Ring battery module assembly process

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and discloses a ring-shaped battery module assembly process, including: arranging battery cells one by one in a receiving space to form a fan-shaped unit; arranging all the fan-shaped units along a ring path, and splicing adjacent fan-shaped units to form a ring-shaped battery module. All battery cells in the ring-shaped battery module structure are in the receiving space, and the environment of different battery cells is the same, which can effectively reduce the temperature difference between battery cells at different positions in the ring-shaped battery module structure. At the same time, the environment of battery cells at different positions in the module is the same, and the expansion force between adjacent battery cells in the ring-shaped battery module can offset each other, reducing the impact of the expansion force on the battery module. Multiple fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form a ring-shaped battery module, which can simplify the module structure and the molding process of the module and improve the module assembly efficiency. Adjacent battery cells are separated by a bracket assembly, which can reduce the harm of thermal runaway of the battery cells when the local battery is in thermal runaway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to an annular battery module assembly process. Background Art

[0002] The existing battery module grouping method is to stack batteries in series and parallel as needed to form a square battery module structure. This grouping method results in poor heat dissipation of the batteries in the middle part of the battery module. The temperature of the batteries in the middle part of the module is higher than the temperature of the batteries on both sides of the battery module, resulting in a large temperature difference between the batteries in various parts of the battery module, resulting in a relatively short life of the batteries with high temperatures in the battery module. At the same time, high-temperature batteries will increase the risk of fire, resulting in high risks to personal safety and property safety. The battery will expand during the charging and discharging process, and the battery will generate expansion forces on both sides of its thickness direction. In order to reduce the impact of the expansion force on the stability of the battery module structure, the existing technology uses hard connection methods such as welding and bolting to connect the batteries, resulting in a complex battery module structure, a complex battery module molding process, and low grouping efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a ring-shaped battery module assembly process to solve the problem that the battery module assembly method in the prior art leads to large temperature differences in the batteries in the module and complex molding process.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a toroidal battery module assembly process, the toroidal battery module comprising a plurality of bracket assemblies and a plurality of battery cells, the bracket assemblies having an accommodating space therein; the bracket assemblies having a fan-shaped cross section; the toroidal battery module assembly process comprising:

[0005] The battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit;

[0006] All the fan-shaped units are arranged along a circular path, and adjacent fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form a ring-shaped battery module.

[0007] Beneficial effects: The annular battery module assembly process of the present invention splices the fan-shaped units to form an annular battery module structure. All the battery cells in the annular battery module structure are in the accommodating space, and the environments of different battery cells are the same. The exposed surfaces of different battery cells are the same, which can effectively reduce the temperature difference between battery cells at different positions in the annular battery module structure, reduce the risk of thermal runaway of battery cells, increase the service life of battery cells and battery modules, and reduce the risk of fire, thereby ensuring personal safety and property safety. At the same time, the environments of battery cells at different positions in the module are the same, and the expansion forces between adjacent battery cells in the annular battery module can offset each other, reducing the impact of the expansion force on the battery module. Multiple fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module. Compared with the prior art that uses hard connection methods such as welding and bolt fastening to ensure the strength of the module, the module structure and the molding process of the module can be simplified, and the module assembly efficiency can be improved. Adjacent battery cells are separated by the bracket assembly, which can reduce the area of ​​thermal runaway when local battery thermal runaway occurs, reduce the risk of large-area fire, thereby reducing the harm of thermal runaway of the battery cells and improving the safety performance of the annular battery module structure.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the support assembly includes two support frames, and before the battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit, it also includes:

[0009] The two support frames are assembled to form the accommodation space between the two support frames.

[0010] Beneficial effects: After assembly, each battery cell in the module is between two support frames, and the expansion forces between adjacent battery cells can offset each other, reducing the impact of the expansion force on the battery module; at the same time, battery cells in different positions are subjected to the same force, and the consistency of the battery cells during the aging process is good.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, each of the support frames includes two support walls, and the battery core includes two large surfaces;

[0012] When assembling two support frames, the two support walls of each support frame are arranged at an angle toward one side of the annular path, and adjacent support frames are spaced apart to form the accommodation space between adjacent support frames;

[0013] The two large surfaces of the battery core are respectively fixed on the support walls of the adjacent support frames to place the battery core in the accommodating space.

[0014] Beneficial effect: The large surface of the battery cell is fixed on the supporting wall, and the heat generated by the battery cell is conducted to the supporting wall to effectively dissipate the heat of the battery cell. The support frame simultaneously supports the battery cell and dissipates the heat of the battery cell; the two large surfaces of the battery cell are fixed on the supporting wall so that all the fan-shaped units can be spliced ​​to form a ring-shaped battery module.

[0015] In an optional implementation, two large surfaces of the battery cell are bonded and fixed to the support wall of the adjacent support frame.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, before bonding and fixing the two large surfaces of the battery cell to the support wall of the adjacent support frame, the method further includes:

[0017] Fixing one side of the elastic buffer to the large surface of the battery cell;

[0018] When the two large surfaces of the battery core are bonded and fixed to the support wall of the adjacent support frame, the other surface of the elastic buffer is bonded and fixed to the support wall.

[0019] Beneficial effect: The elastic buffer is compressed and deformed by the support frame, and the dimensional tolerance of the battery cell thickness is eliminated through the elastic buffer, ensuring that the battery cell is better attached to the support wall, thereby ensuring the heat dissipation effect of the battery cell, and at the same time can improve the matching strength between the battery cell and the support frame and the stability of the overall structure of the battery module.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the annular battery module further includes a busbar, the battery cell has a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, and after the adjacent sector units are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module, the annular battery module further includes:

[0021] The positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of the battery cell are connected through the busbar.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, one of the two support frames of each group of the support assembly is provided with a plug-in portion, and the other of the two support frames of each group of the support assembly is provided with a matching portion; the two ends of the support frame are respectively provided with an inner edge extension portion and an outer edge extension portion, and the inner edge extension portion and the outer edge extension portion are both arc surfaces;

[0023] When assembling the two support frames, the plug-in portion is plugged into and matched with the matching portion, and the inner edge extension portions and the outer edge extension portions of the two support frames are butted against each other to form the bracket assembly, and the accommodating space is formed inside the two support frames;

[0024] When all the fan-shaped units are arranged along a circular path, the inner edge extensions and the outer edge extensions of all the bracket components are connected so that all the inner edge extensions form an inner circumferential surface and all the outer edge extensions form an outer circumferential surface.

[0025] Beneficial effect: After the plug-in portion is plugged into and matched with the matching portion, and the inner edge extension portions and the outer edge extension portions of all the bracket components are connected, a ring-shaped battery module structure is formed, which can quickly and conveniently assemble the battery module and facilitate the disassembly of the bracket component.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the annular battery module structure further includes an inner ring stopper and an outer ring stopper, and the cross-sections of the inner ring stopper and the outer ring stopper are both annular; before all the fan-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, it also includes:

[0027] Placing the inner ring limiter;

[0028] When all the fan-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the inner edge extensions of all the bracket assemblies are arranged along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring stopper;

[0029] After all the sector-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the outer ring limiting member is sleeved outside the outer circumferential surface.

[0030] Beneficial effect: The inner edge extensions of all bracket assemblies are arranged along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring limiter, so that the bracket assemblies can be assembled into a ring structure conveniently and quickly, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the ring battery module. After assembly, the inner ring limiter limits the bracket assembly from moving toward the inside of the ring path, and the outer ring limiter limits the bracket assembly from moving toward the outside of the ring path. The inner ring limiter cooperates with the outer ring limiter to prevent the bracket assembly and the battery cell from moving radially, thereby ensuring the stability of the ring battery module structure.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the annular battery module structure further includes a bottom support plate, and the annular battery module assembly process further includes:

[0032] The bottom support plate is fixed on the inner ring limiter and / or the outer ring limiter, and the bottom support plate is supported on the bottom of all the bracket assemblies.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the top and bottom of the battery cell are respectively provided with pole ears, the top and bottom of the support frame are respectively provided with a first support portion and a second support portion, and after the adjacent fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module, the annular battery module further includes:

[0034] The tabs of adjacent cells are bent toward each other, and then the adjacent tabs are connected, and the tabs at the top of the cell are supported on the first support portion, and the tabs at the bottom of the cell are supported on the second support portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0036] Figure 1 An exploded view of an annular battery module assembled by an annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an annular battery module assembled by an annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 A top view of an annular battery module assembled by an annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention after removing insulating parts and some fan-shaped units;

[0039] Figure 4 A top view of an annular battery module assembled by an annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention after removing the insulating parts;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle support frame;

[0041] Figure 6 An exploded view of an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of the middle A part;

[0043] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Fig. 9 A transverse cross-sectional view of an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Fig.10 A transverse cross-sectional view of an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A partial enlarged view of part B in the middle;

[0047] Fig.12An exploded view of a sector unit in an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of two fan-shaped units in an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention after being spliced;

[0049] Fig.14 An exploded view of two sector-shaped units in an annular battery module assembled by another annular battery module assembly process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Fig.15 for Fig.14 A partial enlarged view of part C in the middle.

[0051] Description of reference numerals:

[0052] 1. fan-shaped unit; 101. accommodating space; 102. support frame; 1021. support wall; 1022. heat dissipation area; 1023. connecting column; 1024. mounting hole; 1025. middle reinforcement part; 1026. plug-in part; 1027. matching part; 1028. inner edge extension part; 1029. outer edge extension part; 10210. first support part; 10211. second support part; 10212. docking part; 1 0213, transverse reinforcement; 10214, vertical reinforcement; 10215, abutment plate; 103, battery cell; 1031, positive pole ear; 1032, negative pole ear; 2, bus bar; 3, insulating member; 4, bottom buffer member; 5, inner circumferential surface; 6, outer circumferential surface; 7, inner ring limit member; 8, outer ring limit member; 9, bottom support plate; 10, positive bus bar; 11, negative bus bar; 12, insulating mounting seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0054] Combine the following Figures 1 to 15 , describing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, a toroidal battery module assembly process is provided, wherein the toroidal battery module comprises a plurality of bracket assemblies and a plurality of battery cells 103, wherein the bracket assemblies have a receiving space 101 inside; the cross section of the bracket assemblies is fan-shaped; and the toroidal battery module assembly process comprises:

[0056] The battery cells 103 are arranged one by one in the accommodating space 101 to form a fan-shaped unit 1;

[0057] All the sector units 1 are arranged along a circular path, and adjacent sector units 1 are spliced ​​together to form a circular battery module.

[0058] The annular battery module assembly process of the present invention splices the fan-shaped units 1 to form an annular battery module structure. All the battery cells 103 in the annular battery module structure are in the accommodating space 101. The environments of different battery cells 103 are the same, and the exposed surfaces of different battery cells 103 are the same. The temperature difference between the battery cells 103 at different positions in the annular battery module structure can be effectively reduced, the risk of thermal runaway of the battery cells 103 can be reduced, the service life of the battery cells 103 and the battery module can be increased, and the risk of fire can be reduced, thereby ensuring personal safety and property safety. At the same time, the environments of the battery cells 103 at different positions in the module are the same, and the expansion forces between adjacent battery cells 103 in the annular battery module can offset each other, reducing the influence of the expansion force on the battery module. Multiple fan-shaped units 1 are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module. Compared with the hard connection methods such as welding and bolt fastening used to ensure the strength of the module in the prior art, the module structure and the molding process of the module can be simplified, and the module assembly efficiency can be improved. Adjacent battery cells 103 are separated by the bracket assembly, which can reduce the area of ​​thermal runaway when a local battery thermal runaway occurs, reduce the risk of large-area fire, thereby reducing the harm of thermal runaway of the battery cells 103 and improving the safety performance of the annular battery module structure.

[0059] Optionally, in one embodiment, the support assembly includes two support frames 102, and before the battery cells 103 are arranged one by one in the accommodating space 101 to form the fan-shaped unit 1, it also includes:

[0060] The two support frames 102 are assembled to form a receiving space 101 between the two support frames 102 .

[0061] After assembly, each battery cell 103 in the module is located between two support frames 102, and the expansion forces between adjacent battery cells 103 can offset each other, reducing the impact of the expansion force on the battery module; at the same time, the battery cells 103 at different positions are subjected to the same force, and the consistency of the battery cells 103 during the aging process is good.

[0062] Optionally, in one embodiment, Figures 1 to 5As shown, each support frame 102 includes two support walls 1021, and the battery cell 103 includes two large faces; when assembling two support frames 102, the two support walls 1021 of each support frame 102 are arranged at an angle toward the center of the circular path, and the adjacent support frames 102 are spaced apart to form a receiving space 101 between the adjacent support frames 102; the two large faces of the battery cell 103 are respectively fixed on the support walls 1021 of the adjacent support frames 102 to arrange the battery cell 103 in the receiving space 101. The large faces of the battery cell 103 are fixed on the support walls 1021, and the heat generated by the battery cell 103 is conducted to the support walls 1021 to effectively dissipate the heat of the battery cell 103. The support frame 102 simultaneously supports the battery cell 103 and dissipates the heat of the battery cell 103; the two large faces of the battery cell 103 are fixed on the support walls 1021, so that all the fan-shaped units 1 are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module.

[0063] Optionally, in one embodiment, two large surfaces of the battery cell 103 are bonded and fixed to the support wall 1021 of the adjacent support frame 102 , so that the battery cell 103 is fixed conveniently and quickly.

[0064] In one embodiment, before the two large surfaces of the battery cell 103 are bonded and fixed to the support wall 1021 of the adjacent support frame 102, the method further includes:

[0065] Fix one side of the elastic buffer to the large surface of the battery cell 103;

[0066] When the two large surfaces of the battery cell 103 are bonded and fixed to the support wall 1021 of the adjacent support frame 102 , the other surface of the elastic buffer is bonded and fixed to the support wall 1021 to bond and fix the two large surfaces of the battery cell 103 to the support wall 1021 of the adjacent support frame 102 .

[0067] The elastic buffer is compressed and deformed by the support frame 102, and the dimensional tolerance of the thickness of the battery cell 103 is eliminated by the elastic buffer, ensuring that the battery cell 103 is better attached to the support wall 1021, thereby ensuring the heat dissipation effect of the battery cell 103, and at the same time, it can improve the matching strength between the battery cell 103 and the support frame 102 and the stability of the overall structure of the battery module.

[0068] Optionally, the two sides of the elastic buffer are respectively attached to the large surface of the battery cell 103 and the support wall 1021. For example, in one embodiment, the elastic buffer is made of foam. The elastic buffer is thin, ensuring that the heat of the battery cell 103 can be directly and quickly transferred to the support frame 102.

[0069] In one embodiment, the annular battery module further includes a busbar, the battery cell 103 has a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, and after adjacent sector units 1 are spliced ​​together to form an annular battery module, the annular battery module further includes:

[0070] The positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of the battery cell 103 are connected through a busbar to output the electric energy of the annular battery module.

[0071] Specifically, in this embodiment, the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal are respectively arranged at the positive pole and the negative pole of the battery cell, and the busbar includes a busbar 2, which connects the positive pole and the negative pole of adjacent battery cells.

[0072] The annular battery module further includes an insulating member 3, and after connecting the positive pole and the negative pole at the top of the adjacent battery cells 103 through the busbar 2, further includes:

[0073] The insulating member 3 is covered on the top of all the battery cells 103 .

[0074] The insulating member 3 is isolated on the upper part of the battery core 103 , and the insulating member 3 plays an insulating role to prevent short circuit.

[0075] Optionally, the insulating member 3 is an insulating cover plate, which is annular, and has a first flange portion and a second flange portion on its inner and outer walls, respectively. The first flange portion is bonded to a side of the battery cell 103 facing the center of the annular path, and the second flange portion is bonded to a side of the battery cell 103 facing away from the center of the annular path.

[0076] like Figure 5 As shown, the two support walls 1021 of each support frame 102 are spaced apart to form a heat dissipation area 1022 , so that the battery cells 103 and the module can dissipate heat through the heat dissipation area 1022 , thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the battery cells 103 and the battery module.

[0077] Optionally, in one embodiment, the annular battery module also includes an annular base plate (not shown in the figure), which is arranged at the bottom of the support frame 102; a connecting portion is provided in the heat dissipation area 1022, and the support frame 102 is fixedly connected to the annular base plate through the connecting portion, thereby limiting the movement of the support frame 102 and fixing the battery cell 103 on the annular base plate, thereby ensuring the stability of the overall structure of the annular battery module.

[0078] Optionally, in one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the connection part includes a connection column 1023, which extends in the height direction of the support frame 102, and a mounting hole 1024 is provided inside the connection column 1023, which extends in the height direction of the connection column 1023, and a fastener is suitable for passing through the mounting hole 1024 to fix the support frame 102 on the annular bottom plate; the connection column 1023 is supported and connected between the two support walls 1021. The connection column 1023 serves as a fixed fulcrum for the fastener and also plays a role in supporting the support wall 1021, which can improve the stability of the overall structure of the support frame 102 and ensure that the support frame 102 stably supports the battery cell 103.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the two support walls 1021 of the support frame 102 are integrally arranged, and the side of the support wall 1021 facing the outside of the annular path is provided with an intermediate reinforcement part 1025, and the intermediate reinforcement part 1025 extends toward the inside of the heat dissipation zone 1022, and the intermediate reinforcement parts 1025 on the two support walls 1021 of the support frame 102 are connected toward the inside of the heat dissipation zone 1022. The two support walls 1021 are integrally arranged to ensure the stability of the support frame 102 structure, and the distance between the two support walls 1021 facing the outside of the annular path is large. By providing the intermediate reinforcement part 1025, and connecting the two intermediate reinforcement parts 1025 toward the inside of the heat dissipation zone 1022, the two intermediate reinforcement parts 1025 are supported between the support walls 1021, thereby increasing the stability of the support frame 102 and ensuring the overall strength of the annular battery module.

[0080] In one embodiment, the support frame 102 is a metal support frame 102 . The metal support frame 102 has good heat dissipation effect and can improve the heat dissipation effect of the battery cell 103 .

[0081] The annular battery module structure also includes a collection plate, and the bus bar 2 is integrated with the collection plate. The bus bar 2 is connected to the pole of the battery cell 103 by laser welding.

[0082] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a bottom buffer 4 is also provided at the bottom of all the support frames 102 and the battery cells to provide buffer protection for the battery module and improve the impact resistance of the overall structure of the battery module.

[0083] Optionally, the bottom buffer 4 is annular and is made of foam.

[0084] The assembly process of the ring battery module is as follows:

[0085] Glue the bottom buffer 4 onto the annular bottom plate;

[0086] The elastic buffer is pasted on the two large surfaces of the battery cell 103; and then the elastic buffers on the two large surfaces of the battery cell 103 are pasted on the supporting walls 1021 on both sides to form a fan-shaped unit 1;

[0087] The battery cells 103 are sequentially bonded on the support wall 1021 to form a ring structure by splicing a plurality of fan-shaped units 1 along a ring path;

[0088] The support frame 102 is fixed to the annular bottom plate by bolts;

[0089] Then weld the busbar 2 and the collection plate to the pole;

[0090] Finally, the first flange portion and the second flange portion of the insulating cover are pasted onto the battery cell 103 .

[0091] like Figures 6 to 15 As shown, in one embodiment, one of the two support frames 102 of each support assembly is provided with an inserting portion 1026, and the other of the two support frames 102 of each support assembly is provided with a matching portion 1027; the two ends of the support frame 102 are respectively provided with an inner edge extension portion 1028 and an outer edge extension portion 1029, and the inner edge extension portion 1028 and the outer edge extension portion 1029 are both arc surfaces;

[0092] When assembling two support frames 102, the plug-in portion 1026 is plugged into the matching portion 1027, and the inner edge extension portions 1028 of the two support frames 102 and the outer edge extension portions 1029 of the two support frames 102 are connected to form a bracket assembly, and a receiving space 101 is formed inside the two support frames 102;

[0093] When all the fan-shaped units 1 are arranged along a circular path, the inner edge extensions 1028 of all adjacent bracket assemblies and the outer edge extensions 1029 of all adjacent bracket assemblies are connected so that all the inner edge extensions 1028 form an inner circumferential surface 5 and all the outer edge extensions 1029 form an outer circumferential surface 6.

[0094] The plug-in portion 1026 is plugged into the matching portion 1027, and the inner edge extension portion 1028 and the outer edge extension portion 1029 of all the bracket components are connected to form a ring-shaped battery module structure, which can quickly and easily assemble the battery module and facilitate the disassembly of the bracket component.

[0095] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the annular battery module structure further includes an inner ring stopper 7 and an outer ring stopper 8, and the cross-sections of the inner ring stopper 7 and the outer ring stopper 8 are both annular; before all the sector units 1 are arranged along an annular path, it also includes:

[0096] Place the inner ring limiter 7;

[0097] When all the sector units 1 are arranged along an annular path, the inner edge extensions 1028 of all the bracket assemblies are arranged along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring stopper 7;

[0098] After all the sector units 1 are arranged along an annular path, the outer ring stopper 8 is sleeved outside the outer circumferential surface 6 .

[0099] The inner edge extensions 1028 of all the bracket assemblies are arranged along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring stopper 7, so as to conveniently and quickly assemble the bracket assemblies into an annular structure, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the annular battery module. After assembly, the inner ring stopper 7 limits the bracket assembly from moving toward the inside of the annular path, and the outer ring stopper 8 limits the bracket assembly from moving toward the outside of the annular path. The inner ring stopper 7 cooperates with the outer ring stopper 8 to prevent the bracket assembly and the battery cell 103 from moving radially, thereby ensuring the stability of the annular battery module structure.

[0100] Optionally, in one embodiment, the inner ring limiter 7 is cylindrical, and the outer circumferential wall of the inner ring limiter 7 abuts against the inner circumferential surface 5. The inner edge extension 1028 of all the bracket assemblies is abutted simultaneously by one inner ring limiter 7 to simplify the structure of the inner ring limiter 7 and the overall structure of the annular battery module, thereby facilitating the assembly of the annular battery module structure.

[0101] Optionally, the inner ring stopper 7 is in a hollow cylindrical shape to form a cavity structure in the middle of the annular battery module, which is beneficial to the heat dissipation of the battery core 103 and the battery module. At the same time, the inner ring stopper 7 with a hollow structure can reduce the overall weight of the module and save material costs.

[0102] Optionally, in one embodiment, Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the outer ring limiter 8 includes a plurality of limit rings, and the plurality of limit rings are sleeved on the outer circumferential surface 6, and the plurality of limit rings are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the outer circumferential surface 6, and the bracket assembly is limited to move outward by the plurality of limit rings. Compared with the outer ring limiter 8 being set as a limit structure that penetrates the height of the bracket assembly as a whole from top to bottom, the plurality of spaced limit rings are set to save materials. At the same time, a single limit ring is small in size and light in structure, which is convenient for sleeved outside the bracket assembly, which is beneficial to improving the assembly efficiency of the annular battery module; compared with the outer ring limiter 8 completely wrapping the outer circumferential surface 6 of the bracket assembly, the gaps between the plurality of limit rings are beneficial to the heat dissipation of the battery cell 103 and the bracket assembly.

[0103] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 12 to Figure 14 As shown, a groove is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the outer edge extension portion 1029 of the support frame 102, and all the grooves on the support frame 102 form an annular groove. The limiting ring is sleeved in the annular groove, and the limiting ring is easy to install and fix.

[0104] like Fig.11As shown, the battery cell 103 generates expansion force during the charging process. Among the two adjacent battery cells 103, the left battery cell 103 generates expansion forces F1 and F2, and the right battery cell 103 generates expansion forces F3 and F4. F2 and F3 offset each other to offset most of the expansion force. The remaining unoffset expansion force F5 acts on the annular limiting ring. The limiting ring decomposes F5 so that F5 is evenly distributed on the limiting ring, which effectively reduces the influence of the expansion force of the battery cell 103 on the battery module and ensures the stability of the overall structure of the battery module.

[0105] Optionally, the limiting ring is a steel ring.

[0106] In one embodiment, the annular battery module structure further includes a bottom support plate 9, and the annular battery module assembly process further includes:

[0107] The bottom support plate 9 is fixed on the inner ring limiter 7 and / or the outer ring limiter 8, and the bottom support plate 9 is supported on the bottom of all the bracket components.

[0108] The bottom support plate 9 is supported at the bottom of all the bracket assemblies to prevent the bracket assemblies from falling downward under the action of gravity during the movement of the module, thereby ensuring the overall stability of the annular battery module structure.

[0109] Specifically, the bottom support plate 9 is in the shape of an annular plate, and the bottom support plate 9 is fixed to the bottom of the inner ring limiter 7 by bolts.

[0110] Optionally, in one embodiment, the top and bottom of the battery cell 103 are respectively provided with pole ears, the top and bottom of the support frame 102 are respectively provided with a first support portion 10210 and a second support portion 10211, and after splicing adjacent sector units 1 to form an annular battery module, the annular battery module further includes:

[0111] The tabs of adjacent cells 103 are bent toward each other, and then the adjacent tabs are connected, and the tabs at the top of the cell 103 are supported on the first support portion 10210, and the tabs at the bottom of the cell 103 are supported on the second support portion 10211. The first support portion 10210 and the second support portion 10211 are used to support the tabs to prevent the tabs from being damaged by pressure or bending and breaking, and the two support portions play a role in supporting and protecting the tabs.

[0112] like Figure 12 to Figure 14As shown, the support frame 102 includes an abutment plate 10215, the abutment plate 10215 is arranged radially along the annular path, the inner edge extension portion 1028 is arranged on the radial inner end surface of the abutment plate 10215, and the outer edge extension portion 1029 is arranged on the radial outer end surface of the abutment plate 10215, and the inner edge extension portion 1028 and the outer edge extension portion 1029 are both in the shape of an arc surface; in each set of support components, the inner edge extension portions 1028 of the two support frames 102 are butted, and the outer edge extension portions 1029 of the two support frames 102 are connected to each other. The two inner edge extensions 1028, the two outer edge extensions 1029 are butt-jointed to separate the two abutment plates 10215, and an accommodating space 101 is enclosed between the two inner edge extensions 1028, the two outer edge extensions 1029 and the two abutment plates 10215. After butt-jointing, the two inner edge extensions 1028 form an arc surface at the radial inner end of the bracket assembly, and the two outer edge extensions 1029 form an arc surface at the radial outer end of the bracket assembly, so that the outer contour of the bracket assembly forms a fan-shaped structure, so that multiple groups of bracket assemblies are butt-jointed to form an annular structure.

[0113] The inner edge extensions 1028 of adjacent bracket assemblies are butted together, and the outer edge extensions 1029 of adjacent bracket assemblies are butted together to separate the abutment plates 10215 of adjacent bracket assemblies, thereby forming a cavity area between the abutment plates 10215 of adjacent brackets, which can separate adjacent battery cells 103 and help improve the heat dissipation effect of the battery cells 103.

[0114] Both ends of the inner edge extension 1028 along the circumference of the annular path extend out of the abutment plates 10215, and both ends of the outer edge extension 1029 along the circumference of the annular path extend out of the abutment plates 10215. After the ends of the inner edge extensions 1028 and the ends of the outer edge extensions 1029 of the two support frames 102 of each group of support components are butted against each other, the two abutment plates 10215 are spaced apart. The ends of the inner edge extensions 1028 and the ends of the outer edge extensions 1029 of the two support frames 102 of each group of support components are butted against each other with the support frames 102 of the adjacent group, so as to space the abutment plates 10215 of the support frames 102 of the adjacent group. The circumferential length of the outer edge extension 1029 facing the outside of the accommodating space 101 is greater than the circumferential length of the inner edge extension 1028 facing the outside of the accommodating space 101, so that the two support frames 102 form a fan-shaped structure after being spliced.

[0115] In one embodiment, Fig.12As shown, a transverse reinforcement portion 10213 is provided between the side of the inner edge extension portion 1028 facing away from the accommodating space 101 and the side of the outer edge extension portion 1029 facing away from the accommodating space 101, and a vertical reinforcement portion 10214 is also provided on the side of the abutment plate 10215 facing away from the accommodating space 101. The transverse reinforcement portion 10213 and the vertical reinforcement portion 10214 are used to enhance the strength of the support frame 102, thereby ensuring the overall strength of the battery module after grouping. The transverse reinforcement portion 10213 extends horizontally, and the vertical reinforcement portion 10214 extends vertically.

[0116] Optionally, a plurality of transverse reinforcing portions 10213 and a plurality of vertical reinforcing portions 10214 are provided, and the plurality of transverse reinforcing portions 10213 are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the abutment plate 10215 , and the plurality of vertical reinforcing portions 10214 are arranged at intervals along the radial extension direction of the abutment plate 10215 .

[0117] In one embodiment, the abutment plates 10215 of the two support frames 102 of each group of bracket assemblies are parallel to each other, so as to enclose a accommodating space 101 with a rectangular cross-section together with the inner edge extension portion 1028 and the outer edge extension portion 1029. The accommodating space 101 can accommodate square battery cells 103 or soft-pack battery cells 103 with a rectangular cross-section.

[0118] The first support portion 10210 is disposed on the transverse reinforcement portion 10213 of the top layer, the second support portion 10211 is disposed on the transverse reinforcement portion 10213 of the bottom layer, and both the transverse reinforcement portion 10213 and the vertical reinforcement portion 10214 are located on the side of the abutment plate 10215 facing away from the accommodating space 101 .

[0119] The matching portion 1027 is a plug hole, and the plug portion 1026 is plugged into the plug hole to achieve the docking of two support frames 102. One of the support frames 102 in each group of support assemblies is provided with a docking portion 10212, and the support frames 102 of the adjacent group are provided with docking holes, and the docking portion 10212 is plugged into the docking holes to achieve the splicing of adjacent support assemblies, thereby ensuring the rapid splicing of the support frames 102 and the support assemblies, and improving the assembly efficiency of the battery module.

[0120] Optionally, in a bracket assembly, the plug-in portion 1026 and the plug-in hole are respectively arranged on two abutment plates 10215, two plug-in portions 1026 are arranged on the upper part of one abutment plate 10215, two plug-in portions 1026 are arranged on the bottom of the abutment plate 10215, and a plug-in hole is arranged at the corresponding position of the other abutment plate 10215. The stability of the structure of the support frame 102 after splicing can be improved by cooperating with multiple plug-in portions 1026 and the plug-in holes.

[0121] Optionally, in one embodiment, in a bracket assembly, two docking portions 10212 are provided on the outer walls of the radial extension plate of the first support portion 10210 of a support frame 102 and the radial extension plate of the second support portion 10211, and docking holes are provided on the radial extension plate of the adjacent support frame 102, and the docking portions 10212 are snapped into the docking holes. The docking of adjacent bracket assemblies can be achieved by cooperating between multiple docking portions 10212 and the docking holes, which can improve the stability of the structure after the bracket assemblies are spliced.

[0122] like Figures 13 to 15 As shown, in this embodiment, the busbar of the annular battery module structure includes a positive busbar 10 and a negative busbar 11; all the battery cells 103 are connected in series, the positive output end includes a positive pole tab 1031 arranged at one end of the battery cell, and the negative output end includes a negative pole tab 1032 arranged at the other end of the battery cell. The tabs at the top and bottom of the battery cell 103 are bent back to back, the positive output ends of all the battery cells 103 are connected to the positive busbar 10, and the negative output ends of all the battery cells 103 are connected to the negative busbar 11, and the electric energy of the battery module is output through the positive busbar 10 and the negative busbar 11.

[0123] The positive pole tabs 1031 and negative pole tabs 1032 of adjacent battery cells 103 are arranged alternately up and down, that is, for two adjacent battery cells 103 on the left and right, if the top of the battery cell 103 on the left is the positive pole tab 1031 and the bottom is the negative pole tab 1032, then the top of the battery cell 103 on the right is the negative pole tab 1032 and the bottom is the positive pole tab 1031, so that all battery cells 103 can be connected in series by bending the tabs.

[0124] like Fig.14 As shown, in the two groups of bracket assemblies, the positive pole tab 1031 at the top of the battery cell 103 in the left bracket assembly is bent to the right, and the negative pole tab 1032 at the bottom of the battery cell 103 is bent to the left, and the negative pole tab 1032 at the top of the battery cell 103 in the right bracket assembly is bent to the left, and the negative pole tab 1032 at the bottom of the left battery cell 103 is bent toward each other with the positive pole tab 1031 at the bottom of the battery cell 103 on its left side, and the positive pole tab 1031 is welded to the negative pole tab 1032 to realize the series connection of the battery cells 103.

[0125] like Figures 13 to 15As shown, the annular battery module structure also includes an insulating mounting seat 12, which includes two supporting platforms, a boss portion is provided between the two supporting platforms, the positive busbar 10 is arranged on the supporting platform on the left side of the boss portion, and the negative busbar 11 is arranged on the supporting platform on the right side of the boss portion. The insulating mounting seat 12 is made of insulating material, and the boss portion insulates and separates the positive busbar 10 and the negative busbar 11. The positive pole tabs 1031 at the ends of all the battery cells 103 connected in series are connected to the positive busbar 10, and the negative pole tabs 1032 at the ends of all the battery cells 103 connected in series are connected to the negative busbar 11. The insulating mounting seat 12 is clamped on the first supporting portion 10210 at the top of two adjacent groups of bracket assemblies.

[0126] In other embodiments, the battery cells 103 in the module may also be connected in parallel.

[0127] like Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, the annular battery module structure also includes an insulating upper cover and an insulating base. The insulating upper cover is arranged on the top of all bracket components and all battery cells 103, and the insulating base is arranged on the bottom of all bracket components and all battery cells 103. The insulating upper cover and the insulating base serve as the connection between the pole ears, and the positive busbar 10 and the negative busbar 11 are insulated from the outside world. The insulating cover and the insulating base are both made of insulating materials.

[0128] The assembly process of the ring battery module is as follows:

[0129] The plug-in portion 1026 of the support frame 102 is plugged into the matching portion 1027 to form a support assembly;

[0130] The battery cell 103 is placed in the accommodating space 101 of the bracket assembly to form a fan-shaped unit 1;

[0131] Place the inner ring limiter 7;

[0132] Arrange the inner edge extensions 1028 of all bracket components along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring stopper 7;

[0133] The outer ring limiter 8 is sleeved outside the outer ring circumference of all bracket components;

[0134] Fix the bottom support plate 9 on the inner ring limiter 7, and the bottom support plate 9 is supported at the bottom of all bracket components;

[0135] Bend the tabs of adjacent cells 103 toward each other, and weld the two tabs bent toward each other; weld the positive tab 1031 at the end of the series-connected cells 103 to the positive bus 10, and weld the negative tab at the end of the series-connected cells 103 to the negative bus 11;

[0136] An insulating upper cover is arranged on the top of all the support components and all the battery cells 103 , and an insulating base cover is arranged on the bottom of all the support components and all the battery cells 103 .

[0137] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ring battery module assembly process, characterized in that: The annular battery module includes a plurality of bracket assemblies and a plurality of battery cells, wherein the bracket assemblies have a containing space inside; The cross section of the bracket assembly is fan-shaped; the annular battery module assembly process includes: The battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit; Arranging all the fan-shaped units along a circular path, and splicing adjacent fan-shaped units to form a ring-shaped battery module; The support assembly includes two support frames, and before the battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit, it also includes: Assembling two of the support frames to form the accommodation space between the two support frames; Each of the support frames includes two support walls, and the battery core includes two large surfaces; When assembling two support frames, the two support walls of each support frame are arranged at an angle toward one side of the annular path, and adjacent support frames are spaced apart to form the accommodation space between adjacent support frames; Adhere and fix two large surfaces of the battery core to the support wall of the adjacent support frame to place the battery core in the accommodating space; The annular battery module also includes an annular bottom plate, which is arranged at the bottom of the support frame; the two support walls of each support frame are spaced apart to form a heat dissipation area, and a connecting part is provided in the heat dissipation area, and the support frame is fixedly connected to the annular bottom plate through the connecting part.

2. The annular battery module assembly process according to claim 1, characterized in that: Before the two large surfaces of the battery cell are bonded and fixed to the support wall of the adjacent support frame, the method further comprises: Fixing one side of the elastic buffer to the large surface of the battery cell; When the two large surfaces of the battery core are bonded and fixed to the support wall of the adjacent support frame, the other surface of the elastic buffer is bonded and fixed to the support wall.

3. The annular battery module assembly process according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The annular battery module further includes a busbar, the battery cell having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal, and after the adjacent fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module, the annular battery module further includes: The positive output terminal and the negative output terminal of the battery cell are connected through the busbar.

4. A ring battery module assembly process, characterized in that: The annular battery module includes a plurality of bracket assemblies and a plurality of battery cells, wherein the bracket assemblies have a containing space inside; The cross section of the bracket assembly is fan-shaped; the annular battery module assembly process includes: The battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit; Arranging all the fan-shaped units along a circular path, and splicing adjacent fan-shaped units to form a ring-shaped battery module; The support assembly includes two support frames, and before the battery cells are arranged one by one in the accommodating space to form a fan-shaped unit, it also includes: Assembling two of the support frames to form the accommodation space between the two support frames; One of the two support frames of each group of the support assembly is provided with a plug-in portion, and the other of the two support frames of each group of the support assembly is provided with a matching portion; both ends of the support frame are provided with an inner edge extension portion and an outer edge extension portion, and both the inner edge extension portion and the outer edge extension portion are arc surfaces; When assembling the two support frames, the plug-in portion is plugged into and matched with the matching portion, and the inner edge extension portions and the outer edge extension portions of the two support frames are butted against each other to form the bracket assembly, and the accommodating space is formed inside the two support frames; When all the fan-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the inner edge extensions and the outer edge extensions of all the bracket components are butted together so that all the inner edge extensions form an inner circumferential surface and all the outer edge extensions form an outer circumferential surface; The annular battery module structure further includes an inner ring stopper and an outer ring stopper, wherein the cross sections of the inner ring stopper and the outer ring stopper are both annular; before all the fan-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the structure further includes: Placing the inner ring limiter; When all the fan-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the inner edge extensions of all the bracket assemblies are arranged along the outer peripheral wall of the inner ring stopper; After all the sector-shaped units are arranged along an annular path, the outer ring limiting member is sleeved outside the outer circumferential surface.

5. The annular battery module assembly process according to claim 4, characterized in that: The annular battery module structure also includes a bottom support plate, and the annular battery module assembly process also includes: The bottom support plate is fixed on the inner ring limiter and / or the outer ring limiter, and the bottom support plate is supported on the bottom of all the bracket assemblies.

6. The annular battery module assembly process according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The top and bottom of the battery cell are respectively provided with pole ears, the top and bottom of the support frame are respectively provided with a first support portion and a second support portion, and after the adjacent fan-shaped units are spliced ​​to form an annular battery module, the battery module further includes: The tabs of adjacent cells are bent toward each other, and then the adjacent tabs are connected, and the tabs at the top of the cell are supported on the first support portion, and the tabs at the bottom of the cell are supported on the second support portion.

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