Polarity terminal, single battery and battery module

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of batteries, and particularly relates to a polarity terminal, a single battery and a battery module. The problem of thermal runaway possibly caused by over-high heat at the pole position of the single battery in the existing battery module is solved. The polarity terminal comprises a polarity terminal main body, a cavity is arranged on the polarity terminal main body, the cavity penetrates through the polarity terminal main body along a first direction, and the cross section of the cavity is an open section; the cross section of the heat transfer tube is matched with the cavity, and a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity is formed between the polar terminal main body and the inner wall of the heat transfer tube. The polar terminal is in direct contact with the heat transfer medium, heat exchange of the polar terminal is achieved, a short heat exchange path is achieved, and the heat exchange efficiency of the battery module is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of batteries, specifically a polar terminal, a single cell, and a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, common battery modules (also known as battery packs) are composed of multiple individual cells (which are generally cylindrical or square) connected together in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel connections.

[0003] Temperature control of battery modules has always been a hot topic in this field. Most existing battery modules use air cooling or liquid cooling to control the temperature of the entire battery module. However, since the terminals of individual cells in the battery module are the parts with the most concentrated heat, if the local heat of the terminals is too high, it is very likely to cause thermal runaway of the individual cells in the battery module. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the issue of excessive heat at the terminal of a single battery cell in existing battery modules, which could lead to thermal runaway, this invention provides a polarity terminal, a single battery cell, and a battery module.

[0005] The first aspect of this utility model provides a polar terminal, which is characterized in that: it includes a polar terminal body, and a cavity is provided on the polar terminal body. The cavity penetrates the polar terminal body along a first direction, and the cross-section of the cavity is an open cross-section. The cavity is used to insert a heat transfer tube with a cross-section adapted to it, and a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity is formed between the polar terminal body and the inner wall of the heat transfer tube.

[0006] This invention forms a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity between the polar terminal body and the inner wall of the heat transfer tube, with at least a portion of the polar terminal structure directly contacting the heat transfer medium. After constructing the battery module, heat transfer tubes can be inserted into the cavities of the polar terminals on the same side of each individual battery cell, forming a heat transfer channel at the top of the battery module for heat exchange. The fact that a portion of the battery polar terminal structure is directly placed within the heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity allows for direct contact between the polar terminal and the heat transfer medium, achieving heat exchange at the polar terminal. This provides a shorter heat exchange path, and the heat transfer medium acts directly on the polar terminal, improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of the battery module.

[0007] Furthermore, at least one of the inner wall of the heat transfer tube and the polarized terminal body is provided with a functional structure to increase the heat exchange area. A larger heat exchange area means that more heat can be transferred under the same time and conditions. This is crucial for the stable operation of the battery module, effectively preventing problems such as performance degradation and shortened lifespan caused by overheating. At the same time, efficient heat exchange also makes the temperature distribution of each individual cell in the battery module more uniform, reducing inconsistencies in battery performance caused by temperature differences, further improving the stability and reliability of the entire battery module, and ensuring that it can work efficiently and stably under different operating conditions.

[0008] Furthermore, the functional structure is at least one second through hole formed on the polar terminal body, the second through hole penetrating the polar terminal body along the first direction, and the second through hole allowing the heat transfer medium to pass through.

[0009] When the heat transfer medium flows through the polar terminal body, the second through hole allows the heat transfer medium to more fully surround the polar terminal body. Originally, it could only contact the surface of the polar terminal body for heat exchange, but now it can achieve internal through heat exchange through the second through hole, which greatly improves the amount of heat transferred per unit time and accelerates the heat dissipation speed on the polar terminal.

[0010] The second aspect of this utility model provides a single-cell battery, which is characterized in that it includes an electrode assembly and the aforementioned polar terminals connected to the tabs of the electrode assembly.

[0011] It should be noted that the connection described above can be a direct connection or an indirect connection. When it is an indirect connection, the polarity terminal can be connected to the terminal post of the finished single cell.

[0012] The third aspect of this utility model provides a battery module, which is characterized in that it includes a first shell, a heat transfer pipe with an open cross-section, and n of the above-mentioned single cells; wherein n is an integer greater than 1.

[0013] The first casing contains n individual cells arranged along a first direction;

[0014] The heat transfer tubes are inserted into the cavities of the polarity terminals located on the same side along the first direction.

[0015] The first housing has a first insulating sealant layer inside, and in the second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer is higher than the open port of the heat transfer tube.

[0016] This invention inserts heat transfer tubes with cross-sections adapted to the cross-sections of the cavities into the cavities of each polarity terminal located on the same side, and cooperates with the first insulating sealant layer to form a sealed heat transfer channel. The heat generated by the individual battery during operation is conducted to the heat transfer medium through the polarity terminals, achieving efficient heat removal and dissipation. This effectively reduces the overall temperature of the battery module, minimizing battery performance degradation and lifespan shortening caused by high temperatures, and ensuring that the battery module maintains good performance and stability under different operating conditions.

[0017] Furthermore, the aforementioned battery module also includes a second insulating sealant layer; the second insulating sealant layer is laid on the first insulating sealant layer, covering at least a portion of the structure of the heat transfer tube and the polar terminal, with the electrical connection portion of the polar terminal exposed by the second insulating sealant layer.

[0018] During battery module operation, internal temperature changes can cause moisture condensation. The second insulating sealant layer isolates external moisture, reduces internal humidity fluctuations, and prevents water droplets from forming on the heat transfer pipes and polar terminals, thus preventing short circuits and component corrosion caused by condensation. Furthermore, encasing the heat transfer pipes and polar terminals within the sealant layer ensures tighter connections between components, reducing relative displacement under vibration and impact conditions and enhancing the overall structural stability of the battery module.

[0019] The fourth aspect of this utility model provides another battery module, which is characterized in that it includes a second shell, a heat transfer tube with an open cross-section, and n of the above-mentioned single cells; wherein n is an integer greater than 1.

[0020] Inside the second housing, n individual cells are arranged along the first direction; the top plate of the second housing has clearance holes corresponding to the polarity terminals of each individual cell; each polarity terminal extends out of the corresponding clearance hole; the clearance hole is fixedly sealed to the individual cell housing in the area corresponding to the top plate of the second housing.

[0021] The heat transfer tubes are inserted into the cavities of the polarity terminals located on the same side along the first direction.

[0022] The top plate of the second housing is provided with a first insulating sealant layer, and in the second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer is higher than the open port of the heat transfer tube.

[0023] Unlike the battery modules mentioned above, in this design, the polarity terminals of each individual battery cell extend beyond the second casing, increasing their contact area with the outside air and facilitating direct heat dissipation into the surrounding environment. This further aids the heat dissipation process, effectively reducing the overall temperature of the battery module, improving heat dissipation efficiency, and mitigating performance degradation caused by high temperatures. Simultaneously, it makes wiring connections during battery module assembly much easier. Wiring can be directly connected to the extended polarity terminals externally, significantly reducing installation difficulty. When the battery module requires maintenance or repair, the extended polarity terminals allow technicians to quickly inspect and test them. The connection status and electrical performance of the polarity terminals can be checked without opening the casing, allowing for timely detection and resolution of problems.

[0024] Furthermore, the electrolyte and / or gas are shared among the individual cells in the aforementioned battery module. This reduces the differences between individual cells and improves the cycle life of such battery modules. The polarity terminals extending out of the second housing also isolate the electrolyte from external electrical connections, enhancing safety. Because the polarity terminals extend out of the second housing, their electrical connections are outside the housing, preventing direct contact with the internal electrolyte and avoiding potential short circuits, corrosion, and other problems caused by the electrolyte. Contact between the electrolyte and electrical connections can lead to circuit corrosion, increased resistance, and even short circuits and fires, seriously threatening the safety of the battery module. The extended polarity terminal design physically eliminates this potential hazard, effectively improving the safety and reliability of the battery module under complex operating conditions and ensuring its stable operation.

[0025] Furthermore, the aforementioned battery module also includes a second insulating sealant layer. This second insulating sealant layer is laid on top of the first insulating sealant layer, encasing at least a portion of the structure of the heat transfer pipe and the polarity terminal, with the electrical connection points of the polarity terminal exposed within the second insulating sealant layer. During battery module operation, internal temperature changes may cause moisture condensation. The second insulating sealant layer isolates external moisture, reduces internal humidity changes, and prevents water droplets from forming on the surfaces of the heat transfer pipe and polarity terminal, thus preventing short circuits and component corrosion caused by condensation. Additionally, encasing the heat transfer pipe and polarity terminal portion of the structure within the sealant layer ensures tighter connections between components, reducing relative displacement between components under vibration, impact, and other conditions, thereby enhancing the overall structural stability of the battery module.

[0026] The fifth aspect of this utility model provides a method for assembling a battery module, characterized by the following steps:

[0027] Each individual cell is placed inside a first casing having at least one open end;

[0028] A heat transfer tube with an open cross-section is inserted into the cavity of each polarity terminal located on the same side along the first direction.

[0029] A first insulating sealant layer is laid inside the first outer casing with an open end, and in a second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer is higher than the open port of the heat transfer tube.

[0030] Seal the open end of the first outer casing.

[0031] Furthermore, the process of laying a first insulating sealant layer inside the first housing with the open end also includes the following steps:

[0032] After the first insulating sealant layer has solidified, a second insulating sealant layer is laid on top of the first insulating sealant layer. The second insulating sealant layer covers at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube and the polar terminal, with the electrical connection part of the polar terminal exposed by the second insulating sealant layer.

[0033] The sixth aspect of this utility model provides another method for assembling a battery module, characterized by the following steps:

[0034] Place each individual battery cell inside the second housing, so that each polarity terminal protrudes from the corresponding clearance hole; fix and seal the clearance hole corresponding to the top plate area of ​​the second housing and the individual battery cell housing;

[0035] A heat transfer tube with an open cross-section is inserted into the cavity of each polarity terminal located on the same side along the first direction.

[0036] A first insulating sealant layer is laid on the top plate of the second outer shell, and in the second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer is higher than the open port of the heat transfer tube.

[0037] Furthermore, the above assembly method also includes the following steps:

[0038] After the first insulating sealant layer has solidified, a second insulating sealant layer is laid on top of the first insulating sealant layer. The second insulating sealant layer covers at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube and the polar terminal, with the electrical connection part of the polar terminal exposed by the second insulating sealant layer.

[0039] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0040] This invention forms a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity between the polar terminal body and the inner wall of the heat transfer tube, with at least a portion of the polar terminal structure directly contacting the heat transfer medium. After constructing the battery module, heat transfer tubes can be inserted into the cavities of the polar terminals on the same side of each individual battery cell, forming two heat exchange channels at the top of the battery module for heat exchange. The partial structure of the battery polar terminal is directly placed within the heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity, allowing direct contact between the polar terminal and the heat transfer medium, thus achieving heat exchange at the polar terminal. This provides a shorter heat exchange path, and the heat transfer medium acts directly on the polar terminal, improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of the battery module. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a polar terminal in Example 1;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a polarity terminal in Example 1;

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another polarity terminal in Example 1;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of another polarity terminal in Example 1;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a single cell in Example 1;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of another single cell in Example 1;

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module structure in Example 2;

[0048] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the battery module in Example 2;

[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the heat transfer tube in Example 2;

[0050] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the battery module in Example 2;

[0051] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module structure in Example 3;

[0052] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the battery module in Example 3;

[0053] Figure 13 This is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the battery module in Example 3;

[0054] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of the battery module with the second insulating sealant layer laid in Example 3.

[0055] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0056] 1. Polar terminal body; 3. Cavity; 4. Second through hole; 5. Electrode assembly; 51. Terminal post; 53. Blind hole; 54. Single cell; 55. Single cell cover plate; 6. First outer shell; 7. Heat transfer pipe; 71. Open port of heat transfer pipe; 8. Second outer shell; 81. Top plate of second outer shell; 9. First insulating sealant layer; 10. Second insulating sealant layer; 11. Explosion venting channel. Detailed Implementation

[0057] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0058] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0059] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "top," "bottom," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0060] This invention provides a polar terminal, comprising a polar terminal body, with a cavity formed in the polar terminal body for mounting a heat transfer tube. This cavity extends through the polar terminal body in a first direction. The cross-section of the cavity (perpendicular to the first direction) is a non-closed cross-section such as U-shaped, C-shaped, or Ω-shaped. In this invention, a cavity with a non-closed cross-section is defined as an open-section cavity. That is, this invention forms a cavity with an open cross-section in the polar terminal body for inserting a heat transfer tube with a cross-section adapted to it, forming a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity. The heat transfer medium within the heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity directly acts on the polar terminal body, improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium.

[0061] This utility model also provides a single battery cell with the aforementioned polarity terminals and a battery module with such single batteries. In the battery module, heat transfer tubes are inserted into the cavities of the polarity terminals of each single battery cell located on the same side. The open ports of the heat transfer tubes are sealed by laying a first insulating sealant layer, forming a heat exchange channel. A heat transfer medium is injected into the heat exchange channel to exchange heat with the battery module. A portion of the main structure of the battery polarity terminal is directly placed within the heat transfer medium flow cavity, allowing direct contact between the polarity terminal body and the heat transfer medium, achieving heat exchange at the polarity terminal. This provides a shorter heat exchange path, and the heat transfer medium acts directly on the polarity terminal, improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency of the battery module.

[0062] It should be noted that the polar terminal provided by this utility model can be used directly as a battery terminal or connected to a finished battery terminal. When connected to a finished battery terminal, a corresponding connection structure can be provided on the polar terminal. For example, a folded edge structure can be provided on the polar terminal, and the terminal can be welded or bolted to the terminal through the folded edge structure. Alternatively, a blind hole extending in a second direction can be opened on the polar terminal, and the terminal can be welded or bolted to the terminal through the bottom of the blind hole.

[0063] The open-section cavity on the polar terminal, combined with the open-section heat transfer tube (which can be prepared by aluminum extrusion), has lower requirements for the machining accuracy of the parts themselves, reducing the assembly difficulty and complexity when assembling the battery module, thereby reducing the machining and assembly costs of the battery module parts.

[0064] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0065] Example 1

[0066] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figures show a schematic diagram and a cross-sectional view of the polar terminal in this embodiment. As can be seen from the figures, the polar terminal in this embodiment is a columnar structure. It can be made of a metal material with good electrical and thermal conductivity, such as silver, copper, aluminum, etc. However, considering the cost and the electrical and thermal conductivity, aluminum is generally chosen as the material for the polar terminal.

[0067] The polar terminal includes a polar terminal body 1, and a cavity 3 is formed on the polar terminal body 1, which penetrates the polar terminal body in a first direction.

[0068] The shape of the cross-section of the cavity 3 mainly conforms to the shape of the heat transfer tube 7 that it is adapted to. It should be noted that the cross-section described here is the cross-section obtained by cutting the cavity 3 along a plane perpendicular to the first direction. For example, as can be seen from the figure, the cross-section of the cavity 3 in this embodiment is U-shaped, and the cross-section of the heat transfer tube 7 that it is adapted to is also U-shaped. In some other embodiments, the cross-section of the cavity 3 can be C-shaped, and the corresponding cross-section of the heat transfer tube 7 is C-shaped. In some other embodiments, the cross-section of the cavity 3 is Ω-shaped, and the corresponding cross-section of the heat transfer tube 7 is Ω-shaped.

[0069] The dimensions of the cavity 3 must ensure that the corresponding heat transfer tube 7 can be inserted along the first direction, and that there is a certain gap between the inner wall of the heat transfer tube 7 and the polar terminal body 1 to allow for the flow of the heat transfer medium. The end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube should have a small gap with the inner wall of the cavity 3 or remain sealed.

[0070] To further improve the heat transfer performance of the aforementioned polarity terminals, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, two second through holes 4 can also be formed on the polar terminal body 1, with the second through holes 4 penetrating the polar terminal body along the first direction. In practical applications, the size and number of the second through holes 4 can be flexibly adjusted according to specific needs, provided that the conductivity of the polar terminal is not affected. The second through holes 4 increase the contact area between the polar terminal body and the heat transfer medium, thereby significantly improving heat transfer efficiency. When the heat transfer medium flows through the polar terminal body, it can more fully surround the polar terminal body through the second through holes 4. Previously, the heat transfer medium could only exchange heat with the surface of the polar terminal body; now, internal through-heat exchange can be achieved through the second through holes 4, which greatly increases the amount of heat transferred per unit time and accelerates the heat dissipation rate on the polar terminal.

[0071] In other embodiments, other structures may be processed on the cavity wall and / or the inner wall of the heat transfer tube 7 to increase the heat exchange area. For ease of description, in this utility model, the structures that can increase the heat exchange area are collectively referred to as functional structures. Such functional structures may include dot-shaped pits and protrusions located on the cavity wall, and may also include annular grooves located on the cavity wall; and may also include heat dissipation teeth provided on the inner wall of the heat transfer tube 7.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, this is a single-cell battery 54 having the polarity terminal of this embodiment. Figure 5 The neutral polarity terminal serves as the terminal of the single cell 54 and is directly electrically connected to the tab of the electrode assembly 5 inside the casing of the single cell 54.

[0073] like Figure 6As shown, this is another single-cell battery 54 having the polarity terminal of this embodiment. Figure 6 The neutral polarity terminal is electrically connected to the terminal post 51 of the single cell 54. Specifically, a blind hole 53 extending in a second direction can be provided on the polarity terminal body; the bottom of the blind hole 53 is welded to the terminal post 51; wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0074] Example 2

[0075] This embodiment is a battery module, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 The figures show a schematic diagram of the structure and an exploded view of a battery module constructed from the single battery cells 54 in Example 1. As can be seen from the figures, the battery module includes a first outer shell 6, a heat transfer pipe 7 located inside the first outer shell 6, and 12 of the aforementioned single batteries cells 54 arranged along a first direction inside the first outer shell 6. In some other embodiments, the number of single batteries cells 54 can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0076] This embodiment does not specifically limit the structure of the first outer shell 6, but at least the following two structures can be adopted:

[0077] The first structure includes a cylindrical body with open ends (i.e., the port parallel to the yz plane is the open end) and end plates fixed to the two open ends of the cylindrical body (i.e., the end plates are parallel to the yz plane); in the spatial coordinate system of this device, the first direction is the x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system, the second direction is the z-axis direction, and the third direction is the y-axis direction.

[0078] The second type of structure includes a cylindrical body with open ends at the top and bottom (i.e., the port parallel to the xy plane is the open end) and a top plate and a bottom plate fixed to the open ends at the top and bottom of the cylindrical body respectively (i.e., the top plate and the bottom plate are both parallel to the xy plane, and the top plate or the bottom plate can be an integral structure with the cylindrical body).

[0079] The first outer shell 6 in this embodiment mainly has the following two functions:

[0080] Firstly, improve the safety performance of the entire battery module;

[0081] 1. When the single battery 54 located inside the first outer casing 6 explodes due to thermal runaway, the flying debris will not pose a threat to the personal safety of people around the battery module due to the obstruction of the first outer casing 6;

[0082] 2. The first outer shell 6 also provides a certain degree of protection for each individual battery cell 54, which can prevent damage caused by direct exposure of each individual battery cell 54.

[0083] Secondly, it facilitates the storage and transportation of the entire battery module;

[0084] Multiple individual batteries 54 are placed inside a relatively regular-structured casing, making the battery module easy to store and transport.

[0085] from Figure 9 As can be seen, in this embodiment, the heat transfer tube 7 has a U-shaped cross-section that matches the cross-section of the cavity 3. The heat transfer tube 7 is inserted into the cavity 3 of each polarity terminal located on the same side along the first direction; combined with Figure 8 and Figure 10 As can be seen, at this time, there may be a small gap between the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube inserted into the polar terminal cavity 3 (it should be noted that the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube refers to the port parallel to the xy plane) and the inner wall of the cavity 3. There is also a certain gap between the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube not inserted into the polar terminal cavity 3 and the top cover plate 55 of the single cell. In order to ensure that the heat transfer medium does not overflow from the above gaps, in this embodiment, the first insulating sealant is injected into the first outer shell 6, and after solidification, a first insulating sealant layer is formed (the first insulating sealant layer is not shown in the figure). In the second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer is higher than the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube, thereby sealing the above gaps, effectively preventing the leakage of the heat transfer medium, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the heat transfer channel, and enabling heat to be continuously and stably dissipated through the heat transfer tube 7 and the heat transfer medium, further improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery module.

[0086] In this battery module, the first insulating sealant layer disposed inside the first outer casing 6 plays multiple key roles in addition to the sealing function mentioned above.

[0087] From an insulation perspective, it effectively avoids the risk of short circuits between components within the battery module, ensuring the electrical safety and stability of the battery module, especially in humid or high-voltage environments, reliably preventing abnormal current conduction. Furthermore, the first insulating sealant layer plays a crucial role in enhancing the stability of the individual battery cell 54 within the first housing. It fills the gap between the individual battery cell 54 and the first housing, acting as a buffer and fixation agent, reducing displacement and shaking of the individual battery cell 54 under vibration or impact, ensuring stable operation of the battery module under complex operating conditions.

[0088] In this embodiment, efficient heat exchange of the battery module is achieved through ingenious structural design. Specifically, heat transfer tubes 7 are inserted into the cavities 3 of the polar terminals of each individual battery cell 54 located on the same side, and the open ports 71 of the heat transfer tubes are sealed using a first insulating sealant layer, thereby constructing two heat exchange channels. A heat transfer medium is injected into the heat exchange channels to facilitate heat exchange within the battery module.

[0089] It is worth mentioning that part of the battery polarity terminal structure is directly placed inside the heat exchange channel. The polarity terminal and the heat transfer medium are in direct contact. In previous heat exchange methods, heat needed to pass through multiple levels to achieve exchange. However, in this embodiment, the polarity terminal is directly connected to the heat transfer medium, allowing the heat transfer medium to act directly on the polarity terminal without energy loss in other intermediate stages, significantly improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium. This means that the same amount of heat transfer medium can play a greater role in heat transfer, greatly improving the efficiency of heat transfer. While improving the utilization efficiency of the heat transfer medium, the heat exchange efficiency of the entire battery module is also greatly improved. The problem of battery performance degradation due to untimely heat exchange is solved with this efficient heat exchange design, ensuring that the battery module is always in good working condition, extending its service life, and improving its operational stability.

[0090] In this embodiment, a second insulating sealant layer can also be laid on the first insulating sealant layer; the second insulating sealant layer covers at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube 7 and the polar terminal, and the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed in the second insulating sealant layer.

[0091] During battery module operation, internal temperature changes may cause moisture condensation. The second insulating sealant layer can isolate external moisture, reduce internal humidity changes, and prevent water droplets from forming on the surface of heat transfer pipe 7 and polar terminals, thus preventing short circuits and component corrosion caused by condensation. In addition, encasing the heat transfer pipe 7 and polar terminals within the structure makes the connections between components tighter, reducing relative displacement between components under vibration, impact, and other conditions, and enhancing the structural stability of the entire battery module.

[0092] In addition, in this embodiment, a venting channel 11 can be provided between each individual battery cell 54 and the first outer casing 6, and a venting part communicating with the venting channel 11 can be provided on the first outer casing 6. During the thermal runaway stage, the thermal runaway smoke can be discharged in an orderly manner through the venting channel 11, effectively preventing it from spreading into the first outer casing 6, thereby preventing further deterioration of the thermal runaway situation.

[0093] It should be noted that the first insulating sealant layer 9 and the second insulating sealant layer 10 are not installed in the explosion relief channel 11.

[0094] The assembly process of the battery module described above will be explained below, taking the first outer casing 6, which includes a cylindrical body with an open top and a top plate structure, as an example:

[0095] Arrangement of individual cells 54: Arrange each individual cell 54 (here, individual cell 54 is...) Figure 5 or Figure 6 The individual cells 54 shown are arranged along the first direction in the top-opening cylinder.

[0096] Insert heat transfer tube 7: Select a heat transfer tube 7 that is compatible with the polarity terminal cavity 3 and insert it into the cavity 3 of each polarity terminal on the same side along the first direction; then the heat transfer tubes 7 on both sides can be connected based on the outer tube section.

[0097] Laying the first insulating sealant layer: Lay the first insulating sealant layer inside the top-open cylinder. During the laying process, monitor the thickness of the first insulating sealant layer in real time to ensure that its height in the second direction is higher than the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube. This process requires strict control of the thickness of the sealant layer to avoid it being too thick or too thin, which would affect the sealing effect of the heat transfer channel.

[0098] Laying the second insulating sealant layer: After completing the first insulating sealant layer, allow it to stand for a period of time.

[0099] After the first insulating sealant layer has completely solidified, a second insulating sealant layer is laid on top of the first insulating sealant layer. The second insulating sealant layer must cover at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube 7 and the polar terminal, while ensuring that the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed in the second insulating sealant layer to ensure the normal operation of the electrical connection.

[0100] Fixed Top Plate: Check the curing of the second insulating sealant layer and the installation position of each component. After confirming that everything is correct, seal and fix the top plate of the first outer casing 6 to the open end of the top of the cylinder to ensure the structural stability of the entire battery module.

[0101] Example 3

[0102] This embodiment is another type of battery module. Unlike embodiment 2, in this embodiment, each polarity terminal of the single battery cell 54 extends out of the outer casing. In order to distinguish it from the outer casing in embodiment 2, this embodiment defines the outer casing as the second outer casing 8.

[0103] The specific structure is as follows: Figure 11 and Figure 12 The figures show a schematic diagram and a cross-sectional view of a battery module constructed from the individual cells 54 in Example 1. As can be seen from the figures, the battery module includes a second outer shell 8, a heat transfer pipe 7 located outside the second outer shell 8, and 12 individual cells 54 arranged in the second outer shell 8 along the first direction. In some other embodiments, the number of individual cells 54 can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0104] This embodiment does not specifically limit the structure of the second outer shell 8, but at least the following two structures can be adopted:

[0105] The first structure includes a cylindrical body with open ends (i.e., the port parallel to the yz plane is the open end) and end plates fixed to the two open ends of the cylindrical body (i.e., the end plates are parallel to the yz plane); in the spatial coordinate system of this device, the first direction is the x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system, the second direction is the z-axis direction, and the third direction is the y-axis direction.

[0106] The second type of structure includes a cylindrical body with open ends at the top and bottom (i.e., the port parallel to the xy plane is the open end) and a top plate and a bottom plate fixed to the open ends at the top and bottom of the cylindrical body respectively (i.e., the top plate and the bottom plate are both parallel to the xy plane, and the top plate or the bottom plate can be an integral structure with the cylindrical body).

[0107] The top plate 81 of the second outer casing (the top plate here is the plate parallel to the xy plane and close to the polarity terminal) has clearance holes corresponding to the polarity terminals of each individual battery 54; each polarity terminal extends out of the corresponding clearance hole; the clearance hole is fixedly sealed to the housing of the individual battery 54 in the area of ​​the top plate 81 of the second outer casing.

[0108] Combination Figure 9 It can be seen that in this embodiment, the cross-section of the heat transfer tube 7 is U-shaped and adapted to the cross-section of the cavity 3. The heat transfer tube 7 is inserted into the cavity 3 of each polarity terminal located on the same side along the first direction; combined with Figure 12 and Figure 13 As can be seen, at this time, there may be a small gap between the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube inserted into the polar terminal cavity 3 (it should be noted that the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube refers to the port parallel to the xy plane) and the inner wall of the cavity 3. There is also a certain gap between the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube not inserted into the polar terminal cavity 3 and the top plate 81 of the second shell. In order to ensure that the heat transfer medium does not overflow from the above gaps, in this embodiment, a first insulating sealant layer 9 is laid on the top plate of the second shell 8. In the second direction, the height of the first insulating sealant layer 9 is higher than the end face of the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube, thereby sealing the above gaps, effectively preventing the leakage of the heat transfer medium, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the heat transfer channel, and enabling heat to be continuously and stably dissipated through the heat transfer tube 7 and the heat transfer medium, further improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery module.

[0109] Unlike the battery module in Embodiment 2, in this embodiment, the polarity terminals of each individual battery cell 54 extend beyond the second outer casing 8, increasing their contact area with the outside air and facilitating direct heat dissipation to the surrounding environment. This further aids the heat dissipation process, effectively reducing the overall temperature of the battery module, improving heat dissipation efficiency, and mitigating battery performance degradation caused by high temperatures. Simultaneously, it makes wiring connections easier during battery module assembly. Wiring can be directly connected to the extended polarity terminals externally, significantly reducing installation difficulty. When the battery module requires maintenance or repair, the extended polarity terminals allow technicians to quickly inspect and test them. The connection status and electrical performance of the polarity terminals can be checked without opening the casing, allowing for timely detection and resolution of problems.

[0110] Furthermore, this embodiment can also provide through-holes in the casing of each individual battery cell 54, allowing for electrolyte and / or gas sharing among the individual cells 54. During the charging and discharging process of the battery module, the distribution of electrolyte and gas has a crucial impact on battery performance. Differences between individual cells 54, such as different electrolyte concentrations or gas contents, can lead to inconsistent battery performance, thereby affecting the stability and lifespan of the entire battery module. The electrolyte and gas sharing achieved through through-holes allows for a more uniform internal environment in each individual battery cell 54, effectively reducing the differences between them. This improved uniformity results in more consistent performance of each individual battery cell 54 during charging and discharging, significantly enhancing the stability, reliability, and overall performance of this type of battery module, ensuring stable and efficient operation under various working conditions.

[0111] When the electrolytes of the individual cells 54 inside the second housing 8 are connected and shared, the second housing 8 contains free electrolyte, highlighting the advantages of the extended polar terminals design. The electrical connection points of the polar terminals are located outside the second housing 8, a layout that physically avoids direct contact between them and the internal electrolyte. In practical applications, if the electrolyte comes into contact with electrical connection components, the chemical components in the electrolyte may react with the metal parts, leading to circuit corrosion, increased resistance, and reduced power transmission efficiency. More seriously, it may cause a short circuit, generating a large amount of heat instantly, or even igniting a fire, severely threatening the safety of the battery module. The design of the polar terminals extending out of the second housing 8 effectively eliminates these potential hazards. Under complex operating conditions, whether in high-temperature, humid environments, or subjected to external vibration and impact, it ensures the safety and reliability of the battery module, guaranteeing its stable operation and providing a solid safety guarantee for the application of the battery module in various scenarios.

[0112] like Figure 14As shown, in this embodiment, a second insulating sealant layer 10 can also be laid on the first insulating sealant layer 9; the second insulating sealant layer 10 covers at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube 7 and the polar terminal, and the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed to the second insulating sealant layer 10.

[0113] During the operation of the battery module, internal temperature changes may cause moisture condensation. The second insulating sealant layer 10 can isolate external moisture, reduce internal humidity changes, and prevent water droplets from forming on the surface of the heat transfer pipe 7 and polar terminals, thus preventing short circuits and component corrosion caused by condensation. In addition, encasing the heat transfer pipe 7 and polar terminals within the structure makes the connections between components tighter, reducing relative displacement between components under vibration, impact, and other conditions, and enhancing the structural stability of the entire battery module.

[0114] The following embodiment uses the second outer shell 8, which includes a cylindrical body with open ends and end plates fixed to the two open ends of the cylindrical body, as an example to illustrate the assembly process of the battery module:

[0115] Arrange the individual cells 54 and seal the second casing 8: Place each individual cell 54 (here, individual cell 54 is...) Figure 5 or Figure 6 The individual battery cells 54 shown are arranged along a first direction in a cylindrical body with open ends; the polarity terminals of each individual battery cell 54 extend out of the corresponding clearance holes; the second outer casing 8 is sealed: the end plates are sealed and fixed to the two open ends of the cylindrical body; at the same time, the area of ​​the top plate 81 of the second outer casing corresponding to the clearance holes is sealed to the housing of the individual battery cells 54. The area of ​​the top plate 81 of the second outer casing corresponding to the clearance holes mentioned here can be the area of ​​the top plate 81 of the second outer casing around the clearance holes, or it can be the wall of the clearance holes.

[0116] When using Figure 5 When the individual cell 54 is shown, a pad is placed at the bottom of each individual cell 54 to raise each individual cell 54 so that its polarity terminal extends out of the corresponding clearance hole; then the second outer casing 8 is sealed.

[0117] When using Figure 6 When the single cell 54 is shown, the single cell 54 (finished single cell 54) without polarity terminals is arranged in the cylinder so that the terminals correspond one-to-one with the clearance holes and the second outer shell 8 is sealed; then the polarity terminals of this utility model are fixed to the corresponding terminals 51 from the clearance hole position so that the polarity terminals protrude from the second outer shell 8.

[0118] Insert heat transfer tube 7: Select a heat transfer tube 7 that is compatible with the polarity terminal cavity 3 and insert it into the cavity 3 of each polarity terminal on the same side along the first direction; then the heat transfer tubes 7 on both sides can be connected based on the outer tube section.

[0119] Laying the first insulating sealant layer 9: Laying the first insulating sealant layer 9 on the top plate 81 of the second shell. During the laying process, the thickness of the first insulating sealant layer 9 is monitored in real time to ensure that its height in the second direction is higher than the open port 71 of the heat transfer tube. This process requires strict control of the thickness of the sealant layer to avoid it being too thick or too thin, which would affect the sealing effect of the heat transfer channel.

[0120] Laying the second insulating sealant layer 10: After the first insulating sealant layer 9 is laid, let it stand for a period of time until the first insulating sealant layer 9 is completely solidified. Then, lay the second insulating sealant layer 10 on the first insulating sealant layer 9. The second insulating sealant layer 10 needs to cover at least part of the structure of the heat transfer tube 7 and the polar terminal, while ensuring that the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed in the second insulating sealant layer 10 to ensure the normal operation of the electrical connection.

Claims

1. A polar terminal, characterized by: The polar terminal body is provided with a cavity, the cavity penetrates the polar terminal body along a first direction, and the cross section of the cavity is an open section; the cavity is used for inserting a heat transfer pipe with a cross section matching the cavity, so as to form a heat transfer medium flow sub-cavity between the polar terminal body and the inner wall of the heat transfer pipe.

2. The polar terminal of claim 1, characterized in that: Functional structures for increasing the heat exchange area are arranged on at least one of the inner wall of the heat transfer pipe and the polar terminal body.

3. The polar terminal of claim 2, wherein: The functional structures are at least one second through hole arranged on the polar terminal body, the second through hole penetrates the polar terminal body along the first direction, and the second through hole is used for passing the heat transfer medium.

4. A single cell, characterized by: The electrode assembly and the polar terminal of any one of claims 1 to 3 connected with the tab of the electrode assembly are included.

5. A battery module, characterized by: The first shell, the heat transfer pipe with an open section, and n single cells of claim 4 are included; wherein n is an integer greater than 1. The n single cells are arranged in the first shell along a first direction; The heat transfer pipe is inserted into the cavity of each polar terminal on the same side along the first direction; The first insulating sealing adhesive layer is arranged in the first shell, and the height of the first insulating sealing adhesive layer in the second direction is higher than the open port of the heat transfer pipe.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein: A second insulating sealing adhesive layer is further included; the second insulating sealing adhesive layer is arranged on the first insulating sealing adhesive layer and wraps at least part of the structure of the heat transfer pipe and the polar terminal, and the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed from the second insulating sealing adhesive layer.

7. A battery module, characterized by: The second shell, the heat transfer pipe with an open section, and n single cells of claim 4 are included; wherein n is an integer greater than 1. The n single cells are arranged in the second shell along a first direction; the top plate of the second shell is provided with an avoiding hole corresponding to the polar terminal of each single cell; each polar terminal extends out of the corresponding avoiding hole; the avoiding hole corresponding to the top plate area of the second shell is fixedly sealed with the single cell shell; The heat transfer pipe is inserted into the cavity of each polar terminal on the same side along the first direction; The first insulating sealing adhesive layer is arranged on the top plate of the second shell, and the height of the first insulating sealing adhesive layer in the second direction is higher than the open port of the heat transfer pipe.

8. The battery module of claim 7, wherein: The electrolyte and / or gas between each single cell is shared.

9. The battery module of claim 7, wherein: A second insulating sealing adhesive layer is further included; the second insulating sealing adhesive layer is arranged on the first insulating sealing adhesive layer and wraps at least part of the structure of the heat transfer pipe and the polar terminal, and the electrical connection part of the polar terminal is exposed from the second insulating sealing adhesive layer.

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