Battery module with improved heat pipe configuration

Abstract

The present application discloses a battery module with an improved heat pipe structure, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery holder for accommodating and fixing the battery cells; the improved heat pipe structure includes a metal pipe body, the metal pipe body defines a heat conducting section, a first container section and a first connecting section; the heat conducting section is a sealed pipe body with vacuum, the inside of the heat conducting section includes a capillary structure, and the heat conducting section uses evaporation and condensation of working fluid to transport heat, and the heat conducting section is arranged above the battery holder. The first container section is inserted into the space maintained between the adjacent battery cells and is used to store heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells; the first connecting section is flat, one end of the first connecting section is connected to the first container section, and the other end of the first connecting section is connected to one end of the heat conducting section vertically through the battery holder. Through the present application, the temperature between the battery cells maintains thermal balance, thereby increasing the safety of the battery module in use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module that utilizes an improved heat pipe structure for heat dissipation or thermal balance of the battery cell. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the increasing demand for environmental protection and carbon reduction, electric vehicles have gradually gained popularity. Many car manufacturers have entered the electric vehicle development field, hoping to seize business opportunities in the electric vehicle market. The power source of electric vehicles is batteries, such as lithium batteries. To increase the range of electric vehicles, they are usually equipped with battery modules containing a considerable number of battery cells to provide sufficient power for operation.

[0003] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 These are top, front, and side sectional views of existing battery modules. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the battery module 100 includes a housing 11, a plurality of battery cells 12, a first mounting bracket 131, and a second mounting bracket 132. The battery cells 12 are housed and fixed between the first mounting bracket 131 and the second mounting bracket 132, and the first mounting bracket 131 and the second mounting bracket 132, which hold the battery cells 12, are placed in the housing 11, which protects the battery cells 12 and the first mounting bracket 131 and the second mounting bracket 132.

[0004] When the battery cell 12 of the battery module 100 is charged and discharged, it generates heat. To dissipate the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell 12, a blower fan 151 and an exhaust fan 153 are typically installed on both sides of the housing 11. A first mounting bracket 131 and a second mounting bracket 132, which house the battery cell 12, are placed between the blower fan 151 and the exhaust fan 153. The blower fan 151 blows cool air from outside toward the location of the battery cell 12 inside the housing 11. The blown cool air becomes hot air after passing through the heated battery cell 12. Then, the exhaust fan 153 draws out the hot air to exhaust it to the outside. Thus, through the blowing of the blower fan 151 and the drawing out of the hot air by the exhaust fan 153, the battery cell 12, which generates heat during charging and discharging, can be cooled down.

[0005] Furthermore, in the past, these battery cells 12 were arranged horizontally and at the same height between the elongated first mounting bracket 131 and second mounting bracket 132. Therefore, most of the airflow from the fan 151 was blocked by the front row of battery cells 12, which were closer to the fan 151, resulting in high flow resistance. Only a small amount of airflow could pass through the gaps between the front row of battery cells 12 to the rear row of battery cells 12. In addition, in order to accommodate a large number of battery cells 12 within the limited space of the first mounting bracket 131 and second mounting bracket 132, the gaps between the battery cells 12 were usually very small, which also caused high flow resistance, resulting in very poor airflow efficiency between the battery cells 12. Therefore, the cold air blown in by the fan 151 can only flow in areas with low flow resistance. For example, the cold air tends to blow towards the battery cells 12 in front of the fan 151 and the outer side of the first fixing bracket 131 and the second fixing bracket 132. As a result, the rear battery cells 12 that are farther away from the fan 151 or the battery cells 12 arranged on the inner side can hardly receive the cold air.

[0006] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, when the battery module 100 is operating, a temperature sensor senses the temperature of four regions: A, B, C, and D. These regions, arranged from closest to furthest from the fan 151, are region A, region B, region C, and region D. Through temperature sensing, the temperature around the battery cell 12 in region A can be T1, the temperature around the battery cell 12 in region B can be T2, the temperature around the battery cell 12 in region C can be T3, and the temperature around the battery cell 12 in region D can be T4. The sensed temperatures of these four regions can also be in the order T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. Therefore, the temperature T4 around region D, which is farther from the fan 151 and located further back, will be higher than the surrounding temperatures of other regions. Consequently, during charging and discharging, the battery cell 12 farther from the fan 151 will have a higher temperature than the battery cell 12 closer to the fan 151. A battery cell at a higher temperature will experience a faster aging rate, thus affecting the lifespan of the battery cell 12.

[0007] Furthermore, as cold air flows in from the fan 151, this cold air exchanges heat with each of the passing battery cells 12. The battery cells 12 located at the rear of the airflow direction receive the air that has already undergone heat exchange with the battery cells 12 located at the front. Therefore, the temperature of each battery cell 12 inside the entire battery module 100 exhibits an increasingly higher temperature gradient depending on its distance from the fan 151, resulting in the battery cells 12 located at the rear of the airflow direction aging much faster than those located at the front. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Based on the technical problems in the prior art, an objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module comprising a housing, a battery holder, multiple battery cells, and an improved heat pipe structure. The housing has an air inlet on one side and an exhaust outlet on the other. The battery holder is positioned between the air inlet and exhaust outlet of the housing and is used to house and fix the multiple battery cells. The improved heat pipe structure includes a metal tube, which defines a heat-conducting section, a first container section, and a first connecting section. The heat-conducting section is positioned above the battery holder, while the first container section is inserted into the gaps between multiple adjacent battery cells located at a distance from the air inlet, and is connected to the heat-conducting section via the first connecting section. When the battery module operates, the first container section absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells and conducts the heat to the heat-conducting section via the first connecting section. Then, through the repeated evaporation and condensation phase change process of the working fluid within the heat-conducting section, the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells around the first container section can be carried away, thus effectively dissipating heat from the battery cells around the first container section.

[0009] Preferably, a battery module is provided in which the evaporation end of the thermally conductive section is connected to a first connecting section, and the condensation end is connected to a heat dissipation fin, so that the heat transported on the thermally conductive section can be dissipated through the heat dissipation fin; more preferably, the heat dissipation fin is located next to a blower so that the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation fin can be improved by the blowing of the blower.

[0010] Preferably, the metal tube of the improved heat pipe structure further defines a second container section and a second connecting section. The second container section is located in the interval between multiple adjacent battery cells near the air outlet and is connected to the condensation end of the thermally conductive section via the second connecting section. The heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells around the first container section is transferred to the battery cells around the second container section through the thermal conductivity of the first container section, the first connecting section, the thermally conductive section, the second connecting section, and the second container section. Thus, through the improved heat pipe structure, the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells located at the rear end of the airflow direction and with higher temperatures can be transferred to the battery cells at the front end of the airflow direction and with lower temperatures, so as to maintain the thermal balance between the battery cells and avoid the risk of damage or explosion due to overheating during charging and discharging of some battery cells, thereby increasing the safety of battery module use.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, this invention discloses a battery module with an improved heat pipe structure, comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a battery holder for accommodating and fixing the plurality of battery cells; and at least one improved heat pipe structure including a metal tube; wherein the metal tube is defined as: a thermally conductive section, which is a vacuum-sealed tube containing capillary structures and utilizes the evaporation and condensation of a working fluid to transport heat, the thermally conductive section being disposed above the battery holder; a first container section, inserted into the gap between the plurality of adjacent battery cells and used to store the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells; and a first connecting section, which is flat and has one end connected to the first container section and the other end perpendicularly passing through the battery holder and connected to one end of the thermally conductive section; wherein the battery module further includes a housing, with a blower on one side and an exhaust port on the other side inside the housing, the battery holder being disposed between the blower and the exhaust port, one end of the thermally conductive section being connected to one end of the first connecting section and disposed at a position far from the blower, and the other end being disposed at a position close to the blower.

[0012] Preferably, the first container segment is located in the interval maintained between a plurality of adjacent battery cells at a distance from the air outlet.

[0013] Furthermore, the battery module also includes heat sink fins, with the other end of the thermally conductive section connected to the heat sink fins.

[0014] Preferably, the heat dissipation fins are located next to the air vent.

[0015] Preferably, the metal tube further defines a second container section and a second connecting section. The second connecting section is inserted into the gap between multiple adjacent battery cells near the air outlet and is used to store the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells. One end of the second connecting section is connected to the second container section and the other end passes vertically through the battery holder and is connected to the other end of the thermally conductive section.

[0016] Preferably, the air outlet is located on the air blowing device, and the air exhaust port is located on the air exhaust device.

[0017] Preferably, the interior of the first or second container segment is filled with phase change material, and the phase change material stores the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells.

[0018] Preferably, in addition to the phase change material, the interior of the first or second container section is also provided with foamed metal or metal fins.

[0019] Preferably, metal rods are respectively provided inside the first container segment or the second container segment, and the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells is stored through the metal rods.

[0020] Preferably, the metal tube of the first container section is provided with cuts, valves, or notches. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top cross-sectional view of the existing technology where the battery module is installed in the housing.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of the existing technology where the battery module is installed in the housing.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a side cross-sectional view of the existing technology where the battery module is installed in the housing.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the battery module of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a front cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the battery module of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the thermally conductive section of the improved heat pipe structure of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of an embodiment of the first container segment of the improved heat pipe structure of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of another embodiment of the first container segment of the improved heat pipe structure of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of another embodiment of the first container segment of the improved heat pipe structure of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a top cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100-Battery module; 11-Housing shell; 12-Battery cell; 131-First mounting bracket; 132-Second mounting bracket; 151-Blowing fan; 153-Exhaust fan; 300-Battery module; 31-Housing shell; 32-Battery cell; 33-Battery mounting bracket; 331-First mounting bracket; 332-Second mounting bracket; 351-Blowing device; 353-Exhaust device; 37-Heat dissipation fins; 50-Metal tube; 501-Slit; 51-Thermal conduction section; 512-Capillary structure; 513-Working fluid; 514-Evaporation end; 515-Condensation end; 52-First container section; 521-Phase change material; 522-Foamed metal; 523-Metal column; 53-First connecting section; 54-Second container section; 541-Phase change material; 55-Second connecting section. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 These are, respectively, a top view, a front cross-sectional view, and a cross-sectional structural diagram of the heat pipe of the present invention, representing an embodiment of the battery module of the present invention. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the battery module 300 of the present invention includes a housing 31, a plurality of battery cells 32, and a battery mounting bracket 33. A blower device 351 with a blower nozzle is provided on one side of the interior of the housing 31, while an exhaust device 353 with an exhaust port is provided on the other side. During the charging and discharging of the battery module 300, cold air enters the interior of the housing 31 through the blower nozzle of the blower device 351, while hot air is extracted from the exhaust port of the exhaust device 353.

[0034] The battery mounting bracket 33 includes a first mounting bracket 331 and a second mounting bracket 332. The first mounting bracket 331 and the second mounting bracket 332 each include a sleeve (not shown). The upper end of each battery cell 32 is fitted into the sleeve of the first mounting bracket 331, and the lower end is fitted into the sleeve of the second mounting bracket 332, so that each battery cell 32 can be fixed between the first mounting bracket 331 and the second mounting bracket 332 while maintaining a distance between each battery cell 32.

[0035] The battery module 300 of this invention has an improved heat pipe structure. The improved heat pipe structure includes a metal tube 50, such as a copper tube. A heat-conducting section 51, a first container section 52, and a first connecting section 53 are defined on the metal tube 50. Figure 6 As shown, the thermally conductive section 51 is a vacuum-sealed tube 50, which includes a capillary structure 512 and a working fluid 513 sealed within the tube, such as water or Dowtherm fluid. TM -a. One end of the thermally conductive section 51 can also be called the evaporation end (heating end) 514, and the other end can also be called the condensation end (cooling end) 515. The first container section 52 is also a sealed tube, and a heat storage medium is installed inside the tube. For example... Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat storage medium is a phase change material 521 (such as water, polyethylene glycol, low-density polyethylene, polyethylene, or paraffin wax); furthermore, if the heat storage medium filled inside the first container section 52 is a phase change material 521, foam metal 522 or metal fins can be further provided to increase the thermal conductivity inside the container section 52. Figure 8 As shown, if the phase change material 521 is water, a cut 501, valve, or notch can be added to the metal tube 50 so that the metal tube 50 will break when the battery cell 32 around the first container section 52 experiences thermal runaway, allowing the phase change material 521 to be sprayed or flowed toward or towards the battery cell 32, reducing the cascading failure of thermal runaway. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 9As shown, the heat storage material can also be a metal cylinder 523, so that the metal cylinder 523 can be used as a heat collection device. In addition, the first connecting section 53 is flat and is made of metal tube 50 by a pressing process.

[0036] A thermally conductive section 51 is disposed on the first mounting bracket 331 of the battery mounting bracket 33. A first container section 52 is disposed in the interval maintained between a plurality of adjacent battery cells 32. Furthermore, battery cells 32 farther from the air outlet are often at higher temperatures during charging and discharging; therefore, preferably, the first container section 52 is disposed in the interval maintained between a plurality of adjacent battery cells 32 at a greater distance from the air outlet. In addition, the thermally conductive section 51 is connected to the first container section 52 via a first connecting section 53. One end of the first connecting section 53 is connected to the first container section 52, while the other end passes vertically through the first mounting bracket 331 of the battery mounting bracket 33 and is connected to the evaporation end 514 of the thermally conductive section 51.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, when the battery module 300 is operating, the first container section 52 absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells 32, and stores the energy that cannot be dissipated in time on the phase change material 521 or metal column 523 inside the first container section 52. The heat absorbed by the first container section 52 is conducted to the evaporation end 514 of the thermal conduction section 51 through the first connecting section 53. After absorbing heat, the working fluid 513 on the evaporation end 51 undergoes a phase change and rapidly transfers the heat to the condensation end 515 in the form of vapor flow. After the working fluid 513 transfers the heat to the condensation end 515 in the form of vapor flow, the heat will be released at the condensation end 515, and the working fluid 513 will condense. The condensed working fluid 513 is then transported back to the evaporation end 514 in the form of liquid flow through the capillary action of the capillary structure 512. Then, through the repeated evaporation and condensation phase change of the working fluid 513 inside the heat conduction section 51, the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell 32, which is far from the air outlet, can be effectively carried away by the improved heat pipe structure to achieve the purpose of cooling.

[0038] The battery module 300 further includes heat sink fins 37. The condensation end 515 of the thermal conduction section 51 is connected to the heat sink fins 37 so that the heat transferred on the thermal conduction section 51 is dissipated through the heat sink fins 37. Preferably, the heat sink fins 37 are positioned next to the air blower 351, and air is blown onto the heat sink fins 37 through the air blower 351 to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat sink fins 37.

[0039] Please see Figure 10 and Figure 11 These are, respectively, a top view and a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention, and are also referred to in conjunction with other relevant documents. Figure 6.like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the metal tube 50 of the improved heat pipe structure of the battery module 301 in this embodiment is further defined to include a second container section 54 and a second connecting section 55. The second container section 54 is also a sealed tube, and its interior is filled with phase change material 521 and foam metal 52241 or provided with metal pillars 523. The second connecting section 55 is flat and is made of the metal tube 50 through a pressing process.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second container section 54 is disposed in the interval maintained between a plurality of adjacent battery cells 32 near the air outlet. Furthermore, the thermally conductive section 51 is connected to the second container section 54 via a second connecting section 55. One end of the second connecting section 55 is connected to the second container section 54, while the other end passes vertically through the first fixing bracket 331 of the battery fixing bracket 33 and is connected to the condensation end 515 of the thermally conductive section 51.

[0041] like Figure 6 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, when the battery module 301 is operating, the first container section 52 absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells 32, and stores the energy that cannot be dissipated in time on the phase change material 521 or metal rod inside the first container section 52. The heat absorbed by the first container section 52 is conducted to the evaporation end 514 of the thermal conduction section 51 through the first connecting section 53. After absorbing heat, the working fluid 513 on the evaporation end 51 undergoes a phase change and rapidly transfers the heat to the condensation end 515 in the form of vapor flow. After the working fluid 513 transfers the heat to the condensation end 515 in the form of vapor flow, the heat will be conducted to the second container section 54 through the second connecting section 55, so that the second container section 54 can absorb and store the heat on the phase change material 541 or metal rod. The heat of the working fluid 513 on the condenser end 515 is absorbed by the second container section 54 and condenses, changing from a vapor state to a liquid state. After condensation, the liquid working fluid 513 is transported back to the evaporator end 514 through the capillary action of the capillary structure 512. Thus, through the configuration of the improved heat pipe structure, the heat generated by the battery cell 32 farther from the air outlet can be transferred to the battery cell 32 closer to the air outlet, so that the temperature between these battery cells 32 can reach thermal equilibrium.

[0042] Therefore, through the configuration of the first container section 52, the first connecting section 53, the thermally conductive section 51, the second connecting section 55, and the second container section 54, the battery cell 32 located at the rear end of the wind direction and with a higher temperature can transfer heat to the battery cell 32 located at the front end of the wind direction and with a lower temperature through the first container section 52, the first connecting section 53, the thermally conductive section 51, the second connecting section 55, and the second container section 54, so as to maintain the thermal balance between these battery cells 32, avoid the risk of damage or explosion caused by overheating of some battery cells 32 during charging and discharging, thereby increasing the safety of the battery module 301 in use.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. All equivalent variations and modifications made in accordance with the shape, structure, features and spirit described in the claims of the present invention should be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module having a modified heat pipe configuration, characterized by, Comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a battery holder for accommodating and fixing the plurality of battery cells, wherein the battery holder comprises a first holder and a second holder, each of the first holder and the second holder comprises a sleeve, the upper end of each of the battery cells is sleeved in the sleeve of the first holder, and the lower end of each of the battery cells is sleeved in the sleeve of the second holder, so that each of the battery cells can be fixed between the first holder and the second holder, and each of the battery cells is kept spaced from each other; and at least one improved heat pipe structure comprises a metal pipe body; wherein the metal pipe body defines: a heat conducting section which is a sealed pipe body evacuated, internally comprising a capillary structure, and using evaporation and condensation of working fluid to transport heat, the heat conducting section is arranged above the battery holder; a first container section inserted in the space kept between adjacent battery cells, and used to store heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells; and a first connecting section which is flat, one end of which is connected to the first container section and the other end of which is connected to one end of the heat conducting section perpendicularly through the battery holder.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The battery module further comprises a housing, one side of the interior of the housing is provided with a blowing port and the other side is provided with an exhaust port, the battery holder is arranged between the blowing port and the exhaust port, one end of the heat conducting section is connected to one end of the first connecting section and is arranged at a position far from the blowing port, and the other end of the heat conducting section is arranged at a position close to the blowing port.

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, The first container section is arranged in the space kept between adjacent battery cells far from the blowing port.

4. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, Further comprising a heat dissipation fin, the other end of the heat conducting section is connected to the heat dissipation fin.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, The heat dissipation fin is arranged beside the blowing port.

6. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The metal pipe body further defines a second container section and a second connecting section, one end of the second connecting section is connected to the second container section and the other end of the second connecting section is connected to the other end of the heat conducting section perpendicularly through the battery holder.

7. The battery module of claim 2, wherein, The blowing port is arranged on a blowing device, and the exhaust port is arranged on an exhaust device.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The interior of the first container section is respectively filled with phase change material, and the phase change material is used to store heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein, The interior of the first container section is further provided with foamed metal or metal fins.

10. The battery module of claim 6, wherein, The interior of the first container section and the second container section is respectively filled with phase change material, and the phase change material is used to store heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells.

11. The battery module of claim 10, wherein, The interior of the first container section and the second container section is further provided with foamed metal or metal fins.

12. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The interior of the first container section is provided with a metal rod, and the metal rod is used to store heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells.

13. The battery module of claim 6, wherein, The first container section and the second container section are respectively provided with metal rods, and the heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery core is stored through the metal rods.

14. The battery module of claim 8, wherein A notch, a valve or a gap is arranged on the metal pipe body of the first container section.

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