Liquid cooling device, communication assembly and battery pack

Abstract

The present application provides a liquid cooling device, a communication assembly and a battery pack. Protrusions are provided on side walls of cooling flow channels, such that when outer sides of liquid cooling plates are pressed, the protrusions between the side walls of the cooling flow channels support the side walls, preventing the remaining parts of the cooling flow channels from being further blocked.

Description

Liquid cooling device, connectivity components and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent applications filed with the China Patent Office on September 12, 2023, with application numbers 202322480069.6, 202311176383.3, 202322485981.0, and 202322485946.9. The entire contents of the above applications are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a liquid cooling device and a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] In the related art, a battery pack is provided with battery cells and a liquid cooling device, and the cooling device is configured to cool the battery cells. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] However, since liquid cooling devices are made of relatively soft materials, they are prone to flow channel blockage when deformed by external forces.

[0005] The present application provides a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device is used to cool the battery cells in a battery pack, and the liquid cooling device includes:

[0006] a liquid cooling plate, the liquid cooling plate comprising cooling channels;

[0007] Part of the side walls of the cooling channel are provided with protrusions. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is not squeezed, the protrusions are spaced apart from the opposite side walls. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is squeezed, the protrusions abut the opposite side walls to at least separate the cooling channel into a first channel and a second channel.

[0008] The present application also provides a connecting component, which includes a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece. The first connecting piece includes a joint and a limiting sleeve. The joint is interference fit with the second connecting piece, and the limiting sleeve is sleeved on the outside of the corresponding joint and the second connecting piece.

[0009] The present application also provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and a liquid cooling device, wherein the liquid cooling device is used to cool the battery cells, and the liquid cooling device includes:

[0010] a liquid cooling plate, the liquid cooling plate comprising cooling channels;

[0011] Part of the side walls of the cooling channel are provided with protrusions. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is not squeezed, the protrusions are spaced apart from the opposite side walls. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is squeezed, the protrusions abut the opposite side walls to at least separate the cooling channel into a first channel and a second channel. Beneficial effects

[0012] The liquid cooling device provided in the present application provides a protrusion on the side wall of the cooling channel. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is squeezed, the protrusion is provided between the side walls of the cooling channel, so that the protrusion will be supported between the side walls, thereby preventing the rest of the cooling channel from continuing to be blocked. This improves the technical problem in the related art that the liquid cooling plate is easily blocked when deformed by external force.

[0013] The connecting component provided in the present application can fix and seal the joint and the second connecting piece at a secondary level by interference fitting the joint of the first connecting piece with the second connecting piece, and sleeve the limiting sleeve of the first connecting piece on the outside of the corresponding joint and the second connecting piece, thereby improving the airtight reliability of the two and reducing the risk of cooling medium leakage when two adjacent liquid cooling plates are connected.

[0014] The battery pack provided in the present application is provided with protrusions on the side walls of the cooling channel of the liquid cooling device. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate is squeezed, the protrusions are provided between the side walls of the cooling channel, so that the protrusions will be supported between the side walls, thereby preventing the rest of the cooling channel from continuing to be blocked. This improves the technical problem in the related art that the liquid cooling plate is easily blocked when deformed by external force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application;

[0016] FIG2 is a schematic top view of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application;

[0017] FIG3 is a side view schematic diagram of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application;

[0018] FIG4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point B in FIG2 ;

[0019] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the coordination structure between the first liquid cooling plate and the second liquid cooling plate when no connecting component is provided in some implementations of the present application;

[0020] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a first liquid cooling plate in some implementations of the present application;

[0021] FIG7 is a schematic side view of the first liquid cooling plate in FIG6 ;

[0022] FIG8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point C in FIG1 ;

[0023] FIG9 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point D in FIG3 ;

[0024] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a joint in some implementations of the present application;

[0025] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a position limiting sleeve in some implementations of the present application;

[0026] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a first sub-connecting member in some implementations of the present application;

[0027] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a second sub-connecting member in some implementations of the present application;

[0028] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a liquid cooling plate in some implementations of the present application;

[0029] FIG15 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point A in FIG14;

[0030] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a block in some implementations of the present application.

[0031] Description of reference numerals:

[0032] Liquid cooling device 200; liquid cooling plate 10; mating portion 100; first liquid cooling plate 101; second liquid cooling plate 102; first mating portion 103; second mating portion 104; side wall 20; first side wall 105; second side wall 106; limiting strip 107; mounting cavity 108; connecting port 109; protrusion 110; first protrusion 111; second protrusion 112; cooling channel 120; first channel 121; second channel 122; spacer 130; joint 201; limiting strip Sleeve 202; first sub-connecting piece 203; second sub-connecting piece 204; sealing ring 205; connecting assembly 210; first connecting piece 211; second connecting piece 212; cavity 1001; first end 2011; second end 2012; annular groove 2013; notch 2021; first section 2031; second section 2032; third section 2033; battery pack 300; block 301; confluence channel 302; opening 303; first direction X; second direction Y. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and can refer to internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, with the first feature having a higher horizontal height than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, with the first feature having a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used to refer to positions or locations based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended to facilitate description and simplify operation, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and do not have any special meanings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application. Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application. Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a liquid cooling device in some implementations of the present application.

[0037] 1 , 2 , and 3 , an embodiment of the present application provides a liquid cooling device 200 for cooling multiple battery cells (not shown) in a battery pack 300 . The liquid cooling device 200 includes multiple liquid cooling plates 10 .

[0038] In some implementations, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid cooling plate 10 includes a plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101 and a plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102. The plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101 and the plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102 are arranged alternately along a first direction X. The first liquid cooling plate 101 and the adjacent second liquid cooling plates 102 define a plurality of mounting cavities 108 in a second direction Y, and a seal is provided between adjacent mounting cavities 108. Each battery cell is installed in a corresponding mounting cavity 108, that is, the liquid cooling plate 10 abuts the battery cell. It is understood that in some implementations, the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 can directly abut the battery cell. In other implementations, the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 can also abut the battery cell via thermal conductive adhesive, that is, thermal conductive adhesive is provided between the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 and the battery cell.

[0039] As shown in Figure 10, the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the adjacent second liquid cooling plate 102 are connected through a connecting component 210. A plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101, a plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102 and a plurality of connecting components 210 together constitute a cooling system located on the battery pack 300 side, which has a flow channel for the flow of cooling medium and corresponding input and output ports. It can be understood that the cooling system can be connected to an external conveying device through the input and output ports to form a complete cooling circulation system. It should be noted that the first direction X and the second direction Y intersect.

[0040] As can be understood, since each battery cell is located in a corresponding mounting cavity 108 and adjacent mounting cavities 108 are insulated from each other, when a battery cell in a mounting cavity 108 experiences thermal runaway, it will be confined to the corresponding mounting cavity 108 and will not spread heat, thus, adjacent battery cells will not be affected. As can be understood, the above arrangement improves the technical problem in the related art where thermal runaway of a battery cell would affect adjacent battery cells.

[0041] Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point B in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first and second liquid cooling plates in some implementations of the present application when no connecting components are provided. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first liquid cooling plate in some implementations of the present application. Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the first liquid cooling plate in Figure 6.

[0042] 4 to 7 , the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 are both formed with a plurality of mating portions 100 arranged alternately in the second direction Y, and the mating portions 100 are curved.

[0043] The mating portions 100 at corresponding positions on the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the mating portions 100 at corresponding positions on the second liquid cooling plate 102 form a mounting cavity 108. Specifically, the plurality of mating portions 100 include a plurality of first mating portions 103 and a plurality of second mating portions 104 (as shown in FIG5 ).

[0044] In the same liquid cooling plate, a plurality of first mating portions 103 and a plurality of second mating portions 104 are alternately arranged along the second direction Y. When the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 are adjacently arranged, the first mating portions 103 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second mating portions 104 of the second liquid cooling plate 102 form a mounting cavity 108 .

[0045] It can be understood that the combination of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 is the minimum circulation unit of the liquid cooling device 200 in this application (as shown in FIG4 ), and the liquid cooling device 200 in this application is composed of a plurality of circulation units.

[0046] In some implementations, within the same liquid cooling plate 10, adjacent first and second mating portions 103, 104 have the same opening direction (not shown), and the opening direction of the first and second mating portions 103, 104 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 is opposite to the opening direction of the first and second mating portions 103, 104 of the second liquid cooling plate 102. It is understood that the first mating portion 103 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second mating portion 104 of the second liquid cooling plate 102 cooperate to form the mounting cavity 108, and the second mating portion 104 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the first mating portion 103 of the second liquid cooling plate 102 cooperate to form the mounting cavity 108. Through the above arrangement, the mounting cavities 108 in each circulation unit form a row, and the two adjacent rows of mounting cavities 108 are aligned in the first direction X, thereby enabling the liquid cooling device 200 of the present application to effectively arrange square battery cells.

[0047] When the battery cells are cylindrical or similar in shape, the arrangement in the above embodiment cannot make good use of space. Therefore, in some implementations, in the same liquid cooling plate 10, the opening directions of adjacent first mating portions 103 and second mating portions 104 are opposite. In any circulation unit, the first mating portion 103 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second mating portion 104 of the second liquid cooling plate 102 cooperate to form an installation cavity 108, and the second mating portion 103 of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the first mating portion 103 of the second liquid cooling plate 102 cooperate to form an installation cavity 108. Between two adjacent circulation units, the first liquid cooling plate 101 of the preceding circulation unit and the second liquid cooling plate 102 of the succeeding circulation unit can also form an installation cavity 108 between each other. Through the above arrangement, the installation cavities 108 in each circulation unit form a row, and the two adjacent rows of installation cavities 108 are staggered in the first direction X. It can be understood that the staggered arrangement can increase the number of battery cells with cylindrical or similar shapes that can be accommodated by the liquid cooling device 200.

[0048] Corresponding to each mounting cavity 108, the first end of each first mating portion 103 is fixedly connected to the first end of the corresponding second mating portion 104 by adhesive, and the second end of the first mating portion 103 is fixedly connected to the second end of the corresponding second mating portion 104 by adhesive. It can be understood that the above-mentioned first end and second section are only for better description, and the liquid cooling plate 10 is a whole. For example, in two adjacent first mating portions 103, the second end of the previous first mating portion 103 and the first end of the next first mating portion 103 are components of the second mating portion 104. The contact portions of the first liquid cooling plate 101 and the second liquid cooling plate 102 are fixed by adhesive, so that the two adjacent mounting cavities 108 are sealed from each other, thereby preventing heat from spreading when the battery cell is in thermal runaway.

[0049] In some implementations, the shape of each mounting cavity 108 matches the shape of the corresponding battery cell. If the battery cell housing is cylindrical, the first and second mating portions 103, 104 that enclose the mounting cavity 108 are configured to have an arc shape that matches the battery cell housing. To improve the stability of the battery cell, the first and second mating portions 103, 104 wrap around the outer surface of the battery cell.

[0050] In some implementations, a limit bar 107 is provided on the sidewall of the liquid cooling plate 10 facing the battery cell in the mounting cavity 108. The limit bar 107 can be bonded to the liquid cooling plate 10. As will be appreciated, the limit bar 107 can improve the rigidity of the liquid cooling device 200, ensure space between the battery cell and the liquid cooling plate 10 to accommodate structural adhesive, and also serve to limit the battery cell.

[0051] Figure 8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point C in Figure 1, and Figure 9 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point D in Figure 3. Figures 8 and 9 show that two adjacent liquid cooling plates of the present application are connected through a connecting component 210. Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a joint in some implementations of the present application. Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a limiting sleeve in some implementations of the present application. Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a first sub-connecting member in some implementations of the present application. Figure 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a second sub-connecting member in some implementations of the present application.

[0052] Referring to Figures 10 to 13, each liquid cooling plate 10 is provided with a cooling channel, and a connecting port 109 connected to the cooling channel is provided on the liquid cooling plate 10. A connecting assembly 210 is used to connect two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10. The connecting assembly 210 includes two first connecting members 211 and a second connecting member 212. The first connecting member 211 includes a connector 201 and a limiting sleeve 202. The two first connecting members 211 are located between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10. The first end 2011 of the connector 201 of each first connecting member 211 is connected to the connecting port 109 of the corresponding liquid cooling plate 10, and the second end 2012 of the connector 201 of each first connecting member 211 is connected to the second connecting member 212 with an interference fit therebetween. The limiting sleeve 202 is sleeved on the outside of the corresponding connector 201 and the second connecting member 212.

[0053] It can be understood that an interference fit is set between the joint 201 and the second connecting piece 212, and a limiting sleeve 202 is sleeved on the outside of the joint 201 and the second connecting piece 212, that is, a secondary fixation and sealing of the joint 201 and the second connecting piece 212, which improves the airtight reliability of the two, thereby preventing the technical problem of cooling medium leakage that is easy to occur when two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10 are connected.

[0054] In some implementations, to improve the seal between the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201, the first connecting member 211 further includes a sealing ring 205. The sealing ring 205 is located between the second end 2012 of the connector 201 and the second connecting member 212, and the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201 are interference-fitted via the sealing ring 205. It will be appreciated that the interference fit between the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201 by providing the sealing ring 205 can ensure good sealing while securing the two.

[0055] To prevent the sealing ring 205 from falling off and to define its position, an annular groove 2013 is provided on the sidewall of the second connecting piece 212 and / or the sidewall of the connector 201. A portion of the sealing ring 205 is positioned within the annular groove 2013. It is understood that the sealing ring 205 should protrude from the annular groove 2013 to achieve an interference fit between the second connecting piece 212 and the connector 201 and ensure good sealing performance. Furthermore, the provision of the annular groove 2013 facilitates the connection between the second connecting piece 212 and the connector 201, improving assembly convenience.

[0056] The number of annular grooves 2013 should be greater than or equal to the number of sealing rings 205. It can be understood that when the number of annular grooves 2013 is greater than the number of sealing rings 205, the extra annular grooves 2013 can be used as spares. When the sealing ring 205 falls off from the corresponding annular groove 2013, it can continue to be installed in the spare annular groove 2013, so that the second connecting piece 212 and the joint 201 have good sealing performance, while reducing the difficulty of assembly of the two.

[0057] In some implementations, the connector 201 is sleeved on the outside of the second connecting member 212, the outside of the connector 201 is provided with an external thread, the limiting sleeve 202 is provided with an internal thread, and the limiting sleeve 202 is threadedly connected to the connector 201. It is understandable that when the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201 are connected, the outer diameter of the connector 201 will increase because the two are connected in an interference fit manner. If the limiting sleeve 202 is already sleeved on the outside of the connector 201 during the fitting process, the installation difficulty of the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201 will increase because the limiting sleeve 202 plays a limiting role. Therefore, during the installation process of the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201, the limiting sleeve 202 can be first sleeved on the part of the second connecting member 212 or the connector 201 that is not interference fit. After the interference fit between the second connecting member 212 and the connector 201 is completed, the limiting sleeve 202 can be sleeved on the outside of the connector 201. Since the second connecting piece 212 and the joint 201 are already in an interference fit state, the outer diameter of the joint 201 increases, and it is more difficult to move the limiting sleeve 202 to the fitting position. Therefore, threads are provided on the joint 201 and the limiting sleeve 202, and the limiting sleeve 202 is screwed to the fitting position through the threads to play a limiting role.

[0058] In some implementations, a plurality of notches 2021 are provided at the end of the limiting sleeve 202 so that the limiting sleeve 202 can reach the mating position more conveniently.

[0059] In some implementations, in order to facilitate the connection between the second connecting piece 212 and the connector 201, the outer diameter of the second end 2012 of the connector 201 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the second connecting piece 212, and the outer diameter of the second end 2012 of the connector 201 gradually increases in a direction away from the second connecting piece 212.

[0060] It is understandable that in other implementations, the second connecting piece 212 can also be sleeved on the outside of the connector 201. In this case, an external thread can also be provided on the outside of the second connecting piece 212, and the outer diameter of the second connecting piece 212 can also be set to gradually increase in the direction away from the connector 201.

[0061] In some implementations, please refer to Figures 12 and 13, the second connecting member 212 includes a first sub-connecting member 203 and a second sub-connecting member 204, the first sub-connecting member 203 is used to connect between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10, and the second sub-connecting member 204 is used to communicate with the outermost liquid cooling plate 10 to serve as the input / output end of the liquid cooling device 200.

[0062] The first sub-connecting member 203 includes two first segments 2031, two second segments 2032, and a third segment 2033. The two first segments 2031 are disposed opposite each other, each second segment 2032 is connected to a corresponding first segment 2031 in a zigzag manner, and the two second segments 2032 are connected by the third segment 2033. The distance between the ends of the two second segments 2032 near the first segment 2031 is smaller than the distance between the ends of the two second segments 2032 near the third segment 2033.

[0063] It can be understood that the above configuration allows the first sub-connecting member 203 to have sufficient deformation margin. When the distance between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10 increases or decreases, the length of the first sub-connecting member 203 in the corresponding direction may increase or decrease accordingly.

[0064] In some implementations, the first end 2011 of the connector 201 is connected to the communication port 109 by welding. It is understood that a seal is provided between the two.

[0065] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a liquid cooling plate in some implementations of the present application. Figure 15 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point A in Figure 14. Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a blocking block in some implementations of the present application.

[0066] Referring to Figures 14 to 16, in some implementations, each liquid cooling plate 10 includes a cavity 1001, within which a plurality of spacers 130 are disposed. The plurality of spacers 130 and the walls of the cavity 1001 enclose a plurality of cooling channels 120. For example, the ends of the spacers 130 are connected to two opposite walls of the cavity 1001 to divide the cavity 1001 into the plurality of cooling channels 120. It will be appreciated that by dividing the cavity 1001 into the plurality of cooling channels 120 through the spacers 130, when the liquid cooling plate 1001 is squeezed, the spacers 130 at the corresponding cooling channels 120 will serve as a support structure to ensure unobstructed flow of the cooling channels 120.

[0067] The sidewalls 20 of the cooling channel 120 are provided with protrusions 110. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is squeezed, the protrusions 110 abut the opposing sidewalls 20 to at least separate the cooling channel 120 into a first channel 121 and a second channel 122. It is understood that the protrusions 110 divide the cooling channel 120 into at least two smaller channels. In some implementations, depending on the shape and position of the protrusions 110, the protrusions 110 divide the cooling channel 120 into three or more channels. In some implementations, depending on the shape and position of the protrusions 110, the shapes of the channels may also vary.

[0068] The protrusion 110 includes a first protrusion 111, and the side wall 20 of the cooling channel 120 includes a first side wall 105 and a second side wall 106 arranged opposite to each other. The first side wall 105 is provided with a first protrusion 111. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is not squeezed, the first protrusion 111 is spaced from the opposite side wall. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is squeezed, the first protrusion 111 at least separates the cooling channel 120 into a first channel 121 and a second channel 122.

[0069] It can be understood that when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is squeezed, since the protrusion 110 is provided between the first side wall 105 and the second side wall 106 of the cooling channel 120, the protrusion 110 will be supported between the first side wall 105 and the second side wall 106, thereby preventing the rest of the cooling channel 120 from continuing to be blocked.

[0070] In some implementations, the protrusion 110, the spacer 130, and the liquid cooling plate 10 can be integrally formed. To reduce molding difficulty, the protrusion 110 further includes a second protrusion 112, which is disposed on the second sidewall 106. The position of the second protrusion 112 corresponds to the position of the first protrusion 111. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is not squeezed, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 are spaced apart. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is squeezed, the first protrusion 111 abuts the second protrusion 112, thereby separating the cooling channel 120 into at least the first channel 121 and the second channel 122.

[0071] In some implementations, the second side wall 106 is provided with a second protrusion 112, the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 are arranged alternately, the first protrusion 111 is opposite to and spaced from a portion of the second side wall 106 where the second protrusion 112 is not provided, and the second protrusion 112 is opposite to and spaced from a portion of the first side wall 105 where the first protrusion 111 is not provided. When the outer side of the liquid cooling plate 10 is squeezed, the first protrusion 111 abuts against the portion of the second side wall 106 where the second protrusion 112 is not provided, and the second protrusion 112 abuts against the portion of the first side wall 105 where the first protrusion 111 is not provided.

[0072] In some implementations, the thickness of the portion of the protrusion 110 corresponding to the middle portion of the sidewall 20 is greater than the thickness of the portion of the protrusion 110 corresponding to the side portion of the sidewall 20. If the protrusion 110 is arcuate or rectangular, it will be understood that the arcuate or rectangular shape refers to the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 110 (as shown in FIG. 14 ). The extended shape of the protrusion 110 and the spacer 130 is the same as the shape of the liquid cold plate 10.

[0073] In some implementations, the natural distance between the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 in the lower cooling channel 120 (when not squeezed) is smaller than the natural distance between the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 in the higher cooling channel 120. Alternatively, the natural distance between the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 in the lower cooling channel 120 (when not squeezed) is larger than the natural distance between the first protrusion 111 and the second protrusion 112 in the higher cooling channel 120. It will be appreciated that the above configuration can increase the flow rate of the cooling medium within the corresponding cooling channel 120 and, as needed, utilize the cooling medium to provide support for the corresponding cooling channel 120 to resist external squeezing.

[0074] In some implementations, referring to Figures 8 and 9 , in any liquid cooling plate 10, multiple cooling channels 120 are connected to corresponding communication ports 109 to converge at the communication ports 109. Blockages 301 are provided at both ends of the liquid cooling plate 10. The sidewalls of the liquid cooling plate 10 facing the blockages 301 are provided with openings, and the blockages 301 are internally provided with converging channels 302 to allow the cooling channels 120 in the liquid cooling plate 10 to converge through the blockages 301. The blockages 301 are provided with openings 303, the shape of which matches that of the connector 201 to prevent the connector 201 from obstructing the installation of the blockages 301.

[0075] An embodiment of the present application provides a battery pack 300 , which includes a liquid cooling device 200 .

[0076] The battery pack 300 includes a plurality of battery cells and a liquid cooling device 200. The liquid cooling device 200 is used to cool the plurality of battery cells in the battery pack 300. The liquid cooling device 200 includes a plurality of liquid cooling plates 10 and a plurality of connecting components 210.

[0077] The liquid cooling plate 10 includes a plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101 and a plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102. The plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101 and the plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102 are arranged alternately along the first direction X. The first liquid cooling plate 101 and the adjacent second liquid cooling plates 102 enclose a plurality of mounting cavities 108 in the second direction Y, and a seal is provided between adjacent mounting cavities 108. Each battery cell is installed in a corresponding mounting cavity 108. The first liquid cooling plate 101 and the adjacent second liquid cooling plate 102 are connected by a connecting component 210. The plurality of first liquid cooling plates 101, the plurality of second liquid cooling plates 102 and the plurality of connecting components 210 together constitute a cooling system located on the battery pack 300 side, which has a flow channel for the flow of cooling medium and corresponding input and output ports. It can be understood that the cooling system can be connected to an external conveying device through the input and output ports to form a complete cooling circulation system. It should be noted that the first direction X and the second direction Y intersect.

[0078] As can be understood, since each battery cell is located in a corresponding mounting cavity 108 and adjacent mounting cavities 108 are insulated from each other, when a battery cell in a mounting cavity 108 experiences thermal runaway, it will be confined to the corresponding mounting cavity 108 and will not spread heat, thus, adjacent battery cells will not be affected. As can be understood, the above arrangement improves the technical problem in the related art where thermal runaway of a battery cell would affect adjacent battery cells.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling device (200) for cooling a battery cell in a battery pack (300), the liquid cooling device (200) comprising: A liquid cooling plate (10), the liquid cooling plate (10) comprising a cooling channel (120); Part of the side wall (20) of the cooling channel (120) is provided with a protrusion (110); when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate (10) is not squeezed, the protrusion (110) is spaced from the opposite side wall (20); when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate (10) is squeezed, the protrusion (110) abuts against the opposite side wall (20) to at least separate the cooling channel (120) into a first channel (121) and a second channel (122).

2. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 1, wherein: The liquid cooling plate (10) is provided with a cavity (1001) and a plurality of spacers (130) provided in the cavity (1001), wherein two ends of the spacers (130) are respectively connected to two opposite cavity walls of the cavity (1001) to separate the cavity (1001) into the plurality of cooling channels (120).

3. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 1, wherein: The protrusion (110) includes a first protrusion (111), and the cooling channel (120) includes a first side wall (105) and a second side wall (106) that are arranged opposite to each other, the first side wall (105) is provided with the first protrusion (111), the first protrusion (111) is opposite to and spaced from the second side wall (106), and when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate (10) is squeezed, the first protrusion (111) at least separates the cooling channel (120) into the first channel (121) and the second channel (122).

4. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion (110) further comprises a second protrusion (112), the second side wall (106) is provided with the second protrusion (112), the first protrusion (111) is opposite to and spaced from the second protrusion (112), and when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate (10) is squeezed, the first protrusion (111) abuts against the second protrusion (112) to separate the cooling channel (120) into at least the first channel (121) and the second channel (122).

5. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion (110) further comprises a second protrusion (112), the second side wall (106) is provided with the second protrusion (112), the first protrusion (111) and the second protrusion (112) are arranged alternately, the first protrusion (111) is opposite to and spaced from a portion of the second side wall (106) where the second protrusion (112) is not provided, the second protrusion (112) is opposite to and spaced from a portion of the first side wall (105) where the first protrusion (111) is not provided, and when the outer side of the liquid cooling plate (10) is squeezed, the first protrusion (111) abuts against a portion of the second side wall (106) where the second protrusion (112) is not provided, and the second protrusion (112) abuts against a portion of the first side wall (105) where the first protrusion (111) is not provided.

6. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The thickness of the portion of the protrusion (110) corresponding to the middle portion of the side wall (20) is greater than the thickness of the portion of the protrusion (110) corresponding to the side portion of the side wall (20).

7. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 6, wherein: The protrusion (110) is arc-shaped or rectangular.

8. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The protrusion (110) and the liquid cooling plate (10) are integrally formed.

9. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Two adjacent liquid cooling plates (10) are connected to form a plurality of independent installation cavities (108), the battery cells are installed in the installation cavities (108), the shape of the installation cavities (108) matches the shape of the battery cells, and the two adjacent installation cavities (108) are sealed.

10. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 9, wherein: In the installation cavity (108), a limiting strip (107) is provided on the side wall of the liquid cooling plate (10) facing the battery core.

11. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 10, wherein: Thermally conductive structural adhesive is contained between adjacent limiting strips (107).

12. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The liquid cooling plate (10) is provided with a communication port (109) connected to the cooling channel (120); in each of the liquid cooling plates (10), a plurality of the cooling channels (120) are connected to the corresponding communication port (109) so as to converge through the communication port (109).

13. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 12, further comprising a blocking block (301), wherein the blocking block (301) is sleeved on an end of the liquid cooling plate (10), and an opening (303) is provided on a side wall of the liquid cooling plate (10) facing the blocking block (301), and the blocking block (301) is connected to the plurality of cooling channels (120) of the liquid cooling plate (10) through the opening (303); in, A confluence channel (302) is provided inside the blocking block (301), and the plurality of cooling channels (120) converge through the confluence channel (302).

14. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The liquid cooling device (200) comprises: A plurality of the liquid cooling plates (10), the liquid cooling plates (10) being against the battery core, the liquid cooling plates (10) being provided with a communication port (109) connected to a cooling channel (120), the liquid cooling device (200) further comprising: A connecting component (210), the connecting component (210) comprising a first connecting piece (211) and a second connecting piece (212), the first connecting piece (211) comprising a joint (201) and a limiting sleeve (202), the first end (2011) of the joint (201) being connected to the connecting port (109), the second end (2012) of the joint (201) being interference fit with the second connecting piece (212), and the limiting sleeve (202) being sleeved on the outside of the joint (201) and the second connecting piece (212).

15. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 14, wherein: The connecting component (210) connects two adjacent liquid cooling plates (10), and the connecting component (210) comprises two first connecting pieces (211). The two first connecting pieces (211) are located between the two adjacent liquid cooling plates (10), and the first end (2011) of the joint (201) of each of the first connecting pieces (211) is connected to the connecting port (109) of the corresponding liquid cooling plate (10).

16. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 14, wherein the first connecting piece (211) further comprises a sealing ring (205), wherein the sealing ring (205) is located between the second end (2012) of the joint (201) and the second connecting piece (212), and the second connecting piece (212) and the joint (201) are interference fit via the sealing ring (205).

17. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 16, wherein: An annular groove (2013) is provided on the side wall of the second connecting piece (212) and / or the side wall of the joint (201), and at least a portion of the sealing ring (205) is located in the annular groove (2013).

18. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein a side wall of the joint (201) or the second connecting piece (212) is provided with an external thread, the limiting sleeve (202) is provided with an internal thread, and the limiting sleeve (202) is threadedly connected to the joint (201) or the second connecting piece (212).

19. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: When the second end (2012) of the connector (201) is inserted into the second connecting piece (212), the outer diameter of the second end (2012) of the connector (201) gradually increases in a direction toward the connecting port (109); or when the second connecting piece (212) is inserted into the second end (2012) of the connector (201), the outer diameter of the second connecting piece (212) gradually increases in a direction away from the connecting port (109).

20. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: The second connecting member (212) comprises two first sections (2031) facing away from each other, two second sections (2032) connected to the two first sections (2031) in a bent manner, and a third section (2033) connected to the two second sections (2032), wherein the distance between the ends of the two second sections (2032) close to the first section (2031) is smaller than the distance between the ends of the two second sections (2032) close to the third section (2033).

21. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: The first end of the joint (201) is welded and sealed to the communication port (109).

22. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: A notch (2021) is formed at one end of the limiting sleeve (202) facing the communication port (109).

23. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein: The liquid cooling device (200) comprises a plurality of the liquid cooling plates (10); the liquid cooling plates (10) comprise a plurality of first liquid cooling plates (101) and a plurality of second liquid cooling plates (102); the plurality of first liquid cooling plates (101) and the plurality of second liquid cooling plates (102) are alternately arranged along a first direction (X); each of the first liquid cooling plates (101) and the adjacent second liquid cooling plates (102) enclose a plurality of independent installation cavities (108) in a second direction (Y) intersecting the first direction (X); Each of the installation cavities (108) is used to install the corresponding battery core, and two adjacent installation cavities (108) are sealed.

24. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 23, wherein: The first liquid cooling plate (101) and the second liquid cooling plate (102) are both formed with a plurality of mating portions (100) arranged alternately in the second direction (Y); The matching portion (100) is curved, and the matching portion (100) at a corresponding position on the first liquid cooling plate (101) is connected to the matching portion (100) at a corresponding position on the second liquid cooling plate (102) to form the installation cavity (108).

25. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 24, wherein: The matching portion (100) comprises a plurality of first matching portions (103) and a plurality of second matching portions (104); in the same liquid cooling plate (10), the plurality of first matching portions (103) and the plurality of second matching portions (104) are alternately arranged along the second direction (Y); The first matching portion (103) of the first liquid cooling plate (101) and the second matching portion (104) of the second liquid cooling plate (102) enclose the installation cavity (108).

26. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 25, wherein: In the same liquid cooling plate (10), the opening directions of the adjacent first matching parts (103) and second matching parts (104) are opposite.

27. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 25, wherein: In the same liquid cooling plate (10), the opening directions of the adjacent first matching parts (103) and second matching parts (104) are the same, and the opening direction of the first matching part (103) of the first liquid cooling plate (101) is opposite to the opening direction of the first matching part (103) of the second liquid cooling plate (102), and the opening direction of the second matching part (104) of the first liquid cooling plate (101) is opposite to the opening direction of the second matching part (104) of the second liquid cooling plate (102).

28. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 27, wherein: The plurality of installation cavities (108) between the first liquid cooling plate (101) and the adjacent second liquid cooling plate (102) are arranged in a row in the second direction (Y), and the installation cavities (108) in two adjacent rows along the first direction (X) are staggered in the first direction (X).

29. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 25, wherein: In each of the installation cavities (108), the first end of each of the first matching parts (103) is fixedly connected to the first end of the corresponding second matching part (104) by adhesive, and the second end of the first matching part (103) is fixedly connected to the second end of the corresponding second matching part (104) by adhesive.

30. The liquid cooling device (200) according to claim 25, wherein: The outer shell of the battery cell is cylindrical, the first matching portion (103) and the second matching portion (104) surrounding the installation cavity (108) are in an arc shape matching the outer shell of the battery cell, and the first matching portion (103) and the second matching portion (104) wrap the outer side surface of the battery cell.

31. The liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein: The first liquid cooling plate (101) and the second liquid cooling plate (102) are provided with cooling channels (120), and both ends of the first liquid cooling plate (101) and the second liquid cooling plate (102) are provided with connecting ports (109) connected to the cooling channels (120). In two adjacent first liquid cooling plates (101) and second liquid cooling plates (102), the connecting ports (109) located at the same end are connected via a connecting component (210).

32. A connecting component (210), the connecting component (210) comprising a first connecting piece (211) and a second connecting piece (212), the first connecting piece (211) comprising a joint (201) and a limiting sleeve (202), the joint (201) and the second connecting piece (212) being interference fit, the limiting sleeve (202) being sleeved on the outer sides of the corresponding joint (201) and the second connecting piece (212).

33. A battery pack (300), comprising a plurality of battery cells and a liquid cooling device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 31.

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