Battery module cooling structure and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides a battery module cooling structure and a battery pack. The battery module cooling structure provided by the utility model is arranged in a shell of a battery pack, and comprises a shunt, a cooling liquid circulating pipeline and a cooling liquid circulating pipeline, the current collector is provided with a liquid inlet communicated with the cooling liquid circulating pipeline; two current collectors are arranged on two opposite sides of the current divider, or two current dividers are arranged on two opposite sides of the current collector; a battery module is arranged between the current divider and the current collector, and when cooling liquid flows to the liquid inlet from the liquid outlet, heat transfer is formed between the cooling liquid and the battery module. According to the battery module cooling structure disclosed by the utility model, the current divider and the current collector are arranged in the shell of the battery pack, so that the cooling liquid can soak the battery module and circularly flow in the shell, and the cooling and heat dissipation of the battery module are realized, thereby improving the cooling effect of the battery module and being beneficial to improving the use quality of the battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of electric vehicles, the thermal safety of electric vehicle power batteries has become one of the important performance indicators of electric vehicles. In power batteries, the battery pack shell is equipped with multiple cells arranged in a certain arrangement. When the power battery is working, since each cell is arranged in a relatively small shell, heat will accumulate and cause the temperature in the battery pack to exceed its normal operating temperature. If the heat cannot be dissipated in time, it will cause the battery performance to decay faster, reduce the service life and even cause the battery to catch fire. Therefore, it is particularly important to dissipate the heat of the cells in the battery pack.

[0003] At present, the cooling methods commonly used for the battery modules of the battery pack include: passive air cooling, active air cooling, and active cooling with liquid cooling plates. Among them, passive air cooling usually sets heat dissipation fins on the battery pack shell. The battery module and the battery pack shell are tightly fitted to form a transfer. When the air flows through the heat dissipation fins, it can take away the heat generated by the battery module, but the cooling effect of passive air cooling is poor. Active air cooling relies on the cooling fan to cool the battery module. Since it only relies on air for heat dissipation, its cooling effect is also poor, and it is difficult to ensure the sealing of the battery pack. When using a liquid cooling plate for active cooling, it is usually difficult to completely fit the liquid cooling plate on the outer surface of the battery module, and there is still a problem of poor cooling effect, which is not conducive to improving the quality of the battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the utility model aims to provide a battery module cooling structure, which can improve the cooling effect on the battery module, thereby facilitating improving the use quality of the battery pack.

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

[0006] A battery module cooling structure is arranged in a battery pack shell, comprising: a diverter, the diverter is provided with a liquid outlet connected to a coolant circulation pipeline; a collector, the collector is provided with a liquid inlet connected to the coolant circulation pipeline; two collectors are provided on opposite sides of the diverter, or two diverters are provided on opposite sides of the collector; a battery module is arranged between the diverter and the collector, and when the coolant flows from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet, the coolant forms heat transfer with the battery module.

[0007] Furthermore, the flow divider and the current collector are arranged in the shell along the length direction of the shell.

[0008] Furthermore, the current divider and the current collector are arranged in parallel with each other.

[0009] Furthermore, the flow divider and / or the flow collector is constructed as a plate-like structure; the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet are arranged on two opposite sides of the flow divider and the flow collector.

[0010] Further, the liquid outlets are arranged in a lattice shape and spaced apart along the length direction of the diverter; and / or the liquid inlet is arranged in a lattice shape and spaced apart along the length direction of the collector.

[0011] Furthermore, the flow divider is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline via a first connecting pipe, and the collector is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline via a second connecting pipe; the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe both pass through the same end surface of the shell.

[0012] Furthermore, at least part of the first connecting pipe is integrated inside the diverter;

[0013] The second connecting pipe includes an integrated section at least partially integrated on the flow divider, and a connecting section connected between the flow divider and the collector, and the integrated section is in communication with the coolant circulation pipeline.

[0014] Furthermore, at least one connecting section is connected between the current collector and the current divider.

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

[0016] The battery module cooling structure described in the utility model can allow the coolant to immerse the battery module and circulate inside the shell by arranging a diverter and a collector inside the shell of the battery pack, thereby realizing cooling and heat dissipation of the battery module, thereby improving the cooling effect of the battery module and helping to improve the use quality of the battery pack.

[0017] The diverter and the collector are arranged in the shell along the length direction of the shell, which can reduce the distance between the diverter and the collector, shorten the flow path of the coolant, thereby accelerating the circulation of the coolant and improving the cooling efficiency of the battery module.

[0018] The diverter and the collector are arranged parallel to each other, and the main flow direction of the coolant is perpendicular to the diverter and the collector, which enables the coolant to pass through the battery module more smoothly, improving the smoothness of the coolant flow. At the same time, the flow distance of the coolant at different positions remains consistent, ensuring the consistency of the cooling effect.

[0019] The flow divider and the current collector are constructed into a plate-like structure, and the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet are arranged on two opposite sides of the flow divider and the current collector, so that the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet point to each other, and the coolant flowing out through the liquid outlet can flow directly into the liquid inlet, thereby improving the smoothness of the coolant flow. In addition, the flow divider and the current collector are constructed into a plate-like structure, which can reduce the occupation of the internal space of the battery pack shell by the two.

[0020] The liquid outlets and the liquid inlets are arranged at intervals in a lattice shape. By providing a plurality of liquid outlets and liquid inlets arranged in a lattice shape, the flow rate of the coolant can be increased, and the circulation speed of the coolant can be increased, thereby improving the cooling effect and the cooling water circulation speed.

[0021] The flow divider is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline through a first connecting pipe, and the flow collector is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline through a second connecting pipe, and the first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe both pass through the same end surface of the shell, thereby concentrating the connecting ends of the two connecting pipes on one side of the shell to facilitate connection with the coolant circulation pipeline, and at the same time facilitate maintenance and repair of the two connecting pipes.

[0022] At least part of the first connecting pipe is integrated inside the flow divider, and the second connecting pipe includes an integrated section at least partly integrated on the flow divider, and a connecting section connected between the flow divider and the collector, and the integrated section is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline, so that the two connecting ends of the two connecting pipes can be concentrated together to facilitate communication with the coolant circulation pipeline. At the same time, the first connecting pipe and the integrated section are integrated in the flow divider, so that the coolant with a lower temperature in the flow divider can preliminarily cool the coolant with a higher temperature flowing back to the coolant circulation pipeline, thereby improving the circulation efficiency of the coolant.

[0023] At least one connecting section is connected between the collector and the divider to increase the flow rate of the coolant flowing back to the coolant circulation pipeline and ensure that the coolant can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the shell.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack, in which the battery module cooling structure as described above is provided.

[0025] Furthermore, the battery modules are configured to be arranged in multiple rows and columns at intervals, so that the coolant can flow through the gaps between the battery modules and fully contact the outer surface of the battery module, thereby increasing the heat exchange area and thus improving the cooling effect and cooling efficiency.

[0026] The battery pack and / or battery module cooling structure described in the present invention has the same technical effects as those of the prior art, and will not be described in detail herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings constituting a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the battery module cooling structure according to the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 The utility model Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at the position indicated by AA;

[0030] Figure 3 The utility model Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at the position indicated by BB;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the battery module cooling structure according to the first embodiment of the utility model is arranged in a housing;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the battery module cooling structure and the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 6 For the utility model Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the flow of coolant between battery modules at position A;

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 1. flow divider; 101. liquid outlet;

[0036] 2. Current collector; 201. Liquid inlet;

[0037] 3. Battery module; 301. Large side; 302. Small side;

[0038] 4. Shell; 5. First connecting pipe; 6. Integrated section; 7. Connecting section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0040] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if there are terms such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating orientation or positional relationship, they are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, if there are terms such as "first" and "second", they are also used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection" and "connector" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in combination with specific circumstances.

[0042] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments.

[0043] Embodiment 1

[0044] This embodiment relates to a battery module cooling structure, which can cool and dissipate heat from the battery module 3 inside the battery pack. In terms of overall structure, Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the battery module cooling structure of this embodiment is arranged in the shell 4 of the battery pack, including a diverter 1 and a collector 2.

[0045] The flow divider 1 is provided with a liquid outlet 101 connected to the coolant circulation pipeline, and the flow collector 2 is provided with a liquid inlet 201 connected to the coolant circulation pipeline. Two flow collectors 2 are provided on opposite sides of the flow divider 1, or two flow dividers 1 are provided on opposite sides of the flow collector 2, and a battery module 3 is provided between the flow divider 1 and the flow collector 2. When the coolant flows from the liquid outlet 101 to the liquid inlet 201, the coolant forms heat transfer with the battery module 3.

[0046] It can be understood that when the coolant flows out from the liquid outlet 101 of the diverter 1, the coolant can enter the shell 4 of the battery pack, and the coolant is in full contact with the outer side surfaces of the battery module 3 to exchange heat. Compared with the cooling method using air cooling or liquid cooling plate in the prior art, it has a larger heat exchange area and can also avoid excessive overall temperature difference of a single battery module 3, thereby improving the cooling and heat dissipation effect.

[0047] And the coolant in the battery pack can flow back to the current collector 2 through the liquid inlet 201, so as to realize the circulation of the coolant in the battery pack housing 4. In addition, by arranging the current collector 2 on opposite sides of the diverter 1, or arranging the diverter 1 on opposite sides of the current collector 2, the distance between the diverter 1 and the current collector 2 can be reduced, the circulation speed of the coolant can be increased, and the cooling effect can be improved.

[0048] As described above, by arranging the diverter 1 and the collector 2 in the shell 4 of the battery pack, the coolant can be immersed in the battery module 3 and circulate inside the shell 4 to achieve cooling and heat dissipation of the battery module 3, thereby improving the cooling effect on the battery module 3 and improving the use quality of the battery pack.

[0049] Based on the above overall introduction, continue to combine Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, specifically, the flow channels for the coolant to pass through are constructed inside the flow divider 1 and the current collector 2 of this embodiment, and the liquid outlet 101 and the liquid inlet 201 are connected to the corresponding flow channels. Since the battery module 3 is immersed in the coolant, in order to prevent the battery module 3 from malfunctioning due to leakage during operation, the battery module 3 and the electrical components in the battery pack shell 4 of this embodiment that are in contact with the coolant are waterproofed. At the same time, the coolant used in this embodiment is a conventional coolant with good insulation effect that is well known to those skilled in the art, such as mineral oil, fluorinated liquid, etc., which can cool the battery module 3 while having good insulation.

[0050] In addition, in a specific implementation, the shell 4 of the battery pack can be divided into two parts, the larger part is used to accommodate the battery module cooling structure and the battery module 3, and the smaller part is used to accommodate other electrical components. At the same time, an explosion-proof valve can be provided on the shell 4 to prevent the shell 4 from exploding due to the inability to relieve pressure when the internal pressure of the shell 4 increases due to thermal runaway of the battery pack.

[0051] In addition, it is understandable that when the battery module 3 is working, the coolant is heated due to the heat generated by the battery module 3, and the volume of the coolant in the shell 4 will increase accordingly due to the increase in its temperature, which will cause the pressure in the shell 4 to increase. In order to avoid excessive pressure in the shell 4, the coolant with a higher temperature that has undergone heat exchange with the battery module 3 needs to be discharged from the outside of the battery pack shell 4 in time. Therefore, in order to improve the discharge efficiency of the coolant, in the specific implementation, the battery module cooling structure of this embodiment adopts an arrangement form of arranging two collectors 2 on opposite sides of the diverter 1. By arranging two collectors 2, the discharge flow of the coolant is increased, thereby preventing the internal pressure of the shell 4 from being too high due to the increase in the temperature of the coolant.

[0052] In order to further improve the cooling effect of the coolant on the battery module 3, the diverter 1 and the collector 2 of this embodiment are arranged in the shell 4 along the length direction of the shell 4. It can be understood that the diverter 1 and the collector 2 are arranged along the length direction of the shell 4 so that the width of the shell 4 corresponds to the distance between the diverter 1 and the collector 2, which reduces the flow path of the coolant, thereby accelerating the circulation of the coolant and improving the cooling efficiency of the battery module 3. In addition, by the above arrangement, while reducing the flow path of the coolant, the coverage area of ​​the coolant flow is also increased, so that the coolant can fully cool the battery module 3.

[0053] In order to ensure the smooth flow of the coolant, the diverter 1 and the collector 2 of the present embodiment are arranged parallel to each other, so that the main flow direction of the coolant is perpendicular to the diverter 1 and the collector 2, which can enable the coolant to pass through the battery module 3 more smoothly, thereby improving the smoothness of the flow of the coolant. At the same time, the flow distance of the coolant at different positions is kept consistent, thereby ensuring the consistency of the cooling effect.

[0054] In order to further improve the smoothness of the flow of the coolant, the diverter 1 and the collector 2 of this embodiment are constructed into a plate-like structure, and at the same time, the liquid outlet 101 and the liquid inlet 201 are arranged on two opposite sides of the diverter 1 and the collector 2. In this way, the liquid outlet 101 and the liquid inlet 201 point to each other, and the coolant flowing out through the liquid outlet 101 can flow directly into the liquid inlet 201, thereby improving the smoothness of the flow of the coolant. In addition, the diverter 1 and the collector 2 are constructed into a plate shape, which can reduce the occupation of the internal space of the battery pack shell 4 by the two, thereby improving the compactness of the battery module cooling structure of this embodiment, and then reducing the overall volume of the battery pack.

[0055] In order to increase the flow rate of the coolant and improve the cooling effect, the liquid outlets 101 of this embodiment are arranged in a lattice along the length of the flow divider 1, and the liquid inlet 201 is arranged in a lattice along the length of the collector 2. By providing a plurality of liquid outlets 101 and liquid inlet 201 arranged in a lattice, the flow rate of the coolant can be increased, and the circulation speed of the coolant can be increased, thereby improving the cooling effect and the cooling water circulation speed.

[0056] In order to facilitate the connection between the flow divider 1 and the flow collector 2 and the coolant circulation pipeline, as shown in Figure 1 , Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the flow divider 1 is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline through the first connecting pipe 5, and the collector 2 is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline through the second connecting pipe, and the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe penetrate the same end face of the shell 4. The first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe penetrate the same end face of the shell 4, so that the connection ends of the two connecting pipes can be concentrated on one side of the shell 4, so as to be connected to the coolant circulation pipeline, and at the same time, it is convenient to maintain and repair the two connecting pipes.

[0057] Specifically, in order to further facilitate the connection between the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe and the coolant circulation pipeline, as Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, at least part of the first connecting pipe 5 of this embodiment is integrated inside the flow divider 1, so that each liquid outlet 101 is connected to the first connecting pipe 5. The second connecting pipe includes an integrated section 6 at least partially integrated on the flow divider 1, and a connecting section 7 connected between the flow divider 1 and the collector 2, and the integrated section 6 is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline. The coolant flowing into the collector 2 through the liquid inlet 201 can enter the connecting section 7, and enter the coolant circulation pipeline from the connecting section 7 through the integrated section 6.

[0058] Thus, the two connection ends of the first connecting pipe 5 and the second connecting pipe can be brought together to facilitate communication with the coolant circulation pipeline. At the same time, the first connecting pipe 5 and the integrated section 6 are integrated in the diverter 1, so that the coolant with a lower temperature in the diverter 1 can preliminarily cool the coolant with a higher temperature flowing back to the coolant circulation pipeline, thereby improving the circulation efficiency of the coolant. In a specific implementation, the coolant circulation pipeline includes a liquid supply pipe and a liquid outlet pipe, the liquid supply pipe is connected to the first connecting pipe 5, and the liquid outlet pipe is connected to the integrated section 6 of the second connecting pipe.

[0059] In order to ensure that the coolant in the shell 4 can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the shell 4, at least one connecting section 7 is connected between the collector 2 and the diverter 1 of this embodiment. In the specific implementation, the collector 2 and the diverter 1 are connected by two connecting sections 7 to increase the flow rate of the coolant flowing back to the coolant circulation pipeline, thereby ensuring that the coolant can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the shell 4.

[0060] In summary, the battery module cooling structure of the present embodiment, by arranging the diverter 1 and the collector 2 in the shell 4 of the battery pack, can allow the coolant to immerse the battery module 3 and circulate inside the shell 4, thereby realizing cooling and heat dissipation of the battery module 3, thereby improving the cooling effect on the battery module 3, which is beneficial to improving the use quality of the battery pack and has good usability.

[0061] Embodiment 2

[0062] The present embodiment relates to a battery pack. In terms of overall structure, the battery pack is provided with a battery module cooling structure as described in the first embodiment.

[0063] In order to further improve the cooling effect of the battery module cooling structure on the battery module 3, as Figure 5 As shown, in the present embodiment, the battery modules 3 are configured to be arranged in multiple rows and columns at intervals. The battery modules 3 are arranged at intervals so that a certain distance is maintained between the battery modules 3, so that the coolant can flow between the battery modules 3, so that the coolant is in full contact with the outer surface of the battery module 3, thereby increasing the heat exchange area between the coolant and the battery modules 3, and improving the heat exchange efficiency, thereby improving the cooling effect of the coolant on the battery module 3.

[0064] In a specific implementation, the bottom of each battery module 3 is padded by a pad constructed on the bottom surface of the shell 4, so that the bottom surface of the battery module 3 can also be fully in contact with the coolant, thereby ensuring the cooling effect on the battery module 3, while improving the temperature consistency of various parts of the battery module 3, avoiding excessive temperature differences between various parts of a single battery module 3, and affecting the normal use of the battery module 3.

[0065] In addition, since the battery module 3 is a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, its side end faces include two large side faces 301 with a larger area and two small side faces 302 with a smaller area. In order to ensure the cooling effect, Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the battery module 3 can be arranged so that the large side surface 301 is parallel to the connection direction of the diverter 1 and the collector 2. In this arrangement, in the process of the coolant flowing from the diverter 1 to the collector 2, the main flow direction of the coolant is parallel to the large side surface 301, so that the coolant can fully exchange heat with the large side surface 301 of the battery module 3, and part of the coolant spreads to the small side surface 302, which is also sufficient to sufficiently cool the small side surface 302. Otherwise, if the main flow direction of the coolant is parallel to the small side surface 302, it is difficult for part of the coolant to spread between the large side surfaces 301, resulting in too small a flow rate of the coolant between the large side surfaces 301, making it difficult to effectively cool the battery module 3. In addition, in the vertical direction, each liquid outlet 101 and each liquid inlet 201 can correspond to the gap between each battery module 3, thereby improving the smoothness of the flow of the coolant, increasing the circulation speed of the coolant and improving the cooling effect.

[0066] The battery pack of this embodiment is provided with a battery module cooling structure, which can improve the cooling and heat dissipation effect of the battery module 3 compared with the prior art, thereby helping to improve the use quality of the battery pack.

[0067] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module cooling structure, arranged in a battery pack housing, characterized in that: include: A flow divider, wherein the flow divider is provided with a liquid outlet connected to a coolant circulation pipeline; A collector, wherein the collector is provided with a liquid inlet connected to the coolant circulation pipeline; Two current collectors are provided on opposite sides of the current divider, or two current dividers are provided on opposite sides of the current collector; A battery module is arranged between the flow divider and the current collector. When the coolant flows from the liquid outlet to the liquid inlet, heat transfer is formed between the coolant and the battery module.

2. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow divider and the current collector are arranged in the shell along the length direction of the shell.

3. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow divider and the current collector are arranged in parallel with each other.

4. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flow divider and / or the current collector are configured as a plate-shaped structure; The liquid outlet and the liquid inlet are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the flow divider and the flow collector.

5. The battery module cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The liquid outlets are arranged in a plurality of lattice-like intervals along the length direction of the diverter; And / or, the liquid inlets are configured as a plurality of liquid inlets arranged at intervals in a lattice along the length direction of the current collector.

6. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow divider is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline via a first connecting pipe, and the flow collector is connected to the coolant circulation pipeline via a second connecting pipe; The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe both penetrate the same end surface of the shell.

7. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: At least part of the first connecting pipe is integrated inside the flow divider; The second connecting pipe includes an integrated section at least partially integrated on the flow divider, and a connecting section connected between the flow divider and the collector, and the integrated section is in communication with the coolant circulation pipeline.

8. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one connecting section is connected between the current collector and the current divider.

9. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack is provided with the battery module cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, characterized in that: The battery modules are configured as a plurality of battery modules arranged in a plurality of rows and columns.

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