Battery module, battery pack comprising the battery module, and vehicle comprising the battery pack

Abstract

Battery module, battery pack including the battery module, and vehicle including the battery pack. A battery module according to an embodiment of the present application includes: a battery cell assembly having a plurality of battery cells; a top plate configured to cover an upper side of the battery cell assembly; a bottom plate disposed opposite the top plate and configured to cover a lower side of the battery cell assembly; a sensing assembly disposed at front and rear sides of the bottom plate and the top plate to cover front and rear sides of the battery cell assembly; a pair of side plates coupled with the sensing assembly, the top plate, and the bottom plate and disposed at both side surfaces of the battery cell assembly; and at least one compression pad disposed between the pair of side plates and the battery cell assembly, wherein the at least one compression pad is provided as only a pair of compression pads.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201980003932.2 (international application number PCT / KR2019 / 001782, international application date February 13, 2019, invention title "battery module, battery pack including the same battery module and vehicle including the same battery pack"). Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0003] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0026988, filed in Korea on March 7, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0004] Secondary batteries, highly adaptable to a wide range of products and exhibiting excellent electrical performance (such as high energy density), are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric motors. Secondary batteries are gaining attention as a new energy source that enhances environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels and produce no byproducts during energy consumption.

[0005] Currently widely used rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of a single rechargeable battery cell (i.e., a single battery cell) is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells can be connected in series to construct a battery pack. Additionally, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple battery cells can be connected in parallel to construct a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery pack can be set differently depending on the required output voltage or the required charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] Meanwhile, when multiple battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to construct a battery pack, a battery module with at least one battery cell is usually constructed first, and then the battery pack is constructed by using at least one battery module and adding other components.

[0007] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for battery modules and packs that achieve high energy density while maintaining a more compact size in line with the trend toward thinner designs.

[0008] Therefore, a way needs to be found to achieve a more compact size while further ensuring more space for battery cells to be placed in battery modules or battery packs. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] This disclosure aims to provide a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack, wherein the battery module can achieve a more compact size while further ensuring more space for battery cells.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] In one aspect of this disclosure, a battery module is provided, comprising: a battery cell assembly having a plurality of battery cells; a top plate configured to cover an upper side of the battery cell assembly; a bottom plate disposed opposite the top plate and configured to cover a lower side of the battery cell assembly; a sensing component disposed on the front and rear sides of the bottom plate and the top plate to cover the front and rear sides of the battery cell assembly; a pair of side plates connected to the sensing component, the top plate, and the bottom plate, and disposed at two side surfaces of the battery cell assembly; and a pair of compression pads disposed between the pair of side plates and the battery cell assembly.

[0013] The sensing assembly may include: a first busbar unit disposed on the front side of the battery cell assembly and connected to the pair of side plates; a second busbar unit disposed opposite to the first busbar unit and connected to the pair of side plates on the rear side of the battery cell assembly; and a pair of sensing lines configured to connect the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit and inserted between the pair of compression pads or between the pair of side plates.

[0014] The pair of sensing lines can be configured as a flexible printed circuit board.

[0015] The pair of compression pads may have wire placement slots formed along the length of the pair of sensing wires for a predetermined length, thereby placing the pair of sensing wires in the wire placement slots.

[0016] The depth of the wire placement groove can correspond to the thickness of the pair of sensing wires.

[0017] The pair of side plates may have wire placement slots formed along the length of the pair of sensing wires at a predetermined length, thereby placing the pair of sensing wires in the wire placement slots.

[0018] The depth of the wire placement groove can correspond to the thickness of the pair of sensing wires.

[0019] The first busbar unit and the second busbar unit can be connected to the pair of side plates by means of at least one connecting pin.

[0020] The connecting pins can be configured as multiple pins, and the multiple connecting pins can be located at both ends of the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the height direction of the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit.

[0021] The pair of side plates may have at least one pin insertion slot into which at least one connecting pin is inserted.

[0022] Additionally, this disclosure provides a battery pack comprising: at least one battery module as described in the above embodiments; and a battery pack housing configured to encapsulate the at least one battery module.

[0023] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a vehicle that includes at least one battery pack according to the above embodiments.

[0024] Beneficial effects

[0025] According to the various embodiments described above, it is possible to provide a battery module, a battery pack including the battery module, and a vehicle including the battery pack, wherein the battery module can achieve a more compact size while further ensuring more space for battery cells. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the battery module.

[0029] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the battery module according to another embodiment.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 It is used for example Figure 4 A diagram showing the main components of the sensing assembly of the battery module.

[0032] Figure 6It is used for example Figure 4 A diagram of the main parts of the side panel of the battery module.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This disclosure will become more apparent from a detailed description of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative for a better understanding of the disclosure, and that the disclosure may be modified in various ways. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the drawings are not drawn to scale, but some components may be enlarged.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A side cross-sectional view of the battery module, and Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 The battery module is shown in a side cross-sectional view according to another embodiment. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 3 The battery module 10 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a top plate 200, a bottom plate 300, a sensing assembly 400, a side plate 500, and a compression pad 600.

[0036] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 150. The plurality of battery cells 150 may be stacked to be electrically connected to each other. Here, the electrode leads 155 of the plurality of battery cells 150 may be electrically connected to the sensing assembly 400, as will be explained later.

[0037] The top plate 200 can cover the upper side of the battery cell assembly 100. For this purpose, the top plate 200 can have a size and shape for covering the entire upper side of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0038] The base plate 300 is positioned opposite to the top plate 200 and can cover the lower side of the battery cell assembly 100. The base plate 300 can stably support the battery cell assembly 100.

[0039] The sensing component 400 is disposed on the front and rear sides of the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, and can cover the front and rear of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0040] The sensing component 400 is electrically connected to the battery cell assembly 100 and can sense the voltage or temperature of the battery cell assembly 100. Additionally, the sensing component 400 can be connected to an external power source, etc.

[0041] The sensing component 400 may include a first busbar unit 410, a second busbar unit 430, and a sensing line 450.

[0042] The first busbar unit 410 is located on the front side of the battery unit assembly 100 and can be connected to a pair of side plates 500, which will be explained later. Here, the first busbar unit 410 can also be connected together to the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300.

[0043] The first busbar unit 410 may include a busbar body 412 and a cover frame 414.

[0044] The busbar body 412 can be electrically connected to the electrode leads 155 of the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100. For this purpose, the busbar body 412 can have multiple busbars that are electrically in contact with and connected to the electrode leads 155 of the battery cells 150.

[0045] The cover frame 414 can cover the front side of the busbar body 412. The cover frame 414 can form the front surface of the battery module 10.

[0046] The second busbar unit 430 is positioned facing the first busbar unit 410 (the battery unit assembly 100 is inserted between the second busbar unit 430 and the first busbar unit 410), and the second busbar unit 430 can be connected to a pair of side plates 500 on the rear side of the battery unit assembly 100, as will be explained later. Here, the second busbar unit 430 can also be connected together to the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300.

[0047] The second busbar unit 430 may include a busbar body 432, a cover frame 434, and a control panel 436.

[0048] The busbar body 432 can be electrically connected to the electrode leads 155 of the battery cells 150 of the battery cell assembly 100. For this purpose, the busbar body 432 can have multiple busbars, which are electrically in contact with and connected to the electrode leads 155 of the battery cells 150.

[0049] The cover frame 434 can cover the rear side of the busbar body 432. The cover frame 434 can form the rear surface of the battery module 10.

[0050] The control board 436 is used to control the operation of the sensing component 400 and can be installed between the busbar body 432 and the cover frame 434. The control board 436 can be a printed circuit board.

[0051] The sensing line 450 can connect to the first busbar unit 410 and the second busbar unit 430. The sensing line 450 can be formed as a flexible printed circuit board and can be arranged in pairs.

[0052] A pair of sensing lines 450 can be mounted in a pair of side plates 500 (explained later) or in a pair of compression pads 600 (explained later). That is, in this embodiment, a pair of sensing lines 450 can be provided on both side surfaces of the battery module 10.

[0053] The side panel 500 is connected to the top panel 200 and the bottom panel 300, and can be disposed on both side surfaces of the battery cell assembly 100. Therefore, the side panels 500 can be disposed in pairs.

[0054] Compression pad 600 can be disposed between a pair of side plates 500 and battery cell assembly 100. Compression pad 600 can only be disposed in pairs.

[0055] One of the compression pads 600 may be located on one of the side plates 500 and one side surface of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0056] Another compression pad in a pair of compression pads 600 may be located on another side plate in a pair of side plates 500 and another side surface of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, since the compression pads 600 are arranged in pairs, the space efficiency of the battery module 10 can be maximized compared to a conventional structure with multiple compression pads, and the battery module 10 can be designed to be thinner more easily.

[0058] A pair of compression pads 600 may have wire placement slots 650.

[0059] The wire placement slot 650 can be formed along the length of a pair of compression pads 600 for a predetermined length, and a pair of sensing wires 450 can be placed in the wire placement slot 650.

[0060] The wire placement slot 650 may have a depth corresponding to the thickness of the pair of sensing wires 450. Therefore, when the pair of sensing wires 450 are placed in the wire placement slot 650, the pair of sensing wires 450 may not protrude beyond the compression pad 600.

[0061] Meanwhile, the wire placement groove 650 can also be formed at a pair of side plates 500 (e.g.) Figure 3 (As shown), instead of being formed at a pair of compression pads 600. That is, a pair of side plates 500 may have wire placement grooves 550 formed for a predetermined length along the length direction of a pair of sensing lines 450, thereby placing a pair of sensing lines 450 in the wire placement grooves 550. Moreover, the depth of the wire placement grooves 550 may correspond to the thickness of the pair of sensing lines 450.

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, since a pair of sensing lines 450 are provided on the two side surfaces of the battery module 10, the spatial efficiency of the battery module 10 in the height direction can be improved.

[0063] In addition, in this embodiment, since a pair of sensing lines 450 are mounted on the two side surfaces of the battery module 10 in a manner that does not protrude beyond the side plate 500 or the compression pad 600, the space efficiency of the two side surfaces of the battery module 10 can be ensured.

[0064] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 It is used for example Figure 4 A diagram of the main components of the sensing assembly of the battery module. Figure 6 It is used for example Figure 4 A diagram of the main parts of the side panel of the battery module.

[0065] Since the battery module 20 in this embodiment is substantially the same as or similar to the battery module 10 in the previous embodiment, the same or similar features will not be explained again, and the following description will focus on the features that are different from those in the previous embodiment.

[0066] Reference Figures 4 to 6 The battery module 20 may include a battery cell assembly 100, a top plate 200, a bottom plate 300, a pair of compression pads 600, a sensing assembly 700, and a pair of side plates 800.

[0067] The battery cell assembly 100, top plate 200, bottom plate 300 and a pair of compression pads 600 are substantially the same as or similar to the battery cell assembly, top plate, bottom plate and a pair of compression pads in the previous embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0068] The sensing component 700 may include a sensing line 750, a first busbar unit 760, and a second busbar unit 780.

[0069] The sensing line 750 is substantially the same as or similar to the sensing line 750 in the previous embodiment, so it will not be described again.

[0070] The first busbar unit 760 may include a busbar body 762, a cover frame 764, and a connecting pin 768.

[0071] The busbar body 762 and the cover frame 764 are substantially the same as or similar to the busbar body and cover frame in the previous embodiments, and therefore will not be described again.

[0072] The connecting pin 768 can connect the first busbar unit 760 and a pair of side plates 800 (explained later) to each other. Multiple connecting pins 768 can be provided.

[0073] Multiple connecting pins 768 are disposed at both ends of the first busbar unit 760 and can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the height direction of the first busbar unit 760.

[0074] Specifically, multiple connecting pins 768 are provided on two side surfaces of the cover frame 764 and can be spaced apart from each other along the height direction of the cover frame 764.

[0075] The second busbar unit 780 may include a busbar body 782, a cover frame 784, a control board 786, and a connecting pin 788.

[0076] The busbar body 782, cover frame 784 and control plate 786 are basically the same as or similar to the busbar body, cover frame and control plate of the previous embodiment, so they will not be described again.

[0077] The connecting pin 788 can connect the second busbar unit 780 to a pair of side plates 800 (explained later). Multiple connecting pins 788 can be provided.

[0078] Multiple connecting pins 788 are disposed at both ends of the second busbar unit 780 and can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the height direction of the second busbar unit 780.

[0079] Specifically, multiple connecting pins 788 are provided on two side surfaces of the cover frame 784 and can be spaced apart from each other along the height direction of the cover frame 784.

[0080] Pin insertion slots 850 can be formed in a pair of side plates 800.

[0081] The connecting pin 768 of the first busbar unit 760 and the connecting pin 788 of the second busbar unit 780 can be inserted into the pin insertion slot 850.

[0082] Multiple pin insertion slots 850 can be provided. Multiple pin insertion slots 850 can be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the height direction of a pair of side plates 800.

[0083] In this embodiment, the sensing component 700 and the side plate 800 can be more easily connected by means of the pin insertion structure of the sensing component 700 and the side plate 800 without any additional joining process such as welding.

[0084] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] Reference Figure 7 The battery pack 1 may include at least one battery module 10 according to a previous embodiment and a battery pack housing 50 for packaging at least one battery module 10.

[0086] Here, the at least one battery module can be battery module 20 as in the previous embodiment. The battery module can also be configured as a combination of battery module 10 and battery module 20 as in the previous embodiment.

[0087] Battery pack 1 can be supplied to a vehicle as a fuel source. As an example, battery pack 1 can be supplied to electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and various other types of vehicles that can use battery pack 1 as a fuel source.

[0088] In addition to vehicles, battery pack 1 can also be installed in other devices, instruments or facilities (such as energy storage systems that use secondary batteries).

[0089] As described above, the battery pack 1 and the device, instrument or facility (such as a vehicle having the battery pack 1) of this embodiment include the battery module 10 as described above, and thus can realize the battery pack 1, or device, instrument, facility, etc. (such as a vehicle having the battery pack 1) having all the advantages of the battery module 10 described above.

[0090] According to the above embodiments, it is possible to set up battery modules 10, 20, battery pack 1 including battery modules 10, 20, and vehicles including battery pack 1 while further ensuring more space for battery cell 150.

[0091] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications should not be interpreted solely based on the technical ideas and viewpoints of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: A battery cell assembly having multiple battery cells; A top plate, configured to cover the upper side of the battery cell assembly; A base plate, which is positioned opposite the top plate and configured to cover the underside of the battery cell assembly; A sensing component is disposed on the front and rear sides of the base plate and the top plate to cover the front and rear sides of the battery cell assembly; A pair of side plates, which are connected to the sensing component, the top plate and the bottom plate, and are disposed on two side surfaces of the battery cell assembly; as well as At least one compression pad is disposed between the pair of side plates and the battery cell assembly. Wherein, the at least one compression pad is configured as a pair of compression pads. The sensing component includes: A first busbar unit is disposed on the front side of the battery cell assembly and connected to the pair of side plates; A second busbar unit, configured opposite to the first busbar unit and connected to the pair of side plates on the rear side of the battery cell assembly; and A pair of sensing lines configured to connect the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit, wherein one of the pair of sensing lines is inserted between one of the pair of compression pads and one of the pair of side plates, and the other of the pair of sensing lines is inserted between the other of the pair of compression pads and the other of the pair of side plates.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The pair of sensing lines are configured as a flexible printed circuit board.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The pair of compression pads have wire placement slots formed along the length of the pair of sensing wires at a predetermined length, thereby placing the pair of sensing wires in the wire placement slots.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The pair of side plates have wire placement slots formed along the length direction of the pair of sensing wires at a predetermined length, thereby placing the pair of sensing wires in the wire placement slots.

5. The battery module according to claim 1, in, The first busbar unit and the second busbar unit are each connected to the pair of side plates by means of at least one connecting pin.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, in, The connecting pins are configured as multiple connecting pins, and The plurality of connecting pins are disposed at both ends of the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit, and are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the height direction of the first busbar unit and the second busbar unit.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, in, The pair of side plates have at least one pin insertion slot, into which at least one connecting pin is inserted.

8. A battery pack comprising: At least one battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 7; as well as A battery pack housing configured to enclose at least one of the battery modules.

9. A vehicle comprising: At least one battery pack according to claim 8.

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