Battery cell module end plate and battery pack

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries and discloses a battery cell module end plate and a battery pack, wherein a first accommodating cavity on a plastic main body comprises a plurality of longitudinal accommodating cavities and a plurality of transverse accommodating cavities in communication with the longitudinal accommodating cavities, the plurality of longitudinal accommodating cavities are located at two ends in the X direction and extend along the Y direction, and the plurality of transverse accommodating cavities are arranged between the plurality of longitudinal accommodating cavities and extend along the X direction; along the Y direction, a second accommodating cavity is located at the upper end of the plastic main body and at least partially located inside the plastic main body; a metal structural member is installed in the first accommodating cavity and partially covered in the plastic main body; and an electric connecting member is installed in the second accommodating cavity and partially covered in the plastic main body. Through cooperation of the plastic main body, the metal structural member and the electric connecting member, the overall weight of the battery cell module end plate is reduced, and the structural strength of the battery cell module end plate is ensured through the metal structural member, so that the lightweight design of the battery cell module end plate is realized while the structural strength is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a cell module end plate and a battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of new energy batteries, the reliability and lightweight design of battery cell modules have attracted much attention. In the pursuit of lightweight battery cell modules and improved electric vehicle range, the end plate of the battery cell module plays a crucial role in limiting module size and fixing external structural components, thus playing a key role throughout the battery's lifespan. Currently, battery cell module end plates typically use metal as the basic structure, then fill or install other plastic parts to achieve insulation, resulting in increased weight and hindering lightweight design of the battery cell module. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a cell module end plate and a battery pack to solve the problem of the large weight of the end plate in the cell module.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a battery cell module end plate, comprising:

[0005] A plastic body has a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity includes a plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities and a plurality of transverse receiving cavities communicating with the longitudinal receiving cavities. The plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities are recessed from one surface of the plastic body along the Z direction to the other surface and are located at both ends in the X direction. The plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities extend along the Y direction. The plurality of transverse receiving cavities are disposed between the plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities and extend along the X direction. Along the Y direction, the second receiving cavity is located at the upper end of the plastic body and is at least partially located inside the plastic body.

[0006] A metal structural component is configured to fit the shape of the first receiving cavity, the metal structural component is installed in the first receiving cavity and is at least partially enclosed within the plastic body;

[0007] An electrical connector is configured to fit the shape of the second receiving cavity, the electrical connector being installed within the second receiving cavity and at least partially enclosed within the plastic body.

[0008] Beneficial effects: Installing the metal structural components and electrical connectors into the first and second receiving cavities of the plastic body eliminates the need for additional fasteners, effectively simplifying the structure of the battery cell module end plate. Simultaneously, the plastic body serves as the basic carrier for the end plate; its density is significantly lower than that of aluminum alloy, enabling a lightweight design and insulation protection for the end plate without the need for additional insulation components. Through the coordination between the plastic body, metal structural components, and electrical connectors, the overall weight of the battery cell module end plate can be effectively reduced, while the metal structural components ensure the structural strength of the end plate, achieving a lightweight design while maintaining structural strength.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, along the Y direction, the wall thickness T1 of the sidewall of the transverse receiving cavity satisfies 0.7mm≤T1≤5mm; along the Y direction, the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls of the transverse receiving cavity satisfies 0.5mm≤L1≤5mm.

[0010] Beneficial effects: By rationally setting the sidewall thickness of the transverse receiving cavity, it can be ensured that the plastic body is completely filled during injection molding, avoiding material shortages and guaranteeing basic structural rigidity; at the same time, it can effectively reduce the overall weight of the plastic body. By rationally setting the distance between two adjacent sidewalls of the transverse receiving cavity, it can be ensured that the metal structural component can be smoothly embedded into the first receiving cavity of the plastic body, while allowing the plastic to be effectively filled and form a continuous coating layer. Furthermore, it allows the metal structural component to be in close contact with the plastic body, ensuring the structural strength of the plastic body.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, along the Y direction, the thickness T2 from the upper end of the second receiving cavity to the upper surface of the plastic body satisfies 0.7mm≤T2≤5mm; the cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity satisfies 0.5mm≤L2≤5mm.

[0012] Beneficial effects: By rationally setting the thickness from the upper end of the second receiving cavity to the upper surface of the plastic body, the weight reduction effect can be maximized while ensuring the structural strength and insulation of the upper surface of the plastic body, and reasonable space can be reserved for the arrangement of electrical connectors. By rationally setting the cavity height of the second receiving cavity, the electrical connectors can be smoothly assembled, and the plastic can effectively cover the electrical connectors, achieving a synergy between structural fixation and insulation protection. Moreover, it can avoid weakening the local structural strength of the plastic body due to the cavity being too high, reduce material costs and weight, and prevent the plastic body and electrical connectors from excessively occupying the internal space of the end plate.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the metal structural member has a main body and support portions located at both ends of the main body along the X direction. The main body is disposed within the transverse receiving cavity and is enclosed within the plastic body, and the support portions are disposed within the longitudinal receiving cavity.

[0014] The main body is provided with a number of spaced-apart chambers, and the first sidewall of each chamber along the Y direction is provided with a number of through holes.

[0015] Beneficial Effects: By fitting the metal structural components with the transverse and longitudinal cavities of the plastic body, the metal structural components are ensured to be embedded in the plastic body. This utilizes the strength of the metal to provide overall structural strength for the end plate, while leveraging the lightweight and insulating properties of the plastic to achieve a lightweight design. Furthermore, several spaced-apart chambers are provided on the main body. The perforated design reduces the amount of metal used in the metal structural components, thus lowering the overall weight of the end plate. The grid-like layout of the chambers, similar to a truss structure, evenly distributes the load, enhancing the bending and deformation resistance of the metal structural components, ensuring structural strength of the end plate while achieving lightweight design. By creating several through-holes on the first sidewall along the Y direction of the chambers, during injection molding, the plastic can fill the interior or surface of the metal structural components through these holes, ensuring a tight bond between the plastic and metal. This significantly enhances the bonding force and prevents delamination of the metal and plastic due to vibration or load during use, ensuring the long-term reliability of the end plate.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, the length L3 of the metal structural member satisfies 50mm≤L3≤1000mm; the width L4 of the metal structural member satisfies 50mm≤L4≤300mm; and the width L5 of the main body satisfies 5mm≤L5≤300mm.

[0017] Along the Y direction, the thickness T3 of the first side wall of the chamber satisfies 0.5mm≤T3≤5mm; along the X direction, the thickness T4 of the second side wall of the chamber satisfies 0.5mm≤T4≤5mm.

[0018] Beneficial effects: By rationally setting the length and width of the metal structural components, it can adapt to battery cell modules of different sizes, avoiding insufficient support range due to excessively short dimensions, which would prevent the stable distribution of the battery cell module load. It also avoids excessive length leading to increased weight of the metal structural components themselves. Furthermore, by rationally setting the width of the main body, it ensures sufficient load-bearing area within the lateral cavity, preventing localized stress concentration and potential breakage due to an excessively narrow main body. Simultaneously, it ensures that the width of the main body matches the width of the metal structural components to accommodate the maximum width of the lateral cavity.

[0019] In one alternative embodiment, the electrical connector includes a connecting body and electrical connection portions located at both ends of the connecting body along the X direction; the connecting body is enclosed within the plastic body, and the electrical connection portions are bent upward from the ends of the connecting body, so that the electrical connection portions extend to the outside of the plastic body and abut against the surface of the plastic body.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The tight plastic encapsulation ensures a secure fixation, preventing displacement of electrical connectors due to vibration or impact during battery module use. The plastic's insulation properties also isolate the connector body from other metal components on the end plate, preventing short circuits. Placing the electrical connector against the surface of the plastic body provides stable support, preventing deformation due to suspension, and also positions the connector on the end plate surface for easy docking with the battery cell.

[0021] In one optional embodiment, along the X direction, the length L6 of the electrical connector satisfies 5mm≤L6≤1000mm; along the Z direction, the width L7 of the connecting body satisfies 5mm≤L7≤100mm; and the thickness T5 of the connecting body satisfies 0.2mm≤T5≤5mm.

[0022] Beneficial effects: By rationally setting the length of the electrical connector, sufficient space is ensured for the electrical connection parts at both ends, while also guaranteeing a basic current conduction path length for the connecting body. This also avoids increased resistance and weight due to excessive connector length, which could negatively impact the lightweight design of the battery module endplate. By rationally setting the width of the connecting body, sufficient current conduction cross-sectional area is ensured, while providing a stable contact area for the plastic body covering. This also allows for control over the amount of material used in the electrical connector. By rationally setting the thickness of the connecting body, the basic structural strength of the electrical connector is guaranteed, preventing damage during covering or bending due to an excessively thin connecting body. Furthermore, this avoids increased weight due to excessive connector thickness, which could affect the overall weight of the battery module endplate.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the system further includes a plurality of first fixing parts, arranged along the X direction at the upper end of the plastic body; each first fixing part has a first fixing segment, a second fixing segment, and a third fixing segment arranged sequentially along the Y direction; along the Y direction, the height H1 of the first fixing segment satisfies 2mm≤H1≤5mm; the height H2 of the second fixing segment satisfies 0.5mm≤H2≤5mm; and the height H3 of the third fixing segment satisfies 5mm≤H3≤15mm.

[0024] The diameter D1 of the first fixed segment satisfies 5mm≤D1≤18mm; the diameter D2 of the second fixed segment satisfies 3mm≤D2≤15mm and 2mm≤D1-D2≤15mm.

[0025] Beneficial effects: By setting multiple first fixing parts and making them into a stepped structure, the first fixing parts can fit concave and convex with the external fasteners, improving the overall stability of the external fasteners after installation and enabling them to withstand certain tensile and torque forces. By rationally setting the heights of the first, second, and third fixing sections, sufficient contact and support area is ensured between the first fixing parts and the external fasteners, avoiding excessive occupation of installation space in the Y direction and preventing interference between the first fixing parts and external components. Furthermore, it ensures stable support of the external fasteners by the first fixing parts, preventing the external fasteners from being suspended and deformed.

[0026] By reasonably setting the diameters of the first and second fixing sections, the first fixing part can meet the fixing requirements of external fasteners with different diameters; at the same time, the diameter of the first fixing section is slightly larger than the diameter of the second fixing section to form a stepped structure and ensure the rationality of the stepped structure.

[0027] By reasonably setting the difference between the diameter of the first fixed section and the diameter of the second fixed section, the drop of the stepped structure of the first fixed part is made obvious enough to achieve axial limiting of the external fastener, prevent the external fastener from sliding, avoid stress concentration due to excessive drop, and reduce the processing difficulty of the mounting hole of the external fastener.

[0028] In one optional embodiment, it further includes a plurality of second fixing parts and a plurality of limiting structures; the limiting structures are located at the lower end of the plastic body along the Y direction and are used to restrict the movement of the plastic body; the plurality of second fixing parts are distributed on the plastic body and are used to connect with external components through connectors.

[0029] Beneficial effects: The limiting structure is located at the lower end of the plastic body along the Y direction, used to restrict the movement of the plastic body and prevent it from sliding along the X or Z directions, thereby preventing abnormal stress on the battery cell or electrical connectors due to end plate displacement. Multiple second fixing parts are scattered throughout the plastic body, forming a multi-point connection array, which allows the force to be evenly transmitted to the plastic body, avoiding stress concentration caused by single-point fixing.

[0030] Secondly, the present invention also provides a battery pack, comprising:

[0031] Battery pack housing;

[0032] At least one set of battery cell modules, wherein the battery cell modules are disposed within the battery pack housing;

[0033] The battery cell module has a battery cell module end plate and a battery cell module side plate, and the battery cell module end plate is the aforementioned battery cell module end plate.

[0034] Beneficial effects: Since the battery pack includes the cell module end plate, it has the same effect as the cell module end plate, so it will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell module end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plastic body in the end plate of a battery cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A top view of the main plastic body;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Cross-sectional view along the middle AA;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of part of D;

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of part of C;

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A magnified view of part B in the diagram;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a metal structural component in a battery cell module end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Front view of the metal structural component;

[0045] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of part of E in the diagram;

[0046] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical connector in a battery cell module end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Top view of the electrical connector;

[0048] Figure 13 for Figure 11 Front view of the electrical connector.

[0049] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0050] 100. Plastic body; 110. First fixing part; 111. First fixing section; 112. Second fixing section; 113. Third fixing section; 120. First receiving cavity; 121. Lateral receiving cavity; 1211. Side wall; 122. Longitudinal receiving cavity; 130. Second receiving cavity; 140. Second fixing part; 150. Limiting structure; 200. Metal structural component; 210. Main body; 211. Chamber; 2111. Through hole; 2112. First side wall; 2113. Second side wall; 220. Support part; 300. Electrical connector; 310. Connecting body; 320. Electrical connector. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 13 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] According to embodiments of the present invention, in one aspect, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a battery cell module end plate is provided, including: a plastic body 100, on which a first receiving cavity 120 and a second receiving cavity 130 are provided; the first receiving cavity 120 includes a plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities 122 and a plurality of transverse receiving cavities 121 communicating with the longitudinal receiving cavities 122, the plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities 122 being recessed from one surface of the plastic body 100 along the Z direction to the other surface and located at both ends in the X direction, the plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities 122 extending along the Y direction, and the plurality of transverse receiving cavities 121 being disposed in the plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities 122. The first cavity 120 extends along the X direction; along the Y direction, the second receiving cavity 130 is located at the upper end of the plastic body 100 and is at least partially located inside the plastic body 100; the metal structural member 200 is configured to fit the shape of the first receiving cavity 120, the metal structural member 200 is installed in the first receiving cavity 120 and is at least partially covered by the plastic body 100; the electrical connector 300 is configured to fit the shape of the second receiving cavity 130, the electrical connector 300 is installed in the second receiving cavity 130 and is at least partially covered by the plastic body 100.

[0054] In this embodiment, the plastic body 100 serves as the base carrier for the end plate. The density of the plastic body 100 is significantly lower than that of aluminum alloy, enabling a lightweight design and insulating protection for the end plate without the need for additional insulating components. A first receiving cavity 120 and a second receiving cavity 130 are provided on the plastic body 100. The first receiving cavity 120 consists of multiple longitudinal receiving cavities 122 and multiple transverse receiving cavities 121. The multiple longitudinal receiving cavities 122 are located at both ends of the plastic body in the X direction, and are formed by the plastic body 100 being recessed from one surface in the Z direction to the other. The multiple transverse receiving cavities 121 are disposed between the longitudinal receiving cavities 122 and extend in the X direction, allowing the longitudinal and transverse receiving cavities 122 to communicate with each other for the installation of the metal structural component 200.

[0055] The shape of the metal structural component 200 is adapted to the shape of the first receiving cavity 120, allowing the metal structural component 200 to be tightly wrapped by the plastic body 100. After the metal structural component 200 is installed on the plastic body 100, part of the metal structural component 200 is covered by the plastic body 100, which allows the metal structural component 200 to better support the plastic body 100, compensating for the insufficient rigidity of the plastic body 100. This effectively improves the overall bending and deformation resistance of the end plate, ensuring the structural stability of the battery cell module end plate. Moreover, installing the metal structural component 200 in the crisscrossing longitudinal receiving cavities 122 and transverse receiving cavities 121 allows the metal structural component 200 to evenly distribute the load, maximizing the overall strength of the end plate.

[0056] The second receiving cavity 130 is located at the upper end of the plastic body 100 along the Y direction, and is at least partially located inside the plastic body 100. The shape of the electrical connector 300 is adapted to the shape of the second receiving cavity 130. When the electrical connector 300 is installed into the second receiving cavity 130, the electrical connector 300 is partially installed inside the plastic body 100 and is tightly covered by the plastic body 100. By setting the second receiving cavity 130 at the upper end of the end plate, it is convenient to connect with components such as battery cell tabs and acquisition boards after the electrical connector 300 is installed into the second receiving cavity 130, reducing the wiring length. Embedding the electrical connector 300 partially into the plastic body 100 can ensure the firm fixation of the electrical connector 300, and the plastic body 100 provides insulation and isolation, avoiding the risk of short circuit of the electrical connector 300.

[0057] This invention installs the metal structural component 200 and the electrical connector 300 into the first receiving cavity 120 and the second receiving cavity 130 of the plastic body 100 without the need for additional fasteners, effectively simplifying the structure of the battery cell module end plate. Furthermore, the cooperation between the plastic body 100, the metal structural component 200, and the electrical connector 300 effectively reduces the overall weight of the battery cell module end plate, while the metal structural component 200 ensures the structural strength of the end plate, achieving a lightweight design while maintaining structural strength.

[0058] Furthermore, the plastic body 100 can be made of high-strength plastic material, wherein the high-strength plastic material includes materials with a density of 1.05 g / cm³. 3 -2.6g / cm 3 These are high-molecular modified materials, such as modified polyphenylene ether and glass fiber series, polybutylene terephthalate and glass fiber series, nylon 66 and glass fiber series, nylon 6 and glass fiber series, polyphthalamide / high-temperature nylon and glass fiber series, polyphenylene sulfide and glass fiber series, and polyetheretherketone series, etc.

[0059] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, along the Y direction, the wall thickness T1 of the sidewall 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 satisfies 0.7mm≤T1≤5mm; along the Y direction, the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 satisfies 0.5mm≤L1≤5mm.

[0060] In this embodiment, the plastic body 100 is provided with multiple cavities. Along the Z direction, the cavities extend from one side surface of the plastic body 100 to the other side surface. The support walls of the cavities distributed in the first receiving cavity 120 form the sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121. Along the Y direction, the wall thickness T1 of the sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 0.7mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm.

[0061] If the wall thickness T1 of the sidewall 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 is too thin, such as less than 0.7 mm, the plastic body 100 is prone to deformation or cracking, thus failing to effectively cover the metal structural component 200. If the wall thickness T1 of the sidewall 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 is too thick, such as greater than 5 mm, it will increase the overall amount of plastic body 100 used, resulting in an increase in the overall weight of plastic body 100, which is not conducive to the lightweight design of the battery cell module end plate.

[0062] By reasonably setting the wall thickness of the side wall 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121, it can be ensured that the plastic body 100 can be completely filled during the injection molding process, avoiding material shortage and ensuring basic structural rigidity; at the same time, the overall weight of the plastic body 100 can be effectively reduced.

[0063] Along the Y direction, the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 can be any value among 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm, or a value between any two values. If the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 is too narrow, such as less than 0.5mm, the processing or installation error of the metal structural component 200 is prone to causing assembly interference, and the plastic body 100 is difficult to fully fill in the narrow gap, affecting the cooperative force-bearing between the plastic body 100 and the metal structural component 200. If the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121 is too wide, such as greater than 5mm, the grid-like reinforcing structure of the transverse receiving cavity 121 will become sparse, the load transfer efficiency of the metal structural component 200 will decrease, and the overall bending and deformation resistance of the battery cell module end plate will be significantly weakened.

[0064] By reasonably setting the distance between the two adjacent sidewalls 1211 of the transverse receiving cavity 121, it can be ensured that the metal structural component 200 can be smoothly embedded into the first receiving cavity 120 of the plastic body 100, while allowing the plastic to effectively fill and form a continuous coating layer. Furthermore, it allows the metal structural component 200 to be in close contact with the plastic body 100, thus ensuring the structural strength of the plastic body 100.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, along the Y direction, the thickness T2 from the upper end of the second receiving cavity 130 to the upper surface of the plastic body 100 satisfies 0.7mm≤T2≤5mm; the cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity 130 satisfies 0.5mm≤L2≤5mm.

[0066] In this embodiment, the second receiving cavity 130 is partially located within the plastic body 100. The thickness of the plastic layer from the upper end of the second receiving cavity 130 to the upper surface of the plastic body 100 forms a protective and support layer above the electrical connector 300. Along the Y direction, the thickness T2 from the upper end of the second receiving cavity 130 to the upper surface of the plastic body 100 can be any value among 0.7mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm, or a value between any two of these values. A thickness T2 greater than or equal to 0.7mm ensures that the upper surface of the plastic body 100 can be completely formed during injection molding, while providing sufficient structural strength to prevent the upper surface of the plastic body 100 from being crushed or deformed during battery module assembly or use, thus ensuring the insulation protection of the electrical connector 300. If the thickness T2 from the upper end of the second receiving cavity 130 to the upper surface of the plastic body 100 is too thick, such as greater than 5mm, it will increase the overall amount of plastic body 100 used, resulting in an increase in the overall weight of plastic body 100, which is not conducive to the lightweight design of the battery cell module end plate. By reasonably setting the thickness from the upper end of the second receiving cavity 130 to the upper surface of the plastic body 100, the lightweight effect can be maximized while ensuring the structural strength and insulation of the upper surface of the plastic body 100, and reasonable arrangement space can be reserved for the electrical connector 300.

[0067] The height of the second receiving cavity 130 along the Y direction is the installation space height of the electrical connector 300. The cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity 130 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm. If the cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity 130 is too narrow, such as less than 0.5mm, the electrical connector 300 cannot be stably embedded in the second receiving cavity 130, and the plastic cannot be fully filled in the narrow cavity, resulting in the electrical connector 300 not being securely covered. If the cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity 130 is too wide, such as greater than 5mm, it will weaken the local structural strength of the plastic body 100, easily causing stress concentration and cracking at the cavity edge, while also increasing the unnecessary volume of the electrical connector 300, increasing the manufacturing cost and weight of the battery module end plate.

[0068] By appropriately setting the height of the second receiving cavity 130, the electrical connector 300 can be smoothly assembled, and the plastic can effectively cover the electrical connector 300, achieving a synergy between structural fixation and insulation protection. Furthermore, it avoids weakening the local structural strength of the plastic body 100 due to excessive height of the second receiving cavity 130, reducing material costs and weight, and preventing the plastic body 100 and the electrical connector 300 from excessively occupying internal space of the end plate.

[0069] like Figures 8 to 10As shown, in one embodiment, the metal structural member 200 has a main body portion 210 and support portions 220 located at both ends of the main body portion 210 along the X direction. The main body portion 210 is disposed in the transverse accommodation cavity 121 and is encapsulated within the plastic main body 100, and the support portions 220 are disposed in the longitudinal accommodation cavity 122. A plurality of chambers 211 arranged at intervals are provided on the main body portion 210, and a plurality of through holes 2111 are provided on the first side wall 2112 of the chamber 211 along the Y direction.

[0070] In this embodiment, the material of the metal structural member 200 can be aluminum alloy, such as AL6 series aluminum alloy, etc.; the metal structural member 200 can be formed by aluminum extrusion, machining or die casting. The metal structural member 200 is divided into a main body portion 210 and support portions 220 located at both ends of the main body portion 210 along the X direction; the main body portion 210 is installed in the transverse accommodation cavity 121 of the plastic main body 100 and is encapsulated within the plastic main body 100, and the support portions 220 are installed in the longitudinal accommodation cavity 122. By matching the metal structural member 200 with the transverse accommodation cavity 121 and the longitudinal accommodation cavity 122 of the plastic main body 100, it is ensured that the metal structural member 200 can be embedded in the plastic main body 100, which not only utilizes the strength of the metal to provide the overall structural strength for the end plate, but also realizes the lightweight design of the end plate by virtue of the lightweight and insulation of the plastic.

[0071] A plurality of chambers 211 arranged at intervals are provided on the main body portion 210. By hollowing out, the metal usage of the metal structural member 200 is reduced, further reducing the overall weight of the end plate; moreover, the grid-like layout of the chambers 211 is similar to a truss structure, which can evenly disperse the load and enhance the bending resistance and deformation resistance of the metal structural member 200, ensuring the structural strength of the end plate while achieving lightweight. By opening a plurality of through holes 2111 on the first side wall 2112 of the chamber 211 along the Y direction, during injection molding, the plastic can fill into the interior or surface of the chamber 211 of the metal structural member 200 through the through holes 2111, making the plastic and the metal closely combined, greatly enhancing the bonding force between the two, avoiding delamination of the metal and the plastic caused by vibration and load during use, and ensuring the reliability of the long-term use of the end plate; at the same time, the through holes 2111 also provide a channel for the flow of the plastic, ensuring that the plastic can fully encapsulate the metal structural member 200 during the injection molding process and avoiding defects such as material shortage and voids.

[0072] Furthermore, the outer shape of the metal structural member 200 can be at least one or a combination of two or more of the shapes of I-shaped, square-shaped, grid-shaped, king-shaped, sun-shaped or eye-shaped, and can be specifically set according to actual usage requirements.

[0073] In one embodiment, the length L3 of the metal structural member 200 satisfies 50mm≤L3≤1000mm; the width L4 of the metal structural member 200 satisfies 50mm≤L4≤300mm; the width L5 of the main body 210 satisfies 5mm≤L5≤300mm; along the Y direction, the wall thickness T3 of the first sidewall 2112 of the chamber 211 satisfies 0.5mm≤T3≤5mm; along the X direction, the wall thickness T4 of the second sidewall 2113 of the chamber 211 satisfies 0.5mm≤T4≤5mm.

[0074] In this embodiment, the length L3 of the metal structural component 200 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm, 500mm, 550mm, 600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 950mm, and 1000mm. The width L4 of the metal structural component 200 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm. By reasonably setting the length and width of the metal structural component 200, it can be adapted to battery cell modules of different sizes, avoiding insufficient support range due to excessively short dimensions, which would prevent the stable distribution of the battery cell module load. At the same time, it avoids excessive length, which would increase the weight of the metal structural component 200 itself. The width L4 of the metal structural component 200 can be greater than or equal to the length L3 of the metal structural component 200, and can be set according to actual usage requirements.

[0075] Furthermore, the width L5 of the main body 210 can be any value among 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm, or a value between any two of these values. By setting the width L5 of the main body 210 to be greater than or equal to 5mm, sufficient bearing area is ensured within the transverse receiving cavity 121, preventing localized stress concentration and potential breakage due to excessively narrow width of the main body 210. Simultaneously, by setting the width L5 of the main body 210 to be less than or equal to 300mm, the width of the main body 210 is adapted to the width of the metal structural member 200, thus accommodating the maximum width of the transverse receiving cavity 121.

[0076] Furthermore, along the Y direction, the wall thickness T3 of the first sidewall 2112 of the chamber 211 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm. Along the X direction, the wall thickness T4 of the second sidewall 2113 of the chamber 211 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm. By reasonably setting the wall thickness of the first sidewall 2112 and the second sidewall 2113, the sidewall 1211 of the chamber 211 is prevented from being too thin, thus avoiding easy deformation or cracking of the sidewall 1211, while ensuring the structural integrity of the chamber 211 and the bending resistance of the main body 210. Furthermore, it ensures balanced stress distribution in the X and Y directions of the chamber 211, preventing structural weaknesses caused by excessively thin sidewalls 1211. It also allows for control over the amount of metal used in the metal structural component 200, avoiding an increase in the overall weight of the metal structural component 200 due to excessive wall thickness, which is beneficial for the lightweight design of the battery cell module end plate.

[0077] like Figures 11-13 As shown, in one embodiment, the electrical connector 300 includes a connecting body 310 and electrical connection portions 320 located at both ends of the connecting body 310 along the X direction; the connecting body 310 is covered within the plastic body 100, and the electrical connection portions 320 are bent upward from the ends of the connecting body 310, so that the electrical connection portions 320 extend to the outside of the plastic body 100 and abut against the surface of the plastic body 100.

[0078] In this embodiment, the electrical connector 300 is a metal connecting piece used to realize the series or parallel connection of voltages within the battery cell module. The electrical connector 300 is typically disposed between the positive and negative terminals, or between the positive and negative terminals, or between the positive and negative terminals of the lithium-ion battery. The electrical connector 300 can be made of aluminum alloy, such as Al1 series, etc.; the electrical connector 300 can be formed by bending, stamping, etc.

[0079] The electrical connector 300 includes a connecting body 310 and electrical connection portions 320 located at both ends of the connecting body 310 along the X direction. The connecting body 310 performs the function of current conduction and is completely enclosed inside the plastic body 100. The tight encapsulation of the plastic achieves a firm fixation, preventing the electrical connector 300 from shifting due to vibration or impact during the use of the battery module. Furthermore, the insulating properties of the plastic can be used to isolate the connecting body 310 from other metal components of the end plate, preventing short circuits in the electrical connector 300.

[0080] The electrical connection portion 320 is used for electrical connection with external components. The electrical connection portion 320 bends upward from the end of the connecting body 310 to form an extension structure at a certain angle to the connecting body 310, and finally extends to the outside of the plastic body 100. The extended electrical connection portion 320 abuts against the surface of the plastic body 100, which not only ensures that the electrical connection portion 320 has stable support and avoids the electrical connection portion 320 being suspended and deformed by force, but also positions the electrical connection portion 320 on the end plate surface, which is convenient for docking with the battery cell.

[0081] Furthermore, the shape of the electrical connector 300 can be at least one or a combination of two or more of the following: L-shaped, U-shaped, and straight. The specific shape can be set according to the actual usage requirements.

[0082] In one embodiment, along the X direction, the length L6 of the electrical connector 300 satisfies 5mm≤L6≤1000mm; along the Z direction, the width L7 of the connecting body 310 satisfies 5mm≤L7≤100mm; and the thickness T5 of the connecting body 310 satisfies 0.2mm≤T5≤5mm.

[0083] In this embodiment, along the X direction, the length L6 of the electrical connector 300 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 5mm, 10mm, 20mm, 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 450mm, 500mm, 550mm, 600mm, 650mm, 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 850mm, 900mm, 950mm, and 1000mm. By setting the length L6 of the electrical connector 300 to be greater than or equal to 5mm, sufficient arrangement space is ensured for the electrical connection portions 320 at both ends of the electrical connector 300, preventing the connection portions at both ends from becoming crowded due to the electrical connector 300 being too short, thus avoiding normal bending and extension, while ensuring that the connecting body 310 has a basic current conduction path length. By setting the length L6 of the electrical connector 300 to be less than or equal to 1000mm, the increased resistance and weight of the electrical connector 300 due to excessive length can be avoided, thus affecting the lightweight design of the battery cell module end board.

[0084] Along the Z-direction, the width L7 of the connecting body 310 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, 50mm, 55mm, 60mm, 65mm, 70mm, 750mm, 80mm, 85mm, 90mm, 95mm, and 100mm. By setting the width L7 of the connecting body 310 to be greater than or equal to 5mm, sufficient current conduction cross-sectional area is ensured for the connecting body 310, preventing excessive current density and severe overheating due to an excessively narrow connecting body 310. Simultaneously, it provides a stable contact area for the plastic body 100 to cover the body, preventing the electrical connector 300 from becoming loose after covering due to insufficient width. By setting the width L7 of the connecting body 310 to be less than or equal to 100mm, the electrical connector 300 is adapted to the spatial dimensions of the second receiving cavity 130 along the Z direction, avoiding excessive occupation of the local structure of the plastic body 100 due to excessive width, and controlling the amount of material used in the electrical connector 300.

[0085] Along the Z-direction, the thickness T5 of the connecting body 310 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 0.2mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 40mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm. By setting the thickness T5 of the connecting body 310 to be greater than or equal to 0.2mm, the basic structural strength of the electrical connector 300 can be guaranteed, preventing damage when covering or bending the connecting body 310 due to excessive thinness. By setting the thickness T5 of the connecting body 310 to be less than or equal to 5mm, the weight of the electrical connector 300 is prevented from increasing due to excessive thickness, thus affecting the overall weight of the battery cell module end plate.

[0086] like Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, a plurality of first fixing parts 110 are further included. Along the X direction, the plurality of first fixing parts 110 are arranged at the upper end of the plastic body 100. The first fixing part 110 has a first fixing segment 111, a second fixing segment 112 and a third fixing segment 113 arranged sequentially along the Y direction. Along the Y direction, the height H1 of the first fixing segment 111 satisfies 2mm≤H1≤5mm; the height H2 of the second fixing segment 112 satisfies 0.5mm≤H2≤5mm; the height H3 of the third fixing segment 113 satisfies 5mm≤H3≤15mm; the diameter D1 of the first fixing segment 111 satisfies 5mm≤D1≤18mm; the diameter D2 of the second fixing segment 112 satisfies 3mm≤D2≤15mm and satisfies 2mm≤D1-D2≤15mm.

[0087] In this embodiment, a plurality of first fixing parts 110 are also provided on the plastic body 100. The plurality of first fixing parts 110 are evenly arranged along the X direction on the upper end of the plastic body 100 to improve the overall stability of the external fastener after installation and avoid uneven force distribution from single-point fixing. Each first fixing part 110 is divided into a first fixing segment 111, a second fixing segment 112 and a third fixing segment 113 along the Y direction, so that the first fixing part 110 is stepped, thereby allowing it to fit concave and convexly with the external fastener, enabling the external fastener to withstand a certain amount of tension and torque.

[0088] Furthermore, the height H1 of the first fixed segment 111 can be any value among 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm, or a value between any two values. The height H2 of the second fixed segment 112 can be any value among 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, and 5mm, or a value between any two values. The height H3 of the third fixed segment 113 can be any value among 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, and 15mm, or a value between any two values.

[0089] By reasonably setting the heights of the first fixing section 111, the second fixing section 112, and the third fixing section 113, sufficient contact and support area is ensured between the first fixing part 110 and the external fixing component, avoiding excessive occupation of the installation space in the Y direction and preventing interference between the first fixing part 110 and the external component. Furthermore, it ensures stable support of the first fixing part 110 for the external fixing component, preventing the external fixing component from being suspended and deformed.

[0090] Furthermore, the diameter D1 of the first fixing segment 111 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, and 18mm. The diameter D2 of the second fixing segment 112 can be any value or a value between any two of the following: 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, and 15mm. By reasonably setting the diameters of the first fixing segment 111 and the second fixing segment 112, the first fixing part 110 can meet the fixing requirements of external fasteners of different diameters; at the same time, the diameter of the first fixing segment 111 is slightly larger than the diameter of the second fixing segment 112 to form a stepped structure and ensure the rationality of the stepped structure.

[0091] Furthermore, the difference D1-D2 between the diameter D1 of the first fixing segment 111 and the diameter D2 of the second fixing segment 112 can be any value among 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, and 15mm, or a value between any two of these. By reasonably setting the difference between the diameter D1 of the first fixing segment 111 and the diameter D2 of the second fixing segment 112, the drop of the stepped structure of the first fixing part 110 is ensured to be sufficiently significant, thereby achieving axial limiting of the external fixing component, preventing the external fixing component from sliding, avoiding stress concentration due to excessive drop, and reducing the machining difficulty of the mounting holes for the external fixing component.

[0092] In one embodiment, it further includes a plurality of second fixing parts 140 and a plurality of limiting structures 150; the limiting structure 150 is located at the lower end of the plastic body 100 along the Y direction and is used to restrict the movement of the plastic body 100; the plurality of second fixing parts 140 are distributed on the plastic body 100 and are used to connect with external components through connectors.

[0093] In this embodiment, the limiting structure 150 is located at the lower end of the plastic body 100 along the Y direction, and is used to restrict the movement of the plastic body 100 to prevent the plastic body 100 from sliding along the X or Z direction. The limiting structure 150 can be fixed to the battery cell module by means of concave-convex fit, snap fit, bolt connection, and heat fusion connection, thereby preventing abnormal stress on the battery cell or electrical connector 300 due to end plate displacement.

[0094] Multiple second fixing parts 140 are distributed on the plastic body 100, forming a multi-point connection array. The second fixing parts 140 can adapt to the needs of external components and are connected to them through snap-fit, bolt connection, expansion rivet, and thermoforming. Distributing multiple second fixing parts 140 on the plastic body 100 ensures that the force is evenly distributed across the plastic body 100, avoiding stress concentration caused by single-point fixing.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in another aspect, a battery pack is also provided, comprising: a battery pack housing; at least one set of battery cell modules disposed within the battery pack housing; the battery cell modules having a battery cell module end plate and a battery cell module side plate, wherein the battery cell module end plate is the aforementioned battery cell module end plate. Since the battery pack includes a battery cell module end plate, it has the same effect as a battery cell module end plate, and will not be described further here.

[0096] The battery pack mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may include one or more cell modules as a single physical module to provide higher voltage and capacity. When there are multiple cell modules, the multiple cell modules are connected in series, parallel, or mixed through a busbar to form a battery pack.

[0097] A cell module is composed of multiple connected cells. When the cell module is installed in the battery pack housing, it effectively increases the space utilization rate within the battery pack housing, which can improve the overall energy density of the battery pack and enhance its performance.

[0098] In some embodiments, the battery pack housing may be part of the vehicle's chassis structure. For example, a portion of the battery pack housing may be at least a part of the vehicle's floor, or a portion of the battery pack housing may be at least a part of the vehicle's crossbeams and longitudinal beams.

[0099] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present invention are applicable to various electrical devices that use battery packs.

[0100] Electrical equipment can be vehicles, ships, spacecraft, etc. Vehicles can be gasoline-powered vehicles, natural gas-powered vehicles, or new energy vehicles; new energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc.; spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc. This invention does not impose any special limitations on the aforementioned electrical equipment.

[0101] For ease of explanation, the following embodiments will use a vehicle as an example of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] The vehicle can be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. New energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc. A battery pack is installed inside the vehicle, and the battery pack can be located at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle. The battery pack can be used to power the vehicle; for example, it can serve as the vehicle's operating power source. The vehicle may also include a controller and a motor. The controller is used to control the battery pack to power the motor, for example, to meet the power needs of starting, navigation, and driving the vehicle. In other embodiments of the invention, the battery pack can not only serve as the vehicle's operating power source but also as the vehicle's drive power source, replacing or partially replacing gasoline or natural gas to provide driving force for the vehicle.

[0103] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell module end plate, characterized in that, include: A plastic body has a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity. The first receiving cavity includes a plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities and a plurality of transverse receiving cavities communicating with the longitudinal receiving cavities. The plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities are recessed from one surface of the plastic body along the Z direction to the other surface and are located at both ends in the X direction. The plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities extend along the Y direction. The plurality of transverse receiving cavities are disposed between the plurality of longitudinal receiving cavities and extend along the X direction. Along the Y direction, the second receiving cavity is located at the upper end of the plastic body and is at least partially located inside the plastic body. A metal structural component is configured to fit the shape of the first receiving cavity, the metal structural component is installed in the first receiving cavity and is at least partially enclosed within the plastic body; The metal structural component has a main body and support portions located at both ends of the main body along the X direction. The main body is disposed in the transverse receiving cavity and is covered by the plastic body. The support portions are disposed in the longitudinal receiving cavity. The main body is provided with a number of spaced-apart chambers, and the first sidewall of each chamber along the Y direction is provided with a number of through holes; The length L3 of the metal structural component satisfies 50mm≤L3≤1000mm; the width L4 of the metal structural component satisfies 50mm≤L4≤300mm; and the width L5 of the main body satisfies 5mm≤L5≤300mm. Along the Y direction, the thickness T3 of the first side wall of the chamber satisfies 0.5mm≤T3≤5mm; along the X direction, the thickness T4 of the second side wall of the chamber satisfies 0.5mm≤T4≤5mm. An electrical connector is configured to fit the shape of the second receiving cavity, the electrical connector being installed within the second receiving cavity and at least partially enclosed within the plastic body.

2. The cell module end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the Y direction, the wall thickness T1 of the sidewall of the transverse receiving cavity satisfies 0.7mm≤T1≤5mm; along the Y direction, the distance L1 between two adjacent sidewalls of the transverse receiving cavity satisfies 0.5mm≤L1≤5mm.

3. The cell module end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the Y direction, the thickness T2 from the upper end of the second receiving cavity to the upper surface of the plastic body satisfies 0.7mm≤T2≤5mm; the cavity height L2 of the second receiving cavity satisfies 0.5mm≤L2≤5mm.

4. The cell module end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrical connector includes a connecting body and electrical connection portions located at both ends of the connecting body along the X direction; the connecting body is enclosed within the plastic body, and the electrical connection portions are bent upward from the ends of the connecting body, so that the electrical connection portions extend to the outside of the plastic body and abut against the surface of the plastic body.

5. The cell module end plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, Along the X direction, the length L6 of the electrical connector satisfies 5mm≤L6≤1000mm; along the Z direction, the width L7 of the connecting body satisfies 5mm≤L7≤100mm; and the thickness T5 of the connecting body satisfies 0.2mm≤T5≤5mm.

6. The cell module end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a plurality of first fixing parts, which are arranged along the X direction at the upper end of the plastic body; each first fixing part has a first fixing segment, a second fixing segment, and a third fixing segment arranged sequentially along the Y direction; along the Y direction, the height H1 of the first fixing segment satisfies 2mm≤H1≤5mm; the height H2 of the second fixing segment satisfies 0.5mm≤H2≤5mm; and the height H3 of the third fixing segment satisfies 5mm≤H3≤15mm. The diameter D1 of the first fixed segment satisfies 5mm≤D1≤18mm; the diameter D2 of the second fixed segment satisfies 3mm≤D2≤15mm and 2mm≤D1-D2≤15mm.

7. The cell module end plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple second fixing parts and multiple limiting structures; the limiting structures are located at the lower end of the plastic body along the Y direction and are used to restrict the movement of the plastic body; the multiple second fixing parts are distributed on the plastic body and are used to connect with external components through connectors.

8. A battery pack, characterized in that, include: Battery pack housing; At least one set of battery cell modules, wherein the battery cell modules are disposed within the battery pack housing; The battery cell module has a battery cell module end plate and a battery cell module side plate, wherein the battery cell module end plate is the battery cell module end plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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