Battery pack heat exchange plate connector

Abstract

The invention provides a battery pack heat exchange plate connector. A traction battery pack assembly includes a first plate and a second plate secured adjacent the first plate to provide at least one coolant channel extending through an interior region of a battery pack housing. The at least one coolant channel is located between the first plate and the second plate. A connector is fluidly coupled to the at least one coolant channel. The connector may be removably connected with a conduit at a location external to the battery pack housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a connection for a heat exchange plate in a traction battery pack. Background Art

[0002] The traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle may include groups of battery cells arranged into one or more cell stacks. A heat exchange plate may be incorporated into the traction battery pack. A fluid such as a liquid coolant may be circulated through the heat exchange plate to help manage thermal energy. Summary of the invention

[0003] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly comprising: a first plate; a second plate secured adjacent to the first plate to provide at least one coolant channel extending through an interior region of a battery pack housing, the at least one coolant channel being located between the first plate and the second plate; and a connector fluidly coupled to the at least one coolant channel, the connector being removably connectable to a conduit at a location external to the battery pack housing.

[0004] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the connector is a quick-connect type connector.

[0005] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly in which the connector is adhesively secured directly to the second plate.

[0006] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly in which the connector extends through an opening in the battery pack housing.

[0007] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the connector extends through a board opening of the second board.

[0008] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the second plate provides the entire circumferential perimeter of the plate opening.

[0009] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the first plate does not provide any portion of the plate opening.

[0010] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly in which the connector is directly secured to a raised area of ​​the second plate, the raised area extending through an opening in the battery pack housing.

[0011] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the opening is disposed in a wall of the housing tray and the raised area extends from inside the battery pack housing through the opening to a location outside the battery pack housing.

[0012] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the connector is a first connector and the assembly further comprises a second connector, wherein the first connector provides a coolant inlet to the at least one coolant channel and the second connector provides a coolant outlet from the at least one coolant channel.

[0013] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly in which no portion of the connector is sandwiched between the first and second boards.

[0014] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the first plate and the second plate each include an upturned flange, the connector being secured directly to the upturned flange of the second plate to fluidly couple the connector to the at least one coolant channel.

[0015] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly that also includes a seal sandwiched between the upturned flange of the second plate and the battery pack housing.

[0016] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly that also includes a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through the battery pack housing to join the first plate and the second plate.

[0017] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly in which the connector is directly secured to the raised area of ​​the second plate.

[0018] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to an assembly wherein the at least one coolant channel comprises a serpentine coolant channel configured to convey a heat exchange fluid.

[0019] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery assembly comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a housing assembly that accommodates the plurality of battery cells; a heat exchange plate assembly that is thermally connected to the plurality of battery cells, wherein a protruding area of ​​the heat exchange plate assembly protrudes through the housing assembly; and a connector disposed on the protruding area.

[0020] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery assembly in which the connector is a quick connect.

[0021] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a battery assembly wherein the heat exchange plate assembly is part of a thermal management system of a traction battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] According to the detailed description, various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The drawings attached to the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

[0023] Figure 1 A side view of an example electrified vehicle is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 Shown from Figure 1 An expanded perspective view of a battery pack of an electric vehicle and a heat exchange device of the electric vehicle.

[0025] Figure 3 Shown from Figure 2 A top perspective view of the battery pack tray and heat exchange plate assembly.

[0026] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 Front view of the tray and heat exchange plate assembly.

[0027] Figure 5 Shown in Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken at line 5-5 in FIG.

[0028] Figure 6 Shown from Figure 2 A perspective view of the connection interface portion of a heat exchange plate of a battery pack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] This disclosure details exemplary heat exchange plate assemblies for traction battery packs. The heat exchange plates of these assemblies can be fluidly connected to connectors, such as quick-connect type connectors, which can be removably connected to conduits that deliver coolant to or remove coolant from the heat exchange plates. Removable connections can reduce complexity and reduce the required packaging footprint.

[0030] refer to Figure 1 The electric vehicle 10 includes a battery pack 12, a motor 14, and wheels 16. The battery pack 12 supplies power to the motor 14, which can convert electricity into mechanical power to drive the wheels 16.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 12 is secured to the underbody 18 of the electrified vehicle 10. In other examples, the battery pack 12 may be located elsewhere on the electrified vehicle 10.

[0032] The electrified vehicle 10 is a pure electric vehicle. In other examples, the electrified vehicle 10 is a hybrid electric vehicle that selectively uses torque provided by an internal combustion engine (as an alternative or supplement to an electric machine) to drive wheels. In general, the electrified vehicle 10 can be any type of vehicle having a battery pack.

[0033] Reference now Figures 2 to 6 , the battery pack 12 includes a plurality of battery cell stacks 20 held within a battery pack housing 22. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing 34 includes a housing cover 24 and a housing tray 26. The housing cover 24 is secured to the housing tray 26 to provide an interior area 28 housing the battery cell stacks 20. The housing cover 24 may be secured to the housing tray 26 using, for example, mechanical fasteners (not shown).

[0034] Each of the cell stacks 20 includes a plurality of battery cells 30, which are arranged along a corresponding cell stack axis. Within each cell stack 20, the battery cells 30 are stacked side by side relative to each other along the cell stack axis. The battery cells 30 store and supply electricity. Although a specific number of cell stacks 20 and cells 30 are shown in the various figures of the present disclosure, the battery pack 12 may include any number of cell stacks 20 having any number of individual cells 30.

[0035] In one embodiment, the battery cell 30 is a lithium-ion pouch cell. However, battery cells having other geometries (cylindrical, prismatic, etc.), other chemistries (nickel-metal hydride, lead acid, etc.), or both may alternatively be utilized within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] The battery cells 30 are disposed on a heat exchange plate assembly 40 that includes at least one coolant channel 42 . The heat exchange plate assembly 40 is part of a thermal management system for the battery pack 12 .

[0037] A coolant, such as a liquid coolant, may be circulated through the at least one coolant channel 42. The at least one coolant channel may be a serpentine coolant channel configured to convey a heat exchange fluid.

[0038] In this example, the coolant moves to the battery pack 12 through the inlet conduit 50. The coolant can absorb thermal energy within the battery pack 12. The coolant then moves from the battery pack 12 through the outlet conduit 52. The coolant from the battery pack 12 can move to a heat exchange device 54, such as a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. At the heat exchange device 54, the thermal energy can be released to the surrounding environment.

[0039] In this example, the coolant is described as being used to cool portions of the battery pack 12. In other examples, the coolant may instead be used to heat portions of the battery pack 12.

[0040] The inlet conduit 50 and the outlet conduit 52 may be coolant hoses. The inlet conduit 50 and the outlet conduit 52 are fluidly coupled to the battery pack 12 at a connection interface 56 . Figure 2 An inlet conduit 50 and an outlet conduit 52 coupled to a connection interface 56 are shown. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The connection interface 56 is shown without the inlet conduit 50 and the outlet conduit 52 connected.

[0041] Notably, the inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 may be selectively fluidly coupled to the battery pack 12 at a location P external to the battery pack housing 34. That is, the inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 may be selectively fluidly coupled to the battery pack 12 without access to the interior region 28 of the battery pack 12.

[0042] In some examples, the inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 may be connected to the connection interface 56 via quick-connect type connections that fluidly couple the inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 to the battery pack 12. The ability to quickly couple and disconnect the inlet and outlet conduits 50, 52 may, among other things, facilitate servicing the battery pack 12 and its associated assemblies.

[0043] The heat exchange plate assembly 40 includes a first plate 60 and a second plate 62. The first plate 60 is fixed adjacent to the second plate 62 to provide the coolant passage 42 therebetween.

[0044] The inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 are fluidly coupled to the at least one coolant channel 42. The inlet connector 80 can be connected and disconnected with the inlet conduit 50 at a position P outside the battery pack 12. The outlet connector 82 can be connected and disconnected with the outlet conduit 52 at a position P outside the battery pack 12.

[0045] In this example, the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 are quick connect fittings. Quick connect fittings are typically threadless and are operated by hand, and can be connected and disconnected without cutting welds or requiring tools such as wrenches.

[0046] The first plate 60 includes an upturned flange 84. The second plate 62 also includes an upturned flange 86. At least one coolant passage 42 extends upwardly between the upturned flange 84 and the upturned flange 86 to the connection interface 56, more specifically to the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82.

[0047] For example, the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 can be adhesively secured to the heat exchange plate assembly 40. This fluidly couples the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 to the coolant passage 42 disposed between the first plate 60 and the second plate 62. In this example, the inlet connector 82 and the outlet connector 82 are secured directly to the upturned flange 86 of the second plate 62. Notably, in the exemplary embodiment, the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 are connected to the heat exchange plate assembly 40 without sandwiching the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 between the first plate 60 and the second plate 62.

[0048] In order to provide a gap for connecting the inlet connector 80 and the outlet connector 82 to the second plate 62 , the second plate 62 is formed to include a protruding area 90 and a protruding area 92 .

[0049] Inlet connector 80 is secured directly to protruding area 90. Outlet connector 82 is secured to protruding area 92. In other examples, inlet connector 80 and outlet connector 82 may be secured to a single protruding area.

[0050] The protruding areas 90 and 92 may be formed by a stamping process. In another example, the heat exchange plate assembly 40 is roll-bonded, and the protruding areas 90 and 92 along with other portions of the at least one coolant channel 42 are formed by inflation after the roll-bonding.

[0051] In this example, the raised areas 90 and 92 protrude outwardly from the battery pack housing 22 and protrude through a housing opening 94 in the wall of the housing tray 26. Mechanical fasteners may be used to secure the upturned flanges 84 and 86 to the wall of the housing tray 26, for example, to hold the raised areas 90 and 92 within the housing opening 94. The mechanical fasteners may extend through the wall of the housing tray 26 to engage both the upturned flange 84 of the first panel 60 and the upturned flange 86 of the second panel 62. A seal 96 may be sandwiched between the upturned flange 86 and the wall of the housing tray 26 to seal the area around the housing opening 94.

[0052] The raised area 90 includes an inlet plate opening 98 that receives the inlet connector 80. In this example, the second plate 62 provides the entire circumferential perimeter of the inlet plate opening 98. The first plate 60 does not provide any portion of the inlet plate opening 98.

[0053] In this example, the inlet connector 80 extends through the housing opening 94 and the inlet plate opening 98. In another example, the inlet connector 80 does not extend through the housing opening 94, or does not extend through both the inlet plate opening 98 and the housing opening 94.

[0054] The raised area 92 comprises an outlet plate opening that receives the outlet connector 82. In this example, the second plate 62 provides the entire circumferential perimeter of the outlet plate opening. The first plate 60 does not provide any portion of the outlet plate opening.

[0055] In this example, the outlet connector 82 extends through the housing opening 94 and the outlet plate opening. In another example, the outlet connector 82 does not extend through the housing opening 94, or does not extend through both the outlet plate opening and the housing opening 94.

[0056] The foregoing description is illustrative and non-restrictive in nature. Changes and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and the changes and modifications do not necessarily depart from the essence of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by studying the attached claims.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising: a first plate secured within the interior region of the traction battery pack housing adjacent to the second plate to provide at least one coolant channel extending through the interior region of the battery pack housing, the at least one coolant channel being located between the first plate and the second plate; as well as A connector is fluidly coupled to the at least one coolant passage, the connector being removably connectable with a conduit at a location external to the battery pack housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector is a quick connect type connector.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector is adhesively secured directly to the second plate.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector extends through an opening in the battery pack housing.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the connector extends through a plate opening of the second plate, and optionally wherein the second plate provides the entire circumferential perimeter of the plate opening.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said first panel does not provide any portion of said panel opening.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connector is secured directly to a raised area of ​​the second plate, the raised area extending through an opening in the battery pack housing, and optionally, wherein the opening is disposed within a wall of a housing tray, the raised area extending from inside the battery pack housing through the opening to a position outside the battery pack housing.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the connector is a first connector providing a coolant inlet to the at least one coolant passage, and the assembly further comprises a second connector, the first connector providing a coolant outlet from the at least one coolant passage.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein no portion of the connector is sandwiched between the first plate and the second plate.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plate and the second plate each include an upturned flange, the connector being directly secured to the upturned flange of the second plate to fluidly couple the connector to the at least one coolant channel, and optionally, the assembly further comprising a seal sandwiched between the upturned flange of the second plate and the battery pack housing.

11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through the battery pack housing to join the first plate and the second plate.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector is secured directly to the raised area of ​​the second plate, and optionally, wherein the at least one coolant channel comprises a serpentine coolant channel configured to convey a heat exchange fluid.

13. A battery assembly comprising: Multiple battery cells; a housing assembly, the housing assembly accommodating the plurality of battery cells; a heat exchange plate assembly in thermal communication with the plurality of battery cells, wherein a protruding area of ​​the heat exchange plate assembly protrudes through the housing assembly; as well as A connector is disposed on the protruding area.

14. The battery assembly of claim 13, wherein the connector is a quick connect.

15. The battery assembly of claim 13, wherein the heat exchange plate assembly is part of a thermal management system of a traction battery pack.

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