Battery module and battery pack including the same and vehicle including the same

Abstract

A battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile are disclosed. A battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover in which the battery cell stack is housed; and a heat sink inserted inside the cover and supported by contacting the battery cell stack, wherein the heat sink is joined by insert injection molding.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery module capable of improving cooling performance, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly rising. While nickel-cadmium batteries or hydrogen-ion batteries were conventionally used as secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries are now widely used because they exhibit almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, allowing for free charging and discharging, have a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0003] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. The lithium secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive plate and a negative plate, each coated with the positive and negative active materials, are arranged with a separator in between, and an outer casing, namely a battery case, that seals and houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0004] A lithium secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between them, and an electrolyte. Depending on the type of positive and negative active material used, it is classified into lithium ion batteries (LIB), lithium polymer batteries (PLIB), etc. Typically, the electrodes of these lithium secondary batteries are formed by applying a positive or negative active material onto a current collector, such as an aluminum or copper sheet, mesh, film, or foil, and then drying it. Furthermore, various types of secondary batteries are equipped with a cover capable of protecting the battery cells. As shown in the patent document below (Publication No. 10-2019-0056013), they include a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and housed within the cover, and a battery pack containing a plurality of battery modules.

[0005] Meanwhile, conventional battery modules use adhesives to bond heat sinks provided in the battery modules. However, when the adhesive is exposed to the outside, it acts as a foreign substance in the flow paths formed in the heat sink, which leads to a problem of reduced cooling performance. In addition, there is a problem in that the strength varies depending on the performance of each type of adhesive. Prior art literature

[0006] Republic of Korea Published Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0056013 (Publication Date: May 24, 2019) The problem to be solved

[0007] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of improving cooling performance by eliminating the possibility of foreign substances occurring in the flow path of a heat sink, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0008] In addition, the invention provides a battery module capable of securing uniform bonding strength of the heat sink, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile. means of solving the problem

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery module may be provided comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover in which the battery cell stack is housed; and a heat sink inserted inside the cover and supported in contact with the battery cell stack, wherein the heat sink is joined by insert injection molding.

[0010] Additionally, the heat sink comprises an upper plate disposed on the upper side; and a lower plate disposed on the lower side of the upper plate such that a flow path is formed between the upper plate and the lower plate, and can be bonded by an insert resin inserted between the upper plate and the lower plate.

[0011] In addition, the upper plate and the lower plate may be made of different types of materials.

[0012] In addition, the upper plate may be made of metal, and the lower plate may be made of plastic.

[0013] And, the insert resin can be inserted between the upper plate and the lower plate in a state formed to correspond to the shape of the flow path.

[0014] In addition, a plurality of protrusions capable of contacting the upper plate may be formed on the lower plate.

[0015] And, the above protrusion may include a flat portion in contact with the upper plate; and an inclined portion formed at an angle from the flat portion.

[0016] In addition, the insert resin can be inserted into the space between the plurality of protrusions.

[0017] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module may be provided, and a vehicle including the battery module may also be provided. Effects of the invention

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention have the effect of improving cooling performance by eliminating the possibility of foreign substances occurring in the flow path of the heat sink since no adhesive is used.

[0019] In addition, it has the effect of ensuring uniform bonding strength of the heat sink through mechanochemical bonding, regardless of adhesive performance. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heat sink in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view and a partial enlarged view taken along A-A' in Figure 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an insert resin inserted between protrusions in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5 with the insert resin removed. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0021] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all aspects of the technical spirit of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0022] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for convenience and clarity of explanation. Accordingly, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such description shall be omitted.

[0023] As used in this specification, the terms "combination" or "connection" include not only cases where one member and another member are directly joined or directly connected, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heat sink in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and partial enlarged view taken along A-A' in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention with an insert resin inserted between protrusions, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with the insert resin removed.

[0025] Referring to the drawings, a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell stack (100), a cover (200), and a heat sink (300).

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery cell stack (100) is formed by stacking multiple battery cells (110) equipped with electrode leads. The electrode leads provided in the battery cells (110) may be made of a conductive material and serve as terminals that are exposed to the outside and connected to an external device.

[0027] The electrode leads may include a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110), or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be positioned in the same direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell (110).

[0028] The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead can be made of various materials; for example, the positive electrode lead can be made of aluminum, and the negative electrode lead can be made of copper.

[0029] The electrode leads can be electrically coupled to the busbar. The battery cell (110) may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate or bi-cells arranged in the order of positive plate-separator-negative plate-separator-positive plate-separator-negative plate are stacked according to the battery capacity.

[0030] A battery cell stack (100) can be configured such that a plurality of battery cells (110) are stacked together. Here, the battery cells (110) may have various structures, and the plurality of battery cells (110) may also be stacked in various ways.

[0031] A battery cell stack (100) may be provided with a plurality of cartridges (not shown) for storing each battery cell (110). Each cartridge (not shown) may be manufactured by injection molding of plastic, and a plurality of cartridges (not shown) may be stacked, each having a storage portion formed to store the battery cell (110).

[0032] A cartridge assembly in which a plurality of cartridges (not shown) are stacked may be provided with a connector element or a terminal element. The connector element may include various types of electrical connection components or connecting members for connecting to, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System, not shown) capable of providing data regarding the voltage or temperature of a battery cell (110).

[0033] Additionally, the terminal element includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal as a main terminal connected to the battery cell (110), and the terminal element is equipped with a terminal bolt so that it can be electrically connected to the outside. Meanwhile, the battery cell (110) may have various shapes.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, the cover (200) accommodates a battery cell stack (100) or a cartridge assembly in which the battery cell stack (100) is housed. For example, the cover (200) may be provided to surround the battery cell stack (100).

[0035] In addition, a heat sink (300) for heat dissipation is inserted inside the case and can come into contact with the battery cell stack (100).

[0036] The cover (200) surrounds the entire battery cell stack (100) or a plurality of cartridge assemblies, thereby protecting the battery cell stack (100) or cartridge assemblies from external vibrations or shocks.

[0037] The cover (200) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the battery cell stack (100) or the cartridge assembly. For example, if the battery cell stack (100) or the cartridge assembly is provided in a cuboid shape, the cover (200) may also be provided in a cuboid shape corresponding to this.

[0038] The cover (200) may be manufactured, for example, by bending a metal plate or by injection molding of plastic. Also, the cover (200) may be manufactured as a single piece or as separate pieces.

[0039] A through-hole (not shown) may be formed in the cover (200) through which the aforementioned connector element or terminal element can be exposed to the outside. That is, the connector element or terminal element may be electrically connected to a predetermined external part or component, and a through-hole may be formed in the cover (200) so that such electrical connection is not obstructed by the cover (200).

[0040] The cover (200) may be composed of an upper cover, a lower cover, and a side cover, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] The heat sink (300) is inserted inside the case and is supported by contact with the battery cell stack (100). The heat sink (300) is in contact with the battery cell stack (100) and releases heat generated from the battery cell (110) to the outside.

[0042] The heat sink (300) includes an upper plate (310) and a lower plate (320). Referring to FIG. 3, the upper plate (310) is positioned on the upper side. The lower plate (320) is positioned on the lower side of the upper plate (310) and coupled to the upper plate (310) so that a flow path (330) is formed between it and the upper plate (310).

[0043] The upper plate (310) and lower plate (320) of the heat sink (300) may be made of different types of materials. For example, the upper plate (310) may be made of metal, and the lower plate (320) may be made of plastic.

[0044] As described above, in the case of a conventional battery module (10), when the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320) are made of different materials, the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320) are joined using an adhesive, so the adhesive is exposed to the outside and obstructs the movement of cooling water in the flow path (330), and as a result, there is a problem that the cooling performance of the heat sink (300) is reduced.

[0045] However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the battery module (10) is joined by insert injection by inserting an insert resin (400) between the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320) without using an adhesive.

[0046] That is, since the heat sink (300) is joined by insert injection, it is possible to improve cooling performance by eliminating the possibility of foreign substances occurring in the flow path (330) of the heat sink (300) without using adhesive.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a plurality of protrusions (321) that can come into contact with the upper plate (310) may be formed on the lower plate (320). Here, the protrusions (321) may include a flat portion (325) and an inclined portion (326).

[0048] The flat portion (325) is in contact with the upper plate (310), and the inclined portion (326) is formed at an angle from the flat portion (325). Here, referring to FIG. 3, the insert resin (400) can be inserted into the space between the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320), for example, between a plurality of protrusions (321) (see FIG. 5), in a state where it is formed in advance in a shape corresponding to the shape of the flow channel (330) before contacting the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320).

[0049] Hereinafter, the operation and effect of a battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0050] The battery module (10) is provided with a heat sink (300) that contacts a battery cell stack (100) for heat dissipation of a plurality of battery cells (110). The heat sink (300) includes an upper plate (310) and a lower plate (320), and the upper plate (310) and the lower plate (320) are joined so as to form a channel (330) through which air or water can move.

[0051] A plurality of protrusions (321) capable of contacting the upper plate (310) are formed on the lower plate (320), and an insert resin (400) is introduced into the space between the plurality of protrusions (321), and the lower plate (320) and the upper plate (310) can be joined together by insert injection.

[0052] Accordingly, the battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention does not use adhesive, so it has the effect of improving cooling performance by eliminating the possibility of foreign substances occurring in the flow path (330) of the heat sink (300), and also has the effect of securing uniform bonding strength of the heat sink (300) by mechanical chemical bonding regardless of adhesive performance.

[0053] Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. In addition, the battery pack (not shown) may further include, in addition to the battery modules (10), a case for housing the battery modules (10), and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery modules (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0054] Meanwhile, a vehicle (not shown) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the aforementioned battery module (10) or battery pack (not shown), and the battery pack (not shown) may include the battery module (10). Furthermore, the battery module (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the vehicle (not shown), for example, a specific vehicle (not shown) configured to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Explanation of the symbols

[0056] 10 : Battery module 100 : Battery cell stack 110 : Battery cell 200 : Cover 300 : Heat sink 310 : Top plate 320: Lower plate 321: Protrusion 325 : Flat section 326 : Inclined section 330 : Euro 400 : Insert Resin

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a cover in which the battery cell stack is housed; and a heat sink inserted inside the cover and supported by contact with the battery cell stack, wherein the heat sink is joined by insert injection, and the heat sink comprises: an upper plate disposed on the upper side; and a lower plate disposed below the upper plate such that a fluid path is formed between the upper plate and the heat sink, wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are made of different types of materials, and the upper plate and the lower plate are joined by an insert resin, wherein the insert resin is introduced between the upper plate and the lower plate in a state in which it is formed in advance in a shape corresponding to the shape of the fluid path before contacting the upper plate and the lower plate. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper plate is made of a metal material and the lower plate is made of a plastic material. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A battery module according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower plate has a plurality of protrusions formed thereon that can come into contact with the upper plate. Claim 7 A battery module according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion comprises a flat portion in contact with the upper plate; and an inclined portion formed inclinedly from the flat portion. Claim 8 A battery module according to claim 7, wherein the insert resin is inserted into the space between the plurality of protrusions. Claim 9 A battery pack comprising a battery module according to any one of paragraphs 1, 4, and 6 through 8. Claim 10 An automobile comprising a battery module according to any one of paragraphs 1, 4, and 6 through 8.

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