Guard plate structure, cooling mechanism, battery assembly, battery pack and electric equipment
By setting a protective plate structure in the battery pack and introducing phase change material into a sealed space under preset conditions in the encapsulation part, the vaporization pressure is buffered and additional expansion space is provided, which solves the problems of battery pack leakage and short circuit, and improves the safety and thermal management efficiency of the battery pack.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BYD CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
When existing battery packs use phase change materials for heat absorption, leakage can easily occur due to factors such as incomplete vaporization of the liquid and expansion and compression of the battery cells, leading to safety hazards such as short circuits in the battery cells.
A protective plate structure is set in the battery assembly. By dividing the casing into a filling space and a sealed space, the first encapsulation part is opened at a preset temperature or pressure to introduce the phase change material into the sealed space, buffering the vaporization pressure and providing additional expansion space to prevent the casing from cracking and leaking.
It effectively prevents leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid materials, reduces cell short-circuit accidents, and improves the safety and thermal management efficiency of battery components.
Smart Images

Figure CN224502074U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a protective plate structure, a cooling mechanism, a battery assembly, a battery pack, and an electrical device. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, with the continuous development of electric vehicles, the requirements for battery packs in electric vehicles are also constantly increasing. In order to ensure the safe use of battery packs, liquid cooling plates are usually installed to dissipate heat from the cells. Specifically, heat-absorbing materials are placed between adjacent cells, combined with the heat dissipation structure of the liquid cooling plate, to achieve heat dissipation of the battery pack.
[0003] However, when existing battery packs use phase change materials for heat absorption, they are prone to leakage due to factors such as incomplete vaporization of the liquid and expansion and compression of the battery cells, which can cause short circuits in the battery cells and pose safety hazards. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application provides a protective plate structure, a cooling mechanism, a battery assembly, a battery pack, and electrical equipment to avoid problems such as short circuits in the battery cells caused by leakage.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] On the one hand, this application provides a protective plate structure, including:
[0007] The first housing is disposed between adjacent cells in the battery assembly and has an internal receiving space. The receiving space is provided with a first encapsulation part to divide the receiving space into a filling space and a sealed space.
[0008] The first phase change material is filled into the filling space;
[0009] The first encapsulation part can be opened when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure, so that the first phase change material in the filling space can be filled into the sealed space through it, so that the filling space and the sealed space form an expansion space for the first phase change material.
[0010] In one possible implementation, a first pressure relief region is formed on the first package portion, the first pressure relief region being activated when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure.
[0011] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief region is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the first package; and / or the first pressure relief region is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the first package; and / or the first pressure relief region is formed by first solder paste sealing the first package.
[0012] In one possible implementation, the enclosed space is located outside the filled space.
[0013] In one possible implementation, the first housing is provided with a second pressure relief area at the encapsulation point. The second pressure relief area is used to open when subjected to a second preset temperature or a second preset pressure to release the first phase change material. The second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature, and the second preset pressure is greater than the first preset pressure.
[0014] In one possible implementation, the first housing is encapsulated by the second encapsulation part to form a receiving space, and the second pressure relief area is provided on the second encapsulation part.
[0015] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief region is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the second package; and / or the second pressure relief region is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the second package; and / or the second pressure relief region is formed by the second solder paste that seals the second package.
[0016] In one possible implementation, the cross-sectional shape of the second pressure relief zone includes at least one of the following: U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped.
[0017] In one possible implementation, a first pressure relief zone is formed by a first solder paste that seals a first package portion, and a second pressure relief zone is formed by a second solder paste that seals a second package portion, wherein the melting point of the first solder paste is lower than that of the second solder paste.
[0018] In one possible implementation, the melting point range of the first solder paste is 60°C to 120°C, and / or the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120°C to 200°C.
[0019] In one possible implementation, the first solder paste and the second solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
[0020] In one possible implementation, the strength of the first pressure relief zone is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone.
[0021] In one possible implementation, the protective panel structure also includes a base material, which is disposed within the receiving space.
[0022] In one possible implementation, the first phase change material includes at least one of water, fluorinated liquid, silicone oil, silica sol, aluminum sol, zirconium sol, silica-alumina sol, silica-zirconium sol, aluminum-zirconium sol, silica-alumina-zirconium sol, paraffin wax, calcium chloride hexahydrate solution, sodium sulfate decahydrate solution, barium hydroxide octahydrate solution, or magnesium chloride hexahydrate solution.
[0023] In one possible implementation, the base material includes at least one of aerogel, glass fiber, zirconia fiber, mullite fiber, silica fiber, alumina fiber, rock wool, aluminosilicate fiber, or pre-oxidized fiber.
[0024] In one possible implementation, the protective plate structure has a thickness of L1 at the filling space, where L1 satisfies: 0.5mm≤L1≤6mm.
[0025] In one possible implementation, the protective plate structure has a thickness of L2 in the sealed space, where L2 satisfies: 0.05mm≤L2≤0.5mm.
[0026] In one possible implementation, the first housing comprises at least one of an aluminum-plastic film, a polymer film, and a metal film.
[0027] In one possible implementation, the thickness of the first shell is L3, which satisfies: 0.02mm≤L3≤0.25mm.
[0028] On the other hand, this application provides a cooling mechanism, including a first protective plate and a second protective plate; the first protective plate has the aforementioned protective plate structure.
[0029] In one possible implementation, the second protective plate is provided with a pressure relief chamber, and one end of the first protective plate is located in the pressure relief chamber.
[0030] In one possible implementation, the shape of the pressure relief chamber includes at least one of hemispherical, U-shaped, and conical shapes.
[0031] In one possible implementation, a first pressure relief region is formed on the first encapsulation part, the first pressure relief region is used to open when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure, and a second pressure relief region is provided at one end of the first housing, the second pressure relief region being accommodated in a pressure relief cavity.
[0032] In one possible implementation, the second protective plate includes a second housing and a second material filled in the second housing, and a pressure relief cavity is provided on the second housing.
[0033] In one possible implementation, the second housing is provided with a third pressure relief area at the encapsulation point. The third pressure relief area is used to open when subjected to a third preset temperature or a third preset pressure to release the second material.
[0034] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief zone is located at the opening of the pressure relief chamber.
[0035] In one possible implementation, the second housing is encapsulated by a third encapsulation portion to fill with the second material, and a third pressure relief area is provided on the third encapsulation portion.
[0036] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief region is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the third package; and / or the third pressure relief region is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the third package; and / or the third pressure relief region is formed by sealing the third package with third solder paste.
[0037] In one possible implementation, the cross-sectional shape of the third pressure relief zone includes at least one of the following: U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped.
[0038] In one possible implementation, a first pressure relief zone is formed by a first solder paste that seals the first package portion, a second pressure relief zone is formed by a second solder paste that seals the first housing portion, and a third pressure relief zone is formed by a third solder paste that seals the third package portion. The melting point of the first solder paste is lower than that of the second solder paste, and the melting point of the second solder paste is lower than that of the third solder paste.
[0039] In one possible implementation, the melting point range of the first solder paste is 60°C to 120°C, and / or the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120°C to 200°C, and / or the melting point range of the third solder paste is 200°C to 350°C.
[0040] In one possible implementation, the first solder paste, the second solder paste, and the third solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
[0041] In one possible implementation, the strength of the first pressure relief zone is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone, and the strength of the second pressure relief zone is less than the strength of the third pressure relief zone.
[0042] In one possible implementation, the second material includes at least one of fire extinguishing material, insulating material, heat-absorbing material, and heat-conducting material.
[0043] In one possible implementation, the thickness of the second protective plate is L4, where L4 satisfies: 5mm ≤ L4 ≤ 35mm.
[0044] In one possible implementation, the thermal conductivity of the first protective plate is greater than that of the second protective plate.
[0045] In another aspect, this application provides a battery assembly including multiple battery cells and the aforementioned protective plate structure; or the aforementioned cooling mechanism.
[0046] In another aspect, this application provides a battery pack including the aforementioned battery components.
[0047] In another aspect, this application provides an electrical device including the aforementioned battery assembly or battery pack.
[0048] This application provides a protective plate structure, a cooling mechanism, a battery assembly, a battery pack, and electrical equipment. By providing a first encapsulation part in the first housing, the internal accommodating space is divided into a filling space and a sealed space. The first phase change material is filled in the filling space, while the sealed space is used to introduce the first phase change material through the first encapsulation part when the first phase change material undergoes a liquid-gas phase change and causes a significant increase in volume. This buffers the pressure increase caused by the vaporization of the first phase change material, thus providing necessary cushioning and preventing premature rupture of the first housing due to excessive pressure. It can effectively prevent leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid materials. At the same time, when the first phase change material is filled into the sealed space, the overall thickness of the protective plate structure can be reduced. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery assembly, the sealed space can provide additional space for the expansion of the cells, avoiding premature damage or rupture of the first housing due to compression by adjacent cells. This can effectively prevent leakage and reduce the risk of accidents such as cell short circuits. Attached Figure Description
[0049] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0051] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the protective plate structure provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0052] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional structural diagram of the protective plate structure shown.
[0053] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the protective panel structure from another angle.
[0054] Figure 5 for Figure 3 An enlarged structural diagram of part A of the protective plate structure shown;
[0055] Figure 6 for Figure 3 An enlarged structural diagram of part B of the protective plate structure shown;
[0056] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the first protective plate and the second protective plate of the cooling mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application.
[0057] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0058] 100-Cooling mechanism; 101-First protective plate; 102-Cell space; 10-Protective plate structure; 11-First housing; 111-Accommodation space; 112-Filling space; 113-Sealed space; 12-First phase change material; 122-Base material; 13-First encapsulation part; 131-First pressure relief area; 14-Second encapsulation part; 141-Second pressure relief area; 20-Second protective plate; 21-Pressure relief cavity; 22-Second housing; 23-Second material; 24-Third encapsulation part; 241-Third pressure relief area. Detailed Implementation
[0059] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.
[0060] Currently, with the continuous development of electric vehicles, the requirements for battery packs in electric vehicles are also constantly increasing. In order to ensure the safe use of battery packs, liquid cooling plates are usually installed to dissipate heat from the cells. Specifically, heat-absorbing materials are placed between adjacent cells, combined with the heat dissipation structure of the liquid cooling plate, to achieve heat dissipation of the battery pack.
[0061] However, when existing battery packs use phase change materials for heat absorption, they are prone to leakage due to factors such as incomplete vaporization of the liquid and expansion and compression of the battery cells, which can cause short circuits in the battery cells and pose safety hazards.
[0062] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, after repeated consideration and verification, the inventors discovered that by adding a space unfilled with phase change material within the casing encapsulating the phase change material, the phase change material can be introduced into this space when its volume increases due to liquid-gas phase change. This buffers the pressure increase caused by the vaporization of the phase change material, providing necessary cushioning to prevent premature rupture of the casing due to excessive pressure and effectively preventing leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid material. Simultaneously, this space, after accommodating the phase change material, also reduces the overall thickness, preventing adjacent cells from compressing the casing during expansion and causing premature damage or rupture. This effectively prevents leakage and reduces the risk of accidents such as cell short circuits.
[0063] In view of this, this application provides a protective plate structure, comprising:
[0064] The first housing is disposed between adjacent cells in the battery assembly and has an internal receiving space. The receiving space is provided with a first encapsulation part to divide the receiving space into a filling space and a sealed space.
[0065] The first phase change material is filled into the filling space;
[0066] The first encapsulation part can be opened when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure, so that the first phase change material in the filling space can be filled into the sealed space through it, so that the filling space and the sealed space form an expansion space for the first phase change material.
[0067] By providing a first encapsulation section within the first housing, the internal containment space is divided into a filling space and a sealed space. The first phase change material is filled in the filling space, while the sealed space is used to introduce the first phase change material through the first encapsulation section when the first phase change material undergoes a liquid-gas phase change and its volume increases significantly. This buffers the pressure increase caused by the vaporization of the first phase change material, providing necessary cushioning to prevent premature rupture of the first housing due to excessive pressure. This effectively prevents leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid materials. Simultaneously, filling the sealed space with the first phase change material reduces the overall thickness of the protective plate structure. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery assembly, the sealed space provides additional space for the expansion of the cells, preventing premature damage or rupture of the first housing due to compression from adjacent cells. This effectively prevents leakage and reduces the risk of accidents such as cell short circuits.
[0068] The contents of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can have a clearer and more detailed understanding of the contents of this application.
[0069] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the protective plate structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the protective plate structure. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the protective panel structure from another angle. Figure 5 for Figure 3 An enlarged structural diagram of part A of the protective plate structure shown. Figure 6 for Figure 3 An enlarged structural diagram of part B of the protective plate structure shown. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the first protective plate and the second protective plate of the cooling mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application.
[0070] The following sections provide a detailed description of the specific structure of the protective panel and various possible implementation methods.
[0071] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the protective plate structure 10 is used in the cooling mechanism 100. The cooling mechanism 100 is used to dissipate heat from the battery cells in the battery assembly.
[0072] Please also refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The protective plate structure 10 includes a first housing 11 and a first phase change material 12. The first housing 11 is disposed between adjacent cells in the battery assembly. An accommodating space 111 is formed inside the first housing 11, and a first encapsulation part 13 is provided in the accommodating space 111. The first encapsulation part 13 is used to divide the accommodating space 111 into a filling space 112 and a sealed space 113. The first phase change material 12 is filled in the filling space 112. The first encapsulation part 13 can be opened when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure, so that the first phase change material 12 in the filling space 112 fills into the sealed space 113 through it, so that the filling space 112 and the sealed space 113 form an expansion space for the first phase change material 12.
[0073] Please also refer to Figure 5 A first pressure relief region 131 is formed on the first encapsulation part 13. The first pressure relief region 131 is used to open when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure to connect the sealed space 113 with the filling space 112, so that the first phase change material 12 fills the sealed space 113.
[0074] By providing a first encapsulation section 13 in the first housing 11, the internal accommodating space 111 is divided into a filling space 112 and a sealed space 113. The first phase change material 12 is filled in the filling space 112, while the sealed space 113 is used to introduce the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113 through the first pressure relief zone 131 when the first phase change material 12 undergoes a liquid-gas phase change and causes a significant increase in volume. This buffers the pressure increase caused by the vaporization of the first phase change material 12, thereby providing necessary buffering and preventing the first housing 11 from rupturing prematurely due to excessive pressure. It can effectively prevent the leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid materials. At the same time, when the first phase change material 12 is filled into the sealed space 113, the overall thickness of the protective plate structure 10 can be reduced. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery assembly, the sealed space 113 can provide additional space for the expansion of the cell, avoiding premature damage or rupture of the first housing 11 due to the squeezing of adjacent cells. This can effectively prevent leakage and reduce the risk of accidents such as cell short circuits.
[0075] In one possible implementation, the first housing 11 can be of any shape, such as including but not limited to a rectangle or a square.
[0076] Optionally, the first housing 11 can be configured to have the same or similar size as the adjacent battery cell to save space occupied by the protective plate structure 10 when assembling the module and improve volume utilization.
[0077] In one possible implementation, the filling space 112 can be of any shape, such as including but not limited to hexagons, quadrilaterals, circles, etc.
[0078] Optionally, the filling space 112 can be configured as a hexagon, and the space formed between the hexagon and the first shell 11 is a sealed space 113. The hexagon circumferentially restricts the flow of the first phase change material 12 to limit its flow. When the phase change material undergoes a phase change, the volume of the first phase change material 12 increases. Ambient temperature or pressure may cause the first pressure relief zone 131 to fail, and the first phase change material 12 can continue to fill into the sealed space 113 to buffer the volume change.
[0079] In one possible implementation, the enclosed space 113 can be of any shape, with its outer contour constrained by the shape of the first shell 11 and the filling space 112.
[0080] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief region 131 is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the first encapsulation portion 13.
[0081] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief region 131 is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the first encapsulation portion 13.
[0082] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief zone 131 is formed by the first solder paste that seals the first encapsulation portion 13.
[0083] By reducing the thickness and width of a portion of the first encapsulation section 13, the opening conditions of the first pressure relief zone 131 can be precisely controlled, allowing pressure relief to be accurately triggered under preset temperature or pressure conditions, ensuring that the system releases pressure only when needed, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the system.
[0084] Using areas with reduced thickness and width, and solder paste as pressure relief components, the response speed is fast. It allows the thickness and solder paste characteristics of the first pressure relief zone 131 to be adjusted according to specific application requirements to adapt to different pressure and temperature requirements. This simplifies the manufacturing process, eliminates the need for additional complex mechanical parts or valves, reduces production costs, and improves production efficiency.
[0085] Under normal operating conditions, the first pressure relief zone 131 remains closed, ensuring the structural integrity and sealing of the first encapsulation part 13, and helping to prevent the first phase change material 12 from leaking into the enclosed space 113.
[0086] In one possible implementation, the enclosed space 113 is located outside the filling space 112.
[0087] In the battery assembly, the filling space 112 of the protective plate structure 10 is attached to the adjacent battery cell. Within the normal operating temperature range of the battery cell, there is a gap between the sealed space 113 and the adjacent battery cell, which allows air to circulate. Depending on the design position of different sealed spaces, different air flow channels can be formed, which helps the outside air to exchange heat with the first phase change material 12 and improves heat dissipation efficiency.
[0088] The outer sealed space 113 can dissipate heat more effectively because its location is closer to the external environment, which helps to conduct heat away more quickly when the first phase change material 12 releases heat, thereby improving the thermal management efficiency of the battery module.
[0089] Meanwhile, since the sealed space 113 is on the outside, the design and manufacturing are simpler, which can reduce the complexity of the pressure relief path and thus improve the speed and reliability of the pressure relief response.
[0090] Please also refer to Figure 6 In one possible implementation, the first housing 11 is provided with a second pressure relief area 141 at the encapsulation point. The second pressure relief area 141 is used to open when subjected to a second preset temperature or a second preset pressure to release the first phase change material 12.
[0091] The second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature, and the second preset pressure is greater than the first preset pressure.
[0092] The second pressure relief zone 141 is a pressure relief port for venting and relieving pressure when the liquid phase change degree of the first phase change material 12 in the protective plate structure 10 is relatively large.
[0093] When the pressure inside the protective plate structure 10 reaches the critical point, the high-pressure gas can be preferentially ejected from the second pressure relief zone 141. The second pressure relief zone 141 can be located at the top of the first housing 11, which facilitates gas release, ensures smooth gas discharge, avoids damage to surrounding components, and when it faces the same direction as the pressure relief valve of the adjacent battery cell, it can reduce the concentration and temperature of flammable gas released by thermal runaway of the battery cell.
[0094] By setting a second pressure relief zone 141 and using different preset temperature and pressure thresholds, the system implements a graded safety mechanism. The first pressure relief zone 131 is opened at lower temperatures and pressures to handle normal pressure and heat release needs; while the second pressure relief zone 141 is opened at higher temperatures and pressures as a last line of defense against extreme situations, releasing the first phase change material 12 outside the protective plate structure 10, thereby improving the safety of the battery assembly under extreme conditions.
[0095] The graded pressure relief mechanism helps maintain system stability. The first pressure relief zone 131 handles normal fluctuations, while the second pressure relief zone 141 deals with abnormal situations, ensuring that the system can operate normally under various conditions.
[0096] In one possible implementation, the first housing 11 is encapsulated by the second encapsulation part 14 to form a receiving space 111, and the second pressure relief area 141 is provided on the second encapsulation part 14.
[0097] The second encapsulation portion 14 provides a complete sealing structure, ensuring the airtightness of the accommodating space 111. The second pressure relief area 141 is located on the second encapsulation portion 14, allowing for precise control of pressure relief under specific temperature and pressure conditions. This ensures that pressure or heat can be rapidly released when preset conditions are met, protecting the battery assembly.
[0098] By integrating the second pressure relief area 141 onto the second package 14, the overall structural design is simplified, the number of components is reduced, and the manufacturing complexity and cost are lowered.
[0099] By providing a second pressure relief region 141 on the second encapsulation section 14, the design of the second pressure relief region 141 becomes more flexible, and its position and characteristics can be adjusted to adapt to different application requirements and safety standards.
[0100] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief area 141 is provided on the second encapsulation portion 14 at the top of the first housing 11.
[0101] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief zone 141 can be any surface defect, such as, but not limited to, a reduction in the package width of the second package portion 14, a reduction in the package thickness of the second package portion 14, or solder paste with a corresponding thermal runaway temperature.
[0102] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief region 141 is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the second encapsulation portion 14.
[0103] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief region 141 is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the second encapsulation portion 14.
[0104] In one possible implementation, the second pressure relief zone 141 is formed by the second solder paste that seals the second encapsulation portion 14.
[0105] By adjusting the thickness or width of a portion of the second encapsulation section 14, the opening conditions of the second pressure relief zone 141 can be precisely controlled, allowing pressure relief to be accurately triggered under preset temperature or pressure conditions, ensuring that the system releases pressure only when needed, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the system.
[0106] Using a reduced-thickness and width area and solder paste as a pressure relief component results in a fast response time. It allows for adjustments to the thickness and solder paste characteristics of the second pressure relief zone 141 to meet different pressure and temperature requirements, simplifying the manufacturing process. It eliminates the need for additional complex mechanical parts or valves, thereby reducing production costs and improving production efficiency.
[0107] Under normal operating conditions, the second pressure relief zone 141 remains closed, ensuring the structural integrity and sealing of the second encapsulation section 14, which helps prevent the first phase change material 12 from leaking to the outside.
[0108] In one possible implementation, the cross-sectional shape of the second pressure relief zone 141 is irregular. The irregular shape includes at least one of U-shape, V-shape, and M-shape.
[0109] The cross-sectional shape of the second pressure relief zone 141 needs to be able to withstand a certain amount of pressure and mechanical stress, thereby reducing the risk of deformation or damage. U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped shapes typically possess good structural strength and stability. U-shaped and V-shaped shapes offer higher strength and rigidity, while M-shaped and U-shaped shapes provide greater flexibility and deformability, thus meeting the requirements of the second pressure relief zone 141. When the pressure inside the first housing 11 reaches a critical point, the high-pressure gas from the first phase change material 12 can preferentially escape from the surface defects of the second pressure relief zone 141. Furthermore, these shapes are generally easy to manufacture and install, suitable for mass production and application, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
[0110] Different shapes can be selected and adjusted according to specific design needs to adapt to different space constraints and functional requirements, thereby enabling better integration into different battery components.
[0111] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief region 131 is formed by the first solder paste sealing the first encapsulation portion 13, and the second pressure relief region 141 is formed by the second solder paste sealing the second encapsulation portion 14, wherein the melting point of the first solder paste is lower than that of the second solder paste.
[0112] By using solder pastes with different melting points, the system achieves a graded response mechanism. The first pressure relief zone 131 opens first at a lower temperature to handle the normal pressure and heat release needs, releasing the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113. The second pressure relief zone 141 opens at a higher temperature as a backup measure to deal with extreme situations, releasing the vaporized first phase change material 12 to the outside.
[0113] Solder pastes with different melting points allow for precise control of the pressure relief section's opening temperature, ensuring rapid response and release of pressure or heat under specific temperature conditions, thus protecting the battery assembly. Using solder pastes with different melting points allows for customization to suit various operating environments and safety standards, making it applicable to a wide range of battery types and usage scenarios.
[0114] In one possible implementation, the melting point range of the first solder paste is 60℃ to 120℃, and the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120℃ to 200℃.
[0115] The first solder paste melts at a lower temperature, enabling it to quickly respond to the initial temperature rise and prevent premature pressure buildup. The second solder paste melts at a higher temperature, serving as a backup protection measure to prevent excessive pressure under extreme temperature conditions, significantly improving system safety.
[0116] In one possible implementation, the first solder paste and the second solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
[0117] Solder paste can be either leaded or environmentally friendly lead-free. These solder paste alloy systems typically offer good mechanical properties, including strength and ductility, ensuring that the solder paste maintains the integrity of the package under normal operating conditions and effectively melts to release pressure when specific conditions are met. Different solder paste alloy systems have different melting point ranges. For example, Sn-Pb-based solder pastes typically have lower melting points, while Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes have higher melting points, allowing designers to select the appropriate solder paste based on specific temperature requirements for precise pressure relief control.
[0118] Meanwhile, these solder paste alloys typically have good thermal and electrical conductivity, which helps to effectively manage heat and current flow in battery modules and improve overall performance.
[0119] In one possible implementation, the strength of the first pressure relief zone 131 is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone 141.
[0120] By using pressure relief sections of different strengths, the system achieves a graded response mechanism. Since the first pressure relief zone 131 has a lower strength, it will open first under lower pressure or temperature conditions to handle the normal pressure and heat release needs and release the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113. The second pressure relief zone 141 opens at a higher temperature as a backup measure to deal with extreme situations and releases the vaporized first phase change material 12 to the outside.
[0121] This design allows the strength of the first pressure relief zone 131 and the second pressure relief zone 141 to be adjusted according to specific application requirements, so as to adapt to different operating environments and safety standards, and can be applied to a variety of battery types and usage scenarios.
[0122] In one possible implementation, the protective panel structure 10 also includes a base material 122, which is disposed in the receiving space 111.
[0123] Phase change materials (PCMs) are materials that can change their state of matter and provide latent heat. PCMs have the ability to absorb and release large amounts of heat, and can effectively regulate temperature during phase changes (such as from solid to liquid). The base material can be a low thermal conductivity insulating material. The base material 122 provides structural support and protection, ensuring that the PCM remains in place during use and preventing leakage or loss. This combination improves the overall stability and reliability of the material.
[0124] The composite material of phase change material and base material 122 can have any structure, such as uniform mixing, "sandwich" interlayer, etc.
[0125] In one possible implementation, the first phase change material 12 is disposed on both sides of the base material 122.
[0126] The phase change materials on both sides can absorb heat and undergo phase change when the battery cell is thermally runaway, and carry away the heat. The base material 122 provides support for the protective plate structure 10 itself, and further blocks the heat after the liquid phase change material vaporizes, preventing the heat from spreading.
[0127] In one possible implementation, the phase change material includes at least one of water, fluorinated liquid, silicone oil, silica sol, aluminum sol, zirconium sol, silica-alumina sol, silica-zirconium sol, aluminum-zirconium sol, silica-alumina-zirconium sol, paraffin wax, calcium chloride hexahydrate solution, sodium sulfate decahydrate solution, barium hydroxide octahydrate solution, or magnesium chloride hexahydrate solution.
[0128] These materials cover a wide range of phase change temperatures, and the appropriate material can be selected according to specific application needs to meet different temperature management requirements, enabling the system to operate effectively under various environmental conditions.
[0129] In one possible implementation, the base material 122 includes at least one of aerogel, glass fiber, zirconia fiber, mullite fiber, silica fiber, alumina fiber, rock wool, aluminum silicate fiber, or pre-oxidized fiber.
[0130] These fibrous materials can be processed and shaped to meet specific application requirements, offering design flexibility. They can be made into felt, boards, or other shapes to suit different application needs. These fibrous materials typically have excellent thermal insulation properties, effectively reducing heat conduction.
[0131] These fibrous materials typically possess good mechanical strength and durability, providing structural support and resisting physical wear, thus helping to extend the system's lifespan and improve its reliability. Fiber materials are also generally lightweight, contributing to a reduction in the overall weight of the system.
[0132] In one possible implementation, the protective plate structure 10 has a thickness of L1 at the filling space 112, where L1 satisfies: 0.5mm≤L1≤6mm, and its value is related to the cell capacity.
[0133] The thickness range of 0.5mm to 6mm provides sufficient structural strength to ensure that the protective plate structure 10 remains stable under mechanical stress and impact, effectively resisting external physical damage and protecting internal components.
[0134] Within a thickness range of 0.5mm to 6mm, material usage is optimized to provide necessary protection while avoiding excessive material usage, thereby reducing costs and weight. Smaller thicknesses, such as 1mm, 3mm, and 6mm, contribute to reduced overall weight and improved system portability and ease of use while ensuring strength and protective performance. This is particularly important for applications requiring mobility or those that are weight-sensitive.
[0135] In one possible implementation, the protective plate structure 10 has a thickness of L2 at the sealed space 113, where L2 satisfies: 0.05mm≤L2≤0.5mm.
[0136] The thinner enclosed space 113 design helps reduce the overall weight of the structure, improving the system's portability and ease of use. The thickness range of 0.05mm to 0.5mm effectively saves space, making the protective panel structure 10 more compact. The smaller thickness of the enclosed space 113 allows the material to expand under heat or pressure.
[0137] In one possible implementation, the first housing 11 is made of an insulating encapsulation material, including at least one of aluminum-plastic film, polymer film, and metal film. The polymer can be nylon, polyimide, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride, etc.
[0138] These membrane materials are typically lightweight, helping to reduce the overall weight of the structure. Furthermore, they are generally easy to process and mold, suitable for complex shape designs, and can be easily assembled through heat sealing, bonding, and other methods. These membrane materials also possess excellent barrier properties, chemical resistance, electrical insulation properties, and a certain degree of mechanical strength and flexibility. Moreover, these membrane materials are relatively inexpensive, suitable for mass production, and can effectively reduce manufacturing costs.
[0139] Among them, aluminum-plastic film has excellent barrier properties, effectively preventing the penetration of moisture and oxygen, protecting internal materials and battery cells from environmental influences; nylon film offers good abrasion resistance and barrier properties, suitable for applications requiring additional mechanical protection; polyimide film has excellent chemical resistance and high-temperature resistance, suitable for battery modules that need to operate in harsh environments; polypropylene film and polyethylene film offer good chemical corrosion resistance, suitable for use in various chemical environments. Nylon film and polyimide film also provide high strength and good flexibility, capable of withstanding mechanical stress and deformation. Polyvinyl chloride film has good flexibility and impact resistance, suitable for applications requiring a certain degree of elasticity. Polyimide film and polyvinyl chloride film have good electrical insulation properties, effectively preventing electrical short circuits and improving the safety of battery modules.
[0140] In one possible implementation, the thickness of the first housing 11 is L3, where L3 satisfies: 0.02mm≤L3≤0.25mm.
[0141] The thickness range of 0.02mm-0.25mm provides sufficient mechanical strength to protect the cells and the first phase change material 12 inside the battery assembly, while maintaining a certain degree of flexibility to withstand certain mechanical stress and deformation during installation and use.
[0142] The thinner first casing 11, such as 0.02mm, 0.05mm, 0.1mm, or 0.25mm, helps reduce the overall weight of the structure. A moderate thickness, such as 0.25mm, provides mechanical protection while allowing for effective heat conduction, aiding in heat dissipation and preventing battery overheating.
[0143] Meanwhile, a thickness range of 0.02mm-0.25mm results in lower material costs, making it suitable for mass production and effectively reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining product performance. Furthermore, materials in this thickness range are easy to process and shape, suitable for complex shape designs, and can be easily assembled through heat sealing, bonding, and other methods.
[0144] The protective plate structure 10 provided in this embodiment includes a first housing 11 and a first phase change material 12. The first housing 11 is disposed between adjacent cells in a battery assembly, and an accommodating space 111 is formed inside the first housing 11. A first encapsulation portion 13 is provided in the accommodating space 111 to divide the accommodating space 111 into a filling space 112 and a sealed space 113. The first phase change material 12 is filled in the filling space 112. A first pressure relief region 131 is provided on the first encapsulation portion 13. The first pressure relief region 131 is used to open when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure to connect the sealed space 113 and the filling space 112, so that the first phase change material 12 fills the sealed space 113.
[0145] By providing a first encapsulation section 13 in the first housing 11, the internal accommodating space 111 is divided into a filling space 112 and a sealed space 113. The first phase change material 12 is filled in the filling space 112, while the sealed space 113 is used to introduce the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113 through the first pressure relief zone 131 when the first phase change material 12 undergoes a liquid-gas phase change and causes a significant increase in volume. This buffers the pressure increase caused by the vaporization of the first phase change material 12, thereby providing necessary buffering and preventing the first housing 11 from rupturing prematurely due to excessive pressure. It can effectively prevent the leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid materials. At the same time, when the first phase change material 12 is filled into the sealed space 113, the overall thickness of the protective plate structure 10 can be reduced. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery assembly, the sealed space 113 can provide additional space for the expansion of the cell, avoiding premature damage or rupture of the first housing 11 due to the squeezing of adjacent cells. This can effectively prevent leakage and reduce the risk of accidents such as cell short circuits.
[0146] Please also refer to Figure 7 On the other hand, this application embodiment also provides a cooling mechanism 100 for use in a battery assembly. It includes multiple first protective plates 101 and second protective plates 20. The first protective plates 101 are the aforementioned protective plate structure 10. Multiple battery cells in the battery assembly are arranged sequentially.
[0147] Multiple first protective plates 101 are arranged sequentially, and a cell space 102 for accommodating the cell is formed between adjacent first protective plates 101.
[0148] One side of the first protective plate 101 is located on the second protective plate 20.
[0149] The first protective plate 101 serves as a heat-absorbing component between adjacent battery cells. The second protective plate 20 is perpendicular to the first protective plate 101 and performs functions such as heat absorption, heat dissipation, and temperature equalization.
[0150] By placing a first protective plate 101 between adjacent cells and placing a second protective plate 20 on one side of the first protective plate 101, and connecting the second protective plate 20 to the first protective plate 101, heat can be absorbed from the side of the cell by the first protective plate 101 and transferred to the second protective plate 20 for further heat dissipation. This effectively absorbs and releases the heat generated by the cell, improves the cell's heat dissipation efficiency, reduces the risk of battery overheating, extends battery life, and improves battery performance and safety. By forming a cell space 102 between adjacent first protective plates 101, space can be effectively utilized to maximize the cell arrangement density while ensuring that each cell receives adequate cooling. The combined design of multiple first protective plates 101 and second protective plates 20 allows the cooling mechanism to be compactly integrated into the battery assembly without occupying additional space, while providing effective cooling.
[0151] In one possible implementation, the thermal conductivity of the first protective plate 101 is greater than that of the second protective plate 20.
[0152] In one possible implementation, a soft and lightweight second protective plate 20 can be combined with a liquid cooling device to further improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell.
[0153] In one possible implementation, the second protective plate 20 is provided with a pressure relief cavity 21, and one end of the first protective plate 101 is located in the pressure relief cavity 21.
[0154] A pressure relief chamber 21 is provided on the second protective plate 20. The first protective plate 101 can transfer the gas vaporized by the first phase change material 12 to the pressure relief chamber 21 of the second protective plate 20, and use the pressure relief chamber 21 as a buffer space to prevent the premature leakage of the phase change material that is not completely vaporized, and to prevent the thermal runaway battery cell from squeezing and damaging the first protective plate 101.
[0155] One end of the first protective plate 101 is located in the pressure relief chamber 21, which can more effectively conduct and dissipate heat. The pressure relief chamber 21 can act as an additional thermal buffer to help manage and regulate temperature. The design of the pressure relief chamber 21 allows for a safe release path when the internal pressure of the battery assembly is too high. This helps prevent structural damage or failure due to pressure buildup. By providing a pressure relief channel, the risk of the battery assembly exploding or other dangerous situations under extreme conditions can be effectively reduced, thereby improving overall safety.
[0156] In one possible implementation, the shape of the pressure relief chamber 21 includes at least one of hemispherical, U-shaped, and conical shapes.
[0157] These shapes can be optimized according to specific design requirements to maximize space utilization and ensure optimal pressure relief and thermal management within a limited space.
[0158] The hemispherical pressure relief chamber 21 can evenly distribute internal pressure, reduce stress concentration, and lower the risk of structural damage. The hemispherical shape provides good structural strength and stability, making it suitable for withstanding high internal pressure.
[0159] The U-shaped structure offers greater volume and flexibility, effectively accommodating and mitigating sudden pressure changes while maintaining good structural stability. Furthermore, the U-shaped structure is relatively simple, easy to manufacture and install, reducing production costs.
[0160] The conical design helps guide pressure to be released gradually along the conical surface, reducing impact on the structure. This shape also helps to dissipate heat quickly. Furthermore, the conical shape provides good pressure resistance, making it suitable for use in high-pressure environments.
[0161] In one possible implementation, a second pressure relief region 141 is provided at one end of the first housing 11, and the second pressure relief region 141 is accommodated in the pressure relief cavity 21.
[0162] The second pressure relief zone 141 is directly housed in the pressure relief chamber 21, which allows the pressure to be released more quickly and effectively, helping to provide a rapid relief path when the pressure on the first protective plate 101 increases, and reducing the risk of overpressure.
[0163] The design of the pressure relief chamber 21 not only serves to release pressure but also helps with the conduction and dissipation of heat. Placing the second pressure relief zone 141 within the pressure relief chamber 21 helps to manage heat more effectively and prevent localized overheating.
[0164] In one possible implementation, the second protective plate 20 includes a second housing 22 and a second material 23 filled in the second housing 22, and a pressure relief cavity 21 is provided on the second housing 22.
[0165] By filling the second shell 22 with the second material 23, thermal stress can be effectively dispersed and absorbed, reducing structural damage caused by thermal expansion and contraction. The second material 23 can be selected from materials with high thermal conductivity, thereby effectively conducting heat to the external environment, facilitating faster heat transfer, and improving the cooling efficiency of the entire system. The second shell 22 provides the necessary mechanical strength and stability to protect the internal second material 23.
[0166] The second material 23 can be selected and adjusted according to specific needs. For example, a material with phase change characteristics can be selected to further enhance the cooling effect, or a material with insulating properties can be selected to prevent heat from flowing back into the battery module. Alternatively, the second material 23 can also be selected as a material with flame retardant or high-temperature resistant properties. When the battery module malfunctions, the second material 23 is released to protect the cell, which can further improve the safety of the system and prevent thermal runaway under extreme conditions.
[0167] In one possible implementation, the second housing 22 is provided with a third pressure relief area 241 at the encapsulation site. The third pressure relief area 241 is used to open when subjected to a third preset temperature or a third preset pressure to release the second material 23.
[0168] When thermal runaway occurs, the pressure or temperature of the third pressure relief zone 241 increases, causing the third pressure relief zone 241 to fail, thereby releasing the second material 23 in the second housing 22. The second material 23 can flow along the first protective plate 101 to directly cool and extinguish the cell, thereby quickly responding to emergency cooling and fire extinguishing needs, helping to rapidly reduce the cell temperature and prevent further damage caused by the spread of fire, and improving the overall safety of the battery assembly.
[0169] The design of the third pressure relief zone 241 enables automatic response to thermal runaway events without the need for additional sensors or control systems, thereby improving the system's reliability and response speed.
[0170] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief zone 241 is located at the opening of the pressure relief chamber 21.
[0171] The third pressure relief zone 241 is set at the opening of the pressure relief chamber 21. When the pressure or temperature of the gaseous first phase change material 12 in the pressure relief chamber 21 reaches the critical value, it can be opened quickly to release the pressure and liquid in the pressure relief chamber 21, thereby responding quickly to thermal runaway and cooling and extinguishing the fire in time.
[0172] The design of the third pressure relief zone 241, located at the opening of the pressure relief chamber 21, is relatively simple and does not require a complex internal piping or valve system, thus simplifying the overall structure and helping to reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.
[0173] When thermal runaway occurs violently, the pressure inside the pressure relief chamber 21 continues to increase, which can cause the third pressure relief zone 241 at the opening of the pressure relief chamber 21 to fail, releasing the pressure and the second material 23. The second material 23 flows along the first protective plate 101 that has released the first phase change material 12, and flows out along the gap between the first protective plate 101 and the battery cell, uniformly cooling and extinguishing the battery cell adjacent to the first protective plate 101, thereby improving the efficiency of cooling and extinguishing.
[0174] In one possible implementation, the second housing 22 is encapsulated by a third encapsulation portion 24 to fill the second material 23, and a third pressure relief region 241 is provided on the third encapsulation portion 24.
[0175] The third encapsulation section 24 provides a complete sealing structure, ensuring the airtightness of the second housing 22. The third pressure relief zone 241 is located on the third encapsulation section 24, allowing for precise control of pressure relief under specific temperature and pressure conditions. This ensures that pressure or heat can be rapidly released when preset conditions are met, protecting the battery assembly.
[0176] By integrating the third pressure relief area 241 onto the third package 24, the overall structural design is simplified, the number of components is reduced, and manufacturing complexity and cost are lowered.
[0177] By providing a third pressure relief region 241 on the third encapsulation section 24, the design of the third pressure relief region 241 is more flexible, and the position and characteristics of the third pressure relief region 241 can be adjusted to adapt to different application requirements and safety standards.
[0178] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief region 241 is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the third encapsulation portion 24.
[0179] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief region 241 is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the third encapsulation portion 24.
[0180] In one possible implementation, the third pressure relief zone 241 is formed by the third solder paste sealing the third encapsulation portion 24.
[0181] By adjusting the thickness or width of a portion of the third encapsulation section 24, the opening conditions of the third pressure relief zone 241 can be precisely controlled, allowing pressure relief to be accurately triggered under preset temperature or pressure conditions, ensuring that the system releases pressure only when needed, thus improving the reliability and safety of the system.
[0182] Using a reduced-thickness and width area and solder paste as a pressure relief component results in a fast response time. It allows for adjustments to the thickness and solder paste characteristics of the third pressure relief zone 241 to meet different pressure and temperature requirements, simplifying the manufacturing process. It eliminates the need for additional complex mechanical parts or valves, thereby reducing production costs and improving production efficiency.
[0183] Under normal operating conditions, the third pressure relief zone 241 remains closed, ensuring the structural integrity and sealing of the third encapsulation section 24, and helping to prevent the second material 23 from leaking to the outside.
[0184] In one possible implementation, the cross-sectional shape of the third pressure relief zone 241 is irregular. The irregular shape includes at least one of U-shape, V-shape, and M-shape.
[0185] The cross-sectional shape of the third pressure relief zone 241 needs to withstand a certain amount of pressure and mechanical stress to reduce the risk of deformation or damage. U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped shapes typically possess good structural strength and stability. U-shaped and V-shaped shapes offer higher strength and rigidity, while M-shaped and U-shaped shapes provide greater flexibility and deformability, thus meeting the requirements of the third pressure relief zone 241. When the pressure inside the second housing 22 reaches a critical point, the second material 23 can preferentially eject from surface defects in the third pressure relief zone 241. Furthermore, these shapes are generally easy to manufacture and install, suitable for mass production and application, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
[0186] Different shapes can be selected and adjusted according to specific design needs to adapt to different space constraints and functional requirements, thereby enabling better integration into different battery components.
[0187] In one possible implementation, the first pressure relief region 131 is formed by the first solder paste sealing the first encapsulation portion 13, the second pressure relief region 141 is formed by the second solder paste sealing the first housing 11, and the third pressure relief region 241 is formed by the third solder paste sealing the third encapsulation portion 24. The melting point of the first solder paste is lower than the melting point of the second solder paste, and the melting point of the second solder paste is lower than the melting point of the third solder paste.
[0188] By using solder pastes with different melting points, the system achieves a graded response mechanism. The first pressure relief zone 131 opens first at a lower temperature to handle the normal pressure and heat release needs, releasing the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113. The second pressure relief zone 141 opens at a higher temperature, releasing the vaporized first phase change material 12 into the pressure relief chamber 21. The third pressure relief zone 241 opens at the highest temperature as a backup measure to deal with extreme situations, releasing the vaporized first phase change material 12 and the second material 23 from the pressure relief chamber 21 to the outside.
[0189] Solder pastes with different melting points allow for precise control of the pressure relief section's opening temperature, ensuring rapid response and release of pressure or heat under specific temperature conditions, thus protecting the battery assembly. Using solder pastes with different melting points allows for customization to suit various operating environments and safety standards, making it applicable to a wide range of battery types and usage scenarios.
[0190] In one possible implementation, the melting point range of the first solder paste is 60℃ to 120℃, the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120℃ to 200℃, and the melting point range of the third solder paste is 200℃ to 350℃.
[0191] The first solder paste melts at a lower temperature, quickly responding to the initial temperature rise and preventing premature pressure buildup. The second solder paste melts at a higher temperature as a further protective measure. The third solder paste melts at the highest temperature as a backup protection measure, preventing excessive pressure under extreme temperature conditions, significantly improving system safety.
[0192] In one possible implementation, the first solder paste, the second solder paste, and the third solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
[0193] Solder paste can be leaded or environmentally friendly lead-free. These solder paste alloy systems typically offer good mechanical properties, including strength and ductility, ensuring that the solder paste maintains the integrity of the package under normal operating conditions and effectively melts to release pressure when specific conditions are met. Different solder paste alloy systems have different melting point ranges. For example, Sn-Pb-based solder pastes typically have lower melting points, while Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes have higher melting points, allowing designers to select the appropriate solder paste based on specific temperature requirements for precise pressure relief control.
[0194] At the same time, these solder paste alloys typically have good thermal and electrical conductivity, which helps to effectively manage heat and current flow in battery modules and improve overall performance.
[0195] In one possible implementation, the strength of the first pressure relief zone 131 is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone 141, and the strength of the second pressure relief zone 141 is less than the strength of the third pressure relief zone 241.
[0196] By using pressure relief sections of different strengths, the system achieves a graded response mechanism. Since the first pressure relief zone 131 has a lower strength, it will open first under lower pressure or temperature conditions to handle the normal pressure and heat release needs and release the first phase change material 12 into the sealed space 113. The second pressure relief zone 141 opens at a higher temperature and releases the vaporized first phase change material 12 into the pressure relief chamber 21. The third pressure relief zone 241 opens at an even higher temperature as a backup measure to deal with extreme situations and releases the vaporized first phase change material 12 and the second material 23 from the pressure relief chamber 21 to the outside.
[0197] This design allows the strength of the first pressure relief zone 131, the second pressure relief zone 141, and the third pressure relief zone 241 to be adjusted according to specific application requirements to adapt to different operating environments and safety standards, and can be applied to a variety of battery types and usage scenarios.
[0198] In one possible implementation, the second material 23 includes at least one of fire-extinguishing materials, insulating materials, heat-absorbing materials, and heat-conducting materials. It can function as a heat absorber, heat storer, and heat dissipator when there is no leakage, and as an insulator, coolant, and fire extinguisher when there is a leakage. The material can be a fluorinated liquid, a superabsorbent resin, etc.
[0199] These materials typically exhibit good chemical stability and environmental tolerance, maintaining stable performance under various operating conditions. They can be combined and optimized to meet specific application requirements, achieving optimal thermal management, safety, and electrical performance.
[0200] Among these components, fire extinguishing materials can actively suppress the spread of flames in the event of thermal runaway or fire, reducing the severity of the accident and improving the overall safety of the battery module. Insulating materials provide excellent electrical insulation, preventing electrical short circuits and leakage risks, and ensuring the safe operation of the battery module. Heat-absorbing materials absorb a large amount of heat when the temperature rises, reducing the peak temperature of the battery module and preventing overheating. Thermally conductive materials can efficiently conduct heat to quickly disperse it over a larger area or transfer it to the cooling system, maintaining the temperature uniformity of the battery.
[0201] In one possible implementation, the thickness of the second protective plate 20 is L4, where L4 satisfies: 5mm≤L4≤35mm, and its value is related to the cell capacity.
[0202] The thickness range of 5mm to 35mm offers a large heat capacity, providing design flexibility and allowing for optimized design based on specific application requirements and space constraints to achieve the best thermal management and mechanical performance.
[0203] A thicker second protective plate 20, such as 10mm, 20mm, or 30mm, allows for a sufficient amount of second material 23 to participate in the thermal management process, providing greater heat capacity and helping to absorb or release more heat during temperature changes, thus maintaining the temperature stability of the battery assembly. A thicker second material 23 can also enhance the material's insulation effect, reducing heat conduction to the outside and maintaining a constant internal temperature.
[0204] With a thickness ranging from 5mm to 35mm, it provides a certain degree of mechanical support and cushioning, which can absorb vibration and impact to a certain extent and protect the battery assembly from physical damage.
[0205] In one possible implementation, the second shell 22 can be of any shape, such as including but not limited to a rectangle or a square.
[0206] Optionally, the second housing 22 can be configured to have the same or similar dimensions as the cross-sectional shape of the battery cell and the first protective plate 101 after stacking, so as to save the space occupied by the second protective plate 20 when assembling the module and improve the volume utilization rate.
[0207] In one possible implementation, the second housing 22 is made of an insulating encapsulation material, including at least one of aluminum-plastic film, nylon film, polyimide film, polypropylene film, polyethylene film, and polyvinyl chloride film.
[0208] The cooling mechanism 100 provided in this application uses a filling space 112 to tightly encapsulate the internal first phase change material 12, preventing leakage of unvaporized or incompletely vaporized liquid. The airflow channel between the sealed space 113, which is not filled by the first phase change material, and adjacent cells can improve heat dissipation efficiency through heat exchange with the first phase change material 12. When the phase change material undergoes an endothermic phase change, the liquid vaporizes to produce gas, which has expansion characteristics. The first protective plate 101 provides sufficient buffer space to prevent leakage. The cooling mechanism 100 of this application provides a pressure relief path. Through defect encapsulation or low-medium-high temperature gradient solder paste welding, the volume change is buffered first, and then the fully vaporized first phase change material 12 is released directionally to the pressure relief chamber 21 of the second protective plate 20, which can prevent leakage and reduce the temperature and concentration of flammable gas released by the cell during thermal runaway. When the cell undergoes thermal runaway and causes volume expansion, the first protective plate 101 with the sealed space 113 can prevent the first shell 11 from being prematurely damaged and broken due to compression by adjacent cells, and prevent leakage from causing accidents such as cell short circuits. On the other hand, when the pressure in the pressure relief chamber 21 in the second protective plate 20 reaches its limit, the gaseous first phase change material 12 and the liquid second material 23 can be released to cool down the battery cell and extinguish the fire.
[0209] This application embodiment also provides a battery assembly, including multiple battery cells and the aforementioned protective plate structure 10; or the aforementioned cooling mechanism 100. The multiple battery cells are arranged sequentially, with a first protective plate 101 disposed between adjacent battery cells, and a second protective plate 20 disposed on one side of the multiple battery cells.
[0210] Given that the battery assembly in this embodiment includes the cooling mechanism 100 described in any of the above embodiments, the structure and beneficial effects of the cooling mechanism 100 in the battery assembly will not be described in detail here.
[0211] This application also provides a battery pack, including the battery components described above.
[0212] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide an electrical device, including the aforementioned battery assembly or battery pack. The electrical device further includes an electrical appliance. The battery assembly or battery pack is used to provide electrical energy to the electrical appliance.
[0213] The electrical equipment in this application embodiment can be a vehicle, such as a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle, and a new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a range-extended electric vehicle, etc. Accordingly, the electrical device can be the vehicle's drive mechanism or the vehicle's control system.
[0214] In addition, electrical equipment can also serve as other energy storage devices, such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric toys, power tools, ships, and spacecraft. Among these, spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, or spacecraft.
[0215] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.
[0216] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.
[0217] It should be readily understood that the terms “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this application should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on top of something” but also “on top of something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).
[0218] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90° or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
[0219] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. A protective panel structure, characterized in that, include: The first housing (11) is disposed between adjacent cells in the battery assembly and has an internal accommodating space (111). The accommodating space (111) is provided with a first encapsulation part (13) to divide the accommodating space (111) into a filling space (112) and a sealed space (113). The first phase change material (12) is filled in the filling space (112); The first encapsulation part (13) can be opened when subjected to a first preset temperature or a first preset pressure, so that the first phase change material (12) in the filling space (112) fills the sealed space (113) through it, so that the filling space (112) and the sealed space (113) form an expansion space for the first phase change material (12).
2. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first pressure relief area (131) is formed on the first encapsulation part (13), and the first pressure relief area (131) is used to open when subjected to the first preset temperature or the first preset pressure.
3. The protective plate structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first pressure relief area (131) is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the first encapsulation portion (13); and / or the first pressure relief area (131) is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the first encapsulation portion (13); and / or the first pressure relief area (131) is formed by sealing the first encapsulation portion (13) with first solder paste.
4. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealed space (113) is located outside the filled space (112).
5. The protective plate structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first housing (11) is provided with a second pressure relief area (141) at the encapsulation point. The second pressure relief area (141) is used to open when subjected to a second preset temperature or a second preset pressure to release the first phase change material (12). The second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature, and the second preset pressure is greater than the first preset pressure.
6. The protective plate structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first housing (11) is encapsulated by the second encapsulation part (14) to form the accommodating space (111), and the second pressure relief area (141) is provided on the second encapsulation part (14).
7. The protective plate structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second pressure relief area (141) is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the second encapsulation portion (14); and / or the second pressure relief area (141) is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the second encapsulation portion (14); and / or the second pressure relief area (141) is formed by the second solder paste that seals the second encapsulation portion (14).
8. The protective plate structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the second pressure relief zone (141) includes at least one of the following: U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped.
9. The protective plate structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first pressure relief area (131) is formed by the first solder paste that seals the first encapsulation part (13), and the second pressure relief area (141) is formed by the second solder paste that seals the second encapsulation part (14). The melting point of the first solder paste is lower than that of the second solder paste.
10. The protective plate structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The melting point range of the first solder paste is 60℃ to 120℃, and / or the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120℃ to 200℃.
11. The protective plate structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first solder paste and the second solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
12. The protective plate structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The strength of the first pressure relief zone (131) is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone (141).
13. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective panel structure also includes a base material (122), which is disposed in the accommodating space (111).
14. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first phase change material (12) includes at least one of water, fluorinated liquid, silicone oil, silica sol, aluminum sol, zirconium sol, silica-alumina sol, silica-zirconium sol, aluminum-zirconium sol, silica-alumina-zirconium sol, paraffin wax, calcium chloride hexahydrate solution, sodium sulfate decahydrate solution, barium hydroxide octahydrate solution, or magnesium chloride hexahydrate solution.
15. The protective plate structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, The base material (122) includes at least one of aerogel, glass fiber, zirconia fiber, mullite fiber, silica fiber, alumina fiber, rock wool, aluminum silicate fiber, or pre-oxidized fiber.
16. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective plate structure has a thickness of L1 at the filling space (112), and L1 satisfies: 0.5mm≤L1≤6mm.
17. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the protective plate structure forming the sealed space (113) is L2, and L2 satisfies: 0.05mm≤L2≤0.5mm.
18. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first housing (11) includes at least one of aluminum-plastic film, polymer film and metal film.
19. The protective plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the first shell (11) is L3, and L3 satisfies: 0.02mm≤L3≤0.25mm.
20. A cooling mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a first protective plate (101) and a second protective plate (20); the first protective plate (101) is the protective plate structure (10) as described in any one of claims 1-19.
21. The cooling mechanism according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second protective plate (20) is provided with a pressure relief chamber (21), and one end of the first protective plate (101) is located in the pressure relief chamber (21).
22. The cooling mechanism according to claim 21, characterized in that, The shape of the pressure relief chamber (21) includes at least one of hemispherical, U-shaped, and conical shapes.
23. The cooling mechanism according to claim 21, characterized in that, A first pressure relief area (131) is formed on the first encapsulation part (13), which is used to open when subjected to the first preset temperature or the first preset pressure. A second pressure relief area (141) is provided at one end of the first housing (11), and the second pressure relief area (141) is housed in the pressure relief cavity (21).
24. The cooling mechanism according to claim 23, characterized in that, The second protective plate (20) includes a second housing (22) and a second material (23) filled in the second housing (22), and the pressure relief cavity (21) is provided on the second housing (22).
25. The cooling mechanism according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second housing (22) is provided with a third pressure relief area (241) at the encapsulation point. The third pressure relief area (241) is used to open when subjected to a third preset temperature or a third preset pressure to release the second material (23).
26. The cooling mechanism according to claim 25, characterized in that, The third pressure relief zone (241) is located at the opening of the pressure relief chamber (21).
27. The cooling mechanism according to claim 25, characterized in that, The second housing (22) is encapsulated by a third encapsulation part (24) to fill the second material (23), and the third pressure relief area (241) is provided on the third encapsulation part (24).
28. The cooling mechanism according to claim 27, characterized in that, The third pressure relief area (241) is formed by reducing the thickness of a portion of the third encapsulation portion (24); and / or the third pressure relief area (241) is formed by reducing the width of a portion of the third encapsulation portion (24); and / or the third pressure relief area (241) is formed by a third solder paste sealing the third encapsulation portion (24).
29. The cooling mechanism according to claim 28, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the third pressure relief zone (241) includes at least one of the following: U-shaped, V-shaped, and M-shaped.
30. The cooling mechanism according to claim 27, characterized in that, The first pressure relief area (131) is formed by the first solder paste that seals the first package (13), the second pressure relief area (141) is formed by the second solder paste that seals the first housing (11), and the third pressure relief area (241) is formed by the third solder paste that seals the third package (24). The melting point of the first solder paste is lower than the melting point of the second solder paste, and the melting point of the second solder paste is lower than the melting point of the third solder paste.
31. The cooling mechanism according to claim 30, characterized in that, The melting point range of the first solder paste is 60℃~120℃, and / or the melting point range of the second solder paste is 120℃~200℃, and / or the melting point range of the third solder paste is 200℃~350℃.
32. The cooling mechanism according to claim 30, characterized in that, The first solder paste, the second solder paste, and the third solder paste include at least one of Sn-Pb-based, Sn-Ag-based, Sn-Cu-based, Sn-Bi-based, Sn-Zn-based, and Sn-Ag-Cu-based solder pastes.
33. The cooling mechanism according to claim 27, characterized in that, The strength of the first pressure relief zone (131) is less than the strength of the second pressure relief zone (141), and the strength of the second pressure relief zone (141) is less than the strength of the third pressure relief zone (241).
34. The cooling mechanism according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second material (23) includes at least one of fire extinguishing material, insulating material, heat absorbing material, and heat conducting material.
35. The cooling mechanism according to claim 20, characterized in that, The thickness of the second protective plate (20) is L4, and L4 satisfies: 5mm≤L4≤35mm.
36. The cooling mechanism according to any one of claims 20-35, characterized in that, The thermal conductivity of the first protective plate (101) is greater than that of the second protective plate (20).
37. A battery assembly, characterized in that, It includes multiple battery cells and a protective plate structure (10) as described in any one of claims 1-19; or a cooling mechanism (100) as described in any one of claims 20-36.
38. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the battery assembly as described in claim 37.
39. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, This includes the battery assembly as described in claim 37, or the battery pack as described in claim 38.