Battery housing and battery pack comprising the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a battery housing and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery housing including a bottom surface portion forming a bottom surface of the housing, wherein a cooling flow path providing a path for a cooling fluid to flow is formed in the bottom surface portion, and a portion of the cooling flow path and another portion of the cooling flow path cross each other when the bottom surface portion is viewed in a spaced-apart state in an up-down direction (H).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery housing and a battery pack including the housing, and more specifically, to a housing having a flow path for the flow of cooling fluid and a battery pack including the housing. Background Technology

[0002] For battery packs with multiple batteries, maximizing energy density per unit volume is important, but ensuring safety by preventing events such as fires or explosions is also crucial.

[0003] On the other hand, to ensure the safety of the battery pack, various conditions must be met. One such condition is a cooling structure capable of effectively dissipating the heat generated by the batteries within the pack. Therefore, a cooling flow path needs to be formed within the battery pack for the flow of cooling fluids such as coolant or air.

[0004] However, according to existing technology, when a cooling flow path is formed within the battery pack, the batteries positioned opposite the upstream region of the cooling flow path are over-cooled, while those positioned opposite the downstream region are under-cooled. This results in a significant discrepancy in the cooling levels of the batteries within the battery pack. This negatively impacts the required heat dissipation performance of the battery pack, thus reducing its safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the heat dissipation performance of the battery pack by minimizing the deviation in cooling of the batteries installed in the battery pack.

[0006] According to the present invention aimed at achieving the above-mentioned objectives, a battery housing is provided having an internal housing space. The battery housing includes a bottom portion forming the bottom surface of the housing; wherein a cooling flow path is formed in the bottom portion, the cooling flow path providing a path for the flow of cooling fluid, and when the bottom portion is viewed in a spaced-apart manner along the vertical direction, a portion of the cooling flow path intersects with another portion of the cooling flow path.

[0007] It may also include: a first component having an internal space communicating with one side of the cooling flow path; and a second component having an internal space communicating with the other side of the cooling flow path; wherein the cooling flow path may include: an inlet cooling flow path communicating with the internal space of the first component; and an outlet cooling flow path communicating with the internal space of the second component; wherein, when the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction, a portion of the inlet cooling flow path may intersect with the outlet cooling flow path.

[0008] The inlet cooling flow path may include: a first inlet cooling flow path region, which communicates with the internal space of the first component and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; the outlet cooling flow path may include: a first outlet cooling flow path region, which communicates with the internal space of the second component and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; wherein, when the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction, i) the first inlet cooling flow path region may intersect with the outlet cooling flow path, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path region may intersect with the inlet cooling flow path.

[0009] In the section where the inlet cooling flow path can intersect with the outlet cooling flow path, the outlet cooling flow path can be configured to be spaced downwards from the inlet cooling flow path.

[0010] In the front-back direction intersecting the vertical direction, the first inlet cooling flow path region may be formed to be further outward than a portion of the first outlet cooling flow path region.

[0011] In the front-back direction, the first inlet cooling flow path region may be formed to be further inward than another part of the first outlet cooling flow path region.

[0012] The inlet cooling flow path may further include: a second inlet cooling flow path region, which includes a portion extending in a direction that communicates with the first inlet cooling flow path region and intersects the extension direction of the first inlet cooling flow path region; the outlet cooling flow path may further include: a second outlet cooling flow path region, which includes a portion extending in a direction that communicates with the first outlet cooling flow path region and intersects the extension direction of the first outlet cooling flow path region; wherein, when the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction, i) the first inlet cooling flow path region may intersect the second outlet cooling flow path region, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path region may intersect the second inlet cooling flow path region.

[0013] The second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region can be spaced apart from each other.

[0014] The first inlet cooling flow path region and the first outlet cooling flow path region may include sections extending in a left-right direction that intersects the vertical direction.

[0015] The second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region can extend in a longitudinal direction that intersects the vertical direction and the left-right direction.

[0016] Multiple second inlet cooling flow path regions and multiple second outlet cooling flow path regions may be provided. A portion of the multiple second outlet cooling flow path regions may form a 2-1 outlet cooling flow path region, which is formed on one side of the left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction. Another portion of the multiple second outlet cooling flow path regions may form a 2-2 outlet cooling flow path region, which is spaced apart from the 2-1 outlet cooling flow path region along the left-right direction. At least a portion of the multiple second inlet cooling flow path regions may be formed along the left-right direction between the 2-1 outlet cooling flow path region and the 2-2 outlet cooling flow path region.

[0017] All of the plurality of second inlet cooling flow path regions can be formed along the left-right direction between the second-1 outlet cooling flow path region and the second-2 outlet cooling flow path region.

[0018] The cooling flow path may further include: a connecting cooling flow path that connects the second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region; wherein the connecting cooling flow path may be configured to be opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path region and the first outlet cooling flow path region, separated by the second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region.

[0019] The vertical height of the second inlet cooling flow path area and the vertical height of the second outlet cooling flow path area can correspond to each other or be substantially the same.

[0020] The bottom surface may include: a bottom surface forming member having an internal space and including a plurality of partition regions dividing the internal space, the upper surface of the bottom surface forming member being configured to face the receiving space; wherein the partition regions may define at least a portion of the cooling flow path.

[0021] The battery housing may include: a bottom forming member having an internal space and including a plurality of partition regions dividing the internal space, the upper surface of the bottom forming member being configured to face the housing space; wherein the partition regions may define at least a portion of a second inlet cooling flow path region and at least a portion of a second outlet cooling flow path region, the at least portion of the second inlet cooling flow path region and the at least portion of the second outlet cooling flow path region being formed to face each other across the partition regions.

[0022] The plurality of partition regions provided in the bottom surface forming member can be arranged at intervals along the left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction. The partition region may include: a connecting partition region that extends along the front-back direction intersecting the vertical and left-back directions, extending to one end of the front-back direction of the bottom surface forming member, and extending to a position spaced at a predetermined distance from the other end of the front-back direction of the bottom surface forming member; wherein, the other end of the front-back direction of the bottom surface forming member may be configured as: i) opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path region across the second inlet cooling flow path region, or ii) opposite to the first outlet cooling flow path region across the second outlet cooling flow path region.

[0023] In the bottom surface of the bottom forming member, a portion defining the second outlet cooling flow path region may be formed with a discharge hole.

[0024] The battery housing may further include: a plate member fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member, and together with the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member forming an internal space; wherein the plate member is configured to be opposite the discharge hole in the vertical direction.

[0025] The internal space formed in the second component can communicate with the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the component formed by the bottom surface and the plate component.

[0026] The inlet cooling flow path may have a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction that intersects the vertical direction.

[0027] The outlet cooling flow path may have a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction that intersects the vertical direction.

[0028] The battery housing may further include: a sealing member disposed on one side of the bottom forming member in the front-rear direction; wherein the inner side of the sealing member faces the communicating partition area and is fixedly connected.

[0029] The bottom surface forming component can be manufactured by an extrusion process.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention intended to achieve the aforementioned objective, a battery pack is provided, comprising: a battery housing; and a battery stack body housed in a housing space, and including a structure consisting of a plurality of batteries stacked; wherein at least a portion of a cooling flow path is configured to be opposite to the battery stack body, and in the region where the battery stack body and the cooling flow path are opposite to each other, the stacking direction of the battery stack body and the extending direction of the cooling flow path are parallel to each other.

[0031] According to the present invention, the heat dissipation performance of the battery pack can be improved by minimizing the deviation in cooling of the batteries mounted in the battery pack. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a battery housing provided in a battery pack according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a cooling flow path formed by the battery housing according to the invention.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing a cut-off section of the second component and its surrounding structure disposed in the battery housing according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the battery housing according to the invention in an upside-down state.

[0037] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing according to the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1: Battery pack 2: Battery stack 10: Battery housing 100: Bottom surface 100a: Bottom surface forming component 100a-1: Adjacent Area 100a-1a: Connecting adjacent areas 100a-2: Discharge port 110: Cooling flow path 112: Inlet cooling flow path 112a: First inlet cooling flow area 112b: Second inlet cooling flow path area 114: Outlet cooling flow path 114a: First outlet cooling flow path area 114b: Second outlet cooling flow path area 114b-1: Second-1 outlet cooling flow path area 114b-2: Second -2 outlet cooling flow path area 116: Connect the cooling flow path 150: Side profile 200: First component 300: Second component 400: Plate component 500: Closed component H: Up and down direction W: Left and right directions A: Front and back direction S: Capacity space. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The battery housing and battery pack according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Battery housing Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a battery housing provided in a battery pack according to the present invention. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a cooling flow path formed by the battery housing according to the invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing a cut-off section of the second component and its surrounding structure disposed in the battery housing according to the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the battery housing according to the invention in a flipped-over state. Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing according to the present invention.

[0041] The battery housing according to the present invention can be a structure for accommodating more than one battery. As an example, the aforementioned battery can be a lithium-ion battery; however, the type of battery is not limited to this. More preferably, however, the aforementioned battery can be a rechargeable battery.

[0042] The battery housing according to the present invention can be a structure that forms the outer surface of a battery pack and is used to house one or more batteries. That is, the battery housing according to the present invention can be the housing of a battery pack. However, the battery housing is not limited to the name "battery pack" and can also be applied to structures of various forms that house batteries (e.g., battery modules).

[0043] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to the present invention, the battery housing 10 can form a housing space S inside. The housing space S can be a space for housing a battery stack 2, which includes multiple battery stack structures. Moreover, the housing space S can also function as a space for housing other structures mounted in the battery pack 1, such as for housing busbars or various electronic components. For ease of description, the battery housing 10 will be referred to as the "housing" below.

[0044] The housing 10 may include a bottom portion 100 forming the bottom surface of the housing and a side portion 150 forming the side surface region of the housing. More specifically, the bottom portion 100 and the side portion 150 may define the aforementioned receiving space S. The phrase "the bottom portion and the side portion define the receiving space" can be understood as the bottom portion and the side portion forming the boundary of the receiving space. On the other hand, in this specification, ... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Based on this, the direction of the bottom surface 100 toward the receiving space S is defined as the vertical direction H. However, this is merely for ease of description and does not imply that the bottom surface 100 of the housing 10 must be positioned at the bottom in actual use. For example, in actual use, the bottom surface 100 of the housing 10 can be positioned either on the horizontal side or at the top.

[0045] On the other hand, according to the present invention, an internal space may be formed in the bottom surface 100. More specifically, a cooling flow path 110 may be formed in the bottom surface 100, which provides a path for the flow of cooling fluid. That is, the cooling flow path 110 can be understood as a hollow space defined by the bottom surface 100.

[0046] More specifically, according to the present invention, the cooling flow path 110 formed on the bottom surface 100 may have the following configuration: the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path can uniformly and comprehensively cool the battery stack 2 housed in the housing space S.

[0047] That is, according to the existing technology, during the process of cooling fluid passing through the cooling flow path, the batteries that the cooling fluid passes through first will be over-cooled, while the batteries that the cooling fluid passes through later will be under-cooled. At this time, there is a problem that the degree to which the batteries are cooled varies depending on the position of the batteries in the battery pack.

[0048] This invention can be used to solve the aforementioned problems of the prior art. More specifically, according to this invention, the deviation in the cooling degree of the batteries arranged in a battery pack can be reduced.

[0049] To achieve the aforementioned objective, according to the present invention, when the bottom surface 100 is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction H, a portion of the cooling flow path 110 may intersect with another portion of the cooling flow path 110. The detailed shape of the cooling flow path 110 is described below.

[0050] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The housing 10 according to the invention may further include: a structure providing a path for supplying cooling fluid to the aforementioned cooling flow path 110; and a structure providing a path for discharging the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path 110 to the outside. More specifically, the housing 10 may further include: a first member 200 having an internal space communicating with one side of the cooling flow path 110; and a second member 300 having an internal space communicating with the other side of the cooling flow path 110.

[0051] On the other hand, the cooling flow path 110 may include: an inlet cooling flow path 112, which communicates with the internal space of the first component 200; and an outlet cooling flow path 114, which communicates with the internal space of the second component 300. Therefore, according to the present invention, cooling fluid flowing in from the outside through the first component 200, after sequentially flowing through the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114, can be discharged to the outside through the second component 300. At this time, according to the present invention, when the bottom surface 100 is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction H, a portion of the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 may intersect each other.

[0052] More specifically, the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 can each be divided into multiple flow path regions. For more details, refer to... Figure 3 The inlet cooling flow path 112 may include: a first inlet cooling flow path region 112a, which communicates with the internal space of the first component 200 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H; the outlet cooling flow path 114 may include: a first outlet cooling flow path region 114a, which communicates with the internal space of the second component 300 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H.

[0053] At this time, according to the present invention, such as Figure 3 As shown, when the bottom surface 100 is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the outlet cooling flow path 114 may intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a and the inlet cooling flow path 112 may intersect each other. As an example, in Figure 3 The diagram shows a configuration where the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a intersects with the inlet cooling flow path 112, while the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a is separated from the outlet cooling flow path 114.

[0054] Continue to refer to Figure 3 In addition to the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a, the inlet cooling flow path 112 may further include a second inlet cooling flow path region 112b, which includes a portion that communicates with the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a. Furthermore, in addition to the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a, the outlet cooling flow path 114 may further include a second outlet cooling flow path region 114b, which includes a portion that communicates with the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a.

[0055] At this time, according to the present invention, when the bottom surface 100 is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a and the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b may intersect each other. As an example, in Figure 3 The diagram shows a configuration where the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a intersects with the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b, while the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b are spaced apart.

[0056] On the other hand, in this specification, the direction in which the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b of the housing 10 extend in the horizontal direction intersecting the vertical direction H is defined as the front-back direction A, and the direction intersecting the vertical direction H and the front-back direction A is defined as the left-right direction W.

[0057] At this point, according to the present invention, the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a may include segments extending along the left-right direction W intersecting the vertical direction H. As an example, in Figure 3 The diagram shows that the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a consists only of a section extending in the left-right direction W, while the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a includes a section extending in the left-right direction W and a section extending in the front-back direction A.

[0058] On the other hand, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may include a segment extending along a front-back direction A that intersects the vertical direction H and the left-right direction W. As an example, in Figure 3 The diagram shows the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b extending along the longitudinal direction A, respectively. That is, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may each consist only of a segment extending along the longitudinal direction A.

[0059] On the other hand, as mentioned above, when the bottom surface 100 is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction H, the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 may intersect each other. Therefore, according to the present invention, in the section where the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 intersect, the outlet cooling flow path 114 may be formed to be spaced downwards from the inlet cooling flow path 112. For example, as... Figure 3As shown, when the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a intersect, in the intersecting section, the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a may be spaced downwards from the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b. However, unlike the foregoing, according to another example of the present invention, in the section where the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 intersect, the inlet cooling flow path 112 may also be spaced downwards from the outlet cooling flow path 114.

[0060] On the other hand, according to one embodiment of the invention, the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a may be formed between one part and another part of the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a along a front-back direction A intersecting the vertical direction H. More specifically, as Figure 3 As shown, in the front-rear direction A, the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a may be formed at a position that is further outward than a portion of the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a, but further inward than another portion of the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a. In this case, the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a may further include a connecting portion for connecting the portion formed in the front-rear direction A that is further inward than the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the portion formed in the front-rear direction A that is further outward than the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a. In this case, the aforementioned connecting portion may extend in the front-rear direction A. Therefore, unlike the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a, which is only composed of a section extending in the left-right direction W, the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a may include not only a section extending in the left-right direction W, but also a section extending in the front-rear direction A (i.e., the aforementioned connecting portion).

[0061] Continue to refer to Figure 3 In the cooling flow path 110 of the housing 10 according to the invention, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may be formed to be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may be formed to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction W.

[0062] On the other hand, according to the present invention, multiple second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b and second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b may be provided respectively. In this case, as... Figure 3As shown, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b can be formed along the left-right direction W between the second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b. More specifically, a portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b can form a second-1 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-1, which is formed on the left-right direction W side intersecting the vertical direction H. Another portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b can form a second-2 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-2, which is spaced apart from the second-1 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-1 along the left-right direction W. In this case, at least a portion of the plurality of second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b can be formed along the left-right direction W between the second-1 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-1 and the second-2 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-2. More preferably, as... Figure 3 As shown, multiple second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b can all be formed along the left-right direction W between the second-1 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-1 and the second-2 outlet cooling flow path region 114b-2.

[0063] Continue to refer to Figure 3 The cooling flow path 110 formed on the bottom part 100 of the housing 10 according to the present invention may further include a connecting cooling flow path 116 connecting the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. The connecting cooling flow path 116 connects the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b, so that the cooling fluid flowing into the bottom part 100 passes through the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b, and then passes through the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b and the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a.

[0064] The connecting cooling flow path 116 can be formed on the side opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a, with reference to the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. More specifically, as... Figure 3 As shown, the connecting cooling flow path 116 can be configured to be opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a and the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a, separated by the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b.

[0065] On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the vertical direction H, the vertical height H of the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the vertical height H of the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b can correspond to each other or be substantially the same. This is because, as mentioned above, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b are formed at intervals in the horizontal direction W.

[0066] On the other hand, reference Figures 1 to 3 The bottom surface 100 may further include: a bottom surface forming member 100a having an internal space and including a plurality of partition regions 100a-1 dividing the internal space, the upper surface of which is configured to face the receiving space S of the housing 10. More specifically, the partition regions 100a-1 may define at least a portion of the aforementioned cooling flow path 110. That is, at least a portion of the cooling flow path 110 can be understood as the space divided by the partition regions 100a-1.

[0067] More specifically, the partition region 100a-1 may define at least a portion of the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. At this time, as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, at least a portion of the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b may be formed to face each other across a partition wall region 100a-1. Two adjacent second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b among the plurality of second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b may be formed to face each other across a partition wall region 100a-1. Two adjacent second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b among the plurality of second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b may be formed to face each other across a partition wall region 100a-1.

[0068] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 3 The plurality of partition regions 100a-1 provided in the bottom forming member 100a may include: a connecting partition region 100a-1a, which extends in the longitudinal direction A, which intersects the vertical direction H and the horizontal direction W, to one end of the two ends of the longitudinal direction A of the bottom forming member 100a, and to a position spaced at a predetermined distance from the other end of the two ends of the longitudinal direction A of the bottom forming member 100a.

[0069] The connecting partition regions 100a-1a define the aforementioned connecting cooling flow path 116. More specifically, the other end of the bottom forming member 100a in the front-rear direction A can be configured to: i) be opposite the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a across the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b, or ii) be opposite the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a across the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. Therefore, the connecting cooling flow path 116 can be formed by the gap between the other end of the connecting partition regions 100a-1a and the inner surface of the bottom forming member 100a, which connects two adjacent second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b, two adjacent second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b, and second inlet cooling flow path regions 112b and second outlet cooling flow path regions 114b that are adjacent to each other.

[0070] On the other hand, reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a of the housing 10 according to the invention, a discharge hole 100a-2 may be formed in the portion defining the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. Therefore, the cooling fluid flowing in the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b can be discharged from the bottom surface forming member 100a through the discharge hole 100a-2.

[0071] Additionally, the housing 10 according to the present invention may further include: a plate member 400, which is fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a and together with the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a forms an internal space. More specifically, the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a and the plate member 400 may form a first outlet cooling flow path region 114a. In this case, a portion of the aforementioned plate member 400 may be configured to face the discharge hole 100a-2 in the vertical direction H. Therefore, the cooling fluid flowing in the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b formed on the bottom surface forming member 100a can be discharged to the lower part through the discharge hole 100a-2, and the cooling fluid discharged to the lower part can be collected in at least a portion of the internal space defined by the bottom surface forming member 100a and the plate member 400, namely the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a. The cooling fluid collected in the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a can be discharged from the housing 10 to the outside via the second member 300. Therefore, the internal space formed in the second component 300 can communicate with the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the bottom-forming component 100a and the plate component 400, and more specifically, it can communicate with the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a (see reference). Figure 4 More preferably, the discharge hole 100a-2 may be formed in the region adjacent to the second member 300 in the bottom forming member 100a. Furthermore, more preferably, the discharge hole 100a-2 may be formed opposite to the end of the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b in the front-rear direction A.

[0072] On the other hand, reference Figure 3 The inlet cooling flow path 112 may have a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction W that intersects with the vertical direction H, and the outlet cooling flow path 114 may also have a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction W that intersects with the vertical direction H.

[0073] On the other hand, reference Figure 3 According to the invention, the housing 10 may further include a closing member 500 disposed on one side of the bottom surface forming member 100a in the front-rear direction A.

[0074] One side of the aforementioned bottom forming member 100a may have an outwardly open shape. More specifically, the end of the bottom forming member 100a in the opposite direction to the direction toward the first member 200 and the second member 300 may have an outwardly open shape. Therefore, in order to make the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 formed in the bottom forming member 100a respectively sealed to the outside, it is necessary to add a structure attached to the opposite-direction end of the bottom forming member 100a.

[0075] The sealing member 500 may be structured such that it seals the inlet cooling flow path 112 and the outlet cooling flow path 114 from the outside by being attached to the opposite-direction end of the bottom forming member 100a. Alternatively, the sealing member 500 may be a structure defining the aforementioned connecting cooling flow path 116. More specifically, the connecting cooling flow path 116 may be formed by the inner surface of the sealing member 500 and the end of the connecting partition region 100a-1a in the front-rear direction A.

[0076] On the other hand, the bottom forming member 100a of the housing 10 according to the present invention can be manufactured by an extrusion process. This has the advantage that the cooling flow path formed by the bottom forming member 100a can be more easily formed. That is, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b formed on the bottom forming member 100a can have a "I" shape extending in the front-rear direction A. Therefore, forming the bottom forming member 100a by an extrusion process is more advantageous in terms of time and cost in order to form the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b having an "I" shape.

[0077] Based on the foregoing and the accompanying drawings, the flow of cooling fluid within the housing 10 according to the present invention will be described below.

[0078] Cooling fluid flowing in from the outside through the first component 200 can flow through the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a, which is connected to the first component 200. Cooling fluid flowing in the direction extending along the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a (i.e., the left-right direction W) can flow into the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b, which branches off from the first inlet cooling flow path region 112a, and flow in the direction extending along the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b (i.e., the front-back direction A). Then, the cooling fluid reaching the end of the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b in the front-back direction A can flow through the connecting cooling flow path 116 and then through the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b. Cooling fluid flowing in the direction extending along the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b (i.e., the front-back direction A) can fall downward through the discharge hole 100a-2 at the end of the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b in the front-back direction A, and the cooling fluid falling from the discharge hole 100a-2 can collect in the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a. Then, the cooling fluid flowing through the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a can be discharged to the outside again through the internal space of the second component 300, which is connected to the first outlet cooling flow path region 114a. Figure 6 The arrow indicates a simplified flow path of the cooling fluid discharged downward through the discharge hole 100a-2, through the first outlet cooling flow path area, to the second component.

[0079] battery pack Referring to the foregoing and the accompanying drawings, the battery pack 1 according to the present invention is described.

[0080] The detailed description of the battery housing 10 provided in the battery pack according to the present invention is replaced by the foregoing description of the battery housing according to the present invention.

[0081] The battery pack 1 according to the present invention may include a battery housing 10 (hereinafter referred to as "housing") and a battery stack 2, which is housed in the housing space S of the housing 10 and includes a structure consisting of multiple batteries stacked together.

[0082] At this time, the battery pack 1 can be configured such that the heat generated by the batteries in the battery stack 2 can be transferred to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path 110. Therefore, according to the invention, at least a portion of the cooling flow path 110 and the battery stack 2 can be positioned opposite each other. More preferably, the battery stack 2 can be positioned opposite a large portion of the cooling flow path 110. As an example, referring to the accompanying drawings, the battery stack 2 can be opposite the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b in the cooling flow path 110.

[0083] On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the region where the battery stack 2 and the cooling flow path 110 are opposite to each other, the stacking direction of the battery stack 2 and the extending direction of the cooling flow path 110 may be parallel to each other. As an example, referring to the accompanying drawings, the batteries of the battery stack 2 may be stacked along the front-back direction A of the battery pack 1, and the second inlet cooling flow path region 112b and the second outlet cooling flow path region 114b opposite to the battery stack 2 may also extend along the front-back direction A.

[0084] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and variations are possible to the invention without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A battery housing having an internal receiving space (S), the battery housing comprising: The bottom surface, which forms the bottom of the shell; A cooling flow path is formed on the bottom surface, providing a path for the flow of cooling fluid. When the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction (H), a portion of the cooling flow path intersects with another portion of the cooling flow path.

2. The battery housing according to claim 1, further comprising: The first component has an internal space that communicates with one side of the cooling flow path; as well as The second component has an internal space that communicates with the other side of the cooling flow path; The cooling flow path includes: An inlet cooling flow path, which communicates with the internal space of the first component; and The outlet cooling flow path is connected to the internal space of the second component; When the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction (H), a portion of the inlet cooling flow path intersects with the outlet cooling flow path.

3. The battery housing according to claim 2, wherein, The inlet cooling flow path includes: The first inlet cooling flow path region is connected to the internal space of the first component and extends in a direction that intersects the vertical direction (H); The outlet cooling flow path includes: The first outlet cooling flow path area is connected to the internal space of the second component and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (H); When the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction (H), i) the first inlet cooling flow path area intersects with the outlet cooling flow path, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path area intersects with the inlet cooling flow path.

4. The battery housing according to claim 3, wherein, In the section where the inlet cooling flow path and the outlet cooling flow path intersect, the outlet cooling flow path is formed to be spaced downwards from the inlet cooling flow path.

5. The battery housing according to claim 3, wherein, In the forward-backward direction (A) intersecting the vertical direction (H), the first inlet cooling flow path region is formed to be further outward than a portion of the first outlet cooling flow path region.

6. The battery housing according to claim 5, wherein, In the front-back direction (A), the first inlet cooling flow path region is formed to be further inward than another part of the first outlet cooling flow path region.

7. The battery housing according to claim 3, wherein, The inlet cooling flow path also includes: The second inlet cooling flow path region includes a portion that communicates with the first inlet cooling flow path region and extends in a direction that intersects the extension direction of the first inlet cooling flow path region. The outlet cooling flow path also includes: The second outlet cooling flow path region includes a portion that communicates with the first outlet cooling flow path region and extends in a direction that intersects the extension direction of the first outlet cooling flow path region. When the bottom surface is viewed at intervals along the vertical direction (H), i) the first inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling flow path region and the second inlet cooling flow path region intersect each other.

8. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, The second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region are spaced apart from each other.

9. The battery housing according to claim 3, wherein, The first inlet cooling flow path region and the first outlet cooling flow path region include sections extending along the left-right direction (W) that intersects the vertical direction (H).

10. The battery housing according to claim 9, wherein, The second inlet cooling flow path region and the second outlet cooling flow path region extend along the front-back direction (A) that intersects the vertical direction (H) and the horizontal direction (W).

11. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, Multiple second inlet cooling flow path regions and multiple second outlet cooling flow path regions are respectively provided; A portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling flow path regions forms a 2-1 outlet cooling flow path region, which is formed on one side of the left-right direction (W) intersecting the vertical direction (H). Another portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling flow path regions forms a 2-2 outlet cooling flow path region, which is spaced apart from the 2-1 outlet cooling flow path region along the left-right direction (W). At least a portion of the plurality of second inlet cooling flow path regions are formed along the left-right direction (W) between the second-1 outlet cooling flow path region and the second-2 outlet cooling flow path region.

12. The battery housing according to claim 11, wherein, All of the plurality of second inlet cooling flow path regions are formed along the left-right direction (W) between the second-1st outlet cooling flow path region and the second-2nd outlet cooling flow path region.

13. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, The cooling flow path also includes: A cooling flow path is connected, which connects the second inlet cooling flow path area and the second outlet cooling flow path area; The connecting cooling flow path is formed to be opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path area and the first outlet cooling flow path area, separated by the second inlet cooling flow path area and the second outlet cooling flow path area.

14. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, The vertical (H) height of the second inlet cooling flow path area and the vertical (H) height of the second outlet cooling flow path area correspond to each other or are substantially the same.

15. The battery housing according to claim 7, wherein, The bottom surface includes: A bottom forming member has an internal space and includes a plurality of partitioned areas that divide the internal space, and the upper surface of the bottom forming member is configured to face the receiving space (S). The partition region defines at least a portion of the cooling flow path.

16. The battery housing according to claim 7, comprising: A bottom forming member has an internal space and includes a plurality of partitioned areas that divide the internal space, and the upper surface of the bottom forming member is configured to face the receiving space (S). The partition region defines at least a portion of the second inlet cooling flow path region and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling flow path region. At least a portion of the second inlet cooling flow path region and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling flow path region are formed to be opposite each other across the partition wall region.

17. The battery housing according to claim 15, wherein, The plurality of partition regions provided in the bottom forming member are arranged at intervals along the left-right direction (W) intersecting the vertical direction (H), and The partition area includes: The connecting partition area extends along a longitudinal direction (A) that intersects the vertical direction (H) and the horizontal direction (W), extending to one end of the two ends of the longitudinal direction (A) of the bottom surface forming member, and extending to a position spaced at a predetermined distance from the other end of the two ends of the longitudinal direction (A) of the bottom surface forming member. The other end of the bottom forming member in the front-rear direction (A) can be configured to: i) be opposite to the first inlet cooling flow path area across the second inlet cooling flow path area, or ii) be opposite to the first outlet cooling flow path area across the second outlet cooling flow path area.

18. The battery housing according to claim 16, wherein, In the bottom surface of the bottom forming member, a discharge hole is formed in the portion defining the second outlet cooling flow path area.

19. The battery housing according to claim 18, further comprising: A plate component, which is fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming component, and together with the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming component, forms an internal space; The plate member is configured to be opposite the discharge hole in the vertical direction (H).

20. The battery housing according to claim 19, wherein, The internal space formed in the second component is connected to the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the component formed by the bottom surface and the plate component.

21. The battery housing according to claim 2, wherein, The inlet cooling flow path has a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction (W) that intersects the vertical direction (H).

22. The battery housing according to claim 2, wherein, The outlet cooling flow path has a symmetrical structure along the left-right direction (W) that intersects the vertical direction (H).

23. The battery housing according to claim 17, further comprising: A closing member is disposed on one side of the bottom surface forming member in the front-rear direction (A); The inner surface of the enclosing member faces the connected partition area and is fixedly connected.

24. The battery housing according to claim 15, wherein, The bottom surface forming component is manufactured by an extrusion process.

25. A battery pack, comprising: The battery housing according to claim 1; as well as A battery stack, which is housed in a housing space (S) and includes a structure consisting of multiple stacked batteries; In this configuration, at least a portion of the cooling flow path is positioned opposite to the battery stack. In the region where the battery stack and the cooling flow path are opposite each other, the stacking direction of the battery stack and the extending direction of the cooling flow path are parallel to each other.

Images