Relay assembly and electric vehicle having the same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a relay assembly that connects the inverter of a battery-powered device to the battery, the relay assembly comprising a switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the battery from the inverter, and an electromagnet unit arranged to operate the switching unit, the switching unit being rotated by the magnetic force of the electromagnet unit and having a plurality of contacts whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation, and an electric vehicle having the same, which can simplify the installation structure and reduce installation space.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay assembly and an electric vehicle having the same, and more particularly, to a relay assembly that can simplify an installation structure and reduce installation space, and an electric vehicle having the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs by driving a motor using power stored in a battery as a power source. An electric vehicle is equipped with a power relay for applying and cutting off the power from the battery to the motor.

[0003] On the other hand, the batteries used in electric vehicles are mainly medium- to large-sized battery packs with high output and large capacity. Therefore, when power is applied from the battery pack to the motor to start the electric vehicle, there is a risk that a high-voltage inrush current will be instantaneously conducted, and there is a risk that the inrush current will cause damage such as fusing the power relay.

[0004] For this reason, in the past, in order to prevent damage to the power relay from inrush current, a pre-charge relay was provided and connected in parallel with the power relay. The pre-charge relay would preferentially conduct power from the battery pack to the motor, and then the power relay would sequentially conduct power from the battery pack to the motor.

[0005] For this reason, conventional electric vehicles require additional components for mechanically fastening and electrically connecting the pre-charge relay, which causes the installation structure to become complicated due to these components. Furthermore, there is a problem in that space loss occurs due to the need to secure installation space for these components within the limited interior space of the electric vehicle.

[0006] The background art of the present invention is described in the following patent documents: [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] KR10-2013-0034812 A

[0008] [Patent Document 2] KR10-2019-0064844 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention provides a relay assembly capable of simplifying an installation structure and saving an installation space, and an electric vehicle having the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is a relay assembly that connects a battery to an inverter of a device powered by a battery, and includes a switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the battery to the inverter, and an electromagnet unit arranged to operate the switching unit, and the switching unit rotates due to the magnetic force of the electromagnet unit and includes a plurality of contacts whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation.

[0011] Preferably, the switching unit comprises a battery connection terminal connected to the battery, an inverter connection terminal connected to the inverter, and a lever extending in one direction from an end of the battery connection terminal, a main contact bar connected to an end of the lever and extending obliquely in another direction intersecting the one direction, a pre-charge contact bar connected away from the end of the lever, extending obliquely in the other direction and having a contact resistance, and a contact bar extending in one direction from an end of the inverter connection terminal to be able to come into contact with the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar and disposed to face the lever.

[0012] The electromagnet portion may extend in another direction, and the electromagnet portion, the main contact bar, and the pre-charge contact bar may be arranged in this order in one direction.

[0013] At least a portion of each of the main contact bars and the pre-charge contact bars comprises a magnetic member, the electromagnet portion comprises a coil for forming the same polarity as the magnetic member in a direction facing the main contact bars and the pre-charge contact bars, and the main contact bars and the pre-charge contact bars may each be rotatably connected to the lever at one end such that the other end opposite the one end of each of the main contact bars and the pre-charge contact bars can rotate in one direction around the one end of each of the main contact bars connected to the lever by a repulsive force applied from the electromagnet portion to connect to the contact bar.

[0014] It is preferable that the switching portion includes a spacer including a non-conductive material and disposed between the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar to maintain a distance in one direction between the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar.

[0015] It is preferable that the contact bar comprises a first member extending in one direction and whose upper end is connected to the inverter connection terminal, a second member extending in another direction from a lower end of the first member so that one end can contact the pre-charge contact bar, and a third member extending in one direction from the second member so that one face can contact the pre-charge contact bar and a lower end can contact the main contact bar.

[0016] The extension length of the main contact bar in the other direction may be longer than the distance between the lever and one surface of the third member and shorter than the distance between the lever and the other surface of the third member.

[0017] The extension length of the pre-charge contact bar in the other direction may be equal to the separation distance between the lever and one face of the third member.

[0018] An electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery, an inverter for applying power from the battery to an electric motor, and the relay assembly for applying and cutting off power from the battery to the inverter. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pre-charge voltage and a main voltage can be sequentially applied from a battery to an inverter using a switching unit having a plurality of contacts whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation, in which a relay assembly rotates in conjunction with each other by magnetic force.

[0020] This makes it possible to omit the conventional precharge relay and the members for mechanical fastening and electrical connection thereto, thereby simplifying the layout structure of the relay assembly and reducing the installation space for the relay assembly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle and a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] [Diagram 2] 4A-4D are operational views of a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4A-4D are operational views of a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Figure 4] 4A-4D are operational views of a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4A-4D are operational views of a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a relay assembly according to a comparative example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. These embodiments are merely provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. In order to explain the present invention, the drawings may be exaggerated in size, and parts that are not relevant to the description may be omitted from the drawings, and the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same components.

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 1. Electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle and a relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 2 to 5 are operational diagrams of the relay assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] An electric vehicle 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery 100, an inverter 200 for applying power from the battery 100 to an electric motor (not shown), and a relay assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention for applying or cutting off power from the battery 100 to the inverter 200. In this case, the relay assembly 300 can connect a positive terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200.

[0030] Meanwhile, the electric vehicle 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a main relay 400 that connects the negative terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200 .

[0031] 1.1. Battery 100

[0032] The battery 100 serves to store electric power to be used as a power source for an electric vehicle. The battery 100 may include a plurality of battery cells that can be charged and discharged. In this case, the plurality of battery cells may include a plurality of secondary battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be arranged in a battery pack type. A battery management system (BMS) may be built into the battery pack.

[0033] 1.2.Inverter 200

[0034] The inverter 200 can convert the direct current of the battery 100 into alternating current and supply it to the electric motor. The inverter 200 can also adjust the output of the electric motor by controlling the frequency and voltage of the alternating current. In this case, the output may refer to the number of revolutions and the torque.

[0035] 1.3.Relay Assembly 300

[0036] The relay assembly 300 serves to connect or cut off a power application path between the battery 100 and the inverter 200. The relay assembly 300 may be disposed to connect a positive terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200. The relay assembly 300 may sequentially apply a pre-charge voltage and a main voltage from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 using a switching unit 310 having a plurality of contacts that rotate by magnetic force and whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation. Meanwhile, the relay assembly 300 may be mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and protected by a housing (not shown).

[0037] 1.4.Main Relay 400

[0038] The main relay 400 may be disposed to connect the negative terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200. The main relay 400 may have various configurations and modes.

[0039] 2. Relay Assembly According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0040] Hereinafter, the relay assembly 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by taking the case where the relay assembly 300 is applied to an electric vehicle as an example. Needless to say, the relay assembly 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various devices driven by a battery as a power source and used to connect an inverter of the device to a battery.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a relay assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a switching unit 310 that rotates by the magnetic force of an electromagnet unit to connect or disconnect a battery 100 and an inverter 200, and has a plurality of contacts whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation, and an electromagnet unit 320 that is arranged to operate the switching unit 310.

[0042] 2.1. Switching Unit 310

[0043] The switching unit 310 may include a battery connection terminal 311, an inverter connection terminal 312, a lever 313, a main contact bar 314, a pre-charge contact bar 315, a contact bar 316, and a spacer 317. Here, the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, the main contact bar 314, the pre-charge contact bar 315, and the contact bar 316 may include an electrically conductive material. In particular, at least a portion of the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 may include a magnetic member. In this case, the magnetic member may have the same polarity as the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet unit 320. Meanwhile, the spacer 317 may include a non-conductive material.

[0044] The switching unit 310 may include first and second power application paths. The first power application path may be formed by connecting the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, the pre-charge contact bar 315, and the contact bar 316. The second power application path may be formed by connecting the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, the main contact bar 314, and the contact bar 316. The switching unit 310 can cut off the first and second power application paths by separating the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 from the contact bar 316. That is, the switching unit 310 can operate to form the first power application path, to form the second power application path, or to cut off these power application paths. Here, the operation of the switching unit 310 may be controlled by the electromagnet unit 320.

[0045] 2.1.1. Battery connection terminal 311

[0046] One end of the battery connection terminal 311 may be connected to a positive terminal of the battery 100. The other end of the battery connection terminal 311 opposite to the one end may extend toward the inverter connection terminal 312. A lever 313 may be connected to the other end of the battery connection terminal 311.

[0047] 2.1.2. Inverter connection terminal 312

[0048] One end of the inverter connection terminal 312 may face and be separated from the other end of the battery connection terminal 311. The other end of the inverter connection terminal 312 may be connected to the inverter 200.

[0049] 2.1.3. Lever 313

[0050] The lever 313 may extend in one direction from the end of the battery connection terminal 311. Here, the end of the battery connection terminal 311 may be referred to as the other end of the battery connection terminal 311. The one direction may be a direction intersecting the direction in which the battery connection terminal 311 extends. For example, the battery connection terminal 311 may extend in the left-right direction. In this case, the one direction may be the front-rear direction or the up-down direction. In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described assuming that the one direction is the up-down direction. Needless to say, the direction in which the battery connection terminal 311 extends may be various, and therefore the one direction may also be various. On the other hand, the direction in which the battery connection terminal 311 extends may be referred to as the other direction.

[0051] The upper end of lever 313 may be connected to the other end of connection terminal 311, and the lower end may be spaced apart from electromagnet portion 320 while facing it in the vertical direction.

[0052] 2.1.4. Main Contact Bar 314

[0053] One end of the main contact bar 314 may be connected to the end of the lever 313, or may extend so as to be inclined in the other direction. Here, the end of the lever 313 may be the lower end of the lever 313. A main contact 314a protruding upward may be formed on the other end of the main contact bar 314 opposite to the one end. The length by which the main contact bar 314 extends so as to be inclined in the other direction may be longer than the distance between the lever 313 and one surface of a third member 316c of the contact bar 316, which will be described later, and shorter than the distance between the lever 313 and the other surface of the third member 316c described above.

[0054] One end of the main contact bar 314 may be rotatably connected to the lever 313 such that the other end can rotate in one direction around the one end connected to the lever 313 by the repulsive force applied from the electromagnet part 320 to connect to the contact bar 316. Needless to say, the main contact bar 314 may be made of an elastic material and may be connected to the contact bar 316 while being bent and deformed by the elasticity, or may be separated from the contact bar 316 by being elastically restored.

[0055] The height of the other end of the main contact bar 314 may vary depending on whether or not it is rotated. In this case, rotation may mean that one end of the main contact bar 314 rotates in one direction around the other end of the main contact bar 314, which faces the one end of the main contact bar 314, as described above.

[0056] The other end of the main contact bar 314 may be separated from the lower end of the contact bar 316 by an amount corresponding to the first height in an initial state in which the main contact bar 314 is not rotated (see FIG. 2). Also, the other end of the main contact bar 314 may rise by an amount corresponding to a second height higher than the first height and may be separated from the lower end of the contact bar 316 in a first rotation state in which the main contact bar 314 is rotated by a first angle (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the other end of the main contact bar 314 may rise by an amount corresponding to a third height higher than the second height and contact the lower end of the contact bar 316 in a second rotation state in which the main contact bar 314 is rotated by a second angle smaller than the first angle (see FIG. 4). The third height may be the height of the lower end of the contact bar 316. Furthermore, the other end of the main contact bar 314 may rise by an amount corresponding to a fourth height higher than the third height in a third rotation state in which the main contact bar 314 is rotated by a third angle smaller than the second angle. The fourth height may be a contracted height of the lower end of the contact bar 316, and the other end of the main contact bar 314 may maintain contact with the lower end of the contact bar 316 (see FIG. 5). That is, when the main contact bar 314 rotates by the third angle, the lower end of the contact bar 316 contracts upward, thereby making it possible to prevent damage to the main contact bar 314 and the contact bar 316.

[0057] Needless to say, instead of the lower end of the contact bar 316 being compressed, the main contact bar 314 can be bent between one end and the other end to prevent damage to the main contact bar 314 and the contact bar 316.

[0058] Here, the above-mentioned first height, second height, third height, and fourth height may be predetermined heights based on the lower end of the contact bar 316. Also, the first angle, second angle, and third angle may be predetermined angles between the lever 313 and the upper surface of the main contact bar 314. Meanwhile, the rotation of the main contact bar 314 may be performed by the electromagnet unit 320.

[0059] 2.1.5. Precharge Contact Bar 315

[0060] The pre-charge contact bar 315 may include a contact resistor, such as a pre-charge resistor, that serves to prevent fusing of the pre-charge contact bar 315 due to inrush current when the pre-charge contact bar 315 contacts the contact bar 316.

[0061] One end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may be spaced a predetermined height from the lower end of the lever 313, or may be connected to the lever 313 between the upper and lower ends of the lever 313. The pre-charge contact bar 315 may be arranged to be aligned with the main contact bar 314 by extending at an angle in the other direction. A pre-charge contact 315a may be protruded from the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 in the direction in which the pre-charge contact bar 315 extends. The length by which the pre-charge contact bar 315 extends at an angle in the other direction may be equal to the distance between the lever 313 and one surface of the third member 316c described above.

[0062] The pre-charge contact bar 315 may have one end rotatably connected to the lever 313 such that the other end can rotate in one direction around the one end connected to the lever 313 by the repulsive force applied from the electromagnet unit 320 to connect to the contact bar 316. Needless to say, the pre-charge contact bar 315 may be made of an elastic material, and may be connected to the contact bar 316 while being bent and deformed by the elasticity, and separated from the contact bar 316 while being elastically restored.

[0063] The height of the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may vary depending on whether or not it is rotated. The other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may be separated from the lower end of the contact bar 316 by a fifth height in an initial state in which the pre-charge contact bar 315 is not rotated (see FIG. 2). The other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may rise by an amount corresponding to a sixth height higher than the fifth height and contact the contact bar 316 in a fourth rotation state in which the pre-charge contact bar 315 is rotated by a fourth angle (see FIG. 3). The other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may rise by an amount corresponding to a seventh height higher than the sixth height and maintain contact with the contact bar 316 in a fifth rotation state in which the pre-charge contact bar 315 is rotated by a fifth angle smaller than the fourth angle (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, in a sixth rotational state in which the pre-charge contact bar 315 is rotated a sixth angle smaller than the fifth angle, the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 may rise to an eighth height higher than the seventh height described above, and may be released from contact with the contact bar 316 (see FIG. 5).

[0064] Here, the fifth height, the sixth height, the seventh height, and the eighth height may be predetermined heights based on the lower end of the contact bar 316. Among them, the fifth height may be a height lower than the lower end of the contact bar 316. Also, the sixth height, the seventh height, and the eighth height may be a height higher than the lower end of the contact bar 316. Furthermore, the fourth angle, the fifth angle, and the sixth angle may be predetermined angles between the lever 313 and the upper surface of the pre-charge contact bar 315. At this time, the fourth angle may be the same angle as the first angle described above, the fifth angle may be the same angle as the second angle described above, and the sixth angle may be the same angle as the third angle described above.

[0065] Alternatively, rotation of the pre-charged contact bar 315 may be effected by an electromagnet portion 320 .

[0066] 2.1.6. Contact Bar 316

[0067] The contact bar 316 may extend in one direction from an end, for example, one end, of the inverter connection terminal 312 so as to be able to come into contact with the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315, and may be disposed to face the lever 313. The contact bar 316 may come into contact with and separate from the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 depending on the rotation angles of the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315.

[0068] The contact bar 316 may have various structures. For example, the contact bar 316 may include a first member 316a extending in one direction and having an upper end connected to the inverter connection terminal 312, a second member 316b extending in the other direction from a lower end of the first member 316a so that one end of the second member 316b can contact the pre-charge contact bar 315, and a third member 316c extending in one direction from the second member 316b so that one surface of the second member 316b can contact the pre-charge contact bar 315 and the lower end of the third member 316c can contact the main contact bar 314. Here, the height of the upper surface of the second member 316b may be the same as the height of one end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 within an error range.

[0069] The main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 are in contact with a contact portion, such as the third member, of a contact bar 316, at the main contact 314a and the pre-charge contact 315a to form a current path.

[0070] 2.1.7.Spacer 317

[0071] The spacer 317 may include a non-conductive material. The spacer 317 serves to space the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 from each other. More specifically, the spacer 317 may be disposed between the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 to maintain a distance in one direction between the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. The spacer 317 allows the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 to rotate at the same angle.

[0072] 2.2.Electromagnet part 320

[0073] The electromagnet portion 320 may be disposed below the main contact bar 314 and may face the main contact bar 314 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the electromagnet portion 320, the main contact bar 314, and the pre-charge contact bar 315 can be disposed in this order from bottom to top.

[0074] The electromagnet unit 320 can generate a magnetic force by receiving a current from a BMS (not shown) of the battery 100 or an integrated power control device (not shown) of the electric vehicle. At this time, the magnetic force generated in the electromagnet unit 320 may have the same polarity as the polarity of the magnetic members incorporated in the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. For this purpose, the electromagnet unit 320 may include a coil for forming the same polarity as the above-mentioned magnetic members in the direction facing the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315.

[0075] When a current is supplied to the electromagnet unit 320 to generate a magnetic force, a repulsive force may be generated between the electromagnet unit 320 and the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 due to the magnetic force generated in the electromagnet unit 320. The repulsive force allows the other ends of the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 to rotate in one direction around one end of the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. At this time, the electromagnet unit 320 may extend in the other direction to effectively apply a magnetic force to the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315.

[0076] 3. Operation of the Electric Vehicle and Relay Assembly According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0077] The operation of the electric vehicle and relay assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0078] In order to run, the electric vehicle operates the relay assembly 300 to electrically connect the battery 100 and the inverter 200. At this time, the main relay 400 operates first to connect the negative terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200. Then, the relay assembly 300 operates to connect the positive terminal of the battery 100 and the inverter 200.

[0079] At this time, in order to prevent the relay assembly 300 from being damaged by inrush current, the relay assembly 300 forms a first power path by connecting the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, and the pre-charge contact 315a of the pre-charge contact bar 315 to the contact bar 316, and first applies the pre-charge voltage from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 using the first power path.

[0080] 3, a first current is supplied to the electromagnet portion 320 to generate a repulsive force for rotating the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. The repulsive force causes the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 to rotate at a first angle and a fourth angle, and the rotation allows the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 to rise to a second height and come into contact with the contact bar 316. At this time, the other end of the main contact bar 314 may rise to a sixth height and separate from the contact bar 316.

[0081] This allows the pre-charge voltage to be applied from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 via the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, the pre-charge contact bar 315 and the contact bar 316. This allows a predetermined current to be charged in the capacitor of the inverter 200.

[0082] After the pre-charge voltage has been applied from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 for a predetermined time, the relay assembly 300 may connect the battery connection terminal 311, the inverter connection terminal 312, the lever 313, and the main contact 314a and contact bar 316 of the main contact bar 314 to form a second power path, and sequentially apply the main voltage from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 using the second power path.

[0083] 4, a second current greater than the first current is supplied to the electromagnet portion 320 to increase the magnitude of the repulsive force for rotating the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. The increased repulsive force causes the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 to rotate at a second angle and a fifth angle, and the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 can rise to a third height and the other end of the main contact bar 314 can rise to a seventh height due to the rotation. This allows the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 to maintain contact with the contact bar 316 and the other end of the main contact bar 314 to come into contact with the contact bar 316.

[0084] This allows the main voltage to be applied from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 via the battery connection terminal 311 , the inverter connection terminal 312 , the lever 313 , the main contact bar 314 and the contact bar 316 .

[0085] Once application of the main voltage begins, pre-charge contact bar 315 may be moved away from contact bar 316 .

[0086] Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, a third current larger than the second current is supplied to the electromagnet unit 320 to further increase the magnitude of the repulsive force for rotating the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315. Due to the further increased repulsive force, the main contact bar 314 and the pre-charge contact bar 315 rotate at a third angle and a sixth angle, and the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 rises to a fourth height and the other end of the main contact bar 314 rises to an eighth height. Therefore, the other end of the pre-charge contact bar 315 can be separated from the contact bar 316, and the other end of the main contact bar 314 can maintain contact with the contact bar 316. At this time, in order to prevent damage to the other end of the main contact bar 314, the lower end of the third member 316 of the contact bar 316 can be contracted upward by the amount that the other end of the main contact bar 314 rises.

[0087] Next, a main voltage may be applied from the battery 100 to the inverter 200 to operate an electric motor connected to the inverter 200, thereby enabling the electric vehicle to run stably.

[0088] In other words, the relay constituting the switch unit of the present invention is controlled so that, as the electromagnet operates, the pre-charge contact 315a connected to the resistor is first connected to the contact of the contact bar 316, and then the pre-charge contact 315a and the main contact 314a are simultaneously connected to the contact of the contact bar 316, and thereafter, the pre-charge contact 315a is separated and only the main contact 314a is connected.

[0089] 4. Comparison of electric vehicle and relay assembly according to comparative example and embodiment of the present invention

[0090] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an electric vehicle and a relay assembly according to a comparative example of the present invention.

[0091] 6, the relay assemblies 31 and 32 according to the comparative example of the present invention are not provided with multiple contacts. Therefore, the relay assemblies 31 and 32 according to the comparative example of the present invention may be provided in multiple numbers so that the pre-charge voltage and the main voltage can be applied.

[0092] Therefore, in the electric vehicle 1000' according to the comparative example of the present invention, a relatively large space must be used for arranging the relay assembly 31 for applying the pre-charge voltage, the relay assembly 32 for applying the main voltage, and the main relay 40, and there is a risk that the circuit structure between the battery 100 and the inverter 200 will become complicated.

[0093] In contrast, referring to FIG. 1, the relay assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a structure including a plurality of contacts 314, 315 that rotate in conjunction with each other through magnetic force and whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation, so that a single relay assembly 300 may be provided.

[0094] Therefore, in the electric vehicle 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a relatively small space is used for arranging one relay assembly 300 and the main relay 400, and the circuit structure between the battery 100 and the inverter 200 can be relatively simple.

[0095] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should be noted that the configurations and methods disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention may be combined or crossed to be modified in various forms, and such modifications are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas equivalent thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may understand that various embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 100: battery, 200: inverter, 300: relay assembly, 310: switching section, 311: battery connection terminal, 312: inverter connection terminal, 313: lever, 314: main contact bar, 315: precharge contact bar, 316: contact bar, 317: spacer, 320: electromagnet section

Claims

1. 1. A relay assembly for connecting an inverter of a battery-powered device to a battery, the relay assembly comprising: a switching unit for connecting or disconnecting the battery and the inverter; an electromagnet portion disposed to actuate the switching portion; Equipped with The switching unit is a plurality of contacts that rotate by the magnetic force of the electromagnet portion and whose connection and disconnection are controlled according to the degree of rotation; The switching unit is a main contact bar that rotates by the magnetic force of the electromagnet portion, and a precharge contact bar that includes a contact resistor; a contact bar arranged to be in contact with the main contact bar and the precharge contact bar; having the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar are each provided with a contact for contacting the contact bar; the contacts of the main contact bar and the contacts of the pre-charge contact bar extend in different directions from each other; Relay assembly.

2. The main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other in the direction of rotation by the magnetic force of the electromagnet part, in the order of the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar from the side of the electromagnet part, During operation of the electromagnet portion, the pre-charged contact bar is first connected to the contact bar to form a power path; The main contact bar is then coupled to the contact bar while the pre-charge contact bar maintains contact with the contact bar to form a power path; The precharge contact bar is then separated from the contact bar while the main contact bar remains in contact with the contact bar.

2. The relay assembly of claim 1.

3. The switching unit is a battery connection terminal connected to the battery; an inverter connection terminal connected to the inverter; a lever extending in one direction from an end of the battery connection terminal; Equipped with The main contact bar is connected to an end of the lever and extends obliquely in another direction intersecting the one direction, the precharge contact bar is connected away from an end of the lever and extends obliquely in the other direction; The contact bar extends in one direction from an end of the inverter connection terminal and is disposed to face the lever.

2. The relay assembly of claim 1.

4. at least a portion of each of the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar includes a magnetic member; the electromagnet unit includes a coil for forming a polarity the same as that of the magnetic member in a direction facing the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar; 4. The relay assembly according to claim 3, wherein each of the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar is rotatably connected to the lever at one end such that the other end opposite to the one end of each of the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar can rotate in one direction around the one end of each of the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar, by a repulsive force applied from the electromagnet portion.

5. The switching unit is 5. The relay assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spacer including a non-conductive material and disposed between the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar to maintain spacing in one direction between the main contact bar and the pre-charge contact bar.

6. The contact bar is a first member having an upper end connected to the inverter connection terminal and extending in one direction; a second member extending in another direction from the lower end of the first member such that one end of the second member can contact the precharge contact bar; a third member extending in one direction from the second member such that one face of the third member can contact the precharge contact bar and a lower end of the third member can contact the main contact bar; The relay assembly of claim 3 , comprising:

7. 7. The relay assembly according to claim 6, wherein an extension length of the main contact bar in the other direction is longer than a distance between the lever and one surface of the third member and shorter than a distance between the lever and the other surface of the third member.

8. 7. The relay assembly of claim 6, wherein the extension length of said precharge contact bar in the other direction is equal to the separation distance between said lever and one surface of said third member.

9. Battery and an inverter for applying power from the battery to an electric motor; A relay assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for applying and interrupting power from the battery to the inverter; An electric vehicle equipped with

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