Battery pack

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a battery pack, the battery pack including: a housing including a plate portion; a cooling device; and a plurality of connecting posts interposed between the cooling device and the plate portion and supporting the cooling device, the cooling device including a plurality of upper cooling channels.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0165828 dated December 1, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0029954 dated March 7, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for a variety of wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has dramatically decreased due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, and as the driving range of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) increases to a level comparable to that of fuel-powered vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] As secondary batteries are used in mobility, the demand for the safety of secondary batteries is increasing. If a secondary battery used in mobility were to suffer an accident such as a fire, the life of the driver could be endangered, so research into technologies to improve the safety of secondary batteries is essential. In particular, cooling technology to maintain the temperature of secondary batteries during operation is directly linked not only to the stability of the secondary battery, but also to its life and performance, so much research is being conducted on cooling technology for secondary batteries. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with improved safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a battery pack, the battery pack including: a housing including a plate portion; a battery assembly disposed on an upper surface of the plate portion of the housing and including a plurality of battery cells; a cooling device spaced apart from the plate portion with the battery assembly interposed therebetween; and a plurality of connecting posts interposed between the cooling device and the plate portion and supporting the cooling device, the cooling device including a plurality of upper cooling channels, each of the plurality of upper cooling channels extending in a first direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from each other along a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] The battery pack further includes a TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layer interposed between the battery assembly and the cooling device and including a thermal resin.

[0008] The TIM layer contacts the plate portion and each of the plurality of battery cells.

[0009] The battery assembly includes a first partition and a second partition having complementary shapes, and the first partition and the second partition separate the plurality of battery cells from each other.

[0010] The plurality of connecting posts are in contact with either the first partition or the second partition.

[0011] Each of the plurality of connecting posts includes a vertical cooling channel coupled to the plurality of upper cooling channels.

[0012] Each of the upper cooling channels is directly connected to a corresponding one of the vertical cooling channels of each of the plurality of connecting posts.

[0013] The vertical cooling channels of each of the plurality of connecting posts correspond one-to-one with the upper cooling channels.

[0014] The cooling device includes the vertical cooling channel of each of the plurality of connecting posts and a branch channel connected to the upper cooling channel.

[0015] The branch channel extends along the second direction.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a housing including a plate portion, a plurality of battery assemblies disposed on an upper surface of the plate portion of the housing, each including a plurality of battery cells, a cooling device spaced apart from the plate portion with the battery assemblies interposed therebetween, and a plurality of connecting posts extending in a third direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from one another with the battery assemblies interposed therebetween. The plate portion of the housing includes a plurality of lower cooling channels each extending along a first direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from one another along a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and perpendicular to the first direction, and the cooling device includes a plurality of upper cooling channels extending in the first direction and spaced apart from one another along the second direction.

[0017] The battery pack further includes a TIM layer including a thermally conductive resin in contact with the cooling device and each of the plurality of battery cells.

[0018] The battery pack further includes a center beam interposed between the plurality of battery assemblies.

[0019] The cooling device overlaps with the center beam in the third direction.

[0020] The cooling device is spaced apart from the center beam in the second direction.

[0021] Each of the plurality of battery assemblies includes a first partition wall and a second partition wall having complementary shapes, and the first partition wall and the second partition wall space the plurality of battery cells from each other with the plurality of battery cells therebetween.

[0022] The plurality of connecting posts contact corresponding ones of the first partition wall and the second partition wall. Effect of the Invention

[0023] A battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cooling device disposed on a battery assembly, which provides cooling channels above and below the battery assembly, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery pack.

[0024] In addition, since a plurality of connecting columns including a vertical channel connecting the lower cooling channel and the upper cooling channel are disposed on the housing, the stability of the battery pack may be improved.

[0025] In addition, the plurality of connecting columns may horizontally support the partition wall assembly of the battery assembly, thereby preventing swelling of the plurality of battery cells of the battery assembly.

[0026] Effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1A-1A' in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1B-1B' in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a coolant in a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A' in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6B-6B' in FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a coolant in a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a portion of a battery pack according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11A-11A' in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited 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, the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown 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 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 detailed 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] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining a battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 1, elements shown with dashed lines indicate the positions of the vertical cooling channel VCH, the branch channels 160S1, 160S2, and the upper cooling channel 160CH. In FIG. 1, dashed lines are shown for only one of the multiple cooling devices 160, but the positional relationship between the vertical cooling channel VCH, the branch channels 160S1, 160S2, and the upper cooling channel 160CH can be applied to each of the multiple cooling devices 160 in substantially the same manner, which is also the case in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11.

[0033] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a portion of the battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 2 shows the battery pack 100 of Fig. 1 with a plurality of cooling devices 160 omitted.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 1A-1A' of FIG.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1B-1B' of FIG.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a coolant in the battery pack 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0037] 1 to 4, the battery pack 100 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120, a center beam 130, a plurality of exhaust devices 140, a plurality of connecting columns 151, 152, a plurality of cooling devices 160, and TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layers 171, 173. The battery pack 100 is the final form of a battery system to be installed in a mobility device or the like.

[0038] The housing 110 may provide a space for disposing a plurality of battery assemblies 120. The housing 110 may include a plate portion 111, a first side wall 112, a second side wall 113, a third side wall 114, and a fourth side wall 115.

[0039] The plate portion 111 may include an upper surface 111U and a lower surface 111L that are substantially parallel to each other. Two directions that are substantially parallel to the upper surface 111U of the plate portion 111 are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, and a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface 111U of the plate portion 111 is defined as the Z direction. Each of the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. Unless otherwise specified, the definitions of the directions are the same for the following drawings.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plate portion 111 may include multiple plates welded together by friction stir welding. When the plate portion 111 is provided by friction stir welding, the plate portion 111 may include welded surfaces that are interfaces of the different plates. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plate portion 111 may also be comprised of a single plate.

[0041] The plate portion 111 may include a plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH and a plurality of cavities 111C. Each of the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH and the plurality of cavities 111C may extend in the X direction.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH may be configured to provide a path for a cooling fluid to flow. The cooling fluid is a fluid for cooling the plurality of battery assemblies 120, such as water, air, coolant, etc. The plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH may be arranged along the Y direction. The plurality of lower cooling channels may be interposed between the plurality of cavities 111C.

[0043] The multiple cavities 111C are empty spaces formed inside the plate portion 111. By forming the multiple cavities 111C, the mass of the plate portion 111 may be reduced, which may improve the energy density of the battery pack 100. The multiple cavities 111C may be spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0044] A plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be disposed on an upper surface 111U of a plate portion 111 of the housing 110. The plate portion 111 may support the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The first to fourth side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115 may horizontally surround the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The first to fourth side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115 may protect the plurality of battery assemblies 120.

[0045] The first sidewall 112 and the second sidewall 113 may be substantially perpendicular to the Y direction. The third sidewall 114 and the fourth sidewall 115 may each be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. Lower surfaces of the first sidewall 112 and the second sidewall 113 may be coplanar with a lower surface 111L of the plate portion 111. The third sidewall 114 and the fourth sidewall 115 may be disposed on the plate portion 111.

[0046] Hereinafter, the technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment in which the battery pack 100 is of a moduleless type and each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 does not include a module frame. However, this is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can easily arrive at a plurality of battery assemblies including a module frame and a module-type battery pack including the same based on what is described herein.

[0047] Each of the battery assemblies 120 may include a plurality of battery cells 121, a plurality of separators 122, a first partition 125a, and a second partition 125b. The battery cells 121 may be connected to each other in series or parallel to configure a battery assembly. Each of the battery assemblies 120 may further include a bus bar plate and an end plate.

[0048] The battery cells 121 are the basic units of a lithium ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each of the battery cells 121 includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a case. The battery cells 121 are classified into lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, etc., depending on the configuration of the electrode assembly and electrolyte. The lithium ion polymer battery is easy to manufacture with less possibility of electrolyte leakage, and increases its occupancy rate in the secondary battery.

[0049] Each of the plurality of battery cells 121 may be any one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, and a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0050] The electrode assembly housed in the battery case includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. Electrode assemblies are classified into a jelly roll type and a stack type according to the assembly form. The jelly roll type is formed by winding up a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between them. The stack type includes a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed between them, which are stacked in sequence.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of battery cells 121 may be connected in series and / or parallel. As an example, the plurality of battery cells 121 may be connected in series with each other. As another example, the plurality of battery cells 121 may be connected in parallel with each other. As another example, the plurality of battery cells 121 connected in parallel with each other may form a group, and the group of the plurality of battery cells 121 may be connected in series.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment, the separators 122 may be compression pads. The separators 122 may prevent the battery cells 121 from swelling by supporting the battery cells 121 horizontally.

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of isolators 122 may be thermal barriers. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of isolators 122 may have a high melting temperature and a low thermal conductivity. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of isolators 122 may include a fire-retardant material, such as a ceramic and coated glass material. According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of isolators 122 may also be configured to release a fire retarding material and a fire extinguishing agent in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0054] 2, four battery cells 121 are shown in one group, and the group is alternately arranged with a plurality of separators 122, but this is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any manner. The plurality of battery cells 121 may be grouped into any number of groups, and the number of battery cells 121 included in each group may be different from each other.

[0055] The first partition wall 125a and the second partition wall 125b of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery cells 121 therebetween. The first partition wall 125a and the second partition wall 125b may have shapes complementary to each other. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second partition wall 125b of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be coupled to the first partition wall 125a of the subsequent plurality of battery assemblies 120. The second partition wall 125b of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 and the first partition wall 125a of the subsequent plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be coupled to each other by a mechanical coupling means such as a bolt. In this way, the second partition wall 125b of each of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 and the first partition wall 125a of the subsequent plurality of battery assemblies 120 may constitute a partition wall assembly 125. The first and second bulkheads 125a, 125b of each of the bulkhead assemblies 125 are intermeshable with each other.

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment, the bulkhead assembly 125 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the center beam 130 (e.g., Y direction). The bulkhead assembly 125 may isolate the multiple battery assemblies 120 from each other. The bulkhead assembly 125 may contact the plate portion 111 of the housing and the multiple cooling devices 160. The bulkhead assembly 125 may support the multiple battery cells 121 in the X direction to prevent swelling of the multiple battery cells 121.

[0057] Any one of the first partition walls 125a and the second partition walls 125b of the plurality of battery assemblies 120 arranged at both ends in the X direction may be coupled to the support 116 arranged on the plate portion 111 of the housing 110. Any one of the first partition walls 125a and the second partition walls 125b and the support 116 may be fixed by a mechanical coupling means such as a bolt.

[0058] The battery assemblies 120 may be arranged in the X and Y directions. In FIG. 1, the number of the battery assemblies 120 arranged in the X direction is three, and the number of the battery assemblies 120 arranged in the Y direction is two. Therefore, such an arrangement of the battery assemblies 120 can be said to be a 3*2 arrangement. A person skilled in the art can easily arrive at a number of battery assemblies 120 arranged in M*N (wherein M and N are each an integer of two or more) based on what is described herein.

[0059] The center beam 130 may isolate elements disposed on the housing 110 from one another, thereby allowing the center beam 130 to protect the multiple battery assemblies 120 while simultaneously preventing unwanted short circuits therebetween.

[0060] The center beam 130 may extend between the opposing third side wall 114 and fourth side wall 115. The center beam 130 may extend in the X direction. The center beam 130 may be in contact with the third side wall 114 and spaced apart from the fourth side wall 115. The center beam 130 may separate the multiple battery assemblies 120 from each other. The center beam 130 may be interposed between the multiple battery assemblies 120.

[0061] A plurality of exhaust devices 140 may be coupled to the fourth side wall 115. The fourth side wall 115 may include a plurality of exhaust holes coupled to the plurality of exhaust devices 140. The plurality of exhaust holes may be configured to provide a path for exhausting gas and heat inside the battery pack 100.

[0062] The exhaust devices 140 may be configured to slow down thermal propagation by releasing high-temperature gases inside the battery pack 100 to the outside when at least one of the battery assemblies 120 is in a thermal runway state.

[0063] Here, thermal runaway of the battery assemblies 120 is a state in which the temperature change of the battery assemblies 120 accelerates the temperature change, and is an uncontrollable positive feedback. The battery assemblies 120 in the thermal runaway state exhibit a rapid temperature rise and emit a large amount of high-pressure gas and combustion debris.

[0064] The plurality of cooling devices 160 may be disposed on the plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cooling devices 160 may cover a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cooling devices 160 may not cover a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120.

[0065] According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 160 may not cover the center beam 130. According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 160 may not overlap the center beam 130 in the Z direction. According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 160 may be spaced apart from the center beam 130 in the horizontal direction (e.g., in the Y direction).

[0066] In this example, each of the cooling devices 160 may cover three battery assemblies arranged in the X direction. This may improve the energy density of the battery pack 100 because parts of the cooling devices 160 are not disposed on the center beam 130 where cooling is not required.

[0067] Each of the plurality of cooling devices 160 may include a plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH and a plurality of cavities 160C. Each of the plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH and the plurality of cavities 160C may extend in the X direction.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH may provide a path for a cooling fluid to flow. The plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH may be arranged along the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH may be coupled to some of the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH.

[0069] The multiple cavities 160C are empty spaces formed inside each of the multiple cooling devices 160. By forming the multiple cavities 160C, the mass of each of the multiple cooling devices 160 may be reduced, which may improve the energy density of the battery pack 100. The multiple cavities 160C may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The multiple cavities 160C may be arranged along the Y direction.

[0070] Each of the multiple connection columns 151, 152 may be disposed on the plate portion 111. Each of the multiple connection columns 151, 152 may be interposed between the plate portion 111 and each of the multiple cooling devices 160. Each of the multiple connection columns 151, 152 may extend in the Z direction. Each of the multiple connection columns 151, 152 may contact one of the first partition wall 125a and the second partition wall 125b. In this way, the multiple connection columns 151, 152 may horizontally support the first partition wall 125a and the second partition wall 125b, and may prevent swelling of the multiple battery cells 121.

[0071] Each of the multiple connecting columns 151, 152 may include a vertical cooling channel VCH. The vertical cooling channel VCH may extend in the Z direction. The vertical cooling channel VCH may be connected to the multiple lower cooling channels 111CH and the multiple upper cooling channels 160CH. The plate portion 111 may include a plurality of holes 111H connected to the vertical cooling channels VCH of each of the multiple connecting columns 151, 152 and the multiple lower cooling channels 111CH.

[0072] The cooling fluid may flow from the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH to the plurality of upper cooling channels 160CH through the vertical cooling channels VCH of the plurality of connecting columns 151. The cooling fluid flowing along the upper cooling channels 160CH may flow through the vertical cooling channels VCH of the plurality of connecting columns 152 to the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH.

[0073] Each of the cooling devices 160 may include a branch channel 160S1 extending along the Y direction. The branch channel 160S1 may be connected to the vertical cooling channels VCH of each of the connecting columns 151 and the upper cooling channels 160CH. In the present embodiment, some of the lower cooling channels 111CH are connected to a larger number of the upper cooling channels 160CH. The branch channel 160S1 may distribute the cooling fluid transferred through the vertical cooling channels VCH of each of the connecting columns 151 to the upper cooling channels 160CH.

[0074] Each of the multiple cooling devices 160 may include a branch channel 160S2 extending along the Y direction. The branch channel 160S2 may be connected to the vertical cooling channel VCH and the multiple upper cooling channels 160CH of each of the multiple connecting columns 152. The branch channel 160S2 may transport the cooling fluid that flows through the upper cooling channel 160CH to the vertical cooling channel VCH of each of the multiple connecting columns 152.

[0075] The plate portion 111 and the multiple connecting columns 151, 152 may be welded to each other. The multiple connecting columns 151, 152 and the multiple cooling devices 160 may be welded to each other. This makes the vertical cooling channel VCH, the branch channels 160S1, 160S2, and the multiple horizontal channels 160CH liquid-tight, and prevents the cooling fluid from leaking out.

[0076] The TIM layer 171 may be interposed between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the upper surface 111U of the plate portion 111. The TIM layer 171 may be in contact with each of the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plate portion 111. The TIM layer 171 may be configured to mediate heat between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plate portion 111. The TIM layer 171 may prevent an air layer from being formed between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plate portion 111. The TIM layer 171 may fix the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plate portion 111 to each other.

[0077] The TIM layer 173 may be interposed between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plurality of cooling devices 160. The TIM layer 173 may be in contact with the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plurality of cooling devices 160. The TIM layer 173 may be configured to mediate heat between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plurality of cooling devices 160. The TIM layer 173 may prevent an air gap from forming between the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plurality of cooling devices 160. The TIM layer 173 may secure the plurality of battery cells 121 and the plurality of cooling devices 160 to each other.

[0078] According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the TIM layers 171, 173 may include a thermally conductive resin. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the TIM layers 171, 173 may include one of polyurethane and silicone.

[0079] The battery pack 100 may further include electrical components. The electrical components may be disposed on the housing 110. The electrical components may be disposed between a fourth side wall 115 on which the exhaust device 140 is installed and the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The electrical components may include any electronic elements necessary to operate the battery pack.

[0080] The electrical components may include, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System). The BMS may be configured to monitor, balance, and control the battery pack. Monitoring the battery pack 100 may include measuring the voltage and current of a specific node inside the multiple battery assemblies 120 and measuring the temperature at a set position inside the battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 may include instruments for measuring the voltage, current, and temperature described above.

[0081] Balancing the battery pack 100 is an operation that reduces the deviation between the multiple battery assemblies 120. Controlling the battery pack 100 includes preventing the occurrence of overcharging, over-discharging, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack 100 can operate under optimal conditions, thereby preventing a shortened life span of each of the multiple battery assemblies 120.

[0082] The electrical components may further include a cooling device, a power relay assembly (PRA), a safety plug, and the like. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan may prevent overheating of each of the multiple battery assemblies 120 by circulating air inside the battery pack 100. The PRA may be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor). The PRA may protect the multiple battery assemblies 120 and the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) by cutting off the power supply to the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) in a situation where an abnormal voltage such as a voltage surge occurs.

[0083] The battery pack 100 may further include a plurality of bus bars configured to electrically connect the plurality of battery assemblies 120. The plurality of battery assemblies 120 may be connected in series by the plurality of bus bars. In this manner, the battery pack 100 may be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor).

[0084] The battery pack 100 may further include lead plates coupled to the first to fourth side walls 112, 113, 114, and 115. The lead plates may cover elements disposed inside the battery pack 100, such as the battery assembly 120 and electrical components. The lead plates may be fixed to the battery pack 100 by mechanical coupling means, such as bolts.

[0085] 1, 4 and 5, the first to fifth flows F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 show the movement of the cooling fluid flowing along the upper cooling channel 160CH, the vertical channel VCH, and the branch channel DCH. The first flow F1 is the Z-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the vertical channel VCH of the multiple connecting columns 151. The second flow F2 is the Y-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the branch channel 160S2. The third flow F3 is the X-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the upper cooling channel 160CH. The fourth flow F4 is the Y-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the branch channel 160S2. The fifth flow F5 is the Z-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the vertical channel VCH of the multiple connecting columns 152. The cooling fluid introduced from the lower cooling channel 111CH can flow along the first to fifth flows F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 and be transferred back to the lower cooling channel 111CH. Also, a person skilled in the art can understand that the cooling fluid can also flow in the opposite direction to the first to fifth flows F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5.

[0086] Second embodiment 6 is a plan view for explaining the battery pack 101 according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 6, elements shown with dashed lines indicate the positions of the vertical cooling channel VCH and the upper cooling channel 161CH.

[0087] 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a portion of a battery pack 101 according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, in FIG. 7, a plurality of cooling devices 161 are omitted from the battery pack 101 in FIG.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6A-6A' of FIG.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6B-6B' of FIG.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a coolant in a battery pack 101 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0091] 6 to 9, the battery pack 101 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120, a center beam 130, a plurality of exhaust devices 140, a plurality of connecting posts 151, 152, a plurality of cooling devices 161, and TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layers 171, 173.

[0092] The housing 110, the multiple battery assemblies 120, the center beam 130, the multiple exhaust devices 140, and the TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layers 171, 173 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, and therefore repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0093] The plurality of cooling devices 161 may be disposed on the plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cooling devices 161 may cover a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of cooling devices 161 may not cover a portion of the plurality of battery assemblies 120.

[0094] According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 161 may not cover the center beam 130. According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 161 may not overlap the center beam 130 in the Z direction. According to an example embodiment, each of the multiple cooling devices 161 may be spaced apart from the center beam 130 in the horizontal direction (e.g., in the Y direction).

[0095] Each of the plurality of cooling devices 161 may include a plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH and a plurality of cavities 161C. Each of the plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH and the plurality of cavities 161C may extend in the X direction.

[0096] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH may provide a path for the cooling fluid to flow. The plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH may be arranged along the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH may be coupled to the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH. The plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH may be interposed between the plurality of cavities 161C.

[0097] The multiple cavities 161C are empty spaces formed inside each of the multiple cooling devices 161. By forming the multiple cavities 161C, the mass of each of the multiple cooling devices 161 may be reduced, which may improve the energy density of the battery pack 101. The multiple cavities 161C may be spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0098] The cooling fluid may flow from the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH to the plurality of upper cooling channels 161CH through the vertical cooling channels VCH of the plurality of connecting columns 151. The cooling fluid flowing along the upper cooling channels 161CH may flow through the vertical cooling channels VCH of the plurality of connecting columns 152 into the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH.

[0099] Each of the plurality of connecting columns 151, 152 may be directly connected to the plate portion 111 and each of the plurality of cooling devices 161. Thus, each of the plurality of cooling devices 161 may include a hole connecting the vertical cooling channel VCH of each of the plurality of connecting columns 151, 152 to the upper cooling channel 161CH of the plurality of cooling devices 161.

[0100] The vertical cooling channels VCH may correspond one-to-one to the upper cooling channels 161CH, and the vertical cooling channels VCH may correspond one-to-one to the lower cooling channels 111CH, so that in the case of the battery pack 101, the cooling fluid transferred through the vertical cooling channels VCH can be transferred to the upper cooling channels 161CH without branching.

[0101] According to an exemplary embodiment, the battery pack 101 includes a larger number of connecting posts 151, 152 than the battery pack 100 of FIG. 1, so that swelling of the multiple battery cells 121 can be prevented.

[0102] 6, 9 and 10, the first, third and fifth flows F1, F3, F5 show the movement of the cooling fluid along the vertical channel VCH and the upper cooling channel 161CH. The first flow F1 is the Z-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the vertical channel VCH of the multiple connecting columns 151. The third flow F3 is the X-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the upper cooling channel 161CH. The fifth flow F5 is the Z-direction flow of the cooling fluid through the vertical channel VCH of the multiple connecting columns 152.

[0103] 5, the flow of the cooling fluid in the battery pack 101 does not include the second flow F2 and the fourth flow F4 because the branch channel for distributing the cooling fluid is omitted. This can prevent turbulence of the cooling fluid, can prevent a decrease in the flow rate of the cooling fluid, and can improve the efficiency of each of the multiple cooling devices 161. Meanwhile, the battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 1 has a smaller number of multiple connecting columns 151, 152 compared to the battery pack 101 in FIG. 6, and therefore can have a high energy density.

[0104] Third embodiment 11 is a plan view for explaining the battery pack 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 11, elements shown with dashed lines indicate the positions of the vertical cooling channel VCH, the branch channels 162S1, 162S2, and the upper cooling channel 162CH.

[0105] Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a configuration of a portion of the battery pack 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 12 shows the battery pack 102 of Fig. 11 with the cooling devices 162 omitted.

[0106] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11A-11A' of FIG.

[0107] 11-13, the battery pack 102 may include a housing 110, a plurality of battery assemblies 120, a center beam 130, a plurality of exhaust devices 140, a plurality of connecting posts 151, 152, a cooling device 162, and TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layers 171, 173 (see FIG. 3).

[0108] The housing 110, the multiple battery assemblies 120, the center beam 130, the multiple exhaust devices 140, and the TIM (Thermal Interface Material) layers 171, 173 (see FIG. 3) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, and therefore repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The cooling device 162 may be disposed on the plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling device 162 may cover the entire plurality of battery assemblies 120. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling device 162 may cover the center beam 130. According to an exemplary embodiment, the cooling device 162 may overlap the center beam 130 in the Z direction.

[0110] The cooling device 162 may include branch channels 162S1, 162S2, a plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH, and a plurality of cavities (not shown). Each of the plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH and the plurality of cavities (not shown) may extend in the X direction.

[0111] According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH may provide a path for the cooling fluid to flow. The plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH may be arranged along the Y direction. The plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH may be coupled to the plurality of lower cooling channels 111CH.

[0112] The multiple cavities (not shown) are empty spaces formed inside the cooling device 162, and the multiple cavities (not shown) may improve the energy density of the battery pack 102.

[0113] The branch channel 162S1 may be coupled to the vertical cooling channel VCH and the plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH of each of the plurality of connecting columns 151. The branch channel 162S2 may be coupled to the vertical cooling channel VCH and the plurality of upper cooling channels 162CH of each of the plurality of connecting columns 152.

[0114] The cooling fluid may flow from the lower cooling channels 111CH to the upper cooling channels 162CH through the vertical cooling channels VCH and the branch channel 162S1 of the connecting columns 151. The cooling fluid flowing along the upper cooling channel 162CH may be transferred to the lower cooling channels 111CH through the branch channel 162S2 and the vertical cooling channels VCH of the connecting columns 152.

[0115] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not fully represent the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0116] For example, the above discloses an embodiment in which one cooling device or multiple cooling devices cover and cool two or more battery assemblies, but a person of ordinary skill in the art can easily arrive at an embodiment of a battery pack including multiple cooling devices in the same number as the battery assemblies, each of the multiple cooling devices covering a corresponding one of the battery assemblies. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 100 Battery Packs 101 Battery Pack 102 Battery Pack 110 Housing 111 Plate section 111C Cavity 111CH Lower Cooling Channel Hall 111H 111L Bottom 111U top 112 First side wall 113 Second side wall 114 3rd Side Wall 115 4th side wall 116 Support stand 120 Battery Assembly 121 Battery Cell 122 Separator 125 Bulkhead Assembly 125a 1st bulkhead 125b 2nd bulkhead 130 Center Beam 140 Exhaust system 151 Connecting column 152 Connecting column 160 Cooling device 160C hollow 160CH Upper Cooling Channel 160S1 Branch Channel 160S2 Branch Channel 161 Cooling device 161C Cavity 161CH Upper Cooling Channel 162 Cooling device 162CH Upper Cooling Channel 162S1 Branch Channel 162S2 Branch Channel 171 TIM layer 173 TIM layer

Claims

1. a housing including a plate portion; a battery assembly disposed on an upper surface of the plate portion of the housing and including a plurality of battery cells; a cooling device spaced apart from the plate portion with the battery assembly therebetween; a plurality of connecting posts interposed between the cooling device and the plate portion and supporting the cooling device, the cooling device includes a plurality of upper cooling channels, each of the plurality of upper cooling channels extending in a first direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from one another along a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the plate portion and perpendicular to the first direction.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising a TIM layer interposed between the battery assembly and the cooling device, the TIM layer including a thermally conductive resin.

3. The battery pack of claim 2 , wherein the TIM layer contacts the plate portion and each of the plurality of battery cells.

4. The battery assembly includes a first partition wall and a second partition wall having complementary shapes, the first partition wall and the second partition wall space the plurality of battery cells from each other, The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connecting posts are in contact with one of the first partition and the second partition.

5. 4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of connecting posts includes a vertical cooling channel coupled to the plurality of upper cooling channels.

6. 6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein each of the upper cooling channels is directly coupled to a corresponding one of the vertical cooling channels of each of the plurality of connecting posts.

7. 7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the vertical cooling channel of each of the plurality of connecting posts corresponds one-to-one with the upper cooling channel.

8. 6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the cooling device includes the vertical cooling channel of each of the plurality of connecting posts and a branch channel coupled to the upper cooling channel.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the branch channel extends along the second direction.

10. a housing including a plate portion; a plurality of battery assemblies disposed on an upper surface of the plate portion of the housing, each battery assemblies including a plurality of battery cells; a cooling device spaced apart from the plate portion with the battery assembly therebetween; a plurality of connecting posts extending in a third direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from each other with the plurality of battery assemblies interposed therebetween, the plate portion of the housing includes a plurality of lower cooling channels, each of the lower cooling channels extending along a first direction parallel to the top surface of the plate portion and spaced apart from one another along a second direction parallel to the top surface of the plate portion and perpendicular to the first direction; The cooling device includes a plurality of upper cooling channels, each of the upper cooling channels extending in the first direction and spaced apart from one another along the second direction.

11. 11. The battery pack of claim 10, further comprising a TIM layer including a thermally conductive resin in contact with the cooling device and each of the plurality of battery cells.

12. The battery assembly further includes a center beam interposed between the battery assemblies; and The battery pack according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cooling device overlaps with the center beam in the third direction.

13. The battery assembly further includes a center beam interposed between the battery assemblies; and The battery pack according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the cooling device is spaced apart from the center beam in the second direction.

14. Each of the plurality of battery assemblies includes a first partition wall and a second partition wall having complementary shapes, the first partition wall and the second partition wall space the plurality of battery cells from each other, The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of connecting posts contact corresponding ones of the first partition and the second partition.

Images