Device for connecting a terminal of a battery module

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device provided with a protection assembly and a connector (200) for connecting a terminal of a battery module. In particular, the connector (200) and the protection assembly are configured to allow the connection of a bus bar, via a contact element on a terminal of a battery while ensuring the protection of operators likely to manipulate either of the protection assembly and the connector (200). Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Device for connecting a terminal of a battery module FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to the field of battery blocks capable of being used in vehicles, and more particularly motor vehicles.

[0002] In this regard, the present invention relates to a device for connecting elementary battery cells. The connection device according to the present invention is notably compact and adapted to allow its handling without risk of electric shock. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] An inter-battery connector known from the state of the art is described in document EP3358647.

[0004] In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig. 13] of document EP3358647, this device comprises a U-shaped connection clip defining a U-shaped channel into which a connection tab of a battery can be inserted and held by the spring effect of the connection clip.

[0005] The connector also comprises a movable element capable of adopting one or the other of a disengaged position and an engaged position, and which is provided with at least one wedge engaged in the U-shaped channel.

[0006] The wedge is in particular arranged so that the connection clip has a spacing dependent on the position of the movable element. In this respect, the disengaged position and the engaged position are positions of the movable element for which the wedge imposes on the wings of the connection clip, respectively, a first spacing and a second spacing less than the first spacing.

[0007] Thus, when it comes to connecting the connector to a connection tab of a battery, the movable element is initially in its disengaged position in order to provide sufficient spacing (the first spacing) of the wings of the connection clip and thus allow the insertion of the connection tab into the U-shaped channel. This insertion is then followed by a movement of the movable element from its disengaged position to its engaged position so that the wings of the connection clip tighten against the tab and hold the latter by spring effect.

[0008] Although easy to use, this device is not, however, satisfactory.

[0009] Indeed, the connection clip proposed in document EP3358647 remains bulky and in certain aspects difficult to use when it comes to putting it in work when workspace is limited.

[0010] Thus, one aim of the present invention is to propose a less bulky connection device. Another aim of the present invention is also to propose a connection device making it possible to limit the risks of electrocution during its implementation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The aims of the present invention are, at least in part, achieved by a device for connecting a terminal of a battery module, the terminal comprising a hollow metal cylinder which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face, of the battery module, the connection device being provided with a connector which comprises:

[0012] - a bus bar which comprises at least one end section;

[0013] - a contact element having the shape of a hollow cylinder and made of an electrical material trically conductive, the contact element extending, in a direction of elongation, from a face, called the first omnibus face of the end section, the contact element further comprises fingers which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element, the contact element being intended to be inserted into the metal cylinder when the connector is in a position, called the connected position, with the terminal;

[0014] - a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section which extends from one end of base towards an engagement end, said cylindrical section coaxially housing the contact element which extends from the first bus face towards the engagement end;

[0015] the connector further comprises bending means arranged to impose, on the fingers, a diverging bending forcing contact between said fingers and the contact element when said contact element is housed in the metal cylinder.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the connector further comprises a pin which extends from a top end to a bottom end in a direction called the thrust direction going from the base end to the engagement end, said pin, arranged coaxially with the cylindrical section, passes through the contact element, the pin carrying the bending means, the pin being arranged to adopt one or the other of a bottom position and a top position by a movement along the axis of elongation of the cylindrical section, the top position being a position for which the bending means are at a distance from the fingers, while the bottom position is a position for which the bending means impose a force on the fingers leading to the diverging bending of the latter.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the bending means comprise a spring element, arranged coaxially with said pin, is configured to exert a force for spreading the fingers when the pin is in its low position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the fingers are internally curved at their free end so that, when the pin is in its low position, the bending means exert the force of spreading the fingers on the internally curved ends.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connector also comprises a cap fixed to the lower end of the pin, the cap being arranged so as to cover the contact element by the free end of said contact element when the pin is in the high position and to uncover the contact element when the pin is in the low position.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said connection device is further provided with a protective assembly which comprises:

[0021] - a protection module which comprises from a lower face to a upper face upper, a base, called the protection base, as well as a hollow cylinder, called the protection cylinder, which extends, from a face of the protection base opposite the lower face, from a first end towards a second end, the protection module being configured to allow the insertion of the metal cylinder via the lower face into the protection cylinder, the protection module further comprising attachment means for fixing said protection module on the connection face via the lower face;

[0022] - a ring mounted, in pivot connection and coaxially, to the cylinder of protection, the ring defining, from one of its edges, called the upper edge, to the other of its edges, called the lower edge, an access channel, via the second end, to the hollow metal cylinder when said metal cylinder is inserted into the protection cylinder, said ring comprising means for closing the access channel, the ring being configured to pivot between two angular positions called, respectively, first angular position and second angular position, the first angular position being a position for which the closing means close, at least partially, the access channel, while the second angular position is a position for which the closing means leave the access channel entirely free of access

[0023] the cylindrical section of the housing being configured to be coupled, in a coupling position, with the protection cylinder, the coupling position being a position for which, on the one hand, the protection cylinder is housed in the cylindrical section, and, on the other hand, the contact element is partly housed in the metal cylinder in order to be in contact with the latter.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the ring is clipped to the protective cylinder.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the ring comprises, from its lower edge to its upper edge, a main cylinder and a main collar intended to bear against an edge, called the second edge, of the protective cylinder, said second edge delimiting the second end.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the main cylinder comprises a collar, called a snap-on collar, intended to cooperate with a groove, called a snap-on groove, formed on the internal surface of the protective cylinder in order to maintain, in pivot connection and by snap-on, the ring to the protective cylinder.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the closure means comprise at least one deformable clip, called a closure clip, the at least one closure clip being configured to project internally into the access channel when the ring is in its first angular position, and to be housed in a through housing provided in the wall of the protective cylinder when the ring is in its second angular position.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the at least one sealing clip, from its base to its end, matches the cylindrical shape of the protective cylinder when the ring is in the second angular position.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the at least one closure clip comprises at its end a boss oriented towards the internal surface of the protective cylinder, said boss being intended to cooperate with a recess formed on the internal surface of the protective cylinder when the ring is in the second angular position, and to bear against the internal surface of the protective cylinder when the ring is in the first angular position.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the ring comprises two bayonets extending radially to the main collar, said bayonets being configured for manipulation of the ring when it is a question of pivoting said ring between one and the other of the first angular position and the second angular position.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises pivoting means configured to allow the pivoting of the ring from the first angular position to the second angular position, the pivoting means are arranged so that the coupling of the cylindrical section with the protection cylinder comprises two phases called, respectively, first phase and second phase, the first phase comprises the engagement of the protection cylinder by the engagement end and the insertion of said protection cylinder to a first depth in the cylindrical section, said first depth being measured from the engagement end, while the second phase comprises the continuation of the insertion of the protection cylinder beyond the first depth in the cylindrical section, the first phase being a phase during which the pivoting means force the ring to pivot from its first angular position to its second angular position while the second phase is a phase for which the pivoting means lock the ring in its second angular position.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the pivoting means comprise two grooves formed internally to the cylindrical section, each groove being configured to guide the bayonets.

[0033] According to one embodiment, each groove comprises, from the engagement end, a first section and a second section, the first section being oblique relative to the elongation axis of the cylindrical section so that the guidance of the bayonets by said first section forces the ring to pivot from the first position to the second position during the first phase, the second section is parallel to the elongation axis of the cylindrical section so that the guidance of the bayonets by said second section locks the ring in the second position during the second phase.

[0034] According to one embodiment, said connection device comprises stop means configured to lock the pin in the high position throughout the first phase and the second phase, the connection device also comprises spacing means configured to allow the pin to move from the high position to the low position by a push in the direction of push as soon as the cylindrical section is in a coupling position.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the connector comprises a push button mechanically secured to the upper end of the pin, said push button comprises a main section, flat and perpendicular to the pin, and two lateral sections, flat and perpendicular to the main section, said lateral sections laterally extending the main section, each lateral section comprising on an internal face a rib, the housing comprising a base section secured to the base end and arranged between the two lateral sections, the base section and the ribs forming stop means.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the spacing means are configured to allow the two side sections to be separated so as to release the ribs of the base section.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the spacing means comprise two walls, called side walls, which extend from the protection base and on either side of the protection cylinder, the two walls, perpendicular to the side sections, each comprising at least one oblique section, forming in part spacing means, at one of their free sides and the oblique sections are in particular configured to guide the side sections in their spacing.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the push button is configured to snap onto the protection module when the pin is in the low position. Brief description of the drawings

[0039] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0040] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a representation, by a top view, of an arrangement of battery modules of a battery pack that may be considered within the scope of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a terminal of a battery module of [Fig.l];

[0042] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a protective assembly of the connection device according to the present invention, the protection assembly being shown in an exploded and perspective view;

[0043] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a connector of the device connection according to the present invention, the connector being shown in an exploded and perspective view;

[0044] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the protective assembly at the plumb line of the battery module terminal and for its assembly with the connection face;

[0045] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic representation of the protection module of the protective assembly shown in [Fig.3], and in a perspective view;

[0046] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a schematic representation of the ring of the assembly of protection shown in [Fig.3], and according to a perspective view;

[0047] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a schematic representation of the ring in its first angular position, the ring is notably represented by its upper edge;

[0048] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic representation of the ring in its first angular position, the ring is notably represented by its upper edge;

[0049] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a schematic representation of the assembly of protection of [Fig.3] in engagement with the connection face, and according to a perspective view;

[0050] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a schematic representation of the protection module of the protective assembly shown in [Fig.3], and according to another perspective view allowing the internal groove and the at least one recess to be observed;

[0051] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a schematic representation of the bus bar and the contact element according to a perspective view;

[0052] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] is a schematic representation of the housing, and in particular of the cylindrical section and exposing the detail of a bayonet guide groove;

[0053] [Fig. 14] [Fig. 14] is an illustration of the guidance of a bayonet by a groove;

[0054] [Fig. 15] [Fig. 15] is a representation of the connector according to a sectional plane passing through the elongation axis of the pin and perpendicular to the elongation direction of the bus bar;

[0055] [Fig. 16] [Fig. 16] is a representation of the connector with the pin locked in its upper position;

[0056] [Fig. 17] [Fig. 17] is a representation of the connector at the end of the second phase and for which the lateral sections are separated by the separation means;

[0057] [Fig. 18] [Fig. 18] is a representation of the connector with the pin in the lowered position;

[0058] [Fig. 19] [Fig. 19] is a schematic representation of the interaction between the spring element and the contact element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a terminal of a battery module. In particular, the present invention relates to a connection device making it possible to reinforce safety during its implementation.

[0060] Thus, the present invention relates to a device for connecting a terminal of a battery module, the terminal comprising a hollow metal cylinder which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face, of the battery module.

[0061] The connection device is in particular provided with a connector. The latter comprises a bus bar which comprises at least one end section.

[0062] A "bus bar" according to the terms of the present invention may also be referred to as an "interconnecting bar".

[0063] The connector also comprises a contact element having the shape of a hollow cylinder and made of an electrically conductive material, the contact element extending, in a direction of elongation, from a face, called the first omnibus face of the end section, the contact element further comprises fingers which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element and which are internally curved at their free end, the contact element being intended to be inserted into the metal cylinder when the connector is in a position, called the connected position, with the terminal.

[0064] The connector further comprises a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section which extends from a base end towards an engagement end, said cylindrical section coaxially housing the contact element which extends from the first bus face towards the engagement end.

[0065] Finally, the connector comprises bending means arranged to impose, on the fingers, a diverging bending forcing contact between said fingers and the contact element when said contact element is housed in the metal cylinder.

[0066] By "diverging deflection" is meant a deflection of the fingers which tends to move the free ends of each of the fingers away from the axis of revolution of the contact element.

[0067] According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, the connection device is further provided with a protective assembly which comprises:

[0068] - a protection module which comprises from a lower face to a upper face upper, a base, called the protection base, as well as a hollow cylinder, called the protection cylinder, which extends, from a face of the base opposite the lower face, from a first end towards a second end, the protection module being configured to allow the insertion of the metal cylinder via the lower face into the protection cylinder, the protection module further comprising snap-fastening means configured to snap-fasten said protection module onto the connection face via the lower face;

[0069] - a ring mounted, in pivot connection and coaxially, to the cylinder of protection, the ring defining, from one of its edges, called the upper edge, to the other of its edges, called the lower edge, an access channel, via the second end, to the hollow metal cylinder when said metal cylinder is inserted into the protection cylinder, said ring comprising means for closing the access channel, the ring being configured to pivot between two angular positions called, respectively, first angular position and second angular position, the first angular position being a position for which the closing means close, at least partially, the access channel, while the second angular position is a position for which the closing means leave the access channel entirely free of access

[0070] the cylindrical section of the housing being configured to be coupled, in a coupling position, with the protection cylinder, the coupling position being a position for which, on the one hand, the protection cylinder is housed in the cylindrical section, and, on the other hand, the contact element is partly housed in the metal cylinder in order to be in contact with the latter.

[0071] In [Fig.l], a battery pack 1 can be seen from above. In particular, the battery pack 1 comprises two rows 2a and 2b of elementary battery modules 3.

[0072] In the example shown in [Fig.l], the modules 3 are electrically connected to each other at a region 4 arranged between the two rows 2a and 2b.

[0073] In particular, in this region, each module comprises two terminals and more particularly a positive terminal and a negative terminal, making it possible to connect adjacent modules together, and in pairs.

[0074] In this regard, [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of a terminal 5 of a module 3. The terminal 5 comprises a hollow metal cylinder 5a which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face 6, of the module 3 towards a free end. It is understood that the metal cylinder 5a is open at its free end.

[0075] The present invention relates to a connection device 10 making it possible in particular to connect terminals such as described in relation to [Fig.2].

[0076] In particular, a connection device 10 according to the terms of the present invention comprises a protection assembly 100 and a connector 200 intended to cooperate with said protection assembly. It is understood that the protection assembly 100 and the connector 200 can, according to the present invention, be considered independently of one another. In other words, the present invention can relate to both the connector alone and the protection assembly alone.

[0077] More particularly, the protection assembly 100, as shown in [Fig. 3] according to an exploded view, comprises a protection module 110 and a ring 120.

[0078] [Fig. 4] also shows an exploded view of the connector 200. In particular, the connector 200 as shown in [Fig. 4] comprises a bus bar 210, a contact element 220 and a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section 230. As illustrated in [Fig. 4], the housing may also comprise a base section 240a, 240b. In particular, this base section 240a, 240b may be formed by two parts, called respectively, lower base section 240a and upper base section 240b. The lower base section 240a and the upper base section 240b are integral with the cylindrical section 230. The connector 200 may also comprise a pin 250, a cap 260 and a spring element 270.

[0079] [Fig. 5] is a schematic representation of the protection assembly 100 with a view to its assembly with the connection face 6. The protection module 110 (also shown in [Fig. 6]) comprises from a lower face 110a to an upper face 110b, a base, called the protection base 111, as well as a hollow cylinder, called the protection cylinder 112.

[0080] The protection module 110 advantageously comprises an insulating material, for example a plastic material.

[0081] In particular, the protective cylinder 112 extends from a first end 112a to a second end 112b. More particularly, the protective cylinder 112 extends, from its first end 112a to its second end 112b, from a face of the protective base 111 opposite the lower face.

[0082] The protective base 111 is arranged to allow access to the protective cylinder 112 via the lower face 110a. More particularly, the protective base 111 comprises a through opening so that the protective cylinder 112 opens out through the lower face 110a.

[0083] This arrangement thus allows the positioning of the protection module on the connection face 6 and the insertion of the metal cylinder 5a via the lower face 110a into the protection cylinder 112. This aspect is illustrated by the arrow “A” shown in [Fig.5].

[0084] The protection module 110 further comprises attachment means configured to keep said module 110 engaged to the connection face 6. For example, the attachment means may comprise snap-fastening means for keeping the protection module 110 snap-fastened to the connection face 6. The snap-fastening means may in this respect comprise in particular flexible levers 113 arranged on the lower face 110a. These flexible levers 113 are more particularly arranged to cooperate with openings 6a provided on or in the connection face 6 as illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, the protection module 110 can be fixed to the connection face with attachment means which include, for example, screws.

[0086] The invention is not limited to these aspects alone, and those skilled in the art may use any means allowing the protection module to be fixed to the connection face without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0087] The protection assembly 100 also comprises the ring 120 illustrated in [Fig.7]. The ring 120 is in particular mounted, in a pivot connection and coaxially, to the protection cylinder 112. More particularly, the ring 120 defines, from one of its edges, called the upper edge 120a, to the other of its edges, called the lower edge 120b, an access channel 121, via the second end 112b, to the hollow metal cylinder 5a when said metal cylinder 5a is inserted into the protection cylinder 112. In other words, as soon as the metal cylinder 5a is inserted into the protection cylinder 112, the ring is arranged in continuity and coaxially with said metal cylinder 5a.

[0088] According to the present invention, the ring 120 comprises means for closing the access channel 121. In this regard, the ring 120 is configured to pivot between two angular positions called, respectively, first angular position and second angular position. The first angular position is a position for which the closing means close, at least partially, the access channel 121, while the second angular position is a position for which the closing means leave the access channel 121 entirely free of access.

[0089] By "leave fully free of access" is meant sealing means which do not obstruct the access channel.

[0090] Advantageously, the ring 120 can be clipped onto the cylinder of protection 110.

[0091] By way of example, and as illustrated in [Fig.7], the ring 120 may comprise, from its lower edge 120b to its upper edge 120a, a main cylinder 122 and a main collar 123. In particular, as shown in [Fig. 10], the main collar 123 may bear against an edge, called the second edge 112c, of the protective cylinder 112, said second edge 112c delimiting the second end 112b. Additionally, the main cylinder 122 comprises a collar, called a snap-on collar 124, intended to cooperate with a groove, called a snap-on groove 114, formed on the internal surface of the protective cylinder in order to maintain, in pivotal connection and by snap-on, the ring 120 to the protective cylinder 110. By way of example, and in a non-limiting manner, the snap-on collar is arranged on the lower edge 120b and may be discontinuous.More particularly, the main cylinder may comprise one or more slots which extend, parallel to a generatrix of said main cylinder, towards the lower edge 120b and create the discontinuities in the snap-on collar. These discontinuities (and slots) allow elastic deformation of the ring when the latter is snapped into the protective cylinder.

[0092] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the closure means comprise at least one deformable clip, called closure clip 125. For example, and as illustrated in [Fig. 7], the closure means comprise two closure clips 125. In particular, the at least one closure clip 125 can be configured to project internally to the access channel 121 when the ring 120 is in its first angular position ([Fig. 8]), and to be housed in a through housing 126 ([Fig. 7] and [Fig. 9]) formed in the wall of the protective cylinder when the ring 120 is in its second angular position.

[0093] Still advantageously, the at least one closure clip 125, from its base to its end 125a, matches the cylindrical shape of the protective cylinder when the ring is in the second angular position. The at least one closure clip 125 may comprise at its end 125a a boss 125b oriented towards the internal surface of the protective cylinder, said boss 125b being intended to cooperate with a recess 115 formed on the internal surface of the protective cylinder 110 when the ring 120 is in the second angular position, and to bear against the internal surface of the protective cylinder 110 when the ring 120 is in the first angular position.

[0094] Advantageously, the ring 120 may comprise two bayonets 127 extending radially to the main collar, said bayonets being configured for the manipulation of the ring when it is a question of pivoting said ring between one and the other of the first angular position and the second angular position. The bayonets 127 may in particular cooperate with indexing means formed on the protective cylinder.

[0095] In particular, the indexing means may comprise two series of notches called, respectively, first series 116 and second series 117 ([Fig. 11]). The notches 116 and 117 may in particular cooperate with lugs 128 formed on the main collar 123

[0096] Thus, when the ring 120 is in the first position, the lugs 128 each rest in a notch 116. Equivalently, when the ring 120 is in the second position, the lugs 128 each rest in a notch 117.

[0097] In operation, as soon as the ring 120 is in the first position, the boss 125b of each closure clip 125 bears against the internal surface of the protective cylinder 110. This bearing induces a deformation of the closure clip 125 so that said closure clip 125 projects (by deformation) internally to the access channel 121 and at least partially closes the latter.

[0098] It is understood that the internal surface of the protective cylinder is defined as a cylindrically shaped surface while a recess is defined as an (open) cavity in which a boss would be housed and thus allowing the closure clip to adopt a so-called rest position, the rest position being a position for which the closure clip is not deformed and does not block the access channel.

[0099] Thus, in operation, the rotation of the ring from its first angular position to its last angular position causes the bosses to slide against the internal surface of the protective cylinder. As long as the ring does not reach its second angular position, the boss of the ring in question remains in abutment against the internal surface of the protective cylinder so that the at least one closure clip is subjected to a deformation and projects internally into the access channel. As soon as the ring reaches its second angular position, the boss of the at least one closure clip is in coincidence with a recess so that the at least one closure clip can adopt the rest position.

[0100] As illustrated in [Fig.4] and [Fig. 12], the connector 200 may comprise a bus bar 210 (“Busbar” according to English terminology). In particular, the bus bar 210 may take the form of a narrow, elongated plate. More particularly, the bus bar 210 may comprise, at each of its ends an end section 210a, a contact element 220.

[0101] By "understood at each of its ends" is meant an end section of the bus bar that extends from one end of said bus bar.

[0102] The connector 200 also comprises a contact element 220 having the shape of a hollow cylinder and projecting relative to a face, called the first omnibus face 21 la, of the end section. In particular, the hollow cylinder 220 extends from the first omnibus face towards one of its ends called the free end 220a.

[0103] The contact element may advantageously comprise fingers 221 which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element and which are internally curved at their free end.

[0104] It is understood that the bus bar and the contact element each comprise an electrically conductive material, for example copper.

[0105] The connector 200 also comprises a housing. In particular, the housing is provided with a hollow cylindrical section 230 and a base section 240a, 240b. The housing comprises an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material.

[0106] In particular, the base section comprises an upper base section 240b and a lower base section 240a. The upper 240b and lower 240a base sections are configured to be assembled with each other and thus form a housing intended to house an end section of the bus bar. The base section has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0107] The cylindrical section 230 extends, from the lower base section 240a, from a base end 230a towards an engagement end 230b. In particular, the cylindrical section 230 and the base section are communicating, and in particular communicating via the lower base section 240a. According to this configuration, the end section 210a is housed in the base section, while the contact element 220 extends from the first bus face 211a into the cylindrical section 220. More particularly, the contact element 220 extends from the first bus face 211a towards the engagement end 230b and coaxially with the cylindrical section 220.

[0108] Furthermore, the cylindrical section 230 is configured to be coupled in a coupling position with the protection cylinder 110, the coupling position being a position for which, on the one hand, the protection cylinder is housed in the cylindrical section, and, on the other hand, the contact element is partly housed in the metal cylinder in order to be in contact with the latter. Furthermore, the cylindrical section may also comprise snap-fastening means 129 configured to allow said cylindrical section to be kept in engagement, by snap-fastening, with the protection cylinder ([Fig. 19])

[0109] The housing comprises pivoting means configured to allow the pivoting of the ring 120 from the first angular position to the second angular position upon coupling of the cylindrical section 230 with the protective cylinder 110.

[0110] In particular, the pivoting means are arranged so that the coupling of the cylindrical section 230 with the protection cylinder 110 comprises two phases called, respectively, first phase and second phase. In this regard, the first phase comprises the engagement of the protection cylinder 112 by the engagement end 230b and the insertion of said protection cylinder 112 to a first depth PI in the cylindrical section 230, said first depth being measured from the engagement end 230b, while the second phase comprises the continuation of the insertion of the protection cylinder 112 beyond the first depth in the cylindrical section 230. The first phase is a phase during which the pivoting means force the ring to pivot from its first angular position to its second angular position while the second phase is a phase for which the pivoting means lock the ring in its second angular position.

[0111] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 13] and [Fig. 14], the pivoting means comprise two grooves 231 formed internally to the cylindrical section 230, each groove being configured to guide the bayonets 127. More particularly, each groove comprises, from the engagement end, a first section 231a and a second section 231b. The first section 231a is oblique relative to the axis of elongation of the cylindrical section 230 so that the guiding of the bayonets 127 by said first section 231a requires the ring 120 to pivot from the first position to the second position during the first phase. The second section 231b is parallel to the elongation axis of the cylindrical section 230 so that the guidance of the bayonets 127 by said second section 231b locks the ring 120 in the second position during the second phase.

[0112] Advantageously, the connector 200 may also comprise a pin 250 ([Fig.4]). More particularly, the pin 250 has an elongated shape, and possibly a symmetry of revolution along its axis of elongation. The pin 250 extends from a top end 250a towards a base end 250b in a direction called the thrust direction going from the base end 230a towards the engagement end 230b, said pin, arranged coaxially with the cylindrical section 230, passes through the contact element 220.

[0113] It is understood that the housing, and in particular the base section 240a, 240b, comprises a passage for the pin 250. In particular, this passage makes it possible to envisage a movement of the pin 250 in a direction going from the base end towards the engagement end.

[0114] It is understood that a section of the pin remains external to the housing so as to be able to operate the latter externally to said housing.

[0115] The connector 200 also includes a cap 260 attached to the lower end 250b of pin 250.

[0116] The pin 250 is more particularly arranged to adopt one or the other of a low position and a high position by a movement along the elongation axis of the cylindrical section. In this respect, the high position is a position for which the cap covers the contact element by the free end of said contact element in order to isolate said contact element from the metal cylinder ([Fig. 15]). The low position is a position for which the cap 260 uncovers the contact element 220.

[0117] The pin 250 is thus arranged so that, when coupling the connector with the protective cylinder, it remains in its high position and so that the cap 260 remains capped on the contact element in order to avoid any electrical contact between the contact element and the terminal.

[0118] The pin is also arranged so that, after coupling the connector with the protective cylinder, it can move from its high position to its low position so that the cap uncovers the contact element 220.

[0119] In these respects, the connection device comprises stop means and spacing means.

[0120] The stop means are in particular configured to lock the pin 250 in the high position throughout the first phase and the second phase, while the spacing means are configured to allow the pin to move from the high position to the low position by a thrust in the direction of thrust as soon as the cylindrical section is in a coupling position.

[0121] The connector 200 comprises a push button 251 mechanically secured to the upper end 250a of the pin 250.

[0122] More particularly, the push button 251 comprises a main section 251a, flat and perpendicular to the pin 250, and two lateral sections 251b, 251c, flat and perpendicular to the main section 251a. The lateral sections 251b, 251c laterally extend the main section 251a, each lateral section 251b, 251b comprising on an internal face 252b, 252c a rib 253b and 253c.

[0123] The base section 240a, 240b, integral with the base end, is arranged between the two lateral sections, the base section 240a, 240b and the ribs forming the stop means. In particular, the ribs 253b and 253c are configured to abut against a face, called the stop face 241, of the base section 240a, 240b opposite the engagement end. In other words, as soon as the ribs 253b, 253c abut against the base section 240a, 240b, no movement of the pin 250 in the direction of thrust is possible. In this respect, [Fig. 16] illustrates the connector 200 and for which the pin 250 is held in its high position by the stop means.

[0124] The spacing means may be configured to allow the spacing of the two side sections 251b, 251c so as to release the ribs 253b, 253c from the base section 240a, 240b.

[0125] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spacing means may comprise two walls, called side walls 118, which extend from the protection base 111 and on either side of the protection cylinder 112.

[0126] The two side walls 118, perpendicular to the side sections 251b, 251c, extend in particular from the protective base 111, towards one of their edges called the free edge 118a ([Fig.5], [Fig.6], [Fig.10], [Fig.17]).

[0127] This free edge 118a comprises in particular at each of its ends an oblique section 119 forming part of the spacing means.

[0128] The oblique sections 119 are arranged to cause the lateral sections to move apart as soon as the second phase is completed. In other words, the oblique sections 119 are configured to guide the lateral sections in their movement apart, and thus allow, during the pushing force, the passage of the pin from its high position to its low position.

[0129] In a complementary manner, the spacing means may also comprise blocks, called spacing blocks 254, formed on the internal faces 252b and 252c. In particular, said spacing blocks may have a triangular-shaped section along a section plane parallel to the side walls 118.

[0130] In particular, the triangular-shaped section is oriented so as to be able to cooperate with an oblique section 119 in the spacing of the lateral sections (see [Fig.17]).

[0131] The positioning of the oblique sections 119 and the spacer blocks 254 is adjusted so that the spacing of the oblique sections only occurs at the end of the second phase.

[0132] As soon as the spacing means separate the lateral sections 251b, 251c, the ribs 253b, 253c disengage from the stop face 241. This disengagement of the ribs 253b, 253c thus makes it possible, under the effect of a pushing force exerted on the push button, to force the pin to move from its high position to its low position.

[0133] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the push button is configured to snap onto the protection module as soon as the pin is in the low position.

[0134] In this regard, the side sections may comprise snap-in means intended to cooperate with the base section when the pin is in its lowered position.

[0135] In particular, the base section 118 may comprise on its lateral sides shoulders 118b against which the spacer blocks 254 snap into place. as long as the pin is in its low position ([Fig.18]).

[0136] The contact element 220 comprises fingers which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element and which are internally curved at their free end 221. The fingers are in particular configured to come into contact with the protective cylinder when the cap uncovers said contact element. In this regard, the connector may comprise bending means arranged to impose, on the fingers, a diverging bending forcing contact between said fingers and the contact element when said contact element is housed in the metal cylinder. These bending means may in particular be configured to impose a bending of the internally curved free ends of the fingers when the pin is in its low position.

[0137] Advantageously, the pin comprises a spring element 270, having a symmetry of revolution, arranged coaxially with said pin. The spring element 270 is in particular configured to exert a force of separation of the fingers of the contact element when the pin is in its low position. In particular, and as illustrated in [Fig. 19], the spring element 270 acts on the internally curved free ends of the fingers, and thus forces contact between the fingers and the metal cylinder. It is understood that the section of the spring element imposing the diverging bending of the fingers has a diameter greater than the imprint drawn by the curved free ends.

[0138] The present invention has been described according to specific embodiments which should not in any way limit its scope.

[0139] In particular, it is understood that all of the characteristics presented in the statement can be considered individually.

[0140] In particular, it is understood that the present invention may relate to a connector for a terminal of a battery module, the terminal comprising a hollow metal cylinder which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face, of the battery module, the connection device being provided with a connector which comprises:

[0141] - a bus bar which comprises at least one end section;

[0142] - a contact element having the shape of a hollow cylinder and made of an electrical material trically conductive, the contact element extending, in a direction of elongation, from a face, called the first omnibus face of the end section, the contact element further comprises fingers which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element and which are internally curved at their free end, the contact element being intended to be inserted into the metal cylinder when the connector is in a position, called the connected position, with the terminal;

[0143] - a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section which extends from one end of base towards an engagement end, said cylindrical section coaxially housing the contact element which extends from the first bus face towards the engagement end;

[0144] the connector further comprises bending means arranged to impose, on the fingers, a diverging bending forcing contact between said fingers and the contact element when said contact element is housed in the metal cylinder.

[0145] Equivalently, the present invention may relate to a connector for a terminal of a battery module, the terminal comprising a hollow metal cylinder which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face, of the battery module, the connection device being provided with a connector which comprises:

[0146] - a bus bar which comprises at least one end section;

[0147] - a contact element having the shape of a hollow cylinder and made of an electrical material trically conductive, the contact element extending, in a direction of elongation, from a face, called the first omnibus face of the end section, the contact element further comprises fingers which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element and which are internally curved at their free end, the contact element being intended to be inserted into the metal cylinder when the connector is in a position, called the connected position, with the terminal;

[0148] - a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section which extends from one end of base towards an engaging end, said cylindrical section coaxially housing the contact element which extends from the first bus face towards the engaging end.

[0149] The connector further comprises a pin which extends from a top end to a bottom end in a direction called the thrust direction going from the base end to the engagement end, said pin, arranged coaxially with the cylindrical section, passes through the contact element, the pin carrying the bending means, the pin being arranged to adopt one or the other of a bottom position and a top position by a movement along the axis of elongation of the cylindrical section, the top position being a position for which the bending means are at a distance from the internally curved ends of the fingers, while the bottom position is a position for which the bending means impose a force on the internally curved ends of the fingers leading to the diverging bending of the latter.The connector also includes a cap attached to the lower end of the pin, the cap being arranged to cover the contact element by the free end of said contact element when the pin is in the upper position and to uncover the contact element when the pin is in the lower position.

[0150] Finally, the present invention may relate to a protective assembly for a terminal of a battery module, the terminal comprising a hollow metal cylinder which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face, of the battery module, the protective assembly comprising:

[0151] - a protection module which comprises from a lower face to a upper face upper, a base, called the protection base, as well as a hollow cylinder, called the protection cylinder, which extends, from a face of the base opposite the lower face, from a first end towards a second end, the protection module being configured to allow the insertion of the metal cylinder via the lower face into the protection cylinder, the protection module further comprising snap-fastening means configured to snap-fasten said protection module onto the connection face via the lower face;

[0152] - a ring mounted, in pivot connection and coaxially, to the cylinder of protection, the ring defining, from one of its edges, called the upper edge, to the other of its edges, called the lower edge, an access channel, via the second end, to the hollow metal cylinder when said metal cylinder is inserted into the protection cylinder, said ring comprising means for closing the access channel, the ring being configured to pivot between two angular positions called, respectively, first angular position and second angular position, the first angular position being a position for which the closing means close, at least partially, the access channel, while the second angular position is a position for which the closing means leave the access channel entirely free of access

[0153] the cylindrical section of the housing being configured to be coupled, in a coupling position, with the protection cylinder, the coupling position being a position for which, on the one hand, the protection cylinder is housed in the cylindrical section, and, on the other hand, the contact element is partly housed in the metal cylinder in order to be in contact with the latter.

[0154] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and variant embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Connection device (10) of a terminal (5) of a battery module, the terminal (5) comprising a hollow metal cylinder (5a) which extends in a direction perpendicular to a face, called the connection face (6), of the battery module, the connection device (10) being provided with a connector (200) which comprises: - a bus bar which comprises at least one end section (210a); - a contact element (220) having the shape of a hollow cylinder and made of an electrically conductive material, the contact element (220) extending, in a direction of elongation, from a face, called the first omnibus face (211a) of the end section (210a), the contact element (220) further comprises fingers (221) which extend in the direction of elongation of said contact element (220), the contact element (220) being intended to be inserted into the metal cylinder (5a) when the connector (200) is in a position, called the connected position, with the terminal (5); - a housing provided with a hollow cylindrical section (230) which extends from a base end (230a) towards an engagement end (230b), said cylindrical section (230) coaxially housing the contact element (220) which extends from the first bus face (211a) towards the engagement end (230b); the connector (200) further comprises bending means arranged to impose, on the fingers (221), a diverging bending forcing contact between said fingers (221) and the contact element (220) when said contact element (220) is housed in the metal cylinder (5 a).

2. Connection device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (200) further comprises a pin (250) which extends from a high end to a low end in a direction called the thrust direction going from the base end (230a) to the engagement end (230b), said pin (250), arranged coaxially with the cylindrical section (230), passes through the contact element (220), the pin (250) carrying the bending means, the pin (250) being arranged to adopt one or the other of a low position and a high position by a movement along the axis of elongation of the cylindrical section (230), the high position being a position for which the bending means are at a distance from the fingers (221), while the low position is a position for which the bending means impose a force on the fingers (221) leading to the divergent bending of the latter.

3. Connection device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the bending means comprise a spring element (270), arranged coaxially to said pin (250), is configured to exert a force of separation of the fingers (221) when the pin (250) is in its low position.

4. A connection device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the fingers (221) are internally curved at their free end (220a) so that, when the pin is in its low position, the bending means exert the force of spreading the fingers on the internally curved ends.

5. Connection device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connector (200) also comprises a cap (260) fixed to the lower end of the pin (250), the cap (260) being arranged so as to cover the contact element (220) by the free end (220a) of said contact element (220) when the pin (250) is in the high position and to uncover the contact element (220) when the pin (250) is in the low position.

6. Connection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said connection device (10) is further provided with a protection assembly (100) which comprises: - a protection module (110) which comprises from a lower face (110a) to an upper face (110b), a base, called the protection base (111), as well as a hollow cylinder, called the protection cylinder (112), which extends, from a face of the protection base (111) opposite the lower face (110a), from a first end (112a) to a second end (112b), the protection module (110) being configured to allow the insertion of the metal cylinder (5a) through the lower face (110a) into the protection cylinder (112), the protection module (110) further comprising attachment means for fixing said protection module (110) on the connection face (6) by the lower face (110a);- a ring (200) mounted, in pivot connection and coaxially, to the protection cylinder (112), the ring (200) defining, from one of its edges, called the upper edge (120a), towards the other of its edges, called the edge;

7.

8.

9.

10. lower (120b), an access channel (121), by the second end, to the hollow metal cylinder (5a) when said metal cylinder (5a) is inserted into the protective cylinder (112), said ring (200) comprising means for closing the access channel (121), the ring (200) being configured to pivot between two angular positions called, respectively, first angular position and second angular position, the first angular position being a position for which the closing means close, at least partially, the access channel (121), while the second angular position is a position for which the closing means leave the access channel (121) entirely free of access the cylindrical section (230) of the housing being configured to be coupled, in a coupling position, with the protection cylinder (112), the coupling position being a position for which, on the one hand, the protection cylinder (112) is housed in the cylindrical section (230), and, on the other hand, the contact element (220) is partly housed in the metal cylinder (5a) in order to be in contact with the latter. Connection device (10) according to claim 6, in which the ring (200) is mounted clipped to the protection cylinder (112). Connection device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, in which the ring (200) comprises, from its lower edge (120b) towards its upper edge (120a), a main cylinder (122) and a main collar (123) intended to bear against an edge, called the second edge, of the protective cylinder (112), said second edge delimiting the second end. Connection device (10) according to claim 8, in which the main cylinder (122) comprises a collar, called a snap-on collar (124), intended to cooperate with a groove, called a snap-on groove (114), formed on the internal surface (252b, 252c) of the protection cylinder (112) in order to maintain, in pivot connection and by snap-on, the ring (200) to the protection cylinder (112). Connection device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the closure means comprise at least one deformable clip, called closure clip (125), the at least one closure clip (125) being configured to project internally to the access channel (121) when the ring (200) is in its first angular position, and to be housed in a through housing (126) formed in the wall of the protective cylinder (112) when the ring (200) is in its second position. angular.

11. Connection device (10) according to claim 10, in which the at least one closing clip (125), from its origin to its end, matches the cylindrical shape of the protective cylinder (112) when the ring (200) is in the second angular position.

12. Connection device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the at least one closure clip (125) comprises at its end a boss (125b) oriented towards the internal surface (252b, 252c) of the protective cylinder (112), said boss (125b) being intended to cooperate with a recess (115) formed on the internal surface (252b, 252c) of the protective cylinder (112) when the ring (200) is in the second angular position, and to bear against the internal surface (252b, 252c) of the protective cylinder (112) when the ring (200) is in the first angular position.

13. A connection device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 12 in combination with claim 8, wherein the ring (200) comprises two bayonets (127) extending radially to the main collar (123), said bayonets (127) being configured for manipulation of the ring (200) when pivoting said ring (200) between one of the first angular position and the second angular position.

14. A connection device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the housing comprises pivoting means configured to allow the pivoting of the ring (200) from the first angular position to the second angular position, the pivoting means are arranged so that the coupling of the cylindrical section (230) with the protective cylinder (112) comprises two phases called, respectively, first phase and second phase, the first phase comprises the engagement of the protective cylinder (112) by the engagement end (230b) and the insertion of said protective cylinder (112) to a first depth in the cylindrical section (230), said first depth being measured from the engagement end (230b), while the second phase comprises the continuation of the insertion of the protective cylinder (112) beyond the first depth in the cylindrical section (230),the first phase being a phase during which the pivoting means force the ring (200) to pivot from its first angular position to its second angular position while the second phase is a phase for which the pivoting means, voting locks the ring (200) in its second angular position.

15. A connecting device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the pivoting means comprises two grooves (231) formed internally to the cylindrical section (230), each groove being configured to guide the bayonets.

16. A connection device (10) according to claim 15, wherein each groove comprises, from the engagement end (230b), a first section (231a) and a second section (231b), the first section (231a) being oblique to the elongation axis of the cylindrical section (230) so that the guidance of the bayonets (127) by said first section (231a) forces the ring (200) to pivot from the first position to the second position during the first phase, the second section (231b) is parallel to the elongation axis of the cylindrical section (230) so that the guidance of the bayonets (127) by said second section (231b) locks the ring (200) in the second position during the second phase.

17. Connection device (10) according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein said connection device (10) comprises stop means (241) configured to lock the pin (250) in the high position throughout the first phase and the second phase, the connection device (10) also comprises spacing means configured to allow the pin (250) to move from the high position to the low position by a push in the direction of push as soon as the cylindrical section (230) is in a coupling position.

18. Connection device (10) according to claim 17, wherein the connector (200) comprises a push button (251) mechanically secured to the upper end of the pin (250), said push button (251) comprises a main section (251a), flat and perpendicular to the pin (250), and two lateral sections (251b, 251c), flat and perpendicular to the main section (251a), said lateral sections (251b, 251c) laterally extending the main section (251a), each lateral section comprising, on an internal face (252b, 252c), a rib (253b, 253c), the housing comprising a base section (240a, 240b) secured to the base end (230a) and arranged between the two lateral sections (251b, 251c), the base section (240a, 240b) and the ribs (253b, 253c) forming stop means (241).

19. A connection device (10) according to claim 18, wherein the spacing means are configured to allow the two side sections (251b, 251c) to be moved apart so as to release the ribs (253b, 253c) from the base section (240a, 240b).

20. Connection device (10) according to claim 19, in which the spacing means comprise two walls, called side walls (118), which extend from the protection base (111) and on either side of the protection cylinder, the two walls, perpendicular to the side sections (251b, 251c), each comprising at least one oblique section (119), partly forming spacing means, at one of their free sides and the oblique sections are in particular configured to guide the side sections in their spacing.

21. Connection device (10) according to one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the push button (251) is configured to snap into the protection module (110) as soon as the pin (250) is in the low position.

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