Liquid cooling plate and battery module

Provided are a liquid cooling plate and a battery module. The liquid cooling plate has a first liquid cooling portion and a second liquid cooling portion that are perpendicular to each other. The first liquid cooling portion is located at a middle position of the second liquid cooling portion in a first direction. The liquid cooling plate includes: a first plate body having a one-piece structure and including the first liquid cooling portion and a cover body portion of the second liquid cooling portion, the first plate body having a first flow channel of the first liquid cooling portion; and a second plate body having a one-piece structure and fixedly connected to the cover body portion, a second flow channel of the second liquid cooling portion being defined between the second plate body and the cover body portion. The first flow channel is in communication with the second flow channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310736886.5 filed on Jun. 21, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of liquid cooling apparatus technologies, and more particularly, to a liquid cooling plate and a battery module.

BACKGROUND

Secondary batteries generate a large amount of heat during a charging and discharging process. An accumulation and an uneven distribution of heat in a battery directly endangers electrochemical performance and safety performance of the battery. When the battery has a high temperature, battery performance decreases and the battery is prone to experience a thermal runaway, which in serious cases causes the battery to catch fire or even explode. For this reason, reasonable cooling measures need to be adopted for a battery module or a battery box. Under an operation condition of a harsh temperature environment, the battery needs to be heated and cooled appropriately, such that the battery operates within its reasonable temperature range to ensure thermal safety performance of the battery.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cooling plate having a first liquid cooling portion and a second liquid cooling portion that are perpendicular to each other, the first liquid cooling portion being located at a middle position of the second liquid cooling portion in a first direction. The liquid cooling plate includes a first plate body, a second plate body and a third plate body. The first plate body has a one-piece structure. The first plate body includes the first liquid cooling portion and a cover body portion of the second liquid cooling portion, and the first plate body has a first flow channel of the first liquid cooling portion. The first plate body includes a first part, a second part, a third part, and a fourth part that are bent consecutively. The second part and the third part are arranged opposite to each other to form the first liquid cooling portion. The cover body portion is formed by the first part and the fourth part, the first part has an end connected to an end of the fourth part, the first part and the fourth part extend in opposite directions from respective ends connected to each other. The second plate body has a one-piece structure and is fixedly connected to the cover body portion, a second flow channel of the second liquid cooling portion being defined between the second plate body and the cover body portion. The first flow channel is in communication with the second flow channel. The second plate body has a third flow sub-channel formed through stamping, the third flow sub-channel including a groove surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface protruding in a direction away from a side of the cover body portion, and the second flow channel being defined by the third flow sub-channel and the cover body portion. The third plate body is disposed at a side of the second plate body away from the cover body portion, the bottom surface of the third flow sub-channel being in contact with the third plate body, a thermal insulation passage being formed between the third plate body and a part of the second plate body not participating in forming the second flow channel, and the thermal insulation passage being filled with a thermal insulation material. The first plate body and the second plate body are in face-to-face contact and sealingly connected to each other at positions corresponding to the thermal insulation passage. The liquid cooling plate has a fixation hole penetrating the second liquid cooling portion and formed at an outer side of the second flow channel. Each of the first part and the fourth part has a sealing portion configured to form the fixation hole, the sealing portion extending towards a side close to the second plate body, and the second plate body having a passage hole for passage of the sealing portion. A seal is further disposed between the second plate body and the third plate body and configured to seal the fixation hole, the seal having an outer diameter greater than a diameter of the fixation hole at the third plate body.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a battery module. The battery module includes at least two battery cells and a liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate having a first liquid cooling portion and a second liquid cooling portion that are perpendicular to each other, the first liquid cooling portion being located at a middle position of the second liquid cooling portion in a first direction. The liquid cooling plate includes a first plate body, a second plate body and a third plate body. The first plate body has a one-piece structure. The first plate body includes the first liquid cooling portion and a cover body portion of the second liquid cooling portion, and the first plate body has a first flow channel of the first liquid cooling portion. The first plate body includes a first part, a second part, a third part, and a fourth part that are bent consecutively. The second part and the third part are arranged opposite to each other to form the first liquid cooling portion. The cover body portion is formed by the first part and the fourth part, the first part has an end connected to an end of the fourth part, the first part and the fourth part extend in opposite directions from respective ends connected to each other. The second plate body has a one-piece structure and is fixedly connected to the cover body portion, a second flow channel of the second liquid cooling portion being defined between the second plate body and the cover body portion. The first flow channel is in communication with the second flow channel. The second plate body has a third flow sub-channel formed through stamping, the third flow sub-channel including a groove surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface protruding in a direction away from a side of the cover body portion, and the second flow channel being defined by the third flow sub-channel and the cover body portion. The third plate body is disposed at a side of the second plate body away from the cover body portion, the bottom surface of the third flow sub-channel being in contact with the third plate body, a thermal insulation passage being formed between the third plate body and a part of the second plate body not participating in forming the second flow channel, and the thermal insulation passage being filled with a thermal insulation material. The first plate body and the second plate body are in face-to-face contact and sealingly connected to each other at positions corresponding to the thermal insulation passage. The liquid cooling plate has a fixation hole penetrating the second liquid cooling portion and formed at an outer side of the second flow channel. Each of the first part and the fourth part has a sealing portion configured to form the fixation hole, the sealing portion extending towards a side close to the second plate body, and the second plate body having a passage hole for passage of the sealing portion. A seal is further disposed between the second plate body and the third plate body and configured to seal the fixation hole, the seal having an outer diameter greater than a diameter of the fixation hole at the third plate body.

In the accompanying drawings:100, liquid cooling plate;10, first liquid cooling portion;20, second liquid cooling portion;30, first flow channel;40, second flow channel;110, first plate body;120, second plate body;130, third plate body;101, first part;102, second part;103, third part;104, fourth part;105, cover body portion;111, first side surface;112, second side surface;113, first bent portion;114, second bent portion;115, third bent portion;116, first flow sub-channel;117, second flow sub-channel;310, first straight segment;320, second straight segment;330, first detour segment;301, first sub-channel;302, second sub-channel;303, first detour sub-channel;304, third sub-channel;305, fourth sub-channel;306, second detour sub-channel;211, first surface;212, second surface;213, third flow sub-channel;410, third straight segment;420, fourth straight segment;430, second detour segment;2101, groove surface;2102, bottom surface;50, first port;60, second port;70, third port;80, fourth port;90, external pipe;1010, liquid inlet pipe;1020, liquid outlet pipe;510, recess;520, diversion groove;530, thermal insulation passage;540, rivet;550, fixation hole;560, sealing portion;570, passage hole;580, seal;200, battery cell;300, connection sheet;400, first heat conduction pad;500, second heat conduction pad;201, first surface;202, second surface;203, third surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments. It should be understood that, the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present disclosure rather than to limit the present disclosure. In addition, it should also be noted that, for convenience of description, only parts related to the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

It should be noted that, the embodiments of the present disclosure and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without any conflict. The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments.

As a main component of a thermal management system of the battery module, a liquid cooling plate undertakes functions such as cooling, heating, and temperature equalization of the battery. However, most of the battery modules in the industry have a relatively low thermal management efficiency in active thermal management and an unsatisfactory overall temperature uniformity.

In view of the above defects or deficiencies in the related art, a liquid cooling plate and a battery module are provided, which can improve an overall temperature uniformity of a battery module and improve a thermal management efficiency.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the present disclosure provides a liquid cooling plate100having a first liquid cooling portion10and a second liquid cooling portion20that are perpendicular to each other. The first liquid cooling portion10is located at a middle position of the second liquid cooling portion20in a first direction. The liquid cooling plate100includes a first plate body110and a second plate body120. The first plate body110has a one-piece structure. The first plate body110includes the first liquid cooling portion10and a cover body portion105of the second liquid cooling portion20, and the first plate body110has a first flow channel30of the first liquid cooling portion10. The second plate body120has a one-piece structure and is fixedly connected to the cover body portion105. A second flow channel40of the second liquid cooling portion20is defined between the second plate body120and the cover body portion105. The first flow channel30is in communication with the second flow channel40.

In the present disclosure, the liquid cooling plate100with a T-shaped structure is formed by the first liquid cooling portion10and the second liquid cooling portion20that are perpendicular to each other, in such a manner that simultaneous heating or simultaneous cooling for a bottom surface of a battery module and a side surface of the battery module can be realized. Also, a large heat exchange area is provided, and thus a contact area between the liquid cooling plate100and a battery cell200can be increased, improving uniformity of heat exchange. Simultaneous cooling or simultaneous heating for the bottom surface of the battery cell200and the side surface of the battery cell200can be accomplished by only one external heating or cooling circulation system, reducing complexity of the external circulation system. In the present disclosure, each of the first plate body110, the second plate body120, and a third plate body130may be made of aluminum, which has a high thermal conductivity and allows processing techniques such as bending and stamping to be implemented easily.

The manufacturing process and the mounting process of the liquid cooling plate100are simple. The liquid cooling plate100has a high space utilization rate and satisfactory sealing performance, is free from a risk of liquid leakage, provides a thermal management system with a high structural strength, and has a uniform flow distribution for a medium. With the liquid cooling plate100in the present disclosure, heating, cooling, or heat preservation of the battery cells200can be achieved to ensure that the battery cells200operate within an appropriate temperature range, which reduces a risk of a thermal failure of a battery.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the first plate body110includes a first part101, a second part102, a third part103, and a fourth part104that are arranged consecutively. A bending angle between the first part101and the second part102is equal to or approximately equal to 90 degrees. A bending angle between the second part102and the third part103is equal to or approximately equal to 180 degrees. A bending angle between the third part103and the fourth part104is equal to or approximately equal to 90 degrees. The first part101has an end connected to an end of the fourth part104. The first part101and the fourth part104extend in opposite directions from respective ends connected to each other. The cover body portion105is formed by the first part101and the fourth part104.

It should be noted that “equal” described in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a strict angular consistency, while “approximately equal” refers to an approximate angular consistency, including the stated value and an average value within an acceptable deviation range of a specified value. The acceptable deviation range is determined by those skilled in the art taking into account process preparation errors or measurement-related errors. For example, the error ranges from 0% to 5%. In the present disclosure, a predetermined arc transition surface may be formed between the first part101and the second part102, which can be adjusted based on application scenarios during specific applications.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover portion105includes the first part101and the fourth part104that are coplanar and formed after bending the first plate body110. The cover body portion105can be configured to fix the second plate body120on the one hand, and can be used as a sealing cover for the second flow channel40on the other hand. The second flow channel40is formed by the cover body portion105and a recessed portion (a third flow sub-channel213) defined at the second plate body120. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover body portion105has a planar shape, which can facilitate fixation, mounting, or the like for the liquid cooling plate and the battery cell. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In different embodiments, the cover body portion105may also have the recessed portion to further define a shape of the second flow channel40.

In the present disclosure, before the first plate body110is in an unbent state, the first plate body110includes a first side surface111and a second side surface112that are arranged opposite to each other. After the first plate body110is in a bent state, the second part102is located at a same height as the third part103. A second side surface112of the second part102and a second side surface112of the third part103are arranged adjacent to each other. A first side surface111of the second part102and the second side surface112of the third part103are arranged opposite to each other. The first part101and the fourth part104are located at a same horizontal side surface and form the cover body portion105of the second liquid cooling portion20. A first side surface111of the first part101is aligned with a first side surface111of the fourth part104. A second side surface112of the first part101is aligned with a second side surface112of the fourth part104. The first part101has a same width as the fourth part104.

It should be understood that, due to a limitation of a thickness of the first plate body110, the second side surfaces112cannot be completely attached to each other at individual bending positions, and thus gaps still exist at some positions. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first plate body110includes a first bent portion113between the first part101and the second part102, a second bent portion114between the second part102and the third part103, and a third bent portion115between the third part103and the fourth part104. When the first flow channel30is defined, a predetermined distance is formed between the first flow channel30and each of the first bent portion113, the second bent portion114, and the third bent portion115to prevent problems such as a liquid leakage.

Further, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the second part102and the third part103are sealingly connected through welding. In the present disclosure, a welding process is adopted to weld the second part102and the third part103, such that fixation of the second part102and the third part103is realized on the one hand, and sealing between the second part102and the third part103is realized on the other hand. That is, the first flow channel30is sealed to prevent a fluid leakage. The welding process may be implemented in manners such as laser welding and friction stir welding. Welding positions may be set at a first region between the first flow channel30and the first bent portion113, a second region between the first flow channel30and the second bent portion114, and a third region between the first flow channel30and the third bent portion115. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other sealing manners may be adopted, such as a manner of using a sealant. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIG.3andFIG.4, the second part102has a first flow sub-channel116. The third part103has a second flow sub-channel117. The first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117are arranged opposite to each other to form the first flow channel30.

At the first liquid cooling portion10, the first flow channel30includes a first straight segment310and a second straight segment320that are arranged in parallel. The first straight segment310is in communication with the second straight segment320at an end of the first straight segment310and an end of the second straight segment320through a first detour segment330. The other end of the first straight segment310is disconnected from the other end of the second straight segment320. The other end of the first straight segment310has a first port50. The other end of the second straight segment320has a second port60.

It should be noted that, in the present disclosure, the first direction is defined as a width direction of the second liquid cooling portion20, a second direction is defined as a length direction of the first liquid cooling portion10and the second liquid cooling portion20, and a third direction is defined as a height direction of the first liquid cooling portion10. Each of the first straight segment310and the second straight segment320extends in the second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction in a horizontal plane. The first part101and the fourth part104are disposed at both sides of the first liquid cooling portion10in the first direction, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first flow sub-channel116includes a first sub-channel301and a second sub-channel302that are arranged in parallel and a first detour sub-channel303between the first sub-channel301and the second sub-channel302. The first flow sub-channel116at the second part102includes a first sub-channel301and a second sub-channel302that are arranged in parallel and the first detour sub-channel303between the first sub-channel301and the second sub-channel302. The second flow sub-channel117includes a third sub-channel304and a fourth sub-channel305that are arranged in parallel and a second detour sub-channel306between the third sub-channel304and the fourth sub-channel305. When the first liquid cooling portion10is formed, the first sub-channel301and the third sub-channel304are symmetrically arranged with respect to the second side surface112of the second part102. In addition, the first straight segment310is formed by the first sub-channel301and the third sub-channel304after the second part102and the third part103are sealed. The second sub-channel302and the fourth sub-channel305are symmetrically arranged with respect to the second side surface112of the second part102. In addition, the second straight segment320is formed by the second sub-channel302and the fourth sub-channel305after the second part102and the third part103are sealed. The first detour sub-channel303and the second detour sub-channel306are symmetrically arranged with respect to the second side surface112of the second part102. In addition, the first detour segment330is formed by the first detour sub-channel303and the second detour sub-channel306after the second part102and the third part103are sealed.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117are formed through stamping. In addition, when the first plate body110is in the unbent state, a stamping protrusion of the first flow sub-channel116and a stamping protrusion of the second flow sub-channel117are oriented in a same stamping direction. Exemplarily, in the present disclosure, the first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117are stamped from the second side surface112to the first side surface111, and are then oriented in opposite stamping directions after being bent by 180 degrees.

Similarly, as illustrated inFIG.5, the second plate body120has a third flow sub-channel213formed through stamping. The third flow sub-channel213includes a groove surface2101and a bottom surface2102. The bottom surface2102protrudes in a direction away from a side of the cover body portion105. The second flow channel40is defined by the third flow sub-channel213and the cover body portion105.

The second flow channel40includes a third straight segment410and a fourth straight segment420that are arranged in parallel. The third straight segment410is in communication with the fourth straight segment420at an end of the third straight segment410and an end of the fourth straight segment420through a second detour segment430. The other end of the third straight segment410is disconnected from the other end of the fourth straight segment420. The third straight segment410is in communication with a third port70at the other end of the third straight segment410. The fourth straight segment420is in communication with a fourth port80at the other end of the fourth straight segment420. The third straight segment410, the fourth straight segment420, and the second detour segment430are set in a manner similar to that of the first straight segment310, the second straight segment320, and the first detour segment330. It should be noted that, as illustrated inFIG.5andFIG.6, the second plate body120includes a first surface211and a second surface212that are arranged opposite to each other. The first surface211is adjacent to the second surface202of the first plate body110. A stamping direction of the third flow sub-channel213is oriented from the first surface211to the second surface212. In the present disclosure, the third straight segment410corresponds to the first part101, and the fourth straight segment420corresponds to the fourth part104. Since the first part101and the fourth part104are horizontal at the respective second surface202, no stamping region is provided. Therefore, the second flow channel40is formed by sealing only the third flow sub-channel213at the second plate body120and the flat second side surface112(illustrated inFIG.7) at the first plate body110.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, sealing of the second flow channel40may also be realized through a welding process. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The present disclosure further provides a manner of realizing sealing using a holeless rivet540, through which the first plate body110and the second plate body120and/or the third plate body130are sealingly connected. That is, holeless riveting is realized at edges of the first plate body110, the second plate body120and the third plate body130, such that parts of the plate bodies at connections can be tightly compressed to improve a sealing degree. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a riveting position of the holeless rivet540is not limited. In some embodiments, the holeless rivet540may be riveted at positions of the first plate body110and the second plate body120corresponding to a thermal insulation passage530and a diversion groove520. The second part102and the third part103can also be sealed or further sealed using the holeless rivet540. As illustrated inFIG.8, in other embodiments, the riveting position can be any position at a contact surface between the second plate body120and the third plate body130, e.g., at a recess510. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

In the present disclosure, the first liquid cooling portion10formed by the one-piece bending method can be sealed at edge positions of the first flow channel30through welding, riveting, etc., to avoid a plugging method adopted in some conventional designs, reducing a risk of liquid leakage.

It should be further clarified that, in the present disclosure, as an example of description, the first flow channel30includes two straight segments. In different embodiments, to improve a heat exchange efficiency, more straight segments may be provided to form a serpentine channel. A specific shape of the first flow channel30and a specific shape of the second flow channel40are not limited in the present disclosure. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first flow channel30and the second flow channel40may be formed in a curved shape, an S shape, or the like.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first flow channel30is connected to the second flow channel40by a connection pipe disposed outside a flow channel. As illustrated inFIG.7andFIG.10, the first port50is disposed at the second part102and/or the third part103, and the second port60is disposed at the second part102and/or the third part103. It should be understood that positions of the first port50and the second port60are not limited in the present disclosure. The first port50and the second port60may be disposed at a same part or at different parts. In the present disclosure, as an example of description, each of the first port50and the second port60is disposed at the second part102.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first part101has the third port70in communication with the second flow channel40. The fourth part104has a fourth port80in communication with the second flow channel40. The second straight segment320is disposed below the first straight segment310at a side of the first straight segment310close to the first part101, the first port50is a liquid inlet. The second port60is connected to, through an external pipe90, one of the third port70and the fourth port80that is disposed at a same side as the second port60. The other one of the third port70and the fourth port80is a liquid outlet. For example, the third port70and the second port60are located at a same side of the first liquid cooling portion10. The third port70and the second port60are connected by the external pipe90. The first port50is the liquid inlet to which a liquid inlet pipe1010is connected. The fourth port80is the liquid outlet to which a liquid outlet pipe1020is connected.

In this embodiment, the external pipe90, the liquid outlet pipe1020, and the liquid inlet pipe1010may be fixed through welding, or insertion and connection for the external pipe90, the liquid outlet pipe1020, and the liquid inlet pipe1010may be realized using a metallic flexible pipe quick connector or a plastic flexible pipe quick connector. Comparatively speaking, a temperature of a medium in an inflow direction is relatively low, while the temperature of the medium in an outflow direction is relatively high after the medium absorbs heat emitted by the battery cell200. In the present disclosure, with a liquid inlet disposed at the first liquid cooling portion10and a liquid outlet disposed at the second liquid cooling portion20, a heat exchange rate of the first liquid cooling portion10can be improved. In addition, the temperature of the medium in the flow channel can be self-equalized inside the liquid cooling plate100, realizing temperature uniformity of the entire liquid cooling plate100.

Further, it should be noted that, based on the study of the battery, in a height direction of the battery, a thermal conductivity is high and heat transfer is fast, and a temperature distribution of the battery cell200is that the battery cell200has a relatively high temperature in a middle part and an upper part. In a case of a sufficient pressure in the flow channel, the flow channel can be ensured to be filled with a heat exchange medium regardless of whether a top-in and bottom-out method or a bottom-in and top-out method is adopted for the liquid cooling plate100. However, the top-in and bottom-out method is more suitable for a small flow channel, enabling a cooling medium to flow through the upper part first. The bottom-in and top-out method is more suitable for a large flow channel as the large flow channel is able to increase the heat exchange efficiency. In practice, choices can be made based on scenes and the like.

In the present disclosure, the heat exchange medium is provided in the first flow channel30and the second flow channel40. Heat is transferred through a phase change such as evaporation and condensation, movements, or the like. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the cooling medium may be water or other refrigerants such as freon, ammonia, acetone, methanol, ethanol, heptane, etc., which is not limited in the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.8toFIG.10, the first plate body110has a plurality of recesses510disposed in an array at the corresponding first straight segment310and the second straight segment320. The plurality of recesses510is arranged in an extension direction (the second direction) of the first straight segment310or the second straight segment320. Each of the plurality of recesses510includes a recess wall501and a recess bottom502. The recess bottom502protrudes from the first plate body110towards the first flow channel30.

It should be understood that shapes and a quantity of the recesses510are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. A cross section of the recess510parallel to the first side surface111may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, or the like. The quantity of the recesses510may be determined based on an extension length of the second straight segment320. At a position where the heat exchange medium flows through the recess510, a water flow is divided into two streams to prevent a situation where the water flow is static in the straight segment, and the recess510provides flow guidance. As a part of a solid wall surface of the first liquid cooling portion10, the recess510can also enlarge a contact area between the heat exchange medium and an inner wall of the first flow channel30, further improving a cooling effect. In addition, the recess510can also reinforce structural strength by a predetermined degree to avoid a risk of a flow channel failure or a flow channel fracture due to uneven stress, stress concentration, or the like.

In the present disclosure, as illustrated inFIG.11, the recess510is formed at each of the second part102and the third part103. A gap is formed between the recess bottom502of the recess510(a first recess511) at the second part102and the recess bottom502of the recess510(a second recess512) at the third part103after the first plate body110is bent to form the first liquid cooling portion10.

The recess510is formed through stamping. A stamping direction of the recess510is opposite to a stamping direction of the first flow sub-channel116or a stamping direction of the second flow sub-channel117. The recess510has a smaller stamping height than the first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117. For example, in the present disclosure, the first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117are stamped from the second side surface112to the first side surface111. The stamping direction of the recess510is oriented in a direction from the first side surface111to the second side surface112.

In the present disclosure, with the recess510having the smaller stamping height than the first flow sub-channel116and the second flow sub-channel117, a gap is formed between the recess510at the second part102and the recess510at the third part103after the first flow channel30is formed. With the gap between the corresponding recesses510at two sides, the heat exchange medium passes through the gap. The heat exchange medium is divided into two streams of water flow when passing through the recess510. With the gap, a direction of a turbulent flow is slightly inclined towards an upper side and a lower side of the recess510during flowing of the water flow. In addition, a flow speed of the water flow divided by the recess510can be increased. That is, after the heat exchange medium is in contact with the recess510, two streams of water flow rushing to the upper and lower sides of the recess510at a high flow speed can be formed in a very short time, which can improve a contact efficiency between an inner wall of the plate body above the recess510and the heat exchange medium, improving a liquid cooling effect of the entire vertical liquid cooling plate100.

In other embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.5andFIG.6, the third flow sub-channel213has at least one diversion groove520defined in each of the corresponding third straight segment410and the corresponding fourth straight segment420. The diversion groove520is arranged in an extension direction of the third straight segment410or an extension direction of the fourth straight segment420and formed through stamping. A stamping direction of the diversion groove520is opposite to a stamping direction of the third flow sub-channel213, that is, stamped from the first surface211to the second surface212. A spacing is defined between each of two ends of the diversion groove520and the groove surface of the third flow sub-channel213. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a shape and a size of the diversion groove520are not limited. In some embodiments, a plurality of diversion grooves520may be formed in an extension direction (the second direction) of the third straight segment410. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of diversion grooves520may be arranged in parallel in a direction (the first direction) perpendicular to the extension direction of the third straight segment410. An arrangement manner of the plurality of diversion grooves520is not limited in the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, when the heat exchange medium in the second flow channel40flows, the diversion groove520can divide the water flow in the third straight segment410or the fourth straight segment420into two streams to prevent the situation where the water flow is static in the straight segment and provides flow guidance. As a part of a solid wall surface of the second liquid cooling portion20, the diversion groove520can also enlarge a contact area between the heat exchange medium and an inner wall of the second flow channel40, further improving the cooling effect. In addition, the diversion groove520can also reinforce the structural strength by the predetermined degree to avoid the risk of the flow channel failure or the flow channel fracture due to uneven stress, stress concentration, or the like. Reference to an arrangement manner of the diversion groove520in the present disclosure can be made to an arrangement manner of the recess510, and thus details thereof will be omitted here.

As illustrated inFIG.12toFIG.14, the liquid cooling plate100in the present disclosure further includes a third plate body130disposed at a side of the second liquid cooling portion20away from the cover body portion105. The third plate body130is fixedly connected to the first plate body110and/or the second plate body120. The third plate body130has a one-piece structure. A sealing cavity is defined between the third plate body130and the second plate body120and filled with a thermal insulation material.

In the present disclosure, the third plate body130is disposed at a side of the second surface212of the second plate body120, and forms the second liquid cooling portion20together with both the cover body portion105formed through bending the first plate body110and the second plate body120. An accommodation space is formed by stamping the third plate body130. The second plate body120is placed in the accommodation space. A part of the second surface212of the second plate body120forming the second flow channel40is in contact with a bottom surface of the accommodation space. The thermal insulation passage530is formed between a part of the second surface212of the second plate body120not participating in forming the second flow channel40and the accommodation space. The thermal insulation material is provided in the thermal insulation passage530. For example, the thermal insulation material may be filled in a region such as a region at a side of the third straight segment410away from the fourth straight segment420, a region between the third straight segment410and the fourth straight segment420, and a region at a side of the fourth straight segment420away from the third straight segment410. The present disclosure is not limited in this regard. The thermal insulation material may be polyurethane, polystyrene material, rock wool, glass, or the like, which can save space to improve a space utilization rate, improve mechanical performance of the liquid cooling plate100, and achieve a function of thermal insulation and heat insulation.

In the present disclosure, the first plate body110and the second plate body120are in face-to-face contact at positions corresponding to the thermal insulation passage530. In the present disclosure, the first plate body110and the second plate body120may be sealingly connected at the positions corresponding to the thermal insulation passage530to prevent the heat exchange medium in a second channel from entering the thermal insulation passage530through the faces. The sealing manner is not limited in the present disclosure, which may be holeless riveting, welding, sealing using a sealant, or the like.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG.15andFIG.16, the liquid cooling plate100has a fixation hole550penetrating the second liquid cooling portion20. A fixed connection between the liquid cooling plate100and an external structure can be realized through the fixation hole550. A position of the fixation hole550is not limited in the present disclosure.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixation hole550is formed at an outer side of the second flow channel40. Each of the first part101and the fourth part104has a sealing portion560configured to form the fixation hole550. The sealing portion560extends towards a side close to the second plate body120. The second plate body120has a passage hole570for passage of the sealing portion560.

A seal580is further disposed between the second plate body120and the third plate body130and configured to seal the fixation hole550. The seal580has an outer diameter greater than a diameter of the fixation hole550at the third plate body130.

In the present disclosure, in a third direction, the fixation hole550includes a first through hole part formed at the sealing portion560, a part of a second through hole part formed at the second plate body120, a third through hole part formed at the seal580, and a fourth through hole part formed at the third plate body130.

The sealing portion560is formed by stamping the first plate body110in a direction from the first side surface111to the second side surface112and protrudes from the second side surface112of the first plate body110. The first through hole is formed at a center of the sealing portion560. After the first plate body110and the second plate body120are fixed, the sealing portion560extends into the passage hole570at the second plate body120. It should be understood that a size of the sealing portion560and a size of the passage hole570are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as long as mounting can be facilitated. The sealing portion560does not extend beyond the second surface212of the second plate body120.

With the seal580disposed between the second plate body120and the third plate body130, i.e., the seal580is disposed in the accommodation space, an end of the seal580may be fixed to the second plate body120, while the other end of the seal580may be fixed to the third plate body130. The seal580has the outer diameter greater than the diameter of the fixation hole550at the third plate body130. The outer diameter of the seal580is further greater than an inner diameter of the sealing portion560at the third plate body130, such that sealing at a position of the fixation hole550can be realized to prevent the liquid leakage.

Based on a same invention concept, as illustrated inFIG.17andFIG.18, the present disclosure provides a battery module including at least two battery modules. Each of at least two battery modules includes at least one battery cell200. The liquid cooling plate100according to any of the above embodiments is disposed between two adjacent battery modules.

The battery module in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, the battery cell200in a form of a cuboid. Also, a quantity of the battery cells200in the battery module is not limited. The quantity of the battery cells200may be two, four, or more. The battery module is formed by sequentially arranging the battery cells200. Two adjacent battery modules are disposed at two sides of the liquid cooling plate100. In practice, choices can be made based on scenes and the like.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell200includes a first surface201, a second surface202, and a third surface203that are pairwise perpendicular to each other. The first surface201is provided with a connector configured to electrically connect two adjacent battery cells200. The third surface203is arranged opposite to the first surface201. The first surface201has a smaller area than the second surface202. The second surface202is in contact with the first liquid cooling portion10through a first heat conduction pad400, and/or the third surface203is in contact with the second liquid cooling portion20through a second heat conduction pad500.

In the present disclosure, a large surface of the battery cell200may be in contact with the first liquid cooling portion10, while a small surface of the battery cell200may be in contact with the second liquid cooling portion20, to realize a uniform heat exchange of the battery cell200, avoiding a problem of a high local temperature of the battery cell200due to a poor contact between the liquid cooling plate100and the battery cell. Therefore, service lives of the plurality of battery cells200can be prolonged. In addition, thermal management performance of the battery cells200can be improved to enable a relatively high consistency of the battery module in use, in such a manner that a thermal runaway can be avoided to ensure safety of the battery cell200. The heat conduction pad is adhered on the first surface201of the first plate body110. The battery cell200is in contact with the liquid cooling plate100through the heat conduction pad, which can improve a heat transfer efficiency between the liquid cooling plate100and the battery, and further improve the heat exchange efficiency.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that, the orientation or the position indicated by terms such as “length”, “width”, “over”, “below”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, and “outer” should be construed to refer to the orientation and the position as shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the pointed device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure.

In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features associated with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features or more of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, “plurality” means at least two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by those skilled in the art of this disclosure. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Terms such as “provide” throughout this specification may mean that one member is attached to another member either directly or through an intermediate member. Throughout this specification, a feature described in one embodiment may be applied in another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is inapplicable in the other embodiment or otherwise indicated.

The present disclosure has been described by way of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of giving examples and illustration only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to a scope of the described embodiments. It is conceivable for those skilled in the art that more variations and modifications can be made in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. These variations and modifications fall within the protect scope of the present disclosure.