Battery Module

Abstract

A battery module comprises a shell and a battery cell group accommodated in the shell, wherein the battery cell group comprises a plurality of single battery cells, each of which is stacked in sequence and connected end to end in sequence to form a battery cell group, wherein a spacer block is arranged between two adjacent single battery cells, a fuse is arranged in the spacer block, and the fuse is respectively connected to the single battery cells located on both sides of the spacer block, so that when any single battery cell in the battery module is abnormal, the fuse can be quickly triggered, thereby controlling the abnormality to the abnormal single battery cell, avoiding affecting other single battery cells of the battery module, thereby improving the safety of the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of soft-pack batteries, and in particular to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] Soft-pack batteries refer to batteries with aluminum-plastic film as the outer packaging. The load capacity of a single soft-pack battery is relatively small. In order to improve the load capacity of soft-pack batteries and facilitate the installation of soft-pack batteries, several soft-pack batteries are usually connected in series or in parallel to form a battery module, and then several battery modules are connected to form a battery pack with a larger load capacity.

[0003] On the one hand, the battery pack improves the load capacity of the soft-pack battery, but it also brings about the safety problem of energy concentration, which will cause a chain reaction when an abnormality occurs. Therefore, in order to improve the safety of the battery pack, each battery manufacturer will install fuses in the battery pack, but no fuses are placed in a single battery module.

[0004] However, the above safety measures have the following problems. Since the fuse is installed at the battery pack level, when a single soft-pack battery in a battery module has an abnormality, the hidden danger will be transmitted to the battery pack level and the fuse will be triggered. Due to the untimely response, the battery cell may easily swell, thereby causing the entire battery pack to be damaged. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a battery module that can quickly trigger a fuse when an abnormality occurs in a soft-pack battery, thereby achieving a rapid response to the abnormality and reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A battery module comprises: a housing and a battery cell group accommodated in the housing;

[0008] The battery cell group includes a plurality of single battery cells, each of which is stacked in sequence, and each of which is connected end to end in sequence to form the battery cell group;

[0009] A spacer block is arranged between two adjacent single cells, a fuse is arranged in the spacer block, and the fuse is respectively connected to the single cells located on both sides of the spacer block.

[0010] In one embodiment, a receiving groove is provided in the spacer block, and the fuse is received in the receiving groove.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the spacer block is further provided with a clearance gap penetrating through the accommodation groove, and the tabs of the single cell are inserted into the clearance gap.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, reinforcing ribs are provided in the spacer block.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, a bracket is further arranged between two adjacent single cells, and the tabs of the single cells are inserted through the bracket.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing includes a lower shell and a top cover, the lower shell is provided with a receiving groove, the battery cell group is accommodated in the receiving groove, and the top cover is buckled with the lower shell to seal the receiving groove.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lower shell includes a bottom shell and two end plates, the bottom shell is provided with a U-shaped groove, and the two end plates are respectively provided on both ends of the U-shaped groove, so that the inner side wall of the U-shaped groove and the surfaces of the two end plates together form the receiving groove.

[0016] In one of the embodiments, the battery module further includes a collection component, which includes a plug-in terminal and an FPC cable, wherein the plug-in terminal is disposed on one of the end plates, and the FPC cable is used to be connected to the plug-in terminal and the tabs of the single cell, respectively.

[0017] In one embodiment, the collection component further includes a temperature sensor, which is connected to the FPC cable and is used to collect the temperature in the receiving groove.

[0018] In one of the embodiments, the battery module further includes two copper bars, one end of each of the two copper bars is respectively disposed on the two end plates, and the other end of each of the two copper bars is respectively connected to two ends of the battery cell group.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0020] 1. A plurality of single cells are stacked and connected end to end to form a cell group, a spacer is set between two single cells, and a fuse is set in the spacer so that the single cells on both sides of the spacer are connected to the fuse respectively. In this way, when any single cell in the battery module is abnormal, the fuse can be triggered quickly, so that the abnormality is controlled on the abnormal single cell, avoiding affecting other single cells in the battery module, thereby improving the safety of the battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial structural schematic diagram of a battery module shown;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a spacer block according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a housing according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a lower shell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of the battery module from another angle shown;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the partial explosion structure of the battery module shown at another angle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more comprehensively with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 A battery module 10 includes a shell 100 and a battery cell group 200 accommodated in the shell 100. The battery cell group 200 includes a plurality of single battery cells 210. The single battery cells 210 are stacked in sequence and connected end to end to form the battery cell group 200. A spacer block 300 is arranged between two adjacent single battery cells 210. A fuse 400 is arranged in the spacer block 300. The fuse 400 is respectively connected to the single battery cells 210 located on both sides of the spacer block 300.

[0031] It should be noted that the battery cell group 200 is installed in the housing 100, and the battery cell group 200 is formed by a plurality of single battery cells 210 stacked and connected in sequence, wherein in each single battery cell 210, a positive electrode ear is provided on one end of the single battery cell 210, and a negative electrode ear is provided on the other end. When the single battery cells 210 are stacked against each other, the positive and negative electrode ears of the single battery cells 210 are connected in sequence so that the single battery cells 210 are connected in series. In one embodiment, in order to improve the firmness between the electrode ears of the single battery cells 210, the electrode ears of two adjacent single battery cells 210 are welded and fixed together; further, a spacer block 300 is provided between any two adjacent single battery cells 210, and a fuse 400 is installed on the spacer block 300, and the fuse 40 0 is used to connect to the single cells 210 on both sides of the spacer block 300 respectively. It should be noted that in a conventional battery module, any two single cells 210 are directly connected in series, while in the present application, a fuse 400 is connected in series between two single cells 210. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs in any single cell 210 in the battery module 10, the fuse 400 can be quickly triggered, so that the abnormality is controlled on the abnormal single cell 210, avoiding affecting other single cells 210 of the battery module 10, and improving the safety of the battery module 10; in one embodiment, a spacer block 300 can be set between two adjacent single cells 210 in multiple places, so as to further improve the abnormal response efficiency of the battery module 10.

[0032] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment, a receiving groove 310 is provided in the spacer block 300, and the fuse 400 is accommodated in the receiving groove 310. It should be noted that, in order to facilitate the protection of the fuse 400 and avoid the fuse 400 from being triggered by mistake, the receiving groove 310 is provided in the spacer block 300, and the fuse 400 is installed in the receiving groove 310, and the fuse 400 is protected by the inner side wall of the receiving groove 310; in one embodiment, the spacer block 300 is a plastic block with a long strip structure, and the spacer block 300 is set to be a plastic material, which can effectively reduce the mass of the battery module 10 and make the battery module 10 lightweight.

[0033] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3In one embodiment, the spacing block 300 is further provided with a position-avoiding gap 320 that penetrates the receiving groove 310, and the pole lug 211 of the single cell 210 is inserted into the position-avoiding gap 320. It should be noted that the position-avoiding gap 320 is located on the side wall of the receiving groove 310, and the pole lugs of the single cell 210 on both sides of the spacing block 300 need to pass through the spacing block 300 to be connected with the fuse 400 located in the receiving groove 310, so the position-avoiding gap 320 is respectively provided on the two opposite side walls of the receiving groove 310, so that the pole lug of the single cell 210 can pass through the position-avoiding gap 320 to be connected to the fuse 400. By providing the position-avoiding gap 320, the inner side wall of the position-avoiding gap 320 can be used to limit the pole lug of the single cell 210, so as to facilitate the welding operation of the pole lug and the fuse 400.

[0034] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment, a reinforcing rib 330 is provided in the spacer block 300. It should be noted that, since the individual cells 210 forming the cell group 200 are stacked against each other, in order to enhance the structural strength of the cell group 200, a spacer block 300 is provided between any two individual cells 210, so that the overall structural strength of the battery module 10 can be enhanced. However, in order to strengthen the battery module 10, the spacer block 300 is a plastic material structure, and the spacer block 300 is set to a hollow structure. Therefore, in order to improve the structural strength of the spacer block 300 and prevent the spacer block 300 from being squeezed and deformed, a reinforcing rib 330 is provided in the spacer block 300. For example, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 330 can be provided, and the reinforcing ribs 330 are staggered and connected to each other, so that the structural strength of the spacer block 300 can be enhanced.

[0035] See also Figure 1 In one embodiment, a bracket 500 is further provided between two adjacent single cells 210, and the tabs of the single cells 210 are passed through the bracket 500. It should be noted that the function of the bracket 500 is the same as that of the spacer block 300, both of which are to enhance the structural strength of the battery module 10, protect the internal single cells 210, and prevent them from being squeezed and deformed. For example, the structure of the bracket 500 can be the same as that of the spacer block 300, so the fuse 400 can also be installed on the bracket 500; for another example, the bracket 500 only plays a fixing role, so the bracket 500 only needs to have a gap for the tabs of the single cells 210 to pass through, so that the structural strength of the battery module 10 can be enhanced while making the battery cell group 200 more beautiful.

[0036] See also Figure 2In one embodiment, insulating cotton 600 is further arranged between all two adjacent single battery cells 210, so as to ensure that any two adjacent single battery cells 210 are either separated by the spacer block 300 or by the insulating cotton 600, thereby further improving the safety of each single battery cell 210 and preventing the short circuit problem between two adjacent single battery cells 210.

[0037] See also Figure 1 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the housing 100 includes a lower shell 110 and a top cover 120 . The lower shell 110 is provided with a receiving groove 111 . The battery pack 200 is accommodated in the receiving groove 111 . When the top cover 120 is buckled with the lower shell 110 , the receiving groove 111 is sealed.

[0038] It should be noted that the outer shell 100 is formed by snapping the lower shell 110 and the top cover 120 together. On the one hand, it is beneficial to seal and protect the battery cell group 200, and on the other hand, it is beneficial to install and fix the battery cell group 200 on the outer shell 100. Specifically, the battery cell group 200 is first fixed to the lower shell 110, and then the top cover 120 is snapped and fixed to the lower shell 110, which can prevent the battery cell group 200 from contacting the side wall of the lower shell 110.

[0039] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, the lower shell 110 includes a bottom shell 112 and two end plates 113. The bottom shell 112 is provided with a U-shaped groove 112a. The two end plates 113 are respectively provided at both ends of the U-shaped groove 112a, so that the inner side wall of the U-shaped groove 112a and the surfaces of the two end plates 113 together form a receiving groove 111.

[0040] It should be noted that the lower shell 110 is composed of a bottom shell 112 and two end plates 113, wherein the cross-section of the bottom shell 112 is a U-shaped structure, and a U-shaped groove 112a is formed on the bottom shell 112. In one embodiment, the bottom shell 112 is a stamped steel shell structure, and the two end plates 113 are installed on both ends of the U-shaped groove 112a to form a receiving groove 111 for accommodating the battery cell group 200. It should be noted that setting the lower shell 110 as a structure combining the bottom shell 112 and the end plates 113 can further facilitate the installation of the battery cell group 200.

[0041] See also Figure 1 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, the battery module 10 further includes a collection component 700, which includes a plug-in terminal 710 and an FPC cable 720. The plug-in terminal 710 is disposed on one of the end plates 113, and the FPC cable 720 is used to connect to the plug-in terminal 710 and the tabs of the single cell 210, respectively.

[0042] It should be noted that, in order to further improve the safety of the battery module 10, a collection component 700 is also installed in the battery module 10, including an FPC cable 720 with one end welded to the pole ear of each single battery cell 210, and the other end of the FPC cable 720 is connected to the plug-in terminal 710. In this way, the voltage value of each node of the single battery cell 210 can be collected in real time by using the FPC cable 720. When the voltage of a single battery cell 210 is abnormal, it can be quickly determined. Among them, the FPC cable 720 is a flexible circuit with the advantages of light weight and strong flexibility. In one embodiment, nickel sheets are used for welding between the FPC cable 720 and the pole ears of the single battery cell 210, which can improve the stability between the FPC cable 720 and the pole ears of the single battery cell 210.

[0043] See also Figure 6 In one embodiment, the collection component 700 further includes a temperature sensor 730, which is connected to the FPC cable 720 and is used to collect the temperature in the receiving slot 111. It should be noted that the use of the temperature sensor 730 to collect the temperature in the battery module 10 in real time can improve the safety of the battery module 10.

[0044] See also Figure 1 and Figure 7 In one embodiment, the battery module 10 further includes two copper bars 800 , one ends of the two copper bars 800 are respectively disposed on the two end plates 113 , and the other ends of the two copper bars 800 are respectively connected to the two ends of the battery cell group 200 .

[0045] It should be noted that the individual cells 210 in the cell group 200 are stacked on top of each other, and the positive and negative poles are connected end to end in sequence, that is, the cell group 200 is formed by connecting the individual cells 210 in series. Therefore, two copper bars 800 are respectively connected to the two ends of the cell group 200. In fact, one of the copper bars 800 is connected to the positive pole of the individual cell 210 located at the leftmost end of the cell group 200, and the other copper bar 800 is connected to the negative pole of the individual cell 210 located at the rightmost end of the cell group 200. Then, the two copper bars 800 are respectively fixed on the two end plates 113, so that the battery module 10 forms positive and negative poles to the outside.

[0046] See also Figure 7 In one embodiment, the end plate 113 includes a supporting plate body 113a and a protective plate body 113b, the supporting plate body 113a and the protective plate body 113b are stacked on each other to form the end plate 113, the plug-in terminal 710 is arranged on the supporting plate body 113a, and the copper busbar 800 is arranged on the protective plate body 113b.

[0047] It should be noted that the protection plate body 113b is arranged close to the battery cell group 200, so that the protection capability of the battery cell group 200 can be further improved. Furthermore, the copper busbar 800 is the output end of the battery cell group 200, and the plug-in terminal 710 is the output end of the collection. The copper busbar 800 and the plug-in terminal 710 are installed separately, which can prevent electrical signal interference between the two, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 10.

[0048] See also Figure 7 In one embodiment, a bearing seat 113c is provided on the protection plate body 113b, the copper busbar 800 is located on the bearing seat 113c, a bearing groove 113d is provided on the support plate body 113a, and the bearing seat 113c is penetrated in the bearing groove 113d. It should be noted that the bearing seat 113c is supported by the inner side wall of the bearing groove 113d. When the battery module 10 needs to be connected to the outside world, it is actually connected to the copper busbar 800 located on the bearing seat 113c, which can improve the structural strength of the copper busbar 800 and avoid the problem of deformation of the copper busbar 800 after multiple connections with the outside world.

[0049] For further information, see Figure 7 In one embodiment, a locking nut 113e is disposed in the bearing seat 113c, and a locking hole 810 is provided on the copper bar 800, and the locking hole 810 and the locking nut 113e are disposed opposite to each other. In this way, by passing a bolt through the locking hole 810 and then screwing it to the locking nut 113e, the copper bar 800 can be fixed on the bearing seat 113c, thereby improving the convenience of connecting the copper bar 800 with external lines.

[0050] See also Figure 7 In one embodiment, a reinforcing block 112d is provided between the bottom plate 112b and the side plate 112c of the bottom shell 112, and the reinforcing block 112d is respectively connected to the bottom plate 112b and the side plate 112c to form a triangular support structure. It should be noted that by providing the reinforcing block 112d to form a triangular support structure, the structural strength between the bottom plate 112b and the side plate 112c can be effectively improved to prevent deformation between the side plate 112c and the bottom plate 112b.

[0051] For further information, see Figure 1 In one embodiment, an insulating layer is provided between the battery cell group 200 and the top cover 120 , and the top cover 120 is a steel shell structure. Thus, the top cover 120 and the battery cell group 200 can be insulated, thereby improving the safety of the battery module 10 .

[0052] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: It comprises: a housing and a battery cell group accommodated in the housing; The battery cell group includes a plurality of single battery cells, each of which is stacked in sequence, and each of which is arranged according to Connecting end to end to form the battery cell group; A spacer block is arranged between two adjacent single cells, a fuse is arranged in the spacer block, and the fuse is respectively connected to the single cells located on both sides of the spacer block; The housing comprises a lower shell and a top cover, the lower shell is provided with a receiving groove, the battery pack is accommodated in the receiving groove, and the top cover is buckled with the lower shell to seal the receiving groove; The lower shell includes a bottom shell and two end plates, the bottom shell is provided with a U-shaped groove, and the two end plates are respectively provided at both ends of the U-shaped groove, so that the inner side wall of the U-shaped groove and the surfaces of the two end plates together form the receiving groove; The battery module further includes a collection component, the collection component includes a plug-in terminal and an FPC cable, the plug-in terminal is arranged on one of the end plates, and the FPC cable is used to be connected to the plug-in terminal and the tab of the single cell respectively; The end plate comprises a supporting plate body and a protective plate body, the supporting plate body and the protective plate body are stacked on each other to form the end plate, the plug-in terminal is arranged on the supporting plate body, and the copper busbar is arranged on the protective plate body; The protection plate body is provided with a bearing seat, the copper bar is located on the bearing seat, the support plate body is provided with a bearing groove, and the bearing seat is passed through the bearing groove; A reinforcing rib is arranged in the spacer block; A bracket is also arranged between two adjacent single cells, and the tabs of the single cells are inserted through the bracket; Insulating cotton is also arranged between any two adjacent single cells; A reinforcement block is provided between the bottom plate and the side plate of the bottom shell, and the reinforcement block is respectively connected to the bottom plate and the side plate to form a triangular support structure; An insulating layer is arranged between the battery cell group and the top cover.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A receiving groove is provided in the spacer block, and the fuse is received in the receiving groove.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spacer block is also provided with a clearance gap which penetrates through the accommodation groove, and the tabs of the single cell are inserted into the clearance gap.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The collection component also includes a temperature sensor, which is connected to the FPC cable and is used to collect the temperature in the receiving groove.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The battery module further includes two copper bars, one end of each of which is disposed on the two end plates, and the other end of each of which is connected to the two ends of the battery cell group.

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