Control valve, battery pack and vehicle

By setting a liquid barrier in the control valve of the battery pack, the problem of a small amount of liquid in the battery pack being accidentally opened, ensuring the sealing of the battery pack and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

CN222732245UActive Publication Date: 2025-04-08XIAOMI EV TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202421501108.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-27
Publication Date
2025-04-08
Estimated Expiration
2034-06-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the prior art, a small amount of condensate or infiltration water in the battery pack may mistakenly open the drain valve, resulting in failure of the battery pack seal and may cause the risk of thermal runaway from the battery pack short circuit.

Method used

A control valve is designed, including a first valve body, a valve cover, an expansion part and a liquid barrier part. By setting a liquid barrier, the distance between the outer wall of the expansion part and the lowest point of contact between the liquid and the liquid conducting surface is greater than the preset distance, or the distance between the liquid from the lowest entry point at the liquid inlet and the liquid conducting surface is greater than the preset distance, thereby stopping a small amount of liquid and avoiding the misopening valve.

Benefits of technology

It effectively reduces the possibility of a small amount of liquid accidentally opening the control valve, prevents the battery pack seal from failing, and reduces the risk of thermal runaway from the battery pack, improving the safety of the battery pack.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to a control valve, a battery pack and a vehicle, the control valve comprises a first valve body, a valve cover, an expansion part and a liquid blocking part, the outer side wall of the first valve body is provided with a convex limiting part and a liquid inlet, and the side, facing the liquid inlet, of the limiting part is provided with a liquid guide surface; the first valve body is provided with a liquid discharge channel communicated with the liquid inlet and a liquid discharge port communicated with the liquid discharge channel; the expansion part is located in the liquid discharging channel and can absorb liquid to expand so as to drive the valve cover to move relative to the first valve body to open the liquid discharging opening. The liquid blocking part is located in the liquid discharging channel or arranged on the first valve body, and the liquid blocking part is used for blocking liquid, so that the first distance between the lowest point, making contact with the liquid, of the outer side wall of the expansion part and the liquid guiding face is larger than the preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest inlet point, from the liquid inlet, of the liquid and the liquid guiding face is larger than the preset distance. The possibility of sealing failure of the battery pack caused by mistakenly opening the control valve by a small amount of liquid can be reduced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular, to a control valve, a battery pack and a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] During the use of the vehicle, the battery module needs to be cooled. Currently, liquid cooling is the most common cooling method. A small amount of condensed water or internal seepage water will be generated inside the battery pack. In addition, coolant leakage may occur due to damage to the liquid cooling pipe. The liquid in the battery pack may cause a short circuit in the battery module, thereby causing the risk of thermal runaway inside the battery pack.

[0003] In the related technology, the liquid in the battery pack can be discharged through the drain valve. The drain valve is provided with an expansion part so that it can absorb the liquid and expand to open, thereby discharging the liquid from the battery pack to the outside of the battery pack. However, a small amount of condensed water or internal seepage water generated in the battery pack can also be absorbed by the expansion part and mistakenly open the drain valve. At this time, the outside world, such as rainwater, accumulated water on the road when the vehicle is wading, etc., can easily flow back into the battery pack in large quantities, causing the risk of short circuit and thermal runaway of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a control valve, a battery pack and a vehicle to reduce the possibility of a small amount of liquid mistakenly opening the control valve and causing the battery pack seal to fail, so as to at least partially solve the above technical problems.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a control valve is provided, comprising:

[0006] a first valve body, wherein an outwardly convex limiting portion and a liquid inlet are provided on an outer side wall of the first valve body, the limiting portion has a liquid guiding surface on a side facing the liquid inlet, the first valve body has a liquid discharge channel connected with the liquid inlet and a liquid discharge port connected with the liquid discharge channel, and the liquid guiding surface is used for liquid to flow through the liquid guiding surface and then enter the liquid discharge channel from the liquid inlet;

[0007] A valve cover capable of closing or opening the drain port;

[0008] an expansion portion, located in the liquid discharge channel and capable of absorbing liquid to expand, so as to drive the valve cover to move relative to the first valve body, so as to open the liquid discharge port; and

[0009] A liquid blocking portion, wherein the liquid blocking portion is located in the liquid discharge channel or is arranged on the first valve body, and the liquid blocking portion is used to stop the liquid so that the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion contacts the liquid to the liquid guiding surface is greater than a preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet and the liquid guiding surface is greater than a preset distance.

[0010] Optionally, the liquid blocking portion includes a baffle structure located in the liquid discharge channel, and the baffle structure partially blocks the liquid inlet so that the first distance is greater than the minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

[0011] Optionally, the baffle structure includes a gasket, which is located between the expansion portion and the valve cover, and the gasket partially blocks the liquid inlet.

[0012] Optionally, the baffle structure includes a sleeve, the sleeve is sleeved on the expansion portion, and the sleeve partially blocks the liquid inlet.

[0013] Optionally, the baffle structure includes a sleeve and a gasket, the gasket is located between the expansion portion and the valve cover, the sleeve is sleeved on the expansion portion, and among the sleeve and the gasket, at least the sleeve covers a portion of the liquid inlet.

[0014] Optionally, the liquid blocking portion includes a first stop structure provided on the first valve body, and the first stop structure blocks a portion of the liquid inlet so that the second distance is greater than a minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

[0015] Optionally, the liquid blocking portion includes a second stop structure arranged on the first valve body, the second stop structure forms a part of the first valve body, the second stop structure is located between the liquid inlet and the liquid guiding surface, and the second distance is the minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

[0016] Optionally, the control valve also includes a second valve body, which is sleeved on the first valve body, and the second valve body and the limiting portion are used to clamp the bottom wall of the shell, and the limiting portion partially penetrates the bottom wall so that the liquid guiding surface is located inside the shell, and the second valve body is provided with a avoidance port opposite to the position of the liquid inlet, and the liquid blocking portion also includes a third stop structure arranged or formed on the second valve body, and the third stop structure is located on the side of the avoidance port facing the limiting portion, so that the minimum distance between the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the avoidance port and the liquid guiding surface is greater than the preset distance.

[0017] Optionally, the limiting portion includes an annular protrusion arranged circumferentially around the first valve body, and the liquid guiding surface and the limiting surface are sequentially arranged radially outward on the side of the annular protrusion facing the liquid inlet, the limiting surface abuts against the outer wall surface of the bottom wall of the shell, and the liquid guiding surface is located inside the shell.

[0018] Optionally, an elastic member is provided between the first valve body and the valve cover to provide elastic force for the valve cover to close the drainage channel, and the expansion portion has a mounting channel for the elastic member to penetrate.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising a housing, a plurality of battery cells, a liquid cooling plate and the control valve as described above, wherein the plurality of battery cells and the liquid cooling plate are mounted in the housing, and the control valve is disposed on a bottom wall of the housing.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the battery pack as described above.

[0021] Through the above technical scheme, since the liquid will enter the discharge channel through the liquid inlet after passing through the liquid guiding surface, the liquid is stopped by setting a liquid blocking portion, and the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion contacts the liquid to the liquid guiding surface is greater than the preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet and the liquid guiding surface is greater than the preset distance. This allows a small amount of liquid to be stopped by the liquid blocking portion and unable to contact the expansion portion. For example, when the liquid is less and its liquid level relative to the liquid guiding surface is lower than or equal to the preset distance, the liquid will be stopped by the liquid blocking portion and unable to contact the expansion portion. Only when the liquid exceeds a certain amount and reaches a higher liquid level (relative to the liquid guiding surface) can it be free from the stopping effect of the liquid blocking portion. For example, when the liquid is more and its liquid level relative to the liquid guiding surface is greater than the preset distance, excess liquid can enter the discharge channel from the liquid inlet so that the expansion portion absorbs the liquid and expands, driving the valve cover to move relative to the first valve body to open the control valve, so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge channel from the discharge port. When the control valve is applied to a battery pack, for example, a small amount of condensed water or internal seepage water cannot enter the drainage channel due to the stopping effect of the liquid retaining portion. When coolant leakage occurs inside the battery pack, a large amount of coolant has a high liquid level. Therefore, excess coolant can enter the drainage channel from the liquid inlet without being stopped by the liquid retaining portion, so that the expansion portion absorbs liquid and expands, driving the valve cover to move relative to the first valve body to open the control valve, so that the coolant can be discharged from the drainage channel from the drainage port, thereby ensuring that the leaked coolant will not cause the risk of thermal runaway of the battery pack. At the same time, the possibility of the control valve being opened due to a small amount of liquid, resulting in failure of the battery pack seal, and a large amount of liquid outside the battery pack flowing back into the battery pack through the control valve, causing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery pack, is reduced, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0024] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a control valve provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a first valve body provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a control valve provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure installed on a housing;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a control valve provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the expansion portion connected to the backing plate provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an expansion portion connected to a sleeve provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a battery pack provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of an exploded structure of a battery pack provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1. Control valve; 2. First valve body; 21. Limiting part; 211. Annular protrusion; 212. Limiting surface; 22. Liquid inlet; 23. Liquid guiding surface; 24. Discharge channel; 25. Discharge port; 3. Valve cover; 4. Expansion part; 5. Liquid blocking part; 51. Baffle structure; 511. Pad; 512. Sleeve; 52. First stop structure; 53. Second stop structure; 6. Second valve body; 61. Avoidance; 7. Elastic member; 8. Battery pack; 81. Shell; 811. Bottom guard plate; 82. Battery cell; 83. Liquid cooling plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0035] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated, "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside of the outline of the corresponding component; "far" and "near" refer to the distance and nearness of the corresponding component in space relative to another component. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. used in the present disclosure are to distinguish one element from another element and do not have order and importance. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements.

[0036] The control valve, battery pack and vehicle in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, referring to Figures 1 to 6 The present disclosure provides a control valve 1 including a first valve body 2 , a valve cover 3 , an expansion portion 4 and a liquid blocking portion 5 .

[0038] An outwardly protruding limiting portion 21 and a liquid inlet 22 are provided on the outer side wall of the first valve body 2. The limiting portion 21 has a liquid guiding surface 23 on the side facing the liquid inlet 22. The first valve body 2 has a discharge channel 24 connected to the liquid inlet 22 and a discharge port 25 connected to the discharge channel 24. The limiting portion 21 is used to abut against the bottom wall of the shell 81. The liquid guiding surface 23 and the liquid inlet 22 are used to be arranged in the shell 81. The liquid guiding surface 23 is used for the liquid to flow through the liquid guiding surface 23 and then enter the discharge channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22.

[0039] The valve cover 3 can close or open the drain port 25 .

[0040] The expansion portion 4 is located in the liquid discharge channel 24 and can absorb liquid to expand, so as to drive the valve cover 3 to move relative to the first valve body 2 to open the liquid discharge port 25 .

[0041] The liquid blocking portion 5 is located in the liquid discharge channel 24 or is arranged on the first valve body 2. The liquid blocking portion 5 is used to stop the liquid so that the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion 4 contacts the liquid to the liquid guiding surface 23 is greater than the preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23 is greater than the preset distance.

[0042] According to the above technical solution, since the liquid will enter the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22 after passing through the liquid guide surface 23, the liquid is stopped by setting the liquid blocking portion 5, and the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion 4 contacts the liquid to the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the preset distance, so that a small amount of liquid can be blocked by the liquid blocking portion 5 and cannot contact the expansion portion 4. For example, when the liquid is small, its liquid level height relative to the liquid guide surface 23 is lower than the liquid level of the expansion portion 4. When the liquid is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the liquid will be blocked by the liquid blocking portion 5 and cannot contact the expansion portion 4. Only when the liquid exceeds a certain amount and reaches a higher liquid level (relative to the liquid guide surface), will it be free from the stopping effect of the liquid blocking portion 5. For example, when there is a lot of liquid and its liquid level relative to the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the preset distance, the excess liquid can enter the discharge channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22 so that the expansion portion 4 absorbs the liquid and expands, driving the valve cover 3 to move relative to the first valve body 2 to open the control valve, so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge channel 24 from the discharge port 25. When the control valve 1 is applied to, for example, a battery pack 8, a small amount of condensed water or internal seepage water cannot enter the drain channel 24 due to the stopping effect of the liquid blocking portion 5. When coolant leakage occurs inside the battery pack 8, a large amount of coolant has a high liquid level, and thus excess coolant can enter the drain channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22 without being stopped by the liquid blocking portion 5, so that the expansion portion 4 absorbs liquid and expands, driving the valve cover 3 to move relative to the first valve body 2 to open the control valve 1, so that the coolant can be discharged from the drain channel 24 from the drain port 25, thereby ensuring that the leaked coolant will not cause the risk of thermal runaway of the battery pack 8, and at the same time reducing the possibility that the control valve 1 is opened due to a small amount of liquid, resulting in failure of the seal of the battery pack 8, and a large amount of liquid outside the battery pack 8 flows back into the battery pack 8 through the control valve 1, causing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery pack 8, thereby improving the safety of the battery pack 8.

[0043] The preset distance can be set according to actual application requirements, for example, the preset distance can be set based on the usual amount or liquid level of a small amount of condensed water or infiltration water in the battery pack housing 81 obtained through experience or testing. The preset distance can be any suitable value greater than or equal to 0, for example, any value within the range of 1 mm-10 mm, for example, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, etc.

[0044] For ease of understanding, the present disclosure first describes the structure and application process of the control valve 1 by way of example. The control valve 1 can be constructed as a drain valve and applied to a battery pack 8, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, at this time, the control valve 1 can also include a second valve body 6, which is sleeved on the first valve body 2, and the second valve body 6 and the limiting portion 21 are used to clamp the bottom wall of the shell 81 so that the control valve 1 can be installed on the bottom wall, wherein the limiting portion 21 partially penetrates the bottom wall so that the liquid guiding surface 23 is located inside the shell 81, the second valve body 6 is located inside the battery pack 8, and the limiting portion 21 is partially located outside the battery pack 8. The first valve body 2 penetrates the bottom wall so that the liquid inlet 22 is located inside the battery pack 8, and the liquid guiding surface 23 is formed on the side of the limiting portion 21 located inside the battery pack 8, and the above-mentioned bottom wall can be the bottom structural wall of the shell 81 of the battery pack 8. In addition, the second valve body 6 is provided with an avoidance port 61 opposite to the liquid inlet 22, so that the liquid inside the battery pack 8 needs to flow through the bottom wall of the battery pack 8, and then flow through the liquid guide surface 23 and flow into the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22. The expansion portion 4 absorbs liquid and expands to drive the valve cover 3 to move relative to the first valve body 2 to open the discharge port 25, so that the liquid can flow out from the discharge port 25 to the outside of the battery pack 8.

[0045] In the related art, the above-mentioned liquid guide surface 23 and the liquid inlet 22 are kept at the same height, that is, to ensure the timeliness of liquid discharge, the liquid guide surface 23 is flush with the bottom of the liquid inlet 22, and the minimum height (i.e., the preset distance) of the liquid inlet 22 relative to the liquid guide surface 23 is zero. A small amount of liquid, such as condensed water or internal seepage water, can flow through the liquid guide surface 23 and enter the liquid discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, and then the expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1. During the liquid discharge process, the inside and outside of the battery pack 8 are in a connected state, so at this time, the outside of the battery pack 8, such as rainwater or accumulated water, can flow back into the battery pack 8 from the liquid discharge port 25, the liquid discharge channel 24 and the liquid inlet 22, causing the risk of short circuit thermal runaway of the battery pack 8. In view of the above situation, the present invention provides a liquid blocking portion 5 in the discharge channel 24 or on the first valve body 2 to stop a small amount of liquid from entering the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22 so that the expansion portion 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1. The liquid blocking portion 5 makes the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion 4 contacts the liquid to the liquid guiding surface 23 greater than the preset distance, or makes the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23 greater than the preset distance. Therefore, when the liquid is less, for example, when its liquid level relative to the liquid guiding surface 23 is lower than or equal to the preset distance, the liquid will be blocked by the liquid blocking portion 5 and cannot contact the expansion portion 4. Only when the liquid exceeds a certain amount and reaches a higher liquid level (relative to the liquid guiding surface) can it be free from the blocking effect of the liquid blocking portion 5. For example, when the liquid is more, when its liquid level relative to the liquid guiding surface 23 is greater than the preset distance, excess liquid can enter the discharge channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22 so that the expansion portion 4 absorbs liquid and expands, thereby ensuring the safety of the battery pack 8.

[0046] It is understandable that the liquid blocking portion 5 can be constructed in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, refer to Figures 1 to 6 , the liquid blocking portion 5 may include a baffle structure 51 located in the drainage channel 24, and the baffle structure 51 blocks part of the liquid inlet 22 so that the above-mentioned first distance is greater than the minimum distance from the liquid inlet 22 to the liquid guide surface 23. Among them, in the present embodiment, the minimum distance from the liquid inlet 22 to the liquid guide surface 23 may be zero or greater than zero. In this way, the baffle structure 51 has a certain liquid blocking height, so that the liquid can enter the drainage channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22 only when the liquid level is higher than the liquid blocking height of the baffle structure 51. By setting the baffle structure 51, the minimum amount of liquid entering the drainage channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22 can be increased, so that a small amount of liquid is stopped by the baffle structure 51 and cannot enter the drainage channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, and then cannot open the control valve 1 through the liquid absorption expansion of the expansion portion 4, thereby reducing the possibility of a small amount of liquid mistakenly opening the expansion valve and ensuring the sealing of the battery pack 8.

[0047] In some embodiments, reference Figure 5 The baffle structure 51 may include a pad 511, which is located between the expansion part 4 and the valve cover 3. The pad 511 blocks part of the liquid inlet 22, so that the height of the expansion part 4 can be raised by the pad 511. In this way, the position of the expansion part 4 can be raised by the pad 511 to increase the liquid absorption height of the expansion part 4, that is, to increase the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion part 4 contacts the liquid to the liquid guide surface 23, and make the first distance greater than the preset distance. In one embodiment, the pad 511 can contact the inner wall of the first valve body 2 that forms the discharge channel 24 to partially cover the liquid inlet 22. The area of ​​the liquid inlet 22 that is higher than the top of the pad 511 is the actual liquid inlet area. At this time, a small amount of liquid is stopped by the side wall of the pad 511 and cannot enter the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, while a large amount of liquid can cross the pad 511 and enter the discharge channel 24 from the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the liquid inlet 22, and flow on the top of the pad 511 to flow to the expansion part 4. The expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 25. In another embodiment, the pad 511 may not contact the inner wall of the first valve body 2 forming the liquid discharge channel 24. In this case, a small amount of liquid can enter the liquid discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22 but is stopped by the pad 511. When the amount of liquid increases, the liquid level rises to pass over the pad 511 and flows from the top of the pad 511 to the expansion part 4. The expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port 25. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0048] In addition, the gasket 511 can be connected to one end of the expansion part 4 close to the valve cover 3, or can be connected to one side of the valve cover 3 close to the expansion part 4. Of course, the gasket 511 can be connected to the expansion part 4 and the valve cover 3 at the same time, and the present disclosure does not make specific limitations on this.

[0049] In other embodiments, reference Figure 6 The baffle structure 51 may include a sleeve 512, which is sleeved on the expansion part 4, and the sleeve 512 blocks part of the liquid inlet 22, and the sleeve 512 covers the outer peripheral wall of the expansion part 4. In this way, the liquid absorption position of the expansion part 4 can be improved by the sleeve 512, that is, a small amount of liquid can be isolated from the expansion part 4 by the sleeve 512 so as not to contact the expansion part 4, and the liquid level of excess liquid can exceed the arrangement height of the sleeve 512 so as to contact the expansion part 4, so that the expansion part 4 can absorb liquid and expand to open the control valve 1. In one embodiment, the sleeve 512 contacts the inner wall of the first valve body 2 that forms the discharge channel 24 to cover a portion of the liquid inlet 22. The area of ​​the liquid inlet 22 that is higher than the top of the pad 511 is the actual liquid inlet area. At this time, a small amount of liquid is isolated from the discharge channel 24 by the sleeve 512 and cannot enter the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22. A large amount of liquid can pass through the sleeve 512 and enter the discharge channel 24 from the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the liquid inlet 22, and flow at the top of the sleeve 512 to flow to the expansion part 4. The expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 25. In another embodiment, the sleeve 512 may not contact the inner wall of the first valve body 2 forming the liquid discharge channel 24. In this case, a small amount of liquid can enter the liquid discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22 but is isolated from the expansion part 4 by the sleeve 512 so as not to contact the expansion part 4. When the amount of liquid increases, the liquid level rises to pass over the sleeve 512 and contact the expansion part 4. The expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge port 25. The present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, the sleeve 512 can be connected to the outer peripheral wall of the expansion part 4, or it can be connected to the side of the valve cover 3 close to the expansion part 4, and then the expansion part 4 is inserted into the sleeve 512. Of course, the gasket 511 can be connected to the expansion part 4 and the valve cover 3 at the same time, and the present disclosure does not make specific limitations on this.

[0051] In some other embodiments, the baffle structure 51 may include a sleeve 512 and a gasket 511, the gasket 511 is located between the expansion part 4 and the valve cover 3, the sleeve 512 is sleeved on the expansion part 4, and at least the sleeve 512 of the sleeve 512 and the gasket 511 partially blocks the liquid inlet 22. For example, only the sleeve 512 may block part of the liquid inlet 22, or the sleeve 512 and the gasket 511 may jointly block part of the liquid inlet 22. Exemplarily, the gasket 511 may be located between the expansion part 4 and the valve cover 3, the position of the expansion part 4 may be raised by the gasket 511, the sleeve 512 is covered on the outer peripheral wall of the expansion part 4 and connected to the gasket 511 together with the expansion part 4. In this way, the liquid absorption position of the expansion part 4 can be raised by the sleeve 512 and the pad 511, that is, a small amount of liquid can be isolated from the expansion part 4 by the sleeve 512 and the pad 511 so as not to contact the expansion part 4, and the liquid level of the excess liquid can exceed the arrangement height of the sleeve 512 and the pad 511 so as to contact the expansion part 4, so that the expansion part 4 can absorb liquid and expand to open the control valve 1. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0052] It is understandable that the pad 511 and the sleeve 512 may be constructed of materials such as epoxy resin, aluminum, and stainless steel to isolate liquids such as condensed water from the expansion portion 4 while not reacting with the condensed water and having better durability.

[0053] In addition, the liquid blocking portion 5 may be constructed in other ways or include other structures. In some embodiments, the liquid blocking portion 5 may include a first stop structure 52 disposed on the first valve body 2, and the first stop structure 52 blocks part of the liquid inlet 22 so that the second distance mentioned above is greater than the minimum distance from the liquid inlet 22 to the liquid guide surface 23. The first stop structure 52 may be exemplarily constructed as a retaining wall, which may be connected to the liquid inlet 22 by bonding or welding to block part of the liquid inlet 22. It is understood that the retaining wall has a certain height and is connected to the bottom of the liquid inlet 22. At this time, the area of ​​the liquid inlet 22 that is higher than the top of the retaining wall is the actual liquid inlet area. Therefore, at this time, the minimum distance between the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the minimum distance between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guide surface 23. In this way, a small amount of liquid is isolated outside the drainage channel 24 by the retaining wall and cannot enter the drainage channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, while a large amount of liquid can cross the retaining wall and enter the drainage channel 24 from the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the liquid inlet 22, and then the liquid flows to the expansion part 4 in the drainage channel 24, and the expansion part 4 absorbs the liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the drainage port 25.

[0054] It can be understood that in some other possible embodiments not shown in the accompanying drawings, the above-mentioned first stop structure 52 can also be connected to the outer wall of the first valve body 2 or formed on the inner wall of the first valve body 2 of the discharge channel 24 to cover part of the liquid inlet 22, and the present disclosure does not make specific limitations on this.

[0055] In some other embodiments, reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The liquid blocking portion 5 may include a second stop structure 53 arranged on the first valve body 2, the second stop structure 53 is formed as a part of the first valve body 2, and the second stop structure 53 is located between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23. The above-mentioned second distance is the minimum distance between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23. Among them, the second stop structure 53 can be constructed as a partial structural wall of the first valve body 2, and the minimum distance between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23 in the aforementioned embodiment can be zero, while at this time the minimum distance between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23 is greater than zero, and the partial structural wall of the first valve body 2 located between the liquid inlet 22 and the liquid guiding surface 23 is the second stop structure 53. In this way, a small amount of liquid is stopped outside the discharge channel 24 by the second stop structure 53 and cannot enter the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, while a large amount of liquid can cross the second stop structure 53 and enter the discharge channel 24 from the liquid inlet 22, and then the liquid flows to the expansion part 4 in the discharge channel 24, and the expansion part 4 absorbs liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 25.

[0056] In some embodiments, the liquid blocking portion 5 may further include a third stop structure (not shown in the figure) disposed on or formed on the second valve body 6, and the third stop structure is located on the side of the avoidance port 61 facing the limiting portion 21, so that the minimum distance between the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the avoidance port 61 and the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the preset distance. The avoidance port 61 and the liquid inlet 22 are connected, and the liquid flows through the avoidance port 61 to the liquid guide surface 23, and then enters the liquid discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22. The third stop structure can also be exemplarily constructed as a retaining wall, which can be connected to the avoidance port 61 by bonding or welding. It can be understood that the retaining wall has a certain height and is connected to the bottom of the avoidance port 61. At this time, the area of ​​the avoidance port 61 above the top of the retaining wall is the actual liquid inlet area, that is, when the liquid level is higher than the retaining wall, the liquid can pass over the retaining wall to pass through the avoidance port 61 and flow to the liquid guide surface 23, so at this time, the minimum distance between the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the avoidance port 61 and the liquid guide surface 23 is greater than the preset distance. In this way, a small amount of liquid is isolated by the retaining wall outside the valve body of the second valve body 6 and cannot enter the liquid guiding surface 23 through the avoidance port 61, while a large amount of liquid can cross the retaining wall and enter the liquid guiding surface 23 from the avoidance port 61, and then enter the discharge channel 24 through the liquid inlet 22, and then the liquid flows to the expansion part 4 in the discharge channel 24, and the expansion part 4 absorbs the liquid and expands to open the control valve 1 so that the liquid is discharged from the discharge port 25.

[0057] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The limiting portion 21 may include an annular protrusion 211 arranged circumferentially around the first valve body 2, and a liquid guiding surface 23 and a limiting surface 212 are sequentially arranged radially outward on one side of the annular protrusion 211 facing the liquid inlet 22, and the limiting surface 212 abuts against the outer wall surface of the bottom wall of the housing 81. The first valve body 2 passes through the bottom wall of the housing 81, and a sealing structure such as a sealing ring is arranged on the limiting surface 212 to reduce the possibility of external water flowing back from the first valve body 2 and the bottom wall of the housing 81 into the interior. It can be understood that the height of the portion of the annular protrusion 211 where the liquid guiding surface 23 is arranged is different from that of the portion where the limiting surface 212 is arranged, so when the first valve body 2 is connected to the bottom wall of the housing 81, the liquid guiding surface 23 is flush with the inner wall surface of the bottom wall of the housing 81 or slightly higher than the inner wall surface of the bottom wall of the housing 81, so as to facilitate the flow of liquid.

[0058] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4, an elastic member 7 may be provided between the first valve body 2 and the valve cover 3 to provide elastic force for the valve cover 3 to close the drainage channel 24, and the expansion portion 4 has an installation channel for the elastic member 7 to penetrate. In this way, after the liquid is discharged to the outside of the battery pack 8 for a period of time, the expansion portion 4 dries and loses the output force to open the control valve 1. At this time, the elastic member 7 drives the valve cover 3 to move to reset and snap on the first valve seat to close the drainage channel 24. It can be understood that the elastic member 7 can be exemplarily constructed as a spring, and the opposite ends of the spring can be connected to the first valve seat and the valve cover 3 respectively. When the control valve 1 is in a closed state, the spring can be in a stretched state to provide a pulling force for the valve cover 3 toward the first valve seat, improve the stability of the valve cover 3 when it is snapped on the first valve seat, and help ensure that the control valve 1 remains in a closed state, that is, the drainage channel 24 is closed to isolate the inside and outside of the battery pack 8, and ensure the sealing of the battery pack 8. The expansion portion 4 may include multiple layers of water-absorbing swelling paper stacked in sequence, and the centers of the multiple layers of water-absorbing swelling paper are hollow to form an installation channel for the elastic member 7 to pass through.

[0059] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack 8 is provided, referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , including a shell 81, a plurality of battery cells 82, a liquid cooling plate 83 and the above control valve 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells 82 and the liquid cooling plate 83 are installed in the shell 81, and the control valve 1 is arranged on the bottom wall of the shell 81. For example, the shell 81 may include a bottom guard plate 811, and the bottom wall of the shell 81 is the bottom guard plate 811. In this way, the liquid cooling plate 83 can cool and dissipate heat for the plurality of battery cells 82, wherein the liquid cooling plate 83 and the plurality of battery cells 82 can be connected to the top of the shell 81, and when the coolant in the liquid cooling plate 83 leaks, the coolant falls to the bottom wall (bottom guard plate 811) of the shell 81 to flow to the control valve 1 and is discharged to the outside of the battery pack 8 through the control valve 1. It can be understood that the number of control valves 1 can be set to multiple, and the present disclosure exemplarily sets the number of control valves 1 to four, and the four control valves 1 are evenly distributed on the bottom wall of the shell 81 around the center of the shell 81, so as to improve the efficiency of discharging the coolant when the coolant leaks. It can be understood that the number of the control valves 1 can also be set to three, five, etc., and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0060] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, comprising the above-mentioned battery pack 8. The vehicle has all the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned battery pack 8. The vehicle may be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended-range vehicle, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not impose any special restrictions on the above-mentioned vehicles.

[0061] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0063] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A control valve, characterized in that: include: a first valve body, wherein an outwardly convex limiting portion and a liquid inlet are provided on an outer side wall of the first valve body, the limiting portion has a liquid guiding surface on a side facing the liquid inlet, the first valve body has a liquid discharge channel connected with the liquid inlet and a liquid discharge port connected with the liquid discharge channel, and the liquid guiding surface is used for liquid to flow through the liquid guiding surface and then enter the liquid discharge channel from the liquid inlet; A valve cover capable of closing or opening the drain port; an expansion portion, located in the liquid discharge channel and capable of absorbing liquid to expand, so as to drive the valve cover to move relative to the first valve body, so as to open the liquid discharge port; as well as A liquid blocking portion, wherein the liquid blocking portion is located in the liquid discharge channel or is arranged on the first valve body, and the liquid blocking portion is used to stop the liquid so that the first distance from the lowest point where the outer wall of the expansion portion contacts the liquid to the liquid guiding surface is greater than a preset distance, or the second distance between the lowest entry point of the liquid at the liquid inlet and the liquid guiding surface is greater than a preset distance.

2. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid blocking portion includes a baffle structure located in the liquid discharge channel, and the baffle structure blocks a portion of the liquid inlet so that the first distance is greater than a minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

3. The control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle structure includes a gasket, which is located between the expansion portion and the valve cover, and the gasket covers a portion of the liquid inlet.

4. The control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle structure includes a sleeve, the sleeve is sleeved on the expansion portion, and the sleeve covers a portion of the liquid inlet.

5. The control valve according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle structure includes a sleeve and a gasket, wherein the gasket is located between the expansion portion and the valve cover, the sleeve is sleeved on the expansion portion, and at least the sleeve covers a portion of the liquid inlet.

6. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid blocking portion includes a first stop structure disposed on the first valve body, and the first stop structure blocks a portion of the liquid inlet so that the second distance is greater than a minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

7. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid blocking portion includes a second stop structure arranged on the first valve body, the second stop structure forms a part of the first valve body, the second stop structure is located between the liquid inlet and the liquid guiding surface, and the second distance is the minimum distance from the liquid inlet to the liquid guiding surface.

8. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control valve also includes a second valve body, which is sleeved on the first valve body, and the second valve body and the limiting portion are used to clamp the bottom wall of the shell, and the limiting portion partially penetrates the bottom wall so that the liquid guiding surface is located in the shell, and the second valve body is provided with a avoidance port opposite to the position of the liquid inlet, and the liquid blocking portion also includes a third stop structure arranged on or formed on the second valve body, and the third stop structure is located on the side of the avoidance port facing the limiting portion, so that the minimum distance between the actual liquid inlet area of ​​the avoidance port and the liquid guiding surface is greater than the preset distance.

9. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting portion includes an annular protrusion arranged circumferentially around the first valve body, and the liquid guiding surface and the limiting surface are sequentially arranged radially outward on one side of the annular protrusion facing the liquid inlet, the limiting surface abuts against the outer wall surface of the bottom wall of the shell, and the liquid guiding surface is located inside the shell.

10. The control valve according to claim 1, characterized in that An elastic member is disposed between the first valve body and the valve cover to provide elastic force for the valve cover to close the drainage channel, and the expansion portion has a mounting channel for the elastic member to penetrate.

11. A battery pack, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell, a plurality of battery cells, a liquid cooling plate and a control valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of battery cells and the liquid cooling plate are installed in the shell, and the control valve is arranged on the bottom wall of the shell.

12. A vehicle, characterized in that: A battery pack comprising the battery pack of claim 11.