Battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection

Abstract

The invention discloses a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection, which comprises a bottom bracket, a plurality of battery cell monomers are uniformly mounted in the bottom bracket, and a top bracket for fixing the positions of the battery cell monomers is mounted at the top of the bottom bracket. According to the invention, the thickened and patterned heat conduction pad is creatively utilized, and two seemingly contradictory functions of heat conduction and pressure relief are perfectly integrated into a single component. The pressure relief valve serves as a heat conduction medium and also serves as a guarantee of a pressure relief space and a guide of a pressure relief path, and the contradiction of space competition is fundamentally solved. By means of the radial first pressure relief communication grooves in the heat conduction pad, huge energy and substances erupted at a single point can be instantly divided into multiple paths, and local pressure and temperature are reduced. A pressure relief path is designed to be in the mode that one path is directly discharged outwards and the other path is turned out upwards, and high-temperature harmful substances are actively guided to a preset safety area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power battery technology, specifically to a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection. Background Technology

[0002] Current power battery systems still have certain shortcomings.

[0003] 1. The conflict between thermal management and bottom pressure relief space: The use of bidirectional explosion-proof valves in large cylindrical battery cells has become a trend to improve safety. Sufficient pressure relief space needs to be reserved below the bottom explosion-proof valve. However, efficient bottom liquid cooling solutions require close contact with the bottom of the battery cell through a thermally conductive interface material (such as a thermal pad) to reduce thermal resistance. This leads to a fundamental design contradiction: "If pressure relief space is required, cooling effect cannot be guaranteed; if cooling effect is guaranteed, pressure relief space must be sacrificed."

[0004] 2. The pressure relief path is crude and the risk of thermal spread is high: The pressure relief channel in the existing module design is often relatively simple. When a cell experiences thermal runaway, the high temperature and high speed fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve at the bottom of the cell will spread disorderly in the limited space at the bottom of the module. This can easily directly impact and heat the adjacent cells, thus triggering a catastrophic chain reaction.

[0005] 3. Low system integration and complex structure: Traditional solutions usually design separate components and spaces for pressure relief and thermal management, which leads to an increase in the number of module parts, complex structure, cumbersome assembly process, increased cost, and low space utilization.

[0006] To address this, a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection, including a bottom bracket, wherein multiple battery cells are uniformly installed inside the bottom bracket, and a top bracket for fixing the position of the battery cells is installed on the top of the bottom bracket.

[0009] The bottom support has multiple vertically upward pressure relief pipes integrally formed in the middle, and multiple side pressure relief grooves are provided on the side of the bottom support. Multiple heat-conducting pads with pressure relief channels are provided below the bottom support, and the pressure relief channels on the heat-conducting pads are connected to the side pressure relief grooves and pressure relief pipes.

[0010] Multiple pressure relief ports are evenly distributed above the top support, and the positions of the pressure relief ports correspond to the positions of the explosion-proof valves on the individual battery cells.

[0011] Preferably, the lower surface of the bottom bracket is provided with a plurality of accommodating through holes for accommodating the thermal pad, the accommodating through holes are corresponding to the positions of the individual battery cells, the accommodating through holes are connected to the side pressure relief grooves, and a second pressure relief connecting groove connected to the pressure relief pipe is provided on one side of the accommodating through holes.

[0012] Preferably, the thermal pad includes multiple thermally conductive sheets, and a pressure relief through hole is provided at the center of the multiple thermally conductive sheets. The pressure relief through hole corresponds to the position of the lower explosion-proof valve of the battery cell. Multiple first pressure relief connecting grooves are provided between the multiple thermally conductive sheets. The first pressure relief connecting grooves are connected to the pressure relief through hole. The multiple first pressure relief connecting grooves are respectively connected to the side pressure relief groove and the pressure relief pipe through the receiving through hole.

[0013] Preferably, multiple module fixing internal threaded posts and hoisting fixing internal threaded posts are respectively installed on both sides of the upper surface of the bottom bracket, and module fixing holes and hoisting holes are opened on both sides of the upper surface of the top bracket, corresponding to the positions of the module fixing internal threaded posts and hoisting fixing internal threaded posts.

[0014] Preferably, the upper surface of the top bracket is uniformly equipped with multiple series-connected aluminum palladium electrodes for connecting individual battery cells, and positive and negative aluminum palladium electrodes are respectively installed on both sides of the top bracket.

[0015] Preferably, the upper surface of the top support is uniformly provided with pressure relief openings for communicating with the top opening of the pressure relief pipe.

[0016] Preferably, the battery cell adopts a structure with upper and lower bidirectional explosion-proof valves.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention creatively utilizes a thickened and patterned thermally conductive pad to perfectly integrate the seemingly contradictory functions of heat conduction and pressure relief into a single component. It serves both as a medium for heat conduction and as a guarantee of pressure relief space and a guide for the pressure relief path, fundamentally resolving the contradiction of space competition.

[0018] The radial pressure relief channels on the thermal pad instantly divide the massive energy and material ejected from a single point into multiple pathways, reducing local pressure and temperature. By designing the pressure relief paths as "one path straight outwards" and "one path turning upwards," high-temperature hazardous materials are actively guided to a pre-defined safe area (outside or above the module), rather than being allowed to rage in the confined space at the bottom of the cell, greatly reducing the probability of heat spread. A vertically upward pressure relief channel is specifically designed for the central area of ​​parallel cells, achieving precise protection for the most dangerous area.

[0019] The high degree of functional integration and simplification allows the complex pressure relief channel function to be achieved primarily through the structural design of thermal pads and upper and lower supports, eliminating a large number of additional parts. This makes the module structure more compact and lightweight, the assembly process simpler, the reliability higher, and the cost lower. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a bottom-view structural diagram of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the top support of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the bottom support of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interconnected pressure relief channels of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal pad of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Bottom bracket; 2. Battery cell; 3. Top bracket; 4. Upper pressure relief port; 5. Series aluminum-palladium; 6. Positive electrode aluminum-palladium; 7. Negative electrode aluminum-palladium; 8. Thermal pad; 81. Thermal conductive sheet; 82. First pressure relief connecting groove; 83. Pressure relief through hole; 9. Lifting hole; 10. Module fixing hole; 11. Module fixing internal threaded post; 12. Pressure relief pipe; 13. Lifting fixing internal threaded post; 14. Accommodation through hole; 15. Side pressure relief groove; 16. Second pressure relief connecting groove; 17. Pressure relief opening. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Please see Figure 1-7 The present invention provides a technical solution: a battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection, including a bottom bracket 1, the bottom bracket 1 having multiple evenly distributed mounting cavities inside, and multiple battery cells 2 correspondingly mounted in the mounting cavities, the top of the bottom bracket 1 being fixedly mounted with a top bracket 3 by bolts, the top bracket 3 being attached to the top of the battery cell 2 to achieve limiting and fixing of the battery cell 2.

[0030] The bottom support 1 has multiple vertically upward pressure relief pipes 12 integrally formed in the middle, which penetrate the lower surface of the bottom support 1. Multiple strip-shaped side pressure relief grooves 15 are formed on both side walls of the bottom support 1. Multiple heat-conducting pads 8 with pressure relief channels are provided below the bottom of the bottom support 1. The heat-conducting pads 8 are tightly fitted to the bottom of the battery cell 2, and their pressure relief channels are connected to the side pressure relief grooves 15 and the pressure relief pipes 12, forming a bottom pressure relief network. Multiple upper pressure relief ports 4 are evenly formed above the top support 3. The position of each upper pressure relief port 4 corresponds one-to-one with the upper explosion-proof valve of the corresponding battery cell 2, ensuring rapid discharge of high-temperature fluid when the upper explosion-proof valve is opened.

[0031] like Figure 6 As shown: Multiple circular accommodating through holes 14 are evenly distributed on the lower surface of the bottom bracket 1. The number of accommodating through holes 14 is the same as that of the individual battery cells 2, and their positions correspond one-to-one. The side wall of the accommodating through hole 14 is connected to the side pressure relief groove 15. A second pressure relief connecting groove 16 is provided on the side of the accommodating through hole 14 near the pressure relief pipe 12. One end of the second pressure relief connecting groove 16 is connected to the accommodating through hole 14, and the other end is connected to the lower opening of the pressure relief pipe 12, so as to realize the conduction between the accommodating through hole 14 and the pressure relief pipe 12 and expand the bottom pressure relief path.

[0032] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown: The thermal pad 8 includes multiple independent thermally conductive sheets 81, which are made of high thermal conductivity silicone material. A pressure relief through hole 83 is opened at the center of the multiple thermally conductive sheets 81. The pressure relief through hole 83 matches the outlet of the lower explosion-proof valve of the battery cell 2 and is positioned accordingly. The gap between the multiple thermally conductive sheets 81 is the first pressure relief connecting groove 82. The first pressure relief connecting groove 82 extends outward from the pressure relief through hole 83 as the center and is connected to the pressure relief through hole 83. When the thermally conductive sheet 81 is installed in the receiving through hole 14, the outer ends of the multiple first pressure relief connecting grooves 82 are aligned with the second pressure relief connecting groove 16 and the side pressure relief groove 15, respectively, thereby realizing the diversion and pressure relief of the fluid ejected from the lower explosion-proof valve.

[0033] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown: Multiple module fixing internal threaded posts 11 and hoisting fixing internal threaded posts 13 are respectively installed on both sides of the upper surface of the bottom bracket 1. Module fixing holes 10 and hoisting holes 9 are opened on both sides of the upper surface of the top bracket 3, corresponding one-to-one with the positions of the module fixing internal threaded posts 11 and hoisting fixing internal threaded posts 13. The module fixing holes 10 and hoisting holes 9 are through holes that pass through the top bracket 3, which facilitates the passage of bolts to achieve fixed installation or hoisting and transportation.

[0034] Meanwhile, this design uses the same hole for two purposes. After the module is fixed through the module fixing hole 10, the remaining lifting hole 9 has a diameter that meets the requirements for M8 bolt fixing. The module lifting structure is set to M8 bolts, and hooks are set on the bolts for lifting the battery module group into the box. After the module is lowered into the box, the lifting bolts are removed, and the battery module group is fixed to the box using enlarged flange M6 bolts along the lifting hole 9, completing the battery module group installation and fixing.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown: Multiple thin-plate series aluminum palladium 5 are evenly installed on the upper surface of the top bracket 3. The battery cell 2 is connected in series by welding. The positive electrode aluminum palladium 6 and the negative electrode aluminum palladium 7 are installed on the left and right sides of the top bracket 3, respectively, as the positive and negative output terminals of the module, which facilitates connection with external circuits.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown: The upper surface of the top support 3 is evenly provided with multiple circular pressure relief openings 17. The number of pressure relief openings 17 is the same as that of the pressure relief pipe 12, and each pressure relief opening 17 corresponds to the top opening of a pressure relief pipe 12, ensuring that the high temperature fluid in the pressure relief pipe 12 is discharged upward without obstruction.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown: The battery cell 2 adopts a cylindrical structure, with an upper explosion-proof valve and a lower explosion-proof valve installed at its top and bottom respectively, forming a bidirectional explosion-proof valve structure. Together with the bidirectional pressure relief channel of the module, it can realize bidirectional rapid pressure relief of the battery cell 2 and avoid the spread of thermal runaway.

[0038] Working principle: Under normal operating conditions, the bottom of the battery cell 2 is in close contact with the thermal pad 8. The thermal pad 8 efficiently conducts the heat generated by the battery cell 2 during operation to the external cooling structure. At the same time, the first pressure relief connecting groove 82 and pressure relief through hole 83 reserved in the thermal pad 8 do not affect the heat conduction efficiency, thus achieving compatibility between heat conduction and pressure relief space.

[0039] When any single cell 2 experiences thermal runaway, the upper explosion-proof valve on its top opens, and the high-temperature and high-pressure fluid is quickly discharged from the module through the corresponding upper pressure relief port 4 on the top bracket 3, completing the upward pressure relief and preventing the accumulation of pressure at the top.

[0040] Simultaneously, the lower explosion-proof valve at the bottom of the battery cell 2 opens, and the ejected high-temperature, high-pressure fluid instantly enters the pressure relief through-hole 83 in the center of the heat-conducting single piece 81, and is diverted through the radially distributed first pressure relief connecting groove 82. One stream of fluid is directly discharged to the outside of the module through the first pressure relief connecting groove 82 and the side pressure relief groove 15, achieving rapid lateral pressure relief. The other stream of fluid enters the pressure relief pipe 12 of the bottom bracket 1 through the first pressure relief connecting groove 82 and the second pressure relief connecting groove 16, is transmitted vertically upward along the pressure relief pipe 12, and finally is discharged above the module through the corresponding pressure relief opening 17 on the top bracket 3, completing bidirectional downward pressure relief.

[0041] The high-temperature fluid after diversion is guided to a preset safe area to avoid disorderly diffusion in the narrow space at the bottom of the cell, reducing the impact and heating on adjacent cell 2, effectively blocking the chain reaction of heat spread. At the same time, the integrated pressure relief channel design does not require additional components, ensuring that the module structure is compact and highly reliable.

[0042] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection, comprising a bottom support (1), characterized in that: Multiple battery cells (2) are evenly installed inside the bottom bracket (1), and a top bracket (3) is installed on the top of the bottom bracket (1) to fix the position of the battery cells (2). The bottom support (1) has multiple vertically upward pressure relief pipes (12) integrally formed in the middle. Multiple side pressure relief grooves (15) are provided on the side of the bottom support (1). Multiple heat-conducting pads (8) with pressure relief channels are provided below the bottom support (1). The pressure relief channels on the heat-conducting pads (8) are connected to the side pressure relief grooves (15) and the pressure relief pipes (12). Multiple pressure relief ports (4) are evenly provided above the top bracket (3), and the pressure relief ports (4) correspond to the positions of the upper explosion-proof valves of the battery cell (2).

2. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the bottom support (1) is uniformly provided with a plurality of accommodating through holes (14) for accommodating the heat-conducting pad (8). The accommodating through holes (14) correspond to the positions of the battery cell (2). The accommodating through holes (14) are connected to the side pressure relief groove (15). A second pressure relief connecting groove (16) connected to the pressure relief pipe (12) is provided on one side of the accommodating through hole (14).

3. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thermal pad (8) includes multiple thermally conductive single pieces (81), and a pressure relief through hole (83) is provided at the center of the multiple thermally conductive single pieces (81). The pressure relief through hole (83) corresponds to the position of the lower explosion-proof valve of the battery cell (2). Multiple first pressure relief connecting grooves (82) are provided between the multiple thermally conductive single pieces (81). The first pressure relief connecting grooves (82) are connected to the pressure relief through hole (83). The multiple first pressure relief connecting grooves (82) are respectively connected to the side pressure relief groove (15) and the pressure relief pipe (12) through the receiving through hole (14).

4. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom bracket (1) has multiple module fixing internal threaded columns (11) and hoisting fixing internal threaded columns (13) installed on both sides of its upper surface. The top bracket (3) has module fixing holes (10) and hoisting holes (9) on both sides of its upper surface, corresponding to the positions of the module fixing internal threaded columns (11) and hoisting fixing internal threaded columns (13).

5. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top support (3) is uniformly equipped with multiple series aluminum palladium (5) for connecting the battery cell (2) to each other, and positive aluminum palladium (6) and negative aluminum palladium (7) are respectively installed on both sides of the top support (3).

6. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the top support (3) is uniformly provided with pressure relief openings (17) for communicating with the top opening of the pressure relief pipe (12).

7. A battery module with bidirectional thermal runaway protection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery cell (2) adopts a structure with upper and lower bidirectional explosion-proof valves.

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