Battery module structure

Abstract

SOLUTION: To provide a battery module structure which includes a square frame and a plurality of battery packs arranged in the square frame in parallel and in which each battery pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series, a flexible pad 3 is arranged between every two adjacent cells, the square frame comprises end plates 4 and side plates 5 which define a frame-shaped structure of the square frame, the end plates are arranged in an arrangement direction of the battery packs, and the side plates are connected to the end parts of the end plates, a pull rod 6 is arranged between every two adjacent battery packs, and end parts of the pull rods are fixedly connected with the end plates.EFFECT: A plurality of battery packs is integrated in a square frame, so that a space utilization rate can be effectively increased, energy density is improved, and a cost is reduced. When the battery module structure is used, pull rods can tension front and rear end plates, so that strength of the square frame is improved, excessive deformation of the square frame under the action of external force is avoided, and stability of the structure is ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of large battery-integrated modules, and in particular to a battery module structure. [Background technology]

[0002] With the increasing development of the new energy electric vehicle industry, the technical level of power battery packs is constantly improving, and the requirements for safety, high reliability, long driving range, high energy density and other features are becoming more and more prominent. The energy density performance requirement of power battery packs has always been an important indicator in the battery pack field, and directly affects the driving range of the finished vehicle. However, modules account for a large proportion of power battery packs, so it is also particularly important to improve the module integration design and reduce the weight and cost of modules.

[0003] Lead acid batteries are widely used in the field of forklifts due to their advantages of low cost and simple structure, but lead acid batteries still have many disadvantages, such as heavy weight, low energy density, high self-discharge rate, and short service life. In comparison, using lithium batteries with high energy and long service life is a more preferable choice. However, the problem with the prior art is that lithium batteries are often integrated into modules and then connected in series and parallel to the PACK, resulting in low space utilization and complicated assembly.

[0004] The invention patent, whose application number is "202211692876.8" and whose title is "lithium ion battery integrated large module", includes a plurality of cell module end plates and module side plates, the plurality of cells are arranged and installed along the horizontal and vertical directions to form a plurality of rows and columns of cells, the module end plates are fixed to both left and right ends of the plurality of rows of cells and located outside the first insulating member, the module side plates are fixed to both front and rear ends of the plurality of columns of cells and located outside the second insulating member, and both ends of the module end plates are fixed and connected to the module side plates on both sides. The lithium ion battery integrated large module can realize the assembly design of the plurality of rows and columns of batteries, improve the energy density of the battery, and is easy to assemble. However, during use, it has been found that the strength of the module structure is low and the arrangement of the cells is loose. In particular, when the cells are used for a long time and expand, the shape of the end plates is greatly damaged, which may lead to an accident. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] China Patent Application Publication No. 115764114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module structure that solves the problems existing in the prior art, and can effectively increase space utilization rate, improve energy density, and reduce costs. When the battery module structure is used, the pull rod can pull the two front and rear end plates, improve the strength of the square frame, avoid excessive deformation caused by external force, and ensure the stability of the structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention provides a battery module structure, comprising: a square frame and a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel on the square frame, the battery packs include a plurality of cells connected in series with each other, with flexible pads arranged between adjacent cells, the square frame includes end plates and side plates surrounding its frame-shaped structure, the end plates are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery packs, the side plates are connected to ends of the end plates, a pull rod is arranged between two adjacent battery packs, and the ends of the pull rod are fixedly connected to the end plates.

[0008] Preferably, threaded portions are provided at both ends of the pull rod, the diameter of the threaded portions being smaller than the dimension of the end face of the pull rod, a first through hole is provided in the end plate, the diameter of the first through hole is larger than the diameter of the threaded portions and smaller than the dimension of the end face of the pull rod, and the threaded portions pass through the first through hole and are connected to a lock nut.

[0009] Preferably, two of the pull rods are installed between two adjacent battery packs, and the two pull rods are installed adjacent to both ends of the cells, respectively.

[0010] Preferably, the pull rod has a rectangular cross section, the length of a side of the rectangular shape being greater than the diameter of the threaded portion.

[0011] Preferably, the first through hole has a stepped structure, the stepped structure includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, a cross-sectional shape of the large diameter portion is square to fit the pull rod, an end face of the pull rod abuts against a step surface of the stepped structure, and the threaded portion extends from the small diameter portion.

[0012] Preferably, the side plates are provided with reinforcing beads, and the end plates are provided with reinforcing ribs on their outer end faces.

[0013] Preferably, the length of the threaded portion extending from the first through hole and the height of the lock nut are smaller than the height of the reinforcing rib.

[0014] Preferably, a second through hole is provided on the end plate, heating films are provided on both sides of the battery pack for heating the battery pack, and terminals of the heating films extend from the second through holes.

[0015] Preferably, end flanges are provided at both ends of the side plates, and the end flanges and the end plates are connected by connecting bolts.

[0016] Preferably, a first bottom flange is provided on the bottom of the side plate, a third through hole is provided on the first bottom flange for connecting to the bottom plate of the electrical box, a top flange is provided on the top of the end plate, a second bottom flange is provided on the bottom, a fourth through hole and a fifth through hole are provided correspondingly on the top flange and the second bottom flange, and bolts are fixed to the bottom plate of the electrical box by passing through the fourth through hole and the fifth through hole. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The present invention obtains the following technical advantages over the prior art: 1. In the present invention, multiple battery packs are integrated into one square frame, which can effectively increase the space utilization rate, improve the energy density, and reduce the cost. When the battery module structure is used, the pull rod can pull the two front and rear end plates, which improves the strength of the square frame, avoids excessive deformation caused by external force, and ensures the stability of the structure. The length of the pull rod is equal to the length of the battery pack, which prevents the battery pack from shaking in the square frame, does not generate significant pressing force on the battery pack, and ensures the stability of the battery module structure. 2. In the present invention, the first through hole has a stepped structure, the stepped structure includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, the cross-sectional shape of the large diameter portion is square to fit the pull rod, the end face of the pull rod abuts on the step surface of the stepped structure, the threaded portion extends from the small diameter portion, and the large diameter portion with a square cross-section can restrict the pull rod and prevent the pull rod from moving or rotating, which not only ensures the stability of the battery module structure but also makes it easy to screw in the lock nut. 3. In the present invention, the end plates and side plates are provided with reinforcing beads and reinforcing ribs respectively, which is beneficial to improve the strength of the battery module structure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] In order to more clearly describe the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings that need to be used in the embodiments are briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative labor.

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a battery module according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the explosion structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the fitting structure between the square frame and the pull rod. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an end plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear view of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] The objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module structure that solves the problems existing in the prior art, and can effectively increase space utilization rate, improve energy density, and reduce costs. When the battery module structure is used, the pull rod can pull the two front and rear end plates, improve the strength of the square frame, avoid excessive deformation caused by external force, and ensure the stability of the structure.

[0022] In order to make the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and comprehensible, the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 8, this embodiment provides a battery module structure, which includes a square frame and a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel on the square frame, the battery pack includes a plurality of cells 1, the cells 1 are connected in series via an aluminum bus bar 2, and a flexible pad 3 is installed between adjacent cells 1 in the same battery pack. The square frame includes two end plates 4 and two side plates 5 surrounding its frame-shaped structure, the two end plates 4 are installed along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery packs, and the two side plates 5 are connected to the ends of the end plates 4. A plurality of pull rods 6 are installed from top to bottom between two adjacent battery packs, the pull rods 6 restrict the battery packs in the arrangement direction of the battery packs, and the ends of the pull rods 6 are fixedly connected to the end plates 4, preferably the length of the pull rods 6 is equal to the arrangement length of the cells 1 of the battery packs, and after the pull rods 6 are connected to the end plates 4, the end plates 4 abut against the ends of the battery module.

[0024] In this embodiment, by integrating multiple battery packs into one square frame, it is possible to effectively increase the space utilization rate, improve the energy density, and reduce the cost. When the battery module structure is used, the pull rod 6 can pull the two end plates 4 at the front and rear, which improves the strength of the square frame, avoids excessive deformation caused by external force, and ensures the stability of the structure. At the same time, the length of the pull rod 6 is equal to the length of the battery pack, which prevents the battery pack from shaking in the square frame, and does not generate significant pressing force on the battery pack, thereby ensuring the stability of the battery module structure.

[0025] The flexible pad 3 between the adjacent cells 1 can play a role of buffering when subjected to external force, and specifically, the flexible pad 3 can be selected as urethane foam.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, threaded portions 7 are provided on both ends of the pull rod 6, and the diameter of the threaded portions 7 is smaller than the dimension of the end face of the pull rod 6. A first through hole 8 is provided on the end plate 4, and the diameter of the first through hole 8 is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion 7 and smaller than the dimension of the end face of the pull rod 6. When the threaded portion 7 penetrates through the first through hole 8, the end face of the pull rod 6 abuts against the first through hole 8. Then, a lock nut 9 is tightened on the threaded portion 7. The lock nut 9 presses the end plate 4 against the end face of the pull rod 6, thereby using the pull rod 6 to pull the two front and rear end plates 4.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cross section of the pull rod 6 is square, and the side length of the square shape is greater than the diameter of the threaded portion 7. The first through hole 8 has a stepped structure, which includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and the cross section of the large diameter portion is square to fit the pull rod 6, and the end face of the pull rod 6 abuts against the step surface of the stepped structure, and the threaded portion 7 extends from the small diameter portion. In use, the end of the pull rod 6 is inserted into the large diameter portion of the first through hole 8 and abuts against the step surface between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, and the large diameter portion with a square cross section can restrict the pull rod 6, preventing the pull rod 6 from moving or rotating, which not only ensures the stability of the battery module structure, but also makes it easy to screw in the lock nut 9.

[0028] In order to improve the strength of the side plate 5 and the end plate 4, in this embodiment, a reinforcing bead 10 is installed on the side plate 5, specifically, the reinforcing bead 10 may be annular or of other shapes. In this embodiment, a reinforcing rib 11 is installed on the outer end surface of the end plate 4, and the reinforcing rib 11 is installed perpendicular to the outer end surface of the end plate 4, and is installed alternately in the horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. The first through hole 8 is located in the gap between the reinforcing ribs 11, and the length of the screw part 7 extending from the first through hole 8 and the height of the lock nut 9 are smaller than the height of the reinforcing rib 11, so as to avoid the screw part 7 or the lock nut 9 being higher than the reinforcing rib 11 by a certain distance, which causes an obstacle in assembly and transportation.

[0029] In this embodiment, the end plate 4 is provided with a second through hole 12, and both sides of the battery pack are provided with heating films 13 for heating the battery pack, the heating film 13 close to the side plate 5 is attached to the side of the battery pack by the action of the side plate 5, and the heating film 13 located between adjacent battery packs is located between the battery pack and the pull rod 6 and is attached to the side of the battery pack by the action of the pull rod 6. The terminal of the heating film 13 extends from the second through hole 12 and is used to connect to a heating power source. In a low-temperature environment, the power source can be turned on, and the heating film 13 converts electrical energy into thermal energy to heat the battery pack, improving the usage efficiency and operating time of the battery pack.

[0030] In this embodiment, end flanges 16 are vertically installed at both ends of the side plate 5 , and the end flanges 16 and the end plates 4 are connected by connecting bolts 20 .

[0031] In this embodiment, the battery module structure can be disposed in an electric box, and the electric box includes an electric box bottom plate 14 and an electric box cover plate (not shown). In this embodiment, a first bottom flange 15 is provided at the bottom of the side plate 5, and the first bottom flange 15 is integrally connected to an end flange 16. A third through hole is provided in the first bottom flange 15 for connecting to the electric box bottom plate 14, and a bolt 20 passes through the third through hole and is fixed to the electric box bottom plate 14 to connect the side plate 5 to the electric box bottom plate 14. A top flange 17 is provided at the top of the end plate 4, and a second bottom flange 21 is provided at the bottom. A fourth through hole 18 and a fifth through hole 19 are provided correspondingly in the top flange 17 and the second bottom flange 21, and a bolt 20 passes through the fourth through hole 18 and the fifth through hole 19 and is fixed to the electric box bottom plate 14. The bolt 20 for fixing the end plate 4 is long, which can further improve the stability of the end plate 4.

[0032] Any adaptive modifications made according to actual needs are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, in all respects, the embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative and non-limiting, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited not by the above description but by the appended claims, and it is intended to cover all changes that come within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the claims. Any reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 cell 2 Aluminum bus bar 3 Flexible Pad 4 End plate 5 Side Panel 6 Pull Rod 7 Threaded part 8 First through hole 9 Lock nut 10 Reinforcement bead 11 Reinforcing rib 12 Second through hole 13 Heating film 14 Electrical box bottom plate 15 First bottom flange 16 End flange 17 Top flange 18 4th Through Hole 19 5th Through Hole 20 Volts 21 Second bottom flange

Claims

1. A battery module structure comprising: a square frame; and a plurality of battery packs arranged parallel to the square frame, the battery packs including a plurality of cells connected in series with each other, with flexible pads arranged between adjacent cells, the square frame including end plates and side plates surrounding its frame-shaped structure, the end plates being arranged along an arrangement direction of the plurality of battery packs, the side plates being connected to ends of the end plates, a pull rod being arranged between two adjacent battery packs, with the ends of the pull rod being fixedly connected to the end plates.

2. 2. The battery module structure according to claim 1, wherein two of the pull rods are installed between two adjacent battery packs, and the two pull rods are installed adjacent to both ends of the cells, respectively.

3. 2. The battery module structure of claim 1, wherein a threaded portion is provided at both ends of the pull rod, the diameter of the threaded portion being smaller than a dimension of an end face of the pull rod, a first through hole is provided in the end plate, the diameter of the first through hole is larger than a diameter of the threaded portion and smaller than a dimension of the end face of the pull rod, and the threaded portion passes through the first through hole and is connected to a lock nut.

4. 4. The battery module structure according to claim 3, wherein the cross section of the pull rod is rectangular, and a side length of the rectangular shape is greater than a diameter of the threaded portion.

5. 5. The battery module structure of claim 4, wherein the first through hole has a stepped structure, the stepped structure includes a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, a cross-sectional shape of the large diameter portion is square to fit the pull rod, an end face of the pull rod abuts against a step surface of the stepped structure, and the screw portion extends from the small diameter portion.

6. 6. The battery module structure according to claim 5, wherein the side plates are provided with reinforcing beads, and the end plates are provided with reinforcing ribs on their outer end surfaces.

7. The battery module structure according to claim 6 , wherein a length of the threaded portion extending from the first through hole and a height of the lock nut are smaller than a height of the reinforcing rib.

8. 2. The battery module structure according to claim 1, wherein a second through hole is provided in the end plate, a heating film is provided on both sides of the battery pack for heating the battery pack, and a terminal of the heating film extends from the second through hole.

9. 2. The battery module structure according to claim 1, wherein end flanges are provided at both ends of the side plates, and the end flanges and the end plates are connected by connecting bolts.

10. 2. The battery module structure of claim 1, wherein a first bottom flange is provided at the bottom of the side plate, a third through hole is provided in the first bottom flange for connecting to an electric box bottom plate, a top flange is provided at the top of the end plate, and a second bottom flange is provided at the bottom, a fourth through hole and a fifth through hole are provided correspondingly in the top flange and the second bottom flange, and bolts are fixed to the electric box bottom plate by passing through the fourth through hole and the fifth through hole.

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