BATTERY FOR AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID MOTOR VEHICLE FEATURING A MODULE TERMINAL COVERED BY A PROTECTIVE DEVICE AND A COVER

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising at least one module and an interconnecting piece (2), said module comprising at least one terminal (1), the interconnecting piece (2) and said terminal (1) being connected by a screw-on electrical connection device, said screw-on electrical connection device comprising a support (3) and a screw (4), characterized in that said terminal (1) comprises a protective device comprising a first part (5a) and a second part, said first part (5a) partially framing said support (3), said second part forming a rim at least partially surrounding said terminal (1), said module comprising an insulating cover (6) fixed to said first part (5a) and to said second part, said module comprising a sealing gasket (7) positioned between said terminal (1) and said cover (6). Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: BATTERY FOR A VEHICLE ELECTRIC OR HYBRID AUTOMOBILE FEATURING A MODULE TERMINAL COVERED BY A PROTECTIVE DEVICE AND A HOOD

[0001] The invention relates to batteries for electric or hybrid motor vehicles.

[0002] Prior art patent application FR3085554 is known, which describes an electrical connection system and a battery pack comprising said electrical connection system. The electrical connection system secures a conductive bar and a conductive support together. The conductive support is a conductor connected to a negative or positive terminal of a module in a battery pack. The support has an electrical contact surface. The conductive bar has insulating protection, an electrical contact surface, and a bare end without insulating protection. The electrical connection system includes a screw for attaching said bare end to the conductive support.Furthermore, the electrical connection system includes an electrically insulating cover over the exposed end, while still providing access to the screw head and the electrical contact surface of the conductor bar, which is in contact with the electrical contact surface of the support. However, some drawbacks remain. The cover is open in such a way that the screw head and the electrical contact surface of the support are accessible. Therefore, it is possible for debris to infiltrate the electrical connection system, potentially leading to damage to the battery pack. Moreover, the cover is not watertight. The presence of moisture in the electrical connection system poses a significant risk of corrosion.

[0003] The objective of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to enable the protection of a battery module terminal.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a battery for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising at least one module and one interconnecting piece, said module comprising at least one terminal, the interconnecting piece and said terminal being connected by a screwed electrical linkage device, said screwed electrical linkage device comprising a support and a screw, said support being positioned between said terminal and said interconnecting piece, said screw securing said interconnecting piece, said support and said terminal together, notable in that said terminal comprises a protective device comprising a first part and a second part, said first part partially framing said support, said second part forming a rim surrounding less partially said terminal, said module comprising an insulating cover fixed on said first part and on said second part, said module comprising a sealing gasket positioned between said terminal and said cover.

[0005] Thanks to the invention, the risk of introducing debris or conductive particles from the outgassing of the electrochemical cells of the module under the hood is greatly reduced. In addition, the sealing gasket reduces the risk of battery corrosion.

[0006] Advantageously, said protective device and said cover each have two edges, the edges being positioned on either side of said terminal, said edges being in contact with said module.

[0007] The protection of the screwed electrical connection is improved.

[0008] Advantageously, said first part forms a first plane, said second part forming a second plane, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

[0009] This configuration facilitates the arrangement of the protection device on the terminal and against the module.

[0010] Preferably, said protection device comprises a third part positioned against said terminal so that said terminal is positioned between said third part and said module.

[0011] The third part ensures the protection of the terminal against possible shocks from the outside.

[0012] Preferably, said hood comprises a plastic material.

[0013] The plastic material is insulating and inexpensive.

[0014] Preferably, said interconnecting piece is a conductive bar.

[0015] Alternatively, said interconnecting piece is an electrical cable.

[0016] Furthermore, the invention relates to an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a battery described above.

[0017] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures illustrating variants of the invention, in which: - [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a terminal of a battery module for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a protection device according to an embodiment of the invention; - [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional front view of a device screwed electrical connection; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional profile view of the screwed electrical connection device; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a cross-sectional top view of the device Screw-on electrical connection.

[0018] Figures 1 to 4 schematically illustrate a terminal 1 of a battery module 8 for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle. Generally, each battery module 8 has two terminals, one terminal 1 for each electrode, positive and negative. In addition, the battery has an interconnecting piece 2, preferably a conductive bar or an electrical cable. To ensure the transmission of electricity, the interconnecting piece 2 must be in contact with the terminal 1. Thus, the interconnecting piece 2 is connected to the terminal 1 via a screw-type electrical connection device. The screw-type electrical connection device has a bracket 3 and a screw 4. The bracket 3 is positioned between the terminal 1 and the interconnecting piece 2 as shown in the cross-sectional views of Figures 2 to 4. The terminal 1 has a protective device shown in [Fig. 1].The protective device comprises a first part 5a, a second part 5b, and optionally, a third part 5c. The first part 5b forms a frame partially surrounding the support 3. The second part 5b has the form of a rim at least partially surrounding the terminal 1. The first part 5a is in contact with the module 8. Preferably, the first part 5a forms a first plane and the second part 5b forms a second plane. The first plane is substantially perpendicular to the second plane. The optional third part 5c is positioned against the terminal 1 such that the terminal 1 is positioned between the module 8 and the third part 5c. Preferably, the third part 5c is substantially parallel to the first part 5a and, consequently, substantially perpendicular to the second part 5b.In this way, said third part 5c protects said terminal 1 from possible impacts originating from outside said module 8. Preferably, the protective device and said cover 6 have two edges positioned on either side of said terminal 1 as illustrated in [Fig. 4]. The edges are in contact with said module 8. Module 8 has a cover 6 fixed to said first part 5a and to said second part 5b. The protective device has the counterform of the edges of the cover 6 so that said protective device and said cover 6 cooperate to protect said screwed electrical connection device. Indeed, said cover 6 rests on said edge formed by said second part 5b, while surrounding the frame formed by said first part 5a. In the prior art, said cover 6 is positioned directly on said terminal 1, which results in gaps between said cover 6 and said terminal 1.The addition of the protective device between terminal 1 and cover 6 fills these gaps and prevents the intrusion of debris or conductive particles from potential outgassing of an electrochemical cell within module 8, which could cause a short circuit in the battery. Terminal 1 is thus protected. Cover 6 contains an insulating material. in order to prevent the formation of an electric arc and to allow the battery to be handled by a technician during assembly or maintenance, for example. Preferably, the cover 6 is made of a plastic material, which is an electrically insulating and inexpensive material. The module 8 has a sealing gasket 7 positioned between the terminal 1 and the cover 6. This further reduces the risk of debris and conductive particles entering the battery and also prevents corrosion due to moisture.

[0019] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a battery as previously described.

Claims

Demands

1. Battery for an electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising at least one module (8) and one interconnecting piece (2), said module (8) comprising at least one terminal (1), the interconnecting piece (2) and said terminal (1) being connected by a screwed electrical linkage device, said screwed electrical linkage device comprising a bracket (3) and a screw (4), said bracket (3) being positioned between said terminal (1) and said interconnecting piece (2), said screw (4) securing said interconnecting piece (2), said bracket (3) and said terminal (1) together, characterized in that said terminal (1) comprises a protective device comprising a first part (5a) and a second part (5b), said first part (5a) partially framing said bracket (3), said second part (5b) forming a rim at least partially surrounding said terminal (1),said module (8) comprising an insulating cover (6) fixed to said first part (5a) and to said second part (5b), said module (8) comprising a sealing gasket (7) positioned between said terminal (1) and said cover (6).

2. Battery according to claim 1 characterized in that said protective device and said cover (6) each have two edges, the edges being positioned on either side of said terminal (1), said edges being in contact with said module (8).

3. Battery according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said first part (5a) forms a first plane, said second part (5b) forms a second plane, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

4. Battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said protection device comprises a third part (5c) positioned against said terminal (1) so that said terminal (1) is positioned between said third part (5c) and said module (8).

5. Battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said cover (6) comprises a plastic material.

6. Battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said interconnecting piece (2) is a conductive bar.

7. Battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that said interconnecting part (2) is an electrical cable.

8. Electric or hybrid motor vehicle comprising a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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