Liquid cooling structure, square battery and battery module

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of liquid cooling structure, square battery and battery module, it is related to battery technical field, the liquid cooling structure includes middle part liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate being arranged in middle part liquid cooling plate both sides, middle part liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate are mutually parallel, and the opposite side of middle part liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate respectively is used to and core package large face contact;Middle part liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate inside are all provided with liquid cooling flow channel, the top of middle part liquid cooling plate is provided with with liquid cooling flow channel intercommunication inlet and outlet, and the liquid cooling flow channel between middle part liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate is interconnected. By setting liquid cooling structure, can realize double-core package square battery assembly after completion, through inlet and outlet can be circulated into cooling medium into liquid cooling flow channel, since core package two large faces respectively and middle part liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plate contact, liquid cooling structure can directly heat dissipation to core package, and heat dissipation efficiency is higher.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the rapid development of new energy technologies, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other fields due to their advantages such as high energy density and long cycle life. However, during the charging and discharging process, the internal chemical reactions of the battery generate a large amount of heat. If heat dissipation is inadequate, localized overheating can easily occur, affecting the battery's performance, lifespan, and safety, and may even lead to serious problems such as thermal runaway. Therefore, battery thermal management technology has become crucial to ensuring its stable operation.

[0003] Currently, common battery cooling methods mainly include external air cooling and external liquid cooling. External air cooling removes heat from the battery casing through air convection, but its heat dissipation efficiency is relatively low, making it difficult to meet the heat dissipation requirements of high-rate, large-capacity batteries. External liquid cooling, on the other hand, exchanges heat between the coolant and the battery casing, offering better heat dissipation than air cooling. However, it requires the placement of independent liquid cooling plates or pipes within the battery module, occupying more space and reducing the energy density and assembly efficiency of the battery system. With the iterative upgrades in battery technology, such as the development of energy storage batteries from 280Ah to larger capacities like 314Ah and 628Ah, the requirements for heat dissipation efficiency and space utilization are further increasing, highlighting the limitations of traditional external liquid cooling solutions.

[0004] To optimize heat dissipation performance, existing technologies have proposed several solutions with built-in liquid cooling structures. For example, utility model patent CN221885218U designs a square battery casing structure that integrates liquid cooling channels on the side of the battery cell. However, this layout reduces the utilization rate of the group space of the module or battery pack. Invention patent CN116979178A proposes integrating a liquid cooling plate on the top cover of the battery cell. Although this improves the space utilization rate, each battery cell is equipped with only one liquid cooling plate, resulting in a limited liquid cooling area and potentially insufficient heat dissipation efficiency. This is especially true in high-current applications, where it has a significant disadvantage compared to traditional external liquid cooling solutions (such as a design where two battery cells share three liquid cooling plates). Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, this utility model proposes a liquid cooling structure, a square battery and a battery module to solve the problem of low heat dissipation efficiency of traditional external liquid cooling solutions.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid cooling structure, including a central liquid cooling plate and side liquid cooling plates arranged on both sides of the central liquid cooling plate. The central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plates are parallel to each other, and the opposite sides of the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plates are respectively used to contact the large surface of the core package.

[0008] Both the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are equipped with liquid cooling channels. The top of the central liquid cooling plate has an inlet and an outlet that are connected to the liquid cooling channels. The liquid cooling channels between the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are interconnected.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the liquid cooling channel adopts a grid-like distribution structure.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, in the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate, the distribution density of the liquid cooling channels along their length direction in the central region is greater than that in the edge regions at both ends.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, it also includes a connecting structure located at the bottom of the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plates, which makes the liquid cooling channels of the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plates form a series path.

[0012] Secondly, this utility model discloses a square battery, including a shell, a top cover, a core pack, and the liquid cooling structure described in the first aspect. The liquid cooling structure is disposed inside the shell. Two core packs are disposed between a central liquid cooling plate and a side liquid cooling plate, respectively. The large surface of the core pack is in contact with the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate, respectively. The top cover is fixedly disposed at the opening end of the shell. The top cover is provided with a terminal post and is electrically connected to the terminal tab on the core pack. The liquid inlet and liquid outlet pass through the outside of the top cover and are sealed to the top cover.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the outer periphery of the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet is provided with threaded fasteners for fixing the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet to the top cover.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the lengths of the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate are adapted to the length of the inner cavity of the shell.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, preferably, the height of the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate is adapted to the height of the core package.

[0016] Thirdly, this utility model discloses a battery module, including the square battery described in the second aspect, with multiple square batteries stacked and arranged, and also including an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, wherein the inlet pipe is connected in parallel with the inlet port on each square battery, and the outlet pipe is connected in parallel with the outlet port on each square battery.

[0017] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0018] (1) By setting up a liquid cooling structure, after the dual-cell square battery is assembled, the cooling medium can be circulated into the liquid cooling channel through the liquid inlet and liquid outlet. Since the two large surfaces of the cell pack are in contact with the central liquid cooling plate and the side liquid cooling plate respectively, the heat released by the cell pack during charging and discharging can be efficiently carried away. Compared with the traditional method of setting up a liquid cooling plate on the outside of the battery, the liquid cooling structure set up in this utility model can directly dissipate heat from the cell pack, and the heat dissipation efficiency is higher.

[0019] (2) By setting the liquid cooling channel inside the liquid cooling plate as a grid structure, it can not only act as a reinforcing rib to enhance the strength of the liquid cooling plate, but also ensure sufficient contact area with the core package and increase the heat dissipation area.

[0020] (3) By setting threaded fasteners, the inlet, outlet and top cover can be firmly fixed and connected, and the assembly process is simple.

[0021] (4) By integrating the liquid cooling structure into the inside of the square battery, when the square battery is assembled into a battery module, only the liquid inlet pipe and liquid outlet pipe need to be installed on the top surface of the battery module. This can achieve efficient heat dissipation of the dual-cell pack inside all the square batteries. There is no need to set up a liquid cooling plate in the battery module, which can effectively improve the space utilization rate of the battery module in length or width, thereby improving the energy density of the battery module. Attached Figure Description

[0022] 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.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the liquid cooling structure disclosed in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a top view of the liquid cooling structure disclosed in this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of the liquid cooling structure disclosed in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the square battery disclosed in this utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the top cover disclosed in this utility model;

[0028] Figure 6This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the battery module disclosed in this utility model.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] 1. Liquid cooling structure; 11. Central liquid cooling plate; 12. Side liquid cooling plate; 10. Liquid cooling channel; 111. Liquid inlet; 112. Liquid outlet; 13. Connecting structure; 2. Square battery; 21. Casing; 22. Top cover; 221. Terminal post; 23. Cell pack; 24. Threaded fastener; 3. Battery module; 31. Liquid inlet pipe; 32. Liquid outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, combined with Figure 2 and 3 This utility model discloses a liquid cooling structure 1, including a central liquid cooling plate 11 and side liquid cooling plates 12 arranged on both sides of the central liquid cooling plate 11. The central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plates 12 are parallel to each other, and the distance between the side liquid cooling plates 12 and the central liquid cooling plate 11 is adapted to the thickness of the core pack 23. With this configuration, during the assembly of the square battery 2, the entire liquid cooling structure 1 is vertically installed inside the housing 21, and then the two core packs 23 are respectively installed in the space formed by the side liquid cooling plates 12 and the central liquid cooling plate 11, so that the opposite sides of the central and side liquid cooling plates 12 are in contact with the large surface of the core pack 23.

[0033] Both the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 are provided with liquid cooling channels 10. The top of the central liquid cooling plate 11 is provided with an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 that are connected to the liquid cooling channels 10. The liquid cooling channels 10 between the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 are interconnected.

[0034] By setting an inlet 111 and an outlet 112 at the top of the central liquid cooling plate 11, after the battery is assembled, the inlet 111 and the outlet 112 can pass through the outside of the top cover 22 along the central axis of the top cover 22. Thus, the space in the length and width directions of the square battery is not occupied, which is more conducive to the space utilization of the battery module 3.

[0035] By setting up the liquid cooling structure 1, after the dual-cell square battery 2 is assembled, the cooling medium can be circulated into the liquid cooling channel 10 through the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112. Since the two large surfaces of the cell pack 23 are in contact with the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 respectively, the heat released by the charging and discharging of the cell pack 23 can be efficiently carried away. Compared with the traditional method of setting the liquid cooling plate on the outside of the battery, the liquid cooling structure 1 set up in this utility model can directly dissipate heat from the cell pack 23, and the heat dissipation efficiency is higher.

[0036] As one implementation method, the liquid cooling channel 10 adopts a grid-like distribution structure. Specifically, the liquid cooling channel 10 has a cross-shaped grid inside the liquid cooling plate, which serves as a reinforcing rib to enhance the strength of the liquid cooling plate and ensures sufficient contact area with the core package 23 to increase the heat dissipation area.

[0037] In some implementations, the distribution density of liquid cooling channels 10 along their length in the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plates 12 is greater in the central region than in the edge regions at both ends. This arrangement allows for efficient heat dissipation in the central heat-concentrated area of ​​the core package 23, preventing excessively high temperatures in the central part of the core package 23, while also avoiding excessive temperature differences between different areas of the core package 23, thus improving the heat dissipation uniformity of the core package 23.

[0038] In order to connect the liquid cooling channels 10 of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the two side liquid cooling plates 12, the liquid cooling structure 1 of this embodiment also includes a connecting structure 13. The connecting structure 13 is located at the bottom of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plates 12. The connecting structure 13 makes the liquid cooling channels 10 of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the two side liquid cooling plates 12 form a series path.

[0039] Specifically, the connecting structure 13 is a hollow strip structure located at both ends of the length of the central liquid cooling plate 11. The two ends of the connecting structure 13 are connected to the bottom ends of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plates 12, respectively, thereby enabling the liquid cooling channels 10 of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plates 12 to establish coolant flow through the connecting structure 13.

[0040] This embodiment also provides a square battery 2, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 2-4As shown, the battery includes a housing 21, a top cover 22, a core pack 23, and the liquid cooling structure 1 disclosed in the above embodiments. The liquid cooling structure 1 is disposed inside the housing 21. Two core packs 23 are provided, located between the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12, respectively. The large surface of the core pack 23 contacts the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12, effectively realizing heat conduction and dissipation. The top cover 22 is fixedly disposed at the opening end of the housing 21. The top cover 22 is provided with a terminal post 221, which is electrically connected to the electrode tab on the core pack 23 to ensure the electrical connection of the battery. The liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 pass through the outside of the top cover 22 and are sealed to the top cover 22, thereby preventing electrolyte leakage from the connection between the liquid inlet 111, the liquid outlet 112 and the top cover 22.

[0041] By designing the liquid cooling structure 1 such that the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 are parallel to each other and in contact with the large surface of the core package 23, the cooling medium can more effectively remove the heat generated by the core package 23 during charging and discharging, resulting in higher heat dissipation efficiency.

[0042] See attached document Figure 5 As shown, in order to achieve a fixed connection between the liquid inlet 111, the liquid outlet 112 and the top cover 22, this embodiment provides threaded fasteners 24 on the outer periphery of the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 for fixing the liquid inlet 111 and the liquid outlet 112 to the top cover 22.

[0043] Specifically, the inlet 111 and outlet 112 are tubular structures. The top cover 22 has mounting holes for the inlet 111 and outlet 112 to pass through. Sealing rings are fitted on the inlet 111 and outlet 112. The inlet 111 and outlet 112 extend outward from the top cover 22 through the mounting holes. The outer periphery of the inlet 111 and outlet 112 has external threads. By screwing the threaded fastener 24 onto the threads of the inlet 111 and outlet 112, the threaded fastener 24 is pressed against the top cover 22, and the inlet 111 and outlet 112 move outward at the mounting holes. During this process, the sealing rings are axially compressed, thereby sealing the connection between the inlet 111, outlet 112 and top cover 22. At the same time, the threaded fastener 24 securely fixes the inlet 111, outlet 112 and top cover 22, making the installation simple and convenient.

[0044] As some alternative implementations, after the inlet 111 and outlet 112 are firmly fixed by the threaded fasteners 24 and the top cover 22, the threaded fasteners 24 and the top cover 22 can be welded to prevent the threaded fasteners 24 from loosening. This can improve the structural stability of the battery top cover 22 and the liquid cooling structure 1 after connection, prevent electrolyte from leaking from the connection between the inlet 111, outlet 112 and top cover 22, and improve the sealing performance.

[0045] As some implementations, the lengths of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 are adapted to the length of the inner cavity of the housing 21, thereby maximizing the use of the space in the housing 21 and ensuring that the liquid cooling plates can fully cover the surface of the core package 23 for efficient heat dissipation, avoiding uneven cooling or wasted space.

[0046] As some implementation methods, the height of the central liquid cooling plate 11 and the side liquid cooling plate 12 are adapted to the height of the core pack 23, ensuring that the height of the liquid cooling plate matches the height of the core pack 23. This enables uniform heat dissipation across the entire surface of the core pack 23, avoiding overheating in certain parts of the core pack 23 due to insufficient cooling, and improving the overall thermal management efficiency of the battery.

[0047] This utility model embodiment also provides a battery module 3, as shown in the attached drawing. Figure 6 As shown, it includes multiple square batteries 2, which are stacked and arranged in layers. It also includes an inlet pipe 31 and an outlet pipe 32. The inlet pipe 31 is connected in parallel with the inlet port 111 on each square battery 2, and the outlet pipe 32 is connected in parallel with the outlet port 112 on each square battery 2. The inlet pipe 31 and the outlet pipe 32 are connected to an external coolant circulation system.

[0048] By integrating the liquid cooling structure 1 inside the square battery 2, when the square battery 2 is assembled into the battery module 3, only the liquid inlet pipe 31 and the liquid outlet pipe 32 need to be installed on the top surface of the battery module 3. This enables efficient heat dissipation of the dual-cell pack 23 inside all the square batteries 2, eliminating the need to install a liquid cooling plate in the battery module 3. This effectively improves the space utilization rate in the length or width of the battery module 3, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery module 3.

[0049] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled structure, characterized in that, It includes a central liquid cooling plate (11) and side liquid cooling plates (12) arranged on both sides of the central liquid cooling plate (11). The central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plates (12) are parallel to each other. The opposite sides of the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plates (12) are respectively used to contact the large surface of the core package (23). Both the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12) are provided with liquid cooling channels (10). The top of the central liquid cooling plate (11) is provided with an inlet (111) and an outlet (112) that are connected to the liquid cooling channels (10). The liquid cooling channels (10) between the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12) are interconnected.

2. The liquid-cooled structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid cooling channel (10) adopts a grid-like distribution structure.

3. The liquid cooling structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12), the distribution density of the liquid cooling channels (10) along their length direction in the central region is greater than that in the edge regions at both ends.

4. The liquid-cooled structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a connecting structure (13) located at the bottom of the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plates (12), which connects the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the liquid cooling channels (10) of the side liquid cooling plates (12) to form a series path.

5. A square battery, comprising a casing (21), a top cover (22), a core pack (23), and a liquid-cooled structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The liquid cooling structure is disposed inside the housing (21). Two core packages (23) are disposed, located between the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12), respectively. The large surface of the core package (23) is in contact with the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12), respectively. The top cover (22) is fixedly disposed at the opening end of the housing (21). The top cover (22) is provided with a pole post (221) and is electrically connected to the pole tab on the core package (23). The liquid inlet (111) and the liquid outlet (112) pass through the outside of the top cover (22) and are sealed to the top cover (22).

6. The square battery as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The inlet (111) and outlet (112) are provided with threaded fasteners (24) on their outer periphery for fixing the inlet (111) and outlet (112) to the top cover (22).

7. The square battery as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The lengths of the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12) are adapted to the length of the inner cavity of the shell (21).

8. The square battery as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The heights of the central liquid cooling plate (11) and the side liquid cooling plate (12) are adapted to the height of the core package (23).

9. A battery module comprising a plurality of square batteries as described in any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the plurality of square batteries are stacked and arranged, characterized in that, It also includes an inlet pipe (31) and an outlet pipe (32), wherein the inlet pipe (31) is connected in parallel with the inlet port (111) on each square battery, and the outlet pipe (32) is connected in parallel with the outlet port (112) on each square battery (2).

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