KR20060037606A - Secondary battery module and cooling apparatus for secondary battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of unit cells arranged at regular intervals and inclined in one direction, and a housing in which the unit cells are embedded.

The housing includes an inlet for introducing air for temperature control in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the center direction of the unit cells, and an outlet for discharging air passing through the unit cells.

Battery Module, Cooling Unit, Unit Battery, Incline, Battery Bulkhead, Distribution Channel, Cooling Unit, Housing, Outflow Inlet, Inflow, Outflow, Air Guide Surface, Refrigerant Supply

Description

Battery Modules and Cooling Units for Battery Modules {SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE AND COOLING APPARATUS FOR SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE}

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

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

The present invention relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a cooling device for a battery module configured by connecting a plurality of unit cells.

In general, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged. In the case of a low capacity battery, a secondary battery is used in portable electronic devices such as a phone, a notebook computer, and a camcorder. It is widely used as a power source for driving motors of hybrid vehicles.

The secondary battery may be manufactured in various shapes, and typical shapes include cylindrical and rectangular shapes. The secondary battery may include the high output secondary battery so that the secondary battery may be used for driving a motor such as an electric vehicle. A plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series to form a large capacity secondary battery.

As described above, one high capacity secondary battery (hereinafter, referred to as a battery module for convenience of description throughout) is made of a plurality of secondary batteries (hereinafter, referred to as unit cells for convenience of description throughout the specification) connected in series. Each unit cell includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate interposed therebetween, a case having a space portion in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cap assembly coupled to the case and sealing the protrusion, and protruding from the cap assembly. And positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the positive and negative current collectors provided in the electrode assembly.

In the case of the rectangular battery, each of the unit cells cross-aligns each of the unit cells such that the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal protruding from the top of the cap assembly alternate with the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the neighboring unit cell, and the threaded negative electrode terminal The battery module is constructed by connecting and installing a conductor between the anode terminals via a nut.

In this case, the battery module is configured to connect one to many dozens of unit cells to form one battery module, so that the heat generated from each unit battery can be easily discharged, and moreover, it can be applied to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In the case of secondary batteries, heat dissipation is of paramount importance.

When heat is not released properly, for example, the heat generated from each unit cell causes an increase in the temperature of the battery module, resulting in a malfunction of the device to which the battery module is applied.

In particular, in the case of HEV battery modules used for vehicles, since they are charged and discharged with a large current, heat is generated by internal reactions of the secondary batteries according to the use conditions, and thus they rise to a considerable temperature. Will degrade the performance.

In addition, the internal pressure of the battery is increased due to the chemical reaction inside the battery, and thus the shape of the battery is changed, thereby adversely affecting the unique characteristics of the battery. In particular, when the ratio of width and length is large, such as a rectangular secondary battery, the risk is further increased.

Accordingly, in the case of configuring a battery module including a plurality of secondary batteries, in particular, a rectangular secondary battery, a battery partition wall is installed between the unit battery and the unit battery to secure a space for cooling air distribution between the unit cells. The unit cells are housed in a housing, and cooling air for controlling the temperature of the unit cell is provided inside the housing to distribute the cooling air through the battery partition wall, thereby cooling heat generated in each unit cell.

However, in the conventional battery module, since each unit battery is disposed perpendicular to the flow direction of the cooling air, the cooling air does not flow smoothly between the unit cells. In addition, the flow rate of the cooling air circulated to the cell partition wall between each unit cell is not constant, causing a temperature deviation between the unit cells. Therefore, the conventional battery module has a problem that the heat generated from each unit cell is not evenly radiated heat, resulting in a decrease in charge and discharge efficiency.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module and a battery module cooling device capable of smoothly distributing a constant flow rate of air between each unit cell.

In order to achieve the above object, the battery module according to the present invention comprises arranging a plurality of unit cells at a predetermined interval to be inclined in one direction, and the temperature control air for controlling the heat generated from each of the unit cells It is made of a structure that distributes between.

The battery module according to the present invention has a structure in which the temperature control air is provided in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the central direction of the unit cells.

In addition, the battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object, includes a plurality of unit cells and a housing in which the unit cells are arranged inclined in one direction while being arranged at regular intervals,

The housing includes an inlet for introducing air for temperature control in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the center direction of the unit cells, and an outlet for discharging air passing through the unit cells.

In the battery module according to the present invention, battery partition walls are formed between the unit cells to separate these unit cells, and the battery partition wall is formed with a flow path through which the air for temperature control is circulated.

In addition, the battery module according to the present invention has a constant cross-sectional area of each of the flow passages, and has a structure in which air at a constant flow rate passes through the flow passages.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the housing may be configured as a cooling device that provides air for temperature control of a constant flow rate between the unit cells.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the housing may form the inlet on one side, and the outlet on the other side of the housing.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the inlet may form a first air guide surface which is inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the temperature control air with respect to the inlet. In this case, the first air guide surface is disposed to be inclined downward as the distance from the inlet, the inclination angle of the first air guide surface is preferably 15 ° ~ 45 ° with respect to the center direction of the unit cells.

In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the outlet portion may form an outlet for discharging the temperature control air in a direction parallel to the central direction of the unit cells.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the outlet portion may form a second air guide surface disposed in parallel with the outlet direction of the temperature control air.

In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the outlet portion may form a third air guide surface disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the center direction of the unit cells. In this case, the third air guide surface is preferably disposed to be inclined upward as the distance from the outlet.

In addition, the cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the housing for embedding a plurality of unit cells that are continuously arranged spaced at regular intervals inclined in one direction and the air for temperature control in the housing It provides a refrigerant supply unit for cooling the heat generated in each unit cell,

The housing includes a mounting unit for mounting the unit cells, and an inflow and outflow unit for introducing the temperature control air in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the center direction of the unit cells and for discharging the air passing through the unit cells.

The battery module cooling device according to the present invention has a structure in which the air of a constant flow rate is distributed between the unit cells.

In addition, in the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the inflow and outflow means is installed on one side of the housing inlet for introducing the temperature control air into the inside of the housing, and the other side opposite the inlet of the housing It is installed to include an outlet for discharging the air passed through the unit cell to the outside of the housing.

And in the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the inlet may form a first air guide surface which is inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the temperature control air with respect to the inlet. In this case, the first air guide surface is disposed downwardly inclined away from the inlet, and the inclination angle of the first air guide surface is preferably 15 ° or more with respect to the center direction of the unit cells.

In addition, in the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the outlet portion is disposed in parallel with the outlet for discharging the air for temperature control in a direction parallel to the center direction of the unit cells, and the outflow direction of the temperature control air. A second air guide surface may be formed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the battery module 100 according to the present invention with reference to the drawings, the battery module 100 is a large-capacity battery module, and includes a plurality of unit cells 11 are continuously arranged at regular intervals.

Each of the unit cells 11 includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are disposed on both sides thereof with a separator interposed therebetween, and is configured as a secondary battery having a conventional structure for charging and discharging a predetermined amount of power.

In the present embodiment, each of the unit cells 11 is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle in one direction, that is, in the right direction in the drawing, in the initial standing state. That is, each of the unit cells 11 may be disposed to be inclined toward the flow-in and out means 33 described later. At this time, the unit cells 11 are disposed to be inclined at an angle such that smooth flow of air passing between these unit cells is made by the battery partition wall 15 which will be described later. The angle is not particularly limited to any particular value.

The battery partition wall 15 is provided between the unit cells 11 and the outermost unit cells 11 to maintain a constant interval between the unit cells 11 and to support the side surfaces of the unit cells 11. ) Is being installed. In each of the cell partitions 15, a flow path 17 is formed between the unit cells 11 for distributing temperature control air, that is, cooling air at a relatively low temperature for controlling the temperature of the unit cells 11. . In this case, each of the flow paths 17 preferably has a shape of at least one through hole penetrating in the oblique direction of the unit cell 11 with respect to the battery partition wall 15.

Therefore, the battery module 100 according to the present invention is continuously arranged at a predetermined interval by the battery partition wall 15 while the plurality of unit cells 11 are disposed to be inclined in one direction, and of the battery partition wall 15 The unit cell assembly 13 of the structure which can distribute | circulate the air for temperature control smoothly between these unit cells 11 through the distribution path 17 can be formed.

In the battery module 100, a cooling device 30 according to the present invention is provided, and the cooling device 30 is installed between the unit cells 11 as well as the unit battery assembly 13 described above. By supplying the temperature control air to the distribution path 17 of the to serve to cool the heat generated in each unit cell (11).

In the present invention, the cooling device 30 provides the air of a constant flow rate to the flow path 17 of the cell partition wall 15 disposed between the unit cells 11 to provide the entire area of the assembly 13 of the unit cells. It has a structure for maintaining a uniform temperature distribution with respect to.

The cooling device 30 has a housing 31 for enclosing the unit cell assembly 13 having a structure as mentioned above and for distributing the temperature control air at a constant flow rate to the flow path 17 of each unit cell 11. And a refrigerant supply unit 38 for providing the temperature control air to the inside of the housing 31.

According to the present embodiment, the housing 31 has air for controlling temperature at a constant flow rate through the mounting portion 32 for embedding the unit cell assembly 13 and the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11. It is provided with a flow in and out means 33 for circulation.

The mounting portion 32 forms an accommodating space for fixing the unit battery assembly 13 while accommodating the unit battery assembly 13, and the appearance thereof has a structure corresponding to the overall appearance of the unit battery assembly 13. have.

In the present invention, the flow-in and out means 33 provides a uniform flow rate of the temperature control air to the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11 to maintain a uniform temperature distribution over the entire region of the unit cell assembly 13 In order to achieve this, a relatively large amount of temperature control air flows into the housing 31, and the air passing through each unit cell 11 is discharged to the outside of the housing 31.

The inflow and outflow means 33 is installed on the upper side of one side of the mounting portion 32, the inlet portion 34 for introducing the temperature control air into the mounting portion 32, and the inlet portion 34 of the mounting portion 32 Installed on one side of the opposite side and includes an outlet portion 35 for discharging air passing through each unit cell 11 in the mounting portion 32.

Accordingly, the temperature control air introduced into the housing 31 through the inlet part 34 by the coolant supply part 38 is connected to the side surfaces of the unit cell 11 and the unit cell 11. Passed through the flow path 17 and distributed to the bottom, in this process heat generated in the unit cell 11 is exchanged, the heat-exchanged air is discharged to the outside of the housing 31 through the outlet 35. .

Here, the inlet 34 forms an inlet 34a for introducing the temperature control air supplied from the coolant supply unit 38 in a direction inclined with respect to the center direction of the unit cells 11. Therefore, the temperature control air is provided to the inside of the housing 31 in a predetermined angle inclined direction by the inlet portion 34 having the structure as described above. At this time, the inlet 34a is preferably formed on the side of the unit cell 11 in the inclined direction. The outlet 35 forms an outlet 35a for discharging air passing through each unit cell 11 in a direction parallel to the center direction of the unit cells 11 in the housing 31. have. At this time, the outlet (35a) is located in the diagonal direction of the inlet (34a), preferably formed on the side of the inclination direction of the unit cell (11).

In the present embodiment, the inlet 34 forms a first air guide surface 34b disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the center direction of the unit cells 11. The first air guide surface 34b may be inclined downward as the first air guide surface 34b moves away from the inlet 34a along the arrangement center direction of the unit cell 11. At this time, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 34b satisfies approximately 15 ° or more with respect to the center direction of the unit cells 11.

The air introduced through the inlet 34a during the action of the battery module 100 according to the present invention configured as described above contacts the first air guide surface 34b inclined at a predetermined angle and the first air guide surface 34b. The flow of air is made in the inclined direction of), and passes along the first air guide surface 34b toward the upper side of the unit cells 11. At this time, since the guide surface 34b is disposed to be inclined downward as it moves away from the inlet 34a, the flow cross section of air decreases gradually as it moves away from the inlet 34a. The speed becomes faster as it moves away from the inlet 34a by a continuous equation of fluid mechanics. This increase in flow rate, as can be seen by Bernoulli's theorem, results in a gradual pressure drop of the air, away from the inlet 34a side.

Therefore, the air flowing through the inlet 34a passes at a constant flow rate with respect to the channel 17 between the unit cells 11 based on the hydrodynamic principle. As a result, in the present embodiment, as mentioned above, the flow velocity of the air passing through the flow path 17 is the same, and as mentioned, the cross-sectional area of the flow path 17 is constant. It is possible to distribute air to the flow path 17.

Therefore, according to the battery module 100 of the present invention, according to the structure of the inlet portion 34 as described above, the air of a constant flow rate flows into the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11, each unit, The heat generated in the battery 11 can be lowered to an even temperature distribution, thereby maintaining an appropriate temperature for the entire area of the unit cell assembly 13.

In addition, as the unit cells 11 are inclined toward the inlet 34a, the temperature control air supplied through the inlet 34a can smoothly flow into the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11. It becomes possible.

Here, when the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 34b is smaller than 15 °, the pressure drop of the air is minimized as it moves away from the inlet 34a, so that a constant flow rate of air flows into the flow path 17. Since it becomes impossible to distribute | circulate, the temperature variation of each unit cell 11 will generate | occur | produce, and it will become impossible to achieve uniform temperature distribution with respect to the whole area | region of the unit cell assembly 13.

As mentioned above, the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 34b is set to 15 degrees or more, and preferably 15 to 45 degrees. If the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 34b exceeds 45 °, the degree of pressure drop of the air is minimized as in the above, so that air of a constant flow rate can be passed through the flow path 17. There will be no.

In addition, the air passing through the flow path 17 is discharged through the outlet 35, and the outlet 35 is disposed parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11 and the outlet direction of the air. 2, the air guide surface 35b is formed.

Therefore, the air passing through the flow path 17 is made to flow along the second air guide surface 35b while contacting the second air guide surface 35b, so that the air flows out of the housing 31 through the outlet 35a. It will be discharged to the outside.

In addition, as the unit cells 11 are disposed to be inclined toward the outlet 35a, air exiting the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11 can be smoothly discharged to the outlet 34a. .

On the other hand, the refrigerant supply unit 38 for supplying the temperature control air into the interior of the housing 31 configured as described above is installed in the inlet (34a) of the housing 31, as shown in the phantom line in the drawing And a fan 39 that sucks air with the rotational force of the air and blows the air into the inside of the housing 31 through the inlet 34a. As an alternative, the coolant supply 38 is not limited to having the fan 39 as described above, and may include a pump or blower that can normally blow air.

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

Referring to the drawings, the battery module 200 according to the present embodiment is introduced into the housing 61 through the inlet portion 64, and the air flows through the flow path 17A between the unit cells 11A. Is provided with an outlet 65 for smoothly discharging to the outside of the housing 61.

In the present embodiment, the outlet portion 65 forms a third air guide surface 67 disposed in an inclined direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11A. In this case, the third air guide surface 67 may be disposed to be inclined upward as the distance from the outlet 65a is increased.

Therefore, since the third air guide surface 67 is disposed to be inclined upward as it moves away from the outlet 65a, the air passing through the flow passage 7A is brought into contact with the third air guide surface 67. 3 is made to flow along the air guide surface 67 is to be smoothly discharged through the outlet (65a).

Since the rest of the configuration and operation of the battery module 200 according to the present embodiment is the same as the above embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The above-described battery module of the present invention can be effectively used as a battery for HEV requiring high output / large capacity, but its use is not necessarily limited to HEV.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Naturally, it belongs to

Thus, according to the present invention, by improving the flow structure of the cooling air to smoothly distribute the air of a constant flow rate to the flow path between the unit cells, it is possible to achieve an even temperature distribution over the entire region of the unit cell assembly. Therefore, there is an effect of maximizing the cooling efficiency of the unit cell assembly and thereby further improving the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery module.

Claims (21)

A battery module for arranging a plurality of unit cells at an interval to be inclined in one direction, and to distribute the temperature control air for controlling the heat generated from each of the unit cells between the unit cells. The method of claim 1, A battery module for providing the temperature control air in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the center direction of the unit cells. A plurality of unit cells arranged at regular intervals and inclined in one direction; And A housing housing the unit cells Including; The housing includes a battery module including an inlet for introducing the temperature control air in a direction inclined at an angle to the center direction of the unit cells, and an outlet for discharging the air through the unit cells. The method of claim 3, wherein A battery module is provided between the unit cells, wherein battery partition walls are formed so as to separate these unit cells, and a flow passage through which the temperature control air flows is formed in the battery partition wall. The method of claim 4, wherein The cross-sectional area of each flow path is constant, the battery module is provided so that the air of a constant flow rate with respect to the flow path. The method of claim 5, wherein The housing is a battery module consisting of a cooling device for providing a temperature for controlling the temperature of a constant flow rate between the unit cells. The method of claim 3, wherein The housing forms the inlet on one side, and the battery module to form the outlet on the other side opposite. The method of claim 7, wherein The inlet is formed in the battery module forming a first air guide surface inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the air for temperature control. The method of claim 8, The battery module is disposed to be inclined downward as the first air guide surface away from the inlet. The method of claim 9, The inclination angle of the first air guide surface is a battery module 15 ° ~ 45 ° with respect to the center direction of the unit cells. The method of claim 3, wherein The outlet portion is a battery module for forming an outlet for discharging the air for temperature control in a direction parallel to the central direction of the unit cells. The method of claim 11, The outlet portion forms a second air guide surface disposed in parallel to the outflow direction of the temperature control air. The method of claim 3, wherein The outlet portion forms a third air guide surface disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the center direction of the unit cells. The method of claim 13, The battery module is disposed to be inclined upward as the third air guide surface away from the outlet. A housing containing a plurality of unit cells continuously arranged at regular intervals while being inclined in one direction; And Refrigerant supply unit for cooling the heat generated in each unit cell by providing a temperature control air in the housing Including; The housing includes a mounting unit for mounting the unit cells, and a flow-in and out means for introducing the air for temperature control in a direction inclined at an angle with respect to the center direction of the unit cells and for discharging the air passing through the unit cells. Module chiller. The method of claim 15, Cooling device for a battery module having a structure for flowing the air of a constant flow rate between the unit cells. The method of claim 15, The inflow and outflow means is installed on one side of the housing inlet for introducing the temperature control air into the interior of the housing, and the other side opposite the inlet of the housing is installed on the other side of the air passing through the unit cell outside of the housing Cooling device for a battery module comprising an outlet for discharging. The method of claim 17, The inlet is a cooling device for a battery module to form a first air guide surface inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the temperature control air with respect to the inlet. The method of claim 18, Cooling device for a battery module is disposed to be inclined downward as the first air guide surface away from the inlet. The method of claim 19, And an inclination angle of the first air guide surface is 15 ° or more with respect to a center direction of the unit cells. The method of claim 17, The outlet portion is configured to cool the battery module to form an outlet for discharging the air for temperature control in a direction parallel to the center direction of the unit cells, and a second air guide surface disposed in parallel with the outlet direction of the temperature control air. Device.

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