Air duct structure of battery module and energy storage cabinet

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of energy storage cabinet manufacturing, and particularly relates to an air duct structure of a battery module and an energy storage cabinet. The air duct structure comprises a shell and a radiator, and the radiator is mounted at one end of the shell in the length direction and used for radiating at least two rows of battery cells in the shell; a plurality of air inlets are formed in the two sides of the shell in the width direction; a fixing plate is arranged between the two rows of battery cells and the shell, and a plurality of ventilation holes are formed in the positions, corresponding to the air inlets, of the fixing plate; an air duct is arranged in the shell, the end part of the air duct is communicated with the radiator, and the air duct is arranged between the two rows of battery cells; a heat dissipation channel is formed between every two adjacent battery cells, one end of each heat dissipation channel is communicated with the corresponding ventilation hole, and the other end of each heat dissipation channel is communicated with the corresponding air duct. The air duct structure of the battery module is optimized, so that the problem that each battery cell in the battery module cannot be cooled is solved, and the service life of the battery cell is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of energy storage cabinet manufacturing, and particularly relates to an air duct structure of a battery module and an energy storage cabinet. Background Art

[0002] As a new type of secondary battery, lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of high energy density and power density, high operating voltage, light weight, small size, long cycle life, good safety, and green environmental protection. They have broad application prospects in portable appliances, power tools, large-scale energy storage, electric transportation power supply, etc.

[0003] Currently, the vast majority of batteries used in large-capacity energy storage products are square lithium batteries. Multiple batteries are grouped into battery modules, which are then combined into battery boxes. Different numbers of battery boxes then form energy storage products of different capacities.

[0004] In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventors discovered that the prior art has at least the following problems:

[0005] The existing structure cannot dissipate heat from each battery cell in the battery module, which affects the service life of the battery cells. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One of the purposes of the present invention is to address the deficiencies of the prior art and provide an air duct structure for a battery module. By optimizing the air duct structure of the battery module, the problem of being unable to dissipate heat for each battery cell in the battery module is solved, thereby helping to extend the service life of the battery cells.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A duct structure for a battery module comprises a shell and a radiator, wherein the radiator is mounted at one end of the shell in the length direction and is used to dissipate heat for at least two rows of battery cells in the shell; a plurality of air inlets are provided on both sides of the shell in the width direction; a fixing plate is provided between the two rows of battery cells and the shell, and a plurality of ventilation holes are provided on the fixing plate at positions corresponding to the air inlets; an air duct is provided in the shell, an end of the air duct is connected to the radiator, and the air duct is provided between the two rows of battery cells; a heat dissipation channel is formed between two adjacent battery cells, one end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the ventilation holes, and the other end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the air duct.

[0009] In some possible implementations, the number of the air inlets decreases successively along the length direction of the housing.

[0010] In some possible implementations, at least two of the air inlets are spaced apart along the height direction of the housing; and / or

[0011] At least two of the air inlets are spaced apart along the length direction of the housing.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, the fixing plate includes two side fixing plates and two end fixing plates, the two side fixing plates and the two end fixing plates form a frame, the two rows of battery cells are arranged in the frame, and the multiple ventilation holes are arranged at intervals on the side fixing plates.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the housing includes a top cover, a bottom plate, two side plates, and two end plates, and the top cover, the bottom plate, the two side plates, and the two end plates form a space surrounding the two rows of battery cells.

[0014] In some possible implementations, one of the end plates is mounted with the radiator and is connected to one end of the air duct, and the air inlets are respectively provided on the two side plates.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the air inlet, the ventilation holes, the heat dissipation channel, and the air duct are connected in sequence from the outside to the inside of the housing.

[0016] In some possible implementations, a plurality of hanging holes are provided on the edge of the side panel close to the top cover.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the arrangement direction of the battery cells coincides with the length direction of the housing.

[0018] A second object of the present invention is to provide an energy storage cabinet, comprising a cabinet body and the air duct structure of the above-mentioned battery module, wherein the cabinet body is equipped with an air conditioner, and the cold air of the air conditioner dissipates heat to the battery cell through the air inlet, the heat dissipation channel, the air duct and the radiator.

[0019] One of the above technical solutions has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present invention optimizes the air duct structure and designs air inlets on both sides of the shell. The cold air outside the shell can pass through the air inlet, ventilation holes, heat dissipation channels and air ducts. The operation of the radiator generates suction to make the cold air flow through each battery cell for heat exchange. The air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside through the air duct and the radiator, thereby achieving the exchange of heat on the surface of the battery cell, that is, taking away the heat of the battery cell during operation, so that the battery cell operates within a preset temperature range, which helps to extend the service life of the battery cell. The heat dissipation channel is designed between two adjacent battery cells. The cold air in the heat dissipation channel directly contacts the surface of each battery cell, and cooperates with the operation of the radiator to generate suction, which can exchange the heat on the surface of the battery cell, solving the problem of not being able to dissipate heat for each battery cell in the battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the decomposition structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the air duct of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the energy storage cabinet of the present invention.

[0026] The description of the accompanying drawings is as follows:

[0027] 1-housing; 10-air inlet; 11-top cover; 12-bottom plate; 13-side plate; 14-end plate;

[0028] 2- Radiator;

[0029] 3-fixing plate; 30-ventilation hole; 31-side fixing plate; 32-end fixing plate;

[0030] 4- air duct;

[0031] 5-Hanging hole;

[0032] 6-First air duct;

[0033] 7- Second air duct;

[0034] A-length direction;

[0035] B-width direction;

[0036] C-height direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] For example, certain words are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not use differences in names as a way to distinguish components, but use differences in the functions of the components as the criteria for distinction. For example, "including" mentioned throughout the specification and claims is an open term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". "Approximately" means that within an acceptable error range, those skilled in the art can solve technical problems within a certain error range and basically achieve technical effects.

[0038] Furthermore, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0040] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but this does not limit the present invention.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] The existing structure cannot dissipate heat from each battery cell in the battery module, which affects the service life of the battery cells.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention includes a shell 1 and a radiator 2, the radiator 2 is installed at one end of the shell 1 in the length direction A, and is used to dissipate heat for at least two rows of battery cells in the shell 1; a plurality of air inlets 10 are provided on both sides of the shell 1 in the width direction B; a fixing plate 3 is provided between the two rows of battery cells and the shell 1, and a plurality of ventilation holes 30 are provided on the fixing plate 3 at positions corresponding to the air inlets 10; an air duct 4 is provided in the shell 1, and the end of the air duct 4 is connected to the radiator 2, and the air duct 4 is provided between the two rows of battery cells; a heat dissipation channel is formed between two adjacent battery cells, one end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the ventilation hole 30, and the other end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the air duct 4. The present invention optimizes the air duct structure and designs air inlets 10 on both sides of the shell 1. The cold air outside the shell 1 can pass through the air inlet 10, the ventilation holes 30, the heat dissipation channel and the air duct 4. The operation of the radiator 2 generates suction to make the cold air flow through each battery cell for heat exchange. The air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside through the air duct 4 and the radiator 2, thereby realizing the exchange of heat on the surface of the battery cell, that is, taking away the heat of the battery cell during operation, so that the battery cell operates within a preset temperature range, which helps to extend the service life of the battery cell. Among them, the heat dissipation channel is designed between two adjacent battery cells. The cold air in the heat dissipation channel directly contacts the surface of each battery cell, and cooperates with the operation of the radiator 2 to generate suction, which can exchange the heat on the surface of the battery cell, solving the problem of not being able to dissipate heat for each battery cell in the battery module.

[0044] It should be noted that the radiator 2 is preferably a cooling fan, which is an axial fan. The blades of the axial fan push the air to flow in the same direction as the axis. The impeller of the axial fan is similar to a propeller. When it is working, the direction of most of the air flow is parallel to the axis, which can be understood as along the axis. The axial fan is installed on the end plate 14 of the shell 1, facing the air duct 4 in the shell 1. The axial fan has a compact structure, can save space, and is easy to install. Among them, each row of battery cells is provided with multiple battery cells, and each row of battery cells is arranged in sequence according to the length direction A of the shell 1, that is, the arrangement direction of the battery cells coincides with the length direction A of the shell 1. According to the size of the shell 1, it is designed into two rows, and each row uses 8 battery cells placed in parallel. There is a gap between each battery cell to form a heat dissipation channel. An air duct is provided between the two rows of battery cells, and the heat dissipation channel is connected to the air duct 4 to facilitate heat exchange of the cold air.

[0045] In the air duct structure of the battery module according to the present invention, the number of air inlets 10 decreases in sequence along the longitudinal direction A of the housing 1. Specifically, the number of air inlets 10 distributed at various positions in the longitudinal direction A of the housing 1 is different. Since the farther away from the radiator 2, the smaller the wind speed and the flow rate, and the closer to the radiator 2, the larger the wind speed and the flow rate, by changing the number of air inlets 10 at different positions in the longitudinal direction A of the housing 1, that is, the number of air inlets 10 far away from the radiator 2 is greater than the number of air inlets 10 close to the radiator 2, it can be understood that the number of air inlets 10 decreases in sequence, and the air inlet area also decreases in sequence, which can match the wind speed and flow rate at different positions. That is, the more air inlets 10, the larger the air inlet area, which matches the low wind speed at the position far away from the radiator 2, and the fewer air inlets 10, the smaller the air inlet area, which matches the high wind speed at the position close to the radiator 2, so that sufficient cold air can exchange heat with the surface of each battery cell, avoiding uneven heat dissipation inside the battery module.

[0046] In the air duct structure of the battery module according to the present invention, at least two air inlets 10 are spaced apart along the height direction C of the housing 1, and at least two air inlets 10 are spaced apart along the length direction A of the housing 1. Specifically, the air inlets 10 are preferably in the shape of an elongated strip, with the arrangement direction of the two air inlets 10 coinciding with the height direction C of the housing 1, with a gap between the two air inlets 10. One end of one air inlet 10 is adjacent to the top cover 11, while the other end of the other air inlet 10 is adjacent to the bottom plate 12. This arrangement can be understood as two air inlets 10 arranged vertically. Multiple groups of air inlets 10 are arranged in this manner, also spaced apart along the length direction A of the housing 1. Simultaneously, a single air inlet 10 is positioned between the two groups of air inlets 10. This structure increases the number of air inlets 10 and can accommodate low wind speeds at locations away from the radiator 2. In the middle of the side panels 13 of the housing 1, only two vertically arranged air inlets 10 are provided, eliminating the single air inlet 10. This structure reduces the number of air inlets 10. In the position near the radiator 2, only two air inlets 10 are designed to be spaced apart. This structure further reduces the number of air inlets 10 to match the high wind speed near the radiator 2, so that the overall number of air inlets 10 decreases successively along the length direction A of the shell 1, so that sufficient cold air can exchange heat with the surface of each battery cell, avoiding uneven heat dissipation inside the battery module.

[0047] In the air duct structure of the battery module according to the present invention, the housing 1 includes a top cover 11, a bottom plate 12, two side plates 13 and two end plates 14. The top cover 11, the bottom plate 12, the two side plates 13 and the two end plates 14 form a space surrounding two rows of battery cells. Specifically, one of the end plates 14 is equipped with a radiator 2, the positive and negative poles of the battery module, a signal acquisition interface and a control interface, etc. The end plate 14 is connected to one end of the air duct 4. The air inlets 10 are respectively arranged on the two side plates 13. The air inlets 10 of the two side plates 13 adopt the same structure, and the air inlets 10 of the two side plates 13 are symmetrically designed so that sufficient cold air can exchange heat with the surface of each battery cell. Among them, the positive and negative poles of each battery cell are facing the top cover 11. A connecting plate is designed between the top cover 11 and the battery cell. A plurality of connecting rows are designed on the connecting plate for connecting the battery cells in series or in parallel.

[0048] In the air duct structure of the battery module according to the present invention, the air inlet 10, vents 30, heat dissipation channel, and air duct 4 are sequentially connected from the outside to the inside of the housing 1. Specifically, cold air outside the housing 1 flows from the air inlet 10, through the vents 30 and heat dissipation channel. The operation of the radiator 2 generates suction, causing the cold air to flow through the surface of each battery cell for heat exchange. The heat exchanged air is then discharged to the outside through the air duct 4 and the radiator 2, effectively exchanging heat from the battery cell surface and solving the problem of insufficient heat dissipation for each battery cell within the battery module.

[0049] In other embodiments, a temperature and humidity sensor and a controller may be designed within the housing 1. The temperature and humidity sensor is disposed within the housing and is used to monitor the air temperature and relative humidity within the housing. The controller is electrically connected to the temperature and humidity sensors and is used to receive the air temperature and relative humidity measured by the temperature and humidity sensors. The controller may be a commercially available PLC controller or embedded controller.

[0050] The working principle of the present invention is:

[0051] The present invention optimizes the air duct structure and designs air inlets 10 on both sides of the shell 1. The cold air outside the shell 1 can pass through the air inlet 10, the ventilation holes 30, the heat dissipation channel and the air duct 4. The operation of the radiator 2 generates suction to make the cold air flow through each battery cell for heat exchange. The air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside through the air duct 4 and the radiator 2, thereby realizing the exchange of heat on the surface of the battery cell, that is, taking away the heat of the battery cell during operation, so that the battery cell operates within a preset temperature range, which helps to extend the service life of the battery cell. Among them, the heat dissipation channel is designed between two adjacent battery cells. The cold air in the heat dissipation channel directly contacts the surface of each battery cell, and cooperates with the operation of the radiator 2 to generate suction, which can exchange the heat on the surface of the battery cell, solving the problem of not being able to dissipate heat for each battery cell in the battery module.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] The difference from the first embodiment is that the fixing plate 3 of this embodiment includes two side fixing plates 31 and two end fixing plates 32. The two side fixing plates 31 and the two end fixing plates 32 form a frame. Two rows of battery cells are arranged in the frame. A plurality of ventilation holes 30 are spaced apart on the side fixing plates 31. Specifically, the two side fixing plates 31 and the two end fixing plates 32 surround the two rows of battery cells to prevent the battery cells from displacement or shaking. At the same time, the two side fixing plates 31 and the two end fixing plates 32 are each designed with ventilation holes 30 to facilitate the entry of cold air from the ventilation holes 30 into the heat dissipation channels between the battery cells. The ventilation holes 30 are also spaced apart along the length direction A of the housing 1. The ventilation holes 30 correspond to the position of the heat dissipation channels between the battery cells and also to the position of the air inlet 10. The three coincide in the same direction.

[0054] The other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0055] Example 3

[0056] The difference from the first embodiment is that the side panels 13 of this embodiment are provided with multiple hanging holes 5 near the edge of the top cover 11, which facilitates lifting the battery module and placing it in the preset position of the energy storage cabinet. The hanging holes 5 are preferably rectangular holes that can match the shape of the handling workpiece. Two hanging holes 5 are designed at both ends of the two side panels 13, which helps to improve the stability of carrying the battery module.

[0057] The other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0058] Energy storage cabinet

[0059] Specifically, the cabinet body and the air duct structure of the battery module are provided. The cabinet body is equipped with an air conditioner, and the cold air of the air conditioner is cooled by the air inlet 10, the heat dissipation channel, the air duct 4 and the radiator 2 to dissipate heat from the battery cells. The cold air outside the air inlet 10 is generated by the air conditioner.

[0060] The air conditioner is embedded in the cabinet body and can dissipate heat for multiple battery modules on the cabinet body; the cabinet body is designed with an air supply port and an air return port; the air conditioner is provided with an air outlet and an air inlet, the air outlet is connected to the air supply port, and the air inlet is connected to the return port; wherein, the side and the middle of the cabinet body are respectively provided with a first air duct 6 and a second air duct 7, the first air duct 6 and the second air duct are both connected to the air supply port, and the first air duct 6 and the second air duct 7 are both connected to the air inlet 10 of each battery module, and the radiator 2 of the battery module generates suction when it is running to make cold air flow through each battery cell for heat exchange, and the air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside through the air duct 4 and the radiator 2, thereby realizing the exchange of heat on the surface of the battery cell, that is, taking away the heat of the battery cell during operation, so that the battery cell works within the preset temperature range, which helps to extend the service life of the battery cell.

[0061] The first air duct 6 and the second air duct 7 are connected to the air outlet of the cabinet body, and the air outlet of the cabinet body is connected to the air outlet of the air conditioner, so that the cold air generated by the air conditioner can be brought to the side and middle of the cabinet body. Figure 4 As shown, the cold air of the air conditioner is distributed from the first air duct 6 and the second air duct 7 to both sides and the middle of the cabinet body, and then sucked out by the radiator 2 in front of each battery module. The suction force generated by the radiator 2 allows the cold air to enter each battery module, exchange the heat on the surface of the battery cell in the battery module, realize the control of the temperature in the energy storage cabinet, improve the problem of uneven temperature distribution in the existing structure, and help to improve the service life and performance of the battery cell. At the same time, part of the cold air passes through the return air port of the cabinet body and the air inlet end of the air conditioner, and is sucked into the air conditioner indoor unit for circulation, which helps to improve the heat dissipation uniformity of the cabinet body.

[0062] Based on the disclosure and teachings of the above description, those skilled in the art will be able to make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific embodiments. Any obvious improvements, substitutions, or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. In addition, although certain specific terms are used in this description, these terms are only for convenience of description and do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module air duct structure, characterized in that: It comprises a housing (1) and a radiator (2), wherein the radiator (2) is mounted at one end of the housing (1) in the longitudinal direction and is used to dissipate heat from at least two rows of battery cells in the housing (1); A plurality of air inlets (10) are provided on both sides of the housing (1) in the width direction; A fixing plate (3) is provided between the two rows of battery cells and the housing (1), and a plurality of ventilation holes (30) are provided on the fixing plate (3) at positions corresponding to the air inlets (10); An air duct (4) is provided in the housing (1), an end of the air duct (4) is connected to the radiator (2), and the air duct (4) is provided between two rows of battery cells; A heat dissipation channel is formed between two adjacent battery cells, one end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the ventilation hole (30), and the other end of the heat dissipation channel is connected to the air duct (4).

2. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the air inlets (10) decreases in sequence along the length direction of the housing (1).

3. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two of the air inlets (10) are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the housing (1); and / or At least two of the air inlets (10) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the housing (1).

4. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing plate (3) comprises two side fixing plates (31) and two end fixing plates (32); the two side fixing plates (31) and the two end fixing plates (32) form a frame; two rows of battery cells are arranged in the frame; and a plurality of ventilation holes (30) are arranged at intervals on the side fixing plates (31).

5. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The housing (1) comprises a top cover (11), a bottom plate (12), two side plates (13) and two end plates (14); the top cover (11), the bottom plate (12), the two side plates (13) and the two end plates (14) form a space surrounding the two rows of battery cells.

6. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: One of the end plates (14) is mounted with the radiator (2) and is connected to one end of the air duct (4), and the air inlet (10) is respectively provided on the two side plates (13).

7. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air inlet (10), the ventilation hole (30), the heat dissipation channel and the air duct (4) are connected in sequence from the outside to the inside of the housing (1).

8. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side plate (13) is provided with a plurality of hanging holes (5) at the edge close to the top cover (11).

9. The air duct structure of a battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arrangement direction of the battery cells coincides with the length direction of the housing (1).

10. An energy storage cabinet, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cabinet body and an air duct structure of a battery module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cabinet body is equipped with an air conditioner, and the cold air of the air conditioner is dissipated to the battery cell through an air inlet (10), a heat dissipation channel, an air duct (4) and a radiator (2).

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