Liquid cooling system and battery pack

Abstract

The application provides a liquid cooling system and a battery pack. The liquid cooling system comprises a liquid cooling plate, a cavity is formed in the liquid cooling plate, and the bottom of the liquid cooling plate is provided with one liquid inlet and at least two liquid outlets communicating with the cavity. The liquid inlet is located at the center of the liquid cooling plate, and the two liquid outlets are separately arranged on the two sides of the liquid inlet in a first direction. A plurality of flow guide portions are arranged between the liquid inlet and each liquid outlet to define a plurality of flow channels in the cavity. Each flow channel is in communication with the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet on the corresponding side. At least one notch is formed on each flow guide portion to enable adjacent two flow channels to counterflow at the notch. In this way, the temperature consistency inside the battery pack can be improved, and the service life of the battery pack can be prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically to a liquid cooling system and battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, battery packs are typically equipped with liquid cooling systems. In these systems, the inlet and outlet of the liquid cooling plate are usually located on opposite sides of the battery pack. Because the coolant temperature at the inlet is low, and the cells on the sides of the battery pack dissipate heat quickly, the temperature of the cells near the inlet drops rapidly. However, the liquid flow path between the inlet and outlet is relatively long. When the coolant flows to the middle of the battery pack, its temperature rises, and the cells in the middle dissipate heat more slowly, resulting in a slower temperature drop for the cells in that area. This leads to a larger temperature difference between the cells on the sides and the cells in the middle, resulting in poor internal temperature uniformity and shortening the battery pack's lifespan. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid cooling system and a battery pack that can improve the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack, thereby extending the service life of the battery pack.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid cooling system, including a liquid cooling plate, a cavity formed within the liquid cooling plate, a liquid inlet and at least two liquid outlets connected to the cavity at the bottom of the liquid cooling plate, the liquid inlet being located at the center of the liquid cooling plate, the two liquid outlets being respectively located on both sides of the liquid inlet in a first direction, a plurality of drainage portions being provided between the liquid inlet and each of the liquid outlets to define a plurality of flow channels within the cavity, each of the flow channels being connected to the liquid inlet and the corresponding side of the liquid outlet, and at least one notch being formed on each of the drainage portions to allow two adjacent flow channels to flow against each other at the notch.

[0005] In one embodiment, the notch on each of the drainage portions corresponds to the position of the notch on the adjacent drainage portion.

[0006] In one embodiment, each of the drainage portions is provided with a plurality of notches spaced apart side by side;

[0007] In the direction from the inlet to the outlet, the width of the plurality of notches is gradually reduced.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the drainage portions is provided with a plurality of notches spaced apart side by side;

[0009] In the direction from the inlet to the outlet, the distance between two adjacent notches gradually increases.

[0010] In one embodiment, the plurality of drainage portions between the inlet and one of the outlets form a first drainage group;

[0011] The plurality of drainage sections between the liquid inlet and another liquid outlet form a second drainage group;

[0012] The first drainage group and the second drainage group are symmetrically arranged along the extension axis of the second direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the drainage portion includes a plurality of drainage protrusions, which are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction, and the gap between two adjacent drainage protrusions forms the notch.

[0014] In one embodiment, the drainage portion includes a drainage protrusion that extends along the first direction, and a groove is provided on the top of the drainage protrusion, with the two sidewalls of the groove in the second direction being through-holes.

[0015] The notch includes the groove.

[0016] In one embodiment, the depth of the groove is less than or equal to the height of the drainage protrusion.

[0017] In one embodiment, each of the drainage portions has a corner and / or the periphery of each of the notches has a transition arc surface.

[0018] In one embodiment, a liquid inlet channel is further formed within the cavity, the liquid inlet extending along a second direction;

[0019] Each of the aforementioned channels is connected to the inlet channel and the outlet on the corresponding side.

[0020] In one embodiment, a liquid outlet channel is further formed within the cavity, the liquid outlet extending along a second direction;

[0021] Each of the flow channels is connected to the inlet and the outlet flow channel on the corresponding side.

[0022] In one embodiment, the liquid cooling plate is provided with four liquid outlets, which are respectively provided at the four corners of the liquid cooling plate.

[0023] In one embodiment, the liquid cooling system further includes four side plates, which are arranged around the periphery of the liquid cooling plate and together with the top of the liquid cooling plate to form a receiving cavity for placing the battery module.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a battery pack including the liquid cooling system described above.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the liquid inlet is located at the center of the liquid cooling plate, and two liquid outlets are respectively located on both sides of the liquid inlet. Multiple guide portions are provided between the liquid inlet and each of the liquid outlets to form multiple flow channels. Thus, the coolant flowing into the liquid inlet flows through the flow channels to the two liquid outlets, thereby shortening the liquid flow path between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlets and reducing the liquid temperature difference between them. Furthermore, by placing the liquid inlet at the center of the liquid cooling plate, the coolant, which is at a lower temperature, first dissipates heat from the cells in the middle position. The coolant then flows from the liquid inlet to the liquid outlets on both sides, cooling the cells on the sides. This reduces the temperature difference between the cells on both sides of the battery pack and the cells in the middle position, thereby improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack. Meanwhile, each of the flow channels has at least one notch formed so that two adjacent flow channels can convect each other at the notch, thereby reducing the coolant temperature difference between two adjacent flow channels, further improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack, and thus extending the service life of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery pack (from another perspective);

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the box;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A sectional view along AA in the diagram;

[0032] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A sectional view along BB in the middle;

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the first type of distribution of the drainage section in the middle;

[0034] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The second distribution diagram of the drainage section in the middle.

[0035] The names of the components corresponding to the corresponding reference numerals in the figure are as follows: Battery Pack-100, Liquid Cooling System-1, Liquid Cooling Plate-11, Bottom-11a, Cavity-111, Liquid Inlet-112, Liquid Outlet-113, Drainage Section-12, First Drainage Group-12a, Second Drainage Group-12b, Drainage Protrusion-121, Drainage Protrusion-122, Groove-123, Transition Arc Surface-124, Flow Channel-13, Notch-14, Liquid Inlet Flow Channel-15, Liquid Outlet Flow Channel-16, Side Plate-17, Housing-18, Receiving Cavity-18a, Battery Module-2. Detailed Implementation

[0036] 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. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the present invention, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0037] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid cooling system 1. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the battery pack (from another perspective);

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the box; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A sectional view along AA in the diagram; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A sectional view along BB in the middle; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the first type of distribution of the drainage section in the middle; Figure 7 yes Figure 5 The second distribution diagram of the drainage section in the middle.

[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 5The liquid cooling system 1 includes a liquid cooling plate 11; a cavity 111 is formed inside the liquid cooling plate 11, and a liquid inlet 112 and at least two liquid outlets 113 are provided at the bottom 11a of the liquid cooling plate 11, which communicate with the cavity 111. The liquid inlet 112 is located at the center of the liquid cooling plate 11, and the two liquid outlets 113 are respectively located on both sides of the liquid inlet 112 in a first direction F1. A plurality of drainage portions 12 are provided between the liquid inlet and each liquid outlet to define a plurality of flow channels 13 in the cavity 111. Each flow channel 13 communicates with the liquid inlet 112 and the corresponding side liquid outlet 113. At least one notch 14 is formed on each drainage portion 12 so that two adjacent flow channels 13 can flow against each other at the notch 14.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, an inlet 112 is provided at the center of the liquid cooling plate 11, and two outlets 113 are respectively provided on both sides of the inlet. Multiple guide portions 12 are provided between the inlet 112 and each outlet 113 to form multiple flow channels 13. In this way, the coolant flowing in from the inlet 112 flows out from the two outlets 113 respectively. This shortens the liquid flow path between the inlet 112 and the outlet 113, thereby reducing the liquid temperature difference between the inlet 112 and the outlet 113. Furthermore, the inlet 112 is positioned at the center of the liquid cooling plate 11, allowing the coolant, which is at a lower temperature, to first dissipate heat from the cells in the middle. The coolant then flows from the inlet 112 to the outlets 113 on both sides, cooling the cells on the sides. This reduces the temperature difference between the cells on the sides and the cells in the middle of the battery pack 100, thereby improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100. Simultaneously, each of the flow channels 12 has at least one notch 14, allowing convection between adjacent flow channels 13 at the notch 14. This reduces the coolant temperature difference between adjacent flow channels 13, further improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100 and extending its service life.

[0041] The present invention does not limit the specific location of the notch 14; in some embodiments, the notches 14 on two adjacent flow channels 12 are staggered; in other embodiments, the notch 14 on each flow channel 12 corresponds to the notch 14 on the adjacent flow channel 12; by making the notches 14 correspond one-to-one, it is possible to generate mixed flow between multiple flow channels 13 at the same time, further reducing the coolant temperature difference between two adjacent flow channels 13.

[0042] It is understood that a larger size of the notch 14 will result in a larger convection flow rate between two adjacent flow channels 13, thereby further reducing the coolant temperature difference between the two adjacent flow channels 13. To further improve the temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100, the notch 14 near the inlet 112 can be designed to be larger, and the notch 14 near the outlet 113 can be designed to be smaller. This allows for stronger convection near the inlet 112 and weaker convection near the outlet 113, thus enhancing the heat dissipation capacity of the cells in the middle and improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100. This invention does not limit the specific setting of the size of the notch 14. In one embodiment, please refer to... Figure 6 Each of the flow-guiding sections 12 is provided with a plurality of notches 14 arranged side by side at intervals; in the direction from the liquid inlet 112 to the liquid outlet 113, the width of the plurality of notches 14 is gradually reduced, that is, D1 is greater than D2 is greater than D3. In this way, in the direction from the liquid inlet 112 to the liquid outlet 113, the convective flow rate of two adjacent flow channels 13 at the notches 14 is reduced more evenly and gently, and there will be no sudden change in convective flow rate, thereby further ensuring that the coolant temperature difference of each section of the two adjacent flow channels 13 is uniform.

[0043] Meanwhile, the denser the notches 14 are, the more convection occurs between adjacent flow channels 13, thereby further reducing the coolant temperature difference between adjacent flow channels 13. To further improve the temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100, the notches 14 near the inlet 112 can be designed to be denser, and the notches 14 near the outlet 113 can be designed to be sparser. This allows for more convection near the inlet 112 and less convection near the outlet 113, resulting in stronger heat dissipation for the cells in the middle and improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100. The present invention does not limit the specific arrangement of the density of the notches 14. To ensure uniform convection between adjacent flow channels 13, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 7 Each of the flow-guiding sections 12 is provided with a plurality of notches 14 arranged side by side at intervals; in the direction from the liquid inlet 112 to the liquid outlet 113, the distance between two adjacent notches 14 gradually increases; thus, the convection frequency of two adjacent flow channels 13 is higher near the liquid inlet 112 and lower near the liquid outlet 113, thereby not only making the convection at each notch 14 of the two adjacent flow channels 13 more uniform, but also further reducing the coolant temperature difference between the two adjacent flow channels 13.

[0044] In one embodiment, a plurality of drainage portions 12 between the liquid inlet 112 and one of the liquid outlets 113 form a first drainage group 12a; a plurality of drainage portions 12 between the liquid inlet 112 and the other liquid outlet 113 form a second drainage group 12b; the first drainage group 12a and the second drainage group 12b are symmetrically arranged along the extension axis of the second direction F2; by symmetrically arranging the first drainage group 12a and the second drainage group 12b, the distance between the liquid inlet 112 and the two liquid outlets 113 is the same, thereby making the liquid temperature of the two liquid outlets 113 approximately the same, and thus making the heat dissipation of each cell in the battery pack 100 the same, improving the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack 100.

[0045] This application does not limit the specific formation of the drainage portion 12 and the notch 14; in some embodiments, the drainage portion 12 includes a plurality of drainage protrusions 121, which are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction F1, and the gap between two adjacent drainage protrusions 121 forms the notch 14; this arrangement makes the structure of the drainage portion 12 simple.

[0046] It should be noted that, based on the above-mentioned embodiments with varying sizes and densities of the notch 14, the arrangement of the drainage protrusions 121 can be uniform in size and density; can be uniformly varied in size; can be uniformly varied in density; or can be partially uniformly varied in size and partially uniformly varied in density; users can set it themselves according to the heating status of the cells inside the battery pack 100.

[0047] In another embodiment, the drainage portion 12 includes a drainage protrusion 122 extending along the first direction F1. A groove 123 is provided at the top of the drainage protrusion 122, and the two sidewalls of the groove 123 in the second direction F2 are through-through. The notch 14 includes the groove 123. That is, multiple drainage protrusions 122 are provided in the cavity 111, and the flow channel 13 is defined between two adjacent drainage protrusions 122. The groove 123 is opened at the top of the drainage protrusion 122, and the two sidewalls of the groove 123 in the second direction F2 are through-through to form the notch 14, thereby enabling convection between two adjacent flow channels 13.

[0048] Furthermore, this application does not limit the depth of the groove 123. The depth of the groove 123 can be less than the height of the drainage protrusion 122, or it can be the same as the height of the drainage protrusion 122, as long as convection can be achieved between two adjacent flow channels 13.

[0049] To reduce the obstruction effect of the flow-guiding section 12 and the notch 14 on the coolant, in some embodiments, each of the flow-guiding sections 12 and / or the periphery of each of the notches 14 is provided with a transition arc surface 124. By providing the transition arc surface 124, when convection occurs between two adjacent flow channels 13 at the notch 14, the transition arc surface 124 can guide the coolant, thereby reducing the obstruction effect of the flow-guiding section 12 on the coolant.

[0050] In some embodiments, a liquid inlet channel 15 is also formed in the cavity 111, which flows through the liquid inlet 112 and extends along the second direction F2; wherein each of the channels 13 is connected to the liquid inlet channel 15 and the liquid outlet 113 on the corresponding side; such arrangement makes the arrangement of the channels 13 of the liquid cooling system 1 simpler and more reasonable.

[0051] The present invention does not limit the specific formation of the liquid inlet channel 15. In some embodiments, two protrusions are arranged side by side at intervals on the first direction F1 to jointly define the liquid inlet channel 15. The protrusions open at the position corresponding to each channel so that each channel 13 communicates with the liquid inlet channel 15 and the corresponding outlet 113. In other embodiments, based on the above-mentioned structure of "the plurality of drainage portions 12 between the liquid inlet 112 and one of the outlets 113 form a first drainage group 12a; the plurality of drainage portions 12 between the liquid inlet 112 and the other outlet 113 form a second drainage group 12b", the liquid inlet channel 15 is defined between the first drainage group 12a and the second drainage group 12b.

[0052] In some embodiments, a liquid outlet channel 16 is also formed in the cavity 111, which flows through the liquid outlet 113 and extends along the second direction F2; wherein each of the channels 13 is connected to the liquid inlet 112 and the liquid outlet channel 16 on the corresponding side; such arrangement makes the arrangement of the channels 13 of the liquid cooling system 1 simpler and more reasonable.

[0053] The present invention does not limit the specific formation of the liquid outlet channel 16. In some embodiments, two liquid outlet channels 16 are defined by a protrusion, each liquid outlet channel 16 flows through one liquid outlet 113, and the protrusion opens at the position corresponding to each channel so that each channel 13 is connected to the inlet 112 and the corresponding side liquid outlet channel 16 respectively. In other embodiments, based on the above-mentioned structure of "a plurality of drainage portions 12 between the inlet 112 and one of the liquid outlets 113 form a first drainage group 12a; a plurality of drainage portions 12 between the inlet 112 and another liquid outlet 113 form a second drainage group 12b", the first drainage group 12a defines one liquid outlet channel 16 between the side of the corresponding side liquid cooling plate, and the second drainage group 12b defines another liquid outlet channel 16 between the side of the corresponding side liquid cooling plate.

[0054] In some embodiments, the liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with four liquid outlets 113, and the four liquid outlets 113 are respectively provided at the four corners of the liquid cooling plate 11.

[0055] In other words, the coolant flows into the inlet channel 15 from the inlet 112. When the coolant flows through the inlet channel 15, it flows into each of the channels 13. The coolant flows through the channels 13 to perform liquid cooling heat dissipation on the battery module 2. After the coolant flows to the outlet channel 16, it can flow to the corners of the liquid cooling plate 11 and flow out from the outlet 113 at the corners of the liquid cooling plate 11. In this way, not only can the liquid temperature difference between the inlet 112 and the outlet 113 be further reduced, but the path of the coolant from the inlet 112 to the outlet 113 can also be diversified, thereby making the heat dissipation of the battery pack 100 more uniform.

[0056] Please refer to further information. Figure 1 The liquid cooling system 1 also includes four side plates 17, which are arranged around the periphery of the liquid cooling plate 11 and together with the top of the liquid cooling plate 11 to form a receiving cavity 18a, which is used to place the battery module 2.

[0057] It is understood that the liquid cooling plate 11 and the four side plates 17 enclose a housing 18, and the housing 18 has a receiving cavity 18a for placing the battery module 2. Integrating the liquid cooling plate 11 into the housing 18 can improve space utilization, reduce the weight of the battery pack 100, and increase the energy density of the battery pack 100. Furthermore, the liquid cooling plate 11 is equivalent to the bottom plate of the housing 18, and the liquid inlet 112 and the liquid outlet 113 are located at the bottom 11a of the liquid cooling plate 11. This arrangement will not affect the mounting and connector positions of the battery pack 100, and therefore will not affect the structure of the battery pack 100 itself.

[0058] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a battery pack 100, which includes a battery module 2 and a liquid cooling system 1. It should be noted that the liquid cooling system 1 is the liquid cooling system 1 described above. That is, the liquid cooling system 1 has all the technical features of the liquid cooling system 1 described above. In other words, the battery pack 100 includes all the embodiments of the liquid cooling system 1 described above, and thus has the beneficial effects brought by all the embodiments described above.

[0059] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system, characterized in that, The device includes a liquid cooling plate with a cavity formed inside. The bottom of the liquid cooling plate is provided with a liquid inlet and at least two liquid outlets communicating with the cavity. The liquid inlet is located at the center of the liquid cooling plate, and the two liquid outlets are respectively located on both sides of the liquid inlet in a first direction. Multiple drainage portions are provided between the liquid inlet and each of the liquid outlets to define multiple flow channels in the cavity. Each flow channel communicates with the liquid inlet and the corresponding side of the liquid outlet. At least one notch is formed on each drainage portion to allow two adjacent flow channels to flow against each other at the notch. Each of the drainage portions has a plurality of notches arranged side by side at intervals; In the direction from the inlet to the outlet, the width of the plurality of notches gradually decreases, and the distance between two adjacent notches gradually increases.

2. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The notch on each of the drainage sections corresponds to the position of the notch on the adjacent drainage section.

3. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of drainage sections between the liquid inlet and one of the liquid outlets form a first drainage group; The plurality of drainage sections between the liquid inlet and another liquid outlet form a second drainage group; The first drainage group and the second drainage group are symmetrically arranged along the extension axis of the second direction.

4. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage portion includes multiple drainage protrusions, which are arranged side by side at intervals in the first direction, and the gap between two adjacent drainage protrusions forms the notch.

5. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage section includes a drainage protrusion that extends along the first direction. A groove is provided on the top of the drainage protrusion, and the two sidewalls of the groove in the second direction are through-holes. The notch includes the groove.

6. The liquid cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The depth of the groove is less than or equal to the height of the drainage protrusion.

7. The liquid cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Each of the drainage portions has a corner and / or the periphery of each of the notches provided with a transition arc surface.

8. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity also has an inlet channel that flows through the inlet, and the inlet channel extends along the second direction; Each of the aforementioned channels is connected to the inlet channel and the outlet on the corresponding side.

9. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity also contains a liquid outlet channel that flows through the liquid outlet and the liquid outlet channel extends along the second direction; Each of the flow channels is connected to the inlet and the outlet flow channel on the corresponding side.

10. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid cooling plate is provided with four liquid outlets, which are respectively located at the four corners of the liquid cooling plate.

11. The liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid cooling system also includes four side plates, which are arranged around the periphery of the liquid cooling plate and together with the top of the liquid cooling plate to form a receiving cavity for placing the battery module.

12. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the liquid cooling system as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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