Battery module

• US 20090123819A1
• Filed: 07/07/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Tae-Yong
• Application Number:
  US12/217,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20090123819A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0266 with separate evaporating and condensing chambers connected by at least one conduit; Loop-type heat pipes; with multiple or common evaporating or condensing chambers F28D15/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0275 Arrangements for coupling heat-pipes together or with other structures, e.g. with base blocks; Heat pipe cores
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/14 by using form fitting connection, e.g. with tongue and groove
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/022 the means being wires or pins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/625 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/643 Cylindrical cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6555 arranged between the cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6569 Fluids undergoing a liquid-gas phase change or transition, e.g. evaporation or condensation heat pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery module for cooling unit batteries by a thermal conductivity method is disclosed. The battery module includes a plurality of unit batteries, a heat sink provided between the unit batteries, and an evaporator connected to the heat sink.

Claims

1. A battery module comprising:

a plurality of unit batteries;

a heat sink provided between the unit batteries to be close to the unit batteries; and

an evaporator connected to the heat sink.

2. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises:

a first heat sink formed at one side of two connected unit batteries in a length direction of the unit batteries to be disposed within a half of a length of the two unit batteries; and

a second heat sink formed at an opposite side of the first heat sink in the length direction of the unit batteries to be disposed within the other half of the length of the two unit batteries.

3. The battery module of claim 2, wherein the unit battery is formed in a cylindrical shape, and

the heat sink comprises a concave groove formed to be less than ¼

of a circumference of the unit battery to contact the circumference of the unit battery.

4. The battery module of claim 3, wherein the concave groove is formed for every ¼

of a circumference formed to correspond to an outermost part of the heat sink.

5. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is formed of one of aluminum and steel.

6. The battery module of claim 2, wherein the evaporator comprises:

a first evaporator connected to the first heat sink; and

a second evaporator connected to the second heat sink at an opposite side of the first evaporator.

7. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat sink is integrally formed to the evaporator.

8. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the heat sink further comprises an expanded portion expanded toward the evaporator to contact the evaporator.

9. The battery module of claim 8, wherein the evaporator further comprises a fixing plate disposed at a heat sink side to be combined to the evaporator while having the expanded portion between the evaporator and the fixing plate.

10. The battery module of claim 9, wherein the fixing plate comprises a penetration hole for supporting the heat sink penetrated through the penetration hole.

11. The battery module of claim 10, wherein the evaporator comprises a reception groove for receiving the expanded portion.

12. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising an insulating material provided between the unit battery and the heat sink.

13. The battery module of claim 1, wherein the insulating material is formed of a resin or a thermal compound.

14. The battery module of claim 1, further comprising a housing comprising the unit batteries, the heat sink, and the evaporator.

15. The battery module of claim 14, wherein the housing is filled with nitrogen gas.

16. A battery module comprising:

a plurality of unit batteries wherein the plurality of unit batteries extend in a first direction and are arranged so as to be positioned parallel and proximate to each other;

at least one heat sink structure interposed between the plurality of unit batteries so as to be interposed between adjacent unit batteries to thereby absorb heat generated by the plurality of unit batteries;

an evaporator coupled to the heat sink structure so as to remove heat absorbed by the heat sink structure.

17. The battery module of claim 16, wherein the unit batteries are cylindrical in shape and the at least one heat sink structure defines a structure having a plurality of grooves sized and shaped to receive the plurality of unit batteries.

18. The battery module of claim 17, wherein the at least one heat sink structure comprises a first and a second heat sink structure and wherein the plurality of unit batteries are arranged so as to be positioned parallel and proximate to each other and to define a first and a second end and wherein the first heat sink structure is positioned proximate to the first ends of the plurality of unit batteries and the second heat sink structure is positioned proximate to the second ends of the plurality of unit batteries.

19. The battery module of claim 16, wherein the at least one heat sink structure is integrally formed to the evaporator.

20. The battery module of claim 16, wherein the at least one heat sink structure defines an expanded portion at the evaporator defines an opening sized to receive the expanded portion and wherein the module further comprises a fixing plate that secure the at least one heat sink structure to the evaporator.