Power battery pack, maintenance method thereof and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a power battery pack, a maintenance method thereof and a vehicle. The power battery pack comprises a shell, a plurality of battery units and a cooling unit, the battery units and the cooling unit are contained in the shell, the shell comprises a top plate, a frame and a bottom plate which are attached to one another, and the frame is provided with a containing space; the cooling unit comprises a plurality of cooling plates, and each cooling plate is provided with a cooling flow channel and corresponds to each battery unit to form an independent battery module suitable for being accommodated in the accommodating space; and the battery module is configured to be placed in or moved out of the accommodating space from the bottom of the frame. According to the power battery pack disclosed by the invention, each cooling plate in the battery unit and the cooling unit forms an independent battery module, and the battery module is configured to be put in or moved out from the bottom of the shell, so that convenient after-sale maintenance, reuse and remanufacturing are allowed, and potential safety hazards caused by faults of a single battery module are effectively avoided; and the safety performance of the power battery pack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicles, in particular to the field of power battery systems for new energy vehicles, and more specifically to a power battery pack and a maintenance method thereof, and a vehicle using the power battery pack. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing popularity of new energy vehicles, higher and higher requirements are constantly being put forward for the key technology of battery pack technology. In order to improve the efficiency of battery system integration, reduce costs and reduce weight, battery to battery pack technology, battery to body technology, battery to vehicle chassis technology, etc. are all developing technology trends.

[0003] Patent document CN217956034U discloses a battery system unit and a battery system, which connects the circuit and cooling pipeline in the battery box by setting an electro-hydraulic quick-plug connector to solve the problem that the low-power battery replacement assembly cannot meet the power supply demand when the operating mileage is long. Patent document EP3070763B1 discloses a battery pack for an electric vehicle, an electric vehicle chassis and a method for replacing a battery module. The battery pack is provided with a support portion, and each battery module can be individually installed in the support portion through an opening provided at the bottom or side of the support portion. Patent document US10703187B2 discloses a device for storing electrical energy for a motor vehicle, including a plurality of energy storage modules and a body that can be fastened to a motor vehicle. Each energy storage module includes an energy storage device for storing electrical energy and a carrier. When fixed to the motor vehicle, the carrier is fixed to the body in a separately detachable manner. The above-mentioned existing solutions solve different technical problems respectively, but there is still room for improvement to meet the different needs of manufacturers and users. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an improved power battery pack, which improves the safety of use in a cost-effective and reliable manner, and provides after-sales service capabilities and maintainability of the power battery pack.

[0005] To this end, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power battery pack is provided, comprising a shell and a plurality of battery cells and a cooling unit accommodated in the shell, the shell comprising a top plate, a frame and a bottom plate attached to each other, the frame being provided with an accommodating space; the cooling unit comprising a plurality of cooling plates, each cooling plate being provided with a cooling channel and corresponding to each battery cell respectively to form an independent battery module suitable for being accommodated in the accommodating space; wherein the battery module is configured to be placed into or removed from the accommodating space from the bottom of the frame.

[0006] According to the above technical concept, the present disclosure may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0007] In some optional forms, the frame includes a first beam extending along a first direction, the first beam divides the accommodating space to accommodate each battery module and is provided with a fluid flow channel, and the fluid flow channel is connected to the cooling flow channel of the cooling plate.

[0008] In some optional forms, the frame is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet arranged outside the shell and communicating with the fluid flow channel.

[0009] In some optional forms, the first beam is provided with a plurality of first interfaces, and each first interface is respectively connected to the cooling channel of each cooling plate.

[0010] In some optional forms, the frame includes at least one second beam extending along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, and the second beam divides the accommodating space to accommodate each battery module and does not interfere with the fluid flow channel.

[0011] In some optional forms, the cooling plate is provided with a main body and a protrusion extending parallel to the main body, the protrusion is provided with a second interface communicating with the cooling channel, and the second interface is adapted to the first interface.

[0012] In some optional forms, the first interface is configured as a first slot extending perpendicularly to the first beam, the second interface is configured as a second slot extending perpendicularly to the protrusion of the cooling plate, and the second interface is suitable for being embedded in the first interface.

[0013] In some optional forms, a sealing ring is provided between the first interface and the second interface.

[0014] In some optional forms, the protrusions of a plurality of the cooling plates are arranged in a staggered manner so that the second interface of each of the cooling plates is arranged along the first beam and is adapted to the first interface.

[0015] In some optional forms, a thermal pad is provided between the cooling plate and the battery cell.

[0016] In certain optional forms, the cooling plate is attached to the bottom of the frame.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle comprising the above-mentioned power battery pack.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for maintaining the above-mentioned power battery pack is provided, the method comprising:

[0019] S1: Remove the bottom plate of the shell;

[0020] S2: removing the battery module from the bottom of the frame of the housing;

[0021] S3: placing a replacement battery module into the bottom of the frame of the housing;

[0022] S4: Install the base plate.

[0023] In certain optional forms, in S3, the cooling channels of the replaced cooling plate are connected to the fluid channels of the frame.

[0024] In some optional forms, before S2, the cooling plate is removed from the frame; and before S4, a replacement cooling plate is installed to the bottom of the frame.

[0025] In some optional forms, after S2, the process further includes separating the battery cells and cooling plates in the removed battery module.

[0026] The power battery pack disclosed in the present invention forms an independent battery module by configuring the battery cell and each cooling plate in the cooling unit, and configures the battery module to be placed in or removed from the bottom of the shell, thereby allowing convenient after-sales maintenance, reuse and remanufacturing, and effectively avoiding the safety hazards caused by the failure of a single battery module, thereby improving the safety performance of the power battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood through the following optional embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a power battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a power battery pack;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a disassembled schematic diagram of the bottom plate removed from the power battery pack;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the power battery pack further disassembling a battery module from the bottom;

[0032] Figure 5 is an exploded schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the layout of multiple battery modules;

[0034] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the frame in the power battery pack;

[0035] Figure 8 and Figure 7Similarly, a first interface on a first beam in the frame is shown;

[0036] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the sectional exploded view of the battery module and the frame;

[0037] Fig.10 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a frame and a cooling plate, showing fluid flow channels and cooling channels;

[0038] Fig.11 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a frame and a cooling plate, showing a sealing ring at a first interface of a first beam and a second interface of the cooling plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The implementation and use of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely exemplary of specific ways to implement and use the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. When describing the structural positions of the various components, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., the expressions of directions are not absolute, but relative. When the various components are arranged as shown in the figure, these directional expressions are appropriate, but when the positions of the various components in the figure change, these directional expressions also change accordingly.

[0040] In this document, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "attachment", "connection", "fixation" and the like 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this document can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In this article, "transverse" and "longitudinal" are relative terms. The "transverse direction" refers to the direction of relatively smaller size, also known as the width direction. The "longitudinal direction" refers to the direction of relatively larger size, also known as the length direction. The "vertical direction" refers to the direction roughly perpendicular to the ground.

[0042] Herein, the terms “first”, “second” and the like are not used to limit the order of precedence and the number of components, unless otherwise specified.

[0043] In this article, a vehicle refers to a new energy vehicle that uses a power battery pack as an operating power source and / or a driving power source, including but not limited to a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an extended-range vehicle.

[0044] Typically, the power battery pack for a vehicle is installed on the lower body sheet metal or chassis of the vehicle and includes multiple battery cells, a battery pack management module, a battery pack housing, and corresponding accessories. Adhesive glue or structural hot glue is usually used to connect and fix the battery cells in the power battery pack and between the battery cells and the housing to improve structural strength and safety. However, due to the use of bonding, after-sales maintenance, reuse, and remanufacturing of the power battery pack are very difficult, and there is no feasible and effective solution to replace a single battery cell or a group of battery cells in the event of a failure.

[0045] According to the concept of the present disclosure, a power battery pack is provided, in which battery cells and corresponding cooling units are constructed as independent battery modules, and attached to the shell of the power battery pack in a manner that is easy to assemble and disassemble. When one or more battery modules need to be replaced, the one or more battery modules can be correspondingly removed from the shell and replaced without affecting the remaining battery modules, thereby providing after-sales service capability and maintainability of the power battery pack, making it possible to reuse and remanufacture the power battery pack, and greatly reducing costs.

[0046] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The power battery pack of one embodiment shown in the figure includes a housing 100 and a plurality of battery cells 200 and a cooling unit 300 accommodated in the housing 100, wherein the housing 100 includes a top plate 110, a frame 120 and a bottom plate 130 attached to each other, for example, by welding or fasteners such as screws to be attached to each other for repeated disassembly, and an accommodating space 121 is provided in the frame. According to the present disclosure, the cooling unit 300 includes a plurality of cooling plates 310, each of which is provided with a cooling channel 314 ( Figure 2 and Fig.10 ) and correspond to each battery unit 200 respectively to form an independent battery module BM suitable for being accommodated in the accommodation space 121. Advantageously, the battery module BM is configured to be placed in or removed from the accommodation space 121 from the bottom of the frame 120. In this way, when the power battery pack is installed at the bottom of the vehicle, the battery module can be installed, disassembled and replaced in the vertical direction, which is convenient for after-sales maintenance.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the combination Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The frame 120 includes a first beam 122 extending along a first direction D1. The first direction D1 is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. The first beam 122 can be used as a longitudinal structural beam to provide structural support and separate the accommodating space 121 to accommodate each battery module BM. According to the present disclosure, the first beam 122 is provided with a fluid flow channel 127 ( Figure 2 and Fig.10), the fluid channel 127 is connected to the cooling channel 314 of the cooling plate 310. In this way, the frame 120 can be used as a cooling component to provide cooling for the battery module, and when one or more battery modules are replaced, the cooling function of the remaining battery modules will not be affected.

[0048] Advantageously, the frame 120 is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet 124 arranged outside the housing 100 and communicating with the fluid flow channel 127. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a connection seat 123 communicating with the fluid flow channel 127 extends outward from the outer wall of the frame 120, and the liquid inlet and outlet 124 is provided on the connection seat 123. In this way, the risk of cooling liquid leakage inside the battery pack is further eliminated.

[0049] In some embodiments, the frame 120 may further include at least one second beam 125 extending along a second direction D2, the second direction D2 being perpendicular to the first direction D1, and may also be referred to as the transverse direction of the housing 100. Similarly, the second beam 125 acts as a transverse structural beam to provide structural support while separating the accommodating space 121 to accommodate each battery module, but the second beam 125 does not interfere with the fluid flow channel 127 of the first beam 122. In the illustrated embodiment, one second beam 125 is exemplarily shown, thereby dividing the accommodating space 121 into four sub-accommodating spaces for accommodating four battery modules together with the first beam 122. It should be understood that the number and distribution of the second beams vary depending on different needs and are not limited to those shown in the figure. When multiple second beams are provided, the multiple second beams are spaced and distributed along the first direction D1. Similarly, the number of battery modules and corresponding sub-accommodating spaces is not limited to those shown in the figure, and may also be set to two, six, eight, or even more according to actual needs.

[0050] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 8 The first beam 122 is provided with a plurality of first interfaces 126, each of which is connected to a cooling channel of each cooling plate 310, so as to be suitable for transferring the coolant in the fluid channel to the cooling channel of each cooling plate. Figure 5 The cooling plate 310 includes a body 311 and a protrusion 312 extending parallel to the body 311. The protrusion 312 is provided with a second interface 313 communicating with the cooling channel 314, wherein the second interface 313 is adapted to the first interface 126. In other words, the first interface and the second interface can correspond to each other in shape, size, and position.

[0051] In some embodiments, the protrusions of the plurality of cooling plates are arranged in a staggered manner, so that the second interface of each cooling plate is arranged along the first beam and is matched with the first interface. Figure 6Four battery modules BM are shown as examples. For the sake of clarity, different battery modules are identified by different letter suffixes. As can be seen from the figure, the battery module composed of battery cells 200a and cooling plates 310a is arranged alternately with the battery module composed of battery cells 200b and cooling plates 310b, so that the protrusion 312a of the cooling plate 310a is arranged alternately with the protrusion 312b of the cooling plate 310b, and the same is true for the two unmarked battery modules, so that the second interface 313a of the cooling plate 310a and the second interface 313b of the cooling plate 310b and the second interfaces of the other two battery modules can be arranged in a straight line along the first beam and are respectively adapted to the first interface, so as to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the battery modules while ensuring the cooling function.

[0052] In certain embodiments, Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig.10 As shown, the first beam 122 may be constructed to include a separate cover 122a and a bottom plate 122b, which are welded to each other. It should be understood that the first beam 122 may also be constructed as an integral component. In the illustrated embodiment, the first interface 126 is constructed as a first slot extending perpendicularly to the first beam 122 (bottom plate 122b), and the second interface 313 is constructed as a second slot extending perpendicularly to the protrusion 312 of the cooling plate 310, and the second interface 313 is suitable for being embedded in the first interface 126. In this way, the combination Figures 9 to 11 When each cooling plate 310 and the battery cells 200 thereon are placed into the accommodation space from the bottom of the frame 120, the second interface 313 of the cooling plate 310 is embedded in the first interface 126 of the frame 120 to achieve the communication between the cooling channel 314 and the fluid channel 127. At the same time, the positioning of the cooling plate 310 on the frame 120 can also be achieved through the cooperation between the second interface 313 and the first interface 126. Furthermore, in combination with the plurality of fastening holes 315 arranged around the cooling plate 310, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the cooling plate can be fixedly connected to the bottom of the frame by fasteners such as screws. Conversely, when the cooling plate and the battery cells on it need to be replaced, the fasteners can be removed to conveniently remove the cooling plate from the bottom of the frame for replacement. This mechanical connection method in the form of quick-insert positioning and fasteners is easy to implement, effective and reliable, and saves maintenance time and costs. Figure 1 and Figure 5 As can be seen, in some embodiments, a thermal pad 320 is provided between each cooling plate 310 and each battery cell 200. The thermal pad 320 is a thermal conductive medium such as a thermal conductive glue that improves the thermal conductivity, which can further improve the cooling efficiency.

[0053] Advantageously, a sealing ring is provided between the first interface 126 and the second interface 313. Fig.11As shown, the sealing ring may include a first sealing ring 410 surrounding the outside of the second interface 313 to provide a seal between the first interface 126 and the second interface 313; optionally, the sealing ring may include a second sealing ring 420 surrounding the inside of the first interface 126 to provide a seal between the first interface 126 and the second interface 313; or, the sealing ring may include a first sealing ring 410 surrounding the outside of the second interface 313, and a second sealing ring 420 and a third sealing ring 430 surrounding the inside of the first interface 126 and spaced apart, and the first sealing ring 410 may be accommodated in the gap between the second sealing ring 420 and the third sealing ring 430, thereby providing a reliable seal.

[0054] The present disclosure also provides a method for maintaining a power battery pack, the method comprising:

[0055] S1: Remove the bottom plate of the housing, such as Figure 3 As shown, the bottom plate 130 is removed from the frame 120 to expose the individual battery modules fixed to the frame 120 via the cooling plate 310;

[0056] S2: Remove the battery module from the bottom of the frame of the housing, such as Figure 4 As shown;

[0057] S3: inserting the replaced battery module from the bottom of the frame of the housing;

[0058] S4: Install the base plate.

[0059] In some embodiments, in S3, the cooling channel of the replaced cooling plate is connected to the fluid channel of the frame. Figure 4 As an alternative battery module, the second interface 313 of the cooling plate 310 can be embedded in the first interface 126 of the frame 120 to connect the cooling channel with the fluid channel.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the cooling plate 310 is fixedly connected to the frame 120 by fasteners, before S2 , the cooling plate is removed from the frame; and before S4 , a replacement cooling plate is installed to the bottom of the frame.

[0061] In some embodiments, when a thermal pad 320 is provided between the cooling plate 310 and the battery cell 200, after S2, the battery cell and the cooling plate in the battery module are separated. Since there are no shielding parts around the battery module composed of the battery cell and the cooling plate, the separation of the two can be achieved by, for example, wire cutting, which makes it possible to independently replace the faulty battery cell or cooling plate, which is conducive to the reuse of the battery cell or cooling plate that has not failed, thereby saving costs.

[0062] The power battery pack disclosed in the present invention improves the safety performance of the power battery pack by constructing the battery unit and the corresponding cooling unit as an independent battery module. In addition, due to the unique design and disassembly and assembly method of the battery module, even if conventional structural adhesives are used in the remaining components of the power battery pack, after-sales service capabilities and maintainability are allowed. The above-mentioned components in the power battery pack have simple structures and are easy to implement, and are applicable to various forms of power battery packs.

[0063] It should be understood here that the embodiments shown in the figures only show the optional shapes, sizes and arrangements of the various components of the power battery pack according to the present disclosure, but they are only for illustration and not limitation. Other shapes, sizes and arrangements may also be adopted without departing from the concept and scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] The technical content and technical features of the present disclosure have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative ideas of the present disclosure, technicians in this field can make various changes and improvements to the above disclosed concepts, but they all belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure. The description of the above implementation mode is illustrative rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A power battery pack, comprising a housing (100) and a plurality of battery cells (200) and a cooling unit (300) accommodated in the housing, characterized in that: The housing (100) comprises a top plate (110), a frame (120) and a bottom plate (130) attached to each other, wherein the frame (120) is provided with an accommodation space (121); The cooling unit (300) comprises a plurality of cooling plates (310), each cooling plate being provided with a cooling channel (314) and corresponding to each battery unit (200) to form an independent battery module (BM) suitable for being accommodated in the accommodation space (121); Wherein, the battery module (BM) is configured to be placed into or removed from the accommodating space (121) from the bottom of the frame (120).

2. The power battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame (120) includes a first beam (122) extending along a first direction (D1), the first beam (122) divides the accommodating space (121) to adapt to each battery module (BM) and is provided with a fluid flow channel (127), and the fluid flow channel (127) is connected to the cooling flow channel (314) of the cooling plate (310).

3. The power battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frame (120) is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet (124) arranged outside the housing (100) and communicating with the fluid flow channel (127).

4. The power battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first beam (122) is provided with a plurality of first interfaces (126), and each first interface (126) is respectively connected to the cooling channel (314) of each cooling plate (310).

5. The power battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frame (120) includes at least one second beam (125) extending along a second direction (D2), wherein the second direction (D2) is perpendicular to the first direction (D1), and the second beam (125) divides the accommodating space (121) to accommodate each battery module (BM) and does not interfere with the fluid flow channel (127).

6. The power battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cooling plate (310) is provided with a main body (311) and a protrusion (312) extending parallel to the main body (311); the protrusion (312) is provided with a second interface (313) communicating with the cooling channel (314); the second interface (313) is adapted to the first interface (126).

7. The power battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first interface (126) is constructed as a first groove extending perpendicularly to the first beam (122), and the second interface (313) is constructed as a second groove extending perpendicularly to the protrusion (312) of the cooling plate (310), and the second interface (313) is suitable for being embedded in the first interface (126).

8. The power battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: A sealing ring (410, 420, 430) is provided between the first interface (126) and the second interface (313).

9. The power battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The protrusions (312) of the plurality of cooling plates (310) are arranged in a staggered manner so that the second interface (313) of each cooling plate (310) is arranged along the first beam (122) and is adapted to the first interface (126).

10. The power battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: A thermal pad (320) is provided between the cooling plate (310) and the battery unit (200).

11. The power battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling plate (310) is attached to the bottom of the frame (120).

12. A vehicle, characterized in that: The vehicle comprises a power battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for maintaining a power battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The method comprises: S1: Remove the bottom plate of the shell; S2: removing the battery module from the bottom of the frame of the housing; S3: placing a replacement battery module into the bottom of the frame of the housing; S4: Install the base plate.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that In S3 , the cooling channels of the replaced cooling plate are connected to the fluid channels of the frame.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Before S2, the cooling plate is removed from the frame; and before S4, a replacement cooling plate is installed to the bottom of the frame.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that After S2, the process also includes separating the battery cells and cooling plates in the removed battery module.

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