Patents by Inventor Weiping Zhao

Weiping Zhao has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180019451
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector having a plurality of terminals configured to be mated with a control module connector associated with a battery module and a multi-wire planar cable extending from the connector along a cable axis. The multi-wire planar cable has a plurality of flat wires terminated to corresponding terminals and a common jacket for the plurality of flat wires. The flat wires have exposed terminating portions at a sensor end of the multi-wire planar cable for termination to different voltage sensors associated with corresponding buss bars. The terminating portions are staggered along the cable axis. The multi-wire planar cable is angled such that the cable axis is non-parallel to a cell stack-up direction of the battery cells with the exposed terminating portions being aligned along a terminating axis generally parallel to the cell stack-up direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Haifeng Liu
  • Patent number: 9853280
    Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a multi-wire planar cable having a plurality of flat wires and a common jacket for the plurality of flat wires. The jacket has grooves between adjacent flat wires for controlled separation of the flat wires and surrounding jacket portions at an end of the multi-wire planar cable into separated jacketed wire portions extending a length of the flat wires each including an insulating sleeve and a terminating end of the flat wire. The terminating ends of the flat wires are exposed beyond the insulating sleeves. Terminals are attached to the terminating ends of corresponding flat wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION, TYCO ELECTRONICS JAPAN G.K.
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20170288344
    Abstract: The invention discloses a connector, a connector, a matched connector, a matched connector and a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly includes the connector and the matched connector. A terminal fixing portion of the connector is provided with terminal accommodating cavities for accommodating connecting terminals. Separators for separating adjacent connecting terminals are disposed as protruding between the terminal accommodating cavities. The matched connector comprises insertion holes and isolating slots provided on a female end seat. The separators are inserted into the isolating slots. One end of the connecting terminal is disposed on the body of the connector, and the other end is held within the insertion hole and is connectable with a terminal connecting piece of the matched connector. The invention prevents connecting terminals from interfering with each other to provide a higher secure connection performance, while maintaining smaller spacing therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jianghua ZHU, Weiping Zhao
  • Publication number: 20170279105
    Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a multi-wire planar cable having a plurality of flat wires and a common jacket for the plurality of flat wires. The jacket has grooves between adjacent flat wires for controlled separation of the flat wires and surrounding jacket portions at an end of the multi-wire planar cable into separated jacketed wire portions extending a length of the flat wires each including an insulating sleeve and a terminating end of the flat wire. The terminating ends of the flat wires are exposed beyond the insulating sleeves. Terminals are attached to the terminating ends of corresponding flat wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20170054230
    Abstract: A battery distribution unit (BDU) for holding a first electronic device having a first blade terminal extending therefrom and a second electronic device having a second blade terminal extending therefrom includes a BDU housing, a strip busbar received in the BDU housing, and first and second cross terminals received in the BDU housing. The first cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the first blade terminal at a second end thereof. The second cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the second blade terminal at a second end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 9509096
    Abstract: A manual service disconnect for a battery system includes a disconnect header having a housing defining a receptacle, a high current terminal connector within the receptacle, a high voltage interlock (HVIL) connector within the receptacle and a control device terminal connector within the receptacle. A disconnect plug is removably coupled to the disconnect header. The disconnect plug has a high current fuse electrically connected to the high current terminal connector and a HVIL shunt terminal electrically connected to the HVIL connector. A current power control device is received in the receptacle and is electrically connected to the control device terminal connector. The current power control device is exposed for servicing when the disconnect plug is removed from the disconnect header and the current power control device is inaccessible when the disconnect plug is coupled to the disconnect header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, James Aric Boyer
  • Publication number: 20160133908
    Abstract: A bus bar for electrically connecting adjacent battery cells of a battery module includes a base having a first leg and a second leg connected by a flexible joint. The flexible joint is folded-over such that the first leg is above the second leg. A first terminal tab extends from the first leg. The first terminal tab is configured to be terminated to a corresponding battery terminal of a first of the battery cells. A second terminal tab extends from the second leg. The second terminal tab is configured to be terminated to a corresponding battery terminal of a second of the battery cells. The first and second terminal tabs are arranged side-by-side with the first terminal tab being vertically positionable independent of the second terminal tab by the flexible joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 9337466
    Abstract: A power terminal connector includes a flexible conductor having a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and a flexible section between the first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion is terminated directly to a power terminal of a first battery module. A female terminal is coupled to the second mounting portion. The female terminal has a terminal body having a receptacle receiving a power terminal of a second battery module. The terminal body is terminated to the second mounting portion to mechanically and electrically connect the terminal body to the flexible conductor. A contact spring is received in the receptacle and is electrically connected to the terminal body. The contact spring has spring beams defining interfaces for the power terminal to create a power path to the power terminal of the second battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Douglas Scott Simpson
  • Patent number: 9318734
    Abstract: A bimetal buss bar assembly includes a positive battery cell terminal having a flat pad, a negative battery cell terminal having a flat pad, and a buss bar having a negative end and a positive end. The buss bar is attached to the positive battery cell terminal at the positive end and attached to the negative battery cell terminal at the negative end. At least one of the positive battery cell terminal, negative battery cell terminal, and buss bar have a bimetal interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 9159972
    Abstract: A battery module includes first and second battery cells having positive and negative cell terminals arranged adjacent one another. A buss bar connects the positive cell terminal of the first battery cell to the negative cell terminal of the second battery cell. The connection to the positive cell terminal is a threaded connection. The connection to the negative cell terminal is a quick connect connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 9105912
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells each having positive and negative cell terminals and a carrier mounted over and spanning across the plurality of battery cells. The carrier has trays with openings therethrough exposing the positive and negative cell terminals. A plurality of buss bars are received in corresponding trays. The buss bars each have a positive plate laser welded to the positive cell terminal of a corresponding battery cell through the corresponding opening and a negative plate laser welded to the negative cell terminal of a different battery cell through the corresponding opening. The buss bars may be bimetal buss bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 9065192
    Abstract: A power terminal connector includes a terminal having a terminal body defining a receptacle. The terminal body has a front end open to the receptacle that receives a power terminal. The terminal body has a series of notches separated by posts at the front end. A contact spring is received in the receptacle and has a first band and a second band with spring beams extending between the first and second bands. The spring beams resiliently engage the power terminal. The bands engage the terminal body to create a power path between the terminal body and the power terminal. The first band has a series of tabs extending therefrom separated by gaps. The tabs are received in corresponding notches and the gaps receive corresponding posts to secure the contact spring in the terminal box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Douglas Scott Simpson
  • Patent number: 9005794
    Abstract: A battery connector system includes a tray assembly configured to be mounted to a battery module made from a plurality of battery cells. The tray assembly includes a tray and a plurality of busbars held by the tray. The tray having a base with channels extending through the base. The channels receive cell tabs from corresponding battery cells. The tray has a tray connector configured to mate with an electrical connector. The busbars are aligned with corresponding channels and configured to be electrically connected to corresponding cell tabs. The busbars are coupled to the tray. The busbars have pins positioned in the tray connector for direct connection with the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150087182
    Abstract: A power terminal connector includes a flexible conductor having a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion and a flexible section between the first and second mounting portions. The first mounting portion is terminated directly to a power terminal of a first battery module. A female terminal is coupled to the second mounting portion. The female terminal has a terminal body having a receptacle receiving a power terminal of a second battery module. The terminal body is terminated to the second mounting portion to mechanically and electrically connect the terminal body to the flexible conductor. A contact spring is received in the receptacle and is electrically connected to the terminal body. The contact spring has spring beams defining interfaces for the power terminal to create a power path to the power terminal of the second battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Douglas Scott Simpson
  • Publication number: 20150079856
    Abstract: A power terminal connector includes a terminal having a terminal body defining a receptacle. The terminal body has a front end open to the receptacle that receives a power terminal. The terminal body has a series of notches separated by posts at the front end. A contact spring is received in the receptacle and has a first band and a second band with spring beams extending between the first and second bands. The spring beams resiliently engage the power terminal. The bands engage the terminal body to create a power path between the terminal body and the power terminal. The first band has a series of tabs extending therefrom separated by gaps. The tabs are received in corresponding notches and the gaps receive corresponding posts to secure the contact spring in the terminal box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Douglas Scott Simpson
  • Patent number: 8940421
    Abstract: A battery module includes battery cells arranged side-by-side in a stacked configuration, the battery cells having positive and negative cell terminals. Buss bars are electrically connected to corresponding cell terminals to electrically connect adjacent battery cells. A battery cover coupled to the battery cells. A module controller is held by the battery cover and is electrically connected to the buss bars to monitor a voltage of the corresponding buss bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Limited
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Young Geun Park
  • Publication number: 20140363711
    Abstract: A battery connector system for connecting battery cells of a battery module includes a carrier assembly having a carrier housing and a plurality of bus bar assemblies held by the carrier housing. The bus bar assemblies are configured to connect corresponding battery terminals of adjacent battery cells. The carrier assembly includes a plurality of cell connecting sections each holding a corresponding bus bar assembly and cover portions associated with the cell connecting sections. The carrier housing has a unitary construction with each of the cell connecting sections and cover portions being integral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Patent number: 8808031
    Abstract: A battery connector system includes a tray assembly configured to be mounted to a battery module made from a plurality of battery cells. The tray assembly has a tray and a plurality of busbars held by the tray. The tray has a tray connector defining a mating interface being configured to mate with an electrical connector. The electrical connector may be either a wire harness connector or a circuit board connector. The busbars are coupled to the tray and have plates being configured to be electrically connected to corresponding cell tabs of the battery cells. The busbars have fuse terminals positioned in the tray connector. A plurality of fuses are coupled to the fuse terminals. The fuses may be serviceable fuses or resettable fuses. The fuses are connected between the plates of the busbars and the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Publication number: 20140192457
    Abstract: A battery distribution unit (BDU) for holding a first electronic device having a first blade terminal extending therefrom and a second electronic device having a second blade terminal extending therefrom includes a BDU housing, a strip busbar received in the BDU housing, and first and second cross terminals received in the BDU housing. The first cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the first blade terminal at a second end thereof. The second cross terminal receives the strip busbar at a first end thereof and is configured to receive the second blade terminal at a second end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Weiping Zhao
  • Publication number: 20140193990
    Abstract: A manual service disconnect for a battery system includes a disconnect header having a housing defining a receptacle, a high current terminal connector within the receptacle, a high voltage interlock (HVIL) connector within the receptacle and a control device terminal connector within the receptacle. A disconnect plug is removably coupled to the disconnect header. The disconnect plug has a high current fuse electrically connected to the high current terminal connector and a HVIL shunt terminal electrically connected to the HVIL connector. A current power control device is received in the receptacle and is electrically connected to the control device terminal connector. The current power control device is exposed for servicing when the disconnect plug is removed from the disconnect header and the current power control device is inaccessible when the disconnect plug is coupled to the disconnect header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, James Aric Boyer