Temperature control component and battery module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a temperature control component and a battery module. The temperature control component includes: an upper substrate and a lower substrate arranged in a facing manner, and a droplet-shaped conductive medium is provided in the gap between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; an insulating layer and a driving electrode are sequentially stacked on the lower side of the lower substrate and in a direction away from the lower substrate, and the driving electrode is configured to control the switching of the conductive medium between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the conductive medium is in contact with the upper substrate; in the second state, the conductive medium is separated from the upper substrate; alternatively, the temperature control component includes: an upper substrate and a lower substrate arranged in a facing manner, and a heat conduction medium is provided in the gap between the upper substrate and the lower substrate; a first driving electrode is provided on the lower surface of the upper substrate, and a second driving electrode is provided on the upper surface of the lower substrate, at least a part of the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are arranged opposite to each other and their polarities are opposite; the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are configured to control the deflection of the molecules of the heat conduction medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of heat dissipation technology, and in particular to a temperature control component and a battery module. Background Art

[0002] Thermal runaway and performance degradation at low temperatures are core thermal management issues for batteries in current electronics, aerospace, electric vehicles, and construction, leading to significant safety risks and poor battery performance. Under varying ambient temperatures and operating conditions, batteries sometimes require efficient heat dissipation (such as during charging or high-temperature operation) and sometimes require thermal insulation (such as in cold weather) to achieve optimal charge and discharge conditions and extend battery life.

[0003] For example, the range of new energy electric vehicles (NEVs) remains a major concern. The charging and discharging temperatures of power batteries determine their efficiency, making battery module temperature control crucial for ensuring the range of NEVs. Current manufacturers employ heating and cooling heat pumps for battery temperature control. However, operating a heat pump consumes electricity, which inadvertently reduces the vehicle's range.

[0004] There are three commonly used thermal switch methods:

[0005] Gas phase heat switch: directly adjust the contact and non-contact of the two parts, and use the intermediate gas to insulate heat when they are not in contact);

[0006] Phase-change heat switches: Regulate heat transfer by utilizing differences in thermophysical properties between different phases; and,

[0007] Other mechanical thermal switches using compression of new materials, such as a switch technology using compressed graphene foam.

[0008] Among them, both gas phase thermal switches and mechanical thermal switches need to achieve switch control through the movement of the conductive surface, and require a transmission device to achieve mechanical displacement. The structure is complex, and heat cannot be quickly regulated. It is also easy to introduce new problems. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desired to provide a temperature control assembly and a battery module.

[0010] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature control assembly, comprising: an upper substrate and a lower substrate arranged in a box, a gap being formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a droplet-shaped conductive medium being provided in the gap;

[0011] On one side of the lower substrate close to the upper substrate and in a direction away from the lower substrate, an insulating layer and a driving electrode are sequentially stacked. The driving electrode is configured to control the switching of the conductive medium between a first state and a second state. In the first state, the conductive medium is in contact with the upper substrate. In the second state, the conductive medium is separated from the upper substrate.

[0012] Optionally, the number of the driving electrodes is one, and both the upper substrate and the lower substrate are flat plate-like structures.

[0013] Optionally, the lower substrate is a flat plate-like structure, and the surface of the upper substrate close to the lower substrate is stepped. The surface of the upper substrate close to the lower substrate includes a first surface and a second surface that are staggeredly arranged in a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate. The second surface is farther from the lower substrate than the first surface.

[0014] In a direction parallel to the lower substrate, the driving electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are arranged side by side and spaced apart. The polarities of the first electrode and the second electrode are opposite.

[0015] In a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate, the first electrode is disposed opposite to the first surface, and the second electrode is disposed opposite to the second surface.

[0016] In the first state, the conductive medium is located between the first electrode and the first surface and is in contact with the first surface.

[0017] In the second state, the conductive medium is located between the second electrode and the second surface and is separated from the second surface.

[0018] Optionally, the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0019] When the first electrode and the second electrode are energized, the contact angle between the conductive medium and the lower substrate ranges from 70° to 90°.

[0020] When the first electrode and the second electrode are not energized, the contact angle between the conductive medium and the lower substrate ranges from 90° to 120°.

[0021] Optionally, the conductive medium includes water or liquid metal.

[0022] Optionally, the pressure in the gap is not greater than one atmosphere.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature control component, including: an upper substrate and a lower substrate arranged opposite to each other, a gap is formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a heat conduction medium is provided in the gap;

[0024] A first driving electrode is provided on the surface of the upper substrate close to the lower substrate, and a second driving electrode is provided on the surface of the lower substrate close to the upper substrate. At least a part of the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are arranged opposite to each other and their polarities are opposite;

[0025] The first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are configured to control the deflection of the molecules of the heat conduction medium.

[0026] Optionally, the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are completely arranged opposite to each other;

[0027] The heat conduction medium has a third state and a fourth state under the control of the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode; in the third state, the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium is along the alignment direction of the upper substrate and the lower substrate; in the fourth state, the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium is perpendicular to the alignment direction of the upper substrate and the lower substrate.

[0028] Optionally, the heat conduction medium includes liquid crystal or carbon nanotube suspension.

[0029] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a battery module, including the temperature control component described in the first aspect or the second aspect above.

[0030] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention may include the following beneficial effects:

[0031] For the temperature control component and the battery module provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the electro-wetting method is adopted. By controlling the energized state of the driving electrode, the shape of the conductive medium between the upper and lower substrates is controlled, so as to realize the contact and disconnection of the conductive medium with the upper substrate, thereby realizing heat flow control; or, different heat conduction states are realized by controlling the deflection of the molecules of the heat conduction medium through the energized state of the driving electrode. The structure of the temperature control component is simple, and the temperature control adjustment is extremely convenient and fast. Description of the Drawings

[0032] By reading the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with reference to the following drawings, other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious:

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the temperature control component provided by an embodiment of the present invention in the first state;

[0034] Figure 2Schematic diagram of the temperature control component provided by an embodiment of the present invention in the second state;

[0035] Figure 3 Comparison schematic diagram of the temperature increase effect within 10 s of the midpoint of the surface of the upper substrate of the temperature control component provided by an embodiment of the present invention on the side away from the lower substrate in two states;

[0036] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the temperature control component provided by another embodiment of the present invention in the first state;

[0037] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the temperature control component provided by another embodiment of the present invention in the second state;

[0038] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the temperature control component provided by yet another embodiment of the present invention in the third state;

[0039] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the temperature control component provided by yet another embodiment of the present invention in the fourth state. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the related invention, rather than limiting the invention. Additionally, it should be noted that for the convenience of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the drawings.

[0041] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0043] The present invention uses first, second, etc. to describe various information, but this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first information can also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information can also be referred to as the first information.

[0044] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can also be the communication inside two components. It can be a wireless connection or a wired connection. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature control component, including: an upper substrate 11 and a lower substrate 12 arranged opposite to each other, a gap is formed between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, and a droplet-shaped conductive medium 13 is arranged in the gap. Both the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12 are flat plate-like structures;

[0046] On the side of the lower substrate 12 close to the upper substrate 11 and in the direction away from the lower substrate 12, an insulating layer (not shown in the figure) and a driving electrode 14 are sequentially stacked;

[0047] The driving electrode 14 is configured to control the switching of the conductive medium 13 between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the conductive medium 13 is in contact with the upper substrate 11; in the second state, the conductive medium 13 is separated from the upper substrate 11.

[0048] In the temperature control component provided in this embodiment, when the driving electrode 14 is not powered on, the conductive medium 13 is in the first state. Referring to Figure 1 , the conductive medium 13 is in contact with the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, and heat can be transferred smoothly between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12;

[0049] When the driving electrode 14 is powered on, an electric double layer is formed at the insulating layer, and the shape of the corresponding conductive medium 13 also changes. Referring to Figure 2 , the conductive medium 12 is separated from the upper substrate 14, and heat can only be transferred between the upper substrate 11 and the conductive medium 13 through air. The thermal conductivity of air is very low, which will cause the heat conduction speed between the upper and lower substrates to decrease significantly.

[0050] In order to more intuitively understand the influence of the conductive medium on the heat transfer effect of the temperature control component in two states (the first state and the second state), the following simulation is carried out: Set the temperature of the surface of the lower substrate 12 away from the upper substrate 11 to be 100 °C (373.15 K), and the midpoint position of the surface of the upper substrate 11 away from the lower substrate 12 is set as the temperature test point T0.

[0051] Within 10 s, the heat transfer effect of the temperature control component when the conductive medium is in the first state is higher than that when the conductive medium is in the second state.

[0052] For example, at the starting moment, the temperature of the surface on the side of the lower substrate 12 away from the upper substrate 11 is 100 °C (373.15 K), and the temperature of the rest of the temperature control component is 280 K to 290 K;

[0053] At 10 s, when the conductive medium is in the first state, the heat transfer temperature of the entire temperature control component is basically between 350 K and 370 K; when the conductive medium is in the second state, the heat transfer temperature at the upper substrate 11 is basically between 330 K and 340 K, the heat transfer temperature between the upper substrate 11 and the conductive medium is basically between 340 K and 350 K, and the heat transfer temperature between the conductive medium and the lower substrate is basically between 360 K and 370 K.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3 , within 10 s, when the conductive medium 13 is in the first state, the temperature rise of point T0 is faster than that when the conductive medium is in the second state, and the final temperature of point T0 when the conductive medium is in the first state is higher than the final temperature of point T0 when the conductive medium is in the second state.

[0055] Furthermore, the pressure in the gap is not greater than one atmosphere to ensure the heat transfer effect or heat insulation effect of the conductive medium.

[0056] Furthermore, the conductive medium 13 includes water, where the water is understood to be water with impurities and minerals, not pure water; or the conductive medium 13 includes liquid metal.

[0057] In this embodiment, by energizing (or de-energizing) the driving electrode 14, the disconnection (or contact) between the conductive medium 13 and the upper substrate is controlled. The structure of the temperature control component is simple, and the heat transfer can be quickly regulated, which is beneficial for cooling or heat preservation.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , another embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature control component, including: an upper substrate 11 and a lower substrate 12 arranged in a facing manner, a gap is formed between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, and a droplet-shaped conductive medium 13 is arranged in the gap;

[0059] On the side of the lower substrate 12 close to the upper substrate 11 and in the direction away from the lower substrate 12, an insulating layer (not shown in the figure) and a driving electrode 14 are sequentially stacked;

[0060] The driving electrode 14 is configured to control the switching of the conductive medium 13 between the first state and the second state; in the first state, the conductive medium 13 is in contact with the upper substrate 11; in the second state, the conductive medium 13 is separated from the upper substrate 11.

[0061] As an alternative embodiment, the lower substrate 12 is a flat plate-like structure, and the surface of the upper substrate 11 close to the lower substrate 12 is stepped. The surface of the upper substrate 11 close to the lower substrate 12 includes a first surface 121 and a second surface 122 which are staggeredly arranged in a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate 12. The second surface 122 is farther from the lower substrate 12 than the first surface 121.

[0062] In a direction parallel to the lower substrate 12, the driving electrode 14 includes a first electrode 141 and a second electrode 142 which are arranged side by side and spaced apart. The polarities of the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are opposite.

[0063] In a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate 12, the first electrode 141 is disposed opposite to the first surface 121, and the second electrode 142 is disposed opposite to the second surface 122.

[0064] In the first state, the conductive medium 13 is located between the first electrode 141 and the first surface 121 and is in contact with the first surface 121.

[0065] In the second state, the conductive medium 13 is located between the second electrode 142 and the second surface 122 and is separated from the second surface 122.

[0066] In this embodiment, the conductive medium moves between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142. By using the stepped structure of the lower surface of the upper substrate 11, the contact or disconnection between the conductive medium and the upper substrate 11 is realized. The heat transfer effect of the temperature control component when the conductive medium is in the first state is higher than the heat transfer effect of the temperature control component when the conductive medium is in the second state. When the conductive medium is in the first state, the temperature control component is suitable for heat dissipation and temperature reduction; when the conductive medium is in the second state, the temperature control component is suitable for heat preservation.

[0067] Furthermore, the pressure in the gap is not greater than one atmosphere to ensure the heat transfer effect and heat insulation effect of the conductive medium.

[0068] Furthermore, the conductive medium 13 includes water, where the water is understood to be water with impurities and minerals, not pure water; or the conductive medium 13 includes liquid metal.

[0069] Furthermore, the distance between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 is 50 μm to 100 μm.

[0070] When the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized, the range of the contact angle between the conductive medium 13 and the lower substrate 11 is 70° to 90°.

[0071] When the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are not energized, the range of the contact angle between the conductive medium 13 and the lower substrate 12 is 90° to 120°.

[0072] In this embodiment, when the conductive medium 13 is in the second state, the form of the conductive medium defaults to the normal state;

[0073] When the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized, the contact angle between the conductive medium 13 and the lower substrate 12 is less than 90° and not less than 70°, such as 85°, 80°, 75°, 72°, 70°, etc.;

[0074] When the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are not energized, the contact angle between the conductive medium 13 and the lower substrate 12 is greater than 90° and not greater than 120°, such as 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°;

[0075] First, when the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized, the contact surface between the conductive medium and the electrode it contacts will increase, and in the direction perpendicular to the lower substrate, the thickness of the conductive medium will become smaller;

[0076] A double-layer electric layer is formed at the insulating layer, and under the action of another electrode, the conductive medium is transferred to another electrode;

[0077] Then, when the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are de-energized, the contact surface between the conductive medium and the other electrode will change from large to small, and in the direction perpendicular to the lower substrate, the thickness of the conductive medium will change from small to large.

[0078] The distance between the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 is 50 μm to 100 μm, which can ensure that when the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized, the conductive medium can move from one electrode to another electrode.

[0079] To better understand how to achieve heat transfer switching through the movement of the conductive medium, taking the conductive medium as a water droplet as an example, the following is elaborated:

[0080] Figure 4 The water droplet is in the first state, Figure 5 The water droplet is in the second state.

[0081] In Figure 4 or Figure 5 In the state shown, neither the first electrode 141 nor the second electrode 142 is energized.

[0082] For example, when the water droplet is in the first state, the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized, the first electrode is the negative electrode, the second electrode is the positive electrode, and the water droplet moves from the first electrode to the second electrode; after the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are de-energized, the water droplet is in the second state.

[0083] For example, when the water droplet is in the second state, the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 are energized. The second electrode is the negative electrode and the first electrode is the positive electrode. The water droplet moves from the second electrode to the first electrode. After the power supply to the first electrode 141 and the second electrode 142 is cut off, the water droplet is in the first state.

[0084] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , another embodiment of the present invention provides a temperature control component, including: an upper substrate 11 and a lower substrate 12 arranged in a facing manner. A gap is formed between the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, and a heat conduction medium 15 is provided in the gap;

[0085] A first driving electrode 143 is provided on the surface of the upper substrate 11 close to the lower substrate 12, and a second driving electrode 144 is provided on the surface of the lower substrate 12 close to the upper substrate 11. The first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144 are at least partially arranged opposite to each other and have opposite polarities;

[0086] The first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144 are configured to control the molecules of the heat conduction medium 15 to deflect.

[0087] In the temperature control component provided in this embodiment, by energizing the first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144, an electric field is applied between the first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144 to control the molecules of the heat conduction medium to deflect, so as to achieve different heat conduction states.

[0088] Furthermore, the first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144 are completely arranged opposite to each other;

[0089] The heat conduction medium 15 has a third state and a fourth state under the control of the first driving electrode 143 and the second driving electrode 144; in the third state, referring to Figure 6 , the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium 15 is along the facing direction of the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12; in the fourth state, referring to Figure 7 , the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium 15 is perpendicular to the facing direction of the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium is along the facing direction of the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, the heat transfer effect is the best, which is suitable for heat dissipation and temperature reduction;

[0091] When the axial direction of the molecules of the heat conduction medium 15 is perpendicular to the facing direction of the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 12, the heat transfer effect is not good, which is suitable for heat preservation.

[0092] By energizing the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode to control the molecules of the heat conductive medium to deflect, the heat flow control can be quickly realized, so as to achieve temperature reduction or heat preservation.

[0093] Furthermore, the heat conduction medium 15 includes liquid crystal or carbon nanotube suspension.

[0094] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery module, including the above temperature control component.

[0095] For example, the temperature control component is in the form of a heat conductive / insulating film, attached to the surface or inside of the battery module to achieve cooling or heat preservation, without affecting the design of the original structure in the battery module.

[0096] The battery module may be a battery module of a new energy electric vehicle, a battery module of a mobile phone, a battery module of a tablet computer, etc., including but not limited to this. The battery module with the above temperature control component can operate in a heat preservation environment or a cooling environment, improving the service life of the battery module.

[0097] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and an explanation of the applied technical principles. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present invention is not limited to the technical solution formed by the specific combination of the above technical features, and should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the technical solution formed by mutually replacing the above features with the (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature control component, characterized in that, Comprising: An upper substrate and a lower substrate provided for the cell, a gap is formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a droplet-shaped conductive medium is provided in the gap; An insulating layer and a driving electrode are sequentially stacked on one side of the lower substrate close to the upper substrate and in a direction away from the lower substrate, and the driving electrode is configured to control the switching of the conductive medium between a first state and a second state; in the first state, the conductive medium is in contact with the upper substrate; in the second state, the conductive medium is separated from the upper substrate; The lower substrate is a flat plate-like structure, and the surface of the upper substrate close to the lower substrate side is stepped. The surface of the upper substrate close to the lower substrate side includes a first surface and a second surface which are staggeredly arranged in a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate, and the second surface is farther from the lower substrate than the first surface; In a direction parallel to the lower substrate, the driving electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode which are arranged side by side and spaced apart, and the polarities of the first electrode and the second electrode are opposite; In a direction perpendicular to the lower substrate, the first electrode is disposed opposite to the first surface, and the second electrode is disposed opposite to the second surface; In the first state, the conductive medium is located between the first electrode and the first surface and is in contact with the first surface; In the second state, the conductive medium is located between the second electrode and the second surface and is separated from the second surface.

2. The temperature control component according to claim 1, characterized in that The distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is 50 μm to 100 μm; When the first electrode and the second electrode are energized, the range of the contact angle between the conductive medium and the lower substrate is 70° to 90°; When the first electrode and the second electrode are not energized, the range of the contact angle between the conductive medium and the lower substrate is 90° to 120°.

3. The temperature control component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conductive medium includes water or liquid metal.

4. The temperature control component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pressure in the gap is not greater than one atmosphere.

5. A battery module, characterized in that, Comprising the temperature control component according to any one of claims 1-4.

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