Module frame structure and battery module
By combining plastic limiting components with metal support components, the high cost and complex assembly of aluminum profile frames are solved, realizing a low-cost, high-efficiency module frame design suitable for battery modules with square and cylindrical cells.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUATING HEFEI POWER TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-28
AI Technical Summary
The existing electric vehicle module frame structure uses aluminum profiles, which are expensive, complex to process and weld, have poor fault tolerance in the assembly process, and have low production efficiency.
The module frame is formed by a combination of plastic limiting components and metal support components. The lightweight and easy-to-process properties of plastic are utilized, and the metal support components provide necessary mechanical support, simplifying the assembly process and optimizing thermal management.
It reduced material costs, simplified the assembly process, increased production tolerance, enhanced heat dissipation, and reduced structural weight.
Smart Images

Figure CN224177440U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery module technology, specifically to a module frame structure and a battery module. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, the frame structure of electric vehicle modules generally adopts aluminum profile frame structure. Although it has the advantage of lightweight, the material cost is high (aluminum is about US$1,900 per ton), and the processing and welding process of aluminum profile is complicated, making it difficult to reduce the overall production cost.
[0003] Furthermore, existing modular frames are mostly one-piece designs, requiring precise positioning and multiple welding processes during assembly, resulting in poor fault tolerance and limited production efficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a low-cost, easy-to-assemble modular frame structure solution. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a module frame structure and battery module that are easy to assemble and have low cost.
[0005] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides a module frame structure, comprising:
[0006] End plate assemblies, wherein two end plate assemblies are arranged in parallel;
[0007] A connecting assembly, comprising multiple components disposed between two end plate assemblies, includes a plastic limiting member and a metal support member fixedly connected to the plastic limiting member. The metal support member is detachably connected to the end plate assembly via fasteners. Adjacent connecting assemblies are spaced apart to form a receiving space for accommodating individual battery cells.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the plastic limiting member includes a supporting connecting portion disposed along a first direction, and the supporting connecting portion includes a bonding surface for bonding a single battery cell.
[0009] The plastic limiting member further includes a limiting part that protrudes from the fitting surface of the supporting connection part in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the metal support member is arranged parallel to and fixedly connected to the supporting connection part.
[0010] In one embodiment of this utility model, the metal support is made of steel.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting connection part is integrally formed with the metal support member, or the supporting connection part includes a limiting groove, and the metal support member is disposed in the limiting groove and fixedly connected to the supporting connection part.
[0012] In one embodiment of this utility model, the metal support is a pipe, and the end of the pipe is provided with a reserved thread for fastening to the end plate assembly with fasteners.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the end plate assembly includes an end plate and a composite insulating layer covering its inner side.
[0014] In one embodiment of this utility model, the composite insulation layer includes a first insulating structure plate and insulating paper stacked together, and the first insulating structure plate and the end plate are positioned by a positioning structure.
[0015] In one embodiment of this utility model, the first insulating structure plate is provided with a limiting structure for limiting the plastic limiting member.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the two end plate assemblies are provided with at least four connecting components; the four connecting components are respectively used to limit the four corners of the battery cell.
[0017] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides a battery module, including the aforementioned module frame structure.
[0018] In one embodiment of this utility model, the battery module further includes:
[0019] Multiple battery cells are provided, with elastic buffer layers provided on the sides of at least adjacent battery cells, and the battery cells are bonded and fixed to the module frame structure;
[0020] A second insulating structural plate covers the surface of the module frame structure.
[0021] In summary, this utility model forms a modular frame structure by connecting end plate assemblies and connecting assemblies. Plastic limiting components are used in conjunction with metal support components for connection. Utilizing the lightweight, insulating, and easily processed characteristics of plastic, the module frame structure's reliance on high-cost metal materials is reduced. Simultaneously, the metal support components provide necessary mechanical support, compensating for the insufficient strength of the plastic. Furthermore, due to the insulating properties of the connecting components themselves, no special insulation protection is required, saving costs. The end plate assemblies and connecting assemblies are detachable, avoiding or reducing rigid reliance on traditional welding processes. During assembly, the end plate assemblies and connecting assemblies can be pre-assembled, followed by the assembly of individual battery cells. After the individual battery cells are assembled, the end plate assemblies are quickly locked using fasteners, reducing precision positioning steps and significantly improving production tolerance. The spaced connecting assemblies, while ensuring overall rigidity, provide optimized conditions for thermal management, reserving space for heat dissipation of the battery cells, wiring harness arrangement, or later maintenance, avoiding structural redundancy and reducing the overall structural weight. Attached Figure Description
[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model 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 only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell assembly structure in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection component structure in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in which insulating paper is connected to the end plate;
[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the end plate assembly in one embodiment of the present utility model;
[0027] Figure 5 This is a partial structural diagram of the module frame structure in one embodiment of the present utility model;
[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a module frame structure in one embodiment of the present invention in which a battery cell assembly is installed;
[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the module frame structure and the battery cell assembly installation in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module with electrical components installed in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 10 This is a top view of the battery module in one embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the battery module along point AA;
[0034] Component labeling: Module frame structure 100, end plate assembly 10, end plate 11, positioning structure 111, positioning post 1111
[0035] Connecting component 20, plastic limiting component 21, supporting connecting part 211, bonding surface 2111, limiting groove 2112, limiting part 212, metal support component 22, fastener 23, accommodating space 24, first insulating structure plate 12, limiting structure 121, insulating paper 13, battery cell assembly 200, battery cell 201, elastic buffer layer 202, second insulating structure plate 300, plastic support base 31, busbar 32, wire harness fixing plate 33, foam block 34. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. This utility model can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. It should also be understood that the terminology used in the embodiments of this utility model is for describing specific implementation schemes and not for limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. Test methods in the following embodiments that do not specify specific conditions are generally performed under conventional conditions or according to the conditions recommended by the respective manufacturers.
[0037] Please see Figures 1 to 11 It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of this invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this invention. Furthermore, the terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of this invention.
[0038] When numerical ranges are given in the embodiments, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated in this invention, both endpoints of each numerical range and any value between the two endpoints may be selected. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention, as well as the prior art known to those skilled in the art and the description of this invention, may be implemented using any prior art methods, devices, and materials similar to or equivalent to those described, used, or made of materials in the embodiments of this invention.
[0039] Please see Figures 2 to 7 This utility model provides a module frame structure 100, including an end plate assembly 10 and a connecting assembly 20;
[0040] Two end plate assemblies 10 are arranged in parallel; multiple connecting assemblies 20 are provided, and multiple connecting assemblies 20 are arranged between two adjacent end plate assemblies 10. Each connecting assembly 20 includes a plastic limiting member 21 and a metal support member 22 fixedly connected to the plastic limiting member 21. The metal support member 22 is detachably connected to the end plate assembly 10 by a fastener 23. Two adjacent connecting assemblies 20 are spaced apart to form a receiving space 24 for accommodating a single battery cell 201.
[0041] It should be noted that this invention uses a combination of two parallel end plate assemblies 10 and multiple connecting assemblies 20 to form a support system for accommodating the battery cell 201. The end plate assemblies 10, serving as the fixing bases at both ends of the battery module, can be made of metal sheets, composite materials, or reinforced plastics. Their parallel arrangement ensures the overall rigidity and dimensional stability of the module. The connecting assemblies 20 include a fixed connection between plastic limiting members 21 and metal support members 22. The plastic limiting members 21 can be combined with the metal support members 22 through injection molding, snap-fit fitting, or adhesive bonding. For example, they can be engineering plastics such as nylon (PA66+GF30), composite engineering materials (PBT+GF30), or composite materials (ABS+PC). The metal support members 22 can be steel pipes, aluminum profiles, or steel strips, etc., to meet different strength and cost requirements. The metal support 22 and the end plate assembly 10 are detachably connected by fasteners 23 (such as bolts, pins or quick-release clips), which facilitates assembly and maintenance. At the same time, it allows for the spacing of the connecting components 20. The spacing can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the cell assembly 200, heat dissipation requirements or structural strength, such as equidistant arrangement, staggered distribution or local dense layout.
[0042] By forming uniform or adjustable physical gaps between adjacent connecting components 20, these gaps serve as receiving spaces 24 for the battery cell 201. Their size and shape are adapted to the geometric parameters of the battery cell 201 (such as the width of a square battery cell or the diameter of a cylindrical battery cell), ensuring that the battery cell 201 can be stably embedded and fixed in a predetermined position. The spaced connecting components 20 not only provide physical support for the battery cell 201, but also, through flexible spacing design (such as equidistant distribution, staggered arrangement, or localized densification), meet different module capacity or heat dissipation requirements. Furthermore, the design of the receiving spaces 24 allows for the rapid insertion of pre-installed battery cell 201 units (such as cells with attached foam), simplifying the assembly process.
[0043] This project addresses the high cost and complex manufacturing processes of traditional aluminum profile frames through material innovation and structural optimization. The combination of plastic limiting components 21 and metal support components 22 utilizes the lightweight, insulating, and easily processed properties of plastic to reduce reliance on high-cost metal materials. Simultaneously, the metal support components 22 provide necessary mechanical support to compensate for the insufficient strength of the plastic. The two parallel end plate assemblies 10 and multiple connecting components 20 are detachably connected, avoiding or reducing rigid reliance on traditional welding processes. During assembly, the end plate assemblies 10 and connecting components 20 can be pre-assembled, followed by the assembly of the individual battery cells 201. After the battery cells 201 are assembled, the end plate assemblies 10 are quickly locked in place using fasteners 23, reducing precision positioning steps and significantly improving production tolerance. The spaced connection components 20, while ensuring overall rigidity, provide optimized conditions for thermal management by creating space between them. For example, heat dissipation efficiency can be enhanced by airflow channels or integrated thermal conductive materials, avoiding performance degradation or safety hazards caused by local overheating of the battery cells. This provides space for battery cell heat dissipation, wiring harness layout or later maintenance, avoids structural redundancy, and reduces the overall structural weight.
[0044] This invention solves the performance limitations of a single material by using the plastic limiting member 21 in conjunction with the metal support member 22; the detachable connection and spaced layout optimize the assembly process and heat dissipation function, which is not only suitable for square cells, but can also be extended to the module design of cylindrical cells. For example, the shape of the limiting groove 2112 of the plastic limiting member 21 can be adjusted to adapt to different cell types.
[0045] Please see Figure 2 As an optional embodiment of this case, the plastic limiting member 21 includes a support connecting part 211 disposed along the first direction Y, and the support connecting part 211 includes a bonding surface 2111 for bonding the battery cell 201.
[0046] The plastic limiting member 21 further includes a limiting part 212 that protrudes from the contact surface 2111 of the supporting connecting part 211 in the second direction X, wherein the first direction Y is perpendicular to the second direction X, and the metal supporting member 22 is arranged parallel to and fixedly connected to the supporting connecting part 211.
[0047] It should be noted that the plastic limiting member 21, through the cooperation of the supporting connecting part 211 and the limiting part 212, achieves the positioning and stable support of the battery cell 201. The supporting connecting part 211 extends along the first direction Y, and its mating surface 2111 directly contacts the side of the battery cell 201. A tight connection can be achieved through methods such as planar mating and curved surface adaptation. For example, the planar mating surface 2111 is suitable for square battery cells, and the arc-shaped mating surface 2111 is suitable for cylindrical battery cells. The limiting part 212 protrudes vertically from the mating surface 2111 in the second direction X, forming a lateral constraint on the battery cell 201. The specific form of the limiting part 212 can include a straight plate, an L-shaped bend, or a grid structure. For example, a straight plate limiting part is suitable for compact layouts, an L-shaped bend can increase torsional resistance, and a grid structure takes into account both lightweight and breathability. The metal support 22 and the support connection 211 are arranged in parallel and are fixedly connected to form a composite load-bearing system. The fixing method is not limited to adhesive, bolt locking or one-piece injection molding. For example, adhesive is suitable for low-cost scenarios, bolt locking is convenient for disassembly and maintenance, and the interlocking design can improve the connection strength and consistency.
[0048] The contact surface 2111 of the support connection part 211 provides longitudinal positioning and support for the cell assembly 200, avoiding the risk of short circuit caused by direct metal contact; the vertical protrusion structure of the positioning part 212 restricts the lateral displacement of the cell through geometric constraints, preventing misalignment under vibration or impact; the parallel fixation of the metal support 22 and the plastic positioning part 21 forms a rigid frame, compensating for the insufficient strength of the plastic, and at the same time, modular assembly is achieved through the detachable design; thus, the complexity of the plastic structure is reduced, and the overall stability is ensured by the reinforcement of the metal parts.
[0049] Please see Figure 2 As an optional embodiment of this case, the metal support 22 is made of steel.
[0050] It should be noted that the metal support component 22 is designed to be made of steel. Through material selection and functional adaptation, the price of steel is approximately one-third that of aluminum, solving the pain points of high cost and complex manufacturing processes of metal components in traditional module frames. The type of steel is not limited to ordinary carbon steel, stainless steel, or alloy steel. For example, ordinary carbon steel is suitable for low-cost scenarios, stainless steel improves corrosion resistance, and alloy steel (such as Q345 low-alloy steel) balances strength and weldability. The manufacturing process of the metal support component 22 can include cold rolling, hot die casting, or laser cutting. For example, cold rolling is suitable for mass standardized production, hot die casting is suitable for complex irregular structures, and laser cutting meets high-precision requirements. The surface treatment of the steel can be expanded to include galvanizing, phosphating, or epoxy resin spraying. For example, galvanizing enhances rust resistance, phosphating improves coating adhesion, and epoxy spraying provides additional insulation protection, thus adapting to application scenarios in different environments.
[0051] If the metal support component 22 of the battery module is made of aluminum profiles or cast aluminum parts, although it has the advantage of lightweighting, the material cost is high and the processing technology is complex, making it difficult to control costs, especially in small-batch customized production. This solution replaces aluminum with steel, significantly reducing material costs while ensuring necessary strength. Furthermore, the processing flexibility of steel (such as stamping and bending) simplifies the production process and shortens the mold development cycle. In addition, steel surface treatment technology is mature, and weather resistance can be significantly improved through plating or coating. For example, galvanized steel supports can be used in humid or salt spray environments to avoid strength degradation caused by corrosion. The introduction of steel achieves an effective balance between cost, strength, and process adaptability. The high rigidity of the metal support component 22 reduces local stress on the plastic limiting component 21 by distributing the load, preventing creep or fracture due to long-term stress. The diverse processing methods of steel support the rapid iteration of the battery module structure; for example, heat dissipation holes or wire harness fixing grooves can be integrated into the support component through stamping processes, improving functional integration.
[0052] Please see Figure 2 As an optional embodiment of this case, the support connection part 211 is integrally formed with the metal support member 22, or the support connection part 211 includes a limiting groove 2112, and the metal support member 22 is disposed in the limiting groove 2112 and fixedly connected to the support connection part 211.
[0053] It should be noted that the metal support 22 is arranged parallel to the support connection 211, and its fixed connection method is not limited to one-piece injection molding, fitting with the limiting groove 2112, or bolt locking. For example, one-piece injection molding embeds the metal support 22 into the plastic limiting part 21, achieving a seamless connection; the limiting groove 2112 design allows the metal support 22 to be fixed by adhesive or clips after insertion, facilitating later maintenance; bolt locking provides disassembly and high connection strength. The diverse connection methods of the support connection 211 and the metal support 22 (such as one-piece molding or limiting groove 2112) provide flexible choices for different production needs. One-piece molding is suitable for large-scale mass production, while the limiting groove 2112 design facilitates customized adjustments, further reducing process complexity and production costs.
[0054] Please see Figure 6 As an optional embodiment of this case, the metal support 22 is a pipe, and the end of the pipe is provided with reserved threads for fastening to the end plate assembly 10 through fasteners 23.
[0055] It should be noted that in this case, the metal support 22 is defined as a tubular fitting, which can cover various cross-sectional shapes (such as circular, square, or irregularly shaped tubes). The material can be aluminum alloy, carbon steel, or stainless steel, etc., achieving a balance between lightweight and strength through combinations of different materials and cross-sections. The pre-drilled threads can be achieved through various processes, such as directly machining internal threads on the tube end, welding threaded joints, or pressing in sleeves with pre-drilled threads. These alternative methods can all form a threaded structure that mates with the fastener 23. The fastener 23 itself includes, but is not limited to, threaded connectors such as bolts, screws, or studs. Its function is to detachably fix the tubular metal support 22 to the end plate assembly 10, ensuring connection reliability and facilitating later maintenance or adjustment. The tubular structure can effectively utilize the bending strength of metal materials, while the pre-reserved thread design avoids on-site tapping, simplifies the assembly process and reduces the processing accuracy requirements, thereby solving the problems of complex processing and low assembly efficiency of metal support parts 22. Through standardized tubular parts and pre-reserved threaded structures, production efficiency and quality stability are significantly improved, while reducing the dependence on welding processes.
[0056] Please see Figures 2 to 3 As an optional embodiment of this case, the end plate assembly 10 includes an end plate 11 and a composite insulating layer covering its inner side. The composite insulating layer includes a first insulating structure plate 12 and an insulating paper 13 stacked together. The first insulating structure plate 12 and the end plate 11 are positioned by a positioning structure 111.
[0057] It should be noted that the end plate assembly 10, through the combined design of the end plate 11 and the composite insulation layer, balances structural strength and electrical safety. The end plate 11 can be made of metal, composite materials, or engineering plastics. For example, the aluminum alloy end plate 11 is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, the high-strength steel end plate 11 is suitable for heavy-duty scenarios, and the carbon fiber composite end plate 11 balances strength and weight. The composite insulation layer covers the inner side of the end plate 11. The first insulating structure plate 12 and insulating paper 13 stacked thereon are not limited to the adhesive combination of epoxy board and insulating paper 13, but can also include polyimide film, silicone layer, or ceramic coating, etc. For example, the epoxy board provides mechanical support, the insulating paper 13 enhances surface insulation, the polyimide film adapts to high-temperature environments, and the silicone layer increases buffering performance. The positioning structure 111 of the epoxy board and the end plate 11 can be achieved through snaps and positioning pins. For example, snap design facilitates quick installation, positioning pins ensure accurate alignment, magnetic adsorption simplifies disassembly and maintenance processes, and allows adhesive or welding as auxiliary fixing methods.
[0058] Existing battery module end plates 11 mostly use a single insulating coating or simple plastic gaskets, which have defects such as easy wear of the insulating layer, aging and cracking at high temperatures, or difficulty in assembly alignment. This design solves the problems of insufficient insulation performance and low assembly accuracy of traditional end plate components 10 by using a layered design of composite insulation layers in conjunction with the positioning structure 111. The layered structure of the composite insulation layer improves the overall insulation level through material complementarity: the high rigidity of the epoxy board prevents insulation failure caused by deformation, while the insulating paper 13 or film blocks direct contact between the terminal post and the metal end plate 11, avoiding the risk of short circuit. Thus, the performance advantages of different materials are combined, such as the pressure resistance of the epoxy board and the flexibility of the insulating paper 13, to achieve a dual improvement in insulation performance and durability. The positioning structure 111 ensures precise fit between the composite insulation layer and the end plate 11 through physical constraints (such as snap-fit), reducing manual adjustment steps and avoiding the curing time limitations of adhesive processes, significantly improving assembly efficiency. The split design allows for independent replacement of the composite insulation layer and the end plate 11, reducing maintenance costs and extending the life of the component.
[0059] Please see Figure 3 As an optional embodiment of this case, the first insulating structure plate 12 is provided with a limiting structure 121 for limiting the plastic limiting member 21.
[0060] It should be noted that the assembly positioning of the plastic limiting component 21 is optimized by adding a limiting structure 121. The limiting structure 121 can take the form of a slot embedded in the first insulating structure plate 12 or a fixed limiting block, etc. Its material can be the same as the body of the first insulating structure plate 12 (such as flame-retardant plastic) or it can be manufactured separately using a high-strength composite material. The distribution of the limiting structure 121 can be adaptively designed according to the shape of the plastic limiting component 21. For example, square baffles can be provided along the edges to prevent lateral displacement, or guide ramps can be provided at the corners to assist in insertion positioning. This invention, through the mechanical limiting of the limiting structure 121 and the plastic component, improves structural stability while ensuring the positional consistency of the battery cell 201 within the accommodating space 24, thus improving packaging quality. Furthermore, by simplifying the positioning steps, it shortens the production cycle and improves overall assembly efficiency, making it particularly suitable for large-scale automated production line scenarios.
[0061] Please see Figure 8 This utility model provides a battery module, including the module frame structure 100, so that the battery module having the module frame structure 100 of this invention is within the protection scope of this invention.
[0062] Please see Figures 7 to 10 As an optional embodiment of this case, the battery module further includes multiple individual battery cells 201 and a second insulating structure plate 300.
[0063] An elastic buffer layer 202 is provided on at least the side of the adjacent battery cell 201, and the battery cell 201 is bonded and fixed to the module frame structure 100; the second insulating structure plate 300 covers the surface of the module frame structure 100.
[0064] It should be noted that the elastic buffer layer 202 is not limited to foam, silicone, or rubber. For example, foam is suitable for low-cost scenarios, silicone has better temperature resistance, and rubber has higher wear resistance. Adhesion and fixation can be achieved using double-sided tape, hot melt adhesive, or pressure-sensitive adhesive. The second insulating structure board 300 covers the surface of the module frame structure 100. The material of the second insulating structure board 300 can be epoxy board, polyimide film, or ceramic coating. For example, epoxy board provides rigid support and basic insulation, polyimide film is suitable for high-temperature environments, and ceramic coating has both heat dissipation and insulation functions.
[0065] In this case, the elastic buffer layer 202 absorbs the vibration and expansion stress between the individual battery cells 201 through flexible materials, avoiding micro-short circuits or structural deformation caused by rigid contact; adhesive fixing replaces traditional welding or bolt connections, reducing the heat-affected zone and assembly complexity of the metal frame, while the elastic deformation of the adhesive compensates for tolerances. The second insulating structure plate 300 serves as a protective barrier outside the module, blocking the intrusion of external conductive impurities, and improves the overall insulation level through its material properties (such as the arc resistance of epoxy board), forming a multi-layered protective system from the battery cell to the module surface.
[0066] Please see Figure 11 As an optional embodiment of this case, the module frame structure 100 includes at least two end plate assemblies 10 and at least four connecting assemblies 20 connecting the two end plate assemblies 10.
[0067] The four connecting components 20 are respectively used to limit the corners of the four parallel sides of the battery cell 201, wherein the supporting connecting part 211 and the limiting part 212 of each connecting component 20 correspond to both sides of one corner of the battery cell 201.
[0068] It should be noted that the cuboid or cube has 12 sides, corresponding to 12 corners, with four sides parallel to each other. The contact surface 2111 of each connecting component 20 is in contact with one side of one corner of the battery cell 201, and the limiting part 212 is in contact with the other side of one corner of the battery cell 201. By limiting the four corners of the battery cell 201 through the four connecting components 20, and by limiting the two ends of the overall arrangement of multiple battery cell components 200 through the two end plate components 10, the structural stability of the battery cell component 200 is ensured. The connecting components 20 press the plastic limiting part 21 with the metal support 22 (steel pipe), and the plastic limiting part presses the battery cell 201, thereby making the battery cell 201 stable and not shaking when the vehicle is in motion, ensuring structural stability.
[0069] The assembly steps of the battery module are as follows:
[0070] Pre-assembled component preparation: First, three types of pre-assembled components are prepared: such as Figure 1 As shown, the battery cell assembly 200 is formed by bonding an elastic buffer layer 202 (foam) between the battery cells to one side of the large surface of the individual battery cell 201. Figure 2 As shown, the connecting assembly 20 is formed by gluing the plastic limiting member 21 to the metal support member 22, serving as a spare unit for the connecting assembly 20. Figures 3 to 4 As shown, the preparation of the end plate assembly 10 includes attaching the insulating paper 13 to the contoured surface of the end plate 11 with double-sided adhesive, then removing the backing release paper of the first insulating structure plate 12 (epoxy board), and aligning and installing it with the positioning pins 1111 on the end plate 11 through the positioning holes provided on the first insulating structure plate 12, thus completing the pre-assembly of the end plate assembly 10.
[0071] The main assembly of the battery module: such as Figure 5 As shown, the end plate assembly 10 is placed vertically on a horizontal plane. Three connecting components 20 located below are fixed to the end plate assembly 10 using bolts. The bolts on one side of the end plate assembly 10 are not tightened immediately to allow for threading, forming an initial layout, as shown. Figure 5 As shown. Then, adhesive is applied to the inside of the plastic limiting member 21, and the side of the battery cell assembly 200 with foam attached is tightly attached to the epoxy board of the end plate assembly 10. All battery cell assemblies 200 are placed sequentially to form an intermediate layout, as shown. Figure 6 As shown. Next, apply adhesive to the inside of the plastic retaining member 21 of the uninstalled connecting assembly 20, install it to the top of the battery module, and fix it to one side end plate assembly 10 with bolts, leaving threads on the other side; after checking the overall appearance, tighten all bolts to complete the final layout of the module frame structure 100 and the cell assembly 200, as shown. Figure 7 As shown.
[0072] Electrical and protective structure integration: The plastic support base 31 is fixed to the end plate 11 using bolts. Busbars 32 are arranged sequentially and welded to the battery cell terminals to form an electrical connection structure, such as... Figure 8 As shown. Then, the wire harness fixing plate 33 with double-sided adhesive on the back is sequentially attached to the foam blocks 34, covering the outside of the busbar. Finally, the second insulating structure plate 300 (top epoxy board) is aligned with the side of the battery module and attached to the surface of the foam blocks 34. Simultaneously, insulating paper 13 is installed at the designated positions, completing the overall assembly of the battery module, as shown. Figure 9 As shown.
[0073] Existing battery modules generally use a one-piece aluminum profile frame, which is costly in terms of materials and complex in terms of assembly process, especially prone to yield reduction in high-precision welding and positioning. This invention replaces the pure metal structure with a composite frame of plastic and metal, solving the performance limitations of a single material and significantly reducing material costs. At the same time, the modular design simplifies the assembly process, reduces reliance on specialized welding equipment, and improves production efficiency. Detachable connections and spaced layout further enhance the adaptability of the battery module, enabling flexible compatibility with different sized cells or non-standard battery module designs. In addition, the insulating properties of the plastic limiting component 21 reduce the need for additional insulation layers and lower the risk of short circuits, while the rigid support of the metal support component 22 ensures the structural stability of the module under vibration, extrusion, and other conditions, achieving a comprehensive technical effect of low cost, high reliability, and easy maintenance. This invention is not only applicable to prismatic cells but can also be extended to module designs with cylindrical cells, for example, by adjusting the shape of the limiting groove 2112 of the plastic limiting component 21 to adapt to different cell types. In summary, this utility model effectively overcomes some practical problems in the prior art, thus having high utilization value and significance.
[0074] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A modular frame structure, characterized in that, include: End plate assemblies, wherein two end plate assemblies are arranged in parallel; A connecting assembly, comprising multiple components disposed between two end plate assemblies, includes a plastic limiting member and a metal support member connected to the plastic limiting member. The metal support member is detachably connected to the end plate assembly via fasteners. Adjacent connecting assemblies are spaced apart to form a receiving space for accommodating individual battery cells.
2. The module frame structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plastic limiting member includes a support connecting part arranged along a first direction, and the support connecting part includes a bonding surface for bonding the individual battery cell. The plastic limiting member further includes a limiting part that protrudes from the fitting surface of the supporting connection part in a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the metal support member is arranged parallel to and fixedly connected to the supporting connection part.
3. The module frame structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal support is made of steel.
4. The module frame structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The supporting connection part is integrally formed with the metal support member, or the supporting connection part includes a limiting groove, and the metal support member is disposed in the limiting groove and fixedly connected to the supporting connection part.
5. The module frame structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal support is a pipe, and the end of the pipe is provided with a pre-drilled thread.
6. The module frame structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end plate assembly includes an end plate and a composite insulation layer covering its inner side; the composite insulation layer includes a first insulating structure plate and insulating paper stacked together, and the first insulating structure plate and the end plate are positioned by a positioning structure.
7. The module frame structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two end plate assemblies are provided with at least four connecting components; the four connecting components are respectively used to limit the four corners of the battery cell.
8. The module frame structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first insulating structure plate is provided with a limiting structure for limiting the plastic limiting member.
9. A battery module, characterized in that, Includes the module frame structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.
10. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple battery cells are provided, with elastic buffer layers provided on the sides of at least adjacent battery cells, and the battery cells are bonded and fixed to the module frame structure; A second insulating structural plate covers the surface of the module frame structure.