Integrated heat dissipation structure of polymer lithium ion battery pack

Abstract

The utility model discloses an integrated heat dissipation structure of polymer lithium ion battery pack, it includes integrated heat conduction frame, electric core clamping mechanism and fluid circulation mechanism. Integrated heat conduction frame includes base plate and partition wall, forms the accommodation cavity, is equipped with cooling liquid microchannel in the inside, is equipped with heat dissipation fin array on the outer surface, and the electric core clamping mechanism passes through the even pressure of battery monomer that is applied to the compression plate and reset spring, and fluid circulation mechanism communicates microchannel to circulate cooling liquid. The application can realize the efficient integrated heat dissipation of battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery thermal management technology, and in particular to an integrated heat dissipation structure for polymer lithium-ion battery packs. Background Technology

[0002] Polymer lithium-ion battery packs, as high-energy-density, lightweight, and customizable energy storage devices, are widely used in consumer electronics, power tools, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. During battery operation, heat is generated due to electrochemical reactions and internal resistance. If this heat cannot be dissipated effectively and in a timely manner, it may affect the battery pack's performance stability, cycle life, and safety.

[0003] To achieve thermal management of battery packs, existing technologies often employ heat dissipation methods such as air cooling, liquid cooling, or phase change materials. These methods involve placing heat dissipation components outside or inside the battery pack to remove heat through conduction or convection. Some structures also incorporate thermal pads, metal heat sinks, or cooling channels to improve overall heat dissipation efficiency.

[0004] However, most existing polymer lithium-ion battery pack heat dissipation structures attach heat dissipation components to the surface or frame of the battery pack as an additional component. The thermal coupling between the heat dissipation components and the individual battery cells depends on the assembly pressure or the thermal interface material. This results in a long heat conduction path and significant contact thermal resistance. Consequently, local heat accumulation still occurs during continuous high-load operation, affecting the overall response speed and uniformity of thermal management. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an integrated heat dissipation structure for polymer lithium-ion battery packs, which solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] This utility model is implemented as follows: an integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack includes an integrated thermally conductive frame, a cell clamping mechanism, and a fluid circulation mechanism, wherein:

[0007] The integrated thermal conductive frame includes a substrate and multiple partition walls extending vertically from the surface of the substrate. Two adjacent partition walls and the substrate together define a receiving cavity for placing a polymer lithium-ion battery cell. The substrate and the partition walls are provided with interconnected coolant microchannels. The outer surface of the integrated thermal conductive frame is integrally formed with a heat dissipation fin array.

[0008] The cell clamping mechanism is disposed within the partition wall and cooperates with the inner wall of the receiving cavity. It is used to apply a continuous and uniform clamping force to the polymer lithium-ion battery cell placed in the receiving cavity so as to tightly fit the inner wall of the partition wall.

[0009] The fluid circulation mechanism is connected to the inlet and outlet of the coolant microchannel and is used to deliver coolant into the coolant microchannel and circulate it to remove heat.

[0010] Optionally, the integrated heat-conducting frame is integrally formed from aluminum alloy or copper alloy material with high thermal conductivity by die casting or machining. The coolant microchannels are distributed in a serpentine pattern inside the substrate and in a vertically direct direction inside the partition wall. The sidewall of the integrated heat-conducting frame is provided with an inlet and an outlet that communicate with the coolant microchannels.

[0011] Optionally, the cell clamping mechanism includes a clamping plate, multiple return springs, and multiple spring receiving grooves. The partition wall has a mounting groove on the side facing the receiving cavity that matches the shape of the clamping plate. The clamping plate is slidably installed in the mounting groove. The spring receiving groove is opened on the bottom wall of the mounting groove. One end of the return spring abuts against the bottom of the spring receiving groove, and the other end abuts against the surface of the clamping plate opposite to the receiving cavity.

[0012] Optionally, a flexible thermally conductive silicone pad is laminated on the surface of the clamping plate facing the receiving cavity. The thickness of the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad is slightly higher than the height difference between the clamping plate and the partition wall surface. After the polymer lithium-ion battery cell is installed into the receiving cavity, the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad is compressed and deformed to fill the tiny gaps at the contact interface.

[0013] Optionally, the fluid circulation mechanism includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and several sealing joints. The inlet manifold and the outlet manifold are respectively fixed to both ends of the integrated heat-conducting frame. The inlet manifold has a diversion chamber communicating with the inlet, and the outlet manifold has a confluence chamber communicating with the outlet. The sealing joints are threadedly connected to the inlet and outlet, and an annular sealing ring is provided inside the sealing joints.

[0014] Optionally, the top edge of the integrated thermally conductive frame is integrally formed with an electrode lead-out structure, which includes multiple insulating through holes and an insulating bushing fixed to the inner wall of the insulating through holes. The position of the insulating through holes corresponds to the position of the electrode sheet of the battery cell in the receiving cavity, and the electrode sheet of the polymer lithium-ion battery cell extends through the insulating bushing.

[0015] Optionally, the top surface of the integrated heat-conducting frame is also integrally formed with multiple bus mounting bases for fixing series and parallel busbars. The bus mounting bases are provided with threaded holes, and the busbars are fixed to the bus mounting bases by fasteners and connected to the protruding electrode plates.

[0016] Optionally, the structure further includes an outer casing protection assembly, which includes a top cover plate and a bottom cover plate. The top cover plate and the bottom cover plate cover the top and bottom of the integrated heat-conducting frame, respectively, and are detachably connected to the edge of the integrated heat-conducting frame by clips or bolts. Ventilation grilles are provided on both the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate, and the ventilation grilles are directly opposite the heat dissipation fin array.

[0017] Optionally, the partition wall has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, with its width at the end closest to the substrate being greater than the width at the end furthest from the substrate, and the opening size of the receiving cavity is slightly larger than the bottom size. The heat dissipation fins in the heat dissipation fin array are wavy thin sheet structures, and their arrangement direction is adapted to the external airflow direction.

[0018] This invention provides an integrated heat dissipation structure for polymer lithium-ion battery packs, which has the following advantages:

[0019] This integrated heat dissipation structure for polymer lithium-ion battery packs integrates the partition wall for housing and fixing the battery cells, the substrate, the internal coolant microchannels, and the external heat dissipation fin array into a single design. The main heat-generating surface of the polymer lithium-ion battery cell directly contacts the inner wall of the partition wall, greatly shortening the heat conduction path from the heat source to the heat dissipation medium. The cell clamping mechanism uses the continuous elastic force of the return spring to apply uniform contact pressure to the battery cells through the clamping plate, significantly reducing the interfacial contact thermal resistance and improving the thermal coupling efficiency. The synergistic effect of the internal coolant microchannels and the external heat dissipation fin array constructs a dual heat dissipation system combining liquid cooling and air cooling, which can meet the heat dissipation requirements under different operating conditions, improve the overall thermal management response speed and heat dissipation efficiency, and ultimately achieve uniform control of the battery pack's operating temperature. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall design of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partially enlarged view of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1. Integrated thermally conductive frame; 2. Substrate; 3. Partition wall; 4. Receiving cavity; 5. Coolant microchannels; 6. Heat dissipation fin array; 7. Cell clamping mechanism; 8. Pressure plate; 9. Return spring; 10. Spring receiving groove; 11. Mounting groove; 12. Flexible thermally conductive silicone pad; 13. Fluid circulation mechanism; 14. Inlet manifold; 15. Outlet manifold; 16. Sealing joint; 17. Diverter chamber; 18. Combination chamber; 19. Annular sealing ring; 20. Electrode lead-out structure; 21. Insulating through hole; 22. Insulating bushing; 23. Busbar mounting base; 24. Threaded hole; 25. Outer casing protection assembly; 26. Top cover plate; 27. Bottom cover plate; 28. Buckle; 29. ​​Ventilation grid; 30. Inlet; 31. Outlet; 32. Cell; 33. Electrode sheet. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 4 This utility model provides an integrated heat dissipation structure for polymer lithium-ion battery packs. This structure is applied to the thermal management of polymer lithium-ion battery packs and regulates the operating temperature of the battery pack through integrated structural design and composite heat dissipation method.

[0028] Please see Figures 1 to 4 This utility model provides a technical solution: an integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack, including an integrated thermally conductive frame 1, a cell clamping mechanism 7, and a fluid circulation mechanism 13.

[0029] The integrated thermally conductive frame 1 is the main load-bearing component of the entire heat dissipation structure. It is made entirely of a high thermal conductivity metal material, such as aluminum alloy or copper alloy, and is integrally formed through die casting or machining. Its structure possesses high strength and high thermal conductivity. The integrated thermally conductive frame 1 includes a flat substrate 2 and multiple partition walls 3 extending vertically from the upper surface of the substrate 2. The substrate 2 has a rectangular plate structure, providing basic support for the entire frame. The multiple partition walls 3 are arranged parallel to each other at intervals, and each pair of adjacent partition walls 3 and the upper surface of the substrate 2 together define a cuboid-shaped receiving cavity 4. The internal space dimensions of each receiving cavity 4 are adapted to the external dimensions of a standard polymer lithium-ion battery cell 32, and the battery cell 32 is placed within the receiving cavity 4.

[0030] To achieve internal liquid cooling, the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 is internally equipped with a complex network of coolant microchannels 5. Specifically, the coolant microchannels 5 are distributed in a serpentine path inside the substrate 2, traversing the entire area of ​​the substrate 2 and increasing the heat exchange area between the coolant and the substrate 2. Simultaneously, the coolant microchannels 5 extend upwards from the interior of the substrate 2 into the interior of each partition wall 3, where they are distributed vertically. The serpentine channels inside the substrate 2 are interconnected with the vertical channels inside all the partition walls 3, forming a complete and continuous internal fluid circulation loop. One side wall of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 has a liquid inlet 30, and the other side wall has a liquid outlet 31, which are respectively connected to both ends of the coolant microchannel network 5.

[0031] To achieve external air cooling, the outer surface of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, particularly the outer surfaces of its two side walls, is integrally formed with a heat dissipation fin array 6. The heat dissipation fin array 6 consists of a large number of thin, sheet-like heat dissipation fins, which are directly connected to the outer wall of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, greatly increasing the contact area between the frame and the outside air. In this embodiment, the heat dissipation fins have a wavy, thin-sheet structure, and their arrangement direction is adapted to the direction of the external airflow. When the external airflow flows through the heat dissipation fin array 6, it can efficiently carry away heat.

[0032] The cell clamping mechanism 7 applies a continuous and uniform clamping force to the polymer lithium-ion battery cell 32 placed in the receiving cavity 4, pressing it tightly against the inner wall of the partition wall 3. (See also...) Figure 2 The cell clamping mechanism 7 is disposed inside the partition wall 3. Specifically, each partition wall 3 has a mounting groove 11 on its surface facing the receiving cavity 4, which is adapted to the shape of the clamping plate 8. The clamping plate 8 is a flat plate-shaped component that is slidably installed in the mounting groove 11. The clamping plate 8 can reciprocate within the mounting groove 11 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the partition wall 3. On the bottom wall of the mounting groove 11, a plurality of cylindrical spring receiving grooves 10 are also provided. Each spring receiving groove 10 contains a return spring 9. The return spring 9 is a compression spring, one end of which abuts against the bottom of the spring receiving groove 10, and the other end of which abuts against the surface of the clamping plate 8 facing away from the receiving cavity 4. The return spring 9 is always in a compressed state, and its elastic force acts on the battery cell 32 placed in the receiving cavity 4 through the clamping plate 8.

[0033] To further reduce contact thermal resistance, a flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12 is laminated onto the surface of the clamping plate 8 facing the receiving cavity 4. The flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12 has good thermal conductivity and elasticity. In its natural state, the thickness of the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12 is slightly greater than the height difference between the outer surface of the clamping plate 8 and the surface of the partition wall 3. When the polymer lithium-ion battery cell 32 is inserted into the receiving cavity 4, the sidewall of the battery cell 32 presses against the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12. The flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12 undergoes elastic deformation under compression. This deformation can fill the tiny air gaps and unevenness between the surface of the battery cell 32 and the surface of the clamping plate 8, forming a gapless thermally conductive contact surface.

[0034] The fluid circulation mechanism 13 is connected to the coolant microchannels 5 of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, and its function is to deliver coolant into the coolant microchannels 5 and establish circulation. (See also...) Figure 3 The fluid circulation mechanism 13 includes an inlet manifold 14, an outlet manifold 15, and several sealing joints 16. The inlet manifold 14 and the outlet manifold 15 are fixed to both ends of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 by bolts or welding, corresponding to the positions of the inlet port 30 and the outlet port 31, respectively. The inlet manifold 14 has an internal branching chamber 17, which is connected to an external coolant source and simultaneously communicates with the inlet port 30 on the integrated heat-conducting frame 1. The outlet manifold 15 has an internal confluence chamber 18, which communicates with the outlet port 31 on the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 and collects the coolant flowing from each channel before directing it to the external cooling system. The sealing joints 16 are threaded onto the inlet port 30 and the outlet port 31, and their function is to establish a sealed connection between the manifold and the frame. The sealing joint 16 is provided with an annular sealing ring 19 inside. When the sealing joint 16 is tightened, the annular sealing ring 19 is compressed, forming a reliable fluid seal at the connection interface.

[0035] To integrate the electrical connection structure of the battery pack, an electrode lead-out structure 20 is integrally formed at the top edge of the integrated thermally conductive frame 1. The electrode lead-out structure 20 includes multiple insulating through-holes 21. The positions of the insulating through-holes 21 precisely correspond to the positions of the electrode plates 33 of the battery cells 32 within the receiving cavity 4. An insulating bushing 22 is also fixedly installed on the inner wall of each insulating through-hole 21. The insulating bushing 22 is made of a high-insulation-strength material, such as ceramic or engineering plastic. During assembly, the electrode plates 33 of the polymer lithium-ion battery cells 32 pass through the corresponding insulating bushings 22 and extend from the top of the integrated thermally conductive frame 1. The insulating bushings 22 electrically isolate the electrode plates 33 from the metallic integrated thermally conductive frame 1.

[0036] On the top surface of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, multiple busbar mounting bases 23 for fixing series-parallel busbars are integrally formed. Each busbar mounting base 23 is a raised, platform-like structure with threaded holes 24 on its upper surface. The series-parallel busbars are conductive copper or aluminum plates used to connect the electrode plates 33 of different battery cells 32. They are secured to the top of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 by fasteners, such as bolts, which pass through the through holes on the busbars and are screwed into the threaded holes 24 of the busbar mounting bases 23. The fixed series-parallel busbars are then connected to the electrode plates 33 extending from the insulating bushings 22 by welding or bolting, completing the electrical series-parallel circuit of the entire battery pack.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, the partition wall 3 is designed with a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, with the width at the end closer to the substrate 2 being greater than the width at the end farther from the substrate 2. This design makes the opening of the receiving cavity 4 slightly larger than its bottom, providing a certain guiding effect during the process of inserting the battery cell 32 into the receiving cavity 4.

[0038] This utility model also includes a protective outer casing assembly 25. The protective outer casing assembly 25 includes a top cover plate 26 and a bottom cover plate 27. The top cover plate 26 and the bottom cover plate 27 respectively cover the top and bottom of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1. The top cover plate 26 and the bottom cover plate 27 are detachably connected to the edge of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 by multiple clips 28 or bolts. Both the top cover plate 26 and the bottom cover plate 27 have large-area ventilation grilles 29. The ventilation grilles 29 are positioned directly opposite the heat dissipation fin array 6 on the outer wall of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, allowing external airflow to flow unimpeded through the ventilation grilles 29 and exchange heat with the heat dissipation fin array 6.

[0039] The working process of this utility model is as follows:

[0040] First, multiple polymer lithium-ion battery cells 32 are respectively installed into the respective receiving cavities 4 of the integrated thermally conductive frame 1. During installation, the sidewall of the battery cell 32 first contacts the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12 on the clamping plate 8, pushing the clamping plate 8 into the mounting groove 11, further compressing the return spring 9. After installation, the continuous elastic force of the return spring 9, through the clamping plate 8 and the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad 12, tightly presses the other sidewall of the battery cell 32 against the inner wall of the partition wall 3, forming a low thermal resistance thermally conductive interface. At the same time, the electrode plates 33 of the battery cell 32 are passed through the top insulating bushing 22.

[0041] Next, the series-parallel bus is placed on the bus mounting base 23, fixed with fasteners, and the electrical connection with the electrode plate 33 is completed.

[0042] Then, the inlet manifold 14 and the outlet manifold 15 are fixed to both ends of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1, and connected to the inlet port 30 and the outlet port 31 through the sealing joint 16. The external coolant circulation system is connected to the interfaces of the inlet manifold 14 and the outlet manifold 15.

[0043] Finally, the top cover plate 26 and the bottom cover plate 27 are respectively installed on the top and bottom of the integrated heat-conducting frame 1 and fixed by the buckle 28.

[0044] During battery pack operation, the heat generated by the individual battery cells 32 is dissipated primarily through two paths. The first path is liquid cooling: heat is conducted from the sidewall of the individual battery cell 32 to the inner wall of the closely fitted partition wall 3, and then to the coolant microchannels 5 inside the partition wall 3. The fluid circulation mechanism 13 drives the coolant to enter from the inlet 30, flow through the microchannel network within the substrate 2 and partition wall 3, absorb heat, and then flow out from the outlet 31, thus carrying away the heat. The second path is air cooling: heat is conducted through the overall structure of the integrated thermally conductive frame 1 to the heat dissipation fin array 6 on its outer surface. External airflow flows through the ventilation grille 29 and the heat dissipation fin array 6, carrying away heat through convection heat transfer. These two heat dissipation paths work together to effectively regulate the temperature of the battery pack.

[0045] 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 and improvements 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. An integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack, characterized in that, The integrated heat-conducting frame (1), the battery cell clamping mechanism (7), and the fluid circulation mechanism (13) are included. The integrated heat-conducting frame (1) includes a substrate (2) and a plurality of partition walls (3) extending vertically from the surface of the substrate (2). Two adjacent partition walls (3) together with the substrate (2) define a receiving cavity (4). Cooling liquid microchannels (5) are provided inside the substrate (2) and the partition walls (3). The outer surface of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1) is integrally formed with a heat dissipation fin array (6). The cell clamping mechanism (7) is disposed in the partition wall (3) and is used to apply a clamping force to the polymer lithium-ion battery cell (32) placed in the receiving cavity (4); The fluid circulation mechanism (13) is connected to the inlet and outlet of the coolant microchannel (5) and is used to deliver coolant into the coolant microchannel (5).

2. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cell clamping mechanism (7) includes a clamping plate (8), multiple reset springs (9) and multiple spring receiving grooves (10). The partition wall (3) has an installation groove (11) on the side facing the receiving cavity (4). The clamping plate (8) is slidably installed in the installation groove (11). The spring receiving groove (10) is opened on the bottom wall of the installation groove (11). One end of the reset spring (9) abuts against the bottom of the spring receiving groove (10), and the other end abuts against the surface of the clamping plate (8) on the side facing away from the receiving cavity (4).

3. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that: A flexible thermally conductive silicone pad (12) is laminated on the surface of the clamping plate (8) facing the receiving cavity (4), and the thickness of the flexible thermally conductive silicone pad (12) is higher than the height difference between the clamping plate (8) and the surface of the partition wall (3).

4. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fluid circulation mechanism (13) includes an inlet manifold (14), an outlet manifold (15), and a sealing joint (16). The inlet manifold (14) and the outlet manifold (15) are respectively fixed to both ends of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1). The integrated heat-conducting frame (1) is provided with an inlet (30) and an outlet (31) that communicate with the coolant microchannel (5). The inlet manifold (14) has a diversion chamber (17) that communicates with the inlet (30). The outlet manifold (15) has a confluence chamber (18) that communicates with the outlet (31). The sealing joint (16) is connected to the inlet (30) and the outlet (31). The sealing joint (16) is provided with an annular sealing ring (19).

5. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electrode lead-out structure (20) is integrally formed at the top edge of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1). The electrode lead-out structure (20) includes multiple insulating through holes (21) and an insulating bushing (22) fixed to the inner wall of the insulating through holes (21). The position of the insulating through holes (21) corresponds to the position of the electrode sheet (33) of the polymer lithium-ion battery cell (32) in the receiving cavity (4).

6. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top surface of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1) is also integrally formed with multiple busbar fixing seats (23), and the busbar fixing seats (23) are provided with threaded holes (24).

7. The integrated heat dissipation structure for a polymer lithium-ion battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an outer casing protection assembly (25), which includes a top cover plate (26) and a bottom cover plate (27). The top cover plate (26) and the bottom cover plate (27) cover the top and bottom of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1) respectively, and are detachably connected to the edge of the integrated heat-conducting frame (1) by a buckle (28) or a bolt. Ventilation grilles (29) are provided on both the top cover plate (26) and the bottom cover plate (27), and the ventilation grilles (29) are directly opposite the heat dissipation fin array (6).

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