Power battery and vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and discloses a power battery, including a battery cell and a battery box, the battery box having a containing cavity, the battery box including a lower box body and an upper box body, the upper box body cover is arranged on the lower box body, and the battery cell is fixed on the lower box body so as to be located in the containing cavity. A first pressure relief channel and a second pressure relief channel which are interconnected are arranged on the lower box body, the lower box body includes a bottom plate and a side beam arranged in the circumferential direction of the bottom plate, the first pressure relief channel is arranged on the bottom plate, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the side beam and can be connected with the outside, the battery cell is arranged on the bottom plate, and the pressure relief valve is arranged toward the first pressure relief channel. When the battery cell has thermal runaway, harmful substances can be directly sprayed into the first pressure relief channel and discharged out of the battery box through the second pressure relief channel, thereby reducing the spreading speed of heat diffusion in the battery box and improving the safety performance of the battery system. The present invention also discloses a vehicle, including the above-mentioned power battery, which can discharge harmful substances in time when the battery cell has thermal runaway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a power battery and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The power battery is the core component of the vehicle, but as the energy density of the battery cells in the battery system increases, the risk of thermal runaway of the battery cells increases. When the thermal runaway of the battery cells reaches a certain temperature, an uncontrollable state will occur, causing the temperature inside the battery system to rise sharply and cause combustion and explosion.

[0003] Even though vehicles are usually equipped with a battery thermal management system to dissipate heat and cool the battery cells, it cannot completely prevent thermal runaway from occurring in the battery cells. Once thermal runaway occurs locally, it will quickly spread to the entire battery system. The battery box cover is usually lightweight in design, or made of plastic or thin-walled stamped metal, which reduces the high temperature resistance of the battery box cover in the direction of the passenger compartment. Once thermal runaway occurs, toxic high-temperature gases or flames will quickly break through the battery box shell and spread to the passenger compartment, reducing the chances of survival of the cabin occupants.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a power battery and a vehicle to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a power battery that can promptly discharge harmful substances out of the battery box when thermal runaway of the battery occurs, thereby improving the safety performance of the battery system.

[0006] As conceived above, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A power battery, comprising:

[0008] The battery cell is provided with a pressure relief valve;

[0009] A battery box has a accommodating cavity, the battery box includes a lower box body and an upper box body, the upper box body cover is arranged on the lower box body, the lower box body is provided with a first pressure relief channel and a second pressure relief channel which are interconnected, the lower box body includes a bottom plate and a side beam arranged in the circumferential direction of the bottom plate, the first pressure relief channel is arranged on the bottom plate, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the side beam and can be communicated with the outside, the battery cell is arranged on the bottom plate, and the pressure relief valve is arranged toward the first pressure relief channel.

[0010] Optionally, n groups of mounting beams are arranged on the base plate, each group of the mounting beams includes at least two mounting beams arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, the first pressure relief channel extending along a second direction is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams in each group of the mounting beams, a group of the mounting beams is used to fix a group of the battery cells, and the battery cells are arranged on the mounting beams across the first direction so that the pressure relief valve faces the first pressure relief channel, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0011] Optionally, a through groove extending along the second direction is formed on the bottom plate, each of the through grooves is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams in each group of mounting beams, and the through groove is arranged opposite to the pressure relief valve.

[0012] Optionally, the second pressure relief channel is extended along the first direction, two second pressure relief channels are provided, and both ends of the first pressure relief channel are connected to the second pressure relief channel.

[0013] Optionally, the side beam is a hollow structure, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the cavity of the side beam, and the side wall of the side beam close to the accommodating cavity is provided with pressure relief holes with the same number as the first pressure relief channel, and the first pressure relief channel is connected to the second pressure relief channel through the pressure relief holes.

[0014] Optionally, the cavity of the side beam includes an upper cavity and a lower cavity that are not connected, and the lower cavity is connected to the first pressure relief channel through the pressure relief hole.

[0015] Optionally, a mounting hole is provided on the side beam, and the mounting hole is only provided through the upper cavity.

[0016] Optionally, the power battery further includes an explosion-proof valve, and the explosion-proof valve is arranged outside the battery box and connected to the second pressure relief channel.

[0017] Optionally, the pressure relief valve is arranged on the top of the battery cell, and the battery cell is inverted and fixed on the bottom plate.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle that can promptly discharge harmful substances out of the battery box when battery thermal runaway occurs, thereby extending the escape time and ensuring the safety of the passengers.

[0019] As conceived above, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0020] A vehicle comprises the power battery as described above.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] The power battery proposed in the present invention includes a battery cell and a battery box. The battery box has a containing cavity. The battery box includes a lower box body and an upper box body, wherein the upper box body is a cavity structure with an opening facing downward, the upper box body cover is arranged on the lower box body, and the battery cell is fixed on the lower box body so as to be located in the containing cavity. The lower box body is provided with a first pressure relief channel and a second pressure relief channel which are interconnected. In addition, the lower box body includes a bottom plate and a side beam arranged in the circumferential direction of the bottom plate, the first pressure relief channel is arranged on the bottom plate, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the side beam and can be connected with the outside, the battery cell is arranged on the bottom plate, and the pressure relief valve is arranged toward the first pressure relief channel. When thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell, harmful substances can be directly sprayed into the first pressure relief channel and discharged out of the battery box through the second pressure relief channel, thereby reducing the spread speed of heat diffusion and improving the safety performance of the battery system.

[0023] The vehicle proposed in the present invention includes the power battery as described above, which can discharge harmful substances in time when the battery cell thermally runs away, thereby extending the escape time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is an exploded diagram of a power battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a power battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention from a first viewing angle (without an upper box);

[0026] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the power battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention from a second viewing angle (without the upper box).

[0027] In the figure:

[0028] 1. Battery cell; 2. Upper box body; 3. Lower box body; 31. Bottom plate; 311. Upper bottom plate; 312. Lower bottom plate; 313. Reinforcement ribs; 32. Side beam; 321. Upper cavity; 322. Lower cavity; 323. Pressure relief hole; 4. Mounting beam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted and the technical effects achieved clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0032] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and other directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description and have no special meaning.

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0034] In order to effectively curb the deterioration and spread of thermal runaway of the battery pack after it is caused by external force majeure and minimize the damage to the occupants in the vehicle, this embodiment provides a power battery that can be equipped with a pressure relief channel without increasing the total weight of the battery system, so as to timely and directionally discharge harmful substances generated during thermal runaway to the outside, reduce the spread speed of heat diffusion, prevent it from spreading to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and ensure the safety of the occupants.

[0035] like Figure 1As shown, the power battery includes a battery cell 1 and a battery box, the battery box has a containing cavity, and the battery box includes an upper box body 2 and a lower box body 3, wherein the upper box body 2 is a cavity structure with an opening facing downward, the upper box body 2 is covered on the lower box body 3, and the battery cell 1 is fixed on the lower box body 3 to be located in the containing cavity. In addition, the lower box body 3 is provided with a first pressure relief channel and a second pressure relief channel that are interconnected, and the battery cell 1 is provided with a pressure relief valve. When the battery cell 1 is arranged on the lower box body 3, the pressure relief valve of the battery cell 1 needs to be arranged toward the pressure relief channel to ensure that when thermal runaway of the battery cell 1 occurs, the harmful substances generated in the battery cell 1 can be directly and quickly directed to the pressure relief channel when breaking through the pressure relief valve. In this embodiment, the lower box body 3 includes a bottom plate 31 and a side beam 32 arranged in the circumferential direction of the bottom plate 31, wherein the first pressure relief channel is arranged on the bottom plate 31, and the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the side beam 32 and can be connected with the outside. Therefore, it can be known that when the battery cell 1 is arranged on the bottom plate 31, its pressure relief valve is arranged toward the first pressure relief channel.

[0036] Specifically, in order to fix the battery cell 1 on the bottom plate 31, n groups of mounting beams 4 are further provided on the bottom plate 31, and each group of mounting beams 4 includes at least two mounting beams 4 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction. When the battery cell 1 is installed, it is arranged across the mounting beams 4 along the first direction, that is, the battery cell 1 only partially abuts against the mounting beams 4. In addition, a first pressure relief channel extending along the second direction is provided between at least two adjacent mounting beams 4 in each group of mounting beams 4, that is, the portion of the battery cell 1 that does not abut against the mounting beams 4 may be opposite to the first pressure relief channel, and in order to achieve rapid pressure relief of the battery cell 1, it is necessary to make the pressure relief valve of the battery cell 1 directly opposite to the first pressure relief channel when installing the battery cell 1. The provision of the mounting beams 4 prevents the battery cell 1 from directly contacting the bottom plate 31 during installation, which may cause damage to the bottom plate 31 caused by welding of the battery cell 1, and also increases the space of the first pressure relief channel, which is convenient for the circulation of high-temperature and high-pressure gas. Among them, the first direction is Figure 1 The first direction is the ab direction shown in the figure, the second direction is the cd direction shown in the figure, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0037] In addition, the pressure relief valve of the battery cell 1 in this embodiment is also arranged at the top of the battery cell 1. Therefore, in order to realize that the pressure relief valve is directly arranged opposite to the first pressure relief channel, when installing the battery cell 1, the battery cell 1 needs to be inverted on the mounting beam 4, and the positive and negative electrodes arranged on the top of the battery cell 1 will also be arranged toward the bottom plate 31, and it can maintain a certain distance from the bottom plate 31 through the mounting beam 4.

[0038] Furthermore, in order to increase the flow area of ​​the first pressure relief channel, as Figure 2As shown, the bottom plate 31 is also provided with a through groove extending in the second direction, each through groove is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams 4 in each group of mounting beams 4, and the through groove is arranged relative to the pressure relief valve, and the through groove is part of the first pressure relief channel. It can be known that if the bottom plate 31 adopts the form of the upper bottom plate 311 and the lower bottom plate 312 being compounded by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 313, a plurality of channels extending in the second direction can be formed between the upper bottom plate 311 and the lower bottom plate 312, and in this embodiment, in order to facilitate the arrangement of the through groove, the bottom plate 31 adopts the form of the upper bottom plate 311 and the lower bottom plate 312 being compounded by a plurality of reinforcing ribs 313, and in order to further form the through groove, a plurality of upper bottom plates 311 need to be selected, and the plurality of upper bottom plates 311 are arranged at intervals. However, it should be noted that in order to ensure that each through groove is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams 4 in each group of mounting beams 4, and the through groove is arranged relative to the pressure relief valve, it is necessary to pay attention to the position and number of the reinforcing ribs 313, that is, at least two reinforcing ribs 313 should be arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams 4 in each group of mounting beams 4, so as to prevent the first pressure relief channel corresponding to a certain group of battery cells 1 from spreading to the bottom of other groups of battery cells 1 when discharging harmful substances, so as to prevent the thermal runaway of one group of battery cells 1 from having a greater impact on other groups of battery cells 1 and reduce the speed of heat spread.

[0039] Furthermore, the second pressure relief channel is extended along the first direction, and in order to further ensure the rapid discharge of harmful substances, two second pressure relief channels are provided, and both ends of the first pressure relief channel are connected to the second pressure relief channel. Figure 3 As shown, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the two side beams 32 in the first direction, and the first pressure relief channel on the bottom plate 31 extends to the two side beams 32 in the first direction, and then is discharged through the second pressure relief channel.

[0040] Specifically, the side beam 32 is a cavity structure, and the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the cavity of the side beam 32, which can rely on the structure of the side beam 32 itself, and there is no need to process a through hole in the side beam 32. In order to achieve the connection between the second pressure relief channel and the first pressure relief channel, the side beam 32 is provided with pressure relief holes 323 on the side wall close to the battery cell 1, which is the same as the number of the first pressure relief channel, so that the harmful substances in the first pressure relief channel can flow to the second pressure relief channel through the pressure relief holes 323.

[0041] Optionally, in this embodiment, the cavity of the side beam 32 includes an upper cavity 321 and a lower cavity 322, wherein the pressure relief hole 323 is arranged on the side wall of the lower cavity 322, and the lower cavity 322 and the upper cavity 321 are not connected, that is, only the lower cavity 322 in the cavity of the side beam 32 can serve as the second pressure relief channel.

[0042] Optionally, the portion of the upper cavity 321 that is not used as a pressure relief channel can assume the function of fixing the side beam 32, that is, the side beam 32 is a part of the lower box 3, and it needs to be relatively fixed with the upper box 2 to achieve the closure of the box. Specifically, the mounting hole for fixing the upper box 2 is set on the side beam 32, and only passes through the upper cavity 321. During installation, the fastener can pass through the mounting hole and extend into the upper cavity 321. Of course, the cavity of the side beam 32 is divided into the upper cavity 321 and the lower cavity 322 that are not connected, so that the side beam 32 can simultaneously realize the two functions of fixing and pressure relief, thereby simplifying the battery box structure.

[0043] Optionally, the power battery is further provided with an explosion-proof valve, which is arranged outside the battery box and connected to the second pressure relief channel. When a battery cell 1 is thermally runaway, harmful substances can be discharged from the battery box in time through the pressure relief channel and the explosion-proof valve.

[0044] This embodiment also provides a vehicle, including the power battery as described above, which can enable the toxic substances sprayed out of the pressure relief valve to be discharged from the battery box from the corresponding pressure relief channel in time when the battery cell is subjected to force majeure and causes thermal runaway, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.

[0045] The above embodiments are only to illustrate the basic principles and characteristics of the present invention. The present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may be subject to various changes and modifications, which are within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A power battery, characterized in that: include: The battery cell (1) is provided with a pressure relief valve; A battery box having a containing cavity, the battery box comprising a lower box body (3) and an upper box body (2), the upper box body (2) being covered on the lower box body (3), the lower box body (3) being provided with a first pressure relief channel and a second pressure relief channel which are in communication with each other, the lower box body (3) comprising a bottom plate (31) and a side beam (32) arranged in a circumferential direction of the bottom plate (31), the first pressure relief channel being arranged on the bottom plate (31), the second pressure relief channel being arranged in the side beam (32) and being able to communicate with the outside, the battery cell (1) being arranged on the bottom plate (31), and the pressure relief valve being arranged towards the first pressure relief channel; The bottom plate (31) is provided with n groups of mounting beams (4), each group of the mounting beams (4) comprising at least two mounting beams (4) arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, a first pressure relief channel extending along a second direction is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams (4) in each group of the mounting beams (4), a group of the mounting beams (4) is used to fix a group of the battery cells (1), the battery cells (1) are arranged transversely on the mounting beams (4) along the first direction so that the pressure relief valve faces the first pressure relief channel, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; The bottom plate (31) is provided with a through groove extending along the second direction, each of the through grooves is arranged between at least two adjacent mounting beams (4) in each group of mounting beams (4), and the through groove is arranged opposite to the pressure relief valve; The pressure relief valve is arranged on the top of the battery core (1), and the battery core (1) is fixed upside down on the bottom plate (31).

2. The power battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second pressure relief channel is extended along the first direction, two second pressure relief channels are provided, and both ends of the first pressure relief channel are connected to the second pressure relief channel.

3. The power battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The side beam (32) is a hollow structure, the second pressure relief channel is arranged in the cavity of the side beam (32), and the side wall of the side beam (32) close to the accommodating cavity is provided with pressure relief holes (323) whose number is the same as that of the first pressure relief channel, and the first pressure relief channel is connected to the second pressure relief channel through the pressure relief holes (323).

4. The power battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The cavity of the side beam (32) comprises an upper cavity (321) and a lower cavity (322) which are not connected, and the lower cavity (322) is connected to the first pressure relief channel through the pressure relief hole (323).

5. The power battery according to claim 4, characterized in that: The side beam (32) is provided with a mounting hole, and the mounting hole is only provided through the upper cavity (321).

6. The power battery according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power battery further includes an explosion-proof valve, and the explosion-proof valve is arranged outside the battery box and connected to the second pressure relief channel.

7. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising a power battery as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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