Cooling device and battery pack

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a cooling device and a battery pack, and relates to the technical field of batteries. The cooling device comprises a plurality of side cooling plates, a liquid inlet pipe and a liquid outlet pipe, the side cooling plates are arranged side by side at intervals, each side cooling plate is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels and at least two connecting blocks, each connecting block is provided with an inserting hole, and the inserting holes are communicated with the liquid cooling channels; the liquid inlet pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid inlet inserting ends, the liquid inlet inserting ends are matched with the inserting holes in the connecting block in an inserting mode, the liquid outlet pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid outlet inserting ends, and the liquid outlet inserting ends are matched with the inserting holes in the connecting block in an inserting mode. The plurality of side cold plates are communicated with the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe through the plurality of connecting blocks, so that the use of connecting hoses is reduced, and the mounting complexity is reduced; and the positions of the side cold plates are relatively fixed through connection of the connecting blocks, and displacement of the side cold plates is avoided. The embodiment of the utility model also provides a battery pack which comprises the cooling device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As the primary energy storage unit in electric vehicles, the battery pack is a key component. It consists of multiple battery modules, each of which contains multiple cells. The charge and discharge performance of a battery module is significantly affected by temperature. For example, lithium batteries, for example, have a shorter service life at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the battery modules themselves generate heat during use, causing their temperatures to rise, necessitating cooling.

[0003] At present, the cooling methods for battery modules generally include air cooling or liquid cooling. Liquid cooling uses side cold plates to directly contact the battery cells in the battery module, which has the advantages of rapid heat transfer and efficient cooling. However, as the number of battery modules in the battery pack increases, the number of side cold plates and supporting connecting hoses also increases. Not only does the installation become complicated, but the use of connecting hoses may cause the side cold plates to shift. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model provides a cooling device and a battery pack, which solve the problem of complicated installation caused by the need to use a large number of connecting hoses.

[0005] The embodiment of the present utility model can be implemented as follows:

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling device, which includes:

[0007] Multiple side cold plates, the multiple side cold plates are arranged side by side and at intervals, each side cold plate is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels, each side cold plate is installed with at least two connecting blocks, each connecting block is provided with a plug hole, and the plug hole is connected to the liquid cooling channel;

[0008] The liquid inlet pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid inlet plug ends, the number of the plurality of liquid inlet plug ends is the same as the number of the plurality of side cold plates, and the liquid inlet plug ends are plugged into and matched with the plug holes on the connection block;

[0009] The liquid outlet pipe is provided with a plurality of liquid outlet plug-in ends, the number of the plurality of liquid outlet plug-in ends is the same as the number of the plurality of side cold plates, and the liquid outlet plug-in ends are plugged into and matched with the plug-in holes on the connecting block.

[0010] Optionally, a first plug-in slot is provided on the connecting block, the first plug-in slot is communicated with the plug-in hole, and the side cold plate is plugged into the first plug-in slot.

[0011] Optionally, there are two liquid cooling channels on the side cold plate, both of which pass through the ends of the side cold plate, and the connecting blocks are installed at the same end of the liquid cooling channels. A guide block is installed on the end of the side cold plate away from the connecting block, and the guide block connects the two liquid cooling channels on the side cold plate.

[0012] Optionally, a second plug-in slot and a third plug-in slot are provided on the guide block, and the second plug-in slot is communicated with the third plug-in slot;

[0013] The second plug-in slot is communicated with a liquid cooling channel on the side cold plate, and the third plug-in slot is communicated with another liquid cooling channel on the side cold plate.

[0014] Optionally, the guide block and the side cold plate are connected by welding.

[0015] Optionally, welding is adopted between the connecting block and the liquid inlet pipe, the connecting block and the liquid outlet pipe, and the connecting block and the side cold plate.

[0016] Optionally, there are two liquid cooling channels on the side cold plate, and the side cold plate includes a middle plate, a first side plate and a second side plate. The first side plate and the second side plate are arranged on both sides of the middle plate, one liquid cooling channel is arranged on the first side plate, and the other liquid cooling channel is arranged on the second side plate.

[0017] Optionally, the cross section of the second side plate is T-shaped.

[0018] Optionally, the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe are both arranged perpendicular to the side cold plate.

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, comprising the cooling device.

[0020] The cooling device and battery pack of the present invention have the following beneficial effects, for example:

[0021] The cooling device includes multiple side cold plates, liquid inlet pipes, and liquid outlet pipes. The multiple side cold plates are arranged side by side and at intervals. Each side cold plate is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels. Each side cold plate is installed with at least two connecting blocks. Each connecting block is provided with a plug hole, which is connected to the liquid cooling channel. The liquid inlet pipe is provided with multiple liquid inlet plug ends, which plug and match with the plug holes on the connecting block. The liquid outlet pipe is provided with multiple liquid outlet plug ends, which plug and match with the plug holes on the connecting block. The multiple side cold plates are connected to the liquid inlet pipes and liquid outlet pipes through the multiple connecting blocks, which reduces the use of connecting hoses and also reduces the complexity of installation. In addition, the connection method between the connecting block and the side cold plate, and the connecting block and the liquid inlet pipes and liquid outlet pipes can also make the position of the side cold plate relatively fixed, preventing the side cold plate from displacement.

[0022] The battery pack includes a cooling device, which has all the functions of a cooling device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a first view of the cooling device structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 A second view of the cooling device structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of a side cooling plate provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a connecting block provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a guide block provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the liquid outlet plug-in end and the liquid inlet plug-in end added in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of a cooling device applied to multiple battery modules is provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Icons: 1-side cold plate; 10-middle plate; 11-first side plate; 12-second side plate; 111-liquid cooling channel; 13-conductive layer; 14-conductive connector; 2-liquid inlet pipe; 20-liquid inlet pipe connector; 21-liquid inlet plug-in terminal; 3-liquid outlet pipe; 30-liquid outlet pipe connector; 31-liquid outlet plug-in terminal; 4-connecting block; 40-plug-in hole; 41-first plug-in slot; 5-guide block; 50-second plug-in slot; 51-third plug-in slot; 6-battery module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0034] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent drawings.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or is the orientation or position relationship in which the utility model product is usually placed when in use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0037] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc., if used, are merely used to distinguish and describe, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0038] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0039] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "disposed" and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0040] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0041] Currently, the side cold plates used for liquid cooling of battery modules are in direct contact with the battery cells in the battery modules. However, as the number of battery modules in the battery pack increases, the number of side cold plates and the corresponding connecting hoses also increases. Not only does the installation become complicated, but the use of connecting hoses may cause the side cold plates to shift.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 The cooling device and battery pack provided in the embodiments of the present invention can solve the above problems, which will be described in detail below.

[0043] The cooling device includes multiple side cold plates 1, multiple connecting blocks 4, liquid inlet pipes 2, and liquid outlet pipes 3. The multiple side cold plates 1 are arranged side by side and spaced apart, each of which is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels 111. Each side cold plate 1 is mounted with at least two connecting blocks 4, each of which is provided with a socket hole 40. The liquid inlet pipe 2 is provided with multiple liquid inlet plug-in terminals 21, the number of which is the same as the number of the multiple side cold plates 1, and the liquid inlet plug-in terminals 21 plug into the socket holes 40 on the connecting blocks 4. The liquid outlet pipe 3 is provided with multiple liquid outlet plug-in terminals 31, the number of which is the same as the number of the multiple side cold plates 1, and the liquid outlet plug-in terminals 31 plug into the socket holes 40 on the connecting blocks 4.

[0044] A connecting block 4 is installed at the liquid cooling channel 111 of the side cold plate 1 to connect the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 with the liquid cooling channel 111. The connection form of the connecting block 4 reduces the number of connecting hoses used, thereby reducing the complexity of installation and reducing the installation cost. At the same time, the connecting block 4 can limit the position of the side cold plate 1 and the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 to a certain extent, avoiding displacement of the side cold plate 1.

[0045] refer to Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, there are two side cold plates 1, and there is only one liquid inlet pipe 2 and one liquid outlet pipe 3. Four independently arranged connecting blocks 4 are used, and the four connecting blocks 4 are exactly the same; both ends of the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 are connected and communicated with the side cold plate 1 through a connecting block 4 respectively.

[0046] Two side cold plates 1 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart, with a battery module 6 positioned between them. The cells in the battery module 6 are in contact with the side cold plates 1, allowing heat dissipation and cooling of the cells through the side cold plates 1. Two liquid cooling channels 111 are provided on each side cold plate 1. The liquid cooling channels 111 run through both ends of the side cold plates 1. One end connects the two liquid cooling channels 111 via a guide block 5, while the other end has two connecting blocks 4 mounted on the two liquid cooling channels 111. These are connected to and communicate with the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3, respectively, through the connecting blocks 4. In this embodiment, the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 are both located at the same end of the side cold plate 1.

[0047] Specifically, refer to Figure 4 The side cold plate 1 includes a middle plate 10, a first side plate 11 and a second side plate 12. The middle plate 10 is a solid long flat plate. The first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12 are respectively arranged on the long sides of the middle plate 10 and fixedly connected. Liquid cooling channels 111 are provided on the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12. The first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12 are in contact with the non-electrode of the battery cells in the battery module 6 to dissipate heat and cool the battery cells. The number of liquid cooling channels 111 is greater than or equal to two, so that the coolant medium in the liquid cooling channels 111 flows in layers, which is used to dissipate heat and cool different parts of the battery cells. In this embodiment, the liquid cooling channels 111 on the two side cold plates 1 are arranged in the same manner and have the same size.

[0048] The side cold plate 1 is generally connected to the housing of the battery module 6. Therefore, in order to make the connection between the side cold plate 1 and the housing of the battery module 6 more stable, the second side plate 12 is set to be T-shaped so that the side cold plate 1 and the housing of the battery module 6 have more contact area.

[0049] refer to Figure 5 The connecting block 4 is provided with a plug hole 40 and a first plug slot 41, which are connected to each other. The plug hole 40 is used to provide a plugging position for the liquid inlet pipe 2 or the liquid outlet pipe 3, and the first plug slot 41 is used to provide a position for plugging and connecting the connecting block 4 with the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12. The liquid cooling channel 111 on the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12 is connected to the first plug slot 41 on the connecting block 4, thereby conducting the liquid inlet pipe 2 or the liquid outlet pipe 3 to the liquid cooling channel 111 on the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12. It should be noted that the aperture and shape of the plug hole 40 match the liquid inlet pipe 2 or the liquid outlet pipe 3, and the first plug groove 41 is adapted to the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12, so that the liquid inlet pipe 2 or the liquid outlet pipe 3 will not leak when connected to the connecting block 4, and the connecting block 4 will not leak when installed on the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12.

[0050] Furthermore, the liquid inlet pipe 2, the liquid outlet pipe 3, the connecting block 4, the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12 are all made of metal. Brazing is used to connect the connecting block 4 and the liquid inlet pipe 2, the connecting block 4 and the liquid outlet pipe 3, the connecting block 4 and the first side plate 11, and the connecting block 4 and the second side plate 12. The connection is firm and reliable and there is no risk of leakage.

[0051] Furthermore, the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 are both arranged perpendicular to the side cold plate 1, so that the entire cooling device is more stable.

[0052] The shape of the connecting block 4 is not limited in this embodiment and can be processed as follows: Figure 5 The grooved regular quadrangular prism shown can also be processed into a grooved cylinder.

[0053] refer to Figure 6 and combined Figure 1 A guide block 5 is mounted on the side cold plate 1 at the end away from the connection block 4. The guide block 5 connects the two liquid cooling channels 111 on the same side cold plate 1. Specifically, the guide block 5 is provided with a second insertion slot 50 and a third insertion slot 51. The second insertion slot 50 and the third insertion slot 51 are connected. The second insertion slot 50 and the third insertion slot 51 correspond to the first side plate 11 and the second side plate 12, respectively. The end of the first side plate 11 away from the connection block 4 is inserted into the second insertion slot 50, and the end of the second side plate 12 away from the connection block 4 is inserted into the third insertion slot 51.

[0054] In addition, a conductive layer 13 is attached to the surface of the central plate 10 of the side cold plate 1. A conductive connector 14 is connected to the conductive layer 13. The conductive layer 13 is in contact with the electrodes of the battery cell, and a wire can be directly connected to the conductive connector 14 to form a conductive path. Because the electrodes of the battery cell are mostly protruding, the thickness of the central plate 10 is less than that of the first and second side plates 11, 12. This allows the battery cell electrodes to connect to the conductive layer 13, while other parts of the battery cell can connect to the first and second side plates 11, 12, to facilitate heat dissipation and cooling of the battery cell.

[0055] The liquid inlet pipe 2 is provided with a liquid inlet plug-in end 21. In this embodiment, the two ends of the liquid inlet pipe 2 are plugged into the plug-in holes 40 of the connecting block 4, so the two ends of the liquid inlet pipe 2 are liquid inlet plug-in ends 21. Similarly, the liquid outlet pipe 3 is provided with a liquid outlet plug-in end 31. The two ends of the liquid outlet pipe 3 are plugged into the plug-in holes 40 of the connecting block 4, so the two ends of the liquid outlet pipe 3 are liquid outlet plug-in ends 31. It should also be noted that the two ends of the liquid inlet pipe 2 are respectively connected to two independently provided connecting blocks 4, and the two ends of the liquid outlet pipe 3 are respectively connected to two other independently provided connecting blocks 4, corresponding to a total of four connecting blocks 4.

[0056] refer to Figure 7In other embodiments, a liquid inlet plug-in terminal 21 can be additionally provided on the liquid inlet pipe 2, and a liquid outlet plug-in terminal 31 can be additionally provided on the liquid outlet pipe 3. The number of the liquid inlet plug-in terminals 21 and the number of the liquid outlet plug-in terminals 31 are the same as the number of the side cold plates 1. The additional liquid inlet plug-in terminals 21 and the liquid outlet plug-in terminals 31 are both connected to a separately provided connecting block 4, and then a larger number of side cold plates 1 are arranged through the connecting block 4 to dissipate heat and cool more battery cells.

[0057] It should be noted that the liquid inlet pipe 2 is provided with a liquid inlet pipe joint 20, and the liquid outlet pipe 3 is provided with a liquid outlet pipe joint 30. The liquid inlet pipe joint 20 and the liquid outlet pipe joint 30 are connected to the pipeline for transporting the refrigerant medium to form a cooling circuit.

[0058] To sum up, the cooling device provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of side cold plates 1 arranged side by side and at intervals, each side cold plate 1 is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels 111, and a connecting block 4 is installed at the liquid cooling channel 111, and the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 are connected and communicated with the side cold plate 1 through the connecting block 4. The connection method using the connecting block 4 reduces the use of connecting hoses, reduces the complexity and cost of installation, and at the same time, the connecting block 4 can position and fix the side cold plate 1 and the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 to avoid displacement of the side cold plate 1.

[0059] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a battery pack, including the above cooling device, such as Figure 8 As shown, each side cold plate 1 is arranged between two adjacent battery modules 6 to cool the battery modules 6. The liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3 are located at the ends of the battery modules 6 to facilitate the pipeline arrangement of the liquid inlet pipe 2 and the liquid outlet pipe 3.

[0060] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling device, characterized in that: include: A plurality of side cold plates (1), the plurality of side cold plates (1) are arranged side by side and at intervals, each of the side cold plates (1) is provided with at least two liquid cooling channels (111), each of the side cold plates (1) is mounted with at least two connecting blocks (4), each of the connecting blocks (4) is provided with a plug hole (40), and the plug hole (40) is in communication with the liquid cooling channel (111); A liquid inlet pipe (2), the liquid inlet pipe (2) being provided with a plurality of liquid inlet plug-in ends (21), the number of the plurality of liquid inlet plug-in ends (21) being the same as the number of the plurality of side cold plates (1), the liquid inlet plug-in ends (21) being plug-fitted with the plug-in holes (40) on the connecting block (4); A liquid outlet pipe (3), wherein the liquid outlet pipe (3) is provided with a plurality of liquid outlet plug-in ends (31), the number of the plurality of liquid outlet plug-in ends (31) is the same as the number of the plurality of side cold plates (1), and the liquid outlet plug-in ends (31) are plug-fitted with the plug-in holes (40) on the connecting block (4).

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that The connecting block (4) is provided with a first plug-in slot (41), the first plug-in slot (41) is connected to the plug-in hole (40), and the side cold plate (1) is plugged into the first plug-in slot (41).

3. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that There are two liquid cooling channels (111) on the side cold plate (1), and both of the two liquid cooling channels (111) pass through the end of the side cold plate (1). The connecting blocks (4) are installed at the same end of the liquid cooling channels (111). A guide block (5) is installed on the end of the side cold plate (1) away from the connecting block (4), and the guide block (5) connects the two liquid cooling channels (111) on the side cold plate (1).

4. The cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that The guide block (5) is provided with a second plug-in slot (50) and a third plug-in slot (51), and the second plug-in slot (50) is communicated with the third plug-in slot (51); The second plug-in slot (50) is in communication with one of the liquid cooling channels (111) on the side cold plate (1), and the third plug-in slot (51) is in communication with another of the liquid cooling channels (111) on the side cold plate (1).

5. The cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that The guide block (5) and the side cold plate (1) are connected by welding.

6. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that The connection block (4) and the liquid inlet pipe (2), the connection block (4) and the liquid outlet pipe (3), and the connection block (4) and the side cold plate (1) are all connected by welding.

7. The cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the liquid cooling channels (111) on the side cold plate (1) is two, and the side cold plate (1) includes a middle plate (10), a first side plate (11) and a second side plate (12), the first side plate (11) and the second side plate (12) are arranged on both sides of the middle plate (10), one liquid cooling channel (111) is arranged on the first side plate (11), and the other liquid cooling channel (111) is arranged on the second side plate (12).

8. The cooling device according to claim 7, characterized in that The cross section of the second side plate (12) is T-shaped.

9. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The liquid inlet pipe (2) and the liquid outlet pipe (3) are both arranged perpendicular to the side cold plate (1).

10. A battery pack, characterized in that: Comprising the cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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