Battery cell holding device and battery pack with same

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery cell retaining device and a battery pack with the same. The battery cell holding device comprises a main body and at least one group of holding parts which are connected to the main body and are in one-to-one correspondence with the at least one battery cell. A bias part is integrally formed on each group of holding parts, and the bias part is propped against the periphery of the corresponding battery cell and applies bias force to the battery cell. According to the battery cell retaining device disclosed by the utility model, on the premise that the battery cell is allowed to be assembled on the battery cell retaining device, the bias part can press the battery cell relative to the battery cell retaining device so as to prevent the battery cell from shaking. The structure does not need an additional compensation piece, and the production and manufacturing cost can be reduced. And the bias part is not easy to fall off, so that the stability of the battery cell relative to the battery holding device can be kept for a long time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of batteries, and more particularly to a cell holding device. This utility model also relates to a battery pack having the cell holding device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most battery packs on the market have cell holders to secure the battery cells. For ease of assembly, there are gaps between the cell holder and the corresponding housing area of ​​the cell. This can cause the cells to wobble during battery pack use. To solve this problem, rubber plugs are usually placed between adjacent cells to fill the space where the cells wobble, making them relatively stable. However, these rubber plugs require a separate manufacturing process or procurement, and additional steps to install them into the battery pack, increasing manufacturing costs to some extent. Furthermore, the rubber plugs may detach from the cell holder and become ineffective, causing the cells to still wobble relative to the holder.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a cell holding device and a battery pack to at least partially solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cell holding device and a battery pack. The cell holding device of this invention has an integrally formed biasing portion. While allowing the cell to be assembled on the cell holding device, the biasing portion can press the cell relative to the cell holding device to prevent it from shaking. This configuration does not require additional compensation components, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, this design prevents the biasing portion from detaching, maintaining the stability of the cell relative to the battery holding device for a longer period.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cell holding device is provided, the cell holding device being used in a battery pack including at least one cell and configured to hold the at least one cell, the cell holding device comprising:

[0006] The body includes a backplate, and the body is configured to allow the at least one cell to be carried on the backplate with its axial direction parallel to the backplate;

[0007] At least one set of retaining portions connected to the main body and corresponding one-to-one with the at least one battery cell, wherein each set of retaining portions surrounds and retains the corresponding battery cell along its circumference.

[0008] Each of the holding portions integrally forms a biasing portion, which abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding cell and applies an inward biasing force to the cell.

[0009] In one embodiment, the biasing portion is deformable, thereby elastically applying a biasing force to the battery cell.

[0010] In one embodiment, each set of retaining portions includes two retaining portions located near the two axial ends of a corresponding battery cell, and each retaining portion has the biasing portion formed thereon.

[0011] Specifically, the biasing portion is a rib extending along the axial direction of the battery cell.

[0012] In one embodiment, one end of the rib is connected to the retaining portion while the other end is free. The other end abuts against the battery cell to apply the bias force to the battery cell. Furthermore, each set of retaining portions includes a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion, wherein:

[0013] The other end of the rib on the first retaining portion is away from the second retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion is away from the first retaining portion; or

[0014] The other end of the rib on the first retaining portion faces the second retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion faces the first retaining portion. In particular, the other end of the rib on the first retaining portion directly faces the second retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion directly faces the first retaining portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, both ends of the rib are connected to the retaining portion, and the center of the rib abuts against the battery cell to apply the bias force to the battery cell.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the retaining portions is provided with at least two ribs arranged circumferentially on its top side.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one protruding limiting portion is provided on the inner wall of each of the retaining portions. Preferably, there are multiple limiting portions, which are arranged circumferentially on the inner wall. In particular, one of the limiting portions is located directly below the corresponding battery cell.

[0018] In one embodiment, the inner wall of the at least one limiting portion is also formed as a circumferential wall surrounding the corresponding battery cell, and each of the limiting portions extends at an angle of less than 30° in the circumferential direction.

[0019] In one embodiment, a second biasing portion is provided on the bottom side of each set of holding portions, the second biasing portion abutting against the outer periphery of the corresponding cell and applying a biasing force toward the top side to the cell.

[0020] In one embodiment, the backplate forms at least a portion of the bottom cover of the battery pack, and the bottom cover and the top cover of the battery pack engage to define a receiving space for accommodating the at least one battery cell.

[0021] In one embodiment, in the direction from one end toward the farthest end of the rib, the thickness of the rib first increases and then decreases, and has the maximum thickness at the point of force application, so that the rib has the maximum protrusion toward the battery cell at the point of force application. In particular, the thickness of the farthest end of the other end of the rib, the thickness of the fixed end, and the thickness of the retaining portion are the same.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is provided, the battery pack comprising:

[0023] At least one battery cell;

[0024] The cell holding device as described in any of the above embodiments is used to accommodate the at least one cell.

[0025] In one embodiment, the cell holding device forms the bottom of the battery pack.

[0026] In one embodiment, the backplate forms the bottom surface of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To better understand the above and other objects, features, advantages, and functions of this utility model, reference can be made to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the drawings are intended to schematically illustrate the preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the scope of this utility model in any way; the parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery pack's cell holding device and the combination of the cells;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A separate schematic diagram of the cell holding device in the diagram;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A diagram showing an upward-looking perspective;

[0032] Figure 5 For along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from line AA in the diagram;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of part B in the image;

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 5 A magnified view of part C in the image;

[0035] Figure 8 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken from the DD line in the image;

[0036] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of part E in the image;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the combination of the cell holding device and the cell in another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A cross-sectional view taken from the FF line in the image;

[0039] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified view of part G in the image.

[0040] Figure label:

[0041] 100 battery pack

[0042] 10 top caps

[0043] 20 backplate

[0044] 30 and 80 cell holding devices

[0045] 31 main body

[0046] 32, 82 holding sections

[0047] 32a, 82a First Holding Section

[0048] 32b, 82b Second Holding Section

[0049] 321 Inner Wall

[0050] 322 limit section

[0051] 33, 83 ribs

[0052] 331 Fixed End

[0053] 332 free end

[0054] The very end of the free ends of 3321 and 831

[0055] 3322, 832 points of force application

[0056] The portion of ribs 3323 and 833 near the fixed end

[0057] 40 and 70 cells

[0058] 50 side panels

[0059] 60 bottom cover Detailed Implementation

[0060] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments described herein are merely preferred embodiments based on the present invention. Those skilled in the art can conceive of other ways to implement the present invention based on the preferred embodiments, and such other ways also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0061] Figures 1-7 Preferred embodiments of the cell holding device and battery pack according to this utility model are shown. It should be noted first that the directional and positional terms used in this utility model should be understood as relative directions and positions, not absolute directions and positions. The directional and positional terms used in this utility model can be referred to... Figures 1-7 The exemplary structure shown is explained below. For example, the axial direction of the battery cell mentioned in this invention is... Figure 2 In the diagram, X represents the "radial direction" and "circumferential direction," which are directions relative to the axial direction of each cell. The "top side" mentioned in this invention refers to... Figures 1-7 The upward-facing side of each structure shown in the diagram, the "bottom side" is... Figures 1-7 The downward-facing side of each structure shown.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack 100 of this invention includes a top cover 1010 and a bottom cover 60, which are joined together to define a receiving space for accommodating at least one battery cell 40. The bottom cover 60 further includes a back plate 20 and side panels 50. The battery pack 100 also includes a cell holding device 30 for holding at least one battery cell 40, and the back plate 20 may, for example, form part of the cell holding device 30, as will be described in detail later.

[0063] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the combination of the cell holding device 30 and multiple cells 40 is shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4A separate perspective view of the cell holding device 30 is shown. The cell holding device 30 includes a main body 31 and at least one set of holding portions 32. The main body 31 includes a back plate 20, which is configured to allow at least one cell 40 to be supported on the back plate 20 in an orientation that makes its axial direction X parallel to the back plate 20. The back plate 20 forms part of the bottom cover 60 of the battery pack 100. At least one set of holding portions 32 corresponds one-to-one with at least one cell 40, and each set of holding portions 32 surrounds and holds the corresponding cell 40 circumferentially. Specifically, each set of holding portions 32 includes two holding portions 32 located near the axial ends of a corresponding cell 40, for example, as shown in the figure. Figure 2 As shown, a set of retaining parts 32 may include a first retaining part 32a and a second retaining part 32b.

[0064] Continue to refer to Figures 2-4 Each retaining portion 32 integrally forms a biasing portion, which abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding battery cell 40 and applies an inward biasing force to the battery cell 40. Preferably, the biasing portion is formed on the top side of the retaining portion 32 and applies an inward biasing force to the battery cell 40. The biasing portion is, for example, a rib 33 extending along the axial direction of the battery cell 40. In some embodiments, one end of the rib 33 is connected to the retaining portion 32 (referred to as the fixed end 331) while the other end is free (referred to as the free end 332), and the free end 332 abuts against the battery cell 40 to apply a biasing force to the battery cell 40. The location of the free end 332 of the rib 33 can be selected in two ways, one of which is as follows: Figure 2-4 As shown, the free end 332 of the rib 33 on the first retaining part 32a is away from the second retaining part 32b, and the free end 332 of the rib 33 on the second retaining part 32b is away from the first retaining part 32a. Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the rib 33 and the cell 40 in their joined state is shown, wherein the rib 33 and the cell 40 are shown in an interference manner, indicating that the rib 33 and the cell 40 are joined in an interference fit.

[0065] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9The free end 332 of the rib 33 has some preferred structures. For example, the thickness of the rib 33 gradually increases from the fixed end 331 toward the outermost point 3321 of the free end 332, and then decreases at the point of maximum thickness at the force application point 3322. The rib 33 has the maximum thickness at the force application point 3322, that is, the maximum protrusion toward the battery cell 40. The thickness of the force application point 3322 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the rib 33 near the fixed end 331, and also greater than the thickness of the outermost point 3321 of the free end 332. The thickness of the rib 33 at the fixed end 331 and at the outermost point 3321 is approximately equal to the thickness of the retaining portion 32. This arrangement facilitates the engagement of the battery cell 40 and the rib 33 during the installation of the battery cell 40 into the battery cell holding device 30, while also ensuring effective force application by the rib 33 to the battery cell 40. Another arrangement of the free end 332 of the rib 33 is not shown in the figures. In this embodiment (not shown), for a set of retaining portions and a second retaining portion, the free ends of the ribs on the first retaining portion face the second retaining portion, and the free ends of the ribs on the second retaining portion face the first retaining portion. In such an embodiment, the free ends of the ribs on the first retaining portion may also directly face the second retaining portion; that is, there are no other structures or parts of the battery holding device between the free ends of the ribs on the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion.

[0066] In other embodiments not shown, both ends of the rib may be connected to the retaining portion, and the center of the rib is recessed downward relative to the ends to abut against the battery cell to apply a bias force to the battery cell.

[0067] In various embodiments, the biasing portion is an elastic member that elastically applies a biasing force to the battery cell 40; or the biasing portion can be a rigid member, with the biasing portion and the battery cell 40 in rigid contact. In the aforementioned embodiment where the biasing portion is a rib 33 with a free end 332, the biasing portion typically applies an elastic biasing force to the battery cell 40. When both ends of the biasing portion are connected to the retaining portion, if the biasing portion is thinner, its deformability is greater, and the biasing portion may apply a more elastic biasing force to the battery cell; if the biasing portion is thicker, its deformability is less, and the biasing portion may apply a weaker elastic biasing force to the battery cell. In various embodiments, the biasing portion contacts the battery cell in an interference fit. Even if the biasing portion and the battery cell 40 are in an interference fit, the presence of the biasing portion still affects the mounting of the battery cell 40 to the battery cell holding device 30 because the contact area between the biasing portion and the battery cell 40 is small.

[0068] Since the biasing part can press the battery cell 40 towards the bottom, the battery cell 40 is not easy to shake within the accommodating space defined by the corresponding holding part 32, and adjacent battery cells 40 are not easy to collide.

[0069] To further improve the stability of the battery cell 40 within the housing space defined by the retaining portion 32, at least one limiting portion 322 is also provided on the inner wall 321 of each retaining portion 32. (Reference) Figures 3-4 , Figures 6-7 Multiple limiting portions 322 are arranged circumferentially on the inner wall 321 of the holding portion 32. Specifically, one limiting portion 322 is located directly below the corresponding battery cell 40. The limiting portion 322 directly below and the rib 33 work together in the vertical direction on the battery cell 40, further ensuring the stability of the battery cell 40. Preferably, the inner wall of at least one limiting portion 322 is also formed as a circumferential wall surrounding the corresponding battery cell 40. Since the limiting portion 322 protrudes radially inward relative to the inner wall 321 of the other parts of the holding portion 32, the inner wall 321 of the limiting portion 322 and the axis X of the battery cell 40 (see...) Figure 7 The distance between the inner walls of the limiting portions 322 and the battery cell 40 (i.e., the radius of the inner wall of the limiting portion 322) is less than the distance between the inner walls of the other portions of the retaining portion 32 and the axis X of the battery cell 40 (i.e., the radius of the inner wall of the other portions of the retaining portion 32). Each limiting portion 322 extends at an angle α less than 30° in the circumferential direction (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0070] The gap between the inner wall of the limiting portion 322 and the battery cell 40 is smaller than the gap between the inner wall 321 of the holding portion 32 and the battery cell 40 at other locations. Therefore, the limiting portions 322 are more tightly attached to the circumferential surface of the battery cell 40 to prevent the battery cell 40 from shifting.

[0071] In other embodiments not shown, the limiting portion located directly below the battery cell can be replaced by another biasing portion, referred to as the second biasing portion. The second biasing portion abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding battery cell and applies a biasing force toward the top side to the battery cell. The second biasing portion can have a structure similar to that of the rib 33.

[0072] Figures 10-12 Another preferred embodiment according to the present invention is shown, which is similar to the foregoing embodiments; for the purpose of simplification, the same parts will not be described again. Figure 10In this configuration, a biasing portion is integrally formed on the top side of each retaining portion 82. The biasing portion abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding battery cell 70 and applies a biasing force toward the bottom side to the battery cell. The biasing portion is, for example, a rib 83 extending along the axial direction of the battery cell 70. The fixed end of the rib 83 is connected to the retaining portion and has a free end. The free end abuts against the battery cell 70 to apply a biasing force to the battery cell 70.

[0073] refer to Figure 10 For a set of retaining portions 82a and a second retaining portion 82b, the free end of the rib 83 on the first retaining portion 82a faces away from the second retaining portion 82b, and the free end of the rib 83 on the second retaining portion 82b faces away from the first retaining portion 82a. Specifically, the free end of the rib 83 on the first retaining portion 82a is positioned at the edge of the first retaining portion 82a, and the other end of the rib 83 on the second retaining portion 82b is positioned at the edge of the second retaining portion 82b. During the process of installing the battery cell 70 into the battery cell holding device 80, the battery cell 70 is inserted into the battery cell holding device 80 from the free end of the rib 83.

[0074] refer to Figure 12 The free end of the rib 83 has a preferred structure. For example, the thickness of the rib 83 gradually increases from the fixed end to the outermost point 831 of the free end, and then begins to decrease at the point of maximum thickness at the force application point 832. The rib 83 has its maximum thickness at the force application point 832, that is, it has the maximum protrusion toward the battery cell. The thickness at the force application point 832 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the rib near the fixed end 833, and also greater than the thickness of the outermost point 831 of the free end. The thickness of the rib at the fixed end and at the outermost point 831 is approximately equal to the thickness of the retaining portion 82. This arrangement facilitates the engagement of the battery cell and the rib during the installation of the battery cell into the battery cell holding device, while also ensuring effective force application by the rib to the battery cell.

[0075] It should be noted that the "biasing force towards the bottom (inward)" mentioned in this utility model is not necessarily a force directed directly downward; the force only needs to have a component towards the bottom or inward. For example, in some embodiments, each retaining part is provided with two ribs arranged circumferentially on its top side. Neither of the two ribs is located directly above the battery cell; for example, these two ribs are located at... Figure 6 The two ribs 33 shown on the left and right sides exert a downward component of the bias force on the battery cell, so these two ribs can also exert a bias force towards the bottom side of the battery cell. In other embodiments, each retaining part is provided with three or more biasing parts arranged circumferentially on its top side.

[0076] In other embodiments not shown, the back panel of the battery holding device may be independent of the bottom cover of the battery pack, which may have a separate bottom support plate on which the battery holding device can be placed. A battery pack may accommodate multiple battery holding devices, which may be stacked vertically and placed within the accommodating space defined by the top and bottom covers.

[0077] This utility model also provides a battery pack, and the above description of the preferred embodiment of the cell holding device should also be considered as a description of the preferred embodiment of the battery pack.

[0078] The present invention provides a biasing portion integrally formed on the cell holding device. While allowing the cell to be mounted on the cell holding device, the biasing portion can press the cell relative to the cell holding device to prevent it from shaking. This operation does not require additional compensation components, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, this design prevents the biasing portion from detaching, maintaining the stability of the cell relative to the battery holding device for a longer period of time.

[0079] The above description of various embodiments of this utility model is provided for descriptive purposes to a person skilled in the art. It is not intended to exclude or limit the utility model to a single disclosed embodiment. As taught above, those skilled in the art will understand that various alternatives and variations of this utility model are possible. Therefore, although some alternative embodiments have been specifically described, those skilled in the art will understand or relatively easily develop other embodiments. This utility model is intended to include all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the utility model described herein, as well as other embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the utility model described above.

Claims

1. An electric cell holding device, the electric cell holding device (30) for a battery pack (100) including at least one electric cell (40) and configured to hold the at least one electric cell (40), characterized in that, The cell holding device (30) includes: The body (31) includes a back plate (20) and is configured to allow at least one cell (40) to be carried on the back plate in an axial direction (X) parallel to the back plate (20); At least one set of retaining portions (32) are connected to the main body and correspond one-to-one with the at least one battery cell, wherein each set of retaining portions (32) surrounds and retains the corresponding battery cell in the circumferential direction. Each of the holding portions (32) is integrally formed with a bias portion, which abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding cell (40) and applies a biasing force toward the inward side to the cell.

2. The cell retaining device of claim 1, wherein, The biasing portion is deformable, thereby elastically applying a biasing force to the cell (40).

3. The cell holding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by Each set of the retaining portions (32) includes two retaining portions (32a, 32b) located near the two ends of the axial direction of a corresponding battery cell, and the bias portion is formed on each of the retaining portions.

4. The cell retention device of claim 3, wherein, The biasing portion is a rib (33) extending along the axial direction (X) of the battery cell.

5. The cell retention device of claim 4, wherein, One end (331) of the rib (33) is connected to the retaining portion (32) while the other end (332) is free. The other end (332) abuts against the battery cell (40) to apply the bias force to the battery cell. Each set of the retaining portions (32) includes a first retaining portion (32a) and a second retaining portion (32b).

6. The cell holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The other end (332) of the rib (33) on the first retaining portion (32a) is away from the second retaining portion (32b), and the other end (332) of the rib (33) on the second retaining portion (32b) is away from the first retaining portion (32a).

7. The cell retaining device of claim 6, wherein, The other end of the rib on the first retaining portion is positioned at the edge of the first retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion is positioned at the edge of the second retaining portion.

8. The cell holding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The other end of the rib on the first retaining portion faces the second retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion faces the first retaining portion.

9. The cell retention device of claim 8, wherein, The other end of the rib on the first retaining portion directly faces the second retaining portion, and the other end of the rib on the second retaining portion directly faces the first retaining portion.

10. The battery cell retaining device of claim 4, wherein, Both ends of the rib are connected to the retaining portion, and the center of the rib abuts against the battery cell to apply the bias force to the battery cell.

11. The cell retaining device of any of claims 4-10, wherein, Each of the retaining portions is provided with at least two ribs arranged circumferentially on its top side.

12. The battery cell retaining device of any of claims 1-11, wherein, Each of the retaining portions (32) has at least one protruding limiting portion (322) on its inner wall (321).

13. The battery cell retaining device of claim 12, wherein, The inner wall of the at least one limiting portion (322) is also formed as a circumferential wall surrounding the corresponding cell (40), and the angle (α) of each limiting portion (322) extending in the circumferential direction is less than 30°.

14. The battery cell retention device of any of claims 1-13, wherein, Each set of holding portions has a second biasing portion on its bottom side, which abuts against the outer periphery of the corresponding cell and applies a biasing force toward the top side to the cell.

15. The battery cell retention device of any of claims 1-14, wherein, The backplate (20) forms at least a portion of the bottom cover (60) of the battery pack, and the bottom cover (60) and the top cover (10) of the battery pack join together to define a receiving space for accommodating the at least one battery cell.

16. The electrochemical cell retention device of claim 5, wherein, In the direction of the rib (33) from one end toward the far end (3321) of the other end, the thickness of the rib first increases and then decreases and has the maximum thickness at the point of force application (3322), so that the rib has the maximum protrusion toward the cell at the point of force application.

17. The battery cell retaining device of claim 16, wherein, The thickness of the outermost end of the rib, the thickness of the fixed end, and the thickness of the retaining portion are the same.

18. The electrochemical cell retention device of claim 12, wherein, There are multiple limiting portions (322), and the multiple limiting portions (322) are arranged circumferentially on the inner wall (321).

19. The electrochemical cell retention device of claim 12, wherein, One of the limiting portions (322) is located directly below the corresponding cell (40).

20. A battery pack, characterized by The battery pack (100) includes: At least one battery cell (40); The cell holding device (30) according to any one of claims 1-19 is used to accommodate the at least one cell.

21. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein, The cell holding device (30) forms the bottom of the battery pack.

22. The battery pack of claim 21, wherein, The backplate (20) forms the bottom surface of the battery pack.

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