Terminal combination suitable for modular lithium battery module

A lithium battery, modular technology, applied in the direction of multi-mode batteries, battery pack components, small-sized batteries/battery packs, etc., can solve problems that affect the life of series units, complex electrical connections of batteries, and inconvenient assembly

Active Publication Date: 2020-01-17

杭州乾代科技有限公司

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AI-Extracted Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] In the relevant literature, the assembly of battery modules often has the disadvantages of inconvenient assembly and complicated electrical connections to the cells

[0005] If a lithium battery module described in the Chinese patent document CN208093630U uses an aluminum strip to electrically connect each parallel battery cell in a series unit, and then connects each series ...

Method used

[0054] Specifically, the annular portion 113 is provided with a plurality of contact portions 114, which are formed on the inner ring edge of the annular portion 113 and distributed along the inner ring edge. The contact portion 114 is used to pass through the terminal through hole 121 of the bracket 101 to contact another cell unit 102 . As a specific ...

Abstract

The invention discloses a terminal combination suitable for a modular lithium battery module, and the terminal combination comprises a unit terminal which is used for enabling the battery cell units connected in series in the modular lithium battery module to form electrical connection; a parallel terminal which is used for enabling the battery cell units connected in parallel in the modular lithium battery module to form electrical connection; and a leading-out terminal which is used for enabling one group of battery cell units connected in parallel in the modular lithium battery module to beelectrically connected with the outside, wherein the unit terminal is electrically connected with the parallel terminal, and the parallel terminal is electrically connected with the leading-out terminal. The terminal combination suitable for the modular lithium battery module has the beneficial effects that the welding is avoided, and the battery cell units can be electrically connected while being connected mutually and mechanically.

Application Domain

Final product manufactureSmall-sized cells cases/jackets +1

Technology Topic

Embedded systemElectrical and Electronics engineering +3

Image

Examples

Experimental program(1)

Example Embodiment

[0038] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions of the application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only It is a part of the embodiments of this application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0039] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the description and claims of the application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific sequence or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances for the purposes of the embodiments of the present application described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations of them are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to the clearly listed Those steps or units may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or equipment.

[0040] In this application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "middle", The orientation or positional relationship indicated by "vertical", "horizontal", "horizontal", "vertical", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe the present application and its embodiments, and are not used to limit that the indicated device, element, or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0041] In addition, some of the above terms may be used to indicate other meanings in addition to the orientation or position relationship. For example, the term "shang" may also be used to indicate a certain attachment relationship or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] In addition, the terms "installed", "set", "provided", "connected", "connected", and "socketed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediary, or between two devices, elements, or components. Connectivity within the room. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] It should be noted that the embodiments in the application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other if there is no conflict. Hereinafter, the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0044] Such as Figure 1 to Figure 8 As shown, the modular lithium battery module 100 includes a number of battery cell units 102, a bracket 101, a unit terminal 107, a parallel terminal 108, and a connecting component.

[0045] Among them, the cell unit 102 is used to store electrical energy. As a specific solution, the battery cell unit 102 may use 18650 battery cells. Of course, other types of batteries can also be used.

[0046] As a specific plan, such as Figure 4 As shown, the bracket 101 is formed with a fixing groove 106 for fixing the end of the cell unit 102, and the end of the cell unit 102 is embedded in the fixing groove 106. The bottom surface of the fixing groove 106 is penetrated to facilitate the passage of the connecting components to connect different cell units 102 to form an electrical connection.

[0047] Such as Figure 7 to 8 As shown, in order to achieve unitized installation, both sides of the bracket 101 are formed with fixing grooves 106. The fixing groove 106 on one side is mainly used to fix the cell unit 102, which is defined as the first type groove 119; The fixing groove 106 on the side not only fixes the cell unit 102 but also fixes the unit terminal 107 and the parallel terminal 108, and is defined as the second type groove 120.

[0048] The present application also has a seal 104 for closing the fixing groove 106 of the bracket 101. During assembly, the bracket 101 at the end of the assembly can be closed by the seal 104, and the bracket 101 in the middle can be positioned at the same time. Side of the cell unit 102.

[0049] The unit terminal 107 is installed at one end of the cell unit 102 and is in contact with another cell unit 102 (the other cell unit 102 is also fixed by the same bracket 101); the unit terminal 107 is set in the second type slot 120, The second type slot 120 is formed with a limiting structure capable of limiting the unit terminal 107 and a terminal through hole 121 for allowing the unit terminal 107 to pass through the bracket 101.

[0050] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the unit terminal 107 includes a ring portion 113, a clamping portion 115, and a contact portion 114.

[0051] Among them, the ring portion 113 is configured as a ring; a number of clamping portions 115 are provided on the periphery of the ring portion 113 and are formed extending in the first direction; the contact portion 114 is formed inside the ring portion 113 and facing the first direction The opposite second direction extends.

[0052] As a specific solution, the clamping portion 115 includes at least one arc-shaped structure so that the clamping portion 115 protrudes toward the cell unit 102. In this way, the clamping part 115 can better clamp the end of the cell unit 102.

[0053] As an expansion solution, the groove wall of the second type groove 120 is provided with a number of positioning notches 123, and the clamping portion 115 of the unit terminal 107 can be embedded in the positioning notch 123. On the one hand, the positioning notch 123 can position the unit terminal 107. On the other hand, the positioning notch 123 provides a space for partially accommodating the clamping portion 115.

[0054] Specifically, the ring portion 113 is provided with a plurality of contact portions 114 formed on the inner ring edge of the ring portion 113 and distributed along the inner ring edge. The contact portion 114 is used to pass through the terminal through hole 121 of the bracket 101 to contact another cell unit 102. As a specific solution, the contact portion 114 has a trapezoidal outer surface. The annular portion 113, the clamping portion 115 and the contact portion 114 are integrally formed. This structure is also easier to process.

[0055] The modular lithium battery module 100 further includes: a parallel terminal 108. The parallel terminal 108 is at least partially embedded in the fixing groove 106 and is in contact with the unit terminal 107; the bracket 101 is formed with a parallel channel so that the parallel terminal 108 extends from one fixing groove 106 to another fixing groove 106 so that the parallel terminal 108 can be connected to at least two More than one unit terminal 107 forms a contact at the same time.

[0056] Such as Image 6 with Figure 8 As shown, the parallel terminal 108 includes: a unit portion 116 and a connection portion 117, the unit portion 116 is used to contact and fit the unit portion 116 of the unit terminal 107 to form an electrical connection; the connection portion 117 forms a different unit portion 116 Between them, so that different unit parts 116 form a channel for conducting current. The unit part 116 may be configured in a circular ring shape.

[0057] The parallel terminals 108 are respectively connected to the multiple unit terminals 107 to realize the parallel connection of the multiple cell units 102.

[0058] Such as Figure 8 As shown, in order to locate and accommodate the connecting portion 117 of the parallel terminal 108, the bracket 101 has a communicating groove 122 formed between different second-type grooves 120, and the connecting portion 117 is embedded in the communicating groove 122.

[0059] The lead terminal 105 includes a conductive part 124, a fixing part 125 and an intermediate part 126. Among them, the conductive portion 124 is used to contact the parallel terminals; the fixing portion 125 is used to be fixed on the outside of the modular lithium battery module bracket. The intermediate portion 126 is provided between the conductive portion 124 and the fixed portion 125. The conductive portion 124 and the fixing portion 125 are integrally formed.

[0060] The modular lithium battery module 100 further includes: a lead-out terminal 105; the lead-out terminal 105 is at least partially disposed in the fixing groove 106 at the edge of the bracket 101 and is in contact with at least one of the series terminal and the parallel terminal 108. The other part is led out of the scope of the bracket 101.

[0061] As a preferred solution, the modular lithium battery module 100 further includes: a lead-out piece 118, the lead-out piece 118 is fixed on a side wall of the bracket 101, and is provided with a groove, and the lead-out terminal 105 is embedded in the part outside the range of the bracket 101 In the groove.

[0062] Specifically, the lead terminal 118 includes a conductive portion 124, an intermediate portion 125 and a fixing portion 126. Among them, the conductive portion 124 is used to contact the parallel terminal 108, the fixing portion 126 is used to be fixed on the outside of the bracket 101; the middle portion 12 is used to connect between the conductive portion 124 and the fixing portion 126 so that the fixing portion 126 can be folded To the outside of the bracket 101. The conductive portion 124, the intermediate portion 125 and the fixing portion 126 are integrally formed.

[0063] Specifically, the modular lithium battery module 100 further includes: a sealing member 104 disposed in the fixing groove 106 of the outermost bracket 101 in the modular lithium battery module 100. The function of the sealing member 104 is similar to a cover of a closed space, and its function is to close the outermost fixing groove 106 (including the first type groove 119 and the second type groove 120).

[0064] Specifically, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece; the first connecting piece is connected to one bracket 101, and the second connecting piece is connected to the other bracket 101 so that the two brackets 101 are integrated. Specifically, the first connecting member is configured as a connecting bolt 103, and the second connecting member is configured as a connecting nut 112; the bracket 101 is formed with a bolt hole 110 for the connecting bolt 103 to pass through and a bolt hole 110 for the connecting nut 112 to be inserted. Nut slot 111.

[0065] Such as Figure 8 As shown, the bracket 101 is provided with a plurality of nut grooves 111, and the nut grooves 111 have a hexagonal structure to accommodate and position the connecting nut 112.

[0066] The whole structure adopts a non-welding process, which is convenient for recycling and reusing the battery cell unit 102 in the later stage.

[0067] Such as Picture 9 with Picture 10 As shown, the unit terminal 107 introduced before the unit terminal 200 has a similar ring portion 201 and a contact portion 205. The structure of the unit terminal 200 for clamping or covering the end of the cell unit is configured to be more closed. In other words, the clamping part of the unit terminal 200 includes a sleeve ring 203 and a clamping leg 204. Wherein, the sleeve ring 203 forms a circular ring structure, which is used to sleeve the battery cell unit. The clamping legs 204 are formed in the circumferential direction of the ring portion and are arranged in multiple along the circumferential direction. Connected between the ring portion 201 and the sleeve ring 203, as a specific solution, the clamping leg 204 is formed with multiple curved structures. The unit terminal 200 may be integrally stamped from a whole metal material.

[0068] It should be noted that the edge of the ring portion 201 of the unit terminal 200 may be configured to be circular.

[0069] Such as Picture 11 with Picture 12 The unit terminal 300 shown includes a ring portion 301, a clamping portion 302 and a contact portion 303. As an optional solution, the difference between the unit terminal 300 and the unit terminal 107 is that the edge of the ring portion 301 is configured as a hexagon. Here, the configuration as a hexagon refers to that at least a part of the edge is overlapped. With a hexagon, such as Picture 11 As shown, the edge of the ring portion 301 is actually a hexagon with rounded corners.

[0070] Such as Figure 13 to Figure 15 The modular lithium battery module 400 shown includes a bracket 401, a unit terminal 402, and a battery cell unit 409.

[0071] The unit terminal 402 includes a ring portion 403, a clamping portion 404, a contact portion 405, a rising portion 406, a falling portion 407, a bridging portion 408 and a flat portion 411.

[0072] Among them, the ring portion 403, the clamping portion 404, and the contact portion 405 of the unit terminal 402 adopt the same solution as the corresponding structure of the unit terminal 107. The difference between the unit terminals 402 is the rising portion 406, the falling portion 407, the jumper portion 408 and the flat connection portion 411. These four parts constitute a channel that can form current between the different unit terminals 402, and can lead the current to the bracket 401 outer.

[0073] The rising portion 406 is used to extend upward along the groove of the bracket 401 to allow the terminal to climb out of the groove, and the bridging portion 408 allows the unit terminal 402 structure to extend from one groove of the bracket to another groove, or from a groove of the bracket The groove extends beyond the bracket. The descending part 407 extends downward along another groove or the outer wall of the bracket, and extends to the flat joint 411, and the flat joint 411 is connected to the descending part 407. The flat portion 411 is formed with a contact surface that can make contact with the ring portion 403 of the other unit terminal 402 to conduct current.

[0074] With this solution, the bracket does not need to be provided with other grooves besides the groove for accommodating the cell unit. In addition, only the unit terminal 402 is used to adjust the corresponding positioning direction, which can realize the functions of series connection, parallel connection, and lead connection of the battery cells in the battery module.

[0075] Such as Figure 16 As shown in the parallel terminal 500, the parallel terminal 500 includes a unit part 501 and a connection part 502. Wherein, the unit part 501 is configured to contact the battery cell unit. This connection may be direct or indirect. The connection part 502 is arranged between the unit parts 501 to connect different unit parts 501 into a whole.

[0076] A plurality of unit parts 501 are configured to be repeatedly arranged in a first dimension and a second dimension perpendicular to the first dimension to form an array; a connecting part 502 is provided between two adjacent unit parts 501. A portion of the connecting portion 502 extends substantially along the first dimension; a portion of the connecting portion 504 extends substantially along the second dimension.

[0077] The connecting portions 502 and 504 are at least partially configured to have two parallel straight edges, the straight edges of the connecting portion 502 are parallel to the first dimension, and the straight edges of the connecting portion 504 are parallel to the second dimension. The connecting portion 502 is provided with a notch.

[0078] As a specific solution, the connecting parts 502, 504 unit parts are configured as rectangles with rounded corners.

[0079] Such as Figure 17 The illustrated terminal assembly 600 includes a plurality of unit terminals 601.

[0080] The unit terminal 601 includes a contact portion 602, a ring portion 603, a clamping portion 604, a slot portion 605, and an insertion portion 606.

[0081] The contact portion 602, the ring portion 603, and the clamping portion 604 of the unit terminal 601 can adopt a similar solution to the unit terminal 107.

[0082] The slot portion 605 and the insertion portion 606 are formed in the circumferential direction of the annular portion 603. Specifically, the two slot portions 605 are arranged opposite to each other in the circumferential direction. At the position of relative rotation of 90 degrees, the two insertion portions 606 relatively set.

[0083] The slot portion 605 is formed with a slot, and the insertion portion 606 can be inserted into the slot of the slot portion 605, so that one unit terminal 601 is connected to another unit terminal 601. In this way, the unit terminal 605 realizes both the serial connection of the unit terminals 601 and the parallel connection between different unit terminals 601.

[0084] As an extension solution, the unit terminal 601 located on the edge also has the rising portion 406, the falling portion 407, the jumper portion 408 and the connecting portion 411 of the unit terminal 402, so as to realize the function of terminal lead-out.

[0085] Such as Figure 19 to Figure 20 The illustrated modular lithium battery module 700 includes several unit modules 701 and several battery cell units 702.

[0086] The unit module 701 is provided with a protrusion 704 and a card slot 705, and the unit module 701 can be spliced by the protrusion 704 and the card slot 705, thereby forming a bracket as described above. The unit module 701 is provided with a groove to fix the cell unit 702.

[0087] As an extension solution, the corners of the unit module 701 have rounded contours or contours of other notches. After the unit modules 701 are spliced, these contours can be combined into a through hole for bolts to pass through or the nut hole described above.

[0088] The unit terminal 703 can adopt the solution shown in the figure, or adopt the structure of other unit terminals as described above.

[0089] As can be seen from the previous description of the specific implementation and with reference to the drawings, as far as the smallest repetitive component of a modular lithium battery module is concerned, its function is mainly to make several battery cells form a whole. This whole is not only the structure The above is a whole, and it also means that these cell units have formed electrical connections, so that when this whole is combined with another, their cell units can form electrical connections. This whole is defined as a modular lithium battery Module unit.

[0090] In a modular lithium battery module unit, the battery cell units are only repeatedly arranged in two mutually perpendicular dimensions of the space to form a single-layer array of battery cells; the modular lithium battery module unit also includes: two brackets, The position of the cell unit is fixed from both sides of the single-layer array of cell units; the terminal assembly is used to make each cell unit in the single-layer array form an electrical connection; the terminal assembly includes: a first terminal part for contact The cell unit of the modular lithium battery module unit; the second terminal part is used to form a conductive connection between the first terminal parts; the third terminal part is used to pass through the through hole so that the terminal assembly can conduct current Guide through the through hole of the bracket.

[0091] As a specific solution, the terminal assembly further includes: a fourth terminal portion and a fifth terminal portion. Wherein, the fourth terminal part is used to clamp the cell unit of the modular lithium battery module unit; the fifth terminal part is at least partially located outside the bracket to guide the terminal assembly to guide current to the outside of the bracket.

[0092] As a first specific solution, the first terminal part, the third terminal part, and the fourth terminal part are integrated, such as the unit terminal 107 in the previous embodiment.

[0093] As another specific solution, the first terminal part, the second terminal part, and the third terminal part are integrated, such as the unit terminal 601 in the previous embodiment.

[0094] As another specific solution, the first terminal part, the second terminal part, the third terminal part, and the fourth terminal part are integrated, such as the unit terminal 402 in the previous embodiment.

[0095] When the terminal assembly includes: unit terminals, parallel terminals, and lead-out terminals, the first terminal part may be formed by a ring part, the second terminal part may be formed by a connecting part, the third terminal part may be formed by a contact part, and the fourth terminal The portion may be constituted by a clamping portion, and the fifth terminal portion may be constituted by a lead terminal.

[0096] As in the above embodiments, the terminal assembly may also include only unit terminals and lead-out terminals, or only include unit terminals.

[0097] On the other hand, this application also introduces a method for manufacturing a modular lithium battery module, which includes:

[0098] Manufacturing cell units, brackets, unit terminals and connecting components;

[0099] Set the unit terminal in the fixing slot on the inner side of the bracket;

[0100] Set the cell unit between the two brackets, and insert the end of the cell unit into the fixing slot where the cell terminal has been set so that the cell unit and the cell terminal form an electrical connection;

[0101] Use connecting components to form a whole with multiple brackets and the cell unit fixed by the brackets;

[0102] Manufacturing parallel terminals;

[0103] Set the parallel terminal in the fixing slot on the inner side of the bracket;

[0104] Insert the connecting nut into the nut groove;

[0105] Pass the connecting bolt through the bolt hole and screw it into the connecting nut in the nut groove;

[0106] Install the seal into the fixing groove of the outermost bracket.

[0107] As an optional solution, the material of the unit terminal includes the following components by mass percentage: silver: 0.9% to 1.1%; aluminum: 0.1% to 2%; iron: 0.1% to 2%; the balance is copper.

[0108] As a specific solution, the overall material also includes the following mass percentage components: beryllium: 1.5% to 2.5%. The overall material also includes the following components by mass percentage: cobalt: 0.5% to 1.5%; nickel: 4% to 6%; silicon: 0.1% to 2%.

[0109] As an example, the content of beryllium is 1.85% to 2.1%; the content of cobalt is 1.5% to 2.5%; the content of nickel is 4% to 6%; the content of silicon is 0.15%, the content of aluminum is 0.15%, iron The content is 0.15%.

[0110] As an optional solution, the material of the parallel terminal includes the following components by mass percentage: iron: 0.2% to 0.4%; nickel: 0.1% to 0.2%; the balance is copper.

[0111] As a specific solution, the material of the parallel terminal also includes the following components by mass percentage: PTC material: 20% to 40%. More specifically, the content of the PTC material is 25% to 35%.

[0112] As a specific solution, the content of iron is 0.3%; the content of nickel is 0.15%; the content of PTC material is 30%; the balance is copper.

[0113] The entire parallel terminals suitable for modular lithium battery modules are made of the same material and are all integrally formed.

[0114] The use of the above materials can not only ensure the electrical conductivity but also be suitable for processing.

[0115] The foregoing descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the application, and are not intended to limit the application. For those skilled in the art, the application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application shall be included in the protection scope of this application.

PUM

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