Cooling block for a battery module and a manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A cooling block for a battery module and a method of manufacturing a cooling block provide different thermal conductivity and strength for each region of the cooling block by performing selective cooling for each region. The cooling block includes a first cooling block for contacting battery modules on a first side and a second cooling block bonded to a second side of the first cooling block and forming a cooling channel. Cooling water can flow through the cooling channel, which is disposed at an interface with the second side of the first cooling block. The first cooling block and the second cooling block are made of the same metal-based material and thermal conductivity and strength of the first cooling block are different from thermal conductivity and strength of the second cooling block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooling block for a battery module, the cooling block comprising:
 a first cooling block being in contact with battery modules on a first side; and   a second cooling block bonded to a second side of the first cooling block and forming a cooling channel, through which cooling water flows, at an interface with the second side of the first cooling block,   wherein the first cooling block and the second cooling block are made of a same metal-based material, and   thermal conductivity and strength of the first cooling block are different from thermal conductivity and strength of the second cooling block.   
     
     
         2 . The cooling block of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal conductivity of the first cooling block is higher than the thermal conductivity of the second cooling block. 
     
     
         3 . The cooling block of  claim 1 , wherein the strength of the second cooling block is greater than the strength of the first cooling block. 
     
     
         4 . The cooling block of  claim 1 , wherein the first cooling block and the second cooling block are made of an aluminum-based alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The cooling block of  claim 1 , wherein the first cooling block and the second cooling block are welded and then only the second cooling block is partially quenched. 
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing a cooling block for a battery module, the method comprising:
 a preparing step of preparing a first cooling block configured to be in contact with battery modules on a first side thereof and a second cooling block configured to be bonded to a second side of the first cooling block and forming a cooling channel, through which cooling water can flow, at an interface with the second side of the first cooling block;   a fixing step of disposing and fixing the second cooling block on the second side of the prepared first cooling block with a jig;   a bonding step of bonding the fixed first cooling block and second cooling block by heating and welding the first and second cooling blocks; and   a cooling step of selectively quenching only the second cooling block.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the preparing step includes preparing an aluminum-based alloy for the first cooling block and the second cooling block, and
 the bonding step includes heating the first cooling block and the second cooling block above a solution treatment temperature of the aluminum-based alloy and then welding the first cooling block and the second cooling block.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising a post-heat treatment step that includes performing heat treatment by heating the first cooling block and the second cooling block after the cooling step. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the jig that is used in the fixing step is divided into a first jig that supports a side of the first cooling block that is opposite to a side facing the second cooling block of outer sides of the first cooling block and a second jig that supports a side of the second cooling block that is opposite to a side facing the first cooling block of outer sides of the second cooling block,
 wherein the first jig is prepared in a shape corresponding to the side that is opposite to the side facing the second cooling block of the outer sides of the first cooling block and the second jig is prepared in a shape that covers and partially exposes the side that is opposite to the side facing the first cooling block of the outer sides of the second cooling block, and   wherein the cooling step selectively quenches only the second cooling block by bringing cooling water or cooling oil into contact with an exposed area of the second cooling block that is exposed by the second jig.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a discharge part discharges the cooling water or cooling oil and is disposed around the second jig in the cooling step. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a third jig having a cooling channel, through which cooling water or cooling oil flows, and covering the exposed area of the second cooling block is further disposed and then only the second cooling block is selectively quenched by guiding cooling water or cooling oil to the cooling channel.