Battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The present application discloses a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module comprises: a liquid cooling assembly; and a battery assembly, the battery assembly comprising first cell groups and second cell groups alternately arranged, wherein each first cell group comprises at least one first cell, each second cell group comprises at least one second cell, the first cell and the second cell are both connected to the liquid cooling assembly, a first explosion-proof valve of the first cell faces one side of the battery module, and a second explosion-proof valve of the second cell faces the other side of the battery module.

Description

Battery module and battery pack

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 2024219096113 filed on August 7, 2024 with the China Patent Office, the whole content of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] With the rise of new energy industry, the use of batteries is becoming more and more widespread. In the use process of the battery, thermal runaway phenomenon becomes an important factor affecting the safe use of the battery. The heat released by a single cell in thermal runaway is limited and will not cause too serious harm, but the heat released by the cell will quickly spread to the surrounding cells, causing the adjacent cells to be affected by the heat generated by thermal runaway. TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The explosion-proof valves of the cells in the same battery module are generally oriented in the same direction, so that the spewing material spewed by the cells in thermal runaway is easy to spew on the surrounding explosion-proof valves. Therefore, the surrounding cells are easy to be in thermal runaway under the influence of the heat of thermal runaway and the spewing material, thereby triggering a "domino effect", causing the whole battery module to enter a whole thermal runaway stage, releasing huge energy, and seriously endangering the safety of the electrical equipment and the user. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a battery module, comprising: a liquid cooling assembly; a battery assembly, the battery assembly comprising a first battery group and a second battery group arranged alternately; wherein: the first battery group comprises at least one first cell, the second battery group comprises at least one second cell, the first cell and the second cell are connected to the liquid cooling assembly, and a first explosion-proof valve of the first cell faces one side of the battery module, and a second explosion-proof valve of the second cell faces the other side of the battery module.

[0006] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery pack, comprising: one or more battery modules as described above. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0007] By connecting the first and second electric cores to the liquid cooling assembly, the influence of the heat released in thermal runaway on the adjacent first and second electric cores is reduced, the first and second battery groups are arranged alternately, and the first and second explosion-proof valves are respectively directed to different sides of the battery module, effectively avoiding the spatter of the spatter material on the first and second explosion-proof valves, thereby avoiding the thermal runaway of any electric core under the influence of the heat and spatter material in thermal runaway, and further preventing the spread of thermal runaway in the battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0009] Fig. 2 is a right view of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Fig. 3 is a left view of the battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0011] Fig. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0012] Fig. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0013] In the drawings, the reference signs have the following meanings:

[0014] 1, liquid cooling assembly; 11, first liquid cooling plate; 111, first flow channel; 112, first pressure relief port; 12, second liquid cooling plate; 121, second flow channel; 122, second pressure relief port; 2, battery assembly; 21, first battery group; 211, first electric core; 2111, first explosion-proof valve; 22, second battery group; 221, second electric core; 2211, second explosion-proof valve; 3, pressure relief channel. Embodiments of the present application

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the application discloses a battery module, which comprises a liquid cooling assembly 1 and a battery assembly 2, and in some embodiments, the battery assembly 2 comprises a first battery group 21 and a second battery group 22 arranged alternately; wherein: the first battery group 21 comprises at least one first battery cell 211, the second battery group 22 comprises at least one second battery cell 221, the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 are both connected to the liquid cooling assembly 1, and a first explosion-proof valve 2111 of the first battery cell 211 faces one side of the battery module, and a second explosion-proof valve 2211 of the second battery cell 221 faces the other side of the battery module. Preferably, by connecting the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 to the liquid cooling assembly 1, the influence of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent first battery cell 211 and second battery cell 221 is reduced, at the same time, the first battery group 21 and the second battery group 22 are arranged alternately, and the first explosion-proof valve 2111 and the second explosion-proof valve 2211 respectively face different sides of the battery module, which effectively avoids the spatter of spatter material on the surrounding first explosion-proof valve 2111 and second explosion-proof valve 2211, thereby avoiding any battery cell from thermal runaway under the influence of the heat and spatter material of thermal runaway, and further achieving the prevention of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery module.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, N first battery cells 211 form a first battery pack 21, and M second battery cells 221 form a second battery pack 22. In some embodiments, there can be multiple first battery packs 21 and multiple second battery packs 22 arranged alternately, such as AN|BM|AN|BM|..., where N and M are any positive integers. In some embodiments, the first battery pack 21 and the second battery pack 22 are arranged alternately along the X-axis direction and / or the Z-axis direction. In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 4, the first battery cells 211 are arranged along the X-axis direction, and the second battery cells 221 are also arranged along the X-axis direction, so that the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 are arranged adjacent to each other along the Z-axis direction. Alternatively, the first battery cells 211 are arranged along the Z-axis direction, and the second battery cells 221 are arranged along the Z-axis direction, so that the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 are arranged adjacent to each other along the X-axis direction. The Y-axis direction can be one of the height, width, and length directions of the battery module. Preferably, the Y-axis direction is the width direction of the battery module, the X-axis direction is the length direction of the battery module, and the Z-axis direction is the height direction of the battery module. In some embodiments, the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 are square or cylindrical. In some embodiments, the positive and negative tabs of the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 can be arranged on the same side or on two opposite sides. In some embodiments, the battery assembly 2 is provided with CCS on both sides, the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 are cylindrical, and the positive and negative tabs are arranged on two opposite sides. The first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 are connected by CCS using opposite side welding, for example, the positive tab of the first battery cell 211A1 is connected to the negative tab of the second battery cell 221B1, the positive tab of the second battery cell 221B1 is connected to the negative tab of the first battery cell 211B2, and so on. In some embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 1 can be connected to any side of the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221. In some embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 1 is attached to any side of the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 to drive the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221 to exchange heat with the liquid cooling assembly 1, thereby achieving heat dissipation and cooling of the first battery cells 211 and the second battery cells 221.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 1 comprises a first liquid cooling plate 11 and a second liquid cooling plate 12, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 of the first battery cell 211 faces the first liquid cooling plate 11, the second liquid cooling plate 12 is attached to the end of the first battery cell 211 away from the first explosion-proof valve 2111, the second explosion-proof valve 2211 of the second battery cell 221 faces the second liquid cooling plate 12, and the first liquid cooling plate 11 is attached to the end of the second battery cell 221 away from the second explosion-proof valve 2211. In some embodiments, the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 are arranged in a spaced apart manner along the Y-axis direction and are both arranged in an extending manner along the X-axis direction, so that the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 form cooling cavities, the first battery pack 21 and the second battery pack 22 are arranged in the cooling cavities in an alternating manner, so that the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 cool the first battery pack 21 and the second battery pack 22; in some embodiments, when any of the first battery cells 211 has thermal runaway, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 sprays towards the first liquid cooling plate 11, and at the same time, the first liquid cooling plate 11 can cool the end of the adjacent second battery cell 221 close to the first explosion-proof valve 2111, thereby avoiding the spray of the spray to the second explosion-proof valve 2211 and reducing the influence of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent second battery cell 221, thereby preventing the spread of thermal runaway in the battery module; when any of the second battery cells 221 has thermal runaway, the second explosion-proof valve 2211 sprays towards the second liquid cooling plate 12, and at the same time, the second liquid cooling plate 12 can cool the end of the adjacent first battery cell 211 close to the second explosion-proof valve 2211, thereby avoiding the spray of the spray to the first explosion-proof valve 2111 and reducing the influence of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent first battery cell 211, thereby preventing the spread of thermal runaway in the battery module.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the first liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with a first flow channel 111, the second liquid cooling plate 12 is provided with a second flow channel 121, the first flow channel 111 is attached to the end of the second battery cell 221 away from the second explosion-proof valve 2211, and the second flow channel 121 is attached to the end of the first battery cell 211 away from the first explosion-proof valve 2111. That is, the first flow channel 111 cools the end of the second battery cell 221 away from the second explosion-proof valve 2211, and the second flow channel 121 cools the end of the first battery cell 211 away from the first explosion-proof valve 2111; when the first battery cell 211 is in thermal runaway, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 is ejected towards the first liquid cooling plate 11, and the first flow channel 111 cools the end of the second battery cell 221 close to the first explosion-proof valve 2111, reducing the impact of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent second battery cell 221. Similarly, when the second battery cell 221 is in thermal runaway, the second explosion-proof valve 2211 is ejected towards the second liquid cooling plate 12, and the second flow channel 121 cools the end of the first battery cell 211 close to the second explosion-proof valve 2211, reducing the impact of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent first battery cell 211, thereby effectively improving the overall cooling capacity and preventing thermal runaway from spreading within the battery module.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the first liquid cooling plate 11 can be provided with a corresponding pressure relief structure opposite the first explosion-proof valve 2111, and the second liquid cooling plate 12 can also be provided with a corresponding pressure relief structure opposite the second explosion-proof valve 2211, so that the first explosion-proof valve 2111 and the second explosion-proof valve 2211 can both be relieved through the corresponding pressure relief structure. Preferably, the first liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with a first pressure relief opening 112, and the second liquid cooling plate 12 is provided with a second pressure relief opening 122, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 is opposite the first pressure relief opening 112, and the second explosion-proof valve 2211 is opposite the second pressure relief opening 122. That is, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 is relieved through the first pressure relief opening 112, and the second explosion-proof valve 2211 is relieved through the second pressure relief opening 122. In some embodiments, the first pressure relief opening 112 corresponds one-to-one to the first explosion-proof valve 2111; in some embodiments, the first pressure relief opening 112 corresponds one-to-one to the first battery pack 21; in some embodiments, the second pressure relief opening 122 corresponds one-to-one to the second explosion-proof valve 2211; in some embodiments, the second pressure relief opening 122 corresponds one-to-one to the second battery pack 22.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with at least one first flow channel 111, and the first pressure relief port 112 is arranged in a non-flow channel area of the first liquid cooling plate 11. Therefore, the first battery cell 211 abuts against the first flow channel 111 in a non-explosion-proof valve area close to one end of the first liquid cooling plate 11. That is, the first battery cell 211 is cooled by the first flow channel 111 and the second flow channel 121. Similarly, the second liquid cooling plate 12 is provided with at least one second flow channel 121, and the second pressure relief port 122 is arranged in a non-flow channel area of the second liquid cooling plate 12. Therefore, the second battery cell 221 abuts against the second flow channel 121 in a non-explosion-proof valve area close to one end of the second liquid cooling plate 12. That is, the second battery cell 221 is also cooled by the first flow channel 111 and the second flow channel 121. In this way, the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 are simultaneously cooled by the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12, the overall cooling capacity is improved, and the probability of thermal runaway in the battery module is reduced.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heat-conducting member is arranged between the liquid cooling assembly 1 and the battery assembly 2. Specifically, a first heat-conducting member is arranged between the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the battery assembly 2, and a second heat-conducting member is arranged between the second liquid cooling plate 12 and the battery assembly 2. In some embodiments, the first heat-conducting member is formed by heat-conducting structural adhesive coated on the first liquid cooling plate 11, and the second heat-conducting member is formed by heat-conducting structural adhesive coated on the second liquid cooling plate 12. Preferably, the first flow channel 111 is in full contact with the second battery cell 221 and the non-explosion-proof valve area of the first battery cell 211 close to one end of the first liquid cooling plate 11 through the first heat-conducting member, and the second flow channel 121 is in full contact with the first battery cell 211 and the non-explosion-proof valve area of the second battery cell 221 close to one end of the second liquid cooling plate 12 through the second heat-conducting member. In this way, the heat transfer efficiency between the battery cells and the liquid cooling plates is improved, and the overall cooling capacity is optimized.

[0022] In some embodiments, when any one of the battery cells experiences thermal runaway, its explosion-proof valve will spray the wound material inside the battery cell, and the spray material can cause short circuit of the surrounding circuit. Preferably, the battery pack further comprises a first isolation member and a second isolation member, the first isolation member is closed to the first pressure relief port 112, and the second isolation member is closed to the second pressure relief port 122. By closing the first isolation member and the second isolation member to the first pressure relief port 112 and the second pressure relief port 122 respectively, when any one of the first explosion-proof valve 2111 or the second explosion-proof valve 2211 sprays, the spray material can only break through the area opposite to the explosion-proof valve, and the remaining area remains closed, thereby preventing the spray material from spraying onto the surrounding equipment or elements; in some embodiments, the first isolation member and the second isolation member are made of insulating materials with good heat resistance and chemical stability, and preferably, the first isolation member and the second isolation member are both mica paper.

[0023] In some embodiments, a protective layer is provided on the side of the liquid cooling assembly 1 close to the battery assembly 2. Specifically, the first liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with a first protective layer on the side close to the battery assembly 2, and the second liquid cooling plate 12 is provided with a second protective layer on the side close to the battery assembly 2. In some embodiments, the first protective layer and the second protective layer are formed on the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 respectively by spraying insulating powder with good pressure resistance on the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12. In some embodiments, the protective layer prevents the spray material from directly impacting the first liquid cooling plate 11 or the second liquid cooling plate 12, thereby improving the protection of the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12, avoiding damage to the first liquid cooling plate 11 or the second liquid cooling plate 12, and improving the service life of the first liquid cooling plate 11 or the second liquid cooling plate 12. At the same time, the battery assembly 2 and the first liquid cooling plate 11 or the second liquid cooling plate 12 are prevented from forming a passage, thereby avoiding leakage and short circuit.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, a battery pack comprises one or more battery modules as described above.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, one or more battery modules are arranged in a spaced manner, and adjacent liquid cooling assemblies 1 form a pressure relief channel 3. Preferably, the pressure relief channel 3 is formed by adjacent liquid cooling assemblies 1, which integrates the pressure relief channel 3 between the battery modules and the liquid cooling assemblies 1, so that the liquid cooling assemblies 1 have both heat dissipation and pressure relief functions, thereby optimizing the overall structure of the battery pack, meeting the demand for lightweight of the whole pack, and reducing production cost.

[0026] In some embodiments, in the adjacent battery modules, the first liquid cooling plate 11 of one of the battery modules and the second liquid cooling plate 12 of the other battery module form a pressure relief channel 3, preventing the spray of the first explosion-proof valve 2111 or the second explosion-proof valve 2211 of one of the battery modules from directly passing through the first pressure relief port 112 or the second pressure relief port 122 of the other battery module, and triggering the first explosion-proof valve 2111 or the second explosion-proof valve 2211 of the other battery module to enter thermal runaway.

[0027] In some embodiments, a closure is further included, which is closed around the periphery of the pressure relief channel 3. In some embodiments, the closure can be made of an aluminum alloy material, and in some embodiments, the closure is made of an aluminum alloy material with high strength and fire resistance. In some embodiments, the closure is assembled between two adjacent liquid cooling assemblies 1 forming the pressure relief channel 3, and is arranged along the edge of the liquid cooling assembly 1, so that the closure is closed around the periphery of the pressure relief channel 3, and the pressure relief channel 3 forms a closed pressure relief cavity, preventing the spray entering the pressure relief channel 3 from flowing out and affecting other battery modules or equipment in the battery pack.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, in some embodiments, due to the small space of the battery pack in the Z-axis direction, it is not possible to arrange one or more battery modules in the Z-axis direction. To optimize the use of internal space of the battery pack, the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. Correspondingly, the liquid cooling assembly 1 is arranged in the X-axis direction, so that the end of the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 can be attached to the liquid cooling assembly 1, thereby realizing the arrangement of one or more battery modules in the Y-axis direction, and improving the small space of the battery pack in the Z-axis direction. The height direction of the battery module is parallel to the height direction of the battery pack, the width direction of the battery module is parallel to the width direction of the battery pack, and the length direction of the battery module is parallel to the length direction of the battery pack.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the battery pack is internally provided with one or more battery modules arranged in a spaced manner, each of the battery modules is internally provided with the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 arranged in the Y-axis direction, and is provided with the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 on both sides in the Y-axis direction, the first liquid cooling plate 11 and the second liquid cooling plate 12 are arranged in the X-axis direction, driving the first liquid cooling plate 11, the second liquid cooling plate 12, the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 to form the battery module, so that one or more battery modules can be arranged in a spaced manner in the Y-axis direction, improving the small space of the battery pack in the Z-axis direction, in some embodiments, among two battery modules adjacent in the Y-axis direction, the first liquid cooling plate 11 of one of the battery modules and the second liquid cooling plate 12 of the other battery module form a pressure relief channel 3, so that the liquid cooling assembly 1 simultaneously has the functions of heat dissipation and pressure relief, thereby optimizing the overall structure of the battery pack and meeting the demand for lightweight of the whole pack, in some embodiments, the pressure relief channel 3 is closed by the closure, so that the pressure relief channel 3 forms a closed pressure relief cavity, preventing the eruption material entering the pressure relief channel 3 from flowing out and affecting other battery modules or equipment in the battery pack; preferably, in each of the battery modules, the first explosion-proof valve 2111 of the first battery cell 211 faces the first pressure relief port 112 of the first liquid cooling plate 11, the second explosion-proof valve 2211 of the second battery cell 221 faces the second pressure relief port 122 of the second liquid cooling plate 12, at least one first battery cell 211 forms the first battery group 21, and at least one second battery cell 221 forms the second battery group 22 arranged alternately with the first battery group 21, effectively avoiding the eruption material from erupting on the surrounding first explosion-proof valve 2111 and second explosion-proof valve 2211, at the same time, the second flow channel 121 of the second liquid cooling plate 12 is attached to the non-explosion-proof valve area of the first battery cell 211 away from the first explosion-proof valve 2111 and the second battery cell 221 close to the second liquid cooling plate 12, and the first flow channel 111 of the first liquid cooling plate 11 is attached to the non-explosion-proof valve area of the second battery cell 221 away from the second explosion-proof valve 2211 and the first battery cell 211 close to the first liquid cooling plate 11, so that the two opposite sides of the first battery cell 211 and the second battery cell 221 are simultaneously cooled, improving the overall heat dissipation capacity, reducing the probability of thermal runaway in the battery module and the influence of the heat released during thermal runaway on the adjacent first battery cell 211 and second battery cell 221, thereby avoiding any battery cell from thermal runaway under the influence of the heat and eruption material during thermal runaway, and further preventing thermal runaway diffusion in the battery module.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a liquid cooling assembly (1) ; a battery assembly (2) comprising first battery groups (21) and second battery groups (22) arranged alternately; wherein: the first battery group (21) comprises at least one first battery cell (211), the second battery group (22) comprises at least one second battery cell (221), the first battery cell (211) and the second battery cell (221) are connected to the liquid cooling assembly (1), and a first explosion-proof valve (2111) of the first battery cell (211) faces one side of the battery module, and a second explosion-proof valve (2211) of the second battery cell (221) faces the other side of the battery module.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein: the liquid cooling assembly (1) comprises a first liquid cooling plate (11) and a second liquid cooling plate (12), the first explosion-proof valve (2111) of the first battery cell (211) faces the first liquid cooling plate (11), the second liquid cooling plate (12) is attached to one end of the first battery cell (211) away from the first explosion-proof valve (2111), the second explosion-proof valve (2211) of the second battery cell (221) faces the second liquid cooling plate (12), and the first liquid cooling plate (11) is attached to one end of the second battery cell (221) away from the second explosion-proof valve (2211).

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein: the first liquid cooling plate (11) is provided with a first flow channel (111), the second liquid cooling plate (12) is provided with a second flow channel (121), the first flow channel (111) is attached to one end of the second battery cell (221) away from the second explosion-proof valve (2211), and the second flow channel (121) is attached to one end of the first battery cell (211) away from the first explosion-proof valve (2111).

4. The battery module of claim 2, wherein: the first liquid cooling plate (11) is provided with a first pressure relief port (112), the second liquid cooling plate (12) is provided with a second pressure relief port (122), the first explosion-proof valve (2111) is arranged opposite to the first pressure relief port (112), and the second explosion-proof valve (2211) is arranged opposite to the second pressure relief port (122). 5.The battery module of claim 4, further comprising a first isolation member and a second isolation member, the first isolation member is closed to the first pressure relief port (112), and the second isolation member is closed to the second pressure relief port (122). 6.The battery module of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a protective layer, the protective layer is arranged on one side of the liquid cooling assembly (1) close to the battery assembly (2). 7.The battery module of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a heat conduction member, the heat conduction member is arranged between the liquid cooling assembly (1) and the battery assembly (2).

8. A battery pack comprising: one or more battery modules as claimed in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The battery pack of claim 8, wherein: one or more battery modules are arranged in a spaced arrangement, and adjacent liquid cooling assemblies (1) form a pressure relief channel (3). 10.The battery pack of claim 9, further comprising a closure member, the closure member is closed to the circumferential side of the pressure relief channel (3).

Images