Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery module and battery pack, is provided on the battery module bus tube, is provided with N first through -hole on the bus tube bottom, is provided sealing structure between each monomer battery top and bus tube bottom, and sealing structure includes N flexible sealing piece and the limiting piece that is in horizontal direction to each flexible sealing piece is limited, is provided with second through -hole on each flexible sealing piece, and the first through -hole of bus tube and the second through -hole of N flexible sealing piece one -to -one correspondence keep intercommunication, and bus tube provides the pressure to flexible sealing piece, makes the bus tube bottom and flexible sealing piece between and flexible sealing piece and each monomer battery top between close adhesion, ensure that the thermal runaway flue gas can only be discharged from the smoke outlet of bus tube, and limiting piece is positioned to flexible sealing piece, avoided the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas and caused the horizontal direction displacement of flexible sealing piece, thereby avoided flue gas leakage, improved the reliability of flue gas orderly discharge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of batteries, specifically a battery module and battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most common battery modules are composed of multiple individual battery cells connected together electrically.

[0003] Fire protection of battery modules has always been a hot topic of concern in this field. During the operation of a battery module, any single cell may experience diaphragm collapse and internal short circuit due to factors such as overcharging, over-discharging, overheating, or mechanical collisions, leading to thermal runaway. The resulting thermal runaway fumes can spread within the battery module, potentially causing thermal runaway risks in other single cells and resulting in more serious safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The first aspect of this utility model provides a battery module that, by setting a manifold on the battery module, can orderly discharge thermal runaway fumes, thus overcoming the problem that thermal runaway of a single cell in the battery module may affect other single cells, thereby causing more serious safety hazards.

[0005] The battery module includes a battery string consisting of N individual cells; N≥2; its improvement is that it also includes a manifold fixed to the battery string and covering the explosion vent of each individual cell.

[0006] The bottom of the manifold has N first through holes;

[0007] A sealing structure is provided between the top of each individual cell and the bottom of the busbar. The sealing structure includes N flexible seals and a limiting member that limits each flexible seal in the horizontal direction.

[0008] Each flexible seal has a second through hole, and the N first through holes of the manifold and the N second through holes of the flexible seal are connected in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0009] The manifold provides downward pressure to the flexible seal, ensuring a tight fit between the bottom of the manifold and the flexible seal, as well as between the flexible seal and the top of each individual battery cell, so that thermal runaway fumes can only be discharged from the manifold's outlet.

[0010] This invention adds a manifold to the battery module, which can orderly discharge thermal runaway fumes, preventing the thermal runaway fumes from spreading inside the battery module and improving the safety of the battery module after thermal runaway.

[0011] In addition, a sealing structure is provided between the manifold and the individual battery in this utility model. The sealing structure includes N flexible seals and a limiting member that limits each flexible seal in the horizontal direction. The manifold provides downward pressure to the flexible seals. When thermal runaway occurs, the flexible seals are tightly fitted to the manifold, as well as the top of the individual battery and the flexible seals. At the same time, the limiting member positions the flexible seals, preventing the impact force of the thermal runaway flue gas from causing horizontal displacement of the flexible seals, thereby preventing flue gas leakage and improving the reliability of orderly flue gas emission.

[0012] The flexible sealing element in this utility model can be selected from the following options:

[0013] Option 1: The flexible seal is a high-temperature resistant silicone ring. Under the downward pressure of the manifold, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring deforms, ensuring the sealing performance in the event of thermal runaway.

[0014] Option 2: The flexible sealing element includes a high-temperature resistant silicone ring and a heat-expanding ring set inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring. In this option, the inner heat-expanding ring combined with the outer high-temperature resistant silicone ring forms two sealing barriers. Even if the temperature of the thermal runaway flue gas is too high for a prolonged period, causing the high-temperature resistant silicone ring to collapse and fail to seal, the heat-expanding ring can still effectively seal the thermal runaway flue gas.

[0015] The limiting component in this utility model can be selected from the following forms:

[0016] Option 1: The limiting component is a flame-retardant rubber sheet with N positioning holes, each containing a flexible seal. This option uses a flame-retardant rubber sheet whose shape and size are adapted to the bottom of the manifold. Flexible seals are placed within the N positioning holes of the flame-retardant rubber sheet. External limiting is used to restrain the flexible seals, thus preventing horizontal displacement under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas.

[0017] Form 2: The limiting component is an annular protrusion located on the top of the individual battery cell and around the explosion vent, with a flexible seal fitted around the annular protrusion. In this form, an annular protrusion is set on the top of the individual battery cell, and the flexible seal is fitted around the annular protrusion. The flexible seal is restrained by an internal limiting method, thereby preventing the flexible seal from shifting horizontally under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas.

[0018] Form 3: The limiting component is a long strip-shaped thermal expansion plate with N positioning holes, each containing a flexible seal. This long strip-shaped thermal expansion plate is adapted to the shape and size of the bottom of the manifold, and the flexible seal is restrained by external limiting, thus preventing horizontal displacement of the flexible seal under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas.

[0019] Among them, the limiting members of types one and two are applicable to the flexible seals of schemes one and two above; the limiting member of type three is only applicable to the flexible seals of scheme one above.

[0020] Furthermore, the aforementioned manifold is made of metal and includes a tube body and connecting bodies on both sides of the tube body in the width direction. At least one reinforcing rib is provided inside the tube body, and N first through holes are provided on the bottom surface of the tube body. The connecting bodies on both sides are used to fix the tube body to the clamping plates at both ends by screws. In this invention, the manifold uses a threaded connection to press the thermal expansion ring between the manifold and the individual battery, making the connection convenient. Compared to welding the manifold onto the individual battery, the manifold installation is simpler and the manufacturing cost is lower. Moreover, the threaded crimping method avoids the problem of high temperatures during welding potentially damaging the internal structure of the individual battery. Furthermore, this crimped manifold, acting as a fire-fighting structure, improves the safety of the battery module after thermal runaway without requiring any modifications to the original battery module structure.

[0021] Furthermore, the battery module also includes a locking nut and a separator; two studs are spaced apart at the top of the separator; the separator is clamped and fixed between adjacent individual cells, and the two studs pass through the mounting holes of the two side connectors respectively, with the locking nut locked at the part where the studs pass through the mounting holes.

[0022] In this utility model, the locking nut and the separator are used as the fixing parts in the middle area of ​​the battery module and the combiner tube, which can prevent the middle area of ​​the combiner tube from twisting and deforming. Combined with the connection between the two ends of the combiner tube and the clamping plate, the sealing reliability is further improved.

[0023] In addition, the separator has a certain degree of elasticity. When a single cell swells and deforms, the separator is squeezed by the single cell and undergoes elastic deformation. After the separator undergoes elastic deformation, it can provide expansion space for the expansion of the single cell.

[0024] Meanwhile, the heat generated during the charging and discharging of each individual battery can be transferred to the outside through the separator, reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

[0025] Furthermore, in order to improve the reliability of the busbar fixing, two limiting plates are also provided at the bottom of the separator; both limiting plates are perpendicular to the separator body and parallel to the lower cover of the individual battery. The two limiting plates extend to different sides of the separator body and limit the lower cover of two adjacent individual batteries.

[0026] Another aspect of this utility model provides a battery pack, characterized in that it includes a support platform, a liquid cooling plate, an outer cover, a flue gas emission pipe, and a plurality of battery modules as described in the first aspect.

[0027] Multiple battery modules are installed side by side on a support platform, and a liquid cooling plate is installed between the bottom of the multiple battery modules and the support platform;

[0028] The exhaust port of the manifold in each battery module is connected to the exhaust pipe.

[0029] The outer cover includes a top plate and four side plates; the four side plates of the outer cover are fixed to a support platform, and multiple battery modules are located inside the outer cover.

[0030] One of the side panels integrates the BMS slave unit, fire alarm interface, liquid cooling medium interface, and electrical signal interface.

[0031] In this invention, thermal runaway fumes generated by a battery module in the battery pack are guided to the fumes discharge pipeline through a manifold. Then, the thermal runaway fumes are discharged in an orderly manner outside the battery pack using the fire extinguishing interface on the side plate of the battery pack. This avoids the problem of thermal runaway fumes spreading inside the battery pack and affecting other modules, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0032] This utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0033] 1. This utility model adds a manifold to the battery module, which can discharge thermal runaway fumes in an orderly manner, preventing the thermal runaway fumes from spreading in the battery module and improving the safety of the battery module after thermal runaway.

[0034] In addition, a sealing structure is provided between the manifold and the individual battery in this utility model. The sealing structure includes N flexible seals and a limiting member that limits each flexible seal in the horizontal direction. The manifold provides pre-pressure to the sealing structure. When thermal runaway occurs, the sealing structure and the manifold, as well as the top of the individual battery and the sealing structure, are in close contact. At the same time, the limiting member positions the flexible seals, preventing the impact force of the thermal runaway flue gas from causing the flexible seals to shift horizontally, thereby preventing flue gas leakage and improving the reliability of orderly flue gas emission.

[0035] 2. In this utility model, the flexible sealing element uses the deformation of the high-temperature resistant sealing ring to achieve the sealing between the manifold and the individual battery; in particular, it can also form two sealing barriers by using an inner heat-expanding ring combined with an outer high-temperature resistant silicone ring. Compared with setting a separate high-temperature resistant sealing ring, even if the temperature of the thermal runaway flue gas is too high for a long time, causing the high-temperature resistant silicone ring to collapse and fail to seal, the heat-expanding ring can still effectively seal the thermal runaway flue gas.

[0036] 3. The manifold in this utility model consists of a pipe body and a connector and is made of metal material. At the same time, at least one reinforcing rib is provided in the pipe body. Therefore, the manifold has sufficient strength to prevent deformation during the pressing process. Moreover, the setting of the reinforcing rib can also ensure the pressure resistance of the manifold in the event of thermal runaway.

[0037] 4. In this utility model, the busbar is fixed to the battery string by a threaded connection (i.e., the busbar is fixed to the battery string by a partition with studs, or the two ends of the busbar are threaded to the clamping plates at both ends of the battery string, or a combination of the above two methods is used to fix the busbar to the battery string). The sealing structure is pressed between the busbar and the individual battery, which is convenient. Compared with the welding method to set the busbar on the individual battery, the setting of the busbar is simpler and the manufacturing cost is lower. Moreover, the threaded pressing method also avoids the problem that the high temperature during the welding process may damage the internal structure of the individual battery.

[0038] 5. In this utility model, the thermal runaway fumes generated by a battery module in the battery pack are guided to the fumes discharge pipeline through the manifold, and then the thermal runaway fumes are discharged out of the battery pack in an orderly manner through the fire-fighting interface on the side plate of the battery pack, which avoids the problem of thermal runaway fumes spreading in the battery pack and affecting other modules, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the battery module in Example 1;

[0040] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the battery module in Example 1;

[0041] Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the sealing structure in Example 1 (consisting of the flexible seal of Scheme 1 and the limiting member of Form 1);

[0042] Figure 4 The structure of the manifold;

[0043] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the battery module in Example 2;

[0044] Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the sealing structure in Example 2 (composed of the flexible seal of Scheme 2 and the limiting member of Form 1);

[0045] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the battery module in Example 3;

[0046] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the partition;

[0047] Figure 9 Outline drawing of the battery pack;

[0048] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of the battery pack after the outer cover has been removed.

[0049] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0050] 100 - Battery module; 200 - Battery pack;

[0051] 1-Single cell, 2-Clamping plate, 3-Steel strip, 4-Manifold, 41-First through hole, 43-Pipe body, 44-Connector, 45-Reinforcing rib, 5-Sealing structure, 51-Flexible seal, 511-High temperature resistant silicone ring, 512-Heat expansion ring, 52-Limiting component, 521-Flame-retardant rubber sheet, 53-Second through hole, 6-Locking nut, 7-Separator, 71-Separator body, 72-Stud, 73-Limiting plate, 8-Supporting platform, 9-Liquid cooling plate, 10-Outer cover, 101-Top plate, 102-Side plate, 103-BMS slave unit, 104-Fire interface, 105-Liquid cooling medium interface, 106-Electrical signal interface, 11-Flue gas emission pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0053] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0054] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "top," "bottom," 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," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0055] The design concept of this utility model is:

[0056] This utility model proposes a battery module, comprising a battery string composed of N individual batteries; N≥2; a busbar fixed to the battery string and covering the vent of each individual battery; N first through holes corresponding one-to-one with the vent of each individual battery are opened on the bottom of the busbar; in order to effectively seal the gap between the bottom of the busbar and the top of the individual battery, this utility model also adds a sealing structure, which includes N flexible sealing elements and a limiting element that limits the position of each flexible sealing element in the horizontal direction; each flexible sealing element has a... The second through hole, whose projection on the top of the individual battery cell must completely cover the cell's vent. In the event of thermal runaway, the manifold provides downward pressure to each flexible seal, ensuring a tight fit between the bottom of the manifold and each flexible seal, as well as between each flexible seal and the top of each individual battery cell. This ensures that the thermal runaway gas can only be discharged from the manifold's outlet. At the same time, the limiting component positions the flexible seal, preventing the impact of the thermal runaway gas from causing horizontal displacement of the flexible seal, thereby preventing gas leakage and improving the reliability of orderly gas emission.

[0057] It should be noted that:

[0058] 1. The single battery in this utility model is a square aluminum-cased lithium battery, including a shell composed of a top cover, a cylindrical body, and a bottom cover; and an electrode assembly located inside the shell; the electrode assembly here consists of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode arranged in sequence, and assembled using a stacking or winding process. This commercially available square aluminum-cased lithium battery has completed processes such as liquid injection and formation.

[0059] 2. The flexible sealing element in this utility model can be selected from the following two options:

[0060] Option 1: The flexible seal is a high-temperature resistant silicone ring. Under the downward pressure of the manifold, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring deforms, ensuring the sealing performance in the event of thermal runaway.

[0061] Option 2: The flexible sealing element includes a high-temperature resistant silicone ring and a heat-expanding ring set inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring. In this option, the inner heat-expanding ring combined with the outer high-temperature resistant silicone ring forms two sealing barriers. Even if the temperature of the thermal runaway flue gas is too high for a prolonged period, causing the high-temperature resistant silicone ring to collapse and fail to seal, the heat-expanding ring can still effectively seal the thermal runaway flue gas.

[0062] 3. The limiting component in this utility model can be selected from the following three forms:

[0063] Option 1: The limiting component is a flame-retardant rubber sheet with N positioning holes, each containing a flexible seal. This option uses a flame-retardant rubber sheet whose shape and size are adapted to the bottom of the manifold. Flexible seals are placed within the N positioning holes of the flame-retardant rubber sheet. External limiting is used to restrain the flexible seals, thus preventing horizontal displacement under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas.

[0064] Form 2: The limiting component is an annular protrusion located on the top of the individual battery cell and around the explosion vent, with a flexible seal fitted around the annular protrusion. In this form, an annular protrusion is set on the top of the individual battery cell, and the flexible seal is fitted around the annular protrusion. The flexible seal is restrained by an internal limiting method, thereby preventing the flexible seal from shifting horizontally under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas.

[0065] Form 3: The limiting component is a long strip-shaped thermal expansion plate with N positioning holes, each containing a flexible seal. This long strip-shaped thermal expansion plate is adapted to the shape and size of the bottom of the manifold, and restrains the flexible seal through external limiting, thus preventing horizontal displacement of the flexible seal under the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas. The long strip-shaped thermal expansion plate not only limits the position of the seal but also serves as a second seal after thermal expansion.

[0066] 4. By combining the two types of flexible seals and the three types of limiting elements mentioned above, the following five types of sealing structures can be formed:

[0067] The first sealing structure includes a flexible sealing element of Scheme 1 and a limiting element of Form 1, namely, a high-temperature resistant silicone ring embedded in the positioning hole of the flame-retardant rubber plate.

[0068] The second sealing structure includes the flexible sealing element of Scheme 2 and the limiting element of Form 1. That is, the internal heat-expanding ring is sleeved inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring to form a flexible sealing element, which is then embedded in the positioning hole of the flame-retardant rubber plate.

[0069] The third type of sealing structure includes the flexible sealing element of Scheme 1 and the limiting element of Form 2, namely, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring is fitted onto the annular protrusion on the top of the single cell.

[0070] The fourth sealing structure includes the flexible seal of scheme two and the limiting component of form two. That is, the internal heat-expanding ring is fitted inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring to form a flexible seal, which is then fitted onto the annular protrusion on the top of the single cell.

[0071] The fifth sealing structure includes the flexible seal of Scheme 1 and the limiting element of Form 3, namely, a high-temperature resistant silicone ring embedded in the positioning hole of a long strip-shaped heat-expanding plate.

[0072] 5. The above-mentioned flexible seals must fit tightly with the bottom of the manifold and the top of the individual battery and each flexible seal, which must meet the following conditions: After the manifold is installed in place, each flexible seal has a certain amount of compression deformation under the downward pressure of the manifold, and the thickness of each flexible seal after compression deformation is greater than the thickness of the limiting component.

[0073] Example 1

[0074] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a battery module 100, in which N individual cells 1 are arranged along the thickness direction of the individual cells, N≥2; clamping plates 2 are respectively provided at the beginning and end, and steel strips 3 are used to bind them, thereby forming a battery string; the steel strips 3 and clamping plates 2 can effectively suppress the problem of individual cells expanding and affecting the cycle performance of the battery module.

[0075] In order to orderly discharge the flue gas after thermal runaway of the battery module, in this embodiment, the battery module 100 also includes a manifold 4 covering the explosion vent of each individual battery 1.

[0076] Figures 2 to 4 As shown, N first through holes 41 are opened on the bottom of the manifold 4; a sealing structure 5 is provided between the top of each individual battery 1 and the bottom of the manifold 4, the sealing structure 5 including N flexible seals 51 and a limiting member 52 that limits each flexible seal 51 in the horizontal direction; as Figure 2 As shown, the flexible seal is provided with a second through hole 53, and the projection of the second through hole 53 on the top of the single cell needs to completely cover the explosion vent of the single cell.

[0077] The manifold 4 is fixedly installed on the battery string and provides pre-pressure to the sealing structure 5 to press the sealing structure 5 tightly onto its corresponding individual battery cell 1. The bottom of the manifold 4 and the sealing structure 5, as well as the sealing structure 5 and the top of the individual battery cell, are tightly fitted together. The N first through holes 41 of the manifold 4 and the N second through holes 53 of the flexible seals are connected one-to-one. At the same time, the limiting component positions the flexible seals to prevent the impact force of thermal runaway flue gas from causing horizontal displacement of the flexible seals, thereby preventing flue gas leakage and improving the reliability of orderly flue gas emission.

[0078] In this embodiment, the sealing structure adopts the first sealing structure described above, namely, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring 511 is embedded in the positioning hole of the flame-retardant rubber plate 521.

[0079] In some other embodiments, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring 511 can also be replaced with a high-temperature resistant fluororubber ring, a high-temperature resistant hydrogenated nitrile rubber ring, etc., but considering the high-temperature resistance, deformability and cost, the high-temperature resistant silicone ring is preferred.

[0080] In some other embodiments, the flame-retardant rubber sheet 521 may be a PEEK (polyether ether ketone) sheet, a PI (polyimide) sheet, a glass fiber silicone sheet, or an insulating bakelite sheet.

[0081] In some other embodiments, the limiting member 52 can be divided into N, and a flame-retardant rubber plate is provided between the top of each individual battery and the bottom of the combiner tube; each flame-retardant rubber plate is provided with a positioning hole, and a flexible seal is provided in each positioning hole;

[0082] In this embodiment, the manifold 4 is made of a metal material, such as steel or aluminum. Since the manifold 4 needs to provide pre-pressure to the flexible seal, to ensure higher strength and prevent deformation under the applied pressure, as shown below... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the manifold 4 includes a pipe body 43 and connecting bodies 44 provided on both sides of the width direction of the pipe body 43. At least one reinforcing rib 45 is provided inside the pipe body 43, and N first through holes 41 are provided at the bottom of the pipe body 43. For ease of processing, the structure of the manifold 4 can be integrally formed by extrusion.

[0083] In this embodiment, the battery string has a clamping plate 2 and a steel strip 3 (this is also a common method for grouping multiple individual batteries in existing battery modules). The two ends of the busbar 4 are connected to the two clamping plates 2 respectively, thereby fixing the busbar to the battery string. Specifically, the connection method is as follows: the connecting bodies 44 on both sides of the busbar 4 and the clamping plates 2 are connected by screws to fix the busbar 4 to the battery string. This embodiment cleverly uses the clamping plates 2 to fix the busbar 4, eliminating the need for additional fasteners to fix the busbar, making the structure simpler.

[0084] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the manifold 4 is pressed and fixed to the battery string by the clamping plate 2 and screw connection. Without changing any other structure of the original battery module, the battery string can be equipped with the function of orderly discharge of thermal runaway smoke, thereby improving the safety of the battery module after thermal runaway.

[0085] Example 2

[0086] This embodiment is basically the same in structure as Embodiment 1, except that the sealing structure in this embodiment is different from that in Embodiment 1. Specifically, as follows: Figure 5 and 6As shown, this embodiment uses the second sealing structure, where the inner thermal expansion ring 512 is fitted inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring 511 to form a flexible seal 51, which is then embedded in the positioning hole of the flame-retardant rubber plate 521. Compared with embodiment 1, the sealing structure used in this embodiment forms two sealing barriers by combining the inner thermal expansion ring with the outer high-temperature resistant silicone ring. This ensures that even if the high-temperature resistant silicone ring collapses and fails to seal due to prolonged excessively high temperatures in the thermal runaway flue gas, the thermal expansion ring can still effectively seal the thermal runaway flue gas. The thermal expansion ring can also be called a fire-resistant expansion sealing ring, which needs to have the characteristics of thermal expansion and also needs to have a certain degree of high-temperature resistance.

[0087] It should be noted that after the manifold is installed in place, each flexible seal will have a certain amount of compression deformation under the downward pressure of the manifold, and the thickness of each flexible seal after compression deformation will be greater than the thickness of the limiting component and the thickness of the thermal expansion ring.

[0088] Example 3

[0089] This embodiment is basically the same in structure as embodiments 1 and 2, except that the fixing method of the manifold 4 is different from that in embodiment 1:

[0090] Specifically, in this embodiment, as Figure 7 The battery module also includes a locking nut 6 and a separator 7; a separator 7 is provided between at least one set of two adjacent individual cells 1 in the battery module, wherein the number of separators 7 is the same as the number of mounting holes on each connector 44.

[0091] The structure of partition 7 is as follows Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the separator 7 in this embodiment includes a separator body 71, two studs 72 disposed at the top of the separator body 71, and two limiting plates 73 disposed at the bottom of the separator body 71. The two studs 72 extend along the height direction of the single cell and are arranged along the width direction of the single cell. The two studs 72 correspond to two mounting holes on the two connecting bodies that are located on the same straight line. The two limiting plates 73 are perpendicular to the separator body 71 and parallel to the lower cover plate of the single cell. The two limiting plates 73 extend to different sides of the separator body 71.

[0092] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 As can be seen, when the above-mentioned separator 7 is fixed between two adjacent single cells 1, the separator body 71 is in contact with the large surface of the adjacent single cell 1, the two limiting plates 73 are limited on the lower cover plates of the two single cells 1, the two studs 72 pass through the corresponding mounting holes, and the locking nut 6 is set at the top of the stud 72.

[0093] In this embodiment, the busbar is connected to the battery pack in series via the following process, which can be referred to... Figure 5 :

[0094] First, fix the separator 7 between adjacent individual cells 1, so that the two limiting plates 73 are limited to the lower cover plates of different individual cells 1.

[0095] Secondly, install the sealing structure 5 to ensure that the projection of the second through hole 53 of the flexible seal in the sealing structure completely covers the vent of the corresponding single cell.

[0096] Next, place the manifold 4 on the sealing structure 5, ensuring that each first through hole 41 of the manifold 4 corresponds to and is connected to each second through hole 53 of the sealing structure, so that the studs 72 on the partition 7 pass through the corresponding mounting holes.

[0097] Finally, tighten the locking nut 6 onto the stud 72. The stud 72 generates axial tension, which, under the limiting action of the limiting plate 73, clamps the sealing structure between the busbar and the battery string. The top surface of the sealing structure is in close contact with the bottom surface of the busbar, and the bottom surface of the sealing structure is in close contact with the top surface of the individual battery.

[0098] In this embodiment, the partition 7 has at least the following advantages:

[0099] Firstly, using the locking nut and separator as the fixing parts in the middle area of ​​the battery module and the busbar can prevent the middle area of ​​the busbar from twisting and deforming. Combined with the connection between the two ends of the busbar and the clamping plate, the sealing reliability is further improved.

[0100] Secondly, the separator 7 has a certain elasticity. When the single cell 1 swells and deforms, the separator 7 is squeezed by the single cell 1 and undergoes elastic deformation. After the separator 7 undergoes elastic deformation, it can provide expansion space for the expansion of the single cell 1.

[0101] Thirdly, the heat generated during the charging and discharging of each individual battery cell 1 can be transferred to the outside through the separator 7, reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

[0102] In some embodiments, the clamping plates at both ends of the combiner tube and the battery string can be fixed by screw connection, with the studs on the partition plate extending out of the mounting hole in the middle of the combiner tube, and the lock nut tightened on the stud.

[0103] The presence of the separator can suppress the expansion of individual cells and fix the busbar. In some embodiments, in order to save the volume and weight of the battery module and reduce the cost of the battery module, the steel strip and clamping plate can be eliminated.

[0104] Example 4

[0105] like Figures 9 to 10As shown, this embodiment provides a battery pack 200 composed of battery modules from Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2. The battery pack includes a support platform 8, a liquid cooling plate 9, an outer cover 10, a flue gas emission pipe 11, and the aforementioned multiple battery modules 100. The structure of this battery pack is basically the same as the external structure of existing battery packs. Specifically:

[0106] Multiple battery modules 100 are installed side by side on the support platform 8, and a liquid cooling plate 9 is provided between the bottom of the multiple battery modules 100 and the support platform; in order to ensure that the battery modules 100 and the liquid cooling plate 9 are kept insulated, an insulating layer needs to be provided between the bottom of the multiple battery modules 100 and the liquid cooling plate 9.

[0107] The outer cover 10 includes a top plate 101 and four side plates 102; the bottom of the four side plates 102 of the outer cover 10 are provided with folded edges, which are fixed to the support platform 8 by means of screw connection, and multiple battery modules 100 are located inside the outer cover.

[0108] One of the side panels 102 integrates a BMS slave unit 103, a fire alarm interface 104, a liquid cooling medium interface 105, and an electrical signal interface 106.

[0109] BMS slave 103 is used to collect voltage and temperature information of each individual cell and upload it to the BMS host;

[0110] The smoke outlet of the manifold in each battery module 100 is connected to the smoke emission pipe 11. The smoke emission pipe 11 is connected to the fire interface 104 on the side plate of the outer cover 10. When thermal runaway occurs, the thermal runaway smoke in the individual battery is discharged from the battery pack in an orderly manner through the individual battery explosion vent, the second through hole, the first through hole, the manifold, the smoke emission pipe and the fire interface for subsequent processing.

[0111] The liquid cooling plate 9 is connected to the liquid cooling medium interface 105 via a water pipe. There are two liquid cooling medium interfaces 105, one as the medium inlet and the other as the medium outlet.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising N individual cells arranged along the thickness direction of each individual cell, wherein the first and last two individual cells are each provided with a clamping plate on their outer sides and are bound together by steel strips to form a battery string; characterized in that, It also includes a busbar fixed to the battery string; The bottom of the manifold has N first through holes; A sealing structure is provided between the top of each individual cell and the bottom of the busbar. The sealing structure includes N flexible seals and a limiting member that limits each flexible seal in the horizontal direction. Each flexible seal has a second through hole, and the N first through holes of the manifold and the N second through holes of the flexible seal are connected in a one-to-one correspondence; The manifold provides downward pressure to each flexible seal, ensuring a tight fit between the bottom of the manifold and each flexible seal, as well as between each flexible seal and the top of each individual battery cell, so that thermal runaway fumes can only be discharged from the manifold's outlet.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible seal is a high-temperature resistant silicone ring.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible seal includes a high-temperature resistant silicone ring and a heat-expanding ring disposed inside the high-temperature resistant silicone ring.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The limiting component is a flame-retardant rubber sheet with N positioning holes, and a flexible sealing component is installed in each positioning hole.

5. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The limiting component is an annular protrusion located on the top of the single battery cell and around the vent, and a flexible sealing component is sleeved around the annular protrusion.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The limiting component is a long strip-shaped heat-expanding plate with N positioning holes, and a flexible sealing component is installed in each positioning hole.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The manifold is made of metal and includes a pipe body and connecting bodies on both sides in the width direction of the pipe body. At least one reinforcing rib is provided inside the pipe body, and N first through holes are provided on the bottom surface of the pipe body. The connecting bodies on both sides are used to fix the pipe body to the clamping plates at both ends by screw connection.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a locking nut and a partition; the top of the partition is provided with two studs spaced apart; The separator is clamped and fixed between adjacent individual cells, and two studs pass through the mounting holes of the connectors on both sides. Locking nuts are tightened on the studs at the points where they pass through the mounting holes.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: Two limiting plates are also provided at the bottom of the separator; both limiting plates are perpendicular to the separator body and parallel to the lower cover of the individual battery. The two limiting plates extend to different sides of the separator body and limit the lower cover of two adjacent individual batteries.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes a support platform, a liquid cooling plate, an outer cover, a flue gas emission pipe, and multiple battery modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; Multiple battery modules are installed side by side on a support platform, and a liquid cooling plate is installed between the bottom of the multiple battery modules and the support platform; The exhaust port of the manifold in each battery module is connected to the exhaust pipe. The outer cover includes a top plate and four side plates; the four side plates of the outer cover are fixed to a support platform, and multiple battery modules are located inside the outer cover. One of the side panels integrates the BMS slave unit, fire alarm interface, liquid cooling medium interface, and electrical signal interface.

Images