A lightweight cylindrical battery cell module and its assembly method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module and an assembly method thereof. The battery cell module includes: a battery cell assembly, which includes a plurality of battery cell groups composed of a number of battery cells, and each battery cell group is arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells; a module box assembly, which includes a plurality of module boxes, and the module boxes are used to place the corresponding battery cell groups; wherein, the battery cell includes a battery cell body; a positive electrode terminal is arranged on the first end face of the battery cell body, and a negative electrode terminal is arranged on the second end face; for two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells along the axial direction of the battery cells, the positive electrode terminal of one battery cell is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other battery cell. The present invention has no long pull rod structure between traditional cylindrical battery cell modules, and at the same time greatly reduces the number of module boxes used. There is no need to weld additional electrode plates between the battery cells, and only the electrode plates need to be welded on both sides of the outermost end of the module to achieve series and parallel connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing, and particularly relates to a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module and an assembly method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Traffic energy and environmental issues are major challenges currently faced globally and are also the key points restricting the sustainable development of the automotive industry. Therefore, major automobile manufacturers and research institutions have been continuously increasing their R & D efforts on electric vehicles, and governments of various countries have also promoted the popularization of new energy vehicles by formulating various measures, greatly promoting the development of electric vehicles. Compared with traditional fuel vehicles, electric vehicles are zero-emission. They not only replace petroleum with electric energy and reduce the emissions of polluting gases such as greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, but also the discarded lithium batteries can be used to manufacture energy storage devices for cascade utilization.

[0003] The research on key component technologies (motor, battery, electronic control) of electric vehicles has become increasingly mature, and the industrialization level has been increasing day by day. Some research institutions and automobile companies have conducted beneficial explorations in the vehicle structure, but the research on battery grouping is still insufficient. The energy density of the cylindrical battery cell module is relatively low, the grouping method is relatively single, it is inconvenient to disassemble after the battery cells are welded into a group, the battery cells cannot be reused repeatedly, the module requires a large number of electrode plates, and there are many welding processes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the deficiencies in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module and an assembly method thereof.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect of the present invention, a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module is disclosed. The battery cell module includes:

[0007] A battery cell assembly, which includes a plurality of battery cell groups composed of several battery cells, and each battery cell group is arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cell;

[0008] A module box assembly, which includes a plurality of module boxes, and the module boxes are used to place the corresponding battery cell groups;

[0009] Wherein,

[0010] The battery cell includes a battery cell body; a positive electrode terminal is arranged on the first end face of the battery cell body, and a negative electrode terminal is arranged on the second end face; for two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells along the axial direction of the battery cell, the positive electrode terminal of one battery cell is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other battery cell.

[0011] Furthermore, the module box assembly includes a first module box, a second module box, and a third module box arranged in sequence.

[0012] Further, the battery cell assembly includes a first column of battery cell groups carried on the first module box, a second column of battery cell groups carried on the second module box, and a third column of battery cell groups carried on the third module box;

[0013] The first column of battery cell groups, the second column of battery cell groups, and the third column of battery cell groups are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells.

[0014] Further, both the first module box and the third module box include a module box body A;

[0015] The module box body A is provided with a battery cell accommodation chamber, a battery cell pole through-hole, a first cantilever, and a first mounting post.

[0016] Further, the second module box includes a module box body B;

[0017] The module box body B is provided with a battery cell through-hole, a second cantilever, a third cantilever, and a second mounting post.

[0018] Further, the positive pole includes a convex structure arranged in the middle of the first end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of blades arranged along the outer periphery of the convex structure;

[0019] A convex portion is arranged on the first end face of the blade, and a positioning portion is arranged on the second end face; the second end face of the blade is the end close to the battery cell body.

[0020] Further, the negative pole includes a groove structure arranged in the middle of the second end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of rotating structures arranged along the outer periphery of the groove structure;

[0021] The rotating structure includes a first rotating portion connected to the second end face of the battery cell body and a second rotating portion bent and connected to the first rotating portion;

[0022] A positioning hole is formed in the second rotating portion;

[0023] The gap formed by the first rotating portion, the second rotating portion, and the second end face of the battery cell body is used to accommodate the blade.

[0024] Further, adjacent module boxes are connected by a packing strap;

[0025] The packing strap is made of steel material or plastic material.

[0026] In the second aspect of the present invention, an assembly method of a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module is disclosed. The method includes:

[0027] S1. Place each battery cell into the corresponding battery cell accommodation chamber of the first module box respectively to complete the assembly of the first column of battery cell groups;

[0028] S2. Assemble and combine the second column of battery cell groups with the first column of battery cell groups through the cooperation of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal;

[0029] S3. Slide each battery cell in the second column of battery cell groups assembled and combined with the first column of battery cell groups through the corresponding battery cell through holes on the second module box to the designated positions to complete the assembly and combination of the second column of battery cell groups and the second module box;

[0030] S4. Assemble and combine the third column of battery cell groups with the second column of battery cell groups through the cooperation of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal;

[0031] S5. Install the ends of the battery cells in the third column of battery cell groups assembled and combined with the second column of battery cell groups into the corresponding battery cell receiving bins on the third module box to complete the assembly and combination of the third column of battery cell groups and the third module box;

[0032] S6. Connect and fix adjacent module boxes with a packing belt to obtain an assembled battery cell module.

[0033] Further, the cooperation through the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal includes:

[0034] For two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells along the axial direction of the battery cell, the positive electrode terminal of one battery cell is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other battery cell; First, insert the convex structure of the positive electrode terminal into the groove structure of the negative electrode terminal; Then, with the convex structure as the rotation axis, rotate one of the battery cells so that the blade of the positive electrode terminal is inserted into the gap formed by the rotation structure of the negative electrode terminal and the end face of the battery cell body, and the positioning part on the blade of the positive electrode terminal is stuck into the positioning hole on the rotation structure of the negative electrode terminal to complete the connection of the two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells along the axial direction of the battery cell.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0036] The present invention proposes a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module without the long pull rod structure between traditional cylindrical battery cell modules, which greatly reduces the number of module boxes used. Taking three columns of battery cells as an example, traditional modules need 6 module boxes to be connected in series into a group, while the present invention only needs 3 module boxes to achieve this. In a traditional module, one column of battery cells requires two module boxes on the left and right. The unique axial connection design of the battery cells in the present invention enables adjacent columns of battery cell groups to share module boxes. In the lightweight cylindrical battery cell module described in the present invention, there is no need to weld the electrode tabs additionally between the battery cells. Only the electrode tabs need to be welded on both sides of the outermost end of the module to achieve series and parallel connection. The battery cells inside the module can be replaced without damaging the module structure. Description of the Drawings

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the lightweight cylindrical battery cell module in the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first module box / third module box in the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0039] Figure 2 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first module box / third module box in the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0040] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell in the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view of part I in;

[0042] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view of part A in;

[0043] Figure 6 is an assembly cross-sectional view of two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells in the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a partial enlarged view of part II in;

[0045] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second module box in the present invention;

[0046] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the packing strap in the present invention;

[0047] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the module after assembly in the present invention.

[0048] Wherein:

[0049] 1. First module box; 001. First column of battery cell groups; 002. Second column of battery cell groups; 003. Third column of battery cell groups; 11. First mounting post; 12. First cantilever; 13. Battery cell accommodation chamber; 14. Battery cell pole post through hole; 2. Battery cell assembly; 21. Positioning hole; 22. Rotating structure; 23. Groove structure; 24. Blade; 25. Protrusion structure; 26. Positioning part; 3. Second module box; 31. Battery cell through hole; 32. Second mounting post; 33. Second cantilever; 4. Third module box; 5. Packing strap. Detailed implementation manners

[0050] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0051] As Figure 1 shown, a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module. The battery cell module includes:

[0052] The battery cell assembly includes multiple battery cell groups composed of several battery cells, and the battery cell groups are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells; in each battery cell group, multiple cylindrical battery cells are arranged in an n*m matrix, and the whole is in a cuboid shape. n and m are positive integers.

[0053] The module box assembly includes multiple module boxes, and the module boxes are used to place the corresponding battery cell groups. Adjacent module boxes are connected together by at least one packing strap as shown in Figure 9 . The number of adjacent battery cell connection columns and the number of module boxes for fixing the battery cells can be expanded according to design requirements.

[0054] In the lightweight cylindrical battery cell module of the present invention, there is no long pull rod structure between traditional cylindrical battery cell modules, which greatly reduces the number of module boxes used. Taking three columns of battery cells as an example, 6 module boxes are required for traditional modules to be connected in series into a group, while only 3 module boxes are needed in the present invention. In the lightweight cylindrical battery cell module of the present invention, no additional welding of pole pieces is required for connection between battery cells, and only pole pieces need to be welded on both sides of the outermost end of the module to achieve series and parallel connection. The battery cells inside the module can be replaced without damaging the module structure.

[0055] Further, the module box assembly includes a first module box, a second module box, and a third module box arranged in sequence.

[0056] Further, the battery cell assembly includes a first column of battery cell groups carried on the first module box, a second column of battery cell groups carried on the second module box, and a third column of battery cell groups carried on the third module box; the first column of battery cell groups, the second column of battery cell groups, and the third column of battery cell groups are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells.

[0057] Further, as shown in Figure 2 a and Figure 2 b, both the first module box and the third module box include a module box body A; a battery cell accommodation chamber, a battery cell pole post through hole, a first cantilever, and a first mounting post are provided on the module box body A. Specifically, a plurality of cylindrical hole structures are designed in the middle part of the module box body A as the battery cell accommodation chamber for accommodating battery cells; a battery cell pole post through hole is provided on one end face of the module box body A, and the battery cell pole post through hole is a hollow structure for facilitating the passing of battery cell pole posts. A plurality of cantilever structures for enhancing the stiffness of the module and restricting the battery cells are designed at the four corner positions of the other end face, and the cantilever structure is the first cantilever. The first mounting posts for fixing to the box body are designed on the other two faces. Both the first module box and the second module box can be designed as left-right mirror structures.

[0058] Further, as shown in Figure 8As shown, the second module box includes a module box body B; a battery cell through-hole, a second cantilever, a third cantilever, and a second mounting post are provided on the module box body B. Specifically, the second module box can be designed as a left-right and front-back mirror structure. Multiple cantilever structures for enhancing the stiffness of the module and restraining the battery cells, namely the second cantilever and the third cantilever, are designed at the four corners of the front and back sides, and mounting post structures for fixing to the box body, namely the second mounting post, are designed on the other two sides.

[0059] Further, as Figures 3 to 7 shown, the battery cell includes a battery cell body; a positive electrode post is provided on the first end face of the battery cell body, and a negative electrode post is provided on the second end face; for two battery cells adjacent and arranged side by side along the axial direction of the battery cell, the positive electrode post of one battery cell is connected to the negative electrode post of the other battery cell. The positive electrode post includes a convex structure provided in the middle of the first end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of blades provided along the outer periphery of the convex structure; a convex portion is provided on the first end face of the blade, and a positioning portion is provided on the second end face; the second end face of the blade is the end close to the battery cell body. Specifically, the positive electrode post of the battery cell adopts a structure similar to a propeller blade. The number of its blades can be expanded to multiple, and a spherical head cylinder for cooperation in positioning is provided as the positioning portion on the back of the blade structure. The blade itself is designed with an arched structure, namely the convex portion, which can improve the stiffness of the blade structure itself, and a cylindrical convex structure for positioning is designed in the center of the blade.

[0060] Further, the negative electrode post includes a groove structure provided in the middle of the second end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of rotating structures provided along the outer periphery of the groove structure; the rotating structure includes a first rotating portion connected to the second end face of the battery cell body and a second rotating portion bent and connected to the first rotating portion; a positioning hole is provided on the second rotating portion; the gap formed by the first rotating portion, the second rotating portion, and the second end face of the battery cell body is used to accommodate the blade. Specifically, the negative electrode post of the battery cell adopts a structure similar to a rotating structure. The number of the rotating structures can be expanded synchronously with the positive electrode structure. A circular hole for cooperating with the positive electrode post structure is provided as the positioning hole at the edge of the rotating structure, and a cylindrical groove structure for positioning is provided in the center of the rotating structure.

[0061] Further, adjacent module boxes are connected by a packing belt; the packing belt is made of steel material or plastic material.

[0062] In summary, the present invention solves the problems of a relatively large number of tie rods and a relatively large number of module boxes in the traditional cylindrical battery cell module, achieving the purpose of weight reduction, simplifying the welding process of the module battery cells, and enabling the module battery cells to be reused in a cycle. The traditional cylindrical battery cell module is semi-fixed by tie rods and side pressure. The present invention creatively uses a packing belt to group the battery cells. The battery cells arranged along the axial direction of the battery cells in the present invention are connected in series through a specific connection structure between the battery cells, without the need for additional welding of the pole pieces. The number of battery cells arranged along the axial direction of the battery cells can be expanded according to system requirements. The present invention has no long tie rod structure between traditional cylindrical battery cell modules, and at the same time greatly reduces the number of module boxes used.

[0063] In a second aspect of the present invention, an assembly method for a lightweight cylindrical battery cell module is disclosed. The method includes:

[0064] S1. Place each battery cell into the corresponding battery cell accommodation bin of the first module box respectively to complete the assembly of the first row of battery cell groups. Specifically, after passing the positive pole column structure 1-24 of the first row of battery cells 001 through the hollow structure 14 on the first module box 1 one by one and placing them into the corresponding battery cell accommodation bin 13 of the first module box 1, the assembly of the first row of battery cell groups is completed. The cantilever structure 12 can closely adhere to the four battery cells at the four corners of the first row of battery cell groups.

[0065] S2. Through the cooperation of the positive pole column and the negative pole column, complete the assembly and combination of the second row of battery cell groups and the first row of battery cell groups. Specifically, the blade structure 2-24, the central positioning cylindrical protrusion structure 2-25, and the ball head cylindrical structure 2-26 of the positive pole column of the second row of battery cells 002 are respectively matched with the negative pole column rotation structure 1-22, the central positioning cylindrical groove structure 1-23, and the round hole positioning structure 1-21 of the first row of battery cells 001 to complete the assembly of adjacent two rows of battery cells.

[0066] S3. Pass each battery cell in the second row of battery cell groups assembled and combined with the first row of battery cell groups through the corresponding battery cell through holes on the second module box and slide them to the designated positions to complete the assembly and combination of the second row of battery cell groups and the second module box.

[0067] S4. Through the cooperation of the positive pole column and the negative pole column, complete the assembly and combination of the third row of battery cell groups and the second row of battery cell groups.

[0068] S5. Install the ends of each battery cell in the third row of battery cell groups assembled and combined with the second row of battery cell groups into the corresponding battery cell accommodation bins on the third module box to complete the assembly and combination of the third row of battery cell groups and the third module box.

[0069] S6. Use a packing belt to connect and fix adjacent module boxes to obtain the assembled battery cell module. Fix the first module box 1 and the second module box 3 with a packing belt 5, and fix the second module box 3 and the third module box 4 with a packing belt 5.

[0070] S7. Weld appropriate pole pieces at both ends of the module according to the series-parallel requirements, and finally complete the fixation of the module in the box as shown in Figure 10 the figure.

[0071] Furthermore, the cooperation between the positive pole column and the negative pole column includes:

[0072] Two battery cells adjacent and arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the battery cell, where the positive pole column of one battery cell is connected to the negative pole column of the other battery cell; First, insert the convex structure of the positive pole column into the groove structure of the negative pole column; Then, with the convex structure as the rotation axis, rotate one of the battery cells so that the blade of the positive pole column is inserted into the gap formed by the rotation structure of the negative pole column and the end face of the battery cell body, and the positioning part on the blade of the positive pole column is snapped into the positioning hole on the rotation structure of the negative pole column to complete the connection of two battery cells adjacent and arranged in parallel along the axial direction of the battery cell.

[0073] The above embodiments are only descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various deformations and improvements made by those of ordinary skill in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lightweight cylindrical battery cell module, characterized in that, The battery cell module includes: A battery cell assembly, which includes a plurality of battery cell groups composed of several battery cells, and each battery cell group is arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells; A module box assembly, which includes a plurality of module boxes for placing corresponding battery cell groups; Wherein, The battery cell includes a battery cell body; a positive electrode terminal is arranged on the first end face of the battery cell body, and a negative electrode terminal is arranged on the second end face; for two adjacent and juxtaposed battery cells along the axial direction of the battery cell, the positive electrode terminal of one battery cell is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other battery cell; The positive electrode terminal includes a convex structure arranged in the middle of the first end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of blades arranged along the outer periphery of the convex structure; a convex portion is arranged on the first end face of the blade, and a positioning portion is arranged on the second end face; the second end face of the blade is the end close to the battery cell body; The negative electrode terminal includes a groove structure arranged in the middle of the second end face of the battery cell body and a plurality of rotating structures arranged along the outer periphery of the groove structure; the rotating structure includes a first rotating portion connected to the second end face of the battery cell body and a second rotating portion bent and connected to the first rotating portion; a positioning hole is formed on the second rotating portion; the gap formed by the first rotating portion, the second rotating portion and the second end face of the battery cell body is used to accommodate the blade.

2. The battery cell module according to claim 1, wherein The module box assembly includes a first module box, a second module box and a third module box arranged in sequence.

3. The battery cell module according to claim 2, wherein The battery cell assembly includes a first column of battery cell groups carried in the first module box, a second column of battery cell groups carried in the second module box and a third column of battery cell groups carried in the third module box; The first column of battery cell groups, the second column of battery cell groups and the third column of battery cell groups are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the battery cells.

4. The battery cell module according to claim 2, wherein Both the first module box and the third module box include a module box body A; A battery cell accommodation bin, a battery cell terminal through hole, a first cantilever and a first mounting post are arranged on the module box body A.

5. The battery cell module according to claim 2, wherein The second module box includes a module box body B; A battery cell through hole, a second cantilever, a third cantilever and a second mounting post are arranged on the module box body B.

6. The battery cell module according to claim 1, wherein Adjacent module boxes are connected by a packing belt; The packing belt is made of steel material or plastic material.

7. The assembling method of the battery cell module according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The method includes: S1. Place each battery cell into the corresponding battery cell accommodation bin of the first module box respectively to complete the assembly of the first column of battery cell groups; S2. Through the cooperation of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, perform the assembly and combination of the second column of battery cell groups and the first column of battery cell groups; S3. Slide each battery cell in the second column of battery cell groups assembled and combined with the first column of battery cell groups through the corresponding battery cell through holes on the second module box to the designated position to complete the assembly and combination of the second column of battery cell groups and the second module box; S4. Through the cooperation of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, perform the assembly and combination of the third column of battery cell groups and the second column of battery cell groups; S5. Install the ends of the cells in the third cell group after being assembled and combined with the second cell group into the corresponding cell receiving bins on the third module box, completing the assembly and combination of the third cell group and the third module box; S6. Use a packing strap to connect and fix adjacent module boxes to obtain an assembled cell module.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the cooperation through the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal includes: Two cells that are adjacent and arranged side by side along the axial direction of the cell, with the positive electrode terminal of one cell connected to the negative electrode terminal of the other cell; First, insert the protruding structure of the positive electrode terminal into the groove structure of the negative electrode terminal; Then, with the protruding structure as the rotation axis, rotate one of the cells so that the blade of the positive electrode terminal is inserted into the gap formed by the rotation structure of the negative electrode terminal and the end face of the cell body, and the positioning portion on the blade of the positive electrode terminal is snapped into the positioning hole on the rotation structure of the negative electrode terminal, completing the connection of the two cells that are adjacent and arranged side by side along the axial direction of the cell.

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