Patent Publication Number: US-2012040227-A1

Title: Energy storage module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0078494 filed on Aug. 13, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an energy storage module, and more particularly, to an energy storage module capable of increasing the lifespan and efficiency thereof by cooling energy storage units. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, an energy storage device is a device storing electrical energy therein and providing the electrical energy to the outside when necessary. Recently, a secondary battery (a Ni—MH battery, a Li ion battery (LiB) or the like) or an electrochemical capacitor (a supercapacitor) has been used as this energy storage device. 
     This second battery such as a Li ion battery is a representative energy storage device having high energy density. However, while the secondary battery has a more limited output characteristic than the super capacitor, the super capacitor is a high output storage device but has lower energy density than the secondary battery (i.e., Li ion battery). 
     Thus, in order to solve the limitations of the super capacitor and the secondary battery, the development of an energy storage module providing a large amount of energy and improving the output characteristics thereof by electrically connecting a plurality of energy storage devices (in series or in parallel) has been increasing. 
     In this energy storage module, one of the important factors enabling the energy storage module to provide a large amount of energy and to improve the output characteristics thereof is a factor associated with cooling. 
     The cooling system of an energy storage module in the related art employs a heat sink system using air-cooling, and requires the mounting of an additional cooling fan on the outside of the energy storage module. 
     However, the additional cooling fan has a defect in that the difference of temperature distribution inside the energy storage module is increased depending on the formation location of the cooling fan. 
     Moreover, when the energy storage module is placed in a closed environment, the temperature inside the energy storage module does not fall, in spite of the cooling by the cooling fan. 
     Thus, a study to improve the thermal characteristics of an energy storage module by maximizing the cooling efficiency thereof is required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention provides an energy storage module having increased stability and lifespan by enhancing the thermal characteristics thereof through the improvement of a cooling structure thereof. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an energy storage module including a plurality of energy storage units having electrodes connected in series or in parallel; one or more cooling plates provided to alternate with the energy storage units, each having a cooling flow path through which cooling water flows, so as to cool the energy storage units; and a housing surrounding the energy storage units and the cooling plates and including an inlet and an outlet through which the cooling water is drawn and discharged to thereby provide the cooling water to the cooling plates. 
     The electrodes and the one or more cooling plates may be spaced apart from each other, in order to prevent a contact therebetween. 
     The electrodes may be formed on a surface of each of the energy storage units, and the cooling plates have a height lower than that of the surface of each of the energy storage units having the electrodes formed thereon, to thereby prevent the electrodes and the cooling plates from contacting each other. 
     Each of the energy storage units may include a single energy storage device or a plurality of energy storage devices. 
     The inlet and the outlet may communicate with the cooling water path. 
     The energy storage units and the cooling plates may be positioned to be in contact with each other. 
     The housing and the cooling plates may be integrated. 
     The housing may include a body part accommodating the energy storage units and a covering part sealing the body part. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in  FIG. 1 ); and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the flow of cooling water within an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (cut-away perspective view taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 3 ). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. While those skilled in the art could readily devise many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention through the addition, modification or deletion of elements, such embodiments may fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     The same or equivalent elements are referred to by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an energy storage module  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include energy storage units  100 , a housing  230 , and cooling plates  200 . 
     Each of the energy storage units  100  is a device storing electrical energy therein and providing the electrical energy to the outside when necessary. The energy storage unit may be a secondary battery (a Ni—MH battery, a Li ion battery (LiB) or the like) or an electrochemical capacitor (a super capacitor). 
     However, the energy storage unit  100  is not limited thereto and may include any kind of devices capable of storing electrical energy therein and providing the electrical energy to the outside. 
     The energy storage unit  100  may include electrodes  120 , and each of the electrodes  120  may be an anode electrode or a cathode electrode. 
     The anode electrode or the cathode electrode of one energy storage unit may be connected with an anode electrode or a cathode electrode of another energy storage unit adjacent thereto by a terminal connection member  130 , to be described below. In other words, the terminal connection member  130  is coupled to one of the electrodes  120  of the energy storage unit  100  and one of the electrodes  120  of another energy storage unit adjacent thereto, and may electrically connects a plurality of energy storage units  100  in series or in parallel. 
     The plurality of energy storage units  100  electrically connected in series or in parallel by the terminal connection member  130  may provide a large amount of energy, and improve the output characteristics of the energy storage module  300 . 
     The housing  230  may be configured to have a covering part  220  and a body part  210  and may form the exterior of the energy storage module  300 . 
     The cooling plates  200 , to be described below, are included inside the body part  210  and form partitions inside the body part  210 . 
     In addition, the lateral surfaces of the cooling plates  200  may entirely come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the energy storage units  100 . Thus, the cooling plates  200  may function as cooling devices cooling the energy storage units  100 . 
     Here, besides the function of cooling the energy storage units  100 , the cooling plates  200  may stably fasten the energy storage units  100  within the body part  210  because they form partitions inside the body part  210 . 
     Therefore, the energy storage module  300  may be prevented from being broken due to external impacts or vibrations, thereby enabling the lifespan of the energy storage module  300  to be extended. 
     The energy storage module  300  and elements forming the energy storage module  300  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 through 4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the energy storage module  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the energy storage units  100 , the housing  230  and the cooling plates  200 , as described above. 
     The energy storage unit  100  may be a single energy storage device and may be a plurality of energy storage devices so as to provide a large amount of energy. 
     At this time, each of the anode electrodes and cathode electrodes of the energy storage unit  100  may be connected by the above mentioned terminal member  130 . 
     That is, the number of energy storage devices forming the energy storage units  100  is not limited and may be changed by a person skilled in the art. 
     The energy storage unit  100  may be configured to have a storage body  110  and the electrodes  120 . The terminal connection member  130  and fixing members  140  may be included in order to electrically connect the plurality of energy storage units  100 . 
     A device capable of storing energy is included inside the storage body  110 . In the case in which the energy storage unit  100  is an electrochemical capacitor (a super capacitor), an electric double layer, or the like may be formed inside the storage body thereof. 
     The electrodes  120  are formed on a surface of the storage body  110  and may be outwardly protruded from the surface of the storage body  110 . 
     Here, the electrodes  120  may be terminals electrically connected with current collectors (not shown) of anode and cathode plates, which are included in the storage body  110 . 
     The electrodes  120  formed on the plurality of energy storage units  100  may be electrically connected by the terminal connection members  130 . The terminal connection members  130  may have insertion holes into which the electrodes  120  protruded from the one surface of the storage body  110  are inserted. 
     Thus, the electrodes  120  are inserted into the insertion holes, so that the plurality of energy storage units  100  may be electrically connected. 
     The electrodes  120  are inserted into the insertion holes of the terminal connection member  130 , and the fixing members  140  may be included to fix the terminal connection member  130  to the electrodes  120 . 
     The fixing members  140  are members which come into contact with a surface of the terminal connection member  130 . After the electrodes  120  are inserted into the terminal connection member  130 , the terminal connection member  130  is coupled to the electrodes  120  by the fixing members  140 . 
     Therefore, the terminal connection member  130  is stably fixed to the electrodes  120  by the fixing members  140 . 
     However, the outermost electrodes may not need the terminal connection members  130  so as to be electrically connected with the terminals (not shown) of an external power input device. The outermost electrodes may supply power to the energy storage module  300 . 
     Here, the fixing member  140  is explained as a ring-shaped member; however which is not limited thereto. Any coupling part will be used so long as it can fix the terminal connection member  130  to the electrodes  120 , such as a screw or the like. 
     The housing  230  forms the exterior of the energy storage module  300  and may include the covering part  220  and the body part  210 . 
     The cooling plates  200  cooling the energy storage units  100  are included inside the body part  210  and may form the partitions inside the body part  210 . 
     That is, the energy storage units  100  are inserted between the cooling plates  200  which form the partitions inside the body part  210 . The lateral surfaces of energy storage units  100  may come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the cooling plates  200 . 
     In other words, the cooling plates  200  may be cooling devices, provided to alternate with the energy storage units  100  and cooling the energy storage units  100 . 
     Inside each of the cooling plates  200 , a flow path through which cooling water flows may be formed. The flow path may have a curved pipe or tube shape or a void space. 
     An inlet  215   a , into which cooling water cooling the energy storage units  100  flows, may be formed in the body part  210 . The cooling water is drawn from the inlet  215   a  and flows into the inside of the cooling plates  200 . 
     Thus, the body part  210  and the cooling plates  200  are communicated with each other, and the cooling water drawn from the inlet  215   a  flows into the inside of the cooling plates  200 . 
     In addition, the cooling water is drawn from the inlet  215   a , discharged to the outside through an outlet  215   b  formed in the side surface of the body part  210 , and circulated by a cooling water circulating device (not shown) located outside the energy storage module  300 . 
     Thus, low-temperature cooling water flows into the inlet  215   a , passes through the cooling plates  200 , absorbs the heat of the energy storage units  100 , and flows out to the outlet  215   b.    
     At this time, a device allowing for such operations may be the cooling water circulating device. 
     The flow of the cooling water will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The cooling plates  200  may have a height lower than that of the surface of the energy storage unit  10 , on which the electrodes  120  are formed. This is to prevent the cooling water from coming into contact with the electrodes  120 . 
     Each of the cooling plates  200  are placed at a predetermined distance apart from the electrodes  120  in order that the cooling water flowing through the flow path inside the cooling plate  200  may be prevented from coming into contact with the electrodes  120 . Namely, this is to enhance the performance of the energy storage module  300 . 
     Here, the cooling plates  200  may be integrated with the body part  210  of the housing  230 . A contact surface of the body part  210  and the cooling plates  200  is communicated, thereby allowing the cooling water to flow therethrough. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view illustrating the flow of cooling water within an energy storage module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention (cut-away perspective view taken along line B-B′ in  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , when cooling water flows into the inlet  215   a  formed in the side surface of the body part  210  of the housing  230 , the cooling water passes through the cooling plates  200 . 
     At this time, the later surfaces of the cooling plates  200  entirely come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the energy storage units  100 , such that the cooling water absorbs the heat of the energy storage units  100 . 
     This cooling water absorbing the heat is discharged to the outside through the outlet  215   b  formed on the side surface of the body part  210 . The cooling water circulating device allows low temperature cooling water to flow into the inlet  215   a  again. 
     Thus, the energy storage module  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may allow the heat to be effectively radiated outside through the cooling plates  200  which entirely come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the storage bodies  110  of the energy storage units  100 . 
     In other words, the energy storage module  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may obtain such results by employing a water cooling system cooling the energy storage units  100  by using cooling water. 
     Through the above embodiments, the energy storage module  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention extends contact areas of the energy storage units  100  and the cooling plates  200  and uses a cooling water system, so that the cooling efficiency thereof could be maximized. 
     The cooling plate  200  has a function of cooling the energy storage unit  100 . Also, the cooling plate  200  may stably fasten the energy storage units  100  within the body part  210  because they form partitions inside the body part  210 . 
     Therefore, the energy storage module may be prevented from being broken due to external impacts or vibrations, thereby enabling the lifespan of the energy storage module  300  to be extended. 
     As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, there is provided an energy storage module capable of increasing the lifespan and the stability thereof by increasing the cooling efficiency thereof. 
     In addition, the energy storage module can be prevented from being broken due to vibrations and impacts because energy storage units forming the energy storage module can be fixed therein. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.