Electrical connector and battery management system

Abstract

The present application relates to an electrical connector and a battery management system, the electrical connector comprising a male connector and a female connector, wherein the male connector comprises a first body and a plurality of first pins, the female connector comprises a second body and a plurality of second pins, the first body comprises a protrusion, the second body comprises a cavity which is shaped to mate with the protrusion to enable the protrusion to be plugged into the cavity in a first direction, the plurality of first pins are arranged in two rows and are evenly arranged on two mutually opposite outer surfaces of the protrusion respectively, each first pin extends in the first direction, and the plurality of second pins are arranged in two rows and are evenly arranged on two mutually opposite inner walls of the cavity respectively, each second pin extends in the first direction, so that each first pin is electrically connected with a corresponding second pin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of electrical connection devices, and more particularly to an electrical connector for low-voltage connections and a battery management system including the same. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, batteries and battery management systems (BMS) have been widely used in many fields. For the power batteries of new energy vehicles, the BMS typically collects relevant parameters of the power battery in real time during its use, including parameters of each cell and battery module, in order to promptly grasp the working status of the power battery and control it accordingly. A BMS generally includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC) and a cell management controller (CMC), and the CMC and FPC are generally connected using standard low-voltage connectors.

[0003] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a low-voltage connector typically includes a male connector 100' and a female connector 200'. The pins 110' in the male connector 100' are cylindrical and embedded in the cavity of the male connector 100''s housing. Sufficient space needs to be reserved around each pin 110' within the cavity to prevent interference between them. When the male connector 100' mates with the female connector 200', the pins 110', due to their elongated shape, are prone to bending and deformation, affecting the connection reliability of the low-voltage connector. Furthermore, the need to reserve sufficient space for each pin 110' results in a larger footprint, hindering miniaturization and compact design. On the other hand, large temperature differences between the inside and outside of the battery module can easily lead to condensation. This condensation may enter the interior of the low-voltage connector through the through-holes 120' on the male connector 100' used to mount the pins 110', causing a decrease in the internal insulation performance of the low-voltage connector and posing a safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an electrical connector and a battery management system. By changing the pin arrangement in the electrical connector, the size of the electrical connector can be reduced, and the pins in the electrical connector can be prevented from being bent during assembly, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connector.

[0005] To this end, a first aspect of the present invention provides an electrical connector including a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes a first body and a plurality of first pins, and the female connector includes a second body and a plurality of second pins. The first body includes a protrusion, and the second body includes a cavity that is shaped to match the protrusion, such that the protrusion can be inserted into the cavity along a first direction. The plurality of first pins are arranged in two rows and are evenly disposed on two opposing outer surfaces of the protrusion, each first pin extending along the first direction. The plurality of second pins are arranged in two rows and are evenly disposed on two opposing inner walls of the cavity, each second pin extending along the first direction, such that each first pin is electrically connected to a corresponding second pin.

[0006] Based on the above-described technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the end of each second pin away from the corresponding first pin is configured as serrated.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, each of the second pins is provided with a boss for abutting against the corresponding first pin.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first pin of each first pin is configured to be flat, and / or the second pin of each second pin is configured to be flat.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the two opposite outer surfaces of the protrusion are provided with a plurality of first limiting grooves extending along the first direction, and the plurality of first pins are respectively positioned in the plurality of first limiting grooves; the two opposite inner walls of the chamber are provided with a plurality of second limiting grooves that are respectively opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves and extend along the first direction, and the plurality of second pins are respectively positioned in the plurality of second limiting grooves.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first body includes a sealing head, which abuts against the edge of the opening of the cavity after the protrusion is inserted into the cavity to seal the cavity, and the sealing head is provided with a plurality of through holes communicating with the plurality of first limiting grooves so that the plurality of first pins can be installed through the plurality of through holes.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the male connector further includes a sealing ring, which is sleeved on the protrusion between the sealing head and the second body.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the male connector further includes a seal disposed within the sealing head to prevent liquid from entering the plurality of first limiting grooves through the plurality of through holes.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first body and the second body is provided with a limiting structure to prevent the male connector and the female connector from being misinstalled.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first body and the second body are locked together by a snap-fit ​​structure.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention provides a battery management system, including a circuit board, a controller, and the aforementioned electrical connector, wherein the circuit board is electrically connected to the female connector, and the male connector is electrically connected to the controller.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the circuit board is electrically connected to the plurality of second pins of the female connector by soldering, and the circuit board is coated with insulating varnish.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, the application of the electrical connector according to the present invention yields several beneficial technical effects, particularly: by arranging a plurality of first pins in two rows and uniformly disposed on two opposing outer surfaces of the protrusion, and arranging a plurality of second pins in two rows and uniformly disposed on two opposing inner walls of the cavity, the first and second pins correspond one-to-one and can be electrically connected. This changes the arrangement of pins embedded in the cavity in existing technologies, reduces the layout space required around the pins, reduces the volume of the electrical connector, and at the same time, the pins are no longer suspended inside the electrical connector, but rather rest against the outer surface of the protrusion or against the inner wall of the cavity, avoiding bending of the slender pins under force during insertion, and improving the reliability of the electrical connector connection. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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.

[0020] Figure 1 This is an assembly diagram of an existing electrical connector.

[0021] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken from section AA.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 For along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken from section BB.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the male connector of the electrical connector.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the male connector from another angle.

[0026] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the male connector.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the female connector of the electrical connector.

[0028] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the female connector.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a partial enlarged view of the second pin of the female connector.

[0030] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the electrical connector being used in a battery module.

[0031] The elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to exact scale. It should be understood that these drawings are not only for explaining and illustrating the invention, but also, where necessary, for defining the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] 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.

[0033] The directional and positional terms used in this invention can be referred to as follows: Figures 3 to 11 The exemplary structure shown is explained. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various elements but are not intended to limit the positional, temporal, or importance relationships between these elements; such terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. In this specification and accompanying drawings, the "X" direction indicates the mating direction between the male and female connectors.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the electrical connector 10 in this invention is, for example, a low-voltage connector capable of signal transmission, comprising a male connector 100 and a female connector 200 that are pluggable in the X direction. The male connector 100 includes a first body 110 and a plurality of first pins 120. The first body 110 has a protrusion 111 that protrudes in the X direction toward the female connector 200. The female connector 200 includes a second body 210 and a plurality of second pins 220. The second body 210 has a chamber 211 that is shaped to match the protrusion 111; that is, the chamber 211 has an inwardly recessed cavity in the X direction to accommodate the protrusion 111, allowing the protrusion 111 to be plugged into the chamber 211 in the X direction. The first body 110 and the second body 210 are made of an insulating material, such as plastic. The bottom surface of the protrusion 111, perpendicular to the X-direction, can be set to be approximately rectangular, and the protrusion 111 is constructed as an approximately cuboid extending from the bottom surface along the X-direction. A plurality of first pins 120 are arranged in two rows and evenly disposed on two opposing outer surfaces 118 of the protrusion 111, each extending along the X-direction. Correspondingly, a plurality of second pins 220 are arranged in two rows and evenly disposed on two opposing inner walls 215 of the chamber 211, each extending along the X-direction. The plurality of first pins 120 and the plurality of second pins 220 correspond one-to-one, and after the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 are inserted, the corresponding first pins 120 and second pins 220 can achieve electrical connection. This design reduces the layout space required around the pins by changing the arrangement of the pins embedded in the cavity in the prior art, thus reducing the space occupied by the electrical connector. At the same time, the pins are no longer suspended, avoiding bending of the slender pins under stress during assembly and improving the reliability of the electrical connector connection.

[0036] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the male connector 100 at different angles. Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the male connector 100. (Reference) Figures 5 to 7 Multiple first limiting grooves 116 are provided on the two opposite outer surfaces 118 of the protrusion 111. The multiple first limiting grooves 116 extend along the X direction, and multiple first pins 120 are respectively fixed in the multiple first limiting grooves 116. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the female connector 200. Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the female connector 200. (See diagram below.) Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves 116, a plurality of second limiting grooves 214 extending in the X direction are provided on two opposing inner walls 215 of the chamber 211, and a plurality of second pins 220 are respectively fixed in the plurality of second limiting grooves 214. Each first pin 120 includes a first pin 121 for electrical connection with a corresponding second pin 220, and each second pin 220 includes a second pin 221 for electrical connection with a corresponding first pin 120. The first pin 121 of each first pin 120 is configured to be flat, and / or the second pin 221 of each second pin 220 is configured to be flat. By using a flat pin design, the volume required for the pin is further reduced without affecting the electrical connection effect, thereby reducing the space occupied by the electrical connector. Preferably, the end 223 of each second pin 220 away from the corresponding first pin 120 is configured to be serrated, for example... Figure 10 The shape shown facilitates the soldering connection between the second pin 220 and the external circuit board, and strengthens the connection between the second pin 220 and the external circuit board.

[0037] In some embodiments, a boss structure can be designed on at least one pin to assist in shorting between two pins. For example, each second pin 220 is provided with a boss 222 for abutting against the corresponding first pin 120. The boss 222 can facilitate shorting between the first pin 120 and the second pin 220, further improving the reliability of the connection of the electrical connector 10.

[0038] Continue to refer to Figures 5 to 7In some embodiments, the first body 110 includes a sealing head 117 disposed on the side of the protrusion 111 away from the female connector 200, and abutting against the edge of the opening of the chamber 211 after the protrusion 111 is inserted into the chamber 211 to seal the chamber 211. The sealing head 117 has a plurality of through holes 112 extending in the X direction and communicating with a plurality of first limiting grooves 116, through which a plurality of first pins 120 can be installed. The male connector 100 also includes a sealant disposed within the sealing head 117 to prevent liquid from entering the plurality of first limiting grooves 116 via the plurality of through holes 112. In some embodiments, the sealant is a sealant, and the gap between each first pin 120 and each through hole 112 is filled with sealant. Further, the first body 110 may optionally include a recess 113, which communicates with a plurality of first limiting grooves 116 through a plurality of through holes 112. Filling the recess 113 with sealant can fill the gap between each first pin 120 and each through hole 112, thereby achieving one-time and rapid sealant filling. The depth of the recess 113 along the X direction is 1 mm to 5 mm, preferably 2 mm. In some embodiments, the sealant is configured as a plurality of first sealing rings, which are embedded in each through hole 112 to seal the gap between each through hole 112 and the corresponding first pin 120. Further, the male connector 100 may optionally include a sealing ring 130, which is sleeved on the bottom of the protrusion 111 of the first body 110 and arranged between the sealing head 117 and the second body 210 to seal the gap at the insertion point between the first body 110 and the second body 210.

[0039] Preferably, at least one of the first body 110 and the second body 210 is provided with a limiting structure to prevent misfitting of the male connector 100 and the female connector 200. For example, it prevents the male connector 100 from being rotated 180 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the X direction and misfitting with the female connector 200, thus preventing misconnection of the pins within the electrical connector 10. For example, as... Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the male connector 100 is provided with a limiting protrusion 114, and the female connector 200 is provided with a corresponding limiting groove 212. Through the cooperation of the limiting protrusion 114 and the limiting groove 212, it can not only prevent workers from misinstalling the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 during assembly, but also serve as a guide structure during assembly to assist in installation.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first body 110 and the second body 210 are locked together by a snap-fit ​​structure. For example, continuing to refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8The male connector 100 is provided with a raised male buckle 115, and the female connector 200 is provided with a corresponding recessed female buckle hole 213. After the first body 110 and the second body 210 are inserted, the raised male buckle 115 and the female buckle hole 213 are engaged to ensure the stability of the electrical connector 10 structure and prevent the male connector 100 and the female connector 200 from being separated by external force during use, resulting in pin breakage.

[0041] In some embodiments, the present invention also provides a battery management system, including a circuit board 20, a controller 40, and the aforementioned electrical connector 10. The circuit board 20 is electrically connected to the female connector 200, and the male connector 100 is electrically connected to the controller 40. The circuit board 20 may be a flexible circuit board, and the controller 40 may be a cell module controller.

[0042] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a battery module is shown, such as Figure 11 As shown, the battery module includes multiple battery cells 30, which together form a cell group. The cell group is electrically connected to the circuit board 20 so that the relevant parameters of each cell can be transmitted to the cell module controller 40 via the circuit board 20 and the electrical connector 10. By changing the pin arrangement of the electrical connector 10, the size of the electrical connector 10 is reduced, thus reducing the space occupied by the battery management system and battery pack in the vehicle. It also prevents the pins in the electrical connector 10 from being bent during assembly, improving the reliability of the electrical connector 10 and the accuracy of the battery management system.

[0043] The circuit board 20 is electrically connected to the ends 223 of multiple second pins 220 away from the male connector 100 by soldering. After soldering, the circuit board 20 is sprayed with insulating varnish to further improve the insulation effect and prevent electrical signal interference. In electric vehicles, the electrical connector 10 is usually installed at the bottom of the vehicle along with the battery management system. The circuit board 20 and the electrical connector 10 are electrically connected by soldering. Since the vehicle will vibrate up and down during movement, if the soldering strength is insufficient, the connection can easily break. Setting the end 223 of each second pin 220 away from the corresponding first pin 120 as serrated can help to strengthen the soldering between the second pin 220 and the circuit board 20 and prevent the soldering from loosening due to vibration during vehicle movement.

[0044] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that, under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can combine different embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in the present invention, but all of them fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0045] 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. An electrical connector (10), comprising a male connector (100) and a female connector (200), characterized in that: The male connector (100) includes a first body (110) and a plurality of first pins (120), and the female connector (200) includes a second body (210) and a plurality of second pins (220). The first body (110) includes a protrusion (111), and the second body (210) includes a cavity (211) that matches the shape of the protrusion (111), such that the protrusion (111) can be inserted into the cavity (211) along a first direction (X). The plurality of first pins (120) are arranged in two rows and are evenly disposed on two opposing outer surfaces (118) of the protrusion (111), each of the first pins (120) extending along the first direction (X), and the plurality of second pins (220) are arranged in two rows and are evenly disposed on two opposing inner walls (215) of the chamber (211), each of the second pins (220) extending along the first direction (X), such that each first pin (120) is electrically connected to the corresponding second pin (220).

2. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end (223) of each second pin (220) away from the corresponding first pin (120) is serrated.

3. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the second pins (220) is provided with a boss (222) for abutting against the corresponding first pin (120).

4. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first pin (121) of each of the first pins (120) is flattened, and / or the second pin (221) of each of the second pins (220) is flattened.

5. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two opposing outer surfaces (118) of the protrusion (111) are provided with a plurality of first limiting grooves (116) extending along the first direction (X), and the plurality of first pins (120) are respectively positioned in the plurality of first limiting grooves (116). The two opposing inner walls (215) of the chamber (211) are provided with a plurality of second limiting grooves (214) that are respectively opposite to the plurality of first limiting grooves (116) and extend along the first direction (X), and the plurality of second pins (220) are respectively positioned in the plurality of second limiting grooves (214).

6. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first body (100) includes a sealing head (117), which abuts against the edge of the opening of the cavity (211) after the protrusion (111) is inserted into the cavity (211) to seal the cavity (211). The sealing head (117) is provided with a plurality of through holes (112) communicating with the plurality of first limiting grooves (116) so that the plurality of first pins (120) can be installed through the plurality of through holes (112).

7. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The male connector (100) also includes a sealing ring (130), which is fitted onto the protrusion (111) between the sealing head (117) and the second body (210).

8. The electrical connector (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The male connector (100) also includes a seal disposed within the sealing head (117) to prevent liquid from entering the plurality of first limiting grooves (116) through the plurality of through holes (112).

9. The electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, At least one of the first body (110) and the second body (210) is provided with a limiting structure to prevent the male connector (100) and the female connector (200) from being misassembled.

10. The electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first body (110) and the second body (210) are locked together by a snap-fit ​​structure.

11. A battery management system, characterized in that, It includes a circuit board (20), a controller (40), and an electrical connector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the circuit board (20) is electrically connected to the female connector (200), and the male connector (100) is electrically connected to the controller (40).

12. The battery management system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The circuit board (20) is electrically connected to the plurality of second pins (220) of the female connector (200) by soldering, and the circuit board (20) is coated with insulating varnish.

Images