Liquid cooling structure and battery module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a liquid cooling structure and a battery module, and belongs to the technical field of battery modules. The liquid cooling structure comprises an inner frame body and an outer shell body; wherein a first cavity is formed in the inner frame body, a plurality of liquid cooling placement grooves which are arranged in an array mode are formed in the first cavity at intervals, one battery cell is placed in one liquid cooling placement groove, and first cooling channels for cooling liquid to circulate are formed in the inner groove edges of the liquid cooling placement grooves respectively; the inner frame body is detachably connected into the outer shell body. According to the liquid cooling structure disclosed by the utility model, the heat insulation effect can be ensured when the battery cell is subjected to thermal runaway, the safety of the battery module is relatively high, the liquid cooling heat dissipation effect on the battery cell is relatively good, and the protection effect on other parts in the battery shell of the battery module can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery modules, in particular to a liquid cooling structure and a battery module. Background Art

[0002] At present, a liquid cooling structure is filled between two adjacent battery cells in a battery module to perform liquid cooling and heat dissipation on the battery cells. However, since the liquid cooling structure only contacts the large side surface of the battery cells, the liquid cooling and heat dissipation effect on the battery cells is poor. Moreover, the coolant leaked from the liquid cooling structure due to an accident will flow into the battery housing of the battery module, thus affecting other parts in the battery housing. At the same time, since no partition is provided between some battery cells, heat diffusion is likely to occur, resulting in low safety of the battery module. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a liquid cooling structure and a battery module, which can ensure the heat insulation effect when the battery cells are in thermal runaway, have a good liquid cooling and heat dissipation effect on the battery cells, and can ensure the protection effect on other parts in the battery housing.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A liquid cooling structure, comprising:

[0006] An inner frame body, a first cavity is formed in the inner frame body, and a plurality of liquid cooling placement grooves arranged in an array are spaced in the first cavity. One of the liquid cooling placement grooves is used for placing one battery cell, and first cooling channels for coolant flow are respectively arranged on each inner groove side of the liquid cooling placement groove;

[0007] An outer shell body, the inner frame body is detachably connected to the inside of the outer shell body.

[0008] As an optional solution, the liquid cooling structure further comprises:

[0009] An adjusting member, the adjusting member is a heat conducting member, and the gap between the battery cell and the liquid cooling placement groove is filled with the adjusting member.

[0010] As an optional solution, the inner frame body and / or the outer shell body is an integrally formed structure.

[0011] As an optional solution, a second cavity is formed inside the outer shell body, and the inner frame body is press-fitted into the second cavity.

[0012] As an optional solution, the liquid cooling structure further comprises:

[0013] An inlet connection member, detachably connected to the outer shell body and the inner frame body, and an inlet is provided on the inlet connection member, and the inlet can be communicated with the inlet of the first cooling channel.

[0014] As an alternative, the liquid cooling structure further includes:

[0015] A water outlet connecting member detachably connected to the outer housing and the inner frame, the water outlet connecting member being provided with a water outlet, and the water outlet being capable of communicating with the outlet of the first cooling channel.

[0016] As an alternative, the liquid cooling placement groove is a through groove, and when the battery cell is placed in the liquid cooling placement groove, the bottom end surface of the battery cell abuts against the inner bottom end surface of the outer housing.

[0017] As an alternative, the material of the outer housing and / or the inner frame is a heat-conducting material.

[0018] As an alternative, a second cooling channel is provided inside the outer housing.

[0019] A battery module includes a battery housing, a plurality of battery cells, and the liquid cooling structure as described above. Each of the battery cells is respectively placed in each of the liquid cooling placement grooves, and the outer housing is installed in the battery housing.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0021] By arranging a plurality of liquid cooling placement grooves arranged in an array at intervals in the first cavity of the inner frame, one battery cell can be placed in one liquid cooling placement groove, so that each battery cell can be completely separated from each other. When a battery cell has a thermal runaway, the thermal barrier effect can be ensured, and thermal diffusion can be avoided from affecting other battery cells, ensuring a relatively high safety when the battery cell has a thermal runaway. At the same time, first cooling channels are respectively arranged at the inner groove edges of the liquid cooling placement grooves to be able to perform liquid cooling on the side surfaces of the battery cells simultaneously, increasing the contact area between the liquid cooling placement groove and the battery cell, thereby ensuring a better liquid cooling and heat dissipation effect on the battery cell. At the same time, by arranging an outer housing outside the inner frame, when there is a liquid leakage in the inner frame, the leaked coolant can be received by the outer housing and will not flow into the battery housing of the battery module, thereby being able to ensure the protection of other parts in the battery housing and ensuring a relatively high reliability in the use of the entire liquid cooling structure. And, detachably connecting the inner frame to the outer housing can, on the one hand, increase the structural strength of the inner frame through the outer housing, thereby ensuring the support reliability for the battery cells in the liquid cooling placement grooves; on the other hand, it is convenient to disassemble the inner frame, which is beneficial for quickly replacing the damaged inner frame. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the liquid cooling structure (with battery cells placed) provided by the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2It is a schematic exploded view of the liquid cooling structure (including the battery cells) provided by the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural view of the inner frame body provided by the present utility model.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0026] 10 - Battery cell;

[0027] 1 - Inner frame body; 11 - Horizontal plate; 12 - Vertical plate; 13 - Liquid cooling placement groove;

[0028] 2 - Outer shell body; 21 - Second cavity;

[0029] 3 - Inlet connection part; 4 - Outlet connection part. Detailed implementation manners

[0030] All features disclosed in this specification, or all steps in the disclosed methods or processes, except for mutually exclusive features and / or steps, can be combined in any manner.

[0031] Any feature disclosed in this specification, unless specifically described, can be replaced by other equivalent or similar-purpose alternative features. That is, unless specifically described, each feature is only an example of a series of equivalent or similar features. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements.

[0032] To make the technical problems solved by the present utility model, the technical solutions adopted, and the achieved technical effects clearer, the technical solutions of the present utility model will be further described below with reference to the drawings and through specific implementation manners.

[0033] In this embodiment, a liquid cooling structure and a battery module including the liquid cooling structure are proposed. The battery module further includes a battery housing and a plurality of battery cells. The liquid cooling structure is installed in the battery housing, and each battery cell is respectively placed in the liquid cooling structure in an array for limiting, so that the liquid cooling structure is used for liquid cooling the battery cells; the liquid cooling structure can ensure better liquid cooling and heat dissipation effects on the battery cells and has a better heat insulation effect. The battery module in this embodiment can specifically be a lithium battery module, and the specific type of the battery module is not limited herein.

[0034] Specifically, as Figures 1 to 3As shown in the figure, the liquid cooling structure includes an inner frame body 1 and an outer shell body 2. Among them, a first cavity is formed inside the inner frame body 1, and a number of liquid cooling placement grooves 13 arranged in an array are spaced inside the first cavity. One liquid cooling placement groove 13 is used for limiting and placing one battery cell 10, so that the liquid cooling placement groove 13 provides a limiting effect on the battery cell 10. First cooling channels for the circulation of the coolant are respectively arranged on the inner groove edges of each liquid cooling placement groove 13, that is, the first cooling channels penetrate through each liquid cooling placement groove 13. The inner frame body 1 is detachably connected inside the outer shell body 2, and the outer shell body 2 is installed inside the battery housing.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, in this embodiment, the liquid cooling structure is set as a detachable inner frame body 1 and an outer shell body 2, and a number of liquid cooling placement grooves 13 are spaced inside the first cavity of the inner frame body 1. By placing one battery cell 10 in one liquid cooling placement groove 13, each battery cell 10 can be completely separated from each other. When a battery cell 10 has a thermal runaway, the thermal barrier effect can be ensured, and thermal diffusion can be avoided from affecting other battery cells 10, ensuring a relatively high safety when the battery cell 10 has a thermal runaway. At the same time, first cooling channels for the circulation of the coolant are respectively arranged on the inner groove edges of each liquid cooling placement groove 13, so that the side surfaces of each battery cell 10 can be liquid-cooled simultaneously through the inner groove edges of the liquid cooling placement groove 13, increasing the contact area between the liquid cooling placement groove 13 and the battery cell 10, thereby ensuring a better liquid cooling and heat dissipation effect on the battery cell 10. At the same time, by arranging the outer shell body 2 outside the inner frame body 1 and then installing the inner frame body 1 and the outer shell body 2 as a whole inside the battery housing of the battery module, compared with directly placing the inner frame body 1 in the battery housing without arranging the outer shell body 2, when there is a liquid leakage in the inner frame body 1, the leaked coolant can be received by the outer shell body 2 and will not directly flow into the battery housing of the battery module, thereby ensuring the protection effect on other parts inside the battery housing and ensuring a relatively high use reliability of the entire liquid cooling structure. And, the inner frame body 1 is detachably connected inside the outer shell body 2. On the one hand, the structural strength of the inner frame body 1 can be increased through the outer shell body 2, thereby ensuring the support reliability for the battery cell 10 in the liquid cooling placement groove 13. On the other hand, it is convenient to disassemble the inner frame body 1, which is beneficial to quickly replace the damaged inner frame body 1.

[0036] Specifically, as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a plurality of transverse plates 11 and a plurality of vertical plates 12 are respectively connected in the first cavity of the inner frame body 1. Each vertical plate 12 is spaced and connected to the inner wall surface of the first cavity in the first direction, and each transverse plate 11 is spaced and connected to the inner wall surface of the first cavity in the second direction, so that each vertical plate 12 and each transverse plate 11 are cross-connected horizontally and vertically, thereby forming a plurality of the above-mentioned liquid cooling placement grooves 13 in the first cavity. In this embodiment, six transverse plates 11 are provided and three vertical plates 12 are provided. Among them, the first direction is parallel to the length direction of the inner frame body 1, specifically as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown by the arrow A in Figure 2 and Figure 3 . The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the width direction of the inner frame body 1, specifically as

[0037] shown by the arrow B in

[0038] . By arranging the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12 that are cross-connected horizontally and vertically on the inner wall surfaces of the first cavity, the structure of the entire inner frame body 1 is relatively simple; and the liquid cooling placement grooves 13 can be formed by the cross-connection of the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12, so that the formation method of the liquid cooling placement grooves 13 is simple and the cost is low; and the structural strength of the entire liquid cooling placement grooves 13 can be ensured by the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12, thereby ensuring the placement reliability of the battery cells 10 in the liquid cooling placement grooves 13.

[0039] It should be noted that when the battery cells 10 are placed in the liquid cooling placement grooves 13, due to the direct blocking effect of the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12, the battery cells 10 can be completely blocked from each other; when one of the battery cells 10 has a thermal runaway, the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12 can block the heat generated by the thermal runaway of the battery cell 10 from dissipating to other liquid cooling placement grooves 13, thereby being able to better protect other battery cells 10; and, the transverse plates 11 and the vertical plates 12 can also provide a limiting effect on the battery cells 10, so that each battery cell 10 can be stably placed in the liquid cooling placement grooves 13 in a limited manner.

[0040] When the size of the battery cell 10 changes, when the battery cell 10 is placed in the liquid cooling slot 13 , a larger gap may occur between the battery cell 10 and the horizontal plate 11 or the vertical plate 12 in the liquid cooling slot 13 , causing the battery cell 10 to shake in the liquid cooling slot 13 .

[0041] To this end, the liquid cooling structure in this embodiment also includes an adjusting member (not shown in the figure), which is a heat conductive member. The gap between the battery cell 10 and the liquid cooling placement groove 13 is filled with the adjusting member to avoid a large gap between the battery cell 10 and the horizontal plate 11 or the vertical plate 12 in the liquid cooling placement groove 13, thereby ensuring the stability of the placement of the battery cell 10 in the liquid cooling placement groove 13.

[0042] By setting an adjustment member, the gap between the battery cell 10 and the horizontal plate 11 or the vertical plate 12 in the liquid cooling placement slot 13 can be compensated. On the one hand, the battery cells 10 of various sizes can be placed stably in the liquid cooling placement slot 13, ensuring that the battery cells 10 will not shake in the liquid cooling placement slot 13, so that the entire liquid cooling structure can be applicable to battery cells 10 of various sizes, and has high applicability and versatility; on the other hand, since the adjustment member is a heat-conducting member, the heat generated by the battery cell 10 can be conducted to the horizontal plate 11 or the vertical plate 12 through the adjustment member, so that the liquid cooling heat can be dissipated through the coolant in the first cooling channel inside the horizontal plate 11 or the vertical plate 12, that is, adding the adjustment member will not affect the liquid cooling heat dissipation effect of the liquid cooling placement slot 13 on the battery cell 10. In this embodiment, the adjustment member can be a block structure.

[0043] Furthermore, if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the inner frame 1 and / or the outer shell 2 are integrally formed structures; in this embodiment, the inner frame 1 and the outer shell 2 are respectively integrally formed structures, which can make the processing simple and convenient, saving the processing cost; on the other hand, it can avoid welding processing on the inner frame 1 or the outer shell 2, thereby ensuring that the sealing effect of the inner frame 1 and the outer shell 2 is good, and it is not easy to leak the coolant. Among them, the inner frame 1 is an integrally formed structure, specifically referring to the inner frame 1 and the vertical plate 12 and the horizontal plate 11 connected in the first cavity are integrally formed as a whole.

[0044] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, a second cavity 21 is formed in the outer shell 2, and the inner frame 1 is inserted into the second cavity 21 by interference, so that the inner frame 1 can be connected to the outer shell 2. The connection method is simple and convenient, and it is easy to disassemble the inner frame 1 and the outer shell 2, which is conducive to the maintenance and repair of the inner frame 1. Among them, the second cavity 21 has an opening on the top, that is, the second cavity 21 is an open cavity, and the inner frame 1 can be easily installed in the second cavity 21 from top to bottom through the opening on the second cavity 21.

[0045] Further, as Figures 1 to 3 shown, the liquid cooling structure further includes an inlet connecting member 3. The inlet connecting member 3 is detachably connected to the outer housing 2 and the inner frame 1 so as to be able to connect the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 to form an integral structure, further ensuring the connection stability between the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 and preventing the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 from disengaging from each other. In this embodiment, the inlet connecting member 3 is specifically a bolt with a hollow structure inside, that is, the inlet connecting member 3 is threadedly connected to the outer housing 2 and the inner frame 1.

[0046] Specifically, an inlet port (not shown in the figure) is provided on the inlet connecting member 3. The inlet port can communicate with the inlet of the first cooling channel. That is, when the inlet connecting member 3 is installed on the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2, the inlet port on the inlet connecting member 3 can automatically communicate with the inlet of the first cooling channel, so that the coolant can be supplied into the first cooling channel through the inlet connecting member 3, realizing liquid cooling of the battery cell 10 in the liquid cooling placement groove 13.

[0047] Specifically, as Figures 1 to 3 shown, the liquid cooling structure further includes an outlet connecting member 4. The outlet connecting member 4 is detachably connected to the outer housing 2 and the inner frame 1 so as to be able to connect the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 to form an integral structure, which is more beneficial to ensuring the connection stability between the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 and further preventing the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 from disengaging from each other. In this embodiment, the outlet connecting member 4 is specifically a bolt with a hollow structure inside, that is, the outlet connecting member 4 is threadedly connected to the outer housing 2 and the inner frame 1.

[0048] Further, an outlet port (not shown in the figure) is provided on the outlet connecting member 4. The outlet port can communicate with the outlet of the first cooling channel. That is, when the outlet connecting member 4 is installed on the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2, the outlet port on the outlet connecting member 4 can automatically communicate with the outlet of the first cooling channel, so that the coolant in the first cooling channel can flow out through the outlet connecting member 4 to form a flow channel of the coolant inside the inner frame 1.

[0049] In this embodiment, through the interference plugging effect and the threaded connection effect of the inlet connecting member 3 and the outlet connecting member 4, the detachable connection between the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 is realized; on the one hand, the connection method between the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 can be made simple and convenient; on the other hand, the connection stability between the inner frame 1 and the outer housing 2 can be ensured; at the same time, since the water inlet function and the connection function are integrated on one inlet connecting member 3 and the water outlet function and the connection function are integrated on one outlet connecting member 4, parts are saved and the cost of the entire liquid cooling structure is reduced.

[0050] Further, as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the liquid cooling placement groove 13 is a through groove. When the battery cell 10 is placed in the liquid cooling placement groove 13, the bottom end surface of the battery cell 10 abuts against the inner bottom end surface of the outer housing 2. That is, a bottom plate is not provided on the bottom end surface of the inner frame body 1, so as to reduce the weight of the entire inner frame body 1 while ensuring the liquid cooling effect of the liquid cooling placement groove 13 on the battery cell 10, and further save the cost of the entire liquid cooling structure.

[0051] Specifically, the material of the outer housing 2 and / or the inner frame body 1 is a heat-conducting material; in this embodiment, the materials of the outer housing 2 and the inner frame body 1 are both heat-conducting materials, so as to be able to conduct the heat of the battery cell 10 through the heat-conducting effect of the outer housing 2 and the inner frame body 1 itself, making the heat dissipation effect on the battery cell 10 better; that is, in this embodiment, the heat dissipation of the battery cell 10 is realized through the coolant in the first cooling channel and the heat-conducting effect of the outer housing 2 and the inner frame body 1 itself. In this embodiment, the materials of the outer housing 2 and the inner frame body 1 are the same, both being aluminum alloy materials.

[0052] Furthermore, a second cooling channel is provided inside the outer housing 2, so as to be able to provide liquid cooling and heat dissipation for the inner frame body 1 and the battery cell 10 therein through the coolant in the second cooling channel. That is, the two structures of the inner frame body 1 and the outer housing 2 can simultaneously perform liquid cooling on the battery cell 10, so as to better ensure the heat dissipation effect on the battery cell 10.

[0053] It should be noted that the water inlet and outlet of the second cooling channel are also realized through the above-mentioned water inlet connector 3 and water outlet connector 4. That is, when the water inlet connector 3 is installed on the inner frame body 1 and the outer housing 2, the two water inlets on the water inlet connector 3 can be respectively communicated with the inlet of the first cooling channel and the inlet of the second cooling channel, and at the same time, the two water outlets on the water outlet connector 4 can be respectively communicated with the outlet of the first cooling channel and the outlet of the second cooling channel; specifically, reference can be made to the above description of the first cooling channel, and the specific water inlet and outlet processes of the second cooling channel will not be described in detail here.

[0054] In the liquid cooling structure of this embodiment, by providing the detachable inner frame body 1 and the outer housing 2, the liquid leakage of the inner frame body 1 can be received in the outer housing 2, and it is convenient to replace the damaged inner frame body 1; at the same time, by respectively arranging the battery cells 10 in the respective liquid cooling placement grooves 13 of the inner frame body 1 and providing a second cooling channel in the outer housing 2, the heat insulation and liquid cooling and heat dissipation effects on the battery cells 10 can be ensured to be better.

[0055] The above content is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. The content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling structure, characterized in that: include: An inner frame (1), wherein a first cavity is formed in the inner frame (1), wherein a plurality of liquid cooling placement grooves (13) arranged in an array are arranged at intervals in the first cavity, wherein one of the liquid cooling placement grooves (13) is used to place one battery cell (10), and each inner groove edge of the liquid cooling placement groove (13) is respectively provided with a first cooling channel for circulating a cooling liquid; An outer shell (2), wherein the inner frame (1) is detachably connected to the outer shell (2).

2. The liquid cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid cooling structure also includes: An adjusting member, wherein the adjusting member is a heat-conducting member, and the gap between the battery core (10) and the liquid-cooling placement groove (13) is filled with the adjusting member.

3. The liquid cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner frame (1) and / or the outer frame (2) are / is an integrally formed structure.

4. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A second cavity (21) is formed in the outer shell (2), and the inner frame (1) is interference-inserted into the second cavity (21).

5. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The liquid cooling structure also includes: A water inlet connector (3) is detachably connected to the outer shell (2) and the inner frame (1); a water inlet is provided on the water inlet connector (3); and the water inlet can be communicated with the inlet of the first cooling channel.

6. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The liquid cooling structure also includes: A water outlet connection piece (4) is detachably connected to the outer shell (2) and the inner frame (1); a water outlet is provided on the water outlet connection piece (4); and the water outlet can be communicated with the outlet of the first cooling channel.

7. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The liquid cooling placement groove (13) is a through groove, and when the battery core (10) is placed in the liquid cooling placement groove (13), the bottom end surface of the battery core (10) abuts against the inner bottom end surface of the outer shell (2).

8. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The material of the outer shell (2) and / or the inner frame (1) is a heat-conducting material.

9. The liquid cooling structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A second cooling channel is arranged inside the outer shell (2).

10. A battery module, characterized in that: It comprises a battery casing, a plurality of battery cells (10) and a liquid cooling structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each of the battery cells (10) is placed in each of the liquid cooling placement grooves (13), and the outer casing (2) is installed in the battery casing.

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