Electric equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electric device. The electric equipment comprises a first heat exchange medium source, a second heat exchange medium source and at least one battery module, a heat exchange device for exchanging heat with each single battery in the battery module is arranged on the battery module; the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source provide air or liquid for the heat exchange device, and the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source are switched according to the temperature of the battery module. According to the electric equipment disclosed by the utility model, firstly, the heat exchange device is arranged on the battery module, and heat exchange is carried out between the heat exchange device and each single battery in the battery module, so that the battery module is controlled at a proper temperature, and the safe and stable operation of the electric equipment is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of battery technology, and specifically relates to an electrical device. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of technology, the market demand for electrical equipment with high safety and large capacity is increasing. Currently, most electrical equipment uses battery modules (also known as battery packs) composed of multiple individual batteries in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel connections as the energy source.

[0003] However, the battery modules of electrical devices generate heat during operation. Failure to dissipate heat in a timely manner will affect the performance and lifespan of the battery modules, and may even lead to thermal runaway and safety hazards. At the same time, when using electrical devices in low-temperature environments, the individual cells in the battery modules may stop working.

[0004] Therefore, how to effectively manage the thermal properties of electrical equipment has become a key issue in ensuring the safe and stable operation of electrical equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to effectively manage the thermal properties of electrical equipment and ensure its safe and stable operation, this utility model provides an electrical equipment.

[0006] The electrical equipment includes a first heat exchange medium source, a second heat exchange medium source, and at least one battery module; the battery module is provided with a heat exchange device that exchanges heat with each individual battery cell in the battery module.

[0007] The first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source provide heat exchange medium to the heat exchange device; the first heat exchange medium source uses circulating air as the heat exchange medium; the second heat exchange medium source uses circulating liquid as the heat exchange medium, and the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source switch according to the temperature of the battery module.

[0008] Firstly, the electrical equipment of this invention uses a heat exchange device on the battery module to exchange heat with each individual battery cell in the battery module (which can cool or heat up the battery module), thereby controlling the battery module at a suitable temperature and ensuring the safe and stable operation of the electrical equipment.

[0009] Secondly, during normal operation of the electrical equipment, the temperature of each individual cell in the battery module will rise slightly most of the time. At this time, the first heat exchange medium source can be used to supply air to the heat exchange device as a heat exchange medium to cool the battery module through air cooling. During certain periods, the temperature rise of each individual cell in the battery module is larger, and the cooling capacity of air is insufficient. In this case, the second heat exchange medium source can be used to supply low-temperature liquid to the heat exchange device as a heat exchange medium to cool the battery module through liquid cooling.

[0010] The above methods of switching between air cooling and liquid cooling have the following advantages:

[0011] 1. Using air as the heat exchange medium for extended periods, compared to using only liquid cooling, can reduce the requirements for the sealing of transmission pipelines and heat exchange devices to a certain extent, thereby reducing costs.

[0012] 2. Using air as a heat exchange medium for extended periods reduces the likelihood of condensation on transmission pipelines and heat exchange devices compared to using only liquid cooling, thus improving the safety of electrical equipment.

[0013] Furthermore, since the temperature at the terminal of a single battery cell is the highest during the heating process, the aforementioned heat exchange device is used to exchange heat with the polar terminals of each single battery cell in the battery module in order to improve the temperature control effect of the single battery cell.

[0014] Furthermore, a single battery module or multiple battery modules can be used in an electrical device. When there is only one battery module in the electrical device;

[0015] The heat exchange device is connected to the polarity terminal of each individual battery cell in the battery module. The heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected to the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switching valve. The heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected to the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switching valve.

[0016] When there are two or more battery modules in the electrical equipment; the electrical equipment also includes a first manifold and a second manifold; the heat exchange device is connected to the polarity terminal of each individual battery in the battery module; the heat exchange medium inlet of each heat exchange device is connected to the first manifold, and the first manifold is connected to the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through a first switching valve; the heat exchange medium outlet of each heat exchange device is connected to the second manifold, and the second manifold is connected to the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through a second switching valve.

[0017] Furthermore, the heat exchange device that achieves heat exchange with the electrode column described above has the following two structural forms:

[0018] The first type is indirect heat exchange, wherein the heat exchange device includes a first tube, a second tube, and a connecting tube; the first tube is used to be fixed in the clamping part of the polarity terminal on one side of each individual cell; the second tube is used to be fixed in the clamping part of the polarity terminal on the other side of each individual cell; the two ends of the connecting tube are respectively connected to the ports of the first tube and the second tube on one side; the ports of the first tube and the second tube on the other side serve as the heat exchange medium inlet and the heat exchange medium outlet, respectively.

[0019] Preferably, the clamping part is a through hole formed on the polarity terminal of the individual battery.

[0020] The second type is direct heat exchange, in which the heat exchange device includes a connecting pipe assembly. Each individual cell has a channel that passes through the polar terminal. The connecting pipe assembly connects the channels on the polar terminals of adjacent individual cells to form a heat exchange channel. The connecting pipe assembly is insulated from the polar terminals of each individual cell.

[0021] Preferably, in order to facilitate the connection between the connecting pipe assembly and the polarity terminal, and to further improve the direct heat exchange effect, both ports of the above-mentioned channel are provided with fixing parts fixed to the side wall of the polarity terminal and connected to the connecting pipe assembly; the inner wall of the channel is provided with heat-conducting ribs to increase the heat exchange area. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electrical device using a single battery module;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an electrical device that uses at least two battery modules;

[0024] Figure 3 A structural diagram of a battery module with a heat exchange device of the first type;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a heat exchange device with the first form.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a single battery cell;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of a battery module with a second type of heat exchange device;

[0028] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0029] 1-Battery module, 11-Single battery, 12-Through hole (channel), 13-Heat-conducting rib plate, 2-Heat exchange device, 21-First pipe, 22-Second pipe, 23-Connecting pipe, 24-Connecting pipe assembly, 3-First switching valve, 4-First heat exchange medium source, 5-Second heat exchange medium source, 6-Second switching valve, 7-First manifold, 8-Second manifold. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0031] The phrase "other embodiments" appearing in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a single or selective embodiment that excludes other embodiments. In the description of this specification, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0032] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate component, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., 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, and 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0034] This utility model provides an electrical device, which can be a vehicle, ship, spacecraft, energy storage device, etc. Vehicles can be gasoline-powered vehicles, natural gas-powered vehicles, or new energy vehicles; new energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc.; spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.; energy storage devices can be residential energy storage devices, industrial and commercial energy storage devices, power plant generation and storage devices, etc. This application does not impose special limitations on the above-mentioned electrical devices, whose main energy source is a battery module.

[0035] To ensure the reliability and safety of electrical equipment operation, the design concept of this utility model is as follows: a heat exchange device is installed on the battery module. The heat exchange device uses air and liquid as heat exchange media, switching in real time according to the temperature. This not only effectively controls the battery module to operate at an appropriate temperature, ensuring reliable and stable operation of the electrical equipment, but also addresses the issue that during normal operation, the temperature of each individual battery cell in the battery module will rise slightly most of the time. At this time, air can be used as the heat exchange medium to cool the battery module through air cooling. However, during certain periods, the temperature rise of each individual battery cell in the battery module is larger, and the cooling capacity of air is insufficient. In this case, a low-temperature liquid can be switched as the heat exchange medium to cool the battery module through liquid cooling.

[0036] The above-mentioned method of switching between air cooling and liquid cooling has the following advantages: First, using air as the heat exchange medium for extended periods, compared to using only liquid cooling, can reduce the requirements for the sealing of transmission pipelines and heat exchange devices to a certain extent, thereby reducing costs. Second, using air as the heat exchange medium for extended periods, compared to using only liquid cooling, can reduce the possibility of condensation on transmission pipelines and heat exchange devices, improving the safety of electrical equipment.

[0037] Depending on their power consumption, electrical equipment can use one battery module or multiple battery modules.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, when only one battery module 1 is used in the electrical equipment, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device 2 is connected to the first heat exchange medium source 4 and the second heat exchange medium source 5 through the first switching valve 3; the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device 2 is connected to the first heat exchange medium source 4 and the second heat exchange medium source 5 through the second switching valve 6.

[0039] In some other embodiments, when at least two battery modules 1 are used in the electrical device, the electrical device further includes a first manifold 7 and a second manifold 8; the heat exchange medium inlet of each heat exchange device is connected to the first manifold 7, and the first manifold 7 is connected to the first heat exchange medium source 4 and the second heat exchange medium source 5 through a first switching valve 3; the heat exchange medium outlet of each heat exchange device is connected to the second manifold 8, and the second manifold 8 is connected to the first heat exchange medium source 4 and the second heat exchange medium source 5 through a second switching valve 6.

[0040] The first heat exchange medium source 4 supplies air to the heat exchange device, and the second heat exchange medium source 5 supplies liquid to the heat exchange device; specifically: the first heat exchange medium source is an air cooler, and the second heat exchange medium source is a water chiller.

[0041] When gas heat exchange is required, the first switching valve 3 and the second switching valve 6 are switched to the position connected to the first heat exchange medium source 4. When liquid heat exchange is required, the first switching valve 3 and the second switching valve 6 are switched to the position connected to the second heat exchange medium source 5.

[0042] In addition, since the temperature at the terminal of the individual battery is the highest during the heating process, heat exchange occurs between the heat exchange device of this invention and the polar terminals of each individual battery in the battery module.

[0043] The heat exchange device used in this invention for heat exchange with polar terminals has the following two forms: the first form is indirect heat exchange, and the second form is direct heat exchange.

[0044] The heat exchange device 2 of the indirect heat exchange type includes a first tube 21, a second tube 22 and a connecting tube 23; the first tube 21 is used to fix in the clamping part of the polar terminal on one side of each individual cell 11; the second tube 22 is used to fix in the clamping part of the polar terminal on the other side of each individual cell 11; the two ends of the connecting tube 23 are respectively connected to the ports of the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 on one side; the ports of the first tube 21 and the second tube 22 on the other side serve as the heat exchange medium inlet and the heat exchange medium outlet, respectively.

[0045] In this invention, the clamping part can be a through hole or a groove formed in the polarity terminal; compared with the groove, the through hole has a larger contact area with the first tube and the second tube, resulting in better heat exchange. Therefore, in this embodiment, the clamping part is a through hole formed in the polarity terminal.

[0046] The heat exchange device 2 in the direct heat exchange form includes a connecting pipe assembly 24. Each individual cell has a channel through the polar terminal. The connecting pipe assembly 24 connects the channels on the polar terminals of adjacent individual cells to form a heat exchange medium flow channel. The connecting pipe assembly 24 is insulated from the polar terminals of each individual cell.

[0047] To facilitate the connection between the connecting pipe assembly and the polarity terminal, and to further improve the direct heat exchange effect, preferably, both ports of the channel 12 are provided with fixing parts that are fixed to the side wall of the polarity terminal and connected to the connecting pipe assembly; the inner wall of the channel 12 is provided with heat-conducting ribs 13 for increasing the heat exchange area.

[0048] Whether it is indirect or direct heat exchange, the polar terminals of the individual cells 11 are provided with through holes 12 or channels 12. Therefore, the polar terminals of the individual cells must have a certain height. They can be self-made individual cells, and the terminals of self-made individual cells need to be heightened. If commercially available individual cells are used for modification, the polar terminals of the individual cells can be a terminal adapter (the clamping part and the channel are both set on the terminal adapter) connected to the terminal of the commercially available individual cells, and the overall structure of the individual cell terminal and the terminal adapter is used as the polar terminals of the individual cells.

[0049] In some embodiments, the heat exchange device 2 can exchange heat with the casing of each individual battery cell in the battery module. The heat exchange device 2 is a plate-shaped structure. The length of the plate-shaped structure extends along the arrangement direction of the multiple individual batteries, and the width of the plate-shaped structure is basically the same as the width direction of the individual batteries. The plate-shaped structure is fixed below the battery module.

Claims

1. An electric device, characterized by comprising: The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve.

2. The power-using device according to claim 1, characterized in that The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve.

3. The power-using device according to claim 2, wherein The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve.

4. The power utilization device of claim 2, wherein The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. The battery module is connected with the polar terminals of each single battery in the battery module, the heat exchange medium inlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the first switch valve, and the heat exchange medium outlet of the heat exchange device is connected with the first heat exchange medium source and the second heat exchange medium source through the second switch valve. ​ 5. The power-using device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, ​ ​ 6. The power utilization device of claim 5, wherein, ​ 7. The power-using device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, ​ 8. The power utilization device of claim 7, wherein, ​

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