Battery module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module including an insulating member that prevents short-circuiting of terminals, does not have the risk of loss, is applicable to various types of terminals, and can be reused for other products even after the end of the life of the battery module. The battery module according to the present invention may comprise: a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked; a main body part, wherein the main body part surrounds the battery cell stack; the end plates are arranged on the front surface and the rear surface of the battery core stacking piece while blocking the opening of the main body part; and an insulating member disposed between the battery cell stack and the main body portion, in which the insulating member may include a terminal cover extending to an exterior of the main body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0063117 filed on May 23, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0040788 filed on March 28, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a battery module, and more particularly, to a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells. Background Art

[0005] In recent years, due to the consumption of fossil fuels, the price of energy has increased, people's interest in environmental pollution has increased, and the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy is becoming an indispensable factor in future life. Therefore, research on various power generation technologies such as solar energy, wind energy and tidal energy is continuing, and power storage devices such as batteries for more efficient use of the generated electrical energy are also receiving great attention.

[0006] In addition, as technology develops and demand for electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles using batteries increases, demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing. Therefore, many studies have been conducted on batteries that can meet various needs.

[0007] Batteries that store electrical energy can generally be classified into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Such primary batteries are disposable consumable batteries. On the other hand, such secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured by using materials that can repeat the oxidation and reduction process between electric current and materials. That is, when a reduction reaction of the material is performed by electric current, it is charged. When an oxidation reaction of the material is performed by electric current, it is discharged. Such charging and discharging are repeated to generate electricity.

[0008] Recently, as the demand for large-capacity structures in addition to use as energy storage sources increases, the demand for battery packs in which a plurality of secondary batteries or battery modules are gathered has increased, and thus the demand for battery modules has also increased.

[0009] For safety reasons, the battery module may include an insulating structure for insulating an assembly of battery cells disposed therein from a member such as a frame.

[0010] In addition to a configuration provided inside the battery module to insulate components of the battery cell from the frame, the insulation structure may also require a configuration for preventing a short circuit from occurring in a terminal exposed to the outside of the battery.

[0011] In the prior art, since the insulating structure for preventing the terminal from short-circuiting is a separate component, it is not easy to store and may be lost when separated. In addition, there is also a problem that it is difficult to apply to various types of terminals.

[0012] In order to solve these problems, a battery module including different types of separation structures is required. Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present invention is designed to solve the above problems. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a battery module including an insulating member that is configured to prevent short circuits of terminals from occurring without the risk of loss, that can be applied to various types of terminals, and that can be reused in configurations for other products even after the life of the battery module ends.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] A battery module according to the present invention includes: a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked; a main body portion surrounding the cell stack; end plates blocking an opening of the main body portion and arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack; and an insulating member arranged between the cell stack and the main body portion, and the insulating member includes a terminal cover having a shape extending to the outside of the main body portion.

[0017] The body portion may include: a top plate disposed above the cell stack; and a frame configured to surround a bottom surface and side surfaces of the cell stack.

[0018] The cell stack may include a terminal extending to the outside of the body portion to be electrically connected to the outside, and the end plate includes a terminal frame disposed under the terminal.

[0019] The width of the terminal cover can be the same as the width of the terminal frame.

[0020] The terminal cover may be configured to surround the opened top surface and front surface of the terminal.

[0021] The terminal cover may be configured to open a top surface and a front surface of the surrounded terminal to be contacted with the outside.

[0022] The terminal cover may include: a horizontal portion extending in a direction parallel to an extension direction of the terminal to surround the opened top surface of the terminal; and a vertical portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion to surround the opened front surface of the terminal.

[0023] The terminal cover may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal.

[0024] The terminal cover may include an elastic material so that the shape of the terminal cover can be deformed and restored.

[0025] The terminal cover may be deformed when force is applied, and may maintain the deformed shape.

[0026] The insulating member may include an insulating film.

[0027] A battery module comprises: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells and terminals protruding in a direction away from the cells so that the cells are electrically connected to the outside; a main body having a shape with two ends in a longitudinal direction of the cell stack opened so as to accommodate the cell stack; and an insulating member configured to insulate the cell stack, wherein the insulating member comprises: an upper plate disposed between a top surface of the cell stack and the main body so as to insulate the cell stack from the main body; and a terminal cover extending from the upper plate in a direction away from the cell stack to cover the terminals.

[0028] The melting point of the terminal cover may be higher than the melting point of the terminal.

[0029] The battery module may further include an end plate configured to block both opened ends of the body portion and having through holes at positions corresponding to the terminals through which the terminals pass.

[0030] The terminal cover may pass through the through hole to cover the terminal.

[0031] Beneficial Effects

[0032] A battery module according to the present invention may include: a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked; a main body portion surrounding the cell stack; end plates blocking an opening of the main body portion and arranged on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack; and an insulating member arranged between the cell stack and the main body portion, and the insulating member may include a terminal cover having a shape extending to the outside of the main body portion.

[0033] Therefore, the insulating member can be provided to prevent a short circuit of the terminal from occurring without risk of loss, can be applied to various types of terminals, and can be reused in a configuration for other products even after the life of the battery module ends.

[0034] Additionally, separate components can be joined as one component to improve the economy and efficiency of the handling and manufacturing process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2is a schematic perspective view showing an insulating member of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing an insulating member of a battery module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when viewed from above.

[0038] Figure 4 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a terminal cover of an insulating member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided on a terminal.

[0039] Figure 5 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a terminal cover of the insulating member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited or constrained by the following examples.

[0041] In order to explain the present invention clearly, detailed description of parts not related to the description of the main points of the present invention or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the present invention is omitted, and in this specification, reference numerals are added to the components in each figure. In this case, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0042] Furthermore, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be restrictively interpreted as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the scope of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe and interpret his or her invention.

[0043] Implementation Method 1

[0044] The present invention provides the battery module according to the first embodiment.

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0046] Reference Figure 1 , the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a cell stack 110 , a body portion 200 , an end plate 140 , and an insulating member 150 .

[0047] The cell stack 110 of the battery module 100 may be provided by stacking a plurality of cells. Each cell may refer to a secondary battery, and here, the cell may be a pouch cell. Specifically, the cell stack 110 may be provided by stacking a plurality of cells side by side to be parallel to each other.

[0048] The cell stack 110 may generate electric power of the battery module 100. The cell stack 110 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a terminal 111 as an example of a configuration for transmitting electric power generated by the cell stack 110 to the outside.

[0049] The terminal 111 may be provided to extend outside the body portion to be electrically connected to the outside. Specifically, the terminal 11 may extend outside the frame 130 to be described later. More specifically, the terminal 111 may have a shape extending in a direction away from the body portion.

[0050] The terminal 111 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may be provided as a pair of terminals provided as a negative electrode and a positive electrode, respectively. In addition, the terminal 111 may have an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0051] The body portion of the battery module 100 may be disposed to surround the cell stack 110. The body portion may include a top plate 120 and a frame 130.

[0052] The top plate 120 disposed in the body portion may be disposed above the cell stack 110 .

[0053] The top plate 120 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape, and a surface of the top plate 120 facing the cell stack 110 may have approximately the same area as a bottom surface of the frame 130 .

[0054] The cell stack 110 may be protected from the outside by a top plate 120 .

[0055] The cell stack 110 may be disposed inside a frame 130 disposed in the body portion. Here, the frame 130 may be disposed to surround the bottom surface and side surfaces of the cell stack 110. The frame 130 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may have a U-shape when viewed from the front.

[0056] The cell stack 110 may be disposed inside the battery module 100 while maintaining its shape by the frame 130 , and may be protected from the outside.

[0057] The end plates 140 of the battery module 100 may be disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 110 while blocking an opening of the frame 130 in which the cell stack 110 is disposed.

[0058] The end plate 140 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plate shape as a whole, and may be formed as a pair disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the cell stack 110 , respectively.

[0059] The cell stack 110 may be protected from the outside by the end plate 140 .

[0060] As an example of a configuration for providing the terminal 111 of the cell stack 110 , the end plate 140 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a terminal frame 141 .

[0061] The terminal frame 141 may be disposed below the terminal 111 and may be disposed in a form surrounding a portion of the bottom surface and the side surface of the terminal 111. That is, the terminal frame 141 of the end plate 140 may be disposed at a position where the protruding terminal 111 of the cell stack 110 is disposed.

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an insulating member 150 of a battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 3 1 is a schematic plan view showing the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 when viewed from above according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided on the terminal 111 .

[0063] The battery module 100 may include an insulating structure for preventing defects that may occur when current flows between battery cells and other components disposed therein. As an example of a configuration for insulation, the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include an insulating member 150 .

[0064] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The insulating member 150 may be provided in the form of a thin plate having insulating properties, and the insulating member 150 may be an insulating film. In addition, the insulating member 150 may be provided on the outer surface of the cell stack 110 .

[0065] As an example of a configuration for protecting the terminal 111 of the cell stack 110 , the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes an upper plate 154 and a terminal cover 151 .

[0066] The upper plate 154 of the insulating member 150 may be disposed between the cell stack 110 and a body portion surrounding the cell stack 110. Specifically, the insulating member 150 may be disposed between the top surface of the cell stack 110 and the top plate 120. The upper plate 154 may have a plate shape having a substantially rectangular cross section.

[0067] The terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 may have a shape extending from the upper plate 154 to the outside of the body. When the battery module 100 is viewed downward from above, a portion not covered by the top plate 120 may be the terminal cover 151.

[0068] Reference Figure 3 , the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 may have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above.

[0069] Since the terminals 111 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention are provided in a pair, the terminal covers 151 may also be provided in a pair to protect each terminal 111 .

[0070] The terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 can prevent a short circuit that may occur due to contact between the terminal 111 and another external conductor during storage and transportation of the battery module 100 , and can protect the terminal 111 from external physical factors to improve the stability of the battery module 100 .

[0071] As an example of a configuration for effectively protecting the terminal 111 , the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may have the same width as the terminal frame 141 .

[0072] Reference Figure 4 , the terminal cover 151 may be provided to have the same width as the terminal frame 141. Here, the width may refer to a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the terminal cover 151 extends to the outside of the frame 130.

[0073] When the width of the terminal cover 151 is the same as that of the terminal frame 141, the terminal cover 151 can easily cover the terminal 111 set above the terminal frame 141 to more easily protect the terminal 111. In addition, when the terminal cover 151 is set, the terminal frame 141 can be relatively less interfered with by other components, thereby simplifying assembly during manufacturing.

[0074] As an example of a configuration for covering the open portion of the terminal 111 , the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a horizontal portion 152 and a vertical portion 153 .

[0075] Specifically, the horizontal portion 152 and the vertical portion 153 of the terminal cover 151 may cover the opened top and front surface of the terminal 111 .

[0076] Reference Figure 4, the horizontal portion 152 may extend in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the terminal 111 and may be provided to surround the opened top surface of the terminal 111, and the vertical portion 153 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion 152 and may be provided to surround the opened front surface of the terminal 111. Here, as Figure 4 As shown, the vertical portion 153 may be configured to extend downward.

[0077] When the terminal cover 151 includes the horizontal portion 152 and the vertical portion 153 , the opened top surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 may be effectively covered, which is advantageous for protecting the terminal 111 .

[0078] Figure 5 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is opened.

[0079] Reference Figure 5 , the terminal cover 151 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may open the terminal 111 in a shape surrounding the terminal 111 .

[0080] Specifically, the terminal cover 151 may be opened so that the top surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 are in contact with the outside.

[0081] In addition to using the battery module 100, the terminal 111 may need to be opened when checking performance and defects of the battery module 100 or when repairing the battery module 100. Here, the terminal cover 151 may be opened so that the top and front surfaces of the terminal 111 contact the outside.

[0082] As an example of a configuration for opening, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include an elastic material.

[0083] Specifically, the terminal cover 151 may be deformed and restored by including an elastic material. Therefore, the shape of the terminal cover 151 covering the top surface and the front surface of the terminal 111 may be as follows. Figure 5 The terminal cover 151 is modified to open the terminal 111 so as to contact with the outside. In addition, when it is not necessary to open the terminal 111, the terminal cover 151 can be restored to its original state by elastic force to surround the terminal 111.

[0084] According to the present invention, even when the terminal 111 is opened by modifying the shape of the terminal cover 151, there is no risk of losing the terminal cover 151, and the terminal cover 151 can be repeatedly used.

[0085] Although not shown in the embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 100 may further include a member such as a synthetic resin for bonding between the bottom surface of the cell stack 110 and the frame 130 .

[0086] Since the battery module 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the insulating member 150 in which the terminal cover 151 is integrally provided, the number of components can be reduced compared to the insulating member according to the prior art, and can be reused to improve economic feasibility. In addition, since the battery module 100 is easy to assemble, the battery module 100 can improve the efficiency of related operations and manufacturing processes.

[0087] Implementation Method 2

[0088] The present invention provides a battery module including an insulating member of a different type from that of the second embodiment.

[0089] Hereinafter, a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted.

[0090] The battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may include a cell stack 110, a top plate 120, a frame 130, and an end plate 140 having the same shape as the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1. However, the battery module according to Embodiment 2 may include an insulating member having a different form from the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0091] The terminal cover of the insulating member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal 111 .

[0092] Specifically, the terminal cover may be provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal 111 to cover the outside of the terminal 111 .

[0093] When the terminal 111 has a substantially rectangular shape and the top surface, front surface and side surface are opened from the terminal frame 141 while being arranged above the terminal frame 141, the terminal cover according to embodiment 2 can be arranged to surround the top surface, front surface and side surface of the terminal 111, and the terminal 111 can be arranged inside the terminal cover.

[0094] Similar to Embodiment 1, the terminal cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention can also open the terminal 111 in the form of surrounding the terminal 111 .

[0095] Specifically, the terminal cover may open the top surface, the front surface, and the side surface of the surrounded terminal 111 to contact with the outside.

[0096] As an example of a method for opening the terminal 111 , when a force is applied to the terminal cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the terminal cover may be deformed.

[0097] Specifically, when a force is applied to the terminal cover, the shape of the terminal cover can be deformed and can maintain the deformed shape. For example, this may mean the same way that the shape of a thin wire is deformed and maintains the deformed shape when a force is applied to the thin wire.

[0098] If the terminal 111 does not need to be in contact with the outside, when force is applied again, the terminal cover deformed to open the terminal 111 may return to its original form surrounding the terminal 111 in a shape corresponding to the terminal 111 .

[0099] When adding a description of the shape of the terminal cover, a portion of the side surface of the terminal cover surrounding the terminal 111 may be connected to another portion of the front surface of the terminal cover surrounding the terminal 111. That is, the terminal cover deformed into a substantially flat shape by applying a force may have a shape similar to a portion of an unfolded rectangular parallelepiped.

[0100] The terminal cover that can realize this method may be a thin plate type film or the like.

[0101] Since the shape of the terminal cover according to Embodiment 2 is merely an example of a case where the terminal 111 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, when the terminal has a different shape, the shape of the terminal cover may also be changed to correspond to the shape of the terminal.

[0102] Implementation 3

[0103] The present invention provides a battery module including a terminal cover 151 provided in a form different from that of the third embodiment.

[0104] Hereinafter, a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the battery module 100 according to Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention will be omitted.

[0105] The battery module according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may include a cell stack 110, a top plate 120, a frame 130, and an end plate 140 having the same shape as the battery module 100 according to Embodiment 1. However, the battery module according to Embodiment 3 may include an insulating member provided in a form different from the insulating member 150 of the battery module 100 according to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0106] As described above, the end plate 140 may include the terminal frame 141 as an example of a configuration for disposing the terminal 111 .

[0107] The terminal frame 141 may be disposed below the terminal 111 and may be disposed in a form surrounding a portion of the bottom surface and the side surface of the terminal 111. Here, in order to dispose the terminal 111 on the terminal frame 141 of the end plate 140, the terminal 111 may be disposed to pass through the end plate 140.

[0108] A through hole 142 may be defined in the end plate 140 of the battery module according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention to allow the terminal 111 to pass therethrough. Specifically, the through hole 142 may be defined at a position corresponding to the position where the terminal 111 is provided in the end plate 140. Moreover, the through hole 142 may be set to a size through which the terminal 111 may pass. Therefore, the terminal 111 protruding to the outside of the main body portion may pass through the through hole 142 and be provided on the terminal frame 141.

[0109] The terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention may be disposed to pass through the through hole 142. That is, the terminal cover 151 may cover the terminal 111 by passing through the through hole 142 together with the terminal 111.

[0110] Since the terminal cover 151 provided in this form may have a relatively wide contact area with the terminal 111 , the terminal cover 151 may stably cover the terminal 111 .

[0111] As an example of a configuration for improving stability in a manufacturing process, the terminal cover 151 of the insulating member 150 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention may have a higher melting point than that of the terminal 111 .

[0112] In the process of assembling the battery module, the terminal 111 may be welded to join the terminal 111 to other components. Here, there is a possibility that the terminal cover 151 covering the terminal 111 is damaged. Therefore, in order to prevent the terminal cover 151 from being damaged, the terminal cover 151 may have a higher melting point than the melting point of the terminal 111.

[0113] It is sufficient as long as it has a higher melting point than that of the terminal 111 , and the material forming the terminal cover 151 may be various.

[0114] While embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0115] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0116] 100: Battery module

[0117] 110: Battery cell stack

[0118] 111: Terminal

[0119] 120: Top plate

[0120] 130: Framework

[0121] 140: End plate

[0122] 141: Terminal frame

[0123] 142: Through hole

[0124] 150: Insulation components

[0125] 151: Terminal cover

[0126] 152: Horizontal section

[0127] 153: Vertical section

[0128] 154: On the board

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: A battery cell stack, in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a main body portion, the main body portion being configured to surround the battery cell stack; end plates configured to block the opening of the main body portion and disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell stack; as well as an insulating member disposed between the cell stack and the main body portion, The insulating member includes a terminal cover having a shape extending to the outside of the main body portion.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The main body includes: a top plate disposed above the battery cell stack; and A frame is configured to surround a bottom surface and side surfaces of the cell stack.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The cell stack includes a terminal extending to the outside of the body portion to be electrically connected to the outside, and The end plate includes a terminal frame disposed below the terminal.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: The width of the terminal cover is the same as the width of the terminal frame.

5. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: The terminal cover is configured to surround an opened top surface and an opened front surface of the terminal.

6. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: The terminal cover is configured to open the top surface and the front surface of the surrounded terminal to contact with the outside.

7. The battery module according to claim 5, wherein: The terminal cover comprises: a horizontal portion extending in a direction parallel to an extending direction of the terminal to surround the opened top surface of the terminal; and A vertical portion extends in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal portion to surround the opened front surface of the terminal.

8. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: The terminal cover has a shape corresponding to a shape of the terminal.

9. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: The terminal cover includes an elastic material so that the shape of the terminal cover is deformed and restored.

10. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein: When a force is applied, the terminal cover is deformed and maintains the deformed shape.

11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein: The insulating member includes an insulating film.

12. A battery module, comprising: a cell stack including a plurality of cells and terminals protruding in a direction away from the cells so that the cells are electrically connected to the outside; a main body portion having a shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the cell stack are opened so as to accommodate the cell stack; as well as an insulating member configured to insulate the battery cell stack, Wherein, the insulating component comprises: an upper plate disposed between a top surface of the cell stack and the main body portion to insulate the cell stack from the main body portion; and A terminal cover extends from the upper plate in a direction away from the cell stack to cover the terminals.

13. The battery module according to claim 12, wherein: The terminal cover has a melting point higher than a melting point of the terminal.

14. The battery module according to claim 12, further comprising an end plate configured to block both opened ends of the main body portion and having a through hole at a position corresponding to a position of the terminal, the terminal passing through the through hole.

15. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein: The terminal cover passes through the through hole to cover the terminal.

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