JP3241876U - Battery module with thermally conductive structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery module that prevents battery cells from reaching relatively high temperatures. A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells, a battery holder and a plurality of heat conductors; the battery holder is used to receive and fix the battery cells. Each thermal conductor is respectively interposed in a space maintained between correspondingly adjacent battery cells; and at least one end of each thermal conductor passes vertically through the battery holder to the heat collector. Connected. The heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells around the heat conductor can be conducted to the heat collector through the heat conductor, so that the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells is stored in the battery cells. to prevent [Selection drawing] Fig. 5

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly to a battery module that uses a heat-conducting structure to conduct and collect heat generated during charging and discharging of battery cells.

In recent years, with the demand for environmental protection and carbon dioxide reduction, electric vehicles have gradually gained popularity among people. Many automobile manufacturers are entering the development of electric vehicles one after another in order to seize business opportunities in the electric vehicle market. Electric vehicles are powered by batteries, such as lithium batteries. In order to increase the battery driving power of electric vehicles, electric vehicles are usually installed with battery modules having a number of battery cells to provide sufficient power for use in the electric vehicles.

See FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG. 1, 2 and 3 are top, front and side cross-sectional views of a conventional battery module. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the battery module 100 includes a housing 11, a plurality of battery cells 12, a first holder 131 and a second holder 132. As shown in FIG. These battery cells 12 are accommodated and fixed between a first holder 131 and a second holder 132, and the first holder 131 and second holder 132 with these battery cells 12 are arranged in the housing 11, Body 11 protects battery cell 12 and first holder 131 and second holder 132 .

When the battery cells 12 of the battery module 100 are charged and discharged, they generate heat and their temperature rises. In order to dissipate heat generated by charging and discharging of the battery cell 12, a blower fan 151 and an exhaust fan 153 are normally installed on both sides of the housing 11, respectively. The first holder 131 and the second holder 132 containing the battery cells 12 are arranged between the blower fan 151 and the exhaust fan 153 . The blower fan 151 sends external cold air toward the position where the battery cell 12 is located inside the housing 11 , and the sent cold air becomes hot air after passing through the heated battery cell 12 . Subsequently, the exhaust fan 153 extracts the hot air and exhausts the hot air to the outside. Blower fan 151 blows air and exhaust fan 153 draws out hot air, so that the temperature of battery cell 12 generated by charging and discharging can be lowered.

Since the conventional battery cells 12 are horizontally arranged at the same height between the elongated first holder 131 and the second holder 132, most of the wind force of the cold air sent by the blower fan 151 is The fan 151 is interrupted by the battery cells 12 in the front row, which are relatively close, causing the phenomenon of high flow resistance. Only a small amount of wind power can pass through the gaps between the front row battery cells 12 and flow to the back row battery cells 12 . In addition, since a relatively large number of battery cells 12 are installed within the limited space of the first holder 131 and the second holder 132, the gaps between the arranged battery cells 12 are usually very small, 2 mm, for example, which also creates a situation of high flow resistance, making cold air flow between the battery cells 12 very inefficient. Therefore, the cold air sent by the blower fan 151 can often flow only in places with low flow resistance. It is sent to the outside of the holder 131 and the second holder 132 . The battery cells 12 arranged in the inner region 121 of the battery module 100 are difficult to receive cold air, and tend to reach a relatively high temperature when the battery cells 12 are charged and discharged.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the battery module 100 operates, the temperature detector detects the temperature of four battery cells (A, B, C, D) 12 at different positions. As a result of temperature detection, the temperature of the battery cell (A) 12 is T1, the temperature of the battery cell (B) 12 is T2, the temperature of the battery cell (C) 12 is T3, and the temperature of the battery cell (D) 12 is T4. and the temperature levels of these four battery cells 12 are T4>T3>T2>T1. The temperature of the inner battery cell (D) 12 in the rear row relatively far from the blower fan 151 is higher than the temperature of the inner battery cells (A, B, C) 12 in the relatively front row. In addition, cold air is introduced from the blower fan 151, and the cold air exchanges heat with each battery cell 12 passing through. The air received by the battery cells 12 located at the rear in the wind direction is the air after the battery cells 12 at the front have finished heat exchange. Therefore, the temperature of each battery cell 12 inside the entire battery module 100 presents a temperature gradient that gradually rises according to the distance from the blower fan 151 . The deterioration speed of the battery cells 12 located at the rear of the wind direction is much faster than the battery cells 12 located at the front of the wind direction, and the service life of the battery module 100 is relatively short.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module including a housing, a battery holder, a plurality of battery cells and a heat conducting structure. An air outlet is provided on one side inside the housing, and an air outlet is provided on the other side. A battery holder is installed between the air outlet and the air outlet of the housing, and is used to accommodate and fix a plurality of battery cells. The heat transfer structure includes a plurality of heat conductors and heat collectors. Each thermal conductor is respectively interposed in a space maintained between correspondingly adjacent battery cells, and at least one end of each thermal conductor passes vertically through the battery holder and is connected to the heat collector. be. When the battery module operates, each thermal conductor absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells, transports the heat to the housing, gathers the heat in the housing, and charges and discharges the battery cells. It can be prevented from being in a relatively high temperature state when performing an operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which the heat collector is a large area metal block. When the heat conductor transports heat to the rear or middle portion of the metal mass, the relatively large thermal conductivity characteristic of the large area metal mass conducts the heat to the lower temperature front portion of the metal mass. to achieve the effect of remote heat exchange.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which the heat conducting structure further includes at least one heat pipe. The heat input end of each heat pipe is connected to the corresponding metal mass, and the cooling end is provided relatively close to the air outlet or connected to the heat dissipation fins. When the battery module 100 operates, the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cells is transported to the metal mass by the heat conductor and collected in the metal mass. After that, when the working liquid inside the heat input end of the heat pipe absorbs the heat accumulated in the metal mass, a phase transition occurs, and the heat is quickly transported to the condensation end by means of steam flow. When the condensing end of the heat pipe receives heat, the radiating fins can immediately dissipate the heat received by the condensing end of the heat pipe. By installing the heat pipe, the heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cells collected in the metal mass can be quickly transported to the cooling side, thereby accelerating the heat exchange rate in the remote location.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a battery module with a heat-conducting structure. a plurality of battery cells; a battery holder used to receive and secure the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of thermal conductors, each in a space held between correspondingly adjacent battery cells. a plurality of heat conductors inserted, each having at least one end vertically passing through the battery holder and connected to the heat collector;

In an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module further includes a metal housing. One side of the inside of the metal housing is provided with an air outlet, the other side is provided with an air outlet, the battery holder is installed between the air outlet and the air outlet, and the heat collector is the metal housing.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the heat conductor is a metal column made of aluminum, a metal column made of copper or a heat pipe.

In an embodiment of the present invention, each heat conductor is provided with a flattened portion at one end, each heat conductor is connected to the heat collector through the flattened portion, and the narrow side of the flattened portion faces the air outlet.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the heat conductor is a circular, triangular or square metal column.

In an embodiment of the invention, the collector is a metal block.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of heat radiating fins are installed on the surface of the metal block.

An embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one heat pipe. One end of the heat pipe is connected to the heat collector, and the other end is provided relatively close to the air outlet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pipe further comprises heat radiating fins, and the other end of the heat pipe is connected with the heat radiating fins.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat radiating fins are installed near the air outlet.

FIG. 1 is a top cross-sectional view of a conventional battery module installed in a housing. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front view of a conventional battery module installed in a housing. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a conventional battery module installed in a housing. FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the battery system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view of an embodiment of the battery system of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a top view of a thermal conductor in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10B is a bottom view of a thermal conductor in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10C is a right side view of a heat conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10D is a left side view of a heat conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10E is a front view of a thermal conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention; FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional front view of another embodiment of the battery system of the present invention;

See FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 and 5 are top perspective and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of the battery module of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the battery module 300 of this embodiment includes a housing 31 , a plurality of battery cells 32 and a battery holder 33 . The housing 31 is a metal housing, and an air blower 351 having an air outlet is provided on one side thereof, and an air exhaust device 353 having an air outlet is provided on the other side. During charging and discharging of the battery module 300 , cold air enters the housing 31 through the air outlet of the air blower 351 and hot air is discharged through the air outlet of the exhaust device 353 .

Battery holder 33 includes a first holder 331 and a second holder 332 . The first holder 331 and the second holder 332 each include a socket (not shown). The upper end of each battery cell 32 is fitted into the socket of the first holder 331 and the lower end is fitted into the socket of the second holder 332 . Each battery cell 32 is fixed between the first holder 331 and the second holder 332, and each battery cell 32 can maintain a gap between each other. In this embodiment, the battery cells 32 are mounted in the battery holder 33 in a matrix arrangement manner.

The battery module 300 of the present invention further includes a plurality of heat conductors 34 . Each thermal conductor 34 is respectively interposed in the space maintained between correspondingly adjacent battery cells 32 . The thermal conductors 34 may be metal posts made of aluminum, metal posts made of copper, heat pipes, or conductors with relatively good thermal conductivity. Furthermore, since the battery cells 32 remote from the air outlet are often in a relatively high temperature state during charging and discharging, each heat conductor 34 is located inside the battery holder 33 and is relatively remote from the air outlet. It can also be chosen to be placed in the space maintained between adjacent battery cells 32 . One end of the heat conductor 34 passes through the first holder 331 of the battery holder 33 and is connected to the housing 31 , and the other end passes through the second holder 332 of the battery holder 33 and is connected to the housing 31 .

In this embodiment, the housing 31 is used as a heat collector. When the battery module 300 operates, each thermal conductor 34 absorbs the amount of heat generated by the charging and discharging of the surrounding battery cells 32, transfers the amount of heat to the housing 31, and collects the amount of heat in the housing 31. can be done. Subsequently, the amount of heat collected in the housing 31 is released by blowing air from the air blowing device 351 and exhausting air from the combined air exhausting device 353 . The thermal conduction of the heat conductor 34 transports the amount of heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell 32 to the housing 31 and collects it in the housing 31, and the battery cell 32 is in a relatively high temperature state when the charging and discharging operation is performed. can be prevented.

See FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 and 7 are top perspective and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the battery holder 33 of the battery module 301 of this embodiment, the battery cells 32 are arranged in parallel, and the adjacent two rows of battery cells 32 are arranged alternately between each other. be done.

Battery module 301 further includes a plurality of lead frames 37 . The battery cells 32 are connected in series via a lead frame 37 . Some lead frames 37 are installed in the inner space of the first holder 331 and used to electrically connect the top electrodes (positive or negative) of two adjacent battery cells 32, and the other lead frames 37 are installed in the inner space of the second holder 332 and used to electrically connect the bottom electrodes (negative or positive) of two adjacent battery cells 32 .

Similarly, the battery module 301 of this embodiment also has multiple thermal conductors 36 . Each heat conductor 36 is located inside the battery holder 33 and is installed in the space between the adjacent battery cells 32 relatively far from the air outlet. Furthermore, since the lead frame 37 spans between two adjacent battery cells 32 , one end of the heat conductor 36 installed between the battery cells 32 is blocked by the lead frame 37 and connected to the housing 31 . I can't. For example, the upper end of the heat conductor 36 is blocked by the lead frame 37 in the first holder 331 and is not connected to the housing 31 , and the lower end passes through the second holder 332 and is connected to the housing 31 . Alternatively, the lower end of the heat conductor 36 is blocked by the lead frame 37 in the second holder 332 and is not connected to the housing 31 , and the upper end passes through the first holder 331 and is connected to the housing 31 . In addition, in the present invention, the shape of the heat conductor 36 can be determined according to the closeness between the heat conductor 36 and the surrounding battery cells 32, for example, the heat conductor 36 can be triangular, circular or It is designed with a square metal column.

See Figures 8, 9 and 10A-10D. 8, 9 and 10A to 10D are top perspective view, front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention, and top view, bottom view and right side view of the heat conductor in the embodiment of the present invention, respectively. , a left view and a front view. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10A to 10D, in the battery module 302 of this embodiment, a flat portion 361 is provided at one end of the heat conductor 36 . The flat portion 361 is a wide and thin part formed by pressing one end of the heat conductor 36 . One end of each heat conductor 36 is connected to the housing 31 (or called a heat collector) via a flat portion 361, and when specifically installed, the narrow side of the flat portion 361 faces the air outlet.

The effect of the flat part 361 is the same as that of the radiating fins, and when installed, the heat exchange area between the heat conductor 36 and the air can be increased, thus improving the heat exchange efficiency. In addition, the narrow side of the flat portion 361 faces the air outlet, which can reduce the air resistance, thereby preventing the heat exchange of other heat conductors 36 behind from being affected.

See FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 and 12 are top perspective and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention. Compared with the battery module 300 of the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the battery module 303 of the present embodiment has at least one metal lump such as a copper lump or an aluminum lump having relatively excellent thermal conductivity. 39 is further included. Metal lumps 39 are placed on the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the inner edge of housing 31 . Both ends of the heat conductor 34 are connected to corresponding metal lumps 39 respectively. Furthermore, the heat conductor 34 can also be designed as a circular, triangular or square metal column. In this embodiment, the metal block 39 is used as a heat collector. Heat generated by charging and discharging the battery cells 32 is transported to the metal lumps 39 by the heat conductor 34 and collected in the metal lumps 39 to prevent the heat generated by charging and discharging from accumulating in the battery cells 32 .

The large area metal mass 39 can also be a heat sink, which has a relatively high thermal conductivity. The amount of heat collected in the middle and back side of the metal mass 39 can be conducted to the front portion of the metal mass 39 where the temperature is relatively low (e.g., the cooling side close to the blower), thereby transferring the heat to the remote location. achieve an exchange effect.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13 , a plurality of heat dissipation fins 391 are further installed on the surface of the metal block 39 to increase the heat exchange area of the metal block 39 and enhance the heat dissipation effect of the metal block 39 .

See FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 and 15 are top perspective and front cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of the battery module of the present invention. Compared to the battery module 300 of the above embodiment, the battery module 304 of this embodiment further includes one or more metal lumps 39, as shown in FIGS. Each metal block 39 corresponds to a specific region, and the heat conductor 34 inserted between the plurality of battery cells 32 in the specific region has both ends connected to the corresponding metal blocks 39 .

Additionally, battery module 304 further includes one or more heat pipes 392 . One end (for example, the heat input end) of each heat pipe 392 is connected to the corresponding metal block 39 , and the other end (for example, the cooling end) is provided relatively close to the air outlet or connected to the heat dissipation fins 38 . be. The radiation fins 38 can also be installed at a position where air convection is relatively favorable.

When the battery module 304 operates, the amount of heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells 32 in a specific area is transported to the corresponding metal lumps 39 by the heat conductors 34 and collected in the corresponding metal lumps 39 . Then, when the working fluid inside the heat input end of the heat pipe 392 absorbs the heat collected in the metal block 39, a phase transition occurs and the heat is quickly transported to the condensation end by means of steam flow. When the condensing end of the heat pipe 392 receives heat, the heat received by the condensing end of the heat pipe 392 can be immediately radiated through the radiation fins 38 .

Here, the amount of heat collected in each metal block 39 and generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cells 32 in a specific region can be quickly transported to the cooling side (for example, the position of the radiation fins 38) by the heat pipes 392. , thereby accelerating the rate of remote heat exchange and further enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency when the battery module 304 is in operation.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation scope of the present invention. That is, equivalent changes and modifications based on the shape, structure, features and gist described in the utility model claims of the present invention should all be included within the scope of the utility model registration claims of the present invention.

100 battery module 11 housing 12 battery cell 131 first holder 132 second holder 151 blower fan 153 exhaust fan 300 battery module 301 battery module 302 battery module 303 battery module 304 battery module 31 housing 32 battery cell 33 battery holder 331 second 1 holder 332 second holder 34 thermal conductor 351 blower 353 exhauster 36 thermal conductor 361 flat portion 37 lead frame 38 heat radiation fin 39 metal block 391 heat radiation fin 392 heat pipe

Claims (10)

a plurality of battery cells;
a battery holder used to accommodate and secure the plurality of battery cells;
a plurality of thermal conductors, each interposed in a space maintained between correspondingly adjacent battery cells, each having at least one end perpendicularly passing through the battery holder to a heat collector; a plurality of connected thermal conductors;
A battery module having a heat-conducting structure comprising: further comprising a metal housing, wherein one side of the metal housing is provided with an air outlet, and the other side is provided with an air outlet; the battery holder is installed between the air outlet and the air outlet; 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heater is the metal housing. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is an aluminum metal column, a copper metal column or a heat pipe. A flat portion is provided at one end of each of the heat conductors, each of the heat conductors is connected to the heat collector through the flat portion, and a narrow side of the flat portion faces the air outlet. The battery module described in . The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat conductor is a circular, triangular or square metal column. 2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein said heat collector is a lump of metal. 7. The battery module of claim 6, wherein a plurality of heat radiating fins are installed on the surface of the metal block. 3. The battery module of claim 2, further comprising at least one heat pipe, wherein one end of said heat pipe is connected with said heat collector and the other end is provided relatively close to said air outlet. 9. The battery module of claim 8, further comprising heat radiating fins, wherein the other end of the heat pipe is connected with the heat radiating fins. 10. The battery module according to claim 9, wherein said heat radiating fins are provided near said air outlet.

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