Title of the invention: Battery module, battery pack comprising such battery module and automobile comprising such battery pack
technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack comprising such a battery module and a vehicle comprising such a battery pack.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0123391 filed on October 04, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Secondary batteries that are easy to apply according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only portable devices, but also electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source. It is universally applied. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency in that not only the primary advantage of being able to dramatically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the fact that no by-products are generated from the use of energy.
[4]
The types of secondary batteries currently widely used include a lithium ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a nickel zinc battery, and the like. The unit secondary battery cell, that is, the operating voltage of the unit battery cell is about 2.5V ~ 4.5V. Accordingly, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. In addition, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack according to the charge/discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack may be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge/discharge capacity.
[5]
On the other hand, when configuring a battery pack by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series/parallel, a battery module including at least one battery cell is first configured, and other components are added using the at least one battery module. A method of configuring the battery pack is common.
[6]
In the case of such a conventional battery module, it is important to solve performance degradation due to heat generated by charging and discharging. When the battery module is charged and discharged, the resistance is high in the electrode lead part of the battery cells, which is one of the parts with the smallest unit area. there is a problem.
[7]
Therefore, when the battery module is cooled, there is a need for a more effective method for controlling heat generation in the electrode lead portion of the battery cells in the battery module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[8]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module capable of effectively suppressing a temperature increase due to heat generation of an electrode lead portion of battery cells, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack .
means of solving the problem
[9]
In order to solve the above object, the present invention, as a battery module, a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; a thermal resin filled to at least partially cover electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells in the module case; a temperature sensor provided in the module case to measure a temperature of the electrode lead portion when the thermal resin is filled to at least partially cover the electrode lead portion; and a control unit electrically connected to the temperature sensor and controlling the filling of the thermal resin based on the temperature information measured from the temperature sensor.
[10]
The battery module is formed on one side of the module case, and includes at least one resin injection hole for receiving thermal resin injection from a resin injection device for filling the thermal resin, wherein the temperature sensor includes: It may be provided on the other side.
[11]
The control unit may be electrically connected to the resin injection device, and may stop the injection of the thermal resin from the resin injection device when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or greater than a preset temperature.
[12]
The at least one resin injection hole may be provided at a position higher than electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, and the temperature sensor may be provided at a position lower than electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells.
[13]
A sensor insertion groove into which the temperature sensor is inserted; may be provided on the other side of the module case.
[14]
The temperature sensor may be provided as a thermistor.
[15]
The battery module may include a bus bar assembly electrically connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells and covering both sides of the module case, and the control unit may be provided in the bus bar assembly. .
[16]
The battery module may include at least one charge confirmation hole formed on one side of the module case and disposed on the same line as electrode lead portions of the plurality of battery cells.
[17]
And, the present invention, as a battery pack, at least one battery module according to the above-described embodiments; and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[18]
In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising, as a vehicle, at least one battery pack according to the above-described embodiment.
Effects of the Invention
[19]
According to various embodiments as described above, to provide a battery module capable of effectively suppressing a temperature increase due to heat generation of an electrode lead portion of battery cells, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack can
Brief description of the drawing
[20]
The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention to be described later, so that the present invention is described in such drawings should not be construed as being limited only to
[21]
1 is a view for explaining a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[22]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[23]
3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining injection of thermal resin into the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[24]
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a cooling mechanism of the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[25]
6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[26]
9 is a view for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[27]
10 is a view for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[28]
The present invention will become more apparent by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the invention, and the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. In addition, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.
[29]
1 to 4 , the battery module 10 includes a battery cell 100 , a module case 200 , a heat sink 300 , a bus bar assembly 400 , a thermal resin 500 , and a resin injection hole. 600 , a filling confirmation hole 700 , a temperature sensor 800 , and a control unit 900 .
[30]
The battery cell 100 is a secondary battery, and may be provided as a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, or a cylindrical secondary battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cell 100 will be limitedly described as a pouch-type secondary battery.
[31]
A plurality of such battery cells 100 may be provided. The plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other. The mutual electrical connection may be implemented through electrical connection between the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 and the bus bar assembly 400 to be described later.
[32]
The module case 200 may accommodate the plurality of battery cells 100 . To this end, an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells 100 may be provided in the module case 200 . In addition, components such as various electronic components constituting the battery module 10 may be accommodated in the module case 200 .
[33]
A heat sink 300 for cooling the battery cells 100 of the battery module 10 may be mounted on one side of the module case 200 , specifically, on an upper side of the module case 200 .
[34]
The module case 200 may be provided with a resin filling passage 250 and a sensor insertion groove 270 .
[35]
The resin filling passage 250 may be provided in the module case 200 and may connect at least one resin injection hole 600 to be described later and the electrode lead 150 portion of the plurality of battery cells 100 . A predetermined space can be formed.
[36]
The sensor insertion groove 270 may be provided on the other side of the module case 200 . Specifically, the sensor insertion groove 270 may be provided on the same line as the electrode leads 150 of the battery cells 100 in the height direction of the module case 200 . A temperature sensor 800 to be described later may be inserted and mounted in the sensor insertion groove 270 .
[37]
The heat sink 300 is for cooling the plurality of battery cells 100 , and may be mounted on the upper side of the module case 200 . The heat sink 300 may be disposed to face the thermal resin 500 to be described later with the module case 200 interposed therebetween.
[38]
The heat sink 300 may be provided in an air-cooled or water-cooled structure. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the description will be limited to that the heat sink 300 is provided in a water-cooled structure through which cooling water flows.
[39]
The bus bar assembly 400 may be electrically connected to the electrode leads 150 of the battery cells 100 . The bus bar assembly 400 may cover both sides of the module case 200 .
[40]
The thermal resin 500 is disposed to face the heat sink 300 inside the module case 200 , and the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 in the module case 200 . ) may be filled to at least partially cover the portion.
[41]
The thermal resin 500 may be made of a material having high thermal conductivity and insulating properties. The thermal resin 500 may guide the cooling of the battery cells 500 and also guide the stable fixing of the battery cells 500 in the module case 200 .
[42]
The resin injection hole 600 is formed on one side of the module case 200 , specifically, on the upper side of the module case 200 , and may be provided with a hole of a predetermined size for filling the thermal resin 500 . there is.
[43]
The resin injection hole 600 may be provided in plurality.
[44]
The plurality of resin injection holes 600 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the center of one side of the module case 200 , specifically, in the center of the upper side of the module case 200 .
[45]
Here, the plurality of resin injection holes 600 may be provided at a higher position than the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 . Accordingly, when the thermal resin 500 is injected through the resin injection device A, injection into the electrode lead 150 can be naturally performed according to its own weight, thereby improving injection efficiency.
[46]
The filling confirmation hole 700 is formed on one side of the module case 200 , specifically, on the upper side of the module case 200 , and the module case 200 is spaced apart from the plurality of resin injection holes 600 . ) may be provided on the upper edge of the
[47]
The charging check hole 700 is provided for the electrodes of the plurality of battery cells 100 in the height direction of the module case 200 so as to easily check whether the electrode lead 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 is filled. The lead 150 may be disposed on the same line.
[48]
The filling confirmation hole 700 may be provided as a pair. The pair of filling confirmation holes 700 may be disposed to face each other with the plurality of resin injection holes 600 interposed therebetween.
[49]
When the thermal resin 500 is injected through the filling check hole 700 , the manufacturer can check whether the battery cells 100 are properly filled with the electrode lead 150 .
[50]
Specifically, while the thermal resin 500 is continuously injected, the thermal resin 500 may be filled to partially cover the electrode leads 150 of the battery cells 100 .
[51]
Thereafter, if the injection of the thermal resin 500 continues, the thermal resin 500 may be introduced into the filling confirmation hole 700 disposed on the same line as the electrode leads 150 of the battery cells 100 . there is.
[52]
The manufacturer or the like confirms the filling of the electrode lead 150 of the battery cells 100 by checking the inflow of the thermal resin 500 into the filling confirmation hole 700, and the module case 200 ) It can be seen that the thermal resin 500 is sufficiently filled inside.
[53]
If the thermal resin 500 overflows out of the filling confirmation hole 700, the manufacturer stops the thermal resin 500 through the resin injection device A, and the thermal resin 500 ) can complete the injection process. After the thermal resin 500 injection process is completed, the heat sink 300 may be mounted on the upper side of the module case 200 in which the filling confirmation hole 700 and the resin injection hole 600 are provided. there is.
[54]
The temperature sensor 800, when the thermal resin 500 is filled to at least partially cover the electrode lead 150 portion, the module case ( 200) may be provided. The temperature sensor 800 may be provided as a thermistor.
[55]
The temperature sensor 800 is provided on the other side of the module case 200 , and may be inserted and mounted in the sensor insertion groove 270 . Specifically, the temperature sensor 800 may be provided at a lower position than the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 in the module case 200 . In addition, the temperature sensor 800 may be disposed to face the filling confirmation hole 700 with the electrode lead 150 interposed therebetween.
[56]
The control unit 900 is electrically connected to the temperature sensor 800 , and may control filling of the thermal resin 500 based on temperature information measured from the temperature sensor 800 .
[57]
The control unit 900 may be provided in the bus bar assembly 400 , and may be connected to the temperature sensor 800 by wire or wirelessly for electrical connection with the temperature sensor 800 . In addition, the control unit 900 may be electrically connected to the resin injection device (A) in a wired or wireless manner for filling control of the thermal resin 500 .
[58]
Specifically, the control unit 900 is electrically connected to the resin injection device A, and when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 800 is greater than or equal to a preset temperature, the resin injection device A The injection of thermal resin can be stopped. The preset temperature is the same as the lower end of the electrode lead 150 in the height direction of the module case 200, the filling length of the thermal resin 500, or a predetermined length from the lower end of the electrode lead 150. It may be a temperature measured in advance at a predetermined length corresponding to the extended length.
[59]
As such, in this embodiment, it is possible to control the proper injection of the thermal resin 500 also through the control unit 900 and the temperature sensor 800 . In the case of this embodiment, through the injection control through the temperature sensor 800 and the control unit 900, the visual confirmation of the manufacturer through the filling confirmation hole 700 is wrong or the visual confirmation fails, etc. Even if an unexpected situation of the thermal resin 500 occurs, it is possible to fundamentally block the risk of poor filling of the thermal resin 500 .
[60]
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a cooling mechanism of the battery module of FIG. 1 .
[61]
Referring to FIG. 5 , when the battery module 10 generates heat, the highest heat (H) may be generated in the electrode lead 150 of the battery cells 100 . This is because the cross-sectional area of ​​the electrode lead 150 of the battery cells 100 is relatively smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the other battery module 10, so that the resistance to the current flow according to charging and discharging is the highest.
[62]
In the present embodiment, since the thermal resin 500 is filled in the heating portion H of the electrode lead 150 of the battery cells 100 , the heating portion H of the electrode lead 150 is Heat may be effectively transferred to the heat sink 300 side.
[63]
Specifically, the heat of the heating part (H) of the electrode lead 150 moves to the upper side of the module case 200 through the thermal resin 500, and then, immediately, to the upper side of the module case 200 Since it is transferred to the disposed heat sink 300, it is possible to effectively suppress the temperature rise due to the heat of the electrode lead 150 portion where the highest heat is generated inside the module case 200 of the battery module 10. can
[64]
As such, in this embodiment, the thermal resin 500 at least partially covering the electrode lead 150 portion of the battery cells 100 minimizes damage due to the temperature rise of the battery cells 100 to minimize the damage to the battery. The lifespan of the cells 100 can be extended, and performance degradation due to heat generation of the battery cells 100 can be effectively prevented.
[65]
In addition, in this embodiment, since a portion of the electrode lead 150 of the battery cells 100 is covered according to the filling and injection of the thermal resin 500 , the electrode lead 150 is completed for partial cooling. The assembly process may be simpler than a structure in which a heat-conducting member in the same form as an accessory is separately added to the inside of the module case 200 .
[66]
Specifically, if a heat-conducting member having a pre-finished predetermined shape is added for separately cooling the electrode lead 150, other electrical components in the module case 100 during the assembly process or Interference with the battery cells 100 may occur, and the risk of damage to these components or the battery cells 100 may increase, and also, assembling such a separate heat-conducting member in a module case The possibility of incorrect assembly due to assembly tolerances during assembly may increase.
[67]
However, in the present embodiment, since the electrode lead 150 portion of the battery cells 100 is covered through the filling process of the thermal resin 500, unlike the additional assembly of a separate heat-conducting member, the module case (100) There is no risk of damage to other electrical components or battery cells 100 inside, and also, misassembly problems due to assembly tolerances, etc. can be fundamentally prevented.
[68]
6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[69]
Since the battery module 20 according to this embodiment is similar to the battery module 10 of the previous embodiment, redundant descriptions of components substantially the same as or similar to those of the previous embodiment will be omitted, and hereinafter, the previous embodiment Let's take a look at the differences between
[70]
6 to 8 , the battery module 20 includes a battery cell 100 , a module case 200 , a heat sink 300 , a bus bar assembly 400 , a thermal resin 500 , and resin injection. It may include a hole 600 , a filling confirmation hole 700 , a temperature sensor 800 , and a control unit 900 .
[71]
The battery cell 100 , the module case 200 , the heat sink 300 , the thermal resin 500 , the resin injection hole 600 , the filling confirmation hole 700 , the temperature sensor 800 and the control unit 900 . is substantially the same as or similar to the previous embodiment, and thus, redundant description will be omitted below.
[72]
A transparent window 450 may be provided in the bus bar assembly 400 .
[73]
The transparent window 450 is provided in a horizontal direction parallel to the electrode leads 150 of the plurality of battery cells 100 and provides the thermal resin 500 filled toward the electrode leads 150 . It may be provided so as to be visually confirmed from the outside of both sides of the battery module 10 .
[74]
A leveling line 455 may be provided in the transparent window 450 . The leveling line 455 may be formed along the height direction of the transparent window 450 to check the filling height of the thermal resin 500 .
[75]
In this way, the battery module 20 according to the present embodiment, through the transparent window 450 having the leveling line 455, the thermal resin 500 outside the both sides of the battery module 10 outside. The degree of filling of the electrode lead 150 may be guided so that it can be checked more easily and easily. That is, since the manufacturer and the like can visually check the degree of filling of the thermal resin 500 in the horizontal direction of the electrode lead 150 , the accuracy of visual confirmation by users such as the manufacturer can be significantly improved.
[76]
9 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[77]
9 and 10 , the battery pack 1 includes at least one battery module 10 , 20 and a pack case 50 for packaging the at least one battery module 10 according to the previous embodiment. may include
[78]
The at least one battery module 10 , 20 may be provided as at least one of the battery modules of the previous embodiment, or may be provided in plurality. Of course, when a plurality of the battery modules 10 and 20 are provided, they may be provided as an aggregate of the battery module 10 and the battery module 20 of the previous embodiment.
[79]
The battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V as a fuel source for the vehicle V. By way of example, the battery pack 1 may be provided in the vehicle V in an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and other ways in which the battery pack 1 may be used as a fuel source.
[80]
In addition, of course, the battery pack 1 may be provided in other devices, devices, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle V.
[81]
As such, the device, apparatus, and facility including the battery pack 1 and the battery pack 1 such as the vehicle V according to the present embodiment include the battery modules 10 and 20 described above. , the battery pack 1 having all of the advantages due to the above-described battery modules 10 and 20 and the device, apparatus, and equipment such as a vehicle V having such a battery pack 1 can be implemented.
[82]
According to various embodiments as described above, the battery modules 10 and 20 capable of effectively suppressing a temperature increase due to heat generation of the electrode lead 150 portion of the battery cells 100, the battery module ( It is possible to provide the battery pack 1 including 10 and 20 , and the vehicle V including the battery pack 1 .
[83]
In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.
Claims
[Claim 1]
A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked on each other; a module case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; a thermal resin filled to at least partially cover electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells in the module case; a temperature sensor provided in the module case to measure a temperature of the electrode lead portion when the thermal resin is filled to at least partially cover the electrode lead portion; and a control unit electrically connected to the temperature sensor and configured to control filling of the thermal resin based on temperature information measured from the temperature sensor.
[Claim 2]
The temperature sensor according to claim 1, wherein the battery module is formed on one side of the module case and includes at least one resin injection hole for receiving thermal resin injection from a resin injection device for filling the thermal resin. is, the battery module, characterized in that provided on the other side of the module case.
[Claim 3]
The method of claim 2, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the resin injection device, and stops the injection of the thermal resin from the resin injection device when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is equal to or greater than a preset temperature. battery module with
[Claim 4]
The method of claim 2 , wherein the at least one resin injection hole is provided at a position higher than electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells, and the temperature sensor is provided at a position lower than electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells. Characterized by the battery module.
[Claim 5]
The battery module according to claim 2, wherein a sensor insertion groove into which the temperature sensor is inserted is provided at the other side of the module case.
[Claim 6]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor.
[Claim 7]
The bus bar assembly of claim 2, wherein the battery module is electrically connected to electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells and covers both sides of the module case, wherein the control unit comprises: A battery module, characterized in that provided in the assembly.
[Claim 8]
The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery module includes at least one charge confirmation hole formed on one side of the module case and disposed on the same line as electrode lead portions of the plurality of battery cells. module.
[Claim 9]
at least one battery module according to claim 1; and a pack case for packaging the at least one battery module.
[Claim 10]
A vehicle comprising a; at least one battery pack according to claim 9 .