The present invention relates to a battery module, a battery pack, and a power storage device having a cooling member, and more particularly, to a battery module that reduces the risk of ignition or explosion and increases durability against external impact.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0071732 filed on June 17, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
background
[3]
Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. The self-discharge rate is very low and the energy density is high, attracting attention.
[4]
Such a lithium secondary battery mainly uses a lithium-based oxide and a carbon material as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, respectively. A lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly 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 interposed therebetween, and a packaging material for sealing and housing the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, that is, a battery pouch exterior material.
[5]
Recently, secondary batteries have been widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices, but also in medium and large devices such as automobiles and power storage devices. When used in such a medium-large device, a large number of secondary batteries are electrically connected to increase capacity and output. In particular, a pouch-type secondary battery is often used in such a medium-to-large device due to the advantage of easy stacking.
[6]
On the other hand, recently, as the need for a large-capacity structure including use as an energy storage source increases, a plurality of secondary batteries electrically connected in series and/or parallel, and a battery module and battery management system (BMS) accommodating these secondary batteries therein Demand for battery packs with
[7]
In addition, it is common for such a battery pack to have an external housing made of a metal material to protect the plurality of secondary batteries from external shocks or to store and store the secondary batteries. Meanwhile, demand for high-capacity battery packs is increasing recently. However, as the size or weight of a high-capacity battery pack increases, mechanical rigidity reinforcement is required to protect against external shocks.
[8]
Furthermore, since the high-capacity battery pack also increases heat generated during charging and discharging, an effective cooling method needs to be applied.
[9]
And, among the plurality of secondary batteries accommodated in the battery module, when one secondary battery ignites, gas heat or flame is transmitted to the adjacent secondary batteries, thereby easily causing secondary explosion or ignition of other secondary batteries.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
technical challenge
[10]
Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module that reduces the risk of ignition or explosion and increases durability against external impact.
[11]
Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the examples of the present invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the appended claims.
means of solving the problem
[12]
The battery module according to the present invention for achieving the above object,
[13]
a plurality of secondary batteries each having a gas venting unit for discharging the gas generated therein to the outside at a predetermined pressure and arranged in two rows in a front-rear direction; and
[14]
a body portion interposed between the two rows of the plurality of secondary batteries and having a size corresponding to the left and right side portions of the plurality of secondary batteries, and located at at least one of the upper and lower portions of the main body, from the front end of the main body to the rear and a cooling member provided with a gas discharge portion having a gas discharge passage extending to an end thereof.
[15]
In addition, a support part having a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to mount the plurality of secondary batteries on an upper surface, and extending upwardly from the left and right ends of the support part to cover the left and right sides of the plurality of secondary batteries a tray having a side portion;
[16]
a bus bar assembly including a bus bar configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries, and a bus bar housing mounted with the bus bar and coupled to a side portion of the tray;
[17]
an upper plate coupled to the bus bar housing and configured to cover upper portions of the plurality of secondary batteries;
[18]
a front cover coupled to the front end of the support and configured to cover the frontmost of the plurality of secondary batteries; and
[19]
A rear cover coupled to the rear end of the support portion and configured to cover the rearmost of the plurality of secondary batteries may be further included.
[20]
Furthermore, the front end of the cooling member is coupled to the front cover,
[21]
The rear end of the cooling member is coupled to the rear cover,
[22]
The lower end of the cooling member may be coupled to the support portion of the tray.
[23]
In addition, an insertion opening inserted in an inward direction may be formed on a portion of each of the front cover and the rear cover so that a portion of each of the front and rear ends of the cooling member is inserted.
[24]
Furthermore, a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet may be provided at each of the front end and the rear end of the cooling member.
[25]
In addition, a fixing groove extending from the front end to the rear end of the main body may be provided at a lower portion of the cooling member.
[26]
Furthermore, the support portion of the tray may be provided with a guide protrusion extending in the front-rear direction and protruding upward to be partially inserted into the fixing groove of the cooling member.
[27]
In addition, the insertion opening formed in each of the front cover and the rear cover may be provided with a coupling portion having a protruding structure to be inserted into the fixing groove.
[28]
Further, a refrigerant inlet may be provided at an upper center of the cooling member, and a refrigerant outlet may be provided at each of the front and rear ends of the cooling member.
[29]
In addition, a cooling passage configured to move the refrigerant injected into the refrigerant inlet in the front-rear direction may be provided inside the cooling member.
[30]
Furthermore, beading portions protruding in the left and right directions may be provided on both outer sides of the cooling member in the left and right directions.
[31]
Furthermore, the battery pack according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes at least one or more of the battery modules.
[32]
In addition, the power storage device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a battery pack.
Effects of the Invention
[33]
According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the gas discharge portion is located on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the body portion of the cooling member and is formed with a gas discharge passage elongated from the front end to the rear end of the body portion, in a plurality of secondary batteries. Since the exhausted gas can be rapidly discharged in the front-rear direction, a secondary explosion can be prevented, and the safety of the battery module can be further improved.
[34]
In addition, according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling member is coupled to the front cover and the rear cover, so that the cooling member can be stably fixed. In addition, the cooling member can serve as a central main axis connecting the front cover and the rear cover, thereby absorbing or defending an external shock through their combined structure, thereby increasing the mechanical rigidity of the battery module, Stability can be further improved.
[35]
And, according to another aspect of the present invention, the fixing groove of the cooling member is coupled to the guide protrusion of the tray, so that it can be seated and fixed to the support part of the tray, thereby facilitating the installation of the battery module. Furthermore, the cooling member may serve as a main axis against external impacts in the vertical direction through the coupling structure with the tray, thereby further enhancing the mechanical rigidity of the battery module.
[36]
Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the cooling member includes a coolant inlet in the center of the upper portion, and coolant outlets at each of the front and rear ends of the cooling member, thereby balancing the heat of a plurality of secondary batteries in two rows may be more effective in keeping
Brief description of the drawing
[37]
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 to
[38]
1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[39]
2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which components of a battery module are separated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[40]
3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[41]
4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a cooling member and a bus bar assembly that are part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[42]
5 is a front view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[43]
6 is a front view schematically showing only some components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[44]
7 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[45]
8 is a perspective view schematically showing a tray that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[46]
9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[47]
10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Modes for carrying out the invention
[48]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and the inventor should properly understand the concept of the term in order to best describe his invention. Based on the principle that it can be defined, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention.
[49]
Therefore, the configuration shown in the embodiments and drawings described in the present specification is only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention, so at the time of the present application, various It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.
[50]
1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a state in which components of a battery module are separated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[51]
1 and 2 , the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries 100 and a cooling member 220 .
[52]
Here, the secondary battery 100 may include a battery case 110 and an electrode assembly (not shown) that is accommodated and sealed together with an electrolyte (not shown) inside the battery case 110 .
[53]
Specifically, the battery case 110 may be made into a rectangular parallelepiped shape through a sheet metal and press working of a metal plate such as stainless steel. That is, the secondary battery 100 according to the present embodiment is a can-type battery, and may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. In particular, the secondary battery may be a rectangular battery in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped in which the length in the front-rear direction (stacking direction, the Y-direction) is smaller than the length in the left-right direction in plan view.
[54]
In addition, the battery case 110 has an open top and a rectangular case body 113 made of a metal material, and is coupled to the open top of the case body 113 and includes a positive terminal 111 and a negative terminal 112 . ) may be provided with an upper cap 115 provided with an electrode terminal composed of.
[55]
Furthermore, the battery case 110 may have a total of six surfaces, a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface, and a right surface. In this case, the positive terminal 111 and the negative terminal 112 may protrude upwardly from the upper cap 115 on the upper surface of the battery case 110 . However, as shown in FIG. 2 , although the electrode terminal is shown to be located on the upper surface of the battery case 110 , the position where the electrode terminal is formed is not limited to the upper surface of the battery case 110 , and the battery case 110 . ) may be formed one on each of the upper and lower surfaces, or one on the upper surface and the left or right side of the battery case 110 .
[56]
For example, in order to manufacture the secondary battery 100 , an electrode assembly (not shown) is first inserted into the case body 113 , and the upper cap 115 is opened by the case body 113 . After being seated on the finished top, the adhesive surface portion thereof can be sealed by laser welding. Thereafter, an electrolyte may be injected into the battery case 110 .
[57]
Here, the electrode assembly may be in the form of a so-called jelly roll wound with a separator interposed between a negative electrode plate and a positive electrode plate in which an electrode active material is applied to a sheet-like current collector made of a conductive metal or conductive resin. In this case, electrode tabs may be protruded from each end of the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate. For example, each of the two electrode tabs having different polarities may be electrically connected to the two electrode terminals by welding or soldering.
[58]
In addition, although the electrode assembly is shown in the form of a jelly roll, it is not necessarily limited to this form. For example, the electrode assembly is a stack type in which a plurality of negative electrode plates, a plurality of positive electrode plates, and a separator interposed therebetween are stacked. can
[59]
Furthermore, the secondary battery 100 may be provided with a gas venting part V1 for discharging the gas generated therein to the outside at a predetermined pressure. For example, the gas venting part V1 may be provided on a part of the upper cap 115 . For example, the gas venting part V1 may be formed in a central portion of the upper cap 115 . The gas venting part V1 may have a structure in which a portion of the upper cap 115 is formed to have a thin thickness.
[60]
For example, the thickness of the gas venting part V1 may be 0.1 mm. The gas venting part V1 may include a notch formed on a part of the upper cap 115 . Accordingly, in the secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when excessive gas is generated inside the battery case during charging and discharging, the gas venting part V1 is opened to the outside by internal pressure to the outside. gas can be released.
[61]
Meanwhile, referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plurality of secondary batteries 100 may be arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction (Y direction). The plurality of secondary batteries 100 may be arranged so that two rows are spaced apart by a predetermined distance.
[62]
Specifically, among the plurality of secondary batteries 100 arranged in one row, one secondary battery 100 is arranged such that the positive terminal 111 is located on the right side and the negative terminal 112 is relatively located on the left side at the top. can be The other secondary battery positioned adjacent to the one secondary battery may be disposed such that the negative terminal 112 is located on the right side and the positive electrode terminal 111 is relatively located on the left side at the top. In this way, the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in one row may be alternately stacked.
[63]
For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the battery module 200 of the present invention may include 22 secondary batteries 100 arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction (Y direction). 11 secondary batteries 100 may be provided in each row. The eleven secondary batteries 100 may be alternately stacked so that any one secondary battery has a position different from that of another secondary battery 100 adjacent thereto.
[64]
3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a plan view schematically illustrating a cooling member and a bus bar assembly that are part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a front view schematically showing a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 6 is a front view schematically showing only some components of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[65]
Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6 together with FIG. 2 , the cooling member 220 of the present invention may largely include a body part 221 and a gas discharge part 225 . Specifically, the main body 221 may be inserted into a space spaced apart between the two rows of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . That is, the body portion 221 of the cooling member 220 may be positioned to be interposed between two rows of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, the cooling member 220 may be a heat sink having a cooling inlet 222 , a cooling outlet 223 , and a cooling passage 228 provided therein.
[66]
In addition, the main body 221 may have a relatively narrow width in the left and right directions, and may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the front-rear direction (Y direction) and the vertical direction (Z direction). The main body 221 may have a size corresponding to the side portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the left and right direction (X direction). For example, the main body 221 may have a size equal to or slightly smaller than the height of the left or right sides of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the vertical direction. The length of the body part 221 in the front-rear direction (Y direction) may be equal to or greater than the total length of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction (Y direction).
[67]
Furthermore, the left and right side surfaces 221a and 221b of the main body 221 of the cooling member 220 may be in contact with the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the body part 221 of the cooling member 220 may be positioned between 22 secondary batteries 100 arranged in two rows. The left side of the main body 221 may be in contact with the right side of the eleven secondary batteries 100 arranged on the left side. The right side of the main body 221 may be in contact with the left side of the eleven secondary batteries 100 arranged on the right side.
[68]
Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the cooling member 220 is interposed between the two rows of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 and has a body having a size corresponding to the left and right side portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . By providing the part 221 , it is possible to simultaneously cool the plurality of secondary batteries 100 arranged in two rows with one cooling member 220 , thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery module. In addition, the cooling member 220 of the present invention can be uniformly cooled so that thermal bias does not occur in either one of the two rows of a plurality of arch batteries, so that the heat balance of the battery module 200 can be appropriately adjusted. , can be effectively cooled.
[69]
In addition, the gas discharge part 225 may be located in at least one of the upper part 221e and the lower part 221f of the main body part 221 . A gas discharge passage 225P extending from the front end 221c to the rear end 221d of the main body 221 may be formed in the gas discharge unit 225 . For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the gas discharge part 225 may be located on the upper part of the body part 221 , and the gas discharge passage 225P is the upper part 221e of the cooling member 220 . It may have a groove shape extending long from the front end portion 221c to the rear end portion 221d of the inner groove.
[70]
That is, the gas discharge unit 225 may move the gas discharged from the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to the front or rear of the battery module 200 through the gas discharge passage 225P to discharge the gas to the outside. .
[71]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the cooling member 220 is located in at least one of the upper portion 221e and the lower portion 221f of the main body portion 221 and the front end portion 221c of the main body portion 221 . ) to the rear end 221d, the gas discharge portion 225 having the gas discharge passage 225P formed therein can rapidly discharge the gas discharged from the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the front-rear direction, so that the secondary It is possible to prevent explosion and the like, and thus the safety of the battery module 200 can be further improved.
[72]
Referring back to FIG. 2 , the battery module 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a tray 230 , a top plate 240 , a bus bar assembly 270 , a front cover 250 , and a rear cover 260 . ) may be further included.
[73]
Specifically, the tray 230 may largely include a support portion 231 and a side portion 235 . More specifically, the support part 231 may be configured to mount the plurality of secondary batteries 100 on an upper surface. For example, the support part 231 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the support part 231 is extended in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of secondary batteries 100 can be mounted on the upper surface of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in two rows. It may have a size corresponding to the size in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. For example, the tray 230 may be made of an insulating material, steel, or stainless steel.
[74]
In addition, the side portion 235 may be configured to cover the left and right side portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, the side part 235 may be bent and extended upwardly from the left and right ends of the support part 231 . That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the tray 230 may have two side portions 235 bent and extended upward from both ends of the support portion 231 in the left and right directions.
[75]
Further, the side portion 235 may be provided with a beading portion B2 raised in the left and right direction (inward direction in which the secondary battery is located) on a portion of the side portion 235 . A plurality of beading portions B2 may be formed at positions corresponding to the left or right portions of each of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , ten beading portions B2 protruding in the inward direction may be formed in one side portion 235 .
[76]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the tray 230 has a structure capable of stably protecting the plurality of secondary batteries 100 from external shock, and thus the battery module 200 is safe against external shock. can increase
[77]
Referring back to FIG. 4 together with FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bus bar assembly 270 may include a bus bar 272 , a terminal bus bar 273 , and a bus bar housing 276 .
[78]
Specifically, the bus bar 272 may include a conductive metal, for example, copper, aluminum, nickel, or the like. The bus bar 272 may be configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries 100 to each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the bus bar 272 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction. The bus bar 272 may contact and connect the negative terminal 112 of one secondary battery 100 and the positive terminal 111 of the other secondary battery 100 .
[79]
In addition, the terminal bus bar 273 may be provided at the end of the electrical connection structure of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . That is, the terminal bus bar 273 may be electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the secondary batteries 100 located at the ends of the electrical connection structures of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . The terminal bus bar 273 may be formed of, for example, copper, an aluminum alloy, or a nickel alloy.
[80]
Moreover, the bus bar housing 276 may be configured to mount a plurality of the bus bars 272 . A plurality of openings E1 open to communicate with each of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 may be formed in the bus bar housing 276 . Accordingly, the bus bar 272 may contact the electrode terminals of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 through the opening E1 of the bus bar housing 276 . The busbar housing 276 may be made of an electrically insulating material, for example, the busbar housing 276 may be made of a plastic material. More specifically, the plastic material may be polyvinyl chloride.
[81]
In addition, the bus bar housing 276 may have an opening E2 partially opened to communicate with the gas discharge passage 225P of the gas discharge portion 225 of the cooling member 220 . The gas introduced through the opening E1 of the bus bar housing 276 moves through the opening E2, and the moved gas is collected by the gas outlet 225 of the cooling member 220 in the front-rear direction. may be moved and discharged to the outside.
[82]
In addition, the bus bar housing 276 may be configured to be coupled to the side portion 235 of the tray 230 . The bus bar housing 276 may be configured to be coupled to the upper plate 240 . The bus bar housing 276 may be male and female coupled to the side portion of the tray 230 and the top plate 240 . For example, the male and female coupling may have a coupling structure of the hook H2b and the engaging groove H1b.
[83]
The bus bar housing 276 may include a front side wall 276a, a rear side wall 276b, a left side wall 276c, and a right side wall 276d at the front, rear, left, and right sides, respectively. A plurality of locking grooves H1a and H1b may be provided in each of the front side wall 276a, the rear side wall 276b, the left side wall 276c, and the right side wall 276d of the bus bar housing 276 . A hook H2a coupled to the engaging groove H1a may be provided at an upper end of the side portion 235 of the tray 230 .
[84]
Again, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top plate 240 may be configured to cover upper portions of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, the upper plate 240 may be positioned on the bus bar housing 276 . The upper plate 240 may have a plate shape extending to a size corresponding to the total size of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the front-rear and left-right directions. The upper plate 240 may have a structure in which both ends in the left and right directions and both ends in the front and rear directions are bent downward. That is, the top plate 240 may have a box shape with an open bottom. The upper plate 240 may be provided with a hook H2b coupled to the engaging groove H1b of the bus bar housing 276 .
[85]
Furthermore, the front cover 250 may be configured to cover the frontmost of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, the front cover 250 may have a plate shape having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the frontmost surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the second row. The plate shape may be erected in a vertical direction.
[86]
In addition, the front cover 250 may have a structure in which the outer periphery of the plate shape is bent forward. That is, as shown in FIG. 2 , the front cover 250 may have a plate shape facing the plurality of secondary batteries 100 , and an outer periphery of the plate shape may have a side wall that is bent forward. have.
[87]
Further, a portion of the outer periphery (side wall) of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the tray 230 . For example, a portion of the lower wall 250b of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the front end of the support portion 231 of the tray 230 . Further, a portion of the left wall 250c and the right wall 250d of the front cover 250 may be coupled to the side portion 235 of the tray 230 . Here, as the coupling method, bolt coupling may be applied.
[88]
In addition, the rear cover 260 may be configured to cover the rearmost of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . For example, the rear cover 260 may have a plate shape having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the rearmost surfaces of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in the second row. In addition, the rear cover 260 may have a structure in which the outer periphery of the plate shape is bent backward. That is, the rear cover 250 may have a plate shape facing the plurality of secondary batteries 100 , and a sidewall having an outer periphery of the plate shape extending rearwardly bent.
[89]
In addition, a portion of the outer periphery (sidewall) of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the tray 230 . For example, a portion of the lower wall (not shown) of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the rear end of the support portion 231 of the tray 230 . Further, a portion of the left and right sidewalls (not shown) of the rear cover 260 may be coupled to the side portion 235 of the tray 230 . Here, as the coupling method, bolt coupling may be applied.
[90]
Referring back to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 , the front end 221c of the cooling member 220 may be coupled to the front cover 250 . For example, the front end 221c of the cooling member 220 may be coupled to a portion of the front cover 250 through welding. In addition, the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220 may be coupled to the rear cover 260 . For example, the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220 may be coupled to a portion of the rear cover 260 through welding.
[91]
Accordingly, according to this configuration of the present invention, the cooling member 220 is coupled to the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260, so that the cooling member 220 can be stably fixed. In addition, the cooling member 220 may serve as a central main axis connecting the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260, so that external shocks can be absorbed or defended through their combined structure. As a result, mechanical rigidity of the battery module 200 may be increased, and stability may be further increased.
[92]
Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 5 , insertion openings N1 and N2 may be formed on a portion of each of the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260 . Specifically, each of the insertion openings N1 and N2 may be configured such that a portion of each of the front end 221c and the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220 is inserted. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the insertion opening N1 may have a structure inserted in an inward direction (center) from the outer periphery of the front cover 250 . The insertion opening N2 may have a structure inserted in a downward direction from an upper side of the rear cover 250 . A lower portion of each of the front end 221c and the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220 may be inserted into each of the insertion openings N1 .
[93]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the cooling member 220 is configured to be inserted into the insertion openings N1 and N2 formed in each of the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260, so that the cooling It facilitates the fixing of the member 220 and facilitates the coupling process with the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260 .
[94]
Furthermore, the cooling member 220 has a front end 221c and a rear end 221d, respectively, front and rear through insertion openings N1 and N2 provided in the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260, respectively. It can be inserted protruding outward in the direction. That is, the cooling member 220 is configured to expose each of the front end 221c and the rear end 221d to the outside, so that it is easy to secure a refrigerant movement path for injecting or discharging the refrigerant to the cooling member 220 . do.
[95]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a refrigerant inlet 222 and a refrigerant outlet 223 may be provided at each of the front end 221c and the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220 . A cooled refrigerant (not shown) is injected into the refrigerant inlet 222 , and the refrigerant (not shown) is circulated along the refrigerant passage 228 provided in the cooling member 220 , and then heated The refrigerant may discharge the refrigerant outlet 223 to the outside.
[96]
In addition, an insertion groove 276h configured to be partially inserted into the front end 221c of the cooling member 220 may be provided in the bus bar housing 276 . The insertion groove 276h may be formed in each of the front wall 276a and the rear wall 276b of the bus bar housing 276 . The insertion groove 276h may be indented upward from the lower end surfaces of each of the front and rear walls 276a and 276b. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the front end 221c of the cooling member 220 may be inserted and fixed into the insertion groove 276h of the front side wall 276a of the bus bar housing 276 .
[97]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the front end or the rear end of the cooling member 220 is inserted and fixed into the insertion groove 276h of the bus bar housing 276, so that the bus bar housing 276 can be firmly coupled. As a result, durability of the battery module can be effectively increased. In addition, according to the present invention, due to the structure in which the front end or the rear end of the cooling member 220 is exposed to the outside, it is easy to secure a space for injecting or discharging the refrigerant into the cooling member 220 .
[98]
7 is a bottom view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present invention. And, FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a tray that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[99]
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 together with FIG. 3 , the lower portion 221f of the cooling member 220 may be provided with a fixing groove G1 configured to be coupled to the support portion 231 of the tray 230 . . The fixing groove G1 may have a shape extending from the front end 221c to the rear end 221d of the main body 221 .
[100]
Furthermore, the support portion 231 of the tray 230 may be provided with a guide protrusion P1 for being coupled to the fixing groove G1 of the cooling member 220 . The guide protrusion P1 extends long in the front-rear direction (Y direction) to the support portion 231 of the tray 230 and is partially inserted into the fixing groove G1 of the cooling member 220 in the upper direction. It may be in a protruding form. That is, the guide protrusion P1 is fitted into the fixing groove G1 and may be coupled in a sliding manner.
[101]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a guide protrusion P1 elongated in the front-rear direction (Y direction) may be formed in the center of the upper surface of the support part 231 of the tray 230 . The lower portion 221f of the cooling member 220 may be provided with a fixing groove G1 that is inserted in the inner direction and extends long in the front-rear direction. The guide protrusion P1 may be coupled to the fixing groove G1.
[102]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the fixing groove (G1) of the cooling member 220 is coupled to the guide projection (P1) of the tray 230, thereby to the support portion 231 of the tray 230. Since it can be fixed and seated, it is possible to facilitate installation of the battery module 200 . Furthermore, the cooling member 220 may serve as a main axis against external impact in the vertical direction through the coupling structure with the tray 230 , thereby further increasing the mechanical rigidity of the battery module 200 .
[103]
On the other hand, referring back to FIGS. 1 and 5 , the insertion openings N1 and N2 formed in each of the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260 have a coupling part configured to be inserted into the fixing groove G1 ( 252) may be provided. The coupling part 252 may have a structure protruding upwardly from the inside of the insertion opening N1 .
[104]
For example, the coupling part 252 may have a shape that protrudes to a size corresponding to a shape in which the fixing groove G1 of the cooling member 220 is inserted. That is, as shown in FIG. 5 , the inner lower portion of the insertion opening N1 provided in the front cover 250 protrudes upwardly configured to be inserted into the fixing groove G1 of the cooling member 220 . A coupling portion 252 of the may be provided.
[105]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, in the coupled structure between the fixing groove G1 of the cooling member 220 and the coupling portion 252 provided in each of the front cover 250 and the rear cover 260 . Accordingly, it is possible to easily manufacture the battery module 200 and further increase the stability of the battery module 200 against external impact.
[106]
9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[107]
Referring to FIG. 9 , in the cooling member 220B according to another embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerant injection hole 222A may be provided at the center of the upper portion 221e. In addition, refrigerant outlets 223A and 223B may be provided at each of the front end 221c and the rear end 221d of the cooling member 220B. Furthermore, a cooling passage (not shown) configured to move (M) the refrigerant injected into the refrigerant injection hole 222 in the front-rear direction (Y direction) may be provided in the cooling member 220B.
[108]
That is, the central portion of the battery module 200 tends to generate a heat island phenomenon, and thus the temperature may always be higher than that of the outer portion of the battery module 200 . Accordingly, in order to effectively control the heat balance of the battery module 200, it may be more appropriate to inject the refrigerant of the lowest temperature into a region (central region) close to the central region of the battery module 200 of the cooling member 220B. have.
[109]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, the cooling member 220B according to another embodiment of the present invention has a refrigerant inlet 222A in the center of the upper portion 221e, and the front end of the cooling member 220B. By providing the coolant outlets 223A and 223B at each of the portion 221c and the rear end 221d, the heat balance of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 in two rows is better compared to the cooling member 220 of FIG. 3 . may be more effective in maintaining
[110]
10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cooling member that is a part of a battery module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[111]
Referring back to FIG. 10 together with FIG. 2 , the beading portions B1 protruding in the left and right directions may be provided on both sides 221a and 221b in the left and right directions of the cooling member 220C according to another exemplary embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , a plurality of beading portions B1 protruding in the left direction may be provided on the left portion 221a of the cooling member 220C. In addition, a plurality of beading portions B1 protruding in the right direction may be provided on the right side portion 221b of the cooling member 220C.
[112]
Therefore, according to this configuration of the present invention, an external shock applied in the left and right direction of the battery module 200 through the beading portion B1 of the cooling member 220C interposed between the second rows of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 . can be easily absorbed. Accordingly, the mechanical rigidity of the battery module 200 can be greatly increased.
[113]
Meanwhile, a battery pack (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one or more of the battery modules 200 . In addition, the battery pack may further include various devices (not shown) for controlling the charging and discharging of the plurality of secondary batteries 100 , for example, a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, and the like.
[114]
Meanwhile, the power storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the battery pack. The power storage device may further include a control unit having a switch capable of on/off control of the operation of the battery pack.
[115]
Meanwhile, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used, but these terms are for convenience of explanation only, and may vary depending on the position of the object or the position of the observer. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can.
[116]
[117]
As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the following by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalents of the claims to be described.
[118]
[Explanation of code]
[119]
200: battery module
[120]
100: secondary battery 220: cooling member
[121]
221: body part 225: gas discharge part
[122]
230: tray 231, 235: support portion, side portion
[123]
240: top plate 270: bus bar assembly
[124]
250: front cover
[125]
260: rear cover N1: insertion opening
[126]
221, 221A: Refrigerant inlet 223, 223A, 223B: Refrigerant outlet
[127]
G1: Fixing groove P1: Guide projection
[128]
252: coupling portion 228: cooling flow path
[129]
B1: beading part
Industrial Applicability
[130]
The present invention relates to a battery module including an inner cover. Also, the present invention can be applied to an industry related to a battery pack including at least one battery module and a power storage device including the battery pack.
Claims
[Claim 1]
a plurality of secondary batteries each having a gas venting unit for discharging the gas generated therein to the outside at a predetermined pressure and arranged in two rows in a front-rear direction; and a body portion interposed between two rows of the plurality of secondary batteries and having a size corresponding to the left and right sides of the plurality of secondary batteries, and at least one of an upper and a lower portion of the main body, and at the front end of the main body A battery module comprising a cooling member provided with a gas discharge portion having a gas discharge passage extending long to the rear end thereof.
[Claim 2]
According to claim 1, wherein the support portion having a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction to mount the plurality of secondary batteries on the upper surface, and from the left and right ends of the support portion to cover the left and right sides of the plurality of secondary batteries. a tray having a side portion extending upwardly; a bus bar assembly including a bus bar configured to electrically connect the plurality of secondary batteries, and a bus bar housing mounted with the bus bar and coupled to a side portion of the tray; an upper plate coupled to the bus bar housing and configured to cover upper portions of the plurality of secondary batteries; a front cover coupled to the front end of the support and configured to cover the frontmost of the plurality of secondary batteries; and a rear cover coupled to the rear end of the support and configured to cover the rearmost of the plurality of secondary batteries.
[Claim 3]
According to claim 2, wherein the front end of the cooling member is coupled to the front cover, the rear end of the cooling member is coupled to the rear cover, characterized in that the lower end of the cooling member is coupled to the support portion of the tray. battery module.
[Claim 4]
The battery module according to claim 3, wherein an insertion opening inserted in an inward direction is formed on a portion of each of the front cover and the rear cover so that a portion of each of the front and rear ends of the cooling member is inserted.
[Claim 5]
The battery module according to claim 4, wherein a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet are provided at each of the front end and the rear end of the cooling member.
[Claim 6]
According to claim 3, wherein the lower portion of the cooling member is provided with a fixing groove elongated from the front end to the rear end of the body portion, the support portion of the tray is extended in the front-rear direction and a part of the fixing groove of the cooling member. A battery module, characterized in that a guide protrusion protruding upward so that the stomach is inserted is provided, and a coupling portion having a structure protruding to be inserted into the fixing groove is provided in an insertion opening formed in each of the front cover and the rear cover.
[Claim 7]
The cooling member according to claim 1, wherein a refrigerant inlet is provided at the upper center of the cooling member, a refrigerant outlet is provided at each of the front and rear ends of the cooling member, and the refrigerant injected through the refrigerant inlet is provided inside the cooling member A battery module, characterized in that it is provided with a cooling passage configured to move in the front-rear direction.
[Claim 8]
The battery module according to claim 1, wherein beading portions protruding in the left and right directions are provided on both outer sides of the cooling member in the left and right directions.
[Claim 9]
A battery pack comprising at least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
[Claim 10]
10. Power storage device comprising the battery pack according to claim 9.