Battery Module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module, which is intended to prevent heat transfer between single-cell module assemblies in the battery module. The battery module includes a plurality of single-cell module assemblies and a module plate, wherein the single-cell module assembly includes a plurality of battery cells and a separate housing for accommodating the plurality of battery cells. The separate housing includes: an upper plate / lower plate, the upper plate / lower plate being located at the upper and lower parts, rather than at the front and rear parts where the electrode leads of the plurality of battery cells protrude; and two side plates, the two side plates being located at both sides of the plurality of battery cells to connect the upper plate / lower plate. A pair of module plates are respectively located at the front and rear parts where the electrode leads of the plurality of single-cell module assemblies protrude, and are large enough to cover the entire front and rear parts, respectively, and are fastened to the plurality of single-cell module assemblies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2019-0169535, filed on December 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module, which comprises a plurality of single module assemblies and a module plate, wherein each single module assembly has a separate housing. Background Art

[0003] With the technological development of mobile devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, camcorders, and digital cameras and the increase in demand therefor, research on secondary batteries capable of charging and discharging has been actively conducted. In addition, secondary batteries as energy sources to replace fossil fuels that cause air pollution have been applied to electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs), so the necessity of developing secondary batteries is increasing.

[0004] Currently, widely used secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.0V to 5.0V. Therefore, in the case where an output voltage higher than the above operating voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series with each other to form a single module assembly. In addition, depending on the required output voltage or charge and discharge capacity, the single module assemblies can be connected in series or in parallel with each other to form a battery module. Typically, a battery pack is manufactured using at least one battery module by adding additional components.

[0005] Will refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A conventional battery module is described. Generally, a plurality of battery cells are housed in a box 22 generally made of a plastic material without a separate housing to form a cell module assembly 20. At least one cell module assembly 20 formed as described above is housed in a module housing composed of an upper module plate 11, a lower module plate 12, and side module plates 13 and 14 to manufacture a battery module 10.

[0006] However, with this battery module, a plurality of cell module assemblies are arranged and installed in a single space defined in a module housing. Therefore, when an event such as a fire outbreak occurs in a specific cell module assembly, the event spreads to adjacent cell module assemblies, whereby the adjacent cell module assemblies may also be damaged. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery module configured such that each cell module assembly is accommodated in a separate case in a state in which a module case is removed from the battery module.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of cell module assemblies and a pair of module plates, wherein each of the cell module assemblies includes a plurality of battery cells and a separate housing, the separate housing being configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, the separate housing including an upper plate, a lower plate, and two side plates, the upper plate being located at an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells, the lower plate being located at a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, the two side plates being located at opposite side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, the two side plates being configured to connect the upper plate and the lower plate to each other except for front and rear portions of the plurality of battery cells, from which electrode leads protrude, and each of the pair of module plates having a size covering a corresponding one of the entire front and the entire rear portions of the plurality of cell module assemblies, from which the electrode leads protrude, and the pair of module plates being located at the front and rear portions of the plurality of cell module assemblies, respectively, to be fastened to the plurality of cell module assemblies.

[0011] In addition, the battery module according to the present invention may further include a bus bar unit located between the plurality of battery cells and each module plate, the bus bar unit being electrically connected to the electrode leads.

[0012] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, each of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plates of the separate case may be provided with a fastening portion for coupling with the other plates.

[0013] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, a space portion may be formed between each side plate of the individual case and a side plate of an adjacent individual case.

[0014] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, a heat insulating material configured to suppress heat transfer between the cell module assemblies may be further added to the space portion.

[0015] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, a flame retardant material configured to suppress flame transfer between the cell module assemblies may be further added to the space portion.

[0016] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the upper plate and the lower plate of the separate case may be coupled to the side plates by mechanical fastening or welding.

[0017] In addition, in the battery module according to the present invention, the end portions of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate of the separate shell can be formed as follows: when the upper plate and the lower plate are connected to the side plate, the end portions of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate overlap with each other to improve the sealing between the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate.

[0018] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, each module plate may include a fastening portion for coupling with a separate case and a discharge portion configured to discharge exhaust gas.

[0019] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, each module plate may be coupled to the cell module assembly by mechanical fastening.

[0020] Furthermore, in the battery module according to the present invention, the separate housing may be made of a metal material.

[0021] Furthermore, the battery pack according to the present invention includes at least one battery module.

[0022] Beneficial Effects

[0023] The battery module according to the present invention is advantageous in that each cell module assembly is accommodated in a separate housing, so when an event such as a fire outbreak occurs in a specific cell module assembly, the event can be prevented from spreading to adjacent cell module assemblies.

[0024] Furthermore, the battery module according to the present invention has advantages in that the individual cases are fastened to each other in a state of being spaced apart from each other to form a space portion, thereby preventing heat transfer, and in that a heat insulating material or a flame retardant material can be further added to the space portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is an exploded perspective view of a traditional battery module.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a traditional single module assembly.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a separate housing according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling portion between upper / lower plates and side plates in a separate housing according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a module board according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a bus bar unit according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "including", "having", "comprising", etc. specify the existence of the described features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combinations, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or their combinations.

[0034] In addition, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to components that perform similar functions or operations. Where a part is described as being connected to another part in the specification, not only may a part be directly connected to another part, but a part may also be indirectly connected to another part via other components. In addition, including a certain element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that such elements may be further included, unless otherwise specified.

[0035] Hereinafter, a battery module according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery module.

[0037] Will refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The battery module 100 is described. First, the battery module 100 includes: at least one cell module assembly (CMA), the at least one cell module assembly having a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells being housed in a separate housing 110; and a module plate 120, the module plate 120 being configured to cover the front and rear of the cell module assembly, where electrode leads protrude from the battery cells in the cell module assembly. In addition, the battery module 100 also includes a bus bar unit 130, which is disposed between the cell module assembly and each module plate, and the bus bar unit is configured to electrically connect the electrode leads to each other. In addition, in the battery module 100, a space portion 140 is formed between adjacent separate housings 110.

[0038] Each battery cell used in the battery module 100 according to the present invention may be composed of a secondary battery. Based on the type and shape of the sheath member, the secondary battery can be generally divided into a pouch-shaped secondary battery, a cylindrical secondary battery, or a prismatic secondary battery. Preferably, a pouch-shaped secondary battery can be used as the battery cell according to the present invention.

[0039] The pouch-shaped secondary battery may include an electrode assembly, a battery case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and a pair of electrode leads protruding forward and rearward from the battery case.

[0040] Will refer to Figure 5 The separate housing 110 is described in detail. The separate housing 110 includes an upper plate 111, a lower plate 112, and a side plate 113, which are respectively located at the upper part, the lower part, and the side surface of the single module assembly. Each of the upper plate 111, the lower plate 112, and the side plate 113 is provided with a fastening portion 114 for connecting with other plates. The fastening between the upper plate 111, the lower plate 112, and the side plate 113 is achieved by the fastening portion 114. Any of various conventional methods can be used as a fastening method, such as mechanical fastening using bolts or welding.

[0041] In addition, in the battery module 100 according to the present invention, the fastening parts 114 formed at the side plates 113 of the adjacent individual housings 110 are fastened to each other with corresponding fastening parts 114, thereby connecting the individual housings 110 to each other. Figure 4 As shown, as described above, the space portion 140 is formed between the side plates of the individual housings 110 connected to each other. The space portion itself can be used to suppress heat transfer between the individual housings 110. In addition, a heat insulating material configured to block heat transfer or a flame retardant material configured to prevent flame propagation when a fire breaks out can be inserted into the space portion 140.

[0042] In addition, each of the upper plate 111, the lower plate 112, and the side plate 113 of the separate housing 110 may be made of a metal material. The upper plate 111, the lower plate 112, and the side plate 113 as described above are all made of a metal material and are coupled to each other to form a separate housing. Therefore, compared with a box generally made of a plastic material used in a conventional battery module, the separate housing has a higher mechanical strength.

[0043] Will refer to Figure 6The connection of the individual housings by the upper plate 111, the lower plate 112 and the side plate 113 is described in more detail. The end portion 113a of each side plate 113 is configured to abut against a corresponding one of the upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112 when fastened, and the end portion 113a is bent to overlap with the end portion of the corresponding one of the upper plate 111 and the lower plate 112, thereby improving the sealing of the individual housing 110 after fastening. Therefore, in the case where exhaust gas is generated from one or more battery cells in a specific single-cell module assembly, since the sealing of the individual housing 110 is improved as described above, the exhaust gas can be guided to the front and rear parts of the individual housing 110 where the upper plate 111, the lower plate 112 and the side plate 113 are not located. As a result, even if exhaust gas is generated in a specific single-cell module assembly, the single-cell module assembly adjacent thereto will not be affected, thereby improving the reliability of the battery module.

[0044] At the same time, reference will be made to Figure 7 The module plate 120 is described in detail. The module plate 120 includes an assembly portion 121 and a discharge portion 122, the assembly portion 121 is used to be assembled with a separate housing 110, the discharge portion 122 is configured to discharge exhaust gas, and the module plate 120 has a size covering the entire front and the entire rear of the single module assembly located in the battery module. The module plate 120 and the separate housing 110 can be assembled by mechanically connecting the assembly portion 121 of the module plate 120 and the fastening portion 114 of the separate housing 110 using bolts. The module plate 120 assembled as described above can also be used to additionally fix the separate housing 110. Since the assembly is achieved by mechanical connection rather than welding, it is possible to prevent the battery cells in the single module assembly from being damaged due to the heat generated during welding. In addition, even in the event of a failure of a specific single module assembly, the module plate 120 can be easily separated from the separate housing connected to the module plate, thereby repairing or removing the defective single module assembly.

[0045] Will refer to Figure 8 The bus bar unit 130 is described in detail. The bus bar unit 130 includes a bus bar body 131 and a bus bar frame 132. Here, the bus bar body 131 is used to electrically connect electrode leads of battery cells to each other, and the bus bar frame 132 is used to fix and support the bus bar body 131.

[0046] Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detailed description of the present invention only discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention and therefore does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and technical ideas of the present invention, and it will be apparent that these changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0047] Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 10: Battery module

[0049] 11: Upper module board

[0050] 12: Lower module board

[0051] 13, 14: Side module panels

[0052] 20: Monomer module assembly

[0053] 21: Busbar unit

[0054] 22: Box

[0055] 100: Battery module

[0056] 110: Separate housing

[0057] 111: On the board

[0058] 112: Lower board

[0059] 113: Side panels

[0060] 113a: End of the side panel

[0061] 114: Fastening part

[0062] 120: Module board

[0063] 121: Assembly Department

[0064] 122: Emissions Department

[0065] 130: Busbar unit

[0066] 131: Busbar body

[0067] 132: Busbar frame

[0068] 140: Space Department

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising a plurality of single module assemblies and a pair of module plates, wherein: Each of the cell module assemblies includes a plurality of battery cells and a separate housing configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells. The separate housing includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and two side plates, the upper plate being located at an upper portion of the plurality of battery cells, the lower plate being located at a lower portion of the plurality of battery cells, the two side plates being located at opposite side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells, the two side plates being configured to connect the upper plate and the lower plate to each other except for front and rear portions of the plurality of battery cells, electrode leads protruding from the front and rear portions, and each of the pair of module plates has a size covering a corresponding one of the entire front and the entire rear of the plurality of single module assemblies from which the electrode leads protrude, the pair of module plates being respectively located at the front and the rear of the plurality of single module assemblies to be fastened to the plurality of single module assemblies, Here, a space portion is formed between each of the side plates of the separate housings and a side plate of an adjacent separate housing to suppress heat transfer between the separate housings. 2 . The battery module according to claim 1 , further comprising a bus bar unit located between the plurality of battery cells and each of the module boards, the bus bar unit being electrically connected to the electrode leads.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plates is provided with a fastening portion for coupling with other plates.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A heat insulating material is further added to the space portion, the heat insulating material being configured to suppress heat transfer between the cell module assemblies.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: A flame retardant material is further added to the space portion, the flame retardant material being configured to inhibit flame transfer between the single module assemblies.

6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The upper plate and the lower plate of the separate housing are coupled to the side plates by mechanical fastening or welding.

7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The end portions of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate of the separate shell are formed so that when the upper plate and the lower plate are connected to the side plate, the end portions of the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate overlap with each other to improve the sealing between the upper plate, the lower plate and the side plate.

8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the module panels includes a fastening portion for coupling with the separate housing and a discharge portion configured to discharge exhaust gas.

9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the module plates is coupled to the cell module assembly by mechanical fastening.

10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The separate housing is made of a metal material.

11. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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