Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a battery module and a battery pack. A cell module comprises a side surface and a bottom surface; a vapor chamber comprises a side plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate is attached to the bottom surface, and a condensation portion is provided in the bottom plate and used for heat exchange with an external liquid cooling structure. The side plate is connected to the bottom plate and attached to the side surface, and an evaporation portion is provided in the side plate and used for heat exchange with the cell module. The present application can improve the heat exchange efficiency between the vapor chamber and battery cells and enhance temperature uniformity, thereby achieving the effect of equalizing the temperature differences between the battery cells.

Description

Battery module and battery pack

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202421672409.3, filed on July 15, 2024, to the Chinese Patent Office, the whole content of the above application being incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery module and a battery pack. BACKGROUND

[0003] In the related art, the heat dissipation performance and the temperature uniformity of the battery module have an important influence on the use performance, the cycle life and the safety of the battery. SUMMARY

[0004] At present, the industry battery module generally adopts a flat plate liquid cooling mode, the temperature of the top of the battery cell is relatively high, and the temperature difference between the top and the bottom of the battery cell is larger when the battery cell is fast charged, the heat of the top of the battery cell cannot be effectively taken away, and the NTC is arranged at the top of the battery cell, the low heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell leads to a long fast charging time, and the high temperature significantly reduces the service life of the battery cell, affecting the user experience.

[0005] The present application provides a battery module, which comprises a battery cell module and a temperature uniformity plate, the battery cell module comprises a side surface and a bottom surface, the temperature uniformity plate comprises a side plate and a bottom plate, the bottom plate is attached to the bottom surface, the bottom plate is internally provided with a condensation part for heat exchange with an external liquid cooling structure, and the side plate is connected to the bottom plate and attached to the side surface, the side plate is internally provided with an evaporation part for heat exchange with the battery cell module.

[0006] The present application also provides a battery pack comprising the above battery module. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0007] The battery module provided by the present application comprises a battery cell module and a temperature uniformity plate, the battery cell module comprises a side surface and a bottom surface, the temperature uniformity plate comprises a side plate and a bottom plate, the bottom plate is attached to the bottom surface, the bottom plate is internally provided with a condensation part for heat exchange with an external liquid cooling structure, and the side plate is connected to the bottom plate and attached to the side surface, the side plate is internally provided with an evaporation part for heat exchange with the battery cell module. The present application enables the high-temperature gas at the top of the battery cell module to flow along the side plate to the bottom plate, the low-temperature liquid at the bottom of the battery cell module to flow along the bottom plate to the top of the side plate, and the continuous reciprocating circulation to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the temperature uniformity plate and the battery cell and the temperature consistency, thereby balancing the temperature difference between the battery cells.

[0008] The battery pack provided by the present application adopts the above battery module, balances the temperature difference between the battery cells through the battery module, and thereby improves the safety and the service life of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vapor chamber according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a sectional schematic diagram of a vapor chamber according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a front view of a side plate in a sectional state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a top view of a bottom plate in a sectional state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0013] Fig. 5 is an exploded view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Explanation of reference signs:

[0015] 100, vapor chamber;

[0016] 10, bottom plate; 101, condensing part;

[0017] 20, side plate; 201, evaporating part; 21, side edge;

[0018] 30, first reinforcing rib; 31, first rib body; 310, first channel;

[0019] 40, second reinforcing rib; 41, second rib body; 410, second channel;

[0020] 200, battery module; 210, battery cell module; 2101, side wall; 2102, bottom wall; 220, thermally conductive adhesive layer; 230, liquid cooling plate. Embodiments of the present application

[0021] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood broadly, for example, can be fixedly connected, can be detachably connected, or integrated; can be mechanically connected, or electrically connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0022] In the present application, unless specifically defined and limited otherwise, the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature is "on", "above" and "over" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, and the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature is "under", "below" and "under" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, and the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0023] In the description of the present embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back" and the like orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish in description and have no special meaning.

[0024] At present, the industry battery module generally adopts flat liquid cooling mode, the temperature of the top of the battery cell is higher, and the temperature difference between the top and the bottom of the battery cell is larger when the battery cell is fast charged, the heat of the top of the battery cell cannot be effectively taken away, and the NTC is arranged at the top of the battery cell. The low heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell leads to long fast charging time, and the high temperature significantly reduces the service life of the battery cell, affecting the user experience, and the method of pasting the ordinary uniform heat plate to the large surface of the battery cell can only play the effect of uniform heat of the battery cell, and the heat transfer efficiency to the liquid cooling plate at the bottom of the battery cell has no obvious change.

[0025] Please refer to FIG. 1-3, FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the uniform heat plate 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the uniform heat plate 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the side plate 20 shown in FIG. 2. The present application provides a uniform heat plate 100, which is a structure for cooling the heat source by absorbing the heat at the heat source. Since the battery generates heat during charging and discharging, the uniform heat plate 100 can absorb and distribute the heat to ensure that the temperature at different positions of the plate surface remains consistent, the temperature difference between each battery monomer is minimized, helping to balance and stabilize the internal temperature of the battery pack, and preventing the battery from working overheated at high temperature to cause performance degradation or damage.

[0026] The application provides a battery module 200, which comprises a battery cell module 210 and a uniform temperature plate 100. The battery cell module comprises a side surface and a bottom surface. The uniform temperature plate 100 comprises a side plate 20 and a bottom plate 10. The bottom plate 10 is attached to the bottom surface, and the bottom plate 10 is internally provided with a condensing part 101 for heat exchange with an external liquid cooling structure to cool the battery cell module. The side plate 20 is connected to the bottom plate 10 and attached to the side surface. The side plate is internally provided with an evaporating part 201 for heat exchange with the battery cell module. The high-temperature gas at the top of the battery cell can flow along the side plate 20 to the bottom plate 10, and the low-temperature liquid at the bottom of the battery cell can flow along the bottom plate 10 to the side plate 20, which continuously circulates, increases the heat exchange efficiency between the uniform temperature plate 100 and the battery cell and the temperature consistency, and has the effect of balancing the temperature difference between the battery cells.

[0027] Specifically, the bottom plate 10 extends along a first direction. The side plate 20 is connected to the bottom plate 10 and extends along a second direction. The side plate 20 and the bottom plate 10 form an L-shaped structure as a whole. The side plate 20 is used to produce a uniform temperature effect on the side wall of the battery cell module 210, and the bottom plate 10 is used to produce a uniform temperature effect on the bottom wall of the battery cell module 210.

[0028] The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The side plate 20 comprises a side edge 21 connected to the bottom plate 10. The side edge 21 extends along a third direction.

[0029] In some embodiments, the uniform temperature plate 100 further comprises a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30. The first reinforcing ribs 30 are arranged in the side plate 20. The plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30 are arranged at intervals along the third direction and extend away from the side edge 21. The third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction.

[0030] The number of the first reinforcing ribs 30 can be set according to actual conditions, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, etc., which are not limited in the application.

[0031] Specifically, with the bottom plate 10 as the reference, the first direction can be the width direction of the bottom plate 10, the second direction can be the height direction of the bottom plate 10, and the third direction can be the length direction of the bottom plate 10.

[0032] The side edge 21 can be a long side of the side plate 20. The side plate 20 further comprises a short side of the side plate 20 connected perpendicularly to the long side of the side plate 20. The first rib body 31 is arranged at intervals along the third direction, that is, the first rib body 31 is perpendicular to the long side of the side plate 20, and the first rib body 31 is parallel to the short side of the side plate 20.

[0033] It can be understood that if the first reinforcing rib 30 is not provided, the high-temperature gas and the low-temperature liquid will spread inside the vapor chamber 100, and the temperature balance and stability inside the battery cannot be achieved. Because the temperature is too high or too low, the performance of the battery cell module and the stability of other electronic components will be affected, and when the battery cell module is unevenly heated, it will also have an adverse effect on the performance of the battery cell module.

[0034] The first reinforcing rib 30 is regularly and regularly arranged in the structure, so that the high-temperature gas at the top of the battery cell can flow along the first reinforcing rib 30 to the bottom plate 10 direction, and the low-temperature liquid at the bottom of the battery cell can flow along the first reinforcing rib 30 to the top of the side plate 20 direction, and continuously reciprocating, increasing the heat exchange efficiency and temperature consistency between the vapor chamber 100 and the battery cell, and achieving the effect of balancing the temperature difference between the battery cells.

[0035] In addition, during the cyclic charging and discharging process of the battery module 200, due to the change of temperature or the electrochemical reaction inside the battery, the battery cell will cause a slight volume change. Long-term accumulation of these small changes may cause the overall expansion of the module. At the end of the cycle, the battery cell module 210 is severely deformed and expanded, and the expanded battery cell module 210 may squeeze the vapor chamber 100, causing the liquid cooling to be not smooth, and the multiple first reinforcing ribs 30 can maintain the structure temperature and inhibit the expansion and deformation of the battery cell.

[0036] In some embodiments, the at least one first reinforcing rib 30 includes a plurality of first rib bodies 31, which are arranged in the second direction. The number of first rib bodies 31 can be 2, 3, 4, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0037] Specifically, the first rib body 31 is perpendicular to the side edge 21, and the plurality of first rib bodies 31 are arranged in the second direction. Each first rib body 31 is a strip structure, and the length is short. By arranging multiple first rib bodies 31, the overall material of the reinforcing rib can be reduced while ensuring the original guiding effect.

[0038] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a top view of the bottom plate 10 shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the vapor chamber 100 further includes a plurality of second reinforcing ribs 40 arranged in the bottom plate 10, and the plurality of second reinforcing ribs 40 are arranged in the third direction and extend away from the side edge 21.

[0039] Among them, the bottom plate 10 further includes a bottom plate short side perpendicular to the long side of the side plate 20, and the second reinforcing rib 40 is arranged in the third direction, that is, the second reinforcing rib 40 is perpendicular to the long side of the side plate 20, and the second reinforcing rib 40 is parallel to the short side of the bottom plate 10.

[0040] The number of second reinforcing ribs 40 can be set according to actual conditions, such as 6, 7, 8, 9, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0041] It can be understood that the second reinforcing ribs 40 not only guide the high-temperature gas and the low-temperature liquid to flow along the first direction, but also increase the effect of the uniform temperature circulation. In addition, since the bottom plate 10 needs to bear the battery cell module 210, the second reinforcing ribs 40 arranged in the bottom plate 10 can also increase the supporting effect and maintain the structural stability.

[0042] In some embodiments, the side plate 20 and the bottom plate 10 are integrally formed structures, which do not need to manufacture each part independently and perform subsequent assembly steps, can reduce the number of the uniform temperature plate 100 and the assembly process, thereby simplifying the production process. In addition, since the side plate 20 and the bottom plate 10 are connected by the integrally formed manner, the continuity and the seamlessness can reduce the weakness or fatigue that may occur at the connection, and can provide higher structural strength and rigidity.

[0043] In some embodiments, the at least one second reinforcing rib 40 includes a plurality of second rib bodies 41, which are arranged at intervals along the first direction. The number of the second rib bodies 41 can be 2, 3, 4, etc. Since the width of the bottom plate 10 is less than the width of the side plate 20, the number of the second rib bodies 41 can be less than the number of the first rib bodies 31, which is not limited in the present application.

[0044] In some embodiments, the plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30 and the plurality of second reinforcing ribs 40 are arranged one by one, and adjacent two first reinforcing ribs 30 form a first channel 310, and adjacent two second reinforcing ribs 40 form a second channel 410. The first channel 310 and the second channel 410 are communicated, and the inside of the uniform temperature plate 100 forms a high-temperature gas evaporation route downward from the side plate 20 to the bottom plate 10 and a low-temperature liquid condensation route upward from the bottom plate 10 to the side plate 20.

[0045] It can be understood that when the first reinforcing rib 30 is provided with 8, due to the limitation of the two ends of the side plate 20, the first reinforcing rib 30 can actually form 9 first channels 310, and the second reinforcing rib 40 is correspondingly provided with 8 and forms 9 second channels 410. The high-temperature gas evaporation route in each first channel 310 is in the direction toward the bottom plate 10, and the low-temperature liquid condensation route in each first channel 310 is in the direction away from the bottom plate 10. The high-temperature gas evaporation route in each second channel 410 is in the direction away from the side plate 20, and the low-temperature liquid condensation route in each second channel 410 is in the direction toward the side plate 20.

[0046] In some examples, the side plate 20 includes two base material plates arranged oppositely, and two heat-conducting nets arranged between the two base material plates and spaced apart, and the first reinforcing rib 30 is connected between the heat-conducting nets. For example, two copper plates can be arranged in the vapor chamber 100, each copper plate is attached with a copper net on one side facing the other copper plate, the copper net is provided with a plurality of copper columns, and the excellent heat conductivity of copper can effectively conduct the heat on the surface of the vapor chamber 100 to the entire plate, so that the temperature of the entire surface is uniformly distributed. The first reinforcing rib 30 is arranged between the copper columns and is formed by heating and stamping to form the vapor chamber 100. The base material plate and the heat-conducting net can also be made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy or other materials, which are not limited in the present application.

[0047] The heat-conducting net includes a first heat-conducting net and a second heat-conducting net, the first heat-conducting net can be provided with a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30 and abuts against the second heat-conducting net; the second heat-conducting net can also be provided with a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30 and abuts against the first heat-conducting net; or, the two heat-conducting nets are each provided with a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 30, the first reinforcing ribs 30 of the first heat-conducting net and the first reinforcing ribs 30 of the second heat-conducting net abut against each other, the first reinforcing ribs 30 and the first or second heat-conducting net can be respectively manufactured and then connected, or the first reinforcing ribs 30 can be integrally formed on the first or second heat-conducting net.

[0048] In some examples, the bottom plate 10 also includes two base material plates arranged oppositely, and two heat-conducting nets arranged between the two base material plates and spaced apart, and the second reinforcing rib 40 is connected between the heat-conducting nets. Specifically, two copper plates can be arranged in the vapor chamber 100, each copper plate is attached with a copper net on one side facing the other copper plate, the copper net is provided with a plurality of copper columns, and the second reinforcing rib 40 is arranged between the copper columns and is formed by heating and stamping to form the vapor chamber 100. The base material plate and the heat-conducting net can also be made of stainless steel, aluminum alloy or other materials, which are not limited in the present application.

[0049] Please refer to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view of the battery module 200 provided by the embodiment of the present application. The battery cell module 210 includes a plurality of battery cell columns and the aforementioned vapor chamber 100, each battery cell column includes a side wall 2101 and a bottom wall 2102 connected to each other, and the side walls 2101 of the two battery cell columns located at the leftmost and rightmost sides form the side surfaces of the battery cell module 210, and a plurality of bottom walls 2102 are connected to form the bottom surface. One vapor chamber 100 is arranged between two adjacent battery cell columns, each side plate 20 is attached to one side wall 2101, and the side plate 20 of the vapor chamber 100 completely covers the side wall 2101 of the battery cell module. Each bottom plate 10 is attached to one bottom wall 2102, and the bottom plate 10 of the vapor chamber 100 completely covers the bottom wall 2102 of the battery cell module.

[0050] It can be understood that in order to ensure that the uniform temperature plate 100 can be stably installed on the battery module 200, each single battery cell is provided with a uniform temperature plate 100, and each uniform temperature plate 100 is arranged between adjacent single battery cells, so that the gap position between the single battery cells also becomes the heat transfer direction, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency of the battery module 200.

[0051] In addition, for the battery module 200, arranging multiple uniform temperature plates 100 can not only improve the uniform temperature effect, but also replace the local uniform temperature plate 100 as needed.

[0052] In some embodiments, the battery cell module 210 further comprises a first structural adhesive layer and a second structural adhesive layer. The first structural adhesive layer is arranged between each side wall and one side plate 20. The second structural adhesive layer is arranged between each bottom wall and the bottom plate 10. After curing, the battery structural adhesive can form a sealing layer, effectively preventing leakage of the electrolyte, protecting the internal structure of the battery from the external environment, and improving the safety of the battery.

[0053] In some embodiments, the multiple bottom plates 10 are connected in sequence and form a flat plate. It can be understood that when the multiple single battery cells are tightly connected and formed, the flat plate of the battery cell module 210 is large, and the multiple bottom walls form a complete flat plate with the bottom plate 10, so that the flat plate of the entire battery cell module 210 can be in contact with the uniform temperature plate 100, thereby increasing the uniform temperature effect.

[0054] In some embodiments, the battery module 200 further comprises a liquid cooling plate 230 and a heat-conducting adhesive layer 220. The liquid cooling plate 230 is located on the side of the flat plate away from the battery cell module 210, and the heat-conducting adhesive layer 220 is arranged between the flat plate and the liquid cooling plate 230.

[0055] It can be understood that since the battery module 200 generates heat during operation, if the heat cannot be effectively dissipated, it may affect the performance and service life of the battery. The heat-conducting adhesive layer 220 can fill the internal space of the battery, conduct the heat generated by the battery to the external environment, thereby reducing the temperature of the battery and improving its working efficiency and safety.

[0056] Specifically, the liquid cooling plate 230 is in contact with the bottom plate 10 of the uniform temperature plate 100, which can increase the heat transfer efficiency. The multiple bottom plates 10 are arranged between the liquid cooling plate 230 and the battery cell module 210, and the heat of the battery cell module 210 can be transferred to the liquid cooling plate 230 through the bottom plates 10, so as to exchange heat between the battery cell module 210 and the liquid cooling plate 230 through the liquid cooling plate 230. The heat-conducting adhesive layer is arranged on the side of the flat plate facing the liquid cooling plate 230, and the flat plate and the liquid cooling plate 230 are tightly attached through the heat-conducting adhesive layer 220, thereby ensuring the heat-conducting effect between the liquid cooling plate 230 and the flat plate.

[0057] The application also provides a battery pack, which comprises the battery module 200 as above. By arranging the battery module 200, the temperature inside the battery pack can be evenly distributed, thereby reducing performance unevenness or life loss caused by temperature gradient.

[0058] The above has introduced the embodiments of the application in detail, and the principles and implementation manners of the application have been described by applying specific examples; the above embodiment descriptions are only used for helping to understand the method of the application and its core idea; meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the application, the specific implementation manners and application ranges will have changes; in conclusion, the content of the specification should not be understood as the limitation of the application.

Claims

1. A battery module (200) comprising: a cell module (210) comprising a side surface and a bottom surface; a vapor chamber (100) comprising: a bottom plate (10) attached to the bottom surface, the bottom plate (10) comprising a condensation portion (101) arranged inside the bottom plate (10) for heat exchange with an external liquid cooling structure; a side plate (20) connected to the bottom plate (10) and attached to the side surface, the side plate (20) comprising an evaporation portion (201) arranged inside the side plate (20) for heat exchange with the cell module (210).

2. The battery module (200) according to claim 1, wherein The bottom plate (10) extends along a first direction, and the side plate (20) extends along a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction. The side plate (20) comprises a side edge (21) connected to the bottom plate (10), the side edge (21) extending along a third direction. The vapor chamber (100) further comprises a plurality of first reinforcing ribs (30) arranged inside the side plate (20), the plurality of first reinforcing ribs (30) being arranged in the third direction and extending away from the side edge (21), the third direction being perpendicular to the first direction and perpendicular to the second direction.

3. The battery module (200) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, At least one of the first reinforcing ribs (30) comprises a plurality of first rib bodies (31) arranged in the second direction.

4. The battery module (200) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The vapor chamber (100) further comprises a plurality of second reinforcing ribs (40) arranged inside the bottom plate (10), the plurality of second reinforcing ribs (40) being arranged in the third direction and extending away from the side edge (21).

5. The battery module (200) of claim 4, wherein, The plurality of first reinforcing ribs (30) and the plurality of second reinforcing ribs (40) are arranged one-to-one, and adjacent two of the first reinforcing ribs (30) form a first channel (310), and adjacent two of the second reinforcing ribs (40) form a second channel (410), the first channel (310) and the second channel (410) being in communication.

6. The battery module (200) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The side plate (20) comprises two base material plates arranged oppositely, and two heat-conducting nets arranged between the two base material plates and arranged in a spaced manner, the first reinforcing ribs (30) being connected between the two heat-conducting nets.

7. The battery module (200) of claim 6, wherein, The cell module (210) comprises a plurality of cell strings, each cell string comprising a side wall (2101) and a bottom wall (2102) connected to each other; Adjacent two of the cell strings are provided with one of the vapor chambers (100), each of the side plates (20) is attached to one of the side walls (2101), and each of the bottom plates (10) is attached to one of the bottom walls (2102).

8. The battery module (200) according to claim 7, further comprising: a first structural adhesive layer arranged between each of the side walls (2101) and the side plate (20); a second structural adhesive layer arranged between each of the bottom walls (2102) and the bottom plate (10).

9. The battery module (200) of claim 7, wherein, A plurality of the bottom plates (10) are connected in sequence and form a flat plate.

10. The battery module (200) of claim 9, wherein, The battery module (200) further comprises a liquid cooling plate and a thermally conductive adhesive layer (220), the liquid cooling plate is located on the side of the flat plate away from the battery cell module (210), and the thermally conductive adhesive layer (220) is adhered between the flat plate and the liquid cooling plate.

11. A battery pack comprising: The battery module (200) according to any one of claims 1-10.

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