Cooling systems for batteries, battery packs, and vehicles

Abstract

Cooling system (100) for a battery, battery pack (200), and vehicle (300). The cooling system (100) for a battery includes a main cooling plate (1) and a connection piece cooling plate (2). A first cooling channel is provided in the main cooling plate (1), and the main cooling plate (1) is used to cool the battery cells (4). The connection piece cooling plate (2) is provided on the main cooling plate (1), and a second cooling channel is provided in each connection piece cooling plate (2). The connection piece cooling plate (2) is used to cool the connection pieces (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This disclosure claims the priority and benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202222024670.X, filed on August 2, 2022, entitled "COOLING SYSTEM FOR BATTERY, BATTERY PACK, AND VEHICLE". The entire content of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly, to a cooling system for a battery, a battery pack, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, the connection sheet in the battery pack is only passively and naturally cooled by a small amount of air in the battery pack. However, this mode has limited heat dissipation ability and poor heat dissipation effect.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of this disclosure is to provide a cooling system for a battery, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Thus, efficient heat dissipation of the connection sheet can be implemented.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To achieve the above object, this disclosure provides a cooling system for a battery, including a main cooling plate and a connection sheet cooling plate. A first cooling channel is provided in the main cooling plate. The main cooling plate is configured to cool the battery cells. The connection sheet cooling plate is disposed on the main cooling plate. A second cooling channel is provided in the connection sheet cooling plate. The connection sheet cooling plate is configured to cool the connection sheet.

[0006] Optionally, the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are independent of each other and do not communicate with each other.

[0007] Optionally, the first cooling channel communicates with the second cooling channel.

[0008] Optionally, a first connector may be placed at the inlet and outlet of a second cooling channel, and multiple second connectors may be placed on the main cooling plate, with a one-to-one correspondence between the second connectors and the first connectors, and they communicate with each other.

[0009] Optionally, a sleeve is fitted to the sealed hose at the joint between the first connector and the second connector.

[0010] Based on the technical solutions described above, this disclosure further provides a battery pack including a cooling system for the battery.

[0011] Optionally, the battery pack further includes multiple battery cells and multiple connection sheets, the battery cells being fixedly arranged on a main cooling plate, the connection sheets being connected to the terminals of the battery cells, and the connection sheet cooling plate being fixedly connected to the connection sheets.

[0012] Optionally, the battery cells are fixed and connected to the main cooling plate via a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0013] Optionally, the connecting sheet cooling plate is fixed and connected to the connecting sheet via a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0014] Optionally, the battery pack further includes a battery tray, and the main cooling plate includes a first cooling plate, the first cooling plate being integrated onto the battery tray.

[0015] Optionally, the battery tray includes an outer frame and a bottom plate, and the first cooling plate is integrated onto the bottom plate.

[0016] Optionally, the battery pack further includes a sealed cover, and the main cooling plate further includes a second cooling plate, the second cooling plate being integrated onto the sealed cover.

[0017] Based on the technical solutions described above, this disclosure further provides a vehicle including a cooling system for a battery or a battery pack.

[0018] Through the technical solution described above, the cooling system for a battery provided in this disclosure includes a main cooling plate and a junction sheet cooling plate. A first cooling channel is provided in the main cooling plate. A cooling medium (e.g., a coolant) is introduced into the first cooling channel in the main cooling plate to perform heat dissipation and cooling of the battery cells. Furthermore, a second cooling channel is provided in the junction sheet cooling plate. A cooling medium (e.g., a coolant) is introduced into the second cooling channel in the junction sheet cooling plate to perform heat dissipation and cooling of the junction sheet. Efficient and timely heat dissipation can be performed at the junction sheet in the battery pack through the additional junction sheet cooling plate, thereby reducing the impact on battery performance and lifespan caused by overheating of the junction sheet.

[0019] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will be described in detail in the following sections on embodiments for carrying out the invention.

[0020] The accompanying drawings are provided for a further understanding of this disclosure, constitute part of this specification, and illustrate this disclosure together with the following specific embodiments, but do not constitute limitations of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of position A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a partial schematic diagram of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4]It is a three-dimensional exploded assembly view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is another three-dimensional exploded assembly view of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged view of position B in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a schematic structural view of a battery tray in a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a schematic view of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0023] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, orientation terms such as "inside and outside" are for the outline of the corresponding component. Further, when the following description relates to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same numbers in different accompanying drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, those embodiments are merely examples of devices and methods that are consistent with some aspects related to the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.

[0024] In electric vehicle battery packs, junction sheets are commonly placed. These junction sheets are securely connected to the terminals of the battery cells (cells) by welding or other means to facilitate series and parallel connections between the battery cells. During rapid charging, the battery, junction sheets, and other electrical connection structures are all subjected to a sustained high current. The resistance of the junction sheets and other electrical connection structures, as well as the resistance increased by welding, all generate a significant amount of heat. If the heat generated by the junction sheets and other electrical connection structures cannot be dissipated in time, the battery temperature rises. As a result, the battery's performance, lifespan, etc., are affected.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference to Figures 1 to 7, a cooling system 100 for a battery is provided, including a main cooling plate 1 and a connecting sheet cooling plate 2. A first cooling channel is provided in the main cooling plate 1. The main cooling plate 1 is configured to cool the battery cells 4. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is positioned on the main cooling plate 1. A second cooling channel is provided in the connecting sheet cooling plate 2. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is configured to cool the connecting sheet 5.

[0026] Through the technical solution described above, the cooling system 100 for a battery provided in this disclosure includes a main cooling plate 1 and a connecting sheet cooling plate 2. A first cooling channel is provided in the main cooling plate 1. A cooling medium (e.g., a coolant) is introduced into the first cooling channel in the main cooling plate 1 to dissipate heat and cool the battery cell 4. Furthermore, a second cooling channel is provided in the connecting sheet cooling plate 2. In the cooling system 100 for a battery provided in this disclosure, a cooling medium (e.g., a coolant) is introduced into the second cooling channel in the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 to dissipate heat and cool the connecting sheet 5. Furthermore, efficient and timely heat dissipation can be performed on the connecting sheet 5 in the battery pack through the additional connecting sheet cooling plate 2, thereby reducing the impact on the battery performance and lifespan caused by overheating of the connecting sheet 5.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1, the main cooling plate 1 may be a complete liquid cooling plate or may be spliced ​​with multiple liquid cooling plates. The main cooling plate 1 includes an inlet connector 11 and an outlet connector 12. Both the inlet connector 11 and the outlet connector 12 communicate with the first cooling channel. If the main cooling plate 1 is a complete liquid cooling plate, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is positioned above the main cooling plate 1. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may be a metal extruded harmonica tube, a serpentine tube, or a stamped brazing plate. The specific position of the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 on the main cooling plate 1 may be determined based on the position of the connecting sheet 5. This is not limited to the present disclosure. If the main cooling plate 1 is spliced ​​with multiple liquid cooling plates, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may be positioned on each liquid cooling plate. Alternatively, the same connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may be positioned across at least two liquid cooling plates. This is not limited to the foregoing disclosure.

[0028] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel may be independent of each other and not communicate with each other in order to perform independent cooling of the main cooling plate 1 and the connecting sheet cooling plate 2. If the main cooling plate 1 and the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 are independent of each other and not communicate with each other, the substance introduced into the second cooling channel may be a coolant.

[0029] In another embodiment provided in this disclosure, referring to Figure 1, the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel may communicate with each other so as to form a path through which a cooling medium (e.g., coolant) flows into the entire cooling system 100 for the battery. The coolant can be introduced into the main cooling plate 1 and then flow into the first cooling channel of the main cooling plate 1 and the second cooling channel of the connecting sheet cooling plate 2, and each connecting sheet cooling plate 2 does not need to be connected to a coolant transfer device. In other words, the main cooling plate 1 and the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 share the same coolant transfer device. In this way, the arrangement of multiple coolant transfer devices can be avoided, and as a result, internal space in the battery pack can be saved and the cost of the battery pack can also be reduced.

[0030] When the first cooling channel communicates with the second cooling channel, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first connector 21 may be located at the inlet and outlet of the second cooling channel, respectively, and a plurality of second connectors 13 are arranged on the main cooling plate 1, with the second connectors 13 and the first connectors 21 corresponding one-to-one and communicating with each other. In the above design embodiment, both the first connector 21 and the second connectors 13 are extension connector structures, and the second connectors 13 and the first connectors 21 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence manner to facilitate communication between the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 has a certain length. Two first connectors 21 are located at the two ends of the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 along the length direction. Both the first connector 21 and the second connector 13 may be metal connectors, and each first connector 21 and the corresponding second connector 13 extends toward each other.

[0031] To reduce the possibility of coolant leakage at the junction between the first connector 21 and the second connector 13, in one embodiment provided in this disclosure, referring to Figure 2, a sealing hose 3 is fitted with a sleeve at the junction between the first connector 21 and the second connector 13. The sealing hose 3 is configured to seal the junction between the first connector 21 and the second connector 13 so that the coolant does not easily leak out of the cooling system 100 for the battery and so that the possibility of the coolant affecting other structures such as the battery cells 4 in the battery pack is reduced. The inner wall of the sealing hose 3 is positioned close to the circumferential walls of the first connector 21 and the second connector 13.

[0032] Based on the technical solutions described above, this disclosure further provides a battery pack 200. Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the battery pack 200 includes a cooling system 100 for the battery described above. Through this design embodiment, a connection sheet cooling plate 2, which provides cooling and heat dissipation on the connection sheet 5, is positioned within the battery pack 200 to avoid overheating of the connection sheet 5 affecting the use of the battery pack 200. The battery pack 200 provided in this disclosure also has the above features. To avoid repetition, further details are not described herein again.

[0033] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, referring to Figure 3, the battery pack 200 further includes a plurality of battery cells 4 and a plurality of connection sheets 5, wherein the battery cells 4 are fixedly arranged on a main cooling plate 1, the connection sheets 5 are connected to the terminals of the battery cells 4, and the connection sheet cooling plate 2 is fixedly connected to the connection sheets 5. In the above design embodiment, the battery cells 4 are arranged on a main cooling plate 1 to facilitate heat dissipation and cooling of the battery cells 4. Similarly, the connection sheet cooling plates 2 and connection sheets 5 are fixedly arranged so that the connection sheet cooling plates 2 can better dissipate heat and cool on the connection sheets 5 which become hot.

[0034] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a plurality of battery cells 4 are arranged along a first direction and form a battery cell row (including a row of battery cells 4 and another structure connected to or placed on the battery cells 4) through a fixed support point 41. Aerogel 42 is placed between adjacent battery cells 4. The aerogel 42 can provide thermal insulation between the battery cells 4 and absorb the expansion of the battery cells 4. The fixed support point 41 extends along the first direction. A plurality of connection sheets 5, spaced apart along the first direction, are placed on each of the two opposing sides of each battery cell row, and the connection sheets 5 are configured to communicate with the plurality of battery cells 4 in the battery cell row in order to form a battery module. It should be noted that one connection sheet cooling plate 2 may be fixed to the outside of a connection sheet 5 located on the same side of the battery cell row, or a plurality of connection sheet cooling plates 2 arranged along the first direction may be fixed to the outside of a connection sheet 5 located on the same side of the battery cell row.

[0035] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, referring to Figures 3 and 4, the battery pack 200 further includes a flexible circuit board 6 and a protective housing 7. Both the flexible circuit board 6 and the protective housing 7 extend along a first direction. A connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is installed between the flexible circuit board 6 and the connecting sheet 5. The flexible circuit board 6 is configured to monitor and measure the voltage and temperature of the battery module and to communicate with a battery management system (BMS). The protective housing 7 covers the outside of the flexible circuit board 6, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2, and the connecting sheet 5. The protective housing 7 engages with a fixed pivot point 41 to protect the above structure.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, in order to ensure that the battery cell 4 is securely connected to the main cooling plate 1 without affecting heat conduction, in one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the battery cell 4 may be fixedly connected to the main cooling plate 1 through a thermally conductive adhesive. The thermally conductive adhesive between the battery cell 4 and the main cooling plate 1 may be a first thermally conductive adhesive 43. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the connecting sheet 5 is securely connected to the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 without affecting heat conduction, in one embodiment provided in this disclosure, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may be fixedly connected to the connecting sheet 5 through a thermally conductive adhesive. The thermally conductive adhesive between the connecting sheet 5 and the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may be a second thermally conductive adhesive 51. In other embodiments, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 and the connecting sheet 5 may be connected and fixed through a thermally conductive structural adhesive, or the battery cell 4 and the main cooling plate 1 may be connected and fixed through a thermally conductive structural adhesive. This is not limited to the present disclosure.

[0037] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, referring to Figures 5 and 7, the battery pack 200 further includes a battery tray 201, and the main cooling plate 1 may include a first cooling plate 14, the first cooling plate 14 of which may be integrated onto the battery tray 201. In the above design embodiment, the battery module is placed on the battery tray 201, and heat dissipation is performed directly through the first cooling plate 14 integrated onto the battery tray 201, resulting in a greater degree of integration between the first cooling plate 14 and the battery pack 200 after assembly, and heat dissipation is easily performed on the battery cells 4 within the battery module. Furthermore, the first cooling plate 14 and the battery tray 201 may instead be two separate structures fixed to each other, or the first cooling plate 14 and the battery tray 201 may instead be integrated into the same structure (i.e., a battery tray 201 with liquid cooling functionality is formed).

[0038] Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 7, the battery tray 201 includes a base plate 9 and an outer frame 8. The outer frame 8 is a frame structure formed by welding extruded material. The outer frame 8 surrounds the outside of the battery modules. A first cooling plate 14 is integrated onto the base plate 9, and the integrated base plate 9 and the first cooling plate 14 are fixed to the bottom of the outer frame 8 by friction stir welding or in another form. The battery modules are fixed to the first cooling plate 14 integrated with the base plate through a thermally conductive adhesive or thermally conductive structural adhesive. One or more battery modules may be placed within the outer frame 8. This is not limited to the present disclosure.

[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, four battery modules are arranged within an outer frame 8. The extension beam 81 and the intermediate longitudinal beam 82 are fixed to the inner wall of the outer frame 8, and the extension beam 81 and the intermediate longitudinal beam 82 are intersected in a "cross" shape within the outer frame 8, so that the interior of the outer frame 8 is divided into four regions, in which one battery module can be arranged. In the case of two battery modules dispersed along a first direction, only one connection sheet cooling plate 2 can be placed on the connection sheet 5 installed on the same side of the two battery modules, and the height of the extension beam 81 can avoid the connection sheet cooling plate 2 and the first cooling plate 14 being bonded to the lower surface of the battery cells 4 of all battery modules within the outer frame 8 via a thermal conductive adhesive or thermal conductive structural adhesive.

[0040] In certain embodiments provided in this disclosure, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the battery pack 200 further includes a sealed cover, and the main cooling plate 1 further includes a second cooling plate 15, the second cooling plate 15 may be integrated onto the sealed cover. In the above design embodiment, the sealed cover may also have the effect of cooling the battery cells in order to efficiently cool and dissipate heat on the battery cells. The second cooling plate 15 and the sealed cover may be two separate structures fixed to each other, or alternatively, the second cooling plate 15 and the sealed cover may be integrated into the same structure so that the battery pack 200 of this disclosure has a higher degree of integration (i.e., a sealed cover with a cooling function is formed). The second cooling plate 15 integrated with the sealed cover may be fixed and connected to the upper surface of the battery cells 4 of all battery modules within the outer frame 8 via a thermally conductive adhesive or thermally conductive structural adhesive. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 may communicate with the first cooling plate 14, or with the second cooling plate 15, or with both the first cooling plate 14 and the second cooling plate 15. This is not limited to the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the main cooling plate 1 may consist only of the first cooling plate 14, and the sealing cover may be a cover plate made of plastic or metal and placed on the battery tray 201.

[0041] Based on the technical solutions described above, the Disclosure further provides a vehicle 300. Referring to Figure 8, the vehicle 300 includes the cooling system 100 for the battery or the battery pack 200 described above. In the above design embodiment, the vehicle 300 in which the cooling system 100 for the battery or the battery pack 200 of the Disclosure is installed is not affected by overheating of the connection sheet 5, and as a result, the performance of the vehicle 300 is more stable during operation and the failure rate of the vehicle 300 is reduced. The battery pack 200 may be mounted on the vehicle 300 or may be installed in the form of an integrated battery vehicle body.

[0042] The principle of implementation of this embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows: The main cooling plate 1 is fixedly positioned on the battery cell 4. The connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is fixedly positioned on the outside of the connecting sheet 5, and a coolant or refrigerant is introduced to the main cooling plate 1 and the connecting sheet cooling plate 2. When heat dissipation occurs on the battery cell 4, heat dissipation also occurs on the connecting sheet 5, and as a result, the connecting sheet 5 is no longer passively cooled only by air. Furthermore, the connecting sheet cooling plate 2 is positioned to directly and actively cool the connecting sheet 5 in order to perform efficient cooling of the connecting sheet 5 and to mitigate the effects of overheating of the connecting sheet 5 on the performance and lifespan of the battery.

[0043] Exemplary embodiments of the Disclosure are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the Disclosure is not limited to the specific details of the embodiments described above. Various simple modifications may be made to the technical solutions of the Disclosure within the scope of the technical ideas of the Disclosure, and all such simple modifications shall be included within the scope of protection of the Disclosure.

[0044] It should be further noted that the specific technical features described in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner, provided they do not contradict each other. To avoid unnecessary repetition, various possible combinations are not further described in this disclosure.

[0045] Furthermore, various embodiments of this disclosure may be combined without departing from the concept of this disclosure, and such combinations shall also be included within the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Main cooling plate 11 Inlet Connector 12 Outlet Connectors 13. Second connector 14. First cooling plate 15. Second cooling plate 2. Connecting Sheet Cooling Plate 21 First connector 3. Sealed hose 4 battery cells 41 Fixed fulcrum 42 Aerogel 43. The first thermally conductive adhesive 5 connection sheets 51. Second thermal conductive adhesive 6 Flexible circuit board 7. Protective Housing 8 Outer frame 81 Extended beam 82 Intermediate longitudinal beam 9 Bottom plate Cooling system for 100 batteries 200 Battery Pack 201 Battery Tray 300 vehicles

Claims

1. A main cooling plate (1) is provided with a first cooling channel and is configured to cool the battery cell (4), A connecting sheet cooling plate (2) is provided on the main cooling plate (1), has a second cooling channel, and is configured to cool the connecting sheet (5), Equipped with, The first connector (21) is located at the inlet and outlet of the second cooling channel, and a plurality of second connectors (13) are located on the main cooling plate (1), and the second connectors (13) and the first connectors (21) are in one-to-one correspondence and communicate with each other. The sealing hose (3) is configured to seal the joint between the first connector (21) and the second connector (13), The sealed hose (3) is a cooling system (100) for a battery, in which a sleeve is fitted at the joint between the first connector (21) and the second connector (13).

2. A cooling system for a battery according to claim 1 (100), wherein the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel are independent of each other and do not communicate with each other.

3. The cooling system for a battery according to claim 1 (100), wherein the first cooling channel communicates with the second cooling channel.

4. A battery pack (200) comprising a cooling system (100) for a battery as described in claim 1.

5. The battery pack (200) according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of battery cells (4) and a plurality of connection sheets (5), wherein the battery cells (4) are fixedly arranged on the main cooling plate (1), the connection sheets (5) are connected to the terminals of the battery cells (4), and the connection sheet cooling plate (2) is fixedly connected to the connection sheets (5).

6. The battery pack (200) according to claim 5, wherein the battery cell (4) is fixed and connected to the main cooling plate (1) via a thermally conductive adhesive.

7. The battery pack (200) according to claim 5, wherein the connecting sheet cooling plate (2) is fixed and connected to the connecting sheet (5) through a thermally conductive adhesive.

8. The battery pack (200) according to claim 4, further comprising a battery tray (201), wherein the main cooling plate (1) comprises a first cooling plate (14), and the first cooling plate (14) is integrated onto the battery tray (201).

9. The battery pack (200) according to claim 8, wherein the battery tray (201) comprises an outer frame (8) and a bottom plate (9), and the first cooling plate (14) is integrated onto the bottom plate (9).

10. The battery pack (200) according to claim 8, further comprising a sealed cover, wherein the main cooling plate (1) further comprises a second cooling plate (15), and the second cooling plate (15) is integrated onto the sealed cover.

11. A vehicle (300) comprising a cooling system (100) for a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or a battery pack (200) according to any one of claims 4 to 10.

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