Energy storage device soft package module tray module and energy storage device

Abstract

The application discloses a soft package module tray module of an energy storage device and the energy storage device. The soft package module tray module comprises a tray supporting a module and a soft package module integrated with the tray, the soft package module is composed of a plurality of soft package cell modules connected in series and stacked, each soft package cell module comprises a frame for bearing a cell and two soft package cells with a single-sided arrangement of a tab, a heat-conducting partition plate is arranged in the frame, and cell bearing limiting grooves are symmetrically formed on both sides of the heat-conducting partition plate, one soft package cell is arranged in each cell bearing limiting groove, the top end of the frame has a tab protruding gap, the large faces of two oppositely arranged soft package cells clamp the heat-conducting partition plate, the double faces of the heat-conducting partition plate form grooves, elastic elements are arranged in the grooves, and the height of the elastic elements is lower than the depth of the grooves. The soft package module is integrated with the tray unit, and the problem that the matching installation forms of the container, the energy storage integrated cabinet cluster frame are not unified is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy storage system technology, and in particular to a soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices and an energy storage device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, compared to steel-cased battery cells, pouch cells are gradually expanding their market share globally due to their advantages such as high energy density, strong flexibility, and high safety. Similarly, pouch cell integrated systems (such as containers and energy storage cabinets) have a very broad market prospect. Pouch module units serve as the bridge and link for achieving system integration of pouch cells.

[0003] Currently, most soft-pack module units are developed based on soft-pack cells with dual-sided tabs, and there are no module pallet unit products specifically designed for or adapted to containers, energy storage integrated cabinets, etc.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of energy storage device, namely a single-sided electrode long air bag soft package module standard tray unit, to meet technical requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings and defects of the prior art and to provide a soft-pack module tray module and energy storage device based on a single-sided tab long air bag soft-pack battery cell.

[0006] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution: In one aspect, the present invention provides a tray module for a soft-pack module of an energy storage device, comprising a tray supporting the module and a soft-pack module integrated with the tray. The soft-pack module is composed of multiple soft-pack battery cell modules stacked in series. Each soft-pack battery cell module includes a frame for carrying the battery cell and two soft-pack battery cells arranged on one side with tabs. A thermally conductive partition is arranged within the frame. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition form symmetrical battery cell carrying and limiting grooves. One soft-pack battery cell is limited and arranged in each battery cell carrying and limiting groove. The top of the frame has a tab protrusion notch. The large surfaces of two oppositely arranged soft-pack battery cells clamp the thermally conductive partition. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition form grooves. An elastic element is arranged in the groove. The height of the elastic element is lower than the depth of the groove.

[0007] Preferably, the elastic element is a spring, and there are multiple springs, whose axial direction is perpendicular to the heat-conducting partition and are evenly arranged in the groove.

[0008] Preferably, the frame has an insertion port at the bottom, and the heat-conducting partition is inserted into the frame through the insertion port and then fused and fixed to the frame, with the bottom end face of the heat-conducting partition being flush with the bottom end face of the frame.

[0009] Preferably, the positive and negative tabs extending from one side of the pouch cell are bent and welded to the main positive and main negative busbars arranged at the top of the frame.

[0010] Preferably, the body segment of the FPC flexible circuit board arranged on the top of the flexible module is bent to form at least one S-shaped bending structure, and the voltage sampling nickel sheet and temperature sampling nickel sheet extending from the side of the FPC flexible circuit board are welded and fixed to the corresponding inter-core busbar arranged on the top surface of the frame.

[0011] Preferably, the top of the frame has opposing bosses at both ends in the length direction, and the module cover plate is connected to the top of the bosses.

[0012] Preferably, multiple frames are positioned and connected in series through slotted holes on adjacent bosses. A buffer layer is provided on the large surface of the battery cell between adjacent frames, and they are connected through the buffer layer. The side and bottom of the soft-pack module are provided with an integral U-shaped side base plate, and the bottom surface of the side base plate contacts the surface of the tray. The front and rear ends of the side base plate are bolted or welded to the front and rear end plates respectively.

[0013] Preferably, the grooves pre-formed on the two opposite sides of the tray are for the installation of busbars of the upper and lower modules between the energy storage devices; preferably, nuts are pre-connected to the bottom of the tray for positive and negative electrode connection between the upper and lower modules between the clusters.

[0014] Preferably, the frame is made of polymer material and the thermally conductive partition is a thermally conductive metal plate.

[0015] Preferably, the rectangular structure of the frame has positioning connection holes at the four corners. Multiple frames are secured by long bolts passing through the positioning connection holes of multiple frames and then locked with nuts. The L-shaped end bracket and multiple soft-pack battery cell modules are bundled and constrained by packing straps to form a soft-pack module.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage device, including a soft-pack module tray module for the energy storage device.

[0017] This invention enriches the design of single-sided soft-pack modular pallet products, providing a one-stop solution for the installation of single-sided soft-pack modular pallet products in containers and energy storage integrated cabinets, realizing the performance advantages of soft-pack modules such as high energy density, strong plasticity, and high safety.

[0018] The technology of this invention enables the stacking of pouch cells through a framework design using polymer materials (plastics), solving the problem of low structural strength and difficulty in stacking of pouch cell aluminum-plastic packaging bags. By using a thermally conductive insulating layer (such as a metal plate) within the frame between cells and a layered design of the outer frame plate of the module, overall heat conduction of the cells is achieved, solving the problem of insufficient heat dissipation pathways in pouch cell modules.

[0019] This invention addresses the packaging of soft-pack battery cells with long air bags (consisting of a large air bag and a small air bag, arranged on both sides of the battery cell body). The battery cell bearing limiting grooves (air bag chambers) on both sides of the frame provide protective space for air bag expansion. Elastic elements (springs) welded to both sides of the internal heat-conducting partition of the battery cell frame suppress the expansion of the battery cells on both sides and absorb expansion displacement, solving the problem of unrestricted boundary protection for long air bag soft-pack battery cells during air bag expansion. The frame (made of polymer material, such as plastic) of this invention features protruding pillars and concave holes on its end face, enabling precise positioning during module stacking via a guiding structure. Simultaneously, the length of the protective protrusion is 3-5mm shorter than the depth of the circular hole to allow for compression space, solving the problem of large straightness deviations during soft-pack battery cell module stacking and preventing damage to the plastic frame during compression.

[0020] This invention integrates modules with pallet units, while saving space in inter-cluster module busbars and minimizing cluster-level electrical connection distances. It also solves the problem of inconsistent installation methods for container and energy storage integrated cabinet cluster racks, minimizing overall internal resistance and greatly reducing interference to BMS signal acquisition. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the soft-pack module tray module of the energy storage device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the soft-pack module (excluding the module cover plate) of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a side view of the soft-pack module of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the heat-conducting partition of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of two frames connected and stacked in series according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the framework of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a soft-pack battery cell module of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the soft-pack battery cell of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of multiple soft-pack battery cell modules of the present invention connected in series and stacked together.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a bottom view of the soft-pack module tray of the energy storage device of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the energy device soft-pack module tray module of the present invention assembled on the energy storage cabinet cluster frame.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the busbar connection between the soft-pack module tray modules of the energy device of the present invention after they are arranged vertically and vertically.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a module assembled from a frame structure of the present invention using packing straps and long bolts. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0035] See Figures 1 to 10 As shown in the exemplary embodiment of this application, the energy storage device soft-pack module tray module includes a tray 1 supporting the module and a soft-pack module integrated with the tray. The soft-pack module is composed of multiple soft-pack battery cell modules stacked in series. Each soft-pack battery cell module includes a frame for carrying the battery cell and two soft-pack battery cells arranged on one side with tabs. A thermally conductive partition 18 is arranged in the frame. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition form symmetrical battery cell carrying limiting grooves 22. One soft-pack battery cell is limited and arranged in each battery cell carrying limiting groove. The top of the frame has a tab protrusion notch. The large surfaces of the two oppositely arranged soft-pack battery cells clamp the thermally conductive partition. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition 18 form grooves 19, preferably rectangular grooves, which are adapted to fit the large surfaces of the battery cells. An elastic element 20 is arranged in the groove. The height of the elastic element is lower than the depth of the groove.

[0036] The soft-pack battery cell body packaged in this application has air bags (one air bag and one small air bag) on ​​both sides. The battery cell bearing limiting grooves 21 (air bag chambers) on both sides of the battery cell frame are designed to provide protective space for the expansion of the air bags. Each battery cell frame can accommodate two battery cells, and the battery cells are separated by heat-conducting partitions. At the same time, the elastic elements welded to both sides of the heat-conducting partitions inside the battery cell frame play a role in suppressing the expansion of the battery cell air bags on both sides and absorbing the expansion displacement of the battery cell body and the air bags.

[0037] In this application, each frame has pre-reserved cell support and limiting grooves on both sides to support two back-to-back cell bodies. The two cell bodies are separated by a middle heat-conducting partition, and the bottom of the cell body is supported by the frame surface. Square holes are pre-reserved on the upper surface of the frame to ensure that the tabs of the single-sided soft-pack cell have sufficient lead-out space. By framing the soft-pack cell, the cell stacking is realized with the frame as a carrier, which facilitates the stacking of soft-pack cells into groups to form the required battery module, and further facilitates the formation of energy storage system or device.

[0038] The pallet described in this application preferably has side walls on its periphery and forms a molded structure inside. The interior is used to load and secure the soft-pack module 24 of this application, and it is connected to its external container and the internal rack 23 of the energy storage cabinet, arranged in a multi-layered, spaced-apart configuration. Figure 9 As shown, the pallet has mounting holes on both the front and rear sides, formed on the protruding plate. These holes can be bolted to the support plate of the cluster rack 23 inside the energy storage cabinet, thus achieving bolted fixation to the cluster rack. Additionally, the pallet has handles 2 on the front and rear sides for pushing the modular pallet in and pulling it out. The handles 2 are connected and fixed to the two sides of the modular pallet, ensuring that the modular pallet can be freely pushed in and pulled out of the cluster rack inside the container or energy storage cabinet.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive separator is thermally fused and embedded in the middle of the battery frame to absorb the expansion displacement of the battery cell body and the air bag. The elastic element mounted on it is a spring, and there are multiple springs whose axial direction is perpendicular to the thermally conductive separator and are evenly arranged in the groove.

[0040] In one embodiment, the frame 14 has an insertion port at its bottom, on both sides of its large surface to mount battery cells, and on its upper surface to mount an FPC flexible circuit board. Its sides are fixed to the module-side insulating plate, and a space is reserved at the top for the battery cell tabs to extend out. The thermally conductive partition is inserted into the frame through the insertion port and then fused to the frame, i.e., its left, upper, and right sides are thermally fused into the plastic frame. The bottom surface of the thermally conductive partition is flush with the bottom surface of the frame. Preferably, the frame is made of a polymer material, such as plastic, and the thermally conductive partition is a thermally conductive metal plate.

[0041] In one embodiment, after the tabs 12 (positive and negative) extending from one side of the pouch cell are bent, they are welded to the inter-cell busbar 11, the main positive busbar 7, and the main negative busbar 9, which are limited and installed on the top of the module by the limiting groove on the upper surface of the frame. Further, the main positive busbar 7 and the main negative busbar 9 are each connected to the module positive output socket 8 and the module negative output socket 10, respectively, to output the power of the pouch module. The module positive output socket is used to fix the output of the main positive busbar; it can be fixed to the end plate by a snap-fit, wherein the output socket surface is bolted to the main positive busbar. The module negative output socket is used to fix the output of the main negative busbar; it can be fixed to the end plate by a snap-fit, and its output socket surface is bolted to the main negative busbar. Specifically, the positive tab extending from one side of the cell is bent and then welded to the upper surface of the main positive busbar; the positive tab extending from one side of the cell is bent and then welded to the upper surface of the main negative busbar.

[0042] In this application, the main positive bus can be placed in the limiting groove on the upper surface of the cell frame for output of the module positive electrode. It is welded to the positive electrode tab of the cell and bolted to the positive output socket of the module. The main negative bus can be placed in the limiting groove on the upper surface of the cell frame for output of the module negative electrode. It is welded to the negative electrode tab of the cell and bolted to the negative output socket of the module. The inter-cell bus is placed in the limiting groove on the upper surface of the cell frame and welded to the cell electrode tab and the FPC voltage and temperature sampling nickel sheet for series and parallel connection and data acquisition between cells.

[0043] In one embodiment, the body segment of the FPC flexible circuit board 13 arranged on the top of the soft package module is bent to form at least one S-shaped bending structure 131 to absorb the deformation dimensional tolerance of the module during extrusion and vibration. The FPC flexible circuit board can be placed in the limiting groove on the upper surface of the cell frame, and its back is glued and fixed to the cell frame. The voltage sampling nickel sheet and temperature sampling nickel sheet extending from its side are welded and fixed to the corresponding inter-core busbar 11 limited by the groove on the top surface of the frame.

[0044] In this application, a slot channel or slot structure is designed on the upper surface of the frame carrying the battery cell to install the busbar, and the width dimension of the busbar can be limited; at the same time, a slot for placing the FPC flexible circuit board is reserved and a limiting block can be designed to protect the FPC flexible circuit board from jumping during extreme vibration of the module.

[0045] In one embodiment, the top of the frame has opposing bosses 17 at both ends along its length. The module cover plate 5 is connected to the top of the bosses, such as by adhesive bonding, forming a space between the module cover plate and the top of the module. Figure 3 As shown, the module cover plate is used for insulation and protection of the upper part of the module, and it is glued and fixed to the frame on both sides of the overall module.

[0046] In one embodiment, multiple frames are positioned and connected in series through a slotted structure that mates with adjacent bosses (e.g., one end of the boss of the frame has a boss 20 and the other end has a matching groove 21). A buffer layer 16 is provided on the large surface of the battery cell between adjacent frames and is attached to the large surface of the battery cell to buffer the expansion force of the battery cell. The buffer layer 16 is connected through the buffer layer 16 (such as foam or similar material). The side and bottom of the soft package module are provided with an integral U-shaped side bottom plate 6 (using a heat-conducting plate or metal plate), and the bottom surface of the side bottom plate contacts the surface of the tray. The front and rear ends of the side bottom plate are bolted or welded to the front and rear end plates 4 respectively. In one embodiment, the inner side of the front and rear end plates of the module and the module end face insulation plate between the modules are used for insulation protection between the battery cells on both sides and the end plates. One side is attached and fixed to the large surface foam (buffer layer) of the battery cell, and the other side is attached and fixed to the corresponding end plate. In the soft-pack module of the present invention, the heat of the large surface of the battery cell can be conducted to the bottom of the module through the heat-conducting partition inside the frame between the battery cells; the heat of the side of the battery cell is conducted to the side bottom plate 6 of the module through the side bottom plate, and the side bottom plate is in close contact with the bottom surface of the module, and finally all the heat is conducted from the bottom surface of the side bottom plate to the module tray.

[0047] In this application, each battery frame is designed with a cylindrical boss on one side and a circular hole on the other side. During module stacking, assembly is achieved through the bosses and circular holes of adjacent cell frames, providing guidance and positioning to ensure the straightness of the stacked module dimensions. Furthermore, by reserving bosses and grooves in each frame and using guidance between them for positioning, the alignment of the stacked cells is ensured. Simultaneously, the end plates on both sides of the module and the bottom side frame plate of the module achieve overall module fixation. Further, the length of the boss is 3-5mm shorter than the depth of the circular hole to allow for extrusion space, preventing damage to the plastic frame during the extrusion process.

[0048] Furthermore, a module end face buffer layer 15 is provided on the end face of the soft-pack module and placed in the end face groove on the upper part of the cell frame to buffer the extrusion pressure on the module end face. One side of the module end plate is in close contact with the module end face buffer layer (foam), and the other side is in close contact with the bottom frame plate of the module to constrain the module.

[0049] In one embodiment, the pre-formed grooves 3 on the two opposite sides of the tray are used for connecting and installing the busbars 25 of the upper and lower modules between the energy storage devices. See [link / reference needed]. Figure 12 As shown, preferably, the bottom of the tray is pre-connected with nuts for positive and negative connection between the upper and lower modules of the cluster, so that the module tray can be used in a compatible manner, while saving the bus space of the inter-cluster modules, minimizing the electrical connection distance at the cluster level, thereby minimizing the overall internal resistance and greatly reducing interference to BMS signal acquisition.

[0050] In an optional embodiment, see [link to embodiment]. Figure 13As shown, the rectangular structure of the frame has positioning connection holes at its four corners. Multiple frames are secured by long bolts 16 passing through these holes and then locked in place with double nuts 30. A soft-pack module is formed by binding and constraining the L-shaped end bracket 28 and multiple soft-pack battery modules with packing straps 27. This embodiment provides a soft-pack module with a different packaging structure than the aforementioned examples. It eliminates the U-shaped side base plate 6 and the front and rear end plates of the integrated structure of the previous embodiment. Instead, it uses packing straps 27 to bind and constrain the L-shaped end bracket 28 and multiple soft-pack battery modules to form the soft-pack module. Furthermore, in the soft-pack module using packing straps, protective blocks can be used for insulation between the busbars; and the terminal output base is eliminated, with T-shaped busbars fixed to the end block surface using nuts.

[0051] A further embodiment of this invention provides an energy storage device, including a soft-pack module tray module for the energy storage device.

[0052] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims be included within the invention.

[0053] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A flexible tray module for an energy storage device, characterized in that, The system includes a tray with a support module and a soft-pack module integrated with the tray. The soft-pack module is composed of multiple soft-pack battery cell modules stacked in series. Each soft-pack battery cell module includes a frame for carrying the battery cell and two soft-pack battery cells with tabs arranged on one side. A thermally conductive partition is arranged inside the frame. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition form symmetrical battery cell carrying and limiting grooves. One soft-pack battery cell is limited and arranged in each battery cell carrying and limiting groove. The top of the frame has a tab protrusion notch. The large surfaces of the two oppositely arranged soft-pack battery cells clamp the thermally conductive partition. The two sides of the thermally conductive partition form grooves. Elastic elements are arranged in the grooves. The height of the elastic elements is less than the depth of the grooves.

2. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring, and there are multiple springs, whose axial direction is perpendicular to the heat-conducting partition and are evenly arranged in the groove.

3. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame has an insertion port at the bottom. The heat-conducting partition is inserted into the frame through the insertion port and then fused to the frame for fixation. The bottom end face of the heat-conducting partition is flush with the bottom end face of the frame.

4. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positive and negative tabs extending from one side of the pouch cell are bent and welded to the main positive and main negative busbars arranged at the top of the frame.

5. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body segment of the FPC flexible circuit board arranged on the top of the soft package module is bent to form at least one S-shaped bending structure. The voltage sampling nickel sheet and temperature sampling nickel sheet extending from the side of the FPC flexible circuit board are welded and fixed to the corresponding inter-core busbar arranged on the top surface of the frame.

6. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the frame has opposing bosses at both ends in the length direction, and the module cover plate is connected to the top of the bosses.

7. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 6, characterized in that, Multiple frames are positioned and connected in series through slotted holes on adjacent bosses. A buffer layer is provided on the large surface of the battery cell between adjacent frames, and they are connected through the buffer layer. The side and bottom of the soft-pack module are provided with an integral U-shaped side base plate, and the bottom surface of the side base plate contacts the surface of the tray. The front and rear ends of the side base plate are bolted or welded to the front and rear end plates respectively.

8. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grooves pre-formed on the two opposite sides of the tray are used for the installation of busbars of the upper and lower modules between the energy storage devices; preferably, nuts are pre-connected to the bottom of the tray for positive and negative connection between the upper and lower modules between the clusters. Preferably, the frame is made of polymer material and the thermally conductive partition is a thermally conductive metal plate.

9. The soft-pack module tray module for energy storage devices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rectangular structure of the frame has positioning connection holes at its four corners. Multiple frames are secured by long bolts passing through the positioning connection holes of multiple frames and then locked with nuts. The L-shaped end bracket and multiple soft-pack battery cell modules are bundled and constrained by packing straps to form a soft-pack module.

10. An energy storage device, characterized in that, Includes the soft-pack module tray module of the energy storage device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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