Thermal management component, battery and power-consuming device

Abstract

Thermal management component, including: a plate body (10) enclosing a heat transfer space (11) for the flow of a heat exchange medium, wherein several support sections are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the plate body (10) in the heat transfer space (11), wherein the heat transfer space (11) has a pair of inner walls opposite each other in the thickness direction and the end of each support section is connected to at least one of the inner walls of the heat transfer space (11) at an acute angle.

Description

Related registrations

[0001] The present application claims priority over the Chinese patent application with application number 2023231298346 and titled “Thermal management component, battery and power-consuming device”, filed on November 20, 2023, the full contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, in particular a thermal management component, a battery and a power-consuming device. State of the art

[0003] Currently, cooling plates with integrated cavities are typically used on the market. These plates are positioned across the large surface area of ​​the battery cell to dissipate heat. During the charging and discharging cycles of a battery cell, its volume expands. Therefore, a cooling plate is necessary to maintain the required space and thus ensure a uniform surface tension.

[0004] However, current cooling plates often lack a differentiated design, leading to excessively high or low local pressure on the battery cell. This can result in lithium plating or insufficient local strength, creating excessively large or small expansion gaps between the battery cells, which in turn can lead to cracks on the surface of the battery cell casing. Summary

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a thermal management component, a battery, and a power-consuming device to solve the problem of cracking on the surface of the battery cell housing.

[0006] A first aspect of the present application relates to a heat management component comprising: a plate body enclosing a heat transfer space for the flow of a heat exchange medium, wherein several support sections are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the plate body in the heat transfer space, wherein the heat transfer space has a pair of inner walls opposite each other in the thickness direction and the end of each support section is connected to at least one of the inner walls of the heat transfer space at an acute angle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the plate body has a first section and a second section along its longitudinal direction, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged one behind the other and connected to each other, and the first section is closer to the end of the plate body in the longitudinal direction than the second section; wherein the second section deforms more than the first section when the first section and the second section are subjected to the same force.

[0008] In one embodiment, the plate body has a first section and a second section along its longitudinal direction, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged one behind the other and connected to each other, and the first section is closer to the end of the plate body in the longitudinal direction than the second section; wherein the support sections comprise several first support sections and several second support sections, wherein the first support sections are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer space in the region of the first section, and wherein the second support sections are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer space in the region of the second section.

[0009] In one embodiment, an angle A is present between the first support sections and the inner wall of the first section, and an angle B is present between the second support sections and the inner wall of the second section, where B < A.

[0010] In one embodiment, 25° ≤ B < A ≤ 90°.

[0011] In one embodiment, the multiple first support sections are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body and are supported between the two inner walls of the first section, wherein the distance between two adjacent first support sections is C; wherein the multiple second support sections are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body and are supported between the two inner walls of the second section, wherein the distance between two adjacent second support sections is D, where C < D.

[0012] In one embodiment, the following applies: 3 mm ≤ C < D ≤ 25 mm.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first support sections and the second support sections are designed as stiffening ribs, wherein the minimum rib thickness of the first support sections is E and the minimum rib thickness of the second support sections is F, where F < E.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first support sections and the two inner walls of the first section are connected by a rounding R1, and the second support sections and the two inner walls of the second section are connected by a rounding R2, where R1 ≥ R2.

[0015] In one embodiment, the internal wall stiffness of the first section is greater than the internal wall stiffness of the second section.

[0016] In one embodiment, the minimum wall thickness of the inner walls of the first section is G and the minimum wall thickness of the inner walls of the second section is H, where: H < G.

[0017] A second aspect of the present application relates to a battery comprising a battery cell and the aforementioned thermal management component; wherein the second section is provided for thermally conductive connection with the central region of the large area of ​​the battery cell and the first section is provided for thermally conductive connection with the edge region of the large area of ​​the battery cell.

[0018] A third aspect of the present application relates to a power-consuming device that includes the battery described in the aforementioned embodiments for power supply. Beneficial effects:

[0019] The thermal management component, battery, and power-consuming device described in this application utilize a plate body that encloses a heat transfer chamber for the flow of the heat exchange medium. Several support sections are arranged along the plate length within the heat transfer chamber. The heat transfer chamber has two opposing inner walls running in the thickness direction. The end of each support section is connected to at least one of the inner walls of the heat transfer chamber at an acute angle. This design offers two advantages: First, the support sections are braced against the inner walls of the heat transfer chamber, thus providing the thermal management component with a degree of rigidity. During the charge-discharge cycle, the volume expansion of the electrode assembly allows the thermal management component to adhere to the battery cell, ensuring uniform support and cooling.Secondly, due to the acute angle between the ends of the support sections and the inner wall of the heat transfer chamber, the inclined support sections can easily deform during battery deformation and expansion to compensate for the expansion requirements at different points within the battery cell. This effectively prevents cracking of the battery cell casing. Description of the drawings

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the present application are briefly presented below. The drawings described below naturally represent only some embodiments of the present application. Skilled engineers can create further drawings based on these without additional design effort. The drawings show: Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a battery according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a battery cell with a thermal management component according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermal management component according to some embodiments of the present application; the dashed line marks the boundary between the first and second sections. Fig. Figure 6 is a JJ section view of the structure according to Fig. 5; the dashed line marks the boundary between the first and second sections. Explanation of reference symbols:

[0021] Thermal management component-400, plate body-10, heat transfer chamber-11, first section-12, second section-13, first support section-20, second support section-30. Detailed descriptions

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are now clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the embodiments described here represent only a subset of the embodiments of the present application and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by persons skilled in the art in this field without inventive step fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by a person skilled in the art in the field of this application; the terminology used in the description of this application serves solely to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the application; the terms "comprising" and "with" and all variations thereof in the description, claims and foregoing drawings of this application are intended to signify non-exclusive inclusion.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used exclusively to distinguish between different objects and are not to be understood as an indication or suggestion of a relative meaning, nor as an implicit indication of quantity, special order or hierarchical relationship of the specified technical features.

[0025] The reference to "embodiment" here means that a particular feature, structure, or property described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The occurrence of this expression at different points in the description does not necessarily always refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that excludes other embodiments. It is expressly and implicitly clear to the person skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0026] In this application, the term "and / or" merely describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three states of the relationship are possible. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Furthermore, the symbol " / " in this application generally indicates that the objects preceding and following it are in an "or" relationship.

[0027] In the description of embodiments of the present application, the term "several" means more than two, unless expressly stated otherwise. When the term "several groups" appears, it means two or more groups (including two groups). When the term "several tablets" appears, it means two or more tablets (including two tablets).

[0028] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "several," where used, means two or more (including two). In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "length," "width," "thickness," "bottom," "inside," "outside," and similar indications of direction or positional relationship refer to the direction or positional relationship as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These terms are used solely for the purpose of facilitating the description of the embodiments of this application and for the simplification of the description, and do not mean or imply that the devices or elements mentioned must necessarily have a particular orientation, be constructed in a particular orientation, or be operated in a particular orientation.Therefore, they should not be interpreted as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, technical terms such as "assemble," "connect," "couple," and "fasten" are to be interpreted broadly unless expressly stated and defined otherwise. They may refer to a permanent connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they may represent a mechanical or electrical connection; they may include direct connections or indirect connections via an intermediate medium; they may denote the internal connectivity between two components or the interactive relationship between two components. The specific meanings are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the respective context.

[0030] In this application, a description such as "above" or "below" the second feature, unless expressly stated otherwise and qualified, means that the first and second features are in direct contact or that they are in indirect contact via an intermediary. Furthermore, the indication that the first feature is "above," "above," or "on top" of the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "underneath," or "below" in relation to the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that it is at a lower elevation than the second feature.

[0031] It should be noted that a component described as "fixed to" or "on" another component may either be attached directly to the other component or be located in the middle of the component. When a component is described as "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or an intervening component may be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible embodiment.

[0032] Current market trends indicate that the use of high-performance batteries is becoming increasingly widespread. These batteries are not only used in energy storage and power supply systems such as hydroelectric, thermal, wind, and solar power plants, but also find broad application in electric transport vehicles like e-bikes, e-motorcycles, and electric cars, in military equipment, in the aerospace industry, and other sectors. As the application areas for high-performance batteries continue to expand, market demand is growing accordingly.

[0033] In related technologies, the volume of a battery cell expands during the cell's charge-discharge cycles. Since the battery cell casing is typically welded to the end cap at the top, the first opening of the casing is located there. Therefore, the stress exerted by the upper casing portion on the electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as JR) is less than that exerted by the lower, closed casing portion on JR; this imbalance of stress forces can lead to cracking of the battery cell casing at the end of the cycle.

[0034] To reduce cracking on the surface of the battery cell housing, the thermal management component can be designed with a differentiated approach. The housing cover is coupled to one end of the thermal management component in such a way that this end section, in particular, possesses increased pressure-bearing capacity. In this way, the end of the thermal management component and the housing cover together secure both the electrode assembly (JR) and the uppermost housing area; local overpressures or underpressures within the battery are avoided, and the formation of cracks in the battery cell housing is effectively reduced.

[0035] Some embodiments of the present application provide a thermal management component, a battery, and a power-consuming device. Power-consuming devices include, among others, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, ships, spacecraft, etc. Electric toys include, among others, stationary or mobile electric toys such as game consoles, electric toy cars, electric toy ships, and electric toy airplanes. Spacecraft include, among others, airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft.

[0036] It is understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the batteries and electrical devices described above, but are also applicable to all batteries, including their housings, and to battery-operated power-consuming devices. For the sake of clarity, however, a vehicle 1000 is used below as an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] As in Fig. 1 shown, shows Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a vehicle 1000, which is provided in some embodiments of the present application. The vehicle 1000 can be a fuel-powered vehicle, a gas-powered vehicle, or a vehicle powered by alternative energy. The vehicle powered by alternative energy can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle with a range extender. A battery 100 is arranged inside the vehicle 1000, and the battery 1000 can be located at the bottom, at the front, or at the rear of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used to power the vehicle 1000. For example, the battery 100 can serve as the operating current source for the vehicle 1000.The vehicle 1000 can further comprise a controller 200 and a motor 300, wherein the controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 in order to supply power to the motor 300 during the operation (starting, steering, accelerating) of the vehicle 1000.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 100 can not only serve as the operating current source of the vehicle 1000, but can also be used as the propulsion current source of the vehicle 1000, thereby replacing fuel or natural gas wholly or partially and providing propulsion power to the vehicle 1000.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a battery 100 according to some embodiments of the present application. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to some embodiments of the present application. See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. To meet different performance requirements, the battery 100 can comprise several battery cells 121 and a housing 110. The battery cell 121 is the smallest unit that makes up the battery module 120 or a battery pack. Several battery cells 121 are connected in series and / or parallel via electrode terminals to enable their use in various applications. The battery 100 mentioned in this application is a battery pack.

[0040] The housing 110 serves to hold battery cells 121 or battery modules 120 in order to prevent liquids or other foreign bodies from interfering with the charging or discharging process of the battery cells 121.

[0041] The housing 110 can be designed in various configurations. In some embodiments, the housing 110 can comprise a first part 111 and a second part 112. The first part 111 and the second part 112 overlap, and together they form a receiving space for the battery cells 121. The second part 112 can be a hollow structure with an open end, and the first part 111 can be a plate-like structure. The first part 111 covers the open side of the second part 112, so that together they define a receiving space. Alternatively, the first part 111 and the second part 112 can be hollow structures with one open side, and the open side of the first part 111 covers the open side of the second part 112.Naturally, the housing 110 formed by the first part 111 and the second part 112 can have various shapes, for example, a simple three-dimensional structure such as a cuboid, a cylinder, or a sphere, or a complex three-dimensional structure composed of simple three-dimensional structures such as cuboids, cylinders, or spheres. The embodiments of this application are not limited in this respect. The housing 110 can be made of an alloy such as an aluminum or iron alloy, a polymer such as polycarbonate or polyisocyanurate rigid foam, or a composite material of glass fiber and epoxy resin. The embodiments of this application are not limited in this respect.

[0042] In the embodiments of this application, several battery cells 121 can be directly assembled into a battery pack, or they can first be assembled into a battery module 120, and then the battery module 120 can be assembled into a battery pack. More precisely, several battery cells 121 can be directly connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration to form an assembly that then consists of several battery cells 121 and is housed in the casing 110. Alternatively, several battery cells 121 can be connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration to form a battery module 120, and several battery modules 120 can then be connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration to form an assembly that is housed in the casing 110.

[0043] The battery 100 can also include further structures. For example, the battery 100 can also include a busbar for establishing an electrical connection between the several battery cells 121.

[0044] Each battery cell 121 can be a secondary or a primary battery. It can also be a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, but is not limited to these. The battery cell 121 can be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or have other geometries. Battery cells 121 are generally classified into three types based on their shape: cylindrical, square, and pouch cells. However, the embodiments described in this application are not limited to these. For the sake of brevity, a prismatic lithium-ion battery cell 121 is used as an example below.

[0045] As in Fig. 4 shown, shows Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic exploded view of the structure of a battery cell 121, which is provided in some embodiments of the present application. The battery cell 121 comprises an end cap 122, a housing 123, an electrode arrangement 124, and other functional components.

[0046] The end cap 122 is a component that covers the opening of the housing 123 to isolate the internal environment of the electrode assembly 124 from the external environment. The shape of the end cap 122 can be adapted to the shape of the housing 123 so that it forms a positive seal. For example, the end cap 122 can be made of a material with a specific hardness and strength (such as an aluminum alloy) so that deformation of the end cap 122 under pressure is reduced and the structural strength of the battery cell 121 is increased, thereby improving the level of safety. Functional components, such as electrode terminals 125, can be provided on the end cap 122. An electrical connection to the electrode assembly 124 can be established via the electrode terminals 125 to supply or receive electrical energy from the battery cell 121.In some embodiments, the end cap 122 may also be equipped with a pressure relief mechanism for dissipating internal pressure when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 121 reaches a threshold. The end cap 122 may also be made of a variety of materials, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, or plastic, and the present application is not limited to these materials. In some embodiments, an insulating element may additionally be provided on the inside of the end cap 122. The insulating element may serve to isolate the electrical connection components within the housing 123 from the end cap 122 in order to reduce the risk of a short circuit. For example, the insulating element may be made of plastic, rubber, or the like.

[0047] The housing 123 is a component used together with the end cap 122 to form an internal environment for the battery cell 121, the internal environment serving to accommodate the electrode assembly 124, the electrolyte, and other components. The housing 123 and the end cap 122 can be independent components. The housing 123 may have an opening that is closed by the end cap 122 to form an internal environment for the battery cell 121. The housing 123 can have various shapes and sizes, for example, cuboid, cylindrical, or hexagonal prisms. The shape of the housing 123 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the electrode assembly 124. The housing 123 can be made of copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, an aluminum alloy, or plastic, and the present application is not limited to these materials.

[0048] The electrode assembly 124 is the component in the battery cell 121 where the electrochemical reaction takes place; the electrode assembly 124 is also commonly referred to as the JR assembly. The housing 123 can contain one or more electrode assemblies 124. The electrode assembly 124 is primarily formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, with a separator typically positioned between the positive and negative electrode plates. A section of the positive and negative electrode plates containing active material each forms a main body of the electrode assembly 124, while a section of the positive and negative electrode plates without active material each forms terminals. The positive terminal and the negative terminal can be located at one end of the main body or at both ends of the main body.During the charging and discharging process of the battery, the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material react with the electrolyte, and the terminal tabs are connected to the electrode terminal 125 to form a current loop.

[0049] A thermal management component 400 is arranged between the two surfaces of the two vertically opposite battery cells 121. This thermal management component 400 can be arranged either between the two large surfaces or between the two side surfaces to cool the battery cells 121.

[0050] The first aspect of this application concerns a thermal management component 400. This can be a plate structure in which a medium circulates to thermally control the individual battery cells and prevent overheating or undercooling.

[0051] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shown, shows Fig. 5 a schematic diagram of the structure of a thermal management component according to some embodiments of the present application, and Fig. Figure 6 shows a JJ section view of the structure according to Fig. 5. The thermal management component 400 comprises a plate body 10, several first support sections 20 and several second support sections 30.

[0052] The plate body 10 encloses a heat transfer chamber 11 for the flow of a heat exchange medium. The plate body 10 can be made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, such as AA6061 or AA7075, to ensure cooling of the battery cell 121. The heat transfer chamber 11 can be formed by welding, for example by TIG (tungsten inert gas welding) or MIG (metal inert gas welding), to ensure the reliability of the cooling medium flow.

[0053] In the longitudinal direction of the plate body 10, several support sections are arranged at intervals within the heat transfer chamber 11; the heat transfer chamber 11 comprises a pair of inner walls opposing each other in the thickness direction, with the end of each support section connected at an acute angle to at least one of the inner walls of the heat transfer chamber 11. This ensures, firstly, that the support sections bear against the inner walls of the heat transfer chamber 11 and that the thermal management component 400 acquires a certain stiffness; secondly, during charge / discharge cycles, a volume expansion of the electrode arrangement 124 occurs, and the thermal management component 400 can be pressed tightly against the battery cell 121 to provide uniform support and cooling.Secondly, due to the inclined connection between the ends of the support sections and the inner walls of the heat transfer chamber 11 at an acute angle, the inclined support section can become slightly flexible during deformation and expansion of the battery 100 in order to accommodate the different expansion requirements of the battery cell 121 at various points. Ultimately, this effectively prevents the housing 123 of the battery cell 121 from rupturing.

[0054] In some embodiments (see Fig. In Figures 1 to 5, plate 10 has a first section 12 and a second section 13 connected along its longitudinal direction. The second section 13 can be attached to the side face of the battery cell, while the first section 12 is located near the end of the large side face of the battery cell. The first section 12 is closer to the end of plate 10 along its length than the second section 13.

[0055] When the first section 12 and the second section 13 are subjected to the same force, the second section 13 deforms more than the first section 12. In other words, the internal wall stiffness of the first section 12 is greater than that of the second section 13; the second section 13 is more easily deformed than the first section 12; therefore, the thermal management component 400 can adapt to the expansion requirements at different locations of the battery cell 121. Specifically, the first section 12 can be installed in areas of the battery cell 121 that are prone to expansion and deformation, such as the connection between the opening at the top of the housing 123 and the end cap 122; the higher compressive strength of the first section 12 can accommodate further deformation or deformation.To effectively prevent expansion of the battery cell 121; the second section 13 can be attached to areas of the battery cell 121 that are not prone to expansion and deformation, such as the middle and lower areas of the housing 123; the second section 13 attached to the surface of the battery cell 121 provides uniform support and cooling and ultimately effectively prevents cracking of the housing 123 of the battery cell 121.

[0056] In some possible embodiments, such as in Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the plate body 10 comprises a first section 12 and a second section 13 along its longitudinal direction, with the first section 12 being closer to the end of the plate body 10 in the longitudinal direction than the second section 13.

[0057] The support sections comprise several first support sections 20 and several second support sections 30; all first support sections 20 are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer chamber 11, which are assigned to the first section 12; all second support sections 30 are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer chamber 11, which are assigned to the second section 13; the compressive strength of the first section 12 is greater than that of the second section 13.

[0058] By designing different sections of the plate 10 and increasing the compressive strength of the first section 12 compared to that of the second section 13, the thermal management component 400 can be adapted to the expansion requirements of different positions of the battery cell 121. The first section 12 is designed to rest against the large side surface of the battery cell near its end; there, expansion occurs due to the increase in volume of the electrode arrangement 124, particularly at the connection point between the opening in the upper region of the housing 123 and the cover 122, which presses against the first section 12. The greater compressive strength of the first section 12 can effectively enclose the opening in the upper region of the housing 123 and the cover 122 and prevent further deformation or expansion.Since the middle and lower areas of the housing 123 are closed, the influence of the electrode arrangement 124, which expands during charge / discharge cycles, on these zones is minimal. The second section 13 can lie close to the large side surface of the battery cell, providing uniform support and cooling. Ultimately, this effectively prevents cracking of the housing 123 of the battery cell 121.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first support section 20 and the second support section 30 can be made of an aluminum alloy with high thermal conductivity, such as AA6061 or AA7075, to ensure that the first support section 20 can efficiently dissipate heat and that the thermal management component 400 achieves good cooling performance. The first support section 20 and the second support section 30 can also be made of other alloy materials such as copper or stainless steel alloys, and the selection is not limited in this application.

[0060] In some embodiments, the edge region of the thermal management component 400 can be equipped with a highly rigid material, such as a stainless steel alloy, to meet the expansion requirements at various points of the battery cell 121.

[0061] In some embodiments, the thermal management component 400 can be applied together with plastic and metal into the cavity at the contact point with the housing 123 of the battery cell 121 by co-extrusion and can interact with the current busbar to adjust the flow rate and pressure drop at different positions to meet the expansion requirements of the battery cell.

[0062] In some embodiments, the maximum compressive strength of the first section can be increased to 12 to 10-15 Newtons per square centimeter (N / cm²). 2 ) are designed; and the maximum compressive strength of the second section 13 can be 6-10 N / cm². 2 be.

[0063] It is important to emphasize that the compressive strength of the thermal management component 400 in this application refers to the fact that the thermal management component 400 does not exhibit significant deformation when the pressure per unit area is below the maximum compressive strength. This ensures that it remains in contact with the electrical surface and that uniform cooling is guaranteed.

[0064] In some possible embodiments, such as in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the first support section 20 forms an angle A with the inner wall of the first section 12, and the second support section 30 forms an angle B with the inner wall of the second section 13, where B < A.

[0065] Specifically, the angle A between the first support section 20 and the inner wall of the first section 12, as well as the angle B between the second support section 30 and the inner wall of the second section 13, satisfy the following numerical relationship: 25° ≤ B < A ≤ 90°.

[0066] By utilizing the angle difference, the first support section 20 can absorb the force better due to the larger angle, thus increasing the compressive strength of the first section 12 compared to the second section 13. This enables the thermal management component 400 to support and cool the battery cell 121 evenly, thereby preventing cracking of the battery cell 121's housing 123.

[0067] In some embodiments, see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Several first support sections 20 are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the plate body 10 and are supported between the two inner walls of the first section 12. The distance between two adjacent first support sections 20 is C, 3 mm ≤ C ≤ 25 mm; preferably, the distance C between two adjacent first support sections 20 is 4 mm to 20 mm. Several second support sections 30 are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the plate body 10 and are supported between the two inner walls of the second section 13. The distance D between two adjacent support sections 30 satisfies the condition 3 mm ≤ C < D ≤ 25 mm. Preferably, the distance D between two adjacent support sections 30 is 20 mm to 25 mm.By utilizing the different spacing – the smaller spacing leads to a higher density of the first support sections 20 and thus to better force absorption – the compressive strength of the first section 12 is higher than that of the second section 13. This ensures that the battery cell 121 is uniformly supported and cooled by the thermal management component 400; cracking of the housing 123 of the battery cell 121 is prevented.

[0068] In some embodiments (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) Both the first support section 20 and the second support section 30 are support ribs. The minimum rib thickness of the first support section 20 is E, where 0.1 mm ≤ E ≤ 3 mm. Preferably, the thickness E of the first support section 20 is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. The minimum rib thickness of the second support section 30 is F, where F < E. Preferably, the thickness F of the second support section 30 is typically between 0.08 mm and 1 mm. Due to the different rib thicknesses, the thicker first support section 20 can better absorb the forces, resulting in a higher compressive strength of the first section 12 than that of the second section 13. This enables the thermal management component 400 to support and cool the battery cell 121 uniformly, thus preventing cracking of the battery cell 121 housing 123.

[0069] In some possible embodiments, such as in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the transitions between the first support sections 20 and the two opposing inner walls of the first section 12 are designed as a radius R1, where 0.2 mm ≤ R1 ≤ 2 mm; preferably, the radius R1 between the first support sections 20 and the inner wall of the first section 12 is between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. The transitions between the second support sections 30 and the two opposing inner walls of the second section 13 are designed as a radius R2, where R1 ≥ R2; preferably, the radius R2 between the second support sections 30 and the inner wall of the second section 13 is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. The larger the radius, the more material is present at the connection point between the stiffening rib and the inner wall, the lower the stresses that occur, and the higher the connection strength.Due to the larger radii, the first support section 20 can better absorb loads, making the compressive strength of the first section 12 greater than that of the second section 13; the thermal management component 400 can provide uniform support and cooling to the battery cell 121 and prevents the housing 123 of the battery cell 121 from tearing open.

[0070] In some possible embodiments, see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the minimum wall thickness of the inner wall of the first section 12 is G, where 0.1 mm ≤ G ≤ 3 mm; preferably, the wall thickness G of the side wall of the first section 12 is between 0.1 mm and 2 mm; the minimum wall thickness of the inner wall of the second section 13 is H, where H < G; the wall thickness H of the side wall of the second section 13 can be between 0.08 mm and 1.5 mm. By using thicker materials, the compressive strength of the side wall of the thermal management component 400 is increased, resulting in a greater compressive strength of the first section 12 than of the second section 13; the thermal management component 400 can thus provide uniform support and cooling to the battery cell 121 and prevent the housing 123 of the battery cell 121 from rupturing.

[0071] In the edge area of ​​the thermal management component 400, materials with high stiffness - for example aluminum alloys - can be provided to meet the different expansion requirements of the battery cell 121 at different positions.

[0072] According to the second aspect of the present application, a battery 100 is provided, as shown in Fig. Figures 1 to 5 are shown. The battery 100 comprises a battery cell 121 and the thermal management component 400; the second section 13 serves as the thermally conductive connection with the central region of the large surface of the battery cell 121, while the first section 12 serves as the thermally conductive connection with the edge region of the large surface of the battery cell 121.

[0073] In a third aspect of the present application, a power-consuming device is provided, which includes the battery 100 provided in the second aspect, to supply electrical energy to the power-consuming device. By using a battery 100 with the thermal management component 400, the design requirements of the power-consuming device can be effectively met. This ensures the stability and consistency of the battery cell 121 during the expansion process and thus improves the service life and performance of the electrical device.

[0074] The various technical features described in the exemplary embodiments above can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the aforementioned exemplary embodiments have been described. However, provided such combinations do not conflict with one another, they fall within the scope of this description.

[0075] The foregoing exemplary embodiments merely illustrate some embodiments of the present application, which are described in great detail and with specificity; however, this should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art could make a number of modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present application, and that all of these fall within the scope of protection of the present application. The scope of protection of the present utility model application is therefore determined by the attached claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 2023231298346

[0001] Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Thermal management component, battery and power-consuming device”, submitted on November 20, 2023

[0001]

Claims

[1] Thermal management component, comprising: a plate body (10) enclosing a heat transfer space (11) for the flow of a heat exchange medium, wherein several support sections are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the plate body (10) in the heat transfer space (11), wherein the heat transfer space (11) has a pair of inner walls opposite each other in the thickness direction and the end of each support section is connected to at least one of the inner walls of the heat transfer space (11) at an acute angle. [2] Thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein the plate body (10) has a first section (12) and a second section (13) along its longitudinal direction, wherein the first section (12) and the second section (13) are arranged one behind the other and connected to each other, and the first section (12) is closer to the end of the plate body (10) in the longitudinal direction than the second section (13); wherein the second section (13) deforms more than the first section (12) when the first section (12) and the second section (13) are subjected to the same force. [3] Heat management component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate body (10) has a first section (12) and a second section (13) along its longitudinal direction, wherein the first section (12) and the second section (13) are arranged one behind the other and connected to each other, and the first section (12) is closer to the end of the plate body (10) in the longitudinal direction than the second section (13); wherein the support sections comprise several first support sections (20) and several second support sections (30), wherein the first support sections (20) are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer space (11) in the region of the first section (12), and wherein the second support sections (30) are supported between the two opposing inner walls of the heat transfer space (11) in the region of the second section (13). [4] Thermal management component according to claim 3, wherein an angle A is provided between the first support sections (20) and the inner wall of the first section (12) and an angle B is provided between the second support sections (30) and the inner wall of the second section (13), wherein B < A. [5] Thermal management component according to claim 4, wherein 25° ≤ B < A ≤ 90°. [6] Thermal management component according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the multiple first support sections (20) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body (10) and are supported between the two inner walls of the first section (12), wherein the distance between two adjacent first support sections (20) is C, wherein the multiple second support sections (30) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate body (10) and are supported between the two inner walls of the second section (13), wherein the distance between two adjacent second support sections (30) is D, wherein: C < D. [7] Thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein 3 mm ≤ C < D ≤ 25 mm. [8] Thermal management component according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first support sections (20) and the second support sections (30) are designed as stiffening ribs, wherein the minimum rib thickness of the first support sections (20) is E and the minimum rib thickness of the second support sections (30) is F, wherein F < E. [9] Thermal management component according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the first support sections (20) and the two inner walls of the first section (12) are connected by a rounding R1; wherein the second support sections (30) and the two inner walls of the second section (13) are connected by a rounding R2, wherein R1 ≥ R2. [10] Thermal management component according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the internal wall stiffness of the first section (12) is greater than the internal wall stiffness of the second section (13). [11] Thermal management component according to claim 10, wherein the minimum wall thickness of the inner walls of the first section (12) is G and the minimum wall thickness of the inner walls of the second section (13) is H, wherein: H < G. [12] Battery comprising a battery cell and a thermal management component according to any one of claims 2 to 11; wherein the second section (13) is provided for thermally conductive connection with the central region of the large area of ​​the battery cell and the first section (12) is provided for thermally conductive connection with the edge region of the large area of ​​the battery cell. [13] Electrical power consumption device comprising a battery according to claim 12, wherein the battery serves to provide electrical energy.

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