Battery modules and battery conductive frames

Abstract

The present invention proposes a battery module and a battery conductive frame. The battery module includes a battery conductive frame and a plurality of battery cells. The battery conductive frame is applied to the series or parallel connection of a plurality of battery cells. The positive electrode or negative electrode of each battery cell includes a prohibited welding area and a safe welding area. The battery conductive frame includes a plurality of conductive parts and a plurality of connecting parts. Each conductive part is connected to another conductive part through a corresponding connecting part. Each conductive part includes an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points. When the conductive part is welded to the positive electrode or negative electrode of the corresponding battery cell through the welding point, the alignment hole is aligned to the prohibited welding area, and the welding point is welded to the safe welding area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery conductive frame, and in particular to a battery conductive frame that can be welded on a battery core and has a corresponding structural design according to a prohibited welding area of ​​the battery core, and through the battery conductive frame, multiple battery cores are electrically connected in series or in parallel to form a battery module. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the demand for environmental protection and carbon reduction, electric vehicles have gradually become popular among people. Therefore, many car manufacturers have entered the development of electric vehicles in order to seize business opportunities in the electric vehicle market.

[0003] The power source of electric vehicles is batteries, such as lithium batteries. In order to increase the endurance of electric vehicles, electric vehicles are usually equipped with battery modules with a considerable number of battery cells. The battery module includes multiple battery cells and at least one battery conductive frame. The battery conductive frame will be welded to the positive or negative electrode of the battery cell so that the battery cells can be connected in series or in parallel through the battery conductive frame.

[0004] In order to increase the safety of battery cells, some safety designs are made on the positive or negative poles of the battery cells, such as pressure relief valves. However, when the battery conductive frame is welded to the specific area of ​​the positive or negative poles of the battery cells, these safety designs may also be destroyed.

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes a battery conductive frame with an innovative structure, wherein the battery conductive frame will be structurally designed according to specific areas where welding is prohibited on the positive or negative electrodes of the battery core, so that when the battery conductive frame is welded to the positive or negative electrodes of the battery core, these specific areas where welding is prohibited can be avoided, thereby avoiding damage to the safety design or internal structure of the battery core, which is the purpose of the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a battery module, which includes a battery conductive frame and a plurality of battery cells; the battery conductive frame is used for connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel; the battery conductive frame includes a plurality of conductive parts and a plurality of connecting parts; each conductive part is connected to another conductive part through a corresponding connecting part; the end face of the positive or negative electrode of each battery cell is defined with at least one prohibited welding area and a safe welding area; the conductive part includes an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points, and the battery conductive frame will design the alignment hole shape of the conductive part and determine the setting position of the welding point according to the prohibited welding area and the safe welding area on the positive or negative electrode of the battery cell. Then, when the conductive part is welded, the alignment hole is used to locate it to the prohibited welding area, so that the welding point can be accurately welded on the safe welding area and avoid being welded on the prohibited welding area, so as to avoid the battery conductive frame damaging the internal structure or safety design of the battery cell during the welding process and affecting the use of the battery cell.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module, wherein the conductive portion of the battery conductive frame of the battery module is divided into two separate conductive sheets and there is a thin gap between the two conductive sheets; the conductive portion is welded to the positive electrode or negative electrode of the battery cell through the welding points of the two conductive sheets. Here, the conductive portion is divided into two separate conductive sheets. When the internal pressure relief valve of the positive electrode or negative electrode of the battery cell opens, only a single conductive sheet needs to be stretched open to release the pressure, thereby reducing the probability of the valve failing to open when the battery cell thermal runaway occurs.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module, wherein an insulating sheet is further arranged between the positive electrode of each battery cell and its corresponding welded conductive portion. When the conductive portion is welded to the positive electrode of the battery cell, the positive and negative electrodes of the same battery cell can avoid being electrically connected through the conductive portion due to the electrical insulation properties of the insulating sheet, thereby reducing the risk of short circuit in the battery cell.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a battery conductive frame, which is used in the series or parallel connection of multiple battery cells, the positive electrode or negative electrode of each battery cell includes a first prohibited welding area and a safe welding area, and the battery conductive frame includes: a plurality of conductive parts, each conductive part includes an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points; and a plurality of connecting parts, each conductive part is connected to another conductive part through the corresponding connecting part; wherein, when the conductive part is combined with the positive electrode or negative electrode of the corresponding battery cell, the alignment hole is aligned to the first prohibited welding area, and the welding point is welded on the safe welding area.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive portion includes two conductive sheets, welding points are respectively disposed on the two conductive sheets, and a thin gap exists between the two conductive sheets.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the alignment hole overlaps a portion of the slit.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode or the negative electrode of each battery cell further includes a second prohibited welding area, and the safe welding area is located between the first prohibited welding area and the second prohibited welding area.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of insulating sheets are further included, each insulating sheet is disposed between a corresponding conductive portion and a positive electrode of a corresponding battery cell.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating sheet includes a hole, and the welding point of the conductive part is welded to the positive electrode of the battery core through the hole of the insulating sheet.

[0015] The present invention further provides a battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells, the positive electrode or negative electrode of each battery cell including a first prohibited welding area and a safe welding area; and a battery conductive frame, which is used for connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel, the battery conductive frame including: a plurality of conductive parts, each conductive part including an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points; and a plurality of connecting parts, each conductive part is connected to another conductive part through a corresponding connecting part; wherein, when the conductive part is combined with the positive electrode or negative electrode of the corresponding battery cell, the alignment hole is aligned to the first prohibited welding area, and the welding point is welded to the safe welding area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of a battery conductive frame and a battery core of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional combination diagram of a battery conductive frame and a battery core of a battery module of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3A This is a stereoscopic view of the battery core of the present invention from a first viewing angle.

[0019] Figure 3B This is a stereoscopic view of the battery core of the present invention from a second viewing angle.

[0020] Figure 3C It is a schematic diagram of defining a prohibited welding area and a safe welding area on the electrode end surface of a battery cell according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 It is an enlarged structural view of the conductive part of the battery conductive frame of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The conductive part of the battery conductive frame is combined with Figure 3C Schematic diagram of the prohibited welding area and safe welding area of ​​the battery cell.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of another embodiment of the battery conductive frame and battery core of the battery module of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional combination diagram of a battery conductive frame and a battery core of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention.

[0025] Accessory marking description: 100-battery module; 10-battery core; 11-positive electrode; 121-first prohibited welding area; 122-second prohibited welding area; 123-safe welding area; 13-negative electrode; 20-battery conductive frame; 21-conductive part; 210-conductive sheet; 211-alignment hole; 213-welding point; 215-fine gap; 23-connecting part; 30-insulating sheet; 31-hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Please also refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C , respectively, are a three-dimensional exploded view of an embodiment of a battery conductive frame and a battery core of a battery module of the present invention, a three-dimensional combined view, a first-view three-dimensional view of a battery core of the present invention, a second-view three-dimensional view, and a schematic diagram defining a prohibited welding area and a safe welding area on the electrode end surface (such as the end surface of the negative electrode or the positive electrode) of the battery core.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the battery module 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 10 and a battery conductive frame 20. The battery cell 10 includes a positive electrode 11 and a negative electrode 13. The positive electrode 11 is disposed at one end of the battery cell 10, and the negative electrode 13 is disposed at the other end of the battery cell 10 and extends along the can of the battery cell 10 to the periphery of the positive electrode 11. The battery conductive frame 20 can be welded to the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cells 10, so that the battery cells 10 can be connected in series or in parallel through the battery conductive frame 20 to form a battery module 100.

[0028] The positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10 is usually designed for safety. For example, at least one pressure relief valve is provided inside the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10. When the battery cell 10 is in thermal runaway, the pressure relief valve can be opened so that the gas generated during the thermal runaway can be released through the pressure relief valve to avoid gas accumulation and prevent the battery cell from exploding. Figure 3C As shown, in order to avoid the battery conductive frame 20 being welded to the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10, the safety design is destroyed, a first prohibited welding area 121, a second prohibited welding area 122 and a safe welding area 123 are defined on the end surface of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10. The first prohibited welding area 121 is located at the center of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10, and the safe welding area 123 is located between the first prohibited welding area 121 and the second prohibited welding area 122.

[0029] Next, the battery conductive frame 20 includes a plurality of conductive parts 21 and a plurality of connecting parts 23. Each conductive part 21 is connected to the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the corresponding battery cell 10, and is connected to another conductive part 21 through the corresponding connecting part 23.

[0030] Further reading Figure 4 and Figure 5The conductive part 21 includes an alignment hole 211 and a plurality of welding points 213. When the conductive part 21 is combined with the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery core 10, and the alignment hole 211 is aligned to the first forbidden welding area 121, the welding point 213 will be located on the safe welding area 123. At this time, the welding point 213 can be safely welded to the safe welding area 123, avoiding the welding point 213 from being welded to the first forbidden welding area 121 and the second forbidden welding area 122. Here, the battery conductive frame 20 of the present invention is designed with the alignment hole shape of the conductive part 22 and the setting position of the welding point 213 corresponding to the prohibited welding areas 121, 122 and the safe welding area 123 on the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell. Afterwards, the alignment hole 211 of the conductive part 21 can be used for positioning during welding, so that the welding point 213 can be accurately welded on the safe welding area 123 and avoid being welded on the prohibited welding areas 121, 122, so as to avoid the internal structure or safety design of the battery cell 10 from being damaged and affecting the use of the battery cell 10.

[0031] Furthermore, the conductive portion 21 includes two conductive sheets 210. The two conductive sheets 210 are respectively provided with one or more welding points 213. There is a slit 215 between the two conductive sheets 210, and the slit 215 extends through the portion forming the alignment hole 211, so that the alignment hole 211 overlaps the slit 215, and the alignment hole 211 forms two corresponding grooves on the two conductive sheets 210. As mentioned above, a pressure relief valve is provided inside the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10. When the internal gas pressure is too high due to thermal runaway of the battery cell 10, the pressure relief valve can also be opened to release the pressure. Furthermore, when the conductive part 21 is welded to the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10, the weight generated by the conductive part 21 will hinder the opening action of the pressure relief valve to some extent; therefore, the battery conductive frame 20 of the present invention divides the conductive part 21 into two separate conductive sheets 210, so that when the pressure relief valve is opened, it will only be pressed by a single conductive sheet 210, for example, when the pressure relief valve is opened from the right side of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10, it will only be pressed by the right conductive sheet 210, so that the pressure relief valve only needs to be opened to release the pressure; or, when the pressure relief valve is opened from the left side of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 13 of the battery cell 10, it will only be pressed by the left conductive sheet 210, so that the pressure relief valve only needs to be opened to release the pressure. In this way, when the pressure relief valve of the battery cell 10 is opened, only half of the conductive part 21 needs to be opened to release the pressure, which can reduce the situation where the valve cannot be opened when the battery cell 10 is thermally runaway.

[0032] Please also refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , respectively, are a three-dimensional exploded view and a three-dimensional combined view of another embodiment of the battery conductive frame and the battery core of the battery module of the present invention, and refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B .like Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the end surface of the positive electrode 11 of the battery cell 10 includes the positive electrode 11 at the center and the negative electrode 13 connected to the can body of the battery cell 10. When the conductive portion 21 is welded to the positive electrode 11 of the battery cell 10, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13 of the same battery cell 10 may be electrically connected due to the burrs of the conductive portion 21 or the structure of the conductive portion 21 being bent by collision, causing a short circuit in the battery cell 10.

[0033] In order to prevent the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13 of the same battery cell 10 from being electrically connected through the conductive portion 21 and causing a short circuit, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, an insulating sheet 30 is further disposed between the positive electrode 11 of each battery cell 10 and the corresponding conductive portion 21. The insulating sheet 30 can also be an insulating paper sheet or an insulating film. The insulating sheet 30 includes a hole 31. The welding point 213 of the conductive portion 21 is welded to the safe welding area 123 of the positive electrode 11 of the battery cell 10 through the hole 31 of the insulating sheet 30.

[0034] Therefore, when the conductive portion 21 is welded to the positive electrode 11 of the battery cell 10 , the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13 of the same battery cell 10 can avoid being electrically connected through the conductive portion 21 due to the electrical insulation property of the insulating sheet 30 , thereby reducing the risk of short circuit of the battery cell 10 .

[0035] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications based on the shape, structure, characteristics and spirit described in the claims of the present invention should be included in the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery conductive frame, characterized in that: The battery conductive frame is used for connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel. The positive electrode or negative electrode of each battery cell includes a first prohibited welding area and a safe welding area. The battery conductive frame includes: A plurality of conductive parts, each of which includes an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points; and A plurality of connecting portions, each of the conductive portions being connected to another conductive portion through the corresponding connecting portion; Wherein, when the conductive part is combined with the corresponding positive electrode or negative electrode of the battery core, and the alignment hole is aligned to the first prohibited welding area, the welding spot is welded on the safe welding area.

2. The battery conductive frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive part includes two conductive sheets, the welding points are respectively arranged on the two conductive sheets, and a thin gap exists between the two conductive sheets.

3. The battery conductive frame according to claim 2, characterized in that: The alignment hole overlaps with a part of the slit.

4. The battery conductive frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positive electrode or the negative electrode of each battery cell further includes a second prohibited welding area, and the safe welding area is located between the first prohibited welding area and the second prohibited welding area.

5. The battery conductive frame according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery conductive frame further includes a plurality of insulating sheets, each of which is arranged between the corresponding conductive portion and the positive electrode of the corresponding battery core.

6. The battery conductive frame according to claim 5, characterized in that: The insulating sheet comprises a hole, and the welding point of the conductive part is welded to the positive electrode of the battery core through the hole of the insulating sheet.

7. A battery module, characterized in that: include: A plurality of battery cells, each of the positive or negative electrodes of the battery cells comprising a first prohibited welding area and a safe welding area; and A battery conductive frame, which is used for connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel, and the battery conductive frame comprises: A plurality of conductive parts, each of which includes an alignment hole and a plurality of welding points; and A plurality of connecting portions, each of the conductive portions being connected to another conductive portion through the corresponding connecting portion; Wherein, when the conductive part is combined with the corresponding positive electrode or negative electrode of the battery core, and the alignment hole is aligned to the first prohibited welding area, the welding spot is welded on the safe welding area.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The conductive part includes two conductive sheets, the two conductive sheets are respectively provided with the welding points, and a thin gap exists between the two conductive sheets.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The alignment hole overlaps with a part of the slit.

10. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery module further includes a plurality of insulating sheets, each insulating sheet is arranged between the corresponding conductive part and the corresponding positive electrode of the battery core, and the insulating sheet includes a hole, and the welding point of the conductive part is welded to the positive electrode of the battery core through the hole of the insulating sheet.

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