Battery module, battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

The battery module comprises a battery cell, a circuit board, a battery control unit and a plug connector, the plug connector comprises a female plug connector and a male plug connector, the female plug connector comprises a first body and a first pin, a cavity is defined by the first body, and the first pin comprises a first end positioned in the cavity and a second end extending out of the cavity to be electrically connected with the circuit board; and the male plug-in comprises a second body which is matched with the shape of the cavity and is inserted into the cavity, a sealing head part and a second contact pin which is arranged on the second body. The sealing head extends from the second body and abuts against the edge of the opening of the chamber to close the chamber, and is provided with an opening groove which communicates with the interior of the second body and is filled with sealant. The first end portion of the second pin is electrically connected with the first end portion of the corresponding first pin, and the second end portion of the second pin is electrically connected with the corresponding wire harness which passes through the open slot and extends into the second body. According to the plug connector, the open slot of the male plug connector is filled with the sealant, so that condensed water can be prevented from entering the plug connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of vehicle batteries, and more specifically, to a battery module, a battery pack including such a battery module, and a vehicle including such a battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] The battery module in the vehicle's battery pack includes multiple battery cells, circuit boards, and a battery control system. The circuit boards are electrically connected to the battery cells and collect information from them. The circuit boards and the battery control system are electrically connected via connectors to transmit information to the battery control system.

[0003] The main drawbacks of the existing technology are: condensation caused by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the battery module can easily enter the inside of the connector through the interface position, affecting the safety of the battery module. In addition, the internal space of the battery module is small, and the pins on the male connector are prone to bending when the male and female connectors are plugged in. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery module to improve the safety performance of its connectors.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides a battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells, a circuit board, a battery control unit, and a connector, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, and the connector electrically connects the circuit board to the battery control unit. The connector comprises: a female connector including a first body and a plurality of first pins, the first body defining a cavity, each first pin including a first end positioned in the cavity and a second end extending from the cavity for electrical connection with the circuit board; and a male connector including a second body, a sealing head, and a plurality of second pins disposed on the second body, the second body being shaped to fit the cavity and inserted into the cavity, the sealing head extending from the second body and abutting against the edge of the opening of the cavity to close the cavity, and the sealing head having an opening groove communicating with the interior of the second body and filled with sealant, wherein the first end of each second pin is electrically connected to the first end of a corresponding first pin, and the second end of each second pin is electrically connected to a corresponding wire harness extending through the opening groove into the second body.

[0006] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first body is provided with a plurality of first limiting grooves arranged side by side, and a plurality of first pins are respectively positioned in the plurality of first limiting grooves.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second body is provided with a plurality of second limiting grooves arranged side by side opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves, and the plurality of second pins are respectively positioned in the plurality of second limiting grooves and respectively electrically connected to the plurality of first pins.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the sealing head is provided with two hooks located on both sides of the second body along the arrangement direction of the plurality of second pins, and the female insert is provided with two slots that match the two hooks.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, both the plurality of first pins and the plurality of second pins are configured to be flat.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the female insert includes a bottom wall opposite to the opening of the chamber, the bottom wall being provided with a through hole allowing the second end of each first pin to extend out of the chamber.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the battery module further includes a sealing ring disposed around the second body between the sealing head and the female plug.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising the battery module described in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including the battery pack described in the second aspect of the present invention.

[0014] In the battery module according to the present invention, by filling the opening groove of the male plug of the connector with sealant, condensate caused by the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the battery module is prevented from entering the interior of the connector, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the battery module during long-term operation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the battery module according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the circuit board and connectors of the battery module;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a detailed exploded view of the connector;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the female connector of the connector;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the rear of the male connector of the plug-in;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector connected to the circuit board. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of particular ways of implementing and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the battery module of the battery pack according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The battery pack according to the present invention can be used in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, and is typically located at the bottom of the vehicle.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the battery module 100 according to the present invention includes: a plurality of battery cells 200, a circuit board 300, a battery control unit 400, and a connector 500. The circuit board 300 is electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells 200 and is used to manage and monitor parameters such as voltage and current of the battery cells 200. The connector 500 electrically connects the circuit board 300 to the battery control unit 400 to ensure data and power transmission, and more specifically includes a female connector 600 electrically connected to the circuit board 300 and a male connector 700 electrically connected to the wiring harness of the battery control unit 400 and mating with the female connector 600.

[0025] like Figures 2 to 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown, the female connector 600 includes a generally rectangular first body 610 and a plurality of first pins 620. The first body 610 defines a cavity 611 with a top opening. A plurality of first positioning grooves 612 are arranged side-by-side along the length of the battery cell 200 within the cavity 611. The first pins 620 are respectively positioned in these first positioning grooves 612 to form a side-by-side arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, each first pin 620 located in a corresponding first positioning groove 612 includes a first end 620a and a second end 620b opposite to the first end 620a. The first end 620a is positioned in the cavity 611, and the second end 620b extends downward from the cavity 611 (i.e., from the corresponding first positioning groove 612), passing through a through hole 617 provided on the bottom wall 616 of the first body 610 opposite to the top opening of the cavity 611, and is bent to electrically connect with the circuit board 300.

[0026] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the male plug-in 700 includes a second body 710, a sealing head 720, and a plurality of second pins 711 disposed on the second body 710.

[0027] The second body 710 has a generally rectangular shape that matches the shape of the chamber 611 and is inserted into the chamber 611. Preferably, in the longitudinal direction of the cell 200, one end of the chamber 611 is a stepped recess 614, and the corresponding end of the second body 710 is a protrusion 712 that matches the shape of the recess 614. The recess 614 and the protrusion 712 together constitute the error-proof structure of the connector 500 to prevent the male connector 700 from being inserted in the wrong direction.

[0028] The second body 710 has a plurality of second limiting grooves 713 arranged side by side along the length of the battery cell 200, opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves 612. The second pins 711 are respectively positioned in the second limiting grooves 713 and are electrically connected to the plurality of first pins 620. By fixing the first pins 620 to the first limiting grooves 612 and fixing the second pins 711 to the second limiting grooves 713, bending of the first pins 620 and the second pins 711 during the insertion process can be avoided, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the connector 500.

[0029] Preferably, the plurality of first pins 620 and the plurality of second pins 711 are all configured in a flat shape. This flat shape design can further reduce the volume of the connector 500, thereby saving installation space. It is understood that the first pins 620 and the second pins 711 can also be designed in other shapes, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0030] A sealing head 720 extends upward from the second body 710 and abuts against the edge of the top opening of the chamber 611 to seal the chamber 611. Furthermore, the sealing head 720 has an upward-opening groove 724 that communicates with the interior of the second body 710 and is filled with sealant 723. The first end 711a of each second pin 711 is electrically connected to the first end 620a of the corresponding first pin 620, and the second end 711b of each second pin 711 is electrically connected to the corresponding wiring harness 716 (of the battery control unit 400) that extends into the second body 710 through the opening groove 724. Due to the sealant 723, condensation caused by temperature differences between the inside and outside of the battery module 100 is prevented from entering the connector 500, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the battery module 100 during long-term operation.

[0031] Preferably, the battery module 100 further includes a sealing ring 717 arranged around the upper end of the second body 710 between the sealing head 720 and the female plug 600, so as to further improve the sealing performance of the battery module 100.

[0032] More preferably, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the sealing head 720 is also provided with two hooks 721 located on both sides of the second body 710 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of second pins 711 (i.e., the length direction of the battery cell 200), and the two outer side walls of the female plug 600 in this direction are provided with two slots 618 that match the two hooks 721. After the second body 710 of the male plug 700 is inserted into the cavity 611 of the female plug 600, the hooks 721 and the slots 618 engage to prevent the connection between the male plug 700 and the female plug 600 from loosening, for example, when the vehicle vibrates.

[0033] The technical content and features of the present invention 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 creative idea of ​​the present invention, but all of these shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0034] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A battery module (100), comprising: The system comprises multiple battery cells (200), a circuit board (300), a battery control unit (400), and a connector (500), wherein the circuit board (300) is electrically connected to the multiple battery cells (200), and the connector (500) electrically connects the circuit board (300) to the battery control unit (400). The connector (500) is characterized in that it comprises: A female connector (600) includes a first body (610) and a plurality of first pins (620), the first body (610) defining a cavity (611), each first pin (620) including a first end (620a) positioned in the cavity (611) and a second end (620b) extending from the cavity (611) for electrical connection with the circuit board (300); and A male connector (700) includes a second body (710), a sealing head (720), and a plurality of second pins (711) disposed on the second body (710). The second body (710) is shaped to fit into and is inserted into the cavity (611). The sealing head (720) extends from the second body (710) and abuts against the edge of the opening of the cavity (611) to close the cavity (611). (720) An opening groove (724) is provided that communicates with the interior of the second body (710) and is filled with sealant (723), wherein the first end (711a) of each second pin (711) is electrically connected to the first end (620a) of the corresponding first pin (620), and the second end (711b) of each second pin (711) is electrically connected to the corresponding wire harness (716) that extends into the second body (710) through the opening groove (724).

2. The battery module (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first body (610) is provided with a plurality of first limiting grooves (612) arranged side by side, and the plurality of first pins (620) are respectively positioned in the plurality of first limiting grooves (612).

3. The battery module (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second body (710) is provided with a plurality of second limiting grooves (713) arranged side by side opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves (612). The plurality of second pins (711) are respectively positioned in the plurality of second limiting grooves (713) and are respectively electrically connected to the plurality of first pins (620).

4. The battery module (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sealing head (720) is provided with two hooks (721) located on both sides of the second body (710) along the arrangement direction of the plurality of second pins (711), and the female plug (600) is provided with two slots (618) that match the two hooks (721).

5. The battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Both the plurality of first pins (620) and the plurality of second pins (711) are configured to be flat.

6. The battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The female insert (600) includes a bottom wall (616) opposite to the opening of the chamber (611), the bottom wall (616) being provided with a through hole (617) allowing the second end (620b) of each first pin (620) to extend out of the chamber (611).

7. The battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The battery module (100) also includes a sealing ring (717) arranged around the second body (710) between the sealing head (720) and the female plug (600).

8. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the battery module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack according to claim 8.

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