Battery systems and electric construction machinery

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of engineering machinery technology, and discloses a battery system and electric engineering machinery. Based on the irregular space dimensions of the entire machine, the number of cells in each battery pack is rationally allocated so that the sum of the number of cells in all battery packs is an integer multiple of N0. Battery packs with more than N0 cells are divided into two battery modules, and each battery pack with fewer than N0 cells is recorded as a separate battery module. Each battery module is connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch. Battery modules and battery packs with N0 cells each form a battery branch. All battery branches are connected in parallel, so that each battery branch forms a standard battery pack with N0 cells. This ensures that the voltage of each battery branch is the same, avoiding adverse effects caused by voltage differences between different battery branches. This fully utilizes the irregular space of the entire machine, improving the utilization rate of the irregular space and the range of the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of engineering machinery technology, and in particular to a battery system and electric engineering machinery. Background Technology

[0002] With the development and widespread use of batteries, and the electrification of construction machinery, batteries are gradually being applied to construction machinery. Because construction machinery consumes a lot of power and operates continuously for long periods, it has a high demand for battery capacity.

[0003] Due to the wide variety of construction machinery, the shape of the vehicle space varies depending on factors such as visibility, appearance, and layout space. Therefore, the shape flexibility of the battery is required. Under the limited space of the vehicle with irregular shapes, how to improve the volumetric energy density of the battery and enhance the range of the vehicle is an important problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0004] Therefore, the current approach often involves combining multiple standard battery packs to avoid voltage differences between different battery packs affecting the charging time and efficiency of the battery system. However, since a standard battery pack is a standard cuboid, it cannot fully and effectively utilize the irregular space of the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a battery system to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to propose a battery system and electric engineering machinery to adapt to the irregular space of different engineering machinery, improve the effective utilization rate of the limited irregular space, and enhance the endurance of the engineering machinery.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A battery system includes N battery packs, which are stacked along a first direction, where N ≥ 2; each battery pack includes multiple battery cells stacked along a second direction, where the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular.

[0009] The number of cells in N1 battery packs is greater than N0 and less than 2N0; the number of cells in N2 battery packs is less than N0; N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the number of cells in N3 battery packs is equal to N0; N3 is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than N-2; where N0 is the number of cells in a standard battery pack, and N1+N2+N3=N;

[0010] The sum of the number of cells in all the battery packs is an integer multiple of N0. A battery pack with a number of cells greater than N0 and less than 2N0 is divided into two battery components and the number of cells in both battery components is not greater than N0.

[0011] Each battery pack with fewer than N0 cells is denoted as a battery module. The number of battery modules with fewer than N0 cells is even, and they are connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch with N0 cells. Each battery module with N0 cells and each battery pack with N0 cells forms a battery branch. All the battery branches are connected in parallel.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution for the above-mentioned battery system, the battery packs containing the two battery components connected in series are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned battery system, each battery pack further includes a battery box, and the battery cells are disposed inside the battery box;

[0014] The battery system also includes a power distribution box, the body of which is integrated with the battery compartment of one of the battery packs.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned battery system, the battery boxes of two adjacent battery packs are connected by a plurality of fasteners.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned battery system, the battery box is provided with mounting structures on both opposite sides in a third direction, and the mounting structures are provided with mounting holes that are all through the first direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other;

[0017] The mounting holes on the mounting structure of the two adjacent battery packs are connected by the fasteners.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned battery system, the mounting structure includes two mounting lugs spaced apart along the first direction, and two reinforcing ribs connecting the two mounting lugs and spaced apart along the second direction;

[0019] The two mounting ears and the two reinforcing ribs are connected to form a rectangular frame fixed to the battery box. The mounting holes are provided on the mounting ears, and the mounting holes on the two mounting ears correspond one-to-one and are coaxially arranged.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned battery system, each battery box includes a box body and a top cover plate. The box body has an opening at one end in the first direction, and the top cover plate is detachably connected to the box body to seal the opening.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution for the above-mentioned battery system, the battery pack with a number of cells less than or equal to N0 is equipped with a maintenance switch for manually cutting off or restoring the high-voltage power supply to the battery pack.

[0022] The battery pack with more than N0 cells is equipped with two maintenance switches, and the two maintenance switches correspond one-to-one with the two battery components, respectively used to manually cut off or restore the high-voltage power supply to the corresponding two battery components.

[0023] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention also provides an electric engineering machine, including a body and a battery system as described in any of the above embodiments mounted on the body.

[0024] As a preferred technical solution for the aforementioned electric construction machinery, the machine body is an excavator or a loader.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The battery system and electric engineering machinery provided by this invention can rationally allocate the number of cells in each battery pack according to the size of the irregular space of the whole machine, so that the sum of the number of cells in all battery packs is an integer multiple of N0; battery packs with more than N0 cells are divided into two battery components, and each battery pack with less than N0 cells is recorded as a battery component. Each battery component is connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch; battery components with N0 cells and battery packs with N0 cells each form a battery branch. All battery branches are set in parallel to achieve that each battery branch forms a standard battery pack with N0 cells, so that the voltage of each battery branch is the same, avoiding the adverse effects caused by voltage differences between different battery branches. Moreover, it makes full use of the irregular space of the whole machine, improves the effective utilization rate of the irregular space of the whole machine, and improves the range of the electric engineering machinery. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first battery system provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first type of battery system provided in the embodiment of the present invention on the whole machine;

[0029] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of each battery component in the first battery system provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second battery system provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the second type of battery system provided in the embodiment of the present invention on the whole machine;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of various battery components in the second type of battery system provided in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a battery pack with more than N0 cells provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Side view.

[0035] In the picture:

[0036] 1000, Battery system; 100, Battery pack; 100a, First battery pack; 100b, Second battery pack; 100c, Third battery pack; 100d, Fourth battery pack; 200, Distribution box;

[0037] 10. Top cover plate; 20. Housing; 20a. Mounting lugs; 20b. Reinforcing ribs; 30. Electrical connector panel; 30a. High-voltage busbar output positive connector; 30b. High-voltage busbar output negative connector; 30c. Maintenance switch; 30d. Communication connector; 30e. Battery cell heating connector; 30f. Explosion-proof pressure relief valve; 40. Water connector; 50. Excavator slewing platform; 60. Excavator cover; 70. Loader cover; 80. Rear axle main reduction gearbox. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0039] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0041] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, this embodiment provides a battery system and an electric construction machine. The electric construction machine includes a body and a battery system 1000 installed on the body to adapt to the irregular space of different construction machines, improve the effective utilization rate of the limited irregular space, and increase the range of the construction machine. The body of the electric construction machine can be an excavator, a loader, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0043] Specifically, the battery system 1000 includes N battery packs 100, which are stacked along a first direction, where N ≥ 2; each battery pack 100 includes multiple battery cells stacked along a second direction, where the first and second directions are perpendicular. For example, the first direction is vertical, and the second direction is the thickness direction of the battery cells.

[0044] The number of cells in battery pack N1 (100 cells) is greater than N0 and less than 2N0; the number of cells in battery pack N2 (100 cells) is less than N0; N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the number of cells in battery pack N3 (100 cells) is equal to N0; N3 is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than N-2; where N0 is the number of cells in a standard battery pack 100, and N1 + N2 + N3 = N.

[0045] The sum of the number of cells in all battery packs 100 is an integer multiple of N0. Battery packs 100 with a number of cells greater than N0 and less than 2N0 are divided into two battery modules, and the number of cells in each battery module is not greater than N0.

[0046] Each battery pack 100 with fewer than N0 cells is denoted as a battery module. The number of battery modules with fewer than N0 cells is even, and they are connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch with N0 cells. Each battery module with N0 cells and each battery pack 100 with N0 cells forms a battery branch. All battery branches are connected in parallel.

[0047] When the aforementioned battery system 1000 is used in electric construction machinery, the number of cells in each battery pack 100 can be reasonably allocated according to the dimensions of the irregular space of the whole machine, so that the sum of the number of cells in all battery packs 100 is an integer multiple of N0; battery packs 100 with more than N0 cells are divided into two battery components, and each battery pack 100 with less than N0 cells is recorded as a battery component. Each battery component is connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch; battery components with N0 cells and battery packs 100 with N0 cells each form a battery branch. All battery branches are set in parallel to achieve that each battery branch forms a standard battery pack 100 with N0 cells, thereby making the voltage of each battery branch the same, avoiding the adverse effects caused by voltage differences between different battery branches, and making full use of the irregular space of the whole machine, improving the effective utilization rate of the irregular space of the whole machine, and improving the range of electric construction machinery.

[0048] Furthermore, the battery packs 100 containing the two battery modules connected in series are arranged adjacent to each other. This arrangement facilitates the connection of the two battery modules, which are connected in series to form a battery branch, through an external wiring harness, thereby shortening the amount of external wiring harness used and reducing the cost of the battery system 1000.

[0049] For example, such as Figures 1 to 3The battery system for the excavator shown has three battery packs 100, which are designated as first battery pack 100a, second battery pack 100b, and third battery pack 100c in ascending order of battery density. The first battery pack 100a has 1.3 × N0 cells, the second battery pack 100b has 1.3 × N0 cells, and the third battery pack 100c has 0.4 × N0 cells.

[0050] The total number of cells in the first battery pack 100a, the second battery pack 100b, and the third battery pack 100c is 3 × N0. To form three battery branches with each cell having a count of N0, the cells in the first battery pack 100a are divided into two battery modules, one with 0.3 × N0 cells and the other with 1 × N0 cells. The cells in the second battery pack 100b are also divided into two battery modules, one with 0.6 × N0 cells and the other with 0.7 × N0 cells.

[0051] In the first battery pack 100a, a battery assembly with 1×N0 cells forms a battery branch; a battery assembly with 0.3×N0 cells in the first battery pack 100a and a battery assembly with 0.7×N0 cells in the second battery pack 100b are connected in series to form a battery branch; a battery assembly with 0.6×N0 cells in the second battery pack 100b and a battery assembly with 0.4×N0 cells in the second battery pack 100b are connected in series to form a battery branch, thereby forming three battery branches with each battery pack having N0 cells.

[0052] For example, such as Figures 4 to 6 The battery system 1000 for the loader shown has four battery packs 100, which are designated as first battery pack 100a, second battery pack 100b, third battery pack 100c, and fourth battery pack 100d in ascending order of battery density. The first battery pack 100a has 0.5 × N0 cells, the second battery pack 100b has 1.5 × N0 cells, the third battery pack 100c has 1.5 × N0 cells, and the fourth battery pack 100d has 0.5 × N0 cells.

[0053] The total number of cells in the first battery pack 100a, the second battery pack 100b, the third battery pack 100c, and the fourth battery pack 100d is 4 × N0. To form four battery branches with each cell having a count of N0, the cells in the second battery pack 100b are divided into two battery modules, one with 1 × N0 cells and the other with 0.5 × N0 cells. Similarly, the cells in the third battery pack 100c are divided into two battery modules, one with 1 × N0 cells and the other with 0.5 × N0 cells.

[0054] The battery modules with 1×N0 cells in the second battery pack 100b and the third battery pack 100c each form a battery branch; the battery modules with 0.5×N0 cells in the first battery pack 100a and the second battery pack 100b are connected in series to form a battery branch; the battery modules with 0.5×N0 cells in the third battery pack 100c and the battery modules with 0.4×N0 cells in the fourth battery pack 100d are connected in series to form a battery branch, thus forming four battery branches with N0 cells in each of the four battery packs.

[0055] pass Figures 1 to 3 as well as Figures 4 to 6 Implementation examples have shown that the volumetric energy density of the battery system 1000 can be increased by 20% to 45%, significantly reducing the number of standard battery packs required for stacking.

[0056] It should be noted that for construction machinery, especially loaders, excavators, and bulldozers, the voltage of the battery system 1000 generally does not exceed 800V, and a platform voltage of 580V-650V is generally suitable. The platform voltage is the voltage of each battery branch in the battery system 1000, so the voltage of each battery branch is basically limited to this level. Taking lithium iron phosphate batteries as an example, the standard voltage of a lithium iron phosphate cell is 3.22V. Assuming the voltage of each battery branch in the battery system 1000 is V0, and V0 is between 580V and 650V, then the number of cells in each battery branch is N0, where N0 = V0 ÷ 3.22.

[0057] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 6As shown, each battery pack 100 also includes a battery box, within which the battery cells are housed; the battery system 1000 also includes a power distribution box 200, the body of which is integrated with the battery box of one of the battery packs 100. This arrangement simplifies the structure of the battery system 1000 and reduces costs. For example, the body of the power distribution box 200 is integrated with the battery box of the uppermost battery assembly.

[0058] Furthermore, the battery boxes of two adjacent battery packs 100 are connected by multiple fasteners. This configuration simplifies the connection and facilitates assembly and disassembly.

[0059] Specifically, the battery box has mounting structures on opposite sides in a third direction, and the mounting structures have mounting holes that extend along the first direction; the mounting structures of adjacent battery packs 100 are connected by fasteners through the mounting holes. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. To improve the mounting stability, optionally, each battery box has at least two sets of mounting structures spaced apart along the second direction.

[0060] For example, the mounting structure includes two mounting ear plates 20a spaced apart along a first direction, and two reinforcing ribs 20b connecting the two mounting ear plates 20a and spaced apart along a second direction; the two mounting ear plates 20a and the two reinforcing ribs 20b are connected to form a rectangular frame fixed to the battery box, and mounting holes are provided on the mounting ear plates 20a, with the mounting holes on the two mounting ear plates 20a corresponding one-to-one and the two corresponding mounting holes being coaxially arranged.

[0061] Optionally, each battery box includes a box body 20 and a top cover 10. The box body 20 has an opening at one end in a first direction, and the top cover 10 is detachably connected to the box body 20 to seal the opening. The mounting ear plate 20a, the reinforcing rib 20b, and the box body 20 are integrally formed to reduce installation costs, improve the connection between the mounting ear plate 20a, the reinforcing rib 20b, and the box body 20, and increase the overall structural strength of the battery box. Exemplarily, the mounting ear plate 20a, the reinforcing rib 20b, and the box body 20 are integrally formed castings. In other embodiments, the box body 20 can also be formed by welding multiple plates, with the mounting ear plate 20a and the reinforcing rib 20b welded and fixed to the outer wall of the box body 20.

[0062] It should be noted that the specific structure of the mounting structure is not limited to the structure described above. The reinforcing rib 20b can also be omitted; each mounting structure can also have only one mounting ear plate 20a; a U-shaped mounting structure can also be used, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

[0063] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, a battery pack 100 with a cell count of less than or equal to N0 is equipped with a maintenance switch 30c, which is used to manually cut off or restore the high-voltage power supply to the battery pack 100; a battery pack 100 with a cell count greater than N0 is equipped with two maintenance switches 30c, and the two maintenance switches 30c correspond one-to-one with two battery components, which are used to manually cut off or restore the high-voltage power supply to the corresponding two battery components.

[0064] This configuration allows for individual control of each battery branch via maintenance switch 30c, enabling separate maintenance of each battery branch without affecting other battery branches.

[0065] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, each battery pack 100 also includes an electrical connector panel 30, which is located at one end of the battery box in the second direction. The electrical connector panel 30 is provided with a high-voltage busbar output positive connector 30a, a high-voltage busbar output negative connector 30b, a communication connector 30d, a cell heating connector 30e, and an explosion-proof pressure relief valve 30f.

[0066] The high-voltage busbar positive output connector 30a is used for high-voltage electricity input, and the high-voltage busbar negative output connector 30b is used for high-voltage electricity output. Battery packs 100 with N0 or fewer cells are equipped with one high-voltage busbar positive output connector 30a and one high-voltage busbar negative output connector 30b; in battery packs 100 with more than N0 cells, each battery assembly is equipped with one high-voltage busbar positive output connector 30a and one high-voltage busbar negative output connector 30b. The communication connector 30d is used to connect various sensors and other electrical components inside the battery pack 100, and will not be described in detail here. An electric heater is installed inside the battery box to heat the cells. The cell heating connector 30e connects the external circuit to the electric heater. The explosion-proof pressure relief valve 30f automatically relieves pressure when the pressure inside the battery box is too high.

[0067] Each battery pack 100 also includes two water connectors 40, which are located on the same side of the battery pack 100 as the electrical connector panel 30. The two water connectors 40 are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the coolant flow channel inside the battery pack.

[0068] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the electric construction machinery is an excavator, the electric construction machinery also includes an excavator cover 60 and an excavator slewing platform 50. The excavator cover 60 is located above the excavator slewing platform 50 and together with the excavator slewing platform 50 forms a battery installation space, and the battery system 1000 is installed in the battery installation space.

[0069] like Figure 6As shown, when the electric construction machinery is a loader, the electric construction machinery also includes a loader cover 70 and a rear axle main reduction gearbox 80. The loader cover 70 is located above the rear axle main reduction gearbox 80 and together with the rear axle main reduction gearbox 80, forms a battery installation space. The battery system 1000 is installed in the battery installation space.

[0070] Furthermore, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery system, characterized by, It includes N battery packs (100), which are stacked along a first direction, where N ≥ 2; each battery pack (100) includes multiple battery cells stacked along a second direction, where the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular. The number of cells in N1 battery packs (100) is greater than N0 and less than 2N0; the number of cells in N2 battery packs (100) is less than N0; N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1 and less than N; the number of cells in N3 battery packs (100) is equal to N0; N3 is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than N-2; where N0 is the number of cells in a standard battery pack (100), and N1+N2+N3=N; The sum of the number of cells in all the battery packs (100) is an integer multiple of N0. The battery packs (100) with a number of cells greater than N0 and less than 2N0 are divided into two battery components and the number of cells in both battery components is not greater than N0. Each battery pack (100) with a cell count less than N0 is denoted as a battery component. The number of battery components with a cell count less than N0 is even, and they are connected in series in pairs to form a battery branch with a cell count of N0. The battery components with a cell count equal to N0 and the battery pack (100) with a cell count equal to N0 each form a battery branch. All the battery branches are connected in parallel.

2. The battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery packs (100) containing the two battery components connected in series are arranged adjacent to each other.

3. The battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the battery packs (100) also includes a battery case, in which the battery cells are disposed; The battery system (1000) also includes a power distribution box (200), the body of which is integrated with the battery compartment of one of the battery packs (100).

4. The battery system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The battery boxes of two adjacent battery packs (100) are connected by a plurality of fasteners.

5. The battery system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery box has mounting structures on both sides of a third direction. The mounting structures have mounting holes that are all through the first direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. The mounting holes on the mounting structure connect two adjacent battery packs (100) via the fasteners.

6. The battery system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting structure includes two mounting lugs (20a) spaced apart along the first direction, and two reinforcing ribs (20b) connecting the two mounting lugs (20a) and spaced apart along the second direction; The two mounting ears (20a) and the two reinforcing ribs (20b) are connected to form a rectangular frame fixed to the battery box. The mounting holes are provided on the mounting ears (20a). The mounting holes on the two mounting ears (20a) correspond one-to-one and the two mounting holes are coaxially arranged.

7. The battery system according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the battery boxes includes a box body (20) and a top cover (10), the box body (20) having an opening at one end in the first direction, and the top cover (10) being detachably connected to the box body (20) to seal the opening.

8. The battery system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery pack (100) with a number of cells less than or equal to N0 is equipped with a maintenance switch (30c) for manually cutting off or restoring the high-voltage power supply to the battery pack (100); The battery pack (100) with more than N0 cells is equipped with two maintenance switches (30c), and the two maintenance switches (30c) correspond one-to-one with the two battery components, respectively used to manually cut off or restore the high voltage power supply of the corresponding two battery components.

9. Electric engineering machinery, characterized in that, Includes a body and a battery system (1000) as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 mounted on the body.

10. The electric engineering machinery according to claim 9, characterized in that, The machine body is an excavator or a loader.

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