Battery module heating device, temperature control system and vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses a battery module heating device, which comprises a heater, the heater comprises a heating body and a heat conductor, the heating body is arranged to generate heat after being electrified, the heat conductor is arranged to simultaneously conduct heat to a plurality of cylindrical battery cells, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells are distributed around the outside of the heat conductor, the heating body is arranged on the heat conductor, and a heat-conducting medium is filled between the cylindrical battery cells and the heat conductor to assist heat transfer. The battery module heating device has the advantages that the heat transfer path of heat is short, the heating area is large, the temperature consistency of the battery cells is good, and the time required to reach the ideal temperature is short. The application further discloses a temperature control system and a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automotive technology. Specifically, this invention relates to a battery module heating device, a temperature control system, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] When lithium-ion batteries are charged in low-temperature environments, the negative electrode Li... + It readily precipitates as metallic lithium. This reaction is irreversible, and it not only consumes the Li inside the battery... + Furthermore, the deposited lithium grows as dendrites on the negative electrode of the battery, posing a risk of short-circuiting the separator. Simultaneously, low temperatures significantly impact the discharge performance, lifespan, and driving range of lithium-ion batteries. To avoid these problems, lithium-ion batteries require heating during low-temperature charging and discharging processes.

[0003] For modules composed of cylindrical cells with a large aspect ratio (the ratio of the height to the diameter of the cylindrical cell), the height of the battery pack in the z-axis is often limited, and the cylindrical cells can only be arranged in multiple layers laid flat. In battery thermal management systems, heating films are usually placed at both ends of the cylindrical cells to heat them. The main disadvantages of this heating method are:

[0004] a) The heat transfer path is long, resulting in high temperatures at both ends of the battery cell and low temperatures in the middle, leading to poor temperature uniformity of the battery cell.

[0005] b) The other side of the heating film at both ends is in direct contact with the air, resulting in significant heat loss and some power being wasted.

[0006] c) The heating film transfers heat by adhering to the heated surface of the module through the heat-conducting pad. It is difficult to achieve a tight fit between the heating film and the module, and there is a risk of the heating film falling off.

[0007] d) The explosion-proof valve of the cylindrical battery cell is usually located on the upper and lower end faces, and there is a safety hazard in placing the heating film here.

[0008] A battery module heating device is provided, particularly concerning how to reduce heat transfer paths, shorten heating time, and improve cell temperature uniformity. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a battery module heating device, the purpose of which is to reduce heat transfer paths, shorten heating time, and improve cell temperature uniformity.

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a battery module heating device, including a heater, the heater including a heating element and a heat conductor, the heating element being configured to generate heat after being powered on, the heat conductor being configured to conduct the heat to multiple cylindrical battery cells simultaneously, the multiple cylindrical battery cells being distributed around the outer periphery of the heat conductor, the heating element being disposed on the heat conductor, and a heat-conducting medium being filled between the cylindrical battery cells and the heat conductor to assist in heat transfer.

[0011] The thermally conductive medium is a thermally conductive adhesive.

[0012] The heat conductor has a cross-shaped cross section and four contact surfaces. The contact surfaces are arc surfaces and are evenly distributed along the circumference with the axis of the heat conductor as the center line. Each contact surface is used to conduct heat to a cylindrical battery cell.

[0013] The heating element has an arc-shaped structure, and the axis of the heating element is parallel to the axis of the heat conductor.

[0014] The number of heating elements is the same as the number of contact surfaces. Each heating element is coaxially arranged with a contact surface, and the curvature of the heating element is basically the same as the curvature of the contact surface.

[0015] An insulating material layer is provided on the outer surface of the heat conductor.

[0016] The insulating material layer is either an insulating film or formed by spraying insulating powder material.

[0017] The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell are respectively limited and fixed by two end plates, and the two ends of the cylindrical battery cell are respectively inserted into the fixing grooves provided on the two end plates. The heater is inserted into the limiting groove provided on the end plate.

[0018] The present invention also provides a temperature control system, including the battery module heating device and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is disposed on the cylindrical battery cell, and the heating element and the temperature sensor are communicatively connected to the battery BMS system.

[0019] The present invention also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned temperature control system.

[0020] The battery module heating device of the present invention has a short heat transfer path, a large heating area, good cell temperature consistency, and a short time required to reach the ideal temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a battery module heater and temperature control system according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module heater structure and temperature control system of the present invention, showing the structure of the battery cell and heater;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a front view of the heater structure and temperature control system of a battery module according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module heater structure and the end plate structure of the temperature control system of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the temperature control strategy of a battery module heater structure and temperature control system according to the present invention.

[0026] The markings in the above figures are as follows: 1-End plate; 2-Cylindrical cell; 3-Temperature sensor; 4-Heater; 5-Thermal conductive adhesive; 201-Explosion-proof valve; 202-Pole post; 401-Heat conductor; 402-Heating element; 101-Limiting groove; 102-Fixing groove. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more comprehensive description of the present invention will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in the text. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and complete.

[0028] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0029] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the terms "first," "second," and "third" do not represent an absolute distinction in structure and / or function, nor do they represent the order of execution; they are merely for the convenience of description.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly associated with those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the specification of this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, the present invention provides a battery module heating device, including a heater 4. The heater 4 includes a heating element 402 and a heat conductor 401. The heating element 402 is configured to generate heat after being powered on. The heat conductor 401 is configured to conduct the heat to multiple cylindrical battery cells 2 simultaneously. The multiple cylindrical battery cells 2 are distributed around the outer periphery of the heat conductor 401. The heating element 402 is disposed on the heat conductor 401. A thermally conductive medium is filled between the cylindrical battery cells 2 and the heat conductor 401 to assist in heat transfer.

[0032] The thermally conductive medium is thermally conductive adhesive 5.

[0033] The heat conductor 401 has a cross-shaped cross section and four contact surfaces. The contact surfaces are arc surfaces and are evenly distributed along the circumference with the axis of the heat conductor 401 as the center line. Each contact surface is used to conduct heat to a cylindrical cell 2.

[0034] The heating element 402 has an arc-shaped structure, and the axis of the heating element 402 is parallel to the axis of the heat conductor 401.

[0035] The number of heating elements 402 is the same as the number of contact surfaces. Each heating element 402 is coaxially arranged with a contact surface, and the curvature of the heating element 402 is basically the same as the curvature of the contact surface.

[0036] An insulating material layer is provided on the outer surface of the heat conductor 401.

[0037] The insulating material layer is either an insulating film or formed by spraying insulating powder material.

[0038] The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell 2 are respectively limited and fixed by two end plates 1. The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell 2 are respectively inserted into the fixing grooves 102 provided on the two end plates 1. The heater 4 is inserted into the limiting groove 101 provided on the end plate 1.

[0039] The present invention also provides a temperature control system, including the battery module heating device and temperature sensor 3. The temperature sensor 3 is disposed on the cylindrical cell 2. The heating element 402 and the temperature sensor 3 are communicatively connected to the battery BMS system.

[0040] The present invention also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned temperature control system.

[0041] Example

[0042] Firstly, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a battery module heating device, including a heater 4. The heater 4 includes a heating element 402 and a heat conductor 401. The heating element 402 is configured to generate heat after being powered on. The heat conductor 401 is configured to conduct the heat to multiple cylindrical battery cells 2 simultaneously. The multiple cylindrical battery cells 2 are distributed around the outer periphery of the heat conductor 401. The heating element 402 is disposed on the heat conductor 401. A thermally conductive medium is filled between the cylindrical battery cells 2 and the heat conductor 401 to assist in heat transfer.

[0043] Specifically, in this embodiment of the invention, a heater 4 structure with a short heat transfer path and a large heating area is provided for the long cylindrical battery cell 2, thereby achieving good temperature uniformity of the battery cell and a short heating time. This heating device has high heating efficiency and is safe and reliable.

[0044] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the heat conductor 401 has a cross-shaped cross section and four contact surfaces, which are arc surfaces. These four contact surfaces are evenly distributed circumferentially around the axis of the heat conductor 401. Each contact surface is used to conduct heat to a cylindrical battery cell 2. The cylindrical battery cell 2 is cylindrical, and its axis is parallel to the axis of the heat conductor 401. Each contact surface is coaxial with a cylindrical battery cell 2. The four cylindrical battery cells 2 outside each heater 4 are arranged in an array, with each contact surface thermally coupled to its corresponding cylindrical battery cell 2. A portion of the cylindrical outer surface of the cylindrical battery cell 2 faces the opposite contact surface, forming a heated surface. The area of ​​this heated surface is 1 / 4 of the total area of ​​the cylindrical outer surface of the cylindrical battery cell 2. A heat conduction path is formed between the heated surface and the contact surface. This design allows heat to be transferred along the diameter of the battery cell, reducing the heat transfer path, improving cell temperature uniformity, and shortening the time required for the cell to reach the ideal temperature. This addresses the impact of low ambient temperatures on battery charge / discharge performance and charging time.

[0045] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the contact surface is a concave arc surface with an arc angle of 90° to ensure sufficient contact area while avoiding structural interference. The heat conductor 401 is a one-piece molded structure made of a high thermal conductivity material, including but not limited to aluminum alloy, copper alloy, or graphite composite material.

[0046] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the heating element 402 has an arc-shaped structure, and the axis of the heating element 402 is parallel to the axis of the heat conductor 401.

[0047] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the number of heating elements 402 is the same as the number of contact surfaces. Each heating element 402 is coaxially arranged with a contact surface. The curvature of the heating element 402 is basically the same as the curvature of the contact surface. The shape of the heating element 402 is a quarter circle. The radius of the heating element 402 and the cross-shaped heat conductor 401 is determined by the radius of the cylindrical battery cell 2. The length of the heating element 402 and the cross-shaped heat conductor 401 can be determined according to the length of the battery cell.

[0048] The heat generated by the heating element 402 after being powered on is transmitted from a quarter of the circumference of the cross-shaped heat conductor 401 to the battery cell. Due to the small radius of the battery cell, the heat transmission path is short, the temperature uniformity of the battery cell is good, and the heating area is large, so the time required to reach the ideal temperature is short.

[0049] In this embodiment of the invention, the heat-conducting medium is thermally conductive adhesive 5. A certain thickness of thermally conductive adhesive 5 is applied between the heated surface and the contact surface of the heat conductor 401, so that heat transfer can be better achieved through the thermally conductive adhesive 5.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, an insulating material layer is provided on the outer surface of the heat conductor 401. The insulating material layer is an insulating film or formed by spraying insulating powder material to achieve the purpose of insulation.

[0051] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the two ends of the cylindrical battery cell 2 are respectively limited and fixed by two end plates 1. The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell 2 are respectively inserted into the fixing grooves 102 provided on the two end plates 1. The heater 4 is inserted into the limiting groove 101 provided on the end plate 1. The end plates 1 are made of plastic. The two end plates 1 are parallel, and all the heaters 4 are arranged sequentially along the length direction of the end plates 1. The length direction of the end plates 1 is perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical battery cell 2. All the heaters 4 are located between the two end plates 1. The limiting grooves 101 and the cylindrical battery cell 2 are used to limit and fix the heaters 4.

[0052] The battery module heating device with the above structure has the following advantages:

[0053] 1. Compared with heating films on both ends of cylindrical battery cell 2, the heat transfer path is shorter, the heating area is larger, the temperature uniformity of the battery cell is better, and the time required to reach the ideal temperature is shorter.

[0054] 2. The heater 4 is surrounded by the battery cell, and each heat dissipation surface of the heater 4 is in contact with the cylindrical surface of the battery cell through the thermally conductive adhesive 5, resulting in high heat utilization.

[0055] 3. The heater 4 is fixed to the battery cell by thermally conductive adhesive 5 and the slots of the end plates 1 on both sides. The battery cell's gravity and the end plates 1 are used to achieve a tight fit between the battery cell and the heater 4 for heat transfer. This ensures that the heated surface of the battery cell is in close contact with the heater 4, which can better transfer heat and improve the heat utilization rate. There is no phenomenon of the heater 4 falling off.

[0056] 4. The relative positions of the battery cell and heater 4 are fixed by the end plates 1 on both sides of the module. The cylindrical surface of the cylindrical battery cell 2 is heated by the cross-shaped heater 4. The cylindrical surface of the battery cell is used as the heated surface, and the end face of the battery cell is released. An opening is made at the explosion-proof valve 201 (the explosion-proof valve 201 is located at the end face of the cylindrical battery cell 2) to leave an exhaust space after thermal runaway of the battery cell, which further improves the safety of the module and increases the safety of the whole package.

[0057] Secondly, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a temperature control system, including a battery module heating device and a temperature sensor 3 with the above-described structure. The temperature sensor 3 is disposed on the cylindrical cell 2, and the heating element 402 and the temperature sensor 3 are communicatively connected to the battery BMS system.

[0058] In embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a heater 4 is placed between every four battery cells. Each heater 4 is equipped with a temperature sensor 3, which is arranged opposite to the heated surface of the battery cell. The illustrated module has four temperature sensors 3, which are connected to the battery BMS system to monitor the battery cell temperature in real time. When the lowest detected cell temperature is less than or equal to a first set temperature, the battery BMS system sends a heating request, and the heating element 402 is energized to start heating. When the lowest detected cell temperature is greater than or equal to a second set temperature, the battery BMS system requests to turn off heating, and the heating element 402 is de-energized.

[0059] Meanwhile, the temperature points for turning the heating on and off should be set according to the battery's fast and slow charging current meter.

[0060] Temperature sensor 3 collects real-time surface temperature data of cylindrical cell 2 and transmits the signal to the battery BMS system. The battery BMS system analyzes the data from each temperature sensor 3 and identifies the lowest temperature value within the module.

[0061] When the battery BMS system detects that the temperature of any cylindrical cell 2 is ≤ a first set temperature (e.g., X℃), it triggers a heating request. The battery BMS system sends a power-on command to the heater 4, and the heating element 402 starts working. Heat is conducted to the heated surface of the cell through the heat conductor 401 and the thermally conductive adhesive 5, and the temperature rises rapidly and evenly.

[0062] When the battery BMS system detects that the temperature of all cylindrical cells 2 is greater than or equal to the second set temperature (e.g., Y℃), it triggers a heating shutdown request. The battery BMS system sends a power-off command to the heater 4, and the heating element 402 stops working.

[0063] The battery BMS system dynamically adjusts the heating power (e.g., through PWM control) based on feedback from temperature sensor 3 to ensure that the temperature of each cell rises synchronously.

[0064] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a vehicle including a temperature control system with the above-described structure. The vehicle is an electric vehicle, and this temperature control system can be referred to... Figures 1 to 5 Further details will not be elaborated here. Since the vehicle of the present invention includes the temperature control system described in the above embodiments, it possesses all the advantages of the aforementioned temperature control system.

[0065] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module heating device, characterized in that: The device includes a heater, which comprises a heating element and a heat conductor. The heating element is configured to generate heat when energized, and the heat conductor is configured to simultaneously conduct the heat to multiple cylindrical battery cells. The multiple cylindrical battery cells are distributed around the outer periphery of the heat conductor. The heating element is disposed on the heat conductor, and a thermally conductive medium is filled between the cylindrical battery cells and the heat conductor to assist in heat transfer.

2. The battery module heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermally conductive medium is a thermally conductive adhesive.

3. The battery module heating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat conductor has a cross-shaped cross section and four contact surfaces. The contact surfaces are arc surfaces and are evenly distributed along the circumference with the axis of the heat conductor as the center line. Each contact surface is used to conduct heat to a cylindrical battery cell.

4. The battery module heating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating element has an arc-shaped structure, and the axis of the heating element is parallel to the axis of the heat conductor.

5. The battery module heating device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of heating elements is the same as the number of contact surfaces. Each heating element is coaxially arranged with a contact surface, and the curvature of the heating element is basically the same as the curvature of the contact surface.

6. The battery module heating device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: An insulating material layer is provided on the outer surface of the heat conductor.

7. The battery module heating device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The insulating material layer is either an insulating film or formed by spraying insulating powder material.

8. The battery module heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell are respectively limited and fixed by two end plates, and the two ends of the cylindrical battery cell are respectively inserted into the fixing grooves provided on the two end plates. The heater is inserted into the limiting groove provided on the end plate.

9. A temperature control system, characterized in that: The device includes a battery module heating device and a temperature sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on the cylindrical cell, and the heating element and the temperature sensor are communicatively connected to the battery BMS system.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Including the temperature control system as described in claim 9.

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