Electrical connector, battery and electrical device

Abstract

The application provides an electric connector, a battery and a power utilization device, and relates to the technical field of energy storage. The electric connector is suitable for use in a battery and comprises a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a third connecting part. The first connecting part is suitable for electrically connecting with a first component, the second connecting part is suitable for electrically connecting with a second component, and the third connecting part is located between the first connecting part and the second connecting part and is connected with both the first connecting part and the second connecting part. When the battery is in an overcurrent state, the third connecting part is disconnected to form an open circuit between the first connecting part and the second connecting part. In this way, the further spread of fault current and thermal runaway range can be avoided, the damage range of the battery can be controlled, the overall thermal runaway of the battery or the short circuit of the entire battery system can be avoided, and the use reliability and safety of the battery are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of energy storage technology, and in particular to an electrical connector, battery, and electrical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In the new energy industry, the application of new energy batteries is becoming increasingly widespread. For example, batteries are used in electrical equipment such as vehicles, energy storage systems, and industrial equipment to provide power to the electrical devices in these applications.

[0003] In related technologies, batteries often incorporate multiple energy storage components to increase the total energy storage capacity of the device, thereby enhancing the overall energy storage capacity of the battery. These components are electrically connected via connectors. Therefore, if a component in the energy storage device experiences a short circuit, overload, displacement, collision, or thermal runaway, the connection between the connectors can cause a short circuit in the entire battery system, potentially leading to fire, explosion, or leakage. Thus, the self-disconnect design within the battery is a crucial technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides an electrical connector, a battery, and an electrical device, aiming to solve the technical problem of self-disconnection within the battery, so as to improve the safety and reliability of the battery.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application provide the following technical solutions:

[0006] A first aspect of this application provides an electrical connector, the electrical connector being adapted for use in a battery, the electrical connector comprising:

[0007] A first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being adapted to be electrically connected to a first component;

[0008] A second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being adapted to be electrically connected to a second component;

[0009] A third connecting part is located between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and is connected to both the first connecting part and the second connecting part;

[0010] When the battery is in an overcurrent state, the third connection fails and disconnects, thereby creating an open circuit between the first connection and the second connection.

[0011] In some embodiments, the electrical connector includes a body having a cavity, the cavity having a blasting structure, the blasting structure having a detonator and a blasting part, the detonator being disposed within the blasting part, wherein the area of ​​the body where the cavity is located constitutes the third connection part, the area of ​​the body located on one side of the third connection part constitutes the first connection part, and the area of ​​the body located on the other side of the third connection part constitutes the second connection part;

[0012] The detonator is used to detonate the blasting part to sever the electrical connection between the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

[0013] In some embodiments, the detonator is further configured to be signal-connected to the electronic control unit of the battery;

[0014] The electronic control unit is used to trigger the detonator to detonate the explosive section according to the current state of the battery.

[0015] In some embodiments, the detonation unit is signal-connected to the battery's electronic control unit via a signal transmission line.

[0016] In some embodiments, the body further includes a connecting hole that communicates with the cavity and is used for the signal transmission line to pass through;

[0017] A sealing part is provided between the signal transmission line and the connecting hole.

[0018] In some embodiments, the detonator is a detonator, and the blasting part is trinitrotoluene or a composite plastic explosive.

[0019] In some embodiments, the electrical connector further includes an insulating portion that covers the third connector.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion both extend along a first direction, the third connecting portion connects the opposite ends of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion is an arc-shaped segment.

[0021] In this embodiment, an electrical connector is provided between two adjacent first and second components in the battery. The connector includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion electrically connected to the first and second components respectively, and a third connection portion is provided between the first and second connection portions. When the battery is in an overcurrent state, the third connection portion fails and disconnects, creating an open circuit between the first and second connection portions. Thus, when a first or second component in the battery experiences overcurrent due to short circuits, overcharging, over-discharging, displacement collisions, thermal runaway, or other conditions, the failure of the third connection portion prevents the fault current and thermal runaway range of the first or second component from further spreading. This avoids affecting and damaging all first and second components in the battery, thereby controlling the damage range and preventing overall battery thermal runaway or short circuits in the entire battery system, improving the reliability and safety of the battery.

[0022] A second aspect of this application provides a battery including a first component, a second component, and an electrical connector as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a first connecting portion of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the first component, and a second connecting portion of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the second component.

[0023] The battery provided in this application embodiment has the same beneficial effects as the electrical connector provided in the above embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0024] A third aspect of this application provides an electrical device, including an electrical device and the battery described above, wherein the battery is electrically connected to the electrical device to provide electrical energy to the electrical device.

[0025] The electrical equipment provided in this application embodiment has the same beneficial effects as the electrical connectors provided in the above embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0026] In addition to the technical problems solved by the embodiments of this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions described above, other technical problems that can be solved by the electrical connectors, batteries, and electrical devices provided by the embodiments of this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further explained in detail in the specific implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a battery structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at point AA.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 100 - Electrical connectors;

[0033] 110 - First connecting part; 120 - Second connecting part; 130 - Third connecting part; 140 - Insulating part;

[0034] 131-Body; 132-Cavity; 133-Explosive Structure; 134-Signal Transmission Line; 135-Arc-shaped Segment;

[0035] 1331 - Detonator; 1332 - Explosive section;

[0036] 200 - Battery; 210 - First component; 220 - Second component. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0038] This application provides an electrical connector, a battery, and an electrical device.

[0039] The electrical equipment includes an electrical device and a battery. The battery is electrically connected to the electrical device to provide electrical energy to it. For example, the electrical equipment can be a vehicle, an energy storage system, or industrial equipment. The vehicle can be a new energy vehicle, specifically a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a range-extended electric vehicle. Correspondingly, the electrical device can be the vehicle's drive mechanism or its control system.

[0040] The battery includes a first component, a second component, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion at its two ends. The first connecting portion of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the first component, and the second connecting portion of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the second component. For example, the first component and the second component are respectively one of a battery cell, a battery module, and a battery pack.

[0041] This application uses an example where both the first and second components are battery modules. In some embodiments, the battery comprises multiple battery modules connected in sequence, and adjacent battery modules are electrically connected via electrical connectors. Each battery module includes multiple cells stacked in sequence, and adjacent cells are electrically connected. When a cell or the entire battery module in the battery pack faces a short circuit, overload, displacement collision, thermal runaway, or other situations, the connection via the electrical connectors can cause a short circuit in the entire battery system, leading to battery fire, explosion, leakage, etc. Therefore, the self-disconnection design within the battery has become an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0042] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application also provides an electrical connector. When the first or second component connected to the electrical connector is in an overcurrent state, the middle part of the electrical connector will fail and disconnect, thereby controlling the fault current and thermal runaway range inside the battery and preventing the entire battery from being damaged.

[0043] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical connector 100 is used in the battery 200. The electrical connector 100 includes a first connecting portion 110, a second connecting portion 120, and a third connecting portion 130. The first connecting portion 110 is adapted to be electrically connected to the first component 210, the second connecting portion 120 is adapted to be electrically connected to the second component 220, and the third connecting portion 130 is located between the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120 and is connected to both the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120.

[0045] As an example, the first connecting part 110, the second connecting part 120 and the third connecting part 130 are all metal parts, and are aluminum parts, copper parts, etc.

[0046] Two examples, such as Figure 2As shown, the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120 both extend along the first direction, and the third connecting portion 130 connects the opposite ends of the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120. The third connecting portion 130 is an arc-shaped segment 135. This arrangement allows the shape of the electrical connector 100 to adapt to the connection position between two adjacent first components 210 and second components 220, and allows the third connecting portion 130 to be electrically connected to the first connecting portion 110 and the second connecting portion 120 more smoothly.

[0047] It should be noted that, as Figure 2 As shown, the first direction is the extension direction of the first connecting part 110 and the second connecting part 120. There is an angle between the first direction and the second direction, which is 90°. Of course, the angle can also be an acute angle. For example, the first connecting part 110 and the second connecting part 120 extend in opposite directions in the first direction, and the third connecting part 130 connects the first connecting part 110 and the second connecting part 120 at an angle inclined to the first direction.

[0048] Furthermore, when the battery 200 is in an overcurrent state, the third connection 130 fails and disconnects, thereby creating an open circuit between the first connection 110 and the second connection 120.

[0049] In this way, when a first component 210 or a second component 220 in the battery 200 experiences a short circuit, overcharge, over-discharge, displacement collision, thermal runaway, or other conditions that cause current fluctuations at that first component 210 or second component 220 to be in an overcurrent state, the failure disconnection of the third connection part 130 can prevent the fault current and thermal runaway range of the first component 210 or second component 220 from spreading further. This prevents all first components 210 and all second components 220 in the battery 200 from being affected and damaged, thereby controlling the damage range of the battery 200, preventing overall thermal runaway of the battery 200 or short circuit of the entire battery system, and improving the reliability and safety of the battery 200.

[0050] In some embodiments, the failure disconnection method of the third connection 130 is thermal melting. For example, the cross-sectional area of ​​the third connection 130 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connection 110 and the second connection 120. When the first connection 110 or the second connection 120 adjacent to the electrical connector 100 experiences a short circuit, overcharge, over-discharge, displacement collision, thermal runaway, or other situations, resulting in an increase in its own temperature, the connection between the first connection 110 and the second connection 120 can be disconnected by using the temperature to melt the third connection 130.

[0051] In other embodiments, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the electrical connector 100 includes a body 131 with a cavity 132. A blasting structure 133 is disposed within the cavity 132. The blasting structure 133 includes a detonator 1331 and a blasting part 1332. The detonator 1331 is disposed within the blasting part 1332. The region within the body 131 containing the cavity 132 constitutes a third connection 130. The region within the body 131 located on one side of the third connection 130 constitutes a first connection 110. The region within the body 131 located on the other side of the third connection 130 constitutes a second connection 120. The detonator 1331 detonates the blasting part 1332 to sever the electrical connection between the first connection 110 and the second connection 120. Thus, the third connection 130 disconnects the first connection 110 and the second connection 120 by utilizing a blasting action, improving the reliability of the disconnection between the first connection 110 and the second connection 120.

[0052] In addition, the detonator 1331 is also used to connect to the electronic control unit of the battery 200; the electronic control unit is used to trigger the detonator 1331 to detonate the explosive section 1332 according to the current state of the battery 200. In this way, the current state of the battery 200 is linked with the operation of the explosive structure 133, reducing the explosion reaction time of the explosive structure 133, thereby reducing the propagation time of internal fault current or thermal runaway of the battery 200, further controlling the damage range of the battery 200, avoiding overall thermal runaway of the battery 200 or short circuit of the entire battery system, and improving the reliability and safety of the battery 200.

[0053] For example, the electronic control unit includes a battery management system, which monitors the current state of the battery 200. The battery management system includes a current sensor, a main control chip, etc. The current sensor is configured to detect the current in the battery 200 and is electrically connected to the main control chip.

[0054] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the detonator 1331 is connected to the electronic control unit of the battery 200 via the signal transmission line 134. Thus, when the electronic control unit detects abnormal fluctuations in the current in the battery 200, it can transmit a trigger signal to the detonator 1331 via the signal transmission line 134 to detonate the explosive section 1332.

[0055] In some embodiments, the body 131 further includes a connecting hole that communicates with the cavity 132 for a signal transmission line 134 to pass through; and a sealing portion is provided between the signal transmission line 134 and the connecting hole. This improves the sealing performance between the cavity 132 and the external environment, enhances the blasting reliability of the blasting structure 133, and prevents leakage of material from the blasting section 1332 through the gap between the connecting hole and the signal transmission line, thus concentrating the blasting site of the blasting structure 133 within the cavity 132.

[0056] For example, the sealing part is a fluororubber sealing ring, a silicone rubber sealing ring, a polyurethane sealing ring, an epoxy resin sealing ring, etc.

[0057] In some embodiments, the detonating part 1331 is a detonator, and the blasting part 1332 is trinitrotoluene or a composite plastic explosive. The combined blasting of the detonator and the trinitrotoluene or composite plastic explosive improves the reliability of disconnecting the first connecting part 110 and the second connecting part 120.

[0058] For example, the detonator adopts one of the following: an electric ignition head, an electric spark ignition structure, an electric heating wire ignition structure, and a laser ignition device, so as to generate ignition energy and detonate the blasting section 1332 after receiving the detonation signal from the electronic control unit.

[0059] In addition, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the electrical connector 100 also includes an insulating portion 140, which covers the third connecting portion 130 to improve the insulation of the electrical connector 100 and prevent short circuits, leakage and arcing caused by contact between the electrical connector 100 and other conductors of the battery 200, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the electrical connector 100.

[0060] For example, the insulating portion 140 is an insulating layer covering the outer periphery of the third connecting portion 130, and the insulating layer is a polyimide layer, a polypropylene layer, a polyvinyl chloride layer, a polycarbonate layer, an epoxy resin layer, etc.

[0061] The various embodiments or implementation methods described in this specification are presented in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0062] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0063] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0064] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this application should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on something” but also “on something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0065] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0066] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that, The electrical connector (100) is adapted to be used in a battery (200), and the electrical connector (100) includes: A first connecting portion (110) is adapted to be electrically connected to a first component (210); The second connecting part (120) is adapted to be electrically connected to the second component (220); The third connecting part (130) is located between the first connecting part (110) and the second connecting part (120), and is connected to both the first connecting part (110) and the second connecting part (120); When the battery (200) is in an overcurrent state, the third connection (130) fails and disconnects, thereby creating an open circuit between the first connection (110) and the second connection (120).

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connector (100) includes a body (131) having a cavity (132), and a blasting structure (133) is provided inside the cavity (132). The blasting structure (133) includes a detonator (1331) and a blasting part (1332). The detonator (1331) is disposed inside the blasting part (1332). The area in the body (131) where the cavity (132) is located constitutes the third connection part (130). The area in the body (131) located on one side of the third connection part (130) constitutes the first connection part (110). The area in the body (131) located on the other side of the third connection part (130) constitutes the second connection part (120). The detonator (1331) is used to detonate the blasting part (1332) to cut off the electrical connection between the first connecting part (110) and the second connecting part (120).

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The detonator (1331) is also used for signal connection with the electronic control unit of the battery (200); The electronic control unit is used to trigger the detonator (1331) to detonate the explosive section (1332) according to the current state of the battery (200).

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detonation unit (1331) is connected to the electronic control unit of the battery (200) via a signal transmission line (134).

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The body (131) also includes a connecting hole, which is connected to the cavity (132) for the signal transmission line (134) to pass through; A sealing part is provided between the signal transmission line (134) and the connecting hole.

6. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The detonator (1331) is a detonator, and the blasting part (1332) is trinitrotoluene or a composite plastic explosive.

7. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The electrical connector (100) further includes an insulating portion (140) that covers the third connector (130).

8. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first connecting portion (110) and the second connecting portion (120) both extend along the first direction, the third connecting portion (130) connects the opposite ends of the first connecting portion (110) and the second connecting portion (120), and the third connecting portion (130) is an arc-shaped segment (135).

9. A battery, characterized in that, It includes a first component (210), a second component (220), and an electrical connector (100) as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein a first connecting portion (110) of the electrical connector (100) is electrically connected to the first component (210), and a second connecting portion (120) of the electrical connector (100) is electrically connected to the second component (220).

10. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, It includes an electrical device and the battery (200) of claim 9, wherein the battery (200) is electrically connected to the electrical device to provide electrical energy to the electrical device.

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