Electrical connectors and quick-change connectors for electric vehicle battery packs

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrical connector and a quick-change connector for an electric vehicle battery pack. The electrical connector includes a terminal and a first accommodating cavity surrounding the terminal, and also includes a seal detection device. The seal detection device includes a pressure detection unit located within the first accommodating cavity and configured to detect changes in pressure when the first accommodating cavity is sealed. The present invention uses the pressure detection unit to detect changes in air pressure within the quick-change connector's cavity, promptly determining whether the quick-change connector's seal is functioning properly, thereby providing a timely alarm and preventing vehicle failure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of quick-change connectors for electric vehicles, and in particular relates to an electric connector and a quick-change connector for a battery pack of an electric vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles use quick-change connectors to achieve quick-change plug-in and pull-out functions. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 A quick-change connector of the prior art is shown, comprising a battery-end connection component 101 and a vehicle-end connection component 102. Battery-end connection component 101 is used to connect to the battery pack; vehicle-end connection component 102 is used to connect to the vehicle. When battery-end connection component 101 and vehicle-end connection component 102 are assembled, the electrodes of battery-end connection component 101 are connected to the corresponding electrodes of vehicle-end connection component 102. The gap between battery-end connection component 101 and vehicle-end connection component 102 is sealed by a sealing gasket, and a cavity exists between battery-end connection component 101 and vehicle-end connection component 102.

[0003] It is very important to ensure safe and reliable electrical connections while achieving quick plug-in and unplug. While meeting the requirements for reliable electrical connections, the sealing requirements must also be improved accordingly. If the sealing level of the quick-change connector does not meet the IP67 standard (a protective safety level), the gap between the battery-end connection component 101 and the vehicle-end connection component 102 of the quick-change connector will fail to protect the vehicle while it is driving, causing water ingress and electrical performance failure. The entire vehicle will report an insulation failure, and the vehicle controller will cut off the electrical protection, making it impossible for the vehicle to drive. In severe cases, electrical short circuits may occur due to sealing failure, leading to spontaneous combustion of the vehicle. Therefore, connector sealing is particularly important.

[0004] At present, the sealing condition of the quick-change connector cannot be automatically detected on the vehicle. Only when the seal fails and the vehicle detects that water has entered the connector, the insulation value becomes lower than the set value and the vehicle alarm is sounded and stops. In fact, at this time, it is already impossible to effectively control the situation. The vehicle can only continue to drive after repair at a 4S store (a sales store integrating automobile sales, maintenance, accessories and information services). This causes great inconvenience to users and affects their driving experience of quick-change vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art that the sealing condition of the quick-change connector of the battery pack of an electric vehicle cannot be automatically detected on the vehicle, and to provide an electrical connector and a quick-change connector for the battery pack of an electric vehicle.

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention solve the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention provides an electrical connector, including a pole and a first accommodating cavity surrounding the pole, and also including a sealing detection device, the sealing detection device including a pressure detection unit, the pressure detection unit is located in the first accommodating cavity, and is used to detect pressure changes when the first accommodating cavity is in a sealed state.

[0008] Preferably, the electrical connector further comprises a strain controller; the strain controller is used to receive pressure changes and to send an alarm command signal when the pressure change is greater than a preset value.

[0009] Preferably, the pressure detection unit includes an optical fiber strain sensor, the detection end of the optical fiber strain sensor is arranged in the first accommodating cavity, the optical fiber of the optical fiber strain sensor is led out to the outside of the first accommodating cavity, the strain controller is arranged outside the first accommodating cavity, and the strain controller is connected to the optical fiber to receive pressure changes.

[0010] Preferably, the electrical connector is provided with a lead-out hole, the optical fiber passes through the lead-out hole and is led out to the outside of the first accommodating cavity, and the gap between the optical fiber and the lead-out hole is sealed by a sealing component.

[0011] Preferably, the sealing component includes an epoxy resin sealing component or an organic silicone sealing component.

[0012] Preferably, the strain controller is electrically connected to a battery management system of the vehicle, and the strain controller is used to send an alarm command signal to the battery management system.

[0013] Preferably, the battery management system is electrically connected to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, and the battery management system is used to send an alarm command signal to the vehicle controller.

[0014] Preferably, the electrical connector further comprises an alarm unit, which is electrically connected to the strain controller and is configured to sound an alarm after receiving an alarm command signal.

[0015] The present invention also provides a quick-change connector for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, comprising a vehicle-end connecting component and the electrical connector of the present invention; the electrical connector serves as the battery-end connecting component of the quick-change connector, and is used to connect to the battery pack; the vehicle-end connecting component is used to connect to the vehicle; the vehicle-end connecting component is docked with the electrical connector to seal the first accommodating cavity.

[0016] Preferably, a second contact portion is provided on the vehicle-end connecting component, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are provided correspondingly; the quick-change connector also includes a sealing gasket, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion squeeze the sealing gasket to enable the vehicle-end connecting component to dock with the electrical connector.

[0017] The positive improvement effect of the present invention is that the present invention detects the change of air pressure in the cavity of the quick-change connector through the pressure detection unit, and promptly determines whether the seal of the quick-change connector is normal, thereby giving an alarm in time to avoid vehicle failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a quick-change connector in the prior art.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the battery-end connecting component and the vehicle-end connecting component of a quick-change connector in the prior art.

[0020] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electrical connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an optical fiber strain sensor for an electrical connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an electrical connector including an optical fiber strain sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a quick-change connector for a battery pack of an electric vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of a quick-change connector for a battery pack of an electric vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is further described below by way of a preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment.

[0027] This embodiment provides an electrical connector, referring to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5The electrical connector 21 includes a pole 211 and a first accommodating cavity 212 surrounding the pole 211, and the number of poles 211 is multiple. The electrical connector 21 also includes a sealing detection device, which includes a pressure detection unit. The pressure detection unit is located in the first accommodating cavity 212 and is used to detect pressure changes when the first accommodating cavity 212 is in a sealed state. In this embodiment, the pressure detection unit is implemented using an optical fiber strain sensor 213, and the number of optical fiber strain sensors 213 is 2. The optical fiber strain sensor 213 includes a strain sheet 231, a transparent glass tube 232, and an optical fiber 233. The working principle of the optical fiber strain sensor is as follows: a laser beam of a specific wavelength is emitted through the optical fiber 233 to the strain sheet 231 in front. When the air pressure changes, the strain sheet is deformed, and the deformation affects the wavelength of the light. The change in air pressure can be calculated through the change in wavelength.

[0028] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 6 The detection end of the optical fiber strain sensor 213 (i.e., the strain sheet 231) is disposed in the first accommodating cavity 212, and the optical fiber 233 of the optical fiber strain sensor 213 is led out to the outside of the first accommodating cavity 212. An extraction hole 216 is provided on the electrical connector 21, and a transparent glass tube 232 (represented by a dotted line) is embedded in the extraction hole 216. The optical fiber 233 passes through the extraction hole 216 and is led out to the outside of the first accommodating cavity 212. The portion of the optical fiber 233 within the extraction hole 216 is represented by a dotted line. The gap between the optical fiber 233 and the extraction hole 216 is sealed by a sealing component 222. When a gap exists between the transparent glass tube 232 and the inner wall of the extraction hole 216, the sealing component also fills the gap. The sealing component is an epoxy resin glue sealing component. In other optional embodiments, the sealing component is an organic silicone sealing component. Epoxy resin glue and organic silicone are both commercially available materials. The plug 215 of the electrical connector 21 is used to connect to the battery pack of the vehicle.

[0029] The electrical connector of this embodiment also includes a strain controller (not shown in the figure), which is arranged outside the first accommodating cavity 212 and is connected to the optical fiber to receive pressure changes. When the pressure change is greater than a preset value, the strain controller issues an alarm command signal. For example, assuming that the initial pressure value in the first accommodating cavity 212 is A, when the pressure value in the first accommodating cavity 212 is less than A·80%, that is, the pressure change is greater than 20% of the initial pressure value, it indicates that the sealing performance of the first accommodating cavity 212 no longer meets the requirements, and the strain controller issues an alarm command signal. Specifically, in the initial state, the strain controller transmits a laser of a first wavelength to the strain sheet 231 through the optical fiber 233, and the wavelength of the light received in return is a second wavelength. The strain controller calculates the initial pressure value in the first accommodating cavity 212 based on the second wavelength. As the service life of the electrical connector increases, when the strain controller transmits a laser of the first wavelength to the strain sheet 231 through the optical fiber 233, and the wavelength of the light received in return is the third wavelength, the strain controller can calculate the change in the pressure value in the first accommodating cavity 212 relative to the initial pressure value based on the change in the third wavelength relative to the second wavelength. When the change is greater than a preset value (e.g., 20%), the strain controller issues an alarm command signal. In this embodiment, the strain controller is electrically connected to the vehicle's battery management system, and the strain controller sends an alarm command signal to the battery management system. The battery management system is electrically connected to the vehicle's vehicle controller. After receiving the alarm command signal from the strain controller, the battery management system sends an alarm command signal to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller sends a prompt message to the vehicle user (e.g., the driver) through the center console, so that the vehicle user can perform maintenance in a timely manner.

[0030] In another optional embodiment, the electrical connector further includes an alarm unit electrically connected to the strain controller and configured to generate an alarm upon receiving an alarm command signal. The alarm unit includes at least one of an alarm light and a buzzer. The alarm light or buzzer can alert the vehicle user of any deterioration in the sealing performance of the electrical connector, allowing for prompt repair.

[0031] The electrical connector 21 of this embodiment is provided with a first contact portion, and a sealing gasket 214 matching the shape of the first contact portion is provided on the first contact portion. Figure 3 The sealing gasket 214 includes a snap-fit ​​portion 217 that is embedded in a groove 218 on the first contact portion. When the electrical connector of this embodiment, serving as the battery-side connection component of a quick-change connector for an electric vehicle battery pack, is mated with a vehicle-side connection component, the second contact portion on the vehicle-side connection component and the first contact portion of the electrical connector 21 compress the sealing gasket 214, thereby sealing the first accommodating cavity 212.

[0032] The electrical connector of this embodiment detects the change of the air pressure in the first accommodating cavity through the pressure detection unit, and promptly determines whether the sealing of the first accommodating cavity is normal, thereby giving an alarm in time, thereby improving the safety of the electrical connection at a very low cost.

[0033] This embodiment also provides a quick-change connector for the battery pack of an electric vehicle, referring to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 The quick-change connector includes a vehicle-end connection component 102 and an electrical connector 21 of this embodiment. The electrical connector 21 serves as the battery-end connection component of the quick-change connector and is connected to the battery pack via a plug 215. The vehicle-end connection component 102 is used to connect to the vehicle. The vehicle-end connection component 102 mates with the electrical connector 21. The second contact portion of the vehicle-end connection component 102 and the first contact portion of the electrical connector 21 compress the sealing gasket 214 to seal the first accommodating cavity 212.

[0034] After the vehicle-end connecting component 102 is docked with the electrical connector 21 , the poles 211 of the electrical connector 21 are connected to the corresponding poles 121 in the vehicle-end connecting component 102 to transmit electrical signals.

[0035] After the vehicle-end connection component 102 is docked with the electrical connector 21, the sealing level of the first accommodating cavity 212 meets the IP67 standard. After the vehicle-end connection component 102 is docked with the electrical connector 21, the strain controller calculates the initial pressure value within the first accommodating cavity 212 based on the wavelength of the laser reflected by the strain sheet 231 of the optical fiber strain sensor 213, and the strain controller stores this initial pressure value. During use of the quick-change connector of this embodiment, the strain controller calculates the real-time pressure value within the first accommodating cavity 212 based on the wavelength of the laser reflected by the strain sheet 231 of the optical fiber strain sensor 213, stores this real-time pressure value, and calculates the difference between the real-time pressure value and the initial pressure value. When the real-time pressure value decreases by more than a preset amplitude compared to the initial pressure value, it indicates that the sealing condition of the first accommodating cavity 212 no longer meets the IP67 standard. For example, assuming the initial pressure value in the first accommodating chamber 212 is A, when the real-time pressure value in the first accommodating chamber 212 is less than A·80%, that is, when the actual pressure value decreases by more than 20% compared to the initial pressure value, the strain controller sends an alarm command signal to the battery management system. After receiving the alarm command signal from the strain controller, the battery management system sends an alarm command signal to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller sends a prompt message to the vehicle user (e.g., the driver) through the center console, so that the vehicle user can conduct timely maintenance.

[0036] In another optional embodiment, the electrical connector further includes an alarm unit electrically connected to the strain controller and configured to generate an alarm upon receiving an alarm command signal. The alarm unit includes at least one of an alarm light and a buzzer. The alarm light or buzzer can alert the vehicle user of any deterioration in the sealing performance of the electrical connector, allowing for prompt repair.

[0037] The quick-change connector of the battery pack of the electric vehicle of this embodiment detects the changes in the air pressure in the cavity (i.e., the first accommodating cavity) of the quick-change connector through a pressure detection unit, and promptly determines whether the seal of the quick-change connector is normal, thereby issuing an alarm in time to avoid vehicle failure, thereby improving the safety of the electric vehicle at a very low cost.

[0038] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising a pole and a first accommodating cavity surrounding the pole, characterized in that: Also included is a sealing detection device, the sealing detection device including a pressure detection unit, the pressure detection unit being located in the first accommodating cavity and configured to detect pressure changes when the first accommodating cavity is in a sealed state; Wherein, the first accommodating cavity is in the sealed state when the electrical connector is docked with the vehicle-end connecting component.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical connector further includes a strain controller; the strain controller is used to receive the pressure change and to issue an alarm command signal when the pressure change is greater than a preset value.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The pressure detection unit includes an optical fiber strain sensor, the detection end of the optical fiber strain sensor is arranged in the first accommodating cavity, the optical fiber of the optical fiber strain sensor is led out to the outside of the first accommodating cavity, the strain controller is arranged outside the first accommodating cavity, and the strain controller is connected to the optical fiber to receive the pressure change.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein: The electrical connector is provided with an extraction hole, the optical fiber passes through the extraction hole and is extracted to the outside of the first accommodating cavity, and a gap between the optical fiber and the extraction hole is sealed by a sealing component.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein: The sealing component includes an epoxy resin sealing component or an organic silicone sealing component.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The strain controller is electrically connected to the battery management system of the vehicle, and the strain controller is used to send the alarm command signal to the battery management system.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, wherein: The battery management system is electrically connected to the vehicle controller of the vehicle, and the battery management system is used to send the alarm command signal to the vehicle controller.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein: The electrical connector further includes an alarm unit electrically connected to the strain controller, and the alarm unit is configured to alarm after receiving the alarm instruction signal.

9. A quick-change connector for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, characterized in that: comprising a vehicle-end connecting component and an electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The electrical connector serves as the battery-end connecting component of the quick-change connector, and is used to connect to the battery pack; the vehicle-end connecting component is used to connect to the vehicle; the vehicle-end connecting component is docked with the electrical connector to seal the first accommodating cavity.

10. The quick-change connector for the battery pack of an electric vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The electrical connector is provided with a first contact portion, and the vehicle-end connecting component is provided with a second contact portion, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are arranged correspondingly; the quick-change connector also includes a sealing gasket, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion squeeze the sealing gasket to enable the vehicle-end connecting component to dock with the electrical connector.

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