation of the temperature sensor unit and thus a reliable temperature monitoring.

  Preferably, the contact body of the power contact pin has a cylindrical contact surface. In addition, the sensor cavity has a cylindrical shape, the longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical contact surface. The power contact pins are provided for contacting the power contact socket of the corresponding connection mechanism. For this purpose, the contact body of the power supply contact has, in particular, a cylindrical contact surface provided for making electrical contact with the ring-shaped multi-ram of the power supply contact socket. Advantageously, with the cylindrical sensor cavities arranged in parallel, it is achieved that the temperature sensor of the temperature sensor unit can be easily positioned against the cylindrical contact surface, for example by pushing it into the cylindrical sensor cavity. That's what it means. It is particularly preferred to position the temperature sensor at the center of the cylindrical contact surface.

  Even more preferably, the temperature sensor unit of the charging plug has a cylindrical jacket, which can be inserted into a cylindrical sensor cavity. For this purpose, the housing has a cross section that is only slightly smaller than the cross section of the cylindrical sensor cavity. It is advantageous to provide a temperature sensor unit that can be easily inserted into the sensor cavity during the manufacture of the charging plug, in particular the manufacture of the power contact pins. In addition, a corresponding cross section ensures that, in the plugged-in state, there is a thermal contact between the jacket and the contact body.

  Preferably, the sensor cavity of the power contact pin has a sensor cavity opening in the rear area of the power contact pin facing the charging plug housing. The sensor cavity opening is thus located in the charging plug housing. This achieves protection of the temperature sensor unit arranged in the sensor cavity from external influences. In particular, it prevents dirt or contact with liquids. It would be advantageous to achieve increased temperature monitoring reliability and service life.

  More preferably, the sensor cavity of the power contact pin is a blind hole whose longitudinal axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the power contact. In addition, the opening of the blind hole is in the area behind the power contact pin. Advantageously, the blind hole allows a simple cylindrical sensor cavity to be produced. For example, the same drilling tool can be used for the power line cavity and the sensor cavity.

  Preferably, the sensor cavity of the power contact pin is closed off by a sealant in the area behind the power contact. The sealant is preferably a grout that is injected into the sensor cavity opening and cures there. Advantageously, the sealant provides a sealing of the temperature sensor unit, so that, for example, liquid cannot reach the temperature sensor from the charging plug housing. In addition, a permanent fixing of the temperature sensor unit within the sensor cavity is achieved by the sealant. A further advantage is that the sealant acts as a strain relief for the sensor lines of the temperature sensor unit.

  Preferably, the power supply contact pin of the charging plug has a packing, which allows the charging plug housing to be sealed. Particularly preferred is a ring packing in a groove in the peripheral surface of the contact body. Advantageously, the power contact is thus provided as a separate component which can be connected to the charging plug housing, so that no external influences, for example water or debris, can enter the charging plug housing.

  Preferably, the contact body of the power contact pin has a sensor wire cavity for guiding the sensor wire of the temperature sensor unit. The sensor line cavity is additionally a penetration between the sensor cavity and the charging plug interior space of the charging plug housing. With this additional sensor line cavity, the sensor line of the temperature sensor unit is guided into the charging plug housing beside the power line cavity of the contact body. Therefore, the opening of the sensor wire cavity on the side of the charging plug housing is between the packing of the power contact pin and the power wire cavity. Advantageously, it is ensured that the sensor lines do not contact the power lines.

  More preferably, the sensor line cavity of the power contact pin is a hole whose longitudinal axis is obliquely oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis of the power contact pin. Advantageously, such a hole allows a simple implementation of a sensor line cavity in which the sensor cable can be guided from the sensor cavity into the charging plug interior space.

  It is further preferred that the sensor wire cavity and / or the sensor cavity are sealed by a sealant in the area behind the power supply contact pins. Preferably, the sealant is in a portion of the sensor cavity where the sensor line cavity communicates with the sensor cavity. It is particularly preferred that the sealant is a grouting agent. Advantageously, the sealing agent provides sealing and fixing of the temperature sensor unit. In addition, the sealant serves as a strain relief for the sensor lines of the temperature sensor unit.

  Preferably, the power supply contact pins of the charging plug have a plurality of sensor cavities, in each of which at least one temperature sensor unit is arranged. This advantageously achieves that different contact surfaces or contact surface portions can be monitored using different temperature sensors. In particular, these temperature sensor units can be arranged independently of one another, which allows a smaller distance between the contact surface and the respective temperature sensor, which leads to less time lag during temperature monitoring. It is advantageous.

  In the following, further advantages, details and features of the invention will be apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments.

It is a perspective view of a charging plug. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the charging plug from FIG. 1. It is a side view of the power supply contact pin of the charging plug provided with the power supply line. FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the power contact pin from FIG. 3A. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a longitudinal section from FIG. 3B. It is a perspective view of a power supply contact pin. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the contact body of a power supply contact pin. FIG. 5B is a side view of the contact body from FIG. 5A. FIG. 3 is a side view of a power contact pin, which is inserted into a power contact socket of a corresponding connection device. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a power contact pin in contact with a power contact socket.

  In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts or the same features, so that the description of the parts with respect to one figure applies to the other figures, so that repeated description is avoided. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment may also be used individually in other embodiments.

  FIG. 1 shows the charging plug 100 in a perspective view. The charging plug 100 has a front area 100_1 provided for insertion into a corresponding connection device. In the rear area 100_2 of the charging plug 100, there is a grip 114 provided for handling the charging plug 100. The charging plug 100 has a charging plug housing 110 into which a charging cable 120 having a plurality of power lines 121 is inserted. The charging plug 100 has a power contact pin 10 connected to a power line 121 in a charging plug inner space 111 defined by a charging plug housing 110. The front area of the charging plug housing 110 is constituted by a front element 112. The rear area of the charging plug housing is constituted by a housing body 113.

  As shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the front element 112 is connected to the housing body 113, for example by screwing. On the side of the front element 112 facing the charging plug internal space 111, a contact plate 115 on which a plurality of electric pin contacts are arranged is arranged. The power supply contact 10 is electrically connected to the power supply line 121 in the charging plug internal space 111. In this regard, a portion of the power supply contact pin 10 provided for electrical contact with a corresponding connection mechanism is: It is outside the charging plug internal space 111. For this reason, the power supply contact pin 10 is passed through the front element 112 when the charging plug 100 is assembled.

  FIG. 3A shows a side view of the power contact pin 10, in which the power contact pin 10 has a contact body 11. In region 10_2 of power supply contact pin 10 facing charging plug internal space 111, contact body 11 is electrically connected to power supply line 121. To seal the charging plug interior space 111, the power contact pin 10 has a packing 17, which is embodied as a ring packing in the exemplary embodiment shown. The contact body 11 has a power contact tip 19 on its front side.

  In the front region 10_1 of the power contact 10 not facing the charging plug internal space 111, the contact body 11 has a cylindrical contact surface 12 provided for making electrical contact with the power contact socket 30 of the corresponding connection mechanism. (See FIG. 6B). In order to charge a storage battery in the vehicle, a current is conducted by the power supply line 121 through the power supply contact pin 10 and the power supply contact socket 30. The current required during the charging process is so high that if the power contact pins 10 and / or the power contact socket 30 are damaged and / or worn, significant heating can occur due to increased contact resistance. To detect this heating, the charging plug 100 has a temperature sensor unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the contact body 11 has a sensor cavity 13 in which a temperature sensor unit 20 provided for monitoring the temperature of the power contact 10 is arranged. Therefore, the temperature sensor unit 20 is spatially close to the contact surface 12, which reduces the delay time in monitoring the temperature. In this power supply contact pin 10, the sensor cavity 13 is embodied in a cylindrical shape, the longitudinal axis of this cylindrical sensor cavity 13 being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the power supply contact pin 10 and thus to the longitudinal axis of the contact body 11. Oriented. The contact body 11 and the sensor cavity 13 are arranged concentrically, so that the temperature sensor unit 20 is centered in the cylindrical contact surface 12. Preferably, the sensor cavity 13 is a blind hole, the longitudinal axis of which overlaps the longitudinal axis of the contact body 11.

  The temperature sensor unit 20 has a temperature sensor 22 arranged in a housing, which is made of a material which is electrically insulating but nevertheless thermally conductive. The jacket is preferably made of a ceramic material or a thermally conductive plastic. The temperature sensor unit has a sensor line 21 in a rear area, and the sensor line 21 is connected to a control unit (not shown) for monitoring the temperature. The jacket of the temperature sensor is embodied such that it can be inserted into the sensor cavity 13 and is at least partially in thermal contact with the contact body 11. In the case of the illustrated cylindrical sensor cavity 13, the jacket of the temperature sensor unit 20 also has a cylindrical shape, the cross section of which is the same or only slightly smaller than the cross section of the sensor cavity. The temperature sensor 22 is positioned in the jacket so as to face the contact surface 12 when the temperature sensor unit 20 is attached (see FIG. 6A).

  The sensor cavity 13 has a sensor cavity opening 14 in the rear area 10_2 of the power supply contact 10, where the sensor cavity 13 communicates with a power supply line cavity 16. The sensor cavity 13 and the power line cavity 16 communicate with the charging plug internal space 111, thereby protecting the temperature sensor unit 20 in the sensor cavity 13 from external influences. In order to achieve a relatively simple manufacture, the sensor cavity 13 and the power line cavity 16 are embodied concentrically.

  FIG. 3C shows an enlarged view of the longitudinal section of the power contact pin 10, and in particular illustrates the guidance of the sensor line 21 in the power contact pin 10. The power contact pin 10 additionally has a sensor line cavity 15 for guiding the sensor line 21 from the sensor cavity 13 to the charging plug interior space 111. The sensor line cavity 15 is preferably formed in a hole whose longitudinal axis is oblique to the longitudinal axes of the sensor cavity 13 and the contact body 11. In this way, the sensor wire 21 is guided into the charging plug internal space 111 through the vicinity of the power supply line cavity 16. In a region where the sensor wire cavity 15 communicates with the sensor cavity 13, there is a sealant 18 surrounding the sensor wire 21. The sealant 18 is preferably a grouting agent that can be injected into the sensor cavity 13 and / or the sensor line cavity 15. The sealing agent 18 protects the temperature sensor unit 20 from external influences. In addition, the temperature sensor unit 20 is fixed in the sensor cavity 13 by the sealant 18, so that, in particular, the position of the temperature sensor 22 with respect to the contact surface 12 does not change. In particular, the sealant 18 also serves as a strain relief for the sensor line 21.

  FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the power contact pin 10. In the cylindrical contact body 11, a power contact tip 19 is arranged in a front region 10_1 of the power contact pin 10. The contact body 11 has a power supply line cavity 16 provided in the rear region 10_2 of the power supply contact pin 10 to be connected to the power supply line 121. The rear area 10_2 of the power supply contact pin 10 is in the charging plug internal space 111 when mounted, while the front area 10_1 of the power supply contact pin 10 is outside the charging plug internal space 111. To seal the charging plug housing 110 forming the charging plug interior space 111, the power contact pin 10 has a packing 17, which is preferably implemented as a ring packing. That is, the power contact pin 10 is a component independent of the charging plug housing 110.

  FIG. 5A shows a longitudinal section of the contact body 11 of the power contact pin 10 without the temperature sensor unit 20 and the sealant 18. The contact 11, the sensor cavity 13 and the power line cavity 16 are concentric with each other and therefore have the same longitudinal axis. The contact body 11 has a sensor line cavity 15 for guiding the sensor line 21 beside the power line cavity 16. The sensor line cavity 15 is preferably formed in a hole whose longitudinal axis is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the sensor cavity 13. The power line cavity 16 has a conical bevel at the transition to the sensor cavity 13 to make it easier to insert the temperature sensor unit 20. FIG. 5B shows a side view of the contact body 11 having the packing 17 and the power contact tip 19.

  The power contact pin 10 is manufactured by first drilling a sensor cavity 13, a power line cavity 16 and a sensor line cavity 15 in the contact body 11. Preferably, at least for the sensor cavity 13 and the power line cavity 16, the same drilling tool can be used. Subsequently, the temperature sensor unit 20 is inserted into the sensor cavity 13. Thereafter, the sensor wire 21 is passed through the sensor wire cavity 15 from the side surface of the contact body 11. Subsequently, the sealant 18 is injected into the sensor cavity 13 and / or the sensor wire cavity 15. Thereafter, the power supply contact pins 10 can be electrically connected to the power supply lines 121 and mounted in the housing.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B show the power supply contact pins 10 in a contact state. In this case, the power supply contact pins 10 are inserted into the power supply contact accommodating portions 31 of the power supply contact socket 30. The power supply contact socket 30 includes a multi-ram 32 having a spring property. The multi-ram 32 is arranged in a ring shape, covers the contact body 11, and applies pressure. The area of the contact body 11 that is in electrical contact with the multi-ram 32 of the power contact socket 30 when the power contact pin 10 is inserted defines the contact surface 12 of the contact body 11. The temperature sensor 22 of the temperature sensor unit 20 is arranged in the sensor cavity 13 such that the temperature sensor 22 is at the center of the cylindrical contact surface 12. Thus, there is a distance as short as possible between the contact surface 12 and the temperature sensor 22, which reduces the time delay during temperature monitoring.

10 Power supply contact pin 10_1 Front area (Power supply contact pin)
10_2 Back area (power contact pin)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Contact body 12 Contact surface 13 Sensor cavity 14 Sensor cavity opening 15 Sensor line cavity 16 Power line cavity 17 Packing 18 Sealant 19 Power contact tip 20 Temperature sensor unit 21 Sensor line 22 Temperature sensor 30 Power contact socket 31 Power contact housing Part 32 Multi-ram 100 Charging plug 100_1 Front area (Charging plug)
100_2 Back area (charge plug)
110 Charging plug housing 111 Charging plug internal space 112 Front element (charging plug housing)
113 Housing body (Charging plug housing)
114 Grip (Charging plug housing)
115 Contact plate (Charging plug housing)
120 Charging cable (charging plug)
121 Power line

Claims (13)

A charging plug (100) for connecting with a corresponding connection mechanism and transmitting electric energy, said charging plug (100) comprising a charging plug housing (110) and at least one power contact pin ( 10) and at least one temperature sensor unit (20),
The power contact pin (10) has a contact (11) electrically connected to at least one power line (121);
The contact body (11) has at least one contact surface (12) capable of making electrical contact with the power contact socket (30) of the corresponding connection mechanism;
The contact body (11) has at least one sensor cavity (13), in which the temperature sensor unit (20) is arranged in thermal contact with the contact body (11); Charging plug (100). The temperature sensor unit (20) has a sensor line (21) and a temperature sensor (22);
The temperature sensor unit (20) is arranged in the sensor cavity (13) such that the temperature sensor (22) is positioned opposite the contact surface (12) of the contact body (11). The charging plug (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature sensor (22) is arranged in a jacket, the jacket consisting of a material that is electrically insulating and thermally conductive, in particular a thermally conductive plastic;
Charging plug (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the jacket is at least partly in material-bonded contact with the sensor cavity (13). The contact body (11) of the power contact pin (10) has a cylindrical contact surface (12);
-The sensor cavity (13) has a cylindrical shape, the longitudinal axis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical contact surface (12). A charging plug (100) according to the item. The charging plug (100) according to claim 4, wherein the jacket of the temperature sensor unit (20) is cylindrical and is insertable into the cylindrical sensor cavity (13). The sensor cavity (13) has a sensor cavity opening (14) in a rear area (10_2) of the power contact pin (10) facing the charging plug housing (110). A charging plug (100) according to any of the preceding claims. The sensor cavity (13) is a blind hole whose longitudinal axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the power contact pin (10);
Charging plug (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening of the sensor cavity (13) is in the rear area (10_2) of the power contact pin (10). The sensor cavity (13) is sealed by a sealant (18) in a region (10_2) behind the power contact pin (10). Charging plug (100). 9. The power supply contact pin (10) has a packing (17), by means of which the charging plug housing (110) can be sealed. A charging plug (100) according to one of the preceding claims. The contact body (11) of the power contact pin (10) has a sensor line cavity (15) for guiding a sensor line (21) of the temperature sensor unit (20);
The sensor wire cavity (15) is a penetration between the sensor cavity (13) and the charging plug interior space (111) of the charging plug housing (110). Charge plug (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Charging plug (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the sensor line cavity (15) is a hole whose longitudinal axis is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the power contact pin (10). . The sensor line cavity (15) and / or the sensor cavity (13) is sealed by a sealant (18) in a region (10_2) behind the power contact pin (10). The charging plug (100) according to 10 or 11. The power supply contact pin (10) has a plurality of sensor cavities (13), and at least one temperature sensor unit (20) is arranged in each of the sensor cavities (13). Item 13. The charging plug (100) according to any one of Items 1 to 12.

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