Fastening device

Abstract

To provide a fastening device capable of limiting an inrush current generated in a step of coupling a battery module with the other battery module or a load.SOLUTION: A fastening device can contains: a first connector containing a first connection terminal; and a second connector that contains a second connection terminal in which a hollow into which the first connection terminal is inserted is formed. The second connection terminal can contain: a first conductor and a second conductor that are separately arranged each other along an insertion direction of the first connection terminal; and a first resistance body that is electrically coupled to between the first conductor and the second conductor. The second connector is arranged to between the first conductor and the second conductor, and can further contain a first elastic structure that provides an elastic force that copes with the insertion force of the first connection terminal to delay an insertion of the first connection terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to fastening systems, and more particularly to fastening systems for batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries differ from primary batteries, which only provide for the irreversible conversion of chemicals into electrical energy, in that they can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0003] The secondary battery can be used in the form of a battery module composed of a number of unit battery cells coupled together in series and / or parallel to provide high energy density, and the battery modules can be coupled together in series and / or parallel to form a high capacity battery pack or battery rack.

[0004] In the process of combining battery modules to form a battery pack or a battery rack, a surge-type inrush current may flow into each battery module due to parasitic capacitors between the battery cells and the module case. In addition, in the process of connecting the battery pack or the battery rack to a load, a surge current may flow into the load-side capacitor. Such an inrush current may cause damage to electronic devices (e.g., the module BMS (battery management system) installed in each battery module) that are vulnerable to the inrush current. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fastening device capable of limiting an inrush current generated in the process of connecting a battery module to another battery module or a load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A fastening device according to one embodiment for solving the above problem may include a first connector including a first connection terminal, and a second connector including a second connection terminal having a hollow formed therein into which the first connection terminal is inserted.

[0007] The second connection terminal may include a first conductor and a second conductor spaced apart from each other along an insertion direction of the first connection terminal, and a first resistor electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[0008] The second connector may further include a first elastic structure disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor and providing an elastic force against an insertion force of the first connection terminal to delay the insertion of the first connection terminal.

[0009] The first connection terminal contacts the first conductor when the first connector and the second connector are initially fastened, and contacts the second conductor when the first connection terminal is inserted into the second connection terminal to a predetermined depth or more.

[0010] The first elastic structure may include an insulator disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a spring device located between the insulator and a connector body of the second connector and providing the elastic force to the insulator.

[0011] The insulator protrudes toward the hollow due to the elastic force, and the protruding height can be varied by the insertion force.

[0012] The first connector may further include a first wire electrically connected between a battery or a load and the first connection terminal, and the second connector may further include a second wire electrically connected between the load or the battery and the second connection terminal.

[0013] The first connector may further include a first wire electrically connected between a first battery and the first connection terminal, and the second connector may further include a second wire electrically connected between a second battery and the second connection terminal.

[0014] The first connector may further include a third connection terminal, and the second connector may further include a fourth connection terminal having a hollow into which the third connection terminal is inserted.

[0015] The fourth connection terminal may include a third conductor and a fourth conductor spaced apart from each other along an insertion direction of the third connection terminal, and a second resistor electrically connected between the third conductor and the fourth conductor.

[0016] The second connector may further include a second elastic structure disposed between the third conductor and the fourth conductor and configured to provide an elastic force opposing an insertion force of the third connection terminal to delay the insertion of the third connection terminal.

[0017] The third connection terminal contacts the third conductor when the first connector and the second connector are initially fastened, and contacts the fourth conductor when the third connection terminal is inserted into the fourth connection terminal to a predetermined depth or more.

[0018] The first connector may further include a third wire electrically connected between a battery or a load and the third connection terminal, and the second connector may further include a fourth wire electrically connected between a load or a battery and the fourth connection terminal.

[0019] The first connector may further include a third wire electrically connected between the first battery and the third connection terminal, and the second connector may further include a fourth wire electrically connected between the second battery and the fourth connection terminal.

[0020] The first connection terminal may be a pin or a columnar conductor, and the first and second conductors may be ring, cylindrical, or polygonal columnar into which the first connection terminal can be inserted. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to limit an inrush current that occurs in the process of connecting a battery module to another battery module or a load, and to prevent damage to components due to the inrush current. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fastening device according to one embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a socket terminal of a fastening device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3a] 5A to 5C are views illustrating a process in which a first connector and a second connector are fastened together by a fastening device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3b] 5A to 5C are views illustrating a process in which a first connector and a second connector are fastened together by a fastening device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3c] 5A to 5C are views illustrating a process in which a first connector and a second connector are fastened together by a fastening device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing an example in which a fastening device according to an embodiment is applied to an electrical connection of a battery; [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing another example in which a fastening device according to an embodiment is applied to an electrical connection of a battery; [Figure 6] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating a fastening device according to another embodiment. [Figure 7]13 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a fastening device according to still another embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the fastening device according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is applied to the electrical connection of a battery. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the effects and features of the embodiments, as well as the implementation method thereof, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same components, and redundant description thereof will be omitted. However, the present invention may be embodied in various forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and should fully convey the aspects and features of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0024] Therefore, processes, elements, and techniques that are not deemed necessary for a person skilled in the art to fully understand the aspects and features of the present invention may not be described. In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0025] In this document, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. When describing embodiments of the present invention, the use of "may" means "one or more embodiments of the present invention." In the following description of embodiments of the present invention, singular terms may include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," and "third" are used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a second component can be named a first component, and similarly, a first component can be named a second component, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0027] When this document describes a component or layer as being "on", "connected" or "bonded" to another component or layer, "on", "connected" and "bonded" all include being formed directly or through one or more other components or layers. Also, when a component or layer is described as being "between" two components or layers, it should be understood that there may be only one component or layer between the two components or layers, or that there may be one or more intervening other components or layers.

[0028] In this document, "electrically connecting" two components may include not only directly connecting the two components, but also connecting the two components via another component. The other component may include a switch, a resistor, a capacitor, etc. In describing the embodiments, the expression "connected" means electrically connected unless there is an expression of direct connection.

[0029] Hereinafter, a fastening device according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the necessary drawings.

[0030] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a fastening device according to one embodiment.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a fastening device 1a according to one embodiment may include a first connector 10a and a second connector 20a.

[0032] The first connector 10a is a male connector that performs a plug function. The first connector 10a can include a connector body 11 and a connection terminal 12 (hereinafter referred to as a "plug terminal") that protrudes from one surface of the connector body 11 in one direction (x direction).

[0033] The second connector 20a is a female connector that functions as a socket. The second connector 20a can include a connector body 21 and a connection terminal 22 (hereinafter referred to as a “socket terminal”) located inside the connector body 21.

[0034] When the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a are fastened to each other, the plug terminals 12 can be inserted and coupled to the socket terminals 22. The plug terminals 12 may be pin- or column-shaped protruding in the insertion direction (x-direction). The socket terminals 22 may be cylindrical with a hollow extending along the insertion direction (x-direction) of the plug terminals 12, or may be polygonal columnar, such as triangular or rectangular.

[0035] The plug terminals 12 and the socket terminals 22 may be made of conductors for electrical connection. When the plug terminals 12 are inserted into the hollow of the socket terminals 22, the outer wall of the plug terminals 12 contacts the inner wall of the hollow of the socket terminals 22, thereby allowing the plug terminals 12 and the socket terminals 22 to be electrically connected.

[0036] The first connector 10a may further include a wire 13 electrically connected to the plug terminal 12. The second connector 20a may further include a wire 23 electrically connected to the socket terminal 22. The first connector 10a may be connected to a battery (not shown) or a load that receives power from the battery via the wire 13. The second connector 20a may be connected to a battery (not shown) or a load that receives power from the battery via the wire 23.

[0037] The socket terminal 22 may include a plurality of conductors 221, 222 spaced apart from each other along the insertion direction (x direction) of the plug terminal 12 to limit inrush current, and a resistor 223 connected between the plurality of conductors 221, 222.

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view that diagrammatically illustrates the socket terminal 22 of FIG.

[0039] 2, the conductors 221 and 222 may be in the shape of a ring, a cylinder, or a polygonal column such as a triangle or a rectangle, and may include a hollow space into which the plug terminal 12 is inserted. The conductor 221 may be disposed on the inlet side of the second connector 20a into which the plug terminal 12 is inserted. The conductor 222 may be disposed at a position that contacts the plug terminal 12 when the plug terminal 12 is inserted into the socket terminal 22 of the second connector 20a to a predetermined depth or more.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 1, the second connector 20a may further include an elastic structure 24 positioned between the conductors 221, 222 to ensure insulation between the conductors 221, 222 constituting the socket terminal 22 and to slow down the insertion speed of the plug terminal 12.

[0041] The elastic structure 24 is disposed between the conductors 221 and 222 and is formed of an insulating material to ensure insulation between the conductors 221 and 222. The elastic structure 24 may protrude from the connector body 21 of the second connector 20a in a predetermined direction (y direction), i.e., toward the hollow of the socket terminal 22. The protruding height of the elastic structure 24 is reduced by the insertion force of the plug terminal 12, and the elastic force can provide an elastic force against the insertion force of the plug terminal 12. Taking FIG. 1 as an example, the elastic structure 24 may include an insulator 241 disposed between the conductors 221 and 222, and a spring device 242 disposed between the insulator 241 and the connector body 21 to apply an elastic force to the insulator 241.

[0042] 3a to 3c are diagrams illustrating a process in which the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a are fastened to each other.

[0043] 3a, in the initial stage of fastening the plug terminal 12 and the socket terminal 22, the plug terminal 12 can be inserted first into the conductor 221 of the socket terminal 22. As a result, an inrush current limiting circuit including the resistor 223 is formed between the plug terminal 12 and the conductor 222, and the resistor 223 can suppress the inrush current.

[0044] Thereafter, as the insertion of the plug terminal 12 continues, the end of the plug terminal 12 comes into contact with the elastic structure 24 as shown in Fig. 3b. The elastic force of the elastic structure 24 provides a force opposing the insertion force of the plug terminal 12, thereby delaying the insertion of the plug terminal 12.

[0045] Thereafter, as the insertion of the plug terminal 12 continues, the protruding height of the elastic structure 24 decreases, allowing the plug terminal 12 to pass through the elastic structure 24 and move toward the conductor 222. Finally, the plug terminal 12 comes into direct contact with the conductor 222, completing the fastening of the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a. By the plug terminal 12 coming into direct contact with the conductor 222, the current flows directly between the plug terminal 12 and the conductor 222 without passing through the inrush current limiting circuit.

[0046] As described above, the fastening device 1a automatically performs pre-charging during the process of fastening the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a, thereby limiting the inrush current. In addition, the elastic structure 24 delays the insertion of the plug terminal 12, thereby ensuring a sufficient pre-charging time.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 1, in order to ensure insulation between the conductors 221, 222 constituting the socket terminal 22, the second connector 20a may further include an insulator 25 that is inserted into the space between the conductors 221, 222 where the elastic structure 24 is not disposed.

[0048] 1 shows an example in which the second connector 20a includes only one elastic structure 24, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second connector 20a may include a plurality of elastic structures 24 disposed between the conductors 221, 222 that constitute the socket terminal 22.

[0049] 4 and 5 show an example in which the fastening device 1a according to one embodiment is applied to the electrical connection of a battery.

[0050] 4 and 5, the fastening device 1a can be used to electrically connect one of the output terminals of the battery 2 (e.g., the positive output terminal) and the load 3. For example, the wires 13, 23 of the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a of the fastening device 1a can be electrically connected to the output terminal of the battery 2 and the load 3, respectively. Thus, when the first connector 10a and the second connector 20a of the fastening device 1a are fastened, an electrical connection can be formed between the output terminal of the battery 2 and the load 3 by the fastening device 1a.

[0051] 4, the electrical connection between the remaining one of the output terminals of the battery 2 (e.g., the negative output terminal) and the load 3 can also be provided using the fastening device 1a. On the other hand, referring to FIG 5, the electrical connection between the remaining one of the output terminals of the battery 2 (e.g., the negative output terminal) and the load 3 can be provided using the fastening device 4 that does not include a resistor for limiting inrush current.

[0052] Meanwhile, the fastening device 1a can be used not only for electrical connection between a battery 2 and a load 3, but also for other types of electrical connections in which an inrush current may occur, such as electrical connections between batteries 2.

[0053] (Other embodiments) FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a fastening device according to another embodiment.

[0054] 6, in the fastening device 1b according to another embodiment, a first connector 10b may include a plurality of plug terminals 12a, 12b protruding in one direction (x direction) from a connector body 11. Also, a second connector 20b may include a plurality of socket terminals 22a, 22b located inside a connector body 21. Each of the plug terminals 12a, 12b may be formed with the same structure as the plug terminal 12 described with reference to FIG. 1, and each of the socket terminals 22a, 22b may be formed with the same structure as the socket terminal 22 described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Therefore, in the following description, descriptions that overlap with the plug terminals 12 and the socket terminals 22 of the fastening device 1a according to the embodiment will be omitted.

[0055] When the first connector 10b and the second connector 20b are fastened together, the plug terminal 12a is inserted into and coupled to the socket terminal 22a to be electrically connected thereto, and the plug terminal 12b is inserted into and coupled to the socket terminal 22b to be electrically connected thereto.

[0056] The first connector 10b may further include wires 13a and 13b electrically connected to the plug terminals 12a and 12b, respectively. The second connector 20b may further include wires 23a and 23b electrically connected to the socket terminals 22a and 22b, respectively. The first connector 10b may be connected to a battery (not shown) or a load that receives power from the battery through the wires 13a and 13b. The second connector 20b may be connected to a battery (not shown) or a load that receives power from the battery through the wires 23a and 23b.

[0057] 2, each of the socket terminals 22a, 22b may include a plurality of conductors 221, 222 spaced apart from each other along the insertion direction (x direction) of the corresponding plug terminals 12a, 12b, and a resistor 223 connected between the plurality of conductors 221, 222. For convenience of explanation, in the following description, each component constituting each of the socket terminals 22a, 22b will be described with reference to the reference numerals in FIG.

[0058] The second connector 20b may further include a plurality of elastic structures 24a, 24b. Each of the elastic structures 24a, 24b may be disposed between the conductors 221, 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b. Each of the elastic structures 24a, 24b may be formed of an insulating material to ensure insulation between the conductors 221, 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b. Each of the elastic structures 24a, 24b may protrude from the connector body 21 of the second connector 20b in a predetermined direction (y direction), i.e., toward the hollow of the corresponding socket terminal 22a, 22b. The protruding height of each of the elastic structures 24a, 24b is reduced by the insertion force of the corresponding plug terminal 12a, 12b, and the elastic force may provide an elastic force against the insertion force of the corresponding plug terminal 12a, 12b. Each elastic structure 24a, 24b may include an insulator (see reference numeral 241 in FIG. 1) disposed between the conductors 221, 222, and a spring device (see reference numeral 242 in FIG. 1) positioned between the insulator 241 and the connector body 21 to apply an elastic force to the insulator 241.

[0059] At the initial stage of fastening the first connector 10b and the second connector 20b, each plug terminal 12a, 12b is first inserted into the conductor 221 of the corresponding socket terminal 22a, 22b. As a result, an inrush current limiting circuit including resistor 223 is formed between each plug terminal 12a, 12b and the conductor 222 of the corresponding socket terminal 22a, 22b, and the inrush current can be suppressed by resistor 223.

[0060] Thereafter, as the insertion of plug terminals 12a, 12b continues, the end of each plug terminal 12a, 12b comes into contact with the corresponding elastic structure 24a, 24b. The elastic force of each elastic structure 24a, 24b provides a force opposing the insertion force of plug terminals 12a, 12b, thereby partially delaying the insertion of plug terminals 12a, 12b.

[0061] Thereafter, as the insertion of the plug terminals 12a, 12b continues, the protruding height of each of the elastic structures 24a, 24b decreases, and the plug terminals 12a, 12b can pass through the elastic structures 24a, 24b and move toward the conductors 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b. Finally, each of the plug terminals 12a, 12b directly contacts the conductors 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b, completing the fastening of the first connector 10b and the second connector 20b. As each of the plug terminals 12a, 12b directly contacts the conductors 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b, the current flows directly between each of the plug terminals 12a, 12b and the conductors 222 of the corresponding socket terminals 22a, 22b without passing through an inrush current limiting circuit.

[0062] In Fig. 6, resistors 223 and elastic structures 24 for limiting inrush current are arranged for all of the socket terminals 22a, 22b constituting the second connector 20b, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Fig. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a fastening device 1c according to still another embodiment. Referring to Fig. 7, the first connector 10c is configured in the same manner as the first connector 10b in Fig. 6, but the second connector 20c may be configured to include a plurality of conductors 221, 222 and a resistor 223 that are spaced apart from each other only for some 22a of the socket terminals 22a, 27. Therefore, elastic structures 24a may also be arranged only for some of the socket terminals 22a.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows an example in which the fastening device 1b, 1c according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is applied to the electrical connection of a battery.

[0064] Each fastening device 1b, 1c may be comprised of a first connector 10b, 10c including a plurality of plug terminals and a second connector 20b, 20c including a plurality of socket terminals, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Thus, only one fastening device 1b, 1c may be used to provide an electrical connection between the output terminals of the battery 2 and the load 3.

[0065] Meanwhile, the fastening devices 1b, 1c can be used not only for electrical connections between the battery 2 and the load 3, but also for other types of electrical connections in which an inrush current may occur, such as electrical connections between batteries 2.

[0066] The electronic or electrical devices according to the embodiments of the invention described herein and / or any other related devices or components may be implemented using any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits), software, or a combination of software, firmware, and hardware. For example, the various components of the devices may be formed on a single integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate IC chips. Also, the various components of the devices may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package (TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or on a single substrate. The electrical connections or interconnections described herein may be implemented, for example, by traces or conductive elements on a PCB or other type of circuit carrier. The conductive elements may include, for example, metallizations, such as surface metallizations, and / or pins, and may include conductive polymers or ceramics.

[0067] Additionally, the various components of these devices may be processes or threads that execute on one or more processors and within one or more computing devices to perform the various functions described herein, execute computer program instructions, and interact with other system components. The computer program instructions are stored in memory that can be implemented in the computing device using standard memory devices, such as random access memory (RAM). The computer program instructions can also be stored on other non-transitory computer readable media, such as CD-ROM, flash drives, etc.

[0068] Additionally, those skilled in the art should recognize that functionality of various computing devices may be combined or integrated into a single computing device, or functionality of a particular computing device may be distributed across one or more other computing devices without departing from the scope of exemplary embodiments of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1a, 1b, 1c: Fastening device 10a, 10b, 10c: First connector 11: Connector body 12, 12a, 12b: Plug terminals 13, 13a, 13b: Wiring of the first connector 20a, 20b, 20c: second connector 21: Connector body 22, 22a, 22b, 27: Socket terminals 221, 222: Socket terminal conductor 223: Resistor 23, 23a, 23b: Wiring of the second connector 24, 24a, 24b: Elastic structures 241: Insulator 242: Spring device 2: Battery 3: Load

Claims

1. a first connector including a first connection terminal; a second connector including a second connection terminal having a hollow formed therein into which the first connection terminal is inserted; the second connection terminal includes a first conductor and a second conductor spaced apart from each other along an insertion direction of the first connection terminal, and a first resistor electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, the second connector further includes a first elastic structure disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor and providing an elastic force against an insertion force of the first connection terminal to delay insertion of the first connection terminal.

2. 2. The fastening device according to claim 1, wherein the first connection terminal contacts the first conductor when the first connector and the second connector are initially fastened, and contacts the second conductor when the first connection terminal is inserted into the second connection terminal to a predetermined depth or more.

3. The first elastic structure is an insulator disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor; a spring device located between the insulator and the connector body of the second connector and providing the elastic force to the insulator, The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the insulator protrudes toward the hollow due to the elastic force, and a protruding height of the insulator is variable depending on the insertion force.

4. the first connector further includes a first wiring electrically connected between a battery or a load and the first connection terminal, The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector further comprises a second wire electrically coupled between the load or the battery and the second connection terminal.

5. the first connector further includes a first wiring electrically connected between a first battery and the first connection terminal, The fastening device of claim 1 , wherein the second connector further comprises a second wire electrically connected between a second battery and the second connection terminal.

6. the first connector further includes a third connection terminal; The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the second connector further includes a fourth connection terminal having a hollow into which the third connection terminal is inserted.

7. the fourth connection terminal includes a third conductor and a fourth conductor spaced apart from each other along an insertion direction of the third connection terminal, and a second resistor electrically connected between the third conductor and the fourth conductor, 7. The fastening device according to claim 6, wherein the second connector further includes a second elastic structure disposed between the third conductor and the fourth conductor and providing an elastic force against an insertion force of the third connection terminal to delay the insertion of the third connection terminal.

8. 8. The fastening device according to claim 7, wherein the third connection terminal contacts the third conductor at an initial stage of fastening the first connector and the second connector, and contacts the fourth conductor when the third connection terminal is inserted into the fourth connection terminal to a predetermined depth or more.

9. the first connector further includes a third wire electrically connected between a battery or a load and the third connection terminal, The fastening device according to claim 6 , wherein the second connector further includes a fourth wire electrically connected between the load or the battery and the fourth connection terminal.

10. the first connector further includes a third wire electrically connected between the first battery and the third connection terminal, The fastening device of claim 6 , wherein the second connector further comprises a fourth wire electrically connected between the second battery and the fourth connection terminal.

11. the first connection terminal is a pin or a columnar conductor; The fastening device according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are in the shape of a ring, a cylinder, or a polygonal column into which the first connection terminal can be inserted.

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