Cooling device and battery pack including it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device that cools a cell stack assembly inside a battery pack using a cooling fluid supplied from a refrigerant storage unit, and a battery pack including the same. Specifically, the cooling device includes a heat sink including a plurality of cooling channels, and a piping assembly coupled to the heat sink to allow fluid to flow in and out of the cooling channels. The piping assembly includes a plurality of hollow connectors coupled to the cooling channels to allow the cooling fluid to pass through, and connecting pipes connecting the connectors. The connectors include a main port coupled to the refrigerant storage unit and a plurality of sub-ports connected to the main port via connecting pipes. The main port includes a first pipe connecting the refrigerant storage unit to the connecting pipes, and a second pipe branching from the first pipe to connect to the cooling channels.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that uses a connector with a modified structure to improve process efficiency and cooling performance, and a battery pack including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0088787 filed on July 10, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent application are incorporated as a part of the present specification. [[Background Art]]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices such as handsets, laptop computers, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In addition, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and the like, which are proposed as solutions for air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, and the like that use fossil fuels. Accordingly, the types of applications using secondary batteries have been greatly diversified due to the advantages of secondary batteries, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to more fields and products in the future than at present.

[0004] In a battery module, a plurality of battery cells are connected to each other in series or parallel to form a battery cell stack, thereby increasing capacity and output. Further, such battery modules can be connected in series or parallel to form a battery pack including a cooling device that can properly manage the temperature of the modules.

[0005] FIG. 1 shows a conventional battery pack 10 to which a cooling device is applied, FIG. 2 shows a piping assembly 20 in the cooling device, and FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of the battery pack 10 of FIG. 1.

[0006] The battery pack 10 includes a heat sink 30 (not shown) that supports the lower part of a battery module (not shown), a side wall 40 that connects to the heat sink 30 to support the side of the battery module which is fixed on the heat sink 30, and an upper case 50 that connects to the side wall 40 to cover the upper part of the battery module and protect it from external impacts and the like.

[0007] The heat sink 30 is provided with cooling channels through which cooling fluid can flow, and the cooling fluid can be injected into the cooling channels inside the heat sink 30 via the piping assembly 20 shown in Figure 2.

[0008] A conventional piping assembly 20, as shown in Figure 2, includes a main port 60 into which external cooling fluid first flows, and a plurality of ports connected to the main port 60 via a pipe 80. Each of these ports is connected to each cooling channel of the heat sink 30, allowing the cooling fluid moving through the pipe 80 to flow into each cooling channel.

[0009] However, in order to fix each of the ports to the cooling channels of the heat sink 30, a tong shape is applied to the tong-shaped ports, but as shown in Figures 1 and 3, structural interference frequently occurred between the main port 60 and the tong shape of the port adjacent to the main port 60. In other words, it was difficult to assemble the piping assembly 20 with respect to the tong structure of the port adjacent to the main port 60.

[0010] Figure 4 shows a battery pack 10 with a shape proposed to solve the above interference problem, in which the position of the main port 60 is adjusted to eliminate interference with the tongue shape of other adjacent ports.

[0011] Figure 5 shows the piping assembly 20 included in the battery pack 10 of Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows a front view of a portion of the battery pack 10 of Figure 4.

[0012] Figures 5 and 6 show that the interference problem was solved by designing the main port 60 to be taller than the other ports.

[0013] However, a piping assembly 20 with this structure has the disadvantage of requiring more parts than existing ones to connect the main port 60 to other ports. Specifically, Figure 7 shows typical parts that make up the piping assembly 80 of Figure 6, and referring to Figures 5 to 7, it can be seen that a deformed pipe 90, which was not present in the existing design, has been added to connect the position-adjusted main port 60 to the other ports. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-2449082 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0015] Therefore, the present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cooling device in which interference between each structure is minimized.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a cooling device that does not experience a decrease in cooling performance and a battery pack including the same.

[0017] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and will be more clearly seen from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0018] According to the present invention, there is provided a cooling device comprising: a heat sink including a plurality of cooling channels; and a piping assembly coupled to the heat sink such that fluid can flow into and out of the cooling channels, wherein the piping assembly comprises a plurality of connectors coupled to the respective cooling channels and formed in a hollow shape to allow a cooling fluid to pass through the inside thereof, and a connecting pipe that connects the respective connectors, the connector comprises a main port connected to a refrigerant storage unit and a plurality of sub-ports connected to the main port via the connecting pipe, and the main port comprises a first pipe that communicates the refrigerant storage unit with the connecting pipe, and a second pipe branched from the first pipe and connected to a cooling channel.

[0019] The first pipe may comprise a main pipe portion with one of both ends closed, and a sub pipe portion connected to a side portion of the main pipe portion.

[0020] The sub pipe portion may be connected so as to be perpendicular to the main pipe portion.

[0021] The second pipe may be connected to the sub pipe portion of the first pipe.

[0022] A plurality of sub pipe portions may be connected to the main pipe portion.

[0023] The respective sub pipe portions may be connected at predetermined intervals apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe portion.

[0024] The main port may further include a snap-fit structure latching portion on the second pipe so that the second pipe is coupled to the heat sink.

[0025] The latching portions may be formed as a symmetrical pair on the second pipe.

[0026] The heat sink includes a tubular coupling port coupled to an inlet of each cooling channel, and the coupling port includes a protrusion protruding such that the engaging portion of the second pipe is hooked thereon, and the second pipe can be fastened to the coupling port by the hooking engagement between the engaging portion and the protrusion.

[0027] The second pipe can be separated from the coupling port as the engaging portion is lifted away from the protrusion.

[0028] The connector is made of a plastic material and can be manufactured as an integrated body by injection molding.

[0029] The sub-port includes a tubular moving pipe and an injection pipe branched from the moving pipe and connected to the cooling channel, and both ends of the moving pipe can be respectively coupled to connecting pipes.

[0030] The sub-port may further include an engaging portion of a snap-fit structure on the injection pipe such that the injection pipe is coupled to the heat sink.

[0031] According to the present invention, there is provided a battery pack comprising: a heat sink on which a plurality of cell stack assemblies are mounted; a piping assembly coupled to at least one of a front end and a rear end of the heat sink; and a side wall coupled along an edge of the heat sink to support a side portion of the cell stack assemblies. Effects of the Invention

[0032] According to the present invention, process efficiency in manufacturing a cooling device and a battery pack including the same can be improved.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by applying a cooling device whose cooling performance does not degrade, the safety of a battery pack including the same can be improved. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0034] [Figure 1] This shows a conventional battery pack with a cooling system applied. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the piping assembly included in the cooling system. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of a portion of the battery pack. [Figure 4] This shows a conventional battery pack to which a modified cooling device has been applied. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows the piping assembly included in the cooling system. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of the battery pack. [Figure 7] This shows the piping assembly configuration in Figure 5, separated and divided. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This shows a part of a piping assembly. [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows the components that make up the piping assembly separated. [Figure 11] This shows a subport included in the cooling device of the present invention. [Figure 12] This shows the arrangement of the main ports, some of the subports, the coupling ports, and some of the heatsinks. [Figure 13] This diagram shows the process by which subports and main ports are connected to the coupling ports attached to the heatsink, illustrated in cross-sectional shape. [Figure 14] This shows a perspective view, a plan view, a side view, and a front view of the main port of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of a battery pack to which a cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]These are perspective views, plan views, side views, and front views of a main port included in a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of a battery pack to which a cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Before that, however, terms and words used herein and in the claims shall not be interpreted to be limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but rather as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe his own invention.

[0036] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention; there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0037] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would likely obscure the gist of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to an ordinary person, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect their actual sizes and proportions.

[0039] This invention relates to a cooling device and a battery pack including the same, which improve process efficiency and cooling performance by applying a structurally modified connector.

[0040] Figures 8 to 15 relate to a cooling device and a battery pack including the same according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 16 to 18 relate to a cooling device and a battery pack including the same according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] The cooling device and battery pack of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0042] (First Embodiment) <Cooling device 100> The present invention relates to a cooling device 100 that cools cells inside a battery pack using a cooling fluid F supplied from a refrigerant storage unit (not shown).

[0043] The refrigerant storage unit stores fluid and, as needed, supplies the stored fluid to the outside. In this case, the fluid may be cooled within the refrigerant storage unit, or it may be cooled by a separate device after flowing out of the refrigerant storage unit.

[0044] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cooling device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The cooling device 100 includes a heat sink 110 and a piping assembly 120, as shown in Figure 8.

[0046] The heat sink 110 has a flat plate shape and includes a plurality of cooling channels 111 inside.

[0047] The cooling channel 111 is a passage through which the cooling fluid F flows, and can be designed in at least one of the shapes of a straight line and a curved line.

[0048] Preferably, the cooling channel 111 is designed to pass through the maximum possible area of ​​the heat sink 110.

[0049] The piping assembly 120 is coupled to the heat sink 110 so that fluid can enter and exit the cooling channel 111 of the heat sink 110.

[0050] The piping assembly 120 may be connected to either the front or rear end of the heat sink 110, or, as shown in Figure 8, to both the front and rear ends of the heat sink 110. This can be freely modified depending on the design of the cooling channels 111 within the heat sink 110.

[0051] The cooling fluid F supplied from the refrigerant storage unit moves to the heat sink 110 via a piping assembly 120 provided at one end of the heat sink 110. The cooling fluid F that has passed through the heat sink 110 may move to another piping assembly 120 provided at the other end of the heat sink 110, or it may return to the piping assembly 120 provided at one end of the heat sink 110.

[0052] As described above, the path of the cooling fluid F can be freely modified according to the designer's objectives.

[0053] Figure 9 shows a part of the piping assembly 120, and Figure 10 shows the components that make up the piping assembly 120 of Figure 9 separated.

[0054] The piping assembly 120 includes a connector and a connecting pipe 123.

[0055] The connector is formed in a hollow shape so that fluid can pass through it, and is connected to each cooling channel 111 of the heat sink 110.

[0056] The connector includes a main port 121 and a subport 122, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0057] The main port 121 is part of the piping assembly 120 through which the cooling fluid F supplied from the refrigerant storage unit first passes.

[0058] The main port 121 may be directly connected to the refrigerant storage unit, or it may be connected to the refrigerant storage unit via a separate pipe (not shown).

[0059] The subport 122 directs the cooling fluid F, which has been moved from the main port 121, into each cooling channel 111 of the heatsink 110, or to another subport 122.

[0060] The subport 122 includes a connecting portion 122b that is connected to the connecting pipe 123, and an injection portion 122a that communicates with the connecting portion 122b and is connected to the heat sink 110.

[0061] Figure 11 shows a subport 122 included in the cooling device 100 of the present invention.

[0062] The subport 122 is configured in two types, as shown in Figure 11, depending on the number of connecting pipes 123 to which it is connected.

[0063] Figure 11(a) shows that connecting portions 122b are formed on both sides of the injection portion 122a, and the cooling fluid F can pass through the other subports 122 via the connecting portions 122b and can also flow into the cooling channel 111 of the heat sink 110 which is connected to the subport 122 via the injection portion 122a which is in communication with the connecting portions 122b.

[0064] Figure 11(b) shows that a connecting portion 122b is formed on one side of the injection portion 122a, and the cooling fluid F that flows in through the connecting portion 122b immediately flows into the cooling channel 111 through the injection portion 122a.

[0065] The subport 122 can be selected to be either (a) or (b) in Figure 11, depending on its location.

[0066] A subport 122 in the form shown in Figure 11(b) can be used when it is located at the outermost position in the direction opposite to the main port 121, as shown in Figure 9.

[0067] The subport 122 includes a snap-fit ​​latching portion S on the outer circumferential surface of the injection portion 122a.

[0068] The latching portion S is provided in a pair that is symmetrical with respect to the injection portion 122a.

[0069] The subport 122 can be fixed to the heatsink 110 by operating the latching portion S.

[0070] The subport 122 preferably includes a plastic material so that the locking portion S can move freely. That is, the subport 122, which is made of a plastic material, can be manufactured as a single unit by injection molding or the like.

[0071] The cooling device 100 of the present invention also includes a component connected to the subport 122 that has a protruding shape so that the latching portion S can catch and fasten. Therefore, the subport 122 uses the elastic force of the plastic so that the latching portion S can catch on the protruding shape even with a light pushing force, without the need for bolt fastening.

[0072] To separate the subport 122 from the connected component, the front end of the latching portion S must be lifted so that it does not catch on the protruding shape. Therefore, the subport 122 may further include an operating portion H protruding to the outside of the latching portion S so that the operation of the latching portion S can be operated manually, and the subport 122 can be easily separated from the connected component by a handling operation of pushing the operating portion H.

[0073] The subport 122 may be directly connected to the heat sink 110, or it may be connected to the heat sink 110 using the connection port 112.

[0074] Figure 12 shows the arrangement of the main port 121, part of the subport 122, the coupling port 112, and part of the heatsink 110.

[0075] As shown in Figure 12, a tubular coupling port 112 can be initially coupled and fixed to the inlet of the cooling channel 111, and then the subport 122 can be coupled to the end of the fixed coupling port 112. In this case, the coupling port 112 may have threads on the outer circumferential surface of one end, and threads corresponding to the threads of the coupling port 112 can also be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the inlet of the cooling channel 111 of the heat sink 110 into which the coupling port 112 is inserted. That is, the coupling port 112 can be screw-coupled and fixed to the female threads formed in the heat sink 110.

[0076] Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the process by which the subport 122 and main port 121 are connected to the coupling port 112, which is connected to the heatsink 110.

[0077] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the coupling port 112 may include a protruding portion 112a that extends outward from its outer circumferential surface so that the locking portion S can engage with it. Thus, the subport 122, moving toward the coupling port 112, is fixed to the coupling port 112 and the heat sink 110 at the moment the locking portion S engages with the protruding portion 112a. Subsequently, the cooling fluid F supplied from the subport 122 can pass through the coupling port 112 and be injected into the cooling channel 111.

[0078] The connecting pipe 123 is interposed between the connectors, as shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0079] The connecting pipe 123 is designed to be tubular and connects each connector so that the cooling fluid F can reach all of them.

[0080] The cooling device 100 of the present invention is characterized by the application of a modified shape of the conventional main port 121. Specifically, the cooling device 100 of the present invention is characterized by the modification of the shape of the main port 121 so that it is directly coupled to the heat sink 110 while simultaneously being connected to other subports 122. That is, the main port 121 includes three inlets and outlets through which the cooling fluid F enters and exits, and is coupled to the heat sink 110 such that one of these inlets and outlets communicates with the cooling channel 111.

[0081] Therefore, the cooling fluid F passing through the main port 121 may flow directly into the cooling channel 111 of the heatsink 110 connected to the main port 121, or it may move to the subport 122.

[0082] Figure 14 shows a perspective view (Figure 14(a)), a top view (Figure 14(b)), a side view (Figure 14(c)), and a front view (Figure 14(d)) of the main port 121 of the present invention.

[0083] The main port 121 includes a first pipe that connects the refrigerant storage section and the connecting pipe 123, and a second pipe 121b that branches off from the first pipe and is connected to the cooling channel 111.

[0084] The first pipe more specifically includes a main pipe section 121a1 and a sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0085] The main pipe section 121a1 has a hollow structure and is configured such that one of its ends is closed.

[0086] The sub-pipe section 121a2 is formed to be connected to the side of the main pipe section 121a1.

[0087] The sub-pipe section 121a2 plays a role in changing the direction of movement of the cooling fluid F that flows in through one of the open ends of the main pipe section 121a1. That is, when the cooling fluid F moving along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe section 121a1 reaches the closed end of the main pipe section 121a1, it flows into the sub-pipe section 121a2 which is connected to the side of the main pipe section 121a1, and changes its direction of movement along the longitudinal direction of the sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0088] Preferably, the sub-pipe section 121a2 is connected perpendicularly to the main pipe section 121a1. Therefore, the cooling fluid F moving through the first pipe changes its direction of movement from the main pipe section 121a1 to the sub-pipe section 121a2, almost perpendicularly.

[0089] Preferably, the main port 121 is provided such that the first pipe and the second pipe 121b are all perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0090] The main port 121 includes a second pipe 121b connected to the side of the sub-pipe section 121a2 so as to communicate with the sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0091] The second pipe 121b plays the role of directing the cooling fluid F that flows in from the main pipe section 121a1 out in a direction other than the sub-pipe section 121a2. In other words, the cooling fluid F that flows in through one channel of the main pipe section 121a1 can flow out through two channels, the sub-pipe section 121a2 and the second pipe 121b.

[0092] The second pipe 121b is preferably formed so as to be perpendicular to the sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0093] Since the second tube 121b serves the same purpose as the other subports 122 connected to the cooling channel 111 of the heatsink 110, it has a similar structure and is made of the same material as some of the aforementioned subports 122.

[0094] In other words, the main port 121 further includes a snap-fit ​​latch on the second tube 121b so that the second tube 121b is coupled to the heat sink 110.

[0095] The heat sink 110 further includes a tubular coupling port 112 at the inlet of the cooling channel 111 to which the second pipe 121b of the main port 121 is coupled.

[0096] The coupling port 112 includes a protruding portion 112a that protrudes so as to catch on the latching portion S of the second pipe 121b.

[0097] The latching portions S are formed in a symmetrical pair on the second pipe 121b, and the pair of latching portions S hook onto the protrusion 112a of the coupling port 112 which is coupled to the inlet of the cooling channel 111, thereby fastening the main port 121 to the heat sink 110.

[0098] The second pipe 121b of the main port 121, like the subport 122, can be separated from the coupling port 112 as the latching portion S is lifted from the protrusion 112a.

[0099] As shown in Figure 14, the main port 121 includes an operating part H formed to protrude from one side of the locking part S, so as to allow the operation of the locking part S to be controlled. Therefore, the locking part S can be operated by pressing the operating part H.

[0100] The main port 121 included in the cooling device 100 of the present invention can be stably fixed to the heat sink 110 by the configuration of the second tube 121b which is directly connected to the heat sink 110 as described above. Furthermore, the configuration of the second tube 121b as described above solves problems such as interference with other subports 122.

[0101] <Battery Pack> The battery pack of the present invention, which houses multiple cell stack assemblies, is characterized by the application of the cooling device 100 of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a battery pack to which the cooling device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0103] The battery pack includes a heat sink 110 on which a plurality of cell stack assemblies are attached to the top, a piping assembly 120 connected to at least one end of the front and rear ends of the heat sink 110, and side walls connected along the edge of the heat sink 110 to support the sides of the cell stack assemblies.

[0104] The battery pack may further include an upper case that is coupled to the upper end of the side wall so as to cover and protect the top of the cell stack assembly, as shown in Figure 15.

[0105] The multiple cell stack assemblies housed in the battery pack can be cooled in real time by a cooling fluid F that is injected into and moves inside the heat sink 110 via the cooling device 100.

[0106] (Second Embodiment) <Cooling device 100> A cooling device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the main port 121 includes a plurality of sub-pipe sections 121a2.

[0107] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a cooling device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] The cooling device 100 includes a heat sink 110 and a piping assembly 120, as shown in Figure 16.

[0109] Figure 17 shows a perspective view (Figure 17(a)), a plan view (Figure 17(b)), a side view (Figure 17(c)), and a front view (Figure 17(d)) ​​of the main port 121 included in the cooling device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] The main port 121 includes a first pipe that connects the refrigerant storage section and the connecting pipe 123, and a second pipe 121b that branches off from the first pipe and is connected to the cooling channel 111.

[0111] The first pipe more specifically includes a main pipe section 121a1 and a plurality of sub-pipe sections 121a2.

[0112] The main pipe section 121a1 has a hollow structure and is configured such that one of its ends is closed.

[0113] The sub-pipe section 121a2 is formed to be connected to the side of the main pipe section 121a1. More specifically, each sub-pipe section 121a2 is connected to the main pipe section 121a1 at a predetermined interval along its longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 17.

[0114] The sub-pipe section 121a2 plays a role in changing the direction of movement of the cooling fluid F that flows in through one of the open ends of the main pipe section 121a1. That is, when the cooling fluid F moving along the longitudinal direction of the main pipe section 121a1 reaches the closed end of the main pipe section 121a1, it flows into the respective sub-pipe sections 121a2 that are connected to the side of the main pipe section 121a1, and changes its direction of movement along the longitudinal direction of each sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0115] Since each sub-pipe section 121a2 is preferably extended in the same direction, the direction of movement of the cooling fluid F through each sub-pipe section 121a2 is also the same.

[0116] Each of the sub-pipe sections 121a2 is preferably connected perpendicularly to the main pipe section 121a1. Therefore, the cooling fluid F moving through the first pipe changes its direction of movement from the main pipe section 121a1 to the sub-pipe sections 121a2, almost perpendicularly.

[0117] Preferably, the main port 121 is provided such that the first pipe and the second pipe 121b are all perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0118] In the cooling device 100 according to the second embodiment, the second pipe 121b of the main port 121 is connected to the sub-pipe section 121a2 that is located at the position most adjacent to the end of the main port 121 among a plurality of sub-pipe sections 121a2.

[0119] The second pipe 121b plays the role of directing the cooling fluid F that flows in from the main pipe section 121a1 out in a direction other than the sub-pipe section 121a2. In other words, the cooling fluid F that flows in through one channel of the main pipe section 121a1 can flow out through multiple channels in the sub-pipe section 121a2 and the second pipe 121b.

[0120] The second pipe 121b is preferably formed so as to be perpendicular to the sub-pipe section 121a2.

[0121] Since the second tube 121b serves the same purpose as the other subports 122 connected to the cooling channel 111 of the heatsink 110, it has a similar structure and is made of the same material as some of the aforementioned subports 122.

[0122] In other words, the main port 121 further includes a snap-fit ​​latch on the second tube 121b so that the second tube 121b is coupled to the heat sink 110.

[0123] The heat sink 110 further includes a tubular coupling port 112 at the inlet of the cooling channel 111 to which the second pipe 121b of the main port 121 is coupled.

[0124] The coupling port 112 includes a protruding portion 112a that protrudes so as to catch on the latching portion S of the second pipe 121b.

[0125] The latching portions S are formed in a symmetrical pair on the second pipe 121b, and the pair of latching portions S hook onto the protrusion 112a of the coupling port 112 which is coupled to the inlet of the cooling channel 111, thereby fastening the main port 121 to the heat sink 110.

[0126] The second pipe 121b of the main port 121, like the subport 122, can be separated from the coupling port 112 as the latching portion S is lifted from the protrusion 112a.

[0127] The main port 121 includes an operating part H that protrudes from one side of the locking part S, so as to allow the operation of the locking part S to be controlled. Therefore, the locking part S can be operated by pressing the operating part H.

[0128] The cooling device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the subports 122 included in the cooling device 100 are not all connected by connecting pipes 123. That is, as shown in Figure 16, the subports 122 are separated into several pairs. Here, the subports 122 connected to each other by connecting pipes 123 form a group and are connected, and any one of the subports 122 belonging to the group is directly connected to the main port 121 via the connecting pipe 123. Therefore, the cooling device 100 according to the second embodiment can deliver the cooling fluid F to a wider area of ​​the heat sink 110 at a faster speed than the cooling device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0129] <Battery Pack> The battery pack of the present invention, which houses multiple cell stack assemblies, is characterized by the application of the cooling device 100 of the present invention.

[0130] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a battery pack to which the cooling device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0131] The battery pack includes a heat sink 110 on which a plurality of cell stack assemblies are attached to the top, a piping assembly 120 connected to at least one end of the front and rear ends of the heat sink 110, and side walls connected along the edge of the heat sink 110 to support the sides of the cell stack assemblies.

[0132] The battery pack may further include an upper case that is coupled to the upper end of the side wall so as to be able to cover and protect the top of the cell stack assembly, as shown in Figure 18.

[0133] The multiple cell stack assemblies housed in the battery pack can be cooled in real time by a cooling fluid F that is injected into and moves inside the heat sink 110 via the cooling device 100.

[0134] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to 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 be substituted for them at the time of filing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 10: (Conventional technology) Battery pack 20: (Conventional Technology) Piping Assembly 30: (Conventional technology) Heatsink 40: (Conventional technology) Side wall 50: (Conventional technology) Upper case 60: (Conventional technology) Main port 70: (Conventional Technology) Port 80: (Conventional technology) pipe 90: (Conventional technology) Deformed tube 1000: Battery Pack 100: Cooling device 110: Heatsink 111: Cooling Channel 112: Connecting port 112a:Protrusion 120: Piping Assembly 121: Main port 121a1: Main pipe section 121a2: Sub-pipe section 121b: 2nd pipe 122: Subport 122a: Injection part 122b: Connection part 123: Connecting pipe S: Hooking part H:Operation unit F: Cooling fluid (movement)

Claims

1. A cooling device that cools the cell stack assembly inside a battery pack using a cooling fluid supplied from a refrigerant storage unit, A heatsink including multiple cooling channels, A piping assembly connected to the heat sink so that fluid can enter and exit the cooling channel, Includes, The aforementioned piping assembly is Multiple connectors are connected to each of the aforementioned cooling channels and are formed in a hollow shape so that a cooling fluid can pass through them, A connecting pipe that connects each of the aforementioned connectors, Includes, The aforementioned connector is The main port connected to the refrigerant storage unit, The main port and a plurality of subports connected via the connecting pipe, Includes, The aforementioned main port is, A first pipe that connects the refrigerant storage unit and the connecting pipe, A second pipe that branches off from the first pipe and is connected to the cooling channel, Includes, The first tube is, A main pipe section with one end closed, A sub-pipe section connected to the side of the main pipe section, A cooling device, including a cooling system.

2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the sub-pipe section is connected perpendicularly to the main pipe section.

3. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the second pipe is connected to the sub-pipe section of the first pipe.

4. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sub-pipe sections are connected to the main pipe section.

5. The cooling device according to claim 4, wherein each of the sub-pipe sections is connected to the main pipe section at a predetermined distance apart along the longitudinal direction.

6. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the main port further includes a latching portion that protrudes in a snap-fit ​​structure on the second pipe so that the second pipe is coupled to the heat sink.

7. The cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the latching portions are formed in a pair that are symmetrical on the second pipe.

8. The heat sink includes a tubular coupling port that is coupled to the inlet of each cooling channel. The coupling port includes a protruding portion that is positioned so as to catch on the latching portion of the second pipe. The cooling device according to claim 6, wherein the second pipe is fastened to the coupling port by the hooking of the latching portion and the protruding portion.

9. The cooling device according to claim 8, wherein the second pipe is separated from the coupling port as the latching portion is lifted from the protruding portion.

10. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple subports is made of a plastic material and manufactured as a single unit.

11. The aforementioned subport includes a tubular injection section, A tubular connecting portion is attached to the side of the injection portion, A cooling device according to claim 1, including the following:

12. The cooling device according to claim 11, wherein the subport further includes a latching portion that protrudes in a snap-fit ​​structure above the injection portion so that the injection portion is coupled to the heat sink.

13. In a battery pack that houses multiple cell stack assemblies and applies the cooling device described in claim 1, A heatsink with multiple cell stack assemblies mounted on top, A piping assembly connected to at least one end of the front and rear ends of the heat sink, A side wall is bonded along the edge of the heat sink so as to support the side of the cell stack assembly, A battery pack, including the battery pack.

Images