Battery module and isolating member

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery module and an isolation member, the battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells having electrical connection terminals; and an isolating member, the isolating member being set at an end of the battery module along a length direction, where along the length direction, the isolating member has an outer end surface away from the battery cells and an inner end surface close to the battery cells, the isolating member is provided with through holes, the through holes penetrate the inner end surface and the outer end surface, and the electrical connection terminals of the battery cells protrude from the through holes; where the outer end surface is provided with position limiting parts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the technical field of energy storage devices, and in particularly, to a battery module and an isolating member.

BACKGROUND

A battery module includes a housing and a plurality of battery cells located in an inner cavity of the housing, the battery cells have electrical connection terminals, and the adjacent electrical connection terminals are connected by connecting pieces to achieve electrical connection between the adjacent battery cells. In the existing battery module, after the battery cells are electrically connected, there is a risk of incorrect connection between the electrical connection terminals and the connecting pieces, thereby causing a short circuit.

SUMMARY

In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery module and an isolating member, to solve the problem of short circuit caused by the contact of the electrical connection terminals of adjacent battery cells and the contact of the electrical connection terminals and the adjacent connecting pieces in the prior art.

An embodiment of the present application provides a battery module, the battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells that have electrical connection terminals; and an isolating member that is set at an end of the battery module along a length direction, where along the length direction, the isolating member has an outer end surface away from the battery cells and an inner end surface close to the battery cells, the isolating member is provided with through holes, the through holes penetrate the inner end surface and the outer end surface, and the electrical connection terminals of the battery cells protrude from the through holes, where the outer end surface is provided with position limiting parts.

In a possible design, the position limiting parts include a first position limiting plate, and the first position limiting plate extends along the length direction.

In a possible design, along a height direction of the battery module, two ends of the first position limiting plate are both connected with a first reinforcing plate, and the first reinforcing plate is bent relative to the first position limiting plate.

In a possible design, along a width direction, the first position limiting plate is aligned with a side wall of the through hole.

In a possible design, the position limiting parts include a second position limiting plate and a third position limiting plate, and the second position limiting plate extends along the length direction; along the length direction, one end of the second position limiting plate is connected with the outer end surface, and the other end is connected with the third position limiting plate; and the third position limiting plate is bent relative to the second position limiting plate along the width direction.

In a possible design, there is an inclined surface between the third position limiting plate and the second position limiting plate; and an included angle between the inclined surface and the second position limiting plate is 90°-180°.

In a possible design, along a height direction, two ends of the second position limiting plate are both connected with a second reinforcing plate; and the second reinforcing plate is bent relative to the second position limiting plate, and the second reinforcing plate is connected with the third position limiting plate.

In a possible design, along the width direction, the second position limiting plate is aligned with a side wall of the through hole.

In a possible design, the position limiting parts is set between adjacent through holes.

In a possible design, the through holes includes a first end through hole, a second end through hole and middle through holes, the first end through hole and the second end through hole are located at two ends in the width direction, one or more of the middle through holes are located between the first end through hole and the second end through hole; and the position limiting part is set between the first end through hole and a middle through hole adjacent to it, and the position limiting part is set between the second end through hole and a middle through hole adjacent to it.

In the present application, by setting the position limiting parts in the isolating member, it is possible to isolate the electrical connection terminals protruding from adjacent through holes, so that the short circuit caused by contact between the electrical connection terminals could be prevented, and the reliability and service life of the battery module could be improved. Moreover, after setting the position limiting parts in the isolating member, there is no need to set a structure for avoiding the electrical connection terminals between the first connecting member and the second connecting member, so as to ensure that the first connecting member and the second connecting member could have a large current-flowing area, and could reduce the risk of damage due to heating of the battery module.

An embodiment of the present application further provides an isolating member, the isolating member is set at an end of the battery module along the length direction, and along the length direction, the isolating member has the outer end surface away from the battery cells and the inner end surface close to the battery cells, the isolating member is provided with the through holes, the through holes penetrate the inner end surface and the outer end surface, and an electrical connection terminal of each of the battery cells protrudes from a corresponding through hole, where the outer end surface is provided with the position limiting parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It should be clear that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the protection scopes of the present application.

The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, not intended to limit the present application. The singular form “a”, “the” and “this” used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

It should be understood that the term “and/or” used herein is only an association relationship describing the associated objects, which means that there may be three relationships, for example, A and/or B can mean: A alone exists, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character “I” in the context generally means that the associated objects before and after the character are in an “or” relationship.

It should be noted that the “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right” and other directional words described in the embodiments of the present application are described from the perspective shown in the drawings, and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that an element is connected “on” or “under” another element, the element can not only be directly connected “on” or “under” the another element, it can also be indirectly connected “on” or “under” another element through an intermediate element.

Please refer toFIGS.1-12, whereFIG.1is an exploded diagram of a battery module provided by the present application in a specific embodiment;FIG.2is an exploded diagram of a housing assembly inFIG.1;FIG.3is an exploded diagram of the battery assembly inFIG.1;FIG.4is a schematic structural diagram of a isolating member inFIG.1;FIG.5is a schematic diagram of a matching structure of the battery assembly and the isolating member inFIG.1in a specific embodiment;FIG.6is a partial enlarged diagram of part I inFIG.5;FIG.7is a partial enlarged diagram of part II inFIG.6;FIG.8is a partial cross-sectional diagram ofFIG.6;FIG.9is a schematic diagram of a matching structure of the battery assembly and the isolating member inFIG.1in another specific embodiment;FIG.10is a partial enlarged diagram of part III inFIG.9;FIG.11is a partial enlarged diagram of part IV inFIG.10; andFIG.12is a partial cross-sectional diagram ofFIG.10.

As shown inFIG.1, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery module1, where the battery module1includes a housing assembly11and a battery assembly12, where as shown inFIG.2, the housing assembly11may include an upper cover111and a lower housing112, and the upper cover111and the lower housing112are fixedly connected to form an inner cavity of the housing assembly11. The lower housing112includes two end plates112a, two side plates112b, and a bottom plate, which are fixedly connected and form a frame structure for accommodating the battery assembly12after being connected. The two end plates112aare located at two ends of the battery assembly12along a length direction X, the two side plates112bare located at two sides of the battery assembly12along a width direction Y, and the bottom plate is located at the bottom of the battery assembly12.

As shown inFIG.3, the battery assembly12includes a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells has an electrical connection terminal, and the electrical connection terminal is used to output the electrical energy of the battery cell. The battery cell in the present application can be a pouch-type battery, a square battery or a cylindrical battery. Therefore, specific structures of the battery cells are not limited in the present application.

In the battery assembly12, adjacent battery cells are stacked along the width direction Y, and the battery assembly12includes a first end battery cell122, a second end battery cell123and a middle battery cell121, where the first end battery cell122and the second end battery cell123are located at two ends of the battery assembly12along the width direction Y, and one or more middle battery cells121are located between the first end battery cell122and the second end battery cell123. Where the first end battery cell122has a first end electrical connection terminal122a, the second end battery cell123has a second end electrical connection terminal123a, and each middle battery cell121has a middle electrical connection terminal121a.

At the same time, as shown inFIG.3, the battery assembly12further includes first connecting members124and second connecting members125, where each first connecting member124is used to connect an adjacent electrical connection terminal, thereby electrically connecting each of the battery cells of the battery module1. An output pole of the battery module1is provided with two second connecting members125, which are a positive second connecting member and a negative second connecting member respectively, so as to realize the output of the electric energy of the battery module1or the series connection of the battery module1.

At least two electrical connection terminals, namely a positive electrical connection terminal and a negative electrical connection terminal, protrude from the battery cell. In an embodiment shown inFIG.5, the positive electrical connection terminal and the negative electrical connection terminal respectively protrude from two ends of the battery cell along the length direction X, and when adjacent battery cells are connected in series, the adjacent electrical connection terminals protruding from the same end have opposite polarities and, connection between two electrical connection terminals located at the same end and having opposite polarities realizes a series connection of battery cells. For two adjacent battery cells in series, one ends at which they are connected are defined as connection ends.

It can be understood that when adjacent battery cells are connected in series, only one ends (the connection ends) of both them are electrically connected, and if the other ends are also electrically connected, it will cause a short circuit. One ends at which two adjacent battery cells in series are not connected are defined as non-connection ends.

Therefore, when the battery cells in the battery assembly12are connected in series, it is necessary to ensure that electrical connection terminals of the connection ends of adjacent battery cells are connected, and at the same time, it is also necessary to ensure that electrical connection terminals of the non-connection ends of the adjacent battery cells are not in contact.

At the same time, in the battery assembly12, as shown inFIG.3, when the battery cells are connected in series, two ends of each middle electrical connection terminal121aare both connection ends, and both the first end electrical connection terminal122aand the second end electrical connection terminal123ahave one end that is an non-connection end (not electrically connected to an adjacent middle electrical connection terminal121a), and when the non-connection end is in contact with the adjacent middle electrical connection terminal121a, it causes a short circuit. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the non-connection end of the first end electrical connection terminal122aand the non-connection end of the second end electrical connection terminal123aare not in contact with adjacent middle electrical connection terminals121aand are both not in contact with a first connecting member124and a second connecting member125.

As shown inFIGS.1and4, two ends of the battery assembly12are provided with an isolating member13along the length direction X and the isolating member13is used to electrically isolate the first connecting members124and the second connecting members125from the battery cells to improve the safety of the battery module1, and the isolating member13can be made of a non-metallic material such as plastic.

As shown inFIG.4, along the length direction X, the isolating member13has an inner end surface132and an outer end surface133, which are oppositely arranged. The inner end surface132is close to the battery assembly12, and the outer end surface133is far away from the battery assembly12. As shown inFIGS.8and12, the isolating member13is provided with a plurality of through holes134, and each through hole134is arranged along the width direction Y, and along the length direction X, each through hole134penetrates the inner end surface132and the outer end surface133of a isolating member13, and the electrical connection terminal of each of the battery cells121protrudes from a corresponding through hole134.

FIGS.8and12show an output pole of the battery assembly12. The first connecting members124and the second connecting members125of the battery assembly12are both connected to the outer end surface133of the isolating member13, and after the electrical connection terminals protrude from the through holes134, the electrical connection terminals can be electrically connected to the first connecting members124and/or the second connecting members125.

Specifically, the through holes134of the isolating member13include a first end through hole134a, a second end through hole134b, and one or more middle through holes134c, where the first end through hole134aand the second end through hole134bare located at two ends of the isolating member13along the width direction Y, and each middle through hole134cis located between the first end through hole134aand the second end through hole134b.

As shown inFIGS.8and12, at the output pole, the first end electrical connection terminal122aprotrudes from the first end through hole134aand is a non-connection end, and thus, in the first end battery cell122, the first end electrical connection terminal protruding from one end away from the output pole is a connection end. Similarly, the second end electrical connection terminal123aprotrudes from the second end through hole134band is a non-connection end, the non-connection end can be located at one end of the output pole or at one end far away from the output pole. At the same time, as shown inFIG.6, middle electrical connection terminals121aof two adjacent middle battery cells121protrude from a same middle through hole134cand are connected, and the two middle electrical connection terminals121aprotruding from the same middle through hole134chave opposite polarities, that is, two middle electrical connection terminals121aprotrude from each middle through hole134c.

As mentioned above, it is necessary to ensure that the first end electrical connection terminal122aat the non-connection end is not in contact with a middle electrical connection terminal121aadjacent thereto, the second end electrical connection terminal123aat the non-connection end is not in contact with a middle electrical connection terminal121aadjacent thereto, and the middle electrical connection terminals121aprotruding from different middle through holes134care not in contact with each other, that is, it is necessary to ensure that the electrical connection terminals protruding from different through holes134are all not in contact with each other. In order to achieve this purpose, the outer end surface133of the isolating member13is provided with position limiting parts131.

In the present application, by setting the position limiting parts131on the isolating member13, it is possible to isolate the electrical connection terminals protruding from adjacent through holes134, so that the short circuit caused by contact between the electrical connection terminals could be prevented, and the reliability and service life of the battery module could be improved. Moreover, after setting the position limiting parts131on the isolating member13, there is no need to set a structure for avoiding the electrical connection terminals, between the first connecting members124and the second connecting members125, so as to ensure that the first connecting members124and the second connecting members125could have a large current-flowing area, and could reduce the risk of damage due to heating of the battery module.

In a possible design, when a thickness d of the battery cell is small, in order to fit the thickness of the battery cell, along the width direction Y, distances between adjacent through holes134are also small. Therefore, after the electrical connection terminals protrude from the adjacent through holes134, the distance between the electrical connection terminals is small, and the risk of contact between them is great. Therefore, the position limiting parts131are set between the adjacent through holes134.

Specifically, when the distances between the adjacent through holes134are relatively large, the distances between the electrical connection terminals protruding from the adjacent through holes134are relatively large, the risk of contact between the electrical connection terminals is low, and there is no need to set the position limiting parts131.

Therefore, in the present application, it is possible to select whether to set the position limiting parts131according to a specific structure of the battery assembly12, so that the weight of the battery module has a small increase to ensure energy density while the short circuit is avoided.

In the embodiments shown inFIGS.6and10, along the width direction Y, both ends of the battery assembly12have an arc-shaped structure that is fit with the housing assembly11. The setting of the arc-shaped structure occupies spaces of the first end electrical connection terminal122aand the second end electrical connection terminal123a, resulting in a small distance between the two end electrical connection terminals and the adjacent electrical connection terminals121a, and there is a high risk of contact. Therefore, the position limiting parts131are set between the two ends electrical connection terminals and the middle electrical connection terminals121aadjacent thereto, that is, a position limiting part131is provided between the first end through hole134aand a middle through hole134cadjacent thereto, and a position limiting part131is provided between the second end through hole134band a middle through hole134cadjacent thereto.

In the present embodiment, when a distance between the adjacent middle through holes134cis large, the position limiting parts131may not be set between the adjacent middle through holes134c(or adjacent middle electrical connection terminals121a). This not only that a false contact between the end electrical connection terminals and their adjacent middle electrical connection terminals121acan be prevented, but also the weight of the isolating member13and increases the energy density of the battery module can be reduced.

In another possible design, the above-mentioned position limiting parts131are set between adjacent through holes134, so as to prevent the electrical connection terminals protruding from the adjacent through holes134from contacting with each other, and effectively avoid the occurrence of the short circuit. At the same time, since the position limiting part131is set between two adjacent electrical connection terminals (that is, the position limiting parts131are set between the end electrical connection terminals and their adjacent middle electrical connection terminals121a, and between adjacent middle electrical connection terminals121a), it can increase the creeping distance and improve the electrical safety of the battery module.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.7, the position limiting parts131include a first position limiting plate131a, and the first position limiting plate131aextends along the length direction X.

As shown inFIGS.8and12, after protruding from the through holes134, the electrical connection terminals have a risk of contact with each other when the electrical connection terminals are bent toward each other along the width direction Y. When the first position limiting plate131aextends along the length direction X, the distances between the electrical connection terminals protruding from adjacent through holes134can be increased, thereby reducing the risk of contact between the electrical connection terminals. Moreover, the first position limiting plate131ahas a preset length along the length direction X, the preset length can avoid contact between the electrical connection terminals, and can also avoid the reduction of the energy density of the battery module1due to an excessive size of the first position limiting plate131a.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.7, the end surface of the first position limiting plate131ais perpendicular to the width direction Y, so as to ensure that all parts, along a height direction Z, of the electrical connection terminals protruding from adjacent through holes134are not in contact with each other.

Of course, the position limiting parts131may also include two or more first position limiting plates, and the first position limiting plates are spaced apart along the height direction Z, thereby reducing weights of the position limiting parts131and increasing the energy density of the battery module1.

At the same time, as shown inFIG.7, along the height direction Z of the battery module1, both ends of the first position limiting plates131aare connected to a first reinforcing plate131b, and two first reinforcing plates131bare bent relative to a first position limiting plate131a.

In the present embodiment, the set of two first reinforcing plates131bcan improve the strength and rigidity of the position limiting part131, thereby increasing the service life of the battery module, and the two first reinforcing plates131bcan extend in the same direction or in opposite directions.

In addition, as shown inFIG.8, along the width direction Y, the first position limiting plates131aare aligned with side wall134dof the through hole. Therefore, the position limiting parts131are a structure that extends outward from the side walls134dof the through holes134. After the electrical connection terminals protrude from the through holes, the first position limiting plates131ahas a function of position limiting, thereby avoiding a false contact between adjacent electrical connection terminals121a. At the same time, in the process of the electrical connection terminals protruding from the through holes, the first position limiting plates131acan play a guiding role, thereby avoiding a false contact between the electrical connection terminals during protruding, and improving the accuracy of the electrical connection terminals when protruding.

In another possible design, as shown inFIGS.11and12, the position limiting parts131include a second position limiting plate131cand a third position limiting plate131d, where the second position limiting plate131cextends along the length direction X, and along the length direction X, one end of the second position limiting plate131cis connected with the outer end surface133of the isolating member13, the other end is connected with the third position limiting plate131d, and the third position limiting plate131dis bent along the width direction Y relative to the second position limiting plate131c.

In the present embodiment, by setting the third position limiting plate131dbent along the width direction Y, the middle electrical connection terminals121acan be bent towards a direction away from their adjacent first end electrical connection terminals122a(or the second end electrical connection terminal123a), thereby further reducing the risk of contact between the first end electrical connection terminal122aand the middle electrical connection terminals121a, and between the second electrical connection terminal123aand the middle electrical connection terminals121a.

The end surface of the second position limiting plate131cis perpendicular to the width direction Y, so as to ensure that all parts, along the height direction Z, of the electrical connection terminals protruding from adjacent through holes134are not in contact with each other, and after setting the third position limiting plate131d, the size of the second position limiting plate131calong the length direction X can be reduced, so that the position limiting parts131can be applied to the battery module1with a limited space in the length direction X. Moreover, after protruding, the middle electrical connection terminals121a, under the action of the third position limiting plate131d, can bend along the width direction Y and stay away from the first end electrical connection terminal122a(or the second end electrical connection terminal123a), thereby further avoiding contact between the middle electrical connection terminals121aand the first end electrical connection terminal122a(or the second end electrical connection terminal123a).

Of course, the position limiting parts131may also include two or more second position limiting plates, and the second position limiting plates are spaced apart along the height direction Z. Similarly, the position limiting parts may also include two or more third position limiting plates, and the third position limiting plates are spaced apart along the height direction Z, and the second position limiting plates are fixedly connected to corresponding third position limiting plates, thereby reducing the weight of the position limiting parts131and increasing the energy density of the battery module1.

In a possible design, as shown inFIG.12, the third position limiting plate131dand the second position limiting plate131care connected by an inclined surface131e, and the inclined surface131eis inclined along the width direction Y of the battery module1.

In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.12, after setting the inclined surface131e, the middle electrical connection terminals121aafter protruding from the middle through holes134ccan be attached to the inclined surface131e, thereby providing support for the middle electrical connection terminals121aand improving their structural strength.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.12, an included angle between the inclined surface131eand the second position limiting plate131cis 90°-180°, that is, an obtuse angle is formed between the inclined surface131eand the second position limiting plate131c, for example, the included angle may be 120°.

In the present embodiment, when the obtuse angle is formed between the inclined surface131eand the second position limiting plate131c, a bending angle of the middle electrical connection terminals121acan be reduced, a stress concentration could be reduced, and its structural strength could be improved.

Further, as shown inFIG.11, along the height direction Z, two ends of the second position limiting plate131care connected with a second reinforcing plate131f, the two second reinforcing plates131fare bent relative to the second position limiting plate131c, and the set of the two second reinforcing plates131fcan improve the strength and rigidity of the position limiting part131, thereby increasing the service life of the battery module, and the two second reinforcing plates131fcan extend in the same direction or in opposite directions.

The second reinforcing plate131fis also fixedly connected to the third position limiting plate131din addition to being fixedly connected to the second position limiting plate131c, the position limiting part131as a whole could be connected and the structural strength of the position limiting part131could be further improved.

In addition, as shown inFIG.12, along the width direction Y, the second position limiting plate131cis aligned with a side wall134dof the through hole. Therefore, the position limiting parts131is a structure that extends outward from side walls134dof the through holes. After the electrical connection terminals protrude from the through holes, the first position limiting plates131chas a function of position limiting, thereby avoiding a false contact between adjacent electrical connection terminals. At the same time, in the process of the electrical connection terminals protruding from the through holes, the first position limiting plates131ccan play a guiding role, thereby avoiding a false contact between the electrical connection terminals during protruding, and improving the accuracy of the electrical connection terminals when protruding.

In addition, in a possible design, the position limiting parts131and the isolating member13are integrally injection molded, or the position limiting parts131and the isolating member13are fixedly connected.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a isolating member, the isolating member is set at an end of the battery module along the length direction, and along the length direction, the isolating member has an outer end surface away from the battery cells and an inner end surface close to the battery cells, the isolating member is provided with through holes, the through holes penetrate the inner end surface and the outer end surface, and the electrical connection terminal of each of the battery cells protrudes from a corresponding through hole, where the outer end surface is provided with position limiting parts.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement, etc., made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be all included in the scope of protection of the present application.