CN113937383B - Battery module, battery pack and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of battery technology, and in particular relates to a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle. The battery module includes a module frame and a battery core fixed in the module frame. The module frame includes a frame body and a pipe; The frame body is provided with a plurality of branch flow channels. The bottom surface of the battery core is spaced opposite to the bottom inner wall of the frame body to form a bottom flow channel between them. Two of the battery cores in the width direction The side surface is spaced apart from the side inner wall of the frame body to form a side flow channel between them. The upper opening of the branch flow channel is connected to the pipe, and the lower opening of the branch flow channel is connected to the upper end of the side flow channel. , the lower end of the side flow channel is connected with the bottom flow channel. The battery module of the present application integrates part of the circuit of the battery pack cooling system on the module frame of the battery module, and its process and structure are simpler.

Description

Battery modules, battery packs and vehicles

Technical field

The invention belongs to the field of battery technology, and in particular relates to a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle.

Background technique

The prior art discloses a sealed immersed battery pack based on fluorinated liquid and its cooling system. The battery pack includes a casing, a battery module, a heat exchanger, a packaging port, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a battery control module. The casing It includes a shell wall, an upper cover and a lower cover. The top of the upper cover is provided with heat dissipation fins, and the inner surface of the lower cover is provided with multiple protruding beam structures. The battery module is installed on the protruding beam structure at the bottom of the housing, and the battery module is partially or completely immersed in the fluoride liquid. The heat exchanger is arranged between the casing and the battery module or on the outer surface of the casing to take away the heat generated when the battery module is working. The heat exchanger is provided with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet for the refrigerant to circulate in and out. . The sealing port is provided on the casing and is used to evacuate the battery pack and fill it with fluoride liquid. One end of the pressure sensor is arranged inside the casing and is used to detect the pressure inside the battery pack. Temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of battery modules and fluorinated liquid in real time. Battery control module, used to manage battery modules. The battery pack is connected to the cooling system through a heat exchanger for cooling.

The fluorinated liquid used in existing battery packs and cooling systems is insulating and non-flammable and can directly contact the cells. The cooling principle is: the battery module generates heat to boil and vaporize the fluorinated liquid. The gaseous fluorinated liquid exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat exchanger, causing the gaseous fluorinated liquid to condense into liquid fluorinated liquid and fall back into the battery pack. , in this cycle, the heat of the battery module is taken out of the battery pack. In this cooling method, the amount of fluorinated liquid in the battery pack needs to be accurately controlled. Too much fluoride liquid will increase the overall mass of the battery pack and reduce the specific energy; too little fluoride liquid will not meet the battery heat dissipation needs, which will reduce the compactness of the battery pack and increase the volume of the battery pack. In addition, the entire package is sealed. When the heat exchanger is placed between the module and the casing, since the gaseous fluorinated liquid moves irregularly and the area of the heat exchanger is limited, it may cause There are more and more gaseous fluorinated liquids and less and less liquid fluorinated liquids. The air pressure in the battery pack becomes higher, which poses safety risks. When the vehicle is in a plateau area, the fluorinated liquid may vaporize due to changes in ambient air pressure, causing the air pressure in the battery pack to increase, posing a safety risk. The upper cover of the battery pack is designed with fins. When the ambient temperature is high, the heat in the environment will be transmitted to the battery pack through the fins and the battery pack shell (the heat exchanger is designed between the module and the shell), or The heat exchanger dissipates a lot of cold energy in the environment (the heat exchanger is designed outside the casing), which increases the cooling capacity requirement for cooling the battery and increases the energy consumption of the entire vehicle. Compared with traditional battery packs, this design adds fluorinated liquid to the original structural parts, which has no advantage in weight. In addition, when repairing the battery pack, the fluorinated liquid in the pack may be contaminated, posing safety risks and causing high maintenance costs. In addition, the added heat exchanger results in a complex battery pack structure.

Contents of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle in view of the problem that the added heat exchanger leads to a complex structure of the battery pack in the existing sealed submersible battery pack.

In order to solve the above technical problems, on the one hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a battery module, which includes a module frame and a battery core fixed in the module frame. The module frame includes a frame body and a pipe;

The frame body is provided with a plurality of branch flow channels, and the bottom surface of the battery core is spaced opposite to the bottom inner wall of the frame body to form a bottom flow channel between them. Both sides of the battery core in the width direction The two sides are spaced opposite to the side inner wall of the frame body to form a side flow channel between them. The upper opening of the branch flow channel is connected to the pipe, and the lower opening of the branch flow channel is connected to the upper end of the side flow channel. Connected, the lower end of the side flow channel is connected with the bottom flow channel, the side flow channel and the bottom flow channel form a closed space capable of flowing and storing cooling medium, and the cooling medium flows into the said pipe through the pipe and the branch flow channel A closed space, the bottom of the battery core is immersed in the cooling medium in the closed space; the frame body is provided with a cooling medium outlet connected to the bottom flow channel.

Optionally, the wall surface of the frame body located inside the branch flow channel is in thermal conductive contact with two side surfaces in the width direction of the battery core.

Optionally, the bottom flow channel includes a first side bottom flow channel, a second side bottom flow channel, and a confluence channel connected between the first side bottom flow channel and the second side bottom flow channel, and the confluence channel is The channel is located at the lowest part of the bottom flow channel.

Optionally, the bottom inner wall of the frame body includes a first inclined surface located below the bottom flow channel on the first side and a second inclined surface located below the bottom flow channel on the second side, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface The slope gradually decreases in height toward the confluence.

Optionally, the frame body includes a first side plate, a second side plate and a bottom frame connected between the bottom sides of the first side plate and the second side plate; the cooling medium outlet is provided Outside the bottom frame and connected to one end of the length direction of the bus channel, and the other end of the bus channel in the length direction is closed;

The plurality of branch flow channels include a plurality of first branch flow channels provided in the first side plate and a plurality of second branch flow channels provided in the second side plate. The side flow channels It includes a first side flow channel and a second side flow channel. The first side flow channel is formed between one side of the battery core in the width direction and the inner wall of the first side frame of the bottom frame. The second side flow channel A side flow channel is formed between the other side of the battery core in the width direction and the inner wall of the second side frame of the bottom frame; the pipeline includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline and a liquid inlet pipeline, and the first pipeline The pipe is connected to the top side of the first side plate, the second pipe is connected to the top side of the second side plate, the liquid inlet of the liquid inlet pipe is connected to a cooling liquid supply device, and the liquid inlet The two liquid outlets of the pipe are respectively connected to the liquid inlet of the first pipe and the liquid inlet of the second pipe. The bottom of the first pipe is provided with a first pipe connected to the upper ends of the plurality of first branch flow channels. A liquid outlet or a first liquid outlet, the bottom of the second pipe is provided with a second liquid outlet or a second liquid outlet connected to the upper ends of the plurality of second branch flow channels;

The upper opening of the first branch flow channel is connected to the first pipe, the lower opening of the first branch flow channel is connected to the upper end of the first side flow channel, and the lower end of the first side flow channel is connected to the first side bottom. One end of the flow channel is connected, and the other end of the first side bottom flow channel is in communication with the confluence channel; the upper opening of the second branch flow channel is connected with the second pipe, and the lower opening of the second branch flow channel is connected with the second pipe. The upper ends of the two side flow channels are connected, the lower end of the second side flow channel is connected with one end of the second side bottom flow channel, and the other end of the second side bottom flow channel is in communication with the confluence channel.

Optionally, the battery core is composed of a plurality of single cells stacked along the length direction of the bottom frame, and the wall surface of the first side plate located inside the first branch flow channel is in contact with the wall surface of the battery core. One side in the width direction is in sealing and thermal contact, and the wall surface of the second side plate located inside the second branch flow channel is in sealing and thermal contact with the other side in the width direction of the battery core, so that the bottom flow channel and the third side are in sealing and thermal contact. The one side flow channel and the second side flow channel form a closed space capable of flowing and storing the cooling medium.

Optionally, the bus channel extends along the length direction of the bottom frame, and the bus channel is located at an intermediate position in the width direction of the bottom frame; the number of the first branch flow channels and the second branch flow channels is consistent with the number of the single cells. The numbers are consistent; each first branch flow channel corresponds to one side of the width direction of the single cell, and each second branch flow channel corresponds to the other side of the width direction of the single cell.

Optionally, the battery module further includes a first end plate, a second end plate and a structural member. The first end plate is connected to the first end of the module frame in the length direction, and the second end The plate is connected to the second end of the module frame in the length direction; the first end plate presses one end surface of the battery core in the length direction, and the second end plate presses the battery core in the length direction. the other end face;

The structural member is connected to the battery core and used for fixing and spacing multiple single cells.

Optionally, the battery module further includes a first elastic spacer and a second elastic spacer. The first elastic spacer is attached to one end surface of the battery core in the length direction. The first end The plate presses the first elastic spacer, the second elastic spacer is attached to the other end surface in the length direction of the battery core, and the second end plate presses the second elastic spacer.

Optionally, the structural member is a fin structural member, the fin structural member includes a first vertical fin and a second vertical fin, the first vertical fin is fixed on the first side plate. And inserted into the first side part of the gap between two adjacent single cells, the second vertical fin is fixed on the second side plate and inserted into the second side part of the gap between two adjacent single cells ;

The battery module further includes a rubber part. The rubber part includes a rubber part base extending along the length direction of the bus channel and a plurality of rubber spacers spaced on the rubber part base along the length direction of the bus channel. The rubber part The spacer is inserted into the lower part of the gap between two adjacent single cells.

The first vertical fin provided on the first side plate increases the fixing area between the first side plate and the battery core, and the second vertical fin provided on the second side plate increases the fixing area between the second side plate and the battery core. area. Due to the characteristics of the battery core, there will be a certain amount of swelling in the later stages of life, and the extent of this swelling needs to be controlled to prevent battery core failure. The first vertical fins on the first side plate and the second vertical fins on the second side plate play a role in fixing the position of the battery core, and at the same time, they separate multiple single cells to form a battery core. Reserve space for normal expansion later.

Optionally, the top of the first side frame of the bottom frame is bent outward to form a first pull plate, and an outwardly extending second pull plate is provided on the outside of the first side plate. The second pull plate The first pull plate is fixed up and down, and the lower side of the first side plate is inserted into the bottom frame;

The top of the second side frame of the bottom frame is bent outward to form a third pull plate. An outwardly extending fourth pull plate is provided on the outside of the second side plate. The fourth pull plate and the third pull plate The upper and lower sides of the board are attached and fixed, and the lower side of the second side board is inserted into the bottom frame.

Optionally, the structural member includes an upper structural member and a lower structural member, the upper structural member is connected to the top of the battery core, and the lower structural member is connected to the bottom of the battery core;

The upper structural member includes a plurality of upper spacers, and each upper spacer is inserted into the upper part of the gap between two adjacent single cells; the lower structural member includes a plurality of lower spacers, each of the lower spacers. The separator is inserted into the lower part of the gap between two adjacent single cells;

The upper spacer is a wedge-shaped spacer with a wide top and a narrow bottom, and the lower spacer is a rectangular spacer.

On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a battery pack including the above-mentioned battery module.

According to the battery module and battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention, compared with the conventional liquid-cooled battery pack, the battery module of the present application integrates part of the circuit of the battery pack cooling system on the module frame of the battery module, and its process The structure is simpler, the cooling plate (heat exchanger) and its ancillary structures are reduced, and the weight is lighter.

The branch flow channel indirectly cools the battery core through the frame body. The two sides of the battery core in the width direction are spaced opposite to the side inner wall of the frame body. The side flow channel and the bottom surface of the battery core are spaced opposite to the bottom inner wall of the frame body. The coolant filled into the space formed by the combination of bottom flow channels can achieve immersion cooling (direct cooling) of the battery core. In this way, through direct cooling and indirect cooling, the cooling area of the battery core is large, the cooling efficiency is high, and the temperature of the battery core can be made more uniform.

Compared with battery packs in the prior art that also use fluorinated liquid, the battery module of this application has integrated cooling flow channels on the module frame, which increases the heat exchange area, and the cooling medium (such as fluorinated liquid) can directly interact with the battery core. Cooling does not require the use of other cooling media and structures, reducing the number of heat exchanges and improving heat exchange efficiency.

The battery module of this application can use fluorinated liquid (or other non-conductive and non-flammable cooling media) as the cooling medium of the system. Fluorinated liquid has insulating and non-flammable properties and can directly contact the battery core, reducing the number of heat exchanges and improving heat exchange efficiency. The bottom of the battery core is immersed in fluorinated liquid. If the temperature of a single cell is too high, the heat can be quickly dispersed through the module frame and the fluorinated liquid, reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery core.

The battery module of this application is placed in the battery pack and will not be in direct contact with the external environment, so the cooling loss is small. The cooling medium (such as fluoride liquid) in the battery module is isolated from the environment inside the battery pack. The battery pack can still use a breather valve to balance the air pressure inside and outside the battery pack, reducing energy consumption and safety risks. The battery module is used as the cooling unit, and the cooling structure does not rely on the battery pack shell or tray, which is convenient for maintenance, has good flexibility, is highly replaceable, and has a wide range of applications.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle, including the above-mentioned battery module.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the battery module of the battery pack provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side view of the battery module of the battery pack provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the A-A direction in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the B-B direction in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first pipe and the first side plate of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of the first pipe and the first side plate of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the C-C direction in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the D-D direction in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of point a in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the second pipe and the second side plate of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 12 is a side view of the second pipe and the second side plate of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along the E-E direction in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along the F-F direction in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is an enlarged view of b in Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the bottom frame of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a side view of the bottom frame of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view along the G-G direction in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of c in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is an enlarged view of d in Figure 18;

Figure 21 is an assembly process diagram of the battery module provided by the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the battery module provided by the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is an exploded view of the battery module provided by the second embodiment of the present invention.

The reference symbols in this manual are as follows:

1. Module frame; 11. Frame body; 111. First side panel; 1111. Second pull panel; 112. Second side panel; 1121. Fourth pull panel; 113. Bottom frame; 1131. First side frame ; 1132. Second side frame; 1133. Third side frame; 1134. Fourth side frame 1135. Bottom plate; 1136. First pull plate; 1137. Third pull plate; 12. Cooling medium outlet; 13. First pipe ; 14. Second pipe; 15. Liquid inlet pipe; 16. First end plate; 17. Second end plate; 18a, fin structural member; 181a, first vertical fin; 182a, second vertical fin piece; 181b, upper structural member; 1811b, upper spacer; 182b, lower structural member; 1821b, lower spacer; 19a, first elastic spacer; 19b, second elastic spacer; 19c, rubber part; 191c, rubber Part base; 192c, rubber spacer;

2. Cell; 21. Single battery;

a, side flow channel; a1, first side flow channel; a2, second side flow channel;

b. Bottom flow channel; b1, bottom flow channel on the first side; b2, bottom flow channel on the second side;

d. Branch flow channel; d1, first branch flow channel; d2, second branch flow channel;

t, confluence channel;

H, L, hole position;

SP, enclosed space;

s1, the first inclined plane; s2, the second inclined plane;

xp1, the first slope; xp2, the second slope.

Detailed ways

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects solved by the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

First embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 to 21, the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a module frame 1 and a battery core 2 fixed in the module frame. The module frame 1 includes a frame body 11 and a pipe.

The frame body 11 is provided with a plurality of branch flow channels d. The bottom surface of the battery core 2 is spaced opposite to the bottom inner wall of the frame body 11 to form a bottom flow channel b between them. The battery core 2 The two sides in the width direction are spaced apart from the side inner walls of the frame body 11 to form a side flow channel a between them. The upper opening of the branch flow channel d is connected to the pipe. The branch flow channel d The lower opening of the side flow channel a is connected to the upper end of the side flow channel a, and the lower end of the side flow channel a is connected to the bottom flow channel b. The side flow channel a and the bottom flow channel b form a closed enclosure that can flow and store the cooling medium. In the space SP, the cooling medium flows into the closed space SP through the pipe and the branch channel d, and the bottom of the battery core 2 is immersed in the cooling medium in the closed space SP. The frame body 11 is provided with a cooling medium outlet 12 connected with the bottom flow channel b. The cooling medium is a non-conductive and non-flammable cooling medium. The following uses fluorinated liquid as an example.

The wall surface of the frame body 11 located inside the branch flow channel d is in thermal conductive contact with the two side surfaces in the width direction of the battery core 2 .

By designing the inner diameter of the pipe for the fluorinated liquid to enter and leave the battery pack, the storage volume of the fluorinated liquid in the battery module can be maintained, and the volume of the battery cell 2 soaked in the fluorinated liquid can be kept constant.

Referring to Figure 5, the bottom flow channel b includes a first side bottom flow channel b1, a second side bottom flow channel b2, and a confluence connected between the first side bottom flow channel b1 and the second side bottom flow channel b2. Channel t, the converging channel t is located at the lowest point of the bottom flow channel b.

The bottom inner wall of the frame body 11 includes a first slope s1 located below the first side bottom flow channel b1 and a second slope s2 located below the second side bottom flow channel b2. The first slope s1 and The height of the second slope s2 gradually decreases toward the direction approaching the confluence t. The purpose of the first inclined surface s1 and the second inclined surface s2 is to facilitate the collection of fluorinated liquid into the bus channel t and weaken the impact of the battery core 2 on the obstruction of the fluorinated liquid.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the frame body 11 includes a first side plate 111 , a second side plate 112 and a bottom frame connected between the bottom sides of the first side plate 111 and the second side plate 112 . 113; The cooling medium outlet is provided outside the bottom frame and is connected to one end of the conduit in the length direction, and the other end of the conduit in the length direction is closed.

The bottom frame 113 is composed of a bottom plate 1135 and a frame connected around the bottom plate 1135. The frame includes a first side frame 1131, a second side frame 1132, a third side frame 1133 and a fourth side frame 1134. The first side frame 1131 and The second side frame 1132 is arranged oppositely on both sides of the bottom plate 1135 in the width direction, and the third side frame 1133 and the fourth side frame 1134 are arranged oppositely on both sides of the bottom plate 1135 in the length direction.

Preferably, the first side frame 1131, the second side frame 1132 and the bottom plate 1135 are an integrated structure. The third side frame 1133 and the fourth side frame 1134 are respectively welded to both ends of the integrated structure. The integrated structure and the first side plate are 111 and the second side plate 112 are sealed and connected by adhesive.

Preferably, the first side plate 111, the second side plate 112 and the bottom frame 113 are all provided with slots at their connection points, and are fitted together in a mutually inlaid manner, and are fixed by a combination of gluing and bolting.

The plurality of branch flow channels d include a plurality of first branch flow channels d1 provided in the first side plate 111 and a plurality of second branch flow channels d2 provided in the second side plate 112, so The side flow channel a includes a first side flow channel a1 and a second side flow channel a2. The first side flow channel a1 is formed on one side of the battery core 2 in the width direction and the first side of the bottom frame 113. Between the inner walls of the side frame 1131, the second side flow channel a2 is formed between the other side in the width direction of the battery core 2 and the inner wall of the second side frame 1132 of the bottom frame 113; the pipe includes The first pipe 13 , the second pipe 14 and the liquid inlet pipe 15 , the first pipe 13 is connected to the top side of the first side plate 111 , the second pipe 14 is connected to the top side of the second side plate 112 On the top side, the liquid inlet of the liquid inlet pipe 15 is connected to a cooling liquid supply device, and the two liquid outlets of the liquid inlet pipe 15 are connected to the liquid inlet of the first pipe 13 and the liquid inlet of the second pipe 14 respectively. Liquid inlet, the bottom of the first pipe 13 is provided with a first liquid outlet connected to the upper ends of the plurality of first branch flow channels d1 (a hole connected only to the upper end of the corresponding first branch flow channel d1) or A first liquid outlet groove (a channel extending along the entire length direction and connected to the upper ends of all first branch channels d1), and the bottom of the second pipe 14 is provided with a channel connected to the upper ends of a plurality of second branch channels d2 The second liquid outlet (a hole connected only to the upper end of the corresponding second branch flow channel d2) or the second liquid outlet (a through groove extending along the entire length direction and connected to the upper ends of all second branch flow channels d2 ).

The upper opening of the first branch flow channel d1 is connected to the first pipe 13, the lower opening of the first branch flow channel d1 is connected to the upper end of the first side flow channel a1, and the lower end of the first side flow channel a1 It is connected with one end of the first side bottom flow channel b1, and the other end of the first side bottom flow channel b1 is in communication with the converging channel t; the upper opening of the second branch flow channel d2 is connected with the second pipe 14. The lower opening of the second branch channel d2 is connected to the upper end of the second side channel a2, and the lower end of the second side channel a2 is connected to one end of the second side bottom channel b2. The second side bottom channel The other end of b2 communicates with the confluence channel t.

The fluorinated liquid sequentially flows through the cavity of the pipe, the branch channel d, the side channel a, the bottom channel b and then the converging channel t, and finally flows out of the battery module through the cooling medium outlet 12. Specifically, the fluorinated liquid entering the pipeline flows into the confluence channel t through the cavity of the first pipeline 13, the first branch channel d1, the first side channel a1, and the first side bottom channel b1; The other path of the liquid flows into the converging channel t through the cavity of the second pipe 14, the second branch channel d2, the second side channel a2, and the second side bottom channel b2. The two fluorinated liquids are collected in the confluence channel t and flow out of the battery module through the cooling medium outlet 12.

The first pipe 13 and the first side plate 111 are fixed by welding, and the second pipe 14 and the second side plate 112 are fixed by welding.

Preferably, the flow direction of the first branch flow channel d1 and the second branch flow channel d2 is vertically downward.

The battery core 2 is composed of a plurality of single cells 21 stacked along the length direction of the bottom frame 113. The wall surface of the first side plate 111 located inside the first branch flow channel d1 is in contact with the battery core. One side of the width direction of the battery core 2 is in sealing and thermal contact, and the wall surface of the second side plate 112 located inside the second branch flow channel d2 is in sealing and thermal contact with the other side of the battery core 2 in the width direction, so that The bottom flow channel b, the first side flow channel a1 and the second side flow channel a2 form a closed space SP capable of flowing and storing the cooling medium. The closed space SP surrounds the bottom of the battery core 2 .

The bus channel t extends along the length direction of the bottom frame 113, and the bus channel t is located at the middle position in the width direction of the bottom frame 113; the number of the first branch flow channels d1 and the second branch flow channels d2 is the same as that of the single branch channel d1. The number of unit cells 21 is the same; each first branch channel d1 corresponds to one side of the unit cell 21 in the width direction, and each of the second branch channels d2 corresponds to the other side of the unit cell 21 in the width direction. side. In order to achieve a one-to-one correspondence between the branch flow channels d and the single cells, each single cell 21 can be cooled evenly and achieve uniform temperature throughout the battery core 2 .

However, in other embodiments, the number of the first branch flow channels d1 and the second branch flow channels d2 may be inconsistent with the number of single cells 21 . For example, when the thickness of the single cell 21 (dimension in the stacking direction) is relatively thick, one single cell 21 may correspond to multiple first branch flow channels d1 and multiple second branch flow channels d2 . For another example, when the thickness of the single cell 21 (dimension in the stacking direction) is thin, multiple single cells 21 may also correspond to one first branch flow channel d1 and one second branch flow channel d2.

In the first embodiment, the battery module further includes a first end plate 16 , a second end plate 17 and a structural member 18 . The first end plate 16 is connected to the first end of the module frame 1 in the length direction. end, the second end plate 18 is connected to the second end of the module frame 1 in the length direction; the first end plate 16 presses one end surface of the battery core 2 in the length direction, and the second The end plate 17 presses the other end surface of the battery core 2 in the length direction. The structural member is connected to the battery core 2 and is used for fixing and spacing a plurality of single cells 21 from each other.

The battery module also includes a first elastic spacer 19a and a second elastic spacer 19b. The first elastic spacer 19a is attached to one end surface of the battery core 2 in the length direction. The first end The plate 16 presses the first elastic spacer 19a, the second elastic spacer 19b is attached to the other end surface in the length direction of the battery core 2, and the second end plate 17 presses the first elastic spacer 19a. Two elastic spacers 19b.

In the first embodiment, the structural member is a fin structural member 18a. The fin structural member 18a includes a first vertical fin 181a and a second vertical fin 182a. The first vertical fin 181a The second vertical fin 182a is fixed on the first side plate 111 and inserted into the gap between two adjacent single cells 21. The second vertical fin 182a is fixed on the second side plate 112 and inserted into the gap between two adjacent single cells 21. The second side of the gap of each single cell 21 . The battery module also includes a rubber part 19c. The rubber part 19c includes a rubber part base 191c extending along the length direction of the bus channel t and a plurality of rubber parts spaced on the rubber part base 191c along the length direction of the bus channel t. Spacer 192c, the rubber spacer 192c is inserted into the lower part of the gap between two adjacent single cells 21.

The first vertical fins 181a provided on the first side plate 111 increase the fixed area between the first side plate 111 and the battery core 2, and the second vertical fins 182a provided on the second side plate 112 increase the area between the second side plate 111 and the battery core 2. The fixed area of plate 112 and battery core 2. Because of the characteristics of the battery core 2, it will bulge to a certain extent in the later stages of its life, and the extent of this bulging needs to be controlled to prevent battery core failure. The first vertical fins 181a on the first side plate 111 and the second vertical fins 182a on the second side plate 112 play a role in fixing the position of the battery core 2 and at the same time spacing the plurality of single cells 21 Open to reserve space for the normal expansion of battery cell 2 in the later stage.

The first side plate 111 and the first vertical fin 181a can be integrally formed by an extrusion process, and the second side plate 112 and the second vertical fin 182a can be integrally formed by an extrusion process. The process is simple and easy to implement.

The first side plate 111 and the battery core 2 are fixedly connected by adhesive. The first vertical fins 181a increase the fixed contact area between the battery core 2 and the first side plate 111, and also increase the fixed contact area between the battery core 2 and the first side plate. The heat exchange area of the plate 111 helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency. The second side plate 112 is fixedly connected to the battery core 2 in an adhesive manner. The second vertical fins 182a increase the fixed contact area between the battery core 2 and the second side plate 112, and also increase the fixed contact area between the battery core 2 and the second side plate. The heat exchange area of the plate 112 helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency.

The first vertical fins 181a and the second vertical fins 182a are also used to isolate adjacent single cells 21 and reserve space for the normal expansion of the battery core 2 in the later stage. Preferably, the first vertical fins 181a on the first side plate 111 are wedge-shaped (narrower toward one end of the battery core 2), and the second vertical fins 182a on the second side plate 112 are rectangular for convenience. assembly.

The top of the first side frame 1131 of the bottom frame 113 is bent outward to form a first pull plate 1136, and an outwardly extending second pull plate 1111 is provided on the outside of the first side plate 111. The plate 1111 and the first pull plate 1136 are fixed up and down, and the lower side of the first side plate 111 is inserted into the bottom frame 113 , that is, the lower side of the first side plate 111 and the first side frame of the bottom frame 113 The upper side of 1131 partially overlaps. The first side frame 1131 is provided with an inward and downward inclined first slope xp1 at a position below the lower edge of the first side plate 111. The purpose of the first slope xp1 is to change the flow direction of the fluorination liquid to make the fluorination The liquid is fully in contact with the battery core 2 to enhance heat exchange.

A limiting groove N1 and a limiting protrusion N2 are provided on the upper side of the first slope xp1. A limiting groove F1 and a limiting protrusion F2 are provided on the lower side of the first side plate 111. The limiting recess of the first side plate 111 The groove F1 is matched with the limiting protrusion N2 of the bottom frame 113, and the limiting protrusion F2 of the first side plate 111 is matched with the limiting groove N1 of the bottom frame 113.

The top of the second side frame 1132 of the bottom frame 113 is bent outward to form a third pull plate 1137. An outwardly extending fourth pull plate 1121 is provided on the outside of the second side plate 112. The plate 1121 and the third pull plate 1137 are fixed up and down, and the lower side of the second side plate 112 is inserted into the bottom frame 113 . That is, the lower side of the second side plate 112 partially overlaps the upper side of the second side frame 1132 of the bottom frame 113 . The second side frame 1132 is provided with an inward and downward inclined second slope xp2 at a position below the lower edge of the second side plate 112. The purpose of the second slope xp2 is to change the flow direction of the fluorination liquid to make the fluorination The liquid is fully in contact with the battery core 2 to enhance heat exchange.

Similarly, a limiting groove M1 and a limiting protrusion M2 are provided on the upper side of the second slope The positioning groove K1 is matched with the limiting protrusion M2 of the bottom frame 113, and the limiting protrusion K2 of the second side plate 112 is matched with the limiting groove M1 of the bottom frame 113.

The holes O on the first pull plate 1136 and the third pull plate 1137 are bolting holes for assembling the battery module and the battery pack frame or transverse and longitudinal beams.

The second pull plate 1111 is provided with holes H for bolt connection with the battery pack frame or transverse and longitudinal beams. The fourth pull plate 1121 is provided with holes L for bolting to the battery pack frame or transverse and longitudinal beams.

Referring to Figure 21, the assembly process of the battery module of the first embodiment is as follows:

The battery core 2 is first assembled with the second side plate 112 (the second vertical fins 182a on the second side plate 112 are rectangular fins), and the rubber parts 19c are assembled at the same time. The above assembly is fixed by adhesive. In addition to the battery core 2, the first elastic spacer 19a, the second elastic spacer 19b, the first side plate 111, the second side plate 112 and the bottom frame 113, the rubber part 19c forms a closed space SP for the flow and storage of fluorinated liquid. In addition, it also has the function of isolating adjacent single cells 21 of the battery core 2 . Then, the first side plate 111 is assembled with the battery core 2 (the first vertical fins 181a on the first side plate 111 are wedge-shaped fins). Then, the first elastic spacer 19a, the second elastic spacer 19b, the first end plate 16, and the second end plate 17 are assembled. The two elastic spacers are fixed to the end surface of the battery core 2 by gluing. The first The end plate 16 is fixedly connected between one end of the first side plate 111 and the second side plate 112 by bolting, and the second end plate 17 is fixedly connected between the first side plate 111 and the second side plate 112 by bolting. between the other ends. Finally, it is assembled with the bottom frame 113 by gluing. The two liquid outlets of the liquid inlet pipe 15 are connected to the liquid inlet of the first pipe 13 and the liquid inlet of the second pipe 14 respectively.

According to the battery module and battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention, compared with the conventional liquid-cooled battery pack, the battery module of the present application integrates part of the circuit of the battery pack cooling system on the module frame of the battery module, and its process The structure is simpler, the cooling plate (heat exchanger) and its ancillary structures are reduced, and the weight is lighter.

The branch flow channel indirectly cools the battery core through the frame body. The two sides of the battery core in the width direction are spaced opposite to the side inner wall of the frame body. The side flow channel and the bottom surface of the battery core are spaced opposite to the bottom inner wall of the frame body. The coolant filled into the space formed by the combination of bottom flow channels can achieve immersion cooling (direct cooling) of the battery core. In this way, through direct cooling and indirect cooling, the cooling area of the battery core is large, the cooling efficiency is high, and the temperature of the battery core can be made more uniform.

Compared with battery packs in the prior art that also use fluorinated liquid, the battery module of this application has integrated cooling flow channels on the module frame, which increases the heat exchange area, and the cooling medium (such as fluorinated liquid) can directly interact with the battery core. Cooling does not require the use of other cooling media and structures, reducing the number of heat exchanges and improving heat exchange efficiency.

The battery module of this application can use fluorinated liquid (or other non-conductive and non-flammable liquid) as the cooling medium of the system. Fluorinated liquid has insulating and non-flammable properties and can directly contact the battery core, reducing the number of heat exchanges and improving heat exchange efficiency. The bottom of the battery core is immersed in fluorinated liquid. If the temperature of a single cell is too high, the heat can be quickly dispersed through the module frame and the fluorinated liquid, reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery core.

The battery module of this application is placed in the battery pack and will not be in direct contact with the external environment, so the cooling loss is small. The cooling medium (such as fluoride liquid) in the battery module is isolated from the environment inside the battery pack. The battery pack can still use a breather valve to balance the air pressure inside and outside the battery pack, reducing energy consumption and safety risks. The battery module is used as the cooling unit, and the cooling structure does not rely on the battery pack shell or tray, which is convenient for maintenance, has good flexibility, is highly replaceable, and has a wide range of applications.

Second embodiment

Referring to Figures 22 and 23, a battery module is provided according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the structural member includes an upper structural member 181b and a lower structural member 182b. The upper structural member 181b is connected to the top of the battery core 2 , and the lower structural member 182b is connected to the bottom of the battery core 2 .

The upper structural member 181b includes a plurality of upper spacers 1811b, and each upper spacer 1811b is inserted into the upper part of the gap between two adjacent single cells 21; the lower structural member 182b includes a plurality of lower spacers 1821b. , each lower spacer 1821b is inserted into the lower part of the gap between two adjacent single cells 21 . The upper spacer 1811b is a wedge-shaped spacer with a wide top and a narrow bottom, and the lower spacer 1821b is a rectangular spacer.

Compared with the first embodiment, the fins and rubber parts 19c on the two side plates are reduced, and the upper structural part 181b and the lower structural part 182b are added. The structure of the first side plate 111 and the second side plate 112 is simple, and the installation of the battery core 2 is more convenient and faster. The structural member 18b, the first side plate 111, the second side plate 112 and the bottom frame 113 form a sealed space for the flow and storage of fluorinated liquid. The structural member 18b is also used to isolate the adjacent single cells 21 of the battery core 2 and reserve space for the normal expansion of the battery core 2 in the later period.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a battery pack, including the above-mentioned battery module.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a vehicle, which includes the battery module of the above embodiment.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection of the present invention. within the range.

Claims (13)

1. The battery module is characterized by comprising a module frame and an electric core fixed in the module frame, wherein the module frame comprises a frame body and a pipeline;

the battery cell comprises a frame body, wherein a plurality of branch flow channels are arranged on the frame body, the bottom surface of a battery cell is opposite to the inner wall of the bottom of the frame body at intervals to form a bottom flow channel therebetween, two lateral sides of the battery cell in the width direction are opposite to the inner wall of the lateral side of the frame body at intervals to form a lateral flow channel therebetween, an upper opening of the branch flow channel is communicated with a pipeline, a lower opening of the branch flow channel is communicated with the upper end of the lateral flow channel, the lower end of the lateral flow channel is communicated with the bottom flow channel, the lateral flow channel and the bottom flow channel form a closed space capable of flowing and storing cooling medium, the cooling medium flows into the closed space through the pipeline and the branch flow channel, and the bottom of the battery cell is immersed in the cooling medium in the closed space; the frame body is provided with a cooling medium outlet communicated with the bottom runner;

the wall surface of the frame body, which is positioned at the inner side of the branch flow passage, is in heat conduction contact with two side surfaces of the battery cell in the width direction;

the frame body comprises a first side plate, a second side plate and a bottom frame connected between the bottom side of the first side plate and the bottom side of the second side plate;

the bottom frame consists of a bottom plate and frames connected to the periphery of the bottom plate, wherein the frames comprise a first side frame, a second side frame, a third side frame and a fourth side frame, the first side frame and the second side frame are oppositely arranged at two sides of the bottom plate in the width direction, and the third side frame and the fourth side frame are oppositely arranged at two sides of the bottom plate in the length direction;

the first side plate, the second side plate and the bottom frame are provided with grooves at the connecting positions thereof and are matched in a mutually inlaid mode;

the top of the first side frame of the bottom frame is outwards bent to form a first pull plate, a second pull plate which stretches outwards is arranged on the outer side of the first side plate, the second pull plate and the first pull plate are fixedly attached up and down, and the lower side of the first side plate is inserted into the bottom frame.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the bottom runner comprises a first side bottom runner, a second side bottom runner, and a converging runner connected between the first side bottom runner and the second side bottom runner, the converging runner being located at a lowest position of the bottom runner.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the bottom inner wall of the frame body includes a first inclined surface located below the first side bottom flow passage and a second inclined surface located below the second side bottom flow passage, and the first and second inclined surfaces gradually decrease in height in a direction approaching the flow converging passage.

4. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the cooling medium outlet is provided outside the bottom frame and communicates with one end of the bus duct in the length direction, and the other end of the bus duct in the length direction is closed;

the plurality of branch flow passages comprise a plurality of first branch flow passages arranged in the first side plate and a plurality of second branch flow passages arranged in the second side plate, the side flow passages comprise a first side flow passage and a second side flow passage, the first side flow passage is formed between one side surface of the battery cell in the width direction and the inner wall of the first side frame of the bottom frame, and the second side flow passage is formed between the other side surface of the battery cell in the width direction and the inner wall of the second side frame of the bottom frame; the pipeline comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline and a liquid inlet pipeline, wherein the first pipeline is connected to the top side of the first side plate, the second pipeline is connected to the top side of the second side plate, the liquid inlet of the liquid inlet pipeline is connected with a cooling liquid supply device, the two liquid outlets of the liquid inlet pipeline are respectively connected with the liquid inlet of the first pipeline and the liquid inlet of the second pipeline, the bottom of the first pipeline is provided with a first liquid outlet or a first liquid outlet groove communicated with the upper ends of a plurality of first branch flow channels, and the bottom of the second pipeline is provided with a second liquid outlet or a second liquid outlet groove communicated with the upper ends of a plurality of second branch flow channels;

the upper opening of the first branch flow passage is communicated with the first pipeline, the lower opening of the first branch flow passage is communicated with the upper end of the first side flow passage, the lower end of the first side flow passage is communicated with one end of the first side bottom flow passage, and the other end of the first side bottom flow passage is communicated with the confluence passage; the upper opening of the second branch flow passage is communicated with the second pipeline, the lower opening of the second branch flow passage is communicated with the upper end of the second side flow passage, the lower end of the second side flow passage is communicated with one end of the second side bottom flow passage, and the other end of the second side bottom flow passage is communicated with the confluence passage.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the battery cell is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells along the length direction of the bottom frame, the wall surface of the first side plate positioned inside the first branch flow passage is in sealing and heat conducting contact with one side surface of the battery cell in the width direction, and the wall surface of the second side plate positioned inside the second branch flow passage is in sealing and heat conducting contact with the other side surface of the battery cell in the width direction, so that the bottom flow passage, the first side flow passage and the second side flow passage form a closed space capable of flowing and storing a cooling medium.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the bus duct extends in a length direction of the bottom frame, the bus duct being located at an intermediate position in a width direction of the bottom frame; the number of the first branch flow passages and the second branch flow passages is consistent with that of the single batteries; each first branch runner corresponds to one side face of the single battery in the width direction, and each second branch runner corresponds to the other side face of the single battery in the width direction.

7. The battery module of claim 4, further comprising a first end plate connected to a first end of the module frame in a length direction, a second end plate connected to a second end of the module frame in a length direction, and a structural member; the first end plate presses one end face of the battery cell in the length direction, and the second end plate presses the other end face of the battery cell in the length direction;

the structural member is connected to the battery cell and used for fixing and mutually spacing a plurality of single batteries.

8. The battery module of claim 7, further comprising a first elastic spacer attached to one end surface of the cell in the longitudinal direction, the first end plate pressing the first elastic spacer, and a second elastic spacer attached to the other end surface of the cell in the longitudinal direction, the second end plate pressing the second elastic spacer.

9. The battery module of claim 7, wherein the structural member is a fin structural member comprising a first vertical fin fixed to the first side plate and inserted into a first side of a gap between two adjacent cells, and a second vertical fin fixed to the second side plate and inserted into a second side of a gap between two adjacent cells;

the battery module further comprises a rubber piece, wherein the rubber piece comprises a rubber piece base body extending along the length direction of the flow converging channel and a plurality of rubber spacers arranged on the rubber piece base body at intervals along the length direction of the flow converging channel, and the rubber spacers are inserted into the lower parts of gaps between two adjacent single batteries.

10. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the top of the second side frame of the bottom frame is bent outwards to form a third pull plate, a fourth pull plate which extends outwards is arranged on the outer side of the second side plate, the fourth pull plate and the third pull plate are attached and fixed up and down, and the lower side of the second side plate is inserted into the bottom frame.

11. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the structural members comprise an upper structural member and a lower structural member, the upper structural member being connected to the top of the cell, the lower structural member being connected to the bottom of the cell;

the upper structural member comprises a plurality of upper spacers, and each upper spacer is inserted into the upper part of the gap between two adjacent single batteries; the lower structural member comprises a plurality of lower spacers, and each lower spacer is inserted into the lower part of the gap between two adjacent single batteries;

the upper spacer is a wedge spacer with a wide upper part and a narrow lower part, and the lower spacer is a rectangular spacer.

12. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A vehicle comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 11.