Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of power batteries, and discloses a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module comprises a shell and a connecting beam, wherein the shell is provided with a containing cavity, at least one connecting beam is arranged in the containing cavity in the first direction at intervals so as to divide the containing cavity into at least two battery cavities, and a battery pack is arranged in each battery cavity; the two ends, in the second direction, of the connecting beam penetrate through the shell and extend out of fixing parts towards the outer side of the shell, and the fixing parts can be fixed to a box body of the battery pack; according to the battery module, a fixing structure of the shell can be omitted, and the connecting beams are directly used as cross beams for connecting the fixing beams in the battery pack, so that the anti-extrusion strength of the whole battery module and the whole battery pack is improved. Moreover, the connecting beams not only realize separation among the battery packs so as to improve the problem of thermal runaway among the batteries, but also enable the battery module to form a long module form, so that the energy density of the battery module and a loaded battery pack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the continuous development of electric vehicles, their safety has gradually become a major concern, especially battery safety in the event of an accidental collision. Therefore, improving the safety of power batteries is one of the key issues that needs to be addressed.

[0003] Current technologies often improve the safety of power batteries by increasing the structural strength of the battery pack, especially its resistance to compression deformation during collisions. A common practice is to design transverse and longitudinal beams within the battery pack housing. For example, a battery pack with four modules uses a structure of one longitudinal beam and one transverse beam; a battery pack with six modules uses a structure of one longitudinal beam and two transverse beams, or two longitudinal beams and one transverse beam. While this approach increases the strength of the housing, it results in low volume utilization and consequently lower energy density because of the need for assembly gaps between the modules and the housing beams, and the requirement for each module to have end plates for fixation to the housing beams. To increase energy density, battery modules are sometimes made into larger modules, reducing or eliminating the number of transverse and longitudinal beams. However, this reduces the strength and rigidity of the housing, making the battery pack less resistant to lateral compression. This creates a situation where it is currently impossible to simultaneously achieve both high housing strength and high energy density in battery packs.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a battery module and battery pack to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a battery module that can simultaneously improve the strength and energy density of both the battery module itself and the battery pack in which the battery module is installed.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A battery module includes a housing with a receiving cavity. At least one connecting beam is provided at intervals along a first direction in the receiving cavity to divide the receiving cavity into at least two battery chambers. Each battery chamber contains a battery pack. Both ends of the connecting beam along a second direction pass through the housing and extend outward toward the outside of the housing with a fixing part. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The fixing part can be fixed to the housing of the battery pack.

[0008] Optionally, the connecting beam is provided with several cavities, and the cavities are filled with heat-resistant components.

[0009] Optionally, the connecting beam is provided with three cavities along the first direction, one of the three cavities extends outwardly to the outside of the shell and forms a fixing portion; the other two cavities are symmetrically arranged along the cavity where the fixing portion is located.

[0010] Optionally, the connecting beam is integrally formed by aluminum profile.

[0011] Optionally, the fixing portion has a dimension A along the first direction, and 20mm≤A≤40mm.

[0012] Optionally, the fixing portion has a dimension B along the second direction, and 20mm≤B≤60mm.

[0013] Optionally, the fixing portion is provided with a fixing hole for fixing with the fixing beam of the battery pack.

[0014] Optionally, the shell is provided with at least two side plates on both sides along the second direction, the two side plates on the same side are arranged at intervals to form a connecting gap, and any end of the connecting beam is arranged in the corresponding connecting gap and connected with the two adjacent side plates; or,

[0015] The shell is provided with one side plate on both sides along the second direction, and the connecting beam is arranged between the two side plates, each side plate is provided with at least one through hole, and the fixing portion is arranged in the through hole.

[0016] The battery module has the following beneficial effects: the two ends of the connecting beam of the partitioned accommodating cavity directly extend out of the shell to form a fixing portion, so that the fixing structure of the shell can be cancelled, and the connecting beam directly serves as a cross beam for connecting the fixing beams inside the battery pack, thereby improving the extrusion resistance of the entire battery module and the entire battery pack. Moreover, the battery module is divided into at least two battery cavities by the connecting beam to load battery packs, so that the battery packs are separated to improve the thermal runaway problem between the battery packs, and the battery module forms a long module form, the number of structural members loaded in the battery pack of the same volume is reduced, and the energy density of the battery module and the battery pack loaded with the battery module is improved.

[0017] Another purpose of the utility model is to provide a battery pack which can improve the strength and energy density of the battery module and the battery pack loaded with the battery module.

[0018] To achieve the purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical scheme:

[0019] The battery pack comprises a box body and at least one battery module, the box body is provided with at least two fixing beams which are spaced apart along the second direction, the battery module is arranged between two adjacent fixing beams, and the fixing portions on both sides of the battery module along the second direction are connected to the corresponding fixing beams.

[0020] Optionally, the fixing beams are at least three, the fixing beams on the outer side are larger than the fixing portions along the second direction in size, and the remaining fixing beams are larger than the sum of the fixing portions along the second direction in size.

[0021] The battery pack has the advantages that: the connecting beams in the battery module are fixed on the fixing beams, the connecting beams on the same installation line of each battery module are combined to form the beam structure of each fixing beam in the box body, the structure strength is high in the longitudinal direction and has certain anti-deformation ability, the structure strength and the anti-deformation ability are improved in the transverse direction, the lateral extrusion resistance of the battery pack is improved, and the safety of the battery pack is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is the axonometric view of the battery module provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 is the exploded view of the battery module provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 is the axonometric view of the battery module with hidden parts of structure provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 is the axonometric view of the connecting beam provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 5 is the cross-sectional view of the battery pack provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 6 is the top view of the battery pack with hidden parts of structure provided by the embodiment one of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 7 is the axonometric view of the battery module provided by the embodiment two of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 8 is the axonometric view of the battery module with hidden parts of structure provided by the embodiment two of the utility model.

[0030] In the drawing:

[0031] 10, housing; 11, shell; 111, bottom plate; 112, end plate; 113, side plate; 1131, through hole; 1132, exhaust hole; 12, cover plate;

[0032] 20, connecting beam; 201, cavity; 21, fixing part; 211, fixing hole;

[0033] 30, battery pack;

[0034] 200, box body; 210, fixing beam; 220, fixing cavity; 300, fixing bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The utility model will be described in further detail below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used to explain the utility model and are not a limitation on the utility model. In addition, it should be noted that, for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the utility model are shown in the drawings, not all the structures.

[0036] In the description of the utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship of two elements. For ordinary skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In the utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the "upper" or "lower" of the first feature to the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the "upper", "upper" and "upper" of the first feature to the second feature include that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The "below", "below" and "below" of the first feature to the second feature include that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is less than that of the second feature.

[0038] In the description of the embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. orientation or position relationship is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only used to distinguish in the description, and have no special meaning.

[0039] Embodiment one

[0040] It should be noted that the first direction in the embodiment is the Y direction in the Figure 1 second direction is the X direction in the Figure 1 third direction is the Z direction in the Figure 1 X direction, Y direction and Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery module provided in the embodiment includes a shell 10 and a connecting beam 20. The shell 10 is provided with a receiving cavity, at least one connecting beam 20 is arranged in the receiving cavity along a first direction to divide the receiving cavity into at least two battery cavities, and each battery cavity is provided with a battery pack 30. The two ends of the connecting beam 20 along a second direction are arranged in the shell 10 and extend out of the shell 10 to form a fixed part 21, and the fixed part 21 can be fixed to a box body 200 of a battery pack.

[0042] In the embodiment, the two ends of the connecting beam 20 that divides the receiving cavity are directly extended out of the shell 10 to form the fixed part 21, which not only cancels the fixing structure of the shell 10, but also makes the connecting beam 20 directly serve as a cross beam of the fixed beam 210 inside the battery pack, thereby improving the extrusion resistance of the entire battery module and the entire battery pack. Moreover, the battery module is divided into at least two battery cavities by the connecting beam 20 to accommodate the battery pack 30, which not only separates the battery packs 30 to improve the thermal runaway problem between the batteries, but also forms a long module form to reduce the number of structural parts inside the battery pack with the same volume, thereby improving the energy density of the battery module and the battery pack loaded with the battery module.

[0043] Optionally, the size of the battery cavity along the first direction is L, and 300mm≤L≤600mm, so that it can adapt to the installation of battery packs 30 of different lengths.

[0044] Optionally, the battery packs 30 are electrically connected between adjacent battery packs 30 to realize the power supply and storage performance of the battery module as a power supply device.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3In the embodiment, the shell 10 includes a housing 11 and a cover plate 12. The housing 11 includes a bottom plate 111, two end plates 112 respectively arranged on two sides of the bottom plate 111 along a first direction, and at least two side plates 113 respectively arranged on two sides of the bottom plate 111 along a second direction. A connecting beam 20 is arranged on the bottom plate 111 and penetrates the side plates 113 at two ends. The cover plate 12 is arranged opposite to the bottom plate 111 along a third direction and is fixedly connected with the end plates 112 and the side plates 113. By surrounding the bottom plate 111 on four sides, the accommodating cavity is formed. The at least two battery cavities are separated by the connecting beam 20.

[0046] Optionally, the structures in the shell 10 are connected by welding, insertion, clamping or other fixing modes, which are not limited herein.

[0047] Specifically, in the embodiment, the bottom plate 111 is welded with the end plates 112, and / or the bottom plate 111 is welded with the side plates 113, and / or the bottom plate 111 is welded with the connecting beam 20, and / or the side plates 113 are welded with the connecting beam 20, and / or the cover plate 12 is welded with the side plates 113, and / or the cover plate 12 is welded with the end plates 112, and / or the cover plate 12 is welded with the connecting beam 20. The welding of the structures can realize the fixed connection between the housing 11 and the cover plate 12, and the welding connection can improve the connection stability of the shell 10.

[0048] Optionally, the bottom plate 111 is laser-welded with the end plates 112, and / or the bottom plate 111 is laser-welded with the side plates 113, and / or the bottom plate 111 is laser-welded with the connecting beam 20, and / or the side plates 113 are laser-welded with the connecting beam 20, and / or the cover plate 12 is laser-welded with the side plates 113, and / or the cover plate 12 is laser-welded with the end plates 112, and / or the cover plate 12 is laser-welded with the connecting beam 20. The laser welding can realize non-contact processing, and the processing speed is fast and the welding precision is high.

[0049] Specifically, the end plates 112 are provided with external electrical connection parts to realize the external connection of the total positive connection end or the total negative connection end of the internal battery pack 30 after the series connection, and realize the internal and external electrical connection of the battery module.

[0050] Specifically, the shell 10 is provided with at least two side plates 113 on both sides along the second direction, and the two side plates 113 adjacent to each other are arranged at intervals to form a connecting gap, and any end of the connecting beam 20 is arranged in the corresponding connecting gap and connected with the two adjacent side plates 113. In this way, the fixing and penetration between the connecting beam 20 and the side plate 113 can be realized.

[0051] Optionally, the side plate 113 is provided with a plurality of exhaust holes 1132, which are used for exhaust and pressure relief inside the battery module, so that when the battery cell in the battery pack 30 is in thermal runaway, not only the space between the battery cavities can be blocked by the connecting beam 20, but also the gas generated in the battery cavity due to thermal runaway of the battery cell can be discharged in time through the exhaust hole 1132, thereby improving the safety of the battery module.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment, the connecting beam 20 is provided with a plurality of cavities 201, and the cavities 201 can improve the structural strength of the connecting beam 20 and reduce the weight of the connecting beam 20.

[0053] Optionally, the number and arrangement of the cavities 201 can be designed according to requirements, such as a mouth-shaped, a sun-shaped, a field-shaped, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0054] Specifically, the connecting beam 20 is provided with cavities 201 along the first direction, one of the three cavities 201 extends outward and forms a fixing portion 21; the other two cavities 201 are symmetrically arranged along the cavity 201 where the fixing portion 21 is located, so as to enhance the structural strength of the connecting beam 20, and the two cavities 201 on the outside are symmetrically arranged along the cavity 201 on the inside, so that the connecting beam 20 can uniformly bear the external force, and the problem of assembly in reverse can be avoided.

[0055] Optionally, the cavities 201 are filled with temperature-resistant parts, which can improve the fireproof performance of the connecting beam 20, so as to further slow down the spread of thermal runaway between the battery packs 30 in the battery module, and reduce the risk of flame spread, thereby improving the safety of the battery module. Further optionally, part of the three cavities 201 in the embodiment are filled with temperature-resistant parts, which can achieve the inhibitory effect on the spread of thermal runaway. Specifically, the three cavities 201 in the embodiment are all provided with temperature-resistant parts, which greatly improve the inhibitory effect on the spread of thermal runaway.

[0056] Optionally, the temperature-resistant part is a foamed silica gel with a temperature resistance of 800℃, which can isolate high-temperature flames.

[0057] Specifically, the connecting beam 20 is integrally formed by aluminum profile, which can realize the formation of cavities 201 with different shapes, and is convenient to operate and low in cost.

[0058] Optionally, the connecting beam 20 is flush with any side of the shell 11 along the third direction, so that the connecting beam 20 does not affect the occupation of the height space of the battery module. After the cover plate 12 and the shell 11 are fixed, the adjacent battery cavities can be completely blocked by the connecting beam 20, thereby inhibiting the spread of thermal runaway of the battery pack 30 between two battery cavities.

[0059] Further, the fixing portion 21 has a dimension A along the first direction, and 20mm≤A≤40mm. This arrangement can improve the structural strength of the fixing portion 21, so that the connection stability of the fixing portion 21 and the fixing beam 210 of the battery pack is improved. In addition, when the battery pack is subjected to lateral extrusion, the fixing portion 21 can also bear greater extrusion force, thereby improving the extrusion resistance of the battery pack loaded with the battery module.

[0060] In addition, the fixing portion 21 has a dimension B along the second direction, and 20mm≤B≤60mm. This arrangement enables the fixing portion 21 to have sufficient mounting area for assembly with external structures.

[0061] Further, the fixing portion 21 is provided with a fixing hole 211 for fixing with the fixing beam 210 of the battery pack, thereby realizing the connection of the battery module with external structures.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The present embodiment also provides a battery pack, which comprises a box body 200 and at least one battery module according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The box body 200 is provided with at least two fixing beams 210 spaced apart along the second direction, and the battery module is arranged between the two adjacent fixing beams 210, and the fixing portions 21 on both sides of the battery module along the second direction are connected to the corresponding fixing beams 210. That is, the box body 200 is divided into a plurality of fixing cavities 220, and the battery module is arranged in the fixing cavities 220, and the fixing portions 21 on both sides of the battery module are connected to the corresponding fixing beams 210, so that the beams in the first direction and the second direction in the battery pack are connected, thereby improving the structural strength of the battery pack.

[0063] The battery pack forms a beam structure connecting the fixed beams 210 in the battery pack box 200 by fixing the connecting beams 20 in the battery module on the fixed beams 210, combining the connecting beams 20 on the same mounting line of each battery module, thereby improving the lateral extrusion resistance of the battery pack (i.e. the extrusion resistance along the X direction in the figure), thereby improving the safety of the battery pack. When the battery pack is laterally extruded (i.e. extruded along the X direction), the side wall of the box 200 of the battery pack deforms first until the deformation interferes with the fixed part 21, at which time the connecting beam 20 provides the side wall of the box 200 with extrusion resistance, thereby improving the lateral extrusion resistance of the battery pack and slowing down the deformation of the box 200.

[0064] Optionally, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The fixed beam 210 is provided with at least three fixed beams 210, and the size of the fixed beam 210 on the outer side along the second direction is greater than the size of the fixed part 21 along the second direction; the size of the remaining fixed beam 210 along the second direction is greater than the sum of the sizes of the two fixed parts 21 along the second direction. This arrangement makes the fixed part 21 of the battery module not exceed the size of the fixed beam 210 along the second direction, and the fixed beam 210 for mounting the two fixed parts 21 also provides a gap between the two fixed parts 21, i.e. a displacement gap is left between the fixed parts 21 of the adjacent two battery modules, which not only avoids interference during installation, but also avoids the problem that when the battery pack is laterally extruded by external force, the smaller deformation of the box 200 also causes both battery modules to be extruded, thereby improving the reliability of the battery pack.

[0065] Optionally, the distance between the fixed part 21 and the inner side wall of the box 200 is C, and 3mm≤C≤5mm, and the remaining amount provides space for the installation of the fixed part 21, and the small amount makes the connecting beam 20 enter the resistance state as soon as possible when the battery pack is laterally extruded, thereby reducing the degree of deformation of the box 200.

[0066] Further, the battery pack further comprises a fixing bolt 300, and the fixed beam 210 is provided with a threaded hole, and the fixing bolt 300 passes through the fixed part 21 and is threadedly connected to the threaded hole, so as to fixedly connect the fixed part 21 of the connecting beam 20 to the fixed beam 210. The threaded connection can realize the stable connection of the battery module and the fixed beam 210 of the battery pack.

[0067] Embodiment two

[0068] The present embodiment provides a battery module and a battery pack, and the difference between the present embodiment and embodiment one is that the number of the same side side plates 113 and the connection positions of the side plates 113 and the connecting beams 20 in the present embodiment are different.

[0069] Please refer toFigure 7 and Figure 8 Specifically, the shell 10 is provided with a side plate 113 on each side along the second direction, and the connecting beam 20 is arranged between the two side plates 113, each side plate 113 is provided with at least one through hole 1131, and the fixed part 21 is arranged in the through hole 1131. In this way, the connecting beam 20 is protected in the side plate 113 except the fixed part 21, the cavity 201 outside the fixed part 21 of the connecting beam 20 is also shielded, and the side plates 113 are connected as a whole, the number of parts is reduced, and the structural strength of the side plate 113 is improved.

[0070] Obviously, the above embodiments of the utility model are only examples for clearly illustrating the utility model, and are not a limitation on the embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary skilled in the art, various obvious changes, re-adjustment and replacement can be made without departing from the protection scope of the utility model. Here, all the embodiments cannot be exhausted. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement within the spirit and principle of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model claim.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, Includes an outer shell (10), the outer shell (10) having a receiving cavity, and at least one connecting beam (20) spaced apart along a first direction in the receiving cavity to divide the receiving cavity into at least two battery cavities, each of the battery cavities having a battery pack (30), the two ends of the connecting beam (20) along a second direction passing through the outer shell (10) and extending outward toward the outside of the outer shell (10) with a fixing part (21), the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, and the fixing part (21) being able to be fixed to the housing (200) of the battery pack.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting beam (20) has several cavities (201), and the cavities (201) are filled with heat-resistant components.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting beam (20) has three cavities (201) along the first direction. One of the three cavities (201) extends outward toward the outer side of the outer shell (10) and forms a fixing part (21). The other two cavities (201) are symmetrically arranged along the cavity (201) where the fixing part (21) is located.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting beam is integrally formed from aluminum profiles.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimension of the fixing part (21) along the first direction is A, 20mm≤A≤40mm.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimension of the fixing part (21) along the second direction is B, 20mm≤B≤60mm.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing part (21) has a fixing hole (211) for fixing with the fixing beam (210) of the battery pack.

8. The battery module according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The outer casing (10) has at least two side plates (113) on both sides along the second direction. Two adjacent side plates (113) on the same side are spaced apart to form a connection gap. Each end of the connecting beam (20) is located in the corresponding connection gap and connected to the two adjacent side plates (113); or, The outer shell (10) has a side plate (113) on both sides along the second direction. The connecting beam (20) is disposed between the two side plates (113). Each side plate (113) has at least one through hole (1131). The fixing part (21) passes through the through hole (1131).

9. A battery pack, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (200) and at least one battery module as described in any one of claims 1-8. The housing (200) is provided with at least two fixing beams (210) spaced apart along the second direction. The battery module is disposed between two adjacent fixing beams (210), and the fixing parts (21) on both sides of the battery module along the second direction are connected to the corresponding fixing beams (210).

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fixed beam (210) is provided in at least three parts. The outer fixed beam (210) has a dimension in the second direction that is larger than the dimension of the fixed part (21) in the second direction. The remaining fixed beams (210) have a dimension in the second direction that is larger than the sum of the dimensions of the two fixed parts (21) in the second direction.

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