Battery module regularizing device, battery module, battery pack, and electric device

Abstract

The application relates to the field of battery module assembly, and discloses a battery module regularizing device, a battery module, a battery pack and a power utilization device. The battery module regularizing device comprises a rack, a loading table arranged on the rack and used for placing a battery module to be regularized, and a regularizing mechanism arranged on the rack. The regularizing mechanism comprises a first regularizing component capable of sliding in a first direction, a second regularizing component capable of sliding in a second direction and a third regularizing component capable of sliding in a third direction. The first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular. The first regularizing component is used for regularizing an end surface of the battery module, the second regularizing component is used for regularizing a side surface of the battery module, and the third regularizing component is used for regularizing a top surface of the battery module. The regularizing device can realize the standardization operation of the size difference between an end plate and a battery string, is used for realizing the automatic packaging of the battery module, reduces the labor cost, and improves the packaging efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery module assembly, and in particular to a battery module arranging device, a battery module, a battery pack, and an electrical device. Background Art

[0002] During the packaging process of the battery module, it is necessary to assemble multiple battery cells and end plates arranged side by side together. The specific assembly process includes the following steps: multiple battery cells are arranged side by side to form a battery string, end plates are arranged at both ends of the battery string along the arrangement direction of the battery cells, a glue layer is filled between the end plates and the battery string, and a certain amount of extrusion force is applied to the end plates before the glue layer dries so that they are bonded and fixed to the battery string, and finally a packing tape is applied to complete the packaging of the battery module. Usually, there needs to be a size difference between the battery string and the end plate in the width direction of the battery string to facilitate the subsequent installation of the battery module. In the existing packaging process, the end plates and battery strings are squeezed manually. During the extrusion process, the pressure is not easy to control, which can easily cause the size difference between the end plate and the battery string to fail to meet the set requirements and easily cause damage to the battery cells. At the same time, the packaging process has high labor costs and low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application discloses a battery module regularization device, a battery module, a battery pack and an electrical device, which are used to realize automatic regularization of the battery module and can realize the standardization of the size difference between the end plate and the battery string, reduce labor costs and improve packaging efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a battery module tidying device, comprising: a rack, a carrier arranged on the rack and used to place the battery module to be tidyed, and a tidying mechanism arranged on the rack; wherein the tidying mechanism comprises a first tidying component that can slide along a first direction, a second tidying component that can slide along a second direction, and a third tidying component that can slide along a third direction, the first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the third direction; the first tidying component is used to tidy the end face of the battery module, the second tidying component is used to tidy the side face of the battery module, and the third tidying component is used to tidy the top face of the battery module; The battery module includes a battery string and end plates arranged at both ends of the battery string along a first direction, and the second regularizing assembly includes a first regularizing plate and a second regularizing plate arranged opposite to and spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and the first regularizing plate and the second regularizing plate are slidingly connected to the frame along the second direction; a side of the first regularizing plate facing the carrier and a side of the second regularizing plate facing the carrier are both provided with a stepped surface for regularizing the end plate and the battery string, the first surface of the stepped surface is used to abut against the battery string, and the second surface of the stepped surface is used to abut against the end plate.

[0006] The battery module regularization device of the present application has a regularization mechanism including regularization components arranged along three directions, namely a first regularization component, a second regularization component and a third regularization component. The three regularization components of the regularization mechanism can slide along the frame, wherein the first regularization component can slide along the first direction so as to regularize the end face of the battery module, that is, to apply pressure between the end plate and the battery string, the second regularization component can slide along the second direction so as to regularize the side face of the battery module, that is, to apply pressure to the length and width face of the battery module, and the third regularization component can slide along the third direction so as to regularize the top face of the battery module, that is, to apply pressure to the top face of the battery module. The battery module to be regularized includes a battery string and an end plate, and there are two end plates and they are arranged at both ends of the battery string along the first direction. The first regularization plate and the second regularization plate of the second regularization component are both provided with a stepped surface on the side facing the carrier for regularizing the end plate and the battery string, wherein the first surface of the stepped surface is used to abut the battery string, and the second surface of the stepped surface is used to abut the end plate. Thus, the stepped surfaces of the first and second shaping plates can be used to shape the battery module in the second direction, so that the battery strings and end plates of the battery module have corresponding dimensional differences in the second direction, meeting the requirements of the battery module. In addition, the shaping device can achieve automated shaping of the battery module, thereby reducing the chance of scratching the battery cells due to misoperation, reducing labor costs, and improving shaping efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, the height difference between the first surface and the second surface in the second direction is 0.3-2 mm. In a battery module, since there is typically a 0.3-2 mm dimensional difference between the end plate and the edge of the battery string along the second direction, this arrangement ensures that the packaged dimensions of the battery module meet design requirements.

[0008] Furthermore, the first regularized plate exerts a greater extrusion force on the battery module than the second regularized plate. The first regularized plate serves as a positioning plate, and the second regularized plate serves as an extrusion plate. Using the first regularized plate as a positioning plate ensures that the battery module is correctly positioned, prevents slippage, and ensures reliable positioning.

[0009] Furthermore, the second regularization plate is connected to the frame in the third direction through a slide rail, and can reciprocate along the third direction, and the second regularization plate can slide along the third direction to below the plane where the carrier is located. In addition to being able to reciprocate along the second direction, the first regularization plate can also reciprocate along the third direction, and the first regularization plate can slide below the plane where the carrier is located. When the battery module needs to be loaded and unloaded, the first regularization plate can be slid below the plane where the carrier is located; when the battery module needs to be regularized, the first regularization plate can be slid above the plane where the carrier is located. In this way, the loading and unloading and regularization of the battery module can be facilitated.

[0010] Furthermore, the platform includes a slide and a tray disposed on the surface of the slide. The slide is connected to the frame via a slide rail, and the tray is detachably connected to the slide. The slide of the platform can be slidably connected to the frame via the slide rail to facilitate movement of the platform. The tray is detachably connected to the slide. When it is necessary to load the battery module, the tray can be removed, the battery module placed on the tray, and then the tray and the battery module are mounted on the slide together, thereby facilitating the loading and unloading of the battery module.

[0011] Furthermore, along the first direction, baffles are provided at both ends of the tray to prevent the battery modules from falling from both ends of the tray.

[0012] Furthermore, the tray is provided with a detachable limiting rod, the length direction of which is parallel to the first direction, so as to prevent the battery modules from falling from both sides of the tray.

[0013] Furthermore, the first regularization component includes a first regularization portion and a second regularization portion, the support plate is arranged between the first regularization portion and the second regularization portion, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the first regularization portion facing the baffle and the side of the second regularization portion facing the baffle, the baffle is provided with through holes capable of passing the protrusions, and when the first regularization component regularizes the battery module, the protrusions pass through the through holes to apply an extrusion force along the first direction to the battery module. Through the cooperation of the protrusions and the through holes, the first regularization portion and the second regularization portion can achieve regularization of the battery module.

[0014] Furthermore, the third aligning assembly includes a third aligning plate disposed along the third direction, wherein the third aligning plate is slidably connected to the rack along the third direction. The third aligning plate can be connected to the rack via a slide rail. The third aligning plate can achieve alignment of the top of the battery string.

[0015] Furthermore, the frame is provided with a positioning member for locating the carrier. The positioning member may be provided on a side close to the first regularized plate. When the carrier loaded with the battery module moves to the positioning member, the positioning member may prevent the carrier from continuing to move toward the first regularized plate in the second direction, thereby limiting the carrier. The positioning member may be a raised portion provided on the frame, and the raised portion may be provided on the sliding side for connecting the slide plate and the frame.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a battery module, which is obtained by regularizing using the regularizing device of the first aspect of the present application; wherein, along the second direction, there is a size difference between the end plate and the battery string.

[0017] The battery module obtained after regularization by the regularization device of the present application will have a size difference between the end plate and the battery string in the second direction, that is, the width direction of the battery string, to facilitate the subsequent assembly and wiring of the battery module.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present application provides a battery pack, which includes the battery module of the second aspect of the present application.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an electric device comprising the battery pack according to the third aspect of the present application, wherein the electric device may be, for example, an electric vehicle, an energy storage device, or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module arrangement device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 A schematic top view of a regularization device according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a skateboard according to an embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a tray according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the first regular part;

[0025] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the surface structure of the first regular plate;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of a regularized battery module.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 10-frame; 20-carrier; 21-slide plate; 211-locating pin; 22-tray; 221-baffle; 222-through hole;

[0029] 223-limiting rod; 224-lifting ear; 23-slide rail; 30-regulating mechanism; 31-first regulating assembly;

[0030] 311-first regularized portion; 312-second regularized portion; 313-convex column; 314-pressing plate; 315-connecting column;

[0031] 316-support plate; 32-second regularization component; 321-first regularization plate; 322-second regularization plate;

[0032] 323-stepped surface; 3231-first surface; 3232-second surface; 3233-step;

[0033] 33-third regularization component; 331-third regularization plate; 40-driving mechanism;

[0034] 50-battery module; 51-end plate; 52-battery string. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module arrangement device according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the top view of a regular device is shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the tidying device includes a frame 10, a platform 20 and a tidying mechanism 30. The platform 20 and the tidying mechanism 30 are both arranged on the frame 10.

[0037] Among them, the carrier includes a slide and a tray. Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of a skateboard according to an embodiment. Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the slide 21 is slidably connected to the rack 10 , for example, the slide 21 can be slidably connected to the rack 10 via a slide rail 23 , and the tray 22 is disposed on the surface of the slide 21 , and the tray 22 is detachably connected to the slide 21 .

[0038] The slide 21 can be connected to the frame 10 through a guide rail. A positioning pin 211 is provided on the slide 21, and a positioning hole can be provided at the bottom of the tray 22. When fixing, the tray 22 can be connected to the slide 21 through the cooperation of the positioning pin 211 and the positioning hole.

[0039] Reference Figure 4 In one embodiment of the present application, along Figure 4In the x-direction shown in FIG, baffles 221 are provided at both ends of the tray 22. When placing the battery module, the battery module can be placed on the surface of the tray 22. To prevent the battery module from falling, a detachable limit rod 223 can be provided on the side of the tray 22, with the length of the limit rod 223 parallel to the x-direction. The limit rod 223 can be removed before placing the battery module and then fixed to the baffle 221 of the tray 22 after placement. After the battery module is placed on the tray 22, lifting ears 224 can be provided on the baffle 221 of the tray 22 to facilitate lifting.

[0040] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present application, the arranging mechanism 30 of the arranging device includes a first arranging component 31, a second arranging component 32 and a third arranging component 33, wherein the first arranging component 31 is arranged along a first direction (such as Figure 1 The second regularizing component 32 is arranged along the second direction ( Figure 1 The third regularizing component 33 is arranged along the third direction (as shown in the y direction) and can reciprocate along the second direction for regularizing the side of the battery module. Figure 1 The battery module is provided in the z direction as shown and can reciprocate along the third direction to regularize the top surface of the battery module.

[0041] The first regularization component 31 includes a first regularization portion 311 and a second regularization portion 312, and the tray 22 of the carrier 20 is arranged between the first regularization portion 311 and the second regularization portion 312. When regularizing the battery module, the first regularization portion 311 can be used as a positioning portion, and the second regularization portion 312 can apply an extrusion force along the first direction to the battery module. The force applied by the first regularization portion 311 on the battery module can be greater than the force applied by the second regularization portion 312 on the battery module. During the regularization process, the first regularization portion 311 can be fixed and the second regularization portion 312 can be used to apply a force in the first direction to the battery module.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first regularization part 311, and reference is made to Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5Since baffles 221 are provided on both sides of the tray 22, when the first regularization part 311 and the second regularization part 312 are used to apply a squeezing force to the battery module, a through hole 222 can be provided on the baffle 221, and a plurality of protrusions 313 are provided on the side of the first regularization part 311 facing the baffle 221 and the side of the second regularization part 312 facing the baffle 221. When the first regularization component 31 is used to regularize the battery module, the protrusions 313 on the surfaces of the first regularization part 311 and the second regularization part 312 can pass through the through holes 222 to apply a squeezing force to the battery module. The structure of the second regularization part 312 can refer to Figure 5 , a protrusion 313 is also provided on its surface, which is arranged opposite to the protrusion 313 of the first regularizing portion 311. Through the cooperation between the protrusion 313 and the through hole 222, the first regularizing portion 311 and the second regularizing portion 312 can exert a force on the battery module to regularize the battery module.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present application, the first regularizing portion 311 includes, in addition to the boss 313, a pressure plate 314 for fixing the connection boss 313. In addition, in order to realize the reciprocating motion of the first regularizing portion 311 and the second regularizing portion 312 in the first direction, the first regularizing portion 311 and the second regularizing portion 312 are both connected to a driving mechanism 40, such as a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or a motor, etc., and the driving mechanism 40 is used to drive the first regularizing portion 311 and the second regularizing portion 312 to reciprocate along the x direction on the frame 10. Among them, the pressure plate 314 can be connected to the driving mechanism through a connecting column 315. A support plate 316 can be set between the driving mechanism 40 and the pressure plate 314 to improve the structural strength of the first regularizing component.

[0044] Continue to refer to Figure 1 The second regular component 32 includes a second direction (such as Figure 1 The first and second regularizing plates 321, 322 are arranged opposite and spaced apart in the y-direction (in the middle y-direction); along the second direction, the first and second regularizing plates 321, 322 are slidably connected to the frame 10. The extrusion force exerted by the first regularizing plate 321 on the battery module is greater than the extrusion force exerted by the second regularizing plate 322 on the battery module. The first regularizing plate 321 is a positioning plate, and the second regularizing plate 322 is an extrusion plate. When regularizing the battery module, the first regularizing plate 321 can serve as a positioning portion, and the second regularizing plate 322 can exert an extrusion force on the battery module along the second direction.

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the surface structure of the first regular plate, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a regular battery module of an embodiment, and reference is made to Figure 1 and Figures 6-7Since there is a size difference between the end plate 51 and the battery string 52 of the battery module 50 in the second direction, the size of the end plate 51 should be larger than the size of the battery string 52 to facilitate the subsequent connection of the circuit. Usually, in the y direction, a size difference of, for example, 0.5 mm, needs to be maintained between the end plate 51 and the battery string 52. Therefore, in order to achieve this 0.5 mm size difference during the regularization process, the side of the first regularization plate 321 facing the carrier 20 and the side of the second regularization plate 322 facing the carrier 20 are both provided with a stepped surface 323, wherein the first surface 3231 of the stepped surface 323 is used to abut against the battery string of the battery module, and the second surface 3232 of the stepped surface 323 is used to abut against the end plate of the battery module. There is a step 3233 between the first surface 3231 and the second surface 3232 in the second direction, and the height of the step 3233 in the y direction is 0.3-2 mm, for example, 0.5 mm. Therefore, the battery module can be regularized in the second direction through the stepped surface 323 of the first regularizing plate 321 and the second regularizing plate 322, so that the battery string 52 and the end plate 51 of the battery module 50 have corresponding size differences in the second direction, meeting the design requirements of the battery module.

[0046] Continue to refer to Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present application, the second regularization plate 322 can be connected to the frame 10 in a sliding manner along the third direction, for example, by a slide rail provided along the third direction. The second regularization plate 322 can slide along the third direction to below the plane where the carrier 20 is located. Specifically, Figure 1 Taking the direction shown as an example, the second regularizing plate 322 can be moved below the horizontal plane where the slide plate is located. In this way, when the battery module needs to be placed on the carrier 20, the second regularizing plate 322 can be lowered below the plane where the carrier 20 is located. After the battery module is placed, the second regularizing plate 322 is moved above the plane where the carrier 20 is located to achieve regularization of the battery module.

[0047] To achieve reciprocating motion of the first and second structured plates 321, 322 in the first direction, each of the first and second structured plates 321, 322 is connected to a drive mechanism 40, such as a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a motor. The drive mechanism 40 drives the first and second structured plates 321, 322 to reciprocate along the y-direction on the frame 10. Simultaneously, the drive mechanism 40 of the second structured plate 322 can also drive the second structured plate 322 to reciprocate along the z-direction.

[0048] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The third regularization assembly 33 includes a third regularization plate 331 arranged along a third direction. The third regularization plate 331 is slidably connected to the frame 10 along the third direction. The third regularization plate 331 can be a planar structure. Since there is a certain size difference between the end plate of the battery module and the battery string in the z-direction, and this size difference may vary depending on different products, when the third regularization plate 331 is used to regularize the battery module, a pad of a certain thickness can be placed on the top surface of the battery string to achieve regularization of the top of the battery module.

[0049] It is understood that the third structuring assembly 33 includes not only the third structuring plate 331 but also a driving mechanism 40 to drive the third structuring plate 331 to reciprocate along the z-direction. The driving mechanism 40 includes but is not limited to a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or a motor.

[0050] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the slide plate remains in a preset position on the frame, a positioning member can be provided on the frame, and when the slide plate moves to the preset position, the slide plate can be prevented from falling. The positioning member can be provided on a side close to the first regular plate. When the carrier loaded with the battery module moves to the positioning member, the positioning member can prevent the carrier plate from continuing to move toward the first regular plate in the second direction, thereby limiting the carrier plate. The positioning member can be a raised portion provided on the frame, and the raised portion can be provided on the sliding side for connecting the slide plate and the frame.

[0051] In addition, it can be understood that the tidying device of the present application, in addition to including a frame, a carrier and a tidying mechanism, may also include other auxiliary components or control components. For example, it may include a pressure sensor and a controller, and the pressure sensor is used to control the moving distance of each tidying component, and the driving mechanism of each tidying component is connected to the controller, and the controller is used to control the reciprocating motion of each driving mechanism.

[0052] Refer to Figures 1 to 7 The specific regularization process of the regularization device of this application is briefly described as follows.

[0053] First, the controller controls the second regularizing plate 322 to move downward to under the slide rail 23 connected to the carrier 20, removes the tray 22 of the carrier 20, places the battery module to be regularized in the tray 22, and then fixes the tray 22 on the slide 21. After the battery module slides to the regularizing position with the carrier 20, the controller controls the first regularizing component 31, the second regularizing component 32 and the third regularizing component 33 to move to regularize the battery module to be regularized. Among them, the controller controls the first regularizing part 311 and the second regularizing part 312 of the first regularizing component 31 to move relative to each other along the x-direction to regularize the battery module. The first regularizing part 311 can be used as a positioning part in the x-direction, and the second regularizing part 312 applies extrusion force to the battery module. The controller can control the first regularizing plate 321 and the second regularizing plate 322 of the second regularizing component 32 to move relative to each other along the x-direction.Figure 1 The relative movement in the y direction is used to size the battery module. The first sizing plate 321 stops moving after moving to the preset position, and is used as a positioning plate to be attached to the battery module to be sized. After the second sizing plate 322 is attached to the battery module, a certain pressure is continuously applied to the battery module to size the battery module. The controller controls the third sizing plate 331 of the third sizing assembly 33 to apply extrusion force to the battery module in the z direction to size the battery module. Through the interaction of the first sizing assembly 31, the second sizing assembly 32 and the third sizing assembly 33, the sizing of the battery module in the x direction, the y direction and the z direction can be realized. Since the surfaces of the first sizing plate 321 and the second sizing plate 322 both have stepped surfaces 323, when the battery module is sized on the side surface of the battery module, the distance difference between the end plate of the battery module and the battery string is kept at 0.5 mm, which meets the design requirements of the battery module. The sized battery module is shown in FIG. 8. Figure 7

[0054] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application belong to the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.​

Claims

1. A battery module tidying device, characterized in that: include: A rack, a carrier disposed on the rack and used to place battery modules to be organized, and an organizing mechanism disposed on the rack; wherein the organizing mechanism includes a first organizing component slidable along a first direction, a second organizing component slidable along a second direction, and a third organizing component slidable along a third direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are both perpendicular to the third direction; The first regularization component is used to regularize the end surface of the battery module, the second regularization component is used to regularize the side surface of the battery module, and the third regularization component is used to regularize the top surface of the battery module; The battery module includes a battery string and end plates arranged at both ends of the battery string along a first direction, the second regularization assembly includes a first regularization plate and a second regularization plate arranged opposite to and spaced apart from each other along the second direction, the first regularization plate and the second regularization plate being slidably connected to the rack along the second direction; a side of the first regularization plate facing the carrier and a side of the second regularization plate facing the carrier are both provided with a stepped surface for regularizing the end plates and the battery string, a first surface of the stepped surface being used to abut against the battery string, and a second surface of the stepped surface being used to abut against the end plates; The carrier includes a slide and a tray arranged on the surface of the slide, the slide is connected to the frame via a slide rail, and the tray is detachably connected to the slide; Along the first direction, baffles are provided at both ends of the tray; The first aligning assembly includes a first aligning portion and a second aligning portion, the tray is arranged between the first aligning portion and the second aligning portion, a plurality of protrusions are provided on a side of the first aligning portion facing the baffle and a side of the second aligning portion facing the baffle, the baffle is provided with through holes capable of passing through the protrusions, and when the first aligning assembly aligns the battery module, the protrusions pass through the through holes and apply an extrusion force along the first direction to the battery module; The second aligning plate is connected to the frame in the third direction via a slide rail and can reciprocate along the third direction. The second aligning plate can slide along the third direction to below the plane where the carrier is located; The tray is provided with a detachable limiting rod, and the length direction of the limiting rod is parallel to the first direction.

2. The tidying device according to claim 1, characterized in that A height difference between the first surface and the second surface in the second direction is 0.3-2 mm.

3. The tidying device according to claim 1, characterized in that The extrusion force applied by the first regular plate to the battery module is greater than the extrusion force applied by the second regular plate to the battery module. The first regular plate is a positioning plate, and the second regular plate is an extrusion plate.

4. The tidying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The third regularization component includes a third regularization plate arranged along the third direction. Along the third direction, the third regularization plate is slidably connected to the frame.

5. The tidying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a positioning piece for positioning the carrier.

6. A battery module, characterized in that: Obtained after regularization using the regularization device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; wherein, along the second direction, there is a size difference between the end plate and the battery string.

7. A battery pack, characterized in that: Comprising the battery module as claimed in claim 6.

8. An electrical device, characterized in that: Comprising the battery pack as claimed in claim 7.

Images