Double-layer battery modules and battery packs

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a double-layer battery module and a battery pack. The double-layer battery module is provided with a partition between a first module and a second module. The partition can block the condensate generated by heat exchange in the second module to prevent the condensate from flowing to the electrical connection part of the first module, thereby ensuring the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module. A drainage groove is provided on the first surface of the partition. The drainage groove extends along the length direction and passes through at least one end of the partition in the length direction. The drainage groove can collect the condensate generated after heat exchange in the second module and discharge it to the outside of the double-layer battery module through the drainage groove, thereby ensuring the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module and improving the service life of the double-layer battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a double-layer battery module and a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the driving range of electric vehicles, battery modules are set in a double-layer form. However, existing double-layer battery modules usually use liquid cooling mode to dissipate heat from the module, resulting in high supporting costs. In addition, during the liquid cooling process, it is impossible to effectively prevent the condensate generated by the upper module through liquid cooling heat exchange from flowing to the electrical connection parts of the lower module, which can easily cause electrical connection failure and affect safety and service life. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a double-layer battery module and a battery pack, which can solve the problem of condensate generated in the upper module flowing to the lower module in the existing double-layer battery module, causing electrical connection failure.

[0004] An embodiment of the present application provides a double-layer battery module having a length direction and a height direction that are orthogonal to each other, the double-layer battery module comprising: a first module and a second module, the first module and the second module being stacked in sequence along the height direction; a partition having a first surface and a second surface that are relatively arranged along the height direction, the partition being arranged between the first module and the second module; wherein a drainage groove is provided on the first surface, the drainage groove extends along the length direction and passes through at least one end of the partition in the length direction, so as to discharge condensate to the outside of the double-layer battery module.

[0005] Optionally, the double-layer battery module also has a width direction orthogonal to the length direction, and a guide groove is also provided on the first surface, the guide groove extends along the width direction, and the guide groove is cross-connected with the drainage groove; at least two groups of guide groove groups are arranged on the first surface, and the at least two groups of guide groove groups are arranged at intervals along the width direction, each group of the guide groove groups includes at least two guide grooves, and the guide grooves in each group of the guide groove groups are connected through a drainage groove.

[0006] Optionally, a frame is provided on the partition, and the frame surrounds the second surface along the outer circumference of the second surface.

[0007] Optionally, it further includes an elastic layer, which is arranged on the second surface of the partition, and the partition and the elastic layer are arranged in sequence between the first module and the second module along the height direction.

[0008] Optionally, the elastic layer includes at least two support bars, the support bars are arranged on the second surface along the length direction, and the at least two support bars are arranged at intervals along the width direction.

[0009] Optionally, it also includes a connecting rod, which is arranged along the height direction; the first module includes two first end plates arranged opposite to each other in the length direction, and the second module includes two second end plates arranged opposite to each other in the length direction, and the connecting rod passes through the second end plates in the height direction and is inserted into the first end plate located at the same end in the length direction.

[0010] Optionally, the first end plate has an upper end face and a lower end face arranged opposite to each other along the height direction, the upper end face is provided with a socket extending along the height direction, the connecting rod passes through the second end plate along the height direction and is inserted into the socket, and the connecting rod is threadedly engaged with the socket.

[0011] Optionally, the first module includes two first side panels arranged opposite to each other in the width direction, one of the first side panels is provided with a first air inlet, and the other of the first side panels is provided with a first air outlet arranged opposite to the first air inlet; the second module includes two second side panels arranged opposite to each other in the width direction, one of the second side panels is provided with a second air inlet, and the other of the second side panels is provided with a second air outlet arranged opposite to the second air inlet; the first air inlet and the second air inlet are located at the same end in the width direction.

[0012] Optionally, the upper end surface of the first end plate is provided with an avoidance groove, and the avoidance groove extends from the upper end surface to the lower end surface along the height direction;

[0013] The partition plate is provided with protruding portions at two opposite ends in the length direction, respectively. The protruding portions pass through the avoidance groove along the length direction and extend to the outside of the first end plate.

[0014] At the same time, an embodiment of the present application also provides a battery pack having a box body, in which the double-layer battery module as described above is arranged.

[0015] The beneficial effect of the present application is that a double-layer battery module and a battery pack having the double-layer battery module are provided, wherein the double-layer battery module is provided with a partition between a first module and a second module, and the partition can block the condensate generated by the heat exchange of the second module to prevent the condensate from flowing to the electrical connection part of the first module, thereby ensuring the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module, and a drainage groove is provided on the first surface of the partition, which extends along the length direction and passes through at least one end of the partition in the length direction, and the drainage groove can collect the condensate generated after the heat exchange of the second module, and discharge it to the outside of the double-layer battery module through the drainage groove, thereby ensuring the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module and improving the service life of the double-layer battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a double-layer battery module provided by an embodiment of the present application from a first angle;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a double-layer battery module provided by an embodiment of the present application from a second angle;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 AA section view;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 BB section view;

[0021] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a double-layer battery module provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of a separator at a first angle in a double-layer battery module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a second angle of a separator in a double-layer battery module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the combined structure of a separator and an elastic layer in a double-layer battery module provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the flow of condensate generated by the second module in the double-layer battery module provided in one embodiment of the present application on the partition;

[0026] in, Fig. 9 The arrows in FIG. 4 indicate the flow direction of the condensate droplets on the partition.

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 100, double-layer battery module, 110, first module, 111, first end plate, 112, first side plate, 113, first air inlet, 114, first air outlet, 115, avoidance groove, 120, second module, 121, second end plate, 122, second side plate, 123, second air inlet, 124, second air outlet, 130, partition, 131, first surface, 132, second surface, 1311, drainage groove, 1312, guide groove, 1312a, guide groove group, 133, frame, 134, protrusion, 140, elastic layer, 141, first support bar, 142, second support bar, 143, third support bar, 150, connecting rod, 160, battery cell, 171, first cover plate, 172, second cover plate;

[0029] 200. Condensate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific implementation methods described herein are only used to illustrate and explain the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. In the present application, unless otherwise stated, the directional words used, such as "upper" and "lower", generally refer to the upper and lower parts of the device in actual use or working state, specifically the drawing direction in the drawings; while "inside" and "outside" refer to the outline of the device. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0031] The embodiment of the present application provides a double-layer battery module and a battery pack having the double-layer battery module. The double-layer battery module is provided with a partition between a first module and a second module. The partition can block the condensate generated by the heat exchange of the second module, prevent the condensate from flowing to the electrical connection part of the first module, and ensure the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module. A drainage groove is provided on the first surface of the partition. The drainage groove extends along the length direction and passes through at least one end of the partition in the length direction. The drainage groove can collect the condensate generated by the heat exchange of the second module and discharge it to the outside of the double-layer battery module through the drainage groove, thereby ensuring the safety of the electrical connection between the first module and the second module and improving the service life of the double-layer battery module. As a typical application, the battery pack including the double-layer battery module can be used to supply power to electrical equipment such as electric vehicles.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present application, refer to Figures 1 to 9 The double-layer battery module 100 includes: a first module 110, a second module 120 and a separator 130. The double-layer battery module 100 has a length direction X, a width direction Y and a height direction Z which are orthogonal to each other.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 5 , the first module 110 and the second module 120 are stacked from bottom to top along the height direction Z.

[0034] Specifically, the first module 110 includes two first end plates 111 arranged opposite to each other along the length direction X, a plurality of battery cells 160 are arranged between the two first end plates 111 along the length direction X, and the plurality of battery cells 160 are stacked along the length direction X to form a first battery module (not shown in the figure). The first module 110 also includes a first cover plate 171, which is covered on the upper surface of the first battery module. A first bus (not shown in the figure) and a first flexible circuit board (not shown in the figure) are also arranged between the first cover plate 171 and the upper surface of the first battery module. The first bus connects the plurality of battery cells 160 in the first battery module in series and / or in parallel, and the first bus is electrically connected to the external circuit through the first flexible circuit board.

[0035] The second module 120 includes two second end plates 121 arranged opposite to each other along the length direction X, a plurality of battery cells 160 are arranged between the two second end plates 121 along the length direction X, and the plurality of battery cells 160 are stacked along the length direction X to form a second battery module (not shown in the figure), and the second module 120 also includes a second cover plate 172, the second cover plate 172 is covered on the upper surface of the second battery module, and a second bus (not shown in the figure) and a second flexible circuit board (not shown in the figure) are also arranged between the second cover plate 172 and the upper surface of the second battery module, the second bus connects the plurality of battery cells 160 in the second battery module in series and / or in parallel, and the second bus is electrically connected to the external circuit through the second flexible circuit board.

[0036] Reference Figures 5 to 9 The partition 130 is disposed between the first module 110 and the second module 120. Specifically, the partition 130 has a first surface 131 and a second surface 132 disposed opposite to each other along the height direction Z, the first surface 131 faces the second module 120, and the second surface 132 faces the first module 110. The partition 130 fills the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120, and can block the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120. At the same time, the partition 130 is disposed so that the condensate 200 generated by the second module 120 due to cooling and heat exchange is blocked by the partition 130 and does not drip into the first module 110, thereby preventing the condensate 200 generated by the second module 120 from flowing to the electrical connection part of the first module 110 and causing a safety accident.

[0037] At the same time, refer to Figure 6 In one implementation of the embodiment of the present application, at least a drainage groove 1311 is provided on the first surface 131 of the partition 130, and the drainage groove 1311 extends along the length direction X and passes through the opposite ends of the partition 130 in the length direction X. When the condensate 200 generated by heat exchange in the second module 120 drips onto the first surface 131, it can flow into the drainage groove 1311 and be discharged from the opposite ends of the partition 130 in the length direction X to the outside of the double-layer battery module 100 along the length direction X. In another implementation of the embodiment of the present application, a guide groove 1312 is further provided on the first surface 131, and the guide groove 1312 is cross-connected with the drainage groove 1311. In the present embodiment, the guide groove 1312 extends along the width direction Y, and the guide groove 1312 and the drainage groove 1311 are perpendicular to each other. In other implementations, the guide groove 1312 and the drainage groove 1311 may not be perpendicular, for example, the angle between the guide groove 1312 and the drainage groove 1311 is 30° to 60°, as long as the guide groove 1312 and the drainage groove 1311 intersect. Fig. 9 When the condensate 200 generated by heat exchange in the second module 120 drips onto the first surface 131, it can flow into the drainage groove 1311 through the guide groove 1312, and flow out from at least one end in the length direction of the partition 130 through the drainage groove 1311 to the outside of the partition 130, thereby achieving the drainage of the condensate 200 and preventing the condensate 200 from accumulating and flowing to the electrical connection part of the first module to cause a safety accident.

[0038] In addition, refer to Figure 6 In this embodiment, two groups of guide groove groups 1312a are provided on the first surface 131. The two groups of guide groove groups 1312a are arranged at intervals along the width direction Y. Each group of guide groove groups 1312a includes seven guide grooves 1312. The seven guide grooves 1312 are arranged at intervals along the length direction X, and the seven guide grooves 1312 are sequentially connected through a row of liquid grooves 1311. In other implementations, the number of guide groove groups 1312a can be adjusted according to actual conditions, and the number of guide grooves 1312 in each group of guide groove groups 1312a can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, for example, according to the size of the battery module.

[0039] In addition, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The partition 130 is provided with a frame 133, and the frame 133 surrounds the second surface 132 along the outer circumference of the second surface 132. When the partition 130 is filled in the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120, the two side edges of the frame 133 oppositely arranged along the width direction Y respectively form a blockage for the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120.

[0040] The partition plate 130 in this embodiment is made of hard plastic material and is integrally formed by a vacuum forming process.

[0041] In addition, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 8 The double-layer battery module 100 also includes an elastic layer 140, which is arranged between the first module 110 and the partition 130. Specifically, the elastic layer 140 is arranged between the first cover plate 171 and the second surface 132. The partition 130 and the elastic layer 140 are sequentially filled in the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120 from bottom to top along the height direction Z.

[0042] The elastic layer 140 includes three support bars, namely a first support bar 141, a second support bar 142 and a third support bar 143. The first support bar 141, the second support bar 142 and the third support bar 143 are arranged along the length direction X, and the first support bar 141, the second support bar 142 and the third support bar 143 are arranged at intervals along the width direction Y. Figure 8 The first support bar 141 and the third support bar 143 are respectively against the two sides of the frame 133 that are arranged oppositely along the width direction Y, and the second support bar 142 is arranged in the middle of the second surface 132 in the width direction Y. Specifically, the orthographic projection of the second support bar 142 on the first surface 131 is located between the two guide groove groups 1312a. The frame 133 forms a limit for the elastic layer 140. The first support bar 141, the second support bar 142 and the third support bar 143 are respectively foam.

[0043] The elastic layer 140 and the partition 130 are subjected to a certain compression ratio and installed in the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120, that is, the first support bar 141, the second support bar 142 and the third support bar 143 in the elastic layer 140 are installed in the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120 in a compressed state, so that the first support bar 141, the second support bar 142 and the third support bar 143 are respectively tightly fitted with the first cover plate 171 to close the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120, forming a seal for the air duct in the width direction Y of the assembly gap, so that the double-layer battery module 100 can be used for air cooling and heat dissipation. The amount of cold air leakage during air cooling and heat dissipation operation is small, the module heat dissipation efficiency is high and stable, and the module life is improved, which overcomes the current design defect that the double-layer battery module can only be water-cooled and cannot be air-cooled.

[0044] Specifically, the double-layer battery module 100 also includes a connecting rod 150, which is arranged along the height direction Z. The first end plate 111 has an upper end surface (not shown in the figure) and a lower end surface (not shown in the figure) that are relatively arranged along the height direction Z. The upper end surface is provided with a socket (not shown in the figure) extending along the height direction Z. The connecting rod 150 passes through the second end plate 121 along the height direction Z and is inserted into the socket to realize the assembly between the first module 110 and the second module 120. As the connecting rod 150 goes deeper into the socket, the connecting rod 150 drives the second module 120 downward and squeezes the partition 130, the elastic layer 140 and the first end plate 111 in the height direction Z. The module 110, the partition 130 and the elastic layer 140 are subjected to a certain compression ratio, so that the elastic layer 140 fits tightly with the first cover plate 171 of the first module 110, thereby sealing the air duct in the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120. Among them, the connecting rod 150 is a bolt, and there are four of them, which are arranged at the four corners of the double-layer battery module 100 respectively. The socket is a threaded hole, and the connecting rod 150 is threadedly matched with the socket to complete the modular assembly of the double-layer battery module 100. The structure is simple, the strength is high, and the assembly process of the double-layer battery module 100 is simplified, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the double-layer battery module 100.

[0045] In addition, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first module 110 also includes two first side panels 112 arranged opposite to each other in the width direction Y, one of the first side panels 112 is provided with a first air inlet 113, and the other first side panel 112 is provided with a first air outlet 114 arranged opposite to the first air inlet 113; the second module 120 includes two second side panels 122 arranged opposite to each other in the width direction Y, one of the second side panels 122 is provided with a second air inlet 123, and the other second side panel 122 is provided with a second air outlet 124 arranged opposite to the second air inlet 123; the first air inlet 113 and the second air inlet 123 are located at the same end in the width direction Y.

[0046] When the double-layer battery module 100 is subjected to air cooling, refer to Fig. 9, the cold air travels along the width direction Y. Specifically, the cold air enters the inner side of the first module 110 through the first air inlet 113, exchanges heat with the battery cells 160 in the first battery module, and is discharged through the first air outlet 114. The condensate 200 generated by the heat exchange can flow from the bottom surface of the first module 110 to the outside of the first module 110 by its own weight; the cold air enters the inner side of the second module 120 through the second air inlet 123, exchanges heat with the battery cells 160 in the second battery module, and is discharged through the second air outlet 124. The condensate 200 generated by the heat exchange drips onto the first surface 131 of the partition 130 by its own weight, and flows to the outer sides of both ends of the partition 130 in the length direction X through the guide groove 1312 and the drainage groove 1311, and does not flow to the electrical connection part of the first module 110, thereby ensuring the power supply safety and service life of the double-layer battery module 100.

[0047] Moreover, since the partition 130 and the elastic layer 140 cooperate to form a blockage for the assembly gap between the first module 110 and the second module 120, the cold air entering the first module 110 and / or the second module 120 will not leak through the assembly gap, or the leakage is small, so that the heat dissipation efficiency of the double-layer battery module 100 is high and stable, thereby improving the service life of the double-layer battery module 100.

[0048] In addition, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 5 The upper end surface of the first end plate 111 is provided with an avoidance groove 115, which extends from the upper end surface to the lower end surface along the height direction Z. The two opposite ends of the partition 130 in the length direction are respectively provided with protrusions 134, which pass through the avoidance groove 115 along the length direction and extend to the outside of the first end plate 111. The electrical connection part of the first module 110 for electrically connecting with external electrical equipment is provided in the avoidance groove 115. The protrusion 134 passes through the avoidance groove 115, which can cover the electrical connection part of the first module 110, so as to prevent the condensed water generated by the air-cooled heat exchange of the second module 120 from flowing to the electrical connection part and causing the electrical connection failure.

[0049] At the same time, the embodiment of the present application also provides a battery pack, which has a box body (not shown in the figure), and the double-layer battery module 100 as described above is arranged in the box body.

[0050] The double-layer battery module and battery pack provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced in detail above. Specific examples are used in this article to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method of the present application and its core idea. At the same time, for technical personnel in this field, according to the idea of ​​the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A double-layer battery module having a length direction (X) and a height direction (Z) that are orthogonal to each other, characterized in that: The double-layer battery module (100) comprises: A first module (110) and a second module (120), wherein the first module (110) and the second module (120) are stacked in sequence along the height direction (Z), the first module (110) comprises a plurality of battery cells (160), the first module (110) further comprises a first cover plate (171), and the first cover plate (171) is provided on a side of the battery cell (160) facing the second module (120) along the height direction (Z); a partition (130), comprising a first surface (131) and a second surface (132) arranged opposite to each other along the height direction (Z), wherein the first surface (131) faces the second module (120), and the second surface (132) faces the first module (110), and the partition (130) is arranged between the first module (110) and the second module (120), and the partition (130) is arranged on a side of the first cover plate (171) facing the second module (120) along the height direction (Z); A drainage groove (1311) is provided on the first surface (131), and the drainage groove (1311) extends along the length direction (X) and passes through at least one end of the partition (130) in the length direction (X) to discharge condensate to the outside of the double-layer battery module; The partition (130) forms a seal for the assembly gap between the first module (110) and the second module (120); The double-layer battery module also has a width direction (Y) orthogonal to the length direction (X), the first module (110) has a first air inlet (113) and a first air outlet (114) arranged relatively along the width direction (Y), and the second module (120) has a second air inlet (123) and a second air outlet (124) arranged relatively along the width direction (Y); It also includes an elastic layer (140), wherein the elastic layer (140) is arranged on the second surface (132) of the partition (130), and the partition (130) and the elastic layer (140) are arranged in sequence between the first module (110) and the second module (120) along the height direction (Z).

2. The double-layer battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The double-layer battery module also has a width direction (Y) orthogonal to the length direction (X), and a guide groove (1312) is also provided on the first surface (131), the guide groove (1312) extends along the width direction (Y), and the guide groove (1312) is cross-connected with the drainage groove (1311); At least two groups of guide groove groups (1312a) are provided on the first surface (131), and the at least two groups of guide groove groups (1312a) are arranged at intervals along the width direction (Y), each group of the guide groove groups (1312a) includes at least two guide grooves (1312), and the guide grooves (1312) in each group of the guide groove groups (1312a) are connected through a drainage groove (1311).

3. The double-layer battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition plate (130) is provided with a frame (133), and the frame (133) surrounds the second surface (132) along the outer circumference of the second surface (132).

4. The double-layer battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic layer (140) comprises at least two support strips (141), wherein the support strips (141) are arranged on the second surface (132) along the length direction (X), and the at least two support strips (141) are arranged at intervals along the width direction (Y).

5. The double-layer battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a connecting rod (150), wherein the connecting rod (150) is arranged along the height direction (Z); The first module (110) includes two first end plates (111) arranged opposite to each other in the length direction (X), the second module (120) includes two second end plates (121) arranged opposite to each other in the length direction (X), and the connecting rod (150) passes through the second end plates (121) in the height direction (Z) and is inserted into the first end plate (111) located at the same end in the length direction (X).

6. The double-layer battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first end plate (111) has an upper end surface and a lower end surface arranged opposite to each other along the height direction (Z), the upper end surface is provided with a socket extending along the height direction (Z), the connecting rod (150) passes through the second end plate (121) along the height direction (Z) and is inserted into the socket, and the connecting rod (150) is threadedly matched with the socket.

7. The double-layer battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first module (110) comprises two first side panels (112) arranged opposite to each other in the width direction (Y), one of the first side panels (112) being provided with a first air inlet (113), and the other of the first side panels (112) being provided with a first air outlet (114) arranged opposite to the first air inlet (113); The second module (120) comprises two second side panels (122) arranged opposite to each other in the width direction (Y), one of the second side panels (122) being provided with a second air inlet (123), and the other of the second side panels (122) being provided with a second air outlet (124) arranged opposite to the second air inlet (123); The first air inlet (113) and the second air inlet (123) are located at the same end in the width direction (Y).

8. The double-layer battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper end surface of the first end plate (111) is provided with an avoidance groove (115), and the avoidance groove (115) extends from the upper end surface to the lower end surface along the height direction (Z); The partition plate (130) is provided with protruding portions (134) at two opposite ends thereof in the length direction (X), and the protruding portions (134) pass through the avoidance groove (115) along the length direction (X) and extend to the outside of the first end plate (111).

9. A battery pack having a box body, characterized in that: The box body is provided with a double-layer battery module (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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