Battery module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery module which comprises a battery cell shell, at least one battery cell cavity is arranged in the battery cell shell, a closed refrigeration cavity used for bearing cooling liquid is formed outside the battery cell cavity and inside the battery cell shell, the battery cell shell is connected with a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water inlet and the water outlet are communicated with the battery cell shell. The battery cell shell is provided with a battery cell cavity, openings in the two ends of the battery cell cavity are communicated with the external space of the battery cell shell, the space in the battery cell cavity and the space in the refrigeration cavity are relatively independent, and battery cells are arranged in the battery cell cavity. Therefore, when one battery cell breaks down, other battery cells cannot be affected, chain reaction is avoided, and safety performance is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery modules, and specifically relates to a battery module. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the popularization of new energy vehicles, the phenomenon of battery spontaneous combustion in new energy vehicles has become more and more common. More than 90% of the sources of battery spontaneous combustion are caused by the instability of the battery cells, which in turn leads to the spontaneous combustion of the entire module and finally spreads to the entire battery pack. That is, after a single battery cell fails and rapidly heats up or catches fire, it is very likely to affect the surrounding battery cells, resulting in failures or damages to the surrounding battery cells.

[0003] In addition, existing battery modules are more or less provided with heat dissipation pipes or heat dissipation plates. This heat dissipation method has poor heat dissipation ability, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the battery cells and also prone to damage or even spontaneous combustion of the battery cells. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a battery module to solve the problems raised in the above background art.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A battery module includes a battery cell housing. At least one battery cell cavity is arranged inside the battery cell housing. A closed refrigerant cavity for carrying coolant is formed between the outside of the battery cell cavity and the inside of the battery cell housing. An inlet and outlet water port is connected to the battery cell housing. The two ends of the battery cell cavity are open and communicate with the external space of the battery cell housing. The space inside the battery cell cavity is relatively independent of the space inside the refrigerant cavity. Battery cells are arranged inside the battery cell cavity.

[0007] By installing the battery cells in the battery cell cavity and the battery cell cavity is relatively independent of the space inside the battery cell housing. Therefore, by arranging coolant outside the battery cell cavity and inside the motor housing, the battery cells inside the battery cell cavity can be cooled, which can increase the cooling contact area and enhance the cooling effect.

[0008] As a further solution of the utility model: the side plate of the battery cell housing and the upper sealing plate and the lower sealing plate located at the upper and lower ends of the side plate. A cuboid is formed by the side plate and the sealing plates for placing the battery cells and the coolant.

[0009] As a further solution of the utility model: the side plate includes two relatively arranged first side plates and two relatively arranged second side plates. The two first side plates and the two second side plates are fixedly connected in sequence. The four side plates enclose a cylindrical structure for supporting the entire battery cell module.

[0010] As a further solution of the utility model: mounting holes are provided on the first side plate, and the water inlet and outlet are fixedly connected to the first side plate through the mounting holes.

[0011] By providing the mounting holes, the water inlet and outlet can be mounted on the side plate. In this application, two water inlet and outlets are provided, and the two water inlet and outlets are arranged on two opposite first side plates, one as the coolant inlet and the other as the coolant outlet. The coolant flows through the entire box body to cool the battery cell cavities and the battery cells in the battery cell cavities.

[0012] As a further solution of the utility model: the battery cell cavity is a hollow cylindrical structure, and a plurality of the battery cell cavities are arranged in parallel. This application is mainly used for cylindrical battery cells, so the battery cell cavity is set as a cylindrical structure, and it can also be set as a cuboid structure according to needs.

[0013] As a further solution of the utility model: a plurality of through holes are provided on the upper sealing plate and the lower sealing plate, and the openings at the upper ends of the battery cell cavities are fixedly connected to the through holes on the upper sealing plate and the lower sealing plate respectively.

[0014] By providing through holes on the upper sealing plate and the lower sealing plate, it is convenient to install the battery cells into the battery cell cavities, and the installation through holes are all outside the housing, so the sealing performance of the overall housing will not be damaged.

[0015] As a further solution of the utility model: the lower sealing plate is connected with a plurality of support plates, and the support plates are fixedly connected to the through holes on the lower sealing plate. The battery cells are supported by the support plates, and the support plates are fixedly connected to the lower sealing plate, so that the lower sealing plate and the battery cell cavity can form a cylinder with one end open. In this application, an avoidance area can also be provided on the support plate for the connection of the bus bars.

[0016] As a further solution of the utility model: the upper sealing plate is connected with a plurality of fixing plates, and the fixing plates are fixedly connected to the through holes on the upper sealing plate, and the battery cells are located between the support plates and the fixing plates.

[0017] After the battery cells are installed into the battery cell cavities, the fixing plates are fixedly connected to the upper sealing plate, so as to complete the fixation of the battery cells. At the same time, an avoidance area can also be provided on the fixing plates for the connection of the bus bars.

[0018] As a further solution of the utility model: insulating layers are provided at the inner wall of the battery cell cavity, the contact positions between the support plates and the battery cells, and the contact positions between the fixing plates and the battery cells.

[0019] Providing insulating layers around the battery cells can increase the insulation performance of the battery cells and avoid short circuits with the housing.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0021] 1. In this application, an independent cell cavity is provided for placing cells. Therefore, each cell is isolated from each other. Thus, a failure of one cell will not affect other cells, avoiding the chain reaction and improving the safety performance.

[0022] 2. In this application, a cell cavity is arranged in the battery module. The space in the cell cavity is isolated from the space in the cell module. The cells are placed in the cell cavity, and the space in the overall cell module except the cell cavity is arranged with coolant. That is, the cell cavity is immersed in the coolant, greatly improving the cooling capacity and effectively avoiding the problems of cell damage or even fire caused by insufficient heat dissipation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of this embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of the battery module of this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the upper sealing plate of this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the lower sealing plate of this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the fixing plate of this embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the water inlet and outlet of this embodiment;

[0029] In the figure: 1 - cell housing, 2 - cell, 3 - cell cavity, 4 - support plate, 5 - first side plate, 6 - second side plate, 7 - mounting hole, 8 - water inlet and outlet, 9 - fixing plate, 10 - insulating layer, 11 - upper sealing plate, 12 - lower sealing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 6, in the embodiment of the present utility model, a battery module includes a battery cell housing 1, side plates of the battery cell housing 1, and an upper sealing plate 11 and a lower sealing plate 12 located at the upper and lower ends of the side plates. A cuboid is formed by the side plates and the sealing plates for placing battery cells and coolant. The side plates include two relatively arranged first side plates 5 and two relatively arranged second side plates 6. The two first side plates 5 and the two second side plates 6 are fixedly connected in sequence. An installation hole 7 is provided on the first side plate 5, and the water inlet and outlet 8 is fixedly connected to the first side plate 5 through the installation hole 7. The water inlet and outlet 8 can be installed on the side plate by providing the installation hole 7.

[0032] Please refer to Figure 2 , at least one battery cell cavity 3 is arranged in the battery cell housing 1. In this embodiment, the battery cell cavity 3 is a hollow cylindrical structure, and there are multiple battery cell cavities 3 arranged in parallel. This application is mainly used for cylindrical battery cells, so the battery cell cavity is set as a cylindrical structure, and it can also be set as a cuboid structure according to needs.

[0033] Moreover, a closed cooling cavity for carrying coolant is formed between the outside of the battery cell cavity 3 and the inside of the battery cell housing 1. A water inlet and outlet 8 is connected to the battery cell housing 1. The two ends of the battery cell cavity 3 are open and communicate with the external space of the battery cell housing 1. The space inside the battery cell cavity 3 is relatively independent of the space inside the cooling cavity. A battery cell 2 is arranged in the battery cell cavity 3. In this embodiment, two water inlets and outlets 8 are provided, and the two water inlets and outlets 8 are arranged on two relatively arranged first side plates 5, one as a coolant inlet and one as a coolant outlet. The coolant flows through the entire box to cool the battery cell cavity 3 and the battery cell 2 inside the battery cell cavity 3 in the box.

[0034] Since the battery cell cavity 3 in this embodiment is relatively independent of the space inside the battery cell housing 1, coolant can be arranged outside the battery cell cavity 3 and inside the motor housing 1 to cool the battery cell 2 inside the battery cell cavity 3, which can increase the cooling contact area and enhance the cooling effect.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 2-5 , a plurality of through holes are provided on the upper sealing plate 11 and the lower sealing plate 12. By providing through holes on the upper sealing plate 11 and the lower sealing plate 12, it is convenient to install the battery cell 2 into the battery cell cavity 3, and the installation through holes are all outside the housing, so the sealing performance of the overall housing will not be damaged. The openings at the upper ends of the battery cell cavities 3 are fixedly connected to the through holes on the upper sealing plate 11 and the lower sealing plate 12 respectively.

[0036] The lower sealing plate 12 is connected with a plurality of support plates 4, and the support plates 4 are fixedly connected in the through holes on the lower sealing plate 12. The battery cells 2 are supported by the support plates 4, and the support plates 4 are fixedly connected with the lower sealing plate 12, so that the lower sealing plate 12 and the battery cell cavity 3 can form a cylinder with one end open. In this application, an avoidance area can also be set on the support plate 4 for the connection of the bus bar. The upper sealing plate 11 is connected with a plurality of fixing plates 9, and the fixing plates 9 are fixedly connected in the through holes on the upper sealing plate 11. The battery cells 2 are located between the support plates 4 and the fixing plates 9. After the battery cells 2 are installed in the battery cell cavity 3, the fixing plates 9 are fixedly connected to the upper sealing plate 11, so that the fixing of the battery cells 2 can be completed. At the same time, an avoidance area can also be set on the fixing plates 9 for the connection of the bus bar

[0037] In addition, insulating layers 10 are provided at the positions where the inner wall of the battery cell cavity 3, the support plates 4 contact the battery cells 2, and the fixing plates 9 contact the battery cells 2. By arranging the insulating layers 10 around the battery cells 2, the insulation performance of the battery cells 2 can be increased, short circuit with the housing 1 can be avoided, and the safety performance of the battery cell module can be improved

[0038] When the utility model is in use, first, the battery cells 2 are placed into the battery cell cavity 3 through the through holes on the upper sealing plate 11. Since the support plates 4 are arranged at the lower part of the battery cell cavity 3, the battery cells 2 will be stuck in the space formed by the support plates 4 and the battery cell cavity 3. Then, the fixing plates 9 are fixedly connected with the upper sealing plate 11, so as to complete the fixing of the battery cells 2. Then, the bus bar can be connected as needed

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, since the space in the battery cell cavity 3 is isolated from the space outside the battery cell cavity 3 and inside the battery cell housing 1, the coolant entering the battery cell housing 1 through the water inlet will not enter the battery cell cavity 3 and will not directly contact the battery cells 2. On the one hand, the safety performance is improved. On the other hand, with a large current-carrying area, the heat dissipation capacity of the battery cell module can be increased, and the occurrence of battery cell damage or even module fire caused by too high temperature can be effectively avoided

[0040] For those skilled in the art, it is obvious that the present utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present utility model. Therefore, from any point of view, the embodiments should be regarded as exemplary and non-limiting. The scope of the present utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the above description. Therefore, all changes falling within the meaning and scope of the equivalent elements of the claims are intended to be embraced within the present utility model. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claimed rights

[0041] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard 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 battery module, comprising a battery cell housing (1), characterized in that, At least one battery cell cavity (3) is arranged inside the battery cell housing (1). A closed cooling cavity for carrying coolant is formed between the outside of the battery cell cavity (3) and the inside of the battery cell housing (1). A water inlet / outlet (8) is connected to the battery cell housing (1). The two ends of the battery cell cavity (3) are open and communicate with the external space of the battery cell housing (1). The space inside the battery cell cavity (3) is relatively independent of the space inside the cooling cavity. A battery cell (2) is arranged inside the battery cell cavity (3).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side plates of the battery cell housing (1), as well as the upper sealing plate (11) and the lower sealing plate (12) located at the upper and lower ends of the side plates.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The side plates include two relatively arranged first side plates (5) and two relatively arranged second side plates (6). The two first side plates (5) and the two second side plates (6) are fixedly connected in sequence.

4. A battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, An installation hole (7) is provided on the first side plate (5). The water inlet / outlet (8) is fixedly connected to the first side plate (5) through the installation hole (7).

5. A battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The battery cell cavity (3) is a hollow cylindrical structure. A plurality of battery cell cavities (3) are provided, and the plurality of battery cell cavities (3) are arranged in parallel.

6. A battery module according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that A plurality of through holes are provided on the upper sealing plate (11) and the lower sealing plate (12). The openings at the upper ends of the battery cell cavities (3) are fixedly connected to the through holes on the upper sealing plate (11) and the lower sealing plate (12) respectively.

7. A battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower sealing plate (12) is connected with a plurality of support plates (4), and the support plates (4) are fixedly connected to the through holes on the lower sealing plate (12).

8. A battery module according to claim 7, wherein, The upper sealing plate (11) is connected with a plurality of fixing plates (9), and the fixing plates (9) are fixedly connected to the through holes on the upper sealing plate (11). The battery cell (2) is located between the support plate (4) and the fixing plate (9).

9. A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Insulating layers (10) are provided at the contact positions between the inner wall of the battery cell cavity (3), the support plate (4) and the battery cell (2), and the fixing plate (9) and the battery cell (2).

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