Thermal management component, thermal management system, battery and electrical device

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management component, a thermal management system, a battery, and an electrical device. The thermal management component includes a housing and a partition assembly. The partition assembly is accommodated in the housing and connected to the housing to form a flow channel between the housing and the partition assembly. The flow channel is used for a heat exchange medium to flow. The partition assembly is configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized. The present application prevents the housing of the thermal management component from having too large a reaction on the battery cell, absorbs tolerances for the battery cells in a group, avoids damaging the battery cells, and improves the reliability of the battery. Moreover, it reduces the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component and the battery cell, and improves the cycling performance of the battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and more specifically, to a thermal management component, a thermal management system, a battery, and an electrical device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, from the perspective of the development of the market situation, the application of power batteries is becoming more and more extensive. Power batteries are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydraulic, thermal, wind, and solar power stations, but also widely used in electric transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in many fields such as military equipment and aerospace. With the continuous expansion of the application fields of power batteries, the market demand is also continuously increasing.

[0003] In the development of battery technology, how to improve the cycle performance of batteries is an important research direction in battery technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a thermal management component, a thermal management system, a battery, and an electrical device, which can improve the cycle performance of the battery.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management component, including a housing and a partition assembly. The partition assembly is received in the housing and connected to the housing to form a flow channel between the housing and the partition assembly. The flow channel is used for a heat exchange medium to flow, and the partition assembly is configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized.

[0006] In the above solution, the heat exchange medium in the flow channel heats or cools the battery cells. When the battery cells inside the battery box expand during use, since there is a partition assembly inside the housing, the partition assembly can deform when it is subjected to the force of the battery cells, preventing the housing of the thermal management component from exerting too large a reaction force on the battery cells, absorbing tolerances for the battery cells in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cells, and improving the reliability of the battery; moreover, reducing the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component and the battery cells, and improving the cycle performance of the battery cells.

[0007] In some embodiments, the housing includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The second side wall is disposed opposite to the first side wall along a first direction. The partition assembly is connected to the first side wall to define a first flow channel, and the partition assembly is connected to the second side wall to define a second flow channel.

[0008] In the above solution, the first flow channel can exchange heat with the battery cells close to the first side wall, and the second flow channel can exchange heat with the battery cells close to the second side wall, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the thermal management component.

[0009] In some embodiments, the partition assembly includes a first partition and a second partition. The first partition extends along a second direction, the first direction and the second direction intersect, the first partition is connected to the first side wall, and a first flow channel is defined by the connection with the first partition; the second partition extends along the second direction, and a second flow channel is defined by the connection with the second partition.

[0010] In the above solution, the first partition is connected to the first side wall, which can absorb the expansion force of the battery cell near the first side wall; the second partition is connected to the second side wall, which can absorb the expansion force of the battery cell near the second side wall, so that the partition assembly can deform simultaneously with the expansion of different battery cells.

[0011] In some embodiments, a cavity that can be deformed when the outer shell is pressed is defined between the first partition and the second partition.

[0012] In the above solution, the cavity between the first partition and the second partition is compressible, the cavity is easy to form, the manufacturing process is simple, and the cost can be reduced. When the battery cell expands, the cavity can absorb the expansion force, prevent the force exerted by the thermal management component on the battery cell from being too large and damaging the battery cell, and reduce the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component and the battery cell, improving the cycle performance of the battery cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first partition and / or the second partition extends along the second direction in a bent and folded shape.

[0014] In the above solution, the first partition and / or the second partition is in a bent and folded shape, which can increase the length of the first partition and / or the second partition, making it easier for the first partition and / or the second partition to deform.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first partition includes a plurality of first bent segments arranged in sequence along the second direction; the second partition includes a plurality of second bent segments arranged in sequence along the second direction, and the first bent segments and the second bent segments are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction.

[0016] In the above solution, the first bent segments and the second bent segments are arranged opposite to each other, defining a cavity, which can increase the volume of the cavity and the deformation space of the partition assembly.

[0017] In some embodiments, two adjacent first bent segments and the first side wall enclose a first flow channel; two adjacent second bent segments and the second side wall enclose a second flow channel, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction.

[0018] In the above solution, a plurality of first flow channels are enclosed between the plurality of first bent segments and the first side wall, and a plurality of second flow channels are enclosed between the plurality of second bent segments and the second side wall, improving the space utilization rate inside the outer shell and increasing the heat exchange efficiency of the thermal management component.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first bending section and / or the second bending section are arranged in an arc shape.

[0020] In the above solution, the length of the first bending section and / or the second bending section can be increased, so that the first partition and / or the second partition are more likely to deform.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one first bending section and / or at least one second bending section are provided with a folding area, and the folding area is in a folded and bent shape.

[0022] In the above solution, by setting the folding area in a folded and bent shape, it is more conducive to the deformation of the first bending section and / or the second bending section.

[0023] In some embodiments, the minimum distance between the first partition and the second partition is H1, and the thickness of the housing in the first direction is H2. The minimum distance satisfies the following formula: 0 < H1 / H2 ≤ 0.5.

[0024] In the above solution, the ratio of the minimum gap between the first partition and the second partition to the thickness of the housing is greater than 0 to ensure that there is enough deformation displacement area. The ratio is less than or equal to 0.5 to avoid insufficient flow channel space.

[0025] In some embodiments, in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling medium flow, the cross-sectional areas of the flow channel and the partition assembly are S1 and S2 respectively, and S1 and S2 satisfy the following formula: 0 < S1 / S2 < 1.

[0026] In the above solution, the cross-sectional area of the partition assembly is greater than the cross-sectional area of the flow channel, ensuring that the variable area of the thermal management component is relatively large and can absorb enough expansion force of the battery cells.

[0027] In some embodiments, the housing includes a third side wall and a fourth side wall. The fourth side wall is arranged opposite to the third side wall in the second direction, and both ends of the partition assembly are connected to the third side wall and the fourth side wall respectively.

[0028] In the above solution, the connection strength between the partition assembly and the housing is enhanced.

[0029] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present application provide a thermal management system, including the thermal management component provided in any of the above embodiments, and a plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals.

[0030] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present application provide a battery, including battery cells and the above thermal management component, and the thermal management component is configured to be in contact with the battery cells.

[0031] Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present application provide an electrical device, including the above battery, and the battery is used to provide electrical energy. Description of the Drawings

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 Schematic structural diagram of a vehicle provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0034] Figure 2 Explosion schematic diagram of a battery provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0035] Figure 3 Schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0036] Figure 4 For Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram at position A in

[0037] Figure 5 Schematic structural diagram of a thermal management system provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component from another angle provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0039] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Enlarged schematic diagram at position B in

[0040] Figure 8 Partial schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component provided by some other embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 9 Partial schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0042] Figure 10 Schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component from another angle provided by some embodiments of the present application.

[0043] In the accompanying drawings, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Detailed implementation manners

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or the above drawings are used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order or primary-secondary relationship.

[0046] Reference to "embodiment" in this application means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appearing at various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "coupled", and "attached" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0048] The term "and / or" in this application is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this application generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0049] In the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals represent the same components, and for the sake of simplicity, in different embodiments, the detailed description of the same components is omitted. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of various components shown in the drawings in the embodiments of this application, as well as the overall thickness, length, width, and other dimensions of the integrated device, are only for illustrative purposes and should not constitute any limitation to this application.

[0050] The term "plurality" as used in this application means two or more (including two).

[0051] In this application, the battery cell may include a lithium-ion secondary battery cell, a lithium-ion primary battery cell, a lithium-sulfur battery cell, a sodium-lithium-ion battery cell, a sodium-ion battery cell, a magnesium-ion battery cell, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this. The battery cell may be in a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a cuboid shape, or other shapes, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this either.

[0052] In this application, the battery cell may include a lithium-ion secondary battery cell, a lithium-ion primary battery cell, a lithium-sulfur battery cell, a sodium-lithium-ion battery cell, a sodium-ion battery cell, a magnesium-ion battery cell, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this. The battery cell may be in a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a cuboid shape, or other shapes, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this either. Generally, the battery cells are divided into three types according to the encapsulation method: cylindrical battery cells, square battery cells, and soft-pack battery cells, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this either.

[0053] The battery mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to a single physical module including one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery mentioned in this application may include a battery module, a battery pack, etc. Generally, the battery includes a box for encapsulating one or more battery cells. The box can prevent liquids or other foreign objects from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

[0054] The battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator. The battery cell mainly works by the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The current collector without the coated positive electrode active material layer protrudes from the current collector with the coated positive electrode active material layer. The current collectors without the coated positive electrode active material layer are stacked to form a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the material of the positive electrode current collector can be aluminum, and the positive electrode active material can be lithium cobaltate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganate, etc. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The current collector without the coated negative electrode active material layer protrudes from the current collector with the coated negative electrode active material layer. The current collectors without the coated negative electrode active material layer are stacked to form a negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode current collector can be copper, and the negative electrode active material can be carbon, silicon, etc. The material of the separator can be PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene), etc. In addition, the electrode assembly can be a wound structure or a stacked structure, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0055] The battery cell disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be but is not limited to being used in power-consuming devices such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. A power supply system of the power-consuming device can be composed of the battery cell, battery, etc. disclosed in the present application. In this way, it is beneficial to improve the stability of battery performance and battery life.

[0056] Batteries exhibit different electrical cycling performances at different ambient temperatures. When the ambient temperature is too high or too low, the cycling performance of the battery will decline, and even the service life will be shortened. In order to ensure the safe, stable, and excellent operation of new energy vehicles, effective thermal management of the battery must be carried out to control the battery to always operate within a suitable temperature range.

[0057] The inventor provides a thermal management component inside the battery. The thermal management component can be used to exchange heat with the battery cells of the battery to effectively thermally manage the battery and enable the battery cells to operate within a suitable temperature range.

[0058] The inventor has found that during the charging and discharging process, the battery cells of the battery are prone to expansion. Since the thermal management component cannot deform, the thermal management component cannot absorb the expansion tolerance, resulting in a large reaction force on the thermal management component, which is likely to damage the battery cells. Moreover, the heat conduction area between the battery cells and the thermal management component decreases, reducing the heat exchange efficiency and affecting the cycle life of the battery cells.

[0059] To solve the problem that the thermal management component cannot absorb the expansion tolerance of the battery cells, the inventor has conducted in-depth research and designed a thermal management component, including a housing and a partition assembly. The partition assembly is accommodated in the housing and connected to the housing to form a flow channel between the housing and the partition assembly. The flow channel is used for the heat exchange medium to flow. The partition assembly is configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized. In the above solution, the heat exchange medium in the flow channel heats or cools the battery cells. When the battery cells inside the battery box expand during use, since the housing has a partition assembly inside, the partition assembly can deform when it is affected by the force of the battery cells, preventing the reaction force of the housing of the thermal management component on the battery cells from being too large, absorbing the tolerance for the battery cells in a group, avoiding damaging the battery cells, and improving the reliability of the battery. Moreover, the reduction in the heat exchange area between the thermal management component and the battery cells is reduced, improving the cycle performance of the battery cells.

[0060] The battery cell disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be but is not limited to being used in power-consuming devices such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. A power supply system of the power-consuming device can be composed of the battery cell, battery, etc. disclosed in the present application. In this way, it is beneficial to improve the stability of battery performance and battery life.

[0061] The embodiments of the present application provide an electrical device using a battery as a power source. The electrical device can be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an electric toy, an electric tool, a battery car, an electric vehicle, a ship, a spacecraft, and the like. Among them, the electric toy can include a fixed or mobile electric toy, such as a game console, an electric vehicle toy, an electric ship toy, an electric aircraft toy, and the like. The spacecraft can include an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, a spaceship, and the like.

[0062] For the convenience of description in the following embodiments, a vehicle 1000, which is an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present application, is taken as an example for description.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the vehicle 1000 provided by some embodiments of the present application. The vehicle 1000 can be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an extended-range vehicle, or the like. A battery 100 is disposed inside the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be disposed at the bottom, the head, or the tail of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used to supply power to the vehicle 1000. For example, the battery 100 can be used as the operating power source of the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may further include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 to supply power to the motor 300, for example, to meet the working power requirements during the start, navigation, and driving of the vehicle 1000.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 100 can not only be used as the operating power source of the vehicle 1000, but also be used as the driving power source of the vehicle 1000, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1000.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 , which is an exploded view of the battery 100 provided by some embodiments of the present application. The battery 100 includes a battery box and battery cells 20. In some embodiments, the battery box may include an upper cover 10 and a box body 30. The upper cover 10 and the box body 30 are covered with each other, and the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 together define an accommodation cavity for accommodating the battery cells 20. The box body 30 can be a hollow structure with one end open, and the upper cover 10 can be a plate-like structure. The upper cover 10 is covered on the open side of the box body 30 so that the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 together define the accommodation cavity; the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 can also be hollow structures with one side open, and the open side of the upper cover 10 is covered on the open side of the box body 30. Of course, the battery box formed by the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 can be in various shapes, such as a cylinder, a cuboid, etc.

[0066] In the battery 100, there may be multiple battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 can be connected in series, parallel, or in a combined series-parallel connection. A combined series-parallel connection means that there are both series and parallel connections among the multiple battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 can be directly connected in series, parallel, or in a combined series-parallel connection and then the whole formed by the multiple battery cells 20 is accommodated in a box. Of course, the battery 100 can also be that multiple battery cells 20 are first connected in series, parallel, or in a combined series-parallel connection to form a battery module, and then multiple battery modules are connected in series, parallel, or in a combined series-parallel connection to form a whole and are accommodated in a box. The battery 100 can also include other structures. For example, the battery 100 can also include a busbar component for realizing the electrical connection among the multiple battery cells 20.

[0067] Among them, each battery cell 20 can be a secondary battery cell or a primary battery cell; it can also be a lithium-sulfur battery cell, a sodium-ion battery cell, or a magnesium-ion battery cell, but is not limited thereto. The battery cell 20 can be in a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a cuboid shape, or other shapes, etc.

[0068] Such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application; Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged schematic diagram of part A in. In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management component 40, including a housing 50 and a partition component 60. The partition component 60 is accommodated in the housing 50 and connected to the housing 50 to form a flow channel 40b between the housing 50 and the partition component 60. The flow channel 40b is used for the heat exchange medium to flow. The partition component 60 is configured to be deformable when the housing 50 is pressurized.

[0069] The heat exchange medium can be a liquid such as water or ethylene glycol. The temperature of the heat exchange medium in the flow channel 40b can be adjusted. When the temperature of the battery cell 20 is too high, the thermal management component 40 can cool the battery cell 20; when the temperature of the battery cell 20 is too low, the thermal management component 40 can keep the battery cell 20 warm and improve the service life of the battery 100. The thermal management component 40 can be arranged at the bottom or side of the battery 100 box to be in full contact with the battery cell 20, or as Figure 5 shown, arranged between two adjacent battery cells 20, Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management system provided by some embodiments of the present application; the thermal management component 40 is in contact with the side of the battery cell 20 with the largest area to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the battery 100. The battery cell 20 is located between two adjacent thermal management components 40, so that both sides of each battery cell 20 are in contact with two thermal management components 40 respectively. The multiple thermal management components 40 are connected by a connecting pipe 70 to realize the connection among the thermal management components 40 and the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0070] The housing 50 and the partition assembly 60 can be prepared from the same material by an integral molding process. The partition assembly 60 can be prepared from a flexible material so that when the housing 50 is expanded and extruded by the battery cell 20, the partition assembly 60 can deform. A flexible material can also be arranged inside the partition assembly 60, or a cavity 40a can be arranged inside the partition assembly 60 so that the partition assembly 60 can have a deformation space. The partition assembly 60 deforms as the battery cell 20 expands, which will not affect the space of the flow channel 40b and prevent overflow.

[0071] In the above solution, the heat exchange medium in the flow channel 40b heats or cools the battery cell 20. When the battery cell 20 inside the battery 100 expands during use, since the partition assembly 60 is arranged inside the housing 50, the partition assembly 60 can deform when it is acted on by the battery cell 20, preventing the housing 50 of the thermal management component 40 from having too large a reaction force on the battery cell 20, absorbing tolerances for the battery cells 20 in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cells 20, and improving the reliability of the battery 100; moreover, reducing the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component 40 and the battery cell 20 and improving the cycle performance of the battery cell 20.

[0072] Figure 6 Another perspective structural schematic diagram of the thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application; as Figure 6 shown, the housing 50 includes a first side wall 50a and a second side wall 50b. The second side wall 50b is oppositely arranged relative to the first side wall 50a along the first direction X. The partition assembly 60 is connected to the first side wall 50a to define a first flow channel 41, and the partition assembly 60 is connected to the second side wall 50b to define a second flow channel 42.

[0073] The first direction X is the X direction as Figure 6 shown, which can be the thickness direction of the thermal management component 40. The thermal management component 40 can be arranged between two adjacent battery cells 20 along the first direction X, and the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b are respectively in contact with the two adjacent battery cells 20. A plurality of battery cells 20 can be arranged beside the first side wall 50a; a plurality of battery cells 20 can also be arranged beside the second side wall 50b to place two rows of battery cells 20 on both sides of the thermal management component 40 along the first direction X to increase the capacity of the battery 100.

[0074] In the above solution, the first flow channel 41 can exchange heat with the battery cell 20 close to the first side wall 50a, and the second flow channel 42 can exchange heat with the battery cell 20 close to the second side wall 50b, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the thermal management component 40.

[0075] In some embodiments, the partition assembly 60 includes a first partition 61 and a second partition 62. The first partition 61 extends along the second direction Y, the first direction X and the second direction Y intersect, the first partition 61 is connected to the first side wall 50a, and the connection with the first partition 61 defines a first flow channel 41; the second partition 62 extends along the second direction Y, and the connection with the second partition 62 defines a second flow channel 42.

[0076] The first direction X and the second direction Y can be perpendicular to each other, and the second direction Y is the Y direction as Figure 6 shown. The first partition 61 and the second partition 62 have a certain flexibility. When the battery cell 20 close to the first side wall 50a expands and presses the first side wall 50a, the first partition 61 can deform accordingly, and the volume of the first flow channel 41 will not be affected. The first partition 61 absorbs the expansion force and prevents the reaction force of the first side wall 50a on the battery cell 20 from being too large and damaging the battery cell 20. Similarly, when the battery cell 20 close to the second side wall 50b expands and presses the second side wall 50b, the second partition 62 can deform accordingly, the volume of the second flow channel 42 will not be affected, and the second partition 62 absorbs the expansion force to prevent the reaction force of the second side wall 50b on the battery cell 20 from being too large and damaging the battery cell 20.

[0077] In the above solution, the first partition 61 is connected to the first side wall 50a and can absorb the expansion force of the battery cell 20 close to the first side wall 50a; the second partition 62 is connected to the second side wall 50b and can absorb the expansion force of the battery cell 20 close to the second side wall 50b, so that the partition assembly 60 can deform simultaneously with the expansion of different battery cells 20.

[0078] In some embodiments, a cavity 40a that can be deformed when the outer shell 50 is pressed is defined between the first partition 61 and the second partition 62.

[0079] Both ends of the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are designed to be open for the inflow and outflow of the heat exchange medium to form a cycle. Both ends of the cavity 40a are designed to be sealed to prevent the heat exchange medium from flowing in.

[0080] The cavity 40a is a compression deformation area. When the battery cell 20 close to the first side wall 50a presses the first side wall 50a, the first partition 61 can deform towards the cavity 40a, and the cavity 40a is compressed; when the battery cell 20 close to the second side wall 50b presses the second side wall 50b, the second partition 62 can deform towards the cavity 40a, and the cavity 40a is compressed. The cavity 40a is located between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42. The first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 can be in direct contact with the battery cell 20, which not only does not affect the heat exchange effect, but also ensures that the thermal management component 40 can absorb the expansion force of the battery cell 20.

[0081] In the above solution, the cavity 40a between the first partition 61 and the second partition 62 is compressible, the cavity 40a is easy to form, the manufacturing process is simple, and the cost can be reduced. When the battery cell 20 expands, the cavity 40a can absorb the expansion force, prevent the force exerted by the thermal management component 40 on the battery cell 20 from being too large and damaging the battery cell 20, and reduce the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component 40 and the battery cell 20, improving the cycle performance of the battery cell 20.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first partition 61 extends along the second direction Y in a bent and folded shape, which can increase the length of the first partition 61 and make the first partition 61 more likely to deform. A first flow channel 41 is formed on the first side wall 50a, and the cavity 40a is formed on the side away from the first flow channel 41, making full use of the space inside the housing 50.

[0083] In some embodiments, the second partition 62 extends along the second direction Y in a bent and folded shape, which can increase the length of the second partition 62 and make the second partition 62 more likely to deform. A second flow channel 42 is formed on the second side wall 50b, and the cavity 40a is formed on the side away from the second flow channel 42, making full use of the space inside the housing 50.

[0084] In other embodiments, the first partition 61 and the second partition 62 can both be arranged to extend along the second direction Y in a bent and folded shape.

[0085] Figure 7 For Figure 6 the enlarged schematic view at B in Figure 7 As shown, the first partition 61 includes a plurality of first bent segments 611 arranged in sequence along the second direction Y; the second partition 62 includes a plurality of second bent segments 621 arranged in sequence along the second direction Y, and the first bent segments 611 and the second bent segments 621 are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction X.

[0086] The first bent segment 611 bulges towards the first side wall 50a, the second bent segment 621 bulges towards the second side wall 50b, the first bent segment 611 and the second bent segment 621 are arranged opposite to each other, defining the cavity 40a, which can increase the volume of the cavity 40a. The cavity 40a is composed of a plurality of diamond-shaped spaces, increasing the deformation space of the partition assembly 60.

[0087] In some embodiments, two adjacent first bent segments 611 and the first side wall 50a enclose to form the first flow channel 41; two adjacent second bent segments 621 and the second side wall 50b enclose to form the second flow channel 42, and the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction X.

[0088] The first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are triangular, which can improve the heat exchange effect of the first flow channel 41 on the battery cell 20 close to the first side wall 50a and improve the heat exchange effect of the second flow channel 42 on the battery cell 20 close to the second side wall 50b. The cavity 40a is located between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42. A plurality of first bending segments 611 and the first side wall 50a enclose to form a plurality of first flow channels 41, and a plurality of second bending segments 621 and the second side wall 50b enclose to form a plurality of second flow channels 42, which improves the space utilization rate inside the housing 50 and increases the heat exchange efficiency of the heat management component 40.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first bending segment 611 is arc-shaped, which can increase the length of the first bending segment 611. The first partition 61 is smooth and wavy, making it easier for the first partition 61 to deform.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second bending segment 621 is arc-shaped, which can increase the length of the second bending segment 621. The second partition 62 is smooth and wavy, making it easier for the second partition 62 to deform.

[0091] In other embodiments, the first bending segment 611 and the second bending segment 621 can both be set to be arc-shaped.

[0092] Figure 8 Partial structural schematic diagram of the heat management component provided by other embodiments of the present application; as Figure 8 shown, at least one first bending segment 611 is provided with a folding area 63. The folding area 63 is in a wrinkled and bent shape. The folding area 63 increases the length of the first bending segment 611, and the deformation of this area can be greater, which is more conducive to the deformation of the first bending segment 611.

[0093] In some embodiments, at least one second bending segment 621 is provided with a folding area 63. The folding area 63 is in a wrinkled and bent shape. The folding area 63 increases the length of the second bending segment 621, and the deformation of this area can be greater, which is more conducive to the deformation of the first bending segment 611 and / or the second bending segment 621.

[0094] In other embodiments, at least one first bending segment 611 and at least one second bending segment 621 can both be provided with a folding area 63.

[0095] Figure 9 Partial structural schematic diagram of the heat management component provided by some embodiments of the present application; as Figure 9As shown, the minimum distance between the first partition 61 and the second partition 62 is H1, and the thickness of the outer shell 50 along the first direction X is H2. The minimum distance satisfies the following formula: 0 < H1 / H2 ≤ 0.5. The ratio of the minimum gap between the first partition 61 and the second partition 62 to the thickness of the outer shell 50 is greater than 0 to ensure there is sufficient deformation displacement area, and the ratio is less than or equal to 0.5 to avoid insufficient space in the flow channel 40b, ensuring the heat exchange effect of the heat management component 40.

[0096] In some embodiments, along the plane perpendicular to the direction of the cooling medium flow, the cross-sectional areas of the flow channel 40b and the partition assembly 60 are S1 and S2 respectively, and S1 and S2 satisfy the following formula: 0 < S1 / S2 < 1. The cross-sectional area of the partition assembly 60 can specifically be the cross-sectional area of the cavity 40a along the plane perpendicular to the flow channel 40b of the cooling medium.

[0097] In the above solution, the cross-sectional area of the partition assembly 60 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow channel 40b, ensuring that the deformable area of the heat management component 40 is larger and can absorb sufficient expansion force of the battery cells 20.

[0098] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural view of the heat management component from another angle provided by some embodiments of the present application. As Figure 10 shown, the outer shell 50 includes a third side wall 50c and a fourth side wall 50d. The fourth side wall 50d is disposed opposite to the third side wall 50c along the second direction Y. The two ends of the partition assembly 60 are respectively connected to the third side wall 50c and the fourth side wall 50d. In the first direction X, the partition assembly 60 is respectively connected to the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b; in the second direction Y, the partition assembly 60 is respectively connected to the third side wall 50c and the fourth side wall 50d.

[0099] This enhances the connection strength between the partition assembly 60 and the outer shell 50, and multiple flow channels 40b can be formed in the second direction Y, and the volume of the cavity 40a is also relatively large.

[0100] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present application provide a heat management system, including the heat management component 40 provided in any of the above embodiments, and multiple heat management components 40 are arranged at intervals. The battery cells 20 are located between two adjacent heat management components 40, such that both sides of each battery cell 20 are respectively in contact with two heat management components 40. The multiple heat management components 40 are connected by connecting pipes 70 to achieve the connection between the respective heat management components 40 and the circulation of the heat exchange medium. Since this heat management system adopts all the technical solutions of the above all embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, and will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0101] An embodiment of the third aspect of the present application provides a battery 100, including a battery cell 20 and the above-mentioned thermal management component 40, and the thermal management component 40 is configured to be abutted against the battery cell 20.

[0102] An embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present application provides an electrical device, including the above-mentioned battery 100, and the battery 100 is used to provide electrical energy.

[0103] According to some embodiments of the present application, a thermal management component 40 is provided, including a housing 50 and a partition assembly 60. The partition assembly 60 is accommodated in the housing 50 and connected to the housing 50 to form a flow channel 40b between the housing 50 and the partition assembly 60. The flow channel 40b is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the partition assembly 60 is configured to be deformable when the housing 50 is pressurized. In the above solution, the battery cell 20 is heated or cooled by the heat exchange medium in the flow channel 40b. When the battery cell 20 inside the battery 100 expands during use, since the housing 50 has a partition assembly 60 inside, the partition assembly 60 can deform when it is acted upon by the battery cell 20, preventing the housing 50 of the thermal management component 40 from having too large a reaction force on the battery cell 20, absorbing tolerances for the battery cells 20 in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cells 20, and improving the reliability of the battery 100; moreover, reducing the reduction amplitude of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component 40 and the battery cell 20, and improving the cycling performance of the battery cell 20.

[0104] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0105] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features, but these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermal management component, wherein, Comprising: A housing; A partition assembly, received within the housing and connected to the housing to form a flow channel therebetween for a heat exchange medium to flow through, the partition assembly being configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized; The partition assembly includes a first partition and a second partition arranged in a first direction. A cavity deformable when the housing is pressurized is defined between the first partition and the second partition. The first partition includes a plurality of first bending segments arranged in sequence along a second direction, and the second partition includes a plurality of second bending segments arranged in sequence along the second direction. The plurality of first bending segments and the plurality of second bending segments are arranged opposite to each other one by one to form a gap along the first direction, and the bulging directions of the first bending segments and the second bending segments are opposite, and the first direction intersects the second direction.

2. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes: A first side wall; A second side wall, arranged opposite to the first side wall along the first direction. The partition assembly is connected to the first side wall to define a first flow channel, and the partition assembly is connected to the second side wall to define a second flow channel.

3. The thermal management component according to claim 2, wherein, The partition assembly includes: A first partition, extending along the second direction, the first direction and the second direction intersecting. The first partition is connected to the first side wall, and the connection with the first partition defines the first flow channel; A second partition, extending along the second direction, and the connection with the second partition defines the second flow channel.

4. The thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein, A cavity deformable when the housing is pressurized is defined between the first partition and the second partition.

5. The thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein, The first partition and / or the second partition extends in a curved and folded shape along the second direction.

6. The thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein, The first partition includes a plurality of first bending segments arranged in sequence along the second direction; The second partition includes a plurality of second bending segments arranged in sequence along the second direction, and the first bending segments and the second bending segments are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction.

7. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, Two adjacent first bending segments and the first side wall enclose to form the first flow channel; Two adjacent second bending segments and the second side wall enclose to form the second flow channel, and the first flow channel and the second flow channel are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction.

8. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, The first bending segment and / or the second bending segment is / are arc-shaped.

9. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, At least one of the first bending segments and / or at least one of the second bending segments is provided with a folding area, and the folding area is in a wrinkled and curved shape.

10. The thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein, The minimum distance between the first partition and the second partition is H1, and the thickness of the housing along the first direction is H2. The minimum distance satisfies the following formula: 0 < H1 / H2 ≤ 0.

5.

11. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein, In a plane perpendicular to the flow direction of the heat exchange medium, the cross-sectional areas of the flow channel and the partition assembly are S1 and S2 respectively, and S1 and S2 satisfy the following formula: 0 < S1 / S2 < 1.

12. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes: A third side wall; A fourth side wall, arranged opposite to the third side wall along the second direction, and two ends of the partition assembly are respectively connected to the third side wall and the fourth side wall.

13. A thermal management system, wherein, Including a plurality of thermal management components as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals.

14. A battery, wherein, Including: A battery cell; The thermal management component according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the thermal management component is abutted against the battery cell.

15. An electrical device, wherein, Comprising a battery according to claim 14, the battery being configured to provide electrical energy.

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