Energy storage battery module, liquid cooling plate and liquid cooling plate combination

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of energy storage battery module, including multiple batteries, also include bottom liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate;Bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally arranged at the bottom of battery module, and is closely contacted with the bottom surface of each battery;Side liquid cooling plate is vertically arranged in the middle of battery module, and is closely contacted with one large surface of each battery;Two liquid cooling plates are integral plate, cooling channel is integral flow channel, and the flow channel direction of adjacent two flow channels is set as one in and one out relationship.The battery module of the application is balanced in whole temperature, the temperature of battery module front and rear part tends to be consistent, the temperature between multiple batteries and the upper and lower part of each battery cell tends to be consistent, and the temperature rise under high rate operation condition of battery module can be controlled.A kind of liquid cooling plate is also disclosed, which can realize temperature balance of the whole liquid cooling plate itself.A kind of liquid cooling plate combination is also disclosed, which is applied to energy storage battery module or battery pack, and can improve the overall temperature balance of energy storage battery module or battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of power battery technology, and specifically relates to an energy storage battery module, a liquid cooling plate, and a combination of liquid cooling plates. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the economy and new energy technologies, electrochemical energy storage products are becoming increasingly mature in the market. Among them, the power battery pack is the core of the research and development of electrochemical energy storage products. Each battery pack is composed of multiple battery modules, and each battery module is composed of multiple batteries connected in series and parallel.

[0003] In recent years, to improve the energy density of energy storage systems, power battery packs have generally adopted large square aluminum-cased cells. These cells are characterized by their thickness, height, and overall large size. However, there is still market demand for high-rate electrochemical energy storage systems. High-rate operation places higher demands on individual battery cells, leading to significant heat generation during operation, especially with the use of large square aluminum-cased cells. Therefore, controlling the temperature rise and achieving thermal equilibrium during battery operation has become a pressing problem that needs to be solved.

[0004] Traditional energy storage battery packs typically employ a heat dissipation method by adding a heat sink to the bottom of the battery. This method is generally used in electrochemical energy storage products that operate at low rates and generate less heat. However, under high-rate operating conditions, the large square aluminum-cased battery cells exhibit significant temperature differences between the top and bottom, making it difficult to guarantee temperature consistency within the battery and the battery module / pack. This further complicates temperature control and significantly impacts the overall lifespan of the energy storage product. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide an energy storage battery module, a liquid cooling plate, and a liquid cooling plate assembly to solve the problems of uneven temperature of individual battery cells, uneven temperature between the front and rear of the battery module, and poor overall temperature consistency caused by excessive temperature rise and large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell under high-rate operation conditions, which prevent high-rate operation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] This invention provides an energy storage battery module, comprising multiple batteries, a bottom liquid cooling plate, and a side liquid cooling plate. The bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally disposed at the bottom of the battery module and in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery. The side liquid cooling plate is vertically disposed in the middle of the battery module and in close contact with a large surface of each battery. Both the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are integral plates, and their respective cooling channels are integral flow channels, with the flow directions of two adjacent flow channels configured as one inlet and one outlet.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes a connecting pipe, which is used to connect the flow channel between the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate, so that the coolant can circulate through the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate simultaneously.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the bottom liquid cooling plate is provided with a main inlet nozzle and a main outlet nozzle on its side, and the top plate of the bottom liquid cooling plate is provided with a branch inlet nozzle and a branch outlet nozzle; the side liquid cooling plate is provided with inlet nozzles and outlet nozzles at different heights on its side.

[0010] The connecting pipe includes two pipes. One pipe is connected to a diversion inlet nozzle and a liquid inlet nozzle at both ends, and the other pipe is connected to a diversion outlet nozzle and a liquid outlet nozzle at both ends, so that the coolant is diverted from the bottom liquid cooling plate to the side liquid cooling plate. The cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are connected in parallel.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the inlet nozzle is located at the upper end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate, and the outlet nozzle is located at the lower end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate, with the coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate entering from the top and exiting from the bottom; or,

[0012] The inlet nozzle is located at the lower end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate, and the outlet nozzle is located at the upper end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate. The coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate enters from the bottom and flows out from the top.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes two side heat sinks, which are vertically arranged on the left and right sides of the battery module; the side heat sinks include a substrate and a number of heat dissipation fins, and the substrate is in close contact with the other large surface of each battery.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes a module end plate, which is placed at the front and rear ends of the battery module and is assembled and shaped with the two side heat sinks by compression.

[0015] In one possible implementation, thermal grease or thermally conductive silicone pads are applied between the two large surfaces of each battery and the side heat sink and the side liquid cooling plate.

[0016] The present invention provides a liquid cooling plate, which is an integral plate with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet on the side. The cooling channel of the liquid cooling plate is an integral flow channel, and the flow direction of two adjacent flow channels is set to an inlet and an outlet relationship.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the position of the liquid inlet and / or liquid outlet on the side of the liquid cooling plate is adjustable.

[0018] This invention provides a liquid cooling plate assembly, comprising a bottom liquid cooling plate and a side liquid cooling plate. The bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally arranged, and the side liquid cooling plate is vertically arranged above the middle of the bottom liquid cooling plate. The two liquid cooling plates are integral plates, each with an integral cooling channel, and the flow directions of adjacent channels are arranged in an inlet-outlet relationship. Two connecting pipes are provided between the two liquid cooling plates to divert coolant from the bottom liquid cooling plate to the side liquid cooling plate, allowing the coolant to circulate simultaneously through both liquid cooling plates. The cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are connected in parallel.

[0019] The advantages and beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0020] This invention provides an energy storage battery module. A bottom liquid cooling plate is installed at the bottom of the battery module, serving as the main heat dissipation surface. The bottom liquid cooling plate is in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery, effectively removing most of the heat generated during battery module operation. A side liquid cooling plate is installed in the middle of the battery module, in close contact with a large surface of each battery, further removing some of the heat generated during operation. Both the bottom and side liquid cooling plates are integral plates, with their respective cooling channels being integral flow channels. The flow directions of adjacent flow channels are configured as one inlet and one outlet, allowing for self-balancing of the coolant temperature within the flow channels. This achieves temperature uniformity across the entire liquid cooling plate, resulting in more consistent temperatures at the front and rear of the battery module, and between multiple batteries and between the top and bottom of each individual battery cell. This improves the overall temperature uniformity of the battery module and controls temperature rise under high-rate operating conditions.

[0021] The liquid cooling plate provided in this embodiment of the invention can self-balance the temperature of the coolant in the flow channel, thereby achieving temperature balance of the entire liquid cooling plate.

[0022] The liquid cooling plate assembly provided in this embodiment of the invention can be applied to energy storage battery modules or battery packs to improve the overall temperature uniformity of energy storage battery modules or battery packs.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the written description and the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an energy storage battery module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 A structural diagram of a square aluminum-cased battery cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 An exploded view of an energy storage battery module structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a cooling channel for a bottom liquid cooling plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a cooling channel for another bottom liquid cooling plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cooling channel for a side liquid cooling plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a liquid cooling plate assembly and connection method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another liquid cooling plate assembly and connection method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a side view of a side heat sink provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In the attached diagram: 1-square aluminum-cased battery; 2-bottom liquid cooling plate; 3-side liquid cooling plate; 4-side heat sink; 5-connecting pipe; 6-conductive busbar; 7-module end plate; 1a-main inlet water nozzle; 1b-main outlet water nozzle; 2a-branch water inlet nozzle; 2b-branch water outlet nozzle; 3a-inlet water nozzle; 3b-outlet water nozzle; 41-substrate; 42-heat dissipation fins. Detailed Implementation

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0037] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0038] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0040] This invention provides an energy storage battery module that incorporates a bottom liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plates. This ensures that both the main heat dissipation surface (bottom) and the large internal surface of the battery module have integrated liquid cooling plates. Furthermore, by arranging the internal integrated flow channels of both liquid cooling plates in an in-flow-out relationship between adjacent channels, the coolant temperature within the flow channels can be self-balancing, achieving temperature uniformity across the entire liquid cooling plate. This improves the overall temperature uniformity of the battery module and controls the temperature rise under high-rate operating conditions. In a preferred embodiment, side heat sinks are also provided on the left and right sides of the battery module. Through air cooling or self-cooling, this further enhances the overall temperature uniformity of the battery module and controls the temperature rise under high-rate operating conditions.

[0041] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention includes multiple batteries 1, and also includes a bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and a side liquid cooling plate 3; wherein, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 is horizontally disposed at the bottom of the battery module and is in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery 1; the side liquid cooling plate 3 is vertically disposed in the middle of the battery module and is in close contact with a large surface of each battery 1.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, battery 1 is the smallest unit of a power battery and also an energy storage unit. It uses a large, square aluminum-cased cell. The front and back sides of the square aluminum casing are the large surfaces, the left and right sides are the small surfaces, and the bottom surface is the base. Multiple batteries 1 have their small surfaces in contact and are connected in series and parallel via conductive busbars. The conductive busbars 6 primarily enable the series and parallel connection of batteries 1 to conduct electricity.

[0043] A battery module is composed of several batteries arranged in a specific order. Physically, it serves to fix, protect, and electrically connect the batteries. The dimensions of a battery module can be described as width * depth * height. The front section is where the coolant first flows through; after flowing through the front section, the coolant enters the rear section, and its temperature rises due to the heat dissipation from the batteries in the front section.

[0044] Both the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 remove the heat generated by the battery module during operation using a refrigerant. The bottom, as the main heat dissipation surface of the battery module, has the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery 1, which can remove most of the heat generated by the battery module during operation. The side liquid cooling plate 3 has close contact with a large surface of each battery 1, which can remove some of the heat generated by the battery module during operation.

[0045] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 The bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 are both integral plates, and their respective cooling channels are integral flow channels, with the flow directions of adjacent flow channels arranged in an in-flow and out-flow relationship. Compared to setting multiple cooling channels inside the liquid cooling plate, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 of this invention adopt integral flow channels, which simplifies the flow channel design and eliminates the need for manifolds. Moreover, the coolant temperature in the inflow direction is lower, and after absorbing the heat dissipated by the battery module, the coolant temperature in the outflow direction is higher. By setting the flow directions of adjacent flow channels in an in-flow and out-flow relationship, the coolant temperature within the flow channels can be self-balancing within the liquid cooling plate, achieving temperature uniformity across the entire liquid cooling plate.

[0046] The bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 of the present invention are respectively set at the bottom and middle of the battery module, which can make the temperature of the front and rear parts of the battery module more consistent, and make the temperature of multiple batteries and the upper and lower parts of each battery cell more consistent, thereby improving the overall temperature balance of the battery module and effectively controlling the temperature rise of the battery module under high-rate operation conditions.

[0047] One embodiment, see Figure 4 As shown, the diagonally lined portions represent the channel walls or channel spacing, while the unlined hollow portions represent the channels. The bottom liquid cooling plate 2 of this invention does not have a channel in its central portion, resulting in a slightly higher temperature compared to other parts of the liquid cooling plate. If a side liquid cooling plate 3 is arranged directly above this area, its heat dissipation effect can compensate for this thermal deficiency. Furthermore, since the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 is relatively long, omitting the channel arrangement in its central portion is equivalent to retaining the material as a long beam, strengthening the structural strength of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 along its length and avoiding the risk of channel failure or breakage due to uneven stress or stress concentration.

[0048] Another embodiment, see Figure 5As shown, the diagonally marked portions represent the channel walls or channel spacing, while the hollow portions without diagonal lines represent the channels. The bottom liquid cooling plate 2 of this invention has a uniformly distributed channel that covers the entire liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate, excluding the channels, can be considered as a plate with multi-directional reinforcing ribs, meeting the structural strength required to support the battery. This also avoids the risk of channel failure or breakage due to uneven stress or stress concentration.

[0049] Another embodiment, see Figure 6 As shown, the diagonally marked portions represent the channel walls or channel spacing, while the hollow portions without diagonal lines represent the channels. The side liquid cooling plate 3 of this invention has a uniformly distributed channel pattern that covers the entire plate. Its channel spacing can be designed to be slightly larger than that of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2. This ensures the required heat dissipation effect, and the appropriate channel spacing also acts as a reinforcing rib for the liquid cooling plate. This allows the side liquid cooling plate 3 to withstand significant compressive forces within the battery module without causing channel failure, especially during the later stages of battery life when the expansion force increases rapidly. Due to the high-strength shaping of the battery module, the side liquid cooling plate 3 must withstand most of the battery expansion force while still maintaining its original heat dissipation effect and structural strength.

[0050] See Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention also includes a connecting pipe 5, which is used to connect the flow channel between the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3, so that the coolant can circulate through the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 at the same time, so as to better traverse the corresponding positions of each battery in the battery module at the same time.

[0051] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 is provided with a main liquid inlet nozzle 1a and a main liquid outlet nozzle 1b at the left and right ends of the front side, respectively; the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 is provided with a diversion water inlet nozzle 2a and a diversion water outlet nozzle 2b at the left and right ends of the front part of the upper panel, respectively; the side liquid cooling plate 3 is provided with a main liquid inlet nozzle 3a and a main liquid outlet nozzle 3b at the upper and lower ends of the front side.

[0052] Understandable. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagrams shown are only two specific schematic representations of the connection between the two liquid cooling plates. The main inlet nozzle 1a and the main outlet nozzle 1b are not limited to being located on the front side of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2; they can also be located on the rear side or on both the front and rear sides respectively. Similarly, the branch inlet nozzle 2a and the branch outlet nozzle 2b can be located on the front and / or rear of the upper panel of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2; the inlet nozzle 3a and the outlet nozzle 3b can be located on the upper or lower ends of the front and / or rear sides of the side liquid cooling plate 3 respectively. This invention does not limit the location of the water inlet and outlet nozzles on each liquid cooling plate, as long as it facilitates the connection of the two liquid cooling plates using a connecting pipe.

[0053] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the connecting pipe 5 includes two pipes. One pipe is connected to a branch inlet nozzle 2a and a liquid inlet nozzle 3a at both ends, and the other pipe is connected to a branch outlet nozzle 2b and a liquid outlet nozzle 3b at both ends, thereby diverting the coolant from the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 to the side liquid cooling plate 3. The cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are connected in parallel. This invention avoids the use of complex distributors outside the liquid cooling plates by creating branch pipes in the flow channels of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2, reducing the risk of leakage. Furthermore, the flow distribution ratio between the two liquid cooling plates can be adjusted by adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channels and the size of the liquid inlets.

[0054] It should be noted that although the cooling channels of the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 are connected in parallel, the diameters of the channels are different. Due to the high thermal conductivity along the height of the battery, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 needs to absorb and exchange more heat, and the amount of coolant flowing through its channels also needs to be increased. Compared to the other liquid cooling plate, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 has a larger channel diameter and a smaller channel spacing, and it is also thicker to provide support. However, excessive thickness of the liquid cooling plate will affect heat dissipation and increase costs, so the thickness of the side liquid cooling plate 3 is generally controlled to improve the energy density of the battery module.

[0055] This invention comprehensively considers various aspects such as the diameter of the internal flow channels, the spacing between the channels, the thickness of the cold plates, and the layout of the pipe structure. Two liquid cooling plates are designed to achieve the following: a suitable flow channel diameter ensures a reasonable fluid velocity within the pipes, maintaining turbulence and minimizing flow resistance, thus guaranteeing the heat exchange capacity of the free-flowing flow within the pipes. Simultaneously, a large velocity gradient within the boundary layer enhances heat conduction within the thermal boundary layer. A suitable channel spacing effectively increases the number of heat exchange cycles between the coolant and the battery cells while maintaining a simplified liquid cooling plate manufacturing process, increasing the heat exchange area and improving heat exchange efficiency. A suitable liquid cooling plate thickness effectively enhances the substrate's ability to conduct heat outwards while ensuring a lightweight design, supporting strength, and cost control, thereby improving heat dissipation. A suitable flow channel arrangement allows the coolant to traverse the corresponding positions of each battery cell in the battery module during flow, preventing the initial coolant from overheating in some cells and causing poor heat exchange in others.

[0056] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, there are two methods for liquid inlet to the side liquid cooling plate 3. One is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in the top-in, bottom-out configuration, the inlet water nozzle 3a is located at the upper end of the front side of the side liquid cooling plate 3, and the outlet water nozzle 3b is located at the lower end of the front side of the side liquid cooling plate 3. The coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate 3 enters from the top and flows out from the bottom. Another configuration is as follows... Figure 8As shown in the bottom-in, top-out configuration, the inlet water nozzle 3a is located at the lower end of the front side of the side liquid cooling plate 3, and the outlet water nozzle 3b is located at the upper end of the front side of the side liquid cooling plate 3. The coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate 3 enters from the bottom and flows out from the top.

[0057] When batteries generate a lot of heat, it is generally necessary to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel or increase the circulation pressure of the coolant within the channel to increase the flow rate and heat exchange efficiency. Pressurization can increase the flow velocity; at the same flow velocity, a larger flow channel allows more medium to pass through it per unit time, resulting in better cooling. Based on battery research, the thermal conductivity is high and heat transfer is fast along the height of the battery, and the temperature distribution of individual battery cells is higher in the upper and middle parts. With sufficient flow channel pressure, the side liquid cooling plate 3 can ensure the flow channel is filled with cooling medium regardless of whether it uses a top-in / bottom-out or bottom-in / top-out configuration. However, the top-in / bottom-out configuration is more suitable for smaller flow channels and allows the cooling medium to flow through the upper part first; the bottom-in / top-out configuration is more suitable for larger flow channels, as larger flow channels can increase heat exchange efficiency.

[0058] It is particularly noteworthy that, in this embodiment of the invention, the bottom liquid cooling plate 2 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 each have two flow channels on their sides in the thickness direction, one serving as an inlet and the other as an outlet. The positions of these two flow channels on the sides of the two liquid cooling plates are adjustable. In practical applications, one of the flow channels can be fixed in position, while the other can be adjusted according to connection requirements. This design facilitates external connection after the two liquid cooling plates are combined, especially for liquid cooling plates used for bottom heat dissipation, where the inlet and outlet can be arranged on both sides or on the same side, greatly facilitating the integration of battery modules or even battery pack systems.

[0059] See Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention also includes two side heat sinks 4. The two side heat sinks 4 are vertically arranged on the left and right sides of the battery module and are in close contact with the other large surface of each battery 1. They are used to remove the heat dissipated during the operation of the battery module by means of air cooling or self-cooling, and work together with the two liquid cooling plates to further balance the overall temperature of the battery module, so that the temperature of the upper and lower parts of the battery is more consistent and to control the temperature rise of the battery module during high-rate operation.

[0060] See Figure 9 As shown, the side heat sink 4 includes a substrate 41 and several heat dissipation fins 42, wherein the substrate 41 is disposed close to the battery module and in close contact with the other large surface of each battery, for conducting the heat dissipated by the battery module to the heat dissipation fins 42.

[0061] The purpose of both the side heat sink 4 and the side liquid cooling plate 3 is to maximize the temperature balance between the upper and lower parts of the battery cells within the battery module, improve heat exchange efficiency per unit time, and maintain a balance in heat dissipation within the battery module. The side liquid cooling plate 3 removes heat via a refrigerant, while the side heat sink 4 removes some heat through air cooling. Test results and the internal structure of the battery indicate that the thermal conductivity of the battery cells in the thickness direction is not very high. Therefore, combining the side liquid cooling plate 3 inside the battery module with the side heat sink 4 outside the battery module ensures temperature balance without significantly increasing costs.

[0062] By arranging the bottom liquid cooling plate 2, the side liquid cooling plate 3, and the side heat sink 4, this invention can effectively avoid large temperature inconsistencies between the front and rear areas of the battery module, enabling the large square aluminum-cased battery to operate at high rates and maintain a good lifespan.

[0063] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention also includes a module end plate 7. The module end plate 7 is placed at the front and rear ends of the battery module and is assembled and shaped with the two side heat sinks 4 by compression.

[0064] The module end plate 7 and the two side heat sinks 4 are fixed by compression, which can improve the consistency of the components in the battery module and maintain a certain compression force. This is because the battery will expand later, and the expansion force is mainly reflected in the thickness direction of the battery. By clamping the thickness direction of each battery cell with the side heat sink 4 and the side liquid cooling plate 3, the free expansion of the battery can be restricted.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, thermally conductive grease or thermally conductive silicone pads are applied between the two large surfaces of the battery 1 and the side heat sink 4 and the side liquid cooling plate 3. This increases thermal conductivity and absorbs some expansion deformation. Because the large surfaces of the battery are not perfectly flat but rather spherical arc surfaces, applying a layer of thermally conductive grease or filling with thermally conductive silicone pads or other structural adhesives evenly distributes the battery's expansion force across the entire large surface of the side liquid cooling plate 3, controlling the battery's expansion to a certain extent and preventing the flow channels within the side liquid cooling plate 3 from being squeezed and blocked.

[0066] Based on the scheme of this invention, heat dissipation tests of the battery module under different battery charge and discharge rates were conducted. The test results show that: at an ambient temperature of 25°C, when the battery charge and discharge rate reaches 1.1C (C represents the ratio of the battery charge and discharge current, i.e., the rate), the highest temperature of the battery module under multiple continuous complete charge and discharge cycles can still not exceed 40°C, which is within the normal operating temperature range of the battery; at a battery charge and discharge rate of 0.85C, the highest temperature of the battery module is below 35°C, and the maximum temperature difference on the same height surface of all batteries in the battery module is only 3.6K (Kelvin). At this time, the temperature rise of the coolant is within 2K (Kelvin), which verifies the temperature uniformity performance of the battery module and liquid cooling plate in this scheme, which can highly meet the requirements of battery thermal management effect and temperature uniformity. Compared to the more popular design schemes of similar batteries in the industry, which generally operate at charge / discharge rates below 0.5C, for a single battery, the heat generated at a charge / discharge rate of 0.85C is approximately 3 times that at 0.5C, and the heat generated at a charge / discharge rate of 1.1C is 4 to 5 times that at 0.5C. This is sufficient to demonstrate that the design of the battery module and liquid cooling plate in this solution greatly solves the problems of high temperature rise of the battery at high rates and overall temperature uniformity of the battery module.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that although the above-described solution of this invention primarily targets battery modules, battery modules and battery packs are closely related. A battery pack is formed by packaging multiple battery modules into an independent unit through fixing, connecting, etc. The solution of this invention solves the temperature uniformity problem of battery modules, and correspondingly solves the temperature uniformity problem of the battery pack.

[0068] In summary, the energy storage battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention, by setting a bottom liquid cooling plate at the bottom of the battery module, with the bottom serving as the main heat dissipation surface of the battery module, and the bottom liquid cooling plate in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery, can remove most of the heat dissipated during the operation of the battery module; by setting a side liquid cooling plate in the middle of the battery module, with the side liquid cooling plate in close contact with a large surface of each battery, can remove some of the heat dissipated during the operation of the battery module; both the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are integral plates, and the cooling channel is an integral flow channel. By setting the flow direction of two adjacent flow channels inside the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate to an inlet-outlet relationship, the temperature of the coolant in the flow channel can be self-balanced, realizing the temperature balance of the entire liquid cooling plate, and thus balancing the overall temperature of the battery module, making the temperature of the front and rear parts of the battery module more consistent, and making the temperature of multiple batteries and the top and bottom parts of each battery cell more consistent. By setting side heat sinks on the left and right sides of the battery module, and having the side heat sinks in close contact with the other large surface of each battery, the overall temperature of the battery module can be further balanced, making the temperature of the upper and lower parts of each battery cell more consistent, thereby controlling the temperature rise of the battery module under high-rate operation and improving the overall temperature balance.

[0069] This invention also provides a liquid cooling plate, which is a single-piece plate with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet on its side. The cooling channels of the liquid cooling plate are integral flow channels, and the flow directions of adjacent flow channels are arranged in an inlet-outlet relationship. Optionally, the position of the liquid inlet and / or the liquid outlet on the side of the liquid cooling plate is adjustable. The liquid cooling plate of this invention can be used as a bottom liquid cooling plate and / or a side liquid cooling plate, and can be applied in energy storage battery modules and / or battery packs.

[0070] This invention also provides a liquid cooling plate assembly, including a bottom liquid cooling plate and a side liquid cooling plate. The bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally arranged, and the side liquid cooling plate is vertically arranged above the center of the bottom liquid cooling plate. Both liquid cooling plates are integral plates, and their respective cooling channels are integral flow channels, with the flow directions of adjacent flow channels arranged in an inlet-outlet relationship. Two connecting pipes are provided between the two liquid cooling plates to divert coolant from the bottom liquid cooling plate to the side liquid cooling plate, allowing the coolant to circulate simultaneously through both liquid cooling plates. The cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are connected in parallel. This liquid cooling plate assembly can be applied to energy storage battery modules or battery packs to improve the overall temperature uniformity of the energy storage battery modules or battery packs.

[0071] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Under the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make other improvements or modifications based on the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above specific description is only to better explain the purpose of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An energy storage battery module, comprising multiple batteries, characterized in that, It also includes a bottom liquid cooling plate and a side liquid cooling plate; the bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally disposed at the bottom of the battery module and is in close contact with the bottom surface of each battery; the side liquid cooling plate is vertically disposed in the middle of the battery module and is in close contact with a large surface of each battery; the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are both integral plates, and their respective cooling channels are integral flow channels, and the flow direction of two adjacent flow channels is set to one inlet and one outlet relationship; It also includes a connecting pipe, which is used to connect the flow channel between the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate, so that the coolant can circulate through the bottom liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate at the same time. The connecting pipe includes two pipes, one of which is connected to a diversion water inlet nozzle and a liquid inlet nozzle at both ends, and the other of which is connected to a diversion water outlet nozzle and a liquid outlet nozzle at both ends, so that the coolant is diverted from the bottom liquid cooling plate to the side liquid cooling plate, and the cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are connected in parallel. The flow channel diameter of the bottom liquid cooling plate is larger than that of the side liquid cooling plate; The bottom liquid cooling plate is provided with a main inlet water nozzle and a main outlet water nozzle on its side, and a branch water inlet nozzle and a branch water outlet nozzle are provided on the top plate of the bottom liquid cooling plate; the side liquid cooling plate is provided with inlet water nozzles and outlet water nozzles at different heights on its side.

2. The energy storage battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet nozzle is located at the upper end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate, and the outlet nozzle is located at the lower end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate. The coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate enters from the top and flows out from the bottom; or, The inlet nozzle is located at the lower end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate, and the outlet nozzle is located at the upper end of the side of the side liquid cooling plate. The coolant flowing through the side liquid cooling plate enters from the bottom and flows out from the top.

3. The energy storage battery module according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, It also includes two side heat sinks, which are vertically arranged on the left and right sides of the battery module; the side heat sinks include a substrate and several heat dissipation fins, and the substrate is in close contact with the other large surface of each battery.

4. The energy storage battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes module end plates, which are placed at the front and rear ends of the battery module and are assembled and shaped with the two side heat sinks by compression.

5. The energy storage battery module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Thermal grease or thermally conductive silicone pads are applied between the two large surfaces of each battery and the side heat sink and the side liquid cooling plate.

6. A liquid-cooled plate, characterized in that, The energy storage battery module as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 is wherein the liquid cooling plate is an integral plate with an inlet and an outlet on its side, and the cooling channel of the liquid cooling plate is an integral flow channel, with the flow directions of two adjacent flow channels arranged in an inlet-outlet relationship.

7. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 6, characterized in that, The position of the liquid inlet and / or liquid outlet on the side of the liquid cooling plate can be adjusted.

8. A liquid-cooled plate assembly, characterized in that, The liquid cooling plate assembly as described in claim 6 includes a bottom liquid cooling plate and a side liquid cooling plate. The bottom liquid cooling plate is horizontally arranged, and the side liquid cooling plate is vertically arranged above the middle of the bottom liquid cooling plate. Both liquid cooling plates are integral plates, and their respective cooling channels are integral flow channels. The flow directions of two adjacent flow channels are set to an inlet and an outlet relationship. Two connecting pipes are provided between the two liquid cooling plates to realize the diversion of coolant from the bottom liquid cooling plate to the side liquid cooling plate, so that the coolant can circulate through the two liquid cooling plates simultaneously. The cooling channels of the two liquid cooling plates are in parallel.

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