High-capacity air-cooled battery plug-in box

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of energy storage batteries, and provides a high-capacity air-cooled battery subrack which comprises a shell and battery modules, the battery modules comprise a first group, a second group, a third group and a fourth group which are arranged side by side in series, a first gap is arranged between the second group and the third group, and a second gap is arranged between the second group and the fourth group. Second gaps are formed between the first group and the second group and between the third group and the fourth group, each group of battery modules comprises a plurality of battery cells which are sequentially connected in series in the thickness direction, and harmonica-shaped tube plates are arranged between every two adjacent battery cells; the shell comprises a first heat dissipation structure arranged on the side wall, a second heat dissipation structure arranged on the bottom wall and an exhaust fan arranged corresponding to the first gap, the battery module further comprises a first end plate and a second end plate, the first end plate is arranged at the two ends of the first group and the second group along the arrangement direction of the battery cells, and the second end plate is arranged at the two ends of the second group along the arrangement direction of the battery cells. And the second end plates are arranged at the two end parts of the third group and the fourth group along the arrangement direction of the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of energy storage batteries, and in particular relates to a large-capacity air-cooled battery box. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most energy storage products can be classified into air-cooled, liquid-cooled, and phase-change heat transfer types according to their cooling methods. Due to the advantages of air-cooled products, such as simple heat dissipation structure, low design difficulty, and low cost, air-cooled energy storage products are widely used. However, the airflow method directly affects the heat dissipation effect of air-cooled batteries, which in turn determines the lifespan, reliability, and safety of the entire product.

[0003] Currently, the vast majority of batteries used in high-capacity energy storage products are prismatic lithium batteries. Multiple batteries are grouped together to form a battery module, then two to three modules are grouped together to form a battery box, and different numbers of battery boxes form a battery cluster. Finally, multiple battery clusters are grouped together to form energy storage products of different capacities. The mainstream air-cooled battery box currently consists of 16 cells, with a few companies designing and producing boxes with 24 or 32 cells. With the development of the energy storage industry, there are increasingly higher requirements for product energy density. Currently, 16-cell battery boxes are not competitive enough, and battery boxes with more cells are becoming an inevitable trend and direction in industry design. However, increasing the number of cells will bring challenges to the overall heat dissipation and temperature uniformity of a single cell.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model designs a large-capacity air-cooled battery box. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model provides a large-capacity air-cooled battery box, which aims to solve the problems of poor overall heat dissipation and poor temperature uniformity of large-capacity air-cooled battery boxes.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a large-capacity air-cooled battery box, comprising a shell and a battery module, wherein the battery module comprises a first group, a second group, a third group and a fourth group arranged in parallel and connected in series, wherein a first gap is provided between the second group and the third group, and a second gap is provided between the first group and the second group and between the third group and the fourth group, wherein each battery module comprises multiple cells, the multiple cells are arranged in series along the thickness direction, and a harmonica tube plate is provided between two adjacent cells, wherein the shell comprises a first heat dissipation structure provided on the side wall, a second heat dissipation structure provided on the bottom wall and an exhaust fan provided corresponding to the first gap, wherein the battery module further comprises a first end plate and a second end plate, wherein the first end plate is provided at both ends of the first group and the second group along the cell arrangement direction, and the second end plate is provided at both ends of the third group and the fourth group along the cell arrangement direction.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, the outer shell is provided with a first baffle and a second baffle. The first baffle is located in the first gap and is arranged opposite to the exhaust fan. The second baffle is located at the four corners of the outer shell.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the number of exhaust fans is multiple, and the multiple exhaust fans are symmetrically arranged with respect to the first gap.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the first heat dissipation structure includes a first air inlet, and the number of the first air inlets is multiple, with the multiple first air inlets arranged at intervals along the cell arrangement direction.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the plurality of first air inlets are arranged one-to-one with the harmonica tube board and extend along the height direction of the battery cell.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, the air inlet area of ​​the first air inlet is adapted to the internal airflow rate.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, the second heat dissipation structure includes a second air inlet, an air duct, and an air outlet slot. The second air inlet is located at the connection between the side wall and the bottom wall of the outer casing. The air duct is located inside the bottom wall. The air outlet slot extends along the cell arrangement direction and is positioned towards the second gap. The second airflow flows into the air duct from the second air inlet, flows out of the air outlet slot to the second gap, and then flows along the harmonica tube plate through the cell to the first gap.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, a heat insulation pad is provided between the battery module and the bottom wall of the outer casing. The heat insulation pad has an opening, which is corresponding to the air outlet slot.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the large-capacity air-cooled battery box also includes a cover plate, which includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a third cover plate and a fourth cover plate, respectively covering the first group, the second group, the third group and the fourth group. Each cover plate has a flange extending downward in the circumferential direction. The second cover plate and the third cover plate have a first notch at the flange along the direction of cell arrangement.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, the second cover plate and the third cover plate have a second notch on the flange near the first gap. There are multiple second notches, and the multiple second notches are evenly spaced.

[0016] Compared with related technologies, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] This invention, by setting a first heat dissipation structure, allows a first airflow to enter the battery compartment through the first heat dissipation structure. As the airflow flows along the harmonica tube plate past the battery cells, it carries away the heat generated by adjacent cells in the battery module during operation. Then, the first airflow flows to the first gap and is discharged from the battery compartment by an exhaust fan. This achieves heat dissipation for the battery cells in the battery module. By setting a second heat dissipation structure, a second airflow can enter the battery compartment through the second heat dissipation structure and flow to the second gap. Then, as the second and third groups of harmonica tube plates pass past the battery cells, they carry away the heat generated by adjacent cells in the second and third groups during operation. Then, the second airflow flows to the first gap and is discharged from the battery compartment by an exhaust fan. The setting of the first end plate and the second end plate can block the airflow at both ends of the second gap, causing the airflow to flow along a predetermined path. This further improves the heat dissipation effect of the second and third groups of battery cells near the middle of the battery compartment, which is beneficial to improving the temperature uniformity among the individual cells. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only one embodiment of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be derived from the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of a large-capacity air-cooled battery box provided by this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the outer shell of a large-capacity air-cooled battery box provided by this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal airflow direction of a large-capacity air-cooled battery box provided by this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cover plate of a large-capacity air-cooled battery box provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the battery module structure of a large-capacity air-cooled battery box provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the simulated surface temperature distribution of a battery module provided by this utility model;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of simulated airflow velocity for a battery module provided by this utility model;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the simulated airflow direction of a battery module provided by this utility model.

[0027] In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 11. First baffle; 12. Second baffle; 2. Battery module; 21. First group; 22. Second group; 23. Third group; 24. Fourth group; 25. First gap; 26. Second gap; 27. Battery cell; 271. Harmonica tube board; 272. First end plate; 273. Second end plate; 274. Steel strip; 275. Aluminum busbar; 276. Copper busbar; 3. First heat dissipation structure; 31. First air inlet; 4. Second heat dissipation structure; 41. Second air inlet; 42. Air duct; 43. Air outlet; 5. Exhaust fan; 6. Cover plate; 61. First cover plate; 62. Second cover plate; 63. Third cover plate; 64. Fourth cover plate; 65. First notch; 66. Second notch. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples:

[0029] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "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.

[0032] Combination Figure 1-3As shown, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a large-capacity air-cooled battery box, including a shell 1 and a battery module 2. The battery module 2 includes a first group 21, a second group 22, a third group 23 and a fourth group 24 arranged in parallel and connected in series. A first gap 25 is provided between the second group 22 and the third group 23. A second gap 26 is provided between the first group 21 and the second group 22 and between the third group 23 and the fourth group 24. Each battery module 2 includes multiple battery cells 27, which are arranged in series along the thickness direction. A harmonica tube plate 271 is provided between two adjacent battery cells 27. The shell 1 includes a first heat dissipation structure 3 provided on the side wall, a second heat dissipation structure 4 provided on the bottom wall and an exhaust fan 5 provided corresponding to the first gap 25. The battery module 2 also includes a first end plate 272 and a second end plate 273. The first end plate 272 is provided at both ends of the first group 21 and the second group 22 along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27, and the second end plate 273 is provided at both ends of the third group 23 and the fourth group 24 along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27.

[0033] The high-capacity air-cooled battery pack provided in this embodiment utilizes a first heat dissipation structure 3. This structure allows a first airflow to enter the pack and, as it flows along the harmonica tube plate 271 past the battery cell 27, carries away the heat generated by adjacent cells 27 during operation. The airflow then flows to a first gap 25 and is discharged from the pack by the exhaust fan 5. This achieves heat dissipation for the cells 27 in the battery module 2. A second heat dissipation structure 4 allows a second airflow to enter the pack and flow to a second gap 26. Then, when the harmonica tube plates 271 of the second group 22 and the third group 23 flow through the battery cell 27, they can carry away the heat generated by the adjacent battery cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 during operation. Then, the second airflow flows to the first gap 25 and is discharged from the battery box by the exhaust fan 5. The arrangement of the first end plate 272 and the second end plate 273 can block the airflow at both ends of the second gap 26, so that the airflow flows along a predetermined route. In this way, the heat dissipation effect of the battery cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 near the middle of the battery box can be further improved, which is conducive to improving the temperature uniformity between each battery cell 27.

[0034] Based on the above technical solutions, such as Figure 2 As shown, the outer casing 1 is provided with a first baffle 11 and a second baffle 12. The first baffle 11 is located in the first gap 25 and is arranged opposite to the exhaust fan 5. The second baffle 12 is located at the four corners of the outer casing 1.

[0035] The first baffle 11 and the second baffle 12 can block the airflow entering the battery compartment to a certain extent, allowing the airflow to flow along a predetermined route, ensuring heat dissipation at each location, and improving the temperature uniformity among the individual battery cells 27.

[0036] Based on the above technical solution, the number of exhaust fans 5 is multiple, and the multiple exhaust fans 5 are symmetrically arranged relative to the first gap 25. The arrangement of multiple exhaust fans 5 can improve the exhaust speed and efficiency of the final airflow from the battery compartment. Specifically, there can be 2, 3, or 4 exhaust fans 5. The multiple exhaust fans 5 can be arranged side by side with intervals and symmetrically relative to the first gap 25, or the multiple exhaust fans can be arranged in multiple rows and columns and symmetrically relative to the first gap 25.

[0037] Based on the above technical solution, the number of battery cells 27 in the first group 21, the second group 22, the third group 23, and the fourth group 24 is greater than or equal to 6. Preferably, the number of battery cells 27 in the first group 21, the second group 22, the third group 23, and the fourth group 24 can be 6 to 13.

[0038] Compared to most traditional battery boxes which consist of 16 cells 27, the air-cooled battery box provided in this application consists of at least 24 cells 27, and can also consist of 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 or 52 cells 27. This increases the number of cells 27, improves the energy density of the battery box, and still ensures the overall heat dissipation effect and temperature uniformity.

[0039] Based on the above technical solutions, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first heat dissipation structure 3 includes a first air inlet 31, and there are multiple first air inlets 31, which are arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27.

[0040] Based on the above technical solution, the plurality of first air inlets 31 are arranged one-to-one with the harmonica tube board 271 and extend along the height direction of the battery cell 27.

[0041] Multiple first air inlets 31 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27 and are respectively arranged corresponding to the harmonica tube board 271 between the battery cells 27. In this way, the airflow can enter the corresponding harmonica tube board 271 more quickly after flowing into the battery box from the outside, which can improve the heat dissipation efficiency to a certain extent.

[0042] Based on the above technical solution, the air inlet area of ​​the first air inlet 31 is adapted to the internal airflow rate.

[0043] Specifically, each first air inlet 31 has a different size, and the size of each first air inlet 31 is adjusted according to the airflow rate inside the outer casing 1. When the exhaust fan 5 is located at one end of the outer casing 1 of the first gap 25, the airflow rate inside the outer casing 1 will vary depending on the distance between the exhaust fan 5 and the exhaust fan 5. Therefore, the air inlet area of ​​each first air inlet 31 is adjusted according to the airflow rate to make the airflow rate at multiple first air inlets 31 similar, thereby improving the temperature uniformity among multiple battery cells 27 and improving the overall temperature uniformity of the battery pack.

[0044] Based on the above technical solutions, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the second heat dissipation structure 4 includes a second air inlet 41, an air duct 42, and an air outlet 43. The second air inlet 41 is located at the connection between the side wall and the bottom wall of the outer casing 1. The air duct 42 is located inside the bottom wall. The air outlet 43 extends along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27 and is located towards the second gap 26. The second airflow flows into the air duct 42 from the second air inlet 41, flows out of the air outlet 43 to the second gap 26, and then flows along the harmonica tube plate 271 through the battery cells 27 to the first gap 25.

[0045] Specifically, after the second airflow reaches the second gap 26, it flows through the harmonica tube plate 271 between multiple adjacent cells 27 and reaches the first gap 25, which can cool down the adjacent cells 27. The second airflow flows through the harmonica tube plate 271 between the cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23. Since the second group 22 and the third group 23 are located between the first group 21 and the fourth group 24, the cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 have a higher temperature than the first group 21 and the fourth group 24. By setting the second air inlet 41, the air duct 42 and the air outlet slot 43, the second airflow directly enters the second gap 26, and then flows through the cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 on the basis of the first airflow. This can further improve the heat dissipation effect of the cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 near the middle of the battery box, which is conducive to improving the temperature uniformity between the cells 27.

[0046] Based on the above technical solution, a heat insulation pad is provided between the battery module 2 and the bottom wall of the outer casing 1. The heat insulation pad has an opening, which is corresponding to the air outlet slot 43.

[0047] The second airflow enters the air duct 42 through the second air inlet 41 and exits through the air outlet 43 to the second gap 26. The heat insulation pad ensures that the airflow temperature is not affected by the temperature of the battery cell 27 when it flows through the air duct 42, thus avoiding the phenomenon of temperature rise after the airflow flows through the air duct 42 and ensuring the subsequent heat dissipation effect of the airflow.

[0048] Based on the above technical solutions, such as Figure 4 As shown, the large-capacity air-cooled battery box also includes a cover plate 6, which includes a first cover plate 61, a second cover plate 62, a third cover plate 63 and a fourth cover plate 64, respectively covering the first group 21, the second group 22, the third group 23 and the fourth group 24. Each cover plate 6 has a flange extending downward in the circumferential direction. The second cover plate 62 and the third cover plate 63 have a first notch 65 at the flange along the arrangement direction of the battery cells 27.

[0049] Based on the above technical solution, the second cover plate 62 and the third cover plate 63 have a second notch 66 on the flange near the first gap 25. There are multiple second notches 66, and the multiple second notches 66 are evenly spaced.

[0050] Since the second group 22 and the third group 23 are located between the first group 21 and the fourth group 24, the battery cells 27 in the second group 22 and the third group 23 have a higher temperature than those in the first group 21 and the fourth group 24. Therefore, the corresponding second cover plate 62 and the third cover plate 63 have first notches 65 at both ends of the flange along the direction of the battery cells 27 arrangement. This allows for a larger airflow and faster flow rate in this direction, improving heat dissipation. The corresponding second cover plate 62 and the third cover plate 63 have second notches 66 near the flange of the first gap 25. This facilitates airflow at the top of the second group 22 and the third group 23, resulting in better overall temperature uniformity.

[0051] Based on the above scheme, such as Figure 5 As shown, the battery module 2 also includes a steel strip 274, which is circumferentially bound to the cell 27 and the end plate. The positive and negative electrodes of two adjacent cells 27 are connected in sequence by aluminum busbars 275, and the positive and negative electrodes of the first group 21, the second group 22, the third group 23 and the fourth group 24 are connected in sequence by copper busbars 276 to form a series system.

[0052] To verify the temperature uniformity of the large-capacity air-cooled battery pack provided in this application, the surface temperature distribution of battery module 2 was simulated using fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software. The simulated surface temperature diagram is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 To simulate the surface temperature distribution of cells 27 in the first group 21 and the second group 22, the temperature difference between each cell 27 is 2℃~3℃. Compared with the traditional battery module 2, the temperature difference is greatly reduced, which shows that this large-capacity air-cooled battery box improves the temperature uniformity between cells 27.

[0053] To verify the effects of the first heat dissipation structure 3 and the second heat dissipation structure 4 of the large-capacity air-cooled battery pack provided in this application on heat dissipation and temperature uniformity, CFD simulation software was used to simulate the airflow velocity and direction between the battery modules 2. Figure 7The airflow velocity cloud map between battery modules 2 shows that the airflow velocity at the first gap 25 and the second gap 26 is significantly higher than at other locations. Figure 8 The airflow direction between the battery modules 2 is shown. It can be seen that airflow clearly enters at the first gap 25 and the second gap 26 to exchange heat with the battery cell 27, so as to improve the overall temperature uniformity.

[0054] The present invention has been described above by way of example, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Any modifications or variations made based on the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-capacity air-cooled battery box, characterized in that, The device includes a casing and a battery module. The battery module comprises a first group, a second group, a third group, and a fourth group arranged in parallel and connected in series. A first gap is provided between the second group and the third group, and a second gap is provided between the first group and the second group, as well as between the third group and the fourth group. Each battery module includes multiple battery cells, which are arranged in series along the thickness direction. A harmonica tube plate is provided between two adjacent battery cells. The casing includes a first heat dissipation structure on the side wall, a second heat dissipation structure on the bottom wall, and an exhaust fan corresponding to the first gap. The battery module also includes a first end plate and a second end plate. The first end plate is provided at both ends of the first group and the second group along the battery cell arrangement direction, and the second end plate is provided at both ends of the third group and the fourth group along the battery cell arrangement direction.

2. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer casing is provided with a first baffle and a second baffle. The first baffle is located in the first gap and is positioned opposite to the exhaust fan. The second baffle is located at the four corners of the outer casing.

3. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of exhaust fans is multiple, and the multiple exhaust fans are symmetrically arranged with respect to the first gap.

4. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first heat dissipation structure includes a first air inlet, and there are multiple first air inlets, which are arranged at intervals along the cell arrangement direction.

5. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of first air inlets are configured one-to-one with the harmonica tube board and extend along the height direction of the battery cell.

6. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air inlet area of ​​the first air inlet is adapted to the internal airflow rate.

7. The large-capacity air-cooled battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The second heat dissipation structure includes a second air inlet, an air duct, and an air outlet. The second air inlet is located at the connection between the side wall and the bottom wall of the outer casing. The air duct is located inside the bottom wall. The air outlet extends along the cell arrangement direction and is positioned towards the second gap. The second airflow flows into the air duct from the second air inlet, flows out of the air outlet to the second gap, and then flows along the harmonica tube board through the cell to the first gap.

8. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 7, characterized in that, A heat insulation pad is provided between the battery module and the bottom wall of the outer casing. The heat insulation pad has an opening, which is corresponding to the air outlet slot.

9. The large-capacity air-cooled battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It also includes cover plates, which include a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a third cover plate and a fourth cover plate, respectively covering the first group, the second group, the third group and the fourth group. Each cover plate has a flange extending downward in the circumferential direction. The second cover plate and the third cover plate have a first notch at the flange along the direction of cell arrangement.

10. The large-capacity air-cooled battery box according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second cover plate and the third cover plate have a second notch on the flange near the first gap. There are multiple second notches, and the multiple second notches are evenly spaced.

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