KR100612284B1 - Battery module and chiller for battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to form a flow of cooling air evenly in the case of a large number of unit cells arranged, the inside of the housing and the housing in which the air inlet is formed on one side and the air outlet is formed on the other side to form a flow of cooling air It includes a plurality of unit cells are stacked and installed, the inlet portion of the housing is divided into both sides in the middle direction of the arrangement direction of the unit cell is formed so that air is introduced from both sides in the direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, respectively The discharge portion of the provides a battery module that is formed in the inclined surface inclined inward from both the outside of the cross-sectional area decreases as the farther away from the unit cell so that the air passing through each unit cell is collected to the center portion is discharged.

Secondary battery, battery module, cooling, air, flow path, flow direction, bulkhead, unit cell, slope, temperature distribution

Description

Secondary Battery Module and Cooling Device for The Same}

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery assembly in an embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention.

4 is a perspective view schematically showing another embodiment of a battery module according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a battery module and a cooling device for a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module and a cooling device for a battery module configured by connecting a plurality of unit cells and forming a flow of cooling air so as to cool the whole. It is about.

In general, a secondary battery is a battery that can be repeatedly used because it can be charged and discharged. A secondary battery composed of one battery cell is mainly used for portable small electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, cameras, and camcorders. As a power source for driving a motor such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and an electric vehicle (EV), a large capacity secondary battery (hereinafter referred to as a "battery module") formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells (hereinafter referred to as "unit cells") is used. Mainly used.

Each unit cell constituting the battery module includes an electrode assembly formed by inserting a separator, which is an insulator, between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, a case having a space in which the electrode assembly is built, and a cap coupled to and sealed to the case. And a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal protruding from the cap assembly and electrically connected to the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly, respectively.

In the case of a rectangular battery, each unit cell is arranged in such a manner that each of the unit cells is cross-aligned so that the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal protruding from the top of the cap assembly alternate with the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the neighboring unit cell. A battery module is constructed by connecting a conductor using a nut between the positive electrode terminals.

Since the battery module constitutes one battery module by connecting several to several tens of unit cells, a cooling structure, safety means, system circuit, and the like, which are configured to easily discharge heat generated from each unit battery, are provided. There is a problem that the volume is large. In order to solve this problem, a method of reducing the size by reducing the interval of unit cells constituting the battery module is used, but in this case, another problem that it is difficult to dissipate heat generated from the unit cells occurs.

Therefore, in designing a battery module, the volume should be minimized, and the heat generated from each unit cell should be easily discharged. Failure to effectively dissipate heat generated in each unit cell results in an increase in temperature of the battery module, deterioration in performance of each unit cell, and consequently a malfunction of the device to which the battery module is applied.

In particular, in the case of a high output large capacity battery module, such as for HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), EV (Electric Vehicle), heat dissipation is important, and when the size of the battery module is increased, the weight of the battery itself is not only increased but also the battery. There is a problem that the design of the device (especially the vehicle) on which the module is mounted becomes difficult.

Therefore, in the case of a battery module that requires a high output large capacity, it is very necessary to develop a battery module that can improve the heat dissipation characteristics while minimizing the size.

In addition, the conventional battery module is provided with a partition wall in order to secure a space for the distribution of cooling air between each unit cell and structurally prevent deformation of the unit cell, the assembly of the unit cell and the partition wall in the housing, the unit The cooling air for controlling the temperature of the battery is supplied to the inside of the housing to distribute the cooling air through the partition wall, thereby cooling the heat generated in each unit cell.

However, in the conventional cooling method of the battery module, the flow rate of the cooling air circulated to the partition walls between the unit cells is not constant, so that a temperature difference occurs between the unit cells, and heat generated from each unit cell is not evenly radiated. . Therefore, there is a problem that the charge and discharge efficiency of the battery module is lowered.

In addition, in the conventional cooling method of the battery module, when the number of unit cells is more than 20, the total length of the unit cells is formed long, and the flow distance of air increases accordingly, and the pressure according to the flow resistance inevitably generated. As the loss occurs and moves away from the inlet of the cooling air, the flow rate of the air is not sufficient, and the unit cell is not evenly cooled.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, both sides of the inlet portion of the housing in which the air is formed to be inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells so that it is possible to cool the unit cells as a whole even when the number of unit cells is large The air to be installed and discharged is to provide a battery module in which the discharge portion of the housing is formed to be discharged by collecting the central portion along the inclined surface.

Another object of the present invention is to form an inlet portion in which the air is introduced inclined with respect to the unit cell on both sides, and the discharged air is formed in the discharge unit so that the discharge is collected to the center portion along the inclined plane to cool the unit cell as a whole. It is to provide a cooling device.

The battery module proposed by the present invention includes a housing in which an air inlet part is formed to which air (cooling air) is introduced, and a discharge part in which air is discharged to one side, and a plurality of unit cells stacked in the housing. And the inlet portion of the housing is divided into both sides at an intermediate point in the arrangement direction of the unit cells so that air is introduced in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, and the discharge portion of the housing is formed in each unit cell. The air passing through the air is collected in the center portion and discharged from the unit cell so as to be discharged to form a slope inclined inward from the outside from both sides of the cross-sectional area decreases.

The battery module of the present invention further includes a plurality of partition walls provided between the unit cells and forming a space (air flow path) through which air passes.

The inlet of the housing is formed to have an inclination angle of 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells.

In addition, the cooling device for a battery module of the present invention is formed on one side of the housing and is installed at both sides by dividing at an intermediate point with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells embedded in the housing, and air (cooling in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells). Air inlet formed to inflow, and formed on the other side of the housing, and inclined inward from both outer sides where the cross-sectional area decreases as it moves away from the unit cell so that air passing between each unit cell is collected and discharged to the center part. It comprises a discharge portion formed in the inclined surface.

Next, a preferred embodiment of a battery module and a cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, one embodiment of the battery module according to the present invention has an inlet 12 through which air is introduced and an outlet 14 through which air is discharged. And a plurality of unit cells 22 stacked and installed in the housing 10.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the battery module according to the present invention further includes a plurality of partition walls 30 formed between the unit cells 22 and forming a space (air flow path) through which air passes. Include.

The unit cells 22 and the partition walls 30 are alternately stacked to form the battery assembly 20, and are installed inside the housing 10 in a stacked and assembled state.

It is also possible to form a plurality of protrusions 32 in the partition wall 30 so as to maintain the unit cells 22 stacked therein and a predetermined gap (passage for allowing cooling air to flow).

The protrusion 32 may be formed as a separate member and attached to the partition wall 30, or may be integrally formed with the partition wall 30. The protrusion 32 may be formed integrally with the partition 30 by embossing, drawing, or the like.

The protrusion 32 may be formed only on one side of the partition wall 30, or may be formed on both sides.

When the protrusions 32 are formed in the partition wall 30 as described above, not only the strength of the partition wall 30 is improved, but also a gap (air flow path) exists between the partition wall 30 and the unit cell 22. As air for cooling flows through this gap, heat dissipation is effectively performed.

In the above description, the air is circulated by forming the projections 32 in the partition 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the air is formed by forming a plurality of grooves or holes in the partition 30. It is also possible to form a flow path for circulation. That is, a groove may be formed on the surface of the partition wall 30 at a predetermined depth along the flow direction of the air, and may form a through hole along the flow direction of the air through the inside of the partition wall 30. Do.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 10 includes a battery mounting part 11 having a battery assembly 20 formed by alternately stacking the unit cells 22 and the partition walls 30, and the battery. An inlet 12 through which air for controlling the temperature of each unit cell 22 installed and built in connection with one side of the mounting unit 11 is introduced, and the battery mounting unit on the opposite side of the inlet 12. It is connected to the other side of the 11) and comprises a discharge unit 16 for discharging the air passed between the unit cells 22.

The inlet 12 of the housing 10 is divided into both sides at an intermediate point in the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22 so that air is introduced from both sides.

The inlet 12 of the housing 10 is formed to allow air to flow in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 22, respectively.

Each inlet 12 is provided with blowing means such as a blower fan 18 for forcibly supplying air. As the blowing means, it is also possible to use various fan devices such as propeller fans and sirocco fans or air pumps, and in the case of automobiles, it is also possible to use forced convection generated during driving and blowers installed in other systems (for example, For example, in automobiles, it is possible to use a condenser fan or a radiator fan of an air conditioning system together.

The air flowing into the inlet 12 by the blowing means (blowing fan 18) is provided in each of the inlets 12 so that the air is introduced in a direction substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22. A tip inlet 19 is formed.

The tip inlet 19 is formed parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22, or formed to have a negative inclination angle with the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22 is the air introduced into the tip inlet 19 It is preferable to prevent it from moving straight toward some unit cells 22. Herein, when the air introduced into the tip inlet 19 goes straight toward the unit cell 22, a problem arises in that the flow rate of the air is partially uneven.

The inlet 12 and / or the outlet 16 of the housing 10 as described above controls the air passing between the unit cells 22 at a constant flow rate to the entire region of the battery assembly 20. In order to maintain an even temperature distribution over, a relatively small amount of temperature control air flows into the housing 10 and has a structure for discharging air passing through each unit cell 22.

The battery mounting portion 11 of the housing 10 forms an accommodation space for accommodating and fixing the battery assembly 20, and the specific structure of the battery mounting portion 11 may accommodate and support the battery assembly 20. If there is structure, it does not specifically limit.

The inlet portion 12 of the housing 10 is inclined (inclined with the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22) to meet both ends of the unit cell 22 in the arrangement direction mid-point inlet 19 through which air is introduced. And a pair of outer guide surfaces 13 that extend, and inner guide surfaces 14 that extend obliquely from the battery mounting portion 11 positioned closest to both of the tip inlets 19.

The outer guide surface 13 and the inner guide surface 14 are installed in a state substantially parallel to each other.

The pair of outer guide surfaces 13 are provided to form a substantially "V" shape.

The outer guide surface 13 is formed as an inclined surface that is closer to the unit cell 22 toward the intermediate point while moving away from the tip inlet 19 along the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22.

The separator 15 is provided in parallel with the unit cell 22 from the point where the pair of outer guide surfaces 13 meet each other.

If the separation plate 15 is not provided in the above, as the air flowing from both front end inlets 19 meet each other at an intermediate point and collide with each other, irregularity is increased in the air flow, thereby preventing effective air flow control.

The separator 15 may be extended to the inside of the unit cell 22, and may be installed to extend only to a position proximate to the unit cell 22.

The point where the pair of outer guide surfaces 13 on which the separation plate 15 is installed meets each other is disposed so as to be positioned at a predetermined interval from the unit cell 22. It is preferable because the flow rate of the air moving along the guide surface 13 can be secured enough to pass through the flow path between the unit cells 22 located at the intermediate point.

As described above, when the outer guide surface 13 is installed to be inclined from both sides toward the intermediate point with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 22, a pair of outer guide surfaces in which air introduced into the both front end inlets 19 are inclined ( 13 flows along the outer guide surface 13 and flows near the midpoint of the unit cells 22 arranged along the outer guide surface 13. At this time, the outer guide surface 13 is formed as an inclined surface approaching the unit cell 22 toward the intermediate point away from the tip inlet 19, so that the flow cross-sectional area of the air is farther from the tip inlet 19 It gradually decreases, and the air flow rate gets faster. In other words, according to the continuous equation of hydrodynamics, the flow velocity of the fluid is inversely proportional to the flow cross-sectional area, so that the flow velocity becomes faster when the flow cross-sectional area decreases. Bernoulli's theorem also shows that as the flow cross section decreases, the flow rate increases but the pressure decreases.

Therefore, the air introduced through the tip inlet 19 passes through the unit cells 22 at a constant flow rate (flow rate) according to the hydrodynamic principle as described above, and is generated in each unit cell 22. It is possible to temperature control (cool) the heat evenly, and to maintain a uniform and appropriate temperature over the entire area of the battery assembly 20. That is, all of the air introduced through the tip inlet 19 does not move straight toward the unit cell 22 and directly collides with the outer guide surface 13 or collides with the outer guide surface 13 to reflect the air. The flow direction is changed by 90 ° and moved toward each unit cell 22 in the process. In this process, the same flow rate is evenly distributed throughout the unit cell 22 according to the hydrodynamic principle. As it passes, overall temperature control is possible.

In the above, the flow paths (flow cross-sectional area) through which air formed through the partition walls 30 pass between the unit cells 22 are configured to be the same.

The inlet 12 of the housing 10 is formed to have an inclination angle θ of about 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22. That is, the outer guide surface 13 and the inner guide surface 14 are formed to have an inclination angle θ of about 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 22 embedded in the battery mounting portion 11.

When the inclination angle θ of the outer guide surface 13 is smaller than 15 °, the decrease in pressure that appears as the distance from the tip inlet 19 toward the intermediate point is too small and the increase in flow rate is small. The flow rate of air passing through the flow path between the unit cells 22 located far from the front end inlet 19 is less than the flow rate of air passing through the flow path between the unit cells 22 located near the side (19). The air of the same flow rate cannot be distributed, a temperature deviation occurs between the unit cells 22, and an even temperature distribution cannot be obtained over the entire area of the battery assembly 20.

Therefore, it is preferable to set the inclination angle θ of the inlet portion 12 (outer guide surface 13) of the housing 10 to be approximately 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22. Preferably, the inclination angle θ is set within a range of approximately 15 to 45 degrees. In this case, when the inclination angle θ of the outer guide surface 13 is set to be greater than 45 °, the increase in the flow rate is too large, so that it passes through the flow path between the unit cells 22 located near the tip inlet 19. Since the flow rate of the air passing through the flow path between the unit cells 22 located at the intermediate point farther from the front end inlet 19 is higher than the flow rate of the air, the air having the same flow rate cannot be distributed as a whole. The temperature deviation between the two occurs, and it becomes impossible to obtain an even temperature distribution over the entire area of the battery assembly 20.

1 and 2, the discharge part 16 of the housing 10 may move away from the unit cell 22 such that air passing between the unit cells 22 is discharged while being collected at the center part. It is formed as an inclined surface 17 which is inclined inward from both outer sides where the cross-sectional area decreases.

1 and 2, the discharge unit 16 is formed of an inclined surface 17 inclined at a predetermined angle to side surfaces positioned in front and rear of the unit cell 22 in the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22. The farther away from the) side, the more the flow cross-sectional area is formed.

Therefore, since the air passing through each unit cell 22 is discharged at a faster flow rate, the air is discharged smoothly, and the entire air flow is smoothly induced.

The position at which the inclined surface 17 of the discharge unit 16 starts is set at a predetermined interval from the end of the unit cell 22 so that the air passing between the unit cells 22 is parallel to a certain distance. It is preferable to form a flow because it does not have an unnecessary effect on the flow of air passing through the unit cell 22.

And another embodiment of the battery module according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 4, the inclined surface 17 inclined at a predetermined angle on both sides of the discharge portion 16 located in the side of the arrangement direction of the unit cell 22 ) So that the cross-sectional area of the flow decreases as it moves away from the unit cell 22.

Also in the above-described other embodiments, the present invention can be implemented in the same configuration as the above-described embodiment except for the above-described configuration, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, in the above-described other embodiments, since the flow of air can obtain the same effect on the same principle as in the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the above description, only the side surfaces of the discharge unit 16 are formed as the inclined surface 17, but all four sides may be formed as the inclined surface 17.

The battery module according to the present invention configured as described above is a device for operating by using a motor such as a HEV (hybrid electric vehicle), an EV (electric vehicle), a wireless cleaner, an electric bicycle, an electric scooter, etc. It can be used as an energy source (for driving a motor), and besides, it can be used for various applications requiring high power / large capacity.

And one embodiment of the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, formed on one side of the housing 10 and in the arrangement direction of the unit cells 22 built in the housing 10 A pair of inflow portions 12 which are formed so that air flows in the inclined direction from both sides toward the intermediate point with respect to the middle portion, and air which is formed on the other side of the housing 10 and passes between the unit cells 22 to the center portion It includes a discharge portion 16 formed by the inclined surface 17 which is inclined inward from both outside of the cross-sectional area is reduced as the distance away from the unit cell 22 to collect and discharge.

In one embodiment of the above-described cooling device for a battery module, the specific configuration of the inlet 12 and the discharge unit 16, the configuration of the housing 10, the unit cell 22, and the like may be implemented in one embodiment of the battery module. Since it is possible to implement with the structure similar to an Example and another Example, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the above description of the preferred embodiment of the battery module and the cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Can be carried out, and this also belongs to the scope of the present invention.

According to the battery module and the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention as described above, the air flow structure of the housing is improved to distribute the air of a constant flow rate to the flow path between the unit cells, so that the entire area of the battery assembly It is possible to achieve an even temperature distribution and to maximize the cooling efficiency. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery module.

In addition, according to the battery module and the cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention, even when the number of unit cells arranged is large, since the inlet portion of the housing is installed on both sides and formed to be inclined toward the intermediate point, it is possible to minimize the flow rate difference due to the pressure loss. It is possible to maximize the cooling efficiency.

Claims (20)

It includes a housing in which the inlet is formed, the air inlet is formed on one side and the discharge portion through which the air is discharged, and a plurality of unit cells are stacked and installed inside the housing, The inlet of the housing has two front end inlets spaced apart from each other and is inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cell so that air is introduced from both sides toward an intermediate point. The discharge part of the housing is a battery module made of a slope inclined inward from the outside from both sides so that the air passing through the unit cells are collected in the center portion is reduced in cross-sectional area away from the unit cell. The method according to claim 1, The battery module further comprises a plurality of partitions provided between the unit cells and forming a space through which air passes. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And a inflow portion of the housing to have an inclination angle of 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells. The method according to claim 3, And a battery inlet configured to allow the air flowing into the inflow portion to flow in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cell or in a direction having a negative inclination angle. The method according to claim 4, The inlet portion of the housing meets at the intermediate point in the arrangement direction of the unit cell, and has a pair of outer guide surfaces that are inclined to extend in a "V" shape to both front end inlets through which air is introduced, and is located closest to the front end inlet. A battery module comprising an inner guide surface extending inclined from the battery mounting portion which is a portion in which the unit battery is built. The method according to claim 5, The outer guide surface is a battery module which is formed as an inclined surface toward the unit cell as the closer to the intermediate point away from the tip inlet in the arrangement direction of the unit cell. The method according to claim 5, From the point where the pair of outer guide surfaces meet each other extending toward the unit cell to install a separator plate parallel to the unit cell, And a point where the pair of outer guide surfaces on which the separation plate is installed meet each other is positioned at a predetermined distance from the unit battery. The method according to claim 3, The inclination angle is set in the range of 15 to 45 ° battery module. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the discharge part is formed to have an inclined surface which is inclined at a predetermined angle to side surfaces positioned in front and rear of the unit cell in an arrangement direction so as to have a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the unit cell decreases as it moves away from the unit cell. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The discharge part is a battery module formed on the side of the side of the unit cell arranged in the direction of the inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle to form a shape in which the flow cross-sectional area is reduced away from the unit cell. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And a position at which the inclined surface of the discharge portion starts is set at a predetermined interval from the end of the unit battery. An inlet formed at one side of the housing and having two leading inlets spaced apart from each other and inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells so that air is introduced from both sides toward the intermediate point of the housing; Formed on the other side of the housing for each battery module including a discharge portion formed in the inclined surface inclined inwards from both outside inward so that the air passing between each unit cell is discharged to the center portion, the cross-sectional area decreases away from the unit cell Chiller. The method according to claim 12, And each inflow portion has an inclination angle in a range of 15 to 45 degrees with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells. The method according to claim 12 or 13, And a tip inlet of the inlet part such that air introduced into the inlet part flows in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cell or in a direction having a negative inclination angle. The method according to claim 12, The inlet portion is a pair of outer guide surfaces that meet at the intermediate point in the array direction of the unit cell and extend inclined to form a "V" to both tip inlets through which air is introduced, and from the battery mounting part located closest to the tip inlet. Cooling device for a battery module comprising an inner guide surface extending inclined. The method according to claim 15, The outer guide surface is formed as an inclined surface toward the unit cell toward the intermediate point away from the tip inlet in the array direction of the unit cell toward the unit cell. The method according to claim 15, From the point where the pair of outer guide surfaces meet each other extending toward the unit cell to install a separator plate parallel to the unit cell, Cooling device for a battery module is a point where the pair of outer guide surface where the separation plate is installed meet each other at a predetermined distance from the unit cell. The method according to claim 12, The discharge unit is formed in the inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle to the side which is located in the array direction of the front and rear of the unit cell to form a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the flow decreases away from the unit cell. The method according to claim 12, The discharge unit is formed in the inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle on both sides located on the side of the array direction of the unit cell to form a shape in which the flow cross-sectional area is reduced as the distance away from the unit cell. The method according to claim 12, And a position at which the inclined surface of the discharge portion starts is set at a predetermined interval from the end of the unit battery.

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