Relay with adjustable fastening member

Abstract

The present invention relates to a relay with an adjustable fastening member, and relates to a relay including a relay housing that accommodates a control element, a guide rail formed on an outer surface of the relay housing, and a fastening member that is movable along the guide rail.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0171778 filed on December 9, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a relay having a position-adjustable fastening member, and more particularly to a relay having a position-adjustable fastening member that can adjust the position of the fastening member of the relay, thereby making full use of the mounting space, and a battery module / battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are used in a variety of devices, from mobile devices to electric vehicles. Small devices are equipped with a large number of battery cells, while automobiles and the like use a battery module that electrically connects a large number of battery cells or a battery pack equipped with a large number of such battery modules.

[0004] A battery module / battery pack has one or more relays mounted therein, and the position and shape of the relay fastening member are changed depending on the size and shape of the battery module / battery pack, which increases manufacturing costs and reduces compatibility.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a relay according to Patent Document 1. The relay shown in Fig. 1 includes a relay housing 10, a connection member 20 that is electrically connected to a battery module, and a fixing part 30 for fixing to a case of the battery module.

[0006] The relay according to Patent Document 1 can be fixed to the battery module case by passing a bolt through a through hole of a fixing portion 30 formed in a relay housing 10.

[0007] In the conventional relay, the position and shape of the relay are fixed, as in Patent Document 1. When the shape of the battery module / battery pack case in which the relay is mounted or the position where the relay is mounted is changed, the position of the fixing part 30 must be adjusted accordingly to reproduce the product, which increases manufacturing costs and time, and reduces compatibility with other parts, making production and management of parts inefficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0129991 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a relay having a fastening member whose position can be adjusted more freely, so that the relay can be easily installed even if the shape of the battery module / battery pack case is deformed or the installation position of the relay is changed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a relay including a relay housing (1100) that accommodates a control element, a guide rail (1200) formed on an outer surface of the relay housing (1100), and a fastening member (1300) that is movable along the guide rail (1200).

[0011] The guide rail (1200) includes a vertical portion (1210) extending vertically from the outer surface of the relay housing (1100) and a horizontal portion (1220) extending from the vertical portion (1210) in a direction parallel to the outer surface, and a first cutout portion (1221) may be formed in the horizontal portion (1220).

[0012] The first cutout portion (1221) may have at least one of a concave-convex shape, a wavy shape, and a straight shape. When the first cutout portion has a straight shape, the inner surface of the horizontal portion (1220) may have a non-through fixing groove having a certain depth and a concave-convex or wavy shape.

[0013] The fastening member (1300) may include a first flat plate portion (1310) that moves along the guide rail (1200) and has a recessed groove (1311) that is recessed to a certain depth in the center, a second flat plate portion (1320) that sits in the recessed groove (1311) of the first flat plate portion (1310), one or more first elastic bodies (1330) that are positioned between the recessed groove (1311) and the second flat plate portion (1320), and a fastening portion (1340) that is positioned on the upper side of the second flat plate portion (1320) and has a fastening hole (1341) formed therein.

[0014] A first protrusion (1321) protruding to a certain length may be formed on a side surface of the second flat plate (1320).

[0015] A second elastic body (1350) connecting the fastening portion (1340) and the second flat portion (1320) is located between the fastening portion (1340) and the second flat portion (1320), and includes a columnar extension wall (1323) connecting the fastening portion (1340) and the second flat portion (1320), and the second elastic body may be disposed outside or inside the extension wall (1323).

[0016] One or more second protrusions (1323') may be formed on the outer surface of the upper end of the extension wall (1323).

[0017] A recessed hole (1322) recessed to a certain depth may be formed in the center of the second flat plate portion (1320), and an extension wall (1323) extending to a certain height may be formed along the edge of the recessed hole (1322).

[0018] The second flat portion (2320) has a second cutout portion (2324) formed by cutting a portion of the second cutout portion (2324) inward from the edge thereof, a third elastic body (2360) is positioned inside the second cutout portion (2324), and a fastener (2370) connected to the third elastic body may be positioned near the edge of the second cutout portion (2324).

[0019] The present invention can also be provided as a configuration in which the above-mentioned problems to be solved are arbitrarily combined. Effect of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the fastening member is movable along the guide rail, it is advantageous in that the relay can be easily mounted and fixed.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the fastening member is rotatable, there is an advantage that it can be more easily attached and seated on the seating portion of the case to which it is attached. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a relay assembly according to the prior art. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a relay according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide rail portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a fastening member according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening member according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily carry out the present invention. However, when describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0024] In addition, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only the case where the part is directly connected to another part, but also the case where the part is indirectly connected via another element between the two parts. In addition, when a part includes a certain component, it does not mean that the other component is excluded, but that the part may further include the other component, unless otherwise specified.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A relay having a fastening member capable of adjusting a position according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the embodiment of the present invention, the relay may be a relay component itself, or a relay assembly including a relay. Specifically, the relay may be a type that can be installed in a battery module / battery pack, and may be a relay that can be installed by itself, or a relay assembly in which the relay and related components are accommodated in a separate case or housing.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a relay according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide rail portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fastening member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the fastening member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] 2 to 5, a relay 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a relay housing 1100, a guide rail 1200, and a fastening member 1300. The relay 1000 includes a relay housing 1100, a guide rail 1200, and a fastening member 1300. The relay housing 1100 includes a first insulating layer 1200 and a second insulating layer 1300.

[0029] The relay housing 1100 may form an accommodation space and serve to accommodate and protect a control element for operating the secondary battery.

[0030] The control element may be, for example, a main relay that automatically cuts off overcurrent and high voltage in a reversible manner; an auxiliary relay that is connected to the main relay prior to the initial discharge process and drops the supplied voltage and current to prevent high voltage electricity from being suddenly supplied to the vehicle motor and electrical components; a resistor that is connected or coupled to the auxiliary relay to reduce the current and voltage; a service plug that is located on the path of the positive or negative circuit and checks the operating state of the battery pack and manually cuts off electricity when the battery pack needs to be repaired; or a current sensor that detects current in the positive or negative connection circuit and transmits it to the BMS.

[0031] The guide rail 1200 is formed on the outer surface of the relay housing 1100 and serves to guide the moving path of the fastening member 1300 .

[0032] The guide rail 1200 may include a vertical portion 1210 extending vertically from the outer surface of the relay housing 1100 , and a horizontal portion 1220 extending from the vertical portion 1210 in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the relay housing 1100 .

[0033] The vertical portions 1210 may be formed in a pair spaced apart from each other, and the horizontal portions 1220 may be formed extending in directions facing each other.

[0034] Each horizontal portion 1220 has a plurality of first cutouts 1221 formed by cutting out a part of the edge of the opposite side, and such first cutouts 1221 can be formed in a concave-convex shape. In addition to the concave-convex shape, a wave shape is also possible. The concave-convex parts shown in Figures 2 and 3 correspond to a rectangular wave shape, and can also be transformed into a bent wave shape or a triangular wave shape.

[0035] The first cutout portion may have a simple straight line shape without any unevenness on the outside, unlike Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In this case, a non-through fixing groove may be formed on the inner surface of the horizontal portion 1220 corresponding to the unevenness.

[0036] The fastening member 1300 includes a first plate portion 1310, a second plate portion 1320, a first elastic body 1330, and a fastening portion 1340.

[0037] The first flat portion 1310 has a flat shape and is inserted into and moves in the space formed between the outer surface of the relay housing 1100 and the horizontal portion 1220, thereby allowing the fastening member 1300 to move along the guide rail 1200.

[0038] A groove 1311 is formed in the center of the first plate portion 1310, the groove 1311 being indented to a certain depth, and the second plate portion 1320 can be positioned in the groove 1311.

[0039] The second plate portion 1320 has a flat shape and is located above the first plate portion 1310. An indented hole 1322 is formed in the center of the second plate portion 1320, and is indented to a certain depth. An extension wall 1323 is formed along the upper edge of the indented hole 1322, extending vertically to a certain height.

[0040] A first protrusion 1321 protruding by a certain length is formed on a side surface of the second flat plate portion 1320. The first protrusion 1321 is inserted into the first cutout 1221 of the horizontal portion 1220, which has the advantage of preventing the fastening member 1300 from moving along the guide rail 1200 due to external impacts, vibrations, etc.

[0041] Here, a second protrusion 1323' protruding to a certain height may be formed on the outer surface of the extension wall 1323. The second protrusion 1323' serves to fix the fastening part 1340 so as not to rotate.

[0042] The first elastic body 1330 is positioned in the recessed groove 1311 of the first plate portion 1310 and serves to support the underside of the second plate portion 1320, pressing against the second plate portion 1320, and when the second plate portion 1320 descends, pushing it up to return it to its original position.

[0043] That is, when the fastening member 1300 is moved along the guide rail 1200, by pressing and lowering the second flat plate portion 1320, the first protrusion 1321 of the second flat plate portion 1320 is detached from the first cutout portion 1221. Thereafter, the first flat plate portion 1310 is moved along the guide rail 1200, whereby the fastening member 1300 can be moved.

[0044] Furthermore, when the pressure applied to the second plate portion 1320 is released after it has completely moved to the designated position, the second plate portion 1320 rises due to the first elastic body 1330, and the first protrusion portion 1321 is inserted into and fixed to the first cutout portion 1221, thereby fixing the fastening member 1300 to the designated position.

[0045] Here, the first elastic body 1330 is connected to at least one of the bottom surface of the indented groove 1311 and the underside of the second flat plate portion 1320, and it is more preferable that one side is connected to the bottom surface of the indented groove 1311 and the other side is connected to the underside of the second flat plate portion 1320 to prevent the first elastic body 1330 from coming out of position and to support the second flat plate portion 1320.

[0046] In addition, the first elastic body 1330 may be formed in a compressed state contracted by a certain length to normally maintain a constant pressure pressing against the second flat plate portion 1320 and prevent the first protrusion portion 1321 from coming off the first cutout portion 1221.

[0047] The fastening portion 1340 is located on the upper part of the second flat plate portion 1320 and is for fixing the relay 1000 when it is installed in a battery module / battery pack case (not shown), and has a fastening hole 1341 formed therein through which a fastening means such as a bolt can pass.

[0048] For example, although the upper part of the fastening portion 1340 is shown in the drawings as being formed in an arch shape, the fastening portion 1340 is not limited thereto as long as the fastening hole 1341 is formed in a shape having a corner or the like according to the shape of the part on which the fastening portion 1340 is seated so that the fastening portion 1340 can be attached and fixed.

[0049] In addition, a hole or groove for accommodating the extension wall 1323 is formed on the lower side of the fastening portion 1340, and the hole or groove may have a shape capable of accommodating the second protrusion 1323' of the extension wall 1323.

[0050] The second elastic body 1350 may be located inside the indented hole 1322 and the extension wall 1323 , with one side connected to the bottom surface of the indented hole 1322 and the other side connected to the lower side of the fastening portion 1340 .

[0051] The second elastic body 1350 serves to fix the fastening part 1340 by bringing the second flat plate part 1320 and the fastening part 1340 into close contact with each other. For this purpose, the second elastic body 1350 may be formed in a relaxed state by a certain length.

[0052] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, the fastening member according to the preferred second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the fastening member according to the first embodiment described in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, except for the configuration of the second flat plate portion 2320, and therefore a description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0054] The second plate portion 2320 of the fastening member according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a second cutout portion 2324 , a third elastic body 2360 , and a fastener 2370 .

[0055] The second cutout portion 2324 is formed to have a shape in which a part is cut inward from the edge, and may be further formed on the opposing edge.

[0056] The third elastic body 2360 is located in the second cutout 2324 , and one side of the third elastic body 2360 may be connected to an inner surface of the second cutout 2324 .

[0057] The fastener 2370 may be spherical and located near the entrance of the edge of the second cutout 2324 and connected to the other side of the third elastic body 2360 .

[0058] 3. The fastener 2370 is positioned to protrude from the edge of the second plate portion 2320, and a portion of the fastener 2370 can be inserted into the first cutout 1221 shown in FIG.

[0059] Here, the third elastic body 2360 may be formed in a contracted state by a certain length in order to apply a certain pressure so that the fastener 2370 maintains a state in which it protrudes from the edge of the second plate portion 2320.

[0060] The fastening member 2300 according to the second embodiment includes a third elastic body 2360 and a fastener 2370 to press the fastening member 2300, and the fastener 2370 is inserted into the second cutout portion 2324 so that the fastening member 2300 can be moved to a specified position.

[0061] Therefore, since the fastening member 2300 can be moved without lowering the second flat plate portion 2320, the indented groove 2311 and the first elastic body 2330 can be omitted as necessary.

[0062] The present invention may also be a battery module having one or more relays having the above-mentioned features mounted thereon.

[0063] Although certain parts of the present invention have been described in detail above, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that such specific descriptions are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible within the scope and technical spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10 Relay housing 20 Connection member 30 Fixed part 1000 Relay 1100 Relay Housing 1200 Guide Rail 1210 Vertical section 1220 Horizontal section 1221 1st incision 1300, 2300 Fastening members 1310, 2310 1st flat plate part 1311, 2311 Bay ditch 1320, 2320 2nd flat plate part 1321 1st protrusion 1322, 2322 Bay Hole 1323, 2323 extension wall 1323', 2323' 2nd protrusion 1330, 2330 First elastic body 1340, 2340 Fastening part 1341, 2341 Concluding holes 1350, 2350 Second elastic body 2324 Second incision 2360 Third Elastic Body 2370 Fasteners

Claims

1. a relay housing for accommodating a control element; a guide rail formed on an outer surface of the relay housing; a fastening member movable along the guide rail.

2. the guide rail includes a vertical portion extending vertically from an outer surface of the relay housing, and a horizontal portion extending from the vertical portion in a direction parallel to the outer surface, The relay of claim 1 , wherein the horizontal portion has a first cutout formed therein.

3. The first cutout portion has at least one of a concave-convex shape, a wave shape, and a straight line shape, 3. The relay according to claim 2, wherein, when said horizontal portion is linear, an inner surface of said horizontal portion is provided with a non-through fixing groove having a constant depth and a concave-convex or wavy shape.

4. 2. The relay of claim 1, wherein the fastening member includes: a first flat portion that moves along the guide rail and has a groove that is indented to a certain depth in a central portion thereof; a second flat portion that is seated in the groove of the first flat portion; one or more first elastic bodies that are positioned between the groove and the second flat portion; and a fastening portion that is positioned above the second flat portion and has a fastening hole formed therein.

5. The relay according to claim 4 , wherein a first protrusion protruding by a certain length is formed on a side surface of the second flat plate portion.

6. The relay according to claim 4 , wherein a second elastic body is located between the fastening portion and the second plate portion, the second elastic body connecting the fastening portion and the second plate portion.

7. The relay according to claim 6 , further comprising a columnar extension wall connecting the fastening portion and the second plate portion, the second elastic body being disposed outside or inside the extension wall.

8. The relay according to claim 7 , wherein one or more second protrusions are formed on an outer surface of the upper end of the extension wall.

9. The relay according to claim 4 , wherein a center of the second plate portion is formed with an indented hole having a certain depth, and an extension wall is formed along an edge of the indented hole and extending a certain height.

10. The second flat plate portion has a second cutout portion formed by cutting a portion of the second flat plate portion from an edge toward the inside, A third elastic body is positioned inside the second cutout, The relay according to claim 4 , wherein a fastener connected to the third elastic body is located near an edge of the second cutout.

11. A battery module comprising the relay according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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