Connectors on the Move

cells are placed under less strain. The BMS can also manage the electrical energy that is produced by regenerative braking, sending it back to the battery pack for storage. This contributes to more efficient EV operation. As well as being expensive, the battery pack is one of the heaviest and bulkiest parts of the vehicle. Automotive OEMs are constantly looking for ways to make their EVs lighter. Reducing vehicle payload allows them to consume less power and travel longer distances between charges. By increasing the battery’s charge capacities, it can be made more lightweight and take up less room. This means that a greater number of cells must fit into the same volume. The latest generation of EVs can integrate as many as 8,000 to 10,000 Li-ion cells in their battery packs. Each of these will need to be monitored via the BMS – which represents a substantial data overhead. Consequently, higher

density BMS infrastructure that can support faster transfer rates is now being required.

BMS INTERCONNECT ATTRIBUTES To be effective in an EV BMS context, the chosen interconnects must possess an extensive array of properties. Making full use of the EV’s stored electrical charge is paramount, as this will extend the range that the vehicle can cover without the battery pack needing to be replenished. To minimize power losses within the BMS, effort must be made to specify interconnects that have very low contact resistance values. At the same time, the contact material must have adequate durability. On top of this, space limitations must be considered. Interconnects that have a large enough number of contact pins but only take up a relatively small amount of board real estate will be preferred.