Cooling box, electrical connection module, and charging device

Abstract

An electrical connection module with a cooling box and a charging device are disclosed. [Solution] The cooling box comprises a box body 10 having a bottom opening, a bottom cover 11 provided at the bottom opening of the box body, a plurality of pipe fittings integrally formed with the box body, communicating with the inside of the box body, allowing coolant to flow into or out of the box body through the pipe fittings, and a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 covering the outside of the box body. The outer surface of the bottom cover is covered by the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer or a thermally conductive electrical insulating cap fitted to the bottom of the box body, and the bottom of the cooling box is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminals, thereby allowing heat from the charging terminals to be transferred to the coolant inside the box body via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer and the bottom cover, and the charging terminals can be cooled.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202423100587.1, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 16, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cooling box, an electrical connection module including the cooling box, and a charging device including the electrical connection module.

Background Art

[0003] In the prior art, a charging dock typically includes a charging dock housing, charging terminals provided in the charging dock housing, and a charging cable electrically connected to the charging terminals. To improve the charging speed, it is necessary to increase the charging current. Currently, the charging current requirement has reached 600 A and may increase up to 1000 A in the future. When this high current flows through the charging cable and charging terminals, it will cause a rapid increase in the temperature inside the charging dock housing and the charging cable. To prevent excessive temperature rise, in the prior art, usually, the diameter of the charging cable and the size of the charging terminals are increased, which will increase the volume and weight of the charging dock product and raise the cost.

[0004] In the prior art, in recent years, a liquid cooling method including a cooling box has been proposed to prevent the rapid increase in the temperature of the charging cable and charging terminals. However, existing cooling boxes require welding of pipe joints and pasting of thermally conductive electrical insulating films, resulting in a complex manufacturing process and high cost. Also, the inside of existing cooling boxes is a rectangular cavity, and the flow of the coolant at the corners is not smooth, which affects the normal flow of the coolant and has a serious impact on the cooling effect.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] This invention was made to overcome or mitigate at least one aspect of the aforementioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cooling box is provided. The cooling box comprises a box body having a bottom opening, a bottom cover provided at the bottom opening of the box body, a plurality of pipe fittings integrally formed with the box body, which communicate with the inside of the box body and allow coolant to flow into or out of the box body through the pipe fittings, and a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer covering the outside of the box body. The outer surface of the bottom cover is covered by the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer or a thermally conductive electrical insulating cap fitted to the bottom of the box body, and the bottom of the cooling box is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminals, thereby allowing heat from the charging terminals to be transferred to the coolant inside the box body via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer and the bottom cover, and the charging terminals can be cooled.

[0007] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the multiple pipe fittings and the box body are formed as a single die-cast part or a single machined part.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bottom cover is welded to the box body.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the bottom cover is covered with a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer, which is a single injection-molded part injected onto the outer surface of the box body and the bottom cover.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the bottom cover is covered by a thermally conductive electrical insulating cap fitted to the bottom of the box body, the peripheral wall of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap is fitted to the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer at the bottom of the box body, and the bottom wall of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap is in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom cover.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral wall of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap is interlocked with the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer at the bottom of the box body, thereby holding the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap at the bottom of the box body.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap is an elastic, integrally injection-molded part.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the box body and bottom cover are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling box comprises a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting, the first pipe fitting being used to connect to a cooling core pipe of the charging cable, and the second pipe fitting being used to connect to an inlet pipe, and a coolant flows into the cooling box through the inlet pipe and out through the cooling core pipe of the charging cable to cool the charging terminals and the charging cable.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling box comprises a first pipe fitting and a second pipe fitting, the first pipe fitting being used to connect to a cooling core pipe of the charging cable, and the second pipe fitting being used to connect to an outlet pipe, and a coolant flows from the cooling core pipe of the charging cable into the cooling box and out through the outlet pipe to cool the charging terminals and the charging cable.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling box comprises two first pipe fittings and one second pipe fitting, the one second pipe fitting located between the two first pipe fittings.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a flow channel connecting a plurality of pipe fittings is formed in the box body, and the flow channel is streamlined, allowing the coolant inside the box body to flow smoothly through the flow channel between the plurality of pipe fittings.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrical connection module is provided. The electrical connection module comprises the cooling box and a charging cable having a cooling core tube and a conductor core for electrical connection to charging terminals. The cooling core tube of the charging cable is connected to a pipe fitting of the cooling box, allowing a coolant to flow through the cooling box and the charging cable.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the body of the conductor core of the charging cable is tubular and covers the outside of the cooling core tube, and the charging cable also includes an outer insulating layer covering the body of the conductor core.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the conductor core has a connection end exposed from the outer insulating layer, the connection end being flattened and suitable for welding to the weld end of a charging terminal, and the cooling core tube of the charging cable is exposed from the outer insulating layer and detachably connected to a pipe fitting.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection module further comprises a charging terminal electrically connected to the conductor core of a charging cable, and the bottom of a cooling box cools the charging terminal by making thermal contact with it.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the charging terminal has a flat welded end, the welded end has an upper and lower surface on both sides in the thickness direction of the welded end, and the cooling box has a flat lower surface, the lower surface of the cooling box is in thermal contact with the upper surface of the welded end of the charging terminal.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection module comprises two charging cables and two charging terminals, wherein the cooling core tubes of the two charging cables are connected to two pipe fittings of a cooling box, respectively, and the conductor cores of the two charging cables are electrically connected to the two charging terminals, respectively.

[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical connection module further includes a fixing device used to fix the cooling box to the charging terminal, whereby the bottom of the cooling box is in reliable thermal contact with the charging terminal.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a charging device is provided. The charging device includes a housing and the electrical connection module. The charging terminal and the cooling box of the electrical connection module are provided in the housing, and the charging cable of the electrical connection module is drawn out from the rear end of the housing.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the charging device is a charging dock or a charging gun.

[0027] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the pipe joint and the box body are integrally formed, and the box body and the bottom cover are directly covered with a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer. Therefore, the present invention does not require welding of the pipe joint or pasting of a thermally conductive electrical insulating film, simplifies the manufacturing process of the cooling box, and reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0028] In the foregoing exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the pipe joint and the box body are integrally formed, and thermally conductive electrical insulating caps are fitted on the lower part of the box body and the bottom cover. Therefore, the present invention does not require welding of the pipe joint or pasting of a thermally conductive electrical insulating film, simplifies the manufacturing process of the cooling box, and reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0029] Also, in the foregoing exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a flow path for connecting a plurality of pipe joints is formed in the housing, and the coolant can flow smoothly between the plurality of pipe joints through the flow path, improving the cooling effect.

[0030] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing its exemplary embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] This is an illustrative perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view illustrating an example of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an exploded view illustrating an example of a charging cable and charging terminal for an electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] This is a cross-sectional view of a charging cable according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a cooling box for an electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an illustrative perspective view of a cooling box viewed from above, according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 6] This is an illustrative perspective view from below of a cooling box according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 7] This is an illustrative exploded view of a cooling box viewed from below, according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 8] This is an illustrative perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an exploded view illustrating an example of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an exploded view illustrating an example of a charging cable and charging terminal for an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10A] This is a cross-sectional view of a charging cable according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of a cooling box for an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]This is an illustrative top-down perspective view of a cooling box according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 13] This is an illustrative perspective view from below of a cooling box according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 14] This is an illustrative exploded view of a cooling box viewed from below, according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer is not shown. [Figure 15] This is an exploded view of an exemplary cooling box according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before the thermally conductive electrical insulation cap is fitted onto the body of the cooling box. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. However, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the concepts of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The following detailed description includes many specific details to enable a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments for illustrative purposes. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically to simplify the drawings.

[0034] According to the general concept of the present invention, a cooling box is provided. The cooling box comprises a box body having a bottom opening, a bottom cover provided at the bottom opening of the box body, a plurality of pipe fittings integrally formed with the box body, communicating with the interior of the box body, allowing coolant to flow into or out of the box body through the pipe fittings, and a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer covering the outside of the box body. The outer surface of the bottom cover is covered by the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer or a thermally conductive electrical insulating cap fitted to the bottom of the box body, and the bottom of the cooling box is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminals, thereby allowing heat from the charging terminals to be transferred to the coolant inside the box body via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer and the bottom cover, and the charging terminals can be cooled.

[0035] According to another general concept of the present invention, a cooling box is provided. The cooling box comprises a box body having a bottom opening, a bottom cover provided at the bottom opening of the box body, a plurality of pipe fittings integrally formed with the box body, communicating with the interior of the box body, allowing a coolant to flow into or out of the box body through the pipe fittings, and a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer covering the outside of the box body. The outer surface of the bottom cover is covered with the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer, and the bottom of the cooling box is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminals, thereby allowing heat from the charging terminals to be transferred to the coolant inside the box body via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer and the bottom cover, thereby cooling the charging terminals.

[0036] According to another general concept of the present invention, a cooling box is provided. The cooling box comprises a box body having a bottom opening, a bottom cover provided at the bottom opening of the box body, a plurality of pipe fittings integrally formed with the box body, communicating with the interior of the box body, allowing a coolant to flow into or out of the box body through the pipe fittings, a thermally conductive electrical insulating layer covering the outside of the box body, and a thermal insulating cap whose peripheral wall is fitted into the thermal insulating layer at the bottom of the box and whose bottom wall abuts the bottom surface of the bottom cover. The bottom of the cooling box is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminals, thereby allowing the heat from the charging terminals to be transferred to the coolant inside the box body via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer and the bottom cover, thereby cooling the charging terminals.

[0037] According to another general concept of the present invention, an electrical connection module is provided. The electrical connection module comprises the cooling box and a charging cable having a cooling core tube and a conductor core for electrical connection to charging terminals. The cooling core tube of the charging cable is connected to a pipe fitting of the cooling box, allowing a coolant to flow through the cooling box and the charging cable.

[0038] According to another general concept of the present invention, a charging device is provided. The charging device comprises a housing and the electrical connection module. The charging terminals and cooling box of the electrical connection module are provided in the housing, and the charging cable of the electrical connection module is routed out from the rear end of the housing.

[0039] First Embodiment Figures 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. Of these, Figure 1 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an exemplary electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of an exemplary charging cable 2 and charging terminal 3 of the electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the charging cable 2 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling box 1 of the electrical connection module according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows an illustrative top view of the cooling box 1 according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown. Figure 6 shows an illustrative perspective view of the cooling box 1 viewed from below, according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown. Figure 7 shows an illustrative exploded view of the cooling box 1 viewed from below, according to an exemplary first embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a cooling box 1. The cooling box 1 includes a box body 10, a bottom cover 11, a plurality of pipe fittings 12, and a thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13. The box body 10 has a bottom opening. The bottom cover 11 is provided at the bottom opening of the box body 10. The plurality of pipe fittings 12 are integrally formed with the box body 10 and communicate with the interior of the box body 10, allowing coolant to flow into or out of the box body 10 through the pipe fittings 12. The thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 covers the outer surface of the box body 10 and the outer surface of the bottom cover 11. The bottom of the cooling box 1 is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminal 3, so that the heat from the charging terminal 3 is transferred to the coolant inside the box body 10 via the thermally conductive electrical insulation layer and the bottom cover 11, thereby cooling the charging terminal 3.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the multiple pipe fittings 12 and the box body 10 can be formed as a single die-cast part or a single machined part.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom cover 11 is welded to the box body 10. For example, the bottom cover 11 can be welded to the box body 10 using laser automatic welding technology, which may improve welding efficiency.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 is a single injection-molded part directly injected onto the outer surfaces of the box body 10 and the bottom cover 11. This can improve manufacturing efficiency. The function of the thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 is to conduct heat and provide electrical insulation.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiments, the box body 10 and bottom cover 11 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the box body 10 and bottom cover 11 may be made of other suitable thermally conductive metals.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling box 1 includes a first pipe fitting 121 and a second pipe fitting 122. The first pipe fitting 121 is used to connect to the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2, and the second pipe fitting 122 is used to connect to an inlet pipe (not shown). Coolant flows into the cooling box 1 from the inlet pipe and out from the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 to cool the charging terminal 3 and the charging cable 2.

[0046] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling box 1 includes a first pipe fitting 121 and a second pipe fitting 122. The first pipe fitting 121 is used to connect to the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2, and the second pipe fitting 122 is used to connect to an outlet pipe (not shown). Coolant flows from the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 into the cooling box 1 and out through the outlet pipe to cool the charging terminal 3 and the charging cable 2.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling box 1 includes two first pipe fittings 121 and one second pipe fitting 122, the one second pipe fitting 122 being located between the two first pipe fittings 121.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, a flow path 101 connecting a plurality of pipe fittings 12 is formed in the housing 10, allowing the coolant inside the housing 10 to flow smoothly between the plurality of pipe fittings 12 through the flow path 101. The flow path 101 is formed in a streamlined shape, ensuring a smooth flow of the coolant along the flow path 101.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection module is also disclosed. The electrical connection module includes a cooling box 1 and a charging cable 2. The charging cable 2 includes a cooling core tube 21 and a conductor core 22 for electrical connection to a charging terminal 3. The cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 is connected to a pipe fitting 12 of the cooling box 1, allowing coolant to flow through the cooling box 1 and the charging cable 2.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the body of the conductor core 22 of the charging cable 2 is tubular and covers the outside of the cooling core tube 21. The charging cable 2 also includes an outer insulating layer 23 that covers the body of the conductor core 22.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductor core 22 has a connection end 22a exposed from the outer insulating layer 23, the connection end 22a being flat and suitable for welding to the weld end 3a of the charging terminal 3. The cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 is exposed from the outer insulating layer 23 and is detachably connected to the first pipe fitting 121.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 can function as an outlet tube. The electrical connection module also includes an inlet tube (not shown), which is detachably connected to a second pipe fitting 122 of the cooling box 1 to supply coolant to the cooling core tube 21 and the charging cable 2 of the cooling box 1.

[0053] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 can also be used as an inlet pipe for supplying coolant to the cooling box 1. In this case, the electrical connection module also includes an outlet pipe (not shown), which is detachably connected to a second pipe fitting 122 of the cooling box 1.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module further comprises a charging terminal 3 electrically connected to the conductor core 22 of the charging cable 2. The bottom of the cooling box 1 makes thermal contact with the charging terminal 3 to cool the charging terminal 3.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the charging terminal 3 has a flat welded end 3a, and the welded end 3a has an upper surface and a lower surface on both sides in the thickness direction of the welded end 3a. The cooling box 1 has a flat lower surface, and the lower surface of the cooling box 1 is in thermal contact with the upper surface of the welded end 3a of the charging terminal 3.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module includes two charging cables 2 and two charging terminals 3. The cooling core tubes 21 of the two charging cables 2 are connected to two pipe fittings 12 of the cooling box 1, respectively, and the conductor cores 22 of the two charging cables 2 are electrically connected to the two charging terminals 3, respectively.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module further includes a fixing device (not shown) for securing the cooling box 1 to the charging terminal 3, thereby ensuring that the bottom of the cooling box 1 is in thermal contact with the charging terminal 3.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a charging device. The charging device comprises a housing (not shown) and the aforementioned electrical connection module. The charging terminals 3 and cooling box 1 of the electrical connection module are provided in the housing, and the charging cable 2 of the electrical connection module is routed out from the rear end of the housing.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, in the illustrated embodiment, the charging device can be a charging dock or a charging gun.

[0060] Second Embodiment Figures 8 to 14 show a second embodiment according to the present invention. Of these, Figure 8 shows an illustrative perspective view of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 shows an exploded view of an exemplary electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows an exploded view of an exemplary charging cable 2 and charging terminal 3 of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10A shows a cross-sectional view of the charging cable 2 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling box 1 of an electrical connection module according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows an illustrative top view of the cooling box 1 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown. Figure 13 shows an illustrative perspective view from below of a cooling box 1 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown. Figure 14 shows an illustrative exploded view from below of a cooling box 1 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is not shown. Figure 15 shows an illustrative exploded view of a cooling box 1 according to an exemplary second embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap 14 is not fitted into the box body 10 of the cooling box 1.

[0061] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a cooling box 1. The cooling box 1 includes a box body 10, a bottom cover 11, a plurality of pipe fittings 12, a thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13, and a thermally conductive electrical insulation cap 14. The box body 10 has a bottom opening. The bottom cover 11 is provided over the bottom opening of the box body 10. The plurality of pipe fittings 12 are formed integrally with the box body 10 and communicate with the interior of the box body 10, allowing a coolant to flow into or out of the box body 10 through the pipe fittings 12. The thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 covers the outside of the box body 10. The peripheral wall 142 of the thermally conductive electrical insulation cap 14 is fitted into the thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 at the bottom of the box body 10, and the bottom wall 141 of the thermally conductive electrical insulation cap 14 is pressed against the bottom surface of the bottom cover 11. The bottom of the cooling box 1 is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminal 3, so that the heat from the charging terminal 3 is transferred to the coolant inside the box body 10 via the thermally conductive electrical insulation layer 13 and the bottom cover 11, thereby cooling the charging terminal 3.

[0062] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral wall 142 of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap 14 is tightly fitted with the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 at the bottom of the box body 10, thereby holding the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap 14 at the bottom of the box body 10.

[0063] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermally conductive electrical insulation cap 14 can be an elastic, one-piece injection-molded part. This makes it easy to fit the thermally conductive electrical insulation cap 14 to the bottom of the box body 10.

[0064] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the multiple pipe fittings 12 and the box body 10 can be formed as a single die-cast part or a single machined part.

[0065] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom cover 11 is welded to the box body 10. For example, the bottom cover 11 can be welded to the box body 10 using laser automatic welding technology, which may improve welding efficiency.

[0066] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is a single injection-molded part directly injected onto the outside of the box body 10. This can improve manufacturing efficiency. The function of the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer 13 is to conduct heat and provide electrical insulation.

[0067] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the box body 10 and bottom cover 11 are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the box body 10 and bottom cover 11 may be made of other suitable thermally conductive metals.

[0068] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling box 1 includes a first pipe fitting 121 and a second pipe fitting 122. The first pipe fitting 121 is used to connect to the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2, and the second pipe fitting 122 is used to connect to an inlet pipe (not shown). Coolant flows into the cooling box 1 from the inlet pipe and out from the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 to cool the charging terminal 3 and the charging cable 2.

[0069] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cooling box 1 includes a first pipe fitting 121 and a second pipe fitting 122. The first pipe fitting 121 is used to connect to the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2, and the second pipe fitting 122 is used to connect to an outlet pipe (not shown). Coolant flows from the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 into the cooling box 1 and out through the outlet pipe to cool the charging terminal 3 and the charging cable 2.

[0070] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling box 1 includes two first pipe fittings 121 and one second pipe fitting 122, the one second pipe fitting 122 being located between the two first pipe fittings 121.

[0071] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, a flow path 101 connecting a plurality of pipe fittings 12 is formed in the housing 10, allowing the coolant inside the housing 10 to flow smoothly between the plurality of pipe fittings 12 through the flow path 101. The flow path 101 is formed in a streamlined shape, ensuring a smooth flow of the coolant along the flow path 101.

[0072] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connection module is also disclosed. The electrical connection module includes a cooling box 1 and a charging cable 2. The charging cable 2 includes a cooling core tube 21 and a conductor core 22 for electrical connection to a charging terminal 3. The cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 is connected to a pipe fitting 12 of the cooling box 1, allowing coolant to flow through the cooling box 1 and the charging cable 2.

[0073] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the body of the conductor core 22 of the charging cable 2 is tubular and covers the outside of the cooling core tube 21. The charging cable 2 also includes an outer insulating layer 23 that covers the body of the conductor core 22.

[0074] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the conductor core 22 has a connection end 22a exposed from the outer insulating layer 23, the connection end 22a being flat and suitable for welding to the weld end 3a of the charging terminal 3. The cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 is exposed from the outer insulating layer 23 and is detachably connected to the first pipe fitting 121.

[0075] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the cooling core tube 21 of the charging cable 2 may function as an outlet tube. The electrical connection module also includes an inlet tube (not shown), which is detachably connected to a second pipe fitting 122 of the cooling box 1 to supply coolant to the cooling core tube 21 and the charging cable 2 of the cooling box 1.

[0076] However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, the cooling core pipe 21 of the charging cable 2 can also be used as an inlet pipe for supplying coolant to the cooling box 1. In this case, the electrical connection module also includes an outlet pipe (not shown), which is detachably connected to a second pipe fitting 122 of the cooling box 1.

[0077] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module further comprises a charging terminal 3 electrically connected to the conductor core 22 of the charging cable 2. The bottom of the cooling box 1 makes thermal contact with the charging terminal 3 to cool the charging terminal 3.

[0078] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the charging terminal 3 has a flat welded end 3a, and the welded end 3a has an upper surface and a lower surface on both sides in the thickness direction of the welded end 3a. The cooling box 1 has a flat lower surface, and the lower surface of the cooling box 1 is in thermal contact with the upper surface of the welded end 3a of the charging terminal 3.

[0079] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module includes two charging cables 2 and two charging terminals 3. The cooling core tubes 21 of the two charging cables 2 are connected to two pipe fittings 12 of the cooling box 1, respectively, and the conductor cores 22 of the two charging cables 2 are electrically connected to the two charging terminals 3, respectively.

[0080] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connection module further includes a fixing device (not shown) for securing the cooling box 1 to the charging terminal 3, thereby ensuring that the bottom of the cooling box 1 is in thermal contact with the charging terminal 3.

[0081] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a charging device. The charging device comprises a housing (not shown) and the aforementioned electrical connection module. The charging terminals 3 and cooling box 1 of the electrical connection module are provided in the housing, and the charging cable 2 of the electrical connection module is routed out from the rear end of the housing.

[0082] As shown in Figures 8 to 14, in the illustrated embodiment, the charging device can be a charging dock or a charging gun.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be limiting. For example, many modifications to the above embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art, and the various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without structural or principle contradiction.

[0084] While several exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications or changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined in the claims and its equivalents.

[0085] In this specification, elements indicated in the singular form and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude multiple such elements or steps unless otherwise expressly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that similarly incorporate the described features. Furthermore, unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, embodiments that “compile” or “have” one or more elements having a particular characteristic may include additional such elements that do not possess that characteristic.

Claims

1. It is a cooling box, A box body (10) having a bottom opening, The bottom cover (11) provided at the bottom opening of the box body (10), A plurality of pipe fittings (12) formed integrally with the box body (10), which communicate with the inside of the box body (10) and allow coolant to flow into or out of the box body (10) through the pipe fittings (12), The thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13) covering the outside of the box body (10) and Equipped with, The outer surface of the bottom cover (11) is covered by the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13), or by a thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) fitted to the lower part of the box body (10). A cooling box in which the bottom of the cooling box (1) is suitable for thermal contact with the charging terminal (3), thereby transferring heat from the charging terminal (3) to the cooling liquid inside the box body (10) via the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13) and the bottom cover (11), and cooling the charging terminal (3).

2. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pipe fittings (12) and the box body (10) are formed as a single die-cast part or a single machined part.

3. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the bottom cover (11) is welded to the box body (10).

4. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the bottom cover (11) is covered by the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13), and the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13) is an integral injection-molded part injected onto the outer surfaces of the box body (10) and the bottom cover (11).

5. The outer surface of the bottom cover (11) is covered by a heat-conductive electrical insulating cap (14) fitted to the lower part of the box body (10). The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall (142) of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) is fitted into the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13) at the lower part of the box body (10), and the bottom wall (141) of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) is in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom cover (11).

6. The cooling box according to claim 5, wherein the peripheral wall (142) of the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) is interlocked with the thermally conductive electrical insulating layer (13) at the lower part of the box body (10), so that the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) is held at the lower part of the box body (10).

7. The cooling box according to claim 5, wherein the thermally conductive electrical insulating cap (14) is an elastic, integrally injection-molded part.

8. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the box body (10) and the bottom cover (11) are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy.

9. The cooling box (1) comprises a first pipe fitting (121) and a second pipe fitting (122), the first pipe fitting (121) being used to connect to the cooling core pipe (21) of the charging cable (2), and the second pipe fitting (122) being used to connect to the inlet pipe. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the cooling liquid flows into the cooling box (1) through the inlet pipe and flows out from the cooling core pipe (21) of the charging cable (2) to cool the charging terminal (3) and the charging cable (2).

10. The cooling box (1) comprises a first pipe fitting (121) and a second pipe fitting (122), the first pipe fitting (121) being used to connect to the cooling core pipe (21) of the charging cable (2), and the second pipe fitting (122) being used to connect to the outlet pipe. The cooling box according to claim 1, wherein the cooling liquid flows into the cooling box (1) from the cooling core pipe (21) of the charging cable (2) and flows out from the outlet pipe to cool the charging terminal (3) and the charging cable (2).

11. The cooling box (1) comprises two first pipe fittings (121) and one second pipe fitting (122), wherein the one second pipe fitting (122) is located between the two first pipe fittings (121), according to claim 9 or 10.

12. A cooling box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a flow path (101) connecting the plurality of pipe fittings (12) is formed in the box body (10), the flow path (101) is formed in a streamlined shape, and the cooling liquid inside the box body (10) can flow smoothly between the plurality of pipe fittings (12) through the flow path (101).

13. A cooling box (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A charging cable (2) is provided with a cooling core tube (21) and a conductor core (22) for electrical connection to the charging terminal (3). Equipped with, The cooling core tube (21) of the charging cable (2) is connected to the pipe fitting (12) of the cooling box (1), allowing the coolant to flow through the cooling box (1) and the charging cable (2). Electrical connection module.

14. The electrical connection module according to claim 13, wherein the body of the conductor core (22) of the charging cable (2) is tubular and covers the outside of the cooling core tube (21), and the charging cable (2) also includes an outer insulating layer (23) covering the body of the conductor core (22).

15. The conductor core (22) has a connection end (22a) exposed from the outer insulating layer (23), the connection end (22a) being flat and suitable for welding to the welding end (3a) of the charging terminal (3), The electrical connection module according to claim 14, wherein the cooling core tube (21) of the charging cable (2) is exposed from the outer insulating layer (23) and is detachably connected to the pipe joint (12).

16. The charging cable (2) further comprises a charging terminal (3) electrically connected to the conductor core (22), The electrical connection module according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the bottom of the cooling box (1) makes thermal contact with the charging terminal (3) to cool the charging terminal (3).

17. The charging terminal (3) has a flat welded end (3a), and the welded end (3a) has an upper surface and a lower surface on both sides in the thickness direction of the welded end (3a). The electrical connection module according to claim 16, wherein the cooling box (1) has a flat bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the cooling box (1) is in thermal contact with the upper surface of the welded end (3a) of the charging terminal (3).

18. The electrical connection module according to claim 16, comprising two charging cables (2) and two charging terminals (3), wherein the cooling core tubes (21) of the two charging cables (2) are respectively connected to the two pipe fittings (12) of the cooling box (1), and the conductor cores (22) of the two charging cables (2) are respectively electrically connected to the two charging terminals (3).

19. The electrical connection module according to claim 16, further comprising a fixing device used to fix the cooling box (1) to the charging terminal (3), thereby ensuring that the bottom of the cooling box (1) is in reliable thermal contact with the charging terminal (3).

20. Housing and The electrical connection module according to any one of claims 13 to 19 and Equipped with, The charging terminal (3) and the cooling box (1) of the electrical connection module are provided in the housing, and the charging cable (2) of the electrical connection module is routed out from the rear end of the housing. Charging device.

21. The charging device according to claim 20, wherein the charging device is a charging dock or a charging gun.

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