Vehicle, battery pack and battery module

Abstract

The utility model provides a vehicle, a battery pack and a battery module, the battery module comprises a shell and a plurality of battery cells, a cavity is defined in the shell, the plurality of battery cells are arranged in the cavity along a first direction, the shell comprises two cover plates, the two cover plates are oppositely arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each cover plate is provided with an exhaust channel, and the exhaust channel is communicated with the cavity. Each exhaust channel comprises a confluence channel, a plurality of gas inlet channels and at least one gas outlet channel, the plurality of gas inlet channels are arranged on the inner side, facing the cavity, of the cover plate and are opened towards the plurality of battery cells in a one-to-one correspondence manner, and the confluence channel is formed in the cover plate along a first direction and is communicated with the gas outlet channel; the multiple air inlet channels communicate with the confluence channel, the at least one air outlet channel is arranged on the outer side, away from the cavity, of the cover plate, and the at least one air outlet channel communicates with the confluence channel. According to the battery module disclosed by the invention, the exhaust path is added, and the exhaust channel is reasonable in design, so that the exhaust efficiency when thermal runaway occurs is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power batteries, and more particularly to a vehicle, a battery pack, and a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the electric vehicle and energy storage system market, the safety and heat dissipation performance of battery systems have become key factors restricting their widespread application. In particular, ensuring the safe and orderly discharge of gases under thermal runaway conditions is a significant challenge in battery system design.

[0003] Existing technology includes a battery module with venting channels designed on its casing to expel gases generated by thermal runaway of the battery cells. However, the existing technology has a limited number of venting channels, indirect exhaust paths, and requires further improvement in exhaust efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a battery module that improves exhaust efficiency in the event of thermal runaway.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] The first aspect of this application provides a battery module, including a housing and a plurality of battery cells. The housing has an interior cavity, and the plurality of battery cells are arranged in the cavity along a first direction. The housing includes two cover plates, which are disposed opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each cover plate is provided with an exhaust channel for venting gas from the battery cells. Each exhaust channel includes a confluence channel, a plurality of intake channels, and at least one exhaust channel. The plurality of intake channels are disposed on the inner side of the cover plate facing the cavity and are open to the plurality of battery cells in a corresponding manner. The confluence channel is formed inside the cover plate along the first direction, and the plurality of intake channels are all connected to the confluence channel. The at least one exhaust channel is disposed on the outer side of the cover plate away from the cavity, and the at least one exhaust channel is connected to the confluence channel.

[0007] As an optional implementation, the battery module further includes two heat-conducting layers, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell in the second direction and located inside the two cover plates. The heat-conducting layers have communication openings opposite to multiple air intake channels.

[0008] As an optional implementation, the battery module further includes two heat insulation layers, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell in the second direction and are located on the side of the heat-conducting layer away from the cover plate.

[0009] As an alternative implementation, each insulation layer has a pre-cut notch at a position opposite to each battery cell, allowing gas generated inside the battery cell to break through the pre-cut notch and enter the connection port.

[0010] As an optional implementation, a heat-insulating layer is provided between two adjacent cells in the first direction.

[0011] As an optional implementation, each cover plate has multiple liquid cooling plates inside.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the first direction is set to a direction of the housing on a horizontal plane; and the second direction is set to the up and down direction.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the battery module further includes: a potting compound layer, which is poured into the gap between the positive electrode of each cell and the casing and the gap between the negative electrode of each cell and the casing.

[0014] A second aspect of this application provides a battery pack including a battery module according to any one of the preceding claims.

[0015] A third aspect of this application provides a vehicle including the battery pack described above.

[0016] In the battery module of this application, each cover plate is provided with an exhaust channel. In each exhaust channel, multiple air inlet channels are provided on the inner side of the cover plate facing the cavity and are opened to multiple battery cells one by one. A confluence channel is formed inside the cover plate along a first direction, and the multiple air inlet channels are all connected to the confluence channel. At least one air outlet channel is provided on the outer side of the cover plate away from the cavity, and at least one air outlet channel is connected to the confluence channel. When a battery cell experiences thermal runaway and generates gas, the gas can be discharged from the air outlet channels of the two cover plates respectively, improving exhaust efficiency, dispersing thermal runaway energy, and reducing the risk of thermal propagation. During gas discharge, the gas can first enter the air inlet channel directly opposite it, and then enter the confluence channel from the air inlet channel. The gas entering the confluence channel can quickly diffuse along the first direction, and the gas in the confluence channel can be quickly discharged to the external environment through the air outlet channel, improving exhaust efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view of a battery module provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken by the AA section line;

[0020] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the heat insulation layer in a battery module according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0022] 100. Housing; 101. Cavity; 110. Cover plate; 120. Side enclosure; 130. Exhaust channel; 132. Intake channel; 134. Combination channel; 136. Outlet channel; 200. Battery cell; 300. Thermal conductive layer; 310. Connecting port; 400. Thermal insulation layer; 410. Pre-cut marks; 500. Liquid cooling plate; 600. Encapsulating layer; 700. Thermal insulation layer. Detailed Implementation

[0023] With the rapid development of the electric vehicle and energy storage system market, the safety and heat dissipation performance of battery systems have become key factors restricting their widespread application. In particular, ensuring the safe and orderly discharge of gases under thermal runaway conditions is a significant challenge in battery system design.

[0024] Existing technology includes a battery module with venting channels designed on its casing to expel gases generated by thermal runaway of the battery cells. However, the existing technology has a limited number of venting channels, indirect exhaust paths, and requires further improvement in exhaust efficiency.

[0025] To overcome the deficiencies in the prior art, the battery module of this application has an exhaust channel in each cover plate. In each exhaust channel, multiple air inlet channels are located on the inner side of the cover plate facing the cavity and are open to multiple battery cells in a corresponding manner. A confluence channel is formed inside the cover plate along a first direction, and the multiple air inlet channels are all connected to the confluence channel. At least one air outlet channel is located on the outer side of the cover plate away from the cavity, and at least one air outlet channel is connected to the confluence channel. When a battery cell experiences thermal runaway and generates gas, the gas can be discharged from the air outlet channels of the two cover plates respectively, improving exhaust efficiency, dispersing thermal runaway energy, and reducing the risk of thermal propagation. During gas discharge, the gas can first enter the air inlet channel directly opposite it, and then enter the confluence channel from the air inlet channel. The gas entering the confluence channel can quickly diffuse along the first direction, and the gas in the confluence channel can be quickly discharged to the external environment through the air outlet channel, improving exhaust efficiency.

[0026] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the following will be combined with the embodiments of this application. Figures 1 to 3The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0028] This application provides a battery module, which may include a housing 100 and a plurality of battery cells 200. The housing 100 has a cavity 101 defined inside, and the plurality of battery cells 200 are arranged in the cavity 101 along a first direction.

[0029] The housing 100 may further include two cover plates 110, which are arranged opposite each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each cover plate 110 is provided with an exhaust channel 130 for discharging gas from the battery cell 200. Each exhaust channel 130 includes a confluence channel 134, a plurality of air inlet channels 132, and at least one air outlet channel 136. The plurality of air inlet channels 132 are located on the inner side of the cover plate 110 facing the cavity 101 and are opened to the plurality of battery cells 200 in a corresponding manner. The confluence channel 134 is formed inside the cover plate 110 along the first direction, and the plurality of air inlet channels 132 are all connected to the confluence channel 134. At least one air outlet channel 136 is located on the outer side of the cover plate 110 away from the cavity 101, and at least one air outlet channel 136 is connected to the confluence channel 134.

[0030] In this embodiment, the housing 100 may further include a side enclosure 120, which is open at both ends in the second direction. Two cover plates 110 may be respectively disposed at the opening of the side enclosure 120, and the side enclosure 120 and the two cover plates 110 may together define the cavity 101.

[0031] In some specific embodiments, the second direction can be set to an up-down direction, that is, the two cover plates 110 can be an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate respectively. Furthermore, either the upper cover plate or the lower cover plate can be detachably connected to the side enclosure 120 so as to open the cavity 101 through the upper cover plate or the lower cover plate.

[0032] In this embodiment, each cover plate 110 is provided with an exhaust channel 130. In each exhaust channel 130, a plurality of air intake channels 132 are provided on the inner side of the cover plate 110 facing the cavity 101 and are opened to a plurality of battery cells 200 in a corresponding manner. A confluence channel 134 is formed inside the cover plate 110 along a first direction, and the plurality of air intake channels 132 are all connected to the confluence channel 134. At least one air outlet channel 136 is provided on the outer side of the cover plate 110 away from the cavity 101, and at least one air outlet channel 136 is connected to the confluence channel 134.

[0033] When a cell 200 experiences thermal runaway and generates gas, the gas can be discharged from the venting channels 136 of the two cover plates 110 respectively, improving venting efficiency, dispersing thermal runaway energy, and reducing the risk of thermal propagation.

[0034] Specifically, when a cell 200 experiences thermal runaway and generates gas, the gas first enters the intake channel 132 directly opposite it, and then enters the manifold channel 134 from the intake channel 132. Since the manifold channel 134 extends along a first direction, the gas entering the manifold channel 134 can quickly diffuse along the first direction. Furthermore, because the volume of the manifold channel 134 is larger than that of a single intake channel 132, the gas entering the manifold channel 134 also experiences a certain degree of pressure relief, reducing the risk of exhaust. The manifold channel 134 is also connected to at least one exhaust channel 136, so the gas within the manifold channel 134 can be quickly discharged to the external environment through the exhaust channel 136.

[0035] Therefore, in this embodiment, the battery module has exhaust channels 130 simultaneously within both cover plates 110, providing multiple gas discharge paths. Each exhaust channel 130 has multiple intake channels 132 that open one-to-one with multiple battery cells 200, allowing for precise and rapid reception of incoming gas and improving exhaust efficiency. After entering the confluence channel 134, the gas rapidly diffuses along the first direction and can be discharged from the exhaust channel 136, further improving exhaust efficiency.

[0036] In some embodiments, the battery module may further include two heat-conducting layers 300, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell 200 in the second direction and located inside the two cover plates 110. The heat-conducting layers 300 have communication openings 310 opposite to the plurality of air intake channels 132.

[0037] In some specific embodiments, the thermally conductive layer 300 may be a thermally conductive (silicone) adhesive, which has good thermal conductivity.

[0038] In this embodiment, the heat-conducting layer 300 is disposed on the upper and lower sides of the battery cell 200 and is located on the inner side of the cover plate 110. That is, the heat-conducting layer 300 is disposed between the battery cell 200 and the cover plate 110. This can effectively transfer the heat generated by the battery cell 200 to the cover plate 110, thereby utilizing the cover plate 110 to dissipate heat outward and achieve efficient heat dissipation.

[0039] In addition, the heat-conducting layer 300 has a connection port 310 opposite to the multiple air intake channels 132, which ensures that gas can only be discharged into the corresponding air intake channel 132 through the connection port 310, thus avoiding disorderly gas discharge.

[0040] In some embodiments, the battery module may further include two heat insulation layers 400, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell 200 in the second direction and are respectively located on the side of the heat-conducting layer 300 away from the cover plate 110.

[0041] In some specific embodiments, the heat insulation layer 400 is made of a heat-insulating material, such as mica cloth.

[0042] In this embodiment, the two heat insulation layers 400 can be respectively disposed on both sides of the cell 200 in the vertical direction, and are respectively located on the side of the heat conduction layer 300 away from the cover plate 110, that is, the heat insulation layer 400 is located between the heat conduction layer 300 and the cell 200.

[0043] When one of the battery cells 200 malfunctions, the gas it generates is discharged into the manifold 134 through the corresponding air intake channel 132. Since multiple battery cells 200 are arranged along a first direction in the cavity 101, and the manifold 134 is formed along the first direction inside the cover plate 110, if the gas in the manifold 134 transfers heat inward, it may affect the safety of other battery cells 200. In this embodiment, the battery module has a heat insulation layer 400 between the heat-conducting layer 300 and the battery cells 200, which can prevent the gas in the manifold 134 from transferring heat inward. Therefore, during the exhaust process, heat spread is prevented, reducing the impact on other battery cells 200.

[0044] Furthermore, each heat insulation layer 400 has a pre-cut mark 410 at a position opposite to each battery cell 200, and the gas generated inside the battery cell 200 can break through the pre-cut mark 410 and enter the communication port 310.

[0045] When thermal runaway occurs in a cell 200, the gas it produces has a certain pressure. This gas can easily break through the pre-cut mark 410, allowing the gas and heat to be discharged smoothly. However, the discharged hot gas cannot break through the cut mark in the opposite direction, thus effectively preventing the heat from spreading to adjacent cells 200.

[0046] In some specific embodiments, the pre-cut mark 410 can be designed as a cross-shaped cut, so that after being punched, the opening area is larger, which is conducive to air exhaust.

[0047] In some embodiments, a heat-insulating layer 700 is disposed between two adjacent battery cells 200 in a first direction. In some specific embodiments, the heat-insulating layer 700 may be thermal insulation foam.

[0048] In this embodiment, a heat-insulating layer 700 is provided between two adjacent battery cells 200. This can further reduce the heat transfer between the battery cells 200 and prevent heat spread. At the same time, the heat-insulating layer 700 can fill the gap between two adjacent battery cells 200, increase the stability of the battery cells 200, and reduce the probability of thermal runaway caused by loosening of the battery cells 200.

[0049] In some embodiments, each cover plate 110 has a plurality of liquid cooling plates 500 disposed inside. The liquid cooling plate 500 is a heat dissipation element that indirectly transfers the heat of the heat-generating device to the cooling liquid enclosed in the circulation pipeline through the cold plate (usually a closed cavity 101 made of thermally conductive metal such as copper or aluminum), and the heat is carried away by the cooling liquid.

[0050] In this embodiment, the interior of each of the two cover plates 110 is provided with a plurality of liquid cooling plates 500. When thermal runaway occurs, the heat generated by the high-temperature gas can be transferred to the plurality of liquid cooling plates 500 of the two cover plates 110, and the plurality of liquid cooling plates 500 can quickly dissipate heat to the outside.

[0051] The liquid cooling plate can be an extruded profile. In addition to the flow channel for the cooling liquid, it can be configured as part of the exhaust channel 130, connected to the atmosphere via an exhaust valve. In the event of thermal runaway, the high-temperature gas generated by the battery cell is directly discharged into the atmosphere, preventing the thermal runaway gas from spreading inside the package and achieving thermoelectric separation.

[0052] In addition, since the liquid cooling plate 500 contains coolant, after thermal runaway occurs, the coolant evaporates and absorbs the thermal runaway energy, which reduces the occurrence of thermal damage to a certain extent and also prevents the liquid cooling plate 500 from being burned through.

[0053] In addition, when the liquid cooling plate 500 is burned through, the cooling liquid in the upper cover plate 110 will flow into the runaway battery cell 200, which can also extinguish the fire to a certain extent.

[0054] In some embodiments, the battery module may further include a potting compound layer 600, which is poured into the gap between the positive electrode of each cell 200 and the housing 100 and the gap between the negative electrode of each cell 200 and the housing 100.

[0055] In this embodiment, the two tabs (positive and negative) of the battery cell 200 are sealed with potting compound to prevent exhaust from being ejected from the two tabs after thermal runaway, and to further control the exhaust direction.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first direction is set as a direction of the housing 100 on a horizontal plane. The second direction is set as a vertical direction. Specifically, the first direction can be the left-right direction of the housing 100, and the plurality of battery cells 200 are arranged in the cavity 101 along the left-right direction.

[0057] That is, the two cover plates 110 are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction (i.e., as the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate respectively). Each cover plate 110 is provided with an exhaust channel 130 to exhaust the gas in the cell 200. In other words, the top and bottom of the housing 100 are designed with exhaust channels 130 to increase the exhaust area. The thermal runaway gas is ejected from the top and bottom directions to disperse the thermal runaway energy and reduce the risk of thermal propagation.

[0058] The confluence channel 134 is formed inside the cover plate 110 in the left-right direction, thus making full use of the space in the left-right direction of the cover plate 110, so that the gas entering the confluence channel 134 can diffuse quickly.

[0059] Two heat-conducting layers 300 are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell 200 in the vertical direction, which can effectively transfer the heat generated by the cell 200 to the cover plate 110, thereby utilizing the cover plate 110 to dissipate heat outward and achieve efficient heat dissipation.

[0060] Two heat insulation layers 400 are respectively disposed on both sides of the cell 200 in the vertical direction to prevent the gas in the bus channel 134 from transferring heat inward. Therefore, during the exhaust process, heat spread is prevented and the impact on other cells 200 is reduced.

[0061] In addition, this application also provides a battery pack, which may include the battery module in any of the above embodiments.

[0062] In addition, this application also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned battery pack, which can provide at least a portion of the kinetic energy to the vehicle.

[0063] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0064] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0065] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this application should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on something” but also “on something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0066] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, The device includes a housing (100) and a plurality of battery cells (200), wherein the housing (100) has an interior cavity (101), and the plurality of battery cells (200) are arranged in the cavity (101) along a first direction; wherein, The housing (100) includes two cover plates (110) arranged opposite each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each cover plate (110) is provided with an exhaust channel (130) for venting gas from the battery cell (200). Each of the exhaust channels (130) includes a confluence channel (134), a plurality of intake channels (132), and at least one exhaust channel (136). The plurality of intake channels (132) are disposed on the inner side of the cover plate (110) facing the cavity (101) and are opened to the plurality of battery cells (200) in a corresponding manner. The confluence channel (134) is formed inside the cover plate (110) along the first direction. The plurality of intake channels (132) are all connected to the confluence channel (134). At least one exhaust channel (136) is disposed on the outer side of the cover plate (110) away from the cavity (101), and at least one exhaust channel (136) is connected to the confluence channel (134).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Two heat-conducting layers (300) are respectively disposed on both sides of the battery cell (200) in the second direction and located on the inner side of the two cover plates (110). The heat-conducting layers (300) have communication openings (310) opposite to the plurality of air intake channels (132).

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Two heat insulation layers (400) are respectively disposed on both sides of the battery cell (200) in the second direction, and are respectively located on the side of the heat-conducting layer (300) away from the cover plate (110).

4. The battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the heat insulation layers (400) has a pre-cut (410) at a position opposite to each of the battery cells (200), and the gas generated inside the battery cell (200) can break through the pre-cut (410) and enter the communication port (310).

5. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, In the first direction, a heat-insulating layer (700) is provided between two adjacent cells (200).

6. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Each of the cover plates (110) has a plurality of liquid cooling plates (500) inside.

7. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first direction is set as a direction of the housing (100) on a horizontal plane; and, The second direction is set to the up and down direction.

8. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: A potting compound layer (600) is poured into the gap between the positive electrode of each of the battery cells (200) and the housing (100) and the gap between the negative electrode of each of the battery cells (200) and the housing (100).

9. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack according to claim 9.

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