Direct water-cooled battery module

Abstract

The utility model relates to a direct water-cooled battery module, which comprises a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell comprises an electrode assembly and a shell which is used for accommodating the electrode assembly and is made of a non-polar material; the battery cell frame is arranged in a manner that the plurality of battery cells are arranged at intervals, and cooling water can flow among the plurality of battery cells; a cooling water supply unit for supplying the cooling water to the inside of the cell frame; and the waterproof layer is arranged in the battery cell frame and is arranged to respectively cover the upper side end and the lower side end of the shell. According to the battery cell, an uninsulated common low-cost cooling liquid is used for replacing a high-price insulated special cooling liquid, so that heat generated in the battery cell can be directly cooled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a direct water-cooled battery cell and a direct water-cooled battery module comprising the direct water-cooled battery cell, and specifically to a direct water-cooled battery cell capable of directly cooling the heat generated in the battery cell by using non-insulated low-cost ordinary cooling water instead of insulated expensive special cooling water, and a direct water-cooled battery module comprising the direct water-cooled battery cell.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0183748, filed on December 21, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] An environmentally friendly vehicle using electric energy receives electric power from an external charging facility to charge a battery installed in the vehicle, and uses the charged electric power of the battery to generate kinetic energy required to drive the vehicle.

[0004] Batteries used in such eco-friendly vehicles generate a large amount of heat due to the high power required, and in order to improve battery performance and service life, it is important to efficiently discharge the heat generated by the batteries and thereby prevent the batteries from overheating.

[0005] As conventional cooling systems for dissipating heat from batteries, direct air cooling, indirect water cooling, direct water cooling, and the like are known.

[0006] The direct air cooling method is a method of directly supplying cooling air between the plurality of cells constituting the battery.

[0007] The indirect water cooling method is a method of providing a channel for cooling water to flow through on one side of the battery and providing a cooling plate in contact with the cooling channel between a plurality of battery cells to indirectly discharge heat from the battery cells to the cooling channel.

[0008] The direct water cooling method is a method of immersing the battery cells directly in cooling water to directly discharge heat from the battery cells into the cooling water.

[0009] Figure 1 A diagram schematically shows the configuration of a conventional battery module.

[0010] Reference Figure 1 The direct water-cooled battery module 10 includes a cell frame 11 and a plurality of battery cells 12. The plurality of battery cells 12 are separated from each other and arranged inside the cell frame 11. The cell frame 11 is arranged so that cooling water can flow into the space between the plurality of battery cells.

[0011] For example, the battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell. In a conventional cylindrical battery cell, the outer shell for accommodating the electrode assembly is made of nickel-plated iron. Therefore, when the battery cell 10 is immersed in cooling water, it is susceptible to corrosion due to the material properties of the outer shell, and in particular, since the outer shell is polar, it is also weak in electrical insulation.

[0012] Therefore, conventional direct water-cooled battery modules use insulating oil or special cooling water M (such as 3M's NOVEC) inside the cell frame to prevent corrosion of the battery cells. However, there is a problem in that the existing insulating oil used as cooling water is susceptible to fire.

[0013] Then, the special cooling water M such as 3M NOVEC is non-polar and thus is excellent as cooling water for battery cells, but there is a problem of increasing the manufacturing cost of the battery module 10 due to its high product price. Utility Model Content

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] The utility model aims to provide a direct water-cooled battery cell which can use low-cost common cooling water instead of insulated expensive special cooling water to cool the heat generated from the battery cell and a direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell.

[0016] In addition, the utility model aims to provide a direct water-cooled battery cell and a direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell, wherein the direct water-cooled battery cell can improve the corrosion resistance of the battery cell by forming the shell of the battery cell with a non-polar material.

[0017] In addition, the utility model aims to provide a direct water-cooled battery cell and a direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell. Even if the shell of the battery cell is polar, the direct water-cooled battery cell can ensure the insulation performance of the battery cell by performing non-polar treatment on the outer surface of the shell with an insulating resin layer.

[0018] Technical Solution

[0019] In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the utility model, a battery module is provided, which includes: a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells including an electrode assembly and a shell accommodating the electrode assembly and formed of a non-polar material; a cell frame, the cell frame is arranged to separate the plurality of battery cells, and cooling water can flow between the plurality of battery cells; and a cooling water supply part, the cooling water supply part is used to supply the cooling water to the interior of the cell frame.

[0020] In addition, the cooling water supply part may be configured to supply non-insulated cooling water. In addition, the battery module may further include a cooling water discharge part configured to discharge cooling water in the cell frame to the outside of the cell frame.

[0021] Furthermore, the housing may be formed from aluminum.

[0022] In addition, the battery module may include a waterproof layer disposed inside the cell frame and configured to cover upper and lower ends of the case, respectively.

[0023] Additionally, the waterproof layer may include a waterproof adhesive or a potting resin.

[0024] Furthermore, the potting resin may be any one of silicone resin, urethane resin or epoxy resin.

[0025] Furthermore, the housing may not include a nickel plating layer.

[0026] In addition, according to another aspect of the utility model, a battery module is provided, which includes: a plurality of battery cells, the battery cells including an electrode assembly, a shell accommodating the electrode assembly and a resin layer surrounding the shell; a cell frame, the cell frame is arranged to separate the plurality of battery cells and cooling water can flow between the plurality of battery cells; and a cooling water supply part, the cooling water supply part is used to supply the cooling water to the interior of the cell frame.

[0027] Furthermore, the resin layer may be formed of a polymer sheet.

[0028] In addition, the resin layer may be formed by heat-pressing the polymer sheet on the outer surface of the case.

[0029] In addition, the polymer sheet may be formed of at least one of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0030] Furthermore, the cooling water supply may be configured to supply non-insulated cooling water.

[0031] Furthermore, the housing may be formed from aluminum.

[0032] In addition, the battery module may include a waterproof layer disposed inside the cell frame, and the waterproof layer is configured to cover upper and lower ends of the case, respectively.

[0033] Furthermore, the housing may not include a nickel plating layer.

[0034] Beneficial Effects

[0035] As described above, the direct water-cooled battery cell and the direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell related to at least one example of the present invention have the following effects.

[0036] The heat generated by the battery cells can be cooled by using low-cost ordinary cooling water instead of insulated, expensive special cooling water.

[0037] In addition, by forming the case of the battery cell with a non-polar material, the corrosion resistance of the battery cell can be improved. That is, since the outer surface of the case of the battery cell has non-polar properties, even if the battery cell is immersed in cooling water for a long time, the corrosion resistance and insulation can be maintained, and the heat generated from the battery cell can be cooled with ordinary cooling water instead of the insulating special coolant.

[0038] In addition, even when the case of the battery cell is polar, the insulation performance of the battery cell can be ensured by making the outer surface of the case non-polarized with the resin layer having insulation properties.

[0039] Compared to conventional battery modules that use insulated cooling water, which has weaker fire resistance, it is more resistant to fire due to the use of ordinary cooling water.

[0040] Furthermore, low-cost cooling water used for ordinary vehicles can be used to cool the battery cells, so that the manufacturing cost of the battery module can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Figure 1 A diagram schematically shows the configuration of a conventional battery module.

[0042] Figure 2 1 is a diagram for schematically explaining a configuration diagram of a direct water-cooled battery module according to an example of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 3 The figure schematically shows a three-dimensional view of a battery cell according to an example of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration diagram of a direct water-cooled battery module according to another example of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 5 A perspective view schematically shows a battery cell according to another example of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to another example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, a direct water-cooled battery cell according to an example of the present invention and a direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell will be described in detail.

[0048] In addition, regardless of the reference numerals, the same or corresponding parts are given the same or similar reference numerals, their repeated descriptions will be omitted, and the size and shape of each constituent member shown may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation.

[0049] Figure 2 is a diagram for schematically explaining a configuration diagram of a direct water-cooled battery module according to an example of the present invention, and Figure 3 The figure schematically shows a three-dimensional view of a battery cell according to an example of the present invention.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a direct water-cooled battery module 100 according to a first example of the present invention will be described.

[0051] The battery module 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 120 and a cell frame 110 in which the plurality of battery cells are disposed.

[0052] The battery module 100 includes: a plurality of battery cells 120 including an electrode assembly 123 and a case 121 containing the electrode assembly 123 and formed of a non-polar material; a cell frame 110 in which a plurality of battery cells 120 are arranged at intervals and cooling water W can flow between the plurality of battery cells; and a cooling water supply part 150 for supplying cooling water W to the inside of the cell frame 110. The cooling water W may be supplied to the inside of the cell frame 110 and then discharged to the outside of the cell frame 110, and for this purpose, the battery module 100 may include a cooling water discharge part 160 for discharging the cooling water W to the outside of the cell frame 110. The cooling water supply part 150 may include a cooling water storage tank and a pump.

[0053] The direct water-cooled battery cell 120 includes an electrode assembly 123 and a shell 121 surrounding the electrode assembly 123. The electrode assembly 123 is housed in the shell 121 and includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode and the separator may constitute an integrated electrode assembly. For example, the electrode assembly 123 may be a jelly-roll type electrode assembly, in which a sheet-type positive electrode and a negative electrode are wound with a separator interposed therebetween; a stack type electrode assembly, in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes are stacked in sequence with a separator interposed therebetween in the stack type electrode assembly; or a stack / folding type electrode assembly, in which the unit cells are wound in sequence with the state in which they are located on a separation membrane, and the unit cells are obtained by stacking the positive electrode and the negative electrode in a predetermined unit with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0054] In addition, the shell 121 is used to accommodate the electrode assembly 123 and protect the battery cell from external impact. The shell can be cylindrical, pouch-shaped or angular, and for example, the shell can be cylindrical. Specifically, the electrode assembly can be a wound core-type electrode assembly, and the shell can be a cylindrical shell.

[0055] The direct water-cooled battery module 100 includes a cell frame 110, a plurality of battery cells 120 disposed inside the cell frame, and general cooling water inside the cell frame 110. The cell frame 110 is provided to have a structure in which general cooling water can flow.

[0056] The housing 121 may be made of a non-polar metal material. The housing 121 may be formed of aluminum. In addition, the cooling water supply part 150 may be configured to supply non-insulated cooling water W.

[0057] Reference Figure 3 , the battery cell 120 includes a shell 121, an upper cover 125 and a lower cover 126. The shell 121 made of a non-polar material is non-polar, so when immersed in cooling water, it does not chemically react with the cooling water and thus does not corrode. Therefore, even if no separate insulation treatment is performed on the shell 121, the battery cell 120 according to this example has corrosion resistance and insulation. The shell 121 may not include a nickel plating layer.

[0058] The upper cover 125 is a waterproof cover covering the upper surface of the housing 121, and the lower cover 126 is a waterproof cover covering the lower surface of the housing 121. The upper cover 125 and the lower cover 126 may be provided to prevent the cooling water W from penetrating into the housing 121.

[0059] The battery module 100 may include waterproof layers 131 and 132, which are disposed inside the cell frame 110 and are disposed to respectively cover the upper side end 127 and the lower side end 128 of the housing 121. The upper waterproof layer 131 may be disposed on the upper side end 127 of the housing 121, and the lower waterproof layer 132 may be disposed on the lower side end 128 of the housing 121.

[0060] The waterproof layers 131 , 132 may include a waterproof adhesive or a potting resin, and the potting resin may be any one of a silicone-based resin, a urethane-based resin, and an epoxy-based resin.

[0061] In the battery module 100 according to this example, the outer surface of the battery cell 120 that is in direct contact with the cooling water has a non-polar property, so that even if it is immersed in the cooling water for a long time, the corrosion resistance and insulation of the battery cell 120 are maintained. As a result, the insulating special coolant M (see Figure 1 ) to cool the heat generated in the battery cells 120. The ordinary cooling water W may be cooling water generally used in vehicles.

[0062] Since the shell 121 is formed of a non-polar material, the present invention can improve the corrosion resistance of the battery cell 120 without performing additional insulation (eg, nickel plating) treatment on the shell 121 .

[0063] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration diagram of a direct water-cooled battery module according to another example of the present invention, Figure 5 A three-dimensional diagram schematically shows a battery cell according to another example of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to another example of the present invention.

[0064] The battery module 100A according to the second example is different from the battery module 100 according to the first example only in that it includes a resin layer 122A surrounding a case 121A.

[0065] Will refer to Figures 4 to 6 A direct water-cooled battery module 100A according to a second example of the utility model is described. The battery module 100A includes: a plurality of battery cells 120A, which include an electrode assembly, a shell 121A for accommodating the electrode assembly, and a resin layer 122A surrounding the shell; a cell frame 110A, which is configured such that a plurality of battery cells 120A are spaced apart and arranged in the cell frame 110A, and cooling water W can flow between the plurality of battery cells; and a cooling water supply part 150A, which is used to supply cooling water W in the cell frame 110A. In addition, like the first example, the battery module 100A may include a cooling water discharge part 160A.

[0066] As in the first example, the cell frame 110A is provided to have a structure in which the normal cooling water W can flow. In addition, the cooling water supply part 150A is provided to supply non-insulated cooling water.

[0067] In addition, the battery cell 120A includes a case 121A, a resin layer 122A on a surface of the case 121A in contact with cooling water, an upper cover 125A, and a lower cover 126A.

[0068] Here, the case 121A may be formed of an aluminum material. The outer surface of the case 121A may be non-polarized due to the resin layer 122A.

[0069] The resin layer 122A may be formed of a polymer sheet, and the resin layer 122A may be formed by heat-pressing the polymer sheet on the outer surface of the housing 121A. The resin layer 122A may be formed of a polymer sheet having insulation and watertightness, and a heat shrinkable polymer sheet may be used for the resin layer 122A.

[0070] For example, the resin layer 122A may be a sheet made of one or more polymer materials among polyvinyl chloride PVC, polypropylene PP, and polyethylene terephthalate PET.

[0071] The upper cover 125A is a waterproof cover covering the upper surface of the housing 121A, and the lower cover 126A is a waterproof cover covering the lower surface of the housing 121A. The upper cover 125A and the lower cover 126A may be provided to prevent the cooling water W from penetrating into the housing 121A.

[0072] The battery module 100A may include waterproof layers 131A and 132A, which are disposed inside the cell frame 110A and are disposed to cover the upper side end 127A and the lower side end 128A of the housing 121A, respectively. The upper waterproof layer 131A may be disposed on the upper side end 127 of the housing 121A, and the lower waterproof layer 132A may be disposed on the lower side end 128 of the housing 121A.

[0073] The waterproof layers 131A, 132A may include a waterproof adhesive or a potting resin, wherein the potting resin may be any one of a silicone resin, a urethane resin, and an epoxy resin.

[0074] In the battery module 100A according to the second example, the case 121A of the battery cell 120A is waterproofed and insulated by the resin layer 122A, the upper cover 125A and the lower cover 126A, so that corrosion resistance and insulation can be maintained even when immersed in cooling water for a long time.

[0075] The examples of the present invention as described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art who have ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes and additions within the idea and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0076] Industrial Applicability

[0077] According to a direct water-cooled battery cell and a direct water-cooled battery module including the direct water-cooled battery cell related to at least one example of the present invention, low-cost ordinary cooling water can be used instead of insulated and expensive special cooling water to cool the heat generated in the battery cell.

Claims

1. A battery module, characterized in that: The battery module comprises: A plurality of battery cells, each of which comprises an electrode assembly and a casing containing the electrode assembly and formed of a non-polar material; A cell frame, wherein the cell frame is configured to separate the plurality of battery cells and allow cooling water to flow between the plurality of battery cells; a cooling water supply unit, the cooling water supply unit being used to supply the cooling water to the interior of the cell frame; and A waterproof layer is arranged inside the battery core frame and is arranged to cover the upper side end and the lower side end of the shell respectively.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling water supply unit is configured to supply non-insulated cooling water.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is formed from aluminum.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waterproof layer includes a waterproof adhesive or a potting resin.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The potting resin is any one of silicone resin, urethane resin or epoxy resin.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing does not include a nickel plating layer.

7. A battery module, characterized in that: The battery module comprises: A plurality of battery cells, each of which comprises an electrode assembly, a casing accommodating the electrode assembly, and a resin layer surrounding the casing; a cell frame configured to space the plurality of battery cells apart and allow cooling water to flow between the plurality of battery cells; and A cooling water supply unit is used to supply the cooling water to the interior of the cell frame.

8. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The resin layer is formed of a polymer sheet.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The resin layer is formed by heat-pressing the polymer sheet onto the outer surface of the housing.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, characterized in that: The polymer sheet is formed of at least one of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate.

11. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cooling water supply unit is configured to supply non-insulated cooling water.

12. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The housing is formed from aluminum.

13. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery module comprises: A waterproof layer is disposed inside the battery core frame and is configured to cover the upper side end and the lower side end of the shell respectively.

14. The battery module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The housing does not include a nickel plating layer.

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