Liquid cooling assembly and battery pack

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a liquid cooling assembly and a battery pack. The liquid cooling assembly comprises a plurality of liquid cooling plates arranged at intervals and a first main pipe. A mounting space for mounting heat-generating components is formed between every two adjacent liquid cooling plates. Each liquid cooling plate is provided with a flow channel and a first liquid guide connector in communication with the flow channel. The first main pipe is provided with a plurality of first connectors. The plurality of first connectors are expansion-jointed to the plurality of first liquid guide connectors on a one-to-one basis. The first liquid guide connectors are inserted into the first connectors.

Description

Liquid cooling components and battery pack

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202423220471.1, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on December 25, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a liquid cooling component and battery pack. Background Technology

[0003] In related technologies, liquid cooling components can be applied between heat-generating elements to reduce their temperature. These heat-generating elements can be batteries, etc. A liquid cooling component includes a liquid cooling plate and pipes connected to the liquid cooling plate. Due to the compact structure between two adjacent liquid cooling plates, the connection between the pipes and the liquid cooling plate is relatively difficult to configure. Invention Overview

[0004] In liquid cooling assemblies, corrugated pipes are typically used to connect the pipes to the liquid cooling plates. However, due to the material tolerances of the pipes, corrugated pipes, and liquid cooling plates, as well as the assembly tolerances after assembly, the connection between the pipes and the liquid cooling plates is unreliable and prone to leakage, which affects the cooling effect of the liquid cooling assembly.

[0005] The embodiments of this application provide a liquid cooling component and battery pack, which can improve the technical problem of poor connection reliability between pipes and liquid cooling plates, which easily leads to leakage and affects the cooling effect of the liquid cooling component.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a liquid cooling assembly, the liquid cooling assembly comprising:

[0007] Multiple spaced liquid cooling plates are provided, with an installation space for mounting a heating element formed between two adjacent liquid cooling plates. Each liquid cooling plate has a flow channel and a first liquid guide joint communicating with the flow channel.

[0008] The first main pipe has multiple first connectors, and the multiple first connectors are expanded to correspond one-to-one with multiple first liquid guiding connectors, with the first liquid guiding connectors inserted into the first connectors.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a battery pack, the battery pack including the above-mentioned liquid cooling component, and the heating element being a battery. Beneficial effects

[0010] The liquid cooling assembly provided in this application, by expanding the first connector and the first liquid guide connector one by one, can, on the one hand, directly connect the first main pipe to the liquid cooling plate, thereby reducing the assembly tolerance and cumulative material tolerance between the first main pipe and the liquid cooling plate; on the other hand, since the expansion connection method applies radial pressure to the first connector and the first liquid guide connector through plastic deformation, sufficient connection strength and sealing reliability can be obtained.

[0011] The battery pack provided in this application, by expanding the first connector and the first liquid guide connector one by one, can, on the one hand, allow the first main pipe to be directly connected to the liquid cooling plate, thereby reducing the assembly tolerance and cumulative material tolerance between the first main pipe and the liquid cooling plate; on the other hand, since the expansion connection method applies radial pressure to the first connector and the first liquid guide connector through plastic deformation, sufficient connection strength and sealing reliability can be obtained, thereby improving the reliability of the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a liquid cooling component provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of the liquid cooling assembly in Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the first connector and the first liquid guiding connector in Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the first connector and the first liquid guiding connector in Figure 1;

[0016] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA in Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of one of the first sub-tubes in Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of two adjacent first sub-tubes in Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between two adjacent first sub-tubes in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 9 is a side view of the liquid cooling plate in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery pack provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] Liquid cooling component 1;

[0024] Heating element 2;

[0025] Liquid cooling plate 10, first liquid guide connector 12, second liquid guide connector 13;

[0026] First main tube 20, first connector 21, first insertion hole 211, elastic element 212, extension 2121, extension 213, first female tube 22, first male connector 221, groove 2211, sealing ring 2212, claw 2213, first female connector 222, flange 2221;

[0027] The distance L1 between the end of the first female connector 222 and the root of the claw 2213;

[0028] Second main pipe 30, second connector 31, second sub-pipe 32;

[0029] Battery pack 3. Embodiments of the present invention

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for illustration and explanation of this application and are not intended to limit this application. In this application, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the upper and lower positions of the device in actual use or operation, specifically the drawing directions in the accompanying drawings; while "inner" and "outer" refer to the outline of the device.

[0031] In a first aspect, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, an embodiment of this application provides a liquid cooling assembly 1, which includes a plurality of spaced liquid cooling plates 10 and a first main pipe 20. An installation space for mounting a heating element 2 is formed between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10. Each liquid cooling plate 10 has a flow channel and a first liquid guiding connector 12 communicating with the flow channel. The first main pipe 20 has a plurality of first connectors 21, which are expanded and connected one-to-one with the plurality of first liquid guiding connectors 12. The first liquid guiding connectors 12 are inserted into the first connectors 21.

[0032] The shape of the liquid cooling plate 10 can be adaptively adjusted according to the shape of the heating element 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the heating element 2 is a cylindrical battery, the liquid cooling plate 10 can be a serpentine plate, which includes multiple connected arc surfaces. One arc surface can match the outer surface of a cylindrical battery, thereby increasing the contact area between the serpentine plate and the cylindrical battery and improving the cooling effect. When the heating element 2 is a square electrode, the shape of the liquid cooling plate 10 can be a flat plate, which has a plane, thereby matching the surface of the square electrode and increasing the contact area between the flat plate and the square battery. When the heating element 2 has other shapes, the shape of the liquid cooling plate 10 can also match the outer surface of the heating element 2. This application does not limit the shape of the liquid cooling plate 10.

[0033] The liquid cooling plate 10 has a flow channel inside, and the coolant can flow along the channel to carry away the heat generated by the heating element 2, thereby achieving temperature uniformity and cooling effect.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9, one end of the liquid cooling plate 10 may have a first liquid guide connector 12 that communicates with the flow channel. The first liquid guide connector 12 is a hollow tubular structure, and the coolant can flow into the flow channel through the pipe inside the first liquid guide connector 12.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the first main pipe 20 has multiple first connectors 21, each first connector 21 corresponding to a first liquid guiding connector 12. The number of first connectors 21 is equal to the number of first liquid guiding connectors 12. Each first connector 21 is also a hollow tubular structure, through which coolant flows via pipes inside the first connector 21, pipes inside the first liquid guiding connector 12, and flow channels. The first main pipe 20 can be at least one of an inlet pipe or a return pipe.

[0036] The first connector 21 and the first liquid-conducting connector 12 are expanded together. Expansion refers to applying radial pressure to the first connector 21 and the first liquid-conducting connector 12 through plastic deformation, thereby achieving sufficient connection strength and sealing reliability. For example, one of the first connector 21 and the second connector 31 may include a flexible material that is flexible and can undergo plastic deformation under stress. The first connector 21 and the second connector 31 may be interference-fitted, causing the flexible material to be compressed, thereby achieving sufficient connection strength and sealing reliability.

[0037] The first liquid guide connector 12 is inserted into the first connector 21, which means that at the insertion point, the first liquid guide connector 12 is located inside the first connector 21.

[0038] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first connector 21 has a first insertion hole 211, and an elastic element 212 is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first insertion hole 211. The circumferential sidewall of the first liquid guide connector 12 is in contact with the elastic element 212.

[0039] The first insertion hole 211 is an internal hole of the first connector 21, and coolant flows along the first insertion hole 211. The circumferential sidewall of the first insertion hole 211 refers to the inner sidewall of the first connector 21, and the elastic element 212 is disposed on the inner sidewall of the first connector 21. The elastic element 212 can be connected and disposed around the circumferential sidewall, that is, the elastic element 212 is a ring structure with the ends connected.

[0040] The elastic element 212 is elastic. For example, the material of the elastic element 212 can be flexible materials such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the first connector 21 and the first liquid-conducting connector 12 are expanded together, the circumferential sidewall of the first liquid-conducting connector 12 corresponds to the first insertion hole 211, and the elastic element 212 is located between the outer sidewall of the first liquid-conducting connector 12 and the inner sidewall of the first connector 21. The elastic element 212 is deformed under pressure and is in a compressed state, which can absorb the material tolerance of the diameter of the first insertion hole 211 and the material tolerance of the outer diameter of the first liquid-conducting connector 12, ensuring the connection strength and sealing reliability of the first connector 21 and the first liquid-conducting connector 12.

[0042] The elastic element 212 can be formed within the first insertion hole 211 using an overmolding process. This overmolding process can be achieved through a two-stage injection molding. Specifically, the first connector 21 can be formed through a first injection molding, and then the material of the elastic element 212 can be injected into the first insertion hole 211 through a second injection molding. The overmolding process can also be achieved through other processes, which are not limited in this application.

[0043] In one embodiment, two opposing extensions 213 are provided on the edge of one of the first connectors 21, and the two extensions 213 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first connectors 21. After the first injection molding of the first connector 21, demolding is required, that is, the upper mold and the lower mold are separated and the first connector 21 is removed. The pipe wall edge of the first connector 21 is relatively thin and is easily deformed during demolding. By providing two extensions 213 extending along the edge of the pipe wall, the structural strength of the pipe wall edge can be improved and the risk of deformation during demolding can be reduced. The two extensions 213 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first connectors 21, and each extension 213 is located at the parting surface of the upper mold and the lower mold, which does not affect demolding.

[0044] In one embodiment, the sidewall of the first connector 21 is provided with a through hole, and the elastic element 212 includes an extension 2121 passing through the through hole. In the overmolding process, during the second injection molding, the material of the elastic element 212 can be injected into the first insertion hole 211 through the through hole in the sidewall of the first connector 21. A mold is provided in the first insertion hole 211, and the mold forms the material of the elastic element 212 on the peripheral sidewall of the first insertion hole 211. After demolding, the elastic element 212 is formed.

[0045] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the diameter of the first insertion hole 211 gradually increases along the direction close to the first liquid guide connector 12, and / or the outer diameter of the first liquid guide connector 12 gradually decreases along the direction close to the first connector 21.

[0046] Optionally, in some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the diameter of the first socket 211 gradually increases along the direction approaching the first liquid guide connector 12, meaning that the first socket 211 is horn-shaped. The inner diameter of the horn gradually increases; for ease of description, the end with the smaller inner diameter is referred to as the small end, and the end with the larger inner diameter is referred to as the large end. The large end of the horn is close to the first liquid guide connector 12, and the small end of the horn is located on the side of the large end away from the first liquid guide connector 12. Because the first socket 211 has a horn shape, the first liquid guide connector 12 is more easily connected to the first connector 21 by expansion, and assembly tolerances can also be absorbed.

[0047] Optionally, in some embodiments, the outer diameter of the first liquid guide connector 12 gradually decreases along the direction close to the first connector 21. That is to say, the first liquid guide connector 12 has a narrowed opening, which makes it easier to insert into the first socket 211, and the first liquid guide connector 12 is easier to form an expansion joint with the first connector 21. At the same time, it can also absorb assembly tolerances.

[0048] Optionally, in some embodiments, the diameter of the first insertion hole 211 gradually increases along the direction close to the first liquid guide connector 12, and the outer diameter of the first liquid guide connector 12 gradually decreases along the direction close to the first connector 21.

[0049] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1, 5 to 8, the first main pipe 20 includes multiple separately arranged first sub-pipes 22, which are connected in sequence; at least some of the first sub-pipes 22 have a first connector 21.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first main pipe 20 includes multiple separately arranged first sub-pipes 22, which can be connected sequentially to form the first main pipe 20. Specifically, each first sub-pipe 22 has a pipe inside, and the pipes inside the multiple first sub-pipes 22 are connected sequentially to form a continuous channel. At least a portion of the sidewalls of the first sub-pipes 22 may be provided with a first connector 21. The first insertion hole 211 of the first connector 21 communicates with the pipe inside the first sub-pipe 22.

[0051] To reduce the variety of materials used in the first main pipe 20, the first main pipe 20 can be formed from multiple first sub-pipes 22 with identical structures. This reduces the variety of first sub-pipes 22, facilitates material standardization, and lowers production management costs. For example, each first sub-pipe 22 can have the same number of first connectors 21. For example, each first sub-pipe 22 can have two spaced first connectors 21, in which case the first sub-pipe 22 is a four-way connector. The first sub-pipe 22 can also have other numbers of first connectors 21, such as three, four, five, or six, etc., and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0052] When a first sub-tube 22 has two first connectors 21, the structure of the first sub-tube 22 is easier to process, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the first sub-tube 22. Moreover, when the first sub-tube 22 has fewer first connectors 21, it is easier to absorb the positional deviation between multiple liquid cooling plates 10 connected to the same first sub-tube 22, reducing the assembly difficulty.

[0053] Specifically, multiple liquid cooling plates 10 can be stacked with heating element 2, and then multiple first sub-tubes 22 can be aligned with liquid cooling plates 10 using tooling, and then the multiple first sub-tubes 22 can be synchronously inserted with multiple liquid cooling plates 10.

[0054] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, each first sub-tube 22 is provided with a first male connector 221 at one end and a first female connector 222 at the other end; the first male connector 221 of one first sub-tube 22 is connected to the first female connector 222 of the adjacent first sub-tube 22.

[0055] For ease of description, the connectors at both ends of the first sub-tube 22 are named the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222, respectively. The first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222 have different structures. The first male connector 221 of one first sub-tube 22 can be plugged into the first female connector 222 of the adjacent first sub-tube 22.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the first male connector 221 is inserted into the first female connector 222, meaning that after insertion, the end of the first male connector 221 is located in the insertion hole within the first female connector 222. Specifically, the outer sidewall of the first male connector 221 contacts the inner sidewall of the first female connector 222. The first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222 have an interference fit, thereby ensuring connection strength and sealing reliability.

[0057] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, a groove 2211 is provided on the outer wall of the first male connector 221. The groove 2211 is coaxially arranged with the first male connector 221, that is, the groove 2211 is annular. The depth of the groove 2211 is less than the thickness of the outer wall of the first male connector 221. A sealing ring 2212 is provided inside the groove 2211. The material of the sealing ring 2212 can be an elastic material, such as rubber. The sealing ring 2212 is sleeved on the outside of the first male connector 221.

[0058] The inner wall of the first female connector 222 contacts the sealing ring 2212. This means that the sealing ring 2212 is positioned between the side walls of the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222. After the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222 are inserted, the sealing ring 2212 is under compression. The sealing ring 2212 can absorb the tolerance between the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222, ensuring connection strength and sealing reliability.

[0059] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 7, and 8, the outer wall of the first male connector 221 is provided with a claw 2213, and the outer wall of the first female connector 222 is provided with a flange 2221. The claw 2213 engages with the flange 2221. Two adjacent first female tubes 22 are quickly connected to the flange 2221 via the claw 2213. After the claw 2213 engages with the flange 2221, it can prevent the first female connector 222 and the first male connector 221 from falling off along the connection direction.

[0060] At the same time, the relative positional relationship between the claw 2213 and the flange 2221 can be seen visually, which makes it easy to determine whether the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222 are properly connected.

[0061] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG5, the distance L1 between the end of the first female connector 222 and the root of the claw 2213 in the connection direction of the first female connector 222 and the first male connector 221 is 1 mm to 10 mm. The connection direction of the first female connector 222 and the first male connector 221 refers to the axial direction of the first female connector 222. Since the distance L1 between the first male connector 221 and the first female connector 222 in the connection direction is 1 mm to 10 mm, the distance L1 between the centers of two adjacent first daughter tubes 22 can be adjusted within this range, thereby enabling the first connector 21 to better align with the two first liquid guide connectors 12, absorbing assembly tolerances, reducing assembly difficulty, and improving assembly efficiency.

[0062] It should be understood that when the distance L1 between the end of the first female connector 222 and the root of the claw 2213 in the connection direction between the first female connector 222 and the first male connector 221 is 1 mm to 10 mm, the claw 2213 and the flange 2221 are in an engaged state, and the distance L1 between the claw 2213 and the flange 2221 is greater than or equal to 0 mm.

[0063] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid cooling assembly 1 includes a second main pipe 30, which includes a second connector 31. Each liquid cooling plate 10 has a second liquid guiding connector 13 communicating with a flow channel. Multiple second connectors 31 and multiple second liquid guiding connectors 13 are connected in a one-to-one expansion joint. A first liquid guiding connector 12 and a second liquid guiding connector 13 are located at the same end of the liquid cooling plate 10. A first main pipe 20 and a second main pipe 30 are located on the same side of the liquid cooling plate 10. One of the first main pipe 20 and the second main pipe 30 is a liquid inlet pipe, and the other is a liquid return pipe.

[0064] The second main pipe 30 can have the same structure as the first main pipe 20, except that the second main pipe 30 is connected to the second liquid guide connector 13 of the liquid cooling plate 10. The second main pipe 30 includes multiple second connectors 31, the arrangement of which is similar to that of the first connector 21, and will not be repeated here. The second main pipe 30 includes multiple second sub-pipes 32, the arrangement of which is similar to that of the first sub-pipes 22, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second main pipe 30 and the first main pipe 20 are disposed on different sides of the liquid cooling plate 10. That is, a first liquid guide connector 12 is provided at one end of the liquid cooling plate 10, and a second liquid guide connector 13 is provided at the other end. The path between the first liquid guide connector 12 and the second liquid guide connector 13 of the liquid cooling plate 10 is a unidirectional line along the length direction of the liquid cooling plate 10.

[0066] In some embodiments, the second main pipe 30 and the first main pipe 20 can be disposed on the same side of the liquid cooling plate 10. As shown in FIG9, a first liquid guide connector 12 and a second liquid guide connector 13 are simultaneously disposed at one end of the liquid cooling plate 10, and the path between the first liquid guide connector 12 and the second liquid guide connector 13 of the liquid cooling plate 10 is U-shaped. The arrows in FIG9 indicate the flow direction of the coolant. Through the above arrangement, the flow resistance in the liquid cooling assembly 1 can be reduced, saving the space occupied by the liquid cooling assembly 1. At the same time, a single liquid cooling plate 10 can achieve the effect of temperature neutralization, reducing the temperature difference of the corresponding heat-generating element 2 along the length direction of the same liquid cooling plate 10.

[0067] Secondly, as shown in Figure 10, an embodiment of this application provides a battery pack 3, which includes the liquid cooling component 1 described above, and the heating element 2 is a battery.

[0068] In this embodiment, please refer to Figures 1 and 10. The heating element 2 can be a battery, such as a circular battery or a square battery. The battery is disposed in the mounting space between two adjacent liquid cooling plates 10, which can cool the battery.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling assembly (1), comprising: Multiple spaced liquid cooling plates (10) are arranged at intervals, and an installation space for mounting a heating element (2) is formed between two adjacent liquid cooling plates (10). Each liquid cooling plate (10) has a flow channel and a first liquid guide joint (12) communicating with the flow channel. The first main pipe (20) has a plurality of first connectors (21), and the plurality of first connectors (21) are connected to the plurality of first liquid guide connectors (12) in a one-to-one expansion connection. The first liquid guide connectors (12) are inserted into the first connectors (21).

2. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein The first connector (21) has a first insertion hole (211), and an elastic element (212) is provided on the circumferential sidewall of the first insertion hole (211). The elastic element (212) is in a compressed state, and the circumferential sidewall of the first liquid guide connector (12) is in contact with the elastic element (212).

3. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein The first connector (21) has a through hole on its side wall, and the elastic element (212) includes an extension (2121) that passes through the through hole.

4. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein Two opposing extensions (213) are provided on the edge of the first connector (21), and the two extensions (213) are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of first connectors (21).

5. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The diameter of the first insertion hole (211) gradually increases in the direction close to the first liquid guide connector (12), and / or the outer diameter of the first liquid guide connector (12) gradually decreases in the direction close to the first connector (21).

6. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein The first main tube (20) includes multiple separately arranged first sub-tubes (22), and the multiple first sub-tubes (22) are connected in sequence; at least some of the first sub-tubes (22) have the first connector (21).

7. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein Each of the first sub-tubes (22) is provided with a first male connector (221) at one end and a first female connector (222) at the other end; the first male connector (221) of one first sub-tube (22) is connected to the first female connector (222) of the adjacent first sub-tube (22).

8. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 7, wherein The outer wall of the first male connector (221) is provided with a groove (2211), and a sealing ring (2212) is provided in the groove (2211). The first male connector (221) is inserted into the first female connector (222), and the inner wall of the first female connector (222) is in contact with the sealing ring (2212).

9. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 8, wherein The outer wall of the first male connector (221) is provided with a claw (2213), and the outer wall of the first female connector (222) is provided with a flange (2221). The claw (2213) engages with the flange (2221).

10. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to claim 9, wherein The distance (L1) between the end of the first female connector (222) and the root of the claw (2213) in the connection direction between the first female connector (222) and the first male connector (221) is 1 mm to 10 mm.

11. The liquid cooling assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The liquid cooling assembly (1) includes a second main pipe (30), the second main pipe (30) includes a second connector (31), each of the liquid cooling plates (10) has a second liquid guide connector (13) communicating with the flow channel; a plurality of second connectors (31) and a plurality of second liquid guide connectors (13) are connected in a one-to-one expansion joint, the first liquid guide connector (12) and the second liquid guide connector (13) are disposed at the same end of the liquid cooling plate (10); the first main pipe (20) and the second main pipe (30) are located on the same side of the liquid cooling plate (10).

12. A battery pack (3) comprising a liquid cooling assembly (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heating element (2) is a battery.

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