Patent Publication Number: US-2022231371-A1

Title: Box, battery pack, and device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2020/139626, filed on Dec. 25, 2020, which claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010244822.X, filed on Mar. 31, 2020, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular, to a box, a battery pack, and a device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The market demand for new energy vehicles has spurred vigorous development of the new energy vehicles. High reliability of design needs to be ensured in the structural design of a battery pack. Generally, a hitch part of the battery pack is a boundary of the battery pack. The hitch part safeguards performance and integrity of the battery pack, and is essential to safety of a vehicle. However, in the related art, the hitch part of the battery pack is exposed to the outside of the battery pack. Therefore, when the vehicle loses control or collides, the hitch part is most vulnerable to failure. Consequently, the battery pack is squeezed, and safety performance of the battery pack and the vehicle is inferior. 
     SUMMARY 
     This application provides a box, a battery pack, and a device to mitigate the problem that a hitch part of the battery pack is vulnerable to failure when a vehicle collides. 
     A first aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a box. The box includes: 
     a frame member, configured to form an accommodation cavity; 
     a fixing member, configured to mount the box, where the fixing member is connected to the frame member; and 
     a shielding member, configured to be connected to the frame member, where the shielding member includes a hollow portion, and at least a part of the fixing member is accommodated in the hollow portion. 
     The shielding member includes a first shielding member and a second shielding member. The first shielding member and the second shielding member are connected to each other to form the hollow portion. 
     Because the shielding member with a hollow portion is disposed, even if a vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member is squeezed first, and the shielding member withstands a squeezing force. In addition, the hollow portion disposed in the shielding member serves functions of absorbing and cushioning the squeezing force in the lateral collision, thereby increasing the capability of resisting the squeezing force in the lateral collision and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack. This mitigates the problem that a hitch part of the battery pack is vulnerable to failure when a vehicle collides, and improves safety performance of the battery pack and the vehicle. 
     In addition, the first shielding member and the second shielding member are disposed separately, so as to achieve the advantage of high strength in comparison with the integrally formed shielding member. The first shielding member and the second shielding member are disposed independently, and a joint between the first shielding member and the second shielding member can withstand a relatively high extrusion force, thereby significantly improving the capability of the shielding member to resist the squeezing force in a lateral collision. 
     In some embodiments, the fixing member is connected to a periphery of the frame member. 
     The fixing member is connected to the periphery of the frame member. The shielding member is configured to be connected to the frame member. The hollow portion contained in the shielding member accommodates at least a part of the fixing member. In this way, both the fixing member and the shielding member are connected to the periphery of the frame member. Therefore, even if a vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member is squeezed firstly, and the shielding member withstands a squeezing force. In addition, the hollow portion disposed in the shielding member serves functions of absorbing and cushioning the squeezing force in the lateral collision, thereby increasing the capability of resisting the squeezing force in the lateral collision and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack. 
     In some embodiments, the first shielding member includes a first bulge. The first bulge is disposed to protrude away from the second shielding member. The first bulge and a corresponding part of the second shielding member form the hollow portion. 
     In this embodiment, the first bulge is disposed to protrude away from the second shielding member to facilitate formation of the hollow portion configured to accommodate the fixing member. In addition, the first bulge can increase strength of the first shielding member, thereby increasing the strength of the entire shielding member, improving the capability of resisting a squeezing force in a lateral collision, and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack. 
     In some embodiments, the second shielding member includes a second bulge, and the second bulge is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member. 
     In this embodiment, the provision of the second bulge can increase the strength of the second shielding member, thereby increasing the strength of the entire shielding member. In addition, the second bulge is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member, thereby downsizing the entire shielding member and downsizing the entire battery pack. 
     In some embodiments, the second bulge fits snugly with the first shielding member. 
     In this embodiment, the second bulge fits snugly with the first shielding member, thereby increasing the strength of the close-fitting position. After being squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member at the close-fitting position is not likely to deform, thereby improving the capability of resisting a squeezing force in a lateral collision and safeguarding the safety performance of the battery pack. 
     In some embodiments, the fixing member includes a hitch portion configured to fix the box, and the hitch portion is accommodated in the hollow portion. 
     The hitch portion in this embodiment is configured to hitch the box onto the vehicle. The hitch portion is accommodated in the hollow portion. When a squeeze in a lateral collision occurs, the hollow portion can serve a cushioning function and avoid the hitch portion to collide directly, thereby improving the capability of the battery pack to resist the squeezing force in a lateral collision. 
     In some embodiments, a top of the hitch portion fits snugly with the shielding member; and/or a bottom of the hitch portion fits snugly with the shielding member. 
     In this embodiment, the top or bottom of the hitch portion fits snugly with the shielding member to serve a function of supporting the hollow portion. 
     Alternatively, both the top and bottom of the hitch portion fit snugly with the shielding member. The hitch portion is located in the hollow portion. Therefore, the hitch portion and the shielding member fit snugly together to serve a function of supporting the hollow portion, and increase the strength of the shielding member. 
     The hitch portion includes a third bulge. The third bulge is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member. A gap exists between the third bulge and the first shielding member. 
     In this embodiment, the provision of the third bulge can increase the strength of the hitch portion. A protrusion direction of the third bulge is consistent with a protrusion direction of the first bulge, thereby leaving the space for the shielding member. 
     A gap exists between the third bulge and the first shielding member. The gap is configured to install a bushing. 
     A second aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: the box; and a battery accommodated in an accommodation cavity of the box. 
     The battery pack in this embodiment includes the box, thereby effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack, mitigating the problem that a hitch part of the battery pack is vulnerable to failure when a vehicle collides, and improving safety performance of the battery pack and the vehicle. 
     A third aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a device. The device includes the battery pack configured to provide electrical energy. 
     The device in this embodiment adopts the battery pack described above, thereby effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack, mitigating the problem that the hitch part of the battery pack is vulnerable to failure when the vehicle collides, and improving the safety performance of the battery pack and the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application more clearly, the following outlines the drawings used in the embodiments of this application. Evidently, the drawings outlined below are merely a part of embodiments of this application. A person of ordinary skill in the art may derive other drawings from the outlined drawings without making any creative efforts. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a device according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram of a box according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a box according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of  FIG. 4  sectioned along an A-A line; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic structural diagram of a frame member of a box according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 7  is a local detailed view of a part of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of a first shielding member of a box according to an embodiment of this application; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a second shielding member of a box according to an embodiment of this application; and 
         FIG. 10  is a local detailed view of a part of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     The drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
             P—Battery pack; 
             L—Battery module; 
             M—Box; 
               1 —Frame member; 
               11 —Accommodation cavity; 
               12 —Reinforcing plate; 
               13 —Crossbeam; 
               14 —Vertical beam; 
               2 —Shielding member; 
               21 —First shielding member; 
               211 —First bulge; 
               211   a —First through hole; 
               212 —Fourth bulge; 
               213 —First connecting piece; 
               22 —Second shielding member; 
               221 —Beam body; 
               222 —Second bulge; 
               222   a —Main body; 
               222   b —Extension portion; 
               223 —Second through hole; 
               224 —Second connecting piece; 
               23 —Hollow portion; 
               3 —Fixing member; 
               31 —Hitch portion; 
               311 —Third bulge; and 
               312 —Third through hole. 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following gives a more detailed description of implementations of this application with reference to accompanying drawings and embodiments. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are intended to exemplarily describe the principles of this application, but not to limit the scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the described embodiments. 
     In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, “a plurality of” means two or more; the terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “inner”, and “outer” indicating a direction or a position relationship are merely intended for ease or brevity of description of this application, but do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must be located in the specified direction or constructed or operated in the specified direction. Therefore, such terms shall not be understood as a limitation on this application. In addition, the terms “first”, “second”, and “third” are merely intended for descriptive purposes, but are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance. “Perpendicular” is not exactly perpendicular, but within an error tolerance range. “Parallel” is not exactly parallel, but within an error tolerance range. 
     The directional terms appearing in the following description indicate the directions shown in the drawings, but are not intended to limit specific structures in this application. In the context of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified, the terms “mount”, “concatenate”, and “connect” are understood in a broad sense. For example, a “connection” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection, and may be a direct connection or an indirect connection implemented through an intermediary. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand the specific meanings of the terms in this application according to specific situations. 
     Below, in a specific embodiment, this application is described further in detail with reference to specific embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic structural diagram of a device according to an embodiment of this application; and  FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack P according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of this application provides a device. The device may be a mobile device such as a vehicle, an energy storage cabinet, a ship, or a small aircraft. The device includes a power source, and the power source is configured to provide a driving force for the device. The driving force of the device may be sole electrical energy, or may include electrical energy and other types of energy (such as mechanical energy). The power source may be a battery module L (or a battery pack P), or may be a combination of a battery module L (or battery pack P) and an engine, or the like. Therefore, all devices powered by a battery module L (or battery pack P) fall within the protection scope of this application. 
     By taking a vehicle as an example, a vehicle according to an embodiment of this application may be a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, or may be a hybrid electric vehicle, a range-extended electric vehicle, or the like. The vehicle may include a battery pack P and a vehicle body. The battery pack P is disposed in the vehicle body. A driving motor is further disposed in the vehicle body, and the driving motor is electrically connected to the battery pack P The battery pack P provides electrical energy. The driving motor is connected to wheels of the vehicle body through a transmission mechanism to drive the vehicle to move. Specifically, the battery pack P may be horizontally disposed at a bottom of the vehicle body. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a battery pack P according to this embodiment includes a box M and a battery module L disposed in the box M. The battery module L includes a plurality of batteries. The batteries may be rechargeable secondary batteries. The plurality of batteries are located in an inner cavity of the box M and stacked together in the inner cavity along a length direction, a width direction or a height direction. 
     Each of the batteries includes an electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and a housing. The housing may be hexahedral or other shapes. A cavity is formed inside the housing to accommodate the electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution. The electrode assembly is formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. One end of the housing opens so that the electrode assembly can be placed into the cavity of the housing through the opening. A plurality of electrode assemblies may be disposed in the cavity. The plurality of electrode assemblies are stacked together. The housing may include a metal material, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or may include an insulation material such as plastic. 
     In a possible design, the box M is a structure the top of which opens, and includes an upper box cover. The size of the upper box cover is equivalent to the size of the opening at the top of the box M. The upper box cover may be fixed to the opening by a fastener such as a bolt. In addition, in order to improve airtightness of the box M, a sealing element may be disposed between the upper box cover and the box M. 
     The box M may be made of aluminum, aluminum alloy or other metal materials. The box M contains an accommodation cavity  11 . The accommodation cavity  11  can accommodate a plurality of batteries. The plurality of batteries may form battery modules L. The battery modules L may be arranged alongside along a length direction (X) of the battery pack P in the box M, or may be arranged alongside along a width direction (Y) of the battery pack P Each battery module L is fixed to the box M. 
     In the related art, a hitch part of the battery pack P is a boundary of the battery pack P, and is most vulnerable to failure when a vehicle collides. The hitch part is exposed to the outside of the battery pack P and is not protected due to lack of a shielding structure. Therefore, when the vehicle loses control or collides, the hitch part is most prone to deform by a collision. In addition, the collision squeezes the box M and further squeezes the battery module L, thereby causing danger and impairing safety performance. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram of a box M according to an embodiment of this application;  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a box M according to an embodiment of this application; and  FIG. 5  is a sectional view of  FIG. 4  sectioned along an A-A line. As shown in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , this embodiment provides a box M for a battery pack P The box M includes a frame member  1 , a fixing member  3 , and a shielding member  2 . The frame member  1  is configured to form an accommodation cavity  11 . The fixing member  3  is configured to mount the box M. The fixing member  3  is connected to the frame member  1 . The shielding member  2  is configured to be connected to the frame member  1 . The shielding member  2  includes a hollow portion  23 . At least a part of the fixing member  3  is accommodated in the hollow portion  23 . The provision of the shielding member  2  with a hollow portion  23  mitigates the problem that a hitch part of the battery pack P is vulnerable to failure when a vehicle collides, and improves safety performance of the battery pack P and the vehicle. 
     The fixing member  3  is configured to hitch the frame member  1  onto the vehicle to form a hitch part of the battery pack P. When the vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the fixing member  3  is squeezed, and then the frame member  1  and the battery module L are squeezed. Therefore, the shielding member  2  with a hollow portion  23  is disposed. The hollow portion  23  of the shielding member  2  accommodates at least a part of the fixing member  3  to protect the fixing member  3 . Therefore, when the vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member  2  is squeezed first, and the shielding member  2  withstands a squeezing force. In addition, the hollow portion  23  disposed in the shielding member  2  serves functions of absorbing and cushioning the squeezing force, thereby increasing the capability of resisting the squeezing force in the lateral collision and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack P and improving safety performance of the vehicle. 
     Along a height direction (H) of the box M, a reinforcing plate  12  is disposed at the bottom of the frame member  1 , and is configured to support the battery module L and serve a function of reinforcement. In addition, the fixing member  3  is a structure formed by extending the reinforcing plate  12  along the width direction (Y) of the box M. When the vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member  2  is squeezed, and the fixing member  3  is also squeezed. However, the fixing member  3  transmits the force onto the reinforcing plate  12  to relieve the squeezing force imposed by the frame member  1  on the battery module L, thereby improving the safety performance of the battery pack P. 
     In a possible design, the box M includes a crossbeam  13  and a vertical beam  14 . The crossbeam  13  and the vertical beam  14  partition the frame member  1  into a plurality of accommodation cavities  11 . Each of the accommodation cavities  11  can accommodate the battery module L. In addition, the crossbeam  13  and the vertical beam  14  are fixedly connected to the battery module L separately, so that the battery module L is fixed in the accommodation cavity  11  of the box M to prevent the battery module L from loosening. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a first shielding member  21  of a box M according to an embodiment of this application;  FIG. 9  is a bottom view of a second shielding member  22  of a box M according to an embodiment of this application; and  FIG. 10  is a local detailed view of a part of  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10 , the shielding member  2  according to this embodiment of this application includes a first shielding member  21  and a second shielding member  22 . The first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  are connected to each other to form a hollow portion  23 . Along the height direction (H) of the box M, the first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  are arranged from top downward to form a hollow portion  23  configured to accommodate the fixing member  3 . The first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  are disposed separately, so as to achieve the advantage of high strength in comparison with the integrally formed shielding member  2 . The first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  are disposed independently, and a joint between the first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  can withstand a relatively high extrusion force, thereby significantly improving the capability of the shielding member  2  to resist the squeezing force in a lateral collision. 
     The first shielding member  21  includes a first connecting piece  213 , and the second shielding member  22  includes a second connecting piece  224 . The first connecting piece  213  is connected to the second connecting piece  224  to form the shielding member  2 . The two connecting pieces can improve the capability of the shielding member  2  to withstand a squeezing force. In addition, the first connecting piece  213  and the second connecting piece  224  are fixedly connected to the frame member  1  separately to fix the first shielding member  21  and the second shielding member  22  onto the box M respectively, thereby improving the structural strength. 
     In a possible design, the first shielding member  21  includes a first bulge  211 . The first bulge  211  is disposed to protrude away from the second shielding member  22 . The first bulge  211  and a corresponding part of the second shielding member  22  form a hollow portion  23 . The first bulge  211  is disposed to protrude away from the second shielding member  22  to facilitate formation of the hollow portion  23  configured to accommodate the fixing member  3 . In addition, the first bulge  211  can increase strength of the first shielding member  21 , thereby increasing the strength of the entire shielding member  2 , improving the capability of resisting a squeezing force in a lateral collision, and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack P. 
     Specifically, the second shielding member  22  includes a second bulge  222 . The second bulge  222  is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member  21 . The second bulge  222  can increase the strength of the second shielding member  22 , thereby increasing the strength of the entire shielding member  2 . In addition, the second bulge  222  is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member  21 , thereby downsizing the entire shielding member  2  and downsizing the entire battery pack P. 
     Further, the second bulge  222  fits snugly with the first shielding member  21 , thereby increasing the strength of the close-fitting position. After being squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member  2  at the close-fitting position is not likely to deform, thereby improving the capability of resisting a squeezing force in a lateral collision and safeguarding the safety performance of the battery pack P. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the second bulge  222  includes a main body  222   a  and an extension portion  222   b . The main body  222   a  and the extension portion  222   b  are connected in communication with each other. The main body  222   a  extends along the length direction (X) of the box M. The extension portion  222   b  extends along the width direction (Y) of the box M. The extension portion  222   b  can enhance effects of the shielding member  2  in absorbing and cushioning a squeezing force, thereby improving the capability of resisting the squeezing force in a lateral collision. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second shielding member  22  further includes a beam body  221 . The beam body  221  is disposed corresponding to the first bulge  211  to form a hollow portion  23  configured to accommodate the fixing member  3 . The first shielding member  21  further includes a fourth bulge  212 . The fourth bulge  212  and the first bulge  211  are spaced apart. The fourth bulge  212  fits snugly with the second bulge  222  to increase the strength of the shielding member  2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic structural diagram of a frame member  1  of a box M according to an embodiment of this application, and  FIG. 7  is a local detailed view of a part of  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the fixing member  3  includes a hitch portion  31  configured to fix the box M. The hitch portion  31  is accommodated in the hollow portion  23 . The hitch portion  31  is configured to hitch the box M onto the vehicle. The hitch portion  31  is accommodated in the hollow portion  23 . When a squeezing force is generated in a lateral collision, the hollow portion  23  can serve a cushioning function and avoid direct collision with the hitch portion  31 , thereby improving the capability of the battery pack P to resist the squeezing force in a lateral collision. 
     Specifically, the hitch portion  31  includes a third bulge  311 . The third bulge  311  is disposed to protrude toward the first shielding member  21 . A gap exists between the third bulge  311  and the first shielding member  21 . The reserved gap is configured to install a bushing. The third bulge  311  can increase the strength of the hitch portion  31 . A protrusion direction of the third bulge  311  is consistent with a protrusion direction of the first bulge  211 , thereby leaving more space for the shielding member  2 . 
     Further, the top or bottom of the hitch portion  31  fits snugly with the shielding member  2  to serve a function of supporting the hollow portion  23 . Alternatively, both the top and bottom of the hitch portion  31  fit snugly with the shielding member  2 . The hitch portion  31  is located in the hollow portion  23 . Therefore, the hitch portion  31  and the shielding member  2  fit snugly together to serve a function of supporting the hollow portion  23 , and increase the strength of the shielding member  2 . 
     The hitch portion  31  is designed as a bent structure to further increase the strength of the hitch portion  31 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 , a first through hole  211   a  is disposed in the first bulge  211 , a second through hole  223  is disposed in the second shielding member  22 , and a third through hole  312  is disposed in the third bulge  311 . The first through hole  211   a , the second through hole  223 , and the third through hole  312  are disposed correspondingly and configured to allow passing of a bolt and hitch the battery pack P onto the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, as can be seen from  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , the fixing member  3  is connected onto a periphery of the frame member  1 . 
     The fixing member  3  is connected onto the periphery of the frame member  1 . The shielding member  2  is configured to be connected to the frame member  1 . The hollow portion contained in the shielding member  2  accommodates at least a part of the fixing member  3 . In this way, both the fixing member  3  and the shielding member  2  are connected to the periphery of the frame member  1 . Therefore, even if a vehicle is squeezed in a lateral collision, the shielding member  2  is squeezed first, and the shielding member  2  withstands a squeezing force. In addition, the hollow portion  23  disposed in the shielding member  2  serves functions of absorbing and cushioning the squeezing force in the lateral collision, thereby increasing the capability of resisting the squeezing force in the lateral collision and effectively safeguarding the performance and soundness of the battery pack P. 
     Although this application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, various improvements may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of this application, and the components therein may be replaced with equivalents. Particularly, to the extent that no structural conflict exists, various technical features mentioned in various embodiments can be combined in any manner. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.