Battery module for electric vehicles with cooling pad made of two types of metal plates

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module for an electric vehicle having a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, comprising: a case having a space formed inside; a plurality of pouch-type battery cells accommodated inside the case; and a plurality of insulating cooling pads made of two types of metal plates disposed between each of the plurality of battery cells and one adjacent battery cell, wherein the cooling pads are characterized in that one type of metal plate and the other type of metal plate simultaneously contact each of the battery cells.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module for an electric vehicle, and more specifically, to an electric vehicle battery module having an insulating cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, wherein an insulating cooling pad made of two types of metal plates is disposed between each of adjacent battery cells among a plurality of battery cells, thereby insulating between one of the battery cells and another by the cooling pad and allowing heat generated from each battery cell to be released, thereby preventing deterioration and reducing the risk of fire, as well as preventing the degradation of the battery's performance and lifespan. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike small devices, battery modules used in electric vehicles require high output and large capacity, so medium to large-sized battery modules consisting of multiple electrically connected battery cells are used.

[0003] In this case, it is desirable for medium to large battery modules to be manufactured with the smallest possible size and weight.

[0004] Therefore, pouch-type battery cells and prismatic battery cells, which can be packed with high density and have a low weight-to-capacity ratio, are mainly used as unit cells for medium and large battery modules.

[0005] Pouch-type battery cells, which use materials such as aluminum laminate sheets as outer casings, are gaining popularity due to advantages such as low weight, low manufacturing costs, and ease of shape deformation.

[0006] Meanwhile, as disclosed in Korean Public Patent No. 10-2024-0126989, etc., in a battery module configured by stacking pouch-type battery cells, pads, particularly pads made of polyurethane (PU) resin, are applied between battery cells for the purpose of insulation between battery cells and fixing the battery cells.

[0007] However, polyurethane resin is not only flammable but also has very low thermal conductivity, making heat dissipation difficult, particularly since it is used as an insulating material. Consequently, heat generated in the battery module during the charging and discharging of electric vehicles could not be effectively removed, leading to heat accumulation and consequently accelerating the degradation of the battery module. This not only reduced the performance and lifespan of the battery module but, in some cases, could also cause ignition or explosion.

[0008] For the reasons mentioned above, the field is seeking ways to effectively cool pouch-type battery cells embedded in high-output, high-capacity battery modules for electric vehicles, but satisfactory results have not been achieved to date. Prior art literature

[0009] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2024-0126989 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention is proposed to resolve the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a battery module for an electric vehicle that can reduce the risk of fire caused by overheating and prevent degradation by ensuring smooth cooling of each battery cell during the charging and discharging process. means of solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the present invention,

[0012] A battery module for an electric vehicle is proposed that includes a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, comprising: a case having a space formed inside; a plurality of pouch-type battery cells accommodated inside the case; and a plurality of insulating cooling pads made of two types of metal plates, each disposed between one battery cell and another battery cell that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cooling pads are characterized in that one type of metal plate and the other type of metal plate simultaneously contact each of the battery cells.

[0013] The two types of metal plates forming the cooling pad are aluminum plates and copper plates.

[0014] The width and length of the above cooling pad are the same as the width and length of the above battery cell.

[0015] The above aluminum plate and copper plate are arranged in the order of the aluminum plate, the copper plate, and the aluminum plate, extending from one end in the width direction of any one of the battery cells toward the other end.

[0016] The aluminum plate and the copper plate may be formed with the same width or different widths. Effects of the invention

[0017] An electric vehicle battery module having a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates according to the present invention has an insulating cooling pad made of two types of metal plates placed between each of the adjacent battery cells among a plurality of battery cells. Since the cooling pad not only provides insulation between the battery cells but also facilitates the release of heat generated from the battery cells due to the material properties of the cooling pad, the degradation of the battery cells can be prevented during the charging and discharging process of the electric vehicle, thereby significantly reducing the risk of fire caused by overheating and preventing the deterioration of the battery's performance and lifespan. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of an electric vehicle battery module to which a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates according to the present invention is applied. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0020] Since embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be subject to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification or application. However, this is not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0021] The terms used herein are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an electric vehicle battery module (A) with a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates according to the present invention comprises: a case (10); a battery cell (20); and a cooling pad (30).

[0025] The case (10) of the present invention has a space (drawing symbol not shown) formed inside.

[0026] Therefore, multiple battery cells (20) can be accommodated by the internal space of the case (10).

[0027] At this time, the case (10) can be partially separated so that a battery cell (20) can be inserted into its internal space.

[0028] Here, a portion of the separated case (10) is joined after the battery cell (20) is inserted, thereby allowing the case (10) to be sealed.

[0029] Such a case (10) may be of any ordinary shape and structure as long as it can accommodate multiple battery cells (20) inside and protect them from external impacts, etc.

[0030] Meanwhile, the case (10) can typically be made of a metal material with high mechanical strength, but is not limited thereto.

[0031] That is, the case (10) can be made of a non-metallic insulating material to ensure insulation.

[0032] The battery cells (20) of the present invention are provided in multiple numbers and accommodated inside the case (10).

[0033] Therefore, charging and discharging can be performed by each battery cell (20).

[0034] Such a battery cell (20) may be of any conventional structure and type, and as an example, it may be a pouch-type battery cell using an aluminum laminate sheet or the like as an exterior material.

[0035] At this time, a pouch-type battery cell can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly (not shown in the drawing) including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator (not shown in the drawing) in a cell case (not shown in the drawing) of a laminate sheet and heat-fusing a sealing portion (not shown in the drawing) of the cell case (10).

[0036] Meanwhile, multiple battery cells (20) are arranged in pairs so that one can be adjacent to the other.

[0037] The cooling pads (30) of the present invention are provided in a plurality and are placed between each of the adjacent battery cells (20) and other battery cells (20).

[0038] Therefore, heat generated from one battery cell (20) and another battery cell (20) adjacent to each other can be released, in other words, cooled by each cooling pad (30).

[0039] At this time, the cooling pad (30) is made of two types of metal plates, so that heat generated from the battery cell (20) can be released smoothly due to the material properties, and in particular, the rigidity can be improved compared to when it is made of only one type of metal plate.

[0040] And the two types of metal plates forming the cooling pad (30) are insulated so that electrical insulation can be provided between the battery cells (20) as the cooling pad (30) is placed between one battery cell (20) and another battery cell (20) that are adjacent to each other.

[0041] Here, any conventional method may be followed for the insulation treatment of the two types of metal plates as long as it provides electrical insulation between the battery cells (20), so a detailed description of the insulation treatment of the two types of metal plates is omitted.

[0042] And the width and length of the cooling pad (30) are the same as the width and length of the battery cell (20), so that the entire side of the battery cell (20) can be covered by the cooling pad (30).

[0043] And the two types of metal plates are, in particular, aluminum plates (31) and copper plates (32), so that heat transfer is smooth due to the characteristics of the material, heat dissipation can be smoother, and in particular, the load can be reduced and processing can be easy.

[0044] At this time, the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) are arranged in the order of aluminum plate (31), copper plate (32), and aluminum plate (31) so that the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) can come into contact with the battery cell (20) at the same time, and thus heat can be released simultaneously through the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32).

[0045] At this time, the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) may be formed with the same thickness, but are not limited thereto.

[0046] That is, the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) can be formed with different widths.

[0047] Meanwhile, the heat of the cooling pad (30) is transferred to cooling water (not shown in the drawing) flowing inside or outside the case (10), for example, so that heat dissipation can be smooth.

[0049] The heat dissipation through the cooling pad (30) in the electric vehicle battery module (A) to which the cooling pad made of two types of metal plates according to the present invention is applied is described in detail as follows.

[0050] Since heat is generated from each of the multiple battery cells (20) housed in the case (10) during the process of driving an electric vehicle, deterioration may occur, which may increase the risk of fire due to overheating and lead to a decrease in the performance and lifespan of the battery.

[0051] However, in the present invention, a cooling pad (30) is placed between each of the adjacent battery cells (20), so that heat generated from each battery cell (20) can be released by the cooling pad (30), thereby preventing deterioration, which can reduce the risk of fire caused by overheating, as well as prevent the deterioration of the battery's performance and lifespan.

[0052] At this time, the cooling pad (30) of the present invention is made of two types of metal plates, and due to the material characteristics of the cooling pad (30), heat generated from each battery cell (20) can be released more smoothly, thereby allowing for stable prevention of deterioration.

[0053] And the cooling pad (30) is made of two types of metal plates, specifically aluminum plate (31) and copper plate (32), so that heat transfer is smooth, heat dissipation from each battery cell (20) can be more smooth, and thus the prevention of deterioration can be more stably achieved.

[0054] Here, the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) are arranged in the order of aluminum plate (31), copper plate (32), and aluminum plate (31) so that the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32) can come into contact with the battery cell (20) at the same time, thereby allowing heat to be released simultaneously through the aluminum plate (31) and the copper plate (32).

[0055] Meanwhile, each of the two types of metal plates forming the cooling pad (30) is insulated, so that electrical insulation between the battery cells (20) can be provided as the cooling pad (30) is placed between one battery cell (20) and another battery cell (20) that are adjacent to each other.

[0057] The present invention, as described above, is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be modified within the scope that does not deviate from the essence of the invention claimed in the claims, and such modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the claims below. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 10 : Case 20 : Battery cell 30 : Cooling pad 31: Aluminum plate 32 : Copper plate A: Battery module

Claims

Claim 1 An electric vehicle battery module having a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, comprising: a case having a space formed inside; a plurality of pouch-type battery cells accommodated inside the case; and a plurality of insulating cooling pads made of two types of metal plates, each disposed between one adjacent battery cell and another battery cell among the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cooling pads have one type of metal plate and another type of metal plate in simultaneous contact with each of the battery cells, and the two types of metal plates forming the cooling pads are an aluminum plate and a copper plate, and the aluminum plate and the copper plate are arranged in the order of the aluminum plate, the copper plate, and the aluminum plate, extending from one end in the width direction of one of the battery cells to the other end. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 An electric vehicle battery module having a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, characterized in that, in claim 1, the width and length of the cooling pad are the same as the width and length of the battery cell. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 An electric vehicle battery module having a cooling pad made of two types of metal plates, characterized in that, in claim 1, the aluminum plate and the copper plate are formed with the same width or different widths.

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