Battery module

Abstract

The present application provides a battery module. The bottom of a battery cell is fixed to a box bottom, and the top of the battery cell is fixed to a fixing frame. Since the fixing frame is connected to a box wall and is supported on the box bottom by means of the box wall, the top of the battery cell is also fixed to a box body. By means of the present solution, both the top and the bottom of the battery cell can be reliably fixed, thereby improving the overall safety of the battery module. In addition, the solution occupies less space between the battery cell and an accommodating recess, such that the space can be used for being filled with a liquid medium, thereby being applicable to a direct-contact immersion battery cell thermal management solution.

Description

A battery module

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024224862644, filed on October 14, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a battery module. Background Technology

[0003] In related technologies, for cylindrical battery modules that use indirect contact cooling with a cold plate, the cell is fixed as follows: the bottom of the cell is connected to the cell bracket by applying adhesive, one side of the cell is connected to the cold plate by thermally conductive adhesive, and the remaining parts not connected to the cold plate are connected by expanding foam, thereby fixing the cell. Technical issues

[0004] When the thermal management method of the cylindrical battery module is direct contact immersion liquid cooling, the cells are mainly fixed to the casing by expanding foam. The space between the cells and the casing is filled with expanding foam, resulting in no space to accommodate the liquid medium. Furthermore, the expanding foam cannot achieve the ideal fixing effect in the liquid medium, so the conventional fixing method is no longer applicable. Technical solutions

[0005] This application provides a battery module, including:

[0006] The enclosure includes a bottom and walls, which together define a receiving slot.

[0007] The mounting bracket is connected to the container wall and supported above the bottom of the container by the container wall.

[0008] The battery cell is placed in the receiving tank, with its bottom connected to the bottom of the box and its top connected to the fixing bracket.

[0009] Optionally, a first electrode is provided on the top of the battery cell, and a first electrode hole is provided on the mounting bracket. The first electrode hole is positioned opposite to the first electrode so that the first electrode protrudes from the first electrode hole.

[0010] Optionally, the mounting bracket has a fixing position around the first electrode hole, and the battery cell is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket through the fixing position.

[0011] Optionally, the fixing position is a glue-applying hole, and two glue-applying holes are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first electrode hole.

[0012] Optionally, a support surface is provided on the top surface of the box wall, and the edge of the fixing frame overlaps on the support surface and is fixedly connected to the support surface.

[0013] Optionally, the edge of the mounting bracket is provided with holes, and the mounting bracket is fixedly connected to the support surface through adhesive in the holes.

[0014] Optionally, a second electrode hole is provided at the bottom of the box, and the second electrode hole is positioned opposite to the second electrode of the battery cell so that the second electrode protrudes from the second electrode hole.

[0015] Optionally, a glue-applying groove is provided around the second electrode hole, and the battery cell is fixedly connected to the bottom of the casing by the adhesive in the glue-applying groove.

[0016] Optionally, the bottom of the box is provided with a limiting groove that matches the shape of the battery cell, and the battery cell is placed in the limiting groove.

[0017] Optionally, a top cover is also included, which is located on the top of the box and is sealed to the box.

[0018] Optionally, the containment tank is filled with a liquid medium. Beneficial effects

[0019] The battery module provided in this application has its bottom cell fixed to the bottom of the casing, and its top cell fixed to a mounting bracket. Since the mounting bracket is connected to the casing wall and supported by the casing wall on the bottom of the casing, the top of the cell is also fixed to the casing. This solution reliably fixes both the top and bottom of the cell, improving the overall safety of the battery module. Furthermore, this solution occupies less space between the cell and the receiving tank, allowing this space to be used for filling with a liquid medium, thus making it suitable for direct-contact, immersion-type cell thermal management solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a battery module provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 is a top view of the battery module shown in Figure 1;

[0022] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module shown in Figure 1.

[0023] Icons: Box 100, Second electrode hole 101, Glue application groove 102, Enclosure wall 103, Sealing groove 104, Battery cell 200, First electrode 201, Second electrode 202, Fixing bracket 300, First electrode hole 301, Hole position 302, Glue application hole 303, Top cover 400, Liquid medium 500. Embodiments of the present invention

[0024] Immersion-type cell thermal management refers to a battery module where the cells are in direct contact with a liquid medium. The cells are immersed in the liquid, allowing the liquid to carry away heat for cooling, or it can heat the cells, thus achieving thermal management. Because the immersion liquid is in direct contact with the cells, thermal management performance is greatly improved, resulting in smaller temperature differences between cells during charging and discharging, thereby extending the battery module's lifespan. Furthermore, in the event of thermal runaway in a single cell, the immersion liquid can quickly remove heat, reducing the risk of thermal propagation within the battery module.

[0025] To ensure effective thermal management, the battery cell should have as much contact area as possible with the liquid medium. Current battery cell fixing methods do not meet this requirement because they primarily rely on expanding foam for fixation. This foam fills the space between the cell and the casing, leaving no room for the liquid medium, and the expanding foam itself does not provide adequate fixation in the liquid medium.

[0026] This application provides a battery module that is suitable for immersion-type cell thermal management solutions, enabling the cells to be well fixed in a liquid medium. Referring to Figures 1-3, Figures 1-3 show one embodiment of the battery module provided in this application.

[0027] In one embodiment, the battery module provided in this application may include a housing 100, a mounting bracket 300, and battery cells 200. The housing 100 may include a bottom and walls, with the walls surrounding the bottom. The bottom and walls together define a receiving groove, providing a receiving space of a certain depth. The mounting bracket 300 may be connected to the walls and supported at a certain height. In other words, the mounting bracket 300 may be mounted on the receiving groove, with its edges connected to the walls, thus being fixed at a certain height within the receiving groove under the support of the walls. Battery cells 200 may be disposed in the receiving groove. Specifically, the bottom of the battery cell 200 may be connected to the bottom of the housing, and the top of the battery cell 200 may be connected to the mounting bracket 300. In one embodiment, there may be multiple battery cells 200, which may be arranged in the receiving groove, for example, in several rows of battery cells 200, each row consisting of multiple battery cells 200 arranged in a straight line.

[0028] The battery module provided in this application has its bottom cell fixed to the bottom of the casing, and its top cell fixed to a mounting bracket. Since the mounting bracket is connected to the casing wall and supported by the casing wall on the bottom of the casing, the top of the cell is also fixed to the casing. This solution reliably fixes both the top and bottom of the cell, improving the overall safety of the battery module. Furthermore, this solution occupies less space between the cell and the receiving tank, allowing this space to be used for filling with a liquid medium, thus making it suitable for direct-contact, immersion-type cell thermal management solutions.

[0029] It should be noted that the fixed connection or fixation of the two components described in this application refers to the fact that the two components can form a fixed effect after being connected. As to whether such connection is detachable or non-detachable, this application does not limit it. That is, the connection and fixation of the two components by means of screws or other detachable means also falls under the category of the fixed connection or fixation of the two components described in this application.

[0030] The battery cell 200 includes a first electrode 201 and a second electrode 202, one of which is the positive electrode and the other is the negative electrode. The first electrode 201 can be located at the top of the battery cell 200, and the second electrode 202 can be located at the bottom of the battery cell 200. Taking a cylindrical battery cell 200 as an example, the top of the cylindrical battery cell 200 has a protruding positive electrode, and the bottom has a negative electrode. A first electrode hole 301 can be provided on the mounting bracket 300, and the first electrode hole 301 can be positioned opposite to the first electrode 201 of the battery cell 200 so that the first electrode 201 protrudes from the first electrode hole 301. Correspondingly, a second electrode hole 102 can be provided at the bottom of the casing, and the second electrode hole 102 can be positioned opposite to the second electrode 202 of the battery cell 200 so that the second electrode 202 protrudes from the second electrode hole 102. By setting the first electrode hole 301 and the second electrode hole 102, the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cell 200 can be exposed and will not be blocked, thus facilitating the series and parallel connection of each battery cell 200.

[0031] In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 300 may be a plate-like structure that is fixedly connected to the box wall through an edge region and fixedly connected to the top of the battery cell 200 through other regions besides the edge region.

[0032] There are several ways to fix the bracket 300 to the box wall. In one example, the bracket 300 can overlap the top of the box wall, meaning the top of the box wall can have a support surface, allowing the edge of the bracket 300 to overlap the support surface. As shown in Figure 3, holes 302 can be made on the edge of the bracket 300. By applying adhesive to the holes 302, the bracket 300 can be fixed to the box wall through the adhesive in the holes 302. Here, the holes 302 can be oblong holes as shown in Figure 2, or other shapes; this application does not limit this. In another example, the bracket 300 may not be located on the top surface of the receiving groove. For example, a horizontal groove can be made on the box wall below the top surface of the receiving groove. A locking block can be provided on the edge of the bracket 300, and the bracket 300 can be connected to the box wall by inserting the locking block into the horizontal groove.

[0033] There are several ways to fix the mounting bracket 300 to the top of the battery cell 200. In one embodiment, a fixing position can be provided around the first electrode hole 301 of the fixing plate, and the battery cell 200 is connected to the mounting bracket 300 through the fixing position. In one example, the fixing position can be a fixing hole, through which the top surface of the battery cell 200 can be connected to the fixing plate. For example, a screw or other fastener can be used to connect the battery cell 200 to the top surface through the fixing hole, or glue can be applied to the fixing hole to fix the mounting bracket 300 and the battery cell 200. As shown in Figure 3, the fixing hole can be a glue-applying hole 303. Two glue-applying holes 303 can be provided on opposite sides of each first electrode hole 301. In this way, both sides of the top electrode of the battery cell 200 can be fixed to the mounting bracket 300 through the glue in the glue-applying hole 303, and the top of the battery cell 200 can achieve a better fixing effect. Here, the glue-applying hole 303 can be an arc-shaped opening, or it can be an opening of other shapes. This application does not limit this.

[0034] In other examples, the fixing point may not be a hole structure; for example, it can be a planar structure. By applying adhesive to the top surface of the battery cell 200, the fixing point is directly attached to the top surface of the battery cell 200 to achieve fixation. In yet another example, the fixing point can also be equipped with a snap-fit ​​structure. This snap-fit ​​structure cooperates with the corresponding snap-fit ​​structure on the top surface of the battery cell 200 to achieve fixation between the fixing frame 300 and the battery cell 200.

[0035] There are several ways to fix the bottom of the battery cell 200 to the bottom of the casing. In one embodiment, a glue-applying groove 103 can be provided around the second electrode hole 102 on the bottom of the casing. After the glue-applying groove 103 is filled with adhesive, the bottom of the battery cell 200 can be fixedly connected to the bottom of the casing by the adhesive, and the adhesive connection also achieves a seal between the bottom of the battery cell 200 and the bottom of the casing. In other embodiments, a through hole can be provided on the bottom of the casing, and the bottom of the battery cell 200 can be fixedly connected to the bottom of the casing by inserting screws or other fasteners through the through hole.

[0036] To prevent the battery cell 200 from shifting within the receiving slot, in one embodiment, the bottom of the housing 100 is provided with a limiting groove matching the shape of the battery cell 200, and the battery cell 200 is disposed within the limiting groove. Specifically, a retaining wall 104 can be provided at the bottom of the housing. The retaining wall 104 is a protruding structure higher than the bottom of the housing, which encloses a limiting groove matching the shape of the bottom of the battery cell 200. The bottom of the battery cell 200 is inserted into the limiting groove and is limited by the limiting groove to prevent shifting.

[0037] In one embodiment, the battery module further includes a top cover 400, which is disposed on the top of the housing 100 and is sealed to the housing 100. There are various ways to achieve a sealed connection. For example, a sealing groove 105 can be provided on the top of the housing wall. The sealing groove 105 can be filled with sealant or a sealing ring can be provided. After the top cover 400 is placed on the top of the housing wall, a seal can be achieved.

[0038] Understandably, the receiving tank can be filled with a liquid medium, which can cool or heat the battery cell 200. Furthermore, the battery module can be designed with flow channels for the liquid medium. During operation, a liquid pump and heat exchanger located outside the battery module allow the liquid medium to circulate within the module, thus regulating the temperature of the battery cell 200.

[0039] In one embodiment, the housing 100 may be made of plastic, and the molding process may be injection molding. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 300 may be made of plastic, such as PC+ABS, and the molding process may be injection molding. In one embodiment, the adhesive may be structural adhesive. In one embodiment, the battery cell 200 may be a cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0040] The battery module provided in this application has its bottom cell fixed to the bottom of the casing, and its top cell fixed to a mounting bracket. Since the mounting bracket is connected to the casing wall and supported by the casing wall on the bottom of the casing, the top of the cell is also fixed to the casing. This solution reliably fixes both the top and bottom of the cell, improving the overall safety of the battery module. Furthermore, this solution occupies less space between the cell and the receiving tank, allowing this space to be used for filling with a liquid medium, thus making it suitable for direct-contact, immersion-type cell thermal management solutions.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A housing, the housing including a bottom and a wall, the bottom and the wall together defining a receiving slot; A fixing frame is connected to the box wall and supported above the box bottom by the box wall; A battery cell is disposed in the receiving slot, with the bottom of the battery cell connected to the bottom of the box and the top of the battery cell connected to the fixing frame.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The top of the battery cell is provided with a first electrode, and the fixing frame is provided with a first electrode hole. The first electrode hole is arranged opposite to the first electrode so that the first electrode is exposed from the first electrode hole.

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, The mounting bracket has a fixing position around the first electrode hole, and the battery cell is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket through the fixing position.

4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The fixing position is a glue-applying hole, and two glue-applying holes are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the first electrode hole.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The top surface of the box wall is provided with a support surface, and the edge of the fixing frame overlaps on the support surface and is fixedly connected to the support surface.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein, The edge of the fixing frame is provided with holes, and the fixing frame is fixedly connected to the support surface through adhesive in the holes.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the box is provided with a second electrode hole, which is positioned opposite to the second electrode of the battery cell, so that the second electrode is exposed from the second electrode hole.

8. The battery module of claim 7, wherein, A glue-applying groove is provided around the second electrode hole, and the battery cell is fixedly connected to the bottom of the box by the adhesive in the glue-applying groove.

9. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The bottom of the box is provided with a limiting groove that matches the shape of the battery cell, and the battery cell is placed in the limiting groove.

10. The battery module according to any one of claims 1-9 further includes a top cover, the top cover being disposed on the top of the housing and sealed to the housing.

11. The battery module according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the receiving tank is filled with a liquid medium.

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