Battery cell carrier, battery module and method for manufacturing battery module

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery cell carrier, a battery module, and a method of manufacturing a battery module, the battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction; a battery cell carrier including a pair of side plates disposed to be spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so that the plurality of battery cells are interposed therebetween, the pair of side plates having gap filler injection holes formed therein; and a side gap filler layer formed of a gap filler injected between both side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and the pair of side plates through the gap filler injection holes, and configured to fix the plurality of battery cells to the battery cell carrier. According to the present invention, the gap filler can be formed between the plurality of battery cells and the side wall of the battery cell carrier in a manner of being uniformly distributed and dispersed in the side gap filler layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a battery cell carrier, a battery module comprising the battery cell carrier, and a method for manufacturing the battery module. Background Art

[0002] Generally, with the rapid growth in demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, camcorders, and mobile phones, and the commercialization of robots and electric vehicles, research is actively being conducted to develop high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charge / discharge.

[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used in small devices such as portable electronic devices, as well as medium and large devices such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS) for power generation and energy storage. Specifically, in medium and large devices, a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other to form a battery module in order to enhance the output and / or capacity of the battery.

[0004] The battery module includes a battery cell carrier and a plurality of battery cells disposed in an inner space of the battery cell carrier. A gap filler may be disposed between the plurality of battery cells and the battery cell carrier to allow the plurality of battery cells to be fixed to the battery cell carrier.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is provided to enhance understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a battery cell carrier, a battery module including the battery cell carrier, and a method of manufacturing the battery module. The battery cell carrier allows gap fillers to be easily injected between a plurality of battery cells and the battery cell carrier with uniform distribution.

[0007] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in or will be apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery cell carrier, which includes a pair of side plates that are arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction so that a plurality of battery cells arranged along the first direction are interposed therebetween, and have gap filler injection holes formed therein, through which gap fillers are injected.

[0009] The gap filler injection hole may extend in the first direction.

[0010] The battery cell may include a terminal side surface and a bottom surface, the terminal side surface having a terminal arranged thereon to protrude toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the bottom surface being a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction, and the gap filler injection hole may be gradually inclined toward the bottom surface close to the side surface of the battery cell and formed to pass through the side plate in the second direction.

[0011] The gap filler injection hole may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes, and the plurality of gap filler injection holes may be provided to be spaced apart in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction in the side plate.

[0012] The gap filler injection hole may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes, and the plurality of gap filler injection holes may be provided to be spaced apart in the first direction in the side plate.

[0013] The battery cell may include a terminal side surface and a bottom surface, the terminal side surface having a terminal arranged thereon to protrude toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the bottom surface being a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction, and the battery cell carrier according to aspects of the present invention may further include a bottom plate, the bottom plate being configured to cover the bottom surface and having one side corner and another side corner connected to a pair of side plates in the second direction.

[0014] The battery cell carrier according to an aspect of the present invention may further include a barrier configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery module is provided, comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction; a battery cell carrier comprising a pair of side plates, the pair of side plates being arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so that the plurality of battery cells are interposed therebetween, the pair of side plates having gap filler injection holes formed therein; and a side gap filler layer formed by injecting a gap filler between two side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and the pair of side plates through the gap filler injection holes, and configured to fix the plurality of battery cells to the battery cell carrier.

[0016] The gap filler injection hole may extend in the first direction.

[0017] The battery cell may include a terminal side surface and a bottom surface, the terminal side surface having a terminal arranged thereon to protrude toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the bottom surface being a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction, and the gap filler injection hole may be gradually inclined toward the bottom surface close to the side surface of the battery cell and formed to pass through the side plate in the second direction.

[0018] The gap filler injection hole may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes, and the plurality of gap filler injection holes may be provided to be spaced apart in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction in the side plate.

[0019] The gap filler injection hole may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes, and the plurality of gap filler injection holes may be provided to be spaced apart in the first direction in the side plate.

[0020] The battery cell may include a terminal side surface and a bottom surface, the terminal side surface having a terminal arranged thereon to protrude toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, the bottom surface being a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction, the battery cell carrier may further include a bottom plate, the bottom plate being configured to cover the bottom surface and having a side corner and another side corner connected to a pair of side plates in the second direction, and the battery module according to another aspect of the present invention may further include a bottom gap filler layer, the bottom gap filler layer being formed by placing a gap filler between the bottom surface and the bottom plate.

[0021] The battery cell carrier may further include a shutter configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole.

[0022] The baffle may include: a main body configured to be detachably assembled into the gap filler injection hole; and a flange connected to the main body while forming a step from the main body and having a shape larger than the shape of the gap filler injection hole in a plan view to cover the gap filler injection hole from the outside of the side plate when the main body is assembled into the gap filler injection hole.

[0023] The baffle may include: a movable plate disposed between the side plate and the plurality of battery cells and configured to be movable between a first position and a second position, the movable plate opening a gap filler injection hole at the first position, and the movable plate closing the gap filler injection hole at the second position; and a trigger configured to protrude from the movable plate to the outside of the side plate through the gap filler injection hole and be pressed to move the movable plate.

[0024] The gap filler injection hole may include: a narrow groove portion, which extends in a first direction and into which a device for injecting the gap filler is assembled when the movable plate is positioned at the first position; and a trigger accommodating portion, which extends in a third direction to be connected to the narrow groove portion and is configured to accommodate the trigger therein when the movable plate is positioned at the first position.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a battery module is provided, the method comprising the following operations: a battery cell carrier preparation operation, i.e., preparing a battery cell carrier, the battery cell carrier comprising a pair of side plates spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction so that a plurality of battery cells arranged along the first direction are placed therebetween, and the pair of side plates have gap filler injection holes formed therein; a battery cell mounting operation, i.e., mounting a plurality of battery cells on the battery cell carrier so that the plurality of battery cells are placed between the pair of side plates; and a gap filler injection operation, i.e., injecting gap fillers between two side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and the pair of side plates through the gap filler injection holes to form side gap filler layers, the side gap filler layers being configured to fix the plurality of battery cells to the battery cell carrier.

[0026] The battery cell carrier may further include a base plate having a side angle and another side angle connected to a pair of side plates in a second direction. The method according to another aspect of the present invention may further include a gap filler applying operation, i.e., applying the gap filler on the base plate before the battery cell mounting operation, and in the battery cell mounting operation, a plurality of battery cells may be mounted on the battery cell carrier so that the gap filler applied on the base plate is placed between the plurality of battery cells and the base plate.

[0027] The battery cell carrier may further include a baffle configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole, and the method according to another aspect of the present invention may further include the following operations: a gap filler injection hole opening operation, i.e., opening the gap filler injection hole before the gap filler injection operation; and a gap filler injection hole closing operation, i.e., closing the gap filler injection hole with the baffle after the gap filler injection operation.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a side gap filler layer in which gap fillers are uniformly dispersed may be formed between the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall of the battery cell carrier, thereby suppressing movement between the battery cell carrier and the plurality of battery cells in the battery module.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to tilt the battery cell carrier in order to support the side wall of the battery cell carrier on the floor to apply the gap filler on the side wall. In addition, the gap filler can be applied to both side walls of the battery cell carrier facing each other at the same time. Therefore, the yield of the battery module can be improved.

[0030] However, the effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the accompanying description of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings attached to this specification illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description of the present disclosure, further describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line II-II;

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of portion III of , and also showing a gap filler injection device configured to inject a gap filler;

[0035] Figure 4 is included in Figure 2 A side view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module;

[0036] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6 is included in Figure 5 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module;

[0038] Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 8 is included in Figure 7 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module of FIG. 1 , and showing an exploded state of one of the plurality of baffles;

[0040] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Fig.10 is included in Fig. 9 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module of FIG. 1 , and showing an exploded state of one of the plurality of baffles;

[0042] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 An enlarged side view of a portion XI as part of a battery cell carrier; and

[0043] Fig.12 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Here, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to the conventional meaning or dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can be his / her own lexicon compiler to appropriately define the concept of the term.

[0045] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are provided as some example embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects and features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be understood that when submitting this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein.

[0046] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled to" or "coupled to" a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or coupled to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or coupled to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0047] In the figure, for clear illustration, the size of various elements, layers, etc. can be exaggerated. The same reference numerals designate the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure". When the expressions such as "at least one (kind / person) in ... " and "any one (kind / person) in ... " are before or after a column of elements, the whole column of elements is modified without modifying the individual elements in the column. When phrases such as "at least one (kind / person) in A, B and C", "at least one (kind / person) in A, B or C", "at least one (kind / person) selected from the group of A, B and C" or "at least one (kind / person) selected from A, B and C" are used to specify a column of elements A, B and C, the phrase can refer to any combination of A, B and C and all suitable combinations or subsets, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the term "use" and variations thereof may be considered synonymous with the term "utilize" and variations thereof, respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measurements or calculations that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0048] It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another element, component, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, region, layer, or portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer, or portion.

[0049] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "under", "below", "below", "above", "on", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another (some) element or feature as shown in the figure. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, the spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the elements or features described as "under" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented as "above" or "on" the other elements or features. Therefore, the term "under" can cover both above and below. The device can be oriented otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0050] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "one (kind / person)" are also intended to include plural forms. It will also be understood that when the terms "include", "comprise" and / or its variations are used in this specification, the description indicates the presence of stated features, integers (entirety), steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers (entirety), steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups.

[0051] In addition, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all subranges of the same numerical precision contained in the described range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all subranges between the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0 (and including the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0), that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained herein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained herein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification (including claims) to explicitly describe any subranges contained in the range explicitly described herein.

[0052] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" may mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art (e.g., 5% or less). Additionally, when a particular parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, it may mean that it is uniform in terms of average value.

[0053] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0054] When any element is referred to as being disposed (or configured or positioned) "on (or below)" or "on (or below)" a component, it may mean that the arbitrary element is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component, and may also mean that another component may be placed between the component and any arbitrary element disposed (or configured or positioned) on (or below) the component.

[0055] In addition, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another element, the elements may be directly "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to each other, or one or more intervening elements may be present therebetween through which the element may be "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to the other element. In addition, when a component is referred to as being "electrically coupled" to another component, the component may be directly electrically connected to the other component, or one or more intervening components may be present therebetween so that the component and the other component are indirectly electrically connected to each other.

[0056] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, when stating "A and / or B", it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any combination or all combinations of the listed multiple items. Unless otherwise indicated, when stating "C to D", it means C or greater and D or less.

[0057] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view along line II-II, Figure 3 yes Figure 2 and also shows a gap filler injection device configured to inject a gap filler, Figure 4 is included in Figure 2 Side view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module.

[0058] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 110, a battery cell carrier 140A, and a side gap filler layer 127. The battery cell 110 serves as a unit structure for storing and supplying power in the battery module 100A.

[0059] Although not shown in the drawings, the battery cell 110 may be a prismatic secondary battery having an electrode assembly (not shown) disposed therein to charge and discharge a predetermined amount of electricity, the electrode assembly being provided with a positive electrode plate (not shown) and a negative electrode plate (not shown) and a separator (not shown) disposed therebetween.

[0060] For example, each battery cell 110 may include a cell body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a pair of terminals 114 protruding upward from the cell body. One of the pair of terminals 114 may be a positive terminal, and the other may be a negative terminal.

[0061] The single body may include a can having an inner space formed to accommodate the electrode assembly and a cap plate configured to close an open upper side of the can. The pair of terminals 114 may be mounted on the cap plate.

[0062] Hereinafter, a direction parallel to a direction of a thickness TB of a battery cell 110 (i.e., a can) will be referred to as a "first direction", a direction parallel to a direction of a width WS of the battery cell 110 (i.e., a can) will be referred to as a "second direction", and a direction parallel to a direction of a height HS of the battery cell 110 (i.e., a can) will be referred to as a "third direction". The first direction may also be referred to as a "front-rear direction", the second direction may also be referred to as a "left-right direction", and the third direction may also be referred to as an "up-down direction".

[0063] In each battery cell 110 , a surface on which a pair of terminals 114 protruding toward one side in the third direction are provided will be referred to as a “terminal side surface 118 ”, and a surface opposite to the terminal side surface 118 in the third direction will be referred to as a “bottom surface 115 ”.

[0064] The plurality of battery cells 110 are arranged in a first direction. The plurality of battery cells 110 may be arranged in a row such that a rear surface of one battery cell 110 in any pair of battery cells 110 adjacent to each other faces a front surface of the other battery cell 110 in the pair of battery cells 110. The plurality of battery cells 110 arranged in a row in the first direction may be referred to as a "battery cell stack 101".

[0065] The battery module 100A may further include a pair of end plates 121. One of the end plates 121 may be disposed in front of the plurality of battery cells 110 to cover a front surface of a battery cell 110 positioned frontmost in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 110 and may be referred to as a "front plate".

[0066] The other end plate 121 of the pair of end plates 121 may be disposed behind the plurality of battery cells 110 to cover a rear surface of a battery cell 110 positioned rearmost in the first direction among the plurality of battery cells 110 , and may be referred to as a “rear plate”.

[0067] The battery cell carrier 140A includes a pair of side plates 141. A plurality of battery cells 110 (i.e., a battery cell stack 101) are placed between the pair of side plates 141. The battery cell carrier 140A may further include a bottom plate 154 configured to cover the bottom surfaces 115 of the plurality of battery cells 110. One side corner and the other side corner of the bottom plate 154 in the second direction may be connected to one side corner of the pair of side plates 141 in the first direction.

[0068] In other words, two side corners of the bottom plate 154 in the direction of the width WS of the battery cell 110 may be connected to lower end corners of the pair of side plates 141 in the direction of the height HS of the battery cell 110. A coolant flow path 159 along which a coolant for preventing overheating during charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells 110 flows may be formed inside the bottom plate 154.

[0069] In the first direction, the length LC of the side plate 141 may be the same as the length LS of the battery cell stack 101 within an allowable error range. In the third direction, the height HC of the side plate 141 may be the same as or slightly smaller than the height HS of the battery cell stack 101.

[0070] In the second direction, the interval WC between the pair of side plates 141 may be slightly larger than the width WS of the battery cell stack 101 . Specifically, the interval WC between the pair of side plates 141 may be larger than the width WS of the battery cell stack 101 by twice the thickness of the side gap filler layer 127 .

[0071] A gap filler injection hole 142 passing through the side plate 141 in a thickness direction of the side plate 141 is formed in each of the pair of side plates 141. The gap filler injection hole 142 may extend in a first direction. The side gap filler layer 127 fixes the plurality of battery cells 110 to the battery cell carrier 140A.

[0072] The side gap filler layer 127 is formed by injecting the gap filler 125 between the pair of side plates 141 and both side surfaces 116 of the plurality of battery cells 110 in the second direction through the gap filler injection holes 142. For example, the gap filler 125 may be a viscous adhesive.

[0073] The side gap filler layer 127 may be formed by the gap filler 125 being injected between the side surface 116 of the plurality of battery cells 110 and the inner surface of the side plate 141 facing the side surface 116, being filled between the side surface 116 and the side plate 141 while flowing downward in the third direction due to gravity, and being cured. Therefore, the side gap filler layer 127 may be formed in the region between the gap filler injection hole 142 and the lower end of the side plate 141 in the first direction.

[0074] The gap filler injection hole 142 may be formed above a middle point of the height HC of the side plate 141 , that is, at a point farther from the bottom plate 154 than the middle point of the height HC.

[0075] The gap filler injection hole 142 may be gradually inclined toward the bottom plate 154 near the side surface 116 of the battery cell 110 and formed to penetrate the side plate 141 in the second direction. Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , a virtual inclined line HL parallel to a cross section defining an inner side surface 143 of the gap filler injection hole 142 is inclined relative to a virtual horizontal line PL parallel to the second direction and parallel to the thickness direction of the side plate 141. For example, the inclination angle of the inclined line HL relative to the horizontal line PL may be in the range of 20° to 40°.

[0076] Therefore, it is not necessary to inject the gap filler 125 while the gap filler injection device 10 (such as a syringe or an injector) for injecting the gap filler 125 is placed parallel to the second direction and assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142. Instead, the gap filler 125 can be injected after the end of the gap filler injection device 10 is assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142 while the gap filler injection device 10 is tilted at the above-mentioned inclination angle.

[0077] Therefore, the gap filler 125 can be injected between the inner surface of the side plate 141 and the side surface 116 of the battery cell 110 without excessively bending the gap filler injection device 10 suspended on the battery cell carrier 140A, which is conveyed due to the bottom plate 154 supported on the conveyor (not shown). In addition, the gap filler 125 can be injected using the gap filler injection device 10 even if the battery cell carrier 140A is not tilted on the conveyor in order to support the side plate 141 on the conveyor.

[0078] Furthermore, since the gap filler 125 is injected from the outer surface of the side plate 141 through the gap filler injection hole 142 instead of being directly applied on the inner surface of the side plate 141 by the gap filler injection device 10, a pair of gap filler injection devices 10 may be provided without interfering with each other, and the gap filler 125 may be simultaneously injected through the gap filler injection hole 142 and applied on the pair of side plates 141. Therefore, the productivity of the battery module 100A may be improved.

[0079] The gap filler injection holes 142 may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes 142, and the plurality of gap filler injection holes 142 may be arranged in a row in the first direction while being spaced apart from each other. Figure 4 , the length LH of one gap filler injection hole 142 among the plurality of gap filler injection holes 142 arranged in a row may be, for example, three to five times the thickness TB of the battery cell 110. Specifically, for example, the length LH of the gap filler injection hole 142 may be in the range of 100 mm to 120 mm.

[0080] A spacing GS between a pair of gap filler injection holes 142 adjacent to each other among the plurality of gap filler injection holes 142 may be less than or equal to a thickness TB of one battery cell 110. For example, the spacing of the gap filler injection holes 142 in the first direction may be in a range of 7 mm to 13 mm.

[0081] Return to reference Figures 1 to 4 The battery module 100A may further include a bottom gap filler layer 129 formed of the gap filler 125 disposed between the bottom plate 154 and the bottom surface 115 of the battery cell 110. The bottom gap filler layer 129 is formed between the upper surface of the bottom plate 154 and the bottom surface 115 of the battery cell 110.

[0082] The bottom gap filler layer 129 can be formed by: applying a gap filler 125 on the upper surface of the bottom plate 154 using a gap filler injection device 10 (such as a syringe or an injector) before mounting a plurality of battery cells 110 on the battery cell carrier 140A so that the plurality of battery cells 110 are placed between a pair of side plates 141; mounting a plurality of battery cells 110 on the battery cell carrier 140A; and curing the gap filler 125.

[0083] As an example Figure 1 As shown in , the gap filler 125 may be applied on the upper surface of the bottom plate 154 along a plurality of linear paths extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other in the second direction. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the side gap filler layer 127 and the bottom gap filler layer 129 may be combined with each other without clear boundaries at both ends of the bottom plate 154 in the width direction thereof.

[0084] After mounting a plurality of battery cells 110 on the battery cell carrier 140A and applying the gap filler 125 to form the side gap filler layer 127 and the bottom gap filler layer 129 , a pair of end plates 121 may be fixed and coupled to both ends of the pair of side plates 141 in the first direction by a method such as welding.

[0085] Although Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the battery module 100A may also include a plurality of bus bars and a bus bar holder. The plurality of bus bars electrically connect the terminals 114 of a pair of battery cells 110 adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 110. The bus bar holder may support the plurality of bus bars and be positioned on the plurality of battery cells 110. For example, the bus bar holder may be fixed and supported by a pair of side plates 141.

[0086] Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is included in Figure 5 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 100B according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 110 , a battery cell carrier 140B, a side gap filler layer 127 , and a bottom gap filler layer 129 .

[0087] Since the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100B according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention and are represented by the same figure marks, their repeated description will be omitted.

[0088] The battery cell carrier 140B includes a pair of side plates 141 and a bottom plate 154. Since the bottom plate 154 is the same as the bottom plate 154 of the battery cell carrier 140A included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0089] A plurality of battery cells 110 (i.e., a battery cell stack 101) is disposed between the pair of side plates 141. A first gap filler injection hole 142 and a second gap filler injection hole 146 that pass through each side plate 141 in a thickness direction of each side plate 141 may be formed in the pair of side plates 141. The first gap filler injection hole 142 and the second gap filler injection hole 146 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the third direction.

[0090] For example, the first gap filler injection hole 142 may be formed at a height HC (see Figure 1 ), that is, formed at a point farther away from the bottom plate 154 than the middle point of the height HC, and the second gap filler injection hole 146 can be formed below the middle point of the height HC of the side plate 141, that is, formed at a point closer to the bottom plate 154 than the middle point of the height HC.

[0091] The first and second gap filler injection holes 142 and 146 may be gradually inclined toward the bottom plate 154 near the side surfaces 116 of the battery cells 110 , and formed to pass through the side plate 141 in the second direction.

[0092] The first gap filler injection holes 142 and the second gap filler injection holes 146 may be respectively provided as a plurality of first gap filler injection holes 142 and a plurality of second gap filler injection holes 146. The plurality of first gap filler injection holes 142 may be arranged in a row in the first direction while being spaced apart from each other. The plurality of second gap filler injection holes 146 may be arranged in a row in parallel with the plurality of first gap filler injection holes 142 while being spaced apart from each other.

[0093] The side gap filler layer 127 may be formed of the gap filler 125 injected between the pair of side plates 141 and both side surfaces 116 of the plurality of battery cells 110 in the second direction through the first gap filler injection hole 142 and the second gap filler injection hole 146. The side gap filler layer 127 fixes the plurality of battery cells 110 to the battery cell carrier 140B.

[0094] In the case where the gap filler 125 has high viscosity, the gap filler 125 injected through the first gap filler injection hole 142 may solidify between the pair of side plates 141 and both side surfaces 116 of the battery cell 110 without flowing downward toward the lower end of the side plates 141, but the gap filler 125 injected through the second gap filler injection hole 146 may flow downward toward the lower end of the side plates 141. Therefore, the side gap filler layer 127 may be formed in a wide area, and the plurality of battery cells 110 may be more securely fixed to the battery cell carrier 140B.

[0095] Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 is included in Figure 7 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module of FIG. 1 , and showing an exploded state of one baffle plate among a plurality of baffle plates. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 100C according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 110 , a battery cell carrier 140C, a side gap filler layer 127 , and a bottom gap filler layer 129 .

[0096] Since the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100C according to the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention and are represented by the same figure marks, their repeated description will be omitted.

[0097] The battery cell carrier 140C includes a pair of side plates 141, a bottom plate 154, and a baffle 170. Since the pair of side plates 141 and the bottom plate 154 are the same as those of the battery cell carrier 140A included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] The baffle 170 selectively opens or closes the gap filler injection hole 142 formed in the side plate 141. In other words, a worker manufacturing the battery module 100C may use the baffle 170 to close or open the gap filler injection hole 142. The gap filler injection hole 142 may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes 142, and the baffle 170 may be provided as a plurality of baffles 170 to correspond to the plurality of gap filler injection holes 142 one by one.

[0099] The baffle 170 may include a body 171, a flange 177, and a close contact protrusion 174. The body 171 may be detachably assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142. The flange 177 may be connected to the body 171 while forming a step from the body 171, and the flange 177 may cover the gap filler injection hole 142 from the outside of the side plate 141 when the body 171 is assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142. In order for the flange 177 to cover the gap filler injection hole 142, the shape of the flange 177 may be larger than the shape of the gap filler injection hole 142 in a plan view.

[0100] The close contact protrusion 174 may be in contact with the inner side surface 143 (see Figure 3 ) to prevent the baffle 170 from falling off from the gap filler injection hole 142 when the body 171 is assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142.

[0101] After the gap filler 125 is injected through the gap filler injection hole 142 (see Figure 1 ), the baffle 170 may be separated from the gap filler injection hole 142 to open the gap filler injection hole 142. In addition, after the gap filler 125 is injected through the gap filler injection hole 142, the baffle 170 may be assembled into the gap filler injection hole 142 and fixed to close the gap filler injection hole 142. Therefore, foreign matter may be prevented from entering the battery cell carrier 140C through the gap filler injection hole 142 after the gap filler 125 is injected.

[0102] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a battery module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, Fig.10 is included in Fig. 9 A perspective view of a battery cell carrier in a battery module, showing an exploded state of one baffle among a plurality of baffles, Fig.11yes Fig.10 An enlarged side view of section XI as part of a battery cell carrier.

[0103] Reference Figures 9 to 11 Similar to the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 100D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 110 , a battery cell carrier 140D, a side gap filler layer 127 , and a bottom gap filler layer 129 .

[0104] Since the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are the same as the multiple battery cells 110, side gap filler layers 127 and bottom gap filler layers 129 included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention and are represented by the same figure marks, their repeated description will be omitted.

[0105] The battery cell carrier 140D includes a pair of side plates 141, a bottom plate 154, and a baffle 180. Since the bottom plate 154 is the same as that of the battery cell carrier 140A included in the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] A plurality of battery cells 110 (ie, a battery cell stack 101) is interposed between the pair of side plates 141. Gap filler injection holes 160 that penetrate each side plate 141 in a thickness direction of each side plate 141 may be formed in the pair of side plates 141.

[0107] The gap filler injection hole 160 may be gradually inclined toward the bottom plate 154 near the side surface 116 of the battery cell 110 and formed to pass through the side plate 141 in the second direction. The gap filler injection hole 160 may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes 160. The plurality of gap filler injection holes 160 may be arranged in a row in the first direction while being spaced apart from each other.

[0108] The baffle 180 selectively opens or closes the gap filler injection hole 160 formed in the side plate 141. In other words, a worker manufacturing the battery module 100D may use the baffle 180 to close or open the gap filler injection hole 160. The gap filler injection hole 160 may be provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes 160, and the baffle 180 may be provided as a plurality of baffles 180 to correspond to the plurality of gap filler injection holes 160 one by one.

[0109] The baffle 180 may include a movable plate 181 and a trigger 183. The movable plate 181 may be disposed between the side plate 141 and the plurality of battery cells 110. The movable plate 181 may be movable along a third direction between a first position at which the gap filler injection hole 160 is opened and a second position at which the gap filler injection hole 160 is closed. Fig. 9 The state where the movable plate 181 is positioned at the first position is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0110] The trigger 183 protrudes from the movable plate 181 to the outside of the side plate 141 through the gap filler injection hole 160. The trigger 183 may be pressed to move the movable plate 181.

[0111] The gap filler injection hole 160 may include a slot portion 161 and a trigger receiving portion 163. The slot portion 161 extends in the first direction, specifically, along a virtual first line 1L parallel to the first direction. When the movable plate 181 is positioned at the first position, the gap filler injection device 10 (see Figure 3 ) can be assembled into the narrow groove portion 161 to inject the gap filler 125 (see Figure 1 ).

[0112] The trigger accommodation portion 163 extends in the third direction, specifically, along a virtual second line 2L parallel to the third direction to be connected to the slot portion 161. The trigger 183 may be accommodated in the trigger accommodation portion 163 when the movable plate 181 is positioned at the first position.

[0113] The movable plate guide grooves 165 may be formed in the inner surfaces of the pair of side plates 141 (i.e., surfaces facing the side surfaces 116 of the battery cells 110). The movable plate guide grooves 165 may be provided as a plurality of movable plate guide grooves 165, and the number of movable plate guide grooves 165 may correspond to the number of gap filler injection holes 160.

[0114] The baffle 180 may move between the first position and the second position in a state where the movable plate 181 is seated on the movable plate guide groove 165. Therefore, the movable plate 181 may not protrude from the inner surface of the side plate 141 to the side surface 116 of the battery cell 110 in a stepped shape.

[0115] After the gap filler 125 is injected through the gap filler injection hole 160 (see Figure 1), before the gap filler injection hole 160 is injected, the baffle 180 may be moved to and positioned at a first position for opening the gap filler injection hole 160. In addition, after the gap filler 125 is injected through the gap filler injection hole 160, the baffle 180 may be moved to a second position to close the gap filler injection hole 160. Therefore, foreign matter may be prevented from entering the battery cell carrier 140D through the gap filler injection hole 160 after the gap filler 125 is injected.

[0116] Fig.12 is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig.12 , the method of manufacturing a battery module according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the following operations: a battery cell carrier preparing operation ( S10 ); a battery cell mounting operation ( S30 ); and a gap filler injecting operation ( S50 ).

[0117] Reference Fig.12 as well as Figures 1 to 4 , the battery cell carrier preparation operation (S10) is an operation of preparing the battery cell carrier 140A. The battery cell carrier 140A may include a pair of side plates 141 spaced apart in the second direction, the pair of side plates 141 being used to interpose the plurality of battery cells 110 arranged in the first direction and having gap filler injection holes 142 formed therein. Since the battery cell carrier 140A has been described above in the description of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0118] The battery cell mounting operation ( S30 ) is an operation of mounting the plurality of battery cells 110 on the battery cell carrier 140A such that the plurality of battery cells 110 are interposed between the pair of side plates 141 .

[0119] The gap filler injection operation (S50) is an operation of injecting the gap filler 125 between the two side surfaces 116 of the plurality of battery cells 110 and the pair of side plates 141 through the gap filler injection holes 142 to form a side gap filler layer 127 configured to fix the plurality of battery cells 110 to the battery cell carrier 140A. Since the side gap filler layer 127 formed by injecting the gap filler 125 through the gap filler injection holes 142 has been described above in the description of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0120] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery cell carrier 140A may further include a bottom plate 154. Since the bottom plate 154 has been described above in the description of the battery module 100A according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0121] The method of manufacturing a battery module may further include a gap filler applying operation (S20) between the battery cell carrier preparing operation (S10) and the battery cell mounting operation (S30). The gap filler applying operation (S20) is an operation of applying the gap filler 125 on the bottom plate 154 before the battery cell mounting operation (S30).

[0122] In the battery cell mounting operation ( S30 ), the plurality of battery cells 110 may be mounted on the battery cell carrier 140A such that the gap filler 125 applied on the bottom plate 154 is interposed between the plurality of battery cells 110 and the bottom plate 154 .

[0123] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 The battery cell carrier 140C may further include a baffle 170 configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole 142. Since the baffle 170 has been described above in the description of the battery module 100C according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0124] The method of manufacturing a battery module may further include a gap filler injection hole opening operation (S40) between the battery cell mounting operation (S30) and the gap filler injection operation (S50), and may further include a gap filler injection hole closing operation (S60) after the gap filler injection operation (S50).

[0125] The gap filler injection hole opening operation (S40) is an operation of opening the gap filler injection hole 142 before the gap filler injection operation (S50). The gap filler injection hole 142 may be opened by separating the barrier 170 to be spaced apart from the gap filler injection hole 142.

[0126] The gap filler injection hole closing operation (S60) is an operation of closing the gap filler injection hole 142 with the shutter 170 after the gap filler injection operation (S50). The gap filler injection hole 142 may be closed by fitting the body 171 of the shutter 170 into the gap filler injection hole 142 and fixing it.

[0127] The method of manufacturing the battery module may further include: fixing and coupling the end plate 121 to the battery cell carrier 140A; coupling the bus bar holder to the battery cell carrier 140A; and connecting a plurality of bus bars to the terminals 114 of the battery cells 110 .

[0128] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a side gap filler layer in which gap fillers are uniformly dispersed may be formed between the plurality of battery cells and the sidewall of the battery cell carrier, thereby suppressing movement between the battery cell carrier and the plurality of battery cells in the battery module.

[0129] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to tilt the battery cell carrier in order to support the side wall of the battery cell carrier on the floor to apply the gap filler on the side wall. In addition, the gap filler can be applied to both side walls of the battery cell carrier facing each other at the same time. Therefore, the yield of the battery module can be improved.

[0130] However, the effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the accompanying description of the present disclosure.

[0131] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments and drawings showing various aspects of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell carrier, the battery cell carrier comprising: A pair of side plates are arranged to be spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so that a plurality of battery cells arranged along the first direction are interposed between the pair of side plates, and gap filler injection holes are formed in the pair of side plates, through which gap fillers are injected.

2. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The gap filler injection hole extends in the first direction.

3. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal side surface on which a terminal protruding toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is provided, and a bottom surface which is a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction; and The gap filler injection hole is gradually inclined toward the bottom surface near a side surface of the battery cell and is formed to penetrate a corresponding side plate of the pair of side plates in the second direction.

4. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The gap filler injection hole is provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes; and The plurality of gap filler injection holes are disposed in corresponding side plates of the pair of side plates to be spaced apart in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

5. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein: The gap filler injection hole is provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes; and The plurality of gap filler injection holes are disposed to be spaced apart in the first direction in corresponding side plates of the pair of side plates.

6. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal side surface on which a terminal protruding toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is provided, and a bottom surface which is a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction; and The battery cell carrier further includes a bottom plate configured to cover the bottom surface and having one side corner and another side corner connected to the pair of side plates in the second direction.

7. The battery cell carrier according to claim 1, further comprising: The baffle is configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole.

8. A battery module, comprising: A plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction; a battery cell carrier including a pair of side plates disposed to be spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so that the plurality of battery cells are disposed between the pair of side plates, and gap filler injection holes are formed in the pair of side plates; as well as A side gap filler layer is formed by injecting a gap filler between both side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and the pair of side plates through the gap filler injection hole and is configured to fix the plurality of battery cells to the battery cell carrier.

9. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The gap filler injection hole extends along the first direction.

10. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal side surface on which a terminal protruding toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is provided, and a bottom surface which is a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction; and The gap filler injection hole is gradually inclined toward the bottom surface near a side surface of the battery cell and is formed to penetrate a corresponding side plate of the pair of side plates in the second direction.

11. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The gap filler injection hole is provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes; and The plurality of gap filler injection holes are disposed in corresponding side plates of the pair of side plates to be spaced apart in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

12. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The gap filler injection hole is provided as a plurality of gap filler injection holes; and The plurality of gap filler injection holes are disposed to be spaced apart in the first direction in corresponding side plates of the pair of side plates.

13. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a terminal side surface and a bottom surface, wherein a terminal protruding toward one side in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is provided on the terminal side surface, and the bottom surface is a surface opposite to the terminal side surface in the third direction; The battery cell carrier further includes a bottom plate configured to cover the bottom surface and having one side corner and another side corner connected to the pair of side plates in the second direction; and The battery module further includes a bottom gap filler layer formed by placing the gap filler between the bottom surface and the bottom plate.

14. The battery module according to claim 8, wherein: The battery cell carrier further includes a baffle configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole.

15. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein: The baffle comprises: a main body configured to be detachably assembled into the gap filler injection hole; and A flange is connected to the body while forming a step from the body and has a shape larger than that of the gap filler injection hole in a plan view to cover the gap filler injection hole from an outer side of a corresponding side plate of the pair of side plates when the body is assembled into the gap filler injection hole.

16. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein: The baffle comprises: a movable plate disposed between a corresponding side plate of the pair of side plates and the plurality of battery cells and configured to be movable between a first position at which the movable plate opens the gap filler injection hole and a second position at which the movable plate closes the gap filler injection hole; and A trigger is configured to protrude from the movable plate to an outer side of the corresponding side plate through the gap filler injection hole and be pressed to move the movable plate.

17. The battery module according to claim 16, wherein: The gap filler injection hole comprises: a slot portion extending in the first direction and into which means for injecting the gap filler is fitted when the movable plate is positioned at the first position; and A trigger accommodation portion extends in the third direction to be connected to the slot portion and is configured to accommodate the trigger therein when the movable plate is positioned at the first position.

18. A method for manufacturing a battery module, the method comprising the following operations: A battery cell carrier preparation operation: preparing a battery cell carrier including a pair of side plates spaced apart in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction so that a plurality of battery cells arranged along the first direction are interposed between the pair of side plates, and gap filler injection holes are formed in the pair of side plates; A battery cell mounting operation: mounting the plurality of battery cells on the battery cell carrier so that the plurality of battery cells are disposed between the pair of side plates; as well as A gap filler injection operation of injecting a gap filler between both side surfaces of the plurality of battery cells and the pair of side plates through the gap filler injection hole to form a side gap filler layer configured to fix the plurality of battery cells to the battery cell carrier.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: The battery cell carrier further includes: a bottom plate having one side corner and another side corner connected to the pair of side plates in the second direction; The method further includes a gap filler applying operation: applying a gap filler on the base plate before the battery cell mounting operation; and In the battery cell mounting operation, the plurality of battery cells are mounted on the battery cell carrier so that the gap filler applied on the bottom plate is interposed between the plurality of battery cells and the bottom plate.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The battery cell carrier further includes a baffle configured to selectively open or close the gap filler injection hole, and The method further comprises the following operations: a gap filler injection hole opening operation: opening the gap filler injection hole before the gap filler injection operation; and Gap filler injection hole closing operation: closing the gap filler injection hole with the shutter after the gap filler injection operation.

Images