Temperature uniformity battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change material

Abstract

The utility model relates to a liquid cooling and phase change material-based uniform-temperature battery thermal management system. The system comprises a heat transfer frame and a battery module, the heat transfer frame comprises a bottom plate and a vertical structure, liquid runners allowing heat exchange fluid to flow are arranged in the bottom plate and the vertical structure, the battery module comprises a heat conduction metal sheet and is arranged in the heat transfer frame, a battery mounting position is arranged on the side face of the heat conduction metal sheet, and the heat transfer frame is filled with a phase change material. The heat-conducting metal sheet is in direct contact with the heat transfer frame and the phase change material. The battery is placed in the battery installation position defined by the heat conduction metal sheet, the heat conduction metal sheet makes contact with the battery, the phase change material and the liquid cooling plate at the same time, the phase change material can effectively maintain the uniformity and stability of the temperature of the battery, and due to the adoption of the liquid cooling plate structure combining the bottom plate and the vertical structure, the temperature of the battery can be kept uniform and stable. The heat transfer frame and the battery are directly subjected to heat exchange, the temperature adjusting time of the battery is short, and the response speed is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery thermal management technology, specifically to a uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials. Background Technology

[0002] Against the backdrop of increasingly severe global warming and environmental pollution, the promotion of new energy vehicles has become a crucial issue in the energy sector. As a core component of pure electric vehicles, the performance of power batteries highly depends on the optimization of thermal management technology. However, current battery temperature control still faces two major challenges: excessively large temperature differences in localized areas and insufficient overall heat dissipation efficiency. Research shows that temperature fluctuations significantly affect battery stability—under extreme high or low temperatures, battery capacity may decrease by more than 40%, and frequent alternations between hot and cold temperatures can accelerate battery aging and even trigger internal short circuits, smoke, and fires, among other safety hazards. Therefore, developing intelligent temperature control systems has become a key breakthrough for ensuring safe battery operation and extending battery life.

[0003] Currently, lithium-ion battery cooling methods mainly include air cooling, liquid cooling, phase change material cooling, and heat pipe cooling. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Liquid cooling, due to its high thermal conductivity and high heat transfer efficiency, is widely used in lithium-ion battery thermal management. Current research on liquid cooling systems mainly focuses on optimizing flow channel geometry and cooling plate structure. Research indicates that changing the flow channel shape, width, or heat exchange fluid velocity all affect the heat dissipation effect of the battery pack.

[0004] Phase change material (PCM) cooling cools the battery by changing its physical properties; this is a passive cooling method with a relatively simple structure. Because the battery is encapsulated by the PCM, it exhibits good temperature uniformity. However, when the battery operates in a high-temperature environment, the PCM liquefies rapidly, and due to its low thermal conductivity, the battery temperature remains high. This is one of the factors hindering the application of PCM in battery thermal management systems. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials. By combining liquid cooling and phase change material cooling, the battery pack is cooled, achieving better cooling effect while ensuring good temperature uniformity of the battery.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials, comprising a heat transfer frame and a battery module; the heat transfer frame includes a base plate and a vertical structure, both of which are provided with liquid channels for the flow of heat exchange fluid; the battery module includes a thermally conductive metal sheet, the battery module is disposed within the heat transfer frame, the side of the thermally conductive metal sheet is provided with a battery mounting position, the heat transfer frame is filled with phase change material, and the thermally conductive metal sheet directly contacts the heat transfer frame and the phase change material.

[0007] With this structure, the battery is placed in the battery mounting position surrounded by a thermally conductive metal sheet, and is in close contact with the phase change material and the thermally conductive metal sheet. The phase change material can effectively maintain the uniform and stable temperature of the battery. Furthermore, due to the liquid cooling plate structure that combines the base plate and the vertical structure, the liquid cooling plate area is increased, so that the heat transfer frame can not only cool the battery in the vertical direction, but also directly exchange heat with the battery at the bottom of the base plate. This results in a short temperature adjustment time and a fast response speed.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting metal sheet is perpendicular to the base plate, with the bottom end of the heat-conducting metal sheet directly contacting the base plate and the side edge of the heat-conducting metal sheet directly contacting the vertical structure.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the liquid flow channels within the base plate include a first flow channel and a second flow channel; both the first and second flow channels include multiple main diamond-shaped branches connected in series; the base plate is provided with side interfaces and liquid inlets, with multiple side interfaces respectively connecting to the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel; the liquid inlet connects to the first and second flow channels, so that the heat exchange fluid flows into the first and second flow channels through the liquid inlet and flows out of the base plate through the side interfaces; multiple intermediate diamond-shaped branches are connected between the first and second flow channels, and the multiple intermediate diamond-shaped branches are connected in series.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the side interface connects the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel via a main road. The width of the main road is 8-10 mm, and the width of the main diamond branch and the intermediate diamond branch is 2.5-3 mm.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the vertical structure includes a first side plate facing left and right. The liquid flow channel within the first side plate includes n first horizontal main channels, where n is not less than 2. The n first horizontal main channels are arranged in parallel from top to bottom. Adjacent first horizontal main channels are connected to each other through first vertical branches. The lowest first horizontal main channel is connected to two bottom interfaces. The two bottom interfaces are connected to the first flow channel and the second flow channel through side interfaces, respectively.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the vertical structure includes a second side plate facing the front-to-back direction. The liquid flow channel within the second side plate includes n second horizontal trunks. The second horizontal trunks consist of alternating confluence sections and branch sections. Each second horizontal trunk has an arc-shaped branch connected in parallel with the branch section. The n second horizontal trunks are arranged in parallel from top to bottom. Adjacent second horizontal trunks are connected through second vertical branches. The uppermost second horizontal trunk is connected to a liquid outlet. The n first horizontal trunks are correspondingly connected to the n second horizontal trunks.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the vertical structure is an integral structure, with the first horizontal trunk road, the second horizontal trunk road, the first vertical branch road, the second vertical branch road, and the arc-shaped branch road all being flat rectangular strips with a thickness of 1.5 mm; the width of the first horizontal trunk road and the second horizontal trunk road is 8 to 10 mm, and the width of the first vertical branch road, the second vertical branch road, and the arc-shaped branch road is 2 to 4 mm.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the thermally conductive metal sheet consists of a bent section and a straight section. The bent section is folded continuously m times, with each bend in the opposite direction to the previous bend, forming m triangular prism-shaped battery mounting positions. The straight section is located on one side of the bent section, thereby enclosing the opening of the battery mounting position on one side.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the heat-conducting metal sheet has circular through holes, and the m creases on the bent section divide it into m+1 heat-conducting surfaces. Each heat-conducting surface has five through holes, which are arranged in a five-point quincunx pattern.

[0016] As a preferred option, the heat-conducting metal sheet is made of aluminum.

[0017] In summary, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] (1) The overall structure of this utility model is compact. The battery is placed in the triangular area formed by the heat-conducting metal sheet and is closely attached to the phase change material and the heat-conducting metal sheet, so that there is enough heat dissipation and heat exchange area between the batteries, which greatly improves the contact area between the battery and the structure and strengthens the heat exchange capacity between the battery and the structure.

[0019] (2) The metal heat-conducting sheet structure adopted in this utility model has a large contact area with the phase change material and the liquid cooling plate, which increases the heat transfer area and strengthens the heat exchange between the liquid cooling plate and the heat-conducting sheet. At the same time, the heat-conducting sheet is in direct contact with the battery, which can transfer heat to the battery more quickly and achieve efficient heat exchange.

[0020] (3) The structure of this utility model adopts a liquid cooling plate structure that combines a base plate and a vertical structure, which not only cools the battery in the vertical direction, but also directly exchanges heat with the battery at the bottom. The battery temperature adjustment time is short, the heat exchange rate is fast, and it also has good temperature uniformity, avoiding local overheating, further reducing the internal temperature gradient of the battery pack, and ensuring that the battery is in a suitable and uniform temperature environment.

[0021] (4) This utility model optimizes the design of the internal flow channel of the heat transfer frame. Compared with the current straight flow channel, this utility model can make the flow channel cover the area that needs to be cooled more evenly, which is conducive to achieving efficient heat exchange in a compact battery pack and can also ensure the overall mechanical strength of the liquid cooling plate. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 , Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 A top view illustrating the flow direction of the vertical structure;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a top view of the flow channel interface between the base plate and the vertical structure.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid flow channel distribution on the base plate;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid flow channel distribution on the first side plate;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid flow channel distribution on the second side plate;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a front view of the heat-conducting metal sheet;

[0030] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heat-conducting metal sheet.

[0031] Wherein, 1 is the first side plate, 2 is the second side plate, 3 is the thermally conductive metal sheet, 4 is the phase change material, 5 is the base plate, and 6 is the battery. 101 is the first horizontal main channel, 102 is the first vertical branch channel, and 103 is the bottom interface. 201 is the confluence section, 202 is the branch section, 203 is the arc-shaped branch channel, 204 is the second vertical branch channel, and 205 is the liquid outlet. 301 is the bend section, 302 is the straight section, and 303 is the through hole. 505 is the first flow channel, 502 is the second flow channel, 503 is the side interface, 504 is the liquid inlet, and 505 is the middle diamond-shaped branch channel. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials includes a heat transfer frame and a battery module. The heat transfer frame includes a base plate and a vertical structure, both of which have liquid channels for heat exchange fluid flow. The battery module includes a thermally conductive metal sheet and is disposed within the heat transfer frame. Battery mounting positions are located on the sides of the thermally conductive metal sheet. The heat transfer frame is filled with phase change material, and the thermally conductive metal sheet directly contacts the heat transfer frame and the phase change material. The phase change material is placed in a filled structure within the space, surrounding the battery and the thermally conductive metal sheet. The thermally conductive metal sheet simultaneously contacts the battery, the phase change material, and the liquid cooling plate, conducting heat from the battery and the phase change material to the liquid cooling plate-shaped heat transfer frame. The battery cell is cylindrical. The thermally conductive metal sheet uses a high thermal conductivity metal, such as aluminum or copper, to achieve efficient heat transfer between the battery, the phase change material, and the liquid cooling plate.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the heat-conducting metal sheet is perpendicular to the base plate, with the bottom end of the heat-conducting metal sheet directly contacting the base plate and the side edge of the heat-conducting metal sheet directly contacting the vertical structure.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 5-6 As shown, the liquid flow channels within the base plate include a first flow channel and a second flow channel; both the first and second flow channels include multiple main diamond-shaped branches connected in series. The base plate is provided with side interfaces and liquid inlets. There are multiple side interfaces, which are respectively connected to the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel. The liquid inlet is connected to the first and second flow channels, so that the heat exchange fluid flows into the first and second flow channels through the liquid inlet and flows out of the base plate through the side interfaces. Multiple intermediate diamond-shaped branches are connected between the first and second flow channels, and these intermediate diamond-shaped branches are connected in series.

[0037] Both the first and second flow channels include four main diamond-shaped branches connected in series. Two adjacent diamond-shaped branches are connected at the vertices of the diamonds, forming a network structure with the main diamond-shaped branches and the intermediate diamond-shaped branches.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figure 5-6 As shown, the side interface connects the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel via a main path. The width of the main path is 8-10mm, specifically 8mm. The width of the main diamond branch and the intermediate diamond branch is 2.5-3mm. The first and second flow channels are flat rectangular strips. The aforementioned widths refer to their width in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, and their thickness in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is 1.5mm.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown, the vertical structure includes a first side plate facing left and right. The liquid flow channels within the first side plate include n first horizontal main channels, where n is not less than 2. These n first horizontal main channels are arranged parallel to each other from top to bottom. Adjacent first horizontal main channels are connected via first vertical branches. The lowest first horizontal main channel connects to two bottom interfaces, which are respectively connected to the first flow channel and the second flow channel via side interfaces. In this embodiment, n is 3.

[0040] Specifically, such as Figure 8 As shown, the vertical structure includes a second side plate facing the front-to-back direction. The liquid flow channel within the second side plate includes n second horizontal trunks. The second horizontal trunks consist of alternating confluence sections and branch sections. The second horizontal trunks are provided with arc-shaped branches connected in parallel with the branch sections. The n second horizontal trunks are arranged in parallel from top to bottom. Adjacent second horizontal trunks are connected through second vertical branches. The uppermost second horizontal trunk is connected to a liquid outlet. The n first horizontal trunks are connected to the n second horizontal trunks.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the heat exchange fluid flows into the vertical structure from the four side ports of the left and right first side plates and finally flows out from the outlet to form heat exchange. The heat exchange fluid flows from bottom to top through three first horizontal main channels and second horizontal main channels from the four side ports. The flow direction is from the first side plates on the left and right sides to the middle of the three second side plates in the front, middle and rear, and then flows out from the three outlets.

[0042] Specifically, the vertical structure is a single unit. The first horizontal trunk, second horizontal trunk, first vertical branch, second vertical branch, and arc-shaped branch are all flat rectangular strips with a thickness of 1.5 mm. The width of the first and second horizontal trunks is 8–10 mm, and the width of the first, second, and arc-shaped branches is 2–4 mm. The liquid flow channels in the vertical structure are flat rectangular strips. The aforementioned widths refer to their width in the direction shown on the paper. The width of the first and second horizontal trunks can specifically be 10 mm. The thickness of each trunk and branch in the direction perpendicular to the paper is 1.5 mm.

[0043] Specifically, such as Figure 9-10 As shown, the thermally conductive metal sheet consists of bent sections and straight sections. The bent sections are folded continuously m times, with each bend in the opposite direction to the previous one, forming m triangular prism-shaped battery mounting positions. The straight sections are located on one side of the bent sections, thus enclosing the opening of one side of the battery mounting position. The thermally conductive metal sheet is an integral bent and enclosed structure, with each bend angle of the bent section being 60°. In this embodiment, m is 7. The individual battery cells in the battery pack are placed within the triangular prism-shaped areas defined by the thermally conductive metal sheet, and are in close contact with the metal thermally conductive sheet and the phase change material.

[0044] Specifically, such as Figure 9-10 As shown, the heat-conducting metal sheet has circular through holes. The bent section has m creases dividing it into m+1 heat-conducting surfaces. Each heat-conducting surface has five through holes, arranged in a five-point quincunx pattern. The center of the uppermost row of through holes is located at the left and right thirds of the one-quarter mark on the heat-conducting surface, while the center of the lowermost row of through holes is located at the left and right thirds of the one-quarter mark below the heat-conducting surface.

[0045] Specifically, the heat-conducting metal sheet is made of aluminum.

[0046] The two first side panels are the left side panel and the right side panel, and the three second side panels are the front side panel, the middle side panel and the rear side panel. The two ends of the first horizontal trunk are respectively connected to the second horizontal trunk of the corresponding front side panel and the rear side panel. The middle part of the first side panel is provided with an interface corresponding to the first horizontal trunk, which is used to connect the second horizontal trunk of the middle side panel.

[0047] There are two heat-conducting metal plates, one of which is located between the front and middle side plates, and the other is located between the middle and rear side plates.

[0048] Specifically, the heat exchange liquid in the liquid-cooled plate is a mixture of water and ethanol.

[0049] Specifically, the phase change material is a polymer-based porous shaped composite PCM.

[0050] When the aforementioned temperature-equalizing battery thermal management system is used for cooling, as the battery temperature rises, the phase change material (PCM) maintains a stable temperature by absorbing the heat released by the battery. During this process, the PCM changes from a solid to a liquid state, absorbing a significant amount of heat and effectively preventing further temperature increases. Simultaneously, a metal heat-conducting plate rapidly conducts the heat absorbed by the battery and PCM to a heat transfer frame in the form of a liquid-cooled plate. The heat exchange fluid flowing within the heat transfer frame absorbs heat on its surface and carries it away, thus achieving efficient heat dissipation from the battery.

[0051] When the aforementioned temperature-equalizing battery thermal management system is used for heating, the phase change material (PCM) maintains a stable temperature by releasing heat when the battery temperature decreases. During this process, the PCM changes from a liquid to a solid state, releasing a significant amount of heat to effectively prevent further temperature drops. Simultaneously, the heat exchange fluid, after being heated, flows into the liquid channels within the heat transfer frame, releasing heat to the frame's surface. The heat transfer frame directly conducts the heat to the battery and also absorbs heat through the metal heat-conducting plates, rapidly transferring it to the battery and PCM, thus heating both and preventing the battery temperature from becoming excessively low.

[0052] When the above-mentioned uniform temperature battery thermal management system is cooling, the temperature of the heat exchange fluid entering the liquid cooling plate is generally the ambient temperature; when the system is heating, the temperature of the heat exchange fluid entering the liquid cooling plate is generally higher than the ambient temperature after heating.

[0053] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the utility model, but the implementation of the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Any changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, or simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be considered equivalent substitutions and shall be included within the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials, characterized in that: Including heat transfer frame and battery module; The heat transfer frame includes a base plate and a vertical structure. Both the base plate and the vertical structure are provided with liquid channels for the flow of heat exchange fluid. The battery module includes a thermally conductive metal sheet. The battery module is set inside the heat transfer frame. The side of the thermally conductive metal sheet is provided with a battery mounting position. The heat transfer frame is filled with phase change material. The thermally conductive metal sheet is in direct contact with the heat transfer frame and the phase change material.

2. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting metal sheet is perpendicular to the base plate, with its bottom end directly contacting the base plate and its sides directly contacting the vertical structure.

3. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid flow channels within the base plate include a first flow channel and a second flow channel; Both the first and second flow channels include multiple main diamond-shaped branches connected in series. The bottom plate is provided with side interfaces and liquid inlets. There are multiple side interfaces, which are respectively connected to the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel. The liquid inlets are connected to the first and second flow channels, so that the heat exchange fluid flows into the first and second flow channels through the liquid inlets and flows out of the bottom plate through the side interfaces. Multiple intermediate diamond-shaped branches connect the first and second flow channels, and these multiple intermediate diamond-shaped branches are connected in series.

4. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The side interface connects the two ends of the first flow channel and the two ends of the second flow channel through the main road. The width of the main road is 8-10mm, and the width of the main diamond branch and the middle diamond branch is 2.5-3mm.

5. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vertical structure includes a first side plate facing left and right. The liquid flow channel in the first side plate includes n first horizontal main channels, n is not less than 2. The n first horizontal main channels are arranged in parallel from top to bottom. Adjacent first horizontal main channels are connected by first vertical branches. The first horizontal main channel at the bottom is connected to two bottom interfaces. The two bottom interfaces are connected to the first flow channel and the second flow channel through side interfaces, respectively.

6. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: The vertical structure includes a second side plate facing the front and rear directions. The liquid flow channel in the second side plate includes n second horizontal trunks. The second horizontal trunks are composed of alternating confluence sections and branch sections. The second horizontal trunks are provided with arc-shaped branches connected in parallel with the branch sections. n second horizontal trunks are arranged in parallel from top to bottom, and adjacent second horizontal trunks are connected by second vertical branches. The uppermost second horizontal trunk is connected to a liquid outlet. n first-level trunk roads are connected to n second-level trunk roads.

7. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 6, characterized in that: The vertical structure is an integrated structure. The first horizontal trunk road, the second horizontal trunk road, the first vertical branch road, the second vertical branch road, and the arc-shaped branch road are all flat rectangular strips with a thickness of 1.5mm. The width of the first and second horizontal trunk roads is 8-10 mm, and the width of the first vertical branch road, the second vertical branch road, and the arc-shaped branch road is 2-4 mm.

8. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermally conductive metal sheet consists of a bent section and a straight section. The bent section is bent continuously m times, and the direction of each bend is opposite to the direction of the previous bend, forming m triangular prism-shaped battery mounting positions. The straight section is located on one side of the bent section, so that the straight section surrounds the opening of the battery mounting position on one side.

9. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 8, characterized in that: The heat-conducting metal sheet has circular through holes, and the m creases on the bent section divide it into m+1 heat-conducting surfaces. Each heat-conducting surface has five through holes, which are arranged in a five-point plum blossom pattern.

10. A uniform temperature battery thermal management system based on liquid cooling and phase change materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat-conducting metal sheet is made of aluminum.

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