Battery cluster and electric device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a battery cluster and an electric device. The battery cluster comprises a cluster frame; the battery assembly is arranged in the cluster frame and comprises a plurality of batteries, all the batteries in the battery assembly are arranged in the height direction of the cluster frame, and each battery is provided with a battery refrigerant inlet; the direct cooling unit is arranged in the cluster frame and is provided with a direct cooling unit refrigerant outlet; the input pipeline assembly comprises an input main pipe and a plurality of input branch pipes, the input main pipe is communicated with the refrigerant outlet of the direct cooling unit, all the input branch pipes are arranged in the height direction of the cluster frame, the input branch pipes correspond to the battery refrigerant inlets one to one, and the input branch pipes are communicated between the input main pipe and the corresponding battery refrigerant inlets; wherein in every two adjacent input branch pipes, the length of the lower input branch pipe is smaller than that of the upper input branch pipe, and / or the pipe diameter of the lower input branch pipe is larger than that of the upper input branch pipe. According to the battery cluster and the electric device, the structure can be simplified, and the refrigeration efficiency can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery cluster and a power utilization device. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the safety of battery clusters with large capacity, as an important part of the new energy industry, has gradually attracted attention.

[0003] In the process of charging and discharging of the battery cell module inside the battery cluster, the battery cell module generates heat. The most suitable temperature for the battery cell module to charge and discharge is in the range of 15℃ to 35℃. In order to ensure that the battery cell module can operate in the suitable temperature range, it is necessary to cool the battery cell module.

[0004] At present, the commonly used cooling method for the battery cell module is to arrange a liquid cooling plate at the bottom of the battery cell module. The liquid cooling medium with low temperature flows in the liquid cooling plate and cools the battery cell module. In this process, the liquid cooling medium with low temperature absorbs the heat of the battery cell module, and forms liquid cooling medium with high temperature. The liquid cooling medium with high temperature returns to the direct cooling unit and exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit in the direct cooling unit to be cooled down again, and continues to circulate and cool the battery cell module in the subsequent process. This kind of refrigeration method has complex structure and low refrigeration efficiency. Practical new type content

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a battery cluster and a power utilization device which can simplify the structure and improve the refrigeration efficiency.

[0006] A battery cluster, comprising:

[0007] a cluster frame;

[0008] a battery assembly arranged in the cluster frame and comprising a plurality of batteries, all the batteries in the battery assembly being arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame, the batteries having a battery refrigerant inlet;

[0009] a direct cooling unit arranged in the cluster frame and having a direct cooling unit refrigerant outlet;

[0010] The input pipeline assembly comprises an input unit, the input unit comprises an input main pipeline and a plurality of input branch pipelines, the input main pipeline is communicated with the refrigerant outlet of the direct cooling unit and is used for conveying refrigerant from top to bottom along the height direction of the cluster frame, all the input branch pipelines in the input unit are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame, the input unit corresponds to the battery assembly one by one, in the corresponding input unit and battery assembly, the input branch pipeline corresponds to the battery refrigerant inlet one by one, and the input branch pipeline is communicated between the input main pipeline and the corresponding battery refrigerant inlet.

[0011] In each of the two input branch pipelines adjacent to each other in the same unit, the length of the lower input branch pipeline is less than that of the upper input branch pipeline, and / or the pipe diameter of the lower input branch pipeline is greater than that of the upper input branch pipeline.

[0012] In some embodiments, the battery has a battery refrigerant outlet, and the direct cooling unit has a direct cooling unit refrigerant inlet.

[0013] The battery cluster further comprises an output pipeline assembly, the output pipeline assembly comprises an output unit, the output unit comprises an output main pipeline and a plurality of output branch pipelines, the output main pipeline is communicated with the direct cooling unit refrigerant inlet, all the output branch pipelines in the output unit are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame, the output unit corresponds to the battery assembly one by one, in the corresponding output unit and battery assembly, the output branch pipeline corresponds to the battery refrigerant outlet one by one, and the output branch pipeline is communicated between the output main pipeline and the corresponding battery refrigerant outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the pipe diameter of the output main pipeline is greater than that of the input main pipeline, and / or the pipe diameter of the output branch pipeline is greater than that of the input branch pipeline.

[0015] In some embodiments, the pipe diameters of the output main pipeline and the input main pipeline are D1 and D2 respectively, or the pipe diameters of the output branch pipeline and the input branch pipeline are D1 and D2 respectively, 12mm≤D1≤20mm, and 4mm≤D2≤10mm.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one of the input main pipeline, the input branch pipeline, the output main pipeline and the output branch pipeline is a metal pipe.

[0017] In some embodiments, the battery includes an inlet pipe arranged at the battery refrigerant inlet and an inlet connector mounted on the inlet pipe; the input unit further includes a plurality of input connectors, all of the input connectors of the input unit correspond to all of the input branch pipes one-to-one, the input connectors are arranged at the corresponding input branch pipes and fixedly connected with the corresponding inlet connectors, and the battery cluster further includes input sealing pads corresponding to the inlet connectors and the input connectors one-to-one, the input sealing pads are tightly fitted between the corresponding inlet connectors and the input connectors;

[0018] In some embodiments, the battery includes an outlet pipe arranged at the battery refrigerant outlet and an outlet connector mounted on the outlet pipe; the output unit further includes a plurality of output connectors, all of the output connectors of the output unit correspond to all of the output branch pipes one-to-one, the output connectors are arranged at the corresponding output branch pipes and fixedly connected with the corresponding outlet connectors, and the battery cluster further includes output sealing pads corresponding to the outlet connectors and the output connectors one-to-one, the output sealing pads are tightly fitted between the corresponding outlet connectors and the output connectors.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery assembly is two groups and arranged along the length direction of the cluster frame;

[0020] The input unit is two groups, and the input pipeline assembly further includes an input main pipe and an input three-way valve, the input main pipe is in communication with the direct cooling unit refrigerant outlet, and the input main pipes of the two groups of input units and the input main pipe are in communication through the input three-way valve;

[0021] The output unit is two groups, and the output pipeline assembly further includes an output main pipe and an output three-way valve, the output main pipe is in communication with the direct cooling unit refrigerant inlet, and the output main pipes of the two groups of output units and the output main pipe are in communication through the output three-way valve.

[0022] In some embodiments, the input main pipe includes a plurality of input main pipe sections, all of the input main pipe sections of the input main pipe are arranged along the height direction of the battery cluster, the input unit includes a plurality of shunt three-way valves, the input branch pipe and two input main pipe sections arranged adjacent to the input branch pipe are in communication through the shunt three-way valve; and / or, the output main pipe includes a plurality of output main pipe sections, all of the output main pipe sections of the output main pipe are arranged along the height direction of the battery cluster, the output unit includes a plurality of converging three-way valves, the output branch pipe and two output main pipe sections arranged adjacent to the output branch pipe are in communication through the converging three-way valve.

[0023] In some embodiments, the direct cooling unit is located on top of the battery assembly.

[0024] An electrical device comprising a battery cluster as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The aforementioned battery cluster and electrical device directly utilize refrigerant for battery cooling. Under the same cooling effect, the refrigerant has a higher cooling efficiency. Furthermore, this design reduces the need for a liquid cooling medium circulation loop, requiring only one refrigerant circulation loop. Therefore, fewer components are needed, and the battery cluster structure is correspondingly simpler. Further, the length of the lower input branch pipe is shorter than the length of the upper input branch pipe, and / or the diameter of the lower input branch pipe is larger than the diameter of the upper input branch pipe. Therefore, although the flow resistance of the refrigerant gradually increases in the main input pipe as it flows downwards, the flow resistance gradually decreases in the lower input branch pipes. This flow resistance neutralization ensures that the flow resistance of the refrigerant from the main input pipe to each input branch pipe is essentially the same, resulting in a consistent refrigerant flow rate into each battery. Consequently, the cooling effect of each battery is essentially consistent, with good temperature uniformity, high cooling efficiency, and excellent cooling performance. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cluster structure in one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structural arrangement of the input pipe assembly, output pipe assembly, direct cooling unit, and direct cooling plate in the battery cluster.

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the battery cluster structure A shown;

[0030] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structural arrangement of the input and output pipe components in the battery cluster.

[0031] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the input and output pipe assemblies in the battery cluster, in conjunction with the direct cooling plate.

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the battery cluster structure B shown;

[0033] Figure 7 For Figure 5 An enlarged schematic view of a partial structure C of the battery cluster shown.

[0034] Reference Signs:

[0035] 100, battery cluster;

[0036] 10, cluster frame; 20, battery assembly; 30, direct cooling unit; 40, input pipeline assembly; 50, output pipeline assembly;

[0037] 21, battery; 211, direct cooling plate; 212, liquid inlet pipe; 213, liquid inlet joint; 214, liquid outlet pipe; 215, liquid outlet joint;

[0038] 41, input unit; 411, input main road pipe; 4111, input main road section; 412, input branch road pipe; 413, input joint; 414, shunt tee valve; 42, input total road pipe; 43, input tee valve;

[0039] 51, output unit; 511, output main road pipe; 5111, output main road section; 512, output branch road pipe; 513, output joint; 514, merging tee valve; 52, output total road pipe; 53, output tee valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be practiced in a number of different ways beyond the specific embodiments described and it is therefore contemplated that the present application not be limited to the embodiments set forth and any modifications made to the embodiments set forth are to be considered within the scope of the present application.

[0041] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0042] Furthermore, 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 technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0043] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0045] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0046] With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the safety of large-capacity battery clusters, as an important part of the new energy industry, has gradually received attention.

[0047] During the charging and discharging process of the battery cells inside the battery cluster, the cells generate heat. The optimal temperature range for charging and discharging the cells is between 15°C and 35°C. To ensure that the cells can operate within this suitable temperature range, cooling is necessary.

[0048] Currently, the common cooling method for battery cell modules involves placing a liquid cooling plate at the bottom of the module. A low-temperature liquid cooling medium flows within the plate, cooling the module. During this process, the lower-temperature liquid cooling medium absorbs heat from the module, forming a higher-temperature liquid cooling medium. This higher-temperature medium flows back to the direct-cooling unit, where it exchanges heat with the refrigerant circuit and is cooled again, continuing the cycle to cool the battery cell module. This cooling method is structurally complex and has low cooling efficiency.

[0049] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 To alleviate the aforementioned problems, the applicant of this application, after in-depth research, designed a new battery cluster 100. The battery cluster 100 includes a cluster frame 10, a battery assembly 20, a direct cooling unit 30, an input pipe assembly 40, and an output pipe assembly 50. Both the battery assembly 20 and the direct cooling unit 30 are housed within the cluster frame 10. The battery assembly 20 includes multiple batteries 21, all of which are arranged along the height of the cluster frame 10. Each battery 21 has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The direct cooling unit 30 has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. The input piping assembly 40 includes an input unit 41, which includes a main input pipe 411 and multiple input branch pipes 412. The main input pipe 411 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit and is used to transport refrigerant from top to bottom along the height direction of the cluster frame 10. All input branch pipes 412 in the input unit 41 are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame 10. The input unit 41 corresponds one-to-one with the battery assembly 20. In the corresponding input unit 41 and battery assembly 20, the input branch pipe 412 corresponds one-to-one with the battery refrigerant inlet. The input branch pipe 412 is connected between the main input pipe 411 and the corresponding battery refrigerant inlet. Among the two adjacent input branch pipes 412 in the same unit, the length of the lower input branch pipe 412 is less than the length of the upper input branch pipe 412, and / or the diameter of the lower input branch pipe 412 is greater than the diameter of the upper input branch pipe 412. The output pipe assembly 50 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the direct-cooling unit and the refrigerant outlet of all batteries 21, and the output pipe assembly 50, together with the input pipe assembly 40, the direct-cooling unit 30 and all batteries 21, forms a refrigerant circulation loop.

[0050] Specifically, the cluster frame 10 mainly serves as an installation and support unit, and an installation space is formed inside the cluster frame 10. The cluster frame 10 has various holes to allow the battery 21 and the direct cooling unit 30 to be installed in the installation space.

[0051] The battery assembly 20 can be one or more groups. If there are multiple groups, all battery assemblies 20 are arranged along the length of the cluster frame 10. The battery assembly 20 includes multiple batteries 21. Each battery 21 includes a cell module and a direct cooling plate 211. The cell module is used to store and release electrical energy. The direct cooling plate 211 is in contact with the cell module, and the interior of the direct cooling plate 211 is provided with a flow channel for the refrigerant to flow. The battery refrigerant inlet and battery refrigerant outlet are located on the direct cooling plate 211 and are both connected to the battery refrigerant inlet and battery refrigerant outlet.

[0052] As an example, the direct cooling plate 211 can be located at the bottom, top, side, etc. of the cell module. Preferably, the direct cooling plate 211 is located at the bottom of the cell module, so that the direct cooling plate 211 can also support the cell module. For ease of explanation, the following embodiments will all be described with the direct cooling plate 211 located at the bottom of the cell module as an example.

[0053] The direct cooling unit 30 can be disposed on the top or bottom side of the battery pack 20 along the height direction of the cluster 10, or it can be disposed on the side of the battery pack 20 along the length direction of the cluster 10. As an example, the direct cooling unit 30 is disposed on the top side of the battery pack 20, which helps to reduce the size of the battery cluster 100 along its length direction.

[0054] The direct-cooling unit 30 includes a compressor, a condenser, and a throttling valve. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to form a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which is then delivered to the condenser. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant releases heat at the condenser and condenses to form a normal-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Then, the liquid refrigerant is depressurized and throttled by the throttling valve to become a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant, which is then output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit.

[0055] The main input pipe 411 corresponds one-to-one with the battery assembly 20, and the main input pipe 411 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the direct cooling unit. The branch input pipe 412 corresponds one-to-one with the battery refrigerant inlet, and the branch input pipe 412 is connected between the main input pipe 411 and the corresponding battery refrigerant inlet of the same unit.

[0056] Low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant is output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit and enters the main input pipe 411 for diversion. Then, it flows through the input branch pipe 412 and the battery refrigerant inlet into the direct-cooling plate 211, where it absorbs heat from the battery module to form a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. It is then output from the battery refrigerant outlet and finally flows back into the direct-cooling unit 30 through the output pipe assembly 50 for recirculation.

[0057] Understandably, in existing technologies, cooling using a liquid cooling medium is considered indirect cooling. Specifically, the refrigerant cools the liquid cooling medium, and the liquid cooling medium cools the battery cell module; that is, the refrigerant indirectly cools the battery cell module through the liquid cooling medium. Therefore, under the same cooling effect, the cooling efficiency of the liquid cooling medium is lower than that of the refrigerant. Furthermore, indirect cooling requires two separate circulation loops for the liquid cooling medium and the refrigerant, thus requiring more components and consequently, making the structure of the battery cluster 100 that implements indirect cooling more complex.

[0058] In this application, a refrigerant circulation loop is formed by designing a direct cooling unit 30, a battery assembly 20, an input pipe assembly 40, and an output pipe assembly 50, directly utilizing the refrigerant to cool the battery 21. Under the same cooling effect, the refrigerant achieves higher cooling efficiency. Furthermore, this design reduces the need for a liquid cooling medium circulation loop, requiring only one refrigerant circulation loop. Therefore, fewer components are needed, and correspondingly, the structure of the battery cluster 100 is simpler.

[0059] Furthermore, the main inlet pipe 411 transports refrigerant from top to bottom along the height direction of the cluster 10. The longer the path of the refrigerant flow within the main inlet pipe 411, the greater the flow resistance. Conversely, the shorter the length of the inlet branch pipe 412 and the larger its diameter, the smaller the flow resistance of the refrigerant flowing through it. By designing that in every two adjacent inlet branch pipes 412 within the same unit, the length of the lower inlet branch pipe 412 is less than the length of the upper inlet branch pipe 412, and / or the diameter of the lower inlet branch pipe 412 is greater than the diameter of the upper inlet branch pipe 412, the length of the inlet branch pipe 412 gradually decreases and / or the diameter gradually increases from top to bottom. Therefore, although the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the main inlet pipe 411 gradually increases as the refrigerant flows from top to bottom, the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the lower inlet branch pipes 412 gradually decreases. This neutralization of flow resistance results in a relatively consistent flow resistance from the main inlet pipe 411 to each inlet branch pipe 412. Consequently, the flow rate of refrigerant entering each battery 21 is also relatively consistent. Therefore, the cooling effect of each battery 21 is basically consistent, and each battery 21 has good temperature consistency, high cooling efficiency, and good cooling effect.

[0060] Furthermore, liquid cooling media are typically a mixture of ethylene glycol and aqueous solution. This mixture is conductive, so in the event of a liquid cooling media leak, the battery cluster 100 is prone to insulation failure, short circuits, and other safety issues. Commonly used refrigerants (such as R410A and R32; R410A is a chlorine-free fluoroalkane non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture, and R32 is a chlorine-free fluoroalkane refrigerant) are generally gases at room temperature and pressure and have good electrical insulation properties, therefore they are non-conductive and safer to use.

[0061] In some embodiments, the output pipe assembly 50 includes an output unit 51, which includes an output main pipe 511 and a plurality of output branch pipes 512. The output main pipe 511 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the direct cooling unit. All the output branch pipes 512 in the output unit 51 are arranged along the height direction of the cluster 10. The output unit 51 corresponds one-to-one with the battery assembly 20. In the corresponding output unit 51 and battery assembly 20, the output branch pipe 512 corresponds one-to-one with the battery refrigerant outlet. The output branch pipe 512 is connected between the output main pipe 511 and the corresponding battery refrigerant outlet.

[0062] In actual operation, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant is output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit and distributed to the input branch pipes 412 through the main output pipes 511. It then enters the direct-cooling plates 211 of each battery 21, absorbing heat from the cell modules within each battery 21 and gradually undergoing a phase change, with some of the liquid refrigerant transforming into a gaseous refrigerant. Afterward, the two-phase refrigerant is output from the refrigerant outlet of each battery and converges back to the main output pipes 511 through the output branch pipes 512, finally returning to the direct-cooling unit 30 through the refrigerant inlet for recirculation.

[0063] It can be seen that the design of the main output pipe 511 and the branch output pipe 512 in the output unit 51 enables the refrigerant to circulate, so as to circulate the cooling of the battery 21.

[0064] In some embodiments, the diameter of the output main pipe 511 is larger than the diameter of the input main pipe 411, and / or, the diameter of the output branch pipe 512 is larger than the diameter of the input branch pipe 412. For example, the diameter of the output main pipe 511 is larger than the diameter of the input main pipe 411, and the diameter of the output branch pipe 512 is larger than the diameter of the input branch pipe 412.

[0065] Preferably, the diameters of the output main pipe 511 and the input main pipe 411 are D1 and D2, respectively; or, the diameters of the output branch pipe 512 and the input branch pipe 412 are D1 and D2, respectively, where 12mm≤D1≤20mm and 4mm≤D2≤10mm.

[0066] It is understandable that the refrigerant output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit is a liquid refrigerant with a small volume. However, after the liquid refrigerant cools the battery module, some of the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas, resulting in a larger volume. Therefore, considering the volume of the refrigerant, it is advisable to design the diameter of the output main pipe 511 to be larger than that of the input main pipe 411, and / or the diameter of the output branch pipe 512 to be larger than that of the input branch pipe 412. This reduces the pressure exerted by the refrigerant on the input main pipe 411, input branch pipe 412, output main pipe 511, and output branch pipe 512 during the refrigerant circulation process, thereby reducing the risk of rupture in these pipes and ensuring the reliability of the refrigerant circulation.

[0067] In some embodiments, at least one of the input main pipe 411, the input branch pipe 412, the output main pipe 511, and the output branch pipe 512 is a metal pipe. For example, the input main pipe 411, the input branch pipe 412, the output main pipe 511, and the output branch pipe 512 are all metal pipes, such as copper pipes.

[0068] In the traditional battery cluster 100, the input main pipe 411, input branch pipe 412, output main pipe 511 and output branch pipe 512 are all made of nylon or rubber. Nylon or rubber has insufficient density and the molecular structure of the refrigerant is small. Moreover, nylon and rubber are easily deformed by high temperature environment. All these factors lead to refrigerant leakage in nylon or rubber, which reduces the reliability of refrigerant cycle.

[0069] In this application, at least one of the input main pipe 411, input branch pipe 412, output main pipe 511 and output branch pipe 512 is designed to be a metal pipe. The molecules in the metal pipe are extremely dense and are not easily deformed by the high temperature environment. Therefore, the refrigerant is less likely to leak during the flow of the refrigerant in the metal pipe, and the reliability of the refrigerant cycle is improved.

[0070] Please see Figure 1 , Figures 5 to 7In some embodiments, the battery 21 includes an inlet pipe 212 and an inlet connector 213. The inlet pipe 212 is disposed at the battery refrigerant inlet, and the inlet connector 213 is installed on the inlet pipe 212. The input unit 41 also includes a plurality of input connectors 413. All input connectors 413 of the input unit 41 correspond one-to-one with all input branch pipes 412. The input connectors 413 are disposed on the corresponding input branch pipes 412 and are connected and fixedly connected to the corresponding inlet connectors 213. The battery cluster 100 also includes an input sealing gasket. The input sealing gasket corresponds one-to-one with the inlet connectors 213 and the input connectors 413. The input sealing gasket is tightly sealed between the corresponding inlet connectors 213 and the input connectors 413. And / or, the battery 21 includes an outlet pipe 214 and an outlet connector 215. The outlet pipe 214 is located at the battery refrigerant outlet, and the outlet connector 215 is installed on the outlet pipe 214. The output unit 51 also includes multiple output connectors 513. All output connectors 513 of the output unit 51 correspond one-to-one with all output branch pipes 512. The output connectors 513 are located on the corresponding output branch pipes 512 and are connected and fixedly connected to the corresponding outlet connectors 215. The battery cluster 100 also includes an output sealing gasket. The output sealing gasket corresponds one-to-one with the outlet connectors 215 and the output connectors 513. The output sealing gasket is sealed between the corresponding outlet connectors 215 and the output connectors 513.

[0071] As an example, the corresponding input connector 413 and liquid inlet connector 213, as well as the corresponding output connector 513 and liquid outlet connector 215, are all fixedly connected by screws.

[0072] The inclusion of the liquid inlet pipe 212, liquid inlet connector 213, and input connector 413 facilitates the connection between the input pipeline assembly 40 and the refrigerant inlet of each battery 21, thereby ensuring that refrigerant can be input into the direct cooling plate 211 of each battery 21 and cool the cell modules in each battery 21. The inclusion of the input sealing gasket improves the sealing performance between the corresponding liquid inlet connector 213 and input connector 413, reducing the risk of refrigerant leakage during the input process into the battery 21.

[0073] The design of the outlet pipe 214, outlet connector 215, and output connector 513 facilitates the connection between the output pipe assembly 50 and the refrigerant outlet of each battery 21, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant after cooling the cell module can be output to each battery 21 and ultimately circulated back to the direct cooling unit 30. The output sealing gasket improves the sealing performance between the corresponding outlet connector 215 and output connector 513, reducing the risk of refrigerant leakage during the output process to the batteries 21.

[0074] Please see Figures 1 to 4In some embodiments, the battery assembly 20 consists of two groups arranged along the length of the cluster frame 10; the input unit 41 consists of two groups, and the input pipe assembly 40 further includes an input main pipe 42 and an input three-way valve 43. The input main pipe 42 is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit, and the input main pipe 411 and the input main pipe 42 of the two groups of input units 41 are connected through the input three-way valve 43; the output unit 51 consists of two groups, and the output pipe assembly 50 further includes an output main pipe 52 and an output three-way valve 53. The output main pipe 52 is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the direct-cooling unit, and the output main pipe 511 and the output main pipe 52 of the two groups of output units 51 are connected through the output three-way valve 53.

[0075] Two sets of battery modules 20 are housed within the battery cluster 10, which helps to improve the energy density of the battery cluster 100. The inlet main pipe 42 and inlet three-way valve 43 allow the liquid refrigerant output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit to be diverted to the two inlet main pipes 411 via the inlet three-way valve 43. The outlet main pipe 52 and outlet three-way valve 53 allow the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant in the two inlet main pipes 411 to converge into the outlet main pipe 52 via the outlet three-way valve 53, and finally return to the direct-cooling unit 30 for recirculation via the refrigerant inlet of the direct-cooling unit.

[0076] In actual operation, the liquid refrigerant is output from the refrigerant outlet of the direct-cooling unit and is branched into the two main input pipes 411 via the input main pipe 42 and the input three-way valve 43. Then, it is branched into the direct-cooling plates 211 of each battery 21 via the input branch pipes 412, where it absorbs heat from the cell modules of each battery 21, forming a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. Next, the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flows out from the direct-cooling plates 211 of each battery 21 and converges into the main output pipes 511 via the output branch pipes 512. Finally, it returns to the direct-cooling unit 30 for circulation via the output three-way valve 53, the output main pipe 52, and the thermal management output port.

[0077] In some embodiments, the input main pipe 411 includes multiple input main sections 4111, all of which are arranged along the height direction of the battery cluster 100. The input unit 41 includes multiple shunt three-way valves 414, and the input branch pipe 412 and two adjacent input main sections 4111 are connected through the shunt three-way valves 414. And / or, the output main pipe 511 includes multiple output main sections 5111, all of which are arranged along the height direction of the battery cluster 100. The output unit 51 includes multiple busbar three-way valves 514, and the output branch pipe 512 and two adjacent output main sections 5111 are connected through the busbar three-way valves 514.

[0078] By setting multiple shunt three-way valves 414 in the input unit 41, it is convenient to connect each input branch pipe 412 in the input unit 41 with the input main pipe 411 in the input unit 41. By setting multiple manifold three-way valves 514 in the output unit 51, it is convenient to connect each output branch pipe 512 in the output unit 51 with the output main pipe 511 in the output unit 51.

[0079] This application also provides an electrical device, which includes a battery cluster 100 as described in any of the above embodiments. The electrical device in this application has the effects of any of the above embodiments, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0080] The electrical devices can include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, etc. Electric toys can include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, etc. Spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.

[0081] It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the electrical devices described above.

[0082] The aforementioned battery cluster 100 and electrical device directly utilize refrigerant to cool the battery 21. Under the same cooling effect, the refrigerant has a higher cooling efficiency. Furthermore, this design reduces the need for a liquid cooling medium circulation loop, requiring only one refrigerant circulation loop. Therefore, fewer components are needed, and correspondingly, the structure of the battery cluster 100 is simpler. Furthermore, the length of the lower input branch pipe 412 is shorter than the length of the upper input branch pipe 412, and / or the diameter of the lower input branch pipe 412 is larger than the diameter of the upper input branch pipe 412. Therefore, although the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the main input pipe 411 gradually increases as the refrigerant flows from top to bottom, the flow resistance of the refrigerant in the lower input branch pipes 412 gradually decreases. This neutralization of flow resistance makes the flow resistance of the refrigerant from the main input pipe 411 to each input branch pipe 412 basically the same. As a result, the flow rate of the refrigerant entering each battery 21 is also basically the same. Therefore, the cooling effect of each battery 21 is basically the same, each battery 21 has good temperature consistency, high cooling efficiency, and good cooling effect.

[0083] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0084] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cluster, characterized in that, The battery cluster includes: Cluster frame (10); A battery assembly (20) is disposed within the cluster frame (10) and includes a plurality of batteries (21). All batteries (21) in the battery assembly (20) are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame (10), and each battery (21) has a battery refrigerant inlet. A direct-cooling unit (30) is installed inside the cluster frame (10) and has a direct-cooling unit refrigerant outlet; An input pipe assembly (40) includes an input unit (41), which includes an input main pipe (411) and multiple input branch pipes (412). The input main pipe (411) is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the direct cooling unit and is used to transport refrigerant from top to bottom along the height direction of the cluster frame (10). All the input branch pipes (412) in the input unit (41) are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame (10). The input unit (41) corresponds one-to-one with the battery assembly (20). In the corresponding input unit (41) and the battery assembly (20), the input branch pipe (412) corresponds one-to-one with the battery refrigerant inlet. The input branch pipe (412) is connected between the input main pipe (411) and the corresponding battery refrigerant inlet. In each of the two adjacent input branch pipes (412) in the same unit, the length of the lower input branch pipe (412) is less than the length of the upper input branch pipe (412), and / or, the diameter of the lower input branch pipe (412) is greater than the diameter of the upper input branch pipe (412).

2. The battery cluster according to claim 1, characterized in that, The battery (21) has a battery refrigerant outlet, and the direct cooling unit (30) has a direct cooling unit refrigerant inlet; The battery cluster also includes an output pipe assembly (50), which includes an output unit (51). The output unit (51) includes an output main pipe (511) and multiple output branch pipes (512). The output main pipe (511) is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the direct cooling unit. All the output branch pipes (512) in the output unit (51) are arranged along the height direction of the cluster frame (10). The output unit (51) corresponds one-to-one with the battery assembly (20). In the corresponding output unit (51) and the battery assembly (20), the output branch pipe (512) corresponds one-to-one with the battery refrigerant outlet. The output branch pipe (512) is connected between the output main pipe (511) and the corresponding battery refrigerant outlet.

3. The battery cluster according to claim 2, characterized in that, The diameter of the output main pipe (511) is greater than the diameter of the input main pipe (411), and / or the diameter of the output branch pipe (512) is greater than the diameter of the input branch pipe (412).

4. The battery cluster according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameters of the output main pipe (511) and the input main pipe (411) are D1 and D2 respectively, or the diameters of the output branch pipe (512) and the input branch pipe (412) are D1 and D2 respectively, 12mm≤D1≤20mm, 4mm≤D2≤10mm.

5. The battery cluster according to claim 2, characterized in that, At least one of the input main pipe (411), the input branch pipe (412), the output main pipe (511), and the output branch pipe (512) is a metal pipe.

6. The battery cluster according to claim 2, characterized in that, The battery (21) includes an inlet pipe (212) and an inlet connector (213). The inlet pipe (212) is disposed at the refrigerant inlet of the battery, and the inlet connector (213) is installed on the inlet pipe (212). The input unit (41) also includes multiple input connectors (413). All the input connectors (413) of the input unit (41) correspond one-to-one with all the input branch pipes (412). The input connectors (413) are disposed on the corresponding input branch pipes (412) and are connected and fixedly connected to the corresponding inlet connectors (213). The battery cluster also includes an input sealing gasket. The input sealing gasket corresponds one-to-one with the inlet connectors (213) and the input connectors (413). The input sealing gasket is tightly sealed between the corresponding inlet connectors (213) and the input connectors (413). And / or, the battery (21) includes a liquid outlet pipe (214) and a liquid outlet connector (215), the liquid outlet pipe (214) is disposed at the refrigerant outlet of the battery, and the liquid outlet connector (215) is installed on the liquid outlet pipe (214); the output unit (51) also includes a plurality of output connectors (513), all the output connectors (513) of the output unit (51) correspond one-to-one with all the output branch pipes (512), the output connectors (513) are disposed on the corresponding output branch pipes (512) and communicate with and are fixedly connected to the corresponding liquid outlet connectors (215), the battery cluster also includes an output sealing gasket, the output sealing gasket corresponds one-to-one with the liquid outlet connectors (215) and the output connectors (513), and the output sealing gasket is tightly sealed between the corresponding liquid outlet connectors (215) and the output connectors (513).

7. The battery cluster according to claim 2, characterized in that, The battery assembly (20) consists of two groups and is arranged along the length of the cluster frame (10); The input unit (41) consists of two sets. The input pipe assembly (40) also includes an input main pipe (42) and an input three-way valve (43). The input main pipe (42) is connected to the refrigerant outlet of the direct cooling unit. The input main pipe (411) and the input main pipe (42) of the two sets of input units (41) are connected through the input three-way valve (43). The output unit (51) consists of two sets. The output pipe assembly (50) also includes an output main pipe (52) and an output three-way valve (53). The output main pipe (52) is connected to the refrigerant inlet of the direct cooling unit. The output main pipe (511) and the output main pipe (52) of the two sets of output units (51) are connected through the output three-way valve (53).

8. The battery cluster according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main input pipe (411) includes multiple main input segments (4111), all of which are arranged along the height of the battery cluster. The input unit (41) includes multiple shunt three-way valves (414). The input branch pipe (412) and two main input segments (4111) adjacent to it are connected via the shunt three-way valves (414). Alternatively, the main output pipe (511) may include multiple main output segments (5111), all of which are arranged along the height of the battery cluster. The output unit (51) may include multiple three-way valves (514), and the branch output pipe (512) and the two main output segments (5111) adjacent to the branch output pipe (512) may be connected through the three-way valves (514).

9. The battery cluster according to claim 1, characterized in that, The direct cooling unit (30) is located on the top side of the battery assembly (20).

10. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, The electrical device includes a battery pack as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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