Battery pack, apparatus for manufacturing battery pack, and method for manufacturing battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack, an apparatus for manufacturing the battery pack, and a method of manufacturing the battery pack are provided. The battery pack may include: a battery case having an internal accommodation space; a plurality of battery cells accommodated inside the internal accommodation space of the battery case and arranged in a first direction; and an upper cover configured to cover an upper portion of the battery case, in which a guide portion may be formed on an inner wall surface of the battery case to guide the plurality of battery cells to be inserted into the internal accommodation space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery pack and an apparatus for manufacturing the battery pack, which provides stable insertion and alignment of a plurality of battery cells in a battery housing. Background Art

[0002] Secondary batteries are used in devices such as mobile devices, auxiliary power devices, and the like.

[0003] Secondary batteries have also received attention as a main power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which have been proposed as alternatives to various problems such as air pollution of conventional gasoline vehicles or diesel vehicles.

[0004] Since high-output, large-capacity batteries are required in electric vehicles and the like, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked and then electrically connected in series and in parallel may be used.

[0005] The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells that are stacked, and terminals exposed at both ends of each battery cell are electrically connected to provide a high voltage.

[0006] The battery pack case is manufactured using various construction methods in a size suitable for the shape and pack capacity. These battery packs are manufactured by removing the module assembly and inserting a plurality of battery cells into the battery case to increase the internal space efficiency and energy density.

[0007] However, there is a problem in that it is not easy to insert a plurality of battery cells into a battery case, and they may be inserted in a misaligned configuration, which may reduce durability and manufacturing efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a battery pack having battery cells that are precisely aligned without interfering with an inner wall surface of a battery case during a process of inserting a plurality of battery cells into the battery case, and an apparatus for manufacturing the battery pack.

[0009] A battery pack may include: a battery case having an internal accommodating space; a plurality of battery cells accommodated inside the internal accommodating space of the battery case and arranged along an arrangement direction; and an upper cover configured to cover an upper portion of the battery case, wherein a guide portion may be formed on an inner wall surface of the battery case to guide the plurality of battery cells to be inserted into the internal accommodating space.

[0010] The guide portion may be formed on a pair of opposing side inner wall surfaces of the battery case, and the plurality of battery cells are interposed between the pair of opposing side inner wall surfaces.

[0011] The guide portion may include a guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of one of a pair of opposing inner wall surfaces of the battery case.

[0012] The guide groove may include a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of a pair of opposite inner wall surfaces of the battery housing, and a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of a pair of opposite inner wall surfaces.

[0013] The first guide groove may have a polygonal groove shape formed in a height direction of the battery case, be formed on an inner wall surface of the first side, and have an insert member disposed therein.

[0014] The second guide groove may be in the shape of a polygonal groove formed in a height direction of the battery case, formed on an inner wall surface of the second side, and provided with an insert member inside.

[0015] A device for manufacturing a battery pack by inserting multiple battery cells into a battery case, the device comprising: a clamping portion, including a first clamp and a second clamp, the first clamp being configured to be inserted into the battery case and being configured to pressurize a first side of the multiple battery cells, the second clamp being configured to be inserted into the battery case and being configured to pressurize a second side of the multiple battery cells, wherein the clamping portion is configured to insert the multiple battery cells into an internal accommodating space of the battery case, and a pressurizer being configured to pressurize the upper portions of the multiple battery cells inserted into the battery case, thereby aligning the multiple battery cells.

[0016] The clamping portion may include: a first clamper configured to pressurize a first side of a plurality of battery cells and configured to be inserted into a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of a battery housing; a second clamper configured to pressurize a second side of a plurality of battery cells and configured to be inserted into a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of the battery housing opposite to the first side; and a driver configured to provide driving force to the first clamper and the second clamper.

[0017] The driver may be a cylinder member having a rod connected to the first clamp and the second clamp.

[0018] The pressurizer may include a pressurizing block configured to be elevable above the battery case and configured to be lowered to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells, and a lifting driver configured to provide a lifting force to the pressurizing block.

[0019] The lifting driver may be a cylinder member that connects a rod to a pressurizing block to provide a lifting force.

[0020] A friction pad may be attached to a bottom surface of the press block.

[0021] A method for manufacturing a battery pack includes the steps of: clamping a plurality of battery cells with a first clamp and a second clamp; inserting the plurality of battery cells into an internal accommodation space of a battery case; and pressurizing upper portions of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the battery case to align the plurality of battery cells.

[0022] In some embodiments, the step of inserting multiple battery cells into the internal accommodating space of a battery case includes: inserting a first clamp into a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of the battery case; and inserting a second clamp into a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of the battery case, the second side being opposite to the first side.

[0023] In some embodiments, the step of pressurizing upper portions of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the battery case to align the plurality of battery cells includes descending a pressurizing block to contact upper portions of the plurality of battery cells.

[0024] In some embodiments, a friction pad is attached to the bottom surface of the pressure block.

[0025] According to some embodiments, while clamping the plurality of battery cells by the clamping portion, it may be possible to stably insert the plurality of battery cells into the battery case through the guiding operation of the guide portion, and stable manufacturing of the battery pack and improved durability of the manufactured battery pack may be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery case according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 It is schematically shown Figure 2 A top plan view of a battery housing.

[0029] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the battery casing along line AA.

[0030] Figure 5 is a side view schematically showing an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 It is schematically shown by Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a state in which a first gripper and a second gripper of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack insert a plurality of battery cells into a battery case.

[0032] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the insertion of a pressurizer Figure 6 A cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper portions of a plurality of battery cells inside a battery case are pressurized.

[0033] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which a friction pad is attached to a pressurizer of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which disclosed embodiments are shown. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments may be modified in various ways, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The accompanying drawings and descriptions are to be considered illustrative and non-restrictive in nature. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery pack according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a battery case according to an embodiment. Figure 3 It is schematically shown Figure 2 A top plan view of a battery housing. Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the battery casing along line AA.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown in , a battery pack 100 according to an embodiment may include: a battery case 10 having an internal accommodation space; a plurality of battery cells 11 accommodated inside the internal accommodation space of the battery case 10 and arranged along a first (arrangement) direction in the internal accommodation space; and an upper cover 30 configured to cover an upper portion of the battery case 10, wherein a guide portion 20 may be formed on an inner wall surface of the battery case 10 to guide the plurality of battery cells to be inserted into the internal accommodation space.

[0037] The battery case 10 is configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells 11 therein, and the plurality of battery cells 11 may be accommodated while being arranged in a first direction. That is, the plurality of battery cells 11 may be accommodated inside the battery case 10 without using a separate side surface frame (not shown).

[0038] A cell barrier (not shown) may also be installed inside the battery case 10 so that the plurality of battery cells 11 can be separated. The cell barrier may be an insulating plate that separates the inner accommodation space of the battery case 10 into a plurality of parts.

[0039] The plurality of battery cells 11 may be aligned in a first direction (y-axis direction) in the battery case 10 .

[0040] The guide portion 20 may be configured to guide the plurality of battery cells 11 to be inserted into an inner accommodation space formed in the battery case 10 .

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the clamping portion 110 may include a first clamper 111 and a second clamper 113. The guide portion 20 may be formed on the inner wall surface of the battery case 10 and may guide the first clamper 111 and the second clamper 113 to be inserted into the inner accommodation space formed in the battery case 10.

[0042] The guide portion 20 may be formed on inner wall surfaces of a pair of opposite sides of the battery case 10 , and the plurality of battery cells 11 may be interposed between the inner wall surfaces of the pair of opposite sides.

[0043] For example, the guide portion 20 may be a guide groove formed on a pair of opposite inner wall surfaces of the battery case 10, and a plurality of battery cells 11 may be placed between the pair of opposite inner wall surfaces.

[0044] As such, the guide groove 20 formed on the inner wall surface of the battery case 10 may be configured to guide the clamping portion 110 to be inserted into the battery case 10 while clamping the plurality of battery cells 11 during a manufacturing process of the battery pack.

[0045] In more detail, the guide groove 20 may include a first guide groove 21 and a second guide groove 23, wherein the first guide groove 21 is formed on the inner wall surface of the first side of a pair of opposite sides of the battery housing 10, and the second guide groove 23 is formed on the inner wall surface of the second side of the pair of opposite sides of the battery housing 10.

[0046] The first guide groove 21 may be formed in a height direction (z-axis direction) of the inner wall surface of the first side of the battery case 10. The first guide groove 21 may have a first polygonal groove shape recessed into the inner wall surface of the first side of the battery case 10.

[0047] The first guide groove 21 may include a pair of guide grooves spaced apart from each other on the inner wall surface of the first side of the battery case 10 .

[0048] The second guide groove 23 may be formed in a height direction (z-axis direction) of the inner wall surface of the second side of the battery case 10. The second guide groove 23 may have a second polygonal groove shape recessed into the inner wall surface of the second side of the battery case 10.

[0049] The second guide groove 23 may include a pair of guide grooves spaced apart from each other on the inner wall surface of the second side of the battery case 10 .

[0050] The first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 23 may have the same or similar shape, and although a polygonal groove shape is taken as an example, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and the first guide groove 21 and the second guide groove 23 may have a circular groove shape that adapts to the shape of the clamp of the clamping part 110 .

[0051] The upper cover 30 may be detachably mounted on the upper portion of the battery case 10 , and may be detachably coupled by a fastening member such as a bolt member.

[0052] As described above, according to the battery pack 100 of the present embodiment, during the manufacturing process, two opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells 11 can be clamped by using the clamper, and during the process of inserting the clamped plurality of battery cells 11 into the battery case 10, interference of the clamper with the battery case 10 can be reduced. Therefore, when the plurality of battery cells 11 are mounted inside the battery case 10 and are stably aligned in the first direction, the manufacturing quality can be improved.

[0053] Figure 5 is a side view schematically showing an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is schematically shown by Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a state in which a first gripper and a second gripper of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack insert a plurality of battery cells into a battery case. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the insertion of a pressurizer Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a state in which the upper portions of a plurality of battery cells inside a battery housing are pressurized. Figures 1 to 4 The same reference numerals as those in the figure may represent the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. In the following, components having the same reference numerals are described in detail without redundancy.

[0054] like Figure 5As shown in , an apparatus 200 for manufacturing a battery pack by inserting a plurality of battery cells 11 into a battery case 10 may include a clamping portion 110, the clamping portion 110 including a first clamp 111 and a second clamp 113, the first clamp 111 being configured to be inserted into a first guide groove 21 of the battery case 10 and being configured to pressurize a first side of the plurality of battery cells 11, and the second clamp 113 being configured to be inserted into a second guide groove 23 and being configured to pressurize a second side of the plurality of battery cells 11. The clamping portion 110 may be configured to insert the plurality of battery cells 11 into an internal accommodation space of the battery case 10. The apparatus also includes a pressurizer 120 configured to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 11 inserted into the battery case 10 and to align the plurality of battery cells 11.

[0055] The clamping portion 110 may be configured to insert the plurality of battery cells 11 in an aligned state into the battery case 10 , and may be configured to insert the plurality of battery cells 11 into the battery case 10 while pressurizing opposite sides of the plurality of battery cells 11 .

[0056] For example, the clamping portion 110 may include a first clamper 111 configured to pressurize a first side of the plurality of battery cells 11 , a second clamper 113 configured to pressurize a second side of the plurality of battery cells 11 , and a driver 115 configured to provide driving force to the first clamper 111 and the second clamper 113 .

[0057] The first clamper 111 may be configured to pressurize first sides of the plurality of aligned battery cells 11 through operation of the driver 115 .

[0058] During the insertion of the plurality of battery cells 11 into the battery case 10 , the first holder 111 may be inserted into the first guide groove 21 formed on the inner wall surface of the battery case 10 .

[0059] For example, the first holder 111 may be inserted into the battery case 10 by a guiding operation of the first guide groove 21 and the plurality of battery cells 11 may be stably inserted into the battery case 10 .

[0060] The second clamper 113 may be configured to pressurize a second side of the plurality of aligned battery cells 11. The second side is opposite to the first side where the first clamper 111 is located.

[0061] The first clamper 111 and the second clamper 113 may be configured to be lifted by operation of an actuator (not shown) mounted on a lifting frame (not shown).

[0062] The driver 115 may be connected to the first clamper 111 and the second clamper 113 , and the driver 115 may be configured to provide a pressing force to the plurality of battery cells 11 .

[0063] The driver 115 may be a cylinder member configured to provide a pressing force to the plurality of battery cells 11. The cylinder member may be configured to be pneumatically operated or hydraulically operated.

[0064] The pressurizer 120 may be configured to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 11 inserted into the battery case 10 through the clamping portion 110 .

[0065] For example, the pressurizer 120 may be configured to be elevating above the battery case 10 and may include a pressurizing block 121 configured to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 11 when the pressurizer 120 is lowered to the plurality of battery cells 11. The lifting driver 123 may be configured to provide a lifting force to the pressurizing block 121.

[0066] A lower surface of the pressurizing block 121 may be a flat surface, and may be configured to pressurize upper portions of the battery cells 11 to correct misalignment of the plurality of battery cells 11 inserted into the battery case 10 .

[0067] The pressurizing block 121 may be connected to an elevating driver 123 that may elevate and descend the pressurizing block 121 to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells 11 .

[0068] The lifting driver 123 may be a cylinder member having a rod connected to the upper portion of the pressurizing block 121 to provide a lifting force. The cylinder member may be configured to be pneumatically operated or hydraulically operated.

[0069] As described above, according to the apparatus 200 for manufacturing a battery pack of the present disclosure, while the plurality of battery cells 11 are clamped by the clamping portion, the plurality of battery cells 11 can be stably inserted into the battery case by the operation of the guide portion 20. In this way, stable manufacturing of the battery pack and improved durability of the manufactured battery pack can be achieved.

[0070] Figure 8 : is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a friction pad is attached to a pressurizer of an apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 7 The same reference numerals as those in the figure represent the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. Hereinafter, components having the same reference numerals are described in detail without redundancy.

[0071] like Figure 8 As shown in , the friction pad 210 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may be attached to the bottom surface of the pressurizing block 121 of the apparatus for manufacturing the battery pack 330 .

[0072] The friction pad 210 may be attached to reduce the formation of contact damage while the pressurizing block 121 descends to contact the upper portion of the battery cell 11. As such, by attaching the friction pad 210, the durability of the manufactured battery pack may be improved.

[0073] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the purview of the appended claims.

[0074] <Description of Reference Signs> 10: Battery housing 11: Battery Cell 20: Guide part, guide groove 21: First guide groove 23: Second guide groove 30: Upper cover 100: Battery Pack 110: Clamping part 111: First gripper 113: Second clamp 115: Drive 120: Pressurizer 121: Pressure block 123: Lift drive 210: Friction pad.

Claims

1. A battery pack, comprising: A battery housing, including an internal accommodation space; A plurality of battery cells are accommodated in the internal accommodation space of the battery housing and arranged along an arrangement direction; an upper cover, configured to cover an upper portion of the battery housing, Wherein, a guide portion is formed on an inner wall surface of the battery case to guide the plurality of battery cells to be inserted into the inner accommodation space.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: The guide portion is formed on inner wall surfaces of a pair of opposite sides of the battery case, and the plurality of battery cells are interposed between the inner wall surfaces of the pair of opposite sides.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The guide portion includes a guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of one of the pair of opposing inner wall surfaces of the battery case.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein: The guide groove is a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of the inner wall surfaces of the pair of opposite sides of the battery case, and The guide portion includes a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of the pair of opposite inner wall surfaces of the battery housing.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein: The first guide groove has a polygonal groove shape formed in a height direction of the battery case, and an insert is disposed inside.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The second guide groove has a polygonal groove shape formed in the height direction of the battery case, and the insert is disposed inside.

7. An apparatus for manufacturing a battery pack by inserting a plurality of battery cells into the battery case according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising: a clamping portion, comprising a first clamper inserted into the battery case and configured to pressurize a first side of the plurality of battery cells, and a second clamper inserted into the battery case and configured to pressurize a second side of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the clamping portion is configured to insert the plurality of battery cells into the internal accommodation space of the battery case; and A pressurizer is configured to pressurize upper portions of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the battery case to align the plurality of battery cells.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first holder is inserted into a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of the battery housing, wherein the second holder is inserted into a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of the battery housing opposite to the first side, and the plurality of battery cells are interposed between the first side and the second side, and Wherein, the clamping part further includes a driver, and the driver is configured to provide driving force to the first clamper and the second clamper.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The driver is a cylinder member having a rod connected to the first clamper and the second clamper.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The pressurizer comprises: a pressurizing block configured to be raised above the battery housing and configured to pressurize the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells when descending; and The lifting driver is configured to provide a lifting force to the pressurizing block.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The lifting driver is a cylinder member that connects a rod to the pressurizing block to provide a lifting force.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein A friction pad is attached to the bottom surface of the press block.

13. A method for manufacturing a battery pack, the method comprising the steps of: clamping a plurality of battery cells with a first clamp and a second clamp; inserting the plurality of battery cells into the internal receiving space of the battery housing; as well as Upper portions of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the battery case are pressurized to align the plurality of battery cells.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The step of inserting the plurality of battery cells into the internal accommodation space of the battery case includes: inserting the first holder into a first guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a first side of the battery case; and The second holder is inserted into a second guide groove formed on an inner wall surface of a second side of the battery case, the second side being opposite to the first side.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The step of pressurizing the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells inserted into the battery case to align the plurality of battery cells includes descending a pressurizing block to contact the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: A friction pad is attached to the bottom surface of the press block.

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