CN117525705A

CN117525705A - Battery module, manufacturing method thereof, battery pack and electricity utilization device

Info

Publication number: CN117525705A
Application number: CN202311481433.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 凌先进; 王慎波; 吴明杰
Original assignee: Xiamen Xinnengda Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Xiamen Xinnengda Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-11-08
Filing date: 2023-11-08
Publication date: 2024-02-06

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries and provides a battery module, a manufacturing method thereof, a battery pack and an electric device, wherein the battery module comprises a shell, a battery core assembly and an insulating piece; the shell is provided with an accommodating space and an opening communicated with the accommodating space, and comprises a bottom wall which is opposite to the opening along a first direction; the battery cell assembly is arranged in the accommodating space, a gap exists between the battery cell assembly and the shell, the battery cell assembly comprises at least two battery cells, and the at least two battery cells are arranged along the second direction and are electrically connected; the insulating piece is at least partially arranged in the gap, and the shell and the battery cell assembly are adhered and fixed through the insulating piece. The use reliability of the battery module is improved.

Description

Battery module, manufacturing method thereof, battery pack and electricity utilization device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to battery technology, and more particularly, to a battery module, a battery pack, and an electric device.

Background

The battery cell has the advantages of high specific capacity and good safety performance, and has the advantage of flexible design, so that the battery cell is widely used in the market. However, the battery module is limited by the packaging structure of the battery cells, and when a plurality of battery cells are assembled into a battery module, more structural members are needed to realize the mounting and fixing of the battery cells in the grouping process of the battery module so as to ensure the use reliability of the battery module, so that the battery module is complex in structure.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present application is to provide a battery module, a method for manufacturing the same, a battery pack and an electric device, which aim to improve the reliability of the battery module.

According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a battery module including a housing, a cell assembly, and an insulating member. The housing has an accommodation space and an opening communicating with the accommodation space. The housing includes a bottom wall disposed opposite the opening in a first direction. The battery cell assembly is arranged in the accommodating space, and a gap exists between the battery cell assembly and the shell. The battery cell assembly comprises at least two battery cells. At least two electric cores are arranged along the second direction and are electrically connected. Wherein the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other. The insulating member is at least partially disposed in the gap. The shell and the battery cell assembly are fixedly bonded through the insulating piece.

The battery cell assembly is adhered and fixed on the shell through the insulating piece to form an integral structure, so that the use reliability of the battery module is improved.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the housing includes a peripheral wall connected to the bottom wall. The peripheral wall and the bottom wall define the opening and the accommodation space. The gap includes a first gap and a second gap. The first gap is located between the cell assembly and the bottom wall, and the second gap is located between the cell assembly and the peripheral wall. The insulator includes a first portion and a second portion connected to the first portion. The first part is arranged in the first gap, and the second part is arranged in the second gap.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the peripheral wall includes a first wall and a second wall. Along a third direction, the first wall and the second wall are respectively positioned at two sides of the cell assembly. Wherein any two of the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other. The battery cell includes a battery cell housing and an electrode terminal. The electrode terminal extends out of the cell housing, and a portion of the electrode terminal extending out of the cell housing is located between the cell housing and the first wall. The battery cell case, the electrode terminal, and the first wall are bonded and fixed by the second portion.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the battery module includes a connection assembly. The connection assembly is positioned between the battery cell assembly and the first wall, and the electrode terminal is connected to the connection assembly. The battery cell housing, the electrode terminal, the connection assembly, and the first wall are adhesively secured by the second portion.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the connection assembly includes a circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a plurality of electric connectors, and the electrode terminals are connected to the electric connectors.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the cell housing includes a body portion and a first seal portion coupled to the body portion. The electrode terminal protrudes from the first sealing portion out of the battery cell case. The second portion covers the first seal.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the second portion covers at least a portion of the electrode terminals that protrude from the cell housing.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the portion of the electrode terminal protruding from the battery cell case includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion being connected to the second connection portion. And the second connecting parts of two adjacent electric cores are connected. And the two first connecting parts connected with the two second connecting parts are separated from each other when being observed along the first direction.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the cell housing includes two second sealing portions, the two second sealing portions being provided on both sides of the main body portion in the first direction. One of the second seal portion and the main body portion are bonded by the first portion.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the body portion includes a first curved surface portion and a second curved surface portion. The first sealing portion is disposed adjacent to the first curved portion. The second curved surface parts of two adjacent electric cores and the second sealing parts of the two adjacent electric cores are adhered and fixed through the first parts. The second sealing parts of the two adjacent battery cells are arranged in opposite directions. The contact surface between the insulating part and the battery cell assembly is a curved surface, the contact area between the insulating part and two adjacent battery cells is larger, on one hand, the connection stability of the insulating part and the battery cell assembly can be enhanced, and on the other hand, when the battery module faces working conditions such as falling and vibration, the curved surface can disperse acting force in all directions, so that the stress concentration condition of the main body part of the battery cell is reduced.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the cell assembly includes at least one elastic member disposed between adjacent cells. The second curved surface parts of two adjacent electric cores, the elastic piece arranged between the two adjacent electric cores and the bottom wall are fixedly bonded through the first parts. The elastic member is configured to provide a configuration expansion space for the battery cell.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the battery module includes a fixing strap disposed around an outer surface of the cell assembly. The fixing band comprises a first section and a second section which are oppositely arranged along a first direction, and a third section and a fourth section which are oppositely arranged along a second direction. The first section and the bottom wall are adhesively secured by the first portion. The fixing band surrounds the outer surface of the battery cell assembly, so that the expansion of the battery cells can be limited.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the cells are in a pressurized state. Therefore, the battery cell assembly can be used for placing more battery cells under the constraint action of the fixing belt, and the energy density of the battery module is improved.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the insulator further includes a third portion connected to the second portion, the third portion covering a side of the cell assembly remote from the bottom wall.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the insulating member is configured to be formed by disposing an insulating material in the gap and curing.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the insulating material comprises one of a potting adhesive and a foaming adhesive.

In one or more/alternative embodiments above, the first gap is configured such that both ends of the first gap in the third direction communicate with the opening before the insulating member is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided a battery pack including the above-described battery module.

According to a third aspect of the present application, there is provided an electrical device comprising the battery pack described above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present application, there is provided a manufacturing method of a battery module, comprising the steps of:

s1, arranging and mutually and electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells along a second direction to form a battery cell assembly, and placing the battery cell assembly in an accommodating space of a shell.

S2, filling insulating materials from the electric connection positions among the plurality of electric cores through the opening of the shell, wherein the insulating materials are arranged in gaps between the shell and the electric core assembly and form insulating pieces after solidification.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the application.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which the dimensions are not to be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise.

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

fig. 2 is a partial structure exploded view of the battery module shown in fig. 1;

fig. 3 is a sectional view of the battery module shown in fig. 1 along the line A-A;

fig. 4 is a partial enlarged view at the battery module a shown in fig. 3;

fig. 5 is a sectional view of the battery module shown in fig. 1, taken along the line B-B, in which the injection direction of the insulating material is shown;

fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, in which an insulating material is not injected between a battery cell assembly and a case;

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view at B in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 6;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a structure in which a fixing belt fixes a battery cell assembly in the battery module shown in fig. 6;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the fixing belt of FIG. 10 from another angle of view of the fixing belt for fixing the battery cell assembly;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the structure of FIG. 10 with a further angular view of the fixing strap fixing the cell assembly;

fig. 13 is an exploded view showing the structure of the battery module of fig. 2, in which parts other than a case are omitted;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural view of a single cell in the battery module shown in fig. 13;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural view of a single cell of the battery module shown in fig. 14 after being bent;

10. a housing; 10a, an accommodating space; 10b, opening; 101. a bottom wall; 1021. a first wall; 1022. a second wall; 1023. a third wall; 1024. a fourth wall; 1025. a first convex wall; 1026. a second convex wall; 1. a gap; 1a, a first gap; 1aa, first sub-gap; 1ab, second sub-gap; 1b, a second gap;

20. a cell assembly; 21. a battery cell; 211. a cell housing; 2111. a main body portion; 2111a, a first curved surface portion; 2111b, second curved surface portion; 2112. a first sealing part; 2113. a second sealing part; 212. an electrode assembly; 213. an electrode terminal; 2131. a positive electrode terminal; 2132. a negative electrode terminal; 213a, a first connection; 213b, a second connection; 22. an elastic member;

30. An insulating member; 31. a first portion; 32. a second portion; 33. a third section;

40. a connection assembly; 41. a circuit board; 42. an electrical connection;

50. a fixing belt; 51. a first section; 52. a second section; 53. a third section; 54. a fourth section;

60. a support;

x, a first direction; y, second direction; z, third direction.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more apparent, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments.

Reference in the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and the like are to be construed broadly and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communication between two elements. The specific meaning of the terms in this application will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as the case may be.

In the following, terms such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", and the like, which refer to the azimuth or positional relationship, are used with respect to the first direction X. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and the like are used in this specification for purposes of illustration only.

The technical features mentioned in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application, in which an insulating member is not shown, fig. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the structure of the battery module shown in fig. 1, fig. 3 is a sectional view of the battery module shown in fig. 1 along the line A-A, in which a portion of a case is not shown, fig. 4 is a partially enlarged view of a portion of fig. 3, and fig. 5 is a sectional view of the battery module shown in fig. 1 along the line B-B.

Referring to fig. 9 together with the examples shown in fig. 1 to 5, the battery module includes a case 10 and a battery cell assembly 20. The housing 10 has an accommodating space 10a, the battery cell assembly 20 is accommodated in the accommodating space 10a, and a gap 1 exists between the battery cell assembly 20 and the housing 10.

In some embodiments, the battery module includes an insulating member 30, the insulating member 30 is at least partially disposed in the gap 1, and the case 10 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively secured by the insulating member 30 such that the cell assembly 20 and the case 10 form a unitary structure.

The battery module that this application relates to is favorable to promoting battery module's reliability in use.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 3-5, the insulator 30 is configured to be formed by disposing an insulating material within the gap 1 between the cell assembly 20 and the housing 10 and curing.

In some embodiments, the insulating material in a flowing form is placed in the gap 1 between the cell assembly 20 and the housing 10 by glue filling or injection molding, etc., and after the insulating material is cured, a solid insulating member 30 is formed, and the housing 10 and the cell assembly 20 are bonded and fixed into a whole structure, wherein the curing mode includes, but is not limited to, room temperature curing, thermal curing, and ultraviolet curing. The casing 10 and the battery cell assembly 20 are tightly attached by the adhesion of the insulating member 30, which is advantageous for the assembly of the battery module.

In some embodiments, the insulating material comprises one of a potting adhesive and a foaming adhesive. Alternatively, both the potting adhesive and the foaming adhesive have fluid properties and the insulating material can flow to the gap 1 between the cell assembly 20 and the housing 10.

In some embodiments, the insulator 30 is formed by disposing a potting compound in the gap 1 between the cell assembly 20 and the housing 10 and curing. Examples of such a potting adhesive include an epoxy potting adhesive, a polyurethane potting adhesive, and a silicone potting adhesive. The potting adhesive comprises an organic silicon potting adhesive, and the cured organic silicon potting adhesive is soft in material, stable in physical and chemical properties, good in high and low temperature resistance, capable of working for a long time within a temperature range of-50 ℃ to 200 ℃, and capable of effectively improving insulation among the battery cell assembly 20, other electrical elements of the battery module and circuits after potting, so that the use reliability of the battery module is improved.

In some embodiments, the pouring sealant can comprise a heat conducting filler, and the heat conducting filler can be added into the organic silicon pouring sealant to improve the heat conducting property of the pouring sealant, so that the overall heat radiating property of the battery module is improved. Examples of such a heat conductive filler include alumina, fine silica powder, nano alumina, and nitride. The nitride may be exemplified by aluminum nitride, boron nitride, etc., and the heat conductive filler is exemplified by aluminum nitride.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1-3, the housing 10 includes an opening 10b communicating with the accommodating space 10a, the housing 10 includes a bottom wall 101, and the bottom wall 101 is disposed opposite to the opening 10b along the first direction X.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 3 to 5 in conjunction with fig. 8, the gap 1 includes a first gap 1a, and the first gap 1a is located between the bottom wall 101 and the cell assembly 20. The insulating member 30 includes a first portion 31, the first portion 31 is disposed in the first gap 1a, and the bottom wall 101 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively fixed by the first portion 31.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, an insulating material in a flowable form may be injected into the first gap 1a between the cell assembly 20 and the bottom wall 101, the insulating material being cured to form a solid first portion 31 to adhesively secure the bottom wall 101 and the cell assembly 20 in a unitary structure.

In some embodiments, the first gap 1a is configured such that both ends of the first gap 1a in the third direction Z are in communication with the opening 10b before the insulating member 30 is disposed, which facilitates the pouring of the insulating material. Wherein the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 8, the first gap 1a includes a plurality of first sub-gaps 1aa and a plurality of second sub-gaps 1ab, and the first sub-gaps 1aa and the second sub-gaps 1ab are alternately spaced apart along the second direction Y, and flowing insulating material simultaneously passes through the first sub-gaps 1aa and the second sub-gaps 1ab, so that time taken to pass through the first gap 1a can be shortened, and injection efficiency can be improved.

In some embodiments, the first sub-gap 1aa and the second sub-gap 1ab are in communication.

In some embodiments, the housing 10 may not only serve as a mounting support structure for the cell assembly 20, but also serve as an external protection structure for the cell assembly 20, which is capable of protecting the cell assembly 20 from outside to limit liquids or other foreign substances from affecting the charging and discharging of the cell assembly 20.

In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a bottom wall 101 and a peripheral wall connected to the bottom wall 101, the bottom wall 101 and the peripheral wall defining the opening 10b and the accommodation space 10a. The opening 10b may be used for passing the battery cell assembly 20 such that the battery cell assembly 20 is placed in the receiving space 10a.

In some embodiments, the gap 1 includes a second gap 1b, the second gap 1b being present between the peripheral wall and the cell assembly 20. The insulating member 30 includes a second portion 32, the second portion 32 is provided in the second gap 1b, and the cell assembly 20 and the peripheral wall are adhesively fixed by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 3-5 in conjunction with fig. 9, the second gap 1b communicates with the first gap 1a, and the second portion 32 is connected with the first portion 31. In particular, the insulating material formed by flowing may be injected into the first gap 1a, and the insulating material to be flowed passes through the first gap 1a and the second gap 1b, and is solidified to form the solid first portion 31 and the solid second portion 32, so as to bond and fix the bottom wall 101, the peripheral wall and the cell assembly 20 into an integral structure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing a structure in which a battery cell assembly is assembled to a case without injecting an insulating material into a battery module, fig. 7 is a partially enlarged view at B in fig. 6, fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line C-C in fig. 6, wherein 1021 is not shown, and fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in fig. 6.

In some embodiments, the peripheral wall includes a first wall 1021 and a second wall 1022, the second wall 1022 and the first wall 1021 being located on opposite sides of the cell assembly 20 along the third direction Z. The third direction Z, the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular to each other.

Referring to fig. 1 to 9, the housing 10 includes a bottom wall 101 and a peripheral wall; the peripheral walls include a first wall 1021, a second wall 1022, a third wall 1023, and a fourth wall 1024; the first wall 1021, the second wall 1022, the third wall 1023, and the fourth wall 1024 are each connected to the bottom wall 101, and configure the accommodation space 10a and the opening 10b.

In some embodiments, bottom wall 101 and opening 10b are disposed opposite in a first direction X, fourth wall 1024 and third wall 1023 are disposed opposite in a second direction Y, and second wall 1022 and first wall 1021 are disposed opposite in a third direction Z.

In some embodiments, the second gap 1b includes a gap between the first wall 1021 and the cell assembly 20, and the second portion 32 is disposed in the gap between the first wall 1021 and the cell assembly 20, and the first wall 1021 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the second gap 1b comprises a gap between the second wall 1022 and the cell assembly 20, and the second portion 32 is disposed in the gap between the second wall 1022 and the cell assembly 20, and the second wall 1022 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the second gap 1b includes a gap between the third wall 1023 and the cell assembly 20, the second portion 32 is disposed in the gap between the third wall 1023 and the cell assembly 20, and the third wall 1023 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the second gap 1b includes a gap (not shown) between the fourth wall 1024 and the cell assembly 20, the second portion 32 is disposed in the gap between the fourth wall 1024 and the cell assembly 20, and the fourth wall 1024 and the cell assembly 20 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the case 10 may be made of, but not limited to, plastic having insulation properties, so as to reduce the total weight of the entire battery module. As an example, the housing 10 may be made of polypropylene.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12 to 13, the cell assembly 20 includes at least two cells 20, and the at least two cells 20 are arranged along a second direction Y and electrically connected, wherein the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular to each other.

In some embodiments, each cell 21 can realize the charge and discharge of the battery module and the external circuit through the mutual conversion of chemical energy and electric energy. The external circuit referred to herein specifically refers to a circuit portion connected between the battery module and the outside. For example, the external circuit can be a load circuit in the power utilization device, so that the battery module can release the electric energy stored by the battery module, and the requirement of the power utilization device on energy output is met; or the external circuit can also be a power input circuit such as commercial power, so that the battery module can supplement the self-consumed electric energy, and the requirement of the battery module on energy input is met.

The cell 21 may be any form of cell 21 in which an electrochemical reaction occurs. Examples of such a cell 21 include a lithium cell 21, a lithium sulfur cell 21, a sodium ion cell 21, a magnesium ion cell 21, and a solid state cell 21.

In some embodiments, the cells 21 are soft-pack cells.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, 7, 9, and 10-15, each cell 21 includes a cell housing 211 and an electrode terminal 213, the electrode terminal 213 extending out of the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the portion of the electrode terminal 213 extending out of the cell housing 211 is located between the cell housing 211 and the first wall 1021.

In some embodiments, each cell 21 includes an electrode assembly (not shown); the electrode assembly is arranged in the battery cell shell 211 and comprises a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and an isolating film positioned between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; the electrode terminals 213 are divided into positive electrode terminals 2131 and negative electrode terminals 2132, the positive electrode terminals 2131 are electrically connected to the positive electrode tab, and the negative electrode terminals 2132 are electrically connected to the negative electrode tab. The cells 21 are electrically connected to each other by positive electrode terminal 2131 and negative electrode terminal 2132.

As for the cell housing 211, the cell housing 211 may be made in any shape according to actual use requirements. The cell case 211 having such a shape may be a cylinder, a flat body, a rectangular parallelepiped, or other regular or irregular shape. As one example, as shown in fig. 14, the cell case has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic structural view of a single cell in the battery module, in which the electrode terminal 213 is not bent.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 12 in conjunction with fig. 14 and 15, the cell housing 211 includes a main body portion 2111 and a first sealing portion 2112, the first sealing portion 2112 being connected to the main body portion 2111.

In some embodiments, body portion 2111 defines a cavity (not shown) therein that conforms to the shape of the electrode assembly, which is disposed within the cavity.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 14 and 15, the electrode terminal 213 protrudes from the same first sealing portion 2112 out of the cell housing 211, and the positive electrode terminal 2131 and the negative electrode terminal 2132 are located on the same side of the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, the first sealing portion 2112 extends outwardly from one side of the main body portion 2111 in the third direction Z.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers the first seal 2112.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers the first seal 2112 of the at least one cell 20.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers at least a portion of the first seal 2112 of each cell 20.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers all of the first seal 2112 of each cell 20.

In other embodiments, cell housing 211 includes a main body portion 2111 and two first sealing portions 2112, wherein two first sealing portions 2112 are connected to opposite sides of main body portion 2111, positive terminal 2131 protrudes from one of first sealing portions 2112 out of cell housing 211, and negative terminal 2132 protrudes from the other first sealing portion 2112 out of cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, the cell housing 211 includes two second sealing portions 2113, and the two second sealing portions 2113 are disposed on two sides of the main body portion 2111 along the first direction X. Wherein two second sealing portions 2113 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the main body portion 2111.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4, one of the second seal portion 2113 and the main body portion 2111 are bonded by the first portion 31.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 4, 12, and 15, the main body portion 2111 includes a first curved surface portion 2111a and a second curved surface portion 2111b disposed opposite each other in the second direction Y, and the first sealing portion 2112 is disposed adjacent to the first curved surface portion 2111 a.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4 together with fig. 12, the second curved surface portions 2111b of two adjacent cells 21 and the second sealing portions 2112 of the two adjacent cells are adhesively fixed by the first portion 31, wherein the two second sealing portions 2113 are disposed opposite to each other.

In the battery module that this application relates to, the contact surface between insulating part 30 and the electric core subassembly 20 is the curved surface, and the area of contact between insulating part 30 and two adjacent electric cores 21 is great, on the one hand can strengthen the connection stability of insulating part 30 and electric core subassembly 20, on the other hand, when battery module face falls, the operating mode such as vibration, the curved surface can disperse effort to each direction to reduce the main part 211 stress concentration situation of electric core 21.

Further, the cell housing 211 may be in the form of a hard shell or a soft pack. In some embodiments, the cell housing 211 is a pouch, whereby the cell 21 carrying the pouch has a high volumetric energy density. Such a package includes an aluminum plastic film, a steel plastic film, a copper plastic film, and the like. The package may be made of plastic-aluminum film, for example.

As for the electrode terminal 213, it may be made in any shape according to actual use requirements. The electrode terminal 213 having such a shape may be a sheet, a strip, a bar, or the like. Illustratively, the electrode assembly 212 may be selected from a sheet-like structure because the sheet-like structure not only facilitates welding of the electrode terminals 213 with the electrode tabs and the electrode terminals 213 to each other, but also increases the distribution area of current passing therethrough, thereby increasing the conduction efficiency of current passing through the electrode terminals 213.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, 7, and 9 to 15, the electrode terminal 213 is selected to have a sheet structure, which is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and protrudes the first sealing part 2112 in the third direction Z.

In some embodiments, the portion of the electrode terminal 213 protruding out of the battery cell case 211 includes a first connection portion 213a and a second connection portion 213b, and the first connection portion 213a is connected to the second connection portion 213b.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the second connection portions 213b of two adjacent cells 20 are connected; the two first connection portions 213a respectively connected to the two second connection portions 213b are separated from each other when viewed along the first direction X, so as to facilitate the increase of the flowing speed of the insulating material.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers at least a portion of the electrode terminals 213 that protrude from the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers a portion of the at least one electrode terminal 213 that protrudes out of the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers the first connection 213a, and/or the second connection 213b.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers at least a portion of each electrode terminal 213 that protrudes out of the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, the second portion 32 covers the entirety of each electrode terminal 213 that protrudes out of the cell housing 211.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 5 in conjunction with fig. 6 and fig. 7 and fig. 9, the cell housing 211, the electrode terminals 213 and the first wall 1021 are adhered and fixed by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the electrode terminal 213 protrudes from the first sealing portion 2112 of the battery cell housing 211, the gap between the main body portion 2111 and the first wall 1021 of the housing 10 is larger than the gap between the other side walls of the main body portion 2111 and the other side walls of the housing 10, and when the insulating material is injected into the gap between the filler battery cell assembly 20 and the housing 10, the injection step can be conveniently completed with the gap between the main body portion 2111 and the first wall 1021 of the housing 10 as the glue-pouring opening.

In addition, referring to fig. 6 or 7 together with fig. 9, the first sealing portions 2112 of the plurality of battery cells 21 extend outwardly along the main body portion 2111, which can function as a gap between the main body portion 2111 and the first wall 1021 of the housing 10, and an insulating material is poured through the gap between the main body portion 2111 and the first wall 1021.

Referring to fig. 6, the first connection portion 213a of each cell 21 occupies a smaller space due to the smaller cross-sectional area during the glue filling process, so as to shorten the time for filling the insulating material, further improve the poor filling condition caused by the gel time limit of the pouring sealant, and the curing state is presented when the gap between the cell assembly 20 and the housing 10 is not filled.

In some embodiments, the plurality of electric cells 21 may be electrically connected in series, parallel or series-parallel, where series-parallel refers to both series connection and parallel connection of the plurality of electric cells 21. The plurality of battery cells 21 can be directly connected in series or parallel or connected in series and parallel to form a battery cell assembly 20; alternatively, a plurality of cells 21 may be connected in series, parallel or series-parallel to form the cell assembly 20.

Here, it is explained that one electrode terminal 213 of one cell 21 is electrically connected to an electrode terminal 213 of an adjacent cell 21 having an opposite polarity, and the other electrode terminal 213 is electrically connected to an electrode terminal 213 of another adjacent cell 21 having an opposite polarity, by direct series connection between the cells 21.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 10 to 12, the individual cells 21 may also be connected in series by other electrical connectors, such as but not limited to electrical connection pads.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6 to 7, 9 and 13, the battery module includes a connection assembly 40, the connection assembly 40 is disposed between the battery cell assembly 20 and the first wall 1021, and the electrode terminal 213 is connected to the connection assembly 40. The insulator 30 encases at least a portion of the connection assembly 40.

In some embodiments, the cell housing 211, the electrode terminals 213, the connection assembly 40, and the first wall 1021 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 10 to 13, the connection assembly 40 includes a circuit board 41, a plurality of electrical connectors 42 are disposed on the circuit board 41, the plurality of electrical connectors 42 are fixedly connected to the circuit board 41, and the electrode terminals 213 are connected to the electrical connectors 42.

In some embodiments, the electrode terminals 213 of two adjacent cells 21 are connected to an electrical connector 42 to realize the serial connection or parallel connection of the two cells 21.

In some embodiments, the cell housing 211, the electrode terminals 213, the circuit board 41, the electrical connector 42, and the first wall 1021 are adhesively secured by the second portion 32.

In some embodiments, the circuit board 41 includes a BMS (Battery Management System ), and the circuit board 41 performs charge and discharge control and sampling of parameters such as voltage, current, etc. for each cell 21 in the cell assembly 20.

In some embodiments, the electrical connector 42 is a metal conductive sheet that matches the shape of the second connection portion 213b of the electrode terminal 213.

In some embodiments, the positive and negative electrode terminals 213 of the respective battery cells 21 are connected by bonding, so long as the sheet-shaped electrode terminals 213 to be connected are bonded together and there is a certain connection strength between the electrode terminals 213, and as an example, the sheet-shaped electrode terminals 213 are welded. The welding may be performed by various conventional welding methods, such as cold press welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, soldering, flash butt welding, friction welding, resistance welding, etc., and as an example, laser welding may be used between the positive and negative terminals or between the positive and negative terminals and the electrical connection member 42 of the connection assembly 40.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 1, 2, 6, and 10-13, the battery module includes a fixing strap 50, and the fixing strap 50 surrounds the outer surface of the cell assembly 20 to limit the expansion of the cell 21.

In some embodiments, the maximum binding force that the fixing strap 50 can withstand is always greater than the sum of the forces applied by the elastic member 22 to all the cells 21, so that the fixing strap 50 is not broken and still constrains the cell assembly 20, facilitating the cell 21 to press the elastic member 22 to obtain an expandable space.

In some embodiments, the fixing strap 50 may be made of a resin having a small strain with respect to the stress generated by each cell 21 in the fully charged state. Examples of such resins include ductile resins such as epoxy resins and aromatic polyamides. Illustratively, the fixing band 50 may be a flexible strip-like member made of epoxy resin having a binding function.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 13, the securing strap 50 includes a first section 51, a second section 52, a third section 53, and a fourth section 54 that are connected end-to-end to each other, wherein the first section 51 and the second section 52 are disposed opposite each other along a first direction X, and the third section 53 and the fourth section 54 are disposed opposite each other along a second direction Y. The first section 51, the second section 52, the third section 53, and the fourth section 54 are in contact with the plurality of cells 21 of the cell assembly 20.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 6 in combination with fig. 12, the first section 51 is located between the bottom wall 101 and the cell assembly 20, and the first section 51 and the bottom wall 101 are adhesively secured by the first portion 31.

In some embodiments, the first section 51, the second section 52, the third section 53, and the fourth section 54 are adhesively secured to the housing 10 by the insulator 30.

In some embodiments, the cells 21 are in a pressurized state. Therefore, the battery cell assembly 20 can place more battery cells 21 under the restraint action of the fixing belt 50, so that the energy density of the battery module is improved.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 3, 4 and 8, the first gap 1a includes a plurality of first sub-gaps 1aa juxtaposed in the second direction Y, and before the first sub-gaps 1aa are configured to be disposed on the insulating member 30, both ends of any first sub-gap 1aa along the third direction Z are in communication with the opening 10 b.

Specifically, the second sealing portion 2113 of one cell 21 and the second sealing portion 2113 of its neighboring cell 21 are close together and form a first sub-gap 1aa together with the bottom wall 101; a portion of the first portion 31 is located in the first sub-gap 1aa, and two adjacent cells 21 and the bottom wall 101 are adhesively fixed by the first portion 31.

After the cell assembly 20 is placed in the accommodating space 10a of the housing 10, the first sub-gap 1aa can be used to guide the flowing insulating material, thereby improving the volumetric energy density of the battery module.

In addition, after the insulation material is poured into the gap between the main body portion 2111 and the first wall 1024, the insulation material can flow along the plurality of first sub-gaps 1aa, and the air in the first sub-gaps 1aa is discharged through the opening 10b, so as to facilitate the increase of the flowing time of the insulation material.

As shown in fig. 6, 8, or 9, in some embodiments, the cell assembly 20 may further include at least one elastic member 22, the elastic member 22 being located between two adjacent cells 21 along the first direction X, the elastic member 22 being configured to provide a configuration expansion space for the cells 21.

In some embodiments, the cell 21 and the elastic member 22 are adhesively secured. The expansion force during the charge and discharge of the battery cell 21 can be absorbed by the compressible property of the battery cell itself. By way of example, the elastic member 22 is foam made of polyurethane material.

In some embodiments, the second curved surface portion 21112 of two adjacent cells 21, the elastic member 22 disposed between the two adjacent cells, and the bottom wall 101 are adhesively secured by the first portion 31.

In some embodiments, the securing strap 50 applies a force to the at least one elastic member 22 to place the at least one elastic member 22 in a pressurized state. Under the restraint of the fixing belt 50, the passage of the insulating material can be limited, the insulating material can be reduced from entering the gap between the elastic piece 22 and the adjacent battery cell 21, and the situation that the battery cell structure is damaged when the battery cell expands after the insulating material is solidified can be reduced.

As shown in fig. 8, in some embodiments, the first gap 1a includes a plurality of second sub-gaps 1ab juxtaposed in the second direction Y.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 8 together with fig. 10, the second sealing portion 2113 of one cell 21, the second sealing portion 2113 of the adjacent cell 21, and the elastic member 22 disposed between the two adjacent cells 21 together form a second sub-gap 1ab with the bottom wall 101. The second sub-gap 1ab is configured such that both ends of the second sub-gap 1ab in the third direction Z communicate with the opening 10b before the insulating member 30 is provided. A portion of the first portion 31 is located in the second sub-gap 1ab, and the adjacent two battery cells 21, the elastic member 22 disposed between the adjacent two battery cells 21, and the bottom wall 101 are adhesively fixed by the first portion 31.

Referring back to fig. 8, further, along the first direction X, the longest distance of the second sub-gap 1ab is L2 in mm, and the longest distance of the first sub-gap 1aa is L1 in mm, where L2 > L1. The contact area between the insulating material and the second sub-gap 1ab is larger than the contact area between the insulating material and the first sub-gap 1aa, which is beneficial to the stable connection between the battery cell assembly 20 and the bottom wall 101 of the housing 10.

Referring back to fig. 2, in some embodiments, the battery module includes a support member 60, and the support member 60 is connected between the housing 10 and the cell assembly 20 and is covered by the insulating member 30.

In some embodiments, the support 60 is foam configured to limit the passage of insulating material, reducing the ingress of insulating material into the foam. Alternatively, the foam material includes, but is not limited to, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA).

In particular, the foam may be adhered and fixed at the stacking position of the second connection portion 213b and the third connection portion of each cell 21, or may be adhered and fixed at the end of each cell 21 opposite to the first connection portion 213a along the third direction Z. By the arrangement, even after the foam is compressed, a certain gap for filling the pouring sealant is reserved between the shell 10 and the cell assembly 20, so that the gap between the shell 10 and the cell assembly 20 is smaller, and the quantity of the pouring sealant needed for filling the gap is smaller.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, in some embodiments, the insulator 30 includes a third portion 33, the third portion 33 being connected to the second portion 32, the third portion 33 covering a side of the cell assembly 20 remote from the bottom wall 101.

In some embodiments, the third portion 33 is integrally connected to the first and second portions 31, 32 to facilitate the securement of the cell assembly 20 to the housing 10.

In some embodiments, after the battery cell assembly 20 is placed in the accommodating space 10a of the housing 10, the insulating material may be poured from the position where the plurality of battery cells 21 are electrically connected to each other (where the electrode terminals 213 of the plurality of battery cells 21 are electrically connected to each other), and as the injection amount of the insulating material increases, the liquid level of the insulating material also increases, and after the insulating material fills the gap between the housing 10 and the battery cell assembly 20 and floods the battery cell assembly 2, the liquid level of the insulating material does not decrease any more, i.e. the potting is completed, and at this time, the portion of the insulating member 30 covering the side of the battery cell assembly 20 far from the bottom wall 101 is the third portion 33 of the insulating member. Therefore, the acting force generated when the battery module is subjected to the external impact condition can be timely transmitted to the main body portion 2111 through the first portion 31, the second portion 32 and the third portion 33, so that each battery cell 21 is fully protected.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a first raised wall 1025 and a second raised wall 1026, the first raised wall 1025 being flared, with portions integrally connected to an outer surface of the second wall 1022 and spaced apart from the second wall 1022. The second convex wall 1026 is also in a flared shape, and part of the second convex wall is integrally connected to the outer surface of the first wall 1021 and is spaced apart from the first wall 1021.

Based on the above detailed description of several exemplary embodiments of the battery module provided in the present application, an exemplary embodiment of a method of manufacturing the battery module provided in the present application will be described below.

In this embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery module according to the present application includes the steps of:

s1, arranging and electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells 21 along a second direction Y to form a battery cell assembly 20, and placing the battery cell assembly 20 in an accommodating space 10a of a shell 10;

s2, from the electric connection positions among the plurality of battery cells 21, insulating materials are poured into the gaps 1 between the shell 10 and the battery cell assemblies 20, and the insulating materials are arranged between the bottom wall 101 of the shell 10 and the battery cell assemblies 20 and are solidified to form insulating pieces 30, so that the battery module is manufactured. Referring specifically to fig. 5, an insulating material is poured along the gap 1 between the housing 10 and the cell assembly 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 5. Here, it should be noted that the electrical connection position between the plurality of battery cells 21 specifically refers to a position where the electrode terminals 213 of the plurality of battery cells 21 are electrically connected to each other.

In another aspect of the present application, a battery pack is provided, including the aforementioned battery module. Therefore, the battery pack has all the characteristics and features of the battery module, and the details are not repeated here. In general, the device has at least the characteristics of light weight and high use reliability.

In some embodiments, the battery pack includes a top cover (not shown) that closes the opening 10b.

In yet another aspect of the present application, an electrical device is provided, including the aforementioned battery pack. Therefore, the power utilization device has all the characteristics and features of the battery pack, and the details are not repeated here. In general, the method has at least the characteristic of high use reliability. The power utilization device may be implemented in various specific forms, for example, an electronic product such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, an electric cleaning tool, an energy storage product, an electric vehicle, an electric bicycle, an electric navigation tool, and the like. In some scenarios, the powered device includes, but is not limited to,: standby power, electrodes, automobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycle electric tools, household large-scale storage batteries, lithium ion capacitors and the like.

The foregoing description is only exemplary embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application, and all equivalent structures or equivalent processes using the descriptions and the drawings of the present application, or direct or indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising:

the shell is provided with an accommodating space and an opening communicated with the accommodating space, and comprises a bottom wall which is opposite to the opening along a first direction;

the battery cell assembly is arranged in the accommodating space, a gap exists between the battery cell assembly and the shell, the battery cell assembly comprises at least two battery cells, and the at least two battery cells are arranged along a second direction and are electrically connected, wherein the second direction and the first direction are mutually perpendicular; and

and the insulating piece is at least partially arranged in the gap, and the shell and the battery cell assembly are fixedly bonded through the insulating piece.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a peripheral wall connected to the bottom wall, the peripheral wall and the bottom wall defining the opening and the accommodation space;

the gap comprises a first gap and a second gap, the first gap is positioned between the cell assembly and the bottom wall, and the second gap is positioned between the cell assembly and the peripheral wall;

the insulating piece comprises a first part and a second part connected with the first part, wherein the first part is arranged in the first gap, and the second part is arranged in the second gap.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral wall comprises a first wall and a second wall, the second wall and the first wall being located on both sides of the cell assembly, respectively, in a third direction, wherein any two of the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other;

the battery cell comprises a battery cell shell and an electrode terminal, wherein the electrode terminal extends out of the battery cell shell, and the part of the electrode terminal extending out of the battery cell shell is positioned between the battery cell shell and the first wall;

the battery cell case, the electrode terminal, and the first wall are bonded and fixed by the second portion.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the battery module includes a connection assembly between the cell assembly and the first wall, the electrode terminal being connected to the connection assembly;

the battery cell housing, the electrode terminal, the connection assembly, and the first wall are adhesively secured by the second portion.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein the connection assembly comprises a circuit board provided with a plurality of electrical connectors;

The electrode terminal is connected to the electrical connector.

6. The battery module according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cell case includes a main body portion and a first sealing portion connected to the main body portion, the electrode terminal protruding from the first sealing portion out of the cell case;

the second portion covers the first seal.

7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein the second portion covers at least a portion of the electrode terminals that protrude out of the cell housing.

8. The battery module according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the portion of the electrode terminal protruding from the battery cell case includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the first connection portion being connected to the second connection portion;

the second connecting portions of two adjacent battery cells are connected, and are separated from the two first connecting portions connected with the two second connecting portions respectively when observed along the first direction.

9. The battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein,

the battery cell shell comprises two second sealing parts, and the two second sealing parts are arranged on two sides of the main body part along the first direction;

One of the second seal portion and the main body portion are bonded by the first portion.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the main body portion includes a first curved surface portion and a second curved surface portion, the first sealing portion being disposed adjacent to the first curved surface portion;

the second curved surface parts of the adjacent two electric cores and the second sealing parts of the adjacent two electric cores are adhered and fixed through the first parts, wherein the second sealing parts of the adjacent two electric cores are arranged in opposite directions.

11. The battery module according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cell assembly comprises at least one elastic member, the elastic member being provided between two adjacent cells;

the second curved surface parts of two adjacent electric cores, the elastic piece arranged between the two adjacent electric cores and the bottom wall are fixedly bonded through the first parts.

12. The battery module according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the battery module comprises a fixing band that is circumferentially provided to an outer surface of the cell assembly;

the fixing belt comprises a first section and a second section which are oppositely arranged along a first direction, and a third section and a fourth section which are oppositely arranged along a second direction;

The first section and the bottom wall are adhesively secured by the first portion.

13. The battery module of claim 12, wherein the cells are in a pressurized state.

14. The battery module of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the insulator further comprises a third portion connected to the second portion, the third portion covering a side of the cell assembly remote from the bottom wall.

15. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the insulating member is configured to be formed by disposing an insulating material in the gap and curing.

16. The battery module of claim 15, wherein the insulating material comprises one of a potting adhesive and a foaming adhesive.

17. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein both ends of the first gap in the third direction are in communication with the opening before the first gap is configured to be provided with an insulating member.

18. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. An electrical device comprising the battery pack of claim 18.

20. A method of manufacturing a battery module, comprising the steps of:

s1, arranging a plurality of battery cells along a second direction and mutually and electrically connecting the battery cells to form a battery cell assembly, and placing the battery cell assembly in an accommodating space of a shell;