Electrode connector, battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The application provides an electrode connecting piece, a battery module and a battery. The electrode connecting piece comprises a bridging part and a plurality of connecting parts. The plurality of connecting parts are used for connecting to electrodes of the battery, and the plurality of connecting parts are arranged at intervals. The bridging part is connected between two adjacent connecting parts, so that the connecting parts are electrically connected to another adjacent connecting part through the bridging part. The extension direction of the bridging part is inclined to the extension direction of the connecting part. The bridging part inclined to the connecting part is used for connecting two connecting parts. When the electrode connecting piece is used for connecting two electrodes with a large interval, the space occupied by the electrode connecting piece is relatively small, so that the mutual connection of other electrodes is facilitated, the space occupation is reasonable, and the connection mode between the electrodes of different batteries in the battery pack is more flexible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery assembly technology, specifically to an electrode connector, a battery module, and a battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] The electrodes of two batteries in a battery pack are connected by a connecting piece to achieve series or parallel connection between the batteries.

[0003] In related technologies, the connection between electrodes of two batteries that are misaligned requires a large space to be traversed by the connecting piece, which is inconvenient for the installation and use of other electrode pieces, thus limiting the spatial layout of the batteries in the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] The embodiments of this application provide an electrode connector, a battery module, and a battery pack, which can improve the technical problem of limited battery space layout.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an electrode connector, comprising: Multiple connecting portions for connecting to the electrodes of the battery, the multiple connecting portions being spaced apart; A bridging portion is provided between two adjacent connecting portions so that the connecting portions are electrically connected to another adjacent connecting portion via the bridging portion; The extension direction of the bridging portion is inclined to the extension direction of the connecting portion.

[0006] By adopting the above scheme, the two connecting parts are connected by a bridging part that is inclined to the connecting part. When the electrode connector connects two electrodes with a large distance, the space occupied is relatively small, which facilitates the interconnection of other electrodes. The space occupancy is more reasonable, making the connection method between the electrodes of different batteries in the battery pack more flexible.

[0007] In one embodiment, the extension directions of two adjacent connecting portions are arranged in parallel.

[0008] This design allows the connectors to have roughly similar shapes, making it easy for each connector to be positioned and connected to the respective electrodes.

[0009] In one embodiment, the two ends of the bridging portion are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent connecting portions.

[0010] This solution ensures that the electrode connectors can achieve electrical connection between the battery electrodes, while further reducing the overall space occupied by the connector and bridging part, which facilitates the spatial layout of other connecting pieces or other components connected to the battery.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electrode connector is provided with: A positioning structure is formed in at least a portion of the connecting portion for positioning the connecting portion and the battery electrically connected to the connecting portion.

[0012] The positioning structure allows for a more precise determination of the relative position between the electrode connector and the battery, thereby improving the stability of the electrical connection between the two batteries.

[0013] In one embodiment, the positioning structure is configured as a perforation or protrusion formed in the connection portion.

[0014] The perforations or protrusions can be nested with some structures on the battery, such as nesting with a part of the battery casing; or, when the battery is integrated into a battery pack, the perforations or protrusions can be nested on the structure that forms a fixed connection with the battery, so that the positioning structure is indirectly positioned and installed at the battery. The perforations or grooves specifically ensure the connection stability between the electrode connector and the battery.

[0015] In one embodiment, the connecting portion and the bridging portion are an integral structure.

[0016] The above solution ensures that the overall structure formed by the connecting part and the bridging part has sufficient structural strength, guaranteeing the stability of the electrical connection between the electrodes of the battery connected by the electrode connector.

[0017] In one embodiment, the bridging portion includes: A bridging segment protrudes from the connecting portion; The middle section connects the two cross sections that are connected to the two adjacent connecting portions, and is connected to one end of the cross section that protrudes from the connecting portion, so that the two cross sections and the middle section located between the two cross sections together define an overlapping groove.

[0018] The overlapping groove in the above scheme allows the middle section to be spaced apart from the surface of the connecting part. Some components can be designed and installed at the overlapping groove to meet some other usage requirements when integrating the battery into a battery pack.

[0019] In one embodiment, the electrode connector further includes: An insulating buffer layer is located at least partially within the overlapping groove.

[0020] The insulating buffer layer provides insulation protection to prevent direct connection between the electrode connectors and the acquisition circuit in the event of a circuit failure, or to separate the intermediate section from the acquisition circuit to prevent intermittent contact with the acquisition circuit due to intermediate section vibration and the generation of electric arcs, thus ensuring electrical safety. The insulating buffer layer can be made of materials such as foam.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery module, including the electrode connectors as described above, and a plurality of batteries; At least a portion of the electrodes of the battery are electrically connected to the connection portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, the battery module further includes: A common electrode is electrically connected to the connecting portion, so that multiple batteries are electrically connected through the common electrode and the connecting portion.

[0023] When multiple batteries are integrated into a battery pack, the common electrode connects to the connection portion of at least some of the electrode connectors, thereby achieving electrical connection of at least some of the multiple batteries and reducing the complexity of the wiring in the battery pack.

[0024] In one embodiment, the plurality of connecting portions connected by the bridging portion are located on opposite sides of the common electrode, and the bridging portion and the common electrode are stacked and spaced apart.

[0025] That is, for at least two connecting parts of the electrode connector, they can be set on both sides of the common electrode to facilitate wiring between the connecting parts and the common electrode. The stacked arrangement of the bridging part and the common electrode can more reasonably arrange conductors such as electrical connectors and common electrodes in space. The spacing between the bridging part and the common electrode can prevent the generation of electric arc between the two when the electrode connector or the common electrode shakes.

[0026] In one embodiment, the battery module further includes: The mounting component, wherein the common electrode is fixedly connected to the mounting component; The mounting component is provided with a mating part, which is fitted into the connecting part so that the electrode connector is positioned and installed on the mounting component.

[0027] Using the above scheme, when the electrode connector is installed on the mounting component, the battery can also be further installed on the mounting component, realizing the positioning and installation of the battery, common electrode, and electrode connector.

[0028] In one embodiment, the mating part is configured as a positioning post embedded in the connecting part; or, The mating part is configured as a positioning hole into which at least a portion of the connecting part is inserted.

[0029] By nesting positioning pins or holes with the electrode connectors, the electrode connectors are fixed to the mounting components, thereby enabling the electrode connectors to be positioned and installed on the mounting components.

[0030] In one embodiment, the mounting member is disposed between the electrode connector and the battery; The mounting component is also provided with a limiting hole, and the battery is at least partially located within the limiting hole; The connecting portion at least partially covers the limiting hole, so that the battery and the connecting portion can be connected at the limiting hole.

[0031] The limiting hole design facilitates the positioning and installation of the battery and mounting components during assembly, and also makes it easy to connect the battery electrodes and electrode connectors.

[0032] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a battery, including the electrode connectors as described above, or including the battery module as described above.

[0033] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application are as follows: In the embodiments of this application, the two connecting parts are connected by a bridging part that is inclined to the connecting part. When the electrode connector connects two electrodes with a large distance (i.e., not adjacent), the space occupied is relatively small, which facilitates the interconnection of other electrodes. The space occupancy is more reasonable, making the connection method between electrodes of different batteries in the battery pack more flexible. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode connector provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electrode connector shown from another perspective; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the battery module shown. Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the mounting component.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Electrode connectors; 110. Connecting part; 120. Crossover section; 120a. Overlap groove; 121. Crossover segment; 122. Intermediate segment; 130. Positioning structure; 131. Perforation; 140. Insulating buffer layer; 10. Battery module; 11. Common electrode; 12. Mounting component; 12a. Mating part; 12b. Positioning post; 12c. Limiting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of this application and are not intended to limit this application. In this application, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0038] As an introduction to this application, in related technologies, batteries are generally arranged in a rectangular array within a battery module 10 or battery pack. Adjacent batteries are typically connected by a square-like connecting piece between two electrodes forming a single side of a quadrilateral array. In other words, the connecting piece generally connects adjacent electrodes on two batteries. When multiple batteries are connected in series or parallel, there may be two electrodes that need to be connected with a large gap (i.e., not adjacent). If conventional connecting pieces are used in this case, the area covered by the connecting piece is large, making it difficult to arrange other connecting pieces spatially, thus limiting the spatial arrangement of the batteries.

[0039] In view of this, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the electrode connector 100 provided in the first aspect of this application includes: a bridging portion 120 and a plurality of connecting portions 110.

[0040] The connecting portion 110 is used to connect to the electrodes of the battery, and multiple connecting portions 110 are arranged at intervals. As an example, the electrodes of two batteries can be respectively contacted or fixedly connected to two connecting portions 110.

[0041] The bridging portion 120 is connected between two adjacent connecting portions 110 so that the connecting portion 110 is electrically connected to the other adjacent connecting portion 110 through the bridging portion 120. The electrodes of the two batteries can be electrically connected through the electrode connector 100 to realize series or parallel connection between the batteries.

[0042] The extending direction of the connecting portion 110 mentioned in this application refers to the approximate extending direction of the connecting portion 110 from the end away from the bridging portion 120 to the end near the bridging portion 120. As an example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated scheme, the electrode connector 100 has two connecting portions 110, which are spaced apart in both the vertical and horizontal directions. At least one connecting portion 110 extends in the horizontal direction as shown in the illustration. The extension direction of the bridging portion 120 mentioned in this application refers to the approximate extension direction of the bridging portion 120 from one end of the connecting portion 110 closest to it to one end of the connecting portion 110 closest to it. For example, in... Figure 1 In the illustrated scheme, the extension direction of the bridging portion 120 is inclined to Figure 1 The up / down and left / right directions are shown.

[0043] In this application, the extension direction of the bridging portion 120 is inclined to the extension direction of the connecting portion 110. That is, when the electrode connector 100 is connected to the battery, the bridging portion 120 connects the electrodes of the two batteries with a larger distance between them through a shorter path. Under the premise of ensuring electrical connection between the electrodes, the surface area covered on the battery surface is relatively small.

[0044] By adopting the above scheme, the two connecting parts 110 are connected by the bridging part 120 inclined to the connecting part 110. When the electrode connector 100 connects two electrodes with a large distance, the space occupied is relatively small, which facilitates the interconnection of other electrodes. The space occupancy is more reasonable, making the connection method between the electrodes of different batteries in the battery pack more flexible.

[0045] The inclined arrangement of the bridging portion 120 facilitates the connection between the electrodes of the two batteries by the electrode connector 100 with a smaller volume. In some embodiments, the extending directions of two adjacent connecting portions 110 can be arranged parallel, that is, the extending directions of the two connecting portions 110 are approximately the same. When both extend in a straight line, the angle between their extending directions is, for example, less than 15°. This arrangement allows the shapes of the connecting portions 110 to be approximately similar, which facilitates the positioning and connection of each connecting portion 110 to the respective electrode.

[0046] Both ends of the connecting portion 110 can extend a distance away from the connecting portion 110 after extending to the connecting portion 110. In some scenarios, this arrangement can help the electrode connector 100 connect more battery electrodes. This application takes the electrode connector 100 primarily used to connect two batteries as an example. In some embodiments, refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the two ends of the bridging portion 120 are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent connecting portions 110. That is, the bridging portion 120 does not have a portion located on the periphery of the two connecting portions 110. This solution ensures that the electrode connector 100 can realize the electrical connection between the electrodes of the battery, while further reducing the space occupied by the overall structure of the connecting portion 110 and the bridging portion 120, which can facilitate the spatial layout of other connecting pieces or other components connected to the battery.

[0047] The electrode connector 100 connects two electrodes with a large gap, and the gap between adjacent connection portions 110 is also large, which places correspondingly higher demands on the stability of the electrical connection between the electrodes. In a specific embodiment, referring to... Figure 2 As shown, the electrode connector 100 is provided with a positioning structure 130. The positioning structure 130 is formed on at least a portion of the connecting portion 110, that is, at least a portion of the multiple connecting portions 110 are provided with the positioning structure 130. The positioning structure 130 is used to position the connecting portion 110 and the battery electrically connected to the connecting portion 110. The provision of the positioning structure 130 can make the relative position of the electrode connector 100 and the battery more certain, thereby improving the stability of the electrical connection between the two batteries.

[0048] As an exemplary illustration of a specific implementation of the positioning structure 130, refer to Figure 2 As shown, the positioning structure 130 is configured as a through hole 131 or a protrusion formed in the connecting portion 110. This through hole 131 or protrusion can be nested with some structures on the battery, such as a part of the battery casing. Alternatively, when the battery is integrated into a battery pack, the through hole 131 or protrusion can be nested in a structure that forms a fixed connection with the battery, so that the positioning structure 130 is indirectly positioned and installed at the battery. The through hole 131 or recess specifically ensures the connection stability between the electrode connector 100 and the battery. The accompanying drawings of this application only illustrate the scheme of forming the through hole 131 in the connecting portion 110.

[0049] In a more specific embodiment, the connecting portion 110 and the bridging portion 120 are an integral structure, meaning they can be molded as a single piece, giving the entire assembly sufficient structural strength. This ensures the stability of the electrical connection between the electrodes of the battery connected via the electrode connector 100.

[0050] As a specific plan, refer to Figure 2 As shown, the bridging portion 120 includes a bridging section 121 and an intermediate section 122.

[0051] A bridging segment 121 protrudes from the connecting portion 110, meaning the bridging portion 120 protrudes from the surface of the connecting portion 110 and extends a distance away from the connecting portion 110. An intermediate segment 122 connects the two bridging segments 121 connected to the two adjacent connecting portions 110, and connects to the end of the bridging segment 121 protruding from the connecting portion 110, so that the two bridging segments 121 and the intermediate segment 122 located between the two bridging segments 121 together define an overlapping groove 120a. It is understood that the overlapping groove 120a is provided so that the intermediate segment 122 is spaced apart from the surface of the connecting portion 110. Some components can be designed and installed at the overlapping groove 120a to meet other usage requirements when integrating the battery into a battery pack.

[0052] As a specific example, refer to Figure 2 As shown, the electrode connector 100 also includes an insulating buffer layer 140. The insulating buffer layer 140 is at least partially located within the overlapping groove 120a. Filling the overlapping groove 120a with the insulating buffer layer 140 provides a certain degree of insulation protection. For example, after the electrode connector 100 is connected to the battery, the insulating buffer layer 140 can be located on the side of the electrode connector 100 away from the battery. After the battery is integrated into a battery pack, a conductor is often provided on the side of the electrode connector 100 away from the battery to connect the battery to some acquisition lines used to detect the battery's usage status. The insulation protection provided by the insulating buffer layer 140 can prevent the electrode connector 100 from being directly connected to the acquisition line when the circuit fails, or separate the intermediate section 122 from the acquisition circuit to prevent the intermediate section 122 from shaking and intermittently contacting the acquisition circuit and generating an electric arc, thus ensuring electrical safety. The insulating buffer layer 140 can be made of materials such as foam.

[0053] Based on the use of electrode connector 100, refer to Figure 3 As shown, a second aspect of this application provides a battery module 10, including the aforementioned electrode connector 100 and a plurality of batteries. At least a portion of the battery electrodes are electrically connected to a connection portion 110. The battery module 10 has advantageous effects due to including the electrode connector 100, which will not be elaborated further here. The batteries are not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0054] As a specific plan, refer to Figure 3 As shown, the battery module 10 also includes a common electrode 11. The common electrode 11 is electrically connected to the connection portion 110, so that multiple batteries are electrically connected through the common electrode 11 and the connection portion 110. Specifically, the common electrode 11 is, for example, a conductive metal sheet. When multiple batteries are integrated into a battery pack, the common electrode 11 connects to at least a portion of the connection portion 110 of the electrode connector 100, thereby achieving at least a portion of the electrical connection among the multiple batteries and reducing the complex wiring arrangement in the battery pack.

[0055] For more specific solutions, refer to Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of connecting portions 110 connected by the bridging portion 120 can be located on opposite sides of the common electrode 11, referring to... Figure 4 As shown, the bridging portion 120 and the common electrode 11 are stacked and spaced apart. That is, for at least two connecting portions 110 of the electrode connector 100, they can be respectively located on both sides of the common electrode 11, which facilitates the wiring between the connecting portions 110 and the common electrode 11. The stacking arrangement of the bridging portion 120 and the common electrode 11 allows for a more reasonable arrangement of conductors such as electrical connectors and the common electrode 11 in space. The spacing between the bridging portion 120 and the common electrode 11 can prevent the generation of an electric arc between the electrode connector 100 or the common electrode 11 when they shake.

[0056] Understandably, referring to Figure 4 As shown, the aforementioned insulating buffer layer 140 can be disposed between the bridging portion 120 and the common electrode 11.

[0057] To at least achieve the positioning and installation of the battery and electrode connector 100, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the battery module 10 may also include a mounting component 12.

[0058] The common electrode 11 is fixedly connected to the mounting member 12, meaning the mounting member 12 can be used as a mounting structure for the common electrode 11. For details, refer to... Figure 3 As shown, the mounting member 12 is provided with a mating part 12a, which is fitted into the connecting part 110 to position the electrode connector 100 onto the mounting member 12. Thus, when the electrode connector 100 is installed on the mounting member 12, the battery can also be further installed on the mounting member 12, achieving the positioning and installation of the battery, the common electrode 11, and the electrode connector 100.

[0059] As a specific example, refer to Figure 3 and 5 As shown, the mating part 12a is configured as a positioning post 12b embedded in the connecting part 110. Alternatively, the mating part 12a can be configured as a positioning hole into which at least a portion of the connecting part 110 is embedded. By nesting the positioning post 12b or the positioning hole with the electrode connector 100, the electrode connector 100 is fixed to the mounting member 12, thereby specifically realizing the positioning and installation of the electrode connector 100 on the mounting member 12. The accompanying drawings of this application only illustrate the embodiment in which the mating part 12a is configured as a positioning post 12b. In a more specific embodiment, for example, the through hole 131 of the aforementioned electrode connector 100 can be nested with the positioning post 12b. The mating method between the through hole 131 and the positioning post 12b can be, for example, hot riveting, interference fit, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0060] As an example of the way the mounting member 12 mates with the battery, the mounting member 12 can be disposed between the electrode connector 100 and the battery to separate the bridging portion 120 of the electrode connector 100 and the battery. Referring to... Figure 5 As shown, the mounting member 12 is also provided with a limiting hole 12c, and the battery is at least partially located within the limiting hole 12c. Specifically, the battery electrodes are, for example, directly facing the limiting hole 12c. At least a portion of the connecting portion 110 covers the limiting hole 12c, so that the battery and the connecting portion 110 can be connected at the limiting hole 12c. The setting of the limiting hole 12c facilitates the positioning and installation of the battery and the mounting member 12 during assembly, and also facilitates the connection of the battery electrodes and the electrode connector 100.

[0061] A third aspect of this application also provides a battery pack, including the electrode connector 100 described above, or including the battery module 10 described above. The battery pack, by integrating the electrode connector 100 or the battery module 10, has the beneficial effects of the electrode connector 100 or the battery module 10, which will not be elaborated further here. The battery pack is not shown in the accompanying drawings of this application.

[0062] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. An electrode connector, characterized in that, include: Multiple connecting portions for connecting to the electrodes of the battery, the multiple connecting portions being spaced apart; A bridging portion is provided between two adjacent connecting portions so that the connecting portions are electrically connected to another adjacent connecting portion via the bridging portion; The extension direction of the bridging portion is inclined to the extension direction of the connecting portion.

2. The electrode connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The extension directions of two adjacent connecting parts are arranged in parallel.

3. The electrode connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the bridging portion are respectively connected to the ends of the two adjacent connecting portions.

4. The electrode connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode connector is provided with: A positioning structure is formed in at least a portion of the connecting portion for positioning the connecting portion and the battery electrically connected to the connecting portion.

5. The electrode connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, The positioning structure is configured as a perforation or protrusion formed in the connection portion.

6. The electrode connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting part and the bridging part are an integral structure.

7. The electrode connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The bridging portion includes: A bridging segment protrudes from the connecting portion; The middle section connects the two cross sections that are connected to the two adjacent connecting portions, and is connected to one end of the cross section that protrudes from the connecting portion, so that the two cross sections and the middle section located between the two cross sections together define an overlapping groove.

8. The electrode connector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The electrode connector further includes: An insulating buffer layer is located at least partially within the overlapping groove.

9. A battery module, characterized in that, Includes the electrode connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and a plurality of batteries; At least a portion of the electrodes of the battery are electrically connected to the connection portion.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The battery module also includes: A common electrode is electrically connected to the connecting portion, so that multiple batteries are electrically connected through the common electrode and the connecting portion.

11. The battery module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The plurality of connecting portions connected by the bridging portion are located on opposite sides of the common electrode, and the bridging portion and the common electrode are stacked and spaced apart.

12. The battery module according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The battery module also includes: The mounting component, wherein the common electrode is fixedly connected to the mounting component; The mounting component is provided with a mating part, which is fitted into the connecting part so that the electrode connector is positioned and installed on the mounting component.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, characterized in that, The mating part is configured as a positioning post embedded in the connecting part; or... The mating part is configured as a positioning hole into which at least a portion of the connecting part is inserted.

14. The battery module according to claim 12, characterized in that, The mounting component is disposed between the electrode connector and the battery; The mounting component is also provided with a limiting hole, and the battery is at least partially located within the limiting hole; The connecting portion at least partially covers the limiting hole, so that the battery and the connecting portion can be connected at the limiting hole.

15. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes the electrode connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the battery module as described in any one of claims 9 to 14.

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