Battery module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery module which comprises a cold plate, a first battery pack and a second battery pack, a first cooling flow channel and a second cooling flow channel which are arranged in parallel are arranged in the cold plate, and the first cooling flow channel is arranged close to one side of the thickness direction of the cold plate. The second cooling flow channel is arranged close to the other side of the thickness direction of the cold plate, and the first cooling flow channel and the second cooling flow channel extend in the length direction of the cold plate; the first battery pack comprises a plurality of first batteries arranged in the length direction of the cold plate, and the end surfaces of the first batteries are in contact with the first cooling runner side of the cold plate; and the second battery pack comprises a plurality of second batteries which are arranged along the length direction of the cold plate, and the end surfaces of the second batteries are contacted with the second cooling runner side of the cold plate. According to the battery module disclosed by the utility model, the heat dissipation effect of the battery packs on the two sides of the cold plate is better, and the heat exchange uniformity of the battery packs on the two sides of the cold plate is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A battery module is assembled from multiple battery cells (single cells) connected in series or parallel. It is designed to provide higher voltage and capacity to meet the power requirements of specific applications. The module typically includes battery cells, conductive connectors, a module control unit, a frame, a cold plate, cooling pipes, pressure plates at both ends, and fasteners.

[0003] In the prior art, referring to Figure 1 The cold plate 03 in the battery module is provided with a single row of flow channels. The single row of flow channels consists of several flow channel cavities 04 evenly distributed along the height direction of the cold plate 03. One side of the cold plate 03 contacts the first battery pack 01, and the other side contacts the second battery pack 02. Coolant flows through the flow channel cavities 04 to cool the batteries on both sides. However, using a single row of flow channels to exchange heat between the battery packs on both sides cannot guarantee the heat dissipation effect of the batteries on both sides. The heat dissipation of the battery packs on both sides interferes with each other, resulting in uneven heat dissipation. The temperature consistency of the first battery pack 01 and the second battery pack 02 on both sides of the cold plate 03 is poor. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a battery module that improves the heat dissipation effect of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate, and the heat dissipation of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate will not affect each other, thereby improving the heat exchange uniformity of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A battery module, comprising:

[0007] A cold plate, wherein a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel are arranged in parallel within the cold plate, the first cooling channel is arranged on one side near the thickness direction of the cold plate, and the second cooling channel is arranged on the other side near the thickness direction of the cold plate, and the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel extend along the length direction of the cold plate.

[0008] The first battery pack includes a plurality of first batteries arranged along the length of the cold plate, wherein the end face of the first battery contacts the first cooling channel side of the cold plate.

[0009] The second battery pack includes a plurality of second batteries arranged along the length of the cold plate, and the end face of the second battery is in contact with the second cooling channel side of the cold plate.

[0010] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the battery module provided by this utility model, by setting two independent parallel first cooling channels and second cooling channels, the first cooling channel is used to cool the first battery pack on the corresponding side, and the second cooling channel is used to cool the second battery pack on the corresponding side, so that the heat dissipation effect of the battery packs on both sides is better, the heat dissipation of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate will not affect each other, the temperature consistency of the adjacent battery packs is better, and the heat exchange uniformity of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a cold plate in the prior art;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery module provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0014] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the connection between the cold plate and the inlet / outlet liquid pipeline of the battery module provided in this embodiment of the utility model at one angle;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the cold plate and the inlet / outlet liquid pipeline of the battery module provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0016] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the AA position in the diagram;

[0017] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A partially enlarged structural diagram of part C in the diagram;

[0018] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the BB position in the diagram.

[0019] in:

[0020] 01. First battery pack; 02. Second battery pack; 03. Cold plate; 04. Flow channel cavity.

[0021] 1. Cold-rolled steel plate

[0022] 101. Third manifold; 1011. First manifold cavity; 1012. Second manifold cavity; 102. First partition wall; 103. Second partition wall; 104. First inlet chamber; 105. Second inlet chamber; 106. First outlet chamber; 107. Second outlet chamber.

[0023] 2. First battery pack,

[0024] 201. First battery

[0025] 3. Second battery pack,

[0026] 301. Second battery

[0027] 4. Liquid inlet pipeline,

[0028] 401, First manifold,

[0029] 5. Liquid outlet pipeline,

[0030] 501, Second manifold. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This utility model discloses a battery module that improves the heat dissipation effect of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate, and the heat dissipation of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate will not affect each other, thereby improving the heat exchange uniformity of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate.

[0032] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0033] See Figures 2 to 4The battery module of this utility model includes a cold plate 1, a first battery pack 2, and a second battery pack 3. The cold plate 1 has a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel arranged in parallel. The first cooling channel is located on one side of the cold plate 1 near its thickness, and the second cooling channel is located on the other side of the cold plate 1 near its thickness. The first and second cooling channels extend along the length of the cold plate 1. The liquid inlet ends of the first and second cooling channels are connected to a liquid inlet pipe 4, and the liquid outlet ends of the first and second cooling channels are connected to a liquid outlet pipe 5. The first battery pack 2 includes several first batteries 201 arranged along the length of the cold plate 1, and the end faces of the first batteries 201 are in contact with the first cooling channel side of the cold plate 1. The second battery pack 3 includes several second batteries 301 arranged along the length of the cold plate 1, and the end faces of the second batteries 301 are in contact with the second cooling channel side of the cold plate 1. Both the first battery 201 and the second battery 301 are individual battery cells.

[0034] The battery module of this utility model has two independent parallel cooling channels, namely a first cooling channel and a second cooling channel. The first cooling channel is used to cool the first battery pack 2 on the corresponding side, and the second cooling channel is used to cool the second battery pack 3 on the corresponding side. This makes the heat dissipation effect of the battery packs on both sides better, the heat dissipation of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate 1 will not affect each other, the temperature consistency of the adjacent battery packs is better, and the heat exchange uniformity of the battery packs on both sides of the cold plate 1 is improved.

[0035] Among them, reference Figure 5 and Figure 6The first and second cooling channels are spaced apart by a first partition wall 102, which extends along the length of the cold plate 1 to separate the first and second cooling channels in the length direction. The first and second cooling channels are also arranged along the height direction of the cold plate 1, and the first partition wall 102 is a wall extending along the height direction of the cold plate 1 to separate the first and second cooling channels in the height direction. The height and length mentioned above refer to the height and length directions of the cold plate 1. To ensure structural strength and meet the channel arrangement requirements, the ratio of the thickness H1 of the first partition wall 102 to the thickness H2 of the cold plate 1 ranges from 0.09 to 0.2. Specifically, the thickness of the first partition wall 102 is 0.4 to 1.35 mm, and the thickness of the cold plate 1 is 4 to 15 mm. Since the thickness H2 of the cold plate 1 is fixed, the ratio of the thickness H1 of the first partition wall 102 to the thickness H2 of the cold plate 1 cannot be too large. If the ratio of the thickness H1 of the first partition wall 102 to the thickness H2 of the cold plate 1 is too large, the size of the flow channel will be reduced, which is not conducive to heat exchange of the battery pack. If the ratio of the thickness H1 of the first partition wall 102 to the thickness H2 of the cold plate 1 is too small, the first partition wall 102 will bend and deform during extrusion molding due to its low strength, which will affect the cavity of the flow channel.

[0036] Specifically, the first cooling channel includes a first liquid inlet channel and a first liquid outlet channel connected together. The inlet end of the first liquid inlet channel and the outlet end of the first liquid outlet channel are located at the same end of the cold plate 1, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the inlet end of the first liquid inlet channel is connected to the liquid inlet pipe 4, and the outlet end of the first liquid outlet channel is connected to the liquid outlet pipe 5. The second cooling channel includes a second liquid inlet channel and a second liquid outlet channel connected together. The inlet end of the second liquid inlet channel and the outlet end of the second liquid outlet channel are located at the same end of the cold plate 1, as shown. Figure 3As shown, the inlet end of the second liquid inlet channel is connected to the liquid inlet pipe 4, and the outlet end of the second liquid outlet channel is connected to the liquid outlet pipe 5. The inlet end of the liquid inlet channel and the outlet end of the liquid outlet channel are located at the same end, resulting in more balanced heat dissipation for batteries at different distances from the liquid inlet in the same battery pack, better temperature consistency among the batteries in the same battery pack, better consistency in the charging and discharging speed of each battery, and extended battery pack lifespan. Compared to the existing technology where one end of the cold plate is the inlet and the other end is the outlet, in this invention, the inlet and outlet ends of the inlet channel are located at the same end. The temperature of the cooling fluid is lowest at the beginning of the inlet channel, resulting in the strongest cooling capacity for the battery at this location. The battery at this location has the lowest temperature corresponding to the inlet channel. As the coolant flows towards the end of the inlet channel, its temperature gradually increases and its heat exchange capacity gradually decreases due to the need to sequentially exchange heat with the arranged batteries. At the end of the inlet channel, the coolant bends and flows towards the inlet of the outlet channel, while the coolant in the outlet channel flows towards the outlet end. During this flow, the coolant continues to cool the batteries. The battery in the pack dissipates heat and cools down, causing the coolant temperature to rise continuously until it reaches its highest point at the outlet of the coolant channel. This point corresponds to the battery at the inlet of the coolant channel. The inlet and outlet channels correspond to different positions at the top and bottom of the battery, thus ensuring that the best cooling position in the inlet channel corresponds to the worst cooling position in the outlet channel, and vice versa. The cooling effects of the inlet and outlet channels compensate for each other, preventing significant temperature differences between batteries within the same battery pack due to their different locations, resulting in better temperature consistency among the different batteries in the same pack.

[0037] To facilitate the simultaneous supply of coolant to both the first and second inlet channels by the inlet pipe 4, a first manifold 401 is provided at the connection point between the inlet pipe 4 and both channels. To facilitate the flow of fluid from the first and second outlet channels into the outlet pipe 5, a second manifold 501 is provided at the connection point between the outlet pipe 5 and both channels. To facilitate liquid flow within the channels, the first inlet channel is positioned above the first outlet channel, meaning its height is higher than the first outlet channel; similarly, the second inlet channel is positioned above the second outlet channel, meaning its height is higher than the second outlet channel.

[0038] In one embodiment, to ensure the uniformity of heat exchange fluid flow within the first inlet channel, the first inlet channel includes a plurality of parallel first inlet chambers 104, as shown in the figure. Figure 6Multiple first liquid inlet chambers 104 are arranged along the height direction of the cold plate 1, with the same spacing between adjacent first liquid inlet chambers 104. To ensure the uniformity of the heat exchange fluid inflow into the first liquid outlet channel, the first liquid outlet channel includes several parallel first liquid outlet chambers 106, arranged along the height direction of the cold plate 1. Similarly, the second liquid inlet channel includes several parallel second liquid inlet chambers 105, arranged along the height direction of the cold plate 1, and the second liquid outlet channel includes several parallel second liquid outlet chambers 107, arranged along the height direction of the cold plate 1. In other embodiments, the different first liquid inlet chambers 104 can also be configured as non-parallel structures, and similarly, the different first liquid outlet chambers 106 can be configured as non-parallel structures, the different second liquid inlet chambers 105 can be configured as non-parallel structures, and the different second liquid outlet chambers 107 can be configured as non-parallel structures.

[0039] To ensure effective heat dissipation, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all first liquid inlet chambers 104 is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all first liquid outlet chambers 106. Similarly, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all second liquid inlet chambers 105 is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all second liquid outlet chambers 107; that is, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the liquid inlet chambers is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the liquid outlet chambers. In one embodiment, the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the liquid inlet chambers to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the liquid outlet chambers is 2:1. In this embodiment, the first liquid inlet chambers 104 and the first liquid outlet chambers 106 have the same shape and size, therefore, the number of first liquid inlet chambers 104 is twice the number of first liquid outlet chambers 106.

[0040] To ensure consistent heat dissipation for the two battery packs on both sides of the cold plate 1, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all first liquid inlet chambers 104 is the same as or close to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all second liquid inlet chambers 105, with a ratio ranging from 0.97 to 1.03. Similarly, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all first liquid outlet chambers 106 is the same as or close to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all second liquid outlet chambers 107, with a ratio ranging from 0.97 to 1.03. In one embodiment, the first liquid inlet chamber 104 and the second liquid inlet chamber 105 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and the first liquid outlet chamber 106 and the second liquid outlet chamber 107 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. Here, one-to-one correspondence means that the number is the same. At the same time, the cross-sectional areas of the first liquid inlet chamber 104 and the second liquid inlet chamber 105 at corresponding positions are the same or close, and the ratio between the two is in the range of 0.97 to 1.03. Similarly, the cross-sectional areas of the first liquid outlet chamber 106 and the second liquid outlet chamber 107 at corresponding positions are the same or close, and the ratio between the two is in the range of 0.97 to 1.03.

[0041] The first inlet channel and the first outlet channel are spaced apart by a second spacer wall 103, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the second inlet channel and the second outlet channel are also separated by a second partition wall 103, the thickness H3 of which ranges from 1 to 4 mm. In order to avoid the temperature of the coolant in the inlet channel and the coolant in the outlet channel affecting each other, the thickness H3 of the second partition wall 103 is greater than the thickness H1 of the first partition wall 102.

[0042] To facilitate connection between the inlet and outlet channels, a third manifold 101 is also provided on the cold plate 1. The third manifold 101 is located at the end of the cold plate 1 furthest from the inlet of the first inlet channel. The third manifold 101 includes a first manifold cavity 1011 and a second manifold cavity 1012, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the first inlet channel and the first outlet channel are connected through the first collecting chamber 1011, and the second inlet channel and the second outlet channel are connected through the second collecting chamber 1012. The inlet ends of the first and second inlet channels are connected to the inlet pipe 4, and the outlet ends of the first and second outlet channels are connected to the outlet pipe 5.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cold plate 1 is disposed perpendicular to the bottom plate of the battery box; the height direction of the cold plate 1 is perpendicular to the battery box. The first battery 201 and the second battery 301 are both cylindrical batteries, with their axes parallel to the bottom plate of the battery box. The end of the cylindrical battery furthest from the battery terminal is in contact with the cold plate 1. Each battery is positioned on the bottom plate of the battery box using a structure common in the prior art, which will not be described further here.

[0044] In the description of this solution, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this solution, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0045] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0046] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized by, The application relates to a cold plate and a battery pack. The cold plate comprises a first cooling flow channel and a second cooling flow channel arranged in parallel, the first cooling flow channel is arranged near one side of the thickness direction of the cold plate, the second cooling flow channel is arranged near the other side of the thickness direction of the cold plate, and the first cooling flow channel and the second cooling flow channel are arranged along the length direction of the cold plate. The first battery pack comprises a plurality of first batteries arranged along the length direction of the cold plate, and the end surface of the first battery is in contact with the first cooling flow channel side of the cold plate. The second battery pack comprises a plurality of second batteries arranged along the length direction of the cold plate, and the end surface of the second battery is in contact with the second cooling flow channel side of the cold plate.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The first cooling flow channel and the second cooling flow channel are arranged by a first spacing wall, and the first spacing wall is arranged along the length direction of the cold plate. The ratio of the thickness of the first spacing wall to the thickness of the cold plate is 0.09-0.

2.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first cooling flow channel comprises a first liquid inlet flow channel and a first liquid outlet flow channel arranged in communication, and the inlet end of the first liquid inlet flow channel and the outlet end of the first liquid outlet flow channel are arranged at the same end of the cold plate. The second cooling flow channel comprises a second liquid inlet flow channel and a second liquid outlet flow channel arranged in communication, and the inlet end of the second liquid inlet flow channel and the outlet end of the second liquid outlet flow channel are arranged at the same end of the cold plate.

4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The first liquid inlet flow channel comprises a plurality of first liquid inlet cavities arranged along the height direction of the cold plate, and the first liquid outlet flow channel comprises a plurality of first liquid outlet cavities arranged along the height direction of the cold plate. The second liquid inlet flow channel comprises a plurality of second liquid inlet cavities arranged along the height direction of the cold plate, and the second liquid outlet flow channel comprises a plurality of second liquid outlet cavities arranged along the height direction of the cold plate.

5. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, The ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the first liquid inlet cavities to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the second liquid inlet cavities is 0.97-1.03, and the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the first liquid outlet cavities to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all the second liquid outlet cavities is 0.97-1.

03.

6. The battery module of claim 5, wherein, The first liquid inlet cavities and the second liquid inlet cavities are arranged one by one in correspondence, and the first liquid outlet cavities and the second liquid outlet cavities are arranged one by one in correspondence. The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the first liquid inlet cavities and the second liquid inlet cavities at the corresponding positions is 0.97-1.03, and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the first liquid outlet cavities and the second liquid outlet cavities at the corresponding positions is 0.97-1.

03.

7. The battery module of claim 4, wherein, The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of first liquid inlet cavities is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of first liquid outlet cavities, and the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of second liquid inlet cavities is greater than the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of second liquid outlet cavities.

8. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The first liquid inlet flow channel and the first liquid outlet flow channel are arranged by a second spacing wall, the second liquid inlet flow channel and the second liquid outlet flow channel are arranged by the second spacing wall, and the thickness of the second spacing wall is 1-4 mm.

9. The battery module of claim 3, wherein, The cold plate is further provided with a third header pipe, which is arranged at one end of the cold plate away from the inlet end of the first liquid inlet flow channel, and comprises a first header cavity and a second header cavity, the first liquid inlet flow channel and the first liquid outlet flow channel being communicated through the first header cavity, and the second liquid inlet flow channel and the second liquid outlet flow channel being communicated through the second header cavity. The inlet ends of the first liquid inlet flow channel and the second liquid inlet flow channel are communicated with a liquid inlet pipeline, and the outlet ends of the first liquid outlet flow channel and the second liquid outlet flow channel are communicated with a liquid outlet pipeline.

10. The battery module of claim 1, wherein, The cold plate is arranged perpendicularly to the bottom plate of the battery box body. The first battery and the second battery are both cylindrical batteries, the axis of the cylindrical battery is arranged in parallel to the bottom plate of the battery box body, and the end of the cylindrical battery away from the battery pole is in contact with the cold plate.

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