Wire rod for electrical connection and battery module using same to form electrical connection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wire for electrical connection, the wire comprising: a metal wire located at the center of the interior; a plurality of gas discharge members added to an outer surface of the metal wire and provided along a longitudinal direction of the metal wire; an insulating tube surrounding an outer surface of the metal wire to which the plurality of gas discharge members are added; and a highly fire-resistant coating layer covering the insulating tube, in which liquid and gas generated inside the wire in the event of a fire can be prevented from being discharged in an unspecified direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2023-0085041 filed on June 30, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a wire material for electrical connection and a battery module electrically connected using the wire material. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a wire material for electrical connection, which can guide liquid and gas generated by deformation of a cover of the wire material due to flame in an electrically connected state in a specific direction and a battery module electrically connected using the wire material. Background Art

[0003] There is a growing demand for secondary batteries that can solve the problem of air pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels and store electricity generated by alternative energy sources. For example, lithium secondary batteries with high energy density per unit weight are used as energy sources not only for mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets, Bluetooth headsets, and electronic cigarettes, but also for medium-sized and large-sized devices such as electric bicycles, electric skateboards, and electric vehicles.

[0004] As the types of devices using lithium secondary batteries as energy sources continue to expand, the applications of lithium secondary batteries are also expanding to devices requiring high capacity and high output.

[0005] In line with this trend, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to one another and a battery pack in which a plurality of battery modules are connected to one another in series and / or in parallel are being manufactured and used.

[0006] A bus bar may be used as means configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cells to one another, and a wire may be used in a case where a bus bar that is difficult to deform is not applicable.

[0007] Figure 1 It is a front view and a partial enlarged view of a traditional ordinary wire.

[0008] Reference Figure 1 The wire 100 may have a metal conductor 110 and an insulating layer 120, the metal conductor 110 is located at the innermost side of the wire 100 and is made of a copper material, the insulating layer 120 may cover the outer surface of the metal conductor 110, and the insulating layer 120 may be made of an insulating tube. The outer surface of the insulating layer 120 is covered by a heat-resistant layer 130 that is hardly deformed at high temperatures. The heat-resistant layer 130 may be configured as a strip so as to be wound around the insulating layer 120.

[0009] When an exothermic reaction occurs in a battery cell in a battery module or battery pack, heat may be conducted to the battery cells adjacent thereto. At this time, a fire may occur, and a fire in a battery cell may cause a fire in the battery module or battery pack.

[0010] When the temperature of the wires electrically connecting the battery cells to each other or the internal structures of the battery module or battery pack to each other increases, the insulating tube may be ceramicized and thus may be broken. The generated gas may tear a portion of the heat-resistant layer 130 wound in the form of a strip.

[0011] This may expose the metal conductor 110 located at the center of the wire 100 to the outside, whereby the metal conductor may come into contact with a conductive component located nearby, thereby possibly causing a short circuit.

[0012] Furthermore, a phenomenon occurs in which the heat-resistant layer is torn at an unspecified position, whereby it is difficult to predict where the heat-resistant layer will be torn during design of a battery module or a battery pack, making it difficult to prepare for a short circuit.

[0013] Patent document 1 relates to a special cable for aviation equipment comprising several groups of cable core units, wherein the outer side of the cable core unit is covered by an outer cover, and a flame retardant filling layer is installed between the outer cover and the cable core unit. An outer shielding layer is installed on the outer side of the outer cover, a heat insulating flame retardant layer is installed on the outer side of the outer shielding layer, and a heat conductive layer and a high temperature resistant layer are sequentially formed on the outer side of the heat insulating flame retardant layer. A plurality of exhaust holes are installed at equal angular intervals in the heat conductive layer, and an exhaust assembly is installed to connect to the exhaust holes. The exhaust assembly can be used to allow low temperature inert gas to pass through the exhaust holes to cool and isolate the high temperature resistant layer outside the heat conductive layer, while heat can be dissipated from the inside.

[0014] In patent document 1, the exhaust hole is arranged in the heat-conducting layer, and the exhaust assembly is installed in communication with the exhaust hole to cool and insulate the high-temperature resistant layer, thereby ensuring the safety of the cable in a high-temperature environment and in the event of a fire.

[0015] Patent document 2 relates to a fire-retardant cable, which is configured so that a fire-retardant layer, a covering layer and a sheath sequentially cover the outer surface of a central fire-resistant cable core. The fire-resistant cable core includes a plurality of conductors and a mica tape fireproof layer and an insulating film configured to cover the same. A plurality of gas channels are installed in the sheath, wherein the heat dissipation and cooling functions of the cable are achieved by the flow of gas in the gas channels.

[0016] In Patent Document 2, gas is allowed to flow through a gas channel provided in a sheath layer which is the outermost layer of a cable to cool the cable, thereby ensuring the safety of the cable.

[0017] However, there is a need for a technology that can prevent the insulating layer and the temperature-resistant layer added to the outer surface of the wire from being broken and exposing the metal conductor inside, while preventing the metal conductor from contacting components located near it even if the metal conductor is exposed.

[0018] (Prior Art Documents)

[0019] (Patent Document 1) China Patent Application Publication No. 115312244 (2022.11.08)

[0020] (Patent Document 2) China Registered Utility Model Publication No. 210296002 (2020.04.10) Summary of the invention

[0021] Technical issues

[0022] The present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wire for electrical connection and a battery module using the wire to form an electrical connection, which can prevent the coating of the wire from being peeled off at an unspecified portion by inducing the gas generated in the wire to be discharged to both ends of the wire in the event of a fire.

[0023] Technical Solution

[0024] According to the present invention, an electrically connected wire for achieving the above-mentioned purpose includes: a metal conductor, which is located in the inner center of the wire; a plurality of gas exhaust members, which are added to the outer surface of the metal conductor, and the gas exhaust members are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor; an insulating tube, which is configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor to which the plurality of gas exhaust members are added; and a high fire-resistant covering layer, which is configured to cover the insulating tube.

[0025] Each of the plurality of gas discharge members may be configured in the form of a ring fitted onto the outer surface of the metal conductor.

[0026] Each of the plurality of gas discharge members may be provided with a flow groove configured to allow gas and liquid to be discharged therethrough, the flow groove being formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor.

[0027] The flow groove formed in each of the plurality of gas discharge members may be disposed to be aligned with the flow groove formed in the gas discharge member adjacent thereto in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] Liquid and gas generated by deformation of the insulating tube due to flame and high temperature may move to both ends of the metal conductor in the longitudinal direction through the flow grooves.

[0029] The wire material may further include: an insulating layer configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor, wherein the plurality of gas discharging members may be added to the outer surface of the insulating layer.

[0030] Each of the multiple gas exhaust members may be provided with a flow groove configured to allow gas and liquid to be discharged through the flow groove, the flow groove being formed to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor, a plurality of through holes may be formed in the flow groove of each of the multiple gas exhaust members, and the through holes may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the flow groove.

[0031] Liquid and gas generated due to deformation of the insulating layer due to flame and high temperature may move to the flow groove through the through hole, and the liquid and the gas may move to both ends of the metal conductor in a longitudinal direction through the flow groove.

[0032] The gas discharge member may be made of an insulating heat-resistant material.

[0033] The plurality of gas discharge members may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and an empty space may be formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gas discharge members.

[0034] The first terminal and the second terminal may be respectively coupled to both ends of the metal conductor.

[0035] The present invention provides a battery module, in which the wire is used to form an electrical connection.

[0036] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-mentioned solving means.

[0037] Beneficial Effects

[0038] Conventionally, when the insulating layer constituting the wire is ceramicized, liquid and gas are discharged through cracks in the insulating layer, but in the present invention, a plurality of gas discharge members are provided at the outer surface of the metal conductor, each of which has a gas flow groove formed therein, thereby enabling liquid and gas to be discharged in a direction toward both ends of the wire.

[0039] Furthermore, even if the insulating tube is burned, since the insulating gas discharging member is added to the outer surface of the metal conductor, the metal conductor does not directly contact the components located near the wire, thereby preventing a short circuit caused by contact between the wire and the components located near the wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 It is a front view and a partial enlarged view of a traditional ordinary wire.

[0041] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wire material according to the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 3 is to show that the gas exhaust member is added to Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a state of the outer surface of a metal conductor in a portion of a wire rod.

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the wire shown.

[0044] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a gas discharging member is added to the outer surface of a metal conductor in a part of a wire material according to the second embodiment.

[0045] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wire material according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Now, 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 preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, when describing in detail the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the detailed description of known functions and configurations may obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description of the known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted.

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

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

[0049] In the description of the present invention and the claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0050] In the description of the present invention and the claims of this 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] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a wire material according to a first embodiment, Figure 3 is to show that the gas exhaust member is added to Figure 2An enlarged perspective view of a state of the outer surface of the metal conductor in a portion of the wire rod, and Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the wire shown.

[0053] Reference Figures 2 to 4 According to the first embodiment, the wire 200 includes: a metal conductor 210, which is located at the inner center of the wire; a plurality of gas exhaust members 220, which are added to the outer surface of the metal conductor 210, and the gas exhaust members are arranged along the longitudinal direction L of the metal conductor 210; and a sheathing layer 230, which is configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor 210 to which the plurality of gas exhaust members 220 are added.

[0054] The coating layer 230 includes an insulating tube 231 configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor 210 and a highly fire-resistant covering layer 232 configured to cover the insulating tube 231 .

[0055] The metal conductor 210 must have high electrical conductivity, and may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, aluminum, and alloys thereof.

[0056] A plurality of gas exhaust members 220 are disposed on the outer surface of the metal conductor 210 so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The distance between adjacent gas exhaust members in the plurality of gas exhaust members 220 may be configured to be constant so as to provide a constant degree of freedom of deformation at all positions of the wire. Alternatively, the distance between adjacent gas exhaust members in the plurality of gas exhaust members 220 may be irregular, taking into account the characteristics of the wire connection area.

[0057] The gas discharging member 220 is provided with a through hole at the center thereof, and thus the gas discharging member is formed in a ring shape configured such that a metal conductor is inserted through the through hole.

[0058] The insulating tube 231 may be made of a material such as polyethylene or silane. The high fire-resistant cover layer 232 may be configured such that a strip-shaped tape is added to the outer surface of the insulating tube 231 to be wound around it, and the tape may be at least one selected from the group consisting of a mica tape and a glass tape. Specifically, the mica tape may be spirally wound around the outer surface of the insulating tube, and then the glass tape may be spirally wound around the outer surface of the mica tape.

[0059] The gas discharge member 220 is provided with a flow groove 221 for discharging gas and liquid, which is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the metal conductor 210 .

[0060] When a fire occurs in an electronic component connected to the wire 200 due to abnormal operation of the electronic component, the insulating tube constituting the wire 200 may be deformed by the flame and high temperature, and may be ceramicized or melted and deformed, and liquid and gas may be generated at this time. In the wire 200 according to the present invention, the gas exhaust member 220 having the flow groove 221 formed therein is provided in the insulating tube 231, whereby the liquid and gas generated in the wire 200 can move through the flow groove 221.

[0061] The flow grooves 221 are provided to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance throughout the wire 200 in the longitudinal direction L of the metal conductor 210 , and liquid and gas may be discharged to both ends of the wire 200 through the flow grooves 221 .

[0062] At this time, the flow groove 221 formed in each of the multiple gas discharge members 220 can be set to be aligned with the flow groove 221 formed in the gas discharge member 220 adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction L, so that liquid and gas can be quickly and safely discharged through the flow groove 221 formed in each of the multiple gas discharge members 220.

[0063] The gas discharging member 220 may be made of an insulating heat-resistant material, such as an inorganic material including silicon, carbon, and ceramics, or a high heat-resistant polymer resin.

[0064] Specifically, the high heat-resistant polymer resin is at least one selected from the group consisting of phenolic resin, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetherimide, polyarylate, and polyetheretherketone.

[0065] Meanwhile, the gas discharge members 220 are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and an empty space is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gas discharge members 220. Considering that the gas discharge members 220 may form a less flexible shape due to the material characteristics of the gas discharge members 220, the gas discharge members 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other so that the wire 200 may be bent in an area where the gas discharge members 220 are not present, thereby providing an easily deformable wire 200.

[0066] Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which a gas discharging member is added to the outer surface of a metal conductor in a part of a wire material according to a second embodiment, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a wire material according to the second embodiment.

[0067] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6The wire material according to the second embodiment is different from the wire material according to the first embodiment in that the wire material according to the second embodiment further includes an insulating layer 240 configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor 210. In the wire material according to the second embodiment, in a state where the insulating layer 240 is further added to the entire outer surface of the metal conductor 210, a plurality of gas discharge members 220 are added to the outer surface of the insulating layer 240.

[0068] In the wire material according to the second embodiment, since the insulating layer 240 is included, exposure of the metal conductor 210 can be further prevented, and thus higher insulation of the wire material can be ensured.

[0069] The insulating layer 240 may be made of the same material as the insulating tube 231, or may be made of a polymer resin having higher insulation than the insulating tube 231. For example, the insulating layer 240 may be made of a polymer resin such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, natural rubber, polyester, epoxy resin, melamine resin, phenolic resin, and polyurethane, resin, mica, asbestos, ceramic, or glass fiber.

[0070] In the wire material according to the second embodiment, each of the plurality of gas discharging members 220 has a flow groove 221 for discharging gas and liquid formed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor 210. One through hole 222 or two or more through holes 222 are formed in each flow groove 221 of the plurality of gas discharging members 220, and the through holes 222 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the flow groove 221 or in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the insulating layer 240.

[0071] When a fire occurs in an electronic component electrically connected to the wire or when the wire is exposed to a high temperature environment, liquid and gas generated by the melting and deformation of the insulating layer 240 due to the flame and high temperature can move to the flow groove 221 through the through hole 222, and the liquid and gas can move to both ends of the metal conductor 210 in the longitudinal direction through the flow groove 221.

[0072] In the wire according to the second embodiment, the through hole 222 is arranged in the flow groove 221 of the gas discharge member 220, thereby not only guiding the discharge of liquid and gas generated by the deformation of the insulating tube located outside the gas discharge member 220, but also guiding the liquid and gas generated by the deformation of the insulating layer 240 located inside the gas discharge member 220 to move toward the two ends of the wire.

[0073] Therefore, it is possible to prevent the metal conductor from being exposed due to the rupture of the covering layer when the gas is discharged from the unspecified portion of the wire. In addition, the gas discharge member is made of an insulating refractory material while having a predetermined thickness, thereby preventing the metal conductor from contacting the conductive electronic component even if the insulating layer or the covering layer is damaged and the metal conductor is exposed.

[0074] The wire material according to the present invention may be used to form an electrical connection between a plurality of battery cells, wherein a first terminal and a second terminal are connected to both ends of the metal conductor 210 so as to be electrically coupled to the first battery cell and the second battery cell, respectively.

[0075] Each of the first terminal and the second terminal is not particularly limited in shape, and may be formed in a shape having a hole for screw engagement, a ring terminal shape, a shape having a welding area, a clamp shape, or the like.

[0076] In addition, the first terminal and the second terminal may be coupled to electronic components constituting the battery module and / or the battery pack to form an electrical connection.

[0077] Regarding the configuration, structure, and materials of the battery module and the battery pack, known techniques are applicable to the present invention, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] The present invention provides a battery module and a battery pack that use wires to form electrical connections.

[0079] Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will appreciate that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0080] (Explanation of Reference Numerals)

[0081] 100, 200: Wire

[0082] 110, 210: Metal conductor

[0083] 120, 240: Insulation layer

[0084] 130: Heat resistant layer

[0085] 220: Gas exhaust components

[0086] 221: Flow Cell

[0087] 222: Through hole

[0088] 230: Cladding

[0089] 231: Insulation tube

[0090] 232: High fire resistant covering

[0091] 240: Insulation layer

[0092] L: vertical direction

Claims

1. A wire for electrical connection, the wire comprising: A metal conductor, the metal conductor being located at the inner center of the wire; a plurality of gas exhaust members added to an outer surface of the metal conductor, the gas exhaust members being arranged along a longitudinal direction of the metal conductor; an insulating tube configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor to which the plurality of gas discharging members are added; as well as A high fire resistant cover layer is configured to cover the insulating pipe.

2. The wire according to claim 1, wherein Each of the plurality of gas discharge members is configured in the form of a ring fitted onto the outer surface of the metal conductor.

3. The wire according to claim 1, wherein Each of the plurality of gas discharge members is provided with a flow groove configured to allow gas and liquid to be discharged therethrough, the flow groove being formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor.

4. The wire according to claim 3, wherein Liquid and gas generated as the insulating tube is deformed by flame and high temperature move to both ends of the metal conductor in the longitudinal direction through the flow groove.

5. The wire according to claim 1, further comprising: an insulating layer, the insulating layer being configured to cover the outer surface of the metal conductor, wherein The plurality of gas discharging members are added to an outer surface of the insulating layer.

6. The wire according to claim 5, wherein Each of the plurality of gas discharge members is provided with a flow groove configured to allow gas and liquid to be discharged therethrough, the flow groove being formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the metal conductor, A plurality of through holes are formed in the flow groove of each of the plurality of gas exhaust members, and The through hole is formed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the flow channel.

7. The wire according to claim 6, wherein Liquid and gas generated by deformation of the insulating tube due to flame and high temperature move to the flow groove through the through hole, and The liquid and the gas move to both ends of the metal conductor along the longitudinal direction through the flow groove.

8. The wire according to claim 1, wherein The gas exhaust member is made of an insulating heat-resistant material.

9. The wire according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of gas discharging members are disposed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and An empty space is formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of gas discharge members.

10. The wire according to claim 1, wherein A first terminal and a second terminal are respectively coupled to both ends of the metal conductor. 11 . A battery module, in which an electrical connection is formed using the wire material according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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