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CN-122014959-A - Connection device, heat exchange tube, battery pack, vehicle, and method of assembling battery pack

CN122014959ACN 122014959 ACN122014959 ACN 122014959ACN-122014959-A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection device, a heat exchange tube, a battery pack, a vehicle and a method of assembling a battery pack, the connection device being adapted to connect a heat exchange tube of flat construction with at least one conduit, which may be a liquid coolant supply conduit and/or a liquid coolant return conduit. The connection device is particularly suitable for heat exchange tubes that exchange heat with the battery cells, wherein the free space left by the battery pack is filled with foam. A blocking means is used in the connection means between the outside of the connection means and the sealing means provided at the junction of the heat exchange tube. The barrier means prevents or at least inhibits the ingress of foam used during the manufacture of the battery pack, while facilitating the verification of the presence of leaks during quality verification tests and the like. The heat exchange tube includes the connection device, the battery pack includes the heat exchange tube, the vehicle includes the battery pack, and the method of assembling the battery pack includes a seal test.

Inventors

  • X. Ermida
  • F. Lozano
  • DIAS CARLOS
  • M. Lorenzo Gonzalez
  • J. Gallego
  • M. I. Mendelskalwo

Assignees

  • 西班牙博格华纳排放系统公司

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20251023
Priority Date
20241111

Claims (15)

  1. 1. A connection device for connecting a heat exchange tube (1) and at least one conduit (C) of a generally flat configuration, said conduit being a liquid supply conduit and/or a return conduit for a liquid coolant, said heat exchange tube (1) having one or more communication ports (1.1, 1.2), wherein The connecting device comprises a housing (2) comprising -At least one connection port (2.1.1, 2.2.1) located outside the housing (2) for establishing a fluid connection with the at least one conduit (C); -at least one fluid connection (2.1.2, 2.2.2) adapted to establish a fluid connection with a communication port (1.1, 1.2) of the heat exchange tube (1), wherein the fluid connection (2.1.2, 2.2.2 Is also in fluid communication with the at least one connection port (2.1.1, 2.2.1), and Wherein the fluid connection structure (2.1.2, 2.2.2) comprises sealing means (4) to establish a seal between the fluid connection structure (2.1.2, 2.2.2) and a communication port (1.1, 1.2) for communicating with a heat exchange tube (1); It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of, Comprising blocking means (3) for at least partially preventing foam material from reaching said sealing means (4) from outside said housing (2), and said blocking means (3) allowing fluid to flow out if said sealing means (4) leak.
  2. 2. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid connection structure (2.1.2, 2.2.2) is an internal connection structure located inside the housing (2).
  3. 3. A connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking means (3) is a circumferential gasket comprising an elastically deformable lip configured to bear on a surface constituting a channel barrier, the lip being arranged in an inclined manner to allow easy outflow of fluid and to block the entry of foam material.
  4. 4. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking means (3) is a circumferential gasket comprising a porous material, wherein the pores of the porous material are interconnected.
  5. 5. The connection device of claim 4, wherein the porous material is elastically deformable.
  6. 6. The connection device of any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, wherein it comprises: -two connection ports (2.1.1, 2.2.1), one of which is a liquid supply connection port (2.1.1) and one of which is a return connection port (2.2.1); -two fluid connections (2.1.2, 2.2.2), one being a return fluid connection (2.2.2) and one being a supply fluid connection (2.1.2); wherein the liquid supply connection port (2.1.1) is in fluid communication with the liquid supply fluid connection structure (2.1.2), the return connection port (2.2.1) is in fluid communication with the return fluid connection structure (2.2.2), and The liquid supply fluid connection (2.1.2) is adapted to be connected to one communication port (1.1) of the heat exchange tube (1) for the ingress of liquid coolant, and the return fluid connection (2.2.2) is adapted to be connected to the other communication port (1.2) for the communication of the heat exchange tube (1) for the egress or return of liquid coolant.
  7. 7. The connection device according to claim 6, wherein the housing (2) comprises two connectable parts (2.1, 2.2), a first part (2.1) and a second part (2.2), wherein: -once the two parts (2.1, 2.2) are joined together, the heat exchange tube (1) is interposed between the two parts (2.1, 2.2); -the first component (2.1) is in an operating mode for introducing a fluid into the heat exchange tube (1), wherein the first component (2.1) comprises the liquid supply connection port (2.1.1) and the liquid supply fluid connection structure (2.1.2); -the second component (2.2) is in an operating mode for recovering a return fluid from the heat exchange tube (1), wherein the second component (2.2) comprises the return connection port (2.2.1) and the return fluid connection structure (2.2.2).
  8. 8. The connection device according to any one of claims 1, 2,5 and 7, wherein the blocking device (3) has a first support area supported to the shell (2) and a second support area configured to be supported on the heat exchange tube (1) or, when connected with the heat exchange tube (1) by a manifold (a), on the manifold (a) and coupled to the heat exchange tube (1) in an operating mode, the sealing device (4) being housed in a space enclosed by the blocking device (3).
  9. 9. A heat exchange tube (1), characterized by comprising at least one connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
  10. 10. The heat exchange tube (1) according to claim 9, comprising a connection device according to claim 7, wherein -A first part (2.1) of the connection means is in fluid communication with one or more internal channels (1.3) of the heat exchange tube (1) for liquid supply; -a second part (2.2) of the connection means is in fluid communication with one or more internal channels of the heat exchange tube (1) for receiving a return flow; -the first part (2.1) and the second part (2.2) of the connection device are located at one end of the heat exchange tube (1) in the longitudinal direction, while at the other end of the heat exchange tube (1) one or more internal channels for liquid supply are in fluid communication with one or more internal channels for receiving a return flow to constitute a U-shaped flow.
  11. 11. The heat exchange tube (1) according to claim 9, comprising a connection device according to claim 7, wherein -A first part (2.1) of the connection means is in fluid communication with one or more internal channels (1.3) of the heat exchange tube (1) for liquid supply; -a second part (2.2) of the connection means is in fluid communication with one or more internal channels of the heat exchange tube (1) for receiving a return flow; -the first part (2.1) and the second part (2.2) of the connection device are located longitudinally in intermediate positions of the heat exchange tube (1), while at each of the two ends of the heat exchange tube (1) one or more internal channels for liquid supply are in fluid communication with one or more channels for return flow to configure two U-shaped flows.
  12. 12. Heat exchange tube according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the fluid feed connection (2.1.2) and the return fluid connection (2.2.2) are directed towards the same side in the thickness direction of the heat exchange tube (1) so as to be parallel to the thickness direction of the heat exchange tube (1).
  13. 13. A battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells and a heat exchange tube (1) for regulating the temperature of the battery cells according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the heat exchange tube (1) is connected with a supply and recovery device of a heat exchange liquid by a connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
  14. 14. A vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to claim 13.
  15. 15. A method of assembling a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells and at least one heat exchange tube (1) for regulating the temperature of the battery cells, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: -coupling at least one connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to a communication port (1.1, 1.2) of the heat exchange tube (1), or to a manifold (a) for liquid when the heat exchange tube (1) has said manifold (a); -performing a sealing test by the following sub-steps: Applying pressure to the connection between the connection and the heat exchange tube (1) using a verification fluid, or to the connection between the connection and the manifold (A) when the heat exchange tube (1) has a manifold (A), Verifying whether a leakage of verification fluid occurs at the barrier means (3) of said connection means, -If no verification fluid leaks through said blocking means (3), emptying said heat exchange tube (1) and verification fluid connection means and combining said heat exchange tube (1) with said connection means so that it is in thermal contact with one or more battery cells of a battery pack accommodated in the housing, or discarding said heat exchange tube (1) and connection means and trying a new heat exchange tube (1) with connection means if verification fluid leaks; -introducing a foam material into said housing with the battery cells and connecting said at least one heat exchange tube (1) by connection means and allowing the foam to expand therein.

Description

Connection device, heat exchange tube, battery pack, vehicle, and method of assembling battery pack Technical Field The invention relates to the technical field of battery packs and electrically driven vehicles, in particular to a connecting device, a heat exchange tube, a battery pack, a vehicle and a method for assembling the battery pack. Background One of the most widely developed technical fields at present is the automotive field, and in particular those technologies for eliminating the emission of polluting and greenhouse gases by electric drive. The most studied components in electric vehicles are battery packs, which are generally composed of high-density battery cells, so that it is necessary to control the temperature of the battery packs to prevent the battery packs from being damaged or to prevent the battery packs from being at a low temperature so as to prevent the battery packs from losing energy storage capacity and to be able to maintain a certain voltage. To achieve this, the cells are arranged as compactly as possible in the battery pack, typically by inserting flat heat exchange tubes between the cells. When the battery cells are of cylindrical configuration, the most common case is the use of flat and corrugated heat exchange tubes. In this case, the most common structure of the heat exchange tube is flat and corrugated, which allows the shape of the tube to be matched to each cell in contact therewith over as large an outer area as possible, thereby facilitating conductive heat transfer between the cell and the heat exchange tube. These channels extend and contact a row of cells while leaving some space. Also, a plurality of pipes must be connected to each other so that all the pipes can deliver the liquid coolant, and after flowing through the inner passages of the pipes, the return liquid is recovered, thereby completing a circuit. The circuit may remove heat from the battery pack when it is desired to cool the battery pack, and may provide heat to the battery pack when it is desired to heat the battery pack. These joints are located at the ends of the pipe, i.e. at either end of the pipe, at both ends, or at intermediate positions. In the latter case, it is preferable to access the duct in a direction perpendicular to the battery pack so as to reduce the number of battery cells in the battery pack after occupying no space. In any event, the cells and the heat exchange tubes leave voids filled with foam which expands by chemical reaction after application in liquid form to fill the cavities. This foam is a protective foam having a variety of functions including: thermal insulation-it helps to keep the internal temperature of the battery uniform, which is critical to the performance and safety of the battery cells. Physical protection, providing a protective layer against impacts and vibrations, ensuring that the battery cells remain in place and are not damaged. Noise reduction, namely, a buffering function is achieved, and noise and vibration generated during the running process of the vehicle are reduced. Although this foam has a protective effect, its expansion is not always controlled during expansion until the consolidation stage in the form of a rigid foam is reached. During the expansion phase, it may penetrate into the fluid connection, thereby damaging the fluid heat exchange system. The fluid connection means for connecting the water inlet and outlet ports of the heat exchange tubes are in this case. Disclosure of Invention The problem to be solved by the invention is how to protect the sealing structure between the fluid connection means and the heat exchange tubes against the action of foam, while at the same time the structure preventing the action of foam does not interfere with the sealing test, which is the sealing test between the connectors and the tubes required before the mounting of the tubes to the battery. The solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned problems in an efficient and viable manner, according to the embodiments to be described. The present invention relates to a connection device which, by means of a preferred arrangement, is suitable for connection between a heat exchange tube of flat construction and at least one conduit, which may be a liquid coolant supply tube, a liquid coolant return tube or both. The connection device is particularly suitable for heat exchange tubes for heat exchange of battery cells, wherein the free space inside the battery pack is filled with foam. A blocking means is used in the connection means between the outside of the connector and the sealing means, which is connected to the heat exchange tube. The barrier means may prevent or at least inhibit the ingress of foam used during the manufacture of the battery pack, while facilitating verification of the presence of leaks during quality verification tests and the like. During the quality verification test, the characteristics of the barrier device th