Battery module end plate integrated with FPC connector, battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery module end plate integrated with an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) connector, a battery module and a battery pack, and belongs to the field of batteries. The battery module end plate comprises an end plate body, a connector installation groove and a fixing hole are formed in the end plate body, the connector installation groove extends downwards from the top face of the end plate body in the height direction, a first guide groove and a first buckle limiting hole which are used for guiding and limiting an FPC connector are formed in the connector installation groove, and the fixing hole is through in the height direction of the end plate body; bolts penetrate through the fixing holes; and the FPC connector is mounted in the connector mounting groove. According to the battery module end plate, the connector mounting groove is additionally formed in the end plate main body, so that the FPC connector can be directly mounted in the end plate main body, the mounting space is saved, the integration level of the battery module end plate is improved, the size of a battery module is reduced, the grouping rate of the battery module is improved, and when an external force is applied, the end plate main body is used for protection, so that the battery module is prevented from being damaged. The FPC connector can be prevented from being damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and particularly to a battery module end plate integrated with an FPC connector, a battery module, and a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] In a battery module, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) is responsible for collecting the voltages of the individual cells of the battery module and outputting signals through the connected FPC connector.

[0003] Among them, the FPC connector is usually installed on a CCS (Cells Contact System) mounting plate or on other components of the battery module. However, currently, the FPC connector often protrudes above or is longer than the battery module during installation, making it difficult to fully conform to the outer contour of the battery module, thus increasing the overall size of the battery module. In addition, when the FPC is connected to the FPC connector, it may interfere with other components of the battery module. Therefore, to meet the installation requirements of the FPC connector, part of the space inside the current battery pack needs to be sacrificed for the installation of the battery module, which is disadvantageous for the design of battery pack products with limited internal space.

[0004] In view of the above problems, exploring a more compact and easily integrated installation solution for the FPC connector has become an important topic in the current design of battery modules. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present application is to provide a battery module end plate integrated with an FPC connector, a battery module, and a battery pack to solve at least one of the above technical problems.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a battery module end plate integrated with an FPC connector, including: a main end plate body with a connector installation groove and fixing holes inside. The connector installation groove extends downward along the height direction from the top surface of the main end plate body. The connector installation groove is provided with a first guiding groove for guiding the FPC connector and a first buckle limiting hole for limiting the FPC connector. The fixing holes penetrate along the height direction of the main end plate body and are used for bolts to pass through; and an FPC connector installed in the connector installation groove.

[0007] In combination with the first aspect, in some optional embodiments, the connector installation groove is further provided with a plurality of ribs distributed along the length direction of the main end plate body. Each rib extends along the height direction, and its two side edges are respectively connected to the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the connector installation groove. The ribs are used to enhance the structural strength of the main end plate body and provide support for the bottom of the FPC connector.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, the number of the first guiding grooves is two, and the two first guiding grooves are respectively arranged on two side edges on both sides of the inner side wall of the connector mounting groove.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, the upper edge of the outer side wall of the connector mounting groove is lower than the top surface of the end plate body and lower than the socket end face of the FPC connector.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, a plurality of cable tie grooves distributed along the height direction are provided on the outer side wall of the end plate body, and each cable tie groove extends along the length direction for a cable tie of the battery module to be snapped into.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, a lifting hole is provided on the outer side wall of the end plate body.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, the battery module end plate further includes an insulating seat; an insulating seat mounting groove is further provided inside the end plate body, the insulating seat mounting groove extends downward along the height direction from the top surface of the end plate body, a second guiding groove for guiding the insulating seat and a second buckle limiting hole for limiting the insulating seat are provided in the insulating seat mounting groove, and the insulating seat is mounted in the insulating seat mounting groove.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some alternative embodiments, the insulating seat mounting groove is arranged side by side with the connector mounting groove in the length direction of the end plate body; the number of the fixing holes is two, and the two fixing holes are respectively located on both sides of the whole of the connector mounting groove and the insulating seat mounting groove in the length direction of the end plate body.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery module, including the battery module end plate with an integrated FPC connector in any one of the embodiments in the first aspect above.

[0015] In a third aspect, the present application provides a battery pack, including the battery module in the second aspect above.

[0016] Based on the above technical solutions, for the battery module end plate with an integrated FPC connector, the battery module and the battery pack provided by the present application, by adding a connector mounting groove on the end plate body, the FPC connector can be directly mounted inside the end plate body, saving the mounting space, improving the integration degree of the battery module end plate, thereby reducing the size of the battery module, increasing the grouping rate of the battery module, and when being subjected to an external force, with the end plate body as protection, the FPC connector can be prevented from being damaged; by providing a guiding groove in the connector mounting groove to limit the moving direction of the FPC connector, it is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the FPC connector; the end plate body has a simple structure and is easy to process, and has the characteristics of low manufacturing cost. Description of the Drawings

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following accompanying drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and thus should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other related accompanying drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module end plate integrating an FPC connector provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an end plate body provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a top view schematic diagram of an end plate body provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the A-A plane in

[0022] Reference numerals: 10, end plate body; 11, connector installation groove; 11A, upper edge; 111, first guiding groove; 112, first buckle limiting hole; 113, rib; 12, insulating seat installation groove; 121, second guiding groove; 122, second buckle limiting hole; 13, fixing hole; 14, cable tie groove; 15, lifting hole; 16, round chamfer; 20, FPC connector; 30, insulating seat. Specific embodiments

[0023] The following will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the description of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope protected by the present application.

[0024] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "connection", "setting", "installation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0025] The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "center", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "vertical", "horizontal", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this application is customarily placed during use. They are only for the convenience of description and simplification of the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation to this application.

[0026] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used to distinguish elements with similar attributes, rather than indicating or implying relative importance or a specific order, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited.

[0027] The term "comprising", "including", "having" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising that element.

[0028] The term "plurality" means two or more (including two).

[0029] The term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0030] Descriptions such as "an embodiment", "as an example", "in an implementation manner", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example can be included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. The schematic expressions of such terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they independent or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Without conflict, the embodiments and features in this application can be combined in a suitable manner.

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module end plate integrating an FPC connector provided for the embodiments of this application.

[0032] As Figure 1As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery module end plate with an integrated FPC connector, including an end plate body 10 and an FPC connector 20 and an insulating seat 30 arranged inside the end plate body 10.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an end plate body 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of an end plate body 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 for Figure 3 Section view of the AA plane.

[0034] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the end plate body 10 is rectangular, and a connector mounting groove 11, an insulating seat mounting groove 12, and a fixing hole 13 are provided inside the end plate body 10. Among them, the connector mounting groove 11 is used to install the FPC connector 20. The insulating seat mounting groove 12 is used to install the insulating seat 30, and the insulating seat 30 is used for the output pole copper bus of the battery module to be locked and fixed thereon. The fixing hole 13 is used for bolts to pass through to connect and fix with the box body of the battery pack. The processing technology of the end plate body 10 is simple. The end plate body 10 can be extruded from aluminum, and the connector mounting groove 11, the insulating seat mounting groove 12, and the fixing hole 13 can be directly obtained by milling.

[0035] The number of the connector installation slot 11 is one, and the cross section is rectangular. The connector installation slot 11 extends downward from the top surface of the end plate body 10 in the height direction, and the lower end can extend downward to the bottom surface of the end plate body 10, so that the connector installation slot 11 is through in the height direction. Compared with the structure with a non-through lower end, the through connector installation slot 11 can reduce the weight of the end plate body 10, and can also simplify the processing technology, for example, it is not necessary to perform surface processing on the bottom surface of the connector installation slot 11.

[0036] For the convenience of the following description, the term "outer side" is defined to refer to the side of the battery module end plate facing outward in the battery module, and the term "inner side" is defined to refer to the other side of the battery module end plate facing the battery cell in the battery module.

[0037] The FPC connector 20 is installed or removed from the upper end of the connector installation slot 11. The upper edge 11A of the outer side wall of the connector installation slot 11 is lower than the top surface of the end plate body 10 and lower than the socket end surface of the FPC connector 20, so that the socket part of the FPC connector 20 is partially exposed, which is convenient for observing the socket part when the FPC connector 20 is connected to the FPC.

[0038] A first guide groove 111 and a first buckle limiting hole 112 are provided in the connector installation groove 11 .

[0039] The first guiding groove 111 is used to cooperate with the guiding structure of the FPC connector 20 to provide guidance for the installation and removal of the FPC connector 20. The arrangement of the first guiding groove 111 is exemplarily as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown. The number of the first guiding grooves 111 is two, and the two first guiding grooves 111 are respectively arranged on the two side edges of the inner side wall of the connector installation groove 11.

[0040] The first buckle limiting hole 112 is used to cooperate with the buckle of the FPC connector 20 to limit and fix the position of the FPC connector 20 in the connector installation groove 11. The arrangement of the first buckle limiting hole 112 is exemplarily as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown. The number of the first buckle limiting holes 112 is three, and the three first buckle limiting holes 112 are distributed at the upper parts on both sides of the outer side wall of the connector installation groove 11.

[0041] Since the lateral length of the FPC connector 20 is relatively long, it can be seen from the figure that its length is significantly greater than 1 / 2 of the length of the end plate main body 10. To ensure the structural strength of the end plate main body 10 and enable the FPC connector 20 to be effectively supported when plugging with the FPC, a plurality of ribs 113 distributed along the length direction of the end plate main body are further provided in the connector installation groove 11. These ribs 113 are used to enhance the structural strength of the end plate main body 10 and provide support for the bottom of the FPC connector 20.

[0042] The arrangement of the ribs 113 is exemplarily as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown. The number of the ribs 113 is three, and the three ribs 113 are equally spaced along the length direction in the connector installation groove 11. Each rib 113 extends in the height direction, and its two side edges are respectively connected to the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the connector installation groove 11. The upper end of each rib 113 extends to the upper middle position in the connector installation groove 11, and the lower end extends to the lower end of the connector installation groove 11. When the FPC connector 20 is installed in place in the connector installation groove 11, the upper ends of the plurality of ribs 113 provide support by abutting against the bottom of the FPC connector 20.

[0043] As Figures 2 to 4As shown, there is one insulating seat installation groove 12, the cross section is rectangular and the length is significantly smaller than the lateral length of the connector installation groove 11. The insulating seat installation groove 12 is arranged in parallel with the connector installation groove 11 in the length direction of the end plate body 10. The insulating seat installation groove 12 extends downward from the top surface of the end plate body 10 in the height direction, and the lower end can extend downward to the bottom surface of the end plate body 10, so that the insulating seat installation groove 12 is through in the height direction. Referring to the through-type connector installation groove 11, the through-type insulating seat installation groove 12 can also reduce the weight of the end plate body 10 and simplify the processing technology.

[0044] The insulating seat 30 is installed in or removed from the upper end of the insulating seat installation groove 12 .

[0045] A second guide groove 121 and a second buckle limiting hole 122 are provided in the insulating seat installation groove 12 .

[0046] The second guide groove 121 is used to cooperate with the guide structure of the insulating seat 30 to provide guidance for the installation and removal of the insulating seat 30. The arrangement of the second guide groove 121 is exemplarily as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, there is one second guide groove 121 , which is disposed on the side of the inner side wall of the insulating seat mounting groove 12 away from the connector mounting groove 11 .

[0047] The second buckle limiting hole 122 is used to cooperate with the buckle of the insulating seat 30 to limit and fix the position of the insulating seat 30 in the insulating seat installation groove 12. The arrangement of the second buckle limiting hole 122 is exemplarily as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the number of the second buckle limiting hole 122 is one, and the second buckle limiting hole 122 is arranged at the upper part of the outer side wall of the insulating seat installation groove 12.

[0048] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, there are two fixing holes 13, which are respectively located on both sides of the connector mounting slot 11 and the insulating seat mounting slot 12 in the length direction of the end plate body 10, and each fixing hole 13 passes through the end plate body 10 in the height direction.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a tie groove 14 and a lifting hole 15 are provided on the outer side wall of the end plate body 10 .

[0050] The cable tie groove 14 is used for the cable ties of the battery module to be snapped in, preventing it from moving randomly in the height direction. Exemplarily, the number of cable tie grooves 14 is two, and each cable tie groove 14 extends along the length direction on the outer side wall of the end plate body 10. The two cable tie grooves 14 are distributed in the height direction, and the upper cable tie groove 14 is provided with a first buckle limiting hole 112 and a second buckle limiting hole 122. Both side edges of the outer side wall of the end plate body 10 are processed with round chamfers 16, facilitating the smooth transition of the cable tie passing through this position, reducing friction and wear.

[0051] The lifting holes 15 are used when moving the battery module. Exemplarily, the number of lifting holes 15 is two. The two lifting holes 15 are located between the two cable tie grooves 14 and are distributed along the length direction of the end plate body 10.

[0052] The assembly process of the battery module end plate integrated with the FPC connector is as follows: The FPC connector 20 is inserted into the connector installation groove 11 from the upper end of the connector installation groove 11. By the cooperation of the guiding structure of the FPC connector 20 and the first guiding groove 111, and the cooperation of the buckle of the FPC connector 20 and the first buckle limiting hole 112, it is ensured that the FPC connector 20 is installed in place in the connector installation groove 11; The insulating seat 30 is inserted into the insulating seat installation groove 12 from the upper end of the insulating seat installation groove 12. By the cooperation of the guiding structure of the insulating seat 30 and the second guiding groove 121, and the cooperation of the buckle of the insulating seat 30 and the second buckle limiting hole 122, it is ensured that the insulating seat 30 is installed in place in the insulating seat installation groove 12. When both the FPC connector 20 and the insulating seat 30 are assembled with the end plate body 10, the assembly is completed.

[0053] The embodiment of the present application further provides a battery module, which includes the battery module end plate integrated with the FPC connector as described above.

[0054] During the assembly process of this battery module, the part related to the battery module end plate integrated with the FPC connector includes: clamping multiple battery cells between two relatively arranged battery module end plates integrated with the FPC connector, and then bundling and fixing the two end plates and multiple battery cells with two cable ties made of steel or PET materials; connecting the FPC to the FPC connector 20; locking and fixing the output stage copper busbar on the insulating seat 30.

[0055] The embodiment of the present application further provides a battery pack, which includes the battery module as described above.

[0056] During the assembly process of this battery pack, the part related to the battery module end plate integrated with the FPC connector includes: moving the battery module into the box body of the battery pack through the lifting holes 15, and then passing bolts through the fixing holes 13 of the end plate body 10 and connecting them to the box body to fix the battery module to the box body.

[0057] In summary, for the battery module end plate, battery module, and battery pack integrated with FPC connectors provided in the embodiments of the present application, by adding a connector installation groove and an insulator seat installation groove on the end plate body, the FPC connector and the insulator seat can be directly installed inside the end plate body, saving installation space, improving the integration of the battery module end plate, thereby reducing the size of the battery module, increasing the grouping rate of the battery module, and when subjected to external force, with the end plate body as protection, damage to the FPC connector and the insulator seat can be avoided; by providing guide grooves in the connector installation groove and the insulator seat installation groove to limit the movement directions of the FPC connector and the insulator seat, it is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the FPC connector and the insulator seat; the structure and processing technology of the end plate body are simple, and it can be formed by aluminum extrusion and processed by a milling machine, reducing the material cost and manufacturing time.

[0058] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of various changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, and these should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector, characterized in that: include: The end plate body has connector installation slots and fixing holes inside. The connector installation groove extends downward from the top surface of the end plate body in the height direction, and a first guide groove for guiding the FPC connector and a first buckle limiting hole for limiting the position of the FPC connector are provided in the connector installation groove. The fixing hole penetrates along the height direction of the end plate body, and the fixing hole is used for bolts to pass through; and The FPC connector is installed in the connector installation slot.

2. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector installation slot is also provided with a plurality of ribs distributed along the length direction of the end plate body. Each of the ribs extends in the height direction, and its two side edges are respectively connected to the inner side wall and the outer side wall of the connector installation slot. The ribs are used to enhance the structural strength of the end plate body and provide support for the bottom of the FPC connector.

3. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the first guide grooves is two, and the two first guide grooves are respectively arranged on the two side edges of the inner side wall of the connector installation groove.

4. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper edge of the outer side wall of the connector installation slot is lower than the top surface of the end plate body and lower than the socket end surface of the FPC connector.

5. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the end plate body is provided with a plurality of tie grooves distributed along the height direction. Each of the cable tie grooves extends along the length direction, and the cable tie grooves are used for inserting the cable tie of the battery module.

6. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: A lifting hole is provided on the outer side wall of the end plate body.

7. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The battery module end plate also includes an insulating seat; The end plate body is also provided with an insulating seat mounting groove inside. The insulating seat installation groove extends downward from the top surface of the end plate body in the height direction, and is provided with a second guide groove for guiding the insulating seat and a second snap-on limiting hole for limiting the insulating seat, and the insulating seat is installed in the insulating seat installation groove.

8. The battery module end plate with integrated FPC connector according to claim 7, characterized in that: The insulating seat installation groove is arranged in parallel with the connector installation groove in the length direction of the end plate body; The number of the fixing holes is two, and the two fixing holes are respectively located on both sides of the connector mounting slot and the insulating seat mounting slot as a whole in the length direction of the end plate body.

9. A battery module, characterized in that: A battery module end plate comprising an integrated FPC connector as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: Comprising the battery module as claimed in claim 9.

Images