Battery pack and cooling device

Abstract

A battery pack and a cooling device are provided. The battery pack includes a housing portion that houses a battery pack, the housing portion including a lower housing region having a lower flow path and an upper housing region having an upper flow path. When a cooling fluid is supplied to the flow paths, a flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first upper flow path region of the upper flow path is opposite to a flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first lower flow path region of the lower flow path that faces the first upper flow path region in a vertical direction. The utility model improves the overall cooling performance of the battery pack by minimizing the cooling deviation between the batteries in the battery pack that applies a bilateral cooling method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery pack, and more specifically, to a battery pack including a structure capable of cooling the battery. Background Technology

[0002] The performance of the batteries installed in electric vehicles is a crucial factor in determining the performance and lifespan of the electric vehicle. For example, because batteries generate a significant amount of heat during charging or discharging, they need to be cooled. Effective cooling of the batteries installed in electric vehicles ensures smooth operation.

[0003] Meanwhile, depending on whether the fluid used to cool the battery flows towards one surface of the battery, battery cooling methods can be categorized into single-sided cooling methods, double-sided cooling methods, etc. Among these methods, single-sided cooling refers to a cooling method in which the fluid used to cool the battery flows towards one surface of the battery. However, in the prior art, the problem with single-sided cooling methods is that the other surface of the battery (opposite to the first surface) cannot properly exchange heat with the cooling fluid, which leads to a large cooling deviation between battery regions.

[0004] Meanwhile, the existing dual-sided cooling method refers to a cooling method in which the cooling fluid flows towards two opposing surfaces of the battery (e.g., the upper and lower surfaces) to solve the problems of the aforementioned single-sided cooling method. In this case, the dual-sided cooling method is advantageous in terms of cooling the two opposing surfaces of the battery, but it has the following problem: the degree to which the battery is cooled varies depending on the location of the battery. That is, because the battery that exchanges heat with the cooling fluid flowing through the upstream region of the cooling flow path is cooled relatively more, and the battery that exchanges heat with the cooling fluid flowing through the downstream region of the cooling flow path is cooled relatively less, a large cooling deviation occurs between multiple batteries. Utility Model Content

[0005] This disclosure aims to minimize the cooling deviation between cells in a battery pack that employs a dual-sided cooling method, thereby improving the overall cooling performance of the battery pack.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of this disclosure provides a battery pack, comprising: a battery assembly including a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell including an electrode and a separator; a housing portion including a receiving space configured to receive the battery assembly and a flow path spaced apart from the receiving space and configured to allow cooling fluid to flow through; and a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion connected to one side of the housing portion and configured to communicate with the flow path of the housing portion, wherein the housing portion includes: a lower housing region disposed below the battery assembly and having a lower flow path in the lower housing region; and an upper housing region disposed above the battery assembly and having an upper flow path in the upper housing region, wherein when cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path through the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first upper flow path region of the upper flow path is opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first lower flow path region of the lower flow path facing the first upper flow path region in the vertical direction.

[0007] The housing portion may also include a lateral connecting region disposed on the horizontal lateral portion of the plurality of battery packs and configured to connect the lower housing region and the upper housing region. A lateral flow path may be formed in the lateral connecting region and communicate with the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion. The lateral flow path may be divided into upwardly extending segments and downwardly extending segments in the portion where the first connecting portion and the lateral flow path intersect, and in the portion where the second connecting portion and the lateral flow path intersect.

[0008] The battery pack may further include: a steering flow path portion connected to one side of the upper housing region, wherein the steering flow path portion may include a steering flow path having a first side configured to communicate with a lateral flow path and a second side configured to communicate with an upper flow path, and wherein the first side and the second side of the steering flow path are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

[0009] The portion of the upper flow path that connects to the second side of the diverting flow path can define one end of the upper flow path.

[0010] The upper flow path may further include a spaced flow path region extending from the first transverse flow path connected to the first connecting portion toward the second connecting portion, and when viewed from above, one end of the spaced flow path region may be positioned between the first transverse flow path configured to communicate with the first connecting portion and the second transverse flow path configured to communicate with the second connecting portion.

[0011] The first side of the turning flow path can be connected to the second transverse flow path, and the turning flow path portion can be connected to the upper side of the upper housing region.

[0012] A redirecting flow path can be formed above the upper flow path.

[0013] The second side of the turning flow path can be located inside the first side of the turning flow path in the horizontal direction.

[0014] The length of the segment extending upward from the point where the lateral flow path intersects with the first and second connecting portions can be longer than the length of the segment extending downward from the point where the lateral flow path intersects with the first and second connecting portions.

[0015] The first upper flow path region and the first lower flow path region can have corresponding shapes.

[0016] In another general aspect, a cooling device for a battery pack including multiple battery cells includes: a housing including: a receiving space for receiving the battery pack; an upper housing facing the top side of the battery pack and including an upper flow path region; a lower housing facing the bottom side of the battery pack and including a lower flow path region; a first connecting portion connected to respective inlets of the upper and lower flow path regions; and a second connecting portion connected to respective outlets of the upper and lower flow path regions; a heat exchanger for removing heat; and a pump connected to the heat exchanger to pump cooling fluid into the first connecting portion, such that the cooling fluid moves through the upper and lower flow path regions to remove heat from the top and bottom sides of the battery pack, wherein the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region is different from the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the lower flow path region.

[0017] The flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region can be opposite to that in the lower flow path region.

[0018] The cooling device may also include a controller configured to control the pump to circulate the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region.

[0019] The controller can also be configured to control the pump to reverse the flow of cooling fluid based on temperature changes in at least one of the upper and lower flow path regions.

[0020] According to this disclosure, the overall cooling performance of a battery pack can be improved by minimizing the cooling deviation between cells in a battery pack that employs a dual-sided cooling method. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is an enlarged view showing the housing portion, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion constituting the battery pack according to the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2This is a view showing the cross-sectional structure of the first connecting portion in the battery pack according to this disclosure and the cross-sectional structure of the components surrounding the first connecting portion.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a view showing the cross-sectional structure of the second connection portion in the battery pack according to this disclosure and the cross-sectional structure of the components surrounding the second connection portion.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic view illustrating the lower housing region and lower flow path of the battery pack according to this disclosure.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic view of the upper housing region, upper flow path, and turning flow path portion of the battery pack according to this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 An enlarged view of the turning flow path section in the diagram.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a view showing the flow path and the redirection flow path defined by the battery pack according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The battery pack according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Battery pack

[0030] Figure 1 This is an enlarged view showing the housing portion, the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion constituting the battery pack according to the present disclosure, and Figure 2 This is a view showing the cross-sectional structure of the first connecting portion in the battery pack according to this disclosure and the cross-sectional structure of the components surrounding the first connecting portion. Figure 3 This is a view showing the cross-sectional structure of the second connection portion in the battery pack according to the present disclosure and the cross-sectional structure of the components surrounding the second connection portion, and Figure 4 This is a schematic view showing the lower housing region and lower flow path of the battery pack according to this disclosure. Figure 5 This is a schematic view illustrating the upper housing region, upper flow path, and turning flow path portion of the battery pack according to this disclosure, and Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 An enlarged view of the turning flow path section in the diagram. Figure 7 This is a view showing the flow path and the redirection flow path defined by the battery pack according to this disclosure.

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 3The battery pack 10 according to this disclosure may include: a battery group 100 including a plurality of battery cells comprising electrodes and separators; a housing portion 200 having a receiving space configured to receive the battery group 100 and a flow path U spaced apart from the receiving space and configured to allow cooling fluid to flow through; and a first connecting portion 300 and a second connecting portion 400 connected to one side of the housing portion 200 and configured to communicate with the flow path U of the housing portion 200. For example, the first connecting portion 300 may be an inlet portion configured to provide a path for supplying cooling fluid to the flow path U of the housing portion 200, and the second connecting portion 400 may be an outlet portion configured to provide a path for discharging cooling fluid from the flow path U of the housing portion 200. However, unlike the above configuration, the first connecting portion 300 may be an outlet portion, and the second connecting portion 400 may be an inlet portion.

[0032] Meanwhile, the housing portion 200 can be divided into multiple regions. Specifically, the housing portion 200 may include: a lower housing region 210, disposed below the battery pack 100, having a lower flow path U2 of flow path U in the lower housing region; an upper housing region 220, disposed above the battery pack 100, having an upper flow path U1 of flow path U in the upper housing region; and a lateral connecting region 230 disposed on the horizontal lateral portions of the plurality of battery packs 100 and configured to connect the lower housing region 210 and the upper housing region 220. In this case, the lateral flow path U3 of flow path U can be formed in the lateral connecting region 230 and communicate with the first connecting portion 300 or the second connecting portion 400 (more specifically, the space in the first connecting portion or the space in the second connecting portion). More specifically, the lateral flow path U3 can communicate with the first connecting portion 300 and the second connecting portion 400. That is, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The lateral flow path U3 can be divided into upwardly extending segments and downwardly extending segments at the intersection of the first connecting portion 300 and the second connecting portion 400. Therefore, the upwardly extending segment of the lateral flow path U3 from the first connecting portion 300 or the second connecting portion 400 can communicate with the upper flow path U1, and the downwardly extending segment of the lateral flow path U3 from the first connecting portion 300 or the second connecting portion 400 can communicate with the lower flow path U2.

[0033] It should also be noted that the descriptions of the vertical and horizontal directions of the battery pack in this specification are concepts introduced for ease of explanation of the battery pack components, and these directions do not limit the arrangement direction of the battery pack in actual use. That is, for example, the battery pack according to this disclosure can be used in an orientation reversed from the vertical direction defined in this specification. The battery pack according to this disclosure can be used with the horizontal direction defined in this specification replaced by a vertical direction.

[0034] Meanwhile, the lower housing region 210, the upper housing region 220, and the lateral connecting region 230 can be integrally formed with each other or formed as separate regions. For example, the lower housing region 210 and the lateral connecting region 230 can be connected to each other or integrally formed with each other, and the upper housing region 220 can be used as a cover member connected to the upper side of the lateral connecting region 230. However, the lateral connecting region 230 can be configured to be separate from the upper housing region 220 and the lower housing region 210. For example, the lateral connecting region 230 can define a portion of a hose member or connector member having a lateral flow path U3 therein.

[0035] Meanwhile, the upper flow path U1 may include a first upper flow path region U1-1, and the lower flow path U2 may include a first lower flow path region U2-1 configured to face the first upper flow path region U1-1 in the vertical direction. In this case, according to the present disclosure, when cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path U through the first connecting portion 300 or the second connecting portion 400, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first upper flow path region U1-1 of the upper flow path U1 may be opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first lower flow path region U2-1 of the lower flow path U2 configured to face the first upper flow path region U1-1 in the vertical direction.

[0036] According to this disclosure, the battery pack 100 disposed in the battery pack 10 can be cooled by a cooling fluid flowing along an upper flow path U1 formed above the battery pack 100 and a cooling fluid flowing along a lower flow path U2 formed below the battery pack 100. That is, according to this disclosure, the two opposite sides of the battery pack 100 in the vertical direction can be cooled by the cooling fluid.

[0037] In this configuration, according to this disclosure, the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the upper flow path (more specifically, the first upper flow path region U1-1) facing at least a portion of the battery pack 100 may be opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the lower flow path (more specifically, the first lower flow path region U2-1) facing a portion of the battery pack 100. In this configuration, the cooling deviation between the plurality of battery cells in the battery pack 100 can be minimized. More specifically, refer to... Figures 1 to 5The first upper flow path region U1-1 can be formed on the entire vertically facing area of ​​the upper flow path U1 towards the battery pack 100, and the first lower flow path region U2-1 can be formed on the entire vertically facing area of ​​the lower flow path U2 towards the battery pack 100. Furthermore, the first upper flow path region U1-1 and the first lower flow path region U2-1 can have shapes that face and correspond to each other in the vertical direction. This configuration can be set to uniformly cool the battery pack 100 with the cooling fluid.

[0038] To achieve the above functions, the battery pack 10 according to this disclosure may further include a jump flow path part 500 connected to one side of the upper housing region 220. The jump flow path part 500 may be configured such that the portion of cooling fluid supplied to the upper flow path U1 via the transverse flow path U3 is horizontally spaced from the portion of cooling fluid supplied to the lower flow path U2 via the transverse flow path U3, thereby making the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the upper flow path U1 and the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the lower flow path U2 substantially opposite to each other.

[0039] More specifically, the steering flow path portion 500 may include a steering flow path Z, which has a first side Z1 configured to communicate with the lateral flow path U3 and a second side Z2 configured to communicate with the upper flow path U1. In this case, the first side Z1 and the second side Z2 of the steering flow path Z may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the portion of the upper flow path U1 connected to the second side Z2 of the steering flow path Z may define one end of the upper flow path U1.

[0040] At the same time, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first connecting portion 300, the second connecting portion 400, and the transverse connecting region 230 can all be hose components or connector components having flow paths therein. More specifically, the first connecting portion 300, the second connecting portion 400, and the transverse connecting region 230 can each define a portion of a hose component or connector component. It is understood that the first connecting portion 300 and the transverse connecting region 230 are integrally formed, and the second connecting portion 400 and the transverse connecting region 230 are also integrally formed.

[0041] The detailed shapes of the flow path U and the redirecting flow path Z formed in the battery pack according to this disclosure will be described below.

[0042] refer to Figure 7The upper flow path U1 may further include a spaced flow path region U1-2, which extends horizontally toward the second connecting portion 400 from the first transverse flow path U3-1, which communicates with the first connecting portion 300 of the transverse flow path U3. More specifically, one end of the spaced flow path region U1-2 may communicate with the first transverse flow path U3-1, and the other end of the spaced flow path region U1-2 may communicate with the first upper flow path region U1-1.

[0043] In this case, such as Figure 7 As shown, when viewed from above, the other end of the spaced flow path region U1-2 can be located between i) the first transverse flow path U3-1 configured to communicate with the first connecting portion 300 and ii) the second transverse flow path U3-2 configured to communicate with the second connecting portion 400. Furthermore, the first side Z1 of the turning flow path Z can communicate with the second transverse flow path U3-2, and the turning flow path portion 500 can be connected to the upper side of the upper housing region 220. More specifically, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the turning flow path Z can be formed above the upper flow path U1. For example, as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second side Z2 of the turning flow path Z can be located inside the first side Z1 of the turning flow path Z in the horizontal direction (based on... Figure 5 and Figure 6 (Inward in the front-back direction).

[0044] At the same time, for example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the length of the section extending upward from the intersection of the transverse flow path U3 with the first connecting portion 300 and the second connecting portion 400 can be longer than the length of the section extending downward from the intersection of the transverse flow path U3 with the first connecting portion 300 and the second connecting portion 400.

[0045] The process of cooling fluid flowing in the battery pack 10 according to this disclosure will now be described with reference to the above description.

[0046] When the first connecting portion 300 is the inlet portion and the second connecting portion 400 is the outlet portion, cooling fluid is supplied to the first transverse flow path U3-1 through the first connecting portion 300. In this case, the cooling fluid flowing in the section of the first transverse flow path U3-1 extending upward from the first connecting portion 300 is introduced into the upper flow path U1, and the cooling fluid flowing in the section of the first transverse flow path U3-1 extending downward from the first connecting portion 300 is introduced into the lower flow path U2.

[0047] In this configuration, the cooling fluid introduced into the upper flow path U1 is introduced into the first upper flow path region U1-1 via the spaced flow path region U1-2 and exchanges heat with the upper side of the battery pack 100. The cooling fluid introduced into the lower flow path U2 is introduced into the first lower flow path region U2-1 and exchanges heat with the lower side of the battery pack 100. Then, the cooling fluid flowing through the first upper flow path region U1-1 or the first lower flow path region U2-1 passes sequentially through the second transverse flow path U3-2 and the second connecting portion 400, and is then discharged to the outside of the battery pack.

[0048] According to this disclosure, a portion of the battery pack 100 cooled by cooling fluid flowing in the upstream section of the upper flow path U1 can be cooled by cooling fluid flowing in the downstream section of the lower flow path U2. Conversely, a portion of the battery pack 100 cooled by cooling fluid flowing in the upstream section of the lower flow path U2 can be cooled by cooling fluid flowing in the downstream section of the upper flow path U1. Therefore, according to this disclosure, the degree of cooling of the battery pack by the cooling fluid can be maintained uniformly, regardless of the position of the battery cells in the battery pack 100.

[0049] Furthermore, the controller (e.g., a processor) can control the pump to circulate coolant fluid through the heat exchanger. The controller can also control the pump to reverse the flow of the coolant fluid based on temperature changes in at least one of the upper and lower flow path regions.

[0050] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0152892, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 31, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0051] This disclosure has been described with reference to limited embodiments and accompanying drawings, but is not limited thereto. Within the technical spirit of this disclosure and the scope of its equivalents, those skilled in the art may implement this disclosure in various forms.

Claims

1. A battery pack, characterized in that, The battery pack includes: A battery pack includes multiple battery cells, each battery cell including electrodes and a separator; The housing portion includes: A accommodating space, configured to accommodate the battery pack; and A flow path, spaced apart from the receiving space and configured to allow cooling fluid to flow through the flow path; and The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to one side of the housing portion and configured to communicate with the flow path of the housing portion. The housing portion includes: A lower housing region, disposed below the battery pack, and having a lower flow path of the flow path within the lower housing region; and An upper housing region is disposed above the battery pack, and an upper flow path of the flow path is present in the upper housing region; and When cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path through the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first upper flow path region of the upper flow path is opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first lower flow path region of the lower flow path facing the first upper flow path region in the vertical direction.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing portion further includes a lateral connecting region disposed on the horizontal lateral portions of the plurality of battery packs and configured to connect the lower housing region and the upper housing region. Wherein, a lateral flow path is formed in the lateral connection region, and the lateral flow path communicates with the first connection portion or the second connection portion, and The lateral flow path is divided into upward-extending segments and downward-extending segments in the portions where the first connecting portion and the lateral flow path intersect, and in the portions where the second connecting portion and the lateral flow path intersect.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that, The battery pack also includes: The flow path section is redirected to one side of the upper housing region. The turning flow path portion includes: The redirecting flow path has a first side configured to communicate with the transverse flow path and a second side configured to communicate with the upper flow path, and The first side and the second side of the turning flow path are spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that, The portion of the upper flow path connected to the second side of the turning flow path defines one end of the upper flow path.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper flow path further includes: a spaced flow path region extending from the first transverse flow path connected to the first connecting portion toward the second connecting portion, and When viewed from above, one end of the spaced flow path region is positioned between the first transverse flow path configured to communicate with the first connecting portion and the second transverse flow path of the transverse flow path configured to communicate with the second connecting portion.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first side of the steering flow path is connected to the second transverse flow path, and the steering flow path is partially connected to the upper side of the upper housing region.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, characterized in that, The turning flow path is formed above the upper flow path.

8. The battery pack according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second side of the steering flow path is located inside the first side of the steering flow path in the horizontal direction.

9. The battery pack according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length of the segment extending upward from the portion where the lateral flow path intersects with the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is longer than the length of the segment extending downward from the portion where the lateral flow path intersects with the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first upper flow path region and the first lower flow path region have corresponding shapes.

11. A cooling device for a battery pack comprising multiple battery cells, characterized in that, The cooling device includes: The housing includes: A storage space for accommodating the battery pack; The upper housing faces the top side of the battery pack and includes an upper flow path region; The lower housing faces the bottom side of the battery pack and includes a lower flow path region; The first connection portion connects to the corresponding inlets of the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region; and The second connection portion is connected to the corresponding outlets of the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region; Heat exchanger, configured to remove heat; and A pump, connected to the heat exchanger, is configured to pump cooling fluid into the first connection portion, such that the cooling fluid moves through the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region to remove heat from the top and bottom sides of the battery pack. The flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region is different from that in the lower flow path region.

12. The cooling device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region is opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the lower flow path region.

13. The cooling device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The cooling device also includes: The controller is configured to control the pump to circulate cooling fluid in the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region.

14. The cooling device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to control the pump to reverse the flow of cooling fluid based on temperature changes in at least one of the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region.

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