Battery module cooling structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery module cooling structure including a plurality of battery cells assembled together, a plurality of cartridges configured to fix edge portions of the plurality of battery cells such that the plurality of battery cells are aligned and accommodated in the plurality of cartridges, and a plurality of cooling channels configured to cool the plurality of battery cells in the plurality of cartridges. The plurality of cartridges are configured such that the cooling liquid is introduced into and discharged from the plurality of cartridges, and the plurality of cooling channels are provided between the plurality of battery cells, and are configured to guide the cooling liquid introduced into the plurality of cartridges such that the cooling liquid flows in one direction of the plurality of battery cells.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0116279, filed on September 1, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a battery module cooling structure. Background Art

[0004] Generally, a battery pack for an environmentally friendly vehicle includes a battery module formed by assembling a plurality of battery cells, and a battery pack finally mounted in a vehicle is manufactured by assembling a plurality of battery modules.

[0005] The battery module based on pouch cell batteries mainly includes battery cells, surface pressure pads, end plates, sensing plates, etc. The battery module requires advanced battery cell cooling technology to meet the high specifications related to battery high performance and fast charging performance. Immersion cooling technology, which belongs to direct cooling technology, can be considered to improve cooling performance. The components used for the immersion cooling method include basic components of the battery module, module housing, cooling channels, and cooling liquid (dielectric thermal fluid) for direct cooling.

[0006] In this case, in order to cool the internal battery cells, a cooling channel may be provided between the battery cells, and direct cooling may be achieved through the flow of a coolant. In the case of a conventional battery cell module, a sensing plate is provided on a flow path for introducing or discharging the coolant, and the presence of the sensing plate may hinder the flow of the coolant through the cooling channel between the battery cells, thereby reducing the cooling efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a battery module cooling structure. Detailed description of the invention The present invention relates to a structure for guiding the flow of a cooling liquid in an immersion-cooled battery module, the structure having cooling channels disposed between battery cells to enable the cooling liquid to flow in the battery module.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a battery module cooling structure in which a cooling channel is disposed between battery cells in a box body and guides the flow of cooling liquid to improve cooling performance efficiency, and a protrusion structure is disposed in the box body to improve stability when aligning and fixing battery cells.

[0009] The battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured by assembling a plurality of battery cells, and includes a plurality of box bodies and a plurality of cooling channels, the plurality of box bodies being configured to fix edge portions of a plurality of battery cells so that the plurality of battery cells are aligned and accommodated, the plurality of box bodies being configured so that cooling liquid is introduced into and discharged from the plurality of box bodies, and the plurality of cooling channels being arranged between the plurality of battery cells and being configured to guide the cooling liquid introduced into the box bodies so that the cooling liquid flows in one direction along the battery cells.

[0010] An inlet port may be provided at an upper end of one side of the box body so that cooling liquid is introduced into the box body from the outside through the inlet port, and an outlet port may be provided at a lower end of the other side of the box body so that cooling liquid introduced into the box body is discharged to the outside through the outlet port.

[0011] The inlet port and the outlet port may be connected to a coolant flow path extending in a length direction of the case body at an upper end and a lower end of the case body.

[0012] A protrusion for fixing the upper ends of the battery cells may be formed at an inner side of the upper end of the case, and the protrusion may contact the upper ends of a pair of battery cells facing each other.

[0013] A coolant flow path may be formed between the protrusions.

[0014] The cooling liquid flow path may communicate with the cooling channel, and the cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid flow path may flow in one direction of the battery cells through the cooling channel.

[0015] The surface pressure pad may be attached to outer surfaces of a pair of battery cells facing each other, with the cooling channel interposed between the pair of battery cells.

[0016] An end plate defining an outermost periphery of the battery module may be attached to an outer surface of a surface pressure pad disposed at an outermost periphery among the surface pressure pads.

[0017] The plurality of box bodies may be coupled to each other by coupling parts formed at upper ends of the box bodies.

[0018] The coupling components may be connected by mating with each other via a male-female coupling.

[0019] The cooling channels may be aligned by being attached to the surface of the battery cell by an adhesive.

[0020] One end of the box body and one end of the end plate may be fixed by a sensing plate.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module cooling structure includes a cooling channel, which is configured to guide the coolant to flow between the battery cells in the box body so that the coolant can be introduced, flow and discharged along the optimal path between the battery cells, thereby maximizing the cooling performance efficiency.

[0022] Furthermore, a protrusion for fixing the upper end of the battery cell may be formed at the inner side of the upper end of the case, thereby aligning the battery cells and ensuring structural stability when configuring the battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing the flow of cooling liquid in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 is a view schematically showing the flow of cooling liquid introduced into an inlet port in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 is a view schematically showing the flow of cooling liquid discharged to an outlet port in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion where a case and a battery cell are coupled in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 is a view showing a connection structure between case bodies in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0031] Furthermore, constituent elements having the same configuration in a plurality of embodiments will be given the same reference numerals and described only in a representative embodiment, and only constituent elements different from those according to the representative embodiment will be described in other embodiments.

[0032] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and are not shown based on actual scale. For the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings, the relative sizes and proportions of the parts shown in the drawings are exaggerated or reduced, and any size is only illustrative and not restrictive. The same reference numerals represent the same structure, element or component shown in two or more drawings to show similar characteristics. When a component is described as being positioned "above" or "on" another component, the one component can be "directly positioned" on the other component, and the one component can also be positioned on the other component, with other components between the two.

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention specifically illustrate examples of the present invention. Therefore, it is expected that various modifications may be made to the drawings. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific forms in the areas shown in the drawings, including, for example, modifications to the forms through their manufacture.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 , a battery module cooling structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of boxes 10 and a plurality of cooling channels 15 .

[0037] A plurality of battery cells 20 may be aligned and accommodated in a plurality of cases 10. Each of the cases 10 may accommodate two battery cells 20. The case 10 may fix edge portions of the battery cells 20, and a cooling liquid may be introduced into or discharged from the case 10. The cooling liquid may be configured as a coolant.

[0038] The inlet port 12 may be provided at the upper end of one side of the case body 10, through which the cooling liquid is introduced from the outside into the case body 10, and the outlet port 14 may be provided at the lower end of the other side of the case body 10, through which the cooling liquid introduced into the case body 10 is discharged to the outside. That is, the cooling liquid introduced into the upper side of the case body 10 through the inlet port 12 eliminates the heat generated in the battery cell 20 while flowing around the battery cell 20 in the case body 10. The cooling liquid is discharged to the outside of the case body 10 through the outlet port 14.

[0039] The plurality of cooling channels 15 are disposed between the plurality of battery cells 20 , and guide the cooling liquid introduced into the case 10 such that the cooling liquid flows in one direction along the battery cells 20 .

[0040] Meanwhile, the plurality of boxes 10 are coupled to each other by coupling members 30 provided at the upper ends of the boxes 10, and the plurality of boxes 10 are aligned side by side. The end plate 24 is attached to the outer surface of the outermost box 10 among the plurality of boxes 10, and defines the outermost periphery of the battery module. In addition, one end of the box 10 and one end of the end plate 24 are fixed by the sensing plate 22.

[0041] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a portion of a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] refer to Figure 2 The battery module cooling structure 100 includes a box body 10 , battery cells 20 aligned and accommodated in the box body 10 , cooling channels 15 disposed between the battery cells 20 , and surface pressure pads 17 attached to outer surfaces of the battery cells 20 .

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, one case 10 fixes edge portions of two battery cells 20 so that the battery cells 20 are aligned. One cooling channel 15 between the two battery cells 20 may be attached to the surface of the battery cell 20.

[0044] The cooling channel 15 may be attached to the inner surface of one of the two battery cells 20 by an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. A plurality of grooves may be formed in the cooling channel 15 and arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the case 10. Cooling fluid may flow through the grooves.

[0045] In addition, the surface pressure pad 17 may be attached to the outer surface of any one of the two battery cells 20. The surface pressure pad 17 may fix the plurality of battery cells 20 and mitigate impact applied to the battery cells 20.

[0046] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing the flow of cooling liquid in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] refer to Figure 3 , the cooling liquid is introduced from the outside into the case body 10 through the inlet port 12 provided at the upper end of one side of each of the plurality of case bodies 10. The inlet port 12 is connected to a cooling liquid flow path 18 extending in the length direction of the case body 10 at the upper end of the case body 10. The cooling liquid is introduced into the inlet port 12 and flows along the cooling liquid flow path 18. Likewise, the outlet port 14 is connected to the cooling liquid flow path 18 extending in the length direction of the case body 10 at the lower end of the case body 10, and the cooling liquid is discharged from the cooling liquid flow path 18 to the outside through the outlet port 14.

[0048] The cooling liquid flow path 18 connected to the inlet port 12 is communicated with the cooling channel 15 arranged between the battery cells 20, and the cooling liquid flowing along the cooling liquid flow path 18 flows through the cooling channel 15 along one direction of the battery cells 20, that is, a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the box body 10.

[0049] The coolant flow path 18 connected to the outlet port 14 also communicates with the cooling passage 15 , and the coolant flowing through the cooling passage 15 flows along the coolant flow path 18 and is discharged to the outside through the outlet port 14 .

[0050] Figure 4 is a view schematically showing the flow of a cooling liquid introduced into an inlet port in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a view schematically showing the flow of cooling liquid discharged to an outlet port in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The cooling liquid flow path 18 connected to the inlet port 12 has an opening integrally formed in the length direction of the case 10, and the opening is communicated with the cooling channel 15. Therefore, a portion of the cooling liquid introduced into the inlet port 12 and flowing toward the cooling liquid flow path 18 can sequentially flow downward from the left side of the cooling channel 15 and be evenly distributed to the cooling channel 15.

[0052] In addition, the coolant flow path 18 connected to the outlet port 14 also has an opening integrally formed in the length direction of the box body 10, and the opening is communicated with the cooling channel 15. The coolant flowing along the cooling channel 15 flows along the coolant flow path 18 and is discharged to the outside through the outlet port 14.

[0053] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion where a case and a battery cell are coupled in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] refer to Figure 6 , a protrusion 19 is formed on the inner side of the upper end of the case body 10. The protrusion 19 may protrude downward from the upper end of the case body 10 at two opposite sides of the coolant flow path 18. That is, the coolant flow path 18 may be formed between the protrusions 19. The lower ends of the protrusions 19 contact the upper ends of a pair of battery cells 20 facing each other, so that the battery cells 20 can be fixed to the case body 10.

[0055] In addition, the cooling liquid flow path 18 communicates with the cooling channels 15 provided between the battery cells 20. The cooling liquid flowing along the cooling liquid flow path 18 flows downward along the cooling channels 15 and cools the battery cells 20.

[0056] Figure 7is a view showing a connection structure between case bodies in a battery module cooling structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] refer to Figure 7 , a plurality of cassette bodies 10 are connected to each other by a coupling member 30 disposed at the upper end of the cassette body 10. The coupling member 30 can be connected by male-female coupling. For example, one side of the coupling member 30 can be formed as a male connector, and the other side of the coupling member can be formed as a female connector. The male connector of the coupling member 30 formed on the first cassette body 10 can be matched with the female connector of the coupling member 30 formed on the second cassette body 10 adjacent to the first cassette body 10.

[0058] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module cooling structure includes a cooling channel, which is configured to guide the cooling liquid to flow between the battery cells in the box body, so that the cooling liquid can be introduced, flow and discharged along the optimal route between the battery cells, thereby maximizing the cooling performance efficiency.

[0059] Furthermore, a protrusion for fixing the upper end of the battery cell may be formed at the inner side of the upper end of the case, thereby aligning the battery cells and ensuring structural stability when configuring the battery module.

[0060] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention covers all modifications that can be easily made to the embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art and are considered equivalent.

[0061] The following reference numerals may be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to describe the features of embodiments of the present invention.

[0062] 100: Battery module cooling structure 10: Box body

[0063] 12: Entry port 14: Exit port

[0064] 15: Cooling channel 17: Surface pressure pad

[0065] 18: Coolant flow path 19: Protrusion

[0066] 20: Battery unit 22: Sensor board

[0067] 24: End plate 30: Connecting parts

Claims

1. A battery module cooling structure, comprising: A plurality of battery cells assembled together; a plurality of boxes configured to fix edge portions of the plurality of battery cells so that the plurality of battery cells are aligned and accommodated in the plurality of boxes, the plurality of boxes configured so that a cooling liquid is introduced into and discharged from the plurality of boxes; as well as A plurality of cooling channels are provided between the plurality of battery cells and are configured to guide cooling liquid introduced into the plurality of case bodies so that the cooling liquid flows in one direction along the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, further comprising: an inlet port disposed at an upper end of a first side of each of the plurality of cassettes, wherein the inlet port is configured to introduce a cooling liquid into each cassette from the outside; and An outlet port is provided at a lower end of the second side of each of the plurality of cassettes, wherein the outlet port is configured to discharge the cooling liquid introduced into each cassette to the outside.

3. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein: The inlet port and the outlet port are connected to a coolant flow path extending in the length direction of each box body at the upper end and the lower end of each box body. 4 . The battery module cooling structure according to claim 3 , further comprising a protrusion provided at an inner side of an upper end of each box body, the protrusion being configured to fix an upper end of the battery cell.

5. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 4, wherein: The protrusion is in contact with upper ends of a pair of battery cells facing each other.

6. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 5, wherein: A coolant flow path at the upper end of the case is formed between the protrusions.

7. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 6, wherein: The coolant flow path is in communication with the cooling channel; and The cooling liquid flowing through the cooling liquid flow path at the upper end of the case flows through the cooling channels of each case in the one direction of the plurality of battery cells.

8. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein: The box bodies among the plurality of box bodies are coupled to each other by coupling members provided at upper ends of the plurality of box bodies.

9. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 8, wherein: The coupling parts are connected by fitting with each other through a male-female coupling.

10. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of cooling channels are aligned along surfaces of the plurality of battery cells.

11. A battery module cooling structure, comprising: A plurality of battery cells assembled together; a plurality of boxes configured to fix edge portions of the plurality of battery cells so that the plurality of battery cells are aligned and accommodated in the plurality of boxes, the plurality of boxes configured so that a cooling liquid is introduced into and discharged from the plurality of boxes; a plurality of cooling channels disposed between the plurality of battery cells and configured to guide cooling liquid introduced into the plurality of boxes so that the cooling liquid flows in one direction of the plurality of battery cells; as well as A surface pressure pad is attached to outer surfaces of a pair of battery cells facing each other, with a cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels interposed between the pair of battery cells. 12 . The battery module cooling structure according to claim 11 , further comprising an end plate defining an outermost periphery of the battery module, the end plate being attached to an outer surface of a surface pressure pad disposed at an outermost periphery among the surface pressure pads.

13. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 12, wherein: One ends of the plurality of box bodies and one end of the end plate are fixed by a sensing plate.

14. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 11, wherein: The plurality of cooling channels are aligned along surfaces of the plurality of battery cells.

15. A battery module cooling structure, comprising: boxes aligned side by side and coupled to each other by coupling members, each box being configured to fix edge portions of a pair of battery cells facing each other so that the pair of battery cells are aligned and accommodated in the box, and each box being configured to receive a coolant introduced thereinto and discharge the coolant therefrom; as well as A plurality of cooling channels, wherein a cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels is disposed between each pair of battery cells in each case, and wherein each cooling channel is configured to guide a cooling fluid introduced into the case to flow in one direction along the pair of battery cells.

16. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 15, wherein: Each box includes: an inlet port disposed at an upper end of the first side of the case, wherein the inlet port is configured to receive a cooling liquid from the outside and introduce the cooling liquid into the case; and An outlet port is provided at a lower end of the second side of the case body, wherein the outlet port is configured to discharge the cooling liquid introduced into the case body to the outside.

17. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 16, wherein: Each box body further includes a cooling liquid flow path extending in the length direction of the box body at the upper end and the lower end of the box body, and wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are connected to the cooling liquid flow path. 18 . The battery module cooling structure according to claim 15 , further comprising an end plate attached to an outer surface of an outermost peripheral box body among the boxes.

19. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 18, further comprising a sensing plate, wherein: One end of the end plate and one end of the box body are fixed by the sensing plate.

20. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 15, further comprising protrusions respectively disposed on the inner side of the upper end of each box body, the protrusions being configured to fix the upper ends of the pair of battery cells in the box body, wherein A coolant flow path is formed between the protrusions.

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