Battery module, battery pack and unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a battery module which comprises a battery cell assembly, an adapter plate and a filling piece, the adapter plate is arranged on the battery cell assembly and connected with a tab of the battery cell assembly, the battery module further comprises a fixing frame, and the fixing frame is provided with a containing cavity; a chip is also arranged on the adapter plate, and the adapter plate, the chip and at least part of the battery cell assembly are accommodated in the accommodating cavity; and the filling piece is arranged in a gap between the inner side of the accommodating cavity and the battery cell assembly and the adapter plate. The invention further discloses a battery pack with the battery module and an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application date of December 29, 2020, application number 202011592974.5, and name “Battery module manufacturing method, battery module, battery pack and drone”. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to a battery module, a battery pack and an unmanned aerial vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Lithium-ion batteries have the characteristics of high energy density, high cycle count, and long storage life. Therefore, they have great development prospects in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, intelligent energy storage devices, electric bicycles, large drones, and electric vehicles. Currently, during the battery processing process, the battery module must be glued to secure the entire module. Existing glue-filling methods mostly use full-body glue filling or bottom glue filling. This will cause glue overflow in the gaps, affecting the glue filling effect. At the same time, there will be residual glue overflow on the surface. In addition, the existing glue filling process requires a large amount of glue. After glue filling, the battery's energy density is reduced, heat dissipation is poor, and the glue filling cost is high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a battery module, a battery pack and a drone.

[0005] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a battery module, comprising a cell assembly, an adapter plate, a fixing frame and a filling piece, wherein the cell assembly comprises a plurality of cells, the cell comprising a body and a tab, the adapter plate is arranged on the cell assembly and connected to the tab of the cell assembly, the fixing frame is provided with a accommodating cavity, the fixing frame comprises a top wall, the adapter plate and the cell assembly are arranged on the same side of the top wall; at least part of the adapter plate and the cell assembly are accommodated in the accommodating cavity; the fixing frame comprises a limit platform, the limit platform is arranged on the top wall, the limit platform abuts against the plate body of the adapter plate that is not connected to the tab; the filling piece is arranged in the gap between the accommodating cavity and the cell assembly and the adapter plate.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the fixing frame further includes two side walls and two end walls, the top wall and the two side walls and the two end walls form the accommodating cavity, and the accommodating cavity, the adapter plate and the battery cell assembly are arranged on the same side of the top wall.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the filling member includes glue, the filling member is filled into the accommodating cavity, and after the filling member is cured, the circuit board, the battery cell assembly, and the fixing frame are fixed.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the body of the battery cell is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating cavity.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the extending direction of the limiting platform is perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, so as to form a flow channel for the filling member to be filled, thereby facilitating the filling of the filling member.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the battery module further includes a wiring harness, one end of which is connected to the battery cell assembly or the adapter plate accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and the other end of which passes through the accommodating cavity.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the wiring harness includes a power wiring harness and a sampling wiring harness, the power wiring harness is connected to the two tabs on the outside of the battery cell assembly, and the sampling wiring harness is electrically connected to the adapter plate.

[0012] In a possible implementation, an avoidance groove is provided in the accommodating cavity, and the power wiring harness is welded to the tab and accommodated in the avoidance groove.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the bottom wall of the avoidance groove is also provided with a wire outlet hole through the top wall, and the wire outlet hole is used for the power wiring harness to pass through the fixing frame. The gap between the wire outlet hole and the power wiring harness is provided with fixing glue, and the fixing glue solidifies before the filling piece.

[0014] In a possible implementation, a harness hole is provided on the top wall, and the harness hole is used for the sampling harness to pass through the fixing frame and fix the sampling harness.

[0015] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application further provides a battery pack, comprising a battery housing and a battery module, wherein the battery module is any one of the battery modules of the first aspect described above.

[0016] A third aspect of the embodiments of the present application further provides a drone, comprising a body and a battery pack disposed within the body, wherein the battery pack provides power to the body, and the battery pack is the battery pack of the second aspect described above.

[0017] The above-mentioned battery module, battery pack with battery module and drone fill the filling piece in the accommodating cavity by inverted filling method, so that the battery cell assembly, adapter plate and fixed frame are fixed, which can better cope with impact, vibration and falling conditions, and can protect the head of the battery cell assembly as well as the welding components on the adapter plate. Moreover, under the action of the accommodating cavity, combined with inverted glue pouring, the number of filling pieces used is reduced, the weight is reduced, the energy density is improved and the cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery module shown from another angle.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the partially exploded structure of the battery module shown.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the fixed frame from another angle is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of a drone in another embodiment.

[0023] Description of main component symbols

[0024]

[0025]

[0026] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0029] An embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a battery module, comprising: placing an adapter plate on a battery cell assembly and connecting the adapter plate to the tab of the battery cell assembly; placing a fixing frame in an inverted manner, wherein the fixing frame includes a receiving cavity with an opening on one side, and the receiving cavity is used to accommodate the adapter plate and at least part of the battery cell assembly; placing the fixing frame in an inverted manner means placing the receiving cavity of the fixing frame with the opening side facing upward; placing the adapter plate and at least part of the battery cell assembly in an inverted manner in the receiving cavity, wherein placing the adapter plate and at least part of the battery cell assembly in an inverted manner means placing one end of the adapter plate and the battery cell assembly provided with the adapter plate facing downward in the receiving cavity of the fixing frame; and placing a filler in the gap between the battery cell assembly or the adapter plate and the inner side of the receiving cavity.

[0030] Some embodiments of the present application also propose a battery module, including a battery cell assembly, an adapter plate, a fixing frame and a filling piece, wherein the adapter plate is arranged on the battery cell assembly and connected to the pole ear of the battery cell assembly, the fixing frame is provided with a accommodating cavity, and a chip is also provided on the adapter plate, the adapter plate and the chip and at least part of the battery cell assembly are accommodated in the accommodating cavity; the filling piece is arranged in the gap between the inner side of the accommodating cavity and the battery cell assembly and the adapter plate.

[0031] An embodiment of the present application further provides a battery pack, comprising a battery housing and a battery module, wherein the battery module is the battery module described above.

[0032] An embodiment of the present application further provides a drone, comprising a body and a battery pack disposed within the body, wherein the battery pack provides power to the body, and the battery pack is the battery pack described above.

[0033] The manufacturing method of the battery module, the battery module, the battery pack with the battery module and the drone fill the filling piece in the accommodating cavity by an inverted filling method, so that the battery cell assembly, the adapter plate and the fixing frame are fixed, which can better cope with the working conditions of impact, vibration and falling, and can protect the head of the battery cell assembly and the welding components on the adapter plate. Moreover, under the action of the accommodating cavity, combined with the inverted glue pouring, the number of filling pieces used is reduced, the weight is reduced, the energy density is improved and the cost is reduced.

[0034] The following describes some embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features therein may be combined with each other.

[0035] Please also see Figures 1 to 3 One embodiment of the present application provides a battery module 100. The battery module 100 includes a cell assembly 10, an adapter plate 20, a fixing frame 30, a wiring harness 40, and a filler (not shown) filled in the fixing frame 30. The adapter plate 20 is provided on the cell assembly 10 and is electrically connected to the cell assembly 10. A chip (not marked) is also provided on the adapter plate 20, and the chip is electrically connected to the cell assembly 10. The fixing frame 30 is provided on the side of the cell assembly 10 where the adapter plate 20 is provided and accommodates the adapter plate 20 and the chip thereon. One end of the wiring harness 40 is connected to the cell assembly 10 or the adapter plate 20 accommodated in the fixing frame 30, and the other end passes through the fixing frame 30. The filler is filled in the fixing frame 30 to fix the cell assembly 10, the adapter plate 20, the fixing frame 30, and the wiring harness 40.

[0036] Specifically, the battery cell assembly 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 11. The adjacent battery cells 11 are fixedly connected by an adhesive 17. The battery cell 11 includes a battery cell body 111 and two tabs 112. The two tabs 112 are provided on the battery cell body 111 and extend from the same side of the battery cell body 111. One of the two tabs 112 is a positive tab and the other is a negative tab. The battery cell 11 is electrically connected to another adjacent battery cell 11 by connecting the positive and negative tabs. And the positive and negative connection points of the battery cells 11 are electrically connected to the adapter plate 20. In this embodiment, all the battery cells 11 are connected in series. The tabs of the two battery cells 11 on the outside of the battery cell assembly 10 that are not connected to the adjacent battery cells 11 constitute the first pole 12 and the second pole 13 of the battery cell assembly 10.

[0037] In some embodiments, the adhesive member 17 is foam.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first electrode 12 is a positive electrode, and the second electrode 13 is a negative electrode.

[0039] The adapter plate 20 is provided with a tab hole 21. The positive tab of the battery cell 11 and the negative tab of the adjacent battery cell 11 are respectively extended through the corresponding tab holes 21 and then bent and welded together (or the negative tab of the battery cell 11 and the positive tab of the adjacent battery cell 11 are extended through the corresponding tab holes 21 and then bent and welded together).

[0040] In some embodiments, the chip is an encryption chip, which is used to encrypt the matching between the battery module 100 and the external electrical device to prevent the user from replacing the battery at will, causing the replaced battery to be incompatible with the electrical device and causing electrical hazards.

[0041] Please also see Figure 4 The fixing frame 30 includes a top wall 31, two side walls 32, and two end walls 33. The top wall 31 connects the two side walls 32 and the two end walls 33. The two side walls 32 are connected to the two end walls 33, respectively.

[0042] The fixing frame 30 is formed by a top wall 31 , two side walls 32 , and two end walls 33 to form a receiving cavity 34 with one side open.

[0043] The accommodating cavity 34 is used to accommodate the side of the battery cell assembly 10 with the tab 112 and the adapter plate 20. The filler is filled in the accommodating cavity 34 to fix the tab 112 of the battery cell assembly 10, the adapter plate 20 and the wiring harness 40 in the accommodating cavity 34.

[0044] Furthermore, the contour of the accommodating cavity 34 matches the contour of the side of the battery cell assembly 10 where the tab 112 is provided.

[0045] In some embodiments, the filler is commonly used filling glue.

[0046] A stopper 341 is provided within the accommodating cavity 34. The stopper 341 is disposed on the top wall 31. The stopper 341 extends perpendicularly to the stacking direction of the battery cells 11. When the fixing frame 30 is mounted on the battery cell assembly 10, the stopper 341 abuts against the adapter plate 20 to limit and guide the installation position of the fixing frame 30. Specifically, the stopper 341 abuts against the portion of the adapter plate 20 not connected to the tab 112.

[0047] At the same time, the amount of filler used can be reduced when filling the battery module 100, reducing the weight of the battery module 100. The extension direction of the limit platform 341 is perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells 11, and a flow channel for the filler to be used when filling the battery cells 11 is formed in the same direction as the gaps between the battery cells 11 within the accommodating cavity 34. This facilitates the filler to quickly fill the gaps between the battery cells 11 and securely connect the battery cells 11 to the fixing frame 30. Furthermore, the provision of the limit platform 341 can enhance the structural strength of the fixing frame 30, preventing deformation during filling that could cause the filler to overflow.

[0048] In some embodiments, the top wall 31 is further provided with a weight-reducing groove (not shown). The weight-reducing groove is provided on the outer surface of the top wall 31 opposite to the limiting platform 341. The weight-reducing groove can reduce the weight of the fixing frame 30.

[0049] The accommodating cavity 34 is further provided with a glue receiving groove 342. The glue receiving groove 342 is provided on the side wall 32 or the end wall 33. The glue receiving groove 342 can store the filler, thereby enhancing the fixation. Preferably, the glue receiving groove 342 is provided on the wall surface at both ends of the extension direction of the limit platform 341, in this embodiment, the end wall 33. The glue receiving groove 342 provided on the end wall 33 can also leave a gap when inverting the glue to facilitate the filling of the filler into the accommodating cavity 34.

[0050] In some embodiments, the adhesive containing groove 342 is disposed on the end wall 33 , and the adhesive containing groove 342 is formed by a surface of the end wall 33 being recessed in a direction away from the other end wall 33 .

[0051] The wiring harness 40 includes a power harness 41 and a sampling harness 42. The power harness 41 is connected to the first pole 12 or the second pole 13 of the battery cell assembly 10. The sampling harness 42 is electrically connected to the adapter plate 20.

[0052] An avoidance groove 343 is provided in the accommodating cavity 34. A support plate 22 is provided on the adapter plate 20. The support plate 22 is roughly L-shaped. The support plate 22 is accommodated in the avoidance groove 343. The first pole 12 and the second pole 13 are connected to the support plate 22 after passing through the corresponding pole ear holes 21, so that the first pole 12 and the second pole 13 extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the adapter plate 20. The power harness 41 is welded to the first pole 12 or the second pole 13 through the support plate 22 and is accommodated in the avoidance groove 343. The avoidance groove 343 is also used to reserve filling space for the filler, so that the power harness 41 and the first pole 12 or the second pole 13 are fixed in the accommodating cavity 34.

[0053] In some embodiments, the wall surface of the avoidance groove 343 is an insulating surface to insulate the welding surface of the power harness 41 .

[0054] The bottom wall of the avoidance groove 343 is further provided with a wire outlet hole 311 through the top wall 31. The wire outlet hole 311 is used for the power harness 41 to pass through the fixing frame 30 and fix the power harness 41.

[0055] In some embodiments, the side wall of the avoidance groove 343 adjacent to the wire outlet hole 311 is further provided with a fixing hole 312 connected to the wire outlet hole 311. The fixing hole 312 is used to fix the power harness 41 after it passes through.

[0056] In some embodiments, the fixing hole 312 is semicircular in shape, and the outer periphery of the power harness 41 is circular, so that when the power harness 41 passes through and is accommodated in the fixing hole 312, the outer periphery of the power harness 41 is supported by the semicircular hole wall, thereby fixing the power harness 41 in the fixing hole 312, and the contact surface is sealed by mutual support to prevent the filling piece from overflowing therefrom.

[0057] The top wall 31 is further provided with a harness hole 313. The harness hole 313 is used for the sampling harness 42 to pass through the fixing frame 30 and to fix the sampling harness 42.

[0058] In some embodiments, a protective member 314 is further provided on the periphery of the harness hole 313 of the top wall 31 . The protective member 314 is used to protect the sampling harness 42 passing through the harness hole 313 .

[0059] It can be understood that in some embodiments, when the support plate 22 is not provided on the adapter plate 20, the first pole 12 and the second pole 13 can be directly welded to the power harness 41. In this case, the avoidance groove 343 may not be provided, and a harness hole 313 similar to the sampling harness 42 may be directly provided, or an outlet hole 311 may be directly provided on the top wall 31.

[0060] During assembly, first, connect the battery cell assembly 10 to the adapter plate 20 and the wiring harness 40 respectively; then, pass the power harness 41 and the sampling harness 42 through the outlet hole 311 and the harness hole 313 respectively; then, press the fixing frame 30 to flatten the limit platform 341 onto the adapter plate 20. At this time, the accommodating cavity 34 of the fixing frame 30 completely accommodates the tabs 112 of the battery cell assembly 10 and the adapter plate 20 therein; clamp the power harness 41 in the fixing hole 312, and fill the outlet hole 311, the fixing hole 312 and the harness hole 313 with fixing glue (such as quick-drying glue), and tighten the power harness 41 and the sampling harness 42 between the outlet hole 311, the fixing hole 312 and the harness hole 313. The gaps are filled so that the power harness 41 and the sampling harness 42 are fixed on the fixing frame 30 and the wire outlet hole 311, the fixing hole 312 and the harness hole 313 are sealed; after the fixing glue is cured, the fixing frame 30 and the battery cell assembly 10 are turned upside down and placed flat, so that the opening side of the accommodating cavity 34 of the fixing frame 30 is placed upward, and the gaps between the battery cells 11 above the end wall 33 (formed because the adjacent battery cells 11 are connected by the adhesive 17) are filled with fillers (the gaps between the battery cells on both sides can be filled at the same time, or one side can be filled), and the accommodating cavity 34 of the fixing frame 30 is filled with the fillers. Finally, the fillings are cured to complete the assembly of the battery module 100.

[0061] In some embodiments, the fixing frame 30 is made of a transparent material, which can facilitate the operator to observe the filling status of the filling member when filling the filling member.

[0062] In some embodiments, the fixing frame 30 is made of PET thermal conductive material, which can promptly conduct heat generated by components on the adapter plate 20 and reduce the temperature of the battery module 100 .

[0063] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, including a battery pack housing, a circuit board disposed in the battery pack housing, the battery housing, and the above-mentioned battery module 100 .

[0064] One embodiment of the present application further provides a method for manufacturing a battery module 100, comprising:

[0065] The adapter plate 20 is placed on the battery cell assembly 10 and the adapter plate 20 is connected to the tab 112 of the battery cell assembly 10;

[0066] The fixing frame 30 is mounted on the battery cell assembly 10 . The fixing frame 30 is provided with a receiving cavity 34 . The receiving cavity 34 receives the adapter plate 20 and at least a portion of the battery cell assembly 10 .

[0067] A filling member is disposed in the gap between the battery cell assembly 10 or the adapter plate 20 and the inner side of the accommodating cavity 34 .

[0068] Specifically, the fixing frame 30, at least part of the battery cell assembly 10 and the adapter plate 20 are placed upside down, wherein the inverted placement of the fixing frame 30 means that the opening side of the accommodating cavity 34 of the fixing frame 30 is placed upward, and the adapter plate 20 and one end of the battery cell assembly 10 provided with the adapter plate 20 are placed downward and placed in the accommodating cavity 34 of the fixing frame 30; then the filling piece is filled in the accommodating cavity 34.

[0069] See also Figure 5 In another embodiment, the present application further provides a drone 200, comprising a body 201 and a battery pack disposed within the body 201, the battery pack providing power to the body 201. The battery pack is the battery pack described above and will not be described in detail herein.

[0070] The battery module 100 of the present invention, the battery pack with the battery module 100 and the manufacturing method of the battery module 100 fill the filling piece into the accommodating cavity 34 by an inverted filling method, so that the battery cell assembly 10, the adapter plate 20 and the fixing frame 30 are fixed, which can better cope with the working conditions of impact, vibration and falling, and can protect the head of the battery cell assembly 10 as well as the welding devices on the adapter plate 20. Moreover, under the action of the accommodating cavity 34, combined with the inverted glue pouring, compared with the overall glue pouring, the number of filling pieces used is reduced, the weight is reduced, the energy density is improved and the cost is reduced. At the same time, after the fixing glue is applied to the wire outlet hole 311, the fixing hole 312 and the harness hole 313, the filling pieces are filled in, which can make the waterproof and dustproof ability of the battery module 100 reach IP67 or even higher levels. The entire fixing frame 30 is made of insulating material, which accommodates the part outside the battery body 111 of the battery cell assembly 10, the adapter plate 20, and the wiring harness 40, without leaking any metal parts, and plays an insulating role. The fixing frame 30 can be made of light and thin materials or have weight-reducing grooves to reduce weight. The fixing frame 30 can also be made of thermally conductive materials such as PET to promptly conduct heat from the flow-through components on the adapter plate 20 and reduce the temperature of the entire battery module 100. The transparent battery module 100 can also be used when the internal glue filling effect is well observed during inverted glue filling to prevent glue overflow, and can be inspected without destruction or demolding.

[0071] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and essence of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising a cell assembly, an adapter plate and a filling piece, wherein the cell assembly comprises a plurality of cells, the cells comprise a body and a tab, the adapter plate is disposed on the cell assembly and connected to the tab of the cell assembly, characterized in that: The battery module further comprises a fixing frame, the fixing frame is provided with a containing cavity, the fixing frame comprises a top wall, and the adapter plate and the battery cell assembly are arranged on the same side of the top wall; At least a portion of the adapter plate and the battery cell assembly are accommodated in the accommodating cavity; The fixing frame includes a limiting platform, which is arranged on the top wall and abuts against the plate body of the adapter plate that is not connected to the pole ear; The filling member is arranged in the gap between the accommodating cavity and the battery core assembly and the adapter plate.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing frame further includes two side walls and two end walls. The top wall and the two side walls and the two end walls form the accommodating cavity. The accommodating cavity, the adapter plate and the battery cell assembly are arranged on the same side of the top wall.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The filling piece includes glue, and the filling piece is filled into the accommodating cavity. After the filling piece is cured, the adapter plate, the battery cell assembly and the fixing frame are fixed.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The body of the battery core is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating cavity.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The extending direction of the limiting platform is perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, so as to form a flow channel for the filling member to be filled, thereby facilitating the filling of the filling member.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery module also includes a wiring harness, one end of which is connected to the battery cell assembly or the adapter plate accommodated in the accommodating cavity, and the other end of which passes through the accommodating cavity.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The wiring harness includes a power wiring harness and a sampling wiring harness. The power wiring harness is connected to the two tabs outside the battery cell assembly, and the sampling wiring harness is electrically connected to the adapter plate.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: An avoidance groove is provided in the accommodating cavity, and the power wiring harness is welded and connected to the pole lug and accommodated in the avoidance groove.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the avoidance groove is also provided with a wire outlet hole through the top wall, and the wire outlet hole is used for the power harness to pass through the fixing frame. The gap between the wire outlet hole and the power harness is provided with fixing glue, and the fixing glue solidifies before the filling piece.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top wall is provided with a harness hole, and the harness hole is used for the sampling harness to pass through the fixing frame and fix the sampling harness.

11. A battery pack, comprising a battery housing and a battery module, characterized in that: The battery module is the battery module as described in any one of claims 1-10.

12. A drone, characterized in that: The drone includes a body and a battery pack disposed in the body, the battery pack provides power to the body, and the battery pack is the battery pack as claimed in claim 11.

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