Liquid-cooled power conversion connector adaptive to liquid-cooled cable
By introducing a liquid cooling module and a circulating pump system into the battery swapping connector, the problem of insufficient heat dissipation in traditional battery swapping connectors is solved, achieving efficient heat management and ensuring stable operation of the connector and reliable power transmission.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520009924.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional battery swapping connectors have weak heat dissipation capabilities during the charging and discharging of high-power battery packs, causing heat to accumulate in the connector, which can easily lead to overheating, posing safety hazards and affecting battery performance and lifespan.
Liquid-cooled power connectors using liquid-cooled cables absorb heat through a liquid-cooling module and a circulating pump system, utilizing coolant circulating in pipes to achieve efficient heat dissipation.
It significantly improves heat dissipation efficiency, avoids connector overheating and burning, extends service life, improves the stability and efficiency of power transmission, and reduces energy loss.
Smart Images

Figure CN223771402U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical connections, and in particular to a liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted to liquid-cooled cables. Background Technology
[0002] With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, battery swapping has gradually emerged as a rapid way to replenish electrical energy. Battery swapping connectors are used to connect the battery pack to the vehicle, enabling charging and discharging. During the battery swapping process, the connector plays a crucial role, requiring efficient energy transmission. Commercial vehicles require a rated current of 400A or higher. While meeting the rapid swapping needs of high-energy-density batteries, the battery generates a significant amount of heat during charging and discharging. The problems are twofold: First, traditional battery swapping connectors often focus only on the stability of energy transmission, with weak heat dissipation capabilities, making it difficult to meet the heat dissipation requirements of high-power battery packs. Heat accumulates in the connector and cannot dissipate, easily leading to overheating and connector burn-out, posing a safety hazard. Second, the inability to quickly dissipate heat results in excessively high battery temperatures, leading to reduced battery performance, decreased efficiency in high-temperature environments, and a shortened product lifespan. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address one or more of the above problems, this utility model provides a liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted to liquid-cooled cables.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid-cooled power swapping connector adapted to liquid-cooled cables includes: a housing module, two socket electrodes, two liquid-cooled wires, and a liquid-cooling module.
[0005] The housing module is fixed to the vehicle body;
[0006] The front end bushings of the two socket electrodes are connected to the housing module, and their rear end bushings are connected to the liquid cooling module.
[0007] The front ends of the two liquid-cooled wires are inserted into the liquid-cooled module and the connection terminals at their front ends are coupled to the rear end of the socket electrode. The ends of the liquid-cooled tubes of the two liquid-cooled wires are provided with extension tubes, and the other ends of the two liquid-cooled tubes are connected to the inlet and outlet of the circulation pump.
[0008] The two liquid circulation chambers of the liquid cooling module surround the socket electrodes and connection terminals. The two liquid circulation chambers are connected by a transverse channel in the middle. The two liquid circulation chambers are connected to two external pipes through the liquid inlet port and liquid outlet port of the liquid cooling module, respectively. When the circulation pump works, it drives the coolant to enter the two liquid circulation chambers through the external pipes to absorb heat and reduce the temperature by convection heat transfer.
[0009] In some implementations, the two liquid circulation chambers are connected to the inlet port and the outlet port respectively through arc-shaped end holes.
[0010] In some implementations, the two liquid circulation chambers are divided into several heat exchange chambers by several radial baffles.
[0011] In some embodiments, the radial baffles include a long baffle and the remaining short baffles. The long baffle is connected to the inner walls of both sides of the liquid circulation chamber at both ends, and one end of the short baffle is connected to the inner wall of the liquid circulation chamber, while the other end forms a liquid flow gap with the inner wall of the liquid circulation chamber.
[0012] In some embodiments, the two ends of the transverse channel are directly opposite the liquid inflow and liquid outflow heat exchange chambers of the two liquid circulation chambers; the other liquid inflow heat exchange chamber is connected to the liquid inlet port through an arc-shaped end hole, and the other liquid outflow heat exchange chamber is connected to the liquid outlet port through an arc-shaped end hole.
[0013] In some implementations, quick-connect straight-through water nozzles are installed at the inlet and outlet ports, and the nozzle sleeves connect two extended tubes.
[0014] In some implementations, the liquid cooling module includes a rear mounting housing and two sealing tubes;
[0015] The two liquid cooling pipes at the front end of the rear mounting shell are inserted into the rear end holes of the floating inner shell. The liquid cooling pipes are wrapped around the rear end of the sealing pipe. The two ends of the liquid cooling pipes are sealed to the sealing pipes, and the gap in the middle forms a liquid circulation chamber.
[0016] The sealing tube has a bushing that secures the socket electrode. Its front end is inserted into the shaft hole of the floating inner shell, and the connecting terminal is inserted into the rear end of the sealing tube and coupled to the socket electrode.
[0017] In some implementations, the liquid cooling module also includes several sealing rings;
[0018] The liquid cooling pipe has large-diameter end-positioning grooves at both ends;
[0019] The rear end of the sealing tube is equipped with two positioning retaining rings. The positioning retaining rings are gap-connected to the positioning groove, and the sealing rings installed on them are interference-sealed to the positioning groove.
[0020] In some embodiments, each positioning retaining ring is provided with at least one sealing groove, and a sealing ring is installed in the sealing groove.
[0021] In some embodiments, the connection between the positioning retaining ring and the end positioning groove is also coated with a sealing adhesive.
[0022] In some embodiments, the rear mounting housing includes a transverse front end plate. After the front end plate is connected to the floating inner housing by a threaded fitting, the front end plate has a transverse channel connecting the two liquid circulation chambers. The rear wall of the front end plate has a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port, and the front end plate has an arc-shaped end hole connecting the two liquid circulation chambers and the liquid inlet port and the liquid outlet port.
[0023] This liquid-cooled power connector, adapted for liquid-cooled cables, incorporates a liquid-cooling module. When the coolant circulates in the pipes, it absorbs heat from the electrodes and the surrounding environment, effectively reducing the temperature and maintaining a suitable operating temperature for the connector, ensuring stable equipment operation. Its advantages are: firstly, this liquid-cooled power connector has highly efficient heat dissipation performance. It features a dedicated liquid-cooling channel through which the coolant circulates, rapidly carrying away the heat generated during high-power power transmission. Compared to traditional air-cooled or naturally cooled connectors, its heat dissipation efficiency is significantly improved. This liquid cooling system can stabilize the connector's operating temperature within a reasonable range, avoiding problems such as increased contact resistance, reduced transmission efficiency, or even connector damage caused by overheating. It eliminates overheating, connector burning, and other issues, ensuring high safety performance, significantly extending connector lifespan, reducing downtime for maintenance due to connector failure, and improving the reliability and operational efficiency of the entire battery swapping system. Secondly, it offers high power transmission stability. Due to its excellent heat dissipation capabilities, the liquid-cooled battery swapping connector can adapt to higher power transmission requirements and maintain stable electrical performance even during prolonged high-load operation. Its contact resistance fluctuations are minimal, ensuring efficient and accurate power transmission and reducing energy loss. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a liquid-cooled power-switching connector adapted to a liquid-cooled cable according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The figure shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted to liquid-cooled cables, with the outer shell removed.
[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables.
[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional exploded view of the liquid cooling module shown.
[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the front view of the rear-mounted housing.
[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 AA section view of the rear mounting housing shown;
[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 5 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the rear mounting housing (BB).
[0031] 1. Housing module; 10. Outer shell; 11. Floating inner shell; 12. Panel;
[0032] Socket electrode 2;
[0033] Liquid-cooled wire 3, connecting terminal 31;
[0034] Liquid cooling module 4, rear mounting shell 40, liquid circulation chamber 400, transverse channel 401, liquid inlet port 402, liquid outlet port 403, arc-shaped end hole 404, heat exchange chamber 405, front end plate 406, stepped through hole 407, annular shell 408, sealing tube 41, long baffle 411, short baffle 412, liquid flow notch 413, positioning retaining ring 414, sealing groove 415, sealing ring 42, liquid cooling tube 43, positioning groove 431, tail cap 44;
[0035] 5. Outer pipe; 6. Water tap. Detailed Implementation
[0036] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" used in the following description refer to the directions in the accompanying drawings, while the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.
[0037] Figures 1 to 7 The diagram schematically illustrates a liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted to a liquid-cooled cable according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the liquid-cooled power-swapping connector adapted to a liquid-cooled cable includes: a housing module 1, two socket electrodes 2, two liquid-cooled wires 3, and a liquid-cooling module 4;
[0038] Housing module 1 is fixed to the vehicle body;
[0039] The front end bushings of the two socket electrodes 2 are connected to the housing module 1 and cooperate with the connecting plug, while the rear end bushings are connected to the liquid cooling module 4.
[0040] The front ends of the two liquid-cooled wires 3 are inserted into the liquid-cooled module 4 and the connection terminals 31 at their front ends are coupled to the rear end of the socket electrode 2. The ends of the liquid-cooled tubes of the two liquid-cooled wires 3 are provided with extension tubes 5, and the other ends of the two liquid-cooled tubes are connected to the inlet and outlet of the circulation pump.
[0041] The two liquid circulation chambers 400 of the liquid cooling module 4 surround the socket electrode 2 and the connecting terminal 31. The two liquid circulation chambers 400 are connected by a transverse channel 401. The two liquid circulation chambers 400 are respectively connected to two external tubes 5 through the liquid inlet port 402 and the liquid outlet port 403 of the liquid cooling module 4. Preferably, the two liquid circulation chambers 400 are respectively connected to the liquid inlet port 402 and the liquid outlet port 403 through an arc-shaped end hole 404.
[0042] The circulating pump operates, driving the coolant through the extended pipe 5 into the two liquid circulation chambers 400, where it absorbs heat and lowers the temperature through convective heat exchange.
[0043] This liquid-cooled power connector, adapted for liquid-cooled cables, incorporates a liquid-cooling module 4. When the coolant circulates in the pipes, it absorbs heat from the electrodes and the surrounding environment, effectively reducing the temperature and maintaining a suitable operating temperature for the connector, ensuring stable equipment operation. Its advantages are: firstly, this liquid-cooled power connector has highly efficient heat dissipation performance. It features a dedicated liquid-cooling channel through which the coolant circulates, rapidly carrying away the heat generated during high-power power transmission. Compared to traditional air-cooled or naturally cooled connectors, its heat dissipation efficiency is significantly improved. This liquid cooling system can stabilize the connector's operating temperature within a reasonable range, avoiding problems such as increased contact resistance, reduced transmission efficiency, or even connector damage caused by overheating. It eliminates overheating, connector burning, and other issues, ensuring high safety performance, significantly extending connector lifespan, reducing downtime for maintenance due to connector failure, and improving the reliability and operational efficiency of the entire battery swapping system. Secondly, it offers high power transmission stability. Due to its excellent heat dissipation capabilities, the liquid-cooled battery swapping connector can adapt to higher power transmission requirements and maintain stable electrical performance even during prolonged high-load operation. Its contact resistance fluctuations are minimal, ensuring efficient and accurate power transmission and reducing energy loss.
[0044] Furthermore, the two liquid circulation chambers 400 are divided into several heat exchange sub-chambers 405 by several radial baffles. Preferably, the several radial baffles include a long baffle 411 and the remaining short baffles 412. The long baffle 411 is connected to the inner walls of both sides of the liquid circulation chamber 400 at both ends, and one end of the short baffle 412 is connected to the inner wall of one side of the liquid circulation chamber 400, and the other end forms a liquid flow gap 413 with the inner wall of the other side of the liquid circulation chamber 400. Preferably, a heat exchange chamber 405 for liquid inlet and a heat exchange chamber 405 for liquid outlet are formed between the long baffle 411 and the adjacent short baffle 412, respectively, and an intermediate heat exchange chamber 405 is formed between the adjacent short baffles 412. The heat exchange chambers 405 for liquid inlet and the heat exchange chambers 405 for liquid outlet of two opposing liquid circulation chambers 400 are arranged opposite each other at the two ends of the transverse channel 401. The heat exchange chamber 405 for liquid inlet of one liquid circulation chamber 400 is connected to the liquid inlet port 402 through the arc-shaped end hole 404, and the heat exchange chamber 405 for liquid outlet of the other liquid circulation chamber 400 is connected to the liquid outlet port 403 through the arc-shaped end hole 404.
[0045] After the coolant is injected into the liquid circulation chamber 400 through the inlet port 402, it is blocked by the long baffle 411. At this time, most of the coolant will start to flow from the liquid flow gap 413 of the short baffle 412, and its flow path is counterclockwise. In this process, it can effectively remove the heat around the electrode. Then, the coolant will travel along the transverse channel 401 to another electrode area. When it reaches this point, it will also be blocked by the long baffle 411 on the lower left, thus changing its flow direction and continuing to flow clockwise, and finally flowing out of the liquid circulation chamber 400 from the outlet port 403. The beneficial effects are: firstly, this circulation process ensures sufficient contact and heat exchange between the coolant and each electrode, thereby achieving effective temperature control of the entire battery swapping connector system and ensuring stable operation of the equipment; secondly, the radial baffles form heat exchange compartments 405 to ensure uniform heat dissipation in each area.
[0046] Preferably, quick-connect straight-through water nozzles 6 are installed at the inlet port 402 and the outlet port 403, respectively, and the water nozzles 6 are connected to the two extension tubes 5. The advantage of this arrangement is that it allows for quick insertion and installation.
[0047] Furthermore, the liquid cooling module 4 includes a rear mounting housing 40 and two sealing tubes 41;
[0048] The two liquid cooling pipes 43 at the front end of the rear mounting shell 40 are inserted into the rear end holes of the floating inner shell 11. The liquid cooling pipes 43 are wrapped around the rear end of the sealing pipe 41. The two ends of the liquid cooling pipes 43 are sealed to the sealing pipe 41 and the middle gap forms a liquid circulation chamber 400.
[0049] The sealing tube 41 has a bushing that secures the socket electrode 2. Its front end is inserted into the shaft hole of the floating inner shell 11, and the connecting terminal 31 is inserted into the rear end of the sealing tube 41 and coupled to the socket electrode 2. The advantages of this design are: a compact structure and good heat dissipation.
[0050] Preferably, the liquid cooling module 4 also includes several sealing rings 42;
[0051] The liquid cooling pipe 43 has large-diameter end-positioning grooves 431 at both ends;
[0052] The rear end of the sealing tube 41 is provided with two positioning retaining rings 414, each positioning retaining ring 414 having at least one sealing groove 415. The positioning retaining rings 414 are gap-connected to the positioning grooves 431, and the sealing rings 42 installed on the sealing grooves 415 are interference-sealed to the positioning grooves 431. The beneficial effect is that this arrangement has a good positioning effect and ensures good installation sealing performance.
[0053] Preferably, a sealant is applied to the connection between the positioning retaining ring 414 and the end positioning groove 431. The beneficial effect is that the sealant application further improves the connection tightness and cavity sealing, preventing leakage during long-term use.
[0054] Furthermore, the rear mounting shell 40 includes a transverse front end plate 406. After the front end plate 406 is connected to the floating inner shell 11 by a threaded component, the front end plate 406 is provided with a transverse channel 401 that connects the two liquid circulation chambers 400. The rear wall of the front end plate 406 is provided with a liquid inlet port 402 and a liquid outlet port 403, and the front end plate 406 is provided with an arc-shaped end hole 404 that connects the two liquid circulation chambers 400 and the liquid inlet port 402 and the liquid outlet port 403.
[0055] Preferably, countersunk screws pass through the stepped through-hole 407 of the front end plate 406 to connect to the rear wall of the floating inner shell 11. The advantages are: this arrangement is easy to install and has a small size.
[0056] Furthermore, the rear end of the front panel 406 is integrally formed with a circular shell 408. The inner wall of the rear end of the circular shell 408 is also fitted with a sealing body via an interference fit, and the outer side is snapped into the tail cap 44. Several axial baffles are provided on the inner wall of the circular shell 408 to position the sealing body. Two connecting terminals 31 pass through the sealing body into the circular shell 408, and their ends are coupled to the socket electrode 2. The beneficial effect is that this design allows the rear mounting shell 40 to integrate the functions of the rear mounting plate, resulting in a compact overall structure.
[0057] Furthermore, the housing assembly 1 includes an outer shell 10, a floating inner shell 11, and a three-way floating assembly. The floating inner shell 11 is installed inside the outer shell 10 via the three-way floating assembly. The three-way floating assembly consists of a vertical spring assembly and an inclined longitudinal and transverse adjustment spring assembly.
[0058] The outer shell 10 is connected to the panel 12, which is fixed to the sheet metal at the end of the vehicle. The inner shell 11 is connected to the front end of the two socket electrodes 2 through the intermediate shaft hole.
[0059] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the inventive concept of this utility model, and all such modifications and improvements fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for a liquid-cooled cable, characterized in that, It comprises a shell module (1), two socket electrodes (2), two liquid cooling leads (3) and a liquid cooling module (4); The shell module (1) is fixed on the vehicle body; The two socket electrodes (2) are connected to the shell module (1) through the front end shaft sleeve, and the rear end is connected to the liquid cooling module (4) through the socket sleeve; The two liquid cooling leads (3) are inserted into the liquid cooling module (4) through the front end, and the front end connecting terminal (31) is coupled to the rear end of the socket electrode (2); the liquid cooling pipe of the two liquid cooling leads (3) is provided with an outer tube (5) at the end, and the other end of the liquid cooling pipe is connected to the inlet and outlet of the circulating pump; The two liquid circulation cavities (400) of the liquid cooling module (4) surround the socket electrode (2) and the connecting terminal (31), and are connected through the transverse hole (401) in the middle; the two liquid circulation cavities (400) are connected to the two outer tubes (5) through the liquid inlet port (402) and the liquid outlet port (403) of the liquid cooling module (4); when the circulating pump works, the cooling liquid enters the two liquid circulation cavities (400) through the outer tube (5) to absorb heat in the form of convection heat exchange and reduce the temperature.
2. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for a liquid-cooled cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two liquid circulation cavities (400) are connected to the liquid inlet port (402) and the liquid outlet port (403) through the arc-shaped end hole (404) respectively.
3. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 2, wherein, The two liquid circulation cavities (400) are divided into several heat exchange sub-cavities (405) by several radial baffles.
4. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 3, wherein, The several radial baffles comprise one long baffle (411) and the rest short baffles (412); the two ends of the long baffle (411) are connected to the inner walls of the two liquid circulation cavities (400), and one end of the short baffle (412) is connected to the inner wall of the liquid circulation cavity (400) and the other end forms a liquid flow gap (413) with the inner wall of the liquid circulation cavity (400).
5. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 4, wherein, The two ends of the transverse hole (401) are opposite to the heat exchange sub-cavities (405) of the two liquid circulation cavities (400) for liquid inflow and outflow; the other heat exchange sub-cavity (405) for liquid inflow is connected to the liquid inlet port (402) through the arc-shaped end hole (404), and the other heat exchange sub-cavity (405) for liquid outflow is connected to the liquid outlet port (403) through the arc-shaped end hole (404).
6. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 5, wherein, The liquid inlet port (402) and the liquid outlet port (403) are respectively provided with quick plug-through water nozzles (6), and the water nozzles (6) are connected to the two outer tubes (5) through the socket sleeve.
7. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector suitable for adapting a liquid-cooled cable according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The liquid cooling module (4) comprises a rear mounting shell (40) and two sealing tubes (41); The two liquid cooling pipes (43) of the rear mounting shell (40) are inserted into the rear end hole of the floating inner shell (11) through the front end, and the liquid cooling pipe (43) is sleeved on the rear end of the sealing tube (41); the two ends of the liquid cooling pipe (43) are sealingly connected to the sealing tube (41) and the intermediate gap forms the liquid circulation cavity (400); The tube hole of the sealing tube (41) is sleeved with the socket electrode (2), the front end is inserted into the shaft hole of the floating inner shell (11), and the connecting terminal (31) is inserted into the rear end of the sealing tube (41) and is coupled to the socket electrode (2).
8. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 7, wherein, The liquid cooling module (4) further comprises several sealing rings (42); The liquid cooling pipe (43) is provided with a large-diameter end positioning groove (431) at the front and rear ends; The rear end of the sealing tube (41) is provided with two positioning stop rings (414) which are gap-connected with the positioning grooves (431) and the sealing rings (42) installed thereon are interference-connected with the positioning grooves (431).
9. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 8, wherein, Each positioning stop ring (414) is provided with at least one sealing groove (415) in which the sealing ring (42) is installed.
10. The liquid-cooled battery swap connector adapted for liquid-cooled cables of claim 8, wherein, The rear mounting shell (40) comprises a transverse front end plate (406) which is connected with the floating inner shell (11) through a screw and is provided with a transverse hole (401) which communicates with the two liquid circulation cavities (400), the rear wall of the front end plate (406) is provided with an inlet port (402) and an outlet port (403), and the front end plate (406) is provided with an arc-shaped end hole (404) which communicates with the two liquid circulation cavities (400) and the inlet port (402) and the outlet port (403).