Battery module, battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle, the battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in an array, each battery cell has a first direction and a second direction which are intersected, and the length value of the battery cell along the first direction is smaller than the length value of the battery cell along the second direction; the flexible heat insulation pads are provided with through holes penetrating through the flexible heat insulation pads; wherein in the first direction of the battery cells, the flexible heat insulation pad is arranged between the two adjacent battery cells. According to the battery module, the battery pack and the vehicle in the scheme, expansion force between the battery cells is basically eliminated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of automotive batteries, and specifically relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The cell spacer thermal pad needs to reserve a concave structure to meet the expansion requirement. The large surface of the cell cannot be adhesively bonded, and the side size of the cell is small, so the adhesive contact area is limited and the structural strength is weak. All the surrounding frames are metal structures. To meet the insulation requirements, an additional insulation layer structure needs to be added between the metal frame and the cell, increasing the cost and complexity of the process, and reducing the connection strength between the cell and the frame. The expansion force of the cell is concentrated on the large surface of the cell. Considering the module size limitation, the reserved expansion space for the cell is limited, and the expansion force of the cell accumulates along the large surface of the cell. After exceeding the reserved expansion space, only a high-strength frame structure can be used to absorb the large expansion force. The voltage and temperature sampling channels pass through the tiny gap between the cell explosion-proof valve and the cell terminal pole and converge to the end of the module for output. When the expansion between cells exceeds the limit, the sampling channels are at risk of being pulled. When a thermal runaway occurs in a cell, the sampling channels closer to the explosion-proof valve are vulnerable to the impact of high-temperature ejected substances and cause failure. When a thermal runaway occurs in a certain cell in the middle, the ejected substances generally need to be discharged from the end of the module through the side cells. The smoke exhaust path is long, and thermal diffusion phenomena and high-voltage short-circuit or arcing phenomena caused by the accumulation of discharged substances are likely to occur. Since it is a metal frame, the cells close to the metal frame are prone to heat exchange through the frame, resulting in multiple heat transfer paths in the module and poor heat preservation effect. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle, which basically eliminate the expansion force between cells and solve one or more of the above problems.

[0004] The first aspect of this application discloses a battery module, including: a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells are arranged in an array, each of the cells has a first direction and a second direction that intersect, and the length value of the cell along the first direction is less than the length value of the cell along the second direction; a plurality of flexible thermal insulation pads, the flexible thermal insulation pads are provided with through holes penetrating through the flexible thermal insulation pads; wherein, along the first direction of the cells: the flexible thermal insulation pads are arranged between two adjacent cells.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment of this application, the cell is a rectangular cell, the shape and size of the outer contour of the flexible thermal insulation pad match those of the cell, and the flexible thermal insulation pad is correspondingly arranged around the edge of the cell.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of this application, the width range value of the flexible thermal insulation pad is 8-12 mm.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the battery module further includes a plurality of rigid heat insulation pads, which are arranged between two adjacent battery cells along the second direction of the battery cells.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the battery module further includes a battery frame, and a plurality of the battery cells are arranged in the battery frame; wherein, the battery frame is made of plastic.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the battery frame includes a first plastic side plate and a second plastic side plate oppositely arranged along the first direction, and a first plastic end plate and a second plastic end plate oppositely arranged along the second direction; both the first plastic side plate and the second plastic side plate are connected between the first plastic end plate and the second plastic end plate; wherein, the first plastic side plate, the second plastic side plate, the first plastic end plate and the second plastic end plate are all connected to the battery cells through structural adhesive.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the connection surfaces of the first plastic side plate and the second plastic side plate connected to the battery cells are both provided with rough structures.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the inner surface of the battery frame is provided with a rough structure.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the battery module further includes a fireproof upper cover, a plurality of busbars and battery cell explosion-proof valves, wherein, the fireproof upper cover covers the battery frame; the busbars are arranged at intervals with each other on the fireproof upper cover, along the second direction: the busbars connect two adjacent battery cells in series, and a gas production space is provided between two adjacent busbars; the battery cell explosion-proof valves are arranged corresponding to the gas production space.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the battery module further includes a sampling circuit assembly, the sampling circuit assembly includes a sampling circuit housing provided with a wire harness groove and a metal sampling plate connected to the sampling circuit housing, the sampling circuit housing is provided with elastic mounting posts, the sampling circuit housing is connected to the first plastic end plate and the second plastic end plate through the elastic mounting posts, and the metal sampling plate is connected to the busbars; wherein, along the first direction: the sampling circuit assembly is located between two adjacent busbars, and is located on one side of two opposite sides of the gas production space, and an exhaust passage is provided on the other side of two opposite sides of the gas production space.

[0014] The second aspect of the present application discloses a battery pack, which is characterized in that it includes an outer frame part and the above-mentioned plurality of battery modules, and the plurality of battery modules are installed in the outer frame part.

[0015] A third aspect of the present application discloses a vehicle, which is characterized by comprising a vehicle frame and the above-mentioned battery pack, and the battery pack is installed on the vehicle frame.

[0016] The solution of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] In the embodiments of the present application, each battery cell has an intersecting first direction and a second direction, and the length value of the battery cell along the first direction (such as the width direction) is less than the length value of the battery cell along the second direction (such as the length direction). Therefore, the expansion force of the battery cell in the second direction (such as the length direction) is less than the expansion force of the battery cell in the first direction (such as the width direction), and the actual expansion force of the battery cell in the second direction (such as the length direction) is generally extremely small. Therefore, only by arranging the flexible heat insulation pad between two adjacent battery cells along the first direction of the battery cells, a certain expansion force inside the battery module can be eliminated. Further, by providing through holes in the flexible heat insulation pad, the expansion force of the battery cells can be better absorbed through the flexible heat insulation pad, and thus the expansion force between the battery cells can be basically eliminated.

[0018] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present application. Description of the Drawings

[0019] The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and form a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. Among them, the drawings herein are used to represent the inventive concept of the present application and are not completely equivalent to the structure of the actual product protected by the present application.

[0020] Figure 1 Shows a schematic exploded view of the battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 Shows a schematic layout diagram of partial battery cells of the battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 Shows a schematic partial structure diagram of the battery module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 Shows a schematic structure diagram of the battery cell disposed in the battery frame in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 Shows a schematic structure diagram of the sampling circuit assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 Shows an embodiment of the present utility model Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the battery module in

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0027] 10, battery cell; a, width direction; b, length direction; 11, flexible heat insulation pad; 12, rigid heat insulation pad; 13, battery frame; 131, first plastic side plate; 132, second plastic side plate; 133, first plastic end plate; 134, second plastic end plate; 13a, tie strap; 14, fireproof upper cover; 15, staple; 16, bus bar; 17, battery cell explosion-proof valve; 18, sampling circuit assembly; 181, sampling circuit housing; 182, elastic mounting post; 183, metal sampling plate; 184, sampling circuit; 101, through hole; 102, gas generation space; 102a, exhaust passage; 103, wire harness slot; 19, circuit output connector. Specific embodiments

[0028] Now, example embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the example embodiments can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be more complete and comprehensive, and will fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0029] In addition, the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will realize that the technical solutions of this application can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or other methods, components, devices, steps, etc. can be adopted. In other cases, well-known methods, devices, implementations, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of this application.

[0030] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted here that the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. The embodiments described below by referring to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0031] Combined with Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment provides a battery module, and multiple battery modules form a battery pack, which is then used to provide a power source for a vehicle.

[0032] Combined with Figure 1As shown, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells 10, and the plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged in an array. In this embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged in an array along the row direction and the column direction.

[0033] Further, each battery cell 10 has an intersecting first direction and a second direction, and the length value of the battery cell 10 along the first direction is less than the length value of the battery cell 10 along the second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the width direction a of the battery cell 10, and the second direction is the length direction b of the battery cell 10.

[0034] Further, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery module further includes a plurality of flexible heat insulation pads 11, and the flexible heat insulation pads 11 are provided with through holes 101 penetrating through the flexible heat insulation pads 11; wherein, along the width direction a of the battery cell 10: the flexible heat insulation pads 11 are arranged between adjacent battery cells 10 and are connected to the battery cells 10 through structural adhesive.

[0035] It should be understood that generally, the dimensional accuracy of the length direction b of the battery cell 10 is relatively high and the expansion force is extremely small. Therefore, by only arranging the flexible heat insulation pads 11 between adjacent battery cells 10 along the width direction a of the battery cell 10, a certain amount of expansion force inside the battery module can be eliminated. Further, by providing the through holes 101 in the flexible heat insulation pads 11, the expansion force of the battery cells 10 can be better absorbed through the flexible heat insulation pads 11, thereby substantially eliminating the expansion force between the battery cells 10.

[0036] Further, the battery cell 10 is a rectangular battery cell 10, and the shape and size of the outer contour of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 match those of the battery cell 10, and the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is correspondingly arranged around the edge of the battery cell 10.

[0037] For example, when the battery cell 10 is a rectangular battery cell 10, the outer contour of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is also rectangular, and the size of the outer contour of the battery cell 10 is the same as the size of the outer contour of the flexible heat insulation pad 11.

[0038] It should be understood that the flexible heat insulation pad 11 being correspondingly arranged around the edge of the battery cell 10 means that: the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is almost flush with the edge of the battery cell 10 on the side surface of the battery cell 10 and is arranged around the side edge of the battery cell 10 for a full circle. Among them, when the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is correspondingly arranged around the edge of the battery cell 10, the through holes 101 are arranged corresponding to the middle area of the side surface of the battery cell 10, thereby providing a relief space for the middle area where the battery cell 10 is most likely to expand.

[0039] For example, when the battery cell 10 is a rectangular battery cell 10, the shape of the through hole 101 is also a rectangular hole.

[0040] Further, the width range value of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is 8-12 mm. It should be understood that when the through hole 101 is provided on the flexible heat insulation pad 11, the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is in a ring structure, and the width of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 refers to the dimension on one side along the aperture direction of the through hole 101. Among them, the width of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 in the ring structure is almost equal everywhere.

[0041] Optionally, the width range of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm or 12 mm.

[0042] In this embodiment, the width range value of the flexible heat insulation pad 11 is 10 mm.

[0043] Further, the battery module further includes a plurality of rigid heat insulation pads 12. Along the length direction b of the battery cell 10: the rigid heat insulation pads 12 are arranged between adjacent battery cells 10 and are connected to the battery cells 10 through structural adhesive. In this embodiment, the rigid heat insulation pad 12 is a hard silicone without hollowing or other heat insulation materials.

[0044] Further, in combination with Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 as shown, the battery module further includes a battery frame 13, and a plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged in the battery frame 13; among them, the battery frame 13 is a plastic structure. In this embodiment, the low thermal conductivity of the plastic-structured battery frame 13 enables the heat exchange cross-section of the battery cells 10 in the battery module to be concentrated at the bottom of the battery cells 10.

[0045] Further, in combination with Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 as shown, the battery frame 13 includes a first plastic side plate 131 and a second plastic side plate 132 oppositely arranged along the width direction a, and a first plastic end plate 133 and a second plastic end plate 134 oppositely arranged along the length direction b; the first plastic side plate 131, the second plastic side plate 132, the first plastic end plate 133 and the second plastic end plate 134 are fixedly connected together by using a strap 13a to form the battery frame 13; among them, the inner surfaces of the first plastic side plate 131, the second plastic side plate 132, the first plastic end plate 133 and the second plastic end plate 134 are directly connected to the battery cells 10 through structural adhesive, and thus insulating film materials can be omitted.

[0046] Further, the inner surfaces of the first plastic side plate 131 and the second plastic side plate 132 connected to the battery cells 10 are both provided with rough structures.

[0047] It should be understood that the inner surfaces of the first plastic side plate 131 and the second plastic side plate 132 connected to the battery cells 10 can obtain rough structures through slight wire drawing or texturing treatment to increase the connection area between the battery frame 13 and the battery cells 10, and thus increase the adhesive strength.

[0048] In addition, since the battery frame 13 is directly connected to the battery cell 10, the insulating film structure of the traditional battery module is omitted, avoiding the attenuation of the structural strength due to the poor structural strength and adhesive strength of the insulating film. Generally, the overall strength attenuation caused by the introduction of the insulating film will reach about 30% - 60%.

[0049] Furthermore, in combination with Figure 1 、 Figure 4 Figure 6 As shown, the battery module further includes a fireproof upper cover 14, a plurality of busbars 16, and a battery cell explosion-proof valve 17. Among them, the fireproof upper cover 14 is covered on the battery frame 13 and is connected to the battery frame 13 through a staple 15; each busbar 16 is arranged at intervals on the fireproof upper cover 14. Along the length direction b: each busbar 16 connects two adjacent battery cells 10 in series.

[0050] Furthermore, in combination with Figure 1 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, a gas generation space 102 is provided between two adjacent busbars 16; the battery cell explosion-proof valve 17 is arranged corresponding to the gas generation space 102 for exhausting gas. In this embodiment, due to the heat insulation effect of the fireproof upper cover 14 and air heat insulation, a kind of "adiabatic cross-section" is also formed, so that the bottom of the battery module becomes the "only" heat exchange cross-section for heat exchange inside the battery module, ultimately providing a basis for the precise thermal management design of the entire battery pack.

[0051] Furthermore, in combination with Figure 1 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the battery module further includes a sampling circuit assembly 18. The sampling circuit assembly 18 includes a sampling circuit housing 181 provided with a wire harness groove 103 and a metal sampling plate 183 connected to the sampling circuit housing 181. The sampling circuit housing 181 is provided with elastic mounting posts 182. The sampling circuit housing 181 is connected to the first plastic end plate 133 and the second plastic end plate 134 through the elastic mounting posts 182. The metal sampling plate 183 is connected to the busbar 16; among them, along the width direction a: the sampling circuit assembly 18 is located between two adjacent busbars 16 and is located on one side of two opposite sides of the gas generation space 102, and an exhaust passage 102a is provided on the other side of two opposite sides of the gas generation space 102.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sampling circuit 184 is integrated with the sampling circuit housing 181 provided with the wire harness groove 103 to form the sampling circuit assembly 18. The sampling circuit assembly 18 is fixed through the elastic mounting posts 182 to the mounting structure designed by the first plastic end plate 133 and the second plastic end plate 134. The sampling circuit 184 forms a sampling channel with the bus bar 16 through welding, molecular thermal diffusion or other processes by means of the metal sampling plate 183, and then collects signals such as the voltage and temperature of the battery cell 10, and outputs them to the battery system BMS system through the output connector of the sampling circuit 184 arranged at the end.

[0053] It should be understood that the fireproof upper cover 14, the pole posts of the battery cell 10, and the sampling circuit housing 181 provided with the wire harness groove 103 isolate the top of the battery cell 10 into independent areas, so that each battery cell explosion-proof valve 17 has an independent gas generation space 102 and an independent exhaust channel 102a for outward exhaust, which can effectively prevent the ejected matter from causing thermal diffusion, high-voltage short circuit or high-voltage arcing of adjacent battery cells 10 when the battery cell 10 is out of control.

[0054] In addition, the bus bars 16 are connected in series along the length direction b of the battery cells 10, and two rows of battery cells 10 are connected in series in the middle. The positive and negative output poles of the battery module are output at the end of the battery module, and the external bus bar can be connected and output through bolts. The first plastic end plate 133 and the second plastic end plate 134 are designed with an external bus bar mounting structure. The series connection path of the bus bars 16 completely avoids the exhaust channel 102a and the gas generation space 102 of the battery cell explosion-proof valve 17, effectively preventing the ejected matter from accumulating on the bus bars 16 when the battery cell 10 is out of control, resulting in high-voltage short circuit or high-voltage arcing.

[0055] This embodiment also provides a battery pack, which includes an outer frame part and a plurality of battery modules of the above embodiment. The plurality of battery modules are installed in the outer frame part to form a battery pack, so as to provide power for the vehicle.

[0056] This embodiment also provides a vehicle, which includes a vehicle frame and the battery pack of the above embodiment. The battery pack is installed on the vehicle frame.

[0057] For other structures of the vehicle, please refer to the prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0058] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "assembly" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. The meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined. Also, descriptions such as "some embodiments", "exemplarily", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application.

[0060] The illustrative representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present application. Therefore, any changes or modifications made in accordance with the claims and the description of the present application shall fall within the scope covered by the patent of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: include: A plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in an array, each of the battery cells has a first direction and a second direction intersecting each other, and a length of the battery cell along the first direction is less than a length of the battery cell along the second direction; A plurality of flexible thermal insulation pads, each of which is provided with a through hole penetrating the flexible thermal insulation pad; wherein, Along the first direction of the battery core: the flexible thermal insulation pad is arranged between two adjacent battery cores.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery core is a rectangular battery core, the shape and size of the outer contour of the flexible thermal insulation pad are matched with the battery core, and the flexible thermal insulation pad is arranged correspondingly around the edge of the battery core.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The width of the flexible thermal insulation pad is in the range of 8-12 mm.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery module further comprises a plurality of rigid thermal insulation pads along the second direction of the battery core: the rigid thermal insulation pads are arranged between two adjacent battery cores.

5. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that: The battery module also includes a battery frame, and the plurality of battery cells are arranged in the battery frame; wherein, The battery frame is a plastic structure, and the inner surface of the battery frame is connected to the battery core via structural adhesive.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner surface of the battery frame is provided with a rough structure.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The battery module also includes a fire-resistant upper cover, a plurality of bus bars and a battery cell explosion-proof valve, wherein: The fire-resistant upper cover is disposed on the battery frame; The busbars are arranged on the fire-resistant upper cover at intervals from each other, and along the second direction: each busbar connects two adjacent battery cells in series, and a gas generation space is provided between two adjacent busbars; The battery core explosion-proof valve is arranged corresponding to the gas production space.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery frame includes a first plastic end plate and a second plastic end plate arranged opposite to each other along the second direction, the battery module also includes a sampling circuit assembly, the sampling circuit assembly includes a sampling circuit housing provided with a harness slot and a metal sampling plate connected to the sampling circuit housing, the sampling circuit housing is provided with an elastic mounting column, the sampling circuit housing is connected to the first plastic end plate and the second plastic end plate through the elastic mounting column, and the metal sampling plate is connected to the bus bar; wherein, Along the first direction: the sampling circuit assembly is located between two adjacent bus bars and on one of the two opposite sides of the gas production space, and an exhaust channel is provided on the other side of the two opposite sides of the gas production space.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that: The invention comprises an outer frame and a plurality of battery modules according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of battery modules are installed in the outer frame.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The invention comprises a vehicle frame and the battery pack according to claim 9, wherein the battery pack is mounted on the vehicle frame.

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