Heatsink assembly

Abstract

In one example, the disclosed heat sink assembly includes a heat sink having a plurality of ribs integrally molded by extrusion along its internal longitudinal direction, the spaces between the ribs forming flow paths, and first and second surfaces open at both longitudinal ends; and a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively. The ribs of the heat sink include a center rib that is closed at one end on the first surface side of the pair of end plugs and open at the other end on the second surface side, and side ribs that are positioned on at least one side of the center rib and have both ends open on the first and second surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly that is mounted on the bottom surface of a battery pack equipped with a plurality of secondary batteries and promotes heat dissipation of the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0069307 filed on May 30, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0067688 filed on May 24, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are included as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be recharged and have been extensively researched and developed in recent years due to the potential for miniaturization and increased capacity. With the increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, as well as the emergence of electric vehicles and energy storage systems in line with the contemporary requirements of environmental protection, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been increasing even more rapidly.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case in a secondary battery is a power generation element capable of charge and discharge, which consists of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] Since secondary batteries are required to be used continuously for a long period, it is necessary to effectively control the heat generated during the charge and discharge process. If the cooling of the secondary battery is not smoothly performed, the temperature rise causes an increase in current, and the increase in current causes a positive feedback chain reaction that again causes a temperature rise, eventually leading to a catastrophic state of thermal runaway.

[0006] To effectively dissipate the heat generated by secondary batteries, heat sinks (also called cooling plates) with flowing coolants are widely used. Heat sinks are attached to the bottom of a group of secondary batteries, such as a battery pack containing many secondary batteries, and perform a cooling function by absorbing the heat generated inside the pack with a coolant and releasing it to the outside.

[0007] Heat sinks can be divided into brazed heat sinks and extruded heat sinks depending on their structure or manufacturing method. Brazed heat sinks have a structure in which two plate materials are brazed together to form a flow channel. While this offers a high degree of freedom in flow channel design, it has the disadvantage of being structurally less rigid due to the deterioration of the material's physical properties. In contrast, extruded heat sinks, which are manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding, have an advantage in terms of structural rigidity, but since only straight flow channels can be formed, there are many ports, which has the disadvantage of occupying space for connecting pipes. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a heat sink assembly that, despite being an extruded heat sink, does not require separate pipes for flow channel formation, occupies less space, and can improve differential pressure by reducing the number of parts with a simplified flow channel configuration.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary person of the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, in one example, comprising a heat sink in which a plurality of ribs are integrally molded along the internal longitudinal direction by extrusion, the spaces between the ribs forming a flow channel, and the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction are open; and a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively, wherein the ribs of the heat sink include a center rib in which one end on the first surface side is closed with respect to the pair of end plugs, while the other end on the second surface side is open; and side ribs positioned on at least one side with respect to the center rib, while both ends on the first and second surface sides are open.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the center rib on the first surface side, which has one end closed off with respect to the end plug, an inlet port may be arranged on one side along the width direction and an outlet port on the other side.

[0012] Furthermore, multiple side ribs are provided, and one end of each of the multiple side ribs on the first surface side moves away from the first surface as it approaches the center rib, and the other end on the second surface side moves closer to the second surface as it approaches the center rib.

[0013] The above-mentioned side ribs may be provided in multiples on both sides in the width direction, relative to the above-mentioned center rib.

[0014] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of end plugs can be joined to the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by welding, respectively.

[0015] In one example, the pair of end plugs are joined to the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by friction stir welding, where the welding depths of the friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces can overlap.

[0016] Alternatively, the pair of end plugs may be joined to the upper or lower surface of the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by friction stir welding, wherein the welding depth of the friction stir welding may start from the upper or lower surface, penetrate through the end plugs, and reach at least a portion of the lower or upper surface.

[0017] Furthermore, in the heat sink, the thicknesses formed by the upper and lower surfaces with respect to the flow path may differ between the first and second surfaces.

[0018] Furthermore, the welding depth of the friction stir welding to the first and second surfaces of the heat sink may begin on one of the upper and lower surfaces, whichever is thinner relative to the flow path, and penetrate through the end plug to at least a portion of the other surface, which is thicker.

[0019] In other examples, the pair of end plugs may be joined to the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by friction stir welding, and additional auxiliary welds may be formed on the pair of end plugs and the sides of the first and second surfaces.

[0020] The auxiliary welded portion is formed in a region where the welding depths of the friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces do not overlap.

[0021] Furthermore, the welding depth of the friction stir weld on the upper and lower surfaces is connected by the auxiliary weld.

[0022] In some embodiments, the auxiliary weld portion may be formed on a processed surface that exposes the welding depth of the friction stir weld on the upper and lower surfaces, and interconnects the welding depths of the friction stir weld on the upper and lower surfaces that do not overlap.

[0023] In another example, the pair of end plugs may be joined to the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by friction stir welding along the width direction of the front face of the end plugs.

[0024] In such a case, the welding depth of the friction stir welding extends over the upper surface, lower surface, and side surfaces with respect to the first surface and the second surface of the heat sink.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] The heat sink assembly of the present invention having the above-described configuration has excellent structural rigidity because the heat sink is manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding. On the other hand, machining is performed at both longitudinal ends of the ribs integrally formed on the heat sink to form center ribs and side ribs, and a pair of end plugs are coupled to both ends, so that a cooling flow path divided into an inlet and an outlet can be configured.

[0026] Thereby, the heat sink assembly of the present invention uses an extruded heat sink, which is advantageous for structural rigidity, as a basic framework, and does not require a separate pipe for forming the flow path. It occupies less space and can improve the differential pressure by reducing the number of parts with a simplified flow path configuration.

[0027] However, the technical effects that can be obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0028] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a drawing showing a heat sink assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly. [Figure 3]This is a detailed drawing showing the structure of the ribs integrally formed inside the heat sink. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the flow of refrigerant within a heat sink assembly. [Figure 5] This drawing shows one embodiment of the welding structure between a heat sink and an end plug. [Figure 6] This drawing shows one embodiment of a unidirectional welded structure for a heat sink and an end plug. [Figure 7] This drawing shows one embodiment of a unidirectional welded structure for a heat sink and an end plug. [Figure 8] This drawing shows another embodiment of the welded structure of the heat sink and end plug. [Figure 9] This drawing shows another embodiment of the welded structure of the heat sink and end plug. [Figure 10] This drawing shows an example of how the heat sink assembly according to the present invention is applied to a pack case. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The present invention can be modified in various ways and may have a variety of embodiments; therefore, specific embodiments are described in detail below.

[0031] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to any particular embodiment, but rather should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0032] In the present invention, terms such as "includes" and "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and do not preemptively exclude the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Furthermore, in this invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on top" of another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on top" of the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "below" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly below" the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. Also, in this application, being "on top" may include being located not only at the top but also at the bottom.

[0034] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, in one example, comprising a heat sink in which a plurality of ribs are integrally molded along the internal longitudinal direction by extrusion, the spaces between the ribs forming a flow channel, and the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction are open; and a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively, wherein the ribs of the heat sink include a center rib in which one end on the first surface side is closed with respect to the pair of end plugs, while the other end on the second surface side is open; and side ribs positioned on at least one side with respect to the center rib, while both ends on the first and second surface sides are open.

[0035] The heat sink assembly of the present invention, having the above configuration, possesses excellent structural rigidity because the heat sink is manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding. Furthermore, by machining the longitudinal ends of the ribs integrally formed on the heat sink to form a center rib and side ribs, and by connecting a pair of end plugs to both ends, it becomes possible to configure cooling channels that are divided into inlets and outlets.

[0036] As a result, the heat sink assembly of the present invention, while using an extruded heat sink as its basic framework, which is advantageous in terms of structural rigidity, does not require separate pipes for flow path formation, occupies less space, and can improve differential pressure by reducing the number of parts with a simplified flow path configuration.

[0037] Specific embodiments of the heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the front-to-back and up-down-left-right directions used in the following description to specify relative positions are for the purpose of aiding the understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise defined, the directions shown in the drawings are used as the reference.

[0038] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a drawing showing a heat sink assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly 10, and Figure 3 is a drawing showing in detail the structure of a rib 110 integrally formed inside the heat sink 100. The heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3.

[0039] The heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention includes a heat sink 100 manufactured by extrusion molding and a pair of end plugs 200.

[0040] The heat sink 100 is a main body manufactured as a continuous body by extrusion molding, with a plurality of ribs 110 integrally molded along the internal longitudinal direction L. The heat sink 100 can be prepared by cutting an extruded product manufactured as a continuous body to the designed length.

[0041] Multiple ribs 110 are spaced apart to form a suitable interval, and each space between the ribs 110 functions as a flow path 120 (refrigerant passage) through which the refrigerant flows. If the surfaces formed at both ends of the heat sink 100 in the longitudinal direction L are designated as the first surface 130 and the second surface 140, then the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 are open. That is, the ribs 110 formed inside the heat sink 100 can be observed and approached through the first surface 130 and the second surface 140.

[0042] Here, the longitudinal direction L is defined as the extrusion molding direction of the heat sink 100, that is, the direction in which the ribs 110 are extended, and the width direction W is defined as the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L in which the multiple ribs 110 are spaced apart.

[0043] A pair of end plugs 200 are connected to close the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 at both ends of the heat sink 100 in the longitudinal direction L, respectively. The end plug 200 consists of an insert 204 that is inserted into the heat sink 100 and a front face 202 that covers the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 of the heat sink 100 after connection. That is, when viewed from the width direction W, the end plug 200 generally takes the shape of the letter "T". The front face 202 of the end plug 200 has a shape that corresponds to the outer contours of the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 of the heat sink 100, and the insert 204 has a shape that fits snugly into the internal space of the heat sink 100. As will be described later, in order to secure the space into which the insert 204 of the end plug 200 is inserted, machining is performed on a portion of both ends of a plurality of ribs 110.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple ribs 110 that form a flow path 120 inside the heat sink 100 can be divided into a center rib 112 and side ribs 114 depending on their relative position (whether or not they are in contact) with the end plug 200.

[0045] The center rib 112 corresponds to a rib 110 that, with respect to a pair of end plugs 200, has one end on the first surface 130 side closed while the other end on the second surface 140 side is open. In other words, the center rib 112 divides the space inside the heat sink 100 into two spaces that are separated on the first surface 130 but connected on the second surface 140. In Figure 3, the center rib 112 is located in the center, but the center rib 112 does not necessarily have to divide the space inside the heat sink 100 evenly. The center rib 112 should be understood as a rib 110 that serves as a reference point in the overall flow path 120 structure, dividing the space inside the heat sink 100 so that it continues only on one side of the second surface 140.

[0046] The side ribs 114 refer to the remaining ribs 110 located on at least one side in the width direction W relative to the center rib 112. Unlike the center rib 112, the side ribs 114 are open to a pair of end plugs 200 at both ends on the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 sides. Therefore, the side ribs 114 located on either side in the width direction W of the center rib 112 communicate with each other at both ends on the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 sides.

[0047] For reference, Figure 3 shows multiple side ribs 114 on both sides of the center rib 112 in the width direction W, but this is just one example, and the side ribs 114 can be arranged in various ways. For example, although not shown in the drawing, one or more side ribs 114 may be arranged on only one side of the center rib 112, or multiple side ribs 114 may be arranged on one side while only one side rib 114 is arranged on the other side. Also, the spacing between the side ribs 114 does not necessarily have to be constant.

[0048] The structure of the center rib 112 and side ribs 114, particularly the distances from the first surface 130 and the second surface 140, or the full length of each rib 110, is manufactured to dimensions designed by machining (such as cutting) performed through the first surface 130 and the second surface 140, based on the depth to which the insert 204 of the end plug 200 is inserted. For example, the distance of the center rib 112 from the first surface 130 may be machined to correspond to the length of the insert 204 of the end plug 200, thereby allowing one end of the center rib 112 to be closed on the first surface 130 side.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the center rib 112 on the first surface 130 side, which is closed at one end relative to the end plug 200, an inlet port 210 is arranged on one side along the width direction W, and an outlet port 220 is arranged on the other side. As described above, the center rib 112 divides the space inside the heat sink 100 into two spaces that are separated on the first surface 130 but communicate on the second surface 140. Therefore, by arranging the inlet port 210 and the outlet port 220 separately on both sides of the center rib 112 in the width direction W, close to the first surface 130, an inlet and outlet of refrigerant is created that flows inside the heat sink 100 in the shape of the English letter "U". In Figure 4, the flow of refrigerant inside the heat sink assembly 10 is indicated by arrows.

[0050] Furthermore, when multiple side ribs 114 are provided, in order to promote the flow of refrigerant flowing in from the inlet port 210 and out to the outlet port 220, the relative positions of each side rib 114 can be varied along the longitudinal direction L while maintaining the same or similar overall length. Referring to Figure 4, when multiple side ribs 114 are arranged with respect to the width direction W, one end of each side rib 114 on the first surface 130 side can be made to gradually move away from the first surface 130 as it approaches the center rib 112, while the other end of each side rib 114 on the second surface 140 side can be made to move closer to the second surface 140 as it approaches the center rib 112. This relative arrangement of the side ribs 114 reduces the differential pressure of the refrigerant flowing in from the inlet port 210 and out to the outlet port 220, improving the flow rate distribution in each flow path 120 to be more uniform.

[0051] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, a structure of a heat sink assembly 10 was described that does not require a separate pipe to form a flow path 120, even though an extruded heat sink 100 is used. The heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention is made by sealing a pair of end plugs 200 to the open first surface 130 and second surface 140 of the heat sink 100, respectively. In the second embodiment, various structures for effectively sealing the end plugs 200 to the heat sink 100 are described.

[0052] The pair of end plugs 200 that seal the open first surface 130 and second surface 140 of the heat sink 100 can be joined by various methods such as fitting, sealing members, and welding. However, considering thermal expansion and contraction due to heat dissipation, airtightness stability, durability, and productivity, joining by welding is preferable.

[0053] Figure 5 is a drawing showing one embodiment of the welding structure of a heat sink 100 and an end plug 200. In the illustrated example, a pair of end plugs 200 are joined to the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 of the first surface 130 and second surface 140 of the heat sink 100, respectively, by friction stir welding. The friction stir welding is performed over the entire width of the heat sink 100, but the welding depth 300 of the friction stir welding at the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 overlaps. Because the welding depth 300 at the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 overlap, the upper and lower surfaces of the end plugs 200 are sealed to the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100, respectively, and the sealing on both sides in the width direction W of the heat sink 100 is also completed. That is, the insert 204 side surface of the end plug 200 and the width direction W side surface of the heat sink 100 are joined to each other by a welding depth 300 that overlaps vertically. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a sealed structure is completed by welding that surrounds all four sides of the first surface 130 or the second surface 140 through two sequential friction stir welding processes performed on the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100.

[0054] Figure 6 is a drawing showing a modified embodiment of the welded structure of the heat sink 100 and the end plug 200. If the embodiment in Figure 5 is to be called a bidirectional welded structure in which the end plug 200 is joined to the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100 by friction stir welding, then the embodiment in Figure 6 shows a unidirectional welded structure in which the end plug 200 is joined to the upper surface 101 or the lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100 in a single friction stir welding.

[0055] The unidirectional welded structure in Figure 6 is an applicable embodiment when a sufficiently deep weld depth 300 can be formed by friction stir welding. Here, a sufficiently deep weld depth 300 means a weld depth 300 such that the friction stir welding, which starts from the upper surface 101 or lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100, penetrates through the insert 204 of the end plug 200 sandwiched in between and reaches at least a portion of the lower surface 102 or upper surface 101. Figure 6 illustrates the case where friction stir welding is performed on the upper surface 101 of the heat sink 100, and by referring to Figure 6, the meaning of a sufficiently deep weld depth 300 can be understood obviously.

[0056] The advantage of the unidirectional welding structure shown in Figure 6 is that the joining of the end plug 200 and the sealing of the heat sink 100 are completed in a single friction stir welding pass performed on either the upper surface 101 or the lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the sealing of the heat sink 100 is achieved on the upper and lower surfaces and both sides of the end plug 200, as described in the embodiment of Figure 5. Thus, if the welding equipment for friction stir welding has the capability to form a sufficiently deep weld depth 300, the productivity of the heat sink assembly 10 can be improved by applying the unidirectional welding structure of Figure 6.

[0057] Figure 7 shows another application example of the unidirectional welding structure of Figure 6, which allows the unidirectional welding structure to be applied even when the performance of the welding equipment for friction stir welding is somewhat insufficient. Referring to Figure 7, the thickness formed by the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100 are different with respect to the flow path 120, and friction stir welding is performed on one side of the heat sink 100 which is thinner, so that the welding depth 300 can penetrate through the insert 204 of the end plug 200 and penetrate to at least a portion of the other side. Using Figure 7 as a reference, the thickness of the upper surface 101 of the heat sink 100 is thinner than the thickness of the lower surface 102, and friction stir welding is performed on the upper surface 101 of the heat sink 100. Here, the shape of the end plug 200 also needs to be changed in accordance with the asymmetrical structure of the thickness of the upper and lower surfaces of the heat sink 100, such as the size of the front surface 202 and the position of the insert 204.

[0058] The embodiment shown in Figure 7 has the effect of exceeding the performance limits of friction stir welding equipment and expanding the applicable range of unidirectional welded structures. Specifically, by designing the structure of the heat sink 100 as an asymmetrical structure from the side of its thickness, a sufficiently deep weld depth 300 that can form a unidirectional welded structure can be secured. For reference, the structural rigidity of one side (the top surface relative to the drawing) of a thin heat sink 100 must be given due consideration during the design phase, and if necessary, auxiliary structures (e.g., rib structures) that improve rigidity can be added, although these are not shown in the drawing.

[0059] Figure 8 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the welded structure of the heat sink 100 and the end plugs 200. The embodiment in Figure 8 is the same as in the embodiment in Figure 5 in that a pair of end plugs 200 are joined to the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 of the first surface 130 and second surface 140 of the heat sink 100 by friction stir welding, but it differs in that a separate auxiliary weld 310 is formed on the side surfaces of the first surface 130 and second surface 140 and the pair of end plugs 200.

[0060] The embodiment in Figure 8 is for reinforcing or supplementing the sealing structure on the widthwise side W of the heat sink 100. In the embodiment in Figure 5, it is necessary for the welding depths 300 of the friction stir welding on the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 to overlap. However, in order to address the performance limitations of the friction stir welding equipment, the possibility of deviations in welding quality due to deterioration of welding tools over time, or when it is difficult to secure a sufficient welding depth 300 with friction stir welding due to the characteristics of the base material, the welding structure in Figure 8 may be applied.

[0061] Therefore, the auxiliary weld 310 is basically formed in a region where the welding depths 300 of the friction stir welding on the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 do not overlap. As a result, the welding depths 300 of the friction stir welding on the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 are completely connected by the auxiliary weld 310, and a tightly sealed structure is completed on both sides of the heat sink 100 in the width direction W.

[0062] In one embodiment of Figure 8, the auxiliary weld 310 may be formed on a machined surface 320 that exposes the weld depth 300 of the friction stir weld at the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102, and interconnects the non-overlapping weld depths 300 of the friction stir weld at the upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102. The machined surface 320 is made to a depth that exposes the insert 204 of the end plug 200, and the machined surface 320 may be formed on a curved or flat surface by, for example, milling.

[0063] Figure 9 is a drawing showing another embodiment of the welded structure of the heat sink 100 and the end plug 200. The embodiment in Figure 9 differs from the embodiments in Figures 5 and 8 in the welding direction to the end plug 200. In the embodiment in Figure 9, the first surface 130 and the second surface 140 of the heat sink 100 are joined by friction stir welding along the width direction W of the front surface 202 of the end plug 200. That is, as shown in Figure 9, friction stir welding is performed via the front surface 202 of the end plug 200 rather than the upper surface 101 and lower surface 102 of the heat sink 100.

[0064] In this embodiment of Figure 9, as shown in the cross-sectional view, the friction stir welding depth 300 extends across the top surface 101, bottom surface 102, and sides of the first surface 130 and second surface 140 of the heat sink 100. Because the welding depth 300 extends across the top surface 101, bottom surface 102, and sides of the heat sink 100, the entire joint surface with the end plug 200 is sealed. The embodiment of Figure 9 has the advantage that a single friction stir welding pass to the front surface 202 of the end plug 200 completes the sealing of the first surface 130 or the second surface 140 of the heat sink 100.

[0065] (Third embodiment) Figure 10 shows one example in which the heat sink assembly 10 of the present invention, which was described in detail earlier, is applied to a pack case 400.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 10, the heat sink assembly 10 is attached to the outside (bottom surface) of the bottom plate 410 of the pack case 400. The illustrated pack case 400 has a structure in which multiple battery modules (not shown) are mounted in two rows along the longitudinal direction L, and correspondingly, one heat sink assembly 10 is placed in each row. However, this is just one example, and it can also be said that one heat sink assembly 10 is attached to the entire bottom surface of the pack case 400.

[0067] The two heat sink assemblies 10 are mirror-symmetric in their arrangement of inlet ports 210 and outlet ports 220 and flow path 120 structure with respect to the center of the longitudinal direction L of the pack case 400. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of inlet ports 210 are located in the center of the width direction W of the pack case 400, and a pair of outlet ports are located further outwards. Cooling is effectively achieved for the inner battery cells, which are at a disadvantage on the heat dissipation sides, by absorbing heat from the center of the width direction W.

[0068] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10: Heatsink Assembly 100: Heatsink 101:Top surface 102: Bottom surface 110: Rib 112: Center Rib 114: Side Rib 120: Flow channel 130: 1st page 140:Second side 200: End plug 202:Front 204: Insert 210: Entrance Port 220: Exit port 300: Welding depth 310: Auxiliary weld 320: Machining surface 400: Pack Case 410: Bottom plate L: Long direction W: width direction

Claims

1. A heat sink having multiple ribs integrated along its internal longitudinal direction, with the spaces between the ribs forming a flow path, and with the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, The ribs of the heat sink are A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs, a center rib with one end on the first face side closed and the other end on the second face side open, and side ribs positioned on at least one side relative to the center rib, with both ends on the first and second face sides open, With respect to the end plug, the center rib on the first surface side, which has one end closed, Along the width direction, an inlet port is located on one side, and an outlet port is located on the other side. Multiple side ribs are provided, A heat sink assembly in which multiple side ribs, one end on the first surface side, moves away from the first surface as it approaches the center rib, and the other end on the second surface side moves closer to the second surface as it approaches the center rib.

2. The aforementioned side ribs are The heat sink assembly according to claim 1, wherein multiple heat sinks are provided on each side in the width direction with respect to the center rib.

3. The pair of end plugs are, The heat sink assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined by welding, respectively.

4. The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined to the upper and lower surfaces by friction stir welding. The heat sink assembly according to claim 3, wherein the welding depths of the friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces overlap each other.

5. The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined to the upper or lower surface, respectively, by friction stir welding. The heat sink assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the welding depth of the friction stir weld begins from the upper or lower surface, penetrates through the end plug, and extends to at least a portion of the lower or upper surface.

6. A heat sink having a plurality of ribs integrally along the internal longitudinal direction, the space between the ribs forming a flow channel, and the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, The ribs of the heat sink are A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs, a center rib with one end on the first face side closed and the other end on the second face side open, and side ribs positioned on at least one side relative to the center rib, with both ends on the first and second face sides open, The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined to the upper or lower surface, respectively, by friction stir welding. The welding depth of the friction stir weld starts from the upper or lower surface, penetrates through the end plug, and extends to at least a portion of the lower or upper surface. The aforementioned heatsink is A heat sink assembly in which the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second surfaces have different thicknesses relative to the flow path.

7. The heat sink assembly according to claim 6, wherein the friction stir welding depth to the first and second surfaces of the heat sink begins on one of the upper and lower surfaces which has a thinner thickness relative to the flow path, penetrates through the end plug, and extends to at least a portion of the other surface which has a thicker thickness.

8. A heat sink having a plurality of ribs integrally along the internal longitudinal direction, the space between the ribs forming a flow path, and the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, The ribs of the heat sink are A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs, a center rib with one end on the first face side closed and the other end on the second face side open, and side ribs positioned on at least one side relative to the center rib, with both ends on the first and second face sides open, The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined by welding, The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined to the upper and lower surfaces by friction stir welding. A heat sink assembly having a pair of end plugs and separate auxiliary welds formed on the sides of the first and second surfaces.

9. The aforementioned auxiliary welded portion is The heat sink assembly according to claim 8, wherein the welding depths of the friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces are formed in regions where they do not overlap.

10. The heat sink assembly according to claim 9, wherein the welding depth of the friction stir welding between the upper and lower surfaces is connected by the auxiliary weld.

11. The aforementioned auxiliary welded portion is Formed on the processed surface that exposes the welding depth of the friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces, The heat sink assembly according to claim 8, wherein the welding depths of friction stir welding on the upper and lower surfaces, which do not overlap, are interconnected.

12. A heat sink having a plurality of ribs integrally along the internal longitudinal direction, the space between the ribs forming a flow channel, and the first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, The ribs of the heat sink are A heat sink assembly comprising a pair of end plugs, a center rib with one end on the first face side closed and the other end on the second face side open, and side ribs positioned on at least one side relative to the center rib, with both ends on the first and second face sides open, The pair of end plugs are, The first and second surfaces of the heat sink are joined by welding, The pair of end plugs are, A heat sink assembly, which is joined to the first and second surfaces of the heat sink by friction stir welding along the front width direction of the end plug.

13. The welding depth of the friction stir welding is, The heat sink assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first and second surfaces of the heat sink are extended to the top, bottom, and side surfaces.

14. A pack case comprising a heat sink assembly according to any one of claims 1, 6, 8, and 12, wherein the heat sink assembly is bonded to the bottom surface of the pack case.

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