Tray for secondary battery and tray assembly including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tray for a secondary battery and a tray assembly including the tray. The tray includes: a receiving part having a bottom surface on which a secondary battery is disposed, and a side surface disposed along an edge of the bottom surface to receive the secondary battery; and a pressing part configured to press a side portion of the secondary battery to fix the secondary battery while descending toward the bottom surface and moving toward the secondary battery due to a load of a tray loaded on an upper end.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0089910, filed on July 20, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a tray for a secondary battery having improved secondary battery holding force, and a tray assembly including the tray. Background Technology

[0004] Generally speaking, a rechargeable battery is a battery that can be both recharged and discharged, unlike a non-rechargeable primary battery. Rechargeable batteries are widely used in mobile phones, laptops, cameras, electric vehicles, and more.

[0005] These secondary batteries are classified into can-type and pouch-type batteries. In can-type batteries, the electrode assembly is housed within a metal can, while in pouch-type batteries, the electrode assembly is housed within a pouch. Pouch-type batteries include the electrode assembly, electrolyte, and a pouch containing the electrode assembly and electrolyte. Furthermore, the electrode assembly has a structure with multiple electrodes and multiple separators stacked alternately.

[0006] The secondary batteries are stored and packaged using trays, and the trays have receiving slots for accommodating one or more secondary batteries. The receiving slots include a bottom surface where the secondary batteries are disposed and a side wall surface that supports the sides of the secondary batteries.

[0007] However, the tray has a problem: the secondary battery may move due to movement or external impact, causing the sealing components of the secondary battery to collide with the side wall of the tray, thereby damaging the secondary battery. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical problem

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a tray for a secondary battery, wherein the tray is improved to more securely hold the secondary battery contained in the tray to prevent the sealing components of the secondary battery from colliding with the sides of the tray, thereby preventing damage to the secondary battery, and a tray assembly including the tray.

[0010] Technical scheme

[0011] To achieve the above object, a tray for a secondary battery loaded in a plurality of stages according to the present application includes: a receiving part having a bottom surface on which the secondary battery is disposed and a side surface provided along an edge of the bottom surface to receive the secondary battery; and a pressing part configured to move toward the secondary battery while descending toward the bottom surface due to a load of a tray loaded at an upper end of the plurality of stages, and press a side portion of the secondary battery to fix the secondary battery.

[0012] The receiving part can be provided with an open groove on the side surface, and the open groove can be formed to be open from a boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface to an upper end of the side surface, and the pressing part can be provided in the open groove, and a lower end of the pressing part can be connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface, and an upper end of the pressing part can protrude above the upper end of the side surface.

[0013] The pressing part can include: a foldable surface connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface and provided to be foldable in a lateral direction of the secondary battery received in the receiving part; and a pressing surface having a lower end connected to an upper end of the foldable surface and an upper end protruding above the upper end of the side surface to descend toward the bottom surface by pressing of a tray loaded at the upper end of the plurality of stages and to move toward the secondary battery by folding of the foldable surface.

[0014] The pressing part further includes a pushing surface provided at the upper end of the pressing surface and having an area greater than that of the pressing surface to support a tray loaded at the upper end of the plurality of stages.

[0015] The foldable surface, the pressing surface, and the pushing surface can be integrally formed.

[0016] The receiving part and the pressing part can be integrally formed.

[0017] A folding groove for inducing folding can be formed in a connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or a connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface.

[0018] An elastic part having an elastic restoring force is further provided at the connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or the connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface, and when a tray loaded at the upper end of the plurality of stages is removed, the elastic part allows each of the foldable surface and the pressing surface to return to its original position.

[0019] A tray for a secondary battery loaded in a plurality of stages includes: an accommodation part having a bottom surface on which the secondary battery is disposed and a side surface disposed along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary battery; and a pressing part disposed on the side surface and having a structure protruding toward the secondary battery to press a side of the secondary battery accommodated in the accommodation part, thereby fixing the secondary battery.

[0020] The pressing part can have an inverted triangular cross-sectional shape in which a thickness of the pressing part gradually increases in a direction of the secondary battery from a lower end of the side surface to which the bottom surface is connected to an upper end.

[0021] A tray assembly for a secondary battery according to the present invention includes a tray for a secondary battery, and an accommodation case configured to accommodate the tray for a secondary battery.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] A tray for a secondary battery according to the present invention can include an accommodation part accommodating a secondary battery, and a pressing part pressing a side of the secondary battery when descending by pressing of a tray or a cover plate loaded on an upper end of the plurality of stages and simultaneously moving in a direction of the secondary battery to more firmly fix the secondary battery accommodated in the tray, thereby preventing the secondary battery and the tray from colliding with each other due to movement or external impact, thus preventing the secondary battery from being damaged.

[0024] That is, when the upper end of the plurality of stages is not configured with the tray, the tray for a secondary battery according to the present invention can easily accommodate the secondary battery in the tray, and when the tray is disposed at the upper end, can firmly fix the secondary battery accommodated in the tray. Accordingly, convenience and efficiency of use can be significantly improved. In particular, a sealing part disposed on a side surface of the secondary battery can be pressed to prevent a corresponding part from expanding, and a full width standard of a product such as a secondary battery can be uniformly maintained. Accordingly, defects can be prevented from occurring in a subsequent process such as an assembly process. Further, since the trays are stacked together, the tray can be stored using the same method as the existing method.

[0025] Further, in the tray for a secondary battery according to the present invention, the pressing part can include a foldable face and a pressing face. Accordingly, when the tray is loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages, the foldable face of the pressing part can be folded to allow the pressing face to rise or move in a lateral direction of the secondary battery, thereby more firmly fixing the secondary battery accommodated in the tray.

[0026] Further, in the tray for a secondary battery according to the present application, a pressing member can be provided in an opening groove formed in the receiving member to prevent an increase in the thickness of the side wall of the tray. In particular, the pressing member can be vertically moved along the opening groove to improve the operability of the pressing member.

[0027] Further, in the tray for a secondary battery according to the present application, the pressing member can further include a pushing surface to improve the strength of the pressing member, thereby preventing the pressing member from being folded or collapsed by the tray loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages.

[0028] Further, in the tray for a secondary battery according to the present application, the receiving member and the pressing member can be integrally formed to significantly improve efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0029] Further, in the tray for a secondary battery according to the present application, the pressing member can have a folding groove induced in a connecting portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or a connecting portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface to induce stable folding of the foldable surface when the tray is loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages. That is, even if the pressing of the tray loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages is small, the foldable surface can be stably folded, and thus, the side portion of the secondary battery can be stably pressed by the pressing surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a side view of a tray loaded in a plurality of stages according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tray for a secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a plan view of

[0033] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a side view of

[0034] Figure 5 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of

[0035] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state of a tray for a secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an enlarged view of a portion "A" shown in

[0037] Figure 8 is a side view of a tray assembly according to a second embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a tray for a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing a tray for a secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the usage state of the tray for a secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a tray for a secondary battery according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing a tray for a secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the technical concept of the present invention can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, for clarity, any content not necessary for describing the invention will be omitted, and similar reference numerals in the drawings denote similar elements.

[0044] [A tray for a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention]

[0045] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a tray 100 for a secondary battery accommodates a secondary battery and is arranged in multiple stages. In particular, the tray has a structure that can improve the holding force of the secondary battery due to the pressing of a pressing object disposed at the upper end of the tray 110.

[0046] Here, the object being pressed can be another tray or a cover plate located at the top of the tray 100.

[0047] The present invention will be described as an embodiment of a tray disposed at the top of a multi-level system.

[0048] That is, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the tray 100 for a secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving member 110 for receiving a secondary battery 10 and a pressing member 120 for pressing the secondary battery 10 received in the receiving member 110.

[0049] Housing component

[0050] The accommodation member 110 has a box shape having an open upper portion, and includes a bottom surface 111 on which the secondary battery 10 is disposed, and a side surface 112 disposed along an edge of the bottom surface 111 to accommodate the secondary battery 10.

[0051] The accommodation member 110 has an open slot 113 formed in the side surface 112, and the open slot 113 is formed to be open from a boundary line between the bottom surface 111 and the side surface 112 up to an upper end of the side surface 112.

[0052] Pressing component

[0053] The pressing member 120 is disposed in the open slot 113. Here, the pressing member 120 has a lower end connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface 111 and the side surface 112, and an upper end formed to protrude above the upper end of the side surface 112. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an increase in thickness of the tray 100.

[0054] In particular, due to the pressing of the tray 100 loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages, the pressing member 120 can press the side portion of the secondary battery 10 while descending toward the bottom surface 111 and moving toward the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110. Accordingly, the pressing member 120 can fix the secondary battery without moving the secondary battery 10.

[0055] That is, the pressing member 120 includes a foldable surface 121 and a pressing surface 122.

[0056] The foldable surface 121 is connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface 111 and the side surface 112, and is disposed to be foldable in a lateral direction of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110.

[0057] The lower end of the pressing surface 122 is connected to the upper end of the foldable surface 121, and the upper end of the pressing surface 122 protrudes above the upper end of the side surface 112. Accordingly, the pressing surface 122 descends toward the bottom surface 111 by the pressing of the tray 100 loaded on the upper end of the plurality of stages, while moving toward the secondary battery 10 by the folding of the foldable surface 121.

[0058] When the trays 100 for secondary batteries, each of which accommodates a secondary battery 10, are loaded in multiple stages, the pressing surface 122 of the tray 100 for a secondary battery, which is loaded at the lower end of the multiple stages, is pressed and lowered toward the bottom surface 111 of the accommodation member 110 by the pressing of the tray 100 for a secondary battery, which is loaded at the upper end of the multiple stages. At this time, the foldable surface 121 is folded toward the secondary battery 10 by the pressing surface 122, and as a result, the pressing surface 122 is moved while being lowered toward the secondary battery 10. Therefore, the pressing surface 122 can press the side of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110, and can fix the secondary battery 10.

[0059] When the tray 100 for a secondary battery, which is loaded at the upper end of the multiple stages, is removed, the foldable surface 121 of the tray 100, which is loaded at the lower end of the multiple stages, can return to its original position, and the pressing surface 122 can return to its original position by the foldable surface 121. Therefore, the fixing force for the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 can be released.

[0060] The pressing member 120 further includes a push surface 123, which is provided at the upper end of the pressing surface 122 and has an area greater than that of the pressing surface 122 when viewed from the top surface of the tray 100, to support the tray 100 loaded at the upper end of the multiple stages. That is, the push surface 123 can improve the strength of the pressing member 120 to prevent the pressing surface 122 from being folded or crushed, thereby stably supporting the tray 100.

[0061] The length by which the pressing surface 122 protrudes from the accommodation member 110 is equal to or less than the height of the foldable surface 121 (the vertical length of the foldable surface 121 when viewed in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1). Figure 2

[0062] The accommodation member 110 and the pressing member 120 are integrally formed, and the foldable surface 121, the pressing surface 122, and the push surface 123 are integrally formed. Therefore, the tray 100 can be more easily manufactured.

[0063] A folding groove 124 for inducing folding is formed in a connection portion between the bottom surface 111 and the foldable surface 121 or in a connection portion between the foldable surface 121 and the pressing surface 122. Therefore, the foldable surface 121 is induced to be folded toward the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 by the folding groove 124.

[0064] ​A cover plate 130, which is a pressing object, can be provided on the top surface of the tray 100 for the secondary battery 10 loaded at the uppermost end among the trays 100 for the secondary battery 10 loaded in multiple stages, and the cover plate 130 can allow the pressing member 120 of the tray 100 for the secondary battery 10 loaded at the uppermost end to descend by pressing the cover plate 130 while moving toward the secondary battery, to fix the accommodated secondary battery 10.

[0065] Therefore, the tray 100 for the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present application can include the pressing member 120 to press and fix the secondary battery accommodated in the accommodation member 110, thereby preventing the secondary battery from being damaged due to movement of the secondary battery or external impact.

[0066] Hereinafter, the use state of the tray according to the first embodiment of the present application will be described.

[0067] First, a plurality of trays 100 for the secondary battery in which the accommodation member 110 and the pressing member 120 are formed are prepared, and then the secondary batteries 10 are accommodated in the plurality of trays 100, respectively. Here, each of the secondary batteries 10 is accommodated in the tray 100 in a state in which the sealing member is folded.

[0068] Then, the plurality of trays 100 are loaded in the vertical direction. Therefore, the pressing member 120 of the tray 100 loaded at the lower side of the multiple stages can be pressed by the pressing of the tray 100 loaded at the upper side of the multiple stages, to press and fix the side portion of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the tray 100.

[0069] That is, the pressing surface 122 of the pressing member 120 provided in the tray 100 loaded at the lower side can be pressed by the pressing of the tray 100 loaded at the upper side, and thus the pressing surface 122 can descend by the push surface 123. Here, the foldable surface 121 can be folded toward the secondary battery 10 by the pressing surface 122, and thus the pressing surface 122 can descend while moving toward the secondary battery 10. As a result, the pressing surface 122 can press the side portion of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 to fix the secondary battery 10.

[0070] Thereafter, when the trays 100 loaded in the vertical direction are individually separated from each other, the pressing member 120 of the tray 100 can return to its original position while the pressing of the tray 100 is removed, and as a result, when the pressing force on the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 is removed, the secondary battery 10 can be easily unloaded.

[0071] Hereinafter, in the description of another embodiment of the present application, components having the same function as the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals in the drawings, and thus repetitive description will be omitted.

[0072] [Pattern assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention]

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown, the tray assembly 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a tray 100 for accommodating a secondary battery 10 and a receiving box 200 for accommodating the tray 100 for accommodating the secondary battery 10.

[0074] The tray 100 for secondary batteries includes a receiving member 110 for receiving secondary batteries 10, and a pressing member 120 for pressing and securing the secondary batteries 10 received in the receiving member 110.

[0075] The tray 100 for secondary batteries has the same configuration and function as the tray for secondary batteries according to the first embodiment described above, therefore, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] The container 200 has a receiving space for accommodating a vertically loaded tray 100 for secondary batteries.

[0077] Therefore, the tray assembly 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can stably accommodate multiple trays, and in particular can improve the fixing force for secondary batteries accommodated in multiple trays, so as to prevent the secondary batteries from being damaged due to movement or external impact.

[0078] [A tray for a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention]

[0079] like Figure 9 As shown, the tray 100 for secondary batteries according to the third embodiment of the present invention is coupled to each other in the horizontal and vertical directions to improve ease of use and efficiency.

[0080] In other words, the tray 100 for secondary batteries according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be coupled in a "field" shape to connect with each other.

[0081] Corresponding trays can be coupled to each other through grooves and protrusions or adhesive layers (i.e., adhesives or tapes).

[0082] [A tray for a secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention]

[0083] like Figure 10 and 11 As shown, the tray 100 for a secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving member 110 and a pressing member 120. Here, the receiving member 110 includes a bottom surface 111 and a side surface 112, and the pressing member 120 includes a foldable surface 121 and a pressing surface 122.

[0084] Here, the elastic member 125 having an elastic restoring force can be provided at a connection portion between the bottom surface 111 and the foldable surface 121 or at a connection portion between the foldable surface 121 and the pressing surface 122. Accordingly, when the tray 100 for a secondary battery loaded at the upper end of the plurality of stages is removed, the elastic member 125 can allow each of the foldable surface 121 and the pressing surface 122 to quickly return to its original position.

[0085] Accordingly, the tray 100 for a secondary battery according to the fourth embodiment of the present application can include the elastic member 125 to quickly release the pressing force of the tray 100.

[0086] [Tray for secondary battery according to fifth embodiment of the present application]

[0087] As Figure 12 shown, the tray 100 for a secondary battery according to the fifth embodiment of the present application includes an accommodation member 110 to accommodate the secondary battery 10, and a pressing member 120 to press and fix the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110.

[0088] The accommodation member 110 includes a bottom surface 111 on which the secondary battery 10 is disposed, and a side surface 112 disposed along an edge of the bottom surface 111 to accommodate the secondary battery 10.

[0089] The pressing member 120 is disposed in an open groove of the side surface 112, and has a structure in which a side of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 is protruded to press the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110, thereby fixing the secondary battery 10.

[0090] Here, the pressing member 120 and the side surface 112 are integrally formed.

[0091] Accordingly, in the tray 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present application, the secondary battery 10 can be stably fixed by pressing the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 through the pressing member 120, so that the secondary battery 10 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0092] In the tray 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present application, the pressing member 120 has a reverse triangular cross-sectional shape in which a thickness of the pressing member 120 gradually increases in a direction of the secondary battery from a lower end of the side surface 112 to which the bottom surface 111 is connected to an upper end. That is, by the pressing member 120 having the reverse triangular cross-section, the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the tray 100 can be prevented from being pulled out, and at the same time, a side of the secondary battery 10 can be pressed to fix the secondary battery 10.

[0093] [Tray for secondary battery according to sixth embodiment of the present application]

[0094] As Figure 13 shown in the drawings, a tray 100 for a secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present application can include pressing members 120 on all sides 112 of an accommodation member 110.

[0095] That is, four sides of the accommodation member 110 are connected to accommodate the secondary battery, and the pressing members 120 are respectively provided on the four sides 112 to press all sides of the secondary battery 10. Therefore, all sides of the secondary battery 10 accommodated in the accommodation member 110 can be pressed, and as a result, the secondary battery 10 can be more firmly fixed.

[0096] In the tray according to the present application, the full width length of the accommodation member and the full width length of the pressing member can be applied differently according to the specifications of the secondary battery. Therefore, a free space between the secondary battery accommodated in the tray and the pressing member can be sufficiently secured, that is, a sufficient space for the operation of hands, tools, and machines can be secured so that the secondary battery can be easily accommodated into or separated from the tray.

[0097] Therefore, the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and exemplary embodiments described therein. Various modifications made within the meaning of equivalency of the claims of the present application and within the claims are to be considered within the scope of the present application.

[0098] [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1: Tray assembly

[0100] 100: Tray

[0101] 110: Accommodation member

[0102] 111: Bottom surface

[0103] 112: Side surface

[0104] 113: Open slot

[0105] 120: Pressing member

[0106] 121: Foldable surface

[0107] 122: Pressing surface

[0108] 123: Pushing surface

[0109] 124: Folding slot

[0110] 125: Elastic member

[0111] 130: Cover plate

[0112] 200: Accommodation case

Claims

1. A tray for secondary batteries loaded in a plurality of stages, the tray comprising: an accommodation part having a bottom surface on which the secondary batteries are disposed and a side surface disposed along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary batteries; and a pressing part configured to press a side portion of the secondary batteries while descending toward the bottom surface and moving toward the secondary batteries due to a load of a tray loaded on an upper end of the plurality of stages to fix the secondary batteries, wherein the accommodation part is provided with an open groove in the side surface, and the open groove is formed to be open from a boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface to an upper end of the side surface, and the pressing part is disposed in the open groove, and a lower end of the pressing part is connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface, and an upper end of the pressing part protrudes above the upper end of the side surface. 2.The tray of claim 1, wherein the pressing part comprises: a foldable surface connected to the boundary line between the bottom surface and the side surface and disposed to be foldable in a lateral direction of the secondary batteries accommodated in the accommodation part; and a pressing surface, a lower end of the pressing surface being connected to an upper end of the foldable surface, and an upper end of the pressing surface protruding above the upper end of the side surface to descend toward the bottom surface by pressing of a tray loaded on an upper end and to move toward the secondary batteries by folding of the foldable surface. 3.The tray of claim 2, wherein the pressing part further comprises a push surface disposed at the upper end of the pressing surface, and an area of the push surface is greater than an area of the pressing surface to support the tray loaded on an upper end of the plurality of stages. 4.The tray of claim 3, wherein the foldable surface, the pressing surface, and the push surface are integrally formed. 5.The tray of claim 1, wherein the accommodation part and the pressing part are integrally formed. a folding groove for inducing folding is formed in a connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or a connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface. a resilient part having a resilient restoring force is further disposed at the connection portion between the bottom surface and the foldable surface or the connection portion between the foldable surface and the pressing surface, and 6. The tray of claim 2, wherein, when the tray loaded on an upper end of the plurality of stages is removed, the resilient part allows each of the foldable surface and the pressing surface to return to an original position thereof.

7. The tray of claim 2, wherein, 8.A tray for secondary batteries loaded in a plurality of stages, the tray comprising: an accommodation part having a bottom surface on which the secondary batteries are disposed and a side surface disposed along an edge of the bottom surface to accommodate the secondary batteries; and a pressing part disposed on the side surface and having a structure protruding toward the secondary batteries to press a side portion of the secondary batteries accommodated in the accommodation part, thereby fixing the secondary batteries, ​ ​ ​ wherein the pressing member has an inverted triangular cross-sectional shape in which a thickness of the pressing member gradually increases in a direction of the secondary battery from a lower end to an upper end of the side surface to which the bottom surface is connected.

9. A tray assembly for a secondary battery, comprising: the tray for a secondary battery according to claim 1 or 8; and a housing box configured to accommodate the tray for a secondary battery.

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