Battery module connector and battery module

Abstract

A battery module connecting element (20) comprises an electrically conductive terminal (30), a first protective element (40), and a second protective element (50), wherein the terminal (30) has a first section (31) with a first wall (32), the first wall (32) being made of an electrically conductive material, tubular with an inner surface (34) and an outer surface (35), and having a first axial end (36), the inner surface (34) being open towards the first axial end (36), the first protective element (40) being made of an electrically non-conductive material, being arranged at least partially on the outer surface (35) of the first section (31) and projecting beyond the first axial end (36), the second protective element (50) being made of an electrically non-conductive material, extending at least partially into the inner surface (34) of the first section (31) and projecting beyond the first axial end (36).and wherein the first protective element (40) and the second protective element (50) form an annular channel (60) between them, through which the first axial end (36) of the first wall (32) can be contacted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a battery module connecting element and a battery module.

[0002] DE 10 2020 208 149 A1 discloses a module connector with two connection parts, each of which has a mutually compatible fastening element and each has a touch protection device with an outer and an inner touch protection, wherein the outer touch protection is designed as a collar.

[0003] DE 20 2018 100 111 U1 discloses a module connector with two connection parts, each having a mutually compatible fastening element and a touch protection device.

[0004] DE 10 2021 112 703 A1 discloses a module connector wherein a first electrical conductor is connected to a screw and a second electrical conductor is connected to a nut, wherein the screw can be screwed into the nut in such a way that a connecting sleeve can be fixed between the electrical conductors.

[0005] CN 113 394 591 A shows a connector for a charging system, wherein the connector has a touch protection device.

[0006] DE 10 2021 113 768 A1 discloses a module connector with two connection parts, each of which has a mutually compatible fastening element and a touch protection device with an outer and an inner touch protection, wherein the outer touch protection is designed as a collar and the inner touch protection is designed as a cap arranged on the fastening element.

[0007] The CN 101 707 302 A shows a safety plug with a collar-like outer touch protection and a cap-like inner touch protection.

[0008] DE 10 2019 205 050 A1 discloses a socket device for electrically contacting a corresponding plug device, wherein the socket device has a first contact part with a first contact surface arranged radially between an outer first and inner second touch protection part, which is axially projected beyond the first and second touch protection part, a centrally arranged coupling device, a receiving area for receiving a corresponding third touch protection part of the plug device and at least one insulating part, which extends radially on the first and / or second touch protection part and is arranged at a height above the first contact surface such that the at least one insulating part is at least partially overlapping with the first receiving area but not overlapping with the first contact surface in a top view of the socket device.

[0009] DE 10 2020 130 894 A1 discloses a module connector with a first connecting part which can be electrically connected to a second connecting part, wherein the first connecting part has a socket with an axially extending shaft with a through opening and with a radially extending collar, wherein a screw element and a touch protection element are arranged on the first connecting part, wherein the touch protection element is arranged on the side facing the collar.

[0010] US patent 2013 / 0196185A1 shows a secondary battery with a current interruption mechanism. A second insulating element has a through-hole and is provided between an inversion plate and the first region of a collector of the positive electrode.

[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new battery module connecting element and a new battery module.

[0012] These tasks are solved by the subject matter of the independent claim and the subsidiary claim.

[0013] A battery module connector has an electrically conductive terminal, a first protective element, and a second protective element, wherein the terminal has a first section with a first wall, the first wall being made of an electrically conductive material, tubular with an inside and an outside, and having a first axial end, the inside being open towards the first axial end, wherein the first protective element is formed at least partially or completely of an electrically non-conductive material, is arranged at least partially on the outside of the first section and projects beyond the first axial end, and wherein the second protective element is formed at least partially or completely of an electrically non-conductive material, extends at least partially into the inside of the first section and projects beyond the first axial end.and wherein the first protective element and the second protective element form an annular channel between them, through which the first axial end of the first wall can be contacted. The second protective element enables an improvement in touch protection, and contacting the first axial end is possible via the annular channel.

[0014] The second protective element is connected to the terminal via a snap-fit ​​connection. This allows for convenient mounting on the first section.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the snap connection is formed on the inside of the first wall. This allows for advantageous assembly on the inside of the first section.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the second protective element is at least partially in contact with the terminal in the area between the snap connection and the first axial end. This improves tilt protection and mechanically relieves the snap connection.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the second protective element has at least one snap hook and the first wall has at least one snap-in area, wherein the snap hook is arranged at least partially within the snap-in area. The design of the snap hook on the second protective element is advantageous with regard to the materials used for the second protective element, particularly when using plastics.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the snap hook is arranged on a snap hook arm, the snap hook arm extending from the snap hook towards the first axial end. A snap hook arm improves the spring action of the snap hook and results in a well-defined connection.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, a seal is provided between the outside of the terminal and the first protective element. A seal in this area improves the sealing between the outside of the associated battery module housing and the inside.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the seal is designed as a sealing ring. Sealing rings are easy to install and provide a good seal.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the first protective element has a second axial end which is annular in shape. Such a second axial end is advantageous for sliding the first protective element onto the terminal.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the second axial end has - a first chamfer on the radially inner side, - a second chamfer on the radially outer side, or - A first chamfer is present on the radially inner side and a second chamfer on the radially outer side. The first chamfer facilitates the placement of the first protective element onto the terminal during assembly. The second chamfer facilitates the insertion of the first protective element into a recess of a battery module housing or other component.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the first protective element has an external thread. This allows the first protective element to be advantageously screwed into a battery module housing or another component.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, an internally threaded sleeve with an internal thread is provided on the inside. The internally threaded sleeve allows the connecting element to be screwed to another connecting element, thus ensuring a secure connection.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the internally threaded sleeve is positioned further inwards on the inside of the first section than the second protective element. This allows the internally threaded sleeve to be securely fastened in the area of ​​the first section.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the second protective element forms a stop for the internally threaded sleeve. This allows the second protective element to perform an additional fastening function.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the second protective element projects at least 5 mm beyond the first axial end, more preferably at least 8 mm, and particularly preferably at least 10 mm. This improves protection against contact.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the second protective element is tubular in shape. This allows a fastening element of a further connecting element to be routed inside the second protective element.

[0029] A battery module features such a battery module connecting element. Such a battery module is particularly easy to manufacture and also advantageously provides touch protection.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the battery module is designed as a high-voltage battery module.

[0031] Further details and advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and illustrated in the drawings, which are in no way to be understood as limiting the invention, as well as from the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It shows: Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section a battery module connecting element, and Fig. 2 in a longitudinal section a battery module connecting element with a connecting element attached to it.

[0032] In the following, identical or similarly functioning parts are designated with the same reference symbols and are usually described only once. The description builds upon itself across figures to avoid unnecessary repetition.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematically indicated battery module 10 with a battery module connecting element 20.

[0034] Such connecting elements 20 are provided on battery modules 10 and are used for electrical connection between different battery modules 10 or between a battery module 10 and a network.

[0035] The battery module 20 has a housing 22 with a recess 23 and an internal thread 24 in the recess 23.

[0036] The connecting element 20 has an electrically conductive terminal 30, a protective element 40 and a protective element 50.

[0037] The terminal 30 has a first section 31 with a wall 32, wherein the wall 32 has an electrically conductive material, is tubular with an inside 34 and an outside 35 and has an axial end 36.

[0038] Terminal 30 is preferably made of copper, a copper alloy or a copper-containing alloy.

[0039] The inner surface 34 is open towards the axial end 36. In this specific embodiment, it can also be described as a blind hole.

[0040] The protective element 40 is formed at least partially or completely from an electrically non-conductive material, is arranged at least partially on the (radial) outer side 35 of the first section 31, and projects beyond the first axial end 36.

[0041] The protective element 50 is formed at least partially or completely from an electrically non-conductive material, it extends at least partially into the inner side 34 of the first section 31, and it projects beyond the first axial end 36.

[0042] The protective element 40 and the protective element 50 form an annular channel 60 between them, through which the axial end 36 of the wall 32 can be contacted.

[0043] The protective elements 40, 50 are preferably made of a plastic, in particular of a fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0044] The protective element 50 is connected to the terminal 30 by a snap connection 52.

[0045] The snap connection 52 is preferably formed on the inside 34 of the wall 32.

[0046] The protective element 50 preferably comes into contact with the terminal 30, at least partially, in the area between the snap connection 52 and the first axial end 36. This increases the safety against tilting of the protective element 50.

[0047] The protective element 50 preferably has at least one snap hook 54, and the wall 32 preferably has at least one snap-in area 56 for the snap hook 54, wherein the snap hook 54 is arranged at least sectionally in the snap-in area 56. Alternatively - and not shown - a snap hook can be provided on wall 32 and a snap-in area for the snap hook can be provided on the protective element 50.

[0048] The snap hook 54 is preferably arranged on a snap hook arm 58, which extends from the snap hook 54 towards the axial end 36.

[0049] A seal is preferably provided between the outer surface 35 of the terminal 30 and the protective element 40, the seal being preferably designed as a sealing ring.

[0050] The protective element 40 has an axial end 42, which is ring-shaped. The axial end 42 engages in an annular recess between the terminal 30 and the recess 23.

[0051] The axial end 42 preferably has a chamfer 46 on the radially inner side and / or a chamfer 44 on the radially outer side.

[0052] The protective element 40 has an external thread 48, wherein the external thread 48 preferably interacts with the internal thread 24.

[0053] An internally threaded sleeve 70 with an internal thread 72 is provided on the inner surface 34. The internally threaded sleeve 70 is preferably arranged further inwards on the inner surface 34 of the first section 31 than the second protective element 50.

[0054] The protective element 50 forms a stop 59 for the internal threaded sleeve 70.

[0055] The second protective element 50 preferably projects at least 5 mm beyond the axial end 36, more preferably at least 7 mm, and particularly preferably at least 10 mm. This provides good protection against contact with the terminal 30 by a finger.

[0056] The protective element 50 is preferably tubular in shape. This allows a connecting element of another protective element 50 to engage through the protective element 50 into the internally threaded sleeve 70.

[0057] Preferably, the internally threaded sleeve 70 has a smaller minimum inner diameter than the protective element 50. A fastening element intended for the internally threaded sleeve 70, such as a screw, can thus be inserted through the protective element 50 and form a screw connection with the internally threaded sleeve 70.

[0058] The connecting element 20 can also be referred to as female connecting element 20 or as socket 20.

[0059] Fig. Figure 2 shows the battery module 10 with the connecting element 20 and a connecting element 120 connected to the connecting element 20, which is designed as a counter element for the connection with the connecting element 20.

[0060] The connecting element 120 has a terminal 130 made of electrically conductive material with an axial end 136, which is in contact with the axial end 36 of the terminal 30. This allows a current flow 100 between the terminals 30 and 130. The terminals 30 and 130 are connected, for example, to other electrical elements via conductors (not shown).

[0061] Terminal 130 has a tubular section 131 which extends through the annular channel 60 between the protective elements 40, 50 to Terminal 30.

[0062] The connecting element 120 has a fastening element 170, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a screw with a screw head 174 and an external thread 172.

[0063] The fastening element 170 extends through the protective element 50 into the internally threaded sleeve 70 and is screwed to it. This results in a secure connection.

[0064] The connecting element 120 has a protective element 140 with an annular axial end 142, which extends into an associated recess of the protective element 40.

[0065] While contact protection can be achieved with the connecting element 120 through the interaction of the protective element 40 and the fastening element 170, contact protection with the connecting element 120 can be achieved via the protective elements 40, 50.

[0066] Naturally, various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0067] Connecting element 20 and connecting element 120 are preferably used for high-voltage battery modules. The term "high voltage" originates from automotive engineering and refers to systems that operate with alternating voltages above 30 V up to 1 kV (or higher) or with direct voltages above 60 V up to 1.5 kV (or higher).

Claims

[1] Battery module connecting element (20) comprising an electrically conductive terminal (30), a first protective element (40) and a second protective element (50), wherein the terminal (30) has a first section (31) with a first wall (32), wherein the first wall (32) comprises an electrically conductive material, is tubular with an inner side (34) and an outer side (35) and has a first axial end (36), wherein the inner side (34) is open towards the first axial end (36), wherein the first protective element (40) is formed at least partially or completely from an electrically non-conductive material, is arranged at least partially on the outer side (35) of the first section (31) and projects beyond the first axial end (36), wherein the second protective element (50) is formed at least partially or completely from an electrically non-conductive material, extends at least partially into the inner side (34) of the first section (31), projects beyond the first axial end (36) and is connected to the terminal (30) by a snap connection (52), and wherein the first protective element (40) and the second protective element (50) form an annular channel (60) between them, via which the first axial end (36) of the first wall (32) can be contacted. [2] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 1, wherein the snap connection (52) is formed on the inner side (34) of the first wall (32). [3] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second protective element (50) is at least partially in contact with the terminal (30) in the region between the snap connection (52) and the first axial end (36). [4] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second protective element (50) has at least one snap hook (54) and the first wall (32) has at least one snap-in region (56), wherein the snap hook (54) is arranged at least in sections in the snap-in region (56). [5] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 4, wherein the snap hook (54) is arranged on a snap hook arm (58), the snap hook arm (58) extending from the snap hook (54) towards the first axial end (36). [6] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a seal is provided between the outer side (35) of the terminal (30) and the first protective element (40), wherein the seal is preferably designed as a sealing ring. [7] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first protective element (40) has a second axial end (42) which is annular. [8] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 7, wherein the second axial end (42) - on the radially inner side a first chamfer (46), - on the radially outer side a second chamfer (44), or - has a first chamfer (46) on the radially inner side and a second chamfer (44) on the radially outer side. [9] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first protective element (40) has an external thread (48). [10] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an internally threaded sleeve (70) with an internal thread (72) is provided on the inner side (34). [11] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 10, wherein the internally threaded sleeve (70) is arranged further inward on the inner side (34) of the first section (31) than the second protective element (50). [12] Battery module connecting element (20) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second protective element (50) forms a stop (59) for the internally threaded sleeve (70). [13] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second protective element (50) projects at least 5 mm beyond the first axial end (36). [14] Battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second protective element (50) is tubular. [15] Battery module (10) comprising a battery module connecting element (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

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