Electric connection device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electric connection device which is used for realizing serial connection between two battery clusters. The electric connection device comprises N connection assemblies; each connecting assembly comprises a vertical part and a horizontal part; the number of the vertical parts is two, the top end of one vertical part is used for being connected with one battery cluster, and the top end of the other vertical part is used for being connected with the other battery cluster; the horizontal part is U-shaped and comprises a first connecting plate and two second connecting plates; the first connecting plate is located on the outer side of the battery cluster, the first ends of the two second connecting plates are connected with the first connecting plate respectively, and the second ends of the two second connecting plates are connected with the bottom ends of the two vertical parts respectively; the electric connection device leads the connection position of the two battery clusters to the external space of the battery clusters, so that the space of an energy storage system is saved, and connection points between the battery clusters are few, so that connection is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of batteries, and in particular relates to an electric connection device. Background Art

[0002] Existing lithium battery technology is mainly used in electric vehicles as a power source for electric vehicles, and is also used in power plants as an energy storage system for storing and releasing electrical energy.

[0003] Energy storage systems can be used in power grids to fill peak loads and reduce valley loads, meeting the power supply needs during peak and valley loads in urban distribution networks in different time periods and regions.

[0004] The energy storage system needs to have a large charge and discharge capacity, so it is necessary to connect multiple single cells in parallel to form a battery module, and then connect the multiple battery modules in series and place them in a protective shell to form a battery pack. Then, place the multiple battery packs from top to bottom on a support frame and connect them in series in sequence to form a battery cluster. Finally, at least two battery clusters are placed in a box respectively, and then the battery packs on the top layer of adjacent battery clusters are connected in series, thereby forming an energy storage system with a large charge and discharge capacity.

[0005] However, it was found during the actual assembly process:

[0006] In order to facilitate operators to enter the box of the energy storage system to realize the electrical connection between two adjacent battery clusters, it is necessary to reserve sufficient operable space in the area between the battery clusters in the energy storage device. This excess space will make the horizontal space of the entire energy storage system larger, affecting the energy density of the energy storage system. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to solve the problem that sufficient operable space needs to be reserved when battery clusters are connected in series in the existing energy storage system, and the redundant space will make the horizontal space of the entire energy storage system larger, thus affecting the energy density of the energy storage system, the utility model provides an electrical connection device.

[0008] The electrical connection device is used to realize the series connection between two battery clusters; the battery cluster includes a plurality of battery packs arranged along a first direction; each battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules arranged side by side along a second direction, each battery module includes N single cells arranged side by side along a third direction, N being greater than or equal to 2;

[0009] The improvements are:

[0010] The electrical connection device includes N connection components; each connection component includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion;

[0011] There are two vertical parts, the top of one vertical part is used to connect with the first polarity terminal of the ath single battery in the outermost battery module in the uppermost battery pack of one battery cluster, and the top of the other vertical part is used to connect with the second polarity terminal of the bth single battery in the outermost battery module in the uppermost battery pack of another battery cluster;

[0012] The horizontal portion is U-shaped and includes a first connecting plate and two second connecting plates; the first connecting plate is located outside the battery cluster, the first ends of the two second connecting plates are respectively connected to the first connecting plate, and the second ends of the two second connecting plates are respectively connected to the bottom ends of the two vertical portions;

[0013] The horizontal parts of the connection components are arranged along the first direction, and there are gaps between the horizontal parts of the connection components.

[0014] The electrical connection device adopted by the utility model leads the connection position of two battery clusters to the external space of the battery cluster, which not only saves the space of the energy storage system, but also reduces the number of connection points between the battery clusters and facilitates the connection.

[0015] Furthermore, the ath single cell in one battery module and the bth single cell in another battery module satisfy the following relationship: (a+b)-1=N, and a∈N, b∈N. This connection method can ensure that when two battery clusters are connected in series, the single cells in two battery modules close to each other are connected in an end-to-end staggered manner through the electrical connection device, and try to ensure that the length of the connection components used when the single cells are connected in series is consistent, which greatly reduces the occurrence of bias current.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to improve safety, the gaps between the various connection components need to maintain reliable and safe insulation, and an insulating plate is provided in the gap between the horizontal parts of each of the above-mentioned connection components.

[0017] Furthermore, in order to improve the connection strength and integrity of the electrical connection device, each connection assembly is connected from top to bottom by bolts to connect the horizontal portion and the insulating plate into a whole.

[0018] Furthermore, in order to further improve the insulation safety of the electrical connection device and improve its integrity, an insulating protective plate is provided on the upper surface of the topmost second connecting plate and the lower surface of the bottommost second connecting plate on the same side, and the upper and lower insulating protective plates are connected to each second connecting plate and insulating plate by bolt connection.

[0019] Furthermore, in order to facilitate the processing and assembly of the connection component, the vertical portion is a vertical plate and is integrally formed with the second connection plate; the first connection plate, the second connection plate, the insulation plate, and the insulation protection plate are all fixed by bolt connection.

[0020] Furthermore, the diameter of the through holes provided on the first connecting plate, the second connecting plate, the insulating plate, and the insulating protective plate is larger than the outer diameter of the screw in the bolt, so that the bolt can smoothly pass through the through holes of the above parts, avoiding the problem of difficulty in bolt connection caused by part processing errors and assembly errors.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0022] 1. The electrical connection device of the utility model adopts N connection components to realize the series connection between battery clusters, and the connection components include a horizontal part and a vertical part; the horizontal part is U-shaped and is partially located outside the battery cluster, thereby saving space size in the energy storage system and improving the energy density of the energy storage system.

[0023] 2. In the present invention, since the single cells a and single cells b of the outermost battery modules in the two battery clusters close to each other satisfy the relationship (a+b)-1=N, and a∈N, b∈N, the lengths of the connecting components can be kept basically consistent, which greatly reduces the occurrence of current deviation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the electrical connection device applied between two battery clusters.

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of electrical connection device Figure 1 (Insulation board and insulation protection board are not installed);

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of electrical connection device Figure 1 (Insulation board and insulation protection board are not installed);

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the connected components;

[0028] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of electrical connection device Figure 3 (Insulation board and insulation protection board have been installed).

[0029] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0030] 100 - electrical connection device, 1 - connection assembly, 2 - vertical part, 3 - horizontal part, 31 - first connection plate, 32 - second connection plate, 4 - insulation plate, 5 - insulation protection plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solution will be described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments, not all embodiments. Based on the following embodiments, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0032] At the same time, it should be noted that the directions or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper, lower, inner and outer" in the text are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the technical solution. In addition, the terms "first, second or third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In this utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "install, connect, connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example: it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; it can also be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection or a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] See also Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the energy storage system includes an energy storage box, and at least two battery clusters installed in the energy storage box, each battery cluster includes a plurality of battery packs arranged in a first direction; each battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules arranged side by side in a second direction, and each battery module includes N single cells arranged side by side in a third direction; N is greater than or equal to 2, and the number of single cells in the battery module in this embodiment is 13 (this number can be adjusted according to actual needs);

[0035] The first direction is Figure 1 The Z direction is shown, and the second direction is Figure 1 The Y direction is shown, and the third direction is Figure 1 The X direction shown;

[0036] The battery clusters are connected in series via an electrical connection device 100. Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the electrical connection device 100 includes N connection components 1; each connection component 1 includes a vertical portion 2 and a horizontal portion 3;

[0037] There are two vertical parts 2, and the top of one of the vertical parts 2 is used to connect with the outermost battery module in the uppermost battery pack of a battery cluster ( Figure 1 The top of the other vertical portion 2 is used to connect to the outermost battery module ( Figure 1 The horizontal portion 3 is U-shaped and includes a first connecting plate 31 (the first connecting plate extends along the second direction) and two second connecting plates 32 (the first connecting plates extend along the third direction); the first connecting plate 31 is located outside the battery cluster, the first ends of the two second connecting plates 32 are respectively connected to the first connecting plate 31, and the second ends of the two second connecting plates 32 are respectively connected to the bottom ends of the two vertical portions 2;

[0038] The horizontal parts of each connecting component 1 are arranged along the first direction, and there is a gap C between the horizontal parts 3 of each connecting component. The size of the gap C in the first direction is the size difference between the vertical parts 2 in each connecting component 1, and the gap is required to ensure insulation between adjacent connecting components.

[0039] In this embodiment, the sequence numbers a and b need to satisfy the following relationship: (a+b)-1=N, and a∈N, b∈N; that is, the purpose of satisfying this relationship is to ensure that the length of the connecting components used when the single cells are connected in series is basically the same, which greatly reduces the occurrence of current deviation when the battery clusters are connected in series. Specifically:

[0040] The first polarity terminal of the No. 1 single cell in the battery module A is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 13 single cell in the battery module B, the first polarity terminal of the No. 2 single cell in the battery module A is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 12 single cell in the battery module B, and the first polarity terminal of the No. 3 single cell in the battery module A is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 11 single cell in the battery module B. According to this rule, the series connection between the two battery clusters is realized.

[0041] In some other embodiments, a=b can also be made, that is, the first polarity terminal of the No. 1 single cell in the battery module is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 1 single cell in the battery module B, the first polarity terminal of the No. 2 single cell in the battery module A is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 2 single cell in the battery module B, and the first polarity terminal of the No. 3 single cell in the battery module A is connected to the second polarity terminal of the No. 3 single cell in the battery module B. According to this rule, the series connection between the two battery clusters is realized. However, compared with the method of this embodiment, this method has a more obvious current bias phenomenon due to the large difference in the connection components.

[0042] In addition, Figure 5 As shown, the electrical connection device 100 of this embodiment also has the following optimized designs:

[0043] 1. In this embodiment, an insulating plate 4 is provided in the gap between the horizontal parts 3 of each connecting assembly 1, and the length of each insulating plate is the same, and the length is greater than or equal to the second longest connecting plate in each connecting assembly. The provision of the insulating plate 4 not only improves the insulation of adjacent connecting assemblies, thereby improving safety, but also improves the overall strength of the electrical connection device.

[0044] 2. In this embodiment, based on the above-mentioned optimization design No. 1, in order to improve the connection strength and integrity of the electrical connection device and facilitate the disassembly and assembly of each connection component, each connection component 1 connects the horizontal part 3 and the insulating plate 4 from top to bottom into a whole by bolt connection.

[0045] 3. In order to further improve the insulation of the bottom layer connection assembly and the top layer connection assembly, and improve the insulation safety and integrity of the electrical connection device, an insulating protective plate 5 is provided on the upper surface of the top layer second connection plate 32 and the lower surface of the bottom layer second connection plate 32 on the same side, and the upper and lower insulating protective plates 5 are connected to each second connection plate 32 and insulating plate 4 by bolt connection. In order to facilitate batch processing and manufacturing, the insulating protective plate 5 and the insulating plate 4 in this embodiment are kept consistent in material, shape, etc.

[0046] 4. In order to facilitate the processing and assembly of the connection components, the vertical portion 2 is a vertical plate and is integrally formed with the second connection plate 32; the first connection plate 31, the second connection plate 32, the insulating plate 4, and the insulating protection plate 5 are all fixed by bolt connection.

[0047] 5. Based on the above optimization design item 4, the diameter of the through holes set on the first connecting plate 31, the second connecting plate 32, the insulating plate 4, and the insulating protective plate 5 is larger than the outer diameter of the screw in the bolt. This allows the bolt to pass through the through holes of the above parts smoothly, avoiding the problem of difficulty in bolt connection caused by part processing errors and assembly errors.

[0048] The installation process of the electrical connection device during use is as follows:

[0049] 1. Before the battery cluster is installed in the energy storage box, a plurality of vertical parts are installed on the outermost battery module in the battery pack of the uppermost layer of the battery cluster, and the vertical parts and the second connecting plate of the horizontal part are integrally formed;

[0050] 2. Install multiple battery clusters into the energy storage box;

[0051] 3. Install the insulating plate and the insulating protective plate in place; in this embodiment, in step 1, the insulating plate and the insulating protective plate can be first installed in the gap between the second connecting plates in the horizontal part;

[0052] 4. Finally, the vertical part and the horizontal part are connected into a whole by bolt connection, thereby realizing the series connection between the battery clusters.

[0053] A single cell refers to a commercially available square lithium battery, or a similar square battery composed of multiple soft-pack batteries connected in parallel and placed in a shell; the positive and negative electrodes of the single cell must be arranged on the same end face (generally the upper end face of the single cell).

[0054] The first polarity terminal is the positive pole or the negative pole on the single cell, and correspondingly, the second polarity terminal is the negative pole or the positive pole on the single cell.

Claims

1. An electrical connection device for realizing series connection between two battery clusters; the battery cluster comprises a plurality of battery packs arranged along a first direction; each battery pack comprises a plurality of battery modules arranged side by side along a second direction, N being greater than or equal to 2; Features: The electrical connection device includes N connection components; Each connecting assembly includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion; There are two vertical parts, the top of one vertical part is used to connect with the first polarity terminal of the a-th single battery in the outermost battery module in the uppermost battery pack of one battery cluster, and the top of the other vertical part is used to connect with the second polarity terminal of the b-th single battery in the outermost battery module in the uppermost battery pack of another battery cluster; The horizontal portion is U-shaped and includes a first connecting plate and two second connecting plates; the first connecting plate is located outside the battery cluster, the first ends of the two second connecting plates are respectively connected to the first connecting plate, and the second ends of the two second connecting plates are respectively connected to the bottom ends of the two vertical portions; The horizontal parts of the connection components are arranged along the first direction, and there are gaps between the horizontal parts of the connection components.

2. An electrical connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ath single cell in the battery module and the bth single cell in the battery module satisfy the following relationship: (a+b)-1=N, and a∈N, b∈N.

3. An electrical connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: An insulating plate is arranged in the gap between the horizontal parts of each connecting assembly.

4. An electrical connection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each connection assembly is connected from top to bottom by bolts to connect the horizontal part and the insulation board into a whole.

5. An electrical connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: An insulating protection plate is provided on the upper surface of the uppermost second connection plate and the lower surface of the lowermost second connection plate on the same side, and the upper and lower insulating protection plates are connected to the second connection plates and insulating plates by bolt connection.

6. An electrical connection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vertical portion is a vertical plate and is integrally formed with the second connecting plate; the first connecting plate, the second connecting plate, the insulating plate, and the insulating protective plate are all fixed by bolt connection.

7. An electrical connection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The diameters of the through holes arranged on the first connecting plate, the second connecting plate, the insulating plate and the insulating protective plate are larger than the outer diameter of the screw rod in the bolt.

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