Cooling plate, battery pack and electric equipment
By designing a first and second flow channel structure in the cooling plate, the problem of uneven refrigerant flow distribution was solved, achieving uniform cooling of the battery pack and reducing the temperature difference, thus improving the cooling effect.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520121507.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-16
AI Technical Summary
When cooling the battery, the existing cooling plate has an uneven distribution of refrigerant circulation flow, resulting in large temperature differences in different areas of the battery and high resistance to refrigerant return flow, which in turn leads to local overheating and increased refrigerant temperature.
Design a cooling plate with a first and second flow channel structure. The refrigerant first enters the second flow channel to cool the high-heat area, and then flows back along the first flow channel. By setting different numbers of sub-flow channels to reduce the backflow resistance, a balanced distribution of flow and uniform cooling effect can be achieved.
It achieves uniform cooling in all areas of the battery, reduces temperature differences and the risk of local overheating, and improves cooling effect and the smoothness of refrigerant flow.
Smart Images
Figure CN223898371U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery pack technology, and in particular to a cooling plate, a battery pack, and an electrical device. Background Technology
[0002] In existing technologies, the flow channel arrangement of cooling plates is simple. When cooling the battery, the refrigerant circulation flow rate inside the cooling plate is not reasonably distributed to areas of the battery with more or less heat generation, resulting in poor temperature uniformity and large temperature differences. Furthermore, the resistance to refrigerant recirculation is high, causing the refrigerant to evaporate completely during the recirculation process and unable to continue exchanging heat with the battery. This leads to a continuous increase in refrigerant temperature, resulting in temperature differences in different areas of the battery. Utility Model Content
[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a cooling plate that can balance the flow rate in each region, reduce the resistance to backflow, reduce the problem of local overheating of the cold plate, and reduce the temperature difference between different regions of the battery.
[0004] A cooling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first flow channel and a second flow channel. The first flow channel is located on one side of the second flow channel. The first flow channel is adapted to exchange heat with a first part of the battery cell, and the second flow channel is adapted to exchange heat with a second part of the battery cell. The cooling plate is provided with an inlet and an outlet. The second flow channel includes a first side flow channel and a second side flow channel. The first side flow channel and the second side flow channel are respectively connected to the inlet. The second side flow channel is further away from the inlet than the first side flow channel. The first side flow channel and the second side flow channel are respectively merged into the first flow channel. The first flow channel is connected to the outlet. The number of sub-flow channels of the first side flow channel is less than the number of sub-flow channels of the second side flow channel.
[0005] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, after the refrigerant enters from the inlet of the cooling plate, it can enter the first side channel and the second side channel along the inlet, and then flow back to the outlet along the first channel. The first channel is located inside the second channel, that is, the first channel is set close to the first part of the battery cell, and the second channel is set close to the second part of the battery cell. When the battery cell is in the working state, the heat generated by the first part of the battery cell is lower than the heat generated by the second part of the battery cell. Therefore, the refrigerant entering through the inlet first enters the second channel for cooling, and flows from the second channel to the outlet along the first channel, which can better balance the heat and make the battery cell more evenly cooled. This achieves the cooling plate's ability to balance the heat exchange effect between the first and second parts of the battery cell, thereby ensuring the uniform temperature effect of the battery cell. Furthermore, the number of sub-channels in the first side channel is less than the number of sub-channels in the second side channel. The refrigerant can flow back to the first channel through the first side channel or through the second side channel. The second side channel is far from the inlet. The number of sub-channels in the second side channel is greater than the number of sub-channels in the first side channel, thereby improving the smoothness of the refrigerant flow in the second side channel, reducing resistance, and improving the cooling effect. This balances the heat exchange effect between the battery packs corresponding to the first and second side channels, which reduces the problem of local overheating of the cooling plate.
[0006] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, a second flow channel is provided on both sides of the first flow channel. The refrigerant flowing into the inlet flows to the second flow channels on both sides, and flows along the second flow channels to the first flow channel and flows back to the outlet.
[0007] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, the second flow channel further includes an outer flow channel, which is located on the side of the first side flow channel and / or the second side flow channel away from the first flow channel. The outer flow channel is connected to the inlet and the first flow channel, and the refrigerant flowing into the outer flow channel flows back to the outlet through the first flow channel.
[0008] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, the inlet is split to form two first inlet pipes, one of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe flows to the second flow channel on one side, and the other of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe flows to the second flow channel on the other side.
[0009] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, each first inlet pipe is divided into two second inlet pipes, one of which is connected to the first side flow channel and the second side flow channel, and the other of which is connected to the outer flow channel.
[0010] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the cooling plate has at least one second inlet pipe branched into two parallel third inlet pipes, one of which is connected to the first side flow channel, and the other of the third inlet pipes is connected to the second side flow channel.
[0011] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, the first flow channel includes a first middle flow channel and a second middle flow channel that are connected. The side of the outer flow channel away from the inlet is connected to the second middle flow channel, and the refrigerant is adapted to flow sequentially from the side of the outer flow channel away from the inlet to the second middle flow channel, the first middle flow channel and the outlet.
[0012] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, both the second middle flow channel and the first middle flow channel include multiple flow channel groups. The rear end of the outer flow channel branches and respectively connects to each of the flow channel groups of the second middle flow channel. Each of the flow channel groups of the second middle flow channel is connected to each of the flow channel groups of the first middle flow channel. Each of the flow channel groups of the first middle flow channel is connected to the outlet.
[0013] According to the cooling plate of this utility model embodiment, the flow channel group of the second central flow channel and the flow channel group of the first central flow channel are connected through a central connecting flow channel.
[0014] According to the embodiment of the present invention, each flow channel group includes two parallel central sub-flow channels, and multiple central sub-flow channels are connected to the outlet after being merged through an outlet merging flow path group.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling plate is filled with adhesive in the area outside the first flow channel and the second flow channel.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inlet and the outlet of the cooling plate are located at the same end of the cooling plate.
[0017] This utility model embodiment also discloses a battery pack, including a battery assembly and the aforementioned cooling plate. The battery assembly includes multiple battery cells, which are arranged along a first direction and extend along a second direction. A first side flow channel and a second side flow channel are distributed along the first direction and the second flow channel is distributed along the second direction. Each battery cell has a first portion and a second portion. When the battery cell is in operation, the heat generated by the second portion of the battery cell is greater than the heat generated by the first portion of the battery cell. The first flow channel exchanges heat with the first portion, and the second flow channel exchanges heat with the second portion.
[0018] According to the battery pack of this utility model embodiment, the battery pack is arranged in two groups along the first direction, the first side flow channel corresponds to one of the battery packs, and the second side flow channel corresponds to the other battery pack.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each battery pack includes at least two layers of sub-battery packs arranged along the thickness direction of the battery cells, and the cooling plate is located between two adjacent layers of the sub-battery packs.
[0020] According to the battery pack of this utility model embodiment, a limiting adhesive layer is provided between the cooling plate and the two sub-battery groups, and the limiting adhesive layer is located at least at both ends of the cooling plate in the second direction and extends along the first direction.
[0021] This utility model embodiment also discloses an electrical device, including the battery pack described above.
[0022] The electrical equipment, the cooling plate, and the battery pack all have the same advantages over the prior art, and will not be elaborated here.
[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0024] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the cooling plate and the battery pack in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 2 This is an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 1 Top view;
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the cooling plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] Figure label:
[0030] Battery pack 100, battery group 101, battery cell 1011, sub-battery group 1012, cooling plate 1, inlet 11, first branch 111, first inlet pipe 112, second branch 113, second inlet pipe 114, third inlet pipe 115, fourth inlet pipe 116, outlet 12, liquid collection point 121, outlet branch 122, first flow channel 13, first middle flow channel 131, middle return flow channel 1311. Second central flow channel 132, flow channel group 133, central sub-flow channel 1331, vertical pipe 134, central connecting flow channel 135, first side flow channel 14, single flow channel 141, first confluence point 142, second side flow channel 15, branch flow channel 151, second confluence point 152, second side return pipe 153, outer flow channel 16, downward bifurcation point 161, forward bifurcation point 162, plate edge 17, connecting hole 18, insulation layer 19. Detailed Implementation
[0031] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0032] In the description of this utility model, 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," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of 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] refer to Figures 1-4 According to the description of the cooling plate 1 in this embodiment, the refrigerant flows back to the first flow channel 13 via the first side flow channel 14, or it can flow back to the first flow channel 13 via the second side flow channel 15. The second side flow channel 15 is farther away from the inlet 11, that is, the flow path is longer. The number of sub-flow channels in the first side flow channel 14 is less than the number of sub-flow channels in the second side flow channel 15, thereby improving the smoothness of the refrigerant flow in the second side flow channel 15, reducing resistance, and making the cooling effect better, that is, reducing the problem of local overheating of the cooling plate 1. In addition, the refrigerant passing through the inlet 11 first enters the second flow channel. Cooling is performed, and the refrigerant flows from the second flow channel along the first flow channel 13 to the outlet 12. When the battery cell is in operation, the heat generated in the first part of the battery cell is lower than that in the second part. Therefore, the refrigerant entering through the inlet 11 first enters the second flow channel for cooling, that is, the area with more heat is cooled first. As the refrigerant flows from the second flow channel to the first flow channel 13 and then to the outlet 12, the heat can be better balanced, allowing the battery cell to receive more even cooling. This achieves the effect of the cooling plate 1 balancing the heat exchange between the first and second parts of the battery cell, ensuring the uniform temperature of the battery cell. Here, "battery cell in operation" refers to the battery cell being charged or discharged.
[0035] The following is for reference. Figures 1-4 The cooling plate 1 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes a first flow channel 13 and a second flow channel. The first flow channel 13 is located on one side of the second flow channel. The first flow channel 13 is adapted to exchange heat with a first part of the battery cell, and the second flow channel is adapted to exchange heat with a second part of the battery cell. The cooling plate 1 is provided with an inlet 11 and an outlet 12.
[0036] The second flow channel includes a first side flow channel 14 and a second side flow channel 15. The first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 are respectively connected to the inlet 11. The second side flow channel 15 is farther away from the inlet 11 than the first side flow channel 14. The first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 converge into the first flow channel 13. The first flow channel 13 is connected to the outlet 12. The number of sub-flow channels of the first side flow channel 14 is less than the number of sub-flow channels of the second side flow channel 15.
[0037] In practice, cooling plate 1 is used to cool the battery, as can be referred to... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The dashed boxes in the diagram divide the cooling plate 1 into several different regions, such as the central region and the outer region. The outer region includes the first region and the second region, which are... Figure 3 In the directions indicated by the center mark, the outer area is more biased towards Figure 3 Above, a first side flow channel 14 is provided in the first region of the outer outer area, and a second side flow channel 15 is provided in the second region. The inlet 11 of the cooling plate 1 is located at... Figure 3The lower front end and the middle region include a first flow channel 13. After entering from the inlet 11, the refrigerant flows to the first side flow channel 14 and then flows from the first side flow channel 14 to the first confluence point 142 and then back to the first flow channel 13. Alternatively, the refrigerant flows to the second side flow channel 15 and then flows from the second confluence point 152 of the second side flow channel 15 to the first confluence point 142 and then back to the first flow channel 13, and then back to the outlet 12 from the first flow channel 13.
[0038] When the cooling plate 1 is connected to the battery, the heat generated by the first part of the battery cell is lower than that of the second part when the cell is in operation. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the inlet 11 first enters the second flow channel for cooling, that is, the area with more heat is cooled first. The refrigerant then flows along the first flow channel 13 to the outlet 12, where the first flow channel 13 cools the area with less heat. This better balances the heat, resulting in more even cooling of the battery cell. This achieves a balanced heat exchange effect between the first and second parts of the battery cell, ensuring uniform temperature distribution within the cell. For example, the battery tabs can be connected along... Figure 3 The ends of the battery, which are located in the vertical direction, are prone to heat generation. At this time, the tabs or the area near the tabs of the battery cell are the second part of the battery cell, while the middle area along the length of the battery cell is the first part of the battery cell. The refrigerant first flows to the first side channel 14 and the second side channel 15 in the outer area, which can cool the area near the battery tabs and the tabs in a timely manner. Since the middle area of the battery has lower heat than the end area, it is more reasonable to set the return flow area in the middle area, so as to make the heat of the battery more balanced.
[0039] In addition, the refrigerant entering along the second side channel 15 can also flow back to the first channel 13 in the central region. The second side channel 15 is far from the inlet 11, meaning the path from the inlet 11 to the second side channel 15 is longer. The number of sub-channels in the first side channel 14 is set to be less than the number of sub-channels in the second side channel 15. After the refrigerant flows to the sub-channels of the second side channel 15, it then flows back to the first channel 13 along the sub-channels 151. For example, the first side channel 14 can be set as a single channel 141, and the second side channel 15 can be set as a double channel, meaning the first side channel 14 has no sub-channels, and the second side channel 15 has two sub-channels. Of course, in actual design, the first side channel 14 can also have two sub-channels, and the second side channel 15 can have four sub-channels, etc.
[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the first side flow channel 14 is configured as a single flow channel 141, and the second side flow channel 15 is configured as a double flow channel. Figure 3In the middle, the dual flow channel includes two parallel branch channels 151, which are also sub-flow channels. This improves the smoothness of the refrigerant flow in the second side flow channel 15, which is far away from the inlet 11, and reduces the problem of local overheating of the battery caused by evaporation during the refrigerant return process. In other words, it ensures effective cooling of the battery and achieves a more uniform and reasonable distribution of cooling circulation flow.
[0041] Therefore, the cooling plate 1 in this embodiment of the present invention can balance the flow rate and area ratio of each region, thereby achieving uniform and reasonable cooling of the battery.
[0042] In some embodiments disclosed in this utility model, the interior of the cooling plate 1 is used for circulating refrigerant, thereby achieving heat exchange with the battery cell. Generally, the refrigerant can be water, ethanol, R134a, or CO2, etc.
[0043] In some embodiments, a second flow channel is provided on both sides of the first flow channel 13. The refrigerant flowing into the inlet 11 flows to the second flow channels on both sides, and flows along the second flow channels to the first flow channel 13 and flows back to the outlet 12.
[0044] In other words, the positive and negative tabs of the battery can be along... Figure 3 The positive and negative terminals at the two ends of the battery, as indicated by the vertical direction, are prone to heat generation, or the heat is higher than that in the middle. By setting a first flow channel 13 in the middle of the cooling plate 1 and setting a second flow channel on both sides of the first flow channel 13, the refrigerant entering the cooling plate 1 can first flow to the second flow channels on both sides, which can cool the positions near the positive and negative terminals of the battery in a timely manner. Since the middle area of the battery has lower heat than the positive and negative terminals, it is more reasonable to set the return flow area in the middle area, and it can balance the heat of the battery.
[0045] In some embodiments, the second flow channel further includes an outer flow channel 16, which is located on the side of the first side flow channel 14 and / or the second side flow channel 15 away from the first flow channel 13. The outer flow channel 16 communicates with the inlet 11 and the first flow channel 13, and the refrigerant flowing into the outer flow channel 16 flows back to the outlet 12 through the first flow channel 13.
[0046] In other words, by setting the outer flow channel 16, the outer flow channel 16 of the cooling plate 1 can be closer to the position of the battery tab. Then the refrigerant can enter the outer flow channel 16, the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 at the same time. When entering the outer flow channel 16, the refrigerant enters from the inlet 11 and flows to the outer flow channel 16 along the outer regions on both sides of the middle region. It flows from front to back along the outer flow channel 16. After flowing to the rear end, it flows back to the first flow channel 13 in the middle region from the rear end. The first flow channel 13 then flows back to the outlet 12.
[0047] Meanwhile, after entering through the inlet 11, the refrigerant enters the first side channel 14 and the second side channel 15 respectively. The refrigerant in the second side channel 15 can flow to the first channel 13 through the second confluence point 152 and the first confluence point 142. The refrigerant in the first side channel 14 flows to the first channel 13 through the first confluence point 142. That is, the refrigerant flowing to the second channel can flow back to the first channel 13 through multiple different paths. The second channel includes the outer channel 16, the first side channel 14 and the second side channel 15, which can simultaneously cool the end of the battery and the position near the end, improving the cooling efficiency of the area with high heat generation.
[0048] In some embodiments, the inlet 11 is split to form two first inlet pipes 112, one of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe 112 flows to a second flow channel on one side, and the other of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe 112 flows to a second flow channel on the other side.
[0049] In practice, the inlet 11 branches into two first inlet pipes 112. The two first inlet pipes 112 branch along the inlet 11 towards the second flow channels on both sides of the first flow channel 13. This means that the refrigerant can flow through the two first inlet pipes 112 to the corresponding second flow channels, achieving reasonable distribution of the refrigerant. The refrigerant can flow to the second flow channels on both sides of the first flow channel 13 at the shortest distance through the two branched first inlet pipes 12, improving the flow efficiency and distribution efficiency of the refrigerant, achieving the effect of uniform distribution, that is, uniformly cooling both ends of the battery, thereby making the heat at both ends of the battery more uniform.
[0050] In some embodiments, each first inlet pipe 112 is divided into two second inlet pipes 114, one of which is connected to the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15, and the other is connected to the outer flow channel 16.
[0051] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the pipe where the inlet 11 is located splits at the first fork 111 to form two first inlet pipes 112. The two first inlet pipes 112 extend towards the outer regions on both sides. Each first inlet pipe 112 splits at the second fork 113 to form two second inlet pipes 114. One second inlet pipe 114 is connected to the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15. The other second inlet pipe 114 is directed towards the outer flow channel 16 and is connected to the outer flow channel 16. This splits the refrigerant flow to deliver the refrigerant to the outer flow channel 16, the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15, improving the efficiency of refrigerant delivery and preventing the local temperature of the cooling plate 1 from becoming too high.
[0052] In some embodiments, at least one second inlet pipe 114 is branched to form two parallel third inlet pipes 115, one of the third inlet pipes 115 being connected to the first side channel 14, and the other third inlet pipe 115 being connected to the second side channel 15.
[0053] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when one of the second inlet pipes 114 splits to form two parallel third inlet pipes 115, the refrigerant in one branch of the third inlet pipe 115 can flow into the single channel 141 in the first side channel 14, and the refrigerant in the other branch of the third inlet pipe 115 can flow into the two branch channels 151 in the second side channel 15; while the first side channel 14 is S-shaped, when the refrigerant flows along the S-shaped first side channel 14, it then flows along... Figure 4 The refrigerant flows from the first confluence point 142 to the middle return channel 1311 of the first flow channel 13, and finally flows to the outlet 12 through the middle return channel 1311; at the same time, after the refrigerant flows into the sub-channel 151 in the second side flow channel 15, it can return along the confluence of the two sub-channels 151, that is... Figure 4 The water flows back from the second confluence point 152 to the second side return pipe 153, until it merges with the first confluence point 142 and flows together into the first flow channel 13.
[0054] Thus, a third inlet pipe 115 after one of the second inlet pipes 114 branches is connected to the first side flow channel 14, and another third inlet pipe 115 is connected to the second side flow channel 15, so that the refrigerant can flow from the inlet 11 to the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 at the same time. At this time, the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 are connected in parallel.
[0055] Of course, as mentioned above, the second inlet pipe 114 has two paths. Another second inlet pipe 114 can also be split to form a parallel fourth inlet pipe 116. The fourth inlet pipe 116 can be connected to the outer flow channel 16. This means that the refrigerant flows through one second inlet pipe 114 and two third inlet pipes 115 to the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 respectively. The other second inlet pipe 114 flows through the fourth inlet pipe 116 to the outer flow channel 16, thus achieving reasonable flow splitting, better cooling of the positive and negative electrodes at both ends of the battery, and balancing the flow in each area.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first flow channel 13 includes a first middle flow channel 131 and a second middle flow channel 132 connected together, the side of the outer flow channel 16 away from the inlet 11 is connected to the second middle flow channel 132, and the refrigerant is adapted to flow sequentially from the side of the outer flow channel 16 away from the inlet 11 to the second middle flow channel 132, the first middle flow channel 131 and the outlet 12.
[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 3 As shown, the cooling plate 1 has connection holes 18 at its front end, rear end, and middle position along the front-rear direction. The cooling plate 1 can be connected to the crossbeam of the battery pack 101 through the connection holes 18 at the middle position along the front-rear direction. A portion of the middle position of the cooling plate 1 along the front-rear direction is provided to avoid the crossbeam of the battery pack 101. The first flow channel 13 is also divided into two connected regions: the front region is the first middle flow channel 131, and the rear region is the second middle flow channel 132. The refrigerant flows to the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15, and then flows along the first confluence point 142 to the middle return flow channel 1311. The middle return flow channel 1311 belongs to the first middle flow channel 131. The refrigerant in the outer flow channel 16 flows from the front to the rear of the cooling plate 1, and a portion of the outer flow channel 16 is located at its rear. Figure 3 The downward branch 161 indicates the direction, and the flow flows downward through the downward branch 161 and then forward through the branch 162 to the second middle channel 132, and then through the second middle channel 132 to the first middle channel 131, and finally from the first middle channel 131 to the liquid collection point 121, and then to the liquid outlet.
[0058] Therefore, the first flow channel 13 is divided into a first middle flow channel 131 and a second middle flow channel 132. A connecting hole 18 can be provided on one side between the first middle flow channel 131 and the second middle flow channel 132 of the cooling plate 1. The connecting hole 18 avoids the first middle flow channel 131 and the second middle flow channel 132, and the connection between the cooling plate 1 and the crossbeam of the battery pack 101 is realized through the connecting hole 18. That is, the position of the first flow channel 13 that does not contact the battery of the battery pack 101 does not require too much refrigerant, thereby achieving a reasonable layout of the first flow channel 13.
[0059] In some embodiments, both the second central flow channel 132 and the first central flow channel 131 include a plurality of flow channel groups 133. The rear end of the outer flow channel 16 branches and is respectively connected to each flow channel group 133 of the second central flow channel 132. Each flow channel group 133 of the second central flow channel 132 is respectively connected to each flow channel group 133 of the first central flow channel 131. Each flow channel group 133 of the first central flow channel 131 is connected to the outlet 12.
[0060] Reference Figure 4As shown, firstly, the outer flow channel 16 has multiple channels. The rear end of some outer flow channels 16 branches downward to form multiple vertical pipes 134, and the rear end of some outer flow channels 16 bends downward directly to form other vertical pipes 134. Each vertical pipe 134 is connected to a flow channel group 133 of the second middle flow channel 132. When the refrigerant flows to the rear end of some outer flow channels 16, it continues to flow along the downward branching point 161 at the rear end of the corresponding outer flow channel 16 to the corresponding vertical pipe 134, and then flows through the vertical pipe 134 to each flow channel group 133 of the second middle flow channel 132. Of course, another part of the refrigerant can also flow directly from the rear end of the outer flow channel 16 to the corresponding vertical pipe 134, and then flow through the vertical pipe 134 to the corresponding front flow channel group 133.
[0061] Each flow channel group 133 of the second middle flow channel 132 is connected to each flow channel group 133 of the first middle flow channel 131. That is, each flow channel group 133 of the second middle flow channel 132 flows one-to-one to each flow channel group 133 of the first middle flow channel 131. Finally, after the multiple flow channel groups 133 of the first middle flow channel 131 converge, they flow to the outlet 12. In this way, the entire return flow process can be made more orderly, and the flow rate can be evenly distributed, thereby improving the uniformity of cooling of the battery pack 101 by the cooling plate 1.
[0062] In some embodiments, the flow channel group 133 of the second central flow channel 132 and the flow channel group 133 of the first central flow channel 131 are connected by a central connecting flow channel 135.
[0063] In other words, the central connecting channel 135 is mainly used to connect the first central channel 131 and the second central channel 132. As previously explained, the cooling plate 1 can be connected to the crossbeam of the battery pack 101 through the connecting hole 18 at the middle position along the front-rear direction. That is, no battery is installed in the middle position of the battery pack 101 along the front-rear direction of the cooling plate 1. At this time, the central connecting channel 135 mainly serves the function of connection and convergence. The two sets of channels 133 in the front-rear direction are connected through the central connecting channel 135, reducing the complexity of pipeline connection. The first central channel 131 and the second central channel 132 can both serve the function of return flow and also facilitate the flow of the battery along the front-rear direction. Figure 3 Cooling is performed in the middle area of the upper and lower positions.
[0064] In some embodiments, each flow channel group 133 includes two parallel central sub-flow channels 1331, and the multiple central sub-flow channels 1331 are connected to the outlet 12 after being merged through the outlet merging flow channel group.
[0065] By configuring each flow channel group 133 as two parallel central sub-flow channels 1331, the refrigerant flowing from the outer flow channel 16 to the first flow channel 13 can be effectively dispersed, allowing the refrigerant to be distributed more evenly on the cooling plate 1, and improving the smoothness of refrigerant flow and the effect of temperature uniformity. Multiple central sub-flow channels 1331 are connected to the outlet 12 after merging through the outlet converging flow path group, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the outlet confluence flow path group includes multiple outlet branches 122. The refrigerant in each flow path group 133 flows to the corresponding outlet branch 122, and the multiple outlet branches 122 converge and flow to the outlet 12, so that the refrigerant flows smoothly to the outlet 12 along the optimal path.
[0066] In some embodiments, the area of the cooling plate 1 outside the first flow channel 13 and the second flow channel is filled with adhesive.
[0067] In other words, after designing the first flow channel 13, the outer flow channel 16, the first side flow channel 14, and the second side flow channel 15, glue is filled between adjacent flow channels. After the glue solidifies, the adjacent flow channels are bonded together to form an integral cooling plate 1. It should be noted that if the first side flow channel 14 is constructed with an S-shaped structure that curves from top to bottom, then the adjacent flow channels are two adjacent segments among the multiple segments that curve from top to bottom along the first side flow channel 14, each segment extending in the front-back direction. Of course, the adjacent flow channels can also be two adjacent sub-flow channels 151 in the second side flow channel 15, or adjacent middle sub-flow channels 1331 in each flow channel group 133 in the first flow channel 13. In addition, they can also be adjacent flow channels in different regions.
[0068] Additionally, the adhesive can be flush with at least one side of the flow channel surface, making one side of the cooling plate 1 flat, facilitating contact and connection between the cooling plate 1 and the battery pack 101. The adhesive is applied in liquid form and then smoothed. Since an automatic dispensing device is used, its dispensing trajectory needs to be set simply, directly, and easily operated, ensuring consistency in the stroke during switching between multiple dispensing trajectories. For example, if the flow channels are distributed in multiple rows from top to bottom along the cooling plate 1, after dispensing adhesive along the first row from front to back, the distance to switch to the second row is set as x. After dispensing adhesive along the second row from front to back, the distance to switch to the third row is also x, and so on. In addition to meeting basic spacing requirements, such as ≥5mm, the flow channels must also maintain a consistent centerline along the vertical direction to satisfy the above dispensing device requirements.
[0069] In some embodiments, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are located at the same end of the cooling plate 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the cooling plate 1 can be constructed as a square structure. The inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are both located on the lower front side of the cooling plate 1. If the lower front side of the cooling plate 1 has a protruding extension, the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 are located at the position of the extension. The surface of the extension is provided with an insulating layer 19. That is, the refrigerant enters through the lower front side of the cooling plate 1 and finally flows through the first flow channel 13 to the outlet 12 located on the lower front side, thus completing the entire return flow process. By setting the inlet 11 and the outlet 12 on the same side of the cooling plate 1 and in a relatively concentrated position, the entire cooling cycle can be realized on the basis of the limited area of the cooling plate 1, satisfying the cooling cycle path, and facilitating centralized connection of the external liquid inlet pipe and liquid outlet pipe.
[0070] This utility model embodiment also discloses a battery pack 100, including a battery group 101 and the aforementioned cooling plate 1. The battery group 101 includes a plurality of battery cells 1011, which are arranged along a first direction and extend along a second direction. A first side flow channel 14 and a second side flow channel 15 are distributed along the first direction, and a first flow channel 13 and a second flow channel are distributed along the second direction. The battery cell has a first part and a second part. When the battery cell is in the working state, the heat generated by the second part of the battery cell is greater than the heat generated by the first part of the battery cell. The first flow channel 13 exchanges heat with the first part, and the second flow channel exchanges heat with the second part.
[0071] In practice, the first direction is... Figure 3 The front-to-back direction of the middle cooling plate 1, and the second direction is... Figure 3 The cooling plate 1 is connected to the battery pack 101 in the vertical direction. It can be connected to the bottom or the top of the battery pack 101. The distribution direction of the multiple cells 1011 in the battery pack 101 is the front-back direction of the cooling plate 1. When the cell is in working state, the first part of the cell can be understood as the part close to the tab of each cell 1011, which is the part with higher heat generation. When the battery pack 101 is connected to the cooling plate 1, the second flow channel of the cooling plate 1 is close to the position of the tab of the cell 1011, so that the refrigerant first cools the position of the tab of the cell 1011 better, preventing the temperature of the tab of the cell 1011 from being too high. When the cooled refrigerant flows back, it flows back through the first flow channel 13. That is, the heat of the cell corresponding to the first flow channel 13 is lower than the heat of the tab. The second part can be understood as the middle area in the length direction of the cell.
[0072] Furthermore, since the tabs of the battery cell are respectively located at both ends of the battery along the second direction, that is, the battery cell has two second parts, and the two second parts are located on both sides of the first part of the battery cell along the second direction. Therefore, the cooling plate 1 has two second flow channels and one first flow channel 13, wherein along the second direction, the first flow channel 13 is located between the two second flow channels so that the first flow channel 13 is adapted to the first part of the battery cell.
[0073] In some embodiments, the battery pack 101 is configured as two groups along a first direction, with the first side flow channel 14 corresponding to one battery pack 101 and the second side flow channel 15 corresponding to the other battery pack 101.
[0074] The first flow channel 13 is divided into a first middle flow channel 131 and a second middle flow channel 132. The first middle flow channel 131 and the second middle flow channel 132 are connected by a middle connecting flow channel 135. That is, one cooling plate 1 can correspond to two battery packs 101, and the gap between the two battery packs 101 corresponds to the position of the middle connecting flow channel 135. The design of two battery packs 101 increases the energy storage capacity of the battery pack, and one cooling plate 1 can meet the design of two battery packs 101, reducing the complexity of the design of the cooling plate 1 for large energy storage battery packs 101.
[0075] In some embodiments, each battery pack 101 includes at least two sub-battery packs 1012 arranged along the cell thickness direction, and the cooling plate 1 is located between two adjacent sub-battery packs 1012.
[0076] Reference Figure 1 As shown, the cooling plate 1 is located between two adjacent sub-cell packs 1012, and the cross-sectional area of the cooling plate 1 is larger than the cross-sectional area of each sub-cell pack 1012, that is... Figure 2 In the top-down view, the edge 17 of the plate is exposed outside the sub-cell pack 1012, and the multiple cells 1011 in each sub-cell pack 1012 are arranged in the same direction, with the multiple cells 1011 along... Figure 3 The intermediate cooling plate 1 is arranged in the front-to-back direction. Each battery cell 1011 includes a positive tab and a negative tab, and the positive tab and negative tab are located at... Figure 3 The two ends of the cooling plate 1 in the vertical direction are used to cool the same position of the two sub-battery packs 1012. At this time, the two sub-battery packs 1012 are cooled by one cooling plate 1, which reduces the cooling cost.
[0077] In some embodiments, a limiting adhesive layer is provided between the cooling plate 1 and the two sub-battery packs 1012, and the limiting adhesive layer is located at least at both ends of the cooling plate 1 in a second direction and extends along the first direction.
[0078] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the adhesive-limiting layer of cooling plate 1 can be located on cooling plate 1. Figure 3 The cooling plate 1 extends from both ends in the vertical direction and along the front-back direction. When the cooling plate 1 is connected to the sub-battery pack 1012, the adhesive-limiting layer can serve as a support for the sub-battery pack 1012. The cooling plate 1 is placed above the lower sub-battery pack 1012, with the flat surface of the cooling plate 1 facing the lower sub-battery pack 1012. The adhesive-limiting layer is partially provided on the surface facing the lower sub-battery pack 1012. The adhesive-limiting layer extends along the front-back direction and is close to the outer flow channels 16 on both sides. The adhesive-limiting layer has a certain buffering effect on the cooling plate 1 and also connects the cooling plate 1 with the lower sub-battery pack 1012.
[0079] Furthermore, the upper sub-battery pack 1012 is positioned above the cooling plate 1 and is supported by the cooling plate 1. The flow channels of the cooling plate 1 face the upper sub-battery pack 1012, thereby allowing the cooling plate 1 to flow towards the upper sub-battery pack 1012. Figure 1 A sealing strip is provided on one side of the upper sub-battery pack 1012. The position where the cell 1011 in the sub-battery pack 1012 mainly bears its own weight and the constraint force of the structural components is near the positive and negative tabs of the cell 1011. Therefore, the sealing strip is set from front to back along the surface of the outermost flow channel 16. That is, the sealing strip is set between the cooling plate 1 and both the lower and upper sub-battery packs 1012. This allows the outermost flow channel 16 to bear most of the weight of the upper sub-battery pack 1012. The sealing strip can further strengthen and buffer the strength of the outer flow channel 16, and also serve to connect the battery pack 101. Of course, its strength can also be strengthened by setting a draft angle, reducing the flow channel width, reducing the height of the flow channel along the direction of the upper and lower sub-battery packs 1012, increasing the chamfer, and optimizing the stamping thinning rate.
[0080] In addition, it should be noted that by setting the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15, compared with the cooling plate 1 of the same area in the prior art, the area of the first flow channel 13 is squeezed out, which means that the proportion of the return flow channel is reduced, the evaporation of the refrigerant during the return process is reduced, thereby reducing the overheating problem of the battery pack 101. The setting of the first side flow channel 14 and the second side flow channel 15 balances the flow rate and area ratio of each region.
[0081] This utility model embodiment also discloses an electrical device, including the aforementioned battery pack 100, namely the cooling plate 1, which can achieve the effect of uniformly cooling the battery in the battery pack 100, thereby improving the lifespan of the battery pack 100 and thus improving the service life of the electrical device.
[0082] Therefore, the flow channel of this utility model embodiment, while having the flow entering from both sides and exiting from the middle, is divided into multiple regions, and takes into account the area and flow rate ratio of each region, thus optimizing the overheating problem of the cooling plate 1.
[0083] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.
[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A cooling plate (1), characterized in that, It includes a first flow channel (13) and a second flow channel. The first flow channel (13) is located on one side of the second flow channel. The first flow channel (13) is adapted to exchange heat with the first part of the battery cell. The second flow channel is adapted to exchange heat with the second part of the battery cell. The cooling plate (1) is provided with an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). The second flow channel includes a first side flow channel (14) and a second side flow channel (15). The first side flow channel (14) and the second side flow channel (15) are respectively connected to the inlet (11). The second side flow channel (15) is farther away from the inlet (11) than the first side flow channel (14). The first side flow channel (14) and the second side flow channel (15) converge into the first flow channel (13). The first flow channel (13) is connected to the outlet (12). The number of sub-flow channels of the first side flow channel (14) is less than the number of sub-flow channels of the second side flow channel (15).
2. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first flow channel (13) is provided with a second flow channel on both sides. The refrigerant flowing into the inlet (11) flows to the second flow channels on both sides, and flows along the second flow channels to the first flow channel (13) and flows back to the outlet (12).
3. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second flow channel also includes an outer flow channel (16), which is located on the side of the first side flow channel (14) and / or the second side flow channel (15) away from the first flow channel (13). The outer flow channel (16) is connected to the inlet (11) and the first flow channel (13), and the refrigerant flowing into the outer flow channel (16) flows back to the outlet (12) through the first flow channel (13).
4. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet (11) splits into two first inlet pipes (112), one of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe (112) flows to the second flow channel on one side, and the other of which the refrigerant in the first inlet pipe (112) flows to the second flow channel on the other side.
5. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the first inlet pipes (112) is divided into two second inlet pipes (114), one of which is connected to the first side flow channel (14) and the second side flow channel (15), and the other is connected to the outer flow channel (16).
6. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least one of the second inlet pipes (114) is split to form two parallel third inlet pipes (115), one of the third inlet pipes (115) is connected to the first side flow channel (14), and the other of the third inlet pipes (115) is connected to the second side flow channel (15).
7. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow channel (13) includes a first middle flow channel (131) and a second middle flow channel (132) that are connected. The side of the outer flow channel (16) away from the inlet (11) is connected to the second middle flow channel (132), and the refrigerant is adapted to flow sequentially from the side of the outer flow channel (16) away from the inlet (11) to the second middle flow channel (132), the first middle flow channel (131) and the outlet (12).
8. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, Both the second middle flow channel (132) and the first middle flow channel (131) include multiple flow channel groups (133). The rear end of the outer flow channel (16) branches and is respectively connected to each of the flow channel groups (133) of the second middle flow channel (132). Each of the flow channel groups (133) of the second middle flow channel (132) is respectively connected to each of the flow channel groups (133) of the first middle flow channel (131). Each of the flow channel groups (133) of the first middle flow channel (131) is connected to the outlet (12).
9. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flow channel group (133) of the second central flow channel (132) and the flow channel group (133) of the first central flow channel (131) are connected by a central connecting flow channel (135).
10. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the flow channel groups (133) includes two parallel central sub-flow channels (1331), and the multiple central sub-flow channels (1331) are connected to the outlet (12) after being merged through the outlet merging flow path group.
11. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling plate (1) is filled with adhesive in the area outside the first flow channel (13) and the second flow channel.
12. The cooling plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are located at the same end of the cooling plate (1).
13. A battery pack (100), characterized in that, The battery pack (101) includes a battery pack (101) and a cooling plate (1) according to any one of claims 1-12. The battery pack (101) includes a plurality of battery cells (1011), which are arranged along a first direction and extend along a second direction. A first side flow channel (14) and a second side flow channel (15) are distributed along the first direction, and a first flow channel (13) and a second flow channel are distributed along the second direction. The battery cell has a first part and a second part. When the battery cell is in a working state, the heat generated by the second part of the battery cell is greater than the heat generated by the first part of the battery cell. The first flow channel exchanges heat with the first part, and the second flow channel exchanges heat with the second part.
14. The battery pack (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The battery packs (101) are arranged in two groups along the first direction, with the first side flow channel (14) corresponding to one battery pack (101) and the second side flow channel (15) corresponding to the other battery pack (101).
15. The battery pack (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that, Each of the battery packs (101) includes at least two layers of sub-battery packs (1012) arranged along the thickness direction of the battery cells, and the cooling plate (1) is located between two adjacent layers of the sub-battery packs (1012).
16. The battery pack (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that, A limiting adhesive layer is provided between the cooling plate (1) and the two sub-battery packs (1012), and the limiting adhesive layer is located at least at both ends of the cooling plate (1) in the second direction and extends along the first direction.
17. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, The battery pack (100) as described in any one of claims 13-16.