Embedded battery pack buffer structure, battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses an embedded battery pack buffer structure, a battery pack and a vehicle, the embedded battery pack buffer structure comprises a buffer assembly arranged between two battery cells, the buffer assembly comprises two side plates and a plurality of buffer layers, the two side plates are arranged at intervals along a first direction, the buffer layers are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the buffer layers are arranged at intervals along the second direction. The multiple buffer layers are arranged at intervals in the second direction, the multiple buffer layers are arranged between the two side plates, the two ends of each buffer layer are connected with the two side plates respectively, and the multiple buffer layers are all perpendicular to the side plates; wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The battery pack comprises a battery pack frame and a plurality of battery cell columns arranged in the battery pack frame, and the embedded battery pack buffer structure is arranged in the middle of at least one battery cell column. According to the utility model, the requirement of clamping and boxing the battery cells can be met, the assembling efficiency of clamping and boxing the battery cells in rows can be ensured, and a battery pack can have better safety.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a power battery pack, specifically to an embedded battery pack buffer structure, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous increase in the market penetration rate of new energy vehicles, vehicle collision safety performance, especially the protective capability of the power battery system, has become a key technological bottleneck restricting the industry's development. As the core energy carrier of the entire vehicle, the structural collision resistance of the power battery pack is directly related to the safety of occupants. When the vehicle body suffers a side impact, the deformation of the battery pack can lead to safety problems such as cell deformation, short circuits, and fires. Considering the cost pressure and energy density issues of new energy battery packs, current battery packs typically prioritize lightweight design, which severely weakens the battery pack's protective performance. However, weakening the battery pack and ensuring safety from external impacts are contradictory issues, making it impossible to achieve a balance between lightweight design and safety. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an embedded battery pack buffer structure, a battery pack, and a vehicle, which can meet the requirements for clamping and inserting battery cells into the pack and ensure the assembly efficiency of clamping and inserting battery cells in rows. It can also cope with subsequent expansion support during use, so that the battery pack meets the life and reliability requirements. In addition, it has good side buffering properties and can quickly collapse when obstacles intrude into the power battery pack, transferring external loads to the vehicle body and chassis structure, thereby making the battery pack safer.

[0004] An embedded battery pack buffer structure of this utility model includes a buffer assembly for being disposed between two battery cells. The buffer assembly includes two side plates and multiple buffer layers. The two side plates are spaced apart along a first direction, and the multiple buffer layers are spaced apart along a second direction. The multiple buffer layers are disposed between the two side plates, and the two ends of each buffer layer are connected to the two side plates respectively. The multiple buffer layers are all perpendicular to the side plates; wherein, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0005] Furthermore, the length of the buffer layer in the first direction is greater than the length of the buffer layer in the second direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the length of the buffer layer in the first direction is at least 10 times the length of the buffer layer in the second direction.

[0007] A battery pack according to the present invention includes a battery pack frame and a plurality of cell columns disposed within the battery pack frame, wherein at least one of the cell columns is provided with the aforementioned embedded battery pack buffer structure in the middle.

[0008] Furthermore, multiple cell columns are arranged sequentially along the second direction, with the two cell columns closest to the battery pack edge being buffer cell columns, and the remaining cell columns being either regular cell columns or buffer cell columns; the regular cell column includes multiple cells arranged sequentially along the first direction; the buffer cell column has an embedded battery pack buffer structure in its middle, and multiple cells are arranged sequentially along the first direction on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure; all the cells are connected in series.

[0009] Furthermore, the length of each of the multiple battery cells is along the second direction, and the width of each of the multiple battery cells is along the first direction; the battery cells on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected to the side plate by rubber.

[0010] Furthermore, the length of the buffer assembly in the first direction is an integer multiple of the width of the battery cell in the first direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the terminals of the cells on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected by long aluminum busbars, and the height of the buffer assembly is lower than that of the cells; the terminals of the remaining cells are connected by short aluminum busbars.

[0012] Furthermore, the battery pack frame also includes a front crossbeam and a rear crossbeam, the front crossbeam and the rear crossbeam being spaced apart along a first direction, and a plurality of the battery cells being disposed between the front crossbeam and the rear crossbeam.

[0013] One type of vehicle according to the present invention includes a vehicle body and the aforementioned battery pack, wherein the battery pack is disposed on the vehicle body.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] (1) The embedded battery pack buffer structure of this utility model can be used in CTP cell design schemes. It can replace part of the cells in a cell column with the embedded battery pack buffer structure. The two side plates of the buffer assembly are connected to two different cells respectively. In the actual battery pack assembly process, the buffer assembly is arranged as a whole with multiple cells to form a cell column. By applying a certain load to the cell column and clamping it into the battery pack frame, the cells are clamped and installed in the box. The structure of the buffer assembly will not affect the clamping and installation of the cell column into the box.

[0016] (2) The buffer layer of this utility model has a large load-bearing capacity in the front-rear direction, which enables the buffer assembly to support the battery cells during the battery cell insertion process, ensuring that the battery cells have sufficient rigidity in the width direction, thus meeting the requirements for clamping and inserting the battery cells into the box and ensuring the assembly efficiency of clamping and inserting the battery cells in rows. It can also cope with subsequent expansion support during use, so that the battery pack meets the life and reliability requirements. In addition, the buffer layer has a small load-bearing capacity in the left-right direction. When an external pillar or obstacle hits the side of the vehicle body, the obstacle will squeeze the battery pack frame, thereby causing the side deformation of the buffer assembly. Since the buffer assembly has good buffering properties on the side, it can quickly collapse when the obstacle invades the power battery pack, transferring the external load to the vehicle body and chassis structure, thus making the battery pack safer.

[0017] (3) After the embedded battery pack buffer structure is set in the middle, the gap between the cell and the battery pack frame can be greatly reduced by the energy absorption and intrusion of the buffer component. The gap can be reduced from more than 30mm in the traditional structure to 5mm-10mm in this application, thereby making the battery pack have better energy density and cell integration efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the following drawings are provided for illustration:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the embedded battery pack buffer structure according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top view of the protective cover of the buffer assembly of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cell arrangement structure of the battery pack in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0022] The following labels are used in the attached diagram: 1-buffer assembly, 101-side plate, 102-buffer layer, 2-battery pack frame, 201-front crossbeam, 202-rear crossbeam, 3a-buffer cell array, 3b-conventional cell array, 301-cell, 4-long aluminum busbar, 5-short aluminum busbar. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solution of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] Example 1:

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, an embedded battery pack buffer structure in this embodiment includes a buffer assembly 1 for being disposed between two battery cells 301. The buffer assembly 1 includes two side plates 101 and a plurality of buffer layers 102. The two side plates 101 are spaced apart along a first direction, and the plurality of buffer layers 102 are spaced apart along a second direction. The plurality of buffer layers 102 are disposed between the two side plates 101, and the two ends of each buffer layer 102 are connected to the two side plates 101 respectively. The plurality of buffer layers 102 are all perpendicular to the side plates 101; wherein, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0026] The first direction is the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, and the second direction is the left-to-right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the two side panels 101 are spaced apart along the front-to-back direction, and the front and rear ends of the multiple buffer layers 102 are connected to the two side panels 101 respectively. The multiple buffer layers 102 are spaced apart along the left-to-right direction. It is worth noting that the multiple buffer layers 102 are all perpendicular to the side panels 101. The term "perpendicular" does not mean that the two are completely perpendicular, but rather that they are approximately perpendicular. That is, the angle between the buffer layer 102 and the side panel 101 is 85°-95°, which should also be covered by the claims of this utility model.

[0027] An embedded battery pack buffer structure can be used in CTP (Cell To Pack) cell design schemes, which refer to directly assembling multiple cells 301 into a battery pack by clamping them into the battery pack frame 2. The CTP cell design scheme eliminates the traditional module assembly step, allowing the cells 301 to be directly connected, thereby improving space utilization and reducing the size and weight of the battery pack. In the CTP cell design scheme, the embedded battery pack buffer structure replaces a portion of the cells 301 in a cell row with the embedded buffer structure. The two side plates 101 of the buffer assembly 1 are connected to two different cells 301 respectively. In the actual battery pack assembly process, the buffer assembly 1, as a whole, is arranged with multiple cells 301 to form a cell row. By applying a certain load to the cell row and clamping it into the battery pack frame 2, the cells 301 are clamped and installed in the box. The structure of the buffer assembly 1 does not affect the clamping and installation of the cell row into the box.

[0028] The structure of the buffer assembly 1 ensures that the load-bearing capacity of the buffer layer 102 in the front-rear direction is greater than that in the left-right direction. The front-rear direction corresponds to the width direction of the battery cell 301. The greater load-bearing capacity of the buffer layer 102 in the front-rear direction allows the buffer assembly 1 to support the battery cell 301 during its insertion into the battery pack, ensuring sufficient rigidity in the width direction. This meets the requirements for clamping and inserting the battery cell 301 into the pack and guarantees efficient assembly of the battery cell 301 in rows. It also supports subsequent expansion during use, ensuring the battery pack meets lifespan and reliability requirements. Furthermore, the buffer layer 102 has a lower load-bearing capacity in the left-right direction. When an external pillar or obstacle impacts the side of the vehicle body, the obstacle will compress the battery pack frame 2, causing lateral deformation of the buffer assembly 1. Because the buffer assembly 1 has good lateral cushioning, it can quickly collapse when the obstacle intrudes into the power battery pack, transferring the external load to the vehicle body and chassis structure, thus providing better safety for the battery pack.

[0029] Furthermore, traditional power battery packs often leave a gap of more than 30mm between the battery cell 301 and the battery pack frame 2 to prevent the battery pack frame 2 from intruding into the battery cell 301, and also set up structures such as strip-shaped buffer pads, which reduces the space utilization rate inside the battery pack frame 2. In this embodiment, an embedded battery pack buffer structure is provided. Since the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2 are reinforced by frame bodies and crossbeams, the deformation and intrusion of the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2 can be reduced. Therefore, when the battery pack frame 2 is subjected to a side impact, the deformation and intrusion in the middle are the greatest. After setting the embedded battery pack buffer structure in the middle, the gap between the battery cell 301 and the battery pack frame 2 can be greatly reduced by the energy absorption and intrusion absorption of the buffer component 1 through collapse. The gap of more than 30mm in the traditional structure can be reduced to the gap of 5mm-10mm in this application. As a result, the battery pack using the embedded battery pack buffer structure of this embodiment has better energy density and battery cell 301 integration efficiency.

[0030] In this embodiment, the length of the buffer layer 102 in the first direction is greater than the length of the buffer layer 102 in the second direction. A preferred embodiment is that the length of the buffer layer 102 in the first direction is at least 10 times the length of the buffer layer 102 in the second direction.

[0031] The buffer layer 102 can be a thin-walled plate-like structure, which ensures that the buffer layer 102 has a large load-bearing capacity in the first direction and a small load-bearing capacity in the second direction. That is, it can achieve that the load-bearing capacity of the buffer layer 102 in the front-back direction is greater than the load-bearing capacity of the buffer layer 102 in the left-right direction.

[0032] In this embodiment, the side plate 101 is made of engineering plastic, and the buffer layer 102 is made of engineering plastic or aluminum alloy. The side plate 101 and the buffer layer 102 are connected by heat fusion, which is simple in structure, lightweight, and conducive to the weight reduction of the battery pack.

[0033] In this embodiment, the side plate 101 has a length of 2mm-5mm in the first direction, the distance between two side plates 101 in the first direction is 120mm-600mm, the length of the side plate 101 in the second direction is the same as the length of the battery cell 301 in the second direction, the length of the buffer layer 102 in the second direction is 10mm-20mm, and the distance between two adjacent buffer layers 102 is 10mm-20mm.

[0034] Example 2:

[0035] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a battery pack in this embodiment includes a battery pack frame 2 and a plurality of cell columns disposed within the battery pack frame 2, wherein at least one of the cell columns is provided with the embedded battery pack buffer structure in Embodiment 1 in the middle.

[0036] In this embodiment, multiple cell columns are arranged sequentially along a second direction. The two cell columns closest to the battery pack frame 2 are both buffer cell columns 3a, and the remaining cell columns are either regular cell columns 3b or buffer cell columns 3a. The regular cell column 3b includes multiple cells 301 arranged sequentially along a first direction. The buffer cell column 3a has the embedded battery pack buffer structure in its middle, and multiple cells 301 are arranged sequentially along the first direction on both sides of the buffer cell column 3a corresponding to the embedded battery pack buffer structure. All cells 301 are connected in series. The two cell columns closest to the battery pack frame 2 are the leftmost and rightmost cell columns.

[0037] The buffer cell column 3a replaces a portion of the cells 301 in this cell column with an embedded battery pack buffer structure. The two side plates 101 of the buffer assembly 1 are connected to two different cells 301 respectively. In the actual battery pack assembly process, the buffer assembly 1, as a whole, is arranged with multiple cells 301 to form a cell column. By applying a certain load to the cell column and clamping it into the battery pack frame 2, the cells 301 are clamped and installed into the box. All conventional cell columns 3b and buffer cell columns 3a can be clamped and installed into the box, either sequentially or simultaneously. After all conventional cell columns 3b and buffer cell columns 3a are clamped and installed into the box, all cells 301 are connected in series to form the battery pack. The structure of the buffer assembly 1 does not affect the clamping and installation of the cell columns into the box.

[0038] In this embodiment, the battery pack employs a buffer cell array 3a. The buffer layer 102 has a greater load-bearing capacity in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction (the front-rear direction corresponds to the width direction of the cell 301). The greater load-bearing capacity of the buffer layer 102 in the front-rear direction allows the buffer assembly 1 to support the cell 301 during its insertion into the battery pack, ensuring sufficient rigidity in the width direction. This meets the requirements for clamping the cell 301 into the pack and ensures efficient assembly of the cells in a row. It also supports subsequent expansion during use, ensuring the battery pack meets lifespan and reliability requirements. Furthermore, the buffer layer 102 has a smaller load-bearing capacity in the left-right direction. When an external pillar or obstacle impacts the side of the vehicle body, the obstacle will compress the battery pack frame 2, causing lateral deformation of the buffer assembly 1. Because the buffer assembly 1 has good lateral cushioning, it can quickly collapse when an obstacle intrudes into the battery pack, transferring the external load to the vehicle body and chassis structure, thus providing better safety for the battery pack.

[0039] Furthermore, traditional power battery packs often leave a gap of more than 30mm between the battery cell 301 and the battery pack frame 2 to prevent the battery pack frame 2 from intruding into the battery cell 301, and also set up structures such as strip-shaped buffer pads, which reduces the space utilization rate inside the battery pack frame 2. In the battery pack of this embodiment, since the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2 are reinforced by frame bodies and crossbeams, the deformation and intrusion of the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2 can be reduced. Therefore, when the battery pack frame 2 is subjected to a side impact, the deformation and intrusion in the middle are the greatest. After setting an embedded battery pack buffer structure in the middle, the gap between the battery cell 301 and the battery pack frame 2 can be greatly reduced by the energy absorption and intrusion absorption of the buffer component 1 through collapse. The gap of more than 30mm in the traditional structure can be reduced to the gap of 5mm-10mm in this application, thereby enabling the battery pack to have better energy density and battery cell 301 integration efficiency.

[0040] When the battery pack frame 2 is subjected to a side impact, the deformation and intrusion of the battery pack frame 2 will affect the leftmost and rightmost cell rows. Therefore, the preferred solution is that the leftmost and rightmost cell rows are both buffer cell rows 3a, and the remaining cell rows are conventional cell rows 3b. The next preferred solution is that the leftmost and rightmost cell rows are both buffer cell rows 3a, and a portion of the remaining cell rows are conventional cell rows 3b, while the other portion are buffer cell rows 3a.

[0041] In this embodiment, the length of the multiple battery cells 301 is along the second direction, and the width of the multiple battery cells 301 is along the first direction; the battery cells 301 on the front and rear sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected to the side plate 101 by rubber.

[0042] In this embodiment, the length of the buffer component 1 in the first direction is an integer multiple of the length of the battery cell 301 in the first direction, so that the buffer component 1 can replace the corresponding number of battery cells 301. The integer multiple can be 3, 4, 5 or other values.

[0043] In this embodiment, the terminals of the cells 301 on the front and rear sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected by a long aluminum busbar 4. The height of the buffer assembly 1 is lower than that of the cells 301, and the buffer assembly 1 is located below the long aluminum busbar 4. The terminals of the remaining cells 301 are connected by a short aluminum busbar 5.

[0044] The height of the buffer assembly 1 is lower than that of the battery cell 301, which can prevent the buffer assembly 1 from interfering with the long aluminum busbar 4. The long aluminum busbar 4 refers to the long aluminum busbar 5. The long aluminum busbar 4 crosses the buffer assembly 1, so that the buffer assembly 1 does not affect the series connection of all the battery cells 301.

[0045] In this embodiment, the battery pack frame 2 further includes a front crossbeam 201 and a rear crossbeam 202. The front crossbeam 201 and the rear crossbeam 202 are spaced apart along a first direction, and a plurality of battery cells are disposed between the front crossbeam (201) and the rear crossbeam (202).

[0046] The front crossbeam 201 and the rear crossbeam 202 are used to increase the strength of the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2, which can reduce the deformation and intrusion of the front and rear sides of the battery pack frame 2. Therefore, when the battery pack frame 2 is subjected to a side impact, the deformation and intrusion in the middle part is the greatest.

[0047] Example 3:

[0048] One vehicle in this embodiment includes a vehicle body and the embedded battery pack buffer structure as described in Embodiment 1, wherein the battery pack is disposed on the vehicle body. The vehicle can be, but is not limited to, a pure electric vehicle / battery electric vehicle (PEV / BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a new energy vehicle.

[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An embedded battery pack buffer structure, characterized in that: The device includes a buffer assembly (1) for placement between two battery cells (301). The buffer assembly (1) includes two side plates (101) and a plurality of buffer layers (102). The two side plates (101) are spaced apart along a first direction, and the plurality of buffer layers (102) are spaced apart along a second direction. The plurality of buffer layers (102) are disposed between the two side plates (101), and the two ends of each buffer layer (102) are connected to the two side plates (101) respectively. The plurality of buffer layers (102) are perpendicular to the side plates (101); wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The embedded battery pack buffer structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the buffer layer (102) in the first direction is greater than the length of the buffer layer (102) in the second direction.

3. The embedded battery pack buffer structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the buffer layer (102) in the first direction is at least 10 times the length of the buffer layer (102) in the second direction.

4. A battery pack, characterized in that: It includes a battery pack frame (2) and a plurality of cell columns disposed within the battery pack frame (2), wherein at least one of the cell columns is provided with an embedded battery pack buffer structure as described in any one of claims 1-3 at its center.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: Multiple cell columns are arranged sequentially along a second direction. The two cell columns closest to the battery pack frame (2) are buffer cell columns (3a), and the remaining cell columns are either regular cell columns (3b) or buffer cell columns (3a). The regular cell column (3b) includes multiple cells (301) arranged sequentially along a first direction. The buffer cell column (3a) has an embedded battery pack buffer structure in the middle. The buffer cell column (3a) has multiple cells (301) arranged sequentially along the first direction on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure. All the cells (301) are connected in series.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lengths of the plurality of battery cells (301) are all along the second direction, and the widths of the plurality of battery cells (301) are all along the first direction; the battery cells (301) on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected to the side plate (101) by rubber.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The length of the buffer assembly (1) in the first direction is an integer multiple of the width of the battery cell (301) in the first direction.

8. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The terminals of the cells (301) on both sides of the embedded battery pack buffer structure are connected by long aluminum busbars (4), and the height of the buffer assembly (1) is lower than that of the cells (301); the terminals of the remaining cells (301) are connected by short aluminum busbars (5).

9. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The battery pack frame (2) also includes a front crossbeam (201) and a rear crossbeam (202), the front crossbeam (201) and the rear crossbeam (202) are spaced apart along a first direction, and a plurality of battery cells are disposed between the front crossbeam (201) and the rear crossbeam (202).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes a vehicle body and a battery pack as described in any one of claims 4-9, wherein the battery pack is disposed on the vehicle body.

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