Single terminal connection assembly of a storage battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection assembly to a terminal (18) of a storage battery module (10), said storage battery module having a top (15) and a recess (14) formed in said top, said recess (14) having a bottom (16), while said terminal (18) extends over said bottom (16). Said connection assembly comprises a conductive bar (22) having a longitudinal portion (24) extended by one end and an orifice (36) pierced in said end, and a screw (40) adapted to be engaged through said orifice (36). Said end is curved in a U so as to form a free wing (28) having said orifice (36).Said curved end (26) is engaged inside said recess (14) to apply said free wing (28) against said terminal (18), while said screw (40) is inserted between said longitudinal part (24) and said free wing (28) to be able to engage said screw (40) through said orifice (36). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Connection assembly to a terminal of a storage battery module

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection assembly to a terminal of an accumulator battery module.

[0002] One area of ​​application envisaged is in particular, but not exclusively, that of the automobile industry for electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0003] Indeed, such vehicles require the use of accumulator batteries, which are associated in blocks and electrically connected together by means of conductive bars called "busbars".

[0004] These busbars are usually flat and they allow electricity to be conducted efficiently. They are generally made of copper or aluminum.

[0005] Known connection assemblies comprise such busbars, which connect the terminals of two storage battery modules.

[0006] Reference may be made to document US 2020 / 0295336 A1, which describes such a connection assembly.

[0007] The terminals thus have a nut while the busbar has an orifice through which a threaded rod, or a screw, is inserted so that it can be screwed through the nut.

[0008] Such an assembly is relatively prominent above the accumulator battery module, in a context where space is limited.

[0009] Also, it has been imagined to install the terminals of the modules set back from their top in a vertical recess. Consequently, the busbars which extend at the top of the accumulator battery module are connected to the terminal by means of a relatively long screw with, in addition, spacers and / or washers between the busbar and the terminal so as to be able to ensure electrical conduction.

[0010] As a result, such an arrangement results in electrical losses and is relatively expensive.

[0011] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to solve is to provide a connection assembly which is not only relatively simple and therefore less expensive, but also which is not very prominent.

[0012] For this purpose, there is provided a connection assembly to a terminal of a storage battery module, said storage battery module having a top and a recess provided in said top, said recess having a bottom, while said terminal extends over said bottom, said connection assembly comprising, on the one hand, a conductive bar having a longitudinal part extended by one end and an orifice pierced in said end, and on the other hand a screw adapted to be engaged through said orifice to connect together said end and said terminal. Said end of said conductive bar is curved in a U-shape so as to form a free wing having said orifice and extending opposite said longitudinal portion; and said curved end is adapted to be engaged inside said recess to apply said free wing against said terminal, while said screw is inserted between said longitudinal portion and said free wing to be able to engage said screw through said orifice.

[0013] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the U-shaped implementation of the end of the conductive bar, commonly referred to as a "busbar", so as to be able to arrange the deformed end in the recess, while the free wing comes to rest on the terminal. In this way, the space extending inside the U-shaped part is used to insert the screw allowing the free wing to be forcibly applied against the terminal, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] As a result, the busbar which extends into its U-shaped curved end can then ensure the conduction of the electric current from the terminal with the greatest efficiency without an intermediate conductor. In addition, the connection between the busbar and the terminal is made inside the recess, by means of a relatively short screw. Therefore, the connection does not obstruct the space at the top of the storage battery module.

[0015] Also, it will be observed that such an implementation is relatively inexpensive and that it does not require any particular industrial means, other than the folding and stamping means usually used.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said longitudinal part has a bore made in line with said orifice. Thus, the bore of the longitudinal part is substantially coaxial with the orifice made in the free wing. In this way, after the screw has been inserted through the orifice, it is easy to introduce a screwing member through the bore in order to be able to drive the screw in rotation by means of its head. The screwing member may be a screwdriver if the screwing is carried out manually, or a screwdriver.

[0017] Preferably, the screw head has a relatively large diameter so as to be able to ensure significant pressure on the free wing. Furthermore, advantageously, the screw head has a hexagonal hollow imprint for example, or a six-pointed cross.

[0018] Furthermore, said orifice is preferably oblong in shape and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal portion. In other words, the oblong orifice extends transversely in the free wing. In this way, it is easy to introduce the screw through the orifice in an inclined manner without being hindered by the longitudinal portion of the busbar. Such a characteristic is particularly advantageous. when the screw has a length greater than the distance which extends between the free wing and the longitudinal part of the busbar precisely.

[0019] According to another embodiment, said free wing having a lateral edge, said orifice is open laterally in said lateral edge. In this way, the screw can then be pre-engaged through the terminal, while the free wing of the curved end of the busbar can be engaged between the head of the screw and the terminal. Then, tightening the screw makes it possible to force the free wing against the terminal and thus ensure electrical conduction.

[0020] According to a particular, but non-limiting, embodiment, the connection assembly further comprises a protective shell adapted to cover said curved end. In this way, the connection between the U-shaped curved end of the busbar and the terminal is entirely covered with a protective shell making it possible to insulate it from the outside. Furthermore, the busbar itself is covered with protection, up to the protective shell.

[0021] Preferably, said shell has a light capable of coming in line with said drilling. In this way, it is possible to access the screw head through the shell and the drilling of the longitudinal part of the busbar by means of a tool. Consequently, the curved end of the busbar can be detached from the terminal without dismantling the shell. Conversely, the curved end can be secured to the terminal with the shell.

[0022] According to another particular embodiment of the invention, said shell comprises two half-shells adapted to be assembled on said curved end. Thus, after the curved end has been connected to the terminal, the shell can then be installed by laterally attaching the two half-shells to the curved end.

[0023] Advantageously, said two half-shells are assembled by clipping. They can also be assembled by gluing or even by ultrasonic welding or any other means of joining for electrically insulating materials.

[0024] Furthermore, said two half-shells preferably have half-spacers adapted to join inside said curved end when said two half-shells are assembled on said curved end. The half-spacers make it possible, in addition to mechanically reinforcing the shell, to hold the screw through the orifice of the free wing when the screw is unscrewed outside the terminal. Also, in a particularly advantageous manner, the two half-spacers joined together have a central recess to allow the passage of the screwing tool.

[0025] Also, said protective shell is preferably made of a polymer material. The two half-shells are for example molded together in the polymer material and in the same mold, at an advantageous cost.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for informational but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] is a partial schematic perspective view of an element with which the subject matter of the invention is suitable for cooperation;

[0028] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic perspective view of an element of the object of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig.2] cooperating with another element of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.4] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig.3] cooperating with the object of [Fig.4];

[0031] [Fig.5] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig.4] cooperating with yet another element of the invention; and,

[0032] [Fig.6] is a partial schematic sectional view of the object of [Fig.5] according to the plan VI - VI.

[0033] [Fig. 1] shows in perspective from above and partially, a battery module of accumulators 10. The module 10 is of generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and it has a top 15 and a truncated upper corner 12 defining a recess 14. The recess 14 has a bottom 16 from which an electrical connection terminal 18 projects. In other words, the bottom 16 of the recess 14 is offset relative to the top 15 of the module 10.

[0034] The connection terminal 18 extends inside the module 10 towards the elements of the accumulator battery. In addition, it has an axial bore 20 leading to a threaded insert which will be described in more detail in [Fig.6].

[0035] A conductive bar called a “busbar” 22 will be described with reference to [Fig. 2], partially shown. It has a longitudinal part 24 ending in a curved end 26 which will be described in detail.

[0036] The busbar 22 extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction L and is intended to connect two terminals together, for example, to carry the electric current. Therefore, it is made of a conductive material, for example copper.

[0037] Furthermore, the busbar 22 is flat to be able to dissipate heat losses effectively. For example, it has a thickness e of between 3 mm and 6 mm and a width 1 of between 10 mm and 30 mm, adapted to the current flowing through it and the type of material. The dimensions are not limiting. Also, it is coated with an electrical insulator, for example made of polymer material 25 in order to protect it from unintentional contact. Its curved end 26 is, however, uncovered.

[0038] Thus, the end 26 is curved into a U so as to form a free wing 28 which comes extend opposite the longitudinal part and a bottom 30 perpendicular to the longitudinal part and to the free wing 28. In other words, the free wing 28 extends opposite a portion of the longitudinal part 24, which extends over the entire length of the busbar 22.

[0039] Also, the free wing 28 has, in a first lower lateral portion 32, opposite a second lower lateral portion 34 relative to a median plane Pm, an oblong orifice 36.

[0040] The oblong orifice 36 extends along a transverse component T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0041] Furthermore, a bore 38 is made in the longitudinal part 24 in line with the oblong orifice 36 and in a first upper lateral portion 35 extending opposite the first lower lateral portion 32. The bore 38 and the oblong orifice 36 are thus coaxial.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the oblong hole 36 allows a screw 40 to be engaged inside the curved end 26.

[0043] The screw 40 has a threaded rod 42, surmounted by a flat head 44. The latter has a recess 46 in the shape of a cross with six branches, preferably called "hexalobular". Such a recess makes it possible to exert a significant torque on the screw 40. Other types of screws can be adapted. Also, the screw 40 has a length substantially greater than the distance extending between the free wing 28 and the longitudinal part 24 and, moreover, the diameter of its head 44 is relatively large. Furthermore, the diameter of the threaded rod 42 is equal to the minimum distance which extends between the two opposite edges closest to the oblong orifice 36, and this, to the functional clearance.

[0044] And thanks to the oblong shape of the oblong orifice 36, the threaded rod 42 can be engaged through the oblong orifice 36 in an inclined manner relative to the free wing 28. And consequently, the screw 40 can be engaged laterally between the upper lateral portion 35 and the lower lateral portion 32 respectively of the longitudinal part 24 and the free wing 28.

[0045] Thus, the screw 40 is then straightened substantially perpendicular to the free wing 28, while its threaded rod 42 passes through the oblong orifice 36. A suitable screwdriver or screwdriver type tool can then be engaged through the bore 38 to be engaged in the hollow imprint 46 of the head 44.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig.4] the busbar 22 was adjusted above the top 15 of the accumulator battery module 10 so as to engage the U-shaped curved end 26 in the recess 14 and apply the free wing 28 in abutment against the terminal 18, while the threaded rod 42 engaged through the axial bore 20 of the terminal 18.

[0047] Thanks to the aforementioned tool, engaged through the bore 38, the screw 40 was rotated so that its threaded rod engaged in the aforementioned tapped insert in order to be able to forcefully apply the free wing 28 against the terminal 18 thanks to the head 44 which rests flat on said wing.

[0048] It will be observed that the connection thus made between the busbar 22 and the terminal 18 of the accumulator battery module 10 is relatively simple. Furthermore, it requires few means to shape the busbars usually used and the necessary screws have minimal lengths.

[0049] In addition, the quantity of material used to make the connection between the busbar 22 and the terminal 18 is tiny and it ensures contact with little electrical loss.

[0050] Reference will now be made to [Fig.5] showing the subject of [Fig.4] where the curved end 26 is covered with a protective shell 48 of substantially cubic shape. The protective shell 48 completely covers the curved end 26 up to the electrical insulator 25 of the busbar 22.

[0051] Also, the protective shell 48 is made up of two half-shells, a first 50 and a second 52, symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane PM as much as possible, which half-shells 50, 52 are assembled on the curved end 26.

[0052] To do this, the two half-shells 50, 52 are first approached laterally and respectively to the first and second lateral portions of longitudinal part 24 and free wing 28.

[0053] And the two half-shells 50, 52 are then brought together and joined together by trapping the curved end 26. They are for example connected together by gluing their support edges.

[0054] The two half-shells 50, 52 forming the protective shell 48 define an upper wall 55 extending to the electrical insulator 25, forming a relatively sealed joint plane.

[0055] Furthermore, the first half-shell 50 has a circular light 54 extending in line with the bore 38. Thanks to the circular light 54, it is possible to access the screw 40 directly by means of a tool of the aforementioned type through the circular light 54 and the bore 38.

[0056] In this way, it is possible to tighten or loosen the screw 40 as required, either for disassembly or for retightening when the electrical connection between the busbar 22 and the terminal 18 is faulty.

[0057] Furthermore, the assembly comprising the busbar 22 covered with its electrical insulator 25, the screw 40 engaged through the oblong orifice 36 and the protective shell 48 covering the curved end 26, constitute an independent assembly in accordance with the invention and capable of being installed on a storage battery module as described above.

[0058] Reference will be made to [Fig.6] showing a sectional view of the object of [Fig.5] along the plane VI - VI at right angles to the circular light 54 of the first half-shell 50. There we find the curved end 26, and the free wing 28 applied against the terminal 18. The free wing 28 is held by force against the terminal 18 thanks to the screw 40 whose threaded rod 42 is engaged in an insert 56. In this way, the electrical contact between the terminal 18 and the free wing 28, extended by the bottom 30 then the longitudinal part 24, is ensured. It will be observed that the insert is sufficiently well anchored in the body of the module 10 to be able to tighten the screw 40 sufficiently and hold the free wing 28 in force against the terminal 18.

[0059] Also, the shell 48 has inside a spacer 58, divided into two half-spacers, only one of which, 60, appears in [Fig.6]; the spacer 58 extending in the center of the shell 48 and substantially parallel to the upper wall 55. In addition, the half-spacer 60 has a passage light 62, coaxial with the circular light 54 and therefore, coaxial with the bore 38 as well.

[0060] Thus, it is understood that the tool for tightening or loosening the screw 40 can be introduced through the circular light 54, the drilling 38 and the passage light 62 to reach the screw head 44.

[0061] Also, thanks to the spacer 58, when the screw 40 is detached from the terminal 18 and the connection assembly is independent of the accumulator battery module 10, it is then understood that the screw 40 is captive because its head 44 is trapped inside the space delimited by the free wing 28, the spacer 58 and the protective shell 48. The threaded rod 42 then remains across the orifice 36.

Claims

Claims

1. A connection assembly to a terminal (18) of a storage battery module (10), said storage battery module having a top (15) and a recess (14) formed in said top, said recess (14) having a bottom (16), while said terminal (18) extends over said bottom (16), said connection assembly comprising, on the one hand, a conductive bar (22) having a longitudinal portion (24) extended by one end and an orifice (36) pierced in said end, and on the other hand, a screw (40) adapted to be engaged through said orifice (36) to connect said end and said terminal together; characterized in that said end of said conductive bar (22) is curved in a U shape so as to form a free wing (28) having said orifice (36) and extending opposite said longitudinal portion (24);and in that said curved end (26) is adapted to be engaged inside said recess (14) to apply said free wing (28) against said terminal (18), while said screw (40) is inserted between said longitudinal part (24) and said free wing (28) to be able to engage said screw (40) through said orifice (36).;

2. Connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said longitudinal part (24) has a hole (38) made at right angles to said orifice (36).

3. Connection assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said orifice (36) is of oblong shape extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal part (24).

4. Connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, said free wing (28) having a lateral edge, said orifice is open laterally in said lateral edge.

5. Connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a protective shell (48) adapted to cover said curved end (26).

6. Connection assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that said shell (48) has a light (54) capable of coming in line with said drilling (38).

7. Connection assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said shell comprises two half-shells (50, 52) adapted to be assembled on said curved end (26).

8. Connection assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said two half-shells (50, 52) are assembled together.

9. Connection assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said two half-shells (50, 52) have half-spacers (60) adapted to join inside said curved end (26) when said two half-shells (50, 52) are assembled on said curved end.

10. Connection assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said protective shell (48) is made of a polymer material.

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