Interface assemblies for use with inverters of vehicles

• US 7,597,560 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Selogie, Mark L., Tang, David, Korich, Mark D., Doo, Young
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US12/171,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 439/34, 439/76.1, 439/76.2, 439/212, 439/213, 439/571, 439/949
• US Class Current: 439/34
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/40 DC to AC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/226 comprising a plurality of conductive flat strips providing connection between wires or components H01R9/2425 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle includes an interface, a plurality of busbars, a communication medium, and a clip. The interface is for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly. The plurality of busbars are configured to receive and transport electric current. The communication medium is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface. The communication medium is configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars. The clip assembly is electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the communication medium.

Claims

1. An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle, the interface assembly comprising:

an interface for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly;

a plurality of busbars configured to receive and transport electric current;

a communication medium electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface, the communication medium configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars; and

a clip assembly electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the communication medium.

2. The interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing;

wherein the interface, the plurality of busbars, the communication medium, and the clip assembly are each housed at least partially within the housing.

3. The interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the clip assembly comprises a plurality of clips, each of the plurality of clips coupling a respective one of the plurality of busbars to the communication medium.

4. The interface assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of clips has two end pieces engaged with different sides of the respective one of the plurality of busbars.

5. The interface assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of clips is snapped or pressed against the respective one of the plurality of busbars.

6. The interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more insulators at least partially surrounding a portion of the plurality of busbars.

7. The interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a common mode choke electrically coupled to the plurality of busbars.

8. The interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a filtering interface electrically coupled to the communication medium.

9. The interface assembly of claim 3, wherein the communication medium comprises a circuit board.

10. The interface assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of clips is attached into the circuit board.

11. An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle, the interface assembly comprising:

a housing;

an interface for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly, the interface housed at least partially within the housing;

a plurality of busbars housed at least partially within the housing and configured to receive and transport electric current;

a communication medium housed at least partially within the housing, the communication medium electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface, the communication medium configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars; and

a plurality of clips housed at least partially within the housing, each of the plurality of clips electrically coupled between a respective one of the plurality of busbars and the communication medium.

12. The interface assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of clips has two end pieces engaged with different sides of the respective one of the plurality of busbars.

13. The interface assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of clips is snapped or pressed against the respective one of the plurality of busbars.

14. The interface assembly of claim 11, wherein the communication medium comprises a circuit board.

15. The interface assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of clips is attached into the circuit board.

16. The interface assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

one or more insulators housed at least partially within the housing and at least partially surrounding a portion of each of the plurality of busbars.

17. The interface assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of capacitors housed at least partially within the housing and electrically coupled to the communication medium.

18. An interface assembly for an inverter of a vehicle, the interface assembly comprising:

a housing having a wall having a first side and a second side;

an interface for communicating with one or more vehicle systems outside of the interface assembly, the interface disposed adjacent to the first side of the wall;

a plurality of busbars extending through the wall, the plurality of busbars configured to receive and transport electric current;

a circuit board disposed adjacent to the second side of the wall, the circuit board electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the interface, the circuit board configured to provide information to the interface based at least in part on the electric current transported by the plurality of busbars; and

a plurality of clips housed at least partially within the housing, each of the plurality of clips having two end pieces engaged with different sides of the respective one of the plurality of busbars, the plurality of clips electrically coupled between the plurality of busbars and the circuit board.

19. The interface assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of clips is snapped or pressed against the respective one of the plurality of busbars.

20. The interface assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of clips is attached into the circuit board.