Patent Description:
The present application claims the priority of <CIT> with the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries and the like, and among them, lithium secondary batteries have little or no memory effect, and thus they are gaining more attention than nickel-based secondary batteries for their advantages that recharging can be done whenever it is convenient, the self-discharge rate is very low and the energy density is high.

A lithium secondary battery primarily uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material for a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material respectively. Additionally, the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate respectively coated with the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and a cylindrical battery case or a packaging in which the electrode assembly is received together with an electrolyte solution in an airtight manner.

Recently, secondary batteries are being widely used in not only small devices such as portable electronic products but also medium- and large-scale devices such as vehicles and energy storage systems (ESSs). For use in medium- and large-scale devices, many secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase the capacity and output.

More recently, with the use as a source of energy and the growing need for high capacity structures, there is an increasing demand for a battery pack including a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or in parallel, a module case for storing the secondary batteries, and a battery management system (BMS).

Additionally, in addition to the module case, the battery pack generally further includes a metal external housing to protect the plurality of secondary batteries from external impacts or receive and store the plurality of secondary batteries. Additionally, the external housing may include a connector module for electrical connection with an external device. That is, the connector module may be configured to transmit the power from the battery pack to the external device or receive power from the external device for the purpose of charging. Additionally, the connector module may be used to transmit condition information of the battery pack to the external device. In general, the connector module is electrically connected to a connector module of the external device by male-female coupling.

In this instance, for male-female coupling of the two connector modules, it is necessary to place them in the exact position for male-female structure matching. However, it is very difficult for a user himself/herself to precisely match the connector module provided in the battery pack and the connector module of the external device. That is, when even a small distance error between the two connector modules occurs, in many cases, the two connector modules do not precisely match, and collide frequently. Accordingly, in the repetitive connection process, the connector module is damaged, a connection failure occurs in the battery module or the external device or frequent repair is needed, causing life reduction and user inconvenience.

Further prior art is desribed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-described problem, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing a connector module with improved convenience in use and durability.

These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be understood by the following description, and will be apparent from the embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by means and combinations thereof.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a connector assembly according to the present disclosure includes an external connector module provided in an external device, and an internal connector module provided in an internal device and configured to be connected to the external connector module, wherein the internal connector module includes at least one plug configured to be coupled to a receptacle for electrical connection with the receptacle, a coupling part including a coupling guide rib which extends toward the external connector module to guide the movement of the internal connector module to an exact position for coupling with the external connector module when the internal connector module is connected to the external connector module, and a fastening part coupled to the coupling part such that the coupling part moves in a predetermined distance range and configured such that a portion of the fastening part is fixed to a panel of the external device, and the external connector module includes the at least one receptacle coupled to the at least one plug respectively, and a receiving groove having a shape corresponding to the coupling guide rib, wherein the coupling guide rib is received in a manner that the receiving groove is inserted. Additionally, the connector assembly includes a block part which horizontally extends from the plug and the coupling part, and the fastening part may include a mounting hole through which the plug is inserted and passes, and an insertion groove formed in the mounting hole, wherein a portion of the block part is inserted into the insertion groove, and the insertion groove has a clearance allowing the block part to move in the predetermined distance range.

Further, the block part has a movement protrusion which extends outwardly, and the fastening part may have a guide hole configured to allow the movement protrusion to horizontally move when the movement protrusion is inserted into the guide hole.

Additionally, the connector assembly may include a first magnet disposed at a portion of the block part, and a second magnet configured to attract the first magnet to move the coupling guide rib to an exact position and disposed at a portion of the fastening part.

Further, the connector assembly may further include a third magnet disposed at a horizontal end of the block part, and a fourth magnet disposed at the insertion groove of the fastening part to act a pushing force on the third magnet.

Additionally, the connector assembly may include a connection guide rib which extends in a coupling direction to guide the insertion of the at least one plug into an exact position when the at least one plug is connected to the receptacle.

Further, the at least one plug may include at least one pin connected with a coaxial cable, and a plug housing in which the pin is received, the receptacle may include at least one terminal connected with another coaxial cable, and a receptacle housing in which the terminal is received, and the external connector module may include a fitting groove having an internal structure corresponding to the plug housing to allow a portion of the plug housing to be inserted.

Further, to achieve the above-described object, a battery pack according to the present disclosure includes the connector assembly, a battery management system electrically connected to the connector assembly, a plurality of secondary batteries, and a pack case configured to receive the plurality of secondary batteries therein.

Additionally, to achieve the above-described object, a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes the battery pack, and a mounting part having a receiving space in which the battery pack is inserted and received, wherein the connector assembly is provided in the receiving space, and the external connector module is provided at an end of the pack case in an insertion direction of the battery pack.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the fastening part coupled to the coupling part such that the coupling part can move in the predetermined distance range and configured such that a portion of the fastening part is fixed to the internal device, thereby preventing damage that occurs to the connector module, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules.

Additionally, according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the block part having the movement protrusion extending outwardly, and the guide hole configured to allow the movement protrusion to horizontally move when the movement protrusion is inserted into the fastening part, thereby precisely limiting the movement range in which the block part moves in two directions. Accordingly, the present disclosure may prevent damage that occurs to the connector module, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the connector module of the present disclosure includes the first magnet provided in a portion of the block part, and the second magnet configured to attract the first magnet to move the coupling guide rib to the exact position and disposed at a portion of the fastening part, thereby moving the coupling guide rib to the exact position in a straightforward manner by a force of attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet. That is, when the coupling guide rib deviates from the exact position perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove, the coupling guide rib collides with the outer periphery of the receiving groove, and the block part may be moved by the collision force and the coupling guide rib may be temporarily fixed to the exact position by the force of attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet.

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the following detailed description, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical aspect of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the illustrations shown in the drawings are just a most preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, but not intended to fully describe the technical aspects of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that a variety of other equivalents and modifications could have been made thereto at the time that the application was filed.

<FIG> is a schematic bottom perspective view of an external connector module and a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic exploded perspective view of a connector module and the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic perspective view of the connector module and the external connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of the connector module and the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Additionally, <FIG> is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the connector module and the battery pack of <FIG> taken along the line C-C'. For reference, in <FIG>, the front-rear direction is set to an X -axis direction, the left-right direction to a Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction a Z-axis direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to be connected to the external connector module <NUM>. Here, the external connector module <NUM> includes at least one receptacle <NUM> and a receiving groove <NUM> having an inner space of a predetermined depth.

In detail, the connector module <NUM> is provided in an internal device as one configuration. For example, the internal device may be a vehicle (<NUM> in <FIG>), an electronic device, a computer or a battery pack <NUM>.

Additionally, the connector module <NUM> includes at least one plug <NUM>, a coupling part <NUM> and a fastening part <NUM>. In more detail, the plug <NUM> has at least one pin 212f made of metal to be electrically connected to the receptacle <NUM>. The pin 212f is electrically connected to a coaxial cable <NUM>. Additionally, the plug <NUM> includes a plug housing <NUM> in which the pin 212f is received.

Furthermore, the receptacle <NUM> includes at least one terminal 221t connected to another coaxial cable <NUM>, a connection groove <NUM> received in the terminal 221t, and a receptacle housing <NUM> in which the terminal 221t is received.

Additionally, a fitting groove <NUM> has at least one terminal 221t. The terminal 221t is a conductive metal extending along the inner surface of the fitting groove <NUM>. The terminal 221t is configured to contact the pin 212f.

Additionally, the plug <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the receptacle <NUM>. The pin 212f of the plug <NUM> is configured to be inserted and fixed in the connection groove <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>.

Further, the coupling part <NUM> of the connector module <NUM> includes a plurality of coupling guide ribs <NUM> configured to guide the coupling of the plug <NUM> with the receptacle <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM>. In detail, the coupling guide rib <NUM> is configured to guide the coupling position of the connector module <NUM>. The coupling guide rib <NUM> extends toward the external connector module <NUM>. When the external connector module <NUM> is connected to the connector module <NUM>, the coupling guide rib <NUM> is configured to be inserted into the receiving groove <NUM>. That is, the coupling guide rib <NUM> is inserted into the receiving groove <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM> to guide an operator to insert the connector module <NUM> into the external connector module <NUM> at the exact position.

Additionally, a portion of the fastening part <NUM> is fixed to the internal device. For example, the fastening part <NUM> has a block shape to be coupled to a panel <NUM> of the vehicle (see <NUM> in <FIG>). The fastening part <NUM> has at least one bolt groove 215j configured to be fixed to the panel <NUM> using a bolt (not shown).

Furthermore, the fastening part <NUM> is coupled to the coupling part <NUM> such that the coupling part <NUM> can move in a predetermined distance range. The fastening part <NUM> has an inner space in which the coupling part <NUM> can move when the coupling part <NUM> are coupled to the fastening part <NUM>. That is, the volume of the inner space of the fastening part <NUM> is larger by a predetermined amount than the volume occupied by a portion of the coupling part <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the fastening part <NUM> which is coupled to the coupling part <NUM> such that the coupling part <NUM> can move in the predetermined distance range and is configured such that a portion is fixed to the internal device, thereby preventing damage from occurring to the connector module <NUM>, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

That is, when the coupling guide rib <NUM> of the connector module <NUM> is not disposed on a line perpendicular to the receiving groove <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM>, the coupling guide rib <NUM> collides with the receptacle <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM>, causing damage to the receptacle <NUM>. However, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure is configured such that the coupling part <NUM> is coupled to the fastening part <NUM> moveably in the predetermined distance range, so when the coupling guide rib <NUM> deviates from the exact position perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove <NUM>, the coupling guide rib <NUM> collides with the outer periphery of the receiving groove <NUM> and the collision force moves the coupling part <NUM> to the exact position. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively reduce damage to the connector module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of some elements of the connector module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, in the connector module of <FIG>, the fastening part <NUM> is omitted for description of the drawing.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> includes a block part <NUM>. The block part <NUM> may be in the shape of a block that horizontally extends from the plug <NUM> and the coupling part <NUM>. The block part <NUM> is configured to be inserted into the inner space of the fastening part <NUM>. The block part <NUM> is configured to be spaced apart a predetermined distance from the horizontal inner surface of the inner space of the fastening part <NUM>.

In detail, as shown in <FIG>, the fastening part <NUM> includes a mounting hole <NUM>, and an insertion groove <NUM> formed in the mounting hole <NUM>. In detail, the mounting hole <NUM> is configured to allow the plug <NUM> to be inserted therein and pass therethrough. The mounting hole <NUM> of the fastening part <NUM> is vertically open at the center of a block that horizontally extends.

Furthermore, the insertion groove <NUM> is configured such that a portion of the block part <NUM> is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM>. That is, the inner space of the insertion groove <NUM> has a sufficient volume for a portion of the block part <NUM> to be inserted. Additionally, the insertion groove <NUM> has a clearance allowed for the block part <NUM> to move in the predetermined distance range. That is, the insertion groove <NUM> is configured such that the inner surface is spaced apart the predetermined distance from the horizontal end of the block part <NUM>. The block part <NUM> moves such that the horizontal end comes into contact with the inner surface of the insertion groove <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the block part <NUM> horizontally extending from the plug <NUM> and the coupling part <NUM>, and the fastening part <NUM> includes the mounting hole <NUM> through which the plug <NUM> is inserted and passes, and the insertion groove <NUM> formed in the mounting hole <NUM> and having the clearance allowing the block part <NUM> to move in the predetermined distance range when a portion of the block part <NUM> is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM>, thereby preventing damage from occurring to the connector module <NUM>, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

That is, in the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure, the block part <NUM> may move in the predetermined distance range within the inner space of the insertion groove <NUM> formed in the fastening part <NUM>, so when the coupling guide rib <NUM> deviates from the exact position perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove <NUM>, the coupling guide rib <NUM> collides with the outer periphery of the receiving groove <NUM> and the collision force moves the block part <NUM> to place the coupling guide rib <NUM> in the exact position.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure has a movement protrusion 217p that extends outwardly from the block part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the movement protrusion 217p is formed at each of the front and rear sides of the block part <NUM>.

Additionally, the fastening part <NUM> has a guide hole <NUM> at a corresponding location to the movement protrusion 217p. The guide hole <NUM> is configured to limit the movement range in which the block part <NUM> moves in two directions. That is, the guide hole <NUM> is configured to allow the movement protrusion 217p to horizontally move when the movement protrusion 217p is inserted into the guide hole <NUM>. In other words, the guide hole <NUM> has a larger hole size than the movement protrusion 217p.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the block part <NUM> having the movement protrusion 217p extending outwardly and the fastening part <NUM> having the guide hole <NUM> configured to allow the movement protrusion 217p to horizontally move when the movement protrusion 217p is inserted into the guide hole <NUM>, thereby precisely limiting the movement range in which the block part <NUM> moves in two directions. Accordingly, the present disclosure prevents damage from occurring to the connector module <NUM>, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view of some elements of a connector module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the remaining elements of the connector module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Additionally, <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the connector module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> includes a first magnet 218a and a second magnet 218b. In detail, the first magnet 218a is provided at a portion of the block part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, two first magnets 218a are disposed on the outer periphery of the block part <NUM>. The two first magnets 218a are disposed in a diagonal direction.

Additionally, the second magnet 218b is configured to attract the first magnet 218a to move the coupling guide rib <NUM> to the exact position. The second magnet 218b is disposed at a portion of the fastening part <NUM>. When the second magnet 218b contacts the first magnet 218a, the coupling guide rib <NUM> of the coupling part <NUM> is disposed at a location perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, two second magnets 218b are disposed at the periphery of the mounting hole <NUM> of the fastening part <NUM>. The two second magnets 218b are disposed in a diagonal direction to each other.

Furthermore, the second magnet 218b is positioned to generate a force that attracts the first magnet 218a. The S pole of the second magnet 218b is positioned opposite the N pole of the first magnet 218a. On the contrary, the N pole of the second magnet 218b is positioned opposite the S pole of the first magnet 218a.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the first magnet 218a provided in a portion of the block part <NUM>, and the second magnet 218b configured to attract the first magnet 218a to move the coupling guide rib <NUM> to the exact position and disposed at a portion of the fastening part <NUM>, thereby moving the coupling guide rib <NUM> to the exact position in a straightforward manner by a force of attraction between the first magnet 218a and the second magnet 218b.

That is, when the coupling guide rib <NUM> deviates from the exact position perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove <NUM>, the coupling guide rib <NUM> collides with the outer periphery of the receiving groove <NUM>, and the block part <NUM> is moved by the collision force, and the coupling guide rib <NUM> is temporarily fixed to the exact position by the force of attraction between the first magnet 218a and the second magnet 218b.

Additionally, when the block part <NUM> is disposed in close contact with the inner surface in the insertion groove <NUM>, it may be difficult to move the position of the block part <NUM> to the exact position only by collision between the coupling guide rib <NUM> and the outer periphery of the receiving groove <NUM>. Accordingly, the present disclosure prevents the block part <NUM> from coming into close contact with the inner surface in the insertion groove <NUM> in normal condition using the first magnet 218a and the second magnet 218b, thereby reducing damage occurring when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in position during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of a connector module according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, when compared with the connector module <NUM> of <FIG>, the connector module 210A of <FIG> further includes a third magnet 218c and a fourth magnet 218d.

In detail, as opposed to the block part <NUM> of <FIG>, the block part 217A of <FIG> may include the third magnet 218c embedded in at least a portion thereof. For example, the connector module 210A may include the third magnet 218c at the horizontal (X-axis direction and Y-axis direction) end of the block part 217A. For example, as shown in <FIG>, two third magnets 218c may be embedded and disposed at the left and right ends of the block part 217A.

Additionally, as opposed to the fastening part 215A of <FIG>, the fastening part 215A of <FIG> may include the fourth magnet 218d embedded in at least a portion thereof. The connector module 210A may include the fourth magnet 218d in the insertion groove <NUM> of the fastening part 215A. That is, the fourth magnet 218d is configured to be disposed opposite the third magnet 218c. As shown in <FIG>, two fourth magnets 218d are embedded and disposed in the inner surface of the insertion groove <NUM> of the fastening part 215A. The two magnets are disposed opposite the two third magnets 218c.

The fourth magnet 218d is positioned to act as a force that pushes the third magnet 218c. The S pole of the fourth magnet 218d is positioned opposite the S pole of the third magnet 218c. On the contrary, the N pole of the fourth magnet 218d is positioned opposite the N pole of the third magnet 218c.

That is, the connector module 210A of the present disclosure is configured such that the block part 217A is spaced apart the predetermined distance from the inner surface of the insertion groove <NUM> to place the coupling guide rib <NUM> in the exact position perpendicular to the central axis of the receiving groove <NUM> using the third magnet 218c and the fourth magnet 218d.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the third magnet 218c at the horizontal end of the block part 217A and the fourth magnet 218d configured to act as a force that pushes the third magnet 218c at the insertion groove <NUM> of the fastening part 215A, thereby preventing the block part 217A from coming into close contact with the inner surface in the insertion groove <NUM> in normal condition using the third magnet 218c and the fourth magnet 218d. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce damage to occur when the connector module 210A is not placed in position during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure includes a connection guide rib (<NUM> in <FIG>). The connection guide rib <NUM> may be disposed in the plug housing <NUM>. The connection guide rib <NUM> guides the insertion of the at least one plug <NUM> into the exact position when the at least one plug <NUM> is connected to the plurality of receptacles <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connection guide rib <NUM> guides the insertion of the power pin 212f configured to output the power or receive the power into the receptacle <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM> without interference.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the connector module <NUM> includes the connection guide rib <NUM> extending in the coupling direction to guide the insertion of the at least one plug <NUM> into the exact position when the at least one plug <NUM> is connected to the plurality of receptacles <NUM>, thereby preventing collision from occurring during the insertion of the pin 212f of the plug <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the durability of the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure.

Referring back to <FIG>, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the fitting groove <NUM> having an internal structure corresponding to the plug housing <NUM>. The fitting groove <NUM> is configured to allow a portion of the plug housing <NUM> to be inserted. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the external connector module <NUM> includes the fitting groove <NUM> having the inner space into which a portion of the plug housing <NUM> is inserted. The fitting groove <NUM> has a curved linear shape corresponding to the curved planar shape of the plug housing <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the present disclosure includes the fitting groove <NUM> having an internal structure corresponding to the plug housing <NUM> to insert a portion of the plug housing <NUM> into the external connector module <NUM>, and thus the plug <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM> may be stably coupled by inserting the plug housing <NUM> into the fitting groove <NUM> of the external connector module <NUM>. Accordingly, the connector module <NUM> of the present disclosure may effectively reduce damage to the plug <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM> in the coupling with the external connector module <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the connector module <NUM> or the external connector module <NUM>, a battery management system (not shown) electrically connected to the connector module <NUM> or the external connector module <NUM>, a plurality of secondary batteries (not shown), and a pack case <NUM> configured to receive the plurality of secondary batteries therein.

In detail, the battery management system may have various types of devices to control the charge/discharge of the plurality of secondary batteries. The device may be, for example, a current sensor, a fuse or the like. The battery management system and the external connector module <NUM> are electrically connected through the coaxial cable <NUM>.

Additionally, the secondary battery may be, for example, a can type secondary battery. Additionally, the secondary battery may include an electrode assembly and an electrolyte received in a can. The configuration of the secondary battery is well known to those skilled in the art at the filing the patent application, and its detailed description is omitted herein. The battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure is not limited to a configuration of a particular type of secondary battery. That is, various types of secondary batteries known at the time of filing the present disclosure may be employed for the battery pack <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the pack case <NUM> has outer walls. According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the pack case <NUM> having the outer walls effectively protects the plurality of secondary batteries received therein from external impacts.

Additionally, a portion of the external connector module <NUM> may be embedded and disposed at the bottom of the pack case <NUM>. On the contrary, a portion of the connector module <NUM> connected to the external connector module <NUM> may be embedded and disposed at the bottom of the pack case <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the battery pack <NUM>, and a mounting part <NUM> to receive the battery pack <NUM>. In detail, the mounting part <NUM> has a receiving space in which the battery pack <NUM> is inserted and received. That is, the receiving space of the mounting part <NUM> is formed with a structure corresponding to the shape of the battery pack <NUM>. The connector module <NUM> is embedded in the mounting part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a portion of the connector module <NUM> is embedded in the panel <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. The external connector module <NUM> disposed at the bottom of the battery pack <NUM> may move down and be coupled to the connector module <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the vehicle <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the battery pack <NUM>, and the mounting part <NUM> having the receiving space in which the battery pack <NUM> is inserted and received and including the connector module <NUM> in the receiving space, and the external connector module <NUM> is provided at the end of the pack case <NUM> in the insertion direction of the battery pack <NUM>, thereby solving the problem that the operator cannot see the external connector module <NUM> of the battery pack <NUM> and fails to smoothly couple to the connector module <NUM>.

That is, the vehicle <NUM> of the present disclosure includes the fastening part <NUM> coupled to the coupling part <NUM> such that the coupling part <NUM> of the connector module <NUM> moves in the predetermined distance range, thereby preventing damage that occurs to the connector module <NUM>, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the external connector module <NUM> provided in the external device, and the internal connector module <NUM> provided in the internal device. The internal connector module <NUM> may be configured to be connected to the external connector module <NUM>.

In detail, the internal connector module <NUM> includes the at least one plug <NUM>, the coupling part <NUM>, and the fastening part <NUM>. The at least one plug <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the receptacle <NUM> for electrical connection with the receptacle <NUM>.

The coupling part <NUM> includes the coupling guide rib <NUM> that extends to guide the movement of the internal connector module <NUM> to the exact position for coupling with the external connector module <NUM> when the internal connector module <NUM> is connected to the external connector module <NUM>.

The fastening part <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the coupling part <NUM> such that the coupling part <NUM> can move in the predetermined distance range, and a portion of the fastening part <NUM> is fixed to the panel of the external device.

The external connector module <NUM> includes at least one receptacle <NUM>, and the receiving groove <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is configured to be coupled to each of the at least one plug <NUM>.

The receiving groove <NUM> is received in a manner that the coupling guide rib <NUM> is inserted, and the receiving groove <NUM> has a corresponding shape to the coupling guide rib <NUM>.

According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the connector assembly of the present disclosure achieves smooth coupling between the external connector module <NUM> and the internal connector module <NUM> respectively provided in the external device and the internal device. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent damage that occurs to the connector module <NUM>, the internal device, or the external device when the connector module <NUM> is not placed in the exact position for smooth coupling during the assembly of the connector modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

The terms indicating directions as used herein such as upper, lower, left, exact, front and rear are used for convenience of description only, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the term may change depending on the position of the stated element or an observer.

Claim 1:
A connector assembly comprising:
an external connector module (<NUM>) provided in an external device; and
an internal connector module (<NUM>) provided in an internal device and configured to be connected to the external connector module (<NUM>),
wherein the internal connector module (<NUM>) includes:
at least one plug (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to a receptacle (<NUM>) for electrical connection with the receptacle (<NUM>);
a coupling part (<NUM>) including a coupling guide rib (<NUM>) which extends toward the external connector module (<NUM>) to guide the movement of the internal connector module (<NUM>) to an exact position for coupling with the external connector module (<NUM>) when the internal connector module (<NUM>) is connected to the external connector module (<NUM>); and
a fastening part (<NUM>) coupled to the coupling part (<NUM>) such that the coupling part (<NUM>) moves in a predetermined distance range and configured such that a portion of the fastening part (<NUM>) is fixed to a panel of the external device, and
the external connector module (<NUM>) includes:
the at least one receptacle (<NUM>) coupled to the at least one plug (<NUM>) respectively; and
a receiving groove (<NUM>) having a shape corresponding to the coupling guide rib (<NUM>), wherein the coupling guide rib (<NUM>) is received in the receiving groove (<NUM>),
characterized in that the internal connector module (<NUM>) includes a block part (<NUM>) which horizontally extends from the plug (<NUM>) and the coupling part (<NUM>), and
the fastening part (<NUM>) includes a mounting hole (<NUM>) through which the plug (<NUM>) is inserted and passes, and an insertion groove (<NUM>) formed in the mounting hole (<NUM>), wherein a portion of the block part (<NUM>) is inserted into the insertion groove (<NUM>), and the insertion groove (<NUM>) has a clearance allowing the block part (<NUM>) to move in the predetermined distance range, and
wherein the block part (<NUM>) has a movement protrusion (217p) which extends outwardly, and
the fastening part (<NUM>) has a guide hole (<NUM>) configured to allow the movement protrusion (217p) to horizontally move when the movement protrusion (217p) is inserted into the guide hole (<NUM>).