Direct cooling plate and battery pack thermal management system

Abstract

The utility model provides a direct cooling plate and a battery pack heat management system, the direct cooling plate is applied to a battery pack of a vehicle, and comprises a plate body, and a confluence flow channel, a heat exchange flow channel and a fluid adjusting assembly which are arranged on the plate body; the confluence flow channel is connected with the heat exchange flow channel through a fluid adjusting assembly, the confluence flow channel is used for receiving refrigerants conveyed by an air conditioning system of the vehicle, the fluid adjusting assembly is used for adjusting the dryness and flow of the refrigerants and controlling the refrigerants to flow into the heat exchange flow channel or the battery pack, and the heat exchange flow channel is used for adjusting the temperature in the battery pack. According to the direct cooling plate disclosed by the utility model, not only can the internal temperature of the battery pack be adjusted, but also the purpose of inhibiting thermal runaway of the battery pack can be achieved, so that the direct cooling plate has higher practicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a direct cooling plate. Meanwhile, the utility model also relates to a battery pack thermal management system provided with the direct cooling plate. Background Art

[0002] The temperature environment inside the battery pack has a great impact on the reliability, life and performance of the battery cell. Therefore, it is particularly important to maintain the temperature inside the battery pack within a certain temperature range. At present, the regulation of the internal temperature of the battery pack is mainly achieved through three solutions: air cooling, liquid cooling and direct cooling.

[0003] However, in the existing direct cooling scheme of the battery pack, it is necessary to start the compressor, expansion valve and other related components before the refrigerant can flow. When the battery pack is in a thermal runaway state, the compressor, expansion valve and other components are in a working stagnant state and cannot provide effective power to drive the refrigerant to flow. As a result, in the thermal runaway state, the direct-cooled battery pack has no effective thermal runaway suppression method, resulting in poor safety of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the utility model aims to provide a direct cooling plate, which can suppress thermal runaway of a battery pack.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the utility model is implemented as follows:

[0006] A direct cooling plate, applied to a battery pack of a vehicle, comprises a plate body, and a converging flow channel, a heat exchange flow channel and a fluid regulating component arranged on the plate body;

[0007] The confluence channel is connected to the heat exchange channel through the fluid regulating component, and the confluence channel is used to receive the refrigerant delivered by the air-conditioning system of the vehicle. The fluid regulating component is used to adjust the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant and control the refrigerant to flow into the heat exchange channel or the battery pack. The heat exchange channel is used to regulate the temperature inside the battery pack.

[0008] Furthermore, the heat exchange channel is provided in plurality inside the plate body, and each of the heat exchange channels corresponds to a different area inside the battery pack; the fluid regulating assembly includes a plurality of valve bodies arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the converging channel, and each of the valve bodies is connected to each of the heat exchange channels one by one.

[0009] Furthermore, the inlet of each valve body is connected to the converging channel, the first outlet of each valve body is connected to the liquid inlet of the corresponding heat exchange channel, and the second outlet of each valve body is arranged toward the corresponding area inside the battery pack.

[0010] Furthermore, the valve body is an electronic expansion valve, a pressure-stabilizing valve or a throttle valve.

[0011] Furthermore, the converging channel extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate, and the converging channel is located in the middle of the width direction of the direct cooling plate; in the width direction of the direct cooling plate, each of the heat exchange channels is arranged on both sides of the converging channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the converging channels are two respectively arranged on both sides of the width direction of the direct cooling plate, and each of the converging channels extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate; in the width direction of the direct cooling plate, each of the converging channels is respectively connected to a plurality of the heat exchange channels.

[0013] Furthermore, the converging channels are multiple and are arranged on the direct cooling plate, and each of the converging channels is correspondingly connected to at least one of the heat exchange channels.

[0014] Furthermore, the liquid inlet of the converging flow channel is connected to the air conditioning system, and the liquid outlet of the heat exchange flow channel is connected to the air conditioning system.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

[0016] The direct cooling plate described in the utility model can adjust the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant by setting a fluid regulating component. When the battery pack is operating normally, the refrigerant can be controlled to flow into the heat exchange channel to achieve temperature regulation inside the battery pack, and when thermal runaway occurs inside the battery pack, the refrigerant can be controlled to flow into the battery pack. Not only can the refrigerant be converted from liquid to gas to absorb the heat in the pack, but it can also be converted into high-temperature flame-retardant gas to dilute the oxygen in the pack to prevent flame retardancy, thereby achieving the purpose of suppressing thermal runaway of the battery pack.

[0017] Secondly, by setting up multiple heat exchange channels, and each heat exchange channel corresponds to a different area inside the battery pack, it is helpful to meet the temperature regulation requirements of the entire range inside the battery pack. At the same time, the setting of multiple valve bodies is conducive to controlling the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel. The confluence channel is located in the middle of the width direction of the direct cooling plate, and each heat exchange channel is arranged on both sides of the confluence channel. The structural arrangement is reasonable, which is conducive to regulating the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel without affecting the arrangement of the internal components of the battery pack and not occupying too much internal space of the battery pack, thereby achieving the temperature regulation of different areas in the battery pack, or achieving the regulation of the refrigerant flowing into different areas in the battery pack, so as to achieve the effect of accurately suppressing thermal runaway.

[0018] In addition, multiple converging channels are provided, and each converging channel is respectively connected to at least one heat exchange channel, which is conducive to the precise regulation of the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel or different areas in the battery pack, thereby achieving a more precise temperature regulation or thermal runaway control effect. The liquid inlet of the converging channel is connected to the air conditioning system, and the liquid outlet of the heat exchange channel is connected to the air conditioning system, which can ensure the circulation of the refrigerant, thereby ensuring the temperature of the battery pack and the thermal runaway control effect.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack thermal management system, comprising the direct cooling plate as described above.

[0020] Furthermore, the battery pack includes a cell group; the direct cooling plate is located at the bottom of the cell group, the direct cooling plate is located at the top of the cell group, or the direct cooling plate is located at the side of the cell group.

[0021] The battery pack thermal management system described in the utility model and the above-mentioned direct cooling plate have the same beneficial effects as compared with the traditional technology, and will not be described in detail here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings constituting a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the direct cooling plate according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure when the valve body and the heat exchange flow channel according to an embodiment of the utility model are connected;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the valve body connected to the inside of the battery pack according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 Another schematic diagram of the structure of the direct cooling plate according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Description of reference numerals:

[0028] 1. Plate body; 10a. Base plate; 10b. Channel plate; 11. Converging channel; 12. Heat exchange channel; 13. Valve body; 131. Inlet; 132. First outlet; 133. Second outlet;

[0029] 2. Adapter module; 21. Liquid inlet pipe joint; 22. Liquid outlet pipe joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if there are terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating orientation or positional relationship, they are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, if there are terms such as "first" and "second", they are also used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection" and "connector" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in combination with specific circumstances.

[0033] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0034] Embodiment 1

[0035] The present embodiment relates to a direct cooling plate, which is applied to a battery pack of a vehicle. It can not only achieve temperature regulation inside the battery pack, but also suppress thermal runaway of the battery pack, thereby having a good use effect.

[0036] In terms of overall structure, Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the direct cooling plate of this embodiment includes a plate body 1, and a converging flow channel 11, a heat exchange flow channel 12 and a fluid regulating component arranged on the plate body 1.

[0037] The confluence channel 11 is connected to the heat exchange channel 12 through a fluid regulating component, and the confluence channel 11 is used to receive the refrigerant delivered by the vehicle's air-conditioning system. The fluid regulating component is used to adjust the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant and control the refrigerant to flow into the heat exchange channel 12 or the battery pack. The heat exchange channel 12 is used to adjust the temperature inside the battery pack.

[0038] It is worth mentioning that the direct cooling plate of this embodiment can adopt a direct cooling plate product well known to those skilled in the art, for example, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, it includes a base plate 10a and a flow channel plate 10b buckled on the base plate 10a, and the converging flow channel 11 and the heat exchange flow channel 12 can be constructed between the base plate 10a and the flow channel plate 10b.

[0039] Specifically, in this embodiment, as an exemplary structure, the heat exchange channels 12 are multiple and are arranged inside the plate body 1, and each heat exchange channel 12 corresponds to a different area inside the battery pack. Figure 4 As shown, the fluid regulating assembly includes a plurality of valve bodies 13 arranged at intervals along the extending direction of the converging flow channel 11 , and each valve body 13 is connected to each heat exchange flow channel 12 in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0040] It can be understood that by providing multiple heat exchange channels 12, and each heat exchange channel 12 corresponds to a different area inside the battery pack, it is helpful to meet the temperature regulation requirements of the entire range inside the battery pack, and the provision of multiple valve bodies 13 is helpful to separately control the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel 12.

[0041] It is worth mentioning that the direct cooling plate of the present embodiment can be used as a part of the battery pack shell, for example, as a bottom wall, top wall or side wall. In the present embodiment, the direct cooling plate is used as the bottom wall of the battery pack shell as an example for explanation, and common battery cell groups are provided in different areas corresponding to each heat exchange channel 12, that is, each heat exchange channel 12 is used for heat exchange with the air inside the battery pack and each battery cell group, thereby realizing temperature regulation inside the battery pack.

[0042] Of course, in addition to being used as a part of the battery pack shell, the direct cooling plate of this embodiment can also be only set inside the battery pack and used in contact with the side of the battery cell group, which can also achieve the effect of regulating the battery pack temperature or inhibiting thermal runaway. In this case, it is better to set the valve body 13 away from the battery cell group.

[0043] Furthermore, when the multiple valve bodies 13 of this embodiment correspond one-to-one to the multiple heat exchange channels 12, each heat exchange channel 12 is preferably connected in parallel, which is conducive to each valve body 13 regulating the refrigerant in the corresponding heat exchange channel 12. Moreover, the number of heat exchange channels 12 and valve bodies 13 of this embodiment can be set and adjusted accordingly according to the actual temperature regulation requirements and thermal runaway suppression requirements of the battery pack, which will not be repeated here.

[0044] At the same time, taking the vehicle where the battery pack described in this embodiment (the direct cooling plate is used as the bottom wall of the battery pack shell, or the direct cooling plate is arranged on the bottom plate of each battery cell group) is located as an example, the directional words used in the embodiment such as "up, down, left, right, front, and back" are also Figure 1The directions shown are defined based on the up-down direction (also called height direction, or Z direction of the whole vehicle), left-right direction (also called width direction, or Y direction of the whole vehicle), and front-back direction (also called length direction, or X direction of the whole vehicle) of the vehicle. In this embodiment, "inside" and "outside" are defined based on the contour of the corresponding component, for example, "inside" and "outside" are defined based on the contour of the battery pack.

[0045] In addition, it should be noted that the valve body 13 of this embodiment can be set to one, but when one valve body 13 is used to control the inflow dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant in multiple heat exchange channels 12, the control effect that can be achieved is not as high as the control accuracy of multiple valve bodies 13.

[0046] Furthermore, as a preferred implementation form, in this embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the inlet 131 of each valve body 13 is connected to the converging channel 11, the first outlet 132 of each valve body 13 is connected to the liquid inlet of the corresponding heat exchange channel 12, and the second outlet 133 of each valve body 13 is arranged toward the corresponding area inside the battery pack.

[0047] In this way, it is convenient to switch the different flow directions of the refrigerant through each valve body 13. When the battery pack is operating normally, the refrigerant in the converging channel 11 can be controlled to flow into the heat exchange channel 12 to adjust the temperature inside the battery pack. When thermal runaway occurs inside the battery pack, the refrigerant in the converging channel 11 can be controlled to flow into the battery pack to suppress the expansion of the thermal runaway of the battery pack.

[0048] During specific implementation, as a preferred implementation form, in this embodiment, the valve body 13 can be an electronic expansion valve, a pressure-stabilizing valve or a throttle valve.

[0049] Moreover, in the present embodiment, it is specifically preferred to use a BMS (battery management system) as a controller to control and manage each valve body 13. That is, after the BMS receives the battery information sent by the acquisition assembly in the battery pack, it can determine based on the battery information whether the battery pack needs to be temperature regulated, or whether the battery pack has already experienced thermal runaway and needs to suppress the thermal runaway of the battery pack, so as to control each valve body 13 to perform a corresponding action.

[0050] Therefore, by adjusting the opening of different valve bodies 13 through BMS, the flow rate and dryness of the refrigerant inside the direct cooling plate can be controlled to achieve effective control of the battery pack temperature. It is also worth mentioning that the refrigerant in the confluence area formally enters the corresponding heat exchange flow channel 12 inside the plate body 1 through each valve body 13, and cavitation begins in this process to form a gas-liquid two-phase. In the process of forming the gas-liquid two-phase, the heat inside the battery pack can be absorbed, making full use of the energy of each link of the refrigerant.

[0051] At the same time, after the direct cooling and direct heating conditions are completed, the direct cooling plate of this embodiment can control the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the confluence channel 11 through the valve body 13 on the plate body 1, ensuring that the refrigerant stored in the confluence channel 11 is liquid or near-liquid, thereby ensuring the suppression effect on the battery pack that has thermal runaway.

[0052] In addition, as a preferred implementation form, in this embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the converging flow channel 11 extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate, and the converging flow channel 11 is located in the middle of the width direction of the direct cooling plate. In the width direction of the direct cooling plate, each heat exchange flow channel 12 is arranged on both sides of the converging flow channel 11.

[0053] It can be understood here that the converging channel 11 is located in the middle of the width direction of the direct cooling plate, and each heat exchange channel 12 is arranged on both sides of the converging channel 11. The structural arrangement is reasonable, which is conducive to the adjustment of the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel 12 without affecting the arrangement of internal components of the battery pack and without occupying too much internal space of the battery pack, thereby achieving the adjustment of the temperature of different areas in the battery pack, or achieving the adjustment of the refrigerant flowing into different areas in the battery pack, so as to achieve the effect of accurately suppressing thermal runaway.

[0054] Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned confluence channel, the direct cooling plate of this embodiment can also be set to two or more channels according to the actual temperature regulation requirements and thermal runaway suppression requirements of the battery pack. For example, as a preferred implementation form, the confluence channels 11 are two respectively arranged on both sides of the width direction of the direct cooling plate, and each confluence channel 11 extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate. In addition, in the width direction of the direct cooling plate, each confluence channel 11 is respectively connected to a plurality of heat exchange channels 12.

[0055] The advantage of such a configuration is that the multiple heat exchange channels 12 can be managed separately. Compared with the design of one converging channel 11 , the accuracy of regulating and controlling the flow of refrigerant into each heat exchange channel 12 can be further improved.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, in another preferred implementation form, in this embodiment, a plurality of converging channels 11 are provided on the direct cooling plate, and each converging channel 11 is correspondingly connected to at least one heat exchange channel 12 .

[0057] Compared with the above-mentioned solution of two converging channels 11, such an arrangement is more conducive to achieving precise regulation of the refrigerant flowing into each heat exchange channel 12 or different areas in the battery pack, thereby achieving more precise temperature regulation or thermal runaway control effect.

[0058] In addition, in this embodiment, as a preferred implementation form, the liquid inlet of the converging flow channel 11 is connected to the air conditioning system, and the liquid outlet of the heat exchange flow channel 12 is connected to the air conditioning system. In this way, the circulation of the refrigerant can be ensured, thereby ensuring the temperature of the battery pack and the thermal runaway control effect.

[0059] It is worth mentioning that Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the direct cooling plate of this embodiment can be connected to the air conditioning system through the adapter module 2. In the specific structure, the adapter module 2 can be connected to the refrigerant discharge port of the air conditioning system through the liquid inlet pipe joint 21, and connected to the refrigerant discharge port of the air conditioning system through the liquid outlet pipe joint 22, and the liquid outlet pipe joint 22 is connected to the outlet of each heat exchange flow channel 12 through the adapter module 2. The adapter module 2 here can be a channel adapter module 2 well known to those skilled in the art.

[0060] In this embodiment, the valve body 13 can be built into the plate body 1 to achieve two-stage or multi-stage pressure control inside the plate body 1, that is, the phase change (or cavitation) process of the refrigerant from liquid to gas-liquid is transferred to the battery pack through the valve body 13, thereby transferring the heat required for the cavitation process from outside the battery pack to inside the battery pack, thereby absorbing and utilizing more heat inside the battery pack, reducing the temperature of the battery pack, and improving the energy utilization rate of the entire system.

[0061] Moreover, by arranging each valve body 13 in the converging channel 11, not only the dryness of the refrigerant in each heat exchange channel 12 can be controlled, but also the flow path of the refrigerant can be shortened, the effective pressure drop of the refrigerant inside the plate body 1 can be reduced, the evaporation temperature can be stabilized, and the temperature uniformity capacity of the direct cooling plate can be more easily controlled.

[0062] Furthermore, the present embodiment can spray the refrigerant into the battery pack through each valve body 13, so as to cool the battery cell group inside the battery pack and suppress thermal runaway. When the refrigerant is introduced into the battery pack through the valve body 13, the refrigerant is converted from liquid to gas due to the reduction in pressure, and absorbs heat during the evaporation process to achieve the purpose of taking away the high-temperature heat inside the battery pack. At the same time, the high-temperature flame-retardant gas generated can fill the battery pack to dilute the oxygen inside the battery pack, further preventing the expansion of thermal runaway inside the battery pack and even preventing fire.

[0063] The direct cooling plate of the present embodiment can adjust the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant by setting a fluid regulating component. When the battery pack is operating normally, the refrigerant can be controlled to flow into the heat exchange channel 12 to achieve temperature regulation inside the battery pack. When thermal runaway occurs inside the battery pack, the refrigerant can be controlled to flow into the battery pack. Not only can the refrigerant be converted from liquid to gas to absorb heat inside the pack, but it can also be converted into high-temperature flame-retardant gas to dilute the oxygen in the pack to prevent flame retardancy, thereby achieving the purpose of suppressing thermal runaway of the battery pack. This makes the direct cooling plate have a better use effect.

[0064] Embodiment 2

[0065] This embodiment relates to a battery pack thermal management system, which includes the direct cooling plate in the first embodiment. And, as a preferred implementation form, the battery pack of this embodiment includes a battery cell group. The direct cooling plate is located at the bottom of the battery cell group, the direct cooling plate is located at the top of the battery cell group, or the direct cooling plate is located at the side of the battery cell group.

[0066] The specific setting position of the above-mentioned direct cooling plate can refer to the relevant content mentioned in Example 1. For example, the direct cooling plate can be used as a part of the battery pack shell, such as used as a bottom wall, top wall or side wall, or it can be only set inside the battery pack and attached to the side of the battery cell group for use.

[0067] The battery pack thermal management system of this embodiment, by providing the direct cooling plate in the first embodiment, can not only achieve internal temperature regulation of the battery pack, but also achieve the purpose of suppressing thermal runaway of the battery pack, thereby improving the safety performance of the battery pack and even the entire vehicle.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A direct cooling plate, applied to a battery pack of a vehicle, characterized in that: It includes a plate body, and a converging flow channel, a heat exchange flow channel and a fluid regulating component arranged on the plate body; The confluence channel is connected to the heat exchange channel through the fluid regulating component, and the confluence channel is used to receive the refrigerant delivered by the air-conditioning system of the vehicle. The fluid regulating component is used to adjust the dryness and flow rate of the refrigerant and control the refrigerant to flow into the heat exchange channel or the battery pack. The heat exchange channel is used to regulate the temperature inside the battery pack.

2. The direct cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange channels are multiple and are arranged inside the plate body, and each of the heat exchange channels corresponds to a different area inside the battery pack; The fluid regulating assembly includes a plurality of valve bodies arranged at intervals along the extending direction of the converging flow channel, and each of the valve bodies is connected to each of the heat exchange flow channels in a one-to-one correspondence.

3. The direct cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inlet of each valve body is connected to the converging channel, the first outlet of each valve body is connected to the liquid inlet of the corresponding heat exchange channel, and the second outlet of each valve body is arranged toward the corresponding area inside the battery pack.

4. The direct cooling plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The valve body is an electronic expansion valve, a pressure-stabilizing valve or a throttle valve.

5. The direct cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The confluence flow channel extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate, and the confluence flow channel is located in the middle of the width direction of the direct cooling plate; In the width direction of the direct cooling plate, the heat exchange channels are arranged on both sides of the converging channel.

6. The direct cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The converging flow channels are two respectively arranged on both sides of the direct cooling plate in the width direction, and each of the converging flow channels extends along the length direction of the direct cooling plate; In the width direction of the direct cooling plate, each of the converging channels is correspondingly connected to a plurality of the heat exchange channels.

7. The direct cooling plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The converging flow channels are multiple and are arranged on the direct cooling plate, and each of the converging flow channels is correspondingly connected to at least one of the heat exchange flow channels.

8. The direct cooling plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The liquid inlet of the converging flow channel is connected to the air conditioning system, and the liquid outlet of the heat exchange flow channel is connected to the air conditioning system.

9. A battery pack thermal management system, characterized in that: The invention comprises the direct cooling plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The battery pack thermal management system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery pack includes a battery cell group; The direct cooling plate is located at the bottom of the battery cell group, the direct cooling plate is located at the top of the battery cell group, or the direct cooling plate is located at the side of the battery cell group.

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