Cooling fins, a battery cell module including the same, and a battery cell module assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides cooling fins, a battery cell module including the same, and a battery cell module assembly. [Solution] A cooling fin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cooling plate in which cooling channels are formed, and support plates coupled to the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate, wherein at least one cooling channel can be formed so that a cooling fluid flows through the inside of the cooling plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cooling fins, a battery cell module including the same, and an assembly of battery cell modules.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, not only have mobile information terminals such as mobile phones and notebook computers been made smaller and lighter, but various batteries have been developed and used as power sources as the demand for higher capacity in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. has increased.

[0003] As the efficiency of secondary batteries becomes increasingly important according to their application fields, various problems due to external environments such as heat generation and fire occurring during charging or operation have arisen.

[0004] As a result, various technologies have been developed that can increase the operating efficiency of secondary batteries and ensure safety. In addition, in recent years, due to the increase in carbon emissions accompanying the rapid increase in power consumption and the problem of global warming, a more efficient device operation mechanism and maximization of cooling efficiency for this purpose have been increasingly demanded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide cooling fins that enable efficient operation of a battery cell module and a device through efficient cooling of the battery cell module.

[0007] Furthermore, it is possible to provide a battery cell module and a battery cell module assembly that can improve cooling efficiency and reliability by using cooling fins to cool the entire battery cell module as well as the cooling between battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cooling fin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cooling plate having a cooling channel formed therein, and support plates coupled to the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate, wherein at least one cooling channel may be formed so that a cooling fluid flows through the inside of the cooling plate.

[0009] Here, the support plate may have a planar shape parallel to the upper and lower end surfaces of the cooling plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the cooling plate may be formed such that cooling channels penetrate both ends of the cooling plate, allowing the cooling fluid to flow into one end of the cooling plate and out to the other end in the direction of the cooling fluid's flow through the inside of the cooling plate.

[0011] A battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction, and includes cooling fins coupled between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, wherein the cooling fins include a cooling plate coupled between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and having a cooling channel formed therein, and support plates extending from the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells, wherein the cooling channel is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and may be formed to penetrate in the direction of one end and the other end of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells.

[0012] This may further include buffer pads that are bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, but alternately bonded with the cooling fins.

[0013] A battery cell module assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked in one direction and a cooling fin bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, wherein the cooling fin includes a cooling plate bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and having a cooling channel formed therein, and a support plate extending from the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells, wherein the cooling channel is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and to penetrate in the direction of one end and the other end of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, and includes a case housing the battery cell module, wherein the case may include an inlet portion into which a cooling fluid flows in on one side and an outlet portion into which the cooling fluid is discharged on the other side.

[0014] Here, the cooling fluid may be formed so that the direction of movement of the cooling fluid from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the case is parallel to the direction of the cooling flow path of the cooling plate from one end to the other.

[0015] Furthermore, the space formed between the inlet portion of the case and one end of the battery cell module housed inside the case, and the space formed between the outlet portion of the case and the other end of the battery cell module housed inside the case, may be formed so as to be impregnated with the cooling fluid.

[0016] Furthermore, the layered surfaces of the battery cells may further include buffer pads that are alternately coupled with the cooling fins.

[0017] The features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent in the subsequent detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Prior to this, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary or lexicographical sense, but rather in a sense and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​this disclosure, in accordance with the principle that an inventor may appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best describe his invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling efficiency of the battery cell module of a secondary battery can be improved.

[0020] In addition, by allowing the cooling fluid to flow in the outer space including the battery cell module, there is an effect that the reliability and efficiency of cooling of the battery cell module assembly can be improved through overall cooling of the inside and outside of the battery cell module.

[0021] In addition, by maximizing the cooling efficiency of the battery cell module to increase the energy efficiency of battery cell cooling, the power consumption can be reduced, and there is an effect that the carbon emissions associated with the operation of related devices can be reduced.

[0022] In addition, by precluding heat propagation between battery cells due to a fire or the like inside the battery cell module, there is an effect that risks such as explosion of the battery cell module can be effectively reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a front view of cooling fins according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of cooling fins according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of a part of a battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a front view of a part of a battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of a battery cell module assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] The terms used to describe one embodiment of this disclosure are not limiting to this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified in the context, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0025] When assigning reference numerals to components in a drawing, the same component should be assigned the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if it appears on other drawings, and similar components should be assigned the same reference numeral.

[0026] The drawings may be schematic or exaggerated for illustrative purposes of the embodiments. In this specification, expressions such as “having,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” refer to the presence of such feature (e.g., numerical values, functions, operations, or components) and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0027] Terms such as "one," "other," "another," "first," and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by these terms.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a front view of a cooling fin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cooling fin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] A cooling fin 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cooling plate 12 on which a cooling channel 13 is formed, and a support plate 11 coupled to the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate 12, wherein at least one cooling channel 13 can be formed so that a cooling fluid flows through the inside of the cooling plate 12.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the cooling fins 10 can be constructed by connecting support plates 11 to the upper and lower ends of a cooling plate 12 in which a cooling channel 13 is formed. The cooling plate 12 and the support plates 11 may be connected separately or formed integrally.

[0032] When the cooling plate 12 is part of a battery cell module, it can be coupled between the battery cells 20 and the battery cells 20, and can be cooled by surface contact coupling with the laminated surface of the battery cell body 21 on a surface extending in one direction.

[0033] At least one cooling channel 13 can be formed on the cooling plate 12, spaced apart from each other. The size or number of cooling channels 13 is not particularly limited, so cooling channels 13 of different sizes can be formed. Needless to say, if necessary, a single cooling channel 13 can be formed on the cooling plate 12.

[0034] The support plate 11 may have a planar shape parallel to the upper and lower end surfaces of the cooling plate 12. When the cooling plate 12 is coupled between the battery cells 20, it can be formed to support and cover both sides of the upper and lower end surfaces of the adjacent battery cells 20.

[0035] The support plate 11 may be integrally formed with the cooling plate 12, and can cover its upper and lower ends with a material that has high thermal conductivity, while also providing the function of cooling the upper and lower ends of the battery cell 20.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, the cooling plate 12 can be formed such that the cooling channels 13 penetrate both ends of the cooling plate 12 so that the cooling fluid flows into one end of the cooling plate 12 in the direction of the flow of the cooling fluid flowing inside the cooling plate 12 and flows out to the other end.

[0037] In other words, when the cooling plate 12 is coupled so that the battery cells 20 are in contact with both sides of it, a cooling effect can occur at the contact surface between the cooling plate 12 and the battery cell body 21 due to the cooling fluid flowing within the cooling plate 12. The cooling plate 12 can be coupled with the battery cells 20 with minimal volume and can also be coupled so as to cover the entire stacked surface of the battery cell body 21.

[0038] The cooling channel 13 of the cooling plate 12 is formed to penetrate both ends of the cooling plate 12 in the longitudinal direction, and the cooling efficiency of the battery cell 20 can be increased by the repeated circulation of the cooling fluid.

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of a battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] A battery cell module including a cooling fin 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of battery cells 20 stacked in one direction, and a cooling fin 10 coupled between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20, wherein the cooling fin 10 includes a cooling plate 12 coupled between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20 and having a cooling channel 13 formed thereon, and support plates 11 extending from the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate 12 and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells 20, respectively, wherein the cooling channel 13 is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20 and can be formed to penetrate in the direction of one end and the other end of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20.

[0041] The battery cell 20 can have a first tab portion 21a and a second tab portion 21b formed at both ends of the battery cell body 21. The first tab portion 21a and the second tab portion 21b can be formed with opposite polarities, representing the cathode and anode. However, the configuration of the tab portion connection of the battery cell 20 is not limited to the illustrated example, and the formation positions of the first tab portion 21a and the second tab portion 21b can be modified within a normal range. For example, both the first tab portion and the second tab portion can be formed at one end of the battery cell body 21.

[0042] Furthermore, the disclosed battery cell 20 includes pouch-type secondary battery forms and can encompass all various battery forms such as cylindrical and prismatic shapes, and the cooling fins according to one embodiment of this disclosure can be applied by appropriate structural modifications according to each battery form.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, when multiple battery cells 20 are stacked in one direction, cooling fins 10 can be bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20.

[0044] The cooling fin 10 may include a cooling plate 12 bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20, and support plates 11 that cover the upper and lower end surfaces of the battery cells 20 on both sides of the stacked surface.

[0045] As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 3, the cooling plate 12 is bonded to the stacked surface of the battery cell body 21, and the battery cell 20, which is in contact with the cooling plate 12, can be cooled via a cooling channel 13 through which a cooling fluid flows.

[0046] At least one cooling channel 13 can be formed between the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate 12, and it goes without saying that the size, arrangement, and number of cooling channels 13 can be appropriately modified depending on the battery cell module to which they are applied.

[0047] Furthermore, the cooling fins 10 coupled to the battery cell module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure are substantially the same as the configuration and operation of the cooling fins 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure described above, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the buffer pads 30 can be alternately bonded to the cooling fins 10 between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20.

[0049] The cushioning pad 30 can flexibly respond to the expansion of the battery cells 20 in the battery cell module and effectively cushion pressure changes within the battery cell module. The cushioning pad 30 can be bonded to the laminated surface between the battery cells 20, and its thickness or material can be applied as long as it possesses appropriate elasticity. By bonding the cushioning pad 30 with a predetermined thickness, if one of the battery cells 20 to which the cushioning pad 30 is bonded expands due to overheating or other reasons, the appropriate cushioning action can stably ensure the reliability of the operation of the battery cell 20.

[0050] Furthermore, by applying an insulating material to the buffer pad 30, thermal transfer between battery cells 20 can be blocked in advance. In this case, by preventing thermal transfer or explosion transitions to adjacent battery cells 20 due to explosion or fire in any one of the battery cells 20, the fire risk of the entire battery cell module can be reduced or effectively prevented.

[0051] Although not shown in the diagram, the buffer pad 30 can be bonded to the laminated surface between the battery cells 20 separately from the cooling fins 10, or it may be bonded to either one of the two sides of the cooling plate 12.

[0052] Alternatively, by applying an insulating material to block heat transfer to one side of the cooling plate 12 and a material that facilitates heat transfer to the other side, the cooling plate 12 can be manufactured and applied integrally, including materials of different types.

[0053] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a battery cell module assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] A battery cell module assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell module in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are stacked in one direction and a cooling fin 10 bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20, wherein the cooling fin 10 includes a cooling plate 12 bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20 and having a cooling channel 13 formed thereon, and a support plate 11 extending to the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate 12 and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells 20, wherein the cooling channel 13 is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20 and to penetrate from one end to the other of the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20, and includes a case 40 housing the battery cell module, wherein the case 40 may include an inlet portion 41 into which cooling fluid flows in on one side and an outlet portion 42 into which cooling fluid is discharged to the other side of the case 40.

[0055] A battery cell module can be formed by stacking and bonding multiple battery cells 20 in one direction. Cooling fins 10 can be bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20 for cooling the battery cells 20. The cooling fins 10 can be bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 20, and configured so that one cooling fin 10 is bonded for every two battery cells 20, thereby appropriately adjusting the stacking thickness or cooling efficiency of the battery cell module. Of course, if necessary, cooling fins 10 can be bonded and applied between each stacked surface of the battery cells.

[0056] A battery cell module assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a case 40 that houses the battery cell module inside.

[0057] The case 40 houses the battery cell module inside, and can be formed with an inlet section 41 into which cooling fluid flows and an outlet section 42 into which the cooling fluid is discharged to the outside.

[0058] The cooling fluid flow direction in the inlet section 41 and outlet section 42 of the case 40 can be configured to be parallel to the direction of one end and the other end of the cooling channel 13 formed in the cooling plate 12. This allows the cooling fluid flowing into the inlet section 41 to naturally pass through the cooling channel 13 of the cooling plate 12 coupled to the battery cell module, thereby more effectively guiding the flow of the cooling fluid and improving the cooling efficiency of the battery cell module.

[0059] By appropriately changing and adjusting the number or shape of the inlet section 41, the amount or speed of the cooling fluid passing through the cooling channel 13 formed in the cooling plate 12 can be adjusted.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, by maintaining the impregnation of a cooling fluid in the space formed between the inlet portion 41 of the case 40 and one end of the battery cell module housed inside, and in the space formed between the outlet portion 42 of the case 40 and the other end of the battery cell module housed inside, the outer surfaces of the front and back of the battery cell module can be cooled by direct cooling.

[0061] In other words, since the busbars included in the battery cell module assembly and the tab portions 21a and 21b of the battery cell 20 can all be directly cooled, the overall cooling effect of the battery cell module assembly can be maximized.

[0062] Furthermore, the cooling fins 10 and battery cell module included in the battery cell module assembly 1 according to one embodiment of this disclosure are substantially the same as the corresponding configuration and operation of the cooling fins 10 and battery cell module according to the above-described embodiment of this disclosure, so redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0063] The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. The embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications to the embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention and the technical concept, and that such variations and modifications will naturally fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Battery cell module assembly 10 cooling fins 11 Support plate 12 Cooling Plates 13 Cooling channel 20 battery cells 21 Battery cell body 21a First tab section 21b Section 2 of the tab 30 cushioning pads 40 cases 41 Inlet section 42 Outlet section

Claims

1. A cooling plate in which cooling channels are formed, The cooling plate includes a support plate connected to the upper and lower ends, The cooling channel is a cooling fin, of which at least one is formed so that a cooling fluid flows through the inside of the cooling plate.

2. The cooling fin according to claim 1, wherein the support plate has a planar shape parallel to the upper and lower end surfaces of the cooling plate.

3. The cooling fin according to claim 1, wherein the cooling channel is formed to penetrate both ends of the cooling plate so that the cooling fluid flows into one end and out to the other end, so that it flows inside the cooling plate.

4. Multiple battery cells are stacked in one direction. Includes cooling fins bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, The cooling fins are The system includes a cooling plate bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and having a cooling channel formed therein, and support plates extending from the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells, respectively. The cooling channel is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surface of the battery cells and to penetrate in the direction of one end and the other end of the stacked surface of the battery cells, in a battery cell module.

5. The battery cell module according to claim 4, further comprising a buffer pad alternately coupled with the cooling fins between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells.

6. Multiple battery cells are stacked in one direction. The battery cell module includes cooling fins bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells, The cooling fins are The system includes a cooling plate bonded between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells and having a cooling channel formed therein, and support plates extending from the upper and lower ends of the cooling plate and formed to cover the upper and lower end surfaces of adjacent battery cells, respectively. The cooling channel is formed to extend in one direction of the stacked surface of the battery cell and to penetrate in the direction of one end and the other end of the stacked surface of the battery cell. Includes a case for housing the aforementioned battery cell module, The aforementioned case is, An inlet section into which cooling fluid flows on one side, A battery cell module assembly, including an outlet section from which cooling fluid is discharged to the other side.

7. The battery cell module assembly according to claim 6, wherein the direction of movement of the cooling fluid from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the case is formed to be parallel to the direction of one end and the other end of the cooling channel of the cooling plate.

8. The space formed between the inlet portion of the case and one end of the battery cell module housed inside the case, The battery cell module assembly according to claim 6, wherein the space formed between the outlet portion of the case and the other end of the battery cell module housed inside the case is formed so as to be impregnated with the cooling fluid.

9. The battery cell module assembly according to claim 6, further comprising cushioning pads alternately bonded with the cooling fins between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells.

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