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 support component. The support component is accommodated in the housing and is used to define a flow channel and a cavity that are separately arranged within the housing. The flow channel is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the cavity is configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized. When the battery cells inside the battery box expand during use, since there is a cavity inside the housing, the housing can deform when subjected to 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 tolerances for the battery cells in a group, and avoiding damage to the battery cells.

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 hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power stations, but also widely used in electric transportation such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in multiple fields such as military equipment and aerospace. With the continuous expansion of the application fields of power batteries, the market demand is also constantly 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 support component. The support component is accommodated in the housing and is used to define a separately arranged flow channel and a cavity in the housing. The flow channel is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the cavity 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 cavity inside the housing, the housing can deform when it is subjected to 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 tolerances for the battery cells in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cells, reducing the reduction range 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 support component and the housing enclose to form the flow channel.

[0008] In the above solution, the housing is configured to be in direct contact with the battery cells. The support component and the housing enclose to form the flow channel together. The heat exchange medium can contact the battery cells through the housing, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the battery cells.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support component includes a partition component and a support component. The partition component is used to define a separately arranged flow channel and a cavity in the housing; the support component is used to be arranged in the flow channel or jointly define the flow channel with the partition component to support the flow channel.

[0010] In the above solution, the interior of the housing is separated into a flow channel and a cavity by a separating component, and the component is used to support the flow channel, improving the strength of the flow channel. When the thermal management component absorbs expansion and tolerances, the flow rate of the heat exchange medium inside the flow channel does not change, preventing the heat exchange medium from overflowing. At the end of the battery life cycle, the flow channel will not be crushed and blocked.

[0011] 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, and the separating component is connected to the first side wall and the second side wall respectively.

[0012] In the above solution, by connecting the separating component to the first side wall and the second side wall respectively, the connection strength between the first side wall and the second side wall can be enhanced.

[0013] In some embodiments, the separating component includes a first bent plate and a second bent plate. The first bent plate is connected to the first side wall; the second bent plate is connected to the second side wall, and the first bent plate and the second bent plate define a cavity.

[0014] In the above solution, the cavity defined by the first bent plate and the second bent plate has a relatively large space, ensuring the deformation space of the thermal management component.

[0015] In some embodiments, the supporting component includes a first support rib and a second support rib. The first support rib is connected to the first bent plate and the second side wall respectively; the second support rib is connected to the second bent plate and the first side wall respectively.

[0016] In the above solution, the first support rib improves the connection strength between the first bent plate and the housing, and the second support rib improves the connection strength between the second bent plate and the housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, both ends of the first bent plate are connected to the first side wall, and both ends of the second bent plate are connected to the second side wall; in the first direction, the first bent plate and the second bent plate are arranged in a staggered manner, and a flow channel is formed between the first support rib and the second support rib.

[0018] In the above solution, the first bent plate is connected to the first side wall to form a cavity close to the first side wall, and the second bent plate is connected to the second side wall to form a cavity close to the second side wall. The flow channel is located between the two cavities. The first side wall and the second side wall can be respectively used to contact two adjacent battery cells, so that two thermal management components can absorb the expansion of two battery cells simultaneously.

[0019] In some embodiments, the number of the first bent plates is multiple, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent first bent plates; and / or, the number of the second bent plates is multiple, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent second bent plates.

[0020] In the above solution, the contact area between the flow channel and the battery cell is increased.

[0021] In some embodiments, both ends of the first bent plate are connected to the first side wall to form a flow channel close to the first side wall; both ends of the second bent plate are connected to the second side wall to form a flow channel close to the second side wall.

[0022] In the above solution, the two flow channels can be respectively in contact with two adjacent battery cells, increasing the heat exchange area of the thermal management component.

[0023] In some embodiments, in the first direction, the first bent plate and the second bent plate are oppositely arranged; the bent portion of the first bent plate is connected to the bent portion of the second bent plate.

[0024] In the above solution, the connection between the bent portions of the first bent plate and the second bent plate can strengthen the strength of the separation component.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first bent plate includes a first inclined section and a second inclined section connected to each other, and the first support rib is respectively connected to the first inclined section and the second inclined section; and / or, the second bent plate includes a third inclined section and a fourth inclined section connected to each other, and the second support rib is respectively connected to the third inclined section and the fourth inclined section.

[0026] In the above solution, the connection strength of the first bent plate and / or the second bent plate can be strengthened, and the strength of the flow channel close to the first side wall and / or the strength of the flow channel close to the second side wall are increased.

[0027] In some embodiments, the separation component includes a first partition plate and a second partition plate. The first partition plate extends along the second direction, and the second partition plate extends along the first direction. The first direction and the second direction intersect. The second partition plate is respectively connected to the first side wall and the second side wall to define a flow channel and a cavity which are separated from each other inside the housing.

[0028] In the above solution, the second partition plate can support the first side wall and the second side wall, increasing the structural strength of the thermal management component.

[0029] In some embodiments, in the second direction, the cavities and the flow channels are alternately arranged.

[0030] In the above solution, the alternate arrangement of the cavities and the flow channels can not only ensure the heat exchange efficiency of the battery cells, but also evenly absorb the expansion of the battery cells.

[0031] In some embodiments, in the first direction, the cavities and the flow channels are adjacent to each other.

[0032] In the above solution, the space utilization rate inside the housing is increased.

[0033] In some embodiments, the first support ribs are respectively connected to the first partition and the first side wall, and the second support ribs are respectively connected to the first partition and the second side wall.

[0034] In the above solution, the first support rib and the second support rib extend along the first direction respectively. When the first side wall and the second side wall are expanded and extruded by the battery cell, the flow rate of the flow channel can be prevented from changing.

[0035] An embodiment of the second aspect of the present application provides 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.

[0036] An embodiment of the third aspect of the present application provides a battery, including a battery cell and the above thermal management component, and the thermal management component is configured to be abutted against the battery cell.

[0037] An embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present application provides an electrical device, including the above battery, and the battery is used to provide electric energy. Description of the Drawings

[0038] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

[0039] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0040] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of a battery provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0042] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 an enlarged schematic view of part A of

[0043] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management system provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Figure 6 It is Figure 3 a schematic structural diagram of the other angle of the thermal management component shown in

[0045] Figure 7 It is a side view of a thermal management component provided by some embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 8Side view of the thermal management component provided for some other embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figure 9 For Figure 7 Enlarged schematic view of part B;

[0048] Figure 10 And Figure 11 For Figure 8 Enlarged schematic view of part C;

[0049] Figure 12 Side view of the thermal management component provided for some other embodiments of the present application.

[0050] In the drawings, the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Detailed implementation manners

[0051] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below 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 shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the present application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present application belongs; the terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present application and the above drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application or the above drawings are used to distinguish different objects and are not used to describe a specific order or primary-secondary relationship.

[0053] Referring to "embodiments" in the present application means that specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in 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.

[0054] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "joined", 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 the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0055] The term "and / or" in the present application is merely an association relationship describing associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. 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 the present application generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0056] In the embodiments of the present application, the same reference numerals represent the same components. And for the sake of brevity, in different embodiments, the detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted. It should be understood that the thicknesses, lengths, widths, etc. of various components in the embodiments of the present application shown in the drawings, as well as the overall thickness, length, width, etc. of the integrated device are only illustrative and should not constitute any limitation to the present application.

[0057] The term "a plurality of" appearing in the present application refers to two or more (including two).

[0058] In the present 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 the present application do not limit this. The battery cell can be in the shape of a cylinder, a flat body, a cuboid, or other shapes, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this either.

[0059] In the present 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 the present application do not limit this. The battery cell can be in the shape of a cylinder, a flat body, a cuboid, or other shapes, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this either. Generally, the battery cell is divided into three types according to the packaging method: cylindrical battery cell, square battery cell, and soft-pack battery cell, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this either.

[0060] The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present 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 the present application may include a battery module or a battery pack, etc. Generally, the battery includes a box body for encapsulating one or more battery cells. The box body can prevent liquids or other foreign objects from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

[0061] 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 operates 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 stacked current collectors without the coated positive electrode active material layer serve as the 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 stacked current collectors without the coated negative electrode active material layer serve as the negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode current collector can be copper, and the negative electrode active material can be carbon or 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 the present application are not limited thereto.

[0062] The battery cell disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be but is not limited to being used in electrical devices such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. A power system of the electrical 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.

[0063] Batteries will exhibit different electrical cycling performances at different ambient temperatures. When the ambient temperature is too high or too low, it will cause the cycling performance of the battery to decline and even shorten its service life. 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.

[0064] The inventor sets 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 perform effective thermal management on the battery and make the battery cells operate within a suitable temperature range.

[0065] The inventor found that during the charge and discharge 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.

[0066] To solve the problem that the thermal management component cannot absorb the expansion tolerance of battery cells, the inventor has conducted in-depth research and designed a thermal management component, including a housing and a support component. The support component is accommodated in the housing and is used to define a flow channel and a cavity that are separately arranged in the housing. The flow channel is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the cavity is configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized. In the above solution, the battery cells are heated or cooled by the heat exchange medium in the flow channel. When the battery cells inside the battery box expand during use, since there is a cavity inside the housing, the housing can deform when it is acted upon by 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 damage to the battery cells, reducing the reduction range of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component and the battery cells, and improving the cycle performance of the battery cells.

[0067] The battery cells disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be used but are not limited to power-consuming devices such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. A power supply system of the power-consuming device can be composed of the battery cells, batteries, etc. disclosed in the present application. In this way, it is beneficial to improve the stability of battery performance and battery life.

[0068] The embodiments of the present application provide a power-consuming device using a battery as a power source. The power-consuming device can be but is not limited to mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, electric toys, electric tools, battery cars, electric vehicles, ships, spacecraft, etc. Among them, the electric toys can include fixed or mobile electric toys. For example, game consoles, electric vehicle toys, electric ship toys, and electric aircraft toys, etc. The spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spaceships, etc.

[0069] For the convenience of description in the following embodiments, a power-consuming device of a vehicle 1000 in an embodiment of the present application is taken as an example for description.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a schematic structural diagram of the vehicle 1000 provided in 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, or an extended-range vehicle, etc. A battery 100 is arranged inside the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be arranged at the bottom, head, or tail of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used for the power supply of the vehicle 1000. For example, the battery 100 can be used as the operating power source of the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 can 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, it is used for the working power requirements during the start, navigation, and driving of the vehicle 1000.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 100 can not only serve as the operating power source of the vehicle 1000, but also 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.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is an exploded view of the battery 100 provided in 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 cover each other, and the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 jointly define an accommodation cavity for accommodating the battery cells 20. The box body 30 may be a hollow structure with one end open, and the upper cover 10 may be a plate-like structure. The upper cover 10 covers the open side of the box body 30 so that the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 jointly define the accommodation cavity; the upper cover 10 and the box body 30 may also both be hollow structures with one side open, and the open side of the upper cover 10 covers 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.

[0073] In the battery 100, there may be multiple battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination. A series-parallel combination 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, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination together, and then the whole formed by the multiple battery cells 20 is accommodated in the box body; of course, the battery 100 can also be in the form that multiple battery cells 20 are first connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination to form battery modules, and then the multiple battery modules are connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel combination to form a whole and are accommodated in the box body. The battery 100 may further include other structures. For example, the battery 100 may further include a busbar component for realizing the electrical connection among the multiple battery cells 20.

[0074] 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 the shape of a cylinder, a flat body, a cuboid, or other shapes, etc.

[0075] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, Figure 3 which is a schematic structural diagram of the thermal management component provided in some embodiments of the present application; Figure 4 is Figure 3Schematic enlarged view of location A. In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a thermal management component 40, including a housing 50 and a support component 60. The support component 60 is accommodated within the housing 50 and is configured to define a flow channel 40b and a cavity 40a that are separately arranged within the housing 50. The flow channel 40b is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the cavity 40a is configured to be deformable when the housing 50 is pressurized.

[0076] The heat exchange medium can be a liquid such as water or ethylene glycol, and 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; when the temperature of the battery cell is too low, the thermal management component 40 can keep the battery cell 20 warm, thereby extending the service life of the battery. The thermal management component 40 can be arranged at the bottom or side of the battery box to make full contact with the battery cell 20, or as Figure 5 shown, arranged between two adjacent battery cells 20. Figure 5 Schematic structural view of the thermal management system provided by some embodiments of the present application; the thermal management component is in contact with the side of the battery cell 20 with the largest area to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the battery. The battery cell 20 is located between two adjacent thermal management components 40, such that both sides of each battery cell 20 are in contact with two thermal management components 40 respectively. Multiple thermal management components 40 are connected by a connecting pipe 70 to achieve the connection between the respective thermal management components 40 and the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0077] Both ends of the flow channel 40b are designed to be open, allowing the heat exchange medium to flow. The heat exchange medium gives the flow channel 40b a certain strength and generally will not be compressed and deformed. Both ends of the cavity 40a are designed to be sealed, and the heat exchange medium will not enter the cavity 40a. The volume ratio of the cavity 40a is 10% - 90%, so it is prone to deformation. The housing 50 and the support component 60 can be prepared from the same material through an integrally formed process, or the housing 50 can be made of a material with greater elasticity than the support component 60, so that when the housing 50 is subjected to the expansion force of the battery cell 20, the cavity 40a can deform.

[0078] 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 box expands during use, since the housing 50 has a cavity 40a inside, the housing 50 can deform when subjected to the force of the battery cell 20, preventing the reaction force of the housing 50 of the thermal management component 40 on the battery cell 20 from being too large, absorbing tolerances for the battery cell 20 in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cell 20, reducing the reduction range 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.

[0079] In some embodiments, the support member 60 and the housing 50 enclose to form a flow channel 40b. The support member 60 can be connected to the housing 50 to form the flow channel 40b. The number of the flow channels 40b can be multiple, and the multiple flow channels 40b are arranged adjacent to or spaced apart from each other to sufficiently heat-exchange the battery cells 20.

[0080] In the above solution, the housing 50 is configured to be in direct contact with the battery cells 20. By jointly enclosing the flow channel 40b with the support member 60, the heat exchange medium can contact the battery cells 20 through the housing 50, improving the heat exchange efficiency of the battery cells 20.

[0081] As Figure 6 shown, Figure 6 For Figure 3 a schematic structural view of another angle of the thermal management component shown. The support member 60 includes a partition component 61 and a support component 62. The partition component 61 is used to define the flow channel 40b and the cavity 40a which are separately arranged within the housing 50. The support component 62 is used to be arranged within the flow channel 40b or jointly define the flow channel 40b with the partition component 61 to support the flow channel 40b.

[0082] The partition component 61 is connected to the support component 62 and is respectively connected to the housing 50 to define the flow channel 40b and the cavity 40a. The support component 62 can be arranged inside the flow channel 40b to support the flow channel 40b, or the support component 62 serves as the side of the flow channel 40b and is connected to the housing 50 and the partition component 61 to enclose and form the flow channel 40b, which can also realize the support for the flow channel 40b.

[0083] In the above solution, the interior of the housing 50 is divided into the flow channel 40b and the cavity 40a by the partition component 61, and the flow channel 40b is supported by the support component 62, improving the strength of the flow channel 40b. When the thermal management component 40 absorbs expansion and tolerances, it can prevent the internal volume of the flow channel 40b from decreasing, the flow rate of the heat exchange medium inside the flow channel 40b from changing, and the heat exchange medium from overflowing. At the end of the battery life cycle, the flow channel 40b will not be crushed and blocked.

[0084] The housing 50 includes a first side wall 50a and a second side wall 50b. The second side wall 50b is arranged opposite to the first side wall 50a along the first direction X. The partition component 61 is respectively connected to the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b.

[0085] The first direction X is as Figure 6The X direction shown can be the thickness direction of the heat management component 40. The first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b can be configured as the side walls with the largest area of the heat management component 40. The heat management component 40 can be arranged at the bottom or side of the battery box. The first side wall 50a or the second side wall 50b is in contact with the battery cell 20 to fully exchange heat with the battery cell 20. The heat management component 40 can also be arranged between two adjacent battery cells 20. The first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b are respectively in contact with two adjacent battery cells 20 to exchange heat with different battery cells 20 and improve the heat exchange efficiency of the battery.

[0086] In the above solution, by connecting the partition component 61 to the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b respectively, the connection strength of the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b can be enhanced, and the overall strength of the heat management component 40 can be improved.

[0087] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, Figure 7 is a side view of the heat management component provided by some embodiments of the present application; Figure 8 is a side view of the heat management component provided by some other embodiments of the present application. The partition component 61 includes a first bending plate 611 and a second bending plate 612. The first bending plate 611 is connected to the first side wall 50a. The second bending plate 612 is connected to the second side wall 50b. The first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 define a cavity 40a.

[0088] The connection of the first bending plate 611 to the first side wall 50a can define a cavity 40a close to the first side wall 50a. The connection of the second bending plate 612 to the second side wall 50b can define a cavity 40a close to the second side wall 50b. Or the cavity 40a is formed between the first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612.

[0089] In the above solution, both the first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 have a bent shape. The first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 can define a cavity 40a with a relatively large space, ensuring the deformation space of the heat management component 40 and improving the space utilization rate inside the housing 50.

[0090] In some embodiments, the support component 62 includes a first support rib 621 and a second support rib 622. The first support rib 621 is respectively connected to the first bending plate 611 and the second side wall 50b. The second support rib 622 is respectively connected to the second bending plate 612 and the first side wall 50a.

[0091] The first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622 can be respectively located within the flow channel 40b or can serve as the side edges of the flow channel 40b, both of which can support the flow channel 40b. The first support rib 621 improves the connection strength between the first bent plate 611 and the housing 50, and the second support rib 622 improves the connection strength between the second bent plate 612 and the housing 50. Moreover, both the first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622 improve the strength of the flow channel 40b. When the thermal management component 40 is compressed by the expansion force of the battery cell 20, the first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622 can prevent the flow channel 40b from deforming, thereby ensuring that the internal volume of the flow channel 40b does not change, the heat exchange medium does not overflow, and at the end of the battery life cycle, it can prevent the flow channel 40b from being crushed and blocked, resulting in thermal performance failure.

[0092] In the embodiment as Figure 9 shown, Figure 9 is Figure 7 an enlarged schematic view of part B. Both ends of the first bent plate 611 are connected to the first side wall 50a, and both ends of the second bent plate 612 are connected to the second side wall 50b; in the first direction X, the first bent plate 611 and the second bent plate 612 are arranged in a staggered manner, and a flow channel 40b is formed between the first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622.

[0093] The first bent plate 611 is connected to the first side wall 50a to form a cavity 40a near the first side wall 50a, and the second bent plate 612 is connected to the second side wall 50b to form a cavity 40a near the second side wall 50b. The flow channel 40b is located between the two cavities 40a. A plurality of flow channels 40b are arranged adjacent to each other, and the first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622 jointly support the flow channel 40b, improving the strength of the flow channel 40b. The first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b can be respectively used to contact two adjacent battery cells 20, so that the positions of the cavities 40a corresponding to the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b can deform, and the thermal management component 40 can absorb the expansion of the two battery cells 20 at the same time. The first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b are the side walls with the largest area of the housing 50, and are respectively in contact with the side parts with the largest area of the battery cell 20 to improve the absorption force of the expansion of the battery cell 20.

[0094] In some embodiments, the number of the first bent plates 611 is multiple, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent first bent plates 611. The first side wall 50a includes a first interval L1 between two adjacent first bent plates 611. The flow channel 40b can contact the battery cell 20 attached to the first side wall 50a through the first interval L1, improving the contact area of the battery cell 20 attached to the first side wall 50a and increasing the heat exchange efficiency.

[0095] In some embodiments, the number of the second bending plates 612 is plural, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent second bending plates 612. The second side wall 50b includes a second interval L2 between two adjacent second bending plates 612. The flow channel 40b can contact the battery cell 20 attached to the second side wall 50b through the second interval L2, so as to increase the contact area of the battery cell 20 attached to the second side wall 50b and enhance the heat exchange efficiency.

[0096] In other embodiments, the number of the first bending plates 611 is plural, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent first bending plates 611. The number of the second bending plates 612 is plural, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent second bending plates 612, which can improve the heat exchange efficiency of the battery cell 20 attached to the first side wall 50a and the battery cell 20 attached to the second side wall 50b simultaneously.

[0097] In the embodiment as Figure 10 shown, Figure 10 is Figure 8 an enlarged schematic view of the C portion of. Both ends of the first bending plate 611 are connected to the first side wall 50a to form a flow channel 40b close to the first side wall 50a; both ends of the second bending plate 612 are connected to the second side wall 50b to form a flow channel 40b close to the second side wall 50b.

[0098] The flow channel 40b close to the first side wall 50a and the flow channel 40b close to the second side wall 50b can be oppositely arranged along the first direction X. That is, in the first direction X, there are two flow channels 40b. The first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 can enclose a diamond-shaped cavity 40a. The flow channel 40b close to the first side wall 50a is used to contact the battery cell 20 attached to the first side wall 50a, and the flow channel 40b close to the second side wall 50b is used to contact the battery cell 20 attached to the second side wall 50b.

[0099] In the above solution, the two flow channels 40b can respectively contact two adjacent battery cells 20, thereby increasing the heat exchange area of the heat management component 40.

[0100] In some embodiments, in the first direction X, the first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 are oppositely arranged; the bending portion of the first bending plate 611 is connected to the bending portion of the second bending plate 612.

[0101] The first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 can be triangular, with a relatively large flow channel 40b and space. The bending portion of the first bending plate 611 is far from the first side wall 50a, and the bending portion of the second bending plate 612 is far from the second side wall 50b. The two bending portions are connected, and the structure is stable. In other embodiments, the first bending plate 611 and the second bending plate 612 can also be in other shapes such as L-shaped or arc-shaped.

[0102] In the above solution, the bent portions of the first bent plate 611 and the second bent plate 612 are connected, which can enhance the strength of the partition assembly 61.

[0103] As Figure 11 shown, Figure 11 is Figure 8 an enlarged schematic view of portion C of. The first bent plate 611 includes a first inclined section 611a and a second inclined section 611b that are connected to each other. The first support rib 621 is respectively connected to the first inclined section 611a and the second inclined section 611b. The bent portion of the first support rib 621 is connected to the first side wall 50a, and the two ends are respectively connected to the first inclined section 611a and the second inclined section 611b, improving the connection strength between the first bent plate 611 and the first side wall 50a, and improving the strength of the flow channel 40b near the first side wall 50a. The first support rib 621 can be triangular, with a stable structure. In other embodiments, the first support rib 621 can also be set in shapes such as L-shaped or arc-shaped, or the first support rib 621 includes two separated sections, one section is respectively connected to the first side wall 50a and the first inclined section 611a, and the other section is respectively connected to the second side wall 50b and the second inclined section 611b.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second bent plate 612 includes a third inclined section 612a and a fourth inclined section 613b that are connected to each other. The second support rib 622 is respectively connected to the third inclined section 612a and the fourth inclined section 613b. The bent portion of the second support rib 622 is connected to the second side wall 50b, and the two ends are respectively connected to the third inclined section 612a and the fourth inclined section 613b, improving the connection strength between the second bent plate 612 and the second side wall 50b, and improving the strength of the flow channel 40b near the second side wall 50b. The second support rib 622 can be triangular, with a stable structure. In other embodiments, the second support rib 622 can also be set in shapes such as L-shaped or arc-shaped, or the second support rib 622 includes two separated sections, one section is respectively connected to the second side wall 50b and the third inclined section 612a, and the other section is respectively connected to the second side wall 50b and the fourth inclined section 613b.

[0105] In some other embodiments, the first bent plate 611 includes a first inclined section 611a and a second inclined section 611b that are connected to each other. The first support rib 621 is respectively connected to the first inclined section 611a and the second inclined section 611b, and the second bent plate 612 includes a third inclined section 612a and a fourth inclined section 613b that are connected to each other. The second support rib 622 is respectively connected to the third inclined section 612a and the fourth inclined section 613b. It can enhance the connection strength between the first bent plate 611 and the second bent plate 612, and improve the strength of the flow channel 40b near the first side wall 50a and the strength of the flow channel 40b near the second side wall 50b.

[0106] Figure 12 A side view of the thermal management component provided by some other embodiments of the present application. In the embodiment shown as Figure 12 shown, the partition component 61 includes a first partition 613 and a second partition 614. The first partition 613 extends along the second direction Y, and the second partition 614 extends along the first direction X. The first direction X and the second direction Y intersect. The second partition 614 is respectively connected to the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b to define a flow channel 40b and a cavity 40a which are partitioned and arranged inside the housing 50.

[0107] The second direction Y is Figure 12 the Y direction shown. The first direction X and the second direction Y can be perpendicularly arranged, so that the flow channel 40b and the cavity 40a are rectangular. The second partition 614 can support the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b, improving the structural strength of the thermal management component 40.

[0108] In some embodiments, in the second direction Y, the cavity 40a and the flow channel 40b are alternately arranged. The alternate arrangement of the cavity 40a and the flow channel 40b can not only ensure the heat exchange efficiency of the battery cell 20, but also evenly absorb the expansion of the battery cell 20.

[0109] In the first direction X, the cavity 40a and the flow channel 40b are adjacent to each other, improving the space utilization rate inside the housing 50. It is ensured that the flow channels 40b and the cavities 40a are evenly alternately arranged near the first side wall 50a, so as to fully exchange heat with the battery cell 20 attached to the first side wall 50a and be able to absorb the expansion force of the battery cell 20. It is ensured that the flow channels 40b and the cavities 40a are evenly alternately arranged near the second side wall 50b, so as to fully exchange heat with the battery cell 20 attached to the second side wall 50b and be able to absorb the expansion force of the battery cell 20.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first support rib 621 is respectively connected to the first partition 613 and the first side wall 50a, and the second support rib 622 is respectively connected to the first partition 613 and the second side wall 50b.

[0111] The first support rib 621 is located in the flow channel 40b near the first side wall 50a, and the second support rib 622 is located in the flow channel 40b near the second side wall 50b. The first support rib 621 and the second support rib 622 respectively extend along the first direction X. When the first side wall 50a and the second side wall 50b are expanded and extruded by the battery cell 20, it can prevent the height of the flow channel 40b along the first reverse direction from being compressed, prevent the volume of the flow channel 40b from changing, and ensure the heat exchange effect on the battery cell 20 near the first side wall 50a and the battery cell 20 near the second side wall 50b.

[0112] An embodiment of the second aspect of the present application provides a thermal management system, which includes the thermal management component 40 provided in any of the above embodiments, and a plurality of thermal management components 40 are arranged at intervals. 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 plurality of thermal management components 40 are connected by a connecting pipe 70 to realize the connection between the thermal management components 40 and the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0113] An embodiment of the third aspect of the present application provides a battery, which includes a battery cell 20 and the thermal management component 40 of any of the above embodiments, and the thermal management component 40 is configured to be attached to the battery cell 20.

[0114] An embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present application provides an electrical device, which includes the above battery, and the battery is used to provide electrical energy.

[0115] According to some embodiments of the present application, a thermal management component 40 is provided, which includes a housing 50 and a support component 60. The support component 60 is accommodated in the housing 50 and is used to define a separately arranged flow channel 40b and a cavity 40a in the housing 50. The flow channel 40b is used for the heat exchange medium to flow, and the cavity 40a 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 box expands during use, since the housing 50 has a cavity 40a inside, the housing 50 can deform when it is acted on by the battery cell 20, preventing the reaction force of the housing 50 of the thermal management component 40 on the battery cell 20 from being too large, absorbing tolerances for the battery cells 20 in a group, avoiding damage to the battery cells 20, reducing the reduction range of the heat exchange area between the thermal management component 40 and the battery cells 20, and improving the cycling performance of the battery cells 20.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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 recorded 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, comprising: A housing; A support component, accommodated within the housing and configured to define a flow channel and a cavity that are separately arranged within the housing, the flow channel being for a heat exchange medium to flow through, and the cavity being configured to be deformable when the housing is pressurized; The support component includes a partition component, the partition component being configured to define the flow channel within the housing, the partition component including a first bent plate and a second bent plate, the first bent plate and the second bent plate being respectively connected to the housing, and the first bent plate and the second bent plate being arranged in parallel at intervals and defining the cavity.

2. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein, The support component and the housing enclose to form the flow channel.

3. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein, The support component includes a support assembly, the support assembly being configured to be arranged within the flow channel or jointly define the flow channel with the partition component to support the flow channel.

4. The thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein, The housing includes: A first side wall; A second side wall, oppositely arranged to the first side wall along a first direction, and the partition component is respectively connected to the first side wall and the second side wall.

5. The thermal management component according to claim 4, wherein, The first bent plate is connected to the first side wall; the second bent plate is connected to the second side wall.

6. The thermal management component according to claim 5, wherein, The support assembly includes: A first support rib, respectively connected to the first bent plate and the second side wall; A second support rib, respectively connected to the second bent plate and the first side wall.

7. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, Both ends of the first bent plate are connected to the first side wall, and both ends of the second bent plate are connected to the second side wall; In the first direction, the first bent plate and the second bent plate are arranged in a staggered manner, and the flow channel is formed between the first support rib and the second support rib.

8. The thermal management component according to claim 7, wherein, The number of the first bent plates is multiple, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent first bent plates; and / or, The number of the second bent plates is multiple, and a preset distance is provided between two adjacent second bent plates.

9. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, Both ends of the first bent plate are connected to the first side wall to form the flow channel close to the first side wall; Both ends of the second bent plate are connected to the second side wall to form the flow channel close to the second side wall.

10. The thermal management component according to claim 9, wherein, In the first direction, the first bent plate and the second bent plate are oppositely arranged; The bent portion of the first bent plate is connected to the bent portion of the second bent plate.

11. The thermal management component according to claim 9, wherein, The first bent plate includes a first inclined section and a second inclined section that are connected to each other, and the first support rib is respectively connected to the first inclined section and the second inclined section; And / or, the second bent plate includes a third inclined section and a fourth inclined section that are connected to each other, and the second support rib is respectively connected to the third inclined section and the fourth inclined section.

12. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein, The partition component includes: A first partition board, extending along a second direction, A second partition board, extending along the first direction, the first direction and the second direction intersecting, and the second partition board is respectively connected to the first side wall and the second side wall to define the separately arranged flow channel and cavity within the housing.

13. The thermal management component according to claim 12, wherein, In the second direction, the cavity and the flow channel are arranged alternately.

14. The thermal management component according to claim 12, wherein, In the first direction, the cavity and the flow channel are adjacent to each other.

15. The thermal management component according to claim 12, wherein, The first support ribs are respectively connected to the first partition and the first side wall, and the second support ribs are respectively connected to the first partition and the second side wall.

16. A thermal management system, wherein, It includes a plurality of thermal management components as described in any one of claims 1-15, and the plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals.

17. A battery, wherein, It includes: Battery cell; A thermal management component as described in any one of claims 1-15, and the thermal management component is abutted against the battery cell.

18. An electrical device, wherein, It includes the battery according to claim 17, and the battery is used to provide electric energy.

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