Chip cooling plate and battery pack

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of battery manufacturing, and provides a chip cooling plate and a battery pack, the cooling plate comprises a collecting pipe and a plurality of groups of heat exchange pipes communicated with the collecting pipe, and the plurality of groups of heat exchange pipes are arranged side by side; wherein each heat exchange tube is internally provided with a plurality of flowing channels for cooling liquid to flow, at least one part of tube sections in the heat exchange tubes are provided with a plurality of bent parts at intervals, and the bent parts protrude towards the same direction. Through the arrangement of the bending part on the heat exchange tube, the deformation can be provided when the battery cell is circularly charged and discharged and the battery cell is expanded, the constraint of the heat exchange tube on the expansion of the battery cell is reduced, and the service life of the battery cell is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a battery pack and a battery cooling plate. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements, the charging rate of battery packs is gradually increasing, which poses a significant challenge to the cooling performance of the internal cooling system. The cells within the battery pack are electrically connected via contact plates. During high-current charging, these contact plates generate considerable heat. If the temperature rise of the contact plates is not controlled, sustained high temperatures will trigger the battery pack's over-temperature protection function, increasing charging time and potentially affecting battery lifespan.

[0003] In related technologies, the battery cell cooling plate and the battery cell are bonded together with thermally conductive structural adhesive for heat exchange. However, during the charging and discharging process, the thermally conductive structural adhesive used to bond the cooling plate to the battery cell restricts the expansion and deformation of the battery cell, resulting in large local stress on the battery cell and ultimately adversely affecting the service life of the battery pack. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a battery cooling plate and a battery pack to solve the problem that the cooling plate in the prior art is prone to thermal expansion, resulting in a short lifespan.

[0005] The present invention provides a plate cooling plate, comprising: a manifold and multiple sets of heat exchange tubes connected to the manifold, the multiple sets of heat exchange tubes being arranged side by side; wherein, each heat exchange tube is provided with multiple flow channels for coolant flow, and at least a portion of the heat exchange tube has multiple spaced bends, the multiple bends protruding in the same direction.

[0006] According to the cooling plate provided by the present invention, a groove is formed on the inner side of each of the curved portions, and a flexible adhesive baffle is provided in the groove, and the flexible adhesive baffle is arranged along the extension direction of the groove.

[0007] According to the cooling plate provided by the present invention, the flexible adhesive baffle includes adhesive-baffle foam.

[0008] The bar cooling plate provided according to the present invention further includes an anti-condensation layer, which is applied to the same outer surface of the cooling plate and covers the manifold and the heat exchange tube.

[0009] According to the cooling plate provided by the present invention, the anti-condensation layer is applied to one side of the curved portion in the convex direction.

[0010] According to the heat exchange tube cooling plate provided by the present invention, at least one portion of the heat exchange tube is provided with an avoidance notch, and a sealing member is provided on the sidewalls on both sides of the avoidance notch. The sealing member is used to block the flow channel at the position corresponding to the avoidance notch to form a blocking channel.

[0011] According to the bar cooling plate provided by the present invention, a bridging plate is connected to the heat exchange tubes on both sides of the clearance notch, and the bridging plate is provided with a bridging flow channel, which is used to connect the interruption channel and the flow channel.

[0012] According to the bar cooling plate provided by the present invention, the heat exchange tube at the position covered by the bridging plate is provided with a plurality of connecting holes, the plurality of connecting holes are connected to a plurality of flow channels in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of the connecting holes is connected to the bridging flow channel.

[0013] According to the heat exchanger plate provided by the present invention, the surfaces of the manifold and the heat exchange tube are coated with an insulating layer.

[0014] The present invention also provides a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, wherein adjacent battery cells are provided with the aforementioned plate cooling plate.

[0015] The battery pack and heat exchange tube provided by this invention can provide deformation during the expansion of the battery cell during cyclic charging and discharging by setting the bent part on the heat exchange tube, thereby reducing the constraint of the heat exchange tube on the expansion of the battery cell and improving the service life of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cooling plate provided by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This invention provides Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a side view of the structure of the cooling plate provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of the cooling plate provided by the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This invention provides Figure 4Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the middle BB direction Figure label: 10. Manifold; 11. Equipotential bonding support; 20. Heat exchange tube; 21. Bend; 22. Clearance notch; 221. Sealing component; 23. Bridging plate; 231. Bridging channel; 30. Anti-condensation layer; 40. Flexible adhesive baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this 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 this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of clarifying the embodiments of the present invention and 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 embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" 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; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is 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 can mean that the first feature is 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.

[0026] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0027] In related technologies, a cooling plate is installed on the battery cell's electrode to continuously cool the battery cell. The cooling plate expands during the heat absorption process. Because the cooling plate is connected to the electrode, the stress during the expansion or contraction process is too great, which affects the stability of the overall battery cell structure and reduces the battery cell's service life.

[0028] Regarding the problems in related technologies, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides a battery cell cooling plate, including: a manifold 10 and multiple sets of heat exchange tubes 20 connected to the manifold 10, the multiple sets of heat exchange tubes 20 being arranged side by side; wherein, each heat exchange tube 20 is provided with multiple flow channels for coolant flow, and at least a portion of the tube segment of the heat exchange tube 20 has multiple spaced bends 21, the multiple bends 21 protruding in the same direction. The battery cell cooling plate is disposed on the battery cell and is used to absorb the heat of the battery cell during the charging and discharging process. In this embodiment, by providing multiple protruding bends 21 on the tube segment of the heat exchange tube 20, the bends 21 can provide deformation during the expansion of the battery cell during cyclic charging and discharging, reducing the stress caused by the suppression of the battery cell expansion deformation by the cooling plate on the battery cell structure, and improving the service life of the heat exchange tube 20 and the battery cell.

[0029] Specifically, the heat exchange tube 20 has multiple parallel flow channels, through which the coolant flows to absorb and carry away the internal heat. The manifold 10 is located at both ends of the heat exchange tube 20 and is used for the simultaneous inlet and outlet of multiple heat exchange tubes 20 to realize the circulation of the heat exchange flow path.

[0030] The heat exchange tubes 20 are divided into an inlet pipe group and an outlet pipe group according to their functions. The inlet pipe group and the outlet pipe group share a common manifold 10 at one end. In order to avoid the mixing of the incoming coolant and the converging coolant, a dividing plate is provided in the manifold 10. The dividing plate can divide the space in the manifold 10 into two independent inlet space and outlet space. The inlet space is connected to the inlet pipe group, and the outlet space is connected to the outlet pipe group to realize the circulation of coolant.

[0031] It is understandable that, compared to traditional cooling plates, the cooling plate in this embodiment is provided with a bent portion 21. The bent portion 21 bends outward, while the inner side is connected to the plate. Due to the setting of the bent portion 21, it can deform by following the deformation of the plate when the battery cell expands during cyclic charging and discharging. This deformation releases the stress generated by the cooling plate suppressing the deformation of the plate in the traditional structure, effectively avoiding damage to the connected plate and battery cell caused by excessive stress, improving structural safety and extending the service life of the battery cell.

[0032] In specific settings, such as Figure 1 , Figure 5 As shown, the heat exchange tube 20 is a flat harmonica tube with multiple parallel flow channels inside. These flow channels facilitate coolant flow, resulting in a more uniform coolant distribution. Furthermore, bends 21 are evenly spaced on all sections of the heat exchange tube 20 located inside the battery cell. The cross-section of each bend 21 is arc-shaped, forming a raised arc-shaped protrusion on the outer side of the heat exchange tube 20. Except for the locations corresponding to the bends 21, the inner side of the heat exchange tube 20 is entirely planar, which facilitates the connection between the cooling plate and the battery plate.

[0033] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, a groove is formed on the inner side of each bent portion 21, and a flexible adhesive-blocking member 40 is provided in the groove, with the flexible adhesive-blocking member 40 arranged along the extension direction of the groove. In this embodiment, the setting of the bent portion 21 enables the cooling plate to have a certain amount of deformation. After the battery cell expands, the foil will produce a certain deformation, and the cooling plate can deform with the deformation of the foil, without restricting or binding the battery cell and the foil, thereby improving the service life of the battery cell.

[0034] Specifically, the bent portion 21 forms a groove at the corresponding position inside the heat exchange tube 20. A flexible adhesive baffle is provided in the groove to prevent adhesive from entering the groove, thus bonding the bent portion to the plate and limiting the deformation of the battery cell and plate after the battery cell expands.

[0035] Understandably, when the cooling plate is connected, the side with the groove is bonded to the battery plate. In this example, the bending portion 21 allows for a certain amount of deformation, enabling it to expand along with the battery cell during expansion. This avoids restriction and constraint during battery cell expansion, thus effectively releasing stress. Furthermore, the flexible adhesive baffle 40 prevents adhesive from entering the groove and does not inhibit the cooling plate's deformation during battery cell expansion.

[0036] In conjunction with the above embodiments, the flexible adhesive barrier 40 includes adhesive-barrier foam. By providing the adhesive-barrier foam, the cell can deform along with the electrode plate when it expands, without inhibiting the cooling plate from deforming along with the electrode plate.

[0037] Specifically, the adhesive-blocking foam is preferably made of closed-cell rubber foam (such as neoprene rubber, EPDM rubber foam) or silicone foam.

[0038] In some embodiments, an anti-condensation layer 30 is also included. The anti-condensation layer 30 is applied to the same outer surface of the cooling plate and covers the manifold 10 and the heat exchange tube 20. Condensation will occur during the heat exchange process, and the condensation will affect the internal structure of the battery cell. In this embodiment, the anti-condensation layer 30 can effectively prevent the generation of condensation and improve the overall safety performance.

[0039] Specifically, an anti-condensation layer 30 is bonded to the outer surface of the heat exchange tube 20 and the manifold 10. The anti-condensation layer 30 can prevent the formation of condensate, thereby improving the reliability of the cooling plate.

[0040] Understandably, in applications such as battery cooling, when the coolant temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the ambient air, water vapor in the air will condense into water droplets on the cold surface of the cooling plate. This condensation can lead to serious problems such as electrical short circuits within the battery pack and corrosion of metal components. In this embodiment, the anti-condensation layer 30 itself has low thermal conductivity, adding a layer of thermal resistance between the cold surface of the cooling plate and the ambient air. This effectively increases the actual temperature of the outer surface of the cooling plate, making it closer to the ambient temperature and thus less likely to fall below the dew point temperature.

[0041] In specific setups, silicone foam or rubber foam can be used, which combines heat insulation, shock absorption, and a certain degree of thermal conductivity. Alternatively, a polyimide heating film made of etched foil or carbon paste can be used; it is thin, flexible, and can be directly applied to the cooling plate surface using adhesives. Of course, it can also be composed of phase change materials encapsulated within a flexible film. When the ambient temperature fluctuates, the phase change material absorbs or releases latent heat, acting as a "temperature buffer," smoothing temperature changes on the cooling plate surface and preventing condensation caused by short-term overcooling.

[0042] In conjunction with the above embodiments, the anti-condensation layer 30 is applied to one side of the curved portion 21 in the convex direction. In actual testing, when the cooling plate is working, condensate usually forms on the outside of the curved portion 21. In this embodiment, the anti-condensation layer 30 is applied to the surface of the curved portion 21 in the convex direction, which improves the anti-condensation effect.

[0043] Specifically, the protrusion is the area with the strongest turbulence and the most intense heat exchange with the external environment in the coolant flow channel, so its outer surface temperature is closest to the temperature of the internal coolant. In this embodiment, the anti-condensation layer 30 is precisely applied to this most critical and vulnerable protrusion side, thereby enhancing the anti-condensation effect.

[0044] According to the present invention, the bar cooling plate, such as Figure 2 As shown, at least one section of the heat exchange tube 20 has a clearance notch 22, and sealing elements 221 are provided on the sidewalls on both sides of the clearance notch 22. The sealing elements 221 are used to block the flow channel at the corresponding position of the clearance notch 22 to form an interrupted channel. In order to provide installation space for bolts, sensor harnesses or other structural components in the battery pack, a clearance notch 22 is formed on a section of at least one heat exchange tube 20 by stamping or cutting. The clearance notch 22 completely penetrates the body of the heat exchange tube 20 and the internal flow channel, forming a physically transparent window. In this embodiment, the channel can be sealed by the sealing element 221, so that the channel corresponding to the sealing element 221 is configured as an interrupted channel, which can prevent coolant leakage.

[0045] Specifically, the sealing element 221 is preferably a metal sheet (such as an aluminum alloy sheet) of the same material as the heat exchange tube bundle 20, and its shape matches the cross-sectional profile of the tube bundle at the notch. By sealing the ends of each severed flow channel on both sides of the notch with the sealing element 221, coolant is prevented from flowing out of the notch, and the coolant is confined to circulate within the intact flow channels on both sides of the notch. At this point, although the heat exchange tube bundle 20 loses its heat exchange function at the notch, the remaining intact tube sections can still function normally.

[0046] Of course, multiple interrupted channels in the heat exchange tube 20 at the location corresponding to the gap can be connected with the adjacent flow channels, so that there is a connected overall flow channel on both sides corresponding to the clearance gap 22, thereby enabling the coolant in the flow channel at the location of the clearance gap 22 to continue to flow and carry away heat.

[0047] Alternatively, by connecting external connecting pipes or other methods, the interrupted channel can be connected to the remaining flow channel, thereby achieving a good cooling effect.

[0048] In conjunction with the above embodiments, bridging plates 23 are connected to the heat exchange tubes 20 on both sides of the clearance notch 22. The bridging plates 23 are provided with bridging channels 231, which connect the interrupted channel and the flow channel. Based on the aforementioned embodiments, in order to achieve the connection of the interrupted channel, the flow is realized through the bridging plates 23, thereby improving the cooling effect.

[0049] Specifically, based on the opening of the clearance gap 22 and the installation of the sealing component 221, a bridging plate 23 is fixedly connected to the heat exchange tubes 20 on both sides of the clearance gap 22 by brazing. The bridging plate 23 is a metal plate, which can realize the connection between the interrupted channel and the flow channel, and prevent the coolant from accumulating in the interrupted channel.

[0050] It is understood that by setting the avoidance gap 22 in this embodiment, it is beneficial to the setting of other components in the cell space and to the overall layout. By setting the sealing component 221 and the jumper plate 23, the flow path of the interrupted flow channel can be effectively restored, and the cooling effect of the coolant can be improved.

[0051] According to the present invention, the bar cooling plate, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the heat exchange tube 20 covered by the bridging plate 23 has multiple connecting holes, which are connected to multiple flow channels one by one, and each connecting hole is connected to the bridging flow channel 231. In specific connection, by opening a connecting hole on the heat exchange tube 20 corresponding to each flow channel, the interrupted channel can be connected to the other flow channels through the bridging flow channel 231, so as to realize the normal flow of coolant in the interrupted channel.

[0052] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the four flow channels near the inner side are interrupted channels. They flow through the connecting holes into the bridging channel 231 (i.e., the channel with the arrow pointing upwards in the figure), and then the bridging channel 231 connects with the flow channels (i.e., the channel with the arrow pointing in the figure), so that the interrupted channels of the entire heat exchange tube 20 are reconnected in the flow path. The coolant can flow through the entire cooling plate without obstruction, ensuring that the heat exchange capacity of this section of the tube bundle is almost not lost.

[0053] It is understood that in this embodiment, by processing connecting holes on each flow channel, the coolant in the interrupted flow channel can be distributed to the remaining flow channels to the greatest extent possible. This can make the flow of coolant roughly uniform and ensure the overall cooling effect.

[0054] In some embodiments, the surfaces of both the manifold 10 and the heat exchanger tube 20 are coated with an insulating layer. The cooling plate is connected to the battery cell, bringing the entire assembly close to the battery cell. In this embodiment, the insulating layer effectively provides reliable electrical isolation from other components, fundamentally eliminating the risk of short circuits caused by accidental conductivity of the cooling plate.

[0055] Specifically, the insulating coating material can include an alumina coating formed by micro-arc oxidation or thermal spraying. This type of coating has extremely high insulation strength, excellent high-temperature resistance, and abrasion resistance.

[0056] Specifically, an equipotential bonding bracket 11 is also provided on the current collector 10. This bracket connects to the battery cell casing, further enhancing overall safety performance. To further prevent the risk of short circuits caused by accidents, the equipotential bonding bracket 11 in this embodiment works in conjunction with the insulation layer to form a dual safety mechanism of "isolation + discharge," significantly improving the safety level of the high-voltage system. It effectively manages static electricity and fault current, avoiding various potential risks (such as electrolytic corrosion and signal interference) caused by potential fluctuations.

[0057] The present invention also provides a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells, wherein adjacent battery cells are provided with the aforementioned plate cooling plate.

[0058] Specifically, it also includes a liquid cooling circulation system, which comprises necessary components such as circulation pipes for coolant flow, cooling devices, and a drive pump. The circulation pipes are connected to the battery cell cooling plates, allowing the drive pump to circulate the cooling medium within the cooling plates, thus achieving effective heat dissipation of the battery cells. In actual connection, the battery pack contains multiple battery cells, which are connected to the liquid cooling circulation system in parallel via battery cells, thereby achieving effective heat dissipation for each battery cell. Each battery cell connection point is equipped with the aforementioned battery cell cooling plate.

[0059] The battery pack provided in this embodiment has the heat exchange plate of any of the aforementioned embodiments. Therefore, the battery pack in this embodiment has the characteristic effects of each of the aforementioned heat exchange plates. To avoid redundancy in the effect description, it will not be repeated here.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pallet cooling plate characterized by, The application relates to a battery cooling plate. The battery cooling plate comprises a manifold and a plurality of groups of heat exchange pipes in communication with the manifold, and the plurality of groups of heat exchange pipes are arranged side by side. Each of the heat exchange pipes is provided with a plurality of flow channels for cooling liquid flow, and at least part of the pipe sections of the heat exchange pipes are provided with a plurality of spaced-apart bending portions, and the plurality of bending portions are protruded towards the same direction.

2. The bar cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that The inner side of each of the bending portions is formed with a groove, and the groove is provided with a flexible glue blocking member, and the flexible glue blocking member is arranged along the extension direction of the groove.

3. The bar cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that The flexible glue blocking member comprises a glue blocking foam.

4. The bar cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery cooling plate further comprises an anti-condensation layer, which is arranged on the same outer side surface of the cooling plate and covers the manifold and the heat exchange pipes.

5. The bar cooling plate according to claim 4, characterized in that The anti-condensation layer is arranged on one side of the bending portion in the protruding direction.

6. The bar cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one part of the pipe sections of the heat exchange pipes is provided with an avoiding gap, and the side walls on both sides of the avoiding gap are provided with blocking members, and the blocking members are used for blocking the flow channels at the corresponding positions of the avoiding gap to form interrupted channels.

7. The bar cooling plate according to claim 6, characterized in that The heat exchange pipes on both sides of the avoiding gap are connected with a cross plate, and the cross plate is provided with a cross flow channel, and the cross flow channel is used for connecting the interrupted channels and the flow channels.

8. The bar cooling plate according to claim 7, characterized in that The heat exchange pipes at the covering position of the cross plate are provided with a plurality of communication holes, and the plurality of communication holes are one-to-one correspondingly arranged in communication with the plurality of flow channels, and each of the communication holes is in communication with the cross flow channel.

9. The bar cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that The surfaces of the manifold and the heat exchange pipes are coated with an insulating layer.

10. A battery pack, characterized by, The battery comprises a plurality of battery cells, and the adjacent battery cells are provided with the battery cooling plate according to any one of claims 1-9.

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