KR20140034362A - Secondary battery module having heat exchanging device and heat exchanging method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary battery module and, more specifically, to a secondary battery module having a heat exchanging unit and a cooling method of the same to pre-heat or cool a battery module having multiple battery cells. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery module having a heat exchanging unit and a cooling method of the same to pre-heat or cool the battery module using a Peltier element; and to cool a battery only in the peak heating the battery by applying the Peltier element as an auxiliary unit for air-cooling or water-cooling when cooling the battery module.

Description

Secondary battery module having heat exchange means and heat exchange method thereof [Secondary Battery Module having Heat Exchanging Device and Heat Exchanging Method of the Same}

The present invention relates to a battery module for a secondary battery, and more particularly to a battery module for a secondary battery having a heat exchange means for preheating or cooling a battery module including a plurality of battery cells and a heat exchange method thereof.

In general, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have a large capacity, such as nickel cadmium, nickel hydrogen, and lithium ion batteries. In particular, the lithium ion battery has attracted attention as a next generation power source due to its excellent characteristics such as long service life and high capacity. Among them, the lithium secondary battery has a working voltage of 3.6 V or more and is used as a power source for portable electronic devices, or a series of several batteries are used in a high-output hybrid vehicle. In a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery The operating voltage is three times higher and the energy density per unit weight is also excellent. Thus, the use thereof is rapidly increasing.

The lithium secondary battery can be manufactured in various forms. Typical examples of the lithium secondary battery include a cylinder type and a prismatic type, which are mainly used in a lithium ion battery. In recent years, a lithium polymer battery has been manufactured in a pouch type having flexibility and its shape is relatively free. In addition, the lithium polymer battery is excellent in safety and light in weight, which is advantageous for slimmer and lighter portable electronic devices.

The battery cell of the pouch type having the above configuration is configured to include a battery unit and a case providing a space in which the battery unit is accommodated. In many cases, a plurality of battery cells are stacked and used as battery modules, and electrode tabs that are energized with the battery unit are exposed to the outside of the case for connection between the stacked battery cells. Supply voltage or current.

The battery module having the above configuration is deteriorated in performance and shortened in life when used in a state in which the proper temperature is not reached, that is, during initial use or in a cold environment. Therefore, there is a need for a preheating system capable of reaching a proper temperature of a secondary battery exposed to a low temperature environment that is lower than an appropriate driving temperature of the secondary battery.

In addition, the battery cell generates heat that deviates from an appropriate temperature during operation, and an air-cooled or water-cooled cooling system is mounted to the battery module to cool it. Conventional cooling systems increase the volume of battery modules because large cooling systems are designed for peak temperatures during battery operation. However, during battery operation, the battery temperature peaks only a fraction of the battery operating time, and most of the time the temperature is lower than the peak temperature. Therefore, most of the time during battery operation, such a large cooling system is unnecessary. Therefore, a cooling system that is smaller than the existing cooling system and can further cool the battery only at the peak heat generation of the battery is required.

Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-0006055

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to preheat or cool the battery module using a Peltier element, in particular, the Peltier element as an auxiliary means of air-cooled or water-cooled cooling means when cooling the battery module The present invention provides a battery module for a secondary battery having a heat exchange means for cooling the battery only at the peak heat generation of the battery, and a heat exchange method thereof.

The battery module of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells are stacked; A module case provided to surround the battery cell; Cooling means provided on at least one outer surface of the module case to cool the battery cell; And a Peltier element for preheating or cooling the battery cell, the heat exchange means being provided on an outer surface of the module case; .

In this case, a heat transfer member having a size corresponding to one surface of the module case is further provided between the Peltier element and the module case.

Further, the heat transfer member is made of a heat conductive metal or heat pipe material.

Battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells stacked in multiple stages; A module case provided to surround the battery cell; Heat transfer means installed on an air inlet surface of the module case and having at least one air inlet path; Heat exchange means which is a Peltier element for preheating or cooling the battery cell and is installed in the heat transfer means; .

At this time, the heat transfer means, the heat exchange means coupling portion is bent to extend to the surface adjacent to the air inlet surface of the module case; It includes, wherein the heat exchange means is installed in the heat exchange means coupling portion, the heat transfer means is made of a heat conductive metal or heat pipe material.

Heat exchange method of the battery module of the present invention, the step of sensing the battery temperature (T); Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery preheating threshold temperature T1; The heat exchange means generating heat when the battery temperature T is lower than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1; Stopping said heat exchange means when said battery temperature (T) is higher than said battery preheating threshold temperature (T1); It includes, the battery preheating threshold temperature (T1), 20 degrees Celsius or less.

In addition, the heat exchange method of the battery module of the present invention, the step of sensing the battery temperature (T); Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery cooling threshold temperature T2; When the battery temperature T is higher than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, operating the water cooling means or the air-cooling heat transfer means; Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3; And cooling the heat exchange means serving as a Peltier element when the battery temperature T is higher than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3. Includes, the battery cooling threshold temperature (T2) is 30 degrees Celsius or more, the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3), 40 degrees Celsius or more.

The heat exchange method may further include: stopping the heat exchange means when the battery temperature T is lower than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3; .

The battery module for a secondary battery having the heat exchange means of the present invention and the heat exchange method thereof having the above configuration have the effect of effectively preheating the battery module using a Peltier element to improve the performance and extend the life of the secondary battery in a low temperature environment.

In addition, by using the Peltier element as an auxiliary cooling means, the main cooling means can be downsized to cool the battery heat generated in a region lower than the peak temperature, thereby reducing its size and weight.

In addition, heat exchange with each of the plurality of stacked battery cells can be performed to more uniformly control the temperature of the battery module.

In addition, the energy efficiency is increased by preheating with higher heat per power consumption than conventional battery module preheating equipment.

In addition, the local extreme heating and cooling due to the Peltier element is evenly transmitted to the battery module through a highly conductive heat exchange medium, thereby maintaining the temperature uniformity of the battery module.

1 is a perspective view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module of the present invention
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA '
4 is a perspective view of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a front view of a battery module of another embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flow chart of the battery module heat exchange method of the present invention

The battery module of an embodiment of the present invention includes heat exchange means using Peltier elements in addition to the usual air-cooled or water-cooled cooling means for cooling the battery. When a current is applied in one direction, the Peltier device cools one side and generates heat on the other side. In addition, when the current is supplied in the other direction, that is, in the reverse direction, one side generates heat and the other side is cooled. Therefore, the Peltier device is used to preheat or cool the battery module according to the current supply direction.

In particular, the heat exchange means using the Peltier element of the present invention is configured to cool the battery module together with the above cooling means when the battery module generates heat close to the maximum temperature, thereby reducing the size and weight of the cooling means.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

- Example 1

1 and 2, the battery module of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 10, a module case 20, a cooling means 30, a heat exchange means 40, and a heat conductive member 50. .

The battery cell 10 may be a conventional pouch type battery cell or a hard case type battery cell. The battery cells 10 may be configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 10, and at least one or more batteries may be stacked.

The module case 20 is provided on an outer surface of the stacked battery cells 10. The module case 20 is configured to surround one surface and the other surface of the battery cell 10 to collect and protect the stacked battery cells 10. In the present exemplary embodiment, only one surface and the other surface of the battery cell 10 are illustrated to be covered, but it is obvious that the battery cell 10 may be coupled along the circumferential surface of the battery cell 10.

The cooling means 30 may be coupled to abut the circumferential surface of the battery cell 10. The cooling means 30 is coupled to one circumferential surface and the other circumferential surface of the battery cell 10 and configured to cool the generated battery cell 10. Cooling means 30 may be a conventional water-cooled cooling means for cooling the battery cell 10 by the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the battery cell 10 by allowing the refrigerant to flow therein. Therefore, the cooling means 30 is configured to include a refrigerant inlet tube through which the refrigerant flows and a refrigerant outlet tube flowing through the cooling means 30 and discharging the heat exchanged refrigerant. Although not shown in the drawings, the cooling means 30 may further include a refrigerant cooling means for receiving the heat-exchanged refrigerant through the refrigerant outlet pipe and cooling it to supply the refrigerant to the refrigerant inlet pipe again.

Heat exchange means 40 is provided on the upper, lower or upper and lower circumferential surfaces of the battery cell 10. Hereinafter, the heat exchange means 40 will be described on the basis of being provided above the battery cell 10. The heat exchange means 40 is provided on the upper circumferential surface of the battery cell 10 to preheat or cool the battery cell 10 by heating or cooling. The heat exchange means 40 is configured to have a heat exchange area smaller than the upper circumferential surface of the battery cell 10 for efficient operation, and through the heat transfer member 50 for heat exchange evenly on the upper circumferential surface of the battery cell 10. Coupled to (10). Hereinafter, the heat exchange means 40 and the heat transfer member 50 will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat exchange means 40 may be formed of a Peltier element. That is, the heat exchange means 40 is composed of the first plate 41 and the second plate 42 which are different conductors, and when the current flows through the first plate 41 and the second plate 42, the first plate By the electromotive force of the 41 and the second plate 42, the second plate 42 is cooled when the first plate 41 is heated, and when the opposite current flows, the second plate 42 is cooled when the first plate 41 is cooled. The plate 42 generates heat. Accordingly, the battery cell 10 is preheated when the first plate 41 is heated, and the battery cell 10 is cooled when the first plate 41 is cooled.

Since the heat exchange means 40 serving as a Peltier element has the characteristics of local extreme heating and local extreme cooling, the heat exchange means 40 and the battery cell ( The heat transfer member 50 is provided between 10). The heat transfer member 50 may be formed by combining a metal member having high thermal conductivity or a plurality of heat pipes in which a volatile material 51 is accommodated in a row, as shown in the figure. In this case, each of the plurality of heat pipes may be disposed to correspond to each of the battery cells 10. Through the above configuration, each of the plurality of battery cells 10 has an effect of maintaining a uniform temperature.

Through the above configuration, heat or cooling of the first plate 41 is transferred to the battery cell 10 quickly and effectively through the heat transfer member 50 to preheat or cool the battery cell 10.

- Example 2

The first embodiment of the present invention described above has been described with respect to the battery module applied to the water-cooled cooling means, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with respect to the battery module that can be applied to the air-cooled cooling means.

1 and 2, the battery module of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 100, heat transfer means 200, and heat exchange means 300.

The battery cell 100 may be a conventional pouch type battery cell or a hard case type battery cell. The battery cells 100 may be configured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 100 according to requirements, and at least one battery cell 100 may be stacked. The battery cell 100 to which the air-cooled heat exchange means is applied may be coupled at a predetermined distance apart in order to increase heat exchange efficiency. Although not shown in the drawings, a module case (not shown) may be provided on an outer surface of the stacked battery cells 100. The module case is configured to surround the outer surface of the battery cell 100 to collect and protect the stacked battery cells 100.

The heat transfer means 200 may be coupled to abut the circumferential surface of the battery cell 100. In particular, the heat transfer means 200 of the present embodiment may be provided on the circumferential surface of the battery cell 100 into which air is introduced. The heat transfer means 200 may be made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, and at least one air inflow path 200a may be formed along the air flow direction to allow air to flow into the battery cell 100. Referring to FIG. 5, the heat transfer means 200 includes a body portion 210 formed at an air inflow surface and an air inflow path 200a and a heat exchange means coupling portion 220 to which a heat exchange means is coupled. The heat exchange means coupling part 220 is bent and extended to a circumferential surface adjacent to the air inflow surface of the battery cell 100 at either side of the body portion 210. This is to ensure that the heat exchange means 300 is not affected by air.

 The heat exchange means coupling part 220 is provided with a heat exchange means 300. The heat exchange means 300 is coupled to the heat transfer means 200 to preheat or cool the battery cell 100 by heating or cooling. The heat exchange means 300 may be made of a Peltier element. The detailed configuration of the heat exchange means 300 will be replaced by the first embodiment described above.

Accordingly, when the heat transfer means 200 is heated by the heat of the heat exchange means 300, the air flowing into the heat transfer means 200 is heated, and the battery cell 100 is preheated through the heated air. In addition, when the heat transfer means 200 is cooled by the cooling of the heat exchange means 300, the air flowing into the heat transfer means 200 is cooled, and the battery cell 100 is preheated through the heated air. In particular, since the air flowing into the battery module 100, that is, the natural wind, is lower than the temperature of the battery module 100 without cooling through the heat exchange means 300, the air is cooled through the heat transfer means 200 by cooling the heat transfer means 200. When cooled, the cooling effect of the battery module 100 may be doubled.

Hereinafter, a heat exchange, that is, a preheating or cooling method of the battery module of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Prior to the description, the battery temperature T is a real time temperature of the battery sensed by the temperature sensor, and the battery preheating threshold temperature T1 may be equal to or less than 20 degrees Celsius of the preheating operation reference temperature of the heat exchange means described above. The battery cooling threshold temperature T2 may be a cooling operating reference temperature of the cooling means or heat transfer means described above, for example, 30 degrees Celsius or more. The battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3 may be a cooling operating reference temperature of the heat exchange means described above, for example, 40 degrees Celsius or more.

Referring to FIG. 6, first, a battery module includes a temperature sensor capable of sensing a temperature of a battery cell, and performs a step of sensing a battery temperature T through the temperature sensor (S10). Next, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery preheating threshold temperature T1 is performed (S11). When the battery temperature T is lower than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1, the battery cell is preheated by performing a step S12 in which heat exchange means serving as a Peltier element is generated. When the battery cell is warmed up, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery preheating threshold temperature T1 is performed again (S13). When the battery temperature T becomes higher than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1, the heat exchange means is stopped, and the battery cell may be driven at an optimal temperature (S14). If the battery temperature T is still lower than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1, the heat generating operation of the heat exchange means is continued.

In step S11, when the battery temperature T is higher than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery cooling threshold temperature T2 is performed (S20). When the battery temperature T is lower than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, the step S10 is repeated, and when the battery temperature T is higher than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, the normal cooling means is operated. (S21). At this time, when the battery module is cooled by the water cooling, the refrigerant flows to the water-cooling cooling means, and when the battery module is cooled by the air cooling, air is introduced into the battery cell through the heat transfer means. When the battery cell is cooled, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery cooling threshold temperature T2 is performed again (S22). When the battery temperature T becomes lower than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, the operation of the cooling means is stopped, and the battery cell can be driven at the optimum temperature (S23). When the battery temperature T is still higher than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3 is performed (S24). If the battery temperature (T) is lower than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3) continues to operate the cooling means, if the battery temperature (T) is higher than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3), the heat exchange means is cooled to operate the battery Performing a step to maximize the cooling performance of the cell (S25). When the battery cell is additionally cooled, a step of comparing the battery temperature T and the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3 is performed again (S26). When the battery temperature T is lower than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3, the operation of the heat exchange means is stopped, and the battery cell can be stably driven at a temperature lower than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3 (S27). ). If the battery temperature T is still higher than the battery further cooling threshold temperature T3, the cooling operation of the heat exchange means is maintained.

When the battery temperature T is equal to or less than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1 through the battery module heat exchange method as described above, the heat exchanging means having excellent heat generation performance is exothermic to preheat the battery cells.

In addition, when the battery temperature T is equal to or higher than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, only normal cooling means is operated, and the heat exchange means is additionally provided only when the battery temperature T becomes equal to or higher than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3. Cooling operation to improve the cooling performance as well as the main cooling means that satisfies only the condition below the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3) can be reduced in size and weight. The cooling efficiency of the heat exchange means is lower than the heat generation efficiency, but since it is extremely rare to generate heat above the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3) during battery operation, normal cooling considering the heat generation above the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3). There is an advantage in size, weight, and efficiency over the application of the means.

The technical idea should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, such modifications and changes are within the scope of protection of the present invention as long as it is obvious to those skilled in the art.

10: battery module 20: module case
30 cooling means 40 heat exchange means
50: heat transfer member
100: battery module 200: heat transfer means
300: heat exchange means
T1: Battery preheating threshold temperature T2: Battery cooling threshold temperature
T3: Battery additional cooling threshold temperature

Claims (9)

A plurality of battery cells stacked;
A module case provided to surround the battery cell;
Cooling means provided on at least one outer surface of the module case to cool the battery cell; And
Heat exchange means comprising a Peltier element for preheating or cooling the battery cell and provided on an outer surface of the module case;
Battery module for a secondary cell having a heat exchange means, comprising.
The method of claim 1,
And a heat transfer member having a size corresponding to one surface of the module case, between the Peltier element and the module case.
3. The method of claim 2,
The heat transfer member,
A battery module for a secondary battery having heat exchange means, which is made of a heat conductive metal or a heat pipe material.
A plurality of battery cells stacked in multiple stages;
A module case provided to surround the battery cell;
Heat transfer means installed on an air inlet surface of the module case and having at least one air inlet path; And
Heat exchange means which is a Peltier element for preheating or cooling said battery cell and is installed in said heat transfer means;
Battery module for a secondary cell having a heat exchange means, comprising.
5. The method of claim 4,
The heat-
A heat exchange means coupling portion that is bent and extended to a surface adjacent to an air inflow surface of the module case; Includes, wherein the heat exchange means is installed in the heat exchange means coupling portion, a battery module for a secondary battery having a heat exchange means.
5. The method of claim 4,
The heat-
A battery module for a secondary battery having heat exchange means, which is made of a heat conductive metal or a heat pipe material.
Sensing battery temperature T;
Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery preheating threshold temperature T1;
The heat exchange means generating heat when the battery temperature T is lower than the battery preheating threshold temperature T1;
Stopping said heat exchange means when said battery temperature (T) is higher than said battery preheating threshold temperature (T1); Including;
The battery preheating threshold temperature (T1) is a heat exchange method of the battery module for secondary batteries having a heat exchange means, 20 degrees Celsius or less.
Sensing battery temperature T;
Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery cooling threshold temperature T2;
When the battery temperature T is higher than the battery cooling threshold temperature T2, operating the water cooling means or the air-cooling heat transfer means;
Comparing the battery temperature T with a set battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3; And
Cooling the heat exchange means serving as a Peltier element when the battery temperature T is higher than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3; Including;
The battery cooling threshold temperature (T2) is 30 degrees Celsius or more, and the battery additional cooling threshold temperature (T3) is 40 degrees Celsius or more, the heat exchange method of the battery module for secondary batteries.
The method of claim 8,
The heat exchange method,
Stopping the heat exchange means when the battery temperature T is lower than the battery additional cooling threshold temperature T3;
Further comprising a heat exchange method of a battery module for a secondary battery having a heat exchange means.

Images