Battery cooling structure, battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of vehicles, and discloses a battery cooling structure, a battery pack and a vehicle, the battery cooling structure comprises a liquid cooling plate and a vertical pipeline, the liquid cooling plate is internally provided with a liquid cooling channel, and the liquid cooling plate is also provided with a water inlet and a water outlet which are communicated with the liquid cooling channel; the plurality of vertical pipelines are arranged on the liquid cooling plate at intervals and are communicated with the liquid cooling channel, a mounting space for accommodating battery cells of the battery pack is limited between any two adjacent vertical pipelines, and when any battery cell is in thermal runaway, an opening communicated with the outside is formed in the vertical pipeline adjacent to the battery cell. The battery pack comprises a battery cell and the battery cooling structure, and the vehicle comprises the battery pack. According to the battery cooling structure, the battery pack and the vehicle, the large surfaces of the battery cells in thermal runaway can be accurately cooled, the exhaust space of the battery cell explosion-proof valve in thermal runaway is not occupied, the heat insulation cost between the adjacent battery cells is reduced, and the integration level is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of vehicle technology, and in particular to a battery cooling structure, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of new energy vehicle technology, users' demand for rapid battery replenishment is becoming increasingly urgent. A major way to improve replenishment speed is high-rate fast charging, with the highest rate currently reaching 5C in the industry. High-rate fast charging means extremely high charging current, which causes the Joule heat generated by current-carrying mechanical components within the cell and current-carrying components such as busbars within the battery pack to increase exponentially, greatly increasing the risk of cell overheating. In addition, as the energy density of the cells gradually increases, the thermal stability of the cells decreases, and the energy release from thermal runaway increases significantly. In summary, fast charging and increased energy density both worsen the tendency for battery thermal runaway and the severity of thermal runaway. Additional thermal insulation materials need to be added between adjacent cells to reduce mutual interference during thermal runaway. However, thicker thermal insulation materials reduce the integration of the battery pack to some extent and are also more expensive.

[0003] To address thermal safety requirements, some batteries are equipped with spray structures. For example, liquid cooling channels are positioned above the cell's explosion-proof valve. When a cell experiences thermal runaway, the ejection of liquid cooling channels disrupts these channels, allowing coolant to be sprayed onto the runaway cell, thus suppressing heat spread through cooling. However, existing spray solutions cannot precisely spray coolant onto the explosion-proof valve of the runaway cell, resulting in suboptimal cooling. Furthermore, the spray structure occupies the venting space of the explosion-proof valve in the event of thermal runaway, reducing the thermal safety benefits of spraying to some extent. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a battery cooling structure, battery pack and vehicle to solve the problems of poor cooling effect of the spray structure set on the top of the battery cell and low integration and high cost of the battery pack caused by the heat insulation material set between adjacent battery cells in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] The battery cooling structure includes a liquid cooling plate and vertical pipes. The liquid cooling plate has a liquid cooling channel inside and an inlet and an outlet connecting to the liquid cooling channel. The vertical pipes are located in the plane containing the y-axis and z-axis. Multiple vertical pipes are spaced apart on the liquid cooling plate along the x-axis and connected to the liquid cooling channel. The space between any two adjacent vertical pipes restricts the installation space for the battery cells of the battery pack. When any battery cell experiences thermal runaway, the adjacent vertical pipe forms an opening connecting to the outside. The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Optionally, the height of the vertical pipe along the y-axis is not higher than the height of the battery cell located within the installation space.

[0008] Optionally, the vertical pipe has a weak area, and the opening is formed in the weak area.

[0009] Optionally, the vertical pipe is bent to form the weak area, and the relationship between the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe and the width of the flow channel of the vertical pipe along the y-axis is 3.5W≤R≤5.5W, where R is the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe and W is the width of the flow channel of the vertical pipe along the y-axis.

[0010] Optionally, the relationship between the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe and the width of the flow channel along the y-axis of the vertical pipe is 5W≤R≤5.5W.

[0011] Optionally, the inlet and the outlet are offset in the x-axis direction.

[0012] Optionally, the width of the vertical pipe along the y-axis is W, where 10mm ≤ W ≤ 40mm.

[0013] Optionally, the vertical pipe is made of aluminum alloy or plastic.

[0014] Optionally, the liquid cooling plate has a mounting hole for inserting the vertical pipe. The mounting hole is a waist-shaped hole extending along the y-axis, and the cross-section of the vertical pipe has the same shape as the mounting hole.

[0015] Optionally, the liquid cooling channel is configured as a closed loop, the liquid cooling channel includes a first branch and a second branch, the first end of the first branch and the first end of the second branch are connected to the water inlet, the second end of the first branch and the second end of the second branch are connected to the water outlet, the two ends of the vertical pipe are respectively connected to the first branch and the second branch, and the pressure at both ends of the vertical pipe is the same.

[0016] Optionally, the liquid cooling channel includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel arranged sequentially at intervals along the y-axis. The first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel all extend along the x-axis. The same-side ends of the first channel and the fourth channel are connected by a fifth channel. The ends of the second channel and the third channel near the fifth channel are connected by a sixth channel. The ends of the first channel and the second channel away from the fifth channel are connected by a seventh channel. The ends of the third channel and the fourth channel away from the seventh channel are connected by an eighth channel. The water inlet is located in the fifth channel, and the water outlet is located in the sixth channel. Both ends of the vertical pipe are connected to the first channel and the fourth channel, respectively. The portions of the first channel, the second channel, the seventh channel, and the fifth channel located between the water inlet and the first channel, and the portion of the sixth channel located between the water outlet and the second channel, together constitute the first branch. The portions of the third channel, the fourth channel, the eighth channel, the fifth channel located between the water inlet and the fourth channel, and the portion of the second channel located between the water outlet and the third channel, together constitute the second branch.

[0017] Optionally, the widths of the first channel and the fourth channel are both greater than the widths of the second channel and the third channel.

[0018] Optionally, the inlet is located at the first end of the liquid cooling channel, the outlet is located at the second end of the liquid cooling channel, the liquid cooling channel has two sub-channels with the same coolant flow direction, the cross-sectional areas of the two sub-channels along the x-axis are the same, and the two ends of the vertical pipe are respectively connected to the two sub-channels.

[0019] Optionally, the liquid cooling channel includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel arranged sequentially at intervals along the y-axis direction. The first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel all extend along the x-axis direction. The two ends of the vertical pipe are respectively connected to the first channel and the fourth channel. The water inlet is located at one end of the first channel. The other end of the first channel is connected to one end of the second channel. The other end of the second channel is connected to one end of the fourth channel. The other end of the fourth channel is connected to one end of the third channel. The water outlet is located at the other end of the third channel.

[0020] The battery pack includes multiple battery cells connected to each other via a busbar. The battery pack also includes a battery cooling structure as described in any of the above-mentioned claims. The multiple battery cells are arranged one-to-one in the multiple mounting spaces, and the width direction of the battery cells is the x-axis direction.

[0021] A vehicle, including a body and the aforementioned battery pack, the battery pack being mounted on the vehicle body.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0023] The battery cooling structure, battery pack, and vertical pipe in the vehicle proposed in this utility model can spray coolant onto the large surface of the battery cell when the cell is thermally runaway, achieving precise cooling of the large surface of the thermally runaway cell. Moreover, it does not occupy the exhaust space of the cell's explosion-proof valve for thermal runaway. The vertical pipe replaces the heat insulation material, which can reduce the interference to adjacent cells when the cell is thermally runaway, reduce the heat insulation cost, and has a high degree of integration. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the battery pack in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the battery cooling structure in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a top view of the internal structure of the battery pack in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Sectional view along the middle AA direction;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the liquid cooling channel routing in one embodiment of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the liquid cooling channel routing in another embodiment of this utility model.

[0030] In the picture:

[0031] 1. Liquid cooling plate; 11. Heat exchange plate; 12. Flow channel plate; 13. Water inlet; 14. Water outlet; 15. Mounting hole; 16. Liquid cooling channel; 161. First channel; 162. Second channel; 163. Third channel; 164. Fourth channel; 165. Fifth channel; 166. Sixth channel; 167. Seventh channel; 168. Eighth channel; 17. Water tap; 2. Vertical pipe; 21. Weak area; 3. Battery cell; 4. Manifold. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not the entire structure.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of the relevant embodiments, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, 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 the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0036] refer to Figures 1-6As shown in the figure, an embodiment of this utility model proposes a battery pack, including a battery cooling structure, battery cells 3, a busbar 4, and connecting pipes. The battery cooling structure includes a liquid cooling plate 1 and vertical pipes 2. The liquid cooling plate 1 has a liquid cooling channel 16 inside, and an inlet 13 and an outlet 14 connecting the liquid cooling channel 16 are also provided on the liquid cooling plate 1. The inlet 13 and the outlet 14 are each connected to a connecting pipe, which is connected to an external coolant supply device to realize the circulation of coolant. The vertical pipes 2 are located in the plane containing the y-axis and z-axis. Multiple vertical pipes 2 are spaced apart along the x-axis direction on the liquid cooling plate 1 and inserted into the liquid cooling channel 16 to communicate with the liquid cooling channel 16. An installation space for accommodating the battery cells 3 is restricted between any two adjacent vertical pipes 2. Multiple battery cells 3 are placed in multiple installation spaces one-to-one and are electrically connected through the busbar 4. The explosion-proof valve of the battery cell 3 is located on the side of the battery cell 3 away from the liquid cooling plate 1. The number of vertical pipes 2 is determined according to the number of battery cells 3. For example, if the battery pack includes 5 cells 3, then there are 6 vertical pipes 2. In the event of thermal runaway of any cell 3, the adjacent vertical pipe 2 can form an opening to the outside, allowing the coolant in the liquid cooling plate 1 to flow out through the opening. The x-axis direction is the width direction of the cell, and the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0037] The aforementioned battery cooling structure and battery pack are equipped with vertical pipes 2 connected to the liquid cooling plate 1. The battery cells 3 are sandwiched between the vertical pipes 2. When the battery cell 3 experiences thermal runaway, the casing of the battery cell 3 will expand significantly and squeeze the vertical pipes 2, causing the vertical pipes to break and form an opening or the vertical pipes 2 to be melted through and form an opening. The coolant sprays from the opening onto the large surface of the battery cell 3, achieving precise cooling of the large surface of the thermally runaway battery cell 3. The vertical pipes 2 do not occupy the exhaust space of the battery cell 3's explosion-proof valve for thermal runaway, and they replace the heat insulation material. They can also reduce the interference of the battery cell 3 with adjacent battery cells 3 when the battery cell 3 experiences thermal runaway, and reduce the heat insulation cost. Compared with thicker heat insulation materials, the vertical pipes 2 occupy less space in the x-axis direction, improving the integration of the battery pack.

[0038] Specifically, the height of the vertical pipe 2 in the z-axis direction is not higher than the height of the battery cell 3, so as to avoid occupying extra space in the height direction, which is conducive to improving integration efficiency.

[0039] To ensure timely opening and precise cooling of the large surface area of ​​the battery cell 3 in the event of thermal runaway, a weak region 21 is present on the side wall of the vertical pipe 2. This weak region 21 is more susceptible to thermal damage compared to other parts of the side wall of the vertical pipe 2. There are various ways to form the weak region 21, such as reducing the wall thickness at a certain location on the vertical pipe 2, or creating a through-hole in the vertical pipe 2 and sealing the through-hole with hot-melt material to form the weak region 21. In this embodiment, the vertical pipe 2 has a C-shaped orientation and is formed through an extrusion and bending process. The bending process stretches and thins the outer wall surface at the bend of the vertical pipe 2 to form the weak region 21. It is understood that the orientation of the vertical pipe 2 is not limited to a C-shape; for example, it can also be set to other bending shapes such as M-shape or S-shape.

[0040] To reduce the assembly difficulty of the battery pack, during assembly, multiple vertical pipes 2 are first fixed to the liquid cooling plate 1, and then multiple battery cells 3 are assembled between the vertical pipes 2 along the z-axis. It is understood that the distance between two adjacent vertical pipes 2 is greater than the width of the battery cell 3, in order to reduce the difficulty of assembling the battery cell 3 between the vertical pipes 2.

[0041] refer to Figure 4 As shown, in the y-axis direction, there is a gap D between the vertical pipe 2 and the outer edge of the large surface of the battery cell 3, which is used to place the limiting strip between the battery cells 3, thereby providing clearance space for the expanding battery cell 3 during use. Considering the existing conventional battery cell 3 dimensions, the width of the liquid cooling channel 16 in the y-axis direction is usually no more than 40mm. In order to have a larger contact area between the vertical pipe 2 and the large surface of the battery cell 3, while ensuring that the vertical pipe 2 can be inserted into the liquid cooling channel 16, the flow channel width W of the vertical pipe 2 in the y-axis direction is in the range of 10mm≤W≤40mm.

[0042] Obviously, the bends in the vertical pipe 2, formed by bending, are rounded to reduce stress concentration. Specifically, the relationship between the outer radius of the bend in the vertical pipe 2 and the width of the flow channel along the y-axis is 3.5W≤R≤5.5W. If the outer radius of the bend is too small, the bending process cannot be implemented, and the thinning rate of the vertical pipe 2 will be too large, making it easy to break before the thermal runaway of the battery cell 3 occurs. If the outer radius of the bend is too large, the distance between the upper edge of the vertical pipe 2 and the top of the battery cell 3 will be too large, failing to achieve an effective cooling effect.

[0043] Preferably, the relationship between the outer radius R of the vertical pipe 2 and the width of the flow channel along the y-axis of the vertical pipe 2 is 5W≤R≤5.5W. The outer wall surface of the bend of the vertical pipe 2 with the outer radius of the bend within this range has a relatively large thinning rate, which can be melted through first when the battery cell 3 thermally runs away, but is not easily damaged under normal operating conditions.

[0044] Vertical pipe 2 can be made of aluminum alloy or plastic. If aluminum alloy is used, it is lightweight, high-strength, has a long service life, and good thermal conductivity, resulting in better cooling of the large surface area of ​​battery cell 3. If plastic components such as PA12, PA66, or PPA are used, their low melting point allows them to be more easily melted through in the event of thermal runaway of battery cell 3, thus enabling coolant spraying. The specific material selection for vertical pipe 2 can be based on actual requirements.

[0045] In one embodiment, the liquid cooling plate 1 contacts the battery cell 3 through a thermally conductive material such as thermally conductive adhesive or a thermally conductive pad to achieve heat exchange, thereby regulating the temperature of the battery cell 3. Specifically, refer to... Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling plate 1 includes a heat exchange plate 11 and a flow channel plate 12, wherein the heat exchange plate 11 is located above the flow channel plate 12, and the inlet 13 and outlet 14 are provided on the heat exchange plate 11. For convenient connection with connecting pipes, a water nozzle 17 is provided at both the inlet 13 and outlet 14. The flow channel plate 12 has flow channel grooves that, together with the heat exchange plate 11, form the aforementioned liquid cooling channel 16. It is worth emphasizing that the inlet 13 and outlet 14 are staggered in the x-axis direction to reduce the space occupied by the two water nozzles 17 in the x-axis direction, further improving the integration of the battery pack.

[0046] The heat exchange plate 11 is also provided with mounting holes 15 for inserting vertical pipes 2. The end of the vertical pipe 2 is inserted into the mounting holes 15 and sealed to the heat exchange plate 11 by means including but not limited to brazing, laser welding, and adhesive bonding. Taking the welding connection between the vertical pipe 2 and the heat exchange plate 11 as an example, in order to ensure better welding effect and reduce stress concentration, the mounting hole 15 is set as an oblong hole extending along the y-axis direction. Correspondingly, the cross-sectional shape of the vertical pipe 2 is the same as the shape of the mounting hole 15. Under the premise that the effective flow area of ​​the vertical pipe 2 is determined, the vertical pipe 2 with the same shape as the mounting hole 15 can increase the contact area between the vertical pipe 2 and the large surface of the battery cell 3, improve the cooling effect, and at the same time reduce the space occupied by the vertical pipe 2 in the x-axis direction, which is conducive to further improving the integration.

[0047] In one embodiment, the liquid cooling channel 16 is configured as a closed loop. The liquid cooling channel 16 includes a first branch and a second branch. The first end of the first branch and the first end of the second branch are connected to the inlet 13, and the second end of the first branch and the second end of the second branch are connected to the outlet 14. The coolant is diverted from the inlet 13 and enters the first branch and the second branch respectively, then converges at the outlet 14 and flows out of the liquid cooling plate 1. The two ends of the vertical pipe 2 are respectively inserted at the outermost edges of the first branch and the second branch. The outermost edges of the first branch and the second branch refer to the sides of the first branch and the second branch that are farthest from the outlet 14.

[0048] Because the two ends of the vertical pipe 2 are close to the inlet 13, the pressure at both ends of the vertical pipe 2 is the same. When the coolant is circulating normally, there is no coolant flow in the vertical pipe 2. When the vertical pipe 2 is damaged by thermal runaway and forms an opening, the vertical pipe 2 is connected to the outside atmosphere. The coolant will be forced by water pressure into the opening and sprayed out, achieving precise cooling of the thermally runaway battery cell 3 and heat insulation of adjacent battery cells 3.

[0049] Specifically, considering the width of cell 3 and the minimum width of liquid cooling channel 16, refer to Figure 5 As shown, the liquid cooling channel 16 is U-shaped and includes a first channel 161, a second channel 162, a third channel 163, and a fourth channel 164 arranged sequentially along the y-axis. All four channels extend along the x-axis. The ends of the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164 on the same side are connected by a fifth channel 165. The ends of the second channel 162 and the third channel 163 closest to the fifth channel 165 are connected by a sixth channel 166. The ends of the first channel 161 and the second channel 162 furthest from the fifth channel 165 are connected by a seventh channel 167. The ends of the third channel 163 and the fourth channel 164 furthest from the seventh channel 167 are connected by an eighth channel 168. The inlet 13 is located in the fifth channel 165, and the outlet 14 is located in the sixth channel 166. The two ends of the vertical pipe 2 are inserted into the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164, respectively. The first channel 161, the second channel 162, the seventh channel 167, and the portion of the fifth channel 165 located between the inlet 13 and the first channel 161, and the portion of the sixth channel 166 located between the outlet 14 and the second channel 162, together constitute the first branch. The third channel 163, the fourth channel 164, the eighth channel 168, and the portion of the fifth channel 165 located between the inlet 13 and the fourth channel 164, and the portion of the sixth channel 166 located between the outlet 14 and the third channel 163, together constitute the second branch.

[0050] After flowing into the fifth channel 165 from the inlet 13, the coolant splits into the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164. The coolant flowing into the first channel 161 flows sequentially through the seventh channel 167 and the second channel 162 before exiting from the outlet 14 on the sixth channel 166. The coolant flowing into the fourth channel 164 flows sequentially through the eighth channel 168 and the third channel 163 before exiting from the outlet 14 on the sixth channel 166. The coolant circulates back and forth between the different cells 3 along the x-axis, improving the temperature uniformity of the cells 3.

[0051] More specifically, see reference Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the widths of the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164 are greater than the widths of the second channel 162 and the third channel 163. Therefore, the water pressure at both ends of the vertical pipe 2 connected to the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164 is higher, which is beneficial for the spraying of coolant after thermal runaway.

[0052] In another embodiment, the inlet 13 and the outlet 14 are respectively located at the first end and the second end of the liquid cooling channel 16. The liquid cooling channel 16 has two sub-channels with the same coolant flow direction. The two ends of the vertical pipe 2 are respectively inserted into the two sub-channels, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the two sub-channels along the x-axis is the same. Therefore, the inlet and outlet pressure difference between any vertical pipe 2 is the same. Thus, the flow distribution in each vertical pipe 2 is relatively uniform, which is beneficial to improving the temperature uniformity between different battery cells 3.

[0053] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 As shown, the liquid cooling channel 16 also includes a first channel 161, a second channel 162, a third channel 163, and a fourth channel 164 arranged sequentially at intervals along the y-axis. The two ends of the vertical pipe 2 are connected to the first channel 161 and the fourth channel 164, respectively. Unlike the previous embodiment, the inlet 13 is located at one end of the first channel 161, the other end of the first channel 161 is connected to one end of the second channel 162, the other end of the second channel 162 is connected to one end of the fourth channel 164, the other end of the fourth channel 164 is connected to one end of the third channel 163, and the outlet 14 is located at the other end of the third channel 163.

[0054] After entering the first channel 161 through the inlet 13, the coolant flows sequentially through the second channel 162, the fourth channel 164, and the third channel 163, and finally flows out through the outlet 14. The water pressure in the first channel 161 is greater than that in the fourth channel 164. The coolant in the first channel 161 will flow along the vertical pipe 2 to the fourth channel 164, thereby achieving heat exchange on a large surface of the battery cell 3 and improving the thermal management capability of the battery pack under normal operating conditions.

[0055] In summary, under normal operating conditions, the vertical pipe 2 can either allow flow or not to flow, in order to meet different cooling or heating requirements. Moreover, the coolant flows back and forth along the x-axis in the liquid cooling channel, which improves the temperature uniformity among different battery cells 3.

[0056] This invention also proposes a vehicle, which can be an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The vehicle includes a body and the aforementioned battery pack, which is mounted on the vehicle body. Because the battery pack has a vertical pipe 2, when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell 3, the vertical pipe 2 can spray coolant onto a large area of ​​the cell 3, effectively suppressing heat spread and reducing costs.

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A battery cooling structure, characterized in that, The battery cooling structure includes: Liquid cooling plate (1), the liquid cooling plate (1) is provided with a liquid cooling channel (16), and the liquid cooling plate (1) is also provided with an inlet (13) and an outlet (14) that connect the liquid cooling channel (16); Vertical pipes (2) are located in the plane containing the y-axis and z-axis. Multiple vertical pipes (2) are spaced apart on the liquid cooling plate (1) along the x-axis and connected to the liquid cooling channel (16). The space between any two adjacent vertical pipes (2) restricts the installation space for the battery cells (3) of the battery pack. When any battery cell (3) thermally runs away, the adjacent vertical pipe (2) forms an opening to the outside. The x-axis, y-axis and z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

2. The battery cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the vertical pipe (2) in the z-axis direction is not higher than the height of the battery cell (3) located in the installation space.

3. The battery cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical pipe (2) has a weak area (21), and the opening is formed in the weak area (21).

4. The battery cooling structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vertical pipe (2) is bent to form the weak area (21). The relationship between the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe (2) and the width of the flow channel of the vertical pipe (2) along the y-axis is 3.5W≤R≤5.5W, where R is the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe (2) and W is the width of the flow channel of the vertical pipe (2) along the y-axis.

5. The battery cooling structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The relationship between the outer radius of the bend of the vertical pipe (2) and the width of the flow channel of the vertical pipe (2) along the y-axis is 5W≤R≤5.5W.

6. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The inlet (13) and the outlet (14) are offset in the x-axis direction.

7. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The width of the vertical pipe (2) along the y-axis is W, 10mm≤W≤40mm.

8. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The vertical pipe (2) is made of aluminum alloy or plastic.

9. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The liquid cooling plate (1) has an installation hole (15) for inserting the vertical pipe (2). The installation hole (15) is a waist-shaped hole extending along the y-axis, and the cross-section of the vertical pipe (2) is consistent with the shape of the installation hole (15).

10. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The liquid cooling channel (16) is configured as a closed loop. The liquid cooling channel (16) includes a first branch and a second branch. The first end of the first branch and the first end of the second branch are connected to the inlet (13). The second end of the first branch and the second end of the second branch are connected to the outlet (14). The two ends of the vertical pipe (2) are respectively connected to the first branch and the second branch, and the pressure at both ends of the vertical pipe (2) is the same.

11. The battery cooling structure according to claim 10, characterized in that, The liquid cooling channel (16) includes a first channel (161), a second channel (162), a third channel (163), and a fourth channel (164) arranged sequentially at intervals along the y-axis. The first channel (161), second channel (162), third channel (163), and fourth channel (164) all extend along the x-axis. The same-side ends of the first channel (161) and the fourth channel (164) are connected by a fifth channel (165). The ends of the second channel (162) and the third channel (163) closest to the fifth channel (165) are connected by a sixth channel (166). The ends of the first channel (161) and the second channel (162) furthest from the fifth channel (165) are connected by a seventh channel (167). The ends of the third channel (163) and the fourth channel (164) furthest from the seventh channel (167) are connected by an eighth channel (168). The water inlet (1... 3) The outlet (14) is located in the fifth channel (165) and the vertical pipe (2) is connected to the first channel (161) and the fourth channel (164) respectively. The first channel (161), the second channel (162), the seventh channel (167), the portion of the fifth channel (165) located between the inlet (13) and the first channel (161), and the portion of the sixth channel (166) located between the outlet (14) and the second channel (162) together constitute the first branch. The third channel (163), the fourth channel (164), the eighth channel (168), the portion of the fifth channel (165) located between the inlet (13) and the fourth channel (164), and the portion of the sixth channel (166) located between the outlet (14) and the third channel (163) together constitute the second branch.

12. The battery cooling structure according to claim 11, characterized in that, The widths of the first channel (161) and the fourth channel (164) are greater than the widths of the second channel (162) and the third channel (163).

13. The battery cooling structure according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The inlet (13) is located at the first end of the liquid cooling channel (16), and the outlet (14) is located at the second end of the liquid cooling channel (16). The liquid cooling channel (16) has two sub-channels with the same coolant flow direction. The cross-sectional areas of the two sub-channels along the x-axis are the same, and the two ends of the vertical pipe (2) are respectively connected to the two sub-channels.

14. The battery cooling structure according to claim 13, characterized in that, The liquid cooling channel (16) includes a first channel (161), a second channel (162), a third channel (163), and a fourth channel (164) arranged sequentially at intervals along the y-axis. The first channel (161), the second channel (162), the third channel (163), and the fourth channel (164) all extend along the x-axis. The two ends of the vertical pipe (2) are respectively connected to the first channel (161) and the fourth channel (164). The inlet (13) is located at one end of the first channel (161). The other end of the first channel (161) is connected to one end of the second channel (162). The other end of the second channel (162) is connected to one end of the fourth channel (164). The other end of the fourth channel (164) is connected to one end of the third channel (163). The outlet (14) is located at the other end of the third channel (163).

15. A battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells (3) electrically connected to each other via a busbar (4), characterized in that, The battery pack further includes a battery cooling structure as described in any one of claims 1-14, wherein a plurality of the battery cells (3) are disposed in a plurality of the mounting spaces in a one-to-one correspondence, and the width direction of the battery cells (3) is the x-axis direction.

16. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes a vehicle body and a battery pack as described in claim 15, the battery pack being mounted on the vehicle body.

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