Combined phase change liquid cooling / liquid heating plate and module

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of modules, and particularly relates to a combined phase change liquid cooling / liquid heating plate and a module, which comprises a horizontal underframe, a plurality of rows of heat conducting plates are arranged on the underframe along the length direction, and battery cells are placed on the underframe on two sides of the heat conducting plates; the underframe is a U-shaped square tube, circulating fluid is contained in the tube, and the two ends of the U-shaped square tube are communicated with a power source to form a circulating pipeline; an annular channel is formed in the heat conduction plate, phase change fluid is contained in the annular channel, circulating fluid flows through the circulating pipeline to form temperature difference, the phase change fluid sinks in the circulating direction of the circulating fluid and is close to an inlet of the U-shaped square pipe, and the phase change fluid floats upwards in the circulating direction of the circulating fluid and is close to an outlet of the U-shaped square pipe, so that convection of the phase change fluid in the annular channel is achieved. The space is attached to the surface of the battery cell in a large area for rapid temperature control, and expansion of the battery cell is inhibited.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of modules, and in particular relates to a combined phase-change liquid cooling / heating plate and a module. Background Art

[0002] In order to maintain the consistency of battery module temperature, in existing technologies, cooling can be achieved through natural cooling, forced air cooling, liquid cooling, etc., and heating can also be achieved through heating to achieve reasonable control of battery cell temperature. Among them, liquid cooling / liquid heating is an effective heat dissipation method.

[0003] Currently, the cold / hot plates are generally placed at the bottom of the battery cell, and the cooling / heating area is relatively small, resulting in low cooling / heating efficiency and inability to effectively suppress the expansion of the battery module in the direction of its large surface. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the above problems, the present invention proposes a combined phase-change liquid cooling / heating plate, comprising a horizontal base frame, on which a plurality of rows of heat conducting plates are arranged along the length direction, and battery cells are placed on the base frames on both sides of the heat conducting plates;

[0005] The base frame is a U-shaped square tube, and a circulating fluid is placed in the tube. Both ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to a power source to form a circulation pipeline. An annular channel is provided in the heat conduction plate, and a phase-change fluid is placed in the annular channel. The circulating fluid flows through the circulation pipeline to form a temperature difference. Along the circulation direction of the circulating fluid, the phase-change fluid sinks near the inlet a of the U-shaped square tube and floats near the outlet b of the U-shaped square tube, so that the phase-change fluid in the annular channel is convective.

[0006] Preferably, the temperatures of the circulating fluid and the phase change fluid can be adjusted by an external heat exchanger.

[0007] Preferably, the power source includes a pipeline, and both ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to an external water tank and a water pump through the pipeline.

[0008] Preferably, the heat conducting plate is a square plate having the same width as the base frame, and an annular channel is provided along the inner edge of the square plate.

[0009] Preferably, the battery core and the heat conducting plate are bonded to each other, and a foam spacer is embedded in the bonding portion.

[0010] Preferably, the phase change fluid is a phase change slurry.

[0011] Preferably, the circulating fluid is an ethylene glycol solution.

[0012] Preferably, the outer surfaces of the heat conducting plate and the base frame are coated with insulating flame retardant material.

[0013] Preferably, the base frame and the heat conducting plate are welded or detachably connected.

[0014] The present invention also claims protection for a module, which uses the above-mentioned combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate, characterized in that it includes a set of end plates, a set of side plates and a set of integrated cover plates, which are respectively arranged on six sides of the combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate;

[0015] A total positive electrode sheet and a total negative electrode sheet are respectively provided on a group of end plates. The battery cells are electrically connected to each other and are respectively led out from the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The positive terminal is electrically connected to the total positive electrode sheet, and the negative terminal is electrically connected to the total negative electrode sheet.

[0016] Beneficial effects

[0017] 1. The present invention achieves two technical effects by providing a circulation pipeline and an annular channel, combined with the special properties of the phase change fluid. First, the flow of the circulating fluid in the circulation pipeline can control the temperature of the bottom of the battery cell. Second, the flow of the circulation pipeline forms a temperature difference, which allows the phase change fluid in the annular channel to naturally convect and control the temperature of the side of the battery cell. The two complement each other.

[0018] Not only that, the adjacent heat conducting plates and the base frame also form a space to constrain the battery cells, which means that not only does this space fit closely with the surface of the battery cells over a large area for rapid temperature control, but it also suppresses the expansion of the battery cells.

[0019] 2. The present invention abandons the traditional cold / hot plate and adopts a heat conducting plate that fits the side of the battery cell, which increases the heat exchange area and achieves cooling / heating effect.

[0020] 3. The utility model abandons the traditional technology of setting protective materials between battery cells. Instead, only foam spacers are embedded between the heat conducting plate and the battery cells, and insulating flame retardant materials are applied to the outer surfaces of the heat conducting plate and the base frame. Through the liquid cooling / liquid heating temperature control method, the battery cells will not suffer from thermal runaway.

[0021] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be described in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or understood by practicing the present invention. The purpose and other advantages of the present invention can be achieved and obtained by the structures indicated in the description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1Shows a three-dimensional diagram of a combined phase-change liquid cooling plate in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a combined phase change liquid cooling plate in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 It shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the battery cell and the heat conducting plate in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a module in the second embodiment of the present utility model is shown.

[0027] In the figure,

[0028] 10. Base frame; 10a. Entrance; 10b. Exit;

[0029] 11. heat conducting plate; 110. annular channel; 111. foam spacer;

[0030] 2. Battery cells;

[0031] 3. End plate;

[0032] 4. Side panels;

[0033] 5. Integrated cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] 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 part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a combined phase-change liquid cooling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The diagram shows a combined phase-change liquid cooling / heating plate, comprising a horizontal base frame 10, on which a plurality of rows of heat conducting plates 11 are arranged along the length direction. Battery cells 2 are placed on the base frame 10 on both sides of the heat conducting plates 11.

[0036] The base frame 10 is a U-shaped square tube, and a circulating fluid is placed in the tube. The two ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to the power source to form a circulation pipeline. An annular channel 110 is provided in the heat conducting plate 11, and a phase change fluid is placed in the annular channel 110. The circulating fluid flows through the circulation pipeline to form a temperature difference. Along the circulation direction of the circulating fluid, the phase change fluid sinks near the inlet 10a of the U-shaped square tube and floats near the outlet 10b of the U-shaped square tube, so that the phase change fluid in the annular channel 110 is convective.

[0037] The present invention achieves two technical effects by providing a circulation pipeline and an annular channel 110, combined with the special properties of the phase change fluid. First, the flow of the circulating fluid in the circulation pipeline can control the temperature of the bottom of the battery cell 2. Second, the flow of the circulation pipeline forms a temperature difference, which allows the phase change fluid in the annular channel 110 to naturally convect and control the temperature of the side of the battery cell 2. The two complement each other.

[0038] Moreover, the adjacent heat conducting plates 11 and the base frame 10 also form a space for constraining the battery cells 2 , which means that not only does the space fit closely with the surface of the battery cells 2 over a large area for rapid temperature control, but it also suppresses the expansion of the battery cells 2 .

[0039] In fact, the normal temperature of the general circulating fluid and phase change fluid is 25℃-35℃. The temperature of the battery cell 2 can be continuously controlled through the circulation pipeline and natural convection. However, when the temperature of the battery cell 2 is too high or too low, the temperature can be adjusted through an external heat exchanger. For example, when the temperature of the battery cell 2 is too low, the temperature of the circulating fluid and phase change fluid can be increased through the heat exchanger to heat the battery cell 2.

[0040] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic side view of a combined phase-change liquid cold plate in an embodiment of the present invention is shown; the power source includes a pipeline, and both ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to an external water tank and a water pump through pipelines. When temperature control is performed, the circulating fluid is driven by the water pump, flows from the external water tank through the inlet 10a into the base frame 10, controls the temperature of the battery cell 2, and then flows out from the outlet 10b to the external water tank.

[0041] The circulating fluid is ethylene glycol solution, and the phase change fluid is phase change slurry.

[0042] The heat conducting plate 11 is a square plate, which is the same width as the base frame 10, and an annular channel 110 is set along the inner edge of the square plate. The annular channel 110 is the same width as the U-shaped square tube. At this time, the circulating fluid flowing through the U-shaped square tube is closest to the phase change fluid in the annular channel 110, and the temperature difference that can be generated is greater.

[0043] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the battery cell and the heat conducting plate in an embodiment of the present invention; the battery cell 2 and the heat conducting plate 11 are attached to each other, and a foam spacer 111 is embedded in the attachment portion.

[0044] The utility model abandons the traditional cold plate and adopts a heat conducting plate 11 that is bonded to the side of the battery core 2, thereby increasing the heat exchange area and achieving cooling and heat dissipation. Only a foam spacer 111 is embedded between the heat conducting plate 11 and the battery core 2, and the outer surfaces of the heat conducting plate 11 and the base frame 10 are coated with insulating flame retardant material. Through the temperature control method of liquid cooling, the battery core 2 does not suffer from thermal runaway.

[0045] The outer surfaces of the heat conducting plate 11 and the base frame 10 are coated with insulating flame retardant materials to avoid insulation and flame retardancy failure.

[0046] The operating logic of the combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate during temperature control is as follows: First, based on the temperature of the battery cell 2, it is determined whether a cooling or heating operation is required. Under normal circumstances, the normal temperature of the general circulating fluid and the phase change fluid is 25°C-35°C;

[0047] Here, taking the case of overheating of the battery cell 2 as an example, the external heat exchanger adjusts the circulating fluid and the phase change fluid to a low temperature. First, the battery cell 2 heats up, and the temperature is transferred to the heat conducting plate 11, melting the phase change slurry in the annular channel 110. However, due to the encapsulation of the microcapsules, the density of the microcapsules decreases, causing the phase change slurry to float.

[0048] Then, the water pump is turned on, so that the circulating fluid in the external water tank enters the U-shaped square tube from the inlet 10a to cool the bottom of the battery cell 2. At this time, the temperature at the inlet 10a is relatively low, and the phase change slurry sinks due to its own characteristics. At the outlet 10b, because it flows through the battery cell 2, the temperature rises, so the phase change slurry floats, resulting in the phase change slurry completing a cycle in the annular channel 110 from the inlet 10a side to the top of the heat conduction plate 11, to the outlet 10b side, and then back to the inlet 10a side, thereby maintaining the temperature uniformity of the battery cell 2.

[0049] The present invention also claims protection for a module, and based on the number of cells between two adjacent heat conducting plates 11, the module can be classified and two embodiments are provided;

[0050] In the first embodiment, only one battery cell is arranged between two adjacent heat conducting plates 11 to form a single parallel battery cell module, which includes a set of end plates, a set of side plates and a set of integrated cover plates, which are respectively arranged on the six sides of the combined phase change liquid cooling plate;

[0051] A total positive electrode sheet and a total negative electrode sheet are respectively provided on a group of end plates. The battery cells are connected in series and are led out from the positive end and the negative end respectively. The positive end is electrically connected to the total positive electrode sheet, and the negative end is electrically connected to the total negative electrode sheet.

[0052] Embodiment 2: Two adjacent heat conducting plates 11 are provided with at least two battery cells 2 to form a multi-cell module. Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the module of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown; in this schematic diagram, it includes a set of end plates 3, a set of side plates 4 and a set of integrated cover plates 5, which are respectively arranged on the six sides of the combined phase change liquid cooling plate;

[0053] A total positive electrode sheet and a total negative electrode sheet are respectively provided on a group of end plates 3. At least two battery cells 2 located in two adjacent heat conducting plates 11 are connected in parallel to each other to form a battery cell unit. The battery cell units are connected in series in sequence and are respectively led out from the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The positive terminal is electrically connected to the total positive electrode sheet, and the negative terminal is connected to the total negative electrode sheet.

[0054] The base frame 10 is made of aluminum, but is not limited to aluminum. It should be ensured that the circulating fluid can flow in the flow channel of the integrated cover plate 5 at a certain flow rate without adversely affecting other integrated components on the integrated cover plate 5.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate, characterized in that: It comprises a horizontal base frame (10), wherein a plurality of rows of heat conducting plates (11) are arranged on the base frame (10) along the length direction, and battery cells (2) are placed on the base frames (10) located on both sides of the heat conducting plates (11); The base frame (10) is a U-shaped square tube, and a circulating fluid is placed in the tube. Both ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to a power source to form a circulating pipeline. An annular channel (110) is provided in the heat conducting plate (11), and a phase-change fluid is placed in the annular channel (110). The circulating fluid flows through the circulating pipeline to form a temperature difference. Along the circulation direction of the circulating fluid, the phase-change fluid sinks near the inlet (10a) of the U-shaped square tube and floats near the outlet (10b) of the U-shaped square tube, so that the phase-change fluid in the annular channel (110) is convective.

2. A combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperatures of the circulating fluid and the phase change fluid can be adjusted by an external heat exchanger.

3. A combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power source includes a pipeline, and both ends of the U-shaped square tube are connected to an external water tank and a water pump through the pipeline.

4. A combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heat conducting plate (11) is a square plate having the same width as the base frame (10), and an annular channel (110) is provided along the inner edge of the square plate.

5. A combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 4, characterized in that: The battery core (2) and the heat conducting plate (11) are bonded to each other, and a foam spacer (111) is embedded in the bonding portion.

6. The combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change fluid is a phase change slurry.

7. The combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circulating fluid is ethylene glycol solution.

8. The combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surfaces of the heat conducting plate (11) and the base frame (10) are coated with insulating flame retardant material.

9. The combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base frame (10) and the heat conducting plate (11) are connected by welding or in a detachable manner.

10. A module, which uses a combined phase change liquid cooling / heating plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: It comprises a group of end plates (3), a group of side plates (4) and a group of integrated cover plates (5), which are respectively arranged on six sides of the combined phase change liquid cooling / liquid heating plate; A total positive electrode sheet and a total negative electrode sheet are respectively provided on a group of end plates (3); the battery cells (2) are electrically connected to each other and are led out from the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively; the positive terminal is electrically connected to the total positive electrode sheet, and the negative terminal is electrically connected to the total negative electrode sheet.

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