Battery pack connector that connects to external devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack connector structure for connection to an external device, and more particularly to a battery pack connector structure in which the (-) pin of the battery pack connector is extended to protrude beyond the (+) pin and is configured to be electrically connected to the external device connector prior to the (+) pin when connecting the external device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack connector connected to an external device, and more particularly, to a battery pack connector structure formed to prevent malfunction of a battery IC when the external device and the battery pack connector are fastened.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, a vehicle emergency notification system (hereinafter referred to as "eCall system") has been developed that automatically makes an emergency call when a serious collision is detected in a vehicle, or allows a passenger to make a call on their own to request reporting and assistance in case of an emergency or an extraordinary situation.

[0003] The eCall system is operated by a battery mounted in a vehicle to supply power. However, if a problem occurs in the battery during an emergency such as when an accident occurs in the vehicle, there is a concern that the power supply to the eCall system cannot be smoothly performed. Therefore, a separate battery for the eCall system is used to prepare for such a situation.

[0004] On the other hand, although the connector applied to the battery for the eCall system generally adopts an anti-reverse insertion structure during male / female fastening, from the aspect of electrical stability using the contact of the ground wire, the current situation is that it has not yet reached the realized level.

[0005] As a result, when the battery pack and the external device are fastened, there is a risk that the GND pin ((-) pin) of the battery pack does not contact the external device connector first. In this case, the ground (GND) will be electrically shaken by the insertion operation of a separate operator, resulting in a problem of causing malfunction of the battery management IC.

[0006] Examples of related prior art documents are listed below. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-280872 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a battery pack connector structure in which the pack (-) pins are arranged to contact the external device connector before the pack (+) pins when connecting an external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of battery cells, a (+) conductive plate that electrically connects the battery cells to each other to form a (+) output terminal, a (-) conductive plate that electrically connects the battery cells to each other to form a (-) output terminal, and a battery pack connector that is connected to the (+) conductive plate and the (-) conductive plate and connected to an external device.

[0010] More specifically, the battery pack connector comprises a pack (+) pin connected to the (+) conductive plate and a pack (-) pin connected to the (-) conductive plate.

[0011] Here, the pack (-) pin of the battery pack connector is characterized in that it extends further than the pack (+) pin and is arranged to be electrically connected to the external device connector before the pack (+) pin when connecting an external device.

[0012] On the other hand, the battery pack connector further comprises an application pin connected to a temperature sensing element, and the application pin, together with the pack (-) pin, extends further than the pack (+) pin.

[0013] A battery pack connector for electrically connecting a battery pack to an external device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an insulating base substrate and a plurality of connection pins formed on the base substrate to form an electrical connection path with the external device, wherein the plurality of connection pins comprises a pack (+) pin connected to the (+) output terminal of the battery pack and a pack (-) pin connected to the (-) output terminal of the battery pack.

[0014] Here, the pack(+) pin is characterized in that one end of its conductive pattern on the external device side is shorter than one end of the conductive pattern of the pack(-) pin on the external device side.

[0015] On the other hand, the battery pack connector further comprises an application pin connected to a temperature sensing element, wherein the application pin, together with the pack (-) pin, is formed to be shorter than one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (+) pin on the external device side.

[0016] A method for manufacturing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell connection step of electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells using a conductive plate, and a battery pack connector configuration step of arranging a plurality of connection pins on an insulating base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device.

[0017] More specifically, the battery cell connection step includes a (+) output terminal configuration step of electrically connecting battery cells to each other using a (+) conductive plate to form a (+) output terminal, and a (−) output terminal configuration step of electrically connecting battery cells to each other using a (−) conductive plate to form a (−) output terminal.

[0018] On the other hand, the battery pack connector configuration step includes a pack (−) pin connection step of connecting the pack (−) pin of the battery pack connector to the (−) output terminal of the battery pack, and a pack (+) pin connection step of connecting the pack (+) pin of the battery pack connector to the (+) output terminal of the battery pack.

[0019] Here, the pack (+) pin is characterized in that one end on the external device side of its conductive pattern is formed shorter than one end on the external device side of the conductive pattern of the pack (−) pin.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when fastening an external device and a battery pack, the (−) pin of the battery pack connector contacts the external device connector before the (+) pin, preventing the occurrence of non-contact of the ground wire.

[0021] This can prevent the occurrence of malfunction of the battery management IC due to the insertion operation of a separate operator, thereby improving the stability of the battery pack.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a battery pack and an external device connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are plan views looking down from above on the fastening state of the external connection terminals of a conventional battery pack and an external device connector. [Figure 3](a) to (c) are plan views looking down from above on the fastening state between the external connection terminals of a battery pack and an external device connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (a) to (c) are plan views showing the fastening state between a battery pack connector and an external device connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. In the drawings, in order to clearly explain the present invention, parts irrelevant to the explanation are omitted, and throughout the specification, similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0024] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings.

[0025] 1. Battery Pack According to an Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack and an external device connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, the connection between the battery pack 100 and the external device connector 200 has a structure in which the connector pins 210 of the external device connector 200 corresponding to the pin insertion openings 120 formed in the connection groove 110 are inserted. When the connector pins 210 are inserted, an electrical connection path is formed between the battery pack 100 and an external device (not shown) as the (+) pin and (-) pin of the battery pack disposed inside the battery pack on the side of the pin insertion openings 120 and the connector pins 210 of the external device connector 200 come into contact with each other.

[0028] On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 1, the battery pack 100 contains multiple battery cells and (+) conductive plates and (-) conductive plates that electrically connect the battery cells to each other, forming the (+) and (-) terminals, respectively. The (+) conductive plates and (-) conductive plates may be made of nickel plates, and PTC (positive temperature coefficient) elements may be interposed between the (+) and (-) terminals of the battery cells and the (+) conductive plates and (-) conductive plates.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a case where there are three pin insertion slots 120 and three connector pins 210, but it is obvious to any engineer that a wide variety of numbers can be formed depending on the type and shape of the application.

[0030] On the other hand, the battery pack configuration shown in Figure 1 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited in any way to this, and can be realized in other forms. The component referred to as reference numeral 100 in Figure 1 described above does not necessarily have to be configured as a structure that includes a battery pack, and the device referred to as reference numeral 100 may be a battery pack connector 100 that is connected to a separate battery pack (not shown).

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing the connection state between a conventional battery pack connector and an external device connector. Figure 2(a) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 4 pins, and Figure 2(b) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 5 pins.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the conventional battery pack connector 10 has multiple connection pins 14:142a, 142b, 144a, 144b, 144c that form an electrical connection path to the external device on an insulating base substrate 12. In this case, the pack (+) pins 144:144a, 144b, 144c and the pack (-) pins 142:142a, 142b that make up the multiple connection pins 14 have the same length. In this structure, when fastening to the external device connector 200, the connector pin 210 of the external device connector 200 and the pack (-) pin (GND pin) 142 of the battery pack connector 120 do not make contact before the pack (+) pin 144. As a result, when the operator inserts the connector, the GND becomes electrically unstable, which can cause the battery management IC to malfunction.

[0033] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the fastening state between a battery pack connector and an external device connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(a) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 4 pins, Figure 3(b) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 5 pins, and Figure 3(c) shows a magnified view of the structure of one of the battery pack connector pins.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the battery pack connector 130 is configured with multiple connection pins 134 on an insulating base substrate 132 that form an electrical connection path to an external device. However, unlike conventional designs, the pack (+) pins 1344:1344a, 1344b, 1344c and the pack (-) pins 1342:1342a, 1342b that make up the multiple connection pins 134 have different lengths.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3(c), the aforementioned multiple connection pins have the shape of female terminals and are electrically connected when the connector pins 210 of the external device connector 200 are inserted.

[0036] More specifically, the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b extend further outward than the pack (+) pins 1344a, 1344b, and 1344c. In other words, one end of the conductive pattern on the external device side of the pack (+) pins 1344a and 1344b is formed to be shorter than one end of the conductive pattern on the external device side of the pack (-) pin. This structure allows the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b to contact the connector pins 210 of the external device connector 200 before the pack (+) pins 1344a, 1344b, and 1344c when fastening the battery pack 100 to an external device (not shown).

[0037] In other words, the connector pins 210:210a, 210b, 210c, and 210d of the external device connector 200 advance vertically in the figure and are each inserted into the insertion space of one pack pin. However, as shown in Figure 3, the ends of the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b extend upward in the figure, so connector pins 210b and 210c are electrically connected before 210a and 210b.

[0038] At this time, as shown in Figure 3(c), each of the connection pins 134 is configured such that a conductor pattern 13441 made of a conductor has a connector pin housing portion 13443 inside, and the lower connection portion 13442 is a connection portion that is electrically connected to the battery cell provided in the battery pack. The external device connector pin 210 is inserted into the battery pack connector 130 through the pin insertion slot, and as further insertion is performed, the side of the connector pin 210 is inserted into the connector pin housing portion 13443 between the conductor patterns 13441 of the connection pin 134 and connects to the inner surface of the conductor patterns 13441, and is first connected to the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b.

[0039] Therefore, this prevents problems such as malfunction of the battery management IC that can occur when conventional battery packs are connected to external devices, due to the battery pack connector's pack (-) pin (GND pin) not making contact first.

[0040] On the other hand, although not shown in the figures, the battery pack connector 130 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an application pin (not shown) connected to a temperature sensing element. The application pin (not shown) has a structure that protrudes and extends together with the pack (+) pins 1344a, 1344b, and 1344c, along with the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b shown in Figure 3.

[0041] Figure 4 is a plan view showing the fastening state between a battery pack connector and an external device connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4(a) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 4 pins, Figure 4(b) shows the case where the battery pack connector has 5 pins, and Figure 4(c) is a diagram showing the structure of each pack (+) pin and pack (-) pin that make up Figures 4(a) and 4(b).

[0042] The battery pack connectors 140:142,144 consist of multiple connection pins 144 that form an electrical connection path to an external device on an insulating base board 142. Although the lengths of the multiple connection pins 144 are the same, the lengths of the conductor patterns of the (+) pack pins and (-) pack pins that make up the multiple connection pins 144 are different.

[0043] The pack's connecting pins 144 comprise pack pin bases 144a1, 144b1, 144c1, 142a1, 142b1 and conductor patterns 144a2, 144b2, 144c2, 142a2, 142b2, with each conductor pattern being U-shaped such that a pin housing portion 1441 is formed on the inside.

[0044] The pack pin bases 144a1 and 142a1 are formed from an insulator and support the conductor patterns 144a2 and 142a2 inside the pack pin bases. As described above, the external device connector pins 210 are inserted into and connected to the pin housings formed between the conductor patterns.

[0045] In this case, unlike in Figure 3, the height of the pack pin bases is formed to be the same for all of them, and the overall height of the pack pins is the same. In contrast, the pack (+) pin conductor patterns 144a2, 144b2, and 144c2 formed on the pack (+) pin 144 are formed to be lower in height than the pack (-) pin conductor patterns 142a2 and 142b2 formed on the pack (-) pin 142, so that when the external device connector pins 210a to 210e are inserted into the pin housings 14443 formed on each pack pin, they are connected to the pack (-) pin conductor patterns 142a2 and 142b2 first.

[0046] The lower part of each pack pin is configured to expose the conductor pattern and is connected to the battery's (+) conductive plate, (-) conductive plate, and GND, respectively. The upper end of each conductor pattern is formed with inclined sections 144a3, 144b3, 144c3, 142a3, and 142b3 having an inclined cross-section to facilitate insertion of the external device connector pins 210.

[0047] 2. Method for manufacturing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention

[0048] A method for manufacturing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

[0049] 2.1. Battery cell connection step

[0050] The battery cell connection step involves electrically connecting multiple battery cells to each other using a conductive plate.

[0051] More specifically, a (+) conductive plate can be used to electrically connect battery cells to form a (+) output terminal, and a (-) conductive plate can be used to electrically connect battery cells to form a (-) output terminal.

[0052] 2.2. Battery Pack Connector Configuration Step

[0053] The battery pack connector configuration step is a step of configuring a battery pack connector for electrically connecting an external device and a battery pack, and includes arranging a plurality of pack connection pins 134, 144 on an insulating base substrate 130 to form an electrical connection path to the external device.

[0054] 2.2.1. Pack (-) pin connection step

[0055] The pack (-) pin connection step is the step of connecting the pack (-) pin to the (-) output terminal of the battery pack configured using the battery pack connection step described above. Here, as described above, the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b are formed to protrude further than the pack (+) pins, as shown in Figure 3. Therefore, when connecting the battery pack 100 to an external device (not shown), the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b are electrically connected to the connector pins 210 of the external device connector 200 before the pack (+) pins 1344a, 344b, and 1344c of the battery pack 100.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the conductor patterns 142a2 and 142b2 of the pack (-) pin are extended to be longer than the conductor patterns 144a2, 144b2 and 144c2 of the pack (+) pin.

[0057] 2.2.2. Pack (+) Pin Connection Step

[0058] The pack (+) pin connection step is the step of connecting the pack (+) pin to the (+) output terminal of the battery pack configured using the battery pack connection step described above. Here, as shown in Figure 3, the pack (+) pins 1344a, 1344b, and 1344c are formed such that one end of their conductive pattern on the external device side is shorter than one end of the conductive pattern on the external device side of the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the length of the pack (-) pin is formed to be the same as the length of the pack (+) pin, but the conductor patterns 144a2, 144b2, and 144c2 of the pack (+) pin are formed to be shorter than the conductor patterns 142a2 and 142b2 of the pack (-) pin, so that the conductor patterns of the pack (+) pin are connected to the external device first, after the conductor patterns 142a2 and 142b2 are connected first.

[0060] 2.2.3. Application Pin Connection Step

[0061] A battery pack connector configuration step according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include an application pin connection step. Although not shown, the battery pack connector configuration step includes connecting an application pin (not shown) to a temperature sensing element (not shown) of the battery pack 100. Here, the application pin (not shown) is formed to protrude more than the pack (+) pins 1344a, 1344b, and 1344c, together with the pack (-) pins 1342a and 1342b.

[0062] On the other hand, while the technical concept of the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments described above, it should be noted that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and not for limitation. Furthermore, those skilled in the art in the field of the present invention should understand that various embodiments are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0063] The reference numerals and their names used in the drawings of this invention are as follows: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 100: Battery Pack 110: Connection groove 120: Pin socket 130: Battery pack connector 132: Base board 134: Connection pin 200: External device connector 210: Connector pins

Claims

1. Multiple battery cells, A positive conductive plate that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a positive output terminal, A conductive plate (-) that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a (-) output terminal, A battery pack connector connected to the (+) conductive plate and the (-) conductive plate and connected to an external device, Equipped with, The aforementioned battery pack connector is A pack of (+) pins, one end of which is connected to the (+) conductive plate and the other end of which is connected to an external device connector, A pack (-) pin, with one end connected to the (-) conductive plate and the other end connected to an external device connector, It is equipped with, A battery pack in which the conductor pattern inside the pack (-) pin is extended to be longer than the conductor pattern inside the pack (+) pin, so as to be electrically connected to the external device connector before the pack (+) pin when connecting an external device.

2. Multiple battery cells, A positive conductive plate that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a positive output terminal, A conductive plate (-) that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a (-) output terminal, A battery pack connector connected to the (+) conductive plate and the (-) conductive plate and connected to an external device, Equipped with, The aforementioned battery pack connector is A pack of (+) pins, one end of which is connected to the (+) conductive plate and the other end of which is connected to an external device connector, A pack (-) pin, with one end connected to the (-) conductive plate and the other end connected to an external device connector, It is equipped with, The pack (-) pin of the aforementioned battery pack connector is A battery pack that extends beyond the pack (+) pin and is arranged to be electrically connected to the external device connector before the pack (+) pin when connecting an external device.

3. Multiple battery cells, A positive conductive plate that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a positive output terminal, A conductive plate (-) that electrically connects the plurality of battery cells to form a (-) output terminal, A battery pack connector connected to the (+) conductive plate and the (-) conductive plate and connected to an external device, Equipped with, The aforementioned battery pack connector is A pack of (+) pins, one end of which is connected to the (+) conductive plate and the other end of which is connected to an external device connector, A pack (-) pin, with one end connected to the (-) conductive plate and the other end connected to an external device connector, It is equipped with, The aforementioned battery pack connector is It further includes an application pin connected to the temperature sensing element, A battery pack in which the application pin extends outward from the pack (+) pin, together with the pack (-) pin.

4. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pack (-) pin of the battery pack connector is formed to be the same length as the pack (+) pin.

5. In a battery pack connector that electrically connects a battery pack to an external device, An insulating base substrate, A plurality of connection pins formed on the base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device, It is equipped with, The aforementioned multiple connection pins are, The pack (+) pin connected to the (+) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, The pack (-) pin connected to the (-) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, It is equipped with, A battery pack connector in which the internal conductor pattern of the pack (-) pin is extended to be longer than the internal conductor pattern of the pack (+) pin, and is arranged to be electrically connected to the external device connector before the pack (+) pin when connecting an external device.

6. A battery pack connector for electrically connecting a battery pack and an external device, An insulating base substrate, A plurality of connection pins formed on the base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device, It is equipped with, The aforementioned multiple connection pins are, The pack (+) pin connected to the (+) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, The pack (-) pin connected to the (-) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, It is equipped with, A battery pack connector in which the pack (+) pin is formed such that one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (+) pin on the external device side is shorter than one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (-) pin on the external device side.

7. A battery pack connector for electrically connecting a battery pack and an external device, An insulating base substrate, A plurality of connection pins formed on the base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device, It is equipped with, The aforementioned multiple connection pins are, The pack (+) pin connected to the (+) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, The pack (-) pin connected to the (-) output terminal of the aforementioned battery pack, It is equipped with, The aforementioned battery pack connector is It further includes an application pin connected to the temperature sensing element, The aforementioned application pin is, A battery pack connector, formed such that the pack (-) pin is shorter than one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (+) pin on the external device side, together with the pack (-) pin.

8. The battery pack connector according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the pack (-) pin is formed to be the same length as the pack (+) pin.

9. In a method for manufacturing a battery pack, A battery cell connection step involves electrically connecting multiple battery cells using a conductive plate, A battery pack connector configuration step involves arranging multiple connection pins on an insulating base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device, Includes, The aforementioned battery cell connection step is, (+) A step of configuring a (+) output terminal by electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells using a (+) conductive plate, (-) A step of configuring an output terminal by electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells using a conductive plate, It includes, The aforementioned battery pack connector configuration step is, A pack-pin connection step involves connecting the pack-pin of the battery pack connector to the (-) output terminal of the battery pack. A pack (+) pin connection step involves connecting the pack (+) pin of the battery pack connector to the (+) output terminal of the battery pack. It includes, A method for manufacturing a battery pack, wherein the conductor pattern inside the pack (-) pin is extended to be longer than the conductor pattern inside the pack (+) pin, and is arranged to be electrically connected to the external device connector before the pack (+) pin when connecting an external device.

10. A method for manufacturing a battery pack, A battery cell connection step involves electrically connecting multiple battery cells using a conductive plate, A battery pack connector configuration step involves arranging multiple connection pins on an insulating base substrate to form an electrical connection path to an external device, Includes, The aforementioned battery cell connection step is, (+) A step of configuring a (+) output terminal by electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells using a (+) conductive plate, (-) A step of configuring an output terminal by electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells using a conductive plate, It includes, The aforementioned battery pack connector configuration step is, A pack-pin connection step involves connecting the pack-pin of the battery pack connector to the (-) output terminal of the battery pack. A pack (+) pin connection step involves connecting the pack (+) pin of the battery pack connector to the (+) output terminal of the battery pack. It includes, The pack (+) pin is formed such that one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (+) pin on the external device side is shorter than one end of the conductive pattern of the pack (-) pin on the external device side.

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