CN220770436U - Connecting piece, battery pack and power utilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a connecting piece, a battery pack and an electric device. The connector of the present utility model is for connecting a plurality of thermal management components, comprising: a first connection portion for connecting the thermal management component; a second connection portion for connecting the thermal management component; a third connecting portion connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged along the first direction, and the width of the third connecting portion is smaller than the width of the first connecting portion or the width of the second connecting portion in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The technical scheme aims at solving the problem that a connecting piece for a thermal management component in the prior art cannot meet the requirement of an electric gap in a narrow space.

Description

Connecting piece, battery pack and power utilization device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the field of electric equipment, and particularly provides a connecting piece, a battery pack and an electric device.

Background

The power battery is used as a main power source of the new energy automobile, and the importance of the power battery to the new energy automobile is self-evident. In the actual vehicle use process, the use working conditions of the battery are complex and changeable. In order to improve the endurance mileage, the vehicle needs to arrange as many battery cells as possible in a certain space, so the space of the battery pack on the vehicle is very limited. Batteries generate a large amount of heat during vehicle operation and accumulate in relatively small spaces over time. Because of the dense stacking of the cells in the battery pack, the heat dissipation of the middle area is relatively more difficult to a certain extent, the temperature inconsistency among the cells is aggravated, and as a result, the charge and discharge efficiency of the battery is reduced, and the power of the battery is affected; thermal runaway can also result in severe cases, affecting the safety and life of the system.

The prior art generally provides a plurality of thermal management components, such as liquid cooling plates, within the battery pack so that the battery pack can be operated at a proper temperature range at all times to maintain the optimal operating state of the battery pack. However, in the prior art, the joints for the thermal management components are usually also the positions where the adjacent cell groups are spaced apart from each other, and many electrical components are arranged in a relatively small space, so that the short circuit is likely to occur due to too small electrical gaps caused by the manufacturing process, the assembly tolerance stack and the like.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a new solution to the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

The utility model provides a connecting piece for a thermal management component, which aims to solve the problem that the connecting piece for the thermal management component in the prior art cannot meet the requirement of an electric gap in a narrow space. The connector of the present utility model is for connecting a plurality of thermal management components, comprising: a first connection portion for connecting the thermal management component; a second connection portion for connecting the thermal management component; a third connecting portion connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion; the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged along a first direction, and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of the third connecting portion is smaller than the width of the first connecting portion or the width of the second connecting portion.

According to the utility model, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are respectively connected with different heat management components, so that the different heat management components arranged in the battery pack can be communicated to form series connection or parallel connection, and the cooling or heating effect is improved. The third connection portion is for connecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion, and the first connection portion, the third connection portion, and the second connection portion are arranged in the first direction such that the refrigerant flowing in the thermal management component flows into the connection member from the first connection portion and flows out of the connection member from the second connection portion through the third connection portion, or the refrigerant flows into the connection member from the second connection portion and flows out of the connection member from the first connection portion through the third connection portion. In a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of the third connection portion is smaller than the width of the first connection portion or the width of the second connection portion. With the above-described configuration, the connecting member assumes a narrower shape in the middle, so that more electrical components can be accommodated at the third connecting portion of the battery pack and the requirements for safe electrical clearance can still be satisfied.

In the above-mentioned optional technical scheme of the connecting piece, the third connecting portion includes relative first lateral wall and second lateral wall, first lateral wall with the second lateral wall is perpendicular to the second direction, first lateral wall with be provided with first recess between first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, be provided with the second recess between second lateral wall and first connecting portion, the second connecting portion. By the above configuration, the first groove surrounded by the first side wall, the first connecting part and the second connecting part can be used for accommodating other components required to be arranged in the battery pack; similarly, the second groove surrounded by the second side wall, the first connecting part and the second connecting part can be used for accommodating other parts which need to be arranged in the battery pack, so that the space utilization rate of the connecting part is improved while the electric gap is met.

In an alternative solution of the above connection, a cavity is provided in the connection, and the cavity is used for communicating with the channel of the thermal management component. Through the configuration, the cavity is arranged in the connecting piece, so that the sealing connection between the connecting piece and the thermal management component is simpler to form and arrange, and the production cost is reduced.

In an optional technical solution of the above connecting piece, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a thickness of the third connecting portion is equal to a thickness of the first connecting portion and a thickness of the second connecting portion. Through the configuration, the connecting piece with the equal thickness of the first connecting part, the second connecting part and the third connecting part is easy to process and low in cost.

In an optional solution of the above connecting piece, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, a thickness of the third connecting portion is smaller than a thickness of the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion. With the above configuration, the thickness of the third connecting portion is made thinner so as to satisfy the requirement of the safety electric gap.

In the above-mentioned optional technical solution of the connecting piece, the total thickness H1 of the third connecting portion satisfies: 4mm is less than or equal to H1 is less than or equal to 15mm, and the thickness H2 of the first connecting part and the second connecting part meets the following conditions: h2 is more than or equal to 5mm and less than or equal to 15mm. In the third direction, the position of the connecting piece between the thermal management components corresponds to the position of the electric connection component between the battery cells, the electric connection component is closer to the position of the connecting piece, the thickness of the cold plate connecting piece is set to be thin enough under the condition that the position of the electric connection component is fixed, and the distance between the connecting piece and the electric connection component is far enough, so that a safe electric gap can be met. Through the configuration, the overall thickness of the connecting piece is thinner, and the requirements of safety electric gaps in battery packs with various specifications can be met.

In the above-mentioned alternative solution of the connecting member, the first dimension H3 of the cavity of the connecting member satisfies: h3 is more than or equal to 2mm and less than or equal to 10mm. Through the arrangement, on one hand, the thickness of the connecting piece can be ensured so as to meet the safety electric gap, and in addition, the refrigerant flow in the connecting piece can be met so as to cool the electric connection assembly.

In an alternative aspect of the above connecting member, the first dimension of the cavity of the third connecting portion is smaller than the first dimension of the cavities of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. By the above configuration, the cavity forms a structure that contracts and expands, so that the fluid flow rate in the cavity of the third connecting portion is accelerated.

The utility model further provides a battery pack, which aims to solve the problem that a connecting piece for a thermal management component in the battery pack in the prior art cannot meet the requirement of an electric gap in a narrow space. The battery pack of the utility model comprises a battery cell and a plurality of thermal management components connected by the connector in the alternative solution described above. Through the setting of connecting piece, the space utilization of battery package in setting up connecting piece department is higher, and the risk that causes the short circuit is lower because the electric gap is too little.

The utility model also provides an electric device. The power utilization device comprises the battery pack in the optional technical scheme. By the arrangement of the battery pack, the risk of short circuit of the electric device caused by too small electric gap is reduced.

Drawings

Alternative embodiments of the utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a connector of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of an embodiment of a battery pack of the present utility model;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the embodiment of the battery pack of the present utility model shown in FIG. 5;

fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view at A-A of the embodiment of the battery pack of the present utility model shown in fig. 5.

List of reference numerals:

100. a connecting piece; 100a, a first connector; 100b, a second connector; 10. a first connection portion; 20. a second connecting portion; 30. a third connecting portion; 31. a first sidewall; 32. a second sidewall; 33. a first groove; 34. a second groove; 35. a third sidewall; 36. a fourth sidewall; 37. a third groove; 40. a cavity; 41. a first sub-cavity; 42. a third sub-cavity; 200. a thermal management component; 300. an electrical connection assembly; 400. a cross beam; 500. and a mounting piece.

Detailed Description

Alternative embodiments of the present utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are merely for explaining the technical principles of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model.

In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the terms "distance," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, merely to facilitate description of the present utility model and simplify description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be configured and operated in a particular orientation, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present utility model.

In the description of the present utility model, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless specifically defined otherwise.

Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of the present utility model, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "disposed," "connected" and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be directly connected, can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can also be communicated with the inside of two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood by those skilled in the art according to the specific circumstances.

In order to solve the problem that the connector for thermal management components in the prior art cannot meet the electrical clearance requirement in a narrow space, the present utility model provides a connector 100. The connector 100 of the present utility model is for connecting a plurality of thermal management components 200, comprising: a first connection part 10 for connecting the thermal management member 200; a second connection part 20 for connecting the thermal management component 200; a third connecting portion 30 connecting the first connecting portion 10 and the second connecting portion 20; the first connection part 10, the third connection part 30, and the second connection part 20 are arranged in a first direction, and a width of the third connection part 30 is smaller than a width of the first connection part 10 or a width of the second connection part 20 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a connector of the present utility model; FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in FIG. 1; fig. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the connector of the present utility model shown in fig. 1. The technical scheme of the utility model is described in detail below with reference to fig. 1 to 4.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the connector 100 of the present utility model includes a first connection portion 10, a second connection portion 20, and a third connection portion 30 formed together. In one or more embodiments, the first, third and second connection portions 10, 30 and 20 are arranged in a first direction, wherein the first direction is a left-right direction based on the orientation of fig. 2. As shown in fig. 4, in one or more embodiments, a cavity 40 is formed within the connector 100, the cavity 40 being adapted to communicate with a channel of a thermal management component 200 (shown in fig. 7). Alternatively, the interior of the connector 100 may be configured to contain a plurality of cavities 40 that are not in communication with one another. In one or more embodiments, the cavity 40 includes a first subcavity 41 located within the first connecting portion 10, a third subcavity 42 located within the third connecting portion 30, and a second subcavity (not shown) located within the second connecting portion 20. Alternatively, the cavity 40 may be configured in other suitable shapes. In one or more embodiments, the connector 100 is made of an aluminum alloy material. Alternatively, the connector 100 may be made of other suitable metallic materials.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, in one or more embodiments, the first connection portion 10 extends a first predetermined distance in a first direction and is generally flat, tubular in shape so as to mate with a thermal management component. Accordingly, the first connection portion 10 is adapted to receive a thermal management component that is also flat tubular. The thermal management component may be configured as a liquid cooled plate, i.e. a plate-like heat exchanger with flowing refrigerant inside. Alternatively, the cross-section of the first connection portion 10 may be provided in other suitable shapes, such as circular, triangular, etc., for sealing abutment with a mating thermal management component. In one or more embodiments, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to be up and down based on the orientation shown in FIG. 2. In the second direction, the first connection portion 10 has a first predetermined width. In one or more embodiments, the first connection 10 has a thickness H2 in the third direction perpendicular to both the second direction and the first direction, i.e., the up-down direction based on the orientation shown in fig. 3. In one or more embodiments, the thickness H2 is set to a value of 5mm or more and 15mm or less. Alternatively, the thickness H2 may be set to other suitable values.

With continued reference to fig. 3, in one or more embodiments, a first subcavity 41 is formed within the interior of the first connection portion 10 and is in communication with a third subcavity 42. The first sub-cavity 41 has a first dimension, which in one or more embodiments is configured as a first cavity height along a third direction. Alternatively, the first dimension of the first subcavity may be configured to other dimensions as well. The first sub-cavity 41 also has a first cavity width in the second direction.

In one or more embodiments, the second connection portion 20 extends a second predetermined distance in a first direction and is generally flat, tubular in shape to facilitate mating with a thermal management component. The second predetermined distance may be the same as the first predetermined distance or may be different from the first predetermined distance. Accordingly, the second connection portion 20 is adapted to receive a thermal management component that is also flat tubular. The thermal management component may be configured as a liquid cooled plate, i.e. a plate-like heat exchanger with flowing refrigerant inside. Alternatively, the cross-section of the second connection 20 may be provided in other suitable shapes, such as circular, triangular, etc., for sealing engagement with a mating thermal management component. In one or more embodiments, the second connection portion 20 has a second predetermined width in the second direction and a thickness H2 in the third direction, i.e., the thickness of the second connection portion 20 is configured to be the same as the thickness of the first connection portion 10 in the third direction. In one or more embodiments, the second predetermined width may be configured to be the same as the first predetermined width such that the first and second connection portions 10, 20 are adapted to receive thermal management components of the same gauge. Alternatively, the second predetermined width may also be configured to be different from the first predetermined width.

In one or more embodiments, a second subcavity is formed inside the second connection 20 and is in communication with the third subcavity 42. The second sub-cavity has a first dimension, which in one or more embodiments is configured to be a second cavity height along a third direction. Alternatively, the first dimension of the second subcavity may be configured to other dimensions as well. The second sub-cavity also has a second cavity width in a second direction. The second cavity width may be configured to be the same as the first cavity width and the second cavity height may also be configured to be the same as the first cavity height, such that the first connection portion 10 and the second connection portion 20 are adapted to receive thermal management components of the same gauge. Alternatively, the second cavity width may also be configured to be different than the first cavity width. Alternatively, the second cavity height may also be configured to be different from the first cavity height.

With continued reference to fig. 1, 2 and 3, in one or more embodiments, the third connecting portion 30 extends in a first direction and is flat and tubular in cross-section. Alternatively, the third connecting portion 30 may be configured in other suitable shapes. The third connecting portion 30 has a third predetermined width in the second direction, which is smaller than the first predetermined width or the second predetermined width, so that the connecting member 100 takes a shape with a smaller middle. In one or more embodiments, the third connecting portion 30 includes opposing first and second sidewalls 31, 32. Both the first side wall 31 and the second side wall 32 are perpendicular to the second direction. A first groove 33 is provided between the first sidewall 31 and the first and second connection portions 10 and 20. The first recess 33 is adapted to receive other components within the battery pack, such as an electrical connection assembly 300 (shown in fig. 5) for connecting the battery tabs, such that the third connection portion 30 remains in a safe electrical clearance with the other components at all times. A second groove 34 is provided between the second side wall 32 and the first and second connection portions 10, 20. The second recess 34 is also adapted to receive other components within the battery pack, such as a cross-beam 400 (shown in fig. 7) for supporting the battery pack case. In alternative embodiments, one of the first groove 33 and the second groove 34 may be eliminated.

With continued reference to fig. 3, the third connection 30 also has a total thickness H1 in the third direction. In one or more embodiments, the total thickness H1 is configured to be less than the thickness H2. The third connecting portion 30 further includes opposed third and fourth side walls 35 and 36. The third side wall 35 and the fourth side wall 36 are perpendicular to the third direction. The distance between the third side wall 35 and the fourth side wall 36 is the total thickness H1. Wherein, a third groove 37 is arranged between the fourth side wall 36 and the first connecting part 10 and the second connecting part 20. The third recess 37 is also adapted to clear other components within the battery pack to maintain a safe electrical clearance for the connector 100 from the other components. Namely, under the condition that the thickness of the whole connecting piece is smaller, the third groove is designed, and the requirement of larger electric clearance is further met. Alternatively, the third groove 37 may be formed between the third sidewall 35 and the first and second connection parts 10 and 20. In alternative embodiments, the total thickness H1 may also be configured to be the same as the thickness H2, and accordingly, the third groove 37 is eliminated. In one or more embodiments, the total thickness H1 is set to a value of 4mm or more and 15mm or less. Alternatively, the total thickness H1 may be configured to other suitable values.

With continued reference to fig. 4, the third sub-cavity 42 has a first dimension that, in one or more embodiments, is configured as a third cavity height along a third direction. Alternatively, the first dimension of the third sub-cavity may be configured to other dimensions as well. The third sub-cavity 42 also has a third cavity width in the second direction. In one or more embodiments, the third cavity height is less than the first cavity height and the second cavity height such that in the first direction, the cavity 40 is in a first-contracted-then-expanded shape. Alternatively, the third cavity height may also be configured to be equal to the first cavity height and the second cavity height, where the first dimensions of the three cavities (i.e., the height in the third direction) are equal and may be denoted as H3. In one or more embodiments, the first cavity height, the second cavity height, and the third cavity height are all set to a value of 2mm or more and less than 10mm. Alternatively, the first cavity height, the second cavity height and the third cavity height may be set to other suitable values according to actual needs. In one or more embodiments, the third cavity width is less than the first cavity width and the second cavity width. The manufacturing process flow may be configured to first form a blank of the connector 100 having the equal width cavity 40 and then mill first and second sub-cavities 41 and 20, respectively, at the first and second connection portions 10 and 20, which are larger than the width of the current cavity 40. Alternatively, the third cavity width may also be configured to be equal to the first cavity width, the second cavity width.

The relevant test comparative data are shown in table 1.

Table 1:

through the comparison, the connecting piece provided by the utility model has the advantages that the safety electric gap is met, and meanwhile, the occupied space of the battery pack is small.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of an embodiment of a battery pack of the present utility model; FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the embodiment of the battery pack of the present utility model shown in FIG. 5; fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view at A-A of the embodiment of the battery pack of the present utility model shown in fig. 5.

The utility model also provides a battery pack. As shown in fig. 5, 6 and 7, the battery pack includes a plurality of thermal management members 200 and the above-described connection members 100 for connecting the thermal management members 200. The first connection portion 10 and the second connection portion 20 of the connection member 100 are respectively in communication with 1 thermal management component 200. In one or more embodiments, the connector 100 includes a plurality of first connectors 100a and a plurality of second connectors 100b, wherein the first connectors 100a are provided with third grooves 37 (i.e., H1 is smaller than H2), and the second connectors 100b are not provided with third grooves 37 (i.e., h1=h2). A mounting member 500 for forming a fixed connection with the middle part of the vehicle body is also provided in the battery pack. The 2 first connectors 100a are respectively disposed at both sides of the mount, and the third grooves 37 are directed toward the mount 500 so that a safe electrical gap is maintained between the first connectors 100a and the mount 500 by the disposition of the third grooves 37. Alternatively, the mounting member 500 and the corresponding first connector 100a may be omitted.

With continued reference to fig. 7, in one or more embodiments, the battery pack further includes an electrical connection assembly 300 (tabs) for connecting the various cell tabs and a cross-beam 400 for supporting the battery pack case. The electrical connection assembly 300 extends through the first recess 33 and the cross beam 400 extends through the second recess 34. Alternatively, the electrical connection assembly 300 and the cross beam 400 may be provided as other suitable components to be accommodated in the space enclosed by the first recess 33 and the second recess 34. With the above configuration, the space utilization in the battery pack is high, and a safe electrical gap can be maintained between the components.

The utility model also provides an electric device. The power utilization device comprises the battery pack, so that the power utilization device has the advantage of low risk of short circuit caused by an electric gap. The power utilization device can be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a notebook computer, an electric toy, an electric tool, a battery car, an electric automobile, a ship, a spacecraft and the like. Among them, the electric toy may include fixed or mobile electric toys, such as game machines, electric car toys, electric ship toys, electric plane toys, and the like, and the spacecraft may include planes, rockets, space planes, and spacecraft, and the like.

Thus far, the technical solution of the present utility model has been described in connection with the alternative embodiments shown in the drawings, but it is easily understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of protection of the present utility model is not limited to these specific embodiments. Equivalent modifications and substitutions for related technical features may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the present utility model, and such modifications and substitutions will fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims (10)

1. A connector for connecting a plurality of thermal management components, comprising:

a first connection portion for connecting the thermal management component;

a second connection portion for connecting the thermal management component;

a third connecting portion connecting the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion;

the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion and the second connecting portion are arranged along a first direction, and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of the third connecting portion is smaller than the width of the first connecting portion or the width of the second connecting portion.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the third connecting portion comprises a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other, the first side wall and the second side wall are perpendicular to the second direction, a first groove is formed between the first side wall and the first connecting portion, and a second groove is formed between the second side wall and the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein a cavity is disposed within the connector, the cavity for communication with a channel of the thermal management component.

4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the third connecting portion and the thickness of the first and second connecting portions are equal in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

5. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the third connecting portion is smaller than the thickness of the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

6. The connection according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the total thickness H1 of the third connection portion satisfies: 4mm is less than or equal to H1 is less than or equal to 15mm, and the thickness H2 of the first connecting part and the second connecting part meets the following conditions: h2 is more than or equal to 5mm and less than or equal to 15mm.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first dimension H3 of the cavity of the connector satisfies: h3 is more than or equal to 2mm and less than or equal to 10mm.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the first dimension of the cavity of the third connector is smaller than the first dimension of the cavities of the first connector and the second connector.

9. A battery pack comprising a battery cell and a plurality of thermal management components connected by the connector of any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An electrical device comprising the battery pack of claim 9.