Cooling device for relieving heat spreading and battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device for relieving heat spreading and a battery pack, the cooling device comprises a shell, a barrier and a plurality of heat conduction pieces, a containing cavity is formed in the shell, and the barrier is arranged in the shell and divides the containing cavity into a containing area and an exhaust area; a plurality of exhaust holes are formed in the barrier in a penetrating manner; the plurality of heat conduction pieces are arranged in the accommodating cavity at intervals in the first direction and penetrate through the barrier piece in the second direction; an air flow channel extending in the third direction is formed between every two adjacent heat conduction pieces. The heat conduction piece is contacted with the battery core; one side wall of the shell is provided with an air inlet hole, the other side wall of the shell is provided with an air outlet hole in a penetrating mode, and the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole are both communicated with the air flow channel. According to the battery, the exhaust hole and the pressure release valve of the battery cell are correspondingly arranged, so that gas released after thermal runaway of a single battery can enter the exhaust area through the exhaust hole, moves in the air flow channel according to a specified direction under the cooperation of the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole and is discharged out of the shell, and the thermal runaway process is effectively relieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of new energy vehicle battery packs, and in particular to a cooling device and a battery pack for alleviating heat spread. Background Art

[0002] As the global energy crisis intensifies, the rapid development of new energy systems has triggered widespread demand for efficient and sustainable energy carriers. Lithium-ion batteries, with their excellent electrochemical performance, long cycle life and continuously optimized technology, not only dominate portable electronic devices, but are also widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other fields.

[0003] However, the safety of lithium-ion batteries is still a key bottleneck restricting their large-scale application. Especially when the battery is subjected to abuse conditions such as extrusion and collision, overcharge and over-discharge, short circuit, and high temperature, it is easy to cause thermal runaway. When the temperature reaches a certain level, due to the violent reaction inside the battery and the increased pressure, high-temperature smoke and solid particles will be released through the pressure relief valve. However, the battery pack is generally composed of multiple batteries arranged vertically and horizontally. If these substances are not discharged in time, they may spread to other cells, causing local or full system thermal runaway, which in turn poses a serious threat to public safety and property. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a cooling device and battery pack for alleviating heat spread when thermal runaway occurs in some cells in the battery pack, which may spread to other cells and cause thermal runaway of the local or entire system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a cooling device for alleviating heat spread, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A cooling device for alleviating heat spread, comprising a shell, a barrier and a plurality of heat-conducting members, wherein a receiving cavity is formed inside the shell; the barrier is installed in the shell and divides the receiving cavity into a receiving area for receiving a battery cell and an exhaust area for exhausting gas; a plurality of exhaust holes are penetrated through the barrier, and the exhaust holes are arranged corresponding to the pressure relief valves of the battery cell; a plurality of the heat-conducting members are arranged in the receiving cavity at intervals along a first direction and penetrate the barrier along a second direction; in the exhaust area, an air flow channel extending along a third direction is formed between two adjacent heat-conducting members; the heat-conducting member is configured to be able to contact the battery cell;

[0007] Among them, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other; along the third direction, one side wall of the shell is provided with an air inlet hole for air intake, and the other opposite side wall is penetrated by an air outlet hole for air exhaust, and the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole are both connected to the air flow channel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the intake air holes and the exhaust air holes are both provided in plurality and are arranged at intervals along the first direction on the housing. In the third direction, the intake air holes and the exhaust air holes communicate with opposite ends of the air flow passage respectively.

[0009] In one embodiment, a air supply member is installed in the intake air hole for sending external air into the exhaust area through the intake air hole.

[0010] In one embodiment, the heat conducting member includes a contact portion and a heat dissipating portion connected to the contact portion. A through hole for the contact portion to pass through is formed in the barrier member. The contact portion can pass through the through hole along the second direction and can contact the battery cell, and the heat dissipating portion is located in the exhaust area.

[0011] In one embodiment, sealant is filled between the outer wall of the contact portion and the inner wall of the through hole.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cooling device further includes a heat insulation member. The heat insulation member is made of a heat-insulating and flame-retardant material and is attached to one side wall of the heat conducting member. The heat insulation member and the heat conducting member are clamped between adjacent battery cells.

[0013] In one embodiment, the heat insulation member is configured to be able to expand and contract along the first direction.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery pack, adopting the following technical solution:

[0015] A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and the above-mentioned cooling device for alleviating thermal runaway. All the battery cells are located in the accommodation area and are arranged longitudinally and transversely; each battery cell is at least correspondingly provided with one heat conducting member, and the heat conducting member can contact the side wall of the battery cell.

[0016] In one embodiment, the battery cells are all configured as square.

[0017] In one embodiment, the battery pack further includes a plurality of support frames arranged in the accommodation area. In the first direction, the support frames are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the accommodation area and can abut against the battery cells at the head and tail sides.

[0018] The above-mentioned cooling device for alleviating thermal runaway corresponds the exhaust hole to the pressure relief valve of the battery cell, so that the gas released after a single battery is thermally out of control can enter the exhaust area through the exhaust hole, and under the cooperation of the intake air hole and the exhaust air hole, it moves in the air flow passage in a specified direction and is discharged from the housing, thereby effectively alleviating the thermal runaway process, suppressing thermal spread, and further improving the overall safety of the battery pack. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 This is an overall view of the battery pack in an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the battery pack in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the barrier member, heat conducting member, heat insulating member and support frame in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a side view of the barrier member, heat conducting member, heat insulating member and support frame in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged view of part A in

[0024] Figure 6 This is a top view of the barrier member and heat conducting member in an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Explanation of the Reference Numerals in the Drawings:

[0026] 1. Outer shell; 11. Box body; 111. Intake air hole; 112. Exhaust air hole; 12. Bottom plate; 13. Air flow channel; 2. Barrier member; 21. Exhaust hole; 22. Through hole; 3. Heat conducting member; 31. Contact portion; 32. Heat dissipation portion; 4. Heat insulating member; 5. Electric core; 6. Support frame; F1. First direction; F2. Second direction; F3. Third direction. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0027] In order to make the above objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following will describe the detailed implementation manners of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to fully understand the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if there are terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., the orientation or positional relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. These are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation on the present application.

[0029] In addition, if there are terms such as "first" and "second", these terms are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present application, if there is a term "plurality", the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0030] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if there are terms such as "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc., these terms should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, if there is a description such as a first feature being "on" or "under" a second feature, the meaning may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0032] If an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can be an intermediate element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. If present, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation.

[0033] The following will further elaborate on the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the attached Figures 1-6 drawings.

[0034] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, taking Figure 1 as an example, Figure 1 Fig. shows an overall view of a battery pack in an embodiment of this application. Among them, the first direction F1 is the length direction of the battery pack, the second direction F2 is the height direction of the battery pack, and the third direction F3 is the width direction of the battery pack.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, Figure 2 Fig. shows an exploded view of a battery pack in an embodiment of this application. An embodiment of this application provides a cooling device for alleviating thermal propagation, specifically an air-cooled cooling device applied to a new energy vehicle battery pack.

[0036] Specifically, the cooling device includes a housing 1 for realizing outer protection. The housing 1 includes a bottom plate 12 and a box body 11. The box body 11 can be buckled on the bottom plate 12 along the second direction F2 and jointly enclose a receiving cavity with the bottom plate 12 to effectively protect the components inside the receiving cavity.

[0037] In some embodiments, the cooling device further includes a barrier member 2 installed in the receiving cavity. The barrier member 2 is installed inside the box body 11 and divides the receiving cavity inside the box body 11 into a receiving area and an exhaust area. Among them, the receiving area is used to accommodate the battery cells 5, and the exhaust area is used to discharge the gas released after the thermal runaway of the battery cells 5.

[0038] In the embodiments of this application, the barrier member 2 is configured as a plate-like structure and is made of a high-temperature resistant and low-thermal conductivity material. Specifically, the high-temperature resistant and low-thermal conductivity material can be at least one of a high-temperature resistant PPG flame retardant material, a heat-insulating mica sheet, and a composite fireproof and heat-insulating sheet. The periphery of the barrier member 2 is connected to the side wall of the box body 11, thereby dividing the receiving cavity into upper and lower parts, so that the receiving area and the exhaust area are separated up and down.

[0039] Combined with Figure 3 shown, Figure 3The perspective view of the barrier member, heat conducting member, heat insulating member and support frame in an embodiment of the present application is shown. In some embodiments, in order to prevent the gas discharged from the battery with a thermal runaway phenomenon in the accommodation area from spreading in the accommodation area, resulting in local or full-system thermal runaway, a plurality of exhaust holes 21 are provided through the barrier member 2 along the second direction F2 in the present application, and the exhaust holes 21 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with and communicated with the pressure relief valves of the batteries.

[0040] When one or several battery cell monomers in the accommodation area have a thermal runaway phenomenon, the pressure relief valves of the corresponding battery cells 5 are opened and release high-temperature flue gas and solid particles outward. The high-temperature flue gas and solid particles then directly enter the exhaust area through the exhaust holes 21 corresponding to and communicated with the pressure relief valves, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles spreading in the accommodation area, and effectively ensuring the overall safety of the battery pack.

[0041] Specifically refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 as shown, Figure 4 The side view of the barrier member, heat conducting member, heat insulating member and support frame in an embodiment of the present application is shown, Figure 5 which shows Figure 4 the enlarged view of part A in

[0042] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 as shown. In some other embodiments, along the third direction F3, an intake air hole 111 for air intake is provided through one side wall of the housing 1, and an exhaust air hole 112 for air exhaust is provided through the opposite side wall. The intake air hole 111 and the exhaust air hole 112 are respectively communicated with the opposite ends of the air flow channel 13 in the third direction F3, so that air can enter from the intake air hole 111, flow in the air flow channel 13 along the third direction F3, and finally flow out from the exhaust air hole 112 together with the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles, so as to smoothly discharge the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles.

[0043] In the embodiments of the present application, a plurality of intake air holes 111 are provided. All the intake air holes 111 are arranged at intervals along the first direction F1 on the housing 1 and communicate with one end of the air flow channel 13 in the third direction F3. A blowing member is installed in each intake air hole 111. The blowing member can specifically be a common fan. The blowing member is used to send external air into the exhaust area through the intake air holes 111 to push the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles in the exhaust area to flow out from the outlet air holes 112 along the air flow channel 13, further accelerating the discharge process of the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles. At the same time, the setting of the blowing member enables the gas released after a single cell 5 is thermally out of control to move along the specified air flow channel 13, inhibiting thermal spread, and thus improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0044] In some embodiments, a plurality of intake air holes 111 and outlet air holes 112 are provided. All the outlet air holes 112 are arranged at intervals along the first direction F1 on the housing 1. In the third direction F3, the intake air holes 111 and the outlet air holes 112 communicate with opposite ends of the air flow channel 13.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, the outlet air holes 112 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the air flow channels 13 for discharging high-temperature flue gas and solid particles to the outside. Further, maintenance personnel can infer the approximate position of the cell 5 that has experienced thermal runaway based on the position of the outlet air holes 112 from which the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles are discharged, thereby accelerating the maintenance process.

[0046] In some other embodiments, in order to control costs and reduce heat dissipation energy consumption, the intake air holes 111 are arranged between two adjacent air flow channels 13, that is, two adjacent air flow channels 13 share one intake air hole 111 and share the same blowing member to achieve air intake, so as to reduce the energy consumption generated during the exhaust process.

[0047] Combined with Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the bottom end of the heat conducting member 3 is configured to be able to contact the cell 5, and the top end is arranged in the exhaust area, so as to conduct the heat generated by the cell 5 to the exhaust area and achieve heat dissipation by means of the air flow in the exhaust area.

[0048] In some other embodiments, the outer edge of the part of the heat conducting member 3 located in the exhaust area is connected to the inner wall of the box body 11, so that the adjacent air flow channels 13 are spaced apart from each other, thus avoiding the situation that the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles discharged after thermal failure leak into the adjacent air flow channels 13.

[0049] Specifically, the heat conducting member 3 includes a contact portion 31 and a heat dissipating portion 32 connected to the contact portion 31. A through hole 22 for the contact portion 31 to pass through is formed in the barrier member 2. The contact portion 31 can pass through the through hole 22 along the second direction F2 and contact the battery cell 5, so as to conduct the heat generated by the battery cell 5 to the heat dissipating portion 32 located in the exhaust area through the contact portion 31, and utilize the air flow in the exhaust area to realize the heat dissipation operation of the battery cell 5, thereby improving the overall operation stability of the battery pack.

[0050] Specifically refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in some other embodiments, a plurality of battery cell monomers 5 are arranged between two adjacent heat conducting members 3 or between the heat conducting member 3 and the inner wall of the adjacent box body 11, and all the battery cells 5 are arranged at intervals along the third direction F3. In order to achieve precise heat dissipation for each battery cell 5, in the embodiments of the present application, a plurality of contact portions 31 are correspondingly connected to each heat dissipating portion 32, and all the contact portions 31 are arranged at intervals along the third direction F3 and are in one-to-one correspondence and attached to the surface of the battery cell 5 to achieve heat transfer.

[0051] Combined with Figure 5 As shown, further, in order to ensure the heat conduction effect, the heat conducting portion and the heat dissipating portion 32 in the embodiments of the present application are configured as an integral structure, and both the heat conducting portion and the heat dissipating portion 32 are configured as flat plate-like structures, and all the battery cells 5 are configured as square shapes to ensure effective attachment between the heat conducting portion and the battery cell housing 5 and ensure the heat conduction effect. In the embodiments of the present application, the heat conducting member 3 can specifically be a copper sheet.

[0052] In addition, in some other embodiments, after the contact portion 31 is installed in place, a sealant is filled between the outer wall of the contact portion 31 and the inner wall of the through hole 22 to seal the gap between the contact portion 31 and the through hole 22, thereby realizing the installation and fixation of the heat conducting member 3. And, by using the sealant to seal the gap between the contact portion 31 and the through hole 22, on the one hand, it can prevent the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles discharged after the thermal failure of the battery cell monomer 5 from leaking into the adjacent air flow channel 13; on the other hand, the setting of the sealant ensures the effective sealing of the accommodation area, can effectively block the contact between the high-temperature flue gas and solid particles and the battery cell 5, and effectively alleviates the phenomenon of thermal spread. In the embodiments of the present application, the sealant can specifically be a high-temperature adhesive.

[0053] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, the cooling device further includes a plurality of heat insulation members 4, which are also configured as flat plate-like structures and made of heat-insulating and flame-retardant materials. In the embodiments of the present application, the heat insulation member 4 can specifically be made of foam (a material obtained by foaming plastic particles) or aerogel. During actual assembly, the heat insulation member 4 is attached to the abutting portion 31 of the heat conducting member 3 to isolate the abutting portion 31 from the adjacent battery cells 5, thereby preventing the heat generated by the operation or thermal runaway of the battery cells 5 from affecting the adjacent battery cells 5.

[0054] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, materials with a certain elasticity such as foam or aerogel are selected to make the heat insulation member 4, so that the heat insulation member 4 is configured to be able to expand and contract along the first direction F1. When the heat insulation member 4 is clamped between adjacent battery cells 5, it can play a role in shock absorption.

[0055] Combined Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the present application also provides a battery pack, which specifically includes a plurality of battery cells 5 and the cooling device for alleviating thermal propagation as described in any of the above embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, all the battery cells 5 are configured as square, and each battery cell 5 is encapsulated in a receiving area and arranged vertically and horizontally. Each battery cell 5 is at least correspondingly provided with one heat conducting member 3, and the heat conducting member 3 can be in contact with the side wall of the battery cell 5 to effectively transfer the heat generated by the battery cell 5.

[0056] In some other embodiments, the battery pack further includes a plurality of support frames 6 provided in the receiving area, and the support frames 6 are configured as right triangle structures. In the first direction F1, the support frames 6 are respectively arranged on opposite sides in the receiving area and can abut against the side walls of the battery cells 5 at the head and tail to fix the battery cells 5.

[0057] When a certain battery cell 5 in the receiving area undergoes thermal runaway, the pressure relief valve of the corresponding battery cell 5 opens and releases high-temperature flue gas and solid particles outward. The high-temperature flue gas and solid particles then directly enter the exhaust area through the exhaust hole 21 corresponding to the pressure relief valve and flow under the drive of the air along the corresponding air flow channel 13, and finally are discharged from the air outlet hole 112, thereby avoiding the spread of high-temperature flue gas and solid particles in the receiving cavity and effectively ensuring the overall safety of the battery pack.

[0058] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[0059] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooling device for alleviating thermal spread, characterized in that, The cooling device includes: a housing with an accommodation cavity formed inside; a barrier member installed inside the housing and dividing the accommodation cavity into an accommodation area for accommodating the battery cells and an exhaust area for discharging gas; a plurality of exhaust holes are formed through the barrier member, and the exhaust holes are arranged corresponding to the pressure relief valves of the battery cells; and a plurality of heat conducting members spaced along a first direction in the accommodation cavity and passing through the barrier member along a second direction; in the exhaust area, an air flow channel extending along a third direction is formed between two adjacent heat conducting members; the heat conducting members are configured to be able to contact the battery cells; wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other pairwise; along the third direction, an air inlet hole for air intake is provided on one side wall of the housing, and an air outlet hole for air outlet is formed through the opposite side wall; both the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole communicate with the air flow channel.

2. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 1, wherein Both the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole are provided in plurality and arranged at intervals along the first direction on the housing, and in the third direction, the air inlet hole and the air outlet hole communicate with opposite ends of the air flow channel respectively.

3. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A blower is installed in the air inlet hole for sending external air into the exhaust area through the air inlet hole.

4. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 1, characterized in that The heat conducting member includes a contact portion and a heat dissipation portion connected to the contact portion, a through hole for the contact portion to pass through is formed in the barrier member, the contact portion can pass through the through hole along the second direction and can contact the battery cell, and the heat dissipation portion is located in the exhaust area.

5. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 4, wherein, Sealant is filled between the outer wall of the contact portion and the inner wall of the through hole.

6. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling device further includes a heat insulation member, the heat insulation member is made of a heat-insulating and flame-retardant material and is attached to one side wall of the heat conducting member, and the heat insulation member and the heat conducting member are clamped between adjacent battery cells.

7. The cooling device for alleviating heat spread according to claim 6, wherein The heat insulation member is configured to be able to expand and contract along the first direction.

8. A battery pack, characterized in that, The battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells, and all the battery cells are located in the accommodation area and arranged longitudinally and transversely; and the cooling device for alleviating thermal runaway according to any one of claims 1-7, each battery cell is at least correspondingly provided with one heat conducting member, and the heat conducting member can contact the side wall of the battery cell.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery cells are all configured to be square.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery pack further includes a plurality of support frames arranged in the accommodation area, in the first direction, the support frames are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the accommodation area and can abut against the battery cells at the head and tail sides.

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