Title of the invention: Battery module and battery pack including the same
Technical field
[One]
This application is an application for claiming priority for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0109209 filed on September 12, 2018, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
[2]
The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and more particularly, to a battery module capable of improving heat dissipation characteristics and a battery pack including the same.
Background
[3]
As technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and nickel cadmium batteries or hydrogen ion batteries have been used as secondary batteries in the past. Since little occurs, charging and discharging are free, self-discharge rate is very low, and lithium secondary batteries with high energy density are widely used.
[4]
These lithium secondary batteries mainly use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes a secondary battery cell in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate to which the positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material are applied, respectively, are disposed with a separator therebetween, and an exterior material that seals and accommodates the secondary battery cell together with an electrolyte solution, that is, a battery case.
[5]
Lithium secondary batteries consist of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator and an electrolyte interposed therebetween. Depending on which positive electrode active material and negative electrode active material are used, lithium ion batteries (LIBs), lithium polymer batteries (Polymer Lithium Ion Battery) are used. , PLIB), etc. Typically, the electrodes of these lithium secondary batteries are formed by applying a positive electrode or negative electrode active material to a current collector such as an aluminum or copper sheet, a mesh, a film, or a foil, followed by drying.
[6]
Meanwhile, as the need for a large-capacity structure including being used as an energy source in recent years increases, demand for a battery module or a battery pack in which a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel is increasing.
[7]
However, since the battery module or battery pack is manufactured in a form in which a plurality of battery cells are concentrated in a narrow space, it is important to easily dissipate heat generated from the battery cells to the outside. Due to insufficient heat dissipation, there is a problem in that the capacity of the battery module or the battery pack decreases due to heat generation.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[8]
Accordingly, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery module having improved heat dissipation characteristics and a battery pack including the same.
Means of solving the task
[9]
According to an aspect of the present invention, at least one battery cell; A casing provided to surround the battery cell and having at least one opening; And a thermal interface material (TIM) interposed between the casing and the battery cell and exposed to the outside of the casing through the opening of the casing.
[10]
In addition, the opening is provided in plural, and the casing is provided with a support portion positioned between one opening and another adjacent opening, and a round is formed at the contact portion of the support portion in contact with the heat transfer material. I can.
[11]
In addition, the support part may be located on the same plane as the heat transfer material, and the support part and the heat transfer material may be exposed to the outside of the casing together.
[12]
In addition, the support part may be located on a different plane from the heat transfer material, and the support part may be buried in the heat transfer material so that the heat transfer material other than the support part may be exposed to the outside of the casing.
[13]
In addition, the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell formed in a cylindrical shape, and the heat transfer material may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical battery cell so as to be in close contact with the cylindrical battery cell.
[14]
In addition, the casing may be made of thermally conductive plastic.
[15]
In addition, the casing may be provided with a heat dissipation groove formed to increase the depth of the groove from the edge portion to the center portion.
[16]
In addition, a heat dissipating member coupled to the casing and contacting the heat transfer material exposed to the outside of the casing through the opening of the casing may be further included.
[17]
In addition, at least one side of the heat dissipating member may have a receiving groove in which the heat transfer material is accommodated.
[18]
Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack including the aforementioned battery module may be provided.
Effects of the Invention
[19]
In the embodiments of the present invention, since the heat transfer material is exposed to the outside of the casing and can be directly contacted with the fluid, heat dissipation characteristics are improved.
[20]
In addition, the contact area between the case and the fluid increases, thereby improving heat dissipation characteristics.
Brief description of the drawing
[21]
1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[22]
2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[23]
3 is a view showing an inner side of a casing in which an opening is formed in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[24]
4 is a view showing the outside of a casing formed with an opening in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[25]
5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a heat transfer material is exposed through an opening of a casing in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[26]
6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of portion A in the casing of FIG. 2.
[27]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a heat transfer material exposed through an opening of a casing in the modified embodiment of FIG. 6.
[28]
8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a battery cell is in contact with a heat transfer material in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[29]
9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[30]
10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[31]
Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventor may appropriately define the concept of terms in order to describe his own invention in the best way. It should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that there is. Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present invention, and thus various alternatives that can be substituted for them at the time of application It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.
[32]
In the drawings, the size of each component or a specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of description. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size. When it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, such description will be omitted.
[33]
The term'coupling' or'connection' as used herein is not only when one member and another member are directly coupled or directly connected, but also when one member is indirectly coupled to another member through a joint member, or indirectly It also includes cases connected to.
[34]
1 is a schematic overall perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view showing the outside of the casing with an opening in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a view showing a state in which the heat transfer material is exposed through the opening of the casing in the battery module according to the embodiment, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of portion A in the casing of FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is a modified embodiment of FIG. In the example, a heat transfer material is exposed through an opening of a casing, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a contact of a battery cell with a heat transfer material in the battery module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[35]
1 to 8, the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a battery cell 100, a casing 200, and a heat transfer material (Thermal Interface Material, TIM, 300). Include.
[36]
One or more battery cells 100 may be provided. The battery cell 100 may be a pouch type or a cylindrical type as shown in FIG. 2. When the battery cell 100 is a pouch type, an electrode lead may be provided in the battery cell 100, and the electrode lead provided in the battery cell 100 is a type of terminal that is exposed to the outside and connected to an external device. Can be used. The electrode lead may include an anode electrode lead and a cathode electrode lead. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be disposed in opposite directions with respect to the length direction of the battery cell 100, or the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be disposed in the same direction with respect to the length direction of the battery cell 100. It may be located. The electrode leads can be electrically coupled to the busbar. The battery cell 100 includes a unit cell arranged in the order of a positive plate-separator-cathode plate or a Bi-Cell arranged in the order of a positive plate-separator-cathode plate-separator-anode plate-separator-cathode plate. It may have a structure in which a plurality of stacks are stacked according to capacity. In addition, when the battery cell 100 is of a cylindrical type, the battery cell 100 includes an electrode assembly, for example, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly, a cylindrical battery case in which an electrolyte is accommodated together with the electrode assembly, and the battery case. For example, it may include a positive terminal formed on an upper portion and a negative terminal formed on, for example, a lower portion of the battery case. The electrode assembly may have a structure that is stacked with a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and wound in a jelly-roll form, and a positive lead is attached to the positive electrode and connected to, for example, a positive terminal on the upper portion of the battery case, A negative lead is attached to the negative electrode and is connected to, for example, a negative terminal at the bottom of the battery case. In addition, a cylindrical center pin may be inserted into the central portion 228 of the electrode assembly. The center pin fixes and supports the electrode assembly, and may function as a passage for discharging gas generated by an internal reaction during charging/discharging and operation. Meanwhile, a safety vent for discharging gas may be provided inside the battery case, for example, at a lower portion of the top cap, by rupture due to an increase in pressure inside the battery case. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case where the battery cell 100 is a cylindrical battery cell 100 formed in a cylindrical shape will be mainly described.
[37]
The casing 200 is provided to surround the battery cell 100. The casing 200 surrounds the battery cell 100 and thereby protects the battery cell 100 from external vibration or shock. Here, the casing 200 may be configured to include, for example, an upper casing 210 and a lower casing 220. However, it is not limited thereto. One or more openings 221 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) are formed in the casing 200, for example, the lower casing 220 so that the heat transfer material 300 can be exposed to the outside. However, if necessary, the opening 221 may be formed in the upper casing 210. The heat transfer material 300 is exposed to the outside of the casing 200 through the opening 221 formed in the casing 200 as described above, and the heat transfer material 300 is in contact with a fluid such as air, thereby enabling heat dissipation. 3 and 4, a plurality of openings 221 may be provided, and a support part 222 positioned between one opening 221 and another adjacent opening 221 in the casing 200 ) May be provided. The support 222 may be formed integrally with the casing 200, or may be formed to be coupled in various ways after being manufactured separately from the casing 200. In addition, referring to FIG. 2, a round may be formed in the contact portion 223 of the support portion 222 in contact with the heat transfer material 300. In this way, when a round is formed in the contact portion 223 of the support portion 222, even if the heat transfer material 300 contacts the contact portion 223 of the support portion 222, damage may be prevented. Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, the support part 222 may be positioned on the same plane as the heat transfer material 300. For example, referring to part A, which is a partially enlarged view in FIG. 2, both the support 222 and the heat transfer material 300 are positioned on the same plane X1 corresponding to the bottom of the casing 200 with reference to FIG. 2 By doing so, the support 222 and the heat transfer material 300 may be exposed to the outside of the casing 200 together as shown in FIG. 5. As a modified embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the support part 222 may be positioned on a different plane from the heat transfer material 300. For example, the heat transfer material 300 is located on a plane X2 corresponding to the bottom of the casing 200 based on FIG. 6, and the support 222 is buried in the heat transfer material 300 to the bottom of the casing 200. It may be provided to be positioned on the plane X3 above the part. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the support part 222 is not exposed to the outside of the casing 200, and only the heat transfer material 300 excluding the support part 222 may be exposed to the outside of the casing 200. The embodiment of FIG. 5 has a structurally more stable effect than the embodiment of FIG. 7, and the embodiment of FIG. 7 has a better effect of heat dissipation efficiency because the contact area between the heat transfer material 300 and air is wider than that of the embodiment of FIG. 5. have. That is, in consideration of structural stability and heat dissipation efficiency, the size and position of the support part 222 may be appropriately adjusted. The support part 222 may be located on a different plane from the heat transfer material 300. For example, the heat transfer material 300 is located on a plane X2 corresponding to the bottom of the casing 200 with reference to FIG. 6, and the support 222 is buried in the heat transfer material 300 to the bottom of the casing 200. It may be provided to be located on the plane X3 above the part. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the support 222 is not exposed to the outside of the casing 200, and only the heat transfer material 300 excluding the support 222 may be exposed to the outside of the casing 200. The embodiment of FIG. 5 has a structurally more stable effect than the embodiment of FIG. 7, and the embodiment of FIG. 7 has a greater heat dissipation efficiency due to a larger contact area between the heat transfer material 300 and air than the embodiment of FIG. 5. have. That is, in consideration of structural stability and heat dissipation efficiency, the size and position of the support part 222 may be appropriately adjusted. The support part 222 may be located on a different plane from the heat transfer material 300. For example, the heat transfer material 300 is located on a plane X2 corresponding to the bottom of the casing 200 based on FIG. 6, and the support 222 is buried in the heat transfer material 300 to the bottom of the casing 200. It may be provided to be located on the plane X3 above the part. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, the support 222 is not exposed to the outside of the casing 200, and only the heat transfer material 300 excluding the support 222 may be exposed to the outside of the casing 200. The embodiment of FIG. 5 has a structurally more stable effect than the embodiment of FIG. 7, and the embodiment of FIG. 7 has a greater heat dissipation efficiency due to a larger contact area between the heat transfer material 300 and air than the embodiment of FIG. 5. have. That is, in consideration of structural stability and heat dissipation efficiency, the size and position of the support part 222 may be appropriately adjusted.
[38]
A heat dissipation groove 229 may be formed in a portion of the casing 200 where the opening 221 is not formed (see FIG. 4 ). The heat dissipation groove 229 may be formed outside the casing 200, for example, on the bottom surface of the casing 200. The heat dissipation groove 229 may be formed in various ways, for example, the depth of the groove may be formed to become deeper from the edge portion to the center portion 228. For example, the radiating groove 229 may be formed by the first inclined portion 225 and the second inclined portion 227. 4, the first inclined portion 225 is formed to be inclined toward the central portion 228 from any one edge portion, for example, the first edge portion 224, the second inclined portion 227 One edge portion, for example, is formed to be inclined toward the central portion 228 from the second edge portion 226 spaced apart from the first edge portion 224, the first inclined portion 225 and the second inclined portion ( The 227 is configured to meet at the center 228 so that the heat dissipation groove 229 may be formed. In addition, one or more heat dissipation grooves 229 having such a structure may be formed on the bottom surface of the casing 200, for example, the lower casing 220. Meanwhile, the heat dissipation groove 229 is not formed only on the bottom surface of the lower casing 220, and may be formed on the side of the lower casing 220 or may be formed on the upper casing 210 as necessary. When the heat dissipation groove 229 is formed in the casing 200 as described above, since the contact area between the casing 200 and the air increases, the heat dissipation efficiency is improved. Further, the casing 200 may be made of various types of thermally conductive plastics, thereby efficiently discharging the heat generated from the battery cell 100.
[39]
The heat transfer material 300 is interposed between the casing 200 and the battery cell 100 when referring to FIGS. 2 and 8 together. For example, the heat transfer material 300 is located between the battery cell 100 and the lower casing 220, one side contacts the lower casing 220 and the other side of the opposite side contacts the surface of the cylindrical battery cell 100 Can be arranged to do. The heat transfer material 300 may include various materials capable of transferring heat generated from the battery cell 100 to the outside of the battery cell 100. The heat transfer material 300 may be provided such that graphite surrounds the foam pad, but is not limited thereto. The heat transfer material 300 is exposed to the outside of the casing 200 through the opening 221 of the casing 200, whereby the exposed portion comes into contact with air to allow heat dissipation. That is, heat generated from the battery cell 100 is transferred to the outside through the heat transfer material 300 and cooled. In this process, the heat transfer material 300 exposed to the outside through the opening 221 of the casing 200 is air Can be radiated through. The heat transfer material 300 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical battery cell 100 so as to be in close contact with the cylindrical battery cell 100 as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the heat transfer material 300 may have an arc shape in cross section. For example, the heat transfer material 300 may have an arc shape when viewed from the front or rear surface, but may be formed in a straight line in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the side. However, the shape of the heat transfer material 300 is not limited thereto.
[40]
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[41]
The battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a heat transfer material 300 interposed between the cylindrical battery cell 100 and the casing 200, and the casing 200 of the heat transfer material 300 It may be exposed to the outside through the opening 221 and directly contact the outside air. Accordingly, heat dissipation efficiency can be improved. On the other hand, a heat dissipation groove 229 may be formed on one side of the casing 200 so as to be inclined toward the central portion 228 from the edge portion and the depth of the groove becomes deeper toward the central portion 228, and such a radiating groove 229 As a result, the contact area between the casing 200 and air is increased, so that the heat dissipation efficiency is increased.
[42]
9 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[43]
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the battery module 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but a part in common with the contents described in the battery module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention Is replaced by the above description.
[44]
The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the heat dissipation member 400 is further provided.
[45]
Referring to FIG. 9, the heat dissipation member 400 may be coupled to the casing 200 and may contact the heat transfer material 300 exposed to the outside of the casing 200 through the opening 221 of the casing 200. . That is, in the first embodiment, the heat transfer material 300 is exposed to the outside of the casing 200 and contacts the air outside the casing 200 to radiate heat through air cooling, but in the second embodiment, the radiating member 400 is 200) The heat transfer material 300 is in contact with the heat transfer material 300 exposed to the outside, and the heat transfer material 300 may be radiated by the heat radiation member 400. Here, the radiating member 400 may be provided in various ways.
[46]
10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[47]
Hereinafter, operations and effects of the battery module 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but described in the battery module 10 according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Parts in common with the content are replaced by the above description.
[48]
The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first and second embodiments in that the receiving groove 410 is formed in the heat dissipating member 400.
[49]
Referring to FIG. 10, the heat dissipation member 400 may be provided in various ways, for example, the heat dissipation member 400 may be provided as a cooling plate. The cooling plate may be provided to allow various fluids to flow therein, but is not limited thereto. Further, at least one side of the heat dissipating member 400 may be formed with a receiving groove 410 in which the heat transfer material 300 is accommodated. In this way, when the heat transfer material 300 is received in the receiving groove 410 formed in the heat dissipation member 400, it is structurally stable and the contact area between the heat transfer material 300 and the heat dissipation member 400 increases, so that heat dissipation efficiency Can also be increased.
[50]
Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. In addition, the battery pack (not shown), in addition to the battery module 10, a case for accommodating the battery module 10, various devices for controlling the charge/discharge of the battery module 10, such as BMS, current A sensor, a fuse, etc. may be further included.
[51]
Although the present invention in the above has been described by the limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the following will be described by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equal scope of the claims.
Industrial availability
[52]
The present invention relates to a battery module and a battery pack including the same, and can be particularly used in industries related to secondary batteries.
Claims
[Claim 1]
At least one battery cell; A casing provided to surround the battery cell and having at least one opening; And a thermal interface material (TIM) interposed between the casing and the battery cell and exposed to the outside of the casing through the opening of the casing.
[Claim 2]
The method of claim 1, wherein the opening is provided in plural, and the casing is provided with a support portion positioned between one opening and another adjacent opening, and a contact portion of the support portion in contact with the heat transfer material Battery module, characterized in that the round is formed.
[Claim 3]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein the support part is located on the same plane as the heat transfer material, and the support part and the heat transfer material are exposed to the outside of the casing together.
[Claim 4]
The battery module of claim 2, wherein the support part is located on a different plane from the heat transfer material, and the support part is buried in the heat transfer material so that the heat transfer material other than the support part is exposed to the outside of the casing.
[Claim 5]
The battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell is a cylindrical battery cell formed in a cylindrical shape, and the heat transfer material is formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the cylindrical battery cell so as to be in close contact with the cylindrical battery cell. module.
[Claim 6]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made of thermally conductive plastic.
[Claim 7]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with a heat dissipation groove formed to increase the depth of the groove from the rim to the center.
[Claim 8]
The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a heat dissipating member coupled to the casing and contacting the heat transfer material exposed to the outside of the casing through the opening of the casing.
[Claim 9]
The battery module of claim 8, wherein at least one side of the heat dissipating member has a receiving groove in which the heat transfer material is accommodated.
[Claim 10]
A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 9.