Liquid immersion cooling module

Abstract

We provide a liquid immersion cooling module. [Solution] An immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing containing a cooling fluid and a battery module impregnated within the housing, wherein the battery module may include a buffer member formed on the stacked surface of the battery cells, which forms a buffer space inside which the inflow of the cooling fluid is blocked by a ruptured membrane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid immersion cooling module.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, not only have portable 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 increases in electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

[0003] As the efficiency of secondary batteries becomes increasingly important depending on their application fields, various problems caused by external environments such as heat generation and fires occurring during charging or operation have arisen.

[0004] As a result, various technologies have been developed to increase the efficiency of the operation of such secondary batteries and ensure safety. In addition, in recent years, due to the increase in carbon emissions and the problem of global warming accompanying the rapid increase in power consumption, a more efficient device operation mechanism, improvement of the cooling method therefor, and maximization of efficiency 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] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid immersion cooling module that can effectively realize liquid immersion cooling for effectively cooling a battery module and can effectively prevent the transfer of thermal expansion and fires of each battery cell constituting the battery module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, an immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing containing a cooling fluid and a battery module impregnated within the housing, wherein the battery module may include a buffer member formed on the stacked surface of the battery cells, forming a buffer space inside which the inflow of the cooling fluid is blocked by a ruptured membrane.

[0008] Here, the buffer member includes a rupture portion formed at either the upper end or the lower end or both of the buffer space formed inside the buffer member, the rupture portion ruptures under a predetermined pressure through contraction or relaxation of the buffer space, and the cooling fluid can flow into the buffer space.

[0009] Furthermore, the buffer member is formed on the stacked surface between the battery cells, the buffer space is formed to cover a portion of the central area of ​​the stacked surface of the battery cells, and the immersion cooling module may include an extension that extends from the upper or lower end of the buffer space to support the stacked surface between the battery cells.

[0010] Furthermore, the fractured film includes a fracture portion formed on the fractured film so as to rupture by a predetermined pressure through the expansion or contraction of the battery cell, and the fracture portion can be formed on the fractured film to a relatively thin thickness.

[0011] Furthermore, the fractured film includes a fracture portion formed on the fractured film so as to rupture by a predetermined pressure through the expansion or contraction of the battery cell, and the fracture portion may be formed on the fractured film from a different material with a lower elongation ratio than the fractured film.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one fractured portion can be formed in the cushioning member.

[0013] The features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent in the subsequent detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

[0014] 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. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling efficiency can be improved by impregnating the battery module with a cooling fluid, and physical deformations such as thermal expansion of each battery cell in the battery module can be effectively buffered.

[0016] Furthermore, if deformation due to thermal expansion between battery cells in a battery module exceeds a predetermined threshold, a cooling fluid can be introduced into the stacked surface of the battery cells to block thermal transfer between them.

[0017] Furthermore, it can improve the cooling efficiency of the battery module and effectively prevent thermal expansion and fire spread within the battery module.

[0018] Furthermore, by minimizing the risk of battery cell failure, effectively extending the lifespan of devices, improving overall energy efficiency, and minimizing waste, carbon emissions from electricity use can be effectively reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of an immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a first embodiment of the buffer member. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of an immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a modified example of the first embodiment of the buffer member. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a buffer member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of a modification of the first embodiment of the buffer member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the buffer member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of a modification of the second embodiment of the buffer member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Schematic diagram of the operation of the buffer member of the liquid immersion cooling module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The terms used to describe an embodiment of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the present disclosure. It should be noted that singular expressions include plural expressions unless otherwise specified in the context.

[0021] When assigning reference numerals to the components in the drawings, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals as much as possible, even if they are shown on other drawings, and similar reference numerals are assigned to similar components.

[0022] The drawings can be shown schematically or exaggerated for the purpose of explaining the embodiments. In this specification, expressions such as "having", "being able to have", "including", or "being able to include" refer to the presence of the feature (for example, components such as numerical values, functions, operations, or parts), and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0023] Terms such as "one", "other", "another", "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish one component from another, and the components are not limited by the above terms.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid immersion cooling module according to a first embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid immersion cooling module according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the first embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the second embodiment of the buffer member 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the buffer member 20 of the liquid immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] An immersion cooling module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a housing 30 containing a cooling fluid L, and a battery module impregnated within the housing 30, wherein the battery module may include a buffer member 20 formed on the stacked surface of the battery cells 10, forming a buffer space 21 inside which the inflow of the cooling fluid L is blocked by a ruptured membrane 23.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, an immersion cooling module can cool a battery module by impregnating the battery module with a housing 30 containing a cooling fluid L.

[0028] The housing 30 houses a cooling fluid L inside, and by impregnating the battery module with the cooling fluid L, it can drive and cool the battery module.

[0029] The cooling fluid L can be a non-conductive fluid to prevent electricity from flowing through the impregnated battery module or other electronic products, servers, etc. Applicable examples of cooling fluid L include base oil. The base oil may include mineral oil, polyalphaolefin (PAO), and / or ester base oil. However, the cooling fluid L of this disclosure is not limited to these, and any fluid capable of cooling the battery cell 10 can be included.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the buffer member 20 can be bonded to the battery cell 10 of the battery module and to the laminated surface of the battery cell 10.

[0031] The battery cells 10 are bonded between the stacked surfaces, providing a buffer against the physical expansion of the battery cells 10 between them, or effectively blocking and preventing thermal transfer due to explosion or fire of the battery cells 10.

[0032] The cushioning member 20 can be made of a material having a predetermined elastic force to cushion against the physical expansion of the battery cell 10, and can be made of a material having insulating properties for electrical insulation.

[0033] The buffer member 20 is formed between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 10, and when the battery module is impregnated with cooling fluid L, the buffer space 21 formed inside the buffer member 20 can be configured so that the cooling fluid L does not flow in due to the ruptured membrane 23. The buffer space 21 may appropriately contain air or the like, but gases that could induce fire cannot be applied, and it may contain a predetermined substance with fire-extinguishing properties to prevent fire.

[0034] The buffer space 21 can effectively buffer against physical expansion and contraction of the battery cells 10 by ensuring that the buffer support walls 22 constituting the buffer space 21 can physically deform, thereby blocking electrical and chemical hazards between the battery cells 10 through the insulating material of the buffer support walls 22 constituting the buffer space 21.

[0035] The buffer member 20 can form a buffer space 21 at the upper and lower ends of the buffer space 21 by the broken membrane 23.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the fractured film 23 can be formed on the buffer member 20 such that one side is in contact with the buffer space 21 and the other side is in contact with the cooling fluid L. The fractured film 23 prevents the cooling fluid L from flowing into the buffer space 21 of the buffer member 20, and the cooling fluid L is impregnated into the space above and below the buffer member 20, allowing the stacked surface of the battery cell 10 to be cooled.

[0037] The buffer member 20 can have a fractured film 23 on its upper and lower ends, and extensions 24 extending from the fractured film 23 to the upper and lower parts, respectively, and in close contact with the opposing surfaces of each battery cell 10 on the stacked surface of the battery cells 10. Through the extensions 24, thermal transfer between the battery cells 10 due to explosion or other causes can be completely blocked. It goes without saying that such extensions 24 may be formed integrally with the buffer member 20, or may be formed in a form that is coupled to the buffer member 20 in that region.

[0038] The extension 24 supports a region separate from the buffer space 21, and as will be described later, when the rupture film 23 of the buffer member 20 ruptures and the buffer space 21 shrinks, it can effectively block the thermal transition between the battery cells 10 in the remaining region.

[0039] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the buffer member 20 is formed in a portion of the central area of ​​the stacked surface of the battery cells 10, and the cooling fluid L flows freely into the remaining area between the stacked surfaces of the battery cells 10 and comes into direct contact with the stacked surface of the battery cells 10, thereby increasing the cooling efficiency of the battery cells 10 at the top and bottom of the battery cells 10.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rupture membrane 23 of the buffer member 20 may rupture due to a predetermined pressure caused by the expansion or contraction of the battery cell 10 if the battery cell 10 physically expands or its volume rapidly increases due to an explosion or the like. When the rupture membrane 23, which was blocking the inflow of cooling fluid L into the buffer space 21, ruptures in this way, the cooling fluid L naturally flows into the buffer space 21. In this way, the cooling fluid L flows into the buffer space 21, and the rapid temperature rise between the stacked surfaces of the battery cell 10 can be mitigated, thereby ensuring the operational stability of the entire battery module or the device to which the battery module is applied, from the risk of explosion of the battery cell 10 or the like.

[0041] The fractured membrane 23 of the buffer member 20 can be formed to break or break upon receiving pressure generated by the rapid physical changes of the buffer support wall 22 that constitute the buffer space 21 due to the expansion or contraction of the battery cell. For this purpose, the fractured membrane 23 can have a fractured portion 23a formed on the fractured membrane 23 to adjust the position or degree of the breakage of the fractured membrane 23.

[0042] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fracture portion 23a can be formed on the fractured film 23 with a relatively thin thickness. The fracture portion 23a can be formed on the fractured film 23 with a relatively thin thickness so that it ruptures more easily when external pressure is applied. It goes without saying that the difference in relative thickness of the fracture portion 23a formed on the fractured film 23 can be appropriately selected and applied considering the physical deformation range due to the specifications and power of the battery module to which the buffer member 20 is applied.

[0043] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the fracture portion 23b is formed on the fractured film 23, but it can be formed from a different material with a relatively lower elongation ratio than the fractured film 23. Also, in order to lower the elongation ratio, the same material can be used instead of a different material, by changing the physical structure. Since a higher elongation ratio allows for more flexible response to deformation due to external impact, by applying a structure or material with low elongation properties to the fracture portion 23b at a predetermined location on the fractured film 23, it is possible to ensure that the location where the fracture portion 23b is formed on the fractured film 23 is preferentially fractured by external pressure.

[0044] When forming a fractured portion 23b on the fractured film 23 using a different material, it goes without saying that the fractured portion 23b may be joined to the fractured film 23 at the fracture location, or, depending on the material, may be manufactured and formed to be joined integrally.

[0045] The fractured film 23 can be formed in a single form as shown in the figure, but multiple fractured films can be applied in multiple stages depending on the degree of physical deformation applied. Therefore, in one embodiment of this disclosure, at least one fractured film 23 can be formed.

[0046] Specifically, Figure 8 illustrates a case where physical deformation such as expansion occurs in the battery cells 10 while the buffer member 20 is connected between the battery cells 10.

[0047] A buffer member 20 is connected between the battery cells 10, and when the battery cells 10 expand, the buffer space 21 of the buffer member 20 contracts. As the buffer space 21 contracts, the rupture membrane 23 naturally ruptures due to the physical deformation of the buffer support wall 22 of the buffer space 21. In this case, if a rupture portion 23a is formed, the rupture portion 23a may rupture relatively quickly.

[0048] When the ruptured portion 23a of the ruptured film 23 ruptures in this manner, the cooling fluid L impregnated to the outside immediately flows into the buffer space 21 of the buffer member 20, enabling it to respond to fires such as explosions of the battery cells 10. Furthermore, by preventing thermal transfer between the battery cells 10 through the insulating or heat-insulating properties of the material of the buffer member 20 itself, a double barrier film can be formed.

[0049] 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 also fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 battery cells 20 Cushioning material 21 Buffer space 22 Buffer support wall 23. Ruptured membrane 23a, 23b Fracture section 24 Extension 30 Housing L Cooling fluid

Claims

1. A housing containing cooling fluid, and The housing includes a battery module impregnated within it, The aforementioned battery module is A liquid immersion cooling module comprising a buffer member formed on the stacked surface of battery cells, which forms a buffer space inside in which the inflow of the cooling fluid is blocked by a ruptured membrane.

2. The cushioning member is The buffer member includes a fractured membrane formed on either the upper end or the lower end, or both, of the buffer space formed inside the buffer member, The ruptured membrane ruptures under a predetermined pressure through contraction or relaxation of the buffer space, and the cooling fluid flows into the buffer space, as described in claim 1, for the immersion cooling module.

3. The cushioning member is The buffer space is formed on the stacked surface between the battery cells, and the buffer space is formed to cover a portion of the central area of ​​the stacked surface of the battery cells. The aforementioned immersion cooling module is The liquid immersion cooling module according to claim 1, further comprising an extension extending from the upper or lower end of the buffer space and supporting the stacked surface between the battery cells.

4. The fractured membrane is The fractured portion is formed on the fractured film so as to rupture by a predetermined pressure through the expansion or contraction of the battery cell, The ruptured portion is formed on the ruptured film to a relatively thin thickness, as described in claim 2 of the liquid immersion cooling module.

5. The fractured membrane is The fractured portion is formed on the fractured film so as to rupture by a predetermined pressure through the expansion or contraction of the battery cell, The liquid immersion cooling module according to claim 2, wherein the fractured portion is formed on the fractured film with a different material having a lower elongation ratio than the fractured film.

6. The liquid immersion cooling module according to claim 2, wherein at least one ruptured membrane of the buffer member is formed.

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