End plate of a flow battery with a honeycomb structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure, and is particularly fastened to both sides of a stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; comprising: a bottom plate; a honeycomb core having an upper and lower hollow honeycomb structure seated on the upper surface of the bottom plate; and a top plate seated on the top of the honeycomb core; thereby having the effect of securing a certain thickness and reinforcing strength while actually reducing weight.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an end plate for a flow battery installed on both sides of a stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells, and in particular, to an end plate for a flow battery that can reduce weight while increasing strength by applying a honeycomb structure. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent active development of energy storage systems (ESS), rechargeable secondary batteries are gaining attention as a promising technology.

[0003] An energy storage system is a system that stores electricity generated from sources such as thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, wind, and tidal power, and then supplies it to devices or grids that require power. It can efficiently balance the mismatch between supply and demand by charging electricity when generation is high and discharging it when consumption is high.

[0004] For example, representative renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power generation have power production capabilities that vary depending on weather conditions, making power storage devices essential.

[0005] Accordingly, flow batteries (i.e., flow batteries) are attracting attention as secondary batteries capable of rapidly storing large amounts of power and easily discharging it. Flow batteries can be classified into two categories: redox and concentration gradient (CG). In particular, redox flow batteries are a combination of the words Reduction, Oxidation, and Flow, referring to a battery that charges and discharges by pumping an electrolyte stored in an external tank into the battery cell.

[0006] Such a redox flow battery adopts a method of protecting the battery cells by stacking multiple battery cells to form a stack and then installing end plates on both sides of the stack.

[0007] However, since cast aluminum end plates were used, they were quite heavy, which made it difficult for workers to handle them. Prior art literature

[0008] Registered Patent 10-1688975 The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art, and aims to provide an end plate for a flow battery having a honeycomb structure that can reduce weight while increasing strength by placing a honeycomb core having a honeycomb structure inside and then surrounding the perimeter of the honeycomb core with a thin plate. means of solving the problem

[0010] The end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is fastened to both sides of a stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; and comprises: a lower plate; a honeycomb core having an upper and lower hollow honeycomb structure that is seated on the upper surface of the lower plate; and an upper plate seated on the upper end of the honeycomb core.

[0011] Here, the lower plate includes a lower side wall bent upward at the edge, and the upper plate includes an upper side wall bent downward at the edge; when the lower plate is in close contact with the bottom of the honeycomb core and the upper plate is in close contact with the top of the honeycomb core, either the lower side wall or the upper side wall goes under the other to create an overlapping area.

[0012] At this time, the overlapping portions are bonded by welding or adhesive.

[0013] In addition, upper and lower through holes are formed in the upper and lower plates that are linearly connected to each other, and a bushing is installed between the upper and lower through holes.

[0014] Here, the bushing comprises: a main body having a constant inner diameter and outer diameter, with its lower end in close contact with the upper surface of the lower plate and its upper end in close contact with the lower surface of the upper plate; a lower protruding ring protruding downward from the lower end of the main body, inserted into the lower through hole, with its outer surface in close contact with the wall surrounding the lower through hole; and an upper protruding ring protruding upward from the upper end of the main body, inserted into the upper through hole, with its outer surface in close contact with the wall surrounding the upper through hole. Effects of the invention

[0015] The end plate of the flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention, configured as described above, has the advantage of reducing the work burden on workers by placing a honeycomb core between the upper plate and the lower plate to secure a certain thickness and strengthen the strength while reducing the weight.

[0016] In addition, by overlapping and closely attaching the lower and upper side walls, the honeycomb core can be prevented from being exposed to the outside, and the edge rigidity of the end plate can be strengthened by the closely fixed lower and upper side walls reinforcing the edge portions, which are weak points of the honeycomb core, thereby improving rigidity.

[0017] In addition, by installing a bushing between the upper and lower through holes, necessary bolting work can be performed at any time. Furthermore, since the upper and lower ends of the bushing are firmly fitted into the upper and lower through holes, there is an advantage in that the bushing does not easily detach from the through holes and can stably maintain its position. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a figure showing the installation of a bushing in an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a figure showing the overlapping portion of the upper plate and the lower plate in the end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram briefly showing the use of an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted in advance that the terms 'up / down' or 'upper / lower,' which indicate direction when describing each component below, do not represent absolute directions, but rather represent the relative directions of the remaining components based on the fact that the hollow of the honeycomb core is arranged in the up-and-down direction.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention.

[0021] Also, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the installation of a bushing in an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overlapping portion of the upper plate and the lower plate in an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention.

[0022] In addition, Fig. 5 is a diagram briefly showing the use of an end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention.

[0023] The end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to the present invention is fastened to both sides of a stack (S) in which a plurality of battery cells (C) are stacked, and is composed of a lower plate (10), a honeycomb core (20) seated on the upper surface of the lower plate (10), and an upper plate (30) seated on the upper surface of the honeycomb core (20).

[0024] The lower plate (10) is based on a square plate shape overall and includes a lower side wall (11) formed by bending upward from the edge of the square plate. Accordingly, the lower plate (10) takes the form of an open upper surface with a receiving space formed inside.

[0025] The above honeycomb core (20) is a member having a honeycomb structure with upper and lower hollows and is seated on the upper surface of the bottom plate (10). Thus, the bottom plate (10) seals the open lower surface of the honeycomb core (20) having upper and lower hollows. Since about 98% of the internal structure of the honeycomb core (20) consists of empty space, it is lightweight and has significant structural rigidity, and thus the rigidity relative to weight of the end plate of the present invention can be dramatically improved.

[0026] The upper plate (30) is seated on the top of the honeycomb core (20) and, like the lower plate (10), is based on a square plate shape overall and includes an upper side wall (31) formed by bending downward from the edge of the square plate.

[0027] Here, when the bottom plate (10) is in close contact with the bottom of the honeycomb core (20) and the top plate is in close contact with the top of the honeycomb core (20), at this time, either the lower side wall (11) or the upper side wall (31) goes under the other one to create an overlapping area (A).

[0028] To explain in more detail, in the present invention, a honeycomb core (20) is accommodated in the space formed between the lower plate (10) and the upper plate (30). In order to prevent the side wall of the honeycomb core (20) from being exposed to the outside and to strengthen the bonding force between the upper plate (30) and the lower plate (10), the lower side wall (11) and the upper side wall (31) overlap to create an overlapping area (A).

[0029] This overlapping portion (A) may be formed such that the upper portion of the lower side wall (11) is closely fitted into the lower portion of the upper side wall (31), or such that the lower portion of the upper side wall (31) is closely fitted into the upper portion of the lower side wall (11). By being closely fitted by welding or adhesive, the overlapping portion (A) formed in this way can also improve the airtightness of the internal space formed by the upper plate (30) and the lower plate (10).

[0030] In addition, adhesive can be applied between the top plate (30) and the honeycomb core (20) and between the bottom plate (10) and the honeycomb core (20), respectively, and then heat and pressure can be applied with a press to improve the bonding strength between each member.

[0031] Meanwhile, a plurality of upper through holes (30a) and lower through holes (10a) are formed in the upper plate (30) and lower plate (10), respectively.

[0032] The upper through hole (30a) and lower through hole (10a) include an injection port (P1) for injecting the positive electrolyte and negative electrolyte and an exhaust port (P2) for discharging the positive electrolyte and negative electrolyte, and include a plurality of other holes that perform various functions.

[0033] These upper through-holes (30a) and lower through-holes (10a) are formed at the same location on the upper plate and lower plate (10) having the same shape and size, so they are connected linearly to each other. A bushing (40) can be installed between the upper through-hole (30a) and lower through-hole (10a) that are connected linearly in this way to connect the upper plate (30) and the lower plate (10).

[0034] The bushing (40) comprises a pipe-shaped main body (41) having a constant inner diameter and outer diameter, a lower protruding ring (42) formed by protruding downward from the bottom of the main body (41) through step processing of the main body (41), and an upper protruding ring (43) formed by protruding upward from the top of the main body (41) through step processing of the main body (41).

[0035] The above main body (41) has its lower end in close contact with the upper surface of the lower plate (10) and its upper end in close contact with the lower surface of the upper plate (30).

[0036] The lower protruding ring (42) has an inner diameter equal to the inner diameter of the main body (41), but an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the main body (41). As this lower protruding ring (42) is inserted into the lower through hole (10a), its outer surface comes into close contact with the wall surface around the lower through hole (10a).

[0037] Since the upper protruding ring (43) is identical to the lower protruding ring (42) except for the position in which it is formed, its inner diameter is the same as the inner diameter of the main body (41), and its outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body (41). As this upper protruding ring (43) is inserted into the upper through hole (30a), its outer surface comes into close contact with the wall surface around the upper through hole (30a).

[0038] Since the upper protruding ring (43) and the lower protruding ring (42) are firmly fitted into the upper through hole (30a) and the lower through hole (10a) in this way, the bushing (40) maintains its position firmly after being positioned between the upper plate (30) and the lower plate (10). Explanation of the symbols

[0039] 10: Bottom plate 10a: Bottom through hole 11: Lower sidewall 20: Honeycomb core 30: Top plate 30a: Upper through hole 40: Bushing 41: Main body 42: Lower protruding ring 43: Upper protruding ring A: Overlapping area C: Battery cell S: Stack P1: Injection Port P2: Discharge port

Claims

Claim 1 An end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure, which is attached to both sides of a stack (S) in which a plurality of battery cells (C) are stacked, is characterized by comprising: a lower plate (10); a honeycomb core (20) having an upper and lower hollow honeycomb structure that is seated on the upper surface of the lower plate (10); and an upper plate (30) that is seated on the upper surface of the honeycomb core (20). Claim 2 An end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower plate (10) includes a lower side wall (11) bent upward at the edge and the upper plate (30) includes an upper side wall (31) bent downward at the edge, and when the lower plate (10) is in close contact with the bottom of the honeycomb core (20) and the upper plate (30) is in close contact with the top of the honeycomb core (20), either the lower side wall (11) or the upper side wall (31) goes under the other to create an overlapping portion (A). Claim 3 An end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to claim 2, wherein the overlapping portion (A) is joined by welding or adhesive. Claim 4 An end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to claim 1, characterized in that upper and lower through holes (30a, 10a) are formed in the upper plate (30) and lower plate (10) and are linearly connected to each other, and a bushing (40) is installed between the upper and lower through holes (30a, 10a). Claim 5 The end plate of a flow battery having a honeycomb structure according to claim 4, wherein the bushing (40) comprises: a main body (41) having a constant inner diameter and outer diameter, with its lower end in close contact with the upper surface of the lower plate (10) and its upper end in close contact with the lower surface of the upper plate (30); a lower protruding ring (42) protruding downward from the lower end of the main body (41) and inserted into the lower through hole (10a) with its outer surface in close contact with the wall around the lower through hole (10a); and an upper protruding ring (43) protruding upward from the upper end of the main body (41) and inserted into the upper through hole (30a) with its outer surface in close contact with the wall around the upper through hole (30a).

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