End plate for battery module and battery module

Abstract

The end plate comprises an end plate body and a limiting structure, the limiting structure is fixedly arranged on the surface of one side of the end plate body, the limiting structure and the end plate body jointly define a mounting space for assembling a battery cell, and the limiting structure is fixedly arranged on the surface of one side of the end plate body. And the limiting structure and the end plate body are suitable for abutting against the battery cell. Therefore, through the cooperation of the end plate body and the limiting structure, the installation space can be defined, when the battery module is developed, the existing battery cells with different sizes can be assembled in the installation space for matching use, the development number of the battery cells is reduced, the development period of the battery cells can be shortened, the development period of the battery module is shortened, and the development efficiency of the battery module is improved. In addition, the battery cells can be supported by the limiting structures and the end plate bodies, so that the structural stability of the battery module can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of batteries, in particular to an end plate for a battery module and a battery module having the end plate. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous expansion of the battery market, there are more and more existing square shell battery cell models, and the development cycle of battery cells is long and the development cost is high. The development cycle of new energy vehicles is constantly tightening. Each vehicle model may be developed to match a battery module or a battery pack. However, the development rhythm of battery modules and battery packs seriously hinders the development progress of the whole vehicle. It is necessary to quickly develop new battery modules or battery packs.

[0003] In the related art, a battery module includes a plurality of battery cells. When developing a new battery module and needing to use a variety of battery cells for grouping, since the width dimensions and height dimensions of the plurality of battery cells are the same, it is necessary to develop a matching new battery cell to be mixed and grouped, resulting in a long development cycle of the battery module and the battery pack and increasing the development cost of the battery module and the battery pack. Moreover, when using battery cells with different sizes for grouping, the battery cells are fixed only by gluing, which may cause the structure of the battery module to be unstable. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The utility model aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. For this reason, an object of the utility model is to provide an end plate for a battery module, which can use existing battery cells with different sizes to be assembled in an installation space for grouping during the development of the battery module, thereby shortening the development cycle of the battery module and reducing the development cost of the battery module.

[0005] The utility model further provides a battery module.

[0006] The end plate for a battery module according to the utility model includes:

[0007] An end plate body and a limiting structure. The limiting structure is fixedly arranged on one side surface of the end plate body. The limiting structure and the end plate body jointly define an installation space for assembling battery cells, and both the limiting structure and the end plate body are adapted to abut against the battery cells.

[0008] According to the end plate for a battery module of the utility model, through the cooperation of the end plate body and the limiting structure, an installation space can be defined. During the development of the battery module, existing battery cells with different sizes can be assembled in the installation space for grouping, reducing the number of battery cell developments, shortening the development cycle of battery cells, thereby shortening the development cycle of the battery module and reducing the development cost of the battery module. Moreover, the limiting structure and the end plate body can support the battery cells, improving the structural stability of the battery module.

[0009] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure is configured as a heat dissipation member.

[0010] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure is arranged along the edge of the end plate body.

[0011] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure includes: a first limiting portion, the first limiting portion extends along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the end plate body.

[0012] In some examples of the present utility model, the first limiting portion includes a first heat dissipation plate.

[0013] In some examples of the present utility model, there are multiple first heat dissipation plates, and the multiple first heat dissipation plates are arranged along a second direction, the second direction is parallel to the end plate body, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure further includes: a second limiting portion, the second limiting portion is arranged along the second direction, the second direction is parallel to the end plate body, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0015] In some examples of the present utility model, the second limiting portion includes multiple second heat dissipation plates, and the multiple second heat dissipation plates are arranged in sequence along the second direction.

[0016] In some examples of the present utility model, the second limiting portion further includes: a connecting plate, along the first direction, the connecting plate is located inside the second limiting portion, and the connecting plate is connected to both the first limiting portion and the multiple second heat dissipation plates.

[0017] The battery module according to the present utility model includes:

[0018] Multiple battery cells, the multiple battery cells are arranged in sequence along the thickness direction of the battery cells, and at least two of the battery cells are different battery cells;

[0019] Two end plates, the end plates are the above-mentioned end plates for the battery module, the multiple battery cells are located between the two end plates, and the battery cells at the ends are assembled in the installation spaces of the corresponding end plates.

[0020] The additional aspects and advantages of the present utility model will be partly given in the following description, partly will become obvious from the following description, or will be understood through the practice of the present utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present utility model will become obvious and easy to understand from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural view of an end plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 is a top view of the end plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0024] Reference numerals:

[0025] end plate 100;

[0026] end plate body 10; assembly hole 11; assembly space 12;

[0027] limiting structure 20; first limiting portion 21; first heat dissipation plate 22; second limiting portion 23; second heat dissipation plate 24; connecting plate 25;

[0028] installation space 30. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary only for explaining the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the present utility model.

[0030] Reference will be made below to Figure 1 and Figure 2 to describe an end plate 100 for a battery module according to an embodiment of the present utility model. The battery module may include two end plates 100 and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in sequence along the thickness direction of the battery cells, and the plurality of battery cells are clamped between the two end plates 100.

[0031] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the end plate 100 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes: an end plate body 10 and a limiting structure 20. The limiting structure 20 is fixedly arranged on one side surface of the end plate body 10. The limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 jointly define an installation space 30 for assembling the battery cells. Both the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 are adapted to abut against the battery cells.

[0032] Wherein, both the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20 can be made of metal materials. For example, both the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20 can be made of materials such as aluminum and steel. The end plate 100 can be formed by extrusion of metal materials. The end plate body 10 can be formed with a weight reduction structure, and the weight reduction structure can be a weight reduction hole, a weight reduction groove, etc., which can reduce the weight of the end plate 100, is beneficial to the lightweight design of the end plate 100, and can also reduce the manufacturing materials of the end plate 100 and lower the manufacturing cost of the end plate 100.

[0033] The limiting structure 20 can be configured as a limiting boss, a limiting wall or other structures, as long as the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 jointly define an installation space 30. The limiting structure 20 is fixedly arranged on one side surface of the end plate body 10. It should be noted that the limiting structure 20 is arranged on the inner side surface of the end plate body 10, and the inner side surface of the end plate body 10 refers to the surface of the end plate 100 facing the inner side of the battery module after the battery module is assembled. The limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 jointly define an installation space 30, and the installation space 30 is used for installing the end cells of the battery module. The shape of the installation space 30 is adapted to the shape of the end cells. When the end cells are assembled in the installation space 30, the end cells can be abutted and limited with the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10. The shape and size of the installation space 30 can be designed according to the shape and size of the end cells.

[0034] The end plate 100 using the present application is configured as the end plate 100 of the battery module. During the development of the battery module, when multiple types of cells need to be grouped and used, for example, when two types of cells need to be grouped and used, the multiple cells (i.e., the middle cells) between the two end cells can be selected as cells with the same size. When the size of the end cells is smaller than that of the middle cells, cells of different existing models with different sizes can be selected and assembled in the installation space 30 for grouping and use. The existing model cells can complete the development of the battery module, which can improve the utilization rate of the existing cells, is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of the production line of the existing produced cells, reduces the manufacturing cost of the production line of the new type of cells, and moreover, reduces the number of cell developments, can shorten the cell development cycle, thereby shortening the battery module development cycle, reducing the development cost of the battery module. At the same time, the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 can support the cells, can improve the structural stability of the battery module, and can also reduce the usage amount of the structural adhesive, further reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery module. Further, the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20 can be integrally formed, which is beneficial to improving the connection strength between the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20, reducing the risk of fracture at the connection between the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20, and thus can improve the structural strength and stiffness of the end plate 100.

[0035] Thus, through the cooperation of the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20, the installation space 30 can be defined. When developing the battery module, cells of different existing models with different sizes can be assembled in the installation space 30 for grouping and use, reducing the number of cell developments, shortening the cell development cycle, thereby shortening the battery module development cycle, reducing the development cost of the battery module, and moreover, the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 can support the cells, improving the structural stability of the battery module.

[0036] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure 20 can be configured as a heat dissipation component. Among them, as an example, the limiting structure 20 can be configured as a metal component, and the metal component has heat conduction performance. After the limiting structure 20 comes into contact with the battery cell, it is beneficial to the dissipation of the heat of the battery cell, and the thermal resistance of the battery module can be reduced. As another example, a heat exchange medium flow channel can also be formed in the limiting structure 20, and a heat exchange medium can be arranged in the heat exchange medium flow channel. After the limiting structure 20 comes into contact with the battery cell, it is beneficial to the dissipation of the heat of the battery cell, and the thermal resistance of the battery module can be reduced. Therefore, by configuring the limiting structure 20 as a heat dissipation component, the heat dissipation capacity of the end plate 100 can be improved, which is beneficial to the dissipation of the heat of the battery module, and the thermal resistance of the battery module can be reduced.

[0037] In some examples of the present utility model, the limiting structure 20 can be arranged along the edge of the end plate body 10. Among them, the limiting structure 20 can be arranged along at least one of the upper edge, the lower edge, and the side edge of the end plate body 10, and the side edge is located between the upper edge and the lower edge. By arranging the limiting structure 20 along the edge of the end plate body 10, the space utilization rate can be improved.

[0038] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, the limiting structure 20 can include: a first limiting portion 21, and the first limiting portion 21 extends along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the end plate body 10. Among them, the first direction can be the height direction of the end plate 100, and the first direction can also be the length direction of the end plate 100. In this application, the first direction is taken as the length direction of the end plate 100 as an example for illustration. When the end plate 100 is placed in the Figure 1 middle direction, the first direction is the Figure 1 Y direction in the middle. The first limiting portion 21 can be arranged on the upper edge and the lower edge of the end plate body 10. In this application, the first limiting portion 21 is arranged on the lower edge of the end plate body 10 as an example for illustration. By arranging the first limiting portion 21 on the lower edge of the end plate body 10, the first limiting portion 21 and the end plate body 10 jointly define an installation space 30. When the battery cell is assembled in the installation space 30, the battery cell can be bonded to the first limiting portion 21 through heat-conducting glue, and the first limiting portion 21 can support the battery cell, which is beneficial to improving the structural stability of the battery cell.

[0039] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1As shown, the first limiting portion 21 may include a first heat dissipation plate 22. The first heat dissipation plate 22 may be configured as a plate-like structure. For example, the first heat dissipation plate 22 may be a flat plate-like structure. By providing the first heat dissipation plate 22, the structure of the first limiting portion 21 can be simplified, the manufacturing difficulty of the first limiting portion 21 can be reduced, which is beneficial to improving the production efficiency of the end plate 100. Moreover, the first heat dissipation plate 22 can enable the battery cell to reliably abut against the first limiting portion 21, further improving the position stability of the battery cell. At the same time, the first heat dissipation plate 22 is plate-shaped with good heat dissipation and heat conduction performance, which can improve the heat dissipation capacity of the limiting structure 20 and is more conducive to the dissipation of heat from the battery module.

[0040] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, there may be a plurality of first heat dissipation plates 22. The plurality of first heat dissipation plates 22 are arranged along a second direction. The second direction is parallel to the end plate body 10, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Among them, the second direction may be the height direction of the end plate 100, and the second direction may also be the length direction of the end plate 100. It should be noted that when the first direction is the height direction of the end plate 100, the second direction is the length direction of the end plate 100; when the first direction is the length direction of the end plate 100, the second direction is the height direction of the end plate 100. In this application, an example where the first direction is the length direction of the end plate 100 and the second direction is the height direction of the end plate 100 is used for illustration. The second direction is Figure 1 the Z direction in. The plurality of first heat dissipation plates 22 may be arranged at intervals in sequence along the second direction. A heat dissipation gap is formed between two adjacent first heat dissipation plates 22. By including a plurality of first heat dissipation plates 22 in the first limiting portion 21, the first limiting portion 21 can be configured as a heat dissipation fin structure, which is beneficial to improving the heat dissipation capacity of the first limiting portion 21.

[0041] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, the limiting structure 20 may further include: a second limiting portion 23. The second limiting portion 23 is arranged along the second direction. The second direction is parallel to the end plate body 10, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0042] Among them, the second direction can be the height direction of the end plate 100, and the second direction can also be the length direction of the end plate 100. It should be noted that when the first direction is the height direction of the end plate 100, the second direction is the length direction of the end plate 100; when the first direction is the length direction of the end plate 100, the second direction is the height direction of the end plate 100. In this application, the case where the first direction is the length direction of the end plate 100 and the second direction is the height direction of the end plate 100 is taken as an example for illustration. When the first limiting portion 21 is provided at at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge of the end plate body 10, the second limiting portion 23 is provided at the side edge of the end plate body 10. The second limiting portion 23 can be adjacent to the first limiting portion 21, and the first limiting portion 21 and the second limiting portion 23 can be connected. By providing the first limiting portion 21 and the second limiting portion 23, when the battery cell is assembled in the installation space 30, the battery cell is supported in both the first direction and the second direction, which can further improve the position stability of the battery cell. Moreover, both the first limiting portion 21 and the second limiting portion 23 have a heat conduction function, which can improve the heat dissipation capacity of the limiting structure 20, thereby further improving the heat dissipation capacity of the end plate 100, being more conducive to the dissipation of heat of the battery module, and further reducing the thermal resistance of the battery module.

[0043] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, the second limiting portion 23 may include a plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24, and the plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24 are arranged in sequence along the second direction. Among them, the plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24 may be arranged at intervals in sequence along the second direction, and a heat dissipation gap is formed between two adjacent first heat dissipation plates 22. By including the plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24 in the second limiting portion 23, the second limiting portion 23 can be configured as a heat dissipation fin structure, which is more conducive to improving the heat dissipation capacity of the second limiting portion 23.

[0044] Furthermore, the second heat dissipation plate 24 may be configured as a plate-like structure. For example, the second heat dissipation plate 24 may be a flat plate-like structure. By providing the second heat dissipation plate 24, the structure of the second limiting portion 23 can be simplified, and the manufacturing difficulty of the second limiting portion 23 can be reduced. At the same time, the first heat dissipation plate 22 has good heat dissipation and heat conduction performance in the form of a plate, which can improve the heat dissipation capacity of the limiting structure 20 and is more conducive to the dissipation of heat of the battery module.

[0045] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1As shown, the second limiting part 23 further includes: a connecting plate 25. Along the first direction, the connecting plate 25 is located inside the second limiting part 23, and the connecting plate 25 is connected to both the first limiting part 21 and the plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24. Among them, the connecting plate 25 can be a flat plate. When the end part of the battery cell is assembled in the installation space 30, the battery cell connecting plate 25 abuts, which can enable the battery cell to reliably abut against the second limiting part 23, further improving the position stability of the battery cell. Moreover, the connecting plate 25 is fixedly connected to both the first limiting part 21 and the plurality of second heat dissipation plates 24, which can improve the structural strength and rigidity of the end plate 100 and reduce the risk of deformation of the end plate 100.

[0046] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, the end plate body 10 can be formed with an assembly hole 11. The assembly hole 11 can penetrate the end plate body 10 along the height direction of the end plate 100. A bolt can pass through the assembly hole 11 to be connected to the bottom plate of the battery module, and can withstand the extrusion of the end plate 100 during the expansion process of the battery cell.

[0047] In some examples of the present utility model, as Figure 1 shown, the upper end of the end plate body 10 can be formed with an assembly space 12. The assembly space 12 is used to install the module output pole of the battery module. When the module output pole is installed at the assembly space 12, the end plate body 10 can limit the module output pole, which is convenient for leading out the high-voltage conductive busbar.

[0048] The battery module according to the embodiment of the present utility model includes: two end plates 100 and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are arranged in sequence along the thickness direction of the battery cell. At least two battery cells are different battery cells, and the sizes between different battery cells are different. The plurality of battery cells include at least two types of battery cells for grouping use. The end plate 100 is the end plate 100 in the above embodiment. The plurality of battery cells are located between the two end plates 100, and the battery cells at the end parts are assembled in the installation space 30 of the corresponding end plate 100. Through the cooperation of the end plate body 10 and the limiting structure 20, the installation space 30 can be defined. When developing the battery module, existing model battery cells with different sizes can be assembled in the installation space 30 for grouping use, reducing the number of battery cell developments, shortening the battery cell development cycle, thereby shortening the battery module development cycle, reducing the development cost of the battery module, and further shortening the battery pack development cycle. Moreover, the limiting structure 20 and the end plate body 10 can support the battery cells, improving the structural stability of the battery module, and thus improving the structural stability of the battery pack.

[0049] Other components of the battery module according to the embodiment of the present utility model, such as electrical connectors, etc., and operations are known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples", 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 utility model. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0051] Although the embodiments of the present utility model have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present utility model, and the scope of the present utility model is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An end plate for a battery module, characterized in that: include: An end plate body and a limiting structure, wherein the limiting structure is fixedly arranged on a side surface of the end plate body, the limiting structure and the end plate body jointly define an installation space for assembling battery cells, and the limiting structure and the end plate body are both suitable for abutting against the battery cells.

2. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting structure is configured as a heat sink.

3. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The limiting structure is arranged along the edge of the end plate body.

4. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting structure includes: a first limiting portion, the first limiting portion extends along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the end plate body.

5. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first limiting portion includes a first heat dissipation plate.

6. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are a plurality of the first heat sinks, and the plurality of the first heat sinks are arranged along a second direction, the second direction is parallel to the end plate body, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The limiting structure further includes: a second limiting portion, the second limiting portion is arranged along a second direction, the second direction is parallel to the end plate body, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

8. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second limiting portion includes a plurality of second heat dissipation plates, and the plurality of second heat dissipation plates are arranged in sequence along the second direction.

9. The end plate for a battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second limiting portion further includes: a connecting plate, which is located at an inner side of the second limiting portion along the first direction, and is connected to the first limiting portion and the plurality of second heat dissipation plates.

10. A battery module, characterized in that: include: A plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged in sequence along the thickness direction of the battery cells, and at least two of the battery cells are different battery cells; Two end plates, wherein the end plates are end plates for a battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a plurality of battery cells are located between the two end plates, and the battery cells located at the ends are assembled in the installation space of the corresponding end plates.

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