Cooling structure for battery pack and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery pack cooling structure and a battery pack, the battery pack cooling structure comprises cooling units respectively arranged at the top and the bottom of the battery pack, each cooling unit is provided with a plurality of flat tubes arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells in the battery pack, and each flat tube extends along the length direction of the battery cells; the plurality of flat pipes in the two cooling units are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the battery cells, the flat pipes are connected with the top surfaces or the bottom surfaces of the corresponding battery cells, and the plurality of battery cells are sequentially arranged in a high-low staggered manner. According to the cooling structure for the battery pack disclosed by the utility model, the top and the bottom of the battery pack are simultaneously cooled, and the cooling structure only occupies the thickness of one flat tube in the height direction of the battery pack, so that the space occupation amount of the cooling structure is favorably reduced. And the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a staggered manner, so that the contact area between the flat tube and the battery cells is larger, and the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of power batteries, and in particular to a cooling structure for a battery pack. At the same time, the utility model also relates to a battery pack provided with the cooling structure. Background Art

[0002] The cooling structure in the battery is to ensure that the battery remains within the appropriate temperature range during operation to improve the performance, safety and life of the battery. Existing battery systems generally use a stamped and welded liquid cooling plate structure, that is, a cooling plate with a flow channel is formed by brazing a flat plate and a stamped plate, which is bonded to a single side of the battery pack. The heat generated by the battery is removed by the circulation of the coolant flowing through the inside, thereby cooling the battery. If you want to cool both sides of the battery, you need to bond cold plates on both sides, which means you need to increase the layout space of two cold plates, which will result in a waste of internal space in the battery. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, the utility model aims to provide a cooling structure for a battery pack, so as to improve the cooling efficiency of the battery pack and reduce the space occupied.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the utility model is implemented as follows:

[0005] A cooling structure for a battery pack, comprising cooling units respectively arranged at the top and bottom of the battery pack, each of the cooling units having a plurality of flat tubes arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells in the battery pack, each of the flat tubes extending along the length direction of the battery cells;

[0006] The plurality of flat tubes in the two cooling units are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the battery cells, and the flat tubes are connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the corresponding battery cell, so that the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a staggered manner in sequence.

[0007] Furthermore, the cooling unit includes a manifold disposed at at least one end of the plurality of flat tubes, and the manifold is connected to the plurality of flat tubes, and the manifold is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the manifolds are two respectively arranged at both ends of the plurality of flat tubes, the two manifolds are connected through the plurality of flat tubes, and each manifold is provided with the liquid inlet and outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one end of the manifold is provided with a bent portion bent toward the inside of the end plate of the battery pack, and the liquid inlet and outlet are both provided on the corresponding bent portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the liquid inlet and outlet are extended along the length direction of the battery core.

[0011] Furthermore, the busbar is connected to a heat sink located at one side of the battery pack, the heat sink is arranged corresponding to the output poles of the plurality of battery cells, and a heat-conducting material can be filled between the heat sink and the output poles.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

[0013] The cooling structure for the battery pack of the utility model is to arrange the cooling units at the top and bottom of the battery pack respectively, and the multiple flat tubes in the two cooling units are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction of the battery cells and connected to the top or bottom surface of the battery cells, so that the multiple battery cells are arranged in a staggered manner in sequence, not only cooling the top and bottom of the battery pack at the same time, but also in the height direction of the battery pack, the cooling structure only occupies the thickness of one flat tube in the height direction of the battery pack, which is conducive to reducing the space occupied by the cooling structure. Since the multiple battery cells are arranged in an interlaced manner, the contact area between the flat tube and the battery cell is larger, and the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can also be improved.

[0014] In addition, by providing a manifold, it is convenient to realize the flow of the cooling medium in the flat tube, and the structure of the manifold is simple and easy to arrange and implement. The two manifolds are provided to improve the structural strength of the cooling unit and facilitate the inflow and outflow of the cooling medium. By providing a bent portion that bends inwardly toward the end plate and arranging the inlet and outlet on the bent portion, it is convenient to arrange and implement, and it is convenient to reduce the influence of the heat of the battery pack on the cooling medium in the bent portion, thereby improving the cooling effect of the cooling medium, and at the same time, it can also reduce the space occupied by the cooling structure in the length direction of the battery pack.

[0015] Furthermore, the liquid inlet and outlet are extended along the length direction of the battery cell, which is conducive to further reducing the space occupied in the length direction of the battery pack. A heat sink is arranged on the manifold, which is located on one side of the battery pack and corresponds to the output pole of each battery cell. A heat conductive material is filled between the heat sink and the battery pack, which is conducive to further improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cell. The heat sink has a simple structure and is easy to arrange and implement.

[0016] In addition, another object of the utility model is to provide a battery, including a battery pack, and a cooling structure for the battery pack as described above; each battery cell in the battery pack is connected to the top or bottom of the corresponding flat tube, and a plurality of the battery cells are arranged in a staggered manner between the two cooling units.

[0017] Furthermore, the flat tube and the adjacent battery cores are bonded and connected by heat-conducting adhesive.

[0018] Furthermore, a heat conducting sheet is provided between the top surface or the bottom surface of the battery core and the corresponding flat tube.

[0019] Furthermore, the thermally conductive sheet includes at least one of copper foil, aluminum plate and graphene film.

[0020] The battery of the utility model is advantageous for improving the cooling efficiency and use safety of the battery pack by arranging the above-mentioned battery pack cooling structure on the battery pack.

[0021] In addition, the flat tube and the adjacent battery cells are connected by thermally conductive adhesive, which is beneficial to improve the heat dissipation efficiency of the flat tube to the battery cells. The provision of a thermal conductive sheet is beneficial to further improve the transfer of heat from the battery cells to the flat tube, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency of the flat tube. The structure of the copper foil, aluminum plate and graphene film is simple, easy to arrange and implement, and has good thermal conductivity. 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 structural diagram of a cooling structure for a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling structure in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the battery pack and the cooling structure according to an embodiment of the utility model in an assembled state;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A top view of the

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 AA direction section view;

[0028] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the positional relationship between the heat sink and the battery cell described in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0029] Description of reference numerals:

[0030] 1. Cooling unit; 2. Battery cell; 3. End plate;

[0031] 101, flat tube; 102, manifold; 103, bent portion; 104, liquid inlet and outlet; 105, heat sink;

[0032] 201, output pole;

[0033] 301. Groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 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.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if there are terms indicating orientation or positional relationship such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "back", etc., 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", "second", etc., they are also used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0037] Embodiment 1

[0038] The present embodiment relates to a cooling structure for a battery pack. In terms of overall structure, the cooling structure includes cooling units 1 respectively arranged at the top and bottom of the battery pack. Each cooling unit 1 has a plurality of flat tubes 101 arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of a plurality of battery cells 2 in the battery pack. Each flat tube 101 extends along the length direction of the battery cell 2.

[0039] The multiple flat tubes 101 in the two cooling units 1 are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 2 , and the flat tubes 101 are connected to the top surface or bottom surface of the corresponding battery cells 2 , so that the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in a staggered manner in sequence.

[0040] The cooling structure for the battery pack described in this embodiment is to arrange the cooling units 1 at the top and bottom of the battery pack respectively, and the multiple flat tubes 101 in the two cooling units 1 are arranged alternately in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 2 and connected to the top or bottom surface of the battery cells 2, so that the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in a staggered manner in sequence, not only cooling the top and bottom of the battery pack at the same time, but also in the height direction of the battery pack, the cooling structure only occupies the thickness of one flat tube 101 in the height direction of the battery pack, which is conducive to reducing the space occupied by the cooling structure. Since the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in an interlaced manner, the contact area between the flat tubes 101 and the battery cells 2 is larger, and the cooling efficiency of the battery pack can also be improved.

[0041] Based on the above overall introduction, the structure of the cooling structure for the battery pack in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the cooling structure is arranged on the battery pack as shown in FIG. Figures 2 to 5 As shown in . Among them, the structure of multiple battery cells 2 arranged in sequence is as shown in Figure 5As shown in the figure, the multiple battery cells 2 are arranged in sequence, so that a gap is formed between the top surface of two adjacent battery cells 2 and the top surface of the battery cell 2 between them, and between the bottom surface of two adjacent battery cells 2 and the bottom surface of the battery cell 2 between them. The gap here is adapted to the thickness of the flat tube 101. When the flat tube 101 is connected to the top surface or upper part of the middle battery cell 2, it can ensure that the multiple battery cells 2 and the flat tube 101 cooperate to form the top surface or bottom surface of the battery pack.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the cooling unit 1 in this embodiment includes a manifold 102 disposed at at least one end of the plurality of flat tubes 101, and the manifold 102 is connected to the plurality of flat tubes 101, and the manifold 102 is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet 104. The manifold 102 is provided to facilitate the flow of the cooling medium in the flat tubes 101, and the manifold 102 has a simple structure and is easy to arrange and implement.

[0043] In terms of specific structure, Figures 1 to 3 As shown in , the manifold 102 is two manifolds 102 disposed at both ends of the plurality of flat tubes 101, and the two manifolds 102 are connected through the plurality of flat tubes 101, and each manifold 102 is provided with a liquid inlet and outlet 104. By providing two manifolds 102, it is beneficial to improve the structural strength of the cooling unit 1 while also facilitating the inflow and outflow of the cooling medium. To facilitate the connection between the liquid inlet and outlet 104 and the corresponding pipelines, in this embodiment, the liquid inlet and outlet 104 on each manifold 102 are located at the same end of the battery pack. Of course, during specific implementation, the liquid inlet and outlet 104 can still be set at different ends of the battery module according to usage requirements.

[0044] In this embodiment, the top or bottom surface of the flat tube 101 is connected to the battery cell 2 through a thermally conductive adhesive. The thermally conductive adhesive can not only connect the flat tube 101 and the battery cell 2 together, but also facilitate the transfer of heat from the battery cell 2 to the flat tube 101, and then the heat can be taken away by the cooling medium flowing in the flat tube 101, thereby achieving the effect of cooling the battery cell 2. In addition, the flat tube 101 is also located between two adjacent battery cells 2, which is also conducive to cooling the battery cells 2 on the left and right sides of the flat tube 101. Furthermore, the flat tube 101 can be connected to the side walls of the adjacent battery cells 2 through the thermally conductive adhesive to improve the heat transfer efficiency between the flat tube 101 and the adjacent battery cells 2, and at the same time, the connection firmness between the flat tube 101 and the battery cells 2 can be further improved.

[0045] Still refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown in , the end of each manifold 102 is provided with a bent portion 103 bent inwardly toward the end plate 3 of the battery pack, and the inlet and outlet ports 104 are provided on the corresponding bent portion 103. By providing the bent portion 103 bent inwardly toward the end plate 3 and arranging the inlet and outlet ports 104 on the bent portion 103, it is convenient for arrangement and implementation, and it is convenient to reduce the influence of the heat of the battery pack on the cooling medium in the bent portion 103, thereby improving the cooling effect of the cooling medium, and at the same time, it can also reduce the space occupied by the cooling structure in the length direction of the battery pack.

[0046] In terms of specific structure, the bending part 103 is in an arc shape, and a groove 301 for bending is provided on the outer side of the end plate 3. The two bending parts 103 arranged correspondingly above and below are separated by a reinforcing rib arranged on the end plate 3. Here, the structure of the bending part 103 is simple and easy to arrange and implement.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid inlet and outlet 104 is extended along the length direction of the battery cell 2. Figure 2 As shown in , the liquid inlet and outlet 104 is also located in the groove 301, so that the liquid inlet and outlet 104 extends along the length direction of the battery cell 2, which is conducive to further reducing the space occupied in the length direction of the battery pack. In addition, the setting of the bent portion 103 and the liquid inlet and outlet 104 thereon can also isolate the bent portion 103 from the battery cell 2, which is conducive to reducing the influence of the temperature of the battery cell 2 on the temperature of the cooling medium in the bent portion 103, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency of the cooling structure. Moreover, setting the bent portion 103 in the groove 301 on the end plate 3 is also conducive to improving the structural utilization of the space on the end plate 3, without increasing the space occupied by the battery pack in the length direction.

[0048] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the solution of only setting the bent portion 103 on one of the manifolds 102 is also feasible, but it will increase the space occupied by the cooling structure in the length direction of the battery pack. Of course, the position and specifications of the bent portion 103 can be adaptively adjusted according to usage requirements.

[0049] In each cooling unit of the present embodiment, one of the liquid inlet and outlet ports 104 is used for liquid inlet, and the cooling medium flows into the corresponding manifold 102 through the liquid inlet and outlet ports 104, and passes through a plurality of flat tubes 101, so that the cooling medium flows to the manifold 102 on the other side, and flows out through the liquid inlet and outlet ports 104 thereon. The flow of the cooling medium can take away the heat of the battery cell 2, thereby achieving the effect of reducing the temperature of the battery cell 2.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown in , the collector 102 is connected to a heat sink 105 located on one side of the battery pack. The heat sink 105 is arranged corresponding to the output poles 201 of the multiple battery cells 2, and a heat conductive material can be filled between the heat sink 105 and the output pole 201. The heat conductive material can specifically be a product with a heat conductive effect such as a thermal conductive adhesive. Among them, the thermal conductive adhesive can not only achieve a heat conductive effect between the heat sink 105 and the output pole 201 of the battery cell 2, but also connect the output pole 201 of the battery cell 2 and the heat sink 105 together, thereby further improving the installation firmness of the heat sink 105 and the overall structural strength of the battery pack.

[0051] The heat sink 105 in this embodiment is specifically disposed on the busbar 102 disposed near the output pole 201 to facilitate arrangement and implementation. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , two heat sinks 105 are both located on the two lower manifolds 102. Of course, it is also feasible to only provide one heat sink 105. The heat sink 105 can be made of a material with good heat dissipation effect, such as aluminum sheet.

[0052] The cooling structure for the battery pack in this embodiment arranges the multiple flat tubes 101 in the cooling units 1 located at the top and bottom of the battery pack alternately in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 2. Compared with the traditional solution of arranging plate-shaped liquid cooling plates at the top and bottom of the battery pack, the contact area with the battery cells 2 can be increased by 50% to 100%, thereby facilitating improving the cooling effect of each battery cell 2 in the battery pack.

[0053] Embodiment 2

[0054] This embodiment relates to a battery including a battery, such as Figures 2 to 5 As shown in , the battery includes a battery pack and the cooling structure for the battery pack described in Embodiment 1. Each battery cell 2 in the battery pack is connected to the top or bottom of the corresponding flat tube 101, and multiple battery cells 2 are arranged between two cooling units 1 in a staggered manner.

[0055] As a preferred connection method, the flat tube 101 and the adjacent battery cells 2 are connected by bonding with a thermally conductive adhesive. Specifically, the top surface or the bottom surface of the flat tube 101 is connected to the corresponding battery cell 2 by a thermally conductive adhesive, and the two side surfaces of the flat tube 101 are bonded to the side surfaces of two adjacent battery cells 2. This is conducive to improving the connection strength between the battery cell 2 and the flat tube 101, as well as the connection strength of multiple battery cells 2 in the battery pack, and is also conducive to improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cell 2.

[0056] In addition, a heat conducting sheet is provided between the top surface or the bottom surface of the battery cell 2 and the corresponding flat tube 101. The battery cell 2 transfers heat to the flat tube 101 specifically through the heat conducting sheet. The heat conducting sheet here can achieve the effect of equalizing heat, so that the heat transmitted from the battery cell 2 is more evenly reflected on the heat conducting sheet, and the contact area between the heat conducting sheet and the flat tube 101 is large, and the heat conduction effect is good. In specific implementation, the thermal conductive glue is filled in the gap between the battery cell 2 and the heat conducting sheet, and between the heat conducting sheet and the flat tube 101, so as to connect the flat tube 101, the heat conducting sheet and the battery cell 2 together.

[0057] The heat conducting sheet in this embodiment includes at least one of copper foil, aluminum plate and graphene film. Here, the copper foil, aluminum plate and graphene film have simple structures, are easy to arrange and implement, and have good heat conduction effect. Of course, the heat conducting sheet can also adopt other products with heat conduction effect in the prior art, as long as it meets the use requirements.

[0058] The battery described in this embodiment is beneficial to improving the cooling efficiency and use safety of the battery pack by providing the above-mentioned battery pack cooling structure on the battery pack.

[0059] 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 cooling structure for a battery pack, characterized in that: The cooling units are respectively arranged at the top and bottom of the battery pack, each of the cooling units has a plurality of flat tubes arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells in the battery pack, and each of the flat tubes is extended along the length direction of the battery cell; The plurality of flat tubes in the two cooling units are alternately arranged in the arrangement direction of the battery cells, and the flat tubes are connected to the top surface or the bottom surface of the corresponding battery cell, so that the plurality of battery cells are arranged in a staggered manner in sequence.

2. The cooling structure for a battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling unit comprises a manifold arranged at at least one end of the plurality of flat tubes, and the manifold is connected to the plurality of flat tubes, and a liquid inlet and outlet are arranged on the manifold.

3. The cooling structure for a battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The manifolds are two respectively arranged at the two ends of the plurality of flat tubes, the two manifolds are connected through the plurality of flat tubes, and each manifold is provided with the liquid inlet and outlet.

4. The cooling structure for a battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one end of the manifold is provided with a bent portion bent toward the end plate of the battery pack, and the liquid inlet and outlet are both provided on the corresponding bent portion.

5. The cooling structure for a battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that: The liquid inlet and outlet are extended along the length direction of the battery core.

6. The cooling structure for a battery pack according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The busbar is connected to a heat sink located at one side of the battery pack. The heat sink is arranged corresponding to the output poles of the plurality of battery cells, and a heat-conducting material can be filled between the heat sink and the output poles.

7. A battery, characterized in that: A battery pack and a cooling structure for the battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6; Each battery cell in the battery pack is connected to the top or bottom of the corresponding flat tube, and a plurality of the battery cells are arranged between the two cooling units in a staggered manner.

8. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that: The flat tube and the adjacent battery core are bonded and connected by heat-conducting adhesive.

9. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that: A heat conducting sheet is provided between the top surface or the bottom surface of the battery core and the corresponding flat tube.

10. The battery according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heat conductive sheet includes at least one of a copper foil, an aluminum plate and a graphene film.

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