Battery module

Abstract

A battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery cell, a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, a case portion having a first wall portion and a second wall portion that respectively surround the housing space, an inflow storage portion that stores cooling water flowing into the inside of the first wall portion, and a cooling water inflow portion provided such that the cooling water in the inflow storage portion flows into the housing space through a plurality of branch points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module in which cooling water can be uniformly diffused inside the battery module and a branch cooling flow path for cooling water is provided in the battery module itself.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0053926 filed on April 25, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the corresponding Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] As environmentally friendly vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles that generate driving force using electric energy instead of an engine that burns existing fossil fuels to generate driving force are being sold worldwide.

[0004] Among such environmentally friendly vehicles that use electric energy, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles are charged with power from external charging facilities connected to a grid to charge a battery provided in the vehicle, and use the charged power of the battery to produce kinetic energy required for driving the vehicle.

[0005] Since the battery used in such environmentally friendly vehicles is required to have high power, it generates a large amount of heat. In order to improve battery performance and lifespan, it is very important to efficiently discharge the heat generated in the battery to prevent the battery from overheating.

[0006] Conventionally, as a cooling method for discharging the heat of the battery, an air cooling method or a water cooling method is known. Here, the direct water cooling method is a method in which the battery cells are directly impregnated with cooling water and the heat of the battery cells is directly discharged to the cooling water.

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooling structure of a conventional battery module.

[0008] Referring to Figure 1, the battery module 10 includes a module frame 20, a plurality of battery cells 30, a cooling water inlet line 30, and a cooling water outlet line 40.

[0009] Multiple battery cells 30 are spaced apart so that the distance between adjacent battery cells 30 is approximately 2 mm or less. Because the spacing between the battery cells 30 is narrow, a method is needed to optimize the flow of the cooling water W1 and improve cooling efficiency.

[0010] The module frame 20 is provided with a flowable cooling water W1 inside. Multiple battery cells 30 are spaced apart in the internal space 25 of the module frame 20. In order to improve cooling efficiency, the conventional battery module 10 needs to have as many cooling ports as possible. Hereinafter, the cooling ports will be divided into inlet ports 33 and outlet ports 43 according to their installation location.

[0011] The cooling water inlet line 30 is provided so that cooling water W1 flows into the module frame 20, and the cooling water inlet line 30 includes a first pipe 31, a plurality of inlet ports 33, and a plurality of first support ribs 35. The first pipe 31 branches out into multiple branches, each connected to a respective inlet port 33.

[0012] Each inlet port 33 is connected to the internal space 25 of the module frame 20 and to the outside of the module frame 20 in a fluid-movable manner. Each inlet port 33 is supported by the module frame 20 by its respective first support rib 35.

[0013] Conventional battery modules 10 incorporate a cooling water inflow line 30, but require a variety of components, such as multiple inflow ports 33, multiple first support ribs 35, sealing components for sealing each inflow port 33 to the module frame 20, and coupling components used to individually connect each inflow port 33 to the first piping 31.

[0014] Furthermore, the cooling water discharge line 40 is provided so that the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 is discharged from the module frame 20, and the cooling water discharge line 40 includes a second pipe 41, a plurality of discharge ports 43, and a plurality of second support ribs 45. The second pipe 41 branches out into multiple branches, each connected to a respective discharge port 43.

[0015] Each discharge port 43 is coupled to the internal space of the module frame 20 and to the outside of the module frame 20 in a fluid-movable manner. Each discharge port 43 is supported by the module frame 20 by its respective second support rib 45.

[0016] Conventional battery modules 10 incorporate a cooling water discharge line 40, but require a variety of components, such as multiple discharge ports 43, multiple second support ribs 45, sealing components to seal each discharge port 43 to the module frame 20, and coupling components used to individually connect each discharge port 43 to the second piping 41.

[0017] At this point, the more types and number of parts there are, the more complex the process of assembling the coolant inlet line 30 and the coolant outlet line 40 onto the module frame 20 becomes. Along with this, the unit production cost of the battery module 10 also increases.

[0018] Furthermore, there is a problem in that the energy density value decreases as the volume and weight of the overall components of the battery module 10 increase. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0019] One objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module in which cooling water can be uniformly diffused inside the battery module and which has branched cooling channels for the cooling water within the battery module itself.

[0020] Furthermore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a battery module that can simplify the structure of the cooling lines within the battery module, reduce the volume and weight of the battery module, and improve the energy density of the battery module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] To solve the aforementioned problems, a battery module according to one aspect of the present invention includes a battery cell, a case having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion surrounding the housing space, and a cooling water inlet portion having an inlet storage portion in which cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall portion is housed, and the cooling water in the inlet storage portion is provided to flow into the housing space through a plurality of branching points.

[0022] Furthermore, the battery cell may be provided in multiple units, and the battery module may include a case having multiple battery cells, a housing space for housing the multiple battery cells, and a first wall and a second wall surrounding the housing space, and a cooling water inlet having an inlet storage section for housing cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall, and a cooling water inlet provided so that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the housing space through multiple branching points.

[0023] Furthermore, the first wall portion may include a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space and a first outer wall provided to surround the first inner wall.

[0024] Furthermore, the inflow storage section may be provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall.

[0025] Further, the cooling water inlet portion is provided on the first inner wall and may include a plurality of cooling water inlet openings that guide the flow of the cooling water stored in the inflow storage portion to flow into the accommodation space from a plurality of branch points.

[0026] Further, the cooling water inlet portion may be provided on the first outer wall and may include a first inlet port through which the cooling water flows into the inflow storage portion, and a first inlet pipe provided so as to be connectable to the first inlet port and supplying the cooling water to the first inlet port.

[0027] Further, the plurality of cooling water inlet openings may be provided at predetermined intervals along the inflow storage portion, and the size of the openings may be set to be larger as they are farther away from the first inlet port.

[0028] Further, the plurality of cooling water inlet openings may be located at the upper end portion of the inflow storage portion so that the cooling water flows into the accommodation space after being stored in the inflow storage portion up to a predetermined water level.

[0029] Further, the inflow storage portion may include an inflow storage groove provided in the first wall portion, the first inlet port may be connected to the lower portion of the inflow storage groove, and the plurality of cooling water inlet openings may be located at the upper portion of the inflow storage groove.

[0030] Further, the case portion may include a lower case including a first wall portion having the accommodation space and the inflow storage portion, and an upper case attached to the lower case so as to cover the accommodation space and the inflow storage portion. Also, the plurality of cooling water inlet openings may be located between the upper case and the first inner wall.

[0031] Further, the cooling water inlet portion may be separated from the first inlet port and may include a second inlet port provided on the first outer wall so as to be fluidly movable with the inflow storage portion, and a second inlet pipe provided so as to be connectable to the second inlet port and supplying the cooling water to the second inlet port.

[0032] Furthermore, the case portion may include a cooling water discharge section provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water in the containment space is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points.

[0033] Furthermore, the second wall portion may include a second inner wall that surrounds the storage space and is positioned opposite the first inner wall of the case portion, and a second outer wall that surrounds the second inner wall.

[0034] Furthermore, the cooling water discharge section may include a discharge storage section provided between the second outer wall and the second inner wall, and a plurality of cooling water discharge openings provided in the second inner wall that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water in the containment space flows into the discharge storage section from a plurality of branching points.

[0035] Furthermore, the cooling water discharge section may include a first discharge port provided on the second outer wall so as to be fluid-movable from the discharge storage section, and a first discharge pipe provided so as to be connectable to the first discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port flows.

[0036] Furthermore, multiple cooling water discharge openings are provided at predetermined intervals along the discharge storage section, and the size of the openings may be made larger as they move further away from the first discharge port.

[0037] Furthermore, multiple cooling water discharge openings may be located at the upper end of the discharge storage section so that the cooling water in the storage space is discharged from the discharge storage section after it has been stored up to a predetermined level.

[0038] Furthermore, the discharge storage section may include a discharge storage groove provided within the second wall section, the first discharge port may be connected to the lower part of the discharge storage groove, and a plurality of cooling water discharge openings may be located at the upper part of the discharge storage groove.

[0039] Furthermore, the cooling water discharge section may include a second discharge port provided on the second outer wall, separated from the first discharge port and fluid-movable from the discharge storage section, and a second discharge pipe provided to be connectable to the second discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the second discharge port flows.

[0040] Furthermore, a battery module relating to yet another aspect of the present invention includes a battery cell, a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a case portion having a first wall portion and a second wall portion surrounding the housing space, respectively, and a cooling water inlet portion having an inlet storage portion in which cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall portion is housed, and a plurality of cooling water inlet openings that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage portion flows into the housing space from a plurality of branching points. [Effects of the Invention]

[0041] As described in detail above, the battery module relating to at least one aspect of the present invention has the following effects.

[0042] A cooling water inlet is formed within the first wall of the case. Furthermore, cooling water can be supplied to the containment space by branching out through multiple cooling water inlet openings provided on the inside of the first wall, and the cooling water can be supplied uniformly to the entire area of ​​the containment space. Accordingly, the cooling efficiency can be increased.

[0043] Furthermore, a cooling water discharge section is formed within the second wall section, which is opposite to the first wall section. At this time, the cooling water in the containment space can be discharged in multiple branches through multiple cooling water discharge openings provided on the inside of the second wall section, thereby increasing the cooling efficiency.

[0044] Furthermore, the structure of the cooling line can be simplified by reducing the number of inlet and outlet ports connected to the outside of the case.

[0045] Furthermore, the overall volume and weight of the components that make up the battery module can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cooling structure of a conventional battery module. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a battery module related to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the cooling water inlet of a battery module related to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the cooling water inlet opening in section A of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in a battery module related to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in a battery module related to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] In the following, a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0048] Furthermore, regardless of the reference numeral used in the drawings, identical or corresponding components will be assigned the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. For the sake of clarity, the size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module 100 related to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the cooling water inlet of the battery module 100 related to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 120, a case portion 110 that houses the plurality of battery cells 120, and a cooling water inlet portion 130.

[0051] Each battery cell 120 may be a cylindrical or prismatic battery cell and may be a rechargeable secondary battery.

[0052] The case portion 110 has a housing space 115 in which a plurality of battery cells 120 are housed, and a first wall portion 112 and a second wall portion 116 that surround the housing space 115, respectively. For example, the case portion 110 may have a hexahedral shape and have a housing space 115 inside. The case portion 110 may have a structure in which a plurality of cases are assembled, and may have a bottom in which each battery cell 120 is mounted, and may have a plurality of wall portions 112, 116 fixed to the bottom. For example, if the case portion 110 has a hexahedral shape, it may have a bottom and four wall portions, and the first wall portion 112 and the second wall portion 116 may be arranged to face each other. Furthermore, the case portion 110 may be provided so that each battery cell 120 is inserted along the height direction of the first wall portion 112 and the second wall portion 116.

[0053] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet 130 has an inlet storage section 131 that contains the cooling water W1 that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section 112, and is configured so that the cooling water W1 in the inlet storage section 131 flows into the containment space 115 through a plurality of branching points. In this way, the cooling water inlet 130 is provided within the first wall section 112 of the case section 110, and can uniformly supply the cooling water W1 into the interior of the containment space 115 through a plurality of branching points, thereby supplying the cooling water W1 to the entire area of ​​the containment space 115.

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the cooling water inlet opening in part A of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in a battery module 100 related to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The first wall portion 112 may include a first inner wall 114 surrounding the storage space 115 and a first outer wall 113 provided to surround the first inner wall 114. The first inner wall 114 and the first outer wall 113 are arranged at a predetermined distance apart, and an inflow storage section 131 may be provided in the space between the first inner wall 114 and the first outer wall 113. Furthermore, the first inner wall 114 may form the boundary of the storage space 115, and the first outer wall 113 may be arranged at a distance from the storage space 115 by the first inner wall 114.

[0056] The inflow storage section 131 may be provided between the first outer wall 113 and the first inner wall 114.

[0057] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet 130 may include a plurality of cooling water inlet openings 133 provided in the first inner wall 114, which guide the flow of the cooling water W1 stored in the inlet storage section 131 so that it flows into the storage space 115 from a plurality of branching points.

[0058] Furthermore, the cooling water inlet 130 may include a first inlet port 135 into which the cooling water W1 flows in at the inlet storage section 131, and a first inlet pipe 141 that is connectable to the first inlet port 135 and provides the cooling water W1 at the first inlet port 135. The first inlet pipe 141 may be detachably attached to the first inlet port 135.

[0059] Multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 can be located at the upper end of the inlet storage section 131 so that the cooling water W1 flows into the containment space 115 after being stored in the inlet storage section 131 to a predetermined water level.

[0060] The inflow storage section 131 may include an inflow storage groove provided within the first wall section 112. In this case, the first inflow port 135 may be connected to the lower part of the inflow storage groove, and a plurality of cooling water inflow openings 133 may be located at the upper part of the inflow storage groove.

[0061] Furthermore, the case portion 110 may include a lower case 111 including a first wall portion 112 having the storage space 115 and the inflow storage portion 131, and a second wall portion 116, and an upper case 119 mounted on the lower case 111 so as to cover the storage space 115 and the inflow storage portion 131. The upper case 119 may be provided so as to cover a discharge storage portion 151, which will be described later.

[0062] At this time, multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 can be located between the upper case 119 and the first inner wall 114.

[0063] Furthermore, the lower case 111 may include a housing space 115 in which the battery cell 120 is housed, a first wall portion 112, and a second wall portion 116, the first wall portion 112 and the second wall portion 116 each surrounding the housing space 115.

[0064] Furthermore, the second wall portion 116 may be provided on the opposite side of the first wall portion 112 of the case portion 110. The second wall portion 116 may include a second inner wall 118 that forms the boundary of the storage space 115, and a second outer wall 117 that surrounds the second inner wall 118 and is arranged at a distance from the storage space 115. The second inner wall 118 and the second outer wall 117 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and a discharge storage portion 151 may be provided in the space between the second inner wall 118 and the second outer wall 117.

[0065] Furthermore, the upper case 119 can be coupled to the lower case 111 so as to cover the housing space of the lower case 111, the first wall portion 112, and the second wall portion 116.

[0066] Specifically, the upper case 119 may be in contact with the first outer wall 113 and the second outer wall 117, respectively. Furthermore, multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 may be provided between the upper case 119 and the first inner wall 114. Additionally, multiple cooling water outlet openings 153 may be provided between the upper case 119 and the second inner wall 118.

[0067] Furthermore, the upper case 119 may be provided to cover the housing space 115 and, when assembled with the lower case 111, expose one end (including the terminal portion) of the battery cell 120 to the outside. The terminal portion of the battery cell 120 may be electrically connected to a busbar (not shown) outside the upper case 119. Additionally, an end case (not shown) may be attached to the upper case 119 so as to surround the busbar. The end case (not shown) may be attached to the upper case 119 so as to protect the exposed end of the battery cell 120 and the busbar (not shown) outside the upper case 119.

[0068] Referring to Figure 3, the inflow storage section 131 is located at the upper end of the first wall 112 of the lower case 111 and may be in the form of a groove provided between the first outer wall 113 and the first inner wall 114. The inflow storage section 131 may be provided on the first wall 112 so as to be fluidly movable with respect to the storage space 115.

[0069] The inflow storage section 131 may be provided such that the first inner wall 114 has a height h lower than the height of the first outer wall 113, and the cooling water W1 flowing through the inflow storage section 131 may be provided so that it overflows the first inner wall 114 and flows into the storage space 115.

[0070] For example, the first inlet port 135 may be connected to the lower part of the inlet storage groove (inlet storage section 131, which may be in the form of a groove), and the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 may be located at the upper part of the inlet storage groove (inlet storage section 131, which may be in the form of a groove). In this way, after the cooling water W1 in the inlet storage section 131 is stored up to a predetermined level, it can be supplied to the containment space 115 through the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133. By storing the cooling water W1 up to a predetermined level along the length L of the inlet storage groove (inlet storage section 131, which may be in the form of a groove), the cooling water can be supplied uniformly to the entire area of ​​the containment space 115 through the multiple inlet openings 133. Furthermore, the multiple inlet openings 133 may have the same size.

[0071] Furthermore, each inlet opening 133 may have a circular, semicircular, polygonal, or other shape.

[0072] The first inlet port 135 may be provided on the first outer wall 113 so as to be fluid-movable from the inlet storage section 131. The first inlet port 135 may be sealed to the first outer wall 113 of the lower case 111 by a sealing member (not shown). This is to prevent leakage of cooling water W1 through the gap between the first inlet port 135 and the first outer wall 113, and an O-ring may be used as the sealing member.

[0073] Referring to Figure 3, a first inlet pipe 141 can be detachably attached to the first inlet port 135. The first inlet pipe 141 is located outside the case portion 110, i.e., outside the battery module 100. The first inlet pipe 141 is a pipe for supplying cooling water W1 to the first inlet port 135.

[0074] Referring to Figure 4, each cooling water inlet opening 133 may be formed by a groove structure provided at the upper end of the first inner wall 114 of the lower case 111 and the upper case 119.

[0075] The multiple cooling water inlet openings (133:133a~133h) perform the function of branching the cooling water W1 flowing through the inlet storage section 131 into multiple outlets.

[0076] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, a plurality of cooling water inlet openings 133 may be provided along the inlet storage section 131 at predetermined intervals.

[0077] As an example, the size of the opening can be made larger the further it is from the first inflow port 135.

[0078] In other words, the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 are arranged along the length L of the inlet storage section 131 such that the size of the openings increases as they move away from the first inlet port 135.

[0079] If the inlet storage section 131 has a structure that extends along its length, the flow velocity of the cooling water W1 flowing through the inlet storage section 131 may decrease as it moves away from the first inlet port 135. In this case, the size of the cooling water inlet opening 133 can be made smaller at branching points where the flow velocity of the cooling water W1 is high, and larger at branching points where the flow velocity of the cooling water W1 is low. Accordingly, the cooling water W1 flowing through the inlet storage section 131 can be made to flow uniformly throughout the entire area of ​​the containment space 115 through multiple cooling water inlet openings 133.

[0080] For the sake of clarity, the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 are classified and denoted by drawing numbers 133a, 133b, 133c, 133d, 133e, 133f, 133g, and 133h, in order of their arrangement from the first inlet port 135. Accordingly, the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 may include the first a inlet opening 133a, the first b inlet opening 133b, the first c inlet opening 133c, the first d inlet opening 133d, the first e inlet opening 133e, the first f inlet opening 133f, the first g inlet opening 133g, and the first h inlet opening 133h.

[0081] The number of cooling water inlet openings 133 is not limited to those illustrated herein.

[0082] The first a inlet opening 133a to the first h inlet opening 133h can be arranged in a line with spaced distances along the length L of the inlet storage section 131. The first a inlet opening 133a to the first h inlet opening 133h are each connected to the inlet storage section 131 in a way that allows fluid to move.

[0083] In this document, the 1a inlet opening 133a is the inlet opening closest to the 1 inlet port 135, and the 1h inlet opening 133h is the inlet opening located furthest from the 1 inlet port 135.

[0084] The size of the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 increases from the first a inlet opening 133a to the first h inlet opening 133h. This is to ensure that the cooling water W1, flowing along the inlet storage section 131, flows uniformly throughout the entire area of ​​the containment space 115, taking into account the flow velocity of the cooling water W1.

[0085] The case portion 110 may include a cooling water discharge portion 150 provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water W2 in the containment space 115 is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points.

[0086] The second wall portion 116 is positioned opposite the first inner wall 114 of the case portion 110 and may include a second inner wall 118 surrounding the storage space and a second outer wall 117 provided to surround the second inner wall 118.

[0087] The cooling water discharge section 150 may be provided on the second wall 116 of the lower case 111 so that the cooling water W2, which has exchanged heat with the battery cell 120 in the housing space 115, is discharged from the housing space 115 through a plurality of branching points.

[0088] The cooling water discharge section 150 may be provided on the second wall section 116 with the same structure as the cooling water inlet section 130. The second wall section 116 may also be provided on the lower case 111 so as to be parallel to and opposite the first wall section 112.

[0089] Furthermore, the cooling water discharge section 150 may include a discharge storage section 151, a first discharge port 155, and a plurality of cooling water discharge openings 153.

[0090] Specifically, the cooling water discharge section 150 may include a discharge storage section 151 provided between the second outer wall 117 and the second inner wall 118, and the cooling water discharge section 150 may include a plurality of cooling water discharge openings 153 provided in the second inner wall 118 that guide the flow of the cooling water W2 so that the cooling water in the containment space 115 flows into the discharge storage section 151 from a plurality of branching points.

[0091] Furthermore, the discharge storage section 151 may be configured such that the height of the second inner wall 118 is lower than the height of the second outer wall 117. The discharge storage section 151 is configured such that the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 flowing through the containment space 115 flows in through a plurality of cooling water discharge openings 153.

[0092] The cooling water discharge section 150 may include a first discharge port 155 provided on the second outer wall 117 so as to be fluid-movable from the discharge storage section 151, and a first discharge pipe 161 provided so as to be connectable to the first discharge port 155, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port 155 flows. The first discharge pipe 161 may be detachably attached to the first discharge port 155.

[0093] The first discharge port 155 may be provided on the second outer wall 117 so as to be fluidly movable with respect to the discharge storage section 151. The first discharge port 155 may be sealed to the second outer wall 117 of the lower case 111 by a sealing member. This is to prevent leakage of cooling water W1 through the gap between the first discharge port 155 and the second outer wall 117, and an O-ring may be used as the sealing member.

[0094] A first discharge pipe 161 may be detachably attached to the first discharge port 155. The first discharge pipe 161 is a pipe through which the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 discharged from the first discharge port 155 flows to the outside of the battery module 100.

[0095] Multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 may be provided on the second inner wall 118 of the second wall portion 116, and are fluid-movable connecting the discharge storage section 151 and the containment space 115. The multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 are provided so that the cooling water W1 in the containment space 115 is discharged from the discharge storage section 151 through multiple branching points.

[0096] Multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 are arranged along the length L of the discharge storage section 151 such that the size of the openings increases as they move away from the first discharge port 155.

[0097] In other words, the multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 are provided spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the discharge storage section 151, and the size of the openings can be made larger as they move further away from the discharge storage section 151.

[0098] In this document, the arrangement (order) of the multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 will be indicated by drawing numbers 153a, 153b, 153c, 153d, 153e, 153f, 153g, and 153h. For example, the multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 may include the second a discharge opening 153a, the second b discharge opening 153b, the second c discharge opening 153c, the second d discharge opening 153d, the second e discharge opening 153e, the second f discharge opening 153f, the second g discharge opening 153g, and the second h discharge opening 153h.

[0099] The number of cooling water discharge openings 153 is not limited to those illustrated herein.

[0100] The 2a discharge opening 153a to the 2h discharge opening 153h are arranged in a single line, spaced apart along the length L of the discharge storage section 151. The 2a discharge opening 153a to the 2h discharge opening 153h are each fluidly movable and connected to the discharge storage section 151.

[0101] The 2a discharge opening 153a is the discharge opening closest to the first discharge port 155, and the 2h discharge opening 153h is the discharge opening located furthest from the first discharge port 155.

[0102] The size of the multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 increases from the seconda discharge opening 153a to the secondh discharge opening 153h. In other words, the size of the multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 decreases as they approach the first discharge port 155. This takes into account the flow velocity of the heat-exchanged cooling water W2, and is intended to ensure that the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 is discharged uniformly from the discharge storage section 151.

[0103] Furthermore, multiple cooling water discharge openings 153 may be located at the upper end of the discharge storage section 151 so that the cooling water in the storage space 115 is discharged from the discharge storage section 151 after it has been stored up to a predetermined level.

[0104] Furthermore, the discharge storage section 151 may include a discharge storage groove provided within the second wall section 116.

[0105] The first discharge port 155 is connected to the lower part of the discharge storage groove, and a plurality of cooling water discharge openings 153 can be located at the upper part of the discharge storage groove.

[0106] An inflow storage section 131 is provided in the first wall section 112 of the case section 110, and an outflow storage section 151 is provided in the second wall section 116. As a result, the cooling water inside the first wall section 112 can branch out into multiple streams and flow into the containment space 115, and from the containment space 115, it can branch out into multiple streams and be discharged.

[0107] Referring to Figure 5, the cooling water W1 flows into the containment space 115 along the cooling water inlet 130. Specifically, the cooling water W1 flows into the inlet storage section 131 through the first inlet port 135. The cooling water W1 flows along the inlet storage section 131, branching into multiple streams through the respective cooling water inlet openings 133, and flows into the containment space 115.

[0108] The cooling water W1 flows through the containment space 115 and exchanges heat with the multiple battery cells 120.

[0109] The cooling water W2, which has undergone heat exchange within the containment space 115, is discharged from the containment space 115 along the cooling water discharge section 150. Specifically, the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 flows into the discharge storage section 151 through each cooling water discharge opening 153. The heat-exchanged cooling water W2 flows along the discharge storage section 151 and is discharged to the outside of the case section 110 through the first discharge port 155.

[0110] In this way, the cooling water W1 can flow in and out uniformly throughout the entire area of ​​the housing space 115 inside the battery module 100.

[0111] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in a battery module related to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to Figure 6, the battery module 100a according to the second embodiment includes a case portion 110, a cooling water inlet portion 130a, and a cooling water outlet portion 150a.

[0113] The case portion 110 according to this embodiment has the same structure as the case portion 110 of the first embodiment described above. Specifically, the inlet storage portion 131 provided in the first wall portion 112, the plurality of cooling water inlet openings 133, the discharge storage portion 151 provided in the second wall portion 116, and the plurality of cooling water discharge openings 153 are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0114] In the second embodiment, the cooling water inlet 130a may include a second inlet port 137 provided on the first outer wall 113, separated from the first inlet port 135 and fluid-movable from the inlet storage section 131, and a second inlet pipe 142 provided to be connectable to the second inlet port 137 and supplying the cooling water at the second inlet port 137.

[0115] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the cooling water discharge section 130b may include a second discharge port 157 provided on the second outer wall 117, separated from the first discharge port 155 and fluidly movable with respect to the discharge storage section 151, and a second discharge pipe 162 provided so as to be connectable to the second discharge port 157, through which the cooling water discharged at the second discharge port 157 flows.

[0116] However, compared to the cooling water inlet 130 of the first embodiment described above, the cooling water inlet 130a of this embodiment further includes a second inlet port 137. The second inlet port 137 is spaced apart from the first inlet port 135 in the longitudinal direction of the inlet storage section 131. A second inlet pipe 142 can be detachably connected to the second inlet port 137.

[0117] Furthermore, if a second inlet port 137 is provided, when the battery module becomes larger, the inlet storage section 131 can be divided into multiple regions (for example, two regions) to facilitate the inflow of cooling water W1 into those regions. In this case, the multiple cooling water inlet openings 133 may be of the same size.

[0118] Compared to the cooling water discharge section 150 of the first embodiment described above, the cooling water discharge section 150a of this embodiment additionally includes a second discharge port 157.

[0119] The second discharge port 157 is positioned at a distance from the first discharge port 155 in the longitudinal direction of the discharge storage unit 151. A second discharge pipe 162 can be detachably connected to the second discharge port 157.

[0120] If a second discharge port 157 is provided, the discharge storage section 151 can be divided into at least two regions to facilitate the discharge of the heat-exchanged cooling water W2 when the battery module is larger.

[0121] In the second embodiment, the flow of cooling water W1 and heat-exchanged cooling water W2 is as follows.

[0122] The cooling water W1 flows into the inlet storage section 131 through the first inlet port 135 and the second inlet port 137, respectively. As the cooling water W1 flows along the inlet storage section 131, it branches out into multiple streams through the respective cooling water inlet openings 133 and flows into the containment space 115.

[0123] Furthermore, the cooling water W1 exchanges heat with the battery cells 120 while flowing through the containment space 115.

[0124] The heat-exchanged cooling water W2 flows into the discharge storage section 151 through the respective cooling water discharge openings 153. The heat-exchanged cooling water W2 flows along the discharge storage section 151 and is discharged from the case section 110 through the first discharge port 155 and the second discharge port 157.

[0125] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and a person skilled in the art with ordinary skill in the invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0126] According to a battery module related to one embodiment of the present invention, cooling water can be uniformly diffused, and the battery module itself can be provided with branched cooling channels for the cooling water. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 100 Battery Modules 110 Case section 120 battery cells 130 Cooling water inlet

Claims

1. Battery cells and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. A battery module in which a plurality of cooling water inlet openings are located at the upper end of the inlet storage section, such that cooling water flows into the storage space after it has been stored in the inlet storage section up to a predetermined water level.

2. The cooling water inlet is, A first inlet port is provided on the first outer wall, through which the cooling water flows into the inlet storage section, A first inlet pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the first inlet port and supplies the cooling water to the first inlet port, The battery module according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. A battery cell and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. The cooling water inlet is, A first inlet port is provided on the first outer wall, through which the cooling water flows into the inlet storage section, A first inlet pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the first inlet port and supplies the cooling water to the first inlet port, It further includes, A battery module in which a plurality of cooling water inlet openings are provided spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the inlet storage section, and the size of the openings increases as they move away from the first inlet port.

4. The inflow storage section includes an inflow storage groove provided within the first wall section. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the first inlet port is connected to the lower part of the inlet storage groove, and the plurality of cooling water inlet openings are located at the upper part of the inlet storage groove.

5. A battery cell and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. The aforementioned case section is A lower case including a first wall portion having the aforementioned storage space and the aforementioned inflow storage section, An upper case is attached to the lower case so as to cover the aforementioned storage space and the aforementioned inflow storage section, Includes, Multiple cooling water inlet openings are located between the upper case and the first inner wall of the battery module.

6. The cooling water inlet is, A second inlet port is provided on the first outer wall, spaced apart from the first inlet port and fluid-movable from the inlet storage section, A second inlet pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the second inlet port and provides the cooling water to the second inlet port, The battery module according to claim 2, further comprising:

7. The case portion further includes a cooling water discharge portion provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water in the containment space is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points, The second wall portion is, A second inner wall is positioned opposite the first inner wall of the case portion and surrounds the storage space, and a second outer wall is provided so as to surround the second inner wall. The battery module according to claim 1, including the following:

8. The cooling water discharge section is A discharge storage section is provided between the second outer wall and the second inner wall, The second inner wall is provided with a plurality of cooling water discharge openings that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water in the containment space flows into the discharge storage section from a plurality of branching points, The battery module according to claim 7, including the following:

9. The cooling water discharge section is The discharge storage section and the first discharge port provided on the second outer wall so as to be fluid-movable, A first discharge pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the first discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port flows, The battery module according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. A battery cell and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. The case portion further includes a cooling water discharge portion provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water in the containment space is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points, The second wall portion is, A second inner wall is positioned opposite the first inner wall of the case portion and surrounds the storage space, and a second outer wall is provided to surround the second inner wall. Includes, The cooling water discharge section is A discharge storage section is provided between the second outer wall and the second inner wall, The second inner wall is provided with a plurality of cooling water discharge openings that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water in the containment space flows into the discharge storage section from a plurality of branching points, Includes, The cooling water discharge section is The discharge storage section and the first discharge port provided on the second outer wall so as to be fluid-movable, A first discharge pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the first discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port flows, It further includes, A battery module in which a plurality of cooling water discharge openings are provided spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the discharge storage section, and the size of the openings increases as they move away from the first discharge port.

11. A battery cell and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. The case portion further includes a cooling water discharge portion provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water in the containment space is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points, The second wall portion is, A second inner wall is positioned opposite the first inner wall of the case portion and surrounds the storage space, and a second outer wall is provided to surround the second inner wall. Includes, The cooling water discharge section is A discharge storage section is provided between the second outer wall and the second inner wall, The second inner wall is provided with a plurality of cooling water discharge openings that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water in the containment space flows into the discharge storage section from a plurality of branching points, Includes, A battery module in which a plurality of cooling water discharge openings are located at the upper end of the discharge storage section so that the cooling water in the storage space is discharged from the discharge storage section after it has been stored to a predetermined water level.

12. A battery cell and A case portion having a housing space in which the battery cell is housed, and a first wall portion and a second wall portion that surround the housing space, The cooling water inlet section has an inlet storage section that contains the cooling water that has flowed into the interior of the first wall section, and is provided such that the cooling water in the inlet storage section flows into the storage space through a plurality of branching points, A battery module including, The first wall portion comprises a first inner wall surrounding the accommodation space, A first outer wall is provided so as to surround the first inner wall, Includes, The inflow storage section is provided between the first outer wall and the first inner wall, The cooling water inlet section includes a plurality of cooling water inlet openings provided on the first inner wall, which guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water stored in the inlet storage section flows into the containment space from a plurality of branching points. The case portion further includes a cooling water discharge portion provided on the second wall of the case portion so that the cooling water in the containment space is discharged from the containment space through a plurality of branching points, The second wall portion is, A second inner wall is positioned opposite the first inner wall of the case portion and surrounds the storage space, and a second outer wall is provided to surround the second inner wall. Includes, The cooling water discharge section is A discharge storage section is provided between the second outer wall and the second inner wall, The second inner wall is provided with a plurality of cooling water discharge openings that guide the flow of the cooling water so that the cooling water in the containment space flows into the discharge storage section from a plurality of branching points, Includes, The cooling water discharge section is The discharge storage section and the first discharge port provided on the second outer wall so as to be fluid-movable, A first discharge pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the first discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the first discharge port flows, It further includes, The discharge storage section includes a discharge storage groove provided within the second wall section. The first discharge port is connected to the lower part of the discharge storage groove, Multiple cooling water discharge openings are located above the discharge storage groove in the battery module.

13. The cooling water discharge section is A second discharge port is provided on the second outer wall, separated from the first discharge port and fluid-movable from the discharge storage section, A second discharge pipe is provided so as to be connectable to the second discharge port, through which the cooling water discharged from the second discharge port flows, The battery module according to claim 9, further comprising:

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