Liquid cooling plate for battery box

Abstract

The utility model relates to a liquid cooling plate for a battery box, which comprises a body provided with a cooling channel for guiding cooling liquid, and is characterized in that the open end part of the body is provided with a first end plate; the first end plate comprises a first insertion part and a circulation part, the first insertion part can be inserted into the open end part of the body, external cooling liquid flows into and / or flows out of the cooling channel through the circulation part, and a channel which is in fluid communication with the cooling channel is formed in the first insertion part. According to the liquid cooling plate for the battery box, the length of the cooling channel can be alternatively changed by adjusting the distance that the first end plate arranged on the open end part of the body is inserted into the flow inlet or the flow outlet of the cooling channel, so that the flow speed of cooling liquid in the cooling channel is indirectly changed; finally, the flow velocity of the cooling liquid in the liquid cooling plate is changed in a relatively simple manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling plates, in particular to a liquid cooling plate used for a battery box. Background Art

[0002] With the development of battery technology, lithium batteries have more and more application scenarios, such as being widely used in new energy vehicles. However, lithium batteries will generate a lot of heat during a large number of charging and discharging processes. If it cannot be dissipated in time, the surface temperature of the battery will rise, and even overheating will occur, posing a threat to battery safety. For this reason, in the prior art, a liquid cooling plate with an internal flow channel in contact with the battery module is usually set at the bottom of the battery box to dissipate the heat generated by the battery through the circulation of the coolant. Flow rate is an important parameter of the liquid cooling plate. The size of the flow rate directly affects the heat dissipation effect of the liquid cooling plate. Specifically: if the flow rate is too small, the heat cannot be effectively taken away, thereby reducing the heat dissipation effect; if the flow rate is too large, the resistance of the coolant will increase, resulting in energy waste. Therefore, choosing a suitable flow rate is very important for the heat dissipation effect of the liquid cooling plate.

[0003] When the pressure applied by the water pump is constant, the flow rate of the coolant can usually be changed by changing the flow channel structure of the liquid cooling plate. For example, increasing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel or extending the length of the flow channel will reduce the flow rate of the coolant. Therefore, existing patents provide some liquid cooling plates that adjust the flow rate of the coolant by changing the flow channel structure of the liquid cooling plate, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation capacity. For example, the Chinese invention patent application "Liquid Cooling Plate, Battery Pack and Flow Control Method" with patent number CN202010383092.1 (publication number CN113707969A) provides a liquid cooling plate that adjusts the flow rate of each flow channel by adjusting the cross-sectional area of ​​each flow channel inside the liquid cooling plate, so that the flow of each internal flow channel is balanced, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation effect.

[0004] However, the invention needs to change the flow rate of the coolant in the liquid cooling plate by modifying the cross-sectional area of ​​each flow channel of the liquid cooling plate body, and according to the needs of actual working conditions, liquid cooling plates of different specifications are sometimes required to achieve a suitable flow rate. For example, if the power of the existing water pump model is not suitable for the current liquid cooling plate, the flow rate of the coolant is too large or too small. If the above-mentioned method of changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow channel of the liquid cooling plate body is adopted, it is necessary to produce a liquid cooling plate body with different internal flow channels. This method is relatively complicated and costly. Therefore, further improvement of the existing technology is needed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a liquid cooling plate for a battery box which can change the flow rate of the coolant inside the liquid cooling plate in a relatively simple way in view of the above-mentioned existing technical status.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model to solve the above technical problems is: the liquid cooling plate for the battery box includes a body, and the body is provided with a cooling channel for guiding the cooling liquid, and is characterized in that:

[0007] A first end plate is provided on the open end of the main body, and the first end plate includes a first insertion portion that can be inserted into the open end of the main body and a circulation portion for external coolant to flow into and / or out of the cooling channel, wherein a channel that forms a fluid connection with the cooling channel is opened on the first insertion portion, and by changing the distance between the first insertion portion and the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel, the length of the cooling channel is changed, thereby indirectly changing the flow rate of the coolant in the cooling channel.

[0008] In order to be able to adjust the length of multiple cooling channels at the same time, preferably, at least two cooling channels are provided, each of which is basically parallel to each other, and each of which has two open ends and is connected through its own open ends, and the first end plate is provided at the corresponding inflow end of the open end of each cooling channel. Therefore, when adjusting the distance of the first end plate relative to the inflow end of each cooling channel, and each cooling channel shares a first end plate, the length of multiple cooling channels can be adjusted at the same time, which has the effect of convenient adjustment. In addition, the provision of multiple cooling channels can also improve the cooling efficiency of the liquid cooling plate, and the design of each cooling channel to be basically parallel to each other is based on the consideration of easy extrusion molding with the liquid cooling plate. Of course, there can also be other structures.

[0009] Since each cooling channel has two open ends, the outflow end of each cooling channel can also be adjusted while the inflow end is adjusted by the first end. For this purpose, a second end plate is provided at the corresponding outflow end of each open end of the cooling channel. The second end plate includes a second insertion portion that can be inserted into the open end of the body, and the second insertion portion is a blind end. In fact, the second insertion portion can have a channel for the coolant to flow out and is designed to be the same as the first end plate structure, but the premise of using the same structure is more suitable for each cooling channel to have an independent inflow end and outflow end. The blind end is designed to adapt to the situation that each cooling channel is at least partially connected in the outflow end. When only some cooling channels are flowed with coolant, the coolant can flow out from the remaining cooling channels along the blind end. Such a design can increase the distance that the coolant flows inside the liquid cold plate to enhance the heat dissipation effect, while other cooling channels that are not circulated can directly use the first end plate.

[0010] Since a gap is easily formed between the first end plate or the second end plate during the process of adjusting the insertion portion to move relative to the cooling channel, the body is further provided with a blocking member, which can prevent the coolant from directly flowing through the gap between the first insertion portion of the first end plate and the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel. The provision of the blocking member can make the external coolant flow better in each cooling channel, and its flow path is more complete, thereby more effectively dissipating heat.

[0011] In order for each cooling channel to form a complete circuit for the flow of coolant, preferably, the blocking member is in the shape of a strip, extending along the flow direction of the coolant, and its upstream section is provided with a slot for the first insertion portion of the first end plate to be plugged in, while the downstream section and the second insertion portion of the second end plate form a gap for the flow of coolant. The coolant can flow into the cooling channel on one side of the blocking member, and flow to the cooling channel on the other side from the gap formed by the downstream section of the blocking member and the second insertion portion of the second end plate. The blocking member is designed to be in the shape of a strip, and the simplicity of processing it as a whole with the cooling channel is taken into consideration. Of course, other structures that play a corresponding role can also be used.

[0012] In order to enable the first end plate to connect the external coolant and the cooling channel, preferably, the circulation portion includes a first side wall directly connected to the first insertion portion and a second side wall arranged opposite to the first side wall, wherein the first side wall is provided with an opening connected to the cooling channel, and the second side wall is provided with an interface for the external coolant to flow in and / or out. The purpose of setting the circulation portion is that when the distance between the first end plate and the outlet or inlet of the cooling channel is not enough to meet the needs, the first end plate can be replaced with other first end plates with different specifications and sizes of circulation portions, so as to expand the adjustable range of the coolant flow rate in the liquid cooling plate. In addition, the first side wall has the function of enhancing the strength of the first end plate while separating the insertion portion and the interface. During installation, the first end plates of the first insertion portion with different specifications and different lengths can be selectively inserted when selecting to meet a specific heat dissipation effect.

[0013] Furthermore, the first end plate is provided with two independent circulation parts, which are respectively connected with the cooling channels on both sides of the blocking member. External coolant can flow into or out of its corresponding cooling channel through the independent circulation parts, so that the flow direction of the coolant is limited to unidirectional flow, which speeds up the cooling cycle of the coolant and improves the cooling efficiency.

[0014] In order for the liquid cooling plate to fit with the battery module to dissipate heat from the battery module, preferably, the periphery of the body has a first convex wall and a second convex wall, and the first end plate and the second end plate, when inserted into the open end of the body, can together surround and form a cavity that can accommodate the battery module. The first convex wall and the second convex wall can also enhance the overall strength of the liquid cooling plate.

[0015] In order to install the liquid cooling plate to the required position, preferably, the second end plate includes a hollow portion, the hollow portion includes a third side wall arranged opposite to the second insertion portion, the first side wall of the first end plate and the third side wall end of the second end plate are partially bent to form a mounting portion for installation, and correspondingly, the ends of the first convex wall and the second convex wall are also provided with mounting portions for installation. The mounting portion can be a through hole, a bolt hole or the like, wherein, as mentioned above, the first end plate and the second end plate can be components with the same structure, or different components with channels or blind ends respectively, so that the hollow portion corresponding to the flow channel can reduce weight on the one hand, and can also be used as a space reserved for forming a circulation portion on the other hand. If it is to be designed as a flow channel, it only needs to be processed correspondingly.

[0016] Furthermore, the first convex wall and the second convex wall are hollow inside and are respectively provided with reinforcing ribs, which can be arranged in various forms such as horizontal, oblique, and vertical.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantage of the utility model is that the liquid cooling plate for the battery box can selectively change the length of the cooling channel by adjusting the distance of the first end plate arranged on the open end of the main body inserted into the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel, thereby indirectly changing the flow rate of the coolant in the cooling channel, and finally achieving a relatively simple way to change the flow rate of the coolant inside the liquid cooling plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the first end plate of Example 1 of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the second end plate of Example 1 of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is an explosion diagram of Example 1 of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a state in which the second end plate of Embodiment 1 of the utility model is not inserted;

[0023] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the second end plate in the first insertion state of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second end plate insertion state 2 of Example 1 of the utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figures 1 to 4 The figure shows the best embodiment of the utility model. The liquid cooling plate for the battery box in the present embodiment includes a body 1, and a cooling channel 11 for guiding the coolant is processed inside the body 1. The cooling channel 11 can be processed into multiple independent parallel channels as needed, or it can be other shapes, such as S-shaped, or other circuitous structures. The present embodiment takes multiple independent parallel channels as an example for specific description. Each cooling channel 11 has two open ends, and the one for the external coolant to flow in may be called "inflow end 111", and the one for the external coolant to flow out may be called "outflow end 112", and the "outflow end 112" is arranged to be interconnected. In the present embodiment, there are 18 cooling channels 11 in total.

[0028] Since the existing cooling channel 11 is integrally formed with the liquid cooling plate, its length can be changed by respectively providing the first end plate 2 and the second end plate 3 at the inlet end 111 and the outlet end 112 without changing its length, wherein the first end plate 2 and the second end plate 3 can adopt the same structural design. In the present embodiment, since the outlet end 112 is arranged to be interconnected, the second insertion portion 31 of the second end plate 3 is designed as a blind end, and the other structures are basically the same.

[0029] refer to Figure 1 The direction indicated by arrow D is the direction in which the coolant flows into the liquid cooling plate, and a first end plate 2 is provided at the open end 12 of the body 1 near the inlet end 111 of the cooling channel 11. Figure 2As shown, the first end plate 2 in this embodiment includes a first insertion portion 21 that can be inserted into the open end portion 12 of the body 1, and also includes two independent flow portions 22 for external coolant to flow into the cooling channel 11. The flow portion 22 includes a first side wall 221 directly connected to the first insertion portion 21 and a second side wall 222 arranged opposite to the first side wall 221, wherein the first side wall 221 is provided with an opening 223 connected to the cooling channel 11, and the second side wall 222 is provided with an interface 23 for external coolant to flow in or out. In this embodiment, the interface 23 is divided into a first interface 23' for connecting an external water pump and for coolant to flow in, and a second interface 23" for coolant to flow out. By adjusting the first insertion portion 21 of the first end plate 2 to be inserted into the open end portion 12 of the body 1 The depth of the end portion 12 can adjust the length of the cooling channel 11, and further adjust the flow rate of the coolant in the liquid cooling plate. In order to prevent the coolant from flowing in the gap between the first insertion portion 21 and the cooling channel 11 during the adjustment process, a blocking member 13 is provided on the body 1. In this embodiment, the blocking member 13 is provided in the middle of the body 1. In order to facilitate processing, the blocking member 13 is provided in a strip shape. The upstream section of the blocking member 13 is provided with a slot 131 for the first insertion portion 21 of the first end plate 2 to be plugged in. When the first insertion portion 21 of the first end plate 2 is inserted into the open end portion 12 of the body 1, the blocking member 13 can prevent the coolant from flowing directly from the gap between the first insertion portion 21 of the first end plate 2 and the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel 11.

[0030] A second end plate 3 is provided on the open end 12 of the body 1 near the outflow end 112 of the cooling channel 11. Figure 3 As shown, the second end plate 3 includes a second insertion portion 31 that can be inserted into the open end 12 of the body 1. The second insertion portion 31 in this embodiment is a blind end, so that the downstream section of the blocking member 13 and the second insertion portion 31 of the second end plate 3 form a gap 132 for the flow of coolant. At this point, the coolant pumped out by the water pump can flow into the cooling channel 11 on one side of the blocking member 13 through the first interface 23' through the first end plate 2, and then flow through the gap 132 formed by the downstream section of the blocking member 13 and the second insertion portion 31 of the second end plate 3, and finally flow back to the first end plate 2 through the cooling channel 11 on the other side of the blocking member 13 and flow out to the outside through the second interface 23", forming a complete coolant circuit.

[0031] In addition, since the liquid cooling plate needs to be installed at a specific position and needs to fit with the battery module to dissipate heat, the periphery of the body 1 in this embodiment is provided with a first convex wall 14 and a second convex wall 15. When the first end plate 2 and the second end plate 3 are inserted into the open end 12 of the body 1, they can be surrounded together to form a cavity that can accommodate the battery module. The second end plate 3 includes a hollow portion 32, which includes a third side wall 321 arranged opposite to the second insertion portion 31. The first side wall 221 of the first end plate 2 and the third side wall 321 of the second end plate 3 are partially bent to form a mounting portion 4 for installation. Correspondingly, the ends of the first convex wall 14 and the second convex wall 15 are also provided with a mounting portion 4 for installation. The mounting portion in this embodiment is a hexagonal through hole. In addition, the interior of the first convex wall 14 and the second convex wall 15 in this embodiment is hollow and is provided with a transverse reinforcing rib 16.

[0032] Taking the second end plate 3 as an example, the method for selectively adjusting the flow rate of the coolant of the liquid cooling plate for the battery box provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0033] like Figure 5 The figure shows a state where the second end plate 3 is not inserted into the open end 12 of the body 1. When the working conditions are clear and the flow rate of the liquid cooling plate needs to be adjusted to a certain value, the second end plate 3 needs to be inserted to a specific distance relative to the inlet and outlet of the cooling channel 11.

[0034] See also Figure 6 , insert the second end plate 3 into the open end 12 of the body 1 (i.e., state 1). At this time, the gap width between the blind end of the second insertion portion 31 and the blocking member 13 is X. In this embodiment, X is 7 mm. However, the flow rate of the coolant at this time does not match the required flow rate, so it is necessary to further adjust the insertion distance of the second end plate 3;

[0035] See also Figure 7 , adjust the second end plate 3 (i.e., state 2). At this time, the gap width between the blind end of the second insertion portion 31 and the blocking member 13 is adjusted from X to Y. In this embodiment, Y is 13 mm. At this time, the flow rate of the coolant is consistent with the required flow rate. Subsequently, welding and other work are performed to complete the installation of the second end plate 3. Figure 6 , Figure 7 The arrows show the direction of coolant flow.

[0036] Example 2

[0037] The structure is basically the same as that of Example 1, except that the first end plate 2 in this embodiment has only one flow portion 22, and the second end plate 3 is configured to have the same structure as the first end plate 2, so that the coolant can flow in from the first end plate 2, and flow out from the second end plate 3 after passing through the cooling channel 11. In this embodiment, there is no need to provide a blocking member 13, and the overall structure is simpler, but the heat dissipation capacity is slightly weaker, which is suitable for situations where the heat dissipation demand is relatively small.

[0038] Example 3

[0039] The structure is basically the same as that of Example 1, except that there is only one cooling channel 11 in this embodiment, which meanders inside the main body 1, and finally its inlet end 111 and outlet end 112 are both on the only open end 12 of the main body 1. A first end plate 2 is provided on the open end 12 of the main body 1. This embodiment selectively adjusts the flow rate of the coolant in the liquid cooling plate only through the first end plate 2, which is simpler to use, but the range of selectable flow rates is relatively small, and is suitable for situations where the requirements are relatively clear.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling plate for a battery box, comprising a body (1), wherein the body (1) is provided with a cooling channel (11) for guiding a cooling liquid, wherein: A first end plate (2) is provided on the open end (12) of the main body (1), and the first end plate (2) includes a first insertion portion (21) that can be inserted into the open end (12) of the main body (1) and a flow portion (22) for external coolant to flow into and / or out of the cooling channel (11), wherein the first insertion portion (21) is provided with a channel that forms a fluid connection with the cooling channel (11), and by changing the distance between the first insertion portion (21) and the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel (11), the length of the cooling channel (11) is changed, thereby indirectly changing the flow rate of the coolant in the cooling channel (11).

2. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two cooling channels (11) are provided, each of the cooling channels (11) is basically arranged in parallel with each other, and each of the cooling channels (11) has two open ends and is connected through the respective open ends, and the first end plate (2) is arranged at the corresponding inflow end (111) of the open end of each cooling channel (11).

3. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second end plate (3) is provided at the corresponding outflow end (112) in the open end of each cooling channel (11), and the second end plate (3) includes a second insertion portion (31) that can be inserted into the open end (12) of the body (1), and the second insertion portion (31) is a blind end.

4. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The body (1) is provided with a blocking member (13) which can prevent the cooling liquid from directly flowing from the gap between the first insertion portion (21) of the first end plate (2) and the inlet or outlet of the cooling channel (11).

5. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 4, characterized in that: The blocking member (13) is strip-shaped and extends along the flow direction of the coolant. Its upstream section is provided with a slot (131) for the first insertion portion (21) of the first end plate (2) to be plugged in, while the downstream section forms a gap (132) for the coolant to flow with the second insertion portion (31) of the second end plate (3).

6. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 5, characterized in that: The circulation portion (22) comprises a first side wall (221) directly connected to the first insertion portion (21) and a second side wall (222) arranged opposite to the first side wall (221), wherein the first side wall (221) is provided with an opening (223) connected to the cooling channel (11), and the second side wall (222) is provided with an interface (23) for external cooling liquid to flow in and / or out.

7. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first end plate (2) is provided with two independent flow portions (22) which are respectively communicated with the cooling channels (11) on both sides of the blocking member (13).

8. The liquid cooling plate according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The periphery of the body (1) has a first convex wall (14) and a second convex wall (15); when the first end plate (2) and the second end plate (3) are inserted into the open end (12) of the body (1), they can together surround and form a cavity capable of accommodating a battery module.

9. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second end plate (3) includes a hollow portion (32), and the hollow portion (32) includes a third side wall (321) arranged opposite to the second insertion portion (31). The ends of the first side wall (221) of the first end plate (2) and the third side wall (321) of the second end plate (3) are partially bent to form a mounting portion (4) for mounting. Correspondingly, the ends of the first convex wall (14) and the second convex wall (15) are also provided with a mounting portion (4) for mounting.

10. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first convex wall (14) and the second convex wall (15) are hollow inside and are respectively provided with reinforcing ribs (16).

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