Battery cell support structure

Abstract

A battery cell support structure, comprising: a heat dissipation element comprising the following: a main body; a first boundary wall located on the top of the main body and projecting out of the plane of the drawing, wherein a first fastening section is provided at a left or right side end of the first boundary wall; and a second boundary wall located on the underside of the main body, projecting out of the plane of the drawing and formed opposite the first boundary wall, wherein a second fastening section opposite the first fastening section is provided on the second boundary wall; and a first support frame arranged at a side end of the main body, wherein the first fastening section and the second fastening section are attached to the first support frame; wherein the front of the main body, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall together form a receiving recess for receiving a battery cell.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell support structure and in particular a structure that is able to support a battery cell and at the same time enable its heat dissipation. State of the art

[0002] Under the dual pressure of increasing environmental pollution and dwindling energy resources, governments worldwide and leading automakers are continuously increasing their investments in electric vehicle research and development. As one of the three essential core components of an electric vehicle (battery, motor, and electronic control unit), high-performance batteries are naturally coming into focus for the automotive industry.

[0003] However, the conventional pouch cell technique has the following three main problems:

[0004] One initial problem is that the conventional support frame for pouch cells consists of a heat sink and a plastic frame arranged around the outer perimeter of the heat sink, with the pouch cell being cooled by direct contact with the heat sink. To ensure sufficient mechanical strength of the support frame, the plastic frame must be made quite thick. However, this design results in a thicker and heavier support frame, which increases the volume and weight of the entire module, thus negatively impacting its overall performance and applicability.

[0005] A second problem is that the manufacturing costs are comparatively high when using plastic as the material for the support frame. Furthermore, using a plastic frame requires the initial production of a corresponding mold, which increases development costs. In particular, if the external dimensions of the battery cell change, the original support frame cannot be reused, further increasing development costs and time. This problem is especially pronounced in production environments with frequent design and specification changes.

[0006] A third problem lies in the limited heat dissipation. Due to the structure, in which the heat sink is enclosed by a plastic frame, the battery cell can only come into contact with the heat sink (which has higher thermal conductivity) in certain areas, such as its surface. In contrast, the sides of the battery cell are only in contact with the plastic frame (which has lower thermal conductivity), so no contact with the heat sink is possible. This impairs the overall heat dissipation efficiency and negatively impacts the performance and lifespan of the battery cell.

[0007] It follows from the above that the conventional support frame for pouch cells has numerous disadvantages in terms of volume, weight, cost and heat dissipation performance.

[0008] Therefore, the industry has a need for a support structure that uses lighter and more efficient materials and also has an improved heat dissipation structure, so that the battery cell can come into contact with heat dissipation surfaces in more areas to increase the overall heat dissipation efficiency and thereby improve the performance and lifespan of the battery cell.

[0009] In view of the aforementioned problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a novel battery cell support structure that better meets the requirements of the industry. Object of the invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell support structure in which a first boundary wall and a second boundary wall are formed on the upper and lower sides of the main body of a heat dissipation element, respectively, projecting out of the plane of the drawing, so that a receiving recess for receiving a battery cell is formed. The heat dissipation element itself supports the battery cell and increases the contact area between the heat dissipation element and the battery cell, thereby increasing the overall heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell and improving its performance and service life.

[0011] To solve the aforementioned problem and to achieve the advantageous effects, the present invention provides a battery cell support structure comprising a heat dissipation element and a first support frame, wherein the heat dissipation element has a main body, a first boundary wall and a second boundary wall, the first boundary wall being located on the top of the main body and projecting out of the plane of the drawing, a first fastening section being provided at a left or right side end of the first boundary wall, the second boundary wall being located on the underside of the main body and being formed opposite the first boundary wall, and a second fastening section being provided on the second boundary wall opposite the first fastening section.The first support frame is arranged at one side end of the main body, and the first and second mounting sections are attached to the first support frame. The front of the main body, the first boundary wall, and the second boundary wall together form a receiving recess for a battery cell. This structure provides a battery cell support structure that increases heat dissipation efficiency.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first support frame is provided with at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode, the entry end of which is located on the side near the main body and the exit end of which is located on the side furthest from the main body, so that the electrode of the battery cell housed in the receiving recess protrudes on the side furthest from the main body after insertion and positioning.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first busbar is further provided, which is arranged at the output end of the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode and is electrically connected to the electrode.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, several first fastening elements are further provided to fasten the first fastening section and / or the second fastening section to the first support frame.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the main body is smaller than the length of the first boundary wall and the length of the second boundary wall.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the main body is greater than the width of the first boundary wall as well as the width of the second boundary wall.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall further project in a direction leading into the plane of the drawing, so that a further receiving recess is formed by the rear of the main body, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall, which serves to receive a further battery cell.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, a downwardly bent section is provided between the first boundary wall and the first fastening section, and an upwardly bent section is provided between the second boundary wall and the second fastening section, so that the left side and / or the right side of the receiving recess has a narrowed opening. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded view according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2A and Fig. Figures 2B show schematic views of the heat dissipation element according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a further schematic exploded view according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows schematic perspective views according to the embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic view of the multiple battery cells according to the embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the exemplary embodiment

[0019] In view of the problems of the prior art described above, the present invention provides a battery cell support structure comprising a heat dissipation element and a first support frame, wherein the heat dissipation element clamps a battery cell and rests against it in order to increase the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell and to solve the problems of conventional battery cell support structures with regard to low heat dissipation efficiency and high cost.

[0020] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 1, which shows a schematic exploded view according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this embodiment is a battery cell support structure comprising a heat dissipation element 1 and a first support frame 50. In the present embodiment, the heat dissipation element 1 clamps a battery cell 40.

[0021] As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment the heat dissipation element 1 comprises a main body 10, a first boundary wall 20, and a second boundary wall 30. The main body 10 has a top, a bottom, a first side end 11, and a front, wherein the top and the bottom are opposite each other and the first side end 11 is located between the top and the bottom. The normal direction of the front of the main body 10 corresponds to the direction extending out of the plane of the drawing. The first boundary wall 20 is located on the top of the main body 10 and projects out of the plane of the drawing, with a first fastening section 22 being provided at at least one left or right side end of the first boundary wall 20.The second boundary wall 30 is located on the underside of the main body 10 and is opposite the first boundary wall 20. A second mounting section 32 is provided on the second boundary wall 30, opposite the first mounting section 22, and the position of the first mounting section 22 corresponds to that of the second mounting section 32. The front of the main body 10, the first boundary wall 20, and the second boundary wall 30 together form a substantially C-shaped receiving recess 14, which serves to receive and support the battery cell 40. The first support frame 50 is arranged at the first side end 11 of the main body 10, with the first mounting section 22 and the second mounting section 32 being attached to the first support frame 50.

[0022] In the present embodiment, a metal sheet can be selected as the material for the heat dissipation element 1, so that the first boundary wall 20 and the second boundary wall 30 can be quickly formed by bending the metal sheet, thereby producing the main body 10, the first boundary wall 20 and the second boundary wall 30 in one piece. Alternatively, production by welding is also possible, so that the present invention is not limited to a specific manufacturing method.

[0023] In the present embodiment, the battery cell 40 is designed as a pouch cell which is in contact with the heat dissipation element 1, wherein the heat dissipation element 1 dissipates the heat energy generated by the battery cell 40 in order to achieve the advantageous effect of heat dissipation.

[0024] It will be directed to the Fig. 2A and Fig. Reference is made to Figure 2B, which shows schematic views of the heat dissipation element according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, the main body 10 of the heat dissipation element 1 has a length L1 and a width W1, the first boundary wall 20 of the heat dissipation element 1 has a length L2 and a width W2, and the second boundary wall 30 of the heat dissipation element 1 has a length L2' and a width W2', wherein the length L1 of the main body 10 is less than the length L2 of the first boundary wall 20, the length L1 of the main body 10 is less than the length L2' of the second boundary wall 30, the width W1 of the main body 10 is greater than the width W2 of the first boundary wall 20, and the width W1 of the main body 10 is greater than the width W2' of the second boundary wall 30. Preferably, the length L2 of the first boundary wall 20 is equal to the length L2' of the second boundary wall 30.

[0025] It will be referred to again as... Fig. 2A and Fig. Reference is made to Section 2B. Furthermore, a downwardly curved section 23 can be provided between the first mounting section 22 and the first boundary wall 20, so that in this embodiment the first mounting section 22 and the first boundary wall 20 have a stepped arrangement. Correspondingly, an upwardly curved section 33 is provided between the second mounting section 32 and the second boundary wall 30, so that in this embodiment the second mounting section 32 and the second boundary wall 30 also have a stepped arrangement. Due to the design of the downwardly curved section 23 and the upwardly curved section 33 described above, the left and / or right side of the receiving recess 14 can have a narrower opening compared to the width W1 of the main body 10 in order to limit the lateral movement of the battery cell 40 arranged in the receiving recess 14.

[0026] It will be on Fig. Reference is made to Figure 3, which shows a schematic perspective exploded view according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the battery cell 40 has at least one first electrode 42 and a second electrode 44, wherein at least one positioning / guiding recess for the first electrode 52 is provided on the side of the first support frame 50 located near the battery cell 40. In the present embodiment, the number of at least one positioning / guiding recess for the first electrode 52 is three.The first electrode 42 of the battery cell 40 is inserted into the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode 52 of the first support frame 50, wherein the inlet end of the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode 52 is located near the main body 10 and the outlet end is located furthest from the main body 10, such that the first electrode 42 of the battery cell 40, housed in the receiving recess 14, protrudes from the outlet end furthest from the main body 10 after insertion and positioning. Furthermore, a first busbar 70 is provided, which is arranged at the outlet end of the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode 52 and is electrically connected to the first electrode 42.Furthermore, the first electrode 42 can be bent so that it surrounds the first busbar 70, thereby securing the first busbar 70 and increasing the contact area to reduce electrical resistance.

[0027] On the upper and lower sides of the first support frame 50, two first fastening holes 56 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the first fastening section 22 and the second fastening section 32, respectively (only the first fastening hole provided on the upper side is shown in the figure).Furthermore, the battery cell support structure comprises several first fastening elements F1, wherein these first fastening elements F1 are passed through the corresponding first fastening sections 22 and fastened in the corresponding first fastening holes 56 provided on the upper side of the first support frame 50 and / or passed through the corresponding second fastening sections 32 and fastened in the corresponding first fastening holes 56 (not shown) provided on the lower side of the first support frame 50, thereby fastening the first support frame 50 to the heat dissipation element 1. For example, the first fastening elements F1 can be designed as screws to fasten the first fastening section 22 or the second fastening section 32 to one of the first fastening holes 56, respectively, by means of the first fastening elements F1.

[0028] The main body 10 further comprises a second side end 13, which is opposite the first side end 11, the second side end 13 being located between the top and bottom of the main body 10. The battery cell support structure 1 further comprises a second support frame 60. Similar to the arrangement of the first fastening section 22, a third fastening section 24 extends from another side of the first boundary wall 20 towards the second side end 13 of the main body 10. Similar to the arrangement of the second fastening section 32, a fourth fastening section 34 is provided on another side of the second boundary wall 30 towards the second side end 13 of the main body 10. The second support frame 60 is rigidly connected to the third fastening section 24 and the fourth fastening section 34.

[0029] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, at least one positioning / guide recess for the second electrode 62 is provided on the side of the second support frame 60 located near the battery cell 40. The second electrode 44 of the battery cell 40 is inserted into the at least one positioning / guide recess for the second electrode 62. The inlet end of the at least one positioning / guide recess for the second electrode 62 is located near the main body 10, and the outlet end is located furthest from the main body 10. Thus, after insertion and positioning, the second electrode 44 of the battery cell 40, housed in the receiving recess 14, protrudes from the outlet end furthest from the main body 10. Furthermore, a second busbar 80 is provided, which is arranged on the side of the second support frame 60 furthest from the battery cell 40 and is electrically connected to the second electrode 44.Furthermore, the second electrode 44 can be bent so that it surrounds the second busbar 80, thereby securing the second busbar 80 and increasing the contact area to reduce electrical resistance.

[0030] On the upper and lower sides of the second support frame 60, two second fastening bores 66 are provided at positions corresponding to the positions of the third fastening section 24 and the fourth fastening section 324, respectively (only the second fastening bore on the upper side is shown in the figure). Furthermore, the battery cell support structure comprises several second fastening elements F2, these second fastening elements F2 being passed through the corresponding third fastening sections 24 and fastened in the corresponding second fastening bores 66 provided on the upper side of the second support frame 60.These second fastening elements F2 are also passed through the corresponding fourth fastening sections 34 and fastened in the corresponding second fastening holes 66 (not shown) provided on the lower side of the second support frame 60, thereby attaching the second support frame 60 to the heat dissipation element 1. The second fastening elements F2 can also be designed as screws.

[0031] It will be directed to the Fig. 4A and Fig. Reference is made to Figure 4B, which shows schematic perspective views according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, several heat dissipation elements 1 can be provided, with each heat dissipation element 1 being assigned to a battery cell 40, and several heat dissipation elements 1, 1', 1'' being arranged between the first support frame 50 and the second support frame 60 to form an assembly 2. The first electrodes 42, 42', 42'' of the battery cells 40 are each bent after being inserted into the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode 52 of the first support frame 50 so that they enclose the first busbar 70.Similarly, after being inserted into the at least one positioning / guiding recess for the second electrode 62 of the second support frame 60, the second electrodes (not shown) of the battery cells 40 are bent so that they enclose the second busbar 80, thus forming a parallel electrical connection between the battery cells 40.

[0032] It will then go to Fig. Reference is made to Figure 4B. In one embodiment, assembly 2 can be electrically connected to the other assemblies 2', 2''. For example, assemblies 2, 2', 2'' can each be connected in series via the corresponding first support frames 50, 50', 50'', the second support frames 60, 60', 60'' and the corresponding first busbars 70, 70' and second busbars (not shown) arranged thereon, but the present invention is not subject to any limitations in this respect.

[0033] It will be on Fig.Reference is made to Figure 5, which shows a schematic view of the multiple battery cells according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the first boundary wall 20 can extend not only in the direction normal to the front of the main body 10 (i.e., in the direction extending out of the plane of the drawing), but also in the direction normal to the rear of the main body 10 (i.e., in the direction extending into the plane of the drawing). Likewise, the second boundary wall 30 can extend not only in the direction normal to the front of the main body 10 (i.e., in the direction extending out of the plane of the drawing), but also in the direction normal to the rear of the main body 10 (i.e., in the direction extending into the plane of the drawing).On the rear side of the main body 10, the first boundary wall 20 and the second boundary wall 30 further form a receiving recess 15, the cross-section of the heat dissipation element 1 having a substantially I-shaped structure. Accordingly, the receiving recess 14 provided on the front side of the main body 10 of the heat dissipation element 1 serves for clamping and bearing against a battery cell 40, while the receiving recess 15 provided on the rear side of the main body 10 of the heat dissipation element 1 serves for clamping and bearing against another battery cell 90, so that the heat dissipation element 1 clamps one battery cell 40 and one battery cell 90 respectively on each of its two sides. If a metallic sheet is chosen as the material for the heat dissipation element 1, the first boundary wall 20 and the second boundary wall 30 can be attached to the main body 10 by welding.Alternatively, the main body 10, the first boundary wall 20, and the second boundary wall 30 can also be manufactured by metal powder injection molding or metal stamping. However, the manufacturing methods should not be considered a limitation of the present invention.

[0034] In summary, the present invention provides a battery cell support structure comprising a heat dissipation element for receiving a battery cell and a first support frame, wherein the heat dissipation element has a main body, a first boundary wall and a second boundary wall, the first boundary wall extends from one side of the main body, the second boundary wall extends from the side of the main body opposite the first boundary wall, a first fastening section and a second fastening section extend from the same side of the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall, and the first support frame is arranged at a side end of the main body and is rigidly connected to the first fastening section and the second fastening section, such that the heat dissipation element and the first support frame are rigidly connected to each other.This structure supports the battery cell and simultaneously increases the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell.

[0035] In summary, the present invention provides a battery cell support structure in which a battery cell is clamped by means of a heat dissipation element that exhibits both high support strength and a heat dissipation function. This reduces the costs and time required for the development of molds, while at the same time allowing the battery cell to come into contact with more heat dissipation surfaces in order to increase the overall heat dissipation efficiency and thus improve the performance and lifespan of the battery cell.This solves the problems of conventional battery cell support structures, which require the production of molds for plastic frames, thus increasing costs, as well as the problems that the heat dissipation area that can be brought into contact with a battery cell is limited, thereby impairing the performance and lifespan of that battery cell. Furthermore, in the present invention, a heat dissipation element is equipped with at least one support frame for positioning and leading out the electrode (or the conductive contact terminal) of the battery cell clamped in this heat dissipation element, thereby facilitating a subsequent modular electrical connection.

[0036] The foregoing description represents only one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications with respect to form, structure, features, and spirit of the present invention that fall within the scope of protection are also covered by the present invention. Reference symbol list 1 heat dissipation element 1' Heat dissipation element 1'' heat dissipation element 2 assembly 2' assembly 2'' assembly 10 main bodies 11 first page end 13 second page end 14. Deepening the recording 15. Deepening the recording 20 first boundary wall 22 first fastening section 23 downward curved section 24 third fastening section 30 second boundary wall 32 second fastening section 33 upward curved section 34 fourth fastening section 40 battery cells 42 first electrode 42' first electrode 42'' first electrode 44 second electrode 50 first support frame 50' first support frame 50'' first support frame 52 Positioning / guide recess for the first electrode 56 first mounting hole 60 second support frame 60' second support frame 60” second support frame 62 Positioning / guide recess for the second electrode 66 second mounting hole 70 first busbar 70' first busbar 80 second busbar 90 battery cells F1 first fastening element F2 second fastening element L1 length L2 length L2' Length W1 width W2 width W2' width

Claims

A battery cell support structure comprising: a heat dissipation element comprising: a main body; a first boundary wall located on the top of the main body and projecting out of the plane of the drawing, with a first attachment section provided at a left or right side end of the first boundary wall; and a second boundary wall located on the underside of the main body and projecting out of the plane of the drawing, opposite the first boundary wall, with a second attachment section provided on the second boundary wall opposite the first attachment section; and a first support frame arranged at a side end of the main body, with the first attachment section and the second attachment section being attached to the first support frame;wherein the front of the main body, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall together form a receiving recess for receiving a battery cell; Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the first support frame is provided with at least one positioning / guiding recess for the first electrode, the entry end of which is located on the side near the main body and the exit end of which is located on the side away from the main body, such that the electrode of the battery cell housed in the receiving recess protrudes on the side away from the main body after insertion and positioning. Battery cell support structure according to claim 2, further comprising a first busbar which is arranged at the output end of the at least one positioning / guide recess for the first electrode and is electrically connected to the electrode. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, further comprising several first fastening elements to fasten the first fastening section and / or the second fastening section to the first support frame. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the length of the main body is less than the length of the first boundary wall and the length of the second boundary wall. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the width of the main body is greater than the width of the first boundary wall as well as the width of the second boundary wall. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall further project in a direction leading into the plane of the drawing, such that a further receiving recess is formed by the rear of the main body, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall, which serves to receive a further battery cell. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein a downwardly bent section is provided between the first boundary wall and the first fastening section and an upwardly bent section is provided between the second boundary wall and the second fastening section, such that the left side and / or the right side of the receiving recess has a narrowed opening. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the main body, the first boundary wall and the second boundary wall are all made of metal. Battery cell support structure according to claim 1, wherein the first boundary wall and / or the second boundary wall are manufactured integrally with the main body.

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