Battery thermal management structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to a battery heat management structure which comprises a lower box body, a water inlet runner is arranged on one side of the lower box body, and a water inlet is connected to the water inlet runner; a water outlet runner is arranged on the other side of the lower box body, and a water outlet is formed in the water outlet runner; the water inlet runner and the water outlet runner are of closed structures; the water inlet is connected with the water outlet through the water pump and the liquid cooling machine. A liquid cooling plate is arranged between the water inlet flow channel and the water outlet flow channel and is fixed on the lower box body; a cooling water flow channel is arranged in the liquid cooling plate; a water inlet of the liquid cooling plate communicates with the interior of the water inlet runner, and a water outlet of the liquid cooling plate communicates with the interior of the water outlet runner. And battery cells are fixed on the two sides of the liquid cooling plate through heat-conducting structural adhesives respectively. The battery cells are respectively fixed on the two sides of the liquid cooling plate through the heat-conducting structural adhesive, and the contact area of the battery cells and the liquid cooling plate is large, so that the battery cells can be continuously cooled, large temperature difference and temperature rise of the battery cells can be avoided as far as possible, and the safety and the cycle life of a battery system are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery equipment technology, and in particular to a battery thermal management structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the lithium battery industry, the capacity and energy density of individual cells are increasing, and the demand for high-rate charging and discharging is also increasing. As a result, the heat generated by the battery system is increasing, and the traditional bottom liquid cooling method can no longer meet the requirements.

[0003] Currently, most lithium batteries in the industry use bottom liquid cooling. However, bottom liquid cooling plates have low heat exchange capacity, a small heat dissipation surface, and a long heat transfer path, resulting in a large temperature gradient in the Z-axis of the battery cell. This makes it impossible to continuously cool the cell, ultimately leading to a large temperature difference and high temperature rise, which seriously affects the safety and cycle life of the battery system. Heating the battery cell with bottom-mounted coolant at low temperatures has the disadvantages of slow heating rate and long cold start time. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on the above description, this utility model provides a solution to the technical problem in the prior art that the battery cell cannot be continuously cooled, which easily leads to large temperature differences and high temperature rise in the battery cell, affecting the safety and cycle life of the battery system.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] A battery thermal management structure, characterized in that it includes: a lower housing;

[0007] A water inlet channel is provided on one side of the lower housing, and a water inlet is connected to the water inlet channel; a water outlet channel is provided on the other side of the lower housing, and a water outlet is provided on the water outlet channel; the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel are configured as a closed structure; the water inlet on the water inlet channel is connected to the water outlet on the water outlet channel via a water pump and a liquid cooler;

[0008] A liquid cooling plate is provided between the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel, and the liquid cooling plate is fixed on the lower housing; a cooling water channel is provided inside the liquid cooling plate; the water inlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the water inlet channel, and the water outlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the water outlet channel.

[0009] The liquid cooling plate has battery cells fixed to both sides by thermally conductive structural adhesive.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0011] Furthermore, multiple rectangular guide vanes are provided inside the inlet channel and the outlet channel, and the staggered arrangement of the guide vanes divides the inner cavity of the inlet channel and the outlet channel into a meandering distribution shape.

[0012] Furthermore: an overflow trough is provided on the inner side of the lower housing;

[0013] The joint between the water inlet channel and the liquid cooling plate, and the joint between the water outlet channel and the liquid cooling plate, are directly opposite the overflow tank.

[0014] A liquid sensor is installed inside the overflow tank, and the liquid sensor is connected to an external controller.

[0015] Furthermore: the lower housing is provided with multiple parallel limiting slots;

[0016] The liquid cooling plate clip is fixed in the limiting slot.

[0017] Furthermore: the outer periphery of the inlet channel and the outlet channel is configured as a cavity structure;

[0018] The cavity structure is filled with foamed insulation material.

[0019] Furthermore: a heating and sealing groove is provided at the bottom of the battery cell;

[0020] The heating encapsulation groove has a built-in heating component.

[0021] Furthermore: a fire hydrant is connected to the top of the liquid cooling plate;

[0022] The fire hydrant is flat;

[0023] The nozzle of the fire hydrant is tilted downwards, directly facing the battery cell explosion-proof valve;

[0024] The fire hydrant is equipped with a sealing plate inside; the sealing plate is equipped with a heating wire inside, and the sealing plate is made of a high-temperature fusible material.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0026] The battery thermal management structure provided by this utility model includes a liquid cooling plate disposed between the inlet and outlet water channels; a cooling water channel is disposed within the liquid cooling plate; the inlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the inlet water channel, and the outlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the outlet water channel; battery cells are fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate with thermally conductive structural adhesive. Coolant enters the inlet water channel from the inlet on the inlet water channel, is distributed by the connecting nozzle, and then enters the interior of the liquid cooling plate through the connecting water pipe and the inlet of the liquid cooling plate, absorbing the heat generated by the battery charging and discharging. Subsequently, the cooling water flows through the connecting water pipe and the outlet of the liquid cooling plate into the connecting nozzle, flows out through the connecting nozzle and returns to the liquid cooling mechanism for cooling, and is then pumped back into the inlet water channel by the water pump, forming a coolant circulation. Because the battery cells are fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate with thermally conductive structural adhesive, the contact area between the battery cells and the liquid cooling plate is large, enabling continuous cooling of the battery cells and minimizing large temperature differences and temperature rises, thereby improving the safety and cycle life of the battery system. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the battery thermal management structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling plate assembly provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lower housing structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 4 A front view of the battery thermal management structure provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell module structure provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 6 For this Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the image;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the internal flow channel of the liquid cooler provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the flow guide plate assembly provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a partial enlarged view of the guide plate provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0036] The components are: 1-lower housing, 2-liquid cooling plate, 3-connecting water pipe, 4-overflow tank, 5-connecting water nozzle, 6-limiting slot, 7-liquid cooling plate inlet, 8-battery cell, 9-fire hydrant, 10-inlet channel, 11-outlet channel, 12-liquid cooling plate outlet, 13-heating encapsulation tank, 14-guide plate. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more complete description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of this utility model are shown in the drawings. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of this utility model will be more thorough and complete.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0039] It is understood that spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "below," "below," "above," "above," etc., can be used here to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figure, spatial relation terms also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element or feature described as "below" or "below" of the other element or feature will be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below" and "below" can include both upper and lower orientations. Furthermore, the device may also include other orientations (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0040] When used herein, the singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” may also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” etc., specify the presence of the stated feature, whole, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0041] like Figures 1-5As shown, this embodiment of the utility model provides a battery thermal management structure, which mainly includes: a lower housing 1. A water inlet channel 10 is provided on one side of the lower housing 1, and a water inlet is connected to the water inlet channel 10. A water outlet channel 11 is provided on the other side of the lower housing 1, and a water outlet is provided on the water outlet channel 11. Both the water inlet channel 10 and the water outlet channel 11 are configured as closed structures for loading cooling water.

[0042] A liquid cooling plate 2 is installed between the inlet channel 10 and the outlet channel 11, and the liquid cooling plate 2 is fixed to the lower housing 1. Specifically, the lower housing 1 has multiple parallel limiting slots 6; the liquid cooling plate 2 is snapped into the limiting slots 6. Battery cells 8 are fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate 2 with thermally conductive structural adhesive. The liquid cooling plate 2 and the battery cells 8 on both sides form a small battery module. Multiple battery modules are placed inside the lower housing 1, and the liquid cooling plate 2 cooperates with the limiting slots 6 of the lower housing 1 to limit the battery modules. The bottom of the battery cell 8 is coated with thermally conductive structural adhesive; expansion gaps are reserved between the modules to improve the cycle life of the battery cell 8. The liquid cooling plate 2 has a cooling water channel. The liquid cooling plate inlet 7 is connected to the inside of the inlet channel 10 via a connecting water pipe 3 and a connecting water nozzle 5 located on the inlet channel 10. The liquid cooling plate outlet 12 is connected to the inside of the outlet channel 11 via a connecting water pipe 3 and a connecting water nozzle 5 located on the outlet channel 11. The inlet on the inlet channel 10 is connected to the outlet on the outlet channel 11 via a water pump and a liquid cooler.

[0043] The coolant enters the water inlet channel 10 through the inlet 7 on the water inlet channel 10. After being distributed by the connecting nozzle 5, it enters the interior of the liquid cooling plate 2 through the inlet 7 of the connecting water pipe 3 and the liquid cooling plate 2. It flows in the cooling water channel inside the liquid cooling plate 2 and absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery through the cooling water. Then, the cooling water enters the connecting nozzle 5 through the outlet of the connecting water pipe 3 and the liquid cooling plate 2, flows out through the connecting nozzle 5 and returns to the liquid cooling mechanism for cooling. Then, it is pumped into the water inlet channel 10 by the water pump to form a circulation of coolant.

[0044] See Figures 7-9 Multiple rectangular guide vanes 14 are provided within the inlet channel 10 and outlet channel 11. The staggered arrangement of the guide vanes 14 divides the inlet channel 10 and outlet channel 11 into a meandering distribution. The meandering distribution of the inlet channel 10 and outlet channel 11 can extend the flow path of the cooling water inside, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect on the battery cell 8; at the same time, the meandering distribution of the inlet channel 10 and outlet channel 11 can improve the uniformity of the coolant in the channel and avoid the formation of eddies.

[0045] An overflow tank 4 is provided on the inner side of the lower housing 1. The joints between the water inlet channel 10 and the liquid cooling plate 2, and between the water outlet channel 11 and the liquid cooling plate 2, are directly opposite the overflow tank 4. A liquid sensor is installed inside the overflow tank 4, and the liquid sensor is connected to an external controller. When the quick-connect fitting of the water pipe 3 ages and leaks, or when condensation occurs inside the housing, water droplets will flow into the overflow tank 4. At the same time, when the liquid sensor detects the liquid, it will upload an alarm signal to the external controller, improving safety performance.

[0046] The outer periphery of the inlet channel 10 and the outlet channel 11 is set as a cavity structure; the cavity structure is filled with foamed insulation material, such as foamed polyurethane, etc. The foamed insulation material is used to isolate the outside air in order to achieve the effect of heat preservation of the coolant.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, to achieve rapid heating of the battery cell 8 in a low-temperature environment, a heating encapsulation groove 13 can be provided at the bottom of the battery cell 8. The heating encapsulation groove 13 has a built-in heating element, which can be a PTC. In low temperatures, it is heated simultaneously with the coolant to increase the heating rate and reduce the cold start time.

[0048] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a fire hydrant 9 is connected to the top of the liquid cooling plate 2. The fire hydrant 9 is flat; its nozzle is tilted downwards, directly facing the explosion-proof valve of the battery cell 8. A sealing plate is installed inside the fire hydrant 9; a heating wire is installed inside the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is made of a high-temperature fusible material. Under normal circumstances, the sealing plate seals the liquid cooling flow channel system, ensuring its airtightness. In the event of thermal runaway of the battery, the heating wire activates, melting the sealing plate, and the coolant is sprayed out through the fire hydrant 9 directly facing the explosion-proof valve, continuously cooling the battery. This, combined with conventional perfluorohexanone or aerosol, improves the system's safety performance.

[0049] See Figures 1-6 The technical solution provided by this utility model embodiment has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0050] The battery thermal management structure provided in this embodiment of the utility model includes a liquid cooling plate 2 disposed between the inlet channel 10 and the outlet channel 11; a cooling water channel is disposed inside the liquid cooling plate 2; the inlet 7 of the liquid cooling plate 2 is connected to the interior of the inlet channel 10, and the outlet 12 of the liquid cooling plate 2 is connected to the interior of the outlet channel 11; battery cells 8 are fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate 2 by thermally conductive structural adhesive. Coolant enters the inlet channel 10 from the inlet 7 on the inlet channel 10, is distributed by the connecting nozzle 5, and then enters the interior of the liquid cooling plate 2 through the connecting water pipe 3 and the inlet 7 of the liquid cooling plate 2, where it absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery; subsequently, the cooling water enters the connecting nozzle 5 through the connecting water pipe 3 and the outlet of the liquid cooling plate 2, flows out through the connecting nozzle 5 and returns to the liquid cooling mechanism for cooling, and is then pumped back into the inlet channel 10 by the water pump, forming a circulation of coolant. Since the battery cells 8 are fixed to both sides of the liquid cooling plate 2 by thermally conductive structural adhesive, the contact area between the battery cells 8 and the liquid cooling plate 2 is large, which can continuously cool the battery cells 8 and minimize the large temperature difference and temperature rise of the battery cells 8, thereby improving the safety and cycle life of the battery system.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A battery thermal management structure, characterized in that: include: lower box; A water inlet channel is provided on one side of the lower housing, and a water inlet is connected to the water inlet channel; a water outlet channel is provided on the other side of the lower housing, and a water outlet is provided on the water outlet channel; the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel are configured as a closed structure; the water inlet on the water inlet channel is connected to the water outlet on the water outlet channel via a water pump and a liquid cooler; A liquid cooling plate is provided between the water inlet channel and the water outlet channel, and the liquid cooling plate is fixed on the lower housing; a cooling water channel is provided inside the liquid cooling plate; the water inlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the water inlet channel, and the water outlet of the liquid cooling plate is connected to the interior of the water outlet channel. The liquid cooling plate has battery cells fixed to both sides by thermally conductive structural adhesive.

2. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple rectangular guide vanes are provided inside the inlet channel and the outlet channel. The staggered arrangement of the guide vanes divides the inner cavity of the inlet channel and the outlet channel into a meandering distribution shape.

3. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: An overflow trough is provided on the inner side of the lower housing; The joint between the water inlet channel and the liquid cooling plate, and the joint between the water outlet channel and the liquid cooling plate, are directly opposite the overflow tank. A liquid sensor is installed inside the overflow tank, and the liquid sensor is connected to an external controller.

4. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower housing is provided with multiple parallel limiting slots; The liquid cooling plate clip is fixed in the limiting slot.

5. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the inlet channel and the outlet channel is configured as a cavity structure; The cavity structure is filled with foamed insulation material.

6. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the battery cell is provided with a heating and encapsulation groove; The heating encapsulation groove has a built-in heating component.

7. The battery thermal management structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fire hydrant is connected to the top of the liquid cooling plate; The fire hydrant is flat; The nozzle of the fire hydrant is tilted downwards, directly facing the battery cell explosion-proof valve; The fire hydrant is equipped with a sealing plate inside; the sealing plate is equipped with a heating wire inside, and the sealing plate is made of a high-temperature fusible material.

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