Battery cell tray and battery module

Abstract

The present application relates to a battery cell tray and a battery module. A plurality of first through holes are formed in a support portion in the battery cell tray; the first through holes and battery cells are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence manner; an edge folding portion is arranged on the periphery of the support portion, the edge folding portion is provided with a first protrusion assembly, and the first protrusion assembly is configured to provide grabbing points for an assembly device; and a side wall portion is arranged between the support portion and the edge folding portion, and the side wall portion is provided with chamfered structures, facilitating stamping forming of the battery cell tray, and improving the internal space utilization rate of the battery cell tray.

Description

Battery cell trays and battery modules

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on July 31, 2023, with application number 202322048220.9. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, for example, to a battery cell tray and a battery module. Background Art

[0003] A battery cell is a single electrochemical cell containing a positive and negative electrode. It can be categorized into aluminum-cased cells, soft-pack cells (also known as "polymer cells"), and cylindrical cells. Due to the small capacity of a single cell, multiple cells are typically assembled in series or parallel on a cell tray to form a cell module for use in larger capacity applications.

[0004] In related technologies, during the battery module design process, the cell tray is usually connected by welding steel plates. The cell tray is heavy, which reduces the energy density of the battery pack; the internal space utilization rate of the tray is low, and the assembly of the cell tray is cumbersome and the assembly precision is low. Technical Solutions

[0005] The present application provides a battery cell tray, comprising:

[0006] A support portion, wherein the support portion is provided with a plurality of first through holes; each first through hole is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a battery cell;

[0007] A folding portion, the folding portion is arranged on the periphery of the support portion, and the folding portion is provided with a first convex component, and the first convex component is configured to provide a gripping point for an assembly device;

[0008] The side wall portion is arranged between the support portion and the folded edge portion, and the side wall portion is provided with a chamfered structure.

[0009] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery module, including a plurality of battery cells and the above-mentioned battery cell tray; each battery cell is arranged on the battery cell tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cell tray from a first perspective in an embodiment of the present application;

[0011] FIG2 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point A in FIG1 ;

[0012] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cell tray from a second perspective in an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point B in FIG3 ;

[0014] FIG5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a battery cell tray in an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Reference numerals:

[0016] 10. Support portion; 100. First through hole; 20. Folding portion; 200. First convex assembly; 202. First convex; 210. First folding edge; 220. Second folding edge; 232. Second convex; 234. Second through hole; 242. Third convex; 244. Third through hole; 246. Connector; 250. Positioning hole; 260. Fourth through hole; 270. Direction indicating groove; 30. Side wall portion; 300. Chamfered structure. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0018] In this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "center," "vertical," "horizontal," "transverse," and "longitudinal" indicate positions or locations based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily intended to better describe this application and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the devices, elements, or components indicated to having a specific orientation, or to being constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0019] Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings besides indicating a position or location. For example, the term "on" may also be used to indicate a dependency or connection in certain circumstances. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0020] Additionally, the term "plurality" shall mean two or more.

[0021] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0022] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG1 , a battery cell tray is provided, comprising a support portion 10, a hem portion 20, and a sidewall portion 30. The support portion 10 is provided with a plurality of first through-holes 100; each first through-hole 100 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a battery cell; the hem portion 20 is disposed on the periphery of the support portion 10 and is provided with a first protrusion assembly 200, which is configured to provide a gripping point for assembly equipment; and the sidewall portion 30 is disposed between the support portion 10 and the hem portion 20 and is provided with a chamfered structure 300.

[0023] Among them, the battery cell can be a cylindrical battery cell. The battery cell includes a battery cell bottom and a battery cell top, a positive electrode is provided on the battery cell top, and a pressure relief valve can be provided on the battery cell bottom. A support portion 10, a folded edge portion 20 and a side wall portion 30 are provided on the battery cell tray, and the support portion 10, the folded edge portion 20 and the side wall portion 30 are an integrally molded structure. The support portion 10 can be a plate-like structure, and the support portion 10 is provided with a plurality of first through holes 100. The first through holes 100 can be used to facilitate the discharge of thermal runaway gases through the corresponding first through holes 100 when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell. For example, the plurality of first through holes 100 on the support portion 10 can be arranged at equal intervals. Exemplarily, to further utilize the available space of the support portion 10, the support portion 10 is provided with more first through holes 100. Multiple rows of first through holes 100 are then provided on the support portion 10, with each row containing multiple first through holes 100. The multiple first through holes 100 in two adjacent rows are staggered and spaced apart, reducing the spacing between the two adjacent rows of first through holes 100. This allows for more first through holes 100 to be provided on the support portion 10. The bottom of the battery cell is positioned flush with the corresponding first through hole 100 in the support portion 10, and the pressure relief valve at the bottom of the battery cell is positioned corresponding to the first through hole 100. Exemplarily, the bottom surface of the battery cell is larger than the size of the first through hole 100, and the size of the first through hole 100 is larger than the size of the pressure relief valve.

[0024] The folding portion 20 is arranged around the periphery of the support portion 10, and the folding portion 20 is composed of a folded edge formed by folding outward. A first convex component 200 is provided on the folding portion 20, wherein the first convex component 200 may include a plurality of first convex bulges 202, the first convex bulges 202 protrude in the direction away from the support portion 10 and form an inner cavity in the direction toward the support portion, and the manipulator of the assembly equipment is at least partially embedded in the inner cavity. By arranging the first convex component 200 on the folding portion 20, it is convenient for the assembly equipment to grasp the first convex component 200 through the manipulator, thereby facilitating the grasping and assembly of the battery cell tray. In some embodiments, a chamfer is provided between the first convex bulge 202 and the folding portion 20. In some embodiments, the first convex bulge 202 is obtained by integrally stamping the folding portion 20.

[0025] The side wall portion 30 is disposed around the periphery of the support portion 10 and is located between the support portion 10 and the folded edge portion 20. For example, the side wall portion 30 is annular in structure, and the corners of the side wall portion 30 are configured as chamfered structures 300. The chamfered corners of the side wall portion 30 are configured as chamfered structures 300, which facilitates the stamping and forming of the battery cell tray. It also avoids the problem of excessively large fillet radius and reduced number of first through holes 100 that can be provided at the corners of the support portion 10 due to the limitation of the minimum fillet in the stamping process when the side wall portion 30 is directly configured as a fillet structure. This facilitates full utilization of the corner positions of the support portion 10 of the battery cell tray, provides more first through holes 100 on the support portion 10, and improves the internal space utilization rate of the battery cell tray.

[0026] For example, the support portion 10 is rectangular in shape, and the folding portion 20 and the side wall portion 30 are respectively arranged around the periphery of the support portion 10, and the side wall portion 30 is arranged between the support portion 10 and the folding portion 20, thereby making the battery cell tray as a whole rectangular in shape. The support portion 10 has four corners, and the corresponding side wall portion 30 and the folding portion 20 each have corresponding four corners, wherein the four corners of the support portion 10, the four corners of the side wall portion 30, and the four corners of the folding portion 20 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. By chamfering the four corners of the side wall portion 30, the four corners of the side wall portion 30 are respectively chamfered structures 300, which facilitates the integral stamping of the support portion 10, the side wall portion 30, and the folding portion 20. In addition, the chamfered structure space at the four corners of the support portion 10 can be fully utilized to provide more first through holes 100, so that the support portion 10 can be equipped with more battery cells, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack.

[0027] In the above embodiment, a plurality of first through holes 100 are provided through the support portion 10; each first through hole 100 is provided in one-to-one correspondence with a battery cell; the folding portion 20 is provided on the periphery of the support portion 10, and the folding portion 20 is provided with a first convex assembly 200, and the first convex assembly 200 is configured to provide a gripping point for the assembly equipment; the side wall portion 30 is provided between the support portion 10 and the folding portion 20, and the side wall portion 30 is provided with a chamfered structure 300, so as to facilitate the assembly of the battery cell tray and the battery cell. The present application provides a support portion 10, a folding portion 20 and a side wall portion 30 on the battery cell tray, and provides a plurality of first through holes 100 on the support portion 10, and the side wall portion 30 is provided between the support portion 10 and the folding portion 20, and each first through hole 100 corresponds to a battery cell; by providing a chamfered structure 300 on the side wall portion 30, it is beneficial to the stamping and forming of the battery cell tray, and improves the internal space utilization of the battery cell tray, so that more first through holes 100 can be provided on the support portion 10, and then the support portion 10 can be installed with more battery cells, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack; by providing a first convex component 200 on the folding portion 20, it is convenient for the assembly equipment to grasp and assemble through the first convex component 200, the battery cell tray is convenient to assemble, and the assembly accuracy is improved.

[0028] In one example, the cell tray can be made of AL5083-O aluminum alloy plate, which is formed by integral stamping. The overall thickness of the cell tray can be set to 3 mm.

[0029] In one example, the height of the side wall portion 30 of the cell tray may be set to 42 mm, and the support portion 10 may be provided with 176 first through holes 100 . For example, the first through holes 100 may be circular holes with a diameter of 37 mm.

[0030] In one example, as shown in FIG2 , the folding portion 20 includes a plurality of first folding edges 210 ; the first convex assembly 200 includes a plurality of first convex humps 202 ; the first folding edge 210 is provided with at least one first convex hump 202 , and the first convex humps 202 on the opposite first folding edges 210 are staggered with each other.

[0031] Among them, the width of the first folded edge 210 can be obtained according to the actual assembly requirements. The number of the first folded edges 210 can be determined according to the shape of the folded edge portion 20. For example, for a rectangular battery tray, the folded edge portion 20 is rectangular in shape, and the folded edge portion 20 includes two first folded edges 210, and one first folded edge 210 is arranged opposite to the other first folded edge 210. Each first folded edge 210 is respectively provided with at least one first convex bump 202. The first convex bumps 202 on the relative first folded edges 210 are staggered with each other, which is conducive to the robot arm of the assembly equipment to grab the corresponding first convex bumps 202, thereby realizing convenient assembly of the battery tray and improving assembly accuracy.

[0032] For example, two first bulges 202 are respectively provided on the two first folded edges 210, and the first bulges 202 on the two first folded edges 210 are asymmetrical with each other, so that the first bulges 202 on each first folded edge 210 are staggered with each other, which is beneficial for the robot arm of the assembly equipment to grasp the corresponding first bulge 202, realize the convenient assembly of the battery cell tray, and improve the assembly accuracy.

[0033] In one embodiment, the hem portion 20 is further provided with a second convex component, which is configured to provide a fixing point for a wire harness or a pipe.

[0034] The second convex assembly may include a plurality of second convex humps 232 , and the second convex assembly may be used to facilitate the routing of the battery cell wiring harness or to facilitate the bundling and fixing of the pipes of the battery module.

[0035] By providing a second convex assembly on the folded edge 20, the battery cells are mounted on the corresponding first through-holes 100 of the support portion 10. The battery cells are connected via a wiring harness to form a battery module. The wiring harness connecting the battery cells can then be routed through the second convex assembly, facilitating the securement of the wiring harness and preventing entanglement. Furthermore, pipes routed on the battery module can be secured via the second convex assembly. For example, the pipes on the battery module can be tied and secured to the second convex assembly 232 using a cable tie to prevent them from loosening. The pipes can be liquid cooling pipes.

[0036] For example, as shown in FIG2 , the hem portion 20 further includes a plurality of second hems 220 ; the second convex assembly includes a plurality of second convex humps 232 ; the second hem portion 220 is provided with at least one second convex hump 232 , which protrudes away from the support portion 10 , and the top of the second convex hump 232 is provided with a second through-hole 234 ; the second through-hole 234 is used for routing a wiring harness or securing a pipe. In some embodiments, the second convex hump 232 is integrally stamped and formed from the hem portion 20 .

[0037] The folding portion 20 is also provided with a plurality of second folding edges 220, and the width of the second folding edges 220 can be obtained according to the actual assembly requirements. The number of second folding edges 220 can be determined according to the shape of the folding portion 20. For example, for a rectangular battery tray, the folding portion 20 is rectangular in shape, then the folding portion 20 includes two first folding edges 210 and two second folding edges 220, and one second folding edge 220 is arranged opposite to the other second folding edge 220. Each second folding edge 220 is respectively provided with at least one second bulge 232. The second bulge 232 on each second folding edge 220 is provided with a second through hole 234, and the second through hole 234 can be used to facilitate the routing of the battery cell wiring harness or the fixing of the pipe of the battery module.

[0038] For example, the second folded edge 220 is provided with two second protrusions 232, each of which is provided with a corresponding second through-hole 234. The battery cell wiring harness can then be routed through the second through-holes 234 on the corresponding second protrusions 232, facilitating the securement of the battery cell wiring harness and preventing entanglement. Furthermore, the pipes routed on the battery module are bound with cable ties, which can be secured through the second through-holes 234 on the second protrusions 232 to prevent the pipes from loosening. It should be noted that the second through-holes 234 on the second protrusions 232 can be circular holes with a diameter of 7 mm.

[0039] In one embodiment, the folded edge portion 20 is further provided with a third convex assembly, and the third convex assembly is configured to provide a lifting point for assembly equipment.

[0040] The third convex assembly may include a plurality of third convex bulges 242 , and the third convex assembly may be used to facilitate the assembly equipment to lift the battery cell tray, thereby facilitating the subsequent maintenance of the battery module.

[0041] By setting a third convex component on the folding portion 20, the battery cell is installed on the corresponding first through hole 100 of the support portion 10, and the battery cells are connected through a wiring harness to form a battery module. When the battery module needs to be inspected and repaired, the third convex component of the battery cell tray can be grasped by the assembly equipment to realize the lifting of the battery cell tray, thereby facilitating the later maintenance of the battery module.

[0042] For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the third convex assembly includes a plurality of third convex bulges 242; the first folded edge 210 is disposed adjacent to the second folded edge 220; a third convex bulge 242 is disposed at the adjacent connection between the first folded edge 210 and the second folded edge 220, and the third convex bulge 242 protrudes away from the support portion 10 to form an inner cavity. In some embodiments, the third convex bulge 242 is integrally stamped from the folded edge portion 20.

[0043] Among them, the first folded edge 210 and the second folded edge 220 on the folded edge portion 20 are arranged adjacent to each other, so that one end of the first folded edge 210 is connected to one end of the second folded edge 220, and the other end of the first folded edge 210 is connected to one end of the other second folded edge 220. For example, for a rectangular battery tray, the folded edge portion 20 is rectangular in shape, and the folded edge portion 20 includes two first folded edges 210 and two second folded edges 220. The third convex bumps 242 are provided at the adjacent connections between the first folded edges 210 and the second folded edges 220, so that the third convex bumps 242 are distributed at the four corners of the battery tray. When the battery module needs to be inspected and repaired, the four third convex bumps 242 of the battery tray can be grasped by the assembly equipment to realize the lifting of the battery tray, thereby facilitating the subsequent maintenance of the battery module. It should be noted that the length of the first folded edge 210 is greater than the length of the second folded edge 220.

[0044] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 , the third convex bump 242 is provided with a third through hole 244 , and the third through hole 244 is provided with a connecting member 246 .

[0045] The connector 246 can be a nut. By providing a plurality of third bumps 242 on the folded portion 20, each of which is provided with a corresponding third through-hole 244, the connector 246 can be mounted on the third bumps 242 through the third through-holes 244. For example, the connector 246 can be mounted on the third through-holes 244 by riveting. When the battery module needs to be inspected and repaired, the four third bumps 242 of the cell tray can be grasped by assembly equipment and the cell tray can be hoisted and secured using the connector 246, thereby facilitating subsequent maintenance of the battery module.

[0046] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the folding portion 20 is further provided with a positioning hole 250 and a plurality of fourth through holes 260; the positioning hole 250 is provided in the first folding edge 210 or the second folding edge 220; the first folding edge 210 is provided with at least one fourth through hole 260, and the second folding edge 220 is provided with at least one fourth through hole 260.

[0047] The positioning hole 250 can be a through hole on the cell tray used as an industrial positioning reference. For example, the positioning hole 250 can be a waist-shaped positioning hole 250. The fourth through hole 260 is a module mounting hole used to secure the cell tray to the battery module housing. For example, the fourth through hole 260 can be a circular hole.

[0048] The positioning hole 250 can be set on the first fold 210 or the second fold 220, and then the positioning block can be used for rapid positioning and assembly, thereby improving the assembly accuracy of the battery module. The folding portion 20 is provided with a plurality of fourth through holes 260, and the plurality of fourth through holes 260 are distributed on the first fold 210 and the second fold 220, so that the first fold 210 is provided with at least one fourth through hole 260, and the second fold 220 is provided with at least one fourth through hole 260. For example, corresponding to a rectangular battery cell tray, the folding portion 20 includes two first folds 210 and two second folds 220, and 18 fourth through holes 260 are provided on the folding portion 20, for example, six fourth through holes 260 are distributed on the first fold 210, and three fourth through holes are distributed on the second fold 220. It should be noted that the fourth through hole 260 can be a circular hole with a diameter of 7 mm.

[0049] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the folded edge portion 20 is provided with at least one direction indicating groove 270 , and the direction indicating groove 270 is in the shape of an arrow.

[0050] At least one direction indicator groove 270 can be provided on the second fold 220. For example, for a rectangular battery cell tray, each of the two second folds 220 can be provided with at least one direction indicator groove 270. Providing direction indicator grooves 270 on the fold 20 further improves the assembly direction recognition of the battery cell tray, ensuring that the battery modules are placed in the box without any mistakes.

[0051] In one embodiment, a battery module is further provided, comprising a plurality of battery cells and a battery cell tray as described above; the battery cells are arranged on the battery cell tray.

[0052] For the detailed description of the battery cells and the battery cell tray, reference may be made to the detailed description of the battery cells and the battery cell tray in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the battery cell tray includes a supporting portion, a folding portion and a side wall portion, and the supporting portion is provided with a plurality of first through holes; each first through hole is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a battery cell; the folding portion is provided on the periphery of the supporting portion, and the folding portion is provided with a first convex component, and the first convex component is configured to provide a gripping point for the assembly equipment; the side wall portion is provided between the supporting portion and the folding portion, and the side wall portion is provided with a chamfered structure to facilitate the assembly of the battery cell tray and the battery cell. The present application provides a support portion, a folding portion and a side wall portion on the battery cell tray, wherein a plurality of first through holes are provided on the support portion, and the side wall portion is provided between the support portion and the folding portion, and each first through hole corresponds to a battery cell; by providing a chamfered structure on the side wall portion, it is beneficial to the stamping forming of the battery cell tray, and it can also avoid the problem that when it is directly set as a rounded corner structure, the fillet radius is too large and the number of first through holes that can be provided at the corner of the support portion is reduced due to the limitation of the minimum fillet in the stamping process, which is beneficial to making full use of the corner position of the support portion of the battery cell tray, and providing more first through holes on the support portion, thereby improving the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery cell tray, and then more battery cells can be installed on the support portion, thereby improving the energy density of the battery pack; by providing a first convex component on the folding portion, it is convenient for the assembly equipment to grab and assemble through the first convex component, the battery cell tray is easy to assemble, and the assembly accuracy is improved.

Claims

1. A battery cell tray, comprising: A support portion, wherein the support portion is provided with a plurality of first through holes; each of the first through holes is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with a battery cell; A folding portion, the folding portion is arranged at the periphery of the supporting portion, the folding portion is provided with a first convex assembly, and the first convex assembly is configured to provide a gripping point for an assembly device; A side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion is arranged between the support portion and the folded edge portion, and the side wall portion is provided with a chamfer structure.

2. The battery cell tray according to claim 1, wherein: The folded edge portion includes a plurality of first folded edges; the first convex hull assembly includes a plurality of first convex hulls; The first folded edge is provided with at least one first convex bump; on the opposite first folded edges, the first convex bumps are mutually staggered.

3. The battery cell tray according to claim 1, wherein: The hem portion is further provided with a second convex bulge component, and the second convex bulge component is configured to provide a fixing point for a wire harness or a pipe.

4. The battery cell tray according to claim 3, wherein: The folded edge portion further includes a plurality of second folded edges; the second convex hull assembly includes a plurality of second convex hulls; The second folded edge is provided with at least one second convex bulge, and the second convex bulge is provided with a second through hole; the second through hole is configured to route the wire harness or fix the pipe.

5. The battery cell tray according to claim 1, wherein: The folded edge portion is further provided with a third convex assembly, and the third convex assembly is configured to provide a hoisting point for the assembly equipment.

6. The battery cell tray according to claim 5, wherein: The third convex hump assembly includes a plurality of third convex hump; the folded edge portion includes a first folded edge and a second folded edge, and the first folded edge is disposed adjacent to the second folded edge; The third convex bulge is arranged at the adjacent connection between the first folded edge and the second folded edge.

7. The battery cell tray according to claim 6, wherein: The third convex bump is provided with a third through hole, and the third through hole is provided with a connecting piece.

8. The battery cell tray according to claim 4, wherein: The folded edge portion is also provided with a positioning hole and a plurality of fourth through holes; the positioning hole is provided on the first folded edge or the second folded edge; the first folded edge is provided with at least one of the fourth through holes, and the second folded edge is provided with at least one of the fourth through holes.

9. The battery cell tray according to claim 1, wherein: The folded edge portion is provided with at least one direction indicating groove, and the direction indicating groove is in the shape of an arrow.

10. The battery cell tray according to claim 1, wherein: The battery tray is made of aluminum alloy.

11. A battery module, comprising a plurality of battery cells and a battery cell tray as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10; the battery cells are arranged on the battery cell tray.

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