BDU device and battery pack

Abstract

To provide a BDU device and a battery pack.SOLUTION: The present application discloses a BDU device and a battery pack. The BDU device includes a housing, a heating element and a heat conductive plate. One end of the housing is provided with an opening. The heating element is disposed in the housing. The heat conductive plate is provided with a first side and a second side opposite to each other, the first side is located in the opening and is thermally coupled with the heating element, and the second side is located outside the housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 This application claims priority based on a Chinese patent application with application number 202323671457.9 filed with the China Patent Office on December 31, 2023, and incorporates all of the content of the Chinese patent application herein by reference. 【0002】 This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to BDU devices and battery packs. 【Background Art】 【0003】 In related technologies, in order to improve the reliability of battery packs, usually, a BDU (Battery Disconnect Unit) device is installed in the battery pack. The BDU device includes a housing and a large number of electronic devices that generate a lot of heat, such as conductive bars, fuses, and relays installed inside the housing. Due to the space limitation of the battery pack, the components inside the battery pack are arranged compactly. Therefore, the current BDU device mainly uses natural cooling to dissipate heat. Since this heat dissipation method is inefficient, the BDU device will be placed in a high-temperature environment for a long time, resulting in a decrease in the reliability of the BDU device. 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 This application provides a BDU device and a battery pack for solving the above technical problems. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0005】 According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a BDU device, which includes a housing, a heating element, and a heat conduction plate. An opening is provided at one end of the housing. The heating element is arranged inside the housing. The heat conduction plate has a first side and a second side on opposite sides of each other. The first side is located inside the opening and is thermally coupled to the heating element. The second side is located outside the housing. 【0006】 According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery pack comprising a box and the aforementioned BDU device, the box having a housing cavity, the BDU device being placed within the housing cavity, and the second side being thermally coupled to the cavity wall of the housing cavity. [Effects of the Invention] 【0007】 The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The BDU device provided in this application thermally couples a heat conductive plate with the heat-generating element of the BDU device, thereby enabling the BDU device to dissipate heat through the heat conductive plate. This improves the heat dissipation efficiency of the BDU device, which in turn improves the current capacity of the BDU device and ultimately enhances the reliability of the BDU device. 【0008】 The battery pack provided in this application can improve the reliability of its electrical components by using the BDU device described above, thereby improving the overall reliability of the battery pack. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0009】 [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the BDU device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the conductive bar provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the contact between the conductive bar and the heat conductive plate provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a BDU device installed in a box provided in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0010】 In this description, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms “connected,” “joined,” and “fixed” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, including fixed connections, detachable connections, or integrated connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections via an intermediate medium; and internal connections or interactions between two elements. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the particular context. 【0011】 In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, a first feature that is "above" or "below" a second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or it may include contact between the first and second features but not directly, via another feature. Furthermore, the "above," "above," and "upper part" of a first feature includes the first feature being directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is greater than that of the second feature. The "below," "below," and "lower part" of a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature. 【0012】 In this description of the embodiment, terms such as "up," "down," and "right" are based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are for the convenience of explanation and simplification of operation. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements mentioned must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be interpreted as limiting the present application. Also, the terms "first" and "second" are used for illustrative purposes only and have no special meaning. 【0013】 Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a BDU device 001 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The embodiment of the present application provides a BDU device 001 which includes a housing 011, a heating element 012, and a heat conduction plate 013. An opening 111 is provided at one end of the housing 011. The heating element 012 is located inside the housing 011. The heat conduction plate 013 has a first side and a second side opposite each other. The first side is located inside the opening 111 and is thermally coupled to the heating element 012. The second side is located outside the housing 011. 【0014】 When the BDU device 001 is applied to a battery pack, it is understood that the BDU device 001 is installed inside the battery pack's box. Specifically, the BDU device 001 is attached to the bottom protective plate of the battery pack, with the first side in close contact with the heat-generating element 012 and the second side in close contact with the bottom protective plate. The heat conduction plate 013 conducts heat from the heat-generating element 012 to the bottom protective plate, and the outer surface of the bottom protective plate is exposed to the atmosphere for heat dissipation. Here, the heat-generating element 012 can be a conductive bar 121, a relay, a fuse, etc., but is not limited to these. As the heat conductive plate 013, a silicon heat conductive pad, a rubber heat conductive plate, or a metal plate coated with an insulating layer can be used. 【0015】 In this embodiment, by thermally coupling the heat conductive plate 013 with the heat-generating element 012 of the BDU device 001, the BDU device 001 can dissipate heat through the heat conductive plate 013, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the BDU device 001, which in turn improves the current capacity of the BDU device 001 and ultimately improves the reliability of the BDU device 001. On the other hand, by positioning the second side on the outside of the housing 011, a gap is created between the side of the housing 011 closest to the inner wall of the box and the box, preventing contact between the housing 011 and the box. This prevents the housing 011 from being damaged by excessive force during installation and locking of the BDU device 001, which could cause the housing 011 to compress the box. 【0016】 Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment. The heating element 012 includes a conductive bar 121. Both ends of the conductive bar 121 are connection ends. At least a part of the conductive bar 121 excluding the connection ends protrudes toward the heat conduction plate 013 and abuts against the first side. As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the abutment between the conductive bar 121 and the heat conduction plate 013 provided in the embodiment of the present application. 【0017】 It can be understood that the conductive bar 121 is used to electrically connect some electrical components of the BDU device 001, such as the electrical connection between the high-voltage input port and the high-voltage output port of the BDU device 001. Exemplarily, the conductive bar 12 is a copper bar. 【0018】 In this embodiment, by protruding the middle part of the conductive bar 121 toward the heat conduction plate 013 and making it abut against the first side, the conductive bar 121 and the heat conduction plate 013 can be thermally coupled. As a result, the heat conduction plate 013 can dissipate heat from the conductive bar 121, and the conductive bar 121 can achieve the electrical connection between related components. 【0019】 In one embodiment, the heat conduction plate 013 has elasticity. For example, the heat conduction plate 013 is a silicon heat conduction pad, and its thermal conductivity is 3 W / m·K or more. 【0020】 It can be understood that the BDU device 001 is removably fixed to the box via bolts 031. Also, when the BDU device 001 is installed in the box, the heat conduction plate 013 is located between the heating element 012 and the wall of the box and is under pressure. 【0021】 In this embodiment, by using the thermally conductive plate 013 having elasticity, the thermally conductive plate 013 can be compressed when the BDU device 001 is installed. In this way, a pre-tightening force can be formed on the thermally conductive plate 013 to prevent loosening of the bolt 031 that fixes the BDU device 001 to the box, thereby improving the stability of the installation of the BDU device 001. On the other hand, by pushing in the thermally conductive plate 013, it can be more closely attached to the heating element 012 and the box, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the BDU device 001. 【0022】 Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the distance between the second side and the outer surface of the housing 011 is d1, which satisfies 1 mm ≤ d1 ≤ 4 mm. It can be understood that d1 includes, but is not limited to, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 2.6 mm, 3 mm, 3.3 mm, 3.8 mm, 4 mm. 【0023】 In this embodiment, by restricting the distance between the second side and the housing 011, it is possible to avoid the situation where the distance between the second side and the housing 011 is too small and the housing 011 contacts the box, thereby avoiding the situation where the force for attaching and locking the BDU device 001 is too large and the housing 011 presses and damages the box. On the other hand, it is possible to avoid the situation where the distance between the second side and the housing 011 is too large and the thermal conductivity performance of the thermally conductive plate 013 deteriorates. 【0024】 Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the thermally conductive plate 013 includes a thermally conductive plate 013 body and an insulating film 132. The thermally conductive plate 013 body has a first side and a second side, and the insulating film 132 covers at least the first side or the second side. Exemplarily, the insulating film 132 completely covers the surface of the thermally conductive plate 013. Here, the thermal conductive plate 013 body is a silicon thermal conductive pad. Examples of insulating films 132 include, but are not limited to, PET insulating film 132 and PC insulating film 132. The thermal conductivity of PET insulating film 132 is higher than that of PC insulating film 132, and therefore, selectively, the insulating film 132 is PET insulating film 132. 【0025】 In this embodiment, by covering the first or second side with an insulating film 132, the insulation between the heating element 012 and the battery box is improved, ensuring the normal operation of the BDU device 001 and improving the reliability of the BDU device 001. 【0026】 Referring to Figure 4, in one embodiment, the thickness of the insulating film 132 is d2, satisfying the condition 0.1 mm ≤ d2 ≤ 0.2 mm. d2 includes, but is not limited to, 0.1mm, 0.12mm, 0.13mm, 0.14mm, 0.15mm, 0.17mm, 0.18mm, 0.19mm, and 0.2mm. 【0027】 In this embodiment, by limiting the thickness of the insulating film 132, it is possible to avoid damage to the insulating film 132 due to its excessive thinness, thereby ensuring insulation between the heating element 012 and the box. On the other hand, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the thermal conductivity of the heat conduction plate 013 due to the insulating film 132 becoming too thick. 【0028】 In one embodiment, the heat conductive plate 013 engages with the opening 111. It can be understood that the opening 111 is interlocked with the heat conduction plate 013, thereby achieving engagement between the heat conduction plate 013 and the opening 111. In this embodiment, by engaging the heat conductive plate 013 with the opening 111, the connection stability between the heat conductive plate 013 and the housing 011 is improved, and the heat conductive plate 013 can be prevented from coming out of the opening 111 of the housing 011. This improves the convenience of installing the BDU device 001. 【0029】 Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the BDU device 001 installed in the box provided by the embodiment of the present application. Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application further provides a battery pack, and this battery pack includes a box and the aforementioned BDU device 001. The box has an accommodation cavity. The BDU device 001 is arranged in the accommodation cavity. The second side is thermally coupled to the cavity wall of the accommodation cavity. Specifically, the second side is thermally coupled to the bottom protection plate 021. 【0030】 It can be understood that the BDU device 001 is removably fixed in the accommodation cavity through a fixture. The fixture includes a bolt 031, a hanging lug is provided on the outer wall of the housing 011, a bolt 031 through-hole is provided on the hanging lug, the end of the rod of the bolt 031 passes through the bolt 031 through-hole and is screwed into the box, the head of the bolt 031 abuts against the hanging lug, and the axial direction of the bolt 031 is perpendicular to the heat conduction plate 013, whereby the heating element 012, the heat conduction plate 013, and the bottom protection plate 021 are pushed in sequence. 【0031】 In this embodiment, by using the above-mentioned BDU device 001, the reliability of the electrical components of the battery pack can be improved, and the reliability of the battery pack can be improved. 【0032】 In one embodiment, the heat conduction plate 013 is in a compressed state. Specifically, the cavity wall of the accommodation cavity that is thermally coupled to the second side is the first cavity wall, the distance between the first cavity wall and the housing 011 is D, as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 5. In the original state of the heat conduction plate 013, the distance between the second side and the housing 011 is d1, and D < d1 is satisfied. 【0033】 It can be understood that the heat conduction plate 013 has elasticity. The original state of the heat conduction plate 013 means that the heat conduction plate 013 is not deformed by an external force. In the original state, the heat conduction plate 013 is in a natural shape, and the heat conduction plate 013 is not stretched, compressed, or distorted. 【0034】 For example, 0.4mm ≤ d1 - D ≤ 0.7mm. Specifically, the difference between D and d1 includes, but is not limited to, 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm, and 0.7mm. If this difference is too large, it means that the thickness of the heat conduction plate 013 is too large, and if the thickness of the heat conduction plate 013 is too large, the heat conduction of the heat conduction plate 013 will be poor. If this difference is too small, it means that the housing 011 is likely to come into contact with the box and be damaged when the BDU device 001 is installed. 【0035】 In this embodiment, due to the above limitations, the heat conduction plate 013 is in a compressed state, and in this way, a pre-tightening force is formed on the heat conduction plate 013, preventing the bolts 031 that fix the BDU device 001 to the box from loosening, thereby improving the stability of the installation of the BDU device 001. On the other hand, by pressing the heat conduction plate 013 in, the heat generating element 012 can be brought into closer contact with the box, improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the BDU device 001. [Explanation of symbols] 【0036】 001: BDU device, 011: housing, 111: opening, 112: lug plate, 012: heating element, 121: conductive bar, 013: heat conduction plate, 131: heat conduction plate body, 132: insulating film, 021: bottom protective plate, 031: bolt.

Claims

[Claim 1] A battery pack, The BDU device includes a box, a housing, a heating element, and a heat conduction plate, wherein an opening is provided at one end of the housing, the heating element is disposed inside the housing, and the heat conduction plate has a first side and a second side opposite to each other, the first side located inside the opening and thermally coupled to the heating element, and the second side located outside the housing. The aforementioned box has a housing cavity, The BDU device is removably fixed within the housing cavity via fasteners, and the second side is thermally coupled to the cavity wall of the housing cavity. The heat conductive plate is in a compressed state. The cavity wall of the housing cavity that is thermally bonded to the second side is the first cavity wall, the distance between the first cavity wall and the housing is D, and in the original state of the heat conduction plate, the distance between the second side and the housing is d1, satisfying D < d1. Battery pack. [Claim 2] 0.4 mm ≤ d 1 - D ≤ 0.7 mm The battery pack according to claim 1. [Claim 3] The heating element includes a conductive bar, the ends of which are connecting ends, and at least a portion of the conductive bar, excluding the connecting ends, protrudes toward the heat conductive plate and abuts toward the first side. The battery pack according to claim 1. [Claim 4] The heat conductive plate is elastic and is a silicon heat conductive pad or a rubber heat conductive plate. The battery pack according to claim 1. [Claim 5] The distance between the second side and the outer surface of the housing is d １ Therefore, 1 mm ≤ d １ Satisfying ≤ 4 mm The battery pack according to claim 1. [Claim 6] The heat conduction plate includes a heat conduction plate body and an insulating film, the heat conduction plate body having a first side and a second side, and the insulating film covering at least the first side or the second side. The battery pack according to claim 1. [Claim 7] The thickness of the insulating film is d ２ Therefore, 0.1 mm ≤ d ２ Satisfying ≤0.2 mm The battery pack according to claim 6. [Claim 8] The insulating film is a PET insulating film. The battery pack according to claim 6. [Claim 9] The heat conduction plate engages with the opening. The battery pack according to claim 1.

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