Thermal management system of battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal management system of a battery pack. The thermal management system comprises a power battery pack and a liquid cooling unit connected with the power battery pack, the power battery pack comprises a battery box body which is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; the two groups of battery modules are arranged in the battery box body and are stacked in parallel, and one battery module is buckled on the other battery module; the heat exchange plate is mounted between the two parallel battery modules and comprises an upper panel and a lower panel, a runner for circulating a heat exchange medium is formed on the lower panel, and the upper panel and the lower panel are encircled to form a heat exchange runner; the liquid cooling unit comprises a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a compressor and a heater, the compressor is used for cooling fluid, and the heater is used for heating the fluid. According to the thermal management system of the battery pack, space utilization, heat exchange efficiency and structural stability are comprehensively considered, and an efficient, energy-saving and safe thermal management scheme is provided for the power battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of battery management, and particularly relates to a thermal management system for a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] As a modern means of transportation, tramcars are famous for their speed, safety, accuracy, and comfort. They have become an important symbol of a country's comprehensive national strength, urban economic strength, people's living standards, and modernization drive.

[0003] However, the existing thermal management system for tramcar battery packs has the following defects in its own design and subsequent use process: 1. The overall volume of the battery pack is large, and it contains multiple battery modules. However, the installation space for the battery modules is limited. At the same time, each battery module needs to be equipped with a set of liquid cooling devices, and the internal assembly process is cumbersome, with high energy consumption and poor heat exchange effect; 2. The liquid cooling unit adopts a split structure, with a relatively large volume. It relies on a mechanical structure to achieve the purpose of cooling or heating the battery pack. Its overall equipment structure is complex, with numerous parts, and it is not convenient to operate, resulting in a relatively large overall weight of the thermal management system and an unsatisfactory heat exchange effect. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the defects existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a thermal management system for a battery pack, which has high space utilization rate and heat exchange rate, and good structural stability.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A thermal management system for a battery pack, comprising a power battery pack and a liquid cooling unit connected to the power battery pack;

[0007] Wherein,

[0008] The power battery pack includes a battery box body, which is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;

[0009] Two groups of battery modules, which are arranged in the battery box body and stacked side by side, and one battery module is buckled on the other battery module;

[0010] A heat exchange plate, which is installed between two side-by-side battery modules, and includes an upper panel and a lower panel. A flow channel for circulating a heat exchange medium is formed on the lower panel, and the upper panel and the lower panel enclose a heat exchange flow channel;

[0011] A heat conducting pad, which is set as an elastic component made of a metal material. The elastic component is located on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate and the battery module, and is elastically in contact with both the heat exchange plate and the battery module;

[0012] The liquid cooling unit includes a first pipeline, a second pipeline, a compressor, and a heater;

[0013] The compressor and the heater are connected in parallel between the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The shunt end of the first pipeline is used to input fluid into the compressor or the heater;

[0014] The compressor is used to cool the fluid, and the heater is used to heat the fluid;

[0015] The second pipeline is used to receive the fluid output by the compressor or the heater and output the fluid to the heat exchange plate to perform thermal management on the battery module;

[0016] The first pipeline is used to receive the fluid after performing thermal management on the battery module.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery module includes a plurality of vertically arranged blade-shaped battery cells. The plurality of blade-shaped battery cells are placed in a carrier frame. Insulating sheets are attached to the periphery of the carrier frame. Pole plate assemblies are installed on opposite sides of the carrier frame along its length direction. Through holes for the pole columns at both ends of the blade-shaped battery cells are provided on the pole plate assemblies. A pressing plate is installed at the upper end of the carrier frame. The pressing plate is arranged close to the pole plate assemblies. The heat exchange plate is provided on the tops of the plurality of blade-shaped battery cells. And the above-mentioned heat conduction pads are installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate and the blade-shaped battery cells. The heat exchange plate, the carrier frame, the pole plate assemblies and the pressing plate enclose the plurality of blade-shaped battery cells to form a sealed space.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aluminum busbar is welded between the pole columns of the two blade-shaped battery cells, and the aluminum busbar is placed in the through hole of the pole plate assembly.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, handles are installed on both sides of the carrier frame. A third pipeline and a fourth pipeline are installed on the heat exchange plate. The third pipeline and the fourth pipeline are respectively arranged at both ends of the heat exchange flow channel;

[0020] Among them,

[0021] The third pipeline is communicated with the liquid inlet of the battery box body, and the fourth pipeline is communicated with the liquid outlet of the battery box body.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ports of the first pipeline and the second pipeline are arranged on the upper panel, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet communicated with them are on the same horizontal plane.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a number of abutting blocks are arranged on the inner periphery of the battery box body, and the abutting blocks are in contact with the carrier frame.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a DCDC converter and an anti-reverse charging diode. An anti-reverse charging diode is provided between the DCDC converter and the power battery pack.

[0025] Beneficial effects:

[0026] For a thermal management system of a battery pack according to the present invention, two groups of battery modules are installed in a snap-fit manner, saving space, and a heat exchange plate is installed between them. The heat exchange between the two battery modules is achieved by one heat exchange plate. This heat exchange method effectively increases the heat exchange area, improves the heat exchange efficiency, and saves energy;

[0027] In the present invention, a heat conduction pad is installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate and the battery module. As an elastic component with a metal material, the heat conduction pad not only increases the connection tightness between the two, but also enhances the heat conduction efficiency between the two;

[0028] The liquid cooling unit of the present invention adopts an integrated design, reducing the number of pipelines and other components, improving the installation efficiency of the unit and the reliability of the system, and realizing the cooling or heating of the battery pack by the fluid;

[0029] A thermal management system of a battery pack according to the present invention comprehensively considers space utilization, heat exchange efficiency and structural stability, and provides an efficient, energy-saving and safe thermal management solution for the power battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management system of a battery pack according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic installation structure diagram of a battery module and a battery box according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 is a schematic installation structure diagram of a battery module and a heat exchange plate according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a battery module, a heat exchange plate and a heat conduction pad according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery box according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchange plate according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 is a half-sectional view of a heat exchange plate according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module according to the present invention.

[0038] In the figure: 1 battery box, 11 liquid inlet, 12 liquid outlet, 13 abutting block;

[0039] 2 Battery module, 21 Blade battery cell, 22 Carrier frame, 23 Terminal plate, 24 Pressing plate, 25 Aluminum busbar;

[0040] 3 Heat exchange plate, 31 Upper panel, 32 Lower panel, 33 Third pipeline, 34 Fourth pipeline;

[0041] 4 Thermal conductive pad;

[0042] 5 First pipeline;

[0043] 6 Second pipeline;

[0044] 7 Heater;

[0045] 8 DCDC converter;

[0046] 9 Anti - reverse charge diode. Detailed implementation mode

[0047] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] As Figure 1-7 shown, a thermal management system for a battery pack includes a power battery pack and a liquid - cooling unit connected to the power battery pack;

[0049] Among them,

[0050] The power battery pack includes a battery box body 1, provided with a liquid inlet 11 and a liquid outlet 12;

[0051] Two groups of battery modules 2, which are arranged in the battery box body 1 in parallel and stacked, and one battery module 2 is buckled on the other battery module 2;

[0052] The heat exchange plate 3, which is installed between two juxtaposed battery modules 2, includes an upper panel 31 and a lower panel 32. A flow channel for circulating the heat exchange medium is formed on the lower panel 32, and the upper panel 31 and the lower panel 32 enclose a heat exchange flow channel;

[0053] The thermal conductive pad 4, which is set as an elastic component with a metal material. The elastic component is located on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate 3 and the battery module 2, and is in elastic contact with both the heat exchange plate 3 and the battery module 2;

[0054] The liquid - cooling unit includes a first pipeline 5, a second pipeline 6, a compressor and a heater 7;

[0055] The above compressor and heater 7 are connected in parallel between the first pipeline 5 and the second pipeline 6. The shunt end of the first pipeline 5 is used to input fluid into the compressor or heater 7;

[0056] The above compressor is used to cool the fluid, and the heater 7 is used to heat the fluid;

[0057] The above second pipeline 6 is used to receive the fluid output by the compressor or heater 7 and output the fluid to the heat exchange plate 3 to perform thermal management on the battery module 2;

[0058] The above first pipeline 5 is used to receive the fluid after thermal management of the battery module 2 and circulate in a cycle;

[0059] The working principle and beneficial effects of the above embodiments are as follows:

[0060] The power battery pack of the present invention adopts two groups of battery modules 2, and one group of battery modules 2 is buckled on the other group of battery modules 2, saving space. A heat exchange plate 3 is installed between the two battery modules 21. The design of this heat exchange method effectively increases the heat exchange area, improves the heat exchange efficiency, and saves energy. At the same time, the upper panel 31 of the heat exchange plate 3 is designed as a planar structure, further improving the installation stability of the battery module 2;

[0061] To further stabilize the installation stability of the two battery modules 2 and prevent crosstalk and gaps between them, which may affect the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchange plate 3, a heat conduction pad 4 is installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate 3 and the battery module 2. The heat conduction pad 4, as an elastic component with a metal material, not only increases the connection tightness between the two, but also enhances the heat conduction efficiency between the two;

[0062] It should be noted that the above thermal management refers to cooling or heating the battery through fluid;

[0063] The above compressor and heater 7 are connected by fluid pipelines to form an integrated liquid cooling unit, reducing the number of fluid pipelines and other components and improving the installation efficiency of the liquid cooling unit;

[0064] The above liquid cooling unit further includes a water pump, which is used to output fluid to the heat exchange plate 3, and the heater 7 is set as a PTC heater;

[0065] When the current temperature of the battery module 2 reaches the first temperature threshold, the PTC heater is turned on, and the fluid in the circulation pipeline circulates under the drive of the water pump, flows through the heat exchange plate 3, and heats the battery module 2;

[0066] When the current temperature of the battery module 2 reaches the second temperature threshold, the PTC heater is turned off, and the fluid in the circulation pipeline circulates under the drive of the water pump. The fluid is cooled by the compressor and then input to the heat exchange plate 3 to cool the battery module 2;

[0067] Among them,

[0068] the first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold are set according to the region and specific working conditions;

[0069] A thermal management system for a battery pack according to the present invention improves the heat exchange efficiency and saves energy consumption by increasing the heat exchange area and optimizing the design of the heat exchange plate 3; the application of the upper panel 31 of the planar structure and the heat conducting pad 4 enhances the installation stability of the battery module 2; the elastic heat conducting pad 4 made of a metal material further improves the heat conduction efficiency between the heat exchange plate 3 and the battery module 2;

[0070] The liquid cooling unit adopts an integrated design, reduces the number of pipelines and other components, improves the installation efficiency of the unit and the reliability of the system. Precise temperature control helps prevent the battery from overheating or overcooling, reduces safety risks, and extends the battery life;

[0071] The design of the thermal management system of the present invention comprehensively considers space utilization, heat exchange efficiency and structural stability, and provides an efficient, energy-saving and safe thermal management solution for the power battery pack.

[0072] In one embodiment, as Figure 8 shown,

[0073] the above-mentioned battery module 2 includes a plurality of blade-shaped battery cells 21 arranged vertically. The plurality of blade-shaped battery cells 21 are placed in a carrier frame 22. Insulating sheets are attached to the peripheral side of the carrier frame 22. Pole plate 23 is installed on opposite sides of the carrier frame 22 along its length direction. Through holes for the pole columns at both ends of the blade-shaped battery cell 21 are provided on the pole plate 23. A pressing plate 24 is installed at the upper end of the carrier frame 22. The pressing plate 24 is arranged close to the pole plate 23. The above-mentioned heat exchange plate 3 is provided on the top of the plurality of blade-shaped battery cells 21, and the above-mentioned heat conducting pad 4 is installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate 3 and the blade-shaped battery cell 21. The above-mentioned heat exchange plate 3, carrier frame 22, pole plate 23 and pressing plate 24 cover the plurality of blade-shaped battery cells 21 to form a sealed space;

[0074] The above-mentioned carrier frame 22, pole plate 23 and pressing plate 24 realize the XYZ-direction fixation of the plurality of vertically arranged blade-shaped battery cells 21 to ensure the stability of the overall structure of the battery cells and reduce the risk of damage caused by vibration or impact during the working process; the heat exchange plate 3 is placed above the blade-shaped battery cell 21 and covers the above-mentioned blade-shaped battery cell 21, which is beneficial to thermal management and the protection of the battery cells; the fluid in the heat exchange plate 3 circulates through the flow channel and exchanges heat with the blade-shaped battery cell 21 to adjust the temperature of the battery cell; the structural design of the battery module 2 maximizes the heat exchange area, improves the thermal management efficiency, and simplifies the manufacturing and maintenance processes.

[0075] In one embodiment,

[0076] An aluminum busbar 25 is welded between the pole posts of the two-blade battery cell 21, and the aluminum busbar 25 is placed in the through holes of the above-mentioned pole post plate 23 to achieve the series connection of multiple blade battery cells 21;

[0077] When multiple blade battery cells 21 are connected in series through the aluminum busbar 25, the current flows from the positive electrode of one battery cell to the negative electrode of the next battery cell, forming a complete circuit. The welding position of the aluminum busbar 25 and the design of the pole post plate 23 will not affect the heat exchange between the heat exchange plate 3 and the blade battery cell 21, ensuring the effectiveness of the thermal management system. The welding method of the aluminum busbar 25 provides a reliable electrical connection, reducing the increase in resistance and heat generation caused by poor contact; through the design of the through holes of the pole post plate 23, the connection process between the blade battery cells 21 is simplified, improving the assembly efficiency.

[0078] In one embodiment,

[0079] Handles are installed on both sides of the above-mentioned carrier frame 22, which helps to provide convenience and safety during the handling and installation of the battery module 2. A third pipeline 33 and a fourth pipeline 34 are installed on the heat exchange plate 3, and the third pipeline 33 and the fourth pipeline 34 are arranged at both ends of the heat exchange flow channel;

[0080] Among them,

[0081] The third pipeline 33 is communicated with the liquid inlet 11 of the battery box 1, and the fourth pipeline 34 is communicated with the liquid outlet 12 of the battery box 1;

[0082] The fluid enters the heat exchange flow channel in the heat exchange plate 3 through the third pipeline 33, exchanges heat with the blade battery cell 21, and then flows out through the fourth pipeline 34. The reasonable layout of the pipeline helps with later maintenance and repair work.

[0083] In one embodiment,

[0084] The ports of the above-mentioned first pipeline and the second pipeline are arranged on the upper panel 31 and are communicated with the liquid inlet 11 and the liquid outlet 12 located on the same horizontal plane;

[0085] The liquid inlet 11 and the liquid outlet 12 being on the same horizontal plane helps the smooth flow of the fluid and reduces the flow resistance; arranging the pipeline ports on the upper panel 31 makes maintenance and inspection more convenient, and the operator can more easily access the pipelines.

[0086] In one embodiment,

[0087] A number of abutting blocks 13 are arranged on the inner peripheral side of the battery box 1, and the abutting blocks 13 are in contact with the carrier frame 22; the main function of the abutting blocks 13 is to provide support and positioning for the battery module 2, ensuring the fixation and stability of the battery module 2 in the battery box 1.

[0088] In one embodiment,

[0089] It further includes a DCDC converter 8 and an anti-reverse charging diode 9. An anti-reverse charging diode 9 is provided between the DCDC converter 8 and the power battery pack to ensure the correct direction of current flow, effectively solve the problem of reverse current pouring of the power battery pack, reduce losses, and improve the safety and reliability of the system.

[0090] In summary:

[0091] For the thermal management system of a battery pack according to the present invention, two groups of battery modules are installed in a buckling connection manner, saving space. A heat exchange plate is installed between them, and this heat exchange method effectively increases the heat exchange area, improves the heat exchange efficiency, and saves energy;

[0092] For the present invention, a heat conducting pad is installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate and the battery module. As an elastic component with a metal material, the heat conducting pad not only increases the connection tightness between the two, but also enhances the heat conduction efficiency between the two;

[0093] The liquid cooling unit of the present invention adopts an integrated design, reducing the number of pipelines and other components, improving the installation efficiency of the unit and the reliability of the system, and enabling the fluid to cool or heat the battery pack;

[0094] For the thermal management system of a battery pack according to the present invention, considering space utilization, heat exchange efficiency and structural stability comprehensively, it provides an efficient, energy-saving and safe thermal management solution for the power battery pack.

[0095] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. The use of front, back, left and right in the text is not specified, mainly for more intuitively explaining the technical solution and does not play a limiting role. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are only for explaining the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable those familiar with this technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermal management system for a battery pack, characterized in that: It includes a power battery pack and a liquid cooling unit connected to the power battery pack; in, A power battery pack comprises a battery box (1) provided with a liquid inlet (11) and a liquid outlet (12); Two groups of battery modules (2) are arranged in a battery box (1) and are stacked in parallel, with one battery module (2) being buckled onto the other battery module (2); A heat exchange plate (3) is installed between two parallel battery modules (2), comprising an upper panel (31) and a lower panel (32), a flow channel for circulating a heat exchange medium is formed on the lower panel (32), and the upper panel (31) and the lower panel (32) together form a heat exchange flow channel; A thermal pad (4) is configured as an elastic component made of a metal material, the elastic component is located on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate (3) and the battery module (2), and is in elastic contact with the heat exchange plate (3) and the battery module (2); A liquid cooling unit, comprising a first pipeline (5), a second pipeline (6), a compressor and a heater (7); The compressor and the heater (7) are connected in parallel between the first pipeline (5) and the second pipeline (6), and the branch end of the first pipeline (5) is used to input fluid into the compressor or the heater (7); The compressor is used to cool the fluid, and the heater (7) is used to heat the fluid; The second pipeline (6) is used to receive the fluid output by the compressor or the heater (7), and output the fluid to the heat exchange plate (3) to perform thermal management on the battery module (2); The first pipeline (5) is used to receive the fluid after thermal management of the battery module (2).

2. A thermal management system for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery module (2) comprises a plurality of vertically arranged blade cells (21), wherein the plurality of blade cells (21) are placed in a carrier frame (22), an insulating sheet is attached to the peripheral side of the carrier frame (22), pole plates (23) are installed on opposite sides of the carrier frame (22) along its length direction, and holes for inserting poles at both ends of the blade cells (21) are opened on the pole plates (23), a pressure plate (24) is installed at the upper end of the carrier frame (22), the pressure plate (24) is arranged close to the pole plate (23), the heat exchange plate (3) is arranged on the top of the plurality of blade cells (21), and the above-mentioned thermal pad (4) is installed on the contact surface between the heat exchange plate (3) and the blade cells (21), and the heat exchange plate (3), the carrier frame (22), the pole plate (23) and the pressure plate (24) cover the plurality of blade cells (21) to form a sealed space.

3. A thermal management system for a battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: An aluminum bar (25) is welded between the poles of the two blade cells (21), and the aluminum bar (25) is placed in a through hole of the pole plate (23).

4. The thermal management system of a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: Handles are installed on both sides of the carrying frame (22), and a third pipeline (33) and a fourth pipeline (34) are installed on the heat exchange plate (3), and the third pipeline (33) and the fourth pipeline (34) are respectively arranged at both ends of the heat exchange flow channel; in, The third pipeline (33) is in communication with the liquid inlet (11) of the battery box (1), and the fourth pipeline (34) is in communication with the liquid outlet (12) of the battery box (1).

5. The thermal management system of a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ports of the first pipeline and the second pipeline are arranged on the upper panel (31), and the liquid inlet (11) and the liquid outlet (12) connected thereto are located on the same horizontal plane.

6. A thermal management system for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of abutment blocks (13) are arranged on the inner circumference of the battery box (1), and the abutment blocks (13) are in contact with the bearing frame (22).

7. The thermal management system of a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a DCDC converter (8) and an anti-reverse charging diode (9), wherein the anti-reverse charging diode (9) is provided between the DCDC converter (8) and the power battery pack.

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