Supporting device for high-voltage connector of battery pack and battery pack

Abstract

The invention provides a supporting device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack and the battery pack. The support device comprises: a support body configured in a long strip shape and adapted to be attached to a housing of the battery pack; a conductive element attached to the support body and adapted to electrically connect the high voltage connector with the battery pack; the supporting body is provided with a sliding groove so as to be suitable for containing and limiting the high-voltage connector, and the high-voltage connector can move along the sliding groove so that the position of the high-voltage connector can be adjusted relative to the supporting body. According to the supporting device provided by the invention, the adjustment requirements on the positions of different high-voltage connectors according to different modification requirements in the battery pack design can be met, and the applicability of the battery pack is improved. According to different requirements, the number of the high-voltage connectors can be correspondingly increased or decreased so as to meet the functional requirements of different levels of vehicle end high-voltage electric components. As the position of the high-voltage connector can be adjusted through the supporting device, the wire harness connected to the high-voltage connector at the vehicle end can be shortened, an extra fixing structure does not need to be provided for the overlong wire harness, the design complexity is simplified, and the cost is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicles, in particular to the field of power battery systems of new energy vehicles. More particularly, it relates to a support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack and a battery pack applying the support device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the increasing popularity of new energy vehicles, whether it is a range-extended electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell electric vehicle, a hydrogen engine vehicle, a pure electric vehicle, or other new energy vehicles, etc., a large number of connectors are needed. Unlike traditional fuel vehicles, electric vehicles often have higher voltage and current, so there are often a large number of high-voltage connectors on new energy vehicles. Through cooperation with wires, high-voltage connectors deliver the energy of the battery pack to various high-voltage electrical components in the vehicle system through different electrical circuits.

[0003] In the current battery pack, the high-voltage connector is usually fixed on the shell of the battery pack by, for example, bolts, that is, the position of the high-voltage connector is fixed. When developing a new battery pack for different vehicle models and adjusting the number and / or position of the high-voltage connector, there are often difficulties in the design of the high-voltage connector if the battery pack is limited by design and the vehicle design is not easily adaptable to changes. If a new battery pack is developed specifically, it is equivalent to increasing the types of battery packs, thereby increasing the design cost. In addition, when installing the high-voltage connector, in order to facilitate installation, the wire harness of the vehicle end connected to the high-voltage connector at a fixed position will be appropriately lengthened, and an additional fixing structure will be used to limit the displacement of the wire harness, which also increases the additional cost. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack, which can change the position and / or number of high-voltage connectors according to the design requirements of different battery packs, in a cost-effective and reliable manner, to improve the applicability of the battery pack.

[0005] To this end, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack is provided, the support device comprising: a support body configured in a strip shape and adapted to be attached to a shell of the battery pack; and a conductive element attached to the support body and adapted to electrically connect the high-voltage connector with the battery pack; wherein the support body is provided with a sliding groove adapted to accommodate and limit the high-voltage connector and to enable the high-voltage connector to move along the sliding groove to adjust the position relative to the support body.

[0006] According to the above technical concept, the present disclosure can further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] In some alternatives, the electrically conductive element is arranged within the chute and extends along the entire length of the chute.

[0008] In some alternatives, the support device further comprises a limiting element extending along the entire length of the chute, the limiting element being arranged at the inlet of the chute.

[0009] In some alternatives, the limiting element is a sealing strip.

[0010] In some alternatives, the chute comprises a bottom wall and side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall, the chute further being provided with a flange protruding from the side walls towards the inside of the chute adjacent to the inlet, the limiting element being arranged on the flange.

[0011] In some alternatives, the electrically conductive element is arranged on any one of the bottom wall, the side walls, the surface of the flange facing the bottom wall.

[0012] In some alternatives, the chute is provided with a step portion at the inlet, the flange being formed between the step portion and the bottom wall.

[0013] In some alternatives, the limiting element is arranged at the step portion.

[0014] In some alternatives, the support body is provided with a plurality of fixing holes arranged at intervals thereon, adapted to fix the high voltage connector in place by fasteners.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack comprising a housing and a plurality of battery modules accommodated in the housing, the battery pack further comprising at least one support device for a high voltage connector of the battery pack as described above, at least one high voltage connector being attached to the battery pack by the support device.

[0016] In some alternatives, the high voltage connector is limited in the chute by embedding the electrically conductive terminal into the chute of the support device.

[0017] In some alternatives, the support body of the support device is attached to the housing of the battery pack by means of adhesion or fastener connection.

[0018] The support device provided by the present disclosure can meet the adjustment requirements of different high-voltage connector positions in the battery pack design according to different modification needs, without changing the design of the battery pack and the high-voltage connector, thereby economically and reliably improving the applicability of the battery pack. According to different needs, the number of high-voltage connectors can be increased or decreased accordingly to meet the functional requirements of different levels of vehicle-side high-voltage electrical components. In addition, since the position of the high-voltage connector can be adjusted by the support device, the wire harness connected to the high-voltage connector at the vehicle end can be shortened, thereby eliminating the need to provide additional fixing structures for the excessively long wire harness, simplifying the design complexity and reducing the cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood through the following detailed description of the optional embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a high-voltage connector limited thereon;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a fixing hole capable of fixing the high-voltage connector adjusted to position;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 or Figure 2 is a side view of the support device shown including a high-voltage connector limited thereon. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The implementation and use of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated that the particular embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to implement and use the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the description, the directional expressions of the structural positions of various components, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute, but relative. When the various components are arranged as shown in the drawings, these directional expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the various components in the drawings are changed, these directional expressions also change accordingly.

[0024] In this document, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "attaching", "connecting", "fixing", and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, or a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be an internal connection of two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this document can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] As mentioned above, it has been realized that the high-voltage connectors in the existing battery pack are fixed in position after installation in the battery pack, and if there is a need to change the design of the battery pack and adjust the number and / or position of the high-voltage connectors, there are problems such as design limitations and cost increases.

[0026] To this end, according to the concept of the present disclosure, a support device for high-voltage connectors of a battery pack is provided, by which the position adjustment of the high-voltage connectors is achieved, and one or more high-voltage connectors can be arranged on the support device according to different needs, so as to meet the functional requirements of different levels of vehicle end high-voltage electrical components. Further, the present disclosure also provides a battery pack with the support device, since the support device provides the possibility of adjusting the number and / or position of the high-voltage connectors, the battery pack can be accordingly applicable to different application occasions (such as different vehicle models), thereby saving the design and production costs of the battery pack for the manufacturer.

[0027] Specifically, in combination with Figure 1 The support device 200 of an embodiment shown in the figure has one high-voltage connector 100 arranged or positioned thereon exemplarily. The support device 200 comprises a support body 210, which is configured in a long strip shape and is adapted to be attached to the housing (not shown) of the battery pack. Alternatively, the support body can be attached to the housing of the battery pack by means of adhesion or fastener connection. The support body is configured in a long strip shape, which is advantageous for providing a larger range of movement of the high-voltage connector with a smaller space, so as not to adversely affect the overall layout of the battery pack due to occupying a larger space on the housing of the battery pack.

[0028] Advantageously, the support body 210 is provided with a sliding groove 220 adapted to accommodate and position the high-voltage connector 100, and enables the high-voltage connector 100 to move along the sliding groove 220 to adjust the position relative to the support body 210. In addition, a conductive element is attached to the support body 210, which is adapted to electrically connect the high-voltage connector with the battery pack, that is, the conductive element is electrically connected to the battery pack, so as to realize the electrical connection between the battery pack and each high-voltage electrical component in the vehicle system through the high-voltage connector. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in Figure 3As shown, the high-voltage connector 100 can be limited in the slide groove 220 by embedding the pair of conductive terminals 120 in the slide groove 220, and electrically connected with the pair of conductive elements 230 through the pair of conductive terminals 120 respectively. In this way, after the high-voltage connector 100 is limited in the slide groove 220, no matter where the high-voltage connector 100 moves along the slide groove 220, reliable electrical connection between the high-voltage connector and the battery pack can be ensured, and then the high-voltage connector 100 is connected to the high-voltage electrical component through the connecting terminal 110 outside the slide groove 220, ensuring the normal use of the high-voltage connector and the battery pack.

[0029] In some embodiments, the supporting device 200 further comprises a limiting element 240 extending along the entire length of the slide groove 220, which is arranged at the entrance of the slide groove 220. Alternatively, the limiting element can be a sealing rubber strip, such as a silicone rubber sealing strip. Silicone rubber has certain strength and elasticity, and has good electrical insulation, oxygen resistance, chemical stability, etc., which is conducive to use in the battery pack environment.

[0030] In some embodiments, the supporting device 200 further comprises a limiting element 240 extending along the entire length of the slide groove 220, which is arranged at the entrance of the slide groove 220. Alternatively, the limiting element can be a sealing rubber strip, such as a silicone rubber sealing strip. Silicone rubber has certain strength and elasticity, and has good electrical insulation, oxygen resistance, chemical stability, etc., which is conducive to use in the battery pack environment. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the embodiments shown, the slide groove 220 can be configured to include a bottom wall 221 and a side wall 222 extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall 221, and the slide groove 220 is further provided with a flange 223 protruding from the side wall 222 towards the inside of the slide groove adjacent to the entrance, and the limiting element 240 can be arranged on the flange 223. In this way, after the conductive terminals 120 of the high-voltage connector 100 are embedded in the slide groove 220, the limiting element 240 can abut against the conductive terminals 120, avoiding the high-voltage connector from loosening. Advantageously, the slide groove 220 includes a pair of flanges 223 protruding oppositely from the side wall 222, thereby providing stable limiting effect on both sides of the high-voltage connector 100 as shown. Figure 3

[0031] In some embodiments, a step portion 250 can be provided at the entrance of the slide groove 220, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 The flange 223 is formed between the step portion 250 and the bottom wall 221. The provision of the step portion 250 provides a certain redundant assembly space for the installation of the high-voltage connector 100 on the supporting device 200. For example, when it is necessary to arrange the high-voltage connector on the supporting device, the high-voltage connector 100 can be slightly inclined so that the end of one of the conductive terminals 120 is embedded in the slide groove 220, and then the end of the other conductive terminal 120 is embedded in the slide groove 220, and the conductive terminals 120 are limited by the limiting element 240. In this process, due to the presence of the step portion 250, the high-voltage connector will not interfere with the supporting body 210 of the supporting device 200 due to the inclination, thereby affecting the embedding operation of the conductive terminals. Preferably, the step portion 250 can be formed by Figure 2 ​The high-voltage connector 100 in the indicated orientation is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise so that the conductive terminal 120 is directly inserted from the inlet of the groove 220, and then rotated 90 degrees in the opposite direction so that the conductive terminal 120 engages with and is limited by the limiting element 240 on the flange 223.

[0032] In some embodiments, a limiting element (not shown) may be arranged at the step 250. This limiting element may also be, for example, a silicone rubber sealing strip, which provides further limiting of the high-voltage connector while also sealing it, preventing exposure of conductive components within the groove, thus achieving insulation and safety protection. In some embodiments, when the high-voltage connector is not supported or limited on the support device, the limiting element at the step 250 may be configured to close the entrance of the groove 220, further enhancing insulation protection performance. By arranging the limiting element along the entire groove 220, additional insulation protection for the high-voltage connector can also be eliminated.

[0033] In some embodiments, the conductive element 230 may be disposed on any of the bottom wall 221, side wall 222, or flange 223 of the groove 220 facing the bottom wall 221. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductive element 230 is exemplary disposed on the surface of the flange 223 facing the bottom wall 221.

[0034] It should be understood that the sealing strip-type limiting element (including limiting element 240 and an additional limiting element arranged at the step portion 250) can limit the high-voltage connector 100 embedded in the slide groove 220, and allow the high-voltage connector 100 to move along the slide groove 220 to the desired position under the application of a certain force. In addition, the process of pulling the high-voltage connector 100 out of the slide groove 220 also requires the application of a certain force, which helps to prevent the high-voltage connector from shaking or shifting during use (e.g., during vehicle operation), and ensures the normal use of the high-voltage connector.

[0035] In some embodiments, the support body 210 of the support device 200 may also be provided with a plurality of spaced fixing holes 260, and correspondingly, the high-voltage connector 100 may typically be provided with positioning holes 130, such as... Figure 2 As shown, this is adapted to secure the adjusted high-voltage connector 100 to the support body 210 using fasteners. This further increases the stability of the high-voltage connector on the support device.

[0036] The support device disclosed herein provides positioning and fixation for the high-voltage connector of the battery pack, ensuring electrical connection between the high-voltage connector and the battery pack. Simultaneously, it allows adjustment of the position and / or number of high-voltage connectors based on different needs, achieving good compatibility between the battery pack and different designs (different vehicle models). This improves the safety performance of the high-voltage connector and the applicability of the battery pack without requiring or only slightly altering the structural design of the high-voltage connector and the battery pack. Furthermore, since the position of the high-voltage connector can be adjusted via the support device, the wiring harness connected to the high-voltage connector at the vehicle end can be shortened, eliminating the need for additional fixing structures for excessively long wiring harnesses, thus saving costs. The support device of this disclosure has a simple structure, is easy to implement, and has wide applications.

[0037] It should be understood here that the embodiments shown in the figures only illustrate the optional shapes, sizes and arrangements of the support device according to the present disclosure; however, they are merely illustrative and not limiting. Other shapes, sizes and arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] The technical content and features of this disclosure have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept under the inventive concept of this disclosure, but all such changes and improvements fall within the protection scope of this disclosure. The description of the above embodiments is illustrative rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of this disclosure is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A support device for a high voltage connector of a battery pack, characterized in that, The support device (200) comprises: a support body (210) configured in a strip shape and adapted to be attached to a housing of a battery pack; a conductive element (230) attached to the support body (210) and adapted to electrically connect the high-voltage connector (100) with the battery pack; wherein the support body (210) is provided with a sliding groove (220) adapted to accommodate and limit the high-voltage connector (100) and enable the high-voltage connector (100) to move along the sliding groove (220) to adjust the position relative to the support body (210).

2. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized by, The conductive element (230) is arranged in the sliding groove (220) and extends along the entire length of the sliding groove (220).

3. The support device for a high voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized by, The support device (200) further comprises a limiting element (240) extending along the entire length of the sliding groove (220), which is arranged at the entrance of the sliding groove (220).

4. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 3, characterized by, The limiting element (240) is a sealing rubber strip.

5. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 3, characterized by, The sliding groove (220) comprises a bottom wall (221) and a side wall (222) extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall (221), and is further provided with a flange (223) protruding from the side wall (222) towards the inside of the sliding groove (220) adjacent to the entrance, and the limiting element (240) is arranged on the flange (223).

6. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 5, characterized by, The conductive element (230) is arranged on any one of the surface of the bottom wall (221), the side wall (222) and the flange (223) towards the bottom wall (221).

7. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 5, characterized by, The entrance of the sliding groove (220) is provided with a stepped portion (250), and the flange (223) is formed between the stepped portion (250) and the bottom wall (221).

8. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to claim 7, characterized by, The limiting element is arranged at the stepped portion (250).

9. The support device for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The support body (210) is provided with a plurality of fixing holes (260) arranged at intervals, adapted to fix the high-voltage connector (100) adjusted in position by fasteners.

10. A battery pack comprising a housing and a plurality of battery modules housed within the housing, characterized by, The battery pack further comprises at least one support device (200) for a high-voltage connector of a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and at least one high-voltage connector (100) is attached to the battery pack by the support device (200).

11. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein, The high-voltage connector (100) is limited in the sliding groove (220) of the support device (200) by embedding the conductive terminal (120) in the sliding groove (220).

12. The battery pack of claim 10, wherein, The support body (210) of the support device (200) is attached to the housing of the battery pack by bonding or fastener connection.

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