Battery pack

Abstract

The technical concept of the present disclosure provides a battery pack. The battery pack includes: a bottom plate including a lower cooling channel; a battery cell assembly disposed on the bottom plate and including a plurality of battery cells; a top plate disposed on the battery cell assembly and having an upper cooling channel; a front end frame coupled to the top plate and having a first side cooling passage communicating with the upper cooling passage; the rear end frame is provided with a second side cooling channel communicated with the upper cooling channel and the lower cooling channel; an inlet pipe coupled to the front end frame, having an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and configured to convey a cooling fluid supplied from the outside to the first side cooling channel; and an outlet pipe coupled to the bottom plate and having an outlet passage communicating with the lower cooling passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0014130, filed on January 30, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various wireless devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, the primary use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility, as increased energy density and economies of scale have significantly reduced the manufacturing cost per unit capacity, enabling battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to achieve driving ranges comparable to gasoline-powered vehicles.

[0004] As secondary batteries are used in mobility services, the need for their safety is constantly growing. If an accident occurs involving a secondary battery used in mobility services (e.g., a fire), the driver's life could be threatened; therefore, research into technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is crucial. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues The technical challenge of this disclosure is to provide a battery pack.

[0006] Technical solution To address the aforementioned challenges, the present disclosure provides a battery pack comprising: a base plate including a lower cooling channel; a battery cell assembly disposed on the base plate and including multiple battery cells; a top plate disposed on the battery cell assembly and having an upper cooling channel; a front-end frame attached to the top plate and having a first side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel; a rear-end frame extending from the base plate to the top plate and having a second side cooling channel communicating with both the upper and lower cooling channels; an inlet pipe attached to the front-end frame and having an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and configured to deliver externally supplied cooling fluid to the first side cooling channel; and an outlet pipe attached to the base plate and having an outlet channel communicating with the lower cooling channel.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet channel, the first side cooling channel, the upper cooling channel, the second side cooling channel, the lower cooling channel, and the outlet channel are connected in sequence.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the first side cooling channel includes: a common channel communicating with the inlet channel; and a plurality of first vertical channels, and the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-upper channels spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of first vertical channels extending from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels spaced apart from each other, and each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the lower cooling channel.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-lower channels spaced apart from each other, and each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel of the plurality of sub-lower channels.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of sub-upper channels extends in a first direction, each of the plurality of sub-lower channels extends in a first direction, and the plurality of second vertical channels extend in a vertical direction.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a first plug that is inserted into a first-side cooling channel and has an internal channel.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a second plug that is inserted into the second-side cooling channel and has an internal channel.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the rear frame includes a third plug that is inserted into the lower cooling channel and has an internal channel.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart from each other, with venting gaps inserted between the segments, and the venting gaps overlap with the battery cell assembly in the vertical direction.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are stacked in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each of the plurality of battery cells includes: a middle portion that overlaps with an exhaust gap in a vertical direction; and a pair of outer portions that overlap with a top plate in a vertical direction and are spaced apart in the second direction, with the middle portion inserted between the pair of outer portions.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack further includes: an outer peripheral wall extending along the periphery of the base plate and surrounding the battery cell assembly; and a battery pack cover attached to the outer peripheral wall and covering the battery cell assembly and the top plate, wherein the battery pack cover is spaced apart from the top plate, and an exhaust space is provided between the battery pack cover and the top plate.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack includes: an outer peripheral wall extending along the periphery of a base plate and surrounding a battery cell assembly; and a battery pack cover attached to the outer peripheral wall and covering the battery cell assembly and a top plate, wherein an inlet pipe passes through the outer peripheral wall.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-upper channels spaced apart from each other, the lower cooling channel includes a plurality of sub-lower channels spaced apart from each other, the first side cooling channel includes a plurality of first vertical channels and a common channel communicating with the inlet channel, each of the plurality of first vertical channels connects a corresponding sub-cooling channel among the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel, the second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels, each of the plurality of second vertical channels connects a corresponding sub-upper channel among the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel among the plurality of sub-lower channels, the top plate includes a plurality of first plugs inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels and a plurality of second plugs inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels, and the rear end frame includes a plurality of third plugs inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack further includes: an outer peripheral wall extending along the periphery of the base plate and surrounding the battery cell assembly; and a battery pack cover attached to the outer peripheral wall and covering the battery cell assembly and the top plate, and spaced apart from the top plate, wherein an exhaust space is provided between the battery pack cover and the top plate, wherein an inlet pipe passes through the outer peripheral wall, and the top plate includes a plurality of segments spaced apart from each other, wherein exhaust gaps are provided between the plurality of segments, wherein the exhaust gaps communicate with the exhaust space.

[0021] Beneficial effects According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the battery pack includes a front end frame with a first-side cooling channel, a top plate with an upper cooling channel, a rear end frame with a second-side cooling channel, and a bottom plate with a lower cooling channel. This enables multi-faceted cooling of the battery cells, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells. Since the heat generation of the battery cells can be effectively controlled, the safety of the battery pack can be improved.

[0022] In a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, cooling fluid circulates within the battery pack through separate cooling channels, which can reduce the difference in cooling fluid flow rate between regions and make the cooling of individual battery cells more uniform.

[0023] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure pertain will clearly derive and understand other effects not mentioned in the following description. That is, those skilled in the art may also derive unintended effects from practicing the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery pack along line II-II'.

[0026] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery pack along line Ⅲ-Ⅲ'.

[0027] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery pack along line IV-IV'.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary sense, but rather based on the principle that the inventor may define the concepts of the terms as they deem best suited to describe the disclosure, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0031] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure, and not an exhaustive list of the technical concepts of this disclosure, and various equivalents and modifications may exist that can replace these embodiments and configurations at the time of submission.

[0032] Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known configurations or features are omitted if it is believed that such detailed descriptions would obscure the substance of this disclosure.

[0033] Because the embodiments of this disclosure are provided to illustrate the disclosure more fully to those skilled in the art, the shapes and dimensions of the components in the drawings may be shown enlarged, omitted, or schematically for clarity. Therefore, the dimensions or proportions of the individual components do not necessarily represent their actual dimensions or proportions.

[0034] (First embodiment) Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a battery pack 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of battery pack 10 along line II-II'. Figure 3 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of battery pack 10 along line Ⅲ-Ⅲ'. Figure 4 It is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the battery pack 10 along line IV-IV'.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The battery pack 10 may include a battery pack housing 100 and a battery cell assembly 200.

[0036] The battery pack 10 may include one or more battery cell assemblies 200 mounted in the battery pack housing 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 10 may include a plurality of battery cell assemblies 200 arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) within the battery pack housing 100.

[0037] Battery cell assembly 200 may include multiple battery cells 210. Each battery cell 210 is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery (i.e., a secondary battery). Each battery cell 210 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a battery cell housing. The electrode assembly embedded in the battery cell housing may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly configuration, the electrode assembly may be either a wound type or a stacked type. A wound type electrode assembly may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. A stacked type electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes stacked sequentially, and multiple separators inserted between the multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0038] Multiple battery cells 210 can be connected in series and / or in parallel. In one example, multiple battery cells 210 can be connected in series with each other. In one example, multiple battery cells 210 can be connected in parallel with each other. In one example, when a group of two or more battery cells 210 connected in parallel with each other is defined as a group, a group of two or more battery cells 210 connected in parallel with each other and another group of two or more battery cells 210 connected in series with each other can be connected in parallel with each other.

[0039] Each battery cell 210 can correspond to a pouch cell, a cylindrical cell, or a prismatic cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch cell is embedded in a pouch housing comprising an aluminum laminate. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical cell is embedded in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic cell is embedded in a prismatic metal can.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery cell assembly 200 may include a plurality of battery cells 210 stacked on top of each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). In the battery cell assembly 200, adjacent battery cells 210 may be secured to each other by an adhesive member, such as adhesive tape. Each of the battery cells 210 may correspond to a pouch cell with a length greater than its length along the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each battery cell 210 may extend in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and at least one of the two ends of each battery cell 210 along the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) may be provided with an electrode lead 213. The electrode leads 213 of adjacent battery cells 210 may be physically bonded together.

[0041] When viewed in a plane, the battery cell assembly 200 may have a rectangular shape. The battery cell assembly 200 may include upper and lower surfaces opposite each other in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction), first and second side surfaces opposite each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and third and fourth side surfaces opposite each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The upper surface of the battery cell assembly 200 may include the upper surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 210, and the bottom surface of the battery cell assembly 200 may include the bottom surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 210.

[0042] The battery pack housing 100 may have a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell assembly 200. The battery pack housing 100 may include a base plate 110, an outer peripheral wall 171, a first partition wall 173, a second partition wall 175, a top plate 130, a front frame 120, a rear frame 140, an inlet pipe 150, an outlet pipe 160, and a battery pack cover 191.

[0043] The base plate 110 can support the battery cell assembly 200. The base plate 110 can have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). When viewed in a plan view, the base plate 110 can have a generally square flat plate shape.

[0044] The base plate 110 may include a lower cooling channel 111 configured to allow cooling fluid to flow. The lower cooling channel 111 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The cooling fluid may include a coolant and / or a refrigerant.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the lower cooling channel 111 may include a plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 spaced apart from each other. The plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and each sub-lower channel 1111 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may merge at a merging channel 112 located at the front end of the base plate 110, and the merging channel 112 may communicate with the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160, which will be described later. Additionally, the rear end of the base plate 110 may be provided with a horizontal connecting channel extending in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Figure 6 (116 in the middle) to connect multiple sub-lower channels 1111.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive layer may be inserted between the bottom surface of the battery cell assembly 200 and the base plate 110. The battery cell assembly 200 can be thermally bonded and physically bonded to the base plate 110 through the thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may comprise a thermally conductive resin and / or a thermal interface material.

[0047] An outer peripheral wall 171 may be disposed on a base plate 110 and may form the appearance of the battery pack housing 100. The outer peripheral wall 171 may extend along the outer periphery of the base plate 110 and surround a plurality of battery cell assemblies 200 mounted on the base plate 110. The base plate 110 and the outer peripheral wall 171 may together define a receiving space for the battery pack housing 100. The outer peripheral wall 171 may include a front wall 1711 and a rear wall 1713 opposite each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a pair of side walls 1715 opposite each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The front wall 1711 of the outer peripheral wall 171 may form the front surface of the battery pack housing 100, and the rear wall 1713 of the outer peripheral wall 171 may form the rear surface of the battery pack housing 100.

[0048] First partition wall 173 and second partition wall 175 are disposed on the base plate 110 and can divide or partition the internal space of the battery pack housing 100 into multiple spaces. Battery cell assemblies 200 can be disposed in each of the multiple spaces defined by the first partition wall 173 and second partition wall 175. The first partition wall 173 can extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). When the first partition wall 173 is inserted between the battery cell assemblies 200, a portion of the battery cell assemblies 200 can be spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The second partition wall 175 can extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). When the second partition wall 175 is inserted between the battery cell assemblies 200, a portion of the battery cell assemblies 200 can be spaced apart in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0049] A top plate 130 may be disposed on the battery cell assembly 200. The top plate 130 may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The top plate 130 may extend from the front end frame 120 to the rear end frame 140 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and may face the upper surface of the battery cell assembly 200 arranged in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0050] The top plate 130 may include an upper cooling channel 131 configured to allow cooling fluid to flow. The upper cooling channel 131 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the upper cooling channel 131 may include a plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 spaced apart from each other. The plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and each sub-upper channel 1311 may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, a thermally conductive adhesive layer may be inserted between the upper surface of the battery cell assembly 200 and the top plate 130. The battery cell assembly 200 can be thermally and physically bonded to the top plate 130 through the thermally conductive adhesive layer. For example, the thermally conductive adhesive layer may comprise a thermally conductive resin and / or a thermal interface material.

[0053] The front frame 120 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the base plate 110 and the top plate 130, and may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction) between a pair of sidewalls 1715 along the surface of the base plate 110. The upper portion of the front frame 120 may be coupled to the front end of the top plate 130, and the lower portion of the front frame 120 may be coupled to the base plate 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the front frame 120 may be bolted to the top plate 130. If necessary, the bolts may be removed to separate the top plate 130 from the front frame 120. The front wall 1711 of the front frame 120 faces the outer peripheral wall 171 and may be positioned on one side of the outermost battery cell assembly 200 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) among the plurality of battery cell assemblies 200.

[0054] The front end frame 120 may include a first side cooling channel 121 configured for cooling fluid flow. The first side cooling channel 121 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The first side cooling channel 121 may communicate with an upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130.

[0055] The rear frame 140 may extend in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) between the base plate 110 and the top plate 130, and may extend along the surface of the base plate 110 in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The upper portion of the rear frame 140 may be coupled to the rear end of the top plate 130, and the lower portion of the rear frame 140 may be coupled to the base plate 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear frame 140 may be bolted to the top plate 130. If necessary, the bolts may be removed to separate the top plate 130 from the rear frame 140. The rear frame 140 faces the rear wall 1713 of the outer peripheral wall 171 and may be disposed on one side of the outermost battery cell assembly 200 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The rear frame 140 may be spaced apart from the front frame 120 in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction), and the battery cell assembly 200 is inserted between the rear frame 140 and the front frame 120.

[0056] The rear end frame 140 may include a second side cooling channel 141 configured to allow cooling fluid to flow. The second side cooling channel 141 may extend from the upper surface of the rear end frame 140 to the lower surface in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The second side cooling channel 141 may be integrated with the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130 and the lower cooling channel 111 of the bottom plate 110. The upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130 can be connected to the lower cooling channel 111 of the bottom plate 110 via the second side cooling channel 141.

[0057] An inlet pipe 150 may be coupled to a front-end frame 120 and configured to receive cooling fluid supplied from an external cooling fluid source. The inlet pipe 150 may have an inlet channel 151 communicating with a first-side cooling channel 121 of the front-end frame 120. The inlet pipe 150 may be configured to deliver externally supplied cooling fluid to the first-side cooling channel 121 of the front-end frame 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet pipe 150 may pass through an outer peripheral wall 171 and may be coupled to the front-end frame 120 to be in fluid communication with the front-end frame 120. A portion of the inlet pipe 150 may be located outside the outer peripheral wall 171, and another portion of the inlet pipe 150 may be located within the internal space of the battery pack housing 100 surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 171.

[0058] The outlet pipe 160 may be coupled to the base plate 110 and may be configured to discharge cooling fluid to an external cooling fluid source. The outlet pipe 160 may have an outlet passage 161 communicating with a lower cooling passage 111 of the base plate 110. The outlet pipe 160 may be configured to deliver cooling fluid discharged from the outlet of the lower cooling passage 111 to an external cooling fluid source. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet pipe 160 may be coupled to a portion of the base plate 110 on the outer side of the outer peripheral wall 171.

[0059] In this embodiment, the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the bottom plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160 can be connected sequentially. The inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front end frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the bottom plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160 can constitute an integrated cooling channel connected sequentially.

[0060] Externally supplied cooling fluid is supplied to the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150 and continues to flow sequentially along the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150, the first side cooling channel 121 of the front frame 120, the upper cooling channel 131 of the top plate 130, the second side cooling channel 141 of the rear frame 140, the lower cooling channel 111 of the bottom plate 110, and the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160, before being discharged to the outside through the outlet channel 161 of the outlet pipe 160. The battery cell assembly 200 is cooled as the cooling fluid flows.

[0061] A battery pack cover 191 may be disposed on the outer peripheral wall 171 of the battery pack housing 100. The battery pack cover 191 may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). The battery pack cover 191 may be attached to the outer peripheral wall 171 of the battery pack housing 100 and cover the battery cell assembly 200. For example, the battery pack cover 191 may be bolted to the outer peripheral wall 171 of the battery pack housing 100.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate 130 may include an exhaust gap 139 that overlaps with the battery cell assembly 200 in a vertical direction. The top plate 130 may include multiple segments, and the multiple segments of the top plate 130 may each extend from the front end frame 120 to the rear end frame 140 in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The multiple segments of the top plate 130 may be spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), and the exhaust gap 139 is interposed between the multiple segments. The exhaust gap 139 of the top plate 130 may overlap with the middle portions of the individual battery cells 210 stacked in the first horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Because the top plate 130 has the exhaust gap 139, hot gases generated by the battery cells 210 can be discharged upward through the exhaust gap 139 of the top plate 130 in the event of a thermal event such as thermal runaway.

[0063] The top plate 130 may be spaced apart from the battery pack cover 191, and an exhaust space 181 is provided between the top plate 130 and the battery pack cover 191. That is, the exhaust space 181 may refer to the space provided between the top plate 130 and the battery pack cover 191, such that the top plate 130 and the battery pack cover 191 are spaced apart in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The exhaust space 181 may communicate with the exhaust gap 139 of the top plate 130. The exhaust space 181 and the exhaust gap 139 of the top plate 130 can be used as an exhaust channel for discharging hot gases generated in the battery cell 210. For example, during a thermal event such as thermal runaway, the hot gases generated by the battery cell 210 can flow through the exhaust space 181 and the exhaust gap 139 of the top plate 130 to reach an exhaust device (e.g., a safety valve and / or a rupture valve) mounted on the outer peripheral wall 171 of the battery pack housing 100, and can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack housing 100 through the exhaust device.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, each battery cell 210 may include a central portion that overlaps with the vent gap 139 in the vertical direction and a pair of outer portions spaced apart in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction), with the central portion interposed between the pair of outer portions. Each pair of outer portions of each battery cell 210 may each include an electrode lead 213. In this case, the top plate 130 may be configured to overlap with the pair of outer portions of each battery cell 210 in the vertical direction. Typically, the outer portions of each battery cell 210 with electrode leads 213 generate more heat than the central portions. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 10 may have a dual cooling structure with the top plate 130 and the bottom plate 110, allowing the relatively hotter outer portions of the battery cells 210 to be cooled by the top plate 130 and the bottom plate 110, thereby effectively controlling the heat generation of the battery cells 210.

[0065] (Second Embodiment) Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery pack 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The first side cooling channel 121 of the front-end frame 120 may include a common channel 123 and a plurality of first vertical channels 125. The common channel 123 may communicate with the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150. The plurality of first vertical channels 125 may each extend from the common channel 123 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction). The plurality of first vertical channels 125 may connect the common channel 123 and the upper cooling channel 131. The plurality of first vertical channels 125 may each extend from a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 of a plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z direction) to the common channel 123. Cooling fluid introduced into the common channel 123 through the inlet channel 151 of the inlet pipe 150 may be distributed into the plurality of first vertical channels 125 and then supplied to each of the plurality of sub-upper channels 1311.

[0067] The top plate 130 may include a first plug 133 inserted into a first side cooling channel 121 and having an internal channel 1331. In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate 130 may include a plurality of first plugs 133 inserted into a plurality of first vertical channels 125. The internal channel 1331 of each first plug 133 may communicate with a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 of a plurality of sub-upper channels 1311. Cooling fluid supplied from the first vertical channels 125 may be supplied to the sub-upper channels 1311 through the internal channels 1331 of the first plugs 133. Because the top plate 130 has a plurality of first plugs 133 inserted into a plurality of first vertical channels 125, the physical bond between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 can be enhanced, and leakage of cooling fluid between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 can be prevented.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, sealing members such as gaskets 183 and O-rings may be provided between the top plate 130 and the front end frame 120 to prevent leakage of cooling fluid.

[0069] The second-side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 may include a plurality of second vertical channels 1411 spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of second vertical channels 1411 may extend in the vertical direction (e.g., the Z-direction) from an upper surface of the rear end frame 140 that contacts the top plate 130 to a lower surface of the rear end frame 140 that contacts the bottom plate 110. The plurality of second vertical channels 1411 may also extend in the vertical direction (e.g., in the Z-direction) from a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 of a plurality of sub-upper channels 1311 to a corresponding sub-lower channel 1111 of a plurality of sub-lower channels 1111.

[0070] The top plate 130 may include a second plug 135 inserted into the second side cooling channel 141 and having an internal channel 1351. In an exemplary embodiment, the top plate 130 may include a plurality of second plugs 135 inserted into a plurality of second vertical channels 1411. The internal channel 1351 of each second plug 135 may communicate with a corresponding sub-upper channel 1311 of a plurality of sub-upper channels. Cooling fluid supplied from the sub-upper channels 1311 may be supplied to the second vertical channels 1411 through the internal channels 1351 of the second plugs 135. Because the top plate 130 has a plurality of second plugs 135 inserted into a plurality of second vertical channels 1411, the physical connection between the top plate 130 and the rear end frame 140 can be enhanced, and leakage of cooling fluid between the top plate 130 and the rear end frame 140 can be prevented.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, sealing members such as gaskets 185 and O-rings may be provided between the top plate 130 and the rear frame 140 to prevent leakage of cooling fluid.

[0072] The rear end frame 140 may include a third plug 143 inserted into the lower cooling channel 111 and having an internal channel 1431. In an exemplary embodiment, the rear end frame 140 may include a plurality of third plugs 143 inserted into a plurality of sub-lower channels 1111. The internal channel 1431 of each third plug 143 may communicate with a corresponding second vertical channel 1411 of a plurality of second vertical channels 1111. Cooling fluid supplied from the second vertical channel 1411 can be supplied to the sub-lower channel 1111 through the internal channel 1431 of the third plug 143. Because the rear end frame 140 has a plurality of third plugs 143 inserted into a plurality of sub-lower channels 1111, the physical bond between the rear end frame 140 and the base plate 110 can be enhanced, and leakage of cooling fluid between the rear end frame 140 and the base plate 110 can be prevented.

[0073] In an exemplary embodiment, sealing members such as gaskets 187 and O-rings may be provided between the rear frame 140 and the base plate 110 to prevent leakage of cooling fluid.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the plurality of sub-lower channels 1111 may not be directly connected to the second-side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140. In this case, cooling fluid supplied from the second-side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 can be supplied to the sub-lower channels 1111 that are not directly connected to the second-side cooling channel 141 of the rear end frame 140 via the horizontal connecting channel 116.

[0075] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery pack 10 includes a front frame 120 with a first-side cooling channel 121, a top plate 130 with an upper cooling channel 131, a rear frame 140 with a second-side cooling channel 141, and a bottom plate 110 with a lower cooling channel 111, which can perform multi-faceted cooling of the battery cells 210, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery cells 210. Since the heat generation of the battery cells 210 can be effectively controlled, the safety of the battery pack 10 can be improved.

[0076] In the battery pack 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, cooling fluid circulates within the battery pack 10 through separate cooling channels, which can reduce the difference in cooling fluid flow between regions and make the cooling of the battery cells 210 more uniform.

[0077] In conventional battery packs, the base plate is connected to the cooling fluid through multiple pipes through which it flows in or out, making it susceptible to external impacts. However, in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the cooling fluid is supplied to the battery pack housing 100 through an inlet pipe 150 and then separated from the front end frame 120 within the battery pack housing 100, thereby significantly reducing the number of pipes connected to the base plate 110 and thus reducing damage to the battery pack 10 during external vibrations and impacts.

[0078] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein or the configurations shown in the drawings are merely one embodiment of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of the present disclosure. Furthermore, various equivalents and modifications that can replace these embodiments or configurations may exist at the time of submission of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: Base plate, the base plate including a lower cooling channel; A battery cell assembly, which is disposed on the base plate and includes multiple battery cells; A top plate is disposed on the battery cell assembly and has an upper cooling channel; A front-end frame, which is attached to the top plate and has a first side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel; A rear-end frame extending from the base plate to the top plate, and having a second side cooling channel communicating with the upper cooling channel and the lower cooling channel; An inlet pipe, which is attached to the front end frame, has an inlet channel communicating with the first side cooling channel and is configured to deliver externally supplied cooling fluid to the first side cooling channel; as well as An outlet pipe is attached to the base plate and has an outlet channel communicating with the lower cooling channel.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The inlet channel, the first side cooling channel, the upper cooling channel, the second side cooling channel, the lower cooling channel, and the outlet channel are connected in sequence.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The first side cooling channel includes: A public passageway, which is connected to the entrance passageway; and Multiple first vertical channels, The upper cooling channel includes multiple sub-upper channels spaced apart from each other, and Each of the plurality of first vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel among the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein, The second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels spaced apart from each other, and Each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to the lower cooling channel.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein, The lower cooling channel includes multiple sub-lower channels spaced apart from each other, and Each of the plurality of second vertical channels extends from a corresponding sub-upper channel among the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel among the plurality of sub-lower channels.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the plurality of sub-upper channels extends in a first direction. Each of the plurality of sub-lower channels extends in the first direction, and The plurality of second vertical channels extend in the vertical direction.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The top plate includes a first plug that is inserted into the first side cooling channel and has an internal channel.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The top plate includes a second plug that is inserted into the second-side cooling channel and has an internal channel.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The rear frame includes a third plug that is inserted into the lower cooling channel and has an internal channel.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The top plate comprises multiple segments spaced apart from each other, with ventilation gaps inserted between the segments. The exhaust gap overlaps with the battery cell assembly in the vertical direction.

11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of battery cells are stacked in the first direction. Each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and Each of the plurality of battery cells includes: The middle portion overlaps with the exhaust gap in the vertical direction; and A pair of outer portions, which overlap with the top plate in the vertical direction and are spaced apart in the second direction, and a middle portion is inserted between the pair of outer portions.

12. The battery pack according to claim 10, further comprising: An outer peripheral wall that extends along the outer periphery of the base plate and surrounds the battery cell assembly; as well as A battery pack cover, which is attached to the outer peripheral wall and covers the battery cell assembly and the top plate, wherein... The battery pack cover is spaced apart from the top plate, and an exhaust space is provided between the battery pack cover and the top plate.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1, comprising: An outer peripheral wall that extends along the outer periphery of the base plate and surrounds the battery cell assembly; as well as A battery pack cover, which is attached to the outer peripheral wall and covers the battery cell assembly and the top plate, wherein... The inlet pipe passes through the outer peripheral wall.

14. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The upper cooling channel includes multiple sub-upper channels spaced apart from each other. The lower cooling channel includes multiple sub-lower channels spaced apart from each other. The first side cooling channel includes a plurality of first vertical channels and a common channel communicating with the inlet channel. Each of the plurality of first vertical channels connects a corresponding sub-cooling channel among the plurality of sub-upper channels to the common channel. The second side cooling channel includes a plurality of second vertical channels, each of which connects a corresponding sub-upper channel of the plurality of sub-upper channels to a corresponding sub-lower channel of the plurality of sub-lower channels. The top plate includes a plurality of first plugs inserted into the plurality of first vertical channels and a plurality of second plugs inserted into the plurality of second vertical channels, and The back-end frame includes a plurality of third plugs that are inserted into the plurality of sub-lower channels.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, further comprising: An outer peripheral wall that extends along the outer periphery of the base plate and surrounds the battery cell assembly; as well as A battery pack cover is attached to the outer peripheral wall and covers the battery cell assembly and the top plate, and is spaced apart from the top plate. A venting space is provided between the battery pack cover and the top plate. The inlet pipe passes through the outer peripheral wall. The top plate comprises multiple segments spaced apart from each other, with ventilation gaps inserted between the segments. The exhaust gap is connected to the exhaust space.

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