Battery Pack and Its Manual Service Disconnect, Battery Protection Method

Abstract

To provide a battery pack, its manual service disconnect, and a protection method for a battery.SOLUTION: A manual service disconnect includes a base assembly and an upper cover assembly. The base assembly includes a base main body 202, two first high-voltage terminals insulated from and fixed on the base main body, and two second high-voltage terminals insulated from and fixed on the base main body. The upper cover assembly includes an upper cover main body 102, two third high-voltage terminals 13 fixed on the upper cover main body and corresponding to the two first high-voltage terminals, and two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 fixed on the upper cover main body and corresponding to the two second high-voltage terminals. The two third high-voltage terminals are electrically connected and the two fourth high-voltage terminals are electrically connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery control, and particularly to a battery pack, its manual service disconnect, and a battery protection method.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric shock protection of an electric vehicle is achieved by adding a manual service disconnect (hereinafter referred to as MSD) near the positive or negative electrode of the battery. Here, 1 and 2 are two high-voltage terminals on the base assembly. During installation and maintenance, when the operator pulls out the plug of the MSD and the upper cover assembly of the MSD is separated from the base assembly, the two high-voltage terminals (1, 2) of the base assembly are disconnected from the two high-voltage terminals of the upper cover assembly. Thereby, the high-voltage loop is interrupted, and the function of preventing the operator from getting an electric shock is realized.

[0003] However, the drawback of the prior art is that when the upper cover assembly of the MSD is separated from the base assembly, only one electrode of the battery pack, such as the negative electrode shown in FIG. 2, may be disconnected. If the positive electrode of the battery pack is connected to the battery case (the dashed line in FIG. 2) and an insulation abnormality occurs, there is still a potential difference between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack, and there is a risk of electric shock to the operator.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery pack, its manual service disconnect (MSD), and a battery protection method in order to overcome the drawback of the manual service disconnect in the prior art that the risk of electric shock still exists even when the battery is removed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention solves the above technical problems by the following technical solutions.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a manual service disconnect comprising a base assembly and an upper cover assembly. The base assembly includes a base body, two first high-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body, and two second high-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body. The upper cover assembly includes an upper cover body, two third high-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body and corresponding to the two first high-voltage terminals, and two fourth high-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body and corresponding to the two second high-voltage terminals. The two third high-voltage terminals are electrically connected, and the two fourth high-voltage terminals are electrically connected. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals are electrically connected via the two third high-voltage terminals and the two second high-voltage terminals are electrically connected via the two fourth high-voltage terminals.

[0007] Preferably, the base assembly further includes two first interlocking terminals insulated and fixed on the base body. The upper cover assembly includes two second interlocking terminals fixed on the upper cover body and corresponding to the two first interlocking terminals, and the two second interlocking terminals are electrically connected. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlocking terminals are electrically connected via the two second interlocking terminals.

[0008] Preferably, the total length of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal and the third high-voltage terminal. And / or the total length of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal.

[0009] Preferably, the two first high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two third high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and / or the two first interlocking terminals are parallel to each other, and the two second interlocking terminals are parallel to each other.

[0010] Preferably, one of the two first high-voltage terminals and one of the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the other of the two first high-voltage terminals and the other of the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and / or one of the two third high-voltage terminals and one of the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and the other of the two third high-voltage terminals and the other of the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other.

[0011] Preferably, the base assembly further includes at least two first low-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body. The upper cover assembly includes two second low-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body corresponding to the two first low-voltage terminals, and the two second low-voltage terminals are electrically connected. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first low-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two second low-voltage terminals.

[0012] Preferably, the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal. And / or the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal and the third high-voltage terminal. And / or the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the second high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a battery pack, which includes a battery unit. The battery unit includes a high-voltage positive electrode and a high-voltage negative electrode. The high-voltage positive electrode is connected to a high-voltage positive electrode circuit, and the high-voltage negative electrode is connected to a high-voltage negative electrode circuit. The battery pack includes the manual service disconnect as described above. One of the two first high-voltage terminals is connected to the high-voltage positive electrode, and one of the two second high-voltage terminals is connected to the high-voltage negative electrode. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two third high-voltage terminals to conduct the high-voltage positive electrode circuit, and the two second high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two fourth high-voltage terminals to conduct the high-voltage negative electrode circuit to form a high-voltage loop. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage positive electrode circuit is disconnected and the high-voltage negative electrode circuit is disconnected.

[0014] Preferably, the battery pack further includes a battery management system, and the two first interlocking terminals are connected to the battery management system. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlocking terminals are electrically connected through the two second interlocking terminals to form a high-voltage interlocking loop. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected.

[0015] Preferably, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first low-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two second low-voltage terminals to form a low-voltage power supply loop. The low-voltage power supply loop is configured to supply power to a switching device to close the switching device. The switching device is arranged on the high-voltage loop. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected and the disconnection of the high-voltage loop is triggered.

[0016] Preferably, the low-voltage power supply loop is a KL30 loop or a KL31 loop.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for protecting a battery applied to the battery pack. The battery protection method includes disconnecting a high-voltage positive electrode circuit and disconnecting a high-voltage negative electrode circuit when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly.

[0018] Preferably, after the step of separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly and before the step of disconnecting the high-voltage positive electrode circuit and the step of disconnecting the high-voltage negative electrode circuit, the method further includes disconnecting a high-voltage interlock loop, triggering a battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal, and the high-voltage control signal is provided to control the disconnection of the high-voltage loop.

[0019] Preferably, after the step of separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly and before the step of disconnecting the high-voltage positive electrode circuit and the step of disconnecting the high-voltage negative electrode circuit, the method further includes disconnecting a low-voltage power supply loop, stopping the power supply to the switching device and / or the battery management system, and disconnecting the high-voltage loop.

[0020] Based on common knowledge in the art, preferred examples of the present invention can be obtained by freely combining the above-mentioned preferred conditions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The advantageous effects achieved by the present invention are that the manual service disconnect has a total of four levels of high-voltage terminals on the base assembly and the upper cover assembly. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the manual service disconnect is used, and the positive and negative electrodes of the battery are respectively connected to the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit, forming a high-voltage loop. When the upper cover assembly is disconnected from the base assembly, the manual service disconnect can simultaneously disconnect the positive and negative electrodes of the battery from the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit respectively. Even if there is abnormal insulation between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery and the battery case, no high-voltage loop is formed, reducing the risk of electric shock to the operator and improving safety.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of these examples.

[0024] Embodiment 1

[0025] This embodiment provides a manual service disconnect. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the manual service disconnect includes a base assembly and an upper cover assembly. The upper cover assembly includes an upper cover 101 and an upper cover body 102. The upper cover body 102 is disposed corresponding to the base body 202.

[0026] The base assembly includes a base body 202, two first high-voltage terminals 11 insulated and fixed on the base body 202, and two second high-voltage terminals 12 insulated and fixed on the base body 202.

[0027] The upper cover assembly includes an upper cover body 102, two third high-voltage terminals 13 fixed on the upper cover body 102 and corresponding to the two first high-voltage terminals 11, and two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 fixed on the upper cover body 102 and corresponding to the two second high-voltage terminals 12. The two third high-voltage terminals 13 are electrically connected, and the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 are electrically connected.

[0028] When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals 11 are electrically connected via the two third high-voltage terminals 13, and the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are electrically connected via the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14.

[0029] In this embodiment, the manual service disconnect has a total of four levels of high-voltage terminals on the base assembly and the upper cover assembly. During use, the high-voltage positive electrode of the battery unit is connected to the high-voltage positive electrode circuit via the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13. The high-voltage negative electrode of the battery unit is connected to the high-voltage negative electrode circuit via the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the manual service disconnect can simultaneously connect the high-voltage positive electrode and the high-voltage negative electrode of the battery unit. When the upper cover assembly is disconnected from the base assembly, the manual service disconnect can simultaneously disconnect the high-voltage positive electrode and the high-voltage negative electrode of the battery unit. Therefore, insulation abnormalities between the high-voltage negative electrode of the battery pack and the battery case (the dotted line in FIG. 2 indicates the battery box) can be avoided, thereby improving the safety of disassembling the battery pack and maintaining the high-voltage loop.

[0030] So-called insulation abnormality means that when one electrode of the battery pack is disconnected, taking the disconnection of the high-voltage negative electrode shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the electrical connection of the two high-voltage terminals (1, 2) shown in FIG. 1 is disconnected from the high-voltage negative electrode, but there is still communication between the high-voltage positive electrode of the battery pack and the battery case, and there is a potential difference between the positive and negative electrodes of the battery pack.

[0031] In the manual service disconnect provided in this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, in order to avoid insulation abnormalities between the high-voltage positive electrode, the high-voltage negative electrode of the battery pack, and the battery case, the high-voltage positive electrode circuit and the high-voltage negative electrode circuit are simultaneously disconnected. Thereby, the electric shock risk of the operator during maintenance can be more effectively reduced, and the safety of the operator during maintenance can be improved.

[0032] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 4, the base assembly further includes two first interlocking terminals 21 insulated and fixed on the base body 202.

[0033] The upper cover assembly is fixed on the upper cover body 102 and further includes two second interlocking terminals 22 (refer to FIG. 5) corresponding to the two first interlocking terminals 21. The two second interlocking terminals 22 are electrically connected.

[0034] When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlocking terminals 21 are electrically connected via the two second interlocking terminals 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the manual service disconnect including the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 can form a high-voltage interlocking loop with the battery management system (BMS) circuit. When the upper cover assembly is disconnected from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected, and the battery management system generates a high-voltage control signal. The high-voltage control signal is configured to control and disconnect the power supply of a switching device such as a relay. By disconnecting the switching device such as a relay, the high-voltage loop including the switching device such as a relay is disconnected, thereby further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0036] In some optional embodiments, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13.

[0037] In some optional embodiments, the length of the first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is equal to the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13. The difference D in length between the first interlocking terminal 21 and the first high-voltage terminal 11 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0038] In some optional embodiments, the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13, and the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is equal to the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13. The difference D in length between the first interlocking terminal 21 and the third high-voltage terminal 13 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto

[0039] In some optional embodiments, the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the manual service disconnect is turned on, that is, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the high-voltage positive circuit is first connected, and then the high-voltage interlocking loop is connected. That is, the high-voltage loop is connected before the high-voltage interlocking loop, and a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlocking loop supplies power to a load such as an electrical device on the high-voltage loop, thereby ensuring the safety of electricity use.

[0041] When the manual service disconnect is disconnected, i.e., when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlock loop may be disconnected first, and then the high-voltage positive circuit may be disconnected. That is, the high-voltage loop is disconnected after the high-voltage interlock loop, and a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlock loop can cut off the power before the loads such as electrical components on the high-voltage loop.

[0042] The high-voltage interlock loop can be used to detect the connection state of the high-voltage loop and identify whether loads such as electrical components on the high-voltage loop are not connected or have not been accidentally disconnected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect engages with the base assembly, the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13 contact earlier than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop can detect whether the high-voltage loop is properly connected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect is separated from the base assembly, the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13 are disconnected later than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is disconnected later than the high-voltage interlock loop. As a result, the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected first, thereby triggering the battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal first to control the disconnection of the relay, so that the high-voltage loop can be disconnected. The current in the high-voltage loop is 0 or approximately 0, ensuring that the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13 are disconnected without power. That is, since the upper cover assembly and the base assembly are separated without using high-voltage power, the risk of electric shock to the operator during maintenance can be further effectively reduced, and the safety of the operator during maintenance can be improved. Even when the battery management system fails, after the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected, the two high-voltage terminals are disconnected, so that the high-voltage loop is directly disconnected, thereby preventing electric shock to the maintenance personnel, further improving safety, and enhancing the safety of the maintenance personnel.

[0043] In some optional embodiments, the total length of the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 11 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0044] In some optional embodiments, the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is equal to the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14. The difference D in length between the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second high-voltage terminal 12 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0045] In a certain optional embodiment, the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14, and the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is equal to the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14. The difference D in length between the second interlocking terminal 22 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] In some optional embodiments, the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is connected to the base assembly, the high-voltage negative circuit is first connected, and then the high-voltage interlock loop is connected. That is, the high-voltage loop is connected before the high-voltage interlock loop, and a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlock loop can supply power to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop, ensuring the safety of electricity use. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlock loop can be first disconnected, and then the high-voltage negative loop can be disconnected. That is, the high-voltage loop is disconnected after the high-voltage interlock loop, and a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlock loop can cut off the power before loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop.

[0048] The high-voltage interlock loop can be used to detect the connection state of the high-voltage loop and identify whether there is no load such as electrical components on the high-voltage loop connected or accidentally disconnected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect engages with the base assembly, the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 contact earlier than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop can detect whether the high-voltage loop is properly connected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect is separated from the base assembly, the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 are disconnected later than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is disconnected later than the high-voltage interlock loop. Thus, the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected first, which can trigger the battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal and control the disconnection of the high-voltage loop. The current in the high-voltage loop is 0 or approximately 0, ensuring that the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 are disconnected without power. That is, since the upper cover assembly and the base assembly are separated without using high-voltage power, the risk of electric shock to the operator during maintenance is effectively reduced, and the safety of the operator during maintenance can be improved. Even if the battery management system fails, after the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected, the two high-voltage terminals are disconnected, so the high-voltage loop is directly disconnected, thereby preventing electric shock to the maintenance personnel, further improving safety, and enhancing the safety of the maintenance personnel.

[0049] In some optional embodiments, the sum of the lengths of the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22 is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13. Therefore, the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlock loop and disconnected later than the high-voltage interlock loop.

[0050] Furthermore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is also shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14. Therefore, the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlocking loop and disconnected later than the high-voltage interlocking loop.

[0051] The length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11. Or the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13. And the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12. Or the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit are first connected, and then connected to the high-voltage interlocking loop. That is, the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlocking loop.

[0053] When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop is first disconnected, then the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit are disconnected, and then a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlocking loop can cut off the load such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop.

[0054] The high-voltage interlock loop can be used to detect the connection state of the high-voltage loop and identify whether there is no load such as electrical components on the high-voltage loop connected or accidentally disconnected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect engages with the base assembly, the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13, and the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 contact earlier than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop can detect whether the high-voltage loop is properly connected. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect is separated from the base assembly, the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13, and the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 are disconnected later than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the high-voltage loop is disconnected later than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop can be disconnected first, triggering the battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal first to control the high-voltage loop to be disconnected. The current in the high-voltage loop is 0 or approximately 0, ensuring that the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13 are disconnected without power, and the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14 are disconnected without power. That is, since the upper cover assembly and the base assembly are separated without using high-voltage power, the risk of electric shock to the operator during maintenance is effectively reduced, and the safety of the operator during maintenance is improved. Even when the battery management system fails, after the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected, the two high-voltage terminals are disconnected, so the high-voltage loop is directly disconnected, thereby preventing electric shock to the maintenance personnel, further improving safety, and enhancing the safety of the maintenance personnel.

[0055] In some optional embodiments, the two first high-voltage terminals 11 are parallel to each other, the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other, the two third high-voltage terminals 13 are parallel to each other, and the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other.

[0056] In some optional embodiments, the two first interlocking terminals 21 are parallel to each other, and the two second interlocking terminals 22 are parallel to each other.

[0057] In some optional embodiments, the two first high-voltage terminals 11 are parallel to each other, the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other, the two third high-voltage terminals 13 are parallel to each other, the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two first interlocking terminals 21 are parallel to each other, and the two second interlocking terminals 22 are parallel to each other.

[0058] In some optional embodiments, one of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 and one of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other. The other of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 and the other of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other.

[0059] In some optional embodiments, one of the two third high-voltage terminals 13 and one of the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 are parallel to each other. The other of the two third high-voltage terminals 13 and the other of the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 are parallel to each other.

[0060] In some optional embodiments, one of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 and one of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other. The other of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 and the other of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 are parallel to each other, one of the two third high-voltage terminals 13 and one of the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 are parallel to each other. The other of the two third high-voltage terminals 13 and the other of the two fourth high-voltage terminals 14 are parallel to each other.

[0061] In this embodiment, in the manual service disconnect, the terminals are arranged parallel to each other, thereby effectively reducing the assembly and manufacturing costs of the manual service disconnect and improving the assembly and manufacturing efficiency.

[0062] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the base assembly further includes at least two first low-voltage terminals 31 insulated and fixed on the base body 202.

[0063] The upper cover assembly is fixed on the upper cover body 102 and further includes two second low-voltage terminals 32 corresponding to the two first low-voltage terminals 31, and the two second low-voltage terminals 32 are electrically connected.

[0064] When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first low-voltage terminals 31 are electrically connected through the two second low-voltage terminals 32, conducting the high-voltage negative circuit (or high-voltage positive circuit) to form a low-voltage power supply loop (KL30 loop or KL31 loop). The low-voltage power supply loop can directly supply power to a controller such as a battery management system, and can also supply power to a switching device such as a relay set on the high-voltage loop.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the manual service conducts the KL30 loop or KL31 loop to form a low-voltage power supply loop. This is because the low-voltage power supply loop can directly supply power to a controller such as a battery management system. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and a controller such as a battery management system sends a high-voltage control signal to a switching device such as a relay, and the switching device such as the relay is disconnected, so that the high-voltage loop of the switching device such as the relay connected in series is disconnected, further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0066] Furthermore, the low-voltage power supply loop can also supply power to a controller such as a sub-battery management system like a relay. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and switching devices such as relays are also disconnected. Therefore, since the high-voltage loop including switching devices such as relays is disconnected, when the battery management system fails, switching devices such as relays are also disconnected, the high-voltage loop is disconnected, and the current in the high-voltage loop becomes zero. When a maintenance worker removes the plug of the manual service disconnect, the manual service disconnect is not charged, further preventing the maintenance worker from getting an electric shock and improving safety.

[0067] In some optional embodiments, the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32.

[0068] In some optional embodiments, the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each first low-voltage terminal 31, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is equal to the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32. Therefore, the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32. The difference D in length between the first interlocking terminal 21 and the first low-voltage terminal 31 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] In some optional embodiments, the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32, and the length of each first interlocking terminal 21 is equal to the length of the first low-voltage terminal 31. Therefore, the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32. Referring to FIG. 5, the difference D in length between the second interlocking terminal 22 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 may be 1 mm or more, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] In some optional embodiments, the length of the first interlocking terminal 21 is shorter than the length of each first low-voltage terminal 31, and the length of each second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32. Therefore, the total length of the first interlocking terminal 21 and the second interlocking terminal 22 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0071] In this embodiment, when the manual service disconnect is disconnected, that is, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop may be disconnected first, and then the low-voltage power loop may be disconnected. That is, a controller such as a battery management system set on the high-voltage interlocking loop transmits a high-voltage control signal to disconnect the high-voltage loop, and then a switching device such as a relay or the power loop of the battery management system is disconnected. In this way, even when a controller such as a battery management system on the high-voltage interlocking loop fails and cannot transmit a high-voltage control signal, the power can be physically cut off to ensure that the power of the battery management system, switching devices such as relays, and other loads on the high-voltage loop is turned off. Furthermore, since the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected first, a controller such as a battery management system arranged on the high-voltage interlocking loop can transmit a high-voltage control signal, and first, the disconnection of the high-voltage loop can be softly controlled so that the current of the high-voltage loop can be surely 0 or almost 0 before the high-voltage loop is disconnected. Thereby, switching devices such as the manual service disconnect and the relay are not charged, so that arc discharge when the switching devices such as the relay and the manual service disconnect are disconnected can be avoided, and burnout of loads such as electrical devices on the high-voltage loop can be avoided.

[0072] The high-voltage interlock loop can also be used to control switching devices such as relays on the high-voltage loop. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect engages with the base assembly, the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 make contact earlier than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the low-voltage power supply loop is connected earlier than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop can detect whether the low-voltage power supply loop is supplying power normally. When the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect is separated from the base assembly, the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 are disconnected later than the first interlock terminal 21 and the second interlock terminal 22, and the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected later than the high-voltage interlock loop. Therefore, the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected first, and a controller such as a battery management system sends a high-voltage control signal to a switching device such as a relay to softly control the disconnection of the high-voltage loop. The current in the high-voltage loop is 0 or approximately 0, and the manual service disconnect is not charged. Therefore, arc discharge during the disconnection of the manual service disconnect can be avoided, and burnout of the load on the high-voltage loop can be avoided. Furthermore, even if a controller such as a battery management system on the high-voltage interlock loop fails and cannot send a disconnection control signal, the low-voltage power supply loop stops power supply and can forcibly turn off the power of switching devices such as relays and controllers such as battery management systems. Therefore, electric shock of maintenance personnel can be prevented, and the safety of maintenance personnel can be enhanced.

[0073] In some optional embodiments, the total length of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13.

[0074] The length of each first low-voltage terminal 31 is shorter than the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11. Alternatively, the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13.

[0075] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is connected to the base assembly, the high-voltage positive circuit is first connected, and then the low-voltage power supply loop is connected. That is, the high-voltage loop is connected before the low-voltage power supply loop. Controllers such as battery management systems and switching devices such as relays are connected to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop to ensure the safety of electrical use.

[0076] When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is first disconnected, and then the high-voltage positive circuit is disconnected. That is, the high-voltage loop is disconnected after the low-voltage power supply loop. Controllers such as battery management systems and switching devices such as relays are disconnected before loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop, so that burnout of loads such as electrical equipment can be avoided, arcing during disconnection of the manual service disconnect can be avoided, and safety can be further improved.

[0077] In some optional embodiments, the total length of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0078] The length of each first low-voltage terminal 31 is shorter than the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12. Or, the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0079] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is connected to the base assembly, the high-voltage negative circuit is first connected, and then the low-voltage power supply loop is connected. That is, the high-voltage loop is connected before the low-voltage power supply loop. Controllers such as battery management systems and switching devices such as relays are connected to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop to ensure the safety of electrical use.

[0080] When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop can be disconnected first, and then the high-voltage negative circuit can be disconnected. That is, the high-voltage loop is disconnected after the low-voltage power supply loop, and switching devices such as controllers and relays in the battery management system are disconnected before the loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop, so as to avoid burning of loads such as electrical equipment and avoid arc discharge when the manual service disconnect is disconnected, and the safety can be further improved.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, the total length of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the total length of the first high-voltage terminal 11 and the third high-voltage terminal 13. Also, the total length of the first low-voltage terminal 31 and the second low-voltage terminal 32 is also shorter than the total length of the second high-voltage terminal 12 and the fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0082] The length of each first low-voltage terminal 31 is shorter than the length of each first high-voltage terminal 11, or the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the length of each third high-voltage terminal 13. And the length of each first low-voltage terminal 31 is shorter than the length of each second high-voltage terminal 12, or the length of each second low-voltage terminal 32 is shorter than the length of each fourth high-voltage terminal 14.

[0083] Similarly to the above, that is, the high-voltage loop is connected before the low-voltage power supply loop, and switching devices such as controllers and relays in the battery management system are connected to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop. The high-voltage loop is disconnected after the low-voltage power supply loop, and switching devices such as controllers and relays in the battery management system are disconnected before the loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is connected to the base assembly, the high-voltage negative circuit and the high-voltage positive circuit are first connected, then the low-voltage power supply loop is connected, and switching devices such as controllers like the battery management system and relays are connected after loads such as electrical devices on the high-voltage loop. Thereby, the safety of electricity use is ensured. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is first disconnected, and then the high-voltage negative circuit and the high-voltage positive circuit can be disconnected. Switching devices such as controllers like the battery management system and relays are disconnected prior to loads such as electrical devices on the high-voltage loop, thus avoiding burnout of loads such as electrical devices, avoiding arc discharge when the manual service disconnect is disconnected, and further improving safety.

[0085] Embodiment 2

[0086] This embodiment provides a battery pack. Referring to FIG. 7, the battery pack includes battery units, and the battery units include a high-voltage positive electrode 5 and a high-voltage negative electrode 6. The high-voltage positive electrode 5 is connected to a high-voltage positive circuit 51, and the high-voltage negative electrode 6 is connected to a high-voltage negative circuit 61.

[0087] The battery pack is provided with a manual service disconnect 4 as in the first embodiment. One of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 is connected to the high-voltage positive electrode 5, and one of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 is connected to the high-voltage negative electrode 6.

[0088] The other of the two first high-voltage terminals 11 is connected to the high-voltage positive circuit 51, and the other of the two second high-voltage terminals 12 is connected to the high-voltage negative circuit 61.

[0089] When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals 11 are electrically connected via the two third high-voltage terminals, conducting the high-voltage positive circuit 51. The two second high-voltage terminals 12 are electrically connected via the fourth high-voltage terminal, conducting the high-voltage negative circuit 61 to form a high-voltage loop and supply power to the load.

[0090] When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage positive circuit 51 is disconnected and the high-voltage negative circuit 61 is disconnected.

[0091] In the battery pack of this embodiment, the manual service disconnect 4 may be simultaneously connected to the high-voltage positive 5 and the high-voltage negative 6. When the upper cover assembly is disconnected from the base assembly, both the high-voltage positive circuit 51 and the high-voltage negative circuit 61 are disconnected, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock to the operator during maintenance and improving the safety of the operator during maintenance.

[0092] In some optional implementation methods, referring to FIG. 7, the battery pack further includes a battery management system 7, and the two first interlock terminals 21 are connected to the battery management system 7.

[0093] When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlock terminals 21 are electrically connected via the two second interlock terminals to form a high-voltage interlocking loop (HVIL, High Voltage Interlocking Loop).

[0094] When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected.

[0095] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the manual service disconnect 4 forms a high-voltage interlock loop together with a controller such as the battery management system 7 and a switching device such as the relay 8. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected, and the controller such as the battery management system 7 disconnects the power supply to the switching device such as the relay 8. As a result, the switching device such as the relay 8 is disconnected, and the high-voltage loop including the switching device such as the relay 8 is disconnected, thereby further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0096] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 7, when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first low-voltage terminals 31 are electrically connected via the two second low-voltage terminals to form a low-voltage power loop. The low-voltage power loop is used to supply power to the switching device to close the switching device. The switching device is arranged on the high-voltage loop.

[0097] The low-voltage power loop can directly supply power to a controller such as the battery management system or supply power to a switching device such as a relay. The switching device such as a relay is respectively set on the high-voltage negative electrode circuit, or on the high-voltage positive electrode circuit, or on both the high-voltage negative electrode circuit and the high-voltage positive electrode circuit.

[0098] When the low-voltage power loop directly supplies power to a controller such as the battery management system, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power loop is disconnected, and the controller such as the battery management system disconnects the power supply of the switching device such as the relay. As a result, the high-voltage loop including the switching device such as the relay is disconnected.

[0099] When a switching device such as a relay supplies power, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and the disconnection of the high-voltage loop is triggered.

[0100] The low-voltage power supply loop is a KL30 (positive terminal loop of the low-voltage power supply loop) loop or a KL31 (negative terminal loop of the low-voltage power supply loop) loop.

[0101] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is connected to the base assembly, the manual service disconnect 4 turns on the KL30 loop or the KL31 loop to form a low-voltage power supply loop. When the low-voltage power supply loop directly supplies power to a controller such as a battery management system, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and the controller such as the battery management system disconnects the power supply of the switching device such as the relay. Thereby, the switching device such as the relay is disconnected, and the high-voltage loop including the switching device such as the relay is disconnected. When the low-voltage power supply loop supplies power to a switching device such as relay 8, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and the switching device such as relay 8 is also disconnected, so the high-voltage loop including the switching device such as relay 8 is disconnected. When the battery management system fails, the switching device such as the relay can also be surely disconnected, further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0102] FIG. 8 is a power-on / off sequence diagram of the battery pack. When the manual service disconnect 4 is disconnected, the battery pack first disconnects the high-voltage interlock loop, then disconnects the low-voltage power supply loop, and finally disconnects the high-voltage positive circuit 51 and the high-voltage negative circuit 61, thereby further preventing electric shock and improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0103] An example of a manual service disconnect will be described below. It includes a base assembly and an upper cover assembly. The base assembly includes a base body, and the upper cover assembly includes an upper cover body and further includes four-level high-voltage terminals, two-level interlock terminals, and two-level low-voltage terminals. Among the four-level high-voltage terminals, the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal are fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal are fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect. Among the two-level interlock terminals, the first interlock terminal is fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the second interlock terminal is fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect. Among the two-level low-voltage terminals, the first low-voltage terminal is fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the second low-voltage terminal is fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect.

[0104] The four-level high-voltage terminals are connected to the high-voltage loop of the battery pack, the two-level interlock terminals are connected to the high-voltage interlock loop of the battery pack, and the two-level low-voltage terminals are connected to the low-voltage power loop of the battery pack. The total length of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, the total length of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal is longer than the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the total length of the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal.

[0105] When maintenance is required, the maintenance staff disconnects the manual service disconnect, i.e., separates the upper cover assembly and the base assembly of the manual service disconnect. Since the total length of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, the total length of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal is longer than the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the total length of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal, and the high-voltage interlocking loop, the low-voltage power supply loop, and the high-voltage loop are disconnected in sequence. That is, first, the controller such as the battery management system is set to generate a high-voltage control signal so as to disconnect the high-voltage loop, and the current in the high-voltage loop becomes zero. Next, the switching device such as the relay in the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, then the load such as the electrical equipment in the high-voltage loop is disconnected to prevent the load from burning out, and finally, the power supply to the electrical equipment such as the load on the high-voltage loop is disconnected from soft disconnection to hard disconnection. First, the current in the high-voltage loop can be set to zero through the high-voltage control signal transmitted from the controller such as the battery management system on the high-voltage interlocking loop, so that the load such as the electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop can be prevented from burning out, and the arc discharge during manual service disconnect or when the relay is disconnected can be avoided. Also, since the disconnection of the high-voltage loop is surely performed in three steps from soft disconnection to hard disconnection, electric shock can be prevented when the maintenance staff removes the manual service disconnect. In this way, when the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected, even if the controller such as the battery management system fails and the disconnection of the high-voltage loop cannot be controlled, the power supply to the load on the high-voltage loop can be directly stopped or the high-voltage loop can be directly disconnected.

[0106] When maintenance is completed, the maintenance personnel open the manual service disconnect, that is, engage the upper cover assembly with the base assembly of the manual service. Similarly, the sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, the lengths of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal are longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal, and the high-voltage loop, the low-voltage power supply loop, and the high-voltage interlocking loop are connected in sequence. That is, first, power is supplied to electrical equipment such as loads on the high-voltage loop, then power is supplied to switching devices such as relays on the low-voltage power supply loop, and finally power is supplied to a controller such as battery management, ensuring the safety of electrical use.

[0107] Embodiment 3

[0108] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a battery protection method applied to the battery pack in the same manner as in the second embodiment is provided. The battery protection method includes: S1 Separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly. S2 Disconnecting the high-voltage positive circuit and disconnecting the high-voltage negative circuit.

[0109] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is disconnected from the base assembly, both the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit are disconnected, thereby reducing the risk of electric shock to the operator during maintenance and improving the safety of the operator during maintenance.

[0110] In any arbitrary embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, after step S1 and prior to step S2, this method includes: S3 Disconnecting the high-voltage interlocking loop, triggering the battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal, and providing the high-voltage control signal to control the disconnection of the high-voltage loop.

[0111] In this embodiment, when the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected, and a controller such as a battery management system disconnects the power supply of a switching device such as a relay. As a result, the high-voltage loop of the switching device such as a relay is disconnected, thereby further preventing electric shock and improving safety. Further, since the high-voltage interlock loop is disconnected first and then the high-voltage positive circuit and the high-voltage negative circuit are disconnected, burning and arc discharge of the electrical equipment can be avoided, and the safety can be further improved.

[0112] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 10, after step S1 and before step S2, the method also includes S4 stopping the power supply to the switching device to disconnect the low-voltage power supply loop and disconnecting the high-voltage loop.

[0113] In this embodiment, since the switching device is arranged on the high-voltage loop, when the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected and the switching device is also disconnected, the high-voltage loop including the switching device is disconnected. Thus, when a failure occurs in the battery management system, the switching device can be surely disconnected, further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0114] In some optional embodiments, referring to FIG. 11, after step S1 and before step S2, the method also includes S5 stopping the power supply to the battery management system to disconnect the low-voltage power supply loop and disconnecting the high-voltage loop.

[0115] In this embodiment, by disconnecting the low-voltage power supply loop and controlling the battery management system to disconnect the switching device, the high-voltage loop including the switching device is disconnected, further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0116] In any given embodiment, after step S1 and before step S2, the method also includes disconnecting the high voltage loop by stopping the power supply to the switching device and the battery management system to disconnect the S6 low voltage power supply loop.

[0117] In this embodiment, the switching device can be disconnected not only by the battery management system but also by directly turning off the power supply. Thereby, the switching device is surely disconnected, the high voltage loop including the switching device is disconnected, further preventing electric shock and improving safety.

[0118] An example of a manual service disconnect is described below. It includes a base assembly and an upper cover assembly. The base assembly includes a base body, and the upper cover assembly includes an upper cover body, and further includes four levels of high voltage terminals, two levels of interlocking terminals, and two levels of low voltage terminals. Among the four levels of high voltage terminals, the first high voltage terminal and the second high voltage terminal are fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the third high voltage terminal and the fourth high voltage terminal are fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect. Among the two levels of interlocking terminals, the first interlocking terminal is fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the second interlocking terminal is fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect. Among the two levels of low voltage terminals, the first low voltage terminal is fixed on the base body of the manual service disconnect, and the second low voltage terminal is fixed on the upper cover body of the manual service disconnect.

[0119] The 4-level high-voltage terminals are connected to the high-voltage loop of the battery pack, the 2-level interlock terminals are connected to the high-voltage interlock loop of the battery pack, and the 2-level low-voltage terminals are connected to the low-voltage power loop of the battery pack. The sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the sum of the lengths of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first interlock terminal and the second interlock terminal.

[0120] When maintenance is required, the maintenance staff removes the manual service disconnect, i.e., separates the upper cover assembly of the manual service disconnect from the base assembly. The sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the sum of the lengths of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal. Also, the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal. Therefore, the high-voltage interlocking loop, the low-voltage power loop, and the high-voltage loop are disconnected in sequence. That is, a controller such as a battery management system is first triggered to generate a high-voltage control signal and control a switching device such as a relay to disconnect. Next, the power supply to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop is stopped, the power supply to switching devices such as stop relays and controllers such as battery management systems is stopped, then the power supply to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop is stopped again, and finally the power supply to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop is directly disconnected. From soft disconnection to hard disconnection, first, the current on the high-voltage loop is set to zero through the high-voltage control signal transmitted from a controller such as a battery management system on the high-voltage interlocking loop. This avoids burnout of loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop and can prevent arc discharge when the manual service disconnect or relay is disconnected. Furthermore, to ensure disconnection of the high-voltage loop in three steps from soft disconnection to hard disconnection, electric shock to the maintenance staff when removing the manual service disconnect can be prevented. In this way, the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected. Even when a controller such as a battery management system fails and cannot control disconnection of the high-voltage loop, the power supply to the load on the high-voltage loop can be directly stopped, or the high-voltage loop can be directly disconnected.

[0121] When maintenance is completed, the maintenance personnel open the manual service disconnect, that is, engage the upper cover assembly with the base assembly for manual service. Similarly, the sum of the lengths of the first high-voltage terminal and the second high-voltage terminal of the manual service disconnect is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, the lengths of the third high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal are longer than the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal, and the sum of the lengths of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is longer than the sum of the lengths of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal. Therefore, the high-voltage loop, the low-voltage power supply loop, and the high-voltage interlocking loop are connected in sequence. That is, first, power is supplied to loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop. Next, power is supplied to switching devices such as relays and controllers such as battery management systems. Finally, since the controller such as the battery management system is set to directly trigger a signal and control the switching device such as the relay to open, the normal operation of loads such as electrical equipment on the high-voltage loop is ensured, and the safety of electricity use is ensured.

[0122] As described above, the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, those skilled in the art can understand that this is only an example, and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments, but all of these changes and modifications are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0123] The battery pack, its manual service disconnect, and the battery protection method of the present invention can be applied to the technical field of batteries.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0124] 1, 2: High-voltage terminals 4, MSD: Manual service disconnect 5: High-voltage positive electrode 6: High-voltage negative electrode 7, BMS: Battery Management System 8: Controller such as a battery management system 11: First high-voltage terminal 12: Second high-voltage terminal 13: Third high-voltage terminal 14: Fourth high-voltage terminal 21: First interlocking terminal 22: Second interlocking terminal 31: First low-voltage terminal 32: Second low-voltage terminal 51: High-voltage positive circuit 61: High-voltage negative circuit 101: Upper cover 102: Upper cover body 202: Base body D: Difference in length HVIL: High-voltage interlocking loop KL30, KL31: Low-voltage power supply loop S1~S5: Steps

Claims

1. A manual service disconnect, comprising a base assembly and an upper cover assembly, wherein the base assembly includes a base body, two first high-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body, two second high-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body, and at least two first low-voltage terminals insulated and fixed on the base body; the upper cover assembly includes an upper cover body, two third high-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body corresponding to and electrically connected to the two first high-voltage terminals, two fourth high-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body corresponding to and electrically connected to the two second high-voltage terminals, and two second low-voltage terminals fixed on the upper cover body corresponding to and electrically connected to the two first low-voltage terminals; when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two third high-voltage terminals, the two second high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two fourth high-voltage terminals, and the two first low-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two second low-voltage terminals.

2. The base assembly further comprises two first interlocking terminals insulated and fixed on the base body; the upper cover assembly further comprises two second interlocking terminals fixed on the upper cover body corresponding to and electrically connected to the two first interlocking terminals; The manual service disconnect according to claim 1, wherein when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlocking terminals are electrically connected through the two second interlocking terminals.

3. The manual service disconnect according to claim 2, wherein the total length of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal is shorter than at least one of the total length of the first high-voltage terminal and the third high-voltage terminal and the total length of the second high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal.

4. The manual service disconnect according to claim 2, wherein the two first high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, the two third high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other.

5. The two first interlocking terminals are parallel to each other, and the two second interlocking terminals are parallel to each other. The manual service disconnect according to claim 2.

6. One of the two first high-voltage terminals and one of the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and the other of the two first high-voltage terminals and the other of the two second high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other. And / or one of the two third high-voltage terminals and one of the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other, and the other of the two third high-voltage terminals and the other of the two fourth high-voltage terminals are parallel to each other. The manual service disconnect according to claim 4.

7. The total length of the first interlocking terminal and the second interlocking terminal is shorter than the total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal. The manual service disconnect according to claim 2.

8. The total length of the first low-voltage terminal and the second low-voltage terminal is shorter than at least one of the total length of the first high-voltage terminal and the third high-voltage terminal, and the total length of the second high-voltage terminal and the fourth high-voltage terminal. The manual service disconnect according to claim 1.

9. A battery unit including a high-voltage positive electrode connected to a high-voltage positive electrode circuit and a high-voltage negative electrode connected to a high-voltage negative electrode circuit. The manual service disconnect according to claim 1, wherein one of the two first high-voltage terminals is connected to the high-voltage positive electrode, and one of the two second high-voltage terminals is connected to the high-voltage negative electrode. Comprising When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two third high-voltage terminals to conduct the high-voltage positive electrode circuit, and the two second high-voltage terminals are electrically connected through the two fourth high-voltage terminals to conduct the high-voltage negative electrode circuit to form a high-voltage loop. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage positive electrode circuit is disconnected, and the high-voltage negative electrode circuit is disconnected. A battery pack.

10. The battery pack further includes a battery management system to which two first interlocking terminals are connected. When the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first interlocking terminals are electrically connected via the two second interlocking terminals to form a high-voltage interlocking loop. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the high-voltage interlocking loop is disconnected. And / or when the upper cover assembly engages with the base assembly, the two first low-voltage terminals are electrically connected via the two second low-voltage terminals to form a low-voltage power supply loop, and the low-voltage power supply loop is configured to supply power to a switching device disposed on the high-voltage loop to close the switching device. When the upper cover assembly is separated from the base assembly, the low-voltage power supply loop is disconnected, and the disconnection of the high-voltage loop is triggered. The battery pack according to claim 9.

11. The low-voltage power supply loop is a KL30 loop or a KL31 loop. The battery pack according to claim 10.

12. When separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly, it includes disconnecting the high-voltage positive circuit and disconnecting the high-voltage negative circuit. After separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly, before the high-voltage positive circuit is disconnected and the high-voltage negative circuit is disconnected. The battery protection method applied to the battery pack according to claim 9 further includes disconnecting the high-voltage interlocking loop, triggering a battery management system to generate a high-voltage control signal, and providing the high-voltage control signal to control the disconnection of the high-voltage loop.

13. After separating the upper cover assembly from the base assembly, before the high-voltage positive circuit is disconnected and the high-voltage negative circuit is disconnected. The battery protection method according to claim 12 further includes disconnecting the low-voltage power supply loop to stop power supply to at least one of the switching device and the battery management system in order to disconnect the high-voltage loop.

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