Battery pack

Abstract

An immersion-cooled battery pack includes at least one battery module. The battery module has a plurality of battery cells, which are supported by battery mounts and electrically connected via battery connection members located within a liquid-limiting housing. The liquid-limiting housing provides peripheral walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the top and bottom walls having an interlocking structure to facilitate vertical stacking. The liquid-limiting housing, along with end caps or a second interface module and the interface module, constitute a liquid-tight battery pack housing for containing thermal management liquid. A liquid reservoir module acts as a buffer to accommodate changes in liquid volume and serves as an external liquid communication interface; the liquid reservoir module is located above the liquid-tight battery pack housing as a gravitational potential energy head. An electrical interface module transfers the high-voltage electrical energy of the battery pack to downstream loads.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the integration of battery cells to form a device capable of both storing and releasing electrical energy. More specifically, this invention relates to a device assembled from battery cells, wherein all battery cells are immersed in a thermal management liquid during operation. Prior Technology

[0002] Electrical energy has been widely used to power various modern machines. In the life cycle of electrical energy, such as in different stages of generation, distribution and consumption, how to temporarily store electrical energy and release it when needed is an important and necessary issue in the design of electrical energy charging and discharging.

[0003] A rechargeable battery cell is a device that converts electrical energy into chemical energy for storage during charging and converts chemical energy back into electrical energy during discharging. Depending on the application requirements, battery cells typically need to be integrated in various ways to meet the electrical performance parameters required by the application.

[0004] The integration of battery cells, also known as battery cell assembly, is generally considered a subsystem of electrical equipment. In this invention, "electrical equipment" can be considered as electrically driven machinery, vehicles whose main power source is an electric motor, energy storage systems electrically connected to the power grid or power plant, or computing machines containing information technology devices, circuit boards, and / or integrated circuit elements for performing computational or information processing functions. Therefore, the integration of battery cell assembly and electrical equipment is also an important topic.

[0005] Furthermore, as is well known, the integration of battery cells requires consideration of electrical performance parameters, as well as the implementation of thermal management systems and battery management systems.

[0006] In summary, achieving optimal integration of battery cells is a major challenge that urgently needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] I. Problems to be solved

[0008] Optimization of battery cell integration requires consideration of multiple aspects, including thermal management, electrical interfaces, mechanical stacking, and manufacturability. In immersion systems, a thermal management fluid is used to directly contact the battery cells while restricting their flow, allowing modules to be stacked and sealed within a liquid-tight battery pack housing. The battery pack can be installed in various orientations. As the liquid volume changes with temperature, the reservoir module is positioned above the liquid-tight battery pack housing to ensure the liquid within the reservoir module has higher gravitational potential energy, preventing gas trapping and supporting fill / vent functions. The interfaces between modules employ an interlocking structure, providing lateral restraint in vertical stacking and including sealing elements to prevent liquid leakage between the liquid-tight housings. Electrical integration is used to transfer high-voltage energy to downstream loads and can be achieved by sealing vertical wall channels to form vertical through-holes penetrating the stacked modules, through which conductive rods are placed, allowing dual terminals to be positioned at the same vertical end. The battery cell positioning structure includes stop structures to provide vertical reaction forces and can optionally include fixing structures to restrict displacement in all directions. The manufacturing process can be a one-piece molding process (such as injection molding or die casting), or it can be assembled from separate sidewalls.

[0009] II. Technical Effects

[0010] Immersion cooling maintains battery cells within a predetermined temperature range and reduces the risk of combustion. Interlocking structures on the top and bottom walls of the vertical ends of the housings generate lateral forces to limit relative displacement of the stacked housings, thereby improving stacking stability. Structures accommodating sealing elements (which also serve a positioning function in some embodiments) reduce the risk of liquid leakage at the interfaces between housings. A high-positioned liquid reservoir module mitigates liquid volume changes and serves as a liquid communication interface for external piping. Vertical through-holes with conductive rods allow terminals to be co-located at the vertical ends, simplifying external connections. The stop and fixing structures of the battery holder effectively limit displacement while preserving component space. Alternative manufacturing methods provide flexibility in cost and tolerance while ensuring sealing and stacking reliability.

[0011] III. Dependency Relationships and the Coverage of Problem Areas

[0012] Root System Architecture → Liquid Storage Tank Module Configuration, Sealing, and Manufacturing: Request 1 discloses an immersion-capable module, interlocking structure, liquid-tight battery pack housing, interface module, and a high-positioned liquid storage tank module; Request 2 discloses a hose-based liquid storage tank module connection; Request 11 discloses the integration of the liquid storage tank module with the first interface module; Request 19 discloses an interface liquid connector for external circulation. Terminal Co-location Features: Request 1 → Request 5 (sealing the vertical wall channel to form a vertical through-hole) → Request 6 (arranging a conductive rod in the vertical through-hole) → Request 7 (the conductive rod is connected to the electrode at the first vertical end and protrudes at the second vertical end to achieve terminal co-location). Battery Cell Limiting Features: Request 1 → Requests 8 to 10 (stop structure and inner boundary variation) → Request 14 (fixing structure including fasteners). Liquid domain strategy: Request 1 → Request 12 (hydraulic connection between the power interface module space and the battery pack space) or Request 13 (hydraulic isolation with sealed electrical channels). Scope: System-level immersion / integration includes module-level stacking / sealing / manufacturing, and further covers battery cell-level positioning and internal module electrical characteristics; the liquid domain strategy and terminal co-location system interact with system integration and safety.

[0013] IV. Technical Aspects Corresponding to Each Request Item

[0014] In a first aspect of the invention, a battery pack includes at least one battery module, the battery module including a plurality of battery cells, a battery holder with a battery housing structure, a battery connecting member, and a liquid-limiting shell with a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall laterally surrounds a space and extends vertically. The battery holder is fixed on the inner wall surface of the peripheral wall, and the liquid-limiting shell has a top wall surface and a bottom wall surface at both vertical ends. An interlocking structure is provided on the top wall surface and the bottom wall surface to limit lateral displacement when the liquid-limiting shells are stacked on each other. The battery pack further includes a first interface module as a first vertical cover and an end cover module (or a second interface module) as a second vertical cover. The first (and optionally the second) power interface module is used to transmit high-voltage energy. The liquid-tight battery pack shell is assembled from the liquid-limiting shell and the vertical cover. Furthermore, a liquid storage tank module is used to buffer the volume change of the liquid and provide an external liquid communication interface. The liquid storage tank module is positioned above the liquid-tight battery pack shell so that the liquid in the liquid storage tank module has a higher gravitational potential energy.

[0015] On the other hand, the battery pack also includes a flexible hose, and the first interface module and the reservoir module each include a hose connector for communication and mechanical connection to the hose.

[0016] On the other hand, the second vertical cover is the second interface module, and the liquid-tight battery pack housing is composed of the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module, the first interface module and the second interface module.

[0017] On the other hand, the second vertical cover is an end cover module, and the liquid-tight battery pack housing is composed of a liquid-limiting housing for each battery module, a first interface module, and an end cover module.

[0018] On the other hand, the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module also includes a vertical wall channel. The vertical wall channels of each liquid-limiting housing are sealed to each other to form a vertical through hole. The vertical through hole extends in the vertical direction through the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules.

[0019] On the other hand, the battery pack also includes conductive rods, which are disposed in vertical through holes.

[0020] On the other hand, the conductive rod is connected to the first electrode of the circuit at the first vertical end of the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules. The circuit is formed by connecting all battery cells in series and / or in parallel. The first vertical end is adjacent to the end cap module. The conductive rod protrudes from the second vertical end of the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules. The second vertical end is adjacent to the first interface module.

[0021] On the other hand, the liquid-limiting housing also includes at least one battery holder stop structure, which extends laterally inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall; and the battery holder stop structure provides a vertical force to the battery holder to limit the vertical movement of the battery holder.

[0022] On the other hand, the battery holder stop structure also includes an inner boundary; the inner boundary is the surface of the battery holder stop structure, and the surface of the battery holder stop structure is parallel to the side wall on which the battery holder stop structure is provided; and the transverse section of the inner boundary is a straight line or a curve.

[0023] On the other hand, the transverse section of the inner boundary is a curve, and the radius of curvature of the curve is equal to or greater than the transverse section radius of the battery cell.

[0024] On the other hand, the liquid storage tank module is directly integrated with the first interface module, eliminating the need for a hose between the liquid storage tank module and the first interface module.

[0025] On the other hand, the first power interface module defines the first power interface module space, the liquid-tight battery pack shell defines the battery pack space, and the first power interface module space and the battery pack space are hydraulically connected, so that the thermal management liquid can simultaneously immerse the components located in the first power interface module space and the battery pack space.

[0026] On the other hand, the first power interface module defines the first power interface module space, the liquid-tight battery pack shell defines the battery pack space, and the first power interface module space and the battery pack space are hydraulically isolated; the first interface module includes an electrical channel, the electrical channel is sealed by a seal, and the seal is tightly fitted with the electrical connector.

[0027] On the other hand, the liquid-limiting housing also includes at least one battery holder fixing structure, which includes fastener holes, and the battery holder is mechanically fixed to the liquid-limiting housing via fasteners.

[0028] On the other hand, the battery connection component includes a battery contact plate and a current transmission plate. The battery contact plate includes a fuse structure that melts when there is a current overload.

[0029] On the other hand, at least one of the top and bottom walls of the liquid-limiting housing includes a sealing element receiving structure that houses an O-ring to prevent liquid leakage between the stacked liquid-limiting housings.

[0030] On the other hand, the liquid-limiting shell is integrally formed by injection molding or die casting.

[0031] On the other hand, the peripheral wall of the liquid-limiting shell is composed of four independent sidewalls or two parts surrounding the sidewalls.

[0032] On the other hand, the liquid storage module also includes an interface liquid connector to connect the battery pack to an external liquid circulation system.

[0033] The content of this invention is provided for the purpose of providing technical information and facilitating understanding, and is not intended to limit essential features, define the scope of protection, or serve as the basis for interpreting the claims.

[0034] The advantages and spirit of this invention can be further understood from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0035] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the charging and discharging circuit (0040), which shows that the charging and discharging circuit (0040) includes a battery cell assembly (0010), a battery cell (0020), and a battery cell series (0030). Figures 2A and 2B are perspective views of an embodiment of the battery cell assembly (0010) proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B is an exploded view showing the battery holder (0050), the battery housing structure (0060), and the electrode surface (0024). Figure 2C is an exploded view of the battery cell assembly (0010), showing the battery connecting member (0026) and the battery holder (0050). Figure 2D is a schematic diagram showing the engagement of the plate hole (0029) of the battery connecting member (0026) with the vertical limiting structure (0070) of the battery holder (0050). Figures 3A and 3B are three-dimensional simplified diagrams showing the stacked configuration (Figure 3A) and side-by-side configuration (Figure 3B) of the two battery cell combinations (0010). Figures 4A to 4C are top views of the tubular liquid-limiting shell (0080) and its peripheral wall (0090). Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of the battery cell assembly (0010) within the liquid-limiting housing (0080); Figure 5B is a vertical explosion view showing the top opening (0094), the bottom opening (0095), and the two battery holders (0050). Figure 6A is a top view of a rectangular liquid-limiting shell (0080), with the side walls (0091) labeled as the east wall (0096), south wall (0097), west wall (0098), and north wall (0099). Figure 6B is a top view of the liquid-limiting shell (0080), showing the inner wall (0101), outer wall (0106), inner corner (0120), outer corner (0125), corner post (0130) and side wall (0091). Figure 6C shows that the peripheral wall (0090) is composed of two parts surrounding the sidewall. Figure 6D shows that the perimeter wall (0090) consists of four independent sidewalls. Figures 7A to 7C are top views of the liquid-limiting housing (0080), showing the battery holder stop structure (0140) and inner boundary (0141) extending inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall (0090); Figure 7C shows the battery cell assembly (0010) with battery holder (0050) and section line A-A'. Figure 7D is a vertical cross-sectional view along section line A-A' of Figure 7C, showing the relative positions of the peripheral wall (0090), the battery holder stop structure (0140), and the space above and below the stop structure. Figure 7E is a cross-sectional view of the liquid-limiting housing (0080), showing the battery holder stop structure (0140) located separately on the north wall (0105) inside the north wall (0099). Figures 8A to 8C describe the battery holder fixing structure (0150) within the liquid-limiting housing (0080): Figure 8A is a top view showing the battery holder fixing structure (0150) with fastener holes (0151); Figure 8B is a top view showing the battery holder (0050) with fasteners (0152); Figure 8C is a cross-sectional view along section line B-B' of Figure 8B, showing the battery holder (0050), the battery holder stop structure (0140), and the fasteners (0152). Figures 9A and 9B are three-dimensional schematic diagrams of two stacked battery cell combinations (0010). Figure 10A is a simplified diagram of the liquid-limiting housing (0080), showing the top wall surface (0160), bottom wall surface (0170), top interlocking structure (0180) and bottom interlocking structure (0190). Figure 10B is a simplified diagram of two liquid-limiting shells (0080) stacked on top of each other and interlocked with each other by an interlocking structure (0180, 0190). Figures 11A and 11B show the features of the seal located at the interface of the liquid-limiting housing (0080): Figure 11A shows the seal receiving structure (0220) and the seal positioning structure (0210); Figure 11B shows the seal (0200), such as an O-ring, disposed in the seal receiving structure (0220). Figure 12A is a simplified diagram of the vertical wall channel (0230), which is provided with a printed circuit board (PCB) of a battery monitoring device (0260) associated with the battery connection member (0026). Figure 12B shows a vertical wall channel (0230) with a conductive rod (0280). Figure 13 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the battery pack (3030), which includes a battery module (3010), an end cover module (3040), an interface module (3050), and a power interface module (3060). Figures 14A and 14B are simplified diagrams of the battery pack (3030) (the power interface module is omitted), showing different installation orientations relative to the gravity vector and the configuration of the reservoir module (3070) and hose (3071). Figure 15 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the integration of the interface module (3050) and the liquid storage tank module (3070). The liquid storage tank module (3070) includes a liquid storage tank shell (3074) and a liquid storage tank space (3075). Figures 16A and 16B are simplified diagrams of the battery pack architecture: Figure 16A shows multiple battery modules (3010) stacked between the first and second interface modules (3050(a), 3050(b)), and the power interface modules (3060(a), 3060(b)) and the high-voltage interface connectors (3063) located at opposite vertical ends; Figure 16B shows the battery modules located between the end cap module (3040) and the interface modules (3050), the power interface modules (3060) and the two high-voltage interface connectors (3063) located at the same vertical end, and the vertical wall channel (0230) is sealed to form a vertical through hole and is provided with a conductive rod (0280). Figures 17A and 17B show the liquid storage tank module (3070) positioned on the interface module (3050) in a direction relative to the gravity vector. Implementation

[0036] Before further describing the invention, it should be noted that, where appropriate, reference numerals used repeatedly in the figures refer to corresponding or similar elements that may selectively have similar features.

[0037] To facilitate the description of this invention, directional terms (e.g., front, back, left, right, top, bottom, etc.) may be used in the specification and claims to describe parts of this invention. Unless otherwise defined, these directional definitions are only used to assist in describing and defining the content of this invention and are not intended to limit the content of this invention in any way.

[0038] The following disclosure contains specific information relating to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The accompanying drawings and detailed disclosure are only illustrative of exemplary embodiments. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Other variations and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise stated, the same or corresponding elements in the drawings may be represented by the same or corresponding reference numerals. Furthermore, the drawings and illustrations in this invention are generally not drawn to scale and do not necessarily correspond to actual relative dimensions.

[0039] For the purposes of consistency and ease of understanding, similar features are identified by numbers in the exemplary figures (although not shown in some examples). However, features in different implementations may differ in other respects and should not be narrowly limited to what is shown in the figures.

[0040] The terms "an embodiment," "a particular embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," "various embodiments," "partial embodiments," or "an embodiment of the invention" used in this specification indicate that embodiments of the invention may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but do not imply that all possible embodiments of the invention necessarily include such features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, the repeated use of terms such as "in one embodiment," "in an exemplary embodiment," or "a particular embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but may refer to the same embodiment in some cases. In addition, when the term "embodiment" is used in connection with "embodiments of the invention," it is not intended to limit all embodiments to including the specific features, structures, or characteristics, but should be understood as meaning that "at least some embodiments" include the stated features, structures, or characteristics. In this invention, the term "connection" is defined as a direct connection or an indirect connection through intermediate components, and is not necessarily limited to a physical connection. Furthermore, the term "comprising" as used in this invention means "including but not limited to," explicitly indicating an open-ended coverage that allows for equivalents of other members, combinations, groups, or series not explicitly listed.

[0041] Furthermore, to provide a non-limiting explanation, specific details, such as functional entities, technologies, protocols, and standards, are set forth in this invention to aid in understanding its technical content. In other instances, details of known methods, technologies, systems, and architectures have not been elaborated to avoid obscuring the core content of the invention with unnecessary details.

[0042] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the charging / discharging circuit 0040. As shown in Figure 1, the charging / discharging circuit 0040 includes a battery cell assembly (BCA) 0010. The battery cell assembly 0010 is used to meet the electrical performance requirements of the application, such as target output voltage, current, or power. To achieve this requirement, the battery cells can be integrated, for example, assembled into the battery cell assembly 0010, to provide battery integration performance.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, in some embodiments, the battery cell assembly 0010 may include one or more battery cell strings (BCS) 0030 connected in parallel with each other. The number of batteries connected in parallel in the battery cell strings 0030 determines the overall output current of the battery cell assembly 0010. Furthermore, each battery cell string 0030 may include one or more battery cells (BC) 0020 connected in series with each other. The number of battery cells 0020 connected in series in each battery cell string 0030 determines the overall output voltage of the battery cell string 0030 and the battery cell assembly 0010.

[0044] The charging / discharging circuit 0040 can be connected to an energy source, such as a charging station, to charge the battery cell assembly 0010. The charging / discharging circuit 0040 can also be connected to an energy consumption end, such as the power unit of an electric vehicle, to drive the power unit.

[0045] In some embodiments (not shown in Figure 1), the charge / discharge circuit 0040 may include a plurality of battery cell combinations 0010.

[0046] Referring again to Figure 1, depending on the technology used, the battery cell 0020 can have different specifications in terms of shape, electrical performance (e.g., output voltage, current, power, charging rate, discharging rate, or operating temperature), materials, and other characteristics. For example, the battery cell 0020 can be packaged in a cylindrical, square, or pouch form. In this invention, unless specifically indicated, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical features disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a specific type of battery cell 0020.

[0047] As a basic component for converting electrical energy and chemical energy, the battery cell 0020 may include a positive electrode and a negative electrode as an interface between (1) the charging and discharging circuit 0040 connected to the battery cell 0020 and (2) the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material encapsulated in the battery cell 0020.

[0048] Furthermore, as the basic energy storage component of the battery cell assembly 0010 and the charging / discharging circuit 0040, the battery cells 0020 must be electrically connected to each other. Regardless of whether the battery cells 0020 are cylindrical, prismatic, or pouch-shaped, the electrodes of the battery cells 0020 are typically located at the top, bottom, or both ends of the battery cell 0020 body. In this case, the battery cells 0020 are typically structurally aligned side-by-side, so that the electrodes of each battery cell 0020 are approximately arranged on the same plane. Therefore, the battery cell assembly 0010 body may include at least one electrode surface 0024, and the electrodes of the battery cells 0020 are disposed and distributed on the electrode surface 0024.

[0049] In some embodiments, the battery cell assembly 0010 may include a battery-cell-connecting member (BCCM) 0026, which is an electrical conductor connected to the electrodes of the battery cell 0020. Through the battery-cell-connecting member 0026, the battery cells 0020 can be connected in series or in parallel. For example, a plate-shaped conductor may be disposed on the electrode surface 0024 to connect the electrodes of the battery cell 0020.

[0050] In this invention, when direction is involved, the terms "lateral" and "laterally" refer to the direction within the electrode arrangement plane of the battery cells 0020 in the battery cell assembly 0010, and specifically to the direction parallel to straight lines on the plane where the battery cells 0020 are arranged side-by-side within the battery cell assembly 0010. In the accompanying drawings of this invention, the lateral direction can be indicated as a direction parallel to straight lines located in the yz plane. "Top view" refers to the cross-sectional perspective from the +x-axis direction to the -x-axis direction.

[0051] In this invention, "vertical" and "perpendicularly" refer to a direction that is not a "lateral direction" and is orthogonal to "any lateral direction". According to this definition, the electrodes of the battery cell 0020 are typically disposed at at least one vertical end of the battery cell 0020 body. In the accompanying drawings of this invention, the vertical direction refers to the x-axis direction.

[0052] For example, please refer to Figures 2A and 2B, which are perspective views of one embodiment of the battery cell assembly 0010 (not showing all components of the battery cell assembly 0010), wherein Figure 2B is an exploded view of Figure 2A. In Figures 2A and 2B, the body of the battery cell 0020 can extend along the vertical direction (i.e., the x-axis direction). Furthermore, the upper and lower axes of the battery cell 0020 are parallel to the x-axis direction, and the battery cells 0020 are aligned side by side in the yz plane.

[0053] To integrate battery cells 0020 in a mechanism or structure, in some embodiments, battery cell assembly 0010 may include at least one battery holder 0050, the main function of which is to restrict the position of each battery cell 0020 in a specific configuration. For example, the position restriction of battery cells 0020 may include: (1) restricting the relative position of a particular battery cell 0020 with respect to other battery cells 0020 belonging to the same battery cell assembly 0010; and (2) restricting the relative position of a particular battery cell 0020 with respect to the body of the battery cell assembly 0010. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, a portion of the body of each battery cell 0020 may be disposed within a corresponding battery housing structure 0060 of the battery holder 0050. The battery housing structure 0060 is periodically distributed laterally. Therefore, when the battery cells 0020 are placed into the battery housing structure 0060, the battery cells 0020 can be periodically distributed laterally.

[0054] In some embodiments, the battery holder 0050 may include a vertical limiting structure 0070 to restrict vertical movement of the battery cells 0020. The bodies and electrodes of all battery cells 0020 may be arranged in the same vertical position to form the electrode surface 0024 of the battery cell assembly 0010. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, the battery cell assembly 0010 includes electrode surfaces 0024 on both sides in the x-axis direction.

[0055] In some embodiments, adhesives may be used to provide a positional constraint function. For example, after the battery cell 0020 is placed in the battery housing structure 0060 of the battery holder 0050, the battery cell 0020 may be further secured with adhesive.

[0056] In some embodiments, for electrically integrating the battery cell 0020, the battery cell assembly 0010 may include a battery connection member 0026 located on the electrode surface 0024. Furthermore, the battery cell assembly 0010 may include a mechanism configured to maintain a relative static position between the electrode surface 0024 and the battery connection member 0026. For example, when the battery cell 0020 is mechanically secured via a battery holder 0050, the battery connection member 0026 may be mechanically connected to the battery holder 0050.

[0057] For example, please refer to Figure 2C, which is an exploded view of a battery cell assembly 0010 according to one embodiment of the present invention (battery cells and some components are not shown). The battery cell assembly 0010 includes a battery holder 0050 and a battery connecting member 0026. The battery connecting member 0026 is a plate-shaped structure made of conductive material, and the battery connecting member 0026 is disposed on the battery holder 0050 and on the electrode surface 0024 of the battery cell assembly 0010.

[0058] In some embodiments, the battery connection member 0026 may include a battery contact plate 0027 and a current transmission plate 0028.

[0059] The battery contact plate 0027 can directly contact the electrodes of the battery cell, and its connection method can be welding, crimping, fastening, or using conductive adhesive. In addition, in some cases, the battery contact plate 0027 may include a fusible link 0025 to melt and break in case of current overload.

[0060] The current transmission plate 0028 can transmit the integrated current of multiple battery cells 0020. To achieve this, the current transmission plate 0028 may have a greater thickness than the battery contact plate 0027. Furthermore, the current transmission plate 0028 may have better conductivity than the battery contact plate 0027. For example, the battery contact plate 0027 may be a nickel plate, while the current transmission plate 0028 may be a copper plate.

[0061] In some embodiments, the battery connecting member 0026 may include a structure for disposing the battery connecting member 0026 in the battery holder 0050. For example, the battery connecting member 0026 may include a protrusion to engage with the hollow structure of the battery holder 0050. Alternatively, the battery connecting member 0026 may include a hole to engage with the protrusion of the battery holder 0050. For example, as shown in Figures 2C to 2D, the battery connecting member 0026 includes a plate hole 0029 to engage with a vertical limiting structure 0070 of the battery holder 0050. The vertical limiting structure 0070 passes through the plate hole 0029 of the battery connecting member 0026 to restrict the relative movement of the battery connecting member 0026 with respect to the battery holder 0050, for example, restricting the lateral and vertical movement of the battery connecting member 0026 with respect to the battery holder 0050.

[0062] Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views of two battery cell assemblies 0010 integrated together. Depending on the available space for the electrical equipment required to install the battery cell assemblies 0010, they can be integrated in a stacked or side-by-side manner. For example, as shown in Figure 3A, a stacked arrangement of the battery cell assemblies 0010 is suitable for placement in narrow spaces, such as the front and rear compartments of a passenger vehicle. In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 3B, a side-by-side arrangement of the battery cell assemblies 0010 is suitable for placement in spaces with a wide width but limited height, such as the space below the dashboard of a passenger vehicle.

[0063] In this invention, "vertical" and "vertically" also refer to the stacking direction of the battery cell assembly 0010 integrated in a stacking manner. For example, as shown in Figure 3A, the stacked battery cell assembly 0010 is stacked along the vertical direction (i.e., the x-axis direction).

[0064] To prevent thermal runaway events, it is necessary to maintain the operating temperature of battery cell assembly 0010 and battery cell 0020. It is known that battery cell 0020 can be in direct contact with a thermal management liquid to transfer heat energy, thereby maintaining the operating temperature of battery cell 0020 within a predetermined range or preventing combustion reactions. For example, battery cell assembly 0010 or battery cell 0020 can be partially or completely immersed in the thermal management liquid. When battery cell assembly 0010 is completely submerged, battery cell assembly 0010 and other components to be integrated with it can directly contact the thermal management liquid, thus achieving better thermal management results.

[0065] To immerse the battery cell assembly 0010 in the thermal management fluid, the battery cell assembly 0010 may be integrated with a liquid-limiting casing (LLC) 0080 to restrict the flow of the thermal management fluid. For example, in space described by a Cartesian coordinate system, the displacement or velocity of a given volume of thermal management fluid can be described by a vector, which may consist of coefficients multiplied by the components of a unit vector in the x, y, or z axes. The liquid-limiting casing 0080 may include structures that restrict the flow of the thermal management fluid in at least some of these six directions to maintain the relative position of the battery cell assembly 0010 in the thermal management fluid immersion state.

[0066] In some embodiments, impermeable materials can be used to form a structure that completely or partially encloses the thermal management fluid, thereby restricting the movement of the thermal management fluid in all or some directions. For example, the fluid-limiting housing 0080 can be designed as a tubular structure with two openings, such as a triangular, square, or circular tube. The tubular fluid-limiting housing 0080 may include a peripheral wall 0090 (in other words, a circumferential wall).

[0067] In some embodiments, the peripheral wall of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include an impermeable membrane to restrict the flow of the thermal management liquid.

[0068] In some embodiments, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include a rigid structure, such as an impermeable wall, to restrict the flow of the thermal management liquid.

[0069] For example, Figures 4A to 4C are top views of a tubular liquid-limiting housing 0080. In other examples, the transverse view (i.e., top view) of the tubular structure may have an asymmetrical geometry. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 depicted in Figures 4A to 4C may include a peripheral wall 0090 that laterally surrounds the space. The peripheral wall 0090 may extend vertically, i.e., along the x-axis direction of Figures 4A to 4C. Therefore, the three-dimensional space surrounded by the liquid-limiting housing 0080 can be used to accommodate the thermal management fluid, the battery cell assembly 0010, and other components to be integrated with the battery cell assembly 0010. Due to the impermeability of the peripheral wall 0090, the thermal management fluid contained in the liquid-limiting housing 0080 can only move in the vertical direction.

[0070] Figures 5A and 5B are perspective views of a battery cell assembly 0010 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Not all components of the battery cell assembly 0010 are shown in the figures, in order to clearly illustrate the structural design of immersing the battery cell assembly 0010 in a thermal management liquid. For example, battery cell 0020 is not shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0071] Figure 5B is an exploded view of Figure 5A in the vertical direction. In the embodiments shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the battery cell assembly 0010 may include two battery holders 0050 for integration with battery cell 0020 (battery cell 0020 is not shown in the figure). The battery holders 0050, battery cell 0020, and other components not shown that are to be integrated with the battery cell assembly 0010 may be disposed within the space surrounded by the liquid-limiting housing 0080.

[0072] In embodiments where the liquid-limiting housing 0080 forms a tubular structure, the peripheral wall 0090 may be formed of a material extending vertically between a top vertical position 0092 and a bottom vertical position 0093. At the top vertical position 0092, the inner edge of the peripheral wall 0090 defines a top opening 0094 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080; at the bottom vertical position 0093, the inner edge of the peripheral wall 0090 defines a bottom opening 0095 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080. The top opening 0094 and the bottom opening 0095 can serve as access channels to the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 0090. Components to be disposed within the liquid-limiting housing 0080, such as a battery cell 0020, a battery holder 0050, and other components, can be inserted into the internal space of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 through at least one of the top opening 0094 and the bottom opening 0095.

[0073] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5B, the peripheral wall 0090 extends between the top vertical position 0092 and the bottom vertical position 0093. The vertical length (i.e., height) of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 is equal to the vertical distance H1 between the top vertical position 0092 and the bottom vertical position 0093. Two battery holders 0050 can be disposed within the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 0090 through the top opening 0094 and the bottom opening 0095, respectively.

[0074] In embodiments where the liquid-limiting housing 0080 forms a rectangular tubular structure, the peripheral wall 0090 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may further include four side walls 0091 arranged in a ring around and parallel to the vertical axis. For example, Figure 6A is a top view of the liquid-limiting housing 0080. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include four side walls 0091, namely, an east wall 0096, a south wall 0097, a west wall 0098, and a north wall 0099 arranged around the vertical axis.

[0075] In some embodiments, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may be formed by a one-piece molding process, such as injection molding or die casting, or it may be machined by a lathe.

[0076] Please refer to Figures 6A and 6B. In the embodiment where the liquid-limiting housing 0080 forms a rectangular tubular structure, the peripheral wall 0090 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include four interior corners 0120 and four exterior corners 0125. The four interior corners 0120 may include: an interior northeast corner 0121, an interior southeast corner 0122, an interior southwest corner 0123, and an interior northwest corner 0124. The four exterior corners 0125 may include: an exterior northeast corner 0126, an exterior southeast corner 0127, an exterior southwest corner 0128, and an exterior northwest corner 0129.

[0077] In some embodiments, each sidewall may include an inner wall surface 0101 and an outer wall surface 0106. The outer wall surface 0106 of each sidewall 0091 may be a plane extending between the two outer corners of the corresponding sidewall 0091. For example, in Figure 6B, the east wall surface 0096 includes an outer east wall surface 0107 extending from the outer northeast corner 0126 to the outer southeast corner 0127; the south wall surface 0097 includes an outer south wall surface 0108 extending from the outer southeast corner 0127 to the outer southwest corner 0128; the west wall surface 0098 includes an outer west wall surface 0109 extending from the outer southwest corner 0128 to the outer northwest corner 0129; and the north wall surface 0099 includes an outer north wall surface 0110 extending from the outer northwest corner 0129 to the outer northeast corner 0126.

[0078] Furthermore, the inner wall surface 0101 of each sidewall 0091 may be a plane, extending between the two inner corners of the corresponding sidewall 0091. For example, in Figure 6B, the east wall surface 0096 includes the inner east wall surface 0102, extending from the inner northeast corner 0121 to the inner southeast corner 0122; the south wall surface 0097 includes the inner south wall surface 0103, extending from the inner southeast corner 0122 to the inner southwest corner 0123; the west wall surface 0098 includes the inner west wall surface 0104, extending from the inner southwest corner 0123 to the inner northwest corner 0124; and the north wall surface 0099 includes the inner north wall surface 0105, extending from the inner northwest corner 0124 to the inner northeast corner 0121.

[0079] In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 0090 may be assembled from independent components. For example, in Figure 6B, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 includes four corner pillars 0130, which are independent components to be assembled with the side walls 0091 (east wall 0096, south wall 0097, west wall 0098, and north wall 0099) respectively to form the peripheral wall 0090. In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 6C, the peripheral wall 0090 may be assembled from two partially surrounding side walls. In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 6D, the peripheral wall 0090 may be assembled from four independent side walls 0091.

[0080] In some embodiments, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include a structure integrating the battery holder 0050 and the liquid-limiting housing 0080. In embodiments where the liquid-limiting housing 0080 forms a tubular structure (as shown in Figures 4A to 4C), the battery holder 0050 may be disposed within the space surrounded by the liquid-limiting housing 0080 through a top opening 0094 or a bottom opening 0095 at both ends of the tubular structure. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include at least one battery holder stop structure 0140, which extends laterally inward from one of the inner surfaces of the peripheral wall 0090.

[0081] The vertical relative position of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 0090 and the vertical dimension of the battery holder stop structure 0140 define the vertical depth (vertical range) that the battery holder 0050 can reach within the space enclosed by the liquid-limiting housing. Therefore, this lateral structure (i.e., the battery holder stop structure 0140) can limit the vertical movement of the battery holder 0050 within the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 0090 by applying a vertical force to the battery holder 0050.

[0082] For example, Figures 7A to 7E are schematic diagrams of a battery cell assembly 0010 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 7A to 7C are top views of the battery cell assembly 0010. In Figure 7A, the battery cell assembly 0010 includes a liquid-limiting housing 0080, which includes a peripheral wall 0090 and four side walls 0091. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 may further include a battery holder stop structure 0140 extending laterally inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 0090. Each battery holder stop structure 0140 may include an inner boundary 0141. The lateral cross-section (top view) of the inner boundary 0141 may be a line on a lateral plane. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7A, each inner boundary 0141 may be a plane, parallel to the side wall on which the battery holder stop structure 0140 is provided; the lateral cross-section of the inner boundary 0141 is a straight line along the y-axis. In Figure 7A, the maximum distance between the inner boundary 0141 and the inner surface of the side wall 0091 where the battery holder stop structure 0140 is located is a constant, for example, its constant distance can be W2.

[0083] In other embodiments, the inner boundary 0141 may be non-planar, meaning that the distance between the inner boundary 0141 and the inner surface of the sidewall 0091 where the battery holder stop structure 0140 is located is not constant. For example, in Figure 7B, the inner boundary 0141 is a curved surface, and the transverse section of the inner boundary 0141 is a curve on a transverse plane.

[0084] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7B, the curved inner boundary 0141 of the battery holder stop structure 0140 can provide additional space to accommodate elements of the battery cell assembly 0010, such as battery cell 0020 or other elements. In some embodiments, the lateral cross-sectional radius of the curved portion of the inner boundary 0141 may be greater than or equal to the lateral cross-sectional radius of the battery cell 0020. Therefore, the battery cell 0020 can be disposed within the space partially surrounded by the curved inner boundary 0141.

[0085] Figure 7C illustrates a battery cell assembly 0010. The battery cell assembly 0010 may include a battery holder 0050 disposed within the space surrounded by the peripheral wall 0090 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080. The dashed line A-A' corresponds to the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 7D.

[0086] Figure 7D is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view along the dashed line A-A' in Figure 7C. The battery cell assembly 0010 may include a liquid-limiting housing 0080, which includes a peripheral wall 0090, two battery holders 0050, and a battery holder stop structure 0140 (only one is shown). The battery holder stop structure 0140 is located on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 0090, and the middle portion of the battery holder stop structure 0140 is vertically aligned with the middle portion of the peripheral wall 0090.

[0087] In some embodiments, the vertical length (height) of the battery holder stop structure 0140 may be less than the height of the peripheral wall 0090. Therefore, the height difference between the battery holder stop structure 0140 and the peripheral wall 0090 provides space to accommodate the battery holder 0050. For example, in Figure 7D, the height of the battery holder stop structure 0140 is H4, and the height of the peripheral wall 0090 is H1. The difference between H1 and H4 is equal to twice H3. Therefore, the battery holder 0050 can be accommodated between the top opening 0094 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 and the battery holder stop structure 0140, with a space height of H3. The battery holder 0050 can also be disposed between the bottom opening 0095 of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 and the battery holder stop structure 0140, with a space height of H3.

[0088] In some embodiments, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include a battery holder stop structure 0140 disposed on the inner surface of the side wall 0091 and disposed independently. For example, in Figure 7E, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include a north wall surface 0099 and two battery holder stop structures 0140 disposed on the inner north wall surface 0105.

[0089] In some embodiments, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include at least one battery holder fixing structure 0150 for providing mechanical fixation to limit the displacement of the battery holder 0050 in various directions. For example, in Figure 8A, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include four battery holder fixing structures 0150 extending from the inner wall surface 0101 of the peripheral wall 0090 in the top view. In this embodiment, the battery holder fixing structure 0150 may include fastener holes 0151 to limit relative movement between the liquid-limiting housing 0080 and the battery holder 0050 through fasteners. In some embodiments, the battery holder fixing structure 0150 and the battery holder stop structure differ in many ways, such as in shape, lateral position, and vertical position.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 8B, which is a top view of the liquid-limiting housing 0080. In Figure 8B, the battery holder 0050 is disposed within the space formed by the peripheral walls of the liquid-limiting housing 0080. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include four fasteners 0152, which pass vertically through the battery holder 0050 and the battery holder fixing structure 0150 (not shown in Figure 8B).

[0091] Please refer to Figure 8C, which is a cross-sectional view of the liquid-limiting housing 0080 along the dashed line B-B' in Figure 8B. As shown in Figure 8C, the battery holder stop structure 0140 stops the battery holder 0050 in the vertical direction and fixes the battery holder 0050 to the liquid-limiting housing 0080 through fasteners 0152.

[0092] Please refer to Figures 9A and 9B, which are three-dimensional schematic diagrams of two battery cells stacked on top of each other.

[0093] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10A, the liquid-limiting housing 0080 may include a top wall surface 0160 and a bottom wall surface 0170 located at the vertical end of the liquid-limiting housing 0080, and the top wall surface 0160 and the bottom wall surface 0170 may be the transverse surfaces of the vertical end of the liquid-limiting housing 0080.

[0094] In some embodiments, the top wall surface 0160 and the bottom wall surface 0170 may include complementary locking features to resist lateral shear forces when vertically stacked. For example, the top wall surface 0160 may include at least one top interlocking structure 0180, and the bottom wall surface 0170 may include at least one bottom interlocking structure 0190, as shown in Figure 10A. The top interlocking structure 0180 and the bottom interlocking structure 0190 may be positioned laterally so that when the two liquid-limiting housings 0080 are vertically stacked (as shown in Figure 10B), the top interlocking structure 0180 and the bottom interlocking structure 0190 engage to provide a lateral force to limit the relative displacement between the stacked liquid-limiting housings 0080. For example, a pair of top interlocking structures 0180 and bottom interlocking structures 0190 may be a protruding member and a connecting member.

[0095] Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, in some embodiments, at least one of the top wall surface 0160 and the bottom wall surface 0170 may include at least one sealing member receiving structure 0220 to provide space for accommodating a seal disposed at the interface of the two liquid-limiting housing 0080, thereby preventing liquid leakage from the interface of the two liquid-limiting housing 0080. For example, the seal may be an O-ring or an adhesive material. In some embodiments, at least one of the top wall surface 0160 and the bottom wall surface 0170 may further include at least one sealing member positioning structure 0210 for restricting lateral movement of the seal 0200. For example, as shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the sealing member positioning structure 0210 may be a gap for providing a lateral force to restrict lateral movement of the seal 0200. As shown in Figure 11B, the seal 0200 may fill the space provided by the sealing member receiving structure 0220 to produce a sealing effect.

[0096] In some embodiments, the peripheral wall 0090 may include a vertical wall channel 0230, which is a hollow space within the peripheral wall 0090. The vertical wall channel 0230 may be a through-hole penetrating the peripheral wall 0090. The vertical wall channel 0230 may be used to house a printed circuit board of a battery monitoring device 0260, which is signal-connected to the battery connection member 0026 of the battery cell assembly 0010, as shown in Figure 12A. The vertical wall channel 0230 may be used to house a conductor rod 0280, which is used to position the positive electrode 0271 and the negative electrode 0272 on the same vertical end of the battery cell assembly 0010, as shown in Figure 12B.

[0097] As disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 221,417, the vertical wall channel 0230 provides a vertical flow path for vertical liquid flow. For example, the vertical wall channel 0230 may refer to the inlet channel and outlet channel disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 221,417.

[0098] In some embodiments, the battery cell assembly 0010 may be integrated with other components to form a battery module (BM) 3010. For example, the battery module 3010 may be a battery module assembled from the battery cell assembly 0010 and other components (such as a liquid-limiting housing 0080, a heat dissipation element, a battery management circuit, and other components). The manufacture of the battery module 3010 is typically an intermediate step in the production of the entire system. That is, the battery module 3010 can be considered as an intermediate building block for forming a higher-order energy storage system, and the battery module 3010 may also be integrated from a more basic building block (i.e., the battery cell 0020). Therefore, the battery module 3010 may include a modular interface for modular integration of the battery module 3010 with other battery modules 3010 or larger systems. For example, the battery module 3010 may include a modular-electric-energy-interface (MEEI) 3020 for providing electrical connections between energy transfer (charging or discharging). The modular power interface 3020 can be an electrode or connector disposed on the battery module 3010. For example, the modular power interface 3020 can be a conductor to directly contact one of the current conduction plates 0028 of the first battery module 3010, or it can directly contact one of the current conduction plates 0028 of the second battery cell assembly 0010, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the two battery modules 3010.

[0099] For example, battery module 3010 may include heat dissipation element interfaces, such as liquid interfaces, for allowing thermal management liquid to flow into or out of battery module 3010 to other liquid containers or channels (e.g., top opening 0094 and bottom opening 0095 of liquid limiting housing 0080). For example, battery module 3010 may include mechanism connection interfaces for connecting to another battery module or other modules, such as top interlock structure 0180 and bottom interlock structure 0190.

[0100] In this invention, the battery pack (BP) 3030 refers to an assembled, manufactured, and packaged energy storage system for integration into electrical equipment (such as electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), etc.), where the battery pack 3030 discharges to provide electrical energy. The battery pack 3030 is typically manufactured as a standalone product and is often supplied by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that supplies the final equipment. The battery pack 3030 possesses mechanical stability to ensure integrity during transportation and final equipment integration (such as the assembly process of an electric vehicle), and has a standardized interface for electrical / mechanical integration with the larger system to which it is intended to be installed. The spatial dimensions of the battery pack 3030 are also designed to correspond to the available equipment space.

[0101] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a perspective view of the battery pack 3030. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 13, the battery pack 3030 may include two battery modules 3010 assembled in a stacked manner. In other embodiments, the battery pack 3030 may include only one or more battery modules 3010. The battery pack 3030 may also include a terminal module (TM) 3040 to provide electrical insulation as a cover for the battery pack 3030, thereby electrically isolating the battery cell 0020 (not shown in Figure 13) from the outside of the battery pack 3030. The battery pack 3030 may further include an interface module (IM) 3050, which, in addition to serving as a cover, can also be an interface of the battery pack 3030. Each battery module 3010 in Figure 13 may be assembled from the previously disclosed liquid-limiting housing 0080 and the battery cell assembly 0010.

[0102] In some embodiments, the battery pack 3030 may be liquid-tight, allowing the battery cell assembly 0010 in the battery module 3010 to be immersed in a thermal management liquid. For example, the liquid-limiting housing 0080, end cap module 3040, and interface module 3050 of each battery module 3010 may be assembled to form a liquid-tight battery-pack enclosure 3031 (BP-enclosure), hereinafter referred to as "liquid-tight battery pack enclosure" 3031. In this example, the liquid-tight battery pack enclosure 3031 is provided with a lateral liquid stop structure by the liquid-limiting housing 0080, and a vertical liquid stop structure by a cover plate at the vertical end. For example, the cover plate may be an end cap module 3040 or an interface module 3050. The lateral and vertical liquid stop structures together define the battery pack space 3032, which is enclosed by the liquid-tight battery pack enclosure 3031 (and simultaneously enclosed by the vertical and lateral liquid stops).

[0103] In some embodiments, the end cap module 3040 and interface module 3050 may also include a mechanical interface for cooperating, connecting, or sealing with the corresponding battery module 3010 or the corresponding liquid-limiting housing 0080. For example, the end cap module 3040 may include a top interlocking structure 0180, and the interface module 3050 may include a bottom interlocking structure 0190. For example, the end cap module and interface module may also include the previously described sealing element receiving structure 0220.

[0104] As shown in Figure 13, the battery pack 3030 may also include an electrical energy interface module (EEIM) 3060. The EEIM 3060 may include an EEIM housing 3062 to surround or enclose an EEIM space 3061, not shown in Figure 13. The EEIM space 3061 is used to house battery management circuitry, high-voltage circuitry (e.g., circuitry that transfers high-voltage power from the battery pack 3030 to downstream loads (e.g., electric vehicles)), or both. The EEIM housing 3062 may be integrally formed or composed of a plurality of EEIM wall surfaces 3065. For example, the EEIM wall surface 3065 may be part of an integrally formed housing or a separate component. The EEIM 3060 may be mounted on the interface module 3050 through an assembly process.

[0105] In some embodiments, interface module 3050 may include interface module housing 3052 to surround or enclose interface module space 3054, not shown in Figure 13. Interface module space 3054 is used to accommodate elements that are interface-connected to battery module 3010 and power interface module 3060.

[0106] In some embodiments, the interface module 3050 may further include an interface module electrical connection bus 3053 (not shown in Figure 13). One end of the interface module electrical connection bus 3053 is electrically connected to the modular power interface 3020 of the battery module 3010, and the other end of the interface module electrical connection bus 3053 is electrically connected to a high-voltage circuit disposed within the power interface module space 3061. The power interface module 3060 may include a high-voltage interface connector (HVIC) 3063 disposed on the power interface module housing 3062 for direct contact with the high-voltage circuit disposed within the power interface module space 3061. For example, such an electrical connector may be a terminal of the charging / discharging circuit 0040.

[0107] In some embodiments, the power interface module space 3061 and the battery pack space 3032 can be hydraulically connected, so that the components located in the power interface module space 3061 can be immersed in thermal management liquid.

[0108] In other embodiments, the power interface module space 3061 and the battery pack space 3032 can be hydraulically isolated. In this case, the interface module 3050 may include at least one interface module electrical channel 3051 (not shown) to provide an electrical connection channel between the power interface module space 3061 and the battery pack space 3032. For example, the interface module electrical channel 3051 may be a through hole provided on the side wall of the interface module 3050. In some embodiments, an interface module electrical connection strip 3053 (not shown) may be provided in the interface module electrical channel 3051 and extend to the power interface module space 3061 and the battery pack space 3032 to establish an electrical connection between the power interface module space 3061 and the battery pack space 3032. In some embodiments, to prevent liquid from passing through the interface module electrical channel 3051, the interface module 3050 may further include at least one sealing element, such as an O-ring, which is disposed within the interface module electrical channel 3051 to fit tightly with the inner wall of the interface module electrical channel 3051 and the interface module electrical connection bar 3053.

[0109] In some embodiments, the battery pack 3030 may include at least one liquid communication interface 3034 for introducing and / or exporting liquid into and / or out of the battery pack 3030. For example, the liquid communication interface may be a liquid inlet disposed on the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031. For example, the liquid communication interface 3034 may be disposed on the wall of the interface module 3050 or the wall of the end cap module 3040 as a liquid inlet and / or liquid outlet. In some embodiments, the battery pack 3030 may include a first liquid communication interface 3034(a) (not shown) as a liquid inlet of the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031, and may include a second liquid communication interface 3034(b) (not shown).

[0110] In some embodiments, the battery pack 3030 may include a liquid tank module (LTM) 3070 and a hose 3071. The liquid tank module 3070 serves as a buffer to balance changes in liquid volume within the battery pack space 3032, which may be caused by temperature variations in the battery cells 0020 and the thermal management fluid. In some embodiments, the liquid tank module 3070 may be connected to an external liquid source during the introduction or filling of liquid into the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031. One end of the hose 3071 is connected to the liquid tank module 3070, and the other end is connected to the interface module 3050. Liquid flows from the external liquid source into the liquid tank module 3070, then through the hose 3071, and finally flows into and fills the entire battery pack space 3032. The interface module 3050 and the liquid tank module 3070 may each include a hose interface 3073 communicating with the hose 3071. The liquid storage module 3070 may include an interface liquid connector (ILC) 3072 for connecting to an external liquid circulation system, such as a liquid source or a circulation system with a pump.

[0111] In some embodiments, the battery pack 3030 with an immersion cooling design may not be connected to or operate a liquid circulation system. In this case, once liquid is introduced and fills the entire battery pack 3030, the interface liquid connector 3072 used to connect to an external liquid circulation system may be closed to prevent liquid from flowing out of the battery pack 3030.

[0112] Please refer to Figures 14A and 14B, which are simplified diagrams of the battery pack 3030, where the power interface module 3060 is not shown. In some embodiments, considering that electrical equipment may have different types of available installation space for installing the battery pack 3030 in different situations, the relative orientation of the battery pack 3030 is not necessarily the same as the stacking direction of the battery module 3010, the end cap module 3040, and the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031. However, considering that (1) the volume of liquid filling the battery pack 3030 may change with temperature, and that the liquid can flow between the liquid storage tank module 3070 and the interface module 3050 when the volume changes (i.e., it functions as a buffer tank); and (2) during the liquid filling process of the battery pack 3030, in order to form a complete and continuous liquid flow in the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031, the hose 3071 and the liquid storage tank space 3075, the liquid storage tank module 3070 can preferably be set on the top of the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031 to expel air during liquid filling. As shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the battery pack 3030 must be installed in different orientations due to space constraints (in Figure 14A, the direction of gravity points to the -y axis; in Figure 14B, the direction of gravity points to the -x axis). In both examples, the liquid storage tank module 3070 is positioned at a location with higher gravitational potential energy relative to the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031.

[0113] In some embodiments, the hose 3071 is flexible, allowing liquid communication to be achieved regardless of whether the reservoir module 3070 is located on either side of the battery pack 3030 body.

[0114] Referring to Figure 15, in some embodiments, the liquid reservoir module 3070 can also be directly integrated with the interface module 3050, thus saving the cost and space required for configuring the hose 3071 and hose connector 3073. In this embodiment, the liquid reservoir module 3070 may include a liquid reservoir housing 3074, which surrounds or covers the liquid reservoir space 3075 to contain the thermal management liquid. The liquid reservoir housing 3074 may be integrally formed or composed of multiple liquid reservoir module wall surfaces 3076. For example, the liquid reservoir module wall surface 3076 may be part of the integrally formed liquid reservoir housing 3074 or a separate component. The liquid reservoir module 3070 can be mounted on the interface module 3050 through an assembly process.

[0115] In some embodiments, the reservoir housing 3074 and the interface module housing 3054 can be manufactured as a single piece, for example, by die casting. The integrally molded tank-interface module (TIM) 3900 can be a continuous body. The tank-interface module 3900 can serve as the first vertical cover for stacked battery modules 3020. The tank-interface module 3900 can be a rectangular cover plate and includes a rectangular planar flange portion 3091 and a rectangular protruding cover body 3092 disposed in the middle portion of the rectangular cover plate. The rectangular protruding cover body 3092 includes four side walls that rise from the rectangular planar flange portion 3091 and a top plate that closes the rectangular cover plate, thereby defining a rectangular protruding chamber / gap together with the rectangular planar flange portion 3091.

[0116] Figures 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B are simplified diagrams of the battery pack 3030 proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 16A, the battery pack 3030 may include a plurality of battery modules 3010 stacked in a vertical direction. The battery pack 3030 may further include and assemble a first interface module 3050(a) and a second interface module 3050(b) as a first vertical cover and a second vertical cover, respectively, the first vertical cover and the second vertical cover being disposed at opposite vertical ends of the stacked battery modules 3010. The battery pack 3030 may further include a first power interface module 3060(a) and a second power interface module 3060(b). The first power interface module 3060(a) is disposed on the first interface module 3050(a), and the second power interface module 3060(b) is disposed on the second interface module 3050(b). The first power interface module 3060(a) may include a first high-voltage interface connector 3063(a) disposed at a vertical end of the battery pack 3030, and the second power interface module 3060(b) may include a second high-voltage interface connector 3063(b) disposed at another vertical end of the battery pack 3030. This configuration is used to connect to a downstream load, and the terminals are respectively disposed at different locations.

[0118] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 16B, the battery pack 3030 may include a plurality of battery modules 3010 stacked vertically. The battery pack 3030 may further include and be assembled with an end cap module 3040 and an interface module 3050 as a first vertical cap and a second vertical cap, respectively, disposed at opposite vertical ends of the stacked battery modules 3010. The battery pack 3030 may further include a power interface module 3060 disposed on the interface module 3050. The power interface module 3060 may include two high-voltage interface connectors 3063 disposed at the same vertical end. This configuration is for connection to a downstream load, with terminals disposed adjacent to each other. The liquid-limiting housing 0080 may further include a vertical wall channel 0230. Each liquid-limiting housing 0080 has a vertical wall channel 0230 that can be sealed together to form a vertical through-hole, which extends vertically through the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules 3030. The battery pack 3030 may further include conductive rods 0280, which are used to ensure that the first and second electrodes of the circuit formed by all battery cells connected in series and / or in parallel are disposed on the second vertical end of the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules 3030.

[0119] In some embodiments, the conductive rod 0280 may be connected to a first electrode located on a first vertical end of an integral assembly structure of stacked battery modules 3030. The first electrode may be formed by a circuit consisting of all battery cells 0020 electrically connected in series and / or parallel via battery connection member 0026 and modular power interface 3020, and the first vertical end is adjacent to end cap module 3040. The conductive rod 0280 may be disposed in a vertical through hole and may extend vertically along the vertical through hole, and may protrude from a second vertical end of the integral assembly structure of stacked battery modules 3030, the second vertical end being adjacent to interface module 3050. Thereby, the first electrode and the second electrode of the circuit consisting of all battery cells connected in series and / or parallel may both be disposed on the second vertical end of the integral assembly structure of stacked battery modules 3030.

[0120] In some embodiments, when the liquid reservoir module 3070 and the high-voltage interface connector 3063 of the battery pack 3030 are both located at the same vertical end of the stacked battery modules 3020, the interface liquid connector 3072 and the high-voltage interface connector 3063 of the battery pack 3030 can also be located at the same vertical end of the stacked battery modules 3020. This configuration facilitates system integration because the liquid connection of the external cooling channel and the electrical connection of the downstream load can both be achieved from the same side of the battery pack. This configuration not only reduces the complexity of installation and maintenance but also improves the compactness and reliability of the battery pack assembly.

[0121] In Figures 16A and 16B (gravity vector not shown), the gravity vector points in the y-axis direction. Therefore, in these two examples, each liquid storage tank module 3070 is disposed on the -y-axis side of the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031 to ensure that the liquid storage tank module 3070 has a higher gravitational potential energy relative to the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 17A and 17B (gravity vector not shown), when the gravity vector points in the -x-axis direction, the liquid storage tank module 3070 can be disposed on the interface module 3050 to ensure that the liquid storage tank module 3070 has a higher gravitational potential energy relative to the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031.

[0122] For example, when the battery pack 3030 is installed in an electrical device, the liquid storage tank module 3070 can be positioned above the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031, so that the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank module 3070 has a higher gravitational potential energy than the liquid in the liquid-tight battery pack housing 3031.

[0123] The above embodiments are merely examples. Many technical details exist in related technical fields, and therefore are not shown or described in detail herein. Although the foregoing description has revealed many features and advantages of the present invention and elaborated upon them in conjunction with their structural and functional details, the present invention is only illustrative, and changes to the details are still possible. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments can be modified without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall be covered by the present invention.

[0124] 0010: Battery cell assembly 0020: Battery Unit 0024: Electrode surface 0025: Fuse Structure 0026: Battery connection component 0027: Battery contact plate 0028: Current Transmission Board 0029: Plate Hole 0030: Battery cell series 0040: Charging and discharging circuit 0050: Battery holder 0060: Battery housing structure 0070: Vertical limiting structure 0080: Liquid-limiting shell 0090: Surrounding walls 0091: Sidewall 0092: Vertical position at the top 0093: Bottom vertical position 0094: Top opening 0095: Bottom opening 0096: East Wall 0097:South wall 0098:West wall 0099:North wall 0101: Inner wall surface 0102: Inner east wall 0103: Inner south wall 0104: Inner west wall 0105: Inner north wall 0106:Outer wall surface 0107:Outer east wall 0108:Outer south wall 0109:Outer west wall 0110:Outer north wall 0120:Inner corner 0121: Inner Northeast Corner 0122: Inner Southeast Corner 0123: Inner Southwest Corner 0124: Northwest corner 0125:Outer corner 0126: Outer Northeast Corner 0127: Outer Southeast Corner 0128: Outer Southwest Corner 0129: Outer Northwest Corner 0130:Corner post 0140: Battery holder stop structure 0141: Inner Boundary 0150: Battery holder fixing structure 0151: Fastener hole 0152: Fasteners 0160: Top wall surface 0170: Bottom wall surface 0180: Top surface interlocking structure 0190: Bottom interlocking structure 0200: Seals 0210: Sealing element positioning structure 0220: Sealing element housing structure 0230: Vertical Wall Passage 0260: Battery monitoring device 0271: Positive electrode 0272: Negative electrode 0280: Conductive rod 3010: Battery Module 3030: Battery Pack 3031: Liquid-tight battery pack casing 3040: End Cap Module 3050: Interface Module 3050(a): First Interface Module 3050(b): Second Interface Module 3052: Interface module housing 3054: Interface Module Space 3060: Power Interface Module 3060(a): First power interface module 3060(b): Second power interface module 3061: Power Interface Module Space 3063: High Voltage Interface Connector 3063(a): First high-voltage interface connector 3063(b): Second high-voltage interface connector 3070: Liquid Storage Tank Module 3071: Hose 3074: Casing of liquid storage tank W2: Constant distance H1, H3, H4: Height

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: at least one battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells; at least one battery holder, defining the positions of the plurality of battery cells and including at least one battery housing structure; at least one battery connection member, being a conductor and electrically connected to the electrodes of the plurality of battery cells; and a liquid-limiting shell, limiting the flow of thermal management liquid and comprising: a peripheral wall laterally surrounding a space and extending in a vertical direction, the peripheral wall comprising: a top wall surface; a bottom wall surface; and an inner wall surface; wherein, The battery holder is fixed to the inner wall surface; wherein the top wall surface and the bottom wall surface respectively form the side surfaces of the vertical ends of the liquid-limiting housing; wherein the top wall surface includes at least one top interlocking structure, and the bottom wall surface includes at least one bottom interlocking structure; and wherein, when the two liquid-limiting housings are stacked vertically, the top interlocking structure and the bottom interlocking structure provide a lateral force to limit the relative displacement between the two liquid-limiting housings; a first interface module forms a first vertical cover to cooperate with one of the first vertical ends of the at least one battery module; a second vertical cover cooperates with one of the second vertical ends of the at least one battery module; wherein the second vertical cover is an end cap module or a second interface module; wherein the first interface module further includes a first power interface module, the first power interface module accommodating a circuit to transfer the high-voltage power of the battery pack to a downstream load; Wherein, when the second vertical cover is the second interface module, the second interface module further includes a second power interface module, the second power interface module accommodating the circuit to transfer the high-voltage power of the battery pack to the downstream load; a liquid-tight battery pack housing; wherein, the liquid-tight battery pack housing is composed of the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module, the first interface module and the end cap module, or is composed of the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module, the first interface module and the second interface module; and a liquid storage tank module, which is a buffer tank to balance the liquid volume change in the liquid-tight battery pack housing and a liquid communication interface to establish liquid communication between the battery pack and external liquid pipelines; wherein, when the battery pack is installed in an electrical device, the liquid storage tank module is positioned above the liquid-tight battery pack housing so that the gravitational potential energy of the liquid stored in the liquid storage tank module is higher than the gravitational potential energy of the liquid in the liquid-tight battery pack housing.

2. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery pack further includes a flexible hose, and the first interface module and the reservoir module each include a hose connector for communication and mechanical connection to the hose.

3. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second vertical cover is the second interface module, and the liquid-tight battery pack housing is composed of the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module, the first interface module, and the second interface module.

4. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second vertical cover is the end cap module, and the liquid-tight battery pack housing is composed of the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module, the first interface module and the end cap module.

5. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid-limiting housing of each battery module further includes a vertical wall channel, the vertical wall channels of each liquid-limiting housing being sealed to each other to form a vertical through hole, the vertical through hole extending in a vertical direction through the overall assembly structure of the stacked battery modules.

6. The battery pack as claimed in claim 5, wherein the battery pack further includes a conductor rod disposed within the vertical through hole.

7. The battery pack as claimed in claim 6, wherein the conductor rod is connected to a first electrode of a circuit at a first vertical end of an integral assembly of stacked battery modules, the circuit being formed by connecting all battery cells in series and / or in parallel, the first vertical end being adjacent to the end cap module; and the conductor rod protrudes from a second vertical end of an integral assembly of stacked battery modules, the second vertical end being adjacent to the first interface module.

8. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid-limiting housing further includes at least one battery seat stop structure that extends laterally inward from the inner surface of the peripheral wall; and the battery seat stop structure provides a vertical force to the battery seat to restrict vertical movement of the battery seat.

9. The battery pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the battery holder stop structure further includes an inner boundary; the inner boundary is the surface of the battery holder stop structure, the surface of the battery holder stop structure is parallel to the sidewall on which the battery holder stop structure is provided; and the transverse cross-section of the inner boundary is a straight line or a curve.

10. The battery pack as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transverse section of the inner boundary is a curve, and the radius of curvature of the curve is equal to or greater than the radius of the transverse section of the battery cell.

11. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir module is directly integrated with the first interface module, so that no hose is required between the reservoir module and the first interface module.

12. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power interface module defines a first power interface module space, the liquid-tight battery pack housing defines a battery pack space, and the first power interface module space and the battery pack space are hydraulically connected, such that thermal management fluid can simultaneously immerse components located in the first power interface module space and the battery pack space.

13. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power interface module defines a first power interface module space, the liquid-tight battery pack housing defines a battery pack space, and the first power interface module space and the battery pack space are hydraulically isolated; the first interface module includes an electrical channel sealed by a seal, and the seal is tightly fitted with an electrical connector.

14. The battery pack as claimed in claim 8, wherein the liquid-limiting housing further includes at least one battery holder fixing structure, the battery holder fixing structure including a fastener hole, the battery holder being mechanically fixed to the liquid-limiting housing via a fastener.

15. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery connection member includes a battery contact plate and a current transmission plate, the battery contact plate including a fusible structure that melts in the event of a current overload.

16. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the top wall surface and the bottom wall surface of the liquid-limiting housing includes: a sealing housing structure for receiving an O-ring to prevent liquid leakage between the stacked liquid-limiting housings.

17. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid-limiting housing is integrally formed by injection molding or die casting.

18. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall of the liquid-limiting housing is composed of four separate sidewalls or two portions surrounding the sidewalls.

19. The battery pack as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir module further includes an interface liquid connector for connecting the battery pack to an external liquid circulation system.

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