Battery module and battery pack and energy storage system, which includes the same

Abstract

Battery module (10), comprising: a plurality of battery cells (100) stacked on top of each other, each having electrode leads (105) protruding from it; and at least one sensor assembly (300) mounted on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and configured to electrically connect the electrode leads, which contains at least one sensor assembly: a sensor busbar (310) which is electrically connected to the electrode leads; and a plurality of sensor housing parts (330) configured such that the sensor busbar is mounted on a front surface thereof, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts enable the electrode leads to be connected to the sensor busbar, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are assembled to form the at least one sensor assembly, and the assembly of the plurality of sensor housing parts is separable.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery module and a battery pack and an energy storage system comprising the same.

[0002] The present application claims priority over Korean patent application No. 10-2017-0096343, which was filed in the Republic of Korea on July 28, 2017. State of the art

[0003] Secondary batteries, ideally suited for various products and possessing superior electrical properties such as high energy density, are frequently used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electrical sources. Secondary batteries are seen as a new energy source for increasing environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, as they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and produce no byproducts during energy consumption.

[0004] Commonly used secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and similar types. The operating voltage of a single secondary battery cell in the unit is approximately 2.5 V to 4.6 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells can be connected in series to configure a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, multiple battery cells can be connected in parallel to configure a battery pack. Thus, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can vary according to the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, when a large number of battery cells are connected in series or parallel to configure a battery pack, it is common practice to first configure a battery module consisting of at least one battery cell, and then to configure a battery pack by using at least one battery module and adding further components. The battery cells configuring the battery module or battery pack are typically pouch-type secondary batteries that can be easily stacked on top of each other.

[0006] A conventional battery module generally includes a sensor assembly for connecting the electrode leads of the multiple stacked battery cells and for measuring the voltage of the battery cells. The sensor assembly is typically designed as a single housing structure to cover protruding sections of the battery cell electrode leads.

[0007] However, since the conventional sensor assembly has a single housing structure, if the overall size of the battery cells changes by increasing or decreasing the number of stacked battery cells due to a change in the capacity of the battery module or battery pack, a housing suitable for the changed size should be redesigned. Revelation Technical Problem

[0008] The present disclosure aims to provide a battery module that includes a sensor assembly with convenient and easy expandability, as well as a battery pack and an energy storage system including the battery module. Technical solution

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module is provided comprising: a plurality of battery cells stacked on top of one another and having electrode leads projecting therefrom; and at least one sensor assembly mounted on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and configured to electrically connect electrode leads, wherein the at least one sensor assembly comprises: a sensor busbar electrically connected to the electrode leads; and a plurality of sensor housing parts configured such that the sensor busbar is mounted on a front surface thereof, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts allows the electrode leads to pass through in the direction of the sensor busbar, and wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are detachably connected to one another.

[0010] The multitude of sensor housing components can be provided in a number corresponding to the number of battery cells.

[0011] The numerous sensor housing components can be assembled by fitting them together in a block-to-block coupling pattern.

[0012] The multitude of sensor housing parts can each have a convex protrusion and a concave groove that correspond to each other.

[0013] The convex projection and the concave groove can have at least a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, and an oval shape.

[0014] At least one anti-movement rib can be formed on a rear surface of the multitude of sensor housing parts to prevent movement of the battery cells.

[0015] The sensor assembly may include a temperature sensor that is positioned between the multitude of sensor housing parts and the sensor busbar.

[0016] When assembled together, the numerous sensor housing parts can form a sensor mounting groove on which the temperature sensor is mounted.

[0017] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a battery pack comprising: at least one battery module according to the above embodiment; and a pack box configured to package the at least one battery module.

[0018] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides an energy storage system comprising at least one battery pack according to the previous embodiments. Beneficial effects

[0019] According to various embodiments as above, it is possible to provide a battery module that includes a sensor assembly with convenient and easy expandability, as well as a battery pack and an energy storage system including the battery module. Description of the drawings

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and, together with the preceding disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and therefore the present disclosure is not to be interpreted as being limited to the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view showing the battery module of Fig. 1 shows. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a sensor assembly of the battery module. Fig. 2 shows. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view showing the sensor housing parts of the sensor assembly. Fig. 3 shows. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an assembled form of the sensor housing parts of Fig. 4 shows. Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Best practice

[0021] The present disclosure becomes clearer through the detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein serve only to illustrate the present disclosure and that the present disclosure can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, but the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view showing the battery module of Fig. 1 shows, Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a sensor assembly of the battery module. Fig. 2 shows, Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view showing the sensor housing parts of the sensor assembly. Fig. 3 shows, and Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an assembled form of the sensor housing parts of Fig. 4 shows.

[0023] With reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 can contain a battery module 10, a battery cell 100, a module box 200 and a sensor assembly 300.

[0024] The battery cell 100 can be a secondary battery or a pouch-type secondary battery. The battery cell 100 can be provided in multiples, and these multiple battery cells 100 can be stacked in such a way that they are electrically connected to each other.

[0025] Each of the multiple battery cells 100 can contain an electrode assembly, a battery box to hold the electrode assembly and a pair of electrode leads 105 extending from the battery box and connected to the electrode assembly.

[0026] The module box 200 can accommodate a large number of battery cells (100). The module box 200 can contain first and second boxes that are coupled together to cover the large number of battery cells (100).

[0027] The sensor assembly 300 serves to detect the voltage of the plurality of battery cells 100 and can be mounted on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells 100 or on both sides of the plurality of battery cells 100 in this embodiment.

[0028] The sensor assembly 300 electrically connects the electrode leads 105 of the multiple battery cells 100 and can include a sensor busbar 310, a sensor housing part 330 and a temperature sensor 350.

[0029] The detection busbar 310 can be coupled to the electrode leads 105 by welding or similar means, so that it is electrically connected to the electrode leads 105 of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0030] The sensor housing part 330 serves as the housing for the sensor assembly 300 and allows various components of the sensor assembly 300, including the sensor busbar 310, to be placed on it. Multiple sensor housing parts 330 are available, and the multiple sensor housing parts 330 can cover both sides of the battery cells 100.

[0031] For example, the sensor busbar 310 can be mounted on a front surface of the multitude of sensor housing parts 330.

[0032] The multitude of sensor housing parts 330 can enable the electrode leads 105 of the battery cells 100 to lead towards the sensor busbar 310, and can cover both sides of the battery cells 100.

[0033] The multiple sensor housing parts 330 can be designed to be detachably connected to one another. Specifically, the multiple sensor housing parts 330 can be assembled by fitting them together in a block-to-block coupling pattern.

[0034] The multitude of sensor housing parts 330 can be provided in a number corresponding to the number of battery cells 100. Since the multitude of sensor housing parts 330 can cover both sides of the battery cells 100, in particular, two sensor housing parts can be provided for one battery cell 100. Accordingly, the number of sensor housing parts 330 can be twice the number of battery cells 100.

[0035] Each of the multiple sensor housing parts 330 can include a connection slot 331, a convex projection 333, a concave groove 335, an anti-movement rib 337 and a sensor mounting groove 339.

[0036] The connection slot 331 is provided in the center of the sensor housing part 330 and allows the electrode lead 105 of the battery cell 100 to pass by the front of the sensor housing part 330. After passing through the connection slot 331, the electrode leads 105 can be electrically connected to the sensor busbar 310.

[0037] The convex projection 333 and the concave groove 335 are provided for block-to-block coupling between the plurality of sensor housing parts 330 and can be provided at corresponding positions in a mounting direction of the plurality of sensor housing parts 330.

[0038] The convex projection 333 and the concave groove 335 can have at least a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, and an oval shape. However, the convex projection 333 and the concave groove 335 can also have other shapes to enable block-to-block coupling, without being limited to these.

[0039] The anti-movement rib 337 serves to prevent the plurality of battery cells 100 from moving in the protruding direction of the electrode leads 105 of the plurality of battery cells 100 and can be formed on a rear surface of the sensor housing part 330.

[0040] The anti-movement ribs 337 can be arranged facing each other, with the connection slot 331 located between them, and can support the battery cell 100 located on the rear side of the connection slot 331.

[0041] The sensor mounting groove 339 is used for mounting the temperature sensor 350, which will be explained later, and can be formed when the opposing sensor housing parts 330 are mounted.

[0042] The temperature sensor 350 is used to measure the temperature of the multitude of battery cells 100 and can be inserted into and mounted on the sensor mounting groove 339.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment the housing structure of the sensor assembly 300 covering the battery cells 100 can be realized by using the plurality of sensor housing parts 330 which are configured to be detachably connected to one another.

[0044] Accordingly, in this embodiment, even if the number of battery cells 100 of the battery module 10 is changed depending on the required capacity or overall size, the housing of the sensor assembly 300 can only be realized by adjusting the number of sensor housing parts 330 assembled together so that it corresponds to the number of battery cells 100, without designing a new housing structure.

[0045] Thus, in this embodiment it is possible to offer the sensor assembly 300 convenient and easy expandability by using the assembled sensor housing parts 330 without a new housing structure.

[0046] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the battery module 10 can significantly increase the efficiency of the assembly process of the sensor assembly 300.

[0047] Fig. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 6. A battery pack 1 can be provided as an assembly of the plurality of battery modules 10. Although not shown, the battery pack 1 can also include a packaging box for the plurality of battery modules 10.

[0049] The battery pack 1 can be provided as an energy source for an energy storage system that is used for vehicles such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, as well as for household or industrial purposes.

[0050] If a plurality of battery modules 10 are provided to configure the battery pack 1 as described above, in this embodiment the sensor housing parts 330, which are detachably assembled together, are provided in a number corresponding to the number of battery cells of the battery modules 10 to configure the sensor assembly 300.

[0051] As described above, when the sensor assembly 300 of this embodiment is used, when the capacity of the battery cells is extended, for example, to the configuration of the battery pack 1, it is possible to implement a sensor assembly 300 suitable for the extended capacity by increasing the number of the detachably connected sensor housing parts 330 without having to redesign a separate sensor assembly 300.

[0052] In other words, in this embodiment, by using the sensor housing parts 330, even if the battery pack 1 is configured to have a larger capacity and overall size than the battery module 10, it is not necessary to form a sensor assembly that corresponds to the overall size of the battery pack 1, unlike in conventional technology.

[0053] Accordingly, in this embodiment, if the battery module 10 or the battery pack 1 is configured using the battery cells 100, it is possible to implement the sensor cell 300 with convenient and easy expandability.

[0054] According to various embodiments as described above, it is possible to provide a battery module 10 which includes the sensor assembly 300 with convenient and easy expandability as well as a battery pack 1 and an energy storage system including the battery module.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art, and that these changes should not be understood individually from the technical ideas and views of the present disclosure.

[0056] Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the following points: Item 1. A battery module, comprising: a large number of battery cells stacked on top of each other, with electrode leads protruding from them; and at least one sensor assembly mounted on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and configured to electrically connect the electrode leads, which contains at least one sensor assembly: a sensor busbar that is electrically connected to the electrode leads; and a plurality of sensor housing parts configured such that the sensor busbar is mounted on a front surface thereof, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts allow the electrode leads to pass through in the direction of the sensor busbar, and wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are detachably connected to one another. Point 2. The battery module according to point 1, where the multitude of sensor housing parts are provided in a number corresponding to the number of battery cells. Point 3. The battery module according to point 2, the numerous sensor housing parts are assembled by fitting them together in a block-to-block coupling pattern. Point 4. The battery module according to point 3, wherein the multitude of sensor housing parts each have a convex protrusion and a concave groove that correspond to each other. Point 5. The battery module according to point 4, wherein the convex projection and the concave groove have at least a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape and an oval shape. Point 6. The battery module according to point 1, wherein at least one anti-movement rib is formed on a rear surface of the plurality of sensor housing parts to prevent movement of the battery cells. Point 7. The battery module according to point 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor which is provided between the plurality of sensor housing parts and the sensor busbar. Point 8. The battery module according to point 7, When assembled, the numerous sensor housing parts form a sensor mounting groove on which the temperature sensor is mounted. Item 9. A battery pack, comprising: at least one battery module according to point 1; and a packing box configured to package at least one battery module. Item 10. An energy storage system, including: at least one battery pack according to point 9. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2017-0096343

[0002]

Claims

[1] Battery module (10), comprising: a plurality of battery cells (100) stacked on top of each other, each having electrode leads (105) protruding from it; and at least one sensor assembly (300) mounted on at least one side of the plurality of battery cells and configured to electrically connect the electrode leads, which contains at least one sensor assembly: a sensor busbar (310) which is electrically connected to the electrode leads; and a plurality of sensor housing parts (330) configured such that the sensor busbar is mounted on a front surface thereof, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts enable the electrode leads to be connected to the sensor busbar, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are assembled to form the at least one sensor assembly, and the assembly of the plurality of sensor housing parts is separable. [2] Battery module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are provided in a number corresponding to the number of battery cells. [3] Battery module according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts are assembled by being fitted into one another in a block-to-block coupling pattern. [4] Battery module according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts each have a convex projection (333) and a concave groove (335) corresponding to each other. [5] Battery module according to claim 4, wherein the convex projection and the concave groove have at least a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape and an oval shape. [6] Battery module according to claim 1, wherein at least one anti-movement rib (337) is formed on a rear surface of the plurality of sensor housing parts to prevent movement of the battery cells. [7] Battery module according to claim 1, wherein the sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor (350) which is provided between the plurality of sensor housing parts and the sensor busbar. [8] Battery module according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of sensor housing parts, when joined together, form a sensor mounting groove (339) between them in which the temperature sensor is mounted. [9] Battery pack (1), comprising: at least one battery module (10) according to claim 1; and a packing box configured to package at least one battery module. [10] Energy storage system, comprising: at least one battery pack according to claim 9.

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