New energy battery thermal management module

Abstract

The new energy battery thermal management module disclosed by the application comprises a first heat exchange part, a second heat exchange part and an anti-freezing liquid channel part. A plurality of first heat exchange parts are respectively attached to different parts of the surface of the battery. The first heat exchange part is provided with a closed first heat exchange cavity. The first heat exchange cavity is provided with uniformly distributed working medium. The second heat exchange part is arranged above the first heat exchange part. The second heat exchange part is provided with a second heat exchange cavity which is connected with the plurality of first heat exchange cavities. The first heat exchange cavity and the second heat exchange cavity are both in a vacuum state. The anti-freezing liquid channel part is arranged in the second heat exchange cavity. The anti-freezing liquid channel part is arranged separately from the liquid working medium in the first heat exchange cavity. When the temperature of the surface of the battery is greater than a preset temperature value, the working medium can change from a liquid state to a gaseous state and condense on the surface of the anti-freezing liquid channel part. The new energy battery thermal management module provided by the application solves the problem that different battery monomers cannot be uniformly cooled by the existing battery thermal management module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a battery thermal management device, and more particularly to a thermal management module for a new energy battery. Background Technology

[0002] New energy vehicle batteries generate a significant amount of heat during fast charging and other operating conditions. Inadequate thermal management can lead to insufficient heat dissipation, potentially causing thermal runaway, fire, or even explosion. Current battery thermal management modules primarily rely on direct refrigerant cooling to dissipate heat from the battery surface. However, due to the unidirectional nature of refrigerant heat exchange, the order in which refrigerant reaches different parts of the battery, and variations in refrigerant flow rate, the heat dissipation effect is inconsistent across different battery areas. This results in uneven temperature distribution on the battery surface, potentially impacting battery lifespan. Furthermore, under fast charging conditions, significant temperature differences between different parts of the battery surface can cause overcharging or over-discharging. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a new energy battery thermal management module to solve the problem that different battery cells (single cells) cannot achieve uniform heat dissipation through existing battery thermal management modules.

[0004] The new energy battery thermal management module provided in this application includes a first heat exchange section, a second heat exchange section, and an antifreeze channel section. The inlet and outlet ends of the antifreeze channel section are respectively connected to an antifreeze circulation device to form an antifreeze circulation loop. Multiple first heat exchange sections are respectively attached to different parts of the battery surface, and each first heat exchange section has a closed first heat exchange chamber containing a uniformly distributed working fluid. A second heat exchange section is located above the first heat exchange sections and has second heat exchange chambers respectively connected to the multiple first heat exchange chambers. Both the first and second heat exchange chambers are in a vacuum state. The antifreeze channel section passes through the second heat exchange chamber, and the liquid working fluid in the antifreeze channel section and the first heat exchange chambers are spaced apart. When the battery surface temperature exceeds a preset temperature value, the working fluid can change from a liquid to a gaseous state and condense on the surface of the antifreeze channel section after heat exchange.

[0005] In one embodiment, the liquid working fluid is disposed at the bottom of the first heat exchange chamber, and a liquid suction core is attached to the inner wall of the first heat exchange chamber. One end of the liquid suction core is immersed in the liquid working fluid, and the other end extends toward the top of the first heat exchange chamber.

[0006] In one embodiment, the battery includes a plurality of cells, a plurality of first heat exchange sections arranged along a preset direction, and the first heat exchange sections and cells are arranged alternately.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first heat exchange section is in the shape of a thin plate, and the thickness a of the first heat exchange section along the preset direction and the thickness b of the battery cell along the preset direction satisfy 5a≤b.

[0008] In one embodiment, the bottoms of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers are connected, and the bottom walls of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers are at the same horizontal height.

[0009] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a temperature sensor and a control element, with the control element electrically connected to both the temperature sensor and the antifreeze circulation device. The temperature sensor is located on the battery surface; when the battery surface temperature exceeds a preset temperature value, the control element can control the antifreeze circulation device to operate and connect the antifreeze channel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the working fluid is a phase change coolant.

[0011] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a first valve that connects to the first heat exchange chamber. The vacuum pump connects the first heat exchange chamber and the second heat exchange chamber through the first valve to extract non-condensable gases from the first heat exchange chamber and the second heat exchange chamber.

[0012] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a second valve connected to the first heat exchange chamber, and an air pump is connected to the first heat exchange chamber and the second heat exchange chamber through the second valve to fill the first heat exchange chamber and the second heat exchange chamber with inert gas.

[0013] In one embodiment, the antifreeze channel section includes a plurality of channel tubes arranged in parallel. Alternatively, the antifreeze channel section is in the form of a thin plate.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the new energy battery thermal management module provided in this application, when the battery temperature is too high (set to be higher than the preset temperature value), because the first heat exchange section is attached to the surface of the battery, the liquid working fluid can absorb the heat from the battery surface and transform into a gaseous working fluid, thereby lowering the battery temperature below the preset temperature value. Furthermore, because the antifreeze circulation device can cool the antifreeze and allow the low-temperature antifreeze to enter the antifreeze channel section, and the antifreeze channel section passes through the second heat exchange chamber, the gaseous working fluid can re-condense into a liquid working fluid on the surface of the antifreeze channel section, thus completing the heat exchange between the working fluid and the antifreeze. Finally, all the antifreeze in the antifreeze channel section will flow back into the antifreeze circulation device.

[0015] Because the first and second heat exchange sections of the new energy battery thermal management module are heat pipe structures, and because heat pipe structures have good temperature uniformity—specifically, the boiling point (or freezing point) of the working fluid is fixed, and the heat absorbed by a unit of working fluid phase change is also the same—and because the higher the battery surface temperature, the more heat is carried away by the evaporation of the working fluid, until the battery surface temperature drops below the preset temperature value, this design ensures effective battery cooling and uniform battery surface temperature. Furthermore, because the working fluid in the antifreeze channel and the first heat exchange chamber are spaced apart, the antifreeze channel will not directly absorb heat from the liquid working fluid, preventing the liquid working fluid from reaching its boiling point. Also, the antifreeze channel does not directly exchange heat with the liquid working fluid, which helps ensure that the working fluid can only carry away the heat generated by the battery through vaporization. Since heat transfer only occurs when the working fluid absorbs heat and vaporizes, the temperature remains constant, further ensuring temperature uniformity across different parts of the battery. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a new energy battery thermal management module according to an embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A sectional view.

[0020] Reference numerals: 100, first heat exchange section; 110, first heat exchange chamber; 200, second heat exchange section; 210, second heat exchange chamber; 300, antifreeze channel section; 310, channel tube; 400, battery; 410, battery cell; 500, working fluid. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "first", "second", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0025] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] New energy vehicle batteries generate a significant amount of heat during fast charging and other operating conditions. Inadequate thermal management can lead to insufficient heat dissipation, potentially causing thermal runaway, fire, or even explosion. Current battery thermal management modules primarily rely on direct refrigerant cooling to dissipate heat from the battery surface. However, factors such as the order in which the refrigerant reaches different parts of the battery and variations in refrigerant flow rate result in inconsistent heat dissipation across different areas. This leads to uneven temperature distribution on the battery surface, potentially impacting battery lifespan. Furthermore, under fast charging conditions, significant temperature differences between different parts of the battery surface can cause overcharging or over-discharging.

[0028] Please see Figures 1-3To address the issue that different battery cells (400 units) cannot achieve uniform heat dissipation using existing battery thermal management modules, this application provides a new energy battery thermal management module. This module includes a first heat exchange section 100, a second heat exchange section 200, and an antifreeze channel section 300. The inlet and outlet ends of the antifreeze channel section 300 are respectively connected to an antifreeze circulation device (not shown) to form an antifreeze circulation loop. Multiple first heat exchange sections 100 are respectively attached to different parts of the battery surface (400), and each first heat exchange section 100 has a closed first heat exchange chamber 110 containing a uniformly distributed working fluid 500. The second heat exchange section 200 is disposed above the first heat exchange section 100, and the second heat exchange section 200 has a second heat exchange cavity 210 that is connected to a plurality of first heat exchange cavities 110. Both the first heat exchange cavities 110 and the second heat exchange cavity 210 are in a vacuum state. The antifreeze channel section 300 passes through the second heat exchange cavity 210, and the antifreeze channel section 300 and the liquid working fluid 500 in the first heat exchange cavities 110 are spaced apart. When the temperature of the surface of the battery 400 is greater than a preset temperature value, the working fluid 500 can change from a liquid state to a gaseous state and condense on the surface of the antifreeze channel section 300.

[0029] It should be noted that the first heat exchange section 100, the second heat exchange section 200 and the antifreeze channel section 300 are all connected by sealed welding, that is, there will be no direct contact between the working fluid 500 and the antifreeze.

[0030] It should be noted that antifreeze circulation equipment refers to equipment that cools antifreeze.

[0031] Furthermore, it can be understood that the volume of the liquid working fluid 500 in each first heat exchange chamber 110 is smaller than the volume of the first heat exchange chamber 110, so as to provide sufficient space for the working fluid 500 to vaporize.

[0032] When the temperature of the battery 400 is too high (set to be higher than the preset temperature value), because the first heat exchange section 100 is attached to the surface of the battery 400, the liquid working fluid 500 can absorb the heat from the surface of the battery 400 and turn into gaseous working fluid 500, thereby lowering the temperature of the battery 400 below the preset temperature value. Furthermore, because the antifreeze circulation device can cool the antifreeze and allow the low-temperature antifreeze to enter the antifreeze channel section 300, and the antifreeze channel section 300 passes through the second heat exchange chamber 210, the gaseous working fluid 500 can re-condense into liquid working fluid 500 on the surface of the antifreeze channel section 300, thus completing the heat exchange between the working fluid 500 and the antifreeze. Finally, all the antifreeze in the antifreeze channel section 300 will flow back into the antifreeze circulation device.

[0033] Since the first heat exchange section 100 and the second heat exchange section 200 of the new energy battery thermal management module are heat pipe structures, and because the heat pipe structure has good temperature uniformity, specifically, the boiling point (or freezing point) of the working fluid 500 is fixed, and because the heat absorbed by the phase change of a unit of working fluid 500 is also the same, and the higher the surface temperature of the battery 400, the more heat is carried away by the evaporation of the working fluid 500, until the surface temperature of the battery 400 drops below the preset temperature value, this setting can ensure the effective cooling of the battery 400 and the uniformity of the surface temperature of the battery 400.

[0034] Furthermore, since the antifreeze channel section 300 and the working fluid 500 in the first heat exchange chamber 110 are spaced apart, the antifreeze channel section 300 will not directly absorb the heat of the liquid working fluid 500, thus preventing the liquid working fluid 500 from reaching its boiling point. In addition, the antifreeze channel section 300 does not directly exchange heat with the liquid working fluid 500, which helps to ensure that the working fluid 500 can only remove the heat generated by the battery 400 through vaporization, further ensuring the temperature uniformity of different parts of the battery 400.

[0035] In one embodiment, the bottoms of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers 110 are connected, and the bottom walls of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers 110 are at the same horizontal height.

[0036] The bottoms of all the first heat exchange chambers 110 are connected, so that the working fluid 500 can flow in any of the first heat exchange chambers 110. Since the bottom walls of all the first heat exchange chambers 110 are at the same horizontal height, the working fluid 500 in any of the first heat exchange chambers 110 can maintain the same liquid level, thereby ensuring that the working fluid 500 in any of the first heat exchange chambers 110 carries away the same amount of heat, and thus ensuring that the temperature of different parts of the battery 400 is the same.

[0037] In one embodiment, the working fluid 500 is a phase change coolant.

[0038] Specifically, phase change coolants include water, fluorocarbons, and hydrocarbons. These include acetone, ethanol, and fluorinated liquids, etc. The boiling points of fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons are both between -88℃ and 50℃. Among them, the boiling point of fluorinated liquids is around 58℃.

[0039] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a first valve (not shown) that connects to the first heat exchange chamber 110. The vacuum pump connects the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 through the first valve to extract non-condensable gases from the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210.

[0040] It should be noted that non-condensable gases refer to gases such as air that are difficult to condense when exposed to cold.

[0041] On the one hand, when the working fluid 500 reacts chemically with the inner wall material of the first heat exchange section 100 or the second heat exchange section 200 to produce non-condensable gas, the non-condensable gas can be extracted by a vacuum pump.

[0042] On the other hand, when the working fluid 500 is a liquid with a high boiling point under normal pressure, such as water, the boiling point of water can be lowered by extracting the gas in the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 through a vacuum pump, which is beneficial for controlling the heat dissipation temperature of the battery 400.

[0043] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a second valve (not shown) connected to the first heat exchange chamber 110. The gas pump is connected to the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 through the second valve to fill the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 with inert gas.

[0044] In this way, the gas pressure in the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 can be increased. Especially when the working medium 500 is a medium with a low boiling point, increasing the gas pressure in the first heat exchange chamber 110 and the second heat exchange chamber 210 can significantly increase the boiling point of the working medium 500, which is beneficial to controlling the heat dissipation temperature of the battery 400.

[0045] It should be noted that the first valve, the second valve, and the injection port of the working fluid 500 can all be integrated into a single multi-way valve.

[0046] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the antifreeze channel section 300 includes a plurality of channel pipes 310 arranged in parallel.

[0047] This helps to reduce the difficulty of setting up the antifreeze channel section 300.

[0048] In another embodiment, the antifreeze channel portion 300 is in the form of a thin plate.

[0049] This greatly improves the heat exchange efficiency of the antifreeze channel section 300.

[0050] In one embodiment, the ratio of the volume of the working fluid 500 in each heat exchange chamber to the surface area of ​​the battery 400 corresponding to that heat exchange chamber is the same.

[0051] It should be noted that the surface area of ​​the battery 400 corresponding to the heat exchange cavity refers to the area of ​​the outer surface of the battery 400 that is in direct contact with any outer surface of the heat exchange section.

[0052] In one embodiment, a liquid working fluid 500 is disposed at the bottom of the first heat exchange chamber 110, and a liquid suction core (not shown) is attached to the inner wall of the first heat exchange chamber 110. One end of the liquid suction core is immersed in the liquid working fluid 500, and the other end extends toward the top of the first heat exchange chamber 110.

[0053] In this way, the entire inner wall of the first heat exchange chamber 110 can be in contact with the liquid working medium 500, which makes it easy for the battery 400 to release heat to the liquid working medium 500 in a timely manner through the first heat exchange section 100. Furthermore, by setting up the liquid wick, the liquid working medium 500 will not fill the entire space of the first heat exchange chamber 110, thus providing sufficient space for the working medium 500 to vaporize.

[0054] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the battery 400 includes a plurality of cells 410, a plurality of first heat exchange units 100 arranged along a preset direction, and the first heat exchange units 100 and cells 410 are arranged alternately.

[0055] This configuration greatly improves the heat exchange efficiency of the battery 400 and the first heat exchange unit 100, and reduces the assembly difficulty of the first heat exchange unit 100 and the battery 400.

[0056] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first heat exchange section 100 is in the shape of a thin plate, and the thickness a of the first heat exchange section 100 along the preset direction and the thickness b of the battery cell 410 along the preset direction satisfy 5a≤b.

[0057] This reduces the thickness of the first heat exchange section 100, thereby reducing the overall volume of the new energy battery thermal management module.

[0058] Similarly, the second heat exchange section 200 is also in the form of a thin plate.

[0059] In one embodiment, the battery cell 410 and the first heat exchange section 100 are bonded together by thermally conductive adhesive.

[0060] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a temperature sensor (not shown) and a control element (not shown). The control element is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the antifreeze circulation device, respectively. The temperature sensor is located on the surface of the battery 400. When the temperature of the surface of the battery 400 is greater than a preset temperature value, the control element can control the antifreeze circulation device to operate and connect the antifreeze channel section 300.

[0061] This greatly improves the control efficiency and intelligence of the thermal management module for new energy batteries.

[0062] It should be noted that the cooling component is primarily designed to address overheating of the battery 400 during fast charging of the vehicle. Furthermore, the new energy battery thermal management module involved in this application can effectively dissipate the large amount of heat generated by the battery 400 under conditions such as fast charging, ensuring that the battery 400 remains within a relatively optimal temperature range under any operating condition. Simultaneously, due to the highly uniform temperature characteristics of the first heat exchange section 100, the temperature difference between different parts of the battery 400 can be maintained within 2°C.

[0063] In one embodiment, the new energy battery thermal management module further includes a fixed frame (not shown), and both the new energy battery thermal management module and the battery 400 are fixedly assembled within the fixed frame.

[0064] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A thermal management module for a new energy battery, characterized in that, include The system comprises a first heat exchange section (100), a second heat exchange section (200), and an antifreeze channel section (300); the inlet and outlet ends of the antifreeze channel section (300) are respectively connected to an antifreeze circulation device to form an antifreeze circulation loop; multiple first heat exchange sections (100) are respectively attached to different parts of the surface of the battery (400), and each first heat exchange section (100) has a closed first heat exchange chamber (110) containing a uniformly distributed working fluid (500); the second heat exchange section (200) is located above the first heat exchange section (100), and the second heat exchange section (200) is located above the first heat exchange section (100). The heat exchange section (200) is provided with a second heat exchange chamber (210) that is connected to a plurality of first heat exchange chambers (110). Both the first heat exchange chambers (110) and the second heat exchange chambers (210) are in a vacuum state. The antifreeze channel section (300) passes through the second heat exchange chamber (210). The liquid working fluid (500) in the antifreeze channel section (300) and the first heat exchange chamber (110) are spaced apart. When the temperature of the battery (400) surface is greater than a preset temperature value, the working fluid (500) can change from liquid to gas and condense on the surface of the antifreeze channel section (300) after heat exchange. The new energy battery thermal management module also includes a first valve and a second valve that connect the first heat exchange chamber (110). A vacuum pump connects the first heat exchange chamber (110) and the second heat exchange chamber (210) through the first valve to extract non-condensable gas. An air pump connects the first heat exchange chamber (110) and the second heat exchange chamber (210) through the second valve to fill in inert gas, so as to increase or decrease the gas pressure in the first heat exchange chamber (110) and the second heat exchange chamber (210).

2. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid working fluid (500) is disposed at the bottom of the first heat exchange chamber (110). A liquid-absorbing core is attached to the inner wall of the first heat exchange chamber (110). One end of the liquid-absorbing core is immersed in the liquid working fluid (500), and the other end extends toward the top of the first heat exchange chamber (110).

3. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery (400) includes a plurality of cells (410), a plurality of first heat exchange units (100) are arranged along a preset direction, and the plurality of cells (410) are arranged along a preset direction, and the first heat exchange units (100) and cells (410) are arranged alternately.

4. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first heat exchange section (100) is in the shape of a thin plate, and the thickness a of the first heat exchange section (100) along the preset direction and the thickness b of the battery cell (410) along the preset direction satisfy 5a≤b.

5. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottoms of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers (110) are connected, and the bottom walls of the plurality of first heat exchange chambers (110) are at the same horizontal height.

6. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature sensor and a control element, wherein the control element is electrically connected to the temperature sensor and the antifreeze circulation device respectively; the temperature sensor is located on the surface of the battery (400), and when the temperature of the surface of the battery (400) is greater than a preset temperature value, the control element can control the antifreeze circulation device to operate and connect the antifreeze channel section (300).

7. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working fluid (500) is a phase change coolant.

8. The new energy battery thermal management module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antifreeze channel section (300) includes a plurality of channel tubes (310) arranged in parallel; or, the antifreeze channel section (300) is in the shape of a thin plate.

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