Energy storage connector used under low-temperature working condition

Abstract

The invention relates to an energy storage connector used under a low-temperature working condition. The energy storage connector comprises a male head and a female head, the male head comprises a male head shell, at least one electrode post, at least one inner pipe, at least one outer pipe and a cooling liquid pipe, the electrode post, the inner pipe and the outer pipe are sequentially arranged from inside to outside, the cooling liquid pipe is arranged outside the outer pipe in a sleeving mode, and a gap between the inner wall of the cooling liquid pipe and the outer wall of the outer pipe is filled with cooling liquid; the cooling liquid is used as a medium for heat conduction and heat dissipation; and the female head comprises a female head shell and at least one electrode female port, the electrode female port and the electrode post are in one-to-one correspondence, and the electrode post and the electrode female port are connected in an inserted mode to achieve electrical conduction. According to the energy storage connector used under the low-temperature working condition, the temperature maintaining inner pipe has insulation and good heat conduction capacity, the conductive pole is protected against external interference, the heating wire is connected to the temperature control substrate, the heat effect is generated through proper current and voltage under the low-temperature condition, and the normal-temperature state of the wire set and the connector is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connectors, and in particular to an energy storage connector for use under low-temperature working conditions. Background Art

[0002] Energy storage connectors are electrical connectors used to connect energy storage devices. Energy storage devices typically include battery packs, supercapacitors, and other types of electrochemical energy storage devices. The output of these devices needs to be connected to other equipment through connectors. Energy storage connectors typically feature shielding and sealing to protect the connector and circuitry from external environmental influences. They also feature low resistance, high reliability, and high-temperature and corrosion resistance to ensure efficient and stable power transmission.

[0003] Energy storage facilities for power systems have become a crucial component of cities. Supercharging stations have been introduced in service areas from the eastern coastal areas to the high-altitude 318 corridor. The widespread heat dissipation issues associated with supercharging's high currents have led to the development of cooling technology. However, in high-altitude, low-temperature regions and the harsh winters of Northeast China, supercharging stations and power conversion facilities can experience various issues due to low temperatures, including decreased conductivity, increased material brittleness, freezing of connected mechanical components, and lubrication failure. Therefore, ensuring that the connection ends are always kept at the appropriate temperature and that the contact electrodes maintain a low resistance is crucial.

[0004] Existing energy storage connectors primarily focus on improving the heat dissipation capabilities of equipment. However, in Northeast China, and even in high-altitude and high-latitude areas, the expansion of power equipment is inevitable in the future. The following two scenarios need to be addressed and resolved: 1. High altitude factors: Low air pressure may reduce the insulation performance of the air. If the connector is condensed or frosted due to low temperature, it may cause creepage or arc discharge.

[0005] 2. Extreme temperature fluctuations: Large temperature differences between day and night or seasonally (such as -30°C at night and 20°C during the day in desert areas) require connector materials to have a low thermal expansion coefficient or to reduce deformation through constant temperature control.

[0006] Therefore, we continue to develop an energy storage connection terminal that can take into account both heat dissipation and constant temperature maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the problem in the prior art that the connector is easily damaged in extreme environments under extreme conditions, even when the connector's bearing capacity is exceeded.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an energy storage connector for low-temperature working conditions, comprising: a male connector and a female connector, the male connector and the female connector being plugged together to achieve electrical conduction; a male connector comprising a male connector shell, at least one electrode pole, at least one inner tube, at least one outer tube and a coolant tube, the electrode pole being arranged on the male connector shell, the electrode pole, the inner tube and the outer tube being arranged in one-to-one correspondence, the electrode pole, the inner tube and the outer tube being arranged in order from inside to outside, the coolant tube being sleeved on the outside of the outer tube, the gap between the inner wall of the coolant tube and the outer wall of the outer tube being filled with coolant, the coolant serving as a medium for heat conduction and heat dissipation; a female connector comprising a female connector shell and at least one electrode female port, the electrode female port being arranged on the female connector shell, the electrode female port and the electrode pole corresponding one-to-one, the electrode pole and the electrode female port being plugged together to achieve electrical conduction.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, an annular braided layer is provided between the outer wall of the inner tube and the inner wall of the outer tube, and the braided layer includes a heating wire group and a shielding wire group. The heating wire group and the shielding wire group are cross-woven into an integrated mesh. The heating wire group is used for heating, and the shielding wire group is used for shielding the electric field and magnetic field interference generated by large current.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire group includes multiple strands of heating wires, and the shielding wire group includes multiple strands of metal wires. The heating wires and the metal wires are spaced apart and cross-woven into a mesh. The heating wires are electrically heated, the metal wires are enameled wires, and the metal wires are used for shielding.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a male fixing base is provided on the male shell, and the electrode pole is fixed on the male fixing base. A female fixing base is provided on the female shell, and the electrode female port is fixed on the female fixing base. The male fixing base and the female fixing base are made of the same material, and both the male fixing base and the female fixing base are used for insulation and heat dissipation.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the male fixing base and the female fixing base are formed of aluminum nitride as substrates, and the surface of the aluminum nitride is coated with thermally conductive silicone or epoxy adhesive.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature control chip is provided on the male head fixing base. The temperature control chip is located in the gap between the inner wall of the coolant tube and the outer wall of the outer tube. The temperature control chip is used to sense the coolant temperature.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner tube is made of insulating material and has thermal conductivity.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating wire assembly is connected to the male fixing base, and the heating wire assembly generates a thermal effect through current and voltage under low temperature conditions to maintain the connector at a normal temperature.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a positive electrode and a negative electrode are provided on the male head fixing base, and the heating wire group is connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coolant is silicone oil.

[0018] The above technical solution of the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art: The energy storage connector described herein, designed for low-temperature operation, features a temperature-maintaining inner tube that provides both insulation and excellent thermal conductivity, protecting the conductive electrode from external interference. A heating wire, connected to a temperature-controlled substrate, generates a thermal effect at low temperatures through appropriate current and voltage, maintaining the wire assembly and connector at a constant temperature. The shielded wire is a closed, but unpowered, wire assembly that prevents electromagnetic interference from the external environment caused by abnormal electric fields generated by high currents. Furthermore, the coolant can be selected from oils or other coolants that combine heat dissipation and a low freezing point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to make the content of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an energy storage connector used in low-temperature working conditions in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of a male connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a front view of the male connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a rear view of the male connector in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a female connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a color rendering of a male connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a color rendering of the female connector in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of the reference numerals in the specification: male connector 100, female connector 200, male connector shell 1, male connector fixing base 11, electrode pole 2, female connector fixing base 21, inner tube 3, outer tube 4, coolant tube 5, female connector shell 6, electrode female port 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and implement it. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0022] Reference Figure 1-5 As shown, the energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions of the present invention includes: a male connector 100 and a female connector 200, which are plugged together to achieve electrical conduction; the male connector 100 includes a male connector shell 1, at least one electrode pole 2, at least one inner tube 3, at least one outer tube 4 and a coolant tube 5, the electrode pole 2 is provided on the male connector shell 1, the electrode pole 2, the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 4 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, the electrode pole 2, the inner tube 3 and the outer tube 4 are arranged in order from the inside to the outside, the coolant tube 5 is sleeved on the outside of the outer tube 4, and the gap between the inner wall of the coolant tube 5 and the outer wall of the outer tube 4 is filled with coolant, which serves as a medium for heat conduction and heat dissipation; the female connector 200 includes a female connector shell 6 and at least one electrode female port 7, the electrode female port 7 is provided on the female connector shell 6, the electrode female port 7 and the electrode pole 2 are one-to-one corresponding, and the electrode pole 2 is plugged into the electrode female port 7 to achieve electrical conduction.

[0023] In the above structure, an annular braided layer is provided between the outer wall of the inner tube 3 and the inner wall of the outer tube 4. The braided layer includes a heating wire group and a shielding wire group. The heating wire group and the shielding wire group are cross-woven into an integrated mesh. The heating wire group is used for heating, and the shielding wire group is used for shielding the electric field and magnetic field interference generated by the large current. The heating wire group includes multiple heating wires ( Figure 6 As shown by the red line in the middle), the shielded wire group includes multiple strands of metal wire ( Figure 6 (As shown by the red and blue lines in the middle), the heating wires and metal wires are interlaced and woven into a mesh. The heating wires are heated by electricity, and the metal wires are enameled and used for shielding. Specifically, the shielded wire assembly consists of an insulated nickel-chromium braid wrapped around the energy storage device connector or power transmission line. Powered by an independent low-voltage DC integrated power supply, it generates a gentle heating power of 5-10W / m² to prevent freezing at low temperatures. Alternatively, the shielded wire assembly is coated with a conductive carbon fiber braid, and the current is regulated by a thermostat to maintain the temperature.

[0024] The coolant can be an oil, for example, that combines heat dissipation and a low freezing point, with an appropriate specific heat capacity. While silicone oil has weaker thermal conductivity than water-based coolants, this design is designed to maintain room-temperature performance of the heating gun tip and wires in extremely cold conditions, so no extensive heat dissipation considerations are required. When using silicone oil, an outer tube (4) is added to protect the wires and the heating and shielding braids from corrosion. For demonstration purposes, the outer tube (4) is larger in diameter, allowing for close contact with the annular braid.

[0025] In the above structure, a male fixing base 11 is provided on the male shell 1, the electrode pole 2 is fixed on the male fixing base 11, a female fixing base 21 is provided on the female shell 6, and the electrode female port 7 is fixed on the female fixing base 21. The male fixing base 11 and the female fixing base 21 are made of the same material, and both the male fixing base 11 and the female fixing base 21 are used for insulation and heat dissipation. The male fixing base 11 and the female fixing base 21 are based on aluminum nitride, and the surface of the aluminum nitride is coated with thermal conductive silicone or epoxy glue. A temperature control chip is provided on the male fixing base 11, and the temperature control chip is in the gap between the inner wall of the coolant pipe 5 and the outer wall of the outer tube 4. The temperature control chip is used to sense the coolant temperature. The heating wire group is connected to the male fixing base 11, and the heating wire group generates a thermal effect through current and voltage under low temperature conditions to maintain the normal temperature state of the connector. The male fixing base 11 and the female fixing base 21 are Figure 6 and 7 The black portion in the center serves as the electrode connector's mounting base and provides insulation and heat dissipation. Currently, commonly used insulation solutions use polymer materials like rubber or circuit substrates such as alumina, but these materials perform poorly in heat transfer and heat dissipation. This solution utilizes an aluminum nitride substrate, molded with thermally conductive silicone or epoxy adhesive, to form the black portion of the electrode connector's mounting base. This solution essentially builds on aluminum nitride, overlaid with a composite material and laminated in multiple layers to enhance its heat dissipation capabilities.

[0026] Specifically, the composite material uses an aluminum nitride substrate as the base material, which is processed into the shape of the electrode mounting base. The substrate is then ultrasonically cleaned with acetone or other solvents to remove surface impurities. Aluminum oxide powder is then sprayed on the substrate to increase surface roughness and improve adhesion; the aluminum oxide also enhances its insulation properties. The thermally conductive silicone coating process: 1. In general, a two-component addition-type liquid silicone (such as Dow Corning TC-5026 series) with a thermal conductivity of ≥2.5 W / m·K and a viscosity of 500-2000 mPa·s is applied evenly to completely cover the electrode mounting base. The pre-curing process is then followed by a 10-30 minute stand at room temperature (25°C) to eliminate bubbles and stabilize the adhesive layer. The main curing temperature is 80-120°C (avoid exceeding the thermal deformation temperature of the aluminum nitride substrate; aluminum nitride generally has a temperature resistance of >200°C). As for the concept of material coating mentioned above, aluminum nitride or boron nitride nanoparticles (particle size 1-5 μm, filling amount 30-50 vol%) can be pre-mixed into silicone to further improve its insulation and thermal conductivity.

[0027] In the above structure, the inner tube 3 is made of insulating material and has thermal conductivity.

[0028] In the above structure, the male head fixing base 11 is provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the heating wire group is connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0029] The purpose of the coolant in the present invention is to serve as a heat conduction and heat dissipation medium. The inner tube 3 first wraps the copper wire to play a protective insulation role. Then the heating wire group and the shielding wire group (red and blue braided wires) are wound around the inner tube 3, and the braiding wire density of the heating wire group and the shielding wire group can be larger. In order to shield the problem of electric field and magnetic field interference generated by large current, the shielding wire group is a metal wire, an enameled wire, which serves as a shielding layer and is wrapped around the white sleeve in a mesh shape. The heating wire group is a heating wire, and its terminal wire can be connected to the red control interface at the bottom of the socket. Here, the male head fixing base 11 can be regarded as a circuit board with temperature control capability, which has a temperature control sensing function. The coolant can be cooled by an external device through air cooling or other solutions.

[0030] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions, characterized in that: include: A male connector and a female connector, the male connector and the female connector being plugged together to achieve electrical conduction; A male connector, comprising a male connector housing, at least one electrode post, at least one inner tube, at least one outer tube, and a coolant tube, wherein the electrode post is disposed on the male connector housing, the electrode post, inner tube, and outer tube are disposed in one-to-one correspondence, and the electrode post, inner tube, and outer tube are disposed in order from inside to outside, the coolant tube is sleeved on the outside of the outer tube, and the gap between the inner wall of the coolant tube and the outer wall of the outer tube is filled with coolant, which serves as a medium for heat conduction and heat dissipation; The female connector includes a female connector shell and at least one electrode female connector. The electrode female connector is arranged on the female connector shell. The electrode female connector corresponds to the electrode pole one-to-one. The electrode pole is plugged into the electrode female connector to achieve electrical conduction.

2. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular braided layer is provided between the outer wall of the inner tube and the inner wall of the outer tube. The braided layer includes a heating wire group and a shielding wire group. The heating wire group and the shielding wire group are cross-woven into an integrated mesh. The heating wire group is used for heating, and the shielding wire group is used for shielding the electric field and magnetic field interference generated by large current.

3. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating wire group includes multiple heating wires, and the shielding wire group includes multiple metal wires. The heating wires and the metal wires are interlaced and woven into a mesh. The heating wires are heated by electricity. The metal wires are enameled wires and are used for shielding.

4. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The male shell is provided with a male fixing base, and the electrode pole is fixed on the male fixing base. The female shell is provided with a female fixing base, and the electrode female port is fixed on the female fixing base. The male fixing base and the female fixing base are made of the same material, and both the male fixing base and the female fixing base are used for insulation and heat dissipation.

5. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 4, characterized in that: The male head fixing base and the female head fixing base use aluminum nitride as a substrate, and the surface of the aluminum nitride is coated with thermal conductive silica gel or epoxy glue.

6. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 4, characterized in that: A temperature control chip is provided on the male head fixing base. The temperature control chip is located in the gap between the inner wall of the coolant tube and the outer wall of the outer tube. The temperature control chip is used to sense the coolant temperature.

7. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner tube is made of insulating material and has thermal conductivity.

8. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 4, characterized in that: The heating wire group is connected to the male fixed base, and the heating wire group generates a thermal effect through current and voltage under low temperature conditions to maintain the normal temperature state of the connector.

9. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 2, characterized in that: The male head fixing base is provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the heating wire group is connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

10. The energy storage connector for low temperature working conditions according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coolant is silicone oil.

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