Thermal management system

Abstract

A thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack into which a battery is incorporated, a circuit unit mounted on the battery pack and provided for controlling the battery pack, and a thermoelectric element electrically connected to the circuit unit and performing cooling and heating of the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101857, filed on August 3, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a thermal management system.

Background Art

[0003] Research and development on power generation based on environmentally friendly energy sources have been conducted to solve the problem of environmental pollution and the problem of energy sources due to the depletion of oil resources. In particular, research on secondary batteries has been actively conducted, and research has been carried out on various aspects such as materials, structures, processes, and stability of secondary batteries.

[0004] A plurality of secondary batteries can be installed and managed in modules or packs and can repeatedly undergo charging and discharging processes. In the charging and discharging processes, it is necessary to appropriately control heat generation in the modules or packs to achieve stability. <\\

[0005] According to the prior art, cooling has been performed using a fan (FAN), using cooling water, or using a natural cooling method. In this case, there is a problem in that it is necessary to attach another structure and it is difficult to perform cooling and heating adaptively and quickly.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thermal management system capable of performing cooling and heating adaptively and quickly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack into which a battery is incorporated, a circuit unit mounted on the battery pack and provided for controlling the battery pack, and a thermoelectric element electrically connected to the circuit unit and performing cooling and heating of the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cooling and heating can be performed adaptively and rapidly.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack can operate within an optimal temperature range, improving durability and stability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0012] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are irrelevant to the description or that may obscure the gist of the invention have been omitted. In this specification, when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numerals have been assigned to components that are the same or similar throughout the specification.

[0013] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may define the concepts of terms as appropriate to best describe their invention.

[0014] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The thermal management system 1 may include a battery pack 10.

[0016] Battery pack 10 can have a battery built into it.

[0017] The thermal management system 1 may include a circuit section 20.

[0018] The circuit unit 20 can be mounted on the battery pack 10. The circuit unit 20 can be configured to perform control over the battery pack 10. For example, the circuit unit 20 can perform management control over the battery pack 10, and can also control the cooling and heating of the battery pack 10.

[0019] The thermal management system 1 may include a thermoelectric element 30.

[0020] The thermoelectric element 30 can be electrically connected to the circuit unit 20. The thermoelectric element 30 can cool and heat the battery pack 10 between the battery pack 10 and the circuit unit 20. The thermoelectric element 30 can be a Peltier element.

[0021] The heat management system 1 can include a heat sink 40.

[0022] The heat sink 40 can be connected to the thermoelectric element 30 between the battery pack 10 and the circuit section 20. For example, the heat sink 40 can include a first heat sink 41 and a second heat sink 42. The first heat sink 41 can be disposed between the circuit section 20 and the thermoelectric element 30. The second heat sink 42 can be disposed between the thermoelectric element 30 and the battery pack 10.

[0023] The thermoelectric element 30 can contact the heat sink 40. For example, the upper surface 30- of the thermoelectric element 30 can contact the lower surface of the first heat sink 41. The lower surface 30-2 of the thermoelectric element 30 can contact the upper surface of the second heat sink 42.

[0024] When heat is generated from the circuit section 20, the first heat sink 41 can cool the circuit section 20 by heat absorption. For example, when heat is generated from the circuit section 20, the first heat sink 41 that contacts the circuit section 20 can receive heat transfer and cool the circuit section 20.

[0025] The thermoelectric element 30 can cool or heat the battery pack 10. For example, the circuit section 20 can selectively supply currents to the thermoelectric element 30 in different directions, whereby the battery pack 10 can be cooled or heated. The second control described below can be a control in which the direction of the current flowing through the thermoelectric element 30 is opposite to that of the first control.

[0026] The thermoelectric element 30 can cool the battery pack 10 with the second heat sink 42 according to the first control of the circuit unit 20. For example, the circuit unit 20 can supply current to the thermoelectric element 30 in a predetermined direction according to the first control, and according to the first control, the temperature of the upper surface 30-1 of the thermoelectric element 30 can rise and the temperature of the lower surface 30-2 can fall. In this case, the battery pack 10 can be cooled by the second heat sink 42 which is in contact with the lower surface 30-2 of the thermoelectric element 30. In this manner, the battery can be cooled when it is needed during charging and discharging.

[0027] The thermoelectric element 30 can heat the battery pack 10 with the second heat sink 42 according to the second control of the circuit unit 20. For example, according to the second control, the circuit unit 20 can supply current to the thermoelectric element 30 in a direction opposite to a predetermined direction, and according to the second control, the temperature of the upper surface 30-1 of the thermoelectric element 30 can decrease and the temperature of the lower surface 30-2 can increase. In this case, the battery pack 10 can be heated by the second heat sink 42 which is in contact with the lower surface 30-2 of the thermoelectric element 30. This method allows the battery to be heated when preheating is required in a low-temperature environment.

[0028] As described above, by using the thermoelectric element 30 to control the temperature of the battery pack 10, the battery pack 10 can be cooled and heated adaptively and quickly. This allows the battery pack to operate within an optimal temperature range, improving its durability and stability.

[0029] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The descriptions of the embodiments described above can be applied identically or similarly to these embodiments.

[0030] The thermal management system 1a may include a first heat sink 41a provided to allow a refrigerant to flow through it.

[0031] The first heat sink 41a may include an inlet 41-1a. Coolant can flow in through the inlet 41-1a.

[0032] The first heat sink 41a may include an outlet 41-2a. The refrigerant can be discharged through the outlet 41-2a.

[0033] The circuit unit 20a can control the temperature of the first heat sink 41a. For example, if the temperature of the first heat sink 41a exceeds a predetermined temperature, the circuit unit 20a can cause a coolant to flow through the first heat sink 41a.

[0034] Specifically, for example, if the temperature of the first heat sink 41a rises due to the heat generated by the circuit section 20a and / or the temperature of the upper surface 30-1a of the thermoelectric element 30 rises due to the first control, and the temperature of the first heat sink 41a exceeds a critical value, the circuit section 20a can cool the first heat sink 41a by flowing a coolant through it.

[0035] However, without limitation, the flow of the refrigerant can also be controlled by another control device.

[0036] The circuit unit 20a can also interrupt control of the thermoelectric element 30 if the temperature of the first heat sink 41a is above a predetermined temperature. For example, if the temperature of the first heat sink 41a of the thermoelectric element 30a exceeds a critical value, the circuit unit 20a can interrupt control of the thermoelectric element 30a to prevent the temperature of the upper surface 30-1a of the thermoelectric element 30a from rising due to the first control, and to prevent the temperature of the first heat sink 41a from continuing to rise.

[0037] As described above, controlling the temperature of the first heatsink 41a allows for adaptive and rapid cooling and heating of the first heatsink 41a. This enables the heatsink to operate within an optimal temperature range, improving durability and stability.

[0038] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The descriptions of the embodiments described above can be applied identically or similarly to these embodiments.

[0039] The thermal management system 1b may include a heat conductive member 50b.

[0040] The heat conduction member 50b can cool and heat the battery 60b. For example, the heat conduction member 50b can be provided to extend from the second heat sink 42b to the battery 60b inside the battery pack 10b. Alternatively, the heat conduction member 50b can be connected to the second heat sink 42b and provided to extend between each of the battery 60b.

[0041] When the second heat sink 42b is cooled by the thermoelectric element 30b, the battery 60b can also be cooled via the heat conductive member 50b. When the second heat sink 42b is heated by the thermoelectric element 30b, the battery 60b can also be heated via the heat conductive member 50b.

[0042] The heat conduction member 50b may also be integrated with the second heat sink 42b. For example, the heat conduction member 50b and the second heat sink 42b may be made of the same or similar material as the heat sink, have high thermal conductivity, be integrated, and be provided to extend between the batteries 60b.

[0043] As described above, when the thermal management system 1b includes a heat conductive member 50b, it is possible to adaptively and rapidly cool and heat the battery inside the battery pack. This allows not only the battery pack but also the battery to operate within an optimal temperature range, improving durability and stability.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1, 1a, 1b Thermal Management System 10, 10a, 10b battery packs 20, 20a, 20b circuit section 30, 30a, 30b thermoelectric elements 30-1, 30-1a, 30-1b top surface 30-2, 30-2a, 30-2b bottom surface 40, 40a, 40b heatsinks 41, 41a, 41b First heatsink 41-1a, 41-1b inlet 41-2a, 41-2b outlet 42, 42a, 42b Second heatsink 50b Heat conductive material 60b battery

Claims

1. A battery pack with a built-in battery, A circuit unit mounted on the battery pack and provided to control the battery pack, A thermal management system comprising a thermoelectric element electrically connected to the circuit section and performing cooling and heating of the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit section.

2. The aforementioned thermoelectric element is The thermal management system according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier element is used.

3. The thermal management system according to claim 1, further comprising a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric element between the circuit section and the battery pack.

4. The aforementioned heatsink is A first heat sink is disposed between the circuit section and the thermoelectric element, The thermal management system according to claim 3, further comprising a second heat sink disposed between the thermoelectric element and the battery pack.

5. The aforementioned thermoelectric element is One side is in contact with the lower surface of the first heat sink, The other side is in contact with the upper surface of the second heat sink, according to claim 4, the thermal management system.

6. The aforementioned thermoelectric element is The thermal management system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the battery pack is cooled by the second heat sink in accordance with the first control of the circuit unit.

7. The aforementioned thermoelectric element is According to the second control of the circuit section, the battery pack is heated by the second heat sink. The thermal management system according to claim 6, wherein the direction of the current in the second control is opposite to that of the first control.

8. The first heatsink is The thermal management system according to claim 4 or 5, which is provided to allow a refrigerant to flow.

9. The first heatsink is An inlet provided for the refrigerant to flow in, The thermal management system according to claim 8, further comprising an outlet provided for discharging a refrigerant.

10. The aforementioned circuit section is The thermal management system according to claim 8, wherein a coolant is circulated through the first heat sink when the temperature of the first heat sink is above a predetermined temperature.

11. The aforementioned circuit section is The thermal management system according to claim 8, wherein control of the thermoelectric element is interrupted when the temperature of the first heat sink is above a predetermined temperature.

12. The thermal management system according to claim 4, further comprising a heat conductive member extending from the second heat sink to the battery inside the battery pack to cool and heat the battery.

13. The thermal management system according to claim 12, wherein the second heat sink and the thermal conductive member are integrated into one unit.

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