Liquid cooling assembly, battery pack, and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a liquid cooling assembly, a battery pack and a vehicle, and particularly relates to the technical field of batteries. The liquid cooling assembly comprises a liquid cooling body, a flow guide cover plate, a plurality of liquid inlets and a liquid outlet. The liquid cooling body is arranged in extension along a first direction, and a plurality of flow channels are arranged in the liquid cooling body. The flow guide cover plates are respectively arranged at two ends of the liquid cooling body in the first direction. The plurality of liquid inlets are arranged on one of the flow guide cover plates along a second direction. The liquid outlet is arranged on the other flow guide cover plate, and the liquid inlets and the liquid outlet are both connected to the flow channels through the flow guide cover plates. In this way, the liquid cooling assembly provided by the application greatly reduces the flow resistance of the liquid cooling assembly by increasing the number of liquid inlets, so that the flow distribution of the entire liquid cooling assembly is more uniform, the temperature difference of the battery pack is effectively reduced, and the cycle life of the battery pack is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to a liquid cooling component, a battery pack, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] With technological advancements and the booming development of the new energy industry, power batteries have been widely used in numerous fields, including electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, consumer electronics, and industrial equipment. As power density continues to increase, thermal management directly impacts the safety, lifespan, and overall performance of battery packs. Overheating can lead to performance degradation, reduced reliability, and even damage to the battery pack.

[0003] To meet the requirements of the battery pack, liquid cooling is typically used. The battery pack may include a liquid cooling assembly, into which coolant is injected to maintain normal operation and extend its lifespan.

[0004] However, in existing battery packs, cylindrical cells are widely used due to their compact structure and high energy density. But they are prone to heat buildup during high-power charging and discharging, leading to excessively high localized temperatures, which in turn affects the battery pack's cycle life and system stability. As vehicle energy efficiency control becomes increasingly precise, conventional liquid cooling components may have excessive flow resistance, failing to meet the battery pack's heat dissipation requirements. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a liquid cooling component, a battery pack, and a vehicle. By increasing the number of liquid inlets, the flow resistance of the liquid cooling component is greatly reduced, resulting in a more uniform flow distribution throughout the liquid cooling component, effectively reducing the temperature difference of the battery pack, and increasing the cycle life of the battery pack.

[0006] The first aspect of this application provides a liquid cooling assembly, comprising:

[0007] A liquid cooling body extends along a first direction and has multiple flow channels inside it;

[0008] Drainage covers are located at both ends of the liquid cooling body in the first direction;

[0009] Multiple liquid inlets are located along the second direction on one of the drainage cover plates;

[0010] The liquid outlet is located on another flow guide cover plate, and both the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are connected to the flow channel through the flow guide cover plate.

[0011] The liquid cooling assembly provided in the first aspect of this application includes a liquid cooling body, flow guide plates, multiple liquid inlets, and a liquid outlet. The liquid cooling body extends along a first direction and has multiple flow channels within it. Flow guide plates are located at both ends of the liquid cooling body in the first direction. Multiple liquid inlets are located on one of the flow guide plates along a second direction. The liquid outlet is located on the other flow guide plate, and both the inlets and outlets are connected to the flow channels through the flow guide plates. Thus, the liquid cooling assembly provided in this application, by increasing the number of liquid inlets, significantly reduces the flow resistance of the liquid cooling assembly, resulting in a more uniform flow distribution throughout the assembly, effectively reducing the temperature difference of the battery pack, and increasing the cycle life of the battery pack.

[0012] In one possible implementation, it further includes: an inlet connector and an outlet connector;

[0013] The inlet connector is connected to the inlet port and is used to guide the coolant into the flow channel;

[0014] The outlet connector is connected to the outlet and is used to discharge coolant into the flow channel.

[0015] In one possible implementation, both the inlet and outlet connectors are disposed on the drainage cover along a third direction.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the drainage cover is provided with a drainage groove inside, one end of which is connected to each flow channel, and the other end of which is connected to the liquid inlet or liquid outlet.

[0017] In one possible implementation, it further includes: a current collector;

[0018] The current collectors are fixedly connected to both ends of the liquid cooling body in the first direction.

[0019] In one possible implementation, it further includes: a sealing element that seals both ends of the current collector in the second direction;

[0020] The sealing component and the inner surface of the collector form a collection cavity.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the liquid cooling body has a serpentine channel, which is a continuous wave-shaped channel with alternating protrusions;

[0022] The serpentine channel is used to contact the outer surface of the battery cell.

[0023] A second aspect of this application provides a battery pack, including a battery cell unit and the aforementioned liquid cooling assembly;

[0024] Several battery cell units are arranged alternately along the first direction.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the battery cell and the liquid cooling assembly are connected by thermally conductive structural adhesive.

[0026] A third aspect of this application provides a vehicle including the aforementioned battery pack.

[0027] It should be understood that the second and third aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0028] In addition to the technical problems solved by this application, the technical features constituting the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by the technical features of these technical solutions as described above, other technical problems that can be solved by a liquid cooling component, battery pack, and vehicle provided by this application, other technical features included in the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects brought about by these technical features will be further described in detail in the specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only a part of the embodiments of this application. These drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of this application in any way, but to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid cooling assembly provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 A top view of the liquid cooling assembly provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the battery pack provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 100 - Liquid cooling assembly;

[0035] 200 - Liquid cooling body; 210 - Flow channel; 220 - Serpentine channel;

[0036] 300 - Drainage cover plate; 310 - Liquid inlet; 311 - Liquid inlet connector; 320 - Liquid outlet; 321 - Liquid outlet connector; 330 - Drainage channel; 340 - First drainage cover plate; 341 - First drainage channel; 350 - Second drainage cover plate; 351 - Second drainage channel;

[0037] 400 - Current collector; 410 - Sealing element; 420 - Current collector cavity;

[0038] 500-battery pack;

[0039] 600-cell unit. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] As described in the background section, cylindrical cells are widely used in existing battery packs due to their compact structure and high energy density. However, they are prone to heat accumulation during high-power charging and discharging, leading to excessively high local temperatures and affecting the cycle life and system stability of the battery pack. With increasingly precise energy efficiency control in vehicles, conventional liquid cooling components may have excessive flow resistance, failing to meet the heat dissipation requirements of the battery pack.

[0042] To address the aforementioned technical problems, a first aspect of this application provides a liquid cooling assembly. This liquid cooling assembly includes a liquid cooling body, flow guide plates, multiple liquid inlets, and a liquid outlet. The liquid cooling body extends along a first direction and has multiple flow channels within it. Flow guide plates are located at both ends of the liquid cooling body along the first direction. Multiple liquid inlets are located on one of the flow guide plates along a second direction. The liquid outlet is located on the other flow guide plate, and both the inlets and outlets are connected to the flow channels through the flow guide plates. Thus, the liquid cooling assembly provided by this application, by increasing the number of liquid inlets, significantly reduces the flow resistance of the liquid cooling assembly, resulting in a more uniform flow distribution throughout the assembly, effectively reducing the temperature difference of the battery pack, and increasing the cycle life of the battery pack.

[0043] A second aspect of this application provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes battery cells and the aforementioned liquid cooling assembly. A plurality of battery cells are alternately arranged along a first direction.

[0044] A third aspect of this application provides a vehicle. The vehicle includes the battery pack described above.

[0045] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0046] This application provides a liquid cooling component, a battery pack, and a vehicle. By increasing the number of liquid inlets, the flow resistance of the liquid cooling component is significantly reduced, resulting in a more uniform flow distribution throughout the component. This effectively reduces the temperature difference within the battery pack and increases its cycle life. The specific structure of the liquid cooling component, battery pack, and vehicle provided in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 This application provides a liquid cooling assembly 100 in a first aspect. The liquid cooling assembly 100 may include a liquid cooling body 200, a flow guide plate 300, a liquid inlet 310, and a liquid outlet 320. The liquid cooling body 200 may extend along a first direction, and may have flow channels 210 within it. In one possible implementation, the number of flow channels 210 may be several; this application embodiment does not limit the number of flow channels 210. In this application embodiment, the number of flow guide plates 300 may be two, and the two flow guide plates 300 may be located at opposite ends of the liquid cooling body 200 in the first direction, and each flow guide plate 300 is connected to each flow channel 210 in the liquid cooling body 200.

[0048] Continue to refer to Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, each flow channel 210 can be extended along the first direction, and each flow channel 210 is arranged in parallel in the liquid cooling body 200.

[0049] Continue to refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, in one possible implementation, the number of inlets 310 can be several. This application embodiment does not limit the number of inlets 310. In this embodiment, two inlets 310 are used as an example. The two inlets 310 can be disposed on one of the drainage cover plates 300 along the second direction. Correspondingly, the outlet 320 can be disposed on the other drainage cover plate 300. It is understood that both the inlets 310 and the outlet 320 can be connected to the flow channel 210 through the drainage cover plate 300.

[0050] In this way, by increasing the number of liquid inlets 310, the flow resistance of the liquid cooling component 100 is greatly reduced, making the flow distribution of the entire liquid cooling component 100 more uniform, effectively reducing the temperature difference of the battery pack 500, and increasing the cycle life of the battery pack 500.

[0051] It should be noted that, for ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, the first direction can be the length direction of the liquid cooling body 200, that is... Figure 1 The x-direction. The second direction can be the width direction of the liquid cooling body 200, i.e. Figure 1 The y-direction. The third direction can be the height direction of the liquid cooling body (200), i.e. Figure 1 The z-direction in the equation.

[0052] Continue to refer to Figure 1 Based on the above embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 100 may further include: a liquid inlet connector 311 and a liquid outlet connector 321. The liquid inlet connector 311 may be connected to the liquid inlet 310, and the liquid outlet connector 321 may be connected to the liquid outlet 320. In one possible implementation, the number of liquid inlet connectors 311 may be the same as the number of liquid inlets 310, and the liquid inlet connectors 311 and liquid inlets 310 are correspondingly arranged. Correspondingly, the number of liquid outlet connectors 321 may also be the same as the number of liquid outlets 320, and the liquid outlet connectors 321 and liquid outlets 320 are correspondingly arranged. It is understood that the liquid inlet connector 311 can be used to introduce coolant into the flow channel 210, and the liquid outlet connector 321 can be used to discharge coolant out of the flow channel 210, thereby allowing the coolant to flow throughout the entire liquid cooling assembly 100.

[0053] Continue to refer to Figure 1 Based on the above embodiments, both the liquid inlet connector 311 and the liquid outlet connector 321 can be disposed on the drainage cover plate 300 along a third direction. It is understood that disposing both the liquid inlet connector 311 and the liquid outlet connector 321 on the drainage cover plate 300 along a third direction can make full use of the space in the third direction, greatly reduce the space in the first direction, leave more space for the layout of the battery pack 500, and increase the energy density of the battery pack 500.

[0054] Continue to refer to Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, the drain cover 300 may be provided with a drain groove 330 inside. One end of the drain groove 330 may be connected to each flow channel 210, while the other end may be connected to either the inlet 310 or the outlet 320. It is understood that coolant flows simultaneously into the two inlets 310 through the two inlet connectors 311, then enters the flow channel 210 along the drain groove 330 of the drain cover 300, and finally flows out through the drain groove 330 at the other end of the drain cover 300 to the outlet 320 and the outlet connector 321.

[0055] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the drainage cover 300 may include a first drainage cover 340 and a second drainage cover 350. In this embodiment, the inlet 310 may be provided on the first drainage cover 340, and the outlet 320 may be provided on the second drainage cover 350. A first drainage groove 341 may be formed on the first drainage cover 340, and a second drainage groove 351 may be formed on the second drainage cover 350. It is understood that one end of the first drainage groove 341 is connected to each flow channel 210, and the other end of the first drainage groove 341 is connected to the inlet 310. Correspondingly, one end of the second drainage groove 351 is connected to each flow channel 210, and the other end of the second drainage groove 351 is connected to the outlet 320.

[0056] Continue to refer to Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 100 is observed from a third party. In one possible implementation, the first drainage channel 341 can be rectangular, and the second drainage channel 351 can be T-shaped. This application does not limit the implementation of the embodiments.

[0057] Continue to refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 100 may further include a current collector 400. In one possible implementation, the number of current collectors 400 may be two. In this embodiment, the two current collectors 400 may be fixedly connected to both ends of the liquid cooling body 200 in the first direction.

[0058] Continue to refer to Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, the liquid cooling assembly 100 may further include: sealing members 410. In one possible implementation, the number of sealing members 410 may be four. In this embodiment, every two sealing members 410 may respectively seal both ends of the current collector 400 in the second direction. It is understood that the sealing members 410 and the inner surface of the current collector 400 may form a sealed space, thereby forming a current collection cavity 420.

[0059] Based on the above embodiments, it can also be understood that the manifold 420 can be connected to each flow channel 210. In this way, the manifold 420 can further achieve a smooth transition of the coolant, playing a role in stabilizing pressure, equalizing flow, and reducing pressure drop. When the coolant enters the larger manifold 420 from the smaller inlet 310, the flow velocity decreases instantaneously, and kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy. This buffering process makes the pressure distribution within the manifold 420 relatively uniform, thereby allowing the coolant to flow evenly into each parallel flow channel 210.

[0060] Continue to refer to Figure 1 Based on the above embodiments, the liquid cooling body 200 has a serpentine channel 220. The serpentine channel 220 can be a continuous, alternating, convex wave-shaped channel. It is understood that the serpentine channel 220 can be used to contact the outer surface of the battery cell 600. Through the interaction between the serpentine channel 220 and the outer surface of the battery cell 600, the liquid cooling body 200 achieves heat dissipation for the battery cell 600.

[0061] refer to Figure 3 This application provides a battery pack 500 in a second aspect. The battery pack 500 may include battery cell units 600 and the aforementioned liquid cooling assembly 100. In one possible implementation, the number of battery cell units 600 can be several; this application embodiment does not limit the number of battery cell units 600. In this application embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, taking a cylindrical battery cell 600 as an example, several battery cell units 600 can be arranged alternately along the first direction, and the outer surface of each battery cell unit 600 can contact the serpentine channel 220 of the liquid cooling assembly 100.

[0062] Based on the above embodiments, the battery cell unit 600 and the liquid cooling assembly 100 can be connected by thermally conductive structural adhesive. The embodiments described in this application are not intended to be limiting.

[0063] This application provides a vehicle (not shown in the figures) in a third aspect. The vehicle may include the battery pack 500 described above.

[0064] In this embodiment of the application, the liquid cooling component 100 provided in this embodiment of the application greatly reduces the flow resistance of the liquid cooling component 100 by increasing the number of liquid inlets 310, making the flow distribution of the entire liquid cooling component 100 more uniform, effectively reducing the temperature difference of the battery pack 500, and increasing the cycle life of the battery pack 500.

[0065] The various embodiments or implementation methods described in this specification are presented in a progressive manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0066] It should be noted that phrases such as "in specific implementations," "in some embodiments," "in this embodiment," and "exemplarily" in the specification indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0067] Generally speaking, terms should be understood at least in part by their use in context. For example, at least in part by context, the term "one or more" as used in the text can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic of the singular meaning, or a combination of features, structures, or characteristics of the plural meaning. Similarly, at least in part by context, terms such as "a" or "the" can also be understood to convey either singular or plural usage.

[0068] It should be readily understood that “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on something” but also “on something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).

[0069] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0070] Finally, it should be noted that other embodiments of this application will readily conceive of by those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein, and is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling assembly, characterized in that, include: A liquid cooling body (200) extends along a first direction and has multiple flow channels (210) inside. Drainage cover plate (300), the drainage cover plate (300) is located at both ends of the liquid cooling body (200) in the first direction; Multiple liquid inlets (310) are provided on one of the drainage cover plates (300) along a second direction; The liquid outlet (320) is located on another drainage cover plate (300). The liquid inlet (310) and the liquid outlet (320) are both connected to the flow channel (210) through the drainage cover plate (300).

2. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Inlet connector (311) and outlet connector (321); The liquid inlet connector (311) is connected to the liquid inlet (310) and is used to introduce coolant into the flow channel (210). The liquid outlet connector (321) is connected to the liquid outlet (320) and is used to discharge coolant into the flow channel (210).

3. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the inlet connector (311) and the outlet connector (321) are disposed on the drainage cover plate (300) along a third direction.

4. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drainage cover (300) is provided with a drainage groove (330) inside. One end of the drainage groove (330) is connected to each of the flow channels (210), and the other end of the drainage groove (330) is connected to the liquid inlet (310) or the liquid outlet (320).

5. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: current collector(400); The current collector (400) is fixedly connected to both ends of the liquid cooling body (200) in the first direction.

6. The liquid cooling assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: A sealing element (410) is provided to seal both ends of the current collector (400) in the second direction; The sealing element (410) and the inner surface of the current collector (400) form a current collector cavity (420).

7. The liquid cooling assembly according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The liquid cooling body (200) has a serpentine channel (220), which is an alternating convex continuous wave-shaped channel; The serpentine channel (220) is used to contact the outer surface of the cell unit (600).

8. A battery pack, characterized in that, It includes a battery cell unit (600) and a liquid cooling assembly (100) as described in any one of claims 1-7. Several of the battery cell units (600) are arranged alternately along the first direction.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery cell unit (600) and the liquid cooling assembly (100) are connected by thermally conductive structural adhesive.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack (500) as described in claim 8 or 9 above.

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