Liquid cooling system and battery pack

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of batteries, and discloses a liquid cooling system and a battery pack, and the liquid cooling system comprises a liquid cooling unit and a connecting assembly. The liquid cooling unit comprises a plurality of liquid cooling pieces, the length direction of the liquid cooling pieces is parallel to the first direction, the liquid cooling pieces are spaced in the second direction, a battery is arranged between every two adjacent liquid cooling pieces, cooling flow channels are formed in the liquid cooling pieces, and cold plate communicating pipes communicating with the cooling flow channels are arranged at the two ends, in the first direction, of the liquid cooling pieces correspondingly. The connecting assembly comprises a connecting pipe and a floating connector, the multiple cold plate communicating pipes, located on the same side in the first direction, of the liquid cooling unit communicate in parallel through the connecting pipe, the connecting pipe is provided with multiple inserting pipes corresponding to the cold plate communicating pipes one to one, one end of the floating connector is connected to the inserting pipes, and the other end of the floating connector can swing in the radial direction of the inserting pipes. And the cold plates are connected with the corresponding cold plate communicating pipes. The liquid cooling system is simple in structure, good in battery cooling effect and capable of absorbing assembly tolerance, and the reliability of pipeline connection in the liquid cooling system is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to a liquid cooling system and battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] Battery packs generate heat during charging or discharging. Therefore, a liquid cooling structure is required in the battery pack to cool and dissipate heat from each battery in order to maintain the battery pack at a suitable temperature.

[0003] When a battery pack contains a large number of batteries, the liquid cooling structure uses multiple parallel liquid cooling pipes to cool and lower the temperature of the battery pack. These pipes are connected by connecting pipes that are plugged into inlet or outlet connectors to achieve temperature control of the battery pack. However, due to the compact structure within the battery pack, designing the connection structure between the liquid cooling pipes and connecting pipes, as well as between the connecting pipes and the various connectors, is quite challenging. Furthermore, assembly and material tolerances lead to cumbersome plugging and are prone to errors, compromising plugging accuracy and reliability, making it difficult to accurately determine if the connection is in place.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a liquid cooling system and battery pack to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid cooling system is provided, which has a simple structure, good cooling effect on the battery, and can absorb assembly tolerances to ensure the reliability of the pipeline connection within the liquid cooling system.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Liquid cooling system, including:

[0008] A liquid cooling unit includes multiple liquid cooling components. The length direction of each liquid cooling component is parallel to a first direction. The multiple liquid cooling components are spaced apart along a second direction. A battery is disposed between two adjacent liquid cooling components. Each liquid cooling component has a cooling channel. Each liquid cooling component has a cold plate connecting pipe at both ends in the first direction that communicates with the cooling channel. The first direction and the second direction are arranged at an angle.

[0009] The connecting assembly includes a connecting pipe and a floating joint. Multiple cold plate connecting pipes of the liquid cooling unit located on the same side in a first direction are connected in parallel through the connecting pipe. Multiple insertion pipes are provided on the connecting pipe, and the multiple insertion pipes correspond one-to-one with the multiple cold plate connecting pipes. One end of the floating joint is connected to the insertion pipe, and the other end of the floating joint can swing radially along the insertion pipe and connect to the corresponding cold plate connecting pipe.

[0010] Optionally, the floating joint includes an adapter pipe and a limiting ring. The adapter pipe includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end of the adapter pipe is connected to the insertion pipe, and the second end of the adapter pipe is connected to the corresponding cold plate connecting pipe. The limiting ring is sleeved on the outside of the insertion pipe and is located on the side of the adapter pipe closer to the connecting pipe. The second end of the adapter pipe can swing radially along the insertion pipe. The limiting ring is used to cooperate with the first end of the adapter pipe to limit the swing angle of the adapter pipe.

[0011] Optionally, the connecting pipe is further provided with a support ring, which is sleeved on the fixed end of the insertion pipe and extends toward the adapter pipe. The limiting ring includes a connecting part and a limiting part. The connecting part is annular and is sleeved on the outside of the support ring. The limiting part is located circumferentially on the side of the connecting part near the adapter pipe and extends toward the central axis of the connecting part. The limiting part abuts against the end face of the support ring and can also abut against the first end of the adapter pipe.

[0012] Optionally, the outer wall of the support ring is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion, and a corresponding snap-fit ​​interface is provided on the connecting part, wherein the snap-fit ​​protrusion can snap into the snap-fit ​​interface; and / or,

[0013] The outer wall of the support ring and the connecting part are provided with a positioning protrusion, and the other part is provided with a corresponding positioning groove. The positioning protrusion can slide into the positioning groove.

[0014] Optionally, a snap-fit ​​ring is provided on the outer wall of the end of the cold plate connecting pipe away from the liquid cooling component, and the diameter of the snap-fit ​​ring gradually increases along the direction close to the liquid cooling component;

[0015] The connecting pipe is also provided with connecting arms. Multiple connecting arms are provided circumferentially on the outer side of each insertion pipe. The distance from the connecting arm to the central axis of the insertion pipe is greater than the radius of the cold plate connecting pipe. The connecting arm extends toward the liquid cooling component and can be engaged with the snap-fit ​​ring platform.

[0016] Optionally, the connecting assembly further includes multiple snap-fit ​​components, each of which corresponds to one of the multiple insertion pipes. The snap-fit ​​components are sleeved on the multiple connecting arms outside the corresponding insertion pipes. The inner wall of the snap-fit ​​component is provided with a locking block, which can abut against the stepped surface at the junction of the snap-fit ​​ring platform and the outer wall of the cold plate connecting pipe.

[0017] Optionally, along the third direction, any two adjacent cold plate connecting pipes on the same side in the first direction are staggered, and the third direction, the first direction, and the second direction are arranged at an angle to each other.

[0018] Optionally, the connecting pipe includes a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. Multiple cold plate connecting pipes located on the same side in a first direction are arranged in two columns in a third direction. Multiple cold plate connecting pipes in the first column are connected in parallel through the first connecting pipe, and multiple cold plate connecting pipes in the second column are connected in parallel through the second connecting pipe. The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are connected in parallel.

[0019] Optionally, the connecting pipe includes a first connecting pipe and a second connecting pipe. A plurality of cold plate connecting pipes located on the same side in a first direction are arranged in two columns in a third direction. A plurality of cold plate connecting pipes in the first column are connected in parallel through the first connecting pipe, and a plurality of cold plate connecting pipes in the second column are connected in parallel through the second connecting pipe. The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are not connected, and the flow directions of the fluid in the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe are opposite.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is provided, the battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries and further comprising a liquid cooling system as described in any of the preceding claims, the batteries being sandwiched between two adjacent liquid cooling components.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0022] In the liquid cooling system provided by this invention, multiple cold plate connecting pipes of the liquid cooling unit located on the same side in a first direction are connected in parallel through connecting pipes. This allows multiple liquid cooling components in the liquid cooling unit to be supplied with liquid and discharged from the same side connecting pipe, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost of liquid supply, minimizing redundant pipe connections, simplifying the structure, and improving the assembly efficiency of the battery pack. Simultaneously, a battery is positioned between two adjacent liquid cooling components, and each liquid cooling component has a cooling channel. During the flow of coolant within the cooling channels of each liquid cooling component, heat exchange occurs between the coolant and both sides of the battery, resulting in good cooling of the battery and effectively improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0023] Furthermore, the connecting pipe is equipped with multiple insertion pipes, each corresponding to a different cold plate connecting pipe. One end of the floating joint is connected to the insertion pipe, while the other end can swing radially along the insertion pipe and connect to the corresponding cold plate connecting pipe. When there is an angle between the axis of the cold plate connecting pipe and the axis of the insertion pipe, the cold plate connecting pipe cannot be aligned with the insertion pipe. By swinging the floating joint radially along the insertion pipe, the connection between the floating joint and the cold plate connecting pipe is not limited by the assembly tolerance between them, thus achieving connection between the floating joint and the cold plate connecting pipe. This completes the connection between the cold plate connecting pipe and the connecting pipe, ensuring the reliability of the piping connection within the liquid cooling system. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling system provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembled liquid cooling unit and connecting components provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a side view of the liquid cooling unit and connecting components after assembly, as provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a partial exploded view of the liquid cooling system provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of the middle section structure;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection component provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention from a first perspective;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the connection component provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention from a second perspective;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a first cross-sectional view of the liquid cooling unit and connecting components after assembly, as provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a second cross-sectional view of the liquid cooling unit and connecting components provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention after assembly;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the floating joint and the cold plate connecting pipe provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when they are connected.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 13 This is a side view of the liquid cooling system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 14 This is a partial exploded view of the liquid cooling system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0040] In the picture:

[0041] 10. Battery; 20. Housing;

[0042] 1. Liquid cooling unit; 11. Liquid cooling component; 111. Liquid cooling tank; 112. Cooling channel; 12. Cold plate connecting pipe; 121. Snap-fit ​​ring platform;

[0043] 2. Connecting components; 21. Connecting pipe; 211. Insertion pipe; 212. Support ring; 2121. Snap-fit ​​protrusion; 2122. Positioning protrusion; 213. Connecting arm; 2131. Mounting groove; 2132. Snap-fit ​​protrusion; 214. First connecting pipe; 215. Second connecting pipe; 216. Sealing groove; 22. Floating joint; 221. Adapter pipe; 2211. First end; 2212. Second end; 222. Limiting ring; 2221. Connecting part; 22211. Snap-fit ​​interface; 22212. Positioning groove; 2222. Limiting part; 23. Fastener; 231. Snap block; 24. Sealing element;

[0044] 3. Liquid cooling piping; 31. Liquid inlet pipe; 32. Liquid outlet pipe; 33. Pipe joint. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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 embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0047] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0048] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0049] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0050] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0051] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0052] In the description of this invention, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, in this invention, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0054] Example 1

[0055] This embodiment provides a liquid cooling system for dissipating heat from the batteries within a battery pack. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling system includes a liquid cooling unit 1, a connecting component 2, and a liquid cooling pipeline 3.

[0056] The liquid cooling unit 1 includes multiple liquid cooling components 11. The length direction of each liquid cooling component 11 is parallel to a first direction (X direction in the figure). The multiple liquid cooling components 11 are spaced apart along a second direction (Z direction in the figure), and a battery 10 is disposed between two adjacent liquid cooling components 11. Each liquid cooling component 11 has a cooling channel 112 inside, and each end of the liquid cooling component 11 in the first direction has a cold plate connecting pipe 12 that communicates with the cooling channel 112. The first direction and the second direction are arranged at an angle.

[0057] In other words, by placing the battery 10 between two adjacent liquid cooling components 11, the coolant can exchange heat with the two sides of the battery 10 as it flows through the cooling channels 112 of each liquid cooling component 11, resulting in better cooling of the battery 10 and effectively improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0058] Preferably, refer to Figure 1 In this embodiment, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. This design allows for a more compact arrangement of the liquid cooling component 11 and the battery 10, resulting in better overall integrity and effectively improving the energy density of the assembled battery pack.

[0059] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, a liquid cooling tank 111 is provided on the side wall of the liquid cooling component 11. The battery 10 is placed in the liquid cooling tank 111 and is attached to the tank wall of the liquid cooling tank 111, which increases the contact area between the battery 10 and the liquid cooling component 11, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the liquid cooling unit 1 for the battery 10.

[0060] In this embodiment, the battery 10 is a cylindrical battery, and the liquid cooling component 11 has a serpentine structure. Two adjacent liquid cooling tanks 111 are located on opposite sides of the liquid cooling component 11. Therefore, the two liquid cooling components 11 can sandwich the battery 10 in the middle, so that both sides of the battery 10 are in contact with the liquid cooling component 11 for heat dissipation.

[0061] Optionally, the liquid cooling component 11 is integrally bent and formed. The bending process has a lower processing cost and the bent liquid cooling component 11 has higher strength. The thickness of each position is the same, and there will be no local thickening. This ensures that the spacing between each battery 10 is exactly equal to the thickness of the liquid cooling component 11. This design can control the volume of the battery pack after assembly and improve the energy density of the battery pack.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, the battery 10 can also be a prismatic battery or a battery of other structural types. As long as the battery 10 is sandwiched between two adjacent liquid cooling components 11, heat can be dissipated from the battery 10 through the cooling channels 112 within the liquid cooling components 11. This embodiment does not limit the specific structure of the battery 10. Those skilled in the art can choose the type of battery 10 according to actual needs and design corresponding liquid cooling components 11 to cooperate with the battery 10.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figures 6-10 The connecting assembly 2 includes a connecting pipe 21 and a floating connector 22. Multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 located on the same side in a first direction of the liquid cooling unit 1 are connected in parallel via the connecting pipe 21. Multiple insertion pipes 211 are provided on the connecting pipe 21, each corresponding to one of the multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12. One end of the floating connector 22 is connected to the insertion pipe 211, and the other end of the floating connector 22 can swing radially along the insertion pipe 211 and connect to the corresponding cold plate connecting pipe 12.

[0064] It is understood that in this embodiment, multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 of the liquid cooling unit 1 located on the same side in the first direction are connected in parallel through connecting pipes 21, so that multiple liquid cooling components 11 in the liquid cooling unit 1 can be supplied with liquid from the connecting pipes 21 on the same side and discharged from the connecting pipes 21 on the same side, thereby reducing the difficulty and cost of liquid supply, reducing unnecessary pipe connections, effectively simplifying the structure, and improving the assembly efficiency of the battery 10.

[0065] Furthermore, during the assembly process, please refer to the specific instructions. Figure 10 When there is an angle between the axis of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 and the axis of the insertion pipe 211, the cold plate connecting pipe 12 cannot be aligned with the insertion pipe 211. By swinging the floating joint 22 radially along the insertion pipe 211, the connection between the floating joint 22 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12 can be achieved without being limited by the assembly tolerance between the two, thus completing the connection between the cold plate connecting pipe 12 and the connecting pipe 21, thereby ensuring the reliability of the pipeline connection in the liquid cooling system.

[0066] Specifically, such as Figures 5-7 and Figure 10As shown, the floating connector 22 includes an adapter pipe 221 and a limiting ring 222. The adapter pipe 221 includes a first end 2211 and a second end 2212. The first end 2211 of the adapter pipe 221 communicates with the insertion pipe 211, and the second end 2212 of the adapter pipe 221 communicates with the corresponding cold plate connecting pipe 12. The limiting ring 222 is sleeved on the outside of the insertion pipe 211 and is located on the side of the adapter pipe 221 closer to the connecting pipe 21. The second end 2212 of the adapter pipe 221 can swing radially along the insertion pipe 211. The limiting ring 222 is used to cooperate with the first end 2211 of the adapter pipe 221 to limit the swing angle of the adapter pipe 221. In this embodiment, the adapter pipe 221 is used to realize the communication between the connecting pipe 21 and the liquid cooling component 11.

[0067] Reference Figure 10 During assembly, when there is an angle between the axis of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 and the axis of the adapter pipe 221, the opening of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 first contacts the second end 2212 of the adapter pipe 221. As the adapter pipe 221 moves closer to the cold plate connecting pipe 12, it is subjected to force and deflects at a certain angle, causing the second end 2212 of the adapter pipe 221 to slide into the opening of the cold plate connecting pipe 12. As the adapter pipe 221 is inserted into the cold plate connecting pipe 12, the sleeve length between the adapter pipe 221 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12 gradually increases. The presence of the limiting ring 222 limits the deflection angle of the adapter pipe 221. Under the combined action of the limiting ring 222 and the adapter pipe 221, the offset angle of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 is gradually corrected. With the adapter pipe 221 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12 connected, the axis of the adapter pipe 221 and the axis of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 are completely coincident, and the assembly of the adapter pipe 221 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12 is completed.

[0068] Preferably, the outer periphery of the second end 2212 of the adapter pipe 221 is provided with a first guide slope, which gradually approaches the central axis of the adapter pipe 221 along the direction close to the end face of the second end 2212. Simultaneously, the inner wall of the opening of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 is provided with a second guide slope, which gradually moves away from the central axis of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 along the direction close to the opening of the cold plate connecting pipe 12. The first guide slope can slide in conjunction with the second guide slope, thereby providing guidance when the adapter pipe 221 is inserted into the cold plate connecting pipe 12 and ensuring smooth insertion.

[0069] To be more specific, refer to Figures 8-10A support ring 212 is also provided on the connecting pipe 21. The support ring 212 is sleeved on the fixed end of the insertion pipe 211 and extends toward the adapter pipe 221. The limiting ring 222 includes a connecting portion 2221 and a limiting portion 2222. The connecting portion 2221 is annular and is sleeved on the outside of the support ring 212. The limiting portion 2222 is located circumferentially on the side of the connecting portion 2221 near the adapter pipe 221 and extends toward the central axis of the connecting portion 2221. The limiting portion 2222 abuts against the end face of the support ring 212 and can also abut against the first end 2211 of the adapter pipe 221. In other words, the limiting part 2222 can limit the first end 2211 of the adapter 221 during the deflection of the adapter 221, so as to prevent the deflection angle of the adapter 221 from being too large, which could lead to the separation of the floating joint 22 from the insertion pipe 211 or cracking at the connection between the insertion pipe 211 and the connecting pipe 21. The end face of the support ring 212 abuts against the limiting part 2222, which can effectively prevent the limiting part 2222 from being crushed due to excessive force.

[0070] In this embodiment, to improve the connection reliability between the support ring 212 and the limiting ring 222, the outer wall of the support ring 212 is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion 2121, and a corresponding snap-fit ​​interface 22211 is provided on the connecting part 2221. The snap-fit ​​protrusion 2121 can snap into the snap-fit ​​interface 22211, thereby realizing a detachable connection between the support ring 212 and the limiting ring 222.

[0071] Furthermore, a positioning protrusion 2122 is provided on one of the outer wall of the support ring 212 and the connecting portion 2221, and a corresponding positioning groove 22212 is provided on the other. The positioning protrusion 2122 can slide into the positioning groove 22212. This arrangement prevents rotation between the limiting ring 222 and the support ring 212 when the limiting ring 222 is sleeved on the outside of the support ring 212, ensuring the relative fixation of the position of the limiting ring 222, thereby more reliably limiting the connection tube 221. In this embodiment, the positioning protrusion 2122 is provided on the outer wall of the support ring 212, and the positioning groove 22212 is formed on the connecting portion 2221.

[0072] More specifically, refer to Figures 6-9A snap-fit ​​ring 121 is provided on the outer wall of the end of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 facing away from the liquid cooling component 11. The diameter of the snap-fit ​​ring 121 gradually increases along the direction close to the liquid cooling component 11. Connecting arms 213 are also provided on the connecting pipe 21, with multiple connecting arms 213 spaced circumferentially on the outer side of each insertion pipe 211. The distance from the connecting arm 213 to the central axis of the insertion pipe 211 is greater than the radius of the cold plate connecting pipe 12. This arrangement allows the cold plate connecting pipe 12 to be inserted into the connecting arm 213 while simultaneously being fitted over the insertion pipe 211. The connecting arm 213 extends towards the liquid cooling component 11 and can snap into the snap-fit ​​ring 121. The connection between the connecting arm 213 and the snap-fit ​​ring 121 further improves the reliability of the connection between the insertion pipe 221 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12, ensuring communication between them after the insertion of the adapter pipe 221 into the cold plate connecting pipe 12.

[0073] Furthermore, the connecting assembly 2 also includes a seal 24. A sealing groove 216 is also formed on the outer wall of the adapter pipe 221, and the seal 24 is sandwiched between the inner wall of the cold plate connecting pipe 12 and the sealing groove 216 to achieve a seal between the adapter pipe 221 and the cold plate connecting pipe 12. Exemplarily, the seal 24 can be an O-ring.

[0074] Furthermore, the connecting assembly 2 also includes multiple snap-fit ​​members 23, each corresponding to a multiple insertion tube 211. The snap-fit ​​members 23 are sleeved on the multiple connecting arms 213 outside the corresponding insertion tube 211. The inner wall of each snap-fit ​​member 23 is provided with a locking block 231, which abuts against the stepped surface at the junction of the locking ring platform 121 and the outer wall of the cold plate connecting tube 12. The cooperation between the locking block 231 and the locking ring platform 121 prevents the adapter tube 221 from dislodging from the cold plate connecting tube 12, ensuring the stability of the connection.

[0075] In this embodiment, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a locking protrusion 2132 is provided on the side of the connecting arm 213 away from the adapter tube 221, and the fastener 23 is located on the side of the locking protrusion 2132 away from the free end of the connecting arm 213. In this way, the locking protrusion 2132 can limit the fastener 23 to prevent the fastener 23 from slipping off the connecting arm 213.

[0076] Preferably, an installation groove 2131 is provided on the free end of the latch 2132 away from the connecting arm 213, so that the latch 23 is embedded in the installation groove 2131 to further fix the latch 23.

[0077] Optionally, continue to refer to Figures 1-5Along the third direction (Y direction in the diagram), any two adjacent cold plate connecting pipes 12 that are on the same side in the first direction are staggered. The third direction, the first direction, and the second direction are arranged at an angle to each other. That is to say, when the distance between two adjacent liquid cooling components 11 is small, in order to avoid interference between multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12, a staggered arrangement of the cold plate connecting pipes 12 is adopted to achieve normal connection of the pipeline.

[0078] Preferably, the first, second, and third directions are perpendicular to each other. This arrangement allows for a more compact overall structure of the liquid cooling unit 1, making it suitable for the installation of the battery 10 in confined spaces and for the arrangement of the liquid cooling system.

[0079] Specifically, in this embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the connecting pipe 21 includes a first connecting pipe 214 and a second connecting pipe 215. Multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 located on the same side in a first direction are arranged in two columns in a third direction. The multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 in the first column are connected in parallel through the first connecting pipe 214, and the multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 in the second column are connected in parallel through the second connecting pipe 215. The first connecting pipe 214 and the second connecting pipe 215 are connected in parallel. This arrangement allows for better flow uniformity within the multiple liquid cooling components 11 connected in parallel with each connecting pipe.

[0080] For example, the first connecting pipe 214 and the second connecting pipe 215 can be made into an integral pipe by means of plug-in connection or laser welding.

[0081] Optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the liquid cooling pipeline 3 includes an inlet pipe 31, an outlet pipe 32, and a pipe connector 33. In the first direction, the connecting pipe 21 at one end of the liquid cooling unit 1 is connected to the inlet pipe 31 through the pipe connector 33, and the connecting pipe 21 at the other end is connected to the outlet pipe 32 through the pipe connector 33. That is to say, the flow direction of the fluid in each liquid cooling component 11 in the liquid cooling unit 1 is the same, which facilitates assembly and results in higher battery pack efficiency.

[0082] Alternatively, the liquid cooling unit 1 may be provided in multiple ways, and the flow direction of the fluid in the cooling channels 112 of the multiple liquid cooling components 11 in the same liquid cooling unit 1 is the same, while the flow direction of the fluid in two adjacent liquid cooling units 1 is opposite. Figure 1 (The dashed line indicates the direction of liquid flow). In this embodiment, two liquid cooling units 1 are provided. Of course, in other embodiments, one, three, four or other quantities of liquid cooling units 1 may be provided.

[0083] This embodiment also provides a battery pack, such as Figure 11As shown, the battery pack includes multiple batteries 10 and a liquid cooling system provided in this embodiment. The batteries 10 are sandwiched between two adjacent liquid cooling components 11. The liquid cooling system provides relatively uniform heat dissipation to each battery 10, resulting in higher temperature uniformity of the battery pack and effectively improving its service life.

[0084] Specifically, the battery pack also includes a housing 20. The housing 20 has a mounting cavity, in which both the liquid cooling system and the battery 10 are housed. The housing 20 protects the internal electronic components of the battery pack from damage or short circuits caused by external dust or moisture, ensuring the reliable use of the battery pack.

[0085] More specifically, the side wall of the housing 20 is provided with an inlet hole and an outlet hole that communicate with the mounting cavity. The inlet pipe 31 of the liquid cooling system passes through the inlet hole and communicates with the outlet end of the liquid supply equipment, and the outlet pipe 32 passes through the outlet hole and communicates with the inlet end of the liquid supply equipment. The liquid supply equipment includes a refrigeration mechanism and a pumping mechanism. Both the inlet pipe 31 and the outlet pipe 32 are connected to the refrigeration mechanism. The refrigeration mechanism can cool the heated coolant in the outlet pipe 32, and the pumping mechanism can transport the cooled coolant through the inlet pipe 31 to the liquid cooling components 11 of each liquid cooling unit 1.

[0086] Optionally, a thermally conductive structure (not shown) is provided between the liquid cooling component 11 and the battery 10, and the two sides of the thermally conductive structure abut against the sidewalls of the liquid cooling component 11 and the battery 10, respectively, to improve the heat exchange efficiency between the liquid cooling component 11 and the battery 10, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery pack. For example, the thermally conductive structure may be, but is not limited to, thermally conductive adhesive.

[0087] Example 2

[0088] This embodiment also provides a liquid cooling system and battery pack, which are basically the same as the liquid cooling system and battery pack provided in Embodiment 1. Figures 12-15 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the specific structure and connection method of the connecting pipe 21.

[0089] Reference Figures 12-14 In this embodiment, the connecting pipe 21 includes a first connecting pipe 214 and a second connecting pipe 215. In the first direction ( Figure 12 Multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 located on the same side in the X direction (as shown) are in the third direction ( Figure 12 The cold plate connecting pipes 12 are arranged in two columns along the Y direction (as shown). Multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 in the first column are connected in parallel via a first connecting pipe 214, and multiple cold plate connecting pipes 12 in the second column are connected in parallel via a second connecting pipe 215. The first connecting pipe 214 and the second connecting pipe 215 are not connected, and the flow directions of the fluid within the first connecting pipe 214 and the second connecting pipe 215 are opposite. Figure 12 and Figure 14 The dashed line indicates the direction of liquid flow. Specifically, coolant flows into the odd-numbered connecting pipes, and coolant flows out of the even-numbered connecting pipes. This arrangement ensures that within the same liquid cooling unit 1, coolant flows in the second direction ( Figure 12 The fluid flow directions in the cooling channels 112 of two adjacent liquid cooling components 11 (shown in the Z direction) are opposite, which can ensure that the battery 10 sandwiched between the two liquid cooling components 11 has both inlet and outlet coolant heat exchange, achieving temperature neutralization, and thus ensuring the consistency of temperature difference in the battery pack after multiple batteries 10 are assembled.

[0090] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system, characterized by, The application relates to a liquid cooling unit (1) and a connecting assembly (2). The liquid cooling unit (1) comprises a plurality of liquid cooling elements (11), the length direction of the liquid cooling elements (11) is parallel to a first direction, the plurality of liquid cooling elements (11) are arranged at intervals along a second direction, a battery (10) is arranged between two adjacent liquid cooling elements (11), a cooling flow channel (112) is arranged in the liquid cooling element (11), and a cold plate communication pipe (12) in communication with the cooling flow channel (112) is arranged at both ends of the liquid cooling element (11) in the first direction; the connecting assembly (2) comprises a connecting pipe (21) and a floating joint (22), a plurality of cold plate communication pipes (12) of the liquid cooling unit (1) on the same side in the first direction are connected in parallel through the connecting pipe (21), a plurality of plug-in pipes (211) are arranged on the connecting pipe (21), the plurality of plug-in pipes (211) correspond to the plurality of cold plate communication pipes (12) one by one, one end of the floating joint (22) is connected to the plug-in pipe (211), the other end of the floating joint (22) can swing along the radial direction of the plug-in pipe (211) and is connected to the corresponding cold plate communication pipe (12). The floating joint (22) comprises an adapter pipe (221) and a limiting ring (222), the adapter pipe (221) comprises opposite first and second ends (2211) and (2212), the first end (2211) of the adapter pipe (221) is in communication with the plug-in pipe (211), the second end (2212) of the adapter pipe (221) is in communication with the corresponding cold plate communication pipe (12), the limiting ring (222) is arranged outside the plug-in pipe (211) and is located on the side of the adapter pipe (221) close to the connecting pipe (21), the second end (2212) of the adapter pipe (221) can swing along the radial direction of the plug-in pipe (211), and the limiting ring (222) is used for cooperating with the first end (2211) of the adapter pipe (221) to limit the swing angle of the adapter pipe (221).

2. The liquid cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The connecting pipe (21) is further provided with a supporting ring (212), the supporting ring (212) is arranged outside the fixed end of the plug-in pipe (211) and extends towards the adapter pipe (221), the limiting ring (222) comprises a connecting portion (2221) and a limiting portion (2222), the connecting portion (2221) is annular, the connecting portion (2221) is arranged outside the supporting ring (212), the limiting portion (2222) is arranged on the circumferential direction of the connecting portion (2221) close to the adapter pipe (221), the limiting portion (2222) extends towards the central axis of the connecting portion (2221), the limiting portion (2222) abuts against the end surface of the supporting ring (212), and the limiting portion (2222) can also abut against the first end (2211) of the adapter pipe (221).

3. The liquid cooling system of claim 2, wherein, ​ 4. The liquid cooling system of claim 3, wherein, An outer wall of the support ring (212) is provided with a clamping protrusion (2121), a clamping hole (22211) is correspondingly arranged on the connecting part (2221), and the clamping protrusion (2121) can be clamped in the clamping hole (22211); and / or, A positioning protrusion (2122) is arranged on one of the outer wall of the support ring (212) and the connecting part (2221), and a positioning groove (22212) is correspondingly arranged on the other one, and the positioning protrusion (2122) can slide into the positioning groove (22212).

5. The liquid cooling system of any of claims 1-4, wherein, An outer wall of an end of the cold plate communication pipe (12) away from the liquid cooling component (11) is provided with a clamping ring table (121), and the diameter of the clamping ring table (121) gradually increases in a direction close to the liquid cooling component (11). The connecting pipe (21) is further provided with a connecting arm (213), and a plurality of connecting arms (213) are arranged on the outer side of each plug-in pipe (211) in a circumferential direction, the distance from the connecting arm (213) to the central axis of the plug-in pipe (211) is greater than the radius of the cold plate communication pipe (12), the connecting arm (213) extends towards the liquid cooling component (11), and the connecting arm (213) can be clamped with the clamping ring table (121).

6. The liquid cooling system of claim 5, wherein, The connecting assembly (2) further comprises a plurality of buckling members (23), and each buckling member (23) corresponds to a plug-in pipe (211), the buckling member (23) is sleeved on a plurality of connecting arms (213) outside the corresponding plug-in pipe (211), and an inner wall of the buckling member (23) is provided with a clamping block (231), and the clamping block (231) can abut against a stepped surface at the joint of the clamping ring table (121) and the outer wall of the cold plate communication pipe (12).

7. The liquid cooling system of any of claims 1-4, wherein, In the third direction, any two adjacent cold plate communication pipes (12) on the same side in the first direction are arranged in a staggered manner.

8. The liquid cooling system of claim 7, wherein, The connecting pipe (21) comprises a first communication pipe (214) and a second communication pipe (215), a plurality of cold plate communication pipes (12) on the same side in the first direction are arranged in two rows in the third direction, a plurality of cold plate communication pipes (12) in the first row are connected in parallel through the first communication pipe (214), a plurality of cold plate communication pipes (12) in the second row are connected in parallel through the second communication pipe (215), and the first communication pipe (214) and the second communication pipe (215) are connected in parallel.

9. The liquid cooling system of claim 7, wherein, The connecting pipe (21) comprises a first communicating pipe (214) and a second communicating pipe (215), a plurality of the cold plate communicating pipes (12) on the same side in the first direction are arranged in two columns in the third direction, a plurality of the cold plate communicating pipes (12) in the first column are connected in parallel through the first communicating pipe (214), a plurality of the cold plate communicating pipes (12) in the second column are connected in parallel through the second communicating pipe (215), the first communicating pipe (214) and the second communicating pipe (215) are not communicated, and the flow directions of the fluids in the first communicating pipe (214) and the second communicating pipe (215) are opposite.

10. A battery pack, characterized by, The battery (10) is arranged between two adjacent liquid cooling pieces (11).

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