Battery pack for vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a battery pack for a vehicle and the vehicle. The battery pack comprises at least one battery module with a bottom wall; the battery module is arranged in the shell; the shell comprises a bottom plate, two opposite side plates and a reinforcing beam; the bottom plate is connected with the side plates, and a first gap is formed between the bottom plate and the bottom wall; and the reinforcing beam is positioned on one side, facing the battery module, of the bottom plate. The reinforcing beam comprises a beam body, wherein the beam body is connected with the two opposite side plates and deviates from the battery module; and the supporting plate extends into the first gap from the beam body, so that the battery module is supported by the bottom plate and the supporting plate in the vertical direction. According to the battery pack, the battery module is jointly supported by the bottom plate and the supporting plate. Therefore, the stability of the battery module in the shell along the vertical direction can be improved, and the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack in the vertical direction can be further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of automobile technology, and in particular to a battery pack for a vehicle. The present application also includes a vehicle using the battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles are equipped with battery packs to provide power to the vehicles. Existing battery packs usually include a housing and a battery module installed in the housing. For example, patent document CN107887536B discloses a power battery pack. The power battery pack includes a housing consisting of an upper housing and a lower housing, and multiple layers of stacked battery modules are arranged in the housing. In addition, components such as a battery cut-off unit, a manual maintenance switch, and a control panel are also arranged in the housing.

[0003] However, when a battery pack of a larger size is vibrated in a vertical direction, there is a risk that bending vibration fatigue occurs to the battery pack, so that the battery pack may be damaged. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above technical problems, the first aspect of the present application proposes a battery pack for a vehicle. The battery pack includes: at least one battery module, the battery module includes a bottom wall; and a shell, the battery module is arranged in the shell; the shell includes a bottom plate, at least two oppositely arranged side plates and at least one reinforcing beam; the bottom plate is connected to the side plate, and there is a first gap between the bottom plate and the bottom wall; the reinforcing beam is located on the side of the bottom plate facing the battery module. The reinforcing beam includes: a beam body, the beam body is connected to two opposite side plates and deviates from the battery module; and at least one support plate, the support plate extends from the beam body into the first gap, so that the battery module is supported by the bottom plate and the support plate in the vertical direction.

[0005] In one embodiment, a plurality of support plates are disposed on at least one lateral side of the beam body; and adjacent support plates are spaced apart from each other along the extension direction of the beam body.

[0006] In one embodiment, the support plate and the beam body are integrally formed.

[0007] In one embodiment, the battery pack also includes a cold plate, which is arranged between the bottom wall of the battery module and the bottom plate of the shell; there is a second gap between the bottom wall and the cold plate, and there is a third gap between the cold plate and the bottom plate; the number of reinforcing beams is multiple and includes at least one middle beam; the middle beam is arranged to correspond to the middle area of ​​the bottom plate; the beam body of the middle beam is constructed with support plates on both sides of the transverse direction, and the support plates extend into the second gap and form a first support plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, the reinforcing beam also includes at least one end beam; the end beam is arranged to correspond to the edge of the bottom plate; the beam body of the end beam is constructed with a support plate on the side facing the battery module, and the support plate extends into the second gap and forms a first support plate, or extends into the third gap and forms a second support plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, heat-conducting insulating glue is applied in the second gap, and heat-conducting insulating glue is provided on both side surfaces of the first support plate along the vertical direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, a plurality of through holes are configured on the first support plate; at least a portion of the thermally conductive insulating adhesive enters into the through holes.

[0011] In one embodiment, the extension length of the first support plate in the second gap is between 30 mm and 60 mm.

[0012] In one embodiment, a groove is formed on the cold plate and / or the bottom wall, and the first support plate is located in the groove.

[0013] The second aspect of the present application provides a vehicle, which includes: a chassis, on which a vehicle compartment is installed; and a plurality of battery packs for the vehicle as described above, which are laid on the chassis.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: In the battery pack of the present application, the battery module is supported by the bottom plate and the support plate, which helps to improve the stability of the battery module in the vertical direction in the housing, thereby helping to further reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack in the vertical direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 A vehicle according to one embodiment of the present application is schematically shown.

[0017] Figure 2 A battery pack for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application is schematically shown.

[0018] Figure 3 The internal structure of the battery pack is shown schematically with the top cover removed.

[0019] Figure 4 The internal structure of the battery pack is schematically shown, with the top cover and battery module removed.

[0020] Figure 5The housing of a battery pack is shown schematically with the upper cover removed.

[0021] Figure 6 The positional relationship between the battery module and the middle beam and end beams is schematically shown in a plan view.

[0022] Figure 7 The exploded view schematically shows the assembly relationship between the battery module, cold plate and middle beam.

[0023] Figure 8 The structure of one embodiment of the mid-beam is schematically shown.

[0024] Reference numerals list

[0025] 1 Vehicle

[0026] 10 chassis 11 carriage

[0027] 2 battery packs

[0028] 3 Shell

[0029] 31 side plate 32 bottom plate

[0030] 321 edge of the bottom plate 322 middle area of ​​the bottom plate

[0031] 33 Strengthening beam

[0032] 331 beam body 332 support plate

[0033] 3321 first support plate 3322 second support plate

[0034] 333 end beam 334 middle beam

[0035] 334 through hole 34 upper cover

[0036] 4Battery Module

[0037] 41 bottom wall

[0038] 5 Cold Plate

[0039] 51 grooves

[0040] L: Length direction of the shell W: Width direction of the shell

[0041] Z vertical direction E beam body extension direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solution of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the specific embodiments of the present application and the corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0043] In the present application, the term "vertical direction" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate of the housing; and the term "lateral direction" refers to a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod-shaped member.

[0044] Figure 1 A vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle 1 includes a chassis 10, on which a vehicle body 11 is mounted. The vehicle 1 also includes a plurality of battery packs 2, which are laid on the chassis 10.

[0045] The following will be based on Figures 2 to 8 The battery pack 2 is described below.

[0046] Figure 2 The outer shape of the battery pack 2 is schematically shown. Figure 3 The internal structure of the battery pack 2 is schematically shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery pack 2 includes a housing 3 and a battery module 4 disposed in the housing 3 .

[0047] Specifically, the housing 3 includes a circumferential side plate 31 and a bottom plate 32 connected to the side plate 31 (eg, Figure 5 In addition, the housing 3 further includes an upper cover 34 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown). The upper cover 34, the side plate 31 and the bottom plate 32 enclose a closed space, and the battery module 4 is located in the closed space and supported by the bottom plate 32. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the housing 3 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and the battery module 4 is also generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, which helps to improve the internal space utilization of the housing 3. In addition, a first gap is provided between the bottom plate 32 and the bottom wall 41 of the battery module 4.

[0048] Also like Figures 3 to 5As shown, the housing 3 further includes at least one reinforcing beam 33. The reinforcing beam 33 is located on the side of the bottom plate 32 facing the battery module 4. In addition, the reinforcing beam 33 includes a beam body 331 and at least one support plate 332. The beam body 331 is connected to the two opposite side plates 31 and deviates from the battery module 4. The support plate 332 extends from the beam body 331 into the first gap so that the battery module 4 is supported by the bottom plate 32 and the support plate 332 in the vertical direction Z.

[0049] According to this structure, the beam body 331 connects the two opposite side plates 31 together, which improves the strength of the housing 3 and the battery pack 2 as a whole, thereby helping to reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z. In addition, in the battery pack 2 of the present application, the bottom plate 32 and the support plate 332 jointly support the battery module 4, which helps to improve the stability of the battery module 4 in the housing 3 along the vertical direction Z, thereby also helping to further reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z.

[0050] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, two battery modules 4 are arranged side by side in the housing 3 along the length direction L of the housing 3, and the two battery modules 4 are spaced apart along the length direction L of the housing 3. Of course, the number of battery modules 4 can also be greater. For simplicity, only the technical solution of arranging two battery modules 4 in the housing 3 is described in this application.

[0051] Also like Figure 3 As shown, the number of reinforcing beams 33 is three, including two end beams 333 and a middle beam 334. The two end beams 333 are respectively arranged to correspond to the two width edges 321 of the bottom plate 32, and the middle beam 334 is arranged to correspond to the middle area 322 of the bottom plate 32 and to the gap between the two battery modules 4 (such as Figure 5 It should be understood that the middle area 322 of the bottom plate 32 does not refer to the center of the bottom plate 32, but refers to the area away from the edge 321 of the bottom plate 32. Figure 6As shown, the beam bodies 331 of the two end beams 333 and the beam bodies 331 of the middle beam 334 both extend substantially along the width direction W of the shell 3; the support plate 332 extends substantially along the length direction L of the shell 3 (i.e., the extension direction of the support plate 332 is substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the beam body 331) to extend into the first gap. According to this structure, the end beams 333 and the middle beam 334 reinforce the edges and the middle of the shell 3, which helps to further improve the strength of the shell 3, thereby helping to reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z. It should be understood that the number of the middle beams 334 can be multiple, and they are spaced apart along the length direction L of the shell 3. It should also be understood that, depending on actual conditions, the end beams 333 and / or the middle beams 334 can be arranged so that their respective beam bodies 331 extend in other directions, or the extension direction of the support plate 332 can form other angles with the extension direction of the corresponding beam body 331, as long as the support plate 332 can well support the battery module 4, and this is not limited here.

[0052] Also like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the overall structures of the end beam 333 and the middle beam 334 are similar, with the main difference being that: for the end beam 333, the beam body 331 has a support plate 332 only on the side facing the battery module 4; for the middle beam 334, the beam body 331 has support plates 332 on both sides in the lateral direction. In this way, along the length direction L of the housing 3, the opposite sides of each battery module 4 are supported by corresponding support plates 332, which helps to improve the stability of the battery module 4, thereby helping to reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z.

[0053] For simplicity, in the following, only the middle beam 334 is taken as an example to describe the structure of the reinforcing beam 33 .

[0054] Alternatively, if Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of support plates 332 are provided on both sides of the beam body 331 in the transverse direction. Along the extension direction E of the beam body 331, adjacent support plates 332 on the same side of the beam body 331 are spaced apart from each other. Overall, these support plates 332 are arranged in a generally toothed shape. In this way, without reducing the supporting effect of the support plate 332 on the battery module 4, it helps to reduce the weight of the battery pack 2 and also helps to reduce the cost of the reinforcing beam 33 (and the battery pack 2). It should be noted that the shape, size and distance between adjacent support plates 332 of the support plate 332 are not limited in the present application. For example, the support plate 332 may be rectangular or in other shapes (such as triangle, hexagon, etc.), as long as there is sufficient accommodation space in the shell 3 and the support plate 332 can provide sufficient support for the battery module 4.

[0055] In one embodiment, only one support plate 332 may be constructed as required, and the length of the support plate 332 may be substantially equal to the length of the beam body 331, or slightly less than the length of the beam body 331. This is easily understood by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0056] Optionally, the support plate 332 is integrally formed with the beam body 331. This helps to simplify the manufacturing process of the middle beam 334. For example, the beam body 331 and the support plate 332 can be manufactured by machining. Alternatively, the support plate 332 and the beam body 331 can be separately formed according to actual conditions, and then the support plate 332 is welded to the beam body 331.

[0057] In one embodiment, the middle beam 334 can be made of aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloy has a low density and high strength, which helps to reduce the weight of the middle beam 334 and the battery pack 2 while ensuring the strength of the middle beam 334. In addition, the middle beam 334 can also be conveniently manufactured by machining the aluminum alloy material. It should be understood that the middle beam 334 can also be made of other metals and non-metallic materials, which will not be repeated here.

[0058] In one embodiment, the middle beam 334 (or beam body 331) is arranged close to the bottom plate 32. Thus, the support plate 332 is constructed as a flat plate (such as Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 3 , the middle beam 334 can be extended into the first gap without bending. This facilitates the manufacture and assembly of the middle beam 334.

[0059] Alternatively, if Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, the battery pack 2 also includes a cold plate 5. The cold plate 5 is arranged between the bottom wall 41 of the battery module 4 and the bottom plate 32 of the shell 3. In this way, there is a second gap between the bottom wall 41 and the cold plate 5, and there is a third gap between the cold plate 5 and the bottom plate 32. During the operation of the battery pack 2, the cold plate 5 is used to dissipate the heat generated by the battery module 4 so that the battery module 4 is at a suitable operating temperature. The specific structure of the cold plate 5 is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be repeated here. The support plate 332 of the middle beam 334 extends into the second gap between the cold plate 5 and the bottom wall 41 to form a first support plate 3321 to support the battery module 4.

[0060] Alternatively, if Figure 7As shown, a groove 51 is constructed on the cold plate 5, and the first support plate 3321 is accommodated in the groove 51. In this way, the first support plate 3321 does not protrude vertically outside the cold plate 5, but forms a flat support surface together with the cold plate 5. This helps to improve the stability of the battery module 4, thereby helping to reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z. In addition, the thickness of the first support plate 3321 can also be larger, for example, larger than the height dimension of the second gap, to help support the battery module 4 more stably. In one embodiment, the thickness of the first support plate 3321 is between 4 mm and 6 mm. The support plate 332 of this thickness matches the height dimension of the second gap, and has better strength and better support effect on the battery module 4.

[0061] It should be understood that the above grooves may be constructed on the bottom wall 41 of the battery module 4 or on both the cold plate 5 and the bottom wall 41 of the battery module 4 according to actual conditions, which will not be described in detail here.

[0062] Optionally, a thermally conductive insulating adhesive is applied in the second gap. The thermally conductive insulating adhesive fills the gap between the bottom wall 41 of the battery module 4 and the cold plate 5, thereby helping to improve the heat dissipation effect of the battery module 4. In this case, thermally conductive insulating adhesive is provided on both sides of the first support plate 3321 along the vertical direction Z. In this way, the first support plate 3321 is bonded to the battery module 4 and the cold plate 5 by the thermally conductive insulating adhesive, which helps the support plate 332 to support the battery module 4 more stably, and thus helps to reduce the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z. In addition, thermally conductive insulating adhesive is provided on both sides of the first support plate 3321, which helps to reduce the influence of the first support plate 3321 on the heat dissipation effect of the battery module 4. Thermally conductive insulating adhesive is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] Alternatively, if Figure 8 As shown, a plurality of through holes 334 are constructed on the first support plate 3321. At least part of the thermally conductive insulating adhesive enters into the through holes 334. In this way, the first support plate 3321 is more stably bonded to the battery module 4 and the cold plate 5, thereby more stably supporting the battery module 4. It should be noted that the size of the through hole 334 is not limited in this application, as long as the first support plate 3321 can stably support the battery module 4. It should also be understood that the through hole may not be constructed on the first support plate 3321.

[0064] Optionally, the extension length of the first support plate 3321 in the second gap is between 30 mm and 60 mm. In this way, under the premise of maintaining the supporting effect of the first support plate 3321 on the battery module 4, the overlapping area of ​​the first support plate 3321 and the battery module 4 is reduced as much as possible, thereby reducing the influence of the first support plate 3321 on the heat dissipation effect of the battery module 4.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, for the end beam 333, the support plate 332 of the end beam 333 extends into the third gap between the cold plate 5 and the bottom plate 32 to form a second support plate 3322. In this way, since the height dimension of the third gap is large, the second support plate 3322 can have a thicker thickness, which helps to support the battery module 4 more stably, thereby further reducing the risk of vibration fatigue of the battery pack 2 in the vertical direction Z. Of course, the thickness of the second support plate 3322 can also be the same as the thickness of the first support plate 3321.

[0066] In another embodiment, the support plate 332 of the end beam 333 may also extend into the second gap between the cold plate 5 and the bottom wall 41 to form a first support plate 3321. In this case, the first support plate 3321 of the end beam 333 may be configured similarly to the first support plate 3321 of the middle beam 334, and will not be described in detail herein.

[0067] The above is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery pack for a vehicle, characterized in that: include: at least one battery module (4), the battery module (4) comprising a bottom wall (41); as well as A housing (3), wherein the battery module (4) is arranged in the housing (3); the housing (3) comprises a bottom plate (32), at least two oppositely arranged side plates (31) and at least one reinforcing beam (33); the bottom plate (32) is connected to the side plates (31), and a first gap is provided between the bottom plate (32) and the bottom wall (41); The reinforcing beam (33) is located on a side of the bottom plate (32) facing the battery module (4); The reinforcing beam (33) comprises: a beam body (331), the beam body (331) being connected to the two opposite side plates (31) and deviating from the battery module (4); and At least one support plate (332), the support plate (332) extending from the beam body (331) into the first gap, so that the battery module (4) is supported by the bottom plate (32) and the support plate (332) in the vertical direction (Z).

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of support plates (332) are provided on at least one transverse side of the beam body (331); and adjacent support plates (332) are spaced apart from each other along an extension direction (E) of the beam body (331).

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support plate (332) and the beam body (331) are integrally formed.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery pack (2) further comprises a cold plate (5), wherein the cold plate (5) is arranged between the bottom wall (41) of the battery module (4) and the bottom plate (32) of the housing (3); a second gap is provided between the bottom wall (41) and the cold plate (5), and a third gap is provided between the cold plate (5) and the bottom plate (32); The reinforcing beams (33) are multiple in number and include at least one middle beam (334); the middle beam (334) is arranged to correspond to the middle region (322) of the bottom plate (32); the beam body (331) of the middle beam (334) is constructed with the support plates (332) on both sides in the transverse direction, and the support plates (332) extend into the second gap and form a first support plate (3321).

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reinforcing beam (33) further comprises at least one end beam (333); the end beam (333) is arranged to correspond to the edge (321) of the bottom plate (32); the beam body (331) of the end beam (333) is configured with the support plate (332) on the side facing the battery module (4), and the support plate (332) extends into the second gap and forms the first support plate (3321), or extends into the third gap and forms the second support plate (3322).

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: Thermally conductive insulating glue is applied in the second gap, and the thermally conductive insulating glue is provided on both sides of the first support plate (3321) along the vertical direction (Z).

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first support plate (3321) is provided with a plurality of through holes (334); at least a portion of the thermally conductive insulating adhesive enters into the through holes (334).

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The extension length of the first support plate (3321) in the second gap is between 30 mm and 60 mm.

9. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: A groove (51) is formed on the cold plate (5) and / or the bottom wall (41), and the first support plate (3321) is located in the groove (51).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: include: A chassis (10), on which a carriage (11) is mounted; as well as A plurality of battery packs (2) for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of battery packs (2) are laid on the chassis (10).

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