Battery pack comprising a clip connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack including a connector capable of preventing poor contact with device pins inserted into the connector, the connector including a clip portion configured to form a first contact point at which the connector electrically contacts device pins inserted into the connector, and a contact arm connected to the clip portion on one side thereof and configured to form a second contact point, a pitch of the second contact point being changed in inverse proportion to a pitch of the first contact point.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2020-0066048, filed on June 1, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to a battery pack including a clip connector having a plurality of contact points, whereby poor contact between the connector and a device pin inserted into the connector can be prevented. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of technology and the increasing demand for mobile devices such as smartphones, notebook computers, and digital cameras, research into secondary batteries capable of charging and discharging has been actively conducted. In addition, as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels causing air pollution, secondary batteries have been applied to electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), and energy storage systems (ESSs).

[0004] The secondary batteries widely used at present are lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The unit secondary battery cell, i.e., the unit battery cell, has an operating voltage of about 2.0 V to 5.0 V. Therefore, in the case where an output voltage higher than the above-described operating voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series with each other to constitute a cell module assembly. In addition, according to the required output voltage or charge-discharge capacity, the cell module assemblies can be connected in series or in parallel with each other to constitute a battery module. Generally, at least one battery module is used to manufacture a battery pack by adding additional components.

[0005] As an example of a battery pack, a small battery pack applied to a device such as a dust collector or a power tool can be electrically connected to the device through a connector.

[0006] When referring to Figures 1-2 to describe a conventional connector applied to a small battery pack, Figure 1 a partial view of a battery pack 10 including a connector 11 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 is shown, Figure 2 only the connector 11 of the battery pack 10 is shown in detail, Figure 1 As shown in (b) of FIG. 1, Figure 2 The conventional connector 11 is electrically connected to a device pin P inserted into the connector while forming a single contact point C, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1.

[0007] However, even in the case where the connector 11 is manufactured while considering the thickness of the device pin P inserted into the connector, the contact point portion of the connector can become loose due to the nature of the product configured to allow the device pin P to be frequently inserted thereinto and separated therefrom, and thus contact failure can occur. In the case where contact failure occurs, the contact resistance can increase, and thus a large amount of heat can be generated, and thus the device can malfunction.

[0008] In order to suppress the occurrence of such a defect, it is necessary to set a tolerance in the manufacturing process to be very small, which is difficult. In addition, depending on the insertion angle of the device pin P, it can become loose, and thus contact failure can occur. SUMMARY

[0009] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0010] The present application has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present application is to provide a battery pack including a connector having a plurality of contact points, the connector being connected to a device pin inserted into the connector at the plurality of contact points.

[0011] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0012] The battery pack according to the present application for achieving the above object includes a plurality of battery cells, a case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, a connector configured to electrically connect the battery pack to a device, and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to control the operation of the battery pack, the PCB being located inside or outside the case, the connector being connected to the PCB, wherein the connector includes a clip portion configured to form a first contact point at which the connector is electrically contacted with a device pin inserted into the connector, and a contact arm connected to the clip portion on one side, the contact arm being configured to form a second contact point whose pitch is changed in inverse proportion to the pitch of the first contact point.

[0013] In addition, in the battery pack according to the present application, the connector can further include a connection portion connected to the PCB.

[0014] In addition, in the battery pack according to the present application, the pitch of each of the first contact point and the second contact point can be less than the thickness of the device pin to be inserted into the connector.

[0015] In addition, in the battery pack according to the present application, each of the clip portion and the contact arm can be elastic such that the insertion and separation of the device pin are easily performed.

[0016] In addition, in the battery pack according to the present application, both sides of the clip portion can be bent outward from a portion of the clip portion forming the first contact point such that the insertion and separation of the device pin are easily performed. In addition, in the battery pack according to the present application, both sides of the clip portion can be bent outward from a portion of the clip portion forming the first contact point such that the insertion and separation of the device pin are easily performed.

[0017] Further, in the battery pack according to the present application, the connector can further include a contact plate having a third contact point, the contact plate contacting a distal end of the device pin inserted into the connector at the third contact point.

[0018] Further, in the battery pack according to the present application, the contact plate can be positioned apart from the contact arm.

[0019] Further, the connector according to the present application is a connector including a clamp portion, a contact arm, and a connection portion, the connector being configured to electrically connect a battery pack to a device, wherein the clamp portion forms a first contact point at which the connector electrically contacts a device pin inserted into the connector, the contact arm is connected to the clamp portion and forms a second contact point, a pitch of the second contact point is varied in inverse proportion to a pitch of the first contact point, and the connection portion is connected to a PCB of the battery pack.

[0020] Further, the connector according to the present application can further include a contact plate having a third contact point, the contact plate contacting a distal end of the device pin inserted into the connector at the third contact point.

[0021] Further, the device including the battery pack according to the present application is a vacuum cleaner or a power tool.

[0022] Advantageous Effects

[0023] One advantage of the battery pack according to the present application is that the connector has a plurality of contact points, whereby even in a case where any one of the contact points is partially loose to cause poor contact, contact is maintained at another contact point, and thus, poor contact between the connector and the device pin can be prevented.

[0024] Further, one advantage of the battery pack according to the present application is that the connector has a plurality of contact points, whereby a tolerance in a manufacturing process can be increased, and thus, a defect rate in the manufacturing process can be reduced.

[0025] Further, one advantage of the battery pack according to the present application is that a device malfunction due to poor contact can be reduced, and thus, reliability of a product can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a partial portion of a conventional battery pack.

[0027] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional connector and a front view of the connector into which a device pin is inserted.

[0028] Figure 3 FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a partial portion of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a partial portion of a conventional battery pack.

[0029] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present application and a front view of the connector into which a device pin is inserted.

[0030] Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing a partial of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present application and a front view of the connector into which a device pin is inserted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "comprise", "have", "contain" and the like designate the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Further, the same reference numerals are used to refer to portions that perform similar functions or operations in all of the accompanying drawings. In the case where a component is referred to as being connected to another component in the specification, the component can be directly connected to the other component, or indirectly connected to the other component through another component. Further, the inclusion of a certain element does not mean the exclusion of other elements, but means that the other elements can be further included, unless otherwise specified.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing a partial of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present application and a front view of the connector into which a device pin is inserted.

[0036] When describing the battery pack 100 according to the present application, reference is made to Figures 3-4 and Figure 3 and Figure 4 The battery pack 100 is configured such that a plurality of battery cells are accommodated in a case 130, a printed circuit board (PCB) 120 configured to control the operation of the battery pack 100 is located at one surface of the case 130 inside or outside, a connector 110 is connected to the PCB 120, and the connector 110 is configured to electrically connect the battery pack 100 to an external device.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4 , the connector 110 includes a clip portion 111, a contact arm 112, and a connection portion 113 configured to be coupled to the PCB. As Figure 4(b) as shown, the device pins P are inserted to form contact points with the clip portion 111 and the contact arm 112, thereby electrically connecting the connector to the device. At this time, it is preferable that the insertion depth of the device pins P is equal to or greater than the depth at which the device pins form the second contact points C2, but is less than the depth at which the device pins reach the PCB connected to the connection portion.

[0038] Specifically, the clip portion 111 has a pair of bars facing each other, wherein one side of each of the pair of bars is connected to each other at the connection portion 113, the distance between the bars gradually decreases as it goes to the portion where the clip portion forms a contact point (first contact point) Cl together with the inserted device pin P, and the bars are curved outward from the first contact point such that the distance between the bars increases, thereby easily performing the insertion and separation of the device pin P. In addition, a groove is formed in the middle of each bar to prevent the inserted device pin P from slipping off.

[0039] On the other hand, the contact arm 112 is composed of a pair of arms facing each other, wherein one side of each arm is connected to a corresponding one of the bars of the clip portion 111, and the other side of each arm extends in a direction toward the connection portion 113 such that the distance between the arms gradually decreases, whereby the contact arm forms a second contact point C2 together with the device pin P at the end of the other side of each arm.

[0040] In addition, the clip portion 111 and the contact arm 112 are connected to each other. Therefore, when the distance between the bars at the first contact point increases, according to the principle of a lever, the distance between the arms at the second contact point decreases. Therefore, even in the case where contact failure occurs due to an increase in the distance between the bars at the first contact point due to repeated use of the clip portion 111 or any manufacturing defects, the contact at the second contact point is maintained, thus normally maintaining contact with the device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent device malfunction due to contact failure.

[0041] On the other hand, each of the clip portion 111 and the contact arm 112 is elastic. Therefore, even in the case where each of the distance between the bars at the first contact point Cl and the distance between the arms at the second contact point C2 is less than the thickness of the device pin P to be inserted therebetween, the insertion and separation of the device pin P are easily performed. Each of the distance between the bars at the first contact point Cl and the distance between the arms at the second contact point C2 can be appropriately designed in consideration of the thickness and tolerance of the device pin P to be inserted therebetween.

[0042] When referring to Figures 5-6 In describing another embodiment of the present application, in addition to further adding a contact plate 214 configured to form a third contact point C3 together with the device pin P inserted in the connector, Figure 5 and Figure 6 the connector 210 is connected to Figure 1 and 2The connector 110 is the same as the connector 210.

[0043] When the connector 210 is described based on the contact plate 214, the contact plate 214 is located between the contact arm 212 and the connection part 213 in the form of a plate, thereby contacting the distal end of the device pin P inserted into the connector. The contact plate can be configured to have two plates bent in the shape of a "U" and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, respectively connected to the structure of the clip part as shown, or although not shown in the drawing, have a single plate connected to the structure between the bars of the clip part. Here, preferably, the predetermined distance between the plates is small enough not to insert the device pin P therebetween. Figure 6

[0044] As described above, the contact plate 214 forming the third contact point C3 is added to the connector. Therefore, even in the case where contact failure occurs simultaneously at the first contact point C1 and the second contact point C2 due to damage or defects of the clip part 211 and the contact arm 212, the third contact point maintains contact with the device pin P, thereby it is possible to prevent device malfunction due to contact failure.

[0045] That is, unlike the conventional connector, the connector according to the present application is configured to have a structure in which a plurality of contact points are simultaneously provided to increase the contact area, and each of the clip part 111 or 211, the contact arm 112 or 212, and the contact plate 214 forming the contact points forms a contact point with the device pin P in a different shape and manner, thereby in the worst case where contact failure occurs in any one or two parts, contact is supplemented in the other part, so at least one contact point is maintained, and ultimately it is possible to prevent contact failure between the connector and the device.

[0046] Although specific details of the present application have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description of the present application discloses only preferred embodiments of the present application, and thus does not limit the scope of the present application. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope and concept of the present application, and it is obvious that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0047] (Reference numeral description)

[0048] 10, 100, 200: battery pack

[0049] 11, 110, 210: connector

[0050] 12, 120, 220: PCB

[0051] 130, 230: housing

[0052] 111, 211: clip part

[0053] ​112, 212: contact arm

[0054] 113, 213: connection portion

[0055] 214: contact plate

[0056] P: device pin

[0057] C: contact point

[0058] C1: first contact point

[0059] C2: second contact point

[0060] C3: third contact point

Claims

1. A battery pack (100, 200) comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a housing (130, 230) configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells; a connector (110, 210) configured to electrically connect the battery pack (100, 200) to a device; and a printed circuit board (PCB) (120, 220) configured to control the operation of the battery pack (100, 200) and located inside or outside of the housing (130, 230), the connector (110, 210) being connected to the PCB, wherein the connector (110, 210) comprises: a clip portion (111, 211) configured to form a first contact point (C1) at which the connector electrically contacts a device pin (P) inserted into the connector; and a contact arm (112, 212) connected to the clip portion (111, 211) on one side thereof, the contact arm being configured to form a second contact point (C2) having a pitch that varies inversely to the pitch of the first contact point (C1), wherein the connector (110, 210) further comprises a contact plate (214) having a third contact point (C3) at which the contact plate contacts a distal end of the device pin (P) inserted into the connector, the contact plate (214) being configured to have two plates bent in the shape of a "U" and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and connected to the clip portion, respectively. The connector (110, 210) further comprises a connection portion (113, 213) connected to the PCB (120, 220).

2. The battery pack (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein The pitch of each of the first contact point (C1) and the second contact point (C2) is less than the thickness of the device pin (P) to be inserted into the connector (110, 210).

3. The battery pack (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein, Each of the clip portion (111, 211) and the contact arm (112, 212) has elasticity, so that insertion and separation of the device pin (P) are easily performed.

4. The battery pack (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein Both sides of the clip portion (111, 211) are bent outward from a portion of the clip portion forming the first contact point (C1), so that insertion and separation of the device pin (P) are easily performed.

5. The battery pack (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein, The contact plate (214) is located at a position spaced apart from the contact arm (112, 212).

6. The battery pack (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein, 7.A connector (110, 210) for the battery pack (100, 200) of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: the clip portion (111, 211); the contact arm (112, 212); and a connection portion (113, 213) configured to electrically connect the battery pack (100, 200) to a device, wherein the clip portion (111, 211) forms the first contact point (C1) at which the connector electrically contacts a device pin (P) inserted into the connector, ​ ​ wherein the contact arms (112, 212) are connected to the clip portion (111, 211) and form the second contact points (C2), the spacing of the second contact points (C2) varying inversely proportional to the spacing of the first contact points (Cl), and wherein the connection portion (113, 213) is connected with the PCB (120, 220) of the battery pack.

8. The connector (110, 210) of claim 7, further comprising a contact plate (214) having third contact points (C3) at which the contact plate contacts a distal end of the device pins (P) inserted into the connector.

9. A device comprising the battery pack (100, 200) of any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The device is a vacuum cleaner or a power tool.

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