Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module comprises a connecting bar, a battery cell and a heat conductor; the connecting bar is provided with a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a through hole is formed in the connecting bar and penetrates through the first surface and the second surface; the battery cell is positioned on one side of the first surface and is provided with a pole, and the pole corresponds to the through hole and is welded on the first surface; the heat conductor is fixedly connected to the second surface, and part of the heat conductor extends into the through hole and is tightly attached to the pole. By arranging the heat conductor on the second surface of the connecting bar, heat generated by working of the battery cell can be conducted to the heat conductor through the pole and the connecting bar, so that the heat conductor can quickly lead out the heat of the pole and the connecting bar, and the heat conductor can be in direct contact with the pole in the through hole by enabling part of the heat conductor to extend into the through hole and be tightly attached to the pole; and the heat on the pole can be directly conducted to the heat conductor, so that the pole can be quickly cooled, and the service life of the battery module can be prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a battery module and battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] For battery packs used at high rates, whether in energy storage or power batteries, cooling and heat dissipation remain persistent challenges for the industry. Existing cooling methods, such as immersion liquid cooling, double-sided liquid cooling, and top air cooling, cannot achieve satisfactory cooling results, thus affecting the overall lifespan of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a battery module and battery pack with an extended service life.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a battery module, including:

[0005] A connecting bar has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The connecting bar has a through hole that penetrates both the first surface and the second surface.

[0006] A battery cell, located on one side of the first surface, the battery cell having terminals corresponding to the through-hole and welded to the first surface; and

[0007] A heat conductor is fixedly connected to the second surface, and a portion of the heat conductor extends into the through hole and is in close contact with the pole post.

[0008] In the aforementioned battery module, by providing through holes on the connector, the operator can weld the terminals of the battery cells located on the first side of the connector from the second side through the through holes, thereby achieving a stable electrical connection between the connector and the terminals. By providing a heat conductor on the second side of the connector, the heat generated by the battery cells during operation can be conducted through the terminals and the connector to the heat conductor. Therefore, the heat conductor can quickly dissipate heat from the terminals and the connector, achieving the purpose of cooling the terminals. Furthermore, by extending part of the heat conductor into the through holes and closely adhering to the terminals, the heat conductor can directly contact the terminals within the through holes, allowing heat on the terminals to also be directly conducted to the heat conductor. This achieves rapid heat dissipation from the terminals, rapidly cooling them and extending the battery cell's lifespan, thus extending the lifespan of the battery module.

[0009] In one embodiment, a portion of the heat conductor extending into the through-hole fills the through-hole and adheres tightly to the inner wall surface of the through-hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the heat conductor is in close contact with the second surface.

[0011] In one embodiment, the heat conductor is at least able to completely cover the second surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, the thickness of the heat conductor in the direction perpendicular to the second surface is H, where 5mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm; the thermal conductivity of the heat conductor is k, where k ≥ 3.5W / (mK).

[0013] In one embodiment, there are multiple connecting bars and multiple battery cells. The multiple battery cells are arranged sequentially along a first direction and are all located on one side of the first surface. Each battery cell has two terminals, which are a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively. The positive terminal of any battery cell is connected to the negative terminal of an adjacent battery cell through a connecting bar. The multiple connecting bars connect the multiple battery cells in series.

[0014] In one embodiment, the plurality of connecting rows are divided into two connecting groups spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each connecting group has a plurality of connecting rows arranged sequentially along the first direction; there are two heat conductors, each heat conductor corresponding to one of the two connecting groups, and each heat conductor is connected to a plurality of connecting rows in the corresponding connecting group.

[0015] In one embodiment, the heat conductor has the same width dimension as the connecting row in the second direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the battery module includes a heat-insulating material layer, and the heat-insulating material layer is disposed between any two adjacent battery cells.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module.

[0018] Since the aforementioned battery pack includes the aforementioned battery module, the lifespan of the battery pack is extended as well as the lifespan of the battery module is extended. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view of the battery module shown;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along AA in the battery module shown;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the battery module shown from another perspective.

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged structural diagram at point C;

[0026] The following are the labeling elements in the figure:

[0027] 100. Battery module; 110. Connecting bar; 111. First side; 112. Second side; 113. Through hole; 114. Connecting group; 120. Battery cell; 121. Terminal post; 121a. Positive terminal post; 121b. Negative terminal post; 122. Explosion-proof valve; 130. Heat conductor; 131. Main body; 132. Protruding part; 150. End plate; 160. Binding strap. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0029] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0030] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0032] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 6 The battery module 100 provided in this application embodiment will now be described. The battery module 100 includes a connector 110, a battery cell 120, and a heat conductor 130. The connector 110 has a first surface 111 and a second surface 112 opposite to the first surface 111. The connector 110 has a through hole 113 that penetrates the first surface 111 and the second surface 112. The battery cell 120 is located on one side of the first surface 111 and has a terminal 121. The terminal 121 corresponds to the through hole 113 and is welded to the first surface 111. The heat conductor 130 is fixedly connected to the second surface 112, and a portion of the heat conductor 130 extends into the through hole 113 and is in close contact with the terminal 121.

[0033] It is understood that in the battery module 100, there are multiple connecting bars 110 and multiple battery cells 120. The multiple battery cells 120 are arranged sequentially, and any two adjacent battery cells 120 are electrically connected through a connecting bar 110. Multiple connecting bars 110 can electrically connect multiple battery cells 120 together. Specifically, the connecting bar 110 is electrically connected to the terminal post 121 of the battery cell 120.

[0034] It is understood that by providing through holes 113 on the connecting bus 110, the operator can weld the electrode 121 of the battery cell 120 located on the first side 111 to the first side 111 of the connecting bus 110 from the second side 112 via the through holes 113, thereby achieving a stable electrical connection between the connecting bus 110 and the electrode 121.

[0035] It is understandable that the heat generated when the battery cell 120 is working can be conducted to the connector 110 through the terminal 121. By setting a heat conductor 130 on the second side 112 of the connector 110, the heat of the connector 110 can be conducted to the heat conductor 130. Therefore, the heat conductor 130 can quickly conduct the heat of the terminal 121 and the connector 110 to achieve the purpose of cooling the terminal 121.

[0036] Furthermore, considering that the terminal 121 corresponds to the through hole 113 and does not contact the connector 110, thus reducing the heat conduction speed from the terminal 121 to the connector 110, by extending part of the heat conductor 130 into the through hole 113 and closely adhering to the terminal 121, the heat conductor 130 can directly contact the terminal 121 within the through hole 113. Thus, the heat on the terminal 121 can also be directly conducted to the heat conductor 130, thereby achieving rapid heat dissipation from the terminal 121 and achieving rapid cooling of the terminal 121, extending the service life of the cell 120, and thus extending the service life of the battery module 100.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, specifically in this application, a portion of the heat-conducting body 130 extending into the through-hole 113 fills the through-hole 113 and adheres tightly to the inner wall surface of the through-hole 113. This arrangement ensures that the entire area of ​​the electrode post 121 corresponding to the through-hole 113 but not in contact with the connecting bar 110 is tightly adhered to the heat-conducting body 130, thus maximizing the rapid heat dissipation from the electrode post 121 and achieving rapid cooling. Furthermore, the heat-conducting body 130, after filling the through-hole 113, contacts the entire inner wall surface of the through-hole 113, thereby increasing the contact area between the connecting bar 110 and the heat-conducting body 130, which also accelerates the transfer of heat from the connecting bar 110 to the heat-conducting body 130.

[0038] Specifically, in this application, the heat conductor 130 is in close contact with the second surface 112. It can be understood that the heat conductor 130 is divided into a main body portion 131 that is attached to the second surface 112 and a protruding portion 132 that extends into the through hole 113. The main body portion 131 has a flat plate structure with a certain thickness, and one side of it is in full contact with the second surface 112. Thus, the heat conductor 130 and the connecting bar 110 have a large contact area, which can realize the rapid conduction of heat from the connecting bar 110 to the heat conductor 130.

[0039] Furthermore, the heat conductor 130 can at least completely cover the second surface 112. It is understood that the edge of the side of the main body 131 that is in contact with the second surface 112 can be aligned exactly with the edge of the second surface 112, or the edge of the side of the main body 131 that is in contact with the second surface 112 can protrude beyond the edge of the second surface 112, thereby ensuring that the entire second surface 112 is in contact with the heat conductor 130, resulting in a large contact area between the heat conductor 130 and the connecting pad 110, thus enabling rapid heat conduction from the connecting pad 110 to the heat conductor 130.

[0040] like Figure 4As shown, specifically in this application, the thickness of the heat conductor 130 in the direction perpendicular to the second surface 112 is H, where 5mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm. The thermal conductivity of the heat conductor 130 is k, where k ≥ 3.5W / (mK). It can be understood that the thickness of the heat conductor 130 specifically refers to the dimension by which the flat main body portion 131 protrudes above the second surface 112. The heat conductor 130 can be formed by coating the second surface 112 with thermally conductive adhesive, which then cures. By setting the thickness of the main body portion 131 to 5mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm and the thermal conductivity to k ≥ 3.5W / (mK), it can be ensured that the main body portion 131 of the heat conductor 130 achieves good heat dissipation for the connecting strip 110, and without affecting the assembly of the battery module 100 with the outer casing of the battery pack due to excessive thickness.

[0041] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, specifically in this application, multiple battery cells 120 are arranged sequentially along a first direction and are all located on one side of the first surface 111. Each battery cell 120 has two terminals 121, which are a positive terminal 121a and a negative terminal 121b, respectively. The positive terminal 121a of any battery cell 120 is connected to the negative terminal 121b of the adjacent battery cell 120 through a connecting bar 110, and multiple connecting bars 110 connect the multiple battery cells 120 in series.

[0042] The direction in which multiple battery cells 120 are arranged sequentially is defined as the first direction (as indicated by the X-axis in the attached figure). The positive terminals 121a and negative terminals 121b on the battery cells 120 are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (as indicated by the Y-axis in the attached figure). Thus, the terminals 121 of the multiple battery cells 120 are divided into two rows spaced apart in the second direction, and for the multiple terminals 121 in each row, the positive terminals 121a and negative terminals 121b are alternately arranged in the first direction. Therefore, a connecting bar 110 can connect the positive terminals 121a and negative terminals 121b of two adjacent battery cells 120 located in the same row.

[0043] Multiple connecting bars 110 are divided into two connecting groups 114 spaced apart in the second direction. Each connecting group 114 has multiple connecting bars 110 arranged sequentially along the first direction. Thus, multiple connecting bars 110 in one connecting group 114 connect multiple poles 121 in the same column. Multiple connecting bars 110 in the two connecting groups 114 work together to connect multiple cells 120 in series.

[0044] In this application, there are two heat conductors 130, each corresponding to one of the two connection groups 114. Each heat conductor 130 is connected to multiple connection rows 110 within its corresponding connection group 114. It can be understood that the heat conductor 130 has an elongated strip structure extending along a first direction, enabling it to connect to multiple connection rows 110. By simultaneously fixing one heat conductor 130 to multiple connection rows 110 within a connection group 114, not only is the connection operation more convenient, but the multiple connection rows 110 working together can also fix and position the heat conductor 130, and achieve a uniform temperature across the multiple connection rows 110.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown in this application, the heat conductor 130 has the same width as the connecting bar 110 in the second direction. Considering that an explosion-proof valve 122 is provided on the battery cell 120 corresponding to the area between the two heat conductors 130, by making the edge of the heat conductor 130 in the second direction exactly flush with the edge of the connecting bar 110, it is possible to ensure that the heat conductor 130 provides good heat conduction to the connecting bar 110 while also preventing the heat conductor 130 from obstructing the explosion-proof valve 122.

[0046] Specifically, in this application, the battery module 100 includes a heat-insulating material layer (not shown), and a heat-insulating material layer is disposed between any two adjacent battery cells 120. It can be understood that the heat-insulating material layer is disposed between the large surfaces of two adjacent battery cells 120 to fill the gap between the large surfaces of the two battery cells 120, thereby preventing thermal runaway from spreading between the battery cells 120. Further, the heat-insulating material layer is specifically an aerogel.

[0047] See again Figure 1 The battery module 100 also includes an end plate 150 and a strap 160. There are two end plates 150, which are spaced apart along a first direction. Multiple battery cells 120 are disposed between the two end plates 150 and are clamped together by the two end plates 150. The strap 160 is wrapped around the two end plates 150 to bind the two end plates 150 to both sides of the multiple battery cells 120 along the first direction.

[0048] Specifically, through simulation experiments comparing various heat dissipation and cooling schemes, we can obtain the following results:

[0049] Option 1: Use double-sided liquid cooling plates for heat dissipation and cooling of the battery module. Experiments show that the highest temperature of the battery cell is 47.7℃, and the maximum temperature difference between the battery cells is 6.3℃.

[0050] Option 2: Install a fan on top of the battery module for heat dissipation and cooling. Experiments show that the highest temperature of the battery cell is 45.4℃, and the maximum temperature difference is 7℃. Compared with Option 1, although Option 2 can reduce the temperature of the battery cell, the maximum temperature difference is actually increased. An excessive temperature difference in the battery cell will reduce its service life.

[0051] Option 3: The battery module 100 uses the heat conductor 130 in this application for heat dissipation and cooling. Experiments show that the highest temperature of the battery cell is 44℃ and the maximum temperature difference is 5.1℃.

[0052] Compared to Schemes 1 and 2, Scheme 3 adopted in this application can reduce the maximum temperature of the battery cells, increase their lifespan, and reduce the temperature difference between cells, ensuring consistent temperature across all cells and preventing inconsistent cell lifespans due to temperature variations, thus improving the overall lifespan of the battery module. Furthermore, since the heat conductor 130 in this application is obtained by curing thermally conductive adhesive, it can significantly reduce costs compared to Schemes 1 and 2.

[0053] This application protects a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module 100. The battery pack also includes a housing (not shown), in which the battery module 100 is housed within a space enclosed by the housing, and one or more battery modules 100 may be disposed within the housing.

[0054] For the battery module 100 in the battery pack, by providing through holes 113 on the connecting bus 110, the operator can weld the terminal 121 of the battery cell 120 located on the first side 111 to the first side 111 of the connecting bus 110 from the second side 112 through the through holes 113, thereby achieving a stable electrical connection between the connecting bus 110 and the terminal 121. By providing a heat conductor 130 on the second side 112 of the connecting bus 110, the heat generated by the battery cell 120 during operation can be conducted to the heat conductor 130 through the terminal 121 and the connecting bus 110. Therefore, the heat conductor 130 can quickly dissipate the heat from the terminal 121 and the connecting bus 110 to achieve the purpose of cooling the terminal 121. Furthermore, by extending a portion of the heat conductor 130 into the through hole 113 and closely adhering to the electrode post 121, the heat conductor 130 can directly contact the electrode post 121 within the through hole 113. This allows heat on the electrode post 121 to be directly conducted to the heat conductor 130, thus achieving rapid heat dissipation from the electrode post 121 and rapid cooling of the electrode post 121. This extends the lifespan of the cell 120, thereby extending the lifespan of the battery module 100 and ultimately extending the lifespan of the battery pack.

[0055] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, include: A connecting bar has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The connecting bar has a through hole that penetrates both the first surface and the second surface. A battery cell is located on one side of the first surface. The battery cell has a terminal post, which corresponds to the through hole and is welded to the first surface. and A heat conductor is fixedly connected to the second surface, and a portion of the heat conductor extends into the through hole and is in close contact with the pole post.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The portion of the heat conductor extending into the through hole fills the through hole and adheres tightly to the inner wall surface of the through hole.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat conductor is in close contact with the second surface.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heat conductor is at least able to completely cover the second surface.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The thickness of the heat conductor in the direction perpendicular to the second surface is H, where 5mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm; the thermal conductivity of the heat conductor is k, where k ≥ 3.5W / (mK).

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple connecting bars and multiple battery cells. The multiple battery cells are arranged sequentially along the first direction and are all located on one side of the first surface. Each battery cell has two terminals, which are a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal of any battery cell is connected to the negative terminal of the adjacent battery cell through a connecting bar. Multiple connecting bars connect multiple battery cells in series.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of connecting rows are divided into two connecting groups that are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each connecting group has a plurality of connecting rows arranged sequentially along the first direction. There are two heat conductors, and each heat conductor corresponds to one of the two connecting groups. Each heat conductor is connected to a plurality of connecting rows in its corresponding connecting group.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The heat conductor has the same width dimension as the connecting row in the second direction.

9. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The battery module includes a heat insulation material layer, and the heat insulation material layer is disposed between any two adjacent battery cells.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the battery module as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images