Secondary battery module and secondary battery pack including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary battery module, a secondary battery pack including the same, and a secondary battery module inspection device for inspecting the same, and more particularly to a secondary battery module including a plurality of secondary batteries, a secondary battery pack including the same, and a secondary battery module inspection device for inspecting the same. The present invention provides a secondary battery module including a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries, the plurality of buffer pads being provided to have different thicknesses from each other and being selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0043661 filed on April 7, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0041306 filed on March 29, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated by reference as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a secondary battery module, a secondary battery pack including the same, and a secondary battery module inspection device for inspecting the same, and more particularly to a secondary battery module including a plurality of secondary batteries, a secondary battery pack including the same, and a secondary battery module inspection device for inspecting the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Recently, secondary batteries have been attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which have been presented as a solution to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels.

[0004] Small mobile devices use one or two or three secondary batteries, whereas medium to large devices such as electric vehicles require high output and large capacity, so battery modules in which a large number of secondary battery cells are electrically connected or battery packs in which multiple battery modules are electrically connected to each other are used.

[0005] For example, a battery module may be composed of a secondary battery assembly which is an assembly of secondary batteries, a bus bar (or metal plate) for connecting the secondary batteries in series and / or parallel, a sensing assembly for sensing voltage and temperature, electrical components for controlling charging and discharging, and a module housing for accommodating these. Among secondary batteries currently being commercialized, one of the most popular secondary batteries is the lithium secondary battery, which may be classified into a can type and a pouch type depending on the type of exterior material. Among them, the pouch type secondary battery is often used in medium and large battery modules due to its advantages of high energy density and easy stacking.

[0006] However, pouch-type secondary batteries are generally constructed with an electrode assembly inside an aluminum laminate sheet, which has the advantage of high energy density compared to its small size and weight, but the disadvantage of low mechanical rigidity. In particular, in pouch-type secondary batteries, the electrodes may thicken during repeated charging and discharging, and the electrolyte inside may decompose due to side reactions, generating gas. In this case, the phenomenon in which the pouch-type secondary battery swells and rises due to electrode expansion and / or generated gas is called the "swelling phenomenon." For reference, the swelling phenomenon is largely caused by the expansion of the electrodes during charging and discharging.

[0007] If swelling becomes severe in such a pouch-type secondary battery, not only may the performance of the secondary battery module be degraded, but the outer shape of the module housing may be changed, adversely affecting the structural stability of the secondary battery module. As a result, one of the techniques for preventing the swelling is to overlap buffer pads between the secondary batteries or between the secondary batteries and the housing to disperse the expansion force and compensate for the increase in thickness of the secondary batteries.

[0008] Specifically, the buffer pad is a foam material having a predetermined thickness, and is arranged to face and contact one side of the secondary battery, absorbing the expansion force of the secondary battery and being compressed to prevent impact between the secondary batteries.

[0009] However, in the conventional technology, the buffer pads applied to the secondary battery module have a uniform thickness without considering the thickness of the secondary battery, and therefore, there is a problem that they cannot flexibly respond to the swelling of the secondary battery. In particular, when a thick secondary battery is applied to the secondary battery module, even if the buffer pad is compressed to the maximum, the internal space of the module is insufficient, and the module mechanism is damaged.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a secondary battery module to which pads of various thicknesses are applied that can flexibly respond to swelling of a secondary battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries along the arrangement direction of the secondary batteries, the plurality of buffer pads being provided to have different thicknesses from each other and being selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0013] Some of the cushioning pads may have a different thickness than the remaining cushioning pads.

[0014] Some of the secondary batteries may have a different thickness than the remaining secondary batteries.

[0015] The buffer pads may be selectively arranged according to thickness in accordance with thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0016] The buffer pads may be located between the plurality of secondary batteries, and the buffer pads may be selectively arranged according to thickness by comparing a sum of thicknesses of adjacent secondary batteries with a preset value.

[0017] The plurality of cushioning pads can include at least one first cushioning pad having a first thickness and at least one second cushioning pad having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

[0018] When the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, the second buffer pad can be arranged adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, and when the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries, the first buffer pad can be arranged adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries.

[0019] The first thickness may be between 1 mm and 2 mm.

[0020] The second thickness may be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

[0021] The material of the buffer pad may be any one of polyurethane (PU), silicon, aerogel, polyurethane + mica (Mica) composite material, silicon + mica (Mica) composite material, and aerogel + mica (Mica) composite material.

[0022] The plurality of buffer pads may have different colors according to thickness.

[0023] Meanwhile, the secondary battery module according to the present invention may further include a housing having an accommodating space formed therein, and the secondary batteries and the buffer pads may be accommodated in the accommodating space.

[0024] The secondary battery module according to the present invention may further include a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of secondary batteries in the receiving space to cool heat emitted from the secondary batteries.

[0025] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a secondary battery pack including a secondary battery module in which a plurality of secondary batteries are stacked and arranged, wherein the secondary battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries, the plurality of buffer pads being provided to have different thicknesses from each other and being selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0026] Some of the cushioning pads may have a different thickness than the remaining cushioning pads.

[0027] The present invention also includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads inserted adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries, the plurality of buffer pads being provided to have different elasticities from each other and being selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0028] Some of the plurality of cushioning pads may have a different elasticity than the remaining cushioning pads.

[0029] Some of the multiple secondary cells can have a different thickness than the remaining secondary cells.

[0030] The buffer pads may be selectively arranged according to their elasticity in accordance with the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0031] The buffer pads may be positioned between the secondary batteries, and the buffer pads may be selectively arranged according to elasticity by comparing a sum of thicknesses of adjacent secondary batteries with a preset value.

[0032] The plurality of cushioning pads can include at least one first cushioning pad having a first degree of elasticity and at least one second cushioning pad having a second degree of elasticity less than the first degree of elasticity.

[0033] When the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, the second buffer pad can be arranged adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, and when the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries, the first buffer pad can be arranged adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries.

[0034] The cushioning pads may have different colors according to the degree of elasticity. Effect of the Invention

[0035] The present invention provides a secondary battery module having buffer pads of various thicknesses, which can flexibly compensate for space when the secondary battery expands due to swelling, while preventing damage to the module mechanism.

[0036] In addition, the present invention provides the buffer pads with different hues according to their thickness and enables the thickness to be detected by a color sensor, thereby enabling quick and accurate detection of assembly defects when buffer pads of different thicknesses are erroneously assembled in a secondary battery module. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a typical pouch-type secondary battery. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in an XY plane of a secondary battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the secondary battery module of FIG. 2 in a YZ plane. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing how a secondary battery module inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention inspects a secondary battery module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments.

[0039] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art that are not relevant to the description or that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and when assigning reference numbers to components in each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference numbers will be assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be interpreted in a limited manner to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to explain his or her own invention as the best way.

[0041] Secondary Battery Module

[0042] The present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries 200 arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads 300 arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries 200 along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries 200, and the buffer pads 300 may be provided to have different thicknesses from each other. The buffer pads 300 are selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0043] The secondary battery module 10 may be provided with some of the plurality of buffer pads 300 having a thickness different from that of the remaining buffer pads 300 .

[0044] That is, in the present invention, the multiple buffer pads 300 are prepared in three or more different types having different thicknesses, and a buffer pad of an appropriate thickness is selectively inserted (or arranged) according to the thickness of the secondary battery, or the multiple buffer pads 300 may be provided with two types of pads having different thicknesses, and a buffer pad of an appropriate thickness may be inserted according to the thickness of the secondary battery.

[0045] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the secondary battery 200 includes an electrode assembly 210 and a battery case 220 that accommodates the electrode assembly 210, and may have various configurations.

[0046] Here, the electrode assembly 210 may have a structure in which positive and negative electrodes and separators are alternately arranged. Specifically, the electrode assembly 210 may have a structure in which a positive electrode current collector / a positive electrode active material layer / separator / a negative electrode active material layer / a negative electrode current collector are stacked in this order, and a positive electrode active material layer on one side of the separator faces a negative electrode active material layer on the other side. At this time, it should be noted that the electrode assembly 210 is configured to be housed inside the battery case 220 and is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 1.

[0047] The battery case 220 includes a receiving portion 221 for receiving the electrode assembly 210 and a frame portion 222 extending along the frame of the receiving portion 221, and may have various configurations.

[0048] Here, the receiving portion 221 is a region having an empty space formed in a recess so that the electrode assembly 210 can be received on the battery case 220, and can receive an electrolyte together with the electrode assembly 210.

[0049] The frame 222 may be a region formed on the battery case 220 by extending along the frame of the receiving portion 221. The frame 222 may have a sealed structure to prevent the electrode assembly 210 received in the receiving portion 221 from being exposed to external moisture, air, etc. and being damaged.

[0050] One or more electrode leads 230 may be protruded from the battery case 220. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a pair of electrode leads 230 may be protruded from both ends of the battery case 220. One end of the electrode lead 230 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 210, and the other end protrudes to the outside of the battery case 220, thereby electrically connecting the secondary battery 200 to another secondary battery 200 or an external electric device.

[0051] Meanwhile, the secondary batteries 200 included in one secondary battery module 10 may be provided to have the same thickness or different thicknesses.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, some of the secondary batteries 200 may have a first thickness (T1), and the rest of the secondary batteries 200 may be provided with a second thickness (T2) that is thicker than the first thickness (T1). <T2)。

[0053] Here, the first thickness (T1) and the second thickness (T2) may be understood as the width of the secondary battery in the Y direction with reference to Fig. 2. The first thickness (T1) and the second thickness (T2) may be set variously, for example, the first thickness (T1) may be set to 8 mm to 8.2 mm, and preferably 8.09 mm, and the second thickness (T2) may be set to 8.2 mm to 8.5 mm, and preferably 8.41 mm.

[0054] Meanwhile, a plurality of the secondary batteries 200 may be provided in the secondary battery module 10. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2, the plurality of secondary batteries 200 may be sequentially arranged in parallel along one direction (Y direction in Fig. 2).

[0055] At this time, at least one buffer pad 300 may be arranged between the secondary batteries 200 in order to prevent damage between the secondary batteries 200 due to swelling of the secondary batteries 200 or due to an external impact.

[0056] Specifically, the buffer pad 300 may be disposed adjacent to the secondary batteries 200 along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries 200 (Y direction in FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the buffer pad 300 may be disposed between the secondary batteries 200 or between the secondary batteries 200 and a housing 100 described below.

[0057] The buffer pad 300 may have various thicknesses, specifically, the buffer pad 300 may have various thicknesses ranging from 0.1 mm to 2 mm.

[0058] Meanwhile, the buffer pads 300 may be provided with different thicknesses in one secondary battery module 10. In this case, the buffer pads 300 may be selectively arranged according to thickness in response to the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 so that the adjacent secondary batteries 200 can be fixed in position while flexibly compensating for the space when swelling of the secondary batteries 200 occurs, thereby preventing damage to the module.

[0059] For example, the multiple cushioning pads 300 may include at least one first cushioning pad 300a having a first thickness (t1) and at least one second cushioning pad 300b having a second thickness (t2) thinner than the first thickness (t1).

[0060] Here, the first thickness (t1) and the second thickness (t2) may be variously set, for example, the first thickness (t1) may be 1 mm to 2 mm, and the second thickness (t2) may be 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0061] Specifically, in one secondary battery module 10, the first buffer pad 300a and the second buffer pad 300b may be selectively arranged according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary battery 200. More specifically, when the thickness of the secondary battery 200 is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries 200, the second buffer pad 300b may be arranged to be adjacent to the secondary battery 200 that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries 200.

[0062] In addition, when the thickness of the secondary battery 200 is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries 200 , the first buffer pad 300 a may be disposed adjacent to the secondary battery 200 that is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries 200 .

[0063] In addition, when one buffer pad 300 is disposed between two secondary batteries 200, the buffer pad 300 may be selectively disposed according to thickness by comparing the sum of thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 with a preset value.

[0064] For example, when the preset value is 16.82 mm, if the sum of the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 is greater than 16.82 mm, a relatively thin second buffer pad 300b can be disposed between the secondary batteries 200, and if the sum of the thicknesses of the secondary batteries 200 is less than 16.82 mm, a relatively thick first buffer pad 300a can be disposed between the secondary batteries 200.

[0065] The buffer pad 300 may be made of various materials. For example, the buffer pad 300 may be made of polyurethane (PU) having excellent vibration absorption and compression resilience. Alternatively, the buffer pad may be made of any one of polyurethane (PU), silicon, aerogel, polyurethane + mica composite material, silicon + mica composite material, and aerogel + mica composite material.

[0066] Meanwhile, the buffer pads 300 may be provided to have different colors according to their thicknesses. In this case, the buffer pads 300 may be detected according to their thicknesses by a color sensor of a secondary battery module inspection device 1000, which will be described later in detail.

[0067] Meanwhile, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a housing 100 having an accommodating space formed therein.

[0068] Here, the housing 100 may have any structure as long as the housing 100 can accommodate the plurality of secondary batteries 200 and the plurality of buffer pads 300 in the accommodating space.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of secondary batteries 200 are stacked in one direction to form a stack of secondary batteries 200, the housing 100 may include a pair of end plates 110 located on the front or rear of the secondary battery 200 located at the outermost position of the stack of secondary batteries 200, a pair of bolt portions 120 extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries 200 and connecting the pair of end plates 110 to each other, and a body plate 130 connected to an end of the end plate 110 and forming the storage space together with the end plate 110.

[0070] Here, the end plate 110, the bolt portion 120, and the body plate 130 may have various shapes. For example, the body plate 130 may have a square shape with a hollow inside.

[0071] When the housing 100 is provided, the buffer pad 300 may be interposed between the end plate 110 and the stack of the secondary batteries 200. In this case, the buffer pad 300 can not only reduce swelling by providing spatial compensation, but also serve to electrically insulate the secondary batteries 200 and the end plate 110.

[0072] Meanwhile, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a cooling plate 400 disposed between the plurality of secondary batteries 200 in the receiving space to cool heat released from the secondary batteries 200. The cooling plate 400 is a plate-shaped member having thermal conductivity, and may have a refrigerant flow path formed therein or may be directly or indirectly connected to a cooling device having a refrigerant flow path formed therein to cool heat released from the secondary batteries 200.

[0073] Therefore, the secondary battery 200, the first buffer pad 300a, the second buffer pad 300b, and the cooling plate 400 may be alternately arranged in the receiving space of the housing 100. In this case, the secondary battery 200, the first buffer pad 300a, the second buffer pad 300b, and the cooling plate 400 are not depicted around the area shown in the waveform in Figs. 2 and 3, but this is omitted for the sake of illustration, and it may be understood that the secondary battery 200, the first buffer pad 300a, the second buffer pad 300b, and the cooling plate 400 are continuously arranged in the internal receiving space of the housing 100.

[0074] Furthermore, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a cartridge (not shown) in which at least one secondary battery 200 is accommodated. In this case, the secondary battery 200 may be accommodated in the cartridge and arranged in one direction in the internal accommodation space of the housing 100. The cartridge may have a structure including a hollow formed therein in which the secondary battery 200 can be accommodated and a frame surrounding an edge of the frame 222 in order to accommodate the secondary battery 200 and protect the frame 222 of the secondary battery 200 from damage.

[0075] However, the invention can be embodied in yet other forms.

[0076] The present invention includes a plurality of secondary batteries 200 arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads 300 arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries 200 along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries 200, and the buffer pads 300 may be provided to have different elasticities from each other. The buffer pads 300 are selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0077] The secondary battery module 10 may be provided with some of the plurality of buffer pads 300 having different elasticity from the remaining buffer pads 300 .

[0078] That is, in the present invention, the multiple buffer pads 300 are prepared in three or more different types each having a different elasticity, and a buffer pad with an appropriate elasticity is selectively inserted (or arranged) depending on the thickness of the secondary battery, or the multiple buffer pads 300 are provided with two types of pads each having a different elasticity, and a buffer pad with an appropriate elasticity is inserted depending on the thickness of the secondary battery.

[0079] Here, elasticity is a term that indicates the amount of elastic deformation for a unit stress. A high elasticity may mean a small amount of elastic deformation for a unit stress, and a low elasticity may mean a large amount of elastic deformation for a unit stress. In other words, a high elasticity may indicate a relatively harder material, and a low elasticity may indicate a relatively more brittle material.

[0080] The secondary batteries 200 included in one secondary battery module 10 may be provided to have the same thickness or different thicknesses. Here, the secondary battery module 10 may include a plurality of secondary batteries 200.

[0081] At this time, at least one buffer pad 300 may be arranged between the secondary batteries 200 in order to prevent damage between the secondary batteries 200 due to swelling of the secondary batteries 200 or due to an external impact.

[0082] Specifically, the buffer pad 300 may be disposed adjacent to the secondary batteries 200 along the arrangement direction of the secondary batteries 200. In this case, the buffer pad 300 may be disposed between the secondary batteries 200 or between the secondary batteries 200 and a housing 100 described below.

[0083] The cushioning pad 300 can be provided with various degrees of elasticity.

[0084] A plurality of buffer pads 300 may be provided with different elasticities in one secondary battery module 10. In this case, the buffer pads 300 may be selectively arranged according to elasticity in response to the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 so that the buffer pads 300 occupy a certain space to fix the positions of the adjacent secondary batteries 200, while flexibly compensating for the space when swelling of the secondary batteries 200 occurs, thereby preventing damage to the module.

[0085] For example, the plurality of buffer pads 300 may include at least one first buffer pad having a first elasticity and at least one second buffer pad having a second elasticity weaker than the first elasticity. Here, the thicknesses of the plurality of buffer pads may be the same or different from each other. Here, the first elasticity and the second elasticity may be set in various ways.

[0086] Specifically, in one secondary battery module 10, the first and second buffer pads may be selectively arranged according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary battery 200. More specifically, when the thickness of the secondary battery 200 is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries 200, the second buffer pad may be arranged to be adjacent to the secondary battery 200 that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries 200.

[0087] In addition, when the thickness of the secondary battery 200 is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries 200 , the first buffer pad may be disposed adjacent to the secondary battery 200 that is relatively thinner than the other secondary batteries 200 .

[0088] In addition, when one buffer pad 300 is disposed between two secondary batteries 200, the buffer pad 300 may be selectively disposed according to elasticity by comparing the sum of the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 with a preset value.

[0089] For example, when the preset value is 16.82 mm, if the sum of the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 is greater than 16.82 mm, a second buffer pad having a low degree of elasticity can be placed between the secondary batteries 200, and if the sum of the thicknesses of the secondary batteries 200 is less than 16.82 mm, a first buffer pad having a relatively high degree of elasticity can be placed between the secondary batteries 200.

[0090] The cushioning pad 300 may be made of various materials, for example, polyurethane (PU), silicon, aerogel, polyurethane + mica composite material, silicon + mica composite material, aerogel + mica composite material.

[0091] Meanwhile, the plurality of buffer pads 300 may be provided with different colors according to the degree of elasticity.

[0092] Meanwhile, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a housing 100 having an accommodating space formed therein.

[0093] Here, the housing 100 may have any structure as long as the housing 100 can accommodate the plurality of secondary batteries 200 and the plurality of buffer pads 300 in the accommodating space.

[0094] For example, when a plurality of secondary batteries 200 are stacked in one direction to form a stack of secondary batteries 200, the housing 100 may include a pair of end plates 110 located on the front or rear of the secondary battery 200 located at the outermost position of the stack of secondary batteries 200, a pair of bolt portions 120 extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries 200 and connecting the pair of end plates 110 to each other, and a body plate 130 connected to an end of the end plate 110 and forming the storage space together with the end plate 110.

[0095] When the housing 100 is provided, the buffer pad 300 may be interposed between the end plate 110 and the stack of the secondary batteries 200. In this case, the buffer pad 300 can not only reduce swelling by providing spatial compensation, but also serve to electrically insulate the secondary batteries 200 and the end plate 110.

[0096] Meanwhile, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a cooling plate 400 disposed between the plurality of secondary batteries 200 in the receiving space to cool heat released from the secondary batteries 200. The cooling plate 400 is a plate-shaped member having thermal conductivity, and may have a refrigerant flow path formed therein or may be directly or indirectly connected to a cooling device having a refrigerant flow path formed therein to cool heat released from the secondary batteries 200.

[0097] Therefore, the secondary batteries 200 , the first buffer pad, the second buffer pad, the cooling plate 400 , etc. may be alternately arranged in the receiving space of the housing 100 .

[0098] Furthermore, the secondary battery module 10 according to the present invention may further include a cartridge (not shown) in which at least one secondary battery 200 is accommodated. In this case, the secondary battery 200 may be accommodated in the cartridge and arranged in one direction in the internal accommodation space of the housing 100. The cartridge may have a structure including a hollow formed therein in which the secondary battery 200 can be accommodated and a frame surrounding an edge of the frame 222 to protect the frame 222 of the secondary battery 200 from damage while accommodating the secondary battery 200.

[0099] Secondary Battery Pack

[0100] The present invention provides a pack of secondary batteries 200 including a plurality of stacked secondary battery modules 10, the secondary battery module 10 including a plurality of secondary batteries 200 arranged in parallel, and a plurality of buffer pads 300 arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries 200 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of secondary batteries 200, the plurality of buffer pads 300 may be provided to have different thicknesses from each other and may be selectively inserted according to the thickness of the adjacent secondary batteries.

[0101] In addition, some of the buffer pads 300 may have a thickness different from that of the remaining buffer pads 300 in the secondary battery pack.

[0102] The secondary battery pack may include a battery management system (BMS), a cooling system, a control system, etc., together with a plurality of secondary battery modules 10. Here, the detailed description of the secondary battery modules 10 may be the same as that described above.

[0103] Secondary battery module inspection device

[0104] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a secondary battery module inspection device 1000 for inspecting a secondary battery module 10 including a plurality of secondary batteries 200 arranged in parallel and a plurality of buffer pads 300 arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries 200. Here, some of the plurality of secondary batteries 200 may be provided to have a different thickness from the remaining secondary batteries 200.

[0105] Specifically, the secondary battery module inspection apparatus 1000 includes a main body 1100 and an inspection unit 1200 that inspects whether or not the buffer pads 300 are defectively assembled. Some of the buffer pads 300 have a thickness and color different from the remaining buffer pads 300. The inspection unit 1200 detects the color of the buffer pads 300 and inspects whether or not the buffer pads 300 are defectively assembled based on the detected information.

[0106] Here, the main body 1100 may be configured to directly or indirectly support a detection unit 1210, which will be described later, so that the detection unit 1210 is disposed at a position facing the secondary battery module 10.

[0107] The inspection unit 1200 detects the color of the buffer pad 300 and inspects whether or not the buffer pad 300 is improperly assembled based on the detected information, and may have various configurations.

[0108] Specifically, the inspection unit 1200 may include a detection unit 1210 that detects the color of the buffer pad 300 and the thickness data of the secondary battery 200, and a discrimination unit 1220 that discriminates whether or not the buffer pad 300 is improperly assembled based on the color of the buffer pad 300 and the thickness data of the secondary battery 200.

[0109] In detail, the detector 1210 detects the color of the buffer pad 300 and the thickness data of the secondary battery 200, and may have various configurations.

[0110] At this time, the detection unit 1210 may include a color sensor, which is one type of optical sensor, to detect the color of the buffer pad 300, and may include a laser displacement sensor or the like to detect thickness data of the secondary battery 200. At this time, when a barcode storing thickness data is displayed on the surface of the secondary battery 200, the detection unit 1210 may include a barcode reader that can indirectly derive the thickness data.

[0111] Meanwhile, the determining unit 1220 is configured to determine whether or not the buffer pad 300 is improperly assembled based on the color of the buffer pad 300 and the thickness data of the secondary battery 200, and may have various configurations.

[0112] Specifically, the discrimination unit 1220 can determine whether the buffer pad 300 is placed at an appropriate position based on the color value of the buffer pad 300 and the thickness data of the secondary battery 200 received from the detection unit 1210.

[0113] For example, the discrimination unit 1220 may compare the sum of the thicknesses of two secondary batteries 200 adjacent to one buffer pad 300 with a preset value and check the color of the buffer pad 300 to determine whether a buffer pad 300 of an appropriate thickness is disposed between the secondary batteries 200.

[0114] To explain in more detail with reference to the above, when the preset value is 16.82 mm, if the sum of the thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries 200 is greater than 16.82 mm, the second buffer pad 300b having a relatively thin thickness should be applied between the secondary batteries 200. In this case, if the color information received from the detection unit 1210 is the same as the color information of the second buffer pad 300b, the discrimination unit 1220 can determine that the secondary battery module 10 is a non-defective product, and if the color information received from the detection unit 1210 is different from the color information of the second buffer pad 300b (i.e., the color information of the first buffer pad 300a), the discrimination unit 1220 can determine that the secondary battery module 10 is poorly assembled. The information determined by the discrimination unit 1220 can be transmitted to a user via wire / wireless.

[0115] Meanwhile, it goes without saying that the above-mentioned secondary battery module inspection apparatus 1000 can be used not only to inspect whether there is an assembly defect in the secondary battery module 10 after the assembly of the buffer pad 300 has been completed, but also to be utilized in a manufacturing apparatus for the secondary battery module 10 before the assembly of the buffer pad 300.

[0116] That is, the secondary battery module inspection apparatus 1000 is also used in such a manner that the detection unit 1210 detects the thickness of the secondary battery 200 and the thickness of the buffer pad 300, and assembles an appropriate buffer pad 300 between the secondary batteries 200 by comparing the thickness values ​​with preset thickness values.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above using limited examples and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations of the present invention are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10: Secondary battery module 100: Housing 110: End plate 120: Bolt section 130: Body plate 200: Secondary battery 210: Electrode assembly 220: Battery case 221: Storage section 222: Frame 230: Electrode lead 300: Buffer pad 300a: 1st buffer pad 300b: Secondary cushioning pad 400: Cooling plate 1000: Secondary battery module inspection device 1100:Main unit 1200: Inspection Department 1210: Detection unit 1220:Discrimination part T1: First thickness T2: Second thickness t1: First thickness t2: second thickness

Claims

1. A plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel; a plurality of buffer pads that are inserted adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries; The plurality of cushioning pads include: provided to have different thicknesses from one another, A secondary battery module, characterized in that adjacent secondary batteries are selectively inserted depending on the thickness of the secondary batteries.

2. The secondary battery module according to claim 1 , wherein some of the plurality of buffer pads have a thickness different from the remaining buffer pads.

3. The secondary battery module according to claim 1 , wherein some of the secondary batteries have a thickness different from the remaining secondary batteries.

4. The secondary battery module of claim 3 , wherein the buffer pads are selectively arranged according to thickness in correspondence with thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries.

5. the buffer pad is located between the plurality of secondary batteries; The secondary battery module of claim 3 , wherein the buffer pads are selectively arranged according to thickness by comparing a sum of thicknesses of adjacent secondary batteries with a preset value.

6. The plurality of cushioning pads are at least one first cushioning pad having a first thickness; The secondary battery module of claim 1 , further comprising: at least one second buffer pad having a second thickness less than the first thickness.

7. When the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, the second buffer pad is disposed adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries; The secondary battery module of claim 6 , wherein when the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thinner than the thickness of the other secondary batteries, the first buffer pad is disposed adjacent to the secondary battery having a thickness thinner than the thickness of the other secondary batteries.

8. The secondary battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the first thickness is in the range of 1 mm to 2 mm.

9. The secondary battery module according to claim 6 , wherein the second thickness is in the range of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

10. 2. The secondary battery module of claim 1, wherein the material of the buffer pad includes any one of polyurethane (PU), silicon, aerogel, a polyurethane + mica (Mica) composite material, a silicon + mica (Mica) composite material, and aerogel + mica (Mica) composite material.

11. The secondary battery module of claim 1 , wherein the buffer pads have different colors according to thickness.

12. The housing further includes an accommodation space formed therein, The secondary battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of secondary batteries and the plurality of buffer pads are accommodated in the accommodation space.

13. The secondary battery module according to claim 12 , further comprising a cooling plate disposed between the plurality of secondary batteries in the receiving space to cool heat emitted from the secondary batteries.

14. A secondary battery pack including a plurality of stacked secondary battery modules, The secondary battery module includes: A plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel; a plurality of buffer pads arranged adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries; The plurality of cushioning pads include: provided to have different thicknesses from one another, A secondary battery pack, characterized in that adjacent secondary batteries are selectively inserted depending on the thickness of the secondary batteries.

15. A plurality of secondary batteries arranged in parallel; a plurality of buffer pads that are inserted adjacent to the secondary batteries along an arrangement direction of the secondary batteries; The plurality of cushioning pads include: are provided to have different elasticities, A secondary battery module, characterized in that adjacent secondary batteries are selectively inserted depending on the thickness of the secondary batteries.

16. The secondary battery module of claim 15 , wherein some of the buffer pads have a different elasticity from the remaining buffer pads.

17. The secondary battery module according to claim 15 , wherein some of the secondary batteries have a thickness different from the remaining secondary batteries.

18. The secondary battery module of claim 17 , wherein the buffer pads are selectively arranged according to elasticity in accordance with thicknesses of the adjacent secondary batteries.

19. the buffer pad is located between the plurality of secondary batteries; The secondary battery module of claim 17 , wherein the buffer pads are selectively arranged according to elasticity by comparing a sum of thicknesses of the secondary batteries adjacent to each other with a preset value.

20. The plurality of cushioning pads are at least one first cushioning pad having a first degree of resiliency; The secondary battery module of claim 15 , comprising: at least one second buffer pad having a second elasticity less than the first elasticity.

21. When the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries, the second buffer pad is disposed adjacent to the secondary battery that is relatively thicker than the other secondary batteries; The secondary battery module of claim 20 , wherein when the thickness of the secondary battery is relatively thinner than the thickness of the other secondary batteries, the first buffer pad is disposed adjacent to the secondary battery having a thickness thinner than the thickness of the other secondary batteries.

22. The secondary battery module of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of buffer pads have different colors according to their elasticity.

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