A housing and a battery pack

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a kind of shell and battery pack, it is related to battery field.The shell includes sheet metal shell body, sheet metal shell body has flange edge, flange edge is provided with multiple connecting holes, multiple connecting holes are mutually spaced, flange edge is also provided with reinforcing rib, reinforcing rib is distributed in the circumferential side of connecting hole;Even if unable to set everted edge on the flange edge of sheet metal shell body, the structural strength of flange edge can be increased by reinforcing rib, so that sheet metal shell can be used as the shell of battery pack, meanwhile, reinforcing rib is distributed in the circumferential side of connecting hole, so that flange edge has sufficient strength when connecting, the sealing property when being used as the shell of battery pack connection can be guaranteed.The embodiment of the utility model further provides a kind of battery pack, and the battery pack includes the shell described above.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The outer casing of a battery pack needs to have high strength to support and protect the internal battery cells. Sheet metal casings are widely used in the manufacture of outer casings for new energy vehicle battery packs due to their advantages of high strength and low cost.

[0003] Sheet metal housings typically have outward-flared flanges to enhance their structural strength. Sufficient flange strength is crucial for ensuring the overall airtightness of the battery pack. However, these outward-flared flanges require a certain amount of space. If the envelope width is limited and an outward-flared flange cannot be manufactured, the structural strength of the flange cannot be guaranteed, making it impossible to use a sheet metal housing. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a housing and a battery pack, which enhances the structural strength of the sheet metal housing at the flange edge by providing reinforcing ribs on the flange edge.

[0005] The embodiments of this utility model can be implemented as follows: An embodiment of this utility model provides a housing, which includes: The sheet metal housing body has a flange edge with multiple connection holes spaced apart from each other. Reinforcing ribs are also provided on the flange edge and distributed around the connection holes.

[0006] Optionally, at least one reinforcing rib may be provided between the two connecting holes.

[0007] Optionally, at least a portion of the reinforcing rib is located outside the connection hole.

[0008] Optionally, the reinforcing rib is a raised rib, and the lower part of the raised rib is a groove.

[0009] Optionally, the reinforcing ribs may be straight, curved, or ring-shaped.

[0010] Optionally, the reinforcing rib extends along the length of the flange edge.

[0011] Optionally, the reinforcing rib extends along the width of the flange edge.

[0012] Optionally, the number of flange edges is at least two, and the at least two flange edges are spaced apart on the sheet metal housing body.

[0013] Optionally, an outward flange is provided between two adjacent flange edges on the sheet metal housing body.

[0014] An embodiment of this utility model also provides a battery pack, including the aforementioned housing.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model embodiment: The housing includes a sheet metal housing body with a flange edge. The flange edge has multiple connection holes spaced apart from each other. Reinforcing ribs are also provided on the flange edge, distributed around the connection holes. Even when it is not possible to provide an outward flange on the flange edge of the sheet metal housing body, the structural strength of the flange edge can be increased by the reinforcing ribs, allowing the sheet metal housing to be used as the outer shell of the battery pack. At the same time, the reinforcing ribs distributed around the connection holes ensure that the flange edge has sufficient strength when connected, which can guarantee the sealing performance when used as the outer shell of the battery pack.

[0016] The battery pack includes a housing, which has all the functions of the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a first-view schematic diagram of the housing provided in an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a second-view schematic diagram of the housing provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a third-view schematic diagram of the housing provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the housing provided in an embodiment of the present invention being applied to a battery pack.

[0019] Icons: 1-Sheet metal housing body; 10-Flange edge; 101-Connecting hole; 12-Reinforcing rib; 121-Groove; 14-Outward flange. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0021] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0023] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed during use, they 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.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0025] The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase “comprising one…” does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0026] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "setup" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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 be a connection within 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.

[0027] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0028] As described in the background section, the materials used to manufacture battery pack casings need to possess sufficient strength to ensure the safety of the internal battery cells. Sheet metal casings are widely used in the manufacture of outer shells for new energy vehicle battery packs due to their advantages of high strength and low cost.

[0029] Sheet metal housings used in battery pack manufacturing typically have outward-flared edges on the connecting sides / flanges to fasten to the other half of the housing, ensuring the overall airtightness of the battery pack. Without these outward-flared edges, the structural strength of the connecting sides / flanges is insufficient, compromising the airtightness of the entire battery pack during connection. Therefore, currently, all sheet metal housings used in battery packs have outward-flared edges. However, these outward-flared edges require a certain amount of space. When the envelope width is limited and an outward-flared edge cannot be manufactured, the structural strength of the connecting sides / flanges cannot be guaranteed, compromising the airtightness of the entire battery pack and making it impossible to use a sheet metal housing.

[0030] In view of the above reasons, the present invention provides a housing and a battery pack, which can solve the above problems, and will be described in detail below.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The housing includes a sheet metal housing body 1, which has a flange edge 10. The flange edge 10 is provided with a plurality of connection holes 101, which are spaced apart from each other. The flange edge 10 is also provided with reinforcing ribs 12, which are distributed around the connection holes 101.

[0032] The flange edge 10 of the sheet metal housing body 1 is provided with reinforcing ribs 12, which are distributed around the connecting hole 101. The reinforcing ribs 12 increase the structural strength of the flange edge 10, ensuring structural strength even when an outward flange 14 cannot be provided on the flange edge 10. When the sheet metal housing is used as the outer shell of a battery pack, the reinforcing ribs 12 ensure sufficient strength when the flange edge 10 is mated with the other half of the housing, guaranteeing a tight seal when connected as the battery pack outer shell. This allows it to be used when the envelope width is limited and an outward flange 14 cannot be manufactured. The reinforcing ribs 12 on the flange edge 10 of the sheet metal housing body 1 replace the reinforcing function of the outward flange 14, reducing space requirements and expanding the applicability of the sheet metal housing. Furthermore, the overall structure is simple, and compared to the traditional outward flange 14 manufacturing process, the use of reinforcing ribs 12 reduces mold costs, thus saving manufacturing costs.

[0033] In this embodiment, the sheet metal housing body 1 is rectangular with four connecting sides for connecting to the other half of the housing. At least two of the four connecting sides have partial flange edges 10 to ensure the reliability and strength of the connection when connected to the other half of the housing. For example, two opposite connecting sides can be selected as flange edges 10 and reinforced with ribs 12. The connecting sides with the reinforcing ribs 12 may not require an outward flange 14, or the outward flange 14 may be omitted if space is limited. Alternatively, all four connecting sides can be used as flange edges 10 and reinforced with ribs 12.

[0034] In other embodiments, the shape of the sheet metal housing body 1 can also be other regular or irregular covers, and its shape can be designed according to the actual situation, without limitation. Correspondingly, the flange edge 10 of the sheet metal housing body 1 can also have multiple flange edges, and reinforcing ribs 12 are provided on at least a portion of the flange edge 10 to enhance the structural strength of the flange edge 10.

[0035] Each flange edge 10 of the sheet metal housing body 1 is provided with a connection hole 101. The connection hole 101 can be a threaded hole, which is adapted to the threaded hole on the other half of the housing. The two can be connected together by installing bolts on the threaded hole and the threaded hole of the other half of the housing. There can be multiple connection holes 101, which are evenly distributed along the flange edge 10 to ensure the strength and firmness of the connection.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The reinforcing ribs 12 are disposed around the connecting holes 101. Depending on their shape, the reinforcing ribs 12 can be positioned at different locations around the connecting holes 101. For example, when the reinforcing rib 12 is straight, it can be placed between two connecting holes 101, extending along the length of the flange edge 10. This ensures good structural strength along the length of the flange edge 10 when the sheet metal housing is connected to the other half of the housing, guaranteeing reliability and sealing during connection. Alternatively, when the reinforcing rib 12 is straight, multiple reinforcing ribs 12 can be disposed between two connecting holes 101, extending along the width of the flange edge 10, with one end extending to the outside of the connecting holes 101. This ensures structural strength around the connecting holes 101, improving connection stability when bolted. For example, when the reinforcing rib 12 is annular, the reinforcing rib 12 can wrap around the outside of the connecting hole 101, and two adjacent annular reinforcing ribs 12 can be connected to each other, thus strengthening the structural strength and integrity of the entire flange edge 10.

[0037] The reinforcing rib 12 can be straight, circular, or other curved or circular shapes such as wavy, elliptical, or broken lines, without limitation.

[0038] Meanwhile, the number of reinforcing ribs 12 provided between the two connecting holes 101 is at least one. The reinforcing ribs 12 can extend along the length direction of the flange edge 10, or extend along the width direction of the flange edge 10, or be inclined relative to the length direction of the flange edge 10. The number and extension direction of the reinforcing ribs 12 can be designed in practice as needed, and there is no limitation on this.

[0039] The reinforcing rib 12 can also take various structural forms, such as being placed in a solid block, forming a concave-convex structure, or other forms. For example... Figure 3 In this embodiment, a concave-convex structure is used as an example. One side of the reinforcing rib 12 is set as a convex rib, and the lower part of the convex rib is set as a groove 121. In use, the side of the sheet metal shell body 1 with the groove 121 is connected to the other half of the shell. This not only increases the structural strength of the flange edge 10, but also reduces the material usage and the overall weight of the sheet metal shell body 1. At the same time, during manufacturing, it can be directly formed by mold, which simplifies the structure, reduces the manufacturing process requirements, and also reduces the mold manufacturing cost.

[0040] It is worth mentioning that the flange edge 10 with reinforcing ribs 12 may not have an outward flange 14. An outward flange 14 can be provided on the connecting edge side without reinforcing ribs 12, allowing it to be fastened to the other half of the housing. Here, the other half of the housing refers to the housing connected to the sheet metal housing body 1. For example, if the sheet metal housing body 1 is used as the upper cover of the battery pack, then the other half of the housing refers to the lower cover of the battery pack. Of course, if all connecting edges of the sheet metal housing body 1 are provided with reinforcing ribs 12, then none of the connecting edges need to be provided with outward flanges 14; if only some connecting edges are provided with reinforcing ribs 12, then outward flanges 14 are provided on the remaining connecting edges.

[0041] The shell of this utility model improves the structural strength of the flange edge 10 by adding a local reinforcing rib 12 to the flange edge 10 of the sheet metal shell body 1, replacing the reinforcement function of the existing outward flange 14, reducing the space requirements during use, and expanding the applicable scenarios of the sheet metal shell.

[0042] refer to Figure 4This utility model also provides a battery pack that uses the aforementioned housing as the outer shell of the battery pack, for example, as the upper cover of the battery pack. The upper cover and the lower cover are fastened together. The flange edge 10 of the upper cover is provided with reinforcing ribs 12, which increases the structural strength of the flange edge 10. Screw holes are provided on the connecting sides of the upper and lower covers, and these holes are compatible with each other. Bolts / screws can be installed in these holes to connect the two together. Because the flange edge 10 is provided with reinforcing ribs 12, the sealing and stability of the connection between the upper and lower covers can be ensured, eliminating the need for an outward flange 14.

[0043] During actual assembly, first place the lower cover of the outer shell on the tooling table to complete the internal assembly of the enclosure, then attach the sealing gasket, then align and assemble the upper cover of the sheet metal outer shell with the outer shell, and finally tighten the bolts in sequence according to the torque requirements to complete the enclosure assembly.

[0044] Of course, the battery pack also contains components such as battery cells, cell frames, and cooling pipes. Their specific arrangement can refer to the layout and arrangement of existing battery packs, which are considered existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A housing, characterized in that, include: The sheet metal housing body (1) has a flange edge (10), the flange edge (10) is provided with a plurality of connection holes (101), the plurality of connection holes (101) are spaced apart from each other; the flange edge (10) is also provided with reinforcing ribs (12), the reinforcing ribs (12) are distributed around the connection holes (101).

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the reinforcing ribs (12) is provided between the two connecting holes (101).

3. The housing according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least a portion of the reinforcing rib (12) is located outside the connecting hole (101).

4. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing rib (12) is a raised rib, and the lower part of the raised rib is a groove (121).

5. The housing according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reinforcing bar (12) is straight, curved or ring-shaped.

6. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing rib (12) extends along the length of the flange edge (10).

7. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing rib (12) extends along the width direction of the flange edge (10).

8. The housing according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The number of flange edges (10) is at least two, and at least two flange edges (10) are spaced apart from each other on the sheet metal housing body (1).

9. The housing according to claim 8, characterized in that, An outward flange (14) is provided between two adjacent flange edges (10) on the sheet metal housing body (1).

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

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