Energy storage battery with liquid cooling device and cooling method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an energy storage battery with a liquid cooling device and a cooling method thereof, the energy storage battery comprises a plurality of battery modules, and each battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells arranged along a stacking direction; the plurality of side surface liquid cooling plates are respectively fixed on the side surfaces, perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, of the battery module, and the plurality of side surface liquid cooling plates comprise a first liquid cooling plate group and a second liquid cooling plate group. According to the invention, the side surface liquid cooling plate is attached to the side surface of the battery module, so that a cooling medium uniformly covers the battery cell in the height direction, and the vertical temperature gradient in the module is effectively reduced. By combining the two-stage series connection structure and the in-group parallel connection layout of the liquid cooling plates, uniform distribution of cooling liquid and system-level temperature equalization are achieved, and the unidirectional temperature gradient of the whole battery system is avoided. In addition, a liquid path channel is integrated in the supporting bottom plate, and a detachable pipeline switching assembly is adopted, so that the compact structure and the modular design of the system are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery thermal management technology, and in particular to an energy storage battery with a liquid cooling device and a cooling method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Battery systems generate a significant amount of heat during charge-discharge cycles. If this heat cannot be dissipated effectively and promptly, it will lead to excessively high battery operating temperatures, severely impacting performance, cycle life, and safety. Liquid cooling technology, due to its highly efficient heat dissipation capabilities, has become the mainstream battery thermal management solution.

[0003] However, existing battery liquid cooling solutions still have some inherent drawbacks.

[0004] A common solution is bottom liquid cooling, which involves placing the cooling plate or cooling pipes at the bottom of the battery module. The drawback of this solution is uneven heat dissipation. Due to the physical property that heat naturally conducts upwards, heat from the upper part of the battery module is difficult to effectively dissipate by the bottom cooling system, easily creating a "cooler at the bottom, hotter at the top" phenomenon, resulting in a large temperature gradient within the module. This temperature unevenness severely affects the consistency of performance among the individual cells in the battery cluster, thereby shortening the lifespan of the entire battery system.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a novel battery liquid cooling solution that can ensure efficient heat dissipation and temperature uniformity while also being compact and highly modular, in order to simplify the production and assembly process and improve the maintainability of energy storage battery systems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The main objective of this invention is to provide an energy storage battery with a liquid cooling device and a cooling method thereof to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an energy storage battery having a liquid cooling device, comprising:

[0008] Multiple battery modules, each of the battery modules comprising multiple cells arranged in a stacking direction;

[0009] Multiple side liquid cooling plates are respectively fixed on the side of the battery module perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells. The multiple side liquid cooling plates include a first liquid cooling plate group and a second liquid cooling plate group.

[0010] A support base plate is provided with a main liquid inlet channel, an intermediate confluence channel and a main liquid return channel. The main liquid inlet channel, the intermediate confluence channel and the main liquid return channel are each provided with multiple channel interfaces.

[0011] Multiple pipe adapter assemblies, each of which has one end connected to an inlet or outlet of a side liquid cooling plate and the other end detachably connected to a channel interface;

[0012] The main liquid inlet channel is connected to the liquid inlet of the first liquid cooling plate group, the liquid outlet of the first liquid cooling plate group is connected to the intermediate confluence channel, the intermediate confluence channel is connected to the liquid inlet of the second liquid cooling plate group, and the liquid outlet of the second liquid cooling plate group is connected to the main liquid return channel.

[0013] The supporting base plate has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the channel interfaces of the main liquid inlet channel and the main liquid return channel are located at the first end, and the channel interface of the intermediate confluence channel is located at the second end.

[0014] The supporting base plate is also provided with a system main liquid inlet communicating with the main liquid inlet channel and a system main liquid outlet communicating with the main liquid return channel. The system main liquid inlet and the system main liquid outlet are both located at the first end of the supporting base plate.

[0015] The arrangement direction of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of each side liquid cooling plate of the first liquid cooling plate group is opposite to the arrangement direction of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of each side liquid cooling plate of the second liquid cooling plate group.

[0016] Among them, each of the side liquid cooling plates is provided with multiple liquid cooling channels arranged in parallel along the height direction of the battery module between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

[0017] The other end of the pipeline adapter assembly forms a quick-connect structure with the channel interface.

[0018] Each battery module has end plates at both ends, and the side liquid cooling plates are fixed to the corresponding end plates by fasteners.

[0019] The battery modules and the side liquid cooling plates are arranged alternately on the supporting base plate.

[0020] Each of the side liquid cooling plates is formed by stamping and welding two metal plates, and the liquid cooling channel is formed between the two metal plates.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a cooling method for an energy storage battery, wherein the energy storage battery is the energy storage battery described in the first aspect, and the cooling method includes the following steps:

[0022] Coolant is introduced into the main inlet channel; the coolant is distributed in parallel to the first liquid cooling plate group through the main inlet channel to perform first-stage cooling on the battery module corresponding to the first liquid cooling plate group; the coolant after the first-stage cooling is collected into the intermediate confluence channel; the coolant is distributed in parallel to the second liquid cooling plate group through the intermediate confluence channel to perform second-stage cooling on the battery module corresponding to the second liquid cooling plate group; and the coolant after the second-stage cooling is collected into the main return channel and discharged.

[0023] Beneficial technical effects of the present invention:

[0024] This invention achieves uniform coverage of the cooling medium along the height of the battery cell by employing a side-mounted liquid cooling plate that is fitted to the side of the battery module, effectively reducing the vertical temperature gradient within the module. Combined with the two-stage series structure and parallel layout within the module, uniform distribution of the coolant and system-level temperature equalization are achieved, avoiding unidirectional temperature gradients in the overall battery system. Furthermore, by integrating liquid channels into the support base plate and using detachable pipe adapters, a compact structure and modular system design are achieved, significantly simplifying assembly and maintenance. These design features ensure efficient heat dissipation and thermal uniformity of the battery system during operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of an energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the side liquid cooling plate in an energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side liquid cooling plate in an energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the mid-end plate of the energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a quick-connect structure in an energy storage battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0033] In the diagram: 10-Battery module, 11-Cell, 12-End plate, 121-Threaded hole, 122-Through hole, 20-Side liquid cooling plate, 21-First liquid cooling plate group, 22-Second liquid cooling plate group, 23-Inlet, 24-Outlet, 25-Liquid cooling channel, 30-Support base plate, 31-Main liquid inlet channel, 32-Intermediate manifold channel, 33-Main liquid return channel, 34-Channel interface, 35-System main liquid inlet, 36-System main liquid outlet, 40-Pipeline adapter assembly, 41-Plug, 42-Socket. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0036] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0037] It should also be further understood that the term "and / or" as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0038] Please also refer to Figures 1-6This invention provides an energy storage battery with a liquid cooling device, comprising: multiple battery modules 10, each battery module 10 including multiple cells 11 arranged along a stacking direction; multiple side liquid cooling plates 20, the multiple side liquid cooling plates 20 being respectively fixed to the side of the battery module 10 perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells 11, the multiple side liquid cooling plates 20 including a first liquid cooling plate group 21 and a second liquid cooling plate group 22; and a supporting base plate 30, the supporting base plate 30 being provided with a main liquid inlet channel 31, an intermediate confluence channel 32 and a main liquid return channel 33, the main liquid inlet channel 31, the intermediate confluence channel 32 and the... The main return channel 33 is provided with multiple channel interfaces 34; multiple pipeline adapters 40, one end of each pipeline adapter 40 is connected to the inlet 23 or outlet 24 of one of the side liquid cooling plates 20, and the other end is detachably connected to one of the channel interfaces 34; wherein, the main inlet channel 31 is connected to the inlet 23 of the first liquid cooling plate group 21, the outlet 24 of the first liquid cooling plate group 21 is connected to the intermediate manifold channel 32, the intermediate manifold channel 32 is connected to the inlet 23 of the second liquid cooling plate group 22, and the outlet 24 of the second liquid cooling plate group 22 is connected to the main return channel 33.

[0039] In this embodiment, the energy storage battery includes multiple battery modules 10, multiple side liquid cooling plates 20, a supporting base plate 30, and multiple pipeline adapter assemblies 40.

[0040] Specifically, the plurality of battery modules 10 are arranged side by side on the supporting base plate 30. Each battery module 10 is composed of a plurality of sheet-like cells 11 (e.g., square cells) stacked together. Each cell 11 has two main surfaces (large surfaces) with the largest area and two side surfaces (narrow side surfaces) with the smaller area. Within the module, the plurality of cells 11 are arranged along the stacking direction with their main surfaces in contact with each other.

[0041] The battery module 10 macroscopically appears as a cuboid. This cuboid has two different types of sides:

[0042] End face: Located at the beginning and end of the stacking direction, it is formed by the main surfaces of the two outermost cells 11. Its surface is parallel to the stacking direction of the cells 11.

[0043] Wide side: This is two large-area surfaces formed by the narrow side of all the cells 11 arranged along the stacking direction. The surface of the wide side is perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cells 11.

[0044] To effectively dissipate heat from the battery cell 11, the energy storage battery is equipped with multiple side liquid cooling plates 20. Each side liquid cooling plate 20 is fixed to the aforementioned wide side of a battery module 10. In this way, the liquid cooling plate can simultaneously contact the narrow side of each battery cell 11 within the module, thereby efficiently and evenly dissipating the heat generated by each battery cell 11. This solves the problem of excessive temperature differences inside the module caused by traditional end-face cooling or bottom-face cooling.

[0045] These liquid cooling plates, arranged on the wide sides of the battery module 10, are divided into a first liquid cooling plate group 21 and a second liquid cooling plate group 22 in the overall liquid circuit design. This grouping method is for achieving a specific coolant flow path design. Each side liquid cooling plate 20 is provided with an inlet 23 for coolant to flow in and an outlet 24 for coolant to flow out.

[0046] The energy storage battery also includes a support base plate 30. The support base plate 30 mainly serves two functions: first, it serves as the structural support foundation for the entire energy storage battery, used to support and position the multiple battery modules 10 mentioned above; second, it serves as an integrated manifold for coolant distribution and recycling.

[0047] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the side liquid cooling plates 20 are not directly mounted on the supporting base plate 30. Each side liquid cooling plate 20 is pre-fixed directly to the structural components (such as end plates) of the corresponding battery module 10 using fasteners (such as bolts). In this way, the "battery module 10 + side liquid cooling plates 20" constitutes a highly integrated independent modular unit in terms of mechanical and thermal management functions.

[0048] During final assembly, these pre-assembled independent modular units are placed or mounted side-by-side on the support base plate 30. This design greatly simplifies the production assembly process and facilitates subsequent maintenance and replacement.

[0049] To enable its coolant distribution and recovery functions, the support base plate 30 is integrated with a main inlet channel 31, an intermediate manifold channel 32, and a main return channel 33. These channels can be pipes pre-embedded inside the base plate, or formed by machining grooves on the base plate and sealing them with caps. To achieve fluid circuit communication with the side liquid cooling plates 20 on each independent module unit, multiple channel interfaces 34 are opened on the walls of these three channels for connecting external pipelines.

[0050] To connect the channels on the support base plate 30 to the inlet and outlet ports 24 of each side liquid cooling plate 20, the energy storage battery is also equipped with multiple pipe adapter assemblies 40. One end of each pipe adapter assembly 40 is connected to the inlet port 23 or outlet port 24 of a side liquid cooling plate 20, and the other end is connected to a corresponding channel interface 34 on the support base plate 30. This connection method is detachable, which greatly facilitates the installation, replacement, and maintenance of a single battery module 10 (along with its fixed side liquid cooling plate).

[0051] The core of this embodiment lies in its coolant series-parallel mixing flow path design, the specific flow path of which is as follows:

[0052] The low-temperature coolant provided by the external cooling system first enters the main inlet channel 31 on the support base plate 30.

[0053] The coolant is distributed in parallel to the inlet 23 of each side liquid cooling plate 20 of the first liquid cooling plate group 21 through the pipe adapter 40 connected to the channel interface 34 on the main liquid inlet channel 31.

[0054] The coolant flows inside the liquid cooling plates 20 on each side of the first liquid cooling plate assembly 21, absorbs the heat generated by the battery cell 11, and then flows out from their respective outlets 24.

[0055] The coolant flowing out of the first liquid cooling plate group 21, which has increased in temperature, is collected in the intermediate confluence channel 32 on the support base plate 30 through the corresponding pipeline transfer assembly 40.

[0056] After converging in the intermediate manifold channel 32, the coolant is then distributed in parallel to the inlet 23 of each side liquid cooling plate 20 of the second liquid cooling plate group 22 through the pipe transfer assembly 40 connected to the channel interface 34.

[0057] The coolant undergoes a second heat exchange inside the liquid cooling plates 20 on each side of the second liquid cooling plate assembly 22, further absorbing heat before flowing out from their respective outlets 24.

[0058] Finally, the high-temperature coolant flowing out from the second liquid cooling plate group 22 is collected in the main return channel 33 on the support base plate 30 through the corresponding pipeline transfer assembly 40, and finally flows out of this energy storage battery and is sent to the external cooling system for cooling, thus completing a complete cooling cycle.

[0059] Through the aforementioned structural and flow path design, this embodiment divides all side liquid cooling plates 20 into two groups connected in series, while the liquid cooling plates within each group are connected in parallel, achieving a combined series and parallel liquid cooling circulation. This design ensures a relatively balanced flow of coolant through each liquid cooling plate, while increasing the temperature rise of the coolant through series connection, thus improving heat exchange efficiency and effectively managing the temperature of the energy storage battery. Simultaneously, the modular pipe connection assembly 40 and the liquid channel integrated into the base plate simplify assembly and maintenance processes, improving the system's reliability and maintainability.

[0060] In one embodiment, the support base plate 30 has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the channel interface 34 of the main liquid inlet channel 31 and the main liquid return channel 33 is disposed at the first end, and the channel interface 34 of the intermediate confluence channel 32 is disposed at the second end.

[0061] In this embodiment, for example, on a rectangular support base plate 30, one of the short sides can be defined as the first end, and the other opposite short side can be defined as the second end. To facilitate the connection and maintenance of external pipelines, the first end will be set as the front or operating side of the energy storage battery.

[0062] A key feature of this embodiment is the regional division of the interface locations for different channels, as detailed below:

[0063] The channel interfaces 34 that connect to the main liquid inlet channel 31 and the main liquid return channel 33 are all centrally located at the first end of the support base plate 30.

[0064] The channel interface 34, which is connected to the intermediate convergence channel 32, is located at the second end of the support base plate 30.

[0065] This layout causes the coolant's macroscopic flow path throughout the system to exhibit a U-shaped or zigzag pattern. The specific flow process of the coolant is further defined as follows:

[0066] Coolant enters from the main inlet channel 31 at the first end; it flows to the first liquid-cooled plate group 21 for initial heat exchange via the pipe transfer assembly 40; after heat exchange, coolant flows out from the first liquid-cooled plate group 21 and merges into the intermediate manifold channel 32 at the second end via the pipe transfer assembly 40; subsequently, coolant is distributed from the intermediate manifold channel 32 to the second liquid-cooled plate group 22 via the pipe transfer assembly 40 for secondary heat exchange; finally, coolant flowing out of the second liquid-cooled plate group 22 returns to the main return channel 33 at the first end via the pipe transfer assembly 40 and flows out again.

[0067] By physically separating the main inlet and outlet interface areas (first end) from the intermediate confluence interface area (second end), this embodiment achieves orderly planning of the liquid flow path. This design facilitates concentrating the system-level external interfaces of the energy storage battery on one side, simplifying on-site installation and wiring as well as subsequent maintenance operations, resulting in a more regular and compact system layout for the entire energy storage battery.

[0068] In one embodiment, the support base plate 30 is further provided with a system main liquid inlet 35 communicating with the main liquid inlet channel 31 and a system main liquid outlet 36 communicating with the main liquid return channel 33. The system main liquid inlet 35 and the system main liquid outlet 36 are both located at the first end of the support base plate 30.

[0069] In this embodiment, the supporting base plate 30 is also provided with a system main liquid inlet 35 and a system main liquid outlet 36. These two interfaces are the only two ports for fluid exchange between the entire energy storage battery and the outside world.

[0070] Specifically, the system's main liquid inlet 35 is directly connected to the main liquid inlet channel 31, serving as the starting inlet of this channel. External cryogenic coolant enters this energy storage battery through this system's main liquid inlet 35, then flows into the main liquid inlet channel 31, and is then distributed to each side liquid cooling plate 20.

[0071] Correspondingly, the system's main liquid outlet 36 is directly connected to the main liquid return channel 33, serving as the final outlet of this channel. All the high-temperature coolant collected after heat exchange from the side liquid cooling plate 20 flows through the main liquid return channel 33 and is finally discharged from this energy storage battery through the system's main liquid outlet 36, returning to the external cooling system.

[0072] Both the system's main liquid inlet 35 and main liquid outlet 36 are located at the first end of the supporting base plate 30. This design integrates all system-level external interfaces to the first end. This means that all liquid-cooling-related piping connections for the energy storage battery, whether internal distribution / collection interfaces or external system main interfaces, are concentrated on the same side (the first end). This forms a unified "connection and maintenance surface," greatly simplifying on-site installation and wiring, and reducing maintenance difficulty and operating space requirements.

[0073] In one embodiment, the arrangement direction of the liquid inlet 23 and liquid outlet 24 of each side liquid cooling plate 20 of the first liquid cooling plate group 21 is opposite to the arrangement direction of the liquid inlet 23 and liquid outlet 24 of each side liquid cooling plate 20 of the second liquid cooling plate group 22.

[0074] In this embodiment, the "arrangement direction" refers to the macroscopic flow direction of coolant from the inlet 23 to the outlet 24 on a single side liquid cooling plate 20. For example, if the side liquid cooling plate 20 is defined along its length as from one end to the other, then one arrangement direction is "liquid in at one end and liquid out at the other end." "Opposite arrangement direction" means that if the first liquid cooling plate group 21 adopts a "left in, right out" flow path pattern, then the second liquid cooling plate group 22 adopts a "right in, left out" flow path pattern.

[0075] To illustrate this more clearly, let's take the "first end" and "second end" of the supporting base plate 30 as an example:

[0076] For each side liquid-cooled plate 20 in the first liquid-cooled plate group 21, its liquid inlet 23 can be arranged on the side near the first end of the supporting base plate 30, while its liquid outlet 24 is arranged on the side near the second end of the supporting base plate 30. In this way, the flow direction of the coolant in these plates is generally from the first end to the second end.

[0077] Conversely, for each side liquid-cooled plate 20 in the second liquid-cooled plate assembly 22, its inlet 23 is arranged on the side near the second end of the support base plate 30, while its outlet 24 is arranged on the side near the first end of the support base plate 30. In this way, the flow direction of the coolant within these plates is generally from the second end to the first end.

[0078] The technical effects of this "reverse flow" design are significant:

[0079] In the first liquid cooling plate group 21, since the coolant enters at a low temperature, a temperature gradient will be formed in the battery module 10 through which it flows. For example, the temperature is lower near the first end and higher near the second end.

[0080] The heated coolant then enters the second liquid cooling plate assembly 22. Due to the opposite arrangement, this "warm" coolant enters the liquid cooling plate from the position near the second end, and continues to heat up as it flows towards the first end, becoming "hot" coolant. Therefore, the battery module 10 cooled by the second liquid cooling plate assembly 22 will form an opposite temperature gradient, that is, the temperature near the second end is relatively low (warm), while the temperature near the first end is the highest (hot).

[0081] This design avoids creating a unidirectional temperature field that runs from one end to the other throughout the entire energy storage battery (i.e., "cold at one end and hot at the other"). Instead, it creates a more spatially even temperature field. This more even temperature distribution avoids inconsistent battery performance degradation caused by localized overheating or excessive temperature differences, thus helping to improve the long-term operational stability and overall lifespan of the entire energy storage battery system.

[0082] In one embodiment, a plurality of liquid cooling channels 25 are provided between the liquid inlet 23 and the liquid outlet 24 of each side liquid cooling plate 20, arranged in parallel along the height direction of the battery module 10.

[0083] In this embodiment, multiple liquid cooling channels 25 arranged in parallel along the height direction of the battery module 10 are provided between the liquid inlet 23 and the liquid outlet 24 of each side liquid cooling plate 20. Specifically, the internal structure is as follows: liquid inlet manifolds and liquid outlet manifolds extending along the height direction are respectively provided at both ends of the liquid cooling plate (e.g., the left and right sides). Between these two manifolds, multiple parallel liquid cooling channels 25 extending laterally along the length direction of the battery module 10 (i.e., the stacking direction of the cells 11) are connected. These lateral liquid cooling channels 25 are stacked and distributed along the height direction of the battery module 10, thereby completely and uniformly covering the entire heat exchange surface from the bottom to the top of the battery module 10. When the coolant enters from the liquid inlet 23 on one side, it is first distributed in the liquid inlet manifold, then simultaneously diverted into all the parallel lateral liquid cooling channels 25, flowing through the entire plate surface to absorb heat, and finally converging at the liquid outlet manifold on the other side and flowing out from the liquid outlet 24. Because the coolant is simultaneously distributed to multiple channels covering different height areas, it ensures that all parts of the battery module 10 from bottom to top can obtain a nearly uniform cooling effect, effectively improving the temperature uniformity of the module in the height direction and improving the overall heat exchange efficiency.

[0084] In one embodiment, the other end of the pipe adapter assembly 40 forms a quick-connect structure with the channel interface 34.

[0085] In this embodiment, a quick-connect structure is formed between the other end of the pipeline adapter assembly 40 (i.e. the end connected to the support base plate 30) and the channel interface 34 on the support base plate 30.

[0086] This quick-connect structure can consist of a plug 41 and a socket 42 that mate with each other. For example, the end of the pipe adapter assembly 40 can be designed as a plug 41, while the channel interface 34 on the support base plate 30 can be designed as a corresponding socket 42. The socket can be equipped with an O-ring or other elastic sealing element to ensure liquid tightness after connection.

[0087] This quick-connect structure eliminates the need for specialized tools like wrenches or complex operations such as tightening or welding during energy storage battery assembly. Simply align the pre-connected pipe adapter 40 (with the side liquid cooling plate 20 attached) with the channel interface 34 on the support base plate 30 and push it in to complete the liquid circuit connection. The entire process is fast, effortless, and error-free.

[0088] Similarly, when performing maintenance or replacing a single "battery module 10 - side liquid cooling plate 20" unit, the liquid circuit connection between the unit and the support base plate 30 can be quickly disconnected by simply pulling it out, and the entire unit can be removed. This "plug-and-play" design greatly shortens maintenance time and reduces maintenance difficulty.

[0089] In one embodiment, each of the battery modules 10 is provided with an end plate 12 at both ends, and the side liquid cooling plate 20 is fixed to the corresponding end plate 12 by fasteners.

[0090] In this embodiment, in addition to including multiple battery cells 11 arranged along the stacking direction, an end plate 12 is provided at each of the beginning and end ends of the battery cell 11 stack. These two end plates 12 are fixed by steel strips wound around the battery module 10, and are also fixedly connected to the supporting base plate 30. These end plates 12 serve not only as connectors for fixing the battery module 10 to the supporting base plate 30, but also as connectors for fixing the side liquid cooling plate 20 to the battery module 10. That is, the side liquid cooling plate 20 is not directly fixed to the battery cells 11, but is fixed to these two end plates 12 by fasteners.

[0091] Specifically, this can be achieved by pre-machining several threaded holes 121 on opposite sides of each end plate 12. Corresponding through holes 122 are provided at the corresponding positions of the side liquid cooling plate 20. During assembly, the side liquid cooling plate 20 is placed on the side of the battery module 10, and then fasteners (e.g., bolts or screws, not shown in the figures) are passed through the through holes 122 on the side liquid cooling plate 20 and screwed into the threaded holes 121 on the end plate 12. By tightening these fasteners, the side liquid cooling plate 20 is securely and with a certain clamping force fixed to the side of the battery module 10.

[0092] This design allows the battery module 10, end plate 12, steel strip and side liquid cooling plate 20 to be pre-assembled into a complete module that can be independently transported and tested during energy storage battery assembly, and then installed as a whole on the support base plate 30, which greatly improves production efficiency and maintainability.

[0093] In one embodiment, a plurality of battery modules 10 and a plurality of side liquid cooling plates 20 are alternately arranged on the supporting base plate 30.

[0094] In this embodiment, taking a system containing N battery modules 10 as an example, the arrangement is: side liquid cooling plate 20 - battery module 10 - side liquid cooling plate 20 - battery module 10... - side liquid cooling plate 20. In this layout, each battery module 10, whether located in the middle or on the outermost edge, has its two opposite wide sides tightly fitted by a side liquid cooling plate 20. In other words, each battery module 10 is completely "sandwiched" between two side liquid cooling plates 20.

[0095] This alternating arrangement, except for the two outermost side liquid cooling plates 20, allows all the inner side liquid cooling plates 20 to simultaneously serve two adjacent battery modules 10. That is, one liquid cooling plate dissipates heat from the right side of one battery module 10 while simultaneously dissipating heat from the left side of the other battery module 10. This design achieves efficient reuse of heat dissipation components, reducing the total number of required liquid cooling plates without sacrificing heat dissipation performance, thereby effectively reducing the overall cost, weight, and complexity of the energy storage battery.

[0096] In one embodiment, each of the side liquid cooling plates 20 is formed by stamping and welding two metal plates, and the liquid cooling channel 25 is formed between the two metal plates.

[0097] In this embodiment, one or two metal plates are selected, and a pre-defined groove channel is formed on their surface using a stamping process. Then, the two metal plates are aligned and stacked, so that the stamped groove is covered by the other plate. Finally, the contact edges and channel boundaries of the two plates are sealed together by welding.

[0098] In this way, the original grooves form a closed, hollow network of internal liquid cooling channels 25 between the two plates. This manufacturing process, consisting of stamping and welding, is suitable for large-scale automated production and can also realize the design of complex flow channels.

[0099] Corresponding to the above-described energy storage battery with a liquid cooling device, this embodiment of the invention also provides a cooling method for an energy storage battery. The method includes the following steps: introducing coolant into the main inlet channel 31; distributing the coolant in parallel to the first liquid cooling plate group 21 through the main inlet channel 31 to perform a first-stage cooling on the battery module 10 corresponding to the first liquid cooling plate group 21; converging the coolant after the first-stage cooling to the intermediate confluence channel 32; distributing the coolant in parallel to the second liquid cooling plate group 22 through the intermediate confluence channel 32 to perform a second-stage cooling on the battery module 10 corresponding to the second liquid cooling plate group 22; and converging the coolant after the second-stage cooling to the main return channel 33 and discharging it.

[0100] In this embodiment, the first step is to introduce coolant into the main inlet channel 31. Specifically, the low-temperature coolant provided by the external cooling equipment enters the main inlet channel 31 integrated on the support base plate 30 through the system's main inlet 35.

[0101] The second step involves distributing coolant in parallel to the first liquid cooling plate group 21 through the main liquid inlet channel 31, thereby providing the first stage of cooling to the battery module 10 corresponding to the first liquid cooling plate group 21. The coolant flows within the main liquid inlet channel 31 and, through multiple pipe transition assemblies 40, is simultaneously and in parallel distributed to each side liquid cooling plate 20 of the first liquid cooling plate group 21, absorbing the heat generated by the corresponding battery module 10.

[0102] The third step involves channeling the coolant that has undergone the first stage of cooling into the intermediate confluence channel 32. The coolant, which has increased in temperature after absorbing heat, flows out from the outlets 24 of the first liquid cooling plate assembly 21 and is then collected again into the intermediate confluence channel 32 located on the support base plate 30 via the pipeline transfer assembly 40.

[0103] Fourthly, the coolant is distributed in parallel to the second liquid-cooled plate group 22 through the intermediate manifold 32 to perform a second stage of cooling on the battery module 10 corresponding to the second liquid-cooled plate group 22. The coolant collected in the intermediate manifold 32 is then distributed in parallel again to each side liquid-cooled plate 20 of the second liquid-cooled plate group 22 through the pipe adapter 40 connected to the channel for a second heat absorption.

[0104] The fifth step involves channeling the coolant that has undergone the second stage of cooling into the main return channel 33 and discharging it. The coolant, having completed the second stage of cooling and with its temperature further increased, flows out from each outlet 24 of the second liquid-cooled plate assembly 22, and ultimately converges into the main return channel 33 via the pipeline adapter 40. It then flows out of the energy storage battery through the system's main outlet 36 and returns to the external cooling equipment.

[0105] By performing the above steps, this method achieves an efficient "series-parallel hybrid" cooling process, ensuring effective and balanced cooling of all battery modules, thereby guaranteeing the safe and efficient operation of the energy storage battery.

[0106] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A storage battery with a liquid cooling device, characterized in that, include: Multiple battery modules, each of the battery modules comprising multiple cells arranged in a stacking direction; Multiple side liquid cooling plates are respectively fixed on the side of the battery module perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells. The multiple side liquid cooling plates include a first liquid cooling plate group and a second liquid cooling plate group. A support base plate is provided with a main liquid inlet channel, an intermediate confluence channel and a main liquid return channel. The main liquid inlet channel, the intermediate confluence channel and the main liquid return channel are each provided with multiple channel interfaces. Multiple pipe adapter assemblies, each of which has one end connected to an inlet or outlet of a side liquid cooling plate and the other end detachably connected to a channel interface; The main liquid inlet channel is connected to the liquid inlet of the first liquid cooling plate group, the liquid outlet of the first liquid cooling plate group is connected to the intermediate confluence channel, the intermediate confluence channel is connected to the liquid inlet of the second liquid cooling plate group, and the liquid outlet of the second liquid cooling plate group is connected to the main liquid return channel.

2. The energy storage battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting base plate has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; the channel interfaces of the main liquid inlet channel and the main liquid return channel are located at the first end, and the channel interface of the intermediate confluence channel is located at the second end.

3. The energy storage battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support base plate is also provided with a system main liquid inlet communicating with the main liquid inlet channel and a system main liquid outlet communicating with the main liquid return channel. The system main liquid inlet and the system main liquid outlet are both located at the first end of the support base plate.

4. The energy storage battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arrangement direction of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of each side liquid cooling plate of the first liquid cooling plate group is opposite to the arrangement direction of the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of each side liquid cooling plate of the second liquid cooling plate group.

5. The energy storage battery according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the side liquid cooling plates has multiple liquid cooling channels arranged in parallel along the height direction of the battery module between its inlet and outlet.

6. The energy storage battery according to claim 5, characterized in that, The other end of the pipeline adapter assembly forms a quick-connect structure with the channel interface.

7. The energy storage battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the battery modules has an end plate at each of its opposite ends, and the side liquid cooling plate is fixed to the corresponding end plate by fasteners.

8. The energy storage battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple battery modules and multiple side liquid cooling plates are alternately arranged on the supporting base plate.

9. The energy storage battery according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the side liquid cooling plates is formed by stamping and welding two metal plates, with the liquid cooling channel formed between the two metal plates.

10. A cooling method for an energy storage battery, wherein the energy storage battery is an energy storage battery as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The cooling method includes the following steps: Coolant is introduced into the main inlet channel; The coolant is distributed in parallel to the first liquid cooling plate group through the main liquid inlet channel to perform the first stage of cooling on the battery module corresponding to the first liquid cooling plate group. The coolant that has passed through the first stage of cooling is collected in the intermediate collection channel; The coolant is distributed in parallel to the second liquid cooling plate group through the intermediate confluence channel, providing a second stage of cooling for the battery module corresponding to the second liquid cooling plate group; and The coolant that has passed through the second stage of cooling flows into the main return channel and is then discharged.

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