Battery box and battery system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of energy storage, in particular to a battery box and a battery system. The battery box comprises an upper frame assembly, a battery assembly and a lower frame assembly. The upper frame assembly is arranged to be a hollow frame. The lower frame assembly comprises a lower frame unit, an electric connection unit and a temperature control unit. The lower frame unit is arranged to be a hollow frame. The electric connection unit and the temperature control unit are arranged in the lower frame unit. One end of the battery assembly is connected with the upper frame assembly, and the other end is connected with the lower frame unit. The electric connection unit is electrically connected with the battery assembly through a cable. And the temperature control unit is communicated with the battery assembly through a temperature control pipeline. And a guide cavity is formed in the lower frame unit. Part of the side surface of the guide cavity is composed of the surface of the frame part of the lower frame unit. The guide cavity extends from the side face, away from the battery assembly, of the lower frame unit to the direction close to the battery assembly. And at least part of the temperature control pipeline penetrates through a gap between the guide cavity and the battery assembly. Therefore, the problem of unreasonable arrangement of the internal structure of the battery box is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of energy storage, and in particular, to a battery box and a battery system. Background Art

[0002] New energy vehicles are powered by a battery box, and the battery box can be assembled with the vehicle through a chassis on the vehicle. During the installation of the battery box onto the chassis, in order to enable the battery box to be smoothly connected to the chassis, a guiding mechanism is often provided on the chassis to complete the positioning during the installation of the battery box. There are many functional components to be arranged in the part near the bottom end within the space surrounded by the battery box, such as a temperature control device, an electric control device, etc. Usually, the temperature control pipeline of the temperature control device is arranged below the cable of the electric control device, so as to prevent the liquid leaked from the temperature control pipeline and the condensed water droplets on the outer peripheral surface of the temperature control pipeline from dripping onto the cable, and avoid the insulation layer of the cable being damaged to cause a short circuit.

[0003] In order to avoid components such as guiding columns and electric control devices, the temperature control pipeline has multiple bends, which increases the flow resistance of the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline. If the temperature control ability required by the battery box is to be met, the power of the temperature control pump driving the flow of the temperature control medium needs to be increased. At the same time, the process of bending the temperature control pipeline is relatively complex, and the manufacturing cost of the battery box is too high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the problem of unreasonable internal structure layout of the battery box, the present invention provides a battery box and a battery system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a battery box, which includes:

[0006] an upper frame assembly, which is arranged as a hollow frame;

[0007] a battery assembly;

[0008] a lower frame assembly, which includes a lower frame unit, an electrical connection unit, and a temperature control unit; the lower frame unit is arranged as a hollow frame; the electrical connection unit and the temperature control unit are arranged within the lower frame unit;

[0009] one end of the battery assembly is connected to the upper frame assembly, and the other end is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection unit is electrically connected to the battery assembly through a cable; the temperature control unit is communicated with the battery assembly through a temperature control pipeline; a guiding cavity is arranged within the lower frame unit; part of the side surface of the guiding cavity is composed of the surface of the frame part of the lower frame unit; the guiding cavity extends from the side surface of the lower frame unit far from the battery assembly towards the direction close to the battery assembly; at least part of the temperature control pipeline passes through the gap between the guiding cavity and the battery assembly.

[0010] In some embodiments, the temperature control unit includes a first thermostat and a second thermostat; the first thermostat, the electrical connection unit, and the second thermostat are sequentially arranged at intervals along the length direction of the lower frame unit; the first thermostat and the second thermostat are respectively communicated with the battery assembly through temperature control pipelines.

[0011] In some embodiments, the electrical connection unit includes an electrical connection part and a controller; the electrical connection part is movably connected to the lower frame unit; the controller is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection part is electrically connected to the controller; the controller is electrically connected to the battery assembly through the cable.

[0012] In some embodiments, the lower frame unit includes a first lower frame, a second lower frame, and a lower vertical column; the first lower frame and the second lower frame are arranged at intervals and are connected into a hollow frame through the lower vertical column; the first lower frame is connected to the battery assembly; a part of the side surface of the guiding cavity is composed of a part of the surface of the second lower frame.

[0013] In some embodiments, the upper frame assembly includes an upper frame unit; the upper frame unit includes a first upper frame, a second upper frame, and an upper vertical column; the first upper frame and the second upper frame are arranged at intervals and are connected into a hollow frame through the upper vertical column; the second upper frame is connected to the battery assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least part of the cable is wound around the periphery of the guiding cavity extending.

[0015] In some embodiments, a plurality of the battery assemblies are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the upper frame assembly.

[0016] In some embodiments, the guiding cavity is arranged on one side close to the outer peripheral surface of the lower frame unit within the enclosed space of the lower frame unit.

[0017] In some embodiments, the battery assembly includes a battery frame, a battery pack, and a temperature control plate; the battery frame is arranged in a hollow shape; the battery pack and the temperature control plate are arranged in the hollow chamber of the battery frame; the battery pack and the temperature control plate are in contact; one end of the battery frame is connected to the upper frame assembly, and the other end is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection unit is electrically connected to the battery pack through a cable; the temperature control unit is communicated with the temperature control plate through a temperature control pipeline.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a battery system, and the battery system is applied to the battery box in any one of the first aspect, and the battery system includes:

[0019] The battery system further includes a bottom tray; the bottom tray includes a support frame, guide columns, and electrical connectors; one end of each guide column is connected to the support frame, and the other end extends away from the support frame; the electrical connectors are connected to the support frame;

[0020] The battery system includes an operating state; in the operating state, part of the guide columns extend into the guiding cavity of the battery box, the temperature control pipeline is arranged in the space between the guide columns and the battery assembly, the cable is wound around the circumferential side of the guide columns, the support frame abuts against the side of the lower frame unit away from the battery assembly, and the electrical connectors are electrically connected to the electrical connection unit.

[0021] To solve the problem of unreasonable internal structure arrangement of the battery box, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0022] The guiding cavity in the lower frame unit can cooperate during the assembly of the battery box and the bottom tray. Even if there is a certain error in the relative position between the battery box and the bottom tray, the battery box can be smoothly assembled with the bottom tray. At least part of the temperature control pipeline can pass through the gap between the guiding cavity and the battery assembly on the side close to the battery assembly, so that the temperature control pipeline does not need to avoid the guiding cavity, minimizing the bending points of the temperature control pipeline, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline and reducing the power requirement for driving the temperature control medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a battery box showing one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a battery box showing another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a battery system showing one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the lower frame assembly of a battery box showing one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the lower frame assembly of a battery box showing another embodiment.

[0028] Reference numerals: 01 upper frame assembly; 11 first upper frame; 12 second upper frame; 13 upper upright column; 02 battery assembly; 21 battery frame; 03 lower frame assembly; 31 lower frame unit; 311 first lower frame; 312 second lower frame; 313 lower upright column; 32 electrical connection unit; 321 controller; 322 electrical connection part; 33 temperature control unit; 331 first temperature controller; 332 second temperature controller; 34 temperature control pipeline; 35 cable; 04 bottom tray; 41 support frame; 42 guide column; 43 electrical connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its variants are to be construed as open-ended terms meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" is to be construed as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be construed as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be construed as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe the present application and its embodiments, and are not used to limit that the indicated devices, elements or components must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Also, some of the above terms may be used to represent other meanings in addition to indicating the orientation or positional relationship. For example, the term "upper" may also be used to represent a certain attachment relationship or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "mounted", "arranged", "provided with", "connected", "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or there may be internal communication between two devices, elements or components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are mainly used to distinguish different devices, elements or components (the specific types and structures may be the same or different), and do not indicate or imply the relative importance and quantity of the indicated devices, elements or components. Unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

[0031] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2As shown, the battery box can be connected to the vehicle through the bottom bracket 04. To facilitate the assembly of the battery box with the bottom bracket 04, guide posts 42 can be provided on the bottom bracket 04. The cable 35 inside the battery box is usually arranged above the temperature control pipeline 34. Consequently, the temperature control pipeline 34 needs to be set as a bent pipeline to avoid the guide posts 42, which will result in a large flow resistance of the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline 34. Therefore, a battery box is proposed. The battery box can include an upper frame assembly 01, a battery assembly 02, and a lower frame assembly 03. The upper frame assembly 01 can be set as a hollow frame.

[0032] The lower frame assembly 03 can include a lower frame unit 31, an electrical connection unit 32, and a temperature control unit 33. The lower frame unit 31 can be set as a hollow frame. The electrical connection unit 32 and the temperature control unit 33 are arranged inside the lower frame unit 31.

[0033] One end of the battery assembly 02 can be connected to the upper frame assembly 01. When foreign objects move towards the battery assembly 02, the upper frame assembly 01 can block the foreign objects from directly contacting the battery assembly 02. The other end of the battery assembly 02 can be connected to the lower frame unit 31, enabling the lower frame unit 31 to support the battery assembly 02. The electrical connection unit 32 can be electrically connected to the battery assembly 02 through the cable 35. After the battery box is installed and assembled with the bottom bracket 04 of the vehicle, the electrical connection unit 32 can be electrically connected to the electrical interface of the vehicle, so that the electric energy of the battery assembly 02 can be sequentially transmitted to the vehicle through the cable 35 and the electrical connection unit 32 to provide driving energy for the vehicle. The temperature control unit 33 can be connected to the battery assembly 02 through the temperature control pipeline 34. The temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline 34 exchanges heat with the battery assembly 02 and flows to the temperature control unit 33 through the temperature control pipeline 34. When the temperature of the battery assembly 02 is too high, the temperature control unit 33 cools down the temperature control medium. When the temperature of the battery assembly 02 is too low, the temperature control unit 33 heats up the temperature control medium, thus completing the temperature control cycle of the battery box. A guide cavity can be arranged inside the lower frame unit 31. Part of the side surface of the guide cavity can be composed of the surface of the frame part of the lower frame unit 31. The guide cavity can extend from the side of the lower frame unit 31 far from the battery assembly 02 towards the direction close to the battery assembly 02. During the process of installing the battery box onto the bottom bracket 04, even if there is a certain error in the relative position of the battery box and the bottom bracket 04 in the horizontal direction, the guide posts 42 on the bottom bracket 04 can be inserted into the guide cavity, so that the battery box and the bottom bracket 04 can be quickly installed. As Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, at least part of the temperature control pipeline 34 can pass through the gap between the end close to the battery unit of the guide cavity and the battery assembly 02, reducing the bending places of the temperature control pipeline 34 designed to avoid the guide cavity, decreasing the flow resistance of the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline 34, and reducing the power requirement for the temperature control unit 33 to drive the flow of the temperature control medium.

[0034] In this embodiment, as Figure 1As shown, the temperature control unit 33 may include a first thermostat 331 and a second thermostat 332. The first thermostat 331, the electrical connection unit 32, and the second thermostat 332 may be sequentially arranged at intervals along the length direction of the lower frame unit 31, which can make the weight along the length direction of the lower frame unit 31 uniform. After the battery box is assembled with the vehicle, the handling performance of the vehicle is improved. The first thermostat 331 and the second thermostat 332 may be respectively connected to the battery assembly 02 through temperature control pipelines 34. When the temperature of the battery assembly 02 is too high, the first thermostat 331 and the second thermostat 332 can lower the temperature of the battery assembly 02. When the temperature of the battery assembly 02 is too low, the first thermostat 331 and the second thermostat 332 can raise the temperature of the battery assembly 02. According to the temperature of the battery assembly 02, the first thermostat 331 and the second thermostat 332 can be controlled to start individually or simultaneously, thereby reducing energy consumption while ensuring the temperature control ability. When the first thermostat 331 is damaged, the second thermostat 332 can keep the battery assembly 02 working at a suitable temperature for at least a short time, avoiding vehicle stall and improving safety. When the second thermostat 332 is damaged, the first thermostat 331 can keep the battery assembly 02 working at a suitable temperature for at least a short time, avoiding vehicle stall and improving safety.

[0035] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, the electrical connection unit 32 may include an electrical connection part 322 and a controller 321. The electrical connection part 322 may be movably connected to the lower frame unit 31, allowing the electrical connection part 322 and the lower frame unit 31 to move relative to each other within a certain range. When the battery box is assembled with the vehicle underframe 04, if there is a certain error in the relative position between the electrical interface and the electrical connection part 322, the guiding device on the electrical interface can guide the electrical connection part 322 to be electrically connected to the electrical interface, thereby reducing the requirement for positioning accuracy and achieving the effect of cost reduction. The controller 321 may be connected to the lower frame unit 31 to fix the relative position of the controller 321 and the lower frame unit 31, allowing the lower frame unit 31 to stably support the controller 321. The electrical connection part 322 may be electrically connected to the controller 321. The controller 321 may be electrically connected to the battery assembly 02 through a cable 35. After the battery box is assembled with the vehicle, the electrical connection part 322 may be electrically connected to the electrical interface of the vehicle underframe 04, and the controller 321 may control the current and voltage output from the battery assembly 02 to the vehicle according to the current demand, optimizing the reliability of the vehicle.

[0036] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 、 Figure 5As shown in the figure, the lower frame unit 31 may include a first lower frame 311, a second lower frame 312, and a lower vertical column 313; the first lower frame 311 and the second lower frame 312 may be arranged at intervals in the height direction of the battery module 02. By connecting the two ends of the lower vertical column 313 to the first lower frame 311 and the second lower frame 312 respectively, a hollow frame can be formed, and a temperature control pipeline 34 can be placed in the space surrounded by the hollow frame; the first lower frame 311 may be connected to the battery module 02, so that the first lower frame 311 can support the battery module 02. Part of the side surface of the guiding cavity may be composed of part of the surface of the second lower frame 312.

[0037] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the upper frame assembly 01 may include an upper frame unit; the upper frame unit may include a first upper frame 11, a second upper frame 12, and an upper vertical column 13; the first upper frame 11 and the second upper frame 12 may be arranged at intervals in the height direction of the battery module 02. By connecting the two ends of the upper vertical column 13 to the first lower frame 311 and the second lower frame 312 respectively, a hollow frame can be formed; the second upper frame 12 may be connected to the battery module 02. When a foreign object impacts the battery module 02, the upper frame unit can prevent the foreign object from directly contacting the battery module 02, and the space surrounded by the hollow frame can form an energy absorption area to absorb the impact force of the foreign object and improve the safety of the battery box.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, the cable 35 is made of a flexible material, and at least part of the cable 35 can be wound around the outer peripheral side of the guiding cavity extending, so as to make full use of the space surrounded by the lower frame assembly 03 and make the battery box more compact.

[0039] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 shown, during the driving of the vehicle, bumps will occur, and the shaking amplitude of the upper part of the battery box is larger. Multiple battery modules 02 can be arranged in sequence along the length direction of the upper frame assembly 01, so as to avoid connection positions in the part of the battery module 02 close to the upper frame assembly 01. Thus, the battery module 02 is more stable, and at the same time, the battery box can provide a longer endurance mileage.

[0040] In this embodiment, as Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, the guiding cavity can be arranged on one side close to the outer peripheral surface of the space surrounded by the lower frame unit 31, so that the space surrounded by the lower frame unit 31 is more regular, and it is more convenient to set other components in the space surrounded by the lower frame unit 31.

[0041] In some other embodiments, a plurality of guiding cavities may be provided in the lower frame unit 31, and the plurality of guiding cavities are arranged at intervals on one side close to the outer peripheral surface of the lower frame unit 31 within the surrounded space of the lower frame unit 31. When the battery box is assembled with the bottom bracket 04, the guiding cavities and the guiding columns 42 of the bottom bracket 04 are correspondingly arranged and cooperate with each other, which can more quickly reduce the error of the relative position between the battery box and the bottom bracket 04.

[0042] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, the battery assembly 02 may include a battery frame 21, a battery pack, and a temperature control plate; the battery frame 21 may be arranged in a hollow shape; the battery pack and the temperature control plate may be respectively arranged in the hollow chamber of the battery frame 21; one end of the battery frame 21 may be connected to the upper frame assembly 01, and the other end may be connected to the lower frame unit 31, so that the pressure borne by the battery pack for storing electric energy is small; the electrical connection unit 32 may be electrically connected to the battery pack through a cable 35, and the electric energy of the battery pack may be transmitted to the vehicle to realize vehicle driving; the temperature control unit 33 may be communicated with the temperature control plate through a temperature control pipeline 34, the battery pack may be arranged in abutment with the temperature control plate, the temperature control plate may exchange heat with the battery pack, and the temperature control unit 33 may drive the temperature control medium in the temperature control pipeline 34 to move into contact with the temperature control plate, so that the temperature control medium exchanges heat with the temperature control plate and then flows to the temperature control unit 33. When the temperature of the battery pack is too high, the temperature control unit 33 may reduce the temperature of the temperature control medium, and when the temperature of the battery pack is too low, the temperature control unit 33 may increase the temperature of the temperature control medium.

[0043] In this embodiment, a battery system is provided, and the battery system includes the battery box in any one of the above embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, as Figure 3 shown, the battery system may further include a bottom bracket 04. The bottom bracket 04 may include a support frame 41, guiding columns 42, and electrical connectors 43. The support frame 41 may be connected to the vehicle. The electrical connectors 43 may be electrically connected to the vehicle. One end of the guiding column 42 may be connected to the support frame 41, and the other end may extend in a direction away from the support frame 41. The cross-sectional area of the guiding column 42 in the radial direction may gradually decrease along the extending direction of the guiding column 42, so that the guiding column 42 forms a cone. When the battery box is assembled with the bottom bracket 04, the outer peripheral surface of the guiding column 42 abuts against and slides on the inner peripheral wall of the guiding cavity, thereby reducing the position error between the battery box and the bottom bracket 04 in the horizontal direction. The electrical connectors 43 may be connected to the support frame 41.

[0044] The battery system includes an operating state. The operating state may include that part of the guide post 42 extends into the guide cavity of the battery box. The temperature control pipeline 34 may be arranged in the space between one end of the guide post 42 away from the support frame 41 and the battery assembly 02. The cable 35 may be wound around the circumferential side of the guide post 42. The support frame 41 may be in contact with one side of the lower frame unit 31 away from the battery assembly 02, so that the support frame 41 supports the weight of the battery box. The electrical interface may be electrically connected to the electrical connection unit 32, so that the electrical energy of the battery assembly 02 provides driving energy for the vehicle.

[0045] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the above embodiments are specific cases for implementing the present disclosure, and in actual applications, various changes can be made to them in form and details without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery box, characterized in that, The battery box includes: an upper frame assembly, which is arranged as a hollow frame; a battery assembly; a lower frame assembly, which includes a lower frame unit, an electrical connection unit, and a temperature control unit; the lower frame unit is arranged as a hollow frame; the electrical connection unit and the temperature control unit are arranged inside the lower frame unit; one end of the battery assembly is connected to the upper frame assembly, and the other end is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection unit is electrically connected to the battery assembly through a cable; the temperature control unit is communicated with the battery assembly through a temperature control pipeline; a guiding cavity is arranged inside the lower frame unit; part of the side surface of the guiding cavity is composed of the surface of the frame part of the lower frame unit; the guiding cavity extends from the side surface of the lower frame unit far away from the battery assembly towards the direction close to the battery assembly; at least part of the temperature control pipeline passes through the gap between the guiding cavity and the battery assembly.

2. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control unit includes a first temperature controller and a second temperature controller; the first temperature controller, the electrical connection unit, and the second temperature controller are sequentially arranged at intervals along the length direction of the lower frame unit; the first temperature controller and the second temperature controller are respectively communicated with the battery assembly through temperature control pipelines.

3. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection unit includes an electrical connection part and a controller; the electrical connection part is movably connected to the lower frame unit; the controller is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection part is electrically connected to the controller; the controller is electrically connected to the battery assembly through the cable.

4. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the lower frame unit includes a first lower frame, a second lower frame, and lower columns; the first lower frame and the second lower frame are arranged at intervals and are connected into a hollow frame through the lower columns; the first lower frame is connected to the battery assembly; part of the side surface of the guiding cavity is composed of part of the surface of the second lower frame.

5. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame assembly includes an upper frame unit; the upper frame unit includes a first upper frame, a second upper frame, and upper columns; the first upper frame and the second upper frame are arranged at intervals and are connected into a hollow frame through the upper columns; the second upper frame is connected to the battery assembly.

6. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the cable is wound around the circumferential side where the guiding cavity extends.

7. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the battery assemblies are sequentially arranged along the length direction of the upper frame assembly.

8. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the guiding cavity is arranged on one side inside the space surrounded by the lower frame unit and close to the outer peripheral surface of the lower frame unit.

9. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein The battery assembly includes a battery frame, a battery pack, and a temperature control plate; the battery frame is configured to be hollow; the battery pack and the temperature control plate are disposed in the hollow chamber of the battery frame; the battery pack and the temperature control plate are in contact; one end of the battery frame is connected to the upper frame assembly, and the other end is connected to the lower frame unit; the electrical connection unit is electrically connected to the battery pack through a cable; the temperature control unit is communicated with the temperature control plate through a temperature control pipeline.

10. A battery system, characterized in that, The battery system includes the battery box according to any one of claims 1-9; The battery system further includes a bottom support; the bottom support includes a support frame, a guide post, and an electrical connector; one end of the guide post is connected to the support frame, and the other end extends away from the support frame; the electrical connector is connected to the support frame; The battery system includes a working state; the working state includes that some of the guide posts extend into the guide cavity of the battery box, the temperature control pipeline is disposed in the space between the guide post and the battery assembly, the cable is wound around the periphery of the guide post, the support frame abuts against the side of the lower frame unit away from the battery assembly, and the electrical connector is electrically connected to the electrical connection unit.

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