Patent Application
20240322470
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0039385, filed on Mar. 26, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery pack and a connector assembly.
Generally, secondary batteries are designed to be charged and discharged, unlike primary batteries that are not designed to be charged. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, etc. Depending on the type of external devices to which secondary batteries are to be applied, the secondary batteries may be used in the form of a single battery cell or in the form of a battery pack in which a plurality of battery cells are connected together and bundled into a unit.
A small mobile device, such as a mobile phone, may operate for a certain period of time with the output and capacity of only a single battery. However, when use for a long period of time and/or high power are desired, such as in the case of an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that consumes a lot of power, a battery pack is preferred due to the output and capacity thereof. Also, the output voltage or output current of the battery pack may be increased according to the number of batteries embedded therein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a battery pack and a connector assembly. A connector mediates an electrical connection between a detection wire for transmitting state information of battery cells and a circuit unit for collecting the state information of battery cells. The detection wire and the connector are firmly coupled to each other by using a retainer that is placed between the connector and the detection wire, and thus, separation of the detection wire may be effectively prevented. Also, a pressing operation of the connector for detachable fastening with the circuit unit is easily performed, and thus, the workability for the battery pack and the connector assembly may be improved.
Additional aspects and features of the present disclosure will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the described embodiments of the present disclosure.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack includes: a battery cell; a detection wire configured to transmit state information of the battery cell; a connector including a rim edge member and an accommodation member, the rim edge member surrounding an open end configured to receive a connection end of the detection wire, the accommodation member being recessed from the rim edge member in a first direction to enclose the connection end; and a retainer extending across the detection wire in a second direction crossing the first direction and coupled to the open end of the connector from the outside such that the retainer is between the connector and the detection wire in a third direction crossing both the first direction and the second direction.
The rim edge member may include a first upper block and a first lower block facing each other with the open end therebetween in the third direction. The first upper block may formed stepwise upwardly from a second upper block of the accommodation member, and the first lower block may be formed stepwise downwardly from a second lower block of the accommodation member.
The rim edge member may further include a pair of side blocks that connect the first upper block and the first lower block to each other to surround the open end, and each of the pair of side blocks may include a locking portion configured to be hook-coupled to the retainer.
The first upper block may include fixed blocks on both sides of the first upper block in the second direction and a movable block between the fixed blocks in the second direction.
The movable block may be connected to a support piece such that the movable block is configured to be raised and lowered between a restraint position and a release position according to a pressing operation. The support piece may extend from a hinge coupling portion at a front position of the accommodation member opposite the open end toward a rear position of the accommodation member along the accommodation member and may be pivotably supported about the hinge coupling portion.
The support piece may include a hook configured to attach and detach the connector.
The retainer may include a first plate between the movable block and the connection end of the detection wire in the third direction and at a rear position of the movable block in the first direction to cover the detection wire at a position outside the connector.
The retainer may include: a plate unit extending in the second direction across the connection end of the detection wire and covering the detection wire in a plate shape on a plane formed by the first direction and the second direction; and locking jaw blocks on both sides of the plate unit in the second direction and protruding in the third direction from both sides of the plate unit to prevent separation between the connector and the connection end of the detection wire.
The open end may define a boundary between the inside and the outside of the connector, and the plate unit may include a first plate extending in the second direction across the connection end of the detection wire outside the connector.
The plate unit may further include a second plate extending in the second direction across the connection end of the detection wire inside the connector.
The first and second plates may be arranged at levels offset from each other in the third direction.
The first plate may be at a higher level in the third direction and may be spaced apart from the detection wire outside the connector. The second plate may be at a lower level in the third direction and may be adjacent to the detection wire inside the connector.
The retainer may further include a protruding press bar extending across the connection end of the detection wire in the second direction at the open end between the first and second plates, and the protruding press bar may protrude in the third direction crossing the first and second directions.
Each of the locking jaw blocks may include: a first locking jaw rib configured to prevent separation from the connector; and a second locking jaw rib configured to prevent separation from the connection end of the detection wire.
The first locking jaw rib may extend forward in the first direction from each of both sides in the second direction of the plate unit that corresponds to an assembling direction in which the retainer is inserted into the open end.
The first locking jaw rib may be configured to be hook-coupled to a locking portion on the side block forming the open end.
The second locking jaw rib may extend in the second direction to connect the plate unit extending across the connection end of the detection wire to the first locking jaw rib and may be configured to be hook-coupled to a locking portion in the connection end of the detection wire.
The locking portion of the connection end may protrude from each of both sides of the connection end in the second direction.
The locking jaw block may further include an assembling block for alignment with the connector.
The assembling block and the first locking jaw rib may extend parallel to each other in the first direction, and a lateral accommodation space, into which the side block of the connector is inserted, may be formed between the assembling block and the first locking jaw rib.
The first and second locking jaw ribs may extend in the first and second directions, respectively, to surround the side block, and the first locking jaw rib may be configured to be hook-coupled to a locking portion of the side block.
The assembling block may e formed on the plate unit in the third direction, and the first and second locking jaw ribs may extend across upper and lower portions of the plate unit in the third direction. The first locking jaw rib may be configured to be hook-coupled to the connector above the plate unit, and the second locking jaw rib may be configured to be hook-coupled to the connection end of the detection wire below the plate unit.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector assembly includes: a connector including a rim edge member and an accommodation member, the rim edge member surrounding an open end to receive a connection end of a detection wire for transmitting state information of a battery cell therein, the accommodation member being recessed from the rim edge member in a first direction to enclose the connection end; and a retainer extending across the detection wire in a second direction crossing the first direction and coupled to the open end of the connector from the outside such that the retainer is between the connector and the detection wire in a third direction crossing both the first direction and the second direction.
The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference will now be made, in detail, to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the described embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects and features of the present description.
It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. For example, when a first element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.
In the figures, dimensions of the various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals designate the same elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” Expressions, such as “at least one of” and “any one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof. As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Hereinafter, a battery pack and a connector assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells 10, for example, a plurality of battery cells 10 arranged in one row. In embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the battery cells 10 may include a pair of electrodes E adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2, crossing the first direction Z1 in which the plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged. Also, charging and discharging power of the plurality of battery cells 10 are output toward external loads or input from external chargers toward the battery cells 10 by the electrical connection between the pair of electrodes E and a bus bar 15.
The plurality of battery cells 10 may form electrical connections between different battery cells 10 by using the bus bar 15, and the plurality of battery cells 10 electrically connected to each other using the bus bar 15 may input and output charging and discharging current through input and output terminals. For example, the plurality of battery cells 10 may be connected to external chargers to receive charging power or may output discharging power to external loads. For example, the bus bar 15 may connect the plurality of battery cells 10 in parallel by electrically connecting electrodes E of different battery cells 10 having the same polarity to each other or may connect the plurality of battery cells 10 in series by electrically connecting electrodes E of different battery cells 10 having opposite polarities to each other. The battery pack, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, may establish a parallel connection between different battery cells 10, a series connection between different battery cells 10, or a mixed series and parallel connection between different battery cells 10.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack may further include a circuit unit (e.g., a battery management system (BMS)) for acquiring the state information of the plurality of battery cells 10, such as temperature and voltage. For example, the circuit unit may be included as one component of the battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure or may be electrically connected to the battery pack as a component that is separate from the battery pack. The battery pack, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may include the detection wire W for transmitting state information of the plurality of battery cells 10, and the detection wire W may transmit the state information, collected from the plurality of battery cells 10, toward the circuit unit. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the detection wire W may include the connection end WC that is connected to the connector 100 for connection to the circuit unit.
The detection wire W may extend in the first direction Z1, in which the plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged, and may include the connection end WC connected to the connector 100. For example, the detection wire W may have one end and another end (e.g., an opposite end) in the first direction Z1 in which the battery cells 10 are arranged. The connection end WC formed at one end from among the one end and the other end of the detection wire W may be connected to the connector 100, and the connector 100, to which the connection end WC has been connected, may be connected to a connection part mounted to the circuit unit. Therefore, an electrical connection may be formed between the detection wire W and the circuit unit. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the detection wire W may be provided in the form of a flexible circuit board. For example, the detection wire W may be provided in the form of a flexible circuit board, such as an FFC (flexible flat cable) or an FPC (flexible printed circuit).
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the connection end WC of the detection wire W may be inserted into the connector 100 that mediates electrical connection with the circuit unit. For example, the connection end WC of the detection wire W may form one end thereof in the first direction Z1 corresponding to the length direction of the detection wire W or the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 10, and the one end of the detection wire W may have the same configuration as the remainder of the detection wire W. A uniform configuration may be provided from the connection end WC forming the one end of the detection wire W to the other end of the detection wire W. The detection wire W may include a conductive line and an insulating layer that covers the conductive line, and the connection end WC forming the one end of the detection wire W may also have a configuration including the conductive line and the insulating layer. For example, the connection end WC of the detection wire W may include only the conductive line and the insulating layer but may not include a rigid structure for separately imparting rigidity, such as a housing or rigid circuit board coupled to the connection end WC of the detection wire W. The connection end WC of the detection wire W, having a structure of a flexible circuit board, may be accommodated in the connector 100 and electrically connected to the connector 100. However, as described below, to expose a terminal pattern P1 formed at the front end of the connection end WC and to electrically connect the terminal pattern P1 to a pad pattern P2 of the connector 100 (see, e.g.,
The connection end WC may include the terminal pattern P1 forming the front end of the connection end WC in the first direction Z1, corresponding to the length direction of the detection wire W, and locking portions ST1 respectively formed on both sides, which are connected to the terminal pattern P1, of the connection end WC. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking portions ST1 may be formed on both sides of the connection end WC in the second direction Z2 that crosses the first direction Z1, corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the detection wire W. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking portions ST1 may be respectively hook-coupled to second locking jaw ribs 220 of the retainer 200, and the locking portions ST1 protruding in the second direction Z2 from both sides of the connection end WC may respectively come into contact with the second locking jaw ribs 220 extending in the second direction Z2. Therefore, the connection end WC including the locking portions ST1 and the retainer 200 including the second locking jaw ribs 220 may not separate from each other in the first direction Z1.
The connector 100 may include the rim edge member 110, which surrounds the open end OP that receives the connection end WC of the detection wire W to be inserted therein, and the accommodation member 150, which is recessed from the rim edge member 110 in the first direction Z1 to enclose the connection end WC. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector 100 may include the accommodation member 150 providing an accommodation space for the connection end WC at a front position, in the first direction Z1, in which the connection end WC of the detection wire W enters and the rim edge member 110 providing the open end OP connected to (e.g., open to) the accommodation space at a rear position in the first direction Z1. The connection end WC of the detection wire W may enter the inside of the connector 100 via the open end OP at the rear position in the first direction Z1 and may be accommodated in the accommodation space connected to the open end OP.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the rim edge member 110 may include a first upper block 110U and a first lower block 110L that face each other with the open end OP therebetween in the third direction Z3. Similarly, the accommodation member 150 may include a second upper block 150U and a second lower block 150L that face each other with the open end OP therebetween in the third direction Z3. For example, the first upper block 110U of the rim edge member 110 may be formed stepwise upwardly from the second upper block 150U of the accommodation member 150, and the first lower block 110L of the rim edge member 110 may be formed stepwise downwardly from the second lower block 150L of the accommodation member 150. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the rim edge member 110 may form the open end OP of the connector 100. The coupling positions (e.g., the locking portions ST2 that are hook-coupled to first locking jaw ribs 210 of the retainer 200) to the retainer 200 as a component adjacent to the connector 100 may be formed at the open end OP, and a movable block 110M for receiving a pressing operation for detachable coupling to a connection part of a circuit unit may be formed at the open end OP. Therefore, the rim edge member 110 having components related to coupling to neighboring components around the rim edge member 110 may have a relatively large thickness, and thus, a strong and durable coupling to adjacent components may be formed.
The rim edge member 110 may further include a pair of side blocks 110S that connect the first upper block 110U and the first lower block 110L to each other so as to surround the open end OP, and locking portions ST2 hook-coupled to the first locking jaw ribs 210 of the retainer 200 may be respectively formed on the side blocks 110S. For example, the locking portions ST2 of the side blocks 110S may be respectively formed on the outer surfaces of the pair of side blocks 110S arranged in a direction away from each other.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first upper block 110U and the first lower block 110L may be integrally coupled to (e.g., integrally formed with) each other by the pair of side blocks 110S that form the connection therebetween. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the pair of side blocks 110S may face each other in the second direction Z2 with the open end OP therebetween into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted. The pair of side blocks 110S may surround the open end OP together with the first upper block 110U and the first lower block 110L around the open end OP and may form the open end OP into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the accommodation member 150 providing an accommodation space, into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W inserted from the front position of the open end OP via the open end OP is accommodated, may include side surfaces 150S that integrally connect the second upper block 150U and the second lower block 150L to each other. The second upper block 150U and the second lower block 150L may be integrally connected to each other by the side surface 150S of the accommodation member 150.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first upper block 110U of the rim edge member 110 and the second upper block 150U of the accommodation member 150 may form an upper block of the connector 100, and the first lower block 110L of the rim edge member 110 and the second lower block 150L of the accommodation member 150 may form a lower block of the connector 100.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper block and the lower block may face each other in the third direction Z3 with the open end OP therebetween into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector 100 may accommodate the connection end WC of the detection wire W, include the pad pattern P2 (see, e.g.,
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the pad pattern P2 (see, e.g.,
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first upper block 110U may include fixed blocks 110F on both sides of the first upper block 110U in the second direction Z2 and a movable block 110M between the fixed blocks 110F on both sides of the first upper block 110U. The movable block 110M may be connected to a support piece SP such that the movable block 110M is raised and lowered between a restraint position and a release position according to a pressing operation (e.g., by being pressed downwardly), and the support piece SP extends from a hinge coupling portion HI formed at a front position of the accommodation member 150 opposite the open end OP along the accommodation member 150 and is supported pivotably about the hinge coupling portion HI. In more detail, the first upper block 110U may include the movable block 110M which receives a pressing operation to pivot about the hinge coupling portion HI and is pivotably separated from the fixed blocks 110F, which are blocks different from the movable block 110M in the upper block, to move up and down between the restraint position and the release position in the third direction Z3. For example, the movable block 110M may be pressed to a relatively lower release position while receiving the pressing operation, and the movable block 110M may be restored to an upper restraint position by an elastic restoring force of the hinge coupling portion HI when the pressing operation is removed. The movable block 110M may be raised and lowered between the restraint position and the release position in the third direction Z3 by elastic deformation centered on the hinge coupling portion HI or by elastic restoration accompanying the elastic deformation. Through interlocking with the movable block 110M, the connector 100 and a connection part of a circuit unit may be fastened to each other by a hook HK interlocking with the movable block 110M in the upper restraint position. Also, the connector 100 and the connection part of the circuit unit may be unfastened from each other when the movable block 110M is pressed to the lower release position.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the movable block 110M may be pivotably connected by the hinge coupling portion HI formed at a front position of the accommodation member 150 opposite to the open end OP, and the movable block 110M may be connected to the hinge coupling portion HI by the support piece SP that extends rearwardly from the hinge coupling portion HI and may be pivotally connected by the hinge coupling portion HI. The hinge coupling portion HI may be formed at a front position of the upper block in the first direction Z1, for example, at a front position of the second upper block 150U of the accommodation member 150. The hinge coupling portion HI may be supported pivotably about the hinge coupling portion HI by the support piece SP that extends onto the second upper block 150U from the hinge coupling portion HI formed at the front position of the second upper block 150U. For example, the movable block 110M may be connected to the hinge coupling portion HI by a pair of support pieces SP extending parallel to each other in the first direction Z1 and spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2, and the hinge coupling portion HI may also be provided in a pair spaced apart from each other in the second direction Z2. In embodiments of the present disclosure, hooks HK may be respectively formed on the pair of support pieces SP, and fastening strength between the connector 100 and the connection part of the circuit unit may be maintained in a balanced manner due to the pair of hooks HK formed on the pair of support pieces SP. In response to the pressing pressure applied to the movable block 110M, displacement of the movable block 110M may be appropriately maintained between the restraint position and the release position by the pair of hinge coupling portions HI and the pair of support pieces SP extending side by side from the pair of hinge coupling portions HI. The hooks HK on the support piece SP interlocked with the movable block 110M according to the displacement of the movable block 110M may be interlocked between a position at which physical interference with the connection part is possible, and a position at which the physical interference with the connection part is removed (or ceases).
The movable block 110M may be formed at a central position of the first upper block 110U extending in the second direction Z2, and the movable block 110M may be separated from the fixed blocks 110F formed on both sides in the second direction Z2 by clearance spaces and may be configured to receive a pressing operation. For example, the first upper block 110U of the rim edge member 110 forming the open end OP may include the movable block 110M formed at the central position of the rim edge member 110 for receiving the pressing operation and the pair of fixed blocks 110F formed on both sides of the movable block 110M. Also, the movable block 110M may be supported pivotably about the hinge coupling portion HI by the support piece SP that extends in the first direction Z1, while floating by a height from (or above) the accommodation member 150 (e.g., the second upper block 150U), from the hinge coupling portion HI formed at the front position of the connector 100. For example, the movable block 110M may be connected to the hinge coupling portion HI by the support piece SP that is raised to a height from the accommodation member 150 in the first direction Z1. The movable block 110M may be separated from the fixed blocks 110F by the clearance spaces in the second direction Z2. By being separated from other components of the connector 100, the movable block 110M may be elastically deformed and lowered according to a pressing operation or may be elastically restored and raised concurrently (or simultaneously) with removal of the pressing operation. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the support piece SP may extend rearwardly from the hinge coupling portion HI; for example, the support piece SP may be supported in the form of a cantilever beam to be pivotable about the hinge coupling portion HI located at the front position.
As described below, the retainer 200 may be coupled, from the outside of the connector 100, to the open end OP of the connector 100 into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted. The retainer 200 may include a first plate 251, which is located between the movable block 110M and the detection wire W in the third direction Z3 and at a rear position of the movable block 110M in the first direction Z1, to cover the detection wire W located at a position outside the connector 100. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first plate 251 may provide a support position (or a support surface) for a pressing operation that assists the pressing operation of the movable block 110M below the movable block 110M formed on the upper block. For example, as shown in
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the retainer 200 may include plate units 251 and 252, which extend in the second direction Z2 across the connection end WC of the detection wire W and cover the detection wire W, having a plate shape on a plane formed by the first direction Z1 in which the connection end WC of the detection wire W extends and the second direction Z2, and locking jaw blocks 230, which are located on both sides of the plate units 251 and 252 in the second direction Z2 and protrude in the third direction Z3 from both sides of the plate units 251 and 252 to prevent separation between the connector 100 and the connection end WC of the detection wire W, which are adjacent to the retainer 200.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, a boundary between the inside and outside of the connector 100 may be formed on the basis of the open end OP, which is open toward the outside of the connector 100 and into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted. The plate units 251 and 252 may include a first plate 251, which extends in the second direction Z2 across the connection end WC of the detection wire W at a position outside the connector 100, and a second plate 252, which extends in the second direction Z2 across the connection end WC of the detection wire W at a position inside the connector 100. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the plate units 251 and 252 including the first and second plates 251 and 252 may occupy (or may form) the largest area in the retainer 200. The first and second plates 251 and 252 may be arranged at different positions in the first direction Z1, for example, may be respectively arranged at different rear and front positions in the first direction Z1 in which the connection end WC of the detection wire W extends. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first direction Z1 may correspond to a direction in which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted into the open end OP of the connector 100 and/or a direction in which the retainer 200 is inserted into the open end OP of the connector 100. The retainer 200 may be inserted into the open end OP in the first direction Z1 onto the detection wire W which has been inserted into the open end OP of the connector 100 in the first direction Z1. In the retainer 200, the first plate 251 at a relatively rear position may cover the detection wire W outside the open end OP, for example, at a position outside the connector 100, and the second plate 252 at a relatively front position may cover the detection wire W inside the open end OP, for example, at a position inside the connector 100.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the retainer 200 may include a protruding press bar 253 formed at a position overlapping the open end OP in the first direction Z1. Also, the first and second plates 251 and 252 respectively formed behind and in front of the protruding press bar 253 may be at positions deviating from the open end OP. For example, the first plate 251 may be formed at the rear position deviating from the open end OP (e.g., the position outside the connector 100), and the second plate 252 may be formed at the front position deviating from the open end OP (e.g., the position inside the connector 100).
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second plates 251 and 252 may be arranged at levels offset from each other in the third direction Z3. For example, the first plate 251 may be at a higher level that is spaced relatively far from the detection wire W at the position outside the connector 100, and the second plate 252 may be at a lower level that is relatively adjacent to the detection wire W at the position inside the connector 100.
For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second plates 251 and 252 may be arranged at different positions in the first direction Z1, and the protruding press bar 253 may be formed between the first and second plates 251 and 252 in the first direction Z1. Also, the first and second plates 251 and 252 may be formed at positions offset from each other in the third direction Z3 on the basis of the protruding press bar 253, and the first and second plates 251 and 252, respectively formed on the outside and inside of the connector 100, may have different functions. For example, the first plate 251 may be formed at a level spaced apart from the detection wire W exposed to the position outside the connector 100, for example, at a relatively higher level spaced apart from (e.g., above) the detection wire W in the third direction Z3 by a height, and thus, the detection wire W may be protected from external impact. For example, the first plate 251 covering a portion of the detection wire W exposed to the outside of the connector 100 may protect the detection wire W against an external impact that may be applied from the outside of the connector 100. Also, the first plate 251 spaced apart from the detection wire W in the third direction Z3 by a height may conform to an external impact. For example, even if pressed (e.g., instantaneously pressed) in the third direction Z3, the first plate 251 may not directly contact the detection wire W because the first plate 251 is spaced apart from the detection wire W by a height in the third direction Z3. Therefore, the detection wire W may be reliably protected.
As illustrated in
The retainer 200 may include the protruding press bar 253 between the first and second plates 251 and 252 in the first direction Z1. The protruding press bar 253 may protrude, in the third direction Z3, from the plate units 251 and 252 including the first and second plates 251 and 252 toward the upper block of the connector 100 that forms the open end OP into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted. The protruding press bar 253 may fill a gap between the upper block of the connector 100 and the connection end WC. The connection end WC may be pressed within the open end OP of the connector 100 by the protruding press bar 253, and thus, accidental separation of the connection end WC from the connector 100 may be prevented.
The first and second plates 251 and 252 may not protrude toward the open end OP (e.g., the upper block forming the open end OP), similar to the protruding press bar 253, but may be provided in the form substantially parallel to the connection end WC of the detection wire W and overlapping the connection end WC. For example, the protruding press bar 253 may be force fitted with the connection end WC. However, the plate units 251 and 252 including the first and second plates 251 and 252 may contribute to co-planarity of the detection wire W, rather than forming the forced fitting of the connection end WC like the protruding press bar 253. For example, the first and second plates 251 and 252 may extend to the outside and inside of the connector 100, respectively, from the protruding press bar 253 or the open end OP in which the protruding press bar 253 is arranged. Therefore, wrinkles of the detection wire W arranged inside and outside the connector 100 may be prevented and the co-planarity thereof may be maintained. For example, in the retainer 200, the plate units 251 and 252 including the first and second plates 251 and 252 may be formed relatively closer to the lower block of the connector 100 than the upper block, and the protruding press bar 253 may protrude relatively closer to the upper block than the plate units 251 and 252.
The forced fitting of the detection wire W by the protruding press bar 253, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is described in more detail. The retainer 200 may be coupled to the open end OP of the connector 100 through which the connection end WC of the detection wire W enters. The protruding press bar 253 of the retainer 200 may press the connection end WC, which is accommodated via the open end OP of the connector 100, to prevent the connection end WC from being separated and may firmly maintain the coupled state of the connection end WC. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the retainer 200 may be coupled to the open end OP of the connector 100 into which the connection end WC is inserted. The protruding press bar 253 of the retainer 200 may be located between the upper block of the connector 100 and the connection end WC while being in contact with the same at a pressure to prevent the connection end WC from being separated. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the protruding press bar 253 of the retainer 200 may be force-fit into the open end OP into which the connection end WC is inserted and may fill a gap between the connection end WC and the open end OP, and thus, the connection between the connection end WC and the open end OP may not be loosened. Also, the connection end WC and the open end OP may come into close contact with each other, and thus, the connection end WC may not be separated via the open end OP.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the retainer 200 may fill a gap in the open end OP, into which the connection end WC is inserted, by using the protruding press bar 253 and may be coupled via (or in) the gap. Also, the retainer 200 may form (or may improve or ensure) the forced fitting connection between the connection end WC and the open end OP. Also, the retainer 200 may structurally prevent the separation of the connection end WC by using the locking jaw blocks 230 that extend across the locking portions ST1 formed in the connection end WC. In more detail, the retainer 200 may include the locking jaw blocks 230 that have the second locking jaw ribs 220 extending across the locking portions ST1 formed in the connection end WC.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking jaw blocks 230 may be located on both sides of the plate units 251 and 252 in the second direction Z2 and may protrude in the third direction Z3 from both sides of the plate units 251 and 252 to prevent separation between the connector 100 and the connection end WC of the detection wire W, which are adjacent to the retainer 200. Each of the locking jaw blocks 230 may include a first locking jaw rib 210 for preventing separation from the connector 100 and a second locking jaw rib 220 for preventing separation from the connection end WC of the detection wire W. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 may extend in the first and second directions Z1 and Z2, respectively, to surround a side block 110S of the connector 100, and the first locking jaw rib 210 may be hook-coupled to a locking portion ST2 of the side block 110S. For example, the first locking jaw ribs 210 may extend forward from both sides of the plate units 251 and 252 in the first direction Z1 corresponding to the assembling direction in which the retainer 200 is inserted into the open end OP. Also, the first locking jaw ribs 210 may be hook-coupled to the locking portions ST2 formed on the side blocks 110S that form the open end OP. The second locking jaw ribs 220 may extend in the second direction Z2 to connect the plate units 251 and 252 extending across the connection end WC of the detection wire W to the first locking jaw ribs 210 and may be hook-coupled to the locking portions ST1 formed in the connection end WC of the detection wire W. For example, the locking portions ST1 of the connection end WC may protrude from both sides of the connection end WC in the second direction Z2. Both the second locking jaw ribs 220 and the locking portions ST1 of the connection end WC, which are hook-coupled to each other, may extend in the second direction Z2 and may prevent the retainer 200 including the second locking jaw ribs 220 and the detection wire W including the connection end WC from separating from each other in the first direction Z1.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the locking jaw blocks 230 may further include an assembling block 201 for alignment with the connector 100. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembling block 201 may be inserted into an assembling space 130 formed in the upper block (e.g., the first upper block 110U of the rim edge member 110) of the connector 100, and thus, the positions between the retainer 200 including the assembling block 201 and the connector 100 including the upper block may be aligned. For example, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembling block 201 and the first locking jaw rib 210 may extend parallel to each other in the first direction Z1, and a lateral accommodation space G, into which the side block 110S of the connector 100 is inserted, may be formed between the assembling block 201 and the first locking jaw rib 210. For example, the first locking jaw rib 210 may be hook-coupled to the locking portion ST2 of the side block 110S accommodated in the lateral accommodation space G.
The hook coupling between the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is described in more detail. The first locking jaw rib 210 may be hook-coupled to the locking portion ST2 formed on the side block 110S, and thus, the retainer 200 including the first locking jaw rib 210 and the connector 100 including the side block 110S may not be separated from each other. For example, the first locking jaw rib 210 and the locking portion ST2 of the side block 110S may have inclined surfaces that are complementary to each other. The first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S may be prevented from separating from each other by using a separation-preventing surface that forms the contour connected to the inclined surfaces, and the inclined surface may have a relatively small slope and the separation-preventing surface may extend relatively steeply to avoid interfering with coupling between the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S. For example, the inclined surfaces of the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S may be inclined in the first direction Z1 and may allow the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S to be coupled to each other in the first direction Z1. Also, the separation-preventing surfaces of the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S may be formed in a direction generally perpendicular to the first direction Z1 and may prevent the first locking jaw rib 210 and the side block 110S from separating from each other in the first direction Z1. The retainer 200 may be coupled to the open end OP of the connector 100 in the first direction Z1. The side block 110S may enter the lateral accommodation space G formed between the assembling block 201 and the first locking jaw rib 210 of the retainer 200 to accommodate the side block 110S forming the open end OP of the connector 100. The locking portion ST2 of the side block 110S and the first locking jaw ribs 210 bending toward the lateral accommodation space G may be hook-coupled to each other.
The hook coupling between the second locking jaw rib 220 and the connection end WC of the detection wire W, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is described in more detail. The second locking jaw rib 220 may be hook-coupled to the connection end WC of the detection wire W, and thus, the retainer 200 including the second locking jaw rib 220 and the detection wire W may be prevented from separating from each other. For example, the locking portions ST1 may be formed in the connection end WC of the detection wire W. The retainer 200 may be coupled to the open end OP into which the connection end WC of the detection wire W is inserted, and the second locking jaw rib 220 of the retainer 200 may extend in the second direction Z2 across a locking portion ST1 formed in the connection end WC. The second locking jaw rib 220 and the locking portion ST1 of the connection end WC may be hook-coupled to each other.
The position alignment between assembling blocks 201 and the connector 100, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, is described in more detail. The assembling blocks 201 may be respectively inserted into assembling spaces 130 formed on both sides of the upper block (e.g., the first upper block 110U of the rim edge member 110). An assembling space 130 spaced apart from the side block 110S may be formed in the upper block. Because the assembling blocks 201 are inserted into the assembling spaces 130 of the upper block, the positions between the connector 100 including the upper block and the retainer 200 including the assembling blocks 201 may be aligned to each other. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the coupling between the retainer 200 and the connector 100 may be established both by the position alignment between the assembling blocks 201 of the retainer 200 and the assembling spaces 130 of the connector 100 and by the hook coupling between the first locking jaw ribs 210 of the retainer 200 and the locking portions ST2 of the connector 100.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembling blocks 201 may be formed on the plate units 251 and 252 and may protrude from the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3. The first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 may extend across the lower and upper portions of the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3. The first locking jaw ribs 210 may be hook-coupled to the locking portions ST2 of the side blocks 110S above the plate units 251 and 252, and the second locking jaw ribs 220 may be hook-coupled to the connection end WC of the detection wire W below the plate units 251 and 252.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, the assembling blocks 201 may be formed on the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3. For example, the fact that the assembling block 201 is formed on the plate units 251 and 252 may indicate that the assembling block 201 is formed on either the first plate 251 or the second plate 252 or is formed across the first and second plates 251 and 252 on both the first and second plates 251 and 252. For example, the above may ˜indicate that the assembling block 201 is formed over the protruding press bar 253 adjacent to the first plate 251 or the second plate 252.
In embodiments of the present disclosure, that the locking jaw block 230 extends across the plate units 251 and 252 may indicate that portions of the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 are formed at a higher level than the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3 and that other portions of the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 are formed at a lower level than the plate units 251 and 252. In embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be understood that the upper and lower blocks of the connector 100 are arranged respectively above and below the connection end WC in the third direction Z3 on the basis of the connection end WC of the detection wire W that enters via the open end OP. On the basis of the plate units 251 and 252 located at a level adjacent to the connection end WC of the detection wire W, the assembling block 201 inserted into the assembling space 130 of the upper block located above the plate units 251 and 252 may be formed on the plate units 251 and 252 to face the upper block. Different from the assembling block 201, the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 may extend across the plate units 251 and 252 and may include portions formed above the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3 and other portions formed below the plate units 251 and 252. To form the hook coupling to the locking portions ST2 of the connector 100 located above the plate units 251 and 252 and the hook coupling to the locking portions ST1 formed in the connection end WC of the detection wire W located below the plate units 251 and 252, the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 may be formed across the upper and lower portions of the plate units 251 and 252.
Based on the overall shape of the retainer 200, the retainer 200 may include the first and second plates 251 and 252 extending toward the outside and inside of the connector 100, respectively, at levels offset from each other in the third direction Z3, on the basis of the protruding press bar 253 formed at the position of the open end OP in the first direction Z1. Also, the retainer 200 may include the pair of locking jaw blocks 230 formed on both sides, in the second direction Z2, of the plate units 251 and 252 including the first and second plates 251 and 252. Each of the locking jaw blocks 230 may include the assembling block 201 formed on the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3 and the first and second locking jaw ribs 210 and 220 extending across the plate units 251 and 252 in the third direction Z3.
Also, a connector assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may include a connector 100 and a retainer 200. The connector 100 may include the rim edge member 110, which surrounds the open end OP opened so that the connection end WC of the detection wire W for transmitting the state information of the battery cells 10 can be inserted therein, and the accommodation member 150, which is recessed from the rim edge member 110 in the first direction Z1 to enclose the connection end WC. The retainer 200 may extend across the detection wire W in the second direction Z2 crossing the first direction Z1 and may be coupled to the open end OP of the connector 100 from the outside so that the retainer 200 is located between the connector 100 and the detection wire W in the third direction Z3 crossing both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2.
Aspects and features of the connector 100 and the retainer 200 forming the connector assembly are substantially the same as or similar to those described above, and thus, repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. For example, the connector assembly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may include components, such as the connector 100 and the retainer 200, which are substantially the same as or similar to those described with reference to the battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the connector assembly may not include the battery cells 10 and the detection wire W for transmitting the state information of the battery cells 10 from among the components of the battery pack described above.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack and the connector assembly may be provided. The connector may mediate an electrical connection between the detection wire for transmitting the state information of the battery cells and the circuit unit for collecting the state information of the battery cells. The detection wire and the connector may be firmly coupled to each other by using the retainer that is placed between the connector and the detection wire, and thus, the detection wire may not separate from the connector. Also, the pressing operation of the connector for detachable fastening with the circuit unit may be easily performed, and thus, the workability for the battery pack and the connector assembly may be improved.
It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0039385 | Mar 2023 | KR | national |
