Liquid-cooled battery cell module

Abstract

A liquid cooling battery cell module comprises a cooling box, a battery cell assembly and a mounting box, the cooling box is of a hollow structure and forms a first cavity, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet which are communicated with the first cavity are formed in the two opposite side ends of the cooling box respectively, and the mounting box is of a hollow structure and forms a second cavity; the battery cell assembly is contained in the second cavity and abuts against the inner wall of the mounting box, the mounting box is contained in the first cavity, a cooling channel is formed between the inner wall, corresponding to the first cavity, of the cooling box and the outer wall of the mounting box, and cooling liquid enters from the liquid inlet, flows through the cooling channel and then is discharged from the liquid outlet so as to dissipate heat of the battery cell assembly. Therefore, in the application, the outer wall of the mounting box can be in contact with the cooling liquid, so that the heat dissipation area of the battery cell assembly is increased, the heat dissipation efficiency is greatly improved, and the potential safety hazard of thermal runaway is greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of energy storage technology, and in particular, relates to a liquid-cooled battery cell module. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the energy storage industry, the market demand for energy storage PACK is increasing, and the module is the most important component of the PACK. At present, for the production of liquid cooling modules, most of them are placed close together with thermally conductive insulating materials between the battery cells. When the number of battery cells meets the demand, end plates are placed at the first and last ends and then restrained with steel belts to form a battery module. Then the liquid cooling plate is fixed under the module. The liquid cooling plate is supported by a bracket. The liquid cooling plate is in contact with the bottom surface of the battery cell. When dissipating heat, it is only conducted by the bottom surface of the battery cell and the liquid cooling plate. This method only conducts heat through the bottom surface, with a small heat exchange area and low heat exchange efficiency, and there is a safety hazard of thermal runaway. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a liquid-cooled battery cell module, which aims to solve the technical problems in the prior art of only dissipating heat through conduction on the bottom surface, with a small heat exchange area, low heat exchange efficiency, and a safety hazard of thermal runaway.

[0004] The utility model provides a liquid-cooled battery cell module, comprising a cooling box, a battery cell assembly and an installation box, the cooling box being a hollow structure and forming a first cavity, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet connected to the first cavity are respectively provided on opposite side ends of the cooling box, the installation box being a hollow structure and forming a second cavity, the battery cell assembly is accommodated in the second cavity and abuts against the inner wall of the installation box, the installation box is accommodated in the first cavity, a cooling channel is formed between the inner wall of the cooling box corresponding to the first cavity and the outer wall of the installation box, the coolant enters from the liquid inlet, flows through the cooling channel and is discharged from the liquid outlet to dissipate heat for the battery cell assembly.

[0005] Optionally, a plurality of cooling boxes are provided, the plurality of cooling boxes are connected to each other, and the liquid outlet of the previous cooling box is connected to the liquid inlet of the next cooling box.

[0006] Optionally, the cooling box is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and a plurality of the cooling boxes are arranged in parallel along the width direction thereof.

[0007] Optionally, the cooling box is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and a plurality of the mounting boxes are provided, and the plurality of mounting boxes are spaced apart along the length direction of the cooling box.

[0008] Optionally, the cooling box includes a first side plate, a first bottom plate and a top plate, the first bottom plate and the top plate are respectively sealed with the bottom and the top of the first side plate to enclose the first cavity, the top plate is provided with a through hole, the battery cell assembly is passed through the through hole to be accommodated in the first cavity and is sealed with the top plate, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are respectively arranged on the opposite side ends of the first side plate.

[0009] Optionally, the first side plate, the first bottom plate and the top plate are all made of aluminum alloy, and the first bottom plate and the top plate are connected to the first side plate by welding.

[0010] Optionally, a connection between the first side panel and the first bottom panel and a connection between the first side panel and the top panel are coated with waterproof glue.

[0011] Optionally, the battery cell assembly includes a battery cell and a thermally conductive insulating member, the battery cell is accommodated in the second cavity, the thermally conductive insulating member is arranged between the inner wall of the mounting box and the outer wall of the battery cell, and the mounting box is accommodated in the first cavity through the through hole and is sealed and connected to the top plate.

[0012] Optionally, the installation box includes a second bottom plate and a second side plate, and a gap between the first bottom plate and the second bottom plate and a gap between the first side plate and the second side plate together form the cooling channel.

[0013] Optionally, a steel belt is further included, and a plurality of cooling boxes are provided, and the steel belt is used to bundle the plurality of cooling boxes.

[0014] The utility model provides a liquid-cooled battery module, including a cooling box, a battery assembly and an installation box. The cooling box is a hollow structure and forms a first cavity. The two opposite sides of the cooling box are respectively provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet connected to the first cavity. The installation box is a hollow structure and forms a second cavity. The battery assembly is accommodated in the second cavity and abuts against the inner wall of the installation box. The installation box is accommodated in the first cavity. A cooling channel is formed between the inner wall of the cooling box corresponding to the first cavity and the outer wall of the installation box. The coolant enters from the liquid inlet, flows through the cooling channel and is discharged from the liquid outlet to dissipate heat for the battery assembly. Therefore, in the present application, the outer wall of the battery assembly can all contact with the coolant, which increases the heat dissipation area of ​​the battery assembly, greatly improves the heat dissipation efficiency, and greatly reduces the safety hazard of thermal runaway. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the liquid-cooled battery cell module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along the AA direction;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the liquid-cooled battery cell module provided in an embodiment of the present application (excluding the battery cell assembly);

[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the liquid-cooled battery module provided in an embodiment of the present application (excluding the battery cell assembly and the top plate);

[0020] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a top plate provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of a battery cell assembly provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the installation box provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Cooling box; 11. First cavity; 12. Liquid inlet; 13. Liquid outlet; 14. Cooling channel; 15. First side panel; 16. First bottom panel; 17. Top panel; 171. Through hole; 2. Battery cell assembly; 21. Mounting box; 211. Second side panel; 212. Second bottom panel; 22. Battery cell; 23. Thermally conductive insulating member; 24. Second cavity; 3. Steel belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0025] In the description of the present application, “plurality” means two or more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0026] It should also be noted that the directional terms such as left, right, up and down in the embodiments of the present application are merely relative concepts or are based on the normal use status of the product, and should not be considered as restrictive.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The utility model provides a liquid-cooled battery cell module, including a cooling box 1, a battery cell assembly 2 and an installation box 21. The cooling box 1 is a hollow structure and forms a first cavity 11. A liquid inlet 12 and a liquid outlet 13 connected to the first cavity 11 are respectively provided on the opposite side ends of the cooling box 1. The installation box 21 is a hollow structure and forms a second cavity 24. The battery cell assembly 2 is accommodated in the second cavity 24 and abuts against the inner wall of the installation box 21. The installation box 21 is accommodated in the first cavity 11. A cooling channel 14 is formed between the inner wall of the cooling box 1 corresponding to the first cavity 11 and the outer wall of the installation box 21. The coolant enters from the liquid inlet 12, flows through the cooling channel 14 and is discharged from the liquid outlet 13 to dissipate heat for the battery cell assembly 2.

[0028] In the present application, since a liquid inlet 12 and a liquid outlet 13 are provided, the coolant in the cooling box 1 is in a flowing state during the heat dissipation process, and the heat of the battery cell assembly 2 is taken away by the coolant. The liquid inlet 12 and / or the liquid outlet 13 are connected to an external water pump, and the water pump promotes the flow of the coolant in the cooling box 1. The water pump adopts a cooling circulation pump with a cooling function. When the temperature is high, turn on the cooling function of the water pump, and the water pump circulates to cool the coolant. The battery is cooled by the circulating coolant to achieve a normal use state and maintain the service life of the battery. The water pump can adopt a water pump with a frequency conversion function, which can adjust the flow rate of the coolant according to the battery temperature to achieve energy saving and ensure heat dissipation.

[0029] Since the outer walls of the battery cell assembly 2 of the present application can all be in contact with the coolant, compared with the method of heat dissipation only through conduction from the bottom surface, the heat dissipation area of ​​the battery cell assembly 2 is increased, the heat dissipation efficiency is greatly improved, and the safety hazard of thermal runaway is greatly reduced.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3In a feasible embodiment, a plurality of cooling boxes 1 are provided, and the plurality of cooling boxes 1 are interconnected, and the liquid outlet 13 of the upper cooling box 1 is connected to the liquid inlet 12 of the next cooling box 1. In order to meet the energy and voltage requirements of the product, the energy storage battery system of the product is composed of a single or multiple integral battery cell modules. Generally speaking, each integral battery cell module is composed of a plurality of single battery cell modules, and the single battery cell module is composed of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 2. This embodiment is applicable to integral battery cell modules. The integral battery cell module includes a plurality of cooling boxes 1, so the integral battery cell module has a plurality of liquid inlets 12 and liquid outlets 13. In order to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the coolant in the integral battery cell module and reduce the number of water pumps, the liquid inlet 12 of the cooling box 1 at the head end of the integral battery cell module can be connected to the water pump, the liquid outlet 13 of the upper cooling box 1 is connected to the liquid inlet 12 of the next cooling box 1, and the liquid outlet 13 of the cooling box 1 at the end is connected to the water pump. With such an arrangement, the coolant circulation of the entire battery module can be completed by only one water pump. In this embodiment, the shapes of the liquid inlet 12 and the liquid outlet 13 are not limited, and can be different shapes such as circular, flat elliptical, etc. Preferably, the shapes of the liquid inlet 12 and the liquid outlet 13 are both circular, and the circular structure has higher versatility and is convenient for design.

[0031] In a feasible embodiment, the cooling box 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and multiple cooling boxes 1 are arranged side by side along its width direction. This embodiment is applicable to the overall battery module. Since the cooling box 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, when multiple cooling boxes 1 are arranged side by side along its width direction, under the condition that the circumference of the overall battery module is equal, the sum of the widths of the multiple cooling boxes 1 is approximately equal to the length of a single cooling box, so that the number of batteries that can be accommodated in the overall battery module per unit area is the maximum. Therefore, the energy density is greatly improved. In the embodiment where the cooling box 1 is an aluminum alloy, the cooling boxes 1 can be connected by welding, which greatly improves the energy density while meeting the strength.

[0032] In a feasible embodiment, the cooling box 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 2 are provided, and the plurality of battery cell assemblies 2 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the cooling box 1. Such an arrangement increases the number of battery cell assemblies 2 that can be installed in the cooling box 1, and greatly improves the energy density. Furthermore, in the case where the cooling box 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped, it is preferred that the liquid inlet 12 and the liquid outlet 13 are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the cooling box 1 with a smaller area, thereby greatly extending the flow path of the coolant in the cooling channel 14, and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the coolant to the battery cell assembly 2.

[0033] Reference Figures 3 to 5In a feasible embodiment, the cooling box 1 includes a first side plate 15, a first bottom plate 16 and a top plate 17, the first bottom plate 16 and the top plate 17 are respectively sealed and connected to the bottom and the top of the first side plate 15 to enclose and form a first cavity 11, the top plate 17 is provided with a through hole 171, the battery cell assembly 2 is accommodated in the first cavity 11 through the through hole 171 and is sealed and connected to the top plate 17, and the liquid inlet 12 and the liquid outlet 13 are respectively arranged on the opposite side ends of the first side plate 15. The cooling box 1 in the above embodiment has a simple structure and is easy to install, which reduces production costs and improves production efficiency. Furthermore, the first side plate 15, the first bottom plate 16 and the top plate 17 are all made of aluminum alloy, and the first bottom plate 16 and the top plate 17 are connected to the first side plate 15 by welding. Aluminum alloy has better thermal conductivity, and the battery cell assembly 2 can be cooled in combination with a coolant, and it is convenient to weld.

[0034] In a feasible embodiment, waterproof glue is applied to the connection between the first side plate 15 and the first bottom plate 16 and the connection between the first side plate 15 and the top plate 17. The combination of welding and coating the connection with waterproof glue can achieve multi-directional waterproofing, effectively protect the cooling liquid in the cooling channel 14 from leakage, improve the waterproof effect of the cooling box 1, and thus increase the service life of the battery module.

[0035] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In a feasible embodiment, the battery cell assembly 2 includes a battery cell 22 and a heat-conducting insulating member 23. The battery cell 22 is accommodated in the second cavity 24. The heat-conducting insulating member 23 is arranged between the inner wall of the installation box 21 and the outer wall of the battery cell 22. The installation box 21 is accommodated in the first cavity 11 through the through hole 171 and is sealed and connected to the top plate 17. Preferably, the installation box 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure. Furthermore, the installation box includes a second bottom plate 212 and a second side plate 211. The gap between the first bottom plate 16 and the second bottom plate 212 and the gap between the first side plate 15 and the second side plate 211 together form a cooling channel 14. Such a configuration can meet the styling requirements of the battery cell 22, and at the same time ensure that the bottom surface and the surrounding surfaces of the installation box 21 are located in the cooling channel 14. When the cooling channel 14 is filled with coolant, the flow rate of the coolant on the bottom surface and both sides of the mounting box 21 is high, which can drive the flow of coolant between the opposite surfaces of two adjacent battery cells 22. Therefore, the five surfaces of the battery cells 22 located in the cooling channel 14 can all dissipate heat, thereby increasing the heat dissipation area and heat dissipation efficiency.

[0036] In a feasible embodiment, the mounting box 21 and the top plate 17 are made of aluminum alloy, and the mounting box 21 is connected to the top plate 17 by welding. In this embodiment, waterproof glue is also applied between the mounting box 21 and the top plate 17. The combination of welding and the application of waterproof glue at the connection effectively protects the battery cell 22 from the invasion of the coolant, improves the waterproof effect of the battery cell assembly 2, and thus increases the service life of the battery cell module.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In a feasible embodiment, it also includes a steel belt 3, and the cooling box 1 is provided with multiple steel belts 3, which are used to bundle multiple cooling boxes 1. Different battery cell components 2 use different fixing methods when forming a single battery cell module. For the grouping of square shell battery cells 22, steel belts 3 can be used to fix them. In this embodiment, the cooling boxes 1 are bundled together with steel belts 3, which is convenient for grouping and can adapt to the expansion phenomenon of the battery cells 22 during the charging and discharging process. Combined with the welding method used to connect the multiple cooling boxes 1 in the above, an integral battery cell module is formed after the four single battery cell modules are connected. For the overall strength, the upper and lower positions of the peripheral side of the integral battery cell module are fastened with steel belts 3 respectively to prevent the single module from being too heavy during installation, resulting in the welding of two adjacent single-group battery cell modules. The single battery cell modules are combined by welding and bundling with steel belts 3, which greatly improves the assembly stability of the overall battery cell module during installation.

[0038] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may be subject to various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled battery module, characterized in that: The invention comprises a cooling box (1), a battery cell assembly (2) and an installation box (21); the cooling box (1) is a hollow structure and forms a first cavity (11); two opposite side ends of the cooling box (1) are respectively provided with a liquid inlet (12) and a liquid outlet (13) which are in communication with the first cavity (11); the installation box (21) is a hollow structure and forms a second cavity (24); the battery cell assembly (2) is accommodated in the second cavity (24) and abuts against the inner wall of the installation box (21); the installation box (21) is accommodated in the first cavity (11); a cooling channel (14) is formed between the inner wall of the cooling box (1) corresponding to the first cavity (11) and the outer wall of the installation box (21); the coolant enters from the liquid inlet (12), flows through the cooling channel (14) and is discharged from the liquid outlet (13) to dissipate heat for the battery cell assembly (2).

2. The liquid-cooled battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of cooling boxes (1) are provided, and the plurality of cooling boxes (1) are connected to each other, and the liquid outlet (13) of the previous cooling box (1) is connected to the liquid inlet (12) of the next cooling box (1).

3. The liquid-cooled battery module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cooling box (1) is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and a plurality of cooling boxes (1) are arranged in parallel along the width direction thereof.

4. The liquid-cooled battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling box (1) is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, and a plurality of the installation boxes (21) are provided, and the plurality of installation boxes (21) are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the cooling box (1).

5. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling box (1) comprises a first side plate (15), a first bottom plate (16) and a top plate (17); the first bottom plate (16) and the top plate (17) are respectively sealedly connected to the bottom and the top of the first side plate (15) to enclose and form the first cavity (11); the top plate (17) is provided with a through hole (171); the battery cell assembly (2) passes through the through hole (171) and is accommodated in the first cavity (11) and is sealedly connected to the top plate (17); the liquid inlet (12) and the liquid outlet (13) are respectively arranged on opposite side ends of the first side plate (15).

6. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first side plate (15), the first bottom plate (16) and the top plate (17) are all made of aluminum alloy, and the first bottom plate (16) and the top plate (17) are connected to the first side plate (15) by welding.

7. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connection between the first side plate (15) and the first bottom plate (16) and the connection between the first side plate (15) and the top plate (17) are both coated with waterproof glue.

8. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The battery cell assembly (2) comprises a battery cell (22) and a heat-conducting insulating member (23); the battery cell (22) is accommodated in the second cavity (24); the heat-conducting insulating member (23) is arranged between the inner wall of the installation box (21) and the outer wall of the battery cell (22); the installation box (21) passes through the through hole (171) and is accommodated in the first cavity (11) and is sealed and connected to the top plate (17).

9. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The installation box comprises a second bottom plate (212) and a second side plate (211), and a gap between the first bottom plate (16) and the second bottom plate (212) and a gap between the first side plate (15) and the second side plate (211) together form the cooling channel (14).

10. The liquid-cooled battery core module according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a steel belt (3), a plurality of cooling boxes (1) are provided, and the steel belt (3) is used to bundle the plurality of cooling boxes (1).

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