Thermal management component and battery pack

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and discloses a thermal management component and a battery pack. The thermal management component has a first direction, a second direction and a third direction which intersect in pairs, the thermal management component comprises a heat exchanger and a current collector, and the current collector is connected to at least one end of the heat exchanger in the first direction; the maximum length of the current collector in the first direction is a first length, the maximum length in the third direction is a third length, and the first length is less than the third length; the current collector is provided with a first flow channel running through the current collector in the third direction, a medium flow channel is provided in the heat exchanger, and the medium flow channel is communicated with the first flow channel.

Description

Thermal management component and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 3, 2023, with application number 202322981337.2 and patent name “A Thermal Management Component and Battery Pack”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application belongs to the field of battery technology, and specifically relates to a thermal management component and a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] In related technologies, batteries operating within an appropriate temperature range can improve their charge and discharge capacity and extend their service life. Therefore, conventional batteries are equipped with thermal management components to exchange heat with the battery cells in the battery to maintain the battery within a normal operating temperature range.

[0004] However, the thermal management components used in related technologies have a low volume utilization rate of the battery because the current collector of the thermal management components occupies a large battery envelope space.

[0005] Application Contents

[0006] The present application discloses a thermal management component and a battery pack to solve or at least partially solve the problem of low volume utilization of the battery.

[0007] In the first aspect, the present application discloses a thermal management component having a first direction, a second direction and a third direction intersecting each other, the thermal management component including a heat exchanger and a fluid collector, the heat exchanger being connected to the fluid collector at at least one end along the first direction; the maximum length of the fluid collector along the first direction is a first length, and the maximum length along the third direction is a third length, the first length being smaller than the third length; the fluid collector is provided with a first flow channel passing through the third direction, a medium flow channel is provided in the heat exchanger, and the medium flow channel is connected to the first flow channel.

[0008] Optionally, the maximum dimension of the first flow channel along the first direction is a first dimension, and the maximum dimension along the second direction is a second dimension, and the first dimension is smaller than the second dimension.

[0009] Optionally, the maximum length of the current collector along the second direction is a second length, and the second length is greater than the third length.

[0010] Optionally, a first convex portion is provided on the side of the current collector close to the heat exchanger, a first cavity is provided through the first convex portion along the first direction, and the first cavity is connected to the first flow channel; the heat exchanger is connected to the first convex portion, and the medium flow channel is connected to the first cavity.

[0011] Optionally, a second convex portion is provided at at least one end of the current collector along the third direction, a second cavity is provided through the second convex portion along the third direction, and the second cavity is communicated with the first flow channel.

[0012] Optionally, a partition is provided in the first flow channel, and along the first direction, the partition is connected to the inner walls on both sides of the first flow channel to separate the first flow channel into two sub-flow channels, and the medium flow channel is connected to the two sub-flow channels respectively.

[0013] Optionally, one current collector is provided, and the current collector is connected to one end of the heat exchanger along the first direction; the thermal management component has a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet and the water outlet are both provided on the current collector, and one sub-channel of the first flow channel is the water inlet, and the other sub-channel is the water outlet.

[0014] Optionally, two current collectors are provided, and the two current collectors are respectively connected to the two ends of the heat exchanger along the first direction; the thermal management component has a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water inlet and the water outlet are provided on the same current collector.

[0015] Optionally, the water inlet is provided on one of the current collectors, and the water outlet is provided on another of the current collectors.

[0016] Optionally, along the second direction, a mounting portion is provided at one end of the current collector.

[0017] Optionally, the mounting portion is provided with a hanging groove.

[0018] Optionally, the mounting portion is provided with a hanging hole.

[0019] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a battery pack, comprising: a box body having two opposite inner side walls along a first direction; a connecting tube arranged in the box body; a plurality of battery cells arranged in the box body, and a first gap is formed between at least some of the battery cells and the inner side walls along the first direction; a plurality of thermal management components as described above, wherein the plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals in the box body, at least one battery cell is arranged between two adjacent thermal management components for regulating the temperature of the battery cells, the two adjacent thermal management components are connected through the connecting tube, and the current collector is located in the first gap.

[0020] Optionally, the battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, which are arranged in multiple rows, the thermal management component and each row of battery cells are alternately arranged along a third direction, the heat exchanger of the thermal management component extends along a first direction, and the plurality of battery cells in each row of battery cells are arranged along the first direction and are thermally conductively connected to the heat exchanger.

[0021] Optionally, the maximum dimension of the connecting tube along the first direction is a first tube length, and the maximum dimension along the second direction is a second tube length, and the first tube length is smaller than the second tube length.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the thermal management component is provided with a current collector and a heat exchanger, a first flow channel is provided on the current collector, and a medium flow channel connected to the first flow channel is provided in the heat exchanger, so that the heat exchange medium in the first flow channel can flow into the medium flow channel, thereby performing heat exchange with the battery cells in the battery pack through the heat exchanger to achieve temperature management of the battery pack.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present application, by making the first length of the current collector smaller than the third length, the size of the current collector in the first direction of the heat exchanger is reduced, so that the space in the first direction of the current collector is converted into space in the third direction. When the thermal management component is applied to the battery pack, the battery pack envelope space occupied by the current collector can be reduced, thereby improving the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0024] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG2 is an enlarged view of the circled portion A in FIG1 ;

[0028] FIG3 is a first structural diagram of a current collector according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0029] FIG4 is a side view of a current collector according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0030] FIG5 is a side view of the connecting pipe according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG6 is a second structural diagram of a current collector according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0032] FIG7 is a cross-sectional view of a current collector according to Example 1 of the present application;

[0033] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0034] FIG9 is an enlarged view of the circled portion B in FIG8 ;

[0035] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a battery pack according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0036] FIG11 is a second schematic diagram of a partial structure of a battery pack according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG12 is an enlarged view of the circled portion C in FIG11 ;

[0038] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a thermal management component according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG14 is an enlarged view of the circled portion D in FIG13;

[0040] FIG15 is a first cross-sectional view of a current collector according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0041] FIG16 is a first structural diagram of a current collector according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0042] FIG17 is a second structural diagram of a current collector according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0043] FIG18 is a cross-sectional view of a thermal management component according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG19 is an enlarged view of the circled portion E in FIG18 ;

[0045] FIG20 is a second cross-sectional view of the current collector according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG21 is a third cross-sectional view of the current collector according to Example 2 of the present application;

[0047] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of a battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 24 is a second schematic diagram of the partial structure of the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Reference numerals:

[0051] 11 - current collector; 1101 - first flow channel; sub-flow channel - 11011; 1102 - second flow channel; 111 - first convex portion; 1110 - first cavity; 112 - second convex portion; 1120 - second cavity; 114 - partition; 115 - mounting portion; 1150 - hanging hole; 1151 - hanging groove; 116: water inlet; 117: water outlet;

[0052] S1-first surface; S2-second surface; S3-third surface;

[0053] 12-heat exchange body; 120-medium flow channel; 121-heat exchange part;

[0054] 20-connecting pipe;

[0055] 30-battery cell;

[0056] 40- box;

[0057] X-first direction; Y-second direction; Z-third direction;

[0058] L1-first length; L2-second length; L3-third length;

[0059] W1-first size; W2-second size;

[0060] D1-first tube length; D2-second tube length. Specific embodiments

[0061] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0062] Example 1

[0063] The following describes the thermal management component of the first embodiment of the present application with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7 .

[0064] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the thermal management component of the first embodiment of the present application has a first direction X, a second direction Y and a third direction Z that intersect each other. The thermal management component includes a heat exchanger 12 and a current collector 11. At least one end of the heat exchanger 12 along the first direction X is connected to the current collector 11; the maximum length of the current collector 11 along the first direction X is a first length L1, and the maximum length along the third direction Z is a third length L3. The first length L1 is less than the third length L3. The current collector 11 is provided with a first flow channel 1101 that passes through the third direction Z. A medium flow channel 120 is provided in the heat exchanger 12, and the medium flow channel 120 is connected to the first flow channel 1101.

[0065] Embodiment 1 of the present application discloses a thermal management component, which is provided with a current collector 11 and a heat exchanger 12. A first flow channel 1101 is provided on the current collector 11, and a medium flow channel 120 connected to the first flow channel 1101 is provided in the heat exchanger 12, so that the heat exchange medium in the first flow channel 1101 can flow into the medium flow channel 120, thereby performing heat exchange with the battery cells 30 in the battery pack through the heat exchanger 12, so as to manage the temperature of the battery pack.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, by limiting the first length L1 of the current collector 11 to be smaller than the third length L3, the current collector 11 is made oblate, which reduces the battery pack envelope space occupied by the current collector 11 and improves the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0067] Optionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the maximum dimension of the first flow channel 1101 along the first direction X is the first dimension W1, and the maximum dimension along the second direction Y is the second dimension W2, and the first dimension W1 is smaller than the second dimension W2. By limiting the first dimension W1 of the first flow channel 1101 to be smaller than the second dimension W2, the cross-section of the first flow channel 1101 along the third direction Z is long and narrow, which can not only match the oblong shape of the current collector 11, but also ensure that the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow channel 1101 meets the flow rate of the heat exchange medium in the current collector 11. That is, when the current collector 11 has the same cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow channel 1101, the oblong current collector 11 and the long and narrow first flow channel 1101 provided thereon cooperate to occupy a smaller envelope space of the battery pack, which is conducive to improving the volume utilization of the entire pack.

[0068] Optionally, the maximum length of the current collector 11 along the second direction Y is the second length L2, and the second length L2 is greater than the third length L3. In this case, the first length L1 is also less than the second length L2, so that the size of the current collector 11 is the largest in the second direction Y, smaller in the first direction X and the third direction Z, and smallest in the first direction X. The above-mentioned size design of the current collector 11 can also reduce the space occupied by the current collector 11 in the battery pack in the first direction X to a certain extent, thereby effectively improving the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0069] Optionally, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a first protrusion 111 is provided on the side of the current collector 11 close to the heat exchanger 12. The first protrusion 111 is provided with a first cavity 1110 extending through the first protrusion 111 along the first direction X. The first cavity 1110 is in communication with the first flow channel 1101. The heat exchanger 12 is connected to the first protrusion 111, and the medium flow channel 120 is in communication with the first cavity 1110. The provision of the above-mentioned first protrusion 111 can reserve space for the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12, thereby improving the reliability of the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12. In addition, the provision of the above-mentioned first protrusion 111 can also prevent the heat exchanger 12 from excessively extending into the first flow channel 1101, thereby preventing the flow of the medium fluid in the first flow channel 1101 from being affected.

[0070] Exemplarily, the current collector 11 has a first surface S1, a second surface S2, and a third surface S3, wherein the first surface S1 is a side surface of the current collector 11 along the first direction X, the second surface S2 and the third surface S3 are surfaces of the current collector 11 oppositely arranged along the third direction Z, the second surface S2 and the third surface S3 are respectively connected to the first surface S1, and the two ends of the first flow channel 1101 are respectively connected to the second surface S2 and the third surface S3.

[0071] Optionally, a second flow channel 1102 is defined on the first surface S1, extending along the first direction X and communicating with the first flow channel 1101. Furthermore, the first protrusion 111 may be disposed on the first surface S1, and the first cavity 1110 on the first protrusion 111 communicates with the second flow channel 1102, i.e., the first cavity 1110 communicates with the first flow channel 1101 via the second flow channel 1102.

[0072] Optionally, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a partition 114 is provided within the first flow channel 1101. The partition 114 is connected to the inner walls of the first flow channel 1101 on both sides along the first direction X, thereby dividing the first flow channel 1101 into two sub-flow channels 11011. The medium flow channel 120 can be connected to each of the two sub-flow channels 11011 via the second flow channel 1102. The partition 114 divides the first flow channel 1101 into multiple sub-flow channels 11011, thereby diversifying the flow paths of the medium fluid within the thermal management component. The partition 114 also improves the structural strength of the current collector 11.

[0073] Optionally, one current collector 11 is provided, and the current collector 11 is connected to one end of the heat exchanger 12 along the first direction X. In this case, the water inlet 116 and the water outlet 117 of the thermal management component are both provided on the current collector 11. Specifically, one sub-channel 11011 of the first flow channel 1101 can serve as the water inlet 116, and the other sub-channel 11011 can serve as the water outlet 117.

[0074] Optionally, two current collectors 11 are provided, and the two current collectors 11 are respectively connected to the two ends of the heat exchange body 12 along the first direction X. In this case, the water inlet 116 and the water outlet 117 of the thermal management component can be provided on the same current collector 11, or can be provided on two current collectors 11 respectively.

[0075] Optionally, a mounting portion 115 is provided at one end of the current collector 11 along the second direction Y. By providing the mounting portion 115, the current collector 11 can be suspended using a tool or fixture to facilitate other operations such as spraying coatings on the thermal management components, and also facilitate the automated design of operations such as installation and transportation of the thermal management components.

[0076] Optionally, the mounting portion 115 is provided with a hanging groove 1151 , wherein the hanging groove 1151 is opened on one end surface of the mounting portion 115 along the first direction X. The current collector 11 is hung on a fixing device such as a hook or a hanging rod through the hanging groove 1151 .

[0077] Optionally, a first sealant is provided at the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12, wherein the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12 includes but is not limited to the connection between the first protrusion 111 of the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12. The first sealant can seal the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12, preventing leakage of the medium fluid at the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12, thereby improving the sealing effect of the thermal management component.

[0078] As shown in Figures 8 to 12, the first embodiment of the present application further discloses a battery pack, which may specifically include: a housing 40, at least one connecting tube 20, a plurality of battery cells 30, and a plurality of the aforementioned thermal management components; the housing 40 has two opposing inner side walls along a first direction X, and the connecting tube 20 is disposed within the housing 40; a plurality of battery cells 30 are disposed within the housing 40, and a first gap is formed between at least some of the battery cells 30 and the inner side walls along the first direction X; a plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals within the housing 40, and at least one battery cell 30 is provided between two adjacent thermal management components for regulating the temperature of the battery cells 30; two adjacent thermal management components are connected via the connecting tube 20, and the current collector is located within the first gap. It should be noted that the first gap is formed between the battery module formed by the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 30 and the inner side walls.

[0079] Optionally, the thermal management component extends longitudinally along a first direction X. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells 30 arranged in multiple rows. The thermal management component and the rows of battery cells 30 are alternately arranged within the housing 40 along a third direction Z. The heat exchanger 12 of the thermal management component extends along the first direction X, and the multiple battery cells 30 in each row of battery cells 30 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X. Along the third direction Z, both ends of the connecting tube 20 are connected to the current collectors 11 of two adjacent thermal management components. Both surfaces of the battery cells 30 along the third direction Z abut against the heat exchanger 12 of the thermal management component.

[0080] In the first embodiment of the present application, the current collector 11 based on the thermal management component of the battery pack is designed to be elongated, so that the current collector 11 extends as much as possible along the second direction Y and the third direction Z. While ensuring the flow rate of the current collector 11, it is beneficial to reduce the space of the battery pack occupied by the current collector 11 in the first direction X. Generally, the spatial dimension of the battery pack in the second direction Y will be larger than that of the thermal management component, and the dimension of the battery cell 30 along the third direction Z will also be larger than that of the thermal management component, and this part of the space is not blocked by other components. At this time, the extension of the current collector 11 along the second direction Y and the third direction Z can utilize this part of the space as much as possible, thereby improving the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0081] Optionally, the connecting tube 20 is located within the first gap, and is connected to the thermal management component by being partially accommodated within the first flow channel 1101 of the current collector 11. As shown in FIG5 , the maximum dimension of the connecting tube 20 along the first direction X is a first tube length D1, and the maximum dimension along the second direction Y is a second tube length D2, where the first tube length D1 is less than the second tube length D2. By limiting the first tube length D1 of the connecting tube 20 to be less than the second tube length D2, the connecting tube 20 has a long and narrow cross-section along the third direction Z, matching the shape of the first flow channel 1101 on the current collector 11. When used to connect two adjacent thermal management components within the housing 40, the connecting tube 20 does not occupy excessive space in the first direction X.

[0082] Optionally, a second seal is provided at the connection between the connecting tube 20 and the current collector 11. The second seal can seal the assembly of the connecting tube 20 and the current collector 11 to ensure the sealing between the thermal management component and the connecting tube 20 and prevent leakage of the medium fluid.

[0083] Optionally, the heat exchanger 12 may be flat and extend along the first direction X; multiple battery cells 30 in each row of battery cells 30 are arranged along the extension direction of the heat exchanger 12, and at least one surface of the battery cell 30 along the third direction Z is connected to the heat exchanger 12, so that the heat exchanger 12 can manage the temperature of the battery cell 30.

[0084] Optionally, the heat exchanger 12 may be bent and extend along the first direction X; the heat exchanger 12 includes a plurality of heat exchange parts 121 connected in sequence, and two adjacent heat exchange parts 121 are arranged at an angle, and the plurality of battery cells 30 in each row of battery cells 30 are arranged one-to-one with the plurality of heat exchange parts 121 of the heat exchanger 12, so that the heat exchanger 12 can manage the temperature of the battery cells 30.

[0085] Example 2

[0086] The following describes the thermal management component according to the second embodiment of the present application with reference to Figures 13 to 21.

[0087] As shown in Figures 13 to 21, Example 2 of the present application discloses a thermal management component having a first direction X, a second direction Y and a third direction Z that intersect each other. The thermal management component may specifically include a heat exchanger 12 and a current collector 11. The heat exchanger 12 is connected to the current collector 11 at least at one end along the first direction X; the maximum length of the current collector 11 along the first direction X is a first length L1, and the maximum length along the third direction Z is a third length L3. The first length L1 is less than the third length L3. The current collector 11 is provided with a first flow channel 1101 that passes through the third direction Z. A medium flow channel 120 is provided in the heat exchanger 12, and the medium flow channel 120 is connected to the first flow channel 1101.

[0088] Embodiment 2 of the present application discloses a thermal management component, which is provided with a current collector 11 and a heat exchanger 12. A first flow channel 1101 is provided on the current collector 11, and a medium flow channel 120 connected to the first flow channel 1101 is provided in the heat exchanger 12, so that the heat exchange medium in the first flow channel 1101 can flow into the medium flow channel 120, thereby performing heat exchange with the battery cells 30 in the battery pack through the heat exchanger 12, so as to achieve temperature management of the battery pack.

[0089] In the embodiment of the present application, by limiting the first length L1 of the current collector 11 to be smaller than the third length L3, the current collector 11 is made oblate, thereby reducing the battery pack envelope space occupied by the current collector 11 and improving the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0090] Optionally, as shown in FIG15 , the maximum dimension of the first flow channel 1101 along the first direction X is the first dimension W1, and the maximum dimension along the second direction Y is the second dimension W2, and the first dimension W1 is smaller than the second dimension W2. By limiting the first dimension W1 of the first flow channel 1101 to be smaller than the second dimension W2, the cross-section of the first flow channel 1101 along the third direction Z is made long and narrow, which can not only match the oblong shape of the current collector 11, but also ensure that the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow channel 1101 satisfies the flow rate of the heat exchange medium in the current collector 11. That is, when the current collector 11 has the same cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow channel 1101, the oblong current collector 11 and the long and narrow first flow channel 1101 provided thereon cooperate to occupy a smaller envelope space of the battery pack, which is conducive to improving the volume utilization of the entire pack.

[0091] Optionally, as shown in FIG16 , the maximum length of the current collector 11 along the second direction Y is the second length L2, where the second length L2 is greater than the third length L3. In this case, the first length L1 is also less than the second length L2, so that the size of the current collector 11 is largest in the second direction Y, smaller in the first direction X and the third direction Z, and smallest in the first direction X. The above-described size design of the current collector 11 can also, to a certain extent, reduce the space occupied by the current collector 11 in the battery pack in the first direction X.

[0092] Optionally, as shown in FIG17 , a second protrusion 112 is provided on a side of the current collector 11 near the heat exchanger 12. A second cavity 1120 is provided extending through the second protrusion 112 along the third direction Z. The second cavity 1120 is in communication with the first flow channel 1101. The provision of the second protrusion 112 facilitates connection of the current collector 11 with external pipes. For example, by accommodating the second protrusion 112 of the current collector 11 within the connecting pipe 20, communication between adjacent thermal management components can be achieved.

[0093] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the second cavity 1120 of the second protrusion 112 along the third aspect Z is the same as that of the first flow channel 1101, and the size of the second cavity 1120 along the first direction X is the same as the first size W1 of the first flow channel 1101, and the size of the second cavity 1120 along the second direction Y is the same as the first size W1 of the first flow channel 1101.

[0094] Specifically, as shown in Figures 17 to 20, the current collector 11 has a first surface S1, a second surface S2, and a third surface S3, wherein the first surface S1 is a side surface of the current collector 11 along the first direction X, the second surface S2 and the third surface S3 are surfaces of the current collector 11 relatively arranged along the third direction Z, the second surface S2 and the third surface S3 are respectively connected to the first surface S1, and the two ends of the first flow channel 1101 are respectively connected to the second surface S2 and the third surface S3.

[0095] Optionally, as shown in Figures 18 and 20 , a second flow channel 1102 is defined on the first surface S1. The second flow channel 1102 extends along the first direction X and communicates with the first flow channel 1101. The heat exchange portion 12 is connected to the current collector 11 from the first surface S1, and the medium flow channel 120 of the heat exchange portion 12 communicates with the first flow channel 1101 through the second flow channel 1102.

[0096] Optionally, as shown in Figures 20 and 21 , a partition 114 is provided within the first flow channel 1101. The partition 114 is connected to the inner walls of the first flow channel 1101 on both sides along the first direction X, thereby dividing the first flow channel 1101 into two sub-flow channels 11011. The medium flow channel 120 is connected to each of the two sub-flow channels 11011. The partition 114 divides the first flow channel 1101 into multiple sub-flow channels 11011, thereby diversifying the flow paths of the medium fluid within the thermal management component. The partition 114 also improves the structural strength of the current collector 11.

[0097] Optionally, one current collector 11 is provided, and the current collector 11 is connected to one end of the heat exchanger 12 along the first direction X. In this case, the water inlet 116 and the water outlet 117 of the thermal management component are both provided on the current collector 11. Specifically, one sub-channel 11011 of the first flow channel 1101 can serve as the water inlet 116, and the other sub-channel 11011 can serve as the water outlet 117.

[0098] Optionally, two current collectors 11 are provided, and the two current collectors 11 are respectively connected to the two ends of the heat exchange body 12 along the first direction X. In this case, the water inlet 116 and the water outlet 117 of the thermal management component can be provided on the same current collector 11, or can be provided on two current collectors 11 respectively.

[0099] Optionally, a mounting portion 115 is provided at one end of the current collector 11 along the second direction Y. By providing the mounting portion 115, the current collector 11 can be suspended using a tool or fixture to facilitate other operations such as spraying coatings on the thermal management components, and also facilitate the automated design of operations such as installation and transportation of the thermal management components.

[0100] Optionally, the mounting portion 115 is provided with a hanging hole 1150 , wherein the hanging hole 1150 is provided through the first direction X. The current collector 11 is hung on a fixing device such as a hook through the hanging hole 1150 .

[0101] Optionally, a first seal is provided at the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12. The first seal can seal the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12 to prevent leakage of the medium fluid at the connection between the current collector 11 and the heat exchanger 12, thereby improving the sealing effect of the thermal management component.

[0102] As shown in Figures 22 to 24, Example 2 of the present application also discloses a battery pack, which may specifically include: a box body 40, a connecting tube 20 arranged in the box body 40, a battery cell 30 and a plurality of the above-mentioned thermal management components; the box body 40 has two opposite inner side walls along the first direction X, and a plurality of thermal management components are arranged at intervals in the box body 40. Along the first direction X, a first gap is formed between at least part of the battery cells 30 and the inner side walls. The battery cells 30 are arranged against the heat exchanger 12 of the thermal management component, and the thermal management component is used to adjust the temperature of the battery cells 30; two adjacent thermal management components are connected through the connecting tube 20, and the current collector 11 is located in the first gap.

[0103] Optionally, the thermal management component extends longitudinally along a first direction X. The battery pack includes multiple battery cells 30 arranged in multiple rows. The thermal management component and the rows of battery cells 30 are alternately arranged within the housing 40 along a third direction Z. The heat exchanger 12 of the thermal management component extends along the first direction X, and the multiple battery cells 30 in each row of battery cells 30 are arranged sequentially along the first direction X. Along the third direction Z, both ends of the connecting tube 20 are connected to the current collectors 11 of two adjacent thermal management components. Both surfaces of the battery cells 30 along the third direction Z abut against the heat exchanger 12 of the thermal management component.

[0104] In the second embodiment of the present application, the current collector 11 based on the thermal management component of the battery pack is designed to be elongated, which is beneficial to reducing the battery pack envelope space occupied by the current collector 11 and improving the volume utilization of the battery pack.

[0105] Optionally, by accommodating the second protrusion 112 of the current collector 11 in the connecting tube 20, the thermal management component is connected to the connecting tube 20, which can improve the connection reliability between the current collector 11 and the connecting tube 20 without occupying the space in the first flow channel 1101 and affecting the flow of the medium fluid in the first flow channel 1101.

[0106] Optionally, a second seal is provided at the connection between the connecting tube 20 and the current collector 11, including but not limited to the connection between the connecting tube 20 and the current collector 11 and the second protrusion 112. The second seal can seal the assembly point between the connecting tube 20 and the current collector 11 to ensure the seal between the thermal management component and the connecting tube 20 and prevent leakage of the medium fluid.

[0107] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., they may be located in one location or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected based on actual needs to achieve the objectives of the present embodiment. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will be able to understand and implement the present invention without inventive effort.

[0108] References herein to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "one or more embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Furthermore, please note that instances of the phrase "in one embodiment" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0109] In the description provided herein, a large number of specific details are described. However, it is understood that the embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0110] In the claims, any reference signs placed between brackets shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present application may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A thermal management component having a first direction, a second direction and a third direction intersecting each other, wherein: The thermal management component comprises a heat exchanger and a current collector, and at least one end of the heat exchanger along the first direction is connected to the current collector; The maximum length of the current collector along the first direction is a first length, and the maximum length along the third direction is a third length, and the first length is smaller than the third length; The current collector is provided with a first flow channel penetrating along the third direction, and the heat exchanger is provided with a medium flow channel, and the medium flow channel is communicated with the first flow channel.

2. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum dimension of the first flow channel along the first direction is a first dimension, and the maximum dimension of the first flow channel along the second direction is a second dimension, and the first dimension is smaller than the second dimension.

3. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein: A maximum length of the current collector along the second direction is a second length, and the second length is greater than the third length.

4. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein: A first convex portion is provided on a side of the current collector close to the heat exchanger, a first cavity is provided through the first convex portion along the first direction, and the first cavity is communicated with the first flow channel; The heat exchange body is connected to the first protrusion, and the medium flow channel is communicated with the first cavity.

5. The thermal management component according to claim 1, wherein: A second convex portion is disposed at at least one end of the current collector along the third direction, a second cavity is penetrated through the second convex portion along the third direction, and the second cavity is communicated with the first flow channel.

6. The thermal management component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A partition is provided in the first flow channel. Along the first direction, the partition is connected to the inner walls on both sides of the first flow channel to divide the first flow channel into two sub-flow channels. The medium flow channel is connected to the two sub-flow channels respectively.

7. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein: The current collector is provided with one, and the current collector is connected to one end of the heat exchanger along the first direction; The thermal management component has a water inlet and a water outlet, and both the water inlet and the water outlet are arranged on the current collector, and one sub-channel of the first flow channel is the water inlet, and the other sub-channel is the water outlet.

8. The thermal management component according to claim 6, wherein: There are two current collectors, and the two current collectors are respectively connected to two ends of the heat exchanger along the first direction; The thermal management component has a water inlet and a water outlet, and the water inlet and the water outlet are arranged on the same current collector.

9. The thermal management component according to claim 8, wherein: The water inlet is arranged on one of the current collectors, and the water outlet is arranged on the other current collector.

10. The thermal management component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Along the second direction, a mounting portion is disposed at one end of the current collector.

11. The thermal management component according to claim 10, wherein: The mounting portion is provided with a mounting groove.

12. The thermal management component according to claim 10, wherein: The mounting portion is provided with a hanging hole.

13. A battery pack, wherein: include: The box body has two inner side walls opposite to each other along a first direction; A connecting pipe is arranged in the box; A plurality of battery cells are disposed in the box body, and a first gap is formed between at least part of the battery cells and the inner side wall along the first direction; A plurality of thermal management components as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of thermal management components are arranged in the box at intervals, at least one battery cell is provided between two adjacent thermal management components for regulating the temperature of the battery cell, two adjacent thermal management components are connected through the connecting tube, and the current collector is located in the first gap.

14. The battery pack according to claim 13, wherein: The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, which are arranged in a plurality of rows. The thermal management component and each row of battery cells are alternately arranged along a third direction. The heat exchanger of the thermal management component extends along a first direction. The plurality of battery cells in each row of battery cells are arranged along the first direction and are thermally connected to the heat exchanger.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein: The maximum dimension of the connecting pipe along the first direction is a first pipe length, and the maximum dimension of the connecting pipe along the second direction is a second pipe length, and the first pipe length is smaller than the second pipe length.

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