Patent Publication Number: US-2023139879-A1

Title: Battery pack including member capable of preventing poor contact with device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2021-0004205 filed on Jan. 12, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The present invention relates to a battery pack including a support member provided around a connector, thereby preventing poor contact with a device pin due to deformation of the connector. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     With technological development of mobile devices, such as smartphones, laptop computers, and digital cameras, and an increase in demand therefor, research on secondary batteries, which are capable of being charged and discharged, has been actively conducted. In addition, secondary batteries, which are energy sources substituting for fossil fuels causing air pollution, have been applied to an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (P-HEV), and an energy storage system (ESS). 
     There are a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydride battery, and a nickel-zinc battery as secondary batteries that are widely used at present. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell, i.e. a unit battery cell, is about 2.0V to 5.0V. In the case in which output voltage higher than the above operating voltage is required, therefore, a plurality of battery cells may be connected to each other in series to constitute a cell module assembly. In addition, cell module assemblies may be connected to each other in series or in parallel to constitute a battery module depending on required output voltage or charge and discharge capacities. In general, a battery pack is manufactured using at least one battery module by adding an additional component. 
     The battery pack may be electrically connected to various devices through a connector. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a conventional battery pack, and  FIG.  2    is a perspective view schematically showing the section of a conventional connector into which a device pin is inserted. 
     When describing the structure of the connector configured to connect the conventional battery pack and a device to each other with reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the battery pack is configured to have a structure in which one or more battery modules or battery cells are received in a case. 
     The case generally includes a lower case and an upper cover  1 , wherein a pin insertion port  2 , into which a device pin  5  configured to electrically connect a device that uses the battery pack as a power supply and the battery pack to each other is inserted, is formed in the upper cover  1 . 
     In addition, a printed circuit board (PCB)  3  having parts configured to control operation of the battery pack mounted thereon and a connector  4 , coupled to the PCB  3 , for electrical connection with an external device are provided in the battery pack. 
     In order to electrically connect the battery pack to the device, the device pin  5  is inserted into the connector through the pin insertion port  2  in order to form a contact point. For the connector of the conventional battery pack, however, deformation, such as widening, of the contact point may occur when insertion and separation of the device pin  5  are repeated, whereby poor contact between the connector and the device pin  5  inserted into the connector may occur. 
     When such poor contact occurs, contact resistance may be increased, whereby heat may be generated or the device may malfunction. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery pack including a support member provided around a connector, thereby preventing poor contact with a device pin due to deformation of the connector. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to accomplish the above object, a battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells, a pack case configured to receive the plurality of battery cells therein, the pack case including a lower case and an upper cover, a connector located in the pack case, the connector being configured to electrically connect the battery pack to a device, and a printed circuit board (PCB) located in the pack case, the connector being coupled to one surface of the PCB, wherein the upper cover is provided with a plurality of pin insertion ports configured to allow a device pin to be inserted into the connector therethrough, and wherein the upper cover is provided at an inside thereof with a support member located outside the connector, the support member being configured to restrict deformation of the connector. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the connector may include a pair of connector arms bent inwards at predetermined points so as to form a contact point with the device pin and a connector connection portion having one side connected to the connector arms and the other side coupled to the PCB. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the support member may be constituted by a pair of bars disposed so as to face each other in the state in which the pin insertion port is located therebetween. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the support member may be provided at each pin insertion port. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, one side of the support member may be connected to an inside of the upper cover, and the other side of the support member may extend in a direction toward the PCB. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the distance between the pair of bars of the support member may be set such that a portion of each of the connector arms contacts an inside of the support member in the state in which the device pin is inserted therebetween, thereby restricting widening between the connector arms. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, each support member may have a protrusion formed so as to protrude in a direction toward a corresponding one of the connector arms. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, one surface of the protrusion may contact the connector arm when the device pin is inserted into the connector. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the support member may be made of an elastic material. 
     Also, in the battery pack according to the present invention, the distance between the pair of bars of the support member may be set such that a portion of each of the connector arms contacts at least one of an inside of the support member and the protrusion in the state in which the device pin is inserted therebetween, thereby restricting widening between the connector arms. 
     In addition, the present invention provides a device including the battery pack according to the present invention. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     A battery pack according to the present invention has an advantage in that a support member capable of restricting deformation of a connector is provided, whereby it is possible to prevent poor contact between the connector and a device pin. 
     In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention has an advantage in that electrical contact between the connector and the device pin is satisfactorily maintained despite repeated use, whereby long-term use is possible without poor contact. 
     In addition, the battery pack according to the present invention has an advantage in that malfunction of a device due to poor contact is reduced, whereby product reliability is improved. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of a conventional battery pack. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view schematically showing the section of a conventional connector into which a device pin is inserted. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of a battery pack including a support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of the battery pack including the support member according to the embodiment of the present invention in the state in which a device pin is inserted into the battery pack. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of a battery pack including a support member according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of the battery pack including the support member according to the other embodiment of the present invention in the state in which a device pin is inserted into the battery pack. 
         FIGS.  7  and  8    are perspective views schematically showing a process of inserting a connector between the support members according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     In the present application, it should be understood that the terms “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” etc. specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. 
     In addition, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. In the case in which one part is said to be connected to another part in the specification, not only may the one part be directly connected to the other part, but also, the one part may be indirectly connected to the other part via a further part. In addition, that a certain element is included does not mean that other elements are excluded, but means that such elements may be further included unless mentioned otherwise. 
     Hereinafter, a battery pack according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of a battery pack including a support member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG.  4    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of the battery pack including the support member according to the embodiment of the present invention in the state in which a device pin is inserted into the battery pack. 
     When describing the battery pack according to the present invention in detail with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the battery pack is configured such that a plurality of battery cells is received in a pack case including an upper cover  100  and a lower case. 
     The kind of a battery cell receivable in the pack case is not particularly restricted, and any one of various known battery cells, such as a pouch-shaped battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, and a prismatic battery cell, may be appropriately used as needed. Depending on circumstances, a plurality of battery cells may be manufactured in the form of a battery module, and may be received in the pack case. 
     In addition, a printed circuit board (PCB)  300  having various parts configured to control operation of the battery pack mounted thereon is provided at one side of the pack case in the pack case, and a connector  200  for electrical connection with an external device is joined to one surface of the PCB  300 . 
     Here, as shown in  FIG.  3   , the connector  200  includes a pair of connector arms  210  bent inwards at a point between opposite ends of each thereof so as to form a contact point with a device pin P and a connector connection portion  220  having one end connected to the connector arms  210  and the other end coupled to the PCB  300 . 
     In addition, each of the connector arms  210  is a long plate that is made of an electrically conductive material, such as metal, and that is bent at a point thereof. The distance between the connector arms  210  is gradually decreased with increasing distance from the portions of the connector arm abutting the connector connection portion  220 , and the distance between the connector arms  210  is gradually increased from the bent points thereof in a direction toward connector arm distal ends  211 . 
     Meanwhile, the upper cover  100  is provided at a position thereof corresponding to each connector  200  with a pin insertion port  110 , through which the device pin P is inserted into the connector  200 . 
     In addition, the upper cover  100  is provided at an inside thereof with a support member  120  configured to prevent poor contact between the connector  200  and the device pin P due to deformation of the connector  200 , which may be caused as the result of repeated insertion and separation of the device pin P. 
     The support member  120  is configured such that a pair of bar-shaped members is located so as to face each other in the state in which a pin insertion port  110  is located therebetween for each connector  200 . One side of each support member  120  is connected to an inside of the upper cover  100 , and the other side of each support member is formed so as to extend in a direction toward the PCB  300 . 
     When the battery pack including the connector  200  is assembled using the upper cover  100  having the connector  200  provided between the support members  120 , as described above, each connector  200  is located between the pair of support members  120 . 
     In the state in which the device pin P is not inserted into the connector  200 , the distance between the pair of support members  120  is greater than the distance between the two connector arm distal ends  211 . In the state in which the device pin P is inserted into the connector  200 , as shown in  FIG.  4   , the two connector arm distal ends  211  have a distance therebetween to such an extent that the two connector arm distal ends come into contact with the support members  120 . 
     In general, when the device pin P is inserted into the connector  200 , the connector arms  210  press the device pin P due to elasticity thereof, whereby contact therebetween is stably maintained. 
     When the connector  200  is deformed due to repeated use, however, the connector  200  cannot stably hold the device pin P, whereby poor contact therebetween occurs. In order to solve this problem, the support members  120  are provided at the upper cover  100 . 
     That is, in the state in which the device pin P is inserted into the connector  200 , the two connector arm distal ends  211  are prevented from being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance or more by the support members  120 , whereby contact between the connector  200  and the device pin P is stably maintained. 
     Meanwhile,  FIG.  5    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of a battery pack including a support member according to another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG.  6    is a perspective view schematically showing a portion of the section of the battery pack including the support member according to the other embodiment of the present invention in the state in which a device pin is inserted into the battery pack. 
     When describing the support member  130  according to the other embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the support member  130  includes a protrusion  131  protruding inwards therefrom. 
     Here, “inwards” means between a pair of support members  130 , into which a connector  200  is inserted. 
     In the case in which the device pin P is inserted into the connector  200  located between the support members  130  each having the protrusion  131 , as described above, distal ends of connector arms  210  come into contact with insides of the support members  130 , whereby the distal ends of connector arms  210  are prevented from being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance or more. Furthermore, the connector arms  210  come into contact with the protrusions  131 , whereby the connector arms are prevented from being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance or more. Consequently, it is possible to prevent poor contact due to deformation of the connector  200 . 
     The distance between the pair of support members  130  may be formed so as to be equal to the distance between the support members  120  of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , previously described. 
     When the distance between the pair of support members  130  is set, as described above, and the size and shape of each protrusion  131  are appropriately designed, the connector arm distal ends  211  contact the support members  130 , and at the same time the connector arms  210  contact the protrusions  131 , whereby the connector  200  may be prevented from being widened more than necessary. 
     Meanwhile, contact between the support members  130  and the connector arm distal ends  211  may be performed first or contact between the protrusions  131  and the connector arms  210  may be performed first depending on the distance between the pair of support members  130  and the size and shape of each protrusion  131 . 
     In any case, widening of the connector  200  may be restricted through at least one contact, and therefore it is possible to prevent poor contact between the connector  200  and the device pin P. 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the shape of each protrusion  131  may be configured such that one surface of each protrusion that contacts a corresponding one of the connector arms  210  is inclined. At this time, it is preferable for the inclination angle of the protrusion to be equal to the inclination angle of the connector arm  210  that contacts the protrusion. 
     When one surface of the protrusion  131  is formed so as to have the same inclination angle as the connector arm  210 , as described above, there is an advantage in that the protrusion can contact the connector arm  210  over a wide area. 
     However, the shape of the protrusion  131  is not limited thereto, and may be selected within a range within which the protrusion can contact the connector arm  210  when the device pin P is inserted, whereby it is possible to prevent widening between the connector arms  210 . 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    are perspective views schematically showing a process of inserting the connector between the support members according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
     When describing the process of inserting the connector  200  between the support members  130  having the protrusions  131  at the time of assembly of the battery pack with reference to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the distance between the support members  130  is increased when the connector arms  210  pass between the protrusions  131  having a small distance therebetween, whereby the connector can be inserted between the support members, since each support member  130  is made of an elastic material and only one side of the support member is fixed to the upper cover  100 . 
     Here, the elastic member is not particularly restricted, and various known materials may be used. However, it is preferable for the support member to be made of the same material as the upper cover  100  to which the support member is coupled or a material capable of easily being joined to the upper cover. 
     The support members  130  may be integrally formed at the upper cover  100  at the time of manufacture, or may be separately manufactured and then joined to the upper cover  100  using various known methods. 
     In the battery pack according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent poor contact between the connector  200  and the device pin P due to repeated use simply by adding a simple construction, such as the support members  120  or  130 , to the upper cover  100 , as described above, and therefore it is possible to increase lifespan of the battery pack. 
     In addition, when the battery pack is applied to various devices, it is possible to improve product reliability due to defect reduction. 
     Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the detailed description thereof discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and thus does not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications are possible, without departing from the category and technical idea of the present invention, and it will be obvious that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
         
           
               100 : Upper cover 
               110 : Pin insertion port 
               120 ,  130 : Support members 
               131 : Protrusion 
               200 : Connector 
               210 : Connector arm 
               211 : Connector arm distal end 
               220 : Connector connection portion 
               300 : PCB 
             P: Device pin