Battery management system and battery pack

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a battery management system and a battery pack. The battery pack comprises a battery management system (100). The battery management system (100) comprises a first circuit board (10), a second circuit board (20), a copper busbar (30) and a fastening assembly (40), wherein the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20) are arranged in a spaced manner and are both fixed in a case (200); the copper busbar (30) is located between the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20); the fastening assembly (40) comprises an insulating member (41) and a first fastener; the copper busbar (30) is fitted to the first circuit board (10); a first end of the insulating member (41) is connected to the second circuit board (20), and a second end of the insulating member (41) supports the copper busbar (30); and the first fastener (42) is tightly connected to the insulating member (41) and tightly abuts against the side of the first circuit board (10) away from the second circuit board (20), thereby fixing the copper busbar (30) on the first circuit board (10).

Description

Battery management system and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on March 7, 2024, with application number 202420446586.3. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, for example, to a battery management system and a battery pack.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] The Battery Management System (BMS) is a crucial component of the battery pack. Housed within the battery pack's casing, the BMS typically consists of two vertically spaced circuit boards and a copper busbar positioned between them. One end of the busbar is electrically connected to the battery modules within the pack, while the other end typically resides between the two circuit boards.

[0006] In the related art, in order to fit and fix the copper busbar on the upper circuit board to achieve electrical connection, the usual practice is to integrally form a screw column on the box body, which passes through the lower circuit board and supports the copper busbar. Then, a tapping process is used to extrude a threaded hole on the screw column, and then the screw is tightened in the threaded hole to fasten the copper busbar to the upper circuit board.

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] In the aforementioned related technologies, because the box and screw posts are made of metal, and the copper busbar contacts the screw posts, the current on the copper busbar will flow through the screw posts to the box, causing the box to be charged. This charged box has the risk of short circuits and electric shock to operators. Therefore, electrophoresis will be used to insulate the box and copper busbar. However, this process is expensive and complex, resulting in higher manufacturing costs.

[0009] Technical Solutions

[0010] An embodiment of the present application provides a battery management system, which is disposed in a box and includes:

[0011] The first circuit board and the second circuit board are arranged at intervals and fixed in the box;

[0012] a copper busbar, located between the first circuit board and the second circuit board;

[0013] The fastening assembly includes an insulating member and a first fastener. The copper busbar is fitted onto the first circuit board. The first end of the insulating member is connected to the second circuit board. The second end of the insulating member supports the copper busbar. The first fastener is tightly connected to the insulating member and pressed against a side of the first circuit board facing away from the second circuit board to fix the copper busbar on the first circuit board.

[0014] An embodiment of the present application also provides a battery pack, including a box, a battery module and a battery management system in any embodiment, wherein the battery module and the battery management system are both arranged in the box, and the battery module is electrically connected to the battery management system.

[0015] Beneficial effects

[0016] Some embodiments of the present application provide a battery management system, wherein a first circuit board and a second circuit board are arranged at intervals and are both fixed within a housing. A copper busbar is supported by an insulating member connected to the second circuit board. A first fastener is fastened to the insulating member and pressed against the side of the first circuit board facing away from the second circuit board, thereby fitting the copper busbar to the first circuit board. The copper busbar is then fastened to the first circuit board via a fastening assembly. By providing the aforementioned fastening assembly, the copper busbar can be fastened while also being insulated from the housing. The first fastener does not contact the housing, so the copper busbar will not be electrically connected to the housing via the first fastener, thereby insulating and protecting the housing. This eliminates the need for an electrophoresis process and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0017] The battery packs provided in some embodiments of the present application can reduce manufacturing costs by providing the above-mentioned battery management system.

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following is an introduction to the drawings required for describing some implementation methods. The drawings described below are some drawings of this application.

[0020] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery pack provided by some implementations of the present application;

[0021] FIG2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack provided by some implementations of the present application;

[0022] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery management system provided by some implementations of the present application;

[0023] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery management system provided by some implementations of the present application;

[0024] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a fastening assembly provided by some implementations of the present application;

[0025] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of an insulating member provided by some implementations of the present application with the second fastener hidden.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 100, battery management system; 200, housing; 300, battery module; 201, first accommodating chamber; 202, second accommodating chamber;

[0028] 10. First circuit board; 11. Solder pad;

[0029] 20. Second circuit board; 21. Connecting hole; 30. Copper busbar;

[0030] 40. Fastening assembly; 41. Insulating member; 411. Plastic member; 412. Second fastener; 413. Receiving hole; 414. Buckle; 4141. Slot; 415. Limiting groove; 416. Reinforcing rib; 42. First fastener.

[0031] Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] The present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The embodiments described herein are used to explain the present application. For ease of description, the accompanying drawings show some structures related to the present application.

[0033] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections, electrical connections; direct connections, indirect connections through an intermediate medium, and internal connections between two components or interactions between two components. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand the meanings of the above terms in this application as appropriate.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or may indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or may indicate that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used to refer to positions or locations based on those shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended to facilitate description and simplify operation, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and do not have any special meanings.

[0036] This embodiment provides a battery management system 100 and a battery pack. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery pack includes a housing 200, battery modules 300, and the battery management system 100 of any embodiment. The battery modules 300 and the battery management system 100 are both disposed within the housing 200. Exemplarily, the interior space of the housing 200 is divided into a first accommodating chamber 201 and a second accommodating chamber 202. The battery modules 300 are disposed within the first accommodating chamber 201, and the battery management system 100 is disposed within the second accommodating chamber 202. The battery management system 100 is electrically connected to the battery modules 300 to perform intelligent management and maintenance on the battery modules 300.

[0037] Exemplarily, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the battery management system 100 includes a first circuit board 10, a second circuit board 20, a copper busbar 30 and a fastening assembly 40. The first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction and are both fixed in the box 200. The copper busbar 30 is located between the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20; the fastening assembly 40 includes an insulating member 41 and a first fastener 42. The copper busbar 30 is arranged in contact with the first circuit board 10. The first end of the insulating member 41 is connected to the second circuit board 20, and the second end of the insulating member 41 supports the copper busbar 30. The first fastener 42 is fastened to the insulating member 41 and pressed against the side of the first circuit board 10 facing away from the second circuit board 20 to fix the copper busbar 30 on the first circuit board 10.

[0038] The battery management system 100 provided in this embodiment arranges the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 at intervals in the vertical direction and fixes them both within the housing 200. The copper busbar 30 is supported by an insulating member 41 connected to the second circuit board 20. The first fastener 42 is fastened to the insulating member 41, thereby securing the copper busbar 30 to one side of the first circuit board 10 through a pre-tightening force. The provision of the fastening assembly 40 of this type not only secures the copper busbar 30 but also insulates it from the housing 200. The first fastener 42 does not contact the housing 200, so the copper busbar 30 does not form electrical contact with the housing 200 through the first fastener 42, thereby insulating and protecting the housing 200. This eliminates the need for an electrophoresis process, reducing manufacturing costs.

[0039] In order to fix the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 in the box body 200, for example, a plurality of connecting columns are provided at the bottom of the second accommodating cavity 202, and threaded holes are provided in the connecting columns. The first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are respectively placed on the corresponding connecting columns, and then screws are passed through the first circuit board 10 or the second circuit board 20 and threadedly connected to the threaded holes on the connecting columns, so that the first circuit board 10 and the second circuit board 20 are respectively fixed in the box body 200.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first end of the copper busbar 30 is attached to the first circuit board 10 via a fastening assembly 40, and the second end of the copper busbar 30 is electrically connected to the battery module 300. The electrical connection between the copper busbar 30 and the battery module 300 can be described in detail in the related art. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first circuit board 10 has a solder pad 11 on the side near the copper busbar 30. The copper busbar 30 is attached to the exposed copper layer of the solder pad 11, thereby achieving electrical connection between the copper busbar 30 and the first circuit board 10. The copper busbar 30 is insulated from the second circuit board 20 by an insulating member 41. The electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards 10, 20, can be achieved via a board connector, wires, or a flexible printed circuit (FPC). Two copper busbars 30 are provided, and the second ends of the two copper busbars 30 are electrically connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module 300, respectively. The first ends of the two copper busbars 30 are fastened to the first circuit board 10 via the fastening assemblies 40 described in the above embodiments. The first circuit board 10 is a power board that can pass high current, and the second circuit board 20 can pass low current. The current from the battery module 300 flows out through the copper bus 30 and is then output to the power-consuming device through the first circuit board 10.

[0041] In an optional embodiment, the first fastener 42 is sequentially passed through the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 and then threadedly connected to the insulating member 41. For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the insulating member 41 includes a plastic member 411 and a second fastener 412 embedded in the plastic member 411. The first end of the plastic member 411 is fixed to the second circuit board 20, and the second end of the plastic member 411 supports the copper busbar 30, thereby achieving an insulated connection between the copper busbar 30 and the second circuit board 20. Among them, the plastic member 411 is configured to support a portion of the copper busbar 30 with a square structure, and the other portion is a cylindrical structure. The first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 are provided with through holes for the first fastener 42 to pass through. The first fastener 42 is sequentially passed through the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 and then threadedly connected to the second fastener 412 to meet the pre-tightening function. By screwing the first fastener 42, the head of the first fastener 42 is pressed against the side of the first circuit board 10 facing away from the second circuit board 20, one side of the copper busbar 30 is closely attached to the side of the first circuit board 10 near the second circuit board 20, and the other side of the copper busbar 30 is supported by the end of the plastic component 411, thereby securing the copper busbar 30. In this embodiment, the first fastener 42 is a screw, and the second fastener 412 is a nut. The screw shaft portion of the screw sequentially passes through the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 and is then threadedly connected to the nut, with the head of the screw pressing against the side of the first circuit board 10 facing away from the second circuit board 20.

[0042] In another optional embodiment, a hole can be pre-reserved in the plastic part 411, and then a threaded hole can be formed by tapping the hole. The first fastener 42 can be a screw. The screw shaft passes through the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 in sequence, and then is threadedly connected to the threaded hole in the plastic part 411. The head of the screw presses against the side of the first circuit board 10 facing away from the second circuit board 20, thereby also securing the copper busbar 30. In this embodiment, there is no need to embed the second fastener 412 in the plastic part 411.

[0043] In another optional embodiment, the first fastener 42 can also be selected as a self-tapping screw. After the self-tapping screw is passed through the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 in sequence, it is directly tightened with a tool. During the rotation process, a thread can be automatically formed in the reserved hole of the plastic part 411, thereby also achieving the fastening effect of the copper busbar 30 without the aid of a nut or pre-tapping. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no need to embed the second fastener 412 in the plastic part 411.

[0044] In another optional embodiment, the insulating member 41 is threadedly connected to the first fastener 42 after being sequentially passed through the copper busbar 30 and the first circuit board 10. Exemplarily, the insulating member 41 includes a plastic member 411 and a second fastener 412 embedded in the plastic member 411. The second fastener 412 is threadedly connected to the first fastener 42 after being sequentially passed through the copper busbar 30 and the first circuit board 10 to satisfy the pre-tightening function. Exemplarily, the first fastener 42 can be a nut, and the second fastener 412 can be a bolt, which is embedded in the plastic member 411. During installation, the stud portion of the bolt is sequentially passed through the copper busbar 30 and the first circuit board 10, and then the nut is screwed onto the bolt, and the nut is pressed against the side of the first circuit board 10 facing away from the second circuit board 20, which can also achieve the fastening effect of the copper busbar 30.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 6 , in this embodiment, a receiving hole 413 is provided in the plastic component 411, and the second fastener 412 is embedded in the receiving hole 413. The receiving hole 413 is a blind hole. Since the first fastener 42 in this embodiment is a screw and the second fastener 412 is a nut, metal debris is generated in the nut when the screw is tightened. By configuring the receiving hole 413 as a blind hole, the metal debris can fall directly into the blind hole. Compared to configuring the receiving hole 413 as a through hole, this can prevent the metal debris from adhering to the second circuit board 20 and causing a short circuit.

[0046] As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the second circuit board 20 is provided with a snap-fit ​​hole 21. A snap-fit ​​414 is provided around the periphery of the plastic component 411. The snap-fit ​​414 is integrally formed with the plastic component 411. The snap-fit ​​414 can be assembled with the snap-fit ​​hole 21 through its own elastic deformation and ultimately snapped into place within the snap-fit ​​hole 21, thereby firmly connecting the plastic component 411 to the second circuit board 20 and facilitating assembly and disassembly.

[0047] For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the buckle 414 is bent toward one side of the plastic part 411 to form a slot 4141. After the buckle 414 passes through the snap-fit ​​hole 21, the side of the second circuit board 20 is stopped in the slot 4141, thereby achieving a stable connection between the plastic part 411 and the second circuit board 20, and convenient disassembly and assembly.

[0048] In some embodiments, the installation process of the battery management system 100 is as follows: first, the clip 414 on the side of the plastic part 411 is snapped into the snap hole 21 of the second circuit board 20 to assemble the plastic part 411 and the second circuit board 20 into one. The plastic part 411 is a plastic part 411 that has been embedded with the second fastener 412. After assembly, the plastic part 411 and the second circuit board 20 are placed into the box as a whole, and the second circuit board 20 is locked in the box body 200 with screws. The copper busbar 30 is then placed on the plastic part 411, and the first circuit board 10 is placed so that the first circuit board 10 presses against the copper busbar 30. At the same time, the through holes on the first circuit board 10 are aligned with the through holes on the copper busbar 30. The first fastener 42 is then passed through the through holes of the first circuit board 10 and the copper busbar 30 in sequence, and then threadedly connected to the second fastener 412 embedded in the plastic part 411. The first fastener 42 is locked, thereby fitting the copper busbar 30 to the first circuit board 10. Finally, the first circuit board 10 is locked in the box body 200 with screws. After the battery management system 100 is assembled, the box body 200 is turned over as a whole so that the opening of the first accommodating cavity 201 faces upward, and the battery module 300 is then installed.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the buckle 414 is widened along the X-axis. By widening the buckle 414, the structural strength of the buckle 414 can be enhanced, preventing the buckle 414 from being deformed or damaged when the first fastener 42 is screwed, thereby preventing the plastic part 411 from rotating.

[0050] 4 to 6 , a retaining groove 415 is provided on one end of the plastic component 411 near the copper busbar 30. The copper busbar 30 is received within the retaining groove 415. The retaining groove 415 is configured to position the copper busbar 30. Once the copper busbar 30 is positioned within the retaining groove 415, it is prevented from shaking or shifting in the Y direction.

[0051] As shown in Figures 5 and 6 , the circumferential sidewalls of the plastic component 411 are provided with reinforcing ribs 416, which connect between the top side of the buckle 414 and the bottom side of the square structure of the plastic component 411. The plastic component 411, the reinforcing ribs 416, and the buckle 414 are integrally formed. The reinforcing ribs 416 enhance the overall structural strength of the plastic component 411 and prevent deformation or damage to the buckle 414 when the first fastener 42 is tightened.

Claims

1. A battery management system, arranged in a box (200), the battery management system comprising: The first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20) are arranged at intervals and are both fixed in the box (200); A copper busbar (30) located between the first circuit board (10) and the second circuit board (20); The fastening assembly (40) comprises an insulating member (41) and a first fastening member (42); the copper busbar (30) is arranged in close contact with the first circuit board (10); a first end of the insulating member (41) is connected to the second circuit board (20); a second end of the insulating member (41) supports the copper busbar (30); and the first fastening member (42) is fastened to the insulating member (41) and pressed against a side of the first circuit board (10) facing away from the second circuit board (20) to fix the copper busbar (30) on the first circuit board (10).

2. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein: The first fastener (42) is sequentially passed through the first circuit board (10) and the copper busbar (30) and then threadedly connected to the insulating member (41); or The insulating member (41) is threadedly connected to the first fastener (42) after being passed through the copper busbar (30) and the first circuit board (10) in sequence.

3. The battery management system according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating member (41) comprises a plastic member (411) and a second fastener (412) embedded in the plastic member (411); a first end of the plastic member (411) is fixed to the second circuit board (20); a second end of the plastic member (411) supports the copper busbar (30); and the first fastener (42) is connected to the second fastener (412).

4. The battery management system according to claim 3, wherein: The first fastener (42) is a screw, and the second fastener (412) is a nut, the screw sequentially passing through the first circuit board (10) and the copper busbar (30) and being threadedly connected to the nut.

5. The battery management system according to claim 3, wherein: The plastic part (411) is provided with a receiving hole (413), the second fastener (412) is embedded in the receiving hole (413), and the receiving hole (413) is a blind hole.

6. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A snap-fit ​​hole (21) is provided on the second circuit board (20), and a snap-fit ​​(414) is provided on the peripheral side of the insulating component (41), wherein the snap-fit ​​(414) is snap-fitted into the snap-fit ​​hole (21).

7. The battery management system according to claim 6, wherein: A slot (4141) is formed on the buckle (414); after the buckle (414) passes through the engaging hole (21), the side edge of the second circuit board (20) is locked in the slot (4141).

8. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A limiting groove (415) is provided at one end of the insulating member (41) close to the copper busbar (30), and the copper busbar (30) is accommodated in the limiting groove (415).

9. The battery management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A reinforcing rib (416) is provided on the circumferential side wall of the insulating member (41).

10. A battery pack, comprising a box (200), a battery module (300) and a battery management system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the battery module (300) and the battery management system (100) are arranged in the box (200), and the battery module (300) is electrically connected to the battery management system (100).

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