Battery module and battery cell center determination method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module and a method for determining the center of a battery cell, and more particularly, to a battery module and a method for determining the center of a battery cell capable of contactlessly measuring the center position of the battery cell to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and prevent damage to the battery cell, thereby improving the quality of the battery module. The battery module according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of battery cells; and a battery cell case configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, in which a center position in a length direction of each of the plurality of battery cells is marked on a surface of the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0065059, filed on May 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for determining the center of a battery module and battery cells, and more particularly, to a method for determining the center of a battery module and battery cells, in which the center position of a battery cell can be measured without contact to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and damage to the battery cell, thereby improving the quality of the battery module. Background Art

[0005] Recently, as the depletion of fossil fuels and the growing concern about environmental pollution have led to rising energy prices, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources is essential for future life. Therefore, research on various power generation technologies using sunlight, wind energy, tidal energy, etc. continues, and attention to power storage systems such as batteries also continues to increase in order to use the electric energy generated by these technologies more effectively.

[0006] In addition, as the technology development and demand for mobile electronic devices and electric vehicles using batteries grow, the demand for batteries as an energy source also rapidly increases. Therefore, a great deal of research has been conducted on batteries that can meet various demands.

[0007] Batteries are attracting attention as an energy source for various products such as mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, secondary batteries are excellent energy sources that can replace the use of existing products using fossil fuels, and are attracting attention as environmentally friendly energy sources because they do not produce by-products of energy use.

[0008] Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (plug-in HEVs), etc., which are proposed as solutions to air pollution and the like caused by existing gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, etc. using fossil fuels. That is, these secondary batteries are used in the form of a battery pack including a plurality of battery modules.

[0009] In a secondary battery, battery cells are assembled to form a battery module, and a plurality of battery modules are provided to form a battery pack. Here, a plurality of battery cells need to be aligned and stacked. According to the prior art, a jig is used to align a plurality of battery cells based on one surface of the lead tab portion of each battery cell. For example, it is a mechanical alignment method based on one surface of the negative electrode.

[0010] According to the prior art, since alignment is performed in a contact manner, there is a problem that when the battery cell is reversed, the reference surface is reversed, resulting in misalignment and the battery cell being misaligned. In addition, due to the contact alignment using a jig, there is also a problem that the battery cell is damaged during the alignment process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining the center of a battery module and a battery cell, which can non - contact measure the center position of the battery cell to prevent misalignment of the battery cell and prevent damage to the battery cell, thereby improving the quality of the battery module.

[0013] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0014] A battery module according to the present invention may include: a plurality of battery cells; and a battery cell housing that houses the plurality of battery cells, wherein the center position of each of the plurality of battery cells in the length direction is marked on the surface of the battery cell.

[0015] The center position may be marked on the surface of the battery cell with a line in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell.

[0016] The center position may be marked on the surface of the battery cell with an imprint.

[0017] In the battery module according to the present invention, the center positions of the plurality of battery cells may be stacked so that all of them overlap each other.

[0018] A method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention may include: a setting step of setting the battery cell so that both ends of the battery cell are spaced apart from a measuring unit by a predetermined distance; a measuring step of measuring the distances from the measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell respectively; and a determining step of receiving information on the distances to both ends of the battery cell through a determining unit to determine the center position of the battery cell.

[0019] In the determining step, the measuring unit may measure the shape of each of both ends of the battery cell and visually display the shape of both ends of the battery cell.

[0020] In the measurement process, the visible shapes at both ends of the battery cell can be synthesized.

[0021] In the measurement process, the synthesized shape of the shapes at both ends of the battery cell can be displayed on the display device.

[0022] In the determination process, the value obtained by adding up the distances from the measurement unit to both ends of the battery cell and half of the total length of the battery cell can be the distance from the measurement unit to the center position of the battery cell. The total length of the battery cell corresponds to the length obtained by subtracting the distances from each measurement unit to both ends of the battery cell from the distance between the measurement units.

[0023] The method may further include a marking process in which the marking unit marks the determined center position of the battery cell on the battery cell.

[0024] In the marking process, the center position of the battery cell can be marked on the surface of the battery cell by engraving.

[0025] The method may further include an alignment process of resetting the battery cell according to the center position.

[0026] The measurement unit may be a laser profile sensor.

[0027] Advantageous Effects

[0028] According to the method for determining the center of the battery module and the battery cell of the present invention, it is possible to measure the center position of the battery cell without contact, prevent misalignment of the battery cell, and prevent damage to the battery cell, thereby improving the quality of the battery module. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which battery cells are stacked according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a state before measuring a battery cell using a measurement unit according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state of measuring a battery cell using a measurement unit according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0034] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments set forth herein.

[0035] To clearly describe the present invention, descriptions of parts irrelevant to the description or detailed descriptions of related well-known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be excluded. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0036] In addition, terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed restrictively as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts that conform to the scope of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms, so as to describe and explain his invention in the best way.

[0037] Battery module

[0038] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the battery module 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which battery cells are stacked according to the present invention.

[0040] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 the battery module 1 according to the present invention may include a plurality of battery cells 11. The battery module 1 may include a battery cell housing (not shown).

[0041] Each of the plurality of battery cells 11 may have a surface on which a center position 111 is marked. The plurality of battery cells 11 may be stacked to form the battery module 1. Since the plurality of battery cells 11 are stacked, the battery cells 11 need to be aligned for stacking.

[0042] The center position 111 may be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 with a line in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell 11. The center position 111 may be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 with a line in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell 11. The center position 111 may be marked on the surface of the battery cell 11 by an imprint.

[0043] In the battery module 1, the central positions 111 of the plurality of battery cells 11 may be stacked so as to all overlap each other. The stability of the battery module 1 can be increased only when the central positions 111 are stacked so as to all overlap each other. The central positions 111 may be marked on the wide surfaces of the battery cells 11.

[0044] The battery module 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells 11, and the central positions 111 are marked on each of the plurality of battery cells 11. As described above, the plurality of battery cells 11 need to be aligned for stacking. Since the central positions 111 are marked on each of the plurality of battery cells 11, when the central positions 111 are stacked to be all aligned, there is an effect that the plurality of battery cells can be aligned for stacking. Therefore, there is an effect of preventing misalignment of the battery cells 11 to improve the quality of the battery module.

[0045] Method for determining the center of a battery cell

[0046] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 a method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0047] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a state before measuring a battery cell using a measuring unit according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a state of measuring a battery cell using a measuring unit according to the present invention.

[0048] With reference to Figures 3 to 5 a method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention may include a setting step (21), a measuring step (22), and a determining step (23).

[0049] In the setting step (21), both ends of the battery cell 11 may be set to be spaced apart from the measuring unit 31 by a predetermined distance respectively. Since the distances from the measuring unit 31 to both ends of the battery cell 11 need to be measured respectively, the measuring unit 31 and both ends need to be set to be spaced apart from each other. The wide surface of the battery cell 11 may be set to face the upper side.

[0050] In the measuring step (22), the distances from the measuring unit 31 to each of both ends of the battery cell 11 may be measured. The distances from the measuring unit 31 to both ends of the battery cell 11 may be measured respectively. In the measuring step (22), the measuring unit 31 may measure the shape of each of both ends of the battery cell 11 and visually represent the shapes of both ends of the battery cell 11. In the measuring step (22), a 2D profile (two-dimensional profile) of the battery cell 11 may be detected and measured. Since the shapes of both ends of the battery cell 11 are visually represented, the leads of the battery cell 11 may also be represented.

[0051] In the measurement step (22), the visible shapes at both ends of the battery cell 11 can be synthesized. The synthesized shape at both ends of the battery cell 11 can be displayed on the display device.

[0052] In the determination step (23), information on the distances to both ends of the battery cell 11 can be provided to determine the center position 111 of the battery cell 11. In the determination step (23), the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be determined by a determination unit (not shown).

[0053] In the determination step (23), the length obtained by subtracting the distances L2 and L3 to both ends of the battery cell 11 from the distance L1 between the measurement units 31 is the total length L4 of the battery cell 11. The value obtained by adding each of the distances L2 and L3 from the measurement unit 31 to both ends of the battery cell 11 to half of the total length L4 of the battery cell 11 can be the distance from the measurement unit 31 to the center position 111 of the battery cell. Therefore, in the determination step (23), the value obtained by adding half of the total length L4 of the battery cell 11 to the distance from the measurement unit 31 to the end of the battery cell 11 is determined as the center position 111.

[0054] The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention may further include a marking step (24) of marking the determined center position 111 of the battery cell 11. In the marking step (24), the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be marked by a marking unit (not shown).

[0055] In the marking step (24), the center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be marked by engraving on the surface of the battery cell 11. The center position 111 of the battery cell 11 can be marked using tape or the like. The battery cell 11 can be aligned for stacking only when the center position 111 is determined and the center position 111 is marked on the battery cell 11.

[0056] The method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention may further include an alignment step (25) of resetting the alignment of the battery cell 11 based on the center position 111. In the alignment step (25), the center positions 111 can be aligned so as to completely overlap each other to set the battery cells 11.

[0057] In the method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention, the measurement unit 31 can be a laser profile sensor.

[0058] According to the prior art, there is an alignment method that has one surface of the lead tab portion based on each battery cell and uses a jig to determine the center position of the battery cell. Since the alignment is performed based on one surface, there is a problem that when the battery cell is reversed, the opposite tab side is not aligned. In addition, since the alignment is performed in a contact manner using a jig, there is a problem that the battery cell is damaged.

[0059] In the method for determining the center of a battery cell according to the present invention, the battery cell 11 can be aligned in a non-contact manner using the measuring unit 31 without contacting the battery cell 11. Due to the non-contact method, the present invention has the effect of preventing the battery cell 11 from being damaged.

[0060] Since the alignment is not only performed based on one surface, and the center position 111 is determined by measuring the entire length of the battery cell 11, there is an effect of being able to improve the accuracy. Since values obtained by precisely measuring the length and center position 111 of the battery cell 11 and incorporating them into a database are used, there is an effect that these values can be utilized even in the construction of smart factories and the like in the future. There is also an effect that the additional digitized value of the center position 111 of the battery cell can be continuously used in the battery module assembly process to contribute to improving the production yield of the finally assembled product.

[0061] Although the present invention has been described with reference to restrictive embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can implement it in different ways within the spirit of the present invention and equivalents of the appended claims.

[0062] [Explanation of Reference Numerals]

[0063] 1: Battery module

[0064] 11: Battery cell

[0065] 111: Center position

[0066] 21: Setting process

[0067] 22: Measuring process

[0068] 23: Determining process

[0069] 24: Marking process

[0070] 25: Aligning process

[0071] 31: Measuring unit

[0072] L1: Distance between measuring units

[0073] L2, L3: Distances from the measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell

[0074] L4: Total length of battery cell

Claims

1. A battery module, comprising: a plurality of battery cells; and a battery cell housing configured to accommodate the plurality of battery cells, wherein a central position of each of the plurality of battery cells in a length direction is marked on a surface of the battery cell.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein The central position is marked on the surface of the battery cell by a line in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The central position is marked on the surface of the battery cell by engraving.

4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, The central positions of the plurality of battery cells are stacked so as to all overlap each other.

5. A method for determining a center of a battery cell, the method comprising: a setting step of setting the battery cell such that both ends of the battery cell are spaced apart from a measuring unit by a predetermined distance; a measuring step of measuring distances from the measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell, respectively; and a determining step of receiving information on the distances to both ends of the battery cell by a determining unit to determine a central position of the battery cell.

6. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 5, wherein, In the determining step, the measuring unit measures a shape of each of both ends of the battery cell and visually presents the shapes of both ends of the battery cell.

7. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 6, wherein, In the measuring step, the shapes of the visually presented both ends of the battery cell are combined.

8. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, In the measuring step, the combined shape of both ends of the battery cell is displayed on a display device.

9. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 5, wherein, In the determining step, a value obtained by adding each distance from the measuring unit to both ends of the battery cell to half of a total length of the battery cell is a distance from the measuring unit to the central position of the battery cell, and the total length of the battery cell corresponds to a length obtained by subtracting distances from each of the measuring units to both ends of the battery cell from a distance between the measuring units.

10. The method for determining a center of a battery cell according to claim 5, further comprising a marking step of marking the determined central position of the battery cell on the battery cell by a marking unit.

11. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 10, wherein, In the marking step, the central position of the battery cell is marked on the surface of the battery cell by engraving.

12. The method for determining a center of a battery cell according to claim 5, further comprising an aligning step of re-setting the battery cell according to the central position.

13. The method for determining the center of the battery cell according to claim 5, wherein, The measuring unit is a laser profile sensor.

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