Energy storage system

Abstract

An energy storage system is disclosed that includes a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells. The rack housing accommodates the single body assembly. The terminal portion is electrically connected to the battery cell, and includes an insertion portion formed in an outer surface of the terminal portion. The rack bus bar is fastened to the terminal portion and includes a protruding portion inserted into the insertion portion of the terminal portion, and the protruding portion is formed on a side surface of the rack bus bar.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy storage system (or energy storage device) in which foreign substances such as dust are not introduced between a rack busbar and a terminal portion. BACKGROUND

[0002] An energy storage system (ESS) is a system capable of storing surplus power or power generated by utilizing renewable energy. The ESS can be used to store idle power at a time when power demand is low, and then can supply power at a time when power demand is high, thereby smoothly controlling power supply and demand.

[0003] A space or facility in which an ESS is installed and operated should be equipped to suppress battery fire caused by electric shock, short circuit, external surge, etc. A typical fire extinguishing system includes a fire detection sensor, a spring cooler or a fire extinguishing agent sprayer installed around a battery rack or at a ceiling, etc.

[0004] The ESS can include a cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked inside a rack housing, and a plurality of cell assemblies are electrically connected to each other by a rack busbar and a terminal portion.

[0005] During land and sea evaluation of a mobile uninterruptible power supply (UPS) of an ESS, dust generated by vibration is frequently introduced between a rack busbar and a terminal portion, which can cause a problem of reduced stability due to an increase in contact resistance (IR). SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an energy storage system (or energy storage device) capable of improving stability without increasing contact resistance by preventing foreign substances such as dust from flowing into a portion between a rack busbar and a terminal portion.

[0007] An energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells, a rack housing in which the cell assembly is accommodated, a terminal portion electrically connected to the battery cells and including an insertion portion formed in an outer surface of the terminal portion, and a rack busbar fastened to the terminal portion and including a protrusion portion inserted into the insertion portion of the terminal portion, the protrusion portion being formed on a side surface of the rack busbar.

[0008] The terminal portion can include a terminal plate electrically connected to the battery cells inside the rack housing, and a terminal block connected to the terminal plate and protruding to an outside of the rack housing, and the terminal block includes the insertion portion into which the protrusion portion is inserted.

[0009] The insertion portion can include a first insertion groove formed in an outer surface of the terminal block, the first insertion groove extending in a first direction on the outer surface of the terminal block by a first length, and a second insertion groove formed in an outer surface of the terminal portion, the second insertion groove extending in a second direction by a second length.

[0010] The first direction can be a width direction of the terminal block.

[0011] The first insertion groove can have a triangular cross-sectional shape inside the terminal block.

[0012] The second direction can be a length direction of the terminal block.

[0013] A plurality of second insertion grooves can be formed at edges of opposite sides of the terminal block.

[0014] The plurality of second insertion grooves can be formed in a tapered shape at the edges of the opposite sides of the terminal block.

[0015] The rack busbar can include a busbar plate in contact with a surface of the terminal block, the busbar plate being fixed to the terminal block by a fastening member, and a protrusion protruding from an edge of the busbar plate.

[0016] The protrusion can include a first protrusion protruding from one edge of the busbar plate and inserted into the first insertion groove, and a plurality of second protrusions protruding from edges of opposite sides of the busbar plate and inserted into the plurality of second insertion grooves.

[0017] Each of the first protrusion and the plurality of second protrusions is formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape.

[0018] The first protrusion and the plurality of second protrusions can be connected to each other at the edge of the busbar plate.

[0019] An energy storage system according to a further embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of battery cells, a rack housing accommodating the battery cells, a terminal portion electrically connected to the battery cells, the terminal portion including at least one groove formed in a surface of the terminal portion, and a rack busbar fastened to the terminal portion, the rack busbar including at least one protrusion inserted into the at least one groove of the terminal portion, the at least one protrusion being formed on a surface of the rack busbar.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, because the protrusion of the rack busbar is inserted into the insertion groove formed in the terminal portion, a space can not be formed between the rack busbar and the terminal portion, so that foreign substances such as dust can not enter the rack housing.

[0021] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, dust generated by vibration during land and sea evaluation of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or the like of an energy storage system can not move into a rack housing between a rack bus bar and a terminal portion, thus preventing an increase in contact resistance due to dust and improving durability of the UPS. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing Figure 1 a main portion of the energy storage system of

[0024] Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a rack bus bar is separated from a terminal portion of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically showing Figure 3 a state in which the rack bus bar of is connected to the terminal portion by a fastening member.

[0026] Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which a terminal portion installed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed.

[0027] Figure 6 Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which the terminal portion of is installed.

[0028] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a rack bus bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 8 is a perspective view schematically showing Figure 7 a main portion of the rack bus bar of

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, this present disclosure is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showingFigure 1 a perspective view of a main portion of an energy storage system of Figure 3 a perspective view of a main portion of an energy storage system of

[0032] As Figures 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 1, an energy storage system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include one or more cell assemblies 10 in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked, and a rack case 20 in which the cell assemblies 10 are accommodated. A terminal portion 30 is mounted to the rack case 20 and electrically connected to the cell assemblies 10. The terminal portion 30 has an insertion portion 35 formed at a portion of an outer surface thereof. A rack busbar 40 is fastened to the terminal portion 30, and the rack busbar 40 includes a protrusion 43 formed on a side surface of the rack busbar 40 and inserted into the insertion portion 35 of the terminal portion 30.

[0033] The cell assembly 10 can be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells in a state in which the plurality of battery cells are electrically connected to each other. The battery cell can be a rechargeable battery, and can be provided as a pouch-type rechargeable battery, a prismatic rechargeable battery, or a cylindrical rechargeable battery. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the battery cell is described as a pouch-type secondary battery. One or more battery cells can be provided. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, a plurality of battery cells are provided.

[0034] The rack case 20 can accommodate one or more plurality of battery cells. To this end, an accommodation space for accommodating the plurality of battery cells can be provided in the rack case 20.

[0035] The terminal portion 30 electrically connected to the battery cell can be mounted to the rack case 20. The terminal portion 30 can be electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, protrude outward from the rack case 20, and be connected to the rack busbar 40.

[0036] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a main portion of a state in which Figure 3 a rack busbar of Figure 5 is a perspective view of a main portion of a state in which a terminal portion mounted according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a main portion of a state in which Figure 5 a terminal portion of

[0037] Referring to Figures 4 to 6The terminal portion 30 can include a terminal plate 31 electrically connected to the battery cells inside the rack case 20 and a terminal block 33 connected to the terminal plate 31. The terminal block can protrude to the outside of the rack case 20 and include an insertion portion 35 formed on the outer surface into which the protruding portion 43 of the rack bus bar 40 is inserted.

[0038] The terminal plate 31 inserted into the rack case 20 can be formed inside the rack case 20 to have a thickness smaller than that of the terminal block 33 to secure stable electrical connection with the battery cells.

[0039] One side of the terminal block 33 can be connected to the terminal plate 31, and the other side of the terminal block 33 can protrude to the outside of the rack case 20 to be connected to the rack bus bar 40.

[0040] In a state in which the terminal block 33 protrudes to the outside of the rack case 20, the terminal block 33 can be electrically connected to the rack bus bar 40 by surface contact of a portion of the outer surface of the terminal block 33 with the surface of the rack bus bar 40.

[0041] The terminal block 33 and the rack bus bar 40 can be fixed to each other by a fastening member 32. To this end, a first coupling hole 34 for coupling the fastening member 32 can be formed in the terminal block 33, and a second coupling hole 44 for coupling the fastening member 32 can be formed in the rack bus bar 40. The fastening member 32 can be implemented as a bolt member. The first coupling hole 34 and the second coupling hole 44 can be formed to be aligned with each other when the terminal block 33 and the rack bus bar 40 are in surface contact with each other. The first coupling hole 34 and the second coupling hole 44 can be formed in the terminal block 33 and the rack bus bar 40, respectively, in the shape of a threaded hole having the same or similar diameter to be electrically connected to each other by the fastening member 32.

[0042] The insertion portion 35 can be formed on the surface of the terminal block 33. By forming the insertion portion 35 at the terminal block 33, since the protruding portion 43 of the rack bus bar 40 (described below) is inserted into the insertion portion 35, it is possible to prevent foreign substances such as dust from flowing into the rack case 20.

[0043] The insertion portion 35 can include a first insertion groove 35a having a first length formed in a first direction on the outer surface of the terminal block 33 and a second insertion groove 35b having a second length formed in a second direction on the outer surface of the terminal block 33.

[0044] A first insertion groove 35a can be formed on an outer surface of the terminal block 33 to have a first length formed in a first direction. Hereinafter, the first length can be a length corresponding to a width direction of the terminal block 33, and the first direction can be a width direction of the terminal block 33. The width direction is shown as a y direction in the drawing. The first insertion groove 35a can be formed in the terminal block 33 in a polygonal shape. In the present embodiment, the first insertion groove 35a is formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape. Thus, the first protruding portion 43a (described below) can be stably inserted into the first insertion groove 35a by surface contact. Although the first insertion groove 35a has a triangular cross-sectional shape in the present embodiment, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such a shape, and the first insertion groove can be formed in other polygonal shapes, such as a rectangular shape, a hexahedral shape, or a square shape.

[0045] A second insertion groove 35b can be formed on an outer surface of the terminal block 33 to have a second length formed in a second direction. The second length can be the same as or similar to the first length, or can be longer than the first length. The second direction can be perpendicular to the first direction, and the second direction can be a length direction of the terminal block 33. In the drawing, the second direction is indicated as a z direction. The second insertion groove 35b can be formed at opposite side edges of the terminal block 33. Specifically, the second insertion groove 35b can be formed at opposite side edges of the terminal block 33, and a pair of second insertion grooves 35b can have the same length. The second insertion groove 35b can be formed in a tapered shape at the edges of the terminal block 33, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such a shape, and the second insertion groove can be formed in other polygonal shapes, such as a rectangular shape, a hexahedral shape, or a square shape.

[0046] In the process of joining the rack busbar 40 to the terminal block 33, the second protruding portion 43b can be provided in surface contact with the terminal block 33.

[0047] Figure 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a rack busbar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 8 is a perspective view schematically showing Figure 7 a main part of the rack busbar of

[0048] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown in

[0049] When the busbar plate 41 makes surface contact with the surface of the terminal block 33, the busbar plate 41 can be electrically connected to the surface of the terminal block 33 by the fastening member 32. The busbar plate 41 can have a rectangular plate shape having a flat surface formed to contact the surface of the terminal block 33.

[0050] A second coupling hole 44 for coupling the fastening member 32 can be formed in the busbar plate 41. The second coupling hole 44 can penetrate the busbar plate 41 to be open to the first coupling hole 34 formed in the terminal block 33. The fastening member 32 can pass through the second coupling hole 44 to be fastened to the first coupling hole 34 of the terminal block 33. Accordingly, a stable electrical connection is established between the terminal block 33 and the rack busbar 40.

[0051] A protrusion 43 can protrude from an edge of the busbar plate 41. In particular, the protrusion 43 can protrude from one edge position of the busbar plate and be inserted into the insertion portion 35.

[0052] The protrusion 43 can include a first protrusion 43a protruding from one edge of the busbar plate 41 to be inserted into the first insertion groove 35a. The protrusion 43 can further include a second protrusion 43b protruding from an edge on the opposite side of the busbar plate 41 and being inserted into the second insertion groove 35b.

[0053] The first protrusion 43a can protrude from an upper edge of the busbar plate 41. In a process of coupling the rack busbar 40 to the terminal portion 30, the first protrusion 43a can be inserted into the first insertion groove 35a. The first protrusion 43a can be formed to have a first length corresponding to a length in a width direction of the busbar plate 41, and the first protrusion 43a can protrude as a single piece from one edge of the busbar plate 41. In other embodiments, the first protrusion 43a can be formed as two or more pieces corresponding to the number of the first insertion grooves 35a.

[0054] In the described embodiment, the first protrusion 43a protrudes from one edge of the busbar plate 41 and has a triangular cross-sectional shape. However, the shape of the first protrusion 43a can be changed to a polygonal shape such as a hexahedron so as to correspond to the shape of the first insertion groove 35a.

[0055] The first protrusion 43a can be closely inserted into an inner wall surface of the first insertion groove 35a to prevent foreign matter from being inserted into a position between the busbar plate 41 and the terminal block 33. The first protrusion 43a can be inserted into the first insertion groove 35a in a press-fit state and be fixed to the first insertion groove 35a.

[0056] The second protrusion 43b can protrude from the edges of the busbar plate 41 at opposite sides and be inserted into the second insertion groove 35b. The second protrusion 43b can protrude along the edges of the busbar plate 41 at a second length. In a process of coupling the rack busbar 40 to the terminal portion 30, the second protrusion 43b can be inserted into the second insertion groove 35b.

[0057] The second length of the second protrusion 43b can be longer than the first length of the first protrusion 43a. Because the length of the second protrusion 43b is longer than the length of the first protrusion 43a, foreign matter can be effectively prevented from flowing in the direction of the terminal portion 30 at the side surface position of the busbar plate 41.

[0058] When one side of the busbar plate 41 is connected to the first protrusion 43a, the second protrusion 43b can protrude from the edges of the busbar plate 41 at the opposite side. Accordingly, the second protrusion 43b can protrude from the edges of the busbar plate 41 at the opposite side, with the first protrusion 43a interposed between the second protrusions 43b, and the first protrusion 43a and the second protrusions 43b can be connected to each other at the edges of the busbar plate 41. The second protrusion 43b can be formed to have a second length corresponding to the length of the second insertion groove 35b, and the second protrusion 43b can protrude from the two edges of the busbar plate 41 in a triangular cross-sectional shape.

[0059] The second protrusion 43b is described herein as being formed in the same or similar shape as the triangular cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 43a. However, the shape of the second protrusion 43b can be changed to a polygonal shape such as a hexahedron, so as to correspond to the shape of the second insertion groove 35b.

[0060] As described above, the first protrusion 43a can be inserted into the first insertion groove 35a formed in the width direction of the terminal portion 30 to prevent dust from being introduced between the rack busbar 40 and the terminal portion 30 in the upward direction of the busbar plate 41. The second protrusion 43b can be inserted into the second insertion groove 35b formed on the side surface of the terminal portion 30 to prevent dust from flowing between the rack busbar 40 and the terminal portion 30 in the side surface direction of the busbar plate 41.

[0061] In the energy storage system 100 of the present embodiment, when the rack busbar 40 is electrically joined to the terminal portion 30, the protruding portion 43 can be inserted into the insertion portion 35. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a space from being formed between the rack busbar 40 and the terminal portion 30. Therefore, for example, dust generated by vibration during land or sea evaluation of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or the like of the energy storage system 100 can not be introduced between the rack busbar 40 and the terminal portion 30. Thus, it is possible to improve the durability of the energy storage system 100 by preventing an increase in contact resistance that occurs due to dust inflow between the rack busbar 40 and the terminal portion 30 in the related art.

[0062] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the practical embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements.

[0063] <Description of Reference Signs> 10: unit assembly 20: rack housing 30: terminal portion 31: terminal plate 32: fastening member 33: terminal block 34: first joining hole 35: insertion portion 35a: first insertion groove 35b: second insertion groove 40: rack busbar 41: busbar plate 43: protruding portion 43a: first protruding portion 43b: second protruding portion

Claims

1. An energy storage system comprising: a cell assembly including a plurality of battery cells; a rack case in which the cell assembly is accommodated; a terminal portion electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells and including an insertion portion formed in an outer surface of the terminal portion; and a rack busbar fastened to the terminal portion and including a protrusion portion inserted into the insertion portion of the terminal portion, the protrusion portion being formed on a side surface of the rack busbar. The terminal portion includes:

2. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein, a terminal plate electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells inside the rack case; and a terminal block connected to the terminal plate and protruding to an outside of the rack case, and the terminal block includes the insertion portion into which the protrusion portion is inserted. The insertion portion includes:

3. The energy storage system of claim 2, wherein, a first insertion groove formed in an outer surface of the terminal block, the first insertion groove extending in a first direction by a first length; and a second insertion groove formed in the outer surface of the terminal block, the second insertion groove extending in a second direction by a second length. The first direction is a width direction of the terminal block.

4. The energy storage system of claim 3, wherein, The first insertion groove has a triangular cross-sectional shape in the terminal block.

5. The energy storage system of claim 4, wherein, The second direction is a length direction of the terminal block.

6. The energy storage system of claim 5, wherein, A plurality of second insertion grooves are formed at edges of opposite sides of the terminal block.

7. The energy storage system of claim 6, wherein, The plurality of second insertion grooves are formed in a tapered shape at the edges of the opposite sides of the terminal block.

8. The energy storage system of claim 7, wherein, The rack busbar includes a busbar plate in contact with a surface of the terminal block, the busbar plate being fixed to the terminal block by a fastening member, and 9. The energy storage system of claim 8, wherein, wherein the protrusion portion protrudes from an edge of the busbar plate. The protrusion portion includes:

10. The energy storage system of claim 9, wherein, a first protrusion portion protruding from one edge of the busbar plate and inserted into the first insertion groove; and a plurality of second protrusion portions protruding from edges of opposite sides of the busbar plate and inserted into the plurality of second insertion grooves. Each of the first protrusion portion and the plurality of second protrusion portions is formed in a triangular cross-sectional shape.

11. The energy storage system of claim 10, wherein, The first protrusion portion and the plurality of second protrusion portions are connected to each other at edges of the busbar plate.

12. The energy storage system of claim 11, wherein, 13.An energy storage system comprising: a plurality of battery cells; a rack case accommodating the plurality of battery cells; a terminal portion electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells, the terminal portion including at least one groove formed in a surface of the terminal portion; a rack busbar fastened to the terminal portion, the rack busbar including at least one protrusion portion inserted into the at least one groove of the terminal portion, the at least one protrusion portion being formed on a surface of the rack busbar. The terminal portion includes: a terminal plate electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells inside the rack case; and 14. The energy storage system of claim 13, wherein, a terminal block connected to the terminal plate and protruding to an outside of the rack case, and the terminal block includes the at least one groove into which the at least one protrusion portion is inserted. The at least one groove includes: ​ 15. The energy storage system of claim 14, wherein, ​ a first insertion groove formed in an outer surface of the terminal block, the first insertion groove extending in a first direction by a first length; and a second insertion groove formed in the outer surface of the terminal block, the second insertion groove extending in a second direction by a second length.

16. The energy storage system of claim 15, wherein, The first direction is a width direction of the terminal block.

17. The energy storage system of claim 16, wherein, The first insertion groove has a triangular cross-sectional shape in the terminal block.

18. The energy storage system of claim 17, wherein, The second direction is a length direction of the terminal portion.

19. The energy storage system of claim 18, wherein, The second insertion groove is formed at an edge of an opposite side of the terminal block.

20. The energy storage system of claim 19, wherein, The second insertion groove is formed in a tapered shape at the edge of the opposite side of the terminal block.

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