Immersion cooling device and battery pack

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are an immersion cooling device and a battery pack. The immersion cooling device comprises: a cooling pipe, which comprises two ends oppositely arranged in a first direction and a body portion located between the two ends, wherein an inlet is formed at one end, and a plurality of outlets arranged at intervals are formed in a side wall of the body portion; and two supporting assemblies, which respectively support the two ends of the cooling pipe, wherein the two supporting assemblies and the cooling pipe are configured to enclose a cooling area together with two battery modules located on two opposite sides of the two supporting assemblies; and the cooling area is in communication with the plurality of outlets.

Description

Immersion cooling device and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 29, 2023, with application number 202323667097.5. The entire contents of the above application are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] In related technologies, a battery pack is equipped with multiple parallel battery modules. Due to limitations such as space layout, the multiple battery modules are arranged closely together, resulting in poor heat dissipation conditions. The temperature between two battery modules will gradually increase, causing heat accumulation in the battery pack and temperature rise, which in turn affects the performance and life of the battery pack and may even cause thermal runaway. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present application provides an immersion cooling device and a battery pack to solve the above technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an immersion cooling device, comprising:

[0006] A cooling pipe comprising two ends opposite to each other in a first direction and a body portion located between the two ends, wherein one of the ends is formed with an inlet, and a side wall of the body portion is formed with a plurality of outlets spaced apart; and

[0007] Two supporting assemblies, respectively supporting the two ends of the cooling pipe;

[0008] The two support assemblies and the cooling pipe are configured to enclose a cooling area together with the two battery modules located on opposite sides of the two support assemblies, and the cooling area is connected to the plurality of outlets.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a battery pack, comprising:

[0010] The box body is formed with a receiving cavity;

[0011] A plurality of battery modules are spaced apart and arranged in the accommodating cavity;

[0012] A plurality of immersion cooling devices, each of the immersion cooling devices being correspondingly arranged between two adjacent battery modules;

[0013] Wherein, the immersion cooling device is the above-mentioned immersion cooling device. Beneficial effects

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: the immersion cooling device provided by the present application has a simple structure and can directly contact the sides of multiple battery modules in the battery pack for cooling, thereby avoiding excessive temperature between the battery modules, causing the battery pack temperature to rise and thermal runaway to occur, thereby improving the service life and safety of the battery pack; specifically, the two support assemblies and the cooling tube are configured to form a cooling area together with the two battery modules located on opposite sides of the two support assemblies, and the cooling medium enters the cooling tube from the inlet and then flows into the cooling area from the outlet on the cooling tube. Since the side walls of two adjacent battery modules constitute the cooling area, the cooling medium flows between the two adjacent battery modules, directly contacts the battery modules, and directly cools the two battery modules, ensuring the uniformity of the temperature of the entire battery pack and further improving the safety of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an immersion cooling device provided by the present invention;

[0016] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the cooling tube in FIG1 (including the sealing member);

[0017] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the support assembly in FIG1 ;

[0018] FIG4 is an enlarged schematic diagram of A in FIG1 ;

[0019] FIG5 is an enlarged schematic diagram of B in FIG2 .

[0020] Description of reference numerals:

[0021] 100. Immersion cooling device; 101. Cooling pipe; 102. End; 103. Cooling area; 104. Main body; 105. Inlet; 106. Outlet; 107. Support assembly; 108. Bracket plate; 109. Blocking piece; 110. Limiting opening; 111. Clamping groove; 112. Support groove; 113. Fixing assembly; 114. Fixing plate; 115. Limiting plate; 116. Support portion; 117. Sealing piece; 118. Pipe joint structure. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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 may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0024] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," and other orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description and simplified operation. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, 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 solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meanings.

[0025] In related technologies, a battery pack is equipped with multiple parallel battery modules. Due to limitations such as space layout, the multiple battery modules are arranged closely together, resulting in poor heat dissipation conditions. The temperature between two battery modules will gradually increase, causing heat accumulation in the battery pack and temperature rise, which in turn affects the performance and life of the battery pack and may even cause thermal runaway.

[0026] In view of this, the present application proposes an immersion cooling device 100. Figures 1 to 5 are structural schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the immersion cooling device 100 provided by the present application. The immersion cooling device 100 provided by the present application has a simple structure, can directly cool the battery module, and has high cooling efficiency. The immersion cooling device 100 will be described in detail below in conjunction with the main drawings.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1, 2 and 5. The immersion cooling device 100 includes a cooling tube 101 and two supporting assemblies 107. The cooling tube 101 includes two end portions 102 arranged opposite to each other in a first direction and a main body 104 located between the two end portions 102, wherein one of the end portions 102 is formed with an inlet 105, and the side wall of the main body 104 is formed with a plurality of outlets 106 arranged at intervals; the two supporting assemblies 107 respectively support the two end portions 102 of the cooling tube 101; wherein the two supporting assemblies 107 and the cooling tube 101 are configured to enclose a cooling area 103 together with two battery modules located on opposite sides of the two supporting assemblies 107, and the cooling area 103 is connected to the plurality of outlets 106.

[0028] In the technical solution of the present application, the immersion cooling device 100 has a simple structure and can be in direct contact with multiple battery modules in the battery pack for cooling, thereby avoiding excessive temperature between the battery modules, causing the battery pack temperature to rise and thermal runaway to occur, thereby improving the service life and safety of the battery pack; specifically, the two support components 107 and the cooling pipe 101 are configured to form a cooling area 103 together with the two battery modules located on opposite sides of the two support components 107, and the cooling medium enters the cooling pipe 101 from the inlet 105 and then flows into the cooling area 103 from the outlet 106 on the cooling pipe 101. Since the side walls of two adjacent battery modules constitute the cooling area 103, the cooling medium flows between the two adjacent battery modules, directly contacts the battery modules, and directly cools the two battery modules, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the temperature of the entire battery pack and further improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0029] Specifically, the immersion cooling device 100 has a simple structure and no additional cooling plate. In actual operation, the two battery modules are spaced apart to form a first space, and the immersion cooling tube 101 is installed in the first space. The two support assemblies 107 block the two ends of the first space, and the cooling tube 101 blocks the top of the first space, thereby forming a cooling area 103. In the actual installation process, it is only necessary to fix the two support assemblies 107 first, and then fix the two ends 102 of the cooling tube 101 on the two support assemblies 107 respectively. The installation steps are few, the structure is simple, and it has good installation advantages.

[0030] It should be noted that, in order to ensure the sealing of the cooling area 103 and prevent the cooling medium in the cooling area 103 from leaking out, the support assembly 107 needs to ensure sealing while supporting. Specifically, please refer to Figure 3. The cooling area 103 has two first side surfaces arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, two second side surfaces arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, and two third side surfaces arranged opposite to each other along a third direction. Two adjacent battery modules constitute the two second side surfaces of the cooling area 103. In this embodiment, each of the support assemblies 107 includes a bracket plate 108 and a blocking member 109. The blocking member 109 is installed on the support assembly 107 near the cooling area 103. On one side of the area 103, the two sealing members 109 constitute the two first side surfaces of the cooling area 103. More specifically, the sealing member 109 is configured to install the corresponding battery module. The two sealing members 109 and the two battery modules seal the two first side surfaces and the two second side surfaces of the cooling area 103. Since the sealing member 109 cooperates with the battery module, part of the cooling area 103 (i.e., the two first side surfaces and the two second side surfaces) is sealed. In this manner, by utilizing the side surfaces of the battery module to constitute the two first side surfaces of the cooling area 103, there is no need to set up additional structures such as cooling plates, thereby reducing the weight and cost of the battery pack.

[0031] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the sealing member 109 is preferably foam. Foam itself has good sealing performance, is light in texture, has good corrosion resistance, and is low in cost. Therefore, using foam as the sealing member 109 can not only ensure sealing performance but also reduce costs.

[0032] Furthermore, the foam is relatively soft. After the cooling medium in the cooling area 103 exchanges heat, the temperature of the cooling medium will increase. When the temperature is too high, the foam will deform. In this embodiment, the bracket plate 108 supports the corresponding end 102 of the cooling tube 101. At the same time, the blocking member 109 is arranged on the side of the bracket plate 108 close to the cooling area 103, and the blocking member 109 is tightly abutted against the bracket plate 108. In this way, the bracket plate 108 can support the cooling tube 101 while also supporting the blocking member 109 to prevent the blocking member 109 from being deformed due to excessive temperature and detached from the battery module.

[0033] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 and 3, a plurality of limiting openings 110 are formed on both sides of the blocking member 109, and a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the limiting openings 110 are formed on the battery module. The plurality of limiting openings 110 cooperate with the plurality of protrusions to relatively fix the blocking member 109 and the battery module.

[0034] In order to prevent the operator from installing the sealing member 109 incorrectly, which would result in the cooling area 103 being unable to form a sealed space, in some embodiments, the sealing member 109 is provided with an anti-error mechanism. Specifically, among the multiple limiting openings 110 on the same side of the sealing member 109, the distance between each two adjacent limiting openings 110 is different. For example, in one embodiment, the blocking member 109 is provided with six limiting openings 110, and the six limiting openings 110 are evenly distributed on both sides of the blocking member 109 (that is, three limiting openings 110 are provided on each side), and the three limiting openings 110 are sequentially a first limiting opening, a second limiting opening, and a third limiting opening. The distance from the first limiting opening to the second limiting opening is set to L1, and the distance from the second limiting opening to the third limiting opening is set to L2. By setting L1 and L2 different, the error-proofing function can be achieved; in another embodiment, the blocking member 109 is provided with six limiting openings 110, and three limiting openings 110 are configured on each side, and the limiting openings 110 on one side are They are the first limit opening, the second limit opening and the third limit opening, and the limit opening 110 on the other side is the fourth limit opening, the fifth limit opening and the sixth limit opening, wherein the first limit opening corresponds to the fourth limit opening, the second limit opening corresponds to the fifth limit opening, and the third limit opening corresponds to the sixth limit opening, the distance from the first limit opening to the second limit opening is L1, the distance from the second limit opening to the third limit opening is L2, the distance from the fourth limit opening to the fifth limit opening is L3, and the distance from the fifth limit opening to the sixth limit opening is L4, wherein the sizes of L1, L2, L3 and L4 are all different, thereby realizing the error prevention function.

[0035] In some other embodiments, please refer to Figure 3, four limit openings 110 are provided on the sealing member 109, with two limit openings 110 on each side, and the distance from each limit opening 110 to the corresponding end 102 is different. In this way, the operator can only install it in the corresponding direction during installation, otherwise the limit opening 110 cannot cooperate with the protrusion, thereby realizing the error-proofing function.

[0036] Referring to Figure 3 , a snap-fit ​​groove 111 is formed at one end of the bracket plate 108, configured to snap-fit ​​the cooling pipe 101. A support groove 112 is formed at one end of the blocking member 109, adjacent to the snap-fit ​​groove 111, configured to support the cooling pipe 101. The snap-fit ​​groove 111 and the support groove 112 cooperate with each other to pre-secure the end 102 of the cooling pipe 101 to the support assembly 107.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1, 3 and 4. The battery pack will shake during use. In order to prevent the cooling tube 101 from detaching, each of the support components 107 further includes a fixing component 113. The fixing component 113 is configured to fix the end 102 of the cooling tube 101. Specifically, in some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4. The fixing component 113 includes a fixing plate 114 and a limiting plate 115. The fixing plate 114 is mounted on the bracket plate 108 and is arranged close to the clamping groove 111. Specifically, the fixing plate 114 is fixed to the bracket plate 108. 4 is arranged below the clamping groove 111. The fixing plate 114 is a flat plate. Contact with the cooling pipe 101 cannot fix the cooling pipe 101. The fixing plate 114 is arranged below the clamping groove 111, so that the clamping groove 111 can play a fixing role and pre-fix the cooling pipe 101. A groove is formed on the limiting plate 115, and the groove is arranged toward the fixing plate 114. The limiting plate 115 cooperates with the fixing plate 114 to enclose a fixing hole, and the cooling pipe 101 passes through and is fixed in the fixing hole. More specifically, two first through holes are formed on the fixing plate 114, and two second through holes corresponding to the first through holes are formed on the limiting plate 115. The two first through holes correspond to the two second through holes. The fixing assembly 113 also includes a first bolt and a nut. The first bolt passes through the first through hole and the second through hole in turn and cooperates with the nut to fix the fixing plate 114 and the limiting plate 115, thereby fixing the end 102 of the cooling pipe 101 on the bracket plate 108.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 3. In order to facilitate the fixation of the bracket plate 108, the end of the bracket plate 108 away from the cooling tube 101 is bent in a direction away from the cooling area 103 to form a support portion 116. The support portion 116 is configured to be fixed to the battery pack case. More specifically, a third through hole is formed on the support portion 116. The fixing component 113 includes a second bolt, which is fixed to the battery pack case through the third hole. In this way, the immersion cooling device 100 can be fixed to the battery pack.

[0039] Specifically, referring to Figures 1 and 2 , the immersion cooling device 100 further includes a seal 117 that wraps around the outside of the main body 104 to seal at least a portion of the cooling area 103. In this embodiment, the seal 117 is configured to block one of the two third side surfaces of the cooling area 103, with the other third side surface being blocked by the bottom of the battery pack housing. As a result, all six sides of the cooling area 103 are blocked, forming a sealed space within the cooling area 103 to prevent leakage of the cooling medium within the cooling area 103.

[0040] Further, please continue to refer to Figure 1. The immersion cooling device 100 also includes a pipe joint structure 118, which is connected to the inlet 105. The pipe joint structure 118 includes a connecting section, a body section and a threaded section. The body section is connected between the connecting section and the threaded section, the threaded section is connected to the inlet 105, and the connecting section is connected to the outside and is configured to guide the cooling medium into the cooling pipe 101; further, the connecting section, the body section and the threaded section are integrally formed, and the material of the pipe joint structure 118 is PA66.

[0041] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the main body 104 is 10-15 mm, specifically, the inner diameter of the main body 104 can be 10 mm, 10.5 mm, 11 mm, 11.5 mm, 12 mm, 12.5 mm, 13 mm, 13.5 mm, 14 mm, 14.5 mm, 15 mm; the wall thickness of the main body 104 is 1-1.25 mm, specifically, the wall thickness of the main body 104 can be 1.00 mm, 1.10mm, 1.11mm, 1.12mm, 1.13mm, 1.14mm, 1.15mm, 1.16mm, 1.17mm, 1.18mm, 1.19mm, 1.20mm, 1.21mm, 1.22mm, 1.23mm, 1.24mm, 1.25mm; the material of the cooling tube 101 is PA12, which has good thermal conductivity, light weight and low cost.

[0042] In some embodiments, the number of the inlets 105 is configured to be 1, and the number of the outlets 106 is configured to be 13. The arrangement of multiple outlets 106 can accelerate the circulation of the cooling medium in the cooling area 103, accelerate the cooling rate, and avoid the situation where the local temperature of the battery module is too high. Furthermore, the flow rate of the cooling medium in the cooling tube 101 is 20L / min.

[0043] The present application also proposes a battery pack, which includes a box body, multiple battery modules and multiple immersion cooling devices 100, wherein the box body is formed with a accommodating cavity; multiple battery modules are arranged in the accommodating cavity at intervals, and each immersion cooling device 100 is correspondingly arranged between two adjacent battery modules; the specific structure of the immersion cooling device 100 refers to the above embodiment. Since this battery pack adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0044] Furthermore, the side walls of the two adjacent battery modules, the bottom of the box, the cooling pipe 101 and the two supporting assemblies 107 enclose the cooling area 103; the side walls of the two battery modules constitute the two second side surfaces of the cooling area 103, the bottom of the box and the cooling pipe 101 constitute the two third side surfaces of the cooling area 103, and the two supporting assemblies 107 constitute the two second side surfaces of the cooling area 103.

[0045] Furthermore, at least one water outlet is formed at the bottom of the box at a position corresponding to the cooling pipe 101, and the water outlet is connected to the cooling area 103. After the heat exchange of the cooling medium in the cooling area 103 is completed, it flows out of the cooling area 103 from the water outlet.

Claims

1. An immersion cooling device (100), comprising: A cooling pipe (101), including two ends (102) oppositely arranged in a first direction and a body part (104) located between the two ends (102), wherein one of the ends (102) is formed with an inlet (105), and a plurality of spaced outlets (106) are formed on the side wall of the body part (104); and, Two support assemblies (107), respectively supporting the two ends (102) of the cooling pipe (101); Wherein, the two support assemblies (107) and the cooling pipe (101) are arranged to jointly enclose a cooling area (103) with two battery modules located on opposite sides of the two support assemblies (107), and the cooling area (103) is communicated with the plurality of outlets (106).

2. The immersion cooling device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, Each support assembly (107) includes a support plate (108) and a sealing member (109), the sealing member (109) is installed on a side of the support assembly (107) close to the cooling area (103), the support plate (108) supports the corresponding end (102) of the cooling pipe (101), and the sealing member (109) is arranged to install the corresponding battery module and seal at least a part of the cooling area (103).

3. The immersion cooling device (100) according to claim 2, wherein, A plurality of limiting ports (110) are formed on both sides of the sealing member (109), and the plurality of limiting ports (110) are arranged to limit the protrusions of the battery module.

4. The immersion cooling device (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The distances between every two adjacent limiting ports (110) on the same side of the sealing member (109) are different.

5. The immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, The sealing member (109) includes foam.

6. The immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, One end of the support plate (108) is formed with a clamping groove (111), and the clamping groove (111) is arranged to clamp the cooling pipe (101); One end of the sealing member (109) close to the clamping groove (111) is provided with a support groove (112), and the support groove (112) is arranged to support the cooling pipe (101).

7. The immersion cooling device (100) according to claim 5, wherein, Each support assembly (107) further includes a fixing assembly (113), the fixing assembly (113) includes a fixing plate (114) and a limiting plate (115), the fixing plate (114) is installed on the support plate (108) and is arranged close to the clamping groove (111), and the limiting plate (115) cooperates with the fixing plate (114) to enclose a fixing hole, and the cooling pipe (101) passes through and is fixed in the fixing hole.

8. The immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, One end of the support plate (108) away from the cooling pipe (101) is bent away from the cooling area (103) to form a support portion (116).

9. The immersion cooling device (100) according to claim 8, wherein, A third through hole is formed on the support portion (116), and the support assembly further includes a second bolt, and the second bolt passes through the third through hole and is arranged to be fixed to the box body of the battery pack.

10. The immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 1-4 further includes a seal (117) wrapped around the outside of the body portion (104) to seal at least a part of the cooling area (103); and / or, The inner diameter of the body portion (104) is 10-15 mm, and the wall thickness of the body portion (104) is 1-1.25 mm.

11. The immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 1-4 further includes a pipeline joint structure (118) threadedly connected to the cooling pipe (101).

12. A battery pack, comprising: A box body forming a receiving cavity; A plurality of battery modules spaced apart in the receiving cavity; A plurality of immersion cooling devices (100), each of the immersion cooling devices (100) being correspondingly disposed between two adjacent battery modules; Wherein, the immersion cooling device (100) is the immersion cooling device (100) according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein, The side walls of the two adjacent battery modules, the bottom of the box body, the cooling pipe (101), and the two support components (107) enclose the cooling area (103); and / or, At least one water outlet is formed at a position corresponding to the cooling pipe (101) on the bottom of the box body, and the water outlet communicates with the cooling area (103).

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