Electrical connection bar structure and electrical connection structure

Abstract

The present application provides an electrical connection bar structure and an electrical connection structure. The electrical connection bar structure is configured to overlap with another conductive bar structure, and is connected to the other conductive bar structure by means of a bolt (40). The electrical connection bar structure comprises a connection bar body (21) and a reinforcing column (30). The reinforcing column (30) passes through the connection bar body (21) along a thickness direction of the connection bar body (21), and is connected to the connection bar body (21). A bolt hole for connecting to the bolt (40) is pre-formed on the reinforcing column (30). The reinforcing column (30) has a mechanical strength greater than that of the connection bar body (21) and a thickness greater than or equal to that of the connection bar body (21).

Description

Electrical connection bar structure and electrical connection structure

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on September 14, 2023, with application number 202311192565.X. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of energy storage technology, and in particular to an electrical connection bar structure and an electrical connection structure. Background Art

[0003] With the development of new energy technologies, product categories using battery packs as their primary energy source have emerged in various industries, most notably the automotive industry. The global popularity of new energy vehicles is unstoppable, and battery packs as energy supply components are receiving increasing attention.

[0004] As the charging power of the battery pack increases, the current in the battery pack becomes larger and larger, and the internal electrical connection structure of the battery pack needs to have higher durability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] However, in related technologies, the electrical connection structure in the battery pack usually adopts copper-to-copper busbar connection or copper-to-aluminum busbar connection. Although the copper-to-copper busbar connection as the electrical connection structure has high durability, it is heavy, resulting in a low degree of lightweighting of the battery pack. While the copper-to-aluminum busbar connection as the electrical connection structure can make the battery pack as lightweight as possible, the aluminum busbar has low strength. Under the influence of temperature and vibration factors, the aluminum busbar is prone to creep, causing the connecting bolts of the two conductive bars to twist back, and then causing the electrical connection of the two conductive bars to fail.

[0006] The present application provides an electrical connection bar structure. The electrical connection bar structure is configured to overlap with other conductive bar structures and be connected via bolts. The structure comprises: a connection bar body; a reinforcement column extending through the connection bar body along its thickness and connected to the connection bar body, the reinforcement column having a through hole pre-set to connect with the bolts; the mechanical strength of the reinforcement column is greater than that of the connection bar body, and the thickness of the reinforcement column is greater than or equal to the thickness of the connection bar body.

[0007] The present application also provides an electrical connection structure, including: a first connection row structure, including a first connection row; a second connection row structure, which is the above-mentioned electrical connection row structure, including a second connection row and a reinforcement column, the second connection row is the connection row body of the above-mentioned electrical connection row structure, and the second connection row overlaps the first connection row; a bolt, the bolt is connected to the through hole and passes through the first connection row along the thickness direction of the second connection row; a nut, the nut is connected to one end of the bolt, and cooperates with the bolt to connect the first connection row with the second connection row. Beneficial effects

[0008] The electrical connecting bar structure provided in the present application includes a connecting bar body and a reinforcing column. The connecting bar body and the reinforcing column are made of two different materials. The mechanical strength of the reinforcing column is greater than that of the connecting bar body. At the same time, the bolts pass through the reinforcing column to connect with other conductive bars. That is, a structure with higher mechanical strength is replaced at the connection between the bolt and the electrical connecting bar to replace the original connecting bar body, thereby improving the connection stability between the bolt and the electrical connecting bar structure and preventing the occurrence of bolt back-twisting due to insufficient strength of the electrical connecting bar itself.

[0009] The electrical connection structure provided in the present application, including the first connection bar structure and the above-mentioned electrical connection bar structure, can improve the connection stability between the two conductive bars. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an electrical connection bar structure provided by the present application;

[0011] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an electrical connection structure provided by the present application;

[0012] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of an electrical connection structure provided by the present application;

[0013] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship among the second connecting row, the first connecting row, and the reinforcing column provided in the present application.

[0014] Explanation of the reference numerals: 10, first connecting row; 20, second connecting row; 21, connecting row body; 30, reinforcing column; 40, bolt; 50, nut. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] 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 or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and can refer to internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0016] 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 the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, with the first feature having a higher horizontal height 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, with the first feature having a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0017] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used to refer to positions or locations based on the positions or locations 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and do not have any special meanings.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1 , an embodiment of the present application provides an electrical connector bar structure configured to overlap with other conductive bar structures and be connected via bolts 40. The electrical connector bar structure includes a connector bar body 21 and a reinforcement column 30. The reinforcement column 30 extends through the connector bar body 21 along its thickness and is connected to the connector bar body 21. The reinforcement column 30 is pre-determined with a bolt hole for connecting with the bolt 40. The mechanical strength of the reinforcement column 30 is greater than that of the connector bar body, and the thickness of the reinforcement column 30 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the connector bar body.

[0019] It should be noted that mechanical strength refers to the ability of metal or non-metallic materials to resist deformation and damage under load. That is, mechanical strength can be increased through structural settings or by replacing materials.

[0020] The end of the reinforcing column 30 along its thickness direction is flush with the end surface of the connecting bar body 21 or protrudes from the end surface of the connecting bar body 21, so that the reinforcing column can replace the connecting bar body to withstand the pressure generated when the bolts and nuts are tightened.

[0021] Generally, the reinforcing column 30 and the connecting bar body 21 are matched with an axial hole. That is, the connecting bar body 21 is provided with a connecting hole that matches the reinforcing column 30. The connecting hole and the reinforcing column 30 are connected by interference fit, or the reinforcing column 30 and the connecting bar body 21 are connected by welding. In other words, the reinforcing column 30 and the connecting bar body 21 are fixedly connected.

[0022] The bolt holes are arranged along the thickness of the connecting row body 21 , that is, they penetrate the reinforcing column 30 along the thickness direction of the reinforcing column 30 to form through holes connecting the two ends of the reinforcing column 30 .

[0023] That is, the reinforcement column 30 with stronger mechanical strength and thickness greater than or equal to the connecting row body 21 is used to withstand the pressure on the connecting row structure in the vertical direction at the bolt connection, thereby avoiding loosening of the bolts due to insufficient mechanical strength of the connecting row body 21.

[0024] In some embodiments, the electrical connector structure includes a connector body 21 and a reinforcement column 30, both of which are made of conductive materials. The connector body 21 and the reinforcement column 30 are made of two different materials: the connector body 21 is made of a first material, and the reinforcement column 30 is made of a second material. The Brinell hardness of the second material is greater than the Brinell hardness of the first material. At the same time, the bolt 40 passes through the reinforcement column 30 to connect to another conductive bar. That is, the connection between the bolt 40 and the electrical connector is replaced with a harder material to replace the original connector body 21. This improves the connection stability between the bolt 40 and the electrical connector structure and prevents the bolt 40 from back-twisting due to insufficient strength of the electrical connector itself.

[0025] In some embodiments, the connecting bar body 21 is made of aluminum (Brinell hardness 60-150), and the reinforcing column 30 is made of copper (Brinell hardness 235-878). When the electrical connecting bar is connected to other connecting structures through bolts 40, since the bolts 40 are connected to the reinforcing column 30, compared with the connection between the bolts 40 and aluminum, the reinforcing column 30 made of copper has stronger resistance to external factors, and the connection between copper and the bolts 40 is more stable.

[0026] In some embodiments, the reinforcing column 30 may be made of insulating material, such as the connecting bar body 21 is made of aluminum, and the reinforcing column 30 is made of ceramic. Its main function is to prevent the connection between the aluminum bar and the bolt 40 from being deformed due to environmental factors (environmental factors include but are not limited to temperature, vibration, etc.).

[0027] As shown in Figures 2-3, the embodiment of the present application also provides an electrical connection structure, including a first connection row structure, a second connection row structure, a bolt 40 and a nut 50. The first connection row structure includes a first connection row 10. The second connection row structure is the above-mentioned electrical connection row structure, and the second connection row structure includes a second connection row 20 and a reinforcement column 30. The second connection row 20 is the connection row body 21 in the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, the second connection row structure has a connection row body 21 made of a first material and a reinforcement column 30 made of a second material. The first connection row 10 is stacked on one side of the second connection row 20 and overlapped with it. The bolt 40 penetrates the first connection row 10 along the thickness direction of the second connection row 20. The nut 50 is connected to one end of the bolt 40 and cooperates with the bolt 40 to connect the first connection row 10 to the second connection row 20.

[0028] It should be noted that during use of this electrical connection structure, the first connection row 10 is connected to object A, the second connection row 20 is connected to object B, and the first connection row 10 is connected to the second connection row 20, and is configured to achieve electrical connection between object A and object B.

[0029] Since the electrical connection structure adopts the electrical connection bar structure of the above embodiment, it has at least some or all of the beneficial effects of the above electrical connection bar structure, which will not be described in detail here.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first connecting bar 10 and the second connecting bar 20 can be straight plate structures or curved plate structures. Alternatively, the first connecting bar 10 and the second connecting bar 20 can also be special-shaped plate structures, wherein the special-shaped plate structure can be partially curved and partially straight.

[0031] It is understandable that the first connecting bar 10 and the second connecting bar 20 are connected in a manner that parts of the board surfaces overlap, thereby achieving the transfer of current from the first connecting bar 10 to the second connecting bar 20 .

[0032] In some embodiments, a plurality of reinforcing columns 30 are provided in the overlapping area between the second connecting row 20 and the first connecting row 10 , so that the first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 can be connected by a plurality of bolts 40 , thereby achieving connection stability of the first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 .

[0033] It can be understood that by setting multiple bolts 40 in the overlapping area of ​​the second connecting row 20 and the first connecting row 10, the problem of excessive stress concentration in the overlapping area of ​​the first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 due to the setting of a single bolt 40 can be avoided, and the stress distribution in the overlapping area is made uniform, avoiding deformation of the busbar surface in the overlapping area caused by excessive stress concentration.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second connection row 20 is made of a first material, the reinforcement column 30 is made of a second material, and the first connection row 10 is made of the second material, and both the second material and the first material are conductive materials.

[0035] It should be noted that both the first and second materials are single metals, such as silver, copper, gold, aluminum, and nickel. Considering factors such as cost and conductivity, copper and aluminum are generally used for the electrical connection structure within the battery pack. Furthermore, in embodiments not specifically described, the first connecting bar 10 is a monolithic plate-like structure made of a single material.

[0036] It is understood that the two connecting busbars of the electrical connection structure are made of two different materials. The first connecting bar 10 can be made of a material with higher structural strength, such as copper, while the second connecting bar 20 can be made of a lighter material, such as aluminum. A reinforcing column 30 is provided in the lighter second connecting bar 20. The reinforcing column 30 is made of the same material as the first connecting bar 10, such as copper, which provides higher structural strength. Bolts 40 pass through the reinforcing column 30 and the first connecting bar 10, and are fastened with nuts to securely connect the first and second connecting bars 10 and 20.

[0037] By providing a conductive copper column with higher structural strength in the aluminum bar, the bolt 40 is passed through the conductive copper column instead of directly through the aluminum bar. Since the reinforcing column 30 is made of copper with higher structural strength than aluminum, the contact portion between the bolt 40 and the reinforcing column 30 will not creep compared to when the bolt 40 directly passes through the aluminum bar, thereby preventing the bolt 40 from twisting back, improving the connection stability of the first connecting bar 10 and the second connecting bar 20, and helping to ensure the durability of the electrical connection structure. At the same time, the use of an aluminum bar connected to a copper bar is lighter than connecting two copper bars. That is, the electrical connection structure of the present application can take into account both lightweight design and high structural strength, ensuring the durability of the electrical connection structure.

[0038] At the same time, since the reinforcing column 30 uses the same conductive material as the first connecting row 10, the galvanic reaction caused by the potential difference between different conductive materials can be reduced, thereby avoiding corrosion at the connection position caused by the galvanic reaction.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first connecting bar 10 is a copper bar, the second connecting bar 20 is made of aluminum, and the reinforcing column 30 is made of copper.

[0040] In this electrical connection structure, the current of the first connection bar 10 is transmitted through the second connection bar 20 in direct contact with the first connection bar 10 , and the current of the first connection bar 10 is also transmitted to the second connection bar 20 through the reinforcement column 30 .

[0041] In some embodiments, the first connecting bar 10 is a copper bar, the second connecting bar 20 is made of aluminum, and the reinforcing column 30 is made of ceramic.

[0042] The first connecting bar 10 (copper bar) contacts the second connecting bar 20 (aluminum bar) for current transmission.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first connecting row 10 is also the electrical connecting row structure in the above embodiments. The first connecting row structure includes the first connecting row 10 and the first reinforcing column. The second connecting row structure includes the second connecting row 20 and the second reinforcing column. The first connecting row 10 overlaps the second connecting row 20, and the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column are arranged in alignment. The bolts 40 are passed through the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column and connect the first connecting row 10 with the second connecting row 20.

[0044] The first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 are both made of the first material, the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column are made of the second material, the first reinforcing column is arranged through the first connecting row 10, and the second reinforcing column is arranged through the second connecting row 20.

[0045] When the first connecting row 10 is connected to the second connecting row 20 , the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column are aligned, the bolts 40 pass through the first and second reinforcing columns, and cooperate with the nuts 50 to connect the first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 .

[0046] In some embodiments, the first connecting bar 10 and the second connecting bar 20 may be made of aluminum, and the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column may be made of copper.

[0047] In some embodiments, the thickness of the reinforcing column 30 is the same as the thickness of the second connecting row 20, and the end surfaces of the reinforcing column 30 are flush with the side surfaces of the second connecting row 20. By making the reinforcing column 30 and the second connecting row 20 of the same thickness, the strength of each connection location of the second connecting row 20 with the bolt 40 is enhanced in the thickness direction.

[0048] In some embodiments, one end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 protrudes from a side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10 and is connected to the first connecting row 10. The first connecting row 10 and the second connecting row 20 form an overlap around the reinforcing column.

[0049] It should be noted that the thickness of the reinforcing column 30 is greater than that of the second connecting bar 20, and one end of the reinforcing column 30 is flush with or protrudes from the side of the second connecting bar 20 away from the first connecting bar 10. Furthermore, the end of the reinforcing column 30 near the first connecting bar 10 protrudes from the surface of the second connecting bar 20 near the first connecting bar 10 and is connected to the first connecting bar 10. The reinforcing column 30 preferentially connects to the first connecting bar 10 over the second connecting bar 20, shielding the second connecting bar 20 from pressure from the first connecting bar 10 and thereby protecting the second connecting bar 20. Furthermore, the first and second connecting bars 10, 20 overlap around the reinforcing column 30. While the reinforcing column 30 bears some of the pressure applied by the first connecting bar 10, by controlling the height of the reinforcing column 30 protruding from the second connecting bar 20 within a certain range, the first and second connecting bars 10, 20 can still overlap around the reinforcing column 30 due to the compressive force, thereby forming a current transmission path.

[0050] In some embodiments, a distance L1 between an end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 and a side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10 is 0.2 mm-0.4 mm.

[0051] It should be noted that the distance between one end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 and the side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10 refers to the distance between the end surface of the end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 and the side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10.

[0052] It can be understood that the end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 protrudes from the second connecting row 20 by 0.2mm-0.4mm, which ensures that the reinforcing column 30 is subjected to the pressure of the first connecting row 10 before the second connecting row 20. It also enables the surface of the first connecting row 10 to contact the second connecting row 20 for electrical conduction after the reinforcing column 30 contacts the first connecting row 10 and the reinforcing column 30.

[0053] In some embodiments, a distance L1 between an end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 and a side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10 is 0.3 mm.

[0054] In some embodiments, one end of the reinforcement column 30 away from the first connection row 10 protrudes from the second connection row 20 and is connected to the bolt 40 .

[0055] It is understood that the end of the reinforcing column 30 away from the first connecting row 10 protrudes from the second connecting row 20 and is connected to the bolt 40. The end of the reinforcing column 30 is connected to the bolt 40 before the second connecting row 20, thereby bearing the compression force between the bolt 40 and the nut 50 when the bolt 40 and the nut 50 are tightened, thereby protecting the second connecting row 20 from the compression force between the bolt 40 and the nut 50.

[0056] In some embodiments, a distance L2 between an end of the reinforcing column 30 away from the first connecting row 10 and a surface of the second connecting row 20 away from the first connecting row 10 is 0.2 mm-0.4 mm.

[0057] In some embodiments, a distance L2 between an end of the reinforcing column 30 away from the first connecting row 10 and a side surface of the second connecting row 20 away from the first connecting row 10 is 0.3 mm.

[0058] In some embodiments, the spacing between one end of the reinforcing column 30 close to the first connecting row 10 and the side surface of the second connecting row 20 close to the first connecting row 10 is a first spacing, and the spacing between one end of the reinforcing column 30 away from the first connecting row 10 and the side surface of the second connecting row 20 away from the first connecting row 10 is a second spacing, and the first spacing is equal to the second spacing.

[0059] In some embodiments, a first through hole is provided on the second connection row 20 , and the reinforcing column 30 is inserted into the first through hole and has an interference fit with the first through hole.

[0060] It can be understood that the outer side of the reinforcing column 30 is in complete contact with the through-hole wall of the first through-hole on the second connecting row 20, so that the current on the first connecting row 10 can be transferred from the first connecting row 10 to the second connecting row 20 through direct contact, and can also be transferred from the first connecting row 10 to the reinforcing column 30, and then transferred from the reinforcing column 30 to the second connecting row 20.

[0061] In some embodiments, the surface of the first connecting row 10 is covered with an inert metal coating.

[0062] It is understandable that covering the first connection bar 10 with an inert metal coating can protect the first connection bar 10 and prevent chemical changes caused by external environmental factors, such as oxidation.

[0063] In some embodiments, the surface of the reinforcement column 30 is covered with an inert metal plating.

[0064] Likewise, providing an inert metal coating on the surface of the reinforcement column 30 can protect the reinforcement column 30 from interference from external environmental factors.

[0065] In some embodiments, the surfaces of the reinforcing pillars 30 and the surfaces of the first connecting row 10 are both covered with an inert metal plating layer.

[0066] In some embodiments, the surface of the second connecting row 20 is also covered with an inert metal coating.

[0067] In some embodiments, the inert metal used in the inert metal plating layer includes, but is not limited to, nickel, tin, or silver.

Claims

1. An electrical connection bar structure, configured to overlap with other conductive bar structures and connected to other conductive bar structures by bolts, comprising: Connecting row body; A reinforcing column, wherein the reinforcing column penetrates the connecting row body along the thickness direction of the connecting row body and is connected to the connecting row body, and the reinforcing column is preset with a through hole connected to the bolt; the mechanical strength of the reinforcing column is higher than the mechanical strength of the connecting row body, and the thickness of the reinforcing column is greater than or equal to the thickness of the connecting row body.

2. An electrical connection structure, comprising: A first connecting row structure, comprising a first connecting row; The second connecting row structure is the electrical connecting row structure according to claim 1, comprising a second connecting row and a reinforcing column, wherein the second connecting row is the connecting row body according to claim 1 and overlaps with the first connecting row; a bolt, the bolt being connected to the through hole and penetrating the first connection row along the thickness direction of the second connection row; A nut is connected to one end of the bolt and cooperates with the bolt to connect the first connection row with the second connection row.

3. The electrical connection structure according to claim 2, wherein: The second connection row is made of a first material, the reinforcement column is made of a second material, the first connection row is made of the second material, and the second material and the first material are both conductive materials.

4. The electrical connection structure according to claim 3, wherein: The first material is aluminum, and the second material is copper.

5. The electrical connection structure according to claim 2, wherein: The first connecting row structure is the electrical connecting row structure described in claim 1, the first connecting row includes a first connecting row and a first reinforcing column, the second connecting row includes a second connecting row and a second reinforcing column, the first connecting row and the second connecting row overlap, the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column are arranged in alignment, the bolts are passed through the first reinforcing column and the second reinforcing column, and cooperate with the nuts to connect the first connecting row and the second connecting row.

6. The electrical connection structure according to claim 2, wherein: One end of the reinforcing column close to the first connecting row protrudes from a side surface of the second connecting row close to the first connecting row and is connected to the first connecting row, and the first connecting row and the second connecting row form an overlap around the reinforcing column.

7. The electrical connection structure according to claim 6, wherein: One end of the reinforcing column away from the first connecting row protrudes out of the second connecting row and is connected to the bolt.

8. The electrical connection structure according to claim 7, wherein: The distance between one end of the reinforcing column close to the first connecting row and one side surface of the second connecting row close to the first connecting row is 0.2 mm-0.4 mm; and / or The distance between one end of the reinforcing column away from the first connecting row and one side surface of the second connecting row away from the first connecting row is 0.2 mm-0.4 mm.

9. The electrical connection structure according to claim 7, wherein: The spacing between one end of the reinforcing column close to the first connecting row and one side surface of the second connecting row close to the first connecting row is a first spacing, and the spacing between one end of the reinforcing column away from the first connecting row and one side surface of the second connecting row away from the first connecting row is a second spacing, and the first spacing is equal to the second spacing.

10. The electrical connection structure according to claim 2, wherein: The surface of the first connecting row is covered with an inert metal layer; and / or, the surface of the second connecting row is covered with an inert metal layer; And / or, the surface of the reinforcing column is covered with an inert metal layer.

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