battery pack

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery pack to which a thin film label can be easily attached. In one embodiment, a battery pack is disclosed, comprising: a battery cell having an electrode assembly housed in a housing; and an outer film having a label, a step compensation tape, and a protective film, wherein the label is attached to at least one surface of the housing and directly attached to the housing; the step compensation tape is attached to the upper surface of the label and is located on one side of the label; and the protective film is attached to the upper surface of the label and extends above the step compensation tape, wherein the protective film is attached so as to be detachable from the label.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application submitted to the State Intellectual Property Office on October 11, 2018, with the invention name of "Battery Pack and Label Attachment Method Thereof" and application number 201880065243.X. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and a label attachment method thereof. Background Art

[0003] Unlike non-rechargeable primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries, consisting of individual battery cells packaged in groups (or packs), are used in various small portable electronic devices such as cell phones and video cameras. High-capacity secondary batteries, consisting of multiple battery cells connected in a pack structure, are widely used as a power source for the electric motors of hybrid vehicles.

[0004] Secondary batteries are manufactured in a variety of shapes and are generally classified as pouch-type, cylindrical, or prismatic batteries. A secondary battery can be constructed by housing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, with a separator acting as an insulator between the positive and negative plates. Additionally, a secondary battery may have a label attached to its outer surface, which includes various printed information (e.g., manufacturer, model name, product number, various standards or quality markings, usage precautions, etc.). However, thin labels increase the likelihood of defects, while thick labels make compact secondary batteries difficult to achieve. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The present disclosure provides a battery pack to which a film label can be easily attached, and a label attaching method thereof.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery pack is provided, comprising: a battery cell having an electrode assembly housed in a shell; and an outer film having a label, a step compensation tape and a protective film, the label being attached to at least one surface of the shell and directly attached to the shell, the step compensation tape being attached to the upper surface of the label and located on one side of the label, the protective film being attached to the upper surface of the label and extending to the upper portion of the step compensation tape, and the protective film being attached to be detachable from the label.

[0009] The protective film may include: a first protective film positioned on the surface of the label where no step compensation tape is provided, the first protective film having the same height as the step compensation tape; and a second protective film positioned on the first protective film and extending to the upper portion of the step compensation tape.

[0010] The first adhesive can be positioned between the label and the shell, the second adhesive with less adhesive force than the first adhesive can be positioned between the first protective film and the label, the third adhesive with greater adhesive force than the second adhesive can be positioned between the second protective film and the first protective film, and the second adhesive can be positioned between the second protective film and the step difference compensation strip.

[0011] The first adhesive and the third adhesive may be PET adhesives, and the second adhesive may be a silicone adhesive.

[0012] The adhesive force of the second adhesive may be 1 / 60 to 1 / 20 of the adhesive force of the first adhesive or the third adhesive.

[0013] The battery pack may further include an outer cover coupled to the battery cell and having a circuit structure embedded in a portion of an interior of the outer cover, the outer cover may be coupled to be mounted on an upper surface of the label, the circuit structure may be disposed adjacent to the step difference compensation band, and the circuit structure and the step difference compensation band have the same height.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a label attachment method for a battery pack is provided, the label attachment method comprising the following steps: preparing an outer film having a label, a step compensation tape and a protective film, the step compensation tape being attached to the upper surface of the label and being located on one side of the label, the protective film being attached to the upper surface of the label and extending to the upper portion of the step compensation tape; attaching the outer film to a battery cell to allow the label to contact the housing of the battery cell; and removing the protective film from the label.

[0015] The protective film may include: a first protective film positioned on the surface of the label where no step compensation band is provided, the first protective film having the same height as the step compensation band; and a second protective film positioned on the first protective film and extending to the upper portion of the step compensation band.

[0016] The label can be attached to the shell by a first adhesive, the first protective film can be attached to the label by a second adhesive having a smaller adhesive force than that of the first adhesive, a part of the second protective film can be attached to the first protective film by a third adhesive having a larger adhesive force than that of the second adhesive, and another part of the second protective film can be attached to the step difference compensation strip by the second adhesive.

[0017] After removing the protective film, the label attaching method may further include attaching an outer cover having a circuit structure embedded in a portion of an inner portion of the outer cover to the battery cell. The outer cover may be coupled to be mounted on an upper surface of the label, the circuit structure may be located adjacent to the step compensation strip, and the circuit structure and the step compensation strip may be at the same height.

[0018] Beneficial effects

[0019] As described above, the battery pack according to the embodiment includes an outer film having a label and a protective film detachably mounted on the label, and is configured to attach a thin film-type label to the battery cell by attaching the outer film to the battery cell and then removing the protective film, thereby easily attaching a thin label to the battery cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2a It is along Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line II.

[0022] Figure 2b yes Figure 2a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion A.

[0023] Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method of removing the protective film from the outer film.

[0024] Figure 3b yes Figure 3a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion B.

[0025] Figure 4a It is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the protective film is removed from the outer film.

[0026] Figure 4b yes Figure 4a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion C of FIG.

[0027] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an exterior film is attached to a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to more fully describe the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. The following embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will convey the various aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0030] In addition, for descriptive purposes, spatially relative terms such as “under…”, “below…”, “down…”, “above…”, “on”, etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the secondary battery in the accompanying drawings is turned over, the element described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features will then be positioned “on” or “above” the other elements or features. Therefore, the term “under…” can cover both above and below orientations.

[0031] In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the thickness or size of various components are exaggerated for the sake of brevity and clarity. The same reference numerals always represent the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0032] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2a It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II of Figure 2b yes Figure 2a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion A. Figure 3a is a cross-sectional view showing a method of removing the protective film from the outer film, Figure 3b yes Figure 3a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion B. Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the protective film is removed from the outer film, Figure 4b yes Figure 4a An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion C of FIG. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an exterior film is attached to a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a battery cell 110 , a protection circuit module 120 , and an outer film (or referred to as an external film) 130 .

[0034] The battery cell 110 includes an electrode assembly 111 and a housing 114 that houses the electrode assembly 111. The electrode assembly 111 is prepared by winding or stacking a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate. Here, the first electrode plate can be used as a positive electrode, and the second electrode plate can be used as a negative electrode. Of course, the polarity of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate can be reversed and arranged according to the choice made by those skilled in the art.

[0035] The first electrode plate is prepared by applying a first electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a first electrode current collector made of metal foil (such as aluminum foil), and includes a first electrode uncoated portion to which the first electrode active material is not applied. Furthermore, a first electrode tab 112 is attached to the first electrode uncoated portion. The first electrode tab 112 can be attached to the first electrode uncoated portion by, for example, welding. One end of the first electrode tab 112 is electrically connected to the first electrode plate, and the other end of the first electrode tab 112 extends and protrudes outside the housing 114.

[0036] The second electrode plate is prepared by applying a second electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a second electrode current collector made of metal foil (such as copper foil or nickel foil), and includes a second electrode uncoated portion to which the second electrode active material is not applied. Furthermore, a second electrode tab 113 is attached to the second electrode uncoated portion. The second electrode tab 113 can be attached to the second electrode uncoated portion by, for example, welding. One end of the second electrode tab 113 is electrically connected to the second electrode plate, and the other end of the second electrode tab 113 extends and protrudes outside the housing 114.

[0037] Here, the first and second electrode tabs 112 and 113 are covered by the insulating members 112 a and 113 a and thus are not electrically short-circuited with the case 114 .

[0038] The separator located between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate prevents a short circuit between them and allows lithium ions to move. The separator can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or a composite film of polypropylene and polyethylene.

[0039] The housing 114 houses the electrode assembly 111. For example, the housing 114 may have a bag-like structure to accommodate the electrode assembly 111, which is then sealed. The housing 114 has a pair of long side surfaces 114a and a pair of short side surfaces 114b. Here, the pair of long side surfaces 114a refers to surfaces having a larger area than the pair of short side surfaces 114b. The first electrode tab 112 and the second electrode tab 113 of the electrode assembly 111 are led out through one side of the housing 114. Here, the insulating members 112a and 113a positioned on the first electrode tab 112 and the second electrode tab 113 are sealed to one side of the housing 114. In other words, the insulating members 112a and 113a are positioned at the contact portion between the first electrode tab 112 and the second electrode tab 113 and the housing 114, thereby preventing the first electrode tab 112 and the second electrode tab 113 from electrically short-circuiting with the housing 114.

[0040] In addition, the housing 114 may have a bag-like configuration and may be formed of a can made of metal, such as Figure 6 As shown in .

[0041] The protection circuit module 120 is electrically connected to the battery cells 110 and controls the charging and discharging of the battery cells 110. The protection circuit module 120 includes a circuit board 121 and a plurality of components positioned within the circuit board 121. The circuit board 121 is made of resin and is in the shape of a substantially flat rectangular plate. For example, the circuit board 121 may be a printed circuit board (PCB). Furthermore, the circuit board 121 may include circuits for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 110 or protective circuits, such as circuits for preventing over-discharging or over-charging of the battery cells 110. First and second electrode terminals 122, 123, coupled to the first and second electrode tabs 112, 113 of the battery cells 110, are positioned on one surface of the circuit board 121. Specifically, the first electrode tab 112 is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal 122 by welding, and the second electrode tab 113 is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal 123 by welding.

[0042] The outer film 130 is attached to the surface of the battery cell 110. The outer film 130 is attached to the housing 114 of the battery cell 110 so as to cover at least one surface of the housing 114. For example, the outer film 130 may be attached to cover one of the pair of long side surfaces 114a and the pair of short side surfaces 114b of the housing 114. In addition, the outer film 130 may be attached to cover only one of the pair of long side surfaces 114a and one of the pair of short side surfaces 114b, or to cover both of the pair of long side surfaces 114a and both of the pair of short side surfaces 114b.

[0043] Reference Figure 2a and Figure 2b The outer film 130 includes a label 131 , a step difference compensation tape 132 and a protective film 133 .

[0044] The label 131 is directly attached to the surface of the housing 114 and includes various pieces of information about the battery pack 100 printed thereon. The label 131 is in the shape of a thin film to prevent the thickness of the battery pack 100 from increasing. For example, the label 131 may have a thickness in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.05 mm. If the thickness of the label 131 is less than 0.01 mm, the label 131 may be too thin to print information about the battery pack 100 thereon. If the thickness of the label 131 is greater than 0.05 mm, the battery pack 100 may become unnecessarily thick.

[0045] Additionally, the label 131 may be made of a polymer resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A first adhesive 131a is positioned on one surface of the label 131, and the label 131 may be attached to the housing 114 via the first adhesive 131a. Although the label 131 and the first adhesive 131a are shown as separate layers in the drawings, for illustration purposes, the label 131 and the first adhesive 131a may be integrally formed. The first adhesive 131a may be a PET adhesive. The first adhesive 131a may have an adhesive force of approximately 600 g / f.

[0046] The step difference compensation tape 132 is attached to the upper surface of the label 131 and is located on one side of the label 131. The step difference compensation tape 132 may be an adhesive tape. Therefore, the step difference compensation tape 132 may be fixedly attached to the upper portion of the label 131. The step difference compensation tape 132 may be made of a polymer resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The step difference compensation tape 132 is provided to compensate for the step difference between the battery pack 100 and the outer cover coupled to the battery pack 100. For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG, a circuit structure 141 such as an antenna may be embedded inside the outer cover 140 of the battery pack 100. The circuit structure 141 is only mounted on a portion of the outer cover 140, resulting in an empty space between the outer cover 140 and the battery pack 100 at another portion where the circuit structure 141 is not disposed. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a step difference compensation tape 132 is disposed on the label 131 to fill the empty space between the outer cover 140 and the battery pack 100, thereby improving the bonding force between the battery pack 100 and the outer cover 140. In addition, the step difference compensation tape 132 may have an area and thickness that vary depending on the area and thickness of the circuit structure 141 mounted on the outer cover 140.

[0047] In addition, the step difference compensation tape 132 may have an adhesive force equivalent to the adhesive force of the first adhesive 131a that allows the label 131 to be attached to the housing 114. Therefore, even when the protective film 133 of the exterior film 130 is removed from the label 131, the step difference compensation tape 132 remains attached to the label 131, and thus the step difference between the battery pack 100 and the exterior cover 140 can be compensated.

[0048] A protective film 133 is attached to the label 131 to cover the label 131 and the step compensation tape 132. The protective film 133 allows the label 131, which is in the form of a thin film, to maintain its shape. In other words, when the relatively thin label 131 exists alone in a subsequent process, the label 131 is prone to defects such as curling or wrinkling. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a protective film 133 that is detachably attached to the label 131 is provided to facilitate the handling of the label 131, thereby reducing possible defects. In addition, the protective film 133 may have a larger area than the label 131 to facilitate peeling from the label 131. In addition, the protective film 133 may protect the information about the battery pack 100 printed on the label 131 from being erased.

[0049] The protective film 133 includes a first protective film 134 attached to the upper surface of the label 131 and a second protective film 135 attached to the upper surface of the first protective film 134 . The first protective film has the same height as the step difference compensation tape.

[0050] The first protective film 134 is attached to the upper surface of the label 131 and is located adjacent to (i.e., immediately adjacent to) the step compensation tape 132. Specifically, the first protective film 134 is attached to the portion of the label 131 not provided with the step compensation tape 132. The first protective film 134 can have the same thickness as the step compensation tape 132. The first protective film 134 can be made of a polymer resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, the first protective film 134 may be referred to as a first polyester film (mylar).

[0051] Additionally, a second adhesive 134a is positioned on one surface of the first protective film 134. The first protective film 134 can be attached to the label 131 via the second adhesive 134a. Although the first protective film 134 and the second adhesive 134a are shown as separate layers in the figure, for illustrative purposes, the first protective film 134 and the second adhesive 134a may be integrally formed. The second adhesive 134a may be a silicone adhesive, thereby allowing the protective film 133 to be easily peeled from the label 131. The second adhesive 134a may have an adhesive force of approximately 10 g / f to 30 g / f. The adhesive force of the second adhesive 134a is lower than that of the first adhesive 131a. For example, the adhesive force of the second adhesive 134a is approximately 1 / 60 to 1 / 20 of that of the first adhesive 131a. Therefore, the adhesive force of the second adhesive 134a positioned on the first protective film 134 is lower than that of the first adhesive 131a positioned on the label 131, allowing the protective film 133 to be easily peeled from the label 131.

[0052] Second protective film 135 is positioned on the upper surface of first protective film 134 and has a larger area than first protective film 134. Furthermore, second protective film 135 extends from the upper surface of first protective film 134 to the upper surface of step compensation tape 132, thereby covering first protective film 133 and step compensation tape 132. Second protective film 135 can be made of a polymer resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, second protective film 135 may be referred to as a second polyester film.

[0053] Additionally, a second adhesive 134a and a third adhesive 135a are positioned on one surface of the second protective film 135. The second protective film 135 can be attached to the step compensation tape 132 and the first protective film 134 via the second adhesive 134a and the third adhesive 135a. Although the second protective film 135, the second adhesive 134a, and the third adhesive 135a are shown as separate layers in the figure, for illustration purposes, the second protective film 135 can be integrally formed with the second adhesive 134a and the third adhesive 135a. Specifically, the second adhesive 134a can be disposed between the step compensation tape 132 and the second protective film 135, and the third adhesive 135a can be disposed between the first protective film 134 and the second protective film 135. The second adhesive 134a can be a silicone adhesive, thereby allowing the second protective film 135 to be easily peeled from the step compensation tape 132. The second adhesive 134a can have an adhesive force of approximately 10 g / f to 30 g / f. The second adhesive 134a has a weaker adhesive force than the step compensation tape 132. Therefore, when the protective film 133 is removed from the label 131 and only the second protective film 135 located on the step compensation tape 132 is removed, the step compensation tape 132 remains attached to the label 131. The third adhesive 135a may have an adhesive force greater than that of the second adhesive 134a. Specifically, the third adhesive 135a may be made of the same material as the first adhesive 131a and may be a PET adhesive. The third adhesive 135a may have an adhesive force of approximately 600 g / f. In this way, the third adhesive 135a allows the second protective film 135 and the first protective film 134 to be firmly attached to each other. Therefore, when the protective film 133 is removed from the label 131, while the first and second protective films 134, 135, remain attached, the first protective film 134 and the label 131, which were attached to each other with relatively weak adhesive force, separate from each other.

[0054] Will refer to Figures 2a to 4b A method of attaching the outer film to the battery cell is briefly described.

[0055] First, if Figure 2a and Figure 2bAs shown in FIG, an outer film 130 including a label 131, a step difference compensation tape 132, a first protective film 134, and a second protective film 135 is attached to the battery cell 110. Here, the outer film 130 is attached to the battery cell 110 so that the label 131 and the step difference compensation tape 132 are in contact with the housing 114 of the battery cell 110. Then, as shown in FIG. Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown in , if one end of the second protective film 135 is lifted upward, the second protective film 135 and the step difference compensation tape 132 attached to each other by the second adhesive 134a having a relatively small adhesive force are easily separated from each other, and the same applies to the first protective film 134 and the label 131 attached to each other by the second adhesive 134a. Figure 4a and Figure 4b As shown in FIG, the protective film 133 is removed from the label 131, and only the label 131 and the step compensation tape 132 remain on the outer surface of the battery cell 110. Here, the step compensation tape 132 remains protruding from the label 131. When the outer cover 140 having the circuit structure 141 (e.g., antenna) embedded therein is combined with the battery pack 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the step difference compensating tape 132 may fill the empty space between the outer cover 140 and the battery pack 100. Therefore, the step difference compensating tape 132 may increase the coupling force between the battery pack 100 and the outer cover 140.

[0056] As described above, the battery pack 100 according to the embodiment includes the outer film 130 having the label 131 and the protective film 133 detachably mounted on the label 131, and is configured to attach the thin-film type label 131 to the battery cell 110 by attaching the outer film 130 to the battery cell 110 and then removing the protective film 133. That is, the battery pack 100 according to the embodiment includes the detachable protective film 133, thereby easily attaching the thin label 131 to the battery cell 110 without increasing the thickness of the battery pack 100.

[0057] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Reference Figure 6 , a battery pack 200 according to another embodiment includes a battery cell 210 , a protection circuit module 120 , and an outer film 130 . Figure 6 The battery pack 200 shown in FIG. Figure 1 The battery pack 100 shown in FIG. 1 differs only in the shape of the battery cells.

[0059] The battery cell 210 includes an electrode assembly, a shell 214 that accommodates the electrode assembly, and a cover plate 215 coupled to the upper surface of the shell 214. Here, the shell 214 may have the structure of a can made of metal, rather than a bag-type structure. In addition, the protection circuit module 120 is mounted on the cover plate 215, and the outer film 130 is attached to any one of a pair of long side surfaces of the can. Although the outer film 130 is shown in the figure as being attached only to any one of a pair of long side surfaces of the can, the outer film 130 may extend to the short side surface and the long side surface facing away from the can, and may be attached to cover all outer surfaces of the can. In addition, since the outer film 130 has the same shape as described above, its detailed description will not be given.

[0060] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described to practice the battery pack and label film attachment method thereof of the present disclosure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: a battery cell having a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab; a label, a step compensation tape, and a protective film, wherein the label has one surface attached to a surface of the battery cell, the step compensation tape is attached to a side of another surface of the label opposite to the one surface, and the protective film is attached to the other surface of the label and extends to an upper portion of the step compensation tape, and is configured to attach the label to the battery cell by attaching the label, the step compensation tape, and the protective film to the battery cell and then removing the protective film; as well as an outer cover having a circuit structure formed on one surface thereof, The outer cover is coupled to the outer portion of the outer sides of the label and the step compensation tape, so that the circuit structure and the step compensation tape are located on the other surface of the label and are placed between the label and the outer cover.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The circuit structure is positioned adjacent to the step compensation band.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The height of the circuit structure and the height of the step compensation strip are identical to each other.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein The battery unit includes: an electrode assembly having a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab; and The housing is used to accommodate the electrode assembly and lead out the first electrode terminal tab and the second electrode terminal tab through one side thereof. One side of the label is attached to at least one surface of the housing.

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