Mounting protection structure of battery module

Abstract

This utility model relates to an installation and protection structure for a battery module, comprising a sheet metal fixing assembly, a plastic support assembly, a conductive connection assembly, and several battery cells. The plastic support assembly includes two plastic end plates and several plastic intermediate supports, with the intermediate supports positioned between the two end plates. Each plastic end plate cooperates with its adjacent intermediate support to limit the movement of at least one battery cell, and each pair of adjacent intermediate supports cooperates to limit the movement of at least one battery cell. The conductive connection assembly is bolted to the battery cells to form a battery module, and the conductive connection assembly cooperates with the battery cells to limit the movement of the plastic end plates and intermediate supports. The sheet metal fixing assembly is bolted to the two plastic end plates and has several cutouts. This utility model has the advantages of light weight, good safety protection, and good versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy storage battery technology, and in particular to an installation and protection structure for a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the assembly method for small aluminum battery cell energy storage PACK modules mainly involves fixing multiple small aluminum battery cells with a casing and then connecting the electrodes of these small aluminum battery cells with copper busbars. The casing serves as the installation and protective structure for the battery module. Currently, the casing is primarily made of sheet metal, which, while offering high strength, also suffers from being relatively heavy. Furthermore, additional insulating materials are required during assembly. Although plastic casings have emerged on the market, offering lightweight construction and eliminating the need for additional insulation, the molding costs for plastic casings are high, and given the numerous specifications of battery cell modules, plastic casings are generally only suitable for one type of battery module, resulting in limited versatility. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an installation and protection structure for battery modules that is lightweight, provides good safety protection, and is versatile.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model discloses an installation and protection structure for a battery module, comprising a sheet metal fixing assembly, a plastic support assembly, a conductive connection assembly, and several battery cells. The plastic support assembly includes two plastic end plates and several plastic intermediate supports. The plastic intermediate supports are placed between the two plastic end plates, and each plastic end plate cooperates with its adjacent plastic intermediate support to limit at least one battery cell. Each pair of adjacent plastic intermediate supports cooperates to limit at least one battery cell. The conductive connection assembly is bolted to the battery cells to form a battery module, and the conductive connection assembly cooperates with the battery cells to limit the plastic end plates and plastic intermediate supports. The sheet metal fixing assembly is bolted to the two plastic end plates, and the sheet metal fixing assembly has several hollowed-out sections.

[0005] With the above setup, the battery cell is positioned by engaging with its adjacent plastic intermediate support via a plastic end plate, or by engaging with two adjacent plastic intermediate supports. Simultaneously, the battery cell, in conjunction with the conductive connection assembly, further limits the positioning of the plastic end plate and the plastic intermediate support. Combined with the fastening effect of the sheet metal fixing assembly, this ensures the structural stability of the battery module and simplifies assembly. Furthermore, this invention utilizes a combination of sheet metal and plastic parts, balancing weight and strength, resulting in advantages such as light weight, high structural strength, and good safety protection. Moreover, when assembling battery modules of different specifications, primarily using battery cells of the same specification allows for the interchangeability of plastic end plates and plastic intermediate supports. If different specifications of battery cells are used, only these two small components (plastic end plates and plastic intermediate supports) need to be molded, facilitating cost control.

[0006] Preferably, the plastic end plate has a first limiting cavity adapted to the shape of the battery cell; the plastic intermediate support has two second limiting cavities arranged opposite to each other and adapted to the shape of the battery cell, the two second limiting cavities are interconnected, and a first partition is provided between them. By providing the first partition, adjacent battery cells can be separated, which is beneficial for heat dissipation.

[0007] Preferably, the plastic end plate is further provided with at least one first ventilation channel, the depth direction of the first ventilation channel being perpendicular to the depth direction of the first limiting cavity, the first ventilation channel connecting to the first limiting cavity, and the plastic end plate being provided with a second partition for preventing the battery cell from blocking the first ventilation channel. This arrangement facilitates air cooling of the battery module.

[0008] Preferably, the plastic intermediate support is further provided with at least one second ventilation channel at its center, and the second ventilation channel is connected to the second limiting cavity. This arrangement can provide ventilation and heat dissipation for the gaps between the battery cells.

[0009] Preferably, the conductive connection assembly includes several copper busbars and locking nuts. Each battery cell has electrode studs, and adjacent cells are connected via the copper busbars, electrode studs, and locking nuts. The plastic support assembly has clearance openings for the electrode studs to pass through. Cells near the plastic end plate are bolted to the plastic end plate via copper busbars. This arrangement not only completes the connection between battery cells but also supports the structural stability of the battery module.

[0010] Preferably, the conductive connection assembly further includes a voltage acquisition board, which is connected to the copper busbar. This configuration facilitates connection and voltage acquisition.

[0011] Preferably, the conductive connection assembly is located at the top or bottom of the battery module, and the plastic end plate and the plastic intermediate support cooperate to form a mounting groove for accommodating the conductive connection assembly. This arrangement can prevent the conductive connection assembly from being subjected to external forces or coming into contact with external conductive objects.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes an insulating baffle, which is detachably connected to the opening of the mounting groove. This arrangement ensures the insulation of the battery module.

[0013] Preferably, the sheet metal fixing assembly includes a sheet metal frame and at least one sheet metal tie rod. The sheet metal frame is located on one side of the battery module and is bolted to two plastic end plates. The sheet metal tie rod is spaced apart on the other side of the battery module and is bolted to the two plastic end plates. Alternatively, the sheet metal fixing assembly includes at least two sheet metal tie rods, with at least one sheet metal tie rod corresponding to each side of the battery module, and the sheet metal tie rod is bolted to the two plastic end plates. This type of sheet metal fixing assembly has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

[0014] Preferably, both ends of the sheet metal frame and the sheet metal tie rod are provided with bent connecting parts, which are bolted to the plastic end plates; both ends of the sheet metal frame are provided with fixing plates to facilitate fixing the battery module, or the sheet metal fixing assembly further includes two sheet metal end plates, which correspond one-to-one with the plastic end plates and are bolted together, and the sheet metal end plates are provided with fixing plates to facilitate fixing the battery module. This arrangement can better and more tightly combine the plastic end plates and the plastic intermediate support. The bent connecting parts can better and more tightly combine the plastic end plates and the plastic intermediate support. The fixing plate is directly set on the sheet metal frame, and the length direction of the fixing plate is vertical. The battery module is generally installed horizontally, but by setting a separate sheet metal end plate to set the fixing plate, the length direction of the fixing plate can be vertical, front-back, or other directions. The installation direction of the battery module can be selected as horizontal or vertical, etc., which provides greater flexibility.

[0015] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The battery cell is positioned by engaging with its adjacent plastic intermediate support via a plastic end plate, or by engaging with adjacent plastic intermediate supports in pairs. Simultaneously, the battery cell, in conjunction with the conductive connection assembly, further limits the positioning of the plastic end plate and intermediate supports. Combined with the fastening effect of the sheet metal fixing assembly, this ensures the structural stability of the battery module and makes assembly simple and convenient. Furthermore, this invention uses a combination of sheet metal and plastic parts, balancing weight and strength, resulting in advantages such as light weight, good structural strength, and good safety protection. Additionally, when assembling battery modules of different specifications, primarily using battery cells of the same specification allows for the interchangeability of plastic end plates and intermediate supports. If different specifications of battery cells are used, only these two small components (plastic end plates and intermediate supports) need to be molded, which helps control costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of Example 1.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram from another perspective of Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a front view of Example 1.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of Example 1.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment after the insulating baffle is hidden.

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 5A schematic diagram showing the hidden voltage acquisition board, some battery cells, and some conductive connection components.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of Example 1.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the plastic end plate in Example 1.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the plastic intermediate support in Example 1.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of Example 2.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram from another perspective of Embodiment 2.

[0028] Explanation of symbols for main components:

[0029] Plastic end plate 11, plastic intermediate support 12, first limiting cavity 13, second limiting cavity 14, first partition 15, first ventilation duct 16, second partition 17, second ventilation duct 18, mounting groove 19, and clearance opening 1a.

[0030] Battery cell 20, electrode stud 21;

[0031] Insulating baffle 30;

[0032] 41. Copper busbar, 42. Locking nut, 43. Voltage acquisition board, 44. Positive lead, 45.

[0033] Sheet metal frame 51, sheet metal tie rod 52, bending connection part 53, fixing plate 54, sheet metal end plate 55. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] like Figure 1-9 As shown, this embodiment discloses an installation protection structure for a battery module, which includes a sheet metal fixing component, a plastic support component, an insulating baffle 30, a conductive connection component, and a plurality of battery cells 20, wherein the battery cells 20 may be small square aluminum battery cells.

[0037] The plastic support assembly includes two plastic end plates 11 and several plastic intermediate supports 12. The plastic intermediate supports 12 are placed between the two plastic end plates 11, and the plastic end plates 11 and plastic intermediate supports 12 are arranged in a row. The plastic end plate 11 cooperates with its adjacent plastic intermediate support 12 to limit at least one battery cell 20, and two adjacent plastic intermediate supports 12 cooperate to limit at least one battery cell 20. Specifically, the plastic end plate 11 is provided with a first limiting cavity 13 adapted to the shape of the battery cell 20, and the plastic intermediate support 12 is provided with two second limiting cavities 14 that are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to the shape of the battery cell 20. The two second limiting cavities 14 are interconnected, and a first partition 15 is provided between them. That is, the first partition 15 is provided in the middle of the plastic intermediate support 12. Multiple first partitions 15 are provided and are located at the corners of the second limiting cavities 14. The first partition 15 prevents adjacent cells 20 from touching each other, which is beneficial for heat dissipation. The first limiting cavity 13 and the second limiting cavity 14 have the same depth, and the sum of their depths is adapted to the thickness of the cell 20, thereby ensuring reliable limiting of the cell 20.

[0038] To improve the air cooling effect on the battery cell 20, the plastic end plate 11 and the plastic intermediate support 12 are designed in this case. Specifically, at least one first ventilation channel 16 is provided on the plastic end plate 11. In this case, the first ventilation channel 16 is provided on both sides and the bottom of the plastic end plate 11. The depth direction of the first ventilation channel 16 is perpendicular to the depth direction of the first limiting cavity 13, and the first ventilation channel 16 connects to the first limiting cavity 13. In order to prevent the battery cell 20 from blocking the first ventilation channel 16 when placed in the first limiting cavity 13, a second partition 17 is provided on the plastic end plate 11 to prevent the battery cell 20 from blocking the first ventilation channel 16. At least one second ventilation channel 18 is provided in the middle of the plastic intermediate support 12. In this case, the second ventilation channel 18 is provided on both sides and the bottom of the plastic intermediate support 12. The second ventilation channel 18 is connected to the second limiting cavity 14. Because of the setting of the first partition 15, the battery cell 20 will not block the second channel when it is placed in the second limiting cavity 14.

[0039] The conductive connection assembly is located on the top of the battery module. The tops of the plastic end plate 11 and the plastic intermediate support 12 cooperate to form a mounting groove 19 for accommodating the conductive connection assembly. The top opening of the mounting groove 19 is bolted or snapped to connect to the insulating baffle 30. The conductive connection assembly is bolted to the battery cell 20 to form the battery module. Specifically, the conductive connection assembly includes a voltage acquisition board 43, several copper busbars 41, and several locking nuts 42. Electrode studs 21 are provided on the battery cell 20, generally two, corresponding to the positive and negative terminals of the battery cell 20, respectively. Two adjacent battery cells 20 are connected by a copper busbar 41, an electrode stud 21, and a locking nut 42. The plastic support assembly has a clearance opening 1a for the electrode stud 21 to pass through. This clearance opening 1a is formed by the plastic end plate 11 and its adjacent plastic intermediate support 12, or by splicing adjacent plastic intermediate supports 12 (i.e., both the plastic end plate 11 and the plastic intermediate support 12 have semi-open slots). The electrode stud 21 extends out of the clearance opening 1a, passes through the copper busbar 41, and is threadedly connected to the locking nut 42. The battery cell 20 closest to the plastic end plate 11 is bolted to the plastic end plate 11 via the copper busbar 41, which serves as the lead-out end of the battery module. Generally, the cells 20 in the same battery module are connected in series. Therefore, specifically in this case, the positive electrode stud 21 of the cell 20 adjacent to one of the plastic end plates 11 is connected to the copper busbar 41. At the same time, the copper busbar 41 is screwed to the corresponding plastic end plate 11 to serve as the positive terminal 44 of the battery module. The subsequent cells 20 are connected in series through the copper busbar 41. The negative electrode stud 21 of the cell 20 adjacent to another plastic end plate 11 is connected to the copper busbar 41. At the same time, the copper busbar 41 is screwed to the corresponding plastic end plate 11 to serve as the negative terminal 45 of the battery module. Because of the bolted locking relationship between the copper busbar 41 and the cells 20 to the plastic support assembly, the plastic end plate 11 and the plastic intermediate bracket 12 can be limited, thus providing support for the structural stability of the battery module while completing the connection between the cells 20.

[0040] The sheet metal fixing assembly includes a sheet metal frame 51 and at least one sheet metal tie rod 52. The sheet metal frame 51 is located on one side of the battery module and is bolted to two plastic end plates 11. The sheet metal tie rod 52 is arranged vertically on the other side of the battery module and is also bolted to the two plastic end plates 11. To facilitate connection and better integrate the plastic end plates 11 and the plastic intermediate support 12, bent connecting portions 53 are provided at both ends of the sheet metal frame 51 and the sheet metal tie rod 52, and the bent connecting portions 53 are bolted to the plastic end plates 11. In addition, fixing plates 54 are provided at both ends of the sheet metal frame 51 to facilitate fixing the battery module. The sheet metal frame 51 has cutouts to reduce weight, and the gaps between the sheet metal tie rods 52 also form cutouts.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the adjustment of the sheet metal fixing components. Specifically, in this embodiment, the sheet metal fixing components include two sheet metal end plates 55 and four sheet metal pull strips 52. The sheet metal end plates 55 correspond one-to-one with the plastic end plates 11, and the sheet metal end plates 55 are bolted to the plastic end plates 11. The sheet metal pull strips 52 are divided into two groups, one group is placed on one side of the battery module, and the other group is placed on the other side of the battery module. The sheet metal pull strips 52 are bolted to the two plastic end plates 11, and the style of the sheet metal pull strips 52 is the same as in Embodiment 1. The sheet metal pull strips 52 and the sheet metal end plates 55 share bolts to be connected to the plastic end plates 11 for easy assembly.

[0043] A fixing plate 54 is provided on the sheet metal end plate 55. In this embodiment, the length direction of the fixing plate 54 can be the same as in Embodiment 1, or perpendicular to Embodiment 1. The corresponding figure in this embodiment is illustrated using the latter. Using the sheet metal end plate 55 to set the fixing plate 54 provides greater flexibility in the direction selection of the fixing plate 54. Hollows can also be provided on the sheet metal end plate 55 to reduce weight.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A battery module mounting protection structure, characterized in that: The battery module includes a sheet metal fixing assembly, a plastic support assembly, a conductive connection assembly, and several battery cells. The plastic support assembly includes two plastic end plates and several plastic intermediate supports. The plastic intermediate supports are placed between the two plastic end plates. Each plastic end plate cooperates with its adjacent plastic intermediate support to limit at least one battery cell. Each pair of adjacent plastic intermediate supports cooperates to limit at least one battery cell. The conductive connection assembly is bolted to the battery cells to form a battery module, and the conductive connection assembly cooperates with the battery cells to limit the plastic end plates and plastic intermediate supports. The sheet metal fixing assembly is bolted to the two plastic end plates and has several cutouts.

2. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plastic end plate is provided with a first limiting cavity that is adapted to the shape of the battery cell; the plastic intermediate support is provided with two second limiting cavities that are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to the shape of the battery cell, the two second limiting cavities are connected to each other, and a first partition is provided between them.

3. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plastic end plate is also provided with at least one first ventilation channel, the depth direction of the first ventilation channel is perpendicular to the depth direction of the first limiting cavity, the first ventilation channel is connected to the first limiting cavity, and the plastic end plate is provided with a second partition for blocking the battery cell from blocking the first ventilation channel.

4. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plastic intermediate support is also provided with at least one second ventilation channel at the middle position, and the second ventilation channel is connected to the second limiting cavity.

5. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive connection assembly includes several copper busbars and locking nuts. The battery cell is provided with electrode studs. Two adjacent battery cells are connected by the cooperation of copper busbars, electrode studs and locking nuts. The plastic support assembly is provided with clearance openings for the electrode studs to pass through. The battery cells close to the plastic end plate are bolted to the plastic end plate by copper busbars.

6. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive connection assembly also includes a voltage acquisition board, which is connected to a copper busbar.

7. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive connection component is located at the top or bottom of the plastic support component, and the plastic end plate and the plastic intermediate bracket cooperate to form a mounting groove for accommodating the conductive connection component.

8. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes an insulating baffle that is detachably connected to the opening of the mounting groove.

9. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet metal fixing assembly includes a sheet metal frame and at least one sheet metal tie rod. The sheet metal frame is located on one side of the battery module and is bolted to two plastic end plates. The sheet metal tie rod is spaced apart on the other side of the battery module and is bolted to the two plastic end plates. Alternatively, the sheet metal fixing assembly includes at least two sheet metal tie rods, with at least one sheet metal tie rod corresponding to each side of the battery module, and the sheet metal tie rod is bolted to the two plastic end plates.

10. The battery module installation protection structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: Both ends of the sheet metal frame and sheet metal tie rod are provided with bent connecting parts, which are bolted to the plastic end plates; both ends of the sheet metal frame are provided with fixing plates to facilitate fixing the battery module, or the sheet metal fixing assembly further includes two sheet metal end plates, which correspond one-to-one with the plastic end plates and are bolted together, and the sheet metal end plates are provided with fixing plates to facilitate fixing the battery module.

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