IMPROVED PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BATTERY ELECTRICAL TERMINALS

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective cover (C) for covering the electrical terminals (B) of a battery module, said cover having a parallelepiped cross-section and comprising an upper wall (5) and four side walls (1, 2, 3, 4), at least one (4) of which is solid and intended to face the battery, and at least one of which is perforated for the passage of a bundle (F) of cables intended to be connected to said terminals, characterized in that it comprises at least two perforated side walls, each formed of a series of flap-like bars (11) whose upper ends (11a) are connected to the upper wall (5) of the cover by an elastically deformable hinge zone (12) and which define recesses (10) between them facilitating their pivoting for the passage of cables. Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: IMPROVED PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BATTERY ELECTRICAL TERMINALS

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the field of electrical energy storage batteries and is concerned, more particularly, with an improved cover intended to cover the electrical terminals of these batteries.

[0002] The electrical terminals or poles of the modules and battery packs (also called "busbars") are connected to harnesses of conductive cables that supply power to various equipment. This connection is made through the wall of insulating covers that protect these terminals. Such covers must comply with IPXX standards and, in particular, with the IP2X standard, which requires them to be equipped with means of protection against "the intrusion of solid objects larger than 12 mm," and which specifically targets the fingers of an operator who might come into contact with these terminals.

[0003] However, to allow cable connection to the terminals, current covers offer only one lateral entry, either right or left, which limits connection possibilities. Furthermore, this entry is generally too narrow to accommodate large cable bundles.

[0004] Moreover, these covers do not allow the internal connections of the terminals to be viewed from the outside, which is problematic for checking their condition during maintenance operations.

[0005] In this context, the invention sought a simple and ergonomic technical solution intended to solve the problems raised by known hoods by allowing, in particular, greater flexibility of use and an increase in connection capabilities while respecting the standards in force.

[0006] This goal is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a protective cover intended to cover the electrical terminals of a battery, said cover having a parallelepiped cross-section and comprising an upper wall and four side walls, at least one of which is solid and intended to be opposite the battery and at least one of which is perforated for the passage of a bundle of cables intended to be connected to said terminals, characterized in that it comprises at least two perforated side walls, each being formed of a series of bars forming a flap, the upper ends of which are connected to the upper wall of the cover by an elastically deformable articulation zone and which delimit between them recesses facilitating their pivoting for the passage of the cables.

[0007] According to a feature of the hood of the invention, the bars are parallel to each other.

[0008] According to another feature of the hood of the invention, the bars extend perpendicularly to the upper wall.

[0009] According to yet another feature of the hood of the invention, the lower ends of the bars are free to allow their pivoting.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hood comprises three adjacent perforated side walls.

[0011] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the hood includes a base through which an opening is provided for the battery terminals.

[0012] Preferably, the hood is made of an electrically insulating elastomer material with plastic deformation.

[0013] In order to meet IPXX standards, the flap formed by the bars and recesses is dimensioned so as to prevent the intrusion into the cover of a solid body whose dimensions are greater than or equal to 12mm.

[0014] Another object of the invention is a battery module for storing electrical energy whose terminals are provided with a cover as defined above.

[0015] Yet another object of the invention is a motor vehicle equipped with batteries whose electrical terminals are protected by a hood having the characteristics defined above.

[0016] In its most general aspect, the invention proposes an improved hood allowing the connection of multiple cable bundles (“bus bars”) on the terminals, in several directions and orientations, while ensuring effective and standardized protection of users and maintenance operators.

[0017] In addition, thanks to the recesses between the hood bars, users have optimal visibility and safety while eliminating the constraints resulting from previous hoods.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the accompanying figures, for which:

[0019] [Fig.1] is a schematic side view of the same hood according to the invention used according to two distinct modes of connecting a cable bundle (busbar).

[0020] [Fig.2] is a perspective view from the front of a preferred embodiment of the hood of the invention receiving a bundle of cables connected to a battery terminal (not shown).

[0021] [Fig.3] is a side view of the hood of [Fig.2].

[0022] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the rear of the hood of the [Fig.2].

[0023] Naturally, the embodiment of the hood of the invention described below is given only by way of non-limiting example. It is explicitly provided for within the framework of the invention that one can propose and combine different modes to propose others.

[0024] The invention relates to the general field of electrical energy storage such as battery modules and applies, more particularly, to the protection of electrical terminals intended for the connection of cable bundles (of the "busbars" type) against users.

[0025] Traditionally, known protective means consist of covers designed to cover the electrical terminals of the module. Covers C already exist with a parallelepiped cross-section and comprising, in particular, as illustrated in the figures, a top wall 5 and four side walls 1, 2, 3, 4, at least one of which (here wall 4) is solid and intended to be positioned opposite the battery. At least one other side wall is generally perforated to allow the passage of a cable bundle (referenced F in [Fig. 1]) intended to be connected to the terminals B of the module M.

[0026] However, these covers only offer a single side entry, either right or left, which limits the possibilities for connecting to the terminals. Furthermore, this entry is generally too narrow to accommodate large cable bundles.

[0027] In this problematic context, the invention proposes an improved hood comprising at least two perforated side walls and, preferably, three perforated side walls 1, 2, 3, as in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0028] More specifically, each of these walls is formed and delimited by a series of bars 11 whose upper ends lia are connected to the upper wall 5 of the hood by an elastically deformable articulation zone 12. These bars 11 have a flap function and delimit between them recesses 10 facilitating their pivoting for the passage of the cable bundle F.

[0029] The IPXX rating corresponds to the level of protection of an enclosure containing an electrical device. This rating is defined in an international standard issued by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) concerning sealing (and taking into account IEC 520, DIN 40050, and BS 5490 standards). The first digit X represents the level of protection against the ingress of solid objects (from 0 to 6), while the second X corresponds to the level of protection against the ingress of water (from 0 to 9). Within the scope of the invention, and to meet the IP2X protection rating, the flap formed by the bars 11 and the recesses 10 must be able to prevent the intrusion into the cover C of a solid object with dimensions greater than or equal to 12 mm.

[0030] These bars 11 are parallel to each other and preferably extend perpendicularly to the upper wall 5. The lower ends 11b of the bars 11 are free to allow them to pivot upwards. Preferably, the Hood C is made with an electrically insulating elastomer material with plastic deformation.

[0031] Consequently, due to the elasticity of the material constituting the cover C and, in particular, of the articulation area 12, if the bundles F are disconnected from the terminals B and extracted from the cover C, the bars fold down to return to their vertical rest position and secure the users by hindering access to the terminals B.

[0032] Where applicable, the cover C includes a base 6 through which an opening is provided for the terminals B of the battery module. The cover C of the invention allows the connection of multiple cable bundles (“bus bars”) to the terminals B, in several directions and orientations, while ensuring effective and standardized protection for users and maintenance operators in accordance with the IP2X standard.

Claims

Demands

1. Protective cover (C) for covering the electrical terminals (B) of a battery module, said cover having a parallelepiped cross-section and comprising an upper wall (5) and four side walls (1, 2, 3, 4), at least one (4) of which is solid and intended to be opposite the battery and at least one other of which is perforated for the passage of a bundle (F) of cables intended to be connected to said terminals, characterized in that it comprises at least two perforated side walls, each being formed of a series of bars (11) forming a flap, the upper ends (1a) of which are connected to the upper wall (5) of the cover by an elastically deformable hinge area (12) and which define between them recesses (10) facilitating their pivoting for the passage of cables.

2. Hood according to claim 1, characterized in that the bars (11) are parallel to each other.

3. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bars (11) extend perpendicularly to the upper wall (5).

4. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower ends (11b) of the bars (11) are free to allow their pivoting.

5. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises three adjacent perforated side walls (1, 2, 3).

6. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (6) through which an opening is provided for the terminals (B) of the battery.

7. Hood according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made with an electrically insulating elastomeric material with plastic deformation.

8. Cover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap formed by the bars (11) and the recesses (10) has dimensions conforming to the normative index IP2X, where X corresponds to the level of protection against water penetration, being between 0 and 9, so as to prohibit the intrusion into the cover of a solid body whose dimensions are greater than or equal to 12mm.

9. Module (M) of electrical energy storage batteries having terminals (B) provided with a cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle equipped with batteries whose electrical terminals are protected by a cover (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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