Battery liquid cooling shell, battery pack and battery thermal management device

Abstract

The invention discloses a battery liquid cooling shell, a battery pack and a battery heat management device, and relates to the technical field of battery heat management.The battery liquid cooling shell comprises a bottom plate, an upper cover and a box-shaped frame structure, and the box-shaped frame structure comprises a plurality of longitudinal partition plates and a plurality of transverse partition plates; the longitudinal partition plates and the transverse partition plates are mutually crossed and connected to divide the space between the bottom plate and the upper cover into a plurality of battery cabins for accommodating the single batteries; the longitudinal partition plates, the transverse partition plates, the bottom plate and the upper cover are all of hollow structures, and cooling flow channels isolated from one another are formed in the hollow structures. Each cooling flow channel is an independent flow channel unit, each flow channel unit is provided with an independent cooling liquid inlet and an independent cooling liquid outlet, and heat is dissipated into air through the fan and taken away by the air. The internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack can be improved, the cooling effect is improved, meanwhile, the number of parts, the system size and weight are reduced, and the assembly efficiency and reliability are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery thermal management technology, and in particular to a battery liquid cooling casing, battery pack, and battery thermal management device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other fields, high-performance batteries such as lithium-ion batteries are widely used due to their high energy density. Batteries generate a large amount of heat during charging and discharging. If this heat cannot be dissipated in a timely and even manner, it will lead to excessively high battery temperatures and large temperature differences within the module, severely impacting the battery's cycle life, safety, and performance.

[0003] Liquid cooling has become the mainstream thermal management solution due to its high heat capacity and high heat exchange efficiency. A common liquid cooling solution is to set up an independent liquid cooling plate on the side or bottom of the battery module. The coolant flows in the internal channels of the liquid cooling plate (such as serpentine or S-shaped channels) and exchanges heat with the battery indirectly through the heat transfer medium.

[0004] However, the aforementioned existing liquid cooling structure has the following significant drawbacks: The contradiction between thermal management efficiency and temperature uniformity: Traditional liquid cooling plate flow channel designs (such as long series flow channels) tend to lead to large temperature differences between the inlet and outlet of the coolant, resulting in uneven cooling effects at different locations of the battery module and the formation of local hot spots. Complex parallel flow channels used to improve temperature uniformity often generate fluid interference and pressure loss at the intersections, affecting the overall heat dissipation efficiency.

[0005] Loose structure and low integration: Liquid cooling plates are usually installed as independent heat dissipation components outside the battery module or in the gap, separate from the battery's supporting structure (casing). This design not only increases the overall size and weight of the system, but also complicates the assembly process and poses challenges to reliability.

[0006] Thermal resistance superposition: There are usually multiple interfaces between the battery and the liquid cooling plate, such as the battery casing, the heat conduction medium, and the cold plate casing. The heat conduction path is long, and the interface thermal resistance is superposition, which affects the heat transfer efficiency.

[0007] Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for a battery liquid cooling shell that can overcome the above-mentioned structural defects. It should have a highly integrated flow channel network to ensure efficient heat dissipation while achieving excellent temperature uniformity inside the module. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery liquid cooling shell, a battery pack, and a battery thermal management device to solve the problems existing in the prior art, improve the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack, improve the cooling effect, and significantly reduce the number of parts, system volume and weight due to its highly integrated design, thereby improving assembly efficiency and reliability.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution: This invention provides a battery liquid-cooled housing, including a base plate, a top cover, and a box-shaped frame structure disposed between the base plate and the top cover. The box-shaped frame structure includes multiple longitudinal partitions and multiple transverse partitions. The longitudinal and transverse partitions intersect and connect with each other, dividing the space between the base plate and the top cover into multiple battery compartments for accommodating individual battery cells. The longitudinal partitions, transverse partitions, base plate, and top cover are all hollow structures, with mutually isolated cooling channels formed inside. The cooling channels of each longitudinal partition, each transverse partition, the base plate, and the top cover are all independent channel units, and each channel unit is provided with an independent coolant inlet and coolant outlet.

[0010] Preferably, the intersection area of ​​the longitudinal partition and the transverse partition is constructed with an upper and lower double-layer separation structure, so that the cooling channels in the longitudinal partition and the cooling channels in the transverse partition are spatially isolated from each other and do not communicate with each other.

[0011] Preferably, the coolant inlets and coolant outlets of each of the longitudinal and transverse partitions are located on the side or end walls of the box-shaped frame.

[0012] Preferably, the cooling channels of the base plate include multiple independent bottom cooling channels, and the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the base plate; the cooling channels of the top cover include multiple independent top cooling channels, and the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the top cover.

[0013] Preferably, the battery compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a single square hard-shell battery cell.

[0014] The present invention also provides a battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery cells and a battery liquid cooling shell as described above; the battery cells are disposed one-to-one in the plurality of battery compartments of the battery liquid cooling shell.

[0015] The present invention also provides a battery thermal management device, comprising: a circulating water tank, a pumping system, a radiator, and a battery liquid-cooled housing as described above; the circulating water tank, the radiator, the pumping system, and each cooling channel are connected to form multiple first coolant circulation loops, and each first coolant circulation loop corresponds to one cooling channel.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a heating element and a flow path switching valve assembly; The heating element is located inside the circulating water tank; The circulating water tank is provided with a first output end and a second output end. The flow path switching valve group includes a first solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the first output end of the circulating water tank is located, and a second solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the second output end of the circulating water tank is located. The first output end of the circulating water tank is connected to the input end of the pumping system via the radiator, so as to form the multiple first coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell. The second output end of the circulating water tank is directly connected to the input end of the pumping system, so as to form multiple second coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell. By controlling the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, the coolant circulation can be switched between the first coolant circulation loop flowing through the radiator and the second coolant circulation loop flowing through the heating element in the circulating water tank.

[0017] Preferably, it further includes a temperature control system, which is signal-connected to the pumping system, the radiator and the flow path switching valve group, and is used to control the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve according to the detected battery temperature information and / or coolant temperature information, so as to automatically select and switch to the first coolant circulation loop or the second coolant circulation loop.

[0018] Preferably, the circulating water tank has a recessed structure on its body, and the drive motor of the pumping system and / or the cooling fan motor of the radiator are embedded and fixed in the recessed structure; it also includes a replenishment tank, which is connected to the coolant flow path inside the circulating water tank or the radiator, and the liquid level in the replenishment tank is higher than the coolant flow path inside the radiator.

[0019] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art: This invention achieves deep integration of the traditionally independent battery support and heat dissipation structures by designing all the longitudinal and transverse partitions, as well as the bottom plate and top cover, forming a hollow structure to create cooling channels. Each structural component (each partition, bottom plate, and top cover) has its own isolated channels with independent inlets and outlets, meaning all cooling channels are physically connected in parallel. During coolant circulation, the coolant can enter each independent channel unit at equal pressure and simultaneously via a pumping system, thereby directly and synchronously exchanging heat with specific surfaces (side, bottom, or top) of each battery compartment. This design fundamentally eliminates the inlet and outlet temperature difference caused by the series flow of coolant and avoids the uneven flow distribution problem caused by channel intersection interference in complex parallel networks. Furthermore, since the partition walls can directly contact the battery cells, the heat transfer path is simplified, thereby reducing thermal resistance and improving cooling efficiency. Therefore, this embodiment improves the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack and provides excellent cooling. Simultaneously, due to its highly integrated design, it significantly reduces the number of parts, system volume, and weight, improving assembly efficiency and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery thermal management device provided in some embodiments of the present invention, which illustrates the pipeline for coolant to enter the cooling flow channel; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery thermal management device provided in some embodiments of the present invention, which illustrates the pipeline from the cooling channel to the circulating water tank. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the radiator; Figure 4 This is a sectional view of the assembly consisting of a box-shaped frame structure and a base plate. Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the assembly consisting of a box-shaped frame structure and a base plate. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view from another direction of the assembly consisting of a box-shaped frame structure and a base plate; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the assembly consisting of a box-shaped frame structure and a base plate from another direction. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the battery liquid cooling casing. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the battery liquid cooling casing from another direction; Figure 10 This is an exploded view of the battery liquid cooling casing. Figure 11 This is a sectional view of the top cover; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the circulating water tank and the radiator. Figure 13 A cross-sectional view of the radiator and replenishment tank assembly; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the coolant circulation system; In the diagram: 1-Battery liquid cooling casing; 2-Longitudinal partition; 3-Transverse partition; 4-Battery compartment; 4a-Battery cell; 5-Cooling channel of the bottom plate; 6-Top cover; 7-Cooling channel of the top cover; 8-Coolant inlet; 9-Coolant outlet; 10-Divider plate; 11-Coolant circulation system; 12-Pumping system; 13-Pumping system output; 14-Radiator; 15-Circulating water tank; 16-Circulating water tank output; 16a-Circulating water tank input; 17-Pumping system input; 18-Hollow heat dissipation pipe; 18a-Hollow heat dissipation pipe output; 19-Radiator casing; 20-Cooling fan; 21-Cooling fan motor; 22-Replenishment tank; 23-Temperature control system; 24-Recessed structure; 25-Heating tube; 26-Bottom plate. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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. 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.

[0023] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery liquid-cooled casing, a battery pack, and a battery thermal management device to solve the problems existing in the prior art, improve the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack, and significantly reduce the number of parts, system volume, and weight due to its highly integrated design, thereby improving assembly efficiency and reliability. To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this invention more apparent and understandable, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] The following is combined Figures 1 to 14 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1 This invention provides a battery liquid-cooled housing 1, including a base plate 26, a top cover 6, and a box-shaped frame structure disposed between the base plate 26 and the top cover 6. The box-shaped frame structure includes multiple longitudinal partitions 2 and multiple transverse partitions 3. The longitudinal partitions 2 and transverse partitions 3 intersect and connect with each other, dividing the space between the base plate 26 and the top cover 6 into multiple battery compartments 4 for accommodating battery cells 4a. The longitudinal partitions 2, transverse partitions 3, base plate 26, and top cover 6 are all hollow structures, and mutually isolated cooling channels are formed inside them. The cooling channels of each longitudinal partition 2, each transverse partition 3, the cooling channel 5 of the base plate, and the cooling channel 7 of the top cover are all independent channel units, and each channel unit is provided with an independent coolant inlet 8 and a coolant outlet 9.

[0026] This invention achieves deep integration of the traditionally independent battery support and heat dissipation structures by designing the longitudinal partitions 2, transverse partitions 3, bottom plate 26, and top cover 6 that constitute the box-shaped frame as hollow structures to form cooling channels. Each structural component (each partition, bottom plate 26, and top cover 6) has its own isolated channels with independent inlets and outlets, meaning that all cooling channels are physically connected in parallel. During coolant circulation, the coolant can enter each independent channel unit simultaneously and at equal pressure via the pumping system 12, thereby directly and synchronously exchanging heat with a specific surface (side, bottom, or top) of each battery compartment 4. This design fundamentally eliminates the inlet and outlet temperature difference caused by the series flow of coolant and avoids the problem of uneven flow distribution caused by channel intersection interference in complex parallel networks. Furthermore, since the walls of the partitions can directly contact the battery cells, the heat transfer path is simplified, thereby reducing thermal resistance and improving cooling efficiency. Therefore, this embodiment can improve the internal temperature uniformity of the battery pack and provide good cooling. At the same time, due to its highly integrated design, it significantly reduces the number of parts, system volume and weight, and improves assembly efficiency and reliability.

[0027] In some embodiments, the intersection area of ​​the longitudinal partition 2 and the transverse partition 3 is constructed with an upper and lower double-layer separation structure so that the cooling channels in the longitudinal partition 2 and the cooling channels in the transverse partition 3 are spatially isolated from each other and do not communicate with each other.

[0028] This embodiment further defines the intersection area of ​​the longitudinal and transverse baffles as employing a double-layered separation structure. The beneficial effects are derived as follows: In a dense grid-like baffle frame, the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse flow channels is the hub of the flow channel network and a critical area most prone to fluid disturbance, heat accumulation, and increased flow resistance. By setting a physical partition 10 in this area, the common cavity at the intersection is divided into two independent channels, an upper and a lower layer, ensuring that the flow channels of the longitudinal baffle 2 and the transverse baffle 3 are completely staggered in three-dimensional space, achieving true "overpass" type isolation. This ensures that even at the most densely packed and complex intersection points, the coolant can flow stably and without interference in its respective longitudinal or transverse flow channels. Consequently, the flow resistance distribution of the entire parallel flow channel network is more uniform, and the flow consistency of each end flow channel unit is fundamentally guaranteed, thereby improving the cooling uniformity of the battery pack side to a higher level and effectively eliminating localized cooling dead zones that may be caused by flow channel interference.

[0029] In some embodiments, the coolant inlets 8 and coolant outlets 9 of each longitudinal baffle 2 and transverse baffle 3 are disposed on the side walls or end walls of the box frame.

[0030] This embodiment defines the location of the flow channel interfaces on the longitudinal and transverse baffles. Its advantages are: by centrally arranging the inlets and outlets of each baffle flow channel on the side or end walls of the box-shaped frame, it provides a unified and orderly external piping interface plane for the entire liquid-cooled housing. This layout allows all external coolant input and output piping to be centrally laid out along the sides or end faces of the housing, greatly simplifying the complexity of piping connections during system-level assembly. Compared to a scheme where interfaces are randomly placed at different locations on each baffle, this design facilitates one-time docking using integrated manifolds or quick-connect modules, improving assembly efficiency and accuracy. It also facilitates standardized piping management and fixing within a limited space, enhancing system reliability and maintainability.

[0031] Of course, the interface positions can be adjusted according to the installation space and piping layout requirements of the specific battery pack. For example, for a long strip module, all interfaces can be located at both ends; for a square module, they can be located on the adjacent sides. Some flow channel interfaces can even be located at the bottom of the casing and connected through the integrated piping channels at the bottom. As long as it meets the basic requirement of independent control of parallel flow channels, it is a layout method that can be considered.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cooling channels 5 of the base plate include multiple independent bottom cooling channels, and the coolant inlet 8 and coolant outlet 9 of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the base plate 26; the cooling channels of the top cover 6 include multiple independent top cooling channels, and the coolant inlet 8 and coolant outlet 9 of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the top cover 6.

[0033] This embodiment concretizes the cooling channels of the bottom plate 26 and the top cover 6 into multiple independent channels, with their interfaces located at the ends. This essentially incorporates bottom and top cooling into a "fully parallel independent channel network" system, equivalent to the side partition cooling. The heat generated by the battery is conducted not only from the sides but also from the bottom and top surfaces. The multiple independent channels at the bottom can specifically absorb the bottom heat of the battery cell 4a directly above it, while the multiple independent channels at the top absorb the heat from the top surface of the battery. The independent and parallel design of all channels (side, bottom, and top) together constructs a system that completely envelops each battery cell 4a in three-dimensional space. The coolant can act at equal pressure and synchronously on every heat dissipation surface of the battery, thereby achieving three-dimensional synchronous heat dissipation from the core to the shell, from bottom to top, and from the periphery to the center. This is the key structural foundation for achieving ultra-low battery module temperature difference.

[0034] In other alternative embodiments, the cooling channels of the base plate 26 or the top cover 6 do not necessarily need to be subdivided into multiple channels that strictly correspond to the individual battery cells 4a. For example, it can be designed as a single large-area channel with flow equalization teeth covering the entire bottom or top surface, as long as it ensures uniform coolant distribution and good thermal contact with the battery. However, a design with multiple independent channels is more advantageous in terms of precise thermal management for each battery and avoiding thermal crosstalk.

[0035] In some embodiments, the battery compartment 4 is sized and shaped to accommodate a single square hard-shell battery cell 4a.

[0036] This embodiment defines the battery compartment 4 as suitable for a square hard-shell battery cell 4a. Of course, the battery compartment 4 can also be configured to accommodate cylindrical batteries, pouch batteries, or batteries of other shapes. For example, for cylindrical batteries, the grid formed by the separators may be honeycomb-shaped, with each compartment being hexagonal, and the gaps filled with an elastic thermally conductive material to achieve thermal contact.

[0037] Example 2 The present invention also provides a battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery cells 4a and a battery liquid cooling shell 1 of Embodiment 1; the battery cells 4a are disposed one-to-one in the plurality of battery compartments 4 of the battery liquid cooling shell 1.

[0038] This embodiment provides a battery pack including the aforementioned liquid-cooled housing. Its beneficial effects are derived as follows: The core of this battery pack is the direct placement of standardized battery cells 4a into a highly integrated liquid-cooled housing. Because the battery compartment 4 of the housing provides each battery cell 4a with an independent physical compartment and omnidirectional (side, bottom, top) cooling interface, the batteries are already in a pre-defined, highly efficient thermal management environment when assembled. This design eliminates the complex processes of inserting additional liquid cooling plates and attaching thermal pads between batteries, simplifying the assembly process. More importantly, it ensures a high degree of consistency in the thermal environment of each battery cell 4a from a physical architecture perspective, fundamentally suppressing thermal imbalances caused by different locations within the module. Therefore, this battery pack not only exhibits excellent heat dissipation performance but also has higher energy density (saving space for additional heat dissipation components), lighter weight, and higher production consistency.

[0039] The battery pack can include additional monitoring and management components, such as temperature sensors in each battery compartment 4, or the sampling harness of the battery management system integrated inside the separator. In addition to relying on a tight fit within the compartment, the battery cells 4a can also be secured using end plates, straps, or adhesives.

[0040] It should be noted that during manufacturing, the base plate 26, the top cover 6, the longitudinal partition 2 and the transverse partition 3 are all made as independent components, and then assembled by welding or other fixed connection methods.

[0041] Furthermore, the attached diagram does not show detailed structural features such as welds.

[0042] Among them, the battery cell 4a is preferably a solid-state battery.

[0043] Example 3 The present invention also provides a battery thermal management device, including: a circulating water tank 15, a pumping system 12, a radiator 14 and the battery liquid cooling shell 1 in Embodiment 1; the circulating water tank 15, the radiator 14, the pumping system 12 and each cooling channel are connected to form multiple first coolant circulation loops, and one first coolant circulation loop corresponds to one cooling channel.

[0044] In this embodiment, the circulating water tank 15, the pumping system 12, and the radiator 14 together provide coolant circulation power for each independent cooling channel in the liquid-cooled housing. Since each channel in the housing is independent, the entire system forms a "one-to-many" parallel circulation loop group. This architecture allows the system to supply liquid to all channels simultaneously at a uniform pressure and flow rate, ensuring consistency in coolant flow rate and heat exchange conditions within each channel. The radiator 14, acting as the system's "cold source," centrally handles the total heat brought back from all battery channels; this centralized heat dissipation mode is highly efficient and easy to control. This device achieves efficient and uniform active heat dissipation management of the battery pack.

[0045] The radiator 14 is not limited to air cooling; it can also be a water-cooled plate, a refrigerant-cooled evaporator, etc. The pumping system 12 can be a single high-flow pump with a distribution manifold, or multiple small pumps driving different flow channel groups. The circulating water tank 15 can also be integrated with other functional modules.

[0046] In some embodiments, the battery thermal management device further includes a heating element and a flow path switching valve assembly; the heating element is disposed inside the circulating water tank 15; the circulating water tank 15 is provided with a first output end and a second output end (circulating water tank output end 16); the flow path switching valve assembly includes a first solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the first output end of the circulating water tank is located, and a second solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the second output end of the circulating water tank is located; the first output end of the circulating water tank is connected to the input end 17 of the pumping system via the radiator 14, so as to form multiple first coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell 1; the second output end of the circulating water tank is directly connected to the input end of the pumping system 12, so as to form multiple second coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell 1; by controlling the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, the coolant circulation can be switched between the first coolant circulation loop flowing through the radiator 14 and the second coolant circulation loop flowing through the heating element in the circulating water tank 15.

[0047] This embodiment adds a heating element and a flow path switching function with dual outlets and valves. Its beneficial effects are derived as follows: This design, by integrating a heating element into the circulating water tank 15 and setting two outlets with independent solenoid valves, creatively achieves rapid and reliable switching between "cooling mode" and "heating mode" for the same liquid circuit system. When cooling is needed, the valve connecting to the radiator 14 opens, and the valve connecting to the heating circuit closes. The coolant flows through the radiator 14 to cool down and then circulates; this is the first circuit. When heating is needed at low temperatures, the logic reverses; the coolant does not flow through the radiator 14 but is heated by the heating element in the circulating water tank 15 and then directly pumped into the battery casing flow channel to provide heat to the battery; this is the second circuit. The core advantages of this switching mechanism are: 1. Functional integration: One system solves the thermal management problem of a wide temperature range (low temperature and high temperature), saving cost and space; 2. Rapid switching: Switching is electrically controlled by solenoid valves, with fast response speed and no mechanical inertia; 3. Safe and reliable: The two circuits are physically isolated by valves, avoiding accidental cross-interference between cooling and heating functions; 4. High energy efficiency: Heat loss through radiator 14 is avoided during heating.

[0048] Flow path switching does not necessarily rely on the dual outlets of the circulating water tank 15. In some examples, for instance, a three-way valve can be installed on the bypass line of the radiator 14 to achieve mode switching. The heating element can also be placed in a separate heating tank instead of inside the circulating water tank 15, connected to the main circulation via a valve. As long as the coolant circulation path can be controllably switched between the loop containing the radiator 14 and the loop containing the heating element, they all fall under similar concepts.

[0049] The heating element is the heating tube 25. In some embodiments, the battery thermal management device further includes a temperature control system 23, which is signal-connected to the pumping system 12, the radiator 14 and the flow path switching valve group, and is used to control the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve according to the detected battery temperature information and / or coolant temperature information, so as to automatically select and switch to the first coolant circulation loop or the second coolant circulation loop.

[0050] This embodiment further introduces a temperature control system 23. The temperature control system 23 receives temperature signals from the battery and / or coolant, intelligently decides whether to operate in heating or cooling mode, and automatically issues commands to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve, the pump speed, and the speed of the cooling fan 20. This brings fundamental improvements: 1. Precise temperature control: The system can maintain the battery temperature within the optimal operating window, avoiding overcooling or overheating; 2. Energy efficiency optimization: The pump speed and cooling fan speed can be dynamically adjusted according to the heat load to achieve on-demand cooling / heating, saving energy; 3. Fully automatic operation: No manual intervention is required, improving the product's intelligence level and user experience. This is a key leap from a "functional device" to an "intelligent thermal management system."

[0051] The sensor arrangement in the temperature control system 23 can be further refined, for example, sensors can be placed at key battery cells 4a and at the inlet and outlet of the flow channel. The control algorithm can be a simple threshold comparison or a complex predictive control model. The control signal can not only control the valves and pumps of this device, but also communicate with the main controller of the vehicle or energy storage system to achieve collaborative management.

[0052] In some embodiments, the circulating water tank 15 has a recessed structure 24 on its body, and the drive motor of the pumping system 12 and / or the cooling fan motor 21 of the radiator 14 are embedded and fixed in the recessed structure 24.

[0053] This embodiment provides a compact integrated solution for the drive motor. Its beneficial effects are derived as follows: embedding the drive motor of the pump and / or cooling fan 20 within the recessed structure 24 of the circulating water tank 15 is an ingenious structural thermal management design. The drive motor itself generates heat during operation, and traditional independent installations require additional consideration of its heat dissipation. This design utilizes the continuously flowing coolant within the circulating water tank 15 as a cold source, directly conducting heat to the embedded motor through the metal tank wall. This brings multiple benefits: 1. Compact structure: Reduces additional motor mounting brackets and space occupation, making the entire thermal management device more integrated and smaller in size; 2. Efficient heat dissipation: Effectively prevents the motor from overheating due to prolonged operation, improving the motor's service life and reliability; 3. Simplified design: Eliminates the need to design separate air-cooling or other heat dissipation structures for the motor.

[0054] The shape and depth of the recessed structure 24 can be customized according to the motor's profile. Besides embedding, a tight-fitting installation method using thermally conductive silicone grease can also be employed. This integration approach can also be applied to the installation of other heat-generating electronic components, such as controllers.

[0055] In some embodiments, a replenishment tank 22 is also included, which is connected to the coolant flow path inside the circulating water tank 15 or the radiator 14, and the liquid level in the replenishment tank 22 is higher than the coolant flow path inside the radiator 14.

[0056] This embodiment adds a high-level replenishment tank 22. Its advantages are: the replenishment tank 22 is connected to the main circulation pipeline and its liquid level is higher than the highest point of the system (the flow path of radiator 14). This utilizes gravity and the principle of communicating vessels to achieve a simple and reliable automatic replenishment and venting function. When the coolant volume decreases due to minor leakage or temperature changes, the liquid in the high-level replenishment tank 22 will automatically replenish the main circulation under gravity, maintaining stable system pressure and sufficient liquid volume. Simultaneously, this structure facilitates the collection and removal of gas in the circuit during initial filling or operation, preventing air blockage from affecting circulation and heat exchange efficiency. It improves the system's maintenance convenience and long-term operational reliability.

[0057] Figure 14 The diagram illustrates the structure of the coolant circulation system 11, which includes a radiator 14 (radiator housing 19 not shown), a replenishment tank 22, a circulating water tank 15, a pumping system 12, a cooling fan, and a cooling fan motor 21.

[0058] The battery thermal management device operates on the following principle, forming a closed-loop active liquid circulation cooling system: When the battery starts working, the battery temperature control system 23 (not shown in the figure) is activated. Temperature data is collected in real time by a temperature sensor (such as one located inside the battery compartment 4). If the temperature exceeds a preset threshold, the cooling mode is activated.

[0059] At this time, the first solenoid valve on the outlet pipe of the circulating water tank 15 connected to the radiator 14 opens, and the second solenoid valve on the straight-through pipe closes. The pumping system 12 starts, draws coolant from the circulating water tank 15, pressurizes it, and then pumps it in parallel through the diversion interface into the coolant inlet 8 of each independent flow channel unit (including the flow channels in the longitudinal partition 2, transverse partition 3, bottom plate 26, and top cover 6) of the battery liquid cooling shell 1.

[0060] The coolant flows within the channels, undergoing simultaneous three-dimensional heat exchange from the sides (through the separator channels), bottom (through the cooling channels 5 of the bottom plate), and top (through the cooling channels 7 of the top cover) of the battery, efficiently absorbing heat. Thanks to the double-layer separation structure (achieved by the separator 10) at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse separators, the coolant in the longitudinal and transverse channels does not interfere with each other.

[0061] After absorbing heat, the coolant collects from the coolant outlets 9 of each flow channel unit and flows back to the circulating water tank 15. Subsequently, driven by the pump, the high-temperature coolant enters the meandering hollow heat dissipation pipes 18. Simultaneously, the cooling fan 20, driven by the cooling fan motor 21, provides forced air cooling to the heat dissipation pipes. The cooling fan motor 21 is preferably embedded in the recessed structure 24 of the circulating water tank 15 to utilize the coolant for heat dissipation. The cooled coolant is then drawn back into the pump, completing one heat dissipation cycle.

[0062] When the system detects that the battery temperature is too low (e.g., in a low-temperature environment), it switches to heating mode: the first solenoid valve closes and the second solenoid valve opens. Simultaneously, multiple heating elements 25 within the circulating water tank 15 are activated. The pumping system 12 drives the coolant to circulate in a closed loop: circulating water tank 15 → pumping system 12 → various channels of the battery liquid-cooled casing 1 → returning to the circulating water tank 15. The coolant is heated as it flows through the circulating water tank 15, thus providing heat to the battery.

[0063] The replenishment tank 22 is connected to the hollow heat dissipation pipe 18 or the circulating water tank 15, and its installation height is higher than that of the heat dissipation pipe. It is used for system replenishment and venting.

[0064] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A battery liquid-cooled housing, comprising a base plate, a top cover, and a box-shaped frame structure disposed between the base plate and the top cover, the box-shaped frame structure comprising a plurality of longitudinal partitions and a plurality of transverse partitions, the longitudinal partitions and the transverse partitions intersecting and connecting to divide the space between the base plate and the top cover into a plurality of battery compartments for accommodating individual battery cells; characterized in that, The longitudinal partition, the transverse partition, the bottom plate, and the top cover are all hollow structures with mutually isolated cooling channels inside. The cooling channels of each longitudinal partition, each transverse partition, the bottom plate, and the top cover are all independent channel units, and each channel unit is provided with an independent coolant inlet and coolant outlet.

2. The battery liquid-cooled housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The intersection area of ​​the longitudinal partition and the transverse partition is constructed with a double-layer separation structure to spatially isolate the cooling channels in the longitudinal partition from the cooling channels in the transverse partition, and prevent them from communicating with each other.

3. The battery liquid-cooled housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coolant inlets and coolant outlets of each of the longitudinal and transverse partitions are located on the side or end walls of the box-shaped frame.

4. The battery liquid-cooled housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling channels of the base plate include multiple independent bottom cooling channels, and the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the base plate; the cooling channels of the top cover include multiple independent top cooling channels, and the coolant inlet and coolant outlet of each bottom cooling channel are located at the end of the top cover.

5. The battery liquid-cooled housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery compartment is sized and shaped to accommodate a single square hard-shell battery cell.

6. A battery pack, characterized in that, include: Battery liquid-cooled housing as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; Multiple battery cells are arranged one-to-one within multiple battery compartments of the liquid-cooled battery casing.

7. A battery thermal management device, characterized in that, include: A circulating water tank, a pumping system, a radiator, and a battery liquid-cooled housing according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The circulating water tank, the radiator, the pumping system, and each cooling channel are connected to form multiple first coolant circulation loops, with each first coolant circulation loop corresponding to one cooling channel.

8. The battery thermal management device according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes heating elements and flow path switching valve assemblies; The heating element is located inside the circulating water tank; The circulating water tank is provided with a first output end and a second output end. The flow path switching valve group includes a first solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the first output end of the circulating water tank is located, and a second solenoid valve disposed on the pipeline where the second output end of the circulating water tank is located. The first output end of the circulating water tank is connected to the input end of the pumping system via the radiator, so as to form the multiple first coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell. The second output end of the circulating water tank is directly connected to the input end of the pumping system, so as to form multiple second coolant circulation loops together with the cooling channels of the battery liquid cooling shell. By controlling the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, the coolant circulation can be switched between the first coolant circulation loop flowing through the radiator and the second coolant circulation loop flowing through the heating element in the circulating water tank.

9. The battery thermal management device according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature control system, which is signal-connected to the pumping system, the radiator and the flow path switching valve group, and is used to control the opening and closing of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve according to the detected battery temperature information and / or coolant temperature information, so as to automatically select and switch to the first coolant circulation loop or the second coolant circulation loop.

10. The battery thermal management device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circulating water tank has a recessed structure on its body, and the drive motor of the pumping system and / or the cooling fan motor of the radiator are embedded and fixed in the recessed structure. It also includes a replenishment tank, which is connected to the coolant flow path inside the circulating water tank or the radiator, and the liquid level in the replenishment tank is higher than that in the coolant flow path inside the radiator.

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