Battery pack and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack comprising a housing, a battery module arranged in the housing, and a thermal management system for heating and cooling the battery module. The thermal management system includes: an inlet / outlet flange which is a single piece assembled to an outer wall surface of a housing and includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion independent of each other, the inlet portion and the outlet portion being adapted to be connected to an external pipeline; each of the plurality of first pipelines and the at least one second pipeline extend in the shell and at least partially abut against the surface of the battery module; wherein the inlet part comprises a flow dividing cavity, the inlet end of each first pipeline in the multiple first pipelines penetrates through the wall of the shell to be communicated with the flow dividing cavity, and the outlet end of at least one second pipeline penetrates through the wall to be communicated with the outlet part. According to the battery pack disclosed by the invention, the inlet part and the outlet part are integrated in one inlet and outlet flange, so that the number of parts is reduced, and the cost and the part volume are saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the field of vehicle components, and more specifically, to a battery pack for a vehicle, and to a vehicle including such a battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the electric and hybrid vehicle market, the thermal management of battery packs, as one of the core components of these vehicles, has become particularly important. An efficient thermal management system ensures that battery modules operate within their optimal temperature range, thereby improving battery pack performance and lifespan.

[0003] Current battery pack thermal management systems include inlet flanges and outlet flanges mounted to the battery pack housing. Cooling fluid enters the cooling pipes inside the battery pack via the inlet flange as needed, cools the battery modules, and then flows out of the battery pack via the outlet flange. In existing technology, the inlet and outlet flanges are located at different positions on the battery pack housing. This increases the complexity and maintenance difficulty of the thermal management system, increases the overall weight and volume of the battery pack, and affects cooling efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery pack that overcomes at least one of the deficiencies in the prior art. More specifically, the battery pack according to the invention integrates the inlet flange and the outlet flange into a single inlet / outlet flange, thus simplifying the structure and providing additional heat transfer performance.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a battery pack including a housing, a battery module disposed in the housing, and a thermal management system for heating and cooling the battery module. The thermal management system includes: an inlet / outlet flange, which is a single piece fitted to the outer wall of the housing and includes an independent inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to connect to an external input pipe and the outlet being adapted to connect to an external output pipe; and a plurality of first pipes and at least one second pipe, each of the plurality of first pipes and the at least one second pipe extending inside the housing and at least partially abutting against the surface of the battery module; wherein the inlet includes a flow divider cavity, the inlet end of each of the plurality of first pipes communicating with the flow divider cavity through the wall of the housing, and the outlet end of the at least one second pipe communicating with the outlet through the wall.

[0006] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and outlet flanges are configured as rotating bodies, and the outlet portion is configured to penetrate the inlet and outlet flanges along the central axis of the inlet and outlet flanges.

[0007] According to an optional embodiment of the invention, the diversion chamber is configured as an annular chamber surrounding the outlet.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the inlet further includes a plurality of diversion channels, one end of each of the plurality of diversion channels being connected to the diversion cavity, and the other end being connected to the inlet end of the corresponding first pipe among the plurality of first pipes.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of diversion channels are evenly distributed circumferentially around the outlet.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and outlet flange includes a groove opening toward the outer wall surface, the groove and the outer wall surface jointly defining the flow divider cavity.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the inlet / outlet flange includes a frustoconical main body and a connecting portion extending radially outward from the bottom edge of the main body, the main body defining the inlet portion and the outlet portion, and the connecting portion being fixedly connected to the outer wall surface.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack further includes a reservoir disposed between the plurality of first pipes and the at least one second pipe, and connected to the outlet end of each first pipe and the inlet end of the second pipe, wherein the outlet end of each first pipe is positioned above the inlet end of the second pipe.

[0013] A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle including a battery pack according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the battery pack according to the present invention has several beneficial effects, especially: the inlet and outlet are integrated into one inlet and outlet flange, thereby reducing the number of parts, saving costs and parts volume. At the same time, the fluid output through the outlet can additionally cool the cooling fluid entering the battery pack through the inlet by means of the evaporative cooling effect, so that the cooling fluid entering the battery pack has better cooling performance. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a top view of one embodiment of the battery pack according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the battery pack;

[0018] Figure 3 The battery pack's 3D view hides the inlet and outlet flanges, while the magnified portion clearly shows the assembly area between the housing and the inlet and outlet flanges.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the front side of the inlet and outlet flanges of the battery pack;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the back side of the inlet / outlet flange;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a top view of the inlet / outlet flange;

[0022] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken from plane AA in the middle;

[0023] Figure 8 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken from plane BB in the middle;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the assembly point between the inlet / outlet flange and the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The implementation and use of specific embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of particular ways of implementing and using the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0026] In this specification, directional descriptions such as "top" and "bottom" used to describe the structural positions of various components are not absolute but relative. These directional descriptions are appropriate when the components are arranged as shown in the figures, but they should be changed accordingly when the positions of the components in the figures change.

[0027] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, terms such as "installation" 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 direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this specification according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the battery pack BP according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the battery pack BP according to the present invention is, for example, a power battery pack BP for a new energy vehicle, which includes a housing 10, a battery module 20 disposed in the housing 10, and a thermal management system for heating and cooling the battery module 20. The battery pack BP shown only schematically includes one battery module 20. It is understood that the number of battery modules 20 in the battery pack BP is not limited and can be set according to actual needs.

[0030] The thermal management system of the battery pack BP includes: a plurality of first pipes 30 extending generally parallel to each other (six are shown in the figure as an example); at least one second pipe 40; and inlet / outlet flanges 60.

[0031] The first pipe 30 and the second pipe 40 are, for example, circular copper pipes. Each of the first pipes 30 and at least one second pipe 40 is disposed inside the housing 10 and extends at least partially against the top surface of the battery module 20 to form a generally serpentine pipe rack extending substantially in the same plane. The dense arrangement of these first pipes 30 is beneficial to improving the uniformity of heat exchange on the top surface of the battery module 20.

[0032] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the inlet and outlet flanges 60 are single pieces assembled to the outer wall surface 12 of the housing 10, wherein the inlet portion 61 is adapted to be connected to an external input pipe, and the outlet portion 62 is adapted to be connected to an external output pipe.

[0033] More specifically, the inlet / outlet flange 60 is preferably configured as a rotating body and includes a generally frustoconical main body 65 and a connecting portion 66 extending radially outward from the bottom edge of the main body 65, wherein the bottom of the main body 65 refers to the portion of the main body 65 closest to the housing 10 and having the largest diameter. The main body 65 abuts against the outer wall surface 12 of the housing 10 and defines an inlet portion 61 and an outlet portion 62 that are independent of each other and are used for inputting and outputting cooling fluid, respectively. The connecting portion 66 is configured as an annular flange extending radially outward from the bottom edge of the main body 65 and is fixedly connected to the outer wall surface 12 of the housing 10 by a plurality of screws (e.g., six screws arranged in a hexagonal pattern) evenly distributed circumferentially thereon.

[0034] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the outlet 62 is configured as a channel extending through the entire inlet / outlet flange 60 along the central axis CC of the flange, and the inlet 61 includes a groove 64 opening toward the outer wall surface 12. The groove 64 and the outer wall surface 12 together define a flow divider 610, which is preferably configured as an annular chamber surrounding the outlet 62. The inlet end 301 of each of the plurality of first pipes 30 communicates with the flow divider 610 through the wall 11 of the housing 10, and the outlet end 402 of at least one second pipe 40 communicates with the outlet 62 through the wall 11. It is understood that the flow divider 610 may also be configured in other shapes, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, according to other embodiments, the flow divider 610 may also be formed inside the main body 65, i.e., defined only by the main body 65 itself.

[0035] like Figure 3 , Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the inlet section 61 also includes an inlet channel 613 and a plurality of diversion channels 614 defined by the main body section 65. The inlet channel 613 is connected to an external input pipe and to a diversion cavity 610. The inlet end of each diversion channel 614 is connected to the diversion cavity 610, and the outlet end of each diversion channel 614 is connected to the inlet end 301 of a corresponding first pipe 30 among the plurality of first pipes 30. Preferably, the plurality of diversion channels 614 (six are shown as an example in the figure) are evenly distributed circumferentially around the outlet section 62. It is understood that the number and position of the diversion channels 614 and the corresponding first pipes 30 can be set according to actual needs, and the present invention does not limit this.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack BP also includes a reservoir 50 disposed between a plurality of first pipes 30 and at least one second pipe 40. The reservoir 50 is connected to the outlet end 302 of each first pipe 30 and to the inlet end 401 of each second pipe 40, wherein the outlet end 302 of each first pipe 30 is positioned above the inlet end 401 of the second pipe 40 to facilitate gas-liquid separation of fluid in the reservoir 50.

[0037] In addition, such as Figure 9As shown, the battery pack BP also includes: a first sealing ring 615 radially disposed between the inlet end 301 of each first pipe 30 and the outlet end of the corresponding diversion channel 614 of the inlet / outlet flange 60; a second sealing ring 616 radially disposed between the outlet end 402 of the second pipe 40 and the inlet end of the outlet portion 62 of the inlet / outlet flange 60; and a third sealing ring 617 disposed between the opening of the groove 64 of the inlet / outlet flange 60 and the housing 10, to ensure the sealing performance of the thermal management system. This detachable design of the inlet / outlet flange 60 simplifies the assembly process in the factory and makes it easier to repair damaged parts compared to traditional welding designs.

[0038] The following is a brief description of the two operating modes of the thermal management system for the BP battery pack.

[0039] In the cooling mode of the battery module 20, firstly, the inlet / outlet flange 60 receives fluid from the external input pipe. This fluid is then evenly distributed through the distribution chamber 610 and the distribution channel 614, and enters the first pipes 30 via their inlet ends 301. During its flow through these first pipes 30, the fluid absorbs heat from the battery module 20 and partially vaporizes. Next, the fluid enters the reservoir 50 via the outlet ends 302 of the first pipes 30 to achieve gas-liquid separation. This allows as much liquid as possible collected at the bottom of the reservoir 50 to enter and flow through the second pipe 40 via its inlet end 401 under the pressure of the reservoir 50, thereby improving the heat exchange performance of the second pipe 40. Finally, the partially vaporized fluid enters the outlet 62 of the inlet / outlet flange 60 via the outlet end 402 of the second pipe 40 and flows out to the external output pipe. Understandably, since the inlet 61 and outlet 62 are integrated in the same inlet / outlet flange 60, the output fluid in the outlet 62 can use the evaporative cooling effect (i.e., its temperature decreases due to evaporation) to provide additional cooling to the input fluid in the inlet 61, so that the cooling fluid entering the battery pack has better cooling performance.

[0040] Similarly, in the heating mode, the fluid flow direction is opposite to that in the cooling mode. That is, the inlet of the inlet flange 60 in the cooling mode becomes the outlet of the inlet flange 60 in the heating mode, and the outlet of the inlet flange 60 in the cooling mode becomes the inlet of the inlet flange 60 in the heating mode. Therefore, the input cooling fluid flows sequentially through the second pipe 40, the reservoir 50, and multiple first pipes 30 to release heat to the battery module 20 through liquefaction.

[0041] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept under the creative idea of ​​the present invention, but all of these shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] The above description of the embodiments is exemplary and not restrictive, and the scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack (BP), the battery pack (BP) comprising a housing (10), battery modules (20) disposed in the housing (10), and a thermal management system for heating and cooling the battery modules (20), characterized in that, The thermal management system includes: An inlet / outlet flange (60) is a single piece assembled to the outer wall surface (12) of the housing (10), and includes an independent inlet portion (61) and an outlet portion (62), the inlet portion (61) being adapted to connect to an external input pipe, and the outlet portion (62) being adapted to connect to an external output pipe; and A plurality of first pipes (30) and at least one second pipe (40), each of the plurality of first pipes (30) and the at least one second pipe (40) extending inside the housing (10) and at least partially abutting against the surface of the battery module (20); The inlet (61) includes a flow divider (610), the inlet end (301) of each of the plurality of first pipes (30) passes through the wall (11) of the housing (10) and communicates with the flow divider (610), and the outlet end (402) of at least one second pipe (40) passes through the wall (11) and communicates with the outlet (62).

2. The battery pack (BP) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet / outlet flange (60) is configured as a rotating body, and the outlet portion (62) is configured to pass through the inlet / outlet flange (60) along the central axis (CC).

3. The battery pack (BP) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diversion chamber (610) is configured as an annular chamber surrounding the outlet (62).

4. The battery pack (BP) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet (61) also includes a plurality of diversion channels (614), one end of each of the plurality of diversion channels (614) is connected to the diversion cavity (610), and the other end is connected to the inlet end (301) of the corresponding first pipe (30) of the plurality of first pipes (30).

5. The battery pack (BP) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of diversion channels (614) are evenly distributed around the outlet (62) in a circumferential direction.

6. The battery pack (BP) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The inlet / outlet flange (60) includes a groove (64) opening toward the outer wall surface (12), the groove (64) and the outer wall surface (12) together defining the flow divider cavity (610).

7. The battery pack (BP) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The inlet / outlet flange (60) includes a frustoconical body (65) and a connecting portion (66) extending radially outward from the bottom edge of the body (65). The body defines the inlet portion (61) and the outlet portion (62). The connecting portion (66) is fixedly connected to the outer wall surface (12).

8. The battery pack (BP) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The battery pack (BP) also includes a reservoir (50) disposed between the plurality of first pipes (30) and the at least one second pipe (40), and connected to the outlet end (302) of each first pipe (30) and the inlet end (401) of the second pipe (40), wherein the outlet end (302) of each first pipe (30) is positioned above the inlet end (401) of the second pipe (40).

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack (BP) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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