Energy storage structure and system

Abstract

The energy storage structure comprises a box body, a bottom cold plate and a plurality of battery cells, the bottom cold plate and the battery cells are arranged in the box body, the bottom cold plate is flatly laid at the bottom of the box body, and the battery cells are arranged on the top face of the bottom cold plate. The energy storage structure further comprises a cooling medium arranged in the box body and at least one side cold plate, the side cold plate is arranged on the top surface of the bottom cold plate and located on one side of the battery cell, the side cold plate extends in the height direction of the battery cell, the box body is filled with the cooling medium, and the side cold plate is arranged on the top surface of the bottom cold plate and located on one side of the battery cell. And the battery cell is immersed in the cooling medium. According to the utility model, the heat dissipation efficiency and uniformity can be improved, and the local temperature difference of the battery cell is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling technology, specifically to an energy storage structure and system with more uniform heat dissipation. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, energy storage cells are rapidly developing towards higher power, higher specific energy, and longer lifespan, and correspondingly, heat dissipation of energy storage cells is receiving increasing attention.

[0003] In related technologies, the cooling methods for energy storage cells are mainly air cooling and cold plate cooling. Air cooling uses high-power fans, heat dissipation ducts, and finned structures to dissipate heat from the cells. Liquid cooling is more often based on indirect cooling systems, employing a sealed coolant circulation structure, consisting of a liquid cooling plate, a circulation pump set, a control system, and piping. Air cooling systems require high-volume fans, leading to problems such as low localized heat dissipation efficiency and high noise levels. Cold plate cooling has certain advantages over air cooling.

[0004] However, the cold plate cooling method in related technologies suffers from uneven cooling, resulting in localized temperature differences in the energy storage cells. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to address one of the technical problems in related technologies to a certain extent. To this end, this invention provides an energy storage structure and system that has the advantages of reducing cell temperature difference and improving cooling effect.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of this utility model discloses an energy storage structure, including a housing, a bottom cold plate disposed within the housing, and a plurality of battery cells. The bottom cold plate is laid flat on the bottom of the housing, and the battery cells are disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate. The energy storage structure further includes a cooling medium disposed within the housing and at least one side cold plate. The side cold plate is disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate and located on one side of the battery cells. The side cold plate extends along the height direction of the battery cells. The cooling medium fills the housing, and the battery cells are immersed in the cooling medium.

[0007] In this technical solution, immersing the battery cell in a cooling medium can improve the cooling effect of the battery cell. Furthermore, by setting a bottom cold plate at the bottom of the battery cell and a side cold plate at the side of the battery cell, heat can be dissipated from the bottom and side of the battery cell at the same time, achieving all-round heat dissipation of the battery cell and reducing the problem of excessive local temperature difference that may exist in the battery cell.

[0008] Furthermore, a first cooling channel is formed on the bottom cold plate, with a first liquid inlet and a first liquid outlet at both ends of the first cooling channel. A second cooling channel is formed on the side cold plate, with a second liquid inlet and a second liquid outlet at both ends of the second cooling channel. The second liquid inlet and the second liquid outlet are respectively connected to the first cooling channel. Along the liquid flow direction in the first cooling channel, the second liquid outlet is located downstream of the second liquid inlet.

[0009] The coolant in the bottom cold plate and the side cold plate is interconnected, making the overall structure more compact and facilitating the layout of the refrigeration system.

[0010] Furthermore, the top surface of the bottom cold plate is formed with a mating interface corresponding to the second liquid inlet and the second liquid outlet. The mating interface is connected to the first cooling channel, and the second liquid inlet and the second liquid outlet are welded to the corresponding mating interface and are interconnected.

[0011] Furthermore, thermally conductive adhesive is applied between the cooling surface of the side cold plate and the side of the battery cell, and the bottom surface of the battery cell and the top surface of the bottom cold plate are connected by adhesive. This improves the stability of the battery cell during installation within the enclosure and enhances heat dissipation.

[0012] Furthermore, the energy storage structure includes multiple side cold plates, which are spaced apart, and the battery cell is disposed within the gaps between the side cold plates. The side cold plates can dissipate heat from different sides of the same battery cell, improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0013] Furthermore, the energy storage structure also includes a flow disturbance component, which includes a flow disturbance tube and a flow disturbance pump. Both the flow disturbance tube and the flow disturbance pump are immersed in the cooling medium. One end of the flow disturbance tube extends to the top of the battery cell. The flow disturbance pump is used to accelerate the flow of the cooling medium through the flow disturbance tube and discharge it from the top of the battery cell, thereby disturbing the cooling medium at the top of the battery cell.

[0014] Furthermore, the baffle tube includes a vertical connecting section and a horizontal baffle section. One end of the connecting section is connected to the top surface of the bottom cold plate, and the other end is connected to the baffle section. The baffle section is located on top of the battery cell. The baffle pump is located in the connecting section. The inlet of the baffle pump communicates with the inner cavity of the housing, and the outlet communicates with the inner cavity of the connecting section. The end of the baffle section forms an open structure, and baffle holes are formed on the side wall of the baffle section. This increases the flow of the cooling medium and improves the heat dissipation effect.

[0015] Furthermore, the cooling medium includes at least one of fluorinated liquid, synthetic oil, and silicone oil, and the liquid level of the cooling medium is at least 30 mm above the top tab of the battery cell.

[0016] Furthermore, the enclosure includes a shell, a cover plate, and a pressure relief valve. The cover plate is disposed on the top of the shell and is sealed to the shell. The pressure relief valve is disposed on the cover plate and communicates with the inner cavity of the enclosure.

[0017] The second aspect of this utility model discloses an energy storage system, including an energy storage structure and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes the energy storage structure of the first aspect and includes a first refrigeration system and a second refrigeration system. The first refrigeration system provides circulating coolant to the bottom cold plate and the side cold plate, and the second refrigeration system is used to realize the circulation of the cooling medium within the housing.

[0018] The reasoning process for the beneficial effects of the energy storage system provided by this utility model is similar to that of the aforementioned energy storage structures, and will not be repeated here.

[0019] These features and advantages of this utility model will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments or means of this utility model will be shown in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but this is not intended to limit the technical solution of this utility model. In addition, each of these features, elements and components appearing in the following text and drawings is multiple and is labeled with different symbols or numbers for convenience, but all represent parts with the same or similar structure or function. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a rear cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the box according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the housing according to one embodiment of the present invention (with some battery cells removed);

[0025] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the internal structure of the housing according to one embodiment of the present invention (with the battery cells removed);

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal cooling channel of the bottom cold plate in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] in,

[0028] 10. Housing; 11. Shell; 12. Cover plate; 13. Pressure relief valve;

[0029] 20. Bottom cold plate; 21. First cooling channel; 211. First liquid inlet; 212. First liquid outlet;

[0030] 30. Battery cells;

[0031] 40. Cooling medium;

[0032] 50. Side cooling plate; 51. Second cooling channel; 511. Second liquid inlet; 512. Second liquid outlet;

[0033] 60. Flow-disrupting component; 61. Flow-disrupting pipe; 611. Connecting section; 612. Flow-disrupting section; 613. Flow-disrupting hole; 62. Flow-disrupting pump. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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 are intended to explain this utility model and should not be construed as limiting it.

[0035] The terms "an embodiment," "example," or "trademark" used in this specification refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment itself that may be included in at least one embodiment disclosed in this utility model. The phrase "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0036] When energy storage mechanisms in related technologies use cold plate cooling, the bottom of the battery is in contact with the cold surface of the cold plate. Due to the anisotropy of the thermal conductivity of the battery itself, there is often a problem of low bottom temperature and high top tab temperature. Moreover, the large internal temperature difference is not conducive to the battery cycle life. In addition, the low bottom temperature of traditional cold plate cooling systems causes condensation of ambient air, which further increases the risk to the battery.

[0037] See appendix Figure 1 , 3The first aspect of this utility model discloses an energy storage structure, including a housing 10, a bottom cold plate 20 disposed within the housing 10, and a plurality of battery cells 30. The bottom cold plate 20 is laid flat on the bottom of the housing 10, and the battery cells 30 are disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20. The energy storage structure also includes a cooling medium 40 disposed within the housing 10 and at least one side cold plate 50. The side cold plate 50 is disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20 and located on one side of the battery cells 30. The side cold plate 50 extends along the height direction of the battery cells 30. The cooling medium 40 fills the housing 10, and the battery cells 30 are immersed in the cooling medium 40.

[0038] In this embodiment, the battery cell 30 in the energy storage structure is generally cooled in the following three ways during operation: First, the battery cell 30 is cooled by the bottom cold plate 20. In this embodiment, the bottom cold plate 20 is located at the bottom of the battery cell 30. During operation, a circulating coolant flows through the bottom cold plate 20, and the flow of the coolant carries away the heat generated by the battery cell 30 during operation from the bottom of the battery cell 30. Second, the battery cell 30 is cooled by the cooling medium 40. In this embodiment, the battery cell 30 is immersed in the cooling medium 40, and the cooling medium 40 is similar to... The cooling medium 40 is a circulating liquid. During use, since the cooling medium 40 can completely cover all surfaces of the battery cell 30, it can remove the heat generated by the battery cell 30 during operation from all surfaces of the battery cell 30. Third, the side cold plate 50 dissipates heat from the battery cell 30. In this embodiment, the side cold plate 50 is arranged vertically and can cover the entire height of the side of the battery cell 30. During operation, the side cold plate 50 is filled with circulating coolant, and the flow of the coolant removes the heat generated by the battery cell 30 during operation from the side of the battery cell 30.

[0039] As can be seen, the heat dissipation of the battery cell 30 in this embodiment is more three-dimensional, and each surface of the battery cell 30 can dissipate heat. Compared with the related technology, where the battery cell 30 can only dissipate heat through the bottom surface, this greatly increases the heat dissipation effect and can reduce the temperature difference caused by uneven heat dissipation in different parts of the battery cell 30, such as the temperature difference between the tab connection part at the top of the battery cell 30 and the bottom surface of the battery cell 30.

[0040] This embodiment does not specifically limit the structure and quantity of the side cold plate 50. For example, in actual installation, the side cold plate 50 can be set on one side of the cell 30, or the side cold plate 50 can be set at multiple side positions of the cell 30. Moreover, the structure of the side cold plate 50 can be set as a flat plate or a bent structure.

[0041] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 6A first cooling channel 21 is formed on the bottom cold plate 20. The first cooling channel 21 has a first liquid inlet 211 and a first liquid outlet 212 at both ends. A second cooling channel 51 is formed on the side cold plate 50. The second cooling channel 51 has a second liquid inlet 511 and a second liquid outlet 512 at both ends. The second liquid inlet 511 and the second liquid outlet 512 are respectively connected to the first cooling channel 21. Along the liquid flow direction in the first cooling channel 21, the second liquid outlet 512 is located downstream of the second liquid inlet 511.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first cooling channel 21 on the bottom cold plate 20 and the second cooling channel 51 on the side cold plate 50 are interconnected. In actual design, the second cooling channel 51 of the side cold plate 50 can be connected in parallel to the first cooling channel 21. The bottom cold plate 20 and the side cold plate 50 can share a set of refrigeration systems, which can simplify the overall structure and make the layout of the refrigeration system more convenient. Moreover, in actual production operation, only a partial improvement is needed to the structure of the bottom cold plate 20 in the related technology to meet the requirements of this application. The improvement is simple.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20 is formed with a mating interface corresponding to the second liquid inlet 511 and the second liquid outlet 512. The mating interface is in communication with the first cooling channel 21, and the second liquid inlet 511 and the second liquid outlet 512 are interconnected with the corresponding mating interface and welded together.

[0044] In this embodiment, a mating interface is provided on the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20, and a second liquid inlet 511 and a second liquid outlet 512 are provided on the bottom surface of the side cold plate 50. In actual production, the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20 and the bottom surface of the side cold plate 50 are fitted together, and the second liquid inlet 511 and the second liquid outlet 512 are aligned with the corresponding mating interfaces. Then, they are welded together at the mating parts and sealed.

[0045] Of course, in actual design, the side cold plate 50 and the bottom cold plate 20 can also be connected by a pipe.

[0046] In one embodiment of this utility model, thermally conductive adhesive is provided between the cooling surface of the side cold plate 50 and the side of the battery cell 30, and the bottom surface of the battery cell 30 and the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20 are connected by adhesive.

[0047] In this embodiment, the battery cell 30 is fixedly mounted on the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20 with adhesive, and connected to the side of the side cold plate 50 with thermally conductive adhesive. In this way, the bottom and side of the battery cell 30 are supported, which improves the stability of the battery cell 30 installation. Moreover, the contact between the battery cell 30 and the side cold plate 50 helps to transfer the heat generated by the battery cell 30 during operation to the side cold plate 50, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0048] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 1 , 4 5. The energy storage structure includes a plurality of side cold plates 50, which are spaced apart, and the battery cell 30 is disposed in the interval between the side cold plates 50.

[0049] In this embodiment, each battery cell 30 is provided with a side cooling plate 50 on both sides. During the operation of the battery cell 30, the two sides of the battery cell 30 can dissipate heat through the corresponding side cooling plate 50, thereby further improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0050] To further improve the heat dissipation capacity of the energy storage structure, one embodiment of the energy storage structure in this application further includes a turbulence-dissipating component 60. The turbulence-dissipating component 60 includes a turbulence-dissipating pipe 61 and a turbulence-dissipating pump 62. Both the turbulence-dissipating pipe 61 and the turbulence-dissipating pump 62 are immersed in the cooling medium 40. One end of the turbulence-dissipating pipe 61 extends to the top of the battery cell 30. The turbulence-dissipating pump 62 is used to accelerate the flow of the cooling medium 40 through the turbulence-dissipating pipe 61 and discharge it from the top of the battery cell 30, thereby disturbing the cooling medium 40 at the top of the battery cell 30.

[0051] This embodiment includes a turbulence-inducing component 60. The turbulence-inducing pump 62 causes localized (in this embodiment, the top of the battery cell 30) accelerated flow of the cooling medium 40 within the housing 10, increasing the exchange frequency of the cooling medium 40 at the turbulence location. This, in turn, improves the heat dissipation effect at the corresponding location. In this embodiment, the top of the battery cell 30 is generally the tab connection area. During operation, the tab connection area generates a large amount of heat. By turbulent flow at the top of the battery cell 30, the heat dissipation effect at this location is improved.

[0052] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 2The turbulence-disrupting pipe 61 includes a vertical connecting section 611 and a horizontal turbulence-disrupting section 612. One end of the connecting section 611 is connected to the top surface of the bottom cold plate 20, and the other end is connected to the turbulence-disrupting section 612. The turbulence-disrupting section 612 is located on the top of the battery cell 30. The turbulence-disrupting pump 62 is located on the connecting section 611. The inlet of the turbulence-disrupting pump 62 is connected to the inner cavity of the housing 10, and the outlet is connected to the inner cavity of the connecting section 611. The end of the turbulence-disrupting section 612 forms an open structure, and turbulence holes 613 are formed on the side wall of the turbulence-disrupting section 612.

[0053] In this embodiment, the turbulence-inducing component 60 provides turbulence power through the turbulence-inducing pump 62. The cooling medium 40 inside the housing 10 enters the turbulence-inducing pump 62 through its inlet and is then sent to the turbulence-inducing pipe 61 through its outlet. The accelerated cooling medium 40 flows along the turbulence-inducing pipe 61 to the top of the battery cell 30 and is discharged from the turbulence-inducing pipe 61. Since the flow velocity of the liquid passing through the turbulence-inducing pipe 61 is greater than the flow velocity of the cooling medium 40 inside the housing 10, it impacts the cooling medium 40 at the top of the battery cell 30, thus creating a turbulence effect.

[0054] In this embodiment, the baffle tube 61 is fixed to the top surface of the cold plate, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 4 , 5 As shown, a baffle tube 61 is provided in the interval between every two adjacent side cold plates 50. In actual installation, the baffle tube 61 can extend directly above multiple battery cells 30.

[0055] In this embodiment, the turbulence pump 62 can be set to a distance of 10-15mm from the top surface of the cold plate to avoid the risk of being blocked if the position is too low.

[0056] In one embodiment of this utility model, the cooling medium 40 includes at least one of fluorinated liquid, synthetic oil and silicone oil, and the liquid level of the cooling medium 40 is at least 30 mm above the top tab of the battery cell 30.

[0057] In this embodiment, the top tab of the battery cell 30 is located 30mm below the surface of the cooling medium 40. This allows the liquid cooling medium to better cover the tab (which is prone to heat generation) and ensures effective heat dissipation at this location.

[0058] As one embodiment of this utility model, see the appendix. Figure 1 The housing 10 includes a shell 11, a cover plate 12, and a pressure relief valve 13. The cover plate 12 is disposed on the top of the shell 11 and is sealed to the shell 11. The pressure relief valve 13 is disposed on the cover plate 12 and communicates with the inner cavity of the housing 10.

[0059] The second aspect of this utility model discloses an energy storage system, including an energy storage structure and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes the energy storage structure of the first aspect and includes a first refrigeration system and a second refrigeration system. The first refrigeration system provides circulating coolant to the bottom cold plate 20 and the side cold plate 50, and the second refrigeration system is used to realize the circulation of the cooling medium 40 within the housing 10.

[0060] The refrigeration system described herein may be configured to include at least one of the following in actual design: a plate heat exchange refrigeration system, a spray heat dissipation system, or a fan dry cooler refrigeration system.

[0061] This invention employs an immersion medium in direct contact with the battery. Liquid heat transfer is superior to air cooling, further reducing the top temperature, improving operational stability, and minimizing the risk of thermal runaway. A side cooling plate 50 is used to conduct heat in contact with the battery, further expanding the battery's heat transfer area. Furthermore, the use of turbulence and heat exchange from the side water-cooled plate reduces the temperature difference of the fluid along the vertical direction, decreasing the temperature difference between the upper and lower sections within the cell 30 and further improving temperature uniformity.

[0062] The above are merely specific embodiments of this utility model, but the scope of protection of this utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this utility model will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage structure, comprising a housing (10), a bottom cold plate (20) disposed within the housing (10), and a plurality of battery cells (30), wherein the bottom cold plate (20) is laid flat on the bottom of the housing (10), and the battery cells (30) are disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate (20), characterized in that, The energy storage structure also includes a cooling medium (40) disposed in the housing (10) and at least one side cold plate (50). The side cold plate (50) is disposed on the top surface of the bottom cold plate (20) and located on one side of the battery cell (30). The side cold plate (50) extends along the height direction of the battery cell (30). The cooling medium (40) fills the housing (10), and the battery cell (30) is immersed in the cooling medium (40).

2. The energy storage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first cooling channel (21) is formed on the bottom cold plate (20). The first cooling channel (21) has a first liquid inlet (211) and a first liquid outlet (212) at both ends. A second cooling channel (51) is formed on the side cold plate (50). The second cooling channel (51) has a second liquid inlet (511) and a second liquid outlet (512) at both ends. The second liquid inlet (511) and the second liquid outlet (512) are respectively connected to the first cooling channel (21). Along the liquid flow direction in the first cooling channel (21), the second liquid outlet (512) is located downstream of the second liquid inlet (511).

3. The energy storage structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top surface of the bottom cold plate (20) is formed with a mating interface corresponding to the second liquid inlet (511) and the second liquid outlet (512). The mating interface is connected to the first cooling channel (21). The second liquid inlet (511) and the second liquid outlet (512) are welded to the corresponding mating interfaces and are connected to each other.

4. The energy storage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Thermally conductive adhesive is provided between the cooling surface of the side cold plate (50) and the side of the battery cell (30), and the bottom surface of the battery cell (30) and the top surface of the bottom cold plate (20) are connected by a fixing adhesive.

5. The energy storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The energy storage structure includes multiple side cold plates (50) spaced apart, and the battery cell (30) is disposed in the interval between the side cold plates (50).

6. The energy storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The energy storage structure also includes a flow disturbance component (60), which includes a flow disturbance tube (61) and a flow disturbance pump (62). Both the flow disturbance tube (61) and the flow disturbance pump (62) are immersed in the cooling medium (40). One end of the flow disturbance tube (61) extends to the top of the battery cell (30). The flow disturbance pump (62) is used to accelerate the flow of the cooling medium (40) through the flow disturbance tube (61) and discharge it from the top of the battery cell (30) to disturb the cooling medium (40) at the top of the battery cell (30).

7. The energy storage structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The turbulence-disrupting pipe (61) includes a vertical connecting section (611) and a horizontal turbulence-disrupting section (612). One end of the connecting section (611) is connected to the top surface of the bottom cold plate (20), and the other end is connected to the turbulence-disrupting section (612). The turbulence-disrupting section (612) is located on the top of the battery cell (30). The turbulence-disrupting pump (62) is located on the connecting section (611). The inlet of the turbulence-disrupting pump (62) is connected to the inner cavity of the housing (10), and the outlet is connected to the inner cavity of the connecting section (611). The end of the turbulence-disrupting section (612) forms an open structure, and turbulence holes (613) are formed on the side wall of the turbulence-disrupting section (612).

8. The energy storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The cooling medium (40) includes at least one of fluorinated liquid, synthetic oil and silicone oil, and the liquid level of the cooling medium (40) is at least 30 mm above the top tab of the battery cell (30).

9. The energy storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The housing (10) includes a shell (11), a cover plate (12) and a pressure relief valve (13). The cover plate (12) is disposed on the top of the shell (11) and is sealed to the shell (11). The pressure relief valve (13) is disposed on the cover plate (12) and communicates with the inner cavity of the housing (10).

10. An energy storage system, comprising an energy storage structure and a cooling system, characterized in that, The energy storage structure adopts the energy storage structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration system and a second refrigeration system. The first refrigeration system provides circulating coolant to the bottom cold plate (20) and the side cold plate (50). The second refrigeration system is used to realize the circulation of the cooling medium (40) in the housing (10).

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