Composite Battery Assembly Structure

Abstract

To provide a complex battery assembly structure.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a complex battery assembly structure. A heat radiation sheet 10 is arranged between battery cells 20 for support and protection. In addition to a provision of a structural strength, the heat radiation sheet that is made of a high-heat conductive material can improve a heat radiation efficiency massively. In addition, the heat radiation sheet are connected to each other by a fixing tub 14 and a fixing notch 13. With such a structure, the heat radiation sheet can be easily fixed to each other. By enabling a light-weight and small-sized design, the present invention can improve an energy density of the complex battery assembly structure per unit weight and per unit volume.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery assembly structure, and more particularly to a composite battery assembly structure that has high thermal conductivity, structural strength, and efficiency during assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] New energy vehicles are being promoted and gradually appearing on the market. Power batteries are one of the three core technologies of new energy electric vehicles. Therefore, structural protection and thermal management of power batteries are considered to be extremely important elements of new energy vehicles. As power batteries are widely used, new energy vehicle manufacturers are required to reduce their weight in order to extend the driving range of new energy vehicles. This is expected to maximize the driving range within limited space and power capacity, facilitating the smooth popularization of new energy vehicles.

[0003] Soft-packaged power batteries boast unique advantages over common hard packaging. A soft film material, such as an aluminum-plastic film, is used to encapsulate the internal battery cell or battery. Because the packaging material is a soft film material, the total weight and occupied space are reduced. Therefore, the energy density per unit volume or unit weight is increased. This structure is highly suitable for power batteries for new energy vehicles.

[0004] However, the soft-packaged structure reduces the structural strength of the entire battery module due to the characteristics of the soft film material. Furthermore, high energy density leads to heat accumulation per unit space. Therefore, strength-enhancing and heat-dissipating mechanisms are added to existing soft-packaged battery modules. However, this compromises the lightweight characteristics and eliminates the inherent advantages.

[0005] To address the above-mentioned issues, prior patent applications, such as Chinese Patent Publication No. 109671886, disclose a soft-package battery module structure that improves heat transfer. Specially designed cell holders are used to cooperate with upper and lower case modules to achieve support and heat dissipation. This improves the heat dissipation and structural support of the soft-package battery pack. However, the structure, particularly the cell brackets, is overly complicated. This makes manufacturing difficult and assembly inconvenient. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020274211 also discloses a battery and battery pack. A first thermally conductive component is disposed on and contacts the surface of each cell, and a second thermally conductive component forms a clamp thereto. This improves heat dissipation efficiency. However, the connection between the first thermally conductive components is not strong, which does not improve the support structure of the battery pack. A second thermally conductive component must be used for the clamp. This increases the overall weight of the battery pack and increases the complexity of assembly.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a composite battery assembly structure that reduces or prevents the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel composite battery assembly structure, in which a heat dissipation sheet is disposed in the gap between the battery cells, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation effect and further improving the efficiency of thermal management.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite battery assembly structure. The heat dissipation sheet has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture and assemble, is lightweight, occupies a small space, and has high clamping strength. Therefore, the overall composite battery assembly structure has extremely high structural support strength and higher energy density. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above, the present invention discloses a composite battery assembly structure having multiple battery cells and multiple heat dissipation sheets. At least one battery cell is disposed between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets. Each heat dissipation sheet has a heat sink, two connection portions, multiple fixing tabs, and multiple fixing notches. The heat sink directly contacts one of the battery cells to achieve heat dissipation. The two connection portions extend in the same direction from two opposing side surfaces of the heat sink. The fixing tab extends from the end of the connection portion, and the fixing notch is located at the junction between the heat sink and the connection portion. The fixing tab has a fixing tab neck and a fixing tab head connected to the fixing tab neck. The fixing notch has a fixing notch neck and a fixing notch head connected to the fixing notch neck, which correspond to the fixing tab neck and fixing tab head of the fixing tab, respectively. The fixing tabs and fixing notches connect two adjacent heat dissipation sheets together, thus firmly fixing the two adjacent heat dissipation sheets together and providing structural support, thereby improving the physical structural strength of the entire battery assembly structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the heat dissipation sheet is small in size, lightweight, and easy to assemble, which allows for reduced manufacturing and assembly costs, while still allowing for a fairly high energy density to be maintained.

[0011] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, but it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0012] The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, which is given by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat dissipation sheet of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a heat dissipation sheet and a battery cell of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat dissipation sheet and a battery cell of a composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the heat dissipation sheet and the battery cell of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 6A] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 6C] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 7A] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 7B] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 7C] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. [Figure 7D] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams of embodiments of locking tabs and locking notches of the composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. The drawings described are schematic and not limiting. In the figures, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may not be drawn to scale.

[0015] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a heat dissipation sheet of a composite battery assembly structure of the present invention. The heat dissipation sheet 10 has a heat sink 11, which is a thin sheet made of a highly thermally conductive metal. Two connection portions 12 extend in the same direction from two opposite sides of the heat sink 11. The two connection portions 12 are approximately parallel to each other and approximately perpendicular to the heat sink 11. Therefore, the heat dissipation sheet 10 is U-shaped, forming an accommodation space therebetween. The extension dimension of the connection portions 12 depends on the number of battery cells required to be installed in the accommodation space later. A detailed description will be given later.

[0016] The fixing tab 14 extends from the end, i.e., free end, of the connecting portion 12, and the fixing notch 13 is disposed at the junction between the heat sink 11 and the connecting portion 12. The fixing tab 14 has a fixing tab neck 142 and a fixing tab head 141 connected to the fixing tab neck 142. The fixing notch 13 has a fixing notch neck 132 and a fixing notch head 131 connected to the fixing notch neck 132, which correspond to the fixing tab neck 142 and the fixing tab head 141 of the fixing tab 14, respectively. As shown, the fixing tab head 141 is connected to the connecting portion 12 via the fixing tab neck 142, which has a smaller width. The fixing notch 13 has a similar shape corresponding to the fixing tab 14. The fixing notch neck 132 is narrower than the fixing notch head 131. Therefore, two adjacent heat dissipation sheets 10 can be clamped and secured to each other via the fixing tabs 14 fixed in the adjacent fixing notches 13. This will also be described in detail later. The shape, size, or spacing of all the fixing tabs 14 is not necessarily the same and can be adjusted to suit requirements. For example, the shape and size of the fixing tabs 14 can be modified for alignment or to limit the installation direction. Furthermore, the heat dissipation sheet 10 can be made of a highly thermally conductive metal and can be formed by, but is not limited to, the most common press process.

[0017] Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIGS. 1 and 2, only one battery cell 20 is sandwiched between two heat dissipation sheets 10, but this is merely one exemplary embodiment. The battery cell 20 is a basic electrochemical battery that charges and discharges. The battery cell 20 is fully packaged with a positive and negative electrode built in. A positive tab 21 and a negative tab 22 extend from two sides of the battery cell 20 for connection and power output. The battery cell 20 is generally thin and rectangular. The size of the heat sink 11 is equal to or smaller than the size of the battery cell 20, including the lengths of the positive tab 21 and negative tab 22, for heat dissipation and support. Preferably, the length L1 of the heat sink 11 is approximately equal to the length L2 of the battery cell 20 excluding the lengths of the positive tab 21 and negative tab 22. The width W1 of the heat sink 11 is slightly larger than the width W2 of the battery cell 20. The extension distance D1 of the connection portion 12 of the heat sink 11 is slightly larger than the thickness D2 of the battery cell 20. That is, D1>D2. After the battery cell 20 is clamped by the heat dissipation sheet 10, the connection portions 12 are clamped on the top and bottom sides of the battery cell 20. The front and back sides of the battery cell 20 are clamped and fixed by the two heat dissipation sheets 10. Therefore, the battery cell 20 is completely covered by the heat dissipation sheet 10, thereby achieving structural protection. The battery cell 20 is completely packaged and isolated from the outside. For example, an aluminum foil bag can be used to form a soft-packaged battery cell. Furthermore, the battery cell 20 may have a length L2 greater than its width W2.

[0018] 1 to 3, during assembly, the fixing tabs 14 of the heat dissipation sheets 10 are clamped into the fixing notches 13 of adjacent heat dissipation sheets 10. The battery cells 20 are completely covered between them, providing structural protection and support. The battery cells 20 are in direct contact with the heat dissipation sheets 10 on both sides, improving heat conduction and heat dissipation. During clamping, the fixing tab heads 141 of the fixing tabs 14 clamp into the fixing notch heads 131 of the fixing notches 13, and the fixing tab necks 142 clamp into the fixing notch necks 132, providing a strong connection. To prevent the engagement from being damaged by external impact or vibration, the maximum width W3 of the fixing tab heads 141 of the fixing tabs 14 is at least 20% greater than the width W4 of the fixing notch necks 132 of the fixing notches 13. Therefore, even if an external shock or vibration occurs, it is possible to maintain a good clamping relationship between the fixing tab 14 and the fixing notch 13. Furthermore, the gap between the fixing tab 14 and the fixing notch 13 after assembly can be less than 1% of the width W4 of the fixing notch neck 132. This makes the clamping relationship between the fixing tab 14 and the fixing notch 13 stronger.

[0019] In the above embodiment, each battery cell 20 is sandwiched between two heat-dissipating sheets 10. This achieves optimal heat conduction and heat dissipation. However, since the heat-dissipating sheet 10 has a specific volume, the total energy density per unit area is reduced. Therefore, referring to FIG. 4 , two battery cells 41 and 42 are disposed between the first heat-dissipating sheet 31 and the second heat-dissipating sheet 32. Another two battery cells 43 and 44 are disposed between the second heat-dissipating sheet 32 ​​and the third heat-dissipating sheet 33. After clamping, the battery cell 41 contacts the inner surface 311 of the first heat-dissipating sheet 31. The battery cell 42 contacts the outer surface of the second heat-dissipating sheet 32. The battery cell 43 contacts the inner surface 321 of the second heat-dissipating sheet 32. The battery cell 44 contacts the outer surface 332 of the third heat-dissipating sheet 33. This ensures that at least one surface of each battery cell 41-44 is in contact with at least one of the heat dissipation sheets, i.e., the first heat dissipation sheet 31, the second heat dissipation sheet 32, and the third heat dissipation sheet 33. Therefore, a good heat dissipation effect is maintained. This also reduces the number of heat dissipation sheets 10, thereby improving the energy density of the entire structure. To ensure that the heat dissipation sheets 10 can be properly engaged with each other, the extension distance D3 of the connection portion 12 of the heat dissipation sheet 10 in this embodiment must be slightly longer than the thickness D2 of the two battery cells 20, as shown in the figure. That is, D3 > (D2 × 2). The engagement relationship is the same as in the above-described embodiment. Duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0020] Therefore, the present invention discloses a composite battery assembly structure 50 including multiple battery cells 20 and multiple heat dissipation sheets 10. See FIG. 5. A single battery cell 20 is sandwiched between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets 10, thereby maintaining optimal heat dissipation. Alternatively, multiple battery cells, such as the two battery cells 20 described above, can be sandwiched between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets 10. This improves energy density per unit volume or weight compared to clamping a single battery cell 20. The heat dissipation sheets 10 are clamped and engaged with each other by the aforementioned fixing tabs 14 and fixing notches 13. This engagement structure is firmly fixed and is built in by the strength of the material of the heat dissipation sheets 10. This improves the structural strength of the entire composite battery assembly structure 50.

[0021] Furthermore, since there is no need to further connect the heat dissipation sheets 10 at the farthest end of the stack, a flat cover plate 51 is used. The cover plate 51 is fixed by bending the fixing tabs 14 of the adjacent heat dissipation sheets 10.

[0022] Furthermore, while the locking tab head 141 of the locking tab 14 shown in FIG. 1 is rectangular, the locking tab 14 and locking notch 13 may have other shapes, such as a circle as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C or a trapezoid as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. In addition to the shape of the locking tab head, the neck width may also be non-uniform. As shown in FIGS. 6A or 7A, the neck width tapers toward the locking tab head. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that any locking tab 14 composed of a locking tab head 141 and a locking tab neck 142 and a corresponding locking notch 13 composed of a locking notch head 131 and a locking notch neck 132 are within the scope of the present invention, as long as they are fastenable to each other.

[0023] Therefore, the present invention provides a composite battery assembly structure. At least one battery cell is sandwiched between heat dissipation sheets. The heat dissipation sheets are made of a high thermal conductivity material and are in contact with the battery cells sandwiched therebetween. This improves the heat dissipation effect and further enhances thermal management efficiency. Fixing tabs and fixing notches are used to secure the heat dissipation sheets. This improves the overall structural strength of the battery assembly. The heat dissipation sheets are lightweight and thin, achieving a high energy density per unit volume or weight. Furthermore, the heat dissipation sheets are easy to manufacture and convenient to assemble. This significantly reduces manufacturing and assembly costs.

[0024]

[0033] Having described the invention above, it will be apparent that the same may be modified in various ways. Such modifications are not to be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of heat dissipation sheets, each of which is a U-shaped thin plate sheet, with at least one battery cell disposed between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets, and which form an accommodation space for accommodating at least one battery cell; Equipped with Each heat dissipation sheet is a heat sink in direct contact with one of the battery cells; two connection portions extending in the same direction from two opposing side surfaces of the heat sink; a plurality of fastening tabs extending from an end of the connection portion, the fastening tab having a fastening tab neck and a fastening tab head connected to the fastening tab neck; a plurality of fixing notches arranged at a joint between the heat sink and the connection portion, the fixing notches corresponding to the fixing tabs and each having a fixing notch neck portion and a fixing notch head portion connected to the fixing notch neck portion; and a composite battery assembly structure in which two adjacent heat dissipation sheets are connected to each other by the fixing tab and the fixing notch, the width of the fixing tab neck is smaller than the width of the fixing tab head, and the width of the fixing notch neck is smaller than the width of the fixing notch head.

2. 2. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 1, wherein only one battery cell is disposed between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets, and the battery cell is in direct contact with the two adjacent heat dissipation sheets on both sides.

3. 2. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 1, wherein two battery cells are disposed between two adjacent heat dissipation sheets, and each of the battery cells is in direct contact with a corresponding one of the two adjacent heat dissipation sheets.

4. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 1 , wherein a size of the heat sink of the heat sink sheet is substantially equal to a size of the battery cell.

5. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 4 , wherein the connecting portion of the heat dissipation sheet clamps two edges of the battery cell.

6. 2. The composite battery assembly structure of claim 1, wherein a maximum width of the locking tab head of the locking tab exceeds a width of the locking notch neck of the locking notch by at least 20%.

7. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 1 , wherein the locking tab neck corresponds to the locking notch neck, and the locking tab head corresponds to the locking notch head.

8. The composite battery assembly structure of claim 1 , wherein the locking tab neck has a shape including a rectangle, a circle, and a trapezoid.

9. The composite battery assembly structure according to claim 1 , wherein the battery cells are soft-packaged.

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