Battery module assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module assembly comprising: a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells; a lower case including an internal space accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack; an upper case including an internal space accommodating a remainder of the battery pack not accommodated in the lower case, the upper case coupled to the lower case; and at least one lower support portion configured to protrude from an inner surface of the lower case and assist in fixing the battery pack to the lower case.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0079234, filed on June 20, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a battery module assembly. Background Art

[0004] The contents described in this section merely provide background information for the present invention and do not constitute prior art.

[0005] Batteries can be divided into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged. Secondary batteries can be used in electric vehicles (EV), mobile devices, electric bicycles, energy storage systems (ESS), etc. Depending on the type of external device using the secondary battery, the secondary battery can be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a battery pack in which multiple battery cells are connected and bundled into one unit.

[0006] The shape of the battery cell may be cylindrical, pouch-shaped or prismatic. A plurality of cylindrical battery cells may be used in an electric vehicle in the form of a battery pack. At least one cylindrical battery pack may be configured as a module.

[0007] The cylindrical battery cell module may include a fixture installed in the housing. The fixture may fix the battery pack inside the battery module. The fixture maintains the alignment of the battery cells inside the battery module to resist external physical impact. However, the presence of the fixture may cause problems within the battery module, namely, an increase in both volume and weight.

[0008] The battery module can supply or receive power to the battery management system (BMS) using a printed circuit board (PCB). Generally, the battery module is configured by contacting the battery pack and the PCB. In other words, the battery pack and the PCB are connected by direct contact. The problem with this battery module is that when the battery cells are charged and discharged, an electrical short circuit may occur between the PCB or BMS and the battery module due to the heat generated by the battery cells. Summary of the invention

[0009] In view of the above, the present invention provides a battery module assembly that can integrate a plurality of battery cells into a battery module in a stable structure. This is achieved through a simple assembly process without the need for any additional fixing device. Therefore, the battery module assembly reduces manufacturing costs and reduces the risk of electrical short circuits between the PCB or BMS and the battery module.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery module assembly is provided, comprising a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells, and a lower housing having an internal space for accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack. The battery module assembly also includes an upper housing having an internal space for accommodating a remaining portion of the battery pack that is not accommodated in the lower housing. The upper housing is also coupled to the lower housing. The battery module assembly also includes at least one lower support portion that is formed to protrude from at least an inner surface of the lower housing and assists in fixing the battery pack to the lower housing.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a battery module assembly is provided, including a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells, and a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the battery pack. The battery module assembly also includes a lower housing having a first internal space for accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack and a second internal space for accommodating at least a portion of the PCB. The battery module assembly also includes an upper housing coupled to the lower housing so that the first internal space and the second internal space become closed spaces. The first internal space and the second internal space are formed separately so that the battery pack and the PCB are not in direct contact.

[0012] The battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention allows a stable structure to be configured for a battery module including a plurality of battery cells. This is achieved through a simple assembly process without any additional fixing device. Therefore, the battery module assembly reduces manufacturing costs and reduces the risk of electrical short circuits between the PCB or BMS and the battery module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Since these drawings are used to explain the embodiments of the present invention, the technical concept of the present invention should not be understood to be limited to the drawings, and wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module assembly along an electrode arrangement direction of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of electrodes of a battery cell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same elements, although these elements may be shown in different drawings. In addition, in the following description of the embodiments, for the purpose of clarity and brevity, detailed descriptions including known functions and configurations are omitted.

[0020] In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., are only used to distinguish one component from another, but do not imply or suggest the substance, order or sequence of the components, etc. Throughout the specification, when a component “includes” or “comprises” a component, the component means to also include other components, but does not exclude other components, unless there is a specific statement to the contrary.

[0021] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "in contact with" another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or in contact with another component, but other components may exist between them. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly in contact with" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between them.

[0022] When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device or element should be considered herein as being “configured to” satisfy the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0023] The battery module according to the present invention can be used in a device requiring a power source while periodically or non-periodically repeating charging and discharging. For example, the battery module according to the present invention can be used in an automobile, a hybrid vehicle, or an electric vehicle.

[0024] A battery module may include multiple battery cells. The capacity of a single battery cell is limited. In order to increase the capacity of the battery module, the battery module needs to arrange multiple battery cells in a small volume. In addition, compared with conventional battery modules, the battery module needs to be lighter in weight.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery module assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention along an electrode arrangement direction of a battery cell.

[0029] Figure 5FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery module assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of electrodes of a battery cell.

[0030] refer to Figures 1 to 5 , a battery module assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack 210 , a printed circuit board (PCB) 220 , a lower case 120 , an upper case 110 , a lower support 123 , and an upper support 113 .

[0031] The battery pack 210 may include a plurality of battery cells 211 , a plurality of wiring harnesses 214 , a battery holder 212 , and a battery bus 213 .

[0032] Each of the plurality of battery cells 211 may be a cylindrical battery cell. Although not shown in the drawings, a cylindrical battery cell is a secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can. The cylindrical battery cell may be configured by inserting the electrolyte and the electrode assembly into the open end of the cylindrical metal can and then coupling the cover to the open end. The two ends of the cylindrical battery cell may be used as a cathode and an anode, respectively. However, the cylindrical battery cell may be configured differently from the above description. For example, a cylindrical battery cell may be configured as a solid-state battery cell. A plurality of battery cells 211 may be arranged in parallel with each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells 211 may be arranged so that the same electrode faces the same direction. For example, one side (e.g., the first side) of the battery pack 210 in which a plurality of battery cells 211 are arranged may all be anodes, while the other side (e.g., the second side) may all be cathodes.

[0033] Plurality of wiring harnesses 214 may include a wiring harness for sensing and a wiring harness for high current.

[0034] The wiring harness for sensing may include at least one cable and at least one sensor. The wiring harness for sensing may measure various information related to the battery pack 210. The wiring harness for sensing may electrically connect the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220 between the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220, which will be further described later. The wiring harness for sensing may transfer the measured information from the battery pack 210 to the PCB 220. The wiring harness for sensing may include a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a safety switch, etc.

[0035] The wiring harness for high current may collect current generated by the plurality of battery cells 211. The wiring harness for high current may electrically connect the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220 between the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220, which will be further described later. The wiring harness for high current may transfer the collected current from the battery pack 210 to the PCB 220. The wiring harness for high current may include an output connector, a protection device, and the like.

[0036] The battery holder 212 may be disposed on one side (e.g., the first side) and the other side (e.g., the second side) of the plurality of battery cells 211. In this case, one side of the plurality of battery cells 211 means the anode direction of the plurality of battery cells, and the other side means the cathode direction of the plurality of battery cells. The battery holder 212 may fix the arrangement of the plurality of battery cells 211. The battery holder 212 may include a plurality of holes equal to the number of the plurality of battery cells 211. In order to fix the plurality of battery cells 211, the battery holder 212 may include at least one retaining pin (not shown). When the plurality of battery cells 211 are coupled to the battery holder 212, the at least one retaining pin may be inserted between the plurality of battery cells 211. Optionally, the at least one retaining pin may be disposed on the outer contour of the plurality of battery cells 211. The battery holder 212 may have a plurality of protrusions formed along the outer contour of the battery holder 212. The plurality of protrusions may be fixed to the lower shell 120 and the upper shell 110, which will be further described later. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, at least a portion of the plurality of protrusions may be configured to be in close contact with at least one lower support portion 123 and at least one upper support portion 113, which will be further described later.

[0037] The battery bus 213 may be provided on one side (e.g., the first side) and the other side (e.g., the second side) of the plurality of battery cells 211. In this case, the one side and the other side of the plurality of battery cells 211 are as described above. The battery bus 213 may electrically connect the plurality of battery cells 211 inside the battery pack 210. The battery bus 213 may be made of metal or copper. The battery bus 213 may maintain the stability of each battery cell by minimizing the voltage difference between the plurality of battery cells 211.

[0038] The PCB 220 may be used to control the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the battery pack 210. The upper and lower surfaces of the PCB 220 may include a plurality of components. The PCB 220 may be electrically connected to the battery pack 210. The PCB 220 may send and receive information about the charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells 211 to and from a battery management system (BMS). The PCB 220 may be arranged so that the normal vector of the upper surface of the PCB 220 is perpendicular to the electrode arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 211. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the PCB 220 may be disposed on a side of the battery pack 210. In this case, the side of the battery pack 210 refers to a side in a direction in which cathodes or anodes of the plurality of battery cells 211 are located.

[0039] The lower case 120 may include a first inner space 121 in which at least a portion of the battery pack 210 is accommodated. The lower case 120 may also include a second inner space 122 in which at least a portion of the PCB 220 is accommodated. Figure 2As shown, the first internal space 121 and the second internal space 122 may be partitioned by the shape of the lower case 120. However, unlike the above, the first internal space 121 and the second internal space 122 may be separated by installing a partition wall in the lower case 120. The lower case 120 may be combined with the upper case 110, which will be further described later.

[0040] Conventional battery modules are configured in a state where the PCB and the battery pack are in contact. In such a battery module, when the battery is charged or discharged, there is a problem in that an electrical short circuit may occur in the PCB circuit due to heat generated by the battery. In order to solve this problem, the present invention forms the internal space of the battery module separately into a first internal space 121 and a second internal space 122. By separating the first internal space 121 and the second internal space 122 from each other, the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220 do not directly contact each other. Since the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220 are separated, the risk of an electrical short circuit occurring in the PCB 220 due to heat generated by the battery pack 210 can be reduced. In other words, by configuring the battery pack 210 and the PCB 220 not to thermally interfere with each other, the possibility of an electrical short circuit occurring in the PCB 220 and the BMS can be reduced.

[0041] The upper housing 110 may include a handle 130 rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the upper housing 110, a first internal space 111 accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack 210, and a second internal space 112 accommodating at least a portion of the PCB 220. When the upper housing 110 is coupled to the lower housing 120, the first internal spaces 111 and 121 and the second internal spaces 112 and 122 may become closed spaces. The upper housing 110 may include a heat sink 140 configured to open at least a portion of the second internal space 112.

[0042] The heat sink 140 may be disposed on an outer surface of the upper housing 110. The heat sink 140 may be configured to dissipate heat generated from the PCB 220. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, after assembling the battery module assembly 100 of the present invention, the heat sink 140 may be disposed in the vertical direction of the upper surface of the PCB 220. The heat sink 140 may be configured in the form of a plurality of fins. Different from the above description, the heat sink 140 may be included in the lower housing 120 and disposed on the outer surface of the lower housing 120. The heat sink 140 included in the lower housing 120 may have the same configuration and effect as the above-mentioned heat sink 140, and its detailed description is omitted.

[0043] As described above, when the heat sink 140 is included in the housings 110 and 120 of the battery module, heat dissipation of the PCB 220 can be smoothly performed. When heat dissipation of the PCB 220 is smoothly performed, the risk of electrical short circuit occurring in the PCB 220 can be reduced.

[0044] At least one lower support portion 123 may protrude from the inner surface of the lower housing 120. The lower support portion 123 may have various shapes. For example, the shape of the lower support portion 123 may be like a long strip, a column, or an inclined protrusion. At least one lower support portion 123 may be formed to be in close contact with the outer contour of the battery pack 210. When the battery pack 210 is accommodated in the lower housing 120, the at least one lower support portion 123 may assist in fixing the battery pack 210 to the lower housing 120. At least one lower support portion 123 may be integrated with the lower housing 120.

[0045] At least one upper support portion 113 may be configured in a form in which at least a portion protrudes from the inner surface of the upper housing 110. The upper support portion 113 may have various shapes like the lower support portion 123. When the battery pack 210 is accommodated in the upper housing 110, the upper support portion 113 may assist in fixing the battery pack 210 to the upper housing 110. The upper support portion 113 may be integrated with the upper housing 110.

[0046] Compared with conventional battery modules, battery modules may require a smaller volume and lighter weight. In the case of constructing a battery module using cylindrical battery cells, it is difficult to maintain the arrangement structure of the battery cells due to the appearance characteristics of the cylindrical battery cells. To solve this problem, the battery module may include a fixing device in the housing. The fixing device is configured to fix the battery pack inside the battery module. The fixing device protects the battery cells inside the battery module from external impacts and maintains the arrangement structure of the battery cells. However, when the fixing device is included in the battery module, the volume and weight of the battery module will increase. The fixing device complicates the assembly process of the battery module and increases the manufacturing cost of the battery module.

[0047] In order to solve the above problems of the conventional battery module, the battery module assembly 100 of the present invention includes an upper support 113 and a lower support 123 respectively integrated with the upper case 110 and the lower case 120. In order to fix the battery pack 210 in close contact with the upper support 113 and the lower support 123, the battery pack 210 may include a battery holder 212.

[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the battery holder 212 of the battery pack 210 can be fixed when in contact with the upper support 113 and the lower support 123. When the battery pack 210 is in close contact with the upper support 113 and the lower support 123, the impact transmitted from the outside to the battery pack 210 can be absorbed. The upper support 113 and the lower support 123 are respectively integrated with the upper shell 110 and the lower shell 120, so that the upper support 113 or the lower support 123 and the upper shell 110 or the lower shell 120 can be produced using a single mold.

[0049] When the battery pack 210 is fixed inside the battery module only by the inner shape of the housing without any fixing means, the plurality of battery cells 211 can be mounted in a stable structure through a simple assembly process. In this case, the manufacturing cost of the battery module can be reduced.

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above for illustrative purposes. In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and substitutions may be made without departing from the idea and scope of the disclosure claimed for protection. Therefore, for the sake of brevity and clarity, embodiments of the present invention have been described. The scope of the technical idea of ​​the present embodiment is not limited by the diagrams. Therefore, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the disclosure claimed for protection is not limited by the embodiments explicitly described above, but is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery module assembly, include: A battery pack including a plurality of battery cells; a lower housing including an interior space for accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack; an upper case including an inner space for accommodating a remaining portion of the battery pack not accommodated in the lower case, the upper case being coupled to the lower case; as well as At least one lower support portion is configured to protrude from an inner surface of the lower case and assist in securing the battery pack to the lower case.

2. The battery module assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: include: At least one upper support portion is configured to protrude from an inner surface of the upper housing and assist in securing the battery pack to the upper housing.

3. The battery module assembly according to claim 2, in, The at least one lower support is formed as a single unit with the lower housing.

4. The battery module assembly according to claim 2, in, The at least one upper support is formed as a single unit with the upper housing.

5. The battery module assembly according to claim 2, in, The battery pack includes a battery holder disposed on first and second sides of the plurality of battery cells to fix an arrangement state of the plurality of battery cells.

6. The battery module assembly according to claim 5, in, At least a portion of the battery holder is in close contact with the at least one lower support portion and the at least one upper support portion, so that the battery pack is fixed to the inner space of the lower case.

7. A battery module assembly, include: A battery pack including a plurality of battery cells; a printed circuit board electrically connected to the battery pack; a lower housing including a first inner space for accommodating at least a portion of the battery pack and a second inner space for accommodating at least a portion of the printed circuit board; as well as an upper shell, coupled to the lower shell so that the first inner space and the second inner space become closed spaces, The first internal space and the second internal space are formed separately so that the battery pack and the printed circuit board are not in direct contact.

8. The battery module assembly according to claim 7, in, The first internal space and the second internal space are horizontally arranged to be separated from each other.

9. The battery module assembly according to claim 7, in, A normal vector of an upper surface of the printed circuit board is perpendicular to an arrangement direction of electrodes of the plurality of battery cells.

10. The battery module assembly according to claim 7, in, The upper case includes a heat sink disposed on an outer surface of the upper case and configured to open at least a portion of the second inner space and radiate heat generated from the printed circuit board.

11. The battery module assembly according to claim 10, in, The heat sink is disposed in a vertical direction of an upper surface of the printed circuit board.

12. The battery module assembly according to claim 10, in, The heat sink includes a plurality of fins.

13. The battery module assembly according to claim 7, in, The lower case includes a heat sink disposed on an outer surface of the lower case and configured to open at least a portion of the second inner space and radiate heat generated from the printed circuit board.

14. The battery module assembly according to claim 13, in, The heat sink is disposed in a vertical direction of an upper surface of the printed circuit board.

15. The battery module assembly according to claim 13, in, The heat sink includes a plurality of fins.

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