Battery management system and battery pack

Abstract

To provide a battery management system capable of insulating between a copper bar and a case, thereby protecting the case, and reducing a manufacturing cost with no need of adopting an electrophoretic process.SOLUTION: A battery management system (100) comprises: a first circuit board (10); a second circuit board (20); a copper bar (30); and a clamping assembly (40). The copper bar (30) is located between the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20), the clamping assembly (40) comprises: an insulating member (41); and a first fastening member. The copper bar (30) is provided to abut against the first circuit board (10). The insulating member (41) is connected, at a first end thereof, to the second circuit board (20), and supports, at a second end thereof, the copper bar (30). The first fastening member (42) is fastened to the insulating member (41) and firmly abuts on a side away from the second circuit board (20), of the first circuit board (10). Thereby, the copper bar (30) is fixed to the first circuit board (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority from a Chinese patent application bearing application number 202420446586.3, filed with the China Patent Office on March 7, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of batteries, for example, battery management systems and battery packs. [Background technology]

[0003] A battery management system (BMS) is an important component of a battery pack. The BMS is installed inside the battery pack case and typically includes two vertically spaced circuit boards and a copper bar between the two circuit boards. One end of the copper bar is electrically connected to a battery module in the battery pack, and the other end is typically located between the two circuit boards.

[0004] In the related art, the usual method for butting and fixing a copper bar to an upper circuit board to achieve electrical connection is to have a screw post integrally molded into the case, which passes through the lower circuit board to firmly support the copper bar, and then use a tapping process to extrude a screw hole into the screw post, and then tighten a screw into the screw hole to fasten the copper bar to the upper circuit board. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned related art, the case and the screw post are made of metal, and the copper bar and the screw post are in contact with each other, so that the current in the copper bar flows to the case through the screw post, causing the case to carry a potential, which poses a risk of short circuit and electric shock to the operator. Therefore, in the subsequent case, an electrophoresis process is further adopted to achieve insulation between the case and the copper bar, but the electrophoresis process is expensive and complicated, which increases the manufacturing cost of the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present application is directed to Located inside the case, a first circuit board and a second circuit board arranged at an interval and both fixed within the case; a copper bar located between the first circuit board and the second circuit board; a clamping assembly including an insulating member and a first clamping member, wherein the copper bar is disposed in abutment with the first circuit board, the insulating member has a first end connected to the second circuit board and a second end supporting the copper bar, and the first clamping member is clamp-connected to the insulating member and firmly abuts against a side of the first circuit board remote from the second circuit board, thereby fixing the copper bar to the first circuit board; Provides a battery management system.

[0007] An embodiment of the present application further provides a battery pack including a case, a battery module and an optional battery management system, both disposed within and electrically connected to the case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In some embodiments of the battery management system described herein, a first circuit board and a second circuit board are arranged at a distance from each other and fixed within a case, a copper bar is supported by an insulating member connected to the second circuit board, a first clamping member is clamped and connected to the insulating member to firmly abut the side of the first circuit board away from the second circuit board, and the copper bar is butted and fixed against the first circuit board, thereby clamping and connecting the copper bar to the first circuit board by a clamping assembly. By providing this type of clamping assembly, the copper bar can be clamped and simultaneously insulated from the case, and because the first clamping member does not contact the case, the copper bar does not form an electrical connection with the case through the first clamping member, thereby insulating and protecting the case, eliminating the need for an electrophoresis process and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0009] The battery pack according to some embodiments of the present application can reduce manufacturing costs by providing the battery management system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] Below, drawings that need to be used in describing some embodiments are introduced, and the drawings described below are some drawings of the present application.

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery pack according to some embodiments of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to some implementations of the present application. [Figure 3] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery management system according to some implementations of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery management system according to some implementations of the present application. [Figure 5] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a clamping assembly according to some implementations of the present application. [Figure 6] 10 is a structural schematic diagram of an insulating member according to some embodiments of the present application after the second fastening member is hidden. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings and examples. The examples described herein are for the purpose of interpreting the present application. For ease of explanation, the drawings show only some structures related to the present application.

[0013] In the description of this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integration, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, internal communication between two elements, or an interaction between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the meaning of the above terms in this application depending on the context.

[0014] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or may include contact between the first and second features through another feature between them without direct contact. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "on the upper surface" of a second feature may include the first feature being directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or the first feature having a higher horizontal height than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "on the lower surface" of a second feature may include the first feature being directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or the first feature having a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0015] In the description of the present embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, are intended to facilitate description and simplify operation, and do not indicate or imply that such devices or elements must have a specific orientation, be configured in a specific orientation, and be operated in that orientation. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for distinction in the description and do not have any special meaning.

[0016] 1 and 2 , the battery pack includes a case 200, battery modules 300, and the battery management system 100 of any embodiment, where the battery modules 300 and the battery management system 100 are both installed in the case 200. Illustratively, the interior space of the case 200 is divided into a first housing chamber 201 and a second housing chamber 202, the battery modules 300 are installed in the first housing chamber 201, and the battery management system 100 is installed in the second housing chamber 202 and is electrically connected to the battery modules 300, thereby performing intelligent management and maintenance of the battery modules 300.

[0017] 2 and 3, the battery management system 100 includes a first circuit board 10, a second circuit board 20, a copper bar 30, and a fastening assembly 40. The first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction and are all fixed in the case 200. The copper bar 30 is located between the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20. The fastening assembly 40 includes an insulating member 41 and a first fastening member 42. The copper bar 30 is butted against the first circuit board 10. The insulating member 41 has a first end connected to the second circuit board 20 and a second end supporting the copper bar 30. The first fastening member 42 is fastened to the insulating member 41 and firmly abuts against the side of the first circuit board 10 away from the second circuit board 20, thereby fixing the copper bar 30 to the first circuit board 10.

[0018] In the battery management system 100 of this embodiment, the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction and are both fixed within the case 200. The copper bar 30 is supported by an insulating member 41 connected to the second circuit board 20, and the copper bar 30 is pre-clamped against one side of the first circuit board 10 by a clamping connection between a first clamping member 42 and the insulating member 41. The above-described type of clamping assembly 40 can clamp the copper bar 30 while simultaneously insulating the copper bar 30 from the case 200. Because the first clamping member 42 does not contact the case 200, the copper bar 30 does not establish electrical contact with the case 200 through the first clamping member 42. This provides insulation and protects the case 200, and eliminates the need for an electrophoresis process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0019] In order to fix the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 in the case 200, for example, a plurality of connecting posts are provided on the bottom of the second accommodating chamber 202, and screw holes are provided in the connecting posts. The first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are placed on the corresponding connecting posts, and screws are inserted into the first circuit board 10 or the second circuit board 20 and then screwed into the screw holes in the connecting posts, thereby fixing the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 in the case 200, respectively.

[0020] In some embodiments, the copper bar 30 has a first end that is butt-connected to the first circuit board 10 by a fastening assembly 40, and a second end that is electrically connected to the battery module 300; the related art can be referred to for the electrical connection between the copper bar 30 and the battery module 300. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first circuit board 10 has a pad 11 on the side closest to the copper bar 30, and the copper bar 30 butts against the exposed copper layer of the pad 11, thereby achieving electrical connection between the copper bar 30 and the first circuit board 10. Meanwhile, the copper bar 30 and the second circuit board 20 are insulated by an insulating member 41, and the electrical connection between the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 can be achieved by a structure such as a board edge connector, a conductive wire, or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The number of copper bars 30 is two, and the two second ends of the two copper bars 30 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 300, respectively. The two first ends of the two copper bars 30 are fastened and connected to the first circuit board 10 by the fastening assemblies 40 in the above embodiment. The first circuit board 10 is a power board and can carry a large current, while the second circuit board 20 can carry a low current. The current from the battery module 300 flows out through the copper bars 30 and is then output to the electrical equipment via the first circuit board 10.

[0021] In one alternative embodiment, the first fastening member 42 is sequentially inserted into the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30, and then screw-connected to the insulating member 41. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the insulating member 41 includes a plastic member 411 and a second fastening member 412 fitted into the plastic member 411, with a first end of the plastic member 411 fixed to the second circuit board 20 and a second end supporting the copper bar 30, thereby realizing an insulating connection between the copper bar 30 and the second circuit board 20. The plastic member 411 has a rectangular structure in one part that supports the copper bar 30, and a cylindrical structure in the other part. The first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30 have through holes for inserting the first clamping member 42. The first clamping member 42 is inserted into the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30, and then screwed into the second clamping member 412, thereby achieving a pre-clamping function. By rotating the first clamping member 42 so that its head is firmly abutting the side of the first circuit board 10 away from the second circuit board 20, one side of the copper bar 30 is in close contact with the side of the first circuit board 10 closer to the second circuit board 20, and the other side is supported by the end of the plastic member 411, thereby achieving the clamping function of the copper bar 30. In this embodiment, the first fastening member 42 is a screw, and the second fastening member 412 is a nut. The screw has a threaded rod portion that is inserted into the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30, and then threadedly connected to the nut, with the head firmly abutting against the side of the first circuit board 10 that is away from the second circuit board 20.

[0022] In another alternative embodiment, pilot holes may be pre-drilled in the plastic member 411 and then tapped into the pilot holes to form screw holes. The first fastening member 42 may be a screw, the threaded portion of which is inserted into the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30, and then threaded into the screw hole in the plastic member 411. The screw head is then firmly abutted against the side of the first circuit board 10 that is farther from the second circuit board 20, thereby achieving the fastening action of the copper bar 30. In this embodiment, there is no need to insert the second fastening member 412 into the plastic member 411.

[0023] In another alternative embodiment, the first fastening member 42 may be a tapping screw. After the tapping screw is inserted into the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30, it can be directly tightened and rotated with a tool, automatically forming a female thread in the preliminary hole of the plastic member 411. This allows the copper bar 30 to be fastened without the need for a nut or pre-tapped part. In this embodiment, there is no need to insert the second fastening member 412 into the plastic member 411.

[0024] In another alternative embodiment, the insulating member 41 is inserted into the copper bar 30 and the first circuit board 10, and then screwed onto the first fastening member 42. For example, the insulating member 41 includes a plastic member 411 and a second fastening member 412 fitted into the plastic member 411. The second fastening member 412 is inserted into the copper bar 30 and the first circuit board 10, and then screwed onto the first fastening member 42, thereby achieving a pre-tightening function. For example, the first fastening member 42 may be a nut, and the second fastening member 412 may be a bolt. The bolt is fitted into the plastic member 411. During installation, the threaded portion of the bolt is inserted into the copper bar 30 and the first circuit board 10, and then the nut is turned onto the bolt so that it firmly abuts against the side of the first circuit board 10 away from the second circuit board 20, thereby achieving the fastening function of the copper bar 30.

[0025] 4 and 6, in this embodiment, a blind receiving hole 413 is provided in a plastic member 411, into which a second fastening member 412 is fitted. In this embodiment, the first fastening member 42 is a screw and the second fastening member 412 is a nut. Because metal chips are generated in the nut when the screw is turned, by making the receiving hole 413 a blind hole, the metal chips can fall directly into the blind hole. This makes it possible to avoid a short circuit caused by metal chips adhering to the second circuit board 20, compared to when the receiving hole 413 is a through hole.

[0026] 3 and 4, the second circuit board 20 is provided with a fastening hole 21, and the plastic member 411 is provided on its periphery with a fastening button 414 that is fastened to the fastening hole 21. The fastening button 414 and the plastic member 411 are integrally molded, and the fastening button 414 can be assembled with the fastening hole 21 by its own elastic deformation and finally fastened to the fastening hole 21, thereby firmly connecting the plastic member 411 to the second circuit board 20 and facilitating easy attachment and detachment.

[0027] For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the locking button 414 is bent toward one side of the plastic member 411 to form a locking groove 4141. After the locking button 414 passes through the locking hole 21, the side edge of the second circuit board 20 is locked into the locking groove 4141, thereby realizing a strong connection between the plastic member 411 and the second circuit board 20 and making it easy to attach and detach.

[0028] In some embodiments, the installation process of the battery management system 100 is as follows: First, the locking buttons 414 on the periphery of the plastic member 411 are engaged with the locking holes 21 of the second circuit board 20, thereby assembling the plastic member 411 and the second circuit board 20 together. The second fastening members 412 are already fitted to the plastic member 411. After assembly, the plastic member 411 and the second circuit board 20 are inserted into the case as a unit, and the second circuit board 20 is locked into the case 200 with screws. The copper bar 30 is then placed on the plastic member 411, and the first circuit board 10 is placed so that it is firmly pressed against the copper bar 30 and its through-hole is aligned with the through-hole in the copper bar 30. The first fastening member 42 is then inserted into the through-holes in the first circuit board 10 and the copper bar 30 and screwed into the second fastening member 412 fitted into the plastic member 411. The first fastening member 42 is then locked to secure the copper bar 30 against the first circuit board 10. Finally, the first circuit board 10 is locked into the case 200 with screws. After assembly of the battery management system 100 is complete, the case 200 is turned over with the opening of the first housing chamber 201 facing upward, and the battery module 300 can be installed.

[0029] 5, the locking button 414 is widened along the X-axis direction. Widening the locking button 414 strengthens the structural strength of the locking button 414, prevents the locking button 414 from being deformed or damaged when the first fastening member 42 is turned, and prevents the plastic member 411 from rotating.

[0030] 4 to 6, one end of the plastic member 411 close to the copper bar 30 is provided with a position restricting groove 415 into which the copper bar 30 is accommodated. The position restricting groove 415 is configured to restrict the position of the copper bar 30, and after the copper bar 30 is placed in the position restricting groove 415, it is possible to prevent the copper bar 30 from shaking or shifting in the Y direction.

[0031] 5 and 6, a reinforcing rib 416 is provided on the circumferential side wall of the plastic member 411, and the reinforcing rib 416 is connected between the top side of the locking button 414 and the bottom side of the rectangular structure of the plastic member 411, so that the plastic member 411, the reinforcing rib 416, and the locking button 414 are integrally molded. The reinforcing rib 416 increases the structural strength of the plastic member 411 as a whole and can prevent the locking button 414 from being deformed or damaged when the first fastening member 42 is turned. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 100: Battery management system, 200: Case, 300: Battery module, 201: First storage chamber, 202: Second storage chamber, 10: First circuit board; 11: Pad; 20: Second circuit board; 21: Attachment hole; 30: Copper bar; 40···Fastening assembly, 41···Insulating member, 411···Plastic member, 412···Second fastening member, 413···Accommodating hole, 414···Latching button, 4141···Latching groove, 415···Position regulating groove, 416···Reinforcing rib, 42···First fastening member.

Claims

1. It is provided in the case (200), a first circuit board (10) and a second circuit board (20) arranged at an interval and both fixed within the case (200); a copper bar (30) located between the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20); a clamping assembly (40) comprising an insulating member (41) and a first clamping member (42); The copper bar (30) is provided in abutment against the first circuit board (10), the insulating member (41) has a first end connected to the second circuit board (20) and a second end supporting the copper bar (30), and the first fastening member (42) is fastened and connected to the insulating member (41) and firmly abuts against the side of the first circuit board (10) that is away from the second circuit board (20), thereby fixing the copper bar (30) to the first circuit board (10). Battery management system.

2. The first fastening member (42) is inserted into the first circuit board (10) and the copper bar (30) in order, and then screwed and connected to the insulating member (41); Alternatively, the insulating member (41) is inserted into the copper bar (30) and the first circuit board (10) in order, and then screwed to the first fastening member (42). The battery management system of claim 1 .

3. The insulating member (41) includes a plastic member (411) having a first end fixed to the second circuit board (20) and a second end supporting the copper bar (30), and a second fastening member (412) fitted into the plastic member (411) and connected to the first fastening member (42). The battery management system of claim 1 .

4. The first fastening member (42) is a screw, and the second fastening member (412) is a nut, and the screw is inserted into the first circuit board (10) and the copper bar (30) in order, and is screwed into the nut. The battery management system according to claim 3 .

5. The plastic member (411) has a blind receiving hole (413) into which the second fastening member (412) is fitted. The battery management system according to claim 3 .

6. The second circuit board (20) is provided with a fastening hole (21), and the insulating member (41) is provided on its periphery with a fastening button (414) that is fastened to the fastening hole (21). The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The locking button (414) has a locking groove (4141) formed therein, and after the locking button (414) passes through the locking hole (21), the side edge of the second circuit board (20) is locked in the locking groove (4141). The battery management system according to claim 6 .

8. The insulating member (41) has a position-regulating groove (415) at one end thereof close to the copper bar (30), in which the copper bar (30) is accommodated. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A reinforcing rib (416) is provided on a side wall of the insulating member (41) in the circumferential direction. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. The battery management system (100) comprises a case (200), a battery module (300) provided in and electrically connected to the case (200), and the battery management system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Battery pack.

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