Title of Invention	A CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTION OF WINDING ENDS OF A STATOR OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR
Abstract	The invention relates to a connecting device (2) for an electric motor, particularly an external rotor motor to connect ends of a stator winding to a connecting lead (65). Said connecting device (2) is composed of a wiring plate (4) which is arranged on a plane extending in a radial direction relative to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter, and which is provided with terminal areas for contacting the connecting lead (65) as well as shaped conductor guides (14) and strip conductors (6) with terminal lugs (38) for contacting the stator winding. A plug element (10) is provided which can be pre-assembled on the connecting lead (65) and comprises insulation displacement contacts (68) that contact the connecting lead (65). The plug element (10) can be mounted on the wiring plate (4) parallel to the stator axis such that the insulation displacement contacts (68) contact the terminals areas of the strip conductors (6) embodied as contacting sections (32a, 32b).

Title of Invention

A CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTION OF WINDING ENDS OF A STATOR OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting device (2) for an electric motor, particularly an external rotor motor to connect ends of a stator winding to a connecting lead (65). Said connecting device (2) is composed of a wiring plate (4) which is arranged on a plane extending in a radial direction relative to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter, and which is provided with terminal areas for contacting the connecting lead (65) as well as shaped conductor guides (14) and strip conductors (6) with terminal lugs (38) for contacting the stator winding. A plug element (10) is provided which can be pre-assembled on the connecting lead (65) and comprises insulation displacement contacts (68) that contact the connecting lead (65). The plug element (10) can be mounted on the wiring plate (4) parallel to the stator axis such that the insulation displacement contacts (68) contact the terminals areas of the strip conductors (6) embodied as contacting sections (32a, 32b).

Full Text	FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connection device for an electric motor, in particular an external-rotor motor, for connection of winding ends of a stator to a connecting line, comprising a circuit board, which is arranged on a plane aligned radially with respect to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by the stator diameter and has formed conductor track guides and conductor tracks with connecting lugs for making contact with the stator winding and with connecting areas for making contact with the connecting line. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A connecting device such as this is known as a circuit board for connection of the wire ends of a stator winding from the document EP 0 603 478 B1 (D1). The circuit board comprises a base part which is aligned at right angles to the stator axis and has a holding opening, which surrounds an end insulation shaft of a stator, with contact chambers, which are referred to as recesses, for holding electrical connection elements and with conductor track guides which are bounded by isolating webs. Conductor tracks in the form of sheet-metal stamped parts run in the guides. The recesses, which are in the form of pockets, are arranged in pairs with mirror-image symmetry with respect to a line of symmetry which runs through the center point of the holding opening. The conductor tracks, which are in the form of flat plug sections in their end areas, are located in the recesses, and connecting sockets of a motor connecting line are plugged onto the conductor tracks in the tangential movement direction. The electrical contact is therefore provided by a plug and socket system in this case. The document DE 202 12 273 U1 (D2) discloses the use of insulation- displacement terminal contacts for making connections. This document describes an insulating element, which is formed by extrusion coating and is arranged at the end of the stator, as a component of a circuit arrangement for direct connection of winding wires of a stator winding to an electrical connecting line, with contact elements, which are designed using insulation-displacement terminal technology, for making contact with the winding wires and the connecting line being held in the insulating element. A direct electrical connection is made between the winding wires and the connecting line by means of the insulation-displacement terminal effect of the insulation-displacement terminal contacts by means of a process of plugging in and joining a holding housing to the insulating element. This document does not disclose the use of conductor tracks as connection elements or wiring elements. However, these connecting devices have disadvantages. For example, the technical teaching disclosed in D1 requires four individual plugging-in processes for the motor to make contact with an external connecting line. Each plugging-in process must be carried out manually, with tangential insertion of each individual socket not only requiring precision but also occupying space on a radials plane, which is often restricted when the motor insulation position is poor. The embodiment using insulation-displacement terminal technology from D2 likewise has disadvantages. Prefabrication of the external connecting line is impossible, because contact must be made with the internal winding wires and the external connecting line at the same time. The electrical connection between the winding wires and the external connection is made in one process only by fitting a holiday housing, in that the insulation-displacement terminal contacts which are held in the insulating element cut through the respective conductor insulation. Furthermore, D2 does not disclose conductor tracks which allow the winding wire ends to be connected individually. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on the object of developing a connecting device of the type described initially, by means of which the manufacturing process and final motor assembly can be simplified, in conjunction with a reduction in the number of components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the connecting device has a plug element which can be prefitted to the connecting line and has insulation- displacement terminal contacts which make contact with the connecting line, and which plug element can be plugged onto the circuit board parallel to the stator axis such that the insulation-displacement terminal contacts make contact with the end areas, which are in the form of contact sections, of the conductor tracks. The use of insulation-displacement terminal technology in conjunction with the end areas of the conductor tracks being in the form of contact sections advantageously avoids the need for relatively complex plug and socket systems as connection elements. The electrical connection to the connecting line is made simply by plugging on the plug element, which is fitted with insulation-displacement terminal contacts, according to the invention. In a further advantageous refinement, the contact sections at the ends of the conductor tracks are bent at right angles out of the conductor track plane in the longitudinal direction of the conductor track. The insulation-displacement terminal contacts engage axially in these contact section. Since the insulation-displacement terminal contacts make direct contact with the contact sections at the ends of the conductor tracks when the plug element is plugged on, the electrical connection is made without any additional connection elements. In this case, the conductor tracks are expediently in the form of integral stamped and bent parts with contact sections and connecting lugs or protective-ground conductor connecting sections, in order to further reduce the range of parts. In a further advantageous refinement, the plug element comprises a cover surface which is in the form of a circle segment and has a circumferential wall, into which plug element a radially running channel with an axially-radially directed opening is incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve, through which the connecting line runs to pass through. This advantageous allows the external connecting line to be inserted into the plug element before final assembly of the motor. The axially-radially directed opening in conjunction with the kink protection sleeve also allows the connecting line to be fed in an electrically and mechanically secure form, even in poor installation positions. It is particularly advantageous for the plug element to have insertion openings for holding the insulation-displacement terminal contacts. This allows the connecting cable, which is inserted into the plug element before final assembly, to be reliably connected by means of the insulation-displacement terminal contacts. Once the motor manufacturing process has been completed, the prefabricated plug elements can be mechanically fixed to the motor flange during the final assembly process by being plugged onto the circuit board, with the electrical connection to the contact sections of the conductor tracks being produced at the same time by the insulation-displacement terminal contacts engaging in the contact sections at the conductor track ends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Further advantageous refinement features of the invention will be explained with reference to one preferred exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 - shows a perspective illustration of a connection device according to the invention, in the form of individual parts without a plug element, Figure 2a - shows a view of the circuit board with conductor tracks, Figure 2b - shows a section along the section line A-A in Figure 2a, Figure 3 - shows a view of the circuit board provided with a cover panel, Figure 4 - shows a perspective illustration of a plug element, and Figure 5 - shows a perspective illustration of the connecting device mounted on a motor flange. DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of the connecting device 2 according to the invention, as individual parts. The connecting device 2 comprises a circuit board 4, in which conductor tracks 6 are inserted and which is sealed by a cover panel 8. A plug element 10 associated with the connecting device 2 is described in Figure 5. The circuit board 4 has a circular holding opening 12a for an end insulation shaft of a stator, and accordingly extends on a radial plane to a stator axis. For position-fixing and support purposes, the circuit board 4 is provided with spacing pines 15 on its side facing the stator. Conductor track guides 14, which are bounded by rim webs 16, are formed on the side facing away from the stator. Positioning pins 17 are integrally formed on the base of the conductor track guides 14, and project axially. The conductor track guides 14 run essentially circumferentially in an inner, higher polygon train 18a and in an outer, lower polygon train 18b, and end in four contact chambers 20a, 20b which are at corresponding offset heights. The four contact chambers 20a, 20b are arranged in pairs with mirror-image symmetry with respect to a line of symmetry, which runs through the center point of the holding opening 12a, with a symmetry angle a, shown in Figure 3, of about 30° to 60°, wherein the circuit board 4 has a cutout 23a, which is in the form of a circle segment, within the opening angle 2 x a between the contact chambers 20a, 20b. The radially outer contact chambers 20b have latching arm openings 22 for latching of the plug element 10, and contact surfaces 19a, 19b which are integrally formed such that they point away radially. A hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 with a rim collar 25 is integrally formed parallel to the stator axis on the circuit board 4, directed toward the stator and radially opposite the cutout 23a, and is used to hold a temperature monitoring element. A cover part 26 can be plugged onto the hollow-cylindrical attachment 24, in the corners of which cover part 26 four holes 27 are provided through which four corresponding plug pins 28, which project axially on the circuit board 4, pass, in order to fix the cover part 26 in its position. The rim collar 25 has interruptions 25a on the sides at right angles to the outer rim. In its outer rim areas, the circuit board 4 has supply cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c, through which the winding wire ends of the stator winding can be passed. The conductor tracks 6 are stamped such that they correspond to the profile of the polygon trains 18a, 18b and are inserted into the conductor track guides 14 such that they rest flat on them. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, four conductor tracks 6 are provided in order to connect the winding wire ends to the external connecting line 65. Positioning pins 17 pass through positioning holes 30 in the conductor tracks 6 in order to fix the position of the conductor tracks 6. Those end areas of the conductor tracks 6 which project into the four contact chambers 20a, 20b are bend at right angles out of the plane of the conductor track as contact sections 32a, 32b and are thus positioned upright in the contact chambers 20a, 20b. In this case, the contact sections 32a of the inner conductor tracks 6 are integrally formed on the outside, and the contact sections 32b of the outer conductor tracks 6 are integrally formed on the inside. The end walls 34, which bound the cutout 23a that is in the form of a circle segment, are provided with axial notches 36 which support the contact sections 32, which run upright, at their ends while contact is being made. Connecting lugs 38 for making contact with the winding wire ends or a protective-ground conductor connecting section 40, which projects into the holding opening 12, are or is integrally formed at those ends of the conductor tracks 6 which are not in the form of contact sections 32a, 32b. The conductor tracks 6 are expediently in the form of integral stamped and bent parts with contact sections 32a, 32b and connecting lugs 38, and/or a protective- ground conductor connecting section 40. In this case, as can be seen in the figures, the connecting lugs 38 are first of all bent at right angles to the conductor track plane, facing away from the stator, in order to allow them to be soldered or welded to the winding wire ends. After soldering or welding, the connecting lugs 38 are bent back in the direction of the supply cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c into the plane of the conductor tracks 6. On the side facing away from the stator, the circuit board 4 is provided with a cover panel 8, which has a holding opening 12b and a cutout 23b, which corresponds to the cutout 23a in the form of a circle segment in the circuit board 4, with an opening angle 2 x β (Fig. 3) which is increased by the circumferential extent of the contact chambers 20a, 20b such that the contact chambers 20a, 20b are axially accessible for holding the connection elements. For alignment of the cover panel 8, two alignment pins 48 are integrally formed on the circuit board 4, projecting axially, and passing through corresponding alignment holes 50 in the cover panel 8. The cover panel 8 has essentially the same circumferential contour as the circuit board 4, with a circumferential wall 44 clasping the circuit board 4. The circumferential wall 44 is interrupted by two incisions 46a, 46b which run at right angles on the plane of the cover panel. A further incision 46c, which is open at the rim, in the cover panel 8 is located above the hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 when the cover panel 8 is fitted, and allows the cover part 26 to be fitted in on the cover panel plane. Figure 2a shows a view of the circuit board 4 with the four conductor tracks 6 that are used. An end section of the respective conductor track 6 is formed upright as a contact section 32a or 32b and is positioned in the respective contact chambers 20a, 20b while, in contrast, the other end section of the respective conductor track 6 is formed in a standing position at right angles to the conductor track plane, with one or more connecting lugs 38 and/or a protective-ground conductor connecting section 40. The conductor tracks 6, which follow the outer polygon train 18b, extend in a symmetrical configuration from the contact chambers 20b to the section line A-A at the same height as the respective supply cutouts 29a, 29b. A conductor track 6 follows the inner polygon train 18a and, in the illustrated view, runs in the clockwise direction from the contact chamber 20a over the hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 to the supply cutout 29c, where it has two connecting lugs 38. The fourth conductor track 6 likewise follows the profile of the inner polygon train 18a, starting with the contact section 32a in the contact chamber 20a and ending with the protective-ground conductor connecting section 40 on the section line A-A. Figure 2b shows a section along the section line A-A in Figure 2a. This illustration clearly shows the conductor track guides 14, which are offset in height, with their separating rim webs 16 in the form of an illustration of the radial profile of the circuit board 4. The conductor tracks 6 are inserted into the conductor track guides 14. The connecting lugs 38 on the conductor tracks 6 project at right angles, facing away from the stator, from the protective ground conductor connecting section 40 and the hollow- cylindrical attachment 24, facing the stator, out of the conductor track plane. The hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 is covered by the cover part 26, fixed by the plug pins 28. Figure 3 shows a view of the circuit board 4, provided with the cover panel 8. This illustration shows the opening angle 2 x p, which is increased by the circumferential extent of the contact chambers 20a, 20b, of the cutout 23b, which is in the form of a circle segment, of the cover panel 8. Because of the larger opening angle, the contact chambers 20a, 20b are still axially accessible. Figure 4 shows a perspective illustration of the plug element 10. The plug element 10 comprises a cover surface 55, in the form of a circle segment, with a circumferential wall 57 in which a radially running channel 59 with an axially-radially directed opening 61 is incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve 63 to pass through, through which the connecting line 65 runs. Four insertion guides 70 are formed along the radially running sides of the plug element 10, into which the insulation-displacement terminal contacts 68 can be pushed completely at right angles to the cover surface 55, and contact is made with the individual wires of the connecting line 65 on the base of the insertion guides 70. The insertion guides 70 are matched to the different heights of the contact chambers 20a, 20b. This ensures that the insulation-displacement terminal contacts 68 which are located in the insertion guides 70 make reliable contact, with their blades, which face away from the cover surface 55, with the upright contact sections 32a, 32b of the conductor tracks 6 when the plug part 10 is being plugged on. Three latching arms 72 are provided, projecting axially inwards, and their position corresponds with the three latching arm openings 22 in the circuit board 4. Figure 5 shows the circuit board 4 mounted on a motor flange 74. The motor flange 74 has a cutout 23c, which is in the form of a circle segment and whose opening angle extends slightly beyond that of the cutout 23b in the cover panel 8. The preassembled plug element 10 can be inserted into the cutout 23c. In this case, the plug element 10 is latched by means of the three latching arms 72 on the circuit board 4, which is mounted under the motor flange 74 with the insulation-displacement terminal contacts 68 of the plug element 10 making contact with the stator winding via the contact sections 32a, 32b of the conductor tracks 6 and the connecting lugs 38. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments which have been illustrated and described, but also covers all embodiments with the same effect within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is also not just restricted to the feature combination defined in claim 1 but can also be defined by any other desired combination of specific features of all of the individual features disclosed in their entirety. This means that, in principle, virtually any individual feature of claim 1 may be omitted, or may be replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed at a different point in the application. To this extent, claim 1 should be understood only as a first formulation attempt for an invention. WE CLAIM: 1. A connecting device (2) for an electric motor, in particular an external- rotor motor, for connection of winding ends of a stator to a connecting line (65), comprising a circuit board (4), which is arranged on a plane aligned radially with respect to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter and has formed conductor track guides (14) and conductor tractor (6) with connecting lugs (38) for making contact with the stator winding and with connecting areas for making contact with the connecting line (65), characterized in that a plug element (10) which can be prefitted to the connecting line (65) and has insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) which make contact with the connecting line (65), and which plug element (10) can be plugged onto the circuit board (4) parallel to the stator axis such that the insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) make contact with the end areas, which are in the form of contact sections (32a, 32b), of the conductor tracks (6), wherein the contact sections (32a, 32b) are bent at right angles out of the conductor track plane in the longitudinal direction of the conductor track at the ends of the conductor tracks (6), and the insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) engage axially in these contact sections (32a, 32b). 2. The connecting device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor tracks (6) are in the form of integral stamped and bent parts with contact sections (32a, 32b) and connecting lugs (38) and/or a protective-ground conductor connecting section (40). 3. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the plug element (10) comprises a cover surface (55) which is in the form of a circle segment and has a circumferential wall (57), into which plug element (10) a radially running channel (59) with an axially-radially directed opening (61) is incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve (63), through which the connecting line (650 runs to pass through. 4. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plug element (10) has insertion guides (70) for holding the insulation- displacement terminal contacts (68). 5. The connecting device (2) as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein contact chambers (20a, 20b) for holding the insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) are formed in pairs, with mirror-image symmetry with respect to a line of symmetry, which runs through the center point of the holding opening (12a), with a symmetry angle a of about 30° to 60°, and wherein the circuit board (4) has a cutout (23a), which is in the form of a circle segment, within the opening angle 2a between the contact chambers (20a, 20b). 6. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein conductor track guides (14) which are bounded by rim webs (16) are formed in the circuit board (4), run essentially cifcumferentially in an inner, higher polygon train (18a) and an outer, lower polygon train (18b), and end in the contact chambers (20a, 20b) which are at corresponding offset heights. 7. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the conductor tracks (6) have positioning holes (30) in which positioning pins (17) which are integrally formed on the circuit board (4) engage. 8. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the circuit board (4) has a latching arm opening (22) in each of the outer contact chambers (20b), and has a further latching arm opening (22), for latching of the plug element (10), between the inner contact chambers (20a). 9. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the circuit board (4) has supply cutouts (29a, 29b, 29c) in its oouter rim area, for the winding wire ends to pass through. 10. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the circuit board (4) has a holding opening (12a) for an end insulation shaft of the stator. 11. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the circuit board (4) is provided on the side facing away from the stator with a cover panel (8) which has a holding opening (12b) and a cutouot (23b(, which corresponds to the cutout (23a) in the form of a circle segment in the circuit board (4), with an opening angle (2 x P) which is increased by the circumferential extent of the contact chambers (20a, 20b) such that the contact chambers (20a, 20b) are axially accessible for holding the connection elements. 12. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a hollow-cylindrical attachment (24) with a rim collar (25) is integrally formed on the circuit board (4), parallel to the stator axis, directed toward the stator and radially opposite the cutout (23a), and is used to hold a temperature monitoring element. 13. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 11 or 12, wherein, in the area of the cutout (23b), which is in the form of a circle segment, in the cover panel (8), a motor flange (74) has a cutout (23c) which is in the form of a circle segment and into which the plug element (10) is inserted axially and can be latched axially to three latching arms (72) in the latching arm openings (220 in the circuit board (4). ABSTRACT "A connecting device for connection of winding ends of a stator of an electric motor". The invention relates to a connecting device (2) for an electric motor, particularly an external rotor motor to connect ends of a stator winding to a connecting lead (65). Said connecting device (2) is composed of a wiring plate (4) which is arranged on a plane extending in a radial direction relative to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter, and which is provided with terminal areas for contacting the connecting lead (65) as well as shaped conductor guides (14) and strip conductors (6) with terminal lugs (38) for contacting the stator winding. A plug element (10) is provided which can be pre-assembled on the connecting lead (65) and comprises insulation displacement contacts (68) that contact the connecting lead (65). The plug element (10) can be mounted on the wiring plate (4) parallel to the stator axis such that the insulation displacement contacts (68) contact the terminals areas of the strip conductors (6) embodied as contacting sections (32a, 32b).

Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection device for an electric motor, in
particular an external-rotor motor, for connection of winding ends of a stator to a
connecting line, comprising a circuit board, which is arranged on a plane aligned
radially with respect to the stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined
by the stator diameter and has formed conductor track guides and conductor
tracks with connecting lugs for making contact with the stator winding and with
connecting areas for making contact with the connecting line.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A connecting device such as this is known as a circuit board for connection of the
wire ends of a stator winding from the document EP 0 603 478 B1 (D1). The
circuit board comprises a base part which is aligned at right angles to the stator
axis and has a holding opening, which surrounds an end insulation shaft of a
stator, with contact chambers, which are referred to as recesses, for holding
electrical connection elements and with conductor track guides which are
bounded by isolating webs. Conductor tracks in the form of sheet-metal stamped
parts run in the guides. The recesses, which are in the form of pockets, are
arranged in pairs with mirror-image symmetry with respect to a line of symmetry
which runs through the center point of the holding opening. The conductor
tracks, which are in the form of flat plug sections in their end areas, are located
in the recesses, and connecting sockets of a motor connecting line are plugged
onto the conductor tracks in the tangential movement direction. The electrical
contact is therefore provided by a plug and socket system in this case.

The document DE 202 12 273 U1 (D2) discloses the use of insulation-
displacement terminal contacts for making connections. This document describes
an insulating element, which is formed by extrusion coating and is arranged at
the end of the stator, as a component of a circuit arrangement for direct
connection of winding wires of a stator winding to an electrical connecting line,
with contact elements, which are designed using insulation-displacement
terminal technology, for making contact with the winding wires and the
connecting line being held in the insulating element. A direct electrical
connection is made between the winding wires and the connecting line by means
of the insulation-displacement terminal effect of the insulation-displacement
terminal contacts by means of a process of plugging in and joining a holding
housing to the insulating element. This document does not disclose the use of
conductor tracks as connection elements or wiring elements.
However, these connecting devices have disadvantages. For example, the
technical teaching disclosed in D1 requires four individual plugging-in processes
for the motor to make contact with an external connecting line. Each plugging-in
process must be carried out manually, with tangential insertion of each individual
socket not only requiring precision but also occupying space on a radials plane,
which is often restricted when the motor insulation position is poor.
The embodiment using insulation-displacement terminal technology from D2
likewise has disadvantages. Prefabrication of the external connecting line is
impossible, because contact must be made with the internal winding wires and
the external connecting line at the same time. The electrical connection between
the winding wires and the external connection is made in

one process only by fitting a holiday housing, in that the insulation-displacement
terminal contacts which are held in the insulating element cut through the respective
conductor insulation. Furthermore, D2 does not disclose conductor tracks which allow
the winding wire ends to be connected individually.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is based on the object of developing a connecting device of the
type described initially, by means of which the manufacturing process and final motor
assembly can be simplified, in conjunction with a reduction in the number of
components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the connecting device has a
plug element which can be prefitted to the connecting line and has insulation-
displacement terminal contacts which make contact with the connecting line, and which
plug element can be plugged onto the circuit board parallel to the stator axis such that
the insulation-displacement terminal contacts make contact with the end areas, which
are in the form of contact sections, of the conductor tracks.
The use of insulation-displacement terminal technology in conjunction with the end
areas of the conductor tracks being in the form of contact sections advantageously
avoids the need for relatively complex plug and socket systems as connection elements.
The electrical connection to the connecting line is made simply by plugging on the plug
element, which is fitted with insulation-displacement terminal contacts, according to the
invention. In a further advantageous refinement, the contact sections at the ends of the
conductor tracks are bent at right angles out of the conductor track plane in the
longitudinal direction of the conductor track. The insulation-displacement terminal
contacts engage axially in these contact

section. Since the insulation-displacement terminal contacts make direct contact
with the contact sections at the ends of the conductor tracks when the plug
element is plugged on, the electrical connection is made without any additional
connection elements. In this case, the conductor tracks are expediently in the
form of integral stamped and bent parts with contact sections and connecting
lugs or protective-ground conductor connecting sections, in order to further
reduce the range of parts.
In a further advantageous refinement, the plug element comprises a cover
surface which is in the form of a circle segment and has a circumferential wall,
into which plug element a radially running channel with an axially-radially
directed opening is incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve, through which the
connecting line runs to pass through. This advantageous allows the external
connecting line to be inserted into the plug element before final assembly of the
motor. The axially-radially directed opening in conjunction with the kink
protection sleeve also allows the connecting line to be fed in an electrically and
mechanically secure form, even in poor installation positions.
It is particularly advantageous for the plug element to have insertion openings
for holding the insulation-displacement terminal contacts. This allows the
connecting cable, which is inserted into the plug element before final assembly,
to be reliably connected by means of the insulation-displacement terminal
contacts. Once the motor manufacturing process has been completed, the
prefabricated plug elements can be mechanically fixed to the motor flange during
the final assembly process by being plugged onto the circuit board, with the
electrical connection to the contact sections of the conductor tracks being
produced at the same time by the insulation-displacement terminal

contacts engaging in the contact sections at the conductor track ends.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further advantageous refinement features of the invention will be explained with
reference to one preferred exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 - shows a perspective illustration of a connection device according to the
invention, in the form of individual parts without a plug element,
Figure 2a - shows a view of the circuit board with conductor tracks,
Figure 2b - shows a section along the section line A-A in Figure 2a,
Figure 3 - shows a view of the circuit board provided with a cover panel,
Figure 4 - shows a perspective illustration of a plug element, and
Figure 5 - shows a perspective illustration of the connecting device mounted on a
motor flange.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of the connecting device 2 according to the
invention, as individual parts. The connecting device 2 comprises a circuit board 4, in
which conductor tracks 6 are inserted and which is sealed by a cover panel 8. A plug
element 10 associated with the connecting device 2 is described in Figure 5. The circuit
board 4 has a circular holding opening 12a for an end insulation shaft of a stator, and
accordingly extends on a radial plane to a stator axis. For position-fixing and support

purposes, the circuit board 4 is provided with spacing pines 15 on its side facing
the stator. Conductor track guides 14, which are bounded by rim webs 16, are
formed on the side facing away from the stator. Positioning pins 17 are integrally
formed on the base of the conductor track guides 14, and project axially. The
conductor track guides 14 run essentially circumferentially in an inner, higher
polygon train 18a and in an outer, lower polygon train 18b, and end in four
contact chambers 20a, 20b which are at corresponding offset heights. The four
contact chambers 20a, 20b are arranged in pairs with mirror-image symmetry
with respect to a line of symmetry, which runs through the center point of the
holding opening 12a, with a symmetry angle a, shown in Figure 3, of about 30°
to 60°, wherein the circuit board 4 has a cutout 23a, which is in the form of a
circle segment, within the opening angle 2 x a between the contact chambers
20a, 20b. The radially outer contact chambers 20b have latching arm openings
22 for latching of the plug element 10, and contact surfaces 19a, 19b which are
integrally formed such that they point away radially.
A hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 with a rim collar 25 is integrally formed
parallel to the stator axis on the circuit board 4, directed toward the stator and
radially opposite the cutout 23a, and is used to hold a temperature monitoring
element. A cover part 26 can be plugged onto the hollow-cylindrical attachment
24, in the corners of which cover part 26 four holes 27 are provided through
which four corresponding plug pins 28, which project axially on the circuit board
4, pass, in order to fix the cover part 26 in its position. The rim collar 25 has
interruptions 25a on the sides at right angles to the outer rim.
In its outer rim areas, the circuit board 4 has supply cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c,
through which the winding wire

ends of the stator winding can be passed.
The conductor tracks 6 are stamped such that they correspond to the profile of
the polygon trains 18a, 18b and are inserted into the conductor track guides 14
such that they rest flat on them. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, four
conductor tracks 6 are provided in order to connect the winding wire ends to the
external connecting line 65. Positioning pins 17 pass through positioning holes 30
in the conductor tracks 6 in order to fix the position of the conductor tracks 6.
Those end areas of the conductor tracks 6 which project into the four contact
chambers 20a, 20b are bend at right angles out of the plane of the conductor
track as contact sections 32a, 32b and are thus positioned upright in the contact
chambers 20a, 20b. In this case, the contact sections 32a of the inner conductor
tracks 6 are integrally formed on the outside, and the contact sections 32b of the
outer conductor tracks 6 are integrally formed on the inside. The end walls 34,
which bound the cutout 23a that is in the form of a circle segment, are provided
with axial notches 36 which support the contact sections 32, which run upright,
at their ends while contact is being made.
Connecting lugs 38 for making contact with the winding wire ends or a
protective-ground conductor connecting section 40, which projects into the
holding opening 12, are or is integrally formed at those ends of the conductor
tracks 6 which are not in the form of contact sections 32a, 32b.
The conductor tracks 6 are expediently in the form of integral stamped and bent
parts with contact sections 32a, 32b and connecting lugs 38, and/or a protective-
ground conductor connecting section 40. In this case, as can be seen in the
figures, the connecting lugs 38 are first of all bent at right angles to the
conductor

track plane, facing away from the stator, in order to allow them to be soldered or
welded to the winding wire ends. After soldering or welding, the connecting lugs
38 are bent back in the direction of the supply cutouts 29a, 29b, 29c into the
plane of the conductor tracks 6.
On the side facing away from the stator, the circuit board 4 is provided with a
cover panel 8, which has a holding opening 12b and a cutout 23b, which
corresponds to the cutout 23a in the form of a circle segment in the circuit board
4, with an opening angle 2 x β (Fig. 3) which is increased by the circumferential
extent of the contact chambers 20a, 20b such that the contact chambers 20a,
20b are axially accessible for holding the connection elements. For alignment of
the cover panel 8, two alignment pins 48 are integrally formed on the circuit
board 4, projecting axially, and passing through corresponding alignment holes
50 in the cover panel 8. The cover panel 8 has essentially the same
circumferential contour as the circuit board 4, with a circumferential wall 44
clasping the circuit board 4. The circumferential wall 44 is interrupted by two
incisions 46a, 46b which run at right angles on the plane of the cover panel. A
further incision 46c, which is open at the rim, in the cover panel 8 is located
above the hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 when the cover panel 8 is fitted, and
allows the cover part 26 to be fitted in on the cover panel plane.
Figure 2a shows a view of the circuit board 4 with the four conductor tracks 6
that are used. An end section of the respective conductor track 6 is formed
upright as a contact section 32a or 32b and is positioned in the respective
contact chambers 20a, 20b while, in contrast, the other end section of the
respective conductor track 6 is formed in a standing position at right angles to
the conductor track plane, with one or more connecting lugs 38 and/or a
protective-ground

conductor connecting section 40. The conductor tracks 6, which follow the outer
polygon train 18b, extend in a symmetrical configuration from the contact
chambers 20b to the section line A-A at the same height as the respective supply
cutouts 29a, 29b. A conductor track 6 follows the inner polygon train 18a and, in
the illustrated view, runs in the clockwise direction from the contact chamber 20a
over the hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 to the supply cutout 29c, where it has
two connecting lugs 38. The fourth conductor track 6 likewise follows the profile
of the inner polygon train 18a, starting with the contact section 32a in the
contact chamber 20a and ending with the protective-ground conductor
connecting section 40 on the section line A-A.
Figure 2b shows a section along the section line A-A in Figure 2a. This illustration
clearly shows the conductor track guides 14, which are offset in height, with
their separating rim webs 16 in the form of an illustration of the radial profile of
the circuit board 4. The conductor tracks 6 are inserted into the conductor track
guides 14. The connecting lugs 38 on the conductor tracks 6 project at right
angles, facing away from the stator, from the protective ground conductor
connecting section 40 and the hollow- cylindrical attachment 24, facing the
stator, out of the conductor track plane. The hollow-cylindrical attachment 24 is
covered by the cover part 26, fixed by the plug pins 28.
Figure 3 shows a view of the circuit board 4, provided with the cover panel 8.
This illustration shows the opening angle 2 x p, which is increased by the
circumferential extent of the contact chambers 20a, 20b, of the cutout 23b,
which is in the form of a circle segment, of the cover panel 8. Because of the
larger opening angle, the contact chambers 20a, 20b are

still axially accessible.
Figure 4 shows a perspective illustration of the plug element 10. The plug element 10
comprises a cover surface 55, in the form of a circle segment, with a circumferential wall
57 in which a radially running channel 59 with an axially-radially directed opening 61 is
incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve 63 to pass through, through which the
connecting line 65 runs. Four insertion guides 70 are formed along the radially running
sides of the plug element 10, into which the insulation-displacement terminal contacts
68 can be pushed completely at right angles to the cover surface 55, and contact is
made with the individual wires of the connecting line 65 on the base of the insertion
guides 70. The insertion guides 70 are matched to the different heights of the contact
chambers 20a, 20b. This ensures that the insulation-displacement terminal contacts 68
which are located in the insertion guides 70 make reliable contact, with their blades,
which face away from the cover surface 55, with the upright contact sections 32a, 32b
of the conductor tracks 6 when the plug part 10 is being plugged on.
Three latching arms 72 are provided, projecting axially inwards, and their position
corresponds with the three latching arm openings 22 in the circuit board 4.
Figure 5 shows the circuit board 4 mounted on a motor flange 74. The motor flange 74
has a cutout 23c, which is in the form of a circle segment and whose opening angle
extends slightly beyond that of the cutout 23b in the cover panel 8. The preassembled
plug element 10 can be inserted into the cutout 23c. In this case, the plug element 10 is
latched by means of the three latching arms 72 on the circuit board 4, which is mounted
under the motor flange 74 with the insulation-displacement terminal contacts 68 of the
plug element 10 making

contact with the stator winding via the contact sections 32a, 32b of the
conductor tracks 6 and the connecting lugs 38.
The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments which have been
illustrated and described, but also covers all embodiments with the same effect
within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is also not just
restricted to the feature combination defined in claim 1 but can also be defined
by any other desired combination of specific features of all of the individual
features disclosed in their entirety. This means that, in principle, virtually any
individual feature of claim 1 may be omitted, or may be replaced by at least one
individual feature disclosed at a different point in the application. To this extent,
claim 1 should be understood only as a first formulation attempt for an invention.

WE CLAIM:
1. A connecting device (2) for an electric motor, in particular an external-
rotor motor, for connection of winding ends of a stator to a connecting
line (65), comprising a circuit board (4), which is arranged on a plane
aligned radially with respect to the stator axis and within a
circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter and has formed
conductor track guides (14) and conductor tractor (6) with connecting
lugs (38) for making contact with the stator winding and with connecting
areas for making contact with the connecting line (65), characterized in
that a plug element (10) which can be prefitted to the connecting line
(65) and has insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) which make
contact with the connecting line (65), and which plug element (10) can be
plugged onto the circuit board (4) parallel to the stator axis such that the
insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) make contact with the
end areas, which are in the form of contact sections (32a, 32b), of the
conductor tracks (6), wherein the contact sections (32a, 32b) are bent at
right angles out of the conductor track plane in the longitudinal direction
of the conductor track at the ends of the conductor tracks (6), and the
insulation-displacement terminal contacts (68) engage axially in these
contact sections (32a, 32b).
2. The connecting device (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductor
tracks (6) are in the form of integral stamped and bent parts with contact
sections (32a, 32b) and connecting lugs (38) and/or a protective-ground
conductor connecting section (40).

3. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the
plug element (10) comprises a cover surface (55) which is in the form of a
circle segment and has a circumferential wall (57), into which plug
element (10) a radially running channel (59) with an axially-radially
directed opening (61) is incorporated for a kink-protection sleeve (63),
through which the connecting line (650 runs to pass through.
4. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
plug element (10) has insertion guides (70) for holding the insulation-
displacement terminal contacts (68).
5. The connecting device (2) as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein contact
chambers (20a, 20b) for holding the insulation-displacement terminal
contacts (68) are formed in pairs, with mirror-image symmetry with
respect to a line of symmetry, which runs through the center point of the
holding opening (12a), with a symmetry angle a of about 30° to 60°, and
wherein the circuit board (4) has a cutout (23a), which is in the form of a
circle segment, within the opening angle 2a between the contact chambers
(20a, 20b).
6. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
conductor track guides (14) which are bounded by rim webs (16) are
formed in the circuit board (4), run essentially cifcumferentially in an
inner, higher polygon train (18a) and an outer, lower polygon train (18b),
and end in the contact chambers (20a, 20b) which are at corresponding
offset heights.
7. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of

claims 1 to 6,
wherein the conductor tracks (6) have positioning holes (30) in which
positioning pins (17) which are integrally formed on the circuit board
(4) engage.
8. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the circuit board (4) has a latching arm opening (22) in each
of the outer contact chambers (20b), and has a further latching arm
opening (22), for latching of the plug element (10), between the inner
contact chambers (20a).
9. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein the circuit board (4) has supply cutouts (29a, 29b, 29c) in
its oouter rim area, for the winding wire ends to pass through.
10. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein the circuit board (4) has a holding opening (12a) for an end
insulation shaft of the stator.
11. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein the circuit board (4) is provided on the side facing away
from the stator with a cover panel (8) which has a holding opening
(12b) and a cutouot (23b(, which corresponds to the cutout (23a) in
the form of a circle segment in the circuit board (4), with an opening
angle (2 x P) which is increased by the circumferential extent of the
contact chambers (20a, 20b) such that the contact chambers (20a,
20b) are axially accessible for holding the connection elements.
12. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11,

wherein a hollow-cylindrical attachment (24) with a rim collar (25) is
integrally formed on the circuit board (4), parallel to the stator axis,
directed toward the stator and radially opposite the cutout (23a), and is
used to hold a temperature monitoring element.
13. The connecting device (2) as claimed in one of claims 11 or 12, wherein,
in the area of the cutout (23b), which is in the form of a circle segment,
in the cover panel (8), a motor flange (74) has a cutout (23c) which is in
the form of a circle segment and into which the plug element (10) is
inserted axially and can be latched axially to three latching arms (72) in
the latching arm openings (220 in the circuit board (4).

ABSTRACT

"A connecting device for connection of winding ends of a stator of an
electric motor".
The invention relates to a connecting device (2) for an electric motor,
particularly an external rotor motor to connect ends of a stator winding to a
connecting lead (65). Said connecting device (2) is composed of a wiring plate
(4) which is arranged on a plane extending in a radial direction relative to the
stator axis and within a circumferential circle defined by a stator diameter, and
which is provided with terminal areas for contacting the connecting lead (65) as
well as shaped conductor guides (14) and strip conductors (6) with terminal
lugs (38) for contacting the stator winding. A plug element (10) is provided
which can be pre-assembled on the connecting lead (65) and comprises
insulation displacement contacts (68) that contact the connecting lead (65).
The plug element (10) can be mounted on the wiring plate (4) parallel to the
stator axis such that the insulation displacement contacts (68) contact the
terminals areas of the strip conductors (6) embodied as contacting sections
(32a, 32b).

A CONNECTING DEVICE FOR CONNECTION OF WINDING ENDS OF A STATOR OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR

Documents:

Inventors:

PCT Conventions: