Battery module housing and battery module

Abstract

The utility model belongs to secondary battery field, specifically provides a battery module shell and battery module. The shell includes bottom plate and the cladding spare connected in bottom plate upside, the cladding spare includes cover plate and respectively located left side plate and right side plate in cover plate left and right sides, left side plate, right side plate and cover plate integral bending forming, the bottom end of left side plate and right side plate is equipped with the inwardly bent pocket bottom flanging respectively, the pocket bottom flanging is buckled in the bottom surface outside of bottom plate, and the cladding spare is connected with bottom plate through pocket bottom flanging. The battery module includes above-mentioned shell. The utility model is through the configuration integral molding and has the cladding spare of pocket bottom flanging, the pocket bottom flanging can play the role of directly fixing bottom plate and cladding spare on one hand, can increase the contact area of bottom plate and cladding spare bottom on the other hand, so that no matter adopts which kind of way to strengthen the fixed of bottom plate and cladding spare, can form more reliable fixed connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of secondary batteries, and in particular relates to a battery module shell and a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] In practical use, pouch battery modules sometimes have limited space in the X and Y directions, so in order to accommodate more cells, the space in the Z direction can only be expanded.

[0003] Utility model patent CN214043826U discloses a flat-pack battery module. The module includes a casing and battery cell units inside the casing. Each battery cell unit includes a U-shaped shell, inside which are multiple flat-packed and Z-oriented stacked battery cells. The casing comprises six plates: a bottom plate, a top cover plate, a pair of end plates, and a pair of side plates. These plates are welded together to form a square casing structure.

[0004] The aforementioned pouch battery module adopts a flat cell unit structure, effectively expanding the Z-axis space and improving the module's space utilization and energy density. However, the module's outer casing is welded together from six plates, resulting in a complex manufacturing process and higher costs.

[0005] The utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN 214043829U discloses a solid-state soft-pack battery module. To facilitate an accurate description of the technical solution disclosed in this patent, according to the general understanding in the field, the two ends of the end plate are defined as the front and rear ends. The outer shell of the soft-pack battery module includes a U-shaped frame and end plates connected to the front and rear ends of the U-shaped frame. The U-shaped frame includes an upper frame and a bottom plate. The upper frame is actually the upper part of the covering component for the battery cell, specifically composed of an upper cover plate, a left side plate, and a right side plate. The left side plate and the right side plate actually correspond to the front side plate and the rear end plate described in the patent text. The lower ends of the left side plate and the right side plate are welded to the bottom plate, and the front and rear ends of the upper frame are welded to the two end plates respectively.

[0006] Generally, the wall thickness of a pouch battery module's casing is not very thick. This means that the contact area between the lower end of the upper frame and the base plate of the aforementioned pouch battery module is not very large, and the reliability of the connection between the upper frame and the base plate needs to be improved. Furthermore, the aforementioned pouch battery module does not directly disclose how the upper frame is formed. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery module housing to solve the technical problem of insufficient reliability in the connection between the upper covering and the bottom plate of the battery module housing in the prior art. Another purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery module to solve the same technical problem.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the battery module housing provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0009] A battery module housing includes a base plate and a cover connected to the upper side of the base plate. The cover includes a cover plate and a left side plate and a right side plate located on the left and right sides of the cover plate, respectively. The left side plate, the right side plate and the cover plate are integrally bent. The bottom ends of the left side plate and the right side plate are respectively provided with inwardly bent bottom flanges. The bottom flanges are fastened to the outer side of the bottom surface of the base plate. The cover is connected to the base plate through the bottom flanges.

[0010] As a further improvement, the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-rear direction of the base plate are provided with two or more extension sections that extend outward and are spaced apart front and back. Each extension section is provided with mounting holes for fasteners to be inserted to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. Each extension section is provided with bottom flanges on both the front and back sides.

[0011] As a further improvement, the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-rear direction of the base plate are provided with outward extension sections. The extension sections are provided with two or more mounting holes spaced apart in the front and rear for inserting fasteners to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. The bottom flanges are located on the front and rear sides of the extension sections respectively.

[0012] As a further improvement, the extension section is an isosceles trapezoidal structure.

[0013] As a further improvement, a step structure is provided at the left and right edges of the bottom of the base plate, and the upper surface of the bottom flange fits tightly with the lower surface of the step structure.

[0014] As a further improvement, the rear ends of the left and right side panels are respectively provided with inwardly bent limiting flanges to restrict the rearward movement of the battery cells inside the battery module housing.

[0015] As a further improvement, the battery module housing includes a rear end plate with elastic buckles that snap into the opening formed by the bottom plate and the cover.

[0016] As a further improvement, the elastic buckle is set at the upper and lower ends of the rear end plate, and the bottom plate is provided with bottom locking holes for the elastic buckle to enter.

[0017] As a further improvement, the front ends of the left and right side panels are provided with forward extensions that extend beyond the front end of the cover plate, and the forward extensions are provided with side snap-fit ​​holes for the elastic buckles configured for the wiring harness support of the battery module to enter.

[0018] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: the various parts of the battery module shell are integrally bent and formed, resulting in higher overall strength; it eliminates the need for separate connection steps for the cover plate and side plates, simplifying the process and facilitating manufacturing. When connecting the base plate and the shell, the bottom flange of the shell allows the base plate to be fastened onto the shell. This bottom flange serves two purposes: firstly, it directly fixes the base plate and the shell; secondly, it increases the contact area between the bottom of the base plate and the shell, ensuring a more reliable connection regardless of the method used to strengthen the fixation of the base plate and the shell (e.g., welding, riveting).

[0019] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution for the battery module provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0020] A battery module includes a housing and a battery cell disposed inside the housing. The housing includes a base plate and a cover connected to the upper side of the base plate. The cover includes a cover plate and a left side plate and a right side plate located on the left and right sides of the cover plate, respectively. The left side plate, the right side plate and the cover plate are integrally bent. The bottom ends of the left side plate and the right side plate are respectively provided with inwardly bent bottom flanges. The bottom flanges are fastened to the outer side of the bottom surface of the base plate. The cover is connected to the base plate through the bottom flanges.

[0021] As a further improvement, the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-rear direction of the base plate are provided with two or more extension sections that extend outward and are spaced apart front and back. Each extension section is provided with mounting holes for fasteners to be inserted to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. Each extension section is provided with bottom flanges on both the front and back sides.

[0022] As a further improvement, the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-rear direction of the base plate are provided with outward extension sections. The extension sections are provided with two or more mounting holes spaced apart in the front and rear for inserting fasteners to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. The bottom flanges are located on the front and rear sides of the extension sections respectively.

[0023] As a further improvement, the extension section is an isosceles trapezoidal structure.

[0024] As a further improvement, a step structure is provided at the left and right edges of the bottom of the base plate, and the upper surface of the bottom flange fits tightly with the lower surface of the step structure.

[0025] As a further improvement, the rear ends of the left and right side panels are respectively provided with inwardly bent limiting flanges to restrict the rearward movement of the battery cells inside the battery module housing.

[0026] As a further improvement, the battery module housing includes a rear end plate with elastic buckles that snap into the opening formed by the bottom plate and the cover.

[0027] As a further improvement, the elastic buckle is set at the upper and lower ends of the rear end plate, and the bottom plate is provided with bottom locking holes for the elastic buckle to enter.

[0028] As a further improvement, the front ends of the left and right side panels are provided with forward extensions that extend beyond the front end of the cover plate, and the forward extensions are provided with side snap-fit ​​holes for the elastic buckles configured for the wiring harness support of the battery module to enter.

[0029] This utility model is an improved invention, and its beneficial effects are: the various parts of the battery module shell are integrally bent and formed, resulting in higher overall strength; it eliminates the need for separate connection steps for the cover plate and side plates, simplifying the process and facilitating manufacturing. When connecting the base plate and the shell, the bottom flange of the shell allows the base plate to be fastened onto the shell. This bottom flange serves two purposes: firstly, it directly fixes the base plate and the shell; secondly, it increases the contact area between the bottom of the base plate and the shell, ensuring a more reliable connection regardless of the method used to strengthen the fixation of the base plate and the shell (e.g., welding, riveting). Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of the battery module in this utility model;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the battery module embodiment of this utility model from another angle;

[0032] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the battery module embodiment of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the inner cladding component from one viewpoint;

[0034] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the inner cladding component from another perspective;

[0035] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Top view of the midsole plate;

[0036] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the midsole plate;

[0037] Figure 8 for Figure 1 3D view of the center harness support component;

[0038] Figure 9 for Figure 2 A close-up view of the connection point between the center harness support and the right side plate;

[0039] Figure 10 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the mid-to-rear end board.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0041] 1. Covering component; 2. Base plate; 3. Front end plate; 4. Rear end plate; 5. Wiring harness support component; 6. Busbar; 7. Battery cell; 8. Insulating pad; 101. Cover plate; 102. Right side plate; 103. Left side plate; 104. Bottom flange; 105. Limiting flange; 106. Front extension section; 107. Side snap-fit ​​hole; 201. Extension section; 202. Bottom snap-fit ​​hole; 203. Support section; 204. Clearance step; 401. First snap-fit; 501. Second snap-fit. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To improve the fixing reliability of the cover and the base plate, the basic technical concept of this utility model is to provide a cover that is integrally formed with both the cover plate and the two side plates. On this basis, an inwardly bent flange is provided at the bottom end of the two side plates. This flange can be defined as a bottom-covering flange. The bottom-covering flange hole is on the outside of the base plate. On the one hand, it can directly fix the base plate and the cover, and on the other hand, it can increase the contact area between the bottom of the base plate and the cover.

[0043] Based on the above concept, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0044] Specific embodiments of the battery module provided by this utility model:

[0045] As a basic implementation method, the battery module provided in this embodiment is as follows: Figures 1-3 As shown, the battery module includes a casing and a battery cell 7 located inside the casing. The casing is also a cuboid structure, specifically including a base plate 2, a covering 1, a front end plate 3, and a rear end plate 4. Here, "front" and "rear" refer to the two ends of the mounting end plates. The covering 1 is connected to the upper side of the base plate 2, and the two together form a "U"-shaped structure, which is used to place the battery cell 7 inside. The front end plate 3 and the rear end plate 4 are used to close the two ends of the "U"-shaped structure. In this embodiment, the battery cells 7 are placed horizontally or lying down and stacked vertically (i.e., in the Z direction). The number of stacked cells is not limited here and can be flexibly set according to actual needs. It is easy to understand, and those skilled in the art should know, that in order to ensure basic insulation requirements, insulating pads 8 are provided between the battery cells 7 and between the battery cells 7 and the casing for the battery module. In addition, the tabs of the battery cells 7 face the front end, and busbars 6 can be set to connect the battery cells 7 in series or parallel as needed. In order to fix the relevant wiring harnesses (not shown in the figure), the battery module is also equipped with wiring harness support members 5. The wiring harness support members 5 are fixed relative to the outer shell. Specifically, there are two wiring harness support members 5, which are used to fix the relevant wiring harnesses of the positive and negative terminals respectively.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the covering part 1 is a sheet metal part formed by bending in one piece. At its most basic, the covering part 1 also includes three parts: a cover plate 101, a left side plate 103, and a right side plate 102. The left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102 are located on the left and right sides of the cover plate 101, respectively. This one-piece bent covering part 1 has higher strength and can be directly used to connect with the base plate 2. The process is simple and convenient to manufacture.

[0047] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the bottom ends of the left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102 are respectively provided with integrally formed inwardly bent flanges, namely bottom flanges 104. The bottom flanges 104 are fastened to the outer side of the bottom surface of the base plate 2, and the covering 1 is actually connected to the base plate 2 through the bottom flanges 104. The bottom flanges 104 fasten to the outer side of the base plate 2, which can play a "bottom-covering" fixing role. In addition to setting the bottom flanges 104, welding, bolting, riveting and other methods can also be used to fix the bottom flanges 104 and the base plate 2. It is easy to understand that the bottom flanges 104 can increase the contact area between the covering 1 and the base plate 2, and with its own "bottom-covering" fixing, the covering 1 and the base plate 2 can form a more reliable fixed connection.

[0048] In some implementations, preferably, such as Figures 1-7 As shown, the base plate 2 has two extension segments 201 extending outward from the main body at both ends of the center in the front-rear direction, and arranged at intervals. Each extension segment 201 has a mounting hole. The purpose of the mounting hole is to allow fasteners to pass through when the battery module is installed in the corresponding mounting position (e.g., frame, battery box), thereby reliably fixing the battery module. This embodiment can actually achieve central fixing of the battery module. Compared with setting the fixing points at the front and rear ends, this is more convenient for fixing, avoids interference with other structures at the front and rear ends when assembling the battery pack, and the outward extension of the extension segments 201 also widens the battery module, making the fixing of the battery module more reliable. At the most basic level, two extension segments 201 can be set at each of the left and right ends of the base plate 2, thus achieving four-point fixing. Of course, it is easy to understand that if the battery module is longer in the front-rear direction, three or even more extension segments 201 can be set at each of the left and right ends to achieve fixing of the battery module at more points.

[0049] Since there is an extension section 201 on the base plate 2, a basic principle when setting the position of the bottom flange 104 is that the bottom flange 104 should not interfere with the extension section 201. In this embodiment, the bottom flange 104 is actually set at intervals, that is, a bottom flange 104 is provided on both the front and back sides of each extension section 201.

[0050] In other embodiments, the extension section can also be a long structure that is continuous from front to back. Correspondingly, the extension section is provided with two or more mounting holes spaced apart from front to back. It can be simply understood that the two extension sections 201 shown in the figure are connected together to form a long extension section. In this case, it is also possible to fix four or more points of the battery module. Furthermore, the front and rear sides of the extension section are provided with bottom flanges 104.

[0051] It should be noted that in some optional embodiments, the corresponding structure for fixing the battery module can be set at the front and rear ends of the base plate 2, and the bottom flange 104 can be a continuous flange at the front and rear.

[0052] Regardless of which of the above methods is used to configure extension 201, extension 201 can be used... Figure 6 The isosceles trapezoidal structure shown is stronger than the extension 201 of the rectangular structure, and does not take up too much space.

[0053] In addition, reinforcing ribs can be installed on the base plate 2 as needed.

[0054] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the bottom of the base plate 2 is not a completely flat structure. There are clearance steps 204 on both the left and right edges of the base plate 2. The bottom flange 104 is fastened to the clearance steps 204, meaning that the upper surface of the bottom flange 104 fits snugly against the lower surface of the clearance steps 204. The height difference between the bottom surface of the clearance steps 204 and the bottom surface at other locations is approximately equal to the wall thickness of the bottom flange 104. This ensures that after the bottom flange 104 is fastened to the base plate 2, the overall bottom of the resulting casing remains relatively flat, facilitating the fixing of the battery modules during the assembly of the battery pack.

[0055] In some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the rear ends of the left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102 are respectively provided with inwardly bent flanges. These flanges can be defined as limiting flanges 105. The function of limiting flanges 105 is to restrict the rearward movement of the battery cell 7 inside the battery module housing, which can improve the fixing reliability of the battery cell 7 inside the housing.

[0056] To facilitate housing assembly, in some preferred embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 10As shown, the rear end plate 4 is equipped with an elastic buckle, specifically a cantilever barbed structure. For ease of description, this elastic buckle can be defined as the first buckle 401. The rear end plate 4 is engaged with the opening formed by the base plate 2 and the covering 1 via the first buckle 401. Thus, during installation, the rear end plate 4 can be fixed by pushing it into the opening formed by the base plate 2 and the covering 1, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and facilitating assembly.

[0057] Specifically, in some embodiments, the first buckle 401 is disposed at the upper and lower ends of the rear end plate 4, with at least two first buckles 401 disposed at each end. To better secure the rear end plate 4, the base plate 2 is provided with bottom locking holes 202 for the first buckles 401 to enter. The bottom locking holes 202 can be through holes or blind holes. The first buckles 401 can be inserted into the bottom locking holes 202 to reliably secure the base plate 2 and the rear end plate 4.

[0058] In this embodiment, the rear end plate 4 is fixed by the first buckles 401 at both the upper and lower ends, allowing the rear end plate 4 to directly engage with the base plate 2, which has higher structural strength, thus improving the fixing reliability of the rear end plate 4. Simultaneously, with the limit flanges 105 configured, the rear end plate 4 can be fixed between the two limit flanges 105 to facilitate fixing. This way, placing the first buckles 401 at the upper and lower ends of the rear end plate 4 allows for fixing of the rear end plate 4 without affecting the normal use of the limit flanges 105.

[0059] It should be noted that in other embodiments, it is not excluded that the first buckle 401 is set at both ends of the rear end plate 4. For example, when the limiting flange 105 is not set, the rear end plate 4 can be snapped onto the left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102, or it can be snapped onto the cover plate 101, the left side plate 103, the right side plate 102 and the bottom plate 2.

[0060] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the wire harness support 5 can be fixed to the housing using a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Compared to bolting or riveting, the snap-fit ​​mechanism integrated with the wire harness support 5 offers superior insulation performance. Specifically, for example... Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the left and right ends of the wire harness support 5 are provided with elastic buckles, which are cantilever barbed structures. For ease of description, this buckle can be defined as the second buckle 501. Correspondingly, the front ends of the left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102 are provided with forward extensions 106 extending beyond the front end of the cover plate 101. The forward extensions 106 are provided with side snap-fit ​​holes 107 for the second buckle 501 to enter. The second buckle 501 can be snapped onto the outside of the left side plate 103 and the right side plate 102. For specific settings, please refer to the busbar bracket disclosed in the utility model patent with authorization announcement number CN216015590U, which will not be described in detail here. Based on the wire harness support 5 being fixed to the outer shell, preferably, the front end plate 3 can be directly fixed to the wire harness support 5. Specifically, it can also adopt a buckle structure or adhesive bonding. That is to say, the front end plate 3 is indirectly fixed to the cover 1 and the bottom plate 2 through the wire harness support 5.

[0061] In addition, to improve the fixing reliability of the wire harness support 5, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the base plate 2 is also provided with a support section 203, which can support the wire harness support 5, making the wire harness support 5 more stable.

[0062] Specific embodiments of the battery module housing in this utility model:

[0063] The battery module casing has the same casing structure as described in the above-mentioned battery module, and will not be described in detail here.

[0064] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still make modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments without creative effort, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A battery module housing, comprising a base plate and a covering member connected to the upper side of the base plate, characterized in that, The covering includes a cover plate and a left side plate and a right side plate located on the left and right sides of the cover plate, respectively. The left side plate, the right side plate and the cover plate are integrally bent. The bottom ends of the left side plate and the right side plate are respectively provided with inwardly bent bottom flanges. The bottom flanges are fastened to the outer side of the bottom surface of the base plate. The covering is connected to the base plate through the bottom flanges.

2. The battery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has two or more extension sections extending outward and spaced apart at the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-back direction. Each extension section has mounting holes for inserting fasteners to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. Each extension section has a bottom flange on both the front and back sides.

3. The battery module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate has outwardly extending sections at the left and right ends of the middle position in the front-back direction. Each extension section has two or more mounting holes spaced apart in the front and back for inserting fasteners to fix the battery module in the corresponding mounting position. The bottom flanges are located on the front and back sides of the extension sections respectively.

4. The battery module housing according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The extension section is an isosceles trapezoidal structure.

5. The battery module housing according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The bottom of the base plate has a step structure at the left and right edges, and the upper surface of the bottom flange fits tightly with the lower surface of the step structure.

6. The battery module housing according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The rear ends of the left and right side panels are respectively provided with inwardly bent limiting flanges to restrict the rearward movement of the battery cells inside the battery module casing.

7. The battery module housing according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The battery module housing includes a rear end plate with elastic buckles that snap into the opening formed by the bottom plate and the cover.

8. The battery module housing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic buckles are located at the top and bottom ends of the rear end plate, and the bottom plate has bottom locking holes for the elastic buckles to enter.

9. The battery module housing according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The front ends of the left and right side panels are provided with forward extensions that extend beyond the front end of the cover plate. The forward extensions are provided with side snap-fit ​​holes for the elastic buckles configured for the wiring harness support of the battery module to enter.

10. A battery module, comprising a housing and battery cells disposed inside the housing, characterized in that, The outer casing is the battery module casing as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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