Battery pack and device including same

Abstract

A battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame to which a plurality of battery modules are attached, a heat sink located on the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules, and a heat transfer member located between the heat sink and the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules, and an insulating member attached to at least one end of the heat sink.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Cross-reference to related applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0038294 filed on March 24, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery pack and a device including the same, and more specifically to a battery pack having improved insulation performance and a device including the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability according to product groups and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles that are driven by electrical sources, power storage devices, etc. Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency, not only because they have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they are environmentally friendly in that they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention due to the advantages that they have compared to nickel-based secondary batteries, such as almost no memory effect, freedom in charging and discharging, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Generally, lithium secondary batteries can be classified according to the shape of their exterior material into cylindrical or prismatic secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] Recently, as the need for large-capacity secondary battery structures increases, including the use of secondary batteries as energy storage sources, there is an increasing demand for medium- to large-sized modular battery packs that assemble battery modules in which multiple secondary batteries are connected in series or parallel. Such battery modules have multiple battery cells connected in series or parallel to form a battery cell stack, which improves capacity and output. In addition, multiple battery modules can be attached together with various control and protection systems such as a BMS (Battery Management System) and a cooling system to form a battery pack.

[0007] In particular, a battery pack is composed of a large number of battery modules assembled together, and although some of the battery modules are mounted within the pack frame of the battery pack, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient insulation distance between each battery module and the pack frame.

[0008] Recently, as battery modules and battery packs are applied to high-performance vehicles, the demand for high-voltage modules and packs is increasing. In particular, a battery pack is composed of a number of battery modules assembled together, and although some battery modules are mounted inside the pack frame of the battery pack, it is necessary to ensure sufficient insulation distance between each battery module and the pack frame. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a battery pack that meets the insulation design standards for high-voltage packs by raising the insulation distance / creepage distance standards. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention relates to a battery pack with improved insulation performance and a device including the same.

[0010] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pack frame to which a plurality of battery modules are attached, a heat sink located on undersides of the plurality of battery modules, and a heat transfer member located between the heat sink and undersides of the plurality of battery modules, and an insulating member may be attached to at least one end of the heat sink.

[0012] At least a portion of the insulating member may be located between the heat transfer member and the heat sink.

[0013] At least a portion of the insulating member may cover a corner of an end of the heat sink.

[0014] At least a portion of the insulating member may extend along an end side surface of the heat sink.

[0015] The battery module may include a plurality of first battery modules and a plurality of second battery modules, the plurality of first battery modules being attached to an upper portion of the pack frame, and the plurality of second battery modules being attached to a lower portion of the pack frame.

[0016] The heat sink may include a first heat sink and a second heat sink, the first heat sink being located on a lower surface of the plurality of first battery modules, and the second heat sink being located on a lower surface of the plurality of second battery modules.

[0017] The insulating member may include a first insulating member and a second insulating member, the first insulating member being attached to at least one end of the first heat sink, and the second insulating member being attached to at least one end of the second heat sink.

[0018] The battery pack may further include a horizontal plate located between the first heat sink and an upper portion of the plurality of second battery modules.

[0019] The number of the second battery modules included in the plurality of second battery modules may be greater than the number of the first battery modules included in the plurality of first battery modules.

[0020] The second heat sink may have a structure in which a pair of heat sinks are arranged side by side and connected to each other.

[0021] The heat transfer members may be located on each of the pair of heat sinks and spaced apart from each other.

[0022] The second insulating member may be attached to both ends of the pair of heat sinks.

[0023] A device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack described above. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the embodiment, the battery pack of the present invention and the device including the same have an insulating member attached between the heat sink and the heat transfer member, and the insulating performance can be improved.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and any unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an insulating member attached to a heat sink included in the battery pack of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a heat transfer member located on the heat sink of FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the dotted area in FIG. 2 with the components connected together. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram simply illustrating a cross section of a dotted line region in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first battery module in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention may, however, be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0028] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0029] In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown. In the drawings, thicknesses are exaggerated to clearly express multiple layers and regions. In the drawings, thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0030] Also, throughout the specification, when a part is said to "comprise" certain elements, this means that it may further include other elements, but not to the exclusion of other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0031] Also, throughout the specification, "in a plane" means when the subject part is viewed from above, and "in cross section" means when the subject part is cut vertically and viewed from the side.

[0032] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and the same or similar content may be described based on the entire battery pack.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of Fig. 1.

[0034] 1 and 2, a battery pack 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes pack frames 130, 140 to which a plurality of battery modules 110, 120 are attached, a heat sink 200 positioned on the undersides of the plurality of battery modules 110, 120, and a heat transfer member 150 positioned between the heat sink 200 and the undersides of the plurality of battery modules 110, 120, and an insulating member 310, 320 is attached to at least one end of the heat sink 200.

[0035] 2, the multiple battery modules 110, 120 include a multiple first battery modules 110 and a multiple second battery modules 120. Here, the multiple first battery modules 110 are attached to the upper part of the pack frames 130, 140, and the multiple second battery modules 120 are attached to the lower part of the pack frames 130, 140.

[0036] Here, the pack frames 130, 140 may include an upper case 130 and a lower case 140 that accommodate a plurality of first battery modules 110 and a plurality of second battery modules 120. For example, the upper case 130 and the lower case 140 may be fastened together by bolt and nut coupling.

[0037] Also, the bottom ends of the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be located higher than the top ends of the second battery modules 120. As an example, the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 may form a layered structure. In other words, the plurality of first battery modules 110 may be located in an upper layer, and the plurality of second battery modules 120 may be located in a lower layer.

[0038] In addition, the number of second battery modules 120 included in the plurality of second battery modules 120 may be greater than the number of first battery modules 110 included in the plurality of first battery modules 110. For example, as shown in FIG 2, two first battery modules 110 may be located in an upper layer, and four second battery modules 120 may be located in a lower layer.

[0039] In addition, the number of second battery modules 120 included in the plurality of second battery modules 120 may be greater than the number of first battery modules 110 included in the plurality of first battery modules 110. For example, as shown in FIG 2, two first battery modules 110 may be located in an upper layer, and four second battery modules 120 may be located in a lower layer.

[0040] Therefore, in the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment, the battery modules 110, 120 are arranged in a layered structure, so that the battery modules 110, 120 mounted in the battery pack 100 can be arranged more compactly.

[0041] Also, the battery pack may further include a horizontal plate 160 located between the lower portions of the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the upper portions of the plurality of second battery modules 120. In other words, the horizontal plate 160 is interposed between the plurality of first battery modules 110 located in an upper layer and the plurality of second battery modules 120 located in a lower layer, so that the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 can be distinguished by a layered structure.

[0042] Therefore, the battery pack 100 according to the present embodiment includes a horizontal plate 160 between the plurality of first battery modules 110 and the plurality of second battery modules 120 in the pack frames 130, 140, which can further ensure the durability of the battery pack 100 while separating the upper and lower spaces. In addition, the battery modules 110, 120 and other electrical components can be physically protected from external impacts.

[0043] Also, in the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, the side plate 170 may be positioned adjacent to a side surface of the first battery module 110 that is located at the outermost edge in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110. In other words, the side plate 170 may contact a side surface of the first battery module 110 that is located at the outermost edge in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110. As an example, the side plate 170 is coupled, fastened, or attached to a side surface of the first battery module 110 that is located at the outermost edge in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110.

[0044] Here, being located at the outermost position within the pack frames 130 and 140 refers to the first battery module 110 that is located at the outermost position when a plurality of first battery modules 110 are arranged side by side within the pack frames 130 and 140.

[0045] Meanwhile, the side of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part in the pack frames 130, 140 among the plurality of first battery modules 110 is exposed to the inside of the pack frames 130, 140. However, in the present embodiment, the side plate 170 is positioned adjacent to the side of the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part in the pack frames 130, 140, so that the first battery module 110 located at the outermost part in the pack frames 130, 140 can be physically protected from external impact.

[0046] Hereinafter, the heat transfer member 150 and the insulating members 310 and 320 will be specifically described, focusing on the heat sink 200 included in the battery pack 100 of this embodiment.

[0047] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an insulating member attached to a heat sink included in the battery pack of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a heat transfer member located on the heat sink of Fig. 3.

[0048] 3 and 4, the insulating members 310, 320 are attached to at least one end of the heat sink 200. Also, the insulating members 310, 320 may be attached to both ends of the heat sink 200. However, the positions or number of the insulating members 310, 320 are not limited to this, and the insulating members 310, 320 may be arranged at positions or in the number required to ensure the insulation performance of the battery pack 100.

[0049] For example, the insulating members 310 and 320 may be made of a material such as polycarbonate, but are not limited thereto and may be made of any material having insulating properties.

[0050] In addition, the insulating members 310 and 320 are attached onto the heat sink 200, and an adhesive layer (not shown) may be positioned between the insulating members 310 and 320 and the heat sink 200. As an example, the adhesive layer (not shown) is made of double-sided tape. However, there is no limitation thereto, and any material that can bond the insulating members 310 and 320 and the heat sink 200 may be used.

[0051] Also, the heat sink 200 may be located on the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules 110, 120. More specifically, the heat sink 200 may include a first heat sink 210 and a second heat sink 220. Here, the first heat sink 210 may be located on the lower surfaces of the plurality of first battery modules 110, and the second heat sink 220 may be located on the lower surfaces of the plurality of second battery modules 120.

[0052] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, when two first battery modules 110 are located on the upper layer and four second battery modules 120 are located on the lower layer, the first heat sink 210 is located on the underside of the two first battery modules 110, and the second heat sink 220 is located on the underside of two pairs of second battery modules 120.

[0053] As an example, the second heat sink 220 may have a structure in which a pair of heat sinks are arranged side by side and connected to each other, where the structure in which they are connected to each other means that a pair of heat sinks equivalent to the first heat sink 210 are formed and the ends facing each other are integrated with each other or connected by joining such as welding.

[0054] Also, the insulating members 310, 320 may include a first insulating member 310 and a second insulating member 320. Here, the first insulating member 310 is attached to at least one end of the first heat sink 210, and the second insulating member 320 is attached to at least one end of the second heat sink 220.

[0055] As an example, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the first insulating member 310 may include a first insulating portion 310a and a second insulating portion 310b, where the first insulating portion 310a is attached to an end of the first heat sink 210 positioned adjacent to the side of the pack frames 130, 140, and the second insulating portion 310b is attached to an end of the first heat sink 210 positioned adjacent to the interior of the pack frames 130, 140.

[0056] Also, the second insulating member 320 may include a third insulating portion 320a and a fourth insulating portion 320b, the third insulating portion 320a being attached to both ends of the second heat sink 220 positioned adjacent to the side surfaces of the pack frames 130, 140, and the fourth insulating portion 320b being attached to the center of the second heat sink 220. More specifically, as described above, when the second heat sink 220 has a structure in which a pair of heat sinks are arranged side by side and connected to each other, the fourth insulating portion 320b is attached to each of the ends of the pair of heat sinks that face each other.

[0057] Therefore, the insulating members 310 and 320 according to the present embodiment can ensure a sufficient space / creepage distance between the battery modules 110 and 120 and the heat sink on the heat sink 200, and the insulating performance of the battery pack can also be improved.

[0058] Also, the heat transfer member 150 may be located between the heat sink 200 and the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules 110, 120. More specifically, the heat transfer member 150 extends along the heat sink 200 between the lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules 110, 120.

[0059] More specifically, as described above, when the second heat sink 220 has a structure in which a pair of heat sinks are arranged side by side and connected to each other, the heat transfer members 150 are respectively positioned on the pair of heat sinks and spaced apart from each other.

[0060] Therefore, in this embodiment, a heat transfer member 150 is positioned between the multiple battery modules 110, 120 and the heat sink 200, and heat generated in each battery module 110, 120 can be easily discharged to the heat sink 200 through the heat transfer member 150, thereby improving cooling performance.

[0061] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the dotted area in Fig. 2 in a coupled state, and Fig. 6 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the dotted area in Fig. 5.

[0062] Although the following description will focus on a cross section of the second heat sink 220, other cross sections of the second heat sink 220 or the first heat sink may be described in the same or similar manner.

[0063] 5 and 6, at least a portion of the third insulating portion 320a of the second insulating member 320 may be located between the heat transfer member 150 and the second heat sink 220. In other words, the remaining portion of the third insulating portion 320a of the second insulating member 320 is not covered by the heat transfer member 150 and is exposed to the inside of the pack frames 130, 140.

[0064] Furthermore, at least a part of the third insulating portion 320a of the second insulating member 320 can cover a corner of the end portion of the second heat sink 220. In other words, at least a part of the third insulating portion 320a of the second insulating member 320 extends along a side surface of the end portion of the second heat sink 220.

[0065] Therefore, the battery pack 100 according to this embodiment can ensure a larger space / creepage distance between the battery module 120 and the heat sink 220, and the insulation performance of the battery pack can also be improved.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first battery module of FIG.

[0067] 7, in an embodiment of the present invention, a first battery module 110 may include a plurality of battery cells 111. More specifically, the plurality of battery cells 111 may be stacked in a predetermined direction and then attached to a module frame 115 to form the first battery module 110.

[0068] The plurality of battery cells 111 are not particularly limited in type and may be pouch-type secondary batteries or square-type secondary batteries, but are preferably pouch-type secondary batteries.

[0069] Meanwhile, since the battery module of the present invention has been described using the first battery module 110 as an example, the second battery module (120, FIG. 2 ) may have the same or similar structure as the first battery module 110 previously described.

[0070] Meanwhile, the battery pack according to the present embodiment can be applied to various devices, including transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid cars, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the battery pack according to the present embodiment can be applied to various devices that can use a battery module and a battery pack including the battery module, which also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100 Battery Packs 110 First battery module 120 Second Battery Module 130 Upper case 140 Lower Case 150 Heat transfer components 160 Horizontal Plate 170 Side Plate 200 Heatsink 310 First insulating member 320 Second insulating member

Claims

1. A pack frame to which a plurality of battery modules are attached; and a heat sink located on a lower surface of the plurality of battery modules; and a heat transfer member disposed between the heat sink and lower surfaces of the plurality of battery modules; An insulating member is attached to at least one end of the heat sink, the heat sink includes an end portion positioned adjacent a side surface of the pack frame; At least a portion of the insulating member extends along a side surface of the end of the heat sink, At least a portion of the insulating member is located between the heat transfer member and the heat sink.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the insulating member covers a corner of the end of the heat sink.

3. the plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of first battery modules and a plurality of second battery modules; 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first battery modules are attached to an upper portion of the pack frame, and the second battery modules are attached to a lower portion of the pack frame.

4. the heat sink includes a first heat sink and a second heat sink; The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein the first heat sink is located on a lower surface of the plurality of first battery modules, and the second heat sink is located on a lower surface of the plurality of second battery modules.

5. the insulating member includes a first insulating member and a second insulating member, the first insulating member is attached to at least one end of the first heat sink; The battery pack according to claim 4 , wherein the second insulating member is attached to at least one end of the second heat sink.

6. The battery pack of claim 5 , further comprising a horizontal plate located between the first heat sink and an upper portion of the plurality of second battery modules.

7. The battery pack of claim 5 , wherein the number of the second battery modules included in the plurality of second battery modules is greater than the number of the first battery modules included in the plurality of first battery modules.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the second heat sink has a structure in which a pair of heat sinks are arranged side by side and connected to each other.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the heat transfer members are located on the pair of heat sinks respectively and spaced apart from each other.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second insulating member is attached to both end portions of the pair of heat sinks.

11. A device comprising a battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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