KR102511573B1 - Indirect cooling type battery module and Method for assemblying the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery, and more particularly, to a battery module and an assembly method that enable weight reduction and/or easy mounting position by using an indirect cooling method using a cooling plate.

Description

Indirect cooling type battery module and method for assembling the same}

The present invention relates to a battery, and more particularly, to a battery module and an assembly method that enable weight reduction and/or easy mounting position by using an indirect cooling method using a cooling plate.

In the case of a battery module installed in an eco-friendly vehicle, a cooling method is adopted and applied to secure product performance and/or durability. An air-cooling method and a water-cooling method are representative cooling methods of the battery module. In the case of the air-cooling type, space between the battery cells is cooled by air, and in the case of the water-cooling type, a certain passage is provided between the cells to be cooled by antifreeze.

Recently, with the increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles, battery cells are gradually being developed into high-output and high-capacity specifications. In this case, the energy value of each battery cell tends to gradually increase, and as a result, the amount of heat generated by the battery cell also increases.

It is a cooling method as a technology to prevent heat generation of battery cells, and in the case of current air-cooling and water-cooling, structurally securing a high proportion of space. However, in eco-friendly vehicles, there is a need for a substitute method in a situation where products are reduced in weight and/or size for the purpose of improving fuel efficiency.

However, in the case of a general battery module, air cooling and water cooling function to cool battery cell heat. In this case, since the weight of the battery space increases, there is a problem in that there are restrictions on weight reduction and vehicle mounting position.

1. Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0144330

An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module and an assembly method thereof that enable light weight and/or easy mounting position by using an indirect cooling method using a cooling plate.

In order to achieve the object presented above, the present invention provides an indirect cooling type battery module that enables light weight and/or easy mounting position.

The indirect cooling method battery module,

a plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203;

a plurality of cooling plates 210 respectively inserted between the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203 to be in surface contact with each other;

a plurality of heat sinks 220 coupled to upper ends of the plurality of cooling plates 210 and respectively disposed on upper surfaces of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203;

a pair of end plates 250 and 260 respectively disposed on outer surfaces of sub-battery modules positioned at both ends of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203;

a front cover 270 assembled on front surfaces of the plurality of sub battery modules 201, 202, and 203; and

It may be characterized in that it includes a rear cover 280 assembled on the rear surface of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203.

In addition, one end plate of the plurality of heat sinks 220 and the pair of end plates 250 and 260 may be fastened at once by bolting.

In addition, the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203 may include first and second battery cells 441 and 442; a rear cover 431 assembled on the rear surface of the first battery cell 441; a front cover 432 assembled on the front surface of the second battery cell 442; upper housings 201-1, 202-1, and 203-1 assembled to upper surfaces of the first and second battery cells 441 and 442, the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432; and the lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2 assembled to upper surfaces of the first and second battery cells 441 and 442, the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432. can

In addition, support portions 701 , 702 , and 703 supporting the plurality of cooling plates 210 may be formed in the lower housings 201 - 2 , 202 - 2 , and 203 - 2 , respectively.

In addition, the material of the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432 may be characterized in that aluminum.

In addition, a plurality of cooling holes 311 for circulation of cooling air may be formed in the plurality of cooling plates 210 .

In addition, the plurality of sub battery modules 201 , 202 , 203 and the pair of end plates 250 and 260 may be fastened together by bolting.

In addition, the plurality of cooling plates 210 and the plurality of heat sinks 220 may be made of aluminum.

On the other hand, another embodiment of the present invention includes preparing a plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203; inserting a plurality of cooling plates 210 to be in surface contact between the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively; disposing a plurality of heat sinks 220 on top surfaces of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively; coupling the upper ends of the plurality of cooling plates 210 and the plurality of heat sinks 220; disposing and combining a pair of end plates 250 and 260 on an outer surface of a sub-battery module positioned at both ends of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203; and coupling a front cover 270 and a rear cover 280 to the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively. can

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight and/or size of a battery through an indirect cooling method using a cooling plate.

In addition, as another effect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce costs due to weight reduction and/or size reduction of the battery from the developer's point of view.

1 is an external perspective view of an indirect cooling method battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 1 .
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-battery module 201 composed of two battery cells in the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the heat sink 220 using bolts to the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of assembling end plates 250 and 260 using bolts to the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 in FIG. 1 cut along axis II.
8 is a cross-sectional view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 in FIG. 1 cut along the II-II axis.

Since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

In describing each figure, like reference numbers are used for like elements. Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and/or" includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this application, they should not be interpreted in ideal or excessively formal meanings. Should not be.

Hereinafter, an indirect cooling type battery module and an assembly method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an external perspective view of an indirect cooling method battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the indirect cooling method battery module 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 2 , in the indirect cooling type battery module 100, first to third sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203 are disposed, and a cooling plate 210 is disposed between the first to third sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203. are inserted so as to be in surface contact with each other.

The first to third sub-battery modules 201 , 202 , and 203 are composed of two battery cells and a pair of covers 230 . That is, a front cover and a rear cover are assembled on both sides, respectively. A drawing showing this is shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later.

In addition, in the first to third sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, the first to third upper housings 201-1, 202-1, and 203-1 are respectively assembled on the upper surfaces of the battery cells 240, the rear cover, and the front cover, and the lower First to third lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2 are assembled to the surface, respectively. Of course, at the front and/or rear ends of the upper housings 201-1, 202-1, and 203-1 and the lower housings 201-2, 202-2, 203-2, bus bars 209 connecting the battery cells 240 and module electrodes 208 ), etc. are assembled.

In addition, the heat sink 220 is disposed on the top surface of the first to third sub-battery modules 201 , 202 , and 203 to be coupled to the top end of the cooling plate 210 . To this end, first through holes 211 for inserting bolts are formed at both ends of the heat sink 220 , and second through holes 221 are also formed at the top end of the cooling plate 210 . Of course, bolts can be inserted only when the first through holes 211 and the second through holes 221 are matched, and the heat sink 220 is fastened to the upper end of the cooling plate 210 by the insertion of these bolts. can

In addition, a pair of end plates 250 and 260 are disposed on the outer surfaces of the first and third sub-battery modules 201 and 203 positioned at both ends of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202 and 203, respectively. In other words, the first end plate 260 is disposed on the outer surface of the first sub-battery module 201 and the third end plate 250 is disposed on the outer surface of the third sub-battery module 203 .

In particular, a third through hole 261 is formed on the upper surface of the first end plate 260 to stably fix the heat sink 220 and the cooling plate 210 . Of course, the third through hole 261 may be formed on the top surface of the second end plate 250 .

The battery cell 240 may be designed as a cylindrical cell, a prismatic cell, or a pouch-type cell. Pouch-type cells include a flexible cover made of a thin film, and electrical components of the battery cell are disposed within the cover.

Pouch-type cells are particularly used to realize optimal space utilization within one battery cell. The pouch-type cells are also characterized by low weight in combination with high capacity.

The edges of these aforementioned pouch-type cells include a sealing joint (not shown). In other words, the joint connects two membranes of battery cells, and the membranes contain additional components within the resulting cavity.

In general, pouch-type cells may contain an electrolytic solution, such as a lithium secondary battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery.

In addition, the battery cell may be a high voltage battery for an electric vehicle, such as a nickel metal battery, a lithium ion battery, and a lithium polymer battery. In general, a high voltage battery is a battery used as a power source for moving an electric vehicle, and refers to a high voltage of 100V or more. However, it is not limited thereto, and a low voltage battery is also possible. In addition, cell leads of these plurality of battery cells are connected by lead welding in series or parallel.

Examples of electric vehicles include hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), and fuel cell vehicles. (FCV: Fuel-Cell Vehicle) and the like.

The battery module 100 is a BMA (Battery Module Assembly) and is a minimum unit constituting a battery pack assembly (BPA), and is composed of 6 to 14 battery cells connected in series or parallel through a bus bar. Of course, in FIG. 2, an example of 6 battery cells is shown, but it is not limited thereto and it is possible to configure 14 or more battery cells.

Meanwhile, the material of the cooling plate 210 and/or the heat sink 220 may be aluminum (Al), an aluminum alloy, copper (Cu), or bronze, but aluminum having excellent cooling performance may be mainly used.

FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 3 , the cooling plate 210 is in surface contact with the battery cell 240 . Accordingly, when heat is generated during charging and discharging of the battery cell 240, the heat is sequentially transferred to the cover of the battery cell 240, the cooling plate 210, and the heat sink 220 (310 and 320). Therefore, cooling may be performed indirectly by being cooled by cooling air flowing into the heat sink 220 .

In addition, a plurality of cooling holes 311 may be formed in the cooling plate 210 to circulate cooling air introduced between the battery cells 240 .

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-battery module 201 composed of two battery cells in the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 . That is, it is an exploded perspective view of the representative first sub-battery module 201 among the first to third sub-battery modules 201 , 202 , and 203 .

The battery cell 240 is composed of first and second battery cells 441 and 442, and a pair of covers 230 include a rear cover 431 assembled on a rear surface of the first battery cell 441 and the second battery cell 441. It consists of a front cover 432 assembled on the front of the 2 battery cells 442.

Here, the material of the rear cover 431 and/or the front cover 432 may be any one of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and bronze, and aluminum may be used to improve cooling performance.

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the heat sink 220 using bolts to the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 . Referring to FIG. 5 , several heat sinks 220 may be assembled using long bolts 520 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of assembling end plates 250 and 260 using bolts to the indirect cooling type battery module 100 shown in FIG. 2 . Referring to FIG. 6 , the sub battery modules 201 , 202 , and 203 and the pair of end plates 250 and 260 may be fastened together by a long bolt 620 .

To this end, fourth through-holes 611 are formed at both ends of the upper housings 201-1, 202-1, and 203-1, and fifth through-holes 612 are formed at both ends of the lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2. and sixth through holes 613 are formed at four corners of the first and second end plates 250 and 260 . Accordingly, the sub battery modules 201 , 202 , and 203 and the pair of end plates 250 and 260 may be fastened at once through the four long bolts 620 .

7 is a cross-sectional view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 in FIG. 1 cut along the I-I axis. Referring to FIG. 7 , support portions 701 , 702 , and 703 supporting the cooling plate 210 may be formed in the lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2, respectively.

8 is a cross-sectional view of the indirect cooling type battery module 100 in FIG. 1 cut along the II-II axis.

100: indirect cooling method battery module
201, 202, 203: sub battery module
210: cooling plate
220: heat sink
250,260: A pair of end plates
270: front cover
280: rear cover

Claims (9)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete preparing a plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203;
inserting a plurality of cooling plates 210 to be in surface contact between the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively;
disposing a plurality of heat sinks 220 on top surfaces of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively;
coupling the upper ends of the plurality of cooling plates 210 and the plurality of heat sinks 220;
disposing and combining a pair of end plates 250 and 260 on an outer surface of a sub-battery module positioned at both ends of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203; and
A step of coupling a front cover 270 and a rear cover 280 to the front and rear surfaces of the plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203, respectively,
The plurality of sub-battery modules 201, 202, and 203,
first and second battery cells 441 and 442;
a rear cover 431 assembled on the rear surface of the first battery cell 441;
a front cover 432 assembled on the front surface of the second battery cell 442;
upper housings 201-1, 202-1, and 203-1 assembled to upper surfaces of the first and second battery cells 441 and 442, the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432; and
Lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2 assembled to the upper surfaces of the first and second battery cells 441 and 442, the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432,
Support portions 701, 702, and 703 supporting the plurality of cooling plates 210 are formed in the lower housings 201-2, 202-2, and 203-2, respectively.
The material of the rear cover 431 and the front cover 432 is aluminum,
A plurality of cooling holes 311 for circulation of cooling air are formed in the plurality of cooling plates 210,
The plurality of sub battery modules (201, 202, 203) and the pair of end plates (250, 260) are fastened together by bolting,
The plurality of cooling plates 210 and the plurality of heat sinks 220 are made of aluminum,
A method of assembling an indirect cooling type battery module, characterized in that the plurality of heat sinks 220 and the plurality of cooling plates 210 are assembled through long bolts 520.

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