Module with sandwich structure and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model relates to a module with a sandwich structure, which comprises a plurality of end plates and a plurality of module units, the end plates are sequentially arranged at intervals, one module unit is arranged between any two adjacent end plates, and the two adjacent module units are electrically connected. According to the utility model, a large module is disassembled into a plurality of independent module units, each module unit is a small module, the electrical connection of each module unit is independently welded, the size of each module unit is reduced, the requirement on the size of welding equipment is lower, and the manufacturability is better; when a single module unit breaks down, the single module unit can be directly detached and replaced without replacing all large modules, the maintenance cost is reduced, and good maintainability is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of power batteries, in particular to a module and a battery pack with a sandwich structure. Background Art

[0002] In the existing battery technology, in order to improve the energy density and the space utilization rate inside the battery box, the module design gradually deviates from the VDA module and turns to a large-module design form with a larger size and a higher integration degree. The large module usually uses an integral integrated cover plate and the battery cells are welded. Since the module size is large, larger welding equipment is required to accommodate the module, and the requirements for the welding equipment are relatively high. The large module integrates more battery cells. After a single battery cell fails, the entire large module needs to be repaired as a whole, and the maintenance cost is high. In the battery with a natural cooling thermal management method, there is no structural adhesive to adhere to the module, and there are fewer fixing points between the large module and the box body. The large module is only fixed by the two end plates on both sides, and the strength is relatively low. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] Based on this, aiming at the technical problems that in the current large module, the integral integrated cover plate and the battery cells are usually welded, since the module size is large, larger welding equipment is required to accommodate the module, the requirements for the welding equipment are relatively high, and after a single battery cell fails, the entire large module needs to be repaired as a whole, and the maintenance cost is high, the utility model provides a module and a battery pack with a sandwich structure.

[0004] A module with a sandwich structure provided by the utility model includes a plurality of end plates and a plurality of module units. The plurality of end plates are arranged at intervals in sequence. A module unit is arranged between any two adjacent end plates, and the adjacent two module units are electrically connected.

[0005] The module of the utility model adopts a sandwich structure, disassembling the large module into a plurality of independent module units. Each module unit is a small module. The electrical connections of each module unit are welded separately. The size of the module unit is reduced, and the size requirements for the welding equipment are relatively low, having good manufacturability; when a single module unit fails, it can be directly disassembled and replaced without replacing the entire large module, reducing the maintenance cost and having good maintainability.

[0006] As a further improvement of the above solution of the utility model, each module unit includes two battery cell groups and an integrated cover plate; the two battery cell groups are arranged side by side. Each battery cell group includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along a predetermined direction, and an insulating pad is arranged between any two adjacent battery cells; two pole piece groups are arranged on the integrated cover plate. The two pole piece groups are respectively arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the two battery cell groups. The pole piece group includes a plurality of positive pole pieces and a plurality of negative pole pieces. The plurality of positive pole pieces are arranged in sequence along the predetermined direction, and the positive pole columns of two adjacent battery cells are connected to a positive pole piece. The plurality of negative pole pieces are arranged in sequence along the predetermined direction, and the negative pole columns of two adjacent battery cells are connected to a negative pole piece.

[0007] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, two positive electrode plates at the ends in each electrode plate group are press riveted and connected with press riveting nuts; a bus bar is arranged between two adjacent module units, and both ends of the bus bar are connected with the press riveting nuts of the two module units through bolts.

[0008] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, the module further includes at least one pressing strip, and each module unit further includes an upper cover plate which is arranged above the integrated cover plate. A clamping groove adapted to the pressing strip is arranged at the top of the upper cover plate; the pressing strip is arranged along the length direction of the module and is clamped in the clamping grooves of the upper cover plates, and the pressing strip is connected with each end plate through bolts.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, the module further includes at least one packing belt, and the packing belt is sleeved on a plurality of end plates and a plurality of module units to fix the plurality of end plates and the plurality of module units together.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, a plurality of sleeves are sequentially arranged at intervals along the length direction inside each end plate, and the pressing strip is connected with the sleeve of the end plate through bolts.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, each end plate is formed by an injection molding process.

[0012] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, the number of end plates is three, the number of module units is two, and both ends of the module units are adhered to the adjacent two end plates respectively through insulating pads.

[0013] A battery pack proposed by the present utility model includes a module with the sandwich structure as described above.

[0014] As a further improvement of the above solution of the present utility model, it further includes a box body, and the module is arranged in the box body and the end plate is fixedly connected with the box body.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. The module of the present utility model adopts a sandwich structure, which disassembles a large module into a plurality of independent module units. Each module unit is a small module, and the electrical connections of each module unit are welded separately. The size of the module unit is reduced, and the size requirement for the welding equipment is relatively low, having good manufacturability; when a single module unit fails, it can be directly disassembled and replaced without replacing the entire large module, reducing the maintenance cost and having good maintainability.

[0017] 2. Between two adjacent module units in the module of the present utility model, they can be connected by bolts through a bus bar, which is conducive to flexible series and parallel grouping of the modules.

[0018] 3. In the module of the present utility model, the end plate and the module unit are fixed in the X and Y directions by the packing belt, and the connection between the pressing strip and the end plate prevents the module from moving in the Z direction, having better structural rigidity.

[0019] 4. In the module of the present utility model, the end plate is formed by plastic injection molding, reducing the manufacturing cost and improving the production efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a module with a sandwich structure proposed by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of a module with a sandwich structure proposed by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the end plate in the middle position in a module with a sandwich structure proposed by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the end plate in the outer position in a module with a sandwich structure proposed by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the module unit in a module with a sandwich structure proposed by an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Reference Signs: 1, end plate; 2, module unit; 201, battery cell; 202, integrated cover plate; 203, positive electrode plate; 204, negative electrode plate; 205, riveting nut; 206, upper cover plate; 207, card slot; 3, pressing strip; 4, packing belt; 5, sleeve. Detailed Embodiments

[0026] For the convenience of understanding the present utility model, the present utility model will be described more comprehensively below in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the present utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present utility model more thorough and comprehensive.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present utility model belongs. The terms used in the description of the present utility model herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0028] In view of the current situation that large modules usually use an integrated cover plate and battery cells welded together. Since the module size is relatively large, larger welding equipment is required to accommodate the module, which poses high requirements for the welding equipment. Moreover, after a single battery cell fails, the entire large module needs to be repaired as a whole, resulting in high maintenance costs. The end plates are made of aluminum extrusion profiles or cast aluminum, with relatively high manufacturing costs. In this embodiment, a module with a sandwich structure is proposed to solve the above problems.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 - Figure 2 , the module with a sandwich structure in this embodiment includes three end plates 1 and two module units 2, and may also include two packing straps 4 and two pressing strips 3.

[0030] The three end plates 1 are arranged at intervals in sequence and are parallel to each other. An assembly area is formed between any two adjacent end plates 1. In this embodiment, the end plates 1 are formed by an injection molding process, and compared with the existing end plates 1 formed by aluminum extrusion profiles or cast aluminum, the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced. Combining Figure 3 , Figure 4 , within each end plate 1, four aluminum sleeves 5 are sequentially and spacedly embedded along the length direction of the end plate 1. It should be noted that in this embodiment, considering the connection between the module and other electrical components, combining Figure 4 , gaps for facilitating electrical connection are reserved at the top positions of the two end plates 1 on both sides.

[0031] The two module units 2 are respectively arranged in the two assembly areas. Both ends of the module unit 2 are adhered to the adjacent two end plates 1 through insulating pads. In this embodiment, combining Figure 5 , each module unit 2 includes two battery cell groups, an integrated cover plate 202 and an upper cover plate 206. The two battery cell groups are arranged side by side. Each battery cell group includes a plurality of battery cells 201 arranged along a predetermined direction, and an insulating pad is provided between any two adjacent battery cells 201. Two pole piece groups are arranged on the integrated cover plate 202, and the two pole piece groups are respectively arranged corresponding to the two battery cell groups. The pole piece group includes a plurality of positive pole pieces 203 and a plurality of negative pole pieces 204. The plurality of positive pole pieces 203 are sequentially arranged along the predetermined direction, and the positive pole columns of two adjacent battery cells 201 are connected to one positive pole piece 203. The plurality of negative pole pieces 204 are sequentially arranged along the predetermined direction, and the negative pole columns of two adjacent battery cells 201 are connected to one negative pole piece 204. The upper cover plate 206 is arranged above the integrated cover plate 202, and two slots 207 arranged along the length direction of the module are provided at the top of the upper cover plate 206.

[0032] In this embodiment, through the above structural settings, the large module is disassembled into multiple independent module units 2. Each module unit 2 is a small module, and the electrical connections of each module unit 2 are welded separately. The size of the module unit 2 is reduced, and the size requirements for the welding equipment are relatively low, which has good manufacturability. When a single module unit 2 fails, it can be directly disassembled and replaced without replacing the entire large module, reducing the maintenance cost and having good maintainability. Electrical connection can be achieved between two adjacent module units 2 through a busbar, which is conducive to flexible series and parallel grouping of modules. Both ends of the busbar are connected to the rivet nuts 205 of the two module units 2 through bolts.

[0033] Both of the two pressure strips 3 are arranged along the length direction of the module. The two pressure strips 3 are respectively clamped in the two card slots 207 of each upper cover plate 206, and each pressure strip 3 is connected to a sleeve 5 of each end plate 1 through a bolt. The pressure strip 3 is used to prevent the module from moving in the Z direction, having better structural rigidity.

[0034] Two packing straps 4 are sleeved on the three end plates 1 and the two module units 2 to fix the three end plates 1 and the two module units 2 together, realizing the X-direction and Y-direction fixation of the end plates 1 and the module units 2.

[0035] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the number of end plates 1 is three and the number of module units 2 is two. Of course, in other embodiments, in order to achieve different power systems, the number of end plates 1 and modules can also be other numbers.

[0036] When assembling the module of this embodiment, first manufacture the module unit 2. After the battery cells 201 are stacked, use welding equipment to weld the battery cells 201 to the integrated cover plate 202. After the two module units 2 are welded, fix the module unit 2 and the end plate 1 through the packing strap 4. Then, through the cooperation connection of the busbar, the rivet nut 205 and the bolt, the connection between two adjacent module units 2 is realized, realizing flexible series and parallel grouping of the large module. Finally, assemble the upper cover plate 206 and the pressure strip 3. When a single module unit 2 fails, the packing strap 4 can be disassembled to replace the faulty module unit 2, having better economic maintainability.

[0037] When the module of this embodiment is used for assembling a battery pack, three assembly holes are provided on each pressure strip 3 and the three assembly holes respectively correspond to and communicate with a sleeve 5 of the three end plates 1. After the module is assembled into the box body, 12 bolts pass through the box body and then are respectively connected to the 12 sleeves 5 to realize the fixation of the module and the box body. The module of this embodiment has 12 fixing points with the box body, greatly providing the connection strength between the module and the box body.

[0038] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "installed on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may also be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "arranged on" another component, it can be directly arranged on the other component or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. When a component is considered to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly fixed to the other component or there may be an intermediate component at the same time.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this utility model belongs. The terms used in the description of this utility model herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this utility model. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0040] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[0041] The above-described embodiments only represent several implementation manners of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of this utility model, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A module with a sandwich structure, characterized in that, It includes a plurality of end plates (1) and a plurality of module units (2). The plurality of end plates (1) are arranged at intervals in sequence. One module unit (2) is provided between any two adjacent end plates (1), and the adjacent two module units (2) are electrically connected.

2. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 1, wherein, Each module unit (2) includes two battery cell groups and an integrated cover plate (202). The two battery cell groups are arranged side by side. Each battery cell group includes a plurality of battery cells (201) arranged along a predetermined direction, and an insulating pad is provided between any two adjacent battery cells (201). Two pole piece groups are provided on the integrated cover plate (202). The two pole piece groups are respectively arranged corresponding to the two battery cell groups one by one. The pole piece group includes a plurality of positive pole pieces (203) and a plurality of negative pole pieces (204). The plurality of positive pole pieces (203) are arranged in sequence along the predetermined direction, and the positive electrode columns of two adjacent battery cells (201) are connected to one positive pole piece (203). The plurality of negative pole pieces (204) are arranged in sequence along the predetermined direction, and the negative electrode columns of two adjacent battery cells (201) are connected to one negative pole piece (204).

3. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two positive pole pieces (203) at the ends of each pole piece group are press riveted with press riveting nuts (205). A bus bar is provided between two adjacent module units (2). The two ends of the bus bar are connected to the press riveting nuts (205) of the two module units (2) through bolts.

4. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The module further includes at least one pressing strip (3). Each module unit (2) further includes an upper cover plate (206). The upper cover plate (206) is arranged above the integrated cover plate (202). A card slot (207) adapted to the pressing strip (3) is provided at the top of the upper cover plate (206). The pressing strip (3) is arranged along the length direction of the module, and the pressing strip (3) is snap-fitted into the card slot (207) of each upper cover plate (206). The pressing strip (3) is connected to each end plate (1) through bolts.

5. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The module further includes at least one packing belt (4). The packing belt (4) is sleeved on the plurality of end plates (1) and the plurality of module units (2) to fix the plurality of end plates (1) and the plurality of module units (2) together.

6. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, A plurality of sleeves (5) are sequentially arranged at intervals along the length direction inside each end plate (1). The pressing strip (3) is connected to the sleeve (5) of the end plate (1) through bolts.

7. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 1, wherein Each end plate (1) is formed by an injection molding process.

8. The module with a sandwich structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of end plates (1) is three, and the number of module units (2) is two. The two ends of the module unit (2) are adhered to the adjacent two end plates (1) respectively through insulating pads.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes a module with a sandwich structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that, It further includes a box body. The module is arranged inside the box body, and the end plate (1) is fixedly connected to the box body.

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