Battery lower case, battery case, battery pack, and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a battery lower box, a battery box, a battery pack and a vehicle. The battery lower box comprises a shell and a flow channel plate. The shell comprises a bottom shell wall and a side shell wall arranged on the side of the bottom shell wall. The flow channel plate is a non-metal flow channel plate. The flow channel plate is located on the side of the bottom shell wall away from the side shell wall, and the flow channel plate is fixedly connected with the bottom shell wall. The battery lower box can reduce the weight and improve the thermal management effect on the battery cell through structural optimization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a battery lower housing, a battery box, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The powertrain of a new energy vehicle includes a battery pack, which comprises a battery housing, battery cell components, a thermal management system, an electrical system, and other accessories. The lower housing of the battery housing supports the battery cell components, thermal management system, and electrical system, and is a key structural component of the battery pack.

[0003] Integrating a cold plate into the lower casing can improve production efficiency and battery pack integration efficiency. In related technologies, to meet mechanical strength and thermal management requirements, the lower casing is made of steel or aluminum, while the cold plate is made of aluminum alloy and welded to the lower casing. This integrated battery lower casing is relatively heavy and does not provide good thermal management for the battery cells. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a battery lower housing, a battery box, a battery pack, and a vehicle, wherein the battery lower housing, through structural optimization, can reduce weight and improve the thermal management effect of the battery cells.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a lower battery housing, including a casing and a flow channel plate;

[0006] The shell includes a bottom shell wall and side shell walls disposed around the bottom shell wall;

[0007] The flow channel plate is a non-metallic flow channel plate, located on the side of the bottom shell wall away from the side shell wall, and is fixedly connected to the bottom shell wall.

[0008] In one feasible embodiment, the flow channel plate is connected to the bottom shell wall via an adhesive layer.

[0009] In one feasible embodiment, the flow channel plate includes a connecting plate portion having a connecting groove for receiving adhesive.

[0010] In one feasible solution, the width of the connecting groove is 0.2mm-1mm.

[0011] In one feasible embodiment, the flow channel plate includes a flow channel groove, and the bottom shell wall blocks the flow channel groove.

[0012] In one feasible solution, the width of the flow channel groove is 3mm-5mm.

[0013] In one feasible embodiment, the flow channel plate is a plastic flow channel plate or a composite material flow channel plate.

[0014] In one feasible embodiment, the flow channel plate has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / (m·K) and / or a density of less than 1.5 g / cm³. 3 The flow channel plate is made of the material.

[0015] In one feasible solution, the thickness of the flow channel plate is 1mm-5mm.

[0016] In one feasible embodiment, the lower battery housing includes a frame disposed on the outer periphery of the side shell wall, and the side shell wall is fixedly connected to the frame.

[0017] In one feasible embodiment, a flange is connected to one end of the side shell wall away from the bottom shell wall, the flange extending in a direction away from the interior of the shell, the flange overlapping the frame, and the flange being fixedly connected to the frame.

[0018] This application also provides a battery box, which includes the lower battery box body described in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] This application also provides a battery pack, which includes the battery box described above.

[0020] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the battery pack described above.

[0021] The battery lower housing provided in this application embodiment serves as a component of a battery box and can be used in a battery pack, which can be used in a vehicle. This battery lower housing integrates a non-metallic flow channel plate, which is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the housing. The flow channel plate is made of a non-metallic material, which reduces the weight of the battery lower housing, contributing to the lightweight development trend of battery boxes and battery packs. Simultaneously, the non-metallic material flow channel plate has poor thermal conductivity, reducing the amount of cold or heat lost by the coolant through the flow channel plate, ensuring effective heat exchange between the coolant and the battery cells through the bottom wall. In other words, the non-metallic material flow channel plate provides good insulation for the coolant flowing through the cooling channels, thereby improving the thermal management effect on the battery cells. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the lower battery housing provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The exploded view of the lower casing of the battery shown.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the lower battery housing from a downward viewing angle.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] Battery lower casing 100;

[0028] Shell 20, bottom shell wall 21, side shell wall 22, first side shell wall 221, second side shell wall 222, third side shell wall 223, fourth side shell wall 224, flange 23;

[0029] Frame 30, first frame section 31, second frame section 32;

[0030] Flow channel plate 40, flow channel groove 41, connecting plate 42, connecting groove 421;

[0031] Adhesive layer 50, adhesive 51. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] The ordinal numbers used in this article, such as first and second, are used to distinguish different parts with the same name and do not indicate a specific order or primary / secondary relationship.

[0034] For ease of understanding and description, this paper defines three directions for the battery lower housing: the first direction x is the width direction of the battery lower housing, the second direction y is the length direction of the battery lower housing, and the third direction z is the thickness direction of the battery lower housing, which can also be understood as the height direction of the battery lower housing. In the scenario where the battery lower housing is applied to a vehicle, the first direction x is generally the vehicle width direction, the second direction y is generally the vehicle length direction, and the third direction z is generally the vehicle height direction. In this paper, the directional term "inner" refers to the direction relatively close to the center of the battery lower housing, and correspondingly, the directional term "outer" refers to the direction relatively far away from the center of the battery lower housing. "Above" refers to the direction near the roof or battery box cover in the third direction z, and "below" refers to the direction away from the roof or battery box cover in the third direction z. The use of these directional terms is only for the clarity and convenience of describing the technical solution and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the lower battery housing provided in one embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The exploded view of the lower casing of the battery shown. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the lower battery housing from a downward viewing angle. Figure 4 for Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction.

[0036] This embodiment provides a lower battery housing 100, which is a component of a battery box and can be used for a battery pack. The battery pack can be applied to a vehicle as one of the vehicle's power sources.

[0037] The lower battery housing 100 includes a housing 20 and a flow channel plate 40. The housing 20 includes a bottom housing wall 21 and side housing walls 22 disposed around the bottom housing wall 21. The flow channel plate 40 is a non-metallic flow channel plate, located on the side of the bottom housing wall 21 away from the side housing walls, that is, the flow channel plate 40 is located below the housing 20, and the flow channel plate 40 is fixedly connected to the bottom housing wall 21.

[0038] The bottom shell wall 21 and the side shell wall 22 of the housing 20 enclose a receiving cavity with an opening, which can be used to install the battery cells of the battery pack, as well as electrical components and related accessories (such as wiring harnesses) that are electrically connected to the battery cells.

[0039] With the above implementation scheme, the lower battery housing 100 integrates a flow channel plate 40 made of non-metallic material. Compared with the existing aluminum alloy flow channel plate, the weight of the lower battery housing 100 can be reduced, which is conducive to the lightweight development trend of battery boxes and battery packs. In addition, the flow channel plate 40 is made of non-metallic material, which has poor thermal conductivity. This can reduce the amount of cold or heat lost by the coolant through the flow channel plate 40, and ensure the heat exchange effect between the coolant and the battery cell through the bottom shell wall 21. That is, the flow channel plate 40 made of non-metallic material has good heat preservation performance for the coolant flowing through the cooling channel, thereby improving the thermal management effect of the battery cell.

[0040] The flow channel plate 40 includes a flow channel groove 41, which is blocked by the bottom shell wall 21. The opening of the flow channel groove 41 of the flow channel plate 40 faces the direction of the bottom shell wall 21. After the flow channel plate 40 is fixedly connected to the bottom shell wall 21, the bottom shell wall 21 blocks the opening of the flow channel groove 41, and the bottom shell wall 21 and the flow channel groove 41 enclose a cooling channel that allows coolant to flow.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing 20 has a box-shaped structure with an open top, and the shape of the housing 20 can be set according to application requirements. Taking the rectangular housing 20 shown in the figure as an example, the side shell wall 22 includes a first side shell wall 221, a second side shell wall 222, a third side shell wall 223, and a fourth side shell wall 224. The first side shell wall 221 and the second side shell wall 222 are arranged opposite to each other in the first direction x, and the third side shell wall 223 and the fourth side shell wall 224 are arranged opposite to each other in the second direction y. The third side shell wall 223 is connected between one end of the first side shell wall 221 and the second side shell wall 222, and the fourth side shell wall 224 is connected between the other end of the first side shell wall 221 and the second side shell wall 222.

[0042] In a vehicle application scenario, the first side shell 221 and the second side shell 222 can be the left and right side shells, respectively, arranged in the vehicle width direction. The third side shell 223 and the fourth side shell 224 can be the front and rear side shells, respectively, arranged in the vehicle length direction. In other application scenarios, the battery lower housing 100 can have other arrangements on the vehicle. For example, the first and second side shells 221 and 222 can also be arranged along the vehicle length direction, in which case the third and fourth side shells 223 and 224 are arranged along the vehicle width direction.

[0043] In some implementations, the housing 20 can be a single, integrated structural component. This reduces the number of parts and connection points in the lower battery casing, simplifies the assembly process, and improves structural performance.

[0044] The shell 20 can be formed by hot stamping. Hot stamping utilizes the principle of thermoplastic forming of metals, which can simultaneously perform quenching heat treatment on the sheet metal, thereby improving forming accuracy and surface quality.

[0045] The housing 20 can be made of metal materials such as aluminum or steel. Using aluminum for the housing 20 helps to achieve a lightweight design for the battery's lower casing. The metal housing 20 has good thermal conductivity, allowing the coolant flowing through the cooling channels to exchange heat effectively with the battery cells inside the housing 20 via the bottom shell wall 21, thus achieving better thermal management.

[0046] In other implementations, the shell 20 can also be a spliced ​​structural component. For example, the bottom shell wall 21 and the side shell walls 22 of the shell 20 can be processed separately and then fixedly connected together, wherein the side shell wall 22 is a single integral component. Alternatively, the bottom shell wall 21, the first side shell wall 221, the second side shell wall 222, the third side shell wall 223, and the fourth side shell wall 224 of the shell 20 can all be independent components, processed separately, and then fixedly connected together. The aforementioned methods of fixed connection include, but are not limited to, welding, screwing, riveting, or bonding.

[0047] In this embodiment, the flow channel plate 40 is connected to the bottom shell wall 21 of the housing 20 via an adhesive layer 50. This ensures the sealing between the flow channel plate 40 and the bottom shell wall 21, guarantees the sealing effect of the cooling channel formed between the flow channel plate 40 and the bottom shell wall 21, and reduces the probability of coolant leakage.

[0048] In some implementations, the flow channel plate 40 includes a connecting plate portion 42, which has a connecting groove 421 for receiving adhesive 51. Thus, the connecting groove 421 can constrain the bonding range of the adhesive 51 in the adhesive layer 50, ensuring the reliability and sealing of the connection between the flow channel plate 40 and the bottom shell wall 21.

[0049] The flow channel plate 40 has an overall concave-convex structure to facilitate the formation of the flow channel groove 41 and the connecting plate 42 for connection with the bottom shell wall 21. With the connecting plate 42 as a reference, the flow channel groove 41 is recessed relative to the connecting plate 42 in a direction away from the bottom shell wall 21. The connecting plate 42 and the flow channel groove 41 are arranged alternately in one direction. For example, in the figure, the connecting plate 42 and the flow channel groove 41 are arranged alternately in the first direction x, and the extension direction of the flow channel groove 41 is the second direction y.

[0050] For example, the width of the connecting groove 421 is 0.2mm-1mm. In this way, the width of the bonding surface between the adhesive 51 located in the connecting groove 421 and the bottom shell wall 21 in the first direction x is 0.2mm-1mm, which can ensure the firmness of the bonding between the flow channel plate 40 and the bottom shell wall 21 and the sealing between them.

[0051] In some implementations, two connecting grooves 421 spaced apart in the first direction x can be provided on the connecting plate portion 42 located between the two flow channel portions 41. This can improve the connection strength between the flow channel plate 40 and the bottom shell wall 21. Other numbers of connecting grooves 421, such as one, three, or four, can also be provided on the connecting plate portion 42 located between the two flow channel portions 41.

[0052] In some implementations, the width of the channel groove 41 of the flow channel plate 40 is 3mm-5mm. Taking the figure as an example, the width of the channel groove 41 in the first direction x is 3mm-5mm. After being connected with the bottom shell wall 21, the width of the formed cooling channel is 3mm-5mm, which can ensure the contact area between the flowing coolant and the bottom shell wall 21, which is beneficial to ensuring the thermal management effect of the battery cell.

[0053] In other implementations, the width of the connecting groove 421 and the width of the flow channel groove 41 can be set to other values ​​according to actual needs, and are not limited to the above parameter range.

[0054] In some implementation schemes, the thickness of the flow channel plate 40 is 1mm-5mm. This allows for a better balance between the structural performance of the flow channel plate 40 and the design requirements for lightweighting.

[0055] In some implementations, the flow channel plate 40 can be made of engineering plastics or composite materials. This helps to reduce the weight of the lower battery housing 100 and also improves the heat preservation effect of the coolant flowing through the cooling channel, thus helping to improve the thermal management effect of the battery cell.

[0056] For example, the engineering plastic used to make the flow channel plate 40 may be PA (Polyamide), PP (Polypropylene) or PC (Polycarbonate).

[0057] For example, the composite material used to make the flow channel plate 40 can be either RTM or PCM. RTM composite material refers to a resin-based composite material formed by resin transfer molding (RTM). PCM composite material refers to prepreg compression molding, in which fiber reinforcements impregnated with resin are placed in a mold and cured under high pressure and heat.

[0058] In some implementations, the flow channel plate 40 can be made of a material with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / (m·K). This reduces the heat exchange of the coolant through the flow channel plate 40, resulting in better heat preservation of the coolant and ensuring that the coolant exchanges heat only with the battery cell.

[0059] In some implementations, the flow channel plate 40 may be made of a material with a density of less than 1.5 g / cm³. 3 It is made of the same material. This helps to reduce the weight of the flow channel plate 40, thereby reducing the weight of the lower battery housing 100.

[0060] In some embodiments, the lower battery housing 100 further includes a frame 30, which is disposed on the outer periphery of the side shell wall 22 and fixedly connected to the frame 30. The frame 30 can improve the structural strength of the lower battery housing 100.

[0061] The external structure of the frame 30 is similar to that of the housing 20. In the illustrated example, the side shell wall 22 of the housing 20 is roughly a rectangular ring structure, and the frame 30 as a whole is also a rectangular ring structure. The frame 30 includes four frame walls, located on the outside of the first side shell wall 221, the second side shell wall 222, the third side shell wall 223, and the fourth side shell wall 224, respectively. In this way, the overall structural performance of the lower battery housing 100 is stable and balanced.

[0062] In other embodiments, if performance requirements can be met, the frame 30 may also be U-shaped, that is, the frame 30 may include three frame walls, which may be located on the outside of the first side shell wall 221, the second side shell wall 222 and the fourth side shell wall 224 respectively.

[0063] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the frame 30 can be a profile structure with a cavity, which can ensure structural performance while facilitating weight reduction.

[0064] exist Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the frame 30 includes a first frame portion 31 and a second frame portion 32. The second frame portion 32 is disposed on the outer periphery of the first frame portion 31, and the side shell wall 22 of the shell 20 is specifically fixedly connected to the first frame portion 31.

[0065] In some implementations, the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 can be integrally formed to improve the structural strength and rigidity of the frame 30.

[0066] In other implementations, the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 can be formed separately and then assembled and fixed. The assembly and fixing methods include, but are not limited to, welding, screwing, riveting, or bonding.

[0067] In some implementations, the first frame 31 may have at least one cavity, and the second frame 32 may also have at least one cavity. For example... Figure 4 As shown.

[0068] In other implementations, the number of cavities in the first frame 31 and the second frame 32 can be set as needed. For example, the first frame 31 may have two or more cavities arranged along the third direction z, and the second frame 32 may have two or more cavities arranged along the first direction x.

[0069] In some implementations, the height dimension of the second frame 32 in the third direction z can be smaller than the height dimension of the first frame 31 in the third direction z.

[0070] The second frame 32 and the first frame 31 form a stepped structure. The second frame 32 can be used to install mounting structures, etc., to facilitate the hoisting or transfer of the lower battery housing 100.

[0071] The housing 20 and the frame 30 can be fixed by welding, screwing, riveting or bonding.

[0072] In some embodiments, the side wall 22 of the housing 20 is connected to a flange 23 at the end away from the bottom wall 21. The flange 23 extends in a direction away from the interior of the housing 20 and overlaps the frame 30, and the flange 23 is fixedly connected to the frame 30. This increases the connection range between the housing 20 and the frame 30, and also limits the relative position of the housing 20 and the frame 30 in the third direction z, which helps to improve the structural strength of the lower battery housing 100 and simplify the assembly process.

[0073] In the illustrated example, the flange 23 overlaps the top surface of the first frame 31.

[0074] The flange 23 and the frame 30 can also be fixed by welding, screwing, riveting or gluing.

[0075] This application also provides a battery box, which includes the lower battery box 100 described in any of the foregoing embodiments, and the battery box also includes an upper battery box connected to the lower battery box 100.

[0076] This application also provides a battery pack, which includes the battery box described in any of the foregoing embodiments and battery cells installed inside the battery box. This battery pack can be used in electric vehicles.

[0077] This application also provides a vehicle that includes the battery pack described in any of the foregoing embodiments. This vehicle can be an electric vehicle.

[0078] The aforementioned battery box, battery pack, and vehicle all possess the same technical effects as the aforementioned lower battery housing, and will not be repeated here. Other structural designs of the battery box or battery pack can refer to existing designs, but are not considered the core of this invention and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0079] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A battery lower case characterized by comprising: Includes the shell and flow channel plate; The shell includes a bottom shell wall and side shell walls disposed around the bottom shell wall; The flow channel plate is a non-metallic flow channel plate, located on the side of the bottom shell wall away from the side shell wall, and is fixedly connected to the bottom shell wall.

2. The battery lower case according to claim 1, characterized by, The flow channel plate is connected to the bottom shell wall via an adhesive layer.

3. The battery lower case according to claim 2, characterized by The flow channel plate includes a connecting plate portion, which has a connecting groove for accommodating adhesive.

4. The battery lower case according to claim 3, characterized by The width of the connecting groove is 0.2mm-1mm.

5. The battery lower case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, The flow channel plate includes a flow channel groove, and the bottom shell wall blocks the flow channel groove.

6. The battery lower case according to claim 5, characterized by The width of the flow channel groove is 3mm-5mm.

7. The battery lower case according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, The flow channel plate is a plastic flow channel plate or a composite material flow channel plate.

8. The battery lower case according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, The flow channel plate is made of a material with a thermal conductivity less than 0.5 W / (m·K) and / or a density less than 1.5 g / cm 3 .

9. The battery lower case according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, The thickness of the flow channel plate is 1mm-5mm.

10. The battery lower case according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, The lower battery housing includes a frame, which is disposed on the outer periphery of the side shell wall, and the side shell wall is fixedly connected to the frame.

11. The battery lower case according to claim 10, characterized by The side shell wall is connected to a flange at one end away from the bottom shell wall. The flange extends in a direction away from the interior of the shell and overlaps the frame. The flange is fixedly connected to the frame.

12. A battery pack, characterized by The battery box includes the lower battery box body as described in any one of claims 1-11.

13. A battery pack, characterized by The battery pack includes the battery box as described in claim 12.

14. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The vehicle includes the battery pack as described in claim 13.

Images