Battery cell box, battery pack comprising same and aircraft

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery cell box, a battery pack comprising the same and an aircraft. Specifically, the battery cell box comprises a box body and an upper cover, the box body is provided with battery cell mounting holes arranged in rows, ventilation ducts are arranged on the two sides of the battery cell mounting holes arranged in rows, the ventilation ducts penetrate through the two ends of the box body, and the upper cover is arranged on the box body. Openings are formed in the two sides, facing the ventilating ducts, of each battery cell mounting hole, so that the battery cell mounting holes are communicated with the ventilating ducts on the two sides of the battery cell mounting holes. In addition, the invention also provides a battery pack and an aircraft comprising the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of batteries, and in particular relates to a cell box, a battery pack including the cell box, and an aircraft. Background Technology

[0002] The background description provided herein is intended to provide an overall overview of the background information for this application.

[0003] With the continuous development of new energy technologies, electricity is increasingly being used as a power source in fields such as transportation, gradually replacing fossil fuels. Among these, battery packs, as power sources, have a significant impact on equipment performance. The current manufacturing process for battery packs typically involves placing ternary lithium batteries on a battery mounting bracket and connecting them in series with nickel strips, connecting the positive terminals to each other and the negative terminals to each other, thus forming a battery pack. Subsequently, a battery protection board is connected to the battery pack, with the positive terminal connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack and the negative terminal connected to the negative terminal. Finally, connecting wires are used to connect the battery protection board to the battery pack, and the connecting wires are soldered to the battery protection board.

[0004] Battery packs manufactured using the above methods are relatively large in size and have low structural strength due to limitations in the battery mounting brackets, making them prone to damage. Furthermore, the welding process requires a certain level of welding skill from the battery pack maker, making it difficult to mass-produce. Additionally, the welding process during battery installation makes disassembly and repair difficult if any batteries in the pack are damaged.

[0005] In terms of temperature control, the discharge capacity of ternary lithium batteries drops significantly below 0°C, and their lifespan and capacity also decrease when the temperature exceeds 40°C for extended periods. Since ordinary battery packs lack temperature control functions, their efficiency is easily affected by ambient temperature.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new battery pack device and battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This section presents the concepts of this application in a simplified form, which will be further illustrated in the detailed description below. This section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to assist in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] According to one aspect of this application, a battery cell box is provided, the battery cell box including a box body and a top cover, the box body being provided with a row of battery cell mounting holes, wherein ventilation channels are provided on both sides of the row of battery cell mounting holes, the ventilation channels passing through both ends of the box body, and each battery cell mounting hole having an opening on both sides facing the ventilation channel so that the battery cell mounting hole communicates with the ventilation channels on both sides.

[0009] In some embodiments, a fan mounting bracket is provided at one end of the housing, and a fan facing the ventilation duct can be installed on the fan mounting bracket.

[0010] In some embodiments, heating elements are provided in the ventilation duct.

[0011] In some embodiments, the housing is equipped with a temperature sensor.

[0012] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with a controller that is electrically connected to the fan, heating element, and temperature sensor.

[0013] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is located at the bottom of the cell mounting hole.

[0014] In some embodiments, the temperature sensor is encased in insulating resin.

[0015] In some embodiments, the heating element is a ceramic heating element or a mica heating element.

[0016] In some embodiments, the width of the ventilation duct gradually decreases as the duct moves closer to the center of the fan.

[0017] In some embodiments, the housing and the top cover are respectively provided with a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector.

[0018] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with a display screen that can display voltage, power, and temperature.

[0019] In some embodiments, the housing is equipped with an alarm.

[0020] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the battery cell is made of a rigid material, while the interior is made of a soft material.

[0021] In some embodiments, the fan mounting bracket is provided with ventilation openings.

[0022] In some embodiments, the housing and fan mounting bracket are manufactured as a single unit through integral molding.

[0023] According to another aspect of this application, a battery pack is provided, the battery pack including a cell box as described above, and cells installed in the cell box.

[0024] According to another aspect of this application, an aircraft is provided, the aircraft including the battery pack as described above. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other or additional features, advantages, and details are presented by way of example only in the following detailed description of the embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A battery cell box according to the principles of this application is schematically shown;

[0027] Figure 2 An exploded view of a battery pack according to the principles of this application is shown schematically;

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of a ventilation duct according to the principles of this application is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 A side view of the box body according to the principles of this application is schematically shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A partial view of a battery cell box according to the principles of this application is schematically shown; and,

[0031] Figure 6 A metal spring and a temperature sensor according to the principles of this application are schematically shown.

[0032] It should be understood that throughout the accompanying drawings, corresponding reference numerals identify similar or corresponding parts or features. It should also be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are merely schematic illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application, its use, or its application.

[0034] This application will now be further elaborated. In the following paragraphs, different aspects of this application are defined in more detail. Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, each aspect so defined may be combined with any other aspect(s). In particular, any feature indicated as preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature(s) indicated as preferred or advantageous.

[0035] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, this application provides a cell box, which can form a battery pack simply by inserting the cells into it during use, thus eliminating the need for a complicated welding process, and also has the function of temperature regulation.

[0036] See attached document Figure 1 Appendix Figure 2 and attached Figure 3The illustration shows a battery cell box 100 according to the principles of this application, including a box body 110 and a top cover 120. The box body 110 and the top cover 120 can be connected by means such as bolts or clips, as readily understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the battery cell box 100 is generally rectangular in shape, and the box body 110 and the top cover 120 are also generally rectangular in shape to facilitate installation, storage, and use. The box body 110 is provided with a plurality of battery cell mounting holes 111 arranged in a row to install / accommodate battery cells 112. The battery cell mounting holes 111 can be arranged in one row or multiple rows. Figure 2 The diagram schematically shows four rows of mounting holes. Each row of mounting holes 111 has ventilation channels 113 on both sides. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that adjacent rows of mounting holes 111 can share a ventilation channel 113 or not; preferably, they share a ventilation channel 113. Figure 2 As shown. A ventilation duct 113 extends through both ends of the housing 110, allowing air to circulate through the ventilation duct 113 at both ends of the housing 110. Since the plurality of cell mounting holes 111 according to the principles of this application are arranged in at least one row, the number of ventilation ducts 113 is at least two. Each cell mounting hole 111 has an opening 114 on both sides facing the ventilation duct 113, allowing the cell mounting hole 111 to communicate with the ventilation ducts 113 on both sides. This allows the air flowing through the ventilation duct 113 during battery pack operation to carry away the heat dissipated by the battery pack, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery pack.

[0037] Advantageously, a fan mounting bracket 130 is provided at one end of the housing 110, and a fan 131 can be mounted on the fan mounting bracket 130, with the fan 131 facing the ventilation duct 113. The fan 131 can be generally located in the center of the housing 110 at one end; however, the fan 131 can also be located at the edge of the housing 110, i.e., one side. When the fan 131 is running, it can cause air to flow rapidly in the ventilation duct, thereby effectively removing the heat generated by the battery cell 112 during operation, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery pack. The fan mounting bracket 130 can also be provided with a vent 132 so that the air flowing from the ventilation duct 113 can flow out through the vent 132.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will understand that the airflow velocity at the edge of fan 131 is lower than that at its center. Therefore, in order to ensure that the airflow through each ventilation duct is the same or substantially the same during the operation of fan 131, and to guarantee that the temperature of each row of cells decreases by the same or substantially the same amount, thereby avoiding uneven heat dissipation, the ventilation duct 113 can be designed such that the width of the ventilation duct closest to the center of fan 131 is the smallest, and the width of the ventilation duct closest to the edge of fan 131 is the largest. When the fan mounting bracket 130 is located approximately in the middle of housing 110 at one end, and when the number of ventilation ducts 113 is at least three, the width of the ventilation duct 113 gradually increases as its position approaches the edge of housing 110. In other words, the closer the ventilation duct 113 is to the center of the housing, the smaller its width; and the farther the ventilation duct 113 is from the center of the housing, the larger its width. (See attached diagram.) Figure 2 and 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the arrangement of five ventilation ducts 113a-e, with ventilation duct 113c directly facing the center of the fan. Ventilation ducts 113a and 113e are closest to the edge of the housing 110, while ventilation duct 113c is furthest from the edge of the housing 110. Ventilation ducts 113b and 113d are located between ventilation ducts 113c and 113a, respectively, with widths Lc < Lb < La and Lc < Ld < Le. More advantageously, the five ventilation ducts 113a-e can be arranged symmetrically, i.e., ventilation ducts 113b and 113d, and ventilation ducts 113a and 113e are symmetrical about the central ventilation duct 113c. In this case, the width of each of the five ventilation ducts satisfies Lc < Lb = Ld < La = Le. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that, because the airflow velocity at the edge of the fan 131 is lower than that at its center, and the ventilation ducts near the edge of the housing 110 are closer to the edge of the fan 131, while those farther from the edge of the housing 110 are closer to the center of the fan 131, the width of the ventilation ducts near the edge of the housing 110 is greater than the width of those farther from the edge of the housing 110. This ensures that when the fan 131 is running, the airflow through each ventilation duct is the same or substantially the same, thereby guaranteeing that the temperature of each or each row of cells decreases by the same or substantially the same amount, avoiding uneven heat dissipation. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that when there are two ventilation ducts 113, it is preferable that these two ventilation ducts are symmetrically arranged about the fan, so that the width of the ventilation ducts can be set to be the same.

[0039] See attached document Figure 2 and attached Figure 4A heating element 115 can be installed in the ventilation duct 113 to heat the battery pack when the ambient temperature drops, preventing the discharge efficiency and lifespan of the battery pack from being affected by low temperatures. The heating element 115 can be bonded to the bottom of the ventilation duct 113 with adhesive, and its width is smaller than the width of the ventilation duct, so that air can circulate in the ventilation duct when the heating element 115 is installed. The ventilation duct 113 has an opening 119 at the top of the housing 110 to allow the heating element 115 to be installed or removed. The heating element 115 can be any type of heating element, preferably a ceramic heating element or a mica heating element.

[0040] Return to reference appendix Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 The housing 110 may be equipped with a controller 140, which is electrically connected to the fan 131 and the heating element 115, thereby controlling the operation of the fan 131 and the heating element 115 to cool or heat the battery pack.

[0041] See attached document Figure 5 The housing 110 is provided with a first electrical connector 116, and the upper cover 120 is provided with a second electrical connector 121. The first electrical connector 116 and the second electrical connector 121 can be connected to establish a circuit. The upper cover 120 is provided with a spring (not shown) corresponding to each cell mounting hole 111 for connection to the positive terminal of each cell 112. (See attached diagram.) Figure 6 A metal spring 117 is provided at the bottom of the battery cell mounting hole 111 for connection to the negative terminal of each battery cell 112. The metal spring 117 is electrically connected to a device such as a controller 140 disposed in the housing 110. Each spring is electrically connected to a second electrical connector 121, and a first electrical connector 116 is connected to a device such as the controller 140 disposed in the housing 110. When the first electrical connector 116 is connected to the second electrical connector 121, the positive terminal of the battery cell 112 can be electrically connected to, for example, the controller 140, thereby connecting both the positive and negative terminals of the battery cell 112 to the electrical device, forming a current loop. The first electrical connector 116 and the second electrical connector 121 can be a plug and a socket, respectively, preferably a female pogo pin connector and a male pogo pin connector, respectively.

[0042] See attached document Figure 6The housing 110 may also be equipped with a temperature sensor 118. The temperature sensor 118 can be located at the bottom of the cell mounting hole 111, with its height matching the height of the compressed metal spring 117. When a cell 112 is inserted into the cell mounting hole 111, the cell 112 compresses the metal spring 117 and brings it into contact with the temperature sensor 118, allowing the temperature sensor 118 to detect the cell temperature in real time. The temperature sensor 118 is encased in insulating resin to prevent short circuits caused by direct contact with the cell 112. The temperature sensor 118 can also be located in other positions, such as at the top of the cell mounting hole 111 or in the ventilation duct 113. The temperature sensor 118 is electrically connected to the controller 140, thereby transmitting the temperature of the cell 112 to the controller 140 in real time. The controller 140 can control the operation of the heating element 115 or the fan 131 based on the cell temperature transmitted from the temperature sensor 118 to maintain the temperature of the cell 112 within a suitable temperature threshold range for cell 112 operation, such as 0°C to 40°C. When the temperature sensor 118 detects that the temperature of the cell 112 is below the threshold range, such as below 0°C, the controller 140 activates the heating element 115 to heat the cell, thus maintaining the temperature within the threshold range. When the temperature sensor 118 detects that the temperature of the cell 112 is above the threshold range, such as above 40°C, the controller 140 activates the fan 131 to dissipate heat from the cell, thus maintaining its temperature within the threshold range.

[0043] See attached document Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 The housing 110 may also be equipped with a display screen 141, which can display information about the battery pack or cells, such as voltage, remaining charge, cell temperature, and abnormal conditions. The display screen 141 can be integrated with the controller 140 or installed separately. The housing 110 may also be equipped with an alarm (not shown). When the temperature sensor detects an abnormal temperature in individual or some cells 112, the alarm will sound, the display screen 141 will display the abnormal information, and the controller 140 will disconnect the connection circuit between the abnormal cell and the battery pack to ensure the safety of the battery pack.

[0044] According to the principles of this application, the electrical devices in the battery cell box, such as fans, heating elements, controllers, and displays, can all be powered by the battery cells. As those skilled in the art can easily understand, since the power consumption of these electrical devices is relatively small, they will not have a significant impact on the discharge capability of the battery cells.

[0045] Advantageously, the outer surface of the cell box 100 according to the principles of this application, i.e., the outer shell, including the outer surface of the box body 110 and the outer surface of the top cover 120, is made of a rigid material, such as ASA, PETG, ABS-GF, etc., thereby giving the battery pack sufficient strength to prevent damage. The interior of the cell box 100, including the interior of the box body 110 and the interior of the top cover 120, is made of a soft material, such as TPU, PE, EVA, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc., thereby giving the interior of the cell box 100 good impact resistance and preventing the cell 112 from being damaged under bumps or impacts.

[0046] According to the battery cell box of this application, both the box body 110 and the top cover 120 can be manufactured by integral molding technology, such as, but not limited to, by 3D printing. Advantageously, the fan mounting bracket 130 can be manufactured as a single unit with the box body 110 by the aforementioned integral molding technology, thereby improving the strength of the product, simplifying the production process, and improving production efficiency.

[0047] This application also provides a battery pack, which includes a cell box according to the principles of this application, and cells installed in the cell box, and can use ternary lithium batteries of models such as 18650 and 21700 as cells.

[0048] This application also provides an aircraft comprising a battery cell box or battery pack according to the principles of this application. The aircraft can be a manned aircraft or an unmanned aircraft. The battery cell box and battery pack according to the principles of this application can also be applied to electric vehicles, electronic products, medical devices, emergency equipment, and other fields.

[0049] The cell box based on the principles of this application can be assembled into a battery pack simply by inserting the cells into it, eliminating the need for cumbersome welding processes. This facilitates disassembly and maintenance, simplifying operation and solving the problem of complex processes in existing technologies, thus enabling large-scale production. Furthermore, the cell box and battery pack containing it based on the principles of this application have a temperature regulation function, preventing the battery pack's discharge capacity and normal operation from being affected by high or low temperatures.

[0050] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that the one or more exemplary embodiments described herein are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or construction of this application in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide convenient guidance to those skilled in the art in implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes, modifications, or alterations can be made to the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of this application as set forth by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery cell box, characterized in that, The battery cell box includes a box body and a top cover. The box body is provided with battery cell mounting holes arranged in a row. Ventilation channels are provided on both sides of the arranged battery cell mounting holes. The ventilation channels pass through both ends of the box body. Furthermore, each battery cell mounting hole has an opening on both sides facing the ventilation channel, so that the battery cell mounting hole is connected to the ventilation channels on both sides.

2. The battery cell box as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A fan mounting bracket is provided at one end of the box, and a fan facing the ventilation duct can be installed on the fan mounting bracket.

3. The battery cell box as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Heating elements are installed in the ventilation duct.

4. The battery cell box as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The box is equipped with a temperature sensor.

5. The battery cell box as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The housing is equipped with a controller, which is electrically connected to the fan, heating element, and temperature sensor.

6. The battery cell box as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The temperature sensor is located at the bottom of the cell mounting hole.

7. The battery cell box as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature sensor is encased in insulating resin.

8. The battery cell box as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The heating element is a ceramic heating element or a mica heating element.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes a cell box as described in any one of claims 1-8, and a cell installed in the cell box.

10. An aircraft, characterized in that, The aircraft includes the battery pack as described in claim 9.

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