Battery module cooling structure

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a battery module cooling structure in which a battery module is constructed by assembling a plurality of battery cells, the structure comprising: a battery module case for storing the battery module; and a sensing plate assembly fastened to an end portion of an end plate provided on an outermost side of the battery module, provided to extend in a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells, and having a flow opening to enable a coolant to flow between the plurality of battery cells.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0126514 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a battery module cooling structure, and more particularly, to a cooling structure of a liquid-immersion cooling battery module, which introduces a flow path through which a coolant flows on a battery sensing plate or a bus bar. Background Art

[0004] Generally, a battery pack for an environmentally friendly vehicle may be manufactured by assembling a plurality of battery cells into a battery module and then assembling the plurality of battery modules to form a battery pack that is finally installed in a vehicle.

[0005] The pouch cell type battery module may mainly include battery cells, pressure pads, end plates, sensing plates, etc. With the high specification of battery high performance and fast charging performance, the battery module requires advanced battery cell cooling technology. In order to improve the cooling performance of the battery, liquid immersion cooling technology using direct cooling can be considered. The components used in this liquid immersion cooling method may include the basic components of the battery module, the module housing, the cooling channel, and the coolant (or dielectric thermal fluid) for direct cooling.

[0006] Here, in order to cool the internal battery cells, cooling channels may be provided between the battery cells, thereby achieving direct cooling through the flow of coolant. However, for a general battery cell module, the presence of a sensing plate on the coolant inflow or outflow path may interfere with the flow of the cooling channels between the battery cells, thereby reducing the cooling efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide a battery module cooling structure, which can improve the cooling performance efficiency of a liquid-immersion cooled battery module by forming flow openings in a sensing plate or a bus bar to enable coolant to flow.

[0008] According to an embodiment, a structure for cooling a battery module is provided, the structure comprising: a battery module housing for storing the battery module, wherein the battery module is constructed by assembling a plurality of battery cells; and a sensing plate assembly fastened to an end plate disposed at the outermost side of the battery module, the sensing plate assembly extending in a direction in which the plurality of battery cells are stacked and having flow openings to enable a coolant to flow between the plurality of battery cells.

[0009] The sensing plate assembly may include: a sensing plate electrically connected to electrode leads disposed on the battery cells and configured to detect a state of the battery cells, and a bus bar electrically connected to the sensing plate and configured to connect voltage lines between battery cells in a battery module or between battery modules.

[0010] The bus bar may include additional surface area formed with flow openings.

[0011] The bus bar can overlap and combine with the sensing plate, and the flow opening can include a first flow opening and a second flow opening, the first flow opening is formed at a position where the bus bar and the sensing plate overlap and combine with each other, and simultaneously penetrates the bus bar and the sensing plate, and the second flow opening is formed at a position where the bus bar and the sensing plate neither overlap nor combine with each other and penetrates the sensing plate.

[0012] The first flow opening may include a plurality of circular openings formed along a length direction of the bus bar.

[0013] The first flow opening may also be formed at a location where the bus bar and the sensing plate neither overlap nor bond to each other.

[0014] The second flow opening may include a plurality of rectangular openings arranged along a direction in which the plurality of battery cells are stacked.

[0015] The plurality of rectangular openings may be elongated in the length direction of the bus bar.

[0016] The plurality of rectangular openings may correspond to channels between the plurality of battery cells.

[0017] The electrode lead may be electrically connected to the sensing plate by passing through the second flow opening to be folded and overlapped with the sensing plate.

[0018] The electrode lead may be connected to the sensing plate to overlap the first flow opening and have an opening overlapping the first flow opening.

[0019] A sensing plate assembly may be mounted to each of both ends of the battery module housing.

[0020] A plurality of pressure pads may be respectively attached to outer surfaces of the battery cells.

[0021] Each of the plurality of pressure pads may be disposed between adjacent battery cells, respectively, and configured to absorb expansion of the battery cells.

[0022] Each of the plurality of pressure pads may be configured to secure the plurality of battery cells in place and to mitigate impact applied to the battery cells.

[0023] The battery module case may include a coolant inlet at one side and a coolant outlet at an opposite side, the inlet and the outlet communicating with the interior of the battery module case.

[0024] The positions of the inlet and outlet may be asymmetrical to ensure uniform coolant flow within the battery module housing.

[0025] The inlet and outlet can be positioned longitudinally or transversely relative to each other.

[0026] The sense plate assembly may be secured to the end of the end plate.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming flow openings for coolant to flow through in a sensing plate or a bus bar in a liquid-immersion cooled battery module, the coolant flows in, flows, and flows out through an optimal path between battery cells, thereby maximizing the cooling performance efficiency.

[0028] Furthermore, by forming flow openings in the sensing plate, the flow rate into the battery cells can be increased, thereby improving cooling performance and reducing temperature differences between the battery cells.

[0029] Furthermore, by forming flow openings in the bus bar to increase the surface area of ​​the bus bar, it is possible to cope with the large amount of heat generated on the bus bar and improve the cooling effect.

[0030] As discussed, such methods and systems suitably include the use of a controller or processor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is a front view showing the connection of a sensing plate and an electrode lead of a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an inflow state of a coolant in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 is a front view showing the connection of a sensing plate and a bus bar with an electrode lead in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing the connection of a sensing plate and a bus bar with an electrode lead in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing that a sensing plate and a bus bar are connected to each other in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs can easily implement the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] Furthermore, among various embodiments, components having the same configuration will be representatively described using the same reference numerals in one embodiment, and only components different from those in this embodiment will be described in other embodiments.

[0039] It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. For clarity and ease of interpretation of the drawings, the sizes and proportions of the components in the drawings are relatively enlarged or reduced. This arbitrary size is schematic and not restrictive. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to represent similar features of the same structure, components or parts shown in more than two figures. When an element is described as being "on" or "above" another element, it should be understood that the element can be directly "on" another element or "above" another element with a third element interposed therebetween.

[0040] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicle" or other similar terms used herein include general motor vehicles, such as passenger cars including sports utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels from resources other than petroleum). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a gasoline-powered vehicle and an electric vehicle.

[0041] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific embodiments, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly describes otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms. These terms are only intended to distinguish one component from another component, and these terms do not limit the properties, sequence or order of the components. It should also be understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include" and / or "include" specify the existence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their combinations. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. Throughout the specification, unless there is a clear statement to the contrary, the word "include" and variants such as "include" or "include" will be understood to imply the inclusion of the elements, but do not exclude any other elements. In addition, the terms "-unit", "-device", "-part" and "-module" described in the specification represent units for processing at least one function and operation, and can be implemented by hardware components or software components and their combinations.

[0042] Unless otherwise specified or apparent from the context, as used herein, the term "about" should be understood as being within the normal tolerance range in the art, such as within 2 standard deviations of the mean. "About" can be understood as being within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or 0.01% of the stated value. Unless the context indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​provided herein are modified by the term "about".

[0043] The embodiments of the present disclosure specifically represent an embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the schematic diagram can be modified in various ways. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the specific shapes of the parts shown, but can include shapes that are modified during production, for example.

[0044] Hereinafter, a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] refer to Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module cooling structure 100 may include a battery module housing 10 for placing a battery module and a sensing plate assembly fastened to an end of an end plate 24 disposed at the outermost side of the battery module.

[0047] An inlet (through which the coolant flows into the battery module housing 10) may be provided on one side of the battery module housing 10, while an outlet (through which the coolant flows out from the interior of the battery module housing 10 to the outside) may be provided on the other side of the battery module housing 10, on the opposite side to the inlet.

[0048] The inlet and outlet may be in communication with the interior of the battery module housing 10. In addition, the positions of the inlet and outlet may be set asymmetrically to ensure that the coolant flows evenly inside the battery module housing 10. That is, based on Figure 1 , the inlet may be located at a higher position than the outlet, and the outlet may be located further to the right than the inlet.

[0049] The sensing plate assembly may be disposed to extend from an end of the end plate 24 in a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 20 and formed with flow openings 34 , 35 so that the coolant can flow between the plurality of battery cells 20 .

[0050] The sensing plate assembly may include a sensing plate 32 and a bus bar 36. The sensing plate 32 may be electrically connected to the electrode lead 26 disposed on the battery cell 20 to detect the state of the battery cell 20, and the bus bar 36 may be electrically connected to the sensing plate 32 and the electrode lead 26.

[0051] The sensing plates 32 may be mounted at both ends of the battery module housing 10. Figure 1 As a reference, the front and rear sides of the battery module case 10 are opposed to each other.

[0052] In addition, a plurality of pressure pads 22 may be attached to the outer surfaces of the battery cells 20, respectively. Each of the plurality of pressure pads 22 may be disposed between the plurality of battery cells 20, and play a role in absorbing the expansion of the battery cells 20. In addition, the pressure pads 22 may fix each of the plurality of battery cells 20, and relieve the impact applied to the battery cells 20. The end plate 24 may be attached to the outer side of the pressure pad 22 disposed at the outermost side of the battery module. The sensing plate 32 may be fastened to the end of the end plate 24.

[0053] Figure 2 is a front view showing the connection of a sensing plate and an electrode lead of a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] refer to Figure 2, flow openings 34 and 35 may be formed in the sensing plate 32. The flow openings 34 and 35 may include a first flow opening 34 and a second flow opening 35, wherein the first flow opening 34 includes a plurality of circular openings, each of which is formed along the length direction of the bus bar 36 at a corresponding portion of the sensing plate 32 combined with the bus bar 36, and the second flow opening 35 includes a plurality of rectangular openings arranged along the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 20.

[0055] The sensing plate 32 may be coupled to each of both ends of the end plate 24, and the electrode lead 26 provided on the battery cell 20 may pass through the second flow opening 35 to be folded on each of both sides of the second flow opening 35. The electrode lead 26 may include a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and may be electrically connected to the sensing plate 32 by being folded on each of both sides of the second flow opening 35 and contacting the sensing plate 32.

[0056] The first flow opening 34 may be formed at a location where the bus bar 36 and the sensing plate 32 overlap and combine with each other, and at the same location where the sensing plate 32, the bus bar 36, and the electrode lead 26 overlap with each other. At the location where the first flow opening 34 is formed, the electrode lead 26 may include a positive lead or a negative lead, so as to be attached to the sensing plate 32.

[0057] Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an inflow state of a coolant in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] refer to Figure 3 The coolant flowing into the battery module housing 10 through the inlet can flow into the battery module through the sensing plate assembly. The coolant can flow into the battery module through the first flow opening 34 and the second flow opening 35 formed in the sensing plate 32 and the upper and lower sides of the sensing plate 32.

[0059] The sensing plate assembly may be mounted to each of both ends of the battery module housing 10. The coolant flowing into the battery module may flow between the battery cells 20, cool the battery cells, and then flow out of the battery module through the flow openings 34, 35 of the sensing plate assembly disposed adjacent to the outflow port and the upper and lower sides of the sensing plate 32. The coolant flowing into the battery module housing 10 may be discharged to the outside through the outflow port.

[0060] Figure 4 is a front view showing the connection of a sensing plate and a bus bar with an electrode lead in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] refer to Figure 4, the bus bar 36 may overlap and combine with the sensing plate 32, and the first flow opening 34 that penetrates the bus bar 36 and the sensing plate 32 may be formed at the position where the bus bar 36 and the sensing plate 32 overlap and combine with each other. The first flow opening 34 may include a plurality of circular openings formed along the length direction of the bus bar 36. In addition, the first flow opening 34 may also be further formed at a position where the bus bar 36 and the sensing plate 32 neither overlap nor combine with each other.

[0062] At the location where bus bar 36 and sensing plate 32 overlap and combine with each other, electrode lead 26 may electrically contact bus bar 36 by passing through second flow opening 35 and folding toward bus bar 36. In addition, electrode lead 26 may have an opening aligned with first flow opening 34 at this location.

[0063] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing the connection of a sensing plate and a bus bar with an electrode lead in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] refer to Figure 5 , the sensing plate assembly may be arranged to extend in the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 20, and the ends of the sensing plates 32 may be fastened to the ends of the end plates 24. The bus bars 36 may be connected to the sensing plates 32, and the electrode leads 26 may pass through the second flow openings 35 formed in the sensing plates 32 and be folded to be in electrical contact with the bus bars 36.

[0065] The first flow opening 34 may be formed in the bus bar 36, and the electrode lead 26 may be formed with the same opening as the first flow opening 34. In addition, the first flow opening 34 and the second flow opening 35 may overlap at a portion where the bus bar 36 is fastened.

[0066] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing that a sensing plate and a bus bar are connected to each other in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] The bus bar 36 may be provided to extend in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the sensing plate 32, and may be coupled to the sensing plate 32 and protrude from an upper portion of the sensing plate 32. The first flow opening 34 may also be formed in a portion of the bus bar 36 protruding from an upper portion of the sensing plate 32. The upper end of the bus bar 36 may be bent in a vertical direction toward the outside of the battery module.

[0068] The plurality of second flow openings 35 may each have a rectangular shape and be formed along the length direction of the sensing plate 32. The first flow opening 34 may be formed at a portion where the sensing plate 32 and the bus bar 36 overlap each other, and the bus bar 36 protrudes from an upper portion of the sensing plate 32. The first flow opening 34 and the second flow opening 35 may overlap at a portion where the bus bar 36 overlaps the sensing plate 32.

[0069] This structure enables the coolant flowing into the battery module housing 10 to flow to the plurality of battery cells 20 through the first flow opening 34 and the second flow opening 35 and the spaces above and below the sensing plate 32. The coolant flowing through the plurality of battery cells 20 can then flow out through the sensing plate assembly having the same structure as the sensing plate described above, which is disposed on the opposite side. Thus, the coolant flow path can be ensured to the maximum extent, thereby maximizing the cooling performance of the battery cells 20.

[0070] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by forming flow openings for coolant to flow through in a sensing plate or a bus bar in a liquid-immersion cooled battery module, the coolant flows in, flows, and flows out through an optimal path between battery cells, thereby maximizing the cooling performance efficiency.

[0071] Furthermore, by forming flow openings in the sensing plate, the flow rate into the battery cells can be increased, thereby improving cooling performance and reducing temperature differences between the battery cells.

[0072] Furthermore, by forming flow openings in the bus bar to increase the surface area of ​​the bus bar, it is possible to cope with the large amount of heat generated on the bus bar and improve the cooling effect.

[0073] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and all equivalent modifications that can be easily modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A structure for cooling a battery module, the structure comprising: a battery module case for storing the battery module, wherein the battery module is constructed by assembling a plurality of battery cells; and A sensing plate assembly is fastened to an end plate disposed at the outermost side of the battery module, the sensing plate assembly extending in a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells and having flow openings to enable a coolant to flow between the plurality of battery cells.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing plate assembly comprises: a sensing plate electrically connected to an electrode lead provided on the battery cell and configured to detect a state of the battery cell; and A bus bar electrically connected to the sensing plate is configured to connect voltage lines between battery cells in the battery module or voltage lines between the battery modules.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein: The bus bar includes additional surface area formed with flow openings.

4. The structure according to claim 2, wherein: The bus bar overlaps and is coupled to the sensing plate, and the flow opening comprises: A first flow opening is formed at a portion where the bus bar and the sensing plate overlap and combine with each other, and penetrates both the bus bar and the sensing plate; and The second flow opening is formed at a position where the bus bar and the sensing plate are neither overlapped nor combined with each other, and penetrates the sensing plate.

5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The first flow opening includes a plurality of circular openings formed along a length direction of the bus bar.

6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein: The first flow opening is also formed at a location where the bus bar and the sensing plate neither overlap nor bond with each other.

7. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The second flow opening includes a plurality of rectangular openings arranged along a stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells.

8. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of rectangular openings are elongated in the length direction.

9. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of rectangular openings correspond to channels between the plurality of battery cells.

10. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The electrode lead is passed through the second flow opening to be folded and overlapped with the sensing plate to achieve electrical connection with the sensing plate.

11. The structure according to claim 4, wherein: The electrode lead is connected to the sensing plate to overlap the first flow opening, and the electrode lead has an opening overlapping the first flow opening.

12. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: The sensing plate assembly is mounted to each of both ends of the battery module housing.

13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of pressure pads are respectively attached to outer surfaces of the battery cells.

14. The structure according to claim 13, wherein: Each of the plurality of pressure pads is disposed between adjacent battery cells, respectively, and is configured to absorb expansion of the battery cells.

15. The structure according to claim 13, wherein: Each of the plurality of pressure pads is configured to fix the plurality of battery cells in place and to mitigate impact applied to the battery cells.

16. The structure of claim 1, wherein: The battery module case includes a coolant inlet on one side and a coolant outlet on an opposite side, the inlet and the outlet communicating with the interior of the battery module case.

17. The structure according to claim 16, wherein: The positions of the inlet and the outlet are asymmetrical to ensure that the coolant flows evenly in the battery module housing.

18. The structure according to claim 17, wherein: The inlet and the outlet are positioned longitudinally or transversely relative to each other.

19. The structure of claim 1, wherein: The sensing plate assembly is secured to an end of the end plate.

20. A vehicle comprising the structure according to claim 1.

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