Battery housing case and battery pack including the case

Abstract

This invention provides a battery housing case that can improve the heat dissipation performance of a battery pack by minimizing the deviation in the cooling of the batteries mounted in the battery pack. [Solution] A battery housing case is disclosed, which has a housing space S formed inside, and includes a lower surface portion that forms the lower surface of the case, wherein a cooling channel is formed in the lower surface portion that provides a path for a cooling fluid to flow, and when the lower surface portion is viewed while separated in the vertical direction H, a part of the cooling channel and another part of the cooling channel intersect each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery housing case and a battery pack including the case, and more particularly to a case in which a flow path through which a cooling fluid flows is formed and a battery pack including the case.

Background Art

[0002] In the case of a battery pack having a structure in which a plurality of batteries are mounted, it is important to maximize the energy density per unit volume, but it is also important to ensure safety by preventing events such as fires and explosions.

[0003] On the other hand, in order to ensure the safety of the battery pack, various conditions need to be satisfied, and one of such conditions is a cooling structure that can effectively release heat generated from the batteries in the battery pack. Therefore, it is necessary to form a cooling flow path through which a cooling fluid such as cooling water or air flows in the battery pack.

[0004] However, according to the prior art, in the case of the cooling flow path formed in the battery pack, the battery disposed opposite to the upstream region of the cooling flow path is overcooled, while the battery disposed opposite to the downstream region of the cooling flow path is less cooled. Therefore, there is a problem that the deviation in the degree of cooling of the batteries in the battery pack is large. This has an adverse effect on the heat dissipation performance that is essential and required for the battery pack, and thus acts as a factor for reducing the safety of the battery pack.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the heat dissipation performance of the battery pack by minimizing the deviation in the cooling of the batteries mounted in the battery pack.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention for achieving the above objective, a battery housing case is provided in which a housing space S is formed inside, and which includes a lower surface portion that forms the lower surface of the case, wherein a cooling channel is formed in the lower surface portion that provides a path for a cooling fluid to flow, and when the lower surface is viewed while separated in the vertical direction H, a part of the cooling channel and another part of the cooling channel intersect each other.

[0007] The cooling channel further includes a first member having an internal space that communicates with one side of the cooling channel, and a second member having an internal space that communicates with the other side of the cooling channel, wherein the cooling channel includes an inlet cooling channel that communicates with the internal space of the first member and an outlet cooling channel that communicates with the internal space of the second member, and when the lower surface is viewed with the components separated in the vertical direction H, a part of the inlet cooling channel and the outlet cooling channel may intersect each other.

[0008] The inlet cooling channel includes a first inlet cooling channel region that communicates with the internal space of the first member and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H, and the outlet cooling channel includes a first outlet cooling channel region that communicates with the internal space of the second member and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H, and when the lower surface is viewed while separated in the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling channel region and the outlet cooling channel intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region and the inlet cooling channel may intersect each other.

[0009] In the section where the inlet cooling channel and the outlet cooling channel intersect each other, the outlet cooling channel may be formed at a downward distance from the inlet cooling channel.

[0010] In the front-to-back direction A that intersects the vertical direction H described above, the first inlet cooling channel region may be formed outside a portion of the first outlet cooling channel region.

[0011] In the forward / backward direction A described above, the first inlet cooling channel region may be formed inward from other parts of the first outlet cooling channel region.

[0012] The inlet cooling channel further includes a second inlet cooling channel region that communicates with the first inlet cooling channel region and includes a portion that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first inlet cooling channel region, and the outlet cooling channel further includes a second outlet cooling channel region that communicates with the first outlet cooling channel region and includes a portion that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first outlet cooling channel region, and when the lower surface is viewed with the two components separated in the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region and the second inlet cooling channel region may intersect each other.

[0013] The second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region may be formed at a distance from each other.

[0014] The first inlet cooling channel region and the first outlet cooling channel region may include a section extending in the left-right direction W that intersects the vertical direction H.

[0015] The second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region may extend with the front-to-back direction A, which intersects the vertical direction H and the left-to-right direction W, as their longitudinal direction.

[0016] The above-mentioned second inlet cooling channel region and the above-mentioned second outlet cooling channel region are provided in multiples, and a portion of the above-mentioned multiple second outlet cooling channel regions forms a second-first outlet cooling channel region formed on one side of the left-right direction W that intersects the above-mentioned vertical direction H, and another portion of the above-mentioned multiple second outlet cooling channel regions forms a second-second outlet cooling channel region separated from the second-first outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction W, and at least a portion of the above-mentioned multiple second inlet cooling channel regions may be formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region and the second-second outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction W.

[0017] The entire set of the above-mentioned multiple second inlet cooling channel regions can be formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region and the second-second outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction W.

[0018] The above-mentioned cooling channel further includes a connecting cooling channel that connects the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region, and the connecting cooling channel may be formed opposite the first inlet cooling channel region and the first outlet cooling channel region, with the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region in between.

[0019] The height H in the vertical direction of the second inlet cooling channel region and the height H in the vertical direction of the second outlet cooling channel region may correspond to each other or be substantially the same to each other.

[0020] The lower portion includes an internal space and a plurality of partition wall regions that divide the internal space, and includes a lower surface forming member whose upper surface faces the housing space S, and the partition wall regions can define at least a part of the cooling channel.

[0021] An internal space is formed and includes a plurality of partition regions that partition the internal space, and includes a lower surface forming member whose upper surface faces the accommodation space S. The partition regions define at least a part of the second inlet cooling channel region and at least a part of the second outlet cooling channel region, and at least a part of the second inlet cooling channel region and at least a part of the second outlet cooling channel region can be formed to face each other with the partition region therebetween.

[0022] The plurality of partition regions provided in the lower surface forming member are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction W intersecting the up-down direction H. The partition regions extend in the front-back direction A intersecting the up-down direction H and the left-right direction W as the longitudinal direction, and include a communicating partition region that extends to one end of both ends of the lower surface forming member in the front-back direction A and extends to a point separated by a predetermined distance from the other end. The other end of the lower surface forming member in the front-back direction A can be provided to face the first inlet cooling channel region with the second inlet cooling channel region therebetween, or ii) can be provided to face the first outlet cooling channel region with the second outlet cooling channel region therebetween.

[0023] A discharge hole may be formed in a portion of the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member that defines the second outlet cooling channel region.

[0024] Further includes a panel member fixedly coupled to the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member and forming an internal space together with the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member. The panel member may be provided to face the discharge hole in the up-down direction H.

[0025] The internal space formed in the second member may communicate with the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member and the panel member.

[0026] The inlet cooling channel may have a symmetric structure in the left-right direction W intersecting the up-down direction H.

[0027] The outlet cooling flow path may have a symmetrical structure in the left - right direction W that intersects the up - down direction H.

[0028] It further includes a closure member provided on one side of the front - rear direction A of the lower - surface forming member, and the inner surface of the closure member can be fixedly coupled to face the communication partition region.

[0029] The lower - surface forming member can be manufactured by an extrusion process.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, it includes a battery housing case and a battery stack body accommodated in the accommodation space S and including a structure in which a plurality of batteries are stacked. At least a part of the cooling flow path and the battery stack body are provided facing each other. In a region where the battery stack body and the cooling flow path face each other, the direction in which the battery stack body is stacked and the direction in which the cooling flow path extends can be parallel to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] According to the present invention, by minimizing the deviation in cooling of the batteries mounted on the battery pack, the heat dissipation performance of the battery pack can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] [Figure 1] It is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a battery housing case provided in the battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a cooling flow path formed by the battery housing case according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a state where a second member provided in the battery housing case according to the present invention and its peripheral configuration are cut. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a state where the battery housing case according to the present invention is turned upside down. [Figure 6]This is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing case according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The battery housing case and battery pack according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0034] <Battery housing case> Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the battery housing case provided in the battery pack according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows an example of a cooling channel formed by the battery housing case according to the present invention, and Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the second member and its surrounding components provided in the battery housing case according to the present invention. Figure 5 shows the battery housing case according to the present invention inverted upside down, and Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the battery housing case according to the present invention.

[0035] The battery housing case according to the present invention may have a configuration for housing one or more batteries. The battery described above may be a lithium-ion battery, for example, but is not limited to this type of battery. However, more preferably, the battery described above may be a rechargeable battery.

[0036] The battery housing case according to the present invention may have a configuration that forms the outer surface of a battery pack and houses one or more batteries. The battery housing case according to the present invention may be a case for a battery pack. However, the term "battery housing case" is not limited to "battery pack" and can be applied to various forms of structures that house batteries (e.g., battery modules).

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery housing case 10 according to the present invention may have a housing space S formed inside. The housing space S may be a space that houses a battery stack 2, which includes a structure in which multiple batteries are stacked. The housing space S may also function as a space for housing other components mounted on the battery pack 1, such as busbars and various electrical components. For the sake of explanation, the battery housing case will be referred to as the "case" below.

[0038] Case 10 may include a bottom portion 100 that forms the bottom surface of the case and a side portion 150 that forms the side region of the case. More specifically, the bottom portion 100 and the side portion 150 may define the aforementioned storage space S. The definition of the storage space by the bottom portion and the side portion can be understood as the bottom portion and the side portion forming the boundary of the storage space. On the other hand, in this specification, the direction in which the bottom portion 100 views the storage space S with reference to Figures 1 and 2 is defined as the vertical direction H. However, this is merely for the sake of explanation and does not mean that the bottom portion 100 of case 10 is always located at the bottom in actual use. For example, in actual use, the bottom portion 100 of case 10 may be located on one side in the horizontal direction or at the top.

[0039] On the other hand, according to the present invention, an internal space can be formed in the lower surface portion 100. More specifically, a cooling channel 110 can be formed in the lower surface portion 100, providing a path for the cooling fluid to flow. That is, the cooling channel 110 can be understood as an empty space defined by the lower surface portion 100.

[0040] More specifically, according to the present invention, the cooling channel 110 formed in the lower portion 100 may have a configuration that allows the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling channel to evenly cool the battery stack 2 housed in the containment space S.

[0041] In other words, with conventional technology, as the cooling fluid passes through the cooling channel, batteries that the cooling fluid passes through first are supercooled, while batteries that the cooling fluid passes through later are cooled less. However, in this case, there is a problem that the degree to which batteries are cooled differs depending on their position within the battery pack.

[0042] The present invention may be intended to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. More specifically, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the degree of deviation in the cooling of the battery provided in the battery pack.

[0043] To achieve the above objective, according to the present invention, when the lower surface portion 100 is viewed while separated in the vertical direction H, a portion of the cooling channel 110 and another portion of the cooling channel 110 can intersect with each other. The detailed shape of the cooling channel 110 will be described below.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, Case 10 according to the present invention may further include a configuration that provides a path for supplying cooling fluid to the cooling channel 110 described above, and a configuration that provides a path for discharging the cooling fluid that has flowed through the cooling channel 110 to the outside. More specifically, Case 10 may further include a first member 200 having an internal space that communicates with one side of the cooling channel 110, and a second member 300 having an internal space that communicates with the other side of the cooling channel 110.

[0045] On the other hand, the cooling channel 110 may include an inlet cooling channel 112 that communicates with the internal space of the first member 200 and an outlet cooling channel 114 that communicates with the internal space of the second member 300. Therefore, according to the present invention, the cooling fluid that flows in from the outside through the first member 200 can flow sequentially through the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114, and then be discharged to the outside through the second member 300. In this case, according to the present invention, when the lower surface portion 100 is viewed with a distance of H in the vertical direction, a part of the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 may intersect with each other.

[0046] More specifically, the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 can each be divided into multiple channel regions. More specifically, referring to Figure 3, the inlet cooling channel 112 may include a first inlet cooling channel region 112a that communicates with the internal space of the first member 200 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H, and the outlet cooling channel 114 may include a first outlet cooling channel region 114a that communicates with the internal space of the second member 300 and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction H.

[0047] In this case, according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 3 and the like, when the lower surface portion 100 is viewed with a separation in the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the outlet cooling channel 114 may intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region 114a and the inlet cooling channel 112 may intersect each other. As an example, Figure 3 shows a state in which the first outlet cooling channel region 114a intersects with the inlet cooling channel 112, and the first inlet cooling channel region 112a is separated from the outlet cooling channel 114.

[0048] Continuing to refer to Figure 3, the inlet cooling channel 112 may further include a second inlet cooling channel region 112, which communicates with the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first inlet cooling channel region 112a, in addition to the first inlet cooling channel region 112a. Similarly, the outlet cooling channel 114 may further include a second outlet cooling channel region 114b, which communicates with the first outlet cooling channel region 114a and extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first outlet cooling channel region 114a, in addition to the first outlet cooling channel region 114a.

[0049] In this case, according to the present invention, when the lower surface portion 100 is viewed while separated in the vertical direction H, i) the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region 114a and the second inlet cooling channel region 112b may intersect each other. As an example, Figure 3 shows a situation where the first outlet cooling channel region 114a intersects with the second inlet cooling channel region 112b, and the first inlet cooling channel region 112a is separated from the second outlet cooling channel region 114b.

[0050] On the other hand, in this specification, among the horizontal directions that intersect the vertical direction H, the direction in which the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b of case 10 extend is defined as the front-rear direction A, and the direction that intersects the vertical direction H and the front-rear direction A is defined as the left-right direction W.

[0051] In this case, according to the present invention, the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the first outlet cooling channel region 114a may include a section extending in the left-right direction W that intersects the up-down direction H. As an example, Figure 3 shows that the first inlet cooling channel region 112a consists only of a section extending in the left-right direction W, while the first outlet cooling channel region 114a includes both a section extending in the left-right direction W and a section extending in the front-back direction A.

[0052] On the other hand, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may include a section extending in the front-to-back direction A that intersects the vertical direction H and the left-to-right direction W. As an example, Figure 3 shows the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b each extending in the front-to-back direction A as their longitudinal direction. That is, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may each include only a section extending in the front-to-back direction A.

[0053] On the other hand, as described above, when the lower surface portion 100 is viewed with a distance of H in the vertical direction, the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 may intersect with each other. For this reason, according to the present invention, in the section where the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 intersect with each other, the outlet cooling channel 114 may be formed at a distance below the inlet cooling channel 112. For example, as shown in Figure 3, when the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the first outlet cooling channel region 114a intersect with each other, in the intersecting section, the first outlet cooling channel region 114a may be formed at a distance below the second inlet cooling channel region 112b. However, contrary to the above, according to another example of the present invention, in the section where the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 intersect, the inlet cooling channel 112 may be formed at a distance below the outlet cooling channel 114.

[0054] On the other hand, according to one example of the present invention, the first inlet cooling channel region 112a may be formed between a part and another part of the first outlet cooling channel region 114a in the front-rear direction A, which intersects the vertical direction H. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the first inlet cooling channel region 112a may be formed in the front-rear direction A, outside of a part of the first outlet cooling channel region 114a, and inside of another part of the first outlet cooling channel region 114a. In this case, the first outlet cooling channel region 114a may further include a connecting portion that connects the portion formed inside the first inlet cooling channel region 112a in the front-rear direction A with the portion formed outside the first inlet cooling channel region 112a in the front-rear direction A. In this case, the aforementioned connecting portion may extend in the front-rear direction A. Therefore, unlike the first inlet cooling channel region 112a, which consists only of a section extending in the left-right direction W, the first outlet cooling channel region 114a may include not only a section extending in the left-right direction W, but also a section extending in the front-back direction A (i.e., the connecting portion described above).

[0055] Continuing to refer to Figure 3, in the cooling channel 110 of case 10 according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may be formed separated from each other. More specifically, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may be formed separated from each other in the left-right direction W.

[0056] On the other hand, according to the present invention, a plurality of second inlet cooling channel regions 112b and second outlet cooling channel regions 114b may be provided. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b may be formed between the second outlet cooling channel regions 114b in the left-right direction W. More specifically, a portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling channel regions 114b may form a second-first outlet cooling channel region 114b-1 formed on one side of the left-right direction W intersecting the up-down direction H, and another portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling channel regions 114b may form a second-second outlet cooling channel region 114b-2 separated from the second-first outlet cooling channel region 114b-1 in the left-right direction W. In this case, at least a portion of the plurality of second inlet cooling channel regions 112b may be formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region 114b-1 and the second-second outlet cooling channel region 114b-2 in the left-right direction W. More preferably, as shown in Figure 3, the entirety of the multiple second inlet cooling channel regions 112b may be formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region 114b-1 and the second-second outlet cooling channel region 114b-2 in the left-right direction W.

[0057] Continuing to refer to Figure 3, the cooling channel 110 formed in the lower surface portion 100 of the case 10 according to the present invention may further include a connecting cooling channel 116 that connects the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b. The connecting cooling channel 116 connects the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b, so that the cooling fluid flowing into the lower surface portion 100 passes through the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the second inlet cooling channel region 112b, and then passes through the second outlet cooling channel region 114b and the first outlet cooling channel region 114a.

[0058] The connecting cooling channel 116 may be formed on the opposite side of the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the first outlet cooling channel region 114a with respect to the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b. More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the connecting cooling channel 116 may be formed opposite the first inlet cooling channel region 112a and the first outlet cooling channel region 114a, with the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b in between.

[0059] On the other hand, according to the present invention, the height in the vertical direction H of the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the height in the vertical direction H of the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may correspond to each other, or they may be substantially the same. This is because, as described above, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b are formed separated from each other in the left-right direction W.

[0060] On the other hand, referring to Figures 1 to 3, the lower surface portion 100 may further include a lower surface forming member 100a, which has an upper surface facing the housing space S of the case 10, and includes a plurality of partition wall regions 100a-1 that divide the internal space. More specifically, the partition wall regions 100a-1 may define at least a portion of the cooling channel 110 described above. That is, at least a portion of the cooling channel 110 can be understood as a space partitioned by the partition wall regions 100a-1.

[0061] More specifically, partition region 100a-1 can define at least a portion of the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling channel region 114b. In this case, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, at least a portion of the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling channel region 114b may be formed facing each other with partition region 100a-1 in between, two adjacent second inlet cooling channel regions 112b may be formed facing each other with partition region 100a-1 in between, and two adjacent second outlet cooling channel regions 114b may be formed facing each other with partition region 100a-1 in between.

[0062] Continuing to refer to Figures 1 to 3, the multiple partition wall regions 100a-1 provided on the lower surface forming member 100a may include a communicating partition wall region 100a-1a that extends with the front-rear direction A, which intersects the vertical direction H and the left-right direction W, as its longitudinal direction, extending to one end of the front-rear direction A of the lower surface forming member 100a, and extending to a point separated by a predetermined distance from the other end.

[0063] The communicating partition region 100a-1a can define the connecting cooling channel 116 described above. More specifically, the other end of the lower surface forming member 100a in the front-rear direction A can be provided i) facing the first inlet cooling channel region 112a with the second inlet cooling channel region 112b in between, or ii) facing the first outlet cooling channel region 114a with the second outlet cooling channel region 114b in between. Therefore, the gap between the other end of the communicating partition region 100a-1a and the inner surface of the lower surface forming member 100a can form two adjacent second inlet cooling channel regions 112b, two adjacent second outlet cooling channel regions 114b, and a connecting cooling channel 116 connecting the adjacent second inlet cooling channel regions 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b.

[0064] On the other hand, referring to Figures 5 and 6, a discharge hole 100a-2 can be formed in the portion of the bottom surface of the case 10's bottom surface forming member 100a that defines the second outlet cooling channel region 114b. Therefore, the cooling fluid flowing within the second outlet cooling channel region 114b can be discharged from the bottom surface forming member 100a through the discharge hole 100a-2.

[0065] Furthermore, case 10 according to the present invention may further include a panel member 400 fixedly bonded to the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a and forming an internal space together with the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a. More specifically, the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a and the panel member 400 may form a first outlet cooling channel region 114a. In this case, a portion of the panel member 400 described above may be provided facing the discharge hole 100a-2 in the vertical direction H. Therefore, the cooling fluid flowing through the second outlet cooling channel region 114b formed in the bottom surface forming member 100a may be discharged downward through the discharge hole 100a-2, and the cooling fluid discharged downward may collect in the first outlet cooling channel region 114a, which is at least a portion of the internal space defined by the bottom surface forming member 100a and the panel member 400. The cooling fluid collected in the first outlet cooling channel region 114a can be discharged to the outside from the case 10 via the second member 300. Therefore, the internal space formed in the second member 300 can communicate with the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member 100a and the panel member 400, more specifically, with the first outlet cooling channel region 114a (see Figure 4). More preferably, the discharge hole 100a-2 can be formed in the region of the bottom surface forming member 100a adjacent to the second member 300. Furthermore, more preferably, the discharge hole 100a-2 can be formed facing the end of the second outlet cooling channel region 114b in the front-rear direction A.

[0066] On the other hand, referring to Figure 3, the inlet cooling channel 112 may have a symmetrical structure in the left-right direction W that intersects the vertical direction H, and the outlet cooling channel 114 may also have a symmetrical structure in the left-right direction W that intersects the vertical direction H.

[0067] On the other hand, referring to Figure 3 and the like, case 10 according to the present invention may further include a closure member 500 provided on one side of the lower surface forming member 100a in the front-rear direction A.

[0068] One side of the lower surface forming member 100a described above may have a shape that is open to the outside. More specifically, the side end of the lower surface forming member 100a in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first member 200 and the second member 300 are viewed may have a shape that is open to the outside. Therefore, in order for the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 formed in the lower surface forming member 100a to be sealed from the outside, it is necessary to add a configuration that is coupled to the side end of the lower surface forming member 100a in the opposite direction as described above.

[0069] The closure member 500 may have a configuration for sealing the inlet cooling channel 112 and the outlet cooling channel 114 from the outside by being coupled to the side end of the lower surface forming member 100a in the opposite direction. The closure member 500 may also have a configuration for defining the connecting cooling channel 116 described above. More specifically, the connecting cooling channel 116 may be formed by the inner surface of the closure member 500 and the front-rear end A of the communication partition region 100a-1a.

[0070] On the other hand, the lower surface forming member 100a of case 10 according to the present invention can be manufactured by an extrusion process. In this case, there is an advantage that the cooling channels formed by the lower surface forming member 100a can be formed more easily. That is, according to the present invention, the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b formed in the lower surface forming member 100a may have a straight (1) shape extending in the front-rear direction A. Therefore, in order to form the straight-shaped second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b, forming the lower surface forming member 100a by an extrusion process may be advantageous in terms of time and cost.

[0071] The following describes the flow of the cooling fluid in case 10 according to the present invention, based on the above-mentioned content and drawings.

[0072] Cooling fluid flowing in from the outside via the first member 200 can flow through the first inlet cooling channel region 112a, which is in communication with the first member 200. Cooling fluid that has been flowing in the left-right direction W along the direction in which the first inlet cooling channel region 112a extends flows into the second inlet cooling channel region 112b, which branches off from the first inlet cooling channel region 112a, and can flow in the front-rear direction A along the direction in which the second inlet cooling channel region 112b extends. Subsequently, cooling fluid that has reached the front-rear end A of the second inlet cooling channel region 112b can flow through the connecting cooling channel 116 and then through the second outlet cooling channel region 114b. The cooling fluid flowing in the front-rear direction A along the direction in which the second outlet cooling channel region 114b extends can fall downward from the front-rear end of the second outlet cooling channel region 114b through the discharge hole 100a-2, and the cooling fluid that falls from the discharge hole 100a-2 can be collected in the first outlet cooling channel region 114a. Subsequently, the cooling fluid flowing in the first outlet cooling channel region 114a can be discharged to the outside again through the internal space of the second member 300 which communicates with the first outlet cooling channel region 114a. The arrows in Figure 6 show the approximate flow path of the cooling fluid discharged downward through the discharge hole 100a-2 to the second member via the first outlet cooling channel region.

[0073] <Battery Pack> The battery pack 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the above-mentioned contents and drawings.

[0074] The detailed contents of the battery housing case 10 provided in the battery pack according to the present invention shall be replaced by the contents described above regarding the battery housing case according to the present invention.

[0075] The battery pack 1 according to the present invention may include a battery housing case 10 (hereinafter referred to as "the case") and a battery stack 2 which is housed in a housing space S of the case 10 and has a structure in which a plurality of batteries are stacked.

[0076] In this case, the battery pack 1 may be configured such that the heat generated in the batteries of the battery stack 2 can be transferred to the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling channel 110. Therefore, according to the present invention, at least a portion of the cooling channel 110 and the battery stack 2 may be arranged facing each other. More preferably, the battery stack 2 may be arranged facing most of the area of ​​the cooling channel 110. As an example, referring to the drawings, the battery stack 2 may face the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b of the cooling channel 110.

[0077] On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the region where the battery stack 2 and the cooling channel 110 face each other, the direction in which the battery stack 2 is stacked and the direction in which the cooling channel 110 extends may be parallel to each other. As an example, referring to the drawings, the batteries of the battery stack 2 may be stacked in the front-to-back direction A of the battery pack 1, and the second inlet cooling channel region 112b and the second outlet cooling channel region 114b facing the battery stack 2 may also extend in the front-to-back direction A.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that a wide range of implementations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1: Battery pack 2: Battery stack 10: Battery housing case 100: Bottom part 100a: Lower surface forming member 100a-1: Bulkhead area 100a-1a: Communication bulkhead area 100a-2: Discharge Hole 110: Cooling channel 112: Inlet cooling channel 112a: First inlet cooling channel region 112b: Second inlet cooling channel region 114: Outlet cooling channel 114a: First outlet cooling channel region 114b: Second outlet cooling channel region 114b-1: Cooling channel region of outlet 2-1 114b-2: Second-to-second outlet cooling channel region 116: Connected cooling channels 150: Side part 200: First component 300: Second component 400: Panel component 500: Closure component H: Vertical direction W: Left and right direction A: Anteroposterior direction S: Storage space in the battery case

Claims

1. A battery housing case in which a storage space is formed inside, Including a lower surface portion that forms the lower surface of the battery housing case, A cooling channel is formed in the lower surface portion, providing a path for the cooling fluid to flow. A battery housing case in which, when viewed from above and below, a portion of the cooling channel and another portion of the cooling channel intersect each other.

2. A first member having an internal space that communicates with one side of the cooling channel, The present invention further includes a second member having an internal space that communicates with the other side of the cooling channel, The aforementioned cooling channel is An inlet cooling channel communicating with the internal space of the first member, The outlet cooling channel is in communication with the internal space of the second member, The battery housing case according to claim 1, wherein when the lower surface is viewed while separated in the vertical direction, a part of the inlet cooling channel and the outlet cooling channel intersect with each other.

3. The aforementioned inlet cooling channel is It includes a first inlet cooling channel region that communicates with the internal space of the first member and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, The aforementioned outlet cooling channel is It includes a first outlet cooling channel region that communicates with the internal space of the second member and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, The battery housing case according to claim 2, wherein when the lower surface is viewed while separated in the vertical direction, i) the first inlet cooling channel region and the outlet cooling channel intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region and the inlet cooling channel intersect each other.

4. The battery housing case according to claim 3, wherein in the section where the inlet cooling channel and the outlet cooling channel intersect each other, the outlet cooling channel is formed at a distance below the inlet cooling channel.

5. The battery housing case according to claim 3, wherein in the front-to-back direction intersecting the aforementioned vertical direction, the first inlet cooling channel region is formed outside a portion of the first outlet cooling channel region.

6. The battery housing case according to claim 5, wherein in the front-to-back direction, the first inlet cooling channel region is formed inward from other parts of the first outlet cooling channel region.

7. The aforementioned inlet cooling channel is The system further includes a second inlet cooling channel region that communicates with the first inlet cooling channel region and includes a portion that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first inlet cooling channel region, The aforementioned outlet cooling channel is The system further includes a second outlet cooling channel region that communicates with the first outlet cooling channel region and includes a portion that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first outlet cooling channel region, The battery housing case according to claim 3, wherein, when the lower surface is viewed in the state of being separated in the vertical direction, i) the first inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region intersect each other, or ii) the first outlet cooling channel region and the second inlet cooling channel region intersect each other.

8. The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region are formed at a distance from each other.

9. The battery housing case according to claim 3, wherein the first inlet cooling channel region and the first outlet cooling channel region include sections extending in a left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction.

10. The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region extend longitudinally in the vertical direction and the front-to-back direction intersecting the left-to-right direction intersecting the vertical direction.

11. The second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region are each provided in multiple locations. A portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling channel regions forms a second-first outlet cooling channel region formed on one side in the left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction, and another portion of the plurality of second outlet cooling channel regions forms a second-second outlet cooling channel region separated from the second-first outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction. The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of second inlet cooling channel regions is formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region and the second-second outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction.

12. The battery housing case according to claim 11, wherein the entire set of the plurality of second inlet cooling channel regions is formed between the second-first outlet cooling channel region and the second-second outlet cooling channel region in the left-right direction.

13. The aforementioned cooling channel is The system further includes a connecting cooling channel that connects the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region, The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein the connecting cooling channel is formed opposite the first inlet cooling channel region and the first outlet cooling channel region, with the second inlet cooling channel region and the second outlet cooling channel region in between.

14. The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein the vertical height of the second inlet cooling channel region and the vertical height of the second outlet cooling channel region correspond to or are substantially the same as each other.

15. The aforementioned lower portion is, An internal space is formed, and includes a plurality of partition wall regions that divide the internal space, and includes a lower surface forming member whose upper surface faces the housing space, The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein the partition wall region defines at least a portion of the cooling channel.

16. An internal space is formed, and includes a plurality of partition wall regions that divide the internal space, and includes a lower surface forming member whose upper surface faces the housing space, The partition wall region defines at least a portion of the second inlet cooling channel region and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling channel region, The battery housing case according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second inlet cooling channel region and at least a portion of the second outlet cooling channel region are formed facing each other with the partition wall region in between.

17. The plurality of partition wall regions provided in the lower surface forming member are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction. The aforementioned partition wall region is The longitudinal direction extends in the front-to-back direction intersecting the aforementioned vertical and left-to-right directions, and includes a communication partition wall region that extends to one end of the front-to-back ends of the lower surface forming member and to a point separated by a predetermined distance from the other end, The battery housing case according to claim 15, wherein the other end of the lower surface forming member in the front-rear direction is provided i) facing the first inlet cooling channel region with the second inlet cooling channel region in between, or ii) facing the first outlet cooling channel region with the second outlet cooling channel region in between.

18. The battery housing case according to claim 16, wherein a discharge hole is formed in the portion of the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member that defines the second outlet cooling channel region.

19. The present invention further includes a panel member that is fixedly bonded to the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member and forms an internal space together with the bottom surface of the lower surface forming member, The battery housing case according to claim 18, wherein the panel member is provided facing the discharge hole in the vertical direction.

20. The battery housing case according to claim 19, wherein the internal space formed in the second member communicates with the internal space formed by the bottom surface of the bottom surface forming member and the panel member.

21. The battery housing case according to claim 2, wherein the inlet cooling channel has a symmetrical structure in the left-right direction intersecting the up-down direction.

22. The battery housing case according to claim 2, wherein the outlet cooling channel has a symmetrical structure in the left-right direction intersecting the up-down direction.

23. The lower surface forming member further includes a closure member provided on one side in the front-rear direction of the lower surface forming member, The battery housing case according to claim 17, wherein the inner surface of the closure member is fixedly coupled to and facing the communication partition area.

24. The battery housing case according to claim 15, wherein the lower surface forming member is manufactured by an extrusion process.

25. A battery housing case according to any one of claims 1 to 24, A battery stack comprising a structure in which multiple batteries are stacked and housed in the aforementioned housing space, At least a portion of the cooling channel and the battery stack are arranged facing each other, A battery pack in which, in the region where the battery stack and the cooling channel face each other, the direction in which the battery stack is stacked and the direction in which the cooling channel extends are parallel to each other.

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