Battery box body and battery pack

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a battery box body and a battery pack. The battery box body in the battery pack comprises a liquid cooling plate (200), a bottom protective plate (100), and a seal ring (400). The liquid cooling plate (200) has a first end face and a second end face that is opposite to the first end face. The second end face protrudes in a direction facing away from the first end face to form a first protruding end face and a second protruding end face which are connected to each other. The vertical distance between the first protruding end face and the second end face is smaller than the vertical distance between the second protruding end face and the second end face. The bottom protective plate (100) is connected to the second protruding end face, and an accommodation space is formed between the bottom protective plate and the first protruding end face. The seal ring (400) is engaged in the accommodation space.

Description

Battery housing and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202421011807.0, filed on May 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to battery housings and battery packs.

[0004] Background Technology

[0005] With the rise of new energy technologies, electric vehicles have received widespread attention. The battery pack, a crucial component of electric vehicles, provides ample electrical energy. A battery pack consists of a battery housing and multiple batteries connected in series or parallel within the housing. The battery housing comprises, from top to bottom, a housing frame, a liquid cooling plate, and a bottom protective plate. The batteries are housed within the space enclosed by the housing frame. The liquid cooling plate is configured to dissipate heat from the batteries within this space, and the bottom protective plate protects the liquid cooling plate.

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] In related technologies, there are two main methods for fixing the liquid cooling plate and the bottom cover plate inside the battery box. The first method uses rivet nuts and bolts to fix the bottom cover plate to the liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate, sealing ring, and bottom cover plate are stacked sequentially from top to bottom. Bolts are then inserted through the bottom cover plate, the sealing ring sandwiched between the bottom cover plate and the liquid cooling plate, and finally secured with rivet nuts. To ensure the sealing effect of the sealing ring, a large number of rivet nuts and bolts are required. This method of sealing through the sealing ring is not only difficult to assemble but also causes irreversible damage to the sealing ring, affecting its sealing effect and increasing production costs while reducing production efficiency. To improve production efficiency, the second method uses blind rivets to rivet the bottom cover plate to the box frame, inserting rivets through the bottom cover plate, the sealing ring sandwiched between the bottom cover plate and the liquid cooling plate, and finally the liquid cooling plate. Although blind rivets offer some improvement in efficiency compared to rivet nuts and bolts, the lack of improvements to the installation structure between the liquid cooling plate, bottom guard plate, and sealing rings means that the protection of the sealing rings and the sealing effect of the sealing rings cannot be improved.

[0008] Technical solutions

[0009] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a battery housing, comprising:

[0010] A liquid cooling plate has a first end face and a second end face disposed opposite to the first end face. The second end face has a first convex end face and a second convex end face protruding in a direction away from the first end face and connected to each other. The vertical distance between the first convex end face and the second end face is smaller than the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the second end face.

[0011] The bottom protective plate is fixed to the second convex end face and forms a receiving space between it and the first convex end face; and

[0012] A sealing ring is clamped within the receiving space.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack including a plurality of batteries and a battery housing as described above, wherein the plurality of batteries are connected in series or in parallel, and the plurality of batteries are all housed in the battery housing.

[0014] Beneficial effects

[0015] The battery housing provided in this application has a first convex end face and a second convex end face that protrude in a direction away from the first end face and are connected to each other on a second end face opposite to the first end face of the liquid cooling plate. The vertical distance between the first convex end face and the first end face is smaller than the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the first end face. The bottom plate is connected to the second convex end face, so that a space for accommodating a sealing ring is formed between the bottom protective plate and the first convex end face. This achieves effective sealing between the bottom protective plate and the liquid cooling plate using the sealing ring, thereby preventing external liquid or moisture from entering between the liquid cooling plate and the bottom protective plate and corroding the liquid cooling plate and the bottom protective plate. Compared with related technologies, there is no need to use locking parts to damage the sealing ring, which improves the protection of the sealing ring, saves production costs, reduces the assembly difficulty of the battery housing, and improves assembly efficiency.

[0016] This application also provides a battery pack. By applying the above-mentioned battery housing, an effective seal is achieved between the bottom protective plate and the liquid cooling plate using a sealing ring. This prevents external liquids or moisture from entering between the liquid cooling plate and the bottom protective plate and corroding the liquid cooling plate and the bottom protective plate. Compared with related technologies, there is no need to use locking parts to damage the sealing ring, which improves the protection of the sealing ring, saves production costs, reduces the assembly difficulty of the battery housing, and improves assembly efficiency.

[0017] Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the battery box provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a second structural schematic diagram of the battery box provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the battery box provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the battery box with a hidden bottom protective plate provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the battery box provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 6 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 5;

[0024] Figure 7 is a magnified view of part B in Figure 4.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1000. Battery housing;

[0027] 100. Bottom protection plate;

[0028] 200. Liquid cooling plate; 210. Annular stepped protrusion; 211. First annular protrusion; 212. Second annular protrusion; 220. Discharge trough; 230. Flow channel; 240. Liquid inlet pipe; 250. Liquid outlet pipe; 260. Upper snap-fit ​​plate; 270. Lower snap-fit ​​plate;

[0029] 300, Box frame; 310, Docking groove; 320, First receiving hole; 330, Second receiving hole; 340, Receiving cavity;

[0030] 400. Sealing ring;

[0031] 500. Fastener; 510. Rivet joint; 520. Tail rod.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, this embodiment provides a battery housing 1000. The battery housing 1000 includes a bottom protective plate 100, a liquid cooling plate 200, and a sealing ring 400. The liquid cooling plate 200 has a first end face and a second end face opposite to the first end face. The second end face has a first convex end face and a second convex end face protruding in a direction away from the first end face. The vertical distance between the first convex end face and the second end face is less than the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the second end face. The bottom protective plate 100 is fixed to the second convex end face and forms a receiving space with the first convex end face. The sealing ring 400 is clamped in the receiving space.

[0034] The battery housing 1000 has a first convex end face and a second convex end face that protrude away from the first end face and are connected on a second end face opposite to the first end face of the liquid cooling plate 200. The vertical distance between the first convex end face and the first end face is smaller than the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the first end face. The bottom plate 100 is connected to the second convex end face, so that a receiving space configured to clamp the sealing ring 400 is formed between the bottom protective plate 100 and the first convex end face. This achieves effective sealing between the bottom protective plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200 by using the sealing ring 400, thereby preventing external liquid or water vapor from entering between the liquid cooling plate 200 and the bottom protective plate 100 and corroding the liquid cooling plate 200 and the bottom protective plate 100. Compared with related technologies, there is no need to use locking parts to destroy the sealing ring 400, which improves the protection of the sealing ring 400, saves production costs, reduces the assembly difficulty of the battery housing 1000, and improves assembly efficiency.

[0035] It should be noted that the battery housing 1000 provided in this embodiment also includes a housing frame 300. The housing frame 300 has a housing cavity 340 configured to house the battery. The housing frame 300 is disposed on a first end face, which is the upper end face of the liquid cooling plate 200, and the second end face is the lower end face of the liquid cooling plate 200. In other embodiments, the liquid cooling plate 200 can be disposed at the lower end or the upper end of the housing frame 300. In this case, the bottom protective plate 100 is disposed at the upper end of the liquid cooling plate 200 to dissipate heat from above onto the battery housed in the housing cavity 340. As shown in Figures 4-6, an annular stepped protrusion 210 protrudes from the periphery of the second end face of the liquid cooling plate 200 in a direction away from the first end face. The annular stepped protrusion 210 includes a first annular protrusion 211 and a second annular protrusion 212 connected to each other. The second annular protrusion 212 is fitted around the outer periphery of the first annular protrusion 211. The end face of the first annular protrusion 211 away from the second end face is the first convex end face, and the end face of the second annular protrusion 212 away from the second end face is the second convex end face. By providing an annular stepped protrusion 210 protruding from the periphery of the second end face of the liquid cooling plate 200 in a direction away from the first end face, and making the second annular protrusion 212 within the annular stepped protrusion 210 fit around the outer periphery of the first annular protrusion 211, defining the end face of the first annular protrusion 211 away from the second end face as the first convex end face, and defining the end face of the second annular protrusion 212 away from the second end face as the second convex end face, the structure is simple and the design is ingenious.

[0036] In other embodiments, provided that the second annular protrusion 212 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first annular protrusion 211, the end face of the first annular protrusion 211 away from the second end face can be set as the second convex end face, and the end face of the second annular protrusion 212 away from the second end face can be set as the first convex end face. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the liquid cooling plate 200 includes an upper fastening plate 260 and a lower fastening plate 270 that are fastened together. A cooling channel 230 is provided between the upper fastening plate 260 and the lower fastening plate 270. A first end face is located at the end of the upper fastening plate 260 away from the lower fastening plate 270. A first annular protrusion 211 and a second annular protrusion 212 are provided on the end face of the lower fastening plate 270 away from the upper fastening plate 260, pointing away from the first end face. By configuring the liquid cooling plate 200 as an upper fastening plate 260 and a lower fastening plate 270 that are fastened together, the installation of the cooling channel 230, the first annular protrusion 211, and the second annular protrusion 212 can be facilitated, reducing the manufacturing difficulty of the liquid cooling plate 200.

[0038] Furthermore, the cooling channel 230 does not interfere with the first annular protrusion 211 and the second annular protrusion 212. By ensuring that the first annular protrusion 211 and the second annular protrusion 212 do not interfere with the cooling channel 230, the bottom cover plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200 can be effectively sealed and fixed without affecting the thermal management performance of the liquid cooling plate 200, thus ensuring the cooling effect on the battery.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first end face of the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 is flat to support the battery. The lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 is stamped with a cooling channel 230, a first annular protrusion 211, and a second annular protrusion 212. The first annular protrusion 211 and the second annular protrusion 212 do not interfere with each other. When the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 and the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 are snapped together, the end face of the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 away from the first end face abuts against the end face of the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 away from the second end face, thus assembling the liquid cooling plate 200. In other embodiments, a third convex end face can be provided on the end face of the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 away from the first end face, and a groove can be made on the snap-fit ​​end face where the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 and the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 snap together, with the groove position perpendicular to and directly opposite the third convex end face. After the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270 and the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 are snapped together and fixed, the groove formed between the third convex end face and the upper snap-fit ​​plate 260 is the cooling channel 230. The above-described processing method of the cooling channel 230 is only an example, and the processing method of the cooling channel 230 can be adjusted according to actual needs. This embodiment does not limit it.

[0040] In other embodiments, the annular stepped protrusion 210 may also include a third annular protrusion, a fifth annular protrusion, and so on, so that multiple protruding end faces are provided on the second end face of the lower fastening plate 270 in a direction away from the first end face. A sealing ring 400 can be accommodated in the accommodating space between each protruding end face and the bottom protective plate 100 to improve the sealing effect on the bottom protective plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200. Alternatively, a sealing ring 400 adapted to the accommodating space between the multiple protruding end faces and the bottom protective plate 100 can be used, and the sealing ring 400 can be accommodated in multiple accommodating spaces. The shape of the annular stepped protrusion 210 can be adjusted according to actual needs, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bottom guard plate 100 is a flat plate structure, and the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the first end face is greater than the vertical distance between the end of the cooling channel 230 away from the first end face and the first end face. By ensuring that the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the first end face is greater than the vertical distance between the end of the cooling channel 230 away from the first end face and the first end face, the flat plate bottom guard plate 100 can be fixed to the second convex end face without interfering with the cooling channel 230. In addition, since the bottom guard plate 100 in this embodiment is set as a flat plate structure, compared with the related technology where the bottom guard plate 100 needs to be configured to accommodate the cooling channel 230 by stamping, no mold stamping is required, which simplifies the processing steps of the bottom guard plate 100 and reduces the processing cost of the bottom guard plate 100.

[0042] In some embodiments, the battery housing 1000 further includes a fastener 500 configured to connect and fix the bottom guard plate 100 to the second convex end face.

[0043] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, in this embodiment, the fastener 500 includes a connected rivet joint 510 and a tail rod 520. Both the first annular protrusion 211 and the second annular protrusion 212 have cavities. The tail rod 520 passes through the bottom protective plate 100 and the second convex end face and is housed within the cavity. The bottom protective plate 100 is riveted and fixed between the rivet joint 510 and the second convex end face. By passing the tail rod 520 of the fastener 500 through the bottom protective plate 100 and the second convex end face and housing it within the cavity, the bottom protective plate 100 is riveted and fixed between the rivet joint 510 and the second convex end face, achieving stable fixing of the bottom protective plate and the lower fastening plate 270.

[0044] A discharge groove 220 communicating with the cavity is provided on the second convex end face. The fixing position of the fixing member 500 and the opening position of the discharge groove 220 do not interfere with each other. By providing the discharge groove 220 communicating with the cavity on the second convex end face, the tail rod 520 in the cavity can be discharged, preventing the tail rod 520 from remaining in the cavity and causing abnormal noise. In addition, by ensuring that the fixing position of the fixing member 500 and the opening position of the discharge groove 220 do not interfere with each other, the normal use of the fixing member 500 can be guaranteed.

[0045] When it is necessary to remove the bottom protective plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200 that are fixed together, the head of the fastener 500 can be ground off first. At this time, the tail rod 520 of the fastener 500 will remain in the cavity. Then, the tail rod 520 in the cavity can be discharged along the discharge groove 220, or the tail rod 520 can be blown out of the discharge groove 220 using an air gun to complete the removal of the bottom protective plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200. In this embodiment, the fastener 500 is a blind rivet. Blind rivets have a simple structure, are easy to rivet, and have a good anchoring effect. In other embodiments, the fastener 500 can also be a fan rivet, a tree-shaped rivet, a solid rivet, a countersunk rivet, or other rivets. This embodiment does not limit the type of rivet.

[0046] Multiple blind rivets are provided inside the battery box 1000. The multiple blind rivets are arranged sequentially along the end face shape of the second convex end face. The multiple blind rivets together connect and fix the bottom guard plate 100 to the second convex end face to improve the fixing effect between the bottom guard plate 100 and the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270.

[0047] In addition, the second convex end face is provided with a plurality of discharge grooves 220 along its end face shape. The opening position of each discharge groove 220 and the fixing position of each fastener 500 do not interfere with each other, so as to ensure that the core-pulling rivet can properly rivet and fix the bottom guard plate 100 and the lower snap-fit ​​plate 270.

[0048] In this embodiment, a total of 32 blind rivets sequentially connect and fix the bottom guard plate 100 to the second convex end face along the end face shape of the second convex end face. The second convex end face has 28 discharge slots 220, and the 32 blind rivets and the 28 discharge slots 220 do not interfere with each other. In other embodiments, the number of blind rivets and discharge slots 220 can be adjusted according to actual needs, as long as they do not interfere with each other; this embodiment does not impose any limitations.

[0049] To improve the fixing effect between the housing frame 300 and the liquid cooling plate 200, a mating groove 310 is provided on the end face of the housing frame 300 near the first end face. The mating groove 310 is configured to mate and fix with the upper fastening plate 260 and the lower fastening plate 270. By providing the mating groove 310 on the end face of the housing frame 300 near the first end face to cooperate with the upper fastening plate 260 and the lower fastening plate 270, the housing frame 300 and the upper fastening plate 260 and the lower fastening plate 270 can be positioned before fixing, thereby improving the accuracy of subsequent fixing. In some implementations, the liquid cooling plate 200 is provided with an inlet pipe 240 and an outlet pipe 250 that are respectively connected to the cooling channel 230. The housing frame 300 is provided with a first receiving hole 320 and a second receiving hole 330. Either the first receiving hole 320 or the second receiving hole 330 is configured to accommodate and fix the inlet pipe 240, and the other is configured to accommodate and fix the outlet pipe 250. By providing the inlet pipe 240 and the outlet pipe 250 that are respectively connected to the cooling channel 230 on the liquid cooling plate 200, the flow of coolant within the cooling channel 230 can be facilitated. By providing the first receiving hole 320 and the second receiving hole 330 that are respectively configured to accommodate the inlet pipe 240 and the outlet pipe 250 on the housing frame 300, the inlet pipe 240 and the outlet pipe 250 can be stably fixed on the housing frame 300. In this embodiment, the first receiving hole 320 is configured to receive and fix the liquid inlet pipe 240, and the second receiving hole 330 is configured to receive and fix the liquid outlet pipe 250. In other embodiments, the first receiving hole 320 may also receive and fix the liquid outlet pipe 250, and the second receiving hole 330 may also receive and fix the liquid inlet pipe 240; this embodiment is not limited to these embodiments.

[0050] This embodiment also provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes multiple batteries connected in series or in parallel with the battery housing 1000 described above, and all batteries are housed in the housing cavity 340 of the battery housing 1000.

[0051] By applying the aforementioned battery housing 1000, this battery pack achieves an effective seal between the bottom protective plate 100 and the liquid cooling plate 200 using the sealing ring 400. This prevents external liquids or moisture from entering between the liquid cooling plate 200 and the bottom protective plate 100 and corroding them. Compared with related technologies, there is no need to use locking components to damage the sealing ring 400, thus improving the protection of the sealing ring 400, saving production costs, reducing the assembly difficulty of the battery housing 1000, and improving assembly efficiency.

Claims

1. Battery housing, including: The liquid cooling plate (200) has a first end face and a second end face disposed opposite to the first end face. The second end face has a first convex end face and a second convex end face protruding in a direction away from the first end face. The vertical distance between the first convex end face and the second end face is smaller than the vertical distance between the second convex end face and the second end face. The bottom protective plate (100) is connected to the second convex end face and forms a receiving space between it and the first convex end face; and A sealing ring (400) is clamped in the receiving space.

2. The battery housing according to claim 1, wherein, The second end face of the liquid cooling plate (200) has an annular stepped protrusion (210) protruding from the periphery in a direction away from the first end face. The annular stepped protrusion (210) includes a first annular protrusion (211) and a second annular protrusion (212) connected to each other. The second annular protrusion (212) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first annular protrusion (211). The end face of the first annular protrusion (211) away from the second end face is the first convex end face, and the end face of the second annular protrusion (212) away from the second end face is the second convex end face; or The second annular protrusion (212) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first annular protrusion (211). The end face of the first annular protrusion (211) away from the second end face is the second convex end face, and the end face of the second annular protrusion (212) away from the second end face is the first convex end face.

3. The battery housing according to claim 2, further comprising: A fastener (500) is configured to connect and fix the bottom guard plate (100) to the second convex end face.

4. The battery housing according to claim 3, wherein, The fastener (500) includes a rivet joint (510) and a tail rod (520) connected together. A cavity is provided in the annular stepped protrusion (210). The tail rod (520) passes through the bottom guard plate (100) and the second convex end face and is accommodated in the cavity. The bottom guard plate (100) is riveted and fixed between the rivet joint (510) and the second convex end face.

5. The battery housing according to claim 4, wherein, The second convex end face is provided with a discharge groove (220) that communicates with the cavity. The fixed position of the fixing member (500) and the opening position of the discharge groove (220) do not interfere with each other.

6. The battery housing according to claim 5, wherein, The battery box is provided with a plurality of fixing members (500), which are arranged sequentially along the end face shape of the second convex end face and connect and fix the bottom guard plate (100) to the second convex end face; or The second convex end face has a plurality of discharge grooves (220) formed along its end face shape, and the position of each discharge groove (220) does not interfere with the fixing position of the plurality of fixing members (500); or The battery box is provided with a plurality of fixing members (500), which are arranged sequentially along the end face shape of the second convex end face and connect and fix the bottom guard plate (100) to the second convex end face; the second convex end face is provided with a plurality of discharge grooves (220) along its end face shape, and the opening position of each discharge groove (220) does not interfere with the fixing position of the plurality of fixing members (500).

7. The battery housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The liquid cooling plate (200) includes an upper fastening plate (260) and a lower fastening plate (270) that are fastened together. A cooling channel (230) is provided between the upper fastening plate (260) and the lower fastening plate (270). The first end face is located at the end of the upper fastening plate (260) away from the lower fastening plate (270). The end face of the lower fastening plate (270) away from the upper fastening plate (260) is provided with a first convex end face and a second convex end face in a direction away from the first end face.

8. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, The vertical distance between the second convex end face and the first end face is greater than the vertical distance between the end of the cooling channel (230) away from the first end face and the first end face.

9. The battery housing according to claim 7, further comprising: The housing frame (300) is provided with a housing cavity (340) configured to accommodate the battery. A docking groove (310) is provided on one end face of the housing frame (300) near the first end face. The docking groove (310) is configured to dock and fix with the upper fastening plate (260) and the lower fastening plate (270).

10. A battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries and a battery housing (1000) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of batteries are connected in series or in parallel, and the plurality of batteries are all housed in the battery housing (1000).

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