A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack

Abstract

This utility model discloses a load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack, belonging to the field of power battery technology. It includes two cold plate assemblies respectively disposed between adjacent battery modules. Each cold plate assembly includes two opposing cold plates; a sealing support strip is fixed between the two cold plates; each cold plate includes a heat spreader plate and a flow channel plate, with a flow channel provided between the heat spreader plate and the flow channel plate; the flow channels of the two cold plates in the same cold plate assembly are connected in series; one cold plate is connected to an inlet pipe, and the other cold plate is connected to an outlet pipe; the cold plate connected to the inlet pipe is disposed at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, and the cold plate connected to the outlet pipe is disposed at the top or bottom of the middle battery module. This design cools the three-layer battery module while ensuring temperature uniformity, preventing the middle battery module from becoming too cold. It uses fewer cold plates and does not require each one to be connected to an inlet or outlet pipe, saving cost and space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of power battery technology, specifically relating to a load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are merely background information related to this utility model and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] Power batteries generate heat during charging and discharging. To dissipate this heat, a heat exchange method is used by placing a cold plate on one side of the battery module. Existing technology discloses a homogenizing liquid cooling plate, comprising an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper plate is a flat plate that serves as the heat exchange surface in contact with the bottom of the battery module. The lower plate is a stamped plate with flow channels formed by a die, through which coolant enters and exchanges heat with the battery module placed on the upper plate.

[0004] However, due to the different heat exchange areas on both sides and poor load-bearing capacity, this type of uniform temperature liquid cooling plate can only dissipate heat for single-layer battery modules and cannot dissipate heat for battery modules in multi-layer power battery packs.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical issues, the patent discloses a battery pack and its manufacturing method, comprising a cooling plate assembly, a three-layer battery module, and coolant pipes. The cooling plate assembly includes an extruded first cooling plate and a stamped second cooling plate. The wall thickness of the first cooling plate is greater than that of the second cooling plate, resulting in a stronger load-bearing capacity. It is positioned upwards to support the upper battery module, and a buffer pad is placed between the two to protect the second cooling plate. The water inlets of both the first and second cooling plates are connected in parallel to the main water inlet pipe via water inlet branch pipes, and their water outlets are connected in parallel to the main water outlet pipe via water outlet branch pipes, ensuring that the heat dissipation capacity of each second cooling plate or each first cooling plate is the same.

[0006] Although the above solution can support and dissipate heat for the three-layer battery module, it still has the following drawbacks: In order to make the cooling conditions of the three-layer battery module consistent, a first cooling plate and a second cooling plate are respectively set at the top and bottom of the upper, middle and lower battery modules 10, and each cooling plate is connected in parallel to the inlet and outlet water pipes. This results in a large number of cooling plates and pipes, which not only increases the cost but also increases the size. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack. A cold plate assembly is installed between adjacent battery modules on both sides. The cold plate assembly includes two cold plates, with a sealing support strip between them to ensure the assembly has load-bearing capacity and can support the upper battery module. The flow channels of the two cold plates in the assembly are connected in series, and the cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, while the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is located at the top or bottom of the middle battery module. This design cools the three-layer battery module while ensuring temperature uniformity, preventing the middle battery module from becoming too cold. The design also reduces the number of cold plates used, eliminating the need for each one to be connected to the liquid inlet or outlet pipe, thus saving cost and space.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack is provided, which is disposed between the three battery modules and includes two cold plate assemblies disposed between two adjacent battery modules.

[0010] The cold plate assembly includes two opposing cold plates; a sealing and bearing strip is fixed between the two cold plates;

[0011] The cold plate includes a heat spreader plate and a flow channel plate, with the heat spreader plate facing outwards; a flow channel is provided between the heat spreader plate and the flow channel plate, and the flow channels of the two cold plates in the same cold plate assembly are connected in series; one cold plate is connected to the liquid inlet pipe, and the other cold plate is connected to the liquid outlet pipe.

[0012] The cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, and the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is located at the top or bottom of the middle battery module.

[0013] Preferably, two protrusions are provided on one side of the cold plate assembly, and interfaces for connecting the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe are provided on the protrusions.

[0014] Preferably, the two heat spreaders have a first interface on one of the protrusions; between the first interfaces, the flow channel plate is closed at the corresponding position.

[0015] Preferably, the two flow channel plates have a second interface at a corresponding position on another protrusion.

[0016] Preferably, both the first interface and the second interface are connected to the flow channels within their respective cold plates.

[0017] Preferably, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are respectively connected to the first interface.

[0018] Preferably, the second interfaces are connected by a liquid inlet tube.

[0019] Preferably, the flow channel plate is manufactured by stamping, and flow channel grooves are formed on the flow channel plate; the heat spreader is a flat plate structure, which covers the flow channel plate, and a flow channel is formed between the heat spreader plate and the flow channel plate.

[0020] Preferably, the sealing support strip is disposed between the two flow channel plates along the circumferential edge of the flow channel plate, and the height of the sealing support strip is greater than the sum of the flow channel depths in the two cold plates by a set length.

[0021] Preferably, the sealing support strip is made of aluminum or stainless steel.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of this utility model are:

[0023] This invention features a cold plate assembly between adjacent battery modules. The cold plate assembly comprises two cold plates with a sealing support strip between them to ensure the assembly has load-bearing capacity and can support the upper battery module. The flow channels of the two cold plates in the assembly are connected in series, and the cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, while the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is located at the top or bottom of the middle battery module. This design cools the three battery modules while ensuring temperature uniformity and preventing the middle battery module from becoming too cold. The invention also reduces the number of cold plates used and eliminates the need to connect each one to the liquid inlet or outlet pipe, thus saving cost and space. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments of this utility model and their descriptions are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an improper limitation of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement position of the load-bearing cold plate structure according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front view of the cold plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is an exploded front view of the cold plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the back of the cold plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the coolant flow direction in the cold plate assembly of this utility model embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the heat transfer path of the three-layer battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] In the picture:

[0032] 1. Cold plate; 2. Sealing support strip; 3. Heat spreader plate; 4. Flow channel plate; 5. First interface; 6. Second interface; 7. Liquid passage pipe; 8. Upper battery module; 9. Middle battery module; 10. Lower battery module. Detailed Implementation

[0033] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] This embodiment discloses a load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes two cold plate assemblies. The first cold plate assembly is positioned between the upper battery module 8 and the middle battery module 9, and the second cold plate assembly is positioned between the lower battery module 10 and the middle battery module 9; the two cold plate assemblies have the same structure. Figure 1 As shown, coolant enters the first cold plate assembly to cool the bottom of the upper battery module 8 and the top of the middle battery module 9, and coolant enters the second cold plate assembly to cool the bottom of the middle battery module 9 and the top of the lower battery module 10.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, each cold plate assembly includes two cold plates 1 arranged opposite each other; as Figure 3 As shown, a sealing support strip 2 is fixedly installed between the two cold plates 1 along the circumferential edge of the two cold plates 1; so that when the upper cold plate is under load, the load is transferred to the sealing support strip 2, increasing the load-bearing capacity of the cold plate assembly; a flow channel is provided inside the cold plate, and the coolant circulates through the flow channel to carry away the heat of the battery module.

[0037] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, each cold plate includes a heat spreader plate 3 and a flow channel plate 4. The flow channel is set between the heat spreader plate 3 and the flow channel plate 4. When the two cold plates 1 of the same cold plate assembly are arranged opposite each other, the heat spreader plate 3 faces outward and is used to exchange heat with the battery module.

[0038] like Figure 5 As shown, the flow channels of two cold plates 1 within the same cold plate assembly are connected in series, with one cold plate connected to the inlet pipe and the other cold plate connected to the outlet pipe. It is easy to understand that as the coolant flows in the cold plate assembly, it needs to continuously carry away the heat generated in the battery modules on both sides. As the temperature rises along the flow path, the heat exchange effect decreases.

[0039] In other words, the heat exchange capacity of the two cold plates 1 in the same cold plate assembly is different; because the coolant first enters one of the cold plates, exchanges heat with the battery module in contact with that cold plate, and then flows into the other cold plate. At this time, the temperature of the coolant has increased relatively, that is, the cold plate into which the coolant first enters has a higher heat exchange capacity than the other cold plate.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe in the same cold plate assembly is referred to as the first cold plate, and the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is referred to as the second cold plate.

[0041] Furthermore, in order to ensure the temperature uniformity of the three-layer battery module, in this embodiment, the first cold plate of the first cold plate assembly is placed at the bottom of the upper battery module 8, and the first cold plate of the second cold plate assembly is placed at the top of the lower battery module 10, so that the second cold plate of the first cold plate assembly and the second cold plate of the second cold plate assembly are respectively located at the top and bottom of the middle battery module 9.

[0042] That is, the cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe is placed at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, and the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is placed at the top or bottom of the middle battery module.

[0043] The reason for this design is that, Figure 6 As shown, in a three-layer battery module, the heat transfer path between the upper battery module 8 or the lower battery module 10 and the cold plate assembly is longer than that between the middle battery module 9 and the cold plate assembly. This means that the middle battery module 9 receives better cooling. If the heat exchange on both sides of the cold plate assembly is the same, the temperature of the middle battery module 9 will be lower than that of the upper battery module 8 or the lower battery module 10, resulting in poor temperature uniformity among the battery modules and severely affecting the performance of the battery pack.

[0044] In this embodiment, by utilizing the time difference and temperature difference of the coolant during the heat exchange process, the coolant with a lower temperature is first passed through the bottom surface of the upper battery module 8 or the top surface of the lower battery module 10. After heat exchange, the temperature of the coolant will rise and the heat exchange effect will decrease. Therefore, it is introduced into the top and bottom surfaces of the middle battery module 9 to reduce its heat exchange, which can ensure the temperature uniformity of the three battery modules and prevent the temperature of the middle battery module 9 from being too low.

[0045] In this embodiment, only two cold plate assemblies, i.e., four cold plates, are needed to cool the three-layer battery module while maintaining temperature uniformity. Compared to existing technologies, this saves two cold plates. Furthermore, the two cold plates in the cold plate assembly are connected in series, which saves cost and space compared to existing technologies where each cold plate is connected to an inlet or outlet pipe.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, each cold plate assembly has two protrusions on one short side, and the protrusions are provided with interfaces for connecting the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe. The protrusions can prevent the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe from coming into contact with the battery module when they are connected to the cold plate assembly.

[0047] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the outer heat spreader 3 has a first interface 5 on one of its protrusions, with the positions of the first interfaces 5 corresponding vertically. Between the two first interfaces 5, two flow channel plates 4 are closed at the positions corresponding to the first interfaces 5. The inner flow channel plate 4 has a second interface 6 on the other protrusion, with the positions of the second interfaces 6 corresponding vertically. Both the first interface 5 and the second interface 6 are connected to the flow channels within their respective cold plates 1.

[0048] Understandably, in the same cold plate assembly, the first interface 5 connects to the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe respectively, and the two cold plates 1 are connected in series through the connection of the second interface 6. For example... Figure 5 As shown, when the coolant enters from the first port 5 of one cold plate 1, it enters the other cold plate 1 through two mating second ports 6, and finally flows out through the first port 5 of the other cold plate 1. This allows the two cold plates 1 of the same cold plate assembly to cool and exchange heat with the battery module above and below the cold plate assembly, respectively.

[0049] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the flow channel plate 4 is manufactured by stamping, and flow channel grooves are formed on the flow channel plate 4 to guide the flow of coolant, which can greatly improve the heat exchange efficiency. The heat exchange plate 3 is a flat plate structure that covers the flow channel plate 4 and is in direct contact with the flow channel plate 4. Since there are flow channel grooves on the flow channel plate 4, a flow channel for coolant flow is formed between the heat exchange plate 3 and the flow channel plate 4.

[0050] Furthermore, the flow channels can be S-shaped to ensure uniform distribution of coolant, thereby making the temperature of the heat exchange plate 3 uniform throughout.

[0051] It should be noted that the heat exchange plate 3 is a flat plate structure that is in direct contact with the bottom or top of the battery module to provide a heat exchange surface with uniform temperature; while the coolant flows in the channels in the flow channel plate 4 to make the temperature on the heat exchange plate 3 uniform, which can avoid local heat exchange differences and the generation of local hot spots.

[0052] Furthermore, when the two cold plates 1 are arranged opposite each other, the heat exchange plate 3 is positioned on the upper or lower side of the cold plate assembly. This ensures that the upper and lower heat exchange areas of the cold plate assembly are consistent, allowing for uniform heat exchange with the battery modules on both sides.

[0053] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the sealing support strip 2 is disposed between the two flow channel plates 4 along the circumferential edge of the flow channel plate 4, and the height of the sealing support strip 2 is greater than the sum of the flow channel depths in the two cold plates 1 by a predetermined length. In this embodiment, the predetermined length ranges from 1 to 2 mm; this is used to prevent the two flow channel plates 4 from directly contacting each other.

[0054] One of the purposes of this design is that there is a gap between the first cold plate and the second cold plate in the same cold plate assembly, so that the two flow channel plates 4 cannot directly contact each other, avoiding direct heat exchange between the first cold plate and the second cold plate. This would cause the temperature of the coolant flowing through the first cold plate and the second cold plate to be the same, resulting in the temperature of the middle layer battery module 9 being too low, thus affecting the overall thermal balance of the three-layer battery module.

[0055] The second objective is to ensure that when the load passes through the heat exchange plate 3 of the upper cold plate 1 (i.e., the first cold plate of the first cold plate assembly and the second cold plate of the second cold plate assembly), the load is transferred to the sealing bearing strip 2 located at the circumferential edge of the upper flow channel plate 4, and then to the circumferential edge of the lower flow channel plate 4 and the lower heat exchange plate 3, so as to avoid the load directly pressing the flow channel plate 4, thereby ensuring the overall load-bearing capacity.

[0056] In this embodiment, the sealing load-bearing strip 2 is made of aluminum or stainless steel and has a certain strength. It is set between the two cold plates 1 and is the main part of the cold plate assembly used for load bearing.

[0057] Furthermore, in the same cold plate assembly, because a sealing support strip 2 is fixedly installed between the two cold plates 1, and the height of the sealing support strip 2 is greater than the sum of the flow channel depths in the two cold plates 1, there is a gap between the two cold plates 1. For example... Figure 4 As shown, a liquid passage pipe 7 is provided between the second interface 6 of the first cold plate and the second interface 6 of the second cold plate to prevent coolant from entering the gap between the two cold plates 1.

[0058] In this embodiment, the battery module can be a blade cell. The above-mentioned fixing connection is achieved by brazing.

[0059] Although the specific embodiments of the present utility model have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solution of the present utility model are still within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer structure power battery pack, arranged between three-layer battery modules, characterized in that, This includes two cold plate assemblies respectively positioned between two adjacent battery modules; The cold plate assembly includes two opposing cold plates; a sealing and bearing strip is fixed between the two cold plates; The cold plate includes a heat spreader plate and a flow channel plate, with the heat spreader plate facing outwards; a flow channel is provided between the heat spreader plate and the flow channel plate, and the flow channels of the two cold plates in the same cold plate assembly are connected in series; one cold plate is connected to the liquid inlet pipe, and the other cold plate is connected to the liquid outlet pipe. The cold plate connected to the liquid inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the upper battery module or the top of the lower battery module, and the cold plate connected to the liquid outlet pipe is located at the top or bottom of the middle battery module.

2. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer structure power battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two protrusions are provided on one short side of the cold plate assembly, and interfaces for connecting the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe are provided on the protrusions.

3. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat spreader has a first interface on one of the protrusions; between the first interfaces, the flow channel plate is closed at the corresponding position.

4. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flow channel plate has a second interface at a corresponding position on another of the protrusions.

5. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both the first interface and the second interface are connected to the flow channels within their respective cold plates.

6. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inlet pipe and outlet pipe are respectively connected to the first interface.

7. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second interfaces are connected by a liquid inlet tube.

8. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel plate is manufactured by stamping, forming flow channel grooves on the flow channel plate; the heat spreader is a flat plate structure that covers the flow channel plate, forming a flow channel between the heat spreader plate and the flow channel plate.

9. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layered structure power battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, A sealing support strip is disposed between two flow channel plates along the circumferential edge of the flow channel plate, and the height of the sealing support strip is greater than the sum of the flow channel depths in the two cold plates by a set length.

10. A load-bearing cold plate structure for cooling a three-layer power battery pack as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The sealing support strip is made of aluminum or stainless steel.

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