Power battery integrated fluid cooling system, battery management system and power battery

Abstract

The application discloses a power battery integrated fluid cooling system, a battery management system and a power battery. The fluid cooling system comprises a battery component fluid cooling branch and a direct-current converter fluid cooling branch, and the battery component fluid cooling branch and the direct-current converter fluid cooling branch are integrated in series. The application integrates the cooling system of the battery component and the cooling system of the direct-current converter, forms a unified circulating cooling passage, improves the cooling performance and reduces the cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of power battery technology, specifically to an integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries, a battery management system, and a power battery. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the water-cooling system for power batteries is designed inside the battery pack, providing heat dissipation or heating functions for the battery thermal management system, enabling the battery to achieve better electro-dynamic performance in a relatively stable temperature environment. Existing implementation methods include the following: a water-cooling plate is placed at the bottom of the battery, and a thermally conductive structural adhesive is applied between the battery and the water-cooling plate as a heat transfer medium. A limiting structure is set between the water-cooling plate and the bottom of the battery to ensure the required thickness of the thermally conductive structural adhesive.

[0003] Water-cooled plates come in various structures, including harmonica tube type, stamped type, blown type, flow band type, profile type, and shell integrated type. Among these, the harmonica tube type has a simple flow channel, small contact area, thin wall, generally poor heat exchange effect, and poor load-bearing capacity. The stamped type is more expensive, requires high flatness, and is difficult to install. The blown type is prone to leakage and has poor load-bearing capacity. The flow band type has a simple flow channel, low strength, and high cost, limiting its application scenarios. The profile type has low heat dissipation density and its surface is not suitable for designing too many screw holes.

[0004] Currently, the DC-DC converter of the power battery is located outside the battery module and is cooled by a separate onboard water-cooling system. Using separate water-cooling systems for the power battery and the DC-DC converter has the following drawbacks:

[0005] 1. The increased number of water-cooling pipes makes it very difficult to arrange them in a limited space. The only way to reduce space is to sacrifice pipe diameter, resulting in poor water cooling performance.

[0006] 2. The inability to manage the power battery's cooling system in a unified manner increases the complexity of the battery thermal management system.

[0007] 3. Two independent water cooling systems will inevitably increase the number of components and material costs. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology by integrating the cooling system of the battery components with the cooling system of the DC-DC converter into a unified circulating cooling path, thereby improving cooling performance while reducing costs.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an integrated fluid cooling system for a power battery, comprising a fluid cooling branch for battery components and a fluid cooling branch for a DC-DC converter, wherein the fluid cooling branch for battery components and the fluid cooling branch for the DC-DC converter are integrated in series.

[0010] Furthermore, the fluid cooling branch of the battery component includes multiple fluid cooling plates, the size and arrangement of each fluid cooling plate are matched with the battery component and laid on its bottom; each fluid cooling plate is provided with at least one continuous fluid flow channel, and each fluid flow channel is connected to a fluid source through a fluid pipeline to form a circulation path.

[0011] Furthermore, each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with a continuous fluid flow channel, and a pair of fluid pipe joints are installed on opposite sides of each of the fluid cooling plates, one of the fluid pipe joints being connected to the inlet of the fluid flow channel, and the other fluid pipe joint being connected to the outlet of the fluid flow channel.

[0012] Furthermore, each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with two or more continuous fluid flow channels, and each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with two or more pairs of fluid pipe joints on opposite sides, the number of fluid pipe joints corresponding to the number of fluid flow channels; each pair of fluid pipe joints is connected to each of the fluid flow channels.

[0013] Furthermore, each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with at least one thermally conductive silicone pad, and the number of thermally conductive silicone pads on each of the fluid cooling plates is the same as the number of battery packs arranged on each of the fluid cooling plates.

[0014] Furthermore, the position of each of the thermally conductive silicone pads coincides with the orthographic projection position of each of the battery packs.

[0015] Furthermore, among the fluid cooling plates, the length of the fluid cooling plate closer to the DC converter is less than the length of the fluid cooling plate farther from the DC converter; or, the width of the fluid cooling plate closer to the DC converter is less than the width of the fluid cooling plate farther from the DC converter.

[0016] Furthermore, the fluid pipeline includes a first fluid pipe, a second fluid pipe, and a third fluid pipe. The first fluid pipe is connected to the second fluid pipe via the fluid channels of each of the fluid cooling plates to form a first circulation path. The third fluid pipe is connected to the first fluid pipe via the cooling channels inside the DC converter to form a second circulation path. The first circulation path and the second circulation path are connected in series.

[0017] Further, the second fluid pipe is a fluid inlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe is a fluid outlet pipe; or, the second fluid pipe is a fluid outlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe is a fluid inlet pipe.

[0018] Furthermore, the fluid cooling plate has a finned structure, and the fluid channels on it are flexible channels.

[0019] Furthermore, the fin is an inner fin with a staggered tooth structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the fluid is a liquid or a gas, and the liquid includes water.

[0021] Furthermore, the flow rate and velocity of the fluid are adjustable.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a power battery management system, including an integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries as described in any of the technical solutions in the first aspect.

[0023] Thirdly, the present invention provides a power battery, including a battery component, a DC-DC converter, and a power battery management system as described in the second aspect, wherein the battery component and the DC-DC converter are both disposed within the battery compartment.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0025] Integrating the cooling system of the battery components with the cooling system of the DC-DC converter creates a unified circulating cooling path, facilitating unified thermal management, improving cooling performance, and reducing the overall cost of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the integrated fluid cooling system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fluid cooling plate in one embodiment of the integrated fluid cooling system of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of the fluid cooling plate in one embodiment of the integrated fluid cooling system of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a power battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the picture:

[0031] 1- Thermally conductive silicone pad; 2- Fluid cooling plate; 3- First fluid pipe; 4- Second fluid pipe; 5- DC converter; 6- Third fluid pipe; 7- Fluid pipe connector; 8- Battery component; 9- Battery compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that the directional terms mentioned in this article, such as up, down, left, right, front, middle, back, bottom, top, inside, and outside, all refer to the directions shown in the figures. This is for the sake of convenience and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

[0034] An embodiment of the power battery integrated fluid cooling system of the present invention includes a battery component fluid cooling branch and a DC-DC converter fluid cooling branch, wherein the battery component fluid cooling branch and the DC-DC converter fluid cooling branch are integrated in series.

[0035] In this embodiment, the cooling system of the battery component and the cooling system of the DC-DC converter are integrated in series to form a unified circulating cooling path, which reduces the complexity of the cooling system, facilitates unified thermal management, improves cooling performance, and reduces the overall cost of the system.

[0036] In one embodiment, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the fluid cooling branch of the battery component includes multiple fluid cooling plates 2. The size and arrangement of each fluid cooling plate 2 match the battery component 8 and are laid on its bottom. Each fluid cooling plate 2 has at least one continuous fluid flow channel, and each fluid flow channel is connected to a fluid source through a fluid pipe to form a circulation path. In this embodiment, each fluid cooling plate 2 has a fluid flow channel, which can meander and cover the fluid cooling plate 2 to fully contact the battery component and remove heat, thereby improving the cooling effect. The total area of ​​the multiple fluid cooling plates 2 is larger than the bottom area of ​​the battery component 8 to completely cover the battery component 8, ensuring that any battery pack in the battery component 8 can receive cooling, making heat dissipation more uniform and ensuring that the temperature of each battery pack remains basically the same.

[0037] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, each of the fluid cooling plates 2 is provided with a continuous fluid flow channel, and a pair of fluid pipe connectors 7 are installed on opposite sides of each fluid cooling plate 2. One fluid pipe connector 7 is connected to the inlet of the fluid flow channel, and the other fluid pipe connector 7 is connected to the outlet of the fluid flow channel. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, each of the three fluid cooling plates 2 is equipped with a pair of fluid pipe joints 7. The inlet and outlet of the fluid channel on each fluid cooling plate 2 are connected to a fluid pipe joint 7, thus forming a fluid passage on each fluid cooling plate 2. The three fluid cooling plates 2 form a total of three fluid passages, which converge into a fluid pipeline and ultimately connect to a fluid source to form a circulating cooling path. This multi-fluid passage structure can improve the uniformity of heat dissipation. The cooling capacity provided by each fluid passage is only used for a portion of the battery pack in the battery component 8, thereby increasing the heat dissipation speed.

[0038] Building upon the previous embodiment, each fluid cooling plate 2 is provided with two or more continuous fluid flow channels, and each fluid cooling plate 2 has two or more pairs of fluid pipe joints 7 installed on opposite sides, the number of fluid pipe joints 7 corresponding to the number of fluid flow channels; each pair of fluid pipe joints 7 is connected to each of the fluid flow channels. In this embodiment, multiple fluid pathways are formed on each fluid cooling plate 2, further improving the uniformity and speed of heat dissipation.

[0039] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, each of the fluid cooling plates 2 is provided with at least one thermally conductive silicone pad 1, and the number of thermally conductive silicone pads 1 on each fluid cooling plate 2 is the same as the number of battery packs arranged on each fluid cooling plate 2. In this embodiment, it should be noted that the battery component 8 includes several battery packs, each battery pack occupying a fixed area S. The area of ​​the thermally conductive silicone pad 1 should be greater than S to completely cover the battery pack. The thermally conductive silicone pad 1 can improve the thermal contact efficiency between the battery pack and the fluid cooling plate 2, and increase the heat dissipation speed.

[0040] In one embodiment, the position of each thermally conductive silicone pad 1 coincides with the orthographic projection position of each battery pack. In this embodiment, the thermally conductive silicone pad 1 is positioned directly below the corresponding battery pack and extends beyond the edge of the battery pack, ensuring that the entire battery pack is in contact with it, thereby improving the thermal conductivity.

[0041] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, in each of the fluid cooling plates 2, the length of the fluid cooling plate 2 closer to the DC-DC converter 5 is less than the length of the fluid cooling plate 2 farther from the DC-DC converter 5; or, the width of the fluid cooling plate 2 closer to the DC-DC converter 5 is less than the width of the fluid cooling plate 2 farther from the DC-DC converter 5. In this embodiment, as... Figure 1 As shown, the length of the leftmost fluid cooling plate 2 closest to the DC-DC converter 5 is shorter than the length of the other two fluid cooling plates 2 on the far side. On the one hand, this shorter fluid cooling plate 2 is closest to the DC-DC converter 5, so the circulating fluid in it always reaches the DC-DC converter 5 first compared to the other two fluid cooling plates 2. On the other hand, less of the cooling provided by this shorter fluid cooling plate 2 is absorbed by the battery pack, leaving more cooling for the DC-DC converter 5, thus improving the cooling effect of the DC-DC converter 5. If a pair of fluid pipe joints 7 are arranged in the width direction of the fluid cooling plates 2, then the width of the leftmost fluid cooling plate 2 closest to the DC-DC converter 5 should be smaller than the width of the other two fluid cooling plates 2 on the far side.

[0042] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1As shown, the fluid pipeline includes a first fluid pipe 3, a second fluid pipe 4, and a third fluid pipe 6. The first fluid pipe 3 is connected to the second fluid pipe 4 via the fluid channels of each of the fluid cooling plates 2 to form a first circulation path. The third fluid pipe 6 is connected to the first fluid pipe 3 via the cooling channels inside the DC-DC converter 5 to form a second circulation path. The first circulation path and the second circulation path are connected in series. In this embodiment, the fluid channels on each fluid cooling plate 2 and the three fluid pipes together constitute a fluid circulation cooling loop. The series connection of the pipes integrates the cooling system of the battery component 8 and the DC-DC converter 5, resulting in a compact structure, reducing the complexity of the thermal management system, and facilitating unified thermal scheduling management.

[0043] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second fluid pipe 4 is a fluid inlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe 6 is a fluid outlet pipe; or, the second fluid pipe 4 is a fluid outlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe 6 is a fluid inlet pipe. In this embodiment, the fluid inlet pipe or the fluid outlet pipe is not fixed, but can be interchanged, such as... Figure 1 As shown, in the pipe joints A and B connected to the fluid source, A can be either an inlet or outlet pipe joint, and so can B. The flow direction of the fluid can be switched by turning the external fluid pump in either direction. This interchangeable structure improves the consistency of heat dissipation between the battery assembly 8 and the DC-DC converter 5. By periodically switching the fluid flow direction, the cold source at its lowest temperature can be prioritized for heat dissipation from either the battery assembly 8 or the DC-DC converter 5, ensuring that the overall cooling density received by both remains balanced and improving the overall heat dissipation uniformity.

[0044] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown on the front side, the fluid cooling plate 2 has a finned structure with flexible fluid channels. In this embodiment, the flexible channel refers to the internal channel of the fluid cooling plate 2 being a grid-like fin, which can flexibly adjust the channel size through different boundary shapes, allowing for rapid shaping of the internal channel structure. The application of flexible channels enables effective thermal management of the target battery cell, forming a standardized, modular, and platform-based cooling unit by connecting fluid pipes carrying cooling capacity to battery cells in different locations. The finned structure, using high-strength aluminum alloy and a plate-fin structure, is fully welded to the power battery water-cooling plate, capable of withstanding burst pressures of 15kg-20kg, exhibiting high structural and compressive strength. The internal resistance of the inner finned channels is further reduced, resulting in a more uniform temperature field and excellent heat dissipation.

[0045] The advantages of finned structures include:

[0046] 1. It can achieve a lightweight and ultra-thin structure with a beautiful and flat surface and a flatness of ±1mm; it has better thermal conductivity and the overall thickness can be controlled between 5mm and 10mm.

[0047] 2. It adopts an integral brazing process, can withstand a weight of more than 300kg, has a burst strength of more than 16Mpa, a flow resistance of less than 20kpa, and has excellent performance.

[0048] In one embodiment, the fins are staggered-tooth internal fins. In this embodiment, the staggered-tooth structure is a fin arrangement that can effectively adjust the flow resistance inside the flow channel and facilitate structural treatment of the bending parts of the direct-flow channel. The staggered-tooth structure also allows for easy adjustment of the fin cross-sectional dimensions based on simulation calculations of flow rate and flow resistance, thereby achieving optimal thermal management.

[0049] In one embodiment, the fluid is a liquid or a gas, and the liquid includes water. In this embodiment, the fluid phase includes both gas and liquid phases, improving the range of choices and adaptability. Water is preferred because it is inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use.

[0050] In one embodiment, the flow rate and velocity of the fluid are adjustable. In this embodiment, the flow rate and / or velocity of the fluid can be changed according to the heat dissipation of the battery component 8 and the DC converter 5 to adjust the total cooling capacity of the system and improve the applicability of the system.

[0051] An embodiment of the power battery management system of the present invention includes the power battery integrated fluid cooling system described in any of the above embodiments of the power battery integrated fluid cooling system, and it will necessarily have the same effect.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, one embodiment of the power battery of the present invention includes a battery component 8, a DC-DC converter 5, and a power battery management system as described in any of the above embodiments of the power battery management system. Both the battery component 8 and the DC-DC converter 5 are disposed within the battery compartment 9. The embodiments of the power battery of the present invention will necessarily possess the effects of any embodiment of the power battery management system.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries, characterized in that, It includes a battery component fluid cooling branch and a DC-DC converter fluid cooling branch, which are integrated in series. The fluid cooling branch of the battery component includes multiple fluid cooling plates, the size and arrangement of each fluid cooling plate being matched with the battery component and laid on its bottom; Each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with at least one continuous fluid flow channel, and each of the fluid flow channels is connected to a fluid source through a fluid pipeline to form a circulation path; The fluid pipeline includes a first fluid pipe, a second fluid pipe, and a third fluid pipe. The first fluid pipe is connected to the second fluid pipe via the fluid channels of each of the fluid cooling plates to form a first circulation path. The fluid cooling plates are arranged in parallel between the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe. The third fluid pipe is connected to the first fluid pipe via the cooling channels inside the DC converter to form a second circulation path. The first circulation path and the second circulation path are connected in series. In each of the fluid cooling plates, the length of the fluid cooling plate closer to the DC converter is less than the length of the fluid cooling plate farther from the DC converter; or, the width of the fluid cooling plate closer to the DC converter is less than the width of the fluid cooling plate farther from the DC converter.

2. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with a continuous fluid flow channel, and a pair of fluid pipe joints are installed on opposite sides of each of the fluid cooling plates, one of the fluid pipe joints being connected to the inlet of the fluid flow channel and the other fluid pipe joint being connected to the outlet of the fluid flow channel.

3. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with two or more continuous fluid flow channels, and two or more pairs of fluid pipe joints are installed on opposite sides of each of the fluid cooling plates. The number of pairs of fluid pipe joints corresponds to the number of fluid flow channels. Each pair of fluid pipe joints is connected to each of the fluid flow channels.

4. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the fluid cooling plates is provided with at least one thermally conductive silicone pad, and the number of thermally conductive silicone pads on each of the fluid cooling plates is the same as the number of battery packs arranged on each of the fluid cooling plates.

5. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 4, characterized in that, The position of each of the thermally conductive silicone pads coincides with the orthographic projection position of each of the battery packs.

6. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second fluid pipe is a fluid inlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe is a fluid outlet pipe; or, the second fluid pipe is a fluid outlet pipe, and the third fluid pipe is a fluid inlet pipe.

7. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid cooling plate has a finned structure and the fluid channels on it are flexible.

8. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fins are internal fins with a staggered tooth structure.

9. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The fluid is a liquid or a gas, and the liquid includes water.

10. The integrated fluid cooling system for power batteries according to claim 9, characterized in that, The flow rate and velocity of the fluid are adjustable.

11. A power battery management system, characterized in that, Including the power battery integrated fluid cooling system as described in any one of claims 1-10.

12. A power battery, characterized in that, It includes a battery component, a DC-DC converter, and a power battery management system as described in claim 11, wherein the battery component and the DC-DC converter are both located inside the battery compartment.

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