Cold plate assembly, battery module structure and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides a cold plate assembly, a battery module structure and a battery pack. The cold plate assembly comprises a cold plate main body, and the restraining piece is connected to the outer surface of the cold plate main body, and the restraining piece forms restraining of the copper bar on the cold plate main body so that the copper bar can make contact with the outer surface of the cold plate main body. The cold plate assembly disclosed by the utility model can be used for cooling the copper bar and reducing the energy loss in the use process of the copper bar, so that the use quality of a battery pack is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery packs, and in particular to a cold plate assembly. The utility model also relates to a battery module structure provided with the cold plate assembly, and a battery pack provided with the battery module structure. Background Art

[0002] The power battery pack is used to supply energy to new energy vehicles. The current power battery pack generally includes a plurality of battery module structures electrically connected to each other, wherein the battery module structure includes a module formed by a plurality of battery cells, a copper busbar for connecting other battery module structures, and a cold plate arranged on the module.

[0003] The cold plate is the main cooling structure of the power battery pack. The cold plate can be used to cool the battery cells in the battery pack. When the battery pack is in a high temperature environment, the cold plate will cool the battery cells, but the cooling effect of the cold plate will not act on the copper busbar. As the main electrical component connecting the battery modules in the battery pack, the copper busbar plays an important role in conducting electricity. The copper busbar is mainly made of metal copper, and its resistance is proportional to the temperature. The higher the temperature, the greater the resistance, and the greater the resistance, the more electrical energy is converted into heat energy. The temperature of the copper busbar when used in the battery pack mainly depends on the ambient temperature and its own heat generation. Therefore, a vicious cycle will occur during the use of the copper busbar. When the battery pack is in a high temperature environment, the copper busbar has a high resistance, resulting in a large amount of heat generation, so that part of the electrical energy conducted through the copper busbar is converted into heat energy, resulting in energy waste and affecting the quality of the battery pack. Therefore, it is particularly important to reduce the temperature of the copper busbar during use, that is, to cool the copper busbar.

[0004] In the prior art, there are related documents reporting technical solutions on how to cool the copper busbar. For example, by setting a crossbeam with a water channel inside under the copper busbar, the copper busbar can transfer heat to the crossbeam, and the heat is taken away by the coolant flowing through the crossbeam, thereby cooling the copper busbar. However, this type of cooling structure will occupy more space in the battery pack and require additional adjustments to the existing battery structure, which is not conducive to improving the quality of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to provide a cold plate assembly to improve the use quality of a battery pack.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the utility model is implemented as follows:

[0007] A cold plate assembly includes a cold plate body;

[0008] A restraint member is connected and arranged on the outer surface of the cold plate body, and the restraint member constrains the copper bar on the cold plate body so that the copper bar contacts the outer surface of the cold plate body.

[0009] Furthermore, the restraining member includes a supporting member fixed on the outer surface of the cold plate body, and an accommodating space for allowing the copper busbar to pass through is formed between the supporting member and the outer surface of the cold plate body.

[0010] Furthermore, the support member is constructed as a bent plate, the bottom end of the support member is fixed on the outer surface of the cold plate body, and the top end of the support member is bent outward and extends upward from the cold plate body; an opening is formed between the top end of the support member and the outer surface of the cold plate body to allow the copper busbar to enter the accommodating space.

[0011] Furthermore, the restraining member includes a filling member, and the filling member is configured to fill a gap between the copper busbar and the supporting member in the accommodating space.

[0012] Furthermore, the filling piece is made of elastic material.

[0013] Furthermore, the filling piece is made of foam.

[0014] Furthermore, the restraining members are provided in plurality, and the plurality of restraining members are distributed at intervals on the path along which the copper busbar passes.

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

[0016] The cold plate assembly described in the utility model constrains the copper bar on the cold plate body by setting a constraint part, so that the copper bar can contact the outer surface of the cold plate body, thereby cooling the copper bar, so that the temperature of the copper bar is reduced during use, thereby reducing the resistance of the copper bar increased due to high temperature, thereby reducing the energy loss caused by high temperature heat of the copper bar during use.

[0017] The copper bar can be fixed by setting the support member so that the copper bar is close to the outer surface of the cold plate body, so that it can be cooled by the cold plate body. The structure is simple and convenient for design implementation.

[0018] By arranging the support member in a bent plate shape and providing an opening at the top, it is convenient for installing the copper busbar, and the structure is simple, which is convenient for design implementation.

[0019] By arranging a filling piece in the gap between the support piece and the cold plate body, the copper bar can be closer to the outer surface of the cold plate body, and the copper bar is not easy to shake during the use of the battery pack.

[0020] The filling piece is made of elastic material, which can better buffer and protect the copper busbar and facilitate design implementation.

[0021] The filling piece is made of foam, which is easy to process, can reduce costs and is conducive to design implementation.

[0022] By providing a plurality of restraining members, the copper busbar can be fixed at multiple points and can be better restrained on the outer surface of the cold plate body, thereby obtaining a better cooling effect.

[0023] In addition, the utility model also proposes a battery module structure, including a module formed by a combination of multiple battery cells and a copper busbar. The battery module structure also includes a cold plate assembly as described above that is retained on the module; the inner surface of the cold plate body is in contact with the module.

[0024] Furthermore, the cold plate assembly is arranged on one side surface of the module.

[0025] In addition, the utility model also proposes a battery pack, which has one or more battery module structures as described above that are electrically connected to each other.

[0026] The battery module structure and battery pack described in the present invention have the same beneficial effects as the cold plate assembly described above relative to the prior art, and will not be described in detail herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] 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:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cold plate assembly according to the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cold plate assembly according to the first embodiment of the present utility model from another perspective;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cold plate assembly according to the first embodiment of the present utility model, in which the copper bar is assembled;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of the support member according to the first embodiment of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified image of point A;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery module according to the second embodiment of the present utility model;

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Cold plate body;

[0036] 101, outer surface; 102, inner surface; 103, water inlet; 104, water outlet;

[0037] 2. Restraints;

[0038] 201, support member; 2011, connecting section; 2012, free section; 2013, bending section;

[0039] 202, filling piece;

[0040] 3. Copper busbar; 4. Battery cell; 5. Shell; 6. Bolt hole;

[0041] s, accommodating space; t, opening. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] 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.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, 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, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0044] 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.

[0045] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0046] Embodiment 1

[0047] This embodiment relates to a cold plate assembly, and it is intended to reduce the energy loss of the copper bus 3 caused by high temperature during use by optimizing the structure of the cold plate assembly.

[0048] In terms of overall structure, the cold plate assembly of this embodiment includes a cold plate body 1, which can realize the cooling function, and also includes a restraint 2, which is connected to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. The restraint 2 constitutes a restraint for the copper bus 3 on the cold plate body 1 so that the copper bus 3 contacts the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. At the same time, the inner surface 102 of the cold plate body 1 can be used to contact the battery cell.

[0049] At this time, as set above, the cold plate assembly in this embodiment constrains the copper bar 3 on the cold plate body 1 through the setting of the constraint 2, so that the copper bar 3 can contact the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1, thereby cooling the copper bar 3, so that the temperature of the copper bar 3 during use is reduced, thereby reducing the resistance of the copper bar 3 increased due to high temperature, thereby reducing the energy loss caused by the high temperature heat of the copper bar 3 during use.

[0050] Among them, the cold plate body 1 adopts the existing cold plate structure, combined with Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the cold plate body 1 is a plate-like structure with a circuitous flow channel inside. The circuitous flow channel can achieve a larger heat exchange area, and the flow channel has a water inlet end and a water outlet end. The water inlet end and the water outlet end of the flow channel are respectively provided with a water inlet 103 and a water outlet 104. The coolant is injected into the flow channel through the water inlet 103, flows through the flow channel, and then flows out through the water outlet 104, thereby realizing the cooling function of the cold plate.

[0051] It should be noted that the arrangement directions of the water inlet 103 and the water outlet 104 only need to be adjusted according to the arrangement space requirements in the battery pack, and are not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0052] The shape and size of the cold plate body 1, as well as the number of winding turns of the flow channel in the cold plate body 1, only need to meet the cooling requirements of the battery module structure. In this embodiment, the shape of the cold plate body 1 is set to a rounded rectangle. The rounded rectangle shape setting allows the cold plate body 1 to be better arranged on the battery module structure.

[0053] When the cold plate body 1 is disposed on the battery module structure, the inner surface 102 of the cold plate body 1 contacts the multiple battery cells 4 in the battery module structure, and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 contacts the copper busbars 3 connecting different battery module structures.

[0054] In order to better realize the installation arrangement of the cold plate body 1, the edge of the cold plate body 1 is also provided with bolt holes 6 corresponding to the shell 5 of the battery module structure. The provision of the bolt holes makes the installation of the cold plate body 1 on the battery module structure shell 5 more convenient and quick.

[0055] Combination Figures 1 to 5As shown, the restraint 2 of this embodiment can restrain the copper busbar 3 on the cold plate body 1, thereby realizing cooling of the copper busbar 3. In order to facilitate processing and save the space inside the package occupied by the restraint 2, the restraint 2 in this embodiment includes a support member 201 and a filling member 202 arranged in the gap between the support member 201 and the cold plate body 1.

[0056] Specifically, the restraint 2 in this embodiment includes a support member 201 fixedly connected to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. An accommodating space s for allowing the copper busbar 3 to pass through is formed between the support member 201 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. The copper busbar 3 is restrained to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 by the support member 201, so that the copper busbar 3 can be close to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1, so that it can be cooled by the cold plate body 1. The structure is simple, which is conducive to design implementation.

[0057] Preferably, combined Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the support member 201 in this embodiment is constructed as a bent plate, including a connecting section 2011 at the bottom, a free section 2012 extending outward from the top, and a bent section 2013 connected between the bottom connecting section 2011 and the first free section 2012. The connecting section 2011 at the bottom of the support member 201 is fixed on the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. After the bent section 2013 of the support member 201 is bent outward, it extends upward from the cold plate body 1 to form the free section 2012 at the top. An opening t for allowing the copper busbar 3 to enter the accommodating space s is formed between the top free section 2012 of the support member 201 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. The opening t between the support member 201 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 is conducive to the installation of the copper busbar 3, and has a simple structure, which is conducive to design implementation.

[0058] Of course, the support member 201 can also be a closed structure with no opening t at the top, for example, an arc-shaped structure, or the free section 2012 at the top of the support member 201 can be bent inward again to achieve secondary fixation of the copper busbar 3, but the bending structure of the support member 201 in this embodiment is optimal, which facilitates the installation of the copper busbar 3 and can achieve a close fit between the copper busbar 3 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1.

[0059] It can be understood that the size of the accommodating space s in this embodiment only needs to be sufficient to allow the copper busbar 3 to be arranged in the accommodating space s. The opening t is formed between the top of the free section 2012 of the support 201 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1, that is, the top of the accommodating space s. The setting of the opening t can facilitate the installation and arrangement of the copper busbar 3.

[0060] Combination Figure 3As shown, the filling member 202 of the restraining member 2 in this embodiment is configured to fill the gap between the copper busbar 3 and the supporting member 201 in the accommodating space s. The setting of the filling member 202 enables the copper busbar 3 to be closer to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 and is not easy to shake.

[0061] Preferably, the filling piece 202 in the present embodiment is made of an elastic material, such as a rubber pad, a spring, and foam, etc. It only needs to be able to absorb the displacement of the copper bar 3 due to the shaking, and elastically abut the copper bar 3 against the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. The filling piece 202 is an elastic material, which can absorb the displacement of the copper bar and can better buffer the copper bar. When the battery pack is shaken by external force, the setting of the filling piece can better protect the copper bar, which is conducive to design implementation.

[0062] The filling piece 202 in this embodiment is made of foam, which is soft and can be easily processed into a desired shape, and can reduce costs and facilitate design implementation.

[0063] In addition, in order to facilitate installation, the foam in this embodiment can be set between the copper busbar 3 and the support member 201 in the form of glue.

[0064] Preferably, the foam of this embodiment is adhered to the free section 2012 and the bent section 2013 of the support member 201 by adhesive tape, and the foam of this embodiment is cut into shapes that fit the free section 2012 and the bent section 2013 of the support member 201 .

[0065] It is worth mentioning that the filling member 202 in this embodiment may not be provided, and only by changing the gap size between the free section 2012 of the support member 201 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1, the support member 201 is directly in close contact with the copper busbar 3, and the copper busbar 3 is abutted against the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1. However, this situation is not effective enough, and the support member 201 may easily damage the insulating layer on the surface of the copper busbar 3, thereby affecting the service life and use effect of the copper busbar 3.

[0066] In this embodiment, there are multiple restraining members 2, which are distributed at intervals on the path of the copper busbar 3. The arrangement of the multiple restraining members 2 allows the portion of the copper busbar 3 passing through the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 to fit tightly against the cold plate surface, further improving the cooling effect of the cold plate body 1 on the copper busbar 3, thereby reducing the energy loss caused by high temperature heat during the use of the copper busbar 3.

[0067] For example, combined with Figures 1 to 6As shown in the figure, the number of the restraining members 2 is three arranged at intervals along the length direction of the cold plate body 1. Of course, in addition to the three restraining members 2 shown in the figure, the number can also be other numbers, such as one, two, four, five, six, seven, eight or nine, etc., as long as it can satisfy the requirement of restraining the copper busbar 3 to the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1.

[0068] In order to facilitate the arrangement of the copper busbar 3 , the restraining member 2 is arranged at a position close to the top of the cold plate body 1 . Of course, the arrangement position of the restraining member 2 only needs to be set according to the arrangement requirements of the copper busbar 3 .

[0069] The cold plate body 1 in this embodiment is mounted on the shell 5 of the battery module structure by bolts, and then the foam is pasted on the support 201. When the copper busbar 3 is arranged, the copper busbar 3 is inserted into the gap between the filler 202 and the outer surface 101 of the cold plate body 1 through the opening t at the top of the support 201. Then, the two ends of the copper busbar 3 are fixed to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery module structure to achieve the connection of the battery module structure. At this time, the inner surface 102 of the cold plate body 1 contacts the multiple battery cells 4 in the battery module structure. The battery cells 4 and the copper busbar 3 can be cooled simultaneously through the cold plate body 1, thereby improving the use quality of the cold plate assembly, and then reducing the energy loss of the battery pack, thereby improving the use quality of the battery pack.

[0070] Embodiment 2

[0071] This embodiment relates to a battery module structure, combined with Figure 6 As shown, it includes a module formed by a combination of multiple battery cells 4, a copper busbar 3, and the battery module structure also includes a cold plate assembly as described in the first embodiment retained on the module, and the inner surface 102 of the cold plate body 1 is in contact with the module.

[0072] By adopting the cold plate assembly in the first embodiment, the copper busbar 3 and the multiple battery cells 4 in the module can be cooled simultaneously, so that the use quality of the battery module structure is improved and the energy loss caused by the high temperature heating of the copper busbar 3 when the battery module structure is used in a high temperature environment can be reduced.

[0073] Embodiment 3

[0074] The present embodiment relates to a battery pack having one or more battery module structures as described in the second embodiment which are electrically connected to each other.

[0075] By adopting the battery module structure in the second embodiment, multiple battery module structures are electrically connected to each other through the copper busbar 3, and the copper busbar 3 is arranged close to the cold plate body 1 of each battery module structure. The cold plate body 1 can reduce the operating temperature of the copper busbar 3 arranged in the battery pack, thereby reducing the energy loss of the copper busbar 3, which is beneficial to improving the use quality of the battery pack.

[0076] 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 cold plate assembly, characterized in that: include: Cold plate body; A restraint member is connected and arranged on the outer surface of the cold plate body, and the restraint member constrains the copper bar on the cold plate body so that the copper bar contacts the outer surface of the cold plate body.

2. The cold plate assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The restraining member comprises a supporting member fixed on the outer surface of the cold plate body, and an accommodating space for allowing the copper bar to pass through is formed between the supporting member and the outer surface of the cold plate body.

3. The cold plate assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support member is constructed in the shape of a bent plate, the bottom end of the support member is fixed on the outer surface of the cold plate body, the top end of the support member is bent outward and extends upward from the cold plate body; an opening is formed between the top end of the support member and the outer surface of the cold plate body to allow the copper busbar to enter the accommodating space.

4. The cold plate assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The restraining member includes a filling member, and the filling member is configured to fill a gap between the copper busbar and the supporting member in the accommodating space.

5. The cold plate assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The filling piece is made of elastic material.

6. The cold plate assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The filling piece is made of foam.

7. The cold plate assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The restraining members are arranged in plurality, and the plurality of restraining members are distributed at intervals on the path along which the copper busbar passes.

8. A battery module structure, comprising a module formed by a plurality of battery cells, and a copper busbar, characterized in that: The battery module structure further comprises a cold plate assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 held on the module; the inner surface of the cold plate body is in contact with and cooperates with the module.

9. The battery module structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cold plate assembly is arranged on one side surface of the module.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack has one or more battery module structures as described in claim 8 or 9 that are electrically connected to each other.

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