Title of Invention: Energy storage system having a structure capable of dispersing heat to adjacent battery modules
Technical field
[One]
The present invention relates to an energy storage system having a structure capable of dissipating heat to adjacent battery modules. The present invention is, more specifically, in the case of occurrence of abnormal heat symptoms in some of the plurality of battery modules accommodated in the battery rack for accommodating and supporting the battery module, all battery modules using the battery rack as a medium. It relates to an energy storage system having a structure capable of preventing heat from being intensively transferred to adjacent battery modules by allowing heat to be transferred evenly to fields.
[2]
This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0001421 filed on January 4, 2019, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated herein by reference.
Background
[3]
Existing energy storage systems have built a cooling system in consideration of a heating value and a safety reference temperature according to the use environment of the energy storage system from the viewpoint of preventing the lifespan from being rapidly shortened due to an increase in temperature during long-term use.
[4]
However, in an energy storage system including a plurality of battery modules, despite the presence of such a cooling system, some battery modules may generate abnormal heat generation. In such a case that some battery modules cause abnormal heat generation, when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, thermal runaway may occur, and a safety issue may occur.
[5]
Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional energy storage system 1 is shown. In the case of such a conventional energy storage system 1, for example, when abnormal heat generation occurs in the battery module 2 located in the center, most of the heat has to be concentrated to the battery module 3 adjacent thereto. I have.
[6]
In the structure of the conventional energy storage system 1, when a thermal runaway phenomenon occurs in some battery modules, a large amount of heat propagates to adjacent battery modules within a short period of time, causing a chain thermal runaway phenomenon. Great damage such as ignition and/or explosion may occur. In particular, when a flame due to ignition generated in the battery module is discharged to the outside, it may cause great personal injury and property damage.
[7]
Therefore, even if a problem such as a thermal runaway phenomenon due to abnormal heat generation of some battery modules occurs, there is a need to develop an energy storage system having a structure capable of preventing heat from being concentrated in the battery module adjacent to the battery module in which the problem occurred. Actually.
Detailed description of the invention
Technical challenge
[8]
The present invention is invented in consideration of the above-described problems, and even if a problem such as a thermal runaway phenomenon due to abnormal heat generation of some battery modules occurs, it is possible to prevent heat from being concentrated in the battery module adjacent to the battery module in which the problem occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy storage system having a structure that is in place.
[9]
However, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-described problem, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.
Means of solving the task
[10]
An energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a pair of rack frames spaced apart from each other and disposed side by side; A plurality of L brackets fastened to the rack frame; A plurality of battery modules mounted on a pair of L brackets facing each other and forming a plurality of layers along the length direction of the rack frame; A first heat transfer member interposed between the battery module and the L bracket; And a second heat transfer member interposed between the rack frame and the L bracket. Includes.
[11]
The first heat transfer member may be a heat pipe or a heat transfer sheet.
[12]
The heat transfer sheet may be a graphite sheet.
[13]
The second heat transfer member may be a thermal interface material (TIM).
[14]
The lower surface and the side surface of the battery module may be in close contact with the L bracket.
[15]
The entire side surface of the battery module may be in close contact with the L bracket.
[16]
The rack frame may include a receiving groove for accommodating the second heat transfer member and the L bracket.
[17]
A surface of a portion of the L bracket inserted into the receiving groove and a surface of the rack frame may form the same plane.
[18]
The first heat transfer member may be interposed both between the L bracket and the battery module and between the rack frame and the battery module.
[19]
Battery modules disposed on adjacent layers may be spaced apart from each other, both directly and indirectly.
[20]
Among a pair of adjacent battery modules, the battery module located at the lower part may be in close contact with the L bracket supporting the battery module located at the upper part.
[21]
A heat blocking member may be interposed between the pair of battery modules.
Effects of the Invention
[22]
According to an aspect of the present invention, even if a problem such as a thermal runaway phenomenon due to abnormal heat generation of some battery modules occurs in an energy storage system including a plurality of battery modules, heat is generated in the battery module adjacent to the battery module in which the problem occurs. You can avoid it from being concentrated.
Brief description of the drawing
[23]
The following drawings appended to the present specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention, which will be described later. It is limited to and should not be interpreted.
[24]
1 is a diagram showing a conventional energy storage system.
[25]
2 is a diagram showing an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[26]
3 to 6 are partially enlarged views of the energy storage system shown in FIG. 2.
[27]
7 is a diagram showing an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[28]
8 is a partially enlarged view of the energy storage system shown in FIG. 7.
Mode for carrying out the invention
[29]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and the inventors appropriately explain the concept of terms in order to explain their own invention in the best way. Based on the principle that it can be defined, it should be interpreted as a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not represent all the technical spirit of the present invention. It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.
[30]
[31]
2 and 3, the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery modules 10, a battery rack 20, a first heat transfer member 30, and a second heat transfer member 40. ) Can be implemented in a form including.
[32]
Although not shown in the drawings, the battery module 10 may be implemented in a form including a plurality of battery cells and a module case accommodating them. As a battery cell constituting the battery module 10, a pouch type battery cell may be applied, for example. However, this does not limit the type of battery cell applied to the present invention, and various types of battery cells such as prismatic cells and cylindrical cells can be applied without limitation, as long as they correspond to rechargeable secondary batteries.
[33]
In addition, a plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module 10 may be electrically connected to each other in series, parallel, or a mixture of series and parallel. The battery module 10 may be provided in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape to facilitate stacking in the battery rack 20 and to maximize energy density during stacking. That is, the module case constituting the battery module 10 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be made of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum for easy heat transfer as will be described later.
[34]
[35]
The battery rack 20 accommodates a plurality of battery modules 10 in a space formed therein, and may be implemented in a form including a pair of rack frames 21 and L brackets 22.
[36]
The pair of rack frames 21 are spaced apart from each other at a wider interval than the width of the battery module 10 and are arranged side by side. As will be described later, the rack frame 21 is a battery module that serves as a starting point for heat generation and/or ignition in order to prevent a phenomenon in which the thermal runaway phenomenon generated from some battery modules 10 rapidly expands to adjacent battery modules ( 10) must be able to transfer well along the length direction of the rack frame (21).
[37]
In consideration of the function of the rack frame 21, the rack frame 21 may be made of a metal material, for example, aluminum or steel, which has excellent conductivity and has a certain level of rigidity.
[38]
The L bracket 22 is a bracket having an approximately L-shape. The L brackets are fastened on opposite surfaces of the pair of rack frames 21 by bolting or the like, and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance along the length direction of the rack frame 21 and are provided in plural. In this case, the distance between the pair of L brackets 22 adjacent to each other up and down is determined in consideration of the height of the battery module 10 (in reference to FIG. 2, the length in the up and down direction).
[39]
Specifically, the distance between the pair of L brackets 22 that are adjacent to each other above and below each other is, a pair of battery modules 10 that are adjacent to each other are not in contact with each other and are located at the bottom of the pair of battery modules 10 that are adjacent to each other. It is determined so that the battery module 10 does not come into contact with the L bracket 22 supporting the battery module 10 located thereon. That is, the battery modules 10 disposed on adjacent layers are kept spaced apart from each other, both directly and indirectly. This is to prevent heat from being well transferred between the battery modules 10 adjacent to each other when heat and/or ignition occurs in some battery modules 10.
[40]
The L bracket 22, like the rack frame 21, is also included in the path through which heat is transferred in the process of dissipating heat generated from some battery modules 10, so the same or similar to the rack frame 21 for efficiency of heat transfer. It can be made of a material.
[41]
A pair of L brackets 22 fastened to each of the pair of rack frames 21 and positioned at the same height supports one battery module 10. Accordingly, the battery modules 10 are placed on the L brackets 22 forming different layers to form a plurality of battery module layers along the length direction of the rack frame 21.
[42]
2 shows only the case where the L bracket 22 and the battery module 10 form three layers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the L bracket 22 and the battery module 10 may be provided with more than that shown in FIG. 2 to form four or more layers. As more layers are formed in the space formed between the pair of rack frames 21, abnormal heat generated in some battery modules 10 is better distributed to a plurality of battery modules 10 located in several layers. I can make it.
[43]
Referring to FIG. 3 along with FIG. 2, the first heat transfer member 30 is interposed between the battery module 10 and the L bracket 22 to absorb heat generated from the battery module 10 well and thus the L bracket Make sure to communicate well to (22). In consideration of the function of the first heat transfer member 30, a heat pipe or a heat transfer sheet may be applied as the first heat transfer member 30. In addition, as the heat transfer sheet, a sheet including a material having excellent thermal conductivity may be variously applied, and for example, a graphite sheet may be applied.
[44]
The second heat transfer member 40 is interposed between the rack frame 21 and the L bracket 22, is generated in some battery modules 10, and is transmitted through the first heat transfer member 30 and the L bracket 22 It absorbs the heat well so that it can be well transferred to the rack frame (21). In consideration of the function of the second heat transfer member 40, a thermal interface material (TIM) may be applied as the second heat transfer member 40. In addition, as the TIM, various materials including a material having excellent thermal conductivity may be applied, for example, thermal grease may be applied.
[45]
The first heat transfer member 30 and the second heat transfer member 40 not only have high thermal conductivity, but also have a contact area between objects made of metal, that is, a contact between the surface of the battery module 10 and the L bracket 22 It can function to maximize the area and the contact area between the L bracket 22 and the rack frame 21.
[46]
[47]
Referring to FIG. 4, unlike FIG. 3, not only the bottom surface but also the side surface of the battery module 10 may be in contact with the first heat transfer member 30. That is, when the structure as shown in FIG. 3, that is, when the side surface of the battery module 10 is spaced apart from the first heat transfer member 30 by a certain distance, loss may be incurred in terms of efficiency of heat conduction and energy density. have.
[48]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the width of the battery module 10 is expanded so that the side surface of the battery module 10 is in contact with the first heat transfer member 30, the first heat transfer member 30 and the battery The total contact area between the modules 10 may be further widened to be more advantageous in terms of efficiency of heat conduction, and also in terms of energy density by further increasing the volume of the battery module 10 within a predetermined space.
[49]
5, the L bracket 22 may be extended to cover the entire side of the battery module 10, and accordingly, the first heat transfer member 30 and the second heat transfer member 40 are also corresponding thereto. It can be extended further upwards in length.
[50]
In this way, when the L bracket 22, the first heat transfer member 30, and the second heat transfer member 40 have an extended length to cover the entire side of the battery module 10, the battery module 10 Stable support is possible, as well as maximization of heat transfer efficiency according to an increase in the contact area.
[51]
Referring to FIG. 6, the rack frame 21 includes a receiving groove for accommodating the second heat transfer member 40 and the L bracket 22. The L bracket 22 and the second heat transfer member 40 are accommodated in the receiving groove, whereby the surface of the portion of the L bracket 22 inserted into the receiving groove and the surface of the rack frame 21 form the same plane. .
[52]
In addition, the first heat transfer member 30 has an extended length to cover both the surface of the rack frame 21 and the surface of the L bracket 22 forming the same plane. That is, the first heat transfer member 30 is interposed both between the L bracket 22 and the side surface of the battery module 10 and between the rack frame 21 and the side surface of the battery module 10.
[53]
When a part of the L bracket 22 and a part of the second heat transfer member 40 are accommodated in the receiving groove formed in the rack frame 21, the heat generated from the battery module 10 is slightly transferred It can be delivered more efficiently.
[54]
As described above, in the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention, when heat and/or ignition occurs in some of the battery modules 10 formed in a plurality of layers and disposed in the battery rack 20 Thus, rather than directly transferring heat to the adjacent battery modules 10, the heat absorbed through the rack frame 21 can be evenly distributed to the battery modules 10 arranged in several layers. That is, in the energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention, heat can be rapidly dissipated along the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2 due to the application of the L bracket 22 and the heat transfer members 30 and 40 of a conductive material. In this way, it is possible to prevent a thermal runaway phenomenon from rapidly spreading to a module adjacent to the battery module 10 that generated heat and/or ignition.
[55]
[56]
Next, an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[57]
In the energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention, compared to the energy storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, there is a difference in distance between adjacent battery modules 10, and the heat shield member 50 There is a difference in that is applied additionally, but the other components are substantially the same.
[58]
Accordingly, in describing the energy storage system according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only portions that are different from the previous exemplary embodiment will be described intensively, and a description overlapping with the previous exemplary embodiment will be omitted.
[59]
7 and 8, in the energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery module 10 positioned at a lower portion of a pair of battery modules 10 adjacent to each other vertically is a battery positioned at the top. It has a structure in close contact with the L bracket 22 supporting the module 10. That is, the energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the distance between the battery modules 10 which are arranged vertically and form different layers to improve energy density is minimized.
[60]
In this case, since the distance between the vertically adjacent battery modules 10 becomes very close, direct heat transfer between each other can be achieved quickly. Therefore, in order to prevent such rapid heat transfer, a heat shield member 50 is applied between the battery modules 10 adjacent to each other. As the material of the heat shield member 50, a conventional heat shield member such as a vulcanized fiber sheet can be applied.
[61]
On the other hand, in Figures 7 and 8, only the case where the side surface of the battery module 10 and the first heat transfer member 30 are spaced apart is shown, but also in the energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the previous embodiment Likewise, the structure as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be applied.
[62]
That is, even in the case of the energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention, as in the previous embodiment, the structure in which the side of the battery module 10 is in close contact with the first heat transfer member 30 and/or the battery module 10 A structure in which the entire side of the side is covered by the first heat transfer member 30 and/or a structure in which the second heat transfer member 40 and the L bracket 22 are accommodated in the receiving groove formed in the rack frame 21 may be applied. will be.
[63]
[64]
In the above, although the present invention has been described by 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 equivalent range of the claims.
Claims
[Claim 1]
A pair of rack frames spaced apart from each other and arranged side by side; A plurality of L brackets fastened to the rack frame; A plurality of battery modules mounted on a pair of L brackets facing each other and forming a plurality of layers along the length direction of the rack frame; A first heat transfer member interposed between the battery module and the L bracket; And a second heat transfer member interposed between the rack frame and the L bracket. Energy storage system comprising a.
[Claim 2]
The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first heat transfer member is a heat pipe or a heat transfer sheet.
[Claim 3]
The energy storage system according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer sheet is a graphite sheet.
[Claim 4]
The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the second heat transfer member is a thermal interface material (TIM).
[Claim 5]
The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein a lower surface and a side surface of the battery module are in close contact with the L bracket.
[Claim 6]
The energy storage system of claim 5, wherein the entire side surface of the battery module is in close contact with the L bracket.
[Claim 7]
The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the rack frame includes a receiving groove for accommodating the second heat transfer member and the L bracket.
[Claim 8]
The energy storage system according to claim 7, wherein a surface of a portion of the L bracket inserted into the receiving groove and a surface of the rack frame form the same plane.
[Claim 9]
The energy storage system according to claim 8, wherein the first heat transfer member is interposed both between the L bracket and the battery module and between the rack frame and the battery module.
[Claim 10]
The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the battery modules disposed in adjacent layers are spaced apart from each other, both directly and indirectly.
[Claim 11]
The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the battery module located at the lower part of the pair of battery modules adjacent to each other is in close contact with the L bracket supporting the battery module located at the upper part.
[Claim 12]
The energy storage system of claim 11, wherein a heat shield member is interposed between the pair of battery modules.