Battery module

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module may be provided that includes a first sub-module and a second sub-module each comprising a plurality of battery cells and arranged facing each other in a first direction; a lower cover supporting the first sub-module and the second sub-module; and a cooling plate arranged to face the lower cover, wherein the cooling plate comprises a flow path portion provided for refrigerant to flow through; and a guide portion protruding from the cooling plate and provided to guide the flow of refrigerant flowing through the flow path portion.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries offer the convenience of being rechargeable, attracting significant attention as a power source ranging from various mobile devices to electric vehicles. For example, multiple secondary batteries of the type using a high-energy-density non-aqueous electrolyte can be connected to form a battery module, and such a battery module can be utilized as a power source for electric vehicles.

[0003] If the temperature of a secondary battery rises above the optimal level, its performance may deteriorate, and in severe cases, there is a risk of explosion or ignition. In particular, as the number of battery cells required to construct high-capacity and large-area battery modules increases, there has been a problem where the temperature of the battery module rises more rapidly and drastically due to the high density of multiple battery cells in a confined space.

[0004] Therefore, in order to stably charge and discharge a large-capacity battery module containing multiple battery cells, a cooling structure capable of efficiently controlling the temperature of the battery module is required. The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention is devised to solve at least some of the problems of the prior art as described above, and provides a cooling plate capable of rapidly and effectively cooling a large-capacity battery module and a battery module including the same.

[0006] In addition, the objective of the present invention is to provide a cooling plate having a structure corresponding to a structure in which a plurality of sub-modules are combined, and a battery module including the same. means of solving the problem

[0007] A battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a first sub-module and a second sub-module each comprising a plurality of battery cells and arranged facing each other in a first direction; a lower cover supporting the first sub-module and the second sub-module; and a cooling plate arranged to face the lower cover, wherein the cooling plate may include a flow path portion provided for a refrigerant to flow through; and a guide portion protruding from the cooling plate and provided to guide the flow of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path portion.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the guide portion may be provided to protrude toward the lower cover and come into contact with the lower cover.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the guide portion may be arranged in a diagonal pattern inclined with respect to the first direction.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide projections protruding toward the lower cover, and at least one of the plurality of guide projections may include a flat portion arranged at an angle with respect to the first direction and a curved portion arranged at at least one end of the flat portion.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide projection groups arranged along a diagonal direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction, and the plurality of guide projection groups may be spaced apart from each other along the diagonal direction so that a refrigerant can flow between them.

[0012] According to one embodiment, each of the plurality of guide projection groups may have one or more guide projections protruding toward the lower cover.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the plurality of guide protrusions are provided in a plurality and can be spaced apart from each other so that a refrigerant can flow between them along the diagonal direction and the direction perpendicular to it.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the guide projection may be provided as at least one of a first guide projection having a circular shape or a second guide projection having a flat portion inclined with respect to the first direction.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the plurality of guide projection groups are arranged at an angle of inclination with respect to the first direction, and the guide projection may include a planar portion arranged parallel to the first angle of inclination with respect to the first direction.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the guide projection may further include a curved portion arranged to face each other at both ends of the planar portion and provided as a curved surface.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the spacing (d1) between a plurality of guide protrusions spaced apart in a diagonal direction and a direction perpendicular to the diagonal direction may be formed to be smaller than the spacing (d2) between a plurality of guide protrusion groups spaced apart in the diagonal direction.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the guide projection group may include a first guide projection group having the first guide projection; a second guide projection group having the second guide projection; and a third guide projection group having both the first guide projection and the second guide projection.

[0019] According to one embodiment, it may further include a first port in communication with the flow path and into which a refrigerant flows; and a second port in communication with the flow path and into which a refrigerant flows out and which is positioned facing the first port.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first port and the second port may be arranged facing each other diagonally so as to have a predetermined inclination in the first direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cooling plate further includes a connecting member disposed between the first sub-module and the second sub-module, and the cooling plate includes a first region corresponding to the first sub-module, a second region corresponding to the second sub-module, and a third region corresponding to the connecting member, and the first port may be disposed close to the corner of the first region, and the second port may be disposed close to the corner of the second region.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the guide portion may be provided in the form of a continuous wall so that the flow path portion can form a tubular flow path.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the guide portion may include: a first guide projection extending along a diagonal direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction; a second guide projection extending along a direction perpendicular to the diagonal direction; and a third guide projection disposed between the first guide projection and the second guide projection.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the first guide projection and the second guide projection may be arranged alternately along the first direction and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the third guide projection may be arranged between them in a pattern.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the flow path includes a first flow path facing the first sub-module; a second flow path facing the second sub-module; and a third flow path disposed between the first flow path and the second flow path, and the guide section may be disposed in the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a connecting member disposed between the first sub-module and the second sub-module and coupled with the lower cover; and an avoidance member disposed facing the connecting member with the lower cover in between, which partially blocks the flow of refrigerant flowing between the first flow path and the second flow path. Effects of the invention

[0027] The cooling plate included in the battery module according to the embodiments has a structure capable of reducing the pressure drop that occurs during the flow of the refrigerant, and can rapidly cool a plurality of sub-modules containing a large number of battery cells.

[0028] The cooling plate included in the battery module according to the embodiments can cool all of the multiple sub-modules without interfering with the coupling structure of the connecting member connecting the multiple sub-modules. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module. Figure 3 shows the cooling plate combined with the lower cover. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-module included in a battery module. Figure 5 is a top view of the cooling plate. Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the cooling plate in Figure 5. Figure 7 shows the shape of the avoidance portion of the cooling plate in Figure 5 partially deformed. FIG. 8 is a top view of a cooling plate according to another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a top view of a cooling plate according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of a cooling plate according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a top view of a cooling plate according to another embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] Prior to the detailed description of the present invention, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, they should be interpreted in a sense and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor may 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 the most preferred embodiments 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.

[0031] Identical reference numbers or symbols in each drawing attached to this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function. For convenience of explanation and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used to describe different embodiments. That is, even if components having the same reference number are depicted in multiple drawings, the multiple drawings do not all represent a single embodiment.

[0032] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprising" or "constituting" 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] In addition, it should be noted in advance that expressions such as upper side, top, lower side, bottom, side, front, and rear in the following description are based on the direction depicted in the drawings, and may be expressed differently if the direction of the object changes.

[0034] Additionally, in this specification and claims, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to distinguish between components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from one another, and the meaning of the terms should not be limited by the use of such ordinal numbers. For example, the order of use or arrangement of components combined with such ordinal numbers should not be limited by the number. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented. For example, a person skilled in the art who understands the scope of the present invention may propose other embodiments that fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention by adding, changing, or deleting components, and such embodiments shall also be deemed to be within the scope of the concept of the present invention. In the drawings, the shapes and sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery module. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module. FIG. 3 shows the cooling plate combined with the lower cover.

[0039] The battery module (10) may include a plurality of sub-modules (100), a connecting member (200) disposed between the sub-modules (100), a lower cover (300) and an upper cover (400) supporting the sub-modules (100), and a cooling plate for cooling the battery module (10).

[0040] A battery module (10) may include a plurality of sub-modules (100). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the battery module (10) may include a first sub-module (100a) and a second sub-module (100b) arranged in a first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). The first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) may be assembled together to form at least a part of a single battery module (10).

[0041] One or more connecting members (200) may be disposed between any two of the plurality of sub-modules (100). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a connecting member (200) may be disposed between a first sub-module (100a) and a second sub-module (100b) that are arranged side by side in a first direction (X-axis direction).

[0042] The connecting member (200) may have the shape of a partition extending in a second direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction). The connecting member (200) may be formed of a material having a certain rigidity so as to structurally support the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b). For example, the connecting member (200) may include a metal material such as aluminum or stainless steel.

[0043] The first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) can each be coupled to the connecting member (200). For example, the first sub-module (100a) can be fastened to at least one part of the connecting member (200), and the second sub-module (100b) can be fastened to another part of the connecting member (200). Accordingly, the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) can be fixed to each other via the connecting member (200).

[0044] In a battery module (10) comprising a plurality of sub-modules (100), a connecting member (200) can serve as an assembly reference point for the sub-modules (100). That is, the connecting member (200) can partition the space in the battery module (10) where each sub-module (100) is accommodated and guide the position where the sub-module (100) is placed.

[0045] The battery module (10) may include a lower cover (300) and an upper cover (400) that support a plurality of sub-modules (100). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the lower cover (300), which is formed integrally, may be arranged to cover the lower surface of a plurality of sub-modules (100), and the upper cover (400), which is formed integrally, may be arranged to cover the upper surface of a plurality of sub-modules (100). In this way, as the lower cover (300) and the upper cover (400) are formed integrally, a plurality of sub-modules (100) can be stably supported.

[0047] The battery module (10) may include a cooling plate (600) for cooling. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the battery module (10) may include a cooling plate (600) that is combined with a lower cover (300) and can absorb thermal energy from sub-modules (100a, 100b).

[0048] The cooling plate (600) may include a cooling frame (610) that forms a flow path (620). The cooling frame (610) may form the skeleton of the cooling plate (600) and may be combined with the lower cover (300) to form a flow path (620) through which the refrigerant flows. As for the method of joining the cooling frame (610) and the lower cover (300), welding, brazing, roll-bonding, thermal fusion, filler joining, friction welding, or physical joining methods using separate fastening members (not shown) may be applied individually or in combination with each other.

[0049] A flow path (620) may be formed on one side of the cooling frame (610). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the cooling frame (610) may have a structure in which at least a portion is recessed in the downward direction (e.g., the negative direction of the Z-axis), and as the cooling frame (610) is combined with the lower cover (300), a flow path (620) through which refrigerant flows may be formed in the space formed between the recessed portion and the lower cover (300). However, FIG. 2 shows only an exemplary shape of the flow path (620), and the flow path (620) may be formed inside the cooling frame (610).

[0050] Meanwhile, in FIG. 2, a part of the cooling plate (600) is shaded, which is merely to distinguish between the part where the refrigerant can flow in the flow path (620) and the part where it cannot, and should not be interpreted as the shaded part and the non-shaded part being provided as separate components. For example, the cooling plate (600) of FIG. 2 may have an integrated cooling frame (610), and the flow path (620) may be formed on at least a part of the surface of the cooling frame (610).

[0051] In addition, regarding the shading shown on the cooling plate in FIG. 5 to FIG. 11, the same explanation regarding the shading shown on the cooling plate (600) in FIG. 2 can be applied, so the following redundant explanation may be omitted.

[0052] Referring further to FIG. 2, the refrigerant flowing through the Euro section (620) may be a fluid material for cooling, for example, cooling water. The refrigerant introduced into the cooling plate (600) can absorb and cool the thermal energy generated in the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b).

[0053] The cooling plate (600) may include a guide section (630) capable of guiding the flow of refrigerant. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the guide section (630) may be formed such that a part of the cooling frame (610) protrudes in a direction toward the lower cover (300) within the flow path section (620). When the cooling frame (610) is combined with the lower cover (300), the guide section (630) may come into contact with the lower cover (300). Accordingly, the refrigerant cannot pass through the guide section (630) and flows along the perimeter of the guide section (630). Therefore, the shape of the guide section (630) can be appropriately designed to set the flow path or flow velocity of the refrigerant.

[0054] In the cooling plate (600) according to the embodiments, the shape of the guide portion (630) can be configured in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the guide portion (630) may have the shape of a projection in which at least a portion extends obliquely with respect to the first direction (X-axis direction) in which the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) face each other. However, the shape of the guide portion (630) is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

[0055] Depending on the shape of the guide section (630), the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the flow path section (620), the cooling efficiency, and the degree of pressure drop may vary. The cooling plate (600) according to the embodiments may have a guide section (630) having an optimal shape from the above-described perspective. The specific shape of the guide section (630) will be described later.

[0056] Referring further to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3, the cooling frame (610) or the lower cover (300) may include a plurality of ports (310) through which refrigerant can flow in and out. For example, the lower cover (300) may include a first port (311) and a second port (312) that communicate with the flow path (620) of the cooling plate (600). Here, the first port (311) may be an inlet for the refrigerant, and the second port (312) may be an outlet through which the refrigerant flowing into the inlet is discharged. That is, the refrigerant may flow into the first port (311), flow along the flow path (620) formed by the cooling frame (610), and be discharged outside the battery module (10) through the second port (312).

[0057] The locations where the first port (311) and the second port (312) are placed can be varied. FIG. 2 shows the first port (311) and the second port (312) placed at both ends of the lower cover (300), but alternatively, the first port (311) and the second port (312) may be placed on the cooling frame (610).

[0058] In the battery module, a plurality of ports (310) may be arranged. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the battery module (10) may include one first port (311) and one second port (312), in which case the refrigerant introduced into the first port (311) can cool both the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b).

[0059] Alternatively, a plurality of first ports (311) and a plurality of second ports (312) may be arranged so that independent cooling channels can be formed for each sub-module (100a, 100b).

[0060] In the battery module (10) according to the embodiments, both a connecting member (200) and a cooling plate (600) may be attached to the lower cover (300). For example, the connecting member (200) may be attached to one side of the lower cover (300), and the cooling plate (600) may be attached to the other side of the lower cover (300).

[0061] The cooling plate (600) may include one or more avoidance portions (640) to avoid interference with the combined structure of the connecting member (200) and the lower cover (300). Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the avoidance portion (640) may be configured in the shape of an opening formed by penetrating a part of the cooling frame (610).

[0062] One or more avoidance portions (640) may be provided corresponding to the location where the connecting member (200) and the lower cover (300) are joined. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the lower cover (300) may include a fastening portion (321) joined to the connecting member (200), and the fastening portion (321) may be exposed in the lower direction of the battery module (10) (e.g., negative Z-axis direction) through the avoidance portion (640).

[0063] The battery module (10) may include a fastening member (322) for combining the lower cover (300) and the connecting member (200). The fastening portion (321) of the lower cover (300) may have the shape of a hole into which the fastening member (322) can be inserted. The fastening member (322) may be fastened to the connecting member (200) by penetrating the fastening portion (321) of the lower cover (300), and a plurality of avoidance portions (640) may be arranged on the cooling frame (610) corresponding to the position where the fastening member (322) is fastened.

[0064] The avoidance portion (640) may be positioned to face the connecting member (200) with the lower cover (300) in between. Through the avoidance portion (640), the fastening portion (321) of the lower cover (300) may be exposed, and the fastening member (322) may be inserted into the exposed fastening portion (321) to be combined with the connecting member (200).

[0065] At least some of the Euro sections (620) may be formed between a plurality of avoidance sections (640). That is, a cooling flow path may be formed between the avoidance sections (640), and accordingly, at least some of the refrigerant introduced into the cooling plate (600) may flow between the plurality of avoidance sections (640).

[0066] In the cooling plate (600), the flow path (620) can be configured to cover all of the multiple sub-modules (100). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the flow path (620) of the cooling plate (600) may have a cooling area facing the lower surface of the first sub-module (100a) and the lower surface of the second sub-module (100b) so as to cool both the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b). That is, the cooling plate (600) of the battery module (10) may be configured to have an integrated cooling structure capable of cooling all of the multiple sub-modules (100).

[0068] To improve cooling efficiency, a heat dissipation member (500) may be disposed between the lower cover (300) and a plurality of sub-modules (100). The heat dissipation member (500) may be disposed such that one side is in contact with the sub-module (100) and the other side opposite to the one side is in contact with the lower cover (300). The heat dissipation member (500) may be provided as a thermal adhesive. The heat dissipation member (500) can fill the space between the sub-module (100) and the lower cover (300) to enable more active heat transfer by conduction. Accordingly, the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery module (10) can be increased.

[0070] The battery module (10) may include an upper cover (400) that covers the upper part of the sub-module (100). The upper cover (400) may be formed integrally so as to support a plurality of sub-modules (100) simultaneously.

[0071] The upper cover (400) may have an opening (401) so that a terminal portion (e.g., 122 in FIG. 4) of the sub-module (100) or a part of the sensing module of the sub-module (100) may be exposed.

[0072] Each sub-module (100) may be configured to include a plurality of battery cells to store or release electrical energy.

[0073] In one battery module (10), a plurality of sub-modules (100) may be electrically connected to each other and configured to output a design power value required for the battery module. For example, two sub-modules (100) facing each other with a connecting member (200) in between may be connected to each other in series or in parallel through a terminal portion (e.g., 122 in FIG. 4).

[0074] Conversely, in a single battery module (10), multiple sub-modules (100) may be configured to be electrically separated from each other. For example, two sub-modules (100) facing each other with a connecting member (200) in between may be electrically separated from each other, and the terminal portion (e.g., 122 in FIG. 4) of each sub-module (100) may be configured to be electrically connected to an adjacent battery module (10).

[0076] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a sub-module according to the embodiments will be described in detail.

[0077] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-module (100) included in a battery module (10). Since the sub-module (100) described in FIG. 4 may correspond to either the first sub-module (100a) or the second sub-module (100b) described in FIG. 1 to 3, redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0079] A battery module (10) may include a plurality of sub-modules (100). At least one of the plurality of sub-modules (100) included in the battery module (10) may include a cell assembly (CA) and a plurality of protective covers (140, 150) that protect the cell assembly (CA). Here, the protective covers (140, 150) may include an end cover (140) that covers at least one side of the cell assembly (CA) and one or more side covers (150).

[0080] A cell assembly (CA) may include a cell stack (110) comprising battery cells (1000) stacked in one direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction of FIG. 4), a busbar assembly (120) electrically connected to the cell stack (110), and an insulating cover (130) coupled to the busbar assembly (120).

[0081] A cell stack (110) may include a plurality of battery cells (1000) electrically connected to one another. In one cell stack (110), the plurality of battery cells (1000) may be stacked in one direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). In the following description, the stacking direction of the battery cells (1000) included in the cell stack (110) is referred to as the 'second direction' or 'cell stacking direction'.

[0082] The busbar assembly (120) may include a plurality of busbars (121) that electrically connect the battery cells (1000) of the cell stack (110) and a support frame that supports the busbars (121).

[0083] The busbar (121) can be formed of a conductive material and serves to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells (1000) to each other. The busbar (121) can be electrically connected to the battery cells (1000) while fixed to a support frame.

[0084] The support frame can support the busbar (121) so that it is stably connected to the battery cell (1000). The support frame may include a non-conductive material (e.g., plastic) having a certain rigidity and structurally supports a plurality of busbars (121).

[0085] A support frame may be positioned opposite at least one side of a cell stack (110). For example, referring to FIG. 4, the support frame may include a busbar frame (123) that is positioned opposite the cell stack (110) in a first direction (X-axis direction) and supports a busbar (121), and a connecting frame (124) that is positioned opposite the cell stack (110) in a third direction (Z-axis direction) and connected to the busbar frame (123). Here, the second direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction may be a direction perpendicular to both the first and second directions.

[0086] A sensing module (125) capable of sensing the electrical and thermal state of the battery cells (1000) included in the cell stack (110) may be disposed in the connecting frame (124). Voltage information or temperature information sensed by the sensing module (125) may be transmitted outside the sub-module (100) and utilized for controlling the battery module (10).

[0087] The cell assembly (CA) may include an insulating cover (130) that covers at least one side of the busbar assembly (120). The insulating cover (130) may include a non-conductive material to prevent the busbar (121) of the busbar assembly (120) from being unintentionally short-circuited with other components.

[0088] An end cover (140) may be disposed on the outermost side of one side of the sub-module (100). The end cover (140) may be made of a material having rigidity (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum) to protect the cell assembly (CA) from external impact. When the sub-module (100) is combined with a connecting member (e.g., 200 in FIG. 2) and a lower cover (e.g., 300 in FIG. 2), the end cover (140) may be spaced apart from the connecting member (200) and disposed on one side edge of the lower cover (300).

[0089] In the embodiments, the insulating cover (130) of the cell assembly (CA) may be provided in multiple numbers. For example, the sub-module (100) may include a first insulating cover (131) that electrically separates the connecting member (200) from the busbar assembly (120) and a second insulating cover (132) that electrically separates the end cover (140) from the busbar assembly (120).

[0090] The first insulating cover (131) can be positioned between the connecting member (200) and the busbar (121) to electrically separate them from each other. Similarly, the second insulating cover (132) can be positioned between the end cover (140) and the busbar (121) to electrically separate them from each other.

[0091] The insulating cover (130) can be coupled to the busbar assembly (120). For example, the first insulating cover (131) and the second insulating cover (132) can each be secured by being fitted onto the busbar frame (123). Alternatively, the insulating cover (130) can be secured to the busbar frame (123) through a separate fastening member (not shown).

[0092] The sub-module (100) may include a side cover (150) facing at least one side of the cell stack (110).

[0093] Side covers (150) may be provided in pairs to cover different sides of the cell stack (110). A pair of side covers (150) may each be connected to an end cover (140) and a connecting member (200) to form the sides of the submodule (100) and protect the cell stack (110) from the external environment.

[0094] The side cover (150) may face the cell stack (110) in a different direction from the end cover (140). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the side cover (150) may be positioned to face the cell stack (110) in a second direction (Y-axis direction), and the end cover (140) may be positioned to face the cell stack (110) in a first direction (X-axis direction) with the busbar assembly (120) and the second insulating cover (132) in between. Accordingly, the end cover (140), a pair of side covers (150), and the first insulating cover (131) may form four sides of the sub-module (100).

[0095] In one side cover (150), an end cover (140) may be attached to one end, and a connecting member (200) of a battery module (10) may be attached to the other end opposite to the one end. To increase the bonding strength, a busbar assembly (120) may also be attached to the side cover (150).

[0096] The side cover (150) may further include a connecting portion (153) that can be structurally connected to an external component of the battery module (10). For example, referring to FIG. 4, the connecting portion (153) may have a structure that protrudes in a second direction (Y-axis direction) from the surface of the side cover (150). The battery module (10) may be coupled to an external component (e.g., a battery pack housing in which a plurality of battery modules (10) are accommodated) through the connecting portion (153) of the side cover (150).

[0097] The lower surface of the sub-module (100) may be configured so that the cell stack (110) is exposed. For example, the sub-module (100) may not have a separate cover member on its lower surface, and accordingly, the cell stack (110) may come into direct contact with a configuration outside the sub-module (100) {e.g., the lower cover (300) or heat dissipation member (500) of the battery module (10) shown in FIG. 2}. Accordingly, heat can be smoothly discharged from the cell stack (110) toward the lower direction of the sub-module (100), thereby increasing the heat dissipation efficiency of the sub-module (100).

[0098] A sub-module (100) may have an end cover (140) disposed on one outermost side and a first insulating cover (131) disposed on the other outermost side. That is, one sub-module (100) may include a first surface on which the insulating cover (131) is disposed and a second surface on which the end cover (140) is disposed. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the first surface of one sub-module (100) may be finished with an insulating cover (131), and the second surface opposite the first surface may be finished with an end cover (140).

[0099] Two sub-modules (100) arranged facing each other with a connecting member (200) in between can each be arranged so that their first surface faces the connecting member (200). For example, the first sub-module (100a) can be coupled to the connecting member (200) such that the first surface on which the insulating cover (130) is placed faces the connecting member (200), and the second sub-module (100b) can be coupled to the connecting member (200) such that the first surface on which the insulating cover (130) is placed faces the connecting member (200). According to this connection structure, in a battery module (10) in which a first sub-module (100a) and a second sub-module (100b) are connected, the end covers (140) of each sub-module (100) can form the front and rear outer surfaces of the battery module (10), and the side covers (150) combined with the end covers (140) can form the side outer surfaces.

[0101] Hereinafter, the flow path portion formed by the cooling member will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a top view of a cooling plate (600). FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cooling plate (600) of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows a partially deformed shape of the avoidance portion (640) in the cooling plate (600) of FIG. 5. Since the cooling plate (600) described in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 includes the features of the cooling plate (600) described in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0103] The cooling plate (600) may be configured to cool all of the plurality of sub-modules (e.g., 100 in FIG. 2) included in the battery module (e.g., 10 in FIG. 1 and 2). For example, the cooling plate (600) may cool all of the first region (A) and the second region (C) corresponding to the portions where the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) are placed, and the third region (B) corresponding to the portion where the connecting member (e.g., 200 in FIG. 2 and 3) is placed.

[0104] The flow path of the cooling plate (600) may include a first flow path (621) for cooling a first region (A), a second flow path (623) for cooling a second region (C), and a third flow path (622) for cooling a third region (B). Referring to FIG. 5, the first flow path (621), the third flow path (622), and the second flow path (623) may be arranged along a direction parallel to a first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) in which the first sub-module (100a) and the second sub-module (100b) are arranged.

[0105] The first flow path (621) of the cooling plate (600) can be connected to the second flow path (623) through the third flow path (622).

[0106] The refrigerant introduced from the first port (311) can cool the first sub-module (100a) while flowing along the first flow path (621). The refrigerant passing through the first flow path (621) can flow to the second flow path (623) through the third flow path (622). The refrigerant can cool the second sub-module (100b) while flowing along the second flow path (623), and then exit through the second port (312).

[0107] The cooling frame (610) forming the first to third Euro sections (621, 622, 623) can be formed integrally, and accordingly, a cooling plate (600) having structurally simple and stable cooling performance can be realized.

[0108] A plurality of guide sections (630) may be arranged inside the first flow path section (621) and the second flow path section (623). The guide sections (630) can guide the flow of the refrigerant.

[0109] The guide section (630) may include a plurality of guide protrusions (630a, 630b) arranged in a predetermined pattern. Here, the pattern formed by the guide protrusions (630a, 630b) can be varied according to the cooling performance requirements of the battery module (10). For example, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cooling plate (600) may include a plurality of guide protrusions (630a, 630b) that form a diagonal pattern with respect to the first direction (X-axis direction) so that the introduced refrigerant can spread out quickly and widely. The refrigerant introduced through the first port (311) can spread out quickly and evenly within the first flow path (621) by the guide protrusions (630a) arranged in a diagonal pattern inside the first flow path (621). Thus, high cooling performance can be secured while suppressing pressure drop while the refrigerant flows through the flow path.

[0110] Referring to Fig. 6, the structure and arrangement of the guide projections will be explained in detail.

[0111] At least some of the plurality of guide protrusions may be arranged in one direction to form a group of protrusions. For example, the guide portion (630) may include a plurality of guide protrusion groups (631, 632, 633, 634, etc.), which are a set of guide protrusions (634a, 634b, etc.) arranged diagonally with respect to one edge of the cooling frame (610).

[0112] In the Euro section (620), a plurality of guide projection groups (631, 632, 633, 634, etc.) may be formed. Referring to FIG. 6, the guide section (630) may include a plurality of guide projection groups (631, 632, 633, 634, etc.) composed of different numbers of guide projections. For example, the first guide projection group (631) may be composed of one guide projection, the second guide projection group (632) may be composed of two guide projections, and the third guide projection group (633) may be composed of three guide projections.

[0113] Each guide projection constituting a group of guide projections may have a different shape. For example, referring to the fifth group of guide projections (635), some guide projections (635a) may have a circular shape, while other guide projections (635b) may have curved ends and a flat central portion.

[0114] Guide protrusions constituting one guide protrusion group may be spaced apart along one direction. For example, the guide protrusions (634a, 634b, etc.) of the fourth guide protrusion group (634) may be spaced apart to have a first gap (d1) and may be arranged along a fourth direction having a predetermined angle (a) between them and the first direction (X-axis direction). Here, the predetermined angle may be an acute angle.

[0115] One group of guide protrusions may be spaced apart from another group of guide protrusions by a predetermined distance. For example, referring to FIG. 6, one guide protrusion (634a) constituting the fourth group of guide protrusions (634) and one guide protrusion (625b) constituting the fifth group of guide protrusions (635) may be spaced apart to have a second distance (d2).

[0116] In the arrangement of the guide protrusions, the first gap (d1) may be equal to or smaller than the second gap (d2). If the first gap (d1) is formed to be smaller than the second gap (d2), the refrigerant can flow more smoothly in the fourth direction.

[0117] At least one of the plurality of guide protrusions may include a planar portion (FP) having a plane parallel to the fourth direction and a curved portion (CP) disposed at both ends of the planar portion (FP). For example, referring to the partial enlarged view of FIG. 6, one guide protrusion may include a pair of planar portions (FP) having an inclination with respect to the first direction (X-axis direction) and a curved portion (CP) connecting the pair of planar portions (FP). In this case, the plurality of guide protrusions constituting one guide protrusion group may be arranged so that the curved portions (CP) face each other. With this arrangement structure, pressure drop can be suppressed while the refrigerant flows between the plurality of guide protrusions, and the diffusion of the refrigerant can be further facilitated.

[0118] Similar to the first flow path (621), a plurality of guide sections (630) may also be arranged inside the second flow path (623). The guide sections (630) arranged in the second flow path (623) may have a pattern similar to that of the guide sections (630) arranged in the first flow path (621). For example, a plurality of guide protrusions (630b) forming a pattern parallel to the previously described fourth direction may be formed in the second flow path (623).

[0119] Referring to FIG. 5, when the first area (A) or the second area (C) has the shape of a roughly square plane, the fourth direction, which is the pattern direction of the guide part, may be a direction roughly parallel to the diagonal connecting the lower left corner (hereinafter referred to as the first corner) and the upper right corner (hereinafter referred to as the second corner) of the first area (A) or the second area (C). The first port (311) into which the refrigerant flows may be positioned close to the first corner of the first area (A). Additionally, the second port (312) into which the refrigerant is discharged may be positioned close to the second corner of the second area (C). With such a arrangement, the guide part (630) can reduce flow friction during the flow process from the refrigerant flowing into the first port (311) until it is discharged through the second port (312), thereby suppressing the pressure drop of the refrigerant. Therefore, since the flow of the refrigerant can be maintained smoothly with less energy, the energy required for cooling the battery module (10) can be saved.

[0120] In order for the refrigerant to flow smoothly across the first flow path (621) and the second flow path (623), the third flow path (622) positioned between them may have multiple flow paths. Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling frame (610) may have multiple avoidance sections (640) that avoid the part where the connecting member (200) and the lower cover are joined, and a flow path may be formed between these avoidance sections (640). For example, the third flow path (622) may include a side flow path (622a) positioned between the avoidance section (640) and the edge of the cooling frame (610), and a center flow path (622b) positioned between the multiple avoidance sections (640).

[0121] In this way, the cooling plate (600) has multiple flow paths between the avoidance portions (640), so a smooth cooling flow path can be secured while avoiding interference with the coupling structure of the battery module (10). In addition, by forming a flow path that avoids the portion where the fastening member (e.g., 322 in FIG. 3) is placed, the leakage of refrigerant through the fastening portion can be completely prevented.

[0122] However, the specific shape of the guide portion (630) is not limited to that described above. For example, unlike that shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion (630) formed inside the first flow path portion (621) and the guide portion (630) formed in the second flow path portion (623) may include a plurality of guide protrusions arranged in different patterns.

[0123] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7, only one avoidance portion (640) may be formed. In this case, connecting channels (622a, 622b) may be formed along both ends of the second direction (Y-axis direction) of the avoidance portion (640). The remaining features of the cooling member of FIG. 7, excluding the shape of the avoidance portion (640) and the configuration of the connecting channels (622a, 622b) accordingly, may correspond to the cooling plate (600) of FIG. 5.

[0125] Various shapes of the guide portion according to other embodiments are described below.

[0126] FIGS. 8 to 11 are top views of a cooling member according to different embodiments. However, in the cooling member described in FIGS. 8 to 11, all features other than the shape of the guide portion correspond to the features of the cooling member described in FIGS. 1 to 6, so redundant descriptions may be omitted.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 8, the guide portions (730a, 730b) in the cooling member (700) may include a plurality of guide projection groups (731, 732) forming a pattern in a direction different from the fourth direction described in FIG. 6. For example, the guide portions (730a, 730b) may include a plurality of guide projection groups (731, 732) formed by a plurality of guide projections arranged along a fifth direction perpendicular to the fourth direction.

[0129] According to this arrangement, the refrigerant introduced through the first port (311) can be widely diffused into the first flow path (721) by the guide section (730a) having a pattern of the fifth direction. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the first area can be rapidly cooled throughout.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 9, the guide portion (830) of the cooling member (800) may have a pattern in which guide protrusions (831, 832, 833) having different shapes are alternately arranged.

[0132] For example, the guide portion (830) may include a first guide projection (831) extending in a fourth direction as described in FIG. 6, a second guide projection (832) extending in a fifth direction as described in FIG. 8, and a third guide projection (833) having a roughly elliptical shape.

[0133] The first guide projection (831), the second guide projection (832), and the third guide projection (833) can be arranged alternately in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the first guide projection (831) and the second guide projection (832) can be arranged alternately in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction), respectively, with the third guide projection (833) placed between them. In this case, the third guide projection (833) can be placed between any two first guide projections (831) and between any two second guide projections (832).

[0134] In the case of a pattern structure of the guide section as shown in Fig. 9, the refrigerant is guided to flow stably in the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction), thereby suppressing pressure drop caused by friction while flowing through the flow path.

[0136] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the guide portion of the cooling member (900a, 900b) may be configured in a continuous wall shape to form tubular flow paths (921, 922). For example, the guide portion may be configured so that refrigerant introduced through the first port (311) flows along the first flow path (921) and the second flow path (922), which are separated from each other, and is discharged through the second port (312).

[0137] The first path (921) can form a first path through which the refrigerant can flow. Additionally, the second path (922) is partitioned from the first path and can form a second path through which the refrigerant can flow. Accordingly, the refrigerant introduced through the first port (311) can flow along two different paths to cool the battery module (10) and then be discharged through the second port (312).

[0138] Here, the first Euro (921) and the second Euro (922) have a path that bends multiple times, so that the refrigerant can flow evenly across the area corresponding to the lower part of the first sub-module and the second sub-module.

[0139] Meanwhile, a part of the first Euro (921) and a part of the second Euro (922) may be spaced apart in the second direction (Y-axis direction) with the avoidance portion (940) of the cooling member (900a, 900b) in between.

[0140] In this case, if a single avoidance portion (940) is provided as in FIG. 10, a part of the first flow path and a part of the second flow path may be formed along the edge of the cooling frame with the avoidance portion (940) in between.

[0141] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, if a plurality of avoidance sections (940) are provided along a first direction (Y-axis direction) in which the connecting member (e.g., 200 in FIG. 2) extends, the first flow path (921) may have a first sub-flow path (921a) and a second sub-flow path (921b) spaced apart with at least one avoidance section (940) in between. The first sub-flow path (921a) and the second sub-flow path (921b) may pass through the avoidance section (940) and merge back into one to form the first flow path (921). Likewise, the second flow path (922) may have a third sub-flow path (922a) and a fourth sub-flow path (922b) spaced apart with at least one avoidance section (940) in between. The third sub-euro (922a) and the fourth sub-euro (922b) can pass through the avoidance section (940) and be combined again to form the first euro (922).

[0143] A method for manufacturing a battery module may include a sub-module manufacturing step of manufacturing a plurality of sub-modules (100), a connecting step of connecting the manufactured sub-modules (100) to each other via a connecting member (200), and a covering step of covering the upper and lower parts of the connected sub-modules with a case (e.g., an upper cover and a lower cover) to finish them.

[0144] A sub-module is a type of unit that constitutes a battery module, and a battery module can be manufactured by assembling multiple sub-modules together. Multiple sub-modules (100) manufactured in this way can be assembled together via a connecting member (200). Multiple sub-modules (100) connected to each other by the connecting member (200) can be combined with an upper cover (400) and a lower cover (300) that cover the upper and lower parts. Multiple sub-modules (100a, 100b) can be seated on a lower cover (300) that can support them integrally. To increase heat dissipation efficiency, a heat dissipation member (500) can be applied to the upper surface of the lower cover (300). Additionally, the connecting member (200) placed between the multiple sub-modules (100a, 100b) can be fastened to the lower cover (300) and the upper cover (400), and in this case, a bolting connection method using a separate fastening member (322) can be applied.

[0145] The method for manufacturing a battery module (10) may further include a cooling plate joining step in which a cooling plate (600) for cooling sub-modules (100) is joined to a lower cover (300). In this case, the cooling plate (600) may be joined to the lower cover (300) by means such as welding, brazing, roll bonding, heat fusion, filler bonding, friction welding, etc. The cooling plate joining step may be performed before joining a plurality of sub-modules to the lower cover. Alternatively, the cooling plate joining step may be performed simultaneously with or after the process of joining a plurality of sub-modules to the lower cover.

[0146] The method of manufacturing the battery module (10) is not limited to the above description and may further include, for example, the step of connecting each sensing module (125 in FIG. 3) capable of detecting the state of the sub-modules (100) to each other, or the step of connecting a connector to the terminal portion (122 in FIG. 3) of the sub-modules (100).

[0148] The cooling member included in the battery module according to the embodiments can form a cooling channel capable of cooling all of the multiple sub-modules without interfering with the coupling structure of the connecting member connecting the multiple sub-modules.

[0149] In addition, the cooling member can guide the flow of the refrigerant through a guide section having a predetermined pattern, thereby reducing the pressure drop that occurs during the flow process and rapidly cooling multiple sub-modules containing a large number of battery cells.

[0151] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be obvious to those with average knowledge in the art that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention as described in the claims. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be implemented by deleting some components, and each embodiment may be implemented in combination with one another. Explanation of the symbols

[0152] 10... Battery Module 100... Sub Module 200... connecting member 300... lower cover 311... Port 1 312... Port 2 400... Top cover 500... Heat dissipation component 600... cooling plate 610... cooling frame 620... Euro Section 630... Guide Section 640... Evasion part 1000... Battery cell

Claims

Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a first sub-module and a second sub-module each including a plurality of battery cells and arranged facing each other in a first direction; a lower cover supporting the first sub-module and the second sub-module; and a cooling plate arranged facing the lower cover, wherein the cooling plate includes a flow path portion provided for refrigerant to flow; and a guide portion protruding from the cooling plate and provided to guide the flow of refrigerant flowing in the flow path portion, wherein the guide portion includes a plurality of guide projection groups arranged along a diagonal direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction so that refrigerant can flow through a spaced-apart gap, and at least some of the plurality of guide projection groups include a plurality of guide projections, and the plurality of guide projections are arranged spaced apart from each other. Claim 2 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is provided to protrude toward the lower cover and come into contact with the lower cover. Claim 3 In claim 1, the guide portion is a battery module arranged in a diagonal pattern inclined with respect to the first direction. Claim 4 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion includes a plurality of guide protrusions protruding toward the lower cover, and at least one of the plurality of guide protrusions includes a flat portion arranged at an angle with respect to the first direction and a curved portion arranged at at least one end of the flat portion. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 In claim 1, each of the guide protrusions is a battery module protruding toward the lower cover. Claim 7 In claim 6, the battery module wherein the plurality of guide protrusions are spaced apart from each other so that a refrigerant can flow between them along the diagonal direction and the direction perpendicular thereto. Claim 8 A battery module according to claim 6, wherein each of the above guide protrusions is provided as at least one of a first guide protrusion having a circular shape or a second guide protrusion having a flat portion inclined with respect to the first direction. Claim 9 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide protrusions are arranged at an angle of inclination with respect to the first direction, and at least one of the plurality of guide protrusions includes a planar portion arranged parallel to the angle of inclination with respect to the first direction. Claim 10 A battery module according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of guide protrusions further comprises a curved portion arranged to face each other at both ends of the planar portion and formed as a curved surface. Claim 11 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the spacing (d1) between a plurality of guide protrusions spaced apart in a diagonal direction and a direction perpendicular to the diagonal direction is formed to be smaller than the spacing (d2) between a plurality of guide protrusion groups spaced apart in the diagonal direction. Claim 12 A battery module according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of guide protrusion groups comprises: a first guide protrusion group having the first guide protrusion; a second guide protrusion group having the second guide protrusion; and a third guide protrusion group having both the first guide protrusion and the second guide protrusion. Claim 13 A battery module according to claim 1, further comprising: a first port communicating with the above-mentioned flow path to allow refrigerant to flow in; and a second port communicating with the above-mentioned flow path to allow refrigerant to flow out and positioned facing the first port. Claim 14 In claim 13, the battery module wherein the first port and the second port are arranged facing each other diagonally so as to have a predetermined inclination in the first direction. Claim 15 A battery module according to claim 13, further comprising a connecting member disposed between the first sub-module and the second sub-module, wherein the cooling plate comprises a first region corresponding to the first sub-module, a second region corresponding to the second sub-module, and a third region corresponding to the connecting member, wherein the first port is disposed close to the corner of the first region and the second port is disposed close to the corner of the second region. Claim 16 In claim 1, the guide portion is provided in the form of a continuous wall so that the fluid portion can form a tubular fluid, in a battery module Claim 17 A battery module according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion comprises: a first guide projection extending along the diagonal direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction; a second guide projection extending along a direction perpendicular to the diagonal direction; and a third guide projection disposed between the first guide projection and the second guide projection. Claim 18 A battery module according to claim 17, wherein the first guide projection and the second guide projection are alternately arranged along the first direction and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the third guide projection is arranged between them. Claim 19 In claim 1, the above-mentioned flow path comprises: a first flow path facing the first sub-module; a second flow path facing the second sub-module; and a third flow path disposed between the first flow path and the second flow path, and the guide section comprises a battery module disposed in the first flow path and the second flow path. Claim 20 A battery module according to claim 19, further comprising: a connecting member disposed between the first sub-module and the second sub-module and coupled to the lower cover; and an avoidance portion disposed facing the connecting member with the lower cover in between, and partially blocking the flow of refrigerant flowing between the first flow path and the second flow path.

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