Battery module

Abstract

There is provided a battery module including: a plurality of battery cells arranged such that main surfaces of the plurality of battery cells face each other along a first direction; and a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of battery cells, in which the cooling plate includes a flow path through which cooling water flows, and a vertical cross-section of the cooling plate parallel to the first direction includes a pattern of one or more types of polygon combinations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries are rechargeable and dischargeable. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as motor drive power sources in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and as energy storage batteries. These secondary batteries include electrode assemblies containing positive and negative electrodes, a housing for accommodating the electrode assemblies, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assemblies.

[0003] The information disclosed above in the background section of this invention is intended only to improve the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a battery module with improved inter-cell strength and shock absorption.

[0005] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a battery module with improved cooling efficiency.

[0006] However, the technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand from the description of the invention described below that there are other problems not mentioned.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is disclosed, the battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged such that the main surfaces of the plurality of battery cells face each other along a first direction; and a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the cooling plate includes a flow path through which cooling water flows in the cooling plate, and the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate parallel to the first direction includes a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the flow path may include multiple flow paths that are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other in the height direction of the cooling plate.

[0009] According to an embodiment, at least some of the multiple flow paths can be combined with each other.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the pattern may include at least one of a honeycomb structure and a taut structure.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the pattern may have a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0012] According to an embodiment, multiple battery cells are arranged on a plane along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to form a cell unit, and the cell units can be arranged parallel to each other along the first direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the cooling plate may extend along a second direction to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent single unit.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the cooling plate may include a hollow cavity, and the flow path may be located inside the hollow cavity.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the flow path may have a honeycomb structure, and the cross-section of the cooling plate between the flow paths may have a tensile structure.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the height of the cooling plate can be equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell.

[0017] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a cooling plate located between the plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged such that their main surfaces face each other along the first direction, and among the plurality of battery cells, battery cells arranged along the second direction define a cell unit, the cooling plate located between the cell units, the cooling plate including flow paths through which cooling water flows in the cooling plate, and the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate perpendicular to the second direction including a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the flow path may include multiple flow paths, which may be spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other in the height direction of the cooling plate.

[0019] According to an embodiment, at least some of the multiple flow paths can be combined with each other.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the pattern may include at least one of a honeycomb structure and a taut structure.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the pattern may have a negative Poisson's ratio.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the individual units can be arranged parallel to each other along a first direction.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the cooling plate may extend along a second direction to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent single unit.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the cooling plate may include a hollow cavity, and the flow path may be located inside the hollow cavity.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the cross-section of the flow path may have a honeycomb structure, and the cross-section of the cooling plate between the flow paths may have a tensile structure.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the height of the cooling plate can be equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the invention below, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the content described in these drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example arrangement of battery cells and cooling plates in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 It is shown schematically. Figure 1 A perspective view of an example battery cell in a battery module; Figure 3 It is shown schematically. Figure 2 An example sectional view of section III-III'; Figure 4 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 It is shown schematically. Figure 4 An example sectional view of section V-V'; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a cross-section of a cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of a cross-section of a cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of a cross-section of a cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of the arrangement of battery cells and cooling plates in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example arrangement of a battery cell and a cooling plate having an inlet and an outlet in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a plan view showing a cooling plate with an inlet and an outlet for a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meaning, and should be interpreted as consistent with the technical concept of this disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best interpret his or her own invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the constructions shown in the drawings are merely some of the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist that can replace the embodiments described herein at the time of filing this application.

[0029] In some embodiments, when the words “comprising,” “including,” and / or variations thereof are used herein, it indicates the presence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or groups thereof, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements, and / or groups thereof.

[0030] In some embodiments, the drawings are not drawn to scale to aid in understanding the invention, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. In some embodiments that differ from each other, the same reference numerals may be assigned to the same components.

[0031] Although the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise stated, it is self-evident that a first component can also be a second component.

[0032] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be singular or plural.

[0033] The phrase "above (or below) the component" or "on (or below) the component" can mean not only that any construction is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, but also that other constructions can be placed between the component and any construction placed on (or below) the component.

[0034] In some embodiments, when describing a component as “joined,” “engaged,” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that components may be directly joined or connected to each other, but other components may also be “placed” between the components, or the components may be “joined,” “engaged,” or “connected” through other components. In some embodiments, when we say that a component is electrically joined to another component, this can include not only cases where they are directly joined, but also cases where they are joined with another element located between them.

[0035] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When described with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components will be given the same reference numerals.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example arrangement of battery cells and a cooling plate in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is shown schematically. Figure 1 A perspective view of an example battery cell in a battery module, and Figure 3 It is shown schematically. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of section III-III'.

[0037] Reference Figure 1 According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module 100 may include: a plurality of battery cells 10 arranged such that the main surfaces of the plurality of battery cells 10 face each other along a first direction x; and a cooling plate 111 located between the plurality of battery cells 10, wherein the cooling plate 111 includes a flow path 112 (see Figure 3 Cooling water flows through flow path 112 in cooling plate 111, and the vertical cross-section of cooling plate 111 parallel to the first direction x may include a pattern of at least one or more types of polygonal combinations.

[0038] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The battery cell 10 may include a battery casing 15, an electrode assembly 210 housed inside the battery casing 15, and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly 210 and the electrolyte may undergo an electrochemical reaction to generate energy.

[0039] One side of the battery cell 10 may be provided with terminal portions 11 and 12 electrically connected to connecting tabs, an exhaust port 13 serving as a channel for venting internally generated gases, and an electrolyte injection port 14 for injecting electrolyte into the battery casing 15. The terminal portions 11 and 12 of the battery cell 10 may be a first terminal 11 and a second terminal 12 with different polarities. In some embodiments, if the first terminal 11 is the positive terminal, the second terminal 12 may be the negative terminal; conversely, if the first terminal 11 is the negative terminal, the second terminal 12 may be the positive terminal. That is, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 have electrically different polarities, and are not limited to a specific polarity.

[0040] The terminal portions 11, 12 of adjacent battery cells 10 can be electrically connected in series and / or in parallel via connecting tabs. In some embodiments, a first terminal 11 of a battery cell 10 can be electrically connected to a second terminal 12 of another battery cell 10 adjacent to the first terminal 11 of the first battery cell 10 via a connecting tab, and the second terminal 12 of the first battery cell 10 can be electrically connected to a first terminal 11 of yet another battery cell 10 adjacent to the first battery cell 10 via another connecting tab.

[0041] In some embodiments, although in Figure 1 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 12 The diagram illustrates the connection of individual battery cells, but it is not limited to these structures, and various connection structures can be employed as needed. In some embodiments, the number and arrangement of battery cells are not limited to... Figure 1 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 12 The structure shown in the figure can be changed as needed.

[0042] Multiple battery cells 10 can be arranged in one direction (e.g., a first direction x) such that the main surfaces of the battery cells 10, which are wide surfaces, face each other, and the multiple battery cells 10 arranged in this way can be housed by a casing 150 (see...). Figure 12 )accommodate.

[0043] The housing 150 may include a pair of end plates facing the wide surface of the battery cell 10, as well as side plates and a bottom plate that engage the pair of end plates.

[0044] The side plate can support the side of the battery cell 10, and the bottom plate can support the bottom surface of the battery cell 10. In some embodiments, a pair of end plates, side plates, and bottom plates can be joined by a component such as bolts.

[0045] In some embodiments, the battery cell 10 according to the present disclosure may include: at least one electrode assembly 210, wherein a first electrode plate 211 and a second electrode plate 212 comprising a plurality of sheets are alternately stacked, and a separator 213 is located between the first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212; and a housing 15 in which the electrode assembly 210 is housed.

[0046] The first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212 of the battery cell 10 may have different polarities. In some embodiments, when the first electrode plate 211 is a positive electrode, the second electrode plate 212 may be a negative electrode; conversely, when the first electrode plate 211 is a negative electrode, the second electrode plate 212 may be a positive electrode. That is, the first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212 have electrically different polarities, and are not limited to a specific polarity.

[0047] As an example, the battery cell 10 according to the embodiment is described as a square lithium-ion battery cell. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and this disclosure can be applied to various types of battery cells, such as lithium polymer battery cells or cylindrical battery cells.

[0048] The first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212 may include a coated portion and a first uncoated portion 211a and a second uncoated portion 212a. The coated portion is the area where an active material is coated onto a current collector of a metal foil including a thin plate, and the first uncoated portion 211a and the second uncoated portion 212a are areas where no active material is coated.

[0049] The electrode assembly 210 may include a structure in which a first electrode plate 211 and a second electrode plate 212 comprising a plurality of sheets are alternately stacked, and a diaphragm 213 is located between the first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first electrode plate 211 and the second electrode plate 212 may be wound after the diaphragm 213, which serves as an insulator, is placed between them.

[0050] The housing 15 may include the overall appearance of the battery cell 10 and may include a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the housing 15 may provide space to accommodate the electrode assembly 210.

[0051] The battery cell 10 may include a cover 17 covering an opening in the housing 15, and both the housing 15 and the cover 17 may include conductive materials. In this respect, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 electrically connected to the first electrode plate 211 or the second electrode plate 212 may be mounted to protrude outwards by penetrating the cover 17.

[0052] In some embodiments, the outer main surface of the upper post of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 protruding outward from the cover plate 17 may be threaded and fixed to the cover plate 17 with a nut.

[0053] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 may include a riveting structure and be riveted or may be welded to the cover plate 17.

[0054] In some embodiments, the cover plate 17 may include a thin plate and engage with an opening in the housing 15, and an electrolyte injection port 14 may be formed in the cover plate 17, a sealing plug may be installed in the electrolyte injection port 14, and an exhaust port 13 with a notch may be installed.

[0055] The first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 can be electrically coupled to a current collector, which includes a first current collector 240 welded to a first uncoated portion 211a of a first electrode plate and a second current collector 250 welded to a second uncoated portion 212a of a second electrode plate.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12 may be soldered to the first current collector 240 and the second current collector 250, respectively. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first terminal 11 and the first current collector 240 and the second terminal 12 and the second current collector 250 may be integrally combined to form the first terminal 11 and the first current collector 240, and the second terminal 12 and the second current collector 250.

[0057] In some embodiments, an insulating member may be installed between the electrode assembly 210 and the cover plate 17. In this regard, the insulating member may include a first lower insulating member 260 and a second lower insulating member 270, and the first lower insulating member 260 and the second lower insulating member 270 may each be installed between the electrode assembly 210 and the cover plate 17.

[0058] In some embodiments, according to the embodiment, one end of the separation member that can be mounted on the side facing the electrode assembly 210 can be installed between the insulating member and the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 12. In this respect, the separation member may include a first separation member 280 and a second separation member 290.

[0059] Therefore, the ends of the first separating member 280 and the second separating member 290, which can be installed on the side facing the electrode assembly 210, can be installed between the first lower insulating member 260 and the first terminal 11 and between the second lower insulating member 270 and the second terminal 12, respectively.

[0060] Finally, the first terminal 11 welded to the first current collector 240 and the second terminal 12 welded to the second current collector 250 can be respectively connected to the end of the first separating member 280 and the end of the first lower insulating member 260, as well as the end of the second separating member 290 and the second lower insulating member 270.

[0061] Figure 4 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a cooling plate for a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 5 It is shown schematically. Figure 4 An example sectional view of section V-V'.

[0062] The cooling plate 111 can manage and cool the heat generated from the battery cells to reduce the temperature. The cooling plate 111 of this disclosure can be located between a plurality of battery cells 10 and face the main surface of the battery cells 10, which is the wide surface of the battery cells, to cool the battery cells 10.

[0063] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cooling plate 111 may include a flow path 112 through which cooling water flows. The cooling plate 111 may include a hollow cavity, and the flow path 112 may be located inside the hollow cavity. In some embodiments, the flow path 112 may include a plurality of flow paths that are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other in the height direction of the cooling plate 111.

[0064] However, not limited to this, at least some of the multiple flow paths 112 may be connected to each other, such that the flow direction of the cooling water flowing through the flow paths 112 may be changed depending on whether the multiple flow paths 112 are connected. The multiple flow paths 112 may be connected by connecting each of the multiple flow paths 112 with a sub-flow path (not shown).

[0065] In some embodiments, although not limited thereto, the cooling plate 111 may also include an inlet 113 for supplying cooling water to the flow path 112 and an outlet 114 for discharging cooling water from the flow path 112, such as... Figure 11 As shown in the image.

[0066] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a cross-section of the cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of a cross-section of the cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another example of a cross-section of a cooling plate of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 6 to 8 It shows Figure 4 Various examples of the VI–VI' section.

[0067] The vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 parallel to the first direction x may include a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations. Such a pattern may be formed by the cooling plate 111 and the flow path 112 located inside the cooling plate 111. In some embodiments, the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 without the flow path 112 may have a shape such as an ellipse, a square, or a square with rounded corners (bevels), but is not limited thereto.

[0068] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 parallel to the first direction x may include a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations, and the pattern may include at least one of a honeycomb structure and a tensile structure.

[0069] The honeycomb structure is an economical hexagonal structure that allows it to ensure maximum space with minimal material, while also being a stable structure that can distribute power in a balanced manner, allowing the cooling plate 111 to stably resist external pressure.

[0070] Reference Figure 6 The pattern in the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 of the battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a honeycomb structure.

[0071] In some embodiments, but not limited to these embodiments, to enable the pattern to include a honeycomb structure, the cross-section of the flow path 112 inside the cooling plate 111 may be hexagonal, and the flow path 112 may be arranged in the height direction of the cooling plate 111 such that one corner of each hexagon contacts one corner of at least one adjacent hexagon. The hexagonal central portion of the honeycomb structure is formed perpendicular to the main surface of the battery cell, which can effectively improve compressive strength compared to existing insulating materials. In some embodiments, the heat trapped between the hexagons can be effectively cooled by allowing cooling water to pass through the hexagonal flow path 112.

[0072] Tensile structures are created by arranging concave hexagons, resembling an hourglass shape, and can have a negative Poisson's ratio. Poisson's ratio is the ratio of transverse strain to longitudinal strain when a vertical stress is applied to a material. A negative Poisson's ratio means that the material expands laterally within its elastic range under tension and contracts laterally under compression. Materials with a negative Poisson's ratio can possess excellent elastic modulus, fracture resistance, elasticity, and toughness.

[0073] Reference Figure 7The pattern included in the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 of the battery module 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a tensile structure. In some embodiments, the pattern included in the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 of the battery module 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have a negative Poisson's ratio structure.

[0074] In some embodiments, but not limited to these embodiments, in order to include a tensile structure or a negative Poisson's ratio structure in the pattern, the cross-section of the flow path 112 of the cooling plate 111 may be quadrilateral, and the flow paths 112 may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the cooling plate 111, such that the cross-section of the cooling plate 111 between the flow paths 112 has a tensile structure. Due to the tensile structure or negative Poisson's ratio structure, the structural strength and shock absorption of the battery module 100 are improved, thereby improving the stability of the battery module 100.

[0075] Reference Figure 8 The pattern in the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 of the battery module 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a honeycomb structure and a tensile structure. In some embodiments, the cross-section of the flow path 112 may have a honeycomb structure, and the cross-section of the cooling plate 111 between the flow paths 112 may have a tensile structure.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the flow paths 112 within the cooling plate 111, including this structure, can have a hexagonal cross-section, and the flow paths 112 can be arranged spaced apart from each other in the height direction of the cooling plate 111, such that the cross-section of the cooling plate 111 between the flow paths 112 has a tensile structure. Including both the honeycomb structure and the tensile structure can improve the compressive strength and cooling effect of the battery module 100, while also improving effective press fit and shear resistance.

[0077] Refer again Figure 1 According to an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged on a plane along a first direction x to form a cell unit 110, and may be arranged parallel to each other. According to another embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged on a plane along a second direction y perpendicular to the first direction x to form a cell unit 110, and the cell units 110 may be arranged parallel to each other along the first direction. For example, see reference... Figure 1 One battery cell 10 can form a single cell unit 110.

[0078] The cooling plate 111 can be arranged between adjacent battery cells to correspond to the area of ​​each battery cell, but the cooling plate 111 can also extend along the second direction y to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent battery cell 110. When the cooling plate 111 is arranged to extend along the second direction y to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent battery cell 110, a more effective and uniform cooling effect can be achieved for all battery cells 10 forming the battery cell 110.

[0079] The battery module 100 of this disclosure has a cooling plate 111 located between a plurality of battery cells 10, such that the cooling plate 111 is positioned to correspond to the main surface of the battery cell 10, which is a wide surface, thereby enabling face-to-face cooling. With this configuration, the battery module 100 of this disclosure can effectively make the temperature between the battery cells uniform and can reduce the maximum temperature of the battery cells, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the height of the cooling plate 111 of the battery module 100 disclosed herein can be equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell 10. When the height of the cooling plate 111 is equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell 10, compared to when the height of the cooling plate 111 is lower than the height of the battery cell 10, the temperature between the battery cells 10 or the temperature between the upper and lower parts of the battery cells can be more effectively balanced, and the strength between the battery cells 10 or the strength between the upper and lower parts of the battery cells can be more effectively balanced.

[0081] Figure 9 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating another example of the arrangement of battery cells and cooling plates in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Reference Figure 9 According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module 100 may include: a plurality of battery cells 10 arranged along a first direction x and a second direction y perpendicular to the first direction x; and a cooling plate 111 located between the plurality of battery cells 10, wherein the plurality of battery cells 10 are arranged such that their main surfaces face each other along the first direction x, and among the plurality of battery cells 10, the battery cells 10 arranged along the second direction y define a cell unit 1110, and the cooling plate 111 is located between the cell units 1110, the cooling plate 111 may include a flow path 112 through which cooling water flows in the cooling plate 111, and the vertical cross-section of the cooling plate 111 perpendicular to the second direction y may include a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations.

[0083] According to an embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 10 may be arranged in a plane along a second direction y to form a cell unit 1110, and the cell units 1110 may be arranged parallel to each other along a first direction x. In some embodiments, the plurality of battery cells 10 may be arranged such that their sides are in contact with each other in a plane along the second direction y to form a cell unit 1110, and the cell units 1110 may be arranged parallel to each other along the first direction x.

[0084] In some embodiments, the cooling plate 111 may extend along the second direction y to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent cell 1110. When the cooling plate 111 is arranged to extend along the second direction y to correspond to the entire area of ​​the adjacent cell 1110, a uniform and effective cooling effect can be more effectively achieved for all the battery cells 10 forming the cell 1110.

[0085] Figure 10 This is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example arrangement of battery cells and cooling plates with inlets and outlets in a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a plan view showing a cooling plate with an inlet and an outlet for a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Reference Figure 10 and Figure 11 The cooling plate 111 may include an inlet 113 for supplying cooling water to the flow path 112 and an outlet 114 for discharging cooling water from the flow path 112. That is, the flow path 112 may also be connected to the inlet 113 and the outlet 114 to supply or discharge cooling water, and the cooling plate 111 may also include sub-flow paths (not shown) connecting each of the inlet 113 and the outlet 114 to the flow path 112.

[0087] Inlet 113 and outlet 114 may be located at at least one of the upper, side, and lower portions of cooling plate 111, with inlet 113 more preferably located on the side or upper portion of cooling plate 111, and outlet 114 more preferably located on the side or lower portion of cooling plate 111. In some embodiments, inlet 113 is located at the upper portion of the side of cooling plate, and outlet 114 is located at the lower portion of the side of cooling plate 111, such that cooling water supplied from inlet 113 can flow from the upper portion to the lower portion of cooling plate 111 through flow path 112.

[0088] However, it is not limited to this, but at least some of the multiple paths can be connected to each other, such that the flow direction of the cooling water flowing through flow path 112 can be changed depending on whether the multiple flow paths are connected. The cooling efficiency of cooling plate 111 can be maximized by the direction of cooling water flow through flow path 112.

[0089] Reference Figure 12 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery module 100 may include a top cover 120, a busbar retainer 130, and a cell unit 1110 comprising a plurality of battery cells 10 (see...). Figure 10 ) and a housing 150 that accommodates multiple battery cells 10 or cell units 1110.

[0090] The top cover 120 can form the internal space of the battery module 100 by combining multiple battery cells 10 with the housing 150, and can protect the internal structure of the battery module 100 (such as multiple battery cells 10 or multiple cell units 1110 and busbar holder 130 inside the battery module 100) from mechanical shock, thermal shock, etc.

[0091] Busbar retainer 130 is configured to support a busbar that electrically connects the terminal portions of adjacent battery cells 10, and may be located at the bottom of top cover 120.

[0092] In some embodiments, the battery module 100 according to the present disclosure may have a cooling pipe 140 including cooling water, which is supplied to a flow path 112 of a cooling plate 111 located near the cooling pipe 140.

[0093] The battery module described above according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has been described in relation to a battery module including a plurality of battery cells, but is not limited thereto. It can also be applied to a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules capable of arranging a plurality of battery cells or a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells.

[0094] According to embodiments, the battery module of this disclosure can have improved inter-cell strength and shock absorption.

[0095] According to embodiments, the battery module of this disclosure can have improved cooling efficiency.

[0096] According to the embodiments, the battery stability of this disclosure can be improved.

[0097] However, the effects that can be obtained through this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of the invention other technical effects not mentioned.

[0098] Although the invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and figures, the invention is not limited thereto. Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical concept of the invention and the equivalents of the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: Multiple battery cells are arranged such that the main surfaces of the multiple battery cells face each other along a first direction; as well as Cooling plates are arranged between the multiple battery cells. The cooling plate includes a flow path through which cooling water flows. The vertical cross-section of the cooling plate, parallel to the first direction, comprises a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The flow path includes multiple flow paths that are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other in the height direction of the cooling plate.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein, At least some of the multiple flow paths are connected to each other.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The pattern includes at least one of a honeycomb structure and a taut structure.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The pattern has a negative Poisson's ratio.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged on a plane along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to form a single cell unit, and The individual units are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein, The cooling plate extends along the second direction to correspond to the entire area of ​​the single unit adjacent to the cooling plate.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling plate includes a hollow cavity, and the flow path is arranged inside the hollow cavity.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein, The flow path has a honeycomb structure in cross-section, and the cooling plate has a tensile structure in cross-section between the flow paths.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The height of the cooling plate is equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell.

11. A battery module, the battery module comprising: Multiple battery cells are arranged along a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; as well as A cooling plate is located between the plurality of battery cells, wherein, The plurality of battery cells are arranged such that the main surfaces of the plurality of battery cells face each other along the first direction, and among the plurality of battery cells, battery cells arranged along the second direction define a cell unit. The cooling plate is located between the individual units, and the cooling plate includes a flow path through which cooling water flows. The vertical cross-section of the cooling plate, perpendicular to the second direction, comprises a pattern of one or more types of polygonal combinations.

12. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein, The flow path includes multiple flow paths that are spaced apart from each other and arranged parallel to each other in the height direction of the cooling plate.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein, At least some of the multiple flow paths are connected to each other.

14. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein, The pattern includes at least one of a honeycomb structure and a taut structure.

15. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein, The pattern has a negative Poisson's ratio.

16. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein, The individual units are arranged parallel to each other along the first direction.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein, The cooling plate extends along the second direction to correspond to the entire area of ​​the single unit adjacent to the cooling plate.

18. The battery module according to claim 11, wherein, The cooling plate includes a hollow cavity, and the flow path is arranged inside the hollow cavity.

19. The battery module according to claim 18, wherein, The flow path has a honeycomb structure in cross-section, and the cooling plate has a tensile structure in cross-section between the flow paths.

20. The battery module according to claim 19, wherein, The height of the cooling plate is equal to or greater than the height of the battery cell.

Images