Flow regulating assembly, thermal management structure, battery module and regulating method

Abstract

The disclosure provides a flow regulating assembly, a thermal management structure, a battery module and a regulating method, and relates to the technical field of batteries. The flow regulating assembly comprises a main path structure, a variable flow column and a plurality of branch path structures. The main path structure comprises a main flow channel with a main path inlet and a main path outlet. The branch path inlets of the plurality of branch path structures are in communication with the main flow channel. Each branch path inlet is arranged at intervals along the axis of the main flow channel, and the preset distance of each branch path inlet from the main path inlet is configured in advance. The variable flow column is arranged in the main flow channel. The variable flow column comprises a column body and a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals on the column body along the axis direction of the main flow channel. The distance of each protrusion from the main path inlet and the preset distance of the branch path inlet of the branch path structure corresponding to the protrusion from the main path inlet are equivalent, so that the protrusion can be used to regulate the flow cross section of the corresponding branch path inlet. The uniform distribution of flow in multiple branch paths can be achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a flow regulation component, a thermal management structure, a battery module, and a regulation method. Background Technology

[0002] Battery thermal management systems effectively dissipate heat from the battery when the battery temperature is high, preventing thermal runaway accidents. This is one of the key technologies for ensuring the performance, safety, and lifespan of power batteries. These systems mainly include various methods such as air cooling, liquid cooling, thermoelectric cooling, heat pipe cooling, and phase change material thermal management. In conventional liquid cooling methods, for parallel cooling plate designs, the coolant is distributed from the main pipeline to the corresponding current collectors for each cooling plate, and then further distributed. While this simplifies the piping and reduces costs, the distribution of coolant from the main pipeline to each current collector is influenced by numerous factors, making it difficult to control the flow rate within each current collector's cavity. This can lead to uneven flow distribution in each current collector, affecting cooling or heating effects and causing excessive temperature differences. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objectives of this invention include, for example, providing a flow regulation component, a thermal management structure, a battery module, and a regulation method, which can achieve uniform flow distribution in a multi-branch structure, avoid excessive temperature differences, and improve heat exchange uniformity.

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flow regulation component, comprising:

[0006] The main road structure includes a main road that runs through the main road and has main road entrances and exits;

[0007] Multiple branch road structures, with branch entrances of the multiple branch road structures connected to the main road, each branch entrance being spaced apart along the axis of the main road, and each branch entrance being pre-configured at a preset distance from the main road entrance;

[0008] A flow-changing column is disposed within the main flow channel. The flow-changing column includes a column body and a plurality of protrusions spaced apart on the column body along the axis of the main flow channel. The distance of each protrusion from the main flow inlet is configured to be approximately equal to the preset distance between the branch inlet of the branch structure corresponding to the protrusion and the main flow inlet, so that the protrusion can be used to adjust the flow cross-section of its corresponding branch inlet.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump is configured based on the initial flow rate of the branch structure to which it corresponds, and the bump is detachably configured to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump according to the current flow rate of the branch structure to which it corresponds.

[0010] In an optional implementation, along the axial direction of the main channel, the length of the protrusion near the branch entrance is less than or equal to the length of the branch entrance.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the inner wall of the main channel is provided with a limiting groove, and the converter column is provided with a limiting block. The limiting block is engaged in the limiting groove to fix the converter column in the main channel.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the converter column is provided with an elastic bracket, one end of which is connected to the column body and the other end of which is connected to the limiting block. The end of the elastic bracket connected to the column body includes at least two support rods, which are connected to the column body.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the sum of the non-deformation heights of the elastic support and the limiting block along the radial direction of the column is greater than the height of any of the protrusions.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, at least one guide groove is provided axially within the main channel, allowing the column or the limiting block to move along the guide groove.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the limiting groove is formed at the bottom of the guide groove.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the main circuit structure includes multiple piston ends and multiple connecting pipes;

[0017] Two piston ends and a connecting pipe are provided between two adjacent branch structures. One end of each piston end is sealed to one of the branch structures, and the piston end is connected to the branch inlet of the branch structure. The other ends of the two piston ends are connected through the connecting pipe, and the connecting pipe is sealed to the piston ends.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, a flat clip is also included, which is sleeved on the piston end. One end of the flat clip abuts against the branch structure, and the other end abuts against the connecting pipe.

[0019] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a thermal management structure, which further includes a cooling plate and a flow regulating component as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the cooling plate is connected to the end of the branch structure away from the branch inlet.

[0020] Thirdly, the present invention provides a battery module including the thermal management structure described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0021] Fourthly, the present invention provides an adjustment method applicable to the flow adjustment assembly as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, the method comprising:

[0022] Get the flow Qi of each branch structure; where i is a natural number less than or equal to N, and N is the number of branch structures;

[0023] Compare Qi and average flow rate Qa;

[0024] If Qi > Qa, then adjust Si > Sa; and / or, if Qi < Qa, then adjust Si < Sa;

[0025] Where Si is the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump corresponding to Qi, and Sa is the average cross-sectional area of ​​multiple bumps.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the step of adjusting Si > Sa if Qi > Qa includes:

[0027] If Qi-Qa > Qm, then adjust Si > Sa;

[0028] Where Qm is the preset flow difference.

[0029] In an optional implementation, the step of adjusting Si > Sa if Qi-Qa > Qm includes:

[0030] If Qi-Qa>Qm, calculate △Q=Qi-Qa, and adjust the cross-sectional radius Si=Sa+△S of the bump according to △Q=a△S+b;

[0031] Where a and b are calibration constants, and ΔS is the adjustment amount of the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump.

[0032] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention include, for example:

[0033] The flow regulation component provided in this embodiment of the invention comprises multiple branch structures connected in parallel to a main structure. A flow-changing column is provided within the main flow channel of the main structure, and protrusions are provided on the flow-changing column. Each protrusion corresponds to the branch inlet of each branch structure, allowing the protrusion to be used to adjust the flow cross-section of its corresponding branch inlet. This allows for the regulation of the flow rate entering each branch inlet, achieving uniform flow distribution.

[0034] The thermal management structure provided in this embodiment of the invention, using the above-mentioned flow regulation component, can ensure that the flow of each branch structure is relatively uniform, improve the heating or cooling effect, and thus prevent excessive temperature difference.

[0035] The battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the above-mentioned thermal management structure. The thermal management structure is used to exchange heat with the battery, improve the temperature uniformity of the battery module, and prevent excessive temperature difference.

[0036] The adjustment method provided in this invention can optimize the flow rate of each branch structure, making the flow rate distribution more uniform, with high adjustment efficiency and good distribution uniformity. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the flow regulation component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the flow regulation component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of the flow regulation component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the piston end of a flow regulating component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the converter column of the flow regulation component provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0044] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle.

[0045] Icons: 100-Flow regulation component; 110-Main road structure; 111-Main flow path; 113-Main road inlet; 115-Main road outlet; 117-Limiting groove; 119-Guide groove; 121-Piston end; 122-Sealing groove; 123-Seal; 124-Connecting pipe; 125-Flat clamp; 130-Branch structure; 131-Branch inlet; 150-Converter column; 151-Column; 152-Elastic support; 153-Support rod; 155-Limiting block; 160-Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0047] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0048] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0049] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," or "outer" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention 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 invention.

[0050] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0051] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0052] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3This embodiment provides a flow regulation component 100, including a main road structure 110, a converter column 150, and multiple branch road structures 130. The main road structure 110 includes a main channel 111 that runs through the main road and has a main road inlet 113 and a main road outlet 115. The branch inlets 131 of the multiple branch road structures 130 are connected to the main channel 111. Each branch inlet 131 is spaced apart along the axis of the main channel 111, and a preset distance between each branch inlet 131 and the main road inlet 113 is pre-configured. A flow-changing column 150 is disposed within the main flow channel 111. The flow-changing column 150 includes a column body 151 and a plurality of protrusions 160 spaced apart on the column body 151 along the axis of the main flow channel 111. The distance between each protrusion 160 and the main inlet 113 is configured to be approximately equal to a preset distance between the branch inlet 131 of the corresponding branch structure 130 and the main inlet 113, so that the protrusion 160 can be used to adjust the flow cross-section of its corresponding branch inlet 131. It can be understood that the multiple branch structures 130 are connected to the main flow channel 111 of the main structure 110 in parallel, and each protrusion 160 is correspondingly set to one branch inlet 131. The protrusion 160 can adjust the flow cross-section of the corresponding branch inlet 131, thereby controlling the flow rate entering each branch inlet 131, and thus achieving uniform distribution of flow rate in multiple branches.

[0053] It should be noted that the protrusion 160 and the branch inlet 131 are correspondingly arranged. This can be understood as the protrusion 160 being located at the branch inlet 131. The center of the protrusion 160 can be aligned with the center of the branch inlet 131, or the center of the protrusion 160 can be roughly aligned with the center of the branch inlet 131. A certain distance deviation is allowed, as long as the protrusion 160 can adjust the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131. No specific limitation is made here. Multiple branch structures 130 can be evenly spaced or non-uniformly spaced. The distance between the protrusion 160 and the main inlet 113 is equivalent to the preset distance between the branch inlet 131 of the branch structure 130 corresponding to the protrusion 160 and the main inlet 113. This can be understood as the distance between the protrusion 160 and the main inlet 113 being equal to the preset distance between the corresponding branch inlet 131 and the main inlet 113, or the distance between the protrusion 160 and the main inlet 113 having a preset deviation from the preset distance between the corresponding branch inlet 131 and the main inlet 113. This allows for the adjustment of the flow cross section at the corresponding branch inlet 131 in the direction of liquid flow in advance or delay, thereby improving the diversity of branch flow regulation and increasing flow regulation efficiency. Specifically, once the preset distance between each branch entrance 131 and the main entrance 113 is determined, or when the preset distance between each branch entrance 131 and the main entrance 113 is adjusted, the distance between the protrusion 160 and the main entrance 113 can be adjusted to keep it equal to or have a preset deviation from the preset distance between its corresponding branch entrance 131 and the main entrance 113, so as to improve the diversity and accuracy of traffic distribution for each branch.

[0054] Optionally, the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 is configured based on the initial flow rate of its corresponding branch structure 130, and the protrusion 160 is detachably configured to adjust its cross-sectional area according to the current flow rate of its corresponding branch structure 130. The cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 is the cross-sectional area along the axial direction of the main flow channel 111. It should be understood that by allocating initial flow rates to each branch structure 130 based on the overall flow rate, the initial cross-sectional area of ​​each protrusion 160 can be determined. After simulation or testing, the current flow rate of each branch structure 130 is obtained, and the initial cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 is adjusted according to the current flow rate of each branch structure 130, increasing or decreasing it to ensure uniform flow rates across the branches. For example, if the current flow rate of a certain branch structure 130 is large, the cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding protrusion 160 can be increased, reducing the flow cross-section at the branch inlet 131, thereby reducing the flow rate entering the branch structure 130 and making the flow rate distribution more uniform among the multiple branch structures 130. Conversely, if the current flow rate of a certain branch structure 130 is low, the cross-sectional area of ​​the corresponding protrusion 160 can be reduced, thereby increasing the flow cross-section at the branch inlet 131 and increasing the flow rate entering the branch structure 130. Since the protrusions 160 are detachable, it is easy to adjust the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 by replacing protrusions 160 with different cross-sectional sizes. That is, the cross-sectional area of ​​each protrusion 160 changes according to the flow rate of its corresponding branch structure 130. The cross-sectional areas of the multiple protrusions 160 on the column 151 can be the same or different, configured according to the actual flow rate changes. Optionally, it is not necessary to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​all protrusions 160; multiple protrusions 160 can be selected for adjustment, thereby improving optimization efficiency. Furthermore, the number of protrusions 160 with adjustable cross-sectional areas is one, and the current flow rate of the corresponding branch structure 130 is the maximum or minimum value among all current flow rates. That is, by adjusting only the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 corresponding to the branch structure 130 with the maximum or minimum current flow rate, the flow rate of all branch structures 130 can be adjusted, further improving optimization efficiency. To avoid the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 to be adjusted being too small, or even smaller than the column 151, preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 corresponding to the branch structure 130 with the maximum current flow rate is configured to be greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 corresponding to the initial flow rate of that branch structure 130, thereby comprehensively adjusting the flow rate of each branch structure 130, thus simplifying the structure of the converter column 150 and improving optimization efficiency.

[0055] It is easy to understand that changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 can change either its length or height. The length direction refers to the axial direction along the cylinder 151, and the height direction refers to the radial direction along the cylinder 151. The protrusion 160 can be annular, cylindrical, frustum-shaped, conical, spherical, or any other arbitrary shape; no specific limitation is made here.

[0056] Optionally, along the axial direction of the main channel 111, the length of the end of the protrusion 160 near the branch inlet 131 is less than or equal to the length of the branch inlet 131. That is, when the center of the protrusion 160 and the center of the branch inlet 131 are aligned, the radial cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 in the radial direction of the main channel 111 is less than the radial cross-sectional area of ​​the branch inlet 131. This arrangement is beneficial for improving liquid flow, preventing the protrusion 160 from being too large and obstructing liquid flow, and also facilitates the installation of the protrusion 160, which is beneficial for adjusting the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 and improving adjustment efficiency. It is understood that the cross-sectional shape of the main channel 111, the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 160, and the cross-sectional shape of the branch inlet 131 can be circular, square, elliptical, or other arbitrary shapes, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0057] Combination Figure 4 Optionally, the inner wall of the main channel 111 is provided with a limiting groove 117, and the converter column 150 is provided with a limiting block 155. The limiting block 155 is engaged in the limiting groove 117 to fix the converter column 150 in the main channel 111. Through the engagement of the limiting groove 117 and the limiting block 155, the position of the converter column 150 in the main channel 111 can be relatively fixed, making the position of the protrusion 160 correspond more accurately to the position of each branch inlet 131, improving the flow regulation efficiency, improving the flow regulation effect, and thus improving the uniformity of flow distribution.

[0058] Combination Figure 5 and Figure 6The converter column 150 is provided with an elastic bracket 152. One end of the elastic bracket 152 is connected to the column body 151, and the other end is connected to the limiting block 155. The end of the elastic bracket 152 connected to the column body 151 includes at least two support rods 153, which are connected to the column body 151. In this embodiment, the elastic bracket 152 adopts a triangular frame structure, that is, the elastic bracket 152 has three support rods 153, which converge and connect at the same connection node. The ends of two support rods 153 away from the connection node are connected to the column body 151, and the end of the other support rod 153 away from the connection node is connected to the limiting block 155. The elastic bracket 152 can be made of a material with a certain elastic deformation, or elastic elements such as springs or sheet elements can be added to the structure to give the entire elastic bracket 152 a certain deformation capacity. As long as the height of the elastic bracket 152 in the radial direction of the column body 151 can be adjusted, no specific limitation is made here. By setting the elastic bracket 152, it is easy to install the converter column 150 in the main channel 111, and it is also easy to improve the snap-fit ​​reliability of the limit block 155 and the limit groove 117, so that the position of the converter column 150 is more stable and the fixation is more reliable.

[0059] Along the radial direction of the column 151, the sum of the non-deformation heights of the elastic bracket 152 and the limiting block 155 is greater than the height of any protrusion 160. This design avoids the protrusion 160 being too high, ensuring that the limiting block 155, rather than the protrusion 160, is engaged in the limiting groove 117, preventing interference from the protrusion 160 during installation, and making the installation of the converter column 150 smoother and more efficient.

[0060] Optionally, at least one guide groove 119 is provided axially within the main channel 111, allowing the column 151 or the limiting block 155 to move along the guide groove 119. A limiting groove 117 is formed at the bottom of the guide groove 119, meaning the depth of the limiting groove 117 is lower than the depth of the guide groove 119. In this embodiment, the converter column 150 is coaxially disposed within the main channel 111, meaning the axis of the converter column 150 coincides with the axis of the main channel 111. Two elastic supports 152 are provided, and the number of limiting blocks 155 is the same as the number of elastic supports 152. The two elastic supports 152 are respectively disposed on both sides of the column 151, and the guide grooves 119 correspond to the limiting blocks 155, with two in number. When the converter column 150 is installed, the limiting block 155 moves along the corresponding guide groove 119. When the limiting block 155 moves along the guide groove 119 and reaches the limiting groove 117, the limiting block 155 is inserted into the limiting groove 117 under the action of the elastic force of the elastic bracket 152, thereby fixing the position of the converter column 150. At this time, the positions of each protrusion 160 on the column body 151 also correspond to each branch inlet 131.

[0061] In other embodiments, the number of limiting grooves 117 can be one, two, three, four, or more, and they can be arranged along the extension direction of the guide groove 119. Multiple limiting grooves 117 and multiple limiting blocks 155 cooperate one-to-one to improve the axial stability of the column 151. The number of guide grooves 119 can be one, two, three, four, or more, and they can surround the inner wall of the main road structure 110. Each guide groove 119 has at least one limiting groove 117 and a limiting block 155 that cooperates with the limiting groove 117, providing sliding space and limiting space for the limiting block 155, which can further improve the radial stability of the column 151. Through the cooperation of the limiting block 155, the limiting groove 117, and the guide groove 119, the stability of the column 151 in the main road 111 is ensured, which is beneficial to the accuracy of flow regulation. The shape and size of the limiting groove 117 and the guide groove 119 can also be flexibly set according to actual needs. The converter column 150 and the main road structure 110 can be set coaxially or offset by a certain distance, as long as each protrusion 160 can adjust the flow cross section of the corresponding branch inlet 131.

[0062] Combination Figure 7 Optionally, the main road structure 110 includes multiple piston ends 121 and multiple connecting pipes 124. The multiple piston ends 121 and multiple connecting pipes 124 are connected to form the main road structure 110, enabling a detachable connection of the main road structure 110. In this embodiment, guide grooves 119 and limiting grooves 117 are formed on the inner wall of the piston ends 121. Specifically, two piston ends 121 and one connecting pipe 124 are provided between two adjacent branch structures 130. One end of each piston end 121 is sealed and connected to one branch structure 130, and the piston end 121 is connected to the branch inlet 131 of the branch structure 130. The other ends of the two piston ends 121 are connected through the connecting pipe 124, which is sealed and connected to the piston ends 121. The connecting pipe 124 connects two adjacent piston ends 121, enabling the assembly of multiple branch structures 130 and improving the convenience of overall installation or maintenance.

[0063] In this embodiment, the piston end 121 is welded to the branch structure 130 to improve the sealing performance of the connection. Of course, the piston end 121 and the branch structure 130 can also be connected by snap-fit, flange connection, riveting, or other methods. One of the connecting pipe 124 and the piston end 121 is provided with a sealing groove 122. The sealing groove 122 is used to install a sealing element 123, which includes, but is not limited to, a sealing ring. The sealing element 123 is located between the connecting pipe 124 and the piston end 121 to improve the sealing performance of the connection. In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 124 is sleeved on both piston ends 121 to connect the two piston ends 121. A sealing groove 122 is provided on the piston end 121. The inner surface of the connecting pipe 124 is sleeved on the outer surface of the piston end 121. The sealing element 123 is installed in the sealing groove 122, located between the inner surface of the connecting pipe 124 and the outer surface of the piston end 121, achieving a sealed connection between the piston end 121 and the connecting pipe 124. It is understandable that using a sealed connection can prevent liquid leakage and improve the overall insulation effect of the structure. Of course, the piston end 121 and the connecting pipe 124 can also use detachable connection methods such as snap-fit ​​or bolt connection, or other connection methods such as welding or riveting, which are not specifically limited here.

[0064] Optionally, the main circuit structure 110 also includes a flat clamp 125 sleeved on the piston end 121. One end of the flat clamp 125 abuts against the branch circuit structure 130, and the other end abuts against the connecting pipe 124. The flat clamp 125 can axially limit the connecting pipe 124 and prevent the connecting pipe 124 from slipping.

[0065] This invention also provides a thermal management structure, further comprising a cooling plate and the aforementioned flow regulating component 100. The cooling plate is connected to the end of the branch structure 130 furthest from the branch inlet 131. Optionally, the cooling plate may be a harmonica tube, the branch structure 130 may be a collector, and the heat exchange medium in the main flow channel 111 may be a liquid or a gas. Taking coolant as an example, the coolant enters the main flow channel 111 from the main inlet 113, passes through each branch inlet 131 sequentially along the axial direction of the main flow channel 111, enters the inner cavity of the collector, and is then distributed from the inner cavity of the collector to each flow channel of the harmonica tube. By using the aforementioned flow regulating component 100, it can be ensured that the flow rate distributed to each inner cavity of the collector is approximately the same, resulting in better uniformity.

[0066] This invention also provides a battery module, including a battery cell and a thermal management structure as described in the foregoing embodiments. The battery cell rests against a cooling plate, which is used to exchange heat with the battery cell, thereby achieving thermal management of the battery cell. It is understood that the cooling plate can be used to heat or cool the battery cell. Because the thermal management structure uses the aforementioned flow regulation component 100, it ensures that the flow rate distributed to each current collector cavity is approximately the same, resulting in better uniformity. This, in turn, makes the flow rate distributed to each cooling plate more uniform, ensuring the effectiveness of heating or cooling the battery cell. The overall temperature uniformity of the battery module is better, preventing excessive temperature differences and improving the service life of the battery module.

[0067] This invention also provides an adjustment method applicable to the flow adjustment component 100 as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, the adjustment method comprising:

[0068] Obtain the flow rate Qi of each branch structure 130; where i is a natural number less than or equal to N, and N is the number of branch structures 130. Compare Qi with the average flow rate Qa; if Qi > Qa, adjust Si > Sa; and / or, if Qi < Qa, adjust Si < Sa. Here, Si is the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump 160 corresponding to Qi, Sa is the average cross-sectional area of ​​the multiple bumps 160, and the average flow rate Qa can be a known average flow rate or an average flow rate determined based on the flow rate Qi of each branch structure 130. It should be noted that since the total flow rate entering the main channel 111 is constant, when the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 of a branch structure 130 with a larger flow rate is reduced, the flow rate entering that branch inlet 131 decreases, and naturally, the flow rate allocated to other branch inlets 131 will increase accordingly. Therefore, it is possible to adjust only the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 of the branch structure 130 with the largest or multiple large flow, or only the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 of the branch structure 130 with the smallest or multiple small flow. Of course, the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 of each branch structure 130 can also be adjusted separately. Preferably, only the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 corresponding to the branch structure 130 with the largest or smallest flow can be adjusted to improve the adjustment efficiency.

[0069] Optionally, if Qi > Qa and Qi - Qa > Qm, where Qm is a preset flow difference, then Si > Sa is adjusted, i.e., the cross-sectional area Si is increased to be greater than Sa. If the protrusion 160 is annular, the radius of the protrusion 160 can be increased to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160, thereby reducing the flow cross-section at the branch inlet 131 corresponding to the protrusion 160, and thus reducing the flow entering the branch structure 130. Since the protrusion 160 is detachable, the above adjustment can be achieved by replacing it with a protrusion 160 with a larger cross-sectional area. The protrusion 160 includes a hollow structure that matches the shape of the column 151 and is fitted at any position on the column 151. When it is necessary to configure the position of the protrusion 160, the position of the protrusion 160 can be fixed by the limiting member, or the protrusion 160 can be configured to have a hollow adjustment member, and the protrusion 160 can be fixed by the hollow adjustment member, or the hollow structure of the protrusion 160 and the outer diameter of the column 151 can be set to an interference fit, so that the protrusion 160 is fixed in the preset position of the column 151.

[0070] If the protrusion 160 has other shapes, its length or height can be increased accordingly to increase its cross-sectional area, thereby reducing the flow cross-section at the branch inlet 131 corresponding to the protrusion 160. Of course, in some embodiments, in addition to adjusting the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131 by replacing the protrusion 160, the relative position of the protrusion 160 and the branch inlet 131 can also be adjusted so that the protrusion 160 partially or completely blocks the branch inlet 131 to adjust the flow cross-section of the branch inlet 131. For example, the protrusion 160 can be moved a certain distance axially or radially, or the protrusion 160 can be rotated a certain angle around the axis, etc., which are not specifically limited here.

[0071] In this embodiment, to simplify the algorithm and improve adjustment efficiency, it is only necessary to change the branch inlet 131 of the branch structure 130 with excessive flow, and the branch with less flow can be automatically allocated the corresponding flow. For example, if branch 1 is allocated 40% of the flow and branch 2 is allocated 60% of the flow, then the cross-section of the protrusion 160 corresponding to branch 2 is adjusted to reduce the flow allocated to branch 2 to 50%, and the remaining flow will be automatically allocated to branch 1, so that branch 1 is automatically allocated 50% of the flow.

[0072] To reduce the number of bump 160 adjustments, flow regulation can be achieved by selecting one or more branches with a large flow deviation Qi-Qa. To improve computational efficiency, bump 160 is adjusted for branches where Qi-Qa is greater than a preset flow difference Qm, such as Qm being approximately 5%. Qm can also be other values, flexibly set according to actual conditions. For example, if there are ten branch structures 130, designated as branch 1 to branch 10, the ideal average branch flow distribution Qa = 10%. When Qi exceeds 15%, the cross-section of the bump 160 corresponding to that branch structure 130 is adjusted, and the test is repeated. If Qi-Qa is still found to be greater than the preset flow difference Qm, the cross-section of the bump 160 corresponding to that branch structure 130 is adjusted until all Qi-Qa are less than or equal to Qm. At this point, the flow distribution of each branch is considered to meet the requirements, and the adjustment stops. Determining that Qi-Qa is less than or equal to Qm reduces the number of adjustments and the number of bumps 160 adjusted. To improve adjustment accuracy, adjustment can only be stopped when Qi-Qa is less than or equal to Qn, where Qn < Qm, and Qn can be 1% to 3%.

[0073] Optionally, if Qi-Qa > Qm, calculate ΔQ = Qi-Qa, and adjust the cross-sectional radius Si = Sa + ΔS of the protrusion 160 according to ΔQ = aΔS + b; where a and b are calibration constants, and ΔS is the adjustment amount of the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160. To improve optimization efficiency, an objective function is set between the adjustment cross-section and the flow rate change, and the relationship between the flow rate deviation ΔQ and the cross-sectional difference ΔS is established. For example, ΔQ = aΔS + b, then the cross-sectional difference that needs to be adjusted can be determined based on the flow rate deviation value. If the protrusion 160 is a ring protrusion 160, then the cross-sectional area difference and even the radius difference of the protrusion 160 that need to be adjusted can be determined based on the flow rate deviation value. For example, if the flow rate decreases by 5%, the radius of the protrusion 160 needs to be increased by 5 mm; if the flow rate decreases by 10%, the radius of the protrusion 160 needs to be increased by 10 mm. a and b will be configured and calibrated according to different parameters, and the objective function can also be adaptively changed according to different structural parameters. Adjusting bump 160 by using the objective function can significantly reduce the number of adjustments and improve the efficiency of flow distribution optimization.

[0074] It should be noted that since the branch structures 130 are connected in parallel, there will inevitably be a flow distribution problem for parallel pipelines. According to energy balance, the sum of the flow rates of each branch must equal the flow rate of the main pipeline, that is, the main pipeline flow rate qv = qv1 + qv2 + ... + qvN, where N is the number of branch structures 130. For parallel branches, the energy loss hw of each branch is the same, that is, hw1 = hw2 = hw3 = ... = hwN, and Nhw1 = htotal inflow - htotal outflow. The energy loss hw is the sum of the friction loss hf and the local resistance loss hj, that is, hw = hf + hj. The friction loss can be obtained from the Darcy-Wiesbach formula. Local resistance loss Energy loss qv = S·v, where λ is the friction coefficient, which remains constant, l is the length of the branch structure 130 pipe, d is the inner diameter of the branch structure 130 pipe, v is the average flow velocity of the effective cross section, and ζ is the local resistance coefficient, which changes with the flow velocity.

[0075] When the flow rates of each branch are different, it is impractical to adjust the friction loss of each branch. Adjusting the inner diameter and length of the pipe in each branch structure 130, such as the collector pipe, is not conducive to production. Therefore, this application optimizes each branch by adjusting its flow rate, which is beneficial to actual production. Thus, a flow-changing column 150 is set in the main channel 111 of the main channel structure 110, and different protrusions 160 radii are configured as needed to adjust the flow rates of different branches, so that the flow rates of each branch reach the target value and achieve uniform distribution. It is not necessary to adjust the inner diameter of the pipe or the length of the cooling plate of the branch structure 130 to achieve the distribution of each flow rate, which can improve the adjustment efficiency.

[0076] When the converter column 150 is added, adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 160 on the converter column 150 will result in differences in the local resistance loss of different branches. According to experimental patterns, the larger the radius of the protrusion 160 on the converter column 150, the greater the local resistance loss. When the energy loss of each branch is the same, the local resistance loss increases, and the friction loss decreases. Since the inner diameter d and length l of each branch pipe (within the collector) are the same, the flow velocity v that results in a smaller friction loss will be, and the flow rate Q will be smaller. Therefore, the larger the radius of the protrusion 160 on the converter column 150, the smaller the distributed flow rate. After the radius of the protrusion 160 reaches a certain value, it will block the entire flow channel, at which point the flow rate Q = 0.

[0077] The optimization direction for flow regulation is obtained through the above method. It should be understood that the regulation method in this embodiment is applicable both to optimizing the cross-section of the protrusion 160 during actual use and to optimizing the design of the protrusion 160 cross-section during the design phase. If the adjustment of the protrusion 160 cross-section is performed during use, the current flow rate of each branch structure 130 can be obtained through detection means such as flow sensors. Based on the current flow distribution, the protrusion 160 corresponding to the branch with the higher current flow rate can be replaced with a protrusion 160 with a larger cross-sectional size to achieve optimized flow distribution.

[0078] During the design phase of bump 160, simulation analysis can be used to obtain the flow rates Q1, Q2, Q3, etc., for different branches, which may vary. To balance the flow rates across branches and avoid uneven cooling, excessively high flow rates need to be reduced, while excessively low flow rates need to be increased. When a branch flow rate is too high, the flow rate of that branch is reduced by increasing the cross-section of the bump 160 corresponding to that branch. Conversely, if a branch flow rate is too low, the flow rate of that branch is increased by decreasing the cross-section of the bump 160 corresponding to that branch. Since the changes in flow rates for each branch cannot be directly calculated, it is necessary to re-simulate to obtain the adjusted branch flow rates.

[0079] When the branch flow rate Qi > the average flow rate Qa, the radius Ri of the configured protrusion 160 is greater than the average radius Ra of the protrusion 160, and the optimized branch flow rate Qi' = Qa is obtained through resimulation. When the branch flow rate Qi < Qa, the radius Ri of the configured protrusion 160 is less than Ra, and the optimized branch flow rate Qi' = Qa is obtained through resimulation. To improve the efficiency and accuracy of simulation optimization, the difference between Qi and Qa can also be compared with Qm or Qn, using the same method as above, which will not be elaborated here. During the optimization process, if the protrusion 160 is annular, its radius can be adjusted. If the protrusion 160 has other shapes, other dimensional parameters are adjusted accordingly to change its cross-sectional area.

[0080] It is understandable that if the cross-section of each protrusion 160 has been optimized during the design phase, then in actual use, there is no need to adjust the converter column 150, which can ensure that the flow distribution of each branch structure 130 is uniform.

[0081] In summary, the flow regulation component 100, thermal management structure, battery module, and regulation method provided in the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects, including, for example:

[0082] The flow regulation component 100 provided in this embodiment of the invention has multiple branch structures 130 connected in parallel on a main structure 110. A flow converter column 150 is provided within the main flow channel 111 of the main structure 110, and each flow converter column 150 has a protrusion 160. Each protrusion 160 corresponds to a branch inlet 131 of each branch structure 130, so that the protrusion 160 can be used to adjust the flow cross-section of its corresponding branch inlet 131. This allows for the regulation of the flow rate entering each branch inlet 131, achieving uniform flow distribution.

[0083] The thermal management structure provided in this embodiment of the invention, using the aforementioned flow regulation component 100, can ensure that the flow of each branch structure 130 is relatively uniform, improve the heating or cooling effect, and thus prevent excessive temperature difference.

[0084] The battery module provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the above-mentioned thermal management structure. The thermal management structure is used to exchange heat with the battery, improve the temperature uniformity of the battery module, and prevent excessive temperature difference.

[0085] The adjustment method provided in this embodiment of the invention can optimize the flow rate of each branch structure 130, resulting in a more uniform flow distribution, high adjustment efficiency, and good distribution uniformity. This adjustment method is applicable not only to the use stage of the flow adjustment component 100 but also to the simulation optimization stage of the design of the protrusion 160 of the converter column 150, thus having a wide range of applications.

[0086] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A flow regulating assembly, characterized by, include: The main road structure (110) includes a main road (111) that runs through the main road and has a main road entrance (113) and a main road exit (115). Multiple branch road structures (130), the branch road entrances (131) of the multiple branch road structures (130) are connected to the main road (111), each branch road entrance (131) is spaced apart along the axis of the main road (111), and each branch road entrance (131) is pre-configured at a preset distance from the main road entrance (113); A flow converter column (150) is disposed within the main flow channel (111). The flow converter column (150) includes a column body (151) and a plurality of protrusions (160) spaced apart on the column body (151) along the axis of the main flow channel (111). The distance of each protrusion (160) from the main flow inlet (113) is configured to be approximately equal to the distance of the branch inlet (131) of the branch structure (130) corresponding to the protrusion (160) from the main flow inlet (113), so that the protrusion (160) can be used to adjust the flow cross section of its corresponding branch inlet (131). The cross-sectional area of ​​the bump (160) is configured based on the initial flow rate of the branch structure (130) corresponding to it, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump (160) is adjusted based on the current flow rate of the branch structure (130) corresponding to the bump (160), and the bump (160) is detachably configured.

2. The flow regulating assembly of claim 1, wherein, Along the axial direction of the main channel (111), the length of the protrusion (160) near the branch entrance (131) is less than or equal to the length of the branch entrance (131).

3. The flow regulating assembly of claim 1, wherein, The inner wall of the main channel (111) is provided with a limiting groove (117), and the converter column (150) is provided with a limiting block (155). The limiting block (155) is held in the limiting groove (117) to fix the converter column (150) in the main channel (111).

4. The flow regulating assembly of claim 3, wherein, The converter column (150) is provided with an elastic bracket (152). One end of the elastic bracket (152) is connected to the column body (151), and the other end is connected to the limiting block (155). The end of the elastic bracket (152) connected to the column body (151) includes at least two support rods (153), and the support rods (153) are connected to the column body (151).

5. The flow regulating assembly of claim 4, wherein, Along the radial direction of the column (151), the sum of the non-deformation heights of the elastic support (152) and the limiting block (155) is greater than the height of any of the protrusions (160).

6. The flow regulation component according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least one guide groove (119) is provided along the axial direction in the main channel (111), which allows the column (151) or the limiting block (155) to move along the guide groove (119).

7. The flow regulation component according to claim 6, characterized in that, The limiting groove (117) is located at the bottom of the guide groove (119).

8. The flow regulating component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The main road structure (110) includes multiple piston ends (121) and multiple connecting pipes (124). Two piston ends (121) and a connecting pipe (124) are provided between two adjacent branch structures (130). One end of each piston end (121) is sealed to one of the branch structures (130), and the piston end (121) is connected to the branch inlet (131) of the branch structure (130). The other ends of the two piston ends (121) are connected through the connecting pipe (124), and the connecting pipe (124) is sealed to the piston end (121).

9. The flow regulation component according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a flat clip (125) sleeved on the piston end (121), one end of the flat clip (125) abutting against the branch structure (130), and the other end abutting against the connecting pipe (124).

10. A thermal management structure, characterized in that, It also includes a cooling plate and a flow regulating assembly (100) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, the cooling plate being connected to one end of the branch structure (130) away from the branch inlet (131).

11. A battery module, characterized in that, Includes the thermal management structure as described in claim 10.

12. An adjustment method applicable to the flow regulation assembly (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method includes: Get the flow Qi of each branch structure (130); where i is a natural number less than or equal to N, and N is the number of branch structures (130); Compare Qi and average flow rate Qa; If Qi > Qa, then adjust Si > Sa; and / or, if Qi < Qa, then adjust Si < Sa; Where Si is the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump (160) corresponding to Qi, and Sa is the average cross-sectional area of ​​the multiple bumps (160).

13. The adjustment method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The step of adjusting Si > Sa if Qi > Qa includes: If Qi-Qa > Qm, then adjust Si > Sa; Where Qm is the preset flow difference.

14. The adjustment method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The step of adjusting Si > Sa if Qi-Qa > Qm includes: If Qi-Qa>Qm, calculate △Q=Qi-Qa, and adjust the cross-sectional area Si=Sa+△S of the convex block (160) according to △Q=a△S+b; Where a and b are calibration constants, and ΔS is the adjustment amount of the cross-sectional area of ​​the bump (160).

Images