Battery case and battery pack

Abstract

The present application provides a battery case and a battery pack. The battery case comprises: a case body comprising a frame and a bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate enclosing an accommodating cavity, and the accommodating cavity being used for accommodating battery cells; a mount arranged in the accommodating cavity and used for receiving the battery cells; and a support member arranged on a plate surface of the bottom plate on the side facing the accommodating cavity, the support member supporting the mount, so that the mount and the bottom plate are spaced apart to form a pressure relief space.

Description

Battery box and battery pack

[0001] The present application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202411389301.8 and 202422409484.7, filed on September 30, 2024, with the Chinese Patent Office, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] At present, in order to improve the energy density of the battery, a plurality of batteries are usually connected in series and parallel to form a battery module with higher capacity and higher voltage to drive electric vehicles or other equipment to run. In a cylindrical battery cell system, the plastic support at the bottom of the battery cell needs to be overlapped with the four peripheral beams of the box body, and then sealed by structural glue to form a pressure relief cavity between the plastic support and the box body. SUMMARY

[0004] If the space left in the length and width directions of the box body is too much, the plastic support will need too much overlapping material, and it will also be inconvenient to overlap the plastic support with different box bodies, thereby reducing the applicability and scope of application of the plastic support.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design a battery box and a battery pack to solve the technical problems.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a battery box, which comprises: a box body having a frame and a bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate surrounding a containing cavity, the containing cavity being used for containing a battery cell; a support arranged in the containing cavity, the support being used for receiving the battery cell; and a support member arranged on the plate surface of the bottom plate facing the containing cavity, the support member supporting the support so as to form a pressure relief space between the support and the bottom plate.

[0007] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery pack comprising the above-mentioned battery box. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0008] The battery box provided by the present application sets a support member between the support and the bottom plate of the box body. By setting the above structure, the support member can make the edge of at least one side of the support directly connected with the bottom plate of the box body, so that the support does not need to be overlapped with a certain beam of the box body, thereby reducing the production material of the support, which can reduce the production cost of the support, facilitate the batch production of the support, facilitate the overlapping of the support with different box bodies, improve the applicability and scope of application of the support, and also avoid the situation that the poor flatness of the glue sealing surface of the support leads to sealing failure.

[0009] The battery pack provided by the application uses the battery box described above, and the applicability and application range of the battery pack are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The following drawings for the embodiments of the application are hereby incorporated into this application as part of the application for the purpose of understanding the application. The embodiments of the application and the description thereof shown in the drawings are used to explain the principles of the application. In the drawings,

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery box according to an embodiment;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a side view of the battery box according to an embodiment;

[0013] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of A in Fig. 2;

[0014] Fig. 4 is a structural view of a support according to an embodiment;

[0015] Fig. 5 is a side view of the support according to an embodiment.

[0016] In the above drawings, the following reference signs are used:

[0017] 10, box body; 11, accommodating cavity; 12, bottom plate; 13, pressure relief space;

[0018] 20, battery cell;

[0019] 30, support; 31, protruding part; 32, positioning hole;

[0020] 40, support; 41, first bending section; 42, second bending section; 421, accommodating groove. Embodiments of the application

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1-5, in a first aspect, an embodiment of the application provides a battery box, which comprises: a box body 10, a frame and a bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate surround to form an accommodating cavity 11, the accommodating cavity 11 is used for accommodating a battery cell 20; a support 30 is arranged in the accommodating cavity 11, the support 30 is used for receiving the battery cell 20; a support 40 is arranged on the plate surface of the bottom plate on the side facing the accommodating cavity 11, the support 40 supports the support 30, so that the interval between the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 forms a pressure relief space 13.

[0022] The technical scheme of the present application is applied to set the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 of the box body 10 between the support 40, through the setting of the above structure, the support 30 of at least one side of the edge is directly connected with the bottom plate 12 of the box body 10, thereby without the need of lap joint with the edge beam of the box body 10, thereby the production material of the support 30 can be reduced, so that the production cost of the support 30 can be reduced, so as to realize the batch production of the support 30, and the support 30 is also convenient for lap joint with different box bodies 10, thereby the applicability and application range of the support 30 are improved, and the situation that the sealing failure is caused by the poor flatness of the support 30 glue sealing surface is not caused.

[0023] In the embodiment of the present application, the box body 10 can be made of aluminum alloy or steel plate. Since the density of aluminum alloy is much smaller than that of traditional metal materials such as steel, the box body 10 made of aluminum alloy can significantly reduce the overall weight. This is particularly important for electric vehicles, as weight reduction can directly improve the vehicle's endurance, reduce energy consumption, and possibly improve the vehicle's handling and acceleration performance. Although the density of aluminum alloy is low, its strength is quite high, especially through reasonable alloying design and heat treatment process, its strength and stiffness can be further improved. This makes the aluminum alloy box body 10 able to withstand greater external forces and impacts, ensuring the safety and stability of the internal battery cells 20.

[0024] At the same time, a dense oxide film can be easily formed on the surface of aluminum alloy, which can effectively prevent air, moisture and other corrosive substances from eroding, thereby prolonging the service life of the box body 10. In addition, aluminum alloy can also be further enhanced its corrosion resistance through surface treatment processes such as anodizing and electrophoretic coating. Furthermore, aluminum alloy has good thermal conductivity, which is crucial for the thermal management of battery cells 20. During the charging and discharging process of battery cells 20, a large amount of heat is generated. If the heat cannot be dissipated in time, it will cause the temperature of battery cells 20 to be too high, affecting the performance and life of the battery. Therefore, the aluminum alloy box body 10 can help battery cells 20 dissipate heat better and keep battery cells 20 running within an appropriate temperature range. Aluminum alloy material has good plasticity and processing performance, and can be processed into various shapes and sizes of box bodies 10 through casting, extrusion, stamping and other processes. This makes the aluminum alloy box body 10 have greater flexibility in design, which can be customized and optimized according to specific needs. Aluminum alloy is a recyclable material with high recycling rate and less environmental impact during recycling. This conforms to the current environmental protection and sustainable development concept, which is one of the reasons why aluminum alloy box body 10 is favored.

[0025] When the material of the box 10 is selected as steel, stainless steel is usually used. The stainless steel battery box 10 exhibits significant advantages in multiple aspects. The stainless steel battery box has high strength and rigidity, can withstand large external pressure and impact, and ensures the stability and safety of the battery system during transportation and use. This high-strength characteristic enables the stainless steel battery box 10 to maintain its structural integrity in harsh environments or high-load conditions. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, effectively resisting corrosion in humid, acidic, and alkaline environments. This means that the stainless steel battery box 10 can be used for a long time in various harsh environments without corrosion or rust, thereby prolonging the service life of the battery system.

[0026] Further, the surface of the stainless steel battery box 10 is smooth and has no obvious defects, and has good processing performance. This makes the stainless steel battery box 10 not only beautiful and elegant in appearance, but also can adapt to the design requirements of various complex-shaped battery systems. At the same time, the surface of the stainless steel can be further improved in appearance and durability through wire drawing treatment or spraying process. Stainless steel has high electrical conductivity and insulation, which can effectively prevent electrical accidents. In the design of the battery box 10, safety measures such as explosion-proof and leakage-proof are usually considered to ensure the safe operation of the battery system. Due to its material properties, the stainless steel battery box 10 performs well in these aspects, providing users with a more secure and reliable battery solution. The surface of the stainless steel battery box 10 is smooth and not easy to adhere to dirt, so it is relatively easy to clean and maintain. This not only maintains the appearance of the box 10, but also reduces the risk of corrosion and damage caused by dirt accumulation. Stainless steel is a recyclable material with high recycling value. When the stainless steel battery box 10 reaches the end of its service life, it can be recycled and processed into new stainless steel products, realizing resource recycling and reducing environmental impact.

[0027] In this application, the bracket 30 is made of plastic. Because the manufacturing process of the plastic bracket 30 is relatively simple, it can be mass-produced through processes such as injection molding, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. This enables the overall cost of the battery system to be controlled, improving the competitiveness of the product. Compared with metal brackets 30, plastic brackets 30 have a lighter weight. In the field of electric vehicles and other lightweight design requirements, this advantage is particularly important because it helps to reduce the overall vehicle weight, improve energy utilization efficiency, and possibly extend the range. Plastic materials have good processing performance and can be easily processed into various shapes and sizes of brackets 30 through processes such as injection molding and cutting. At the same time, the installation of plastic brackets 30 is relatively simple and fast, improving production efficiency. Plastic brackets 30 have excellent insulation performance, which can effectively prevent short circuits and electrical leakage between the battery cells 20. This is crucial for the safe operation of the battery system and can reduce the risk of accidents caused by electrical faults.

[0028] Further, the plastic material generally has good corrosion resistance and wear resistance, and can resist the acid, alkali and other corrosive substances that may be encountered in the battery system and mechanical wear. This helps to prolong the service life of the battery system and reduce maintenance costs. The plastic bracket 30 can firmly fix the battery cell 20, prevent it from shaking and colliding during driving. At the same time, it can also effectively protect the battery cell 20 from damage and corrosion from the outside. This is of great significance to ensure the performance and stability of the battery system. Part of the plastic bracket 30 can effectively help the battery to dissipate heat through special design and material selection. This is of great significance to improve the working efficiency of the battery and prolong its service life. Especially during high-power discharge or charging process, good heat dissipation performance can maintain the normal working temperature range of the battery. The plastic material has relatively small environmental impact during processing and use, and some plastic materials such as flame-retardant PC / ABS also have good flame-retardant performance and environmental performance. This helps to promote the green development and sustainable development of the battery system.

[0029] In an embodiment, the support 40 includes a first bending section 41 and a second bending section 42 connected in sequence and arranged at an angle, one end of the first bending section 41 is connected with the bracket 30, and the other end of the second bending section 42 is connected with the bottom plate 12. In this way, the structural strength of the support 40 can be improved, thereby meeting the use requirements of the device. In this application, the end face of the second bending section 42 is connected with the bottom plate 12. The end face connection ensures the stability and reliability of the connection. At the same time, the end face connection can withstand a large torque and load, ensuring that the device will not fail due to connection problems during operation. This is of great significance to improve the working efficiency and service life of the device.

[0030] In an embodiment, the first bending section 41 extends along the height direction of the box body 10, and the second bending section 42 extends along the length direction of the box body 10 or the second bending section 42 extends along the width direction of the box body 10. In this way, not only can the connection requirements of the support 40 and the bottom plate 12 be met, but also the first bending section 41 and the second bending section 42 can be easily processed, thereby reducing the processing difficulty of the device.

[0031] In an embodiment, the included angle between the first bending section 41 and the second bending section 42 is a right angle. The right angle bending can provide more stable structural support, especially in situations where certain loads or forces need to be resisted, the right angle bending can effectively disperse and resist these forces, ensuring the stability of the structure. At the same time, the right angle bending can reduce the deformation of the material during the stress process, thereby maintaining the overall shape and dimensional accuracy of the product. Furthermore, the right angle bending is a standardized processing method, which is convenient for batch and standardized production on the production line, improving production efficiency.

[0032] Further, compared with other complex bending shapes, the right-angle bending processing technology is relatively simple, which can reduce processing time and cost. By adjusting the bending angle and size, the right-angle bending can meet the needs of different products for structure, appearance and function. The right-angle bending can form clear and neat lines and edges, improving the overall aesthetics of the product. The right-angle bending is easier to match and combine with the bottom plate 12 and the bracket 30, forming a unified and coordinated overall effect. The right-angle bending can maximize the use of materials, reducing material waste and thus reducing production cost. The mold design required for right-angle bending is relatively simple, which can reduce the cost of mold manufacturing and replacement.

[0033] In other embodiments of the present application, the included angle between the first bending section 41 and the second bending section 42 can also be set to other angles, and the specific setting should be selected according to the use environment of the device, so as to improve the applicability and application range of the device to meet the use requirements of the device.

[0034] In an embodiment, the spacing distance between the bottom plate 12 and the bracket 30 is D, and 3mm≤D≤12mm. When the spacing distance between the bottom plate 12 and the bracket 30 is greater than 12mm, it will cause the spacing between the bracket 30 and the bottom plate 12 to be too large, thereby increasing the occupied space of the bracket 30, which will cause the overall volume of the battery box to be too large, which is not conducive to the miniaturization development of the battery box 10. When the spacing distance between the bottom plate 12 and the bracket 30 is less than 3mm, it will cause the spacing between the bracket 30 and the bottom plate 12 to be too small, and the small pressure relief space 13 will limit the release speed of gas or liquid, causing the internal pressure of the system to be unable to be rapidly reduced, thereby affecting the pressure relief effect, which may cause the internal pressure of the system to be too high, causing damage to the structure of the battery cell 20. At the same time, the insufficient pressure relief space 13 may cause the system to generate overpressure during the pressure relief process. High pressure can cause damage to the components of the battery box 10, shorten the service life of the bracket 30 and the bottom plate 12, and even cause safety accidents. For environments with explosion hazards, insufficient pressure relief space 13 may increase the risk of explosion. When an explosion occurs, due to the insufficient pressure relief space 13, the explosion pressure cannot be rapidly released, which may cause more serious damage and casualties.

[0035] Further, insufficient pressure relief space 13 may cause a large airflow or liquid flow during the pressure relief process, thereby causing structural vibration of the battery box 10. Such vibration may adversely affect the stability and safety of the battery cell 20 and reduce the operating efficiency of the system.

[0036] In an embodiment, the second bending section 42 is provided with a receiving groove 421, and the opening of the receiving groove 421 is arranged towards the bottom plate 12. The receiving groove 421 is used to accommodate a connecting piece, and the second bending section 42 is connected to the bottom plate 12 through the connecting piece. By arranging the above structure, the space of the second bending section 42 can be reasonably utilized, thereby realizing the miniaturization development of the device. In the present application, the connecting piece is specifically an adhesive. Since the bonding process is relatively simple, it does not require complex equipment and tools, and the operation process is easy to master. At the same time, the equipment and process are simple, and a large amount of energy is not consumed during the bonding process, so the cost is relatively low. Furthermore, bonding can save rivets, bolts and other connecting pieces, further reducing the cost.

[0037] Further, the bonded product generally has good sealing performance, which can effectively prevent the penetration of air, moisture and stains, and protect the bonded parts. At the same time, the organic adhesive generally has good chemical stability, which can resist the erosion of various chemicals, ensuring the durability of the bonding effect. The bonding process can realize the bonding between metals, non-metals and other various materials, including metals, ceramics, plastics, rubbers, wood, etc. Thus, the application range of bonding can be improved. When using the bonding process, stress can be uniformly distributed on the entire bonding surface, avoiding the stress concentration problem caused by traditional spot welding, riveting, bolt fixing and other methods. This helps to prolong the service life of the parts and improve their reliability. And there is no high temperature generated during the bonding process, so it will not affect the metallographic structure of the workpiece and will not cause deformation and stress concentration phenomenon. The bonding process can provide good fatigue resistance, so that the bonded parts can maintain stable performance under repeated stress. Some adhesives have good corrosion resistance, which can resist the erosion of various corrosive media, ensuring the service life of the bonded parts in harsh environments. The bonding process can save some connecting pieces and supporting structures, thereby reducing the weight of the overall structure.

[0038] Of course, in other embodiments of the present application, the second bending section 42 and the bottom plate 12 can also be arranged to be welded. The welding is to make the material melt and fuse with other materials through the conduction of heat energy, forming a continuous structural connection. This connection method can form a larger contact area on the connection surface, so it has better firmness and shock resistance. The welded connection will not loosen due to heavy load, vibration or temperature change, thereby effectively enhancing the structural strength and stability of the workpiece.

[0039] In the welding process, the molten material fills the gaps and micro-pores of the joint, forming a continuous structural connection. This metal connection can prevent the penetration of gas, liquid and solid, ensuring the normal operation of the workpiece. The welded joint has good sealing performance and can meet the needs of some special working environments or equipment that require sealing. The welded joint can be flush with the surface of the workpiece, and the shape of the welded joint is diverse, which can meet the needs of different structures and shapes. Welding can also repair and improve the surface of the workpiece, improving the overall appearance quality of the workpiece. The appearance quality of the welded joint is crucial for some products and equipment that require high aesthetics. Welding can not only connect the same materials, but also connect different materials. In the manufacturing and assembly of large equipment, welding can organically combine profiles and forged parts according to specific requirements. In addition, welding parameters can be controlled by computers, which facilitates batch production of welding and improves production efficiency. Welding does not weaken the cross-section of the component, which can save materials. At the same time, the cost of the welded structure is relatively low, because the welding process is relatively simple, the processing is simple, and it is easy to adopt automatic production, thereby reducing the production cost. There is no strong noise during welding construction, and the labor conditions are relatively good. In addition, the welding process is relatively simple and easy to master and operate, so welding has become a widely used processing technology.

[0040] In an embodiment, the bracket 30 further comprises a protruding part 31, which is arranged on the side of the bracket 30 away from the bottom plate 12, and the protruding part 31 is used to accommodate the battery cell 20. In this application, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 20 is too large and causes the rupture of the explosion-proof valve, the protruding part 31 will be extruded, causing the protruding part 31 to rupture, and the gas inside the battery cell 20 can enter the pressure relief channel from the protruding part 31, thereby avoiding the risk of explosion of the battery cell 20.

[0041] In an embodiment, the support 30 is further provided with a positioning hole 32, and the support 30 is connected with the bottom plate 12 through the positioning hole 32. In this application, the support 30 is connected with the bottom plate 12 through the positioning hole 32. Through the positioning hole 32, the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 can be accurately docked together during assembly, realizing precise assembly of the whole. This is of great significance to improving the stability and reliability of the assembly. Furthermore, the positioning hole 32 is used in cooperation with connecting pieces such as positioning pins and bolts, which can enhance the connection strength and stability between the support 30 and the bottom plate 12. The presence of the positioning hole 32 enables the connecting pieces to be more firmly fixed at the predetermined position, avoiding the problems of loose or failed connection caused by positional deviation. At the same time, the positioning hole 32 can also disperse the force borne by the connecting pieces, improving the carrying capacity and durability of the overall structure. During the assembly of the assembly, the presence of the positioning hole 32 can greatly simplify the assembly process. Through the cooperation of the positioning hole 32 and the connecting pieces such as positioning pins, the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 can be quickly and accurately assembled together, reducing the assembly time and labor cost. In addition, the positioning hole 32 can also reduce the error rate during assembly, improving the assembly efficiency and quality. The precise positioning function of the positioning hole 32 helps to improve the overall precision and performance of the support 30 and the bottom plate 12. By accurately controlling the position and size of the positioning hole 32, it can be ensured that the relative position between the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 remains unchanged during operation, thereby improving the motion precision and stability of the assembly. This is particularly important for mechanical equipment that requires high precision and stability. During the use of the device, it is inevitable that parts will be damaged or need to be replaced. The presence of the positioning hole 32 makes it more convenient and fast to replace parts. Through the cooperation of the positioning hole 32 and the connecting pieces, damaged parts can be quickly removed and new parts can be installed, reducing maintenance time and downtime losses.

[0042] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a battery pack, comprising the battery box described above.

[0043] By applying the technical scheme of the present application, the support 30 and the bottom plate 12 of the box body 10 are connected through the support 40. Through the above structure, the edge of at least one side of the support 30 is directly connected with the bottom plate 12 of the box body 10, so that the support 30 does not need to be overlapped with a certain edge beam of the box body 10, thereby reducing the production materials of the support 30, which can reduce the production cost of the support 30, so as to realize the batch production of the support 30.

[0044] The processes and steps described in all the above embodiments are only examples. Unless an adverse effect occurs, various processing operations can be performed in a different order from the above processes. The order of steps of the above processes can also be added, combined or deleted according to actual needs.

[0045] The term "comprising," as used in this application, means "including," "containing," or "characterized by" and should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It should be understood that the term "comprising" also means "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" in this application. The term "comprising" also includes the term "including".

[0046] The term "attached" or "attach" as used herein includes a construction of one element to another by an affixing means that directly or indirectly connects the first element to the second element; a construction of one element to another where the intervening element is configured to mechanically or electrically connect the first element to the second element; and a construction of one element to another where the first element is an integral part of the second element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning, such as "connected," "coupled," "joined," "engage," "linking," "mounting," "bonding," "fixed," and their derivatives. Finally, the degree terms such as "substantially," "approximately," and "about" when used herein with any aspect of the present application mean unmodified reasonable amounts of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in the description herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The features described in one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment, unless the features are not compatible with the other embodiment or are otherwise stated to be not applicable.

[0048] The present application has been described by way of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and are not intended to limit the present application to the embodiments described. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the above embodiments and that various modifications and changes can be made thereto based on the teachings of the present application, and that such modifications and changes are within the scope of the present application claimed.

Claims

1. A battery box, comprising: a box body having a frame and a bottom plate, the frame and the bottom plate surrounding a receiving cavity for receiving a battery cell; a bracket arranged in the receiving cavity, the bracket for receiving the battery cell; a support arranged on a plate surface of the bottom plate facing the receiving cavity, the support supporting the bracket to form a pressure relief space between the bracket and the bottom plate.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, The support comprises a first bending section and a second bending section connected in sequence and arranged at an angle, one end of the first bending section being connected with the bracket, and the other end of the second bending section being connected with the bottom plate.

3. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein, The first bending section extends along a height direction of the box body, and the second bending section extends along a length direction of the box body or the second bending section extends along a width direction of the box body.

4. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein, An included angle between the first bending section and the second bending section is a right angle.

5. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, A distance between the bottom plate and the bracket is D, and 3mm≤D≤12mm.

6. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein, An accommodating groove is arranged on the second bending section, an opening of the accommodating groove facing the bottom plate, the accommodating groove being used for accommodating a connecting piece, and the second bending section being connected with the bottom plate through the connecting piece.

7. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The bracket and the support are integrally injection molded.

8. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The bracket further comprises a protruding portion arranged on a side of the bracket away from the bottom plate, the protruding portion being used for receiving the battery cell.

9. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein, The bracket further comprises a positioning hole, and the bracket is positioned and connected with the bottom plate through the positioning hole.

10. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The box body can be made of aluminum alloy or steel plate.

11. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The bracket is made of plastic.

12. The battery box of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, An end surface of the second bending section is connected with the bottom plate.

13. The battery pack of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The connecting piece comprises adhesive. 14.A battery pack comprising the battery box according to any one of claims 1-13.

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