A battery module, a vehicle, a cooling method, and a heating method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery module, a vehicle, a cooling method and a heating method, belonging to the technical field of automotive batteries. The battery module includes a box body, a battery, a voltage conversion module and a liquid cooling plate. Among them, the box body is provided with an installation cavity; the liquid cooling plate is located in the installation cavity to divide the installation cavity into an upper accommodation cavity and a lower accommodation cavity located below the upper accommodation cavity. The liquid cooling plate is provided with a flow channel for the cooling medium to pass through; the battery and the voltage conversion module are respectively located in the lower accommodation cavity and the upper accommodation cavity. The battery module of the present invention places the battery and the voltage conversion module in the same box body, and arranges a liquid cooling plate between the two, which not only ensures the temperature regulation requirements of the battery and the voltage conversion module, but also improves the overall compactness and space utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automotive batteries, and particularly relates to a battery module, a vehicle, a cooling method, and a heating method. Background Art

[0002] There are voltage conversion modules and batteries on new energy electric vehicles. The battery is a low-voltage battery. When the engine starts or runs at a low speed, the battery provides electrical energy for the starter, ignition system, and in-vehicle electrical equipment. When the engine is running normally, the battery can be charged.

[0003] Currently, the voltage converter (DCDC) and the battery of new energy vehicle models are two separate components, and they are cooled separately. As a converter for the power battery to charge the battery, there is an inseparable relationship between the two. This separate layout method takes up a large amount of space and the structure is not compact. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a battery module, a vehicle, a cooling method, and a heating method, which place the battery and the voltage conversion module in the same box body, and arrange a liquid cooling plate between the two, ensuring the temperature regulation requirements of the battery and the voltage conversion module while improving the overall compactness and space utilization rate.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] On the one hand, the present invention provides a battery module, including:

[0007] A box body provided with an installation cavity;

[0008] A liquid cooling plate located in the installation cavity to divide the installation cavity into an upper accommodation cavity and a lower accommodation cavity below the upper accommodation cavity. The liquid cooling plate is provided with a flow channel for the cooling medium to pass through;

[0009] A battery and a voltage conversion module, which are respectively located in the lower accommodation cavity and the upper accommodation cavity.

[0010] In some embodiments, the top surface of the liquid cooling plate is a plane in contact with the voltage conversion module; a protrusion in contact with the battery is provided at the bottom of the liquid cooling plate, and the flow channel is provided inside the protrusion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the liquid cooling plate includes a top plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate is provided with a groove facing the voltage conversion module. The top plate and the bottom plate are attached to each other, and the groove and the top plate enclose the flow channel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the battery includes a lower shell, a battery cell and a thermal pad, the lower shell is provided with a chamber for accommodating the battery cell and an upper opening connected to the chamber, the thermal pad covers the upper opening, and the thermal pad is arranged in contact with the liquid cooling plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the battery also includes a control module connected to the outside of the lower shell, the liquid cooling plate is provided with an inlet and an outlet connected to the flow channel, the lower shell is provided with a first side and a second side opposite to each other in a horizontal direction, the inlet and the outlet are located on the first side, and the control module is located on the second side.

[0014] In some embodiments, the battery module further includes a wiring harness connecting the battery and the voltage conversion module, and the liquid cooling plate is provided with a through hole on the second side for the wiring harness to pass through;

[0015] The battery protrudes from the voltage conversion module on a first side to form a space for arranging the inlet and the outlet, and the voltage conversion module protrudes from the battery on the second side to form a space for arranging the wiring harness.

[0016] In some embodiments, the battery module also includes an air cooling channel and a driving mechanism located outside the box body, the two ends of the air cooling channel are respectively connected to the upper accommodating chamber and the lower accommodating chamber, the driving mechanism is arranged in the air cooling channel, and a gap for gas circulation is provided between the liquid cooling plate and the inner wall of the box body.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cooling method applicable to the aforementioned battery module, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Obtaining the temperature T1 of the battery and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module;

[0019] When it is confirmed that T1>t1 and T2>t2, the cooling medium circulates in the liquid cooling plate to take away the heat of the battery and the voltage conversion module, and t1 and t2 are both set values.

[0020] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a heating method applicable to the aforementioned battery module, comprising the following steps:

[0021] Obtaining the battery temperature T1 and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module;

[0022] When it is confirmed that T1≤t1 and T2 is t2'-t2, the driving mechanism is turned on to allow the air in the upper accommodating chamber to flow into the lower accommodating chamber through the gap, wherein t2'<t2, and t1, t2 and t2' are all set values.

[0023] Fourthly, the present invention provides a vehicle, including the aforementioned battery module, and a flow channel of the battery module is communicated with a liquid cooling system.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the present invention at least include:

[0025] A battery module provided by the present invention includes a box body, a battery, a voltage conversion module and a liquid cooling plate. Among them, the box body is provided with an installation cavity; the liquid cooling plate is located in the installation cavity, and the liquid cooling plate divides the installation cavity into an upper accommodation cavity and a lower accommodation cavity located below the upper accommodation cavity. The liquid cooling plate is provided with a flow channel for a cooling medium to pass through, and the battery and the voltage conversion module are respectively located in the lower accommodation cavity and the upper accommodation cavity. The box body can be made of a metal material to provide good protection for the battery and the voltage conversion module during a collision; the battery is used to provide electrical energy for a starter, an ignition system and in-vehicle electrical equipment when the engine starts or runs at a low speed, and when the engine runs normally, the battery can be charged. The voltage conversion module can realize the conversion between high voltage and low voltage, that is, DCDC, a voltage converter; the liquid cooling plate is provided with a flow channel for a cooling medium to pass through, so that the temperature of the battery below and the voltage conversion module above can be adjusted. The liquid cooling plate can be prepared from a metal material to enable it to have good heat conduction performance. Since the battery is relatively heavy, placing the voltage conversion module above the battery can avoid the battery exerting a large pressure on the liquid cooling plate and the voltage conversion module, causing damage to the liquid cooling plate and the voltage conversion module. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the battery module of Embodiment 1.

[0027] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery module.

[0028] Figure 3 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the battery.

[0029] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the liquid cooling plate in

[0030] Figure 5 Shows an exploded view of the battery module.

[0031] Figure 6 Shows an exploded view of the battery.

[0032] Figure 7 Shows a process step diagram of the cooling method of Embodiment 2.

[0033] Figure 8 Shows a process step diagram of the heating method of Embodiment 3.

[0034] Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 10 - Box body, 11 - Installation cavity, 12 - Lower box body, 13 - Lid, 14 - Support ring convex; 20 - Battery, 21 - Lower housing, 22 - Battery cell, 23 - Thermal conductive pad, 24 - Control module, 25 - Pressing plate; 30 - Voltage conversion module; 40 - Liquid cooling plate, 41 - Top plate, 42 - Bottom plate, 43 - Protrusion, 44 - Inlet, 45 - Outlet; 50 - Wiring harness; 60 - Interface. Detailed Embodiment

[0036] To enable those skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present application pertains to more clearly understand the present application, the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific embodiments.

[0037] In the prior art, the battery and the DCDC (voltage converter) are separately arranged, and there is a need to connect them through a wiring harness, so there is still a close connection between the two. To improve space utilization, the embodiments of the present application provide a battery module and a vehicle. The battery module integrates the battery and the DCDC into the same box body, and the connection wiring harness between the battery and the DCDC is also arranged in the box body. At the same time, a liquid cooling plate is arranged between the two, which not only integrates the battery and the DCDC, but also realizes the cooling and heating of the battery and the DCDC, improving the service performance of the battery and the voltage converter.

[0038] Embodiment 1

[0039] The embodiment of the present application provides a battery module that integrates a voltage conversion module and a battery. At the same time, a liquid cooling plate connected to the vehicle temperature control system is provided between the two, saving space, eliminating the positive wiring harness and positive terminal, reducing the overall vehicle cost; it can also adjust the temperature of the voltage conversion module and the battery, improving the service life of the battery and the voltage conversion module.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 , the battery module provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a box body 10, a battery 20, a voltage conversion module, and a liquid cooling plate 40. Among them, the box body 10 is provided with an installation cavity 11; both the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 are located in the installation cavity 11, and the voltage conversion module is located above the battery 20; the liquid cooling plate 40 is located in the installation cavity 11. The liquid cooling plate 40 divides the installation cavity into an upper accommodation cavity and a lower accommodation cavity located below the upper accommodation cavity, and the liquid cooling plate 40 is arranged between the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30. The liquid cooling plate 40 is provided with a flow channel for the cooling medium to pass through.

[0041] The housing 10 can be made of metal materials to provide good protection for the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 during a collision; the battery 20 is used to supply electrical energy to the starter, ignition system, and in-vehicle electrical equipment when the engine starts or runs at a low speed. When the engine is running normally, the battery 20 can be charged. The voltage conversion module 30 can achieve the conversion between high voltage and low voltage, that is, DCDC, a voltage converter; the liquid cooling plate 40 is provided with flow channels for the cooling medium to pass through, so that the temperature of the battery 20 below and the voltage conversion module 30 above can be adjusted. The liquid cooling plate 40 can be prepared from metal materials to endow it with good heat conduction performance. Since the battery 20 is relatively heavy, placing the voltage conversion module 30 above the battery 20 can prevent the battery 20 from exerting a large pressure on the liquid cooling plate 40 and the voltage conversion module 30, causing damage to the liquid cooling plate 40 and the voltage conversion module 30. Placing the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 in the same housing 10, with the battery 20 below and the voltage conversion module 30 above, makes the overall structure heavier at the bottom and lighter at the top, which is safer. The liquid cooling plate 40 can be connected to the vehicle's liquid cooling temperature control system to adjust the temperature of both the voltage conversion module 30 and the battery 20 simultaneously, improving the overall compactness and space utilization rate.

[0042] In some embodiments, the top surface of the liquid cooling plate 40 is a flat surface that contacts the voltage conversion module 30. The bottom of the voltage conversion module 30 has many protruding small parts, such as capacitors, power switching transistors, etc., and the distribution of these small parts at the bottom of the voltage conversion module 30 is irregular. Setting the top surface as a flat surface can ensure good contact between these contacts and the top surface of the liquid cooling plate 40. If the top surface of the liquid cooling plate 40 is set as an uneven surface, it may cause some contacts not to contact the liquid cooling plate 40, reducing the heat transfer area and affecting the heat transfer efficiency of the voltage conversion module 30.

[0043] In some embodiments, the bottom of the liquid cooling plate 40 is provided with a protrusion 43 that contacts the battery 20, and the aforementioned flow channels are provided inside the protrusion 43. The protrusion 43 is provided to form flow channels for the cooling medium to flow through inside the liquid cooling plate 40, and at the same time, it can also reduce the weight of the liquid cooling plate 40.

[0044] In some embodiments, the liquid cooling plate 40 includes a top plate 41 and a bottom plate 42. The bottom plate 42 is provided with a groove facing the voltage conversion module 30. The top plate 41 and the bottom plate 42 are fitted together, and the groove and the top plate 41 enclose the flow channels. In other embodiments, the liquid cooling plate 40 can also adopt an integral structure, which is not specifically limited. The top surface of the top plate 41 contacts the voltage conversion module 30. Specifically, in order to improve the temperature adjustment effect, in this embodiment, the flow channels inside the liquid cooling plate 40 can be arranged in a serpentine shape or a meandering shape, which is not specifically limited.

[0045] In some embodiments, the storage battery 20 includes a lower housing 21, battery cells 22, and a heat-conducting pad 23. The lower housing 21 is provided with a chamber for accommodating the battery cells 22 and an upper opening communicating with the chamber. The heat-conducting pad 23 covers the upper opening and is in contact with the liquid cooling plate 40. The arrangement of the heat-conducting pad 23 can improve the heat transfer between the battery cells 22 and the liquid cooling plate 40. The heat-conducting pad 23 is elastic and has good heat-conducting performance, which is a commonly used material in the automotive field, so that the heat-conducting pad 23 is attached to the liquid cooling plate 40 and the battery cells 22. In addition, a heat-conducting pad 23 should not be provided between the liquid cooling plate 40 and the voltage conversion module 30. The heat resistance of different small parts on the voltage conversion module 30 is different, and the heat generation of each part is also different. The heat-conducting pad 23 has very good heat-conducting performance. The heat-conducting pad 23 may transfer the heat in the parts with more heat generation to the parts with less heat generation. If the heat resistance of the part with less heat generation is not good, it may damage the parts with poor heat resistance, thereby affecting the performance of the voltage conversion module 30. A plurality of battery cells 22 may be provided, and the plurality of battery cells 22 are connected in parallel. The battery cells 22 may be arranged in a matrix; the battery cells 22 may be ternary battery cells 22.

[0046] In some embodiments, the storage battery 20 further includes a control module 24 connected to the outside of the lower housing 21. The liquid cooling plate 40 is provided with an inlet 44 and an outlet 45 communicating with the flow channel. The lower housing 21 has opposite first and second sides in the horizontal direction. The inlet 44 and the outlet 45 are located on the first side, and the control module 24 is located on the second side. The control module 24 of the storage battery 20 and the inlet 44 and outlet 45 of the liquid cooling plate 40 are separately arranged, which can reduce the risk of accidental leakage of the cooling medium from the inlet 44 and outlet 45 of the liquid cooling plate 40 to the control module 24. Specifically, the opposite first and second sides of the lower housing 21 in the horizontal direction may be the two sides along the length direction of the lower housing 21 or the two sides along the width direction of the lower housing 21. The control module 24 of the storage battery 20, that is, the control board or the controller of the storage battery 20, is used to control the charging and discharging of the storage battery 20, current and voltage monitoring, etc.

[0047] In some embodiments, the storage battery module further includes a wire harness 50 connecting the storage battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30. The liquid cooling plate 40 is provided with a through hole on the second side for the wire harness 50 to pass through. The wire harness 50 may be a copper busbar. Specifically, the wire harness 50 is used to electrically connect the voltage conversion module 30 and the control module 24 of the storage battery 20. In this way, the positive wire harness 50 from the voltage conversion module 30 to the control module 24 of the storage battery 20 can be omitted, and the positive terminal on the voltage conversion module 30 can be omitted, saving the cost of the terminal and the positive wire harness 50 and reducing the cost of the whole vehicle. The shape of the copper busbar can be adjusted according to needs. For example, the copper busbar can be bent twice to form three sections, and the included angle between each adjacent two sections is 90°.

[0048] In some embodiments, the storage battery 20 protrudes from the voltage conversion module 30 on the first side, forming a space for arranging the inlet and outlet 45. The voltage conversion module 30 protrudes from the storage battery 20 on the second side, forming a space for arranging the copper busbar. The storage battery 20 protrudes from the voltage conversion module 30 on the first side, and the voltage conversion module 30 protrudes from the storage battery 20 on the second side, that is, the storage battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 are partially staggered. While saving space as much as possible, it creates a space for arranging the inlet and outlet 45 and also creates a space for arranging the wiring harness 50.

[0049] In some embodiments, the storage battery module includes an interface 60 electrically connected to the voltage conversion module 30 and the storage battery 20 respectively. The interface 60 extends outside the box body 10, and these interfaces 60 can be connected to external devices such as a vehicle controller, low-voltage electrical appliances, and power batteries. Specifically, the interface 60 includes a high-voltage terminal and a low-voltage terminal connected to the voltage conversion module 30, and the interface 60 also includes a low-voltage terminal connected to the control module 24 of the storage battery 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, a support ring convex 14 for supporting the liquid cooling plate 40 is provided on the inner wall of the box body 10. The liquid cooling plate 40 is connected to the support convex to divide the installation cavity 11 into two chambers for accommodating the storage battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30; the support ring convex 14 can be screwed to the liquid cooling plate 40. The support ring convex 14 is also provided with a through hole for the copper busbar to pass through, which is coaxially communicated with the through hole of the liquid cooling plate 40.

[0051] In some embodiments, an installation position for connecting to the vehicle body is also provided outside the box body 10, and the box body 10 can be screwed to the vehicle body.

[0052] In addition, the box body 10 includes a lower box body 12 provided with an installation cavity 11 and a lid 13. The lower box body 12 is also provided with an opening communicating with the installation cavity 11. A support ring convex 14 is provided on the inner wall of the lower box body 12. The lid 13 can be detachably connected to the lower box body 12 so that the lid 13 covers the opening of the lower box body 12, which is convenient for installing the storage battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30.

[0053] In order to improve the connection strength between the battery cell 22 and the lower shell 21, the storage battery module may further include a pressing plate 25. The pressing plate 25 is connected to the lower shell 21, and the pressing plate 25 is located between the battery cell 22 and the heat conduction pad 23. The setting of the pressing plate 25 can stabilize the battery cell 22 and prevent the battery cell 22 from shaking in the lower shell 21. In other embodiments, the size of the pressing plate 25 is smaller than the size of the heat conduction pad 23. The bottom of the heat conduction pad 23 is provided with a receiving groove (not shown in the figure), and the pressing plate 25 is located in the receiving groove, which can make the structure more compact and save space. At the same time, the battery cell 22 can be in contact with the heat conduction pad 23 to improve the heat transfer efficiency. The pressing plate 25 can be screwed to the lower shell 21.

[0054] In some embodiments, the battery 20 module further includes an air-cooling channel and a driving mechanism (not shown in the figure) located outside the box body. The two ends of the air-cooling channel are respectively communicated with the upper accommodating cavity and the lower accommodating cavity. The driving mechanism is arranged in the air-cooling channel. A gap for gas to flow through is provided between the liquid-cooling plate 40 and the inner wall of the box body 10. The air-cooling channel can be formed by the inner hole of a pipe, and the driving mechanism can adopt a driving fan to accelerate the flow of gas in the air-cooling channel, thereby promoting the air in the upper accommodating cavity to flow to the lower accommodating cavity and improving the rate of heat transfer from the DCDC to the battery 20; the gap between the liquid-cooling plate 40 and the inner wall of the box body 10 is the passage for the air in the upper accommodating cavity to flow to the lower accommodating cavity. Considering the sealing performance of the liquid-cooling plate 40 itself, it is not suitable to provide through holes for the air to flow from the upper accommodating cavity to the lower accommodating cavity on the liquid-cooling plate 40. By providing the air-cooling channel and the driving mechanism, the heat generated by the DCDC can be used as a heat source to supply the battery 20, realizing the reuse of heat. The outer side surface of the liquid-cooling plate 40 can be provided with notches. These notches serve as the gaps between the liquid-cooling plate 40 and the inner wall of the box body 10. There can be multiple such notches, and the multiple notches are arranged at intervals. For example, 4 or 5 notches are provided to improve the heat transfer efficiency from the voltage conversion module 30 to the battery 20.

[0055] The assembly of the battery module includes the following steps: First, install the battery cell 22 into the chamber of the lower housing 21 through the upper opening, and connect the pressure plate 25 to the lower housing 21 with bolts to limit the Z-direction of the battery cell 22; then install the heat-conducting pad 23 above the pressure plate 25, and embed the pressure plate 25 into the accommodating groove of the heat-conducting pad 23 so that the heat-conducting pad 23 is in contact with the battery cell 22 to improve the heat-conducting effect; fix the control module 24 to one side of the lower housing 21 with bolts, and the control module 24 is outside the lower housing 21. Fix the wire harness 50 to the control module 24 so that the wire harness 50 is electrically connected to the control module 24 to obtain the battery 20; put the battery 20 into the installation cavity 11 of the lower box body 12 from the opening of the lower box body 12 and fix it to the lower box body 12 with bolts. Fix the low-voltage terminal of the battery 20 to the lower box body 12 with bolts; put the liquid-cooling plate 40 into the installation cavity 11 through the opening and fix it to the support convex ring in the installation cavity 11 with bolts, and make the wire harness 50 extend out through the through hole of the liquid-cooling plate 40. Then put the voltage conversion module 30 into the installation cavity 11 through the opening and fix it to the installation cavity 11 of the lower box body 12 with bolts so that the bottom of the voltage conversion module 30 is in contact with the top surface of the liquid-cooling plate 40; fix the high-voltage terminal and the low-voltage terminal of the voltage conversion module 30 to the lower box body 12 with bolts, then connect the wire harness 50 extending out of the through hole of the liquid-cooling plate 40 and the voltage conversion module 30, and finally connect the cover 13 to the lower box body 12 with bolts so that the cover 13 covers the opening of the lower box body 12 to complete the assembly of the battery module.

[0056] The cooling medium mentioned in this application can be selected as cooling liquid, that is, cooling water. At the same time, an air cooling channel is set outside the box. The liquid cooling plate 40 in this application can be directly connected to the vehicle temperature control system. The liquid cooling plate 40 can use the water pump of the vehicle temperature control system to save cost and space. The setting of the air cooling channel can use the heat generated by the DCDC as a heat source for heating the battery, realizing the effective use of waste heat. .

[0057] Embodiment 2

[0058] Based on the same technical concept as that of Example 1, the embodiment of the present application provides a cooling method for the battery module of Example 1. The cooling method can utilize the temperature control system of the entire vehicle to cool the battery and the voltage conversion module to ensure the working performance of the battery and the voltage conversion module.

[0059] See also Figure 7 The cooling method provided in the embodiment of the present application comprises the following steps:

[0060] S21, obtaining the temperature T1 of the battery and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module;

[0061] The battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 are bound to generate heat during operation, especially the voltage conversion module 30 generates more heat. When the temperature of the battery 20 and the temperature of the voltage conversion module 30 exceed the set temperature, the working performance of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 is bound to decline. The set temperature is the upper limit of the suitable working temperature of the battery 20, and it is the upper limit of the suitable working temperature for the voltage conversion module 30. The temperature T1 of the battery 20 can be obtained by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the battery 20, and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module 30 can also be obtained by a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the voltage conversion module 30.

[0062] S22. When it is confirmed that T1>t1 and T2>t2, the cooling medium circulates in the liquid cooling plate to take away the heat of the battery and the voltage conversion module. Both t1 and t2 are set values.

[0063] When the temperatures of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 exceed the set temperature, the heat generated by the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 will be transferred to the liquid cooling plate 40. The liquid cooling plate 40 is a metal plate with a low heat transfer rate. The liquid cooling plate 40 can quickly transfer the heat to the cooling medium in the flow channel. The cooling medium flows in the flow channel and takes away the heat to reduce the temperature of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 and improve the working performance of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30.

[0064] Embodiment 3

[0065] Based on the same technical concept as in Embodiment 1, an embodiment of the present application provides a heating method for a battery module applicable to Embodiment 1. This heating method can utilize the heat of the voltage conversion module to heat the battery, while achieving the cooling of the voltage conversion module and the heating of the battery, realizing the effective utilization of the waste heat generated by the voltage conversion module.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 8 , the heating method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0067] S31. Obtain the battery temperature T1 and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module;

[0068] S32. When it is confirmed that T1 ≤ t1 and T2 is within t2’ to t2, turn on the driving mechanism to enable the air in the upper accommodation cavity to flow downward into the lower accommodation cavity through the gap, where t2’ < t2, and t1, t2, and t2’ are all set values.

[0069] Under the condition of extremely low external temperature, such as minus ten-odd degrees Celsius, the initial temperature T1 of the battery 20 is the same as the external temperature. As the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 work, the temperature of the battery 20 is low and its working performance does not reach the best state, so there is a heating requirement; while the heat generation rate of the voltage conversion module 30 is fast and the heat generation amount is large, and the temperature is quickly increased. At this time, the voltage conversion module 30 has a heat dissipation requirement, but the heat dissipation requirement is not very urgent. The driving mechanism can be turned on to enable the air in the upper accommodation cavity to flow downward into the lower accommodation cavity through the gap, so that the heat generated by the voltage conversion module 30 is transferred to the battery 20, which not only dissipates the heat of the voltage conversion module 30 but also quickly increases the temperature of the battery 20. The heat transfer efficiency of this air heat transfer is faster than the heat transfer rate of the cooling medium of the liquid cooling plate 40. t1, t2, and t2’ can be set according to actual needs. For example, t1 can be -5°C, t2 can be 65°C, and t2’ can be 30°C, and there is no specific limitation; it should be noted that t2’ to t2 represents the temperature range from t2’ to t2. When t2 is 65°C and t2’ is 30°C, t2’ to t2 represents that the temperature range of T2 is 30 to 65°C.

[0070] Embodiment 4

[0071] Based on the same technical concept as in Embodiment 1, an embodiment of the present application provides a vehicle. This vehicle is provided with an integrated voltage conversion module and a battery, and can utilize the vehicle's temperature control system to adjust the temperatures of the voltage conversion module and the battery, and can also utilize the heat generated by the voltage conversion module to heat the battery, ensuring that both the battery and the voltage conversion module work at appropriate temperatures and improving the working performance of the battery and the voltage conversion module.

[0072] The vehicle provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a liquid cooling system and the battery module of Embodiment 1, and the flow channel of the battery module is communicated with the liquid cooling system.

[0073] The device can be embedded into the vehicle temperature control system to heat or cool the battery module according to the cooling and heating requirements. Specifically, when the external environmental temperature is extremely low, such as in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and other regions where the outdoor temperature is below minus ten degrees or even minus twenty degrees Celsius in winter, the vehicle temperature control system can be turned on to heat the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 so that the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 operate within a suitable temperature range; when the external environment is a high-temperature environment, such as more than forty degrees Celsius, as the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 generate heat, the temperatures of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 are already very high, and it is necessary to turn on the vehicle temperature control system to cool the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 so that the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30 operate within a suitable temperature range and improve the operating performance of the battery 20 and the voltage conversion module 30. The temperature control system includes a liquid cooling system and a controller. The liquid cooling system and the controller are electrically connected, and the driving mechanism and the controller are electrically connected. The controller can be a vehicle controller and is used to implement the following functions: obtain the temperature T1 of the battery 20 and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module 30, and turn on the driving mechanism when it is confirmed that T1≤t1 and T2 is from t2’ to t2; when it is confirmed that T1>t1 and T2>t2, control the liquid cooling system to make the cooling medium flow in the liquid cooling plate 40. Specifically, the cooling flow channel of the liquid cooling plate is communicated with the cooling flow channel of the electric drive system, and the cooling flow channel of the liquid cooling plate can also be communicated with the liquid cooling system of the power battery.

[0074] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those of ordinary skill in the art can make additional changes and modifications once they learn the basic creative concepts. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be construed to include the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present application.

[0075] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that, Comprising: A box body provided with an installation cavity; A liquid cooling plate located in the installation cavity to divide the installation cavity into an upper accommodation cavity and a lower accommodation cavity located below the upper accommodation cavity. The liquid cooling plate is provided with an inlet, an outlet and a flow channel for a cooling medium to pass through. Both the inlet and the outlet are communicated with the flow channel; A storage battery and a voltage conversion module, which are respectively located in the lower accommodation cavity and the upper accommodation cavity. The storage battery includes a lower shell, battery cells and a control module. The lower shell is provided with a cavity for accommodating the battery cells. The control module is connected outside the lower shell. The lower shell is provided with opposite first and second sides in the horizontal direction; An air cooling channel and a driving mechanism are located outside the box body. Both ends of the air cooling channel are respectively communicated with the upper accommodation cavity and the lower accommodation cavity. The driving mechanism is arranged in the air cooling channel. A gap for gas to flow through is provided between the liquid cooling plate and the inner wall of the box body; The driving mechanism is turned on when the temperature T1 of the storage battery ≤ t1 and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module is t2' to t2, so that the air in the upper accommodation cavity flows through the gap into the lower accommodation cavity, enabling the heat generated by the voltage conversion module to be transferred to the storage battery, where t2' < t2, and t1, t2 and t2' are all set values; Wherein: the inlet and the outlet are located on the first side, and the control module is located on the second side to reduce the risk of accidentally leaking the cooling medium to the control module. The storage battery protrudes from the voltage conversion module on the first side to form a space for arranging the inlet and the outlet. The voltage conversion module protrudes from the storage battery on the second side to form a space for arranging the wiring harness.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the liquid cooling plate is a plane in contact with the voltage conversion module; a protrusion in contact with the storage battery is provided at the bottom of the liquid cooling plate, and the flow channel is arranged inside the protrusion.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid cooling plate includes a top plate and a bottom plate. The bottom plate is provided with a groove facing the voltage conversion module. The top plate and the bottom plate are attached to each other, and the groove and the top plate enclose the flow channel.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, The storage battery includes a heat conduction pad. The lower shell is provided with an upper opening communicated with the cavity. The heat conduction pad covers the upper opening and is in contact with the liquid cooling plate.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The storage battery module further includes a wiring harness connecting the storage battery and the voltage conversion module. The liquid cooling plate is provided with a through hole for the wiring harness to pass through on the second side.

6. A cooling method applicable to the battery module according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Obtaining the temperature T1 of the storage battery and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module; When it is confirmed that T1 > t1 and T2 > t2, the cooling medium flows in the liquid cooling plate to take away the heat of the storage battery and the voltage conversion module, where t1 and t2 are both set values.

7. A heating method applicable to the battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Obtaining the temperature T1 of the storage battery and the temperature T2 of the voltage conversion module; When it is confirmed that T1 ≤ t1 and T2 is t2' to t2, the driving mechanism is turned on to enable the air in the upper accommodation cavity to flow through the gap into the lower accommodation cavity, where t2' < t2, and t1, t2 and t2' are all set values.

8. A vehicle, characterized in that, Comprising a liquid cooling system and the battery module according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the flow channel of the battery module is in communication with the liquid cooling system.

Images