Battery module cooling structure

Abstract

The battery module cooling structure includes a plurality of battery cells arranged parallel to each other. The battery module cooling structure includes a cooling channel disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality of battery cells, supporting the plurality of battery cells, and forming a cooling channel configured to cool the plurality of battery cells by transferring a cooling fluid therein. The cooling channel extends from a side surface of the plurality of battery cells in a vertical direction of the plurality of battery cells, and then extends from below the plurality of battery cells in a horizontal direction to a side surface of an adjacent battery cell.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0136520, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a battery module cooling structure, and more specifically, to a battery module cooling structure having heat pipes (cooling channels) disposed between battery cells, thereby allowing cooling fluid to flow within the battery module to cool the battery module. Background Technology

[0004] Battery packs for environmentally friendly vehicles can include battery modules, which are assembled from multiple battery cells. Multiple battery modules can be assembled into a battery pack and installed inside the vehicle.

[0005] For example, a pouch cell-type battery module generally includes battery cells, surface pressure pads, end plates, and sensor plates. The battery module can employ advanced battery cell cooling technologies to meet the high performance requirements of the battery and its higher demands for fast charging performance. Immersion cooling technology is a direct cooling method believed to improve battery cooling performance. Components used in immersion cooling can include the battery module's base components, module housing, cooling channels, and a coolant (or dielectric thermal fluid) for direct cooling.

[0006] In some cases, to cool the internal battery cells, pipes can be installed between the battery cells, allowing direct cooling through the flow of coolant within these pipes. Figure 1 In the cooling structure shown, pipes 5 or 6 are arranged between multiple battery cells 1, spacer filler 3 is arranged below the battery cells 1, and cooling water channel 4 is arranged below the spacer filler 3. Since the pipes 5 or 6 are "L" shaped, the PHP 5 or 6 can extend horizontally below the battery cell 1 located on one side of it.

[0007] In some cases, such as Figure 2 As shown, the longer the lower portion of pipe 5 or 6, the better the cooling performance; its length can extend up to twice the width of battery cell 1. However, for the outermost cell, the length of pipe 5 or 6 can only extend to the width of battery cell 1, which increases the number of components.

[0008] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, when using the existing "L"-shaped pipe 5, bending the end of the pipe 5 may cause a certain degree or greater bending in the cooling structure. This bending will result in a certain degree or greater gap between the battery cell 1 and the end of the pipe 5, thus requiring excessive application of spacer 3 to fill the gap. In addition, since the end of the pipe 5 bends in only one direction, different cooling conditions may occur between adjacent battery cells 1. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This disclosure describes a battery module cooling structure in which the end of a pulsating heat pipe (PHP) is configured in a "T" shape, allowing coolant to flow between the battery cells of the battery module, thereby enabling the coolant to flow uniformly and smoothly between the battery cells. The aforementioned battery module cooling structure can improve cooling performance efficiency and structural stability.

[0010] According to one aspect of the subject matter of this application, a cooling structure for a battery module of multiple battery cells arranged parallel to each other includes: cooling channels disposed between adjacent battery cells of the multiple battery cells and supporting the multiple battery cells, wherein the cooling channels are configured to transport cooling fluid to cool the multiple battery cells. The cooling channels extend vertically from the sides of the multiple battery cells to a lower position below the multiple battery cells, and extend horizontally from the lower position toward the sides of adjacent battery cells.

[0011] Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following features. For example, the cooling channels may include: a plurality of vertical channels extending vertically from the sides of a plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of horizontal channels fluidly connected to the plurality of vertical channels, disposed below the plurality of battery cells, and extending horizontally.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cooling channels may include: a vertical channel pattern portion forming recesses corresponding to a plurality of vertical channels; and a vertical channel cover coupled to the vertical channel pattern portion, thereby forming a plurality of vertical channels between the vertical channel pattern portion and the vertical channel cover. In some embodiments, the plurality of horizontal channels may include: a first horizontal channel connected to the bottom of one of the plurality of vertical channels and extending horizontally to a first side; and a second horizontal channel connected to one end of the first horizontal channel and extending horizontally to a second side opposite to the first side. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a length direction orthogonal to the vertical and horizontal directions, wherein the second horizontal channel extends in the length direction and connects to another of the plurality of vertical channels.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cooling channel may further include a connecting partition disposed between and connecting the first horizontal channel and the second horizontal channel. The plurality of vertical channels may be configured to transport cooling fluid in a vertical direction. In some embodiments, the first horizontal channel may be configured to transport cooling fluid in a horizontal direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the plurality of battery cells, and the second horizontal channel may be configured to transport cooling fluid in both the thickness and length directions.

[0014] In some embodiments, a portion of the second horizontal channel is circular and extends in the length direction. In some embodiments, the second horizontal channel is one of adjacent second horizontal flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the length direction, wherein the adjacent second horizontal flow paths are configured to guide cooling fluid in the same direction.

[0015] In some implementations, the first horizontal channel may be one of adjacent first horizontal flow paths that are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, the adjacent first horizontal flow paths being configured to guide cooling fluid in opposite directions.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plurality of vertical channels may include adjacent vertical flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the adjacent vertical flow paths are configured to guide cooling fluid in opposite directions. In some embodiments, the first horizontal channel may be one of adjacent first horizontal flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the adjacent first horizontal flow paths may have different widths.

[0017] In some embodiments, the battery module cooling structure may further include: a cooling water channel disposed below and vertically spaced from the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cooling water channel forms a water channel configured to transmit cooling water for heat exchange with the plurality of battery cells. In some embodiments, the battery module cooling structure may further include: a spacer layer disposed between the bottom of the plurality of battery cells and the cooling water channel, the spacer layer covering and securing the lower portion of the cooling channel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the battery module cooling structure may further include: a plurality of surface pressure pads disposed in the space between the plurality of battery cells where no cooling channels are provided, wherein the plurality of surface pressure pads are configured to support the sides of the plurality of battery cells and absorb the expansion (swelling) of the plurality of battery cells.

[0019] In some implementations, the cooling channel can be a pulsed heat pipe (PHP).

[0020] In some implementations, by configuring PHP to allow cooling fluid to flow between the battery cells of the battery module, the cooling fluid is introduced, flows, and discharged through the optimal path between the battery cells, thereby maximizing cooling performance efficiency.

[0021] In some implementations, by configuring the ends of the PHP in a "T" shape, the length of the PHP ends is increased to twice the width of the battery cell, enabling uniform cooling of all battery cells.

[0022] In some implementations, improving the assembly of the PHP component with the battery cell and ensuring structural stability by reducing the number of PHP components to one and preventing curvature radii caused by end bending can help ensure the performance of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a cooling structure in the related art.

[0024] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a cooling structure in the related art.

[0025] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view illustrating a state of bending due to the bending of the pipe end in the related art.

[0026] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a battery module cooling structure according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view showing the cooling structure of the battery module.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing an example of a pulsating heat pipe (PHP) used in a battery module cooling structure.

[0029] Figure 7 To show along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an example of refrigerant flow in a cooling channel, taken by the "AA" line.

[0030] Figure 8 A perspective view showing the refrigerant flow path in the cooling channels of the battery module cooling structure.

[0031] Figure 9 To be Figure 8 The enlarged refrigerant flow diagram in section "B" of the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement the invention. The present invention can be modified in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments provided in this specification.

[0033] Furthermore, in some embodiments, components with the same construction will be described using the same reference numerals in one embodiment, while in other embodiments only components that differ from the previous embodiment will be described.

[0034] The cooling structure of the battery module will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the cooling structure of the battery module.

[0036] refer to Figure 4 The battery module cooling structure can be configured to cool the battery module by assembling multiple battery cells 10 in parallel with each other, and includes multiple cooling channels 50 disposed between the multiple battery cells 10.

[0037] In this application, the cooling channels and multiple cooling channels are interchangeable. For example, a cooling channel 50 can be disposed between multiple battery cells 10 to support the multiple battery cells 10 and to cool the multiple battery cells 10 by allowing coolant to flow therethrough. Multiple cooling channels 50 can be configured to extend vertically from the side of each battery cell 10 to the multiple battery cells 10, and horizontally below the multiple battery cells 10 to both sides of the multiple adjacent battery cells 10. That is, the cross-section of the cooling channel 50 can be "T" shaped. Furthermore, the cooling channel 50 can be formed by a pulsed heat pipe (PHP).

[0038] In some embodiments, surface pressure pads 20 may be provided in the space between multiple battery cells 10 where cooling channels 50 are not provided. Multiple surface pressure pads 20 may be provided to support the multiple battery cells 10 and absorb the expansion (swelling) of the multiple battery cells 10.

[0039] In some embodiments, in addition to the cooling structure formed by the cooling channels 50 disposed between the battery cells 10, the battery module cooling structure may also include a cooling structure formed by cooling water channels 40 disposed below the plurality of battery cells 10 and at predetermined intervals from the battery cells. The cooling water channels 40 may have cooling water flowing therein, may be disposed below the battery module, and may exchange heat with the battery module.

[0040] In addition, the battery module cooling structure may also include a spacer filling layer 30, which is disposed in the space between the bottom of the plurality of battery cells 10 and the cooling water channel 40, and covers and fixes the lower part of the cooling channel 50.

[0041] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view showing the cooling structure of the battery module.

[0042] refer to Figure 5 The cooling channel 50 may include multiple vertical channel sections 52 and 54 and multiple horizontal channels 55 and 57. See also... Figure 4 and Figure 5 Multiple vertical channel portions 52 and 54 can extend from the sides of multiple battery cells 10 in the vertical direction (i.e., the up-down direction) of the battery cell 10.

[0043] Furthermore, multiple horizontal channels 55 and 57 can communicate with multiple vertical channels 52 and 54 respectively, and can extend horizontally (i.e., left-right) below the battery cells 10. Vertical channels 52 and 54 can each be disposed between adjacent battery cells 10, and horizontal channels 55 and 57 can each be connected to the lower ends of vertical channels 52 and 54, extending horizontally below adjacent battery cells 10.

[0044] Vertical channel portions 52 and 54 may include a vertical channel pattern portion 52, which includes a flow path pattern through which cooling fluid flows; and a vertical channel cover 54, which forms the flow path by engaging with the vertical channel pattern portion 52. The flow path pattern can have a continuous form by extending in the vertical direction (i.e., up-down direction) of the vertical channel portions 52 or 54 and bending at the upper and lower portions of the vertical channel portions 52 or 54.

[0045] The plurality of horizontal channels 55 and 57 may include a first horizontal channel 55 and a second horizontal channel 57. The first horizontal channel 55 may be connected to the bottom of the vertical channel portion 52 or 54 and may extend in the horizontal direction (i.e., its left-right direction) of the battery cell 10. The second horizontal channel 57 may be connected to the bottom of the first horizontal channel 55 and extend in the horizontal direction (i.e., its left-right direction) of the battery cell 10. Figure 4 It extends in the left and right directions, and in the length direction of the battery cell 10 (e.g., Figure 4 It extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface and bends to reconnect to the first horizontal channel 55 and the vertical channel portions 52 and 54.

[0046] Multiple first horizontal channels 55 and multiple second horizontal channels 57 can be connected to each other using multiple connecting separators 59, wherein the connecting separators 59 can separate the first horizontal channels 55 from the second horizontal channels 57.

[0047] Figure 6 To show the perspective of the PHP applied to the battery module cooling structure, Figure 7 To show along Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of refrigerant flow in the cooling channel, taken by the "AA" line.

[0048] refer to Figure 6 and 7 Multiple vertical channel portions 52 and 54 can form a vertical flow path "a" by combining the vertical channel pattern portion 52 with the vertical channel cover 54. The vertical flow path "a" can provide a flow path for cooling fluid in the vertical direction of the battery cell 10. In the vertical flow path "a", the cooling fluid can flow from top to bottom.

[0049] By extending vertically in the vertical direction of the vertical channel portion 52 or 54 and bending at the upper and lower portions of the vertical channel portion 52 or 54, the vertical flow path "a" can have a continuous form. Therefore, the cooling fluid can flow from bottom to top in the vertical flow path "a" adjacent to the vertical flow path "a" through which the cooling fluid flows from top to bottom.

[0050] Multiple first horizontal channels 55 can form a first horizontal flow path "b", through which cooling fluid flows in the thickness direction (i.e., its left-right direction) of the battery cell 10. Furthermore, multiple second horizontal channels 57 can form a second horizontal flow path "d", through which cooling fluid flows in the thickness direction (i.e., its left-right direction) and in the length direction of the battery cell 10. The first horizontal flow path "b" and the second horizontal flow path "d" can be vertically separated from each other by a connecting member 59. Cooling fluid can flow through the first horizontal flow path "b" and then through the second horizontal flow path "d" via an intermediate flow path "c" extending vertically.

[0051] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing only the refrigerant flow path in the cooling channels of the battery module cooling structure. Figure 9 To be Figure 8 The enlarged refrigerant flow diagram in section "B" of the diagram.

[0052] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9Multiple vertical flow paths "a" and multiple first horizontal flow paths "b" and second horizontal flow paths "d" connected thereto can be provided along the length of the battery cell 10, and the flow path of the cooling fluid can be... Figure 9 The flow paths shown are identical. That is, the cooling fluid can flow continuously in the following order: vertical flow path "a", first horizontal flow path "b", intermediate flow path "c", second horizontal flow path "d", adjacent intermediate flow path "c", adjacent first horizontal flow path "b", and adjacent vertical flow path "a". For this flow, the second horizontal flow path "d" can include a circular flow path along the length of the battery cell 10.

[0053] Adjacent second horizontal flow paths "d" arranged parallel to each other along the length of the battery cell 10 allow cooling fluid to flow in the same direction. Furthermore, multiple adjacent first horizontal flow paths "b" arranged parallel to each other along the length of the battery cell 10 allow cooling fluid to flow in opposite directions. Additionally, multiple adjacent vertical flow paths "a" arranged parallel to each other along the length of the battery cell 10 allow cooling fluid to flow in opposite directions.

[0054] In some embodiments, a plurality of adjacent first horizontal flow paths "b" arranged parallel to each other along the length of the battery cell 10 may have different widths. Furthermore, a plurality of adjacent vertical flow paths "a" arranged parallel to each other along the length of the battery cell 10 may have different widths.

[0055] As described above, by configuring PHP to allow cooling fluid to flow between the battery cells of the battery module, the cooling fluid is introduced, flows, and discharged through the optimal path between the battery cells, thereby maximizing cooling performance efficiency.

[0056] Furthermore, by configuring the ends of the PHP in a "T" shape, the length of the PHP ends is increased to twice the width of the battery cell, enabling uniform cooling of all battery cells.

[0057] Furthermore, by reducing the number of PHP components to one and preventing the radius of curvature caused by end bending, the assembly with the battery cell is improved and structural stability is ensured, which helps to guarantee the performance of the battery cell.

[0058] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. All equivalent modifications that can be easily made by those skilled in the art should be included within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery module cooling structure for multiple battery cells arranged parallel to each other, the battery module cooling structure comprising: Cooling channels are disposed between adjacent battery cells of the plurality of battery cells and support the plurality of battery cells. The cooling channels are configured to transport cooling fluid to cool the plurality of battery cells. The cooling channel extends vertically from the sides of the plurality of battery cells to a lower position below the plurality of battery cells, and extends horizontally from the lower position toward the sides of adjacent battery cells.

2. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein the cooling channel comprises: Multiple vertical channels extend vertically from the sides of the multiple battery cells; and Multiple horizontal channels, which are fluidly connected to the multiple vertical channels, are disposed below the multiple battery cells and extend in the horizontal direction.

3. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 2, wherein the cooling channel comprises: The vertical channel pattern portion forms a recess corresponding to the plurality of vertical channels; and A vertical channel cover is attached to the vertical channel pattern portion, thereby forming a plurality of vertical channels between the vertical channel pattern portion and the vertical channel cover.

4. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of horizontal channels comprises: A first horizontal channel is connected to the bottom of one of the plurality of vertical channels and extends horizontally to a first side; and A second horizontal channel is connected to one end of the first horizontal channel and extends horizontally to a second side opposite to the first side. Each of the plurality of battery cells extends in a length direction orthogonal to both the vertical and horizontal directions, and The second horizontal channel extends in the length direction and connects to another of the plurality of vertical channels.

5. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 4, wherein the cooling channel further includes a connecting partition, which is disposed between the first horizontal channel and the second horizontal channel and connects the first horizontal channel and the second horizontal channel.

6. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of vertical channels are configured to transport cooling fluid in the vertical direction.

7. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 6, wherein the first horizontal channel is configured to transport cooling fluid in a horizontal direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the plurality of battery cells, and The second horizontal channel is configured to transport cooling fluid in both the thickness and length directions.

8. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 7, wherein a portion of the second horizontal channel is circular and extends in the length direction.

9. The battery module cooling structure of claim 8, wherein the second horizontal channel is one of adjacent second horizontal flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the length direction, the adjacent second horizontal flow paths being configured to guide cooling fluid in the same direction.

10. The battery module cooling structure of claim 7, wherein the first horizontal channel is one of adjacent first horizontal flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the length direction, the adjacent first horizontal flow paths being configured to guide cooling fluid in opposite directions.

11. The battery module cooling structure of claim 6, wherein the plurality of vertical channels comprises adjacent vertical flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, the adjacent vertical flow paths being configured to guide cooling fluid in opposite directions.

12. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 9, wherein the first horizontal channel is one of adjacent first horizontal flow paths arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in the length direction, the adjacent first horizontal flow paths having different widths.

13. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 11, wherein the adjacent vertical flow paths have different widths.

14. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, further comprising: A cooling water channel is disposed below the plurality of battery cells and spaced apart from the plurality of battery cells in the vertical direction. The cooling water channel forms a water channel configured to transmit cooling water for heat exchange with the plurality of battery cells.

15. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 14, further comprising: A spacer filler layer is disposed between the bottom of the plurality of battery cells and the cooling water channel, the spacer filler layer covering and securing the lower portion of the cooling channel.

16. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 14, further comprising: Multiple surface pressure pads are disposed in the space between multiple battery cells where no cooling channels are provided, the multiple surface pressure pads being configured to support the sides of the multiple battery cells and absorb the expansion of the multiple battery cells.

17. The battery module cooling structure according to claim 1, wherein the cooling channel is a pulsating heat pipe (PHP).

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