Liquid cooling plate, battery module and liquid cooling energy storage system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of liquid cooling, particularly provides a liquid cooling plate, and aims at solving the problem that the surface temperature gradient of an existing liquid cooling plate in the flowing direction of a cooling medium is large. The liquid cooling plate provided by the utility model comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, the first flow channel comprises a first channel, a second channel and a first connecting channel, and the first channel and the second channel are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in a third direction; the second flow channel and the first flow channel are arranged in parallel in the second direction and are connected in parallel, the second flow channel comprises a third channel, a fourth channel and a second connecting channel, and the third channel and the fourth channel are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction; the first channel corresponds to the third channel, and the second channel corresponds to the fourth channel. The cooling effect of the liquid cooling plate in the area close to the first end of the first flow channel can be reduced, the cooling effect of the liquid cooling plate in the area close to the second end of the first flow channel is improved, and the surface temperature gradient of the liquid cooling plate in the cooling medium flowing direction is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid cooling, and specifically provides a liquid cooling plate and a liquid cooling energy storage system. Background Art

[0002] Most of the current battery energy storage devices (such as energy storage batteries of solar power stations, battery packs of new energy vehicles, etc.) are equipped with liquid cooling energy storage systems. The cooling medium flowing in the liquid cooling energy storage system absorbs the heat generated during the charging and discharging process of the battery, ensuring that the battery energy storage device can operate stably at an appropriate temperature to improve the energy utilization efficiency of the battery energy storage device.

[0003] Taking the energy storage battery of a solar power station as an example, the liquid cooling energy storage system includes a battery module. The battery module includes battery cells and a liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate is installed at the bottom of the battery cells, and the cooling medium in the liquid cooling plate flows along the length direction of the battery cells. The cooling medium flowing in the liquid cooling plate continuously absorbs heat during the flow process, causing the temperature of the cooling medium to gradually increase along the flow direction, and forming a temperature gradient on the surface of the liquid cooling plate. As the length of the liquid cooling plate increases, the temperature gradient on the surface of the liquid cooling plate gradually increases, resulting in a large temperature difference between the front and back of the battery cells along the flow direction of the cooling medium, which affects the service life of the battery.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a liquid cooling plate and a liquid cooling energy storage system to solve the problem of the large surface temperature gradient of the existing liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The present disclosure aims to solve the above technical problems, that is, to solve the problem of the large surface temperature gradient of the existing liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cooling plate having a first surface and a second surface that are perpendicular and opposite to a third direction. The liquid cooling plate includes: a first flow channel disposed in the liquid cooling plate, the first flow channel including a first channel, a second channel extending along a first direction, and a first connection channel connecting the first channel and the second channel, the first channel and the second channel being at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction; a second flow channel disposed in the liquid cooling plate, being arranged in parallel with the first flow channel in a second direction and including a third channel, a fourth channel extending along the first direction, and a second connection channel connecting the third channel and the fourth channel, the third channel and the fourth channel being at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction; the first channel and the third channel are correspondingly arranged, the second channel and the fourth channel are correspondingly arranged, the first channel and the fourth channel are close to the first surface, and the second channel and the fourth channel are close to the second surface.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the first flow channel and the second flow channel are alternately arranged in the second direction.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the first channel and the second channel are alternately arranged in the first direction; and / or, the third channel and the fourth channel are alternately arranged in the first direction.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the lengths of the correspondingly arranged first channel and third channel in the first direction are the same; and / or, the lengths of the correspondingly arranged second channel and fourth channel in the first direction are the same.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid cooling plate is further provided with a first cavity and a second cavity. The first end of the first flow channel communicates with the first cavity, and the first end of the second flow channel communicates with the second cavity.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid cooling plate is provided with a communication hole to communicate the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid cooling plate is provided with a third cavity, and the second ends of both the first flow channel and the second flow channel communicate with the third cavity.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid cooling plate is further provided with a liquid discharge channel extending along the first direction. The second end of the liquid discharge channel communicates with the third cavity, and a liquid discharge port is communicated with the second end of the liquid discharge channel.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the liquid inlet and the liquid discharge port of the liquid cooling plate are arranged at one end of the liquid cooling plate.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a battery module including the above-mentioned liquid cooling plate.

[0016] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cooling energy storage system including the above-mentioned battery module.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present disclosure has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The liquid cooling plate provided by the present disclosure includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel disposed within the liquid cooling plate. The first flow channel includes a first channel, a second channel extending along a first direction, and a first connection channel connecting the first channel and the second channel. The first channel and the second channel are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in a third direction. The second flow channel is arranged in parallel with the first flow channel in a second direction and includes a third channel, a fourth channel extending along the first direction, and a second connection channel connecting the third channel and the fourth channel. The third channel and the fourth channel are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction. The first channel and the third channel are correspondingly arranged, and the second channel and the fourth channel are correspondingly arranged. In this way, the cooling effect of the liquid cooling plate in the area near the first end of the first flow channel can be reduced, and the cooling effect of the liquid cooling plate in the area near the second end of the first flow channel can be improved, so as to reduce the surface temperature gradient of the liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a plan view of the liquid cooling plate provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 the sectional line of the liquid cooling plate along line A-A in ;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 the sectional line of the liquid cooling plate along line B-B in ;

[0023] Figure 4 is Figure 1 the sectional line of the liquid cooling plate along line C-C in ;

[0024] Figure 5 is Figure 1 the sectional line of the liquid cooling plate along line D-D in.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0026] 10, first surface; 20, second surface; 1, first flow channel; 11, first channel; 12, second channel; 13, first connection channel; 2, second flow channel; 21, third channel; 22, fourth channel; 23, second connection channel; 3, first cavity; 31, communication hole; 4, second cavity; 5, third cavity; 6, drain channel; 7, upper cover plate; 8, guide plate; 9, lower cover plate; X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, third direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to solve the problem of large surface temperature gradient of the existing liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium, the present disclosure provides a liquid cooling plate.

[0028] As shown Figure 1 in the figure, the liquid cooling plate includes a first flow channel 1 and a second flow channel 2 disposed within the liquid cooling plate. Both the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 extend along a first direction X. At the same time, the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 are arranged side by side and in parallel along a second direction Y. Among them, the parallel connection of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 specifically means that the cooling medium flows into the first ends of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 simultaneously and flows out of the second ends simultaneously. The side-by-side arrangement of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 along the second direction Y specifically means that the second flow channel 2 is located on at least one side of the first flow channel 1 along the second direction Y.

[0029] In the example of the present disclosure, the first direction X specifically refers to the length direction of the liquid cooling plate, the second direction Y specifically refers to the width direction of the liquid cooling plate, and the third direction Z specifically refers to the thickness direction of the liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate includes a first surface 10 and a second surface 20 opposite to the first surface 10. The third direction Z is perpendicular to the first surface 10 and the second surface 20.

[0030] In some examples, as shown Figure 2 and Figure 3 in the figure, at least one of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 is provided with a plurality of channels, and the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 are alternately arranged in the second direction Y.

[0031] In addition, the width of the first flow channel 1 along the second direction Y is the same as the width of the second flow channel 2 along the second direction Y. Of course, in some possible implementation manners, the width of the first flow channel 1 along the second direction Y and the width of the second flow channel 2 along the second direction Y may also be different.

[0032] As shown Figure 4 in the figure, the first flow channel 1 includes a first channel 11 and a second channel 12 extending along the first direction X, and a first connection channel 13 connecting the first channel 11 and the second channel 12. The first channel 11 and the second channel 12 are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction Z. Specifically, the first channel 11 is close to the first surface 10, and the second channel 12 is close to the second surface 20.

[0033] For example, at least one of the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 is provided with a plurality of channels, and the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 are alternately arranged in the first direction X.

[0034] The orthographic projections of the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 on the first surface 10 do not overlap. Of course, in other possible examples, partial overlap of the orthographic projections of the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 on the first surface 10 is allowed.

[0035] As shown Figure 5As shown, the second flow channel 2 includes a third channel 21 and a fourth channel 22 extending along the first direction X, and a second connection channel 23 connecting the third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22. The third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22 are at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction Z. Specifically, the third channel 21 is close to the second surface 20, and the fourth channel 22 is close to the first surface 10.

[0036] The orthographic projections of the third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22 on the first surface 10 do not overlap with each other. Of course, in other possible examples, partial overlap of the orthographic projections of the third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22 on the first surface 10 is allowed.

[0037] In addition, the first channel 11 and the third channel 21 are correspondingly arranged, and the second channel 12 and the fourth channel 22 are correspondingly arranged. The lengths of the correspondingly arranged first channel 11 and third channel 21 in the first direction X are the same, and the lengths of the correspondingly arranged second channel 12 and fourth channel 22 in the first direction X are the same. Of course, in other possible examples, the lengths of the correspondingly arranged first channel 11 and third channel 21 in the first direction X can be different, and the lengths of the correspondingly arranged second channel 12 and fourth channel 22 in the first direction X can also be different.

[0038] The process of cooling a heat dissipation component (such as an electric core) located on the first surface 10 of the liquid cooling plate by using the liquid cooling plate is as follows:

[0039] The cooling medium simultaneously flows into from the first ends of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2, enters the first channel 11 and the third channel 21. The cooling medium flowing through the first channel 11 absorbs a large amount of heat of the heat dissipation component near the first channel 11, so the temperature rise is slightly higher; while the cooling medium flowing through the third channel 21 is far from the first surface 10 and can only absorb a small amount of heat of the heat dissipation component near the third channel 21, so the temperature rise is slightly lower.

[0040] After that, the cooling medium with a slightly higher temperature flowing out of the first channel 11 flows into the second channel 12. Since the second channel 12 is far from the first surface 10, the cooling medium flowing through the second channel 12 can only absorb a small amount of heat of the heat dissipation component near the second channel 12; the cooling medium with a slightly lower temperature flowing out of the third channel 21 flows into the fourth channel 22 and absorbs a large amount of heat of the heat dissipation component near the fourth channel 22;

[0041] And so on, until the cooling medium flows out from the second ends of the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2.

[0042] It can be seen from this that the cooling medium flowing through the first flow channel 1 is mainly used to cool the area of the heat dissipation component near the first channel 11, and assist in cooling the area of the heat dissipation component near the second channel 12; the cooling medium flowing through the second flow channel 2 is mainly used to cool the area of the heat dissipation component near the fourth channel 22, and assist in cooling the area of the heat dissipation component near the third channel 21. Since both the first channel 11 and the fourth channel 22 are close to the first surface 10, the surface temperature gradient of the liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium (i.e., the first direction X) can be reduced. In addition, since the cooling media flowing through the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 are both mainly used to cool partial areas of the first surface 10, the temperature rise of the cooling medium after flowing through the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 is relatively small, which is beneficial to improving the cooling effect of the liquid cooling plate in the second half of the heat dissipation component (i.e., the area near the second end of the first flow channel 1), thereby reducing the temperature of the second half of the heat dissipation component.

[0043] It should be particularly noted that the liquid cooling plate provided by the present disclosure mainly reduces the cooling effect of the cooling medium in the first half of the heat dissipation component (i.e., the area near the first end of the first flow channel 1), and improves the cooling effect of the cooling medium in the second half of the heat dissipation component (i.e., the area near the second end of the first flow channel 1), so as to reduce the surface temperature gradient of the liquid cooling plate along the flow direction of the cooling medium (i.e., the first direction X), improve the uniformity of the temperature in each area of the heat dissipation component, and reduce the temperature difference of the heat dissipation component.

[0044] For example, when the flow rate of the cooling medium remains unchanged, the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 of the existing liquid cooling plate are linearly arranged along the first direction X. The temperature of the heat dissipation component in the area near the first end of the first flow channel 1 is 25 °C, and the temperature in the area near the second end of the first flow channel 1 is 32 °C. The maximum surface temperature difference of the existing liquid cooling plate in the first direction X is 7 °C. While using the liquid cooling plate of the present disclosure, the temperature of the heat dissipation component in the area near the first end of the first flow channel 1 is 27 °C, and the temperature in the area near the second end of the first flow channel 1 is 30 °C. The maximum surface temperature difference of the liquid cooling plate in the first direction X is 3 °C. Therefore, the uniformity of the temperature in each area of the heat dissipation component is improved, and the temperature difference of the heat dissipation component is reduced.

[0045] As Figure 4 shown, a first cavity 3, a second cavity 4 and a third cavity 5 are further arranged in the liquid cooling plate. The first end of the first flow channel 1 is communicated with the first cavity 3, and the second end of the first flow channel 1 is communicated with the third cavity 5. The first end of the second flow channel 2 is communicated with the second cavity 4, and the second end of the second flow channel 2 is communicated with the third cavity 5. A part of the cooling medium simultaneously flows into all the first flow channels 1 from the first cavity 3, and then flows to the third cavity 5; another part of the cooling medium simultaneously flows into all the second flow channels 2 from the second cavity 4, and then flows to the third cavity 5.

[0046] In an example of the present disclosure, a communication hole 31 is provided in the liquid cooling plate to communicate the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4, and any one of the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4 may be communicated with the liquid inlet provided on the liquid cooling plate. When injecting a cooling medium into one of the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4, the cooling medium can enter the other through the communication hole 31 to reduce the number of liquid inlets. Of course, in other possible examples, the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4 may both be communicated with independent liquid inlets, and the cooling medium is injected into the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4 respectively.

[0047] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a drain channel 6 extending along the first direction X is further provided in the liquid cooling plate, and the drain channel 6 is located on one side of the parallel first flow channel 1 and second flow channel 2 in the second direction Y. The second end of the drain channel 6 is communicated with the third cavity 5, and a drain port is communicated with the first end of the drain channel 6. Among them, the liquid inlet and the drain port are provided at one end of the liquid cooling plate for easy installation.

[0048] It should be particularly noted that the above is the case where the liquid cooling plate provided by the present disclosure is used as a liquid cooling plate. In some possible implementation manners, the liquid cooling plate provided by the present disclosure can also be used as a heat preservation plate to heat-preserve the components that need heat preservation.

[0049] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in a specific example of the present disclosure, the liquid cooling plate includes an upper cover plate 7, a flow guiding plate 8, and a lower cover plate 9 arranged in sequence along the third direction Z. The side of the flow guiding plate 8 facing the upper cover plate 7 is provided with a first channel 11 and a fourth channel 22, the side of the flow guiding plate 8 facing the lower cover plate 9 is provided with a second channel 12 and a third channel 21, the flow guiding plate 8 is provided with a first connection channel 13 between the first channel 11 and the second channel 12 to communicate the first channel 11 and the second channel 12, and a second connection channel 23 is provided between the third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22 to communicate the third channel 21 and the fourth channel 22.

[0050] It should be particularly noted that, in order to illustrate the structure of the flow guiding plate 8, Figure 1 the plan view of the liquid cooling plate shown is the plan view after hiding the upper cover plate 7.

[0051] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the first end of the flow guiding plate 8 along the first direction X is provided with a first communication groove and a second communication groove. The first communication groove is communicated with the first channel 11 and is close to the upper cover plate 7, and the second communication groove is communicated with the third channel 21 and is close to the lower cover plate 9. The lower cover plate 9 is provided with an installation groove for accommodating the flow guiding plate 8. After the upper cover plate 7, the flow guiding plate 8, and the lower cover plate 9 are covered, the upper cover plate 7 and the lower cover plate 9 enclose the first communication groove to form the first cavity 3, and the lower cover plate 9 encloses the second communication groove to form the second cavity 4.

[0052] In addition, the length of the installation groove in the first direction X is greater than the length of the diversion plate 8 in the first direction X. After the upper cover plate 7, the diversion plate 8, and the lower cover plate 9 are closed, the upper cover plate 7 and the lower cover plate 9 form a third cavity 5 communicating with the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2 at the second end of the diversion plate 8 along the first direction X.

[0053] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, a liquid discharge groove is also provided on the side of the lower cover plate 9 close to the upper cover plate 7, and the liquid discharge groove communicates with the third cavity 5. After the upper cover plate 7 and the lower cover plate 9 are closed, the liquid discharge groove is enclosed to form a liquid discharge channel 6. An inlet for liquid is provided on the upper cover plate 7 and communicates with the first cavity 3, and a liquid discharge port communicates with the liquid discharge channel 6.

[0054] Regarding the formation methods of the first flow channel 1, the second flow channel 2, and the first cavity 3, the second cavity 4, the third cavity 5, and the liquid discharge channel 6, the above are only examples for illustration and are not specific limitations of this proposal. Without departing from the principle of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can also form the first flow channel 1, the second flow channel 2, and the first cavity 3, the second cavity 4, and the third cavity 5 in other ways. For example, the first channel 11, the second channel 12, and the first connection channel 13 in the first flow channel 1 are set as metal pipes, and the third channel 21, the fourth channel 22, and the second connection channel 23 in the second flow channel 2 are also set as metal pipes, and heat dissipation metal sheets are provided on the first flow channel 1 and the second flow channel 2. For example, the first cavity 3, the second cavity 4, and the third cavity 5 are formed by external components. For example, the first cavity 3 and the second cavity 4 are located in an external water inlet pipe, and the third cavity 5 is located in an external drain pipe.

[0055] The present disclosure also provides a liquid-cooled energy storage system, including a battery module, a cooling pump, and a radiator. The battery module includes battery cells and the above-mentioned liquid-cooled plate. The liquid-cooled plate is arranged at the bottom of the battery cells for cooling the battery cells. The cooling pump, the radiator, and the liquid-cooled plate are connected through pipes and filled with a refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat of the heat dissipation components at the liquid-cooled plate and releases it at the radiator. For example, the radiator may specifically include an evaporator in an air-conditioning system to absorb the heat of the refrigerant flowing through the cooler. For example, the radiator may also be an air-cooled or water-cooled heat sink, or a cooling tower, etc.

[0056] So far, the technical solutions of the present disclosure have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present disclosure is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling plate, characterized in that: The liquid cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface which are perpendicular to and opposite to a third direction, and comprises: a first flow channel disposed in the liquid cooling plate, the first flow channel comprising a first channel and a second channel extending in a first direction, and a first connecting channel connecting the first channel and the second channel, the first channel and the second channel being located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction; A second flow channel disposed in the liquid cooling plate, arranged in parallel with the first flow channel in the second direction, comprising a third channel and a fourth channel extending along the first direction, and a second connecting channel connecting the third channel and the fourth channel, wherein the third channel and the fourth channel are located at different heights of the liquid cooling plate in the third direction; The first channel and the third channel are arranged correspondingly, the second channel and the fourth channel are arranged correspondingly, the first channel and the fourth channel are close to the first surface, and the second channel and the fourth channel are close to the second surface.

2. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first flow channels and the second flow channels are alternately arranged in the second direction.

3. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first channels and the second channels are alternately arranged in the first direction; and / or, The third channels and the fourth channels are alternately arranged in the first direction.

4. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first channel and the third channel are arranged correspondingly to have the same length in the first direction; and / or, The corresponding second channel and the fourth channel have the same length in the first direction.

5. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid cooling plate is further provided with a first cavity and a second cavity, the first end of the first flow channel is communicated with the first cavity, and the first end of the second flow channel is communicated with the second cavity.

6. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 5, characterized in that: The liquid cooling plate is provided with a communication hole to communicate the first cavity and the second cavity.

7. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid cooling plate is provided with a third cavity, and the second end of the first flow channel and the second end of the second flow channel are both in communication with the third cavity.

8. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The liquid cooling plate is further provided with a drainage channel extending along the first direction, a second end of the drainage channel is communicated with the third cavity, and a first end of the drainage channel is communicated with a drainage port.

9. The liquid cooling plate according to claim 8, characterized in that: The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet of the liquid cooling plate are arranged at one end of the liquid cooling plate.

10. A battery module, characterized in that: include: Battery cells; The liquid cooling plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, arranged at the bottom of the battery cell.

11. A liquid-cooled energy storage system, characterized in that: Comprising the battery module as claimed in claim 10.

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