Pole clamp for battery and current sensor for battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a pole clamp for a battery, the pole clamp is configured to be suitable for being fixedly connected with a pole column of the battery, the pole clamp at least comprises a clamping part, the inner circumferential surface of the clamping part can be matched with the outer circumferential surface of the pole column, so that the pole column is sleeved with the clamping part in an attached mode; the clamping part is electrically connected with the inner circumferential surface, the connecting part is electrically connected with the clamping part and is configured to be suitable for being electrically connected with other components, the clamping part is provided with at least one bending part, and the bending part is constructed to be bent inwards relative to the inner circumferential surface. The invention also relates to a corresponding current sensor for a battery. The connection strength of the pole clamp and the pole column can be improved, so that safe and reliable electrical connection of the pole clamp on the pole column of the battery is realized, and an optimized installation and maintenance process is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical components, in particular to a pole clamp for a battery and a corresponding current sensor for a battery. Background Art

[0002] For high-power batteries, especially those used in vehicles, industrial equipment or energy storage systems, in order to ensure safe and reliable electrical connections, the battery poles are usually tightly clamped with pole clamps to achieve good contact and current conduction.

[0003] However, when the existing pole clamp is installed on the battery pole, the pole clamp may slide relative to the pole, making the installation process of the pole clamp difficult or failing to install the pole clamp at the correct position of the pole. In addition, the installed pole clamp is prone to rotation under the action of external torque, which may cause poor contact or even loose contact. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved pole clamp for a battery, by which the connection strength between the pole clamp and the pole can be improved, thereby achieving a safe and reliable electrical connection of the pole clamp on the battery pole and providing an optimized installation and maintenance process. In addition, the object of the present invention is also to provide an improved current sensor for a battery.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pole clamp for a battery, wherein the pole clamp is configured to be fixedly connected to a pole of the battery, wherein the pole clamp at least comprises:

[0006] - a clamping portion, the inner circumference of which can be adapted to the outer circumference of the pole, so that the clamping portion is sleeved on the pole in a fitting manner; and

[0007] - a connecting portion, the connecting portion being electrically connected to the clamping portion and being configured to be suitable for electrically connecting to other components,

[0008] The clamping portion has at least one bent portion, and the bent portion is configured to be bent inwardly relative to the inner circumferential surface.

[0009] In the framework of the present invention, “the inner circumference of the clamping portion can be adapted to the outer circumference of the pole” should be understood as that the inner circumference of the clamping portion is consistent or almost consistent with the outer circumference of the pole in terms of size and shape, which allows a seamless or almost seamless connection to be achieved when the clamping portion is sleeved on the pole without generating obvious gaps or looseness, thereby enabling the clamping portion and the pole to be nested and fitted in a tight manner and form good contact.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, in the pole clamp for a battery according to the present invention, the clamping portion for being fitted on the pole in a fitting manner is provided with at least one bending portion, and the bending portion is constructed to be bent inward relative to the inner circumference. In the process of fitting the clamping portion on the pole from top to bottom, the bending portion first contacts the outer circumference of the pole and generates an extrusion force, and the bending portion is deformed radially outward under the action of the extrusion force, so that the clamping portion can continue to move downward to the desired position, wherein, due to the elastic effect of the bending portion itself, there is always an extrusion force between the bending portion and the outer circumference of the pole, and the contact friction between the clamping portion and the pole is significantly increased by the extrusion force, and the contact friction can effectively improve the ability of the pole clamp to resist vertical displacement and circumferential rotation, thereby preventing the pole clamp from sliding upward relative to the pole, and preventing the pole clamp from rotating under the action of external torque, which can improve the connection strength between the pole clamp and the pole and achieve safe and reliable electrical connection.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a current sensor for a battery, wherein the current sensor at least comprises:

[0012] - According to the pole clamp of the present invention, the pole clamp is configured to be suitable for being put on the pole of the battery through the clamping part so that the pole clamp is fixedly connected to the pole of the battery; and

[0013] - a current detection component, which is fixedly arranged on the connection part of the pole clamp; and

[0014] - a connection terminal electrically connected to the current sensing component and configured to be suitable for electrical connection with an external component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the principles, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood. The accompanying drawings include:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a front view of a current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the current sensor being mounted on a battery;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a current sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a clamping portion of a pole clamp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial technical effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and multiple exemplary embodiments.

[0020] This specification provides method operation steps as described in the embodiments or flow charts, but more or fewer operation steps may be included based on routine or non-creative work. The order of steps listed in the embodiments is only one way of executing the steps among many, and does not represent the only execution order.

[0021] In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the words and phrases indicating the orientation or positional relationship such as "middle", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like are used to illustrate the positional relationship of the constituent elements with reference to the drawings. This is only for the convenience of describing this specification and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to has a specific orientation, is constructed and operates in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure. The positional relationship of the constituent elements is appropriately changed according to the direction of describing each constituent element. Therefore, it is not limited to the words and phrases described in the specification, and can be appropriately replaced according to the situation.

[0022] In this specification, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate, or the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the meanings of the above terms in this disclosure can be understood according to the circumstances.

[0023] Figure 1 A front view of a current sensor 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, the current sensor being mounted on a battery 200 . Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a current sensor 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Here, the battery 200 is particularly a high-power storage battery used in a vehicle. Of course, the battery 200 can also be used in other fields that are considered meaningful by those skilled in the art, such as industrial equipment, energy storage systems, or uninterruptible power supply systems.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the current sensor 100 includes a pole clamp 110, which is configured to be fixedly connected to a pole 210 of a battery 200, wherein the pole is a metal connector of the battery 200 for connecting to an external circuit and can be a positive pole or a negative pole, wherein the pole clamp 110 includes a clamping portion 10, which is configured in the form of an annular cylinder and has an inner circumference 11, wherein the inner circumference forms a cylindrical receiving space, and the pole 210 can be inserted into the receiving space. Here, the inner circumference 11 of the clamping portion 10 can be adapted to the outer circumference 211 of the pole 210, so that the clamping portion 10 is sleeved on the pole 210 in a fitting manner, wherein the inner circumference 11 of the clamping portion 10 is consistent or almost consistent with the outer circumference 211 of the pole 210 in terms of size and shape, so as to achieve close and seamless contact between the clamping portion 10 and the pole 210. Here, the pole 210 is particularly conically constructed so that the bottom is wider than the top, which can enhance mechanical stability and increase the contact area between the clamping portion 10 and the pole 210. Accordingly, the inner circumference 11 of the clamping portion 10 is constructed in the form of a conical surface (see Figure 3 ). Of course, it is also possible that the pole 210 is cylindrically configured and the inner circumference 11 of the clamping portion 10 is configured as a circumferential surface. In this case, the pole 210 is in particular a negative pole.

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pole clamp 110 includes a connection portion 20, which is electrically connected to the clamping portion 10 and is configured to conduct the current from the clamping portion 10 outward to be electrically connected to other components. Here, the current sensor 100 also includes a current detection component 120, which can be arranged on the connection portion 20 of the pole clamp 10 by bolts or encapsulated on the connection portion 20 by an injection molded housing, and the connection portion is plate-shaped, wherein the current detection component 120 is configured to detect the parameters of the current flowing through and can, for example, have a printed circuit board and a Hall sensor integrated and mounted on the printed circuit board. In addition, the pole clamp 110 also includes a connection terminal 130, one end of which is electrically connected to the current detection component 120 and the other end is electrically connected to an external component to transmit the current and the collected current signal to other systems, such as a battery management system or an electronic control unit. In addition, it is also possible that the connection portion 20 of the pole clamp 110 is directly connected to an external cable or connected to a device such as a circuit breaker or a relay, for example, by welding, crimping, etc. In this case, the pole clamp 110 does not belong to the current sensor 100 .

[0026] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a clamping portion 10 of a pole clamp 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0027] like Figure 3As shown, the clamping portion 10 of the pole clamp 110 has an inner circumferential surface 11, which encloses a receiving space for the pole 210 and has a busbar G, and the inner circumferential surface 11 is formed by rotating the busbar around the axial direction Z, wherein the inner circumferential surface 11 is constructed in the form of a conical surface, so that the diameter of the upper end of the inner circumferential surface 11 along the axial direction Z is smaller than the diameter of the lower end. Here, the busbar G of the inner circumferential surface 11 forms an angle with the axial direction Z. Correspondingly, the pole 210 targeted by the pole clamp 110 is constructed as a cone, and its outer circumferential surface 211 is also constructed in the form of a conical surface. However, it is also possible that the inner circumferential surface 11 of the clamping portion 10 and the outer circumferential surface 211 of the pole 210 are both constructed in the form of circular surfaces, in which case the busbar G is oriented parallel to the axial direction Z.

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the clamping portion 10 of the pole clamp 110 has at least one bent portion 1, which is bent inwardly relative to the inner circumference 11, especially relative to the busbar G of the inner circumference 11 along the radial direction R, so that the inner surface of the bent portion 1 protrudes inwardly relative to other parts of the inner circumference 11. Therefore, in the process of putting the clamping portion 10 on the pole 210 from top to bottom along the axial direction Z, the inner surface of the bent portion 1 first contacts the outer circumference 211 of the pole 210, and the bent portion 1 is deformed outwardly along the radial direction R under the contact force to allow the clamping portion 10 to move to a desired position relative to the pole 210. In the installed state, due to the elastic effect of the bending portion 1 itself, there is always an extrusion pressure between the inner surface of the bending portion 1 and the outer peripheral surface 211 of the pole 210, and the extrusion pressure part is oriented perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface 211. The extrusion pressure generates a contact friction force between the clamping portion 10 and the pole 210. The contact friction force can significantly improve the ability of the pole clamp 110 to resist vertical displacement and circumferential rotation relative to the pole 210, thereby preventing the pole clamp 110 from sliding upward relative to the pole 210, and avoiding the pole clamp 110 from rotating relative to the pole 210 under the action of external torque, thereby achieving a safe and reliable electrical connection between the pole clamp 110 and the pole 210.

[0029] For example, Figure 3 As shown, in the axial direction Z, the bent portion 1 is arranged at the lower end of the clamping portion 10, which allows the bent portion 1 to contact the outer peripheral surface 211 of the pole 210 as early as possible during the installation process, thereby avoiding the bent portion 1 from sliding upward undesirably during the installation process. However, it is also possible that the bent portion 1 is arranged at the upper end or the middle part of the clamping portion 10. Of course, it is conceivable that the clamping portion 10 has a plurality of bent portions 1, which can be distributed spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction C, or can be distributed spaced apart from each other along the axial direction Z.

[0030] For example, Figure 2As shown, the bent portion 1 is spaced apart from other parts of the clamping portion 10 in the circumferential direction C, which prevents the movement of the bent portion 1 from being blocked. This enables a simple construction process and an installation process of the clamping portion 10 to be achieved.

[0031] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the bent portion 1 has an arc-shaped configuration, so that the inner surface of the bent portion 1, that is, the contact surface with the pole 210 is smoothly transitioned, thereby enabling a smooth installation process of the clamping portion 10 and avoiding damage to the pole 210. Here, the bent portion 1 can be directly manufactured by a stamping process. In particular, the pole clamp 110 is an integrally formed stamped part.

[0032] For example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a surface processed portion 2 is provided on the inner surface of the bending portion 1, and the roughness of the surface processed portion is greater than the roughness of the inner peripheral surface 11 of the clamping portion 10. The friction between the inner surface of the bending portion 1 and the outer peripheral surface 211 of the pole 210 can be further increased by the surface processed portion 2. Here, the surface processed portion 2 can be, for example, a microstructure made by a stamping process or a cutting process, or an irregular concave-convex surface made by a sandblasting or shot blasting process, or a rough structure made by chemical etching.

[0033] For example, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of grooves 12 distributed along the circumferential direction C are provided on the inner circumferential surface 11 of the clamping portion 10, and the grooves can extend in a straight line or in a curved manner along the busbar G. In particular, the grooves 12 are evenly distributed on the inner circumferential surface 11 along the circumferential direction C. The grooves 12 provided on the inner circumferential surface 11 can further increase the friction between the clamping portion 10 and the pole 210, thereby preventing the pole clamp 110 from vertically displacing and circumferentially rotating relative to the pole 210.

[0034] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the clamping portion 10 of the pole clamp 110 has a through opening 13 arranged on the circumferential surface, the through opening is open in a direction away from the connecting portion 20, and the pole clamp 110 has a fastening portion 30 arranged at the through opening 13, through which a clamping force can be applied to the clamping portion 10. Here, the fastening portion 30 can act in the form of a bolt connection, a spring connection, or a snap connection. However, it is also possible that the clamping portion 10 is constructed to be completely closed along the circumferential direction C and is not provided with a through opening 13. In this case, the clamping portion 10 can be pressed onto the pole clamp 210 in an interference manner.

[0035] For example, Figure 2As shown, the fastening part 30 functions in a bolt connection manner, wherein the fastening part 30 is configured with two opposite fastening plates 31 extending outward from the through opening 13 of the clamping part 10, and each fastening plate 31 is provided with a through hole 32 for a fastening bolt 33. By passing the fastening bolt 33 through the two opposite through holes 32 and tightening it, a clamping force can be applied to the pole 210 via the clamping part 10. In particular, the through opening 13 is oriented obliquely relative to the generatrix G of the inner circumferential surface 11, so that the extension plane of the fastening plate 31 is twisted relative to the generatrix G. In this case, the clamping force generated by tightening the fastening bolt 33 is more evenly distributed between the inner circumferential surface 11 of the clamping part 10 and the outer circumferential surface 211 of the pole 210, reducing local stress concentration, thereby reducing possible sliding and loosening phenomena and improving the stability of the bolt connection.

[0036] The above explanation of the embodiments only describes the invention within the framework of the examples. Of course, the individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another as long as it makes technical sense, without departing from the framework of the invention.

[0037] Other advantages and alternative embodiments of the present invention are obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention in its broader sense is not limited to the specific details, representative structures and exemplary embodiments shown and described. On the contrary, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and substitutions without departing from the basic spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pole clamp (110) for a battery (200), the pole clamp (110) being configured to be fixedly connected to a pole (210) of the battery (200), characterized in that: The pole clamp (110) at least comprises: - a clamping portion (10), the inner circumference (11) of the clamping portion (10) being adaptable to the outer circumference (211) of the pole (210), so that the clamping portion (10) is sleeved on the pole (210) in a close-fitting manner; and - a connecting portion (20), the connecting portion (20) being electrically connected to the clamping portion (10) and being configured to be suitable for electrically connecting to other components, The clamping portion (10) has at least one bent portion (1), and the bent portion (1) is configured to be bent inwardly in a radial direction (R) relative to the inner circumferential surface (11).

2. The pole clamp (110) according to claim 1, characterized in that In the axial direction (Z), the bent portion (1) is arranged at the lower end of the clamping portion (10).

3. The pole clamp (110) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the circumferential direction (C), the bent portion (1) is spaced apart from other portions of the clamping portion (10).

4. A pole clamp (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A surface processed portion (2) is provided on the inner surface of the bending portion (1), and the roughness of the surface processed portion (2) is greater than the roughness of the inner peripheral surface (11) of the clamping portion (10).

5. A pole clamp (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bent portion (1) has an arc-shaped configuration, so that the contact surface between the bent portion (1) and the pole (210) is smoothly transitioned; and / or The inner peripheral surface (11) is configured in the form of a conical surface, so that the diameter of the upper end of the inner peripheral surface (11) along the axial direction (Z) is smaller than the diameter of the lower end.

6. A pole clamp (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A plurality of grooves (12) distributed along a circumferential direction (C) are provided on the inner circumferential surface (11) of the clamping portion (10).

7. A pole clamp (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clamping portion (10) has a through opening (13) arranged on a peripheral surface, and the pole clamp (110) has a fastening portion (30) arranged at the through opening (13), and the fastening portion (30) is configured to be suitable for applying a clamping force to the clamping portion (10) in a bolt connection, a spring connection, or a snap connection.

8. The pole clamp (110) according to claim 7, characterized in that The fastening portion (30) is constructed with two opposite fastening plates (31) extending from the through opening (13), and through holes (32) for fastening bolts (33) are provided on the fastening plates (31), wherein the through opening (13) is oriented obliquely relative to the generatrix (G) of the inner peripheral surface (11), so that the extension plane of the fastening plates (31) is twisted relative to the generatrix (G).

9. A pole clamp (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The pole clamp (110) is an integrally formed stamping part; and / or The pole clamp (110) is configured to be fixedly connected to the negative pole of the battery (200); and / or The pole clamp (110) is configured for use with a vehicle battery.

10. A current sensor (100) for a battery (200), characterized in that: The current sensor (100) comprises at least: - A pole clamp (110) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pole clamp (110) is configured to be suitable for being sleeved on a pole (210) of the battery (200) through a clamping portion (10), so that the pole clamp (110) is fixedly connected to the pole (210) of the battery (200); - a current detection component (120), the current detection component (120) being fixedly arranged on the connection portion (20) of the pole clamp (110); and - a connection terminal (130) electrically connected to the current detection component (120) and configured to be suitable for electrical connection with an external component.

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