Battery terminal provided with a current sensor

• US 20020051906A1
• Filed: 10/31/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Niwa, Hisao, Suzuki, Naohiko, Wakata, Shigekazu, Wakui, Masanori
• Granted Patent: US 6,551,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/178
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/364 Battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/287 Intermediate parts between battery post and cable end piece
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery-side terminal (2) includes a fastening ring (5) to be fixed to a battery post (1), and a connecting piece (8) extends from the fastening ring (5). A current sensor (4) includes a sensor portion (4A) formed with a slit (14) through which the connecting piece (8) is insertable. The battery-side terminal (2) and the current (4) are transported to a connection site while being assembled into one unit. At the connection site, the connecting piece (8) and the harness-side terminal (3) are aligned and placed one over the other, and are tightened by means of a bolt. This tightening operation is performed at a position distanced from a battery, and hence can be performed smoothly performed without being hindered.

Claims

1. A battery terminal to be provided with a current sensor (4), comprising:

a battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) configured for connection with a battery post (1), a harness-side terminal (3;

23;

31) configured for connection with a wire, and

a fastening means (13, 11, 12;

21, 22;

33, 37-39) for selectively connecting and disconnecting the terminals (2, 3;

20, 23;

30, 31) with each other,

wherein the current sensor (4) is mounted at a connecting portion (2B;

24;

32) where the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) and the harness-side terminal (3;

23;

31) are connected.

2. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein a mounting portion (2B) connected with the harness-side terminal (3) extends from the battery-side terminal (2), and the current sensor (4) is mounted on the mounting portion (2B) prior to connection of the terminals (2, 3).

3. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein a linking member (35) to be coupled by the fastening means (33, 37-39) is provided between the battery-side terminal (30) and the harness-side terminal (31), and the current sensor (4) is mounted on the linking member (35).

4. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein a mounting portion (24) connected with the battery-side terminal (20) extends from the harness-side terminal (23), and the current sensor (4) is mounted on the mounting portion (24) prior to connection of the both terminals (20, 23).

5. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (2B;

24;

32) has at least mounting piece (15;

26) connected with the current sensor (4).

6. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion (2B;

24;

32) is insertable into a slit (14) provided in the sensor (4).

7. The battery terminal of claim 1, wherein the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) is provided with a substantially clamp-like fastening portion (2A) to be fastened to the battery post (1).

11. The battery terminal assembly of claim 10, wherein the connecting portion (2B) of the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) has at least one mounting piece (15) securely engaged with the current sensor (4).

12. The battery terminal of claim 11, wherein the mounting piece (15) is engaged in the slot (14)

8. A battery terminal assembly, comprising:

a battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) with a fastening portion (2A) configured for connection with a battery post (1) and a connecting portion (2B) extending from the fastening portion (2A);

a current sensor (4) mounted to the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30); and

a harness-side terminal (3;

23;

31) connected with a wire and releasably connected with the connecting portion (2B) of the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30).

9. The battery terminal assembly of claim 8, wherein the current sensor (4) is between the fastening portion (2A) and the harness-side terminal (3;

23;

31).

10. The battery terminal assembly of claim 9, wherein the current sensor (4) has a slot (14), the connecting portion (2B) of the battery-side terminal (2;

20;

30) passing through the slot (14).