Modular battery pack

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular battery pack including: a base battery pack in which two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series with each other are accommodated, the base battery pack being formed in a cuboid shape as a whole; and at least one additional battery pack in which two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series with each other are accommodated, the additional battery pack being formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, in which the cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged in parallel, the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are disposed such that side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other, and the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in parallel with each other. Accordingly, the additional battery pack can be connected in parallel with the base battery pack without limiting the number, and thus the capacity of the battery pack can be easily and simply increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2022-0182120, filed on December 22, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a modular battery pack. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a modular battery pack that can be assembled and used in different sizes and capacities without the need to manufacture new molds. Background Art

[0003] A battery pack including a lithium secondary battery is used as an electric power tool in various applications, and the number of battery cells constituting the battery pack may be changed according to the required capacity and output power. According to the number of battery cells, a housing configured to accommodate the battery cells may be changed, making it basically difficult to change the number of battery cells as an initial design.

[0004] Patent Document 1 relates to a battery device for a vehicle including a base battery pack and an auxiliary battery pack installed in the vehicle, wherein each of the base battery pack and the auxiliary battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or in parallel to each other.

[0005] The auxiliary battery pack can also be connected to the basic battery pack to increase the electrical energy of the vehicle. In addition, the auxiliary battery pack can be connected in series with the basic battery pack via at least one junction box, which makes it easy and reliable to further install the auxiliary battery pack to the basic battery pack.

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration and method in which a single auxiliary battery pack is connected to a base battery pack and used, but does not disclose a technique for further incorporating and using an additional auxiliary battery pack.

[0007] Patent document 2 relates to a battery including more than two battery modules, wherein each battery module includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and / or in parallel with each other, a positive electrode tab and a first module connecting member are connected to each other in a conductive manner, a negative electrode tab and a second module connecting member are connected to each other in a conductive manner, a module connecting member of a first battery module and a module connecting member of a second battery module are connected to each other in a conductive manner, and the module connecting members are electrically connected to each other via a plug connection.

[0008] Patent document 2 discloses a configuration in which a first module connecting member of a first battery module and a first module connecting member of a second battery module are connected to each other in a conductive manner, and a second module connecting member of the first battery module and a second module connecting member of the second battery module are connected to each other in a conductive manner, but does not disclose a configuration in which more than three battery modules are connected to each other.

[0009] Generally, as described above, only methods of adding additional capacity to a limited extent have been proposed. No technology has been proposed that can provide battery packs of various sizes and capacities in an easy, simple and economical manner.

[0010] (Prior art literature)

[0011] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2017-0053071 (May 15, 2017)

[0012] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2018-0124090 (November 20, 2018) Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a new modular battery pack capable of easily increasing or decreasing the capacity of a battery pack and reducing the manufacturing cost of a mold while reducing the number of parts.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present disclosure provides a modular battery pack, including: a basic battery pack, which accommodates two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series with each other, and the basic battery pack is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole; and at least one additional battery pack, which accommodates two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series with each other, and the additional battery pack is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, wherein the cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged in parallel, the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged so that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other, and the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in parallel with each other.

[0017] The base battery pack may have a battery pack connector serving as a terminal of the entire battery pack and a BMS configured to manage the entire battery pack.

[0018] Each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack may include a first surface and a second surface configured to face the side of a cylindrical battery cell therein, the battery pack connector and the BMS may be disposed on the first surface of the basic battery pack, and the first surface of the additional battery pack may be disposed to face the second surface of the basic battery pack, and when more than two additional battery packs are provided, the two or more additional battery packs may be stacked so that the first surface of a new additional battery pack faces the second surface of an already provided additional battery pack.

[0019] Combination terminals for parallel electrical connection may be provided on the second surface of the base battery pack and the first and second surfaces of the additional battery pack.

[0020] Fixing parts for physical coupling may be provided on the second surface of the base battery pack and the first and second surfaces of the additional battery pack.

[0021] The base battery pack and the additional battery pack may be physically coupled to each other via a coupling terminal.

[0022] Each of the coupling terminals may have at least one of a plate-shaped structure, a leaf spring shape, a ring spring shape, and a knife-shaped clamp shape.

[0023] The cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack may be arranged in parallel, and adjacent cylindrical battery cells may be arranged such that cap assemblies thereof face opposite directions.

[0024] The number of cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the basic battery pack and the number of cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the additional battery pack may be equal to each other.

[0025] The cylindrical battery cells accommodated in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack may be connected in series to each other via bus bars.

[0026] One end portion of the bus bar coupled to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell may be bent and extend through the pack case of each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack.

[0027] A plurality of additional battery packs may be coupled to the second surface of the base battery pack in a coupled manner, and the plurality of additional battery packs may be coupled to each other in a coupled manner.

[0028] In addition, the present disclosure may provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0029] Beneficial Effects

[0030] As is apparent from the above description, the modular battery pack according to the present disclosure is configured such that a plurality of additional battery packs can be combined with a single basic battery pack, thereby providing a battery pack having a desired capacity through simple assembly.

[0031] Since one basic battery pack and an additional battery pack having a specific shape are provided, the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost of a mold can be reduced.

[0032] The base battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in parallel with each other, and the additional battery packs are connected in parallel with each other, so separation therebetween can be easily achieved even during use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to the first embodiment with a housing of a base battery pack removed.

[0035] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an additional battery pack in the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a second embodiment.

[0037] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing coupling terminals of a base battery pack and an additional battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a modular battery pack according to a first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 7 is along Figure 4 A perspective cross-sectional view taken in direction A.

[0040] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a third embodiment with a housing of a base battery pack removed.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an additional battery pack in a modular battery pack according to a third embodiment.

[0042] Fig.10 is an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment.

[0043] Fig.11 is an exploded perspective view showing coupling terminals of a base battery pack and an additional battery pack according to a fourth embodiment.

[0044] Fig.12 is a circuit diagram of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment.

[0045] Fig.13 is along Fig.10 A perspective cross-sectional view taken in direction A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Now, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. However, when describing the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, when the known functions and configurations incorporated herein may obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] In addition, in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to represent parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being connected to another part, not only can one part be directly connected to another part, but one part can also be indirectly connected to another part via other parts. In addition, the inclusion of a specific element does not mean the exclusion of other elements, but means that these elements may also be included unless otherwise specified.

[0048] In addition, unless particularly limited, the description embodying elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions and does not limit a specific invention.

[0049] Furthermore, in the description of the present disclosure and the claims of the present application, unless otherwise stated, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0050] In addition, in the description of the present disclosure and the claims of the present application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and." Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases, namely, the case including A, the case including B, and the case including A and B.

[0051] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to the first embodiment with a housing of a base battery pack removed, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an additional battery pack in the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 The additional battery pack can also be used as an additional battery pack of the modular battery pack according to the second embodiment, which will be described below.

[0053] Reference Figures 1 to 3 , a modular battery pack according to the present disclosure includes a basic battery pack 100 equipped with a battery pack connector 110 serving as a terminal of the battery pack and an additional battery pack 200 combined with the basic battery pack 100 to increase the capacity of the battery pack.

[0054] The battery pack connector 110 is provided on the first surface 101 as the upper surface of the base battery pack 100, the battery pack connector 110 is electrically connected to the coupling terminal of the base battery pack 100 in the battery pack housing 210, and the base battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are electrically connected in parallel to each other, so that the battery pack connector 110 serves as a terminal of the entire battery pack. That is, the battery pack connector 110 can be used as at least one of an external input / output terminal, a power supply terminal, and a communication terminal.

[0055] The cylindrical battery cells 10 in each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are arranged in close contact with each other, and adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 are alternately arranged such that the direction in which the cap assembly 11 faces and the direction in which the can bottom 12 faces are opposite to each other.

[0056] The bus bar 301 is coupled to the electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 10 , and the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 10 are connected to each other in series via the bus bar 301 .

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, the other end 302 of the bus bar 301 combined with the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell 10 is bent and extends through the battery pack housing 210 of the additional battery pack 200, and the additional battery pack 200 is formed with a through hole 201 on the upper surface of the battery pack housing 210, so that the other bent end 302 of the bus bar 301 can protrude to the outside of the battery pack housing 210 through the through hole 201.

[0058] In the case of the basic battery pack 100, the BMS may be disposed on the upper surface of the cylindrical battery cell 10, and the BMS may be connected to the battery pack connector 110. The other end 302 of the bus bar 301 coupled to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell 10 accommodated in the basic battery pack is connected to the BMS 120 on the battery pack case 210, and the other end 302 of the bus bar 301 is bent to the first surface 101 as the upper surface. Since no through-hole is formed in the first surface 101 of the battery pack case 210 of the basic battery pack 100, a configuration in which the coupled terminal is exposed through the through-hole is not included. However, at the second surface of the basic battery pack 100 as the outer surface opposite to the first surface 101, the coupled terminal of the basic battery pack 100 may be exposed at the second surface 101 as at the upper surface. Figure 3 The through hole 201 formed on the first surface 101 of the additional battery pack 200 shown in FIG. 1 and the position corresponding to the coupling terminal 230 are exposed and can contact the coupling terminal 230 in an overlapping manner in the vertical direction.

[0059] Therefore, the coupling terminals protruding from the second surface of the pack case 210 of the basic battery pack 100 are configured to contact the coupling terminals 230 of the additional battery pack 200 located below the basic battery pack 100 between the same polarities, so that the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0060] In the basic battery pack 100, the other end 302 of the bus bar 301 is connected to the BMS 120 so that the voltage or current at each terminal can be measured. In the basic battery pack 100, the first and last parts of the series connection of the other end 302 of the bus bar 301 are connected to the external battery pack connector 110 of the entire battery pack.

[0061] The bus bar 301 may protrude outward from the battery pack housing 210 through the through hole 201 of the battery pack housing 210 to serve as a coupling terminal. Alternatively, a separate coupling terminal 230 may be coupled to the other bent end 302 of the bus bar 301, and the coupling terminal 230 may be provided to extend through the through hole 201 of the battery pack housing 210.

[0062] In the basic battery pack 100, the other end portion 302 of the bus bar bent to the first surface of the battery pack case 210 may be bent upward, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, or may not be bent upward to make face-to-face contact with the lower surface of the BMS.

[0063] A through hole 201 may be formed in the battery pack case 210 adjacent to the bent other end 302 of the bus bar 301, and the bus bar 301 is disposed between the two cylindrical battery cells 10, wherein the position of the through hole corresponding to the other end 302 of the bus bar coupled to the end of the first side A of the cylindrical battery cell and the position of the through hole corresponding to the other end 302 of the bus bar coupled to the end of the second side B of the cylindrical battery cell are set to be Figure 3 The X direction is not consistent.

[0064] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a second embodiment, and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing coupling terminals of a base battery pack and an additional battery pack according to the first embodiment.

[0065] Reference Figure 4 , the modular battery pack according to the second embodiment is configured to have a structure in which an additional battery pack 200 is further added to the lowermost end of the modular battery pack according to the first embodiment, and therefore the description of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack of the first embodiment can be equally applied to the modular battery pack according to the second embodiment.

[0066] The modular battery pack according to the second embodiment includes: a basic battery pack 100 in which two or more cylindrical battery cells 10 connected in series are accommodated, the basic battery pack being formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole; and at least one additional battery pack 200 in which two or more cylindrical battery cells 10 connected in series are accommodated, the additional battery pack being formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. Figure 4 Two additional battery packs 200 are shown.

[0067] The cylindrical battery cells 10 in each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are arranged in parallel, and the cylindrical side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 10 face the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 of each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200. In addition, each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 is arranged so that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 10 face each other.

[0068] The number of cylindrical battery cells 10 accommodated in the basic battery pack 100 may be equal to the number of cylindrical battery cells 10 accommodated in the additional battery pack 200 , and thus the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 may have the same area in the stacking direction.

[0069] The cylindrical battery cells 10 in each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are arranged in parallel, and the adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged so that the cap assembly 11 and the can bottom 12 face opposite directions. That is, when viewed in the direction A, the adjacent cylindrical battery cells 10 are arranged so that the cap assembly 11 and the can bottom 12 are repeatedly alternated.

[0070] In this state, the cylindrical battery cells 10 are connected in series with each other, wherein the cylindrical battery cells 10 in each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are connected in series with each other via the bus bar 301. Specifically, the bus bar 301 configured to connect the cylindrical battery cells 10 in series with each other may be combined to connect the cap assembly 11 and the can bottom 12 of the adjacent cylindrical battery cells to each other, so that an electrical connection may be formed.

[0071] The cylindrical battery cells 10 in the pack case of each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are connected in series to each other, and only the bus bar 301 for electrical connection with the outside or the coupling terminals 130 and 230 coupled to the bus bar 301 protrude outward.

[0072] The number of additional battery packs coupled to the basic battery pack may be set according to the capacity and usage time of energy required by a device using the battery pack, and the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 may be connected to each other in parallel to increase the total capacity of the battery pack.

[0073] In the basic design process, the number of cylindrical battery cells connected in series can be determined by first setting the desired voltage. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, both the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack have such configurations: i) there are only series connection configurations; and ii) the same number of cylindrical battery cells.

[0074] i) In the case of a basic battery pack, the cylindrical battery cells connected in series can be connected in parallel again. Figure 4 When the three-layer battery pack is formed, the basic battery pack 100 including five cylindrical battery cells and two additional battery packs 200 each including five cylindrical battery cells may be stacked to manufacture the three-layer battery pack.

[0075] ii) Despite Figure 4 It is shown that each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack includes five cylindrical battery cells, and the number of cylindrical battery cells can be increased as needed to form a large-capacity basic battery pack or a large-capacity additional battery pack. In this case, preferably, the cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in series with each other, and between the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack, the cylindrical battery cells are connected in parallel with each other. When applied to Figure 4 When the number of cylindrical battery cells is increased by increasing the number of additional battery packs combined with the basic battery pack, the number of cylindrical battery cells can be increased in multiples of 5 (eg, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25).

[0076] In order to charge and discharge the entire battery pack, a battery pack connector 110 serving as a terminal of the entire battery pack and a BMS 120 configured to manage the battery pack may be added to the basic battery pack 100 .

[0077] Each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 includes a first surface 101 and a second surface 102 facing the side of the cylindrical battery cell 10 therein. Throughout the specification, the first surface 101 refers to an upper surface of each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200, and the second surface 102 refers to a lower surface of each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200.

[0078] The pack connector 110 and the BMS 120 are disposed on the first surface 101 of the basic battery pack 100 , and the first surface 101 of the additional battery pack 200 is disposed to face the second surface 102 of the basic battery pack 100 .

[0079] When two or more additional battery packs 200 are provided, the two or more additional battery packs are stacked such that the first surface 101 of a new additional battery pack 200 faces the second surface 102 of the additional battery pack 200 that has already been provided.

[0080] In this case, the bonding terminals 130 and 230 for parallel electrical connection are provided on the second surface 102 of the base battery pack 100 and the first and second surfaces 101 and 102 of the additional battery pack 200 .

[0081] Reference Figure 4, five cylindrical battery cells are accommodated in the additional battery pack 200, and six coupling terminals 230 are provided on the first surface 101 of the additional battery pack. The coupling terminals 230 may include two end terminals 232 located at the outermost ends of the series connection and four intermediate terminals 231 other than the end terminals.

[0082] The stacked additional battery packs 200 are arranged so that the combined terminals 230 protruding outward from the battery pack housing are in close contact with each other or in contact in the vertical direction, wherein the end terminal 232 protruding from the second surface of the additional battery pack 200 located above can contact the end terminal 232 protruding from the first surface of the additional battery pack 200 located below, and the intermediate terminal 231 protruding from the second surface of the additional battery pack 200 located above can contact the intermediate terminal protruding from the first surface of the additional battery pack 200 located below, so that an electrical connection can be formed. Therefore, a parallel connection can be formed between the two end terminals 232.

[0083] exist Figure 4 In this case, since two end terminals 232 and four intermediate terminals 231 are connected to electrode terminals coupled to the cylindrical battery cells 10 , all the cylindrical battery cells 10 are electrically connected to each other via the end terminals 232 and the intermediate terminals 231 .

[0084] The two end terminals 232 and the four intermediate terminals 231 must be provided in the same shape and at the same position on the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 to form a continuous parallel connection in a state where a plurality of additional battery packs are stacked.

[0085] Despite Figure 4 Although not shown in the drawings, additional terminals may be added to each of the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 to measure the voltage of each cylindrical battery cell 10 in each of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200. The additional terminals are not used for supplying power but only for the purpose of voltage measurement, and the width and thickness may be different from the two end terminals 232 and the four middle terminals 231. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the terminal configured to transmit the voltage measurement result to the BMS 120 of the basic battery pack 100 may be set to be separated from the combined terminals 130 and 230. If a separate voltage measurement configuration is not added to each additional battery pack 200, the battery cells 10 in the additional battery pack 200 may be connected to the BMS 120 of the basic battery pack 100 via the combined terminals 130 and 230, so that the BMS of the basic battery pack can measure the voltage of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack connected thereto.

[0086] When the additional battery pack 200 includes a first additional battery pack directly connected to the basic battery pack 100 and a second additional battery pack combined with the first additional battery pack below the first additional battery pack, the combining terminal 230 for electrically connecting to the basic battery pack 100 is located on the first surface 101 of the first additional battery pack, and the combining terminal 230 for electrically connecting to the second additional battery pack is located on the second surface of the first additional battery pack. The combining terminal 130 located on the second surface 102 of the basic battery pack 100 and the combining terminal 130 located on the first surface of the first additional battery pack are in physical contact with each other to form a parallel electrical connection. The BMS 120 located on the first surface 101 of the basic battery pack 100 can be electrically connected to all cylindrical battery cells 10 in the basic battery pack 100, so that an electrical connection structure between the cylindrical battery cells 10 and the BMS 120 and the battery pack connector 110 can be formed on the first surface 101 of the basic battery pack 100.

[0087] The combining terminal 230 for electrically connecting to an additional battery pack located above it and another additional battery pack located below it is located on the first surface and the second surface of the second additional battery group, wherein the combining terminal 230 located on the second surface of the first additional battery group and the combining terminal 230 located on the first surface of the second additional battery group can be in physical contact with each other to form a parallel electrical connection.

[0088] Reference Figure 5 , a combining terminal 130 including two end terminals 132 and four intermediate terminals 131 is located on the second surface 102 of the basic battery pack 100 as the lower surface, and a combining terminal 230 including two end terminals 132 and four intermediate terminals 131 is located on the first surface 101 of the additional battery pack 200 as the upper surface.

[0089] When the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 are stacked to overlap each other, the end terminal 132 of the basic battery pack 100 is in close contact with the end terminal 232 of the additional battery pack 200 , and the intermediate terminal 131 of the basic battery pack 100 is in close contact with the intermediate terminal 231 of the additional battery pack.

[0090] The coupling terminal 130 of the basic battery pack 100 and the coupling terminal 230 of the additional battery pack 200 may protrude outward. When the end terminal 132 has a plate-shaped structure, the end terminal 132 may have at least one of a leaf spring shape, a ring spring shape, and a knife-shaped clamp shape, and when the end terminal 132 has at least one of a leaf spring shape, a ring spring shape, and a knife-shaped clamp shape, the end terminal 232 may have a plate-shaped structure.

[0091] The relationship between the intermediate terminal 131 and the intermediate terminal 231 may be the same as the relationship between the end terminal 132 and the end terminal 232 .

[0092] lie in Figure 5 The bonding terminal 130 on the second surface 102 of the base battery pack 100 may have the same shape as the bonding terminal 230 located on the second surface 102 of the additional battery pack 200. Therefore, even on a stacking plane where two additional battery packs 200 are stacked, the bonding terminals 230 of the additional battery packs 200 may be arranged to contact each other to form an electrical connection.

[0093] The physical coupling between the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 and the physical coupling between the additional battery packs 200 may be formed only by the coupling between the coupling terminals 130 and 230 .

[0094] although Figure 5 Not shown, detachable members configured to further physically combine the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 may be provided on the second surface 102 of the basic battery pack 100 and the first and second surfaces 101 and 102 of the additional battery pack 200 .

[0095] For example, when a spring is used as a detachable member configured to allow the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 to be coupled to or separated from each other, a configuration in which the spring is compressed and deformed to couple the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 to each other and decompressed to separate the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 from each other may be used. Alternatively, a lever structure or a fixing hook may be used as the detachable member so that the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200 cannot be easily separated from each other.

[0096] The detachable members are preferably provided on the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, and may be provided on the sides of the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery pack 200, respectively. In addition, the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack may be configured to be integrally combined with each other, and then may be respectively fixed so that the outsides of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are completely covered.

[0097] In a specific example, when cylindrical battery cells are arranged in series, assuming that terminals at opposite ends thereof are denoted by V- and V+, a battery pack (1S battery pack) including a single cylindrical battery cell requires two terminals V- and V+.

[0098] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of a modular battery pack according to a first embodiment.

[0099] In another embodiment, referring to Figure 6 , 5S1P means that five battery cells are connected in series to each other to form a parallel connection unit.

[0100] For a battery pack consisting of five cylindrical battery cells connected in series (5S battery pack), six terminals V-(=V0), V1, V2, V3, V4 and V+(=V5) are required. Figure 6 In the circuit diagram, the upper 5S1P connection can be configured as a basic battery pack, and all battery cells are connected in parallel with the BMS. The lower 5S1P connection can be configured as an additional battery pack, and all battery cells are connected in parallel with the series circuit. Therefore, in the circuit diagram where the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack on the right are combined with each other, all battery cells are basically connected in parallel and in series with each other.

[0101] In this configuration, even if a single BMS is applied, the resistances of the base battery pack and the additional battery pack can be measured, and a battery pack having low resistance can be manufactured.

[0102] Figure 7 is along Figure 4 A perspective cross-sectional view taken in direction A.

[0103] Reference Figure 7 , the basic battery pack 100 and the two additional battery packs 200 are stacked and configured to have the same horizontal plane size. Therefore, the basic battery pack 100 and the additional battery packs 200 are stacked in an overlapping state so that their outer peripheries coincide with each other in the stacking direction.

[0104] The coupling terminal 130 is located on the second surface 1023 of the basic battery pack 100, and the coupling terminal 230 is located on the first surface and the second surface of each additional battery pack 200 and overlaps with the coupling terminal 130 in position. The coupling terminal 130 of the basic battery pack 100 and the coupling terminal 230 of the additional battery pack 200 are arranged to be in close contact with each other and are physically and electrically connected to each other, and the coupling terminals 230 of the additional battery packs are arranged to be in close contact with each other and are physically and electrically connected to each other.

[0105] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a third embodiment with a housing of a base battery pack removed, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an additional battery pack in a modular battery pack according to a third embodiment.

[0106] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9Compared with the modular battery packs according to the first and second embodiments, the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment is the same as the modular battery packs according to the first and second embodiments in that the basic battery pack arranged on the additional battery pack 200 is configured so that the five cylindrical battery cells accommodated therein are connected in series with each other via the bus bar 301, but the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment is different from the modular battery packs according to the first and second embodiments in that only the other end 302 of the opposite end bus bar 301 constituting the series connection of the cylindrical battery cells 10 is bent upward.

[0107] In addition, in the additional battery pack 200 of the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment, two through holes 201 are formed on the first surface 101 of the battery pack housing 210, and the connecting terminals 230 protrude through the respective through holes 201, and the connecting terminals 230 are in the form of only end terminals without intermediate terminals.

[0108] exist Fig. 9 The configuration of the through holes 201 and the coupling terminals 230 formed on the first surface of the additional battery pack 200 shown in FIG. 1 may be similarly applied to the through holes 201 and the coupling terminals 230 formed on the second surface of the base battery pack of the modularized battery pack according to the third embodiment.

[0109] in addition, Fig.10 is an exploded perspective view of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment, wherein: Fig. 9 The additional battery pack 200 shown in FIG. Fig.10 An additional battery pack of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0110] Fig.11 is an exploded perspective view showing coupling terminals of a base battery pack and an additional battery pack according to a fourth embodiment, and Fig.12 is a circuit diagram of a modular battery pack according to a fourth embodiment.

[0111] Reference Fig.11 and Fig.12 , the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment is configured to have a structure in which an additional battery pack 200 is further added to the lowermost end of the modular battery pack according to the third embodiment, and therefore the description of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack of the third embodiment can be equally applied to the modular battery pack according to the fourth embodiment.

[0112] Since the respective modular battery packs according to the third and fourth embodiments are configured such that the coupling terminals 230 exposed to the outside of the battery pack housing are composed of two end terminals 232, the battery cells provided in the basic battery pack 100 are not connected in parallel with the battery cells provided in the additional battery pack 200, and the battery cells provided in the additional battery pack 200 are not connected in parallel with the battery cells provided in another additional battery pack 200.

[0113] However, one end terminal of the basic battery pack 100 serving as a positive electrode is combined with one end terminal of the additional battery pack 200 serving as a positive electrode, the other end terminal of the basic battery pack 100 serving as a negative electrode is combined with the other end terminal of the additional battery pack 200 serving as a negative electrode, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode constituting the end terminal of the additional battery pack 200 are respectively combined with the positive electrode and the negative electrode constituting the end terminal of another additional battery pack 200, thereby forming a parallel connection between the basic battery pack and the additional battery packs and between the additional battery packs.

[0114] Reference Fig.12 , the 5S1P connection above can be configured as a basic battery pack, and all battery cells are connected in parallel with the BMS. The 5S1P connection below can be configured as an additional battery pack, and all battery cells constitute a series circuit. Therefore, in the circuit diagram where the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack on the right are combined with each other, the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in parallel with each other, and all battery cells in the basic battery pack are connected in parallel with the BMS, so that the BMS can measure the voltage of each battery cell in the additional battery pack.

[0115] and Fig.12 Unlike what is shown in FIG. 1 , the BMS may be configured to be coupled only to opposite ends of the battery cells constituting the basic battery pack.

[0116] In addition, the description of the modularized battery pack according to the first and second embodiments may be equally applied to the modularized battery pack according to the third and fourth embodiments.

[0117] Fig.13 is along Fig.10 A perspective cross-sectional view taken in direction A.

[0118] Reference Fig.13 , the BMS 120 is located at an upper portion of the basic battery pack 100 , wherein the other end portion 302 of the bus bar connected to the cylindrical battery cells 10 in the basic battery pack 100 is disposed to extend through the BMS 120 and be combined with the BMS 120 .

[0119] The two coupling terminals 130 formed on the second surface 102 of the basic battery pack 100 are stacked and contact the two coupling terminals 230 formed on the first surface of the additional battery pack 200, and the additional battery pack 200 is arranged so that the coupling terminals 230 contact each other at opposite surfaces thereof to form a parallel connection, so that an electrical connection can be formed between the basic battery pack 100 and one or more additional battery packs 200.

[0120] Therefore, the battery pack according to the present disclosure includes a basic battery pack and one or more additional battery packs, and is configured to have a structure that is theoretically capable of continuously combining the additional battery packs together without any limit on the number, thereby allowing a large-capacity battery pack to be set in a simple and easy manner taking into account the required capacity and usage time of the power tool.

[0121] Those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains will appreciate that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0122] (Explanation of Reference Numerals)

[0123] 10: Cylindrical battery cells

[0124] 11: Cover assembly

[0125] 12: Tank bottom

[0126] 100: Basic battery pack

[0127] 101: First Surface

[0128] 102: Second Surface

[0129] 110: Battery pack connector

[0130] 120: BMS

[0131] 130, 230: Combined terminal

[0132] 131, 231: Intermediate terminal

[0133] 132, 232: End terminals

[0134] 200: Additional battery pack

[0135] 201: Through hole

[0136] 210: Battery pack housing

[0137] 301: Busbar

[0138] 302: The other end

[0139] A: First side

[0140] B: Second side

Claims

1. A modular battery pack comprising: A basic battery pack, wherein two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series are housed therein, and the basic battery pack is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole; as well as at least one additional battery pack, wherein the at least one additional battery pack contains two or more cylindrical battery cells connected in series, and the additional battery pack is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, in: The cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged in parallel, The basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged so that the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells face each other, and The basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in parallel to each other.

2. The modular battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The base battery pack has a battery pack connector serving as a terminal of the entire battery pack and a BMS configured to manage the entire battery pack.

3. The modular battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack includes a first surface and a second surface configured to face the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell therein, The battery pack connector and the BMS are disposed on the first surface of the base battery pack, and the first surface of the additional battery pack is disposed to face the second surface of the base battery pack, and When two or more additional battery packs are provided, the two or more additional battery packs are stacked such that a first surface of a new additional battery pack faces the second surface of the additional battery pack that has already been provided.

4. The modular battery pack according to claim 3, wherein: The second surface of the basic battery pack and the first and second surfaces of the additional battery pack are provided with combining terminals for parallel electrical connection.

5. The modular battery pack according to claim 3, wherein: Fixing parts for physical combination are provided on the second surface of the basic battery pack and the first surface and the second surface of the additional battery pack.

6. The modular battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The base battery pack and the additional battery pack are physically coupled to each other via the coupling terminal.

7. The modular battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: Each of the coupling terminals has at least one of a plate-shaped structure, a leaf spring shape, a ring spring shape, and a knife-shaped clamp shape.

8. The modular battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The cylindrical battery cells in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are arranged in parallel, and adjacent cylindrical battery cells are arranged such that cap assemblies thereof face opposite directions.

9. The modular battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the basic battery pack and the number of the cylindrical battery cells accommodated in the additional battery pack are equal to each other.

10. The modular battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The cylindrical battery cells accommodated in each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack are connected in series to each other via bus bars.

11. The modular battery pack according to claim 10, wherein: One end portion of the bus bar coupled to the electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell is bent and extends through a pack case of each of the basic battery pack and the additional battery pack.

12. The modular battery pack according to claim 3, wherein: a plurality of additional battery packs and coupled to the second surface of the base battery pack in a serially connected manner, and The plurality of additional battery packs are coupled to one another in a serially connected manner.

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