KR20060101670A - Secondary battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided at least one battery assembly including a plurality of unit cells stacked and arranged in such a manner that the temperature structure of the unit cells can be minimized by improving the distribution structure of the cooling medium, thereby minimizing the temperature variation between the unit cells. And a housing configured to distribute the cooling medium for controlling the temperature, wherein the battery assembly is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and a distribution path dividing a passage of the passage in the cooling medium traveling passage of the housing is provided in the longitudinal direction of the passage. It provides a secondary battery module installed.

Battery assembly, housing, channel, divider, expansion plate

Description

Secondary Battery Module {SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE}

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery module according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a secondary battery module which increases the cooling efficiency of a unit battery in forming a battery module by connecting unit cells.

A secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged. A secondary battery is a low-capacity battery that is used in portable electronic devices such as phones, notebook computers, and camcorders. It is widely used as a power source for driving a motor.

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 in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are positioned with a separator interposed therebetween, a case including a space portion in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cap assembly coupled to the case and sealing the protruding portion. And a positive electrode and a negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the current collector of the positive electrode and the negative electrode plate 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 A battery module is constructed by connecting and installing a conductor between nuts between terminals.

Here, the battery module comprises a cooling structure, a safety means, and a system circuit for dissipating heat generated from the unit cells as a single battery module is connected by connecting several to many dozen unit cells. Becomes bulky.

Here, the battery module must be able to easily dissipate heat generated in each unit battery by forming one battery module by connecting several to many dozen unit cells. The heat dissipation characteristics of the secondary battery module are very important to influence the performance of the battery.

If the heat is not released properly, temperature variation occurs between the unit cells, which decreases the charge / discharge efficiency. The heat generated from the unit cells increases the temperature inside the battery, resulting in a decrease in battery performance. It creates the risk of explosion.

In particular, when the battery module is applied as a large-capacity secondary battery for driving an electric vacuum cleaner, an electric scooter, or a motor vehicle (electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle), the battery module is charged and discharged with a large current. Heat is generated and rises to a significant temperature, which affects battery characteristics and degrades the inherent performance of the battery. Therefore, heat dissipation is most important.

Therefore, the present invention was created in view of the above-mentioned necessity, and an object thereof is to improve a distribution structure of a cooling medium, thereby improving the temperature control effect of a unit cell and minimizing a temperature variation between each unit cell. In providing.

A secondary battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises at least one battery assembly formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells, and a housing in which the battery assembly is embedded and a cooling medium for temperature control is circulated. ,

The battery assembly is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and has a structure in which a flow path for dividing the passage of the passage in the cooling medium traveling passage of the housing is provided in the longitudinal direction of the passage.

In the secondary battery module according to the present invention, the battery assembly may be arranged in pairs to face each other. In this case, the battery assembly may be disposed on the same plane inside the housing.

In the secondary battery module according to the present invention, the battery assembly is provided with a battery partition wall between the unit cell and the unit cell. In this case, it is preferable that each said unit battery consists of squares.

Here, the secondary battery module may be a blower type for forcibly supplying a cooling medium to the inside through an inlet of the housing.

In this case, the flow passage is preferably installed on the cooling medium inlet passage of the housing.

In addition, the secondary battery module may be a suction type for forcibly discharging the cooling medium through the outlet of the housing.

In this case, the distribution passage is preferably installed on the cooling medium discharge passage of the housing.

In the secondary battery module according to the present invention, the housing is formed with an inlet port through which the cooling medium is introduced and an outlet port through which the cooling medium passing through each unit cell is discharged, and both sides of the battery assembly inside the inlet and the outlet port. A cooling medium inflow passage and a discharge passage communicating with each other may be formed, and positions at which inlets and outlets determine the inflow direction and the outflow direction of the cooling medium are not limited thereto and may be formed in the same direction.

When a pair of battery assemblies are disposed in the housing, an inlet is formed at the center of one end of the housing to allow a cooling medium to flow into the center of the opposite battery assembly, and the outlets are formed at both ends of the other side of the housing. Do.

In this case, the inlet and the outlet may have different functions depending on the cooling medium distribution method of the secondary battery module.

On the other hand, the flow passage may have a predetermined length along the longitudinal direction of the passage in which the cooling medium flows to have a structure for dividing the passage along the longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, the cooling medium is distributed through the flow path divided by the distribution path.

Preferably, the flow passage may extend to an approximately midpoint of the cell assembly disposed in the longitudinal direction at the inlet or outlet of the housing.

Here, the flow passage may be installed corresponding to the number of each battery assembly disposed in the housing.

In addition, in the secondary battery module according to the present invention, an expansion plate may be installed at an end inclined toward the battery assembly at an end along the advancing direction of the cooling medium.

In addition, in the secondary battery module, the distribution channel may be formed so as to gradually expand toward the battery assembly along the advancing direction of the cooling medium.

Here, the secondary battery module is a device for operating by using a motor such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), an electric vehicle (EV), a wireless cleaner, an electric bicycle, an electric scooter, and the like to drive energy for driving the motor of the device. Can be used as a circle.

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.

In the following description, a case where air is used as the cooling body of the battery module will be described as an example. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the cooling method by air, and cooling water or other fluid may be used as the cooling medium.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a rechargeable battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the secondary battery module 10 according to the present embodiment with reference to the drawings, the battery module 10 is a large-capacity battery module, a plurality of unit cells 12 are formed in a continuous sequence at a predetermined interval The battery assembly 11 and the housing 20 for enclosing the battery assembly 11 and distributing air for temperature control to the unit cells 12 are included.

Here, each of the unit cells 12 has 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. As mentioned above, the battery assembly 11 is defined as meaning a structure in which the unit cells 12 are arranged at regular intervals to form one row.

According to the present embodiment, the battery assembly 11 has the appearance of each unit cell 12 having a substantially rectangular shape (a wide width rectangle having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides in this embodiment). It is preferable to be arranged to stand upright.

Specifically, the battery assembly 11 is provided with at least one, in this embodiment, as shown in the drawing, two are arranged in a pair, spaced apart from each other on the same plane in the housing 20. The reason why the battery assembly 11 is disposed on the same plane inside the housing 20 is to minimize the overall height of the battery module 10.

The battery assembly 11 is provided with a battery partition 13 between each unit cell 12 and the outermost unit cell 12, the battery partition 13 is the interval between the unit cells 12 While maintaining the constant, the temperature control air is circulated, and the function of supporting the side surface of each unit cell 12 is performed.

To this end, each of the cell partitions 13 forms a channel 14 for distributing temperature control air, that is, cooling air at a relatively low temperature for controlling the temperature of the unit cell 12, between the unit cells 12. have.

In the present embodiment, the channel 14 has a structure that penetrates the battery partition 13, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. There is no particular limitation.

In such a battery module 10, the housing 20 mentioned above is equipped with the above-described battery assembly 11 as well as a channel 14 between each unit cell 12 of the battery assembly 11. The temperature control air is circulated to cool the heat generated in each unit cell 12.

To this end, the housing 20 of the present embodiment has a battery assembly 11 based on a fixing unit 25 for fixing the battery assembly 11 and a pair of battery assemblies 11 arranged side by side inside the housing 20. Passages 23 and 24 through which air for temperature control flows, respectively, in the center of the housing 20 between the housings 11 and on both sides of the housing 20 that is outside of each battery assembly 11 (the passage is a secondary battery module ( 10) may be an inflow passage through which the cooling medium is introduced or a discharge passage through which temperature control air is discharged, depending on whether the blower type or the suction type is formed, and is connected to each of the passages 23 and 24. Thus, the inlet 21 or outlet 22 is formed to introduce or discharge the air for temperature control.

In the following description, the air for temperature control flows into the center of the housing 20 so that the center of the housing is used as the inflow passage 23 and the discharge passage 24 and the outlet 22 are located at both sides of the housing 20. Will be described as an example. Of course, in the case of the suction type to play the role opposite to the above can also be applied equally.

The fixing unit 25 forms an accommodating space for fixing the cell aggregate 11 while accommodating the cell aggregate 11. In this accommodating space, a pair of battery aggregates 11 are spaced apart from each other. It is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the housing 20.

The inflow passage 23 is disposed in the center of the housing 20 so that the battery assembly 11 is located at both sides of the inflow passage 23, and the inlet 21 is communicated to one side. In addition, the discharge passage 24 is in communication with the discharge port 22 which is located outside the respective battery assembly 11 on both sides of the housing 20 and disposed along the traveling direction of the temperature control air.

Accordingly, the air for temperature control enters the inlet passage 23 through the inlet 21 to the center of the housing 20 and moves to the discharge passage 24 through the partitions 13 of the battery assemblies 11 on the left and right sides. Through 22).

Here, the housing 20 has a flow passage 30 extending from the inlet 21 to the approximately intermediate point of the battery assembly 11 along the longitudinal direction in the inflow passage 23 and is installed on the inflow passage 23. The inflow passage 23 has a structure that forms a separate flow path.

The distribution path 30 is formed by two partition plates 31 attached to upper and lower surfaces of the housing 20, and two partition plates 31 and a housing (installed in the center of the inflow passage 23). The upper and lower surfaces of the inner side of the 20 form one distribution channel 30.

Therefore, the temperature control air introduced through the inlet 21 is divided by the partition plate 31, and partly passes through the flow path 30 made by the partition plate 31, and a part of the inflow outside the partition plate 31. It will flow along the passage (23).

Referring to the operation of the secondary battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature control air introduced into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 passes through each of the battery assemblies 11 along the inlet passage 23, and then passes through the outlet passage 24. 22).

At this time, the cooling air is separated by the flow passage 30 extending along the longitudinal direction at the time of the inflow passage 23 connected to the inlet 21, a part proceeds along the flow path 30, and part of it is intact. Proceeds along the inlet passage (23).

Here, the temperature control air flowed into the distribution channel 30 cannot flow to the battery assembly 11 located outside the distribution channel 30 until it passes through the distribution channel 30, and a point at which the distribution channel 30 is formed. Until now, only the air traveling toward the inflow passage 23 can pass through the partition wall 13 of each battery assembly 11.

Therefore, only a part of the total amount of air introduced into the inlet 21 may be distributed to the partition 13 of the battery assembly 11 located in front of the battery assembly 11 based on the inlet 21.

The air passing through the distribution passage 30 is distributed through the partition wall 13 of the battery assembly 11 located after the intermediate point of the battery assembly 11.

In this way, the air flowing into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 is partially divided and sent away from the inlet 21 so that the air is evenly distributed throughout the battery assembly 11 so that each partition 13 of the battery assembly 11 is provided. As a result, a uniform temperature control air can be distributed.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate another embodiment of the secondary battery module. In the embodiments, the same parts as those described above will be described with the same reference numerals.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the rechargeable battery module 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a blower type in which an inlet 21 and an inlet passage 23 are disposed at the center of the housing 20, and the outlet 22 is disposed at both sides. And a discharge passage 24 is formed, and the housing 20 has a distribution passage 30 extending from the inlet 21 to the approximately midpoint of the battery assembly 11 along the lengthwise direction of the inlet passage 23. It is installed to form a separate flow path from the inflow passage 23 on the inflow passage 23, the flow passage 30 has a structure in which the end is extended to the outside along the traveling direction of the temperature control air.

To this end, the partition plate 31 constituting the channel 30 has a structure in which an expansion plate 32 is formed to be inclined toward the battery assembly 11 at the end of the channel.

Therefore, the air flowing along the inflow passage 22 of the air introduced into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 is partitioned at the rear side by the expansion plate 32 in the course of passing through the section in which the distribution path 30 is formed. It is enough to exit (13) so that the air can be evenly discharged to each partition 13 along the longitudinal direction of the battery assembly 11 in the section.

4 illustrates a structure of the housing of the battery module of the sun type. According to the above-described drawings, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present embodiment has an outlet 22 at the center of the housing 20. And the discharge passage 24 is disposed, and the inlet 21 and the inlet passage 23 are formed at both sides, and the housing 20 is formed from the outlet 22 along the longitudinal direction of the discharge passage 24 from the battery assembly ( 11, a flow passage 30 extending to an approximately intermediate point is formed to form a flow path separate from the discharge passage 24 on the discharge passage 24, and the flow passage 30 is a direction in which the temperature control air flows. The end is extended to the outside along the structure.

To this end, the partition plate 31 constituting the channel 30 has a structure in which an expansion plate 32 is formed to be inclined toward the battery assembly 11 at the end of the channel.

Therefore, the air introduced into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 according to the driving of the suction pump connected to the outlet 22 passes through the partition wall of each battery assembly 11 and then passes through the discharge passage 24 to the outlet 22. In this process, the suction force applied to the outlet 22 is separated by the flow passage 30 so that the air for temperature control is evenly distributed on the side close to and far from the outlet 22. It is possible to flow evenly through each partition 13 along the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the flow path 30 is further provided with an expansion plate 32 at the distal end of the outlet port 22, thereby adjusting the suction force applied to the outlet port 22 with the largest suction force, thereby making the entire battery assembly 11 more uniform suction force. I can receive it.

As a result, the air for temperature control is evenly distributed throughout the battery assembly 11 so that the temperature distribution of the unit cells 12 of the entire battery assembly 11 can be even.

On the other hand, Figure 5 is another embodiment of the secondary battery module according to the above drawings, the secondary battery module 10 is a blower type inlet 21 and the inlet passage 23 in the center of the housing 20 Discharge ports 22 and discharge passages 24 are formed on both sides thereof, and the housing 20 extends from the inlet 21 along the lengthwise direction of the inlet passage 23 to an approximately intermediate point of the battery assembly 11. An extended flow passage 30 is installed to form a separate flow path from the inflow passage 23 on the inflow passage 23, and the flow passage 30 gradually moves toward the battery assembly along the advancing direction of the temperature control air. It is an extended structure.

To this end, the two partition plates 31 constituting the distribution path 30 are inclined so as to narrow the tip of the inlet side.

Therefore, the air flowing along the inflow passage 22 of the air introduced into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 is gradually inclined toward the battery assembly 11 in the course of passing through the section in which the flow channel 30 is formed. The partition plate also sufficiently exits to the partition 13 located at the rear side, so that air can be evenly discharged to each partition 13 along the longitudinal direction of the battery assembly 11 in the section.

6 illustrates the structure of the housing in the battery module of the sun type. According to the above-described drawings, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present embodiment has an outlet 22 at the center of the housing 20. And the discharge passage 24 is disposed, and the inlet 21 and the inlet passage 23 are formed at both sides, and the housing 20 is the battery assembly from the outlet 22 along the longitudinal direction in the discharge passage 24. A distribution passage 30 extending to an approximately intermediate point of the (11) is provided to form a separate passage from the discharge passage 24 on the discharge passage 24, the flow passage 30 is the progress of the air for temperature control The structure gradually extends toward the battery assembly along the direction.

To this end, the two partition plates 31 constituting the distribution path 30 are inclined so that the tip of the outlet port is widened.

Therefore, the air introduced into the housing 20 through the inlet 21 according to the driving of the suction pump connected to the outlet 22 passes through the partition wall of each battery assembly 11 and then passes through the discharge passage 24 to the outlet 22. In this process, the suction force applied to the outlet 22 is separated by the flow passage 30 so that the air for temperature control is evenly distributed on the side close to and far from the outlet 22. It is possible to flow evenly through each partition 13 along the longitudinal direction.

In addition, the flow passage 30 has a structure that is gradually expanded to widen the distal end of the discharge port 22, thereby reducing the suction force applied to the discharge port 22 with the largest suction force, so that the entire battery assembly 11 receives a more uniform suction force. It becomes possible.

As a result, the air for temperature control is evenly distributed throughout the battery assembly 11 so that the temperature distribution of the unit cells 12 of the entire battery assembly 11 can be even.

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. Of course it belongs to the range of.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the cooling efficiency of the battery module can be improved by improving the flow structure of the temperature control air, and since the temperature control air is evenly distributed between the unit cells, local thermal imbalance can be eliminated in the entire battery module. Will be.

Claims (20)

At least one battery assembly formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells; And A housing which houses the battery assembly and distributes a cooling medium for temperature control Including; The battery assembly is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the housing, A secondary battery module is provided in the longitudinal direction of the passage is a distribution path for dividing the passage of the passage in the cooling medium running passage of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the flow path extends from a housing tip to an intermediate point of the battery assembly. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the flow path is formed by two partition plates attached to upper and lower surfaces of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein an expansion plate extending outwardly is disposed at an end along a traveling direction of the cooling medium. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the flow path gradually expands an inner diameter along a traveling direction of the cooling medium. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly is disposed in pair to face each other. The secondary battery module of claim 6, wherein the battery assembly is disposed on the same plane inside the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery assembly is provided with a battery partition wall between the unit cell and the unit cell. According to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed at both ends of the inlet for the cooling medium is introduced and the outlet for the cooling medium is discharged through each unit cell, the inside of the battery assembly on both sides of the cooling medium inlet communicating with the inlet and outlet Secondary battery module is formed with a passage and a discharge passage. The secondary battery module of claim 1 or 9, wherein the secondary battery module is a blower type for forcibly supplying a cooling medium to the inside through an inlet of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 1 or 9, wherein the secondary battery module is a suction type for forcibly discharging the cooling medium through an outlet of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the pair of battery assemblies are disposed in the housing to face each other, the inlet and the inlet passage are formed at the center of the housing, and the discharge passage and the outlet are formed at both sides of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 12, wherein the flow passage is installed in an inflow passage of the housing and extends from the inlet to an intermediate point of the battery assembly. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein a pair of battery assemblies are disposed in the housing to face each other, a discharge passage and an outlet are formed at a center of the housing, and an inflow passage and an inlet are formed at both sides of the housing. The secondary battery module of claim 14, wherein the flow path is installed in a discharge passage of the housing and extends from the discharge port to an intermediate point of the battery assembly. The secondary battery module of claim 13, wherein an expansion plate extending toward the battery assembly is installed at an inner end of the flow path. The secondary battery module according to claim 15, wherein an extension plate extending toward the battery assembly is provided at an outer end of the flow path. The secondary battery module of claim 13, wherein an inner diameter of the flow passage gradually extends toward the inside of the battery assembly from the inlet to the inside. The secondary battery module of claim 15, wherein an inner diameter of the flow passage gradually extends from the inner end toward the discharge port. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the battery module is for driving a motor.

Images