TWI645600B - Bendable battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

In the battery module, the electrical connection element is placed in an accommodation space defined by the bottom sides of the first battery case and the second battery case. The cover is placed in the accommodation space to cover the electrical connection element. The first and third rotation structures are configured to rotate the first battery case relative to the cover, and the second and fourth rotation structures are configured to rotate the second battery case relative to the cover.

Description

Bendable battery module

The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a bendable battery module.

With the advancement of technology, transportation vehicles have progressed from gasoline as the fuel for automobiles and locomotives, to natural gas as the fuel for automobiles, and as the power supply for automobiles and locomotives to operate automobiles and locomotives. Traditionally, bicycles have been driven by manpower Machinery is used to power the bicycle. Of course, with the gradual reduction of fuel raw materials, the gradual increase in prices, and the rising awareness of environmental protection, vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, petrol and electric vehicles have been developed. However, with the development of transportation vehicles and the importance of electric transportation vehicles towards the green energy industry, battery modules that provide power for transportation vehicles have become an important component.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional battery module. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery pack 20 includes two or more battery cells 21 connected in a swingable manner, and the connection structure of each battery cell 21 may be hinged, pivoted, linked, or provided with an optional strap. Various connection methods, such as connection, can allow each battery cell 21 of the battery pack 20 to swing into the accommodation space 111 of the lower tube 11 through the exchange port 112 of the lower tube 11 of the frame 10 in a swinging manner. . With the aforementioned design, the battery pack can hide the safety It is installed in the lower tube of the frame, and only a small-sized extraction port needs to be installed in the lower tube of the frame during installation. Not only is the processing and forming simple, the manufacturing cost is low, but it will not affect the structural strength and the integrity of the frame Sex.

However, the aforementioned design has disadvantages, so there is room for further improvement. For example, the conventional technology has a problem that the electrical connection structure between the two battery cells 21 is easily damaged.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bendable battery module. Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which two adjacent battery cases can be rotated relative to a cover.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery module includes a cover, a first battery box, a second battery box, and an electrical connection element. The cover includes a body, and a first rotating structure and a second rotating structure respectively located at two opposite ends of the body. The first battery case has a third rotating structure on a bottom side portion thereof. The second battery box has a fourth rotating structure on its bottom side, and the first battery box and the bottom side of the second battery box define an accommodating space. The electrical connection element is placed in the accommodating space and is used to electrically connect the first battery case and the second battery case. The cover is placed in the accommodation space to cover the electrical connection element. The first and third rotation structures are configured to rotate the first battery case relative to the cover, and the second and fourth rotation structures are configured to rotate the second battery case relative to the cover.

In an embodiment, the first battery case is rotated relative to the cover toward a first rotation direction, and the first The two battery cases rotate relative to the cover toward a second rotation direction, and the first rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction.

In one embodiment, the battery module further includes a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis. The first and third rotation structures are both a rotation hole and are sleeved on the first rotation shaft, and the second and fourth rotation structures are both another rotation hole and are sleeved on the second rotation shaft.

In an embodiment, when the first battery box or the second battery box is rotated to a predetermined angle, the top surface of the first end of the cover member abuts against a wall surface of the first battery box that defines the accommodation space, and covers The top surface of the second end of the piece abuts against another wall surface of the second battery case defining the accommodation space.

In an embodiment, the shape of the first rotating structure of the cover matches the shape of the third rotating structure of the first battery case, and the shape of the second rotating structure of the cover matches the shape of the fourth rotating structure of the second battery case. .

In an embodiment, the first and second rotation structures are protruding rotation axes, and the third and fourth rotation structures are rotation holes, respectively, so that the first and second battery cases pass through the first and third rotation structures and the second And four rotation structures, which are respectively rotated relative to the cover.

In one embodiment, the electrical connection element is a wire.

In an embodiment, the electrical connection element is an electrical connection piece, and the electrical connection piece includes a first flat plate. A plate, a second plate and a buffer portion, and the buffer portion is connected between the first plate and the second plate.

In one embodiment, the first battery case or the second battery case includes a first case, a second case, a plurality of batteries, a first conductive sheet, and a second conductive sheet, respectively. The first case and the second case are combined to include a plurality of battery accommodation spaces. The batteries are respectively placed in the battery accommodation spaces. The first conductive sheet is located on one side of the first case and the second case and is electrically connected to one end of the batteries. The second conductive sheet is located on the other side of the first case and the second case and is electrically connected to the other ends of the batteries. The first conductive sheet or the second conductive sheet is electrically connected to the electrical connection element.

In an embodiment, the first battery case and the second battery case pass the electrical connection element, the first conductive sheet, and the second conductive sheet, so that the batteries in the first battery case and the second battery case are connected in series or in parallel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the battery module can have a certain degree of deformation, it can be easily assembled on a vehicle frame or a certain system. In one embodiment, the cover can cover the electrical connection element and serve as a reference for rotating the two battery cases. In an embodiment, when the two battery boxes are rotated to a predetermined angle, the two ends of the cover member abut against the two battery boxes respectively, and play a blocking function as a blocking structure, which can prevent the two battery boxes from being excessively rotated.

10‧‧‧frame

100‧‧‧ Battery Module

11‧‧‧ down tube

110‧‧‧Battery box

111‧‧‧ Lower tube accommodation space

101‧‧‧First Shell

112‧‧‧exchange port

102‧‧‧Second Shell

113‧‧‧ Battery

114‧‧‧ Conductor

120‧‧‧Electrical connection element

121‧‧‧Wire

122‧‧‧Electric connecting piece

150‧‧‧ Cover

151‧‧‧first rotating structure

152‧‧‧Second rotation structure

153‧‧‧third rotation structure

154‧‧‧Fourth rotation structure

155‧‧‧first rotation axis

156‧‧‧Second rotation axis

157‧‧‧groove

160‧‧‧accommodation space

161‧‧‧space

20‧‧‧ battery pack

21‧‧‧ battery unit

221‧‧‧The first tablet

222‧‧‧Second tablet

223‧‧‧Buffer Department

The present invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which are only used for illustration and are not limited by the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a conventional battery module.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure between two battery cases according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure between two battery cases according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical connection element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B shows a bottom view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals will be used to identify the same or similar elements of a plurality of viewpoints. It should be noted that the drawings should be viewed in the orientation of the reference numerals.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cases 110. The battery cases 110 are connected together, and two adjacent battery cases 110 can rotate with each other with a predetermined rotation degree of freedom. The number of the battery boxes 110 can be increased in series or in parallel, and because the battery boxes 110 can be rotated, the battery module 100 can be bent, and the battery modules 100 can be bent into the lower part of the frame 10 from the access opening 112 in a curved manner. Tube 11.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a battery case according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, each battery box 110 includes a first case 101, a second case 102, a plurality of batteries 113, and at least one conductive sheet 114. The first case 101 and the second case 102 are combined to include a plurality of battery accommodation spaces, and the batteries 113 are respectively placed in the battery accommodation spaces. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two conductive sheets 114 are included, which are disposed on two opposite ends of the first case 101 and the second case 102, and contact or electrically connect the batteries 113.

In one embodiment, the battery module 100 further includes at least one electrical connection element 120. Preferably, the material is flexible. The battery boxes 110 are connected in series or in parallel through the conductive sheets 114 and an electrical connection element 120. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure between two battery cases according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4A, the electrical connection element 120 may be a wire 121, and the wire 121 is electrically connected between the two battery cases 110. FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing a connection structure between two battery cases according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4B, the electrical connection element may be an electrical connection piece 122, and the electrical connection piece 122 is electrically connected between the two battery cases 110. Preferably, the conductive sheets 114 respectively extend to the accommodating space 160 to contact the electrical connection element 120.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one side of the battery box 110, which is the bottom side in this embodiment, forms a groove. When two adjacent battery boxes 110 are combined, the bottom sides of the two adjacent battery boxes 110 are defined. An accommodation space 160 is formed, that is, a groove on the bottom side of two adjacent battery boxes 110 forms an accommodation space 160. Moreover, it is better that the electrical connection element 120, that is, the electric wire 121 and the electrical connection piece 122 are placed in the accommodation space 160, so that the electrical connection element 120 can be protected, and the conductive pieces 114 and the electrical connection element 120 can be protected. Connection structure.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an electrical connection element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, as electricity The electrical connection piece 122 of the connection element 120 includes a first flat plate 221, a second flat plate 222, and a buffer portion 223. The buffer portion 223 is connected between the first flat plate 221 and the second flat plate 222. When two adjacent battery cases 110 rotate at a predetermined angle, the electrical connection piece 122 can be deformed, and the deformation caused by the deformation can be reduced through the buffer portion 223 The electrical connection piece 122 is broken or damaged. In one embodiment, the buffer portion 223 is formed in a curved shape and protrudes from the plane of the first flat plate 221 and the second flat plate 222.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a space 161 is further defined on opposite sides of two adjacent battery boxes 110 connected to each other, and a protruding buffer portion 223 is placed in the space 161, so that the protruding direction of the buffer portion 223 does not It will face the cover 150, and the space 161 protects the buffer portion 223 while reducing the depth of the groove or the accommodation space 160.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B shows a bottom view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the battery module 100 further includes at least one cover 150. The cover 150 includes a body 153, a first rotating structure 151, and a second rotating structure 152. The two rotating structures 151 and 152 are located at two ends of the body 153, respectively. The cover 150 is placed in an accommodation space 160 defined by two adjacent battery boxes 110. The main body 153 forms a groove 157. The side of the main body 153 forming the groove 157 faces the bottom sides of two adjacent battery cases 110.

4A and 4B, a third rotating structure 153 is formed on the bottom side of one battery case 110, and a fourth rotating structure 154 is formed on the bottom side of the other battery case 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 150 is placed in the accommodating space 160 and covers the electrical connection element 120, that is, the electric wire 121 and the electrical connection piece 122, so as to protect the electrical connection element 120 from the outside. In addition, the groove 157 The accommodation space and the extension space of the electric wires 121 and the electrical connection pieces 122 can be provided. Preferably, the two adjacent battery cases 110 can be rotated relative to the cover 150 through the first and third rotation structures 151 and 153; and the second and fourth rotation structures 152 and 154.

In one embodiment, since the first and second rotating structures 151 and 152 are located at two opposite ends of the body 153, respectively, the battery case 110 and the other battery case 110 are rotated in two opposite rotation directions. In this embodiment, the battery module 100 further includes a first rotation shaft 155 and a second rotation shaft 156. Moreover, the first and third rotation structures 151 and 153 are both a rotation hole and are sleeved on the first rotation shaft 155, and the second and fourth rotation structures 152 and 154 are both a rotation hole and are sleeved on the second rotation shaft 156. The two adjacent battery boxes 110 can pass through the first and third rotating structures 151 and 153; and the second and fourth rotating structures 152 and 154, and rotate a predetermined angle with respect to the cover 150.

In one embodiment, the first and second rotation shafts 155 and 156 may be a screw. The screw is fixed on the battery box 110, and the rotation holes of the first and second rotation structures 151 and 152 are sleeved in the middle section of the screws. The diameter of the rotation holes of the first and second rotation structures 151 and 152 is larger than the middle of the screw. The diameter of the segments enables the battery boxes 110 to rotate.

In the foregoing embodiment, when the battery box 110 or another battery box 110 is rotated to the predetermined angle, the first end surface of the cover member 150 abuts a wall surface of the battery box 110 defining the groove, and the cover member 150 The second end surface abuts on a wall surface of the other battery case 110 defining the groove. With the foregoing structure, a blocking structure can be formed to prevent the battery case 110 or another battery case 110 from being excessively rotated to damage the battery module 100. For example, when rotating too much, it is easy to make an electrical connection The element 120 is deformed and damaged excessively, and the aforementioned blocking structure can prevent the aforementioned phenomenon from occurring.

In an embodiment, the shape of the first rotating structure 151 of the cover 150 matches the shape of the third rotating structure 153 of a battery case 110, and the shape of the second rotating structure 152 of the cover 150 matches the shape of the first battery case 110. The shape of the four rotation structure 154. More specifically, the first and second rotation structures 151 and 152 are protruding rotation axes, and the third and fourth rotation structures 153 and 154 are rotation holes, so that two adjacent battery boxes 110 can pass through the first and third rotation structures. 151 and 153; and second and fourth rotation structures 152 and 154, which rotate with respect to the cover 150.

In one embodiment, since the battery module 100 can be deformed to some extent, it can be easily assembled on the frame 10 or a certain system. In one embodiment, the cover 150 can cover the electrical connection element 120 and serve as a reference for the two battery cases 110 to rotate. In one embodiment, when the two battery boxes 110 are rotated to a predetermined angle, the two ends of the cover 150 abut against the two battery boxes 110 respectively, and play a blocking function as a blocking structure, which can prevent the two battery boxes 110 from rotating excessively.

Having described the invention in detail, it is obvious that the same method can be changed in many ways. Such modifications should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications as are obvious to those having ordinary knowledge in the art are included in the scope of patent application of this specification.

Claims (10)

A battery module includes: a cover member including a body; a first rotating structure and a second rotating structure respectively located at two opposite ends of the body; a first battery box on the bottom of the first battery box The side portion has a third rotation structure; a second battery case has a fourth rotation structure on the bottom side portion of the second battery case, and the bottom side portions of the first battery case and the second battery case define An accommodating space; an electrical connection element disposed in the accommodating space for electrically connecting the first battery box and the second battery box, wherein the cover is placed in the accommodating space to cover the electrical connection Element, and the first and third rotation structures constitute rotation of the first battery case relative to the cover, and the second and four rotation structures constitute rotation of the second battery case relative to the cover, the first battery case or When the second battery case is rotated to a predetermined angle, the cover member abuts against the first battery case or against the second battery case. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first battery case rotates toward a first rotation direction with respect to the cover, the second battery case rotates toward a second rotation direction with respect to the cover, and the first The rotation direction is opposite to the second rotation direction. The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, wherein the first and third rotation structures are all rotation holes and are sleeved on the first rotation axis, and Each of the second and fourth rotation structures is another rotation hole and is sleeved on the second rotation shaft. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein when the first battery box or the second battery box is rotated to a predetermined angle, the top surface of the first end of the cover member abuts against the first battery box It defines the wall surface of the accommodating space, and the top surface of the second end of the cover member abuts against the other wall surface of the second battery case that defines the accommodating space. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first rotating structure of the cover matches the shape of the third rotating structure of the first battery case, and the shape of the second rotating structure of the cover Match the shape of the fourth rotating structure of the second battery case. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein the first and second rotation structures are protruding rotation shafts, and the third and fourth rotation structures are rotation holes, respectively, so that the first and second battery boxes can pass through. The first and third rotation structures; and the second and fourth rotation structures rotate relative to the cover, respectively. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is a wire. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection element is an electrical connection piece, and the electrical connection piece includes a first flat plate, a second flat plate, and a buffer portion, and the buffer portion is connected to the first Between the flat plate and the second flat plate. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first battery case or the second battery case respectively includes: a first case; a second case, the first case and the second case are combined to include a plurality of A battery accommodation space; a plurality of batteries are respectively placed in the battery accommodation spaces; a first conductive sheet is located on one side of the first case and the second case and is electrically connected to one end of the batteries; and A second conductive sheet is located on the first case and the other side of the second case, and is electrically connected to the other ends of the batteries, and the first conductive sheet or the second conductive sheet is electrically connected to the electrical connection element, respectively. . The battery module according to claim 9, wherein the first battery case and the second battery case pass the electrical connection element, the first conductive sheet, and the second conductive sheet to the first battery case and the second battery case. The batteries in the second battery box are connected in series or in parallel.