A barrier plate and battery module

Abstract

The utility model belongs to battery technical field discloses a kind of barrier plate and battery module. The barrier plate includes shell and support assembly, shell includes two layers of interval arrangement outer plate, the edge of two layers the outer plate is sealed by flexible seal to form containing cavity in shell, and the containing cavity is vacuum cavity;The support assembly is set in the containing cavity, the support assembly and two layers the outer plate are all abutted to support two layers the outer plate. The barrier plate can avoid the heat generated by thermal runaway battery cell to diffuse to other battery cell and cause chain reaction, greatly reduce the risk and severity of thermal runaway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a barrier plate and a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] When a cell in a battery module experiences thermal runaway, it can easily spread to other cells, causing a series of serious chain reactions. To ensure the safety of the battery module, aerogel is placed between adjacent cells to act as a barrier. However, aerogel materials are prone to sintering and embrittlement at high temperatures (>800℃), which increases their thermal conductivity and makes it difficult to effectively block heat, leading to overall thermal runaway of the module. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to propose a barrier plate and battery module that can prevent the heat generated by a thermally runaway cell from spreading to other cells and causing a chain reaction, thereby greatly reducing the risk and severity of thermal runaway.

[0004] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A barrier plate, comprising:

[0006] The outer shell includes two spaced-apart outer plates, the edges of which are sealed by a flexible sealing element, and a receiving cavity is formed between the two outer plates, wherein the receiving cavity is a vacuum cavity;

[0007] A support assembly is disposed within the receiving cavity, and the support assembly abuts against both outer plates to support the two outer plates.

[0008] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the support assembly includes a support plate, which has a plurality of spaced through holes.

[0009] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the support assembly includes multiple single plates with the same waveform. Each single plate includes multiple spaced protrusions, and the protrusions form grooves on the other side of the single plate. The multiple single plates are arranged sequentially, and the protrusions of two adjacent single plates abut against each other. The grooves of two adjacent single plates enclose each other to form a through hole.

[0010] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the support plate is provided with a ventilation structure, which is configured to allow the plurality of through holes to communicate with each other.

[0011] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the ventilation structure comprises ventilation holes disposed on the support plate, wherein the ventilation holes connect two adjacent ventilation holes; or,

[0012] The ventilation structure is a ventilation groove provided on the support plate, and the ventilation groove connects two adjacent through holes.

[0013] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the barrier plate further includes a buffer pad, which is disposed on the side of the outer plate facing away from the receiving cavity.

[0014] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the buffer pad is annular, and the outer contour of the buffer pad extends along the outer contour of the outer plate.

[0015] As an alternative to the aforementioned barrier plate, the flexible sealing element is a shape memory metal component.

[0016] As an optional embodiment of the aforementioned barrier plate, the outer plate has a thickness of 0.3mm to 0.7mm; and / or, the support assembly has a thickness of 0.8mm to 1.2mm.

[0017] A battery module includes multiple barrier plates and multiple individual battery cells, with a barrier plate disposed between two adjacent individual battery cells.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0019] This utility model provides a barrier plate and a battery module. The barrier plate consists of a shell composed of two outer plates and a support assembly disposed between the two outer plates. The edges of the two outer plates are sealed by flexible seals to form a receiving cavity within the shell. The support assembly can improve the strength of the barrier plate and prevent the outer plates from collapsing inward. When the outer plates deform locally due to heat, the flexible seals can deform along with them to ensure the sealing at the edges of the outer plates and maintain the vacuum degree of the receiving cavity. This can greatly reduce the rate of heat transfer on the barrier plate, and its barrier effect does not change with temperature changes, resulting in a more stable heat insulation effect. It can prevent the heat generated by the thermal runaway cell from spreading to other cells and causing a chain reaction, greatly reducing the risk and severity of thermal runaway. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the barrier plate provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a barrier plate provided in one embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single board provided in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1. Outer shell; 11. Outer panel; 12. Flexible seal;

[0025] 2. Support component; 21. Support plate; 22. Through hole; 23. Single plate; 231. Protrusion; 232. Groove;

[0026] 3. Cushioning pad. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" refer to two different positions.

[0029] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections or detachable connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and connections within two components or interactions 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.

[0030] Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" a second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of a second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" of a second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0032] This embodiment provides a battery module, which includes multiple individual battery cells connected in series or in parallel, so that the battery module can supply power to the outside with appropriate voltage and current.

[0033] When a single battery cell experiences thermal runaway, it generates a significant amount of heat, which can easily spread to other cells, triggering a series of severe chain reactions. To ensure the safety of the battery module, aerogel is placed between adjacent individual cells to act as a barrier.

[0034] However, aerogel materials are prone to sintering and embrittlement at high temperatures (>800℃), which increases their thermal conductivity and makes it difficult to effectively block heat, leading to overall thermal runaway of the module. To ensure thermal insulation, the aerogel thickness needs to be 3mm~5mm to effectively delay heat diffusion. If the heat resistance is further improved, the thickness needs to reach 8mm~10mm, which seriously reduces the volume of the battery pack and affects the energy density of the battery module, resulting in an energy density loss of about 8-12%.

[0035] To address the aforementioned issues, this embodiment provides a barrier plate. A barrier plate is disposed between two adjacent individual battery cells to block the heat generated after thermal runaway of an individual battery cell, thereby preventing thermal runaway of the entire battery module.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the barrier plate includes a shell 1 and a support assembly 2. The shell 1 includes two outer plates 11 spaced apart. The edges of the two outer plates 11 are sealed together, and a receiving cavity is formed between the two outer plates 11. The receiving cavity is a vacuum cavity. The support assembly 2 is disposed in the receiving cavity. The support assembly 2 abuts against both outer plates 11 to support the two outer plates 11.

[0037] The barrier consists of an outer shell 1 composed of two outer plates 11 and a support assembly 2 disposed between the two outer plates 11. The edges of the two outer plates 11 are sealed by a flexible seal 12 to form a receiving cavity inside the outer shell 1. The support assembly 2 can improve the strength of the barrier and prevent the outer plates 11 from collapsing inward. The receiving cavity is a vacuum cavity, which can greatly reduce the rate of heat transfer on the barrier and its barrier effect will not change with temperature changes. The heat insulation effect is more stable and can prevent the heat generated by the thermal runaway cell from spreading to other cells and causing a chain reaction, greatly reducing the risk and severity of thermal runaway.

[0038] In this embodiment, the outer panel 11 is a high-strength ceramic fiber board. Ceramic fiber board is a material with high-temperature resistance, made primarily of ceramic fibers (such as alumina and aluminum silicate), produced through wet molding and high-temperature curing. It also possesses the advantages of being lightweight and having high strength. The thickness of the outer panel 11 is 0.3mm to 0.7mm, minimizing the thickness while ensuring sufficient strength. Specifically, the thickness of the outer panel 11 can be 0.3mm, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, or 0.7mm.

[0039] In this embodiment, the support component 2 is a silicon nitride plate, made of silicon nitride, which gives the support component 2 low thermal conductivity and high pressure resistance, with a pressure resistance greater than or equal to 200 N / cm². Specifically, the thickness of the support component 2 is 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm, minimizing the thickness while ensuring sufficient strength. Specifically, the thickness of the support component 2 can be 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.1 mm, or 1.2 mm.

[0040] In other words, the thickness of the barrier plate is 1.4mm~2.6mm, which is much lower than that of aerogel. This reduces the module volume ratio from 5%-8% of aerogel to 1.5%-3% of the barrier plate, greatly improving space utilization and thus increasing energy density.

[0041] In this embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the barrier plate is less than or equal to 0.005 W / m·K, which is less than the thermal conductivity of the aerogel (0.018 W / m·K). The compressive strength of the barrier plate is greater than or equal to 50 MPa, which is greater than the compressive strength of the aerogel (2 MPa). The time for blocking heat spread is greater than 90 min, which is greater than the time for blocking heat spread of the aerogel (40 min).

[0042] In this embodiment, the support component 2 includes a support plate 21, which has a plurality of spaced through holes 22. This structure can significantly reduce the weight of the support plate 21, thereby reducing the total weight of the battery module and increasing the energy density. At the same time, it can also ensure that the support plate 21 has sufficient strength so that the barrier plate can also support the battery module and ensure the overall safety of the battery module.

[0043] Preferably, the through holes 22 are opened along the distribution direction of the two outer plates 11, and the shape of the through holes 22 is a honeycomb hole. That is to say, the support plate 21 is a honeycomb hole structure. The honeycomb hole structure is a lightweight porous material composed of periodically arranged hexagonal units. The hexagonal units can evenly distribute the load, have excellent compressive and bending resistance, and have a specific strength (strength / weight ratio) that is much higher than that of solid materials. Moreover, the hexagon is one of the most stable topological structures in nature, which can provide the maximum load-bearing capacity with the minimum material usage. Its core principle lies in the stable mechanical properties and efficient load distribution of the hexagon, which enables it to maintain excellent performance even in extreme environments, ensuring that the support plate 21 can provide good support for the outer shell 1.

[0044] Preferably, the diameter of the honeycomb holes is 1.5mm to 2.5mm, which can reduce the weight of the support plate 21 as much as possible while ensuring the strength of the support plate 21. Specifically, the diameter of the honeycomb holes can be 1.5mm, 1.6mm, 1.7mm, 1.8mm, 1.9mm, 2.0mm, 2.1mm, 2.2mm, 2.3mm, 2.4mm or 2.5mm.

[0045] Optionally, Figure 3 As shown, the support component 2 includes multiple single plates 23 with the same waveform. Each single plate 23 includes multiple protrusions 231 spaced apart, and the protrusions 231 form grooves 232 on the other side of the single plate 23. The multiple single plates 23 are arranged in sequence, and the protrusions 231 of two adjacent single plates 23 abut against each other. The grooves 232 of two adjacent single plates 23 surround each other to form a through hole 22.

[0046] In multiple single boards 23 with identical waveforms, a thin layer of solder is applied to the protrusions 231, and then the opposing protrusions are brought together and heated in a furnace to a temperature above the melting point of the solder to fuse them together, thereby forming a support plate 21. In this embodiment, the protrusions 231 are half of a regular hexagon so that the through holes 22 of the support plate 21 form honeycomb holes.

[0047] Understandably, since the containment cavity needs to maintain a sufficient vacuum level, it is necessary to perform a vacuuming operation. However, since both ends of the support plate 21 abut against the outer plate 11, the efficiency of the vacuuming process will be affected. To solve this problem, the support plate 21 is provided with a venting structure. The venting structure is configured to connect multiple through holes 22 to each other, so that the gas in each through hole 22 can be quickly extracted during vacuuming, thereby improving efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments, the ventilation structure is a vent hole provided on the support plate 21, and the vent hole connects two adjacent through holes 22. That is, each protrusion 231 of the single plate 23 has a through hole 22, and multiple through holes can be provided to improve the flow between adjacent through holes 22. Further, if the protrusion 231 is half of a regular hexagon, then the protrusion 231 has three sides, and each side has at least one vent hole.

[0049] In some embodiments, the ventilation structure is a ventilation groove provided on the support plate 21, and the ventilation hole connects two adjacent through holes 22. Each protrusion 231 of the single plate 23 is provided with a ventilation groove, and the ventilation groove opens at one end of the support plate 21 along the thickness direction. This structure is easy to machine, and only the ventilation groove needs to be machined downward on one side of the single plate 23, which improves efficiency.

[0050] In this embodiment, the edges of the two outer plates 11 are sealed by a flexible sealant 12. It is understood that whether the battery module releases heat during normal operation or is subjected to impact or vibration, the two outer plates 11 of the barrier may be slightly deformed. The advantage of the flexible sealant 12 is that it can deform along with the outer plates 11, preventing cracks from appearing at the edges of the outer plates 11, ensuring the sealing at the edges of the outer plates 11, and thus ensuring the vacuum inside the barrier.

[0051] Preferably, the flexible seal 12 is a shape memory metal component. Shape memory metals have the ability to recover their shape, allowing them to deform not only with the deformation of the outer plate 11 but also spontaneously recover their original shape when the outer plate 11 returns to its original state. This avoids internal stress between the flexible seal 12 and the outer plate 11, ensuring the stability of the barrier plate. In this embodiment, the shape memory metal can be a Ni-Ti alloy; in some embodiments, it can also be a Cu-Zn-Al alloy, a Cu-Al-Ni alloy, a Fe-Ni-Co-Ti alloy, or a Ti-Ta alloy.

[0052] like Figure 1 As shown, the barrier plate also includes a buffer pad 3, which is disposed on the side of the outer plate 11 facing away from the receiving cavity. The buffer pad 3 can further isolate the heat conduction between the cells, preventing the heat generated by the thermal runaway cell from spreading to other cells and causing a chain reaction. It can also realize the flexible connection between the barrier plate and the individual cells through the buffer pad 3. The individual cells will bulge slightly during operation, and the deformation of the buffer pad 3 can provide a certain expansion space for the bulging of the individual cells. When the battery module is subjected to external impact, the buffer pad 3 can also reduce the vibration of the individual cells.

[0053] Preferably, the buffer pad 3 is annular, and the outer contour of the buffer pad 3 extends along the outer contour of the outer plate 11. Each side of the buffer pad 3 is parallel to the corresponding side of the outer contour of the outer plate 11, and the buffer pad 3 is located between the outer plate 11 and the individual battery cell to ensure that the buffer pad 3 can effectively contact the individual battery cell and the outer plate 11.

[0054] The annular buffer pad 3 allows for a gap between the individual battery cell and the outer plate 11, reducing heat conduction between them. Furthermore, since the expansion of an individual battery cell typically begins in the middle, the annular buffer pad 3 provides more expansion space, preventing compression.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. The content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A barrier plate, characterized in that, include: The outer shell (1) includes two spaced outer plates (11), the edges of the two outer plates (11) are sealed by a flexible sealing element (12), and a receiving cavity is formed between the two outer plates (11), and the receiving cavity is a vacuum cavity; A support assembly (2) is disposed in the receiving cavity, and the support assembly (2) abuts against both outer plates (11) to support the two outer plates (11).

2. The barrier plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support component (2) includes a support plate (21), which has a plurality of spaced through holes (22).

3. The barrier plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support component (2) includes multiple single plates (23) with the same waveform. Each single plate (23) includes multiple protrusions (231) spaced apart. The protrusions (231) form grooves (232) on the other side of the single plate (23). The multiple single plates (23) are arranged in sequence, and the protrusions (231) of two adjacent single plates (23) abut against each other. The grooves (232) of two adjacent single plates (23) enclose each other to form a through hole (22).

4. The barrier plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support plate (21) is provided with a ventilation structure, which is configured to allow the plurality of through holes (22) to communicate with each other.

5. The barrier plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ventilation structure is a ventilation hole provided on the support plate (21), and the ventilation hole connects two adjacent ventilation holes (22); or, The ventilation structure is a ventilation groove provided on the support plate (21), and the ventilation groove connects two adjacent through holes (22).

6. The barrier plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The barrier plate also includes a buffer pad (3), which is disposed on the side of the outer plate (11) facing away from the receiving cavity.

7. The barrier plate according to claim 6, characterized in that, The buffer pad (3) is annular, and the outer contour of the buffer pad (3) extends along the outer contour of the outer plate (11).

8. The barrier plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible seal (12) is a shape memory metal.

9. The barrier plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer plate (11) has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm; and / or the support component (2) has a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm.

10. A battery module, characterized in that, The battery module includes a plurality of barrier plates as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, and also includes a plurality of individual battery cells, with a barrier plate disposed between two adjacent individual battery cells.

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