Cooling device and vehicle having the same

Abstract

A cooling device comprising a plurality of battery cells; a cooling water pipe located on the back of the plurality of battery cells; an inlet port for introducing cooling water into the interior of the cooling water pipe; a cooling water path connected to the inlet port through which cooling water flows; and an outlet port connected to the cooling water path through which cooling water flows out to the outside of the cooling water pipe, wherein the cooling water pipe includes an inner plate that partitions the cooling water path, can increase battery cooling efficiency through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered path through which cooling water flows to cool the battery of an electric vehicle.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device capable of increasing battery cooling efficiency through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered flow path through which cooling water flows to cool the battery of an electric vehicle, and a vehicle equipped with the same. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, with rising energy prices due to the depletion of fossil fuels and growing concern over environmental pollution, the demand for eco-friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for future life. Accordingly, research on various power generation technologies, such as nuclear, solar, wind, and tidal power, is continuing, and there is also significant interest in power storage devices designed to utilize this generated energy more efficiently.

[0003] In particular, as the use of secondary batteries as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) is becoming a reality and their application areas are expanding to include auxiliary power sources through grid integration, much research is being conducted on batteries capable of meeting various demands.

[0004] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge with almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. In addition, the lithium secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive plate and a negative plate, each coated with a positive active material and a negative active material, are arranged with a separator in between, and an outer casing, namely a battery case, that seals and houses this electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] In the case of electric vehicles, when thermal runaway, ignition, or explosion occurs in some of the multiple battery cells, the generated high-temperature gas, flame, or high-temperature internal material is sprayed and transferred to adjacent battery cells, causing secondary thermal runaway, secondary fire, or explosion. Therefore, efforts are being intensified to prevent multiple battery cells from being induced to undergo thermal runaway, ignition, or explosion in a chain reaction.

[0007] In particular, lithium is a metal with a high ionization tendency, so it combines with oxygen in the air and oxidizes easily. Due to this characteristic, fire suppression is very difficult, and there is a problem of enormous consumption of time and resources required to extinguish the fire.

[0008] Therefore, in order to avoid the aforementioned risk of fire, a cooling means is required to efficiently cool the electric vehicle battery. The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention provides a cooling device and a vehicle equipped with the same, and more specifically, aims to provide a cooling device and a vehicle equipped with the same that can increase battery cooling efficiency through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered flow path through which coolant flowing to cool the battery of an electric vehicle is formed.

[0010] In addition, the purpose is to provide a cooling device that can minimize the temperature difference between the cooling water flowing in and out of the cooling water pipe by allowing heat exchange to occur between the cooling water flowing in a multi-layered cooling water channel, and a vehicle equipped with the same.

[0011] In addition, the purpose is to provide a cooling device and a vehicle equipped with the same, which can increase the autonomy of the design of the coolant flow path through the arrangement and shape of the inner plate partitioning the coolant path.

[0012] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0013] A cooling device is provided comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a cooling water pipe located on the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; an inlet port for introducing cooling water into the interior of the cooling water pipe; a cooling water path connected to the inlet port through which cooling water flows; and an outlet port connected to the cooling water path for discharging cooling water to the outside of the cooling water pipe, wherein the cooling water pipe includes an inner plate that partitions the cooling water path.

[0014] The above coolant flow path may include an upper flow path adjacent to the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; and a lower flow path formed at the bottom of the upper flow path.

[0015] The above upper channel may be partitioned through the inner plate and formed in multiple numbers.

[0016] The inner plate can be formed parallel to the back surface of the plurality of battery cells.

[0017] The inner plate above is formed by bending and can partition the cooling water passage.

[0018] The above-mentioned inlet port may include a plurality of holes connected to each of the partitioned cooling water passages.

[0019] The above-mentioned coolant channel can be formed in a 'U' shape.

[0020] The inlet port is connected to one end of the coolant flow path, and the outlet port can be connected to the other end of the coolant flow path.

[0021] The above cooling water pipe may include a polygonal shape.

[0022] A vehicle is provided that includes a battery pack comprising a vehicle body; a cooling device located at the lower part of the vehicle body; and a case housing the cooling device, wherein the cooling device comprises a plurality of battery cells; a coolant pipe located on the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; an inlet port for introducing coolant into the interior of the coolant pipe; a coolant passage connected to the inlet port through which coolant flows; and an outlet port connected to the coolant passage for discharging coolant to the outside of the coolant pipe, and wherein the coolant pipe comprises an inner plate that partitions the coolant passage. Effects of the invention

[0023] The cooling device of the present invention and the vehicle equipped with the same can increase battery cooling efficiency through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered flow path through which coolant flowing to cool the battery of an electric vehicle flows.

[0024] In addition, by allowing heat exchange between the cooling water flowing in the multi-layered cooling water channels, the temperature difference between the cooling water flowing in and out of the cooling water pipes can be minimized.

[0025] In addition, the design autonomy of the coolant flow path can be increased through the arrangement and shape of the inner plate that partitions the coolant flow path.

[0026] The effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the cross-sectional shape of a cooling water pipe in a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water flowing through a cooling water channel in a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a cooling water flow path partitioned through an inner plate in a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area A of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of aa' of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of bb` in Figure 5. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the shape of an inlet port in a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a vehicle equipped with a cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Identical or similar components regardless of drawing symbols will be assigned the same reference number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, in describing embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, such detailed description will be omitted. Additionally, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification; the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0029] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0030] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0031] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In this application, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooling device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining the cross-sectional shape of a cooling water pipe (120) in a cooling device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining the flow of cooling water flowing through a cooling water channel (140) in a cooling device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a cooling water channel (140) partitioned by an inner plate (121) in a cooling device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of aa' in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of bb' in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the shape of an inlet port (130) in a cooling device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 together, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells (110) and a cooling water pipe (120) located on the back of the plurality of battery cells (110). It may also include an inlet port (130) for introducing cooling water into the interior of the cooling water pipe (120), a cooling water path (140) connected to the inlet port (130) through which cooling water flows, and an outlet port (150) connected to the cooling water path (140) for discharging cooling water to the outside of the cooling water pipe (120).

[0035] In particular, in a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling water pipe (120) may include an inner plate (121) that partitions the cooling water flow path (140). Here, the cooling water pipe (120) may be formed by joining the inner plate (121) between an upper plate (122) and a lower plate (123).

[0036] And the coolant passage (140) may include an upper passage (141) adjacent to the back surface of a plurality of battery cells (110) and a lower passage (142) formed below the upper passage (141). At this time, the inner plate (121) may be formed parallel to the back surface of a plurality of battery cells (110).

[0037] Accordingly, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can increase the cooling efficiency of a battery cell (110) through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered channel through which cooling water flows through a cooling water channel (140) partitioned by an inner plate (121).

[0038] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the cooling water channel (140) in the cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed in a 'C' shape. At this time, the inlet port (130) may be connected to one end of the cooling water channel (140), and the outlet port (150) may be connected to the other end of the cooling water channel (140).

[0039] Here, FIG. 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in the upper channel (141), and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the flow of cooling water in the lower channel (142). As shown in FIG. 3, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can have the flow direction of the cooling water flowing in the upper channel (141) and the flow direction of the cooling water flowing in the lower channel (142) opposite to each other.

[0040] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the cooling water flowing in through the inlet port (130a) of the upper channel (141) flows and, after heat exchange with a plurality of battery cells (110), can be discharged through the outlet port (150a) of the upper channel (141).

[0041] And as shown in Fig. 3(b), the cooling water flowing in through the inlet port (130b) of the lower channel (142) can be discharged through the outlet port (150b) of the lower channel (142) after heat exchange with the cooling water flowing in the upper channel (141).

[0042] That is, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can enable heat exchange between cooling water flowing in an upper flow path (141) adjacent to the back surface of a battery cell (110) and heat exchanged with the battery cell (110), and cooling water flowing in a lower flow path (142).

[0043] Accordingly, the cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can increase the cooling efficiency of the battery cell (110) through heat exchange between the cooling water flowing in the upper channel (141) and the cooling water flowing in the lower channel (142), compared to the case where the conventional cooling water flow channel is formed as a single layer.

[0044] In other words, conventionally, the flow path for the coolant was formed as a single layer. Consequently, as the incoming coolant heated up during heat exchange with the battery, the temperature increased near the point of discharge, leading to a problem where the battery was not properly cooled.

[0045] Accordingly, in order to solve the problem of the past, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can minimize the temperature difference between the cooling water flowing in from the cooling water pipe (120) and the cooling water flowing out by allowing heat exchange between the cooling water flowing in the upper channel (141) and the cooling water flowing in the lower channel (142) to occur through heat exchange between the cooling water flowing in the multi-layered cooling water channel (140).

[0046] In addition, in a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper flow path (141) may be partitioned through an inner plate (121) to increase the cooling efficiency of the battery cell (110), and a plurality of such paths may be formed. At this time, the inner plate (121) may be formed by folding.

[0047] That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner plate (121) is formed by bending, so that the upper flow path (141) can be divided into a first upper flow path (1411) and a second upper flow path (1412).

[0048] In this way, the cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can increase the autonomy of the design of the cooling water flow path through the arrangement and shape of the inner plate (121) that partitions the cooling water flow path (140). For example, the upper flow path (141) and the lower flow path (142) can be designed so that their cross-sectional areas are different from each other, thereby controlling the flow rate of the cooling water to enable efficient heat exchange.

[0049] In addition, the cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can enable more efficient heat exchange between the cooling water flowing in the upper channel (141) divided into multiple sections and the cooling water flowing in the lower channel (142).

[0050] And through this, the cooling water flowing in the first upper channel (1411) and the cooling water flowing in the second upper channel (1412) exchange heat with the battery cell (110), and the cooling efficiency of the battery cell (110) can be further increased.

[0051] Referring together to FIGS. 5 to 7, in a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, a cooling water pipe (120) may include an inner plate (121) that partitions a cooling water passage (140). And, a flow of cooling water as described above through FIG. 3 can be formed in each of the cooling water passages (140) partitioned through the inner plate (121).

[0052] In addition, a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may form a plurality of holes (151) in an inlet port (130) as shown in FIG. 8, so that cooling water flows into each of the cooling water passages (140) partitioned through the inner plate (121).

[0053] Furthermore, in a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling water pipe (120) may include a polygonal shape. Accordingly, the cooling water flow path (140) may also be formed in a polygonal shape. By doing so, the contact area between the back surface of the battery cell (110) and the cooling water pipe (120) is increased, thereby further increasing the cooling efficiency of the battery cell (110).

[0054] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a vehicle (200) equipped with a cooling device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] A vehicle (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a vehicle body (210), a cooling device (100) located at the bottom of the vehicle body (210), and a battery pack (220) including a case (221) that accommodates the cooling device (100). Here, the cooling device (100) may correspond to the cooling device (100) according to various embodiments described above through FIGS. 1 to 8. And the battery pack (220) may refer to a configuration that accommodates a plurality of cooling devices (100) through a plurality of cases (221).

[0056] Additionally, a vehicle (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a chiller (230), and the chiller (230) may be connected to an inlet port (130) and an outlet port (150) of the cooling device (100) described above. That is, coolant flowing into the inlet port (130) through the chiller (230) is supplied, and coolant that has undergone heat exchange with the battery cell (110) may flow out through the outlet port (150) and flow into the chiller (230). Then, the coolant flowing into the chiller (230) may undergo a circulation process in which it is cooled again and supplied to the inlet port (130).

[0057] To summarize the above, the cooling device of the present invention and the vehicle equipped therewith can increase battery cooling efficiency through efficient heat exchange by forming a multi-layered passageway through which coolant flows to cool the battery of an electric vehicle. In addition, by allowing heat exchange to occur between the coolant flowing in the multi-layered coolant passageway, the temperature difference between the coolant flowing in from the coolant pipe and the coolant flowing out can be minimized. Furthermore, the design flexibility of the passageway through which the coolant flows can be increased through the arrangement and shape of the inner plate that partitions the coolant passageway.

[0058] The foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0059] 100 : Cooling device 110: Battery cell 120: Coolant pipe 121 : Inner Plate 122 : Upper plate 123 : Lower plate 130 : Inflow port 131 : Hall 140: Coolant flow path 141 : Upper Euro 1411: 1st upper Euro 1412: 2nd upper Euro 142 : Lower Euro 150 : Outflow port 200 : Vehicle 210: Chassis 220: Battery pack 221 : Case 230 : Chiller

Claims

Claim 1 A cooling device comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a cooling water pipe located on the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; an inlet port for introducing cooling water into the interior of the cooling water pipe; a cooling water path connected to the inlet port through which cooling water flows; and an outlet port connected to the cooling water path for discharging cooling water to the outside of the cooling water pipe, wherein the cooling water pipe comprises an inner plate partitioning the cooling water path. Claim 2 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling water flow path comprises: an upper flow path adjacent to the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; and a lower flow path formed at the lower part of the upper flow path. Claim 3 A cooling device according to paragraph 2, characterized in that the upper flow path is partitioned through the inner plate and formed in multiple places. Claim 4 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate is formed parallel to the back surface of the plurality of battery cells. Claim 5 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the inner plate is formed by being bent and partitions the cooling water passage. Claim 6 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet port comprises a plurality of holes connected to each of the partitioned cooling water passages. Claim 7 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling water passage is formed in a 'U' shape. Claim 8 A cooling device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inlet port is connected to one end of the cooling water path and the outlet port is connected to the other end of the cooling water path. Claim 9 A cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling water pipe comprises a polygonal shape. Claim 10 A vehicle comprising a battery pack including a vehicle body; a cooling device located at the lower part of the vehicle body; and a case housing the cooling device, wherein the cooling device comprises a plurality of battery cells; a coolant pipe located on the back surface of the plurality of battery cells; an inlet port for introducing coolant into the interior of the coolant pipe; a coolant passage connected to the inlet port through which coolant flows; and an outlet port connected to the coolant passage for discharging coolant to the outside of the coolant pipe, wherein the coolant pipe comprises an inner plate partitioning the coolant passage.

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