Battery pack

Abstract

Battery pack that features: a battery group comprising several battery cells, wherein the battery cells have electrodes and separators; a housing part with: a recording room configured to accommodate the battery group; and a flow path that is separated from the recording space and thus is configured so that a cooling fluid can flow through it; as well as a first and a second connecting part, which are connected to one side of the housing part and are configured to communicate with the flow path of the housing part, the housing part has: a lower housing area provided below the battery group and having a lower flow path of the flow path therein; and an upper housing area that is provided above the battery group and has an upper flow path of the flow path therein, and wherein, when the cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path via the first connecting part or the second connecting part, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first upper flow path area of ​​the upper flow path is opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first lower flow path area of ​​the lower flow path, which points in a vertical direction to the first upper flow path area.

Description

Reference to related registration

[0001] This application claims the priority and benefits of Korean patent application No. 10-2024-0152892, filed on October 31, 2024 with the Korean Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background 1. Area

[0002] The disclosure relates to a battery pack and in particular a battery pack with a structure that can cool a battery. 2. Description of the related technology

[0003] The performance of a battery installed in an electric vehicle is a crucial factor in determining the vehicle's power and lifespan. Since the battery generates a significant amount of heat during charging and discharging, it must be cooled. Effective cooling of the battery in the electric vehicle is essential for its proper functioning.

[0004] Furthermore, depending on whether a cooling fluid flows along one surface of the battery, battery cooling methods can be divided into single-sided cooling methods, double-sided cooling methods, and so on. Among these methods, single-sided cooling refers to a cooling process in which the cooling fluid flows along one surface of the battery. However, in related technology, single-sided cooling is problematic in that the other surface of the battery, which faces the other surface, cannot properly exchange heat with the cooling fluid, resulting in a significant cooling differential between different areas of the battery.

[0005] In contrast, the double-sided cooling method in related technology refers to a cooling process in which the cooling fluid flows along two opposite surfaces (e.g., the top and bottom surfaces) of the battery to solve the problem of the aforementioned single-sided cooling method. In this case, the double-sided cooling method is advantageous for cooling the two opposite surfaces of the battery, but it has the disadvantage that the degree of cooling varies depending on the battery's position. That is, there is a significant cooling variation between the batteries, as the battery exchanging heat with the cooling fluid flowing through an upstream section of the cooling flow path is cooled relatively more, whereas the battery exchanging heat with the cooling fluid flowing through a downstream section of the cooling flow path is cooled relatively less. Summary

[0006] The underlying objective of the disclosure is to minimize cooling variations between batteries in a battery pack to which a double-sided cooling method is applied, and thereby improve the overall cooling performance of the battery pack.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problem, one aspect of the disclosure provides a battery pack comprising: a battery group with multiple battery cells, the battery cells having electrodes and separators; a housing part with a receiving space configured to receive the battery group and a flow path spaced from the receiving space and configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow through it; and a first and a second connecting part connected to a side of the housing part and configured to communicate with the flow path of the housing part, the housing part comprising: a lower housing area provided below the battery group and having a lower flow path of the flow path therein;and an upper housing area provided above the battery group and having an upper flow path of the flow path therein, and wherein, when the cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path via the first connecting part or the second connecting part, a flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first upper flow path area of ​​the upper flow path is opposite to a flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first lower flow path area of ​​the lower flow path, which points to the first upper flow path area in a vertical direction.

[0008] The housing part may further have a lateral connection area provided on horizontal lateral sections of the multiple battery groups and configured to connect the lower housing area and the upper housing area; a lateral flow path of the flow path may be formed in the lateral connection area and communicate with the first connection part or the second connection part; and the lateral flow path may be divided into an upwardly extending section and a downwardly extending section, in a section where the first connection part and the lateral flow path meet, and a section where the second connection part and the lateral flow path meet.

[0009] The battery pack may further comprise: a jump flow path part coupled to one side of the upper housing area, wherein the jump flow path part may comprise: a jump flow path with a first side configured to communicate with the lateral flow path and a second side configured to communicate with the upper flow path, and wherein the first side of the jump flow path and the second side of the jump flow path are spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction.

[0010] A section of the upper flow path that is connected to the second side of the jump flow path can define an end of the upper flow path.

[0011] The upper flow path may further include a separation flow path region extending in a direction towards the second connecting part from a first lateral flow path of the lateral flow path that communicates with the first connecting part, and an end of the separation flow path region may be positioned between the first lateral flow path configured to communicate with the first connecting part and a second lateral flow path of the lateral flow path that communicates with the second connecting part, when viewed from above.

[0012] The first side of the jump flow path can communicate with the second lateral flow path, and the jump flow path portion can be coupled to a top of the upper housing area.

[0013] The transition flow path can be formed above the upper flow path.

[0014] The second side of the jump flow path can be positioned inwards from the first side of the jump flow path in the horizontal direction.

[0015] The length of a section extending upwards from a section where the lateral flow path meets the first connecting part and the second connecting part may be longer than the length of a section extending downwards from a section where the lateral flow path meets the first connecting part and the second connecting part.

[0016] The first upper flow path region and the first lower flow path region can have corresponding shapes.

[0017] In another general aspect, a cooling device for a battery group with multiple battery cells comprises: a housing with a receiving space for accommodating the battery group, an upper housing facing a top side of the battery group and having an upper flow path area, a lower housing facing a bottom side of the battery group and having a lower flow path area, a first connecting part connected to respective inlets of the upper and lower flow path areas, and a second connecting part connected to respective outlets of the upper and lower flow path areas; a heat exchanger for dissipating heat;and a pump connected to the heat exchanger to pump coolant into the first connecting part, so that the coolant moves through the upper flow path region and the lower flow path region to dissipate heat from the top and bottom of the battery group, wherein the flow direction of the coolant in the upper flow path region differs from the flow direction of the coolant in the lower flow path region.

[0018] The flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region can be opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the lower flow path region.

[0019] The cooling device may further include a control system configured to control the pump to circulate the cooling fluid in the upper flow path area and the lower flow path area.

[0020] The controller can also be configured to control the pump to reverse the flow of the cooling fluid based on a temperature change in the upper flow path area and / or the lower flow path area.

[0021] According to the disclosure, it is possible to improve the overall cooling performance of the battery pack by minimizing a cooling deviation between the batteries in the battery pack to which the double-sided cooling method is applied. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is an enlarged view of a housing part, a first connecting part and a second connecting part forming a battery pack as disclosed. Fig. Figure 2 is a view of a cross-sectional structure of the first connecting part and of cross-sectional structures of components around the first connecting part in the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. Figure 3 is a view of a cross-sectional structure of the second connecting part and of cross-sectional structures of components around the second connecting part in the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a lower housing area and a lower flow path of the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic view of an upper casing area, an upper flow path and a jump flow path part of the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the jump path section in Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a view of a flow path and a jump flow path defined by the battery pack as disclosed. More detailed description

[0022] The following describes a battery pack as disclosed, with reference to the drawings. Battery pack

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 is an enlarged view of a housing part, a first connecting part and a second connecting part forming a battery pack according to the disclosure, and Fig. Figure 2 is a view of a cross-sectional structure of the first connecting part and of cross-sectional structures of components around the first connecting part in the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. 3 is a view of a cross-sectional structure of the second connecting part and of cross-sectional structures of components around the second connecting part in the battery pack according to disclosure, and Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view of a lower housing area and a lower flow path of the battery pack according to the disclosure. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic view of an upper casing area, an upper flow path and a jump flow path part of the battery pack according to the disclosure, and Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the jump path section in Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 7 is a view of a flow path and a jump flow path defined by the battery pack as disclosed.

[0024] With reference to Fig. 1 to 3 can comprise a battery pack 10 according to the disclosure: a battery group 100 with several battery cells with electrodes and separators, a housing part 200 with a receiving space configured to receive the battery group 100, and a flow path U spaced from the receiving space and configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow through it, as well as a first and a second connecting part 300 and 400 connected to a side of the housing part 200 and configured to communicate with the flow path U of the housing part 200.For example, the first connection part 300 can be an inlet part configured to provide a route through which the cooling fluid is fed to the flow path U of the housing part 200, and the second connection part 400 can be an outlet part configured to provide a route through which the cooling fluid is discharged from the flow path U of the housing part 200. However, unlike the configuration above, the first connection part 300 can be an outlet part, and the second connection part 400 can be an inlet part.

[0025] Furthermore, the housing part 200 can be subdivided into several areas. In particular, the housing part 200 can have: a lower housing area 210, which is provided below the battery group 100 and has a lower flow path U2 of the flow path U therein; an upper housing area 220, which is provided above the battery group 100 and has an upper flow path U1 of the flow path U therein; and a lateral connection area 230, which is provided on horizontal lateral sections of the multiple battery groups 100 and is configured to connect the lower housing area 210 and the upper housing area 220. In this case, a lateral flow path U3 of the flow path U can be formed in the lateral connection area 230 and communicate with the first connection part 300 or the second connection part 400 (in particular, a space in the first connection part or a space in the second connection part).In particular, the lateral flow path U3 can communicate with the first connecting part 300 and the second connecting part 400. That is, according to... Fig. 2 and Fig. In section 3, where the first connecting part 300 and the lateral flow path U3 meet, and in section where the second connecting part 400 and the lateral flow path U3 meet, the lateral flow path U3 can be subdivided into an upward-extending segment and a downward-extending segment. Therefore, the segment of the lateral flow path U3 extending upward from the first connecting part 300 or the second connecting part 400 can communicate with the upper flow path U1, and the segment of the lateral flow path U3 extending downward from the first connecting part 300 or the second connecting part 400 can communicate with the lower flow path U2.

[0026] It should also be noted that the descriptions of the vertical and horizontal directions of the battery pack in the application are concepts introduced for convenience to explain the components of the battery pack, and that these directions do not restrict the orientation of the battery pack in actual use. That is to say, for example, the battery pack as disclosed can be used in an orientation that is the opposite of the vertical direction defined in the description. The battery pack as disclosed can be used in a state in which the horizontal direction defined in the description is replaced by the vertical direction.

[0027] Furthermore, the lower housing area 210, the upper housing area 220, and the lateral connection area 230 can be formed as a single unit or as separate units. For example, the lower housing area 210 and the lateral connection area 230 can be coupled together or formed as a single unit, and the upper housing area 220 can serve as a cover element coupled to a top surface of the lateral connection area 230. However, the lateral connection area 230 can also be configured to be separate from the upper housing area 220 and the lower housing area 210. For example, the lateral connection area 230 can define a portion of a hose element or connector element in which the lateral flow path U3 is located.

[0028] Furthermore, the upper flow path U1 can have a first upper flow path region U1-1, and the lower flow path U2 can have a first lower flow path region U2-1, which is designed to point vertically towards the first upper flow path region U1-1. In this case, as disclosed, when the cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path U via the first connecting part 300 or the second connecting part 400, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the first upper flow path region U1-1 of the upper flow path U1 can 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, which is designed to point vertically towards the first upper flow path region U1-1.

[0029] According to the disclosure, the battery group 100 provided in the battery pack 10 can be cooled by the cooling fluid flowing along the upper flow path U1 formed above the battery group 100, and by the cooling fluid flowing along the lower flow path U2 formed below the battery group 100. That is, according to the disclosure, two opposite sides of the battery group 100 can be cooled by the cooling fluid based on the vertical direction.

[0030] In this case, according to the disclosure, the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the upper flow path (in particular the first upper flow path region U1-1), which points to a top side of at least one section of the battery group 100, can be opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid flowing along the lower flow path (in particular the first lower flow path region U2-1), which points to a bottom side of a section of the battery group 100. In this case, a cooling deviation between the multiple battery cells in the battery group 100 can be minimized. In particular, according to Fig. 1 to 5, the first upper flow path region U1-1 may be formed over the entire area of ​​the upper flow path U1 that points vertically towards battery group 100, and the first lower flow path region U2-1 may be formed over the entire area of ​​the lower flow path region U2 that points vertically towards battery group 100. Furthermore, the first upper flow path region U1-1 and the first lower flow path region U2-1 may have shapes that point vertically towards and correspond to each other. This configuration may be provided to cool battery group 100 uniformly using the cooling fluid.

[0031] To achieve this function, the battery pack 10 according to the disclosure can further comprise a step flow path section 500 coupled to one side of the upper housing area 220. The step flow path section 500 can be configured such that a section in which the cooling fluid is supplied to the upper flow path U1 via the lateral flow path U3 is horizontally spaced from a section in which the cooling fluid is supplied to the lower flow path U2 via the lateral flow path U3, so that 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 are generally opposite to each other.

[0032] In particular, the jump flow path section 500 can have a jump flow path Z therein, 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 of the jump flow path Z and the second side Z2 of the jump flow path Z can be horizontally spaced apart. In particular, a section of the upper flow path U1 connected to the second side Z2 of the jump flow path Z can define an end of the upper flow path U1.

[0033] Furthermore, according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The first connecting part 300, the second connecting part 400, and the lateral connecting area 230 are each hose element or connector element that has a flow path within it. In particular, the first connecting part 300, the second connecting part 400, and the lateral connecting area 230 can each define a part of a hose element or connector element. It is understood that the first connecting part 300 and the lateral connecting area 230 are integrated, and so are the second connecting part 400 and the lateral connecting area 230.

[0034] In the following, more detailed forms of the flow path U and the step flow path Z, which are formed in the battery pack according to the disclosure, are described.

[0035] According to Fig. 7. The upper flow path U1 can further comprise a separation flow path region U1-2, which extends horizontally to the second connecting part 400 from a first lateral flow path U3-1 of the lateral flow path U3, which communicates with the first connecting part 300. In particular, one end of the separation flow path region U1-2 can communicate with the first lateral flow path U3-1, and the other end of the separation flow path region U1-2 can communicate with the first upper flow path region U1-1.

[0036] In this case, according to Fig. 7. Viewed from above, the other end of the distance flow path region U1-2 is positioned between i) the first lateral flow path U3-1, which is configured to communicate with the first connecting part 300, and ii) a second lateral flow path U3-2 of the lateral flow path U3, which communicates with the second connecting part 400. Furthermore, the first side Z1 of the jump flow path Z can communicate with the second lateral flow path U3-2, and the jump flow path part 500 can be coupled to a top surface of the upper housing region 220. In particular, according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the step flow path Z is formed above the upper flow path U1. For example, according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the second side Z2 of the jump flow path Z inwards (inwards in a forward-backward direction based on Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) be positioned in the horizontal direction from the first side Z1 of the jump flow path Z.

[0037] Furthermore, for example according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The length of a section extending upwards from a section where the lateral flow path U3 meets the first connecting part 300 and the second connecting part 400 shall be longer than the length of a section extending downwards from a section where the lateral flow path U3 meets the first connecting part 300 and the second connecting part 400.

[0038] A method in which the cooling fluid flows in the battery pack 10 according to the disclosure is explained below with reference to the above description.

[0039] The cooling fluid is fed to the first lateral flow path U3-1 via the first connecting piece 300, provided that the first connecting piece 300 is an inlet piece and the second connecting piece 400 is an outlet piece. In this case, the cooling fluid flowing in the section of the first lateral flow path U3-1 extending upwards from the first connecting piece 300 is introduced into the upper flow path U1, and the cooling fluid flowing in the section of the first lateral flow path U3-1 extending downwards from the first connecting piece 300 is introduced into the lower flow path U2.

[0040] In this case, the cooling fluid introduced into the upper flow path U1 is introduced via the lateral flow path section U1-2 into the first upper flow path section U1-1 and exchanges heat with the top of the battery group 100, and the cooling fluid introduced into the lower flow path U2 is introduced into the first lower flow path section U2-1 and exchanges heat with the underside of the battery group 100. Subsequently, the cooling fluid that has flowed through either the first upper flow path section U1-1 or the first lower flow path section U2-1 flows successively through the second lateral flow path U3-2 and the second connecting part 400 and is then discharged from the battery pack to the outside.

[0041] According to the disclosure, a section of the battery group 100 that is cooled by the cooling fluid flowing in an upstream section of the upper flow path U1 can be cooled by the cooling fluid flowing in a downstream section of the lower flow path U2. Conversely, a section of the battery group 100 that is cooled by the cooling fluid flowing in an upstream section of the lower flow path U2 can be cooled by the cooling fluid flowing in a downstream section of the upper flow path U1. Therefore, according to the disclosure, the degree to which the battery group is cooled by the cooling fluid can be maintained uniformly, regardless of the positions of the battery cells in the battery group 100.

[0042] Furthermore, a controller (e.g., a processor) can control a pump to circulate the cooling fluid through a heat exchanger. The controller can also control the pump to reverse the flow of the cooling fluid based on a temperature change in the upper and / or lower flow path.

[0043] The disclosure has been described with reference to the limited embodiments and the drawings, but is not limited thereto. The disclosure can be implemented by a person skilled in the art in the field of the disclosure in various forms within the basic technical concept of the disclosure and the scope of protection of the accompanying claims. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2024-0152892

[0001]

Claims

[1] Battery pack which features: a battery group comprising several battery cells, wherein the battery cells have electrodes and separators; a housing part containing: a recording room configured to accommodate the battery group; and a flow path that is separated from the recording space and thus is configured so that a cooling fluid can flow through it; as well as a first and a second connecting part, which are connected to one side of the housing part and are configured to communicate with the flow path of the housing part, the housing part has: a lower housing area provided below the battery group and having a lower flow path of the flow path therein; and an upper housing area that is provided above the battery group and has an upper flow path of the flow path therein, and wherein, when the cooling fluid is supplied to the flow path via the first connecting part or the second connecting part, the flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first upper flow path area of ​​the upper flow path is opposite to the flow direction of the cooling fluid in a first lower flow path area of ​​the lower flow path, which points in a vertical direction to the first upper flow path area. [2] Battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the housing part further comprises a lateral connection area provided on horizontal lateral sections of the multiple battery groups and configured to connect the lower housing area and the upper housing area, wherein a lateral flow path of the flow path is formed in the lateral connection area and communicates with the first connection part or the second connection part and wherein the lateral flow path is divided into an upwardly extending section and a downwardly extending section in a section where the first connecting part and the lateral flow path meet, and a section where the second connecting part and the lateral flow path meet. [3] Battery pack according to claim 2, further comprising: a step flow path section coupled to one side of the upper housing area, the step flow path section has: a step flow path with a first side configured as follows, that it communicates with the lateral flow path; and a second page configured to align with the top one The flow path communicates, and wherein the first side of the jump flow path and the second side of the jump flow path are spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction. [4] Battery pack according to claim 3, wherein a section of the upper flow path connected to the second side of the jump flow path defines an end of the upper flow path. [5] Battery pack according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the upper flow path further comprises a separation flow path region extending in a direction towards the second connecting part from a first lateral flow path of the lateral flow path communicating with the first connecting part, and wherein an end of the separation flow path region is positioned between the first lateral flow path configured to communicate with the first connecting part and a second lateral flow path of the lateral flow path communicating with the second connecting part when viewed from above. [6] Battery pack according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first side of the step flow path communicates with the second lateral flow path and the step flow path part is coupled to a top of the upper housing area. [7] Battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the step flow path is formed above the upper flow path. [8] Battery pack according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the second side of the jump flow path is positioned inwards from the first side of the jump flow path in the horizontal direction. [9] Battery pack according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein a length of a section extending upwards from a section in which the lateral flow path meets the first connecting part and the second connecting part is longer than a length of a section extending downwards from a section in which the lateral flow path meets the first connecting part and the second connecting part. [10] Battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first upper flow path region and the first lower flow path region have corresponding shapes. [11] Cooling device for a battery group with multiple battery cells, wherein the cooling device comprises: a case containing: a reception area to house the battery group; an upper housing that points to the top of the battery group and has an upper flow path area; a lower housing that points to the underside of the battery group and has a lower flow path area; a first connecting part that is connected to the respective inlets of the upper flow path area and the lower flow path area; and a second connecting part that is connected to the respective outlets of the upper flow path area and the lower flow path area; a heat exchanger configured to dissipate heat; and a pump connected to the heat exchanger and configured to pump coolant into the first connecting part so that the coolant moves through the upper flow path area and the lower flow path area to dissipate heat from the top and bottom of the battery group, where the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the upper flow path region differs from the flow direction of the cooling fluid in the lower flow path region. [12] Cooling device according to claim 11, wherein 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] Cooling device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: a controller configured to control the pump to circulate the cooling fluid in the upper flow path area and the lower flow path area. [14] Cooling device according to claim 13, wherein the control is further configured to control the pump to reverse the flow of the cooling fluid based on a temperature change in the upper flow path area and / or lower flow path area.

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