Liquid cooling device and battery system

Abstract

The utility model provides a liquid cooling device and a battery system. The liquid cooling device comprises a bottom cold plate; a plurality of lateral cold plates are vertically arranged on the bottom cold plate at intervals, an accommodating space for accommodating a battery cell is formed between at least two adjacent lateral cold plates in the plurality of lateral cold plates, and a liquid inlet flow channel and a liquid outlet flow channel which are communicated with each other are formed in each lateral cold plate; and the liquid inlet flow channel is close to a pole of the battery cell relative to the liquid outlet flow channel. The battery liquid cooling device solves the problem that a relatively large temperature difference is easily generated between the top and the bottom of a battery cell due to poor use performance of a battery liquid cooling device in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery equipment, and more specifically, to a liquid cooling device and a battery system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, liquid cooling plates are typically mounted at the bottom of the battery casing for system heat dissipation. However, battery cells usually have their terminals protruding from the top, meaning the actual heat is conducted from the terminals to the aluminum busbar. Under high-rate charging conditions, this can result in a situation where the top of the cell is hot and the bottom is cold, creating a significant temperature difference between the top and bottom of the cell, which can affect the battery's lifespan.

[0003] Therefore, existing technologies suffer from poor performance of battery liquid cooling devices, which can easily lead to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide a liquid cooling device and battery system to solve the problem in the related technology that the poor performance of the battery liquid cooling device easily leads to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid cooling device is provided, comprising: a bottom cold plate; and multiple side cold plates, wherein the multiple side cold plates are spaced apart and erected on the bottom cold plate, and at least two adjacent side cold plates have a receiving space for accommodating a battery cell, wherein the interior of the side cold plates has an inlet flow channel and an outlet flow channel that are interconnected, and the inlet flow channel is closer to the electrode post of the battery cell than the outlet flow channel.

[0006] Furthermore, both the inlet and outlet channels extend along the length of the lateral cold plate and are parallel to each other.

[0007] Furthermore, the interior of the lateral cold plate also has a central flow channel, one end of which is connected to the liquid inlet channel and the other end of which is connected to the liquid outlet channel.

[0008] Furthermore, the length direction of the intermediate flow channel is parallel to the vertical direction; or the intermediate flow channel is wavy or zigzag.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the lateral cold plate in the length direction has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid inlet is connected to the liquid inlet channel, and the liquid outlet is connected to the liquid outlet channel. Both the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at the first end in the length direction of the lateral cold plate; or the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at both ends in the length direction of the lateral cold plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the liquid cooling device also includes at least one connector, through which the second ends of any two adjacent lateral cold plates in the length direction are connected.

[0011] Furthermore, the liquid cooling device also includes a connecting pipe assembly, through which the liquid inlet and outlet channels of multiple lateral cold plates are connected to the internal channels of the bottom cold plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the multiple lateral cold plates are divided into at least two groups, and there is a clearance gap between the two lateral cold plates that are close to each other in the two adjacent groups.

[0013] Furthermore, the lateral cold plates and the bottom cold plate are perpendicular to each other; and / or any two lateral cold plates are parallel to each other.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery system is provided, including the liquid cooling device described above.

[0015] Applying the technical solution of this utility model, the liquid cooling device in this application includes a bottom cold plate and side cold plates. There are multiple side cold plates, which are spaced apart and erected on the bottom cold plate. At least two adjacent side cold plates have a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell. The interior of the side cold plates has interconnected liquid inlet channels and liquid outlet channels, and the liquid inlet channel is closer to the electrode post of the battery cell than the liquid outlet channel.

[0016] When using the liquid cooling device of this application, since the liquid cooling device has a bottom cold plate and a side cold plate, and the battery cell can be placed in the receiving space enclosed by the side cold plate and the bottom cold plate, the liquid cooling device can simultaneously cool the battery cell through the bottom cold plate and the side cold plate, thereby effectively improving the cooling effect of the liquid cooling device on the battery cell. Therefore, when increasing the fast charging rate of the battery cell, it can effectively prevent the battery cell from experiencing thermal runaway. Furthermore, regarding the side cold plate of this application, since the inlet channel is closer to the battery cell's terminal post than the outlet channel, the side cold plate absorbs more heat from the top of the battery cell through the inlet channel than it absorbs from the bottom of the battery cell through the outlet channel. This effectively avoids the battery cell becoming hot at the top and cold at the bottom. Therefore, the liquid cooling device of this application effectively solves the problem of poor performance of existing battery liquid cooling devices, which easily leads to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a battery system according to a specific embodiment of this application is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1Exploded view of part of the battery system structure;

[0020] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the liquid inlet channel, liquid outlet channel, and intermediate channel of a lateral cold plate according to a specific embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the liquid inlet channel, liquid outlet channel, and intermediate channel of the lateral cold plate according to another specific embodiment of this application is shown.

[0022] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0023] 10. Bottom cold plate; 20. Side cold plate; 21. Liquid inlet channel; 22. Liquid outlet channel; 23. Middle channel; 30. Battery cell; 40. Housing space; 50. Connector; 60. Connecting pipeline assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present utility model or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0027] In order to solve the problem that poor performance of battery liquid cooling devices in related technologies can easily lead to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell 30, this application provides a liquid cooling device and a battery system.

[0028] Furthermore, the battery system in this application has the following liquid cooling device.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the liquid cooling device in this application includes a bottom cold plate 10 and side cold plates 20. There are multiple side cold plates 20, which are spaced apart on the bottom cold plate 10. At least two adjacent side cold plates 20 have a receiving space 40 for accommodating the battery cell 30. The side cold plates 20 have interconnected liquid inlet channels 21 and liquid outlet channels 22, and the liquid inlet channels 21 are closer to the electrode of the battery cell 30 than the liquid outlet channels 22.

[0030] When using the liquid cooling device of this application, since the liquid cooling device has a bottom cold plate 10 and a side cold plate 20, and the battery cell 30 can be placed within the receiving space 40 formed by the side cold plate 20 and the bottom cold plate 10, the liquid cooling device can simultaneously cool the battery cell 30 through the bottom cold plate 10 and the side cold plate 20, thereby effectively improving the cooling effect of the liquid cooling device on the battery cell 30. Therefore, when increasing the fast charging rate of the battery cell 30, thermal runaway of the battery cell 30 can be effectively prevented. At the same time, from another perspective, for the side cold plate 20 of this application, since the liquid inlet channel 21 is closer to the terminal of the battery cell 30 than the liquid outlet channel 22, the side cold plate 20 absorbs more heat from the top of the battery cell 30 through the liquid inlet channel 21 than it absorbs more heat from the bottom of the battery cell 30 through the liquid outlet channel 22, thus effectively preventing the battery cell 30 from being hot at the top and cold at the bottom. Therefore, the liquid cooling device in this application effectively solves the problem that the poor performance of existing battery liquid cooling devices easily leads to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the battery cell.

[0031] It should be noted that the liquid cooling device in this application can be integrated into the battery pack casing. Of course, the placement of the liquid cooling device can be adapted to meet specific usage requirements. In other words, the liquid cooling device in this application can also be located inside the battery pack casing.

[0032] Furthermore, for the battery cells 30 disposed within the receiving space 40, each receiving space 40 can contain one battery cell group consisting of multiple battery cells or multiple battery cell groups consisting of multiple battery cells. When two or more battery cell groups are disposed within the same receiving space 40, an installation gap can be provided between adjacent battery cell groups. Moreover, the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells 30 within the same battery cell group can be the same as the length direction of the lateral cold plate 20.

[0033] Meanwhile, in this application, the side cooling plate 20 can be made of high-strength profile plate, so that the side cooling plate 20 can not only cool and dissipate heat from the cell 30, but also serve as the longitudinal beam of the battery pack casing.

[0034] In one specific embodiment of this application, the side cooling plate 20 can be made of 3-series aluminum, which ensures a thinner side cooling plate 20, saving internal system space and even not affecting the internal space of the battery casing. Optionally, the thickness of the side cooling plate 20 ranges from 1.6mm to 4mm, with different thicknesses selected according to different schemes. Of course, the thickness range of the side cooling plate 20 can also be adjusted according to actual design requirements.

[0035] Optionally, both the inlet channel 21 and the outlet channel 22 extend along the length of the side cooling plate 20 and are parallel to each other. This arrangement not only effectively ensures the cooling effect of the side cooling plate 20 on the battery cell 30, but also effectively reduces the processing difficulty of the side cooling plate 20, thereby reducing the production cost of the battery system. Simultaneously, this arrangement also ensures more stable flow of coolant within the side cooling plate 20.

[0036] Preferably, such as Figure 3 As shown, the side cooling plate 20 also has an intermediate flow channel 23 inside. One end of the intermediate flow channel 23 is connected to the liquid inlet flow channel 21, and the other end of the intermediate flow channel 23 is connected to the liquid outlet flow channel 22. That is to say, in this application, the liquid inlet flow channel 21, the intermediate flow channel 23, and the liquid outlet flow channel 22 of the side cooling plate 20 can form a U-shaped flow channel. Of course, in this application, according to actual design requirements, multiple sets of liquid inlet flow channels 21, intermediate flow channels 23, and liquid outlet flow channels 22 can be provided in the side cooling plate 20, and each set of liquid inlet flow channels 21, intermediate flow channels 23, and liquid outlet flow channels 22 is U-shaped, but the U-shaped structure gradually decreases in size. In other words, at this time, the inlet channel 21, the intermediate channel 23 and the outlet channel 22 of the same group are interconnected, and all the inlet channels 21 of the multiple groups of inlet channels 21, intermediate channels 23 and outlet channels 22 are located above all the outlet channels 22, that is, all the inlet channels 21 are set close to the pole relative to all the outlet channels 22.

[0037] In another specific embodiment of this application, such as Figure 4 As shown, unlike the above embodiment, the liquid inlet and liquid outlet are located at the two ends of the length direction of the side cold plate 20, and at this time the liquid inlet channel 21, the middle channel 23 and the liquid outlet channel 22 extend and fold back and forth along the length direction of the side cold plate 20.

[0038] Optionally, the intermediate flow channel 23 is wavy or zigzag. Furthermore, the line connecting the two ends of the intermediate flow channel 23 is parallel to the horizontal direction or has an angle of less than 90 degrees with the horizontal direction.

[0039] Optionally, the length direction of the intermediate flow channel 23 is parallel to the vertical direction. Furthermore, in this application, the height direction of the lateral cold plate 20 is the same as the vertical direction. Of course, in this application, the intermediate flow channel 23 can also be configured as an arc-shaped flow channel, thereby ensuring a smoother transition at the connection between the intermediate flow channel 23 and the inlet flow channel 21, and at the connection between the intermediate flow channel 23 and the outlet flow channel 22, to ensure the effective flow of coolant in the lateral cold plate 20.

[0040] Optionally, the first end of the side cooling plate 20 along its length has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the inlet channel 21, and the outlet is connected to the outlet channel 22. That is, in this application, the coolant enters the inlet channel 21 of the side cooling plate 20 through the inlet, and after flowing through the outlet channel 22, it flows out of the side cooling plate through the outlet.

[0041] Specifically, the liquid cooling device further includes at least one connector 50, through which the second ends of any two adjacent lateral cooling plates 20 in the longitudinal direction are connected. That is, in this application, the liquid inlet and outlet can be located at one end of the lateral cooling plate 20 in the longitudinal direction, while the connector 50 is located at the other end of the lateral cooling plate 20. Furthermore, by providing the connector 50, the stability between two adjacent lateral cooling plates 20 can be effectively ensured, thereby preventing mutual movement between them and ensuring that the size of the accommodating space 40 formed by the two adjacent lateral cooling plates 20 and the bottom cooling plate 10 does not change, thus ensuring the stability of the battery cell assembly within the accommodating space 40. Therefore, this arrangement in this application effectively ensures the performance of the battery system.

[0042] In one specific embodiment of this application, the liquid cooling device further includes a connecting pipe assembly 60, through which the liquid inlet channels 21 and liquid outlet channels 22 of the plurality of side cold plates 20 are respectively connected to the internal channels of the bottom cold plate 10. That is, in this embodiment, the internal channels of the bottom cold plate 10 of the liquid cooling device are connected to the liquid inlet channels 21 and liquid outlet channels 22 of all the side cold plates 20. This arrangement effectively simplifies the internal structure of the battery system, thereby facilitating the miniaturization and lightweight design of the battery system. Of course, in addition to the arrangement in this embodiment, the liquid inlet channels 21 and liquid outlet channels 22 of the side cold plates 20 may also be chosen not to be connected to the internal channels of the bottom cold plate 10.

[0043] Optionally, the multiple lateral cooling plates 20 are divided into at least two groups, with a clearance gap between adjacent lateral cooling plates 20 in two groups. This arrangement provides clearance space for the thermal expansion of the battery cell assembly, thereby effectively ensuring the performance and safety of the battery system. Simultaneously, this arrangement also makes it easier for operators to assemble the battery system.

[0044] Optionally, the side cooling plates 20 and the bottom cooling plate 10 are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, any two side cooling plates 20 are parallel to each other. This arrangement ensures a more compact arrangement of the battery cells within the battery system, thereby enabling more efficient use of the space within the battery system's casing.

[0045] From the above description, it can be seen that the embodiments of this utility model achieve the following technical effects: When using the liquid cooling device of this application, since the liquid cooling device has a bottom cold plate 10 and a side cold plate 20, and the battery cell 30 can be placed within the accommodating space 40 formed by the side cold plate 20 and the bottom cold plate 10, the liquid cooling device can simultaneously cool the battery cell 30 through the bottom cold plate 10 and the side cold plate 20, thereby effectively improving the cooling effect of the liquid cooling device on the battery cell 30. Therefore, when the fast charging rate of the battery cell 30 is increased, the phenomenon of thermal runaway of the battery cell 30 can be effectively prevented. Meanwhile, from another perspective, regarding the side cooling plate 20 in this application, since the liquid inlet channel 21 is closer to the terminal post of the cell 30 than the liquid outlet channel 22, the side cooling plate 20 absorbs more heat from the top of the cell 30 through the liquid inlet channel 21 than it absorbs from the bottom of the cell 30 through the liquid outlet channel 22. Therefore, it effectively prevents the cell 30 from becoming hot at the top and cold at the bottom. Thus, the liquid cooling device in this application effectively solves the problem of poor performance of existing battery liquid cooling devices, which easily leads to a large temperature difference between the top and bottom of the cell.

[0046] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of each component itself.

[0047] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0048] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling device, characterized in that, include: Bottom cold plate (10); Side cold plates (20), there are multiple side cold plates (20), the multiple side cold plates (20) are spaced apart on the bottom cold plate (10), at least two adjacent side cold plates (20) have a receiving space (40) for accommodating the battery cell (30), the side cold plates (20) have interconnected liquid inlet channel (21) and liquid outlet channel (22), and the liquid inlet channel (21) is closer to the terminal of the battery cell (30) relative to the liquid outlet channel (22).

2. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet channel (21) and the outlet channel (22) both extend along the length of the lateral cold plate (20) and are parallel to each other.

3. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interior of the side cold plate (20) also has an intermediate flow channel (23), one end of which is connected to the liquid inlet flow channel (21), and the other end of which is connected to the liquid outlet flow channel (22).

4. The liquid cooling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The length direction of the intermediate flow channel (23) is parallel to the vertical direction; or The intermediate flow channel (23) is wavy or zigzag.

5. The liquid cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral cold plate (20) has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet at its longitudinal end. The liquid inlet is connected to the liquid inlet channel (21), and the liquid outlet is connected to the liquid outlet channel (22). Both the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at the first end of the length direction of the lateral cold plate (20); or The liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at opposite ends of the length of the lateral cold plate (20).

6. The liquid cooling device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The liquid cooling device further includes at least one connector (50), through which the second ends of any two adjacent lateral cooling plates (20) in the length direction are connected.

7. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The liquid cooling device further includes a connecting pipe assembly (60), through which the liquid inlet channels (21) and liquid outlet channels (22) of the plurality of side cold plates (20) are respectively connected to the internal channels of the bottom cold plate (10).

8. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The plurality of said lateral cold plates (20) are divided into at least two groups, and there is a clearance gap between two adjacent lateral cold plates (20) in two adjacent groups.

9. The liquid cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The lateral cold plate (20) and the bottom cold plate (10) are perpendicular to each other; and / or Any two of the lateral cold plates (20) are parallel to each other.

10. A battery system, characterized in that, The liquid cooling device includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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