Thermal management system

Abstract

A thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a battery pack equipped with batteries; a circuit unit which is mounted on the battery pack and which controls the battery pack; and a thermoelectric element which is electrically connected to the circuit unit and which cools and heats the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit unit.

Description

thermal management system

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0101857, filed August 3, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to a thermal management system.

[0005] To address environmental pollution and the energy shortage caused by the depletion of petroleum resources, research and development are underway on power generation based on eco-friendly energy sources. In particular, research on secondary batteries is actively underway, exploring various aspects of secondary batteries, including their materials, structure, processes, and stability.

[0006] Multiple secondary batteries can be installed and managed as modules or packs, undergoing repeated charging and discharging processes. During the charging and discharging process, heat generation within the modules or packs must be appropriately controlled to ensure stability.

[0007] Conventional cooling techniques have utilized fans, coolant, or natural cooling methods. These methods require separate structures and present challenges in achieving adaptive and rapid cooling and heating.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thermal management system capable of adaptively and quickly performing cooling and heating.

[0009] A thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack having batteries built in, a circuit unit mounted on the battery pack and configured to perform control of the battery pack, and a thermoelectric element electrically connected to the circuit unit and configured to perform cooling and heating of the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit unit.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, adaptive and rapid cooling and heating can be performed.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack can be operated in an optimal temperature range, thereby improving durability and stability.

[0012] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following examples.

[0016] In order to clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of a part that is irrelevant to the description or a related known technology that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention has been omitted, and when adding reference signs to components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference signs are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0017] In addition, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0018] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a thermal management system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The thermal management system (1) may include a battery pack (10).

[0020] The battery pack (10) can have batteries built in.

[0021] The thermal management system (1) may include a circuit unit (20).

[0022] The circuit unit (20) may be mounted on the battery pack (10). The circuit unit (20) may be configured to perform control over the battery pack (10). For example, the circuit unit (20) may perform management control over the battery pack (10) and may also perform control over cooling and heating of the battery pack (10).

[0023] The thermal management system (1) may include a thermoelectric element (30).

[0024] The thermoelectric element (30) can be electrically connected to the circuit unit (20). The thermoelectric element (30) can perform cooling and heating for the battery pack (10) between the battery pack (10) and the circuit unit (20). The thermoelectric element (30) can be a Peltier element.

[0025] The thermal management system (1) may include a heat sink (40).

[0026] A heat sink (40) may be connected to a thermoelectric element (30) between the battery pack (10) and the circuit unit (20). For example, the heat sink (40) may include a first heat sink (41) and a second heat sink (42). The first heat sink (41) may be arranged between the circuit unit (20) and the thermoelectric element (30). The second heat sink (42) may be arranged between the thermoelectric element (30) and the battery pack (10).

[0027] The thermoelectric element (30) can be in contact with the heat sink (40). For example, the upper surface (30-1) of the thermoelectric element (30) can be in contact with the lower surface of the first heat sink (41). The lower surface (30-2) of the thermoelectric element (30) can be in contact with the upper surface of the second heat sink (42).

[0028] The first heat sink (41) can cool the circuit unit (20) through heat absorption when heat is generated in the circuit unit (20). For example, when heat is generated in the circuit unit (20), the first heat sink (41) in contact with the circuit unit (20) can receive the heat and cool the circuit unit (20).

[0029] The thermoelectric element (30) can cool or heat the battery pack (10). For example, the circuit unit (20) can selectively supply current in different directions to the thermoelectric element (30), thereby cooling or heating the battery pack (10). The second control described below may be a control in which the direction of the current flowing in the thermoelectric element (30) is opposite to that of the first control.

[0030] The thermoelectric element (30) can cool the battery pack (10) through the second heat sink (42) according to the first control of the circuit unit (20). For example, the circuit unit (20) can supply current in a predetermined direction to the thermoelectric element (30) according to the first control, and according to the first control, the temperature of the upper surface (30-1) of the thermoelectric element (30) can rise and the temperature of the lower surface (30-2) can fall. In this case, the battery pack (10) can be cooled through the second heat sink (42) in contact with the lower surface (30-2) of the thermoelectric element (30). In this way, the battery can be cooled when battery cooling is required during battery charging and discharging.

[0031] The thermoelectric element (30) can heat the battery pack (10) through the second heat sink (42) according to the second control of the circuit unit (20). For example, the circuit unit (20) can supply current to the thermoelectric element (30) in a direction opposite to a predetermined direction according to the second control, and according to the second control, the temperature of the upper surface (30-1) of the thermoelectric element (30) can decrease and the temperature of the lower surface (30-2) can increase. In this case, the battery pack (10) can be heated through the second heat sink (42) in contact with the lower surface (30-2) of the thermoelectric element (30). In this way, the battery can be heated when battery pre-heating is required in a low-temperature environment.

[0032] As described above, by controlling the temperature of the battery pack (10) using a thermoelectric element (30), cooling and heating of the battery pack (10) can be performed adaptively and quickly. Accordingly, the battery pack can be operated within an optimal temperature range, thereby improving durability and stability.

[0033] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The description of the aforementioned embodiment can be applied identically or similarly to the present embodiment.

[0034] The thermal management system (1a) may include a first heat sink (41a) provided to allow refrigerant to flow.

[0035] The first heat sink (41a) may include an inlet (41-1a). Coolant may be introduced through the inlet (41-1a).

[0036] The first heat sink (41a) may include a discharge port (41-2a). The refrigerant may be discharged through the discharge port (41-2a).

[0037] The circuit unit (20a) can control the temperature of the first heat sink (41a). For example, the circuit unit (20a) can cause a coolant to flow to the first heat sink (41a) when the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) is higher than a predetermined temperature.

[0038] For example, when the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) rises due to heat generation of the circuit unit (20a) and / or the temperature of the upper surface (30-1a) of the thermoelectric element (30) rises according to the first control and the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) exceeds a threshold value, the circuit unit (20a) can cool the first heat sink (41a) by flowing a coolant to the first heat sink (41a).

[0039] However, without being limited to the above, the flow of refrigerant may be controlled through a separate control device.

[0040] The circuit unit (20a) may stop control of the thermoelectric element (30) when the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) is higher than a predetermined temperature. For example, when the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) of the thermoelectric element (30a) exceeds a threshold, the circuit unit (20a) may stop control of the thermoelectric element (30a) in order to prevent the temperature of the first heat sink (41a) from continuously rising due to the temperature of the upper surface (30-1a) of the thermoelectric element (30a) rising according to the first control.

[0041] As described above, temperature control for the first heat sink (41a) enables adaptive and rapid cooling and heating of the first heat sink (41a). Accordingly, the heat sink can operate within an optimal temperature range, thereby enhancing durability and stability.

[0042] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a thermal management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The description of the aforementioned embodiment can be applied identically or similarly to the present embodiment.

[0043] The thermal management system (1b) may include a thermal conductive member (50b).

[0044] The heat-conducting member (50b) can cool and heat the batteries (60b). For example, the heat-conducting member (50b) can be provided to extend from the second heat sink (42b) to between the batteries (60b) within the battery pack (10b). In other words, the heat-conducting member (50b) can be provided to extend between each of the batteries (60b) while being connected to the second heat sink (42b).

[0045] When the second heat sink (42b) is cooled by the thermoelectric element (30b), the batteries (60b) can also be cooled through the heat-conducting member (50b). When the second heat sink (42b) is heated by the thermoelectric element (30b), the batteries (60b) can also be heated through the heat-conducting member (50b).

[0046] The heat-conducting member (50b) may be formed integrally with the second heat sink (42b). For example, the heat-conducting member (50b) and the second heat sink (42b) may be formed integrally with a high thermal conductivity member or with a material identical or similar to the heat sink and may be formed integrally to extend between the batteries (60b).

[0047] As described above, when the thermal management system (1b) includes a heat-conducting member (50b), the batteries within the battery pack can be cooled and heated adaptively and quickly. Accordingly, not only the battery pack but also the batteries can operate within an optimal temperature range, thereby enhancing durability and stability.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various embodiments are possible within the scope equivalent to the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the patent claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0049] [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1, 1a, 1b: Thermal management system

[0051] 10, 10a, 10b: Battery pack

[0052] 20, 20a, 20b: Circuit section

[0053] 30, 30a, 30b: Thermoelectric elements

[0054] 30-1, 30-1a, 30-2b: Top surface

[0055] 30-2, 30-2a, 30-2b: Lower surface

[0056] 40, 40a, 40b: Heatsink

[0057] 41, 41a, 41b: First heat sink

[0058] 41-1a, 41-1b: Inlet

[0059] 41-2a, 41-2b: exhaust port

[0060] 42, 42a, 42b: Second heat sink

[0061] 50b: Heat-conducting member

[0062] 60b: Batteries

Claims

1. Battery pack with built-in batteries; A circuit unit mounted on the battery pack and configured to perform control of the battery pack; and A thermal management system comprising a thermoelectric element electrically connected to the circuit unit and performing cooling and heating for the battery pack between the battery pack and the circuit unit.

2. In claim 1, The above thermoelectric element is, Peltier element, thermal management system.

3. In claim 1, A thermal management system further comprising a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric element between the circuit unit and the battery pack.

4. In claim 3, The above heat sink, A first heat sink disposed between the circuit unit and the thermoelectric element; and A thermal management system comprising a second heat sink disposed between the thermoelectric element and the battery pack.

5. In claim 4, The above thermoelectric element is, One side is in contact with the lower surface of the first heat sink, A thermal management system in which the upper surface of the second heat sink is in contact with the upper surface of the second heat sink.

6. In claim 4, The above thermoelectric element is, A thermal management system that cools the battery pack through the second heat sink according to the first control of the circuit unit.

7. In claim 6, The above thermoelectric element is, According to the second control of the above circuit section, the battery pack is heated through the second heat sink, A thermal management system in which the second control has a current direction opposite to that of the first control.

8. In claim 4, The above first heat sink, A thermal management system designed to allow refrigerant to flow.

9. In claim 8, The above first heat sink, an inlet provided for the introduction of refrigerant; and A thermal management system comprising an exhaust port through which refrigerant is discharged.

10. In claim 8, The above circuit part, A thermal management system that causes a refrigerant to flow to the first heat sink when the temperature of the first heat sink is higher than a predetermined temperature.

11. In claim 8, The above circuit part, A thermal management system that stops controlling the thermoelectric element when the temperature of the first heat sink is higher than a predetermined temperature.

12. In claim 4, A thermal management system further comprising a heat-conducting member extending between the batteries inside the battery pack from the second heat sink to cool and heat the batteries.

13. In claim 12, A thermal management system in which the second heat sink and the heat-conducting member are formed integrally.

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