Battery distribution unit

Abstract

A battery distribution unit (BDU) for holding a first electronic device having a first blade terminal extending therefrom and a second electronic device having a second blade terminal extending therefrom includes a BDU housing, a strip busbar received in the BDU housing, and first and second cross terminals received in the BDU housing. The first cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the first blade terminal at a second end thereof. The second cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the second blade terminal at a second end thereof.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 751,118 filed Jan. 10, 2013, titled BATTERY DISTRIBUTION UNIT, the subject matter of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The subject matter herein relates generally to battery distribution units (BDUs) for battery systems.[0003]Batteries, such as those for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, typically include a plurality of cells grouped together as a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery distribution unit that manages the power capacity and functionality of the battery pack. The battery distribution units are typically mounted inside a casing of the battery pack. The BDU includes many electric devices such as at least one power relay, at least one pre-charge relay, at least one pre-charge resistor, at least one Y-capacitor, at least one fuse, a current sensor, and other electric devices.[0004]Con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a battery distribution unit (BDU) that can hold two electronic devices with blade terminals. The BDU includes a housing, a strip busbar, and first and second cross terminals. The first cross terminal connects to the strip busbar and receives the first blade terminal, while the second cross terminal connects to the strip busbar and receives the second blade terminal. The technical effect of this design is that it allows for easier installation and communication between the two electronic devices.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional BDUs use bolt / nut connections, increasing the number of components within the BDU housing and increasing the assembly time.

The large number of parts increases the cost of the BDU.

Conventional 12V fuse-relay boxes having customized busbars typically arrange the busbars on multiple (e.g. four) different layers, which increases the overall cost and package size of the 12V fuse relay box.

The systems are complex and have many components.

Such systems have no design flexibility to adapt to different orientations, available spaces and shapes.

Such systems are also difficult to integrate with other connectors or devices.

Additionally, for the customized busbar, the blade position tolerance is very difficulty to control.

Sometimes, it may be difficult to accommodate for the blade orientation of the devices.

Cost is a major disadvantage of such systems.

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