Electric connector and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of batteries, and particularly relates to an electric connecting piece and a battery pack, the electric connecting piece comprises an electric connecting piece main body, and at least one first channel is arranged in the electric connecting piece main body; the first channel extends in the x direction and serves as an insulation heat exchange medium flowing cavity. A plurality of first through holes penetrating through the first channel are formed in the bottom plate of the electric connector main body; the battery pack comprises at least two high-capacity batteries, the first polarity terminals of all the single batteries on one high-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes, and the second polarity terminals of all the single batteries on the other high-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes; according to the utility model, the original structure that the heat exchange channel is isolated from the polar terminal is optimized into the structure that the polar terminal is positioned in the heat exchange channel, so that the heat exchange path is shortened, and the heat exchange performance of the whole electric connecting piece and the battery pack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of batteries, and specifically relates to an electrical connector and a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Currently, common battery packs are all formed by connecting multiple high-capacity batteries (which can also be called high-capacity batteries or battery modules) in series using electrical connectors.

[0003] The temperature control of battery packs has always been a hot topic in this field. When the current is too large, it will cause the electrical connector to overheat, affecting the normal operation of the battery pack; in addition, since the pole posts of the single cells in the high-capacity battery are the parts where the heat is most concentrated, when the local heat of the pole posts is too high, it will also cause the temperature of the electrical connector connected to it to soar, affecting the normal operation of the battery pack.

[0004] To solve the above problems, Chinese Patent CN221041264U discloses an electrical connector and an energy storage device, which realizes the parallel connection of each single cell in the same high-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent high-capacity batteries based on the electrical connector; a heat exchange channel is opened on the electrical connector, and the heat concentrated on the electrical connector can be transferred from the electrical connector to the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange channel and then the heat is carried out.

[0005] However, in the above patent, the electrical connector is fixed on the upper end surface of the polarity terminals of each single cell. The heat concentrated on the polarity terminals needs to be transferred from the electrical connector to the heat transfer medium in the heat exchange channel and then the heat is carried out. The heat exchange path is long, affecting the heat exchange effect of the polarity terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an electrical connector and a battery pack, which shorten the heat exchange path and improve the heat exchange performance of the entire electrical connector and the battery pack by optimizing the structure of the electrical connector.

[0007] The first aspect of the utility model provides an electrical connector, which is used to realize the parallel connection of each single cell in the same high-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent high-capacity batteries; in each high-capacity battery, the single cells are arranged along the x direction;

[0008] The electrical connector includes an electrical connector body, and at least one first channel is provided in the electrical connector body;

[0009] The first channel extends along the x direction and serves as an insulating heat exchange medium flow cavity;

[0010] A plurality of first through holes penetrating the first channel are opened on the bottom plate of the electrical connector body;

[0011] A plurality of first through-holes are arranged in a rectangular array on the bottom plate of the main body of the electrical connector. In the y direction, they are arranged in two columns. One column of first through-holes corresponds one-to-one with the first-polarity terminals of all single cells on one large-capacity battery; the other column of first through-holes corresponds one-to-one with the second-polarity terminals of all single cells on another large-capacity battery; wherein the polarities of the first-polarity terminals and the second-polarity terminals are opposite.

[0012] The orthographic projection area of the first through-hole in the xy plane is slightly larger than the orthographic projection area of the first part of the corresponding polarity terminal in the xy plane, ensuring that the first part of the corresponding polarity terminal can extend into the inner cavity of the first channel through the first through-hole.

[0013] The utility model optimizes the structure of the electrical connector, optimizing the original structure in which the heat exchange channel is isolated from the polarity terminal to a structure in which the polarity terminal is located in the heat exchange channel. A plurality of first through-holes penetrating through it are opened on the wall of the heat exchange channel for the polarity terminals of the single cells to extend into the heat exchange channel; the heat exchange channel described here is the above-mentioned first channel. That is, a part of the structure of the polarity terminal is located in the inner cavity of the first channel and is in direct contact with the insulating heat exchange medium.

[0014] Compared with the effect of the indirect heat exchange of the polarity terminal by the heat exchange medium in Chinese Patent CN221041264U, firstly, it has a shorter heat exchange path (shortened from "heat exchange medium - electrical connector - polarity terminal" to "heat exchange medium - polarity terminal"), which can improve the utilization efficiency of the heat exchange medium; secondly, it has a larger heat exchange area (increased from "the upper end surface of the polarity terminal, and the upper end surface is the fixed part of the polarity terminal and the electrical connector" to "the part of the structure of the polarity terminal located in the inner cavity of the first channel"), improving the heat exchange efficiency, and further improving the heat exchange efficiency of such large-capacity batteries and battery packs.

[0015] Furthermore, in the utility model, usually two or one first channel is opened in the main body of the electrical connector;

[0016] When two first channels are opened, the two first channels are isolated from each other, and the two columns of first through-holes in the y direction are respectively communicated with the two first channels.

[0017] Furthermore, the main body of the electrical connector is a split part, including a first base and two first sealing top plates; two mutually isolated first grooves are opened in the first base; the two first sealing top plates are respectively sealed and fixed at the open ends of the two first grooves to form two first channels; the first through-holes are opened on the first base. Setting the electrical connector as a split structure can achieve the sealing between the first through-hole and the corresponding polarity terminal by welding, improving the sealing performance of this part.

[0018] Further, at least one third channel is formed in the main body of the electrical connector, and the third channel is located between two first channels; the third channel extends along the x direction and serves as a flow cavity for the insulating heat exchange medium, and the heat exchange performance of the electrical connector can be further improved based on the third channel.

[0019] When one first channel is formed, the two columns of first through holes in the y direction are both in communication with the first channel. Compared with the structure of two first channels, the heat exchange performance is better, but more heat exchange medium is consumed.

[0020] Further, the main body of the electrical connector is a split part, including a second base and a second sealing top plate; a second groove is formed in the second base; the second sealing top plate is hermetically fixed at the open end of the second groove to form a first channel; the first through holes are formed in the second base. By setting the electrical connector as a split structure, the sealing between the first through holes and the corresponding polarity terminals can be realized by welding, improving the sealing performance of this part.

[0021] In a second aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is provided, including at least two high-capacity batteries, each high-capacity battery having at least two single cells, and further including an electrical connector; the electrical connector is the above-mentioned electrical connector; the first polarity terminals of all the single cells on one high-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes, and the second polarity terminals of all the single cells on the other high-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes; each first through hole is hermetically connected to the corresponding first polarity terminal and second polarity terminal, and the electrical connector is electrically conductive with the first polarity terminal and the second polarity terminal.

[0022] Further, when the main body of the electrical connector is an integral part, the tops of the first polarity terminal and the second polarity terminal are welded to the main body of the electrical connector.

[0023] Further, the main body of the electrical connector is a split part, including a first base and two first sealing top plates; two mutually isolated first grooves are formed in the first base; the two first sealing top plates are respectively hermetically fixed at the open ends of the two first grooves to form two first channels; the first through holes are formed in the first base; the areas around each first through hole on the first base are welded and sealed to the corresponding first polarity terminal and second polarity terminal.

[0024] Further, the main body of the electrical connector is a split part, including a second base and a second sealing top plate; a second groove is formed in the second base; the second sealing top plate is hermetically fixed at the open end of the second groove to form a first channel; the first through holes are formed in the second base; the areas around each first through hole on the second base are welded and sealed to the corresponding first polarity terminal and second polarity terminal.

[0025] Furthermore, the large-capacity battery further includes a housing; a plurality of single cells are arranged in the inner cavity of the housing along the x direction; the housing is provided with at least one shared chamber, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber communicates with the inner cavities of all the single cells; avoidance holes are provided on the top plate of the housing corresponding to the polarity terminals of each single cell; the polarity terminals of each single cell extend out of the avoidance holes, and the area of the top plate of the housing corresponding to the avoidance holes is fixedly sealed with the housing of the single cell.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0027] The present utility model optimizes the structure of the electrical connection component, and optimizes the structure in which the original heat exchange channel is isolated from the polarity terminal into a structure in which the polarity terminal is located in the heat exchange channel. A plurality of first through holes penetrating through the heat exchange channel are provided on the wall of the heat exchange channel for the polarity terminals of the single cells to extend into the heat exchange channel; the heat exchange channel described here is the above-mentioned first channel. That is, a part of the structure of the polarity terminal is located in the inner cavity of the first channel and is in direct contact with the insulating heat exchange medium.

[0028] Compared with the effect of indirectly exchanging heat between the heat exchange medium and the polarity terminal through the electrical connection component in Chinese Patent CN221041264U, firstly, it has a shorter heat exchange path (shortened from "heat exchange medium - electrical connection component - polarity terminal" to "heat exchange medium - polarity terminal"), which can improve the utilization efficiency of the heat exchange medium; secondly, it has a larger heat exchange area (increased from "the upper end surface of the polarity terminal, and the upper end surface is the fixed part of the polarity terminal and the electrical connection component" to "the part of the structure of the polarity terminal located in the inner cavity of the first channel"), improving the heat exchange efficiency, and further improving the heat exchange efficiency of such large-capacity batteries and battery packs. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 1 Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 1 Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 1;

[0032] Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connection component provided with the third channel;

[0033] Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 2;

[0034] Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 3;

[0035] Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the electrical connection component in Embodiment 4;

[0036] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the battery pack in Embodiment 5;

[0037] Figure 9 It is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Embodiment 5;

[0038] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Embodiment 6;

[0039] Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Embodiment 7;

[0040] Figure 12 It is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack in Embodiment 8;

[0041] Figure 13 It is a schematic structural diagram of the first type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0042] Figure 14 It is a cross-sectional view of the first type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0043] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of the second type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0044] Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view of the second type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0045] Figure 17 It is a cross-sectional view of the third type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0046] Figure 18 It is a schematic structural diagram of the fourth type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0047] Figure 19 It is a cross-sectional view of the fourth type of battery pack in Embodiment 9;

[0048] The reference numerals in the figure are:

[0049] 1. Outer shell; 11. Outer shell top plate; 12. Outer shell bottom plate; 2. Single cell; 21. First polarity terminal; 22. Second polarity terminal; 23. First part of the polarity terminal; 24. Annular groove; 25. O-ring seal; 3. High-capacity battery; 4. Electrical connector; 41. Electrical connector body; 42. First channel; 43. First through hole; 44. Electrical connector body bottom plate; 45. First base; 46. First sealing top plate; 47. First groove; 48. Second base; 49. Second sealing top plate; 40. Second groove; 5. Electrolyte sharing chamber; 6. Gas sharing chamber; 7. Avoidance hole; 8. Sealing connector; 9. Boss; 10. Third channel. Detailed implementation manners

[0050] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present utility model more apparent and understandable, the following will describe the specific embodiments of the present utility model in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0051] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present utility model. However, the present utility model can also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations without departing from the spirit of the present utility model. Therefore, the present utility model is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0052] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "top, bottom" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying 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. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model. In addition, terms such as "first, second, third, fourth, etc." are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0053] The present utility model provides an electrical connector for realizing the parallel connection of individual cells within the same large-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent large-capacity batteries; in addition, heat exchange of the large-capacity battery can also be realized. Here, the heat exchange can be understood as: heat dissipation or heating of the large-capacity battery; when the temperature of the large-capacity battery is higher than the set threshold, a heat exchange medium with a lower temperature is introduced into the electrical connector to cool the large-capacity battery; when the temperature of the large-capacity battery is lower than the set threshold, a heat exchange medium with a higher temperature is introduced into the electrical connector to heat the large-capacity battery; by controlling the temperature of the heat exchange medium, it can be ensured that the large-capacity battery always operates at the normal working temperature.

[0054] Such large-capacity batteries include a plurality of individual cells arranged in the same direction; for the convenience of description, the arrangement direction of the individual cells is defined as the x-direction in the present utility model; the height direction of the individual cells is defined as the z-direction; the direction perpendicular to both the x- and z-directions is defined as the y-direction; which is consistent with the directions defined in the background art.

[0055] The above large-capacity battery may further include a housing, and a plurality of individual cells are arranged in the housing cavity along the x-direction.

[0056] The present utility model does not specifically limit the structure of the housing, and at least the following two structures can be adopted:

[0057] The first structure: includes a cylinder with open ends at both ends (i.e., the ports parallel to the yz plane are open ends), and end plates respectively fixed at the two open ends of the cylinder (i.e., the end plates are parallel to the yz plane);

[0058] The second structure: includes a cylinder with open ends at the top and bottom (i.e., the ports parallel to the xy plane are open ends), and an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate respectively fixed at the open ends at the top and bottom of the cylinder (i.e., both the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate are parallel to the xy plane, and the lower cover plate can be an integral structure with the cylinder);

[0059] A shared chamber can also be provided inside the above-mentioned housing.

[0060] It should be noted that:

[0061] The above-mentioned shared chamber can be an electrolyte shared chamber. The inner cavity of the electrolyte shared chamber is connected to the inner cavities of each single battery. Through the electrolyte shared chamber, each single battery can be in a unified electrolyte environment, ensuring the uniformity of the electrolyte in each single battery; improving the performance and charge-discharge cycle life of the large-capacity battery. Here, the electrolyte shared chamber is a liquid channel extending along the length direction of the housing between the bottom plate of the housing and each single battery. This liquid channel can be integrally formed with the bottom plate of the housing, or can be formed by setting support members between the lower cover plate of the single battery and the bottom plate of the housing.

[0062] The above-mentioned shared chamber can also be a gas shared chamber provided on the top plate of the housing. The gas shared chamber covers the gas ports on the tops of each single battery in the large-capacity battery. It should be noted that the gas port here has the following two meanings:

[0063] 1) The gas port is a first through hole directly opened on the upper cover plate of the single battery and penetrating the inner cavity of the single battery;

[0064] At this time, the inner cavity of the gas shared chamber is connected to the gas areas in the inner cavities of each single battery through this gas port. Based on the gas shared chamber, the gas areas of each single battery can be connected to achieve gas balance, enabling each single battery to share gas to ensure the consistency of each single battery, and improving the cycle life of the large-capacity battery to a certain extent; when any single battery undergoes thermal runaway, the flue gas in the inner cavity of this single battery enters the gas shared chamber and is discharged through the gas shared chamber, improving the safety of this large-capacity battery.

[0065] 2) The gas port is a venting port or explosion-proof port provided on the upper cover plate of the single battery, and a venting film is provided at this venting port or explosion-proof port;

[0066] At this time, the gas sharing chamber is used as a pressure relief channel. When the pressure relief membrane at the gas port of any single cell is broken through by the flue gas in the inner cavity, the inner cavity of the single cell is communicated with the gas sharing chamber, and the flue gas inside it is discharged through the gas sharing chamber, improving the safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0067] The above sharing chamber can also be a gas-liquid sharing chamber. Through a gas-liquid sharing chamber, each single cell can be in a unified electrolyte environment and gas environment, improving the performance and charge-discharge cycle life of the large-capacity battery.

[0068] To facilitate the electrical connection of the large-capacity battery with a housing, relief holes are provided on the top plate of the housing (in the housing of the first structure, the top plate of the housing here is the cylindrical top plate; in the housing of the second structure, the top plate of the housing here is the upper cover plate) corresponding to the polarity terminals of each single cell; the polarity terminals of each single cell extend out of the corresponding relief holes as the polarity terminals of the large-capacity battery, and the area of the top plate of the housing corresponding to the relief holes is fixedly sealed with the housing of the single cell, so that the relief hole part of the top plate of the housing is sealed.

[0069] It should be noted that the polarity terminal of the single cell described here can be the pole column of the single cell. If it is necessary to avoid that the pole column of the single cell cannot smoothly extend out of the relief hole or the height of extending out of the relief hole does not meet the set requirements, a pole column adapter can also be connected to the pole column of the single cell, and the overall structure of the cooperation between the pole column of the single cell and the pole column adapter is used as the polarity terminal of the single cell.

[0070] In order to achieve that the electrical connector can realize the parallel connection of each single cell in the same large-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent large-capacity batteries, and can also realize the heat exchange function of the large-capacity battery, the present utility model adopts an inventive concept similar to that of Chinese Patent CN221041264U. Part of the structure of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the first polarity terminals of all single cells on one large-capacity battery, and another part of the structure of the electrical connector is electrically connected to the second polarity terminals of all single cells on another large-capacity battery (where the polarities of the first polarity terminal and the second polarity terminal are opposite), realizing the parallel connection of each single cell in the same large-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent large-capacity batteries. At the same time, a heat exchange channel is opened in the electrical connector for heat exchange. However, different from Chinese Patent CN221041264U, the present utility model considers that by optimizing the structure of the electrical connector and adopting a direct heat exchange method, the polarity terminal is in direct contact with the heat exchange medium to realize the heat exchange of the electrical connector and the polarity terminal.

[0071] Based on this inventive concept, the utility model adjusts the structure of the electrical connector, optimizing the structure that originally isolated the heat exchange channel from the polar terminals to a structure where the polar terminals are located within the heat exchange channel. Specifically, the electrical connector of the utility model includes an electrical connector body, and at least one first channel is provided within the electrical connector body; the first channel extends along the x direction and serves as an insulating heat exchange medium flow cavity; both ends of the first channel serve as the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end.

[0072] A plurality of first through-holes are formed in the bottom plate of the electrical connector body, penetrating the first channel; the plurality of first through-holes are arranged in a rectangular array on the bottom plate of the electrical connector body. In the x direction, they are arranged in multiple rows, where the number of rows is the same as the number of the first polar terminals or the second polar terminals in the large-capacity battery; in the y direction, they are arranged in two columns. One column of first through-holes corresponds one-to-one with all the first polar terminals of the single cells in one large-capacity battery; the other column of first through-holes corresponds one-to-one with all the second polar terminals of the single cells in another large-capacity battery; where the first polar terminal and the second polar terminal have opposite polarities.

[0073] In addition, the projected area of the first through-hole in the xy plane is slightly larger than the projected area of the first part of the corresponding polar terminal in the xy plane, ensuring that the first part of the corresponding polar terminal can extend into the inner cavity of the first channel through the first through-hole.

[0074] It should be noted that:

[0075] 1. The above-mentioned first part of the polar terminal is the part of the polar terminal that extends into the first channel. In some cases, the cross-sectional areas of the first part of the polar terminal and the remaining parts are exactly equal. Therefore, it can be considered that as long as "the projected area of the first through-hole in the xy plane is slightly larger than the projected area of the corresponding polar terminal in the xy plane", it can ensure that the first part of the corresponding polar terminal can extend into the first channel.

[0076] 2. Usually, the shape of the first through-hole is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the polar terminal. If the first through-hole is a round hole, the cross-section of the polar terminal is circular, and at the same time, the diameter of the first through-hole needs to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first part of the polar terminal; if the first through-hole is a square hole, the cross-section of the polar terminal is square, and similarly, the cross-sectional area of the first through-hole needs to be slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the first part of the polar terminal. Of course, the shape of the first through-hole and the cross-sectional shape of the polar terminal can also not be adapted, as long as it can ensure that the first part of the corresponding polar terminal can extend into the inner cavity of the first channel through the first through-hole.

[0077] 3. All the first polar terminals or the second polar terminals of the single cells in the large-capacity battery need to be guaranteed to be arranged on the same side.

[0078] After the above-mentioned electrical connector is fixed on the tops of two large-capacity batteries, each first-polarity terminal of one large-capacity battery extends into the inner cavity of the first channel through the corresponding first through-hole, and each second-polarity terminal of the other large-capacity battery extends into the inner cavity of the first channel through the corresponding first through-hole. A sealed connection is made between each polarity terminal and the first through-hole, and at the same time, conduction occurs between the electrical connector and the polarity terminals.

[0079] With this electrical connector, the present utility model can achieve the parallel connection of each single battery in the same large-capacity battery, and at the same time, it can also achieve the series connection between two adjacent large-capacity batteries. When multiple large-capacity batteries form a battery pack, the electrical connection between single batteries and between large-capacity batteries is more concise and practical. At the same time, a first channel is opened in the electrical connector, and the inner cavity of this first channel serves as the flow cavity for the heat exchange medium. The heat concentrated on the electrical connector can be transferred from the electrical connector to the heat transfer medium in the first channel and then the heat is carried out. In addition, a part of the structure of the polarity terminal is located in the inner cavity of the first channel and is in direct contact with the heat exchange medium; compared with the effect of the heat exchange medium indirectly exchanging heat with the polarity terminal through the electrical connector in Chinese Patent CN221041264U, first, it has a shorter heat exchange path (shortened from "heat exchange medium - electrical connector - polarity terminal" to "heat exchange medium - polarity terminal"), which can improve the utilization efficiency of the heat exchange medium; second, it has a larger heat exchange area (increased from "the upper end surface of the polarity terminal, and the upper end surface is the fixed part of the polarity terminal and the electrical connector" to "the part of the structure of the polarity terminal located in the inner cavity of the first channel"), improving the heat exchange efficiency, and further improving the heat exchange efficiency of such large-capacity batteries and battery packs.

[0080] It should be noted that:

[0081] 1. Since the polarity terminal of the present utility model is in direct contact with the heat exchange medium, the ideal heat exchange medium should have good insulation, high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, good flame retardant performance, low cost, as well as suitable working temperature, long life, non-corrosive and other characteristics. In the present utility model, the heat exchange medium is a common insulating heat exchange medium in the prior art, which can be but is not limited to insulating oil and fluorinated liquid, etc.

[0082] 2. The electrical connector is made of a metal material with relatively good conductivity.

[0083] 3. Insulation should be provided between the electrical connector and the top of the large-capacity battery. Usually, there is a certain gap between the two. In some cases, an insulating pad, insulating film or insulating paint can also be added between the top of the large-capacity battery and the electrical connector to achieve insulation between the two.

[0084] The electrical connector can adopt different structural forms. The following will combine the drawings and specific embodiments to detail different structural electrical connectors and the corresponding battery packs.

[0085] Example 1

[0086] This example is an electrical connector 4, specifically as Figures 1 to 3 shown. As can be seen from the figure, the electrical connector 4 in this example includes an electrical connector body 41. There are two mutually isolated first channels 42 inside the electrical connector body 41, and a plurality of first through holes 43 penetrating the first channels 42 are opened on the bottom plate 44 of the electrical connector body.

[0087] The electrical connector body 41 of the present utility model is in the shape of a plate or a column, etc., and its cross-sectional shape is not specifically limited. Since the electrical connector 4 in this example is placed on the top of a planar large-capacity battery 3, considering the regularity of the structure, as can be seen from the figure, the electrical connector body 41 in this example is a rectangular plate. In some other examples, a column with other structural forms can also be used. The electrical connector body 41 is made of a metal material with good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, such as silver, copper, aluminum, etc. However, considering the cost and the comprehensive performance of heat conduction and electricity conduction, aluminum is generally selected as the material of the electrical connector body 41.

[0088] The above-mentioned first channel 42 is a channel opened along the length direction of the electrical connector body 41. In the present utility model, after the electrical connector body 41 is fixed on the top of the large-capacity battery 3, the length direction of the electrical connector body 41 is consistent with the arrangement direction of the single cells 2 (the arrangement direction of the single cells 2 is the x direction). Therefore, it can be considered that the first channel 42 extends along the x direction. The inner cavity of the first channel 42 serves as a heat exchange medium flow channel, and the two end ports of the first channel 42 serve as the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end.

[0089] In this example, the axis of the first channel 42 is parallel to the axis of the length direction of the electrical connector body 41, extends along the length direction of the electrical connector body 41, and penetrates the electrical connector body 41. In some other examples, the first channel 42 can be in a serpentine, S-shaped or other curved forms, but compared with this example, its processing difficulty is relatively large.

[0090] The above-mentioned plurality of first through holes 43 are opened on the bottom plate 44 of the electrical connector body and communicate with the first channel 42. As can be seen from the figure, this example includes a total of 20 first through holes 43. The 20 first through holes 43 are arranged in a matrix array, with 2 columns arranged in the y direction and 10 rows arranged in the x direction. One column of the first through holes 43 in the y direction corresponds one-to-one with all the first polarity terminals 21 of the single cells 2 on one large-capacity battery 3; the other column of the first through holes 43 corresponds one-to-one with all the second polarity terminals 22 of the single cells 2 on the other large-capacity battery 3; the polarities of the first polarity terminal 21 and the second polarity terminal 22 are opposite.

[0091] The number of the first through holes 43 is the same as the number of the polar terminals of the single cells 2 in the large-capacity battery 3. In some other embodiments, the number of the first through holes 43 can be adjusted according to the number of the polar terminals of the single cells 2 in the large-capacity battery 3.

[0092] To ensure that the first parts 23 of the polar terminals of each single cell 2 smoothly extend into the first channel 42 through the corresponding first through holes 43, in this embodiment, the orthographic projection area of the first through hole 43 in the xy plane is slightly larger than the orthographic projection area of the corresponding first part 23 of the polar terminal in the xy plane, so as to ensure that the corresponding first part 23 of the polar terminal can extend into the first channel 42 through the first through hole 43.

[0093] In this embodiment, the shape of the first through hole 43 is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the first part 23 of the polar terminal. The shape of the first through hole 43 is circular, and the cross-section of the first part 23 of the polar terminal is also circular, and the diameter of the first through hole 43 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first part 23 of the polar terminal. In some other embodiments, the shape of the first through hole 43 and the cross-sectional shape of the first part 23 of the polar terminal can be different, as long as it is ensured that the first part 23 of the polar terminal can be inserted into the first channel 42 through the first through hole 43.

[0094] To further improve the heat exchange efficiency, according to the actual situation, such as Figure 4 shown, a third channel 10 isolated from the above two first channels can also be opened in the electrical connector body 41. The third channel 10 is located between the two first channels and serves as a heat exchange channel.

[0095] The third channel and the above two first channels can be connected in parallel or in series.

[0096] Embodiment 2

[0097] This embodiment is also an electrical connector 4. Different from Embodiment 1, the electrical connector body 41 in this embodiment is a split part, and its structure is as Figure 5 shown.

[0098] In Figure 5 it, the electrical connector body 41 includes a first base 45 and two first sealing top plates 46. The first through holes 43 are opened on the first base 45, and two first grooves 47 extending along the x direction and arranged along the y direction are opened on the first base 45. The two first sealing top plates 46 are respectively sealed and fixed at the top open ends of the two first grooves 47 to form two first channels 42.

[0099] Through the split design, the edge of the first through hole 43 (i.e., the area around the first through hole on the first base 45) on the electrical connector 4 and the corresponding polar terminal can be sealed and fixed by welding. For details, reference can be made to Embodiment 6.

[0100] Example 3

[0101] This example is an electrical connector 4 with another structure. Different from Example 1, as Figure 6 shown, a first channel 42 is provided in the main body 41 of the electrical connector in this example; that is, the first polarity terminals 21 of all the single cells 2 on one large-capacity battery 3 and the second polarity terminals 22 of all the single cells 2 on another large-capacity battery 3 are all located in the same first channel 42.

[0102] In this example, sealing plates can be added at both ends of the first channel 42, and holes are opened in the sealing plates to serve as the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end respectively.

[0103] Example 4

[0104] Different from Example 3, the main body 41 of the electrical connector in this example is a split part, and its structure is as Figure 7 shown.

[0105] Figure 7 As shown in, the main body 41 of the electrical connector includes a second base 48 and a second sealing top plate 49; a first through hole 43 is opened on the second base 48. At the same time, along the x direction, a second groove 40 is opened on the second base 48; the second sealing top plate 49 is hermetically fixed at the open end of the second groove 40 to form the first channel 42.

[0106] Through the split design, the first through hole 43 and the corresponding polarity terminals in the electrical connector 4 can also be hermetically fixed by welding, and for details, reference can be made to Example 8.

[0107] Example 5

[0108] This example is a battery pack, including an electrical connector 4 and at least two large-capacity batteries 3. Among them, the electrical connector 4 is the electrical connector 4 in Example 1.

[0109] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, they are the structural schematic diagram and the cross-sectional view of the battery pack in this example. In the figure, the battery pack has two large-capacity batteries 3 as an example.

[0110] It can be seen from the figure that the large-capacity battery 3 in this example includes 10 single cells 2 arranged along the x direction. The single cell 2 in this example is a square shell battery, and the inner cavity of each single cell 2 includes an electrolyte area and a gas area. In other examples, the number of single cells 2 can be adjusted according to actual needs, and the form of the single cell 2 can also be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0111] The electrical connector 4 is disposed on the tops of two large-capacity batteries 3. The first-polarity terminals 21 of all the single cells 2 on one of the large-capacity batteries 3 extend into the corresponding first channels 42 through the corresponding first through-holes 43, and the second-polarity terminals 22 of all the single cells 2 on the other large-capacity battery 3 extend into the first channels 42 through the corresponding first through-holes 43.

[0112] As can be seen, Figure 9 in the first-polarity terminals 21 and the tops of the second-polarity terminals 22 of this embodiment are both in contact with the electrical connector body 41 within the first channels 42. To improve the stability between the two, in this embodiment, the electrical connector body 41 can be welded to the tops of the first-polarity terminals 21 and the second-polarity terminals 22 from the outer surface of the electrical connector. The welding can further improve the electrical conductivity between the electrical connector and the polarity terminals.

[0113] Since a heat exchange medium flows within the first channels 42, the sealing performance between the first through-holes 43 and the corresponding polarity terminals (including the first-polarity terminals 21 and the second-polarity terminals 22) is particularly important. As can be seen, Figure 9 in this embodiment, annular grooves 24 extending along the circumferences thereof are formed in each of the polarity terminals; and O-ring seals 25 are embedded within the annular grooves 24. The outer circumferential surfaces of the O-ring seals 25 are pressed against the regions of the electrical connector body 41 surrounding the first through-holes 43, achieving the sealing between the first through-holes 43 and the corresponding polarity terminals.

[0114] In addition, in this embodiment, an electrolyte sharing chamber can also be provided at the bottom of the large-capacity battery 3 to connect the electrolyte regions within the cavities of all the single cells 2, achieving the effect of electrolyte sharing. The electrolyte sharing chamber can be a hollow member provided at the bottom of the large-capacity battery 3. Through-holes are formed in both the hollow member and the lower covers of the single cells 2, and electrolyte sharing is achieved based on the through-holes.

[0115] In some other embodiments, a gas sharing chamber can also be provided at the top of the large-capacity battery 3 to connect the gas regions within the cavities of all the single cells 2, achieving the effect of gas balance.

[0116] For the specific structures of the electrolyte sharing chamber and the gas sharing chamber, reference can be made to the first hollow member and the second hollow member described in Chinese Patent CN117477186A and the electrolyte sharing channels described in CN1152,754,53A.

[0117] Embodiment 6

[0118] This embodiment is also a battery pack. Different from Embodiment 5, in this embodiment, the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 2 is adopted.

[0119] As Figure 10As shown in the figure, it includes the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 2 and two high-capacity batteries 3;

[0120] Among them, the structure of the high-capacity battery 3 is the same as that in Embodiment 5, and will not be elaborated here.

[0121] In this embodiment, the edge of the first through hole 43 (the area around the first through hole 43 on the first base 45) is welded to the corresponding first polar terminal 21 and second polar terminal 22 to achieve the seal between them (welding can also improve the stability of the electrical connector 4 on the polar terminal, and thus improve the electrical conductivity between them). The specific implementation can be achieved through the following process:

[0122] First, the first base 45 is positioned on the top of the two high-capacity batteries 3, so that the first polar terminals 21 of all the single cells 2 on one high-capacity battery 3 extend into the corresponding first channel 42 through the corresponding first through hole 43, and the second polar terminals 22 of all the single cells 2 on the other high-capacity battery 3 extend into the corresponding other first channel 42 through the corresponding first through hole 43;

[0123] Secondly, the welding head is inserted into the edge part of the first through hole 43 from the open end of the first groove 47, and the edge of each first through hole 43 is welded to the outer wall of the corresponding polar terminal to achieve the seal; Figure 10 The area shown in Figure a is the welding area.

[0124] Finally, the two first sealing top plates 46 are respectively sealed and welded to the open ends of the two first grooves 47. In some other embodiments, other connection methods such as screw connection can also be used to seal and fix the first sealing top plate 46 at the open end of the first groove 47.

[0125] In this embodiment, the welding head is inserted from the open end of the first groove 47 without any obstruction, and the seal welding of the first through hole 43 and the corresponding polar terminal can be completed at one time. The process is simple and the sealing effect is good.

[0126] It should be noted that the welding head mentioned here refers to the component of the welding equipment that extends into the part to be welded. If arc welding or argon arc welding is used, the welding head here refers to the end of the welding rod. If laser welding is used, the welding head mentioned here refers to the laser beam.

[0127] Embodiment 7

[0128] This embodiment is also a battery pack. Different from Embodiment 5, this embodiment uses the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 3.

[0129] As Figure 11 shown in the figure, it includes the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 3 and two high-capacity batteries 3;

[0130] The structure of the large-capacity battery 3 is the same as that in Embodiment 5 and will not be described herein again.

[0131] The electrical connector 4 is disposed on the tops of two large-capacity batteries 3. The first-polarity terminals 21 of all the single batteries 2 on one large-capacity battery 3 extend into the first channel 42 through corresponding first through-holes 43, and the second-polarity terminals 22 of all the single batteries 2 on the other large-capacity battery 3 also extend into the same first channel 42 through corresponding first through-holes 43; the sealing manner between each polarity terminal and the first through-hole 43 is the same as that in Embodiment 5 and will not be described herein again.

[0132] From Figure 11 It can be seen that, similar to Embodiment 5, the tops of the first-polarity terminal 21 and the second-polarity terminal 22 in this embodiment are both in contact with the electrical connector body 41 in the first channel 42. In order to improve the stability between the two, in this embodiment, the electrical connector body 41 can be welded to the tops of the first-polarity terminal 21 and the second-polarity terminal 22 from the outer surface of the electrical connector. The welding can further improve the electrical conductivity between the electrical connector and the polarity terminal.

[0133] Embodiment 8

[0134] This embodiment is also a battery pack. Different from Embodiment 7, the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 4 is adopted in this embodiment.

[0135] As Figure 12 shown, it includes the electrical connector 4 described in Embodiment 4 and two large-capacity batteries 3;

[0136] The structure of the large-capacity battery 3 is the same as that in Embodiment 5 and will not be described herein again.

[0137] Similar to Embodiment 6, in this embodiment, the edge of the first through-hole 43 (the area around the first through-hole 43 on the second base 48) is welded to the corresponding first-polarity terminal 21 and second-polarity terminal 22 to achieve the sealing between the two (the welding can also improve the stability of the electrical connector 4 on the polarity terminal, and further improve the electrical conductivity between the two). The specific implementation can be achieved through the following process:

[0138] First, position the second base 48 on the tops of two large-capacity batteries 3, so that the first-polarity terminals 21 of all the single batteries 2 on one large-capacity battery 3 extend into the first channel 42 through corresponding first through-holes 43, and the second-polarity terminals 22 of all the single batteries 2 on the other large-capacity battery 3 extend into the first channel 42 through corresponding first through-holes 43;

[0139] Secondly, insert the welding head into the edge part of the first through-hole 43 from the open end of the second groove 40, and weld the edge of each first through-hole 43 to the outer wall of the corresponding polarity terminal to achieve sealing; Figure 12The area shown in b is the welding area.

[0140] Finally, the second sealing top plate 49 is hermetically welded to the open end of the second groove 40. In some other embodiments, other connection methods such as screw connection can also be used to hermetically fix the second sealing top plate 49 to the open end of the second groove 40.

[0141] In this embodiment, the welding head extends into the open end of the second groove 40 without any obstruction, and the sealing welding of the first through hole 43 and the corresponding polarity terminal can be completed at one time. The process is simple and the sealing effect is good.

[0142] It should be noted that the welding head mentioned here refers to the component of the welding equipment that extends into the part to be welded. If arc welding or argon arc welding is used, the welding head here refers to the end of the welding rod. If laser welding is used, the welding head mentioned here refers to the laser beam.

[0143] Embodiment 9

[0144] This embodiment is another battery pack. Different from Embodiments 5 to 8, the large-capacity battery 3 in this embodiment of the battery pack further has a housing 1, and the specific structure is as Figures 13 to 19 shown.

[0145] Figure 13 and Figure 14 Taking the addition of the housing 1 on the basis of the large-capacity battery 3 in Embodiment 5 as an example;

[0146] Figure 15 and Figure 16 Taking the addition of the housing 1 on the basis of the large-capacity battery 3 in Embodiment 6 as an example;

[0147] Figure 17 Taking the addition of the housing 1 on the basis of the large-capacity battery 3 in Embodiment 7 as an example;

[0148] Figure 18 and Figure 19 Taking the addition of the housing 1 on the basis of the large-capacity battery 3 in Embodiment 8 as an example;

[0149] As can be seen from the above figures, in this embodiment, the housing 1 is added on the basis of the large-capacity battery 3 in Embodiments 5 to 8, and each single battery 2 is arranged in the inner cavity of the housing 1. The housing top plate 11 is provided with avoidance holes 7 through which the polarity terminals of each single battery 2 can extend. In this embodiment, the polarity terminal of the single battery 2 is the pole column of the single battery 2, and this pole column has a relatively high height compared to the pole column of the conventional single battery 2. The polarity terminals of each single battery 2 extend out of the corresponding avoidance holes 7, and a sealing connecting member 8 is added between the avoidance holes 7 and the polarity terminals to realize the fixed sealing of the area of the housing top plate 11 corresponding to the avoidance holes 7 and the housing of the single battery 2.

[0150] The sealed connector 8 includes a hollow member; the bottom of the hollow member is used for sealing connection with the first area of the single battery 2, and the top of the hollow member is hermetically connected to the second area of the outer shell top plate 11; wherein the first area is an area around any polar terminal on the upper cover plate of the single battery 2 of any one of the single batteries 2; wherein, the area around the polar terminal is the area around the insulating gasket on the polar terminal. The insulating gasket is a part on the single battery 2 for insulating between the polar terminal and the upper cover plate of the single battery 2. The second area is an area of the outer shell top plate 11 corresponding to any one of the avoidance holes 7. The area of the outer shell top plate 11 corresponding to the avoidance hole 7 is the peripheral area on the outer surface of the outer shell top plate 11 corresponding to any one of the avoidance holes 7; or the area of the outer shell top plate 11 corresponding to the avoidance hole 7 is the hole wall of the avoidance hole 7.

[0151] A liquid channel extending in the x direction is provided between the outer shell bottom plate 12 and each single battery 2 to serve as the electrolyte sharing chamber 5.

[0152] Figures 13 to 19 Among them, on the outer shell top plate 11, a boss 9 extending in the x direction is provided, and a gas channel is opened on the boss 9. The gas channel communicates with the inner cavity of the outer shell 1 to serve as the gas sharing chamber 6 and is connected to the gas area in the inner cavity of each single battery 2; when gas is generated in the inner cavity of the single battery 2, the inner cavity of the gas channel can also serve as a gas storage chamber to relieve the problem of bulging of the outer shell 1 caused by gas generation.

[0153] In some other embodiments, only the electrolyte sharing chamber 5 or the gas sharing chamber 6 may be provided.

[0154] The electrical connector 4 is arranged above the outer shell top plate 11 of the two large-capacity batteries 3 and has a certain gap from the outer shell top plate 11.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, characterized in that: For realizing the parallel connection of each single battery in the same large-capacity battery and the series connection between two adjacent large-capacity batteries; in each large-capacity battery, the single batteries are arranged along the x direction; The electrical connector includes an electrical connector body, and at least one first channel is provided in the electrical connector body; The first channel extends along the x direction and serves as an insulating heat exchange medium flow cavity; A plurality of first through holes penetrating the first channel are opened on the bottom plate of the electrical connector body; The plurality of first through holes are arranged in a rectangular array on the bottom plate of the electrical connector body. In the y direction, they are arranged in two columns. One column of first through holes corresponds one-to-one to all the first-polarity terminals of the single batteries on one large-capacity battery; the other column of first through holes corresponds one-to-one to all the second-polarity terminals of the single batteries on the other large-capacity battery; wherein the polarities of the first-polarity terminal and the second-polarity terminal are opposite; The orthographic projection area of the first through hole in the xy plane is slightly larger than the orthographic projection area of the first part of the corresponding polarity terminal in the xy plane, ensuring that the first part of the corresponding polarity terminal can extend into the inner cavity of the first channel through the first through hole.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein: Two mutually isolated first channels are provided in the electrical connector body; the two columns of first through holes are respectively communicated with their corresponding first channels.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrical connector body is a split part, including a first base and two first sealing top plates; two mutually isolated first grooves are opened in the first base; the two first sealing top plates are respectively sealed and fixed at the open ends of the two first grooves to form two first channels; the first through holes are opened on the first base.

4. The electrical connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: At least one third channel is further opened in the electrical connector body; the third channel is located between the two first channels; the third channel extends along the x direction and serves as an insulating heat exchange medium flow cavity.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: One first channel is provided in the electrical connector body; both columns of first through holes are communicated with this first channel.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein: The electrical connector body is a split part, including a second base and a second sealing top plate; a second groove is opened in the second base; the second sealing top plate is sealed and fixed at the open end of the second groove to form the first channel; the first through holes are opened on the second base.

7. A battery pack, comprising at least two high-capacity batteries, each high-capacity battery having at least two single cells, characterized in that: An electrical connector is further included; the electrical connector is the electrical connector according to any one of claims 1-6; all the first-polarity terminals of the single batteries on one large-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes, and all the second-polarity terminals of the single batteries on the other large-capacity battery extend into the first channel through the corresponding first through holes; a sealed connection is made between each first through hole and the corresponding first-polarity terminal and second-polarity terminal, and electrical conduction is achieved between the electrical connector and the first-polarity terminal and the second-polarity terminal.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein: The tops of the first-polarity terminal and the second-polarity terminal are welded to the electrical connector body.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The electrical connector body is a split part; including a first base and two first sealing top plates; two mutually isolated first grooves are opened in the first base; the two first sealing top plates are respectively sealed and fixed at the open ends of the two first grooves to form two first channels; the first through holes are opened on the first base; The area around each first through hole on the first base is welded and sealed to the corresponding first-polarity terminal and second-polarity terminal.

10. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The main body of the electrical connector is a split part, including a second base and a second sealing top plate; a second groove is formed in the second base; the second sealing top plate is hermetically fixed at the open end of the second groove to form a first channel; a first through hole is formed in the second base; the areas around each first through hole on the second base are welded and hermetically connected to the corresponding first-polarity terminal and second-polarity terminal.

11. The battery pack according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The large-capacity battery further includes a housing; a plurality of single cells are arranged in the inner cavity of the housing along the x direction; The housing is provided with at least one shared chamber, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber communicates with the inner cavities of all the single cells; Avoidance holes are formed in the housing top plate corresponding to the polarity terminals of each single cell; the polarity terminals of each single cell extend out of the avoidance holes, and the area of the housing top plate corresponding to the avoidance holes is fixedly sealed with the single cell housing.

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