Battery module

Abstract

The battery module includes a cooling plate (5) for cooling the cylindrical batteries (1) in a battery pack (4) in which multiple battery blocks (3) with their bottom surfaces (11a) arranged on the same plane are axially connected. One end face of the battery block (3) is designated as the cooling surface (3A) of the bottom surface (11a) of the cylindrical battery (1), and the other end face is designated as the discharge surface (3B) of the opening (13) of the discharge valve of the cylindrical battery (1). The battery pack (4) provides a channel gap (6) for discharge between adjacent battery blocks (3), and the cooling surface (3A) and the discharge surface (3B) are arranged on the opposite side of the channel gap (6). The cooling plate (5) is an L-shaped structure formed by connecting the heat absorption plate (5A) and the heat dissipation plate (5B). The heat absorption plate (5A) is stacked on the cooling surface (3A) in a thermally coupled state, and the heat dissipation plate (5B) is disposed on the outer surface of the battery pack (4). The heat absorption plate (5A) and the discharge surface (3B) of the battery block (3) are used as a channel gap (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a battery module comprising multiple cylindrical batteries, and particularly to a battery module capable of efficiently cooling cylindrical batteries. Background Technology

[0002] For battery modules containing multiple cylindrical batteries, efficient heat dissipation from the heated cylindrical batteries during charging and discharging, and maintaining the battery temperature within a set range, is extremely important. In particular, to increase output capacity, battery modules connect multiple cylindrical batteries in series or parallel; however, it is also crucial that the module cools each cylindrical battery equally and minimizes temperature differences. This is because abnormal temperature rises and uneven temperatures in the cylindrical batteries degrade their electrical characteristics, thus shortening their lifespan.

[0003] A battery module for dissipating heat from cylindrical batteries has been developed (see Patent Document 1). For example... Figure 11 As shown, the battery module has multiple cylindrical batteries 91 arranged in the width direction, designated as a right battery module 90A and a left battery module 90B. The right and left battery modules 90 are configured to be stacked with heat-conducting frames 92, and the cooling component 93 is further sandwiched between the right heat-conducting frame 92A and the left heat-conducting frame 92B.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-530936 Summary of the Invention

[0007] -The problem the invention aims to solve-

[0008] Figure 11 The battery module conducts heat from the right and left battery modules 90 to a pair of heat-conducting frames 92 for heat dissipation. A cooling member 93 is sandwiched between the pair of heat-conducting frames 92, cooling the heat-conducting frames 92 on both sides. Since the battery module has the right heat-conducting frame 92A and the left heat-conducting frame 92B stacked on both sides of the cooling member 93, and the cooling member 93 cools the heat-conducting frames 92 stacked on both sides, the cooling member 93 cannot achieve heat dissipation from the surface. Furthermore, since both heat-conducting frames 92 are cooled by a single cooling member 93, there is a disadvantage that the cooling member 93 needs to have a large cooling capacity.

[0009] This invention was developed with the aim of further eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages. The purpose of this invention is to provide a battery module that can efficiently cool multiple cylindrical batteries.

[0010] -Solution methods-

[0011] A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a plurality of battery blocks, wherein the bottom surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical batteries are arranged on the same plane; a battery pack, wherein the plurality of battery blocks are arranged and connected axially along the cylindrical batteries; and a cooling plate for cooling the cylindrical batteries of the battery blocks. One end face of the battery block serves as a cooling surface for arranging the bottom surfaces of the cylindrical batteries on the same plane, and the other end face serves as a discharge surface for the opening of a discharge valve of the cylindrical batteries. The battery pack provides a discharge channel gap between adjacent battery blocks, and the adjacent battery blocks have a cooling surface and a discharge surface arranged opposite each other in the channel gap. The cooling plate is L-shaped with a heat-absorbing plate portion and a heat-dissipating plate portion integrally connected at right angles. The heat-absorbing plate portion is stacked on the cooling surface of the battery block in a thermally coupled state, and the heat-dissipating plate portion is disposed on the outer surface of the battery pack. The battery pack provides a gap between the heat-absorbing plate portion of the cooling plate and the discharge surface of the battery block as a discharge channel gap.

[0012] -Invention Effects-

[0013] The above battery modules can efficiently cool multiple cylindrical batteries, preventing damage caused by the temperature rise of the cylindrical batteries. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The battery module shown is shown in top view.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The battery module shown is shown in a vertical cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0017] Figure 4 Viewed from the left side Figure 1 The image shows an exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0018] Figure 5 Viewed from below Figure 1 The image shows an exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery pack of the battery module shown.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The image shows a three-dimensional view of the bottom surface of the battery pack.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an exploded 3D view of the battery module.

[0022] Figure 9 Viewed from the left side Figure 8 An exploded 3D view of the battery block shown.

[0023] Figure 10 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the stacked state of the battery blocks.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of an existing battery module. Detailed Implementation

[0025] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of battery blocks, wherein the bottom surfaces of the plurality of cylindrical batteries are arranged on the same plane; a battery pack, wherein the plurality of battery blocks are arranged and connected axially in the cylindrical batteries; and a cooling plate for cooling the cylindrical batteries of the battery blocks, wherein one end face of the battery block is used as a cooling surface for arranging the bottom surfaces of the cylindrical batteries on the same plane, and the other end face is used as a discharge surface for the opening of the discharge valve of the cylindrical batteries; the battery pack provides a discharge channel gap between adjacent battery blocks; adjacent battery blocks have a cooling surface and a discharge surface arranged opposite to each other in the channel gap; the cooling plate is L-shaped with a heat absorption plate portion and a heat dissipation plate portion integrally connected at right angles; the heat absorption plate portion is stacked on the cooling surface of the battery blocks in a thermally coupled state; the heat dissipation plate portion is arranged on the outer surface of the battery pack; and the battery pack provides a gap between the heat absorption plate portion of the cooling plate and the discharge surface of the battery blocks as a discharge channel gap.

[0026] The above-described battery module has the advantage of efficiently cooling multiple cylindrical batteries. Specifically, the battery module allows for the stacking and thermal coupling of independently separated cooling plates within each battery block. This configuration offers the following advantages: it eliminates the need for thermal coupling of two sets of battery blocks on both sides of a single cooling plate, as is done in conventional battery modules; the relative positional offset of adjacent battery blocks does not impede the thermal coupling state of the cooling plate; and each cooling plate is reliably positioned thermally coupled to each battery block, thereby efficiently cooling the cylindrical batteries. In particular, because the relative positional offset of adjacent battery blocks in the above-described battery module does not impede thermal coupling, even under long-term use, the cylindrical batteries and cooling plates can be maintained in the desired thermal coupling state despite relative positional offsets between adjacent battery blocks. Therefore, it has the advantage of being able to stably cool the cylindrical batteries through the cooling plates over a long period, thereby suppressing battery degradation and reduction in electrical characteristics caused by temperature rise.

[0027] Furthermore, since the battery module described above has a channel gap between the discharge surface of the battery block and the cooling plate, the high-temperature, high-pressure discharge material ejected from the open discharge valve is blocked by the cooling plate. Therefore, it also has the advantage that the cooling plate can prevent the induction of thermal runaway. In particular, since the battery module described above uses the cooling plate as a plate to prevent the induction of thermal runaway, it has the advantage of preventing the induction of thermal runaway with a simple structure without the need for a dedicated heat-resistant plate to prevent the induction of thermal runaway.

[0028] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module has multiple channel gaps, and multiple cooling plates stacked on the cooling surfaces of each channel gap arrange the heat dissipation plate portion on the same plane.

[0029] The above battery modules have the following advantages: they can thermally couple plate-shaped cooling components on the heat sink section configured on the same plane, thereby cooling the cylindrical battery more efficiently.

[0030] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module includes a lead plate electrically connected to the bottom surface of each cylindrical battery, an insulating heat-conducting sheet is disposed between the lead plate and the heat-absorbing plate portion, and the heat-absorbing plate portion of the cooling plate is disposed on the bottom surface of the cylindrical battery in a thermally coupled state via the insulating heat-conducting sheet and the lead plate.

[0031] The battery modules described above have the advantage of using conductive cooling plates and preventing short circuits caused by the cooling plates because the cooling plates are stacked using insulating heat-conducting sheets.

[0032] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module includes a battery holder that arranges the individual cylindrical batteries in a parallel orientation, and the battery pack is provided with a channel gap between the battery blocks via the battery holder.

[0033] The battery module described above has the advantage of maintaining the channel gap at an accurate interval by means of the battery holder, which has a protrusion and other structure in which the cylindrical battery is positioned in a fixed position, and a channel gap is provided between adjacent battery blocks.

[0034] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module includes a forced cooling member that is thermally coupled to the heat sink portion.

[0035] The above battery modules have the following advantages: they can efficiently cool each cooling plate through forced cooling components, thereby cooling the cylindrical battery more efficiently.

[0036] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module includes an outer housing for accommodating a battery pack. The outer housing includes: a pair of end panels disposed on both ends of the battery pack; side panels connecting the two sides of the end panels and disposed on both sides of the battery pack; and a bottom plate disposed on the bottom surface of the battery pack. The bottom plate is configured with an exposed opening having a heat sink portion, through which the heat sink portion is exposed.

[0037] The battery module described above has a heat dissipation plate with a cooling plate installed in the exposed opening of the base plate. Therefore, the bottom surface of the outer casing can be blocked by the base plate and the cylindrical battery can be cooled efficiently by the cooling plate.

[0038] In other embodiments of the battery module of the present invention, the battery block includes a battery holding member that arranges each cylindrical battery in a parallel position, and a side plate is fixed to the battery holding member. Because the above battery module arranges adjacent battery blocks in fixed positions via the side plate, it has the advantage of maintaining a certain interval between the channels provided between adjacent battery blocks via the side plate.

[0039] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module includes a battery holder that arranges the individual cylindrical batteries in a parallel orientation, and a cooling plate is fixed to the battery holder. Because the above battery module can fix and assemble the cooling plate to the battery module, it has the following advantages: it enables efficient assembly of battery packs with multiple cooling plates, and reliably maintains thermal coupling between the cooling plate and the cylindrical batteries.

[0040] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module has multiple parallel blocks formed by connecting multiple cylindrical batteries in parallel, and the multiple parallel blocks are connected in series with each other.

[0041] The above battery modules have the advantage of increasing the overall output voltage without increasing the number of battery cells connected in series.

[0042] In other embodiments of the present invention, the battery module connects adjacent battery blocks in series.

[0043] The above battery modules can set the output voltage to the most suitable voltage for the application by adjusting the number of battery cells connected in series.

[0044] The present invention will now be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, terms indicating specific directions and positions (e.g., "upper," "lower," and other terms including these terms) are used as needed; however, the use of these terms is for ease of understanding of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and does not limit the technical scope of the invention by their meaning. Additionally, portions of the same symbols shown in the various drawings represent the same or equivalent parts or components.

[0045] Furthermore, the embodiments shown below are specific examples illustrating the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following. Additionally, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the structural components described below, unless specifically stated otherwise, are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment or example can be applied to other embodiments or examples. Also, to make the description clearer, the size and positional relationships of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0046] (Implementation Method 1)

[0047] Figures 1 to 10 The battery module 100 includes: a plurality of battery blocks 3, which are formed by arranging the bottom surfaces of a plurality of cylindrical batteries 1 on the same plane; a battery pack 4, which is formed by arranging and connecting the plurality of battery blocks 3 axially along the cylindrical batteries 1; and a cooling plate for cooling the cylindrical batteries 1 of the battery blocks 3. Further, the battery module 100 includes the battery pack 4 in an outer casing 30.

[0048] (Cylindrical battery 1)

[0049] Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The exploded perspective view shows a cylindrical battery 1 whose opening in the outer can 11 is blocked by a sealing plate 12. The sealing plate 12 is provided on the discharge surface 1B where a discharge valve (not shown) is located, and the bottom surface 11a of the outer can 11 serves as a cooling surface 1A. The cylindrical battery 1 can also use the sealing plate 12 as the positive electrode and the bottom surface 11a as the negative electrode, or vice versa. The outer can 11 and the sealing plate 12 of the cylindrical battery 1 are metal plates. The outer can 11 is made by stamping a metal plate into a bottomed cylindrical shape. The sealing plate 12 has a discharge valve. The sealing plate 12 can also have a centrally located protruding electrode, which can also house the discharge valve. An electrode (not shown) is built into the interior of the outer can 11. Furthermore, an electrolyte is also filled in. The cylindrical battery 1 in the attached figure has its outer can 11's opening edge riveted along the outer periphery of the sealing plate 12, and the outer periphery of the sealing plate 12 is insulated from the opening of the outer can 11 for an airtight connection. To improve the insulation and airtightness between the sealing plate 12 and the outer can 11, a sealing gasket (not shown) is sandwiched between the sealing plate 12 and the outer can 11. The sealing gasket is a rubber-like elastomer containing insulating material. Because the cylindrical battery 1 with this structure clamps the sealing plate 12 by riveting the opening edge of the outer can 11, a riveting protrusion 14 is formed along the outer periphery of the sealing plate 12.

[0050] The cylindrical battery 1 has a built-in discharge valve in the sealing plate 12. If the internal pressure abnormally increases, the discharge valve opens. When the discharge valve opens, electrolyte, gas, and other substances are ejected from inside the battery. The discharge valve has an opening 13 on the sealing plate 12 for ejecting the discharge. The discharge valve, for example, includes a valve body, an elastic body containing a spring that elastically pushes the valve body, and a valve seat plate with a valve hole blocked by the valve body. The valve seat plate can be airtightly fixed to the lower surface of the sealing plate. The discharge valve can have a gap between the valve seat plate and the protruding electrode, and the valve body and elastic body are disposed in this gap. In the normal state, that is, when the internal pressure of the battery is lower than the set pressure, the valve body is elastically pushed against the valve hole of the valve seat plate by the elastic body, airtightly blocking the valve hole, thus closing the valve. If the battery pressure is higher than the set pressure, the internal pressure of the battery pushes the valve body, opening the valve hole and opening the discharge valve. In this state, the electrolyte and gas inside the battery are discharged to the outside through the opening 13 provided in the sealing plate 12. The sealing plate 12 has multiple openings 13 around its central portion. However, the discharge valve is not specific to the above structure and can be any other structure that opens the valve if the pressure inside the battery is higher than the set pressure.

[0051] In the cylindrical battery 1, lithium-ion secondary batteries known as "18650" or "21700" can be used, for example. However, since the cylindrical battery 1 is a secondary battery with a shape and characteristics most suitable for its application, the present invention does not limit the cylindrical battery 1 to the above-mentioned lithium-ion secondary batteries, and can also use secondary batteries that are currently in use and will be developed in the future.

[0052] (Battery Block 3)

[0053] The battery block 3 arranges multiple cylindrical batteries 1 in parallel in multiple rows and columns. One end face of the battery block 3 serves as a cooling surface 3A, and the other end face serves as a discharge surface 3B. The cooling surface 3A has the bottom surface 11a of the cylindrical batteries 1 arranged on the same plane. The discharge surface 3B is located on the sealing plate 12 side of the cylindrical batteries 1, serving as the surface for discharging discharge from the discharge valve provided on the sealing plate 12. The cooling surface 3A is the surface that cools the cylindrical batteries 1 from the bottom surface 11a, and the discharge surface 3B has the opening 13 of the discharge valve of the cylindrical batteries 1.

[0054] (Leaderboard 7)

[0055] Battery blocks 3 are electrically connected to lead plates 7 at both ends of each cylindrical battery 1. The lead plates 7 are preferably electrically connected to the end faces of the cylindrical batteries 1 by means of soldering or the like. The lead plates 7 connected to both ends of the cylindrical batteries 1 connect adjacent cylindrical batteries 1 in parallel. The lead plates 7 include a bottom connecting lead plate 7A connected to the bottom surface 11a of the cylindrical battery 1, and a sealing plate connecting lead plate 7B connected to the sealing plate 12 of the cylindrical battery 1. Figure 8 The battery block 3 divides the overall cylindrical battery 1 into two parallel blocks 10. The bottom connecting lead plate 7A and the sealing plate connecting lead plate 7B are divided into two pieces, thus dividing the overall cylindrical battery 1 into two parallel blocks 10. The lead plates 7 are also divided into two pieces to divide the overall cylindrical battery 1 into two parallel blocks 10. The divided lead plates 7 connect the cylindrical batteries 1 that constitute the parallel blocks 10 in parallel. The two parallel blocks 10 are connected in series through the series connecting lead plate 7C. By connecting multiple parallel blocks 10 in series, the output voltage of the battery block 3 can be increased; by connecting multiple cylindrical batteries 1 in parallel to form the parallel blocks 10, the output current can be increased. Since the battery block 3 connected in series with parallel blocks 10 can set the output voltage to an integer multiple of the cylindrical battery 1 by the number of parallel blocks 10 connected in series, the output voltage of the battery block 3 can be adjusted by adjusting the number of parallel blocks 10 connected in series.

[0056] (Battery retainer)

[0057] The battery block 3 includes a battery holder 2 that arranges each cylindrical battery 1 in a parallel manner at a fixed position. The battery holder 2 is made of molded plastic of insulating material. Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the battery holder 2 has a cylindrical portion 21 along the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery 1, so as to hold the cylindrical battery 1 in a parallel posture in a fixed position. The battery holder 2 is formed into a shape that is divided in the middle of the cylindrical portion 21. The battery holder 2 is composed of two holder units 2A and 2B.

[0058] Each retaining element unit 2A, 2B is formed into a cone shape, with the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21 increasing towards both ends. The draft angle of the cone-shaped cylindrical portion 21 is set to the draft angle of the mold, for example, it can be set to 5 degrees or less, preferably 3 degrees or less. This makes the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 21 the largest in the center and gradually decreases towards both ends. Since the cylindrical portion 21 is inserted into the cylindrical battery 1 and held in a fixed position, the smallest inner diameter is set to be approximately equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery 1.

[0059] Although not shown in the figure, the retaining units 2A and 2B have a mounting protrusion on one side of the connecting end face and a mounting recess for mounting the mounting protrusion on the opposite connecting end face, so that the mounting protrusion and the mounting recess can be connected to form a mounting structure and connected to a fixed position.

[0060] like Figure 8 as well as Figure 9As shown, the battery holder 2 holds the cylindrical battery 1 in a fixed position by inserting the cylindrical portion 21, which is divided into two holder units 2A and 2B. In other words, the cylindrical portions 21, which are divided into two holder units 2A and 2B, are inserted on both sides of the cylindrical battery 1, and the divided holder units 2A and 2B are connected linearly via the cylindrical battery 1. That is, the divided and shaped holder units 2A and 2B can be connected to each other in a fixed position via the cylindrical battery 1. In addition, the cylindrical battery 1 is held in a fixed position via the battery holder 2. Since the battery holder 2 with this structure is connected in a fixed position while the cylindrical battery 1 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 21, the divided holder units 2A and 2B can be connected in a fixed position without using special structures such as screw fastening, bonding, welding, etc.

[0061] Furthermore, the battery holder 2 is provided with an insert 22 that fixes the lead plate 7 in a fixed position, enabling the lead plate 7 to be positioned in the fixed position. The lead plate 7, positioned in the fixed position by the battery holder 2, can be positioned on the end face of the cylindrical battery 1 and electrically connected by methods such as welding. The battery holder 2, by fixing both the lead plate 7 and the cylindrical battery 1 in the fixed position, can electrically connect the lead plate 7 and the cylindrical battery 1 without causing relative positional misalignment.

[0062] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, multiple battery blocks 3 are connected by channel gaps 6 between adjacent battery blocks 3. To ensure that the channel gaps 6 are set to a certain distance, Figure 9 The battery holder 2 is integrally formed with gaps on the end face of the battery holder 2 by plastic to form ribs 23. Figure 9 The battery holder 2 has multiple gap-forming ribs 23 arranged to protrude from the discharge surface 3B side of the battery block 3 toward the cooling surface 3A side of the opposing battery block 3. The size of the channel gap 6 is determined by the amount of protrusion of the gap-forming ribs 23. The battery holder 2 evenly distributes and provides multiple gap-forming ribs 23, thereby enabling a channel gap 6 of a certain size to be provided between adjacent battery blocks 3. The front end of the gap-forming rib 23 of the battery holder 2 contacts the end face of the adjacent battery block 3, thereby enabling the channel gap 6 to be set to a certain gap. Although not shown, the gap-forming ribs 23 are connected or engaged with adjacent battery holders 2 by an interlocking structure, or by a locking structure, thereby providing a channel gap 6 of a certain size between adjacent battery blocks 3.

[0063] (Battery pack 4)

[0064] Battery pack 4 is axially arranged on the cylindrical battery 1 and connects multiple battery blocks 3. Battery pack 4 provides discharge channel gaps 6 between adjacent battery blocks 3, and the multiple battery blocks 3 are arranged in a straight line. Each battery block 3 constituting battery pack 4 has the same characteristics, number, and connection state as the cylindrical battery 1.

[0065] The cooling surface 3A and the discharge surface 3B of the adjacent battery blocks 3 are located opposite each other in the channel gap 6. The battery pack 4 consists of all the cylindrical batteries 1 that make up each battery block 3 in a parallel arrangement. Figure 2 The battery pack 4 is connected in series with the adjacent battery block 3, thereby increasing the output voltage. Because... Figure 2 The battery pack 4 has four battery blocks 3 arranged linearly along the axial direction of the cylindrical battery 1, so the battery blocks 3 can be connected in series and the output voltage can be set to four times the voltage of the battery blocks 3. The battery pack 4, which connects four battery blocks 3 in series with two parallel blocks 10 connected in series, can set the output voltage to eight times that of the cylindrical battery 1. The battery pack 4 can increase the output voltage by connecting the battery blocks 3 in series, but since the battery blocks 3 can also be connected in parallel to increase the maximum output current, the present invention is not specific to the battery pack 4 with the battery blocks 3 connected in series, and the battery pack 4 can also connect the battery blocks 3 in series and in parallel.

[0066] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the battery pack 4 connects battery blocks 3 of the same shape in a posture in which the cylindrical battery 1 is arranged in a straight line. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The battery pack 4 has each battery block 3 fixed in a fixed position by the outer casing 30. However, the battery pack 4 can be connected to the battery holder 2 of the adjacent battery block 3 to be connected in a fixed position, or the battery block 3 can be fixed to the outer casing 30 and the battery holder 2 of the adjacent battery block 3 can be fixed to be connected in a fixed position.

[0067] Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The battery pack 4 connects four battery blocks 3 in a straight line, with three rows of channel gaps 6 between the battery blocks 3. Since the channel gaps 6 are located between adjacent battery blocks 3, there are two rows of channel gaps in a battery pack that connects three battery blocks in a straight line. Since the battery pack can also connect five or more battery blocks in a straight line, it has four or more channel gaps.

[0068] (Cooling plate 5)

[0069] The cooling plate 5 is an L-shaped sheet material with excellent thermal conductivity, constructed by connecting the heat-absorbing plate portion 5A and the heat-dissipating plate portion 5B at right angles. A metal sheet such as aluminum is suitable for this cooling plate 5. For example, aluminum sheets with a thickness of 1 mm to 4 mm can be used. In addition to low cost and excellent thermal conductivity, the aluminum plate cooling plate 5 also has the advantages of being lightweight and easy to process. However, the cooling plate 5 is not limited to aluminum plates; other materials with excellent thermal conductivity and heat resistance, such as graphite which has excellent thermal conductivity in the planar direction, can also be used.

[0070] The cooling plate 5 has its heat-absorbing plate portion 5A stacked thermally coupled on the cooling surface 3A of the battery block 3, and a heat dissipation plate portion 5B is disposed on the outer surface of the battery pack 4. In addition to cooling the cylindrical battery 1 from the bottom surface 11a, the cooling plate 5 also protects the cylindrical battery 1 from the high-temperature, high-pressure discharge from the open discharge valve, preventing the induction of thermal runaway. If the cylindrical battery 1 experiences thermal runaway, the internal pressure rises sharply, the discharge valve opens, and high-temperature, high-pressure discharge is ejected. The discharged high-temperature, high-pressure discharge becomes the cause of thermal runaway in the cylindrical battery 1. The cooling plate 5 prevents the high-temperature, high-pressure discharge from directly blowing onto the bottom surface 11a of the cylindrical battery 1 positioned opposite each other, thereby preventing the induction of thermal runaway in the cylindrical battery 1. To effectively prevent the induction of thermal runaway, a channel gap 6 is provided between the heat-absorbing plate portion 5A of the cooling plate 5 and the discharge surface 3B of the battery block 3. The channel gap 6 diffuses the discharge ejected from the discharge valve to suppress the impact of the discharge. A wider channel gap 6 allows for more efficient suppression of the discharge impact. Therefore, the channel gap 6 is, for example, 2 mm or more, preferably 3 mm or more. However, since the channel gap 6 extends the overall length of the battery module 100, it is, for example, 15 mm or less, preferably 10 mm or less. The pressure and temperature of the discharge from the discharge valve vary depending on the size and characteristics of the cylindrical battery 1. Therefore, the channel gap 6 is optimally set considering the size and characteristics of the cylindrical battery 1, the required dimensions of the battery module 100, etc.

[0071] The heat-absorbing plate portion 5A of the cooling plate 5 can be thermally coupled to the cooling surface 3A of the battery block 3 via the insulating thermally conductive sheet 8, and is insulated from the lead plate 7 of the battery block 3, and thermally coupled to the bottom surface 11a of the cylindrical battery 1. The cooling plate 5, which is insulated from the battery block 3, can thermally couple multiple lead plates 7 divided into multiple parts with potential differences without short-circuiting. The insulating thermally conductive sheet 8 is a sheet material with excellent insulation and thermal conductivity, for example, a sheet material with a thickness of 0.2 mm or more and 5 mm or less can be used. The insulating thermally conductive sheet 8 is sandwiched between the battery block 3 and the cooling plate 5 in a partially flattened state, with one side laminated to the cooling surface 3A of the battery block 3 in contact, and the other side laminated to the surface of the cooling plate 5 in contact. The insulating thermally conductive sheet 8 can be a sheet material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as a flexible sheet obtained by bonding thermally conductive particles such as alumina with an adhesive, or a silicone resin sheet, etc. Furthermore, by coating the surface of the insulating thermal conductive sheet 8 with thermally conductive paste such as silicone oil, it can be stacked more effectively in a thermally conductive state.

[0072] The cooling plate 5, sandwiching the insulating heat conduction sheet 8, is fixed to the cooling surface 3A of the battery block 3. Figure 8 as well as Figure 10 The battery block 3 has a retaining screw 25 through the cooling plate 5 screwed into the battery retainer 2 of the battery block 3, thereby clamping the insulating heat-conducting sheet 8 and fixing the cooling plate 5 to the battery block 3. The battery retainer 2 is a plastic molded body of insulating material, and the screw fastening of the cooling plate 5 can insulate the cooling plate 5 from the conductive part of the battery block 3. This structure has the following advantages because it can fix the cooling plate 5 to each battery block 3 and assemble the battery blocks 3 with the fixed cooling plate 5 in a straight line: it can reliably and tightly attach each cooling plate 5 to the surface of the battery block 3, thereby fixing it in a desired thermal coupling state, and efficiently assemble the battery module 100 containing multiple battery blocks 3.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, the battery module 100, which has multiple cooling plates 5, arranges the heat dissipation plate portions 5B of the multiple cooling plates 5 disposed on the cooling surfaces 3A of each channel gap 6 on the same plane. Figure 3 As shown, multiple heat sink sections 5B arranged on the same plane can be thermally coupled to a planar forced cooling member 40, and forced cooling is performed by the forced cooling member 40. The forced cooling member 40 can, for example, perform forced cooling by internally circulating a cooling coolant, thereby efficiently cooling each heat sink 5B. Furthermore, the forced cooling member 40 can also be located on the surface opposite to the laminated surface of the heat sink section 5B (on... Figure 3Multiple heat dissipation fins (not shown) are provided on the lower surface of the cooling plate 5 for forced cooling. The forced cooling component with heat dissipation fins can achieve more efficient cooling by forcibly blowing air onto the heat dissipation fins. In addition, the forced cooling component 40 can also be a thicker metal plate to increase latent heat, and it absorbs heat energy itself to cool the cooling plate 5.

[0074] (Outer casing 30)

[0075] The outer casing 30 accommodates the battery pack 4. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The exploded perspective view shows that the outer casing 30 includes: a pair of end panels 31 disposed on both ends of the battery pack 4; side panels 32 connected to the two sides of the end panels 31 and disposed on both sides of the battery pack 4; a bottom plate 33 disposed on the bottom surface of the battery pack 4; and an upper cover (not shown).

[0076] End panel 31 includes: a first end panel 31A, which is thermally coupled to one end face of battery pack 4 via cooling plate 5. Figure 4 The middle (right side) refers to the cooling surface 3A of the battery block 3; and the second end panel 31B is disposed on the other end face of the battery pack 4 (in the middle). Figure 4 (The middle is the left side) That is, the discharge side 3B. The first end panel 31A is a metal plate, which is stacked on the surface of the cooling plate 5, and the four corners are fixed to the fixing bolts 34 of the bending piece 32A of the side plate 32 by nuts 35.

[0077] The second end panel 31B includes: an inner side panel 36 configured to provide a channel gap 6 on the discharge surface 3B of the battery pack 4; and an outer side panel 37 disposed on the outer side of the inner side panel 36. The inner side panel 36 is configured to protrude between the two rows of ribs 38A and 38B extending in the width direction and the outer side panel 37. The two rows of ribs 38A and 38B are configured such that one is located at the lower edge of the inner side panel 36 and the other is located at the upper part, and a space for the circuit board 15 is provided between the two rows of ribs 38A and 38B. Further, the inner side panel 36 provides a rib 38C extending vertically from the middle of the upper rib 38A, and the two sides of the rib 38C serve as terminal spaces 18 for arranging the positive terminal 16 and the negative terminal 17. The circuit board 15 is equipped with circuitry such as a protection circuit for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery 1. The outer side panel 37 includes a frame 37A and a cover plate 37B that blocks the opening of the frame 37A. Like the inner side plate 36, the outer side plate 37 is configured with a channel gap 6 on the discharge surface 3B side of the battery pack 4, and the four corners are fixed to the fixing bolts 34 of the bending piece 32A of the side plate 32 by nuts 35.

[0078] The side plate 32 is provided with two rows of reinforcing ribs 32B extending along its long side from a stamped metal plate, and further bent inward at both ends to provide bending tabs 32A. The bending tabs 32A fix the fixing bolts 34 of the fixed end panel 31 by protruding outward. Furthermore, the side plate 32 is provided with through holes 32C for locking screws 26 that fix the battery block 3 in a fixed position. The locking screws 26 are inserted into the through holes 32C of the side plate 32, and the locking screws 26 are screwed into the battery retainer 2 of the battery block 3 to position the battery block 3 in a fixed position.

[0079] The base plate 33 is a plate-shaped insulating material such as plastic, and has an exposed opening 33A that guides the heat dissipation plate portion 5B of the cooling plate 5 inward in a fitting structure. The base plate 33 is configured to be thinner than or the same thickness as the heat dissipation plate portion 5B, so that each heat dissipation plate portion 5B disposed on the same plane can be tightly attached to the surface of the forced cooling member 40. The base plate 33 can be bonded to the bottom surface of the battery block 3, for example, by means of double-sided adhesive tape.

[0080] The upper cover, like the bottom plate 33, is a plate made of insulating material such as plastic. It is joined and fixed to the upper surface of the battery pack 4 by double-sided adhesive tape or the like, covering the upper surface of the outer casing 30.

[0081] Industrial availability

[0082] The battery module involved in this invention can be used as a power source to be mounted on electric vehicles and electric heavy machinery and to supply power to the electric motor for drive.

[0083] -Symbol Explanation-

[0084] 100… Battery Module

[0085] 1… Cylindrical battery

[0086] 2…Battery retainer

[0087] 2A, 2B... Retaining element units

[0088] 3… Battery Block

[0089] 3A…cooling surface

[0090] 3B…Discharge surface

[0091] 4… Battery pack

[0092] 5… Cooling plate

[0093] 5A…Heat Absorber Plate Section

[0094] 5B…Heat sink section

[0095] 6…channel gap

[0096] 7…leadboard

[0097] 7A… Bottom surface connecting lead plate

[0098] 7B…Sealing plate connecting lead plate

[0099] 7C… Series connection leadboard

[0100] 8…Insulating heat conduction sheet

[0101] 10… Parallel Blocks

[0102] 11…Outer packaging can

[0103] 11a…bottom surface

[0104] 12… Sealing board

[0105] 13…Opening

[0106] 14…Riveting convex strip

[0107] 15…Circuit board

[0108] 16…positive extremes

[0109] 17…Negative extremes

[0110] 18…Terminal Space

[0111] 21…Cylindrical section

[0112] 22…embedded part

[0113] 23… gaps form ribs

[0114] 25…stop screw

[0115] 26…stop screw

[0116] 30…Outer casing

[0117] 31…End panel

[0118] 31A…First end panel

[0119] 31B…Second end panel

[0120] 32…side panel

[0121] 32A… Bending piece

[0122] 32B…Reinforcing Rib

[0123] 32C…through hole

[0124] 33…base plate

[0125] 33A…exposed opening

[0126] 34… Fixing bolts

[0127] 35…nut

[0128] 36…Inner side panel

[0129] 37…outer side plate

[0130] 37A…frame

[0131] 37B… Cover plate

[0132] 38A, 38B, 38C...ribs

[0133] 40…Forced cooling components

[0134] 90… Battery Module

[0135] 90A…Right side battery module

[0136] 90B…Left side battery module

[0137] 91… Cylindrical battery

[0138] 92… Thermal Conductive Frame

[0139] 92A…Right side thermal conductive frame

[0140] 92B…Left side thermal conductive frame

[0141] 93… Cooling components.

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: Multiple battery blocks are formed by arranging the bottom surfaces of multiple cylindrical batteries on the same plane; A battery pack is formed by axially arranging and connecting multiple battery blocks in the cylindrical battery; and A cooling plate is used to cool the cylindrical battery of the battery block. One end face of the battery block serves as a cooling surface, with the bottom surface of the cylindrical battery aligned with the same plane. The other end face serves as a discharge surface, with the opening of the discharge valve of the cylindrical battery positioned thereon. The battery pack has discharge channel gaps between adjacent battery cells. The adjacent battery blocks are configured with the cooling surface and the discharge surface on opposite sides of the channel gap. The cooling plate is an L-shaped structure in which the heat-absorbing plate and the heat-dissipating plate are connected at right angles to form a single unit. The heat-absorbing plate is stacked on the cooling surface of the battery block in a thermally coupled state. The heat sink is disposed on the outer surface of the battery pack. The battery pack has a gap between the heat absorption plate and the discharge surface of the battery block, which serves as a channel gap for the discharge.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The battery pack has multiple channel gaps. Multiple cooling plates stacked on the cooling surfaces of each of the channel gaps arrange the heat dissipation plate portion on the same plane.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The battery block includes: a lead plate electrically connected to the bottom surface of each of the cylindrical batteries. An insulating heat-conducting sheet is disposed between the lead plate and the heat-absorbing plate. The heat-absorbing plate is arranged on the bottom surface of the cylindrical battery in a thermally coupled state via the insulating heat-conducting sheet and the lead plate.

4. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The battery block includes: a battery retainer that arranges each of the cylindrical batteries in a parallel orientation. The battery pack has the channel gap between the battery blocks via the battery holder.

5. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The battery module includes a forced cooling component that is thermally coupled to the heat sink portion.

6. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The battery module includes: an outer casing that houses the battery pack. The outer casing includes: A pair of end panels are disposed on both ends of the battery pack; Side panels connect the two sides of the end panel and are disposed on both sides of the battery pack; and A base plate is disposed on the bottom surface of the battery pack. The base plate has an exposed opening in the heat sink portion. The heat sink portion is configured to be exposed in the exposed opening.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein, The battery block includes: a battery retainer that arranges each of the cylindrical batteries in a parallel orientation. The side plate is fixed to the battery holder.

8. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The battery block includes: a battery retainer that arranges each of the cylindrical batteries in a parallel orientation. The cooling plate is fixed to the battery holder.

9. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The battery block has multiple parallel blocks formed by connecting multiple cylindrical batteries in parallel, and the multiple parallel blocks are connected in series with each other.

10. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The battery pack is formed by connecting adjacent battery blocks in series.

Images