A liquid distribution shower plate structure applied to an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of liquid distribution shower plate structures applied to electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system, it is related to battery energy storage heat management technical field, its technical scheme main point is: including liquid inlet main, with the equalizing chamber of liquid inlet main intercommunication, and the porous plate of being horizontally arranged below equalizing chamber;The bottom of equalizing chamber is uniformly distributed with several pinholes, for cooling liquid is uniformly distributed to the upper surface of porous plate;Porous plate includes several convex holes of uniform distribution, convex hole is configured as upward convex, to make cooling liquid accumulate to form liquid layer on the upper surface of porous plate, when liquid layer height is enough to overcome the orifice resistance of convex hole, cooling liquid is evenly sprinkled to battery module under the action of gravity by each convex hole.The utility model realizes the accurate distribution of cooling liquid by the mode of "first stable voltage, then equal flow", and simple and reliable structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery energy storage thermal management technology, and more specifically, it relates to a liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous increase in battery cell capacity, liquid cooling technology has become the mainstream cooling method for battery thermal management systems due to its advantages such as strong adaptability, high cooling efficiency, good temperature uniformity, and low energy consumption. In immersion liquid cooling systems, the battery module is partially immersed in insulating coolant. By maintaining a certain liquid level, it not only saves coolant consumption and reduces the total life cycle cost, but also improves the accuracy of battery temperature control and system safety.

[0003] The internal structural design of an immersion battery pack enclosure has a decisive influence on the coolant flow field distribution, directly affecting heat exchange efficiency and temperature uniformity. Currently, common immersion pack enclosure structures mainly include two types: the "serpentine flow channel" structure and the "spray" structure.

[0004] The serpentine flow channel structure: the coolant enters from the bottom of the first battery module, flows through the gaps between the battery modules, and is guided to the next module by a guide plate, thus repeating the process to form a series serpentine path. This structure has a long flow channel and high flow resistance, resulting in high power consumption of the coolant pump. In addition, the coolant in contact with the end battery module has been heated by the preceding battery module, creating a downstream temperature gradient that affects the temperature uniformity of the battery modules.

[0005] Spray-type structure: A spray distribution system is installed on top of the battery module to spray low-temperature coolant onto the battery module, allowing it to flow downwards over the cell surface and finally collect at the bottom of the battery pack housing. This method still has room for improvement in terms of spray uniformity, and the coolant is prone to direct contact with the temperature sensing elements on the surface of the signal acquisition module (CCS) above the battery module, causing distortion in cell temperature measurement.

[0006] Therefore, a new solution is needed to address this problem. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system, which achieves precise distribution of coolant through a "first stabilize the pressure, then equalize the flow" approach and a simple and reliable structure.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system, which is installed in the battery PACK box and located above the battery module in the battery PACK box, including a liquid inlet main pipe, a pressure equalization chamber connected to the liquid inlet main pipe, and a perforated plate horizontally arranged below the pressure equalization chamber.

[0009] The bottom of the pressure equalization chamber has several small holes evenly distributed to distribute the coolant evenly to the upper surface of the perforated plate.

[0010] The perforated plate includes a plurality of evenly distributed protruding holes, which are configured to protrude upwards so that coolant accumulates on the upper surface of the perforated plate to form a liquid layer. When the height of the liquid layer is sufficient to overcome the orifice resistance of the protruding holes, the coolant is evenly sprayed onto the battery module through each protruding hole under the action of gravity.

[0011] Preferably, the perforated plate includes a base plate and flanges formed around the base plate, the protruding holes are disposed on the base plate, and there is a height difference between the base plate and the flanges.

[0012] Preferably, the main inlet pipe is fixed to the battery PACK housing by a first detachable connecting assembly, and multiple branch pipes are connected to the main inlet pipe. The pressure equalization chamber is formed in the multiple branch pipes. The small hole is provided on the bottom side of the branch pipe. The end of the branch pipe away from the main inlet pipe is fixed to the flange by a second detachable connecting assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the branch pipe is welded or threaded to the main inlet pipe.

[0014] Preferably, a top cover is detachably connected to the battery PACK housing, forming a sealed cavity between the top cover and the battery PACK housing, and the flange is sandwiched between the top cover and the battery PACK housing.

[0015] Preferably, the top cover is detachably connected to the battery pack housing via a first bolt.

[0016] Preferably, there is a gap between the liquid spraying plate structure and the top cover plate, and between the perforated plate and the battery module.

[0017] Preferably, the first detachable connection assembly includes a snap fastener for snapping the liquid inlet manifold onto the battery PACK housing, and a second bolt for connecting and fixing the snap fastener onto the battery PACK housing. The second detachable connection assembly has the same structure as the first detachable connection assembly.

[0018] Preferably, the protruding hole is a stamped hole.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the liquid distribution plate structure disclosed in this utility model for use in electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling systems are:

[0020] 1. Through the configuration of the inlet manifold, pressure equalization chamber, and perforated plate, with the protruding holes facing upwards, the coolant first stabilizes its pressure within the pressure equalization chamber, then forms a uniform liquid layer on the surface of the perforated plate, and finally is sprayed onto the battery module in a stable and continuous droplet form. This process achieves a uniform liquid distribution effect similar to a "shower head," effectively improving the temperature uniformity between battery cells. Simultaneously, the perforation positions of the protruding holes in the perforated plate can be strategically arranged to avoid direct impact of the coolant on the temperature sensing element on the surface of the control signal acquisition module (CCS) above the battery module, thus ensuring the accuracy of cell temperature measurement.

[0021] 2. Compared with the traditional "serpentine flow channel" structure, the coolant flow channel formed by this utility model is shorter and the flow resistance is lower, which helps to reduce the operating power consumption of the coolant pump and improve the overall energy efficiency of the system.

[0022] 3. The liquid distribution plate structure is set in the upper part of the battery PACK box, and the flanges around it are sandwiched between the top cover plate and the battery PACK box, which strengthens the local structure of the battery PACK box and can effectively prevent the side leakage of coolant, ensuring the integrity of the sealed cavity.

[0023] 4. The inlet main pipe and the battery PACK box, the branch pipe and the flange of the perforated plate, and the flange of the perforated plate and the battery PACK box and the top cover are all designed to be detachable, which facilitates daily inspection, cleaning and maintenance of the battery PACK box.

[0024] 5. The liquid distribution plate structure maintains a reasonable distance from the top cover plate and the battery module below, which not only ensures the stability of the liquid distribution process, but also provides a safe response space for extreme situations such as thermal runaway. If necessary, the battery module can be quickly and completely submerged, realizing the integrated management of thermal management and fire safety. Attached Figure Description

[0025] 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.

[0026] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram showing the installation of the liquid distribution plate structure applied to the electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system with the battery PACK box and top cover plate according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid distribution plate structure applied to an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of section A in the image.

[0029] The numbers or letters in the attached diagram represent the names of the corresponding components:

[0030] 1. Battery PACK housing; 2. Top cover; 3. Liquid outlet; 4. Liquid inlet main pipe; 5. Branch pipe; 6. Perforated plate; 61. Base plate; 62. Flanged edge; 7. Protruding hole; 8. First bolt; 9. First detachable connection assembly; 91. Snap buckle; 92. Second bolt; 10. Second detachable connection assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described through specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0032] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 This application provides a liquid cooling plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system. The immersion liquid cooling system includes a battery pack housing 1 (i.e., the battery pack housing), a top cover 2, and battery modules disposed within the battery pack housing 1. A liquid outlet 3 is provided on the side of the battery pack housing 1 near its bottom. The top cover 2 is detachably connected to the battery pack housing 1 by a first bolt 8, forming a sealed cavity between the top cover 2 and the battery pack housing 1, effectively preventing the evaporation of coolant. This liquid cooling plate structure is installed inside the battery pack housing 1 and is located above the battery modules within the battery pack housing 1. The low-temperature coolant is pumped to the liquid distribution plate structure and flows efficiently and evenly through the battery module below. After sufficient heat exchange with the surface of the battery cell, the coolant is pumped out through the outlet 3 on the battery PACK box 1 and sent to the external plate heat exchanger for cooling. The cooled coolant is then pumped back to the liquid distribution plate structure, thus forming a complete and cyclical cooling loop.

[0033] The coolant distribution plate structure includes a main inlet pipe 4, a pressure equalization chamber connected to the main inlet pipe 4, and a perforated plate 6 horizontally positioned below the pressure equalization chamber. Several small holes are evenly arranged at the bottom of the pressure equalization chamber to distribute the coolant evenly onto the upper surface of the perforated plate 6. The perforated plate 6 includes several evenly distributed raised holes 7, which are integrally formed by a stamping process. In actual assembly, the perforated plate 6 is installed with the stamped surface facing upwards, giving the raised holes 7 an upward-protruding structural feature. This structure allows coolant to accumulate on the upper surface of the perforated plate 6, forming a liquid layer. When the height of the liquid layer is sufficient to overcome the orifice resistance of the raised holes 7—that is, when the height of the liquid layer exceeds the protrusion height of the raised holes 7 and reaches a point where it can overcome the orifice resistance—the coolant, under the action of gravity, is evenly sprayed onto the battery module through each raised hole 7.

[0034] With the above structural design, the coolant first stabilizes its pressure in the pressure equalization chamber, then flows out through the small holes and forms a uniform liquid layer on the surface of the perforated plate 6. Finally, it is sprayed onto the battery module in a stable and continuous droplet form. This process achieves a uniform liquid distribution effect similar to a "shower head," effectively improving the temperature uniformity between the cells. At the same time, the positions of the protruding holes 7 on the perforated plate 6 can be reasonably arranged to avoid the temperature sensing element on the surface of the signal acquisition module (CCS) above the battery module, preventing the coolant from directly impacting the temperature sensing element, thereby ensuring the accuracy of cell temperature measurement.

[0035] In this embodiment, the perforated plate 6 includes a base plate 61 and flanges 62 formed around the base plate 61. The flanges 62 are sandwiched between the top cover plate 2 and the battery PACK housing 1. The flanges 62 are provided with connecting holes for the first bolt 8 to pass through. The flanges 62 act as reinforcing ribs, strengthening the local structure of the battery PACK housing 1 and effectively preventing lateral leakage of coolant. It is understood that, to further enhance the sealing performance, sealing gaskets can also be provided between the flanges 62 and the battery PACK housing 1, and between the flanges 62 and the top cover plate 2. The protruding holes 7 are provided on the base plate 61, and there is a height difference between the base plate 61 and the flanges 62, so that the perforated plate 6 as a whole forms a shallow, disc-shaped liquid storage area.

[0036] In this embodiment, the main inlet pipe 4 is fixed to the battery PACK housing 1 via a first detachable connecting assembly 9. Multiple branch pipes 5 are connected to the main inlet pipe 4, ensuring internal communication between the branch pipes 5 and the main inlet pipe 4. The branch pipes 5 are connected to the main inlet pipe 4 by welding or threaded connection. If a threaded connection is used, threaded holes are provided on the main inlet pipe 4, and threaded portions matching the threaded holes are provided on the branch pipes 5. A pressure equalization chamber is formed within the multiple branch pipes 5, with small holes located on the bottom side of each branch pipe 5. Several small holes are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the branch pipes 5. The end of each branch pipe 5 away from the main inlet pipe 4 is fixed to a flange 62 via a second detachable connecting assembly 10. The first detachable connecting assembly 9 includes a snap fastener 91 for pressing the main inlet pipe 4 onto the battery PACK housing 1, and a second bolt 92 for connecting and fixing the snap fastener 91 to the battery PACK housing 1. The second detachable connecting assembly 10 has the same structure as the first detachable connecting assembly 9, and its specific construction will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0037] In the above configuration, the liquid inlet main pipe 4 and the battery PACK box 1, the branch pipe 5 and the flange 62 of the perforated plate 6, and the flange 62 of the perforated plate 6 and the battery PACK box 1 and the top cover plate 2 are all designed to be detachable, which provides convenience for daily inspection, cleaning and maintenance of the battery PACK box 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are gaps between the liquid distribution plate structure and the top cover plate 2, as well as between the perforated plate 6 and the battery module. Maintaining a reasonable gap between the liquid distribution plate structure and the top cover plate 2 and the battery module below not only ensures the stability of the liquid distribution process, but also provides a safe response space for extreme situations such as thermal runaway. If necessary, the battery module can be quickly and completely submerged, realizing the integrated management of thermal management and fire safety.

[0039] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling plate structure for use in an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system, installed inside a battery pack housing and located above the battery modules inside the battery pack housing, characterized in that: It includes a main inlet pipe, a pressure equalization chamber connected to the main inlet pipe, and a perforated plate horizontally disposed below the pressure equalization chamber; The bottom of the pressure equalization chamber has several small holes evenly distributed to distribute the coolant evenly to the upper surface of the perforated plate. The perforated plate includes a plurality of evenly distributed protruding holes, which are configured to protrude upwards so that coolant accumulates on the upper surface of the perforated plate to form a liquid layer. When the height of the liquid layer is sufficient to overcome the orifice resistance of the protruding holes, the coolant is evenly sprayed onto the battery module through each protruding hole under the action of gravity.

2. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The perforated plate includes a base plate and flanges formed around the base plate. The protruding holes are disposed on the base plate, and there is a height difference between the base plate and the flanges.

3. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main inlet pipe is fixed to the battery pack housing by a first detachable connecting assembly. Multiple branch pipes are connected to the main inlet pipe. The pressure equalization chamber is formed in the multiple branch pipes. The small hole is located on the bottom side of the branch pipe. The end of the branch pipe away from the main inlet pipe is fixed to the flange by a second detachable connecting assembly.

4. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The branch pipe is welded or threaded to the main inlet pipe.

5. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A top cover can also be detachably connected to the battery PACK housing, forming a sealed cavity between the top cover and the battery PACK housing, and the flange is sandwiched between the top cover and the battery PACK housing.

6. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top cover is detachably connected to the battery pack housing via a first bolt.

7. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are gaps between the liquid coating plate structure and the top cover plate, as well as between the perforated plate and the battery module.

8. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first detachable connection assembly includes a snap fastener for snapping the liquid inlet manifold onto the battery PACK housing, and a second bolt for connecting and fixing the snap fastener onto the battery PACK housing. The second detachable connection assembly has the same structure as the first detachable connection assembly.

9. The liquid distribution plate structure for an electrochemical energy storage immersion liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protruding hole is a stamped hole.

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