Battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of battery pack and vehicle, it is related to new energy technology field.The battery pack of the utility model includes box and battery module, battery module is set in box, battery module includes at least one battery pack, battery pack includes multiple monomer battery arranged along first direction;Battery module further includes adjusting piece, adjusting piece is set in at least one end of battery pack along first direction, for applying preset pressure to battery pack along first direction;Wherein, battery pack further includes controller, controller is connected with adjusting piece, adjusting piece is configured as: under the control of controller, adjusting the pressure value applied to battery pack.The battery pack of the application can quickly respond when battery pack expands and shrinks by setting active adjusting piece, to maintain the pressure balance in battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of new energy technology, and in particular to a battery pack and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of all-solid-state battery technology, individual cells undergo significant volume expansion and contraction deformation during charge-discharge cycles. If the forces generated by this deformation cannot be properly buffered and regulated, it can lead to uncontrolled internal pressure within the battery module, thereby affecting the performance stability and safety of the battery module. To adapt to this dynamic deformation requirement, related technologies employ a structure with a movable end plate and a fixed end plate. The movable and fixed end plates are connected by an elastic element. When a single cell expands or contracts, the movable end plate moves accordingly, causing the elastic element to contract or release synchronously, thereby buffering the deformation force and maintaining stable internal pressure within the battery module.

[0003] However, the adjustment method where the movable end plate and the fixed end plate are connected by elastic elements is a passive adjustment. The contraction and release of the elastic elements are passively driven by the expansion or contraction of individual battery cells and cannot be actively adjusted according to actual operating conditions. This passive adjustment method has a lag in response. When the expansion or contraction speed of individual battery cells is too fast, the contraction and release of the elastic elements cannot match the deformation rhythm in time, making it difficult to quickly buffer the force, resulting in a sudden increase or decrease in the internal pressure of the battery module. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a battery pack that, by incorporating an active adjustment mechanism, can respond quickly to the expansion and contraction of the battery pack to maintain pressure balance within the battery modules.

[0005] This utility model also proposes a vehicle having the above-mentioned battery pack.

[0006] The battery pack according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0007] Box;

[0008] A battery module is disposed in the housing. The battery module includes at least one battery pack, which includes a plurality of individual cells arranged along a first direction. The battery module also includes an adjusting member disposed at at least one end of the battery pack along the first direction, for applying a preset pressure to the battery pack along the first direction.

[0009] The battery pack also includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the regulating element. The regulating element is configured to be controlled by the controller to adjust the pressure applied to the battery pack.

[0010] The battery pack according to the embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0011] This application incorporates an active regulator to dynamically balance the internal pressure of the battery pack during charge-discharge cycles. The controller acquires operating parameters during battery pack operation, enabling rapid response during expansion and contraction. Furthermore, the controller can perform differentiated and adaptive adjustments based on deformation differences at different locations within the battery pack, resulting in higher control precision.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a buffer element is provided between adjacent individual cells in the same battery pack, and the buffer element is made of an elastic material.

[0013] According to some embodiments of this utility model, the adjusting component is any one of an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module further includes a movable end plate disposed between the battery pack and the adjusting member. One end of the movable end plate is connected to the battery pack, and the other end is connected to the adjusting member. The movable end plate is slidably connected in the housing and can be moved along the first direction when driven.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the battery module includes a battery pack, the battery module further includes a first fixed end plate and a movable end plate, wherein the first fixed end plate and the movable end plate are spaced apart and located at the same end of the battery pack;

[0016] Wherein, one end of the adjusting member along the first direction is connected to the movable end plate, and the other end is connected to the first fixed end plate.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module further includes a second fixed end plate, the second fixed end plate and the first fixed end plate being disposed at different ends of the battery pack along the first direction.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module further includes a connector, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate along the first direction.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, when the battery module includes two battery packs, the battery module further includes two movable end plates and two second fixed end plates. The movable end plates and the adjusting member are all located between the two battery packs, and the battery packs, movable end plates and adjusting members are all located between the two second fixed end plates.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery module further includes a connector, which is connected to two second fixed end plates at both ends along the first direction.

[0021] The vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the battery pack described in any of the above embodiments.

[0022] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the battery module;

[0028] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] Box 100;

[0031] Battery module 200; battery pack 210; single cell 211; battery body 2111; protective component 2112; buffer component 212; adjusting component 220; movable end plate 230; first fixed end plate 240; second fixed end plate 250; connector 260; locking component 270. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0034] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this utility model. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0037] With the rapid development of all-solid-state battery technology, individual cells undergo significant volume expansion and contraction deformation during charge-discharge cycles. If the forces generated by this deformation cannot be properly buffered and regulated, it can lead to uncontrolled internal pressure within the battery module, thereby affecting the performance stability and safety of the battery module. To adapt to this dynamic deformation requirement, related technologies employ a structure with a movable end plate and a fixed end plate. The movable and fixed end plates are connected by an elastic element. When a single cell expands or contracts, the movable end plate moves accordingly, causing the elastic element to contract or release synchronously, thereby buffering the deformation force and maintaining stable internal pressure within the battery module.

[0038] However, the adjustment method where the movable end plate and the fixed end plate are connected by elastic elements is a passive adjustment. The contraction and release of the elastic elements are passively driven by the expansion or contraction of individual battery cells and cannot be actively adjusted according to actual operating conditions. This passive adjustment method has a lag in response. When the expansion or contraction speed of individual battery cells is too fast, the contraction and release of the elastic elements cannot match the deformation rhythm in time, making it difficult to quickly buffer the force, resulting in a sudden increase or decrease in the internal pressure of the battery module.

[0039] To address the aforementioned problems, this application proposes a battery pack, such as... Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the battery pack includes a housing 100 and battery modules 200 disposed within the housing 100. The housing 100 may contain one or more battery modules 200. Each battery module 200 includes one or more battery packs 210. If multiple battery packs 210 are included, the battery packs 210 are arranged sequentially along a first direction. Each battery pack 210 includes multiple individual battery cells 211 arranged along the first direction.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The battery module 200 also includes an adjusting member 220, which is disposed at one end of the battery pack 210 along the first direction and directly or indirectly abuts against the end of the battery pack 210, for applying a preset pressure to the battery pack 210 along the first direction. The adjusting member 220 can be an actuator that can actively adjust the thrust, such as an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an air bag, and works with electronic control components such as sensors and controllers to realize pressure detection and pressure regulation of the battery pack 210, thereby achieving real-time adjustment of the pressure of the battery pack 210.

[0041] The battery pack also includes a controller (not shown in the figure), which is communicatively connected to the regulator 220, including but not limited to transmitting electrical signals via cables or transmitting control commands wirelessly. The regulator 220 is controlled by the controller to adjust the pressure applied to the battery pack 210. The controller can directly obtain actual pressure feedback through a pressure sensor; it can also collect at least one of various operating parameters of the battery pack 210 in real time, such as temperature, voltage, current, and expansion displacement, and dynamically calculate the pressure value in the battery pack 210 based on a preset algorithm. In addition, if the battery pack contains multiple battery modules 200, the regulator 220 of each battery module 200 can be communicatively connected to the same controller or to different controllers.

[0042] It should be noted that the controller controlling the action of the regulating element 220 to adjust the pressure value is a conventional technical means for those skilled in the art. This application aims to provide a battery pack pressure regulation scheme that achieves faster response and higher precision by introducing an active pressure regulation structure, and does not involve innovative design of algorithms.

[0043] For example, when the battery pack is in operation and each individual battery cell 211 expands, if the controller detects that the pressure in the battery pack 210 is increasing or exceeds a set threshold, the controller drives the regulating element 220 to reduce the thrust on the battery pack 210, thereby alleviating the pressure rise inside the battery pack 210; conversely, if the pressure is decreasing or falls below the set threshold, the controller increases the thrust to maintain pressure stability.

[0044] Based on the above, this application incorporates an active regulator 220 to achieve dynamic pressure balance within the battery pack 210 during charge-discharge cycles. The controller acquires operating parameters during battery pack operation, enabling rapid response during battery pack 210 expansion and contraction. Furthermore, the controller can perform differentiated and adaptive adjustments based on deformation differences at different locations within the battery pack 210, resulting in higher control precision.

[0045] Understandably, the adjusting component 220 can pre-pressurize the battery pack 210 to meet the process requirements for initial pressure during the assembly of the solid-state battery pack 210. On the other hand, the adjusting component 220 can also adapt to the volume changes of the battery pack 210 throughout its entire life cycle through its own active expansion and contraction, avoiding the rigid constraint that causes excessive pressure on the battery pack 210 during expansion, which could damage the cells, or insufficient pressure during contraction, which could lead to malfunction.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, each battery pack 210 is also provided with multiple buffers 212, each buffer 212 being disposed between two adjacent individual cells 211 in the same pack. The buffers 212 are made of elastic materials (such as foam). On the one hand, the buffers 212 can microscopically fill the tiny unevenness on the surface of the individual cells 211, improving contact uniformity; on the other hand, their elastic deformation can initially absorb the expansion stress generated by the individual cells 211 during charging and discharging, and reduce the risk of rigid contact between adjacent cells. Thus, the passive buffering effect of the buffers 212 and the active regulation of the regulator 220 form a synergistic effect.

[0047] Furthermore, in such Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, each individual battery cell 211 includes a battery body 2111 and a protective component 2112. The battery body 2111 is the electrochemical unit of the battery pack, which can store and release energy. The protective component 2112 covers the outer periphery of the battery body 2111, has impact resistance and thermal conductivity, and can effectively disperse external stress and accelerate heat conduction.

[0048] In some embodiments, the adjusting member 220 can be any one of an electric actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder. Taking a pneumatic cylinder as an example, the output thrust can be precisely controlled by adjusting the air pressure change in the air chamber inside the adjusting member 220. It has a fast response speed and high control accuracy. It should be noted that a pneumatic cylinder generally refers to a mechanism driven by changes in gas pressure, including but not limited to nitrogen springs, air springs, and other specific structural forms. A hydraulic cylinder generally refers to a mechanism driven by changes in liquid pressure, such as a hydraulic spring, and other specific structural forms. An electric actuator relies on a motor for drive, such as a stepper motor or servo motor combined with a lead screw mechanism, and other specific structural forms.

[0049] The adjusting member 220 typically includes a main body and a telescopic part that is retractable relative to the main body. The telescopic part is used to connect to the battery pack 210 to apply pressure to the battery pack 210. The main body is usually fixed in the housing 100. For example, the main body integrates mounting holes, clips, or other mounting structures to connect and fix it to the bottom plate or beam inside the housing 100. Alternatively, the adjusting member 220 also includes a mounting base, which is connected and fixed to the bottom plate or beam inside the housing 100. The mounting base is used to install the main body of the adjusting member 220 to ensure that the adjusting member 220 maintains a stable position during operation.

[0050] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 and Figure 4 The battery module 200 also includes a movable end plate 230, which is disposed between the end of the battery pack 210 and the adjusting member 220, for connecting the adjusting member 220 and the battery pack 210. It should be noted that, in orthographic projection along the first direction, the projection area of ​​the movable end plate 230 is not smaller than the projection area of ​​the end face of the battery pack 210, to ensure that pressure is evenly transmitted to the entire surface of the battery pack 210, and to avoid the adjusting member 220 directly contacting the end face of the battery pack 210, thus preventing localized stress concentration.

[0051] To accommodate the expansion displacement of the battery pack 210 end, the movable end plate 230 is slidably connected to the housing 100 and can move along a first direction under drive. For example, a guide rail extending along the first direction is provided on the bottom plate of the housing 100, and a groove matching the guide rail is provided at the bottom of the movable end plate 230, so that the movable end plate 230 can move smoothly along the guide rail, reducing the risk of deflection or jamming during movement. Alternatively, a groove extending along the first direction can be provided on the beam of the housing 100, and sliders matching the groove can be provided at both ends of the movable end plate 230 along a second direction, with the sliders embedded in the groove to guide the movable end plate 230 to slide along the first direction. It should be noted that the sliding connection structure of the movable end plate 230 can also be other structural forms, which will not be listed here.

[0052] In some embodiments, such as Figures 3 to 4As shown, the number of battery packs 210 in the same battery module 200 is one. The battery module 200 is correspondingly provided with a first fixed end plate 240 and a movable end plate 230. The movable end plate 230 is disposed at one end of the battery pack 210 along a first direction. The first fixed end plate 240 and the movable end plate 230 are disposed at the same end of the battery pack 210 and spaced apart along the first direction. An adjusting member 220 is located between the first fixed end plate 240 and the movable end plate 230. The main body of the adjusting member 220 is connected to the first fixed end plate 240, and the telescopic part is connected to the movable end plate 230. Therefore, when the battery pack 210 undergoes thermal expansion, the movable end plate 230 is driven by the battery pack 210 to move towards the first fixed end plate 240. Simultaneously, the telescopic part of the adjusting member 220 is controlled to actively retract to adapt to the expansion displacement of the battery pack 210, ensuring stable pressure within the battery pack 210.

[0053] The battery module 200 also includes a second fixed end plate 250, which is disposed at different ends of the battery pack 210 along the first direction, along with the first fixed end plate 240. The second fixed end plate 250 is fixedly connected to the housing 100 and abuts against the end of the battery pack 210. The second fixed end plate 250 and the first fixed end plate 240, disposed at different ends of the battery pack 210 along the first direction, constitute the rigid boundary of the battery module 200. Thus, during the expansion process, one end of the battery pack 210 is limited by the second fixed end plate 250, while the other end absorbs the expansion displacement through the extension and retraction of the movable end plate 230 and the adjusting member 220.

[0054] In order to prevent the expansion stress inside the battery module 200 from being transmitted to the structure of the housing 100 or adjacent battery modules 200, each battery module 200 is also provided with a connector 260 to realize the overall connection of the battery modules 200.

[0055] Specifically, the connector 260 extends along the first direction, with one end connected to the first fixed end plate 240 and the other end connected to the second fixed end plate 250, so as to connect the battery module 200 into an integral structure. The connector 260 can be a metal strip such as a steel strip, with both ends fastened to the fixed end plates on both sides by welding, screwing, snap-fitting, etc.; or it can be a flexible strap, wrapped around the outside of the entire battery module 200 to achieve the connection constraint of the first fixed end plate 240 and the second fixed end plate 250.

[0056] Furthermore, the connector 260 can be used as a guide structure for the movable end plate 230. For example, the connector 260 can pass through the movable end plate 230 and slide in cooperation with it. The two ends of the connector 260 are respectively connected to the first fixed end plate 240 and the second fixed end plate 250. Thus, the connector 260 not only performs the function of constraint, but also guides the sliding of the movable end plate 230, preventing it from deflecting or getting stuck during the sliding process.

[0057] For example, refer to Figure 3 When the guide structure is a flexible strap, in order to ensure the stability of the fit between the flexible strap and the movable end plate 230, a limiting groove matching the strap can be opened at the top or bottom of the movable end plate 230 so that the strap can be embedded in it. Then the limiting groove is closed by the locking member 270 to prevent the movable end plate 230 from slipping during movement.

[0058] In other embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the battery module 200 includes two battery packs 210 spaced apart along a first direction and two movable end plates 230 disposed between the two battery packs 210. The battery module 200 also includes an adjusting member 220 and two second fixed end plates 250, both located between the two battery packs 210. The two movable end plates 230 are spaced apart and abut against the ends of their respective battery packs 210. The adjusting member 220 is located between the two movable end plates 230, and its two ends along the first direction are connected to the two movable end plates 230 respectively, so that when the two battery packs 210 thermally expand, they push the corresponding movable end plates 230 to compress the adjusting member 220 in opposite directions. The two battery packs 210 are both located between the two second fixed end plates 250, which together form the rigid boundary of the battery module 200.

[0059] Correspondingly, in order to achieve the integration of the battery module 200, the battery module 200 is also provided with a connector 260 extending along the first direction, and the two ends of the connector 260 are respectively connected to two second fixed end plates 250.

[0060] Similarly, the connector 260 of the battery module 200 can also serve as a guide structure for the movable end plate 230, combining constraint and guidance functions. After passing through the movable end plate 230, the connector 260 is connected at both ends to the second fixed end plates 250 on both sides.

[0061] The second aspect of this application also proposes a vehicle that includes the battery pack described in any of the foregoing embodiments. It should be noted that the vehicle can be a private car, such as a sedan, SUV, MPV, or pickup truck; the vehicle can be a new energy vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle or a pure electric vehicle. Since the vehicle in this aspect of the embodiment includes the battery pack of the above embodiments, it possesses all the aforementioned technical effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0062] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized in that, include: Box; A battery module is disposed in the housing. The battery module includes at least one battery pack, which includes a plurality of individual cells arranged along a first direction. The battery module also includes an adjusting member disposed at at least one end of the battery pack along the first direction, for applying a preset pressure to the battery pack along the first direction. The battery pack also includes a controller, which is communicatively connected to the regulating element. The regulating element is configured to be controlled by the controller to adjust the pressure applied to the battery pack.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, A buffer element made of elastic material is provided between adjacent individual cells in the same battery pack.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting component is any one of an electric push rod, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery module further includes a movable end plate disposed between the battery pack and the adjusting member. One end of the movable end plate is connected to the battery pack, and the other end is connected to the adjusting member. The movable end plate is slidably connected in the housing and can be moved along the first direction when driven.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the battery module includes a battery pack, the battery module further includes a first fixed end plate and a movable end plate, wherein the first fixed end plate and the movable end plate are spaced apart and located at the same end of the battery pack; Wherein, one end of the adjusting member along the first direction is connected to the movable end plate, and the other end is connected to the first fixed end plate.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that, The battery module further includes a second fixed end plate, which and the first fixed end plate are disposed at different ends of the battery pack along the first direction.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that, The battery module further includes a connector, which connects the first fixed end plate and the second fixed end plate at its two ends along the first direction, respectively.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the battery module includes two battery packs, the battery module further includes two movable end plates and two second fixed end plates. The movable end plates and the adjusting member are all located between the two battery packs, and the battery packs, movable end plates and adjusting members are all located between the two second fixed end plates.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery module also includes a connector, which connects to two second fixed end plates at both ends along the first direction.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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