Heat sink assembly

Abstract

The disclosed heat sink assembly comprises: a heat sink in which a plurality of ribs are integrally formed along an inner longitudinal direction, a space between the ribs forms a flow path, and a first surface and a second surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction are open; and first and second end plugs which close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively, wherein the first end plug comprises an inner end plug which closes a portion of the first surface and comprises a cut-out flow path formed along a width direction, and an outer end plug which closes the cut-out flow path of the inner end plug and a remainder of the first surface on both sides that is not closed by the inner end plug.

Description

Heatsink assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly that forms the bottom surface of a battery pack having a plurality of secondary batteries, or is mounted on the bottom surface to promote heat dissipation of the battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2023-0126561, filed September 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and, due to their potential for miniaturization and large capacity, have been the subject of extensive research and development in recent years. With increasing technological development and demand for mobile devices, and the emergence of electric vehicles and energy storage systems in response to the era's growing environmental concerns, demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-shaped, cylindrical, square, and pouch-shaped batteries, depending on the shape of their battery cases. In secondary batteries, the electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case is a rechargeable, power-generating element comprised of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] Because secondary batteries require continuous, long-term use, effective control of the heat generated during charging and discharging is essential. If secondary batteries are not properly cooled, a temperature rise triggers an increase in current, which in turn triggers a temperature rise, resulting in a positive feedback loop, ultimately leading to a catastrophic condition known as thermal runaway.

[0006] To effectively dissipate heat generated by secondary batteries, heat sinks (also called cooling plates) with circulating coolant are widely used. These heat sinks are mounted on the underside of a battery pack containing multiple secondary batteries, for example. They perform a cooling function by absorbing heat generated within the pack through coolant and dissipating it to the outside.

[0007] Heat sinks can be categorized into brazed and extruded heat sinks based on their structure and manufacturing method. Brazed heat sinks, which form a flow path by brazing two plates, offer a high degree of freedom in flow path design. However, they suffer from reduced structural rigidity due to the deterioration of the material properties. In contrast, extruded heat sinks, manufactured as a continuous body via extrusion molding, offer advantages in structural rigidity. However, they only allow for straight flow paths, resulting in a large number of ports and the need for pipes for connection, which takes up space.

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat sink assembly that can improve differential pressure by reducing the number of parts with a simplified flow path configuration and taking up less space by not requiring a separate pipe for flow path formation.

[0009] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a heat sink assembly that can evenly distribute the flow rate of refrigerant flowing through each of the inlet and outlet passages, and can simplify external piping by allowing the inlet and outlet ports to be densely arranged while reducing the number of parts.

[0010] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0011] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, and in one example, the heat sink comprises a plurality of ribs integrally formed along an inner longitudinal direction, a space between the ribs forming a flow path, and first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, and first and second end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively, wherein the first end plug includes an inner end plug that closes a portion of the first surface and includes a cut-out flow path formed along a width direction, and an outer end plug that closes the cut-out flow path of the inner end plug and the remaining first surfaces on both sides that are not closed by the inner end plug.

[0012] The cut-off path of the inner end plug connects the paths on both sides whose first side is not closed by the inner end plug.

[0013] The first side of the flow path closed by the inner end plug forms an inlet flow path, and the first side of the flow path closed by the outer end plug forms an outlet flow path.

[0014] And, the second end plug forms a return path that transitions from the inlet path to the outlet path along the second surface.

[0015] An inlet port may be arranged on a heat sink whose first surface is closed by the inner end plug, and an outlet port may be arranged on a cut-out passage of the inner end plug.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat sink may include a center heat sink unit, an inlet heat sink unit joined to both sides of the center heat sink unit, and an outlet heat sink unit joined to both sides of the inlet heat sink unit.

[0017] Accordingly, the inner end plug is coupled to the first surface of the center heat sink unit and the inlet heat sink unit, and the cut passage is exposed through the open end of the inner end plug.

[0018] The open end of the inner end plug may be aligned with respect to the first surface of the outlet heat sink unit.

[0019] Additionally, the center heat sink unit may be provided with an inlet euro.

[0020] Additionally, the number of inlet eurs provided in the center heat sink unit and inlet heat sink unit may correspond to the number of outlet eurs provided in the outlet heat sink unit.

[0021] For example, with respect to the center of the center heat sink unit, the number of inlet ducts and the number of outlet ducts arranged on either side of the center heat sink unit may be the same.

[0022] Additionally, an inlet port may be placed at the center of the center heat sink unit.

[0023] The heat sink assembly of the present invention having the above configuration can easily form a cooling path divided into an inlet and an outlet by performing machining on both longitudinal ends of a path integrally formed in the heat sink and by having an end plug close the open surface.

[0024] In addition, the heat sink assembly of the present invention can also secure excellent structural rigidity by manufacturing the heat sink as a continuum through extrusion molding.

[0025] In addition, the heat sink assembly of the present invention forms a cut-out channel for an outlet path by processing the inner end plug, thereby joining two outlet paths that are arranged on either side into one, thereby forming a single outlet port. Furthermore, since the outlet port is positioned on the inner end plug, it can be brought close to the inlet port, thereby simplifying external piping.

[0026] However, the technical effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0027] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a heat sink assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly of Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the euro structure of the heat sink assembly.

[0031] Figure 4 is a drawing showing an inner end plug and an outer end plug.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a heat sink assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly of Figure 5.

[0034] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part “A” of Figure 5.

[0035] The present invention can be modified in various ways and has many embodiments, and specific embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0036] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0037] In the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0038] Additionally, in the present invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Furthermore, in the present application, "being placed on" may include cases where it is placed below as well as above.

[0039]

[0040] The present invention relates to a heat sink assembly, and in one example, the heat sink comprises a plurality of ribs integrally formed along an inner longitudinal direction, a space between the ribs forming a flow path, and first and second surfaces at both ends in the longitudinal direction being open, and first and second end plugs that close the first and second surfaces at both ends of the heat sink, respectively, wherein the first end plug includes an inner end plug that closes a portion of the first surface and includes a cut-out flow path formed along a width direction, and an outer end plug that closes the cut-out flow path of the inner end plug and the remaining first surfaces on both sides that are not closed by the inner end plug.

[0041] The heat sink assembly of the present invention having the above configuration can easily form a cooling path divided into an inlet and an outlet by performing machining on both longitudinal ends of a path integrally formed in the heat sink and by having an end plug close the open surface.

[0042] In addition, the heat sink assembly of the present invention can also secure excellent structural rigidity by manufacturing the heat sink as a continuum through extrusion molding.

[0043] In addition, the heat sink assembly of the present invention forms a cut-out channel for an outlet path by processing the inner end plug, thereby joining two outlet paths that are arranged on either side into one, thereby forming a single outlet port. Furthermore, since the outlet port is positioned on the inner end plug, it can be brought close to the inlet port, thereby simplifying external piping.

[0044] Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the directions of front / back, up / down / left / right, etc., used to designate relative positions in the following description are intended to aid understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise specifically defined, the directions shown in the drawings are taken as a reference.

[0045]

[0046] [First Embodiment]

[0047] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a heat sink assembly (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly (10) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating in detail the structure of a flow path (140) of the heat sink assembly (10).

[0048] The heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention includes a heat sink (100) having a pair of open surfaces facing each other, and a pair of end plugs (200), i.e., first and second end plugs (210, 220). The open surfaces of the heat sink (100) are surfaces located at both ends in the longitudinal direction (L), and for convenience of explanation, the two open surfaces are referred to as a first surface (120) and a second surface (130), respectively. Here, the longitudinal direction (L) refers to a direction in which a plurality of flow paths (140), which are hollow portions, extend, and the width direction (W) is defined as a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (L) on a plane in which the plurality of flow paths (140) are spaced apart from each other.

[0049] A plurality of flow paths (140) through which refrigerant flows are hollow portions formed along the longitudinal direction (L), and the flow paths (140) are isolated from each other by ribs (110). The first surface (120) and the second surface (130) at both ends of the longitudinal direction (L) of the heat sink (100) are open. The heat sink (100) can be manufactured as an extruded product in which a plurality of flow paths (140) are integrally molded along the internal longitudinal direction (L) through extrusion molding. In this specification, a heat sink (100) manufactured by extrusion molding is illustrated as an exemplary embodiment.

[0050] The first and second end plugs (210, 220) close the open first side (120) and second side (130) at both ends of the heat sink (100), respectively, and organically connect a plurality of flow paths (140) separated from each other within the heat sink (100) to form a refrigerant inflow and outflow path. The refrigerant inflow and outflow path formed by the first and second end plugs (210, 220) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7.

[0051] Here, the illustrated embodiment presents as an example a heat sink (100) having a structure in which both ends in the longitudinal direction (L) are open due to the nature of an extruded product. However, even in the case of a heat sink (100) not manufactured by extrusion molding, if it is a heat sink (100) having a structure in which both ends in the longitudinal direction (L) form open surfaces through which a plurality of flow paths (140) extend, it will be possible to configure the heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention in the same manner of connecting the first and second end plugs (210, 220) to the open surfaces at both ends.

[0052] Fig. 3 specifically illustrates the structure of a flow path (140) within a heat sink assembly (10). A plurality of flow paths (140) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) between a first surface (120) and a second surface (130) have their ends spaced apart from the first surface (120) and the second surface (130) by a predetermined distance. The distance at which the flow paths (140) are spaced apart from the first surface (120) and the second surface (130) can be freely designed by a cutting process that mechanically removes a rib (110) that divides the flow paths (140), which are hollow portions. By the cutting process that removes a portion of the end of the rib (110), a space (depth) into which the end plug (200) is inserted is secured.

[0053] The first and second end plugs (210, 220) close the open first surface (120) and second surface (130) at both ends of the heat sink (100), respectively. The end plug (200) has an insertion portion (230) having a thickness and width suitable for being coupled onto the first surface (120) and the second surface (130) of the heat sink (100). The end plug (200) inserted into the heat sink (100) can be sealed by welding, for example, friction stir welding. For example, if the welding depths of the friction stir welding performed on the upper and lower surfaces of the heat sink (100) overlap each other, welding surfaces are formed in the upper, lower, left, and right directions of the end plug (200), thereby completing the sealing of the heat sink (100) by the end plug (200).

[0054] The first end plug (210) sealing the first side (120) of the heat sink (100) is composed of an inner end plug (212) and an outer end plug (218). The inner end plug (212) and the outer end plug (218) are illustrated in FIG. 4, and the combined structure of the inner end plug (212) and the outer end plug (218) is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0055] The inner end plug (212) closes a portion of the first surface (120). In the illustrated embodiment, the inner end plug (212) is coupled to the central region of the first surface (120). In addition, the inner end plug (212) is provided with a cut-out channel (214) formed along the width direction (W) on the opposite side of the insertion portion (230) that closes the first surface (120), that is, on the open end of the inner end plug (212).

[0056] The heat sink (100) is formed with a slot (150) that defines a position into which the inner end plug (212) is inserted. The width of the slot (150) corresponds to the width of the inner end plug (212), and the open end of the inner end plug (212) faces outward. Accordingly, the cut passage (214) formed in the inner end plug (212) is exposed to the outside. In addition, the cut passage (214) is aligned parallel to the remaining first side (120) that is not closed by the inner end plug (212). Accordingly, the cut passage (214) of the inner end plug (212) and the remaining first side (120) that is not closed by the inner end plug (212) are closed together by the outer end plug (218).

[0057] Referring to Fig. 3, the depth of the cut passage (214) formed in the inner end plug (212) is longer than the length of the insertion portion (230) of the outer end plug (218). Therefore, by the mutual coupling of the inner end plug (212) and the outer end plug (218), a sealed cut passage (214) penetrating in the width direction (W) is created within the inner end plug (212). In addition, a space through which refrigerant can flow is formed between the outer end plug (218) and the first surface (120) of the heat sink (100). Accordingly, the cut passage (214) of the inner end plug (212) connects the passages on both sides where the first surface (120) is not closed by the inner end plug (212).

[0058] According to the flow path structure of this heat sink assembly (10), the flow path in which the first side (120) is closed by the inner end plug (212) forms an inlet flow path (142), and the flow path in which the first side (120) is closed by the outer end plug (218) forms an outlet flow path (144). In addition, the second end plug (220) that closes the second side (130) forms a return flow path (146) that switches from the inlet flow path (142) to the outlet flow path (144) along the second side (130). In other words, the refrigerant flowing in the inlet flow path (142) flows to the outlet flow paths (144) on both sides through the return flow path (146) of the second side (130), and flows out to the outside from the end of the outlet flow path (144) of the first side (120).

[0059] In particular, in the heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention, the outlet passages (144) on both sides are connected by the cut passages (214) of the inner end plug (212). That is, the refrigerant flowing through the outlet passages (144) on both sides merges into one at the cut passages (214) of the inner end plug (212). Therefore, even if the outlet passages (144) are separated on both sides of the inlet passage (142), the heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention only needs to have one outlet port (310), which is an outlet through which the refrigerant is discharged to the outside, at an appropriate point on the first surface (120).

[0060] Since a plurality of refrigerant passages (140) extend in the longitudinal direction (L) and the first side (120) and the second side (130) are sealed by the first and second end plugs (210, 220), the refrigerant can be configured to flow over the entire heat transfer area of ​​the heat sink assembly (10) by appropriately selecting the positions of the ports (300, 310) through which the refrigerant flows in and out. It should be noted here that in order to simplify the external piping, it is advantageous to have a small number of ports (300, 310) through which the refrigerant flows in and out, and to place the inlet port (300) and the outlet port (310) close to each other.

[0061] The heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention can have an inlet port (300) disposed on a heat sink (100) whose first surface (120) is closed by an inner end plug (212), and an outlet port (310) disposed on a cut-out passage (214) of the inner end plug (212). In particular, it is possible to have only one inlet port (300) and one outlet port (310) for one heat sink assembly (10). In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, it is possible to densely arrange both the inlet port (300) and the outlet port (310) around the inner end plug (212).

[0062] In this way, the heat sink assembly (10) of the present invention forms a cut-out passage (214) in the inner end plug (212) that closes a portion of the first surface (120) to form an inlet passage (142), thereby joining two outlet passages (144) that are divided and arranged on both sides of the inlet passage (142) into one, thereby forming one outlet port (310). In addition, since the outlet port (310) can be positioned on the inner end plug (212) to be close to the inlet port (300), external piping can be simplified.

[0063]

[0064] [Second Embodiment]

[0065] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a heat sink assembly (10) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the heat sink assembly (10) of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged drawing showing part “A” of FIG. 5.

[0066] The heat sink assembly (10) of the illustrated second embodiment is equivalent to the first embodiment described above in its basic flow configuration. However, the second embodiment takes into consideration the manufacturing convenience, expandability, and ease of design change of the heat sink (100).

[0067] The heat sink assembly (10) described in the first embodiment is intended for an integrated heat sink (100). That is, the first embodiment relates to an embodiment in which an internal flow path is formed by processing a heat sink (100) manufactured as a single extruded product, for example, and joining first and second end plugs (210, 220). In contrast, the second embodiment relates to an embodiment in which a single heat sink (100) is formed by a structure in which a plurality of heat sink units (102, 104, 106) are joined.

[0068] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the heat sink (100) has a structure in which a plurality of heat sink units (102, 104, 106) are joined. The illustrated embodiment comprises a center heat sink unit (102), an inlet heat sink unit (104) joined to both sides of the center heat sink unit (102), and an outlet heat sink unit (106) joined to both sides of the inlet heat sink unit (104).

[0069] Since a single heat sink (100) is formed by joining a plurality of heat sink units (102, 104, 106) along the width direction (W), the heat sink (100) can be formed in various ways by combining the number and / or specifications (e.g., specifications with different widths or lengths) of the heat sink units (102, 104, 106). That is, by processing and handling the heat sink in units, manufacturing becomes easier, and design changes are easy, as well as the expandability to large areas is excellent.

[0070] In the heat sink assembly (10) of the second embodiment, the inner end plug (212) is coupled to the first surface (120) of the center heat sink unit (102) and the inlet heat sink unit (104), and the cut-out passage (214) is exposed through the open end (opposite the coupling end) of the inner end plug (212). In addition, the length of the outlet heat sink unit (106) is longer by the length of the inner end plug (212) compared to the center heat sink unit (102) and the inlet heat sink unit (104). Accordingly, the open end of the inner end plug (212) can be aligned parallel to the first surface (120) of the outlet heat sink unit (106). Therefore, in the second embodiment, there is no need to separately process a slot (150) for coupling the inner end plug (212) to a single heat sink.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 7, which is an enlarged view of the "A" portion of FIG. 5, an inlet flow path (142) may be provided not only in the inlet heat sink unit (104) but also in the center heat sink unit (102). The center heat sink unit (102) may have a solid structure capable of fixing various structures of a pack case constructed over the heat sink assembly (10), for example, a center beam (not shown), and an inlet flow path (142) may be additionally configured close to the side of the center heat sink unit (102). In FIG. 7, one inlet flow path (142) is formed on each side of the center heat sink unit (102).

[0072] Here, the number of inlet passages (142) provided in the center heat sink unit (102) and the inlet heat sink unit (104) may correspond to the number of outlet passages (144) provided in the outlet heat sink unit (106). For example, as in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the number of inlet passages (142) and the number of outlet passages (144) arranged on either side of the center heat sink unit (102) with respect to the center of the center heat sink unit (102) may be the same. In this way, by forming an equal and symmetrical arrangement of the inlet passages (142) and the outlet passages (144), uniform and rapid heat dissipation can be induced to occur in the entire heat dissipation area of ​​the heat sink assembly (10).

[0073] In addition, an inlet port (300) may be placed at the center of the center heat sink unit (102). The flow rate of the refrigerant flowing into the inlet passages (142) separated on both sides by the inlet port (300) located at the symmetrical center of the flow path arrangement can be made equal, and accordingly, the heat sink assembly (10) can exhibit uniform cooling performance that is not biased toward a specific area.

[0074]

[0075] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

[0076]

[0077] [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10: Heatsink assembly 100: Heatsink

[0079] 102: Center heatsink unit 104: Inlet heatsink unit

[0080] 106: Outlet heatsink unit 110: Rib

[0081] 120: Page 1 130: Page 2

[0082] 140: Euro 142: Inlet Euro

[0083] 144: Outlet Euro 146: Return Euro

[0084] 150: Slot 200: End Plug

[0085] 210: First end plug 212: Inner end plug

[0086] 214: Incision path 218: Outer end plug

[0087] 220: Second end plug 230: Insert

[0088] 300: Inlet port 310: Outlet port

[0089] L: length direction W: width direction

Claims

1. A heat sink in which a plurality of ribs are integrally formed along the internal longitudinal direction, the space between the ribs forms a flow path, and the first and second sides of both longitudinal ends are open; and First and second end plugs for closing first and second sides of the heat sink, respectively; Including, The above first end plug, An inner end plug that closes a portion of the first surface and includes a cut-out channel formed along the width direction, A heat sink assembly comprising an outer end plug that closes the cut-out passage of the inner end plug and the remaining first sides of both sides that are not closed by the inner end plug.

2. In paragraph 1, The cut-off path of the inner end plug above is: A heat sink assembly that connects the two sides of the first side that are not closed by the inner end plug.

3. In paragraph 1, The first side of the duct closed by the inner end plug forms an inlet duct, A heat sink assembly, wherein the first side is closed by the outer end plug, forming an outlet path.

4. In paragraph 3, The above second end plug, A heat sink assembly forming a return path that transitions from the inlet path to the outlet path along the second surface.

5. In paragraph 2, An inlet port is placed on a heat sink whose first side is closed by the inner end plug, A heat sink assembly, wherein an outlet port is positioned on the cut-out passage of the inner end plug.

6. In paragraph 2, The above heat sink, Center heatsink unit, An inlet heat sink unit joined to both sides of the above center heat sink unit, A heat sink assembly comprising an outlet heat sink unit joined to both sides of the inlet heat sink unit.

7. In paragraph 6, The inner end plug is coupled to the first surface of the center heat sink unit and the inlet heat sink unit, A heat sink assembly in which the cut-out passage is exposed through the open end of the inner end plug.

8. In paragraph 7, A heat sink assembly, wherein the open end of the inner end plug is aligned with the first surface of the outlet heat sink unit.

9. In paragraph 6, The above center heatsink unit, A heatsink assembly having an inlet euro.

10. In paragraph 9, The number of inlet fins provided in the above center heat sink unit and inlet heat sink unit is A heat sink assembly corresponding to the number of outlet euros provided in the above outlet heat sink unit.

11. In paragraph 10, Based on the center of the above center heat sink unit, A heat sink assembly wherein the number of inlet euros and the number of outlet euros arranged on either side of the above center heat sink unit are the same.

12. In paragraph 11, A heat sink assembly having an inlet port positioned at the center of the above center heat sink unit.

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