Battery module having pressure relief and explosion-proof functions, and battery box

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery module, which features compact installation and low production cost and also has pressure relief and explosion-proof functions, and a battery box. The battery module comprises a battery fixing module, and two ends of the battery fixing module are each sequentially provided with a temperature-resistant pressure relief module, a one-way valve heat dissipation plate, and an insulation wall. Multiple battery cells are arranged in an array within the battery fixing module. Each temperature-resistant pressure relief module is provided with multiple pressure relief chamber assemblies that are arranged in an array and located at end portions of the battery cells, and an end surface of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module is further provided with multiple crisscrossing pressure relief guide grooves. Each pressure relief chamber assembly comprises a pressure relief hole positioned at the end portion of a battery cell and valve-body stop blocks positioned at upper and lower ends of the pressure relief hole. The one-way valve heat dissipation plate is shape-matched to the temperature-resistant pressure relief module and is attached to end portions of the valve-body stop blocks. The one-way valve heat dissipation plate is provided with multiple one-way valve flaps that are folded along the vertical direction and are arranged in an array, and for each pressure relief hole, a one-way valve flap is adhered at each of the two sides between the two valve-body stop blocks of the pressure relief hole. The present invention is applied to the technical field of power batteries.

Description

Battery module and battery box with pressure relief and explosion-proof functions TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of power batteries, and particularly relates to a battery module and a battery box with pressure relief and explosion-proof functions. BACKGROUND

[0002] The existing battery pack is generally composed of multiple battery cells in series and parallel connection, and is packaged by using an outer shell to form a battery pack. However, due to limited space, the contradiction between space, cost and isolation and discharge of thermal runaway under abnormal conditions cannot be well balanced.

[0003] At present, on the small-batch customized power battery, due to the limitations of order quantity, cost, space, technical investment and the like, the key investment is basically made on the BMS, and few separate designs are made for the thermal runaway of the battery cell. Although there is a safety management system for the thermal runaway of the battery cell on the new energy vehicle, the design is complex and high in cost, and is not suitable for the small-batch customized power battery pack. The application creatively designs a low-cost scheme with pressure relief and explosion-proof functions for use on the small-batch customized power battery. SUMMARY

[0004] The application overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art, and provides a battery module and a battery box which are compact in installation, small in required space, low in production cost and have pressure relief and explosion-proof functions.

[0005] The technical scheme adopted by the present application is: the present application comprises a battery module and a battery box with pressure relief and explosion-proof functions, the battery module comprises a battery fixing module, the two ends of the battery fixing module are sequentially provided with temperature-resistant pressure relief modules, one-way valve heat sinks and heat insulation walls, a plurality of installation cavities are arranged in the battery fixing module in an array, an electric core is adaptively installed in each installation cavity, and the installation cavities expose the end portions of the electric cores, the temperature-resistant pressure relief modules are attached to the end portions of the battery fixing module, and the temperature-resistant pressure relief modules are provided with a plurality of pressure relief cavity assemblies located at the end portions of the electric cores in an array, the end faces of the temperature-resistant pressure relief modules are further provided with a plurality of vertically and horizontally intersecting pressure relief flow guide grooves, the pressure relief cavity assemblies between two left and right adjacent pressure relief cavity assemblies are provided with horizontal pressure relief flow guide grooves, and the pressure relief cavity assemblies between two upper and lower adjacent pressure relief cavity assemblies are provided with vertical pressure relief flow guide grooves, the pressure relief cavity assembly comprises a pressure relief hole located at the end portion of the electric core and valve body blocks located at the upper and lower ends of the pressure relief hole, the one-way valve heat sink is adaptively matched with the temperature-resistant pressure relief module and is attached to the end portion of the valve body block, a plurality of vertically folded one-way valve pieces are arranged on the one-way valve heat sink in an array, the one-way valve pieces are attached between the two sides of the two valve body blocks at the same pressure relief hole, the length of the one-way valve piece is greater than the spacing between the two valve body blocks at the same pressure relief hole, the height of the one-way valve piece is adaptively matched with the height of the valve body block, so that each electric core forms an independent pressure relief chamber under the joint action of the pressure relief cavity assembly and the one-way valve heat sink, the one-way valve piece of the pressure relief chamber is in an attached closed state in a normal state of the electric core, when the electric core appears thermal runaway and spraying, the one-way valve piece can be opened to relieve pressure, and the spraying material can be discharged through the pressure relief flow guide groove.

[0006] Further, the one-way valve heat sink is integrally processed from a high-thermal-conductivity material, a plurality of rectangular openings are arranged on the one-way valve heat sink in an array, the two side walls of each rectangular opening are provided with vertically folded one-way valve pieces, and the two one-way valve pieces at the rectangular opening are attached to the left side wall of the pressure relief cavity assembly and the right side wall of the adjacent pressure relief cavity assembly, respectively.

[0007] Further, the length of the one-way valve piece is less than the length of the rectangular opening, the middle portion of the one-way valve piece is connected with the rectangular opening, and a gap is formed between the two end portions of the one-way valve piece and the rectangular opening.

[0008] Furthermore, both the battery fixing module and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module are made of fire-resistant, high-temperature resistant, and heat-insulating materials. The temperature-resistant pressure relief module is adapted to the end face of the battery fixing module, allowing the temperature-resistant pressure relief module to fit precisely against the end face of the battery fixing module. The heat insulation wall is made of a lightweight material with high temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity, and the heat insulation wall covers the entire one-way valve heat dissipation plate. This restricts the heat of the entire battery module to only pass through the one-way valve plate in a directional manner and be discharged through the pressure relief channel. Moreover, each battery cell is connected to several pressure relief channels, allowing the pressure to be released instantly.

[0009] Furthermore, the temperature-resistant pressure relief module is a fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, heat-insulating rectangular plate, and a pad is provided between the two valve body blocks of the same pressure relief chamber assembly. The pressure relief hole penetrates the fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, heat-insulating rectangular plate and the pad. Sealing baffles are provided on both outer sides and the top of the fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, heat-insulating rectangular plate.

[0010] Furthermore, a copper busbar is provided between the battery fixing module and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module, and the copper busbar is used to connect several battery cells in series.

[0011] Furthermore, the battery box includes a housing shell, inside which are provided several installation compartments, each of which is equipped with a battery module. At both ends of the bottom of the battery module, heat dissipation pads are provided. The longitudinal pressure relief channel is located between two adjacent heat dissipation pads at the same end, and a pressure relief valve is provided at the center of the bottom of the installation compartment.

[0012] Furthermore, the battery box is also provided with a cover that is compatible with the outer shell of the box, and a pressure sensor and a controller are also provided inside the outer shell of the box. The pressure relief valve and the pressure sensor are both electrically connected to the controller.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Through the design of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module, the one-way valve heat sink, and the heat insulation wall, the heat inside the battery module can be effectively and quickly conducted to the outside for heat dissipation; 2. The temperature-resistant pressure relief module has pressure relief holes at the explosion-proof valve of each cell, and crisscrossing pressure relief guide grooves are added to the surface of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module to maximize the pressure relief space; 3. The one-way valve heat sink, which is integrally processed and closely cooperates with the temperature-resistant pressure relief module, has low production cost. Through the one-way valve plates that are vertically folded and attached to both sides between the two valve body blocks, when the cell experiences thermal runaway and ejection, the one-way valve plates can be opened to release pressure, and the ejected material can be discharged through the pressure relief guide grooves. For other normal cells, the one-way valve plates of the pressure relief chamber are in a closed state, so the heat generated by the thermal runaway of the faulty cell during ejection cannot affect other cells in the same module. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the battery module structure;

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the battery module;

[0016] Figure 3 is an internal cross-sectional view of the battery module;

[0017] Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of part B in Figure 2;

[0018] Figure 5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of part C in Figure 2;

[0019] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the battery box structure;

[0020] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the battery box being exploded. Detailed Implementation

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in this embodiment, the present invention includes a battery module and a battery box with pressure relief and explosion-proof function. The battery module includes a battery fixing module 1. Both ends of the battery fixing module 1 are sequentially provided with a temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2, a one-way valve heat sink 3, and a heat insulation wall 4, which effectively saves the internal installation space of the battery module. The battery fixing module 1 has a plurality of mounting cavities 5 arranged in an array. Each mounting cavity 5 is adapted to install a battery cell 6, and the end of the battery cell 6 is exposed in each mounting cavity 5. This design allows each battery cell 6 to be assembled in an independent space in the battery fixing module 1.

[0022] Both the battery fixing module 1 and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 are made of fire-resistant, high-temperature resistant, and heat-insulating materials. The temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 is adapted to the end face of the battery fixing module 1, so that the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 is tightly attached to the end of the battery fixing module 1, isolating the exposed end of the battery cell 6 into a single space. The temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 is arrayed with several pressure relief chamber assemblies located at the end of the battery cell 6. The end face of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 is also provided with several crisscrossing pressure relief guide grooves 7. A horizontal crossbar is provided between two adjacent pressure relief chamber assemblies. The pressure relief channel 7 is provided between two adjacent pressure relief chamber assemblies. The pressure relief chamber assembly includes a pressure relief hole 8 located at the end of the battery cell 6 and valve body blocks 9 located at the upper and lower ends of the pressure relief hole 8. The temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 opens a pressure relief hole 8 at the explosion-proof valve at the end of the battery cell 6, and adds crisscrossing pressure relief channels 7 on the surface of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 to maximize the pressure relief space. When a battery cell 6 thermally runs away, the generated high-speed airflow and heat can be instantly released to all the surrounding pressure relief channels 7 to prevent heat and pressure accumulation.

[0023] The one-way valve heat sink 3 is made of a high thermal conductivity material and is designed according to the shape of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 and is attached to the end of the valve body block 9. Several vertically folded one-way valve plates 10 are arrayed on the one-way valve heat sink 3. One-way valve plates 10 are attached between the two sides of the two valve body blocks 9 at the same pressure relief hole 8. The length of the one-way valve plate 10 is greater than the distance between the two valve body blocks 9 at the same pressure relief hole 8, and the height of the one-way valve plate 10 is adapted to the height of the valve body block 9. This allows each battery cell 6 to form an independent pressure relief chamber under the combined action of the pressure relief chamber assembly and the one-way valve heat sink 3. In this design, the one-way valve heat sink 3 tightly cooperates with the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 under normal conditions to achieve a sealing effect. By using one-way valve plates 10 folded together on both sides between the two valve body blocks 9, each battery cell 6 can be independently located in the pressure relief chamber. When the battery cell 6 is in normal condition, the one-way valve plate 10 of the pressure relief chamber is in a closed state. When the battery cell 6 experiences thermal runaway and ejection, the thermal runaway causes an increase in pressure, which can force open the one-way valve plate 10 to release pressure and discharge the ejected material through the pressure relief guide groove 7. Since a single battery cell 6 is connected to multiple pressure relief guide grooves 7, the pressure can be released instantly. Moreover, the one-way valve plate 10 is unidirectional, only opening outwards and not inwards. Therefore, the pressure relief chamber corresponding to the battery cell 6 in normal condition is in a closed state. The heat generated when the faulty battery cell experiences thermal runaway and ejection cannot affect other battery cells 6 in the same battery module.

[0024] In this embodiment, a heat insulation wall is made of a lightweight material that is resistant to high temperatures and has extremely low thermal conductivity. The heat insulation wall is covered on the one-way valve heat sink plate 3, which can limit the heat of the entire battery module to be conducted only through the pressure relief channel 7 and the one-way valve plate 10, without affecting the adjacent battery modules.

[0025] In this embodiment, the one-way valve heat sink 3 has a plurality of rectangular openings 11 arrayed on its two side walls. Each rectangular opening 11 has a vertically bent one-way valve plate 10 on each side wall. The two one-way valve plates 10 at the rectangular opening 11 are respectively attached to the left side wall of the pressure relief chamber assembly and the right side wall of the adjacent pressure relief chamber assembly. The length of the one-way valve plate 10 is less than the length of the rectangular opening 11, and the middle part of the one-way valve plate 10 is connected to the rectangular opening 11. There are gaps 12 between the two ends of the one-way valve plate 10 and the rectangular opening 11. In this design, the one-way valve plate 10 is connected to the one-way valve heat sink 3 with a narrow side in the middle. Since the force of the narrow side is not large, it can directly push open the pressure relief 8 in one direction. Since the length of the one-way valve plate 10 is greater than the distance between the two valve body blocks 9 at the same pressure relief hole 8, the one-way valve plate 10 can only be pushed open from the inside, but cannot be pushed open from the outside.

[0026] In this embodiment, the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2 is a fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, and heat-insulating rectangular plate, and a pad 13 is provided between the two valve body blocks 9 of the same pressure relief chamber assembly. The pressure relief hole 8 penetrates the fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, and heat-insulating rectangular plate and the pad 13. Sealing baffles 14 are provided on both outer sides and the upper end of the fire-resistant, high-temperature-resistant, and heat-insulating rectangular plate. This design can further prevent the ejected material from the abnormal battery cell 6 from entering the normal battery cell 6. The pad 13 has a groove strip in the middle. The one-way valve plate 10 is vertically folded and attached between the two valve body blocks 9, and the front end of the one-way valve plate 10 is vertically folded with a retaining strip that matches the groove strip. This design allows the one-way valve plate 10 to fit better between the two valve body blocks 9, and when a battery cell 6 thermally runs away, the high-speed airflow and heat generated can easily blow the retaining strip away from the groove strip.

[0027] In this embodiment, the one-way valve heat sink 3 is integrally manufactured. The manufacturing process involves using a high thermal conductivity material to create a rectangular plate with the shape of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2, marking the position of the rectangular opening 11, then cutting off the upper and lower parts of the marked rectangular opening, and then cutting the middle of the rectangular opening 11 in the center to form two one-way valve plates 10 to be bent. Then, slots 12 are cut at both ends of the one-way valve plates 10. Next, the manufactured one-way valve heat sink 3 is used to vertically fold the one-way valve plates 10 using a stamping and bending machine, and then the front end is folded again to form a retaining strip. The overall manufacturing process is convenient and the manufacturing cost is low.

[0028] In this embodiment, a number of copper busbars 15 are also provided between the battery fixing module 1 and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module 2. The battery cells are welded in a single row and are brought together by the copper busbars 15 at the top. Each copper busbar 15 is used to connect the battery cells 6 in the same row in series. The copper busbar 15 is provided with a number of openings that are larger than or adapted to the diameter of the pressure relief hole 8. When a single battery cell 6 is damaged, it is not necessary to replace the entire battery module. Only the single row needs to be replaced, which can greatly save on the maintenance costs in the later stage.

[0029] In this embodiment, the battery box includes a housing 16, and a plurality of mounting compartments 17 are provided inside the housing 16. Each mounting compartment 17 is equipped with a battery module. Both ends of the bottom of the battery module are provided with heat dissipation pads 18. The longitudinal pressure relief channel 7 is located between two adjacent heat dissipation pads 18 at the same end. A pressure relief valve 19 is provided at the bottom center of the mounting compartment 17. The battery box is also provided with a cover 20 adapted to the housing 16. A pressure sensor and a controller are also provided inside the housing 16. The pressure relief valve 19 and the pressure sensor are both electrically connected to the controller. In this design, when the pressure sensor detects that the pressure has reached a set value, the controller opens the pressure relief valve 19 to discharge the pressure and heat to the outside.

[0030] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to actual solutions, they do not constitute a limitation on the meaning of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments and combinations with other solutions based on this specification will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A battery module having a pressure relief explosion-proof function, characterized by: It includes battery fixing module (1), both ends of battery fixing module (1) are sequentially provided with temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2), one-way valve heat sink (3) and heat insulation wall (4), a plurality of installation cavities (5) are arranged in battery fixing module (1), the battery core (6) is adaptively installed in the installation cavity (5), and the installation cavity (5) exposes the end of the battery core (6), the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is attached to the end of the battery fixing module (1), and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is arrayed with a plurality of pressure relief cavity assemblies at the end of the battery core (6), the end surface of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is further provided with a plurality of longitudinal and transverse intersecting pressure relief flow guide grooves (7), the pressure relief cavity assemblies are provided with transverse pressure relief flow guide grooves (7) between two left and right adjacent pressure relief cavity assemblies, and the pressure relief cavity assemblies are provided with longitudinal pressure relief flow guide grooves (7) between two upper and lower adjacent pressure relief cavity assemblies, the pressure relief cavity assembly includes a pressure relief hole (8) at the end of the battery core (6) and a valve body stop block (9) at the upper and lower ends of the pressure relief hole (8), the one-way valve heat sink (3) is adapted to the shape of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) and is attached to the end of the valve body stop block (9), and a plurality of vertically folded one-way valve sheets (10) are arrayed on the one-way valve heat sink (3), the one-way valve sheets (10) are attached between the two sides of the two valve body stop blocks (9) at the same pressure relief hole (8), the length of the one-way valve sheet (10) is greater than the spacing between the two valve body stop blocks (9) at the same pressure relief hole (8), and the height of the one-way valve sheet (10) is adapted to the height of the valve body stop block (9), so that each battery core (6) forms an independent pressure relief chamber under the joint action of the pressure relief cavity assembly and the one-way valve heat sink (3), the one-way valve sheet (10) of the pressure relief chamber is in closed state when the battery core (6) is in normal state, when the battery core (6) appears thermal runaway and sprays, the one-way valve sheet (10) can be opened to release pressure, and the spray is discharged through the pressure relief flow guide groove (7).

2. The battery module with pressure relief and explosion-proof function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way valve heat sink (3) is integrally processed from high thermal conductivity material, a plurality of rectangular openings (11) are arrayed on the one-way valve heat sink (3), the two side walls of each rectangular opening (11) are provided with vertically bent one-way valve sheets (10), and the two one-way valve sheets (10) at the rectangular opening (11) are attached to the left side wall of the pressure relief cavity assembly and the right side wall of the adjacent pressure relief cavity assembly respectively. 3.The battery module with pressure relief and explosion-proof function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The length of the one-way valve sheet (10) is less than the length of the rectangular opening (11), the middle part of the one-way valve sheet (10) is connected with the rectangular opening (11), and the two end parts of the one-way valve sheet (10) are provided with gap breaks (12) between the rectangular opening (11).

4. The battery module with pressure relief and explosion-proof function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery fixing module (1) and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) are made of fireproof and high-temperature-resistant heat-insulating materials, and the end face of the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is matched with the end face of the battery fixing module (1), so that the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is precisely attached to the end face of the battery fixing module (1), the heat-insulating wall (4) is made of lightweight material with high temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity, and covers the entire one-way valve heat sink (3), so that the heat of the entire battery module can only pass through the one-way valve sheet (10) and be discharged through the pressure relief flow guide groove (7), and a single cell (6) is connected with a plurality of pressure relief flow guide grooves (7), so that the pressure can be released instantaneously.

5. The battery module with pressure relief and explosion-proof function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2) is a fireproof and high-temperature-resistant heat-insulating rectangular plate, and a spacer (13) is arranged between the two valve body blocks (9) of the same pressure relief cavity assembly, the pressure relief hole (8) penetrates the fireproof and high-temperature-resistant heat-insulating rectangular plate and the spacer (13), and the two outer sides and the upper end of the fireproof and high-temperature-resistant heat-insulating rectangular plate are provided with sealing baffles (14). 6.The battery module with pressure relief and explosion-proof function of claim 1, wherein: A copper bar (15) is further arranged between the battery fixing module (1) and the temperature-resistant pressure relief module (2), and the copper bar (15) is used for connecting a plurality of cells (6) in series.

7. A battery box characterized by: It comprises a box shell (16), a plurality of installation bins (17) are arranged in the box shell (16), a battery module as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 is arranged in each installation bin (17), heat dissipation spacers (18) are arranged at the two ends of the bottom of the battery module, the pressure relief flow guide grooves (7) are arranged between the two heat dissipation spacers (18) at the same end, and a pressure relief valve (19) is arranged at the center of the bottom of the installation bin (17).

8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein: The battery box is further provided with a cover (20) matched with the box shell (16), a pressure sensor and a controller are further arranged in the box shell (16), and the pressure relief valve (19) and the pressure sensor are electrically connected with the controller.

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