Battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack accommodating a battery module, comprising: a pack case in which the battery module is mounted, the pack case including: a main partition; base plates coupled to both sides of the main partition and including a module area in which a battery module is mounted; and a side wall coupled along an edge of the base plate coupled to the main partition, wherein the main partition includes a heat dissipation part at a lower portion, the heat dissipation part including a heat dissipation pin protruding to enable heat dissipation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack accommodating a battery module, and more particularly to a battery pack including a main partition having a heat dissipation pin capable of effectively dissipating heat generated inside.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0098090 dated August 5, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] The types of secondary batteries include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack may be configured by connecting a number of battery cells in parallel according to a charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] Meanwhile, when a battery pack is configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series / parallel, a method of configuring the battery pack by adding other components using at least one battery module is generally used.

[0005] Conventional battery packs include battery modules that include multiple battery cells. When an abnormality occurs in one of the battery modules due to a battery cell swelling or the like, if the abnormality is not quickly suppressed, it can lead to thermal runaway in the surrounding battery module, which can result in an explosion of the battery pack.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows a pack case in which battery modules are mounted in a commonly used battery pack, in which a plurality of battery modules are mounted on both sides of a main partition wall extending along the center.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a battery module mounted in the pack case of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of the pack case of Fig. 1. In the conventional pack case, when thermal runaway occurs in one of the battery modules housed therein as shown in Fig. 2, there is a risk that high temperature heat is transferred to the entire battery module, resulting in a problem of the battery pack exploding. Therefore, in order to cool the battery modules housed in the pack case, a flow path pipe through which cooling water flows may be installed inside a base plate included in the lower part of the pack case as shown in Fig. 3.

[0008] However, the above-mentioned cooling methods alone have limitations in terms of cooling the heat already generated inside, so there has been a demand for the development of a battery pack with a new structure that can effectively release the heat inside the pack case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 10-2258827 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack having a structure capable of cooling a battery module at any time during charging or discharging.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood from the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as claimed in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a battery pack for accommodating a battery module, comprising: a pack case in which the battery module is mounted; the pack case including: a main partition; base plates coupled to both sides of the main partition and including a module area in which the battery module is mounted; and a side wall coupled along an edge of the base plate coupled to the main partition; and the main partition includes a heat dissipation portion at a lower portion, the heat dissipation portion including a heat dissipation pin protrudingly formed to enable heat dissipation.

[0013] The heat dissipation pin may be formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the main partition wall.

[0014] The heat dissipation portion may include a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals in a width direction of the main partition wall.

[0015] The heat sink fins may be formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

[0016] The heat dissipation pin may be formed to extend along a width direction of the main partition wall.

[0017] The heat dissipation portion may include a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the main bulkhead.

[0018] The heat sink fins may be formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

[0019] The heat dissipation pins may be formed to extend in a diagonal direction based on the lengthwise or widthwise direction of the main partition wall.

[0020] The heat dissipation portion may include a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the heat dissipation pins extend.

[0021] The heat sink fins may be formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

[0022] The base plate is hollow and may include a plurality of flow passage pipes formed inside the hollow base plate and extending along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.

[0023] The base plate may further include a rib-shaped auxiliary heat dissipation pin formed inside the hollow base plate, connecting the hollow bottom portion and the hollow ceiling portion, and extending along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.

[0024] The auxiliary heat dissipation pins may be formed in plurality at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the pack case. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, the temperature of the battery pack can be effectively cooled during charging and discharging.

[0026] In addition, according to the present invention, even if high temperature heat is generated in at least one battery module among a plurality of accommodated battery modules due to a thermal runaway phenomenon, the transfer of the heat to the other battery modules can be delayed or prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a pack case included in a conventional battery pack. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a battery module mounted in the pack case of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of the pack case of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a pack case included in a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 5A and 5B are a perspective view and a front view of a main partition included in the pack case of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the main partition wall of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 shows a modified example of the heat sink pin included in the main bulkhead of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a battery module mounted in the pack case of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] 10 is a rear perspective view of a main partition included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 shows a modified example of the heat sink pin included in the main bulkhead of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a main partition included in a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a main partition included in a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are a front view and a partially enlarged view of a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted limitedly to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best describe his own invention.

[0029] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0030] In addition, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0031] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated roughly for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0032] The present invention relates to a battery pack having a structure capable of quickly dissipating high temperature heat to the outside when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in a battery module housed therein.

[0033] Figures 4 to 8 relate to a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figures 9 to 10 relate to a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 11 relates to a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 12 relates to a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 13 relates to a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the above drawings.

[0035] (First embodiment) The battery pack of the present invention includes a pack case 1000 in which a battery module B is mounted, and an upper cover coupled to the pack case 1000 to cover an upper portion of each battery module B accommodated in the pack case 1000.

[0036] The pack case 1000 provides a module area, which is a space in which a plurality of battery modules B are mounted, and serves to protect the battery modules B mounted in the module area from the outside.

[0037] The upper cover is a known technology, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack case 1000 included in a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a front view of a main partition 200 included in the pack case 1000 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the main partition 200 of FIG. 5.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the pack case 1000 of the present invention includes a main bulkhead 200, a base plate 100, and a side wall.

[0040] The main partition 200 serves to divide the internal space of the pack case 1000 and also serves to protect the battery module B mounted inside the pack case 1000.

[0041] If necessary, a conductor or a bus bar installed across the pack case 1000 may be inserted inside the main partition 200 for protection.

[0042] The main partition wall 200 is formed across the center of the pack case 1000 so as to divide the module area into two large spaces.

[0043] The plurality of battery modules B mounted in the pack case 1000 may be located on both sides of the main partition wall 200 .

[0044] The main partition 200 includes a base portion 220 coupled to a base plate, and a protrusion portion 210 protruding from an upper portion of the base portion 220 to support a side surface of the battery module B.

[0045] The base plate 100 corresponds to the bottom of the pack case 1000 and serves to support the lower part of the battery module B.

[0046] More specifically, the base plate 100 includes a module area on which the battery module B is mounted.

[0047] The base plates 100 are provided in a pair and are coupled to both sides of the main bulkhead 200, respectively.

[0048] The side walls support and protect the sides of the battery modules B accommodated in the pack case 1000 , and are coupled along edges of the base plate 100 coupled to the main bulkhead 200 .

[0049] The main partition 200 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat dissipation part 221 that can effectively dissipate heat Hr generated inside the pack case 1000. More specifically, the heat dissipation part 221 is included in a lower part of the base part 220 of the main partition 200.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, the heat dissipation part 221 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 221a extending downward from the lower portion of the main bulkhead 200. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The heat dissipation pins 221a of the main partition 200 included in the battery pack according to the first embodiment are formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the main partition 200, as shown in FIG.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the heat dissipation pin 221a included in the main bulkhead 200 of FIG.

[0053] The heat dissipation fins 221a may be formed to extend linearly along the longitudinal direction of the main bulkhead 200 as shown in Fig. 6, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed to extend in a wavy pattern as shown in Fig. 7. The heat dissipation fins 221a having such a curved shape can dissipate heat Hr through a larger surface area in the same space.

[0054] The heat dissipation fins 221 a configured as above enable the heat absorbed by the entire area of ​​the main partition wall 200 to be discharged through the entire lower portion of the main partition wall 200 .

[0055] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the heat dissipation part 221 includes at least one heat dissipation fin 221a, and the heat dissipation fins 221a formed on the lower part of the main partition wall 200 are positioned at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the main partition wall 200.

[0056] The main partition 200 can absorb heat generated during charging and discharging of the cells included in each battery module B and can effectively release the absorbed heat Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a. At this time, the absorbed heat is released Hr downward of the battery pack. In addition, the main partition 200 can absorb high-temperature heat generated in a short time when a thermal runaway T phenomenon occurs in any one of the battery modules B accommodated on one or both sides and can quickly release the absorbed heat Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a.

[0057] In the battery pack of the present invention, when thermal runaway T occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery modules B accommodated on one side of the main partition wall 200, the generated heat is quickly released Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a before it is transferred to other battery modules B located on the opposite side of the main partition wall 200, thereby making it possible to prevent phenomena such as explosion of all battery modules B accommodated in the battery pack.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the battery module B mounted in the pack case 1000 of FIG.

[0059] As shown in the figure, high temperature heat Hr generated due to thermal runaway T in a plurality of battery modules B located on one side of the main barrier 200 is absorbed and released Hr by the main barrier 200. In addition, since the heat is continuously released Hr by the main barrier 200, the heat is not properly transferred to other battery modules B located on the opposite side of the main barrier 200.

[0060] Second embodiment The main partition 200 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat dissipation portion 221 that can effectively dissipate heat Hr generated inside the pack case 1000 .

[0061] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a main partition 200 included in a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the heat sink 221 includes a plurality of heat sink fins 221a extending downward from the lower portion of the main bulkhead 200. As shown in FIG.

[0063] The heat dissipation pins 221a of the main partition 200 included in the battery pack according to the second embodiment are formed to extend along the width direction of the main partition 200, as shown in FIG.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows a modified example of the heat dissipation pin 221a included in the main bulkhead 200 of FIG.

[0065] The heat dissipation fins 221a may be formed to extend linearly along the width direction of the main partition wall 200 as shown in Fig. 9, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed to extend in a wavy pattern as shown in Fig. 10. The heat dissipation fins 221a having such a curved shape can dissipate heat Hr through a larger surface area in the same space.

[0066] The heat dissipation fins 221 a configured as above enable the heat absorbed over the entire area of ​​the main bulkhead 200 to be discharged through the entire lower portion of the main bulkhead 200 .

[0067] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the heat dissipation part 221 includes at least one heat dissipation fin 221a, and the heat dissipation fins 221a formed at the lower part of the main partition wall 200 are positioned at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the main partition wall 200.

[0068] Third embodiment The main partition 200 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat dissipation portion 221 that can effectively dissipate heat Hr generated inside the pack case 1000 .

[0069] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a main partition 200 included in a battery pack according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the heat sink 221 includes a plurality of heat sink fins 221a extending downward from the lower portion of the main bulkhead 200. As shown in FIG.

[0071] The heat radiation pins 221a of the main partition 200 included in the battery pack according to the third embodiment are formed to extend in a diagonal direction based on the lengthwise or widthwise direction of the main partition 200, as shown in FIG.

[0072] 9, the heat dissipation fins 221a may be formed to extend linearly along the width direction of the main partition 200, but are not limited thereto, and may be formed to extend in a wavy pattern similar to the main partition 200 included in the battery pack according to the first and second embodiments. The heat dissipation fins 221a having such a curved shape can dissipate heat Hr through a larger surface area in the same space.

[0073] The heat dissipation fins 221 a configured as above enable the heat absorbed by the entire area of ​​the main partition wall 200 to be discharged through the entire lower portion of the main partition wall 200 .

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, the heat dissipation part 221 includes at least one heat dissipation fin 221a, and the heat dissipation fins 221a formed on the lower part of the main partition wall 200 are spaced apart at a predetermined interval along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the heat dissipation fins 221a extend.

[0075] (Fourth embodiment) The main partition 200 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat dissipation portion 221 that can effectively dissipate heat Hr generated inside the pack case 1000 .

[0076] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a main partition 200 included in a battery pack according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 12, the heat sink 221 includes a plurality of heat sink fins 221a extending downward from the lower portion of the main bulkhead 200. As shown in FIG.

[0078] The heat dissipation pin 221a of the main partition 200 included in the battery pack according to the fourth embodiment is formed in a pin shape as shown in FIG.

[0079] The heat dissipation fins 221 a configured as above enable the heat absorbed by the entire area of ​​the main partition wall 200 to be discharged through the entire lower portion of the main partition wall 200 .

[0080] As shown in FIG. 12, the heat dissipation part 221 includes at least one heat dissipation fin 221a, and the heat dissipation fins 221a formed on the lower portion of the main partition wall 200 are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals.

[0081] Fifth embodiment The battery pack of the present invention includes a pack case 1000 in which a battery module B is mounted, and an upper cover coupled to the pack case 1000 to cover an upper portion of each battery module B accommodated in the pack case 1000.

[0082] The pack case 1000 provides a module area, which is a space in which a plurality of battery modules B are mounted, and serves to protect the battery modules B mounted in the module area from the outside.

[0083] The upper cover is a known technology, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present invention.

[0084] The pack case 1000 of the present invention includes a main partition 200, a base plate 100, and a side wall.

[0085] The main partition 200 serves to divide the internal space of the pack case 1000 and also serves to protect the battery module B mounted inside the pack case 1000.

[0086] If necessary, a conductor or a bus bar installed across the pack case 1000 may be inserted inside the main partition 200 for protection.

[0087] The main partition wall 200 is formed across the center of the pack case 1000 so as to divide the module area into two large spaces.

[0088] The plurality of battery modules B mounted in the pack case 1000 may be located on both sides of the main partition wall 200 .

[0089] The base plate 100 corresponds to the bottom of the pack case 1000 and serves to support the lower part of the battery module B.

[0090] More specifically, the base plate 100 includes a module area on which the battery module B is mounted.

[0091] The base plates 100 are provided in a pair and are coupled to both sides of the main bulkhead 200, respectively.

[0092] The side walls support and protect the sides of the battery modules B accommodated in the pack case 1000 , and are coupled along edges of the base plate 100 coupled to the main bulkhead 200 .

[0093] The main partition 200 of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat dissipation portion 221 that can effectively dissipate heat Hr generated inside the pack case 1000 .

[0094] The heat sink 221 includes a plurality of heat sink pins 221 a extending downward from the lower portion of the main partition wall 200 .

[0095] The heat dissipation fins 221 a enable the heat absorbed by the entire area of ​​the main partition wall 200 to be discharged through the entire lower portion of the main partition wall 200 .

[0096] The heat dissipation part 221 includes at least one heat dissipation fin 221a, and the heat dissipation fins 221a formed on the lower portion of the main partition wall 200 are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals.

[0097] The main partition 200 can absorb heat generated during charging and discharging of the cells included in each battery module B and can effectively release the absorbed heat Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a. At this time, the absorbed heat is released Hr downward of the battery pack. In addition, the main partition 200 can absorb high-temperature heat generated in a short time when a thermal runaway T phenomenon occurs in any one of the battery modules B accommodated on one or both sides and can quickly release the absorbed heat Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a.

[0098] In the battery pack of the present invention, when thermal runaway T occurs in at least one of the plurality of battery modules B accommodated on one side of the main partition wall 200, the generated heat is quickly released Hr through the heat dissipation pins 221a before it is transferred to other battery modules B located on the opposite side of the main partition wall 200, thereby making it possible to prevent phenomena such as explosion of all battery modules B accommodated in the battery pack.

[0099] The base plate 100 is hollow and may include a plurality of flow passage pipes 110 formed to extend along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 1000 inside the hollow base plate 100. At this time, a coolant or the like may move through the flow passage pipes 110, and the coolant may cool heat generated in the battery module B while moving through the flow passage pipes 110.

[0100] The base plate 100 included in the battery pack according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes an auxiliary heat dissipation pin 120 inside the hollow base plate 100, which has a function of dissipating heat generated inside together with the heat dissipation pin 221a of the main partition 200.

[0101] FIG. 13 is a front view and a partially enlarged view of a battery pack according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 13, the base plate 100 further includes a rib-shaped auxiliary heat dissipation pin 120 formed inside the hollow base plate 100, connecting the hollow bottom and the hollow ceiling, and extending along the longitudinal direction of the pack case 1000.

[0103] The auxiliary heat dissipation pins 120 may be formed at predetermined intervals along the width direction of the pack case 1000, and heat generated in each battery module B seated on the upper part of the base plate 100 together with the cooling water moving through the flow path pipe 110 may be more effectively dissipated through the auxiliary heat dissipation pins 120.

[0104] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments, etc. in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, so it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10: (Conventional technology) Pack case 20: (Conventional technology) Base plate 30: (Conventional technology) Main bulkhead 40: (Prior Art) Flow Tube 1000: Pack case 100: Base plate 110: Flow path pipe 120: Auxiliary heat sink pin 200: Main bulkhead 210:Protrusion 220: Base section 221: Heat radiation part 221a: Heat sink pin 300: Side wall B: Battery module T: Thermal runaway Ha: Heat (movement) Hr: Heat release

Claims

1. A battery pack housing a battery module, a pack case in which the battery module is mounted, The pack case includes: The main bulkhead and a base plate coupled to both sides of the main partition and including a module area on which the battery module is mounted; a side wall coupled along an edge of the base plate coupled to the main bulkhead; The main bulkhead is The battery pack includes a heat sink having a protruding heat sink pin at a lower portion thereof for dissipating heat.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation pin is formed to extend along a longitudinal direction of the main partition.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the heat dissipation portion includes a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals in a width direction of the main partition.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2 , wherein the heat dissipation fins are formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation pin is formed to extend along a width direction of the main partition wall.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the heat dissipation portion includes a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal direction of the main partition.

7. The battery pack of claim 5 , wherein the heat dissipation fins are formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

8. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation pin extends in a diagonal direction based on a longitudinal direction or a width direction of the main partition wall.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the heat dissipation portion includes a plurality of heat dissipation pins formed at predetermined intervals along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the heat dissipation pins extend.

10. The battery pack of claim 9 , wherein the heat dissipation fins are formed to extend linearly or to extend in a wave pattern.

11. The base plate is hollow and has an open interior. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of flow path pipes formed inside the hollow base plate and extending along the longitudinal direction of the pack case.

12. The base plate is 12. The battery pack according to claim 11, further comprising a rib-shaped auxiliary heat dissipation pin formed inside the hollow base plate, connecting a hollow bottom portion and a hollow ceiling portion, and extending along a longitudinal direction of the pack case.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12 , wherein the auxiliary heat dissipation pins are formed in a plurality of positions at predetermined intervals along a width direction of the pack case.

Images