WO2024012875A1

WO2024012875A1 - Assembly for connection to a terminal of a storage battery module

Info

Publication number: WO2024012875A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/067610
Authority: WO
Inventors: Julien BORIE; Joseph Lefebvre; Laurent POMMIES
Original assignee: Ampere S.A.S.
Priority date: 2022-07-13
Filing date: 2023-06-28
Publication date: 2024-01-18
Also published as: FR3138011A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for connection to a terminal (18) of a storage battery module (10), the storage battery module having a top (15) and a recess (14) provided in the top, the recess (14) having a bottom (16), while the terminal (18) extends over the bottom (16). The connection assembly comprises a conductor bar (22) having a longitudinal portion (24) extended by an end and an opening (36) pierced through the end, and a screw (40) suitable for being inserted through the opening (36). The end is curved into a U shape so as to form a free flange (28) having the opening (36). The curved end (26) is inserted into the recess (14) in order to apply the free flange (28) against the terminal (18), while the screw (40) is inserted between the longitudinal part (24) and the free flange (28) in order to be able to insert the screw (40) through the opening (36).

Description

Connection assembly to a terminal of a storage battery module

[0001] [The present invention relates to a connection assembly to a terminal of a storage battery module.

[0002] One envisaged field of application is in particular, but not exclusively, that of the automobile industry for electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0003] Indeed, such vehicles require the use of accumulator batteries, which are associated by block and connected together electrically by means of conductive bars called “busbars”.

[0004] These busbars are usually flat and allow electricity to be conducted efficiently. They are generally made of copper or aluminum. [0005] Known connection assemblies include such busbars, which connect the terminals of two accumulator battery modules.

[0006] Reference can be made to document US 2020/0295336 A1, which describes such a connection assembly.

[0007] The terminals thus have a nut while the busbar has an orifice through which a threaded rod, or a screw, is inserted so that it can be screwed through the nut.

[0008] Such an assembly is relatively prominent above the accumulator battery module, in a context where space is limited.

[0009] Also, it was imagined to install the terminals of the modules set back from their top in a vertical recess. Consequently, the busbars which extend at the top of the accumulator battery module are connected to the terminal by means of a relatively long screw with, in addition, spacers and/or washers between the busbar and the terminal. so as to be able to ensure electrical conduction.

[0010] Consequently, such an arrangement causes electrical losses and is relatively expensive. [0011] Also, a problem which arises and which the present invention aims to resolve is to provide a connection assembly which is not only relatively simple and therefore less expensive, but also which is not very prominent.

[0012] For this purpose, a connection assembly is proposed to a terminal of a storage battery module, said storage battery module having a top and a recess formed in said top, said recess having a bottom , while said terminal extends over said bottom, said connection assembly comprising, on the one hand a conductive bar having a longitudinal part extended by one end and an orifice drilled in said end, and on the other hand a screw adapted to be engaged through said orifice to connect together said end and said terminal. Said end of said conductive bar is curved into a U so as to form a free wing having said orifice and extending opposite said longitudinal part; and said curved end is adapted to be engaged inside said recess to apply said free wing against said terminal, while said screw is inserted between said longitudinal part and said free wing to be able to engage said screw through said orifice.

[0013] Thus, a characteristic of the invention lies in the U-shaped implementation of the end of the conductive bar, commonly referred to as "busbar", so as to be able to arrange the deformed end in the recess, while the The free wing is applied to the terminal. In this way, we take advantage of the space extending inside the U-shaped part to insert the screw making it possible to force the free wing against the terminal, as will be explained in more detail below. After.

[0014] Consequently, the busbar which extends in its U-curved end can then ensure the conduction of electric current from the terminal with the greatest efficiency without an intermediate conductor. In addition, the connection between the busbar and the terminal is made inside the recess, using a relatively short screw. Therefore, the connection does not obstruct the space at the top of the storage battery module.

[0015] Also, it will be observed that such an implementation is relatively inexpensive and that it does not require any particular industrial means, other than the folding and stamping means usually used.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, said longitudinal part has a drilling made to the right of said orifice. Thus, the drilling of the longitudinal part is substantially coaxial with the orifice made in the free wing. In this way, after the screw has been inserted through the orifice, it is easy to introduce a screwing member through the drilling to be able to cause the screw to rotate via its head. The screwing member can be a screwdriver if the screwing is carried out manually, or a screwdriver.

[0017] Preferably, the screw head has a relatively large diameter so as to be able to ensure significant pressure on the free wing. Furthermore, advantageously, the screw head has a hexagonal recess for example, or a six-branched cross.

[0018] Furthermore, said orifice is preferably oblong in shape and it extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal part. In other words, the oblong orifice extends transversely in the free wing. In this way, it is easy to introduce the screw through the orifice in an inclined manner without being hindered by the longitudinal part of the busbar. Such a characteristic is particularly advantageous when the screw has a length greater than the distance which extends between the free wing and the longitudinal part of the busbar precisely.

According to another embodiment, said free wing having a lateral edge, said orifice is open laterally in said lateral edge. In this way, the screw can then be pre-engaged through the terminal, while the free wing of the curved end of the busbar can be engaged between the head of the screw and the terminal. Then, tightening the screw makes it possible to force the free wing against the terminal and thus ensure electrical conduction.

[0020] According to a particular, but non-limiting, embodiment, the connection assembly further comprises a protective shell adapted to cover said curved end. In this way, the connection between the U-curved end of the busbar and the terminal is entirely covered by a protective shell allowing it to be isolated from the outside. Furthermore, the busbar itself is covered with protection, right up to the protective shell.

[0021] Preferably, said shell has a light capable of coming to the right of said drilling. In this way, it is possible to access the screw head through the hull and drill the longitudinal part of the busbar using a tool. As a result, the curved end of the busbar can be separated from the terminal without dismantling of the hull. Conversely, the curved end can be secured to the terminal with the shell.

According to another particular embodiment of the invention, said shell comprises two half-shells adapted to be assembled on said curved end. Thus, after the curved end has been connected to the terminal, the shell can then be installed by bringing the two half-shells laterally onto the curved end.

Advantageously, said two half-shells are assembled by clipping. They can also be assembled by gluing or even by ultrasonic welding or any other means of joining for electrically insulating materials.

[0024] Furthermore, said two half-shells preferably have half-spacers adapted to meet inside said curved end when said two half-shells are assembled on said curved end. The half-spacers allow, in addition to mechanically reinforcing the shell, to hold the screw through the hole in the free wing when the screw is unscrewed outside the terminal. Also, in a particularly advantageous way, the two half-spacers joined together have a central recess to allow the passage of the screwing tool.

[0025] Also, said protective shell is preferably made of a polymer material. The two half-shells are for example molded together in the polymer material and in the same mold, at an advantageous cost.

[0026] Other particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given for information but not limitation, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[Fig. 1] is a partial schematic perspective view of an element with which the object of the invention is adapted to cooperate;

[Fig. 2] is a partial schematic perspective view of an element of the subject of the invention;

[Fig. 3] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig. 2] cooperating with another element of the invention;

[Fig. 4] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig. 3] cooperating with the object of [Fig. 4] ; [Fig. 5] is a partial schematic perspective view of the object of [Fig. 4] cooperating with yet another element of the invention; And,

[Fig. 6] is a partial schematic sectional view of the object of [Fig. 5] according to plan VI - VI.

[0027] [Fig. 1 ] shows in perspective from above and partially, a storage battery module 10. The module 10 is of general rectangular parallelepiped shape and it has a vertex 15 and a truncated upper corner 12 defining a recess 14. The recess 14 has a bottom 16 from which an electrical connection terminal 18 projects. In other words, the bottom 16 of the recess 14 is offset from the top 15 of the module 10.

The connection terminal 18 extends inside the module 10 towards the elements of the accumulator battery. In addition it has an axial drilling 20 leading to a threaded insert which will be described in more detail in [Fig. 6],

[0029] We will describe with reference to [Fig. 2], a conductive bar called a “busbar” 22 partially shown. It has a longitudinal part 24 ending in a curved end 26 which will be described in detail.

The busbar 22 extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction L and is intended to connect two terminals together for example, to convey the electric current. Therefore, it is made of a conductive material, for example copper.

[0031] In addition, the busbar 22 is flat to be able to effectively dissipate thermal losses. It has, for example, a thickness e of between 3 mm and 6 mm and a width I of between 10 mm and 30 mm, adapted to the through current and the type of material. Dimensions are not restrictive. Also, it is coated with an electrical insulator, for example in polymer material 25 in order to protect it from unintentional contacts. Its curved end 26 is, however, uncovered.

[0032] Thus, the end 26 is curved in a U so as to form a free wing 28 which extends opposite the longitudinal part and a bottom 30 perpendicular to the longitudinal part and to the free wing 28. Otherwise said, the free wing 28 extends opposite a portion of the longitudinal part 24, which extends over the entire length of the busbar 22. Also, the free wing 28 has, in a first lower lateral portion 32, opposite a second lower lateral portion 34 relative to a median plane Pm, an oblong orifice 36.

The oblong orifice 36 extends along a transverse component T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L.

[0035] Furthermore, a drilling 38 is made in the longitudinal part 24 to the right of the oblong orifice 36 and in a first upper lateral portion 35 extending opposite the first lower lateral portion 32. The drilling 38 and the The oblong orifice 36 are thus coaxial.

[0036] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the oblong hole 36 allows a screw 40 to be engaged inside the curved end 26.

[0037] The screw 40 has a threaded rod 42, surmounted by a flat head 44. The latter has a recessed recess 46 in the shape of a six-branched cross, preferably called “hexalobular”. Such an imprint makes it possible to exert a significant torque on the screw 40. Other types of screws can be adapted Also, the screw 40 has a length significantly greater than the distance extending between the free wing 28 and the longitudinal part 24 and moreover, the diameter of its head 44 is relatively large. In addition, the diameter of the threaded rod 42 is equal to the minimum distance which extends between the two opposite edges closest to the oblong orifice 36, within the functional clearance.

[0038] And thanks to the oblong shape of the oblong orifice 36, the threaded rod 42 can be engaged through the oblong orifice 36 in an inclined manner relative to the free wing 28. And consequently, the screw 40 can be engaged laterally between the upper lateral portion 35 and the lower lateral portion 32 respectively of the longitudinal part 24 and the free wing 28.

[0039] Thus, the screw 40 is then straightened substantially perpendicular to the free wing 28, while its threaded rod 42 passes through the oblong orifice 36. A suitable screwdriver or screwdriver type tool can then be inserted through the hole 38 to be engaged in engagement in the hollow impression 46 of the head 44.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig. 4] the busbar 22 has been adjusted above the top 15 of the accumulator battery module 10 so as to engage the curved U-shaped end 26 in the recess 14 and apply the free wing 28 to bear against terminal 18, while the threaded rod 42 engaged through the axial bore 20 of terminal 18.

[0041] Thanks to the aforementioned tool, engaged through the drilling 38, the screw 40 was rotated so that its threaded rod engages in the aforementioned threaded insert to be able to forcefully apply the wing free 28 against the terminal 18 thanks to the head 44 which rests flat on said wing.

It will be observed that the connection thus made between the bus bar 22 and the terminal 18 of the accumulator battery module 10 is relatively simple. In addition, it requires few resources to shape the busbars usually used and the necessary screws have minimum lengths.

[0043] Furthermore, the quantity of material used to make the connection between the busbar 22 and the terminal 18 is tiny and it ensures contact with little electrical loss.

[0044] We will now refer to [Fig. 5] presenting the object of [Fig. 4] where the curved end 26 is covered with a protective shell 48 of substantially cubic shape. The protective shell 48 completely covers the curved end 26 up to the electrical insulator 25 of the busbar 22.

[0045] Also, the protective shell 48 is made up of two half-shells, a first 50 and a second 52, symmetrical to each other with respect to the median plane PM as far as possible, which half-shells 50, 52 are assembled on the curved end 26.

To do this, the two half-shells 50, 52 are first approached laterally and respectively of the first and second lateral portions of the longitudinal part 24 and of the free wing 28.

[0047] And the two half-shells 50, 52 are then brought closer to each other and joined together by trapping the curved end 26. They are for example connected together by gluing their supporting edges.

The two half-shells 50, 52 forming the protective shell 48 define an upper wall 55 extending up to the electrical insulator 25, forming a relatively watertight joint plane.

[0049] Furthermore, the first half-shell 50 has a circular light 54 extending to the right of the drilling 38. Thanks to the circular light 54, it is possible to come access by means of a tool of the aforementioned type directly to the screw 40 through the circular opening 54, and the drilling 38.

[0050] In this way, it is possible to tighten or loosen the screw 40 depending on the needs, either for disassembly or for retightening when the electrical connection between the busbar 22 and the terminal 18 is faulty.

[0051] Furthermore, the assembly comprising the busbar 22 covered with its electrical insulator 25, the screw 40 engaged through the oblong orifice 36 and the protective shell 48 covering the curved end 26, constitute an independent assembly according to the invention and capable of being installed on a storage battery module as described above.

[0052] We will refer to [Fig. 6] showing a sectional view of the object of [Fig. 5] according to plan VI - VI to the right of the circular light 54 of the first half-shell 50. We find there the curved end 26, and the free wing 28 applied against the terminal 18. The free wing 28 is held by force against the terminal 18 thanks to the screw 40 whose threaded rod 42 is engaged in an insert 56. In this way, the electrical contact between the terminal 18 and the free wing 28, extended by the bottom 30 then the longitudinal part 24, is ensured. It will be observed that the insert is sufficiently well anchored in the body of module 10 to be able to sufficiently tighten screw 40 and hold the free wing 28 against terminal 18 by force.

[0053] Also, the shell 48 has inside a spacer 58, divided into two half-spacers, only one of which, 60, appears in [Fig. 6] ; the spacer 58 extending in the center of the shell 48 and substantially parallel to the upper wall 55. In addition, the half-spacer 60 has a passage light 62, coaxial with the circular light 54 and therefore coaxial with the drilling 38 also.

[0054] Thus, we understand that the tool for tightening or loosening the screw 40 can be introduced through the circular opening 54, the drilling 38 and the passage opening 62 to reach the screw head 44.

[0055] Also, thanks to the spacer 58, when the screw 40 is separated from the terminal 18 and the connection assembly is independent of the accumulator battery module 10, we then understand that the screw 40 is captive because its head 44 is trapped inside the space delimited by the free wing 28, the spacer 58 and the protective shell 48. The threaded rod 42 then remains across the orifice 36. ]

Claims

CLAIM

[Claim 1] [Connection assembly to a terminal (18) of a storage battery module (10), said storage battery module having a top (15) and a recess (14) formed in said top , said recess (14) having a bottom (16), while said terminal (18) extends over said bottom (16), said connection assembly comprising, on the one hand a conductive bar (22) having a longitudinal part (24) extended by one end and an orifice (36) drilled in said end, and on the other hand a screw (40) adapted to be engaged through said orifice (36) to connect together said end and said terminal; characterized in that said end of said conductive bar (22) is curved in a U so as to form a free wing (28) having said orifice (36) and extending opposite said longitudinal part (24); and in that said curved end (26) is adapted to be engaged inside said recess (14) to apply said free wing (28) against said terminal (18), while said screw (40) is inserted between said longitudinal part (24) and said free wing (28) to be able to engage said screw (40) through said orifice (36).

[Claim 2] Connection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, said module (10) having a generally parallelepiped shape, said recess (14) is defined by a truncated upper corner of the top (15) of said module (10) .

[Claim 3] Connection assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said longitudinal part (24) has a drilling (38) made to the right of said orifice (36).

[Claim 4] Connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said orifice (36) is of oblong shape extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal part (24).

[Claim 5] Connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, said free wing (28) having a lateral edge, said orifice is open laterally in said lateral edge.

[Claim 6] Connection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises a protective shell (48) adapted to cover said curved end (26).

[Claim 7] Connection assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said shell (48) has a slot (54) able to come in line with said bore (38).

[Claim 8] Connection assembly according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said shell comprises two half-shells (50, 52) adapted to be assembled on said curved end (26).

[Claim 9] Connection assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said two half-shells (50, 52) are assembled together.

[Claim 10] Connection assembly according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said two half-shells (50, 52) have half-spacers (60) adapted to meet inside said curved end (26). ) when said two half-shells (50, 52) are assembled on said curved end.

[Claim 11] Connection assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that said protective shell (48) is made of a polymer material.