DE202023107195U1 - Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate, comprising
a battery module consisting of a plurality of battery units stacked in a single axial direction, a respective battery unit having two flat electrode collector layers arranged parallel to one another and serving as heteropolar power output terminals of this battery unit; and
at least one electrically conductive cooling plate, which is clamped between two adjacent battery units and has a flat electrically insulating body and at least one electrically conductive section provided in the flat electrically insulating body, wherein to form an electrically conductive path, the electrically conductive section is electrically connected to the flat electrode collector layers adjacent battery units is connected and to form a heat dissipation path, the flat electrically insulating body conducts the heat generated by two adjacent battery units.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a battery module and in particular to a battery module whose interior is provided with an electrically conductive cooling plate.

State of the art

In recent years, with the rapid development in various fields, such as: B. the areas of portable electronic products/electric vehicles/energy storage power plants, the high requirements for energy storage devices with high energy storage density and high environmental protection standards are constantly increasing. Ion secondary batteries have become the first choice. Further, various secondary batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries, magnesium-ion secondary batteries and sodium-ion secondary batteries have been developed. In practice, a battery module is usually formed by connecting battery units in parallel to achieve sufficient capacity that can be used for various devices.

To form a battery module (e.g. through series connection), additional electrically conductive contact connections must be used for the electrical connection. Such a connection method not only complicates the process, but also reduces the volume utilization of the entire battery module. Another existing method is for the battery modules to be in direct, flat contact with one another via an electrode collector layer in order to establish the required electrical connection. Since an electrode collector layer is used for direct, surface contact to create an electrical connection, the resulting heat cannot be easily dissipated, which significantly affects the performance of the battery module.

In addition, the general methods of heat dissipation of battery modules are to add a cooling system or cooling plate to the battery module, which increases the overall volume of the battery module, cannot cool the battery module evenly, and further complicates the battery assembly process.

The invention is based on the object of solving the above-mentioned problems and providing a battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate.

Task of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrically conductive cooling plate battery module in which an electrically conductive cooling plate is disposed between two adjacent battery units to directly achieve the objective of electrical connection and heat dissipation, thereby providing an arrangement of external electrically conductive contact terminals and additional Cooling systems as in conventional technology are no longer required and both high volume utilization and efficient heat dissipation can be achieved.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate in which a micro-channel is provided in the flat electrically insulating body, whereby the heat dissipation effect can be significantly improved and the performance of the entire battery module can be improved.

Technical solution

The present invention provides a battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate, comprising a battery module and at least one electrically conductive cooling plate, the battery module consisting of a plurality of battery units stacked in a single axial direction and a respective battery unit having two planes arranged parallel to one another and serving as heteropolar power output connections of this battery unit Electrode collector layers, wherein an electrically conductive cooling plate is clamped between two adjacent battery units and has a flat electrically insulating body and at least one electrically conductive section provided in the flat electrically insulating body, the electrically conductive section being electrically connected to the flat electrode collector layers of two adjacent battery units and the heat generated during operation of the battery units is dissipated through the flat electrically insulating body.

For a better understanding of the tasks, the technical content, the features and the advantageous effects of the present invention, specific exemplary embodiments are described in detail below.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 shows a schematic view of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 2A shows a schematic view of the battery units of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 2 B shows a schematic view of the battery units of another embodiment of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 2C shows a schematic exploded view of the battery units of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 3 shows a schematic side view of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 4A and 4B show schematic views of another embodiment of the electrically conductive section of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate;
• 5 shows a schematic view according to the present invention, in which the in the 4A electrically conductive cooling plate shown is additionally provided with a microchannel;
• 6 shows a schematic view of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate, which is additionally provided with a microchannel;
• 7A and 7B show schematic views of another embodiment of the battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate, which is additionally provided with a microchannel.

Detailed description of the exemplary embodiments

In order to make the advantages, spirit and features of the present invention more understandable, embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments and with reference to specific drawings, but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. These embodiments are provided only to make the present disclosure more thorough and easier to understand.

The terminology used herein is intended only to describe the specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the general spirit of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," "an," and "the," "the," "that" shall also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meanings as would be assigned to them by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain. It should also be made clear that expressions, e.g. B. those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technique, and are not to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, so long as this is not expressly defined herein.

Reference throughout this specification to “a single embodiment” or “any embodiment” means that a function, structure, or feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the expressions “in a single embodiment” or “in any embodiment” in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments. Further, as a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand from this disclosure, the individual functions, structures, or characteristics may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments.

In describing the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "coupled", "connected" and "arranged" are to be understood broadly. For example, it can be a mechanical or an electrical connection, or it can be an internal connection between two components, which can be connected directly or via an intermediate medium. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention will be understandable to those skilled in the art depending on the specific situation.

The battery module according to the invention with an electrically conductive cooling plate comprises a battery module and at least one electrically conductive cooling plate, the battery module consisting of a plurality of battery units stacked in a single axial direction, a respective battery unit comprising two flat electrode collector layers arranged parallel to one another and the two flat electrode collector layers the heteropolar power output connections of a respective one Represent battery unit. The electrically conductive cooling plate is clamped between two adjacent battery units and has a flat electrically insulating body and at least one electrically conductive section provided in the flat electrically insulating body. The electric one The conductive portion is electrically connected to the planar electrode collector layers of two adjacent battery units to form an electrically conductive path. The heat generated by two adjacent battery units is conducted through the flat electrically insulating body to form a heat dissipation path. It will be on 1 Referenced. For example, the battery module 1 has a battery module 10 and an electrically conductive cooling plate 40, the battery module 10 being formed by vertically stacking a plurality of battery units 20 (Z axis). The electrical connection between the multiple battery units 20 can be made by a series connection, a parallel connection or a series-parallel connection. The electrically conductive cooling plate 40 is clamped between two adjacent battery units 20. In this case, the electrical connection of two adjacent battery units 20 can take place via a series connection or a parallel connection. It is important to note here that the number and connection methods of the battery units 20 shown in the figure, as well as the number and positions of the electrically conductive cooling plates 40, are for illustrative purposes only. Each battery unit 20 is a complete and independent module, which is described in detail below.

It will be on the 1 , 2A and 2C Referenced. In the present invention, complete and individually encapsulated battery units 20 are used to form a battery module 10. A respective battery unit 20 comprises two flat electrode collector layers 24, 25, an electrochemical system 201 and a frame adhesive 26, the two flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 representing the heteropolar power output connections of a respective battery unit 20. For example, if the flat electrode collector layer 24 is the positive output terminal, the flat electrode collector layer 25 is the negative output terminal. For example, if the flat electrode collector layer 24 is the negative output terminal, the flat electrode collector layer 25 is the positive output terminal. The electrochemical system 201 comprises a separating layer 21, two active material layers 22, 23 and an electrolyte system impregnated or mixed into the active material layers 22, 23. The material of the separating layer 21 can be selected from the following materials: polymer materials, ceramic materials, fiberglass materials, polymer materials coated with ceramic powder, or fiberglass materials. The separating layer 21 has microholes through which ions can pass. The microholes can be in the form of through holes or angled holes (non-linear and continuous), or even made directly from porous materials. If an insulating material without ionic conductivity is selected for the ceramic powder, it can be made of micro- and nano-sized materials such as titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), aluminum (I) oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ), etc. or alkylated Ceramic particles exist. An oxidic solid electrolyte such as lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (Li ₇ La ₃ Zr ₂ O ₁₂ ; LLZO) and lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) can also be selected as the ceramic material. Furthermore, the ceramic material can be a mixture of insulating ceramic material and oxide solid electrolyte. When the release layer is formed by stacking the ceramic powder, it may further include a polymer adhesive such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer (PVDF-HFP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), acrylic acid glue, epoxy resin, polyethylene oxide (PEO). , polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyimide (PI).

The electrolyte system is impregnated or mixed into the active material layers 22, 23 and may be a liquid, colloidal, solid electrolyte, or a mixed electrolyte of any combination thereof. The active material layers 22, 23 are separated by the separating layer 21 lying between them, the active material layers 22, 23 and the separating layer 21 together forming an electrochemical system 201. The separating layer 21 is clamped between the active material layers 22, 23 and serves to insulate the active material layers 22, 23. Through their active materials, the active material layers 22, 23 can convert chemical energy into electrical energy (power supply) or convert electrical energy into chemical energy and store it in the system (Charging) to achieve ion conduction and ion migration at the same time. The electrons generated can be led out directly from the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25. The materials of the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 are usually copper and aluminum. Of course, the materials of these can also be other metals such as nickel, tin, silver and gold or metal alloys.

At the same time, the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 are matched to the peripheral frame adhesive 26 and together serve as encapsulation components of the battery unit 20. The frame adhesive 26 is a polymer material, and apart from the fact that it can adhere to the surfaces of the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 and must be stable in the electrolyte system, it is not subject to any special restrictions. For example, the material of the frame adhesive 26 may be epoxy resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyimide, silicone resin, acrylic resin, silica gel or UV-curing adhesive. The frame adhesive is arranged on the circumference between the two flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 and surrounds the electrochemical system 201 (the active material layers 22, 23 and the separating layer 21 between them). The frame adhesive and the two electrode collector layers bonded to it encapsulate the electrolyte system between the two electrode collector layers 24, 25 without leakage and are not in contact with the electrolyte systems of other battery units 20. Therefore, a battery unit 20 is a self-contained and complete power supply module formed by directly using the two flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 and the frame adhesive 26 as an encapsulation structure.

In order to improve the encapsulation effect of the frame adhesive 26 when the frame adhesive 26 is made of silica gel, the frame adhesive 26 can be constructed in three layers. It will be on 2 B Referenced. The upper and lower layers are modified silica gel layers 261, 262 and the middle one is the silica gel layer 263. The modified silica gel layers 261, 262 on two sides are modified by adjusting the composition ratio of the addition silicone and the condensation curing silicone or adding additives to make them to the Connecting heterogeneous materials (here the heterogeneous materials are the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 and the middle silica gel layer 263). This design can improve the adhesion between interfaces while improving the integrity of the overall appearance and also the production yield.

It will now open again 1 Referenced. The electrically conductive cooling plate 40 has a flat electrically insulating body 41 and at least one electrically conductive section 42 provided in the flat electrically insulating body 41, the electrically conductive cooling plate 40 being clamped between the opposite flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 of the upper and lower adjacent battery units 20 is. The area size of the flat electrically insulating body 41 is essentially equal to the area size of the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 of a respective battery unit 20. In the present exemplary embodiment, the electrically conductive sections 42 are represented by a plurality of electrically conductive rods which pass through the flat electrically insulating body 41 , wherein the upper and lower ends of the electrically conductive rods are in direct contact with the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 of two adjacent battery units 20 and the upper and lower ends of the electrically conductive sections 42 (the electrically conductive rods) protrude from the flat electrically insulating body . The number of electrically conductive sections 42 (electrically conductive rods) is a plurality. The electrically conductive sections can be arranged in an array in the flat electrically insulating body.

Here, the flat electrically insulating body 41 of the electrically conductive cooling plate 40 mainly serves as a carrier. In addition to fixing (positioning) the electrically conductive sections 42, it also serves to dissipate heat. Therefore it can be a thermal pad made of ceramic or silicone. The electrically conductive portions 42 of the electrically conductive cooling plate 40 are electrically connected to the upper and lower battery units 20 and may be connected in series or in parallel. It will be at the same time on the 1 and 3 Referenced. Therefore, to establish an electrical connection, the electrically conductive sections 42 are in direct contact with two adjacent battery units 20 on the top and bottom (namely the sides facing the electrically conductive cooling plate 40), the electrical connection being made by series connection. In another embodiment (not shown), the electrically conductive sections 42 are in direct contact with the flat electrode collector layers of two adjacent battery units 20 on the top and bottom, which have the same polarity, in order to establish an electrical connection, the electrical connection being made by connecting in parallel . The electrically conductive sections 42 can be made of various conductive materials such as copper, gold, silver, aluminum, etc. In order to ensure a sufficient conduction area, the upper and lower surfaces of the electrically conductive cooling plate 40, namely the surfaces used for contacting the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25, amount to 75 to 90% of the surface area of the flat electrically insulating body 41. In order further To ensure electrical connection between the upper and lower adjacent battery units 20 and to maintain a certain heat dissipation effect and support effect, the thickness of the electrically conductive portions 42 (electrically conductive rods) is larger than the thickness of the flat electrically insulating body 41. The thickness of the electrically conductive portions 42 (electrically conductive rods) is preferably 0.8 to 1.2 mm, and the thickness of the flat electrically insulating body 41 is preferably 0.6 to 1.0 mm.

Furthermore, the electrically conductive sections 42 designed as electrically conductive rods can also have cylindrical or other shapes in addition to the cuboid shape. The density and posi The array arrangement can also be adjusted as needed.

In addition to the electrically conductive rods, the electrically conductive section 42 can also be designed in the form of an electrically conductive layer. It will be on the 4A and 4B Referenced. The electrically conductive section 42, designed in the form of an electrically conductive layer, penetrates the flat electrically insulating body 41. That is, the flat electrically insulating body 41 surrounds the periphery of the electrically conductive portion 42. The electrically conductive layer (the electrically conductive portion 42) has upper and lower surfaces protruding from the flat electrically insulating body 41, thereby forming the upper and lower surfaces lower surface can be in direct contact with the two mutually facing flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 of the upper and lower adjacent battery units 20. Therefore, the upper and lower adjacent battery units 20 are electrically connected to each other through the electrically conductive layer (the electrically conductive portion 42). The thickness of the electrically conductive portion 42 (the electrically conductive layer) is greater than the thickness of the flat electrically insulating body 41. The thickness of the electrically conductive portion 42 (the electrically conductive layer) is preferably 0.8 to 1.2 mm and the Thickness of the flat electrically insulating body 41 is preferably 0.6 to 1.0 mm to ensure that the electrically conductive portion 42 (the electrically conductive layer) with the two facing flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 of the upper and lower adjacent battery units 20 can be in contact, and thus establish an electrical connection and maintain a certain heat dissipation and support effect.

It will now open 5 Referenced. In order to further increase the heat dissipation effect of the electrically conductive cooling plate 40, a microchannel 43 may be provided in the electrically conductive portion 42 (in the electrically conductive layer) to allow a fluid (such as air or a coolant) to circulate and dissipate heat. Since the electrically conductive portion 42 (the electrically conductive layer) is embedded in the planar electrically insulating body 41, the planar electrically insulating body 41 must have an inlet and an outlet corresponding to the microchannel 43 of the electrically conductive portion 42 (the electrically conductive layer). to ensure fluid can flow in and out.

It will now open 6 Referenced. Similar can also be done in the exemplary embodiment of 1 and 3 a microchannel 43 for fluid circulation and heat dissipation can be provided in the flat electrically insulating body 41. The microchannel 43 may be provided on only one side, and its upper part may be hollowed out so that a fluid can come into direct contact with the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25, which not only facilitates processing but also improves the heat dissipation effect. In this case the fluid may be air, etc. Furthermore, if the uniformity of the heat dissipation of two adjacent battery units 20 is to be taken into account, a microchannel 43 can be provided on both sides (see 7A) , whereby the best heat dissipation effect can be achieved with the flat electrode collector layers 24, 25 coming into contact on both sides. Or the microchannel 43 is, as in 7B shown, designed to be embedded. In this case the fluid can be air or a coolant. The shapes of the electrically conductive sections 42 and the microchannel 43 shown in the figures are for illustrative purposes only. For example, the microchannel 43 is shown here in connection with the electrically conductive sections 42, which are designed as rectangular electrically conductive rods. I.e. the electrically conductive sections 42 can be designed in any shape and equipped with a suitable microchannel 43. Furthermore, the flow direction, position and width of the microchannel 43 can be adjusted according to actual needs. The representation in the figures is for illustrative purposes only.

In summary, the present invention provides a battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate, wherein in the battery module an electrically conductive cooling plate is clamped directly between two adjacent battery units for an electrical connection, at the same time a large-area heat dissipation path can be provided through the flat electrically insulating body of the electrically conductive cooling plate , which can effectively dissipate the heat generated by the battery module and maintain the optimal performance of the battery module. Since the electrically conductive cooling plate provides both electrical connection and heat dissipation, commonly used external connection mechanisms such as electrically conductive contact terminals can be omitted to improve volume utilization. In addition, the flat electrically insulating body may be provided with a microchannel, thereby further improving the overall heat dissipation effect to achieve the beneficial effects of both high volume utilization and efficient heat dissipation.

The above description of the drawings only represents preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the claims. All equivalent changes and modifications that may be made by one skilled in the art in accordance with the description and drawings of the invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention thus relates to a battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate, in which an electrically conductive cooling plate is arranged between two adjacent battery units, the electrically conductive cooling plate having a flat electrically insulating body and at least one electrically conductive section. The electrically conductive section forms an electrical transmission path for the flat electrically insulating body, whereby there is an electrical connection between the battery units. This electrically conductive cooling plate may further include a microchannel to improve the volume utilization and heat dissipation efficiency of the entire battery module.

Reference symbol list

1

Battery module

10

Battery module

20

Battery unit

201

electrochemical system

21

separating layer

22, 23

Active material layer

24, 25

flat electrode collector layer

26

Frame glue

261

modified silica gel layer

262

modified silica gel layer

263

Silica gel layer

40

electrically conductive cooling plate

41

flat electrically insulating body

42

electrically conductive section

43

Microchannel

Claims (12)

A battery module with an electrically conductive cooling plate, comprising a battery module consisting of a plurality of battery units stacked in a single axial direction, a respective battery unit having two flat electrode collector layers arranged parallel to one another and serving as heteropolar power output terminals of this battery unit; and at least one electrically conductive cooling plate, which is clamped between two adjacent battery units and has a flat electrically insulating body and at least one electrically conductive section provided in the flat electrically insulating body, wherein to form an electrically conductive path, the electrically conductive section is electrically connected to the flat electrode collector layers adjacent battery units is connected and to form a heat dissipation path, the flat electrically insulating body conducts the heat generated by two adjacent battery units. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which the electrically conductive section of the electrically conductive cooling plate penetrates the flat electrically insulating body, the two ends of which are in direct contact with the two flat electrode collector layers of two adjacent battery units. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 2 , in which the number of electrically conductive sections is a plurality, the electrically conductive sections being arranged in an array in the flat electrically insulating body. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 2 , in which the upper and lower ends of the electrically conductive section protrude from the flat electrically insulating body. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which the surface of the electrically conductive section is 75 to 90% of the surface of the flat electrically insulating body. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which the electrically conductive section of the electrically conductive cooling plate is embedded in the flat electrically insulating body, the electrically conductive section having an upper and a lower surface which are exposed on the flat electrically insulating body and with the two flat electrode collector layers facing one another neighboring battery units are in direct contact. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 6 , in which a microchannel in the electrically conductive section is provided and serves for fluid circulation and heat dissipation. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 6 , in which the thickness of the electrically conductive section is greater than the thickness of the flat electrically insulating body. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which two adjacent battery units are electrically connected to each other through an electrically conductive section to form a series connection or a parallel connection. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which the area size of the flat electrically insulating body is essentially equal to that of the flat electrode collector layers of a respective battery unit. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , in which a microchannel is provided in the flat electrically insulating body and is used for fluid circulation and heat dissipation. Battery module with electrically conductive cooling plate Claim 1 , wherein a respective battery unit comprises: the two planar electrode collector layers; a frame adhesive disposed between the two flat electrode collector layers, the two flat electrode collector layers and the frame adhesive together forming a closed space; and an electrochemical system disposed in the closed space to isolate it from the external environment and prevent the electrolyte of the electrochemical system from flowing outside; wherein the frame adhesive and the two flat electrode collector layers serve as the encapsulation structure of the battery units.

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