Overload Circuit Breaker for Soft Pack Batteries

Abstract

An overload circuit breaker for soft pack batteries is provided. [Solution] An overload circuit breaker 50 comprises a first joint plate 51, a second joint plate 52, an overload fuse portion 53, and a protective structure 54, the first joint plate is used to electrically connect to a first bus bar of the soft-pack battery, and the second joint plate is used to electrically connect to a first electrode of the soft-pack battery, the overload fuse portion forms a current path electrically connecting the first joint plate and the second joint plate, the protective structure is a shell-shaped structure made of a flame-retardant material with insulating and heat-insulating properties and is connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate, the overload fuse portion is located inside the protective structure, and the overload circuit breaker forms active protection for the battery cell module inside the soft-pack battery, and can prevent the charging or discharging current value from becoming excessive.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to components for soft pack batteries, and more particularly to an overload circuit breaker for soft pack batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] Soft-pack batteries are a type of ion battery that can store and release large amounts of electrical energy and are widely used as automotive batteries and electrical energy storage devices, including but not limited to lithium-ion batteries.

[0003] A type of soft-pack battery is known that includes a battery cell module, two bus structures, a protective case, and two electrodes. The battery cell module is mainly configured with several battery cells arranged in parallel, and each of the battery cells is used to store electrical energy. Each of the battery cells has two electrode tabs, and each of the electrode tabs functions as a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell. The bus structures are provided on both ends of the battery cell module, and each of the bus structures has one to a plurality of bus bars. Each of the electrode tabs is electrically connected to an adjacent bus bar. The battery cells are connected in series or parallel through the electrode tabs and the bus bars, the protective case is used to encase and position the battery cell module, the protective case is mainly made of a metal material and provides protection for the battery cell module, the electrodes are electrically connected to one of the bus bars, and the electrodes are electrically connected to an external power transmission line or an electrical equipment, so that the battery cell module can supply power to the outside, and an external power source can charge each of the battery cells through the power transmission line. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an overload circuit breaker for soft-pack batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention is an overload circuit breaker for a soft-pack battery, which is used to electrically connect a first bus bar and a first electrode of a soft-pack battery, and serves as a current path between the first bus bar and the first electrode.

[0006] The first bus bar is used for electrical connection with a battery cell module, and the first electrode is used for electrical connection with an external power source or an external electrical usage device.

[0007] The overload circuit breaker comprises a first joint plate, a second joint plate, an overload fusing portion, and a protective structure, the first joint plate used for electrically connecting to the first bus bar, and the second joint plate used for electrically connecting to the first electrode, each being made of a conductive metal plate, the overload fusing portion being made of a conductive metal that melts at a rated temperature, and the overload fusing portion forms a current path that electrically connects the first joint plate and the second joint plate.

[0008] The protective structure is a shell-shaped structure made of a flame-retardant material having insulating and heat-insulating properties, the protective structure is connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate, and the overload fusing part is located inside the protective structure. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The overload circuit breaker provides active protection for the battery cell module inside the soft-pack battery, enabling the battery cell module to avoid the risk of overheating due to the charging current becoming too high, and preventing the soft-pack battery from supplying excessive current to the external electrical equipment.

[0010] The protective structure makes it possible to prevent contact between the overload fusing portion and the external thermally conductive adhesive, thereby reducing or preventing the effect of the thermally conductive adhesive on the overload fusing portion and improving the fusing accuracy of the overload fusing portion when a current overload occurs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a soft-pack battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a soft-pack battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first bus bar and a first electrode according to the first embodiment of the present invention in use; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the installation state of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring to the attached drawings, which show examples of the overload circuit breaker for soft-pack batteries of the present invention, these examples are used for illustration purposes only, and the utility model application is not limited to these structures. EXAMPLES

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, this type of soft-pack battery 01 includes a protective case 10, a battery cell module 20, a bus structure 30, a first electrode 42, a second electrode 44, and one overload circuit breaker 50 as exemplified in Example 1. The protective case 10 includes a bottom plate 12, two side plates 14, a cover plate 16, a first end cap 18, and a second end cap 19. The bottom plate 12 mounts the battery cell module 20. The side plates 14 are arranged to face each other in the lateral direction. The cover plate 16 is connected to the side plates 14. The side plates 14 are connected to the bottom plate 12, the first end cover 18 and the second end cover 19 face each other and are connected to the bottom plate 12 and the side plates 14, the battery cell module 20 is located between the side plates 14, and the battery cell module 20 is located between the first end cover 18 and the second end cover 19, such that the battery cell module 20 is located inside the protective case 10, and the protective case 10 provides protection for the battery cell module 20.

[0014] The battery cell module 20 includes several battery cells 22, each of which is used to store electrical energy, and each of which has two electrode tabs 24, each of which functions as a positive electrode or a negative electrode of the battery cell 22.

[0015] The bus structure 30 includes a first support seat 32 and a second support seat 34, of which the first support seat 32 is disposed between the battery cell module 20 and the first end cover 18, and the second support seat 34 is disposed between the battery cell module 20 and the second end cover 19. A first bus bar 36 and several second bus bars 38 are disposed on the first support seat 32, and several second bus bars 38 are disposed on the second support seat 34. Each of the first bus bar 36 and the second bus bar 38 is electrically connected to at least one of the electrode tabs 24, thereby forming a series connection or parallel connection with each of the battery cells 22. The first electrode 42 and the second electrode 44 are used to electrically connect to an external power source (not shown in the figure) or an external electrical equipment (not shown in the figure), and the second electrode 44 is electrically connected to one of the second bus bars 38.

[0016] The overload circuit breaker 50 comprises a first joint plate 51, a second joint plate 52, an overload fusing portion 53, and a protective structure 54, of which the first joint plate 51 and the second joint plate 52 are each made of a conductive metal plate, the first joint plate 51 is used to electrically connect to the first bus bar 36, the second joint plate 52 is used to electrically connect to the first electrode 42, the overload fusing portion 53 is made of a conductive metal that melts at a rated temperature, and the overload fusing portion 53 forms a current path that electrically connects the first joint plate 51 and the second joint plate 52.

[0017] Specifically, a first bolt 62 is selected and inserted into the first joint plate 51, and the first bolt 62 is further inserted through the first bus bar 36 and screwed into the first support seat 32, thereby electrically connecting the first joint plate 51 and the first bus bar 36, and a second bolt 64 is selected and inserted into the second joint plate 52, and the second bolt 64 is further inserted through the first electrode 42 and screwed into the first support seat 32, thereby electrically connecting the second joint plate 52 and the first electrode 42.

[0018] The protective structure 54 is a shell-shaped structure made of a flame-retardant material having insulating and heat-insulating properties, the protective structure 54 is connected to the first joint plate 51 and the second joint plate 52, and the overload fusing part 54 is located inside the protective structure 54.

[0019] When a current passes through the overload circuit breaker 50, the temperature of the overload fusing portion 53 increases due to the electrical resistance of the overload fusing portion 53. When the current passing through the overload fusing portion 53 is higher than a set current value, the overload fusing portion 53 melts due to overheating, thereby forming a disconnection between the first bus bar 36 and the first electrode 42. This prevents external current from entering the battery cell module 20 and prevents electrical energy from being directed outward from the battery cell module 20.

[0020] The overload circuit breaker 50 forms active protection for the battery cell module 20 inside the soft-pack battery 01, and when the external power source charges the battery cell module 20, if the current value of the charging current transmitted from the external power source to the battery cell module 20 becomes too high, the overload fusing unit 53 can be instantly melted down, and the battery cell module 20 can avoid the risk of overheating due to the current value of the charging current becoming too high. When the soft-pack battery 01 supplies electrical energy to the external electrical equipment, The overload circuit breaker 50 installed inside the soft-pack battery 01 can prevent the discharge current value supplying electrical energy to the external electrical equipment from becoming excessively high, and the external electrical equipment can be prevented from being damaged due to an abnormality in the output current of the soft-pack battery 01. In the event that the external electrical equipment stops operating or is damaged due to an abnormal current, it can be clearly determined whether the cause of the event is an abnormality in the power supply of the soft-pack battery 01, thereby avoiding consumer or commercial disputes.

[0021] A first thermally conductive adhesive (not shown in the figure) is provided between the first support seat 32 and the first end cover 18, and a second thermally conductive adhesive (not shown in the figure) is provided between the second support seat 34 and the second end cover 19. The first thermally conductive adhesive and the second thermally conductive adhesive are each made of a material having good thermal conductivity properties, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation from the battery cell module 20 to the outside.

[0022] The protective structure 54 can prevent contact between the overload fusing portion 53 and the first thermally conductive adhesive, and can reduce the transfer of thermal energy that can be generated between the overload fusing portion 53 and the first thermally conductive adhesive. When the temperature of the overload fusing portion 53 rises, the protective structure 54 can prevent the first thermally conductive adhesive from being altered or even burned due to the thermal energy from the overload fusing portion 53. The thermal energy generated in the overload fusing portion 53 is not dissipated by being absorbed by the first thermally conductive adhesive, and can be described from another perspective. In this way, when thermal energy generated in the battery cell module 20 passes through the first thermally conductive adhesive and is dissipated outward, the protective structure 54 can reduce the thermal energy that the overload fusing part 53 can absorb from the first thermally conductive adhesive, and as a result, the temperature of the overload fusing part 53 can vary as the current value of the passing current changes. The protective structure 54 can reduce the effect of the first thermally conductive adhesive on the overload fusing part 53, and can improve the fusing accuracy of the overload fusing part 53 when a current overload occurs.

[0023] The protective structure 54 is mainly configured to couple and connect a first half case 542 and a second half case 544, the first half case 542 is connected to the first joint plate 51 and the second joint plate 52, the second half case 544 is connected to the first half case 542, and the overload melting part 53 is located between the first half case 542 and the second half case 544. EXAMPLES

[0024] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the main difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that the first half-case 542 is made of a transparent material. As a result, when the external power source cannot charge the soft-pack battery 01, or the soft-pack battery 01 cannot supply electrical energy to the external electrical equipment, it is possible to visually determine whether or not the overload fusing part 53 has blown through the transparent first half-case 542, thereby improving the convenience of inspection and repair. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 01: Soft pack battery 10: Protective case 12: Bottom plate 14: Side panel 16: Lid plate 18: 1st end cover 19:Second end cover 20: Battery cell module 22: Battery cell 24: Electrode tab 30: Bus structure 32:1st support seat 34:Second support seat 36: First bus bar 38: 2nd bus bar 42: 1st electrode 44:Second electrode 50: Overload circuit breaker 51: First joint plate 52: Second joint plate 53: Overload fuse 54: Protective structure 542: 1st and a half case 544: 2nd and a half case 62: First bolt 64: 2nd bolt

Claims

1. An overload circuit breaker for a soft-pack battery, which is used to electrically connect a first bus bar and a first electrode of a soft-pack battery and serves as a current path between the first bus bar and the first electrode, the first bus bar is used for electrically connecting to the battery cell module, and the first electrode is used for electrically connecting to an external power source or an external electrical equipment; the overload circuit breaker includes a first joint plate, a second joint plate, an overload fusing portion, and a protective structure, the first joint plate used for electrically connecting to the first bus bar and the second joint plate used for electrically connecting to the first electrode are each made of a conductive metal plate, the overload fusing portion is made of a conductive metal that melts at a rated temperature, and a current path is formed in the overload fusing portion to electrically connect the first joint plate and the second joint plate, an overload circuit breaker for a soft-pack battery, characterized in that the protective structure is a shell-shaped structure made of a flame-retardant material having insulating and heat-insulating properties, the protective structure is connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate, and the overload fusing part is located inside the protective structure.

2. 2. The overload circuit breaker for a soft-pack battery according to claim 1, wherein the protective structure is mainly configured to couple a first half case and a second half case together, the first half case being connected to the first joint plate and the second joint plate, the second half case being connected to the first half case, and the overload fusing portion being located between the first half case and the second half case.

3. 3. The overload circuit breaker for a soft-pack battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first half case is made of a transparent material.

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