Battery modules and energy storage containers

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module and an energy storage container, wherein the battery module includes at least one battery cell group and a plurality of radiators. The battery cell group includes two battery cell rows spaced apart along a first direction, and the battery cell row includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along a second direction. In the same battery cell group, a heat dissipation duct is provided between the two battery cell rows. The radiator is located in the heat dissipation duct and is connected to the plurality of battery cells in the same row. The radiator includes a temperature equalizing plate and a plurality of fins, the temperature equalizing plate and / or the fins are filled with a heat exchange liquid, the fins are connected to the temperature equalizing plate, and a flow channel is defined between adjacent fins. The heat generated by the battery cells in the battery module can be quickly transferred to the radiator and discharged into the heat dissipation duct, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the battery cells. The energy storage container includes a box body provided with a receiving cavity and a plurality of battery modules arranged in a row as in the above-mentioned embodiment. The heat dissipation duct is connected to the receiving cavity to ensure that each battery module in the energy storage container is at a normal operating temperature, thereby improving the life of the energy storage container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a battery module and an energy storage container. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, the heat dissipation form of large-capacity hard-pack battery cell modules is mostly through direct contact between the sides of the battery cell and the air for convection heat exchange. This solution is low-cost, but the surface of the battery cell is a blue film structure with a low thermal conductivity coefficient, resulting in poor heat dissipation effect of the battery cell, which cannot meet the needs of normal use of the battery module. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a battery module capable of rapid heat dissipation.

[0004] The present invention also provides an energy storage container comprising the battery module.

[0005] A battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0006] A battery cell group is provided with at least one, the battery cell group including two battery cell rows spaced apart along a first direction, the battery cell row including a plurality of battery cells arranged along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, a heat dissipation duct being provided between the two battery cell rows in the same battery cell group, the battery cell having a first side surface, the first side surface being provided on a side of the battery cell close to the heat dissipation duct;

[0007] Multiple radiators, each corresponding to each column of battery cells, the radiator is located in the heat dissipation duct and connected to the first side of the multiple battery cells in the same column, the radiator includes a temperature equalizing plate and a plurality of fins, the temperature equalizing plate and the fins are filled with heat exchange liquid, the fins are fixedly connected to the temperature equalizing plate, the fins extend along the length direction of the temperature equalizing plate, and the multiple fins are spaced apart along the width direction of the temperature equalizing plate, and a flow channel is defined between adjacent fins.

[0008] The battery module according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0009] The battery cell group includes two battery cell rows, and there is a heat dissipation duct between the two battery cell rows. The radiator is connected to the first side of the battery cell row. The radiator includes a temperature equalizing plate and multiple fins. The temperature equalizing plate and the fins are filled with heat exchange liquid. Therefore, compared with the solution in which the battery cells are directly in contact with the air for heat dissipation, the heat generated by the battery cells in this application can be quickly transferred through the heat exchange liquid in the temperature equalizing plate and the fins and released in the heat dissipation duct, thereby achieving rapid cooling of the battery cells.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the fin, a first channel is provided inside the protrusion, the plurality of protrusions are distributed on the fin and the first channels are interconnected, and the first channels are filled with heat exchange liquid.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a second channel is provided in the temperature homogenizing plate, the temperature homogenizing plate extends along the second direction, and a plurality of the second channels are arranged at intervals along the third direction, and the second channels are filled with heat exchange liquid.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a positioning groove is provided on the second side of the temperature equalizing plate, the first side surface and the inner wall of the positioning groove define a cavity, a thermally conductive structural adhesive is provided in the cavity, and the thermally conductive structural adhesive connects the first side surface of the battery cell and the groove wall of the positioning groove.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of fins spaced apart along the width direction of the temperature vapor chamber form a fin group, and a plurality of groups of fin groups are spaced apart along the length direction of the temperature vapor chamber.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a connecting member and two end plates are further included, the two end plates abut against the two end surfaces of the battery cell column and are fixedly connected to the battery cell column, the end plates are provided with a first through hole, the temperature equilibrium plate is provided with a mounting hole, the connecting member is passed through the first through hole and partially accommodated in the mounting hole, and the connecting member is fixedly connected to the end plates and the temperature equilibrium plate.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a fan is further included, and the heat dissipation duct has an air inlet end and an air outlet end. The fan is provided at the air inlet end and the air outlet of the fan is facing the heat dissipation duct, and / or the fan is provided at the air outlet end and the air inlet of the fan is facing the heat dissipation duct. The fan can drive the air flow in the heat dissipation duct.

[0016] An energy storage container according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention includes:

[0017] The box body is provided with a receiving cavity;

[0018] In some battery modules provided by the embodiments of the first aspect, the battery module is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and the heat dissipation duct is connected to the accommodating cavity.

[0019] The energy storage container according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The energy storage container adopts the battery module of the above embodiment. The battery cell array is connected to the radiator and can discharge heat into the flow channel to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cell, thereby ensuring that each battery module in the energy storage container is at a normal operating temperature and extending the life of the energy storage container.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a refrigeration device is further included. The refrigeration device is located in the box and is used to cool the box.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a refrigeration device is further included. The refrigeration device is located in the accommodating cavity and is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet of the refrigeration device are both connected to the heat dissipation duct.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, along the first direction, a plurality of battery modules are arranged in a row and the two end faces of each battery module respectively define a first return air duct and a second return air duct connected to the heat dissipation air duct with the inner wall of the box body, the air inlet of the refrigeration device faces the first return air duct, and the air outlet of the refrigeration device faces the second return air duct.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module according to another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle fin;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle temperature plate;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of an energy storage container according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0031] Reference numerals:

[0032] Battery cell array 100 , battery cell 110 , first side surface 111 , first direction 130 , second direction 120 , third direction 140 ;

[0033] Heat dissipation duct 200;

[0034] Radiator 300, fins 310, first channel 311, channel group 312, protrusion 313, temperature averaging plate 320, second channel 321, positioning groove 322, mounting hole 323, fin group 330, flow channel 340, connector 350, end plate 360;

[0035] Fan 500;

[0036] Box body 600, first return air duct 610, second return air duct 620, accommodating chamber 630;

[0037] Refrigeration device 700. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0039] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, "several" means more than one, "plurality" means more than two, "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, implicitly specifying the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly specifying the order of the indicated technical features.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the exemplary expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figure 1 The battery module of the first embodiment includes at least one cell group and multiple heat sinks 300. The cell group includes two cell rows 100 spaced apart along a first direction 130. The cell rows 100 include multiple cells 110 arranged along a second direction 120, which is perpendicular to the first direction 130. In the same cell group, a heat dissipation duct 200 is provided between the two cell rows 100. The cell 110 has a first side surface 111, which is provided on a side of the cell 110 that is adjacent to the heat dissipation duct 200. Each radiator 300 corresponds to each battery cell column 100 one by one. The radiator 300 is located in the heat dissipation duct 200 and is connected to the first side 111 of multiple battery cells 110 in the same column. The radiator 300 includes a temperature averaging plate 320 and multiple fins 310. The temperature averaging plate 320 and / or the fins 310 are filled with heat exchange liquid. The temperature averaging plate 320 has a first side and a second side that are relatively arranged. The fins 310 are connected to the end surface of the first side of the temperature averaging plate 320, and the first side of the battery cell 110 is connected to the second side of the temperature averaging plate 320. The fins 310 extend along the second direction 120. The multiple fins 310 are arranged at intervals along the third direction 140. The third direction 140 is perpendicular to the plane formed by the second direction 120 and the first direction 130. A flow channel 340 is defined between adjacent fins 310.

[0044] Specifically, the heat generated by the battery cell group can be discharged into the heat dissipation duct 200 through the radiator 300 and discharged from the opening of the duct, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the battery cell 110. In addition, when the battery module is assembled and used, there is no need to open an additional duct to dissipate heat from the battery cell 110, thereby improving the modularity of the battery module. During actual use, the temperature plate 320 absorbs the heat released by the battery cell 110 and transfers it to the fins 310 for heat dissipation. The fins 310 have a large contact area with the air in the flow channel 340 and a better heat dissipation effect, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the radiator 300 on the battery cell 110. The temperature plate 320 can balance the temperature difference between each battery cell 110 in the same battery cell column 100, so that the temperature uniformity between each battery cell 110 is good, thereby improving the safety of the battery module. The fins 310 are also filled with heat exchange liquid, so that the heat on the temperature plate 320 can be quickly transferred to the fins 310, and the various parts of the fins 310 can be evenly heated, and the heat exchange with the gas in the flow channel is more sufficient, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect of the radiator 300 on the battery cell 110.

[0045] Among them, the heat transfer principles of the fins 310 and the temperature equalizing plate 320 both utilize the phase change process of the internal medium, that is, the heat exchange liquid is heated and vaporized at a higher temperature, and liquefied and condensed at a lower temperature and flows back to a higher temperature, thereby realizing heat transfer between a higher temperature and a lower temperature. Its heat transfer efficiency is higher than that of a pure solid metal radiator.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments, a plurality of protrusions 314 are provided on the side of the fin 310, that is, the portion connected to the flow channel 340. A first channel 311 is provided inside the protrusion 314. The plurality of protrusions 314 are evenly distributed on the fin 310 and the plurality of first channels 311 are interconnected. The first channels 311 are filled with a heat exchange liquid. Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 314 are connected to form a hexagonal channel group 312. The plurality of channel groups 312 are evenly distributed on the fin 310 and interconnected to form a honeycomb structure, which can increase the heat exchange area with the air in the flow channel and improve the heat dissipation performance of the fin 310. This type of fin 310 can achieve self-circulating heat dissipation when the battery module is operating at a low rate, and can also meet the normal operating temperature range of the battery module without the use of additional heat dissipation devices.

[0047] Reference Figure 4In some embodiments, the vapor chamber 320 is provided with second channels 321. The vapor chamber 320 extends along the second direction 120. Multiple second channels 321 are spaced apart along the third direction 140 and are filled with a heat exchange liquid. The length of the second channels 321 is greater than the length of the battery cell array 100. This allows the heat exchange liquid to exchange heat with each battery cell 110 when the battery cell array 100 is bonded to the vapor chamber 320, thereby balancing the temperatures of the battery cells 110. The spacing of the multiple second channels 321 ensures effective heat exchange between the battery cells 110, ensuring that the heat generated by the battery cells 110 is fully transferred to the vapor chamber 320.

[0048] Reference Figure 4 In some embodiments, the second side 320 of the vapor chamber is provided with a positioning groove 322. The first side 111 of the battery cell 110 and the positioning groove 322 define a cavity. The cavity can be provided with a thermally conductive structural adhesive. The thermally conductive structural adhesive can be injected into the cavity by coating or pouring. The thermally conductive structural adhesive connects the first side 111 of the battery cell 110 and the groove wall of the positioning groove 322. Specifically, during the assembly of the battery cell array 100 and the vapor chamber 320, the vapor chamber 320 is first laid flat and the thermally conductive structural adhesive is injected into the positioning groove 322. The battery cell array 100 is then inserted into the positioning groove 322 and abuts against the groove wall of the positioning groove 322. After the thermally conductive structural adhesive solidifies, the battery cell 110 is tightly and firmly connected to the vapor chamber 320. The thermally conductive structural adhesive conducts heat between the battery cells 110 in the battery cell array 100 and the vapor chamber 320, enabling rapid heat transfer.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 A plurality of fins 310 spaced apart along the width direction of the temperature evaporating plate 320 form a fin group 330, and the plurality of fin groups 330 are spaced apart along the second direction 120. According to the heat generation distribution characteristics of the battery cell group, the temperature in the middle of the battery cell group is higher. The uneven heat transfer to the temperature evaporating plate 320 will cause the fins 310 in the middle of the temperature evaporating plate 320 to have a higher temperature. The plurality of fin groups 310 spaced apart along the second direction 120 can avoid the continuity of heat conduction, reduce the temperature difference between the fins 310 in the middle and the fins 310 at the ends, and reduce the temperature difference between various parts of the temperature evaporating plate 320, thereby balancing the temperature difference between each battery cell 110 in the battery cell group and improving the safety of the battery cell 110 module. If fins 310 of a longer length are used, the length of the flow channel 340 formed between adjacent fins 310 will also become longer accordingly. When the air flow flows from one end to the other in the flow channel 340, due to heat exchange with the fins 310, the temperature of the air flow will gradually rise, resulting in a poor cooling effect on the fins 310 in the rear section of the flow channel 340, and the temperature uniformity between the various battery cells 110 will deteriorate. Therefore, short fins 310 are used to allow the air flow to cool down when flowing through the gaps between adjacent fin groups 330, thereby reducing the difference in cooling effects on each fin group 330, thereby ensuring the temperature uniformity of each battery cell 110.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments, the battery module further includes a connector 350 and two end plates 360. The two end plates 360 abut against both end surfaces of the cell array 100 and are fixedly connected to the cell array 100. The end plates 360 are provided with a first through-hole, and the temperature evaporating plate 320 is provided with a mounting hole 323. The connector 350 passes through the first through-hole and is partially accommodated in the mounting hole 323. The connector 350 is fixedly connected to the end plates 360 and the temperature evaporating plate 320. The end plates 360 are bonded to the cells 110 at the ends of the cell array 100 using structural adhesive, and the connector 350 is fixed to the temperature evaporating plate 320 and the end plates 360 by welding. This ensures a stable connection between the temperature evaporating plate 320 and the cell array 100, ensures a fixed contact area between the first side surfaces 111 of the cells 110 in the cell array 100 and the temperature evaporating plate 320, and enables rapid heat transfer between the cells 110 and the temperature evaporating plate 320.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 Based on the above embodiment, the battery module further includes a fan 500. The heat dissipation duct 200 has an air inlet and an air outlet. The fan 500 is disposed at at least one end of the heat dissipation duct 200, and the fan 500 is capable of driving the air flow within the heat dissipation duct 200. Specifically, the fan 500 is disposed at the air inlet of the heat dissipation duct 200, and the air outlet of the fan 500 blows air toward the heat dissipation duct 200 to quickly blow out the hot air in the heat dissipation duct 200. Alternatively, a fan is disposed at the air outlet of the heat dissipation duct 200, and the air inlet of the fan is disposed toward the heat dissipation duct 200 to quickly draw out the hot air in the heat dissipation duct 200, thereby increasing the air flow rate within the heat dissipation duct 200 and enabling the battery module to meet high-power requirements.

[0052] Furthermore, fans 500 can be set at both the air inlet and air outlet ends of the heat dissipation duct 200. The air outlet of the fan 500 set at the air inlet end faces the heat dissipation duct 200, and the air inlet of the fan 500 set at the air outlet end faces the heat dissipation duct 200 to increase the air flow speed in the heat dissipation duct 200, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery module.

[0053] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a schematic structural diagram of an energy storage container according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. The energy storage container according to the second aspect comprises: a housing 600 and a battery module as described in the above-described embodiment. The housing is provided with a housing 630, in which the battery module is housed, and a heat dissipation duct communicates with the housing 630. Specifically, the battery cells 110 are connected to a radiator 300 to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery cells 110, thereby ensuring that each battery module in the energy storage container is at a normal operating temperature, enabling safe operation of the energy storage container and increasing the lifespan of the energy storage container. During assembly and use, the battery module does not require an additional air duct to dissipate heat from the battery cells 110, thus saving space in the housing 630 and improving the energy density of the energy storage container. It should be noted that the energy storage container of this embodiment utilizes all the technical features of the battery module of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the energy storage container of this embodiment incorporates all the beneficial effects of the battery module of the above-described embodiment, which will not be further elaborated here.

[0054] Reference Figure 5 In some embodiments, a refrigeration device 700 is further included. The refrigeration device 700 is located within the accommodating cavity 630 and is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, both of which are connected to the heat dissipation duct. Specifically, the refrigeration device 700, such as an air conditioner, is located within the accommodating cavity 630. The cold air generated by the refrigeration device 700 can lower the temperature of the accommodating cavity 630 and the heat dissipation duct, thereby cooling the battery modules and improving the safety of the energy storage container.

[0055] Reference Figure 5 In some embodiments, along the length of the heat dissipation duct 200, the end surfaces of each battery module define a first return duct 610 and a second return duct 620 connected to the heat dissipation duct 200 with the inner wall of the housing 600. The air inlet of the refrigeration device 700 faces the first return duct 610, and the air outlet of the refrigeration device 700 faces the second return duct 620. Specifically, the cold air generated by the refrigeration device 700 is blown toward the first return duct 610, enters the heat dissipation duct 200, then enters the second return duct 620, and finally enters the interior of the refrigeration device 700 through the air inlet of the refrigeration device 700, causing air to circulate within the housing 600 and improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cells 110. In addition, the installation of fans 500 at both ends of the heat dissipation duct 200 can increase the air flow rate within the housing 600, further improving the efficiency of reducing the temperature of the battery cells 110.

[0056] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications may be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof may be combined with one another unless there is a conflict.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: include: A battery cell group is provided with at least one, the battery cell group including two battery cell rows spaced apart along a first direction, the battery cell row including a plurality of battery cells arranged along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, a heat dissipation duct being provided between the two battery cell rows in the same battery cell group, the battery cell having a first side surface, the first side surface being provided on a side of the battery cell close to the heat dissipation duct; a plurality of radiators, each corresponding to each battery cell row, the radiator being located in the heat dissipation duct, the radiator comprising a temperature averaging plate and a plurality of fins, the temperature averaging plate and / or the fins being filled with a heat exchange liquid, the temperature averaging plate having a first side and a second side arranged opposite to each other, the fins being connected to an end surface of the first side of the temperature averaging plate, the first side surface of the battery cell being connected to the second side of the temperature averaging plate, the fins extending along the second direction, the plurality of fins being spaced apart along a third direction, the third direction being perpendicular to a plane formed by the second direction and the first direction, and a flow channel being defined between adjacent fins; A fan, wherein the heat dissipation duct has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet is provided with the fan and the air outlet of the fan is oriented toward the heat dissipation duct, and / or the air outlet is provided with the fan and the air inlet of the fan is oriented toward the heat dissipation duct, and the fan can drive the air flow in the heat dissipation duct; A plurality of fins spaced apart along the width direction of the temperature homogenizing plate form a fin group, and a plurality of groups of fin groups are spaced apart along the length direction of the temperature homogenizing plate.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of protrusions are provided on the side of the fin, a first channel is provided inside the protrusion, the plurality of protrusions are distributed on the fin and the first channels are interconnected, and the first channels are filled with heat exchange liquid.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A second channel is provided in the temperature averaging plate. The temperature averaging plate extends along the second direction. A plurality of second channels are arranged at intervals along the third direction. The second channels are filled with heat exchange liquid.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A positioning groove is provided on the second side of the temperature homogenizing plate, the first side surface and the inner wall of the positioning groove define a cavity, a thermal conductive structural adhesive is provided in the cavity, and the thermal conductive structural adhesive connects the first side surface of the battery cell and the groove wall of the positioning groove.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: It also includes a connecting piece and two end plates, the two end plates abut against the two end surfaces of the battery cell array and are fixedly connected to the battery cell array, the end plate is provided with a first through hole, the temperature equilibrium plate is provided with a mounting hole, the connecting piece is passed through the first through hole and partially accommodated in the mounting hole, and the connecting piece is fixedly connected to the end plate and the temperature equilibrium plate.

6. Energy storage container, characterized in that: include: The box body is provided with a receiving cavity; The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the battery module is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and the heat dissipation duct is connected to the accommodating cavity.

7. The energy storage container according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a refrigeration device, which is located in the accommodating cavity. The refrigeration device is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the air inlet and the air outlet of the refrigeration device are both connected to the heat dissipation duct.

8. The energy storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: Along the first direction, multiple battery modules are arranged in a row and the two end faces of each battery module respectively define a first return air duct and a second return air duct connected to the heat dissipation air duct with the inner wall of the box body. The air inlet of the refrigeration device faces the first return air duct, and the air outlet of the refrigeration device faces the second return air duct.

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