Patent Description:
The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery module.

Lithium batteries applied to new energy vehicles include prismatic batteries and cylinder batteries, of which prismatic batteries include pouch batteries and hard-pack batteries, of which hard-pack batteries include blade batteries, and blade batteries are significantly guiding the market with their ultra-high energy density. Different from a typical prismatic battery, two electrode columns of a blade battery are provided oppositely in a length direction of the battery.

When assembling existing blade batteries into a battery module, aerogel is provided between adjacent blade batteries to insulate the batteries by the aerogel in case thermal runaway occurs. However, the explosion-proof valve of the blade battery is still exposed, and when the high-temperature electrolyte is ejected from the explosion-proof valve, it will still splash onto other blade batteries, thereby affecting the operating safety of the entire battery module.

Patent documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose battery modules with pressure relief channels and venting channels, respectively.

In order to solve at least one of the existing problems of the prior art mentioned above, according to an aspect of the present application, provided is a battery module, including: a battery group, the battery group including a plurality of batteries, the battery including a positive electrode column and a negative electrode column, the positive electrode column and the negative electrode column being provided oppositely in a length direction of the battery; a cells contact system (hereinafter referred as CCS) assembly, provided on a side of the battery group, electrically connected to the battery group, used for collecting and transferring an electrical signal of the battery group; a beam, provided opposite the CCS assembly, a pressure relief channel being provided within the beam; and a guiding structure, connected between the battery group and the beam, the guiding structure being provided with a plurality of guiding channels, each guiding channel being in communication with the pressure relief channel, each guiding channel being provided corresponding to an explosion-proof valve of the battery, wherein the guiding channel is used for guiding high-temperature gas and/or high-temperature fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve into the pressure relief channel when thermal runaway occurs in the battery.

By providing a guiding structure, the guiding structure is provided with a plurality of guiding channels, each guiding channel being provided corresponding to an explosion-proof valve of the battery. When a thermal runaway occurs in a battery, the high-temperature gas or fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve may flow to the pressure relief channel through the guiding structure and be dispersed through the beam, avoiding splashing to the surrounding batteries and affecting the operating safety of the entire battery module. Therefore, the safety of the entire battery module is improved by providing a guiding structure.

In some implementations, the CCS assembly includes: a supporting frame, provided in a height direction of the battery, supported on a lateral side of the battery group; a connection plate, mounted on the supporting frame, electrically connected to the positive electrode column and the negative electrode column respectively; and a collecting structure, mounted on the supporting frame, electrically connected to the connection plate and the battery group respectively, the collecting structure being used for transferring the electrical signal of the battery group.

By providing a supporting frame, the supporting frame may provide support in a height direction of the battery group, and the supporting frame is a structure with a certain degree of hardness, which may facilitate support and installation between the connection plate and the collecting structure. When installing the connection plate and the collecting structure on the supporting frame to form a CCS assembly, the entire CCS assembly may be clamped by mechanization, which achieves the mechanized installation between the CCS assembly and the battery group, thereby improving the assembling efficiency of the entire battery module.

In some implementations, the connection plate includes a plurality of sub-plates, the supporting frame being provided with a plurality of mounting holes, each sub-plate being mounted into each mounting hole.

In some implementations, a reserved gap is provided between the sub-plate and an interior wall of the mounting hole.

In some implementations, the connection plate is detachably connected to the supporting frame.

In some implementations, the connection plate is snap-fitted to the supporting frame.

In some implementations, the collecting structure includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a connector electrically connected to the FPC, a plurality of electrical signal collecting members and a plurality of temperature collecting members, the electrical signal collecting member being electrically connected to the connection plate, the temperature collecting member being electrically connected to the battery; the FPC is connected to the supporting frame, including a first segment and a second segment connected with each other, the first segment extending in an alignment direction of each battery, the second segment being provided on a side of the battery in a thickness direction, wherein the first segment is used for mounting the electrical signal collecting member and the temperature collecting member, and the second segment is used for mounting the connector.

In some implementations, the collecting structure also includes a fuse protection structure, and the fuse protection structure is provided on the second segment.

In some implementations, the fuse protection structure is a patch fuse, and the patch fuse is welded to the second segment.

In some implementations, the FPC is connected to the supporting frame by hot riveting.

In some implementations, a mounting structure is provided on the supporting frame, and the mounting structure is used for mounting a lateral cap.

In some implementations, the mounting structure is detachably connected to the lateral cap.

In some implementations, the supporting frame is a composite supporting frame made of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

In some implementations, a weight-loss hole and an escaping hole corresponding to the explosion-proof valve of the battery are provided on the supporting frame.

In some implementations, an end of the guiding structure is fixedly connected to the battery group, and an opposite end of the guiding structure is detachably connected to a beam.

In some implementations, the guiding structure includes a plurality of independent guiding member, each guiding member being formed each guiding channel, each guiding member being provided corresponding to each explosion-proof valve.

In some implementations, the guiding member includes a tube body, a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring provided at opposite ends of the tube body, the first sealing ring being bonded to the battery, the second sealing ring being snap-fitted to the beam.

In some implementations, the tube body is a metal tube.

In some implementations, a shape of the tube body is adapted to a shape of the explosion-proof valve.

In some implementations, a length range of the tube body in a length direction of the battery is <NUM>~<NUM>.

In some implementations, the tube body includes a main body, a first mounting platform and a second mounting platform that are provided at opposite ends of the main body; the first mounting platform protrudes from the main body along a perimeter of the main body, the first mounting platform being used for mounting the first sealing ring; and the second mounting platform protrudes from the main body along a perimeter of the main body, the second mounting platform being used for mounting the second sealing ring.

In some implementations, a first groove is provided on the first mounting platform in a side towards the battery, and the first sealing ring is provided in the first groove.

In some implementations, a snap-fit groove is provided on a side wall of the first mounting platform, and the supporting frame is snap-fitted in the snap-fit groove.

In some implementations, a pressure relief channel extends in an alignment direction of the battery and penetrates the beam.

In some implementations, the beam is provided with at least one reinforcing ribs in the pressure relief channel, and the reinforcing rib is extended in a horizontal direction.

The meanings of the attached markings are as follows:
<NUM> battery module; <NUM> battery group; <NUM> battery; <NUM> positive electrode column; <NUM> negative electrode column; <NUM> explosion-proof valve; <NUM> CCS assembly; <NUM> supporting frame; <NUM> mounting hole; <NUM> buckle; <NUM> hot riveting post; <NUM> gap; <NUM> mounting structure; <NUM> connection piece; <NUM> snap-fit protrusion; <NUM> weight-loss hole; <NUM> escaping hole; <NUM> connection plate; <NUM> sub-plate; <NUM> collecting structure; <NUM> flexible printed circuit (FPC); <NUM> first segment; <NUM> second segment; <NUM> temperature collecting member; <NUM> electrical signal collecting member; <NUM> connector; <NUM> fuse protection structure; <NUM> beam; <NUM> pressure relief channel; <NUM> first stepped snap-fit position; <NUM> second stepped snap-fit position; <NUM> through-hole; <NUM> reinforcing rib; <NUM> guiding structure; <NUM> guiding channel; <NUM> guiding member; <NUM> tube body; <NUM> first mounting platform; <NUM> first groove; <NUM> second mounting platform; <NUM> snap-fit groove; <NUM> main body; <NUM> first sealing ring; <NUM> second sealing ring.

The present application is described in further detail below in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Referring to <FIG>, provided in an embodiment of the present application is a battery module <NUM>, including a battery group <NUM>, a CCS assembly <NUM>, a beam <NUM> and a guiding structure <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery group <NUM> includes a plurality of batteries <NUM>, the battery <NUM> including a positive electrode column <NUM> and a negative electrode column <NUM>, the positive electrode column <NUM> and the negative electrode column <NUM> being provided oppositely in a length direction X of the battery <NUM>; a CCS assembly <NUM>, provided on a side of the battery group <NUM>, electrically connected to the battery group <NUM>, used for collecting and transferring an electrical signal of the battery group <NUM>; a beam <NUM>, provided opposite the CCS assembly <NUM>, a pressure relief channel <NUM> being provided within the beam <NUM>; and a guiding structure <NUM>, connected between the battery group <NUM> and the beam <NUM>, the guiding structure <NUM> being provided with a plurality of guiding channels <NUM>, each guiding channel <NUM> being in communication with the pressure relief channel <NUM>, each guiding channel <NUM> being provided corresponding to an explosion-proof valve <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, wherein the guiding channel <NUM> is used for guiding high-temperature gas and/or high-temperature fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve <NUM> into the pressure relief channel <NUM> when thermal runaway occurs in the battery <NUM>.

By providing a guiding structure <NUM> in the battery module <NUM>, the guiding structure <NUM> is provided with a plurality of guiding channels <NUM>, each guiding channel <NUM> being provided corresponding to an explosion-proof valve <NUM> of the battery <NUM>. When a thermal runaway occurs in a battery <NUM>, the high-temperature gas or fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve <NUM> may flow to the pressure relief channel <NUM> through the guiding structure <NUM> and be dispersed through the beam <NUM>, avoiding splashing to the surrounding batteries <NUM> and affecting the operating safety of the entire battery module <NUM>. Therefore, the safety of the entire battery module <NUM> is improved by providing a guiding structure <NUM>.

It is to be noted that, referring to <FIG>, the battery <NUM> of the present embodiment is a blade battery, a positive electrode column <NUM> and a negative electrode column <NUM> of the blade battery being provided at opposite ends of the battery <NUM> in a length direction X, the explosion-proof valve <NUM> and the positive electrode column <NUM> are provided at the same end of the battery <NUM>. The length direction X of the battery <NUM> is a width direction of the battery module <NUM>; the width direction Y of the battery <NUM> is an alignment direction of the battery <NUM>; and the height direction Z of the battery <NUM> is a height direction Z of the battery module <NUM>. When batteries <NUM> are aligned as the battery group <NUM>, a large surface of one battery <NUM> is provided towards a large surface of another battery <NUM>. That is, the batteries <NUM> are provided side by side with each other along a thickness direction of the batteries <NUM>, and the positive electrode columns <NUM> and the negative electrode columns <NUM> of the batteries <NUM> are aligned as alternating with each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the guiding structure <NUM> of the present embodiment penetrates the CCS assembly <NUM> when assembling. That is, the CCS assembly <NUM> is provided on a side of the battery group <NUM> in the X direction when assembling.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, in order to facilitate the installation of the entire CCS assembly <NUM>, and improve the mounting efficiency of the entire CCS assembly <NUM>, the CCS assembly <NUM> includes a supporting frame <NUM>, a connection plate <NUM> and a collecting structure <NUM>, wherein the supporting frame <NUM> is provided on the battery <NUM> in the height direction Z and supports a lateral side of the battery group <NUM>; the connection plate <NUM> is mounted on the supporting frame <NUM> and electrically connected to the positive electrode column <NUM> and the negative electrode column <NUM> respectively; and the collecting structure <NUM> is mounted on the supporting frame <NUM> and electrically connected to the connection plate <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> respectively, used for transferring the signal of the battery group <NUM>. By providing a supporting frame <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> may provide support in a height direction Z of the battery group <NUM>, and the supporting frame <NUM> is a structure with a certain degree of hardness, which may facilitate support and installation between the connection plate <NUM> and the collecting structure <NUM>. When installing the connection plate <NUM> and the collecting structure <NUM> on the supporting frame <NUM> to form a CCS assembly <NUM>, the entire CCS assembly <NUM> may be clamped by mechanization, which achieves the mechanized installation between the CCS assembly <NUM> and the battery group <NUM>, thereby improving the assembling efficiency of the entire battery module <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the collecting structure <NUM> includes an FPC <NUM>, a plurality of temperature collecting members <NUM> electrically connected to the FPC <NUM>, a plurality of electrical signal collecting members <NUM> and a connector <NUM>. The connection plate <NUM> and the FPC <NUM> are provided sequentially from top to bottom in the height direction Z of the battery <NUM>. The connection plate <NUM> is used for achieving the electrical connection of the battery group <NUM>, specifically, electrically connected to the positive electrode column <NUM> and the negative electrode column <NUM> respectively, so as to achieve the series connection within the battery group <NUM>. The electrical signal collecting member <NUM> is used for collecting the voltage signal of the battery group <NUM>, specifically, electrically connected between the connection plate <NUM> and the FPC <NUM>, so as to transfer the electrical signal to the FPC <NUM>. The temperature collecting member <NUM> is used for collecting the temperature signal of the battery group <NUM>, specifically, electrically connected between the battery <NUM> and the FPC <NUM>, so as to transfer the temperature signal of the battery group <NUM> to the FPC <NUM>. In such a setup, the electrical connection with the battery group <NUM> is achieved by the connection plate <NUM>; the voltage signal of the battery group <NUM> transferred to the FPC <NUM> is achieved by the electrical signal collecting member <NUM>; the temperature signal of the battery group <NUM> transferred to the FPC <NUM> is achieved by the temperature collecting member <NUM>; and finally the signal transferring with external structures is achieved by the connector <NUM>, for example, the signal transferring with the battery management system (BMS).

The guiding structure <NUM> penetrating the CCS assembly <NUM> when assembling, specifically, penetrates the supporting frame <NUM> and the FPC <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, when electrically connecting the connection plate <NUM> to the battery group <NUM>, the connection plate <NUM> includes a plurality of sub-plates <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> being provided with a plurality of mounting holes <NUM>, wherein each sub-plate <NUM> is mounted into each mounting hole <NUM>, and each sub-plate <NUM> is connected to the positive electrode column <NUM> and the negative electrode column <NUM> of each two adjacent batteries <NUM>, so as to achieve the series connection of the battery group <NUM> by the connection plate <NUM> when mounting the CCS assembly <NUM> to the battery group <NUM>. That is, current flows from a positive electrode column <NUM> of a battery <NUM> to a negative electrode column <NUM>, and flows from the negative electrode column <NUM> to a positive electrode column <NUM> of an adjacent battery <NUM>, so that a series connection within the battery group <NUM> is achieved.

Specifically, each sub-plate <NUM> in the present embodiment is welded between a positive electrode column <NUM> and a negative electrode column <NUM> of each two adjacent batteries <NUM>, which achieves electrical connection and also the conductivity of current.

The connection plate <NUM> in the present embodiment is an aluminum plate, which may be a copper plate in the other embodiments, which is not limited hereby.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, when mounting each sub-plate <NUM> to the supporting frame <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> includes a plurality of mounting holes <NUM>, and each sub-plate <NUM> is mounted into each mounting hole <NUM>. By providing mounting holes <NUM> on the supporting frame <NUM>, not only is the positioning of the sub-plate <NUM> is achieved, but also the installation of the sub-plate <NUM> is achieved.

It is to be understood that, since the sub-plate <NUM> is required to connect a positive electrode column <NUM> and a negative electrode column <NUM> of each two adjacent batteries <NUM>, a shape of the mounting hole <NUM> is adapted to a shape of the sub-plate <NUM>. For example, the sub-plate <NUM> is pentagon in shape, and the mounting hole <NUM> is also pentagon in shape, so that the sub-plate <NUM> is just correspondingly mounted into the mounting hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present application, when mounting the sub-plate <NUM> into the mounting hole <NUM> and before welding the connection plate <NUM> to electrode columns, the connection plate <NUM> is detachably mounted into the mounting hole <NUM>. That is, each sub-plate <NUM> is correspondingly detachably mounted into each mounting hole <NUM>, so that each position of the sub-plate <NUM> corresponding to the battery <NUM> is adjusted into the position of the mounting hole <NUM>.

Specifically, before welding each sub-plate <NUM> to electrode columns, the supporting frame <NUM> is provided with a buckle <NUM>, and the buckle <NUM> is used for setting the sub-plate <NUM> into the mounting hole <NUM>. That is, the sub-plate <NUM> is detachably mounted into the mounting hole <NUM> by snap-fitting.

Before welding each sub-plate <NUM> to electrode columns, in order to ensure the mounting stability of the sub-plate <NUM> mounted into the mounting hole <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> is provided with a plurality of buckles <NUM> corresponding to each position of the mounting hole <NUM>, and a plurality of buckles <NUM> are separately provided on a plurality of side walls of the mounting holes <NUM>, so as to fix the sub-plate <NUM> from multiple directions, thereby ensuring the stability of the sub-plate <NUM> mounted into the mounting hole <NUM>.

Since the sub-plate <NUM> is snap-fitted into the mounting hole <NUM> by the buckle <NUM>, when applied to the CCS assembly <NUM>, the CCS assembly <NUM> is required to be mounted on a lateral side of the battery group <NUM>, so that errors may occur in the alignment installation of the CCS assembly <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> when mounting the CCS assembly <NUM>. In order to achieve the alignment of the position of the connection plate <NUM> and columns, a reserved gap <NUM> is provided between the connection plate <NUM> and an internal wall of the mounting hole <NUM>, so that the position of the sub-plate <NUM> may be adjusted to align each adjacent two electrode columns when mounting the CCS assembly <NUM> and the battery group <NUM>, and the sub-plate <NUM> is welded to two electrode columns respectively. In such a setup, since a reserved gap <NUM> is provided between the connection plate <NUM> and an internal wall of the mounting hole <NUM>, errors may be adjusted, which facilitates the welding of corresponding region between the sub-plate <NUM> and electrode columns.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present application, in order to accommodate the temperature collecting member <NUM>, the electrical signal collecting member <NUM> and the connector <NUM> to be mounted on the FPC <NUM> respectively, the FPC <NUM> includes a first segment <NUM> and a second segment <NUM> connected with each other, the first segment <NUM> extending in an alignment direction of each battery <NUM>, the second segment <NUM> being provided on a side of the battery <NUM> in a thickness direction, wherein the first segment <NUM> is used for mounting the electrical signal collecting member <NUM> and the temperature collecting member <NUM>, and the second segment <NUM> is used for mounting the connector <NUM>. The FPC <NUM> is provided by being divided into two segments, which achieves the electrical signal collecting of the battery group <NUM> and achieves the signal transferring with external structures by the connector <NUM>, for example, the signal transferring with the battery management system (BMS). Also, since the FPC <NUM> is provided with certain flexibility, which may be bent and mounted on different sides of the battery group <NUM>, thereby facilitating the installation of each component within the battery module <NUM>.

It is to be understood that, the first segment <NUM> is provided on an end of a length direction X of the battery <NUM>, that is, extends in an alignment direction of the battery group <NUM>; the second segment <NUM> is provided in a thickness direction Y of the battery <NUM>, that is, provided on a large-surface direction of the battery <NUM>, so that the connector <NUM> mounted on the second segment <NUM> may correspond the installation of the BMS.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> to <FIG>, when mounting the FPC <NUM> to the supporting frame <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> is connected to the supporting frame <NUM> by hot riveting, that is, the supporting frame <NUM> is provided with a hot riveting post <NUM>, and the FPC <NUM> is mounted to the supporting frame <NUM> by the hot riveting post <NUM>. In such a setup, the mounting stability of the FPC <NUM> and the supporting frame <NUM> is ensured.

The temperature collecting member <NUM> in the present embodiment is a nickel sheet. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, when connecting the nickel sheet to the sub-plate <NUM>, an amount of the nickel sheets corresponds to an amount of the sub-plates <NUM>; each nickel sheet is connected to each sub-plate <NUM> correspondingly, so as to achieve the collecting of the voltage information of the battery <NUM> by the nickel sheet. Specifically, when connecting the nickel sheet to the connection plate <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> is provided with a gap <NUM>, the gap <NUM> being in communication with the mounting hole <NUM>, so as to connect the nickel sheet between the connection plate <NUM> and the FPC <NUM>.

Further, the temperature collecting member <NUM> in the present embodiment is a temperature collecting chip. When mounting the temperature collecting member <NUM>, an amount of the temperature collecting members <NUM> provided therein may less than the amount of the sub-plates <NUM>. For example, in an alignment direction of the battery <NUM>, the opposite ends and the middle of the first segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM> are provided with a temperature collecting member <NUM> respectively. One temperature collecting member <NUM> achieves the temperature collecting of one region, so as to achieve the monitoring of the battery operating condition by BMS.

Furthermore, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to protect the entire CCS assembly <NUM> by overcurrent, the collecting structure <NUM> also includes a fuse protection structure <NUM>, and the fuse protection structure <NUM> is connected to the FPC <NUM>, specifically, connected to the second segment <NUM> of the FPC <NUM>. That is, the fuse protection structure <NUM> and the connector <NUM> are collectively provided on the second segment <NUM>. The CCS assembly <NUM> may fuse when the current in the CCS assembly <NUM> is too high, so as to protect the battery group <NUM>.

Specifically, the fuse protection structure <NUM> in the present embodiment is a patch fuse, and the patch fuse is welded to the second segment <NUM>. Compared to printing fuses directly on the FPC <NUM>, the fuse protection structure <NUM> in the present embodiment may be replaced after being damaged, so that the entire FPC <NUM> may be utilized once again, which provides with an advantage of reducing cost.

When mounting the guiding structure <NUM> of the present embodiment, since the FPC <NUM> is provided below the connection plate <NUM>, the guiding structure <NUM> penetrates the supporting frame <NUM> and the FPC <NUM>, so as to achieve the connection between the guiding structure <NUM> and the position of the battery group <NUM> where the explosion-proof valve <NUM> is located, which achieves not only the connection between the guiding structure <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> but also the installation between the guiding structure <NUM> and the CCS assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to facilitate the installation and formation of the battery module <NUM>, the supporting frame <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided with a mounting structure <NUM>, and the mounting structure <NUM> is used for mounting a lateral cap. The mounting structure <NUM> is integrally formed from the supporting frame <NUM>, which facilitate the installation of the lateral cap of the battery module <NUM>, thereby improving the mounting efficiency of the battery module <NUM>.

Specifically, the mounting structure <NUM> is provided for detachably connecting the lateral cap, which facilitates the installation of the lateral cap by a detachable connection, and also facilitates the maintenance of the battery group <NUM> after subsequent dismounting of the lateral cap. Specifically, the mounting structure <NUM> in the present embodiment includes a connection piece <NUM> and a snap-fit protrusion <NUM> provided on the connection piece <NUM>, the connection piece <NUM> extending to a top direction of the battery group <NUM>, the snap-fit protrusion <NUM> being used for being snap-fitted to the lateral cap.

It is to be understood that, in order to ensure the mounting stability of the lateral cap, the supporting frame <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of mounting structures <NUM> in the alignment direction of the battery group <NUM>. In such a setup, the mounting stability of the lateral cap is ensured.

Specifically, the supporting frame <NUM> in the present embodiment is a polymer composite supporting frame <NUM> made of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The polymer composite support frame <NUM> made of ABS and PC provides the advantages of high anti-impact strength, good texture, durability and particularly high resistance to thermal deformation, so as to provide a certain level of supporting strength for mounting and fixing the collecting structure <NUM> and the connection plate <NUM>. Also, compared to the prior art using PC film or hot-pressing film to hot press the connection plate <NUM> and the collecting structure <NUM>, since the cooling formation of PC film or hot-pressing film requires a relatively long time, the supporting frame <NUM> prepared from the polymer composite supporting frame <NUM> made of PC and ABS in the present embodiment may be formed quickly, which further improves the mounting efficiency of the entire CCS assembly <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, since the guiding structure <NUM> penetrates the supporting frame <NUM> and is provided corresponding to the explosion-proof valve <NUM>, in order to facilitate the installation of the guiding structure <NUM>, escaping holes <NUM> are provided on the positions of the supporting frame <NUM> corresponding to each explosion-proof valve <NUM> of the batteries. Also, the supporting frame <NUM> in the present embodiment is provided with a weight-loss hole <NUM>, and the weight-loss hole <NUM> is provided for reducing weight of the supporting frame <NUM>.

Specifically, when providing weight-loss holes <NUM> and escaping holes <NUM> in the present embodiment, a weight-loss hole <NUM> and an escaping hole <NUM> are alternately provided so as to fully utilize the area of each two adjacent escaping holes <NUM> to provide weight-loss holes <NUM> to achieve weight reduction.

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment of the present application, when mounting the guiding structure <NUM>, an end of the guiding structure <NUM> is fixedly connected to the battery group <NUM>, and an opposite end of the guiding structure <NUM> is detachably connected to a beam <NUM>, so as to ensure the connection sealing between the guiding structure <NUM> and the battery group <NUM>. By detachably connecting the opposite end of the guiding structure <NUM> to the beam <NUM>, after assembling the guiding structure <NUM> and the battery group <NUM>, it is convenient to connect the beam <NUM> to the guiding structure <NUM>.

Specifically, when mounting the guiding structure <NUM> to the battery group <NUM> and the beam <NUM>, an end of the guiding structure <NUM> is bonded to the battery group <NUM>, and an opposite end of the guiding structure <NUM> is snap-fitted to the beam <NUM>. After mounting the guiding structure <NUM> to the battery group <NUM>, the beam <NUM> is tightly snap-fitted to the guiding structure <NUM>, so as to achieve the installation of the entire battery module <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the guiding structure <NUM> is provided with a plurality of guiding channels <NUM>, each guiding channel <NUM> being in communication with the pressure relief channel <NUM>, each guiding channel <NUM> is provided corresponding to each explosion-proof valve <NUM> of a battery <NUM>. In other embodiments, the guiding channel <NUM> may be provided for including two sections. One section includes a plurality of sub-channels, and the sub-channel is provided corresponding to each explosion-proof valve <NUM> of a battery <NUM>. Another section may aggregate the high-temperature and high-pressure gas and fluid flowing from the sub-channels and then forward them to the beam <NUM>, so that conductivity of high-temperature and high-pressure gas and fluid may also be achieved.

Corresponding to that each guiding channel <NUM> is provided corresponding to each explosion-proof valve <NUM> of a battery <NUM>, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the guiding structure <NUM> includes a plurality of independent guiding member <NUM>, each guiding member <NUM> being formed each guiding channel <NUM>, each guiding member <NUM> being provided corresponding to each explosion-proof valve <NUM> of a battery <NUM>. In such a setup, by providing the guiding structure <NUM> for including a plurality of independent guiding member <NUM>, each guiding member <NUM> is formed individually. When connecting the guiding member <NUM> to the battery group <NUM>, one guiding member <NUM> is required to be aligned with one explosion-proof valve <NUM> of the battery <NUM>, so as to easily and accurately install each guiding member <NUM> individually at the explosion-proof valve <NUM>, which improves the mounting accuracy of the guiding member <NUM>.

In one embodiment, in order to improve the formation efficiency of the entire guiding structure <NUM> and the mounting efficiency on the battery group <NUM>, the guiding structure <NUM> may be provided for including a plurality of guiding members <NUM> and connecting ribs connected between a plurality of guiding members <NUM>. The guiding members <NUM> are connected to be formed as a whole by connecting ribs. For example, the entire guiding structure <NUM> may be an integrally provided structure, so as to improve the production efficiency of the entire guiding structure <NUM>. Alternatively, connecting ribs and guiding members <NUM> are structures formed individually, and then the guiding members <NUM> are mounted on the connecting ribs, so that the connecting ribs and the guiding members <NUM> are formed as one mounting unit. In this kind of implementation, when mounting the entire guiding structure <NUM>, the guiding structure <NUM> may be mounted on the entire battery group <NUM> all at once, which improves the mounting efficiency. Alternatively, in the other embodiment, when the guiding structure <NUM> is provided as an integral structure, a plurality of guiding channels <NUM> may be provided on an integral guiding structure <NUM>, and an amount of the guiding channels <NUM> is identical to an amount of the explosion-proof valves <NUM>, which may achieve that each explosion-proof valve <NUM> may relief pressure correspondingly.

A shape of the guiding member <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided to be adapted to a shape of the explosion-proof valve <NUM>, which may fully achieve the guiding of the electrolyte flowed from the explosion-proof valve <NUM>. For example, when the explosion-proof valve <NUM> is provided in an oval shape, the guiding member <NUM> is provided in an oval shape; when the explosion-proof valve <NUM> is circular, the guiding member <NUM> is circular. In such a setup, the guiding member <NUM> may be provided to enclose precisely around the explosion-proof valve <NUM> to allow the electrolyte to flow out, avoiding the electrolyte from flowing onto the cover of the battery <NUM> when the cross-sectional area of the guiding member <NUM> is greater than that of the explosion-proof valve <NUM>; or it avoids the electrolyte from leaking and flowing onto an adjacent battery <NUM> when the cross-sectional area of the guide member <NUM> is less than that of the explosion-proof valve <NUM>.

Specifically, referring to <FIG>, when providing the guiding member <NUM> in the present embodiment, in order to ensure the connecting sealing between the guiding member <NUM>, the battery <NUM> and the beam <NUM>, the guiding member <NUM> includes a tube body <NUM>, a first sealing ring <NUM> and a second sealing ring <NUM> provided at opposite ends of the tube body <NUM>, the first sealing ring <NUM> being bonded to the battery <NUM>, the second sealing ring <NUM> being snap-fitted to the beam <NUM>. In such a setup, by providing the first sealing ring <NUM> and the second sealing ring <NUM>, the connecting sealing of the tube body <NUM> at opposite ends with the battery <NUM> and the beam <NUM> is ensured respectively, which avoids high-temperature gas or fluid leaking out from the connection of the tube body <NUM>.

Further, the end of the tube body <NUM> connected to the battery <NUM> and the first sealing ring <NUM> are collectively bonded to the battery <NUM>; when mounting the second sealing ring <NUM> on the beam <NUM>, an interference fit may be adopted to tightly snap-fit the opposite end of the tube body <NUM> to the beam <NUM>.

It is to be understood that, the tube body <NUM> in the present embodiment is a metal tube. Metal materials are adopted to prepare the tube, which guarantees sufficient heat-resistance. For example, aluminum or aluminum alloy may be adopted, since the aluminum is at a low cost and resistant to high temperature, which may endure the high-temperature electrolyte. The first sealing ring <NUM> and the second sealing ring <NUM> are also required to provide a high temperature resistance, for example, by using a nitrile butadiene rubber composite material or synthetic fiber rubber, which may not only achieve the sealing, but may also provide high temperature resistance.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to facilitate the installation of the first sealing ring <NUM>, the tube body <NUM> includes a main body <NUM>, a first mounting platform <NUM> and a second mounting platform <NUM> that are provided at opposite ends of the main body <NUM>; the first mounting platform <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM> along a perimeter of the main body <NUM>, the first sealing ring <NUM> being provided on the first mounting platform <NUM>. That is, by providing a first mounting platform <NUM> on an end of the main body <NUM>, a thickness of a tube wall of the end of the main body <NUM> towards the battery <NUM> is increased, which improves the structural strength, which may also facilitate to install the first sealing ring <NUM> on a first mounting platform <NUM> with thicker tube wall, so that the first mounting platform <NUM> may provide support to the first sealing ring <NUM>.

Specifically, when providing the first sealing ring <NUM> on the first mounting platform <NUM> in the present embodiment, a first groove <NUM> is provided on a side of the first mounting platform <NUM> towards the battery <NUM>, and the first sealing ring <NUM> is snap-fitted into the first groove <NUM>. That is, by providing the first groove <NUM>, the first sealing ring <NUM> is snap-fitted into the first groove <NUM>, so as to achieve the installation of the first sealing ring <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to facilitate installation of the second sealing ring <NUM>, the second mounting platform <NUM> protrudes from the main body <NUM> along a perimeter of the main body <NUM>, the second mounting platform <NUM> being used for mounting the second sealing ring <NUM>. By providing the second mounting platform <NUM>, the structural strength of the end of the guiding member <NUM> towards the beam <NUM> is increased. Also, the provision of the second mounting platform <NUM> facilitates the second sealing ring <NUM> to be connected to the tube body <NUM>, so that the second mounting platform <NUM> may provide support to the second sealing ring <NUM>.

Specifically, the end of the main body <NUM> towards the beam <NUM> in the present embodiment protrudes from the second mounting platform <NUM>, which facilitates the insertion with the beam <NUM>. When mounting the second sealing ring <NUM>, the second sealing ring <NUM> is provided on an end surface of the second mounting platform <NUM> towards the beam <NUM>. Correspondingly, since the end of the main body <NUM> towards the beam <NUM> protrudes from the second mounting platform <NUM>, when mounting the end of the guiding member <NUM> towards the beam <NUM>, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the beam <NUM> is provided with a first stepped snap-fit position <NUM> and a second stepped snap-fit position <NUM>, the second stepped snap-fit position <NUM> surrounding an exterior of the first stepped snap-fit position <NUM>, the first stepped snap-fit position <NUM> being used for being snap-fitted to an end of the tube body <NUM>, the second stepped snap-fit position <NUM> being used for being snap-fitted to the second sealing ring <NUM>, so as to achieve the detachable mount of the end of the guiding member <NUM> towards the beam <NUM>.

The schematic installation diagram of the guiding member <NUM> and the beam <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. Corresponding to the mounting position of the guiding member <NUM>, the beam <NUM> is provided with a plurality of through-holes <NUM>, the through-hole <NUM> being in communication with the pressure relief channel <NUM>, each through-hole <NUM> being provided corresponding to each guiding member <NUM>.

Furthermore, referring to <FIG>, in order to avoid a length of the guiding structure <NUM> in the length direction X of the battery <NUM> from being provided too long and affecting the occupied space of the entire battery module <NUM>, in the present embodiment, a length L of the guiding member <NUM> in the length direction X of the battery <NUM> is provided in a range of <NUM>~<NUM>. In such a setup, after connecting two ends of the guiding member <NUM> to the beam <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> respectively, an appropriate spacing is also provided between the beam <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> to ensure the heat dissipation of the battery group <NUM> through the spacing, without increasing the space occupied by the entire battery module <NUM> by an excessive amount.

For example, in some embodiments, a length L of the guiding member <NUM> is provided with such as <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which is not repeated one by one hereby. Admittedly, in the other embodiments, the length of the guiding member <NUM> may be provided with other dimensions with the range, which is not limited in the present embodiment. In a specific embodiment of the present application, the length L of the guiding member <NUM> is provided with <NUM>. It ensures that an appropriate spacing is provided between the beam <NUM> and the battery group <NUM> after the guiding member <NUM> is mounted to the beam <NUM> and the battery <NUM>, which ensures the heat dissipation of the battery group <NUM> and that the entire battery module <NUM> does not occupy an excessive amount of space.

Furthermore, since the guiding structure <NUM> penetrates the supporting frame <NUM>, since each guiding member <NUM> penetrates the supporting frame <NUM>, in order to facilitate the installation of the tube body <NUM>, a snap-fit groove <NUM> is provided on a side wall of the first mounting platform <NUM>, and the supporting frame <NUM> is snap-fitted into the snap-fit groove <NUM>. By providing a snap-fit groove <NUM>, the connection of the tube body <NUM> and the supporting frame <NUM> is achieved. Specifically, the snap-fit groove <NUM> is provided as a continuous full circle, so that the tube body <NUM> may provide sufficient contact area with the supporting frame <NUM> to ensure the connection strength of the supporting frame <NUM>.

Specifically, when connecting the tube body <NUM> to the supporting frame <NUM>, before the supporting frame <NUM> is injection molded, the tube body <NUM> is placed in a corresponding position in the mold. When the supporting frame <NUM> is injection molded, the supporting frame <NUM> may be snap-fitted into the snap-fit groove <NUM> of the tube body <NUM>, thereby enabling the installation of the tube body <NUM> and the supporting frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, in one embodiment of the present application, in order to reduce the weight of the entire battery module <NUM> and achieve the pressure relief effect of the beam <NUM>, a pressure relief channel <NUM> extends in an alignment direction of the battery <NUM> and penetrates the beam <NUM>. In such a setup, by providing a penetrating pressure relief channel <NUM>, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery <NUM>, the high-temperature gas and fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve <NUM> are guided by the guiding member <NUM> into the beam <NUM>, so as to be flowed out from the beam <NUM>, thereby avoiding the risk of explosion. Also, by providing a penetrating pressure relief channel <NUM> in the beam <NUM>, it may not only sufficiently export high-temperature gas and fluid through the pressure relief channel <NUM>, but also reduce the weight of the beam <NUM>.

Furthermore, since a penetrating pressure relief channel <NUM> is provided in the beam <NUM>, in order to ensure the supporting strength of the beam <NUM>, the beam <NUM> is provided with at least one reinforcing rib <NUM> in the pressure relief channel <NUM>, the reinforcing rib <NUM> extending in an alignment direction of the battery <NUM>, i.e., provided in a horizontal direction. In such a setup, by providing a reinforcing rib <NUM> in the pressure relief channel <NUM>, the supporting strength of the entire beam <NUM> is increased.

Further, the beam <NUM> is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs <NUM> in the present embodiment, a plurality of reinforcing ribs <NUM> is separately provided in the beam <NUM> in a height direction of the battery <NUM>, so as to increase the supporting strength of the entire beam <NUM>.

It is to be understood that, since the positive electrode column <NUM> and the negative electrode column <NUM> of the battery <NUM> are provided at opposite ends in a length direction X of the battery <NUM>, the battery module <NUM> of the present embodiment includes two CCS assemblies <NUM>, two guiding structures <NUM> and two beams <NUM>. Along the length direction X of the battery <NUM>, each of the opposite ends of the battery group <NUM> is provided with a CCS assembly <NUM>, a guiding structure <NUM> and a beam <NUM>, one guiding structure <NUM> being correspondingly connected between one end of the battery group <NUM> and one beam <NUM>, thereby forming a complete battery module <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A battery module (<NUM>), comprising:
a battery group (<NUM>), the battery group (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of batteries (<NUM>), the battery (<NUM>) comprising a positive electrode column (<NUM>) and a negative electrode column (<NUM>), the positive electrode column (<NUM>) and the negative electrode column (<NUM>) being provided oppositely in a length direction of the battery (<NUM>);
a CCS (cells contact system) assembly (<NUM>), provided on a side of the battery group (<NUM>), electrically connected to the battery group (<NUM>), used for collecting and transferring an electrical signal of the battery group (<NUM>);
a beam (<NUM>), provided opposite the CCS assembly (<NUM>), a pressure relief channel (<NUM>) being provided within the beam (<NUM>); and
a guiding structure(<NUM>), connected between the battery group (<NUM>) and the beam (<NUM>), the guiding structure (<NUM>) being provided with a plurality of guiding channels (<NUM>), each guiding channel (<NUM>) being in communication with the pressure relief channel (<NUM>), each guiding channel (<NUM>) being provided corresponding to an explosion-proof valve (<NUM>) of the battery (<NUM>), wherein the guiding channel (<NUM>) is configured for guiding high-temperature gas and/or high-temperature fluid ejected from the explosion-proof valve (<NUM>) into the pressure relief channel (<NUM>) when thermal runaway occurs in the battery (<NUM>).