EP-4738544-A1 - CONTAINER MODULE

Abstract

A container module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a case configured to provide an inner space; a first battery array positioned inside the case and including a plurality of battery packs stacked in an up-down direction; a second battery array positioned inside the case so as to be spaced apart from the first battery array in a left-right direction and including a plurality of battery packs stacked in the up-down direction; a cooling unit configured to provide cooling air into the case; and a duct positioned inside the case and configured to communicate the first battery array and the second battery array with the cooling unit.

Inventors

• LEE, HYO-JIN
• LEE, YONG-TAE
• MUN, Jeong-O
• PARK, DONG-HO
• PARK, JEONG-SEOK
• YOON, Jong-Woong
• CHOI, YEO-JOO

Assignees

• LG Energy Solution, Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20241211

Claims (14)

1. A container module comprising: a case configured to provide an inner space; a first battery array positioned inside the case and comprising a plurality of battery packs stacked in an up-down direction; a second battery array positioned inside the case so as to be spaced apart from the first battery array in a left-right direction and comprising a plurality of battery packs stacked in the up-down direction; a cooling unit configured to provide cooling air into the case; and a duct positioned inside the case and configured to communicate the first battery array and the second battery array with the cooling unit.
2. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises a front panel facing the first battery array and the second battery array, and wherein the cooling unit is installed on the front panel.
3. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises an outlet positioned higher than at least one of the first battery array and the second battery array.
4. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises: a front part communicating with the cooling unit and configured to guide the cooling air upward; and a rear part extending from the front part in a front-back direction and configured to guide the cooling air in the front-back direction.
5. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the duct comprises an outlet extending between the first battery array and the second battery array.
6. The container module according to claim 1, further comprising a flow guide positioned inside the duct and configured to distribute the cooling air in a front-back direction.
7. The container module according to claim 6, wherein the flow guide comprises: a first part positioned inside the duct; and a second part connected to the first part and extending outside the duct.
8. The container module according to claim 7, wherein the second part is positioned between the first battery array and the second battery array and extends downward.
9. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises a side panel, the container module further comprising a side cover positioned between the side panel and the second battery array, and configured to cover one side of the second battery array.
10. The container module according to claim 1, wherein the case comprises a rear panel, the container module further comprising a rear cover positioned between the rear panel and the second battery array, and configured to cover a rear of the second battery array.
11. The container module according to claim 10, wherein the rear cover extends to cover between the first battery array and the second battery array and to cover a rear of the first battery array.
12. The container module according to claim 1, further comprising an inner cover positioned between the first battery array and the second battery array, configured to cover an inner side of the second battery array, and having a supply hole.
13. A container system comprising a container module according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. An energy storage system comprising a container module according to any one of claims 1 to 12

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a container module. This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0190483, filed on December 22, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. BACKGROUND ART Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, and the like. Among of them, lithium secondary batteries are in the spotlight for their advantages of free charging and discharging due to almost no memory effect, a very low self-discharge rate, and a high energy density, compared to nickel-based secondary batteries. Recently, as issues such as power shortages and eco-friendly energy have been brought to the forefront, energy storage systems (ESSs) for storing generated power have been receiving more attention. For example, a smart grid system has been proposed as one of the methods for controlling power supply and demand. The amount of power used by consumers may fluctuate frequently. Typically, power usage sharply increases in the afternoon during the summer due to the use of air conditioners, and then sharply decreases at night. Although power consumption may fluctuate frequently in terms of consuming power, it is realistically difficult to match the supply of power to such power consumption even if the amount of power generated is controlled to some extent. Therefore, the imbalance of power supply and consumption may cause oversupply or shortage of power, and the smart grid system may flexibly store and control power to solve this problem. The smart grid system is intended to store power when there is surplus power or in areas with excess power, and supply the stored power when there is a power shortage or to areas with insufficient power. One of the key components for building this smart grid system is an energy storage system for storing power. In addition, as electric vehicles have been commercialized recently, energy storage systems may be utilized in facilities for charging electric vehicles, such as charging stations. Such energy storage systems may include a plurality of battery containers. The number and arrangement of battery containers may vary depending on various environments and requirements. In order to respond to these requirements, there is an increasing need to configure battery containers as a combination of small modules so as to improve energy density and to be expandable in various forms. DISCLOSURE Technical Problem The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems and other problems. The present disclosure is to provide a container module with improved cooling performance. The present disclosure is also to provide a container module with reduced cooling differences depending on the positions inside the container. The present disclosure is also to provide a container module with improved assembly. The present disclosure is also to provide a container module with a simplified structure. The present disclosure is also to provide a miniaturized container module. Technical Solution In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a container module including: a case configured to provide an inner space; a first battery array positioned inside the case and including a plurality of battery packs stacked in an up-down direction; a second battery array positioned inside the case so as to be spaced apart from the first battery array in a left-right direction and including a plurality of battery packs stacked in the up-down direction; a cooling unit configured to provide cooling air into the case; and a duct positioned inside the case and configured to communicate the first battery array and the second battery array with the cooling unit. In addition, the case may include a front panel facing the first battery array and the second battery array, and the cooling unit may be installed on the front panel. In addition, the duct may include an outlet positioned higher than at least one of the first battery array and the second battery array. In addition, the duct may include: a front part communicating with the cooling unit and configured to guide the cooling air upward; and a rear part extending from the front part in a front-back direction and configured to guide the cooling air in the front-back direction. In addition, the duct may include an outlet extending between the first battery array and the second battery array. In addition, the container module may further include a flow guide positioned inside the duct and configured to distribute the cooling air in the front-back direction. In addition, the flow guide may include: a first part positioned inside the duct; and a second part connected to the first part and extending outside the duct. In addition, the second part may be positioned between the first battery array and the second batter