Battery module, battery pack including the battery module, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The battery module of the present invention includes battery cells and a case assembly for cooling the battery cells using cooling water, the case assembly including a top cooling member, a bottom cooling member, and a connector member, thereby allowing the entire battery cells to be uniformly cooled and minimizing temperature deviation throughout the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module that can minimize the temperature deviation of the entire battery cell during cooling of the battery cell, improve cooling efficiency, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0002] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0036333 filed on March 23, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0037478 filed on March 22, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, secondary batteries are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. Such secondary batteries can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, are environmentally friendly in that they do not generate any by-products, and are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving energy efficiency.

[0004] On the other hand, a plurality of secondary batteries are connected to form a battery module. Here, the battery module requires a cooling system to prevent overheating. That is, as the capacity of the battery module increases, the amount of heat generated increases, and therefore, a water-cooled cooling system is required instead of an air-cooled one.

[0005] However, the conventional water-cooled cooling system has a problem in that it is difficult to uniformly cool the entire battery module. That is, the conventional water-cooled cooling system has a problem in that a temperature deviation occurs in the entire battery module, and as a result, the cooling efficiency is poor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile that can minimize a temperature deviation of an entire battery cell and improve cooling efficiency when cooling the battery cell.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The battery module of the present invention includes a case assembly that houses and cools battery cells. The case assembly includes a top plate that covers an upper surface of the battery cells, a first heat sink that cools the upper surface of the battery cells while allowing cooling water to pass therethrough, a first supply port that supplies cooling water to the first heat sink, a first discharge port that discharges the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink, a top cooling member composed of these; a bottom plate that covers a lower surface of the battery cells, a second heat sink that cools the lower surface of the battery cells while allowing cooling water to pass therethrough, a second supply port that supplies cooling water to the second heat sink, a second discharge port that discharges the cooling water that has passed through the second heat sink, a bottom cooling member composed of these; a front plate that covers one surface in the entire length direction of the battery cells, a supply unit that supplies cooling water to the first supply port and the second supply port, and a recovery unit that recovers the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port. The front plate includes a pair of side covers that cover both sides in the entire length direction of the battery cells, and a central cover that is provided between the pair of side covers and in which the supply unit and the recovery unit are provided. The central cover can be provided so as to protrude further in an outer direction than the side covers.

[0008] The supply unit and the recovery unit can be provided inside the front plate.

[0009] The supply unit is provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover, and the first supply port and the second supply port are respectively coupled to the upper end and the lower end to supply cooling water to the first supply port and the second supply port. It can include a first connection passage and a supply passage that penetrates from the outside of the central cover to the first connection passage to supply cooling water to the first connection passage.

[0010] The supply passage can penetrate from the side portion of the central cover protruding outside the side cover to the first connection passage.

[0011] The recovery unit is provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover, and the first discharge port and the second discharge port are respectively coupled to the upper end and the lower end. It can include a second connection passage through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port passes, and a recovery passage that penetrates from the side portion of the central cover to the second connection passage to recover the cooling water passing through the second connection passage.

[0012] The recovery passage can penetrate from the side portion of the central cover protruding outside the side cover to the second connection passage.

[0013] Coupling holes are formed at both ends of the first connection passage for the first supply port and the second supply port to be respectively fitted and coupled, and coupling pieces can be formed on the first supply port and the second supply port to be coupled to the first connection passage.

[0014] Coupling holes are formed at both ends of the second connection passage for the first and second discharge ports to be respectively fitted and coupled, and coupling pieces can be formed on the first discharge port and the second discharge port to be coupled to the second connection passage.

[0015] A sealing ring can be provided between the coupling hole of the first connection passage and the first supply port, or between the coupling hole of the first connection passage and the second supply port.

[0016] A sealing ring can be provided between the coupling hole of the second connection passage and the first discharge port, or between the coupling hole of the second connection passage and the second discharge port.

[0017] It can include a pair of side plates that respectively cover both sides in the entire width direction of the battery cell.

[0018] The pair of side plates and the bottom plate can be integrally formed.

[0019] It can include a rear plate that covers the other side in the entire length direction of the battery cell.

[0020] On the one hand, the battery pack of the present invention includes a battery module and a pack case in which at least one or more battery modules are housed. The pack case can include a supply line for supplying cooling water to the supply passage of the battery module and a recovery line through which the cooling water recovered from the recovery passage of the battery module passes.

[0021] On the one hand, the automobile of the present invention can include a battery pack and a cooling water supply device that supplies cooling water to the supply line of the battery pack or recovers the cooling water passing through the recovery line.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The battery module of the present invention includes a case assembly for cooling a battery cell using cooling water, and the case assembly is characterized by including a top cooling member, a bottom cooling member, and a connector member. With such characteristics, the upper and lower parts of the battery cell can be effectively cooled, and in particular, the entire battery cell can be uniformly cooled. As a result, the temperature deviation of the entire battery cell can be minimized, and the cooling efficiency can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Also, in the drawings, parts not related to the description are omitted in order to clearly explain the present invention, and similar reference numerals are given to similar parts throughout the specification.

[0025] [Battery Module According to the First Embodiment of the Present Invention] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell 100 and a case assembly 200 that cools the battery cell 100 using cooling water.

[0026] Battery cell The battery cell 100 includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a case that houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte. The electrode assembly has a structure in which a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of separators are alternately arranged. The plurality of electrodes may be a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0027] Case assembly The case assembly 200 includes a top cooling member 210 that cools the upper part of the battery cell 100 using cooling water, a bottom cooling member 220 that cools the lower part of the battery cell 100 using cooling water, and a connector member 230 that supplies or recovers cooling water to or from the top cooling member 210 and the bottom cooling member 220. Here, the top cooling member 210 and the bottom cooling member 220 have a structure that is symmetric with respect to the battery cell 100, whereby the production efficiency can be improved.

[0028] The top cooling member 210 includes a top plate 211, a first heat sink 212, a first supply port 213, and a first discharge port 214.

[0029] The top plate 211 is made of a metal material and has an area that covers the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100. Further, the top plate 211 is provided with an upper extension portion 211a that extends outside the battery cell 100, and a first supply port 213 and a first discharge port 214 are coupled to the upper extension portion 211a. That is, the upper extension portion 211a separates the first supply port 213 and the first discharge port 214 from the battery cell 100 to prevent contact, and as a result, it is possible to prevent damage to the battery cell 100.

[0030] The first heat sink 212 is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 211 and cools the upper surface of the battery cell 100 while cooling water passes therethrough. That is, referring to FIG. 5, the first heat sink 212 has a cooling water passage formed on the entire surface thereof through which the cooling water passes, and cools the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100. On the other hand, the inlet of the cooling water passage is connected to the first supply port 213, and the outlet is connected to the first discharge port 214.

[0031] The first supply port 213 is for supplying cooling water to the first heat sink 212, is coupled to one side of the bottom surface of the upper extension portion 211a, and is connected to the inlet of the cooling water passage provided in the first heat sink 212 to supply the cooling water to the cooling water passage of the first heat sink 212.

[0032] The first discharge port 214 is for discharging the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink 212, is coupled to the other side of the bottom surface of the upper extension portion 211a, and is connected to the outlet of the cooling water passage provided in the first heat sink 212 to discharge the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink 212.

[0033] When the top cooling member 210 having such a configuration is disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell 100, cooling water is supplied to the first heat sink 212 via the first supply port 213, and the cooling water supplied to the first heat sink 212 cools the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100 while passing through the cooling water passage. Here, since the cooling water passage passes through the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100, the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100 can be cooled uniformly, and as a result, the temperature deviation across the entire upper surface of the battery cell 100 can be minimized. On the other hand, the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink 212 is discharged to the first discharge port 214.

[0034] On the other hand, the first supply port 213 and the first discharge port 214 can be detachably coupled to the upper extension portion 211a. Thereby, when damage occurs to the first supply port 213 and the first discharge port 214, they can be easily replaced.

[0035] The bottom cooling member 220 includes a bottom plate 221, a second heat sink 222, a second supply port 223, and a second discharge port 224.

[0036] The bottom plate 221 is made of a metal material and has an area that covers the entire bottom surface of the battery cell 100. The bottom plate 221 is provided with a lower extension portion 221a that extends outside the battery cell 100, and the second supply port 223 and the second discharge port 224 are coupled to the lower extension portion 221a. That is, the lower extension portion 221a separates the second supply port 223 and the second discharge port 224 from the battery cell 100 and prevents them from coming into contact, and as a result, damage to the battery cell 100 can be prevented.

[0037] The second heat sink 222 is disposed on the bottom surface of the top plate 211 and cools the bottom surface of the battery cell 100 while cooling water passes therethrough. Here, the same cooling water passage as that of the first heat sink 212 is formed in the second heat sink 222. That is, referring to FIG. 5, the second heat sink 222 has a cooling water passage formed on the entire surface thereof through which cooling water passes, and cools the entire bottom surface of the battery cell 100. On the other hand, the inlet of the cooling water passage is connected to the second supply port 223, and the outlet is connected to the second discharge port 224.

[0038] The second supply port 223 is for supplying cooling water to the second heat sink 222, is coupled to the upper surface of the lower extension 221a, and is connected to the inlet of the cooling water passage provided in the second heat sink 222 to supply cooling water to the cooling water passage of the second heat sink 222.

[0039] The second discharge port 224 is for discharging the cooling water that has passed through the second heat sink 222, is coupled to the upper surface of the lower extension 221a, and is connected to the outlet of the cooling water passage provided in the second heat sink 222 to discharge the cooling water that has passed through the second heat sink 222.

[0040] When the bottom cooling member 220 having such a configuration is disposed on the bottom surface of the battery cell 100, cooling water is supplied to the second heat sink 222 through the second supply port 223, and the cooling water supplied to the second heat sink 222 cools the entire bottom surface of the battery cell 100 while passing through the cooling water passage. Here, since the cooling water passage passes through the entire bottom surface of the battery cell 100, the entire bottom surface of the battery cell 100 can be uniformly cooled. On the other hand, the cooling water that has passed through the second heat sink 222 is discharged to the second discharge port 224.

[0041] In particular, the present invention has a structure in which the top cooling member 210 and the bottom cooling member 220 are symmetric, whereby the upper and bottom surfaces of the battery cell 100 can be uniformly cooled. In particular, the temperature deviation between the upper and bottom surfaces of the battery cell 100 can be minimized, and the cooling efficiency can be enhanced.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector member 230 includes a front plate 231, a supply section 232, and a recovery section 233.

[0043] The front plate 231 is made of a metal material and covers one surface in the entire length direction of the battery cell 100 (the front surface of the battery cell with reference to FIG. 2). That is, the front plate 231 includes a pair of side covers 231a that cover both sides of one surface in the entire length direction of the battery cell 100, and a central cover 231b that is provided between the pair of side covers 231a and in which the supply section 232 and the recovery section 233 are provided inside.

[0044] On the other hand, by providing the supply section 232 and the recovery section 233 inside the front plate 231, it is possible to prevent an increase in the volume of the battery module 10 and protect the supply section 232 and the recovery section 233 from external impacts.

[0045] On the other hand, the pair of side covers 231a and the central cover 231b are provided integrally, and with reference to FIG. 2, the central cover 231b may be provided so as to protrude further outside than the side covers 231a (in front of the battery cell with reference to FIG. 2). Thereby, a margin space (that is, an empty space) is provided between the central cover 231b and the battery cell 100, and the margin space separates the supply port from the battery cell 100 and the discharge port from the battery cell 100 to block the occurrence of contact. In particular, the margin space also serves to block the occurrence of temperature changes in the battery cell due to the cooling water passing through the supply section and the recovery section.

[0046] The supply section 232 is for supplying cooling water to the first supply port and the second supply port. That is, the supply section 232 includes a first connection passage 232a and a supply passage 232b.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, the first connection passage 232a is provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover 231b. The first supply port 213 and the second supply port 223 are respectively connected to the upper end and the lower end thereof to supply cooling water to the first supply port 213 and the second supply port 223. The supply passage 232b penetrates from the outside of the central cover 231b to the first connection passage 232a to supply cooling water to the first connection passage 232a.

[0048] On the other hand, the inlet of the supply passage 232b can be provided to penetrate from the side portion of the central cover 231b protruding outside the side cover 231a (the left side portion of the central cover 231b when referring to FIG. 6) to the first connection passage 232a. That is, since the central cover protrudes further outside than the side cover, the supply passage can be penetrated so as to be connected to the first connection passage through the side surface of the central cover. Thereby, referring to FIG. 2, the usability of the space between the front surface of the side cover 231a and the left side surface of the central cover 231b can be enhanced, and as a result, an increase in the volume in the entire length direction of the battery module 10 can be prevented.

[0049] The recovery part 233 is for recovering the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port. That is, the recovery part 233 includes a second connection passage 233a and a recovery passage 233b.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, the second connection passage 233a is provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover 231b. The first discharge port 214 and the second discharge port 224 are respectively connected to the upper end and the lower end thereof, whereby the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port passes through. The recovery passage 233b penetrates from the side portion of the central cover 231b (the right side portion of the central cover 231b when referring to FIG. 6) to the second connection passage 233a to recover the cooling water passing through the second connection passage 233a.

[0051] On the one hand, the recovery passage 233b penetrates from the side part of the central cover 231b protruding outside the side cover 231a to the second connection passage 233a. That is, since the central cover protrudes further outside than the side cover, the recovery passage can be made to penetrate through the side surface of the central cover so as to be connected to the second connection passage. Thereby, the space utilization of the side part of the central cover 231b can be enhanced, and as a result, an increase in the volume in the entire length direction of the battery module 10 can be minimized.

[0052] On the one hand, coupling holes 232c are formed at both ends of the first connection passage 232a, into which the first supply port 213 and the second supply port 223 are respectively fitted and coupled. The first supply port, the second supply port 213, 223, and the coupling holes 232c can have a diameter larger than that of the first connection passage 232a. Thereby, after the first supply port and the second supply port 213, 223 are inserted into the coupling holes 232c, they are supported by the first connection passage 232a, and the coupling property can be enhanced.

[0053] In particular, coupling pieces 213a that are fitted and coupled to the first connection passage 232a are formed on the first supply port 213 and the second supply port 223. That is, the coupling pieces 213a have a cylindrical shape. Thereby, the coupling force and the sealing force between the first connection passage 232a, the first supply port, and the second supply port 213, 223 can be enhanced.

[0054] On the one hand, a sealing ring 234 can be provided between the coupling hole 232c of the first connection passage 232a and the first supply port 213, or between the coupling hole 232c of the first connection passage 232a and the second supply port 223. That is, the sealing ring 234 can greatly enhance the sealing force between the coupling hole 232c of the first connection passage 232a and the first supply port 213, or between the coupling hole 232c of the first connection passage 232a and the second supply port 223. On the other hand, two or more sealing rings 234 can be provided.

[0055] On one hand, at both ends of the second connection passage 233a, connection holes 233c into which the first discharge port and the second discharge port are respectively fitted and coupled are formed. The first discharge port, the second discharge port, and the connection holes 233c have a diameter larger than that of the second connection passage 233a. Thereby, after the first discharge port and the second discharge port are inserted into the connection holes 233c, they are supported by the second connection passage 233a, and the coupling property can be enhanced.

[0056] On one hand, coupling pieces 214a for coupling to the second connection passage 233a are formed on the first discharge port 214 and the second discharge port 224. That is, the coupling pieces 214a have a cylindrical shape. Thereby, the coupling force and the sealing force between the second connection passage 233a, the first discharge port, and the second discharge port can be enhanced.

[0057] On one hand, a sealing ring 234 can be provided between the connection hole of the second connection passage 233a and the first discharge port 214, or between the connection hole of the second connection passage 233a and the second discharge port 224. That is, the sealing ring 234 can greatly enhance the sealing force between the connection hole of the second connection passage 233a and the first discharge port 214, or between the connection hole of the second connection passage 233a and the second discharge port 224.

[0058] On one hand, the case assembly 200 can further include a pair of side plates 240 that respectively cover both sides in the entire width direction of the battery cell 100. In particular, the side plates 240 can be integrally formed with the bottom plate 221, thereby enhancing the efficiency during the assembly of the battery module.

[0059] On one hand, the case assembly 200 can further include a rear plate 250 that covers the other side in the entire length direction of the battery cell 100. Thereby, the other side in the entire length direction of the battery cell 100 can be stably protected.

[0060] On the one hand, the case assembly 200 can accommodate and cool the entire battery cell 100 by assembling a top plate 211, a bottom plate 221, a pair of side plates 240, and a rear plate 250.

[0061] The battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration can uniformly cool the upper and lower portions of the battery cell 100. In particular, it can minimize the temperature deviation of the entire battery cell 100, and as a result, can enhance the cooling efficiency.

[0062] Hereinafter, the assembly method and operation method of the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0063] [Assembly Method and Operation Method of Battery Module According to First Embodiment of the Present Invention] First, as shown in FIG. 8, the battery cell 100 is disposed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 221 integrated with the side plate 240. Here, the second supply port 223 and the second discharge port 224 coupled to the lower extension 221a of the bottom plate 221 are positioned at a distance from the battery cell 100.

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the connector member 230 is disposed on one surface in the entire length direction of the battery cell 100. At this time, the lower end of the first connection passage 232a provided in the supply unit 232 is coupled to the second supply port 223, and the lower end of the second connection passage 233a provided in the recovery unit 233 is coupled to the second discharge port 224. Here, the second supply port 223 is coupled to the coupling hole provided at the lower end of the first connection passage 232a, and the coupling piece 223a of the second supply port 223 is coupled to the first connection passage 232a, thereby enhancing the coupling force. Also, the second discharge passage is coupled to the coupling hole provided at the lower end of the second connection passage 233a, and the coupling piece 224a of the second discharge port 224 is coupled to the second connection passage 233a, thereby enhancing the coupling force. In addition, a sealing ring 234 is provided between the first connection passage 232a and the second supply port 223, and between the second connection passage 233a and the second discharge port 224, thereby enhancing the sealing force.

[0065] Next, a rear plate 250 is coupled to the other surface of the battery cell 100 in the entire length direction.

[0066] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a top cooling member 210 is disposed on the upper portion of the battery cell 100. Here, the first supply port 213 and the first discharge port 214 coupled to the upper extension 211a of the top plate 211 are positioned at a distance from the battery cell 100. Also, the first supply port 213 is coupled to the upper end of the first connection passage 232a, and the first discharge port 214 is coupled to the upper end of the second connection passage 233a. Here, the first supply port 213 is coupled to the coupling hole provided at the upper end of the first connection passage 232a, and the coupling piece 213a of the first supply port 213 is coupled to the first connection passage 232a, so that the coupling force can be increased. Also, the first discharge port 214 is coupled to the coupling hole provided at the upper end of the second connection passage 233a, and the coupling piece 214a of the first discharge port 214 is coupled to the second connection passage 233a, so that the coupling force can be increased. Further, a sealing ring 234 is provided between the first connection passage 232a and the first supply port 213, and between the second connection passage 233a and the first discharge port 214, so that the sealing force can be increased.

[0067] When the assembly is thus completed, a completed battery module 10 as shown in FIG. 11 can be obtained.

[0068] In the battery module 10 of the finished product as described above, a cooling water supply line is connected to the supply passage 232b of the supply unit 232, and a cooling water recovery line is connected to the recovery passage 233b of the recovery unit 233. Then, while charging and discharging the battery module 10, cooling water is supplied to the battery module 10 via the supply line. As a result, the cooling water supplied via the supply line passes through the supply passage 232b of the supply unit 232, the first connection passage 232a, the first supply port, and the second supply ports 213 and 223 in sequence, and then flows into the first heat sink and the second heat sink 222 to cool the entire battery cell 100. On the other hand, the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink and the second heat sink 222 flows into the second connection passage 233a via the first discharge port and the second discharge ports 214 and 224, and the cooling water that has flowed into the second connection passage 233a is recovered into the recovery line via the recovery passage 233b. Next, after undergoing the cooling process, the cooling water is supplied to the supply line again.

[0069] In the following description of other embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0070] [Battery Pack According to the Second Embodiment of the Present Invention] As shown in FIG. 12, the battery pack according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a battery module 10 and a pack case 20 in which at least one or more battery modules 10 are housed.

[0071] On the other hand, the battery module 10 has the same configuration as the battery module 10 described in the first embodiment, and therefore, redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0072] The pack case 20 includes a supply line 21 that supplies cooling water to the supply passage 232b of the battery module 10, and a recovery line 22 through which the cooling water recovered from the recovery passage 233b of the battery module 10 passes. That is, the supply line is connected to the supply passage 232b of the supply unit 232 provided in the battery module 10, and the recovery line is connected to the recovery passage 233b of the recovery unit 233 provided in the battery module 10.

[0073] Therefore, the battery pack 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can enhance the cooling efficiency of the entire battery module 10, and in particular, can minimize the cooling deviation.

[0074] [Automobile according to the third embodiment of the present invention] As shown in FIG. 13, the automobile according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack 1 and a cooling water supply device 2 that supplies cooling water to the supply line of the battery pack 1 or recovers the cooling water passing through the recovery line.

[0075] On the other hand, the battery pack has the same configuration as the battery pack described in the second embodiment, and therefore, overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0076] The cooling water supply device may be a radiator that cools the engine using cooling water. That is, the radiator supplies a part of the cooling water that cools the engine to the battery pack or recovers the cooling water that has passed through the battery pack.

[0077] Therefore, the automobile according to the third embodiment of the present invention can enhance the performance by including a battery pack with high cooling efficiency.

[0078] On the other hand, the case assembly can perform the function of the battery module or the battery pack. In particular, the case assembly can also separately include a housing that houses the battery cells on the outside.

[0079] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the above detailed description, and various embodiments are possible that are derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of their equivalents.

Explanation of Signs

[0080] 1 Battery pack 2 Cooling water supply device 10 Battery module 20 Pack case 21 Supply line 22 Recovery line 100 Battery cell 200 Case assembly 210 Top cooling member 211 Top plate 211a Upper extension 212 First heat sink 213 First supply port 213a, 214a, 223a, 224a Connecting piece 214 First discharge port 220 Bottom cooling member 221 Bottom plate 221a Lower extension 222 Second heat sink 223 Second supply port 224 Second discharge port 230 Connector member 231 Front plate 231a Side cover 231b Central cover 232 Supply part 232a First connection passage 232b Supply passage 232c Coupling hole 233 Recovery part 233a Second connection passage 233c Coupling hole 233b Recovery passage 234 Sealing ring 240 Side plate 250 Rear plate

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising a case assembly for housing and cooling battery cells, wherein the case assembly includes a top cooling member consisting of a top plate covering the upper surface of the battery cell, a first heat sink for cooling the upper surface of the battery cell while cooling water passes therethrough, a first supply port for supplying cooling water to the first heat sink, and a first discharge port for discharging the cooling water that has passed through the first heat sink; a bottom cooling member consisting of a bottom plate covering the lower surface of the battery cell, a second heat sink for cooling the lower surface of the battery cell while cooling water passes therethrough, a second supply port for supplying cooling water to the second heat sink, and a second discharge port for discharging the cooling water that has passed through the second heat sink; and a connector member consisting of a front plate covering one side in the entire length direction of the battery cell, a supply section for supplying cooling water to the first supply port and the second supply port, and a recovery section for recovering the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port; and the front plate includes a pair of side covers covering both sides in the entire length direction of the battery cell, and a central cover provided between the pair of side covers and having the supply section and the recovery section provided therein; the central cover is provided to protrude further in the outer direction than the side covers; a battery module.

2. The supply section and the recovery section are provided inside the front plate. The battery module according to Claim 1.

3. The supply section includes a first connection passage provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover, with the first supply port and the second supply port connected to the upper end and the lower end respectively, for supplying cooling water to the first supply port and the second supply port; and a supply passage penetrating from the outside of the central cover to the first connection passage for supplying cooling water to the first connection passage. The battery module according to Claim 2.

4. The supply passage penetrates from the side portion of the central cover protruding outside the side cover to the first connection passage. The battery module according to Claim 3.

5. The recovery section includes a second connection passage provided to penetrate vertically through the central cover, with the first discharge port and the second discharge port connected to the upper end and the lower end respectively, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port and the second discharge port passes. A recovery passage that penetrates from a side portion of the central cover to the second connection passage and recovers cooling water passing through the second connection passage, and The battery module according to claim 2, comprising:

6. The recovery passage penetrates from a side portion of the central cover protruding outside the side cover to the second connection passage, The battery module according to claim 5.

7. Coupling holes are formed at both ends of the first connection passage, into which the first supply port and the second supply port are respectively fitted and coupled, Coupling pieces are formed on the first supply port and the second supply port for coupling to the first connection passage, The battery module according to claim 3.

8. Coupling holes are formed at both ends of the second connection passage, into which the first and second discharge ports are respectively fitted and coupled, Coupling pieces are formed on the first discharge port and the second discharge port for coupling to the second connection passage, The battery module according to claim 5.

9. A sealing ring is provided between the coupling hole of the first connection passage and the first supply port, or between the coupling hole of the first connection passage and the second supply port, The battery module according to claim 7.

10. A sealing ring is provided between the coupling hole of the second connection passage and the first discharge port, or between the coupling hole of the second connection passage and the second discharge port, The battery module according to claim 8.

11. The battery module further includes A pair of side plates that cover both sides in the entire width direction of the battery cell, The battery module according to claim 1.

12. The pair of side plates and the bottom plate are integrally formed, The battery module according to claim 11.

13. The battery module further includes A rear plate that covers the other side in the entire length direction of the battery cell, The battery module according to claim 1.

14. The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and A pack case in which at least one or more battery modules are housed, and includes The pack case is A supply line for supplying cooling water to the supply passage of the battery module, and A recovery line through which cooling water recovered from the recovery passage of the battery module passes, a battery pack.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, and A cooling water supply device that supplies cooling water to the supply line of the battery pack or recovers the cooling water passing through the recovery line, An automobile including the above.

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