Heatsink Assembly

Abstract

In one example, the disclosed heat sink assembly includes a plurality of heat sinks, each having a plurality of ribs integrally formed by extrusion molding along its internal longitudinal direction, with channels for refrigerant flow formed in the spaces between the ribs, each with open first and second faces at both longitudinal ends, and a communication port on one of the side walls adjacent to the first and / or second faces, the plurality of heat sinks forming a single heat sink module by the side walls forming a joint surface so that the communication ports coincide, the entire channel of the heat sink module being fluid-communicated by the communication port, the ribs of the heat sink having a length such that both ends are spaced a predetermined distance from the first and second faces, and the open first and second faces at both ends of the heat sink module are closed by a pack frame.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly that is attached to the bottom of a battery pack that includes a plurality of secondary batteries and promotes heat dissipation from the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0071929, dated June 2, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have the potential to be small and have large capacities, and as such, they have been the subject of much research and development in recent years. Demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing due to the increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, as well as the emergence of electric vehicles and energy storage systems in response to modern demands for environmental protection.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly installed inside the battery case of a secondary battery is a power generating element that can be charged and discharged and is made up of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] Since secondary batteries are required to be used continuously for a long period of time, it is necessary to effectively control the heat generated during the charging and discharging process.If secondary batteries are not cooled smoothly, a positive feedback chain reaction will occur in which a rise in temperature causes an increase in current, and the increase in current causes another rise in temperature, ultimately leading to a catastrophic state of thermal runaway.

[0006] Heat sinks (also called cooling plates) through which a refrigerant flows are widely used to effectively dissipate the heat generated by secondary batteries. Heat sinks are attached to the bottom of a group of multiple secondary batteries, such as a battery pack containing multiple secondary batteries, and perform a cooling function by absorbing the heat generated inside the pack with a refrigerant and dissipating it to the outside.

[0007] Heat sinks can be divided into brazed and extruded heat sinks based on their structure or manufacturing method. Brazed heat sinks are made by brazing two plates together to form flow channels, which allows for greater freedom in flow channel design, but has the disadvantage of reduced material properties, resulting in lower structural rigidity. In contrast, extruded heat sinks, which are manufactured as a continuous body through extrusion molding, are advantageous in terms of structural rigidity, but are limited to straight flow channels and require a large number of ports, resulting in the need for connecting pipes that take up space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a heat sink assembly that is an extruded heat sink but does not require a separate pipe for forming a flow path, occupies less space, and has a simplified flow path configuration that reduces the number of parts, thereby improving differential pressure.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, which in one example includes a plurality of heat sinks each having a plurality of ribs integrally formed by extrusion molding along its internal longitudinal direction, with channels for refrigerant flow formed in the spaces between the ribs, and each having first and second open faces at both longitudinal ends and a communication port on one of the side walls adjacent to the first and / or second faces, the plurality of heat sinks forming a single heat sink module by the side walls forming a joint surface so that the communication ports coincide, the entire channel of the heat sink module being fluid-communicated by the communication port, the ribs of the heat sink having a length such that both ends are spaced a predetermined distance from the first and second faces, and the open first and second faces at both ends of the heat sink module being closed by a pack frame.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pack frame is a pair of side frames, and the side frames are joined to both ends of the heat sink module by welding.

[0012] The heat sink module may include ports in communication with the flow paths in the outermost heat sinks on both sides in the width direction of the heat sink module.

[0013] The port may be located in the space between the pack frame and the rib on the first or second surface.

[0014] The port may be located diagonally relative to the communication opening.

[0015] The ribs may be arranged such that the closer the positions of both ends are to the port or communication opening, the farther they are from the first surface or the second surface.

[0016] Meanwhile, the heat sink assembly of the present invention includes a plurality of the heat sink modules, and the pack frame includes a center frame and side frames, and the first surface of one heat sink module and the second surface of another heat sink module are joined to the center frame to be closed, and the first surface or the second surface of two heat sink modules arranged at the outermost edge in the longitudinal direction can be joined to the side frames to be closed.

[0017] The plurality of heat sink modules may be fluidly connected to each other to form an entire flow path.

[0018] For example, the plurality of heat sink modules may be configured such that the outlet port of any one heat sink module is connected to the inlet port of another heat sink module, and the inlet port and outlet port may be selected as the ports closest to each other in two adjacent heat sink modules.

[0019] Here, the two heat sink modules may be in fluid communication with each other by a pipe member connecting the inlet port and the outlet port.

[0020] Alternatively, the two heat sink modules may be fluidly connected by a connection hole formed through the surface of each heat sink module to communicate with the internal flow path, and a cross plate that encloses the connection hole and seals it from the outside.

[0021] In some embodiments, the connection holes and cross plate may be located on the bottom surface of the heat sink module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The heat sink assembly of the present invention having the above-described configuration has excellent structural rigidity because the heat sink is manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding. At the same time, internal flow passages are formed between the interconnected heat sinks by machining both longitudinal ends and side walls of the ribs formed integrally with the heat sink, and the pack frame closes the open surface, thereby forming a cooling flow passage divided into an inlet and an outlet.

[0023] As a result, the heat sink assembly of the present invention is based on an extruded heat sink, which has the advantage of structural rigidity, but does not require a separate pipe for forming a flow path, occupies less space, and the simplified flow path configuration reduces the number of parts, thereby improving differential pressure.In addition, the heat dissipation area can be easily expanded by increasing the number of heat sinks to be joined.

[0024] However, the technical effects that can be obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0025] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, and therefore the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited solely to the matters depicted in such drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a view showing a heat sink assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat sink. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a structure in which a plurality of heat sinks are joined together; [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the flow of a coolant in the heat sink assembly of FIG. 1. [Figure 5]1 is a view showing an embodiment of a heat sink assembly including a center frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part “A” in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 10 is a view showing another embodiment of a heat sink assembly including a center frame. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom view of part "B" shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Because the present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0028] However, this is not intended to limit the invention to any particular embodiment, but rather to be understood as including all modifications, equivalents, or alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0029] In the present invention, terms such as "comprise" and "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and may be understood as not precluding the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0030] Furthermore, in the present invention, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other portion is described as being "on" another portion, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" the other portion, but also the case where there is another portion therebetween. Conversely, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other portion is described as being "under" the other portion, this includes not only the case where it is "directly under" the other portion, but also the case where there is another portion therebetween. Furthermore, in this application, being "located on" can include not only the case where it is located at the top, but also the case where it is located at the bottom.

[0031] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, which in one example includes a plurality of heat sinks having a plurality of ribs integrally formed along an internal longitudinal direction by extrusion molding, with channels for refrigerant flow formed in the spaces between the ribs, and having first and second open faces at both longitudinal ends and a communication port on one side wall adjacent to the second face, the plurality of heat sinks forming a single heat sink module by the side walls forming a joint surface so that the communication ports coincide, the entire channel of the heat sink module being fluid-communicated by the communication port, the ribs of the heat sink having a length such that both ends are separated by a predetermined distance from the first and second faces, and the open first and second faces at both ends of the heat sink module are closed by a pack frame.

[0032] The heat sink assembly of the present invention having the above-described configuration has excellent structural rigidity because the heat sink is manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding. At the same time, internal flow passages are formed between the interconnected heat sinks by machining both longitudinal ends and side walls of the ribs formed integrally with the heat sink, and the pack frame closes the open surface, thereby forming a cooling flow passage divided into an inlet and an outlet.

[0033] As a result, the heat sink assembly of the present invention is based on an extruded heat sink, which has the advantage of structural rigidity, but does not require a separate pipe for forming a flow path, occupies less space, and the simplified flow path configuration reduces the number of parts, thereby improving differential pressure.In addition, the heat dissipation area can be easily expanded by increasing the number of heat sinks to be joined.

[0034] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, the directions of front, back, up, down, left, and right used in the following description to designate relative positions are intended to aid in understanding the invention, and unless otherwise specified, are based on the directions shown in the drawings.

[0035] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a view showing a heat sink assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure of a heat sink 110, and Fig. 3 is a view showing a structure in which a plurality of heat sinks 110 are joined together. The heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figs. 1 to 3.

[0036] The heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention includes a heat sink module 100 in which a plurality of heat sinks 110 are joined in a row, and a pack frame 200. The open faces of each heat sink 110 or heat sink module 100 are the faces at both ends of the longitudinal direction L, and for convenience of explanation, the two open faces are referred to as a first face 116 and a second face 118, respectively. Here, the longitudinal direction L is defined as the extrusion direction of the heat sink 110, i.e., the direction in which the ribs 112 extend, and the width direction W is defined as the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L on a plane in which the plurality of ribs 112 are spaced apart.

[0037] All heat sinks 110 are manufactured to have essentially the same structure. For example, each heat sink 110 may be manufactured as an extrusion product in which multiple ribs 112 are integrally formed along the internal longitudinal direction L by extrusion molding. Several heat sinks 110 may be prepared by cutting a continuous extrusion product manufactured by extrusion molding to an appropriate length. Each heat sink 110 has internal flow paths 114 through which a refrigerant flows formed in the spaces between the spaced-apart ribs 112, and a first surface 116 and a second surface 118 at both ends in the longitudinal direction L are open due to the characteristics of the extrusion product.

[0038] The heat sinks 110 are integrated by firmly joining one sidewall to another through a joining process such as friction stir welding. The heat sinks 110 are joined sequentially in a row along the width direction W in the drawing, and the closed sidewalls where the heat sinks 110 are joined, i.e., the joining surfaces 130, are machined to form communication holes 120 in all of the heat sinks 110 before joining. The communication holes 120 on the joining surfaces 130 allow the flow channels 114 of all of the heat sinks 110 constituting one heat sink module 100 to be fluidly connected to one another. In other words, all of the flow channels 114 in the heat sink module 100 are connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to enable continuous flow of refrigerant.

[0039] 2 shows a structure in which communication opening 120 is formed by cutting a predetermined length inward from the end of the side wall on second surface 118. In other words, based on the drawing, communication opening 120 is provided on one of the side walls adjacent to second surface 118. Needless to say, communication opening 120 can also be formed in the middle of the side wall, but in order to facilitate the smooth flow of coolant between heat sinks 110, it is preferable that communication opening 120 be located at the end of the side wall.

[0040] When the entire heat sink module 100 is taken as a reference, the communication holes 120 may be arranged in a zigzag pattern by being alternately disposed on the first surface 116 and the second surface 118. Referring to Fig. 3, adjacent communication holes 120 in the width direction W are diagonally aligned, thereby ensuring uniform refrigerant flow throughout the entire heat sink module 100. In other words, by arranging the communication holes 120 in a zigzag pattern, the heat transfer area of ​​the heat sink module 100 can be maximized.

[0041] One or two communication holes 120 are provided for each heat sink 110 depending on the position of each heat sink 110 in the heat sink module 100. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, a heat sink 110 is provided with a number of communication holes 120 corresponding to the number of adjacent heat sinks 110 joined to it. Therefore, the outermost heat sink 110 in the width direction W has one communication hole 120, and the heat sinks 110 between them have two communication holes 120. When any heat sink 110 has two communication holes 120, the two communication holes 120 are arranged one on each of the first surface 116 and the second surface 118.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 , a pack frame 200 is joined to the open first and second surfaces 116 and 118 at both ends of the heat sink module 100, thereby sealing the heat sink module 100. The pack frame 200 is a frame that forms part of the pack case on which the battery modules or battery blocks are mounted, and forms the mechanical structure of the pack case to withstand various loads. The pack frame 200 is provided with a joint 202 having a thickness corresponding to the height of the heat sink 110, and the joint 202 of the pack frame 200 and the first and second surfaces 116 and 118 of the heat sink 110 are joined face-to-face. By ensuring that the weld depths of the joined joint 202 and the friction stir welding performed on the top and bottom of the heat sink 110 overlap, sealing can be completed on all four sides of the first and second surfaces 116, 118.

[0043] The ribs 112 of the heat sink 110 have a length such that both ends are separated by a predetermined distance from the first surface 116 and the second surface 118. This creates a space of a certain volume between the pack frame 200 and the first surface 116 and the second surface 118. In other words, this space is created by machining, cutting a predetermined length off the ends of the ribs 112 that are accessible via the first surface 116 and the second surface 118, and forms a shared space that communicates with all of the flow paths 114 between the ribs 112.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pack frame 200 is a pair of side frames 210 that form the outer surface of the pack case, and the side frames 210 are joined to both open ends of the heat sink module 100 by welding.

[0045] The heat sink module 100 may have ports 300 in communication with the internal flow paths 114 in the outermost heat sinks 110 on both sides in the width direction W. The pair of ports 300 constitutes an inlet and an outlet for the refrigerant to flow in and out. That is, one port 300 is an inlet port 310, and the other is an outlet port 320. The pair of ports 300 are located in the space between the pack frame 200 and the rib 112 on the first surface 116 or the second surface 118. As a result, the refrigerant flowing in and out through the port 300 is supplied to all the flow paths 114 via the inlet port 310, and the refrigerant that has passed through all the flow paths 114 is collected and discharged from the outlet port 320.

[0046] 4 is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant in the heat sink assembly 10 of FIG. 1. The refrigerant that flows into the inlet port 310 flows through the heat sinks 110 one by one along the width direction W and flows out to the outlet port 320. Adjacent communication ports 120 are arranged in a zigzag pattern, and a pair of ports 300 are also positioned diagonally relative to the communication ports 120, allowing the refrigerant to flow uniformly throughout the heat sink module 100.

[0047] 3 and 4, the overall length of each rib 112 may be substantially the same, but the positions of both ends of each rib 112 may be different. That is, the positions of both ends of the rib 112 may be arranged so that the closer the ends of the rib 112 are to the port 300 or communication port 120 through which the refrigerant flows in and out from the outside or inside, the farther they are from the first surface 116 or the second surface 118. This is to ensure a large space in the area where the refrigerant gathers and flows in and out, thereby facilitating a smooth flow of the refrigerant. Such a varying structure of the rib 112 is created by adjusting the machining depth of a cutting tool that approaches through the first surface 116 and the second surface 118.

[0048] (Second embodiment) 5 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a heat sink assembly 10 including a center frame 220. The embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a plurality of heat sink modules 100 are provided. Although the drawing illustrates an example where two heat sink modules 100 are provided, it is obvious that one heat sink assembly 10 can be configured with three or more heat sink modules 100 by increasing the number of center frames 220.

[0049] 5, the heat sink assembly 10 includes two heat sink modules 100. The pack frame 200 includes a center frame 220 and a side frame 210, where the center frame 220 refers to the pack frame 200 that crosses the interior of the heat sink assembly 10. In contrast, the pack frame 200 that forms the outer shell of the heat sink assembly 10 is the side frame 210, as described above.

[0050] Of the two heat sink modules 100, one heat sink module 100 is closed by being joined at its first surface 116 to the center frame 220, and the other heat sink module 100 is closed by being joined at its second surface 118 to the center frame 220. That is, with the center frame 220 at the center, one heat sink module 100 is joined to each side in the longitudinal direction L. Meanwhile, the second surface 118 and the first surface 116 of each heat sink module 100 located at the outermost periphery in the longitudinal direction L are joined to the side frames 210 and closed. By using the center frame 220, the heat sink assembly 10 expanded in the longitudinal direction L can structurally withstand loads well.

[0051] Although multiple heat sink modules 100 may form independent refrigerant flow paths 114 from each other, multiple heat sink modules 100 may be fluidly connected to each other to form an entire flow path 114 in order to reduce the number of pipes required to form the flow paths 114 and increase space utilization efficiency.

[0052] 6 is an enlarged view of portion "A" in FIG. 5, and shows two heat sink modules 100 in fluid communication with each other via a pipe member 330 connecting the inlet port 310 and the outlet port 320. In other words, the outlet port 320 of one heat sink module 100 is connected to the inlet port 310 of the other heat sink module 100, thereby connecting the internal flow paths 114 of each. As a result, the entire heat sink assembly 10 essentially maintains the number of ports 300 at two, i.e., one inlet port 310 and one outlet port 320.

[0053] When fluidly connecting two heat sink modules 100, it is preferable to shorten the pipe member 330 from the viewpoints of improving the differential pressure and saving space. Therefore, the inlet port 310 and the outlet port 320 connected to each other by the pipe member 330 may be selected as the ports 300 that are closest to each other in the two adjacent heat sink modules 100.

[0054] (Third embodiment) 7 is a view showing another embodiment of the heat sink assembly 10 including a center frame 220. The difference from the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is the structure for fluidly connecting two heat sink modules 100. Therefore, the third embodiment will be described mainly with reference to the fluid communication structure, and the second embodiment will be referred to for the omitted redundant configuration.

[0055] 7, the structure for fluidly connecting the two heat sink modules 100 is not exposed because the fluid communication structure is provided on the bottom surface of the heat sink assembly 10. Needless to say, the fluid communication structure of the third embodiment can also be disposed on the top surface, but it is preferable to hide the fluid communication structure on the bottom from the viewpoints of maximizing the battery mounting space and protecting it from the outside by avoiding interference.

[0056] Fig. 8 is an enlarged bottom view of part "B" shown in Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 8. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the two heat sink modules 100 include connecting holes 140 formed through the surface of each heat sink module 100 to communicate with the internal flow path 114, and a cross plate 340 that encloses the connecting holes 140 and seals them from the outside. As described above, the connecting holes 140 and the cross plate 340 are disposed on the bottom surface of the heat sink module 100.

[0057] The flow paths 114 of each heat sink module 100 are exposed to the outside through the connecting holes 140 drilled through the surface, but the coolant flowing in and out of the connecting holes 140 is sealed by the cross plate 340, which encloses the connecting holes 140 and seals them from the outside, completing the cross-flow structure for the coolant. The cross plate 340 is welded along its edges to the center frame 220 and the heat sink modules 100. The illustrated cross plate 340 has a concave-convex structure 342 aligned in the direction in which the coolant flows across. The concave-convex structure 342 improves the mechanical strength of the cross plate 340, and additional welding along the concave surfaces 344 of the concave-convex structure 342 can also improve weld strength.

[0058] 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 represent all of 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10: Heat sink assembly 100: Heat sink module 110: Heat sink 112: Rib 114: Flow path 116: 1st page 118:Second side 120: Connecting port 130: Joint surface 140: Connection hole 200: Pack Frame 202: Joint 210: Side frame 220: Center frame 300:Port 310: Inlet port 320: Outlet port 330: Pipe member 340: Cross plate 342: Uneven structure 344: Concave L: Longitudinal direction W: Width direction

Claims

1. A heat sink assembly including a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink having a plurality of ribs integrally formed along an internal longitudinal direction, a flow path for a refrigerant formed in a space between the ribs, a first surface and a second surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, and a communication port on one side wall adjacent to the first surface and / or the second surface, the plurality of heat sinks form a single heat sink module by forming a joint surface of the side walls so that the communication openings are aligned; the entire flow path of the heat sink module is fluidly connected by the communication port; The rib of the heat sink has a length such that both ends thereof are spaced apart from the first surface and the second surface by a predetermined distance, a heat sink assembly, wherein the first and second open surfaces at both ends of the heat sink module are closed by a pack frame;

2. The pack frame is a pair of side frames, The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the side frames are joined to both ends of the heat sink module.

3. The heat sink module includes: The heat sink assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outermost heat sinks on both sides in the width direction of the heat sink module are provided with ports communicating with the flow paths.

4. The port is The heat sink assembly of claim 3 , located in a space between a pack frame and a rib on the first or second surface.

5. The port is The heat sink assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the heat sink assembly is positioned diagonally relative to the communication opening.

6. The rib is The heat sink assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the ribs are arranged such that the closer the ends of the ribs are to the port or communication opening, the farther they are from the first surface or the second surface.

7. A plurality of the heat sink modules are provided, The pack frame includes a center frame and a side frame, a first surface of any one of the heat sink modules and a second surface of the other heat sink module are joined to the center frame to close the heat sink module; The heat sink assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first or second surfaces of two heat sink modules arranged at the outermost sides in the longitudinal direction are joined to the side frame to be closed.

8. 8. The heat sink assembly of claim 7, wherein a plurality of said heat sink modules are in fluid communication with one another to form the entire flow path.

9. The plurality of heat sink modules include: The outlet port of any one heat sink module is connected to the inlet port of another heat sink module; The heat sink assembly of claim 8 , wherein the inlet port and the outlet port are the closest ports to each other on two adjacent heat sink modules.

10. The two heat sink modules are: The heat sink assembly of claim 9 , wherein the inlet and outlet ports are in fluid communication with each other through a pipe member connecting the inlet and outlet ports.

11. The two heat sink modules are: The heat sink assembly of claim 9, wherein the heat sink modules have connection holes formed through the surface thereof to communicate with the internal flow paths, and the connection holes are fluidly connected by a cross plate that encloses the connection holes and seals them from the outside.

12. The connecting hole and the cross plate are The heat sink assembly of claim 11 , disposed on a bottom surface of the heat sink module.

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