Quick plug-in direct-current connection structure and flow battery stack system applicable to quick plug-in direct-current connection structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a quick plug-in direct current connection structure and a flow battery stack system applicable to the same. Each electric pile comprises an end plate and a collector plate, the rapid plugging direct current connection structure comprises a plurality of sockets, at least one part of each socket is located on the end plate, each socket comprises a collector conducting strip and an insulated connection part, and the collector conducting strips are connected with the collector plates; and a plurality of plug connecting pieces, each plug connecting piece comprises two plug parts and a direct current cable connected between the two plug parts, the plug parts are suitable for being inserted into the connecting parts of the sockets and electrically connected with the current collecting conductive sheets, and the direct current cables comprise flexible and bendable insulated cables. According to the connecting structure provided by the invention, the problem that workpieces are not matched when the galvanic piles in the galvanic pile system of the flow battery are connected can be solved, and the safety is improved while the galvanic piles are conveniently connected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application mainly relates to the field of liquid flow batteries, and in particular to a quick-plug direct current connection structure and a liquid flow battery stack system applicable thereto. Background Art

[0002] The battery stack of the all-vanadium liquid flow battery system is composed of multiple single cells connected in series. The battery system consists of a battery stack, a liquid pipeline system, a circulation pump, sensors, valves, a system bracket, an electrical control system and a storage tank. Due to the large size and power of a single battery stack, the distance between different battery stacks is also large. The current of a set of liquid flow battery systems can often reach more than 1500A DC, and the current carrying capacity of the electrical cables between the battery stacks inside the system is very large. At present, the electrical connection between the battery stacks inside the system relies on hard copper busbars that meet the current-carrying cross-sectional area through bolts. At the same time, hard copper busbars will extend from the positive and negative current collectors of each battery stack for connection. The copper busbars are all laid bare (without insulation layer), and there is a risk of electric shock when installing, maintaining, and repairing the liquid flow battery system or when the electrolyte leaks.

[0003] In addition, since the flow battery bracket is a welded steel structure, errors are inevitable. For example, due to the welding processing error of the metal bracket and the manufacturing error of the battery stack itself, the horizontal and vertical spacing of the battery stack after installation will deviate from the design value on the drawing, which will require secondary processing or make it impossible to install the hard copper busbar.

[0004] Therefore, the art still lacks a solution that can effectively realize electrical connection between battery stacks. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a quick-plug DC connection structure and a liquid flow battery stack system applicable thereto, which can solve the problem of workpiece mismatch when connecting the internal stacks of the liquid flow battery stack system and improve safety while facilitating the connection of the stacks.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a quick-plug DC connection structure, which is suitable for a liquid flow battery stack system including multiple battery stacks, each of which includes an end plate and a current collecting plate, and the quick-plug DC connection structure includes: a plurality of sockets, at least a portion of the plurality of sockets are located on the end plate, each of the sockets includes a current collecting conductive sheet and an insulating connecting portion, and the current collecting conductive sheet is connected to the current collecting plate; and a plurality of plug connectors, each of the plug connectors includes two plug portions and a DC cable connected between the two plug portions, wherein the plug portion is suitable for being inserted into the connecting portion of each of the sockets and being electrically connected to the current collecting conductive sheet, and the DC cable includes a flexible and bendable insulated cable.

[0007] Optionally, the multiple sockets include multiple single-head sockets and at least one multi-head socket, wherein the multiple single-head sockets are located on the end plate, the multi-head socket is located outside the battery stack, and each of the multi-head sockets is suitable for being inserted into two or more of the plug parts.

[0008] Optionally, the connecting portion includes a plurality of hollow slots, and the plug portion further includes a plurality of electrical connectors, each of which is suitable for being inserted into one of the slots to contact the current collecting conductive sheet.

[0009] Optionally, the current collecting conductive sheet comprises a copper sheet, and the electrical connector comprises a copper pin.

[0010] Optionally, each of the sockets further includes a socket base and a socket protective shell located on one side of the socket base, the socket protective shell extends from one side of the socket base to form an accommodating space for accommodating the connecting part, and the current collecting conductive sheet is located on the other side of the socket base opposite to the socket protective shell.

[0011] Optionally, the connection structure further comprises a plurality of fasteners, and the socket base is further provided with a plurality of threaded holes matching with the plurality of fasteners.

[0012] Optionally, the plug part further comprises a plug protective shell and a sealing ring, wherein the plug protective shell is suitable for being inserted into the socket protective shell and abutting against an area of ​​the socket base located in the accommodating space through a first contact surface, and the sealing ring is located on the first contact surface.

[0013] Optionally, each of the sockets further comprises a supporting portion located within the accommodating space, the shape of the supporting portion corresponding to the shape and size of the plug protective shell, and when the plug protective shell is inserted into the socket protective shell, the plug protective shell is located in the gap space between the supporting portion and the socket protective shell, wherein the connecting structure further comprises a self-locking device, the self-locking device comprises a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism located on a surface of the plug protective shell and a card slot located on a surface of the supporting portion, wherein when the plug protective shell is inserted into the socket protective shell, the plug protective shell is suitable for being fixedly locked in the card slot by the locking mechanism; and when the plug protective shell is withdrawn from the socket protective shell, the plug protective shell is suitable for being released from the card slot by the unlocking structure.

[0014] Optionally, the locking mechanism includes a lock buckle and a rotating shaft, and the unlocking mechanism includes an unlocking button, wherein when the plug protective shell is inserted into the socket protective shell, the lock buckle and the rotating shaft are located in the gap space, and the unlocking button is located outside the gap space.

[0015] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a liquid flow battery stack system, including multiple battery stacks and the quick-plug DC connection structure as described above.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present application uses a socket and multiple plug connectors instead of hard copper bars to connect the battery stacks, which can solve the problem of workpiece mismatch when connecting the battery stacks inside the flow battery stack system, and improve safety while facilitating the connection between the battery stacks. In addition, the plug connector and socket in the present application can be further improved to include a self-locking device and a sealing design, etc., so as to further improve the safety and reliability of the connection between the battery stacks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present application. They are included and constitute a part of the present application. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present application and together with the present specification serve to explain the principles of the present application. In the accompanying drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a flow battery stack system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a flow battery stack system in one embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a partial side view of a flow battery stack system in one embodiment of the present application from the AA direction;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a socket in a quick plug-in DC connection structure in one embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a plug connector in a quick plug-in DC connection structure in an embodiment of the present application; and

[0023] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a connection structure in a quick plug-in DC connection structure in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some examples or embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, the present application can also be applied to other similar scenarios based on these drawings without creative work. Unless it is obvious from the language environment or otherwise explained, the same reference numerals in the figures represent the same structure or operation.

[0025] As shown in this application and claims, unless the context clearly indicates an exception, the words "a", "an", "an" and / or "the" do not refer to the singular and may also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "include" and "comprise" only indicate the inclusion of the steps and elements that have been clearly identified, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list. The method or device may also include other steps or elements.

[0026] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​of the parts and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present application. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, method and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, method and equipment should be considered as a part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so that once a certain item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0027] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present application; the directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0028] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0029] In addition, it should be noted that the use of words such as "first" and "second" to define components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. If not otherwise stated, the above words have no special meaning and cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application. In addition, although the terms used in this application are selected from well-known and commonly used terms, some terms mentioned in the specification of this application may be selected by the applicant at his or her discretion, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant parts of the description of this article. In addition, it is required to understand this application not only by the actual terms used, but also by the meaning implied by each term.

[0030] This application refers to Figure 1 A flow battery stack system 10 (hereinafter referred to as "stack system 10") and a quick plug-in DC connection structure 20 (hereinafter referred to as "connection structure 20") applicable therein are proposed. In order to more clearly illustrate the structure of the stack system 10 and the connection structure 20, Figure 2 to Figure 6 Different detailed features are shown respectively. Specifically, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a flow battery stack system 10; Figure 2 It is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of one of the battery stacks in the battery stack system 10. Figure 3 is Figure 2 The side view from the AA direction in the partial enlarged schematic diagram shown. In addition, Figure 4 shows a schematic structural diagram of the socket 201 in the connection structure 20, Figure 5-6 The schematic diagram of the structure of the plug connector 202 in the connection structure 20 is shown. The following description will be made with reference to these drawings.

[0031] First, refer to Figure 1 to Figure 3The stack system 10 includes a plurality of stacks 101 and a connection structure 20, wherein each stack 101 includes an end plate 102 and a current collecting plate 103. Figure 1 The connection structure 20 includes a plurality of sockets 201, at least a portion of which is located on the end plate 102 and another portion is located outside the stack 101. Each socket 201 includes Figure 3 The current collecting conductive sheet 2011 and the insulating connecting portion 2012 are shown, and when the socket 201 is loaded on the battery stack 101 , the current collecting conductive sheet 2011 is connected to the current collecting plate 103 .

[0032] On the other hand, the connection structure 20 further includes a plurality of plug connectors 202 ( Figure 1 In the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of plug connectors 202 are in a state where the corresponding sockets 201 located on the battery stack 101 have not been inserted), and each plug connector 202 includes two plug parts 2021 and a DC cable 208 connected between the two plug parts 2021. Specifically, the plug part 2021 is suitable for being inserted into the connection part 2012 of any one of the sockets 201 and being electrically connected to the current collecting conductive sheet 2011. In particular, in the present application, the DC cable 208 is designed as a flexible and bendable insulated cable. Since the DC cable 208 is flexible and bendable, and a length can be further reserved during processing to absorb the processing error and the manufacturing error of the battery stack 101 itself. Therefore, when an error occurs during the welding process of the battery stack 101 or a manufacturing error occurs in the battery stack 101 itself, resulting in the distance between the battery stacks 101 being inconsistent with the preset value, the DC cable 208 can be appropriately extended or shortened, thereby connecting each battery stack 101, and there will be no situation where the battery stacks cannot be connected or need to be reworked due to manufacturing errors.

[0033] In this embodiment, in order to better adapt to the connection relationship between multiple battery stacks 101, the multiple sockets 201 are designed to include multiple single-end sockets 2013 and one multi-end socket 2014. In other embodiments of the present application, if it is necessary to meet the plug-in requirements of more battery stacks 101, more multi-end sockets 2014 can be arranged, and the present application does not limit this. Figure 1 It can be seen that the multiple single-head sockets 2013 are located on the end plate 102, the multi-head socket 2014 is located outside the battery stack 101, and the multi-head socket 2014 is inserted into the two plug parts 2021. Similarly, in other embodiments of the present application, the number of plug parts 2021 that can be inserted into the multi-head socket 2014 can be further expanded, and the present application does not limit the number of plug parts 2021 to 2021. Figure 1 Shown are limits.

[0034] The structure of the socket 201 and the plug connector 202 is further described below. Figure 4, is a schematic diagram of the structure of the socket 201. Figure 4 It can be seen that the socket 201 includes a socket base 2016 and a socket protection shell 2017 located on one side of the socket base 2016. The socket protection shell 2017 extends outward from one side of the socket base 2016 to form a receiving space S1, which is used to receive the connecting portion 2012. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 2012 is specifically implemented as a plurality of hollow insulating slots. Return to reference Figure 3 The current collecting conductive sheet 2011 is located on the other side of the socket base 2016 opposite to the socket protection shell 2017 (that is, the other side opposite to the extension direction of the socket protection shell 2017). Exemplarily, the current collecting conductive sheet 2011 can be specifically implemented as a copper sheet.

[0035] On this basis, the socket base 2016 is also provided with a plurality of threaded holes 2018 that match with a plurality of fasteners (not shown) in the connection structure 20, so as to fix the socket base 2016 on the end plate 102. Exemplarily, the fasteners may be self-tapping screws.

[0036] on the other hand Figure 5 and Figure 6 The structure diagram of the plug connector 202 is shown, in particular, Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a connection in which a plug connector 202 is inserted into a socket 201. Figure 5 In this embodiment, preferably, the plug part 2021 in the plug connector 202 is modified to have a plug protection shell 2022 and a sealing ring 2023. Figure 4 , the plug protective shell 2022 is suitable for being inserted into the socket protective shell 2017 and abutting against the area of ​​the socket base 2016 in the socket protective shell 2017 through the first contact surface B. In this embodiment, preferably, the sealing ring 2023 is located on the first contact surface B, so that the contact surface of the two can be sealed when the plug protective shell 2022 is inserted into the socket protective shell 2017. Since the connection structure 20 is located inside the flow battery stack system 10, it is surrounded by electrolyte pipes and there is a possibility of electrolyte leakage. Therefore, the setting of the sealing ring 2023 can prevent the electrolyte from entering the interior of the connection structure 20 to avoid leakage.

[0037] Further integration Figure 5 and Figure 6 The plug portion 2021 further includes a plurality of electrical connectors 2024, each of which is adapted to be inserted into one of the slots in the connecting portion 2012 and to contact the current collecting conductive sheet 2011 located on the other side of the socket base 2016 through the hollow structure of the slot (refer to Figure 3), thereby realizing electrical connection between the plug part 2021 and the socket 201. Exemplarily, the electrical connector 2024 can be specifically implemented as a copper pin.

[0038] More preferably, in this embodiment, a self-locking function mechanism is also designed. Figures 4 to 6 Each socket 201 further includes a support portion 2019 located in the accommodation space S1. The shape of the support portion 2019 corresponds to the shape and size of the plug protection shell 2022, that is, when the plug protection shell 2022 is inserted into the socket protection shell 2017, the plug protection shell 2022 is located in the gap space S2 between the support portion 2019 and the socket protection shell 2017.

[0039] On the basis of the above structure, the connection structure 20 further includes a self-locking device 203, which includes a locking mechanism 204 and an unlocking mechanism 205 located on a surface of the plug protective shell 2022 and a card slot 206 located on a surface of the support portion 2019. In this embodiment, preferably, the locking mechanism 204 includes a lock buckle 2041 and a rotating shaft 2042, and the unlocking mechanism 205 is specifically implemented as an unlocking button 2051. When the plug protective shell 2022 is inserted into the socket protective shell 2017, the lock buckle 2041 and the rotating shaft 2042 are located in the gap space S2, and the unlocking button 2051 is located outside the gap space S2.

[0040] Reference Figure 6 When the plug protective shell 2022 is inserted into the socket protective shell 2017, the lock 2041 in the plug protective shell 2022 is suitable for being pushed into the card slot 206, so that the lock 2041 is fixedly locked in the card slot 206. Preferably, the lock 2041 can also be set as a barb structure, and the barb structure can prevent the lock 2041 from moving in the opposite direction. When the plug protective shell 2022 needs to be withdrawn from the socket protective shell 2017, the unlocking button 2051 can be pressed, and the lock 2041 and the unlocking button 2051 will rotate around the rotating shaft 2042 to disengage from the card slot 206, thereby realizing the function of releasing the plug protective shell 2022 from the card slot 206. The self-locking device 203 can ensure the close connection between the socket 201 and the plug connector 202, and avoid the occurrence of poor contact or accidental falling off. At the same time, when the internal part of the battery stack 101 needs to be repaired or replaced, the plug connector 202 can be pulled out by simply unlocking it. It is flexible to change and simple to process, which saves processing time and construction and maintenance time, and is safer and more reliable.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that, although not specifically mentioned above, in the solution of this application, some structures need to be designed as insulating materials. In addition to the DC cable, structures such as the socket protective shell and the plug protective shell also need to be set as insulating materials. This method can avoid the risk of electric shock caused by leakage when the electrolyte leaks in the battery stack. Specifically, insulating materials can be added at locations with leakage risks according to actual conditions.

[0042] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the above application disclosure is only an example and does not constitute a limitation of the present application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements and amendments to the present application. Such modifications, improvements and amendments are suggested in the present application, so such modifications, improvements and amendments still belong to the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0043] At the same time, the present application uses specific words to describe the embodiments of the present application. For example, "one embodiment", "an embodiment", and / or "some embodiments" refer to a certain feature, structure or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different positions in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, some features, structures or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the present application can be appropriately combined.

[0044] Similarly, it should be noted that in order to simplify the description of the disclosure of this application and thus help understand one or more application embodiments, in the above description of the embodiments of this application, multiple features are sometimes merged into one embodiment, figure or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not mean that the features required by the object of this application are more than the features mentioned in the claims. In fact, the features of the embodiments are less than all the features of the single embodiment disclosed above.

[0045] In some embodiments, numbers describing the number of components and attributes are used. It should be understood that such numbers used in the description of the embodiments are modified by the modifiers "about", "approximately" or "substantially" in some examples. Unless otherwise specified, "about", "approximately" or "substantially" indicate that the numbers are allowed to vary by ±20%. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters used in the specification and claims are approximate values, which may change according to the required features of individual embodiments. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should take into account the specified significant digits and adopt the general method of retaining digits. Although the numerical domains and parameters used to confirm the breadth of their range in some embodiments of the present application are approximate values, in specific embodiments, the setting of such numerical values ​​is as accurate as possible within the feasible range.

[0046] Although the present application has been described with reference to the current specific embodiments, ordinary technicians in this technical field should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application, and various equivalent changes or substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the present application. Therefore, as long as the changes and modifications to the above embodiments are within the essential spirit of the present application, they will fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A quick plug-in DC connection structure, suitable for a flow battery stack system comprising a plurality of stacks, each stack comprising an end plate and a current collecting plate, characterized in that: The quick plug-in DC connection structure comprises: a plurality of sockets, at least a portion of which is located on the end plate, each of which comprises a current collecting conductive sheet and an insulating connecting portion, and the current collecting conductive sheet is connected to the current collecting plate; and A plurality of plug connectors, each of which comprises two plug parts and a DC cable connected between the two plug parts, wherein the plug part is suitable for being inserted into the connecting part of each socket and being electrically connected to the current collecting conductive sheet, and the DC cable comprises a flexible and bendable insulated cable.

2. The connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple sockets include multiple single-head sockets and at least one multi-head socket, wherein the multiple single-head sockets are located on the end plate, the multi-head socket is located outside the battery stack, and each of the multi-head sockets is suitable for being inserted into two or more of the plug parts.

3. The connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting portion includes a plurality of hollow slots, and the plug portion further includes a plurality of electrical connectors, each of which is suitable for being inserted into one of the slots to contact the current collecting conductive sheet.

4. The connection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The current collecting conductive sheet includes a copper sheet, and the electrical connecting member includes a copper pin.

5. The connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the sockets also includes a socket base and a socket protective shell located on one side of the socket base, the socket protective shell extends from one side of the socket base to form an accommodating space for accommodating the connecting part, and the current collecting conductive sheet is located on the other side of the socket base opposite to the socket protective shell.

6. The connection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a plurality of fasteners, and the socket base is provided with a plurality of threaded holes matched with the plurality of fasteners.

7. The connection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plug part further comprises a plug protective shell and a sealing ring, wherein the plug protective shell is adapted to be inserted into the socket protective shell and abuts against a region of the socket base located in the accommodation space through a first contact surface, and the sealing ring is located on the first contact surface.

8. The connection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each of the sockets further comprises a support portion located in the accommodation space, the shape of the support portion corresponds to the shape and size of the plug protection shell, when the plug protection shell is inserted into the socket protection shell, the plug protection shell is located in the gap space between the support portion and the socket protection shell, wherein the connection structure further comprises a self-locking device, the self-locking device comprises a locking mechanism and an unlocking mechanism located on a surface of the plug protection shell, and a card slot located on a surface of the support portion, wherein, When the plug protective shell is inserted into the socket protective shell, the plug protective shell is adapted to be fixedly locked in the slot by the locking mechanism; and When the plug protection shell is withdrawn from the socket protection shell, the plug protection shell is suitable for being released from the slot through the unlocking mechanism.

9. The connection structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The locking mechanism includes a lock buckle and a rotating shaft, and the unlocking mechanism includes an unlocking button, wherein when the plug protective shell is inserted into the socket protective shell, the lock buckle and the rotating shaft are located in the gap space, and the unlocking button is located outside the gap space.

10. A liquid flow battery stack system, comprising a plurality of battery stacks and a quick plug-in DC connection structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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