Battery pack connector and battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack connector and a battery pack. The battery pack connector is configured to electrically connect a battery module inside the battery pack to an electric device outside the battery pack, and comprises an insulating base (100) and a connection portion (200). A first through hole (110) is provided in the insulating base (100), the connection portion (200) is embedded in the first through hole (110) and is fixed to the insulating base (100), and two ends of the connection portion (200) extend beyond the insulating base (100).

Description

Battery pack connector and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 29, 2023, with application number 202323669292.1. 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 battery technology, and in particular to a battery pack connector and a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] Battery packs typically use connectors to output current, typically mounted or embedded in the battery case. Most existing connectors are embedded in the battery pack's plastic cover, insulated by the cover itself. However, these connectors are not suitable for battery packs with metal cases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, most battery pack connectors suitable for metal boxes use high-voltage connectors, which have problems such as complex connector structure and poor adaptability.

[0005] This application provides a battery pack connector. The battery pack connector is used to electrically connect a battery module within a battery pack with an electrical device outside the battery pack. The connector comprises an insulating base and a connecting portion. The insulating base is provided with a first through-hole. The insulating base comprises a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other, and the first through-hole extends through the first and second surfaces. The connecting portion is embedded in the first through-hole and fixed to the insulating base, with both ends of the connecting portion extending beyond the insulating base.

[0006] The present application also provides a battery pack, which includes a box, a battery module located in the box, and the aforementioned battery pack connector, wherein the battery pack connector is fixed to the box. Beneficial effects

[0007] The present application provides a battery pack connector and a battery pack. The battery pack connector of the present application includes an insulating base and a connecting portion. A first through hole is provided on the insulating base. The connecting portion is embedded in the first through hole and fixed to the insulating base. Both ends of the connecting portion extend out of the insulating base to facilitate connection between the connecting row inside the battery pack and the connecting row outside the battery pack and the connecting portion. The insulating base is fixed on the box of the battery pack and can be applied to a battery pack with a metal box. One end of the connecting portion is connected to the battery module inside the battery pack, and the other end is connected to the electrical equipment outside the battery pack to realize current output. The battery pack connector of the present application has the advantages of simple structure and strong adaptability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack connector provided in the present application;

[0009] FIG2 is an exploded structural diagram of a battery pack connector provided in the present application;

[0010] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of a battery pack connector provided by the present application;

[0011] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a first side of an insulating base of a battery pack connector provided in the present application;

[0012] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the second side of an insulating base of a battery pack connector provided in the present application;

[0013] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a battery pack connector and a box provided by the present application;

[0014] FIG7 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the assembly of a battery pack connector and a box body provided in the present application.

[0015] Explanation of reference numerals: 100-insulating base, 101-first surface, 102-second surface, 110-first through hole, 111-first limiting portion, 112-groove, 120-first boss, 130-third boss, 131-third limiting portion, 132-fifth limiting portion, 140-second through hole, 150-fourth boss, 151-first nut, 152-positioning hole, 200-connecting portion, 201-first end, 202-second End, 210-connecting rod, 300-second boss, 301-first end face, 302-second end face, 310-first groove, 320-first sub-boss, 321-fourth limiting portion, 330-second sub-boss, 331-second limiting portion, 400-waterproof sealing ring, 410-third through hole, 420-fourth through hole, 500-copper busbar, 510-second nut, 600-box body, 610-fifth through hole, 620-sixth through hole. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] As shown in Figures 1-5, a battery pack connector provided by this application is used to electrically connect the battery module inside the battery pack to the electrical equipment outside the battery pack. The battery pack connector includes an insulating base 100 and a connecting portion 200. The battery module of this embodiment can be a module with multiple battery cells integrated into the end plate and binding straps in an MTP, or it can be a module with multiple battery cells integrated into a CTP.

[0017] A first through hole 110 is provided on the insulating base 100. The insulating base 100 includes a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 that are opposite to each other. The first through hole 110 extends through the first surface 101 and the second surface 102. In this embodiment, the first surface 101 is fixed to the box 600, and the second surface 102 is located on the side of the first surface 101 that is away from the side wall of the box.

[0018] The connecting portion 200 is embedded in the first through hole 110 and fixed to the insulating base 100, with both ends of the connecting portion 200 extending out of the insulating base 100. This simple structure also facilitates connection with the connecting portion 200 to various types of internal and external connecting bars of battery packs, providing strong adaptability.

[0019] One of the inner sidewall of the first through hole 110 and the connecting portion 200 is provided with a boss, and the other is provided with a groove. The boss is received in the groove, so that the insulating base 100 and the connecting portion 200 remain relatively fixed.

[0020] In one embodiment, the inner side wall of the first through hole 110 has a first boss 120 arranged along the circumference of the first through hole 110; the connecting portion 200 includes a connecting rod 210 and a second boss 300 surrounding the outer side wall of the connecting rod 210, and the outer side wall of the second boss 300 facing away from the connecting rod 210 is provided with a first groove 310 matching the first boss 120, the second boss 300 is inserted into the first through hole 110 and fixed to the insulating base 100, and the first boss 120 is received in the first groove 310 to limit the connecting rod 210 and prevent the connecting rod 210 from falling out of the first through hole 110.

[0021] In the extension direction of the connecting rod 210 (i.e., perpendicular to the insulating base 100), the connecting rod 210 has an opposing first end 201 and a second end 202. The second boss 300 has an opposing first end surface 301 and a second end surface 302. The first end 201 extends from the first end surface 301, and the second end 202 extends from the second end surface 302. The first end 201 extends from the first surface 101, and the second end 202 extends from the second surface 102.

[0022] The connecting rod 210 and the second boss 300 can be formed by connecting separate components or as an integral structure. The connecting rod 210 can be a stud bolt with threads on both ends, facilitating connection and securing with other connecting components via nuts. The insulating base can be made of an insulating material such as plastic to provide insulation from the metal housing.

[0023] In the present application, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the battery pack connector is configured to be fixed to the battery pack case 600 to output current to the outside. The battery pack connector can be directly connected to the battery module in the battery pack or the electrical equipment outside the battery pack, or it can be connected through an intermediate adapter, and no specific restrictions are made here. Among them, the insulating base 100 of the battery pack connector can be directly fixed to the case 600, the connecting rod 210 passes through the side wall of the case 600, the second end 202 of the connecting rod 210 extends into the case 600 and connects to the copper bus 500 in the battery pack, and the first end 201 of the connecting rod 210 extends out of the case 600 and connects to the device outside the battery pack that needs to input current, thereby achieving current output.

[0024] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4-5, an insulating third boss 130 is provided on the first surface 101, which continuously or discontinuously surrounds the first through hole 110. The material of the third boss 130 can be an insulating material such as plastic. When the first surface 101 contacts the surface of the box body 600, the third boss 130 serves to insulate and isolate the box body 600 and the connecting portion 200. During the formation of the first boss 120, a through hole can be first opened in the middle of the insulating base 100, and the through hole passes through the first surface 101 and the second surface 102. Then, a groove 112 is opened on the second surface 102, and the groove 112 is arranged around the through hole. The inner diameter of the groove 112 is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole to form the first boss 120. Then, a third boss 130 is formed on the first surface 101. The third boss 130 is arranged around the through hole and is consistent with the inner diameter of the groove 112. The through hole, the groove 112 and the third boss 130 have the same central axis (along the direction perpendicular to the insulating base 100).

[0025] In some embodiments, the third boss 130 and the insulating base 100 may be integrally formed, the inner diameter of the third boss 130 is consistent with the inner diameter of the first through hole 110 , and then the first boss 120 is formed in the first through hole 110 .

[0026] In some embodiments, the insulating base 100 , the first boss 120 , and the third boss 130 may also be integrally formed by a mold.

[0027] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3-5 , a first stopper 111 is further provided on the inner sidewall of the first through hole 110, and the connecting portion 200 is further provided with a second stopper 331 that matches the first stopper 111, thereby securing the second boss 300 to the insulating base 100 and preventing the connecting portion 200 from rotating circumferentially within the first through hole 110. Specifically, the second stopper 331 can be provided on the outer sidewall of the second boss 300. The first through hole 110 can be a circular through hole, the first limiting portion 111 can be a raised structure formed on the inner wall of the first through hole 110, the second boss 300 can be a circular boss, and the second limiting portion 331 can be a recessed structure formed on the outer wall of the second boss 300 and matching the shape and size of the first limiting portion 111. When the second boss 300 is assembled in the first through hole 110, the first limiting portion 111 and the second limiting portion 331 are engaged to fix the second boss 300 to the insulating base 100, thereby preventing the connecting portion 200 from rotating circumferentially in the first through hole 110.

[0028] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 3-5, a third limiting portion 131 is provided on the inner sidewall of the third boss 130 facing the first through hole 110, and a fourth limiting portion 321 is further provided on the connecting portion 200 to match the third limiting portion 131. Specifically, the fourth limiting portion 321 can be provided on the outer sidewall of the second boss 300. The second boss 300 is divided into a first sub-boss 320 and a second sub-boss 330 by the first groove 310. The first sub-boss 320 and the second sub-boss 330 are located on either side of the first groove 310, wherein the second limiting portion 331 is provided on the second sub-boss 330, and the fourth limiting portion 321 is provided on the first sub-boss 320. When the second boss 300 is assembled in the first through hole 110, the second limiting portion 331 is engaged with the first limiting portion 111, and the fourth limiting portion 321 is engaged with the third limiting portion 131, which can further enhance the connection stability between the connecting portion 200 and the insulating base 100 and prevent the connecting portion 200 from rotating circumferentially in the first through hole 110.

[0029] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, a fifth limiting portion 132 is provided on the side of the third boss 130 away from the first surface 101. The fifth limiting portion 132 limits the connection row of the external electrical equipment to prevent the connection row from rotating along the circumferential direction of the connecting rod 210, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the connection row and the battery pack connector. In this embodiment, the fifth limiting portion 132 includes at least two protrusions extending in a direction away from the first surface 101. The protrusions may be perpendicular to the insulating base 100. When the insulating base 100 is fixed to the case 600, the fifth limiting portion 132 protrudes from the outer surface of the case 600. When two protrusions are provided on the third boss 130, the two protrusions are symmetrically arranged about the central axis of the first through hole 110. The first end 201 of the connecting rod 210 is connected to an external wiring harness or device through a connecting row. The connecting row passes through the first end 201 of the connecting rod 210 and is fixed between two protrusions. The connecting row is limited by the protrusions to prevent the connecting row from rotating circumferentially along the connecting rod 210, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the connecting row and the battery pack connector.

[0030] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG4 , the insulating base 100 is further provided with at least one second through-hole 140, which is configured to be secured to the housing 600 via fasteners. The insulating base 100 may be diamond-shaped, and the first through-hole 110 may be located at the center of the insulating base 100. The insulating base 100 may also be provided with two second through-holes 140, one located on either side of the first through-hole 110. When securing the insulating base 100 to the housing 600, bolts may be passed through the housing 600 and the second through-holes 140 to secure the insulating base 100 to the housing 600.

[0031] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, a hollow fourth boss 150 is provided on the second surface 102. The fourth boss 150 covers the second through-hole 140 and communicates with the second through-hole 140 to form a blind hole. A first nut 151 is fixed in the blind hole. The fourth boss 150 can be a cylindrical groove structure. The fourth boss 150 has two opposing ends perpendicular to the insulating base 100, with an end proximal to the second through-hole 140 being open and an end distal to the second through-hole 140 being a bottom. The open end of the fourth boss 150 communicates with the second through-hole 140, and a first nut 151 is disposed in the groove of the fourth boss 150. When securing the insulating base 100 to the case 600, the first surface 101 of the insulating base 100 is aligned with the surface of the case 600. A bolt is inserted through a corresponding through-hole in the case 600, inserted into the first nut 151, and tightened to secure the insulating base 100 to the case 600, resulting in simple operation.

[0032] A positioning hole 152 is provided at one end of the blind hole away from the second through hole 140 , that is, a through hole penetrating the bottom of the fourth boss 150 is provided, and the positioning hole 152 is used for ejector pin demoulding of the mold.

[0033] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG2 , a waterproof seal ring 400 is further provided on the first surface 101 of the insulating base 100. The waterproof seal ring 400 is installed between the insulating base 100 and the case 600 to improve the waterproof level and prevent external water or liquid from entering the battery pack case 600. The shape of the waterproof seal ring 400 can be the same as that of the insulating base 100. The waterproof seal ring 400 is provided with a third through hole 410 corresponding to the first through hole 110 and a fourth through hole 420 corresponding to the second through hole 140 to facilitate the passage of the connecting rod 210 and fasteners through the waterproof seal ring 400. Among them, the inner diameter of the third through hole 410 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the third boss 130, the thickness of the waterproof sealing ring 400 can be consistent with the thickness of the third boss 130 in the direction perpendicular to the insulating base 100, and the waterproof sealing ring 400 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the third boss 130. The third boss 130 can limit the waterproof sealing ring 400 to prevent the waterproof sealing ring 400 from shifting in the direction parallel to the insulating base 100.

[0034] The present application also provides a battery pack, including a box body 600, a battery module located in the box body 600, and a battery pack connector as described above, wherein the battery pack connector is fixed to the box body 600 of the battery pack.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the battery pack connector can be assembled on the side wall of the box body 600. The side wall of the box body 600 is provided with a fifth through hole 610 and a sixth through hole 620 corresponding to the first through hole 110 and the second through hole 140 respectively. The battery pack connector can be assembled on the inner side of the box body 600, wherein the first surface 101 of the insulating base 100 is in contact with the inner wall of the box body 600, the first through hole 110 is opposite to the fifth through hole 610, and the first end 201 of the connecting rod 210 passes through the fifth through hole 610 and is connected to the external linear speed or device. The second end 202 of the connecting rod 210 is located in the box body 600 and is connected to the copper bus 500 on the battery module. The second end 202 passes through the hole reserved on the copper bus 500 and is bolted by the second nut 510; the second through hole 140 is opposite to the sixth through hole 620. The bolt is passed through the sixth through hole 620 and the second through hole 140 in sequence and bolted with the first nut 151 to fix the battery pack connector on the box body 600 and connect it to the copper bus 500 in the box body 600, so as to output the current of the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack.

[0036] A waterproof sealing ring 400 is provided between the first surface 101 of the insulating base 100 and the inner wall of the box body 600 to prevent external water or liquid from penetrating into the battery pack box body 600, meeting the IP67 protection level.

[0037] In the embodiment of the present application, the material of the housing 600 can be metal, plastic, or other materials, without specific limitation. The battery pack can be a low-voltage battery pack or a high-voltage battery pack. The battery pack connector is preferably used for low-voltage battery packs, but can also be used for high-voltage battery packs.

Claims

1. A battery pack connector for electrically connecting a battery module inside a battery pack to an electrical device outside the battery pack, comprising an insulating base (100) and a connecting portion (200); A first through hole (110) is provided on the insulating base (100). The insulating base (100) includes a first surface (101) and a second surface (102) facing away from each other. The first through hole (110) penetrates through the first surface (101) and the second surface (102); The connecting portion (200) is embedded in the first through hole (110) and fixed to the insulating base (100), and both ends of the connecting portion (200) extend out of the insulating base (100).

2. The battery pack connector according to claim 1, wherein, One of the inner side wall of the first through hole (110) and the connecting portion (200) is provided with a boss, and the other is provided with a groove, and the boss is received in the groove.

3. The battery pack connector according to claim 2, wherein, A first boss (120) is provided on the inner side wall of the first through hole (110) along the circumferential direction of the first through hole (110); The connecting portion (200) includes a connecting rod (210) and a second boss (300) surrounding the outer side wall of the connecting rod (210). A first groove (310) matching the first boss (120) is provided on the outer side wall of the second boss (300) facing away from the connecting rod (210), and the second boss (300) is inserted into the first through hole (110).

4. The battery pack connector according to claim 1, wherein, An insulating third boss (130) that continuously or discontinuously surrounds the first through hole (110) is provided on the first surface (101).

5. The battery pack connector according to claim 1, wherein, A first limiting portion (111) is further provided on the inner side wall of the first through hole (110), and the connecting portion (200) is further provided with a second limiting portion (331) matching the first limiting portion (111).

6. The battery pack connector according to claim 5, wherein, The first limiting portion (111) is a convex structure provided on the inner side wall of the first through hole (111), and the second limiting portion (331) is a concave structure provided on the outer side wall of the connecting portion (200) that cooperates with the convex structure.

7. The battery pack connector according to claim 4, wherein, A third limiting portion (131) is provided on the inner side wall of the third boss (130) facing the first through hole (110), and the connecting portion (200) is further provided with a fourth limiting portion (321) matching the third limiting portion (131).

8. The battery pack connector according to claim 4, wherein, A fifth limiting portion (132) is provided on the side of the third boss (130) away from the first surface (101).

9. The battery pack connector according to claim 8, wherein, The fifth limiting portion (132) includes at least two protrusions extending in the direction away from the first surface (101).

10. The battery pack connector according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, At least one second through hole (140) is further provided on the insulating base (100). A hollow fourth boss (150) is provided on the second surface (102). The fourth boss (150) covers the second through hole (140) and communicates with the second through hole (140) to form a blind hole, and a first nut (151) is fixed in the blind hole.

11. The battery pack connection member according to claim 10, wherein, A positioning hole (152) is provided at one end of the blind hole facing away from the second through hole (140).

12. The battery pack connection member according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, A waterproof sealing ring (400) is further provided on the first surface (101) of the insulating base (100).

13. The battery pack connection member according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The insulating base (100) is diamond-shaped.

14. The battery pack connector according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The connecting part (200) is a double-headed bolt.

15. A battery pack, comprising a box body (600), a battery module located in the box body (600), and a battery pack connecting piece as described in any one of claims 1-14, wherein the battery pack connecting piece is fixed on the box body (600) of the battery pack.

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