Flow-equalizing liquid cooling device and energy storage device

Abstract

The invention provides a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device and an energy storage device, and relates to the field of cooling, the liquid cooling device is used for cooling an electrical element, and the liquid cooling device comprises a liquid pump having a liquid supply port and a liquid return port; the liquid inlet primary pipe is communicated with the liquid supply port; the liquid return primary pipe is communicated with the liquid return opening; the cooling pipe clusters are arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling pipe clusters are communicated with the liquid inlet primary pipe and the cooling flow channel, the cooling pipe clusters are communicated with the cooling flow channel and the liquid return primary pipe, and the flowing lengths of cooling liquid flowing through the cooling pipe clusters in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe are the same; wherein the cooling pipe cluster comprises a second-stage branch and a third-stage branch, the second-stage branch comprises a second-stage liquid inlet branch and a second-stage liquid return branch, the third-stage branch comprises a third-stage liquid inlet branch and a third-stage liquid return branch, the multiple third-stage branches are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the pipe diameter of each third-stage branch is gradually increased in the first direction, and the pipe diameter of each third-stage branch is gradually increased in the first direction. And the pipe diameter of the second-stage liquid inlet branch is gradually increased, so that the electrical element has better temperature uniformity.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims priority to Chinese application 202410697264.0, filed on May 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of cooling, and more particularly to a liquid cooling device and an energy storage device for equalizing flow. Background Technology

[0003] Energy storage devices include battery cells for storing electrical energy. During operation, these cells generate heat, requiring liquid cooling. To ensure consistent lifespan and output capacity across all cells, the liquid cooling system must maintain uniform cooling levels for each cell. This type of liquid cooling system uses regulators to adjust the flow resistance in different sections of the piping, ensuring a consistent flow rate of coolant through each cell. However, this method is relatively expensive to manufacture. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device and an energy storage device to solve the technical problem of how to reduce the manufacturing cost of liquid cooling devices.

[0005] This invention provides a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device for cooling electrical components with cooling channels. The device includes: a liquid pump with a supply port and a return port, the pump driving the flow of coolant; an inlet primary pipe connected to the supply port; a return primary pipe connected to the return port; and cooling tube clusters, a plurality of which are spaced apart along the extension direction of the inlet primary pipe, connecting the inlet primary pipe and the cooling channels, and connecting the cooling channels and the return primary pipe. The sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster in the inlet and return primary pipes is the same. Each cooling tube cluster includes secondary branches and tertiary branches, the secondary branches connecting to the inlet primary pipe and the return primary pipe. The primary and secondary branches are connected, with the secondary branch extending out of the primary inlet pipe along a first direction. The tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel. Multiple tertiary branches are spaced apart along the first direction, and the diameter of each tertiary branch increases progressively along the first direction. The secondary branch includes a secondary inlet branch and a secondary return branch, and the tertiary branch includes a tertiary inlet branch and a tertiary return branch. The secondary inlet branch connects the primary inlet pipe and the tertiary inlet branch, the tertiary inlet branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary inlet branch, the tertiary return branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary return branch, and the secondary return branch connects the tertiary return branch and the primary return pipe. The diameter of the secondary inlet branch increases progressively along the first direction.

[0006] Furthermore, the diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch increases gradually.

[0007] Furthermore, the liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating component, which is used to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch and to make the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch decrease in a first direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the temperature regulating element includes a heating element for heating the coolant in at least a portion of the three-stage liquid inlet branches, wherein the power of each heating element decreases in the first direction, and / or the temperature regulating element includes a cooling element for cooling the coolant in at least a portion of the three-stage liquid inlet branches, wherein the power of each cooling element increases in the first direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the temperature regulating element includes a semiconductor temperature regulating element, which is capable of heat exchange with the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches in the same cooling tube cluster; wherein, the semiconductor temperature regulating element includes a hot end for heating and a cold end for cooling, the hot end is used to heat the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch closest to the primary liquid inlet tube of the two tertiary liquid inlet branches, and the cold end is used to cool the coolant in the other of the two tertiary liquid inlet branches.

[0010] Furthermore, the temperature regulating element is disposed in the third-stage liquid inlet branch.

[0011] Furthermore, the length of the return primary pipe is not less than the length of the inlet primary pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the return liquid primary pipe includes a first part and a second part. The first part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the second part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump. The end of the second part away from the liquid pump is connected to the first part, and the end of the second part close to the liquid pump is connected to the return liquid port.

[0013] Furthermore, the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe is parallel to the first part, and the cooling pipe cluster connects the liquid inlet primary pipe and the first part.

[0014] Furthermore, the liquid inlet primary pipe includes a third part and a fourth part. The third part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump. The end of the fourth part away from the liquid pump is connected to the third part, and the end of the third part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid supply port. The cooling pipe cluster is used to connect the first part and the third part, and the cooling pipe cluster is also used to connect the second part and the fourth part.

[0015] This invention also provides an energy storage device, which includes: an electrical component capable of storing electrical energy, and the electrical component having a cooling channel;

[0016] As described in the above embodiment, the liquid cooling device has three-stage branches connected to the cooling channel; wherein the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are both located at the bottom of the electrical component, the electrical component also includes a battery cell, and the cooling channel can exchange heat with the battery cell.

[0017] This invention provides a liquid cooling device for cooling electrical components with cooling channels. The device includes a liquid pump with a supply port and a return port, an inlet primary pipe connected to the supply port, a return primary pipe connected to the return port, and cooling tube bundles connecting the inlet primary pipe, the cooling channels, and the return primary pipe. Multiple cooling tube bundles are spaced apart along the extension direction of the inlet primary pipe, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube bundle in the inlet and return primary pipes is the same, thus ensuring equal flow resistance of the coolant in the inlet and return primary pipes. The cooling tube bundles include secondary branches and tertiary branches. The first-level branch is connected to both the inlet and return pipes. The second-level branch extends from the inlet pipe along a first direction. The third-level branch connects the second-level branch and the cooling channel. Multiple third-level branches are spaced apart along their extension direction, and their diameters increase progressively in the first direction. This can be understood as the second-level and third-level branches forming non-parallel flow paths. Along the first direction, the flow resistance of the coolant in the second-level branch gradually increases. By increasing the diameter of the third-level branch, the increasing flow resistance in the second-level branch can be offset, thus ensuring a uniform flow rate of coolant into the cooling channels of each electrical component and improving the thermal consistency of the components. Furthermore, since the flow resistance of the coolant gradually increases during its flow in the second-level inlet branch, increasing the diameter of the second-level inlet branch along its extension direction further offsets this increasing flow resistance, making the flow resistance of the coolant in the second-level inlet branch more uniform. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A diagram showing the positional relationship between an inlet primary pipe, a cooling tube cluster, and a return primary pipe in a flow-equalizing liquid cooling device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first type of liquid inlet primary pipe, cooling tube cluster and liquid return primary pipe in the liquid cooling device for flow equalization provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of liquid inlet primary pipe, cooling tube cluster and liquid return primary pipe in the liquid cooling device for flow equalization provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first three-stage liquid inlet branch and temperature control element in the liquid cooling device for flow equalization provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of three-stage liquid inlet branch and temperature control element in the liquid cooling device for flow equalization provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of the secondary liquid inlet branch in the liquid cooling device for flow equalization provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the energy storage device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 10. Energy storage device; 100. Liquid cooling device; 110. Liquid pump; 111. Liquid supply port; 112. Liquid return port; 120. First-stage liquid inlet pipe; 120A. Third section; 120B. Fourth section; 130. First-stage liquid return pipe; 130A. First section; 130B. Second section; 140. Cooling tube bundle; 140A. First cooling tube bundle; 140B. Second cooling tube bundle; 141. Secondary branch; 1411. Secondary liquid inlet branch; 1412. Secondary liquid return branch; 142. Tertiary branch; 1421. Tertiary liquid inlet branch; 1422. Tertiary liquid return branch; 150. Temperature control component; 151. Heating component; 152. Cooling component; 153. Semiconductor temperature control component; 1531. Hot end; 1532. Cold end; 200. Electrical component; 220. Battery cell. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0029] The specific technical features described in the specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. For example, different combinations of specific technical features can form different embodiments and technical solutions. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the various possible combinations of the specific technical features in this invention will not be described separately.

[0030] In the following description, the terms "first," "second," and "..." are used merely to distinguish different objects and do not indicate that the objects have the sameness or relationship. It should be understood that the directional descriptions "above," "below," "outside," and "inside" refer to the orientation under normal use conditions, while "left" and "right" refer to the left and right directions shown in the corresponding diagrams, which may or may not be the left and right directions under normal use conditions.

[0031] It should be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. The term "connection," unless otherwise specified, includes both direct and indirect connections.

[0032] In the following specific embodiments, the flow-equalizing liquid cooling device can be used to cool any electrical component with internal cooling channels. For example, the liquid cooling device can be used to cool the storage arrays in a server, or to cool the individual battery cells in an energy storage device. It should be noted that the cooling channels within the electrical components are not directly connected; the liquid cooling device is connected to each cooling channel to form parallel cooling channels, thereby enabling independent cooling of each electrical component. For ease of explanation, the structure of the liquid cooling device will be illustrated below by applying it to an energy storage device to cool the battery cells within the energy storage device.

[0033] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the liquid pump cooling device 100 with equal flow is used to cool electrical components with cooling channels. The liquid cooling device 100 includes: a liquid pump 110, an inlet primary pipe 120, a return primary pipe 130, and a plurality of cooling tube clusters 140. The liquid pump 110 includes a liquid supply port and a liquid return port. The liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is connected to the liquid supply port, and the liquid return primary pipe 130 is connected to the liquid return port. Multiple cooling tube clusters 140 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120. The cooling tube clusters 140 are connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the cooling channel, and the cooling channel and the liquid return primary pipe 130. It can be understood that the liquid inlet primary pipe 120, a part of the cooling tube cluster 140, the cooling channel, another part of the cooling tube cluster 140 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 are connected in sequence. That is, the two parts of the cooling tube cluster 140 are respectively connected to the two ends of the cooling channel, thereby connecting the cooling channel, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130 through the cooling tube cluster 140. Driven by the liquid pump 110, the coolant flows out from the supply port and then flows sequentially through the inlet primary pipe 120, a part of the cooling tube bundle 140, the cooling channel, another part of the cooling tube bundle 140, and the return primary pipe 130. The coolant then flows into the return port through the return primary pipe 130, thereby enabling the coolant to exchange heat with the electrical components through the cooling channel and carry away the heat from the electrical components.

[0034] Meanwhile, the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster 140 in the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 is the same; that is, the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 form a parallel flow path. For example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling device 100 includes a first cooling tube bundle 140A and a second cooling tube bundle 140B. The first cooling tube bundle 140A and the second cooling tube bundle 140B are spaced apart along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120. The length of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 between the first connection position A1 of the first cooling tube bundle 140A and the liquid supply port 111 is L1. The length of the liquid return primary pipe 130 between the first cooling tube bundle 140A and the second connection position A2 of the first cooling tube bundle 140A and the liquid return port 112 is L2. The second cooling tube bundle 140B is spaced apart along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120. The length of the inlet primary pipe 120 between the third connection position B1 and the liquid supply port of the first cooling pipe 120 is L3, and the length of the return primary pipe 130 between the fourth connection position B2 and the return port of the second cooling pipe cluster 140B and the return primary pipe 130 is L4. The sum of L1 and L2 equals the sum of L3 and L4, thus ensuring that the flow length of the coolant flowing through the first cooling pipe cluster 140A in the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 is equal to the flow length of the coolant flowing through the second cooling pipe cluster 140B in the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130. It should be noted that the length of coolant flow in the pipeline is positively correlated with the friction loss of the coolant. By making the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 have the same length, the friction loss generated by the coolant flowing through different cooling pipe clusters 140 in the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 can be made the same. The specific structure of the parallel pipeline formed by the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 will be described in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0035] Among them, such as Figure 1 As shown, the cooling pipe cluster 140 includes a secondary branch 141 and a tertiary branch 142. The secondary branch 141 is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 and the liquid return primary pipe 130, and the secondary branch 141 extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 in a first direction (the first direction is as follows). Figure 1(As shown by the middle arrow) Simultaneously, the tertiary branch 142 connects to the secondary branch 141 and the cooling channels within the electrical components. Multiple tertiary branches 142 are spaced apart along the extension direction of the secondary branch 141, thus connecting to the cooling channels within the multiple electrical components respectively. The secondary branch 141 extends out of the liquid inlet pipe 120 along a first direction. This can be understood as one end of the secondary branch 141 connecting to the liquid inlet pipe 120, and the secondary branch 141 extending along the first direction to the other end. This first direction can be parallel to or not parallel to the extension direction of the liquid inlet pipe 120. When the first direction is not parallel to the extension direction of the liquid inlet pipe 120, the secondary branch 141 extends away from the liquid inlet pipe 120, thereby enabling the secondary branch 141 to cool electrical components located away from the liquid inlet pipe 120.

[0036] Furthermore, in the first direction, the diameter of the tertiary branch 142 increases progressively. This can be understood as the coolant flowing from the primary inlet pipe 120 into the secondary branch 141 flowing into the cooling channels of each electrical component through different tertiary branches 142 and then into the primary return pipe 130. That is, the secondary branch 141 and the tertiary branch 142 form non-parallel flow paths, and the coolant flows non-parallel within the secondary branch 141 and the tertiary branch 142. In the first direction, the flow path of the coolant increases progressively, resulting in increasing frictional resistance. By increasing the diameter of the tertiary branch 142 in the first direction, the frictional resistance within each tertiary branch 142 gradually decreases in the first direction to offset the gradually increasing frictional resistance within the secondary branch 141. This results in the same frictional resistance and flow rate within each tertiary branch 142, thereby ensuring that the cooling capacity of the coolant for each electrical component remains consistent and improving the temperature uniformity of each electrical component.

[0037] It should be noted that the tertiary branch 142 includes a tertiary inlet branch 1421 connected to the primary inlet pipe 120 via the secondary branch 141 and a tertiary return branch 1422 connected to the primary return pipe 130 via the secondary branch 141. In the first direction, increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary inlet branch 1421 and / or the tertiary return branch 1422 can ensure that the flow rate of coolant in the tertiary branch 142 is the same. Specifically, by increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary inlet branch 1421, the flow resistance of coolant flowing into each tertiary inlet branch 1421 can be directly reduced, thereby directly offsetting the increase in flow resistance in the secondary branch 141. By increasing the pipe diameter of the tertiary return branch 1422, the flow resistance of coolant flowing out of the cooling channel can be reduced, thereby indirectly reducing the flow resistance of coolant flowing into each tertiary inlet branch 1421, thereby indirectly offsetting the increase in flow resistance in the secondary branch 141.

[0038] This invention provides a liquid cooling device for cooling electrical components with cooling channels. The device includes a liquid pump with a supply port and a return port, an inlet primary pipe connected to the supply port, a return primary pipe connected to the return port, and cooling tube bundles connecting the inlet primary pipe, the cooling channels, and the return primary pipe. Multiple cooling tube bundles are spaced apart along the extension direction of the inlet primary pipe, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube bundle in the inlet and return primary pipes is the same, thus ensuring equal flow resistance of the coolant in the inlet and return primary pipes. Each cooling tube bundle includes secondary and tertiary branches. The secondary branch is connected to the primary inlet pipe and the primary return pipe. The secondary branch extends out of the primary inlet pipe along the first direction. The tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel. Multiple tertiary branches are spaced apart along the first direction, and the diameter of each tertiary branch increases in the first direction. This can be understood as the secondary and tertiary branches forming non-parallel pipes. In the first direction, the flow resistance of the coolant in the secondary branch gradually increases. By increasing the diameter of the tertiary branch, the increasing flow resistance in the secondary branch can be offset, thereby making the coolant flow rate into the cooling channel of each electrical component the same, improving the thermal consistency of each electrical component.

[0039] In other embodiments, a specific structure is provided in which the inlet primary pipe and the return primary pipe form a parallel pipeline, which is described below in conjunction with... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The specific structures of the inlet and return primary pipes are illustrated by example.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the return liquid primary pipe 130 includes a first part 130A and a second part 130B. The first part 130A extends from a position close to the liquid pump 110 to a position away from the liquid pump 110, and the second part 130B extends from a position away from the liquid pump 110 to a position close to the liquid pump 110. The end of the second part 130B away from the liquid pump 110 is connected to the first part 130A, and the end of the second part 130B close to the liquid pump 110 is connected to the return liquid port. It can be understood that the second part 130A... 0B forms two opposing ends, one end being close to the liquid pump 110 and the other end being far from the liquid pump 110. By connecting one end to the first part 130A and the other end to the return port of the liquid pump 110, the coolant flowing from the inlet primary pipe 120 into the return primary pipe 130 can flow in the same direction as the inlet primary pipe 120, rather than in the opposite direction. This allows the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 to form a parallel pipeline.

[0041] Optional, such as Figure 3As shown, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 extends from a position close to the liquid pump 110 to a position far away from the liquid pump 110, and the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is parallel to the extension direction of the first part 130A. The liquid inlet primary pipe 120 is connected to the first part 130A through each cooling pipe cluster 140.

[0042] Optional, such as Figure 4 As shown, the liquid inlet primary pipe 120 includes a third part 120A and a fourth part 120B. The third part 120A extends from a position near the liquid pump 110 to a position away from the liquid pump 110, and the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump 110 to a position near the liquid pump 110. The end of the fourth part 120B away from the liquid pump 110 is connected to the third part 120A, and the end of the third part 120A near the liquid pump 110 is connected to the liquid supply port. The cooling tube bundle 140 is used to connect the first part 130A and the third part 120A. The cooling tube cluster 140 is also used to connect the second part 130B and the fourth part 120B. It can be understood that the third part 120A and the fourth part 120B of the liquid inlet primary tube 120 can both be used to supply coolant to the cooling channels in the electrical components, and the coolant flowing into the return primary tube 130 can flow in the same direction as the coolant in the liquid inlet primary tube 120. That is, while the liquid inlet primary tube 120 and the return primary tube 130 can form a parallel pipeline, the liquid inlet primary tube 120 can also cool more electrical components.

[0043] In some other embodiments, the length of the return primary pipe 130 is not less than the length of the inlet primary pipe 120. That is, when the return primary pipe 130 and the inlet primary pipe 120 form a parallel pipeline, if the lengths of the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130 are different, the pipeline with the shorter length is used as the inlet primary pipe 120, and the pipeline with the longer length is used as the return primary pipe. This allows the coolant to flow into the cooling channel of the electrical components through a shorter path, reducing the flow resistance of the inlet primary pipe 120 and improving the cooling capacity of the liquid cooling device.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5As shown, the secondary branch 141 includes a secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and a secondary liquid return branch 1412, and the tertiary branch 142 includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 and a tertiary liquid return branch 1422. The secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 connects to the primary liquid inlet pipe 120 and the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421. The tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 connects to the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411. The tertiary liquid return branch 1422 connects to... The cooling channel and the secondary return branch 1412 are connected to the tertiary return branch 1422 and the primary return pipe 130. That is, the coolant flowing out of the supply port flows through the primary inlet pipe 120, the secondary inlet branch 1411, the tertiary inlet branch 1421, the cooling channel, the tertiary return branch 1422, the secondary return branch 1412 and the primary return pipe 130 in sequence before flowing into the return port.

[0045] Among them, such as Figure 5 As shown, the liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating element 150, which is used to regulate the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 so that the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch decreases in the first direction. That is, the temperature regulating element 150 heats or cools the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421, thereby causing the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 to decrease in the first direction.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In the first direction, the coolant flow rate in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 decreases, thereby gradually reducing the cooling capacity of the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 in the first direction. The temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 is adjusted by the temperature regulating element and decreases in the first direction, so that the cooling capacity area of ​​each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 is the same, thereby improving the temperature uniformity of the electrical components.

[0047] It should be noted that although forming a parallel pipeline through the inlet primary pipe 120 and the return primary pipe 130, and adjusting the diameter of the tertiary branch 142 can, to some extent, ensure that the flow rate of coolant flowing into the cooling channels of each electrical component remains basically consistent, the diameter setting of the tertiary branch 142 needs to be obtained based on flow rate simulations for different pipe diameters. Simulating flow rate based on pipe diameter presents certain difficulties, and the flow rate of coolant in the liquid cooling device is also affected by the external environment, leading to certain errors in the simulation results. Specifically, during the simulation, it is assumed that the pipe diameter is the same as the theoretical pipe diameter, and that the pipe diameter can change uniformly at the theoretical pipe diameter change points. However, in reality, due to manufacturing errors, pipes with the same theoretical pipe diameter may have diameter differences, and the change in pipe diameter at the theoretical pipe diameter change points is difficult to achieve completely uniform variation. During the simulation process... The theoretical locations of eddies and turbulence can only be determined through the fluid dynamics equations. However, since fluid dynamics systems are nonlinear, chaotic phenomena may exist. Due to the inherent randomness of chaotic systems, eddies and turbulence may occur outside the theoretical locations. In the simulation, the pipes are considered rigid bodies, but in reality, the pipes will undergo a certain degree of deformation during coolant flow, which in turn will affect the coolant flow field, i.e., fluid-structure interaction exists. Based on the above differences between theoretical simulation and reality, the simulated flow resistance will be less than the actual flow resistance. That is, the actual flow rate difference of coolant in each of the three-level branches 142 in the first direction will be greater than the theoretical flow rate difference. If the pipe diameter of each of the three-level branches 142 is designed according to the theoretical flow rate difference obtained from the simulation, the coolant flow rate in each of the three-level branches 142 will still decrease in the first direction.

[0048] Based on this, the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 is further corrected by setting the temperature regulating component 150, and the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 decreases in the first direction, thereby further offsetting the difference in cooling capacity of each electrical component caused by the flow difference of each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421, thereby further increasing the uniformity of each electrical component; at the same time, with the liquid inlet first-stage pipe 120 and the liquid return first-stage pipe 130 having the same length and the pipe diameter of the three-stage branch 142 being different, the flow difference of the coolant in each three-stage branch 142 can be reduced, the power required by the temperature regulating component 150 can be reduced, the energy consumption of the liquid cooling device can be reduced, and the structure of the liquid cooling device can be made more compact. The temperature regulating component 150 can adjust and control the coolant temperature in the three-stage inlet branch 1421 in any way. For example, a flow sensor can be installed in the three-stage inlet branch 1421, and the required temperature of the coolant in each three-stage inlet branch 1421 can be determined according to the actual flow rate of the coolant in each three-stage inlet branch 1421. The required temperature is positively correlated with the flow rate, so that the coolant in each three-stage inlet branch 1421 can reach the required temperature through the temperature regulating component 150. For example, a temperature sensor can be installed in each electrical component, and the required temperature of the coolant in each three-stage inlet branch 1421 can be determined according to the actual temperature of each electrical component. The required temperature is negatively correlated with the actual temperature of the electrical component.

[0049] Optionally, the temperature regulating element 150 can be disposed within the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 to directly heat or cool the coolant within the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421; alternatively, the temperature regulating element 150 can also be disposed outside the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 to exchange heat with the coolant within the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 through heat conduction, thereby indirectly heating or cooling the coolant within the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the temperature control unit 150 includes a heating element 151 for heating at least a portion of the coolant in the tertiary inlet branch 1421. Specifically, the heating element 151 is used to heat at least the coolant in the tertiary inlet branch 1421 closest to the primary inlet pipe 120. Figure 1 In the first direction, the power of each heating element 151 decreases in order to make the cooling capacity of each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 more consistent.

[0051] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 6As shown, the temperature control unit 150 includes a cooling unit 152 for cooling at least a portion of the coolant in the tertiary inlet branch 1421. Specifically, the cooling unit 152 is used to cool at least the coolant in the tertiary inlet branch 1421 located away from the primary inlet pipe 120. Figure 1 In the first direction, the power of each cooling element 152 increases in order to make the cooling capacity of each three-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 more consistent.

[0052] In some other embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the temperature control unit 150 includes a heating element 151 and a cooling element 152. The heating element 151 is used to heat the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 near the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the primary liquid inlet pipe 120. The cooling element 152 is used to cool the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 away from the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the primary liquid inlet pipe, so that the cooling capacity of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 tends to be consistent.

[0053] Optionally, the temperature regulating element 150 is provided in the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421 to directly heat or cool the coolant in the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421, so as to make the structure of the liquid cooling device more compact.

[0054] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the temperature regulating element 150 includes a semiconductor temperature regulating element 153. The semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 can exchange heat with the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches 1421 in the same cooling tube cluster 140. That is, the semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 can simultaneously heat and cool the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches 1421. Specifically, the semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 can heat the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 that is closer to the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the primary liquid inlet pipe 120, and cool the coolant in the tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 that is farther away from the connection position between the secondary liquid inlet branch 1411 and the primary liquid inlet pipe 120. This allows for more efficient adjustment of the temperature of the coolant in each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421, making the cooling effect of each tertiary liquid inlet branch 1421 more consistent.

[0055] The structure of the semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 is described in detail below. The semiconductor temperature regulating element 153 includes a hot end 1531 for heating and a cold end 1532 for cooling. The hot end 1531 heats the coolant in the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421, which is closer to the connection position between the second-stage liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first-stage liquid inlet pipe 120. The cold end 1532 cools the coolant in the third-stage liquid inlet branch 1421, which is farther away from the connection position between the second-stage liquid inlet branch 1411 and the first-stage liquid inlet pipe 120.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, in Figure 1 In the first direction, the pipe diameter of the secondary inlet branch 1411 increases gradually. This can be understood as the flow resistance of the coolant gradually increasing as it flows through the secondary inlet branch 1411. By gradually increasing the diameter of the secondary inlet branch 1411 in its extension direction, the gradually increasing flow resistance is offset, making the flow resistance of the coolant tend to be uniform as it flows through the secondary inlet branch 1411. It should be noted that the diameter of the secondary inlet branch 1411 increases gradually rather than abruptly, reducing the possibility of increased flow resistance due to abrupt changes in pipe diameter.

[0057] This invention also provides an energy storage device for storing electrical energy through battery cells and outputting electrical energy as needed. During the process of electrical energy input and output, the battery cells generate heat, which needs to be cooled by a liquid cooling device. The structure of the energy storage device is described below by way of example.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the energy storage device 10 includes: as per the attached specification. Figures 1 to 7 The liquid cooling device 100 and electrical component 200 are shown in any of the images. The electrical component 200 can store electrical energy and has a cooling channel. A three-stage branch 142 is connected to the cooling channel to introduce or remove coolant, thereby cooling the electrical component 200. The electrical component 200 also includes a battery cell 220, which exchanges heat with the cooling channel. The inlet pipe 120 and the return pipe 130 are located at the bottom of the electrical component 200. In the event of leakage from the inlet pipe 120 and the return pipe 130, the impact of the leaking coolant on the electrical component 200 is reduced. Furthermore, in scenarios where the energy storage device 10 is installed outdoors, the impact of solar heat radiation on the inlet pipe 120 and the return pipe 130 is reduced, thus improving the cooling capacity of the liquid cooling device 100.

[0059] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow-equalizing liquid cooling device, characterized in that, For cooling electrical components having cooling channels, the flow-equalizing liquid cooling device includes: A liquid pump having a supply port and a return port, the liquid pump being used to drive the flow of coolant; The liquid inlet tube is connected to the liquid supply port; A primary return pipe is connected to the return port; A cooling tube cluster, wherein multiple cooling tube clusters are spaced apart along the extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe, the cooling tube clusters are connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe and the cooling channel, the cooling tube clusters are connected to the cooling channel and the liquid return primary pipe, and the sum of the flow lengths of the coolant flowing through each cooling tube cluster in the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe is the same. The cooling tube cluster includes a secondary branch and a tertiary branch. The secondary branch is connected to the liquid inlet primary pipe and the liquid return primary pipe. The secondary branch extends out of the liquid inlet primary pipe along a first direction. The tertiary branch connects the secondary branch and the cooling channel. Multiple tertiary branches are spaced apart along the first direction, and the diameter of each tertiary branch increases along the first direction. The secondary branch includes a secondary liquid inlet branch and a secondary liquid return branch, and the tertiary branch includes a tertiary liquid inlet branch and a tertiary liquid return branch. The secondary liquid inlet branch connects the primary liquid inlet pipe and the tertiary liquid inlet branch. The tertiary liquid inlet branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid inlet branch. The tertiary liquid return branch connects the cooling channel and the secondary liquid return branch. The secondary liquid return branch connects the tertiary liquid return branch and the primary liquid return pipe. In the first direction, the diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch increases progressively.

2. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the secondary liquid inlet branch increases gradually.

3. The liquid cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid cooling device also includes a temperature regulating component, which is used to adjust the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch and to make the temperature of the coolant in the three-stage liquid inlet branch decrease in a first direction.

4. The liquid cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature regulating element includes heating elements for heating at least a portion of the coolant in the three-stage inlet branches. In the first direction, the power of each heating element decreases progressively. And / or, The temperature control element includes a cooling element for cooling at least a portion of the coolant in the three-stage inlet branch, wherein the power of each cooling element increases in the first direction.

5. The liquid cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature regulating device includes a semiconductor temperature regulating device, which is capable of heat exchange with the coolant in the two tertiary liquid inlet branches in the same cooling tube bundle. The semiconductor temperature control device includes a hot end for heating and a cold end for cooling. The hot end is used to heat the coolant in the third-stage liquid inlet branch near the connection between the second-stage liquid inlet branch and the first-stage liquid inlet pipe. The cold end is used to cool the coolant in the other of the two third-stage liquid inlet branches.

6. The liquid cooling device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The temperature regulating element is located in the third-stage liquid inlet branch.

7. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the return primary tube is not less than the length of the inlet primary tube.

8. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The return liquid primary pipe includes a first part and a second part. The first part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the second part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump. The end of the second part away from the liquid pump is connected to the first part, and the end of the second part close to the liquid pump is connected to the return liquid port.

9. The liquid cooling device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The extension direction of the liquid inlet primary pipe is parallel to the first part, and the cooling tube cluster connects the liquid inlet primary pipe and the first part. or, The liquid inlet primary pipe includes a third part and a fourth part. The third part extends from a position close to the liquid pump to a position away from the liquid pump, and the fourth part extends from a position away from the liquid pump to a position close to the liquid pump. The end of the fourth part away from the liquid pump is connected to the third part, and the end of the third part close to the liquid pump is connected to the liquid supply port. The cooling pipe cluster is used to connect the first part and the third part, and the cooling pipe cluster is also used to connect the second part and the fourth part.

10. An energy storage device, characterized in that, The energy storage device includes: An electrical component capable of storing electrical energy, and the electrical component having cooling channels within it; The liquid cooling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the three-stage branch is connected to the cooling channel; The liquid inlet pipe and the liquid return pipe are both located at the bottom of the electrical component. The electrical component also includes a battery cell, and the cooling channel can exchange heat with the battery cell.

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