Mechanically and electrically connecting member

• US 20060246773A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Energy Solution Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoon, Junill, Ro, Jong-yul, Jung, Do Yang, Yu, Jisang
• Granted Patent: US 7,687,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/507
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a member for mechanically and electrically connecting two or more objects, including an insulation body having a plurality of coupling holes for coupling the objects formed therein, a plate-shaped conductive strip mounted at the rear surface of the insulation body in the diagonal direction of the insulation body while the conductive strip is isolated from the front surface of the insulation body, the conductive strip having connection holes formed at opposite ends thereof such that the connection holes communicate with the insulation body, and a connecting bar constructed such that the connecting bar can be inserted into the corresponding connection hole of the conductive strip while the strip is connected to the objects. The connecting member accomplishes excellent mechanical connection and stable electrical connection of objects, easy assembly and disassembly, and low possibility of short circuits. Furthermore, the objects can be connected with each other in a compact structure, and therefore, the connecting member according to the present invention can be preferably used to connect battery modules constituting a medium- or large-sized battery system, especially, for electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles.

Claims

1. A member for mechanically and electrically connecting two or more objects, comprising:

an insulation body having a plurality of coupling holes for coupling the objects formed therein;

a plate-shaped conductive strip mounted at the rear surface of the insulation body in the diagonal direction of the insulation body while the conductive strip is isolated from the front surface of the insulation body, the conductive strip having connection holes formed at opposite ends thereof such that the connection holes communicate with the insulation body; and

a connecting bar constructed such that the connecting bar can be inserted into the corresponding connection hole of the conductive strip while the strip is connected to the objects.

2. The connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the insulation body is made of a plastic material, and the conductive strip is made of a metal material.

3. The connecting member according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting groove formed at the rear surface of the insulation body, the mounting groove having a shape approximately corresponding to the shape of the conductive strip, wherein

the strip is mounted to the insulation body in the state that the strip is inserted in the mounting groove.

4. The connecting member according to claim 3, wherein some or all of the rear surface of the conductive strip protrudes from the rear surface of the insulation body in the state that the conductive strip is mounted to the rear surface of the insulation body.

5. The connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the connecting bar has a threaded upper end or threaded opposite ends such that an additional coupling unit(s), such as a nut, can be coupled to the connecting bar.

6. The connecting member according to claim 5, wherein the connecting bar is formed in the shape of a bolt having an angled lower end and a threaded upper end.

7. A medium- or large-sized battery system having two or more battery modules coupled with each other, each battery module including a module case for receiving a plurality of battery cartridges through an open front part thereof, and a front plate mounted to the open front part of the module case for electrically connecting the battery cartridges, wherein

each front plate is provided at opposite sides thereof with indentions having size and shape approximately corresponding to the size and the shape of the connecting member according to claim 1 when the front plate is connected with the front plate of the adjacent battery module,

each module case is provided at opposite sides of the front part thereof corresponding to the indentions of the front plate with connection grooves, into which the connecting bar of the connecting member is inserted, and a plurality of coupling grooves for other coupling units, and

the connecting member is inserted into the indentions and the connecting member is coupled to the module cases by means of the coupling units in the state that the battery modules are arranged adjacent to each other, thereby accomplishing mechanical and electrical connection of the battery modules.

8. The battery system according to claim 7, wherein the connection grooves formed at the opposite sides of the front part of each module case are constructed in an angled structure.

9. The battery system according to claim 7, wherein the battery system is used as a power source for electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles.