Battery pack and electric device

Abstract

The invention provides a battery pack. The battery pack comprises a box body, a middle beam, a plurality of battery monomers and a heat management component, the middle beam is arranged in the box body and extends in the first direction. The plurality of single batteries and the heat management component are arranged in the box body, and the heat management component is arranged between two adjacent single batteries; the thermal management member extends in a second direction within the housing, the first direction intersecting the second direction. The extension direction of the thermal management member is designed to intersect the extension direction of the intermediate beam, so that the thermal management member can resist collision in its extension direction, i.e., a second direction. The heat management component plays a role in heat management of the battery monomers and can replace a beam in the second direction in the box body to improve the rigidity of the whole battery pack, other beams do not need to be additionally arranged in the box body in the second direction to resist collision, and the collision resistance is improved while the energy density is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical equipment, and specifically provides a battery pack and an electrical device. Background Art

[0002] New energy vehicles have developed rapidly in recent years due to their environmental protection and low energy consumption. Many car companies have joined the research and development of new energy vehicles. As the most important component of new energy vehicles, the quality of battery packs seriously affects the development of new energy vehicles.

[0003] For battery packs, capacity density and safety have always been the two most important issues in the field, which seriously affect the development of new energy vehicles. Many companies have also invested a lot of money and manpower in the research and development of these two aspects, but they have not yet been effectively resolved.

[0004] In the actual application environment of battery packs, they are often hit. There are often fire accidents caused by new energy vehicles due to impact, which may affect the life safety of personnel in serious cases. Therefore, improving the battery pack requires a certain impact resistance, and generally some reinforcements are set, but this affects the energy density of the battery pack. Therefore, how to balance the energy density and safety of the battery pack is an urgent problem to be solved in the current field. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to balance the energy density and safety of a battery pack, the present invention provides a battery pack, including a box body, an intermediate beam, a plurality of battery cells and a thermal management component; the intermediate beam is arranged in the box body and extends along a first direction; a plurality of battery cells and a thermal management component are arranged in the box body, and the thermal management component is arranged between two adjacent battery cells; the thermal management component extends in a second direction in the box body, and the first direction and the second direction intersect. If the extension direction of the thermal management component is designed to intersect with the extension direction of the intermediate beam, the thermal management component can resist collision in its extension direction, i.e., the second direction. The thermal management component can not only play a role in thermal management of the battery cells, but also replace the beam in the second direction in the box body to improve the rigidity of the entire battery pack, without the need to set other beams in the box body along the second direction to resist collision. The above ensures energy density while improving collision resistance.

[0006] In the optional technology of the present invention, the battery pack also includes a front compartment, which is arranged at one end of the box body along the second direction. The middle beam is used as a cross beam to resist lateral collision. In actual working conditions, the electric vehicle is likely to be hit laterally, and because there are no obstacles in the lateral direction, the lateral collision has a greater impact on the battery pack. Setting the middle beam as a cross beam can increase the collision resistance of the battery pack.

[0007] In an optional technology of the present invention, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, thereby improving the impact resistance of the entire battery pack.

[0008] In an optional technology of the present invention, the thermal management component includes a first component group and a second component group respectively arranged on both sides of the middle beam.

[0009] In an optional technology of the present invention, the thermal management component further includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; the water inlet pipe is arranged at one end of the middle beam and connects the first component group and the second component group; the water outlet pipe is arranged at the other end of the middle beam and connects the first component group and the second component group. The first component group and the second component group on both sides of the middle beam are connected to the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe in parallel, which reduces the temperature difference between multiple battery cells compared to the series connection method and improves the cycle life of the battery pack.

[0010] In an optional technology of the present invention, the height of the middle beam is less than the height of the battery cell. A water inlet pipe is arranged at one end of the middle beam and a water outlet pipe is arranged at the other end, so that the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe can be prevented from exceeding the height of the battery cell, thereby avoiding occupying additional height space and ensuring the energy density of the battery pack.

[0011] In an optional technology of the present invention, at least one of the first component group and the second component group includes a plurality of connected U-shaped cold plates. The use of U-shaped cold plates can avoid the use of manifolds, reduce the use of components, and avoid occupying space in the battery pack.

[0012] In an optional technology of the present invention, the adjacent U-shaped cold plates are connected via connecting pipes.

[0013] In an optional technology of the present invention, the battery pack further includes a first fixing member, which is disposed between the open end of the U-shaped cold plate and the closed ends of two adjacent U-shaped cold plates, and a first groove is disposed on the surface of the first fixing member in contact with the battery cell, and the first groove is used to adapt to the surface of the battery cell for assembly. The first fixing member is disposed in this way, so as to prevent the battery cell from shaking and ensure the overall stability of the battery pack.

[0014] In an optional technology of the present invention, a side plate is provided between the battery cell and the box, and a second groove is provided on the side plate, and the second groove is used to adapt to the surface of the battery cell for assembly. Such a side plate can prevent the battery cell from shaking and ensure the overall stability of the battery pack.

[0015] In an optional technology of the present invention, an adhesive is provided between adjacent battery cells, between the battery cells and the thermal management component, between the battery cells and the first fixing member, between the battery cells and the side plate, and between the battery cells and the box body, so as to improve the fixing ability of the battery cells and improve the stability of the entire battery pack.

[0016] In an optional technology of the present invention, the battery cell is a cylindrical cell, and the U-shaped cold plate is provided with an arc surface adapted to the side wall of the cylindrical cell, thereby increasing the heat exchange area of ​​the U-shaped cold plate and the cylindrical cell and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0017] The present invention also provides an electrical device, comprising the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack with the box cover removed;

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the U-shaped cold plate and battery cells;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a first fixing member;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the first fixing member being installed behind the box body;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram after glue filling;

[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a Z-shaped cold plate.

[0024] List of reference numerals:

[0025] Box body 1, side wall 1.1;

[0026] Middle beam 2;

[0027] Battery cell 3, first battery cell group 3.1, second battery cell group 3.2;

[0028] Thermal management component 4;

[0029] The first component group 4.1, the second component group 4.2, the water inlet pipe 4.3, the water outlet pipe 4.4, the U-shaped cold plate 4.5, the plate body 4.5.1, the arc-shaped pipe 4.5.2, the open end 4.5.3, and the closed end 4.5.4;

[0030] front cabin 5;

[0031] Connecting pipe 6;

[0032] First fixing member 7, first groove 7.1;

[0033] Side plate 8, second slot 8.1;

[0034] Adhesive 9;

[0035] Reinforcement beam 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following describes the optional embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the terms "distance", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, the terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0039] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "disposed" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0040] In order to solve the problem of the difficulty in balancing the energy density and safety of a battery pack in the prior art, the present invention provides a battery pack such as Figure 1As shown, the battery pack includes a box body 1, an intermediate beam 2, a plurality of battery cells 3 and a thermal management component 4; the intermediate beam 2 is arranged in the box body 1 and extends along a first direction; the plurality of battery cells 3 and the thermal management component 4 are all arranged in the box body 1, and the thermal management component 4 is arranged between two adjacent battery cells 3; the thermal management component 4 extends in the box body 1 along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction intersect. The extension direction of the thermal management component 4 is designed to intersect with the extension direction of the intermediate beam 1, so that the thermal management component 4 can resist collision in its extension direction, i.e., the second direction. The thermal management component 4 can not only play a role in thermal management of the battery cells 3, but also replace the beam in the second direction in the box body 1 to improve the rigidity of the entire battery pack, without additionally setting other beams in the second direction to resist collision. The above ensures energy density and improves collision resistance. A channel is arranged in the thermal management component to allow heat exchange medium, such as air or liquid, to pass through.

[0041] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack also includes a front compartment 5, which is arranged at one end of the box body 1 along the second direction, and the middle beam 2 is used as a cross beam to resist lateral collision. In actual working conditions, the electric vehicle is likely to be hit laterally, and because there are no obstacles in the lateral direction, the lateral collision has a greater impact on the battery pack. Setting the middle beam 2 as a cross beam can increase the collision resistance of the battery pack.

[0042] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the middle beam 2 extends in the transverse direction to resist transverse impact, and the thermal management component 4 extends in the longitudinal direction to resist longitudinal impact, thereby improving the impact resistance of the entire battery pack.

[0043] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the thermal management component 4 includes a first component group 4.1 and a second component group 4.2 respectively arranged on both sides of the middle beam 2. Correspondingly, the first battery cell group 3.1 and the second battery cell group 3.2 are respectively arranged on both sides of the middle beam 2 along the second direction. The first component group 4.1 is used for heat exchange with the first battery cell group 3.1, and the second thermal management component group 4.2 is used for heat exchange with the second battery cell group 3.2. The first thermal management component group 4.1 and the second thermal management component group 4.2 extend respectively along the second direction.

[0044] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1As shown, the thermal management component 4 also includes an inlet pipe 4.3 and an outlet pipe 4.4; the inlet pipe 4.3 is arranged at one end of the middle beam 2 and connects the first component group 4.1 and the second component group 4.2; the outlet pipe 4.4 is arranged at the other end of the middle beam 2 and connects the first component group 4.1 and the second component group 4.2. The first component group 4.1 and the second component group 4.2 on both sides of the middle beam 2 are connected to the inlet pipe 4.3 and the outlet pipe 4.4 in this parallel manner, which reduces the temperature difference between the multiple battery cells 3 compared to the series manner and improves the cycle life of the battery pack. Specifically, after the medium enters from the inlet pipe 4.3, it passes through the branch pipes on both sides connected to the inlet pipe 4.3 to the first component group 4.1 and the second component group 4.2, and finally collects from the first thermal management construction group 4.1 and the second component group 4.2 to the outlet pipe 4.4. There is also a main water pipe connected to the inlet pipe 4.3 and the outlet pipe 4.4, which will not be described in detail here.

[0045] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, in the vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the height of the middle beam 2 is less than the height of the battery cell 3, so extra space is left above the middle beam 2 to arrange related components. A water inlet pipe 4.3 is arranged above one end of the middle beam 2 and a water outlet pipe 4.4 is arranged above the other end, which just makes use of the space of the middle beam 2 in the vertical direction, and can avoid the water inlet pipe 4.3 and the water outlet pipe 4.4 exceeding the height of the battery cell 3, thereby avoiding occupying extra height space and ensuring the energy density of the battery pack.

[0046] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the first component group 4.1 and the second component group includes a plurality of connected U-shaped cold plates 4.5. The use of the U-shaped cold plates 4.5 can avoid the use of manifolds, reduce the use of components, and avoid occupying space in the battery pack. Specifically, it can be as follows Figure 1 As shown, U-shaped cold plates 4.5 are used on both the left and right sides of the middle beam 2. The U-shaped cold plate 4.5 includes two plate bodies 4.5.1 extending along the second direction and an arc-shaped tube 4.5.2 connecting the two plate bodies. The two plate bodies 4.5.1 form an open end 4.5.3 of the U-shaped cold plate, and the arc-shaped tube 4.5.2 forms a closed end 4.5.4 of the U-shaped cold plate 4.5. The open ends 4.5.3 of the multiple U-shaped cold plates 4.5 are facing the middle beam 2, and the closed ends 4.5.2 are facing the box body 1. The plate bodies of two adjacent U-shaped cold plates 4.5 are connected by a connecting tube 6. In this way, the first component group 4.1 and the second heat pipe component group 4.2 can be obtained by connecting multiple U-shaped cold plates 4.5 in series, without the need to set up an additional collector, thereby reducing the use of components and avoiding occupying space in the battery pack.

[0047] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a U-shaped cold plate 4.5 and a straight cold plate may be connected to form the first component group 4.1 or the second thermal management component group 4.2. It is also possible to configure at least one of the first component group 4.1 or the second thermal management component group 4.2 to consist of only a plurality of straight cold plates. Figure 6 As shown, even a continuous Z-shaped cold plate can be provided as the first component group 4.1 or the second component group 4.2. Compared with the U-shaped cold plate 4.5, the continuous Z-shaped cold plate does not require additional connection, and the connecting pipe 6 can be omitted.

[0048] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the battery pack further includes a first fixing member 7, which is disposed between the open end 4.5.3 of the U-shaped cold plate 4.5 and the closed ends 4.5.4 of two adjacent U-shaped cold plates. The surface of the first fixing member 7 in contact with the battery cell 3 is provided with a first groove 7.1, and the first groove 7.1 and the surface of the battery cell 3 are adapted to facilitate assembly. For example, when the battery cell is a square shell battery or a blade battery, the first groove can be a rectangular groove; when the battery cell is a cylindrical battery, the first groove can be as follows Figure 3 The arc groove shown is adapted to the side of the cylinder for easy assembly. The first fixing member 7 is arranged in this way to prevent the battery cell 3 from shaking and ensure the overall stability of the battery pack. One first groove 7.1 can be provided on a first fixing member 7, or multiple first grooves 7.1 can be provided, depending on the number of battery cells 3 that need to be fixed in actual conditions. In the vertical direction, the height of the first groove 7.1 can be the same as that of the battery cell 3, or it can be lower than the battery cell 3. The first fixing member 7 can be fixed to the middle beam 2 and the side wall 1.1 of the box body 1 by bolt connection, and can also be fixed to other reinforcing ribs in the box body 1.

[0049] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, a side plate 8 is provided between the battery cell 3 and the box body 1, and a second groove 8.1 is provided on the side plate 8. The second groove 8.1 and the surface of the battery cell 3 are adapted to facilitate assembly. The side plate 8 is arranged in this way to prevent the battery cell 3 from shaking and ensure the overall stability of the battery pack. Similar to the first groove 7.1, the shape of the second groove 8.1 is determined according to the shape of the battery cell 3, as long as it is adapted to the battery cell 3. In addition, a single or multiple second grooves 8.1 can be provided on a side plate 8 to fix the battery cell 3.

[0050] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, adhesive 9 is provided between adjacent battery cells 3, between battery cells 3 and thermal management components 4, between battery cells 3 and first fixing members 4, between battery cells 3 and side plates 8, and between battery cells 3 and box body 1. This can improve the fixing capability of battery cells 3 and improve the stability of the entire battery pack. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, when the first fixing member 7 and the side plate 8 are provided, an adhesive 9 can be provided between the first fixing member 7 and the battery cell 3, and an adhesive 9 can be provided between the battery cell 3 and the side plate 8. When the thermal management component 4 and the battery cell 3 are arranged, an adhesive 9 is provided between the battery cell 3 and the thermal management component 4. In addition, a potting glue is provided in the gap in the battery pack to stabilize the structure inside the battery pack. Along the first direction, a buffer is also provided between the side wall of the box body 1 and the side plate 8 to increase the energy absorption effect of the side of the battery pack, thereby protecting the battery cell 3. Specifically, foam or potting glue can be provided between the side wall of the box body 1 and the side plate 8 as a buffer.

[0051] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcing beam 10 may be further provided outside the side wall of the box body 1 extending along the second direction to resist impact.

[0052] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the battery cell 3 is a cylindrical cell, and the U-shaped cold plate 4.5 is provided with an arc surface adapted to the side wall of the cylindrical cell, thereby increasing the heat exchange area of ​​the U-shaped cold plate 4.5 and the cylindrical cell and improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0053] The present invention also provides an electric device, which includes the above-mentioned battery pack, and the electric device can be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, an electric toy, an electric tool, a battery car, an electric car, a ship, a spacecraft, etc. Among them, the electric toy can include a fixed or mobile electric toy, for example, a game console, an electric car toy, an electric ship toy, an electric airplane toy, etc., and the spacecraft can include an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, a spacecraft, etc.

[0054] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the optional implementation modes shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific implementation modes. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising Box; A middle beam, disposed in the box body and extending along a first direction; A plurality of battery cells and a heat management component are arranged in the box, and the heat management component is arranged between two adjacent battery cells; The heat management component extends in the box along a second direction.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery pack further includes a front compartment, which is disposed at one end of the box body along the second direction.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The heat management component includes a first component group and a second component group respectively arranged on both sides of the middle beam.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The thermal management component also includes a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; the water inlet pipe is arranged at one end of the middle beam and connects the first component group and the second component group; the water outlet pipe is arranged at the other end of the middle beam and connects the first component group and the second component group.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The height of the middle beam is smaller than the height of the battery cell.

7. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least one of the first component group and the second component group includes a plurality of U-shaped cold plates arranged in communication; or At least one of the first component group and the second component group includes Z-shaped cold plates arranged in series.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, characterized in that: The adjacent U-shaped cold plates are connected via connecting pipes.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that: The battery pack also includes a first fixing member, which is arranged between the open end of the U-shaped cold plate and the closed ends of the two U-shaped cold plates. The surface of the first fixing member in contact with the battery cell is provided with a first groove, and the first groove is used to adapt to the surface of the battery cell.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that: A side plate is arranged between the battery cell and the box body, and a second groove is arranged on the side plate. The second groove is used to fit with the surface of the battery cell.

11. The battery pack as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that: Adhesives are disposed between adjacent battery cells, between the battery cells and the heat management component, between the battery cells and the first fixing member, between the battery cells and the side plates, and between the battery cells and the box.

12. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The battery cell is a cylindrical cell, and the heat management component is provided with an arc surface adapted to the side wall of the cylindrical cell.

13. An electrical device comprising the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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