Adapter for battery module and electric connection assembly

Abstract

The invention provides an adapter for a battery module and an electric connection assembly. The adapter may connect the output electrodes of the battery modules to electrical connection members for establishing electrical connections between the battery modules. The adapter is mounted to a module end plate of the battery module and includes a housing and an electrical connector. The shell comprises a first limiting structure which can be matched with a second limiting structure of the module end plate to limit the movement of the adapter relative to the battery module. The electrical connector is disposed within the housing, is made of a conductive material, and includes a first contact clip and a second contact clip electrically connected to each other. The first contact clip and the second contact clip are adapted to clamp the output electrode and the electrical terminal, respectively. The electrical connection assembly comprises the adapter. The adapter and the electrical connection assembly can simplify the connection operation between the output electrode of the battery module and the electrical terminal of the electrical connection member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of electrical connection components, and particularly to an adapter for a battery module and an electrical connection component including the adapter. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle's battery pack typically includes multiple battery modules. Each battery module generally includes multiple battery cells connected in series or in parallel with each other and sheet-like or strip-like positive and negative output electrodes for charging and discharging the entire battery module. The positive and negative output electrodes are usually made of aluminum and can also be referred to as aluminum output electrodes. The aluminum output electrode of one battery module needs to be electrically connected to the aluminum output electrode of an adjacent battery module to achieve the series or parallel connection of two adjacent battery modules.

[0003] Currently, in some solutions, it is necessary to bend the aluminum output electrodes of two adjacent battery modules, then weld copper output electrodes to the ends of the aluminum output electrodes, weld nuts to the copper output electrodes, and finally connect the copper output electrodes of two adjacent battery modules to both ends of a copper busbar through threaded connections, so as to achieve the electrical connection between the aluminum output electrodes of two adjacent battery modules through the copper busbar. However, this connection solution requires more components and requires multiple steps such as bending, welding, and threaded connection, and the operation is complex and time-consuming. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, and to propose an improved adapter for a battery module and an electrical connection component including the adapter.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides an adapter for a battery module. The adapter is configured to connect the output electrode of the battery module to an electrical connection member. The adapter is adapted to be mounted to the module end plate of the battery module and includes: a housing, the housing includes a first limiting structure, and the first limiting structure is adapted to cooperate with a second limiting structure of the module end plate when the adapter is mounted in place on the module end plate to limit the movement of the adapter relative to the battery module; and an electrical connector, the electrical connector is disposed in the housing, the electrical connector is made of a conductive material and includes a first contact clip and a second contact clip. The first contact clip and the second contact clip are electrically connected to each other. The first contact clip defines a first receiving channel for the output electrode to be inserted along a first direction, and the second contact clip defines a second receiving channel for the electrical terminal of the electrical connection member to be inserted along a second direction. The first contact clip is adapted to clamp the output electrode when the output electrode is inserted in place in the first receiving channel, and the second contact clip is adapted to clamp the electrical terminal when the electrical terminal is inserted in place in the second receiving channel.

[0006] For the above-mentioned adapter, the output electrode of the battery module and the electrical terminal of the electrical connection member can be respectively inserted into the first contact clip and the second contact clip of the electrical connection member, so that the output electrode of the battery module is electrically connected to the electrical connection member through the electrical connection member, without the need for complex welding and screwing operations as in the prior art. The adapter also allows the orientation / extension direction of the first receiving channel of the first contact clip and the second receiving channel of the second contact clip to be reasonably set to adapt to the extension direction of the output electrode of the battery module and the electrical terminal of the electrical connection member, thereby eliminating the need for bending the output electrode in the prior art. In addition, the first limiting structure of the adapter can cooperate with the second limiting structure of the module end plate, so that the adapter is held on the battery module. In other words, the adapter can be self-held on the battery module without additional fastening members.

[0007] According to the above technical concept, the first aspect of the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0008] In some optional forms, the adapter is configured such that: when the adapter is installed in place on the module end plate, the output electrode is inserted in place in the first receiving channel.

[0009] In some optional forms, the housing is adapted to be installed in the installation groove of the module end plate, wherein the first limiting structure includes the outer contour of the housing, the second limiting structure includes the inner contour of the installation groove, and wherein the outer contour of the housing is configured to be adapted to cooperate with the shape of the inner contour of the installation groove to limit the movement of the adapter relative to the battery module.

[0010] In some optional forms, the module end plate includes a first surface facing the battery module cell and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the housing includes a first side adapted to face the battery module cell and a second side opposite to the first side; wherein the housing is configured such that: when the adapter is installed in place on the module end plate, the second side is substantially flush with the second surface or recessed relative to the second surface, and / or the first side is substantially flush with the first surface or recessed relative to the first surface.

[0011] In some optional forms, the housing is configured to be installed in the installation groove in a direction opposite to the first direction, and wherein the outer contour of the housing is configured to be adapted to cooperate with the shape of the inner contour of the installation groove to limit the movement of the adapter relative to the battery module in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the adapter includes a loading clip disposed within the housing and sleeved outside the first contact clip, wherein the loading clip is configured to apply a loading force to the first contact clip to increase the clamping force of the first contact clip.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the loading clip includes a first anchoring tab extending towards its interior, and the first contact clip includes a second anchoring tab extending towards its interior, wherein the first anchoring tab and the second anchoring tab are adjacent to each other and are configured to engage with the retaining holes on the output electrode when the output electrode is inserted in place in the first receiving channel to limit the movement of the adapter relative to the battery module in the first direction.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the adapter further includes a hollow operating member and a hollow loading member, the operating member being at least partially disposed within the housing and sleeved outside the loading member; wherein the operating member is movable relative to the housing between an initial position and an operating position; wherein the loading member is movable relative to the housing between a non-loading position and a loading position as the operating member moves; wherein the loading member is in the loading position when the operating member is in the operating position and is adapted to apply a loading force to the second contact clip to increase the clamping force of the second contact clip, and the loading member is in the non-loading position when the operating member is in the initial position and is adapted to release the loading force.

[0015] In some alternative forms, the second contact clip includes an end wall and a plurality of contact arms extending from the end wall, the plurality of contact arms jointly defining the second receiving channel; wherein the loading member includes a plurality of loading arms extending towards its interior; and wherein each of the plurality of loading arms is adapted to press the corresponding contact arm in the direction towards the second receiving channel when the loading member is in the loading position and to disengage from the corresponding contact arm when the loading member is in the non-loading position.

[0016] In some alternative forms, the electrical terminal is adapted to be inserted into the second receiving channel through the operating member and the loading member in the second direction, wherein the loading member includes a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion arranged oppositely, and the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion are configured to guide the electrical terminal to be inserted into the second receiving channel through the gap between the first guiding portion and the second guiding portion.

[0017] In some alternative forms, the electrical terminal is adapted to be inserted into the second receiving channel through the operating member and the loading member along the second direction, wherein the loading member includes at least one retaining arm, the retaining arm includes a retaining protrusion, and the retaining protrusion is configured to engage with a retaining recess on the electrical terminal when the electrical terminal is inserted in place in the second receiving channel so as to prevent the electrical terminal from moving out of the second receiving channel.

[0018] In some alternative forms, the retaining arm is configured to be elastically deformable along a lateral direction substantially transverse to the second direction and towards the outside of the loading member to allow the electrical terminal to move past the retaining protrusion and selectively move into or out of the second receiving channel.

[0019] In some alternative forms, the operating member includes at least one limiting arm, and the limiting arm is adjacent to the corresponding retaining arm in the lateral direction; wherein the adapter is configured such that: when the operating member is in the initial position, the limiting arm can be elastically deformed along the lateral direction and towards the outside of the operating member to allow the corresponding retaining arm to be elastically deformed along the lateral direction and towards the outside of the loading member, and when the operating member is in the operating position, the limiting arm is blocked by the housing and prevented from being elastically deformed along the lateral direction and towards the outside of the operating member, thereby hindering the elastic deformation of the corresponding retaining arm.

[0020] In some alternative forms, the housing includes an opening, wherein the operating member is adapted to be at least partially installed in the housing through the opening, and wherein the operating member can move relative to the housing from the initial position to the operating position along the second direction.

[0021] In some alternative forms, the operating member includes a limiting rib and a first recess adjacent to each other in the second direction, wherein the housing includes a limiting protrusion, and the operating member is configured such that: when the operating member is in the initial position, the limiting protrusion is received in the first recess, the limiting protrusion can abut against the inner edge of the first recess to limit the movement of the operating member in the direction opposite to the second direction, and the limiting protrusion can abut against the limiting rib to limit the movement of the operating member along the second direction.

[0022] In some alternative forms, the operating member is configured to be locally elastically deformed in response to the mechanical interference between the limiting rib and the limiting protrusion when an external force is applied along the second direction, so as to allow the limiting protrusion to move out of the first recess, thereby allowing the operating member to move towards the operating position along the second direction.

[0023] In some alternative forms, the operating member further includes a shoulder, wherein the operating member is configured such that when the operating member is in the operating position, the shoulder is capable of abutting against the edge of the opening to limit the movement of the operating member in the second direction, and the limiting protrusion is capable of abutting against the limiting rib to limit the movement of the operating member in the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0024] In some alternative forms, the housing further includes a notch provided at the edge of the opening and configured to engage with a tool for moving the operating member from the operating position to the initial position.

[0025] In some alternative forms, the electrical connection member includes a connection member body and a current-carrying block, wherein the connection member body is integrally formed by stamping and includes the first contact clip and the second contact clip and a transition section, wherein the first contact clip and the second contact clip are connected to each other through the transition section, and wherein the current-carrying block is welded to the transition section.

[0026] In some alternative forms, the electrical connection member includes an integrally formed connection conductor, the connection conductor including a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein the first section and the second section are connected to each other through the third section, and the first section and the second section are respectively welded to the first contact clip and the second contact clip, and wherein the cross-sectional area of the third section is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first section and larger than the cross-sectional area of the second section.

[0027] In some alternative forms, the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.

[0028] A second aspect of the present invention provides an electrical connection assembly, the electrical connection assembly including: an electrical connection member configured to establish an electrical connection between battery modules and including electrical terminals; and an adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0029] In some alternative forms, the electrical connection assembly includes two adapters, wherein the electrical connection member is configured to establish an electrical connection between two battery modules and includes two electrical terminals; and wherein the first contact clip of each of the two adapters is adapted to clamp the output electrode of the corresponding battery module, and the second contact clip of each of the two adapters is adapted to clamp the corresponding electrical terminal of the electrical connection member.

[0030] In some alternative forms, the electrical connection member includes two substantially sheet-like electrical terminals and a substantially sheet-like connection member body connecting the two electrical terminals; wherein, the two electrical terminals extend substantially perpendicular or parallel to the connection member body.

[0031] The adapter and the electrical connection assembly according to the present invention can simplify the connection operation between the output electrode of the battery module and the electrical terminal of the electrical connection member, and thus can simply realize the connection between battery modules. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following alternative embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals identify the same or similar components, wherein:

[0033] Figure 1A and Figure 1B are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a housing of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3A and Figure 3B are respectively a perspective view and an exploded view of an electrical connection member of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a loading clip of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an operating member of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are respectively a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a loading member of an adapter for a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of an adapter for a battery module and a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the adapter has not been installed on the battery module;

[0040] Figure 7B is Figure 7A a cross-sectional view of the adapter in

[0041] Figure 8ASchematic diagrams of two adapters for a battery module and two battery modules according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, where the two adapters are respectively mounted to the two battery modules;

[0042] Figure 8B is Figure 8A A cross-sectional view of the output electrode of the adapter and the battery module in , where the output electrode is connected to the adapter;

[0043] Figure 9A Schematic diagram of an electrical connection assembly including two adapters and an electrical connection member and two battery modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the two adapters are respectively mounted to the two battery modules, the two electrical terminals of the electrical connection member have not been inserted into the two adapters, and the operating members of the two adapters are both in the initial positions;

[0044] Figure 9B and Figure 9C are respectively Figure 9A Cross-sectional views of the adapter and the electrical connection member in cut along different planes, where the electrical terminals of the electrical connection member have not been inserted into the adapter, and the operating member of the adapter is in the initial position;

[0045] Figure 10A Schematic diagram of an electrical connection assembly including two adapters and an electrical connection member and two battery modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the two adapters are respectively mounted to the two battery modules, the two electrical terminals of the electrical connection member are respectively inserted in place in the two adapters, and the operating members of the two adapters are both in the initial positions;

[0046] Figure 10B is Figure 10A A cross-sectional view of the adapter and the electrical connection member in , where the electrical terminals of the electrical connection member are inserted in place in the adapter, and the operating member of the adapter is in the initial position;

[0047] Figure 11A Schematic diagram of an electrical connection assembly including two adapters and an electrical connection member and two battery modules according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, where the two adapters are respectively mounted to the two battery modules, the two electrical terminals of the electrical connection member are respectively inserted in place in the two adapters, and the operating members of the two adapters are both in the operating positions;

[0048] Figure 11B and Figure 11C are respectively Figure 11A Cross-sectional views of the adapter and the electrical connection member in cut along different planes, where the electrical terminals of the electrical connection member are inserted in place in the adapter, and the operating member of the adapter is in the operating position;

[0049] Figure 12AAnd Figure 12B are respectively Figure 3A a perspective view and an exploded view of a variant of the electrical connection member in

[0050] Figure 13A is Figure 9A a schematic diagram of a variant of the electrical connection assembly in

[0051] Figure 13B and two battery modules, wherein the two battery modules are electrically connected through this variant of the electrical connection assembly; Figure 13A an electrical connection member of a variant of the electrical connection assembly in

[0052] Figure 14 is Figure 9A a schematic diagram of another variant of the electrical connection assembly in and two battery modules, wherein the two battery modules are electrically connected through this variant of the electrical connection assembly.

[0053] The implementation and use of the embodiments will be discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are only exemplary illustrations of specific ways of implementing and using the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention. When describing, the expressions of the structural positions of each component, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute, but relative. When each component is arranged as shown in the figure, these orientation expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of each component in the figure change, these orientation expressions also change accordingly.

[0054] The terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified, the terms "mounted", "connected", "connected", "fixed", etc. 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0055] Referring to Figure 1A , Figure 7A , Figure 9A and Figure 11A , the battery module 1 may include a plurality of battery cells 10 connected in series or in parallel with each other, a module end plate 11 for holding these battery cells 10 together, and positive and negative output electrodes 12 (which may also be simply referred to as output electrodes 12) for charging and discharging the entire module. The battery cells 10 may have a generally cuboid-shaped metal casing. The output electrodes 12 may be in the form of sheets and extend generally perpendicular to the height direction of the battery cells 10.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection assembly 2 can be used to achieve mechanical and electrical connections between two battery modules 1. The electrical connection assembly 2 can include two adapters 20 and an electrical connection member 30. The electrical connection member 30 can be configured to establish an electrical connection between two battery modules 1. The electrical connection member 30 can be in the form of a bus bar and can include two electrical terminals 31. Each adapter 20 is configured to connect the output electrode 12 of a corresponding battery module 1 to the corresponding electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30. Specifically, each adapter 20 can be mounted to a corresponding battery module 1 and connected to the output electrode 12 of that battery module 1, and each adapter 20 can also be connected to the corresponding electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30. In this way, the two output electrodes 12 of the two battery modules 1 can be connected to each other through the electrical connection assembly 2 including two adapters 20 and an electrical connection member 30.

[0057] It is conceivable that in other embodiments, the electrical connection assembly can also include other suitable numbers of adapters, and the electrical connection member can also include other suitable numbers of electrical terminals. For example, the electrical connection assembly can include more than two adapters and the electrical connection member can include more than two electrical terminals to achieve electrical connections between more battery modules.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection member 30 can further include a connection member body 32 connecting the two electrical terminals 31. Each electrical terminal 31 can extend substantially perpendicular to the connection member body 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the middle part of the connection member body 32 can have a bending portion 33 to allow the connection member body 32 to elastically deform along the length direction of the connection member body 32 during the connection between the electrical connection member 30 and the adapter 20 so as to absorb installation deviations / tolerances, and can also absorb vibrations after the connection between the electrical connection member 30 and the adapter 20 is completed.

[0059] Referring to Figures 1A to 3B and Figures 7A to 9B , in the illustrated embodiment, the two adapters 20 are mirror-symmetrical to each other and have the same working principle. The structure of one of the adapters will be described below.

[0060] The adapter 20 can be mounted to the module end plate 11 of the battery module 1, and the adapter 20 includes a housing 100 and an electrical connector 200. The housing 100 includes a first limiting structure 102, and the first limiting structure 102 is adapted to cooperate with the second limiting structure 13 of the module end plate 11 when the adapter 20 is mounted in place on the module end plate 11 to limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1. The electrical connector 200 is disposed within the housing 100. The electrical connector 200 is made of a conductive material and includes a first contact clip 202 and a second contact clip 204. The first contact clip 202 and the second contact clip 204 are electrically connected to each other. The first contact clip 202 defines a first receiving channel 206 for the output electrode 12 to be inserted along a first direction D1, and the second contact clip 204 defines a second receiving channel 208 for the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be inserted along a second direction D2. The first contact clip 202 is adapted to clamp the output electrode 12 when the output electrode 12 is inserted in place in the first receiving channel 206, and the second contact clip 204 is adapted to clamp the electrical terminal 31 when the electrical terminal 31 is inserted in place in the second receiving channel 208.

[0061] For the above-mentioned adapter 20, the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 and the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 can be respectively inserted into the first contact clip 202 and the second contact clip 204 of the electrical connector 200, so that the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 is electrically connected to the electrical connection member 30 through the electrical connector 200, without the need for complex welding and screwing operations as in the prior art. The adapter 20 also allows the orientation / extension direction of the first receiving channel 206 of the first contact clip 202 and the second receiving channel 208 of the second contact clip 204 to be reasonably set to adapt to the extension directions of the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 and the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30, thereby eliminating the need for bending the output electrode in the prior art. In addition, the first limiting structure 102 of the adapter 20 can cooperate with the second limiting structure 13 of the module end plate 11, so that the adapter 20 is held on the battery module 1. In other words, the adapter 20 can be self-held on the battery module 1 without additional fastening members.

[0062] Refer to Figures 1A to 3B And Figure 8B, the housing 100 may include a housing body 104 and a cover 106. The housing body 104 and the cover 106 may be made of an insulating polymer material to provide electrical protection for the user. The housing body 104 may have a hollow elongated shape and define a length direction L. The housing body 104 may have two opposite ends 108a, 108b in the length direction L, one of the two ends 108a being closed and the other end 108b being open. The cover 106 may be detachably mounted to the open end 108b of the housing body 104 to cover the open end 108b. The detachable mounting of the cover 106 to the housing body 104 may facilitate the installation of the components within the housing 100.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing body 104 may include a top plate 110, a base 112, a first side plate 114, and a second side plate 116 that extend substantially parallel to the length direction L. The first side plate 114 and the second side plate 116 are opposite to each other, and the top plate 110 and the base 112 are opposite to each other. The first side plate 114 and the second side plate 116 extend perpendicular to the top plate 110. The top edges of the first side plate 114 and the second side plate 116 are connected to each other by the top plate 110, and the bottom edges of the first side plate 114 and the second side plate 116 are connected to each other by the base 112. For ease of description hereinafter, an XYZ rectangular coordinate system is introduced, wherein the X direction is the length direction L of the housing body 104, the Y direction is perpendicular to the first side plate 114 and the second side plate 116, and the Z direction is perpendicular to the top plate 110.

[0064] The housing body 104 may include a slit 118 and an opening 120. The slit 118 may be provided at the first side plate 114. The slit 118 may be aligned with the first receiving channel 206 of the first contact clip 202 to allow the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 to be inserted into the first contact clip 202 via the slit 118. The opening 120 may be provided at the top of the housing body 104 and adjacent to the top plate 110. The opening 120 may be substantially aligned with the second receiving channel 208 of the second contact clip 204, and the function of the opening 120 will be described hereinafter. The housing body 104 may further include a plurality of notches 122 provided at the edge of the opening 120, and the function of these notches 122 will be described hereinafter.

[0065] Continuing to refer to Figures 1A to 2 and Figure 7A and Figure 8A, the module end plate 11 may include an installation groove 14, and the installation groove 14 may be arranged adjacent to the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1. The housing 100 of the adapter 20 may be installed in the installation groove 14. The first limiting structure 102 may include the outer contour of the housing 100. The second limiting structure 13 may include the inner contour of the installation groove 14. The outer contour of the housing 100 may be configured to be adapted to the shape of the inner contour of the installation groove 14 to limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1.

[0066] The module end plate 11 includes a first surface 17 facing the battery cells 10 of the battery module 1 and a second surface 18 opposite to the first surface 17. The housing 100 includes a first side surface 128 facing the battery cells 10 of the battery module 1 and a second side surface 130 opposite to the first side surface 128. The housing 100 may be configured such that when the adapter 20 is installed in place on the module end plate 11, the second side surface 130 is substantially flush with the second surface 18 or recessed relative to the second surface 18, and / or the first side surface 128 is substantially flush with the first surface 17 or recessed relative to the first surface 17. Thus, the adapter 20 can be better integrated in the module end plate 11 without protruding relative to the first surface 17 and / or the second surface 18 of the module end plate 11. In other words, the adapter 20 can be easily applied to various battery modules and occupies less space. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 100 is configured such that when the adapter 20 is installed in place on the module end plate 11, the first side surface 128 is substantially flush with the first surface 17, and the second side surface 130 is substantially flush with the second surface 18.

[0067] The housing 100 may be configured to be installed in the installation groove 14 in a direction opposite to the first direction D1, so as to allow the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 to be inserted into the first receiving channel 206 of the first contact clip 202 while the housing 100 is being installed into the installation groove 14. The outer contour of the housing 100 may be configured to cooperate with the inner contour of the installation groove 14 in shape to limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 / Y direction.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer contour of the housing body 104 includes two recessed portions 124 located at the base 112 (see Figure 2 ), correspondingly, the inner contour of the installation groove 14 includes two protruding portions 15 (see Figure 7A and Figure 8A ), and each recessed portion 124 may cooperate / engage with the corresponding protruding portion 15 to limit the movement of the housing 100 relative to the module end plate 11 in the X direction and the Z direction, that is, to limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1 in the X direction and the Z direction.

[0069] Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、Figures 3A to 4 and Figures 8A to 9B The electrical connector 200 can be held / fixed within the housing 100. The electrical connector 200 can be made of copper or a copper alloy to obtain good electrical conductivity. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 200 can include a substantially Z-shaped connecting conductor 209, and the first contact clip 202 can be electrically connected to the second contact clip 204 through the connecting conductor 209. The first contact clip 202 and the second contact clip 204 can each be formed by stamping. The connecting conductor 209 can be integrally formed by, for example, powder metallurgy. The connecting conductor 209 can include a first section 210, a second section 212, and a third section 214. The first section 210 and the second section 212 are respectively located at opposite ends of the third section 214 and are connected to each other through the third section 214. The first section 210 and the second section 212 can be welded to the first contact clip 202 and the second contact clip 204 respectively. The cross-sectional area of the third section 214 can be larger than the cross-sectional area of the first section 210 and larger than the cross-sectional area of the second section 212 to improve the current-carrying capacity of the electrical connector 200. Herein, the cross-sectional area of each section of the connecting conductor 209 refers to the cross-sectional area along a plane perpendicular to the current conduction direction.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the first contact clip 202 can include a first end wall 216 and a plurality of contact wings 218a, 218b extending from the first end wall 216. The plurality of contact wings 218a, 218b together define a first receiving channel 206. The first section 210 of the connecting conductor 209 can be welded to the inner surface of the first end wall 216 of the first contact clip 202 facing the inside of the first contact clip 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of contact wings can include a first contact wing 218a and a plurality of second contact wings 218b / a row of second contact wings 218b. The width of the first contact wing 218a is greater than the width of the second contact wing 218b. The first contact wing 218a and the row of second contact wings 218b are opposite to each other to define a first receiving channel 206 therebetween. As Figure 8B shown, the output electrode 12 can be inserted into the first receiving channel 206 along the first direction D1 (i.e., along the Y direction and towards the inside of the housing 100). The adapter 20 can be configured such that when the adapter 20 is mounted in place on the module end plate 11 (i.e., the first limiting structure 102 of the adapter 20 and the second limiting structure 13 of the module end plate 11 complete their mutual cooperation), the output electrode 12 is inserted in place in the first receiving channel 206. In this way, the electrical connection between the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 and the electrical connector 200 of the adapter 20 can be achieved while the adapter 20 is mounted on the battery module 1, and the operation is simple.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the second contact clip 204 may include a second end wall 220 and a plurality of contact arms 222 extending from the second end wall 220. The plurality of contact arms 222 together define a second receiving channel 208. A second section 212 of the connecting conductor 209 may be welded to an inner surface of the second end wall 220 of the second contact clip 204 facing the interior of the second contact clip 204. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of contact arms 222 may include two rows of contact arms 222. The two rows of contact arms 222 face each other to define the second receiving channel 208 therebetween. As Figure 9B shown, the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 may be inserted into the second receiving channel 208 along the second direction D2 (i.e., along the Z direction and towards the interior of the housing 100). In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction D1 is substantially perpendicular to the second direction D2. More specifically, the first direction D1 is substantially parallel to the extension plane of the output electrode 12, and the second direction D2 is substantially perpendicular to the extension plane of the output electrode 12. This can eliminate the need to bend the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1 and also allow the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be inserted vertically from above, for example, the battery module 1 into the second contact clip 204 of the adapter 20, thus facilitating the implementation of an automated connection operation, which will be more easily understood in conjunction with the following text.

[0072] To enhance the connection between the first contact clip 202 and the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1, and / or the connection between the second contact clip 204 and the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30, a loading structure for loading the first contact clip 202 and / or the second contact clip 204 may also be provided, which is particularly advantageous in cases where the first contact clip 202 and / or the second contact clip 204 may be made of, for example, pure copper and may have insufficient stiffness and clamping force.

[0073] Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、 Figures 3A to 4 and Figures 7A to 8B as well, the adapter 20 may further include a loading clip 300 for loading the first contact clip 202. The loading clip 300 may be disposed within the housing 100. The loading clip 300 may be sleeved outside the first contact clip 202 and configured to apply a loading force to the first contact clip 202 to increase the clamping force of the first contact clip 202 on the output electrode 12, thereby increasing the electrical and mechanical connection between the first contact clip 202 and the output electrode 12. The loading clip 300 may be made of a metallic material and formed by stamping. Optionally, the loading clip 300 may be made of spring steel.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, the loading clip 300 may have a structure similar to that of the first contact clip 202. The loading clip 300 includes a third end wall 302 and a plurality of loading wings 304a, 304b extending from the third end wall 302. The plurality of loading wings 304a, 304b together define a third receiving channel 306 for receiving the first contact clip 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of loading wings may include a first loading wing 304a and a plurality of second loading wings 304b / a row of second loading wings 304b. The width of the first loading wing 304a is greater than the width of the second loading wing 304b. The first loading wing 304a and the row of second loading wings 304b are opposite to each other to define a third receiving channel 306 therebetween for receiving the first contact clip 202.

[0075] When the loading clip 300 is not sleeved outside the first contact clip 202, the minimum distance between the first loading wing 304a and the row of second loading wings 304b of the loading clip 300 may be slightly less than the minimum distance between the first contact wing 218a and the row of second contact wings 218b of the first contact clip 202. Thus, when the loading clip 300 is sleeved outside the first contact clip 202, the loading clip 300 can apply a loading force to the first contact clip 202, wherein the first loading wing 304a can abut against the first contact wing 218a, and the plurality of second loading wings 304b can abut against the plurality of second contact wings 218b.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the first contact clip 202 has one first contact wing 218a and six second contact wings 218b. Correspondingly, the loading clip 300 has one first loading wing 304a and six second loading wings 304b. It is conceivable that the first contact clip and the loading clip may also have other suitable structures; for example, the first contact clip has other numbers of first contact wings and second contact wings, and the loading clip has other numbers of first loading wings and second loading wings; or, for another example, the loading clip may have two first loading wings opposite to each other and no second loading wings.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, the loading clip 300 may include a first anchoring tab 308 extending towards the inside of the loading clip 300, and the first contact clip 202 may include a second anchoring tab 224 extending towards the inside of the second contact clip 202. As Figure 8BAs shown, the first anchoring tab 308 and the second anchoring tab 224 can be adjacent to or in contact with each other, and the first anchoring tab 308 and the second anchoring tab 224 can be configured to engage with the retaining holes 16 on the output electrode 12 when the output electrode 12 is inserted in place in the first receiving channel 206, so as to limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the output electrode 12 in the first direction D1 / Y direction, and further limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1 in the first direction D1 / Y direction. In this way, the adapter 20 can limit the movement of the adapter 20 relative to the battery module 1 in the X, Y, and Z directions through the cooperation of the above-mentioned first limiting structure 102 and the second limiting structure 13, as well as the engagement of the first anchoring tab 308 and the second anchoring tab 224 with the retaining holes 16, so as to firmly hold the adapter 20 on the battery module 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the loading clip 300 includes two first anchoring tabs 308, the first contact clip 202 includes two second anchoring tabs 224, and two retaining holes 16 are provided on the output electrode 12. Among them, each first anchoring tab 308 contacts a corresponding second anchoring tab 224 and jointly engages with a corresponding retaining hole 16. It can be envisaged that the loading clip can include other suitable numbers of first anchoring tabs, the first contact clip can include other suitable numbers of second anchoring tabs, and other suitable numbers of retaining holes can be provided on the output electrode.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the loading clip 300 may further include two limiting tabs 310 extending from two second loading wings 304b at opposite ends of the loading clip 300. These two limiting tabs 310 can limit or hold the first contact clip 202 inside the loading clip 300.

[0079] Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、 Figures 5A to 6B and Figures 9A to 11B , the adapter 20 may further include a hollow loading member 400 for loading the second contact clip 204 and a hollow operating member 500 for operating the loading member 400.

[0080] The operating member 500 may be at least partially disposed within the housing 100. The operating member 500 is capable of moving relative to the housing 100 between an initial position (see Figure 9A and Figure 9B and Figure 10A and Figure 10B ) and an operating position (see Figure 11A and Figure 11B ). The loading member 400 may be fixed to the operating member 500 and be capable of moving relative to the housing 100 between an unloaded position (see Figure 9B and Figure 10B ) and a loaded position (seeFigure 11B ) move therebetween. The loading member 400 is in the loading position when the operating member 500 is in the operating position and is adapted to apply a loading force to the second contact clip 204 to increase the clamping force of the second contact clip 204 on the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30. The loading member 400 is in the non-loading position when the operating member 500 is in the initial position and is adapted to release the above-mentioned loading force (i.e., not apply a loading force to the second contact clip 204). Thus, when the operating member 500 is in the initial position, the clamping force of the second contact clip 204 is relatively small to allow the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be inserted into and withdrawn from the second contact clip 204 relatively easily, while when the operating member 500 is in the operating position, the clamping force of the second contact clip 204 is relatively large, which can increase the contact force between the second contact clip 204 and the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30, thereby enhancing the mechanical connection and electrical connection between the second contact clip 204 and the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30. This can further facilitate the repeated connection and disconnection of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 with the adapter 20 (in other words, facilitate the repeated connection and disconnection between the battery modules 1), and is not likely to damage the surface structure of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30.

[0081] Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B , Figures 5A to 5B and Figure 9B and Figure 11B , the operating member 500 can be sleeved outside the loading member 400. The operating member 500 can have a generally cuboid shape, and the top 502 and bottom 504 of the operating member 500 are open. The operating member 500 includes a first wall section 506, a second wall section 508, a third wall section 510, and a fourth wall section 512 that are connected in sequence. The first wall section 506 and the third wall section 510 are opposite to each other, and the second wall section 508 and the fourth wall section 512 are opposite to each other. The first wall section 506 and the third wall section 510 extend substantially perpendicular to the second wall section 508 and the fourth wall section 512. At least a part of the operating member 500 can be installed inside the housing 100 via the opening 120 of the housing 100. The operating member 500 can be made of a polymer material by injection molding.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall section 506 of the operating member 500 includes a limiting rib 514, a first recess 516, and a second recess 518 on its outer side. The first recess 516 and the second recess 518 are adjacent to the limiting rib 514 in the second direction D2 / Z direction and are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the limiting rib 514. The operating member 500 can further include a shoulder 520, which is provided at the open top 502 of the operating member 500. Correspondingly, the first side plate 114 of the housing 100 includes a limiting protrusion 126 provided on its inner surface.

[0083] As Figure 9B shown, when the operating member 500 is in the initial position, the limiting protrusion 126 of the housing 100 is received in the first recess 516 of the operating member 500 and is adjacent to the limiting rib 514. At this time, the limiting protrusion 126 of the housing 100 can abut against the inner edge of the first recess 516 of the operating member 500 to limit the movement of the operating member 500 in the direction opposite to the second direction D2, and the limiting protrusion 126 of the housing 100 can abut against the limiting rib 514 of the operating member 500 to limit the movement of the operating member 500 in the second direction D2, so as to hold the operating member 500 in the initial position. When the operating member 500 is subjected to a pressure in the second direction D2, the first wall portion segment 506 of the operating member 500 can be locally elastically deformed in response to the mechanical interference between the limiting rib 514 and the limiting protrusion 126 to allow the limiting protrusion 126 to move out of the first recess 516 and allow the operating member 500 to move in the second direction D2 towards the operating position. As Figure 11B shown, when the operating member 500 is in the operating position, the limiting protrusion 126 is received in the second recess 518. At this time, the shoulder 520 of the operating member 500 can abut against the edge of the opening 120 of the housing 100 to limit the movement of the operating member 500 in the second direction D2, and the limiting rib 514 can abut against the limiting protrusion 126 to limit the movement of the operating member 500 in the direction opposite to the second direction D2, so as to hold the operating member 500 in the operating position.

[0084] In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall portion segment 506 of the operating member 500 includes two limiting ribs 514, and corresponding first recesses 516 and second recesses 518 are provided on opposite sides of each limiting rib 514; correspondingly, the first side plate 114 of the housing 100 is provided with two limiting protrusions 126. It can be understood that the first wall portion segment of the operating member may also include other suitable numbers of limiting ribs, first recesses and second recesses, and correspondingly, the first side plate of the housing may also include other suitable numbers of limiting protrusions.

[0085] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the third wall portion segment 510 of the operating member 500 is also provided with limiting ribs, first recesses and second recesses, and correspondingly, the second side plate 116 of the housing 100 is also provided with limiting protrusions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0086] As Figure 5A 、 Figure 7A and Figure 8BAs shown, when the adapter 20 is embedded in the module end plate 11 of the battery module 1, the first wall section 506 of the operating member 500 is closer to the battery cell 10 of the battery module 1 than the third wall section 510. A groove 526 is provided at the top of the first wall section 506 of the operating member 500 to avoid mechanical interference between the operating member 500 and the electrical connection member 30 when the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 is inserted in place within the second contact clip 204 (as Figure 11B shown).

[0087] Referring to Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、 Figures 5A to 6B as well as Figure 9B and Figure 11B , the loading member 400 may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with its top 402 and bottom 404 open. The loading member 400 may include a first wall section 406, a second wall section 408, a third wall section 410, and a fourth wall section 412 that are connected in sequence, wherein the first wall section 406 and the third wall section 410 are opposite each other, the second wall section 408 and the fourth wall section 412 are opposite each other, and the first wall section 406 and the third wall section 410 extend substantially perpendicular to the second wall section 408 and the fourth wall section 412. The loading member 400 may be fixed within the operating member 500 such that the first wall section 506 is adjacent to the first wall section 406, the second wall section 508 is adjacent to the second wall section 408, the third wall section 510 is adjacent to the third wall section 410, and the fourth wall section 512 is adjacent to the fourth wall section 412. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall section 506 and the third wall section 510 of the operating member 500 are each provided with a plurality of retaining bumps 522, and correspondingly, the first wall section 406 and the third wall section 410 of the loading member 400 are each provided with a plurality of retaining openings 414, and each retaining bump 522 may engage with a corresponding retaining opening 414 to fix the loading member 400 within the operating member 500. The loading member 400 may be made of a metallic material and formed by stamping. Optionally, the loading member 400 is made of spring steel.

[0088] In the illustrated embodiment, the first wall section 406 and the third wall section 410 of the loading member 400 are each provided with a plurality of loading arms 416 that extend toward the interior of the loading member 400. Each of the plurality of loading arms 416 is adapted to press a corresponding contact arm 222 of the second contact clip 204 in a direction toward the second receiving channel 208 when the loading member 400 is in the loading position to apply a loading force to the second contact clip 204 to increase the clamping force of the second contact clip 204, as Figure 11BAs shown. Each of the plurality of loading arms 416 is also adapted to disengage from the corresponding contact arm 222 when the loading member 400 is in the non-loading position, so as to release the loading force on the second contact clip 204, as Figure 9B shown.

[0089] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first wall section 406 and the third wall section 410 of the loading member 400 has six loading arms 416, and the second contact clip 204 has two rows of contact arms 222, and each row of contact arms includes six contact arms 222. It is conceivable that the loading member may have other suitable numbers of loading arms, and the second contact clip may have other suitable numbers of contact arms.

[0090] As Figure 9B and Figure 11B shown, the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 is adapted to be inserted into the second receiving channel 208 along the second direction D2 through the operating member 500 and the loading member 400. The loading member 400 includes a first guiding portion 418a and a second guiding portion 418b which are oppositely arranged and symmetric to each other. The first guiding portion 418a and the second guiding portion 418b are configured to guide the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be inserted into the second receiving channel 208 through the gap 422 between the first guiding portion 418a and the second guiding portion 418b, so as to prevent the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 from tilting or twisting during the insertion process. The width w of the gap 422 may be substantially equal to the thickness t of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30. The electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 can be inserted into the second contact clip 204 through the open top 502 of the operating member 500 and the gap 422 of the loading member 400.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the loading member 400 includes two first guiding portions 418a and two second guiding portions 418b. Each first guiding portion 418a extends from the first wall section 406 towards the interior of the loading member 400, and each second guiding portion 418b extends from the third wall section 410 towards the interior of the loading member 400. The free end of each first guiding portion 418a and the free end of a corresponding second guiding portion 418b define a gap 422 therebetween. The free end of each first guiding portion 418a and the free end of each second guiding portion 418b are both in an arc shape to guide the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be smoothly inserted into the second receiving channel 208. It is conceivable that the loading member 400 may include other suitable numbers and configurations of first guiding portions and second guiding portions.

[0092] Referring to Figures 5A to 6B and Figure 9C and Figure 11C, the loading member 400 may further include at least one retaining arm 424. The retaining arm 424 includes a retaining protrusion 426. The retaining protrusion 426 is configured to engage with a retaining recess 34 on the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 when the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 is inserted in place in the second receiving channel 208, thereby preventing the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 from moving out of the second receiving channel 208, as Figure 11C shown. In the illustrated embodiment, one retaining arm 424 is provided on each of the second wall section 408 and the fourth wall section 412 of the loading member 400, and the retaining protrusion 426 of each retaining arm 424 extends toward the interior of the loading member 400; the electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30 include two retaining recesses 34 on opposite sides thereof, and the retaining protrusion 426 of each retaining arm 424 is adapted to engage with the corresponding retaining recess 34.

[0093] The retaining arm 424 may be configured to be elastically deformable in a transverse direction T that is generally transverse to the second direction D2 and toward the exterior of the loading member 400 to allow the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to move over the retaining protrusion 426 and selectively move into or out of the second receiving channel 208. Thus, during the insertion of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 into the adapter 20, the end of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 first mechanically interferes with the retaining protrusion 426 of the retaining arm 424 to cause the retaining arm 424 to elastically deform in the transverse direction T and toward the exterior of the loading member 400 to allow the electrical terminal 31 to move over the retaining protrusion 426. When the electrical terminal 31 is further inserted into the second receiving channel 208 until the retaining recess 34 and the retaining protrusion 426 are generally aligned with each other in the transverse direction T, the retaining arm 424 resumes its elastic deformation and the retaining protrusion 426 engages with the retaining recess 34 to prevent the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 from moving out of the second receiving channel 208.

[0094] The operating member 500 may include at least one limiting arm 524. In the illustrated embodiment, one limiting arm 524 is provided on each of the second wall section 508 and the fourth wall section 512 of the operating member 500. Each limiting arm 524 of the operating member 500 is adjacent to the corresponding retaining arm 424 of the loading member 400 in the transverse direction T. The adapter 20 is configured such that: the limiting arm 524 can be elastically deformed in the transverse direction T and toward the exterior of the operating member 500 when the operating member 500 is in the Figure 9C initial position shown, to allow the corresponding retaining arm 424 to be elastically deformed in the transverse direction T and toward the exterior of the loading member 400, thereby allowing the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to selectively move into or out of the second receiving channel 208, and the limiting arm 524 when the operating member 500 is in the Figure 11CWhen in the shown operating position, the elastic deformation along the transverse direction T and towards the outside of the operating member 500 is blocked by the housing 100, thereby hindering the elastic deformation of the corresponding holding arm 424 (for example, hindering the disengaging engagement between the holding recess 34 and the corresponding holding protrusion 426), so as to limit the insertion or removal of the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 into or out of the second receiving channel 208.

[0095] When the operating member 500 is in the initial position, the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 is allowed to be smoothly inserted into the second receiving channel 208. After the electrical terminal 31 is inserted in place in the second receiving channel 208, the operating member 500 can be moved from the initial position to the operating position to prevent the electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 from being removed from the second receiving channel 208. In other words, the electrical terminal 31 is locked within the adapter 20.

[0096] Similarly, when it is necessary to remove the electrical terminal 31 from the adapter 20, the operating member 500 needs to be first moved from the operating position to the initial position, and then the electrical terminal 31 is removed from the second receiving channel 208. Refer to Figure 11A and Figure 11B , as described above, when the operating member 500 is in the operating position, the shoulder 520 of the operating member 500 abuts against the edge of the opening 120 of the housing 100. A tool (such as a screwdriver) can be inserted into the notch 122 at the edge of the opening 120 of the housing 100 to apply a force to the shoulder 520 of the operating member 500 to move the operating member 500 from the operating position to the initial position.

[0097] Next, in conjunction with Figures 7A to 11C Describe an exemplary process of using the electrical connection assembly 2 including two adapters 20 and an electrical connection member 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to connect two battery modules 1.

[0098] First, as Figures 7A to 8BAs shown, first, two adapters 20 are respectively installed into the installation grooves 14 of the module end plates 11 of two battery modules 1 in directions opposite to the first direction D1. Among them, the operating members 500 of each adapter 20 are in their initial positions. As described above, the output electrodes 12 of each battery module 1 can be inserted into place in the first receiving channels 206 of the first contact clips 202 while the corresponding adapters 20 are installed in place in the installation grooves 14, so as to be electrically and mechanically connected to the first contact clips 202 of the adapters 20. The loading clips 300 can enhance the electrical and mechanical connections between the first contact clips 202 and the output electrodes 12. At this time, the first limiting structures 102 of the adapters 20 cooperate with the second limiting structures 13 of the installation grooves 14, and the first anchoring tabs 308 of the loading clips 300 and the second anchoring tabs 224 of the first contact clips 202 engage with the holding holes 16 of the output electrodes 12, restricting the movement of the adapters 20 relative to the battery modules 1 in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, thereby firmly holding the adapters 20 on the battery modules 1.

[0099] Then, as Figures 9A to 9C shown, the electrical connection member 30 can be placed above the two battery modules 1, and the two electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30 are respectively aligned with the open tops 502 of the operating members 500 of the two adapters 20. At this time, the operating members 500 of each adapter 20 are still in their initial positions, allowing each electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 to be smoothly inserted into the second receiving channels 208 of the corresponding adapters 20.

[0100] Next, the electrical connection member 30 can be moved along the second direction D2, so that each electrical terminal 31 of the electrical connection member 30 is inserted into the second receiving channels 208 of the second contact clips 204 via the open tops 502 of the operating members 500 of the corresponding adapters 20 and the gaps 422 of the loading members 400 until each electrical terminal 31 is inserted into place in the corresponding second receiving channels 208, as Figures 10A to 10B shown. At this time, the holding recesses 34 of each electrical terminal 31 engage with the holding protrusions 426 of the loading members 400 of the corresponding adapters 20.

[0101] Finally, as Figures 11A to 11C shown, the operating members 500 can be moved from the initial positions to the operating positions along the second direction D2. At this time, as described above, the loading members 400 of each adapter 20 move to the loading positions to enhance the electrical and mechanical connections between the second contact clips 204 and the electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30. At the same time, the limiting arms 524 of the operating members 500 of each adapter 20 will hinder the separation of the holding protrusions 426 of the loading members 400 from the holding recesses 34 of the electrical terminals 31 by means of the stopping action of the housing 100, further strengthening the mechanical connection between the adapters 20 and the electrical terminals 31.

[0102] In this way, the output electrodes 12 of the two battery modules 1 are well electrically connected and firmly mechanically connected through the two adapters 20 and the electrical connection member 30. Moreover, during the above connection process, only the two adapters 20 need to be installed on the two battery modules 1 in the direction opposite to the first direction D1, and then the electrical connection member 30 and the operating member 500 are moved in the second direction D2, so that the connection between the two battery modules 1 can be completed. This connection operation is simple, easy to achieve mechanical automation connection, and requires a small operating space. In addition, after the connection operation is completed, the two adapters 20 are respectively embedded in the module end plates 11 of the two battery modules 1, the two electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30 are accommodated in the two adapters 20, and the connection member body 32 of the electrical connection member 30 can be close to the top of the battery module 1 and is substantially parallel to the output electrode 12 of the battery module 1, so that the entire electrical connection assembly 2 occupies a very small space, which helps to improve the space utilization rate in the battery pack and further improve the energy density of the battery pack. Furthermore, by connecting the two battery modules 1 through the electrical connection assembly 2, the structure of the battery module 1 itself is changed less, so that the electrical connection assembly 2 can be widely applied to various battery modules.

[0103] Figures 1 to Figure 11C The embodiments shown only show the shapes, sizes and arrangement manners of the respective optional components of the adapter 20 and the electrical connection assembly 2 for the battery module 1 according to the present invention. However, they are only illustrative and not restrictive. Without departing from the idea and scope of the present invention, other shapes, sizes and arrangement manners can also be adopted.

[0104] For example, Figure 12A and Figure 12B show a variant of the electrical connection member of the adapter. Figure 12A and Figure 12B The electrical connection member 200 in can include a connection member body 226 and a current-carrying block 228. Both the connection member body 226 and the current-carrying block 228 can be made of a metal material, preferably made of copper or a copper alloy, to obtain good electrical conductivity. The connection member body 226 can be integrally formed by stamping. The connection member body 226 can include a first contact clip 202 and a second contact clip 204 on both sides thereof and a transition section 230 connecting the first contact clip 202 and the second contact clip 204. The current-carrying block 228 can be welded to the transition section 230 to improve the current-carrying capacity of the electrical connection member 200.

[0105] Again, for example, Figure 13A and Figure 13B show a variant of the electrical connection assembly, and the main difference between it and the electrical connection assembly in Figure 9A lies in the structures of the electrical connection member and the operating member. Figure 13A and Figure 13BThe two electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30 of the electrical connection assembly 2 therein can extend substantially parallel to the connection member body 32. After the two battery modules 1 are connected by the electrical connection assembly 2, the connection member body 32 of the electrical connection member 30 can be close to the module end plate 11 of the battery module 1 and substantially parallel to the module end plate 11 of the battery module 1. It is possible to selectively use Figure 9A the electrical connection member therein or the electrical connection member in FIG. 13 to achieve different arrangement positions of the electrical connection member to adapt to the space distribution within different battery packs. In Figure 13A the embodiment shown, the connection member body 32 of the electrical connection member 30 has a bent portion 33; it can be understood that in some other embodiments, the connection member body of the electrical connection member may not have a bent portion. In Figure 13A the embodiment shown, the groove 526 of the operating member 500 is provided at a third wall portion section relatively far from the battery cells 10 of the battery module 1 to avoid mechanical interference between the operating member 500 and the electrical connection member 30 when the electrical terminals 31 of the electrical connection member 30 are inserted in place within the second contact clip.

[0106] For another example, Figure 14 shows another variant of the electrical connection assembly, the main difference of which from the electrical connection assembly in Figure 9A is the structure of the electrical connection member. Figure 14 In the electrical connection assembly 2 therein, the connection member body 32 of the electrical connection member 30 is substantially flat and does not have a bent portion.

[0107] It should also be understood that the various components and features described herein can be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to polymers, rubbers, metals, and other suitable materials or combinations of materials well known to those skilled in the art.

[0108] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can easily make modifications, variations, and equivalents of these embodiments based on the disclosed content. For example, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. The present disclosure is intended to cover these modifications, variations, and equivalents. The description of the above embodiments is exemplary rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An adapter (20) for a battery module (1), characterized in that, The adapter (20) is configured to connect the output electrode (12) of the battery module (1) to the electrical connection member (30). The adapter (20) is adapted to be mounted to the module end plate (11) of the battery module (1) and includes: A housing (100), the housing (100) including a first limiting structure (102), the first limiting structure (102) being adapted to cooperate with a second limiting structure (13) of the module end plate (11) when the adapter (20) is mounted in place on the module end plate (11) to limit the movement of the adapter (20) relative to the battery module (1); and An electrical connector (200), the electrical connector (200) being disposed within the housing (100), the electrical connector (200) being made of a conductive material and including a first contact clip (202) and a second contact clip (204); Wherein, the first contact clip (202) and the second contact clip (204) are electrically connected to each other; wherein, the first contact clip (202) defines a first receiving channel (206) for the output electrode (12) to be inserted along a first direction (D1), the second contact clip (204) defines a second receiving channel (208) for an electrical terminal (31) of the electrical connection member (30) to be inserted along a second direction (D2); and wherein, the first contact clip (202) is adapted to clamp the output electrode (12) when the output electrode (12) is inserted in place within the first receiving channel (206), and the second contact clip (204) is adapted to clamp the electrical terminal (31) when the electrical terminal (31) is inserted in place within the second receiving channel (208).

2. The adapter (20) according to claim 1, wherein, The adapter (20) is configured such that: when the adapter (20) is mounted in place on the module end plate (11), the output electrode (12) is inserted in place within the first receiving channel (206).

3. The adapter (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (100) is adapted to be mounted in a mounting groove (14) of the module end plate (11), wherein, the first limiting structure (102) includes the outer contour of the housing (100), the second limiting structure (13) includes the inner contour of the mounting groove (14), and wherein, the outer contour of the housing (100) is configured to be shape-mated with the inner contour of the mounting groove (14) to limit the movement of the adapter (20) relative to the battery module (1).

4. The adapter (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that The module end plate (11) includes a first surface (17) facing the battery cells (10) of the battery module (1) and a second surface (18) opposite to the first surface (17), wherein the housing (100) includes a first side surface (128) adapted to face the battery cells (10) of the battery module (1) and a second side surface (130) opposite to the first side surface (128); wherein the housing (100) is configured such that when the adapter (20) is mounted in place on the module end plate (11), the second side surface (130) is substantially flush with the second surface (18) or recessed relative to the second surface (18) and / or the first side surface (128) is substantially flush with the first surface (17) or recessed relative to the first surface (17).

5. The adapter (20) according to claim 3, wherein The housing (100) is configured to be mounted in the mounting groove (14) in a direction opposite to the first direction (D1), and wherein the outer contour of the housing (100) is configured to be shape - mated with the inner contour of the mounting groove (14) to restrict the movement of the adapter (20) relative to the battery module (1) in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (D1).

6. The adapter (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adapter (20) includes a loading clip (300), the loading clip (300) is disposed within the housing (100) and sleeved outside the first contact clip (202), wherein the loading clip (300) is configured to apply a loading force to the first contact clip (202) to increase the clamping force of the first contact clip (202).

7. The adapter (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that The loading clip (300) includes a first anchoring tab (308) extending towards its interior, and the first contact clip (202) includes a second anchoring tab (224) extending towards its interior, wherein the first anchoring tab (308) and the second anchoring tab (224) are adjacent to each other and are configured to engage with a retaining hole (16) on the output electrode (12) when the output electrode (12) is inserted in place in the first receiving channel (206), so as to restrict the movement of the adapter (20) relative to the battery module (1) in the first direction (D1).

8. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The adapter (20) further includes a hollow operating member (500) and a hollow loading member (400). The operating member (500) is at least partially disposed within the housing (100) and sleeved outside the loading member (400). Wherein, the operating member (500) is capable of moving relative to the housing (100) between an initial position and an operating position. Wherein, the loading member (400) is capable of moving relative to the housing (100) between an unloaded position and a loaded position as the operating member (500) moves. Wherein, the loading member (400) is in the loaded position when the operating member (500) is in the operating position and is adapted to apply a loading force to the second contact clip (204) to increase the clamping force of the second contact clip (204), and the loading member (400) is in the unloaded position when the operating member (500) is in the initial position and is adapted to release the loading force.

9. The adapter (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second contact clip (204) includes an end wall (220) and a plurality of contact arms (222) extending from the end wall (220). The plurality of contact arms (222) together define the second receiving channel (208). Wherein, the loading member (400) includes a plurality of loading arms (416) extending towards its interior. And wherein, each of the plurality of loading arms (416) is adapted to press the corresponding contact arm (222) in the direction towards the second receiving channel (208) when the loading member (400) is in the loaded position and to disengage from the corresponding contact arm (222) when the loading member (400) is in the unloaded position.

10. The adapter (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electrical terminal (31) is adapted to be inserted into the second receiving channel (208) along the second direction (D2) through the operating member (500) and the loading member (400). Wherein, the loading member (400) includes a first guiding portion (418a) and a second guiding portion (418b) which are oppositely arranged. Wherein, the first guiding portion (418a) and the second guiding portion (418b) are configured to guide the electrical terminal (31) to be inserted into the second receiving channel (208) via the gap (422) between the first guiding portion (418a) and the second guiding portion (418b).

11. The adapter (20) according to claim 8, wherein, The electrical terminal (31) is adapted to be inserted into the second receiving channel (208) along the second direction (D2) through the operating member (500) and the loading member (400). Wherein, the loading member (400) includes at least one retaining arm (424). The retaining arm (424) includes a retaining projection (426). Wherein, the retaining projection (426) is configured to be engaged with a retaining recess (34) on the electrical terminal (31) when the electrical terminal (31) is inserted in place in the second receiving channel (208) so as to prevent the electrical terminal (31) from being removed from the second receiving channel (208).

12. The adapter (20) according to claim 11, wherein The holding arm (424) is configured to be elastically deformable in a transverse direction (T) substantially transverse to the second direction (D2) and toward the outside of the loading member (400) to allow the electrical terminal (31) to move over the holding projection (426) and selectively move into or out of the second receiving channel (208).

13. The adapter (20) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The operating member (500) includes at least one limiting arm (524) adjacent to the corresponding holding arm (424) in the transverse direction (T); wherein the adapter (20) is configured such that: the limiting arm (524) can be elastically deformed in the transverse direction (T) and toward the outside of the operating member (500) when the operating member (500) is in the initial position to allow the corresponding holding arm (424) to be elastically deformed in the transverse direction (T) and toward the outside of the loading member (400), and the limiting arm (524) is blocked by the housing (100) and prevented from being elastically deformed in the transverse direction (T) and toward the outside of the operating member (500) when the operating member (500) is in the operating position, thereby hindering the elastic deformation of the corresponding holding arm (424).

14. The adapter (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The housing (100) includes an opening (120), wherein the operating member (500) is adapted to be at least partially mounted into the housing (100) via the opening (120), and wherein the operating member (500) can move relative to the housing (100) in the second direction (D2) from the initial position to the operating position.

15. The adapter (20) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The operating member (500) includes a limiting rib (514) and a first recess (516) adjacent to each other in the second direction (D2), wherein the housing (100) includes a limiting projection (126), and wherein the operating member (500) is configured such that: when the operating member (500) is in the initial position, the limiting projection (126) is received in the first recess (516), the limiting projection (126) can abut against the inner edge of the first recess (516) to limit the movement of the operating member (500) in the direction opposite to the second direction (D2), and the limiting projection (126) can abut against the limiting rib (514) to limit the movement of the operating member (500) in the second direction (D2).

16. The adapter (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The operating member (500) is configured to be locally elastically deformed in response to the mechanical interference between the limiting rib (514) and the limiting projection (126) when an external force in the second direction (D2) is applied, to allow the limiting projection (126) to move out of the first recess (516), thereby allowing the operating member (500) to move in the second direction (D2) toward the operating position.

17. The adapter (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The operating member (500) further includes a shoulder (520), wherein the operating member (500) is configured such that when the operating member (500) is in the operating position, the shoulder (520) can abut against the edge of the opening (120) to limit the movement of the operating member (500) in the second direction (D2), and the limiting protrusion (126) can abut against the limiting rib (514) to limit the movement of the operating member (500) in the direction opposite to the second direction (D2).

18. The adapter (20) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The housing (100) further includes a notch (122) provided at the edge of the opening (120) and configured to engage with a tool to move the operating member (500) from the operating position to the initial position.

19. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The electrical connector (200) includes a connector body (226) and a current-carrying block (228), wherein the connector body (226) is integrally formed by stamping and includes the first contact clip (202), the second contact clip (204), and a transition section (230), wherein the first contact clip (202) and the second contact clip (204) are connected to each other by the transition section (230), and wherein the current-carrying block (228) is welded to the transition section (230).

20. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The electrical connector (200) includes an integrally formed connecting conductor (209), the connecting conductor (209) including a first section (210), a second section (212), and a third section (214), wherein the first section (210) and the second section (212) are connected to each other by the third section (214), and the first section (210) and the second section (212) are respectively welded to the first contact clip (202) and the second contact clip (204), and wherein the cross-sectional area of the third section (214) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first section (210) and larger than the cross-sectional area of the second section (212).

21. The adapter (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first direction (D1) is substantially perpendicular to the second direction (D2).

22. An electrical connection component (2), characterized in that, The electrical connection assembly (2) includes: an electrical connection member (30) configured to establish an electrical connection between battery modules (1) and including electrical terminals (31); and an adapter (20) for a battery module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. The electrical connection assembly (2) according to claim 22, characterized in that, The electrical connection assembly (2) includes two adapters (20), wherein the electrical connection member (30) is configured to establish an electrical connection between two battery modules (1) and includes two electrical terminals (31); and wherein the first contact clip (202) of each of the two adapters (20) is adapted to clamp the output electrode (12) of the corresponding battery module (1), and the second contact clip (204) of each of the two adapters (20) is adapted to clamp the corresponding electrical terminal (31) of the electrical connection member (30).

24. The electrical connection component (2) according to claim 22, characterized in that, The electrical connection member (30) includes two substantially sheet-like electrical terminals (31) and a substantially sheet-like connection member body (32) connecting the two electrical terminals (31); wherein, the two electrical terminals (31) extend substantially perpendicular to or parallel to the connection member body (32).

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