Flow-equalizing liquid cooling device and energy storage device

Abstract

The invention provides a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device and an energy storage device, and relates to the field of cooling, the liquid cooling device is used for cooling an electrical element, and the liquid cooling device comprises a liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port; the liquid inlet primary pipe is communicated with the liquid supply port; the liquid return primary pipe is communicated with the liquid return opening; the cooling pipe clusters are arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling pipe clusters are communicated with the liquid inlet primary pipe and the cooling flow channel, the cooling pipe clusters are communicated with the cooling flow channel and the liquid return primary pipe, and the flowing lengths of cooling liquid flowing through the cooling pipe clusters in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe are the same; wherein the cooling pipe cluster comprises a second-stage branch and third-stage branches, the second-stage branch communicates with the liquid inlet first-stage pipe and communicates with the liquid return first-stage pipe, the second-stage branch extends out of the liquid inlet first-stage pipe in the first direction, the third-stage branches communicate with the second-stage branch and the cooling flow channel, the multiple third-stage branches are arranged at intervals in the first direction, and the pipe diameter of each third-stage branch is gradually increased in the first direction; and the electrical element can have better temperature uniformity.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims priority to Chinese application 202410697264.0 filed on May 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the cooling field, and in particular to a flow-balanced liquid cooling device and an energy storage device. Background Art

[0003] The energy storage device includes a battery cell for storing electric energy. During operation, the battery cell generates heat and needs to be cooled by a liquid cooling device. In order to make the service life of each battery cell consistent and to make the output capacity of each battery cell the same, the liquid cooling device is required to keep the cooling degree of each battery consistent. The relevant liquid cooling device adjusts the flow resistance in the pipeline of different parts of the liquid cooling device by setting a resistor to make the flow rate of the coolant flowing through each battery cell of the liquid cooling device the same through the flow resistance. The manufacturing cost of this liquid cooling device is relatively high. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a flow-balanced liquid cooling device and an energy storage device, which are used to solve the technical problem of how to reduce the manufacturing cost of the liquid cooling device.

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention provides a flow-balanced liquid cooling device, which is used to cool electrical components with cooling channels. The liquid cooling device includes: a liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port, the liquid pump being used to drive the flow of cooling liquid; a liquid inlet primary pipe connected to the liquid supply port; a liquid return primary pipe connected to the liquid return port; a cooling tube cluster, wherein a plurality of cooling tube clusters are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling tube clusters connecting the liquid inlet primary pipe and the cooling channel, the cooling tube clusters connecting the cooling channel and the return port The cooling tube cluster comprises a secondary branch and a tertiary branch, wherein the secondary branch is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe, the secondary branch extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe along a first direction, the tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel, a plurality of tertiary branches are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the diameter of each tertiary branch increases along the first direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the secondary branch includes a secondary liquid inlet branch and a secondary liquid return branch, the tertiary branch includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch and a tertiary liquid return branch, the secondary liquid inlet branch connects the first-level liquid inlet pipe and the tertiary liquid inlet branch, the tertiary liquid inlet branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch, the tertiary liquid return branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid return branch, and the secondary liquid return branch connects the tertiary liquid return branch and the first-level liquid return pipe; wherein, the liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating component, which is used to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch and make the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch decrease in a first direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the temperature regulating component includes a heating component for heating the coolant in at least part of the three-stage liquid inlet branch, and in the first direction, the power of each heating component decreases gradually, and / or the temperature regulating component includes a cooling component for cooling the coolant in at least part of the three-stage liquid inlet branch, and in the first direction, the power of each cooling component increases gradually.

[0008] Furthermore, the thermostat includes a semiconductor thermostat, which can exchange heat with the coolant in the two three-level liquid inlet branches in the same cooling tube cluster; wherein the semiconductor thermostat includes a hot end for heating and a cold end for cooling, the hot end is used to heat the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch close to the first liquid inlet pipe in the two three-level liquid inlet branches, and the cold end is used to cool the coolant in the other one of the two three-level liquid inlet branches.

[0009] Furthermore, the temperature regulating component is arranged on the third-level liquid inlet branch.

[0010] Furthermore, in the first direction, the diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch increases gradually.

[0011] Furthermore, the length of the liquid return primary pipe is not less than the length of the liquid inlet primary pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the liquid return primary pipe includes the first part and the second part, the first part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, the second part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump, an end of the second part away from the liquid pump is connected to the first part, and an end of the second part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid return port.

[0013] Furthermore, the extension direction of the first-level liquid inlet pipe is parallel to the first part, and the cooling tube cluster connects the first-level liquid inlet pipe and the first part.

[0014] Furthermore, the first-level liquid inlet pipe includes a third part and a fourth part, the third part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump, an end of the fourth part away from the liquid pump is connected to the third part, and an end of the third part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid supply port, wherein the cooling tube cluster is used to connect the first part and the third part, and the cooling tube cluster is also used to connect the second part and the fourth part.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising: an electrical element capable of storing electrical energy, wherein the electrical element has a cooling flow channel;

[0016] In the liquid cooling device as described in the above embodiment, the tertiary branch is connected to the cooling channel; wherein the first-level liquid inlet pipe and the first-level liquid return pipe are both located at the bottom of the electrical component, the electrical component also includes a battery cell, and the cooling channel can perform heat exchange with the battery cell.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid cooling device, which is used to cool an electrical component having a cooling flow channel. The liquid cooling device includes a liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port, a liquid inlet primary pipe connected to the liquid supply port, a liquid return primary pipe connected to the liquid return port, and a cooling tube cluster connecting the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling flow channel and the liquid return primary pipe. A plurality of cooling tube clusters are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe is the same, so that the flow resistance of the coolant in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe is the same; wherein the cooling tube cluster includes a secondary branch and a tertiary branch, the secondary branch The secondary branch is connected with the primary liquid inlet pipe and the primary liquid return pipe, the secondary branch extends out of the primary liquid inlet pipe along the first direction, the tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel, and multiple tertiary branches are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the tertiary branches, and in the first direction, the pipe diameter of each tertiary branch increases. It can be understood that the secondary branch and the tertiary branch form non-coaxial pipelines. Along the first direction, the flow resistance of the coolant in the secondary branch gradually increases. By increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary branch, the increased flow resistance in the secondary branch can be offset, so that the coolant flow rate flowing into the cooling channel in each electrical component is the same, thereby improving the thermal consistency of each electrical component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A positional relationship diagram of a liquid inlet primary pipe, a cooling pipe cluster and a liquid return primary pipe in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of liquid inlet primary pipe, a cooling pipe cluster and a liquid return primary pipe in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second type of liquid inlet primary pipe, a cooling pipe cluster and a liquid return primary pipe in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first type of three-stage liquid inlet branch and a temperature regulating component in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second three-stage liquid inlet branch and a temperature regulating component in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a secondary liquid inlet branch in a flow-balanced liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of an energy storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Description of Reference Numerals

[0027] 10. Energy storage device; 100. Liquid cooling device; 110. Liquid pump; 111. Liquid supply port; 112. Liquid return port; 120. Liquid inlet primary pipe; 120A. Third part; 120B. Fourth part; 130. Liquid return primary pipe; 130A. First part; 130B. Second part; 140. Cooling tube cluster; 140A. First cooling tube cluster; 140B. Second cooling tube cluster; 141. Secondary branch; 1411. Secondary liquid inlet branch; 1412. Secondary liquid return branch; 142. Tertiary branch; 1421. Tertiary liquid inlet branch; 1422. Tertiary liquid return branch; 150. Temperature control element; 151. Heating element; 152. Cooling element; 153. Semiconductor temperature control element; 1531. Hot end; 1532. Cold end; 200. Electrical component; 220. Battery cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] The various specific technical features described in the specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction, for example, different embodiments and technical solutions can be formed by combining different specific technical features. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, various possible combinations of the specific technical features in the present invention will not be described separately.

[0030] In the following description, the terms "first\second\..." are only used to distinguish different objects, and do not mean that the objects have the same or related points. It should be understood that the directions "above", "below", "outside" and "inside" are all directions in normal use, and the directions "left" and "right" refer to the left and right directions shown in the corresponding schematic diagrams, which may or may not be the left and right directions in normal use.

[0031] It should be noted that the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a ..." does not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element. The term "connected" includes both direct and indirect connections unless otherwise specified.

[0032] In the following specific embodiments, the flow-equalizing liquid cooling device can be used to cool any electrical component having a cooling channel inside. Exemplarily, the liquid cooling device can be used to cool each storage array in a server. Exemplarily, the liquid cooling device can be used to cool each battery cell in an energy storage device. It should be noted that the cooling channels in each electrical component are not directly connected, and the liquid cooling device is respectively connected to each cooling channel to form parallel cooling channels, so that each electrical component can be cooled independently. For ease of explanation, the structure of the liquid cooling device is exemplarily explained below by taking the application of the liquid cooling device to an energy storage device and using it to cool the battery cells in the energy storage device as an example.

[0033] In some embodiments, Figure 1As shown, the liquid cooling device 100 with a uniform flow of a liquid pump is used to cool electrical components having cooling channels. The liquid cooling device 100 includes: a liquid pump 110 , a primary liquid inlet pipe 120 , a primary liquid return pipe 130 and a plurality of cooling pipe clusters 140 . The liquid pump 110 includes a liquid supply port and a liquid return port, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is connected to the liquid supply port, the liquid return primary pipe 130 is connected to the liquid return port, and a plurality of cooling tube clusters 140 are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, the cooling tube cluster 140 connects the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the cooling channel, and the cooling tube cluster 140 connects the cooling channel and the liquid return primary pipe 130. It can be understood that the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, a part of the cooling tube cluster 140, the cooling channel, another part of the cooling tube cluster 140 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 are connected in sequence, that is, the two parts of the cooling tube cluster 140 are respectively connected to the two ends of the cooling channel, so that the cooling channel, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 are connected through the cooling tube cluster 140. Driven by the liquid pump 110, the coolant flows out from the liquid supply port, and then flows through the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, a part of the cooling tube cluster 140, the cooling channel, another part of the cooling tube cluster 140 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 in sequence, and flows into the liquid return port from the liquid return primary pipe 130, so that the coolant can exchange heat with the electrical components through the cooling channel and take away the heat of the electrical components.

[0034] At the same time, the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster 140 in the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 is the same, that is, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 form a same-length pipeline, for example, Figure 2As shown, the liquid cooling device 100 includes a first cooling tube cluster 140A and a second cooling tube cluster 140B. The first cooling tube cluster 140A and the second cooling tube cluster 140B are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary tube 120. The length of the liquid inlet primary tube 120 between the first connection position A1 of the first cooling tube cluster 140A and the liquid inlet primary tube 120 and the liquid supply port 111 is L1, the length of the liquid return primary tube 130 between the second connection position A2 of the first cooling tube cluster 140A and the liquid return primary tube 130 and the liquid return port 112 is L2, and the length of the liquid return primary tube 130 between the second connection position A2 of the first cooling tube cluster 140A and the liquid return primary tube 130 and the liquid return port 112 is L3. The length of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 between the third connection position B1 of the liquid primary pipe 120 and the liquid supply port is L3, and the length of the liquid return primary pipe 130 between the fourth connection position B2 of the second cooling tube cluster 140B and the liquid return primary pipe 130 and the liquid return port is L4, and the sum of L1 and L2 is equal to the sum of L3 and L4, so that the flow length of the coolant flowing through the first cooling tube cluster 140A in the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 is equal to the flow length of the coolant flowing through the second cooling tube cluster 140B in the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130. It should be noted that the length of the coolant flowing in the pipeline is positively correlated to the flow resistance of the coolant along the way. By making the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 co-axial, the flow resistance generated by the coolant flowing through different cooling tube clusters 140 in the process of flowing through the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 can be the same. The specific structure of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 forming a same-path pipeline will be described in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0035] Among them, Figure 1 As shown, the cooling tube cluster 140 includes a secondary branch 141 and a tertiary branch 142. The secondary branch 141 is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130, and the secondary branch 141 extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 along a first direction (the first direction is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 (as shown by the middle arrow), at the same time, the tertiary branch 142 is connected to the secondary branch 141 and the cooling channel in the electrical component, and multiple tertiary branches 142 are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the secondary branch 141, so as to be respectively connected to the cooling channels in multiple electrical components. Among them, the secondary branch 141 extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 along the first direction, which can be understood as that one end of the secondary branch 141 is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, and the secondary branch 141 extends to the other end of the secondary branch 141 along the first direction. The first direction may be parallel to the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, or may not be parallel to the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120. When the first direction is not parallel to the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, the secondary branch 141 extends in a direction away from the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, so that the secondary branch 141 can cool the electrical components at a position away from the liquid inlet primary pipe 120.

[0036] Moreover, in the first direction, the diameter of the tertiary branch 142 increases gradually, which can be understood as the coolant flowing into the secondary branch 141 from the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 flows into the cooling channel of each electrical component and into the liquid return primary pipe 130 through different tertiary branches 142, that is, the secondary branch 141 and the tertiary branch 142 form non-coordinate pipelines, and the coolant flows non-coordinately in the secondary branch 141 and the tertiary branch 142. In the first direction, the flow stroke of the coolant increases gradually, and the flow resistance along the stroke increases gradually. By increasing the diameter of the tertiary branch 142 in the first direction, the flow resistance in each tertiary branch 142 is gradually reduced in the first direction to offset the gradually increasing flow resistance along the stroke in the secondary branch 141, so that the flow resistance in each tertiary branch 142 is the same, and the flow rate in each tertiary branch 142 is the same, thereby making the cooling capacity of the coolant for each electrical component consistent, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of each electrical component.

[0037] It should be noted that the tertiary branch 142 includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 through the secondary branch 141 and a tertiary liquid return branch 1422 connected to the liquid return primary pipe 130 through the secondary branch 141. In the first direction, increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 and / or the tertiary liquid return branch 1422 can make the flow rate of the coolant in the tertiary branch 142 the same. Specifically, by increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, the flow resistance of the coolant flowing into each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 can be directly reduced, thereby directly offsetting the increase in flow resistance in the secondary branch 141; by increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary liquid return branch 1422, the flow resistance of the coolant flowing out of the cooling channel can be reduced, thereby indirectly reducing the flow resistance of the coolant flowing into each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, thereby indirectly offsetting the increase in flow resistance in the secondary branch 141.

[0038] An embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid cooling device, which is used to cool an electrical component having a cooling flow channel. The liquid cooling device includes a liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port, a liquid inlet primary pipe connected to the liquid supply port, a liquid return primary pipe connected to the liquid return port, and a cooling tube cluster connecting the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling flow channel and the liquid return primary pipe. A plurality of cooling tube clusters are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe is the same, so that the flow resistance of the coolant in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe is the same; wherein the cooling tube cluster includes a secondary branch and a tertiary branch. The secondary branch is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe and to the liquid return primary pipe. The secondary branch extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe along the first direction. The tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel. Multiple tertiary branches are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and in the first direction, the pipe diameter of each tertiary branch increases. It can be understood that the secondary branch and the tertiary branch form non-coaxial pipelines. In the first direction, the flow resistance of the coolant in the secondary branch gradually increases. By increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary branch, the increased flow resistance in the secondary branch can be offset, so that the coolant flow rate flowing into the cooling channel in each electrical component is the same, thereby improving the thermal consistency of each electrical component.

[0039] In other embodiments, a specific structure is provided in which the first-stage liquid inlet pipe and the first-stage liquid return pipe form a same-path pipeline. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The specific structures of the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe are exemplified.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the liquid return primary pipe 130 includes a first portion 130A and a second portion 130B. The first portion 130A extends from a position close to the liquid pump 110 to a position away from the liquid pump 110, and the second portion 130B extends from a position away from the liquid pump 110 to a position close to the liquid pump 110. An end of the second portion 130B away from the liquid pump 110 is connected to the first portion 130A, and an end of the second portion 130B close to the liquid pump 110 is connected to the liquid return port. It can be understood that the second portion 130A 0B forms two opposite ends, one end is close to the liquid pump 110, and the other end is far away from the liquid pump 110. By connecting one end with the first part 130A and connecting the other end with the liquid return port of the liquid pump 110, the cooling liquid flowing from the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 into the liquid return primary pipe 130 can flow in the same direction as the flow direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, rather than making the cooling liquid flow in the opposite direction to the flow direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, so that the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 can form a same-course pipeline.

[0041] Optional, such as Figure 3As shown, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 extends from a position close to the liquid pump 110 to a position far away from the liquid pump 110, and the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is parallel to the extension direction of the first part 130A. The liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is connected to the first part 130A through each cooling tube cluster 140.

[0042] Optional, such as Figure 4 As shown, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 includes a third part 120A and a fourth part 120B, the third part 120A extends from a position close to the liquid pump 110 to a position away from the liquid pump 110, the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump 110 to a position close to the liquid pump 110, an end of the fourth part 120B away from the liquid pump 110 is connected to the third part 120A, and an end of the third part 120A close to the liquid pump 110 is connected to the liquid supply port, wherein the cooling pipe cluster 140 is used to connect the first part 130A and the third part 120A, The cooling tube cluster 140 is also used to connect the second part 130B and the fourth part 120B. It can be understood that the third part 120A and the fourth part 120B of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 can be used to supply coolant to the cooling channel in the electrical component, and the coolant can flow into the liquid return primary pipe 130 in the same direction as the coolant in the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, that is, while the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 can form the same-length pipeline, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 can also cool more electrical components.

[0043] In some other embodiments, the length of the liquid return primary pipe 130 is not less than the length of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, that is, while the liquid return primary pipe 130 and the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 form a same-length pipeline, if the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 have different lengths, the pipeline with a shorter size is used as the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, and the pipeline with a longer size is used as the liquid return primary pipe, so that the coolant can flow into the cooling channel of the electrical component through a shorter path, thereby reducing the flow resistance of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and improving the cooling capacity of the liquid cooling device.

[0044] In some embodiments, Figure 5As shown, the secondary branch 141 includes a secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and a secondary liquid return branch 1412, and the tertiary branch 142 includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 and a tertiary liquid return branch 1422. The secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 is connected to the primary liquid inlet pipe 120 and the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is connected to the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411, and the tertiary liquid return branch 1422 is connected to the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411. The cooling channel and the secondary liquid return branch 1412, the secondary liquid return branch 1412 is connected to the tertiary liquid return branch 1422 and the primary liquid return pipe 130, that is, the cooling liquid flowing out of the liquid supply port flows through the primary liquid inlet pipe 120, the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411, the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, the cooling channel, the tertiary liquid return branch 1422, the secondary liquid return branch 1412 and the primary liquid return pipe 130 in sequence and then flows into the liquid return port.

[0045] Among them, Figure 5 As shown, the liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating component 150, which is used to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, so that the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch decreases in a first direction, that is, the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is heated or cooled by the temperature regulating component 150, so that the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 decreases in the first direction.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In the first direction, the coolant flow in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 decreases, so that in the first direction, the cooling capacity of the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 is gradually reduced, and the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 is adjusted by the thermostat to decrease in the first direction, so that the cooling capacity areas of each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 are the same, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the electrical components.

[0047] It should be noted that, although the same-course pipeline is formed by the liquid inlet first-stage pipe 120 and the liquid return first-stage pipe 130, and the diameter adjustment of the tertiary branch 142 can make the flow rate of the coolant flowing into the cooling channel of each electrical component basically consistent to a certain extent, the diameter setting of the tertiary branch 142 needs to be obtained based on the flow simulation of different diameters. There are certain difficulties in simulating the flow based on the diameter, and the flow rate of the coolant in the liquid cooling device will also be affected by the external environment, resulting in certain errors in the simulation results. Specifically, in the simulation process, it is believed that the diameter of the pipeline is the same as the theoretical diameter, and the diameter at the theoretical diameter change position can change uniformly as in theory, but in fact, due to the existence of manufacturing errors, pipelines with the same theoretical diameter may have diameter differences, and the change in the diameter at the theoretical diameter change position is also difficult to achieve completely uniform change; in the simulation process, The theoretical generation positions of eddies and turbulence can only be determined by the dynamic equations of the fluid, but since the fluid power system is a nonlinear power system, chaotic phenomena may exist. Due to the inherent randomness of the chaotic system, eddies and turbulence may be generated in addition to the theoretical generation positions; in the simulation process, the pipeline is considered to be a rigid body, but in the process of coolant flow, the pipeline will actually produce a certain degree of deformation, and will in turn affect the flow field of the coolant, that is, there is a fluid-solid coupling effect; based on the difference between the above theoretical simulation and reality, the simulated flow resistance will be smaller than the actual flow resistance, that is, in the first direction, the actual flow difference of the coolant in each three-level branch 142 will be greater than the theoretical flow difference. If the pipe diameter of each three-level branch 142 is designed according to the theoretical flow difference obtained by simulation, the flow rate of the coolant in each three-level branch 142 will still decrease in the first direction.

[0048] On this basis, the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is further corrected by setting the thermostat 150, and in the first direction, the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is gradually reduced, thereby further offsetting the difference in cooling capacity of each electrical component caused by the flow difference of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, thereby further increasing the uniformity of each electrical component; at the same time, in the same course of the liquid inlet first-level pipe 120 and the liquid return first-level pipe 130, the pipe diameters of the tertiary branches 142 are different, which can reduce the flow difference of the coolant in each tertiary branch 142, reduce the power required by the thermostat 150, reduce the energy consumption of the liquid cooling device, and make the structure of the liquid cooling device more compact. Among them, the temperature regulating component 150 can adjust and control the temperature of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 in any way. Exemplarily, a flow sensor can be set in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, and the required temperature of the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is determined according to the actual flow of the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, and the required temperature is positively correlated with the flow rate, so that the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 reaches the required temperature through the temperature regulating component 150; Exemplarily, a temperature sensor can be set in each electrical component, and the required temperature of the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 is determined according to the actual temperature of each electrical component, and the required temperature is negatively correlated with the actual temperature of the electrical component.

[0049] Optionally, the temperature regulating component 150 can be arranged in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, so as to directly heat or cool the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421; optionally, the temperature regulating component 150 can also be arranged outside the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, and exchange heat with the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 through heat conduction, so as to indirectly achieve heating or cooling of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421.

[0050] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown, the temperature regulating element 150 includes a heating element 151, which is used to heat the coolant in at least part of the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421. Specifically, the heating element 151 is used to heat the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 near the first liquid inlet pipe 120 in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421. Figure 1 In the first direction, the power of each heating element 151 decreases gradually so that the cooling capacity of each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 tends to be consistent.

[0051] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 6As shown, the temperature regulating element 150 includes a cooling element 152, which is used to cool at least part of the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421. Specifically, the cooling element 152 is used to cool at least the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 away from the first liquid inlet pipe 120. Figure 1 In the first direction, the power of each cooling element 152 increases gradually so that the cooling capacity of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 tends to be consistent.

[0052] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the temperature control element 150 includes a heating element 151 and a cooling element 152. The heating element 151 is used to heat the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 close to the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first liquid inlet pipe 120, and the cooling element 152 is used to cool the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 far from the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first liquid inlet pipe, so that the cooling capacity of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 tends to be consistent.

[0053] Optionally, the temperature regulating element 150 is disposed in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 to directly heat or cool the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 to make the structure of the liquid cooling device more compact.

[0054] In some embodiments, Figure 6 As shown, the thermostat 150 includes a semiconductor thermostat 153, which can perform heat exchange with the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches 1421 in the same cooling tube cluster 140, that is, the semiconductor thermostat 153 can simultaneously heat and cool the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches 1421. Specifically, the semiconductor thermostat 153 can heat the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 that is closer to the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first liquid inlet pipe 120, and cool the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 that is farther away from the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first liquid inlet pipe 120, thereby more efficiently adjusting the temperature of the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 and making the cooling effect of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 tend to be consistent.

[0055] The structure of the semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 is described in detail below. The semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 includes a hot end 1531 for heating and a cold end 1532 for cooling. The hot end 1531 heats the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch 1421 close to the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first-level liquid inlet pipe 120 of the two three-level liquid inlet branches 1421, and the cold end 1532 cools the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch 1421 far from the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first-level liquid inlet pipe 120 of the two three-level liquid inlet branches 1421.

[0056] In some embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, in Figure 1 In the first direction, the pipe of the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 increases gradually, which can be understood as the flow resistance along the cooling liquid gradually increases in the process of the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 flowing. By gradually increasing the pipe diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 in the extension direction, the gradually increasing flow resistance along the cooling liquid is offset, so that the flow resistance of the cooling liquid in the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 tends to be consistent. It should be noted that the pipe diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 increases smoothly rather than suddenly, reducing the possibility of increased flow resistance due to sudden changes in pipe diameter.

[0057] An embodiment of the present invention also provides an energy storage device, which is used to store electrical energy through battery cells and output electrical energy according to demand. During the process of electrical energy input and output, the battery cells will generate heat, and the battery cells need to be cooled by a liquid cooling device. The structure of the energy storage device is exemplified below.

[0058] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the energy storage device 10 includes: Figures 1 to 7 The liquid cooling device 100 and the electrical component 200 shown in any one of the drawings. The electrical component 200 can store electrical energy, and has a cooling channel inside the electrical component 200. The tertiary branch 142 is connected to the cooling channel, and is used to introduce or export the coolant into the cooling channel to achieve cooling of the electrical component 200. The electrical component 200 also includes a battery cell 220, and the cooling channel can exchange heat with the battery cell. At the same time, the liquid inlet first-stage pipe 120 and the liquid return first-stage pipe 130 are both located at the bottom of the electrical component 200. In the case of leakage of the liquid inlet first-stage pipe 120 and the liquid return first-stage pipe 130, the influence of the outflowing coolant on the electrical component 200 can be reduced. Moreover, in the scenario where the energy storage device 10 is set outdoors, the influence of the sun's heat radiation on the liquid inlet first-stage pipe 120 and the liquid return first-stage pipe 130 is reduced, thereby improving the cooling capacity of the liquid cooling device 100.

[0059] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow-balanced liquid cooling device, characterized in that: For cooling an electrical component having a cooling channel, the flow-balanced liquid cooling device comprises: A liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port, wherein the liquid pump is used to drive the coolant to flow; A liquid inlet primary pipe, connected to the liquid supply port; A liquid return primary pipe, connected to the liquid return port; A cooling tube cluster, wherein a plurality of cooling tube clusters are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary tube, wherein the cooling tube clusters are connected to the liquid inlet primary tube and the cooling channel, and wherein the cooling tube clusters are connected to the cooling channel and the liquid return primary tube, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster in the liquid inlet primary tube and the liquid return primary tube is the same; Among them, the cooling tube cluster includes a secondary branch and a tertiary branch, the secondary branch is connected with the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe, the secondary branch extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe along a first direction, the tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel, a plurality of tertiary branches are arranged at intervals along the first direction, and the pipe diameter of each tertiary branch increases along the first direction.

2. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary branch includes a secondary liquid inlet branch and a secondary liquid return branch, the tertiary branch includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch and a tertiary liquid return branch, the secondary liquid inlet branch connects the primary liquid inlet pipe and the tertiary liquid inlet branch, the tertiary liquid inlet branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch, the tertiary liquid return branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid return branch, and the secondary liquid return branch connects the tertiary liquid return branch and the primary liquid return pipe; Wherein, the liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating component, which is used to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch and make the temperature of the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch decrease in a first direction.

3. The liquid cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature regulating element includes a heating element, which is used to heat the coolant in at least part of the three-stage liquid inlet branch. In the first direction, the power of each heating element decreases. and / or, The temperature regulating component includes a cooling component for cooling at least part of the cooling liquid in the three-stage liquid inlet branch. In the first direction, the power of each cooling component increases gradually.

4. The liquid cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature regulating element comprises a semiconductor temperature regulating element, and the semiconductor temperature regulating element can perform heat exchange with the coolant in the two third-level liquid inlet branches in the same cooling tube cluster; Among them, the semiconductor temperature regulating component includes a hot end for heating and a cold end for cooling, the hot end is used to heat the coolant in the three-level liquid inlet branch close to the connection position of the secondary liquid inlet branch and the first liquid inlet pipe in the two three-level liquid inlet branches, and the cold end is used to cool the coolant in the other one of the two three-level liquid inlet branches.

5. The liquid cooling device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The temperature regulating component is arranged on the three-stage liquid inlet branch.

6. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the first direction, the diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch increases gradually.

7. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the liquid return primary pipe is not less than the length of the liquid inlet primary pipe.

8. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The liquid return primary pipe includes the first part and the second part, the first part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, the second part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump, an end of the second part away from the liquid pump is connected to the first part, and an end of the second part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid return port.

9. The liquid cooling device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The extension direction of the first liquid inlet pipe is parallel to the first part, and the cooling tube cluster is connected with the first liquid inlet pipe and the first part. or, The first-level liquid inlet pipe includes a third part and a fourth part, the third part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump, an end of the fourth part away from the liquid pump is connected to the third part, and an end of the third part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid supply port, wherein the cooling tube cluster is used to connect the first part and the third part, and the cooling tube cluster is also used to connect the second part and the fourth part.

10. An energy storage device, characterized in that: The energy storage device comprises: An electrical component capable of storing electrical energy and having a cooling channel therein; The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the tertiary branch is in communication with the cooling channel; Wherein, the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe are both located at the bottom of the electrical component, the electrical component also includes a battery core, and the cooling channel can perform heat exchange with the battery core.

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