KR100684830B1 - Secondary battery module and cooling apparatus for secondary battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

The battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of unit cells arranged at regular intervals and a housing accommodating the unit cells.

The housing includes an inlet for introducing temperature control air in an inclined direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, and an outlet for discharging air passing through the unit cells.

Battery module, cooling device, unit cell, battery partition, flow path, housing, inflow and outflow means, inflow, outflow, air guide surface, refrigerant supply

Description

Battery Modules and Cooling Units for Battery Modules {SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE AND COOLING APPARATUS FOR SECONDARY BATTERY MODULE}

1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a cooling device for a battery module configured by connecting a plurality of unit cells.

In general, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged. In the case of a low capacity battery, a secondary battery is used in portable electronic devices such as a phone, a notebook computer, and a camcorder. It is widely used as a power source for driving motors of hybrid vehicles.

The secondary battery may be manufactured in various shapes, and typical shapes include cylindrical and rectangular shapes. The secondary battery may include the high output secondary battery so that the secondary battery may be used for driving a motor such as an electric vehicle. A plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series to form a large capacity secondary battery.

As described above, one high capacity secondary battery (hereinafter, referred to as a battery module for convenience of description throughout) is made of a plurality of secondary batteries (hereinafter, referred to as unit cells for convenience of description throughout the specification) connected in series. Each unit cell includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate interposed therebetween, a case having a space portion in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cap assembly coupled to the case and sealing the protrusion, and protruding from the cap assembly. And positive and negative terminals electrically connected to the positive and negative current collectors provided in the electrode assembly.

In the case of the rectangular battery, each of the unit cells cross-aligns each of the unit cells such that the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal protruding from the top of the cap assembly alternate with the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the neighboring unit cell, and the threaded negative electrode terminal The battery module is constructed by connecting and installing a conductor between the anode terminals via a nut.

In this case, the battery module is configured to connect one to many dozens of unit cells to form one battery module, so that the heat generated from each unit battery can be easily discharged, and moreover, it can be applied to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In the case of secondary batteries, heat dissipation is of paramount importance.

When heat is not released properly, for example, the heat generated from each unit cell causes an increase in the temperature of the battery module, resulting in a malfunction of the device to which the battery module is applied.

In particular, in the case of HEV battery modules used for vehicles, since they are charged and discharged with a large current, heat is generated by internal reactions of the secondary batteries according to the use conditions, and thus they rise to a considerable temperature. Will degrade the performance.

In addition, the internal pressure of the battery is increased due to the chemical reaction inside the battery, and thus the shape of the battery is changed, thereby adversely affecting the unique characteristics of the battery. In particular, when the ratio of width and length is large, such as a rectangular secondary battery, the risk is further increased.

Accordingly, in the case of configuring a battery module including a plurality of secondary batteries, in particular, a rectangular secondary battery, a battery partition wall is installed between the unit battery and the unit battery to secure a space for cooling air distribution between the unit cells. The unit cells are housed in a housing, and cooling air for controlling the temperature of the unit cell is provided inside the housing to distribute the cooling air through the battery partition wall, thereby cooling heat generated in each unit cell.

However, in the conventional cooling method, the flow rate of the cooling air circulated to the battery partition walls between the unit cells is not constant, thereby causing a temperature deviation between the unit cells. Accordingly, the conventional battery module has a problem in that the heat generated from each unit cell is not evenly radiated, resulting in a decrease in charge and discharge efficiency.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery module and a cooling device for a battery module for distributing a constant flow of air between each unit cell.

In order to achieve the above object, the battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of unit cells arranged at regular intervals and a housing accommodating the unit cells.

The housing includes an inlet for introducing temperature control air in an inclined direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, and an outlet for discharging air passing through the unit cells.

In the battery module according to the present invention, battery partition walls are formed between the unit cells to separate these unit cells, and the battery partition wall is formed with a flow path through which the air for temperature control is circulated.

In addition, the battery module according to the present invention has a constant cross-sectional area of each flow passage, and is provided such that air of a constant flow rate passes through the flow passage.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the housing may be configured as a cooling device that provides air for temperature control of a constant flow rate between the unit cells.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the housing may form the inlet on one side, and the outlet on the other side of the housing.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the inlet portion forms a first air guide surface that is inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the temperature control air with respect to the inlet port. In this case, the first air guide surface is disposed downwardly inclined away from the inlet, and the inclination angle of the first air guide surface is 15 ° to 45 ° with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cell.

In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the outlet portion may form an outlet for discharging the temperature control air in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells. In this case, the outlet portion may form a second air guide surface disposed in parallel to the outlet direction of the temperature control air.

In the battery module according to the present invention, the outlet portion may form a third air guide surface disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit battery. In this case, the third air guide surface is preferably disposed to be inclined upward as the distance from the outlet.

In addition, the cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the housing containing a plurality of unit cells that are continuously arranged spaced apart at regular intervals and the temperature control air in the interior of the housing to provide each unit It includes a refrigerant supply for cooling the heat generated in the battery,

The housing includes flow-in and out means for introducing the temperature control air in an inclined direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells and for discharging the air passing through the unit cells.

The battery module cooling device according to the present invention has a structure in which the air of a constant flow rate is distributed between the unit cells.

In addition, in the cooling device for a battery module according to the present invention, the inflow and outflow means is installed on one side of the housing inlet for introducing the temperature control air into the inside of the housing, the inlet of the housing is provided opposite the It includes an outlet for discharging the air passed through the unit cell to the outside of the housing.

And in the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the inlet may form a first air guide surface which is inclined in a direction parallel to the inflow direction of the temperature control air with respect to the inlet. In this case, the first air guide surface is disposed to be inclined downward as it moves away from the inlet, and the inclination angle of the first air guide surface is preferably 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit battery.

In addition, in the battery module cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the outlet portion is disposed in parallel with the outlet for discharging the air for temperature control in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, and the outflow direction of the temperature control air. A second air guide surface may be formed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. .

Referring to the battery module 100 according to the present invention with reference to the drawings, the battery module 100 is a large-capacity battery module, and includes a plurality of unit cells 11 are continuously arranged at regular intervals.

In the present invention, each of the unit cells 11 includes an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are disposed on both sides thereof with a separator interposed therebetween, and thus, a secondary battery having a conventional structure for charging and discharging a predetermined amount of electric power. It consists of.

In addition, battery partition walls 15 are provided between the unit cells 11 and the outermost unit cells 11 to maintain a constant interval between these unit cells and support the side surfaces of the unit cells 11. Doing. In each of the cell partitions 15, a flow path 17 is formed between the unit cells 11 for distributing temperature control air, that is, cooling air at a relatively low temperature for controlling the temperature of the unit cells 11. . In this case, each of the flow paths 17 preferably has a shape of at least one through hole formed in a height direction of the unit cell 11 with respect to the battery partition wall 15 while having a constant cross-sectional area. Accordingly, in the battery module 100 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of unit cells 11 are continuously arranged at regular intervals by the battery partition wall 15, and air for temperature control is distributed between the unit cells 11. The unit cell assembly 13 of the structure which can be formed can be formed.

In the battery module 100, a cooling device 130 according to the present invention is provided, and the cooling device 130 is mounted between the unit cells 11 as well as the unit battery assembly 13 described above. By supplying the temperature control air to the distribution path 17 of the to serve to cool the heat generated in each unit cell (11).

In the present invention, the cooling device 130 provides the air of a constant flow rate to the flow path 17 of the cell partition wall 15 disposed between the unit cells 11 to provide the entire area of the assembly 13 of the unit cells. It has a structure that maintains an even temperature distribution for.

To this end, the cooling device 130 has a housing 131 for enclosing the unit cell assembly 13 and circulating air for controlling the temperature of a constant flow rate to the flow path 17 of each unit cell 11, and the temperature And a refrigerant supply unit 138 that provides control air to the inside of the housing 131.

According to the present embodiment, the housing 131 is a temperature control air of a constant flow rate through the mounting portion 132 for embedding the unit cell assembly 13 and the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11. An inflow and outflow means 133 for circulating is provided.

The mounting part 132 forms an accommodating space for fixing the unit battery assembly 13 while accommodating the unit battery assembly 13, and the mounting of the unit battery assembly 13 in the mounting part 132 is performed. The structure is not particularly limited as long as the structure is satisfied.

In the present invention, the flow-in and out means 133 provides a temperature control air of a constant flow rate to the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11 to maintain an even temperature distribution over the entire region of the unit cell assembly 13. For this purpose, a relatively large amount of temperature control air is introduced into the housing 131, and the air passing through each unit cell 11 is discharged to the outside of the housing 131.

The inflow and outflow means 133 is installed at the upper end of one side of the mounting portion 132, the inlet 134 for introducing the temperature control air into the mounting portion 132, and the inlet of the mounting portion 132 ( 134) is provided on one side of the opposite side and includes an outlet portion 135 for discharging air that has passed through each unit cell 11 inside the mounting portion 132.

Accordingly, the temperature control air introduced into the inlet 134 by the refrigerant supply unit 138 passes through the channel 17 of the battery partition wall 15 provided between the unit cell 11 and the side surface of the unit cell 11. In the lower part, heat generated in the unit cell 11 is exchanged in the process, and the heat-exchanged air is discharged through the outlet 135.

Here, the inlet 134 forms an inlet 134a for introducing the temperature control air supplied from the coolant supply unit 138 in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11. Therefore, the temperature control air is provided inside the housing 131 in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle by the inlet 134 having the structure as described above. The outlet portion 135 forms an outlet 135a for discharging air passing through each unit cell 11 in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11 in the housing 131. have. At this time, the outlet 135a is preferably located in the diagonal direction of the inlet 134a.

In the present embodiment, the inlet 134 forms a first air guide surface 134b disposed in a direction inclined with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11. The first air guide surface 134b may be inclined downward as the first air guide surface 134b moves away from the inlet 134a along the arrangement direction of the unit cell 11. At this time, the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 134b satisfies approximately 15 ° or more with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11.

The air introduced through the inlet 134a during the action of the battery module 100 according to the present invention configured as described above reaches the first air guide surface 134b inclined at a predetermined angle while the first air guide surface 134b. The flow of air is made in the inclined direction of and passes along the first air guide surface 134b to near the upper end of the unit cells 11. At this time, since the guide surface 134b is disposed to be inclined downward as it moves away from the inlet port 134a, the flow cross section of air decreases gradually as it moves away from the inlet port 134a. The speed becomes faster as it moves away from the inlet 134a by a continuous equation of fluid mechanics. This increase in flow rate, as can be seen by Bernoulli's theorem, results in a gradual pressure drop of the air, away from the inlet 134a side.

Therefore, the air flowing through the inlet 134a passes through the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11 at a constant flow rate based on the hydrodynamic principle. As a result, in the present embodiment, since the flow velocity of the air passing through the flow path 17 is the same as described above, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path 17 is constant, the air having a constant flow rate is distributed through the above-described continuous equation. It is possible to distribute to the furnace (17).

Therefore, according to the battery module 100 of the present invention, according to the structure of the inlet 134 as described above, the air of a constant flow rate flows into the flow path 17 between the unit cells 11, each unit, The heat generated in the battery 11 can be lowered to an even temperature distribution, thereby maintaining an appropriate temperature for the entire area of the unit cell assembly 13.

Here, when the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 134b is smaller than 15 °, the pressure drop of the air is minimized as it moves away from the inlet 134a. Since it becomes impossible to distribute | circulate, the temperature deviation of each unit cell 11 will generate | occur | produce, and the even temperature distribution will not be able to be achieved with respect to the whole area | region of the unit cell assembly 13.

As mentioned above, the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 134b is set to be 15 ° or more and preferably 15 to 45 °. If the inclination angle θ of the first air guide surface 134b exceeds 45 °, the degree of pressure drop of the air is minimized as in the above, so that air of a constant flow rate can flow through the flow path 17. There will be no.

In addition, the air passing through the flow channel 17 is discharged through the outlet 135, and the outlet 135 is disposed parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11 and the outlet direction of the air. 2, the air guide surface 135b is formed.

Therefore, the air passing through the flow path 17 is made to flow along the second air guide surface 135b while touching the second air guide surface 135b, so that the air flows out of the housing 131 through the outlet 135a. It will be discharged to the outside.

On the other hand, the refrigerant supply unit 138 for supplying the temperature control air to the interior of the housing 131 configured as described above is installed in the inlet 134a of the housing 131, as shown in the phantom line in the drawing And a fan 139 that sucks air with the rotational force of the air and blows the air into the inside of the housing 131 through the inlet 134a. As an alternative, the coolant supply unit 138 is not limited to having the fan 139 as described above, and may include a pump or a blower that can normally blow air.

3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the battery module 200 according to the present embodiment is introduced into the housing 161 through the inlet 164, the air flows through the flow path 17A between the unit cells (11A) Is provided with an outlet portion 165 for smoothly discharging to the outside of the housing 161.

In the present embodiment, the outlet portion 165 forms a third air guide surface 167 disposed in an inclined direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit cells 11A. In this case, the third air guide surface 167 may be disposed to be inclined upward as the distance from the outlet 165a increases.

Therefore, since the third air guide surface 167 is disposed to be inclined upward as it moves away from the outlet port 165a, the air passing through the flow path 17A is brought into contact with the third air guide surface 167. 3 is the flow along the air guide surface 167 is to be smoothly discharged through the outlet (165a).

Since the rest of the configuration and operation of the battery module 200 according to the present embodiment is the same as the above embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The above-described battery module of the present invention can be effectively used as a battery for HEV requiring high output / large capacity, but its use is not necessarily limited to HEV.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims and the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. Naturally, it belongs to

Thus, according to the present invention, by improving the air flow structure of the housing to distribute the air of a constant flow rate to the flow path between the unit cells, it is possible to achieve an even temperature distribution over the entire area of the unit cell assembly. Therefore, it is possible to maximize the cooling efficiency of the unit cell assembly and thereby further improve the charging and discharging efficiency of the battery module.

Claims (21)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A plurality of unit cells arranged at intervals from each other; And A housing housing the unit cells Including; The housing includes an inlet for introducing temperature control air and an outlet for discharging air passing between the unit cells, The inlet is guided to the upper surface of the unit cells to introduce the temperature control air toward the upper surface of the unit cells, The first air guide surface, which is formed to be inclined with respect to the opposing surfaces of the plurality of unit cells, is disposed to be inclined downward so as to be closer to the unit cells as the distance from the inlet increases. The inclination angle of the first air guide surface is a battery module 15 ° ~ 45 ° with respect to the arrangement direction of the unit battery. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A housing containing a plurality of unit cells continuously arranged at intervals from each other; And Refrigerant supply unit for cooling the heat generated in each unit cell by providing a temperature control air in the housing Including; The housing has an inflow and outflow means for introducing the temperature control air and discharge the air passing through these unit cells so that the inflow direction and the outflow direction of the temperature control air is the same, It includes a first air guide surface inclined with respect to the opposing surface of the plurality of unit cells, The inflow and outflow means is installed on one side of the housing inlet for introducing the temperature control air into the interior of the housing, and is installed on the opposite side of the inlet of the housing to discharge the air passing through the unit cell to the outside of the housing Including an outlet, The inlet includes an inlet for introducing the temperature control air in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the unit cells, wherein the first air guide surface is made in a direction inclined with respect to the inflow direction of the temperature control air The further away from the inlet is disposed inclined downward to be closer to the unit cells, The inclination angle of the first air guide surface is at least 15 ° relative to the arrangement direction of the unit cell cooling device for a battery module. delete The method of claim 8, The outlet module is guided to extend to the lower surface of the unit cells. The method of claim 20, Battery module is provided with a fan adjacent to the inlet of the inlet.

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