Battery module, and energy storage device and mounting method therefor

Abstract

The present application discloses a battery module, and an energy storage device and a mounting method therefor. The battery module comprises a case, a battery cell assembly, a first protrusion, and a first recess. The case comprises a bottom wall and a top wall which are oppositely arranged in a first direction. The battery cell assembly is arranged in the case, and the bottom wall bears the battery cell assembly. The first protrusion is arranged on the top wall and protrudes from the top wall in the first direction, and the first protrusion comprises a first flat surface away from the top wall. The first recess is arranged on the bottom wall and is formed by a depression in the bottom wall. When a plurality of battery modules are stacked in the first direction, between adjacent battery modules, a first protrusion of one battery module is configured to fit into a first recess of the other battery module. The battery module, and the energy storage device and the mounting method therefor provided by embodiments of the present application can effectively reduce the physical effort of an operator during stacking of battery modules.

Description

Battery module, energy storage device and mounting method thereof

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410667133.8, filed on May 27, 2024, and entitled "Battery module, energy storage device and mounting method thereof", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application belongs to the technical field of batteries, and in particular relates to a battery module, an energy storage device and a mounting method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of the new energy industry, batteries are widely used.

[0004] The size and weight of the battery module of some new energy products are becoming larger and larger. The battery module usually needs to be stacked. During the stacking process, the battery module needs to be lifted and placed on a base or another battery module. Since the stacking accuracy of the battery module is relatively high, the position needs to be adjusted in the lifted state, which causes the operator to consume a lot of physical strength. SUMMARY

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a battery module, an energy storage device and a mounting method thereof, which can effectively reduce the physical strength consumption of the operator during the stacking process of the battery module.

[0006] In one aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a battery module. The battery module includes a housing, a cell assembly, a first protruding portion and a first recessed portion. The housing includes a bottom wall and a top wall oppositely arranged along a first direction. The cell assembly is arranged in the housing, and the bottom wall carries the cell assembly. The first protruding portion is arranged on the top wall and protrudes from the top wall along the first direction. The first protruding portion includes a first flat surface away from the top wall. The first recessed portion is arranged on the bottom wall and is recessed from the bottom wall. When a plurality of battery modules are stacked along the first direction, the first protruding portion is arranged in the first recessed portion in adjacent battery modules.

[0007] In one or more optional embodiments described above, the first protruding portion includes a first part and a first extension. The first part extends along the first direction, and the first extension is connected to the first part and extends along a second direction or a direction opposite to the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0008] In one or more optional embodiments described above, the first part and the first extension are integrally formed.

[0009] In one or more optional embodiments described above, the first protruding portion is fixed to the top wall.

[0010] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the first extension is configured to lift the battery modules when multiple battery modules are stacked along a first direction.

[0011] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the first flat surface is configured to support another lifted battery module when adjusting the position between two adjacent battery modules during the stacking of multiple battery modules along a first direction.

[0012] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the battery module includes a first electrical connection portion disposed on the top wall and a second electrical connection portion disposed on the bottom wall. Along a first direction, the first electrical connection portion protrudes from the top wall, and the second electrical connection portion is recessed into the bottom wall. When multiple battery modules are stacked along the first direction, the first electrical connection portion of each battery module is interlocked with the second electrical connection portion of the adjacent battery module.

[0013] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, along the first direction, the height of the first electrical connection portion protruding from the top wall is less than or equal to the height of the first protrusion portion protruding from the top wall.

[0014] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the first electrical connection includes a connection portion and a housing, the housing being located outside the connection portion. The housing includes a second portion and a second extension portion, the second portion extending along a first direction, and the second extension portion being connected to the second portion. The second extension portion extends along a second direction, or extends in a direction opposite to the second direction.

[0015] In one or more of the above alternative embodiments, the housing surrounds the outside of the connector.

[0016] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the second extension is integrally formed with the second portion.

[0017] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the height by which the outer shell protrudes from the top wall in the first direction is greater than the height by which the connecting portion protrudes from the top wall in the first direction.

[0018] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the height of the outer shell protruding from the top wall in the first direction is less than or equal to the height of the first protrusion protruding from the top wall in the first direction.

[0019] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the second extension is configured to lift the battery modules when multiple battery modules are stacked along the first direction.

[0020] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the first extension is located on the side of the first portion facing the first electrical connection portion, and the second extension is located on the side of the second portion facing the first protrusion portion.

[0021] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the first protrusion is spaced apart from the first electrical connection portion along the second direction.

[0022] In one or more of the above optional embodiments, the housing is provided with handles on both sides along the second direction and / or on both sides along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0023] In one or more of the above alternative embodiments, the handle is recessed into the surface of the housing.

[0024] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide an energy storage device, which includes a plurality of battery modules as described above, and each battery module is stacked along a first direction.

[0025] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide an installation method for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes multiple battery modules as described above, configured to be stacked along a first direction. The installation method for the energy storage device includes the following steps: S1: Setting up one battery module. S2: Operating the first protrusion of another battery module and lifting the battery module, placing the bottom wall of the battery module on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the battery module in step S1. S3: Adjusting the positions of the battery module in step S2 and the battery module in step S1, along the first direction, so that the first recess of the battery module in step S2 coincides with the projection of the battery module in step S1. S4: Moving the battery module in step S2 towards the battery module in step S1 along the first direction, so that the first recess of the battery module in step S2 connects with the first protrusion of the battery module in step S1.

[0026] The battery module, energy storage device and installation method of the present application embodiment provide a first protrusion on the top wall of the battery module, and the first protrusion has a first flat surface. During the stacking of battery modules, after the battery module is lifted, it can be temporarily placed on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the lower battery module, so as to save the operator's physical strength and reduce the operator's physical exertion during the adjustment of the position of the battery module. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a battery module along the second direction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along line CC in Figure 2;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the battery module provided in one embodiment of this application from another angle;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a battery module along a first direction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the reverse planar structure of a battery module along the first direction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a battery module stacked along a first direction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 1;

[0036] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of point D in Figure 3;

[0037] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 1;

[0038] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of point E in Figure 3;

[0039] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy storage device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 13 is a flowchart of an installation method for an energy storage device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0041] Reference numerals: 100, Battery module; 1, Housing; 11, Top wall; 12, Bottom wall; 2, First protrusion; 21, First flat surface; 22, First part; 23, First extension; 3, First recess; 4, First electrical connection; 41, Connection; 42, Outer shell; 421, Second part; 422, Second extension; 5, Second electrical connection; 6, Handle; 200, Energy storage device; X, First direction; Y, Second direction; Z, Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will be described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to explain this application and not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of the details in these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples of this application. It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0043] The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0044] The terms indicating direction, such as first direction X, second direction Y, and third direction Z, are only used to illustrate the specific structure of the embodiments of this application more clearly in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, this application embodiment provides a battery module 100, wherein the battery module 100 includes a housing 1 and a cell assembly (not shown in the figures). The cell assembly is disposed within the housing 1. The housing 1 includes a bottom wall 12 and a top wall 11 disposed opposite to each other along a first direction X. Optionally, the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12 are parallel to each other. The bottom wall 12 supports the cell assembly. Optionally, the first direction X is the direction of gravity. The cell assembly stores electrical energy to provide power to electrical devices.

[0046] In some embodiments, the battery module 100 includes a first protrusion 2. The first protrusion 2 is disposed on the top wall 11 and protrudes from the top wall 11 along a first direction X. Optionally, the first protrusion 2 and the top wall 11 are fixedly connected by integral molding or welding to enhance the connection strength between them. In other embodiments, the first protrusion 2 is fixed to the top wall 11, and the fixing method includes, but is not limited to, snap-fit ​​fixing and screw fixing.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 2 includes a first flat surface 21 away from the top wall 11. Optionally, the first flat surface 21 is parallel to the top wall 11. During the stacking of the battery modules 100 along the first direction X, after the battery modules 100 are lifted, they can be temporarily placed on the first flat surface 21 of the first protrusion 2 of the lower battery module 100 to save the operator's physical strength and reduce the operator's physical exertion during the adjustment of the position of the battery modules 100.

[0048] In some embodiments, the battery module 100 includes a first recess 3, which is disposed on the bottom wall 12 and recessed from the bottom wall 12. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, in adjacent battery modules 100, the first protrusion 2 of one battery module 100 is disposed in the first recess 3 of another battery module 100. As shown in FIG7, during the stacking of battery modules 100 along the first direction X, the first protrusion 2 of each battery module 100 is inserted into the first recess 3 of the battery module 100 above it.

[0049] Optionally, along the first direction X, the projection of the first protrusion 2 coincides with the projection of the first recess 3. When the first protrusion 2 and the first recess 3 are engaged, the outer surface of the first protrusion 2 and the inner surface of the first recess 3 are in close contact, thereby improving the stacking density of the battery module 100.

[0050] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the first protrusion 2 includes a first portion 22 and a first extension 23. Optionally, the first portion 22 and the first extension 23 are integrally formed to improve the structural strength of the first protrusion 2.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first portion 22 extends along the first direction X and protrudes from the top wall 11, the first extension 23 is connected to the first portion 22, and the first extension 23 extends along the second direction Y, or extends in a direction opposite to the second direction Y.

[0052] Optionally, the first flat surface 21 is the top surface of the first portion 22, and the top surface of the first extension 23 is connected to the first flat surface 21.

[0053] Optionally, the first flat surface 21 is the top surface of the first portion 22 and the first extension 23.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 2 is fixed to the top wall 11, and the fixing method includes, but is not limited to, welding, snap-fitting, and screw fixing.

[0055] The first extension 23 protrudes from the surface of the first part 22. The first extension 23 has a surface facing the top wall 11. By applying an upward force to the surface of the first extension 23 facing the top wall 11, the operator lifts the battery module 100 upward. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, the operator lifts the battery module 100 through the first extension 23 for easy installation.

[0056] In some embodiments, during the stacking of multiple battery modules 100 along the first direction X, when adjusting the position between two adjacent battery modules 100, the first flat surface 21 of the first stacked battery module 100 supports another battery module 100 that is being lifted.

[0057] In some embodiments, during the stacking of multiple battery modules 100 along the first direction X, the battery module 100 to be placed below is placed on the assembly plane, and the battery module 100 to be placed above is lifted upwards. Since the battery module 100 has a certain weight, the operator needs to adjust it after lifting the battery module 100 for a period of time. At this time, the battery module 100 to be placed above can be temporarily placed on the first flat surface 21 of the battery module 100 to be placed below, and the battery module 100 to be placed above is supported by the first flat surface 21. After the operator has adjusted it, the relative position between the two battery modules 100 is readjusted before installation, which reduces the operator's physical exertion and improves the stacking of battery modules 100.

[0058] In some embodiments, the battery module 100 includes a first electrical connection portion 4 disposed on the top wall 11 and a second electrical connection portion 5 disposed on the bottom wall 12. Along the first direction X, the first electrical connection portion 4 protrudes from the top wall 11 and the second electrical connection portion 5 is recessed in the bottom wall 12. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, the first electrical connection portion 4 of each battery module 100 is plugged into the second electrical connection portion 5 of the adjacent battery module 100 to realize the electrical connection between two adjacent battery modules 100. At the same time, it cooperates with the first protrusion 2 and the first recess 3 to further improve the stacking of the battery modules 100.

[0059] In some embodiments, along the first direction X, the height of the first electrical connection portion 4 protruding from the top wall 11 is less than or equal to the height of the first protrusion 2 protruding from the top wall 11. During the stacking of battery modules 100, when one battery module 100 is placed on the first flat surface 21 of the first protrusion 2 of another battery module 100, and when adjusting the relative position between the two battery modules 100, the first electrical connection portion 4 is prevented from being damaged by collision during the stacking of battery modules 100.

[0060] In some embodiments, the height of the first electrical connection portion 4 protruding from the top wall 11 is less than the height of the first protrusion 2 protruding from the top wall 11.

[0061] During the stacking process, along the first direction X, after the first protrusion 2 enters the first recess 3, the first electrical connection part 4 and the second electrical connection part 5 of the adjacent battery module 100 are connected to each other, thereby improving the connection accuracy of the first electrical connection part 4 and the second electrical connection part 5.

[0062] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in some embodiments, the first electrical connection portion 4 includes a connection portion 41 and a housing 42, with the housing 42 located outside the connection portion 41. The end of the connection portion 41 away from the housing 1 along the first direction X is exposed, facilitating electrical connection of the connection portion 41. Optionally, the housing 42 surrounds the outside of the connection portion 41, providing protection to the sides of the connection portion 41 along the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0063] In some embodiments, the housing 42 includes a second portion 421 and a second extension 422. The second portion 421 extends along a first direction X, and a connecting portion 41 is located inside the second portion 421. The second extension 422 is connected to the second portion 421 and extends along a second direction Y, or in a direction opposite to the second direction Y. Optionally, the second extension 422 is integrally formed with the second portion 421 to enhance the overall structural strength of the housing 42.

[0064] The second extension 422 protrudes from the surface of the second portion 421. The second extension 422 has a surface facing the top wall 11. By applying an upward force to the surface of the second extension 422 facing the top wall 11, the operator lifts the battery module 100 upward. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, the operator lifts the battery module 100 through the second extension 422.

[0065] In some embodiments, the height of the outer shell 42 protruding from the top wall 11 along the first direction X is greater than the height of the connecting portion 41 protruding from the top wall 11 along the first direction X, further reducing the possibility of the connecting portion 41 being damaged by external force collision during the stacking of the battery module 100.

[0066] In some embodiments, the height of the housing 42 protruding from the top wall 11 along the first direction X is less than or equal to the height of the first protrusion 2 protruding from the top wall 11, thereby improving the protection of the housing 42 when multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 2 and the first electrical connection portion 4 are spaced apart along the second direction Y, facilitating the lifting of the battery module 100.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first extension 23 is located on the side of the first portion 22 facing the first electrical connection portion 4, and the second extension 422 is located on the side of the second portion 421 facing the first protrusion 2. The first extension 23 and the second extension 422 extend toward each other. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, the first extension 23 and the second extension 422 cooperate to lift the battery module 100.

[0069] In some embodiments, the housing 1 is provided with handles 6 on both sides along the second direction Y and / or on both sides along the third direction Z. When multiple battery modules 100 are stacked along the first direction X, the handles 6 are used by an operator to grip and apply force to move the battery modules 100. Optionally, the handles 6 are recessed into the surface of the housing 1.

[0070] As shown in Figure 12, this application embodiment also provides an energy storage device 200, which includes a plurality of battery modules 100 as described above, and each battery module 100 is stacked along a first direction X. Two adjacent battery modules 100 are connected by a first protrusion 2 and a first recess 3.

[0071] As shown in Figure 13, this application embodiment provides an installation method for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes multiple battery modules as described above, which are configured to be stacked along a first direction. The installation method for the energy storage device includes the following steps:

[0072] S1: Set up a battery module, place it on a horizontal plane, and keep it vertical.

[0073] S2: Operate the first protrusion of another battery module and lift the battery module, placing the bottom wall of the battery module on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the battery module in step S1, so as to initially place the battery module above the battery module in step S1.

[0074] S3: Adjust the position of the battery module in step S2 and the battery module in step S1. When adjusting the relative position between the two, the battery module in step S2 can be moved relative to the battery module in step S1, or the battery module in step S2 can be briefly lifted and placed again on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the battery module in step S1; along the first direction, make the first concave part of the battery module in step S2 coincide with the projection of the battery module in step S1.

[0075] S4: Along the first direction, move the battery module in step S2 toward the battery module in step S1, so that the first concave part of the battery module in step S2 is connected to the first convex part of the battery module in step S1, thus completing the stacking arrangement of the battery module in step S1 and the battery module in step S2.

[0076] The energy storage device installation method of this application embodiment provides a first protrusion on the top wall of the battery module, and the first protrusion has a first flat surface. During the stacking of battery modules, after the battery module is lifted, it can be temporarily placed on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the lower battery module, so as to save the operator's physical strength and reduce the operator's physical exertion during the adjustment of the position of the battery module.

[0077] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, The battery module includes: The housing includes a bottom wall and a top wall disposed opposite to each other along a first direction; A battery cell assembly is disposed within the housing, and the bottom wall supports the battery cell assembly; A first protrusion is provided on the top wall. Along the first direction, the first protrusion protrudes from the top wall and includes a first flat surface away from the top wall. A first recess is provided on the bottom wall. The first recess is formed by recessing from the bottom wall. When multiple battery modules are stacked along the first direction, in adjacent battery modules, the first protrusion is configured to be provided in the first recess.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protrusion includes a first portion and a first extension, the first portion extending along the first direction, the first extension being connected to the first portion, and the first extension extending along a second direction or in a direction opposite to the second direction. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first extension is configured to lift the battery modules when the plurality of battery modules are stacked along the first direction.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first flat surface is configured to support another battery module that is lifted during the stacking of the plurality of battery modules along the first direction, when the position between two adjacent battery modules is adjusted.

5. The battery module according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The battery module includes a first electrical connection portion disposed on the top wall and a second electrical connection portion disposed on the bottom wall. Along the first direction, the first electrical connection portion protrudes from the top wall and the second electrical connection portion is recessed into the bottom wall. When multiple battery modules are stacked along the first direction, the first electrical connection portion of each battery module is plugged into the second electrical connection portion of the adjacent battery module.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the height by which the first electrical connection protrudes from the top wall is less than or equal to the height by which the first protrusion protrudes from the top wall.

7. The battery module according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first electrical connection includes a connection portion and a housing, wherein the housing is located outside the connection portion; The housing includes a second portion and a second extension, the second portion extending along the first direction, the second extension being connected to the second portion, and the second extension extending along the second direction or in a direction opposite to the second direction.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second extension is configured to lift the battery modules when the plurality of battery modules are stacked along the first direction.

9. The battery module according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, Along the second direction, the first protrusion and the first electrical connection portion are spaced apart.

10. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The housing is provided with handles on both sides along the second direction and / or on both sides along the third direction; The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

11. An energy storage device, characterized in that, The energy storage device includes a plurality of battery modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each of the battery modules is stacked along a first direction.

12. A method for installing an energy storage device, characterized in that, The energy storage device includes a plurality of battery modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, the battery modules being configured to be stacked along a first direction, and the installation method of the energy storage device includes the following steps: S1: Set up one of the aforementioned battery modules; S2: Operate the first protrusion of another battery module and lift the battery module, so that the bottom wall of the battery module is placed on the first flat surface of the first protrusion of the battery module in step S1. S3: Adjust the position of the battery module in step S2 and the battery module in step S1, along the first direction, so that the first recess of the battery module in step S2 coincides with the projection of the battery module in step S1; S4: Along the first direction, move the battery module in step S2 toward the direction of the battery module in step S1, so that the first concave part of the battery module in step S2 is connected to the first convex part of the battery module in step S1.

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