CN217822977U

CN217822977U - Battery module with heat conduction structure

Info

Publication number: CN217822977U
Application number: CN202221503815.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张古博
Original assignee: STL Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: STL Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-15
Filing date: 2022-06-15
Publication date: 2022-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-15

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery module with heat-conduction structure, it includes a plurality of battery cores, battery mount and a plurality of heat-conduction body. The battery fixing frame is used for accommodating and fixing the battery core. Each heat conductor is respectively inserted in the intervals kept between a plurality of corresponding adjacent battery cores; at least one end of each heat conductor vertically penetrates through the battery fixing frame and is connected to the heat collector; the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery core around the heat conductor can be conducted to the heat collector through the heat conductor, so that the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery core is prevented from being accumulated on the battery core.

Description

Battery module with heat conduction structure

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module that utilizes heat conduction to conduct heat generated by charging and discharging a battery cell and collects heat.

Background

In recent years, electric vehicles are increasingly favored with the demand for environmental protection and carbon reduction. Many vehicle manufacturers are continuously entering the development of electric vehicles in order to gain business opportunities in the electric vehicle market. The power source of an electric vehicle is a battery, such as a lithium battery. In order to increase the endurance of an electric vehicle, a battery module having a considerable number of battery cells is generally provided on the electric vehicle so as to provide sufficient power for the electric vehicle.

Fig. 1, 2 and 3 are a top sectional view, a front sectional view and a side sectional view of a battery module according to the prior art. As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the battery module 100 includes a housing 11, a plurality of battery cells 12, a first fixing frame 131 and a second fixing frame 132. The battery cells 12 are accommodated and fixed between the first fixing frame 131 and the second fixing frame 132, and the first fixing frame 131 and the second fixing frame 132 in which the battery cells 12 are arranged in the housing 11, so that the battery cells 12 and the first fixing frame 131 and the second fixing frame 132 are protected by the housing 11.

When the battery cells 12 of the battery module 100 are charged and discharged, heat is generated and the temperature rises. In order to dissipate heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery cell 12, an air blowing fan 151 and an air suction fan 153 are generally provided on both sides of the case 11. The first and

second holders

131 and 132, which house the battery cells 12, are placed between the blowing fan 151 and the suction fan 153. The blowing fan 151 blows outside cool air toward the position of the battery cell 12 inside the case 11, and the blown cool air passes through the battery cell 12 that generates heat and becomes hot air. Then, the hot air is extracted by the extraction fan 153 to be discharged to the outside, and the temperature of the battery cell 12 which generates heat by charging and discharging can be lowered by blowing the air by the blowing fan 151 and extracting the hot air by the extraction fan 153.

Since the battery cells 12 are horizontally arranged at the same height between the first and

second holders

131 and 132, most of the wind force of the cold air blown by the blowing fan 151 is blocked by the battery cells 12 in the front row near the blowing fan 151, resulting in a high flow resistance, and only a small amount of wind force can flow to the battery cells 12 in the rear row through the gaps between the battery cells 12 in the front row. In addition, in order to arrange a larger number of battery cells 12 in the limited space range of the first fixing frame 131 and the second fixing frame 132, the gaps between the arranged battery cells 12 are usually very small, such as 2mm, which also causes a situation of high flow resistance, resulting in very poor circulation efficiency of the cold air between the battery cells 12. Therefore, the cool air blown by the blowing fan 151 tends to flow only at a place with low flow resistance, for example, the cool air tends to blow toward the battery cells 12 near the front row of the blowing fan 151 and the outer sides of the first and

second holders

131 and 132, and the battery cells 12 arranged in the inner area 121 of the battery module 100 do not easily receive the blow of the cool air, resulting in that the battery cells 12 are easily at a higher temperature when being charged and discharged.

For example, as shown in fig. 1, when the battery module 100 is in operation, the temperature detectors detect the temperatures of the battery cells (a, B, C, D) 12 at four different positions. Through the detection of the temperature, the temperature of the battery cell (a) 12 may be T1, the temperature of the battery cell (B) 12 may be T2, the temperature of the battery cell (C) 12 may be T3, and the temperature of the battery cell (D) 12 may be T4. The temperature of the four battery cells 12 may also be T4> T3> T2> T1. The temperature of the rear row inner cells (D) 12, which are farther from the air blowing fan 151, will be higher than those of the front row inner cells (a, B, C) 12. In addition, since the cool air flows in from the blowing fan 151, the cool air exchanges heat with each of the battery cells 12 passing therethrough. The battery cell 12 located at the rear end of the wind receives the air that has undergone heat exchange at the front end battery cell 12. Therefore, the temperature of each battery cell 12 in the entire battery module 100 is gradually increased according to the distance from the position of the blowing fan 151, so that the battery cells 12 located at the rear end of the wind are aged more quickly than the battery cells 12 located at the front end of the wind, thereby relatively shortening the service life of the battery module 100.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Based on the technical problem among the above-mentioned prior art, an object of the utility model is to provide a battery module, it includes casing, battery mount, a plurality of battery core and heat-conduction structure. One side of the inner part of the shell is provided with an air blowing opening, and the other side of the inner part of the shell is provided with an air suction opening. The battery fixing frame is arranged between the air blowing opening and the air suction opening of the shell in a swinging mode and is used for containing and fixing the plurality of battery cores. The heat conduction structure comprises a plurality of heat conduction bodies and a heat collector. Each heat conductor is respectively inserted in the interval kept between a plurality of corresponding adjacent battery cores, and at least one end of each heat conductor vertically penetrates through the battery fixing frame and is connected to the heat collector. When the battery module operates, the heat conductors respectively absorb heat generated by charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cores and respectively transmit the heat to the shell so as to collect the heat to the shell, so that the battery cores can be prevented from being in a higher temperature state during the charging and discharging operations.

In at least one embodiment, the heat collector is a large area metal block. When the heat conductor transfers heat to the rear side or the middle section of the metal block, the heat is conducted to the front side of the metal block with lower temperature through the characteristic of larger heat conductivity of the large-area metal block, so as to achieve the effect of long-distance heat exchange.

In at least one embodiment, the heat conducting structure further comprises at least one heat pipe. The heating end of each heat pipe is connected to the corresponding metal block, and the cooling end is arranged at a position close to the air blowing port or connected to the heat dissipation fins. When the battery module operates, heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery core is transferred to the metal block by the heat conductor and is collected on the metal block. Then, the working fluid in the heated end of the heat pipe absorbs the heat collected on the metal block and generates a phase change to rapidly transport the heat to the condensing end in a vapor flow manner. After the condensation end of the heat pipe receives the heat, the heat received by the condensation end of the heat pipe can be dissipated through the heat dissipation fins. Through the arrangement of the heat pipe, the heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery core collected on the metal block can be rapidly transmitted to the cold side, so that the speed of remote heat exchange is accelerated.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a battery module having a heat conduction structure, including: a plurality of battery cells; the battery fixing frame is used for accommodating and fixing a plurality of battery cores; and a plurality of thermal conductors, each of which is inserted into the space maintained between the corresponding adjacent battery cells, at least one end of each of the thermal conductors vertically penetrating the battery holder to be connected to the heat collector.

Preferably, in an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module further includes a metal housing, one side of the inside of the metal housing is provided with an air blowing opening, and the other side of the inside of the metal housing is provided with an air suction opening, the battery holder is disposed between the air blowing opening and the air suction opening, and the heat collector is the metal housing.

Preferably, the heat conductor is a metal post of aluminum, a metal post of copper, or a heat pipe.

Preferably, one end of each heat transfer body is provided with a flat portion, and each heat transfer body is connected to the heat collector through the flat portion, and the flat portion faces the air blowing port with the narrow side.

Preferably, the thermal conductor is a circular, triangular or square metal cylinder.

Preferably, the heat collector is a metal block.

Preferably, a plurality of heat dissipation fins are disposed on a surface of the metal block.

Furthermore, the battery module with the heat conduction structure also comprises at least one heat pipe, one end of the heat pipe is connected with the heat collector, and the other end of the heat pipe is arranged at a position which is closer to the air blowing port.

Furthermore, the battery module with the heat conduction structure also comprises heat dissipation fins, and the other end of the heat pipe is connected with the heat dissipation fins.

Preferably, the heat dissipation fins are arranged beside the air blowing port.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a top sectional view of a prior art battery module disposed in a housing.

Fig. 2 is a front sectional view of a prior art battery module disposed in a case.

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of a prior art battery module disposed in a housing.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a battery module having a thermally conductive construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a front sectional view of still another embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a battery module having a thermally conductive construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a front sectional view of still another embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 10A to 10E are a top view, a bottom view, a right side view, a left side view and a front view of a heat conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a battery module having a thermally conductive construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front sectional view of still another embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a front sectional view of still another embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a battery module having a thermally conductive construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a front sectional view of still another embodiment of a battery module having a heat conduction structure according to the present invention.

Description of reference numerals: 100-a battery module; 11-a housing; 12-a battery cell; 131-a first mount; 132-a second mount; 151-a blower fan; 153-an exhaust fan; 300-a battery module; 301-a battery module; 302-a battery module; 303-battery module; 304-a battery module; 31-a housing; 32-a battery cell; 33-a battery holder; 331-a first mount; 332-a second mount; 34-a thermal conductor; 351-air blowing means; 353-an air draft device; 36-a thermal conductor; 361-flat part; 37-a conductive frame; 38-heat dissipation fins; 39-metal block; 391-heat dissipating fins; 392-Heat pipes.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, a top perspective view and a front sectional view of an embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention are shown. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the battery module 300 of the present embodiment includes a housing 31, a plurality of battery cells 32, and a battery holder 33. The housing 31 is a metal housing, and has a blowing device 351 having a blowing port at one side and an air draft device 353 having an air draft port at the other side. During the charge and discharge of the battery module 300, cold air enters the inside of the case 31 from the blowing port of the blowing device 351, and hot air is drawn out from the suction port of the air draft device 353.

The battery holder 33 includes a first holder 331 and a second holder 332. The first holder 331 and the second holder 332 respectively include sleeves (not shown). The upper end of each battery cell 32 is sleeved in the sleeve of the first fixing frame 331, and the lower end is sleeved in the sleeve of the second fixing frame 332, so that each battery cell 32 can be fixed between the first fixing frame 331 and the second fixing frame 332 and each battery cell 32 keeps a space. In the present embodiment, the battery cells 32 are arranged in a matrix arrangement in the battery holder 33.

The battery module 300 also includes a plurality of thermal conductors 34. Each of the thermal conductors 34 is respectively interposed in the space maintained between the plurality of corresponding adjacent battery cells 32. The heat conductor 34 may also be a metal post made of aluminum, a metal post made of copper, a heat pipe, or a conductor with better thermal conductivity. Further, since the battery cells 32 located farther from the air outlet are often in a high temperature state during charging and discharging, the heat conductors 34 may be selectively provided in the spaces maintained between the plurality of adjacent battery cells 32 located inside the battery holder 33 and located farther from the air outlet. One end of the thermal conductor 34 is connected to the case 31 through the first holder 331 of the battery holder 33, and the other end is connected to the case 31 through the second holder 332 of the battery holder 33.

In this embodiment, the housing 31 will act as a heat collector. During operation of the battery module 300, the heat conductors 34 absorb heat generated by the surrounding battery cells 32 during charging and discharging, and transmit the heat to the housing 31, so that the heat can be collected on the housing 31. Subsequently, the air is blown by the blowing device 351 and the air is drawn by the air drawing device 353, so as to take away the heat collected on the shell 31. Then, the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cell 32 is transferred to the casing 31 and collected on the casing 31 by the heat conduction of the heat conductor 34, so as to prevent the battery cell 32 from being in a high temperature state during the charging and discharging operations.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, a top perspective view and a front sectional view of another embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention are shown. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, in the battery holder 33 of the battery module 301 according to the present embodiment, the battery cells 32 are arranged in parallel, and the battery cells 32 in two adjacent rows are arranged in a staggered manner.

The battery module 301 also includes a plurality of conductive frames 37. The battery cells 32 are connected in series and parallel by the conductive frame 37. A part of the conductive frame 37 is disposed in the inner space of the first fixing frame 331 for electrically connecting the upper end electrodes (positive or negative electrodes) of the two adjacent battery cores 32, and the other part of the conductive frame 37 is disposed in the inner space of the second fixing frame 332 for electrically connecting the lower end electrodes (negative or positive electrodes) of the two adjacent battery cores 32.

Similarly, the battery module 301 of the present embodiment also has a plurality of heat conductors 36. The heat conductors 36 are provided in the intervals between the plurality of adjacent battery cells 32 located inside the battery holder 33 and distant from the air outlet. Furthermore, the conductive frame 37 spans between two adjacent battery cores 32, so that one end of the heat conductor 36 disposed in the space between the battery cores 32 will be blocked by the conductive frame 37 and cannot be connected to the housing 31. For example: the upper end of the thermal conductor 36 is blocked by the conductive frame 37 in the first fixing frame 331, and is not connected to the housing 31, while the lower end passes through the second fixing frame 332 and is connected to the housing 31; alternatively, the lower end of the thermal conductor 36 is blocked by the conductive frame 37 in the second fixing frame 332 and is not connected to the housing 31, and the upper end is connected to the housing 31 through the first fixing frame 331. In addition, in the present invention, the heat conductor 36 may also determine the appearance shape according to the tightness between the heat conductor 36 and the surrounding battery cells 32, for example: the heat conductors 36 are designed as triangular, circular or square metal cylinders.

Referring to fig. 8, 9 and 10A to 10D, a top perspective view, a front sectional view, a top view, a bottom view, a right side view, a left side view and a front view of a heat conductor according to another embodiment of the present invention are respectively shown. As shown in fig. 8, 9, and 10A to 10D, in battery module 302 of the present embodiment, heat conductor 36 is provided with flat portion 361 at one end thereof. The flat portion 361 is a member formed by widening and thinning one end of the heat conductor 36 by pressing. One end of each thermal conductor 36 is connected to the housing 31 (or called heat collector) through a flat portion 361, and is specifically disposed such that a narrow side of the flat portion 361 faces the air blowing port.

The flat portion 361 has the same function as the heat dissipation fins, and when it is disposed, it can increase the heat exchange area between the heat conductor 36 and the air, so as to improve the heat exchange efficiency. In addition, the flat portion 361 faces the air outlet with a narrow side, so that the wind resistance can be reduced, thereby preventing the heat exchange of the other rear heat conductors 36 from being affected.

Fig. 11 and 12 are a top perspective view and a front sectional view of another embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention. Compared to the battery module 300 of the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the battery module 303 of this embodiment further includes at least one metal block 39 with better thermal conductivity, such as a copper block or an aluminum block. The metal block 39 is provided on the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the inner edge of the housing 31. Both ends of the thermal conductor 34 are connected to the corresponding metal blocks 39, respectively. Furthermore, the heat conductor 34 can be designed as a metal cylinder with a circular, triangular or square shape. In the present embodiment, the metal block 39 is used as the heat collector. The heat generated by charging and discharging the battery core 32 is transferred to the metal block 39 by the heat conductor 34 and collected on the metal block 39, so as to prevent the battery core 32 from accumulating the heat generated by charging and discharging.

The large-area metal block 39 can also be used as a heat sink, which has a large thermal conductivity. The heat collected on the middle section and the rear side of the metal block 39 can be conducted to the front side of the metal block 39 having a lower temperature (e.g., the cold side near the air blowing port) for a long distance heat exchange efficiency.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 13, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 391 are further disposed on the surface of the metal block 39, so as to increase the heat exchange area of the metal block 39, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect of the metal block 39.

Fig. 14 and 15 are a top perspective view and a front sectional view of another embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention. Compared to the battery module 300 of the above embodiment, as shown in fig. 14 and 15, the battery module 304 of the embodiment further includes one or more metal blocks 39. Each metal block 39 corresponds to a specific area, and the two ends of the thermal conductors 34 inserted in the intervals of the plurality of battery cells 32 in the specific area are connected to the corresponding metal blocks 39.

Furthermore, the battery module 304 includes one or more heat pipes 392. One end (e.g., a heated end) of each heat pipe 392 is connected to the corresponding metal block 39, and the other end (e.g., a cooled end) is provided at a position closer to the air blowing port or is connected to the heat radiation fins 38. The heat dissipation fins 38 may also be disposed at a position where air convection is better, for example, the heat dissipation fins 38 are disposed beside the blowing port of the blowing device 351.

When the battery module 304 is in operation, the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cells 32 in the specific region is transferred to the corresponding metal blocks 39 by the heat conductor 34 and collected on the corresponding metal blocks 39. Then, the working fluid inside the heated end of the heat pipe 392 absorbs the heat collected on the metal block 39 and undergoes a phase change to rapidly transport the heat to the condensing end in a vapor flow manner. After the condensation end of the heat pipe 392 receives the heat, the heat received by the condensation end of the heat pipe 392 can be dissipated through the heat dissipation fins 38.

In this way, the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cells 32 collected in the specific region of each metal block 39 can be rapidly transferred to the cold side (e.g., the position of the heat dissipation fins 38) through the heat pipe 392, so as to accelerate the remote heat exchange, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery module 304 during operation.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit the scope of the claimed invention, i.e. all equivalent changes and modifications of the shape, structure, characteristics and spirit of the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module having a thermally conductive construction, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells;

the battery fixing frame is used for accommodating and fixing a plurality of battery cores; and

a plurality of heat conductors, each of which is respectively inserted into the space maintained between the corresponding adjacent battery cells, at least one end of each of the heat conductors vertically penetrating through the battery holder and being connected to a heat collector.

2. The battery module with a heat conduction structure according to claim 1, further comprising a metal case, wherein an air blowing port is provided at one side and an air suction port is provided at the other side inside the metal case, the battery holder is disposed between the air blowing port and the air suction port, and the heat collector is the metal case.

3. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer body is a metal post made of aluminum, a metal post made of copper, or a heat pipe.

4. The battery module having a heat conduction structure according to claim 2, wherein each of the heat transfer bodies is provided at one end thereof with a flat portion, each of the heat transfer bodies is connected to the heat collector through the flat portion, and the flat portion faces the air blowing port with a narrow side.

5. The battery module having a heat conduction structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is a metal cylinder of a circular shape, a triangular shape, or a square shape.

6. The battery module having a heat conduction structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat collector is a metal block.

7. The battery module having a heat conductive structure according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of heat dissipation fins are provided on a surface of the metal block.

8. The battery module having a heat conducting construction according to claim 2, further comprising at least one heat pipe, one end of which is connected to the heat collector and the other end of which is disposed at a position closer to the air blowing port.

9. The battery module of claim 8, further comprising heat dissipating fins, wherein the other end of the heat pipe is connected to the heat dissipating fins.

10. The battery module having a heat conduction structure according to claim 9, wherein the heat dissipation fins are provided beside the air blowing port.