Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a battery module and a battery pack, and relates to the technical field of batteries. The battery module comprises a shell, a battery cell frame and a liquid cooling reinforcing plate, a containing cavity is formed in the shell, the battery cell frame is arranged in the containing cavity and used for installing a battery cell, and the liquid cooling reinforcing plate is connected with the shell and the battery cell frame and serves as a framework of the battery cell frame, so that the connection strength between the battery cell frame and the shell is improved; furthermore, the connection strength of the internal structure of the whole battery module is improved, the defect that the connection strength of the internal structure of the existing battery module is insufficient is overcome, and meanwhile, the liquid cooling reinforcing plates are used for being in contact with the battery cells to realize heat dissipation and cooling of the battery cells. The embodiment of the utility model also provides a battery pack. The battery pack comprises the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The power battery module is composed of multiple battery cells. The battery cell fixing method in the battery module is relatively simple. Each battery cell is installed and fixed on the battery rack. When a large number of battery cells are only fixed by the battery rack, the internal structure connection strength of the battery module is not high and is prone to deformation.

[0003] To ensure the normal use of battery cells, heat exchange components are generally installed between the battery cells to dissipate heat and cool the battery cells. Currently, most heat exchange components installed between the battery cells are not connected to the battery rack or the battery module shell, and only serve to dissipate heat and cool the battery cells. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a battery module and a battery pack, which are used to solve the problem of insufficient connection strength between the existing battery module and the internal structure of the battery pack.

[0005] The embodiment of the present utility model can be implemented as follows:

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a battery module, comprising:

[0007] a housing, wherein a receiving cavity is provided inside the housing; and

[0008] A cell frame is provided in the accommodating cavity and is used for mounting the cell;

[0009] The liquid cooling reinforcement plate is connected to the outer shell and the battery cell frame at the same time, and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate is used to contact the battery cell.

[0010] Optionally, a connecting rod is provided in the accommodating cavity, and the connecting rod is connected to the battery cell frame and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate at the same time.

[0011] Optionally, a plug hole is provided on the liquid cooling reinforcement plate, the connecting rod is plugged into the plug hole, and the connecting rod is connected to the battery cell frame.

[0012] Optionally, the plug-in hole is a prismatic hole or a cylindrical hole, and the connecting rod is adapted to the plug-in hole.

[0013] Optionally, the end of the connecting rod is connected to the housing.

[0014] Optionally, the housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and side plates, and the bottom plate and the top plate are respectively connected to two sides of the side plates to form a receiving cavity;

[0015] The liquid cooling reinforcement plate is connected to the bottom plate and the side plate at the same time.

[0016] Optionally, the liquid cooling reinforcement plate includes a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, the vertical plate is connected to the horizontal plate, the vertical plate is connected to the side plate and the battery cell frame at the same time, and the horizontal plate is connected to the bottom plate.

[0017] Optionally, the cell frame is connected to the bottom plate and the side plate at the same time.

[0018] Optionally, the liquid cooling reinforcement plate includes a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, the vertical plate is connected to the horizontal plate, the horizontal plate is connected to the shell, and the vertical plate is connected to the battery cell frame.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, comprising the above-mentioned battery module.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the battery module of the embodiment of the present utility model include, for example:

[0021] The battery module includes a shell, a cell rack and a liquid-cooling reinforcement plate, wherein a accommodating cavity is provided inside the shell, the cell rack is arranged in the accommodating cavity, the cell rack is used to install the battery cell, and the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate is connected to the shell and the cell rack, serving as the skeleton of the cell rack, increasing the connection strength between the cell rack and the shell, thereby improving the internal structure connection strength of the entire battery module, overcoming the defect of insufficient internal structure connection strength of the existing battery module. At the same time, the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate is used to contact the battery cell to achieve heat dissipation and cooling of the battery cell.

[0022] The battery pack includes a battery module, which has all the functions of a battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a battery module provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connection between the cell rack and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a battery cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention being installed on a battery cell rack;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid cooling reinforcement plate provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the liquid cooling reinforcement plate and the flow guide provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the flow guide provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0030] Icons: 1-housing; 10-bottom plate; 11-top plate; 12-side plate; 13-accommodating chamber; 2-cell rack; 20-fixing groove; 3-liquid cooling reinforcement plate; 30-vertical plate; 301-liquid cooling channel; 302-plug hole; 303-connecting base plate; 304-liquid inlet plate; 305-return plate; 31-horizontal plate; 4-flow guide; 40-liquid inlet tank; 41-liquid outlet tank; 5-connecting rod; 6-cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0032] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent drawings.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or is the orientation or position relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0035] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish and describe, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0037] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "disposed" and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0038] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0039] The battery cells (such as cylindrical battery cells) in the existing battery module are installed on the battery rack. When a large number of battery cells are installed and fixed only by the battery rack, the overall weight of the battery cells increases, resulting in insufficient supporting strength of the battery rack and insufficient connection strength of the internal structure of the battery module.

[0040] The battery module and battery pack provided in the embodiments of the present invention can solve the above-mentioned problems. The battery pack includes at least one battery module. Therefore, when the internal structural connection strength of the battery module increases, the internal structural connection strength of the battery pack also increases accordingly. This will be described in detail below.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery module includes a shell 1, a cell rack 2 and a liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3. The shell 1 is provided with a receiving cavity 13. The cell rack 2 and the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 are both provided in the receiving cavity 13. The liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 is connected to both the shell 1 and the cell rack 2. The connection between the cell rack 2 and the shell 1 is further strengthened by the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3, thereby increasing the internal structural connection strength of the battery module. In addition, a battery cell 6 is mounted on the cell rack 2, and the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 is in contact with the battery cell 6. Since the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 also has a liquid cooling function, it can dissipate heat and cool down the battery cell 6 on the cell rack 2. The use of the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 as a reinforcing connector between the cell rack 2 and the shell 1 avoids the need for additional reinforcing connectors in the battery module, is conducive to improving the space utilization of the receiving cavity 13, and also reduces the number of overall components of the battery module.

[0042] The housing 1 includes a bottom plate 10, a top plate 11 and a side plate 12. The bottom plate 10 and the top plate 11 are respectively connected to the two side edges of the side plate 12 to form a receiving cavity 13. The receiving cavity 13 provides installation space for components such as the battery cell frame 2, the battery cell 6 and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate 3.

[0043] In this embodiment, the bottom plate 10, top plate 11, and side plates 12 are all flat plates. There are one bottom plate 10 and one top plate 11 each, and four side plates 12. The four side plates 12, one top plate 11, and one bottom plate 10 are connected to form a rectangular box, resulting in a box-shaped battery module. In other embodiments, the side plates 12 can also be curved plates, corrugated plates, or other shapes. The number of side plates 12 is also not limited and depends on actual conditions, provided that the top plate 11, bottom plate 10, and side plates 12 can form a closed accommodating cavity 13. Since the shape of the side plates 12 is not limited, the shape of the accommodating cavity 13 formed can also vary accordingly.

[0044] refer to Figure 3 The cell frame 2 is provided with a fixing groove 20, through which the cell 6 is mounted. In this embodiment, the cell 6 is a cylindrical cell, and the fixing groove 20 is a cylindrical arc groove. A plurality of arc grooves are arranged in parallel on a cell frame 2, so that multiple cylindrical cells can be mounted.

[0045] Threaded holes are provided on the cell frame 2, and the two ends of the cell frame 2 are bonded to the side panels 12. The threaded connection between the cell frame 2 and the base plate 10 is achieved by setting screws or bolts in the threaded holes. However, the connection between the cell frame 2 and the outer shell 1 cannot meet the reliability of the connection by relying solely on threaded connection. Therefore, a liquid cooling reinforcement plate 3 is arranged between adjacent cell frames 2. The liquid cooling reinforcement plate 3 can not only dissipate heat and cool the battery cell 6, but also be connected to the cell frame 2 and the outer shell 1 at the same time, thereby increasing the reliability of the connection between the cell frame 2 and the outer shell 1, thereby increasing the internal structural connection strength of the battery module.

[0046] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 includes a vertical plate 30 and a horizontal plate 31. Both the vertical plate 30 and the horizontal plate 31 are flat plates, with one side of the vertical plate 30 connected to the surface of the horizontal plate 31, thereby forming a T-shaped structure between the vertical plate 30 and the horizontal plate 31. The two side surfaces of the vertical plate 30 are connected to the battery cells 6, and the side of the horizontal plate 31 away from the vertical plate 30 is connected to the housing 1.

[0047] For example, the horizontal plate 31 is connected to the inner wall surface of the bottom plate 10 of the housing 1. Specifically, the horizontal plate 31 and the bottom plate 10 are bonded by glue, or the horizontal plate 31 and the bottom plate 10 are connected by multiple screws.

[0048] Liquid cooling channels 301 are provided within the risers 30. A refrigerant medium circulates through the channels, exchanging heat with the battery cells 6 and dissipating heat and cooling the battery cells 6. The liquid cooling channels 301 within the risers 30 can be configured in various ways, such as parallel straight channels or serpentine channels. The channels can extend across the entire riser 30 or be distributed across a portion of the riser 30.

[0049] As an example, in this embodiment, the vertical plate 30 includes a connecting base plate 303, a liquid inlet plate 304, and a return plate 305. The connecting base plate 303 is a long flat plate. The liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305 are respectively connected to the long sides of the connecting base plate 303, wherein the return plate 305 is also connected to the horizontal plate 31. The liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305 are both provided with liquid cooling channels 301, and the liquid cooling channels 301 on the liquid inlet plate 304 are connected to the liquid cooling channels 301 on the return plate 305. Specifically, the liquid cooling channels 301 on the liquid inlet plate 304 and the liquid cooling channels 301 on the return plate 305 are both linear channels, which pass through both ends of the liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305. The liquid cooling channels 301 on the liquid inlet plate 304 and the liquid cooling channels 301 on the return plate 305 are connected via a flow guide 4.

[0050] It should be noted that the guide member 4 is block-shaped, and is provided with a liquid inlet groove 40 and a liquid outlet groove 41, and the liquid outlet groove 41 is connected to the liquid inlet groove 40. Figure 6 The shape and size of the liquid inlet groove 40 are adapted to the liquid inlet plate 304, so that one end of the liquid inlet plate 304 can be firmly plugged into the liquid inlet groove 40, and the liquid cooling channel 301 on the liquid inlet plate 304 is connected to the liquid inlet groove 40; similarly, the shape and size of the liquid outlet groove 41 are adapted to the return plate 305, so that one end of the return plate 305 can be firmly plugged into the liquid outlet groove 41, and the liquid cooling channel 301 on the return plate 305 is connected to the liquid outlet groove 41; the ends of the liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305 away from the guide block are connected to the pipeline for transporting the refrigerant medium from the outside, thereby forming a complete liquid cooling circulation loop. Of course, in order to ensure that the liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305 are sealed and leak-proof with the guide member 4, sealing measures such as sealants can be used to achieve a sealed connection between the guide member 4 and the liquid inlet plate 304 and the return plate 305.

[0051] The vertical plates 30 and horizontal plates 31 are generally of equal length. Equally long vertical plates 30 can be arranged alongside horizontal plates 31 to ensure connection strength between the two while also ensuring the cell frame 2 does not exceed its length. For example, if the vertical plates 30 and horizontal plates 31 are equal in length, both ends of the horizontal plates 31 and vertical plates 30 are connected to the side plates 12. This connection between the vertical plates 30 and horizontal plates 31 and the side plates 12 increases the number of force transmission points between the cell frame 2 and the outer shell 1, thereby increasing the internal structural connection strength of the battery module.

[0052] In many cases, multiple groups of parallel battery racks 2 are arranged in the accommodating cavity 13. Adjacent battery racks 2 are connected and positioned by connecting rods 5. The connecting rods 5 are also connected to the liquid cooling fixing plate, thereby increasing the internal connection strength of the battery module.

[0053] As an example, the connecting rod 5 is a straight rod. The liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 is provided with a plug hole 302. The connecting rod 5 passes through the plug hole 302 to connect the multiple cell racks 2 and the liquid-cooling reinforcement plate 3 together. Of course, the plug hole 302 needs to avoid the liquid-cooling channel 301. In this embodiment, the plug hole 302 is provided on the connecting base plate 303 and is not connected to the liquid-cooling channel 301.

[0054] The insertion hole 302 is a prismatic hole or a cylindrical hole. The radial cross-sectional shape of the connecting rod 5 is the same as that of the insertion hole 302. At the same time, the size of the connecting rod 5 is adapted to the insertion hole 302 to facilitate smooth insertion of the connecting rod 5 through the insertion hole 302. In this embodiment, the insertion hole 302 is preferably a prismatic hole. Compared with a cylindrical hole, the connecting rod 5 will not rotate in the prismatic hole, and the connection stability is better.

[0055] Of course, the connecting rod 5 can also extend to connect with the inner wall of the outer shell 1 to achieve the connection between the connecting rod 5 and the side plate 12 of the outer shell 1.

[0056] To sum up, the battery module provided by the embodiment of the present invention arranges the battery rack 2 in the accommodating cavity 13 of the outer shell 1, and then the liquid cooling reinforcement plate 3 is connected to the battery rack 2 and the outer shell 1 at the same time, and then the connecting rod 5 is used to connect multiple battery racks 2 and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate 3 together, so that multiple battery racks 2, liquid cooling reinforcement plates 3, connecting rods 5, and outer shell 1 form a whole, which greatly increases the internal structure connection strength of the battery module and overcomes the defect of insufficient internal structure connection strength of the existing battery module.

[0057] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, comprising the above-mentioned battery module, wherein the internal structural strength of the battery module is enhanced, and correspondingly, the internal structural connection strength of the battery pack is also increased.

[0058] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: include: A housing (1), wherein a receiving cavity (13) is provided inside the housing (1); and A battery cell frame (2), the battery cell frame (2) being arranged in the accommodating cavity (13), and the battery cell frame (2) being used for installing a battery cell (6); A liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) is connected to the housing (1) and the battery core frame (2) at the same time, and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) is used to contact the battery core (6).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A connecting rod (5) is provided in the accommodating cavity (13), and the connecting rod (5) is connected to both the battery cell frame (2) and the liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3).

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) is provided with a plug hole (302), the connecting rod (5) is plugged into the plug hole (302), and the connecting rod (5) is connected to the battery core frame (2).

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plug-in hole (302) is a prismatic hole or a cylindrical hole, and the connecting rod (5) is adapted to the plug-in hole (302).

5. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the connecting rod (5) is connected to the housing (1).

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a bottom plate (10), a top plate (11) and a side plate (12); the bottom plate (10) and the top plate (11) are respectively connected to two sides of the side plate (12) to form the accommodating cavity (13); The liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) is connected to the bottom plate (10) and the side plate (12) at the same time.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) includes a vertical plate (30) and a horizontal plate (31), wherein the vertical plate (30) is connected to the horizontal plate (31), the vertical plate (30) is simultaneously connected to the side plate (12) and the battery cell frame (2), and the horizontal plate (31) is connected to the bottom plate (10).

8. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that: The battery core frame (2) is connected to both the bottom plate (10) and the side plate (12).

9. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The liquid cooling reinforcement plate (3) comprises a vertical plate (30) and a horizontal plate (31), the vertical plate (30) is connected to the horizontal plate (31), the horizontal plate (31) is connected to the housing (1), and the vertical plate (30) is connected to the battery cell frame (2).

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: Comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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