Relay with adjustable fastening member

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The present invention relates to a relay with an adjustable fastening member, and more particularly to a relay with an adjustable fastening member that can adjust the position of the fastening member of the relay, thereby enabling flexible utilization of installation space, and a battery module / battery pack including the same. [Background technology]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a relay having a fastening member with adjustable position, which allows the position of the fastening member to be adjusted more freely, and therefore makes it easy to install the relay even if the shape of the battery module / battery pack case is deformed or the installation position of the relay is changed. [Means for solving the problem]

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

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

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

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

[0014] A first protrusion 1321 may be formed on the side of the second flat plate 1320, protruding by a certain length.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a relay assembly according to the prior art. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a relay according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide rail portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing a fastening member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening member according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a fastening member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0024] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

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

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

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

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, a relay 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a relay housing 1100, a guide rail 1200, and a fastening member 1300. As shown in FIG.

[0029] The relay housing 1100 forms an accommodation space and can accommodate and protect a control element for operating the secondary battery.

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

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

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

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

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

[0035] 2 and 3, the first cutout may have a simple linear shape without any concave or convex shape on the outside. In this case, a non-through fixing groove corresponding to the concave or convex shape may be formed on the inner surface of the horizontal portion 1220.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0043] That is, when fastening member 1300 is moved along guide rail 1200, pressing second flat plate portion 1320 to lower it causes first protrusion 1321 of second flat plate portion 1320 to detach from first cutout 1221. Thereafter, first flat plate portion 1310 is moved along guide rail 1200, thereby moving fastening member 1300.

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

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

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

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

[0048] For example, although the upper part of the fastening part 1340 is shown in the drawing as being formed in an arch shape, the fastening part 1340 is not limited to this as long as the fastening hole 1341 is formed in a shape such as a cornered shape according to the shape of the part on which the fastening part 1340 is seated so that it can be attached and fixed.

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

[0050] The second elastic body 1350 may be positioned inside the recessed hole 1322 and the extension wall 1323 , with one side connected to the bottom of the recessed hole 1322 and the other side connected to the bottom of the fastening part 1340 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0060] The fastening member 2300 according to the second embodiment includes a third elastic body 2360 and a fastener 2370 to press the fastening member 2300, and the fastener 2370 is inserted into the second incision 2324, thereby allowing the fastening member 2300 to move to a specified position.

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

[0062] The present invention may also be a battery module equipped with one or more relays having the above-described features.

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

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

Claims

1. a relay housing that houses a control element; a guide rail formed on an outer surface of the relay housing; a fastening member movable along the guide rail, the guide rail includes a vertical portion extending vertically from an outer surface of the relay housing, and a horizontal portion extending from the vertical portion in a direction parallel to the outer surface, The horizontal portion has a first cutout formed therein.

2. The first cutout has at least one of a concave-convex shape, a wave shape, and a linear shape, 2. The relay according to claim 1, wherein, when said horizontal portion is linear, an inner surface of said horizontal portion is provided with a non-through fixing groove having a concave-convex or wavy shape and a constant depth.

3. A relay housing that houses a control element; a guide rail formed on an outer surface of the relay housing; a fastening member movable along the guide rail, The fastening member includes a first flat plate portion that moves along the guide rail and has a recessed groove formed in the center that is recessed to a certain depth, a second flat plate portion that sits in the recessed groove of the first flat plate portion, one or more first elastic bodies that are positioned between the recessed groove and the second flat plate portion, and a fastening portion that is positioned above the second flat plate portion and has a fastening hole formed therein.

4. The relay according to claim 3 , wherein a first protrusion protruding by a certain length is formed on a side surface of the second flat plate portion.

5. The relay according to claim 3 , wherein a second elastic body is located between the fastening portion and the second flat plate portion, the second elastic body connecting the fastening portion and the second flat plate portion.

6. The relay according to claim 5 , further comprising a columnar extension wall connecting the fastening portion and the second flat plate portion, wherein the second elastic body is disposed outside or inside the extension wall.

7. The relay according to claim 6 , wherein one or more second protrusions are formed on an outer surface of the upper end of the extension wall.

8. 4. The relay according to claim 3, wherein a recessed hole recessed to a certain depth is formed in the center of the second flat plate portion, and an extension wall extending to a certain height is formed along an edge of the recessed hole.

9. The second flat plate portion has a second cutout formed by cutting a portion of the second flat plate portion inward from an edge thereof, a third elastic body is positioned inside the second cutout; The relay according to claim 3 , wherein a fastener connected to the third elastic body is located near an edge of the second cutout.

10. A battery module comprising the relay according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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