Battery pack and device including the same

Abstract

A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present application includes a plurality of battery modules, and a battery pack case in which the plurality of battery modules are accommodated, wherein the battery pack case includes an upper case, and further includes a heat dissipation member formed in contact with the upper case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0054358 filed on April 27, 2021 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0047510 filed on April 18, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] This disclosure relates to battery packs and devices including the battery packs, and more particularly to battery packs that minimize contact thermal resistance and devices including the battery packs. Background Technology

[0004] In modern society, the widespread use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras has spurred technological development in fields related to these mobile devices. Furthermore, rechargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries are being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) in an attempt to address issues such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels. Therefore, there is a growing demand for the development of secondary batteries.

[0005] Currently, commercially available rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among them, lithium-ion batteries have become the focus due to their advantages, such as exhibiting almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries and thus being able to charge and discharge freely, as well as having a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density.

[0006] This type of lithium secondary battery primarily uses lithium-based oxides and carbonaceous materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a battery casing. In the electrode assembly, positive and negative electrode plates, each coated with a positive and negative electrode active material, are arranged with a separator inserted between them. The battery casing seals and contains the electrode assembly along with the electrolyte solution.

[0007] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries based on the shape of the external material. In can-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is installed in a metal can, while in pouch-type secondary batteries, the electrode assembly is installed in a pouch made of aluminum laminate.

[0008] In the case of secondary batteries used in small devices, two to three battery cells are arranged. However, in the case of secondary batteries used in medium or large devices such as automobiles, battery modules in which a large number of battery cells are electrically connected are used. In such battery modules, a large number of battery cells are connected in series or parallel to form battery packs, thereby increasing capacity and output. In addition, one or more battery modules can be installed together with various control and protection systems such as BMS (Battery Management System) and cooling systems to form battery packs.

[0009] Battery packs consist of structures made by combining multiple battery modules. When some battery modules become overvoltaged, overcurrentd, or overheated, the safety and efficiency of the battery pack can be compromised. Furthermore, to increase the range of electric vehicles equipped with battery packs, the capacity of the battery packs tends to increase gradually. This necessitates designing a structure to meet the enhanced safety standards that arise with the increase in internal energy of the battery pack, and to improve safety in the event of a fire within the modules to ensure the safety of the vehicle and the driver.

[0010] In particular, when a fire occurs within a battery module of a battery pack, a need arises for a structure capable of blocking heat transfer and rapidly transferring thermal energy. However, in the formation of such a structure, there may be problems with the unstable transfer of heat due to contact resistance between the structures forming the heat energy movement path. Therefore, there is a need to develop a heat energy transfer structure that can rapidly transfer thermal energy while minimizing contact thermal resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack that minimizes contact thermal resistance and an apparatus including the battery pack.

[0013] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and various extensions can be made within the scope of the technical ideas included in this disclosure.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising: a plurality of battery modules; and a battery pack housing for accommodating the plurality of battery modules, wherein the battery pack housing includes an upper housing, and wherein the battery pack further includes a heat-radiating member formed to contact the upper housing.

[0016] The heat-radiating component includes a recess, and a cooling pad may be formed in the recess.

[0017] The cooling pad is fitted into the recess, and the cooling pad can be formed to have the same dimensions as the recess.

[0018] Cooling pads can be formed from silicone-based or acrylic-based materials.

[0019] The heat-radiating component is bent at a right angle, and may also include multiple fasteners in the area other than the recess on the surface of the heat-radiating component where it contacts the upper housing.

[0020] The battery pack also includes bolt members and nut members connected in the fastening part, and the nut members can be positioned and connected to the lower end of the fastening part.

[0021] When the bolt and nut components are connected, the nut component rises, and the heat dissipation components can come into close contact with the upper housing.

[0022] The battery module includes a module frame, which includes an upper frame and a side surface frame, and the thermal radiation component can contact the upper frame and the side surface frame.

[0023] The thermal radiation component can be formed between adjacent battery modules in the plurality of battery modules.

[0024] The thermal radiating components are formed in multiple ways, and the opposite surfaces of adjacent thermal radiating components that contact the side surface frame of the battery module can be formed to face each other.

[0025] The thermal radiation component may include a frame component comprising: a first frame and a second frame connected to each other, wherein the inner surfaces of the first frame and the second frame are folded to face each other; a first thermal insulation component attached to the outer surface of the first frame; a second thermal insulation component attached to the outer surface of the second frame; a central thermal insulation component located between the inner surfaces of the first frame and the second frame; a first heat dissipation component located between the inner surface of the first frame and the central thermal insulation component; and a second heat dissipation component located between the inner surface of the second frame and the central thermal insulation component.

[0026] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, an apparatus including the above-described battery pack is provided.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] The battery pack according to embodiments of this disclosure has a novel heat transfer structure, and therefore can rapidly transfer heat to the battery pack frame and the outside of the battery pack in the event of a fire within the battery pack. Furthermore, by minimizing the contact thermal resistance of the heat transfer structure, heat transfer efficiency can be improved, and the safety of the battery pack can be enhanced.

[0029] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of the appended claims other additional effects not described above. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 2 It shows that it is formed in Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the thermal radiation components in the battery pack;

[0032] Figure 3 It is shown that it includes Figure 1 A 3D view of the battery modules in the battery pack;

[0033] Figure 4 It is shown that it includes Figure 3 A 3D view of the battery cells in the battery module;

[0034] Figure 5 It shows that it is formed in Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the heat-radiating components and cooling pads on the battery module;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the fastening connection structure of the heat radiation component; and

[0036] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a thermal radiation component according to another embodiment included in the battery pack of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] In the following, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement these embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0038] For clarity in describing this disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and throughout the description, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0039] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each element are arbitrarily shown in the accompanying drawings for ease of description, and this disclosure is not limited to those shown in the drawings. The thicknesses of layers, regions, etc., are exaggerated in the accompanying drawings for clarity. The thicknesses of some layers and regions are enlarged in the accompanying drawings for ease of description.

[0040] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, it means that there are no other intermediate elements present. Additionally, the terms "on" or "above" imply that it is positioned above or below a reference part, and do not necessarily mean that it is positioned "above" or "above" a reference part in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0041] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as “comprising” or “including” a component, it means that the part may further include other components, but does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0042] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when referred to as a "plane," it means when the target portion is viewed from above, and when referred to as a "cross section," it means when the target portion is viewed from the side surface of a vertically cut cross section.

[0043] The terms “first,” “second,” etc., mentioned here can be used to explain various components, but these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another.

[0044] In the following text, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. However, while some components of the battery pack will be described in detail, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be described based on the entire battery pack with the same or similar content.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It shows that it is formed in Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the thermal radiation components in the battery pack. Figure 3 It is shown that it includes Figure 1 A 3D view of the battery modules in the battery pack. Figure 4 It is shown that it includes Figure 3 A 3D view of the battery cells in the battery module.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 100 includes a plurality of battery modules 110 and a battery pack housing 150 for accommodating the plurality of battery modules 110, wherein the battery pack housing 150 includes an upper housing 150a and a side surface housing 150b, and the battery pack also includes a heat radiation member 200 formed to contact the upper housing 150a.

[0047] In this case, see Figure 3The multiple battery modules 110 may include multiple battery cells 111. More specifically, the multiple battery cells 111 may be stacked in a predetermined direction and then mounted on a module frame 118 to form a battery module 110. Furthermore, since the multiple battery cells 111 are not specifically limited by their type, pouch-shaped secondary batteries or prismatic secondary batteries can be used, but pouch-shaped secondary batteries are preferred.

[0048] For example, refer to Figure 4 According to this embodiment, the battery cell 111 has a structure in which two electrode leads 116 and 117 face each other and protrude from one end 114a and the other end 114b of the cell body 113, respectively. More specifically, the electrode leads 116 and 117 are connected to an electrode assembly (not shown) and protrude from the electrode assembly (not shown) to the outside of the battery cell 111.

[0049] Meanwhile, with the electrode assembly (not shown) housed in the battery casing 114, the battery cell 111 can be manufactured by joining the two ends 114a and 114b of the battery casing 114 and one side 114c connecting them. In other words, the battery cell 111 according to this embodiment has a total of three sealing portions 114sa, 114sb and 114sc, wherein the sealing portions 114sa, 114sb and 114sc have a structure sealed by a method such as heat sealing, and the remaining side portion can be formed by a bend 115. The battery casing 114 can be made of a laminate including a resin layer and a metal layer.

[0050] Furthermore, the bend 115 may extend elongatedly along one edge of the battery cell 111, and a protrusion 111p, referred to as a "batwing ear," may be formed at the end of the bend 115. Multiple battery cells 111 may be constructed, and these cells may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other.

[0051] Figure 5 It shows that it is formed in Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the heat-radiating components and cooling pads on the battery module. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the fastening connection structure of the heat radiation component.

[0052] Reference Figure 5 The battery module 110 included in the battery pack 100 of this disclosure includes a module frame 118, and the module frame 118 may include an upper frame 130 and a side surface frame 140. At this time, the heat radiation member 200 contacts the upper frame 130 and the side surface frame 140 of the battery module 110, thereby allowing the heat generated in the battery module to be rapidly transferred to the upper housing 150a and the side surface housing 150b of the battery pack 100 in the event of a fire. The transferred heat can then be discharged to the outside.

[0053] Furthermore, thermal radiating members 200 can be formed between adjacent battery modules 110 in a plurality of battery modules 110, and can be formed in a single number or a plurality of numbers between adjacent battery modules 110. In a plurality of thermal radiating members 200, the opposite surfaces of the surfaces where adjacent thermal radiating members 200 contact the side surface frame 140 of the battery module 110 can be formed to face each other, or alternatively, the opposite surfaces can be formed to contact each other. Additionally, fixing members or the like can be further formed between the opposite surfaces to fix the plurality of thermal radiating members 200 to each other.

[0054] On the other hand, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat-radiating member 200 included in a battery pack 100 includes a recess 250, and a cooling pad 300 may be formed in the recess 250. The cooling pad 300 may be a compressible cooling pad. The cooling pad 300 may be fitted into the recess 250, and thus the cooling pad 300 may be formed to have the same dimensions as the recess 250.

[0055] Furthermore, the thickness of the cooling pad 300 can be formed to be the same as the depth of the recess 250. Additionally, the cooling pad 300 can be formed of a compressible cooling pad and can be in close contact with the upper housing 150a via bolt and nut members described later, and therefore can be formed to be thicker than the depth of the recess 250.

[0056] The cooling pad 300 can be formed from silicone-based or acrylic-based materials. Specifically, the cooling pad can be a silicone pad, a silicone rubber pad, a silicone polymer pad, etc., and can also be an acrylic pad, an acrylic polymer pad, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0057] A cooling pad 300 is formed on a recess 250 of a heat radiation member 200 according to this embodiment. The cooling pad 300 is not only formed of a compressible cooling pad to minimize the contact thermal resistance between the heat radiation member 200 and the upper housing 150a and increase the adhesion, but also forms an additional cooling structure so that the ignition heat energy in the battery pack can be quickly discharged to the outside.

[0058] In addition, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 The heat-radiating member 200 of this disclosure is bent at a right angle, and a plurality of fastening portions 270 may be included in the area of ​​one surface of the heat-radiating member 200 where the heat-radiating member 200 contacts the upper housing 150a, in addition to the recess 250.

[0059] Specifically, adhesion between the upper housing 150a and the heat radiation member 200, and between the upper housing 150a and the cooling pad 300, can occur through multiple fastening portions 270. To effectively form adhesion, the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment may further include a bolt member 280 and a nut member 290 connected by the fastening portions 270. In this case, based on the fastening portion 270, the bolt member 280 can be positioned and connected to the upper end of the fastening portion, and the nut member 290 can be positioned and connected to the lower end of the fastening portion 270.

[0060] In addition, refer to Figure 6 When the bolt member 280 and the nut member 290 are connected, the nut member 290 is positioned and connected to the lower end of the fastening portion 270, causing the nut member 290 to rise, and thus the heat radiating member 200 of this disclosure can be in close contact with the upper housing 150a. Therefore, since the contact thermal resistance between the upper housing 150a and the heat radiating member 200 is minimized through close contact, and in the event of a fire in the module, heat energy can be rapidly transferred to the outside via the heat radiating member 200 and the upper housing 150a.

[0061] Next, a heat-radiating member 400 included in a battery pack 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Contents overlapping with the heat-radiating member 200 described above will be omitted.

[0062] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a thermal radiation component according to another embodiment included in the battery pack of this disclosure.

[0063] See Figure 7 and Figure 8 According to this embodiment, the heat radiation member 400 can be formed as a single piece, wherein Figure 2 The heat-radiating components 200 are formed in multiple ways, and the opposite surfaces of adjacent heat-radiating components 200 that contact the side surface frame 140 of the battery module 110 are formed to be adjacent to each other. Therefore, it can be understood that Figure 2 The heat radiation member 200 corresponds to the first heat dissipation member 451 or the second heat dissipation member 455 included in the heat radiation member 400 according to this embodiment.

[0064] Specifically, the heat radiation member 400 according to this embodiment includes: a frame member 410, which includes a first frame 411 and a second frame 415 connected to each other, wherein the inner surfaces of the first frame 411 and the second frame 415 are folded to face each other; a first heat insulation member 431 attached to the outer surface of the first frame 411; a second heat insulation member 435 attached to the outer surface of the second frame 415; a central heat insulation member 470 located between the inner surfaces of the first frame 411 and the second frame 415; a first heat dissipation member 451 located between the inner surface of the first frame 411 and the central heat insulation member 470; and a second heat dissipation member 455 located between the inner surface of the second frame 415 and the central heat insulation member 470.

[0065] In addition, the insulation member 430 may include a first insulation member 431 and a second insulation member 435. The first insulation member 431 is attached to the outer surface of the first frame 411, and the second insulation member 435 may be attached to the outer surface of the second frame 415.

[0066] Furthermore, the heat insulation member 430 can be made of silicon oxide. In one example, silicon oxide can be made of a material such as glass fiber. However, the material of the heat insulation member 430 is not limited to this, and in this embodiment, any material with high heat insulation properties can be included. Thus, in this embodiment, the heat insulation member 430 is able to block the adjacent battery module 110 ( Figure 1 Heat transfer between them.

[0067] Meanwhile, the central heat insulation member 470 may be located between the inner surface of the first frame 411 and the inner surface of the second frame 415. More specifically, the central heat insulation member 470 may be located between the first heat dissipation member 451 and the second heat dissipation member 455.

[0068] Furthermore, the central insulation member 470 can be made of silicon oxide. In one example, silicon oxide can be made of a material such as glass fiber. However, the material of the central insulation member 470 is not limited to this, and in this embodiment, any material with high insulation properties can be included.

[0069] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if heat is drawn from the battery module 110 ( Figure 1 The heat is transferred to the first heat dissipation component 451 and the second heat dissipation component 455 respectively, and the central heat insulation component 470 can also block the heat transfer between the first heat dissipation component 451 and the second heat dissipation component 455.

[0070] Meanwhile, the heat dissipation component 450 may include a first heat dissipation component 451 and a second heat dissipation component 455. More specifically, the first heat dissipation component 451 is located between the inner surface of the first frame 411 and the central heat insulation component 470, and the second heat dissipation component 455 may be located between the inner surface of the second frame 415 and the central heat insulation component 470.

[0071] Here, the heat dissipation member 450 may further include a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the frame member 410. More specifically, the first heat dissipation member 451 further includes a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the first frame 411, and the second heat dissipation member 455 may further include a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the second frame 415. The first heat dissipation member 451 and the second heat dissipation member 455 may be bent in opposite directions to each other.

[0072] Furthermore, the heat dissipation component 450 can be formed of a material such as aluminum (Al) or graphite. However, the material of the heat dissipation component 450 is not limited to these, and in this embodiment, any material with high thermal conductivity can be included.

[0073] Therefore, in this embodiment, the battery module 110 ( Figure 1 The upper part of the battery module 110 is adjacent to the curved surface of the first heat dissipation member 451 or the curved surface of the second heat dissipation member 455. Figure 1 The heat generated in the heat sink can be easily dispersed in the first heat sink 451 or the second heat sink 455.

[0074] Meanwhile, the heat radiating member 400 according to this embodiment includes recesses 452 and 456, and a cooling pad 300 can be formed in the recesses 452 and 456. In this case, the cooling pad 300 can be a compressible cooling pad. The cooling pad 300 is not only formed on the recesses 452 and 456 of the heat radiating member 400 according to this embodiment, thereby minimizing the contact thermal resistance between the heat radiating member 400 and the upper housing 150a and improving adhesion, but it can also form an additional cooling structure so that the ignition heat energy within the battery pack can be quickly dissipated from the outside. Furthermore, the heat radiating member 400 of this embodiment is bent at a right angle, and a plurality of fastening portions 481 may be included in the area other than the recesses 452 and 456 on one surface of the heat radiating member 400 in contact with the upper housing 150a.

[0075] Specifically, attachments between the upper housing 150a and the heat radiating member 400, and between the upper housing 150a and the cooling pad 300, can occur via multiple fasteners 481. Therefore, since the contact thermal resistance between the upper housing 150a and the heat radiating member 400 is minimized through close contact, the heat energy generated during a fire in the module is transferred via the heat radiating member 400 and the upper housing 150a to be discharged to the outside.

[0076] Traditional structures used for heat transfer do not have close contact with the battery pack housing and upper housing, especially since one surface of the upper housing is adjacent to the interior of the battery pack where the battery module is located. This leads to increased contact thermal resistance. Furthermore, with increased contact thermal resistance, heat cannot be transferred quickly within the battery pack, making it difficult to rapidly transfer heat to suppress a fire should a fire occur within the module.

[0077] Therefore, the battery pack of this disclosure includes a thermal radiating member, and the thermal radiating member includes a recess and a compressible cooling pad formed on the recess, such that the thermal radiating member can make close contact with the upper housing of the battery pack. Furthermore, the adhesion between the thermal radiating member and the upper housing is increased by the fastening portion included in the thermal radiating member, and a stable heat transfer structure can be formed by allowing the thermal radiating member to be fixed to the upper housing.

[0078] Furthermore, the battery pack according to this disclosure can be applied to various devices. Such devices can be applied to vehicle systems such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, or hybrid vehicles, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various devices that can use battery modules, which also fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0079] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereto, and many other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims. Furthermore, these modifications should not be understood independently of the technical concept or perspective of the invention.

[0080] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0081] 100: Battery pack

[0082] 110: Battery Module

[0083] 111: Battery Cell

[0084] 118: Module Framework

[0085] 130: Upper frame

[0086] 140: Side surface frame

[0087] 150: Battery pack casing

[0088] 150a: upper shell

[0089] 150b: Side surface housing

[0090] 200, 400: Thermal radiation components

[0091] 250: Recessed area

[0092] 270: Fastening part

[0093] 280: Bolted components

[0094] 290: Nut component

[0095] 300: Cooling Pad

Claims

1. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: Multiple battery modules; as well as A battery pack housing for accommodating the multiple battery modules. The battery pack housing includes an upper housing, and The battery pack further includes a heat-radiating member formed to contact the upper housing, and The heat radiation component includes: A frame member comprising a first frame and a second frame connected to each other, wherein the inner surfaces of the first frame and the inner surfaces of the second frame are folded to face each other. A first thermal insulation member is attached to the outer surface of the first frame; The second thermal insulation member is attached to the outer surface of the second frame; A central thermal insulation component is located between the inner surface of the first frame and the inner surface of the second frame. A first heat dissipation component is located between the inner surface of the first frame and the central heat insulation component; and The second heat dissipation component is located between the inner surface of the second frame and the central heat insulation component.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The heat-radiating component includes a recess, and A cooling pad is formed in the recess.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein, The cooling pad is fitted into the recess, and The cooling pad is formed to have the same dimensions as the recess.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein, The cooling pad is formed of silicone resin-based or acrylic resin-based materials.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein, The heat-radiating component is bent at a right angle, and In addition to the recessed portion, a plurality of fastening portions are also included in the area of ​​the surface on which the heat-radiating component contacts the upper housing.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, The battery pack further includes bolt members and nut members connected in the fastening part, and The nut component is positioned and connected to the lower end of the fastener.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein, When the bolt member and the nut member are connected, the nut member rises and thus the heat-radiating member comes into close contact with the upper housing.

8. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein, The battery module includes a module frame. The module frame includes an upper frame and side surface frames, and The heat-radiating component is in contact with the upper frame and the side surface frame.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein, The thermal radiation component is formed between adjacent battery modules in the plurality of battery modules.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein, The heat-radiating component is formed into multiple heat-radiating components, and The surfaces of adjacent thermal radiating components that contact the side surface frame of the battery module are formed to face each other.

11. An apparatus comprising a battery pack according to claim 1.

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