Battery modules and battery packs

Abstract

This application relates to a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module includes: multiple individual battery cells stacked along a first direction, where the first direction is the thickness direction of the individual battery cells; a buffer or a heat insulation component connecting adjacent two individual battery cells, and the buffer and the heat insulation component are alternately arranged along the first direction; wherein the thickness of the heat insulation component is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer. The buffer and heat insulation components in this battery module can compensate for each other's shortcomings, achieving both good heat insulation and buffering effects simultaneously, improving structural stability, reducing space occupation, and increasing the overall space utilization of the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power battery thermal management technology, and in particular to a battery module and battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] Power battery thermal management is a core technology for ensuring the safe, efficient, and long-life operation of power battery packs in electric and hybrid vehicles. Its main objective is to control the battery's operating temperature within the optimal range and ensure uniform temperature distribution within the battery pack.

[0003] Thermal runaway in a battery typically occurs when a single cell experiences thermal runaway, causing heat to rapidly spread to adjacent cells, eventually leading to thermal runaway of the entire battery module.

[0004] Currently, battery modules typically use relatively simple materials to prevent heat diffusion between internal cells, such as flame-retardant foam or aerogel between adjacent cells. While flame-retardant foam can provide some insulation, its insulation performance is limited and it is prone to aging in high-temperature environments; while aerogel is relatively thick, significantly reducing the overall space utilization of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present application provides a battery module and battery pack to solve at least one problem existing in the background art, which can simultaneously achieve better heat insulation and buffering effects.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a battery module, the battery module comprising: A single battery cell, wherein multiple single battery cells are stacked along a first direction, wherein the first direction is the thickness direction of the single battery cell; The buffer and the heat insulation are provided, with the buffer or the heat insulation being connected between two adjacent individual cells, and the buffer and the heat insulation are arranged alternately along the first direction; The thickness of the heat insulation component is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer component.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the thickness of the single battery cell is denoted as H1, the thickness of the buffer is denoted as H2, and the thickness range of the buffer is from H1*3%+0.4mm to H1*5%+0.4mm.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the thickness of the heat insulation element is denoted as H3, and the thickness range of the heat insulation element is from H2+1.5mm to H2+4.5mm.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the buffer is silicone foam with a compression rate of 30% or higher; and the heat insulation element is an aerogel composite pad.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an alternative embodiment, the thermal insulation member includes: Thermal insulation core material; An encapsulating film is used to cover the surface of the heat-insulating core material; The frame is adapted to the heat insulation core material, the frame covers the periphery of the heat insulation core material, and forms a sealed connection with the encapsulating film.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the encapsulating film material is vacuum-sealed after being wrapped with the heat-insulating core material.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the heat insulation core material is made of nano-aerogel; the frame material is made of silicone rubber, and the silicone rubber has a temperature resistance of -40℃ to 200℃.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, both the buffer and the heat insulation are bonded to the individual battery cells; along the first direction, at least two partially adjacent individual battery cells are bonded together with either the buffer or the heat insulation.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect of this application, in an optional embodiment, the battery module further includes double-sided adhesive, which is adhered between the heat insulation component and the individual battery cell, and between the buffer component and the individual battery cell; The double-sided adhesive is at least attached to the side of the individual battery cell closest to the buffer or the heat insulation component along the first direction.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack, including the battery module according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0016] The battery module provided in this application embodiment has a buffer or heat insulation component connected between two adjacent individual cells. The buffer and heat insulation components are arranged alternately, and the thickness of the heat insulation component is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer. The buffer and heat insulation components can compensate for each other's shortcomings, and can achieve good heat insulation and buffering effects at the same time, improve structural stability, reduce space occupation, and improve the space utilization rate of the whole pack.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the heat insulation component in the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view at point AA; Figure 5 An exploded view of the heat insulation component in the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the structure of the buffer component, double-sided adhesive, and single battery cell in the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the structure of the heat insulation component, double-sided adhesive, and individual battery cell in the battery module provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Figure label: 10. Battery module; X, first direction; 11. Single battery cell; 12. Buffer; 121. Silicone foam; 13. Thermal insulation; 131. Aerogel composite pad; 132. Thermal insulation core material; 133. Encapsulation film; 134. Frame; 14. Double-sided adhesive. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the technical solution and beneficial effects of this utility model more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below by listing specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show the details of the local features; unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those in the technical field to which this application pertains.

[0021] In the description of this utility model, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "height", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of simplifying the description of this utility model and do not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. In other words, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0022] In this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating the relative importance of the indicated features or the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" can explicitly indicate that at least one of those features is included. In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc.; "several" means at least one, such as one, two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "above," "on top of," "above," "over," "below," "below," "below," or "below" for "first feature above second feature" can refer to direct contact between the first and second features, or indirect contact between the first and second features through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "above," and "over" for "first feature above second feature" can mean the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than the horizontal height of the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "below" for "first feature below second feature" can mean the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.

[0025] This application provides a battery module 10, please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery module 10 includes a buffer 12, a heat insulation component 13, and multiple individual battery cells 11.

[0026] Among them, multiple individual battery cells 11 are arranged along the first direction X (that is, Figure 2 As shown by the arrow X in the diagram, the cells are stacked in a layered configuration. In this embodiment, the first direction X represents the thickness direction of a single battery cell 11. A buffer 12 or a heat insulation component 13 connects two adjacent single battery cells 11, and the buffer 12 and heat insulation component 13 are arranged alternately in the first direction X. The thickness of the heat insulation component 13 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer 12. The thicknesses of the heat insulation component 13 and the buffer 12 are their compressed thicknesses, representing the thickness of the battery module installed in the battery pack. If expansion occurs during the cycling process of a single battery cell 11, the thicknesses of the heat insulation component 13 and the buffer 12 can be their average thickness.

[0027] In this embodiment, the buffer 12 provides elastic support and acts as a buffer, absorbing stress generated by cell expansion. The thermal insulation 13 effectively blocks heat conduction, ensuring thermal insulation between cells. The thickness of the thermal insulation 13 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer 12, increasing the priority of thermal runaway suppression and ensuring thermal insulation. Furthermore, even if the buffer collapses at high temperatures, the thermal insulation maintains its intact thermal resistance structure. If the thickness of the thermal insulation 13 is less than or equal to the thickness of the buffer 12, the expansion of a single cell will preferentially compress the thermal insulation, leading to thermal insulation layer breakage and increased risk.

[0028] The above battery module 10, buffer 12 or heat insulation 13 is connected between two adjacent single cells 11 and arranged alternately. Buffer 12 and heat insulation 13 can compensate for each other's shortcomings and achieve good heat insulation and buffering effects at the same time, improve structural stability, and avoid setting buffer 12 and heat insulation 13 on two adjacent single cells 11 at the same time, reduce the space occupied, improve the space utilization of the whole pack, and at the same time, reduce the amount of buffer 12 and heat insulation 13 used, thus reducing costs.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the single cell 11 is denoted as H1 (i.e., Figure 2 The thickness of the buffer 12, as shown in the figure (H1), is denoted as H2 (that is, H1). Figure 2 As shown in the diagram (H2), the thickness of the buffer 12 ranges from H1*3%+0.4mm to H1*5%+0.4mm. The buffer 12 within this thickness range provides good cushioning and elastic support, absorbing the stress generated by the expansion of the battery cell and ensuring the structural stability of the individual battery cell 11. Through accurate design of the buffer 12 and the thickness of the individual battery cell, the transmission of expansion force to the casing is avoided, as is insufficient rebound of the buffer.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the heat insulation element 13 is denoted as H3 (that is, Figure 2As shown in the figure (H3), the thickness of the heat insulation element 13 ranges from H2+1.5mm to H2+4.5mm. The thickness range of the heat insulation element 13 provided in this application embodiment can ensure the heat insulation effect while taking into account cost-effectiveness.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the buffer 12 is silicone foam 121 with a compression ratio greater than or equal to 30%. In this case, the stress relaxation rate is less than 5%, thus ensuring that the expansion force meets safety requirements throughout its lifespan. The thermal insulation element 13 is an aerogel composite pad 131.

[0032] This application embodiment utilizes alternating arrangements of silicone foam 121 and aerogel composite pad 131, which can improve space utilization while ensuring heat insulation effect. It can compensate for the defects of limited heat insulation performance and easy aging under high temperature environment when silicone foam 121 is connected alone to the single cell 11. At the same time, it can compensate for the defects of thick processing size, high brittleness and easy edge wear when aerogel composite pad 131 is connected alone to the single cell 11.

[0033] The aerogel composite pad 131 has high thermal resistance, which can block the main heat conduction path between individual battery cells 11. The silicone foam 121 has low thermal conductivity, which can supplement the expansion space of the individual battery cells 11. The alternating arrangement of the aerogel composite pad 131 and the silicone foam 121 can improve the energy density and structural strength of the battery module 10, and can avoid the accumulation of local hot spots caused by using only the aerogel composite pad 131, thereby improving the overall temperature uniformity of the battery module 10.

[0034] The compression ratio of the silicone foam 121 is greater than or equal to 30%. Silicone foam 121 with a compression ratio within this range can effectively absorb the stress generated during the cyclic expansion of the individual battery cell 11, reducing the risk of casing deformation and compensating for the brittleness of using the aerogel composite pad 131 alone. Furthermore, the alternating arrangement of silicone foam 121 and aerogel composite pad 131 can also compensate for the brittleness of the aerogel composite pad 131.

[0035] By alternating the arrangement of silicone foam 121 and aerogel composite pad 131 in this embodiment, the amount of aerogel composite pad 131 used can be reduced, which greatly reduces the overall manufacturing cost of the battery module 10.

[0036] The aerogel composite pad 131 in this embodiment is made using a polymer compression aerogel process, which saves 30% energy compared to the transmission sintering method and can enhance the strength of the aerogel composite pad 131.

[0037] In one alternative embodiment, please refer to Figures 2 to 5The heat insulation component 13 includes a heat insulation core material 132, an encapsulating film 133, and a frame 134. The encapsulating film 133 covers the surface of the heat insulation core material 132, and the frame 134 is adapted to the heat insulation core material 132, covering the periphery of the heat insulation core material 132 and forming a sealed connection with the encapsulating film 133.

[0038] By using the frame 134 to cover the periphery of the heat insulation core material 132 and sealing it with the encapsulating film 133, the aerogel composite pad 131 can be prevented from breaking due to vibration or long-term compression, and the edges can also be prevented from wearing out.

[0039] The thickness of the heat insulation core material 132 in this embodiment can be adjusted appropriately according to the energy density of the battery cell. If the energy density of the battery cell needs to be higher, the thickness of the heat insulation core material 132 is increased; conversely, if the energy density requirement of the battery cell is lower, the thickness of the heat insulation core material 132 is decreased.

[0040] The molding steps of the heat insulation component 13 include: first, placing the heat insulation core material 132 in the center of the frame 134 and covering both sides with the encapsulating film 133; then, after pasting the encapsulating film 133 to the frame 134, performing vacuum treatment; finally, sealing the encapsulating film 133 with the frame 134 by hot pressing; and finally, applying the die-cut double-sided adhesive tape 14.

[0041] In one optional embodiment, the thermal insulation core material 132 is made of nano-aerogel. The frame 134 is made of silicone rubber, which has a temperature resistance of -40℃ to 200℃. The temperature resistance of the silicone rubber can cover the thermal runaway temperature window of the battery cell, preventing the aerogel from pulverizing and failing at high temperatures.

[0042] The flexible silicone rubber frame 134 can fit tightly against the rigid battery cell housing, greatly reducing the risk of the aerogel composite pad 131 breaking due to vibration. The silicone rubber frame 134 wrapping the aerogel composite pad 131 can greatly reduce the risk of fragments puncturing the encapsulation membrane 133, reducing the probability of short circuits by more than 90% compared to traditional heat insulation components 13 without a frame 134.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, both the buffer 12 and the heat insulation 13 are bonded to the individual battery cells 11. In the first direction X, at least some adjacent individual battery cells 11 are bonded together with a buffer 12 or a heat insulation 13. It is understood that buffers 12 or heat insulation 13 are provided between all adjacent pairs of individual battery cells 11 in the battery module 10; or, buffers 12 or heat insulation 13 are provided between some adjacent pairs of individual battery cells 11 in the battery module 10 to further reduce costs, which is not limited in this application.

[0044] In one alternative embodiment, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7The battery module 10 also includes double-sided adhesive 14, which is attached between the heat insulation component 13 and the individual battery cell 11, and between the buffer component 12 and the individual battery cell 11.

[0045] Double-sided adhesive 14 is applied to at least one side of the individual battery cell 11 along the first direction X, near the buffer member 12 or the heat insulation member 13. It is understood that, in the first direction X, double-sided adhesive 14 is applied to both sides of the heat insulation member 13, and the double-sided adhesive 14 on both sides of the heat insulation member 13 is adhered to the surfaces of two adjacent individual battery cells 11. Alternatively, double-sided adhesive 14 may be applied only to one side of the heat insulation member 13, connecting the heat insulation member 13 to the individual battery cell 11. Similarly, the buffer member 12 is also applied with double-sided adhesive 14 on both sides in the first direction X, adhering to the surfaces of two adjacent individual battery cells 11. Alternatively, double-sided adhesive 14 may be applied only to one side of the buffer member 12, connecting the buffer member 12 to the individual battery cell 11.

[0046] This application also provides a battery pack, including the battery module provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0047] It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to encompass all possible implementations included in the claims. Various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the various technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form other embodiments of this application that may not be explicitly described. Therefore, the above embodiments only illustrate several implementations of this application and do not limit the scope of protection of this patent application.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, The battery module (10) includes: A single battery cell (11), wherein multiple single battery cells (11) are stacked along a first direction (X), wherein the first direction (X) is the thickness direction of the single battery cell (11); A buffer (12) and a heat insulation (13) are provided, with the buffer (12) or the heat insulation (13) connecting two adjacent individual cells (11), and the buffer (12) and the heat insulation (13) are arranged alternately along the first direction (X); The thickness of the heat insulation component (13) is greater than or equal to the thickness of the buffer component (12).

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the single cell (11) is denoted as H1, the thickness of the buffer (12) is denoted as H2, and the thickness range of the buffer (12) is from H1*3%+0.4mm to H1*5%+0.4mm.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The thickness of the heat insulation component (13) is denoted as H3, and the thickness range of the heat insulation component (13) is from H2+1.5mm to H2+4.5mm.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer (12) is a silicone foam (121), and the compression rate of the silicone foam (121) is ≥30%; the heat insulation (13) is an aerogel composite pad (131).

5. The battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heat insulation element (13) includes: Thermal insulation core material (132); An encapsulating film (133) is applied to the surface of the heat-insulating core material (132); The frame (134) is adapted to the heat insulation core material (132), the frame (134) covers the periphery of the heat insulation core material (132) and forms a sealed connection with the encapsulating film material (133).

6. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The encapsulating film (133) and the heat insulation core material (132) are wrapped together and then vacuumed.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The heat insulation core material (132) is made of nano-aerogel; the frame (134) is made of silicone rubber, and the temperature resistance of the silicone rubber is -40℃ to 200℃.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the buffer (12) and the heat insulation (13) are bonded to the single cell (11); along the first direction (X), at least two adjacent single cells (11) are bonded to each other with the buffer (12) or the heat insulation (13).

9. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The battery module (10) also includes double-sided adhesive (14), which is attached between the heat insulation component (13) and the single cell (11), and between the buffer component (12) and the single cell (11); The double-sided adhesive (14) is at least attached to the side of the single cell (11) along the first direction (X) near the buffer (12) or the heat insulation member (13).

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

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