Thermal management devices, batteries and electrical equipment

Abstract

The present application discloses a thermal management device, a battery and an electrical device, belonging to the field of battery technology. The thermal management device includes a plurality of thermal management components and a delivery pipe, wherein the plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals along a first direction, and the thermal management components include a liquid cooling plate and a current collector, and the current collector is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The delivery pipe includes a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes, wherein the plurality of branch pipes are arranged at intervals along a first direction, and the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the main pipe, and the plurality of branch pipes correspond one-to-one to the current collectors of the plurality of thermal management components, and each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the branch pipe corresponding thereto. Each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the branch pipe corresponding thereto, so that each liquid cooling plate can be directly connected to the main pipe, and after the assembly of the delivery pipe is completed, a plurality of liquid cooling plates can be connected at the same time, and the assembly efficiency is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a thermal management device, a battery and an electrical device. Background Art

[0002] Energy conservation and emission reduction are the key to the sustainable development of the automobile industry. Electric vehicles have become an important part of the sustainable development of the automobile industry due to their advantages in energy conservation and environmental protection. For electric vehicles, battery technology is an important factor in their development.

[0003] How to improve the assembly efficiency of batteries is an urgent problem to be solved in battery technology. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a thermal management device, a battery and an electrical device, which can improve the assembly efficiency of the battery.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a thermal management device, wherein a plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals along a first direction, the thermal management components include a liquid cooling plate and a current collector, the current collector is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The delivery pipe includes a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes, the plurality of branch pipes are arranged at intervals along the first direction, the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the main pipe, the plurality of branch pipes correspond to the current collectors of the plurality of thermal management components one by one, and each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the branch pipe corresponding thereto.

[0006] In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, each collector is connected to the main pipe through its corresponding branch pipe, so that each liquid cooling plate can be directly connected to the main pipe. After the assembly of the delivery pipe is completed, multiple liquid cooling plates can be connected at the same time, which improves the assembly efficiency.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the thermal management device further includes a plurality of transfer tubes, the plurality of transfer tubes correspond to the plurality of branch tubes one by one, and the current collector is connected to the branch tubes through the transfer tubes.

[0008] In the above scheme, during the assembly process of the current collector and the branch pipe, the method of connecting the current collector and the branch pipe by a transfer pipe can reduce the processing accuracy standard of the current collector and the branch pipe, and at the same time reduce the risk of increased processing costs due to the need for customized processing of the current collector and / or the branch pipe. In turn, it is beneficial to reduce the production cost of the thermal management device.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the transfer tube is plugged into the branch tube along a third direction, the current collector is plugged into the transfer tube along the third direction, and the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0010] In the above scheme, the delivery pipe and the plurality of thermal management components are assembled along the third direction, so the assembly space is larger and the assembly difficulty is lower, which is conducive to improving the assembly quality rate.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the transition tube and the branch tube are interference fit, and the current collector and the transition tube are interference fit.

[0012] In the above scheme, since the adapter tube and the branch tube have an interference fit and the current collector and the adapter tube have an interference fit, the adapter tube and the branch tube, as well as the current collector and the adapter tube have a higher sealing performance, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of the thermal management device.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the first end of the transfer tube is inserted into the branch pipe section, the outer surface of the first end is provided with a first protrusion, the inner surface of the branch pipe is provided with a first groove, and the first protrusion and the first groove cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube and the branch pipe along the third direction.

[0014] In the above scheme, by providing the first protrusion and the first groove, the position limiting between the transfer tube and the branch tube can be completed while the delivery tube is inserted, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the second end of the transfer tube is inserted into the current collector, the outer surface of the second end is provided with a second protrusion, the inner surface of the current collector is provided with a second groove, and the second protrusion and the second groove cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube and the current collector along a third direction.

[0016] In the above solution, by providing the second protrusion and the second groove, the position limiting between the transfer tube and the current collector can be completed while the delivery tube is inserted, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the current collector includes a current collector body, the current collector body has a slot for inserting the transfer tube, and along the third direction, the opening of the slot faces the transfer tube.

[0018] In the above scheme, by providing the slot with the opening facing the adapter tube, the adapter tube can be plugged in one direction once to form a liquid cooling circuit with the current collector, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0019] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, a medium flow channel for accommodating a heat exchange medium is formed inside the liquid cooling plate, the collector body further comprises a confluence cavity and a flow channel, the confluence cavity is connected to the medium flow channel, and the slot is connected to the confluence cavity through the flow channel.

[0020] In the above scheme, by providing the flow channel connecting slot and the confluence cavity, the processing difficulty can be reduced, which is conducive to reducing the production cost.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the material of the current collector body is plastic, and the material of the transfer tube is metal.

[0022] In the above scheme, the metal transfer tube is conducive to improving the structural stability of the thermal management device. During the assembly process of the transfer tube and the current collector body, the plastic current collector body can absorb a certain degree of assembly tolerance, reduce the difficulty of assembly, and improve the assembly quality rate.

[0023] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the current collector further includes a connector, the connector is made of metal, the connector is connected to the current collector body, and the connector is welded to the liquid cooling plate.

[0024] In the above solution, the provision of the connecting piece can make the material of the liquid cooling plate unrestricted, which is beneficial to reducing the design difficulty and production cost of the current collector.

[0025] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, at least a portion of the connecting member is embedded in the current collector body.

[0026] In the above solution, since part of the connecting piece is embedded in the current collector body, after being connected to the current collector body and welded, the current collector and the liquid cooling plate can have a higher connection strength.

[0027] In one or more embodiments of the first aspect, the main pipe includes a first pipe section, a corrugated pipe section, and a second pipe section, the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the first pipe section, and the second pipe section is connected to the first pipe section through the corrugated pipe section.

[0028] In the above scheme, the arrangement of the bellows section can absorb a certain assembly tolerance, which is helpful to reduce the difficulty of assembly and improve the assembly quality rate.

[0029] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery, which includes the thermal management device in one or more embodiments of the first aspect, at least one battery cell is arranged between two adjacent liquid cooling plates, and the thermal management component is used to adjust the temperature of the battery cell.

[0030] In the above solution, since the thermal management device in one or more embodiments of the first aspect has a higher assembly efficiency, the battery including the thermal management device in one or more embodiments of the first aspect also has a higher assembly efficiency.

[0031] In a third aspect, the present application provides an electrical device, which includes the battery in one or more embodiments of the second aspect, and the battery is used to provide electrical energy.

[0032] In the above scheme, since the battery in one or more embodiments of the second aspect has a higher assembly efficiency, the battery of the electrical device in one or more embodiments of the second aspect also has a higher assembly efficiency.

[0033] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, which can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 An exploded view of a battery according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a battery in some embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermal management device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0039] Figure 5 An exploded diagram of a thermal management device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of a thermal management device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of the middle A;

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 6 A partial enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0043] Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of a partial structure of a thermal management device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Fig.10 Schematic cross-sectional views of some structures of thermal management devices according to other embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Fig.11 This is an axonometric view of a delivery tube according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0046] The reference numerals in the specific implementation manner are as follows:

[0047] 1000-vehicle; 200-controller; 300-motor; 100-battery; 11-box; 111-first part; 112-second part; 12-battery monomer; 13-thermal management device; 131-thermal management component; 1311-liquid cooling plate; 13111-medium flow channel; 1312-current collector; 13120-current collector body; 13121-second groove; 13122-slot; 13123-confluence chamber; 1 3124-flow channel; 13125-connecting piece; 132-delivery pipe; 1321-main pipe; 13211-first pipe section; 13212-second pipe section; 13213-corrugated pipe section; 1322-branch pipe; 13221-first groove; 133-transfer pipe; 1331-first end; 1332-second end; 1333-first protrusion; 1334-second protrusion; X-first direction; Y-second direction; Z-third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0050] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0051] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0052] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0053] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0054] In the present application, battery cells may include but are not limited to lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion primary batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries or magnesium-ion batteries, etc. The shape of the battery cell may include but is not limited to a cylinder, a flat body, a rectangular parallelepiped or other shapes, etc. The battery cell may include but is not limited to a cylindrical battery cell, a square battery cell, a soft-pack battery cell and a blade battery cell according to the packaging method.

[0055] In some high-power applications such as electric vehicles, the application of batteries includes three levels: battery cells, battery modules and batteries. The battery module is formed by electrically connecting a certain number of battery cells together and placing them in a frame in order to protect the battery cells from external impact, heat, vibration, etc. The battery refers to the final state of the battery system installed in the electric vehicle. The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module including one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity.

[0056] Batteries generally include a casing for encapsulating one or more battery cells. The casing can reduce the risk of liquid or other foreign matter affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

[0057] The following will mainly focus on the rectangular battery cell. It should be understood that the embodiments described below are also applicable to cylindrical battery cells, soft-pack battery cells, or blade battery cells in some aspects.

[0058] In order to improve the working reliability and stability of the battery, a thermal management device is usually installed in the box. The thermal management device generally includes a thermal management component and a pipe connecting different thermal management components. In some cases, the thermal management component is located at the bottom of the box and fixedly mounted on the side wall of the box. In other cases, the thermal management component is located between adjacent battery cells and fits the large surface of the battery cell. The battery cell is generally connected to the thermal management component through a thermally conductive adhesive to facilitate heat exchange between the battery cell and the thermal management component. When the temperature of the thermal management component changes, the temperature of the battery cell in contact with it changes accordingly.

[0059] The development of battery technology must take into account many design factors at the same time, such as reliability, cycle life, discharge capacity, charge and discharge rate, energy density and other performance parameters. In addition, the battery assembly efficiency must also be considered.

[0060] In the assembly process of a conventional thermal management device, the current collectors of two adjacent liquid cooling plates are first connected through a pipeline and the delivery pipe is installed. After some thermal management components are connected to each other, the current collector and the delivery pipe of one of the multiple thermal management components connected to each other are connected through a pipeline, so that the multiple thermal management components connected to each other are connected to the delivery pipe, that is, the multiple thermal management components connected to each other are connected to the heat exchange circuit. The assembly process is cumbersome and the assembly efficiency is low.

[0061] In view of this, the present application provides a thermal management device, wherein a plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals along a first direction, wherein the thermal management components include a liquid cooling plate and a current collector, wherein the current collector is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The delivery pipe includes a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes, wherein the plurality of branch pipes are arranged at intervals along the first direction, wherein the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the main pipe, wherein the plurality of branch pipes correspond one-to-one to the current collectors of the plurality of thermal management components, and each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the corresponding branch pipe. Each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the corresponding branch pipe, so that each liquid cooling plate can be directly connected to the main pipe, and after the delivery pipe is assembled, a plurality of liquid cooling plates can be connected at the same time, and the assembly efficiency is higher.

[0062] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to batteries and electrical equipment using batteries.

[0063] Electrical equipment includes, but is not limited to: battery vehicles, electric vehicles, ships, and spacecraft, etc. For example, spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.

[0064] For the convenience of description, the following embodiments are described by taking a vehicle as an example of an electrical device in an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] For example, Figure 1The schematic diagram of the structure of the vehicle 1000 of some embodiments of the present application, the vehicle 1000 can be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended-range vehicle, etc. The motor 300, the controller 200 and the battery 100 can be arranged inside the vehicle 1000, and the controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 to power the motor 300. For example, the battery 100 can be arranged at the bottom or the front or the rear of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used for powering the vehicle 1000, for example, the battery 100 can be used as the operating power supply of the vehicle 1000, for the circuit system of the vehicle 1000, for example, for the working power demand of the vehicle 1000 during startup, navigation and operation. In another embodiment of the present application, the battery 100 can not only be used as the operating power supply of the vehicle 1000, but also as the driving power supply of the vehicle 1000, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1000.

[0066] In order to meet different power requirements, the battery 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 12, wherein the plurality of battery cells 12 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection, wherein the hybrid connection refers to a mixture of series and parallel connections. The battery 100 may also be referred to as a battery pack. Optionally, a plurality of battery cells 12 may first be connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules may then be connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection to form the battery 100. In other words, a plurality of battery cells 12 may directly form the battery 100, or they may first form a battery module, and then the battery module may form the battery 100.

[0067] For example, see Figure 2 , Figure 2 1 is an exploded view of a battery 100 in some embodiments of the present application. The battery 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 12. The battery 100 may also include a housing 11. The interior of the housing 11 is a hollow structure. The plurality of battery cells 12 are accommodated in the housing 11. Figure 2 As shown, they are respectively referred to as the first part 111 and the second part 112, and the first part 111 and the second part 112 are buckled together. The shapes of the first part 111 and the second part 112 can be determined according to the shapes of the combination of multiple battery cells 12, and the first part 111 and the second part 112 can both have an opening. For example, the first part 111 and the second part 112 can both be hollow cuboids and each has only one face as an open face, the opening of the first part 111 and the opening of the second part 112 are arranged opposite to each other, and the first part 111 and the second part 112 are buckled together to form a box body 11 with a closed chamber. After the multiple battery cells 12 are connected in parallel, in series, or in a mixed combination, they are placed in the box body 11 formed by the buckling of the first part 111 and the second part 112.

[0068] Optionally, the battery 100 may also include other structures, which are not described one by one here. For example, the battery 100 may also include a busbar component, which is used to realize electrical connection between multiple battery cells 12, such as parallel connection, series connection, or mixed connection. Specifically, the busbar component can realize electrical connection between the battery cells 12 by connecting the electrode terminals of the battery cells 12. Furthermore, the busbar component can be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 12 by welding. The electrical energy of multiple battery cells 12 can be further led out through the box 11 through a conductive mechanism.

[0069] According to different power requirements, the number of battery cells 12 can be set to any value. Multiple battery cells 12 can be connected in series, parallel or hybrid to achieve a larger capacity or power. Since the number of battery cells 12 included in each battery 100 may be large, for ease of installation, the battery cells 12 can be grouped, and each group of battery cells 12 constitutes a battery module. The number of battery cells 12 included in the battery module is not limited and can be set according to demand. The battery 100 may include multiple battery modules, which can be connected in series, parallel or hybrid.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the battery 100 may further include a thermal management device 13 , and the thermal management device 13 is used to adjust the temperature of the battery cell 12 .

[0071] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 5 The present application provides a thermal management device 13, wherein a plurality of thermal management components 131 are arranged at intervals along a first direction X, wherein the thermal management component 131 includes a liquid cooling plate 1311 and a current collector 1312, wherein the current collector 1312 is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate 1311 in a second direction Y, wherein the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The delivery pipe 132 includes a main pipe 1321 and a plurality of branch pipes 1322, wherein the plurality of branch pipes 1322 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, wherein the plurality of branch pipes 1322 are all connected to the main pipe 1321, wherein the plurality of branch pipes 1322 correspond one-to-one to the current collectors 1312 of the plurality of thermal management components 131, and each current collector 1312 is connected to the main pipe 1321 through the branch pipe 1322 corresponding thereto.

[0072] The thermal management device 13 is used to adjust the temperature of the components to be heat exchanged (such as the battery cell 12 and the electronic control module). The thermal management device 13 is provided with a fluid channel for the circulation of a heat exchange medium, or an inner cavity for accommodating the heat exchange medium.

[0073] The following will focus on the fact that the components to be heat exchanged are 12 battery cells.

[0074] The heat exchange medium is generally a fluid for regulating the temperature of the battery cells 12. The fluid here can be a liquid or a gas. Regulating the temperature means heating or dissipating heat to multiple battery cells 12. In the case of dissipating heat or cooling the battery cells 12, the heat exchange medium can also be called a cooling medium or a cooling fluid, more specifically, a coolant or a cooling gas. In addition, the heat exchange medium can also heat the battery cells 12. Optionally, the fluid can be circulated to achieve a better temperature regulation effect. Optionally, the fluid can be water, a mixture of water and ethylene glycol, or air, etc.

[0075] The plurality of thermal management components 131 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, which means that a battery cell 12 can be arranged between two adjacent thermal management components 131 in the first direction X. In some embodiments, the battery cell 12 can also be arranged on one side of one of the thermal management components 131 in the first direction X, that is, in the first direction X, the thermal management component 131 is arranged on only one side of the battery cell 12.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first direction X is a thickness direction of the battery cell 12 .

[0077] The liquid cooling plate 1311 generally has a plurality of fluid channels formed therein, or has an inner cavity for accommodating a heat exchange medium. The fluid collector 1312 can gather the heat exchange medium flowing in the plurality of fluid channels so as to connect the thermal management component 131 to the heat exchange circuit through as few pipes as possible.

[0078] In some embodiments, the current collector 1312 and the liquid cooling plate 1311 are integrally formed.

[0079] In some embodiments, the material of the current collector 1312 and the material of the liquid cooling plate 1311 are both plastic, and the current collector 1312 can be integrally injection molded with the liquid cooling plate 1311. In other embodiments, the material of the current collector 1312 is plastic, and the material of the liquid cooling plate 1311 is metal, and the current collector 1312 can be connected to the liquid cooling plate 1311 by ultrasonic welding or the like.

[0080] In some embodiments, the current collector 1312 may be bonded to the liquid cooling plate 1311 .

[0081] In some embodiments, current collectors 1312 are disposed at both ends of the liquid cooling plate 1311 in the second direction Y.

[0082] The delivery pipe 132 is generally connected to a driving part such as a pump, and the heat exchange medium is generally input into the thermal management component 131 through the delivery pipe 132. After the heat exchange medium flows through the thermal management component 131, it flows out of the thermal management device 13 through the delivery pipe 132. In the process of the heat exchange medium flowing through the thermal management component 131, heat exchange between the heat exchange medium and the battery cell 12 can be achieved.

[0083] The main pipe 1321 and the multiple branch pipes 1322 can be formed as one piece, and the multiple branch pipes 1322 can also be plugged into the main pipe 1321. In the embodiment where the multiple branch pipes 1322 are plugged into the main pipe 1321, the plug-in assembly of the main pipe 1321 and the multiple branch pipes 1322 can be completed in advance, and then the main pipe 1321 and the multiple branch pipes 1322 can be assembled as a whole into the thermal management device 13.

[0084] In some embodiments, the delivery tube 132 includes an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer is sleeved on the inner layer, the hardness of the outer layer is greater than the hardness of the inner layer, for example, the material of the outer layer may include but is not limited to polyamide, and the material of the inner layer may include but is not limited to polyethylene. The outer layer and the inner layer may be formed by two-color injection molding.

[0085] Each current collector 1312 is connected to the main pipe 1321 through its corresponding branch pipe 1322, which means that each thermal management component 131 can be connected to the heat exchange circuit at the same time as the delivery pipe 132 is assembled. In other words, the assembly process of connecting adjacent thermal management components 131 to each other can be omitted. For example, the delivery pipe 132 and each thermal management component 131 can be connected by plugging. After positioning multiple thermal management components 131, the assembly of the thermal management device 13 can be completed by plugging the delivery pipe 132 once. On the other hand, since each current collector 1312 is connected to the main pipe 1321 through its corresponding branch pipe 1322, it means that the heat exchange medium before heat exchange can flow into each liquid cooling plate 1311 in time, and the heat exchange medium after heat exchange can also flow out of each liquid cooling plate 1311 and flow into the main pipe 1321 in time, which reduces the risk of the heat exchange effect being deteriorated due to the heat exchange medium continuing to flow through the remaining liquid cooling plates 1311 after heat exchange.

[0086] In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, each collector 1312 is connected to the main pipe 1321 through its corresponding branch pipe 1322, so that each liquid cooling plate 1311 can be directly connected to the main pipe 1321. After the assembly of the delivery pipe 132 is completed, multiple liquid cooling plates 1311 can be connected at the same time, and the assembly efficiency is higher.

[0087] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 5 The thermal management device 13 further includes a plurality of transfer tubes 133 , the plurality of transfer tubes 133 correspond to the plurality of branch tubes 1322 one by one, and the current collector 1312 is connected to the branch tubes 1322 through the transfer tubes 133 .

[0088] Since the delivery tube 132 will connect multiple thermal management components 131, in order to reduce assembly errors, it is generally necessary to make the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322 have a high processing accuracy. In addition, the shapes of the current collector 1312 and the delivery tube 132 are generally complex, requiring customized processing, which is costly. However, by using a transfer tube 133 to connect the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322, only the transfer tube 133 with a relatively regular shape can be processed to achieve the connection between the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322. In some embodiments, the transfer tube 133 can be a standard part.

[0089] In some embodiments, the transfer tube 133 and the current collector 1312 may be formed by inlay casting. In other embodiments, the branch tube 1322 and the transfer tube 133 may be formed by inlay casting. In other embodiments, the transfer tube 133, the branch tube 1322 and the current collector 1312 are formed separately and then connected to form a loop.

[0090] In the above scheme, during the assembly process of the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322, the method of connecting the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322 with the adapter pipe 133 can reduce the processing accuracy standard of the current collector 1312 and the branch pipe 1322, and at the same time reduce the risk of increased processing costs due to the need for customized processing of the current collector 1312 and / or the branch pipe 1322. In turn, it is beneficial to reduce the production cost of the thermal management device 13.

[0091] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 5 The transfer tube 133 is plugged into the branch tube 1322 along the third direction Z, and the current collector 1312 is plugged into the transfer tube 133 along the third direction Z. The third direction Z, the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular to each other.

[0092] Please refer to Figure 3 Generally, in order to make the battery 100 have a higher energy density, the distance between adjacent battery cells 12 in the first direction X is designed to be as small as possible. After the thermal management components 131 are arranged between adjacent battery cells 12, the distance between adjacent thermal management components 131 is naturally smaller. The transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 are plugged in along the third direction Z, so that the assembly can be completed in a larger assembly space.

[0093] In the above solution, the delivery pipe 132 and the plurality of thermal management components 131 are assembled along the third direction Z, so that the assembly space is larger and the assembly difficulty is lower, which is conducive to improving the assembly quality rate.

[0094] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 5 The transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 are interference fit, and the collector 1312 and the transfer tube 133 are interference fit.

[0095] The transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 are interference fit, which means that one is inserted into the inside of the other.

[0096] The current collector 1312 and the transfer tube 133 are interference fit, which means that one is inserted into the inside of the other.

[0097] The first connector is inserted into the second connector in a plug-in fit. Interference fit means that the outer diameter of the first connector is larger than the inner diameter of the second connector. Interference fit can also mean that the first connector is pressed into the second connector to form a tight fit. This fit generates elastic pressure between the two connectors, thereby obtaining a tight connection.

[0098] In the above solution, since the transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 are interference fit and the current collector 1312 and the transfer tube 133 are interference fit, the transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 and the current collector 1312 and the transfer tube 133 have a high sealing performance, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of the thermal management device 13. That is, the thermal management device 13 has a high assembly efficiency and a high sealing performance.

[0099] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 7 The first end 1331 of the transfer tube 133 is inserted into the branch tube 1322 section, the outer surface of the first end 1331 is provided with a first protrusion 1333, and the inner surface of the branch tube 1322 is provided with a first groove 13221. The first protrusion 1333 and the first groove 13221 cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 along the third direction Z.

[0100] The first protrusion 1333 may be an annular flange or a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals. Correspondingly, the first groove 13221 may be an annular groove or a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals.

[0101] During the process of plugging the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133, due to the setting of the first protrusion 1333 and the first groove 13221, there is no need to accurately position the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133. The first protrusion 1333 and the first groove 13221 can be engaged to achieve the positioning of the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133.

[0102] In the above solution, by providing the first protrusion 1333 and the first groove 13221 , the position limiting between the transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 can be completed while the delivery tube 132 is inserted, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0103] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 8The second end 1332 of the transfer tube 133 is inserted into the current collector 1312, the outer surface of the second end 1332 is provided with a second protrusion 1334, and the inner surface of the current collector 1312 is provided with a second groove 13121, and the second protrusion 1334 and the second groove 13121 cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube 133 and the current collector 1312 along the third direction Z.

[0104] The second protrusion 1334 may be an annular flange or a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals. Correspondingly, the second groove 13121 may be an annular groove or a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals.

[0105] During the process of plugging the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133, due to the arrangement of the second protrusion 1334 and the second groove 13121, there is no need to precisely position the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133. The second protrusion 1334 and the second groove 13121 can be engaged to achieve the positioning of the branch pipe 1322 and the adapter tube 133.

[0106] In the above solution, by providing the second protrusion 1334 and the second groove 13121 , the position limiting between the transfer tube 133 and the current collector 1312 can be completed while the delivery tube 132 is inserted, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0107] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 8 The current collector 1312 includes a current collector body 13120 , and the current collector body 13120 has a slot 13122 for inserting the transfer tube 133 . Along the third direction Z, the opening of the slot 13122 faces the transfer tube 133 .

[0108] In some embodiments, the slot 13122 can be formed by machining. In other embodiments, the slot 13122 can be integrally injection molded with the current collector body 13120 .

[0109] The slot 13122 means that only one end is open, and the other end corresponding to the opening is closed. That is, the transfer tube 133 can form a loop after being inserted into the open end, without blocking the other end opposite to the opening.

[0110] In the above solution, by setting the slot 13122 with the opening facing the adapter tube 133, the adapter tube 133 can form a liquid cooling circuit with the collector 1312 by one-way plugging, and the assembly efficiency is high.

[0111] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 9A medium flow channel 13111 for accommodating a heat exchange medium is formed inside the liquid cooling plate 1311. The current collector body 13120 also has a confluence cavity 13123 and a flow channel 13124. The confluence cavity 13123 is connected to the medium flow channel 13111. The slot 13122 is connected to the confluence cavity 13123 through the flow channel 13124.

[0112] The confluence cavity 13123 can converge the heat exchange medium flowing in one or more fluid channels in the liquid cooling plate 1311 therein, so as to facilitate the connection between the heat management component 131 and the heat exchange circuit from the end of the heat management component 131 .

[0113] In some implementations, the medium flow channel 13111 may be formed by a plurality of fluid channels, and the liquid cooling plate 1311 may also be referred to as a harmonica tube. In some embodiments, the liquid cooling plate 1311 may also be in the shape of a circular tube, with only one fluid channel inside.

[0114] In some embodiments, the current collector body 13120 may be a cover, which is disposed on the end of the liquid cooling plate 1311 .

[0115] In some embodiments, the flow channel 13124 is a hole, which can be formed once by machining from the opening of the current collector body 13120. In other embodiments, the flow channel 13124 can be formed simultaneously when the current collector 1312 is formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0116] In the above solution, by providing the flow channel 13124 to connect the slot 13122 and the confluence cavity 13123, the processing difficulty can be reduced, which is conducive to reducing the production cost.

[0117] According to some embodiments of the present application, the material of the current collector body 13120 is plastic, and the material of the transfer tube 133 is metal.

[0118] The material of the transfer tube 133 is metal, which means that it can provide a certain structural strength for the thermal management device 13. For example, when the battery 100 is shaking, the metal transfer tube 133 can keep the shape of the thermal management device 13 basically unchanged, so that the heat exchange medium can stably exchange heat with the battery cell 12.

[0119] The material of the current collector body 13120 is plastic, which means that it has strong elastic deformation ability and can absorb certain assembly errors during the assembly process.

[0120] The current collector body 13120 may also include an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer is sleeved on the inner layer, the outer layer has a greater hardness than the inner layer, for example, the material of the outer layer may include but is not limited to polyamide, and the material of the inner layer may include but is not limited to polyethylene. The outer layer and the inner layer may be formed by two-color injection molding.

[0121] The material of the transfer tube 133 may include but is not limited to copper, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.

[0122] The material of the current collector body 13120 may include polyamide, polyethylene, a composite material formed by polyamide and polyethylene, etc.

[0123] In the above scheme, the metal transfer tube 133 is beneficial to improving the structural stability of the thermal management device 13. During the assembly process of the transfer tube 133 and the current collector body 13120, the plastic current collector body 13120 can absorb a certain degree of assembly tolerance, reduce the assembly difficulty, and improve the assembly quality rate.

[0124] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4 and Fig.10 The current collector 1312 also includes a connector 13125 . The connector 13125 is made of metal. The connector 13125 is connected to the current collector body 13120 . The connector 13125 is welded to the liquid cooling plate 1311 .

[0125] The material of the connector 13125 is metal, which means that the material of the liquid cooling plate 1311 can be metal and the current collector 1312 can be connected to the liquid cooling plate 1311 by welding. For example, the connection between the current collector 1312 and the liquid cooling plate 1311 can be achieved by a mature process such as laser wire welding.

[0126] In some embodiments, the material of the current collector body 13120 is metal, and the connector 13125 can be connected to the current collector body 13120 by welding or other methods.

[0127] In the above solution, the provision of the connecting member 13125 can make the material of the liquid cooling plate 1311 unrestricted, which is beneficial to reducing the design difficulty and production cost of the current collector 1312.

[0128] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4 and Fig.10 , at least a portion of the connecting piece 13125 is embedded in the current collector body 13120 .

[0129] In some embodiments, the connector 13125 can be formed together with the current collector 1312 by insert casting.

[0130] In the above solution, since part of the connecting member 13125 is embedded in the current collector body 13120 , after being connected to the current collector body 13120 and welded, the current collector 1312 and the liquid cooling plate 1311 can have a higher connection strength.

[0131] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4 and Fig.11The main pipe 1321 includes a first pipe section 13211 , a corrugated pipe section 13213 and a second pipe section 13212 . The plurality of branch pipes 1322 are all connected to the first pipe section 13211 , and the second pipe section 13212 is connected to the first pipe section 13211 through the corrugated pipe section 13213 .

[0132] Fig.11 Only a portion of the delivery tube 132 is shown. In some embodiments, the delivery tube 132 may include multiple Fig.11 The structure shown in FIG. Fig.11 The structure shown in FIG. 1 is an axial array along the main pipe 1321, and adjacent second pipe sections 13212 are connected to each other.

[0133] The first pipe section 13211 is straight and not easily deformed, and can be used to form a stable connection with the branch pipe 1322. The corrugated pipe section 13213 is corrugated and has a certain expansion and contraction ability during assembly, and can absorb assembly tolerances.

[0134] In the above scheme, the setting of the bellows section 13213 can absorb a certain assembly tolerance, which is beneficial to reducing the difficulty of assembly and improving the assembly quality rate.

[0135] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The present application provides a battery 100 , which includes a thermal management device 13 in one or more of the above embodiments, at least one battery cell 12 is arranged between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 1311 , and the thermal management component 131 is used to adjust the temperature of the battery cell 12 .

[0136] In the above solution, since the thermal management device 13 in one or more of the above embodiments has a higher assembly efficiency, the battery 100 including the thermal management device 13 in one or more of the above embodiments also has a higher assembly efficiency.

[0137] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1 The present application provides an electrical device, which includes the battery 100 in one or more of the above embodiments, and the battery 100 is used to provide electrical energy.

[0138] In the above solution, since the battery 100 in one or more of the above embodiments has a higher assembly efficiency, the battery 100 of the electric device including one or more of the above embodiments also has a higher assembly efficiency.

[0139] According to some embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 4-Figure 9The present application provides a thermal management device 13, wherein a plurality of thermal management components 131 are arranged at intervals along a first direction X, the thermal management component 131 comprises a liquid cooling plate 1311, a current collector 1312 and a plurality of transfer tubes 133, the current collector 1312 is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate 1311 in a second direction Y, and the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X. The delivery pipe 132 comprises a main pipe 1321 and a plurality of branch pipes 1322, the plurality of branch pipes 1322 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X, the plurality of branch pipes 1322 correspond to the current collectors 1312 of the plurality of thermal management components 131 one by one, the main pipe 1321 comprises a first pipe section 13211, a corrugated pipe section 13213 and a second pipe section 13212, the plurality of branch pipes 1322 are all connected to the first pipe section 13211, and the second pipe section 13212 is connected to the first pipe section 13211 through the corrugated pipe section 13213. The multiple transfer tubes 133 correspond to the multiple branch tubes 1322 one by one. The transfer tubes 133 and the branch tubes 1322 are plugged in along the third direction Z. The collector 1312 and the transfer tubes 133 are plugged in along the third direction Z. The third direction Z, the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular to each other.

[0140] The transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 are interference fit, and the current collector 1312 and the transfer tube 133 are interference fit.

[0141] The first end 1331 of the transfer tube 133 is inserted into the branch tube 1322, the outer surface of the first end 1331 is provided with a first protrusion 1333, the inner surface of the branch tube 1322 is provided with a first groove 13221, the first protrusion 1333 and the first groove 13221 cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube 133 and the branch tube 1322 along the third direction Z. The second end 1332 of the transfer tube 133 is inserted into the current collector 1312, the outer surface of the second end 1332 is provided with a second protrusion 1334, the inner surface of the current collector 1312 is provided with a second groove 13121, the second protrusion 1334 and the second groove 13121 cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube 133 and the current collector 1312 along the third direction Z.

[0142] The current collector 1312 includes a current collector body 13120, which has a slot 13122 for inserting the transfer tube 133, and along the third direction Z, the opening of the slot 13122 faces the transfer tube 133. A medium flow channel 13111 for accommodating a heat exchange medium is formed inside the liquid cooling plate 1311, and the current collector body 13120 also has a confluence cavity 13123 and a flow channel 13124, the confluence cavity 13123 is connected to the medium flow channel 13111, and the slot 13122 is connected to the confluence cavity 13123 through the flow channel 13124. The material of the current collector body 13120 is plastic, and the material of the transfer tube 133 is metal.

[0143] The assembly process of the thermal management device 13 is as follows: first, pre-position multiple thermal management components 131 along the first direction X, insert the adapter tube 133 into the corresponding slot 13122, insert the delivery tube 132 along the third direction Z, and complete the assembly of the thermal management device 13 after the first groove 13221 and the first protrusion 1333 and the second groove 13121 and the second protrusion 1334 are matched. Since the material of the collector 1312 and the delivery tube 132 is plastic, and the bellows section 13213 is provided, a certain assembly tolerance can be absorbed while inserting the delivery tube 132. While completing the assembly of the thermal management device 13 with a higher assembly efficiency, the assembly efficiency of the thermal management device 13 can also be improved to a certain extent.

[0144] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and specification of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A thermal management device, characterized in that: include: A plurality of thermal management components, the plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals along a first direction, the thermal management components include a liquid cooling plate and a current collector, the current collector is connected to one end of the liquid cooling plate in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The delivery pipe includes a main pipe and a plurality of branch pipes, wherein the plurality of branch pipes are arranged at intervals along the first direction, the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the main pipe, the plurality of branch pipes correspond one-to-one to the current collectors of the plurality of thermal management components, and each current collector is connected to the main pipe through the corresponding branch pipe.

2. The thermal management device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermal management device further includes a plurality of transfer tubes, the plurality of transfer tubes correspond to the plurality of branch tubes one by one, and the current collector is connected to the branch tubes through the transfer tubes.

3. The thermal management device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transfer tube is plugged into the branch tube along a third direction, the current collector is plugged into the transfer tube along the third direction, and the third direction, the second direction and the first direction are perpendicular to each other.

4. The thermal management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transfer tube is interference fit with the branch tube, and the current collector is interference fit with the transfer tube.

5. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first end of the transfer tube is inserted into the branch pipe section, the outer surface of the first end is provided with a first protrusion, the inner surface of the branch pipe is provided with a first groove, the first protrusion and the first groove cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube and the branch pipe along the third direction.

6. The thermal management device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second end of the transfer tube is inserted into the current collector, a second protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the second end, a second groove is provided on the inner surface of the current collector, and the second protrusion and the second groove cooperate with each other to limit the relative movement of the transfer tube and the current collector along the third direction.

7. The thermal management device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The current collector includes a current collector body having a slot for inserting the transfer tube, and along the third direction, an opening of the slot faces the transfer tube.

8. The thermal management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A medium flow channel for accommodating a heat exchange medium is formed inside the liquid cooling plate. The current collector body further comprises a confluence cavity and a flow channel. The confluence cavity is communicated with the medium flow channel. The slot is communicated with the confluence cavity through the flow channel.

9. The thermal management device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The material of the current collector body is plastic, and the material of the transfer tube is metal.

10. The thermal management device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The current collector further includes a connecting piece, the connecting piece is made of metal, the connecting piece is connected to the current collector body, and the connecting piece is welded to the liquid cooling plate.

11. The thermal management device according to claim 10, characterized in that: At least a portion of the connecting member is embedded in the current collector body.

12. The thermal management device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The main pipe includes a first pipe section, a corrugated pipe section, and a second pipe section. The plurality of branch pipes are all connected to the first pipe section, and the second pipe section is connected to the first pipe section through the corrugated pipe section.

13. A battery, characterized in that: include: Battery cells; According to the thermal management device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, at least one battery cell is arranged between two adjacent liquid cooling plates, and the thermal management component is used to adjust the temperature of the battery cell.

14. An electrical device, characterized in that: Comprising a battery as claimed in claim 13, the battery is used to provide electrical energy.

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