Liquid cooling assembly, battery module and battery pack

Abstract

The utility model provides a liquid cooling assembly, a battery module and a battery pack. The liquid cooling assembly comprises a heat exchange unit and a connecting pipe set, the heat exchange unit comprises a plurality of heat exchange parts arranged at intervals in the X direction, a cylindrical battery column is installed between every two adjacent heat exchange parts, each heat exchange part is used for being connected with the cylindrical battery column in a heat conduction mode, each heat exchange part is provided with a conveying flow channel, and each conveying flow channel is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; the connecting pipe set comprises a liquid inlet branch pipe and a liquid outlet branch pipe, the liquid inlet branch pipe sequentially communicates with the multiple liquid inlets, an inlet allowing cooling liquid to flow in is formed in the liquid inlet branch pipe, the inlet is far away from the two heat exchange parts located on the edge in the multiple heat exchange parts, and the liquid outlet branch pipe sequentially communicates with the multiple liquid outlets. And an outlet through which the cooling liquid flows out is formed in one end of the liquid outlet branch pipe, so that the pressure drop difference caused by the length difference of pipelines can be reduced, enough cooling liquid flow can be ensured to be obtained by each heat exchange part, and the uniformity of cooling liquid flow conveying is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of energy storage technology, specifically to liquid cooling components, battery modules, and battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] The safety of a battery pack is primarily reflected in its heat dissipation. Related technologies typically employ liquid cooling systems to cool high-energy-density battery packs; however, current liquid cooling systems suffer from poor uniformity in coolant flow. Utility Model Content

[0003] The embodiments of this utility model provide a liquid cooling component, a battery module, and a battery pack, which can improve the problem of poor uniformity of coolant flow delivery in related technologies when liquid cooling components cool high-energy-density battery packs.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid cooling component.

[0005] In one embodiment, the liquid cooling assembly includes

[0006] A heat exchange unit includes multiple heat exchange sections spaced apart along the X direction. The space between two adjacent heat exchange sections is used for mounting a cylindrical battery array. Each heat exchange section is used for thermally connecting with the cylindrical battery array. Each heat exchange section forms a conveying channel, which has an inlet and an outlet.

[0007] The connecting pipe assembly includes an inlet branch pipe and an outlet branch pipe. The inlet branch pipe is sequentially connected to a plurality of inlet ports, forming an inlet for coolant to flow in. The inlet is located away from two of the heat exchange sections located at the edges of the plurality of heat exchange sections. The outlet branch pipe is sequentially connected to a plurality of outlet ports, and one end of the outlet branch pipe forms an outlet for coolant to flow out.

[0008] In one embodiment, the conveying channel is curved, and the inlet and outlet are located at the same end of the heat exchange section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are spaced apart along the Z-direction, which is parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical cells in the cylindrical battery array, and the liquid inlet is located adjacent to the bottom of the cylindrical battery array.

[0010] In one embodiment, each of the heat exchange sections is arranged to bend back and forth along the X direction, such that the heat exchange section forms a plurality of arc segments for thermally conductive connection with the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array.

[0011] In one embodiment, the two ends of each arc segment form an angle θ between the line connecting it to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell in the cylindrical battery array, wherein θ > 72°.

[0012] In one embodiment, the arc segment is provided with a thermally conductive structural adhesive, and the arc segment is thermally connected to the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array through the thermally conductive structural adhesive.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this utility model provide a battery module.

[0014] In one embodiment, the battery module includes at least two battery components spaced apart along the Z-axis, each battery component comprising:

[0015] substrate;

[0016] A cylindrical battery array is mounted on the substrate, the cylindrical battery array comprising a plurality of cylindrical battery columns spaced apart along the X direction;

[0017] The liquid cooling assembly described above is mounted on the substrate, and the cylindrical battery array is installed between two adjacent heat exchange sections, with each heat exchange section being thermally connected to the side wall of the cylindrical battery array.

[0018] In one embodiment, the cylindrical battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical cells arranged sequentially along the Y direction, and each cylindrical cell is provided with a pressure relief valve on the side facing the substrate.

[0019] The substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are provided one-to-one with a plurality of pressure relief valves, wherein each of the through holes along the Z direction is opposite to the corresponding pressure relief valve.

[0020] In one embodiment, the system further includes multiple support portions, with each support portion disposed between two adjacent battery assemblies. Each support portion has a cavity formed within it, and each support portion has multiple connection holes communicating with the cavity on the side facing the substrate. The multiple connection holes correspond one-to-one with and are connected to the multiple through holes. The support portion also has an outlet communicating with the cavity.

[0021] In one embodiment, the height of the cavity along the Z direction is H, wherein 4mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm.

[0022] In one embodiment, it further includes:

[0023] The liquid cooling section has a liquid storage chamber formed therein for storing coolant, and the liquid cooling section has an inlet and an outlet that are connected to the liquid storage chamber.

[0024] The conveying tube assembly includes an input tube and an output tube. The input tube has a first input end and a plurality of first output ends. The first input end is connected to the output port, and the plurality of first output ends are respectively connected to a plurality of inlets. The output tube has a second output end and a plurality of second input ends. The second output end is connected to the input port, and the plurality of second input ends are respectively connected to a plurality of outlets.

[0025] In one embodiment, the input pipe includes a main input pipe and a plurality of input branch pipes. One end of the main input pipe forms the first input terminal. The main input pipe is connected to one end of the plurality of input branch pipes, and the other end of the plurality of input branch pipes forms a plurality of first output terminals. The diameter of the input branch pipes is smaller than the diameter of the main input pipe.

[0026] In one embodiment, the output tube includes a main output tube and a plurality of branch output tubes. One end of the main output tube forms a second output terminal. The main output tube is connected to one end of the plurality of branch output tubes, and the other end of the plurality of branch output tubes forms a plurality of second input terminals. The diameter of the branch output tubes is smaller than the diameter of the main output tube.

[0027] In one embodiment, multiple cylindrical battery arrays are provided, and the multiple cylindrical battery arrays are arranged at intervals along the X direction.

[0028] In one embodiment, an accommodating space is formed between two adjacent heat exchange sections and the corresponding cylindrical battery array, and the accommodating space is filled with a heat-insulating medium.

[0029] In one embodiment, a limiting structure is further provided between the substrate and the heat exchange part. The limiting structure includes a limiting groove and a limiting protrusion adapted to the limiting groove. One of the limiting groove and the limiting protrusion is provided on the substrate, and the other is provided on the heat exchange part.

[0030] Thirdly, embodiments of this utility model provide a battery pack.

[0031] In one embodiment, the battery pack includes a battery module as described above.

[0032] Fourthly, embodiments of this utility model provide a vehicle.

[0033] In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery pack as described above.

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, multiple heat exchange sections spaced apart along the X-direction effectively increase the contact area with the cylindrical battery array, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. This design ensures that the heat generated by the cylindrical battery array during charging and discharging can be rapidly and uniformly absorbed and conducted. Each heat exchange section is thermally connected to the cylindrical battery array, meaning that heat can be directly transferred from the cylindrical battery array to the heat exchange section, reducing thermal resistance and improving heat transfer efficiency. The transport channels formed within each heat exchange section allow the coolant to circulate within the heat exchange section, continuously absorbing and carrying away heat. The design of the inlet and outlet branches allows multiple transport channels to be arranged in parallel, enabling the coolant to simultaneously enter and exit multiple heat exchange sections, ensuring that each heat exchange section is adequately cooled, thereby avoiding localized overheating. This uniform heat dissipation method helps improve the thermal management efficiency of the entire liquid cooling assembly. When the cylindrical battery array generates a large amount of heat, the coolant can quickly flow through each heat exchange section, carrying away the heat and achieving rapid cooling, keeping the cylindrical battery array operating within a suitable operating temperature range. The inlet of the liquid inlet branch pipe is positioned away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections among the multiple heat exchange sections, and the outlet branch pipe has an outlet at one end. This layout helps ensure that the coolant maintains a relatively stable flow rate and pressure as it flows through all heat exchange sections, thereby optimizing the cooling effect. Positioning the inlet away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections helps reduce pressure drop differences caused by variations in pipe length, ensuring that each heat exchange section receives sufficient coolant flow, improving the uniformity of coolant flow delivery, and enabling each heat exchange section to absorb and conduct heat more effectively, thus improving the heat exchange efficiency of the liquid cooling assembly. Furthermore, because of the high energy density of the battery pack, the cylindrical battery array located in the middle of the pack along the X-axis typically has a higher temperature. Positioning the inlet away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections allows for rapid cooling of the cylindrical battery array in the middle, thereby reducing the problem of large temperature differences among the multiple cylindrical battery arrays in the battery pack. The design of setting the inlet away from the two heat exchange sections located at the edge of the multiple heat exchange sections and forming an outlet at one end of the liquid outlet branch pipe makes the pipeline layout simpler and clearer, reduces the use of pipe crossings and connectors, and lowers the complexity and failure rate of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid cooling assembly provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the heat exchange section.

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of part A shown below;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery module provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0040] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of part B shown;

[0041] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Front view schematic diagram of the battery module shown;

[0042] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the substrate.

[0043] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0044] 1000, Battery Module;

[0045] 100. Battery components;

[0046] 10. Liquid cooling assembly; 1. Heat exchange unit; 11. Heat exchange section; 111. Liquid inlet; 112. Liquid outlet; 113. Arc segment; 21. Liquid inlet branch pipe; 211. Inlet; 22. Liquid outlet branch pipe; 221. Outlet; 3. Accommodation space.

[0047] 20. Substrate; 201. Through hole;

[0048] 30. Cylindrical battery array; 301. Cylindrical battery column; 3011. Cylindrical cell;

[0049] 40. Support section;

[0050] 50. Liquid cooling section;

[0051] 601, Input tube; 6011, First input terminal; 6012, First output terminal; 6013, Main input tube; 6014, Input branch tube; 602, Output tube; 6021, Second output terminal; 6022, Second input terminal; 6023, Main output tube; 6024, Output branch tube;

[0052] 701. Limiting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0053] 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. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. In the present utility model, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0054] The safety of a battery pack is primarily reflected in its heat dissipation. Related technologies typically employ liquid cooling systems to cool high-energy-density battery packs; however, current liquid cooling systems suffer from poor uniformity in coolant flow.

[0055] In view of this, the present invention proposes a liquid cooling assembly, which achieves efficient cooling of high-energy-density battery packs while ensuring uniform coolant flow. The liquid cooling assembly will be described in detail below with reference to the main accompanying drawings.

[0056] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid cooling assembly provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the heat exchange section. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a partially enlarged view at point A. The liquid cooling assembly 10 includes a heat exchange unit 1 and a connecting pipe assembly. The heat exchange unit 1 includes multiple heat exchange sections 11 spaced apart along the X direction. The space between two adjacent heat exchange sections 11 is used for mounting the cylindrical battery array 301 (see reference). Figure 4 Each heat exchange section 11 is used for thermally connected to the cylindrical battery array 301. Each heat exchange section 11 has a conveying channel with an inlet 111 and an outlet 112. The connecting pipe assembly includes an inlet branch pipe 21 and an outlet branch pipe 22. The inlet branch pipe 21 is connected to a plurality of inlets 111 in sequence. The inlet branch pipe 21 forms an inlet 211 for allowing coolant to flow in. The inlet 211 is located away from two heat exchange sections 11 located at the edge of the plurality of heat exchange sections 11. The outlet branch pipe 22 is connected to a plurality of outlets 112 in sequence. One end of the outlet branch pipe 22 forms an outlet 221 for allowing coolant to flow out.

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, the multiple heat exchange sections 11 spaced apart along the X-direction effectively increase the contact area with the cylindrical battery array 301, thereby improving the efficiency of heat exchange. This design ensures that the heat generated by the cylindrical battery array 301 during charging and discharging can be absorbed and conducted rapidly and uniformly. Each heat exchange section 11 is thermally connected to the cylindrical battery array 301, meaning that heat can be directly transferred from the cylindrical battery array 301 to the heat exchange section 11, reducing thermal resistance and improving the efficiency of heat transfer. The transport channels formed within each heat exchange section 11 allow the coolant to circulate within the heat exchange section 11, continuously absorbing and carrying away heat. The design of the inlet branch pipe 21 and the outlet branch pipe 22 allows multiple transport channels to be arranged in parallel, enabling the coolant to simultaneously enter and exit multiple heat exchange sections 11, ensuring that each heat exchange section 11 is adequately cooled, thereby avoiding local overheating. This uniform heat dissipation method helps improve the thermal management efficiency of the entire liquid cooling assembly 10. When the cylindrical battery array 301 generates a large amount of heat, the coolant can quickly flow through each heat exchange section 11, carrying away the heat and achieving rapid cooling, thus maintaining the cylindrical battery array 301 within a suitable operating temperature range. The inlet 211 of the inlet branch pipe 21 is positioned away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11, and the outlet branch pipe 22 has an outlet 221 at one end. This layout helps ensure that the coolant maintains a relatively stable flow rate and pressure as it flows through all heat exchange sections 11, thereby optimizing the cooling effect. Positioning the inlet 211 away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 helps reduce pressure drop differences caused by variations in pipe length, ensuring that each heat exchange section 11 receives sufficient coolant flow, improving the uniformity of coolant flow delivery, and enabling each heat exchange section 11 to more effectively absorb and conduct heat, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the liquid cooling assembly. Furthermore, due to the high energy density of the battery pack, the cylindrical battery array 301 located in the middle of the battery pack along the X-axis typically has a higher temperature. The inlet 211 is positioned away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 to achieve rapid cooling of the cylindrical battery array 301 in the middle, thereby reducing the problem of large temperature differences among the multiple cylindrical battery arrays 301 in the battery pack. The design of the inlet 211 being positioned away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 and the outlet 221 formed at one end of the liquid outlet branch pipe makes the pipeline layout simpler and clearer, reducing the use of pipe intersections and connectors, and lowering the system complexity and failure rate.

[0058] Reference Figure 2In one embodiment, the delivery channel is curved, and the inlet 111 and outlet 112 are located at the same end of the heat exchange section 11. This compact layout helps save space, enabling the entire liquid cooling assembly 10 to achieve efficient thermal management within a limited space. The curved delivery channel has a longer cooling path than a straight channel, meaning the coolant stays in the delivery channel for a longer time, and the heat exchange time with the heat exchange section 11 is correspondingly increased, thereby improving the heat exchange effect. The curved channel design helps generate turbulence during coolant flow, which enhances the mixing and disturbance of the coolant, further improving heat exchange efficiency. Since the inlet 111 and outlet 112 are located at the same end of the heat exchange section 11, the number of pipe connections can be reduced, lowering the complexity and failure rate of the liquid cooling assembly.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one embodiment, the inlet 111 and outlet 112 are spaced apart along the Z-direction, which is parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical cells 3011 of the cylindrical battery array 301. The inlet 111 is located adjacent to the bottom of the cylindrical battery array 301, where the bottom of the cylindrical cells 3011 is often a region of concentrated heat during operation. By placing the inlet 111 adjacent to the bottom of the cylindrical battery array 301, it is ensured that the coolant first contacts these high-temperature areas, thereby quickly removing heat, reducing the temperature of the cylindrical battery array 301, and improving the efficiency of thermal management. By introducing coolant from the bottom, the coolant, which is kept at a lower temperature, first exchanges heat with the bottom of the cylindrical battery array 301, absorbing a large amount of heat from the bottom. After heat exchange, the coolant temperature rises, and the coolant continues to flow upwards, exchanging heat with the middle of the cylindrical battery array 301, absorbing some of the heat from the middle. After further heat exchange, the coolant temperature rises even higher, and the coolant continues to flow upwards, exchanging heat with the top of the cylindrical battery array 301, absorbing a small amount of heat from the top. In this way, the temperature distribution at the bottom, middle, and top of the cylindrical battery array 301 becomes more uniform, improving the working performance and stability of the cylindrical battery array 301.

[0060] Reference Figure 2In one embodiment, each heat exchange section 11 is bent back and forth along the X direction, forming multiple arc segments 113 for thermally conductive connection with the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301. This significantly increases the contact area between the heat exchange section 11 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301 through the multiple arc segments 113. More contact points mean more heat transfer paths, thereby improving heat exchange efficiency. The arc segment 113 design better conforms to the curved surface of the individual cylindrical cell 3011, reducing thermal resistance caused by poor contact and allowing heat to be transferred more smoothly from the cylindrical battery array 301 to the heat exchange section 11. Through the uniform contact between the multiple arc segments 113 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301, the heat exchange section 11 can more effectively absorb the heat from the cylindrical battery array 301, achieving rapid cooling of the cylindrical battery array 301.

[0061] It should be noted that the cylindrical cell 3011 may expand to a certain extent as it undergoes charge-discharge cycles. By designing the curved heat exchange section 11 to have a certain degree of elasticity, it can better adapt to the expansion changes of the cylindrical cell 3011 and maintain a stable heat exchange effect.

[0062] Reference Figure 3In one embodiment, the two ends of each arc segment 113 form an angle θ with the line connecting it to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301, where θ > 72°. Thus, as the angle θ increases, the contact area between the arc segment 113 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301 also increases accordingly. When the angle between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 is greater than 72°, the arc segment 113 has a larger contact area with the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the arc segment 113 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301, enabling faster heat dissipation from the cylindrical battery array 301, and maintaining the cylindrical battery array 301 within a suitable operating temperature range. When the angle between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting it to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 is greater than 72°, it reduces the thermal resistance caused by poor contact, allowing heat to be transferred more smoothly from the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301 to the heat exchange section 11. This helps to reduce the internal temperature of the battery and improve the overall performance of the cylindrical battery array 301. As the cylindrical cell 3011 undergoes charge-discharge cycles, it may expand to a certain extent. When the angle between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting it to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 is greater than 72°, it provides a certain amount of elastic space for the heat exchange section 11, enabling it to better adapt to the expansion changes of the cylindrical cell 3011 and maintain a stable heat exchange effect. Under the action of thermal and mechanical stress, stress concentration may occur in the heat exchange section 11. When the angle between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting them to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 is greater than 72°, these stresses can be dispersed, the risk of stress concentration can be reduced, and the overall reliability of the liquid cooling assembly 10 can be improved.

[0063] Furthermore, the angle formed between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting them to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 is less than 72°, which will reduce the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange section 11 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301. This will result in the heat generated by the cylindrical cell 3011 not being effectively dissipated in a timely manner, potentially causing the temperature of the cylindrical cell 3011 to rise, affecting its performance and lifespan. Due to the small contact area, the temperature difference inside the cylindrical cell 3011 may increase. This uneven temperature distribution may accelerate the aging process of the cylindrical cell 3011, or even cause localized overheating, damaging the cylindrical cell 3011.

[0064] It should be noted that the included angle formed between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting them to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 can be 73°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 89°, 90°, 96°, 100°, 110°, 120°, or 130°, etc. Specifically, the included angle formed between the two ends of each arc segment 113 and the line connecting them to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell 3011 in the cylindrical battery array 301 can be set as needed, and this application does not limit it. In addition, in one embodiment, each arc segment 113 can be an arc segment with one curvature. In another embodiment, each arc segment 113 can be an arc segment with two curvatures or three curvatures. Specifically, this application does not limit it.

[0065] In one embodiment, each arc segment 113 is provided with a thermally conductive structural adhesive. The arc segment 113 is thermally connected to the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301 through the thermally conductive structural adhesive. Thus, the thermally conductive structural adhesive, as a highly thermally conductive material, can rapidly transfer the heat generated by the cylindrical battery array 301 from its sidewall to the heat exchange section 11. This efficient thermal conductivity helps maintain the cylindrical battery array 301 within a suitable operating temperature range, preventing performance degradation or safety hazards caused by excessively high temperatures. The thermally conductive structural adhesive ensures good contact between the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301 and the heat exchange section 11, facilitating uniform heat transfer and distribution, reducing the temperature gradient inside the cylindrical battery cell 3011, and improving the overall performance and lifespan of the cylindrical battery cell 3011. The thermally conductive structural adhesive has excellent adhesive properties, ensuring a firm connection between the arc segment 113 and the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array 301, helping to prevent the cylindrical battery cell 3011 from loosening or detaching under vibration or impact conditions.

[0066] It should be noted that, in another embodiment, the arc segment 113 can also be directly attached to the side wall of the cylindrical battery array 301, so that the heat from the side wall of the cylindrical battery array 301 can be directly transferred to the arc segment 113. In other embodiments, the arc segment 113 can also be thermally connected to the side wall of the cylindrical battery array 301 through a thermally conductive component. The thermally conductive component may include thermally conductive ceramics or thermally conductive metals, etc. Specifically, this application does not limit the type of thermally conductive component.

[0067] Reference Figures 4 to 7 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery module provided in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A magnified view of part B shown. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 The diagram shows the front view of the battery module. Figure 7 yes Figure 4The diagram shows the structure of the substrate. An embodiment of this utility model also proposes a battery module 1000, which includes at least two battery components 100 spaced apart along the Z-direction. Each battery component 100 includes a substrate 20, a cylindrical battery array 30, and a liquid cooling component 10 as described above. The cylindrical battery array 30 is mounted on the substrate 20 and includes multiple cylindrical battery rows 301 spaced apart along the X-direction. The liquid cooling component 10 is mounted on the substrate 20. A cylindrical battery row 301 is installed between two adjacent heat exchange sections 11, and each heat exchange section 11 is thermally connected to the sidewall of the cylindrical battery row 301.

[0068] In this embodiment of the invention, the heat exchange section 11 is thermally connected to the side wall of the cylindrical battery array 301, ensuring that heat can be rapidly transferred from the cylindrical battery array 301 to the heat exchange section 11, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency. Coolant enters the inlet branch pipe 21 from the inlets 211 located at the edges of the plurality of heat exchange sections 11 and flows to the delivery channels of the plurality of heat exchange sections 11. The coolant exchanges heat with the cylindrical battery array 301 within the delivery channels. The cooled coolant, having completed heat exchange and increased in temperature, flows from the multiple outlets 112 to the outlet branch pipe 22 and is discharged from the outlet 221. This arrangement helps ensure that the coolant maintains a relatively stable flow rate and pressure as it flows through all the heat exchange sections 11, thereby optimizing the cooling effect. The placement of inlet 211 away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 helps reduce pressure drop differences caused by variations in pipe length, ensuring sufficient coolant flow for each heat exchange section 11 and improving the uniformity of coolant flow delivery. This allows each heat exchange section 11 to absorb and conduct heat more effectively, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the liquid cooling assembly. Furthermore, due to the high energy density of the battery pack, the cylindrical battery array 301 located in the middle of the pack along the X-direction typically has a higher temperature. The placement of inlet 211 away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 enables rapid cooling of the cylindrical battery array 301 in the middle, thus mitigating the problem of large temperature differences among the multiple cylindrical battery arrays 301 in the battery pack. The placement of inlet 211 away from the two peripheral heat exchange sections 11 and the design of one end of the outlet branch forming outlet 221 result in a simpler and clearer pipe layout, reducing pipe crossings and the use of connectors, thus lowering system complexity and failure rate. The design of the coolant flow path and heat exchange section 11 allows the battery module 1000 to achieve modular assembly and expansion while maintaining efficient thermal management. This means that the size and layout of the battery module 1000 can be flexibly adjusted according to different power demands and space constraints. The modular design of the battery assembly 100 makes the entire battery module 1000 more robust and reliable. Each battery assembly 100 can operate independently, and if one assembly fails, it can be replaced or repaired individually without affecting the normal operation of other components. The substrate 20 provides a stable support platform for the cylindrical battery array 30 and the liquid cooling assembly 10, helping to reduce the impact of vibration and shock on the battery module 1000 and improving the overall structural stability and safety.

[0069] It should be noted that the number of battery modules 100 can be easily increased or decreased according to actual needs to adapt to different power demands and space constraints. The number of battery modules 100 can be set to two, three, four or even more; specifically, this application does not limit this.

[0070] Reference Figure 6and Figure 7 In one embodiment, the cylindrical battery array 301 includes a plurality of cylindrical cells 3011 arranged sequentially along the Y direction. Each cylindrical cell 3011 has a pressure relief valve on the side facing the substrate 20. The substrate 20 has a plurality of through holes 201, each corresponding to a pressure relief valve. Specifically, each through hole 201 along the Z direction is opposite to its corresponding pressure relief valve. Thus, when a large amount of gas is generated inside the cylindrical cell 3011 due to overpressure or overheating, the pressure relief valve can quickly open and release the pressure. Because the through holes 201 are opposite to the pressure relief valves, this design ensures that gas can be directly and quickly discharged through the through holes 201, avoiding the risk of gas accumulation inside the cylindrical cell 3011 leading to excessive internal pressure and causing explosion or fire. Timely release of internal pressure in the cylindrical cell 3011 also reduces the risk of thermal runaway due to high temperature and pressure, further improving the safety performance of the battery module 1000. The presence of the through-hole 201 also reduces the thermal resistance between the substrate 20 and the cylindrical cell 3011, allowing the heat generated by the cylindrical cell 3011 to be transferred more smoothly to the substrate 20 and dissipated through other heat dissipation pathways, thus preventing excessive heat accumulation. When the cylindrical cell 3011 malfunctions, such as the pressure relief valve opening to release gas or producing smoke, these phenomena can be directly observed through the through-hole 201 on the substrate 20. This helps maintenance personnel quickly locate and handle the faulty cylindrical cell 3011.

[0071] Reference Figure 6In one embodiment, the battery module 1000 further includes a plurality of support portions 40, with a support portion 40 provided between each two adjacent battery components 100. Thus, the plurality of support portions 40 provide additional support for the entire battery module 1000, which helps to prevent the battery module 1000 from shifting or deforming during transportation, installation or use, thereby enhancing the stability and safety of the entire structure. The support portion 40 has a cavity, and the side of the support portion 40 facing the substrate 20 has multiple connection holes communicating with the cavity. These connection holes correspond one-to-one with and are connected to multiple through holes 201. The support portion 40 also has a discharge port 221 communicating with the cavity. Thus, when the cylindrical cell 3011 experiences thermal runaway, the internal pressure of the cylindrical cell 3011 increases, and high-pressure gas is discharged from the pressure relief valve, sequentially entering the cavity through the through holes 201 and connection holes, and then discharged through the discharge port 221. This significantly reduces the risk of the cylindrical cell 3011 exploding and prevents the high-pressure gas from directly impacting the opposing battery module 100, thus avoiding damage to the battery module 100. Furthermore, the high-pressure gas discharged from multiple cylindrical cells 3011 converges within the cavity and is discharged through the discharge port 221, thereby reducing the number of external connectors and pipes. This not only simplifies the design of the battery module 1000 but also improves its integration and compactness. The cavity design fully utilizes the space between two adjacent battery modules 100, avoiding the waste of space caused by setting up separate pressure relief channels. This is significant for improving the energy density and range of the entire battery module 1000. The unified discharge port 221 also enhances the safety of the battery module 1000.

[0072] In one embodiment, the height of the cavity along the Z-direction is H, where 4mm ≤ H ≤ 10mm. Within this height range, the cavity provides sufficient space to buffer the high-pressure gas generated by the cylindrical cell 3011 during thermal runaway. This helps prevent the risk of damage to the support portion 40 or the battery assembly 100 adjacent to the support portion 40 due to instantaneously excessive gas pressure. The cavity height design between 4mm and 10mm fully utilizes the internal space of the battery module 1000, avoiding unnecessary space waste. This contributes to improving the overall compactness of the battery module 1000, increasing energy density and range.

[0073] It should be noted that when the cavity height is less than 4mm, the pressure of the gas discharged from the through hole 201 is too high, which may damage the support part 40 or the battery assembly 100 adjacent to the support part 40. When the cavity height is greater than 10mm, there is a problem of wasted space, which leads to a decrease in the energy density and range of the battery module 1000 with the same volume. In addition, the cavity height can be 4mm, 4.5mm, 4.8mm, 5mm, 5.2mm, 5.8mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.8mm, 8mm, 8.4mm, 9mm, 9.6mm or 10mm.

[0074] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6In one embodiment, the battery module 1000 further includes a liquid cooling section 50 and a delivery pipe assembly. The liquid cooling section 50 has a liquid storage chamber for storing coolant. The liquid cooling section 50 has an inlet 211 and an outlet 221 connected to the liquid storage chamber. The delivery pipe assembly includes an input pipe 601 and an output pipe 602. The input pipe 601 has a first input end 6011 and multiple first output ends 6012. The first input end 6011 is connected to the output port 221, and the multiple first output ends 6011... 12 is connected to multiple inlets 211 respectively. The output pipe 602 has a second output end 6021 and multiple second input ends 6022. The second output end 6021 is connected to the input port 211, and the multiple second input ends 6022 are connected to multiple outlets 221 respectively. In this way, the liquid storage chamber in the liquid cooling section 50 stores coolant. The coolant with a lower temperature flows out from the output port 221 and enters the input pipe 601 through the first input end 6011. The coolant with a lower temperature is then absorbed by the input pipe 601. The coolant is transported and flows to multiple first output terminals 6012 respectively. Then, the coolant with a lower temperature flows through multiple inlets 211 to multiple inlet branches 21 of multiple liquid cooling components 10. The coolant with a lower temperature entering each inlet branch 21 can enter the heat exchange section 11 from the inlet 111 of the transport channel and reduce the temperature of the heat exchange section 11. After the heat exchange section 11 with a lower temperature completes heat exchange with the cylindrical battery array 301, the temperature of the cylindrical battery array 301 decreases and the temperature of the coolant in the transport channel increases. The coolant with a higher temperature in the multiple transport channels of multiple liquid cooling components 10 is discharged to multiple outlet branches 22 through multiple outlets 112. The coolant with a higher temperature in the multiple outlet branches 22 is discharged to multiple second input terminals 6022 through multiple outlets 221 and flows to the input port 211 through the second output terminal 6021 of the output pipe 602. The coolant with a higher temperature finally flows back to the storage chamber and is cooled by the liquid cooling section 50, preparing for subsequent coolant circulation and cooling. The design of the delivery pipe assembly allows the coolant to be evenly distributed to the inlet 211 of each battery module 100 and returned through the outlet 221, forming a closed-loop cooling system. This design helps to achieve a uniform temperature distribution inside the battery module 1000 and reduces the impact of temperature differences on the performance of the battery module 1000. The input pipe 601 has a first input terminal 6011 and multiple first output terminals 6012, and the output pipe 602 has a second output terminal 6021 and multiple second input terminals 6022. This design allows the coolant to be flexibly distributed to different battery modules 100 according to actual needs. In the battery module 1000, battery modules 100 at different locations may generate different amounts of heat; the multi-channel design enables precise cooling control. The design of multiple battery modules 100 sharing a single liquid cooling section 50 makes full use of the internal space of the battery module 1000 and avoids unnecessary space waste. This design helps to improve the energy density and power density of the battery module 1000.

[0075] Reference Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment, the input pipe 601 includes a main input pipe 6013 and multiple input branch pipes 6014. One end of the main input pipe 6013 forms a first input end 6011, and the main input pipe 6013 is connected to one end of each of the multiple input branch pipes 6014. The other ends of the multiple input branch pipes 6014 form multiple first output ends 6012. The diameter of the input branch pipes 6014 is smaller than the diameter of the main input pipe 6013. Thus, due to the larger diameter of the main input pipe 6013, the flow resistance of the coolant in the main input pipe 6013 is relatively small, which is beneficial for maintaining a high flow rate and volume. The smaller diameter of the input branch pipes 6014 allows for fluid distribution according to actual needs without affecting the overall flow rate, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. This design helps to form a more uniform coolant distribution at the input branch pipes 6014, reducing eddies and energy losses caused by uneven flow rates. Each input branch pipe 6014 can be controlled independently, facilitating precise adjustment of the coolant supply. The inlet branch pipe 6014 has a smaller diameter than the inlet main pipe 6013, which reduces material usage and lowers material costs while ensuring efficient coolant delivery. The smaller inlet branch pipe 6014 is also easier to install and maintain, reducing construction difficulty and costs.

[0076] Reference Figures 4 to 6 In one embodiment, the output pipe 602 includes a main output pipe 6023 and a plurality of branch output pipes 6024. One end of the main output pipe 6023 forms a second output end 6021, and the main output pipe 6023 is connected to one end of the plurality of branch output pipes 6024. The other ends of the plurality of branch output pipes 6024 form a plurality of second input ends 6022. The diameter of the branch output pipes 6024 is smaller than that of the main output pipe 6023. Thus, the larger diameter of the main output pipe 6023 results in relatively small flow resistance encountered by the coolant during the return flow, which helps to maintain a high flow rate and volume, thereby accelerating the circulation speed of the coolant and improving heat dissipation efficiency. The design of the plurality of branch output pipes 6024 allows the coolant to be evenly distributed to each return path, reducing eddies and energy loss caused by uneven flow rates, and ensuring that each battery assembly 100 is adequately cooled. While maintaining the overall flow rate and heat dissipation effect, reducing the diameter of the branch output pipes 6024 can reduce the amount of material used and lower material costs. The smaller output branch pipe 6024 is easier to install and maintain, reducing construction difficulty and cost. At the same time, the compact structural design also helps save internal space in the battery module 1000.

[0077] It should be noted that by adjusting the number and layout of the output branch pipes 6024, precise control of the cooling effect of cylindrical cells 3011 or battery modules 100 in different areas can be achieved, ensuring a more uniform temperature distribution inside the entire battery module 1000.

[0078] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, multiple cylindrical battery arrays 30 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis. This effectively increases airflow between the battery arrays, reduces heat accumulation, and improves heat dissipation efficiency. This arrangement helps maintain a uniform temperature distribution inside the battery module 100, preventing performance degradation or safety issues caused by excessively high local temperatures. The intervals between the multiple cylindrical battery arrays 30 along the X-axis maximize the energy density of the battery module 1000 while ensuring effective heat dissipation. The spacing between the cylindrical battery arrays 30 provides a buffer space for the battery module 1000, helping to disperse stress concentration caused by vibration and impact, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery module 1000. When a short circuit occurs inside the battery module 1000, insufficient spacing between the battery arrays may cause the short-circuit current to spread rapidly and trigger a chain reaction. The intervals between the multiple cylindrical battery arrays 30 along the X-axis can limit the spread of the short-circuit current to a certain extent, reducing the risk of a short circuit. In the battery module 1000, if a cylindrical battery array 30 malfunctions or its performance degrades, the problem can be resolved through simple disassembly and replacement. Furthermore, the arrangement of multiple cylindrical battery arrays 30 at intervals along the X-axis makes this operation even simpler and faster.

[0079] It should be noted that multiple cylindrical battery arrays 30 can be combined in parallel or series to meet different current output requirements. This flexibility allows the battery module 1000 to be applied to a wider range of scenarios.

[0080] Reference Figure 5In one embodiment, the substrate, two adjacent heat exchange sections 11, and the corresponding cylindrical battery array 301 together form a receiving space 3. The receiving space 3 is filled with a thermal insulation medium. This thermal insulation medium effectively reduces heat convection and radiation within the receiving space 3, allowing heat to be transferred primarily through direct contact between the heat exchange sections 11 and the cylindrical battery array 301. This design optimizes the heat transfer path and improves the targeting and efficiency of thermal management. The presence of the thermal insulation medium makes the temperature distribution of the cylindrical battery array 301 more uniform, reducing performance instability of the cylindrical cells 3011 caused by temperature fluctuations. This helps extend the service life of the cylindrical cells 3011. The thermal insulation medium also provides some support and buffering, reducing stress concentration in the cylindrical cells 3011 under vibration or impact conditions. This helps improve the structural strength of the battery module 1000 and reduces the risk of damage caused by external factors. Under some extreme temperature conditions, the thermal insulation medium can maintain its good thermal insulation performance, preventing the battery module 1000 from being excessively affected by external temperature changes. This helps improve the adaptability and reliability of battery module 1000 in extreme environments. The presence of the insulation medium prevents dust and impurities from accumulating in the containment space 3, facilitating regular cleaning and inspection. This helps maintain the cleanliness and heat dissipation performance of the battery pack, improving the overall reliability of the system.

[0081] It should be noted that there are many types of thermal insulation media. For example, thermal insulation media may include expanding foam or resin adhesive, etc. Specifically, this application does not limit the type of thermal insulation media.

[0082] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 7In one embodiment, a limiting structure is also provided between the substrate 20 and the heat exchange section 11. The limiting structure includes a limiting groove 701 and a limiting protrusion adapted to the limiting groove 701. One of the limiting groove 701 and the limiting protrusion is located on the substrate 20, and the other is located on the heat exchange section 11. Thus, the matching design of the limiting groove 701 and the limiting protrusion can ensure the precise positioning of the heat exchange section 11 on the substrate 20. This positioning method avoids errors caused by manual operation or mechanical installation and improves the assembly accuracy. During the operation of the battery module 1000, the heat exchange section 11 may experience slight displacement due to factors such as vibration and temperature changes. The design of the limiting structure can effectively prevent such displacement and maintain a stable connection between the heat exchange section 11 and the substrate 20. The limiting structure not only plays a positioning role but also disperses the stress at the connection between the heat exchange section 11 and the substrate 20 to a certain extent. This helps reduce the risk of structural damage caused by stress concentration. By enhancing the connection strength between the heat exchanger 11 and the substrate 20, the limiting structure helps improve the structural durability of the entire battery module 1000 and extend its service life. The limiting structure also simplifies and speeds up the installation of the heat exchanger 11. Operators simply align the limiting protrusion with the limiting groove 701 and gently push it in to complete the installation, eliminating the need for complex adjustments and fixing steps. The limiting structure design helps ensure tight contact between the heat exchanger 11 and the substrate 20, thereby maintaining good thermal conductivity. This helps improve the thermal management of the entire battery module 1000, ensuring uniform temperature distribution within the battery pack and keeping it within a safe range.

[0083] The present invention also proposes a battery pack, which includes a battery module 1000 as described above. The specific structure of the battery module 1000 is as described in the above embodiments. Since the battery pack adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0084] The present invention also proposes a vehicle, which includes a battery pack as described above. The specific structure of the battery pack is as described in the above embodiments. Since the vehicle adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0085] The embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this utility model. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling assembly, characterized in that, include: A heat exchange unit includes multiple heat exchange sections spaced apart along the X direction. The space between two adjacent heat exchange sections is used for mounting a cylindrical battery array. Each heat exchange section is used for thermally connecting with the cylindrical battery array. Each heat exchange section forms a conveying channel, which has an inlet and an outlet. The connecting pipe assembly includes an inlet branch pipe and an outlet branch pipe. The inlet branch pipe is sequentially connected to a plurality of inlet ports, forming an inlet for coolant to flow in. The inlet is located away from two of the heat exchange sections located at the edges of the plurality of heat exchange sections. The outlet branch pipe is sequentially connected to a plurality of outlet ports, and one end of the outlet branch pipe forms an outlet for coolant to flow out.

2. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying channel is curved, and the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at the same end of the heat exchange section.

3. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the heat exchange sections is arranged to bend back and forth along the X direction, so that the heat exchange section forms multiple arc segments for thermally connecting with the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array.

4. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each of the arc segments forms an angle between its two ends and the line connecting it to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical cell in the cylindrical battery array, the angle being θ, where θ > 72°.

5. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The arc segment is provided with thermally conductive structural adhesive, and the arc segment is thermally connected to the side wall of the cylindrical battery array through the thermally conductive structural adhesive.

6. A battery module, characterized in that, It includes at least two battery modules spaced apart along the Z-axis, each battery module comprising: substrate; A cylindrical battery array is mounted on the substrate, the cylindrical battery array comprising a plurality of cylindrical battery columns spaced apart along the X direction; The liquid cooling assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 is mounted on the substrate, with the cylindrical battery array installed between two adjacent heat exchange sections, and each heat exchange section is thermally connected to the sidewall of the cylindrical battery array.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cylindrical battery array includes multiple cylindrical cells arranged sequentially along the Y direction, and each cylindrical cell is provided with a pressure relief valve on the side facing the substrate. The substrate is provided with a plurality of through holes, and the plurality of through holes are provided one-to-one with a plurality of pressure relief valves, wherein each of the through holes along the Z direction is opposite to the corresponding pressure relief valve.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes multiple support portions, with each support portion provided between two adjacent battery components. Each support portion has a cavity formed inside it. Each support portion has multiple connection holes on the side facing the substrate that communicate with the cavity. Each of the multiple connection holes corresponds to and communicates with a multiple of the through holes. The support portion also has an outlet that communicates with the cavity.

9. The battery module according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The liquid cooling section has a liquid storage chamber formed therein for storing coolant, and the liquid cooling section has an inlet and an outlet that are connected to the liquid storage chamber. The conveying tube assembly includes an input tube and an output tube. The input tube has a first input end and a plurality of first output ends. The first input end is connected to the output port, and the plurality of first output ends are respectively connected to a plurality of inlets. The output tube has a second output end and a plurality of second input ends. The second output end is connected to the input port, and the plurality of second input ends are respectively connected to a plurality of outlets.

10. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The input pipe includes a main input pipe and multiple input branch pipes. One end of the main input pipe forms the first input terminal. The main input pipe is connected to one end of each of the multiple input branch pipes. The other ends of the multiple input branch pipes form multiple first output terminals. The diameter of each input branch pipe is smaller than the diameter of the main input pipe.

11. The battery module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The output tube includes a main output tube and multiple branch output tubes. One end of the main output tube forms the second output terminal. The main output tube is connected to one end of each of the multiple branch output tubes. The other ends of each branch output tube form multiple second input terminals. The diameter of each branch output tube is smaller than the diameter of the main output tube.

12. The battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that, The substrate, the two adjacent heat exchange sections, and the corresponding cylindrical battery arrays are arranged together to form a receiving space, which is filled with a heat-insulating medium.

13. The battery module according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that, A limiting structure is also provided between the substrate and the heat exchange part. The limiting structure includes a limiting groove and a limiting protrusion adapted to the limiting groove. One of the limiting groove and the limiting protrusion is provided on the substrate, and the other is provided on the heat exchange part.

14. A battery pack, characterized in that, Includes the battery module as described in any one of claims 6 to 13.

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