Bolt combined with insulating cover

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bolt comprising: a threaded part having a groove formed on the outer surface thereof; a head part positioned at one end of the threaded part and having a larger diameter than the threaded part; and an insulating cover coupled to the head part, wherein a groove for inserting a driver is formed in the insulating cover, and a concave part or groove part that engages with the insulating cover is formed in the head part.

Description

Bolts with combined insulation covers

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0094554, filed July 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a bolt with an insulating cover attached. Specifically, the invention relates to a bolt with an insulating cover attached, which is used as a means for ensuring the insulation of a bolt, which is a connecting member, when assembling a battery module and battery pack containing a plurality of lithium secondary batteries.

[0003]

[0004] As the need to address environmental pollution becomes more urgent, industry is increasingly interested in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, lithium secondary batteries, a type of eco-friendly energy source, are expanding their use as an alternative to fossil fuels.

[0005] In order to meet the output required in a device to which a lithium secondary battery is applied, a battery module can be manufactured by electrically connecting multiple battery cells, and a high-output and high-capacity battery pack can be manufactured by connecting the battery modules in series / parallel.

[0006] When forming an electrical connection structure within a battery pack by connecting multiple battery modules using a -shaped bus bar, the battery modules are arranged so that the terminals of the battery modules are arranged at the center of the battery pack, and the bus bar is connected to the terminals of the battery modules so that different battery modules can be electrically connected.

[0007] Bolts can be used as a means of connecting bus bars to the terminals of battery modules, and bolts are typically made of electrically conductive metal. When thermal runaway of a battery cell occurs within a battery pack, discharged matter may be emitted from the thermally runaway battery cell, and the discharged matter may fly and adhere to the bolts connecting the terminals and bus bars of the battery module. If the discharged matter from the battery cell flying within the battery pack adheres to the bolts, a short circuit may occur.

[0008] To prevent such problems, a technique of adding various types of insulating covers to the head of the bolt is being used.

[0009] Fig. 1 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to a first comparative example of the prior art, Fig. 2 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to a second comparative example of the prior art, and Fig. 3 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to a third comparative example of the prior art. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the bolt includes a threaded portion (110) having a groove formed on the outer surface and a head portion (120) coupled to one end of the threaded portion (110), and an insulating cover (130) coupled to the head portion (120).

[0010] In the bolt illustrated in Fig. 1, the insulating cover (130) is configured in a cylindrical shape with a bottom to cover the upper surface and side surfaces of the head portion (120), and a driver insertion groove (131) is formed in the center (132). The upper surface of the head portion (120) is configured as a smooth circular plane, so that a driver can be inserted into the driver insertion groove (131) and rotated while the insulating cover (130) is coupled to the head portion (120) to perform bolt tightening work. However, since the bonding strength between the insulating cover (130) and the head portion (120) is weak, there may be a problem in which the insulating cover (130) is separated from the head portion (120) when the bolt is fastened, resulting in only the insulating cover (130) rotating.

[0011] In the bolt illustrated in Fig. 2, the insulating cover (130) is configured in a ring shape with an open center (132). Therefore, when the insulating cover (130) is coupled to the head (120), the head (120) is exposed through the center (132) of the insulating cover (130). Since the head (120) has a groove (121), a driver can be inserted into the groove (121) to fasten the bolt. However, since the electrically conductive head (120) is exposed, a process of applying heat-resistant silicone to the head (120) to insulate it is necessary.

[0012] In the bolt illustrated in FIG. 3, the insulating cover (130) is configured to completely cover a portion of the upper surface, side surface, and lower surface of the head portion (120). In such a case, the bolt must be manufactured by insert injection molding, but the mold manufacturing cost for insert injection molding is higher than the manufacturing cost of the insulating cover illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Furthermore, due to the nature of the bolt, which requires hundreds of thousands of units to be produced, repetitive mold manufacturing costs are required, which may increase the cost.

[0013] Therefore, a technology is needed that can secure the insulation of the bolt itself while forming a stable bolt joint by stably connecting the insulating cover to the head of the bolt and preventing the insulating cover from rotating around the head of the bolt when tightening the bolt, as a bolt used to connect the electrical components inside the battery pack.

[0014]

[0015] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem, and provides a bolt with an insulating cover that increases the bonding strength between the insulating cover and the head, thereby enabling stable bonding of parts to be fastened with the bolt, and ensuring the insulating properties of the bolt.

[0016]

[0017] To achieve this purpose, a bolt according to the present invention comprises a threaded portion having a groove formed on an outer surface, a head portion located at one end of the threaded portion and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the threaded portion, and an insulating cover coupled to the head portion, wherein the insulating cover has a groove formed for inserting a driver, and the head portion may have a recess or groove formed for engaging with the insulating cover.

[0018] The above insulating cover can be combined in a form that covers the entire upper surface of the head.

[0019] The lower part of the above insulating cover may include a concave joint to surround the upper surface and side surfaces of the head.

[0020] A groove having a shape corresponding to the groove formed in the head portion may be formed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned joint portion.

[0021] A groove formed in the head portion may be formed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned joint portion in a shape corresponding to the groove formed in the head portion.

[0022] The driver insertion groove formed in the insulating cover may be formed in a raised shape in a joint formed on the inner surface of the insulating cover, and the head portion may be formed with a receiving groove that receives the driver insertion groove.

[0023] In a state where the above insulating cover is coupled to the head, the bottom of the driver insertion groove can be in close contact with the inner surface of the receiving groove.

[0024] The head portion may have a step formed on the outer periphery so that the outer periphery is thinner than the center.

[0025] A plurality of slits are formed on the outer periphery of the head, and the plurality of slits are formed in a shape extending from the outer periphery of the head toward the center of the head, and a plurality of protrusions inserted into each of the plurality of slits may be formed on the lower part of the insulating cover.

[0026] A plurality of slits are formed on the outer periphery of the head, and the plurality of slits are formed in a shape inclined at an angle greater than -90° and less than 0°, or greater than 0° and less than 90°, with respect to the circumferential direction of the head, and a plurality of protrusions inserted into each of the plurality of slits may be formed on the lower part of the insulating cover.

[0027] All of the above plurality of slits may be configured in a shape inclined at the same angle.

[0028] The plurality of slits are formed in four or more, and the angles at which the plurality of slits are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the head can be configured in a form in which -x° and y° are repeated, and in this case, 0 <x<90, 0<y<90 일 수 있다.

[0029] The above insulating cover includes a central portion having a groove for inserting the driver and a peripheral portion that is an outer periphery of the central portion, and the central portion may be configured in a shape that is more sunken than the peripheral portion.

[0030]

[0031] The present invention can also be provided in a form in which various means for solving the above problem are combined.

[0032]

[0033] When connecting a battery module using a bolt according to the present invention, even if discharged matter from a battery cell during thermal runaway is scattered and attached to the head of the bolt, a short circuit can be prevented because the head is completely covered with an insulating cover.

[0034] Additionally, since the bonding strength between the bolt and the insulating cover is improved, parts joined using the bolt can be stably fixed.

[0035] In addition, the assembly process can be simplified because a separate process for insulating the head of the bolt can be omitted.

[0036]

[0037] Figure 1 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to a first comparative example of the prior art.

[0038] Figure 2 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to a second conventional comparative example.

[0039] Figure 3 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to a third conventional comparative example.

[0040] Figure 4 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 6 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 7 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 8 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0045]

[0046] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, so that those with ordinary skill in the art can easily practice the present invention. In describing the operating principles of the embodiments of the present invention in detail, if a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0047] Parts with similar functions and actions are designated by the same drawing reference numerals throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only direct connections but also indirect connections with other elements intervening. Furthermore, inclusion of a component does not exclude other components unless otherwise specifically stated, but rather implies the inclusion of additional components.

[0048] The description that concretizes or adds to the components may be applied to all inventions unless there is a special limitation, and is not limited to the description of a specific invention.

[0049] Throughout the description and claims of the invention herein, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0050] Throughout the description and claims of the present invention, the term "or" includes "and" unless otherwise stated. Therefore, "comprising A or B" means all three cases of including A, including B, or including A and B.

[0051] The present invention is described in detail with examples according to the drawings.

[0052] Figures 4 to 8 illustrate exploded views and perspective views of bolts according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] A bolt according to the present invention includes a threaded portion (210) having a groove formed on an outer surface, a head portion (220) located at one end of the threaded portion (210) and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the threaded portion (210), and an insulating cover (230) coupled to the head portion (220). The insulating cover (230) may be coupled to the head portion (220) in a form that covers the entire upper surface of the head portion (220), and more specifically, the insulating cover (230) may be added to the outer surfaces of the upper surface and side surfaces of the head portion (220).

[0054] The lower part of the insulating cover (230) may be formed with a concave joint to cover the upper surface and side surfaces of the head (220).

[0055] The insulating cover (230) includes a central portion (232) in which a groove (231) for inserting a driver is formed, and a peripheral portion (233) which is the outer periphery of the central portion (232), and the central portion (232) may be configured in a more sunken shape than the peripheral portion (233).

[0056] However, it is of course possible that, contrary to this, the central portion may be configured in a hemispherical shape and the peripheral portion may extend toward the head.

[0057] Additionally, the head may be formed not only in a circular shape on a plane but also in a polygonal shape, and the insulating cover may be formed in a shape corresponding to the head so as to be tightly coupled to the head.

[0058] The head (220) may be formed with a groove or a ridge that is engaged with the insulating cover (230). A groove corresponding to the ridge formed in the head (220) may be formed on the bottom surface (234) of the insulating cover (230), or a groove corresponding to the groove formed in the head (220) may be formed on the bottom surface (234) of the insulating cover (230), and the ridge and the groove may be engaged with each other, thereby improving the bonding strength between the head (220) and the insulating cover (230). Accordingly, when a bolt according to the present invention is used to attach a bus bar to a terminal of a battery module, not only can the insulating cover (230) be prevented from being separated from the head (220) and only rotating, but the bonding strength of the bolt can be improved, so that the bus bar can be stably attached to the terminal of the battery module.

[0059] The material of the insulating cover (230) is not particularly limited as long as it is a material having insulating properties, and may be composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of, for example, silicone series, polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, ceramic, polycarbonate, and polybutylene terephthalate.

[0060] Figure 4 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, the bolt according to the first embodiment has a recess (221) formed on the upper surface of the head portion (220), and a groove (235) formed on the bottom surface (234) of the joint portion that connects with the upper surface of the head portion (220) in the insulating cover (230). The groove (235) formed on the bottom surface (234) of the joint portion is configured in a shape corresponding to the recess (221) formed on the head portion (220), and the groove (235) is configured in the same size and shape as the recess (221) and is formed in a position corresponding to each other. When the insulating cover (230) is connected to the head portion (220), the recess (221) is inserted into the recess (235), so that the insulating cover (230) and the head portion (220) can be stably connected. Therefore, when the bolt is rotated to fasten the bolt, the insulating cover (230) and the head (220) can be stably maintained in a combined state.

[0062] Figure 5 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, a bolt according to the second embodiment has a groove (222) formed on the upper surface of the head portion (220) and a recess formed on the bottom surface (234) of the joint portion that joins the upper surface of the head portion (220) in the insulating cover (230). The recess formed on the bottom surface (234) is a groove (231) formed on the insulating cover (230) for inserting a driver that protrudes in a raised manner from the bottom surface (234) of the joint portion formed on the inner surface of the insulating cover (230), and the recess (222) formed on the head portion (220) becomes a receiving groove that receives the groove (231) for inserting a driver.

[0064] When a bolt is fastened while a driver is inserted into the driver insertion groove (231), in order to transmit the rotational force of the driver to the bolt, the bottom of the driver insertion groove (231) may be configured to be in close contact with the inner surface of the receiving groove while the insulating cover (230) is coupled to the head (220). Accordingly, since the driver inserted into the driver insertion groove can rotate while being inserted all the way into the receiving groove, the driver can rotate the insulating cover and the head together.

[0065] Meanwhile, the shape of the head (220) may be configured such that the outer periphery of the upper and lower surfaces is the same, like the bolt according to the first embodiment, or may be configured such that the outer periphery of the head (220) has a step, like the bolt according to the second embodiment. That is, the head (220) may have a shape in which the outer periphery is thinner than the center. In the case where the head (220) has a step, like the bolt according to the second embodiment, the insulating cover (230) may be configured such that it extends only to the upper surface of the outer periphery of the head (220).

[0066] Figure 6 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the bolt according to the third embodiment is configured in a form in which a groove (222) is formed on the upper surface of the head (220) and a groove is formed on the bottom surface (234) of the insulating cover (230), like the bolt according to the second embodiment.

[0068] According to the third embodiment, a bolt has a plurality of slits (223) formed on the outer periphery of the head (220), and the plurality of slits (223) are formed in a form extending from the outer periphery of the head (220) toward the center of the head (220). A plurality of protrusions (236) are formed on the lower part of the insulating cover (230) to be inserted into each of the plurality of slits (223).

[0069] Since the bolt according to the third embodiment includes a plurality of slits (223) and a plurality of protrusions (236) inserted between the plurality of slits (223), the bonding force between the insulating cover (230) and the head portion (220) can be increased. In particular, since the protrusions (236) are inserted into the slits (223) while extending to penetrate the head portion (220) along the thickness direction of the head portion (220), when the insulating cover (230) is rotated with a driver coupled to the driver insertion groove (231) of the insulating cover, the rotational force of the insulating cover (230) is transmitted to the head portion (220), so that the head portion (220) can be rotated. Therefore, the insulating cover (230) can be prevented from being separated or peeled off from the head portion (220).

[0070] Figure 7 is an exploded view and a perspective view of a bolt according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 7, the bolt according to the fourth embodiment is similar to the bolt according to the third embodiment in that a plurality of slits (223) are formed in the head portion (220), and a plurality of protrusions (236) are formed in the lower portion of the insulating cover (230) to be inserted into each of the plurality of slits (223).

[0072] However, the direction of the plurality of slits (223) in the bolt according to the fourth embodiment is different from the plurality of slits formed in the bolt according to the third embodiment.

[0073] In the bolt according to the fourth embodiment, a plurality of slits (223) are formed in an inclined shape at an angle greater than -90° and less than 0°, or greater than 0° and less than 90°, with respect to the circumferential direction of the head portion (220).

[0074] The above circumferential direction refers to the tangential direction of the head (220), which is circular in plan view when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the plurality of slits (223) should not coincide with the tangential direction of the head, and are formed so as not to be perpendicular to the tangential direction. That is, they are formed in a form inclined at an angle greater than -90° and less than 0°, or greater than 0° and less than 90°, with respect to the tangential direction.

[0075] In the case where the slit is formed in an inclined shape like this, the rotational force for rotating the insulating cover (230) can be transmitted to the head (220) more effectively compared to the bolt according to the third embodiment.

[0076] In one specific example, all of the plurality of slits may be formed to have the same inclined angle as illustrated in FIG. 7. In this case, if the plurality of slits (223) are formed to be inclined at an angle greater than -90° and less than 0° with respect to the circumferential direction of the head portion (220), the rotational force for rotating the insulating cover can be effectively transmitted to the head portion.

[0077] Figure 8 is an exploded view and perspective view of a bolt according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] Referring to Fig. 8, the bolt according to the fifth embodiment is different from the bolt according to the fourth embodiment in that the directions of the plurality of slits (223) are not constant.

[0079] According to the fifth embodiment, a bolt has four or more slits (223a, 223b), and in FIG. 8, eight slits (223a, 223b) are formed. The angles at which the slits (223a, 223b) are inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the head portion (220) may be configured in a form in which -x° and y° are repeated. At this time, x and y may individually be values ​​greater than 0 and less than 90. In FIG. 8, the inclination angle of the slit (223a) is greater than -90° and less than 0°, and the inclination angle of the slit (223b) is configured to be greater than 0° and less than 90°.

[0080] In this way, when the inclination directions of the plurality of slits (223) are alternately formed in the - direction and the + direction, the rotational force for rotating the insulating cover can be effectively transmitted to the head not only when tightening the bolt but also when loosening it.

[0081] Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above contents.

[0082] (Explanation of symbols)

[0083] 110, 210: Threaded part

[0084] 120, 220: Head

[0085] 121: Home

[0086] 130, 230: Insulating cover

[0087] 131, 231: Hole for driver insertion

[0088] 132, 232: Center

[0089] 221: The waist

[0090] 222, 235: Home

[0091] 223, 223a, 223b: Slits

[0092] 233: Periphery

[0093] 234: Floor surface

[0094] 236: Protrusion

Claims

1. Screw thread portion with grooves formed on the outer surface; A head portion located at one end of the screw portion and having a diameter larger than the diameter of the screw portion; and An insulating cover coupled to the above head; Including, The above insulating cover has a groove formed for inserting a driver, A bolt having a groove or a groove formed in the head portion to engage with the insulating cover.

2. In paragraph 1, The above insulating cover is a bolt that is joined in a form that covers the entire upper surface of the head.

3. In paragraph 1, A bolt having a concave joint portion that wraps around the upper surface and side surfaces of the head portion at the lower portion of the insulating cover.

4. In paragraph 3, A bolt having a groove formed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned joint in a shape corresponding to the groove formed in the above-mentioned head.

5. In paragraph 3, A bolt having a groove formed on the bottom surface of the above-mentioned joint portion in a shape corresponding to the groove formed on the above-mentioned head portion.

6. In paragraph 1, The driver insertion groove formed in the above insulating cover is formed in relief at the joint formed on the inner surface of the above insulating cover, The above head is a bolt having a receiving groove formed therein for receiving the driver insertion groove.

7. In paragraph 6, A bolt in which the bottom of the driver insertion groove is in close contact with the inner surface of the receiving groove while the insulating cover is connected to the head.

8. In paragraph 1, A bolt with a step formed on the outer periphery so that the outer periphery is thinner than the center portion.

9. In paragraph 1 or paragraph 6, A plurality of slits are formed on the outer periphery of the above head, The above plurality of slits are formed in a shape extending from the outer periphery of the head toward the center of the head, A bolt having a plurality of protrusions formed on the lower part of the insulating cover to be inserted into each of the plurality of slits.

10. In paragraph 1 or paragraph 6, A plurality of slits are formed on the outer periphery of the above head, The above plurality of slits are formed in a shape inclined at an angle greater than -90° and less than 0°, or greater than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the circumferential direction of the head portion, A bolt having a plurality of protrusions formed on the lower part of the insulating cover to be inserted into each of the plurality of slits.

11. In paragraph 10, A bolt in which all of the above plurality of slits are configured in a shape inclined at the same angle.

12. In paragraph 10, The above plurality of slits are formed in four or more, The above plurality of slits are configured in a form in which the angles inclined with respect to the circumferential direction of the head are repeated -x° and y° (0 <x<90, 0<y<90).

13. In paragraph 1, The above insulating cover includes a central portion having a groove for inserting the driver and a peripheral portion which is an outer periphery of the central portion, A bolt having a central portion that is sunken in more than the peripheral portion.

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