Thermal management apparatus and battery pack

Abstract

The present application provides a thermal management apparatus and a battery pack. The thermal management apparatus comprises at least one support member and at least one heating film. Each support member is suitable for cooling a corresponding battery cell row, each heating film is suitable for heating a corresponding battery cell row, each heating film is connected to a corresponding support member, and the shape of the heating film matches the shape of the support member, so as to ensure that the heating film is stably attached to the support member.

Description

Thermal management device, battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202423054337.9, filed on December 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of power battery technology, specifically to a thermal management device and a battery pack. Background Technology

[0003] In related technologies, traditional thermal management systems mostly use air cooling and liquid cooling methods to control the battery temperature and ensure the normal operation of the system. Air cooling has poor cooling effect, and liquid cooling has a complex structure. Compared with the common direct cooling design, the heating film is more flexible and is often placed on the bottom surface of the base plate to heat the battery cell. However, the bottom surface area of ​​the battery cell is small, resulting in a small heating area between the heating film and the battery cell, which reduces the heating efficiency. Invention Overview

[0004] Therefore, the thermal management device in the relevant technology has the technical problem of a small heating area between the heating film and the battery cell.

[0005] The embodiments of this application provide a thermal management device and a battery pack, which can improve the technical problem of small heating area between the heating film and the battery cell in related technologies.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a thermal management device for a battery pack, the battery pack including at least one cell group, each cell group including at least one cell row, each cell row including multiple cells, the thermal management device including:

[0007] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack including a thermal management device as described in any of the above embodiments. Beneficial effects

[0008] In the embodiments of this application, by connecting the heating film to the corresponding support member, the shape of the heating film is adapted to the shape of the support member to ensure stable adhesion between the heating film and the serpentine tube; thus alleviating the technical problem of small heating area between the heating film and the battery cell in the thermal management device of related technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the thermal management device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the thermal management device and battery pack provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a support member and two heating films in the thermal management device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a support member and two heating films in the thermal management device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the battery pack structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the battery pack provided in an embodiment of this application. Embodiments of the present invention

[0016] Please refer to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. The thermal management device 1 provided in the embodiments of this application is used for a battery pack 8. The battery pack 8 includes at least one cell group 2, each cell group 2 includes at least one cell row, each cell row includes a plurality of cells 21, and the thermal management device 1 includes at least one support member 3 and at least one heating film 4. Each support member 3 is adapted to cool the corresponding cell row, and each heating film 4 is adapted to heat the corresponding cell row. Each heating film 4 is connected to the corresponding support member 3, and the shape of the heating film 4 is adapted to the shape of the support member 3.

[0017] In this embodiment, by connecting the heating film 4 to the corresponding support member 3, the shape of the heating film 4 is adapted to the shape of the support member 3 to ensure that the heating film 4 and the serpentine tube are stably attached; this alleviates the technical problem in the related technology where the heat management device 1 cannot stably attach the heating film 4 and the support member 3.

[0018] It should be noted that the support component in this application can be a direct cooling pipe. The direct cooling pipe utilizes refrigerant direct cooling technology, which achieves the conversion of refrigerant between different phases through the condenser, compressor, and evaporator, thereby allowing the refrigerant to directly participate in the cooling of the battery cell.

[0019] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the thermal management device 1 includes two heating films 4; each cell group 2 includes two cell rows stacked along the thickness direction of the battery pack 8; wherein the two heating films 4 are located on both sides of the support member 3 and are respectively attached to the two cell rows.

[0020] It is understood that a support member 3 and two heating films 4 located on both sides of the support member 3 are located between two adjacent battery cell arrays, and any heating film 4 is in contact with the battery cell array on the side closest to the heating film 4, so as to achieve heat exchange by using the contact between the heating film 4 and the battery cell array.

[0021] In this embodiment, by disposing the heating film 4 on both sides of the support member 3 and contacting the corresponding battery pack, the heat exchange efficiency of the heating film 4 can be improved.

[0022] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4, each heating film 4 includes a plurality of heating protrusions 41 and a plurality of heating recesses 42; the support member 3 includes a plurality of direct cooling protrusions 31 and a plurality of direct cooling recesses 32; wherein, the plurality of heating protrusions 41 of one heating film 4 are attached between the plurality of direct cooling protrusions 31 and one of the battery cell arrays, and the plurality of heating recesses 42 of another heating film 4 are attached between the plurality of direct cooling recesses 32 and another battery cell array.

[0023] Both heating films 4 are attached to the same support member 3, and the heating protrusion 41 of one heating film 4 is aligned with the heating protrusion 41 of the other heating film 4, and the heating concave portion 42 of one heating film 4 is aligned with the heating concave portion 42 of the other heating film 4.

[0024] It is understandable that by providing multiple periodically arranged heating protrusions 41 and heating recesses 42 on the heating film 4, the heating film 4 is adapted to the shape of the support member 3, thereby enabling the heating film 4 to fit more stably with the support member 3.

[0025] In one embodiment, a heating film 4 includes heating wires, and the density of the heating wires at at least one heating protrusion 41 is greater than the density of the heating wires at at least one heating recess 42.

[0026] Among them, the battery cell 21 of the battery cell array corresponding to one of the heating films 4 is arranged opposite to its heating protrusion 41.

[0027] It is understandable that a higher density heating wire is provided at the heating protrusion 41 corresponding to the battery cell 21, and the higher density heating wire is used to exchange heat with the corresponding battery cell 21, so that the heat exchange efficiency between the heating film 4 and the corresponding battery cell 21 is higher.

[0028] It should be noted that by setting heating wires with a higher density, a greater heating effect can be provided to the corresponding battery cell 21.

[0029] In one embodiment, another heating film 4 includes heating wires, the density of which is greater at at least one heating recess 42 than at at least one heating protrusion 41.

[0030] Among them, the battery cell 21 of the battery cell array corresponding to the other heating film 4 is arranged opposite to its heating recess 42.

[0031] It is understandable that a higher density heating wire is provided at the heating recess 42 corresponding to the battery cell 21, and the higher density heating wire is used to exchange heat with the corresponding battery cell 21, so that the heat exchange efficiency between the heating film 4 and the corresponding battery cell 21 is higher.

[0032] In one embodiment, the power of each heating wire ranges from 4 watts to 10 watts.

[0033] Each heating element can have a power of 4 watts, 6 watts, 8 watts, or 10 watts.

[0034] It is understandable that when the power of each heating wire is less than 4 watts, or when the power of each heating wire is greater than 10 watts, it is difficult to achieve in terms of process, resulting in higher costs. By making the power range of each heating wire from 4 watts to 10 watts, not only are costs reduced, but the heat exchange efficiency between the heating film 4 and the corresponding battery cell 21 is also high.

[0035] In one embodiment, it also includes an inlet pipe 5, an outlet pipe 6, and a connecting pipe 7. The inlet pipe 5 is connected to the corresponding support member 3, the outlet pipe 6 is connected to the corresponding support member 3, and the connecting pipe 7 connects two adjacent support members 3.

[0036] The inlet pipe 5 is connected to the corresponding support 3, the adjacent support 3 is connected through the connecting pipe 7, the outlet pipe 6 is connected to the corresponding support 3, and the inlet pipe 5 and the outlet pipe 6 are connected to the circulating storage section, thus forming a connected loop.

[0037] It is understood that the circulating storage section contains refrigerant, which flows into the support member 3 through the liquid inlet pipe 5, enabling the support member 3 to directly exchange heat with the battery cell 21. The refrigerant continues to pass through the connecting pipe 7 to the adjacent support member 3, thereby cooling each battery cell group. Finally, it flows back to the circulating storage section from the support member 3 connected to the liquid outlet pipe 6, thereby realizing the circulation loop of the refrigerant and improving the heat exchange efficiency of the support member 3 to the battery cell group 2.

[0038] In one embodiment, the diameter of the inlet pipe 5 is smaller than the diameter of the outlet pipe 6.

[0039] It is understandable that, since the refrigerant in the inlet pipe 5 is liquid and the refrigerant in the outlet pipe 6 is gaseous, the outlet pipe 6 needs a larger diameter to transport the gaseous refrigerant in order to ensure the consistency of the refrigerant pressure in the inlet pipe 5 and the outlet pipe 6, and to avoid explosion or leakage due to excessive refrigerant pressure.

[0040] In one embodiment, the aperture of the connecting tube 7 ranges from 4 mm to 5 mm.

[0041] The diameter of the connecting pipe 7 can be any one of 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5 mm.

[0042] In one embodiment, the refrigerant may be R134a.

[0043] It is understandable that the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipeline absorbs heat, thereby lowering the temperature of the cold plate and consequently lowering the temperature of the battery cell 21, which has a thermally conductive connection with the cold plate.

[0044] In one embodiment, the burst pressure resistance values ​​of the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support member 3 range from 10 MPa to 15 MPa.

[0045] The burst pressure resistance values ​​of the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support component 3 can be any one of 10 MPa, 12 MPa, 13 MPa, and 15 MPa.

[0046] Understandably, the higher the burst pressure resistance of the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support component 3, the better the stability of the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support component 3, which can prevent abnormalities such as pipe bursts caused by excessive refrigerant pressure.

[0047] It is understandable that the burst pressure resistance value refers to the pressure that each welded joint between the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support component 3 can withstand provided by the refrigerant. Since welded joints are more prone to leakage due to refrigerant pressure than non-welded joints, by setting the burst pressure resistance value of the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6, connecting pipe 7, and support component 3 to a range of 10 MPa to 15 MPa, abnormal refrigerant leakage is avoided due to the bursting of the welded joints caused by refrigerant pressure.

[0048] In one embodiment, the flexibility of the support member 3 is greater than that of any one of the inlet pipe 5, the outlet pipe 6, and the connecting pipe 7.

[0049] Among them, the support 3 can be made of metal, and the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6 and connecting pipe 7 can all be made of metal.

[0050] Among them, the support 3, the inlet pipe 5, the outlet pipe 6, and the connecting pipe 7 can be independently selected from aluminum pipes or copper pipes.

[0051] Understandably, since the support member 3 needs to be bent relative to the battery cell assembly 2 to fit, the support member 3 is arranged in a meandering manner. Therefore, the support member 3 needs to be made of a more flexible material relative to the inlet pipe 5, outlet pipe 6 and connecting pipe 7, so that the support member 3 can be bent relative to the battery cell assembly 2 to fit.

[0052] In one embodiment, the thickness of the support member 3 along the thickness direction of the battery pack 8 ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0053] The thickness of the support member 3 can be any one of 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or 5 mm.

[0054] Understandably, when the thickness of the support component 3 is less than 2 mm, the process is too complex and requires high precision, leading to increased costs; when the thickness of the support component 3 is greater than 5 mm, the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery pack 8 is low due to the excessive thickness of the support component 3.

[0055] In one embodiment, the multiple heating films 4 are connected in series.

[0056] Specifically, a positive wire harness and a negative wire harness are led out. The positive wire harness is connected to the corresponding heating film 4, and the negative wire harness is connected to the corresponding heating film 4. The opening and closing of the heating film 4 are controlled by a relay.

[0057] Understandably, the use of multiple heating films 4 in series reduces the number of wire harnesses connected to the heating films 4, thereby lowering costs.

[0058] In one embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive is also included, which covers each cell 21 in the cell assembly 2 and is thermally connected to the heating film 4.

[0059] It is understandable that one end of the thermally conductive adhesive is thermally connected to the heating film 4, and the other end covers multiple battery cells 21 to achieve heat exchange between the heating film 4 and the multiple battery cells 21, thereby enabling heat exchange between the heating film 4 and the multiple battery cells 21.

[0060] In one embodiment, the thickness of the thermally conductive adhesive ranges from 1 mm to 2 mm.

[0061] The thickness of the thermally conductive adhesive can be any of 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.8 mm, or 2 mm.

[0062] It is understandable that when the thickness of the thermal conductive adhesive is less than 1 mm, the thermal conductive adhesive will be uneven, resulting in heat transfer deviation. When the thickness of the thermal conductive adhesive is greater than 2 mm, it will cause local thermal conductive adhesive to be too thick, which will also cause uneven heat conduction.

[0063] In one embodiment, the heating film 4 is attached to the circumferential side surface of the battery cell 21, and the shape of the heating film 4 may be similar to the shape of the side surface of the battery cell 21.

[0064] In one embodiment, at least one heating film 4 includes two heating films 4; wherein, along the axial direction of the battery cell 21, the spacing between two adjacent heating films 4 ranges from 63 mm to 73 mm.

[0065] The spacing between two adjacent heating films 4 can be any of 63 mm, 65 mm, 68 mm, 71 mm, or 73 mm.

[0066] Among them, the multiple heating films 4 can be of the same size.

[0067] Among them, the heating film 4 is arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

[0068] Among them, the center lines of multiple heating films 4 coincide along the row direction, which is the axial direction of the battery cell 21.

[0069] Among them, the center lines of multiple heating films 4 coincide along the column direction, which is the arrangement direction of the battery cell array or heating film 4.

[0070] The spacing between the two heating films 4 refers to the minimum distance between the two heating films 4.

[0071] The adjacent heating films 4 are arranged at equal intervals.

[0072] In this embodiment, the spacing between two adjacent heating films 4 is 63 mm to 73 mm, which improves the temperature conduction efficiency of heating without affecting electrical safety.

[0073] Secondly, referring to Figures 5 and 6, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack 8, including a thermal management device 1 as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0074] The battery pack 8 also includes a top cover 81, a battery circuit breaker unit 82, a battery management module 83, a cell 21 module 84, a pressure sensor 85, a thermal management device 1, and a housing 86.

[0075] The top cover 81 and the housing 86 form a cavity, in which the battery circuit breaker unit 82, battery management module 83, battery cell 21 module 84, pressure sensor 85, and thermal management device 1 are disposed.

[0076] The battery pack 8 also includes a cell group 2, each cell group 2 including at least one cell row, each cell row including multiple cells 21, the multiple cells 21 being arranged in an array and electrically connected to each other.

[0077] In one embodiment, the battery pack 8 is further provided with a pressure relief port, which is used to ensure that each cell 21 can be depressurized normally in the event of thermal runaway.

[0078] It also includes a pressure sensor 85, which is used to detect pressure changes in the battery cell 21 during thermal runaway and to issue a thermal runaway warning signal in a timely manner.

[0079] Understandably, the pressure relief port is used to ensure that each cell 21 can be depressurized normally in the event of thermal runaway, so as to avoid abnormal damage to the cell 21 caused by thermal runaway.

[0080] This application adapts the shape of the heating film 4 to the support member 3 and sets them in a close fit, thereby making the fit between the heating film 4 and the support member 3 more stable and tighter.

Claims

1. A thermal management device (1) for a battery pack (8), the battery pack (8) comprising at least one cell group (2), each cell group (2) comprising at least one cell row, each cell row comprising a plurality of cells (21), wherein, The thermal management device (1) includes: At least one heating film (4); Each of the heating films (4) is connected to the corresponding battery cell array to be suitable for heating the corresponding battery cell array. The shape of the heating film (4) is adapted to the shape of the plurality of battery cells (21) of the battery cell array.

2. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell (21) has a first side and a second side, the area of ​​the second side is larger than the area of ​​the first side, and the shape of the heating film (4) is adapted to the shape of the second side of the plurality of battery cells (21) in the battery cell array.

3. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The battery cell (21) is a cylindrical battery cell, and the second surface is the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

4. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 3 further includes at least one support member (3), each of the support members (3) being adapted to cool the corresponding cell array and support the corresponding heating film (4), the shape of the heating film (4) being adapted to the shape of the support member (3).

5. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The thermal management device (1) includes two heating films (4); each battery cell group (2) includes two battery cell rows stacked along the thickness direction of the battery pack (8); wherein the two heating films (4) are located on both sides of the support member (3) and are respectively attached to the two battery cell rows.

6. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, Each heating film (4) includes a plurality of heating protrusions (41) and a plurality of heating recesses (42); the support member (3) includes a plurality of direct cooling protrusions (31) and a plurality of direct cooling recesses (32); wherein, the plurality of heating protrusions (41) of one heating film (4) are attached between the plurality of direct cooling protrusions (31) and one of the battery cell arrays, and the plurality of heating recesses (42) of another heating film (4) are attached between the plurality of direct cooling recesses (32) and another battery cell array.

7. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, Both heating films (4) are attached to the same support member (3).

8. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The heating protrusion (41) of one of the two heating films (4) is aligned with the heating protrusion (41) of the other heating film (4), and the heating recess (42) of one of the two heating films (4) is aligned with the heating recess (42) of the other heating film (4).

9. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The heating protrusions (41) and heating recesses (42) of each heating film (4) are arranged periodically.

10. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, One of the heating films (4) includes heating wires, the density of which is greater at at least one of the heating protrusions (41) than the density of which is greater at at least one of the heating recesses (42).

11. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 6, wherein, Another heating film (4) includes heating wires, the density of which at least one heating recess (42) has a greater density than that at at least one heating protrusion (41).

12. The thermal management device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein, Each of the heating wires has a power range of 4 watts to 10 watts.

13. The thermal management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 further includes an inlet pipe (5), an outlet pipe (6) and a connecting pipe (7), wherein the inlet pipe (5) is connected to the corresponding support member (3), the outlet pipe (6) is connected to the corresponding support member (3), and the connecting pipe (7) connects two adjacent support members (3).

14. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The inlet pipe (5) is connected to the corresponding support member (3), and the adjacent support members (3) are connected through the connecting pipe (7). The outlet pipe (6) is connected to the corresponding support member (3), and the inlet pipe (5) and the outlet pipe (6) are connected to the circulating storage unit to form a connected loop.

15. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The diameter of the inlet pipe (5) is smaller than that of the outlet pipe (6).

16. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The burst pressure resistance values ​​of the inlet pipe (5), the outlet pipe (6), the connecting pipe (7), and the support member (3) range from 10 MPa to 15 MPa.

17. The thermal management device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The flexibility of the support member (3) is greater than that of any one of the inlet pipe (5), the outlet pipe (6), and the connecting pipe (7).

18. The thermal management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The thickness of the support member (3) along the thickness direction of the battery pack (8) ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

19. The thermal management device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The support component (3) is a direct cooling pipe. The direct cooling pipe utilizes refrigerant direct cooling technology to realize the conversion of refrigerant between different phase states through condenser, compressor and evaporator, so that the refrigerant can directly participate in the cooling of the battery cell assembly (2).

20. A battery pack (8) comprising a thermal management device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

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