Cooling device and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery packs, and discloses a cooling device and a battery pack, the cooling device comprises at least one cooling structure, the cooling structure comprises: a cooling plate, the inside of which is provided with a main flow channel for the circulation of cooling liquid; the supporting unit is arranged on the top face of the cooling plate, the supporting unit comprises a supporting piece, the supporting piece corresponds to the main flow channel, the supporting piece is an elastic piece, and the supporting piece is provided with an abutting face matched with the interior of the shell. Due to the fact that the supporting pieces are elastic pieces and are arranged corresponding to the position of the main runner, each supporting piece generates elastic deformation in the extrusion process of the shell, it can be guaranteed that all the chips are reliably matched with the corresponding heat exchange faces, the chips can stably and reliably conduct heat exchange with the cooling plate, meanwhile, the contact area of the supporting pieces and the shell is small, and the heat exchange efficiency is improved. And heat exchange between the cooling plate and the shell can be greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery packs, in particular to a cooling device and a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Electric vehicles are a clean and environmentally friendly means of transportation. With the continuous development of electric vehicle technology, the mileage and charging time of electric vehicles have made new breakthroughs. In this environment, the vehicle's power battery pack is required to have a larger capacity and charging current. In order to ensure the safety of the power battery, the cooling efficiency of the power battery pack's cooling system is also increasingly required. The bar is a component used to achieve electrical connection between cells in the power battery pack. The cells in the battery pack are connected in series and in parallel through the bar. With the continuous development of high-current charging battery packs, the temperature rise of the bar and copper busbar in the battery pack will limit the charging performance of the battery pack.

[0003] At present, the cooling system of the existing power battery pack is mainly used to cool the bottom and sides of the battery cell. In order to cool the bar of the battery pack, a cooling structure is usually set at the position corresponding to the bar inside the battery pack. However, since there are a large number of bar plates and they are usually set at intervals, the cooling effect of the existing cooling structure is generally poor, and the battery pack may still have a bar temperature exceeding the preset value when in use. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the utility model provides a cooling device and a battery pack to solve the problem of poor cooling effect of the busbar cooling structure in the existing battery pack.

[0005] In the first aspect, the utility model provides a cooling device for cooling the bar of the battery cell unit of a battery pack, the battery cell unit is arranged in the shell of the battery pack, and is characterized in that the cooling device includes at least one cooling structure, the cooling structure includes: a cooling plate, having a main channel for cooling liquid to flow inside, the extension direction of the main channel is consistent with the extension direction of the bar and is arranged corresponding to the bar, the position of the bottom surface of the cooling plate corresponding to the main channel forms a heat exchange surface matching with the bar; a support unit, arranged on the top surface of the cooling plate, the support unit includes a support member, the support member is arranged corresponding to the main channel, the support member is an elastic member, the support member has an abutting surface matching with the inside of the shell, the position of the top surface of the cooling plate corresponding to the main channel is abutted and matched with the inner wall of the shell through the support member, and the support member and the shell cooperate to press the cooling plate and the bar into a compressed state.

[0006] A main channel is provided at the position of the cooling plate corresponding to the bar, and a support is provided on the top of the cooling plate. When the cooling device is assembled, the heat exchange surface of the cooling plate is placed corresponding to the bar, and the cooling plate is squeezed by the support while the shell is installed, so that the cooling plate and the bar fit tightly. Since the support is an elastic member and is arranged at the position corresponding to the main channel, each support produces elastic deformation during the extrusion process of the shell, and thus can only apply pressure to the local position of each main channel, ensuring that all the bar are reliably matched with the corresponding heat exchange surface, so that the bar can stably and reliably exchange heat with the cooling plate. In addition, since the cooling plate is abutted against the shell through the support, not only can the direct contact between the cooling plate and the shell be avoided, but also the contact area between the support and the shell is small, which can greatly reduce the heat exchange generated between the cooling plate and the shell, so that the cooling plate can more concentratedly reduce the temperature of the bar, effectively solving the problem of poor cooling effect of the bar cooling structure in the existing battery pack.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, the support member is a foam member. The foam member is loose and porous inside and has the characteristic of low heat conduction efficiency, which can effectively reduce the heat exchange between the cooling plate and the shell.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the cooling structure further includes a thermal pad, and the heat exchange surface is thermally coordinated with the blade through the thermal pad. The thermal pad has high thermal conductivity and is flexible, and the thermal pad can better match and fit the heat exchange surface and the blade surface, thereby improving the thermal conductivity efficiency.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the thermal pad is bonded to the heat exchange surface, and / or the thermal pad is bonded to the bar sheet. The connection form is simple and reliable.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, an insulating layer is provided on the bottom surface of the cooling plate, which can effectively insulate the cooling plate from the blade, avoid current conduction, and improve the safety of the cooling process.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, a plurality of main channels are arranged inside the cooling plate, and a connecting channel is also arranged inside the cooling plate, and the main channels are connected in sequence through the connecting channel, and the supporting unit includes a plurality of supporting members, and the supporting members are arranged one by one corresponding to the main channels. Multiple columns of sheets can be cooled simultaneously by one cooling plate, which can effectively reduce the number of components.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the cooling plate includes an upper plate and a lower plate, the lower plate forms a downwardly convex groove corresponding to the position of the main flow channel and the connecting flow channel, and the lower plate and the upper plate together form the main flow channel and the connecting flow channel. The groove is located in the lower plate, and its side can be disconnected from the air below. When the coolant flows through the main flow channel and the connecting flow channel, it can not only exchange heat with the bar sheet, but also with the air below the cooling plate to reduce the ambient temperature around the bar sheet.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, there are multiple cooling structures, and the cooling device further includes a connecting pipe, through which the main channels of adjacent cooling structures are connected. The connecting method is simple and reliable, and multiple cooling structures are connected to form an integrated circulation structure, which only requires one liquid inlet and one liquid outlet to meet the circulation requirements of the coolant.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the thickness of the main channel is smaller than its width. This flat main channel has a relatively small heat exchange surface with the surrounding air, which enables the coolant in the main channel to cool the blade more effectively.

[0015] In a second aspect, the utility model also provides a battery pack, which includes: a battery cell unit, including battery cells arranged in a row and a bar connecting the battery cells; a shell, which has a placement cavity for placing the battery cell unit; and the above-mentioned cooling device is arranged inside the shell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 This is an exploded schematic diagram of a cooling device after assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cooling device shown;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An exploded schematic diagram of the cooling device shown;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the main flow channel of the cooling device shown;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a battery pack after assembly according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0022] Description of reference numerals:

[0023] 1. Cooling plate; 101. Main flow channel; 102. Connecting flow channel; 103. Upper plate; 104. Lower plate;

[0024] 2. Support unit; 201. Support member; 2011. Abutment surface;

[0025] 3. Thermal pad; 4. Battery cell unit; 401. Bar; 5. Shell; 6. Connecting tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the utility model clearer, the technical solution in the embodiment of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the utility model, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0027] Combine the following Figures 1 to 5 , describing an embodiment of the utility model.

[0028] In the related art, the top surface of the cooling structure used for cooling the bar is usually a complete plane, and the shell of the battery pack directly abuts against the top surface of the cooling structure and presses the cooling structure onto the bar. For the cooling structure arranged in this way, since the flatness of the matching position of the cooling structure and the shell is difficult to ensure, when the two are abutted, it is difficult for the shell to press the cooling structure and each bar tightly, resulting in the cooling structure only being able to fit tightly with some of the bars and perform efficient heat exchange, while there is a certain gap between the cooling structure and the other bars, resulting in low heat exchange efficiency between the cooling structure and the bars, and thus causing the problem of poor cooling effect of some of the bars;

[0029] In addition, since this type of cooling structure will contact the shell over a large area, the cooling structure will also absorb a large amount of heat from the shell, and the coolant in the cooling structure cannot dissipate heat from the blade in a concentrated manner, resulting in poor heat dissipation effect of the cooling structure.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the utility model, on the one hand, a cooling device is provided for cooling a bar 401 of a battery cell unit 4 of a battery pack, the battery cell unit 4 being arranged in a shell 5 of the battery pack, characterized in that the cooling device comprises at least one cooling structure, the cooling structure comprising: a cooling plate 1 and a supporting unit 2, the cooling plate 1 having an interior with a main flow channel 101 for circulating coolant, the extension direction of the main flow channel 101 being consistent with the extension direction of the bar 401 and being arranged corresponding to the bar 401, the bottom surface of the cooling plate 1 corresponding to the position of the main flow channel 101 forms a heat exchange surface cooperating with the bar 401; the supporting unit 2 is arranged on the top surface of the cooling plate 1, the supporting unit 2 comprises a supporting member 201, the supporting member 201 is arranged corresponding to the main flow channel 101, the supporting member 201 is an elastic member, the supporting member 201 has an abutting surface 2011 cooperating with the inside of the shell 5, the top surface of the cooling plate 1 corresponding to the main flow channel 101 is abutted and matched with the inner wall of the shell 5 through the supporting member 201, the supporting member 201 cooperates with the shell 5 to press the cooling plate 1 and the bar 401. It is particularly noted that, since the support member 201 is an elastic member, the support member 201 has an initial state in which it is not matched with the shell 5 , and a compressed state in which it is matched with the shell 5 and presses the cooling plate 1 and the bar 401 tightly.

[0031] In the cooling device of the present embodiment, the cooling plate 1 is provided with a main channel 101 at the position corresponding to the bar 401, and a support member 201 is provided on the top of the cooling plate 1. When the cooling device is assembled, the heat exchange surface of the cooling plate 1 is placed corresponding to the bar 401. When the shell 5 is installed, the cooling plate 1 is squeezed by the support member 201, so that the cooling plate 1 and the bar 401 are closely fitted. Since the support member 201 is an elastic member and is arranged at the position corresponding to the main channel 101, each support member 201 is elastically deformed during the squeezing process of the shell 5, so that only a part of each main channel 101 can be squeezed. Pressure is applied to the positions to ensure that all the bars 401 are reliably matched with the corresponding heat exchange surfaces, so that the bars 401 can stably and reliably exchange heat with the cooling plate 1. In addition, since the cooling plate 1 is abutted against the shell 5 through the support 201, not only can the direct contact between the cooling plate 1 and the shell 5 be avoided, but the contact area between the support 201 and the shell 5 is also small, which can greatly reduce the heat exchange generated between the cooling plate 1 and the shell 5, so that the cooling plate 1 can more concentratedly reduce the temperature of the bars 401, effectively solving the problem of poor cooling effect of the bar cooling structure in the existing battery pack.

[0032] The top surface of the cooling plate 1 refers to the cooling plate 1 along the Figure 1 The arrow in the middle refers to the end surface in the "upward" direction, and the bottom surface of the cooling plate 1 refers to the side of the cooling plate 1 along the Figure 1 The end face in the “downward” direction indicated by the arrow in the middle.

[0033] It should be noted that the cooling plate 1 also has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet connected to the main channel 101, which are used for the inflow and outflow of the coolant respectively. The cooling plate 1 can be connected to an external coolant delivery device, and can also be connected to other cooling components inside the battery pack.

[0034] Specifically, there is no limitation on the number of cooling structures, and there may be only one cooling structure or multiple cooling structures at the same time. There is no limitation on the number of main channels 101 of the cooling plate 1 in the cooling structure, and there may be one main channel 101 in a cooling plate 1 or multiple main channels 101 in a cooling plate 1. The number of cooling structures and the number of main channels 101 can be selected according to the arrangement and number of the busbars 401 in the battery pack.

[0035] Furthermore, there is no limitation on the specific extension method of the main channel 101 , and it may extend along a straight line or in a curve, as long as it can match the arrangement of the bar pieces 401 .

[0036] Preferably, if Figure 1 As shown, the cells in the cell unit 4 are usually arranged in multiple columns, so the bars 401 therein are also arranged in multiple columns, and the main channel 101 matches a corresponding column of bars 401 and extends in a straight line.

[0037] In this embodiment, the support member 201 is a foam member. The interior of the foam member is loose and porous, and has a low thermal conductivity, which can effectively reduce the heat exchange between the cooling plate 1 and the shell 5 .

[0038] It can be understood that, as an alternative embodiment, the support member 201 can also be a rubber member or other elastic member.

[0039] Among them, foam is a material formed by foaming plastic particles.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cooling structure also includes a thermal pad 3, and the heat exchange surface cooperates with the bar piece 401 through the thermal pad 3. The thermal pad 3 has high thermal conductivity efficiency and is flexible. After the heat exchange surface is pressed against the bar piece 401 through the thermal pad 3, the thermal pad 3 can better match and fit with the heat exchange surface and the surface of the bar piece 401, thereby improving the thermal conductivity efficiency.

[0041] Specifically, the thermal pad 3 is a thermally conductive rubber pad.

[0042] There is no limitation on the specific type of the thermally conductive pad, and it can be any type of thermally conductive pad with silicone as the base material, which can be flexibly selected according to the needs.

[0043] In this embodiment, the thermal pad 3 is bonded to the heat exchange surface, and the thermal pad 3 is bonded to the bar sheet 401 , and the connection form is simple and reliable.

[0044] In this embodiment, an insulating layer is provided on the bottom surface of the cooling plate 1, which can effectively insulate the cooling plate 1 from the bar sheet 401, avoid current conduction, and improve the safety of the cooling process.

[0045] There is no limitation on the specific type of the insulating layer, and it may be a ceramic insulating layer, a rubber insulating layer, etc., and can be flexibly selected according to demand.

[0046] In this embodiment, a plurality of main channels 101 are arranged inside the cooling plate 1, and a connecting channel 102 is also arranged inside the cooling plate 1. The main channels 101 are connected in sequence through the connecting channel 102. The support unit 2 includes a plurality of support members 201, and the support members 201 are arranged one-to-one with the main channels 101. A plurality of columns of bars 401 can be cooled simultaneously through one cooling plate 1. In addition, the position of the connecting channel 102 does not need to contact with external components, which can effectively reduce the heat exchange process between the coolant in the connecting channel 102 and the outside world.

[0047] In this embodiment, the cooling plate 1 includes an upper plate 103 and a lower plate 104. The lower plate 104 forms a groove corresponding to the position of the main channel 101 and the connecting channel 102. The lower plate 104 and the upper plate 103 together form the main channel 101 and the connecting channel 102. The groove is located in the lower plate 104, which can effectively increase the heat exchange surface between the cooling plate 1 and the space below. When the coolant flows through the main channel 101 and the connecting channel 102, it can not only exchange heat with the bar plate 401, but also exchange heat with the air below the cooling plate 1 to reduce the ambient temperature around the bar plate 401.

[0048] In this embodiment, there are multiple cooling structures, and the cooling device also includes a connecting pipe 6. The main channels 101 of adjacent cooling structures are connected through the connecting pipe 6. The connection method is simple and reliable. After the multiple cooling structures are connected, an integrated circulation structure is formed. Only one liquid inlet and one liquid outlet are needed to meet the circulation needs of the coolant.

[0049] In this embodiment, the thickness of the main channel 101 is smaller than its width. The flat main channel 101 has relatively less heat exchange surface with the surrounding air, which enables the coolant in the main channel 101 to cool the blade more effectively.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the utility model, on the other hand, a battery pack is provided, which includes: a battery cell unit 4, a shell 5 and the above-mentioned cooling device, the battery cell unit 4 includes battery cells arranged in a row and a bar 401 connecting the battery cells, the shell 5 has a placement cavity for placing the battery cell unit 4, and the cooling device is arranged inside the shell 5.

[0051] In this embodiment, the battery pack also includes other necessary components such as an expansion beam and a control assembly arranged inside the shell 5.

[0052] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooling device for cooling a sheet (401) of a battery cell unit (4) of a battery pack, wherein the battery cell unit (4) is arranged in a housing (5) of the battery pack, characterized in that: The cooling device comprises at least one cooling structure, wherein the cooling structure comprises: A cooling plate (1) having a main channel (101) for circulating a cooling liquid therein, wherein the main channel (101) extends in the same direction as the bar plate (401) and is arranged corresponding to the bar plate (401), and the bottom surface of the cooling plate (1) corresponds to the main channel (101) to form a heat exchange surface that cooperates with the bar plate (401); A support unit (2) is arranged on the top surface of the cooling plate (1), and the support unit (2) includes a support member (201). The support member (201) is arranged corresponding to the main channel (101), and the support member (201) is an elastic member. The support member (201) has an abutment surface (2011) that cooperates with the inside of the shell (5). The position of the top surface of the cooling plate (1) corresponding to the main channel (101) is abutted and cooperated with the inner wall of the shell (5) through the support member (201), and the support member (201) cooperates with the shell (5) to press the cooling plate (1) and the bar (401) tightly.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support member (201) is a foam member.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling structure further comprises a heat-conducting pad (3), and the heat exchange surface is heat-conductingly matched with the bar sheet (401) via the heat-conducting pad (3).

4. The cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The thermally conductive pad (3) is bonded to the heat exchange surface, and / or the thermally conductive pad (3) is bonded to the pad (401).

5. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the cooling plate (1) is provided with an insulating layer.

6. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The cooling plate (1) is provided with a plurality of main flow channels (101) inside, and the cooling plate (1) is also provided with a connecting flow channel (102) inside, and the main flow channels (101) are connected in sequence through the connecting flow channel (102), and the supporting unit (2) includes a plurality of supporting members (201), and the supporting members (201) are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the main flow channels (101).

7. The cooling device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cooling plate (1) comprises an upper plate (103) and a lower plate (104); the lower plate (104) forms a downwardly convex groove corresponding to the position of the main flow channel (101) and the connecting flow channel (102); the lower plate (104) and the upper plate (103) together form the main flow channel (101) and the connecting flow channel (102).

8. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: There are a plurality of cooling structures, and the cooling device further comprises a connecting pipe (6), through which the main channels (101) of adjacent cooling structures are connected.

9. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The thickness dimension of the main channel (101) is smaller than its width dimension.

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: include: A battery cell unit (4), comprising battery cells arranged in a row and a bar (401) connecting the battery cells; A housing (5) having a placement cavity therein for placing the battery cell unit (4); The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is arranged inside the housing (5).

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