A BATTERY CONNECTOR

Abstract

A battery connector for connecting a replaceable battery to an aerial vehicle, comprising a housing configured for fixing to one of the replaceable battery and the aerial vehicle. The connector element includes a first connection portion for releasable connection to an external connection element of the other one of the replaceable battery and the aerial vehicle and a second connection portion for fixed connection to the replaceable battery or the aerial vehicle. The connector element is supported in a horizontal direction in the housing by at least one flexible element positioned at least partly between the connector element and the housing and in a vertical direction in the housing by an upper flexible element positioned between an upper part of the connector element and the housing and a lower flexible element positioned between a lower part of the connector element and the housing.

Claims

1. A battery connector for connecting a replaceable battery to an aerial vehicle, comprising: a housing configured for fixing to one of the replaceable battery and the aerial vehicle; and a connector element comprising: a first connection portion configured for releasable connection to an external connection element of the other one of the replaceable battery and the aerial vehicle; a second connection portion configured for fixed connection to the replaceable battery or the aerial vehicle to which the housing is configured to be fixed, wherein the connector element is supported in a horizontal direction in the housing by at least one flexible element positioned at least partly between the connector element and the housing, such that there is space between the connector element and the housing in the horizontal direction, and wherein the connector element is supported in a vertical direction in the housing by an upper flexible element positioned between an upper part of the connector element and the housing and a lower flexible element positioned between a lower part of the connector element and the housing, such that there is space between the connector element and the housing in the vertical direction.

2. The battery connector of claim 1, where the first connection portion of the connector element is supported horizontally in the housing by the at least one flexible element, the upper flexible element and the lower flexible element.

3. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein where the first connection portion comprises a generally cylindrical outer shape for abutment with the at least one flexible element.

4. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an upper housing part and a separate lower housing part.

5. The battery connector of claim 4, wherein the at least one flexible element is secured to the housing between the upper housing part and the lower housing part .

6. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible element comprises at least three separate flexible elements.

7. The battery connector of claim 6, wherein the at least three separate flexible elements are spaced equally around the connector element.

8. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible element comprises four separate, flexible elements.

9. The battery connector of claim 1, wherein the first connection portion comprises a female connection portion.

10. The battery connector of claim 9, wherein the first connection portion comprises a connector liner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of example embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an aerial vehicle without a battery, where external connection elements are exposed.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of an external connection element in the form of a male connector.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a replaceable battery comprising battery connectors.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a battery connector.

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of a battery connector.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of a battery connector where an upper housing part has been removed for illustrating purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred example embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0031] The following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the figures and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader's convenience only and shall not be limiting. A horizontal plane need as such not be an actual horizontal plane, and a vertical direction need not be an actual vertical direction, but as a skilled reader would appreciate, a vertical direction is directed generally perpendicular to a horizontal plane.

[0032] Referring initially to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an aerial vehicle 1 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The aerial vehicle 1 may be a drone, also referred to as a multicopter, and in the illustrated embodiment the aerial vehicle 1 comprises four motors and rotors 2 connected to a body 3. The body 3 of the aerial vehicle 1 comprises external connection elements 4. The aerial vehicle 1 may comprise two external connection elements 4 on each side, but only one external connection 4 is visible in FIG. 1. The external connection element 4 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the external connection element 4 is a male connector comprising a pin 5, but in an alternative embodiment it may be a female connector.

[0033] The external connection element 4 may be fixed to the aerial vehicle 1 and as such be a rigid element not allowing much movement.

[0034] A replaceable battery 6 (illustrated in FIG. 3) can be connected to the body 3 and the external connection elements 4, and as such power the aerial vehicle 1. In the illustrated embodiment, two replaceable batteries 6 can be connected to the aerial vehicle 1, one battery 6 on each side of the body 3. A battery connector 7 is configured for connection to an external connection element 4, and thus connecting the replaceable battery 6 to the aerial vehicle 1 and transmitting electric power from the replaceable battery 6 to the aerial vehicle 1. Each replaceable battery 6 may comprise two battery connectors 7, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery connector 7 is a female connector, but may in an alternative embodiment be a male connector.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the battery connector 7 is fixed to the replaceable battery 6, but the battery connector 7 may in an alternative embodiment be fixed to the aerial vehicle. In this alternative embodiment, the external connection element, male or female, may be fixed to the replaceable battery.

[0036] The replaceable battery 6 may be additionally secured to the aerial vehicle 1 by means known in the art such as screws, snap-locks, clips, etc. such that the replaceable battery 6 is securely fixed to the aerial vehicle 1 when it is mounted thereto.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a battery connector 7 is illustrated in an exploded view. The battery connector 7 comprises a housing 10 configured for fixing to one of the replaceable battery 6 and the aerial vehicle 1. The housing 10 may comprise an upper housing part 11 and a lower housing part 12. The lower housing part 12 may be configured for resting against a surface with an opening, and the upper part 11 is configured for placement on top of the lower housing part 11.

[0038] The housing 10 may comprise fixing means accommodation 13, so that the housing 10 can be fixed to the replaceable battery or the aerial vehicle. The fixing means accommodation 13 may simply be holes through the housing 10 such that the battery connector 7 can be screwed or otherwise fixed to the replaceable battery or the aerial vehicle, or the fixing means accommodation 13 may be other means known in the art of attaching a housing to a surface. The fixing means accommodation 13 may also comprise the fixing means such as buckles, clips, etc.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing means accommodation 13 extend through both the upper and lower housing parts 11,12, such that if a screw is inserted through the fixing means accommodation 13, the upper housing part 11 is fixed to the lower housing part 12.

[0040] The battery connector 7 comprises a connector element 14. The connector element 14 is made of a conducting material, such as metal, and is configured for transmitting electric power from the replaceable battery to the aerial vehicle.

[0041] The connector element 14 comprises a first connection portion 15. The first connection portion 15 is configured for releasable connection to the external connection element described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the illustrated embodiment, where the external connection element is a male connection, the first connection portion 15 comprises an inner cylindrical portion 16 configured for receiving the pin of the external connection element. The first connection portion 15 may also comprise an outer cylindrical shape. The first connection portion 15 may additionally comprise a connector liner 17. The connector liner 17 may ensure a tight fit with the male external connection element, and the connector liner 17 may be a standard product made by a third party supplier, and inserted into the first connection portion 15.

[0042] The connector element 14 comprises a second connection portion 18. The second connection portion 18 is configured for fixed connection to either a replaceable battery or an aerial vehicle, as described with reference to FIG. 3. The second connection portion 18 of the illustrated embodiment is fixed to the replaceable battery. The second connection portion 18 is thus configured for fixed connection to the battery cells of the replaceable battery. The second connection portion 18 may be fixedly connected to the replaceable battery by means of e.g. wires welded to the second connection portion 18.

[0043] The connector element 14 is supported horizontally in the housing 10 by flexible elements 19. A horizontal plane XY is indicated by two arrows in FIG. 4, and a vertical direction is indicated by the arrow Z. The horizontal plane XY is thus defined as a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the external connection element is inserted into the battery connector 7. The external connection element is connected to the battery connector by pushing it upwards in the vertical direction indicated by arrow Z in FIG. 4, and disconnected from the battery connector by pulling it vertically downwards.

[0044] At least a portion of a flexible element 19 is positioned between the connector element 14 and the housing 10, such that there is space between the connector element 14 and the housing 10. The connector element 14 is thus not contacting the housing 10 in the horizontal plane XY. More specifically, at least a portion of the flexible elements 19 are positioned between the first connection portion 15 of the connector element 14 and the housing 10. The flexible elements 19 may be equally spaced around the first connection portion 15, and the battery connector 7 may comprise any number of flexible elements 19. The illustrated embodiment comprises four separate, flexible elements 19. In order to bias the connector element 14 towards a neutral center, at least three flexible elements may be provided in the battery connector. But even one or two flexible elements may be provided, if the flexible element extends sufficiently about the circumference of the first connection portion 15.

[0045] The flexible elements 19 of the illustrated embodiment are o-rings, but may as such be any elastic or flexible elements. The housing 10 comprises a cavity 20 where the connector element 14 is positioned, and the flexible elements 19 are positioned in the housing 10 such that a portion of the flexible elements 19 are positioned in the space between the housing 10 and the connector element 14. The connector element 14 abuts the flexible elements 19 such that the connector element 14 is biased in a neutral, aligned position. The flexible elements 19 may be held in place and secured to the housing 10 between the upper housing part 11 and the lower housing part 12. This allows easy and cheap assembling and mounting of the connector 7, as the upper housing part 11 is fixed to the lower housing part 12 and the flexible elements 19 are simultaneously fixed in the housing 10.

[0046] The connector element 14 is supported vertically in the housing 10 by an upper flexible element 21 and a lower flexible element 22. The upper flexible element 21 is positioned between an upper portion 23 of the first connection portion 15 and the housing 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper flexible element 21 is positioned between the upper portion 23 and the upper housing part 11. The upper flexible element 21 may be an o-ring. The lower flexible element 22 is positioned between a lower portion 24 of the first connection portion 15 and the housing 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower flexible element 22 is positioned between the lower portion 24 and the lower housing part 12. The lower flexible element 22 may be an o-ring. There is as such space between the connector element 14 and the housing 10, and the connector element 14 is not contacting the housing 10 in the vertical direction Z. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper flexible element 21, connector element 14 and lower flexible element 22 are sandwiched between the upper housing part 11 and the lower housing part 12.

[0047] Upon entry, the pin of an external connection element may not be entered straight or centered into the battery connector 7 due to lack of space, narrow entry angles, etc. Due to the flexible properties of the flexible elements 19, the upper flexible element 21 and the lower flexible element 22, the connector element 14 can be moved somewhat relative to the housing 10. When the housing 10 is fixed to a surface of a rechargeable battery or similar, the connector element 14 may be moved and tilted inside the housing 10. When the external connection element 4 (not shown in FIG. 4, see FIG. 2) is fully inserted, or fully pulled out, the connector element 14 is centered in the housing because of the flexible elements 19, the upper flexible element 21 and the lower flexible element 22. This allowed movement of the connector element 14 provides effortless entry and exit of the corresponding external connection element 4 with minimal wear and tear of the components. The battery connector 7 as described is a very simple and lightweight construction that may transmit up to 500A continuously.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, an assembled battery connector 7 is illustrated. The flexible elements 19 are retained between the upper housing part 11 and the lower housing part 12. The flexible elements 19 may be torus-shaped, and due to this shape a portion of the flexible elements 19 may be exposed on the outside of the housing 10. The second connection portion 18 of the connector element 14 may extend outside the housing 10 through an opening 25. The second connection portion 18 can be connected to e.g. a battery cell by means of wires, as described previously. The opening 25 is larger than the connector element 14 where it extends through the opening 25, such that there is space between the opening 25 and the connector element 14. The opening 25 is thus not contacting the connector element 14, and the connector element 14 is as such allowed to move inside the opening 25, without the housing 10 restricting the movement of the connector element 14.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 6, the figure shows a top view (i.e. looking down into the XY plane along the Z-axis as described with reference to FIG. 4) of the battery connector 7. The upper housing part has been removed for illustrating purposes. As is clear from the figure, the four flexible elements 19 are biasing and supporting the connector element 14 in the horizontal plane. More particular, the flexible elements 19 are biasing and supporting the first connection portion 15 in the horizontal plane.

[0050] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. The person skilled in the art further realizes that modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.