Battery pack and its battery modules

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery pack and a battery module thereof. In the present invention, the battery module includes: an outer frame and a battery cell array disposed in the outer frame; the battery cell array includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in sequence, and any two adjacent battery cells are connected in series, and each of the battery cells can be unfolded and laid flat on the same horizontal plane. Compared with the prior art, the battery module has a simple structure, low assembly difficulty, and the battery pack is safer to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of batteries, and particularly to battery packs and battery modules thereof. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the emergence of new energy vehicles has played a huge role in promoting social development and environmental protection. The power battery pack, as a rechargeable battery, is the power source of new energy vehicles and is widely used in the field of new energy vehicles. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules, and each battery module has a plurality of battery cells vertically arranged in an outer frame. Busbars are provided at both ends of the battery cells, and the busbars support copper bars. After passing the tabs of the battery cells through the busbars, they are connected to the copper bars to achieve the series connection of the battery cells. This structure has a complex part structure, and it is difficult for the tabs of the battery cells to pass through the gaps of the busbar brackets. There are risks in the assembly process, which is not conducive to rapid assembly. Moreover, during the extrusion of the module, copper bar short circuit and fire are likely to occur. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery module, which has a simple structure, low assembly difficulty, and safer use of the battery pack.

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery module, including: an outer frame and a battery cell array disposed in the outer frame; the battery cell array includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a folded manner in sequence, and any two adjacent battery cells are connected in series; each of the battery cells can be unfolded and laid flat on the same horizontal plane.

[0005] In one embodiment, the battery module further includes: a plurality of bar pieces, and the tabs of each battery cell are connected to the bar pieces; wherein, one tab of one battery cell and one tab of another battery cell among two adjacent battery cells are connected to the same bar piece, and the polarities of the two tabs connected to one bar piece are opposite.

[0006] In one embodiment, the battery cell array further includes: a circuit module electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells.

[0007] In one embodiment, the circuit module includes: a circuit board, and a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to both ends of the circuit board respectively; the first connector and the second connector are respectively electrically connected to the bar pieces at both ends of at least one of the battery cells.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first connector has a plurality of first connection portions connected to one end of the circuit board;

[0009] The second connector has at least one second connection portion connected to the other end of the circuit board.

[0010] In one embodiment, both the first connection part and the second connection part include a nickel sheet connected to the corresponding tab, and a connection wire connected to the nickel sheet.

[0011] In one embodiment, the circuit board includes: a board body, a first docking end and a second docking end respectively connected to both ends of the board body; each of the first connection parts is connected to the first docking end, and each of the second connection parts is connected to the second docking end.

[0012] In one embodiment, the exposed parts of the tab, the electrode tab of the battery cell, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are all coated with an insulating layer.

[0013] In one embodiment, the outer frame includes:

[0014] a frame body having an opening;

[0015] a cover plate covering the opening of the frame body;

[0016] two oppositely arranged end plates provided at both ends of the frame body; each of the battery cells is placed in the frame body, and the electrode tabs at both ends of the battery cell face the two end plates respectively; wherein, the tab connected to the electrode tab of each battery cell is connected to the end plate opposite to the electrode tab where the tab is located.

[0017] In one embodiment, the tab is locked to the corresponding end plate by a locking member.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, including: at least one battery module as described in any one of claims 1-10, and a placement frame for accommodating the battery module.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the battery cells are sequentially stacked and arranged, and two adjacent battery cells are connected in series, without the barrier restriction of the bus bar, two adjacent battery cells can be directly connected in series, with a larger operation space and no interference from the bus bar, making the operation convenient. And the structure is simple, with fewer components, which also reduces the assembly difficulty and equipment cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a battery module in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cell array in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4It is a schematic structural diagram of each battery cell laid flat and connected in series in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of an insulating layer coated on the nickel sheet in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Among them, 100, battery module; 10, battery cell array; 7, outer frame; 71, frame body; 70, opening; 74, cover plate; 80, circuit module; 8, circuit board; 81, board body; 82, first docking end; 83, second docking end; 50, insulating layer; 72, end plate; 73, end plate; 1, battery cell; 11, tab; 12, tab; 2, battery cell; 21, tab; 22, tab; 3, battery cell; 31, tab; 32, tab; 4, battery cell; 41, tab; 42, tab; 51, bar piece; 52, bar piece; 53, bar piece; 54, bar piece; 55, bar piece; 61, first connecting portion; 62, first connecting portion; 63, first connecting portion; 64, second connecting portion; 65, second connecting portion; 601, nickel sheet; 602, connecting wire; 9, locking member. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be elaborated in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that in the embodiments of the present invention, many technical details are proposed for the readers to better understand the present application. However, even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments, the technical solutions required to be protected by the claims of the present application can still be achieved.

[0027] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the words "comprise" and its variants, such as "comprising" and "having", shall be understood in an open, inclusive sense, that is, shall be interpreted as "including, but not limited to".

[0028] The following will elaborate on the embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so as to more clearly understand the objectives, features and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are not limitations on the scope of the present invention, but only to illustrate the essential spirit of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0029] The reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various positions throughout the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. In addition, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any manner in one or more embodiments.

[0030] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be noted that the term "or" is generally used in its inclusive sense of "and / or" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] In the following description, in order to clearly show the structure and working mode of the present invention, many directional terms will be used for description. However, terms such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "outer", "inner", "outward", "inward", "up", and "down" should be understood as convenient terms and should not be understood as restrictive terms.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the battery module 100 includes: an outer frame 7 and a battery cell array 10 disposed in the outer frame 7. The battery cell array 10 includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in sequence, and any two adjacent battery cells are connected in series. As shown in the figure, four battery cells are arranged in sequence when unfolded, and the adjacent tabs of two adjacent battery cells are adjacent. For example, the tab 12 of battery cell 1 is adjacent and connected to the tab 21 of battery cell 2, realizing the series connection of battery cell 1 and battery cell 2. Battery cells 2, 3, and 4 are also connected in series in the same way. And the polarities of the two connected tabs are opposite. And each battery cell can be unfolded and laid flat on the same horizontal plane.

[0033] In addition, as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the two connected tabs can be connected by a tab bar. As shown in the figure, the tab 12 is welded to one end of the tab bar 52, and the tab 21 is welded to the other end of the tab bar 52. The tabs of the remaining battery cells can also be connected by tab bars in the same way. Of course, the tabs between the series-connected battery cells can also be directly connected. The tab bar can be a copper tab bar or an aluminum tab bar.

[0034] Furthermore, tab bars are also connected to the tab 11 of battery cell 1 and the tab 42 of battery cell 4, that is, the tabs of all battery cells are connected to tab bars, and it is convenient to electrically connect other components through the tab bars.

[0035] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 shown, the battery cell array 10 further includes: a circuit module 80, and the circuit module 80 can be used to collect the temperature, current, etc. of each battery cell. The circuit module 80 can be electrically connected to the battery cells to be collected. The circuit module 80 includes: a circuit board 8, and a first connector and a second connector electrically connected to both ends of the circuit board 8 respectively. Since it is necessary to collect data of each battery cell in the battery module 100, the first connector and the second connector are respectively electrically connected to the tab bars at both ends of battery cells 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0036] Specifically, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the first connecting member has a plurality of first connecting portions connected to one end of the circuit board 8, and the second connecting member has at least one second connecting portion connected to the other end of the circuit board 8. In this embodiment, there are 3 first connecting portions and 2 second connecting portions. The first connecting portion 61 is connected to the tab 51, the second connecting portion 64 is connected to the tab 52, the first connecting portion 62 is connected to the tab 53, the second connecting portion 65 is connected to the tab 54, and the first connecting portion 63 is connected to the tab 55. The first connecting portion 61, the first connecting portion 62, and the first connecting portion 63 are connected to one end of the circuit board 8, and the second connecting portion 64 and the second connecting portion 65 are connected to the other end of the circuit board 8. Thus, the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 64 can be electrically connected to the battery cell 1, the first connecting portion 62 and the second connecting portion 64 can be electrically connected to the battery cell 2, the first connecting portion 62 and the second connecting portion 65 can be electrically connected to the battery cell 3, and the first connecting portion 63 and the second connecting portion 65 can be electrically connected to the battery cell 4. Among them, each first connecting portion and second connecting portion may both include a nickel sheet 601 connected to the corresponding tab and a connecting wire 602 inserted into the circuit board 8. The connecting wire 602 is connected to the nickel sheet 601, and the nickel sheet 601 can be welded to the tab. It can be understood that the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can also be a nickel sheet or a connecting wire as a whole. The number of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is not limited to the above number, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can also be 1 or more.

[0037] Furthermore, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the circuit board 8 includes: a board body 81, a first docking end 82 and a second docking end 83 respectively connected to both ends of the board body 81; each of the first connecting members is connected to the first docking end 82, and each of the second connecting members is connected to the second docking end 83. That is, each first connecting portion of the first connecting member is inserted into the first docking end 82. There are three first docking positions on the first docking end 82, and one first connecting portion is inserted into one first docking position; each second connecting portion of the second connecting member is inserted into the second docking end 83. There are two second docking positions on the second docking end 83, and the second connecting member is inserted into one second docking position. It can also not be in the form of plugging, but through welding or other connection forms.

[0038] In order to prevent the exposed metal parts such as the tab of each battery cell, the tab, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion from conducting electricity, an insulating layer 50, such as insulating paint, insulating glue, etc., is coated on the exposed metal parts such as the tab of each battery cell, the tab, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion.

[0039] AsFigure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the outer frame 7 includes: a frame body 71 having an opening 70, a cover plate 74 covering the opening 70 of the frame body 71, two oppositely arranged end plates 72 and 73, and the two end plates are arranged at both ends of the frame body 71. Each of the battery cells is placed in the frame body 71, and the tabs at both ends of the battery cell face the two end plates respectively. The busbars connected to the tabs of each battery cell are connected to the end plates opposite to the tabs where the busbars are located. The busbars 51, 53 and 55 are locked on the corresponding end plate 72 by the locking member 9, and the busbars 52 and 54 are locked on the corresponding end plate 73 by the locking member 9. The locking member 9 can be a bolt or a self-tapping screw, etc.

[0040] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, in the assembly of the battery module 100, first, the battery cells are unfolded and arranged, then the battery cells are connected in series through the busbars, and then the first connection parts and the second connection parts are welded to the corresponding busbars. Thus, there is a large welding operation space between the components, and a high-strength welding method can be adopted. Then, an insulating layer 50 is coated on the exposed metal parts such as the tabs of the battery cells, the busbars, and the first connection parts and the second connection parts. Since the insulating layer 50 is coated on the exposed metal parts when the battery cells are unfolded and arranged, it can ensure that all the exposed metal parts are coated with the insulating layer 50, avoiding the risk of extrusion short circuit during operation due to the busbar blocking the exposed metal parts from being coated with the insulating layer 50.

[0041] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, after the insulating layer 50 is coated, the battery cells are folded with each other in a bellows fold manner, that is, after folding, the tabs of the battery cells with the same polarity that are spaced apart are on the same side. Thus, the tabs of each battery cell only need to be simply bent, reducing the difficulty of bending the tabs and inserting them through the busbars when there is a busbar. After each battery cell is folded, the circuit board 8 is placed on the top of the battery cell array 10, and the first connector and the second connector are inserted into the circuit board 8, and the circuit board 8 is convenient to install. After the installation of the circuit board 8 is completed, the battery cell array is placed into the frame body 71 from the opening 70, and then the cover plate 74 is covered, and the cover plate 74 is welded to the frame body 71. Finally, the end plates 71 and 72 are installed on the frame body 71. The end plate 71 and the busbars 51, 53 and 55 are fixed together by rivets, and the end plate 72 and the busbars 52 and 54 are fixed together by rivets. There is no busbar bracket, which is convenient for installation. Then, both end plates 71 and 72 are welded to the frame body 71 and the cover plate 74 to form the battery module 100.

[0042] In addition, the above example only uses four battery cells. In different embodiments, the number of battery cells can be more than four, and can be two, three, or five.

[0043] Another embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, including: the above-mentioned battery module 100, and a placement frame for accommodating the battery module 100.

[0044] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, it should be understood that if necessary, aspects of the embodiments can be modified to adopt aspects, features, and concepts of various patents, applications, and publications to provide additional embodiments.

[0045] In view of the above detailed description, these and other changes can be made to the embodiments. Generally speaking, in the claims, the terms used should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be understood to include all possible embodiments together with the full equivalent scope enjoyed by these claims.

[0046] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing the present invention. In practical applications, various changes can be made in form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, Comprising: An outer frame and a battery cell group column arranged in the outer frame; the battery cell group column includes: a plurality of battery cells stacked in sequence, opposite ends of the battery cells have tabs extending in opposite directions, and any two adjacent battery cells are connected in series, and each battery cell can be horizontally unfolded and laid flat on the same horizontal plane along the extension direction of the tabs of the battery cell; The battery module further includes: a plurality of bus bars, and the tabs of each battery cell are connected to the bus bars; The battery cell group column further includes: a circuit module electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells; The circuit module includes: a circuit board, and a first connector and a second connector respectively electrically connected to both ends of the circuit board; the first connector and the second connector are respectively electrically connected to the bus bars at both ends of at least one of the battery cells; The first connector has a plurality of first connection parts connected to one end of the circuit board; The second connector has at least one second connection part connected to the other end of the circuit board; The circuit board includes: a board body, a first docking end and a second docking end respectively connected to both ends of the board body; each first connection part is connected to the first docking end, and each second connection part is connected to the second docking end.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, One tab of one battery cell and one tab of another adjacent battery cell are connected to the same bus bar, and the polarities of the two tabs connected to one bus bar are opposite.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connection part and the second connection part both include a nickel sheet connected to the corresponding bus bar and a connection wire connected to the nickel sheet.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exposed parts of the bus bars, the tabs of the battery cells, the first connector and the second connector are all coated with an insulating layer.

5. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer frame includes: A frame body having an opening; A cover plate covering the opening of the frame body; Two oppositely arranged end plates arranged at both ends of the frame body; each battery cell is placed in the frame body, and the tabs at both ends of the battery cell face the two end plates respectively; wherein, the bus bar connected to the tab of each battery cell is connected to the end plate opposite to the tab where the bus bar is located.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein The bus bar is locked to the corresponding end plate by a locking member.

7. A battery pack, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1-6, and a placement frame for accommodating the battery module.

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