Battery module

Abstract

The present application provides a battery module, comprising a plurality of batteries and a venting structure, wherein extension portions of the venting structure are configured to be fixed to a plurality of busbars, the venting structure is fixed to the tops of the batteries by means of the provided extension portions connected to the busbars, the venting structure is integrally mounted on the tops of the batteries so that the overall structure of the battery module is stable, and clearance is formed between the busbars and the venting structure, so as to facilitate subsequent connection of the busbars to negative and positive electrodes and also facilitate subsequent sealing fit between the venting structure and an explosion-proof valve.

Description

Battery module

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 2024221855013 filed on September 5, 2024 with the China Patent Office, the whole content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] In some battery modules, the positive and negative electrodes of the battery are both arranged on the top of the battery, and the busbar needs to be arranged on the top of the battery and electrically connected with the positive and negative electrodes to realize the series or parallel connection between multiple batteries. The explosion-proof valve of the battery is also arranged on the top of the battery, usually between the positive and negative electrodes. When one or more batteries occur thermal runaway, the high-temperature ejecta in the battery are sprayed out of the explosion-proof valve and pollute the surrounding busbar, causing short circuit of multiple batteries. TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] Therefore, in some related technologies, an exhaust structure is arranged to guide the discharge of thermal runaway gas. Since the explosion-proof valve is also arranged on the top of the battery, interference is easily generated between the exhaust structure and the busbar, thereby causing the exhaust structure to be inconvenient to arrange and fix. If the exhaust structure covers the top of the battery, it is inconvenient to connect the busbar with the positive and negative electrodes. If the exhaust structure is arranged above the busbar, it is easy to cause poor sealing between the exhaust structure and the explosion-proof valve, resulting in leakage of ejecta. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0005] The present application provides a battery module, comprising:

[0006] a plurality of batteries arranged along a first direction, each of the batteries has an explosion-proof valve on the top and positive and negative electrodes arranged on both sides of the explosion-proof valve along a second direction, wherein the first direction intersects the second direction;

[0007] an exhaust structure comprising a main body and an extension connected to both sides of the main body along the second direction, the main body and the extension both extend along the first direction, the main body covers the explosion-proof valves of the plurality of batteries, and the extension is arranged to be connected with the busbar. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0008] The battery module provided by the application has the beneficial effects that, compared with the related art, the battery module includes a plurality of batteries and an exhaust structure, wherein the extension part of the exhaust structure is fixedly arranged with the plurality of busbars, the exhaust structure is connected with the busbars through the extension part to be fixed on the top of the battery, the exhaust structure is integrally installed on the top of the battery, so that the overall structure of the battery module is stable, and the busbar and the exhaust structure are mutually avoided, facilitating the subsequent connection of the busbar with the negative electrode and the positive electrode and the sealing cooperation of the exhaust structure with the explosion-proof valve. The battery module provided by the application has the advantages of simple and stable overall structure and convenient installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery in the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the exhaust structure in the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the exhaust structure in the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the exhaust structure and the sealing layer in the battery module provided by an embodiment of the application.

[0015] In the drawings, various reference signs are used:

[0016] Battery module 100; battery 10; exhaust structure 20; busbar 30; sealing layer 40; connecting piece 50;

[0017] Battery body 11; explosion-proof valve 12; positive electrode 13; negative electrode 14; main body part 21; extension part 22; first reinforcing rib 23; second reinforcing rib 24; first end part 31; second end part 32;

[0018] Top wall 211; side wall 212; bottom wall 213; exhaust passage I; exhaust port K1; avoiding port K2; through hole K3;

[0019] First direction X; second direction Y.

[0020] Embodiments of the application

[0021] Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, the battery module 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application is described. The battery module 100 of the present application comprises a plurality of batteries 10, an exhaust structure 20 and a plurality of busbars 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of batteries 10 are arranged along a first direction X. In the embodiment, the battery 10 is a square battery 10. As shown in FIG. 2, each battery 10 comprises a battery body 11, an explosion-proof valve 12, a positive electrode 13 and a negative electrode 14 arranged on the battery body 11. That is, the top of the battery 10 has the explosion-proof valve 12 and the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14 arranged on both sides of the explosion-proof valve 12 along a second direction Y. The first direction X intersects the second direction Y. In the embodiment, the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular.

[0022] Optionally, the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14 of the adjacent two batteries 10 are arranged oppositely. That is, the positive electrode 13 of the first battery 10 is arranged on the left side, the negative electrode 14 is arranged on the right side, the negative electrode 14 of the second battery 10 is arranged on the left side, and the positive electrode 13 is arranged on the right side, and so on, so as to facilitate the series connection of the arranged plurality of batteries 10.

[0023] The exhaust structure 20 comprises a main body part 21 and two extension parts 22. The main body part 21 and the extension part 22 are arranged along the first direction X. The main body part 21 covers the explosion-proof valve 12 of the plurality of batteries 10. The two extension parts 22 are arranged and located on both sides of the main body part 21 along the first direction X, and the two extension parts 22 are arranged to be connected with the corresponding busbar 30.

[0024] A busbar 30 corresponding to a negative electrode 14 or a positive electrode 13 is arranged on the top of the battery 10, and a plurality of busbars 30 are arranged on both sides of the main body part 21 along the first direction X and are connected with the corresponding extension part 22. Specifically, two busbars 30 are arranged on a battery 10 and are connected with the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14 respectively. The two busbars 30 are arranged on both sides of the main body part 21 of the exhaust structure 20. The busbar 30 arranged on the first side of the main body part 21 is fixed with the extension part 22 arranged on the first side of the main body part 21, and the busbar 30 arranged on the second side of the main body part 21 is fixed with the extension part 22 arranged on the second side of the main body part 21. The plurality of busbars 30 are arranged in two columns along the first direction X with the arrangement of the plurality of batteries 10.

[0025] In the embodiment, the extension part 22 is made of insulating material, so that the plurality of busbars 30 are fixed on the extension part 22 to avoid short circuit. Alternatively, the extension part 22 and the main body part 21 are integrally arranged and are made of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) by extrusion.

[0026] The battery module 100 provided by the embodiment of the present application comprises a plurality of batteries 10 and an exhaust structure 20, wherein the extension part 22 of the exhaust structure 20 is arranged to be fixedly arranged with a plurality of busbars 30, and then the busbars 30 are connected with the positive electrode 13 or the negative electrode 14 of the battery 10, so that the exhaust structure 20 is fixed on the top of the battery 10. The busbar 30 and the exhaust structure 20 are integrally installed on the top of the battery 10, so that the overall structure of the battery module 100 is stable, and the busbar 30 and the exhaust structure 20 are formed to avoid each other. The connection of the busbar 30 and the negative electrode 14 and the positive electrode 13 is facilitated, and the sealing cooperation of the exhaust structure 20 and the explosion-proof valve 12 in the subsequent process is facilitated. The overall structure of the battery module 100 provided by the present application is simple and stable, and the installation is convenient. In addition, it can be understood that the main part 21 is fixed on both sides by the extension part 22 arranged on both sides and the plurality of busbars 30, so that the exhaust structure 20 can be reinforced to avoid overturning and moving of the exhaust structure 20.

[0027] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, each busbar 30 has a first end part 31 and a second end part 32. The first end part 31 is connected with the corresponding positive electrode 13 or negative electrode 14, and the second end part 32 is lapped on the side of the extension part 22 away from the battery 10, and is fixedly connected with the extension part 22 through the connecting piece 50. Specifically, the first end part 31 and the second end part 32 of the busbar 30 are provided with a bending structure, so that after the first end part 31 is connected with the positive electrode 13 or the negative electrode 14, it can be lapped on the extension part 22 for fixation. The main part 21 and the extension part 22 are arranged on the top of the battery 10, so as to facilitate the cooperation with the explosion-proof valve 12.

[0028] During the installation process, the exhaust structure 20 can be aligned and arranged on the top of the battery 10, and then the plurality of busbars 30 are connected and fixed on the extension part 22 of the exhaust structure 20, and the other end of the busbar 30 is connected with the positive electrode 13 or the negative electrode 14. The exhaust structure 20 is assembled on the top of the battery 10 first, and then fixed by the plurality of busbars 30, which facilitates the overall assembly.

[0029] In the embodiment, the connecting piece 50 is a rivet. Specifically, the extension part 22 is provided with a plurality of through holes, so that the connecting piece 50 can pass through and be fixed. Optionally, in some other embodiments, the connecting piece 50 can also be a screw or the like.

[0030] Optionally, in some other embodiments, the second end part 32 of the busbar 30 is arranged between the extension part 22 and the battery 10, and is fixedly connected with the extension part 22 through the connecting piece 50. During the assembly process, the busbar 30 is first connected and fixed on the top of the battery 10, and then the exhaust structure 20 is arranged on the battery 10 and the second end part 32 of the busbar 30, and then the exhaust structure 20 and the second end part 32 of the busbar 30 are connected and fixed.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 21 includes a top wall 211, a bottom wall 213 and two side walls 212. The bottom wall 213 is arranged on the battery 10, the top wall 211 is arranged on the side of the bottom wall 213 away from the battery 10, and the side walls 212 are connected between the bottom wall 213 and the top wall 211. The extension 22 is connected to the side walls 212 of the main body 21, so that the distance between the bottom wall 213 and the explosion-proof valve 12 is small, and the gas discharged from the explosion-proof valve 12 is easily discharged into the main body 21 during thermal runaway.

[0032] Optionally, in other embodiments, the extension 22 can be connected to the bottom wall 213 or the top wall 211.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the top wall 211, the bottom wall 213 and the two side walls 212 surround the exhaust passage I, the exhaust passage I extends along the first direction X, and a plurality of exhaust ports K1 are formed in the bottom wall 213 and communicate with the exhaust passage I. One exhaust port K1 corresponds to one explosion-proof valve 12. The gas discharged from the explosion-proof valve 12 enters the exhaust passage I in the main body 21 through the exhaust port K1.

[0034] The top wall 211, the bottom wall 213 and the two side walls 212 surround the exhaust passage I to guide the gas discharged from the explosion-proof valve 12 to be discharged. In this embodiment, the second end portion 32 of the busbar 30 is arranged on the surface of the exhaust structure 20 away from the battery 10, and the exhaust passage I is surrounded by the top wall 211, the side wall 212 and the bottom wall 213, so that the high-temperature spray is prevented from being sprayed on the surface of the busbar 30.

[0035] Optionally, the projection of the spray port of the explosion-proof valve 12 on the top of the battery 10 is located within the projection range of the exhaust port K1 on the top of the battery 10. It can be understood that the exhaust port K1 is larger than the spray port, and the high-temperature gas can be as much as possible to enter the exhaust passage I from the exhaust port K1, and the possibility of high-temperature gas leakage is reduced.

[0036] In this embodiment, in the projection pattern on the top of the battery 10, the distance between the edge line of the spray port of the explosion-proof valve 12 and the edge line of the exhaust port K1 is 1 millimeter (mm) -2 millimeters, for example, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm or 2 mm, etc. It can be understood that if the exhaust port K1 is too small, the gas sprayed from the spray port of the explosion-proof valve 12 cannot completely enter the exhaust passage I from the exhaust port K1. If the exhaust port K1 is too large, the gas sprayed from the spray port of the explosion-proof valve 12 is easy to leak from the edge of the exhaust port K1 to both sides rather than enter the exhaust passage I. The distance between the edge line of the spray port of the explosion-proof valve 12 and the edge line of the exhaust port K1 is set to 1 mm-2 mm to ensure that the high-temperature gas enters the exhaust passage I from the exhaust port K1.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the width of the exhaust passage I is W, and the height of the exhaust passage I is D, wherein W / D≥17, for example, W / D is 17, 17.1, 17.14, 17.5, 17.6, 18 or 19, etc. The exhaust structure 20 is arranged at the top of the battery 10, and the height of the exhaust passage I will affect the height of the exhaust structure 20 and thus the height of the entire battery module 100. Setting W / D≥17 can reduce the height occupied by the exhaust structure 20, thereby reducing the overall height of the battery module 100, and ensuring the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage I. In this embodiment, the battery 10 is of LF230 specification, and the gas production of the battery 10 is V=201 L / min. Therefore, the cross-sectional area S of the exhaust passage I is set to be≥180 mm2, so as to ensure that the exhaust passage I can receive the gas discharged by multiple batteries 10.

[0038] Specifically, the top wall 211, the bottom wall 213 and the side wall 212 of the main body part 21 enclose an exhaust passage I in the shape of a trapezoid. The upper base length of the exhaust passage I is 56 mm, and the lower base length is 65 mm, that is, the average length of the exhaust passage I is about 60 mm, and the height of the exhaust passage I is 3.5 mm, so that W / D≈17.14 is greater than 17, and the cross-sectional area S is 211 mm2, which is greater than 180 mm2.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust structure 20 further comprises a first reinforcing rib 23 and a second reinforcing rib 24 extending along the first direction X.

[0040] The first reinforcing rib 23 is arranged on the side of the bottom wall 213 close to the battery 10, and the first reinforcing rib 23 is located on at least one side of the exhaust port K1 in the first direction X. Specifically, the exhaust structure 20 comprises two first reinforcing ribs 23, and the two first reinforcing ribs 23 are arranged on the two sides of the exhaust port K1 in the first direction X, that is, the two first reinforcing ribs 23 are symmetrically arranged on the main body part 21. The first reinforcing rib 23 is arranged on the side of the bottom wall 213 close to the battery 10, which can not only strengthen the structural strength of the main body part 21, but also support and limit the main body part 21 when the main body part 21 is subjected to downward pressure.

[0041] The number of the second reinforcing rib 24 is also two. The two second reinforcing ribs 24 are arranged on the two extension parts 22 on the two sides of the main body part 21, respectively. One first reinforcing rib 23 is arranged on one extension part 22. On the one hand, it can strengthen the structural strength of the extension part 22, and on the other hand, it can support and limit the extension part 22 when the extension part 22 is subjected to downward pressure. Alternatively, the thickness of the second reinforcing rib 24 is equal to the thickness of the extension part 22, which can greatly enhance the structural strength of the extension part 22. Specifically, the thickness of the second reinforcing rib 24 is 2 mm, and the thickness of the extension part 22 is 2 mm.

[0042] Optionally, the total height of the exhaust structure 20 is H, and the thickness of the first reinforcing rib 23 is T, wherein H / T=(5~10), for example, H / T=5, H / T=6, H / T=7, H / T=8, H / T=9, or H / T=10, etc. In the embodiment, the total height H of the exhaust structure 20 is 8mm, and the thickness T of the first reinforcing rib 23 is 1mm, so that H / T=8.

[0043] Optionally, in other embodiments, the total height H of the exhaust structure 20 is 10mm, and the thickness T of the first reinforcing rib 23 is 2mm, so that H / T=5.

[0044] It can be understood that the exhaust passage I is hollow in the main body 21, and the first reinforcing rib 23 is arranged on the bottom wall 213, which is easy to cause the deformation of the bottom wall 213, and is not conducive to strengthening the structural strength of the main body 21. Therefore, the H / T=(5~10) is arranged to strengthen the structural strength of the main body 21 while avoiding the first reinforcing rib 23 being too thick.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, in order to strengthen the connection sealing of the exhaust structure 20 and the explosion-proof valve 12, the battery module 100 further comprises a plurality of sealing layers 40. One sealing layer 40, one exhaust port K1 and one explosion-proof valve 12 are correspondingly arranged. The sealing layer 40 is arranged between the exhaust structure 20 and the explosion-proof valve 12, and the two surfaces of the sealing layer 40 abut against the bottom wall 213 and the top of the battery 10 respectively. The sealing layer 40 is provided with a through hole K3, the through hole K3 is correspondingly arranged with the explosion-proof valve 12, and the through hole K3 is in communication with the exhaust port K1, and the through hole K3 is arranged to pass the gas discharged by the explosion-proof valve 12. The arrangement of the sealing layer 40 can strengthen the connection sealing of the exhaust structure 20 and the explosion-proof valve 12, and avoid the gas discharged by the explosion-proof valve 12 from leaking from the gap between the exhaust structure 20 and the battery 10. Specifically, a plurality of avoiding openings K2 are arranged on the first reinforcing rib 23, and a sealing layer 40 is correspondingly arranged in each avoiding opening K2. The first reinforcing rib 23 can limit and fix the sealing layer 40, so as to avoid the movement of the sealing layer 40.

[0046] In the embodiment, the material of the sealing layer 40 is ceramicized silica gel foam. During the assembly process of the battery module 100, the busbar 30 is welded with the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14 of the battery 10, which will generate a downward pressure on the busbar 30 and the exhaust structure 20. The downward pressure is transmitted to the sealing layer 40, and the sealing layer 40 is compressed under the pressure, which further ensures the sealing between the exhaust structure 20 and the explosion-proof valve 12.

[0047] In addition, the ceramicized silica gel foam can be sintered and solidified when it is sprayed by high-temperature gas, and it can maintain the original state without being destroyed. The sealing layer 40 is made of ceramicized silica gel foam, which can also resist the high-temperature impact during thermal runaway.

[0048] Optionally, the compression ratio of the sealing layer 40 is 30%-60%, for example, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% or 60%, etc., on the one hand, when the busbar 30 is welded with the positive electrode 13 and the negative electrode 14, the sealing layer 40 provides a certain buffering capacity for the exhaust structure 20, on the other hand, the sealing layer 40 is compressed under pressure, which can further improve the sealing performance. Specifically, in the embodiment, the compression ratio of the sealing layer 40 is 40%. Before being compressed, the thickness of the sealing layer 40 is 2.5mm, and after being compressed, the thickness of the sealing layer 40 is 1.5mm.

[0049] The above is a description of the battery module 100 provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0050] The battery module provided by the embodiment of the application comprises a plurality of batteries and an exhaust structure, the extension of the exhaust structure is arranged to be fixedly arranged with the plurality of busbars, the exhaust structure is connected with the busbar through the extension to be fixed on the top of the battery, and the exhaust structure is integrally installed on the top of the battery, so that the overall structure of the battery module is stable, and the busbar and the exhaust structure are mutually avoided, which is convenient for the subsequent connection of the busbar with the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and is also convenient for the sealing cooperation of the exhaust structure with the explosion-proof valve. The battery module provided by the embodiment of the application has simple and stable overall structure and is convenient to install.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a plurality of batteries arranged along a first direction, each of the batteries having a top portion with a relief valve and a positive electrode and a negative electrode respectively arranged on two sides of the relief valve along a second direction, wherein the first direction intersects the second direction; an exhaust structure comprising a main body portion and an extension portion connected to the main body portion on two sides along the second direction, the main body portion and the extension portion both extending along the first direction, the main body portion covering the relief valves of the plurality of batteries, and the extension portion being arranged to be connected to a busbar.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, the main body portion comprises a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls, the bottom wall being arranged on the batteries, the top wall being arranged on a side of the bottom wall away from the batteries, and the side walls being connected between the bottom wall and the top wall; the extension portion is connected to the bottom wall, or the side wall, or the top wall; the top wall, the bottom wall and the two side walls enclose an exhaust passage extending along the first direction, and the bottom wall is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports in communication with the exhaust passage, one of the exhaust ports corresponding to one of the relief valves.

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, a width of the exhaust passage is W, a height of the exhaust passage is D, wherein W / D≥17, and a cross-sectional area S of the exhaust passage is ≥180mm2.

4. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, a projection of the relief valve on the top portion of the battery is within a projection range of the exhaust port on the top portion of the battery.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, in a projection pattern on the top portion of the battery, a distance between an edge line of the relief valve and an edge line of the exhaust port is 1mm-2mm.

6. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, the exhaust structure further comprises a first reinforcing rib extending along the first direction, the first reinforcing rib being arranged on a side of the bottom wall close to the batteries, and the first reinforcing rib being located on at least one side of the exhaust port in the first direction.

7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein, a total height of the exhaust structure is H, and a thickness of the first reinforcing rib is T, wherein H / T=(5-10).

8. The battery module of claim 6, wherein, a plurality of avoiding ports are arranged on the first reinforcing rib; the battery module further comprises a plurality of sealing layers, one of the sealing layers being arranged in one of the avoiding ports, two sides of the sealing layer abutting against the bottom wall and the top portion of the battery respectively, and the sealing layer being provided with a through hole corresponding to the relief valve and in communication with the exhaust port.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein, a material of the sealing layer is ceramicized silica gel foam, and a compression ratio of the sealing layer is 30%-60%.

10. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, the exhaust structure further comprises a second reinforcing rib extending along the first direction, the second reinforcing rib being arranged on a side of the extension portion close to the batteries.

11. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, the battery module further comprises a plurality of busbars, the plurality of busbars being arranged on the top portion of the batteries and on two sides of the main body portion along the first direction; each of the busbars has a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being connected to the corresponding positive electrode or negative electrode, the second end portion being connected to the extension portion through a connecting piece, the second end portion being arranged between the extension portion and the batteries, or the second end portion being overlapped on a side of the extension portion away from the batteries.

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