Battery cooling devices, new energy vehicles

Abstract

This invention provides a battery cooling device and a new energy vehicle. The battery cooling device includes a cooling unit comprising a first cooling structure and a second cooling structure. The first and second cooling structures are respectively used to cool both sides of the battery. The first cooling structure has a first flow channel, and the second cooling structure has a second flow channel. The flow rates of the cooling medium in both the first and second flow channels can be individually adjusted. According to this invention, when there is a temperature inconsistency between the two sides of the battery, because the flow rates of the cooling medium in the first and second cooling structures can be adjusted, that is, within a unit time, the first and second cooling structures can respectively remove heat of different degrees from both sides of the battery, so that the temperature on both sides of the battery can be kept consistent, thereby solving the problem of uneven overall battery temperature and deteriorated battery performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of new energy vehicle technology, specifically relating to a battery cooling device and a new energy vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Electric vehicle batteries generate significant heat under certain conditions. Safety incidents can occur when the battery operates at high capacity, during rapid charging, or in extremely harsh environments where the heat cannot be effectively dissipated. Power batteries have stringent temperature requirements, ideally ranging from 10°C to 40°C. During charging and discharging, especially at high rates, the battery temperature rises rapidly, impacting performance and safety. Furthermore, in extreme environments, the battery needs to quickly reach its ideal temperature. To ensure optimal battery performance and maintain suitable operating temperatures, liquid cooling technology is widely used in power battery thermal management systems. This involves using cooling plates or flat tubes attached to the bottom and sides of the battery. Both the plates and tubes contain flow channels, and a water pump pumps coolant into the cooling plates or tubes, thus cooling the battery through heat exchange. However, electric vehicles typically have multiple batteries arranged together, which often result in inconsistent temperatures on both sides of the battery. Existing liquid cooling devices cannot adjust the flow rate of coolant at different locations within the battery, meaning they cannot adjust the flow rate accordingly based on the temperature differences on both sides of the battery. This leads to uneven overall battery temperature and degraded battery performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention provides a battery cooling device that can overcome the shortcomings of existing liquid cooling devices, which cannot adjust the flow rate of coolant at different locations inside the battery, i.e., cannot adjust the flow rate according to the temperature difference between the two sides of the battery, resulting in uneven overall battery temperature and deterioration of battery performance.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a battery cooling device, comprising: a cooling unit, the cooling unit including a first cooling structure and a second cooling structure, the first cooling structure and the second cooling structure being respectively used to cool both sides of the battery, the first cooling structure having a first flow channel, the second cooling structure having a second flow channel, and the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first flow channel and the second flow channel being individually adjustable.

[0005] In some embodiments, the cooling unit further includes a first manifold and a second manifold. The first manifold is disposed on the first cooling structure and communicates with the first flow channel. A first control valve is disposed on the first manifold to control the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first manifold. The second manifold is disposed on the second cooling structure and communicates with the second flow channel. A second control valve is disposed on the second manifold to control the flow rate of the cooling medium in the second manifold.

[0006] In some embodiments, the cooling unit further includes a third cooling structure for cooling the bottom of the battery, the third cooling structure having a third flow channel and a port communicating with the third flow channel, and the first cooling structure and the second cooling structure being disposed on the third cooling structure.

[0007] In some embodiments, in the first direction, there are multiple cooling units, and the cooling units are arranged sequentially.

[0008] In some embodiments, each of the first cooling structures and each of the second cooling structures are disposed on the same third cooling structure, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel are both connected to the third flow channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the number of cooling units is multiple, and the cooling units are arranged sequentially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the third cooling structures are sequentially spliced ​​together; and / or, the first manifolds in the same row are sequentially connected to form a first pipeline group, and the second manifolds in the same row are sequentially connected to form a second pipeline group.

[0011] In some embodiments, the battery cooling device further includes a flow guide pipe, with each of the first pipe groups and each of the second pipe groups respectively connected to the flow guide pipe, and one end of the flow guide pipe having an opening.

[0012] In some embodiments, the guide tube includes a first conduit and a second conduit, each of the first conduit groups is connected to the first conduit, one end of the first conduit has a first opening, and a first control valve is disposed in the flow path of the first conduit between the first opening and the first conduit group closest to the first opening; each of the second conduit groups is connected to the second conduit, and a second control valve is disposed in the flow path of the second conduit between the second opening and the second conduit group closest to the second opening.

[0013] The present invention also provides a new energy vehicle, including the above-mentioned battery cooling device.

[0014] This invention provides a battery cooling device and a new energy vehicle. When there is an inconsistency in temperature on both sides of the battery, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first cooling structure and the second cooling structure can be adjusted. That is, within a unit time, the first cooling structure and the second cooling structure can remove heat of different degrees from both sides of the battery, so that the temperature on both sides of the battery can be kept consistent, thereby solving the problem of uneven battery temperature and deterioration of battery performance. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a battery cooling device containing a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a battery is placed inside the cooling unit;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the first and third cooling structures of the battery cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the third cooling structure of the battery cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a top view of the first cooling structure of the battery cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0022] 1. First cooling structure; 2. Second cooling structure; 3. First manifold; 4. Second manifold; 5. First control valve; 6. Second control valve; 7. Third cooling structure; 8. Port; 9. First conduit; 10. Second conduit; 11. Battery; 12. Tab. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See also Figures 1 to 6As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery cooling device is provided, comprising: a cooling unit, the cooling unit including a first cooling structure 1 and a second cooling structure 2, the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 being respectively used to cool both sides of a battery 11, the first cooling structure 1 having a first flow channel, and the second cooling structure 2 having a second flow channel, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the first flow channel and the second flow channel being individually adjustable. In this technical solution, the cooling medium can be a liquid or a gas, preferably a coolant. In a specific embodiment, the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 are respectively arranged corresponding to two opposite sides of the battery 11. When the temperature on both sides of the battery 11 is inconsistent, because the flow rate of the coolant in the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 can be adjusted, that is, within a unit time, the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 can respectively remove heat of different degrees from both sides of the battery, so that the temperature on both sides of the battery 11 can be kept consistent, thereby solving the problem of uneven overall battery temperature and deterioration of battery performance. The first cooling structure 1 can be a cooling plate or a flat tube, and the second cooling structure 2 can also be a cooling plate or a flat tube. Each battery 11 has two tabs 12 on its top. The battery 11 is mainly heated by the tabs 12 and the center of the battery 11. The two tabs 12 are located near the two sides of the battery 11 respectively. The first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 can also remove the heat generated by the two tabs 12 in time.

[0024] Figure 6 The diagram shows a top view of the first cooling structure 1. The first cooling structure 1 contains multiple first flow channels, each extending through the height of the first cooling structure 1. These multiple first flow channels are distributed in parallel, which reduces the resistance to coolant flow within the channels. The second cooling structure 2 also contains multiple second flow channels, and its distribution is the same as that of the first cooling structure 1. This can also be referenced. Figure 6The cooling unit also includes a first manifold 3 and a second manifold 4. The first manifold 3 is located at the top of the first cooling structure 1 and communicates with each of the first flow channels. A first control valve 5 is installed on the first manifold 3 to control the flow rate of the coolant in the first manifold 3. The coolant in each of the first flow channels can simultaneously converge into the first manifold 3, or the coolant in the first manifold 3 can simultaneously flow into each of the first flow channels. When the first control valve 5 can control the flow rate of the coolant in the first manifold 3, that is, when the first control valve 5 can control the flow rate of the coolant in the first cooling structure 1. The second manifold 4 is located at the top of the second cooling structure 2 and is connected to each of the second flow channels. A second control valve 6 is provided on the second manifold 4. The second control valve 6 is used to control the flow rate of the coolant in the second manifold 4. The coolant in each of the second flow channels can be simultaneously collected into the second manifold 4, or the coolant in the second manifold 4 can be simultaneously distributed into each of the second flow channels. Therefore, when the second control valve 6 can control the flow rate of the coolant in the second manifold 4, that is, when the second control valve 6 can control the flow rate of the coolant in the second cooling structure 2, the flow rate of the coolant in the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 can be adjusted independently.

[0025] In one specific implementation, the cooling unit further includes a third cooling structure 7 for cooling the bottom of the battery 11, with the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 both disposed on the third cooling structure 7. The first cooling structure 1, the second cooling structure 2, and the third cooling structure 7 combine to form a U-shape, continuously surrounding the three sides of the battery 11, resulting in better cooling performance. Figure 5 The image shows a horizontal sectional view of the third cooling structure 7 from a top-down perspective. The third cooling structure 7 can also be a cooling plate or a flat tube. The third cooling structure 7 has multiple third flow channels, which are also distributed in parallel. The third cooling structure 7 has ports 8 that connect to each of the third flow channels, through which coolant can be pumped into the third cooling structure 7, and the coolant will flow into each of the third flow channels.

[0026] In this embodiment, in the first direction, that is, in the length direction of the third cooling structure 7, there are multiple cooling units, and each cooling unit is arranged in sequence, so that the battery cooling device can cool multiple batteries 11 at the same time.

[0027] Combined with participation Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, each first cooling structure 1 and each second cooling structure 2 is mounted on the same third cooling structure 7. Multiple slots are sequentially constructed on the third cooling structure 7, each slot communicating with a third flow channel. The end of each first cooling structure 1 furthest from the first manifold 3, and the end of each second cooling structure 2 furthest from the second manifold 4, are inserted into the corresponding slots. Therefore, the first flow channel communicates with the third flow channel, and the second flow channel also communicates with the third flow channel. This allows the coolant in the third cooling structure 7 to flow simultaneously and in parallel into each first cooling structure 1 and each second cooling structure 2, or the coolant in each first cooling structure 1 and each second cooling structure 2 can converge into the third cooling structure 7, thus facilitating the flow of coolant within each cooling structure. Furthermore, when both the first cooling structure 1 and the second cooling structure 2 are flat tubes, inserting the flat tubes into the slots of the third cooling structure 7 prevents changes in the internal flow channels caused by bending, and also avoids the problem of the flat tubes not fitting properly when bent due to the small chamfer radius at the bottom of the battery 11. This ensures that the battery 11 makes full contact with the flat tube, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0028] Specifically, in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, that is, in the width direction of the third cooling structure 7, there are multiple cooling units, and each cooling unit is arranged in sequence, so that the cooling device can further cool more batteries 11.

[0029] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, when there are multiple cooling units in the width direction of the third cooling structure 7, the connection of each third cooling structure 7 is as follows: each third cooling structure 7 is sequentially spliced ​​together, and the third flow channels within each third cooling structure 7 are not interconnected, with the coolant flowing in its own flow channel. The connection of each first manifold 3 and second manifold 4 is as follows: each first manifold 3 in the same row is sequentially connected to form a first pipeline group, and only one first control valve 5 is needed to control the flow rate of the coolant in each first manifold 3 in the same row; each second manifold 4 in the same row is sequentially connected to form a second pipeline group, and only one second control valve 6 is needed to control the flow rate of the coolant in each second manifold 4 in the same row.

[0030] In this embodiment, the battery cooling device further includes a guide pipe, with each first pipe group and each second pipe group connected to the guide pipe, and one end of the guide pipe having an opening. This facilitates the flow of coolant from each first manifold 3 and each second manifold 4 into the guide pipe, and then out through the opening of the guide pipe to form a circulation; or the coolant can be diverted from the guide pipe into each first manifold 3 and each second manifold 4, and then out through the port 8 of each third cooling structure 7, thereby forming a circulation.

[0031] See also Figure 1As shown, as a more preferred embodiment, the guide pipe includes a first conduit 9 and a second conduit 10. One end of the first conduit 9 has a first opening. When all the first pipe groups are connected to the first conduit 9, only one first control valve 5 needs to be installed on the flow path of the first conduit 9 between the first opening and the first pipe group closest to the first opening to simultaneously control the flow rate in all the first cooling structures 1 within the battery cooling device. One end of the second conduit 10 has a second opening. When all the second pipe groups are connected to the second conduit 10, only one second control valve 6 needs to be installed on the flow path of the second conduit 10 between the second opening and the second pipe group closest to the second opening to simultaneously control the flow rate in all the second cooling structures 2 within the battery cooling device, thereby saving the number of control valves required. Preferably, the heights of the first cooling structures 1 and the second cooling structures 2 are different, which facilitates the connection of each first pipe group and each second pipe group with the first conduit 9 and the second conduit 10, respectively.

[0032] Specifically, the coolant in the battery cooling device can be pumped in from the port 8 of each of the third cooling structures 7 by a water pump. The coolant then flows through each of the third channels and into each of the first and second channels in parallel. Next, it flows into each of the first and second pipe groups, and then converges into the first conduit 9 and the second conduit 10, and finally flows out from the first and second openings respectively. Alternatively, the coolant can be pumped in from the first and second openings by a water pump. The coolant then flows into the first conduit 9 and the second conduit 10, and then flows into each of the first and second pipe groups in parallel. Next, it flows into each of the first and second channels, and then converges into each of the third channels, and finally flows out from each of the ports 8 respectively. During the cooling process, when the temperature of battery 11 changes, the temperature on both sides of battery 11 is fed back to the control system via temperature sensors. If the temperature difference between the two sides of battery 11 is large, the control system will control the opening of the first control valve 5 or the second control valve 6, thereby adjusting the flow rate of coolant in each of the first cooling structures 1 and each of the second cooling structures 2, thus ensuring that the temperature on both sides of battery 11 is consistent. For example, when the temperature of the side of battery 11 facing the first cooling structure 1 is higher, the opening of the first control valve 5 can be increased to increase the flow rate in the first cooling structure 1, thereby accelerating the cooling on that side; alternatively, the opening of the second control valve 6 can be decreased to reduce the flow rate in the second cooling structure 2, thereby slowing down the cooling on the side of battery 11 facing the second cooling structure 2, ultimately achieving a consistent temperature on both sides of battery 11. The control system can also simultaneously control the power of the water pump and the opening degree of the first control valve 5 and the second control valve 6. If the overall temperature of the battery 11 drops to within the ideal range, the power of the water pump is reduced or the opening degree of the two control valves is decreased. If the overall temperature of the battery 11 is higher than the ideal range of the battery cell, the power of the water pump is increased or the opening degree of the two control valves is increased.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a new energy vehicle is also provided, including the battery cooling device described above.

[0034] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0035] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention. The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cooling device, characterized in that, The device includes a cooling unit, which includes a first cooling structure (1) and a second cooling structure (2). The first cooling structure (1) and the second cooling structure (2) are used to cool the two sides of the battery (11) respectively. The first cooling structure (1) has a first flow channel, and the second cooling structure (2) has a second flow channel. The flow rate of the cooling medium in the first flow channel and the second flow channel can be adjusted individually. The cooling unit further includes a first manifold (3) and a second manifold (4). The first manifold (3) is disposed on the first cooling structure (1) and communicates with the first flow channel. The second manifold (4) is disposed on the second cooling structure (2) and communicates with the second flow channel. In the first direction, there are multiple cooling units, and each cooling unit is arranged in sequence. In the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, there are multiple cooling units, and each cooling unit is arranged in sequence. The first manifolds (3) in the same row are connected in sequence to form a first pipeline group, and the second manifolds (4) in the same row are connected in sequence to form a second pipeline group. It also includes a flow guide tube, each of the first pipeline groups and each of the second pipeline groups are respectively connected to the flow guide tube, one end of the flow guide tube has an opening, the flow guide tube includes a first conduit (9) and a second conduit (10), each of the first pipeline groups is connected to the first conduit (9), one end of the first conduit (9) has a first opening, and a first control valve (5) is set on the flow path of the first conduit (9) between the first opening and the first pipeline group closest to the first opening; each of the second pipeline groups is connected to the second conduit (10), one end of the second conduit (10) has a second opening, and a second control valve (6) is set on the flow path of the second conduit (10) between the second opening and the second pipeline group closest to the second opening.

2. The battery cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling unit further includes a third cooling structure (7) for cooling the bottom of the battery (11). The third cooling structure (7) has a third flow channel and a port (8) connected to the third flow channel. The first cooling structure (1) and the second cooling structure (2) are both disposed on the third cooling structure (7).

3. The battery cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the first cooling structures (1) and each of the second cooling structures (2) are disposed on the same third cooling structure (7), and the first flow channel and the second flow channel are connected to the third flow channel.

4. The battery cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third cooling structures (7) are sequentially spliced ​​together.

5. A new energy vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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