Pressurizing equipment, battery module manufacturing device and manufacturing method

Abstract

According to the present invention, a pressurizing device for pressurizing a plurality of battery cells bonded by an adhesive comprises: a support plate; a pressurizing fixture comprising a plurality of pressurizing rods, the plurality of pressurizing rods being respectively connected to one side of the support plate and being arranged to face each of the plurality of battery cells, the plurality of pressurizing rods being configured to pressurize each of the plurality of battery cells and being configured to be locally deformed when pressurized; and a conveying unit connected to the other side of the support plate and comprising a conveying fixture for conveying the support plate toward the plurality of battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pressurizing device, a manufacturing apparatus for a battery module, and a manufacturing method for a battery module. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a pressurizing device, a manufacturing apparatus for a battery module, and a manufacturing method for a battery module for improving the durability of a battery module by manufacturing the battery module so that the thickness of an adhesive for fixing a plurality of cylindrical battery cells is constant.

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0093366 filed in Korea on Jul. 27, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Prior art

[0003] Recently, with the rapid increase in demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, cameras, and mobile phones and the widespread development of electric vehicles, batteries for energy storage, robots, and satellites, much research is being conducted on rechargeable high-efficiency secondary batteries.

[0004] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium secondary batteries, etc. Among them, lithium secondary batteries have very little or no memory effect. Therefore, lithium secondary batteries have received more attention than nickel-based secondary batteries due to their following advantages: they can be charged when convenient, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

[0005] In addition, the battery module includes a plurality of battery cells as the secondary battery as described above. Here, since the battery cells generate heat during charging and discharging of the battery module, in order to improve the life and stability of the battery module, effectively discharging the generated heat to the outside is an important factor. To this end, generally, a radiator configured to circulate a refrigerant therein is used to cool the plurality of cylindrical battery cells.

[0006] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Schematically shows the front view of a conventional pressurizing device in operation. Figure 3 is a partial front view schematically showing a part of a conventional pressurizing device.

[0007] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , the conventional pressurizing device 10 is configured to apply downward pressure to the surface (external surface) on which the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are mounted, which is bonded to the heat sink 300 or the like by using the adhesive 400. At this time, the pressurizing device 10 simultaneously pressurizes the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 in the downward direction through the integrated pressurizing plate 1a extending in the horizontal direction.

[0008] However, if Figure 3As shown, when the surface of the heat sink 300 is not flat in the horizontal direction, has a step D in the up-down direction, or has an inclined angle K, the pressurizing plate 1a is suppressed by the cylindrical battery cell 200 located at the highest position. Therefore, the pressurizing plate 1a cannot pressurize the cylindrical battery cell 200b located at a lower position among the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200, or pressurizes only one side of the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200a inclined at a predetermined angle Q, making it difficult to uniformly pressurize all of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200.

[0009] Therefore, when the conventional pressurizing device 10 is used, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are not uniformly pressurized, so that the thickness of the adhesive 400 applied to the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 is uneven. Due to the uneven thickness of the adhesive 400 as described above, the heat transfer efficiency for transferring the heat generated by the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 to the heat sink 300 becomes uneven. Therefore, during the charge and discharge of the manufactured battery module, due to the heat island phenomenon or temperature imbalance of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200, the battery cells are degraded, thereby reducing the life of the battery module. Summary of the invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present disclosure aims to solve the problems of the related art, and therefore aims to provide a pressurizing device, a battery module manufacturing apparatus, and a battery module manufacturing method that improve the durability of a battery module by manufacturing the battery module so that the thickness of an adhesive used to fix a plurality of cylindrical battery cells is uniform.

[0012] These and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood through the following detailed description and will become more fully apparent according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the modes shown in the appended claims and their combinations.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a pressurizing device for pressurizing a plurality of battery cells bonded by an adhesive is provided, the pressurizing device comprising: a pressurizing fixture, the pressurizing fixture comprising a support plate and a plurality of pressurizing rods, the plurality of pressurizing rods being respectively connected to one side of the support plate and being arranged to respectively face the plurality of battery cells, the plurality of pressurizing rods being configured to respectively pressurize the plurality of battery cells and to locally deform during pressurization; and a conveying unit, the conveying unit being connected to the other side of the support plate and having a conveying fixture configured to convey the support plate toward the plurality of battery cells.

[0015] The pressurizing rod may include: a bolt portion having one side fixed to the support plate; and a pressurizing portion configured to be combined with the other side of the bolt portion.

[0016] The pressurizing portion may further include an elastic member configured to elastically deform in a direction opposite to the pressurizing direction when the battery cell is pressurized.

[0017] The elastic member may be located at a portion of the pressurizing part that pressurizes the battery cell to directly pressurize the battery cell.

[0018] The conveying unit may be configured to move an end portion of the elastic member in the pressing direction toward a pressed surface of the battery cell in the pressing direction.

[0019] The pressurizing part may be configured to rotate along an inclination angle of a pressed surface of the pressed battery cell when the battery cell is pressurized.

[0020] A portion of the bolt portion coupled with the pressurizing portion may have a spherical shape, and the pressurizing portion may be coupled to rotate along an outer surface of the spherical shape of the bolt portion.

[0021] The elastic member may have an insertion groove formed such that a portion of the battery cell is inserted into the insertion groove.

[0022] A tapered portion may be formed at an inner surface of the insertion groove to guide insertion of the battery cell when the battery cell is inserted into the insertion groove.

[0023] The support plate may include an inner space configured to receive a portion of the pressurizing rod and an insertion groove opened such that the remaining portion of the pressurizing rod protrudes outward from the inner space.

[0024] The pressurizing rod may include: a hanging portion, which is configured to be hung at the insertion groove and has a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction; a protrusion, which is configured to extend from the hanging portion toward the battery cell and protrude from the insertion groove toward the battery cell to pressurize the upper part of the battery cell; and an elastic portion, one end of the elastic portion is connected to the hanging portion or the protrusion and the other end is connected to the inner surface of the inner space of the support plate, and the elastic portion is configured to be compressed when the protrusion presses the battery cell.

[0025] The transfer unit may include a plurality of column units configured to transfer the plurality of pressurizing rods toward the plurality of battery cells, respectively.

[0026] The plurality of battery cells may be provided as cylindrical battery cells.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module manufacturing apparatus is provided. The battery module manufacturing apparatus includes the pressurizing device according to the above embodiment.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a battery module is also provided, including: a coating step of coating an adhesive to a portion of a heat sink on which a plurality of battery cells are mounted; an attaching step of attaching the plurality of battery cells to the adhesive coated on the heat sink; and a pressurizing step of pressurizing each of the plurality of battery cells toward the adhesive by using a pressurizing device according to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0029] Beneficial Effects

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a pressurizing fixture having a plurality of pressurizing rods, the plurality of pressurizing rods are configured to pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells respectively and are configured to be locally deformed during pressurization, compared with the prior art that uses an integrated pressurizing plate to pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells, the plurality of pressurizing rods can independently pressurize the cylindrical battery cells. Therefore, even when there is a surface having a step or an inclined surface due to the uneven surface of the radiator, the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods can be effectively reduced.

[0031] Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells and the heat sink can be more uniform. Finally, the uniform thickness of the adhesive can transfer the heat generated by each bonded cylindrical battery cell to the heat sink with similar heat transfer efficiency, thereby ensuring easy heat management of the battery module and effectively preventing the cylindrical battery cells from deteriorating.

[0032] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, since the pressurizing rod is rotatably coupled along the outer surface of the spherical portion of the bolt portion, the inclined upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell can be pressurized, and the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell is tilted along the inclined surface of the heat sink as a whole, so that the thickness of the adhesive bonded to the inclined cylindrical battery cell can be uniformly formed. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells can be prevented from becoming uneven.

[0033] In addition, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, since the elastic member is provided with an insertion groove for accommodating a portion of the cylindrical battery cell, when the elastic member presses the cylindrical battery cell, the cylindrical battery cell can be effectively prevented from sliding. That is, the insertion groove of the elastic member can stably hold the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell. Therefore, the occurrence of defects in the pressurizing process of the pressurizing device can be effectively reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2is a front view schematically showing a conventional pressurizing device in operation.

[0036] Figure 3 is a partial front view schematically showing a part of a conventional pressurizing device.

[0037] Figure 4 is a front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a part of a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 6 is a front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0040] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 8 is a front view schematically showing a portion of a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0042] Fig. 9 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0043] Fig.10 and Fig.11 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0044] Fig.12 and Fig.13 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0045] Fig.14 and Fig.15 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood before the description that the terms used in this specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted based on the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriately define the terms to achieve the best interpretation, based on the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure.

[0047] Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are merely preferred examples for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 4 is a front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a part of a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 Schematically shows a front view of a pressurizing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in operation. Figure 7 is a partial perspective view schematically showing a portion of a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Reference Figures 4 to 7 , the pressurizing device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to pressurize the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 bonded by the adhesive 400. That is, the pressurizing device 100 of the present disclosure may be configured, for example, to apply the adhesive 400 to the surface (external surface) of the module case (not shown) on which the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are mounted or the heat sink 300, and to pressurize toward the adhesive 400 using the pressurizing jig 110 in a state in which the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are respectively attached to the applied adhesive 400.

[0050] Here, the cylindrical battery cell 200 may include thereon a positive electrode terminal 211 and a negative electrode terminal 212. At this time, the positive electrode terminal 211 may be configured not to protrude further upward to the top end of the battery can 216.

[0051] The cylindrical battery cell 200 may include a battery can 216 and an electrode assembly (not shown) accommodated in the battery can 216. Such components of the cylindrical battery cell 200 are well known to those skilled in the art at the time of filing this application, and thus will not be described in detail in this specification.

[0052] Specifically, the pressurizing apparatus 100 may include a pressurizing jig 110 and a conveying unit 120 configured to convey the pressurizing jig 110 .

[0053] Here, the press jig 110 may include a support plate 111 and a plurality of press rods 112. The support plate 111 may have a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction. The support plate 111 may be configured to be connected to the conveying unit 120. For example, Figure 4 As shown, based on the front view, the left and right ends of the support plate 111 may be configured to be connected to the transfer unit 120. The support plate 111 may be configured to move in the up and down directions by the transfer unit 120.

[0054] In addition, each of the plurality of press rods 112 may be connected to one side (lower surface) of the support plate 111. The plurality of press rods 112 may be arranged to face the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 in the up and down directions, respectively. The plurality of press rods 112 may be configured to be separated from each other so as to be able to move independently. For example, the upper portion of each of the plurality of press rods 112 may be connected to the support plate 111.

[0055] In addition, the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 may include a bolt portion 112a and a pressurizing portion 112b. The bolt portion 112a may be configured to have one side fixed to the support plate 111 and the other side combined with the pressurizing portion 112b.

[0056] The bolt portion 112a is inserted into the fastening hole of the support plate 111 so that the bolt head of the bolt portion 112a can be blocked by the upper surface of the support plate 111 and a portion of the bolt body of the bolt portion 112a can be fixed inside the fastening hole. The lower portion of the bolt portion 112a can be threadedly connected to the pressurizing portion 112b. The pressurizing portion 112b can be configured so that when the cylindrical battery cell 200 is pressurized, the pressurized cylindrical battery cell 200 is partially pressurized and deformed.

[0057] In addition, the conveying unit 120 may include a conveying jig 121. The lower portion of the conveying jig 121 may be connected to the other side (upper surface) of the support plate 111. The conveying jig 121 may be configured to convey the support plate 111 toward the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. In addition, the conveying jig 121 may be configured to return to its original position after the process of pressurizing the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 is completed.

[0058] In addition, the conveying unit 120 may further include a pressurizing column 122. The pressurizing column 122 may be connected to the conveying jig 121. The pressurizing column 122 may be configured to move a cylindrical shaft 122a in an up-and-down direction. An end of the cylindrical shaft 122a may be connected to the conveying jig 121.

[0059] The pressurizing device 100 may further include a column unit 130, and the pressurizing column 122 may be installed and fixed to the column unit 130. The column unit 130 may include two leg parts 131 and a mounting part 132 connected to the two leg parts 131. The two leg parts 131 may have a shape extending upward from the ground. The mounting part 132 may be configured to be connected to the upper part of the two leg parts 131.

[0060] For example, Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the conveying unit 120 moves the conveying jig 121 in the downward direction so that the pressurizing jig 110 is conveyed downward to pressurize each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 toward the adhesive 400 (downward direction). When the pressurization is completed, the conveying unit 120 may move the conveying jig 121 upward again to return the pressurizing jig 110 to its original position.

[0061] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a pressurizing jig 110 having a plurality of pressurizing rods 112 configured to respectively pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and configured to be locally deformed during pressurization, the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can independently pressurize the cylindrical battery cells 200, compared to the prior art that uses an integrated pressurizing plate to pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. Therefore, even when the height of the cylindrical battery cells 200 has a step in the up-and-down direction or the cylindrical battery cells 200 are inclined at a predetermined angle Q due to the uneven surface of the heat sink 300, the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can be effectively reduced.

[0062] Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive 400 interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and the heat sink 300 can be more uniform. Finally, the uniform thickness of the adhesive 400 can transfer the heat generated by each bonded cylindrical battery cell 200 to the heat sink 300 with similar heat transfer efficiency, thereby ensuring easy heat management of the battery module and effectively preventing the cylindrical battery cells 200 from being deteriorated.

[0063] Refer again Figures 5 to 7 The pressurizing fixture 110 of the present disclosure may further include an elastic member 112b1. The elastic member 112b1 may be, for example, made of a synthetic rubber or polyurethane material. The polyurethane may have a hardness of 40° to 60°. More specifically, the hardness of the polyurethane may be 50°.

[0064] In addition, in the pressurizing fixture 110 of the present disclosure, a portion of the pressurizing rod 112 may be an elastic member 112b1. Figure 6 As shown, the elastic member 112b1 may be provided at the lower portion of the pressing portion 112b of the pressing rod 112. The elastic member 112b1 may be configured to directly pressurize the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200. The elastic member 112b1 may be configured to elastically deform in a direction opposite to the pressing direction when the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 is pressed.

[0065] In addition, the end of the elastic member 112b1 may be configured to move more toward the pressurized surface of the cylindrical battery cell 200. For example, one surface (lower surface) of the elastic member 112b1 may move a greater distance in the pressurized direction than the distance of the cylindrical battery cell 200. For example, the lower surface of the elastic member 112b1 may move to a position that is about 1 mm lower in height than the upper position of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0066] Therefore, in the present disclosure, since the pressurizing jig 110 further includes an elastic member 112b1 configured to elastically deform in a direction opposite to the pressurizing direction when the cylindrical battery cell 200 is pressurized, the lower surface of the elastic member 112b1 can be further moved to an upper position of the cylindrical battery cell 200 in the pressurizing direction compared to the prior art that uses a pressurizing plate made of a rigid material to pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. Therefore, even when the height of the cylindrical battery cell 200 has a step in the up-and-down direction or the cylindrical battery cell 200 is inclined at a predetermined angle Q due to the uneven surface of the heat sink 300, uniform pressurization can be performed, thereby effectively reducing the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods 112.

[0067] Therefore, in the present disclosure, the thickness of the adhesive 400 interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and the heat sink 300 and compressed by the pressurizing device 100 may be more uniform.

[0068] Finally, the uniform thickness of the adhesive 400 may allow heat generated from each bonded cylindrical battery cell 200 to be transferred to the heat sink 300 with similar heat transfer efficiency, thereby ensuring easy heat management of the battery module and effectively preventing the cylindrical battery cells 200 from being deteriorated.

[0069] Figure 8 is a front view schematically showing a portion of a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation. Fig. 9 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0070] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ,and Figure 6 Compared to the pressurizing device 100 shown in the figure, the pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured so that the pressurizing rod 112A is rotatable. Other components of the pressurizing device 100 may be the same.

[0071] Specifically, the pressurizing rod 112A may be configured to rotate according to an inclination angle Q of the cylindrical battery cell 200 or an inclination angle of a surface being pressed when the cylindrical battery cell 200 is pressed.

[0072] More specifically, in the pressurizing rod 112A, a portion 112a1 of the bolt portion 112a may have a spherical shape. A portion of the bolt portion 112a connected to the pressurizing portion 112b may have a spherical shape.

[0073] The pressurizing portion 112 b may be combined with the spherical portion 112 a 1 to enable rotational movement along the outer surface of the spherical portion 112 a 1 of the bolt portion 112 a .

[0074] For example, Fig.10 As shown, when the pressurizing rod 112A pressurizes the cylindrical battery cell 200 mounted on the inclined outer surface of the heat sink 300, the pressurizing rod 112A may be configured to rotate along the inclined surface of the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200. That is, the lower surface of the elastic member 112b1 provided at the pressurizing portion 112b of the pressurizing rod 112A may rotate clockwise through the inclined surface of the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0075] Therefore, in the present disclosure, since the pressurizing rod 112A is rotatably coupled along the outer surface of the spherical portion 112a1 of the bolt portion 112a, the inclined upper surface of the upper inclined cylindrical battery cell 200 can be pressurized, so that the thickness of the adhesive 400 coupled to the inclined cylindrical battery cell 200 can be uniformly formed. That is, in the present embodiment, since the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 can be uniformly pressurized along the inclined surface of the heat sink 300 as a whole, the thickness of the adhesive 400 coupled to the inclined cylindrical battery cell 200 can be uniformly formed.

[0076] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat dissipation efficiency of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 from becoming uneven.

[0077] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A partial front view of a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation is schematically shown.

[0078] Reference Fig.10 and Fig.11 ,and Fig. 9 Compared with the elastic member 112b1 of the pressurizing device 100 of the present disclosure, the elastic member 112b1 provided to the pressurizing portion 112a of the pressurizing rod 112B of the pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may further have an insertion groove H configured to allow a portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 to be inserted therein. Other components of the pressurizing device 100 may be the same.

[0079] Specifically, the insertion groove H may be configured such that a portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 is inserted. Fig.10As shown, the insertion groove H may be formed by recessing the lower surface of the elastic member 112b1 in an upward direction. The insertion groove H may be configured to receive the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 therein.

[0080] Therefore, in the present disclosure, since the elastic member 112b1 is provided with the insertion groove H for accommodating a portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200, the cylindrical battery cell 200 can be effectively prevented from sliding when the elastic member 112b1 pressurizes the cylindrical battery cell 200. That is, the insertion groove H of the elastic member 112b1 can stably hold the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0081] Therefore, defects generated in the pressurizing process of the pressurizing device 100 can be effectively reduced.

[0082] In addition, a tapered portion T may be formed on the inner surface of the insertion groove H. Specifically, the tapered portion T may be configured to guide the insertion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 when the cylindrical battery cell 200 is inserted into the insertion groove H. For example, Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the tapered portion T may be formed such that the inner space becomes narrower from the entrance portion (lower portion) of the insertion groove H in an upward direction (inner direction).

[0083] Therefore, when the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell 200 is inserted into the insertion groove H of the elastic member 112 b 1 , the cylindrical battery cell 200 may move into the insertion groove H along the tapered portion T. As shown in FIG.

[0084] Therefore, in the present disclosure, since the tapered portion T is formed at the insertion groove H, it is possible to effectively prevent the cylindrical battery cell 200 in a tilted state from not being inserted into the insertion groove H and thus being separated from the elastic member 112 b 1 or causing a pressurization failure.

[0085] Fig.12 and Fig.13 A partial front view schematically shows a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0086] Reference Fig.12 and Fig.13 In a pressurizing device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, when Figure 6 The support plate 111B and the press rod 112B may have different shapes when compared to the illustrated press device 100. The other components are the same, so the different features of the support plate 111B and the press rod 112B will be described.

[0087] Specifically, Fig.12 and Fig.13The support plate 111B of the pressurizing device may have an inner space S configured to accommodate a portion of the pressurizing rod 112B. The inner space S may have an additional empty space so that a portion of the inserted pressurizing rod 112B is movable.

[0088] The support plate 111B may include an insertion groove P opened so that the remaining portion of the pressurizing rod 112B may protrude outward from the internal space S. That is, the insertion groove P may be formed to communicate with the internal space S so that the remaining portion of the pressurizing rod 112B except for the portion located in the internal space S may protrude toward the cylindrical battery cell 200.

[0089] In addition, the pressure rod 112B may include a hanging portion 112c, a protruding portion 112d, and an elastic portion 112e. Specifically, the hanging portion 112c is configured to be hung at the insertion slot P and may have a plate shape extending in the horizontal direction. For example, when the insertion slot P is a circular opening, the hanging portion 112c may have a circular plate shape extending in the horizontal direction.

[0090] In addition, the protrusion 112d may have a shape extending from the hanging portion 112c through the insertion groove P toward the cylindrical battery cell 200. The protrusion 112d may have a shape protruding from the insertion groove P toward the cylindrical battery cell 200 to pressurize the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0091] The protrusion 112d may have a receiving space into which a portion of the elastic portion 112e may be inserted. Fig.12 As shown, the protrusion 112d may have a tubular funnel shape whose diameter decreases in a downward direction.

[0092] In addition, one end of the elastic portion 112e may be connected to the hanging portion 112c or the protruding portion 112d. The other end of the elastic portion 112e may be connected to the inner surface of the inner space S of the support plate 111B.

[0093] The elastic portion 112e may be configured to be compressed in a direction opposite to the pressing direction when the protrusion 112d presses the cylindrical battery cell 200. Fig.12 As shown, the elastic portion 112e may be a spring, one end of which is connected to the inner surface of the inner space S of the support plate 111B, and the other end of which is connected to the accommodating space of the protrusion 112d.

[0094] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes the support plate 111B having the internal space and the insertion groove P and the pressurizing rod 112B having the hanging portion 112c, the protruding portion 112d, and the elastic portion 112e, the pressurizing rod 112B is configured to be movable in the internal space S of the support plate 111B. Therefore, even when the cylindrical battery cell 200 is tilted, the cylindrical battery cell 200 can be pressurized along the tilted upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell 200, and thus the thickness of the adhesive 400 bonded to the tilted cylindrical battery cell 200 can be uniformly formed. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 can be prevented from becoming uneven.

[0095] In addition, in the present disclosure, even when there is a step or inclined surface in the up-down direction, the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods 112B can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive 400 interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and the heat sink 300 can be more uniform.

[0096] Fig.14 and Fig.15 FIG. 4 is a partial front view schematically showing a pressurizing device according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure in operation.

[0097] Reference Fig.14 and Fig.15 , Fig.14 and Fig.15 The pressurized equipment and Figure 6 The pressurizing device of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is different in the configuration of the transfer unit 120C. Since the other components are the same, only the components having differences will be described.

[0098] Fig.14 and Fig.15 The conveying unit 120C of the pressurizing device may further include a plurality of columnar units 123. The plurality of columnar units 123 may be fixed to the support plate 111. For example, Fig.14 As shown, a plurality of columnar units 123 may be fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 111 .

[0099] In addition, the plurality of cylindrical units 123 may be configured to respectively transfer the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 toward the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. For example, the cylindrical shafts 123a of the plurality of cylindrical units 123 may be connected to the plurality of pressurizing rods 112, respectively.

[0100] The cylindrical unit 123 may move the pressurizing rod 112 toward the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 or move the pressurizing rod 112 away from the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. An end of the cylindrical shaft 123a may be connected to the pressurizing rod 112.

[0101] In this case, with Figure 6 The pressure rod 112 is different. Fig.14 The pressurizing rod 112 may include only a pressurizing portion (with Figure 7 That is, each of the plurality of columnar units 123 may be configured to be connected to each of the plurality of pressurizing portions 112b.

[0102] In addition, Figure 4 The transport unit 120 shown is different. Fig.14 The conveying unit 120C may not include a conveying jig. Instead, the pressurizing column 122 may be directly connected to the supporting plate 111.

[0103] Therefore, according to such a configuration of the present disclosure, since the present disclosure includes a plurality of pressurizing rods 112 configured to respectively pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and a plurality of cylindrical units 123 capable of independently moving the plurality of pressurizing rods 112, the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can independently pressurize the cylindrical battery cells 200, compared to the prior art that uses an integrated pressurizing plate to pressurize a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. Therefore, even when the height of the cylindrical battery cells 200 has a step in the up-and-down direction or the cylindrical battery cells 200 are inclined at a predetermined angle due to the uneven surface of the heat sink 300, the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can be effectively reduced.

[0104] Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and the heat sink 300 may be more uniform.

[0105] Meanwhile, the battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the pressurizing apparatus 100 and a control unit configured to control the operation of the pressurizing apparatus 100 .

[0106] Meanwhile, the method of manufacturing the battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a method of pressurizing a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 coupled to a module case (not shown) or a heat sink 300 having the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 mounted thereon by using the pressurizing apparatus 100 .

[0107] Specifically, the manufacturing method includes: a coating step of coating an adhesive 400 to a portion of a module housing or a heat sink on which a plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 are mounted; an attaching step of attaching the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 to the adhesive 400 coated on the heat sink 300; and a pressurizing step of pressurizing each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 toward the adhesive 400 by using a pressurizing device 100.

[0108] Therefore, in the present disclosure, since the battery module is manufactured using the pressurizing apparatus 100, the pressurizing apparatus 100 includes the pressurizing jig 110 having the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 configured to pressurize the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200, respectively, and configured to be locally deformed during pressurization, the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can independently pressurize the cylindrical battery cells 200, compared to the prior art that uses one pressurizing plate to pressurize the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200. As a result, even when the surface of the heat sink 300 is not flat and has a surface having a step or an inclination in the up-and-down direction, the deviation of the applied pressure of the plurality of pressurizing rods 112 can be effectively reduced.

[0109] Therefore, the thickness of the adhesive 400 interposed between each of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 200 and the heat sink 300 may be more uniform.

[0110] Finally, the uniform thickness of the adhesive 400 may allow heat generated from each bonded cylindrical battery cell 200 to be transferred to the heat sink 300 with similar heat transfer efficiency, thereby ensuring easy heat management of the battery module and effectively preventing the cylindrical battery cells 200 from being deteriorated.

[0111] Meanwhile, the terms indicating directions used herein (eg, up, down, left, right, front, and rear) are used only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the terms may be changed depending on the position of the element or the observer.

[0112] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

1. A pressurizing device for pressurizing a plurality of battery cells bonded by an adhesive, the pressurizing device comprising: a pressurizing jig, the pressurizing jig comprising a support plate and a plurality of pressurizing rods, the plurality of pressurizing rods being respectively connected to one side of the support plate and being arranged to respectively face the plurality of battery cells, the plurality of pressurizing rods being configured to respectively pressurize the plurality of battery cells and to locally deform during pressurization; as well as a transfer unit connected to the other side of the support plate and having a transfer jig configured to transfer the support plate toward the plurality of battery cells, Each of the plurality of pressurizing rods comprises a pressurizing portion, The pressurizing portion includes an elastic member configured to elastically deform in a direction opposite to a pressurizing direction when the battery cell is pressurized. The elastic member is located at a portion of the pressurizing portion that presses the battery cell to directly pressurize the battery cell.

2. The pressurizing device according to claim 1, in, The pressure rod also includes: A bolt portion, one side of which is fixed to the support plate and the other side of which is fixed to the pressurizing portion.

3. The pressurizing device according to claim 1, in, The conveying unit is configured to move an end portion of the elastic member toward a pressurized surface of the battery cell in the pressurizing direction.

4. The pressurizing device according to claim 2, in, The pressurizing portion is configured to rotate along an inclination angle of a pressed surface of the pressed battery cell when the battery cell is pressed.

5. The pressurizing device according to claim 4, in, The portion of the bolt portion that is combined with the pressurizing portion has a spherical shape, and The pressing portion is coupled to rotate along the spherical outer surface of the bolt portion.

6. The pressurizing device according to claim 4, in, The elastic member has an insertion groove formed so that a portion of the battery cell is inserted therein.

7. The pressurizing device according to claim 6, in, A tapered portion is formed at an inner surface of the insertion groove to guide insertion of the battery cell when the battery cell is inserted into the insertion groove.

8. The pressurizing device according to claim 1, in, The support plate includes an inner space configured to accommodate a portion of the pressurizing rod and an insertion groove opened so that the remaining portion of the pressurizing rod protrudes outward from the inner space.

9. The pressurizing device according to claim 8, in, The pressure rod comprises: a hanging portion configured to be hung at the insertion groove and having a plate shape extending in a horizontal direction; a protrusion configured to extend from the hanging portion toward the battery cell and to protrude from the insertion groove toward the battery cell to pressurize an upper portion of the battery cell; and An elastic portion having one end connected to the hanging portion or the protruding portion and the other end connected to an inner surface of the inner space of the support plate, and configured to be compressed when the protruding portion pressurizes the battery cell.

10. The pressurizing device according to claim 1, in, The conveying unit includes a plurality of column units configured to convey the plurality of pressurizing rods toward the plurality of battery cells, respectively.

11. The pressurizing device according to claim 1, in, The plurality of battery cells are provided as cylindrical battery cells. 12 . A battery module manufacturing apparatus, comprising the pressurizing device according to claim 1 .

13. A method for manufacturing a battery module, comprising: a coating step of coating the adhesive to a portion of the heat sink where the plurality of battery cells are mounted; an attaching step of attaching a plurality of battery cells to the adhesive applied to the heat sink; as well as A pressurizing step of pressurizing each of the plurality of battery cells toward the adhesive by using the pressurizing device of claim 1.

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