Battery pack

Abstract

The invention provides a battery pack, and relates to the technical field of batteries. The battery pack comprises a lower box body, a battery module and a limiting mechanism, the limiting mechanism is fixed to the inner side wall of the lower box body, a limiting channel is defined by the limiting mechanism and extends in the first direction, and the size of the limiting channel in the first direction is larger than that of the battery module in the first direction; and a part of the battery module is located in the limiting channel, and the part of the battery module can slide along the limiting channel. When the bottom of the battery pack is impacted by a high obstacle, the bottom of the lower box body protrudes and deforms towards the side where the battery module is located so as to apply force to the battery module, so that the battery module moves upwards, and part of the battery module slides along the limiting channel. Through the movement of the battery module, the force borne by the battery module can be absorbed, the force borne by the battery module is reduced, the damage risk of the battery core in the battery module is reduced, and the risk of fire of the battery pack is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] In new energy vehicles, the battery pack is usually placed at the bottom of the vehicle, forming a so-called "battery floor". This design optimizes the center of gravity of the vehicle, helping to improve driving stability and space utilization. However, since the battery pack is installed at the bottom of the vehicle, it is vulnerable to impact when the vehicle passes over uneven roads or high obstacles, which may cause damage to the battery pack box and even increase the risk of battery pack fire.

[0003] In order to avoid damage to the lower box of the battery pack, a flexible protective plate is generally set on the outside of the bottom plate of the lower box to absorb part of the impact force through deformation of the flexible protective plate, thereby reducing the impact force on the battery module. However, the deformation of the flexible protective plate is limited. When the bottom of the battery pack is hit by a high obstacle, the impact force on the battery module is still large, the risk of damage to the battery cells in the battery module is large, and the risk of fire in the battery pack is still high. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a battery pack to solve to a certain extent the problem that when the bottom of the battery pack is impacted by a high obstacle, the impact force on the battery module is still relatively large, the risk of the battery cells in the battery module being impacted after moving is relatively high, and the risk of the battery pack catching fire is still relatively high.

[0005] The present application provides a battery pack, the battery pack comprising a lower box, a battery module and a limiting mechanism, the limiting mechanism being fixed to the inner side wall of the lower box, the limiting mechanism enclosing a limiting channel, the limiting channel extending along a first direction, the size of the limiting channel in the first direction being greater than the size of the battery module in the first direction;

[0006] Part of the battery module is located in the limiting channel, and part of the battery module can slide along the limiting channel.

[0007] Preferably, the battery module includes a fixing member and a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells are stacked along a second direction, the plurality of battery cells are connected to the fixing member, an end of the fixing member in the second direction is located in the limiting channel, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] Preferably, two ends of the fixing member in the second direction are respectively arranged in the two limiting channels.

[0009] Preferably, the battery module comprises two fixing members, and the two fixing members are respectively arranged on both sides of the plurality of battery cells in a third direction, and the third direction is respectively perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting mechanism comprises a limiting component, the limiting component comprises a first limiting component and a second limiting component, the first limiting component and the second limiting component are arranged at intervals along the third direction to enclose the limiting channel.

[0011] Preferably, the limiting member includes one first limiting member and two second limiting members;

[0012] The two second limiting members are respectively arranged on both sides of the first limiting member in the third direction, and the first limiting member and the two second limiting members surround the two limiting channels;

[0013] In two adjacent battery modules, two adjacent fixing members are respectively located in two limiting channels surrounded by the same limiting component.

[0014] Preferably, the lower box body includes a bottom plate and a frame, the frame is arranged around the bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate enclose an accommodation space, the battery module is arranged in the accommodation space, and the limiting mechanism is arranged on a side of the frame facing the battery module.

[0015] Preferably, the base plate is deformable.

[0016] Preferably, the battery pack further comprises a liquid cooling plate, which is arranged on a side of the bottom plate facing the battery module, and is made of a flexible material.

[0017] Preferably, the battery pack further comprises a top cover and an insulation monitoring device, the top cover is connected to the frame, and the insulation monitoring device is fixed on a side of the top cover facing the battery module.

[0018] Preferably, the top cover and the battery module are arranged at intervals.

[0019] Preferably, the battery pack further comprises an elastic gasket and a fastener, wherein the fastener passes through the elastic gasket and the bottom plate and is fixed on the frame, and the elastic gasket is capable of elastic deformation.

[0020] In the battery pack of the present application, the battery pack includes a lower case, a battery module and a limiting mechanism. The limiting mechanism is fixed on the inner side wall of the lower case. The dimension of the limiting channel in the first direction is larger than the dimension of the battery module in the first direction, and part of the battery module is located in the limiting channel. When the bottom of the battery pack is hit by a high obstacle, the bottom of the lower case bulges toward the side where the battery module is located, thereby applying force to the battery module. The battery module moves upward after being subjected to force, and part of the battery module slides along the limiting channel. The movement of the battery module can absorb the force exerted on the battery module, thereby reducing the force exerted on the battery module, reducing the risk of damage to the battery cells in the battery module, and reducing the risk of fire in the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 An exploded view of a battery pack showing an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 Showing a schematic structural diagram of the lower box;

[0024] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 An enlarged view of part A;

[0025] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a battery module is shown;

[0026] Figure 5 A diagram showing the relative positions of the lower box and the battery module;

[0027] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 An enlarged view of part B in FIG.

[0028] Figure 7 The figure shows the relative positions of the bottom plate and the battery module when impacted.

[0029] Icons: 1-lower box; 11-bottom plate; 12-frame; 2-top cover; 3-liquid cooling plate; 4-limiting member; 41-first limiting member; 42-second limiting member; 5-battery module; 51-battery cell; 52-fixing member; 6-limiting channel; L1-first direction; L2-second direction; L3-third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following specific embodiments are provided to help the reader obtain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein. However, after understanding the disclosure of the present application, various changes, modifications and equivalents of the methods, devices and / or systems described herein will be apparent. For example, the order of operations described herein is merely an example, and is not limited to the order set forth herein, but in addition to the operations that must occur in a particular order, changes that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application may be made. In addition, in order to improve clarity and brevity, descriptions of features known in the art may be omitted.

[0031] The features described herein may be implemented in different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided only to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, devices and / or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

[0032] Throughout the specification, when an element (such as a layer, a region, or a substrate) is described as being “on”, “connected to”, “bound to”, “over”, or “covering” another element, it may be directly “on”, “connected to”, “bound to”, “over”, or “covering” another element, or one or more other elements may be present between them. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”, “directly bound to”, “directly over”, or “directly covering” another element, there may be no other elements present between them.

[0033] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the associated listed items and any combination of any two or more items.

[0034] Although terms such as "first," "second," and "third" may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers, or portions, these members, components, regions, layers, or portions are not limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer, or portion from another member, component, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein, the first member, component, region, layer, or portion referred to may also be referred to as the second member, component, region, layer, or portion.

[0035] For ease of description, spatial relational terms such as "above", "upper", "below", and "lower" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Such spatial relational terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, an element described as being "above" or "upper" relative to another element will subsequently be "below" or "lower" relative to the other element. Therefore, the term "above" includes both "above" and "below" orientations depending on the spatial orientation of the device. The device may also be positioned in other ways (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relational terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0036] The terms used herein are only used to describe various examples and are not used to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" list the stated features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or their combinations that exist, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, operations, components, elements and / or their combinations.

[0037] Variations in the shapes shown in the drawings may occur due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings but include variations in shapes that occur during manufacturing.

[0038] The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application. In addition, although the examples described herein have various configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

[0039] The present application provides a battery pack, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the battery pack includes a lower box body 1, a battery module 5 and a limiting mechanism (the limiting mechanism includes a plurality of limiting members 4), the limiting mechanism is fixed on the inner wall of the lower box body 1, the limiting mechanism encloses a limiting channel 6, the limiting channel 6 extends along a first direction L1, the size of the limiting channel 6 in the first direction L1 is larger than the size of the battery module 5 in the first direction L1; part of the battery module 5 is located in the limiting channel 6, and part of the battery module 5 can slide along the limiting channel 6.

[0040] In the battery pack of the present application, the battery pack includes a lower box body 1, a battery module 5 and a limiting mechanism. The limiting mechanism is fixed on the inner side wall of the lower box body 1. The size of the limiting channel 6 in the first direction L1 is larger than the size of the battery module 5 in the first direction L1. Part of the battery module 5 is located in the limiting channel 6. The first direction L1 is parallel to the direction of gravity. When the bottom of the battery pack is hit by a high obstacle, the bottom of the lower box body 1 bulges toward the side where the battery module 5 is located, thereby applying force to the battery module 5. After being subjected to force, the battery module 5 moves upward, and part of the battery module 5 slides along the limiting channel 6. Through the movement of the battery module 5, the force exerted on the battery module 5 can be absorbed, so that the force exerted on the battery module 5 is reduced, the risk of damage to the battery cell 51 in the battery module 5 is reduced, and the risk of fire in the battery pack is reduced.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the battery module 5 includes a fixing member 52 and a plurality of battery cells 51, wherein the plurality of battery cells 51 are stacked along the second direction L2, and the plurality of battery cells 51 are connected to the fixing member 52, and the end of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 is located in the limiting channel 6. In this way, the fixing member 52 can be used to fix the plurality of battery cells 51, and the end of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 is located in the limiting channel 6, so that the fixing member 52 can slide in the limiting channel 6. The limiting channel 6 can limit the movement of the fixing member 52, thereby limiting the movement of the battery cell 51, so as to avoid the battery module 5 from colliding with the inner side wall of the lower box 1 or the adjacent battery module 5, thereby further increasing the risk of loss of the battery cell 51 in the battery module 5. Optionally, the battery cell 51 can be bonded to the fixing member 52.

[0042] Furthermore, the two ends of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 are respectively arranged in two limiting channels 6. In this way, the two limiting channels 6 respectively limit the two ends of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2, thereby improving the stability of the movement of the fixing member 52, and further improving the stability of the movement of the battery module 5.

[0043] Optionally, the battery module 5 includes two fixing members 52, and the two fixing members 52 are respectively arranged on both sides of the plurality of battery cells 51 in the third direction L3, and the third direction L3 can be perpendicular to the first direction L1 and the second direction L2. In this way, the plurality of battery cells 51 are fixed by the two fixing members 52, thereby improving the stability of the fixing between the plurality of battery cells 51. At the same time, both ends of the two fixing members 52 in the second direction L2 are respectively arranged in the two limiting channels 6, thereby further limiting the movement of the battery module 5.

[0044] Preferably, the fixing member 52 can be a plate, and the length of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 is greater than the sum of the sizes of the multiple battery cells 51 in the second direction L2, so that the two ends of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 protrude relative to the battery cells 51 located at the edge, so as to facilitate setting the two ends of the fixing member 52 in the second direction L2 in the two limiting channels 6 respectively.

[0045] In the embodiment of the present application, the limiting mechanism includes a limiting member 4, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the limiting member 4 includes a first limiting member 41 and a second limiting member 42, which are spaced apart along the third direction L3, and the first limiting member 41 and the second limiting member 42 surround a limiting channel 6, so that the fixing member 52 can be set in the limiting channel 6.

[0046] Optionally, the limiting member 4 includes a first limiting member 41 and two second limiting members 42; the two second limiting members 42 are respectively arranged on both sides of the first limiting member 41 in the third direction L3, and the first limiting member 41 and the two second limiting members 42 enclose two limiting channels 6; in two adjacent battery modules 5, two adjacent fixing members 52 are respectively located in the two limiting channels 6 enclosed by the same limiting member 4. In this way, two limiting channels 6 can be formed by the first limiting member 41, which reduces the number of first limiting members 41 required in the limiting member 4 and simplifies the structure of the limiting mechanism. The first limiting member 41 and the second limiting member 42 can have great damping, and general suspension vibration will not cause the battery module 5 to move. Optionally, the surfaces of the first limiting member 41 and the second limiting member 42 can be roughened.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present application, the lower box 1 includes a bottom plate 11 and a frame 12, the frame 12 is arranged around the bottom plate 11, the frame 12 and the bottom plate 11 enclose a placement space, the battery module 5 is arranged in the placement space, and the limiting member is fixed to the side of the frame 12 facing the battery module 5. The frame 12 can be a steel frame 12, and the frame 12 can be connected to the vehicle body by bolts or the like.

[0048] Preferably, the bottom plate 11 can be deformed, and when the bottom plate 11 is hit by a low obstacle, the bottom plate 11 can absorb the impact by deformation, thereby preventing the battery module 5 from being hit. Figure 7 As shown, when the bottom plate 11 is hit by a high obstacle, the bottom plate 11 is deformed upward due to the large and continuous force pressing against the bottom plate 11 , causing the battery module 5 to move upward, thereby absorbing the force exerted on the battery module 5 and reducing the risk of damage to the battery module 5 .

[0049] Optionally, the deformation stroke of the bottom plate 11 can be 1-3 cm, that is, the thickness of the bottom plate 11 can be reduced by 1-3 cm after being compressed. In addition, the bottom plate 11 can be made of a material with a large deformation coefficient. When the vehicle is operating normally, the battery module 5 is arranged on the bottom plate 11, and the bottom plate 11 will not deform under the action of the gravity of the battery module 5. When the bottom plate 11 is hit by an obstacle, the bottom plate 11 can be deformed. When the force received is large, the bottom plate 11 can be deformed upward, thereby pushing the battery module 5 to move upward along the first direction L1. Optionally, the bottom plate 11 is made of a polymer material.

[0050] In addition, the battery pack also includes a liquid cooling plate 3, which is arranged on the side of the bottom plate 11 facing the battery module 5, and is made of a flexible material. In this way, when the bottom plate 11 is deformed, the integrity of the liquid cooling plate 3 will not be damaged, and the coolant can flow in the liquid cooling plate 3, thereby avoiding the loss of function of the liquid cooling plate 3 when the bottom plate 11 is hit, and avoiding local overheating that causes performance degradation or damage to the battery pack.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present application, the battery pack further includes a top cover 2, which is connected to the frame 12, and the top cover 2 may be a metal sheet. The top cover 2 and the battery module 5 are arranged at intervals, thereby providing a moving space for the battery module 5 in the first direction L1. When the bottom plate 11 is deformed upward, the battery module 5 moves upward, which increases the space between the bottom plate 11 and the ground, and can alleviate the bottoming problem. A grounding iron may be provided on the top cover 2.

[0052] Furthermore, the battery pack also includes an insulation monitoring device, which is fixed on the side of the top cover 2 facing the battery module 5. When the battery module 5 is severely displaced due to impact, the space between the battery module and the top cover 2 is reduced, and when the electrodes of the battery cells 51 in the battery module 5 contact the top cover 2, the insulation monitoring device (IMD) detects a sharp drop in insulation value. At this time, the relay of the battery pack can be opened to prevent further electrical risks.

[0053] In addition, the battery pack also includes an elastic gasket and a fastener, the fastener passes through the elastic gasket and the bottom plate 11, and is fixed to the frame 12, and the elastic gasket can be elastically deformed. The bottom plate 11 is fixed to the frame 12 using fasteners and elastic gaskets, which can maintain a stable connection of the bottom plate 11. At the same time, the bottom plate 11 is fixed in this way, which allows the bottom plate 11 to be appropriately deformed when necessary, reducing the risk of damage to the battery module 5 when the bottom plate 11 is hit. Optionally, the fastener can be a bolt.

[0054] Optionally, the battery pack of the present application can be applied to different vehicle models. For example, the battery pack can be applied to electric vehicles operating in urban and light off-road environments. If the electric vehicle passes a larger obstacle during off-road driving, the bottom plate 11 can be deformed by about 2 cm after being impacted. The deformation of the bottom plate 11 absorbs part of the impact force, reducing the direct impact on the battery module 5. When the bottom plate 11 deforms upward, the fixing member 52 in the battery module 5 slides in the limiting channel 6 to avoid hard impact damage to the battery module 5. Since the liquid cooling plate 3 is made of a flexible material, although the bottom plate 11 is deformed, the liquid cooling plate 3 still maintains sealing and functionality, maintaining the ideal operating temperature of the battery module 5. In the process of the battery pack being impacted, the battery module 5 gradually moves upward. When the top plate contacts the battery module 5 and the insulation monitoring device detects a sharp drop in insulation resistance, the battery pack can automatically disconnect the main power supply of the battery pack to prevent potential electrical failures.

[0055] For another example, the battery pack can also be used in urban public transport electric vehicles. When driving on city streets, the vehicle passes by low curbstones many times. The bottom plate 11 can absorb the impact by deformation and protect the battery module 5 from impact. When the bottom plate 11 is subjected to a large impact, the bottom plate 11 deforms upward, causing the fixing part 52 in the battery module 5 to slide along the limiting channel 6, reducing the impact of the impact force on the battery module 5 and ensuring the stable operation of the battery pack. When the top cover 2 is not in contact with the battery module 5, even if the bottom plate 11 is impacted, the insulation monitoring device always displays normal, ensuring driving safety.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack comprises a lower box, a battery module and a limiting mechanism, wherein the limiting mechanism is fixed to the inner side wall of the lower box, the limiting mechanism encloses a limiting channel, the limiting channel extends along a first direction, and the size of the limiting channel in the first direction is greater than the size of the battery module in the first direction; Part of the battery module is located in the limiting channel, and part of the battery module can slide along the limiting channel.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery module includes a fixing member and a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are stacked along a second direction, the plurality of battery cells are connected to the fixing member, an end of the fixing member in the second direction is located in the limiting channel, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two ends of the fixing member in the second direction are respectively arranged in the two limiting channels.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The battery module includes two fixing members, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the plurality of battery cells in a third direction, and the third direction is respectively perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting mechanism includes a limiting component, and the limiting component includes a first limiting component and a second limiting component. The first limiting component and the second limiting component are arranged at intervals along the third direction to surround the limiting channel.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting component includes one first limiting member and two second limiting members; The two second limiting members are respectively arranged on both sides of the first limiting member in the third direction, and the first limiting member and the two second limiting members surround the two limiting channels; In two adjacent battery modules, two adjacent fixing members are respectively located in two limiting channels surrounded by the same limiting component.

7. The battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The lower box body includes a bottom plate and a frame, the frame is arranged around the bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate enclose a placement space, the battery module is arranged in the placement space, and the limiting mechanism is arranged on a side of the frame facing the battery module.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The base plate is deformable.

9. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes a liquid cooling plate, which is arranged on a side of the bottom plate facing the battery module, and is made of a flexible material.

10. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery pack further comprises a top cover and an insulation monitoring device, wherein the top cover is connected to the frame, and the insulation monitoring device is fixed on a side of the top cover facing the battery module.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, characterized in that: The top cover and the battery module are arranged at intervals.

12. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes an elastic gasket and a fastener, wherein the fastener passes through the elastic gasket and the bottom plate and is fixed on the frame, and the elastic gasket can undergo elastic deformation.

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