Battery module and electric device

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries, and discloses a battery module, which comprises a support, a top cover and a battery cell group; the top cover is installed on the support to form a containing space for containing the battery cell group, and the battery cell group is installed in the containing space; an air inlet flow channel is formed between the top of the battery cell group and the top cover; the support is further provided with a plurality of air outlet holes, the air outlet holes are opposite to battery cell gaps of the battery cell group, the battery cell gaps are communicated with the air inlet flow channel, and the bottom surface of the support is further provided with an air outlet flow channel communicated with all the air outlet holes. The battery module and the electric equipment can better cool the battery cells in the battery cell group and reduce the possibility of local battery cell temperature overhigh of the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to a battery module and electrical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The battery module includes a cell assembly, which consists of multiple cylindrical cells arranged in a row. A cooling fan blows air directly onto the outside of the cell assembly to cool the cells.

[0003] Existing battery modules have the following technical defects: the air blown by the cooling fan generally only has a good cooling effect on one side of the cell assembly, while the cooling effect on some cylindrical cells on the other side is poor. This leads to the problem of local overheating in the cell assembly, which is not conducive to ensuring that all cells operate at a suitable temperature.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to design a battery module and electrical equipment to reduce the possibility of localized overheating of battery cells in the battery module. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery module and electrical equipment that reduces the possibility of localized overheating of battery cells in the battery module.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A battery module includes a bracket, a top cover, and a battery cell assembly;

[0008] The top cover is mounted on the bracket to form a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell assembly, and the battery cell assembly is installed in the receiving space;

[0009] An air inlet channel is formed between the top of the battery cell assembly and the top cover; the bracket is also provided with a number of air outlet holes, the air outlet holes are directly opposite the gaps between the battery cells in the battery cell assembly, the gaps between the battery cells are connected to the air inlet channel, and the bottom surface of the bracket is also provided with an air outlet channel connecting all the air outlet holes.

[0010] Optionally, the battery module also includes a CCS assembly, which includes a flexible circuit board and a connecting plate, with the two ends of the connecting plate connected to the flexible circuit board and the battery cell, respectively.

[0011] The connecting bar is located in the air inlet channel.

[0012] Optionally, the CCS assembly includes a thermally conductive and insulated support frame;

[0013] The thermally conductive and insulating support frame is provided with a plurality of air passage holes that connect the gaps between the battery cells, and the plurality of air outlet holes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of air passage holes.

[0014] Optionally, a thermally conductive seal is provided in the air inlet channel, and the thermally conductive seal is located directly above the polar part of the battery cell;

[0015] The thermally conductive seals abut against the CCS assembly and the top cover on opposite sides, respectively.

[0016] Optionally, the thermally conductive seals are arranged in a spaced array;

[0017] Each battery cell has a thermally conductive seal on its top.

[0018] Optionally, the battery module further includes an air supply assembly, which is fixedly connected to the top cover to input cooling airflow into the air inlet channel;

[0019] The air supply component is located at the first end of the bracket, and the air outlet of the air outlet channel is located at the second end of the bracket away from the first end.

[0020] Optionally, the battery module is also equipped with a ventilation plate, on which a plurality of ventilation holes are arranged, the ventilation holes being directly opposite the gap between the battery cells;

[0021] The plurality of air distribution holes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of air outlet holes, and the air inlet channel is located between the air distribution plate and the top cover.

[0022] Optionally, M thermally conductive sealing elements are provided between the air distribution plate and the top cover. The thermally conductive sealing elements are strip-shaped and two adjacent thermally conductive sealing elements are parallel to each other.

[0023] The thermally conductive seals abut against the air distribution plate and the top cover on opposite sides, and the M thermally conductive seals divide the air inlet channel into M+ sub-channels.

[0024] Optionally, the battery module also includes a heating film;

[0025] The heating film is disposed between two adjacent rows of battery cells, and the heating film can block the cooling airflow.

[0026] Optionally, the heating film has an arcuate bend to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell.

[0027] Optionally, a groove is formed on the top cover, the groove forming part of the sub-channel.

[0028] Optionally, three adjacent cells of the cell group are arranged in a triangular pattern;

[0029] The cell gap is located at the center of three cells arranged in a triangle or on the side of two adjacent cells, and there is one cell gap between every three adjacent cells.

[0030] Optionally, the minimum gap between two adjacent cells is d;

[0031] The diameter D of the air outlet is in the range of d≤D≤d.

[0032] Optionally, the larger the diameter of the air outlet is, the further away from the air inlet of the air inlet channel.

[0033] Optionally, the bracket is provided with at least two rows of insertion slots in an alternating manner, and the diameter of the insertion slots is the same as the outer diameter of the battery cell;

[0034] A positioning post is provided between three adjacent insertion slots, and the air outlet passes through the positioning post along the center line of the positioning post.

[0035] An electrical device includes a battery module as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0036] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0037] In this embodiment, the cooling airflow flows into the cell gap from the inlet air channel, and then flows into the outlet air channel from the cell gap. When the cooling airflow flows through the cell gap inside the cell assembly, it can effectively remove the heat from the outer periphery of the cell. Each cell in the cell assembly can be well cooled, and it is not easy for local cell overheating to occur. Attached Figure Description

[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0039] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives that the present invention can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of a battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3This is a top view schematic diagram of a battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 This is a bottom view schematic diagram of the battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the middle AA section;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of another battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first type of battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second type of battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the third type of battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the fourth type of battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the battery cell assembly and heating film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the battery pack and heating film provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Illustrations: 1. Bracket; 101. Insertion slot; 102. Positioning post; 2. Top cover; 201. Groove; 3. Battery cell assembly; 301. Battery cell gap; 41. Air inlet channel; 401. Sub-channel; 42. Air outlet; 43. Air outlet channel; 5. CCS assembly; 51. Flexible circuit board; 52. Connecting plate; 53. Thermally conductive and insulating support frame; 6. Thermally conductive seal; 7. Air supply assembly; 8. Air distribution plate; 81. Air distribution hole; 9. Heating film; 91. Arc-shaped bend; 100. Battery cell. Detailed Implementation

[0053] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0054] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be a component positioned centrally in the connection.

[0055] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] This invention provides a battery module that can better cool all the cells 100 in the cell group and avoid overheating of some cells 100.

[0058] This embodiment discloses a battery module, including a bracket 1, a top cover 2, and a cell assembly 3; the bracket 1 is used to support and fix the cell 100, the cell assembly 3 includes a plurality of cells, the cell 100 can be a cylindrical cell or a cell of other shapes, and there is a gap between two adjacent cells 100 to form a cell gap 301.

[0059] In this embodiment, the top cover 2 is mounted on the bracket 1 to form a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell assembly 3, and the battery cell assembly 3 is installed in the receiving space.

[0060] An air inlet channel 41 is formed between the top of the battery cell assembly 3 and the top cover 2; the bracket 1 is also provided with several air outlet holes 42, which are directly opposite the gaps 301 between the battery cells of the battery cell assembly 3. The gaps 301 between the battery cells are connected to the air inlet channel 41, and the bottom surface of the bracket 1 is also provided with an air outlet channel 43 that connects all the air outlet holes 42.

[0061] Specifically, as the cooling airflow flows along the air inlet channel 41, it has a certain cooling effect on the top of the battery cell 100. As the cooling airflow flows along the cell gap 301, it effectively cools the outer periphery of the battery cell 100. In this embodiment, the cooling airflow does not blow from one side towards the battery cell assembly 3, but rather cools the battery cell 100 from within the cell gap 301 inside the battery cell assembly 3, allowing for better cooling of the battery cell assembly 3. In this embodiment, the cooling airflow flows from the top into the battery cell assembly 3, then flows vertically downwards along the cell gap 301, and finally exits from the air outlet channel 43. All battery cells 100 are subject to the cooling effect of the cooling airflow. It should also be noted that the battery cell 100 is vertically positioned, and the cell gap 301 is also vertically positioned.

[0062] Optionally, the battery module also includes a CCS component 5, which includes a flexible circuit board 51 and a connecting plate 52. The two ends of the connecting plate 52 are connected to the flexible circuit board 51 and the battery cell 100, respectively. The connecting plate 52 is located in the air inlet channel 41.

[0063] Specifically, as the cooling airflow flows along the air inlet channel 41, it can effectively cool the connecting plate 52 in the air inlet channel 41, thereby effectively reducing the excessive heat generation at the connection point between the connecting plate 52 and the battery cell 100, and allowing the battery cell assembly 3 to be cooled better.

[0064] Optionally, the CCS module 5 includes a thermally conductive insulating support frame 53. The thermally conductive insulating support frame 53 is provided with a plurality of air passage holes communicating with the cell gaps 301, and the plurality of air outlet holes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of air passage holes. Specifically, the thermally conductive insulating support frame 53 is provided to dissipate heat through the thermally conductive insulating support frame 53, so that the heat on the thermally conductive insulating support frame 53 can be better carried away by the cooling airflow. On the other hand, the arrangement of the air passage holes on the thermally conductive insulating support frame 53 makes the flow of cooling air more standardized, so that the cooling effect of each cell 100 is more even, which reduces the possibility of local high heat and avoids the situation where the battery module is prone to local dead corners and local dead corners are prone to high heat. Preferably, the CCS module 5 and the thermally conductive insulating support frame 53 form an airflow gap, and the connecting strip 52 and the flexible circuit board 51 are both located in the airflow gap. In this way, the cooling airflow can flow along the airflow gap to cool the connecting strip 52 and the flexible circuit board 51, further improving the cooling effect.

[0065] Optionally, a thermally conductive seal 6 is provided in the air inlet channel 41, and the thermally conductive seal 6 is located directly above the polar part of the battery cell 100; the opposite sides of the thermally conductive seal 6 abut against the CCS assembly 5 and the top cover 2, respectively.

[0066] Specifically, the thermally conductive seal 6 has good thermal conductivity and can insulate and separate the CCS assembly 5 and the cell assembly 3. The thermally conductive seal 6 can transfer heat from the cell 100 and the CCS assembly 5 to the top cover 2, thereby further improving the cooling effect on the cell 100.

[0067] It should also be noted that the top cover 2 is mounted on the bracket 1, and the top cover 2 presses against the heat-conducting seal 6, thereby keeping the internal components stable.

[0068] Optionally, the thermally conductive seals 6 are arranged in a spaced array; each battery cell 100 has a thermally conductive seal 6 on its top. Specifically, each battery cell 100 has a thermally conductive seal 6, which ensures that the heat on the top of each battery cell 100 can be transferred to the top cover 2 through the thermally conductive seal 6, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery cell 100.

[0069] Optionally, the battery module also includes an air supply assembly 7, which is fixedly connected to the top cover 2 to input cooling airflow into the air inlet channel 41. The air supply assembly 7 is located at the first end of the bracket 1, and the air outlet of the air outlet channel 43 is located at the second end of the bracket 1 away from the first end. The air supply assembly 7 can be a cooling fan or other components capable of outputting cooling airflow.

[0070] Optionally, the battery module is also equipped with a cooling plate 8, on which a plurality of cooling holes 81 are arranged, the cooling holes 81 being directly opposite the cell gap 301; the plurality of cooling holes 81 correspond one-to-one with a plurality of air outlets 42, and the air inlet channel 41 is located between the cooling plate 8 and the top cover 2. In this embodiment, the cooling plate 8 further regulates the flow of cooling air, thereby reducing the possibility of airflow dead zones within the battery module. The one-to-one correspondence here means that the corresponding cooling hole 81 is located directly above the air outlet 42.

[0071] Optionally, M thermally conductive sealing elements 6 are provided between the air distribution plate 8 and the top cover 2. The thermally conductive sealing elements 6 are strip-shaped, and adjacent thermally conductive sealing elements 6 are parallel to each other. The opposite sides of the thermally conductive sealing elements 6 abut against the air distribution plate 8 and the top cover 2, respectively. The M thermally conductive sealing elements 6 divide the air inlet channel 41 into M+1 sub-channels 401. Specifically, the existence of sub-channels 401 further regulates the standardization of cooling airflow, and the flow uniformity between adjacent sub-channels 401 is better, so as to ensure that the cooling airflow can have a good cooling effect.

[0072] Optionally, the battery module also includes a heating film 9; the heating film 9 is disposed between two adjacent rows of battery cells 100, and the heating film 9 can block the cooling airflow, so that the airflow between adjacent battery cells 100 can only flow downwards in the vertical direction. The presence of the heating film 9 can improve the standardization of the cooling airflow. In this embodiment, by cleverly setting the air-cooling channel structure and cooperating with the heating film 9 to heat the battery cells 100, the battery cells 100 can be well maintained in a suitable temperature range for operation, which is beneficial for all battery cells 100 in the battery module to operate at a more suitable temperature, ensuring that the battery cells 100 have a good working environment. It should also be noted that in the prior art, the battery cells 100 are generally cooled by liquid cooling pipes and heated by heating pipes, but this can easily lead to the problem of excessive battery module weight. The air-cooling channel structure and heating film 9 used in this embodiment can make the battery module lighter, avoiding the excessive weight of the battery module caused by various liquid cooling pipes and heating pipes.

[0073] Optionally, the heating film 9 has an arc-shaped bend 91 to fit the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell 100 to further improve the heat exchange effect and better heat the battery cell 100.

[0074] Optionally, a groove 201 is formed on the top cover 2. The groove 201 forms part of the sub-flow channel 401, which can increase the flow rate of the cooling air and make it easier to regulate the flow direction of the cooling air.

[0075] Optionally, three adjacent cells 100 of the cell group 3 are arranged in a triangular pattern; the cell gap 301 is located at the center of the three cells 100 arranged in the triangle or on the side of two adjacent cells 100, and a cell gap 301 is provided between every three adjacent cells 100. Figure 4 It can be seen that the outer periphery of the cell in the middle of the cell group 3 is surrounded by at least six cell gaps 301, and the outer periphery of the cell on the side of the cell group 3 is provided with at least four cell gaps 301, so that each cell 100 can get a good cooling effect.

[0076] Optionally, the minimum gap between two adjacent cells 100 is d; the diameter D of the air outlet 42 is in the range of 3d≤D≤8d to ensure good cooling effect.

[0077] Optionally, the diameter of the air outlet 42 is larger the further away from the air inlet of the air inlet channel 41. In this embodiment, the diameters of the air outlets 42 are different, and the diameter of the air outlets 42 is larger the further away from the air inlet of the air inlet channel 41, so that the amount of airflow passing through each air outlet 42 remains basically the same, which is conducive to making the cooling effect on each battery cell 100 more uniform.

[0078] Optionally, the bracket 1 has at least two rows of insertion slots 101 arranged alternately, and the diameter of the insertion slots 101 is the same as the outer diameter of the battery cell 100; the battery cell 100 is inserted and fixed in the insertion slots 101. A positioning post 102 is provided between three adjacent insertion slots 101, and the air outlet 42 passes through the positioning post 102 along the center line of the positioning post 102.

[0079] Example 2

[0080] This embodiment discloses an electrical device, including a battery module as described in Embodiment 1.

[0081] Battery modules are used to power electrical devices, which can be cars, mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, ships, spacecraft, medical equipment, electric toys, and power tools, etc.

[0082] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0083] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0084] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, Includes bracket (1), top cover (2), battery cell assembly (3) and CCS assembly (5); The top cover (2) is mounted on the bracket (1) to form a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell assembly (3), and the battery cell assembly (3) is installed in the receiving space; An air inlet channel (41) is formed between the top of the battery cell assembly (3) and the top cover (2); the bracket (1) is provided with a plurality of air outlet holes (42), the air outlet holes (42) are directly opposite the battery cell gap (301) of the battery cell assembly (3), the battery cell gap (301) is connected to the air inlet channel (41), and the bottom surface of the bracket (1) is also provided with an air outlet channel (43) connecting all the air outlet holes (42). The CCS assembly (5) includes a thermally conductive and insulating support frame (53); The thermally conductive and insulating support frame (53) is provided with a plurality of air passage holes that connect the gap (301) between the battery cells, and the plurality of air outlet holes correspond one-to-one with the plurality of air passage holes; A thermally conductive sealing element (6) is provided in the air inlet channel (41), and the thermally conductive sealing element (6) is located directly above the polar part of the cell (100) of the cell assembly (3). The thermally conductive seal (6) abuts against the CCS assembly (5) and the top cover (2) on opposite sides.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a CCS component (5), which includes a flexible circuit board (51) and a connecting bar (52), with the two ends of the connecting bar (52) connected to the flexible circuit board (51) and the battery cell (100), respectively. The connecting bar (52) is located in the air inlet channel (41).

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermally conductive seals (6) are arranged in a spaced array; Each cell (100) is provided with a thermally conductive seal (6) on its top.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an air supply assembly (7), which is fixedly connected to the top cover (2) to input cooling airflow into the air inlet channel (41); The air supply component (7) is located at the first end of the bracket (1), and the air outlet of the air outlet channel (43) is located at the second end of the bracket (1) away from the first end.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is also equipped with an air distribution plate (8), on which a plurality of air distribution holes (81) are arranged, and the air distribution holes (81) are directly opposite the cell gap (301). A plurality of the air distribution holes (81) correspond one-to-one with a plurality of the air outlet holes (42), and the air inlet channel (41) is located between the air distribution plate (8) and the top cover (2).

6. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that, M thermally conductive sealing elements (6) are provided between the air distribution plate (8) and the top cover (2). The thermally conductive sealing elements (6) are strip-shaped, and two adjacent thermally conductive sealing elements (6) are parallel to each other. The thermally conductive seal (6) abuts against the air distribution plate (8) and the top cover (2) on opposite sides respectively, and the M thermally conductive seals (6) divide the air inlet channel (41) into M+1 sub-channels (401).

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a heating film (9); The heating film (9) is disposed between two adjacent rows of cells (100), and the heating film (9) can block the cooling airflow.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heating film (9) has an arc-shaped bend (91) to fit the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell (100).

9. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, A groove (201) is formed on the top cover (2), and the groove (201) forms part of the sub-channel (401).

10. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three adjacent cells (100) of the cell group (3) are arranged in a triangle; The cell gap (301) is located at the center of the three cells (100) arranged in a triangle or on the side of two adjacent cells (100), and a cell gap (301) is provided between every three adjacent cells (100).

11. The battery module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The minimum gap between two adjacent cells (100) is d; The diameter D of the air outlet (42) is in the range of 3d≤D≤8d.

12. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The larger the diameter of the air outlet (42) is, the further away it is from the air inlet of the air inlet channel (41).

13. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (1) has at least two rows of insertion slots (101) arranged alternately, and the aperture of the insertion slots (101) is the same as the outer diameter of the battery cell (100); A positioning post (102) is provided between three adjacent insertion slots (101), and the air outlet (42) passes through the positioning post (102) along the center line of the positioning post (102).

14. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, It includes a battery module as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images