Battery modules, battery packs and vehicles

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a vehicle. The battery module includes multiple battery cells, each battery cell having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal of one of two adjacent battery cells and the negative terminal of the other are connected by a busbar. The busbar is made of copper. A transition structure is provided between the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal and the busbar, which is used to convert the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal into copper connection terminals. The battery module provided by this disclosure, by using a copper busbar with higher conductivity and by using a transition structure to convert the terminals into copper connection terminals before integrating them with the busbar, is beneficial for improving the current carrying capacity of the busbar under limited layout space, and meeting the ever-increasing charging current requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to new energy vehicle technology, and in particular to a battery module, battery pack and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of new energy technologies, the charging speed of power batteries has become a focal point of competition. As charging speed increases, the charging current also increases, placing higher demands on the overcurrent capacity of the current conduction circuit in the high-voltage circuit. Currently, most current conduction circuits inside power batteries are made of pure aluminum. However, due to limitations in space arrangement and conductivity, pure aluminum-based current conduction circuits cannot meet the ever-increasing charging current requirements. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, this disclosure provides a battery module, battery pack, or vehicle.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module is provided, including a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell being provided with a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal of one of two adjacent battery cells and the negative terminal of the other are connected by a busbar, wherein the busbar is made of copper, and a transition structure is provided between the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal and the busbar, the transition structure being used to transition the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal to a copper connection terminal.

[0005] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure can include the following beneficial effects: In the battery module provided by this disclosure, the busbar between two adjacent battery cells is made of copper, and a transition structure is provided between the terminal of the battery cell and the busbar. The transition structure is used to convert the terminal to a copper connection end. That is, the battery module provided by this disclosure, by using a copper busbar with higher conductivity and using a transition structure to convert the terminal to a copper connection end before integrating it with the busbar, is beneficial for improving the current carrying capacity of the busbar under limited layout space, thus meeting the ever-increasing charging current requirements.

[0006] In some possible implementations, one of the positive and negative terminals is made of the same material as the busbar, while the other is made of a different material. The transition structure is positioned between the terminal made of a different material and the busbar. This structural design allows for the selection of more suitable materials for different terminal requirements while retaining the high conductivity advantage of copper busbars.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the negative terminal is a copper terminal and the positive terminal is an aluminum terminal. This structure can fully utilize the advantages of low contact resistance and high conductivity when the copper terminal is directly connected to the busbar, while solving the problem of high contact resistance between dissimilar metals through an adapter structure for the aluminum positive terminal. This ensures excellent conductivity for both the positive and negative terminals and the busbar connection while maintaining a lightweight design for the positive terminal.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the adapter structure includes an adapter plate disposed on the positive terminal, the adapter plate being made of copper. Utilizing the large surface area of ​​the plate structure, the conductive contact area between the adapter structure and the busbar can be increased, reducing contact resistance and improving current transmission efficiency.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the positive terminal post is provided with a recess, the adapter piece is accommodated in the recess, and the adapter piece protrudes from the upper surface of the positive terminal post. By providing a recess in the positive terminal post to accommodate the adapter piece and making it protrude from the upper surface, the recess is used to achieve stable positioning of the adapter piece and the positive terminal post, reducing assembly deviations. Furthermore, by making the adapter piece protrude from the upper surface of the positive terminal post, it is beneficial to increase the conductive contact area and reduce the contact resistance.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the busbar includes a busbar body, with connecting portions at both ends. These connecting portions are respectively used for welding to the adapter plate on the negative terminal and the positive terminal. The thickness of the busbar body is greater than the thickness of the connecting portions. This greater thickness of the busbar body reduces resistance and increases high-current carrying capacity, while the thinner connecting portions optimize welding process compatibility, reduce melt loss and stress concentration, achieving a balance between conductivity and welding reliability.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the thickness of the connector is less than or equal to 1 mm, and / or the thickness of the bus body is less than or equal to 3 mm. This allows the thickness of the connector to be within a suitable range, facilitating rapid and reliable welding, while a suitable thickness of the bus body helps reduce resistance and improve high-current carrying capacity.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the battery cell includes two wide faces opposite each other in the thickness direction and two narrow faces opposite each other in the length direction, with adjacent battery cells grouped together with the narrow faces facing each other, wherein the positive terminal and the negative terminal on each battery cell are spaced apart along the length direction on the top surface of the battery cell.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising a battery module including any one of the above.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided that includes a battery pack comprising any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of a single battery cell.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the diagram.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a bus structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0023] 1-Battery cell, 101-Wide surface, 102-Narrow surface, 11-Positive electrode post, 111-Submersible groove, 12-Negative electrode post, 13-Adapter structure, 131-Adapter piece, 2-Busbar, 21-Busbar body, 22-Connecting part, 221-Welding groove. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0025] It should be noted that all actions involving the acquisition of signals, information, or data in this disclosure are carried out in compliance with the relevant data protection laws and policies of the country where the location is situated, and with authorization from the owner of the relevant device.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this disclosure provides a battery module through an exemplary embodiment. This battery module is suitable for pure electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles, thereby supplying power to the drive motor or other electrical equipment on the vehicle. Specifically, the battery module provided in this disclosure includes multiple battery cells 1, each battery cell 1 being provided with a positive terminal 11 and a negative terminal 12. The positive terminal 11 of one of two adjacent battery cells 1 and the negative terminal 12 of the other are connected via a busbar 2. The busbar 2 is made of copper, and a transition structure 13 is provided between the positive terminal 11 and / or the negative terminal 12 and the busbar 2. The transition structure 13 is used to convert the positive terminal 11 and / or the negative terminal 12 into copper connection terminals.

[0027] In related technologies, busbar 2 is often made of pure aluminum, for example, 1-series pure aluminum. For example... Figure 1 The battery cell 1 shown is arranged in a certain direction. The width of the aluminum busbar is limited by the thickness of the battery cell 1. The current carrying capacity can only be improved by increasing the thickness of the aluminum busbar. At the same time, it is limited by the aluminum busbar welding process and processing technology. Therefore, the busbar scheme based on the aluminum busbar has an upper limit on the current carrying capacity it can meet, considering the limitation of the current carrying cross-sectional area and the conductivity of the material itself. It can only be applied to scenarios with low current carrying requirements.

[0028] To address the aforementioned technical issues, the battery module disclosed herein includes a busbar 2 made of copper between two adjacent battery cells 1. A transition structure 13 is provided between the terminal of the battery cell 1 and the busbar 2. This transition structure 13 is used to convert the terminal to a copper connector. Compared to aluminum, copper has a conductivity 1.7 times higher. Therefore, a busbar made of pure copper provides higher conductivity. Furthermore, using the transition structure 13 to convert the terminal to a copper connector before integrating it with the busbar 2 reduces the resistance after the connection between the terminal and the busbar 2. Here, "transition" refers to the ability of the transition structure 13 to convert the connector of the terminal to the busbar 2, regardless of the material of the positive terminal 11 and negative terminal 12, to copper. The connector is the part of the terminal used for welding to the busbar 2.

[0029] Unlike aluminum busbars, which require increasing their thickness to improve current carrying capacity, the battery module disclosed in this invention, by combining changes in the material of the busbar 2 and its integration direction with the battery cell 1, achieves improved current carrying capacity without increasing the thickness of the busbar 2. This is advantageous in situations with limited space, as it enhances the current carrying capacity of the busbar 2 to meet the ever-increasing charging current requirements. The current carrying capacity I of the copper-based busbar 2 satisfies I / H ≤ 8.5*L1, where H is the thickness of the busbar 2 and L1 is the width of the busbar 2. Considering that the thickness of the battery cell 1 is generally 40mm~47mm, the I / H ranges from 289 to 348. A value that is too small will limit the capacity of the battery cell 1, while a value that is too large will limit the overall voltage of the battery pack.

[0030] In some possible implementations, one of the positive terminal 11 and the negative terminal 12 is made of the same material as bus 2, i.e., copper, while the other is made of a different material. Depending on the actual needs, the copper terminal can serve as either the positive terminal 11 or the negative terminal 12. The adapter structure 13 is positioned between a terminal made of a different material than bus 2 and bus 2. This structural design retains the high conductivity advantage of the copper bus 2 while allowing for the selection of different terminal materials to match more suitable materials to the functional requirements of different terminals. It also avoids repeatedly setting the adapter structure 13 for terminals of the same material, effectively simplifying the module structure and reducing material costs and assembly complexity while ensuring a reliable electrical connection between bus 2 and the terminal.

[0031] In embodiments where one of the positive terminal 11 and the negative terminal 12 is made of the same material as the busbar 2, and the other is made of a different material, the negative terminal 12 can optionally be made of copper, and the positive terminal 11 can be made of aluminum. This structure fully utilizes the advantages of low contact resistance and high conductivity when the copper terminal is directly connected to the busbar. Meanwhile, for the aluminum positive terminal 11, the adapter structure 13 solves the problem of high contact resistance between dissimilar metals. While ensuring the lightweight design of the positive terminal 11, it also ensures excellent conductivity in the connection between the positive and negative terminals and the busbar 2. This approach leverages the weight and cost advantages of aluminum in the positive terminal 11, and compensates for the performance disadvantages of direct aluminum-copper connection through the adapter structure 13. This allows the battery module to meet the high-current charging requirements while achieving an optimized balance between weight, cost, and conductivity, making it suitable for fields such as new energy vehicles that require both lightweight design and high power output.

[0032] In some possible implementations, reference may also be made to Figure 3 and Figure 4The adapter structure 13 includes an adapter piece 131 disposed on the positive terminal 11, which is made of copper. Utilizing the large surface area of ​​the sheet structure, the conductive contact area between the adapter structure 13 and the busbar 2 can be increased, reducing contact resistance and improving current transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the sheet shape also has the advantage of flexible adaptation, facilitating welding with the busbar 2 in a compact space, thereby improving assembly efficiency and structural compactness.

[0033] The positive terminal 11 has a recessed groove 111, and the adapter piece 131 is housed in the recessed groove 111, with the adapter piece 131 protruding from the upper surface of the positive terminal 11. By providing the recessed groove 111 in the positive terminal 11 to house the adapter piece 131 and making it protrude from the upper surface, the recessed groove 111 achieves stable positioning of the adapter piece 131 and the positive terminal 11, reducing assembly deviations. Furthermore, by making the adapter piece 131 protrude from the upper surface of the positive terminal 11, it is beneficial to increase the conductive contact area and reduce contact resistance. The adapter piece 131 can be connected to the positive terminal 11, for example, by laser welding or ultrasonic welding. The thickness of the adapter piece 131 can be greater than or equal to 1 mm, which facilitates fast and reliable welding.

[0034] In some embodiments, the busbar 2 includes a busbar body 21, with connecting portions 22 at both ends of the busbar body 21. The two connecting portions 22 are respectively used for welding connections to the adapter pieces 131 on the negative terminal 12 and the positive terminal 11. The connecting portions 22 can be connected to the terminals using laser welding or ultrasonic welding, and multiple welding grooves 221 can be spaced apart on the connecting portions 22. The thickness of the busbar body 21 is greater than the thickness of the connecting portions 22. This design allows for reduced resistance and increased high-current carrying capacity through the thicker busbar body 21, while the thinner connecting portions 22 optimize welding process compatibility, reduce melt loss and stress concentration, achieving a balance between conductivity and welding reliability.

[0035] The thickness of the connecting portion 22 is less than or equal to 1 mm. Considering the welding process, the high melting point of copper allows for fast and reliable welding when the thickness of the connecting portion 22 is within a suitable range. Furthermore, the thickness of the bus body 21 is less than or equal to 3 mm, which helps to reduce resistance and improve the high current carrying capacity.

[0036] The current-carrying capacity I of the busbar 2, made of copper, satisfies I / H ≤ 8.5*L1. Considering that the thickness of the battery cell 1 is generally 40mm~47mm, the I / H range is 289~348. Furthermore, by adding 0.1% graphene or 0.01% rare earth materials to the copper material, the conductivity of the copper material can be increased to about twice that of aluminum, further improving the current-carrying capacity of the busbar 2. Considering that the thickness of the battery cell 1 is generally 40mm~47mm, the I / H range is 340~410.

[0037] Multiple battery cells 1 can be grouped in any way that optimizes space utilization. In some possible implementations, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the battery cell 1 includes two wide surfaces 101 opposite each other in the thickness direction and two narrow surfaces 102 opposite each other in the length direction. Adjacent battery cells 1 are grouped together with narrow surfaces 102 facing each other. The positive terminal 11 and negative terminal 12 on each battery cell 1 are spaced apart along the length direction on the top surface of the battery cell 1. This ensures that after adjacent battery cells 1 are grouped together with their narrow surfaces facing each other, the negative terminal 12 of the previous battery cell 1 is closer to the positive terminal 11 of the next battery cell 1. Thus, without the need for additional adjustment of the spacing between the positive and negative terminals, the busbar 2 can connect the positive and negative terminals with the shortest path, and the length of the busbar 2 can be shortened, further saving internal space of the battery module.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is also provided, which includes the battery module of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and has all of its beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated here.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, including the battery pack of any of the above.

[0040] In the above detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific aspects of this disclosure by way of illustration. In this regard, terms indicating direction or positional relationship, such as “center,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential,” are used with reference to the orientation of the described figures. Since components of the described device can be positioned in multiple different orientations, directional terms are used for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. It should be understood that other aspects can be utilized and structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the concept of this disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting.

[0041] It should be understood that, unless otherwise specifically indicated, features of various embodiments of this disclosure described herein can be combined with each other. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any one of the relevant listed items and any combination of any two or more; similarly, “at least one of…” includes any one of the relevant listed items and any combination of any two or more.

[0042] It should be understood that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "joining," "attaching," "installing," "connecting," "linking," "fixing," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms herein based on the specific circumstances.

[0043] Furthermore, the term "above" as used herein with respect to components, elements, or material layers formed or located "above" a surface may be used to indicate that the component, element, or material layer is "indirectly" positioned (e.g., placed, formed, deposited, etc.) on the surface such that one or more additional components, elements, or layers are arranged between the surface and the component, element, or material layer. However, the term "above" as used with respect to components, elements, or material layers formed or located "above" a surface may also optionally have a specific meaning: that the component, element, or material layer is "directly" positioned (e.g., placed, formed, deposited, etc.) on the surface, for example, in direct contact with the surface.

[0044] Although terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used herein to describe various components, parts, regions, layers, or sections, these components, parts, regions, layers, or sections are not limited to these terms. Rather, these terms are used only to distinguish one component, part, region, layer, or section from another. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein, the first component, part, region, layer, or section mentioned in the examples may also be referred to as the second component, part, region, layer, or section. Furthermore, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as “first” or “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description herein, “a plurality” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0045] It should be understood that spatial relative terms, such as “above,” “upper,” “below,” and “lower,” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element and another shown in the figures. In addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, these spatial relative terms are also intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “above” or “upper” relative to another element would be “below” or “lower” relative to that other element. Thus, depending on the spatial orientation of the device, the term “above” encompasses both above and below orientations. Devices may have other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized by, The device includes multiple battery cells, each of which is provided with a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The positive terminal of one of two adjacent battery cells and the negative terminal of the other are connected by a busbar. The busbar is made of copper. A transition structure is provided between the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal and the busbar. The transition structure is used to convert the positive terminal and / or the negative terminal into a copper connection terminal.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, One of the positive terminal and the negative terminal is made of the same material as the busbar, and the other is made of a different material than the busbar. The adapter structure is disposed between the terminal made of a different material than the busbar and the busbar.

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, The negative electrode is a copper electrode, and the positive electrode is an aluminum electrode.

4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The adapter structure includes an adapter piece disposed on the positive terminal post, and the adapter piece is made of copper.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, The positive electrode post is provided with a recessed groove, the adapter piece is accommodated in the recessed groove, and the adapter piece protrudes from the upper surface of the positive electrode post.

6. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, The busbar includes a busbar body, and connecting portions are respectively provided at both ends of the busbar body. The two connecting portions are used to weld to the adapter piece on the negative terminal and the positive terminal, respectively. The thickness of the busbar body is greater than the thickness of the connecting portions.

7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein, The thickness of the connecting part is less than or equal to 1 mm, and / or the thickness of the busbar body is less than or equal to 3 mm.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The battery cell includes two wide surfaces opposite each other in the thickness direction and two narrow surfaces opposite each other in the length direction. Adjacent battery cells are grouped together with the narrow surfaces facing each other. The positive terminal and the negative terminal on each battery cell are spaced apart along the length direction on the top surface of the battery cell.

9. A battery pack, characterized by, Includes the battery module described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: Includes the battery pack as described in claim 9.

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