CN109728213B

CN109728213B - Battery box

Info

Publication number: CN109728213B
Application number: CN201711047076.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张文辉; 张上富; 钱木
Original assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-31
Filing date: 2017-10-31
Publication date: 2020-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-31
Also published as: CN109728213A

Abstract

The invention relates to a battery box. The battery box includes: the shell comprises a bottom plate and a side plate; a first battery unit disposed on the base plate; a second battery unit disposed in the case and stacked with the first battery unit in a first direction; the first battery unit comprises a plurality of first battery modules which are arranged side by side along a second direction, a first upper cover of each first battery module is back to the bottom plate, and the first direction is vertical to the second direction; the second battery unit comprises a plurality of second battery modules which are arranged in a second direction, and a second upper cover of each second battery module faces the side plate; the number of the second battery modules is greater than that of the first battery modules. The battery box provided by the embodiment of the invention is provided with the first battery unit and the second battery unit which are arranged in different manners, and the first battery unit and the second battery unit are more compact in structure, so that the space in the battery box can be fully utilized, and the whole structure of the battery box is compact.

Description

Battery box

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of power batteries, in particular to a battery box.

Background

With the continuous development of science and technology, the application of the power battery in daily production and life is more and more extensive. In the related technology, for a battery system, the battery system can be divided into a battery box, a battery module and single batteries in sequence from high to low according to the system level, most of the battery modules produced by domestic and foreign lithium battery manufacturers take the single batteries as the minimum unit, namely, the single batteries are firstly produced and are matched with corresponding protection devices, and then the battery modules are assembled by a plurality of single batteries in a parallel and series connection mode. The battery boxes are formed by a plurality of battery modules. In the prior art, each battery module in the battery box is directly stacked up and down, so that the space utilization rate is low.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a battery box which is provided with a first battery unit and a second battery unit which are arranged in different manners, wherein the first battery unit and the second battery unit are more compact in structure, so that the space in the battery box can be fully utilized, and the whole structure of the battery box is compact.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a battery box, including: the shell comprises a bottom plate and a side plate; a first battery unit disposed on the base plate; a second battery unit disposed in the case and stacked with the first battery unit in a first direction; the first battery unit comprises a plurality of first battery modules which are arranged side by side along a second direction, a first upper cover of each first battery module is back to the bottom plate, and the first direction is vertical to the second direction; the second battery unit includes and arranges a plurality of second battery module that set up along the second direction, and the second upper cover of every second battery module all faces the curb plate.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the second battery unit includes at least one combined body formed by assembling two adjacent second battery modules by the fastening member.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, each of the combinations includes two adjacent second battery modules having their respective second upper covers disposed opposite to each other.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the second battery module includes a second end plate, and the second end plates of two adjacent second battery modules included in each combined body are connected and fixed by a fastener.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the battery box further includes a connection bracket, and the second battery unit is detachably connected to the first battery unit through the connection bracket.

According to one aspect of the embodiment of the invention, the connecting bracket comprises a cross beam and a plurality of support legs connected with the cross beam, the support legs are arranged side by side at intervals along the length direction of the cross beam, the first battery unit is detachably connected with the support legs, and the second battery unit is detachably connected with the cross beam.

According to one aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, each of the legs includes a positioning plate connected to the cross member and a connecting plate connected to the positioning plate, each of the connecting plates is located on the same side of the cross member, and the leg is positioned at the first battery unit through the positioning plate and detachably connected to the first battery unit through the connecting plate.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the first battery module includes a first end plate connected to the first upper cover thereof, and each of the legs is positioned on the first end plate by the positioning plate and connected to the first end plate by the connection plate.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the invention, each first battery module is detachably connected with two adjacent support legs.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the invention, a yield gap is formed between two adjacent support legs, and each first battery module includes an output pole corresponding to the yield gap.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the second battery module includes a second end plate coupled to a second upper cover thereof, and the second end plate is detachably coupled to the cross member.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the second end plate of each of the second battery modules has a fixing portion detachably connected to the cross member, and the fixing portion of each of the second battery modules is connected to the cross member.

According to an aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the number of the second battery modules is greater than the number of the first battery modules.

According to the battery box provided by the embodiment of the invention, the first battery module and the second battery module are arranged in a stacked manner, and the mounting manner of the first battery module is different from that of the second battery module, so that the limited mounting space in the battery box is effectively and fully utilized, and the whole structure of the battery box is compact.

Drawings

Features, advantages and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a battery box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a partial structural schematic view of a battery box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is an exploded view illustrating a connection structure of two adjacent second battery modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of a connecting bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

1. A battery box;

10. a housing; 101. a bottom plate 102, side plates; 103. a top cover;

20. a first battery cell; 201. a first battery module; 201a, a first upper cover; 201b, a first side coaming; 201c, a first end plate;

30. a second battery cell; 301. a second battery module; 301a, a second upper cover; 301b, a second side coaming; 301c, a second end plate; 301d, a fixing portion;

40. connecting a bracket; 401. a cross beam; 402. a support leg; 402a, a positioning plate; 402b, a connecting plate; 402c, a yield gap;

x, a first direction; y, second direction.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and examples. The following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are provided to illustrate the principles of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, i.e., the invention is not limited to the described embodiments.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "front," "rear," and the like are used for convenience in describing the invention and for simplicity in description, and do not indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must be in a particular orientation, constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

The terms of orientation appearing in the following description are directions shown in the drawings and do not limit the specific structure of the battery case of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood as appropriate to those of ordinary skill in the art.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a battery case 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 5.

Fig. 1 and 2 schematically show the structure of a battery case 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a battery case 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case 10, a first battery cell 20 disposed in the case 10, and a second battery cell 30 disposed in the case 10 and stacked with the first battery cell 20. The housing 10 includes a bottom plate 101, side plates 102, and a top cover 103. The bottom plate 101, the side plate 102 and the top cover 103 can enclose to form a containing cavity. The first battery cell 20 is disposed on a surface of the bottom plate 101 facing the receiving cavity. The first battery cell 20 and the second battery cell 30 are stacked in the first direction X. The first direction X refers to a direction perpendicular to the base plate 101.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an assembled state of the first battery module 201 with the case 10. As shown in fig. 3, the first battery unit 20 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of first battery modules 201. The plurality of first battery modules 201 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. The second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The second direction Y refers to a direction parallel to the base plate 101. Each of the first battery modules 201 includes a first upper cover 201a, a first side fence 201b, and a first end plate 201 c. The bottom of each first battery module 201 is in contact with the surface of the bottom plate 101 of the case 10. The first end plate 201c of each first battery module 201 is fixedly coupled to the base plate 101 by a fastener. The first end plate 201c may be provided with bolt mounting holes, and the first end plate 201c and the bottom plate 101 may be fixed by bolts. The first upper cover 201a of each first battery module 201 faces away from the bottom plate 101 of the case 10. The back direction here means that the first upper cover 201a is directed away from the bottom plate 101.

The second battery unit 30 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of second battery modules 301. The plurality of second battery modules 301 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. Each second battery module 301 includes a second upper cover 301a, a first side enclosure 301b, and a second end plate 301 c. The second upper cover 301a of each second battery module 301 faces the side plate 102 of the case 10. The second upper cover 301a of each second battery module 301 is disposed adjacent to the first upper cover 201a of the first battery module 201.

Compared with the installation manner that the second upper covers 301a of the first battery module 201 and the second battery module 301 are oppositely stacked on the bottom plate 101 of the housing 10 in a one-to-one correspondence manner in the prior art, the installation manner of the first battery module 201 and the second battery module 301 in the embodiment of the invention can more fully utilize the installation space in the housing 10, so that the overall structure of the battery box 1 is compact.

The number of the second battery modules 301 of the present embodiment is greater than the number of the first battery modules 201. The first battery module 201 and the second battery module 301 according to the embodiment of the present invention can increase the total number of the first battery module 201 and the second battery module 301 on the basis of fully utilizing the installation space in the housing 10, thereby effectively increasing the overall energy density of the battery box 1.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a combination assembled by two adjacent second battery modules 301. Referring to fig. 2 and 4, the second battery module 301 of the present embodiment includes at least one combined body formed by assembling two adjacent second battery modules 301 by using a fastening member. The number of the second battery modules 301 may be odd or even. Two adjacent second battery module 301 that include in the assembly connection state are more stable, can accept external vibration and do not take place the separation, improve battery box 1's whole mechanical strength and use safety.

In one embodiment, the second upper covers 301a of the two adjacent second battery modules 301 included in each combined body are disposed opposite to each other. Like this, the positive output pole and the negative output pole of two adjacent second battery modules 301 all face towards the external environment to easily positive output pole and negative output pole are connected fixedly with outside conducting member respectively, also make the positive output pole of one in two second battery modules 301 keep apart with the positive output pole of another and the negative output pole of one and the negative output pole of another simultaneously, can not take place the electricity condition of connecting each other, guarantee the security of two second battery modules 301 use.

In one embodiment, the second battery module 301 includes a second end plate 301c disposed adjacent to the second upper cover 301a thereof. The respective end portions of the adjacent two second battery modules 301 included in each combined body are connected and fixed by the fasteners. Optionally, the second end plate 301c is provided with a mounting hole. The axis of the mounting hole is perpendicular to the second upper cover 301 a. Bolts are inserted through the mounting holes in the second end plates 301c of the two second battery modules 301, and nuts are screwed onto the ends through which the bolts extend.

In one embodiment, a thermal pad is disposed between two adjacent second battery modules 301 included in each assembly, or a predetermined heat dissipation gap is maintained, so as to ensure effective heat dissipation of the two adjacent second battery modules 301, and avoid the second battery modules 301 from having an excessively high temperature due to heat concentration.

The battery box 1 of the present embodiment further includes a connecting bracket 40. The second battery cell 30 is connected to the first battery cell 20 by a connection bracket 40. The first battery cell 20, the connection member, and the second battery cell 30 are stacked in the first direction X, that is, in order in a direction away from the bottom plate 101 of the case 10. The connecting bracket 40 supports the second battery unit 30 so as to keep a predetermined interval between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30, on one hand, effective heat dissipation of the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 is ensured, and heat is prevented from being concentrated between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 to cause overheating inside the battery box 1; on the other hand, the connection bracket 40 can maintain the relative positions of the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 in a stable state, improve the mechanical strength of the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30, and avoid the occurrence of failure in short-circuit electrical connection between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 due to external vibration.

Optionally, each first battery module 201 and each second battery module 301 are detachably connected to the connecting bracket 40, so that the positional stability of each first battery module 201 and each second battery module 301 is improved, and when excessive vibration is encountered, a short circuit situation does not occur between two adjacent first battery modules 201 or second battery modules 301. The first battery module 201 and the second battery module 301 are spaced apart from each other to maintain good heat dissipation.

Optionally, two connecting brackets 40 are provided between the first battery cell 20 and the second battery cell 30. Two connecting brackets 40 are spaced side-by-side. The two connecting brackets 40 are respectively arranged along a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y at intervals. The first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 are connected by the two connecting brackets 40, so that the mechanical strength of the first battery unit 20, the second battery unit 30 and the connecting brackets 40 can be improved, and the connection stability of the first battery unit 20, the second battery unit 30 and the connecting brackets 40 is ensured.

Fig. 5 schematically shows the structure of the connecting bracket 40 of the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 5, the connecting bracket 40 of the present embodiment includes a cross member 401 having a predetermined length and width, and a plurality of legs 402 connected to the cross member 401. A plurality of legs 402 are spaced apart side by side along the length of the beam 401. The first battery unit 20 is detachably connected to the legs 402. The second battery cell 30 is detachably connected to the cross member 401. The weight of the second battery cell 30 is transferred to the first battery cell 20 by the cross member 401 and the legs 402. In addition, when vibration occurs from the outside, the vibration is absorbed by the cross member 401 and the legs 402, and the position deviation of the second battery cell 30 due to the vibration is prevented from being excessively large. Alternatively, the legs 402 are fixedly connected to the first battery module 201, and the cross member 401 is fixedly connected to the second battery module 301.

Each of the legs 402 of the present embodiment includes a positioning plate 402a and a connecting plate 402b connected to the positioning plate 402 a. The legs 402 are connected to the cross member 401 by a positioning plate 402 a. Preferably, the connecting plate 402b is perpendicular to the positioning plate 402 a. The connecting plate 402b is disposed in the area of the positioning plate 402a near the top thereof. Each connection plate 402b is located on the same side of the beam 401. The connection bracket 40 is accurately positioned at a predetermined position of the first battery cell 20 by the positioning plate 402a of the leg 402 and is fixedly connected to the first battery cell 20 by the connection plate 402 b. Optionally, a reinforcing rib is further disposed between the connecting plate 402b and the positioning plate 402a to improve the strength of the supporting leg 402. The connecting bracket 40 may be an integrally formed structure, that is, the cross beam 401 and the support leg 402 are integrally formed, or may be a separate structure, that is, the cross beam 401 and the support leg 402 may be separately manufactured and then assembled.

In one embodiment, the first battery module 201 includes a first end plate 201c disposed adjacent to the first upper cover 201a thereof. The support legs 402 are positioned at the first end plate 201c by the positioning plate 402a and are connected to the first end plate 201c of the first battery module 201 by the connecting plate 402 b. In one example, the positioning plate 402a of the stand bar 402 contacts a surface of the first end plate 201c perpendicular to the first upper cover 201a, and the connecting plate 402b of the stand bar 402 contacts a surface of the first end plate 201c facing the first upper cover 201a, so that the stand bar 402 is accurately positioned to a predetermined position of the first end plate 201c of the first battery module 201. A surface of the first end plate 201c of the first battery module 201 perpendicular to the first upper cover 201a and a surface facing the first upper cover 201a are disposed adjacent to each other. The first end plate 201c of the first battery module 201 is provided with a through-hole. The axis of the through-hole is perpendicular to the first upper cover 201a of the first battery module 201. The connecting plate 402b of the leg 402 is provided with a through hole. Bolts are sequentially inserted through the through holes of the connecting plate 402b and the through holes of the first end plate 201c and then screwed to the bottom plate 101 of the casing 10. The first battery module 201 includes two first end plates 201c disposed opposite to each other. When the number of the connecting brackets 40 is two, two first end plates 201c are respectively connected and fixed to one connecting bracket 40.

Alternatively, each of the first battery modules 201 is detachably connected to two adjacent legs 402. The two support legs 402 are respectively connected and fixed with the first end plate 201c of the first battery module 201, so that the connection rigidity of the connecting bracket 40 and the first battery module 201 is improved, and the looseness of the connection part of the first battery module 201 and the connecting bracket 40 caused by the long-term external vibration impact on the battery box 1 is avoided.

An abdicating notch 402c is formed between two adjacent support legs 402 of the present embodiment. Each of the first battery modules 201 includes an output pole corresponding to the yield notch 402 c. When the output electrode of the first battery module 201 needs to be electrically connected to the external conductive member, the external conductive member may pass through the relief notch 402c and then be electrically connected to the output electrode of the first battery module 201. Like this, the notch 402c of stepping down can be as the line space of walking of reserving, practices thrift battery box 1's inner space for compact structure, rationally distributed between each spare part in the battery box 1.

The second battery module 301 of the present embodiment includes a second end plate 301c connected to its second upper cover 301 a. The second end plate 301c of the second battery module 301 is detachably connected to the cross member 401. The surface of the beam 401 facing away from the foot 402 is a locating surface. The positioning surface of the beam 401 is provided with a connecting portion. The second end plate 301c of the second battery module 301 is attached to the positioning surface to complete the positioning between the second battery module 301 and the connecting bracket 40, and then the second end plate 301c and the connecting portion are fixedly coupled. All the second battery modules 301 are sequentially connected and fixed to the cross member 401 along the second direction Y. The second battery module 301 includes two oppositely disposed second end plates 301 c. When the number of the connecting brackets 40 is two, two second end plates 301c are each connected to the cross member 401 of one connecting bracket 40.

In one embodiment, the second end plate 301c of each second battery module 301 has a fixing portion 301d detachably coupled to the cross member 401. Preferably, the fixing portion 301d of each second battery module 301 is attached to a surface of the cross member 401 facing away from the leg 402. The fixing portion 301d is disposed on an outer surface of the second end plate 301c of the second cell, and the fixing portion 301d is a plate-shaped structure extending along the second direction Y. Alternatively, a through hole is provided in the fixing portion 301d, and the connecting portion provided on the cross beam 401 is a threaded hole. Screws are inserted through the through holes of the fixing portions 301d and then screwed into the screw holes of the cross member 401 to fixedly couple the second battery module 301 and the cross member 401.

In the battery box 1 of the embodiment of the invention, the first battery modules 201 and the second battery modules 301 are not stacked up and down in a one-to-one correspondence manner any more, but the mounting manners of the second battery modules 301 and the first battery modules 201 are changed, and the limited mounting space inside the battery box 1 is effectively and fully utilized, so that more first battery modules 201 and more second battery modules 301 can be arranged in the preset space inside the battery box 1, and the energy density of the battery box 1 is improved. In addition, a connecting bracket 40 is arranged between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30, so that the connecting mechanical strength of the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 is improved through the connecting bracket 40, and meanwhile, a fixed gap is formed between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 after assembly is completed, heat concentration between the first battery unit 20 and the second battery unit 30 is avoided, the temperature balance of each area inside the battery box 1 is ensured, and the short circuit caused by vibration of the first battery module 201 or the second battery module 301 is also avoided, so that the first battery module 201 or the second battery module 301 is electrically connected and loses efficacy.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way as long as there is no structural conflict. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery box, comprising:

a housing including a bottom plate and a side plate;

a first battery unit disposed on the base plate;

a second battery cell disposed within the case and stacked with the first battery cell in a first direction;

wherein,

the first battery unit comprises a plurality of first battery modules which are arranged side by side along a second direction, a first upper cover of each first battery module is back to the bottom plate, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction;

the second battery unit comprises a plurality of second battery modules which are arranged in the second direction, and a second upper cover of each second battery module faces the side plate;

the number of the second battery modules is greater than the number of the first battery modules.

2. The battery box according to claim 1, wherein the second battery unit comprises at least one combined body formed by assembling two adjacent second battery modules through a fastener.

3. The battery box according to claim 2, wherein the second upper covers of the two adjacent second battery modules included in each combination body are oppositely arranged.

4. The battery box according to claim 2, wherein the second battery modules comprise second end plates, and the second end plates of two adjacent second battery modules included in each combination are fixedly connected by the fasteners.

5. The battery box according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connection bracket through which the second battery unit is detachably connected to the first battery unit.

6. The battery box of claim 5, wherein the connecting bracket comprises a cross beam and a plurality of support legs connected with the cross beam, the plurality of support legs are arranged along the length direction of the cross beam at intervals side by side, the first battery unit is detachably connected with the support legs, and the second battery unit is detachably connected with the cross beam.

7. The battery box of claim 6, wherein each of the legs includes a positioning plate connected to the cross member and a connecting plate connected to the positioning plate, each of the connecting plates being located on the same side of the cross member, the leg being positioned on the first battery cell by the positioning plate and detachably connected to the first battery cell by the connecting plate.

8. The battery box according to claim 7, wherein the first battery module comprises a first end plate, and each of the legs is positioned on the first end plate by the positioning plate and connected to the first end plate by the connecting plate.

9. The battery box according to claim 8, wherein each of the first battery modules is detachably connected to two adjacent legs.

10. The battery box according to claim 9, wherein a yield notch is formed between two adjacent support legs, and each first battery module comprises an output pole corresponding to the yield notch.

11. The battery box of claim 6, wherein the second battery module comprises a second end plate that is removably connected to the cross beam.

12. The battery box according to claim 11, wherein the second end plate of each of the second battery modules has a fixing portion detachably connected to the cross member, and the fixing portion of each of the second battery modules is connected to the cross member.