Heat exchange cold plate and battery thermal management system

Abstract

The invention provides a heat exchange cold plate and a battery heat management system, the heat exchange cold plate comprises a first heat exchange plate and a second heat exchange plate vertically connected to the first heat exchange plate, a first heat exchange channel is formed in the first heat exchange plate, a second heat exchange channel is formed in the second heat exchange plate, the first end of the second heat exchange plate is connected with an assembly hole in the first heat exchange plate, and the second end of the second heat exchange plate is connected with an assembly hole in the second heat exchange plate. The first heat exchange channel communicates with the second heat exchange channel, the second end is sealed through the sealing cover plate, the second heat exchange plate is placed downwards when the heat exchange cold plate is installed, a liquid refrigerant flows into and fills the second heat exchange channel under the action of gravity after entering the first heat exchange channel and passing through the second heat exchange channel, and the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and is converted into a gas state in the heat exchange process. The density is remarkably reduced, so that the battery rises to overflow the second heat exchange channel and flows out of the first heat exchange channel, zero-power-consumption self-circulation heat exchange is achieved, heat exchange is conducted through refrigerant phase change, the cold plate structure can conduct heat dissipation on the bottom face and the side face of the battery at the same time, the heat exchange efficiency is improved, and the temperature uniformity is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of battery thermal management, and in particular relates to a heat exchange cold plate and a battery thermal management system. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, battery cooling technology has received increasing attention. Traditional square batteries use cold plates to exchange heat at the bottom of the battery. Battery side cooling is a technology used to improve the heat dissipation and temperature management efficiency of new energy batteries. Batteries generate heat during the charging and discharging process, and heat is transferred from high-temperature areas to low-temperature areas. Side cooling utilizes this principle. Cooling medium channels or cooling components are installed on the side of the battery so that the heat on the side of the battery can be quickly transferred to the cooling medium (such as refrigerant). By placing cooling devices such as liquid cold plates on the sides of the battery cells, or by allowing the cooling pipes to fit closely to the sides of the battery, the contact area between the cooling medium and the battery is increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency and more effectively removing the heat generated by the battery. However, most existing side cooling solutions use non-phase change liquid cooling liquid cold plates, which have low heat conduction efficiency and the structure cannot adapt well to changes in battery specifications. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat exchange cold plate and battery thermal management system, which is designed in an integrated manner through bottom cooling and side cooling and adopts direct cooling technology to achieve rapid cooling on three sides, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the battery. By setting a refrigerant flow channel connected to the bottom plate inside the cooling side plate, the refrigerant is spontaneously replaced by utilizing the density change of the refrigerant during the phase change process. The structure is simple, no additional functional components are required, and the cold plate structure can also be adaptively adjusted according to the battery structure, with good adaptability.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned and other related purposes, the present invention provides a heat exchange cold plate, comprising:

[0005] a first heat exchange plate, having a first heat exchange channel disposed therein;

[0006] a second heat exchange plate, arranged perpendicular to the first heat exchange plate, with a first end of the second heat exchange plate plugged into the first heat exchange plate and a second end covered and sealed by a sealing cover plate to form a sealed cavity, and a second heat exchange channel communicating with the first heat exchange channel formed inside the second heat exchange plate;

[0007] After the liquid cooling medium enters the first heat exchange channel and the second heat exchange channel, it exchanges heat with the outside through the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate to be converted into a gaseous cooling medium and then flows out;

[0008] The second heat exchange plate is configured so that in the installed state, the liquid cooling medium can flow into and fill the second heat exchange channel under the action of gravity, and the liquid cooling medium absorbs heat and vaporizes to convert into the gaseous cooling medium and then spontaneously rises and flows out of the second heat exchange channel.

[0009] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchange plate includes a flat plate and a flow channel plate, the flat plate and the flow channel plate are stacked to form a cavity, and the first heat exchange channel is disposed in the cavity;

[0010] The flat plate is provided with an assembly hole, and the second heat exchange plate is plugged into the assembly hole, so that the second heat exchange channel is connected with the first heat exchange channel.

[0011] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a necking structure is formed at the first end of the second heat exchange plate, and the second heat exchange plate is fixed to the assembly hole by brazing through the necking structure.

[0012] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the height of the necking structure is smaller than the thickness of the flat plate.

[0013] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a brazing gap is preset at the connection between the necking structure and the assembly hole.

[0014] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a convex structure is formed on the sealing cover plate by stamping, and the convex structure is interference-fitted with the inner cavity of the second heat exchange plate to achieve sealing.

[0015] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a draft guide structure is formed at the end of the convex structure.

[0016] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the assembly holes are arranged on the flat plate along the length direction and the width direction.

[0017] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the cooling medium is refrigerant.

[0018] The present invention also proposes a battery thermal management system, comprising a heat exchange cold plate as described in any one of the above embodiments, and a battery, wherein the battery is embedded between adjacent second heat exchange plates, the two side surfaces of the battery are respectively attached to the surface of the second heat exchange plate, and the bottom surface of the battery is attached to the surface of the first heat exchange plate.

[0019] The technical effect of the present invention is that it utilizes the characteristics of refrigerant phase change heat transfer to improve the side cooling ability of the cold plate in the direct cooling field; the cold plate structure and the refrigerant circulation channel are designed according to the physical characteristics of the refrigerant phase change, and the refrigerant density difference self-circulation mechanism is utilized, without the need for additional functional parts, the structure is simple, and the system energy efficiency and heat exchange efficiency are improved; the three-sided cooling structure can quickly cool and effectively reduce the battery temperature difference, thereby extending the battery life; the vertical plug-in double heat exchange plate structure layout can adapt to different battery specifications and is highly practical. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the heat exchange cold plate and the battery in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the working process of the refrigerant in the circulation channel in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the heat exchange cold plate and the battery in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a heat exchange cold plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of a flat plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a flow channel plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of a water connector in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of the second heat exchange plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 9 This is an enlarged view of the local structure of the second heat exchange plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 10 A schematic cross-sectional view of an end necking structure in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 11 It is an enlarged partial structural view of a cross section of an end necking structure in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the second heat exchange plate and the first heat exchange plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 13 This is an enlarged view of a partial structure of the connection structure between the second heat exchange plate and the first heat exchange plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of two second heat exchange plates in parallel in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a connection structure of three heat exchange plates in parallel in another optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 16 This is a schematic structural diagram of a sealing cover plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 17 This is an enlarged view of a partial structure of a sealing cover plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 18 This is a schematic structural diagram of a sealing cover plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 19 This is an enlarged view of the local structure of the sealing cover plate in an optional embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Description of labels:

[0041] 100, heat exchange cold plate; 200, battery;

[0042] 110, first heat exchange plate; 120, second heat exchange plate; 130, sealing cover plate; 140, water connector;

[0043] 111, first heat exchange channel; 112, flat plate; 113, flow channel plate; 114, assembly hole;

[0044] 121, second heat exchange channel; 122, first end; 123, second end; 124, positioning hole; 1221, necking structure;

[0045] 131. Convex hull structure; 1311. Mating surface; 1312. Demolding guide structure; 141. Refrigerant inlet; 142. Refrigerant outlet; 210. Battery positive and negative terminal connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless they conflict.

[0047] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are merely schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape, and size of components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity, and proportion of each component may be changed arbitrarily, and the component layout may also be more complex.

[0048] Battery side cooling is a technology used to improve the heat dissipation and temperature management efficiency of new energy batteries. Compared with traditional bottom cooling and other methods, side cooling can significantly increase the contact area between the cooling medium and the single battery cell, and make the temperature of each battery cell in the battery pack more uniform, which is beneficial to improving the overall performance and consistency of the battery pack and extending the battery life; in cases where a large amount of heat is generated due to rapid charging and discharging of the battery, side cooling can also respond more quickly to dissipate heat, effectively blocking abnormal heat conduction between battery cells, and in extreme cases such as thermal runaway, it can quickly cool down and improve battery safety; for some new energy vehicles or energy storage systems with compact battery layouts, side cooling can also make better use of the space between battery modules, without taking up a lot of space at the bottom or top of the battery to arrange the cooling system, which helps to improve the space utilization and energy density of the battery pack.

[0049] See also Figures 1 to 19The present invention proposes a heat exchange cold plate 100, comprising a first heat exchange plate 110, a second heat exchange plate 120 and a sealing cover plate 130, wherein the first heat exchange plate 110 is provided with a first heat exchange channel 111; the second heat exchange plate 120 is plugged into the first heat exchange plate 110 and arranged perpendicular to the first heat exchange plate 110, the sealing cover plate 130 is used to seal the second heat exchange plate 120 to form a sealed cavity therein, and a second heat exchange channel 121 is provided inside the second heat exchange plate 120. After the liquid cooling medium enters the first heat exchange channel 111 and the second heat exchange channel 121, it passes through the first heat exchange channel 111 and the second heat exchange channel 121. The hot plate 110 and the second heat exchange plate 120 are converted into a gaseous cooling medium after exchanging heat with the outside and flow out; the second heat exchange plate 120 is configured so that in the installed state, the liquid cooling medium can flow into and fill the second heat exchange channel 121 under the action of gravity. The liquid cooling medium absorbs heat and vaporizes and is converted into a gaseous cooling medium, which can then spontaneously rise and flow out of the second heat exchange channel 121, and then flow out of the cold plate through the first heat exchange channel 111. New liquid cooling medium is continuously replenished to the second heat exchange channel 121 to continue heat exchange. The refrigerant channel is designed in combination with the physical properties of the refrigerant to form a self-circulating heat exchange system with zero power consumption.

[0050] See also Figures 1 to 2 In the heat exchange cold plate 100 of the present invention, heat transfer is achieved by utilizing the mutual conversion of the cooling medium between the liquid and gaseous states in the refrigeration cycle. When the cooling medium undergoes a phase change, the density will change dramatically due to the significant differences in the molecular spacing and arrangement. In order to allow the cooling medium to smoothly and efficiently enter the second heat exchange plate 120 on the side and perform heat exchange in the cold plate, the cooling medium uses a refrigerant (i.e., a refrigerant), which can continuously circulate in the refrigeration system and achieve refrigeration through its own state changes. The refrigerant undergoes significant heat changes during the phase change process, which is mainly reflected in the two processes of vaporization (evaporation) and liquefaction (condensation), namely, the heat absorption of the vaporization (evaporation) process and the heat release of the liquefaction (condensation) process. The heat absorption of the liquid refrigerant can achieve efficient cooling, and the liquid refrigerant absorbs heat and is converted into a gaseous refrigerant, then overflows from the second heat exchange plate 120. This process is spontaneously generated under the influence of density and does not require additional work.

[0051] Specifically, see Figures 1 to 2 The molecular distance between liquid refrigerants is small, the arrangement is close, the intermolecular force is strong, and the density is large. The molecular distance between gaseous refrigerants is much larger than that of liquid (about 10 times more), the molecules are in a disordered free motion state, and the density is extremely small. In the process of converting liquid refrigerant to gaseous refrigerant, the density will decrease significantly. After vaporization, the volume can expand hundreds to thousands of times, and the density will drop to 1 / 100 to 1 / 1000 of the liquid. For example, the liquid density of R-134a is about 1200kg / m 3 , gas density is about 5kg / m 3(Specific values ​​vary with pressure and temperature.) Therefore, during the operation of the cold plate, the internal liquid refrigerant exchanges heat with external devices such as the battery 200 through the cold plate. The liquid refrigerant absorbs heat, causing the temperature of the cold plate to drop, thereby cooling the battery 200. During this process, the liquid refrigerant obtains enough energy to overcome the attraction between molecules and begins to vaporize, gradually changing from liquid to gas. The gaseous refrigerant will spontaneously rise due to the influence of density and overflow the second heat exchange channel 121. At the same time, new liquid refrigerant is continuously replenished into the second heat exchange plate 120 to continue heat exchange, and a self-driven cycle is achieved by utilizing the phase change density difference of the cooling medium.

[0052] See also Figures 1 to 2 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchange plate 120 is vertically installed on the first heat exchange plate 110, and the second heat exchange channel 121 is connected to the first heat exchange channel 111. A refrigerant circulation channel is formed inside the heat exchange cold plate 100 through the first heat exchange channel 111 and the second heat exchange channel 121. Combined with the physical characteristics of the refrigerant circulation process, when the heat exchange cold plate 100 is installed in the battery box, the second heat exchange plate 120 is placed downward. When the liquid refrigerant enters the first heat exchange channel 111, it will automatically fall down due to its own gravity when passing through the second heat exchange channel 121, filling the cavity of the second heat exchange channel 121; the liquid refrigerant in the second heat exchange channel 121 absorbs heat during the heat exchange process and undergoes a phase change, from liquid refrigerant to gaseous refrigerant. As it changes to gaseous refrigerant, its density also decreases. The gaseous refrigerant that has completed heat exchange in the second heat exchange channel 121 spontaneously rises and overflows the second heat exchange channel 121 due to the influence of density, and flows out of the cold plate through the first heat exchange channel 111. At the same time, new liquid refrigerant is continuously replenished into the second heat exchange plate 120 to fill the overflowed volume, continuing heat exchange, thereby realizing a heat exchange cycle. The cycle is achieved by relying on the physical properties of the refrigerant itself, without the need for additional working parts, reducing power consumption and improving heat dissipation efficiency. The first heat exchange plate 110 and the second heat exchange plate 120 can cool the bottom and both sides of the battery 200 respectively at the same time, with high cooling efficiency and good temperature uniformity, which is conducive to improving the overall performance and consistency of the battery pack.

[0053] See also Figures 1 to 6In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first heat exchange plate 110 includes a flat plate 112 and a flow channel plate 113. The flat plate 112 and the flow channel plate 113 are stacked to form a cavity. The first heat exchange channel 111 is disposed within the cavity. The flat plate 112 is provided with an assembly hole 114. The second heat exchange plate 120 is inserted into the assembly hole 114, and the second heat exchange channel 121 communicates with the first heat exchange channel 111. The stacked structure enhances sealing and mechanical strength. The flat plate 112 provides basic shape and strength support for the entire cold plate, preventing deformation or damage due to external forces, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the cold plate. The assembly hole 114 on the flat plate 112 enables modular expansion of the second heat exchange plate 120.

[0054] See also Figures 1 to 6 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a flow channel is provided on the flow channel plate 113. The setting of the flow channel can accurately guide the cooling medium to flow along the designed path, ensuring that the cooling medium can be evenly distributed in various parts of the cold plate, achieving a better heat exchange effect, and improving the temperature uniformity; in the sealed cavity formed by the flow channel plate 113 and the flat plate 112, multiple flow channels constitute the first heat exchange channel 111. After entering the first heat exchange channel 111, the refrigerant flows along the designed flow channel and enters the second heat exchange channel 121, and exchanges heat with the outside through the flat plate 112 and the second heat exchange plate 120.

[0055] Understandably, see Figures 1 to 7 A water connector 140 is also provided on the first heat exchange plate 110 for connecting the cold plate with the external cooling system pipeline, so that the refrigerant can circulate between the cold plate and other components of the cooling system (such as a liquid cooling source, a water pump, a radiator, etc.). The water connector 140 includes a refrigerant inlet 141 and a refrigerant outlet 142, which are respectively connected to the first heat exchange channel 111. The liquid refrigerant enters the cold plate through the refrigerant inlet 141, and after the heat exchange cycle, it changes into a gaseous refrigerant and flows out from the outlet, thereby realizing the circulation of the refrigerant between the cold plate and the external components; when the refrigerant circulates inside the cold plate, it can simultaneously cool the bottom and side surfaces of the battery 200 through the first heat exchange plate 110 and the second heat exchange plate 120.

[0056] See also Figures 1 to 6 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of assembly holes 114 are arranged on the flat plate 112 along the length and width directions to form a matrix arrangement for positioning and installing the second heat exchange plate 120. Specifically, the assembly holes 114 that cooperate with the side cold plates can be processed on the flat plate 112 by stamping or laser cutting. The number and position of the assembly holes 114 and the second heat exchange plate 120 are not limited and can be adjusted according to the number and specifications of the batteries 200. The overall structure of the heat exchange plate is more flexible and can adapt to various battery structures.

[0057] See also Figures 1 to 4 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchange plate 120 is vertically inserted into the flat plate 112. When in operation, the second heat exchange plate 120 is vertically downward, and the first heat exchange plate 110 is located above. The liquid refrigerant in the first heat exchange channel 111 can enter and fill the second heat exchange channel 121 under the action of gravity. The liquid refrigerant in the second heat exchange channel 121 changes phase into gaseous refrigerant after heat exchange. Since the density of the gaseous refrigerant is relatively low, it overflows the second heat exchange channel 121 and enters the first heat exchange channel 111, and then flows out of the cold plate through the first heat exchange channel 111. The interior of the second heat exchange plate 120 can be designed with flow channel structure and turbulent structure according to heat dissipation needs to ensure heat dissipation efficiency and good uniform heat dissipation effect. It is understandable that the structure of the second heat exchange plate 120 is not limited. For example, a single-layer or double-layer harmonica tube can be used, as long as it can achieve lateral cooling.

[0058] See also Figures 1 to 8 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchange plate 120 includes a first end 122 and a second end 123. The first end 122 is plugged into the first heat exchange plate 110 and fixed by brazing; the second end 123 is covered and sealed by a sealing cover plate 130 to form a sealed cavity. A second heat exchange channel 121 connected to the first heat exchange channel 111 is formed inside the second heat exchange plate 120. The heat exchange channel is used to realize self-driven circulation of the refrigerant, achieve heat exchange between the side and bottom surfaces, and improve heat exchange efficiency.

[0059] See also Figures 8 to 13 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a first end 122 of the second heat exchange plate 120 is formed with a necking structure 1221 for assembly and fixation with the flat plate 112. The insertion amount of the flat plate 112 is ensured by controlling the size of the necking structure 1221. The second heat exchange plate 120 is brazed and fixed to the assembly hole 114 through the necking structure 1221 to ensure sealing reliability and achieve a stable connection. The second heat exchange plate 120 and the assembly hole 114 are arranged in a matrix and fixed by plugging. The number and installation position of the second heat exchange plate 120 on the side can be adjusted according to the number and specifications of the batteries 200. The structure is flexible and has better adaptability.

[0060] See also Figures 8 to 13 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a brazing gap is preset at the connection between the assembly hole 114 on the flat plate 112 and the necking structure 1221. According to the capillary effect during the brazing process, the gap between the aperture of the assembly hole 114 and the necking end of the second heat exchange plate 120 is generally 0.08mm-0.2mm. The capillary effect is used to ensure the uniform flow and filling of the brazing material, improve the air tightness of the connection, and ensure the connection strength.

[0061] See also Figures 8 to 13In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the height of the constricted structure 1221 is less than the thickness of the flat plate 112 to prevent excessive insertion and blockage of the flow channel. It is understood that, viewed from a cross-section, the width of the constricted structure 1221 should be less than the thickness of the second heat exchange plate 120 at that location to facilitate positioning and welding. Specifically, to effectively control the insertion depth of the second heat exchange plate 120 into the flat plate 112, prevent unstable positioning due to insufficient insertion, and prevent blockage of the side cold plate flow channel due to excessive insertion, thereby ensuring smooth circulation of the cooling medium, the height H of the constricted structure 1221 is controlled to be 0.3 to 0.6 times the thickness of the flat plate 112, precisely controlling the insertion depth. The width K from the constricted end surface to the end of the second heat exchange plate 120 is 0.5 to 0.8 times the thickness L of the second heat exchange plate 120 at that location, ensuring sufficient brazing contact area and a stable connection while avoiding flow channel blockage.

[0062] See also Figures 1 to 15 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the second heat exchange plates 120 are arranged in a matrix on the flat plate 112. This arrangement can be adjusted to suit the lateral environment of the battery 200. For example, two or three second heat exchange plates 120 can be connected in parallel, flexibly adjusting the cooling area, improving space utilization, and adapting to different battery 200 layouts. The second heat exchange plates 120 are arranged parallel to the width of the flat plate 112. Adjacent heat exchange plates can be connected along the width of the flat plate 112 by connecting ribs to enhance overall structural stability. Round or waist-shaped positioning holes 124 are formed in the connecting ribs through a stamping process for brazing positioning and improving welding precision.

[0063] See also Figures 16 to 19 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the sealing cover plate 130 is constructed from a stamped aluminum plate with a composite layer. The surface composite layer can be made of, for example, 4045 or 4343 aluminum, while the main aluminum plate is made of 3003 aluminum. The sealing cover plate 130 is stamped to form a convex structure 131. This convex structure 131 creates an interference fit with the inner cavity of the second heat exchange plate 120, achieving a seal and preventing the risk of refrigerant leakage. For example, the inner cavity of a harmonica tube has a dimensional tolerance of ±0.05, while the contour tolerance of the convex structure 131 on the sealing cover plate 130 is 0 / +0.05. The composite layer is applied to the contact surface between the second heat exchange plate 120 and the sealing cover plate 130, and brazing flux is applied before assembly to improve brazing reliability.

[0064] See also Figure 19In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the material thickness A of the sealing cover plate 130 is 0.8 to 1.2, and the profile tolerance of the mating surface 1311 between the sealing cover plate 130 and the second heat exchange plate 120 is 0 / +0.05, ensuring good sealing. The end of the convex structure 131 is also formed with a draft guide structure 1312, and the draft angle is, for example, 10° to 60°. The draft guide structure 1312 simplifies the processing and assembly process and reduces the difficulty of docking the precision cavity.

[0065] See also Figures 1 to 19 In an optional embodiment of the present invention, when the heat exchange cold plate 100 is working, the liquid refrigerant continuously enters the first heat exchange channel 111 from the refrigerant inlet 141 of the water joint 140, flows in the first heat exchange channel 111 according to the preset flow channel, and when passing through the second heat exchange channel 121, the liquid refrigerant flows into and fills the second heat exchange channel 121 under the action of its own gravity. The liquid refrigerant in the first heat exchange channel 111 and the second heat exchange channel 121 absorbs heat and changes into gaseous refrigerant during the heat exchange process. Since the density of the gaseous refrigerant is very small, the gaseous refrigerant in the second heat exchange channel 121 will rise and overflow and enter the first heat exchange channel 111. The gaseous refrigerant in the first heat exchange channel 111 flows out of the cold plate along the set flow channel; after the gaseous refrigerant flows out, new liquid refrigerant will flow in and fill the volume of this part to continue heat exchange.

[0066] See also Figures 1 to 19 The present invention also proposes a battery thermal management system, comprising a heat exchange cold plate 100 and a battery 200. The heat exchange cold plate 100 comprises a first heat exchange plate 110 and a plurality of second heat exchange plates 120 arranged perpendicular to the first heat exchange plate 110. The battery 200 is embedded between adjacent second heat exchange plates 120, with the sides of the battery 200 respectively attached to the surfaces of the second heat exchange plates 120, and the bottom of the battery 200 attached to the surface of the first heat exchange plate 110. When the battery 200 is installed between adjacent second heat exchange plates 120, three sides of the battery 200 will contact the cold plate surface, enabling heat exchange from both the sides and the bottom. This can reduce the temperature of the battery 200 more and faster, improve heat exchange efficiency, and ensure temperature uniformity. It should be noted that in order to achieve the working circulation of the refrigerant in the heat exchange channel of the heat exchange cold plate 100, the battery 200 should be placed downward during installation, that is, the positive and negative connection points 210 of the battery are located at the bottom, and the bottom of the battery 200 is located at the top and in contact with the first heat exchange plate 110.

[0067] See also Figures 1 to 4In an optional embodiment of the present invention, a cold plate is attached to the surface of the battery 200. The refrigerant vaporizes and absorbs heat within the cold plate, removing the heat generated by the battery 200 and ensuring that the battery 200 operates within an appropriate temperature range. Specifically, after the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the heat exchange cold plate 100, the outside of the cold plate contacts the battery 200, and the temperature of the battery 200 gradually rises under operation. At this time, the liquid refrigerant inside the cold plate absorbs the heat from the outside of the cold plate. The liquid refrigerant molecules gain enough energy to overcome the intermolecular attraction and begin to vaporize, gradually transforming from liquid to gas. In this process, the refrigerant absorbs a large amount of heat, causing the temperature of the cold plate to drop, thereby cooling the battery 200. When the heat exchange cold plate 100 is operating, the refrigerant absorbs the heat generated by the battery 200 and undergoes a phase change, resulting in a significant change in density. Based on its physical properties, a good refrigeration cycle can be achieved in the heat exchange cold plate 100.

[0068] To sum up, the heat exchange cold plate and battery thermal management system of the present invention utilize the heat transfer characteristics of the refrigerant phase change to improve the cooling capacity of the cold plate side, and utilize the density difference of the refrigerant phase change to achieve self-circulation. No additional mechanical pump is required, which reduces energy consumption. Combined with the structural design of the cold plate, it can simultaneously achieve cooling of the side and bottom surfaces, improve heat exchange efficiency, and achieve uniform temperature control. The matrix arrangement structure of the side cooling plate and the shrinkage plug-in structure design support flexible expansion of the cooling area, adapt to a variety of battery 200 layouts, and have good adaptability.

[0069] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed herein are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.

[0070] In the description herein, numerous specific details, such as examples of components and / or methods, are provided to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other devices, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention, and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, various appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in different places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the invention may be combined with one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are considered part of the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0072] It should also be understood that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may also be implemented in a more separate or more integrated manner, or even removed because they are inoperable in certain circumstances or provided because they may be useful depending on the application.

[0073] In addition, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any marking arrows in the drawings should be regarded as illustrative only and not limiting. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and / or." Where a term is unclear in providing separation or combination capabilities, the combination of components or steps will also be considered as indicated.

[0074] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless otherwise indicated. Likewise, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless otherwise indicated.

[0075] The above description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention (including that described in the Abstract) is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments of the present invention and examples of the present invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, as those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. As noted, modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the above description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, and such modifications will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0076] Systems and methods have been generally described herein in detail to facilitate understanding of the present invention. In addition, various specific details have been given to provide an overall understanding of embodiments of the present invention. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other devices, systems, accessories, methods, components, materials, parts, etc. In other cases, well-known structures, materials, and / or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

[0077] Thus, although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, freedom of modification, various changes and substitutions are contemplated within the foregoing disclosure, and it should be understood that in some cases, some features of the invention will be employed without the corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Thus, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular environment or material to the true scope and spirit of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology used in the claims below and / or to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but the invention is intended to include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention will be determined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A heat exchange cold plate, characterized in that: include: a first heat exchange plate, having a first heat exchange channel disposed therein; a second heat exchange plate, arranged perpendicular to the first heat exchange plate, with a first end of the second heat exchange plate plugged into the first heat exchange plate and a second end covered and sealed by a sealing cover plate to form a sealed cavity, and a second heat exchange channel communicating with the first heat exchange channel formed inside the second heat exchange plate; After the liquid cooling medium enters the first heat exchange channel and the second heat exchange channel, it exchanges heat with the outside through the first heat exchange plate and the second heat exchange plate to be converted into a gaseous cooling medium and then flows out; The second heat exchange plate is configured so that in the installed state, the liquid cooling medium can flow into and fill the second heat exchange channel under the action of gravity, and the liquid cooling medium absorbs heat and vaporizes to convert into the gaseous cooling medium and then spontaneously rises and flows out of the second heat exchange channel.

2. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange plate includes a flat plate and a flow channel plate, the flat plate and the flow channel plate are stacked to form a cavity, and the first heat exchange channel is arranged in the cavity; The flat plate is provided with an assembly hole, and the second heat exchange plate is plugged into the assembly hole, so that the second heat exchange channel is connected with the first heat exchange channel.

3. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: A constriction structure is formed on the first end of the second heat exchange plate, and the second heat exchange plate is fixed to the assembly hole by brazing through the constriction structure.

4. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The height of the necking structure is smaller than the thickness of the flat plate.

5. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: A brazing gap is preset at the connection between the necking structure and the assembly hole.

6. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: A convex structure is formed on the sealing cover plate by stamping, and the convex structure is interference-fitted with the inner cavity of the second heat exchange plate to achieve sealing.

7. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: A drafting guide structure is formed at the end of the convex structure.

8. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of the assembly holes are arranged on the flat plate along the length direction and the width direction.

9. The heat exchange cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling medium is refrigerant.

10. A battery thermal management system, characterized in that: It comprises the heat exchange cold plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a battery, wherein the battery is embedded between adjacent second heat exchange plates, the two side surfaces of the battery are respectively attached to the surface of the second heat exchange plate, and the bottom surface of the battery is attached to the surface of the first heat exchange plate.

Images