Expandable battery unit between modules

Abstract

A battery device capable of expanding a module according to the present invention has a coupling structure in which a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, wherein the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling structure includes a first restraining shape formed on one side of the housing; and a second restraining shape formed on the other side of the housing and formed such that the first shape formed on the housing of the adjacent unit module can be engaged.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery device capable of expanding modules. Background Technology

[0003] Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) include battery devices designed to store electrical energy and supply stable power when needed.

[0004] Lead-acid batteries, commonly used in uninterruptible power supplies, have the advantage of being inexpensive, but their low lifespan and output make it difficult to meet system performance requirements, and they require a large amount of space.

[0005] Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly being adopted in uninterruptible power supplies because they offer superior energy density and stability compared to lead-acid batteries, and are relatively less hazardous than nickel-cadmium batteries.

[0006] Since the battery cells constituting secondary batteries generally have low capacity and low voltage, the cells are connected and packed to form a battery in order to achieve the desired voltage and large capacity. To implement a battery device with the voltage and large capacity required by a system, it is difficult to ensure ease of assembly and process by simply arranging cells in series and parallel, and it is not easy to achieve various capacities while maintaining stability. The problem to be solved

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery device having an improved structure that facilitates expansion between modules while easily satisfying the capacity required by the system.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to ensure cost reduction through a structure that enables the commonization of connecting elements for capacity expansion.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a module-to-module fastening structure capable of simultaneously ensuring inter-module scalability and insulation characteristics.

[0011] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0013] A battery device capable of expanding a module according to the present invention has a coupling structure in which a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, wherein the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling structure includes a first restraining shape formed on one side of the housing; and a second restraining shape formed on the other side of the housing and formed such that the first shape formed on the housing of the adjacent unit module can be engaged.

[0014] As an example according to the present invention, the battery cell may be formed in a cylindrical shape with a negative electrode and a positive electrode located at the top.

[0015] As an example according to the present invention, one side of the housing and the other side of the housing may be located on opposite sides of the housing.

[0016] As an example according to the present invention, the first restraining shape part includes a slide projection in the vertical direction, and the second restraining shape part may include a slide groove formed so that the slide projection is fitted in the vertical direction and can be fixed in the lateral direction.

[0017] As an example according to the present invention, the first restraining shape may have a step with respect to the second restraining shape so that the unit module and the adjacent unit module can have the same height when connected.

[0018] As an example according to the present invention, the housing, the first restraining shape part, and the second restraining shape part may be integrally formed by an insulating resin.

[0019] As an example according to the present invention, the expandable battery device of the module may further include a holder portion formed to fix the plurality of battery cells on the upper part of the housing.

[0020] As an example according to the present invention, the holder portion may include a first fastener formed to be fastened to the housing.

[0021] As an example according to the present invention, the expandable battery device of the module may further include a cover portion formed to cover the holder portion on the upper part of the holder portion.

[0022] As an example according to the present invention, the cover portion may include a second fastener formed to be fastened to the holder portion.

[0023] As an example according to the present invention, the upper surface of the cover portion may include a groove formed to accommodate a bus bar for electrically connecting to an adjacent unit module.

[0024] As an example according to the present invention, a plurality of busbars may be arranged in parallel to connect mutually corresponding battery cells disposed inside between the unit module and the adjacent unit module in parallel.

[0025] In this case, multiple busbars may be standardized to the same length and formed to connect the unit module and the adjacent unit module.

[0026] In addition, the battery device capable of expanding a module according to the present invention has a coupling structure in which a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, and the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells and a holder portion that fixes the plurality of battery cells at the upper part of the housing, and the coupling structure may include a first restraining shape portion formed on one side of the holder portion; and a second restraining shape portion formed on the other side of the holder portion and formed such that the first shape portion formed on the holder portion of an adjacent unit module can be engaged.

[0027] A battery device capable of expanding a module according to another example of the present invention has a coupling structure in which a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, wherein the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling structure may include a first restraining shape formed on one side of the housing; and a second restraining shape formed on the other side of the housing and formed to be coupled by a bracket to the first shape formed on the housing of an adjacent unit module.

[0028] Here, the first restraining shape and the second restraining shape may each include a mount slot formed to allow a bracket to be fitted.

[0029] As an example according to the present invention, a bracket fitted into the first restraining shape portion of the unit module and a bracket fitted into the second restraining shape portion of the adjacent unit module may each include a fastening hole so as to be fastened by a bolt. Effects of the invention

[0031] According to the battery device capable of expanding modules according to the present invention, by configuring a unit module having a first restraining shape and a second restraining shape in a housing or holder portion that accommodates a battery cell, the required capacity can be satisfied through the easy and rapid assembly of the unit module. This battery device maximizes advantages in terms of stability and assembly when applying cells such as cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the unit module having the same specifications and a stable fastening structure contributes to the simplification of parts and cost reduction.

[0032] According to one example of the present invention, the first restraining shape part and the second restraining shape part can be manufactured as a single integrated unit using an insulating resin during the molding of the housing, thereby providing mass producibility and stable insulation.

[0033] According to another example of the present invention, the first restraining shape part and the second restraining shape part can be assembled by means of a bracket. In this case, the first restraining shape part and the second restraining shape part are easy to mold into a simple shape, and structural stability can be secured by means of the bracket.

[0034] According to another example of the present invention, the placement space of a busbar, electrical stability, and assembly ease are improved by connecting unit modules to implement an expansion module while forming a groove on the upper surface of the unit module, thereby enabling parallel connection of battery cells. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary unit module of a battery device capable of expanding modules related to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the unit module of Figure 1 viewed from a different angle. FIG. 3 is an exemplary exploded perspective view of a unit module. FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the connection of a first unit module to a second unit module. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the second unit module is combined with the first unit module. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an example of an expansion module implemented by combining four unit modules. FIG. 7 is an exemplary plan view illustrating the arrangement of busbars of an expansion module. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a unit module according to another example of a battery device capable of expanding modules related to the present invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the bracket separated from the unit module of FIG. 8. Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the unit module of Figure 8. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the expanded state using the unit module of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the state of being expanded vertically using the unit module of FIG. 8. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0037] Hereinafter, a battery device capable of expanding modules related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The details shown in the drawings are for convenience of the present invention and do not reflect actual dimensions; furthermore, the possibility that the size or thickness may be exaggerated or reduced to highlight the features of the invention cannot be ruled out.

[0038] The present invention is not limited to the configurations and methods of the embodiments described in the disclosure below. Various modifications to the embodiments may be made to replaceable equivalents, and all or part of each embodiment may be optionally combined.

[0039] The terms used in this specification and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings alone, but may be appropriately defined and understood accordingly to best describe the invention. The terms "comprising" or "consisting of" as used in the specification or claims refer to the existence of a combination of parts, components, steps, etc., and should be understood as not excluding in advance the possibility of combining additional parts, components, or steps. If it is stated that a specific component and another component are "connected" or "combined," it should be understood to include cases where these components are "directly" connected or combined with each other, as well as cases where another component is interposed between them to connect or combine "indirectly." Conversely, if it is stated that a specific component and another component are "directly connected" or "directly combined," it should be understood that no other component exists between these components.

[0040] FIGS. 1 to 3 are drawings showing a unit module (100) of a modularly expandable battery device related to the present invention. The unit module (100) is in the form of several battery cells (10) arranged and packed within a housing (110).

[0041] The unit module (100) of the expandable battery device of the present idea can be utilized in various fields suitable for implementing the required capacity according to the purpose or use. For example, it can be used in devices that store and supply energy in conjunction with the power grid, such as a battery device included in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or a battery energy storage system (BESS). To this end, the unit module (100) may be a basic structure for implementing an expansion module by mutually combining with other unit modules (100).

[0042] The battery cell (10) may adopt a cylindrical shape, which is advantageous for integration for high capacity and has minimal variation between cells in terms of shape. In this embodiment, a cylindrical battery cell (10) with a negative electrode and a positive electrode positioned at the top is used. In terms of cell chemistry, a lithium-ion type (e.g., LFP) may be used for long lifespan, high stability, and a wide operating temperature range, and other known types such as NCM and NCA may also be applied. The battery cells (10) within the unit module (100) may be arranged horizontally so that their sides are adjacent to each other to form a two-dimensional array.

[0043] A first restraining shape part (111) and a second restraining shape part (113) are formed on each side of the housing (110). The first restraining shape part (111) is coupled by engaging with the second restraining shape part (113) of an adjacent unit module (100), and the second restraining shape part (113) is coupled by engaging with the first restraining shape part (111) of an adjacent unit module (100).

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the first restraining shape part (111) may have an up-and-down slide projection (112), and the second restraining shape part (113) may include a slide groove (114) on the opposite side of the first restraining shape part (111), as shown in FIG. 2, so that the slide projection (112) of an adjacent unit module (100) can be fitted and engaged in the up-and-down direction.

[0045] A holder portion (120) for fixing a battery cell (10) may be disposed on the upper part of the housing (110). The bottom surface of the housing (110) and the bottom surface of the holder portion (120) may have circular grooves that correspond to the position and cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical battery cells (10). A plurality of serial connection bus bars (142) for serially connecting the arranged battery cells (10) may be disposed on the upper surface of the holder portion (120). A terminal fixing portion (140) for connecting with the bus bars (151, 152, 153) described later may be formed at each connection portion of these serial connection bus bars (142). The terminal fixing portion (140) may include a screw or a clamp to facilitate the connection of the serial connection bus bar (142) formed in a plate shape and the upper bus bar (151, 152, 153). FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a terminal fixing part (140) formed in the shape of a double screw.

[0046] A cover portion (130) covering the holder portion (120) may be disposed on the upper part of the holder portion (120). As shown in FIG. 3, a bus bar (151, 152, 153) for electrical connection with an adjacent unit module (100) is disposed on the upper surface of the cover portion (130). As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar (151, 152, 153) may be standardized to the same length and formed to connect between the unit module (100) and the adjacent unit module (100). These bus bars (151, 152, 153) may include bus bars (151, 152) disposed at both ends of an array of arranged battery cells (10), and a parallel connection bus bar (153) for connecting a battery cell (10) disposed in the middle of the array in parallel with a corresponding battery cell (10) within an adjacent unit module (100). The parallel connection busbar (153) can increase the electrical stability of the expansion module combined with the unit module (100) by preventing the current of a specific battery cell (10) within the unit module (100) from concentrating or generating heat, and by dispersing the current.

[0047] The upper surface of the cover portion (130) may have a groove (133) formed therein so that the busbars (151, 152, 153) can be accommodated. The groove (133) contributes to improved assembly by quickly and accurately guiding the busbars (151, 152, 153) to the correct position, and is advantageous for maintaining insulation between the busbars (151, 152, 153).

[0048] The holder portion (120) can be fastened to the top of the housing (110) by a first fastener (121). This first fastener (121) can be formed in the form of a hook or a snap-fit. The cover portion (130) can be fastened to the holder portion (120) by a second fastener (131). FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate the fastening of the housing (110) and the holder portion (120), and the fastening of the holder portion (120) and the cover portion (130) as described above. However, the cover portion (130) can also be formed in a structure that can be directly fastened to the housing (110). In this case, the holder portion (120) can be formed in a form that is constrained to the housing (110) as a separate element or fixed inside the housing (110).

[0049] Unlike FIGS. 1 to 3, the holder portion (120) may be formed in a form that directly includes the first restraining shape portion (111) and the second restraining shape portion (113). That is, if the holder portion (120) is designed to be relatively larger or more rigid than the housing (110), it is also possible for the first restraining shape portion (111) and the second restraining shape portion (113) to be placed in the holder portion (120) for coupling with an adjacent unit module (100).

[0050] FIGS. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate, by way of example, the first unit module (101) being fitted and fastened to the second unit module (102). As shown in FIG. 4, with the first unit module (101) positioned on the upper part of the second unit module (102), the slide projection (112) of the first unit module (101) is fitted and fastened into the slide groove (114) of the second unit module (102) from top to bottom. For secure fastening, the slide projection (112) may be formed with a cross-section in the shape of a 'T' as shown in FIG. 5, and the slide groove (114) may be formed with a square cross-section with a portion open so that the slide projection (112) can be fitted. However, the slide projection (112) and the slide groove (114) may be formed with other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., male-female coupling structure, key-groove coupling structure, etc.) so as to mutually combine to secure a fixing force in the lateral direction.

[0051] The first restraining shape part (111) may have a step (115) with respect to the second restraining shape part (113) so that when the first unit module (101) and the adjacent second unit module (102) are connected, they can have the same height. Here, the step (115) may be understood to mean that the second restraining shape part (113) is lower in height with respect to the first restraining shape part (111) (Fig. 4), or that the second restraining shape part (113) has a shorter length or undercut than the first restraining shape part (111).

[0052] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an expansion module implemented by combining four unit modules, namely the first unit module (101) to the fourth unit module (104), in succession. By combining standardized unit modules, the required electrical capacity is achieved, while the fastening structure is mechanically simple and stable. The first unit module (101) to the fourth unit module (104), which are fastened at the same height, are simple and stable in terms of the electrical connection structure of the upper busbar (151, 152) and the parallel connection busbar (153-1, 153-2, 153-3, 153-4, 153-5, 153-6, 153-7).

[0053] The first restraining shape part (111) and the second restraining shape part (113) can be manufactured simultaneously using an insulating resin during the molding of the housing (110). In this case, the housing (110) can be manufactured in a single injection molding process, so it has excellent mass production capabilities and has the advantage of being able to expand the unit module (100) without a separate insulating structure.

[0054] FIGS. 8 to 12 are drawings showing other unit modules (200) of a battery device capable of expanding modules related to the present invention and expansion modules by means of the same.

[0055] The unit module (200) of the present embodiment has a first restraining shape part (211) and a second restraining shape part (213) formed on both sides, as in the previous embodiment. However, a bracket (215, 217) is installed on each of the first restraining shape part (211) and the second restraining shape part (213). The first bracket (215) of the first restraining shape part (211) has a fastening hole (216) formed so that it can be fastened by a bolt (not shown) to the second bracket (217) installed on the second restraining shape part (213) of an adjacent unit module (200). Similarly, the second bracket (217) of the second restraining shape part (213) also has a fastening hole (216) formed so that it can be fastened by a bolt (not shown) to the first bracket (215) installed on the first restraining shape part (211) of an adjacent unit module (200).

[0056] The first restraining shape portion (211) and the second restraining shape portion (213) each include a mount slot (213) so that a bracket (215, 217) can be fitted into them. FIGS. 8 to 12 illustrate, for example, that the mount slot (213) is formed in the front-rear direction. However, the mount slot (213) may also be formed in the up-down direction.

[0057] The bracket (215, 217) may be formed from a metal plate (e.g., steel or steel alloy) capable of securing rigidity. In order for the bracket (215, 217) to be stably fixed to the first restraining shape part (211) and the second restraining shape part (213), a stop hole (218) may be formed in the bracket (215, 217) in the first restraining shape part (211) and the second restraining shape part (213), and a stopper (214) into which the stop hole (218) is fitted may be formed in the first restraining shape part (211) and the second restraining shape part (213).

[0058] A tension rib (219) may be formed in the middle of the bracket (215, 217) so as to prevent shaking or vibration while it is inserted into the mount slot (213).

[0059] In this way, by connecting the brackets (215, 217) to the first restraining shape part (211) and the second restraining shape part (213), respectively, an expansion module in the shape of a square block can be implemented by expanding in the left-right direction as in FIG. 11 or stacking in the up-down direction as in FIG. 12. Explanation of the symbols

[0061] 10: Battery cell 100, 200: Unit module 101, 201: 1st unit module 102, 202: Second unit module 103, 203: Third unit module 104, 204: 4th unit module 110: Housing 111, 211: First binding form 112: Slide protrusion 113, 213: Second Restraint Shape 114: Slide Home 115: Step 120: Holder part 121: 1st Fastener 130: Cover part 131: 2nd Fastener 133: Groove 140: Terminal fixing part 142: Serial connection busbar 151, 152, 153: Busbar 153-1, 153-2, 153-3, 153-4, 153-5, 153-6, 153-7: Parallel busbars 214: Mount slot 215: 1st bracket 216: Fastening hole 217: Second bracket 218: Stop hole 219: Tension Rib 220: Stopper

Claims

Claim 1 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling structure includes: a first restraining shape formed on one side of the housing; and a second restraining shape formed on the other side of the housing and formed to engage with the first shape formed on the housing of an adjacent unit module. Claim 2 In claim 1, the battery cell is a battery device capable of expanding modules, formed in a cylindrical shape with a negative electrode and a positive electrode located at the top. Claim 3 In claim 1, one side of the housing and the other side of the housing are located on opposite sides of the housing, forming a modular battery device. Claim 4 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein, in claim 1, the first restraining shape part includes a slide projection in the vertical direction, and the second restraining shape part includes a slide groove formed such that the slide projection is fitted in the vertical direction and fixed in the lateral direction. Claim 5 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein, in claim 1, the first restraining shape part has a step difference with respect to the second restraining shape part so that the unit module and the adjacent unit module can be connected to form the same height. Claim 6 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein, in claim 1, the housing, the first restraining shape part, and the second restraining shape part are integrally formed by an insulating resin. Claim 7 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein, in claim 1, it further comprises a holder portion formed on the upper part of the housing to secure the plurality of battery cells. Claim 8 In claim 7, the battery device capable of expanding the module includes a first fastener formed to be fastened to the housing, wherein the holder portion comprises a first fastener formed to be fastened to the housing. Claim 9 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein, in claim 7, it further comprises a cover portion formed on the upper part of the holder portion to cover the holder portion. Claim 10 In claim 9, the battery device capable of expanding the module includes a second fastener formed so as to be fastened to the holder portion. Claim 11 A battery device capable of expanding modules according to claim 1, comprising a groove formed to accommodate a busbar for electrically connecting to an adjacent unit module on the upper surface of the cover portion. Claim 12 In claim 11, the above-mentioned busbar is a multi-unit battery device capable of expanding modules, wherein the busbar is arranged in parallel to connect mutually corresponding battery cells disposed internally between the unit module and the adjacent unit module. Claim 13 In claim 11, a battery device capable of expanding modules, wherein a plurality of the busbars are standardized to the same length and formed to connect between the unit module and the adjacent unit module. Claim 14 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein a unit module having a plurality of battery cells is coupled to an adjacent unit module to enable the expansion of the module, the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells and a holder portion that fixes the plurality of battery cells at the top of the housing, and the coupling structure includes a first restraining shape portion formed on one side of the holder portion; and a second restraining shape portion formed on the other side of the holder portion and formed such that the first shape portion formed on the holder portion of an adjacent unit module can be engaged. Claim 15 A battery device capable of expanding a module, wherein a unit module having a plurality of battery cells has a coupling structure that allows the module to be expanded by coupling it to an adjacent unit module, the unit module includes a housing that accommodates the plurality of battery cells, and the coupling structure includes: a first restraining shape formed on one side of the housing; and a second restraining shape formed on the other side of the housing and formed to be coupled to the first shape formed on the housing of an adjacent unit module by a bracket. Claim 16 In claim 15, the battery device capable of expanding the module, wherein the first restraining shape part and the second restraining shape part each include a mount slot formed to allow a bracket to be fitted therein. Claim 17 A battery device capable of expanding modules, wherein, in claim 15, a bracket fitted to the first restraining shape portion of the unit module and a bracket fitted to the second restraining shape portion of the adjacent unit module each include a fastening hole so that they can be fastened by a bolt.

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