Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery cooling, and discloses a battery module and a battery pack, the battery module comprises a cooling box, a plurality of battery cells and a liquid inlet plate, wherein the cooling box is provided with a plurality of independent cooling cavities which are arranged in rows; the plurality of battery cells are arranged in the cooling cavities in a one-to-one correspondence manner; according to the battery module with the structure, when the battery cells need to be cooled, cooling liquid enters the liquid inlet plate from the liquid inlet, the liquid storage cavity is formed in the liquid inlet plate, and the cooling liquid enters the cooling cavity from the liquid storage cavity and the opening and then flows out from the liquid outlet, so that the cooling of the battery cells is realized. The battery cell is arranged in the cooling cavity, the cooling cavity is filled with the cooling liquid, and the cooling liquid is arranged around the outer side wall of the battery cell, so that the heat exchange area is effectively increased, the battery cell can be quickly cooled, the side surfaces of the battery cell are in contact with the cooling liquid, the battery cell can be uniformly cooled, and the temperature consistency of each part of the battery cell is ensured; therefore, the charging rate of the battery cell can be prevented from being influenced by high or non-uniform temperature of the battery cell, and the charging time of the battery can be shortened.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the increasing popularity and development of new energy vehicles, the requirements for battery pack charging time are becoming more stringent. Shortening charging time requires increasing the charging current; however, high-current charging inevitably leads to rapid battery temperature rise. If the battery cannot be cooled in time, it will overheat, resulting in longer charging times. In existing battery packs, the cells are housed within a casing, with cooling plates at the bottom or top of the cells, using coolant to cool them. In this structure, the cooling plates only contact the bottom or top surface of the cells, failing to provide rapid cooling. Furthermore, the temperature uniformity across different areas of the cells after cooling is poor, affecting the charging rate of the battery pack and hindering the reduction of charging time. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a battery module and battery pack to solve the problems in the prior art where the battery cooling structure cannot cool the battery quickly and the temperature uniformity of the battery after cooling is poor, which is not conducive to shortening the charging time.

[0004] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a battery module, comprising:

[0005] A cooling box, wherein the cooling box is provided with multiple independent cooling chambers arranged in rows;

[0006] Multiple battery cells are arranged one-to-one within the cooling cavity;

[0007] An inlet plate is provided on the cooling tank. The inlet plate has an inlet and an outlet at both ends. The inlet plate between the inlet and the outlet has an opening that communicates with the cooling cavity.

[0008] Beneficial effects: In this battery module structure, when cooling of the cells is required, coolant enters the inlet plate through the inlet port. The inlet plate has a storage chamber inside, and the coolant enters the cooling chamber through the storage chamber and an opening, then flows out through the outlet, thus cooling the cells. The cells are placed inside the cooling chamber, and the coolant fills the cooling chamber and surrounds the outer walls of the cells, effectively increasing the heat exchange area and allowing for rapid cooling. Furthermore, the sides of the cells are in contact with the coolant, ensuring even cooling and consistent temperature throughout the cells. This prevents high or uneven cell temperatures from affecting the charging rate and helps shorten battery charging time.

[0009] In one alternative embodiment, the liquid inlet plate is located at the bottom of the cooling tank.

[0010] Beneficial effects: Coolant enters the cooling chamber from the bottom of the cooling tank, which is more conducive to filling the cooling chamber with coolant, thereby improving the cooling effect of the battery cell.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the width direction of the cooling cavity is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of cooling cavities, and at least one of the two ends of the cooling cavity in the width direction is an open opening. At least one of the two ends of the battery cell extending along the width direction of the cooling cavity is provided with an electrode structure. The end of the battery cell with the electrode structure extends to the outside of the cooling cavity through the open opening, and the battery cell is sealed to the side wall of the open opening.

[0012] Beneficial effects: Compared to methods where the electrode structure is also immersed in the coolant, this design isolates the cell's electrode structure from the coolant, reducing the insulation requirements for the coolant. When the battery module is used in a vehicle, the vehicle's coolant can be used as the cell's coolant, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system and circuit with higher insulation requirements. This reduces coolant costs and simplifies the cooling system structure. The sealed design between the cell and the open sidewall prevents coolant leakage.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the opening is rectangular, and the longitudinal section of the battery cell is rectangular.

[0014] Beneficial effects: All four sides of the battery cell are in contact with the coolant. Compared to surface cooling, this significantly increases the heat exchange area, enabling rapid and effective cooling of the cell and thus greatly improving cooling efficiency. The opening is rectangular, and the cooling chamber is also rectangular. Multiple cooling chambers are arranged sequentially, with adjacent chambers parallel to each other. This fully utilizes the space of the cooling box, improving the compactness and regularity of the structure. Multiple battery cells can be housed within the cooling box, effectively improving the space utilization and volumetric efficiency of the battery module. The cooling box also serves as a fixing structure for the battery cells, securing them while cooling them.

[0015] In one optional embodiment, the battery cell includes a blade battery cell, with a positive terminal and a negative terminal respectively provided at both ends of the blade battery cell in the length direction, and the cooling cavity having an opening at both ends in the width direction, with the two ends of the blade battery cell in the length direction located outside the opening.

[0016] In one alternative embodiment, a seal is further included, which seals the inner wall surface of the opening between the outer wall surface of the battery cell.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The sealing element is installed between the inner wall of the open opening and the outer wall of the battery cell to prevent coolant leakage, while also separating the positive and negative terminals from the coolant.

[0018] In one alternative embodiment, the seal includes a rubber gasket.

[0019] In one alternative implementation, the seals on all the openings are integrally formed.

[0020] Beneficial effects: During installation, the seal is snapped and fixed outside the opening, making it convenient to manufacture, install and remove the seal.

[0021] Secondly, this utility model also provides a battery pack, including the battery module and housing as described above, wherein the battery module is disposed within the housing. The battery pack includes the battery module and has the same technical effects as the battery module, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0022] In one optional embodiment, the bottom of the housing is provided with a groove, and the liquid inlet plate is disposed at the bottom of the cooling tank and embedded in the groove;

[0023] And / or, it also includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the inlet pipe being connected to the inlet port and the outlet pipe being connected to the outlet port.

[0024] Beneficial effects: This configuration allows the bottom of the cooling box to be placed on the bottom plate of the housing, ensuring that the battery module is stably held in the housing, improving the stability of the battery pack structure, and making the battery pack structure more compact, thus improving the space utilization of the battery pack.

[0025] The outlet pipe connects to the outlet port, the inlet pipe connects to the vehicle's inlet pipe, and the outlet pipe connects to the overall outlet pipe. Coolant is supplied to the cooling box through the vehicle's inlet and outlet pipes, and the coolant is circulated back to the battery cells using the vehicle's outlet and outlet pipes. This simplifies the battery pack's cooling system and reduces coolant and pipe costs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of part A in the middle;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a top view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A sectional view along the AA direction;

[0031] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling box of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of part B in the middle;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the casing in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0036] 1. Cooling box; 11. Cooling chamber; 12. Opening; 2. Battery cell; 21. Positive terminal; 22. Negative terminal; 3. Liquid inlet plate; 4. Sealing element; 5. Box body; 6. Groove; 7. Liquid inlet pipe; 8. Liquid outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0038] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 8 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery module is provided, including a cooling box 1, multiple battery cells 2, and a liquid inlet plate 3. The cooling box 1 has multiple independent cooling chambers 11 arranged in rows; the multiple battery cells 2 are correspondingly disposed within the cooling chambers 11; the liquid inlet plate 3 is disposed on the cooling box 1, and has an inlet and an outlet at both ends, with an opening on the liquid inlet plate 3 between the inlet and outlet communicating with each of the cooling chambers 11.

[0040] In this battery module structure, when cooling of the battery cell 2 is required, coolant enters the inlet plate 3 through the inlet port. The inlet plate 3 has a storage chamber inside, and the coolant enters the cooling chamber 11 through the storage chamber and the opening, and then flows out through the outlet, thus cooling the battery cell 2. The battery cell 2 is placed inside the cooling chamber 11, and the coolant fills the cooling chamber 11 and surrounds the outer wall of the battery cell 2, effectively increasing the heat exchange area and enabling rapid cooling of the battery cell 2. Furthermore, the sides of the battery cell 2 are in contact with the coolant, which can evenly cool the battery cell 2 and ensure the temperature consistency of the battery cell 2. This avoids the battery cell 2's high temperature or uneven temperature affecting the charging rate, and helps to shorten the battery charging time.

[0041] Alternatively, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the liquid inlet plate 3 is located at the bottom of the cooling tank 1. During cooling, the coolant enters the cooling cavity 11 from the bottom of the cooling tank 1, which is more conducive to filling the cooling cavity 11 with coolant, thereby improving the cooling effect of the battery cell 2.

[0042] In other embodiments, the liquid inlet plate 3 may also be disposed on the top or side of the cooling tank 1.

[0043] The width direction of the cooling chamber 11 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple cooling chambers 11, which is referred to as the length direction. At least one end of the cooling chamber 1 at one end of the width direction of the cooling chamber 11 has an open opening 12. At least one end of the battery cell 2 extending along the width direction of the cooling chamber 11 has an electrode structure. The end of the battery cell 2 with the electrode structure extends to the outside of the cooling chamber 11 through the open opening 12. The battery cell 2 is sealed to the side wall of the open opening 12. Compared to the method where the electrode structure is also immersed in the coolant, this arrangement isolates the electrode structure of the battery cell 2 from the coolant, reducing the insulation requirements for the coolant. When the battery module is used in a vehicle, the vehicle's coolant can be used as the coolant for the battery cell 2, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system and cooling circuit with high insulation requirements, thus reducing coolant costs and simplifying the cooling system structure. The sealed arrangement of the battery cell 2 to the side wall of the open opening 12 prevents coolant leakage.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the opening 12 is rectangular, and the longitudinal section of the battery cell 2 is also rectangular. The battery cell 2 is either a blade battery cell 2 or a square-shell battery cell 2. All four sides of the battery cell 2 are in contact with the coolant. Compared with surface cooling, this can significantly increase the heat exchange area, thereby quickly and effectively cooling the battery cell 2 and significantly improving cooling efficiency. The opening 12 is rectangular, and the cooling cavity 11 is also rectangular. Multiple cooling cavities 11 are arranged sequentially, with adjacent cooling cavities 11 arranged in parallel. This allows for full utilization of the space in the cooling box 1 to accommodate multiple cooling cavities 11, improving the compactness and regularity of the structure. Multiple battery cells 2 can be installed inside the cooling box 1, effectively improving the space utilization and volume grouping efficiency of the battery module. The cooling box 1 also serves as a fixing structure for the battery cell 2, fixing the battery cell 2 while cooling it.

[0045] In some embodiments, the battery cell 2 includes a blade battery cell 2. The blade battery cell 2 has a positive terminal 21 and a negative terminal 22 at its two ends along its length. The cooling cavity 11 has openings 12 at both ends along its width. The two ends of the blade battery cell 2 along its length are located outside the openings 12. This arrangement isolates the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 from the cooling cavity 11. The coolant does not need to consider the insulation of the terminals and can use the vehicle's coolant as the coolant for the battery cell 2, eliminating the need for a separate cooling circuit. Before injecting coolant into the cooling cavity 11, the gas in the cooling cavity 11 needs to be purged. If gas is present in the coolant during circulation, it also needs to be purged to avoid affecting the cooling effect. The cooling chamber 11 directly uses the vehicle's coolant, and its cooling circulation system is connected to the vehicle's cooling system. It can expel the gas in the cooling chamber 11 when the vehicle is vacuumed. The vehicle is equipped with a coolant reservoir with an exhaust structure. When the coolant in the cooling chamber 11 is low, coolant is added to the cooling chamber 11 through the coolant reservoir. When the coolant in the cooling chamber 11 is high, the coolant is returned to the coolant reservoir. When the coolant circulates to the coolant reservoir, the gas mixed in the coolant is expelled through the exhaust structure to reduce the gas content in the coolant. The coolant re-enters the cooling chamber 11, which can improve the cooling effect. While venting the cooling chamber 11 and coolant, heat recovery management of energy can also be achieved.

[0046] In other embodiments, the battery cell 2 includes a square-shell battery cell 2, with a positive terminal 21 and a negative terminal 22 disposed on one side of the battery cell 2. In this case, an open opening 12 is provided at one end of the cooling cavity 11 in the width direction, and the side of the battery cell 2 with the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 extends out of the cooling cavity 11 through the open opening 12.

[0047] In other embodiments, the longitudinal section of the cooling cavity 11 is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the battery cell 2. When the battery cell 2 is a cylindrical battery cell 2, the longitudinal section of the cooling cavity 11 is circular and the opening 12 is circular.

[0048] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the battery module further includes a seal 4, which is sealed between the inner wall of the opening 12 and the outer wall of the cell 2 to prevent coolant leakage, while also separating the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 from the coolant.

[0049] Optionally, in some embodiments, the seal 4 includes a gasket that is interference-fitted with the sidewall of the cell 2 to form an effective seal between the cell 2 and the sidewall of the opening 12.

[0050] A rectangular rubber pad is provided on each opening 12, and the rubber pads on adjacent openings 12 are arranged in parallel.

[0051] In some embodiments, the seals 4 on all openings 12 are integrally formed. During installation, the seals 4 are snapped and fixed to the outside of the openings 12, which facilitates the manufacture, installation and removal of the seals 4.

[0052] In other embodiments, multiple seals 4 may be provided, with each seal 4 outside the opening 12 being provided independently. During installation, multiple seals are installed on the opening 12 one by one.

[0053] In other embodiments, a soft insulating material can be provided on the outer wall of the battery cell 2 to squeeze the battery cell 2 into the cooling cavity 11. The soft insulating material is sealed against the side wall of the open opening 12 to form a seal with the cooling box 1.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the positive and negative terminals of adjacent blade cells 2 are alternately arranged. For example, from left to right, one end of the width direction of the first cooling cavity 11 is the positive terminal 21, and the same end of the width direction of the second cooling cavity 11 is the negative terminal 22. Multiple cells 2 are arranged sequentially, and the positive and negative terminals of multiple cells 2 located at the same end of the width direction of the cooling cavity 11 are alternately arranged. Both the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 are exposed outside the cooling cavity 11, which facilitates the welding of the busbar to the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22, realizing the series connection of all cells 2.

[0055] In other embodiments, the positive and negative terminals of adjacent blade cells 2 can also be arranged in the same direction, that is, the same end of the cooling cavity 11 in the width direction is the positive terminal 21 of the cell 2 or the positive terminal 21, which facilitates the parallel connection of all cells 2.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, all the cells 2 have the same length protruding from the cooling cavity 11, and the battery module structure is regular.

[0057] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the liquid inlet plate 3 is a rectangular plate with a liquid storage chamber inside. The liquid inlet plate 3 is located at the bottom of the cooling tank 1. In some embodiments, the liquid inlet plate 3 is located in the middle of the width direction of the cooling tank 1. This arrangement is more conducive to the coolant entering and filling the cooling chamber 11, ensuring that the coolant enters the cooling chamber 11 evenly in all positions in the width direction, which is beneficial to ensuring the cooling effect.

[0058] The liquid inlet plate 3 protrudes from the bottom surface of the cooling tank 1. In some embodiments, the liquid inlet plate 3 is integrally formed with the cooling tank 1. The top surface of the liquid inlet plate 3 has an opening communicating with the cooling cavity 11.

[0059] The two ends of the liquid inlet plate 3 along its length are located outside the cooling box 1. The liquid inlet and liquid outlet are respectively located on the liquid inlet plate 3 outside the cooling box 1. This arrangement facilitates the connection of the liquid inlet to the liquid inlet and the connection of the liquid outlet to the liquid outlet.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the liquid inlet plate 3 is arranged in parallel with all the cooling chambers 11. The top surface of the liquid inlet plate 3 is flat, and all the openings of the liquid inlet plate 3 are the same size. After the coolant enters the liquid inlet plate 3, it enters each cooling chamber 11 in parallel, which is beneficial to improve the cooling effect and improve the temperature uniformity of each cell 2 after heat dissipation.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, another aspect provides a battery pack, including the aforementioned battery module and housing 5, wherein the battery module is disposed within the housing 5.

[0062] In this battery pack structure, coolant enters the inlet plate 3 through the inlet port, then flows into the cooling chamber 11 through the storage cavity and opening of the inlet plate 3, and finally flows out through the outlet port, thus cooling the battery cells 2. The battery cells 2 are placed inside the cooling chamber 11, which is filled with coolant that surrounds the outer wall of the battery cells 2, effectively increasing the heat exchange area and allowing for rapid cooling. Furthermore, the sides of the battery cells 2 are in contact with the coolant, ensuring even cooling and consistent temperature throughout the cells. This prevents high or uneven temperatures from affecting the charging rate of the battery cells 2, thus shortening the charging time of the battery pack and improving its safety performance.

[0063] like Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the bottom of the housing 5 is provided with a groove 6, and the liquid inlet plate 3 is provided at the bottom of the cooling box 1. The liquid inlet plate 3 is embedded in the groove 6. This arrangement allows the bottom surface of the cooling box 1 to be placed on the bottom plate of the housing 5, ensuring that the battery module is stably held in the housing 5, improving the stability of the battery pack structure, and making the battery pack structure more compact, thereby improving the space utilization of the battery pack.

[0064] In some embodiments, the battery pack further includes an inlet pipe 7 and an outlet pipe 8. The inlet pipe 7 is connected to an inlet, and the outlet pipe 8 is connected to an outlet. The inlet pipe 7 is connected to the vehicle's inlet piping, and the outlet pipe 8 is connected to the overall outlet piping. Coolant is supplied to the cooling tank 1 5 through the vehicle's inlet piping and the inlet pipe 7, and the coolant is circulated back to the cells 2 through the vehicle's outlet piping and the outlet pipe 8. This simplifies the battery pack's cooling system and reduces coolant and piping costs.

[0065] In some embodiments, optionally, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the battery pack contains two sets of battery modules, which are arranged parallel to each other inside the housing 5. The inlet pipe 7 connects to two branch inlet pipes, and the outlet pipe 8 connects to two branch outlet pipes. The two branch inlet pipes connect to the inlets of the two inlet plates 3, and the two branch outlet pipes connect to the outlets of the two inlet plates 3. This parallel connection of pipes allows for simultaneous inlet and outlet of the two battery modules, ensuring effective heat dissipation, improving temperature uniformity after heat dissipation, simplifying the piping setup, and reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery pack.

[0066] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, include: A cooling box, wherein the cooling box is provided with multiple independent cooling chambers arranged in rows; Multiple battery cells are arranged one-to-one within the cooling cavity; An inlet plate is provided on the cooling tank. The inlet plate has an inlet and an outlet at both ends. The inlet plate between the inlet and the outlet has an opening that communicates with the cooling cavity.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid inlet plate is located at the bottom of the cooling tank.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The width direction of the cooling cavity is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of cooling cavities. At least one of the two ends of the cooling cavity in the width direction is an open opening. At least one of the two ends of the battery cell extending along the width direction of the cooling cavity is provided with an electrode structure. The end of the battery cell with the electrode structure extends to the outside of the cooling cavity through the open opening. The battery cell is sealed to the side wall of the open opening.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The opening is rectangular, and the longitudinal section of the battery cell is rectangular.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery cell includes a blade battery cell, with a positive terminal and a negative terminal respectively at both ends of the blade battery cell in the length direction. The cooling cavity has an opening at both ends in the width direction, and the two ends of the blade battery cell in the length direction are located outside the opening.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a seal that is sealed between the inner wall surface of the opening and the outer wall surface of the cell.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The seal includes a rubber gasket.

8. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The seals on all the openings are integrally formed.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that, The battery module and housing are included in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the battery module is disposed in the housing.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom of the box is provided with a groove, and the liquid inlet plate is provided at the bottom of the cooling box and is embedded in the groove; And / or, it also includes an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the inlet pipe being connected to the inlet port and the outlet pipe being connected to the outlet port.

Images