Patent Description:
Along with the technology development and increased demand for mobile devices, demand for secondary batteries as energy sources has been increasing rapidly. In particular, a secondary battery has attracted considerable attention as an energy source for power-driven devices, such as an electric bicycle, an electric vehicle, and a hybrid electric vehicle, as well as an energy source for mobile devices, such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, a laptop computer and a wearable device.

Small-sized mobile devices use one or several battery cells for each device, whereas middle or large-sized devices such as vehicles require high power and large capacity. Therefore, a middle or large-sized battery module having a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to one another is used.

The middle or large-sized battery module is preferably manufactured so as to have as small a size and weight as possible. Consequently, a prismatic battery, a pouch-shaped battery or the like, which can be stacked with high integration and has a small weight relative to capacity, is mainly used as a battery cell of the middle or large-sized battery module.

However, the battery pack of the conventional technique includes a plurality of battery modules, and if a thermal runaway occurs in a part of the battery cells of each battery module to cause ignition or explosion, heat or flame may be transferred to the adjacent secondary battery to cause a secondary explosion or the like. Therefore, more efforts are being made to prevent secondary ignition or explosion.

For example, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose battery packs comprising heat dispersion members arranged between battery cells.

However, there is a need to develop a heat dissipation member and a battery pack including the same that can effectively disperse generated heat while preventing heat transfer to adjacent battery modules at the time of ignition or explosion in a part of the battery modules in the battery pack.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a heat dissipation member that effectively disperses heat while preventing heat propagation between adjacent battery modules, and a battery pack including the same.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the aforementioned objects, and other objects which are not described herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a heat dissipation member comprising: a frame member including a first frame and a second frame that are connected to each other, wherein an inner surface of the first frame and an inner surface of the second frame are folded to face each other; a first heat insulating member attached to the outer surface of the first frame; a second heat insulating member attached to the outer surface of the second frame; a central heat insulating member located between the inner surface of the first frame and the inner surface of the second frame; a first heat dispersion member located between the inner surface of the first frame and the central heat insulating member; and a second heat dispersion member located between the inner surface of the second frame and the central heat insulating member.

The first heat dispersion member further includes a surface that is bent in a direction perpendicular to the first frame, the second heat dispersion member further includes a surface that is bent in a direction perpendicular to the second frame, and the first heat dispersion member and the second heat dispersion member may be bent in opposite directions to each other.

The first frame and the second frame may each include at least one cross-shaped structure.

At least one hinge coupling part is formed between the first frame and the second frame.

First side surface parts may be respectively formed on both sides of the first frame, and second side surface parts may be respectively formed on both sides of the second frame.

The first side surface part may cover a side surface of the first heat insulating member, a side surface of the first heat dispersion member, and a side surface of the central heat insulating member, and the second side surface part may cover a side surface of the second heat insulating member, a side surface of the second heat dispersion member, and a side surface of the central heat insulating member.

At least one protrusion may be formed on an inner surface of at least one of the first frame and the second frame.

The protrusion may pass through the first heat dispersion member, the second heat dispersion member, and the central heat insulating member.

The central heat insulating member may have a width larger than a width of the first heat insulating member or a width of the second heat insulating member.

The heat dissipation member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a cooling pad formed on the first heat dispersion member and the second heat dispersion member.

According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a battery pack comprising the above-mentioned heat dissipation member, wherein the heat dissipation member is located between a pair of adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules.

One side surface of one battery module among the pair of battery modules makes contact with the first heat insulating member, and one side surface of the other one battery module among the pair of battery modules makes contact with the second heat insulating member.

An upper part of the other one battery module among the pair of battery modules may make contact with at least a part of the first heat dispersion member, and an upper part of the other one battery module among the pair of battery modules may make contact with at least a part of the second heat dispersion member.

In a heat dissipation member and a battery pack including the same according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heat dispersion member included in the heat dissipation member is located between the heat insulating members, thereby capable of effectively dispersing heat while preventing heat propagation between adjacent battery modules.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out them. The present disclosure can be modified in various different ways, and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Portions that are irrelevant to the description will be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the description.

Further, throughout the description, when a portion is referred to as "including" or "comprising" a certain component, it means that the portion can further include other components, without excluding the other components, unless otherwise stated.

Further, throughout the description, when referred to as "planar", it means when a target portion is viewed from the upper side, and when referred to as "cross-sectional", it means when a target portion is viewed from the side of a cross section cut vertically.

Hereinafter, a battery pack including the heat dissipation member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram which shows briefly a pair of battery modules and a heat dissipation member included in a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the heat dissipation member <NUM>, wherein the heat dissipation member <NUM> is located between a pair of adjacent battery modules <NUM> among the plurality of battery modules.

Here, the battery module <NUM> is not specifically shown in the figure, but a plurality of battery cells (not shown) can be stacked along a predetermined direction and then mounted on the module frame to configure a battery module. Here, since the plurality of battery cells (not shown) are not particularly limited by the type thereof, a pouch type secondary battery or a prismatic secondary battery may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, one side surface of one battery module <NUM> among the pair of battery modules <NUM> may make contact with the first heat insulating member <NUM> (<FIG>), and one side surface of the other one battery module <NUM> among the pair of battery modules <NUM> may make contact with the second heat insulating member <NUM> (<FIG>).

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, when ignition or explosion occurs in a part of the battery modules, heat transfer between adjacent battery modules <NUM> can be blocked by the heat insulating member <NUM> (<FIG>) of the heat dissipation member <NUM>, thereby preventing continuous ignition or explosion due to heat propagation between adjacent battery modules <NUM>.

Further, the upper part of one battery module <NUM> among the pair of battery modules <NUM> makes contact with at least a part of the first heat dissipation member <NUM> (<FIG>), and an upper part of the other one battery module <NUM> among the pair of battery modules <NUM> may make contact with at least a part of the second heat dispersion member <NUM> (<FIG>).

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, when ignition or explosion occurs in a part of the battery modules, the heat generated in the adjacent battery module <NUM> moves along the heat dispersion member <NUM> (<FIG>) of the heat dissipation member <NUM>, and thus, heat generated in the battery module <NUM> can be effectively and quickly dispersed.

Next, a heat dissipation member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail.

<FIG> is a perspective view which shows the heat dissipation member of <FIG>. <FIG> is a front view of the heat dissipation member of <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram which shows a frame member included in the heat dissipation member of <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram which shows a heat insulating member and a heat dispersion member included in the heat dissipation member of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame member <NUM> including a first frame <NUM> and a second frame <NUM> that are connected to each other, wherein an inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and an inner surface of the second frame <NUM> are folded to face each other; a first heat insulating member <NUM> attached to the outer surface of the first frame <NUM>; a second heat insulating member <NUM> attached to the outer surface of the second frame <NUM>; a central heat insulating member <NUM> located between the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the inner surface of the second frame <NUM>; a first heat dispersion member <NUM> located between the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM>; and a second heat dispersion member <NUM> located between the inner surface of the second frame <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM>.

More specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame member <NUM> may include a first frame <NUM> and a second frame <NUM> that are connected to each other. More specifically, the frame member <NUM> can be folded so that the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the inner surface of the second frame <NUM> face each other.

As an example, the frame member <NUM> may have at least one hinge coupling part <NUM> formed between the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. Here, the hinge coupling part <NUM> may have a hinge coupling structure commonly used in the art.

Thereby, the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> are folded in a direction in which the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the inner surface of the second frame <NUM> face each other on the basis of the hinge coupling part <NUM>. In addition, the hinge coupling part <NUM> is located below the frame member <NUM> to prevent up/down separation of the heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may be a lattice frame including at least one cross-shaped structure. However, the shapes of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> are not limited thereto, and any shape capable of maintaining the rigidity of the frame member <NUM> can be included in the present embodiment.

Further, in the frame member <NUM>, first side surface parts 111a and 111b may be respectively formed on both sides of the first frame <NUM>, and second side parts 115a and 115b may be respectively formed on both sides of the second frame <NUM>. More specifically, the first side surface parts 111a and 111b may be extended in the up/down direction on the basis of the wide surface of the first frame <NUM>, and the second side surface parts 115a and 115b may be extended in the up/down direction on the basis of the wide surface of the second frame <NUM>.

More specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first side surface parts 111a and 111b of the first frame <NUM> can cover the side surface of the first heat insulating member <NUM> attached to the outer surface of the first frame <NUM>. In addition, the first side surface parts 111a and 111b of the first frame <NUM> can cover the side surfaces of the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM> located on the inner surface of the first frame <NUM>.

Even in the case of the second side surface parts 115a and 115b of the second frame <NUM>, they can similarly cover the side surface of the second heat insulating member <NUM> attached to the outer surface of the second frame <NUM>. In addition, the second side surface parts 115a and 115b of the second frame <NUM> can cover the side surfaces of the second heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM> located on the inner surface of the second frame <NUM>.

Thereby, the frame member <NUM> can cover the side surfaces of the heat insulating member <NUM>, the heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM> located on the inner surface or outer surface of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>, thereby preventing left and right separation of the heat insulating member <NUM>, the heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM> and protecting them from external impact.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame member <NUM> may have at least one protrusion <NUM> formed on the inner surface of at least one of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. As an example, as shown in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> may be formed only on the inner surface of the first frame <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the inner surface of the second frame <NUM>, or may be formed on the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>, respectively.

Here, the protrusion <NUM> may pass through the first heat dispersion member <NUM>, the second heat dispersion member <NUM>, and the central heat insulating member <NUM>. More specifically, the first heat dispersion member <NUM>, the second heat dispersion member <NUM>, and the central heat insulating member <NUM> may be previously formed with holes into which the protrusions <NUM> can be fitted.

Thereby, the frame member <NUM> can more stably fix the heat dispersion member <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM> located on the inner surfaces of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> within the frame member <NUM>.

Further, the frame member <NUM> may be made of a material such as polycarbonate-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC-ABS), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polypropylene (PP). However, the material of the frame member <NUM> is not limited thereto, and any material having low thermal conductivity while maintaining the rigidity of the frame member <NUM> can be included in the present embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat insulating member <NUM> may include a first heat insulating member <NUM> and a second heat insulating member <NUM>, wherein the first heat insulating member <NUM> may be attached to the outer surface of the first frame <NUM>, and the second heat insulating member <NUM> may be attached to the outer surface of the second frame <NUM>.

Here, the first heat insulating member <NUM> may be extended along the outer surface of the first frame <NUM>, but may be extended to the first side surface parts 111a and 111b. Further, the second heat insulating member <NUM> is extended along the outer surface of the second frame <NUM>, but can be extended to the second side surface parts 115a and 115b.

Further, the heat insulating member <NUM> may be made of silicon oxide. As an example, the silicon oxide may be made of a material such as glass fiber. However, the material of the heat insulating member <NUM> is not limited thereto, and any material having high heat insulating properties can be included in the present embodiment.

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the heat insulating member <NUM> can block the heat transfer between adjacent battery modules <NUM> (<FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the central heat insulating member <NUM> may be located between the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the inner surface of the second frame <NUM>. More specifically, the central heat insulating member <NUM> may be located between the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM>.

Here, the central heat insulating member <NUM> may have a width larger than the width of the heat insulating member <NUM>. More specifically, the central heat insulating member <NUM> may have a width larger than a width of the first heat insulating member <NUM> or a width of the second heat insulating member <NUM>.

As an example, the width of the central heat insulating member <NUM> may be twice the width of the first heat insulating member <NUM> or the width of the second heat insulating member <NUM>. However, the width of the central insulating member <NUM> is not limited thereto, and any width sufficient to block the heat transfer between the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM> can be included in the present embodiment.

Further, the central heat insulating member <NUM> may be made of silicon oxide. As an example, the silicon oxide may be made of a material such as glass fiber. However, the material of the central heat insulating member <NUM> is not limited thereto, and any material having high heat insulating properties can be included in the present embodiment.

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, even if heat is transferred from the battery module <NUM> (<FIG>) to the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM>, respectively, the central heat insulating member <NUM> can block the heat transfer between the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat dispersion member <NUM> may include a first heat dispersion member <NUM> and a second heat dispersion member <NUM>. More specifically, the first heat dispersion member <NUM> may be located between the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM>, and the second heat dispersion member <NUM> may be located between the inner surface of the second frame <NUM> and the central heat insulating member <NUM>.

Here, the heat dispersion member <NUM> may further include a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the frame member <NUM>. More specifically, the first heat dispersion member <NUM> may further include a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the first frame <NUM>, and the second heat dispersion member <NUM> may further include a surface bent in a direction perpendicular to the second frame <NUM>. Here, the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM> may be bent in opposite directions to each other.

Further, the heat dispersion member <NUM> may be made of a material such as aluminum (Al) or graphite. However, the material of the heat dispersion member <NUM> is not limited thereto, and any material having high thermal conductivity can be included in the present embodiment.

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the upper part of the battery module <NUM> (<FIG>) is located adjacent to the bent surface of the first heat dispersion member <NUM> or the bent surface of the second heat dispersion member <NUM>, respectively, so that heat generated in the battery module <NUM> (<FIG>) can be easily dispersed to the first heat dispersion member <NUM> or the second heat dispersion member <NUM>. In addition, the bent surface of the first heat dispersion member <NUM> or the bent surface of the second heat dispersion member <NUM> makes contact with the cooling member formed on the upper part of the pack frame (not shown), so that heat generated in the battery module <NUM> (<FIG>) can be effectively dissipated.

Next, the process of assembling respective components of the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

<FIG> are diagrams which show a process of assembling the heat dissipation member of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first heat insulating member <NUM> may be located in a groove <NUM> formed in the jig <NUM> prepared in advance as shown in <FIG>, and the first heat insulating member <NUM> can be stably fixed to the groove <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the position is adjusted so that the outer surfaces of the first heat insulating member <NUM> and the first frame <NUM> face each other as shown in <FIG>, and then, the outer surface of the first frame <NUM> can be seated on the first heat insulating member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, one surface of the first heat dispersion member <NUM> is seated on the inner surface of the first frame <NUM>, wherein the protrusion <NUM> formed in the first frame <NUM> can pass through the first heat dispersion member <NUM>. Here, the first heat dispersion member <NUM> may have a hole having a size corresponding to that of the protrusion <NUM> formed in advance.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the central heat insulating member <NUM> is seated on the first heat dispersion member <NUM>, wherein the protrusion <NUM> formed in the first frame <NUM> can pass through the central heat insulating member <NUM>. Here, even in the case of the central heat insulating member <NUM>, a hole having a size corresponding to that of the protrusion <NUM> may be formed in advance.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the second heat dispersion member <NUM> is seated on the central heat insulating member <NUM>, wherein the protrusion <NUM> formed on the first frame <NUM> can pass through the second heat dispersion member <NUM>. Here, even in the case of the second heat dispersion member <NUM>, a hole having a size corresponding to that of the protrusion <NUM> can be formed in advance.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the second frame <NUM> is folded in a direction in which the inner surface of the second frame <NUM> and the inner surface of the first frame <NUM> face each other, wherein an inner surface of the second frame <NUM> can be seated on the second heat dispersion member <NUM>.

Next, referring to <FIG>, the second heat insulating member <NUM> can be seated on the outer surface of the second frame <NUM>.

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the heat dissipation member <NUM> may have respective components assembled by the above-mentioned process, whereby the assembly process is relatively simple and can be fixed by mechanical coupling between parts without separate adhesive layers, thus further improving the productivity.

Further, although not shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a hook structure or a snap fit structure is formed on at least a part of components, whereby components included in the heat dissipation member <NUM> can be fixed to each other by a hook coupling or a snap-fit coupling.

Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the coupling force between components is further improved, and thus, the quality of the heat dispersion member <NUM> can also be further improved.

Next, the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. At this time, the heat dissipation member according to the present embodiment includes all the configurations of the heat dissipation member according to the present embodiments, the corresponding description will be omitted to avoid repetition and redundancy.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams which show a heat dissipation member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may further include a cooling pad <NUM> formed on the heat dispersion member <NUM>. That is, the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may further include a cooling pad <NUM> formed on the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM>. More specifically, the cooling pad <NUM> included in the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be formed of a compressible cooling pad.

The cooling pad <NUM> may be formed on bent surfaces of the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM>. At this time, the cooling pad <NUM> may be formed so as to have the same area as the bent surface, or may be formed so as to have an area smaller than the bent surface. Therefore, the heat transferred through the first heat dispersion member <NUM> and the second heat dispersion member <NUM> can be rapidly cooled and transferred through the cooling pad <NUM>.

In this case, the cooling pad <NUM> may be formed of a silicon-based or acrylic-based material. Specifically, the cooling pad <NUM> may be a silicone pad, a silicone rubber pad, a silicone polymer pad, or the like, and may be an acrylic pad, an acrylic polymer pad, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The cooling pad <NUM> is formed on the heat dispersion member <NUM> of the heat dissipation member <NUM> according to the present embodiment, thereby capable of further making contact with a pack frame (not shown) of the battery pack including the heat dissipation member <NUM>. Therefore, the heat generated in the battery module <NUM> is transferred to the pack frame of the battery pack through the heat dissipation member <NUM> and the cooling pad <NUM>, so that heat generated in the battery module <NUM> can be effectively and quickly dispersed. In particular, the cooling pad <NUM> is formed of a compressible cooling pad, and makes close contact with the pack frame of the battery pack, thereby minimizing thermal contact resistance and enabling formation of an effective heat transfer path.

Claim 1:
A heat dissipation member (<NUM>) comprising a frame member (<NUM>) including a first frame (<NUM>) and a second frame (<NUM>) that are connected to each other. wherein an inner surface of the first frame (<NUM>)
and an inner surface of the second frame (<NUM>) are folded to face each other;
a first heat insulating member (<NUM>) attached to the outer surface of the first frame (<NUM>);
a second heat insulating member (<NUM>) attached to the outer surface of the second frame (<NUM>); a central heat insulating member (<NUM>) located between the inner surface of the first frame (<NUM>) and the inner surface of the second frame (<NUM>);
a first heat dispersion member (<NUM>) located between the inner surface of the first frame (<NUM>) and the central heat insulating member (<NUM>); and
a second heat dispersion member (<NUM>) located between the inner surface of the second frame (<NUM>) and the central heat insulating member (<NUM>).