Electrical Contacting of Aluminum Bus Bars Using Clinching and Functional Elements

As a joining-by-forming process, clinching and the use of functional elements enable low-energy joining of components through form, force, and, under certain conditions, material closure. In addition to the transmission of mechanical forces, these joining processes can be qualified for additional electrical contact within the scope of functional integration for electro-mobile applications. For this purpose, maximizing the force and material closure is necessary to ensure a long-term, stable transmission of electrical currents. To this end, the electrical properties of the joints were optimized. The investigations carried out show the long-term behavior under normal operating conditions and the short-circuit case.