Bimetallic Terminal Blocks

Abstract

A bimetallic terminal comprises: a cable connection portion, which is made of a first metal; and an electrode column connection portion, which is connected to the cable connection portion and is made of a second metal different from the first metal. A cable jack is formed in the cable connection portion, and the electrode column connection portion comprises a sleeve, in which an electrode column hole is formed, and the electrode column hole is a through hole formed by passing through the sleeve in the up and down direction. The sleeve is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the sleeve forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the cable connection portion. The bimetallic terminal is suitable for the space environment in electric vehicles and can stably and effectively realize the connection of components made of different metals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic devices, and in particular to connection terminals used in devices such as electric vehicles. Background Art

[0002] As people's awareness of environmental protection becomes more and more widespread, the demand for clean energy is increasing worldwide, and new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles are also being used more and more widely. New energy vehicles include a large number of electronic and electrical devices, including cable harnesses for providing power from a power source (specifically a battery) to the vehicle, cables for providing power to electronic devices, cables for connecting electronic devices, etc.

[0003] Initially, these cable harnesses and cables were mainly made of copper. With the development of technology, copper cables have been gradually replaced by aluminum cables in order to reduce vehicle weight and manufacturing costs. Aluminum is also a good electrical conductor, which can replace copper and achieve basically the same electrical conductivity as copper.

[0004] However, in addition to power supply and connection cables, components such as buses and electrode terminals used in electric vehicles are still made of copper. In order to connect aluminum cables with copper electronic components, bimetallic terminals can be used to achieve the transition between the two metals.

[0005] However, the existing bimetallic terminal blocks are not fully applicable to the application environment of electric vehicles. For example, the shape and structure of the existing bimetallic terminal blocks cannot be well matched with the space shape in the electric vehicle, especially the space around the battery of the electric vehicle. In addition, the bimetallic terminal blocks are also required to be able to prevent the operating environment of the electric vehicle from causing adverse effects such as oxidation corrosion on the bimetallic terminal blocks during use.

[0006] Therefore, in the art, there is a need to further improve the structure of the bimetallic terminal so that it is specifically suitable for the use environment of electric vehicles and the like. Utility Model Content

[0007] The present application is made to overcome the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art. The purpose of the present application is to provide a bimetallic terminal with an improved structure, which is particularly suitable for electric vehicles and can achieve stable and effective connection between cables and electronic devices made of different metals. Furthermore, the bimetallic terminal can also reduce or prevent adverse effects such as oxidation corrosion.

[0008] In the present application, a bimetallic terminal comprises: a cable connection portion, which is made of a first metal; and an electrode column connection portion, which is connected to the cable connection portion and is made of a second metal, which is different from the first metal. Here, the first metal may be specifically aluminum, and the second metal may be specifically copper. A cable jack is formed in the cable connection portion, and the electrode column connection portion comprises a sleeve, and an electrode column hole is formed in the sleeve, and the electrode column hole is a through hole formed by passing through the sleeve in the up and down direction, wherein the sleeve is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the sleeve is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cable connection portion.

[0009] In the bimetallic terminal of the above structure, the connection between cables and electronic devices made of different metals can be realized, and it is particularly suitable for the space environment in electric vehicles, and can achieve stable and effective connection. The cable connection part and the electrode column connection part can be fixedly connected together by means such as friction welding.

[0010] Preferably, the electrode column connection part further comprises a handle part, which is made of the second metal and is columnar and connected between the sleeve and the cable connection part. By providing the handle part, the connection between the cable connection part and the electrode column connection part by friction welding can be simplified, because the handle part and the cable connection part are in surface contact, thereby allowing friction welding to be stably performed.

[0011] Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the sleeve is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting portion.

[0012] Preferably, the cross section of the electrode column hole is a trapezoid that tapers from bottom to top. In this way, for example, the size of the lower end of the electrode column hole can be set to be slightly larger than the size of the electrode column, so as to facilitate guiding the electrode column into the electrode column hole, while the size of the upper end of the electrode column hole can be set to be slightly smaller than the size of the electrode column, so that when the electrode column is inserted into the electrode column hole, an interference fit is formed between the electrode column hole and the electrode column, thereby facilitating fixing the electrode column.

[0013] Preferably, the sleeve includes an opening portion, so that the cross section of the sleeve is formed into a C shape, and an adjustment portion is also provided on the sleeve, and the adjustment portion includes two halves, and the two halves are respectively provided at two free ends of the C shape. A bolt and a nut are provided on the adjustment portion, wherein bolt holes are respectively formed on the two halves, the bolt is inserted into the bolt hole from one side of the adjustment portion, and the nut is connected to the bolt from the other side of the adjustment portion. The provision of the opening and the adjustment portion enables an operator to adjust the size of the electrode column hole, thereby allowing the electrode column to be clamped and loosened.

[0014] Preferably, the cable connection portion includes a first axis, and the first axis is parallel to or coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cable connection portion. In addition, when viewed from a cross section, a first angle is formed between a line between the midpoint between the two free ends of the C-shape and the center of the cross section of the electrode column hole and the first axis, and the first angle is an obtuse angle. Preferably, the first angle may be in the range of 110 to 130°, for example, may be approximately 125°. The setting of the first angle provides sufficient space for operations such as the adjustment portion, the bolts and nuts thereon, so as to facilitate operation.

[0015] Preferably, a fixing portion is formed on the sleeve, and a mounting screw hole is formed in the fixing portion. A fixing member such as a screw can pass through the mounting screw hole and enter the screw hole provided on the battery shell, thereby fixing the sleeve on the battery shell, thereby making the connection between the sleeve and the electrode column of the battery more stable and firm.

[0016] Preferably, the fixing portion extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve.

[0017] Further, the fixing portion includes a second axis, and the extension direction of the second axis is consistent with the direction in which the fixing portion extends away from the sleeve. A second angle is formed between the first axis and the second axis, and the second angle is an acute angle. Preferably, the second angle is in the range of 45° to 90°, for example, 65°.

[0018] Preferably, a tin-plated layer is at least partially provided on the surface of at least one of the cable connection part and the electrode column connection part. In particular, the surfaces of the cable connection part and the electrode column connection part are entirely provided with a tin-plated layer. The tin-plated layer helps to protect the cable connection part and the electrode column connection part of the bimetallic terminal from adverse effects of the external environment such as oxidation, corrosion, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The specific implementation and advantages of the present utility model can be more clearly understood from the structures shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 A top view of a bimetallic terminal according to a first embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 A side view of the bimetallic terminal as viewed from the electrode column connection side, in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

[0022] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the bimetallic terminal block taken along line II.

[0023] Figure 4A top view of a bimetallic terminal according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0024] Figure 5 Shown along Figure 4 The direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 is a side view of the bimetallic terminal as seen from the electrode column connection side.

[0025] (Explanation of symbols)

[0026] 1 Bimetallic Terminal Block

[0027] 10 Cable connection

[0028] 11 Cable jack

[0029] 12. Logo Department

[0030] 20 Electrode column connection

[0031] 21 sleeve

[0032] 22 handle

[0033] 23 electrode column holes

[0034] 24 opening

[0035] 25 Adjustment Department

[0036] 26 Free end

[0037] 31 Nut

[0038] 32 bolts

[0039] 33 Washer

[0040] 41 Fixed part

[0041] 42 mounting screw holes

[0042] X1 first axis

[0043] X2 Second axis

[0044] α1 first angle

[0045] α2 Second angle DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the specific implementation methods of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious modifications, variations, and equivalent substitutions to the present invention based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, and the technical features of the different embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined with each other without contradiction, and these all fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0047] In the following specific description of the present invention, the terms used to indicate directions and orientations, such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", etc., are based on the orientations shown in the figures or the states in which they are usually used. It should be understood that the orientation of the structure may also be changed according to the specific application occasion.

[0048] <First Embodiment>

[0049] Figures 1 to 3 The bimetallic terminal block 1 of the first embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein Figure 1 shows a top view of the bimetallic terminal 1, Figure 2 For along Figure 1 A side view of the bimetallic terminal block 1 as viewed from the direction indicated by arrow A. Figure 3 It shows that along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the bimetallic terminal 1 is obtained along line II.

[0050] The bimetallic terminal 1 of the present application comprises a cable connection portion 10 and an electrode column connection portion 20, wherein the cable connection portion 10 is used to connect to a cable, and the electrode column connection portion 20 is used to connect to an electrode column on a battery of an electric vehicle, for example.

[0051] Generally speaking, in electric vehicles, cables for power supply and connection of electronic devices are made of aluminum. Accordingly, the cable connection part 10 is also made of aluminum. Figure 2 As shown, the cable connecting portion 10 is generally cylindrical in shape. Figure 3 It can be seen from the cross-sectional view that a cable insertion hole 11 is formed in the cable connection part 10, and a cable made of aluminum can be inserted into the cable insertion hole 11. After the cable is inserted into the cable insertion hole 11, a tool such as a suitable crimping die can be used to apply pressure around the outer circumference of the cable connection part 10, so that the cable connection part 10 is deformed radially inward and the inner diameter of the cable insertion hole 11 is reduced, thereby fixing the cable connection part 10 and the cable together.

[0052] The inner diameter of the cable jack 11 can be set according to the actual application. For example, in the case of connecting the power supply cable in the electric vehicle, the cross-sectional area of ​​the power supply cable of the electric vehicle is usually 80-85 mm. 2 In the range of , corresponding to this, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cable jack 11 is set to 85mm 2 , or slightly larger than 85mm 2 In this way, the cable can be easily inserted into the cable insertion hole 11, and then the peripheral pressure is applied to the outside of the cable connecting part 10 so that the cable connecting part 10 is pressed onto the cable.

[0053] Preferably, the surface of the cable connection part 10 at least partially includes a tinned layer, and more preferably, the tinned layer is provided on both the outer surface and the inner surface of the cable connection part 10 (or the inner surface of the cable jack 11). The tinned layer helps to protect the cable connection part 10 from oxidation corrosion in the external environment.

[0054] Back to Figure 1 It can be seen that the outer surface of the cable connecting portion 10 preferably also includes a marking portion 12, and the marking portion 12 can include information related to the bimetallic terminal 1 as required to facilitate the selection and operation of the bimetallic terminal 1. Figure 1 It is shown that the model information of the bimetallic terminal block 1 is printed at the position of the identification portion 12 of the cable connection portion 10. The signal information may include the following information about the bimetallic terminal block 1: application occasions, such as connecting batteries and motors; applicable cable sizes, such as Figure 1 The "85" in the figure indicates that the available cross-sectional area of ​​the cable jack 11 in the cable connecting portion 10 is 85 mm 2 the left and right cables; and the polarity of the electrodes connected, e.g. Figure 1 The “N” in denoted as “N” indicates that the electrode post connecting portion 20 of the bimetallic terminal 1 should be connected to the negative electrode post of the battery.

[0055] The electrode column connection part 20 has a sleeve 21 and a handle 22 connected between the sleeve 21 and the cable connection part 10. The sleeve 21 of the electrode column connection part 20 is used to connect with the electrode column of the battery of the electric vehicle. The electrode column of the battery is usually made of copper, so the sleeve 21 is also made of copper, and the handle 22 is also made of copper and is formed as a whole with the sleeve 21. The handle 22 is preferably columnar (e.g., cylindrical), and one end thereof away from the sleeve 21 is connected to the cable connection part 10. For example, the handle 22 and the cable connection part 10 can be connected together by friction welding or the like.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the present application, the handle 22 is optional, in other words, the electrode column connection part 20 may only include the sleeve 21, and the cable connection part 10 may be directly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve 21. However, it is preferred to provide the handle 22, which helps to reliably connect the cable connection part 10 and the electrode column connection part 20 together through friction welding, because the end of the handle 22 is in planar contact with the cable connection part 10, thereby making the welding more stable and firm.

[0057] Further preferably, the surface of the electrode column connecting portion 20 is also at least partially provided with a tin-plated layer to protect the electrode column connecting portion 20 from oxidation corrosion in the external environment.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. , the sleeve 21 is also roughly cylindrical in shape, and the sleeve 21 is arranged with its longitudinal axis ( Figure 1 The center of the cross section of the sleeve 21 and the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting portion 10 are shown in FIG. Figure 1 Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 21 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting portion 10, and further preferably, their longitudinal axes intersect.

[0059] An electrode post hole 23 is formed in the sleeve 21. The electrode post hole 23 is preferably a through hole extending from the bottom to the top of the sleeve 21. The electrode post of the battery of the electric vehicle can be inserted and fixed in the electrode post hole 23. Preferably, as Figure 3 As shown, the cross section of the electrode column hole 23 is a trapezoid that tapers from bottom to top, or in other words, the diameter of the upper end of the electrode column hole 23 is smaller, and the diameter of the lower end is larger. In this way, the tapered shape helps to guide the battery electrode column to be inserted into the electrode column hole 23.

[0060] Further preferably, the diameter of the lower end of the electrode column hole 23 can be made slightly larger than the diameter of the electrode column, and the diameter of the upper end of the electrode column hole 23 can be made slightly smaller than the diameter of the electrode column. In this way, when the electrode column is inserted into the electrode column hole 23, the lower end with a larger diameter can help guide the electrode column into the electrode column hole 23, and when the electrode column is inserted into the upper end of the electrode column hole 23, an interference fit can be generated between the electrode column hole 23 and the electrode column, thereby fixing the electrode column.

[0061] As an additional or alternative structure, such as Figure 1As can be seen in the figure, the sleeve 21 includes an opening 24, so that its cross section is formed into a substantially C-shape, and the sleeve 21 is formed with two free ends 26 located on both sides of the opening 24. The sleeve 21 is also formed with an adjustment portion 25, which includes two halves, which are respectively arranged on the two free ends 26 of the sleeve 21 with a C-shaped cross section and are spaced apart from each other. The adjustment portion 25 can be used to adjust the diameter of the electrode column hole 23, so as to achieve fixed installation and removal of the electrode column.

[0062] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the adjusting portion 25 is provided with a nut 31 and a bolt 32, the bolt 32 can pass through the bolt holes formed on the two halves of the adjusting portion 25 from one side, and the bolt 32 is connected to the bolt 32 from the other side. Figure 1 As can be seen, the distance between the two halves of the adjustment portion 25 can be changed by the relative rotational movement between the nut 31 and the bolt 32, thereby adjusting the distance between the two free ends 26 of the sleeve 21 with a C-shaped cross-section, thereby changing the inner diameter of the electrode column hole 23.

[0063] Preferably, a washer 33 may be further provided between the nut 31 and the adjusting portion 25. The nut 31 and the bolt 32 may be made of stainless steel, and in order to protect the nut 31 and the bolt 32, a zinc coating may be further provided on the nut 31 and the bolt 32.

[0064] See also Figure 1 A first angle α1 is formed between a line connecting the center of the circular cross section from the opening 24 to the electrode column hole 23 and the first axis X1 of the cable connection part 10. The first axis X1 extends in the longitudinal direction of the cable connection part 10. More specifically, the first angle α1 is the angle between a line connecting the midpoint between the two free ends 26 of the opening 24 and the center of the electrode column hole 23 and the first axis X1 of the cable connection part 10. The first angle α1 is preferably an obtuse angle, more preferably in the range of 110 to 130°, for example, about 125°. In this way, sufficient space can be left for operating the nut 31 and the bolt 32 to adjust the inner diameter of the electrode column hole 23.

[0065] The following will introduce a method of using the bimetallic terminal 1 of the present application to connect a cable made of a first metal (aluminum) and a battery electrode made of a second metal (copper).

[0066] On the one hand, on one side of the cable connecting part 10, first, the cable is inserted into the cable insertion hole 11 of the cable connecting part 10, and then a suitable tool is used to apply pressure on the outer periphery of the cable connecting part 10, so that the cable connecting part 10 is radially deformed inward and crimped onto the cable, thereby fixing the cable.

[0067] On the other hand, on the electrode column connecting part 20 side, the sleeve 21 of the electrode column connecting part 20 is put on the electrode column of the battery, or the electrode column is inserted into the electrode column hole 23 of the sleeve 21. Then, in the case where the adjusting part 25 is included, the diameter of the electrode column hole 23 is adjusted by rotating the nut 31 thereon relative to the bolt 32, thereby clamping the electrode column of the battery.

[0068] In the above operation, the operations of connecting the cable connection part 10 with the cable and connecting the electrode column connection part 20 with the electrode column can be carried out in order according to the needs and actual conditions on site, or can be carried out simultaneously if the operating conditions permit.

[0069] <Second Embodiment>

[0070] Figure 4 and 5 The structure of the bimetallic terminal 1 of the second embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the same features as the bimetallic terminal 1 of the first embodiment use the same reference numerals and are not described in detail here. In the absence of contrary description or conflict, the structure described above with respect to the first embodiment is also applicable to the second embodiment.

[0071] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, a fixing portion 41 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 21 of the bimetallic terminal 1, and the fixing portion 41 preferably extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 21. A mounting screw hole 42 is formed in the fixing portion 41, and the mounting screw hole 42 is preferably a through hole extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 21 and penetrating the fixing portion 41. A fixing member (not shown) such as a fixing screw can be inserted into the mounting screw hole 42 and connected to the screw hole formed on the battery surface, thereby fixing the bimetallic terminal 1, specifically its sleeve 21, on the battery surface.

[0072] By providing the fixing portion 41, the connection between the sleeve 21 and the electrode column of the battery can be effectively stabilized, thereby improving safety. For example, it can prevent the electrode column from loosening from the sleeve 21 and causing safety hazards such as poor contact and short circuit. The bimetallic terminal 1 with the fixing portion 41 in the second embodiment is particularly advantageous for connecting the positive electrode column of the battery. For example, in Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the “P” in the model number marked at the identification portion 12 of the cable connection portion 10 represents that the bimetallic terminal 1 can be used to connect the positive electrode column of the battery.

[0073] Furthermore, if Figure 4As shown, the fixing portion 41 has a second axis X2, and the extension direction of the second axis X2 is consistent with the direction in which the fixing portion 41 extends away from the sleeve 21, or is roughly parallel to or coincides with the extension direction of the fixing portion 41 away from the sleeve 21. A second angle α2 is formed between the second axis X2 and the first axis X1, and the angle of the second angle α2 can be set as required. Preferably, the second angle α2 is an acute angle, more preferably in the range of 45° to 90°, for example, about 65°.

Claims

1. A bimetallic terminal, comprising: a cable connection portion, the cable connection portion being made of a first metal; and an electrode column connection portion, the electrode column connection portion being connected to the cable connection portion and being made of a second metal that is different from the first metal; It is characterized in that a cable jack is formed in the cable connecting part, and the electrode column connecting part includes a sleeve, in which an electrode column hole is formed, and the electrode column hole is a through hole formed by passing through the sleeve along the up and down directions, wherein the sleeve is arranged so that the longitudinal axis of the sleeve forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting part.

2. The bimetallic terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrode column connecting portion further includes a handle, which is made of the second metal and is columnar and connected between the sleeve and the cable connecting portion.

3. The bimetallic terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal axis of the sleeve is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting portion.

4. The bimetallic terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross section of the electrode column hole is a trapezoid that tapers from bottom to top.

5. The bimetallic terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sleeve includes an opening portion, so that the cross section of the sleeve is formed into a C shape, and the sleeve is also provided with an adjustment portion, the adjustment portion includes two halves, and the two halves are respectively provided at two free ends of the C shape; Wherein, bolts and nuts are arranged on the adjusting part, wherein bolt holes are respectively formed on the two halves, the bolts are inserted into the bolt holes from one side of the adjusting part, and the nuts are connected to the bolts from the other side of the adjusting part.

6. The bimetallic terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cable connection portion comprises a first axis which is parallel to or coincident with a longitudinal axis of the cable connection portion, and When viewed from a cross section, a first angle is formed between a line connecting a midpoint between two free ends of the C-shape and a center of a cross section of the electrode column hole and the first axis, and the first angle is an obtuse angle.

7. The bimetallic terminal block according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing portion is formed on the sleeve, and a mounting screw hole is formed in the fixing portion.

8. The bimetallic terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fixing portion extends radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the sleeve.

9. The bimetallic terminal according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cable connecting portion comprises a first axis, the first axis is parallel to or coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cable connecting portion, The fixing portion comprises a second axis, the extension direction of the second axis is consistent with the direction in which the fixing portion extends away from the sleeve, and A second angle is formed between the first axis and the second axis, and the second angle is an acute angle.

10. The bimetallic terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tin-plated layer is at least partially disposed on a surface of at least one of the cable connecting portion and the electrode column connecting portion.

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