Heat transfer device, battery pack and electric equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a heat transfer device, a battery pack and electric equipment, the heat transfer device is clamped between two adjacent battery cells, a heating piece is arranged below the heat transfer device and the battery cells, and the heat transfer device comprises a frame; the two heat exchange pieces are arranged on the two sides, in the first direction, of the frame correspondingly, a containing space is formed between the two heat exchange pieces and the frame, the containing space is filled with a heat exchange medium, and the two heat exchange pieces make contact with the two battery cells correspondingly; the supporting assembly is clamped between the two heat exchange pieces and makes contact with the bottom of the frame in the second direction, a capillary part is arranged on the supporting assembly, and the capillary part is suitable for conveying the heat exchange media on the two heat exchange pieces to the bottom of the supporting assembly; wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. According to the heat transfer device, heat can be transferred to the heat exchange pieces on the two sides from the bottom so as to heat the side faces of the battery cell, the transfer efficiency is high, and circulation of a heat exchange medium in the heat transfer device is achieved through the supporting assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a heat transfer device, a battery pack, and an electrical appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Heat transfer devices in related technologies typically include heat exchange components and support assemblies, with the heating element located below the heat transfer device. The heating element heats the heat transfer device, allowing heat to be transferred through the heat transfer plate to the working medium inside the heat transfer device. After absorbing the heat, the working medium transfers the heat through the support assembly. However, the structure of the heat transfer device in related technologies is unreasonable. After the heating element transfers heat to the working medium, the heat can only be transferred longitudinally along the support assembly through the working medium, and the heat cannot be transferred from the bottom heat exchange component to the side. 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 heat transfer device that can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchange components on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell, with high transfer efficiency, and the heat exchange medium is circulated within the heat transfer device through a support assembly.

[0004] This invention further proposes a battery pack having the above-mentioned heat transfer device.

[0005] This utility model also proposes an electrical device having the above-mentioned battery pack.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, a heat transfer device is provided according to a first aspect of the present invention. The heat transfer device is sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells, and a heating element is disposed below the heat transfer device and the battery cells. The heat transfer device includes: a frame; two heat exchange elements, which are respectively disposed on both sides of the frame in a first direction and form a receiving space between the two heat exchange elements and the frame, the receiving space being filled with a heat exchange medium, and the two heat exchange elements respectively contacting the two battery cells; and a support assembly, which is sandwiched between the two heat exchange elements and contacts the bottom of the frame in a second direction, and the support assembly is provided with capillaries adapted to transport the heat exchange medium on the two heat exchange elements to the bottom of the support assembly; wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0007] Therefore, the heat transfer device according to the present invention can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchange components on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell, with high transfer efficiency, and the heat exchange medium can be circulated in the heat transfer device through the support component.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the support assembly includes: a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members being spaced apart in a third direction in the accommodating space, the support members being provided with the capillary portion, wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the two ends of the support member in the second direction respectively abut against the inner wall of the frame in the second direction.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the heat exchanger is provided with a protrusion on the side facing the support assembly, and the protrusion and the support assembly are spaced apart.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the support assembly includes: a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members being spaced apart in a third direction in the accommodating space, a plurality of protrusions being provided on one side of the heat exchange member facing the support members, the plurality of protrusions being spaced apart in a second direction, and the support members being sandwiched between two adjacent protrusions.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the protrusion includes: a plurality of protrusions, which are spaced apart in a second direction and a third direction.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the capillary is composed of one or more of sintered metal particles, woven wire mesh, and synthetic fibers.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a battery pack is provided, the battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a heat transfer device according to a first aspect of the present invention, the heat transfer device being sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells; and a heating element disposed below the plurality of battery cells and the heat transfer device, the bottom surfaces of the heating element and the heat transfer device being in contact with the bottom surfaces of the battery cells.

[0015] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the battery pack utilizes the heat transfer device according to the first aspect of the present invention, which can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchangers on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell with high transfer efficiency.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the battery pack further includes: a plurality of elastic heat-conducting elements, the elastic heat-conducting elements being sandwiched between the heat transfer device and the battery cell.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an electrical device is provided, the electrical device comprising: a battery pack according to a second aspect of the present invention.

[0018] According to the third aspect embodiment of the present invention, the electrical equipment utilizes the battery pack according to the second aspect embodiment of the present invention, and the heat transfer device can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchangers on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell with high transfer efficiency.

[0019] 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

[0020] 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:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat transfer device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of a heat transfer device according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1. Battery pack;

[0027] 100. Heat transfer device; 110. Frame; 120. Heat exchanger; 121. Protrusion; 122. Protrusion; 130. Support assembly; 131. Support component;

[0028] 200, battery cell; 300, heating element; 400, elastic heat-conducting element. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. The embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary. The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

[0030] The following description, with reference to the figures, describes a heat transfer device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention also provides a battery pack 1 having the aforementioned heat transfer device 100, and further, an electrical appliance having the aforementioned battery pack 1.

[0031] Reference Figures 1-4As shown, the first direction is the width direction of the heat transfer device 100, which is also the width direction of the battery pack 1; the second direction is the height direction of the heat transfer device 100, which is also the height direction of the battery pack 1; and the third direction is the length direction of the heat transfer device 100, which is also the length direction of the battery pack 1.

[0032] The heat transfer device 100 of this utility model embodiment is sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells 200. A heating element 300 is provided below the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cells 200. The heat transfer device 100 includes a frame 110, two heat exchange elements 120 and a support assembly 130.

[0033] Two heat exchangers 120 are respectively disposed on both sides of the frame 110 in the first direction, and a receiving space is formed between the two heat exchangers 120 and the frame 110. The receiving space is filled with heat exchange medium. The two heat exchangers 120 are respectively in contact with the two battery cells 200. A support assembly 130 is sandwiched between the two heat exchangers 120 and contacts the bottom of the frame 110 in the second direction. The support assembly 130 is provided with capillaries, which are adapted to transport the heat exchange medium on the two heat exchangers 120 to the bottom of the support assembly 130. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0034] The heat transfer device 100 can be disposed between two adjacent battery cells 200 along the first direction. In this way, the two sides of the heat transfer device 100 relative to the width direction can respectively contact the battery cells 200. Furthermore, the two heat exchange elements 120 and the frame 110 can jointly define a sealed receiving space, which can isolate the receiving space from the external environment to ensure the relative stability of the internal pressure and volume of the receiving space. This makes it easier for the heat exchange medium to evaporate into a gaseous state after absorbing heat, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency from the heat exchange medium to the battery cells 200. According to the Clapeyron gas equation, when the pressure and volume of saturated vapor are equal, the corresponding temperature of saturated vapor is also equal. Therefore, the volume of the heat exchange medium will not change in the sealed receiving space. When the heat exchange medium transfers heat to the battery cells 200 through the heat exchange plate, the pressure change of the receiving space adjacent to the heat exchange plate is very small. This allows the heat exchange medium to transfer heat to the battery cells 200 more evenly through the heat exchange plate.

[0035] Specifically, the heat exchange medium can be water, alcohol, or Freon refrigerants, etc.

[0036] Water is suitable for medium temperature ranges, typically between 20°C and 150°C. It possesses high latent heat, good chemical stability, and is non-toxic. Alcohol (such as methanol and ethanol) is suitable for lower temperature ranges, such as around -40°C to 80°C. Freon-type refrigerants are suitable for low-temperature heat pipes and can operate between -60°C and +60°C.

[0037] The heat transfer device 100 of this utility model embodiment can heat the bottom of the frame 110 using the heating element 300. Then, the heat can be transferred to the heat exchange medium through the frame 110. After absorbing the heat, the heat exchange medium can vaporize. The vaporized heat exchange medium can diffuse to both sides along the first direction. Furthermore, the gaseous heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the battery cell 200 through the heat exchange element 120, so that the heat can be transferred to the battery cell 200 to heat the battery cell 200. After releasing the heat, the heat exchange medium can change from a gaseous state to a liquid state. After the heat exchange medium condenses, it can condense on the surface of the heat exchange element 120. Subsequently, the support component 130 can absorb the liquid heat exchange medium, and the liquid heat exchange medium can move downward to the bottom of the frame 110 through the second direction of the support component 130. In this way, the liquid heat exchange medium can continue to be heated and evaporated by the heating element 300 to realize the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0038] The bottom of the frame 110 is heated by the heating element 300, causing the heat exchange medium to vaporize. The vaporized heat exchange medium can then be used to transfer heat to the battery cell 200 through the heat exchange element 120, thus fulfilling the requirement of transferring heat from the bottom of the frame 110 to the sides of the battery cell 200. Furthermore, the heat transfer device 100 uses evaporation and condensation for forced heat transfer, with heat transferred from the bottom of the frame 110 to the battery cells 200 on both sides, and heat transfer cannot be reversed. This is beneficial for keeping the battery cell 200 warm. In addition, during the heating process of the battery cell 200, the heating element 300 can be stopped from heating the bottom of the heat transfer device 100 in advance, which can shorten the heating time of the heating element 300 and help save electricity costs.

[0039] Thus, the heat transfer device 100 according to the present invention can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchangers 120 on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell 200, and the transfer efficiency is high.

[0040] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 3 As shown, the support assembly 130 includes a plurality of support members 131.

[0041] Multiple support members 131 are spaced apart in a third direction in the accommodating space. Capillary portions are provided on the support members 131, wherein the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0042] Among them, the support member 131 can extend along the second direction, and multiple support members 131 are spaced apart in the third direction of the accommodating space. That is, multiple support members 131 can be spaced apart in the accommodating space along the length direction of the heat transfer device 100. In this way, in the first direction, that is, along the width direction of the heat transfer device 100, multiple support members 131 can be placed between two heat exchange members 120. In this way, multiple support members 131 can be used to improve the structural strength of the heat transfer device 100. When the cells 200 on both sides are heated and expand to squeeze the heat transfer device 100, the heat transfer device 100 can be prevented from being squeezed and damaged, so as to maintain the circulation space of the heat exchange medium and thus ensure the heat exchange performance of the heat transfer device 100.

[0043] In addition, capillaries are provided on multiple support members 131. The capillaries can guide the movement of the heat exchange medium and increase the flow rate of the heat exchange medium. After the heat exchange medium is heated and becomes gaseous and exchanges heat with the battery cell 200, it can become liquid after condensing and releasing heat. The capillaries can be used to make the liquid heat exchange medium flow downward along the height direction of the support member 131 back to the bottom of the heat transfer device 100 to realize the circulation of the heat exchange medium. The capillaries can also accelerate the circulation rate of the heat exchange medium and improve the heat exchange performance.

[0044] In this method, by providing capillary sections on the support member 131, capillary phenomena are created on the support member 131, which causes the heat exchange medium to spontaneously descend within the capillary sections.

[0045] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, the two ends of the support member 131 in the second direction abut against the inner wall of the frame 110 in the second direction.

[0046] The support member 131 abuts against the inner wall of the frame 110 in the second direction at both ends in the second direction, which can improve the structural strength of the accommodating space.

[0047] Furthermore, when the heating element 300 heats the frame 110, heat can be transferred through the bottom wall of the frame 110 to the lower side of the support 131. Subsequently, the heat is transferred through the support 131 to the heat exchange medium and the top of the battery cell 200 respectively. The heat transferred to the heat exchange medium can be transferred through the heat exchange element 120 to the side of the battery cell 200, so that the heat at the bottom of the frame 110 is transferred to the top and side of the battery cell 200 respectively, making the heating of the battery cell 200 more uniform.

[0048] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 4 As shown, the heat exchanger 120 has a protrusion 121 on the side facing the support assembly 130, and the protrusion 121 and the support assembly 130 are spaced apart.

[0049] For example, the protrusion 121 can be a micro-rib structure. After the gaseous heat exchange medium releases heat to the cell 200, it will condense into a liquid state and form a liquid film on the surface of the heat exchanger. The liquid film will block the heat from being transferred to the cell 200. The micro-rib structure can reduce the thickness of the liquid film to reduce thermal resistance and improve heat transfer efficiency.

[0050] The protrusion 121 and the support assembly 130 are spaced apart to avoid positional interference between the protrusion 121 and the support assembly 130. This allows the liquid heat exchange medium on the surface of the heat exchange element 120 to flow to the support assembly 130 and then to the bottom of the frame 110 through the support assembly 130, thereby achieving circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0051] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 4 As shown, the support assembly 130 includes a plurality of support members 131.

[0052] Multiple support members 131 are spaced apart in the third direction of the accommodating space. The heat exchange member 120 has multiple protrusions 121 on the side facing the support members 131. The multiple protrusions 121 are spaced apart in the second direction. The support members 131 are sandwiched between two adjacent protrusions 121.

[0053] The heat exchanger 120 has multiple protrusions 121 on the side facing the support 131 along the first direction. The support 131 can be positioned between two adjacent protrusions 121 in the first direction, so that the heat exchange medium condensed on the surface of the heat exchanger 120 can flow smoothly back to the bottom of the frame 110 through the support 131 to achieve the circulation of the heat exchange medium.

[0054] In addition, multiple protrusions 121 are spaced apart on the surface of the heat exchanger 120 along the second direction. This allows the multiple protrusions 121 to further reduce the liquid film thickness and further reduce the thermal resistance, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency between the heat exchange medium and the battery cell 200.

[0055] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 4 As shown, the protrusion 121 includes a plurality of protrusions 122, which are spaced apart in the second direction and the third direction.

[0056] Multiple protrusions 122 are distributed at intervals in the second and third directions on the side of the heat exchanger 120 facing the support member 131 along the first direction. The multiple protrusions 122 can prevent the liquid heat exchange medium from forming a large liquid film on the surface of the heat exchanger 120. Furthermore, the protrusions 122 can effectively reduce the thickness of the liquid film, thereby allowing the heat exchange medium to exchange heat more smoothly with the battery cell 200 through the heat exchanger 120, thus improving the heat transfer efficiency between the heat exchange medium and the battery cell 200.

[0057] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, the capillary (not shown in the figure) is composed of one or more of sintered metal particles, woven wire mesh and synthetic fibers.

[0058] The capillary structure includes, but is not limited to, sintered metal particles, woven wire mesh, and synthetic fibers. A capillary structure composed of one or more of these materials can have good thermal conductivity, which is conducive to the rapid diffusion of the heat exchange medium through the capillary. Furthermore, the capillary structure can provide strong capillary attraction to enhance the guiding effect of the capillary on the heat exchange medium.

[0059] The following describes a battery pack 1 with reference to the attached drawings.

[0060] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the battery pack 1 includes a plurality of battery cells 200, a heat transfer device 100 and a heating element 300 according to the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] The heat transfer device 100 is sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells 200, and the heating element 300 is disposed below the multiple battery cells 200 and the heat transfer device 100. The bottom surfaces of the heating element 300 and the heat transfer device 100 are in contact with the bottom surfaces of the battery cells 200.

[0062] When the heating element 300 heats, the heat generated by the heating element 300 can be transferred to the bottom of the battery cell 200 and the bottom of the heat transfer device 100 respectively. When the heat is transferred to the bottom of the heat transfer device 100, that is, the heating device heats the bottom of the frame 110. Then the heat can be transferred to the heat exchange medium through the frame 110. After absorbing the heat, the heat exchange medium vaporizes. The vaporized heat exchange medium can diffuse to both sides along the first direction. In this way, the gaseous heat exchange medium can exchange heat with the battery cell 200 through the heat exchange element 120 to heat the side of the battery cell 200. The heat transfer device 100 has a simple and reasonable structural design, which realizes the transfer of heat from the bottom of the heat transfer device 100 to the side of the battery cell 200, and the heat transfer efficiency is high.

[0063] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 1 can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchangers 120 on both sides by using the heat transfer device 100 according to the above embodiment of the present invention, so as to achieve side heating of the battery cell 200, and the transfer efficiency is high.

[0064] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, the battery pack 1 further includes a plurality of elastic heat-conducting elements 400, which are sandwiched between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200.

[0065] For example, the flexible thermal conductive element 400 can be silicone grease.

[0066] Multiple elastic heat-conducting elements 400 are filled between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200 to conduct heat between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200.

[0067] By filling the gap between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200 with an elastic heat-conducting element 400, the heat transfer medium can be improved in terms of heat conduction efficiency between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200. In addition, the elastic heat-conducting element 400 can make the heat of the heat transfer medium more evenly distributed on the side of the battery cell 200, so that the side of the battery cell 200 is heated more evenly.

[0068] Of course, it is understandable that even if the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200 are directly attached, the flatness of the contact surface between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200 cannot guarantee a high thermal conductivity of the heat transfer medium between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200. However, the elastic heat-conducting element 400 can better fill the gap between the heat transfer device 100 and the battery cell 200, thereby more effectively transferring the heat of the heat transfer medium to the side wall of the battery cell 200 through the heat transfer device 100, heating the side wall of the battery cell 200, and improving the heating effect on the side wall of the battery cell 200.

[0069] The following describes an electrical device with reference to the accompanying drawings, which includes a battery pack 1 according to the above embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the electrical equipment utilizes the heat transfer device 100 according to the above embodiments of the present invention. The heat transfer device 100 can transfer heat from the bottom to the heat exchange elements 120 on both sides to achieve side heating of the battery cell 200, and the transfer efficiency is high.

[0071] Among them, electrical equipment can be vehicles, but is not limited to vehicles.

[0072] 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", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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.

[0073] 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., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are 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.

[0074] 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 heat transfer device, characterized in that, The heat transfer device is sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells, and a heating element is disposed below the heat transfer device and the battery cells. The heat transfer device includes: frame; Two heat exchangers are respectively disposed on both sides of the frame in a first direction and form a receiving space between the frame and the frame. The receiving space is filled with a heat exchange medium. The two heat exchangers are respectively in contact with the two battery cells. A support assembly is sandwiched between the two heat exchange elements and contacts the bottom of the frame in a second direction. The support assembly is provided with capillaries adapted to transport the heat exchange medium on the two heat exchange elements to the bottom of the support assembly. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

2. The heat transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support assembly includes: a plurality of support members, which are spaced apart in the third direction of the accommodating space, and the capillaries are provided on the support members; Among them, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

3. The heat transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The two ends of the support member in the second direction respectively abut against the inner wall of the frame in the second direction.

4. The heat transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger has a protrusion on the side facing the support assembly, and the protrusion and the support assembly are spaced apart.

5. The heat transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support assembly includes: a plurality of support members, which are spaced apart in the third direction of the accommodating space; The heat exchanger has a plurality of protrusions on the side facing the support member, and the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart in a second direction. The support member is sandwiched between two adjacent protrusions.

6. The heat transfer device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The protrusion includes a plurality of protrusions, which are spaced apart in a second direction and a third direction.

7. The heat transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capillary is composed of one or more of the following: sintered metal particles, woven wire mesh, and synthetic fibers.

8. A battery pack, characterized in that, include: Multiple battery cells; The heat transfer device according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the heat transfer device is sandwiched between two adjacent battery cells; A heating element is disposed below the plurality of battery cells and the heat transfer device, and the bottom surfaces of the heating element, the heat transfer device, and the battery cells are in contact.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery pack further includes a plurality of elastic thermal conductive elements, which are sandwiched between the heat transfer device and the battery cell.

10. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, include: The battery pack according to any one of claims 8-9.

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