End plate and battery module

Abstract

The utility model discloses an end plate and a battery module, a first reinforcing rib extending along the height direction of the end plate is formed in the end plate, the first reinforcing rib comprises at least two convex sections which are sequentially connected in the thickness direction of the end plate, and the opening directions of any two adjacent convex sections are opposite. According to the end plate disclosed by the utility model, the first reinforcing ribs are formed in the end plate, so that the material consumption of the end plate is reduced, the external load resistance of the end plate is improved, the mechanical property of the end plate is improved, the first reinforcing ribs deform and absorb impact force in severe impact, and the interior of a battery is well protected; and the weight of the whole bag is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] It is pointed out in the related art that in order to cope with the energy problem after the exhaustion of traditional fossil energy and reduce the proportion of traditional fossil energy such as petroleum in the energy structure, each country is transforming and researching new energy vehicles. While improving the energy density of the battery module, how to improve the safety of the battery pack, delay and reduce the possibility of thermal runaway after a traffic accident, and protect the safety of passengers has become a crucial part in promoting new energy vehicles. As the main component of the power battery pack, the module end plate is one of the main components in the battery module. In a battery module, the main function of the module end plate is to be placed at both ends of the module to protect the battery cells and cooperate with the side plates, cable ties, etc. to give the battery cells a grouping force.

[0003] Currently, the end plate reinforcing ribs applied in the module are relatively thick and are all perpendicular to the large surface of the end plate. The advantages of this solution are: high stiffness of the end plate and easy processing. The disadvantages are: ① The stiffness of the end plate is very high, so it is not easy to deform. When it is impacted, the force will be transmitted to the battery cells, and it cannot protect the battery cells well. And the battery cell housing is thin and is extremely easy to deform after being impacted. ② There are fewer cutouts in the end plate, which will increase the weight of the module. 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, the utility model provides an end plate which can play a good role in protecting the inside of the battery module.

[0005] The utility model also provides a battery module with the above end plate.

[0006] According to the end plate of the first aspect of the utility model, a first reinforcing rib extending in the height direction of the end plate is formed in the end plate, and the first reinforcing rib includes at least two convex segments connected in sequence in the thickness direction of the end plate, and the opening directions of any two adjacent convex segments are opposite.

[0007] According to the end plate of the utility model, by forming the first reinforcing rib in the end plate, while reducing the material usage of the end plate, the ability of the end plate to resist external loads is increased, the mechanical properties of the end plate are improved, the first reinforcing rib deforms during a severe impact, absorbs the impact force, plays a good role in protecting the inside of the battery, and reduces the weight of the whole package.

[0008] In some embodiments, the end plate includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion and the second plate portion are connected in the width direction. The first plate portion is higher than the second plate portion. The first reinforcing ribs are formed at both ends of the first plate portion in the width direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, second reinforcing ribs and third reinforcing ribs extending in the height direction of the end plate are formed inside the end plate. The second reinforcing ribs and the third reinforcing ribs are arranged in a crosswise manner.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second reinforcing ribs and the third reinforcing ribs extend obliquely in the thickness direction of the end plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, glue guiding grooves are formed at both ends of the end plate. The glue guiding grooves extend in the height direction of the end plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, fixing holes are formed in the end plate. The fixing holes extend in the height direction of the end plate, and the top surface of the fixing holes is flush with the top surface of the first plate portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the end plate is an integrally formed part.

[0014] The battery module according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: battery cells. A plurality of the battery cells are arranged in the thickness direction; a side plate, a water-cooling plate, and an end plate according to the first aspect of the present invention. The side plate, the water-cooling plate, and the end plate define an accommodation cavity, and the battery cells are arranged in the accommodation cavity.

[0015] By providing the end plate of the first aspect as described above, the battery module according to the present invention increases the ability of the battery module to resist external loads, improves the mechanical performance of the battery module, plays a good role in protecting the inside of the battery module, and reduces the weight of the battery module.

[0016] In some embodiments, the battery module further includes: a cold plate bracket. One end of the cold plate bracket is connected to the water-cooling plate, and the other end of the cold plate bracket is connected to the end plate.

[0017] In some embodiments, the battery module further includes: a bus bar. Each battery cell has a pole column, and the bus bar is electrically connected to the pole column.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be learned through the practice of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1It is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the end plate shown in

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a schematic diagram of the end plate from another angle shown in

[0022] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a top view schematic diagram of the end plate shown in

[0023] Reference numerals:

[0024] 100, battery module; 1, end plate; 11, first reinforcing rib; 111, convex section; 12, second reinforcing rib; 13, third reinforcing rib; 14, first plate portion; 15, second plate portion; 16, glue guiding groove; 17, fixing hole; 2, battery cell; 3, side plate; 4, water-cooling plate; 5, cold plate bracket; 6, bus bar. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below. The 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 from beginning to end. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present utility model, and should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0026] Next, refer to Figures 2 - 4 to describe the end plate 1 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model.

[0027] As Figure 1 shown, for the end plate 1 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model, specifically, a first reinforcing rib 11 extending in the height direction of the end plate 1 is formed inside the end plate 1. The first reinforcing rib 11 includes at least two convex sections 111 connected in sequence in the thickness direction of the end plate 1, and the opening directions of any two adjacent convex sections 111 are opposite, that is, the first reinforcing rib 11 is formed in an "S" shape. Moreover, the end plate 1 is located at the right front side of the whole package, and the impact force faced also comes from the right front side of the outer side of the end plate 1. When a severe impact occurs, the buffer bending inside the end plate 1 will deform to absorb the impact force, which helps to improve the overall stability and rigidity of the end plate 1, especially when bearing a force perpendicular to the plate surface direction.

[0028] According to the end plate 1 of the embodiment of the present utility model, by forming the first reinforcing rib 11 inside the end plate 1, while reducing the material usage of the end plate 1, the ability of the end plate 1 to resist external loads is increased, the mechanical properties of the end plate 1 are improved. During a severe impact, the first reinforcing rib 11 deforms to absorb the impact force, which plays a good protective role for the interior of the battery and also reduces the weight of the whole package.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present utility model, as Figure 2 shown, the end plate 1 includes a first plate portion 14 and a second plate portion 15. The first plate portion 14 and the second plate portion 15 are connected in the width direction. The first plate portion 14 is higher than the second plate portion 15. The first reinforcing rib 11 is formed at both ends of the first plate portion 14 in the width direction. Other components are assembled on the top of the second plate portion 15. Thus, it not only plays a protective role for the components but also improves the overall stability and reliability of the end plate 1.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present utility model, as Figure 2 shown, a second reinforcing rib 12 and a third reinforcing rib 13 extending along the height direction of the end plate 1 are formed inside the end plate 1. The second reinforcing rib 12 and the third reinforcing rib 13 are cross - arranged. In this way, stress can be effectively dispersed, and the ability of the end plate 1 to resist torsion and deformation can be improved.

[0031] Furthermore, as Figure 2 shown, the second reinforcing rib 12 and the third reinforcing rib 13 extend obliquely in the thickness direction of the end plate 1. Thus, the stability of the end plate 1 can be significantly enhanced. Especially for the case of bearing multi - direction forces, the oblique extension of the second reinforcing rib 12 and the third reinforcing rib 13 can effectively disperse and resist the action of oblique forces, improve the overall strength and rigidity of the structure, while reducing the material usage and achieving the lightweight of the structure.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present utility model, as Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, glue guiding grooves 16 are formed at both ends of the end plate 1. The glue guiding grooves 16 extend along the height direction of the end plate 1. When cooperating with the side plate 3, the excess glue can be led out from the glue guiding grooves 16, avoiding poor fitting between the end plate 1 and the side plate 3 due to excessive glue overflow, which affects the welding quality and ensures the firm welding between the end plate 1 and the side plate 3.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present utility model, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, fixing holes 17 are formed on the end plate 1. The fixing holes 17 extend along the height direction of the end plate 1, and the top surface of the fixing holes 17 is flush with the top surface of the first plate portion 14. The end plate 1 is fixedly connected to the water - cooling plate 4 and the bottom plate through the fixing holes 17, ensuring the overall stability of the battery and improving the structural strength of the battery.

[0034] Since the integrally formed part has high structural strength, low production cost, and high production precision, the end plate 1 is preferably an integrally formed part.

[0035] The battery module 100 according to the second aspect embodiment of the present invention includes the end plate 1 according to the first aspect embodiment of the present invention above.

[0036] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the battery module 100 includes: battery cells 2, side plates 3, a water-cooling plate 4, and the end plate 1 of the first aspect embodiment. There are multiple battery cells 2, and the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged along the thickness direction. The side plates 3, the water-cooling plate 4, and the end plate 1 define an accommodation cavity, and the battery cells 2 are arranged in the accommodation cavity. Thus, the overall structure of the battery module 100 is simple and has high strength.

[0037] According to the battery module 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, by providing the end plate 1 of the first aspect embodiment above, the ability of the battery module 100 to resist external loads is increased, the mechanical performance of the battery module 100 is improved, a good protection effect is achieved on the inside of the battery module 100, and the weight of the battery module 100 is reduced.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module 100 further includes: a cold plate bracket 5. One end of the cold plate bracket 5 is connected to the water-cooling plate 4, and the other end of the cold plate bracket 5 is connected to the end plate 1. Thus, the provision of the cold plate bracket 5 improves the structural stability and reliability of the battery module 100.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module 100 further includes: a bus bar 6. Each battery cell 2 has a pole column, and the bus bar 6 is electrically connected to the pole column. Thus, the structure of the battery module 100 is simple, ensuring the normal operation of the battery module 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, a foam is provided between the end plate 1 and the battery cells 2, which plays a buffering role and further reduces the impact on the inside of the battery module 100.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0042] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are 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. In the description of the present utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0043] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "joined", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal connection 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 the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc. means 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 representations 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. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0045] 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 purposes 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, characterized in that, A first reinforcing rib extending in the height direction of the end plate is formed in the end plate. The first reinforcing rib includes at least two convex segments connected in sequence in the thickness direction of the end plate, and the opening directions of any two adjacent convex segments are opposite.

2. The end plate according to claim 1, wherein The end plate includes a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion and the second plate portion are connected in the width direction. The first plate portion is higher than the second plate portion, and the first reinforcing rib is formed at both ends in the width direction of the first plate portion.

3. The end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, A second reinforcing rib and a third reinforcing rib extending in the height direction of the end plate are formed in the end plate, and the second reinforcing rib and the third reinforcing rib are arranged in a cross pattern.

4. The end plate according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second reinforcing rib and the third reinforcing rib extend obliquely in the thickness direction of the end plate.

5. The end plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, Guide glue grooves are formed at both ends of the end plate, and the guide glue grooves extend in the height direction of the end plate.

6. The end plate according to claim 2, wherein, Fixing holes are formed in the end plate. The fixing holes extend in the height direction of the end plate, and the top surface of the fixing holes is flush with the top surface of the first plate portion.

7. The end plate according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The end plate is an integrally formed part.

8. A battery module, characterized in that, Comprising: Battery cells, where there are multiple battery cells arranged in the thickness direction; A side plate, a water-cooling plate, and the end plate according to any one of claims 1-7. The side plate, the water-cooling plate, and the end plate define a receiving cavity, and the battery cells are arranged in the receiving cavity.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein, Further comprising: A cold plate bracket, one end of the cold plate bracket is connected to the water-cooling plate, and the other end of the cold plate bracket is connected to the end plate.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein, Further comprising: A bus bar. Each battery cell has a pole column, and the bus bar is electrically connected to the pole column.

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