An inter-cell connection structure

Abstract

This utility model discloses a cell-to-cell connection structure, comprising at least two square cells and a busbar for connecting the square cells. Each square cell has a cell terminal on one of its two opposite end faces, and a connecting groove is provided on one side of each cell terminal. The busbar is embedded in the connecting groove of the cell terminal at the same end of each square cell, and the busbar and the connecting groove are connected by a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, and the busbar and the cell terminal are electrically connected. This utility model connects the cell terminals of different square cells using a busbar, and the busbar being embedded in the connecting groove of the cell terminal at the same end of each square cell creates an overlap in the installation space, thus helping to reduce the space occupied by the cell module. Furthermore, the detachable snap-fit ​​connection between the busbar and the cell terminal makes assembly and disassembly convenient and prevents damage to the cell terminal during disassembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery modules, and in particular to a cell-to-cell connection structure. Background Technology

[0002] The battery cells used in existing battery modules can be roughly divided into three types according to their shape: cylindrical cells, prismatic cells, and pouch cells. Among them, prismatic cells have a relatively simple structure, good heat dissipation, simple assembly method and easy design, relatively high system energy density, and convenient installation of explosion-proof valves, so they are more widely used.

[0003] Currently, most prismatic battery cells in the industry have their positive and negative terminals extending upwards from the battery module cover. Different prismatic cells are connected via busbars to achieve series or parallel connections. Both the terminals and busbars are made of aluminum, and the connection between the terminals and busbars is achieved using laser welding. This connection method presents the following problems:

[0004] 1. Since the busbar is typically 4-5mm high, welding it to the terminal post will increase the overall height or width of the module, wasting installation space;

[0005] 2. The terminals of the square battery cell are difficult to disassemble after laser welding to the busbar, and the disassembly between the two is a destructive process that can easily cause irreparable damage to the terminals of the square battery cell.

[0006] In view of the above problems, it is necessary to study an inter-cell connection structure that can overcome at least one of the problems in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cell-to-cell connection structure that overcomes at least one problem in the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the solution of this utility model is:

[0009] A cell-to-cell connection structure includes at least two square cells and a busbar for connecting the square cells. Each square cell has a cell terminal on one of its two opposite end faces, and a connection groove is provided on one side of each cell terminal. The busbar is embedded in the connection groove of the cell terminal at the same end of each square cell, and the busbar is connected to the connection groove via a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, and the busbar is electrically connected to the cell terminal.

[0010] The inner wall of the connecting groove is provided with anti-reverse grooves on both sides, and the busbar is provided with a bent snap-fit ​​spring piece. The snap-fit ​​spring piece is provided with connecting blocks on both sides. The snap-fit ​​spring piece is inserted into the connecting groove, and the connecting blocks on both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring piece are snapped into the anti-reverse grooves on both sides of the connecting groove.

[0011] The connecting groove has a through-hole limiting slot on one side wall; the busbar has a limiting spring, the limiting spring and the snap-fit ​​spring are bent and connected, the limiting spring has a limiting block corresponding to the limiting slot of the connecting groove, the limiting spring hugs the outside of the side wall of the connecting groove with the limiting slot and the limiting block of the limiting spring is inserted into the limiting slot of the connecting groove.

[0012] When the snap-fit ​​spring is inserted into the connecting groove, both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring are tightly against the two sides of the inner wall of the connecting groove.

[0013] The snap-fit ​​spring sheet has connection openings on both sides, and the connection snap-fit ​​block is provided in the connection opening.

[0014] The surface of the manifold is plated with a nickel layer.

[0015] The busbar is made of phosphor bronze.

[0016] By adopting the above solution, this utility model connects the battery terminals of different square battery cells through a busbar. The busbar is embedded in the connection groove of the battery terminal at the same end of each square battery cell. In this way, the busbar and the battery terminal will overlap in the installation space, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the battery cell module. In addition, the connection method between the busbar and the connection groove of the battery terminal is a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, which makes it easy to assemble and disassemble the busbar and the battery terminal, and the battery terminal is not easily damaged when disassembling. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the square battery cell of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the square battery cell of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0019] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the square battery cell of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the busbar of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the busbar of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of the current collector and the square battery cell of this utility model. Figure 1 .

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of the current collector and the square battery cell of this utility model. Figure 2 .

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the combination of the current collector and the square battery cell of this utility model. Figure 3 .

[0025] Label Explanation:

[0026] Square battery cell 1, battery cell terminal 11, connecting groove 111, anti-reverse groove 1111, limit lock slot 1112.

[0027] The busbar 2 has a snap-fit ​​spring 21, a connecting opening 211, a connecting block 212, a limiting spring 22, and a limiting block 221. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To further explain the technical solution of this utility model, the following detailed description is provided through specific embodiments.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, this utility model discloses a cell-to-cell connection structure, which includes at least two square cells 1 and a busbar 2 for connecting each square cell 1; wherein, the two opposite end faces of the square cells 1 are respectively provided with cell terminals 11, and each of the two cell terminals 11 of the square cells 1 is provided with a connecting groove 111 on one side; the busbar 2 is embedded in the connecting groove 111 of the cell terminal 11 at the same end of each square cell 1, and the busbar 2 and the connecting groove 111 are connected by a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, and the busbar 2 and the cell terminal 11 are electrically connected.

[0030] In this invention, a busbar 2 is used to connect the cell terminals 11 of different square cells 1. The busbar 2 is embedded in the connecting groove 111 of the cell terminal 11 at the same end of each square cell 1. This creates an overlap in the installation space between the busbar 2 and the cell terminal 11, which helps to reduce the space occupied by the cell module. In addition, the connection between the busbar 2 and the connecting groove 111 of the cell terminal 11 is a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, which makes it easy to assemble and disassemble the busbar 2 and the cell terminal 11, and it is not easy to damage the cell terminal 11 when disassembling them.

[0031] In this embodiment of the present invention, anti-retraction grooves 1111 are respectively provided on both sides of the inner wall of the connecting groove 111 of the battery cell terminal 11, and the busbar 2 is provided with a bent snap-fit ​​spring 21, with connecting blocks 212 respectively provided on both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring 21; the snap-fit ​​spring 21 is inserted into the connecting groove 111 and the connecting blocks 212 on both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring 21 are respectively engaged with the anti-retraction grooves 1111 on both sides of the connecting groove 111, so that the busbar 2 and the connecting groove 111 of the battery cell terminal 11 are detachably snap-fit ​​connected. Wherein, when the snap-fit ​​spring 21 is inserted into the connecting groove 111, the elasticity of the snap-fit ​​spring 21 itself causes both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring 21 to be tightly attached to both sides of the inner wall of the connecting groove 111, so as to ensure the stability and reliability of the mutual electrical conduction between the busbar 2 and the battery cell terminal 11.

[0032] In an embodiment of this utility model, a through-hole limiting slot 1112 may be provided on one side wall of the connecting groove 111; the busbar 2 is provided with a limiting spring 22, which is bently connected to the snap-fit ​​spring 21. The limiting spring 22 is provided with a limiting block 221 corresponding to the limiting slot 1112 of the connecting groove 111. The limiting spring 22 holds the outside of the side wall of the connecting groove 111 where the limiting slot 1112 is provided, and the limiting block 221 of the limiting spring 22 is inserted into the limiting slot 1112 of the connecting groove 111. In this way, the busbar 2 and the battery cell terminal 11 are limited and cooperated to prevent the snap-fit ​​spring 21 of the busbar 2 from coming out of the connecting groove 111 of the battery cell terminal 11.

[0033] In an embodiment of this utility model, the busbar 2 can be formed by sheet metal processing to form a snap-fit ​​spring 21 and a limiting spring 22; wherein, the snap-fit ​​spring 21 is provided with a connection opening 211 on both sides, and the connection opening 211 is provided with the connection block 212; such a configuration can reduce the material used for the snap-fit ​​spring 21 and reduce the cost, and the connection block 212 and the limiting block 221 can also be formed by sheet metal processing.

[0034] In embodiments of this utility model, the busbar 2 can be made of phosphor bronze, which provides high strength, good elasticity, and good conductivity. The surface of the busbar 2 can be plated with a nickel layer (not shown), which prevents corrosion and ensures its service life. It should be noted that the material of the busbar 2 is not limited to phosphor bronze; it can also be made of other metals, such as copper, aluminum, or aluminum alloys.

[0035] The above embodiments and figures are not intended to limit the product form and style of this utility model. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art should be considered as not departing from the patent scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A cell-to-cell connection structure, characterized in that: It includes at least two square battery cells and a busbar for connecting the individual square battery cells; The square battery cell has battery terminals on two opposite end faces, and a connecting groove is provided on one side of each of the two battery terminals. The busbar is embedded in the connecting groove of the cell terminal at the same end of each square cell, and the busbar and the connecting groove are connected by a detachable snap-fit ​​connection, and the busbar and the cell terminal are electrically connected.

2. The cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the connecting groove is provided with anti-reverse grooves on both sides, and the busbar is provided with a bent snap-fit ​​spring piece. The snap-fit ​​spring piece is provided with connecting blocks on both sides. The snap-fit ​​spring piece is inserted into the connecting groove, and the connecting blocks on both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring piece are snapped into the anti-reverse grooves on both sides of the connecting groove.

3. The cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting groove has a through-hole limiting slot on one side wall; the busbar has a limiting spring, the limiting spring and the snap-fit ​​spring are bent and connected, the limiting spring has a limiting block corresponding to the limiting slot of the connecting groove, the limiting spring hugs the outside of the side wall of the connecting groove with the limiting slot and the limiting block of the limiting spring is inserted into the limiting slot of the connecting groove.

4. The cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: When the snap-fit ​​spring is inserted into the connecting groove, both sides of the snap-fit ​​spring are tightly against the two sides of the inner wall of the connecting groove.

5. The cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The snap-fit ​​spring sheet has connection openings on both sides, and the connection snap-fit ​​block is provided in the connection opening.

6. The cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the manifold is plated with a nickel layer.

7. A cell-to-cell connection structure as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The busbar is made of phosphor bronze.

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