Apparatus and method for mounting battery and battery fixing member

Abstract

Aspects of the technology provide an apparatus and a method for mounting a battery on a battery mounting portion of a product, and a battery fixing member used therein, and aim to improve a method for mounting a battery in a product so that the battery can be easily separated after mounting. The apparatus for mounting a battery includes: a fixing member placed on a side remainder of the battery positioned in a battery mounting portion of a product on which the battery including the side remainder is mounted; and a fastening member fixing the fixing member to a battery mounting portion of the product, in which the fixing member includes a pressing portion configured to press and restrain at least a portion of a side remaining portion of the battery.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0107596, filed on August 12, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for mounting a battery on a battery mounting portion of a product, and a fixing member used therein. BACKGROUND

[0003] Batteries include primary batteries that are not rechargeable and secondary batteries that can be charged and discharged. Batteries of low capacity can be used for small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, and camcorders, while batteries of large capacity are widely used as power sources for driving electric motors in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc., and for power storage. Batteries include an electrode assembly formed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, an external material such as a case or a can for accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, therefore, it can include information that does not constitute the related (or prior) art. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve a method of mounting a battery in a product so that the battery can be easily separated after installation.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for mounting a battery, the apparatus including: a fixing member placed on a side remaining portion of the battery, the battery being positioned on a battery mounting portion of a product on which the battery including the side remaining portion is mounted; and a fastening member fixing the fixing member to the battery mounting portion of the product, wherein the fixing member includes a pressurizing portion configured to pressurize and restrain at least a portion of the side remaining portion of the battery.

[0007] In some embodiments, the side remaining portion of the battery includes a sealing portion of a pouch-type battery.

[0008] In some embodiments, the pressurizing portion of the fixing member has a lateral width greater than a distance by which the side remaining portion protrudes from the battery.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fastening member includes a screw or a bolt, and the fixing member further includes a through-hole through which the fastening member passes; and the through-hole is further outwardly positioned than an outer circumference of the side remaining portion of the battery.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fixing member further includes a side wall supporting a side surface of the battery.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixing member further includes a side wall supporting a side surface of the battery, and an upper portion covering at least a portion of an upper surface of the battery.

[0012] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upper portion of the fixing member is made of a transparent material.

[0013] In some embodiments, the upper portion of the fixing member includes a through window.

[0014] In some embodiments, the device further includes an insulating sheet interposed between the side remaining portion of the battery and the pressurizing portion of the fixing member.

[0015] According to another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a battery fixing member including a pressurizing portion configured to pressurize and restrain at least a portion of a side remaining portion of a battery positioned on a battery mounting portion of a product on which the battery including the side remaining portion is mounted, and a through hole through which a fastening member fixing the pressurizing portion to the battery mounting portion of the product passes.

[0016] In some embodiments, the pressurizing portion is formed in one of a sheet shape, a plate shape, and a quadrangular rod shape.

[0017] In some embodiments, the pressurizing portion has a lateral width greater than a distance by which the side remaining portion protrudes from the battery.

[0018] In some embodiments, the through hole is further outwardly positioned than an outer circumference of the side remaining portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery fixing member further includes a side wall supporting a side surface of the battery.

[0020] In some embodiments, the battery fixing member further includes a side wall supporting a side surface of the battery, and an upper portion covering at least a portion of an upper surface of the battery.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upper portion is made of a transparent material.

[0022] In some embodiments, the upper portion includes a through window.

[0023] According to still another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of mounting a battery, the method including the steps of positioning a battery on a battery mounting portion of a product on which the battery is mounted, and the battery including a side remaining portion, positioning a fixing member on the side remaining portion of the battery, and fixing the fixing member to the battery mounting portion of the product using a fastening member such that the fixing member pressurizes and restrains at least a portion of the side remaining portion of the battery.

[0024] In some embodiments, the step of positioning the fixing member on the side remainder of the battery includes positioning the fixing member on the side remainder of each of the two sides of the battery.

[0025] In some embodiments, the step of positioning the fixing member on the side remainder of the battery includes inserting an insulating sheet between the side remainder of the battery and the pressurized portion of the fixing member.

[0026] The features and aspects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the following description of this disclosure other features and aspects not specifically mentioned herein, as well as aspects of this disclosure that will solve these problems. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description thereof, further describe aspects and features of the disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure should not be construed as limited to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the electrode assembly of the battery; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a pouch-type battery; Figure 3 This is an external view of a pouch cell, showing that the sealing portion is sealed and then inverted to join. Figure 2 The state of the upper and lower parts of the bag shown; Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating a device for mounting a battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 5 This is a view showing the state in which the pressurized portion of the fixing member is placed on the sealed portion of the pouch battery and fastened to the battery mounting portion of the product using fastening members; Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view of line A-A'; Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member of a device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The front view shows a pouch-type battery mounted on the product using a fixing component; Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member of a device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 10 yes Figure 9 The front view shows a pouch-type battery mounted on the product using a fixing component; Figure 11This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member of a device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Front view; Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Front view; and Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example that can be applied to the above embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0028] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as having a general or dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted as consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can, as his / her own lexicographer, appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe his / her invention.

[0029] The embodiments described in this specification and the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings are only some of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all aspects of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist to replace or modify the one or more embodiments described herein at the time of filing of this application.

[0030] It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "bonded to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly bonded to said other element or layer, or one or more intermediary elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly bonded to" another element or layer, no intermediary element or layer is present. For example, if a first element is described as being "bonded" or "connected" to a second element, the first element can be directly bonded to or directly connected to the second element, or the first element can be indirectly bonded to or indirectly connected to the second element via one or more intermediary elements.

[0031] In the figures, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals denote the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Furthermore, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of this disclosure" when describing embodiments of the present disclosure. Expressions such as "at least one of..." and "any one of..." modify the entire list of elements, not individual elements within that list, if following a list of elements. When phrases such as "at least one of A, B, and C", "at least one of A, B, or C", "at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C", or "at least one selected from A, B, and C" are used to specify a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any suitable combination (or subset) 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 its variations may be considered synonymous with the term "utilize" and its variations, respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as terms of degree, and are intended to explain the inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0032] 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, first component, first region, first layer, or first portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer, or second portion.

[0033] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature as shown in the figures and another element or feature(s). It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures, the spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features will subsequently be oriented “above” or “above” said other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can cover both above and below orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a” and “an” are also intended to include the plural forms. It will also be understood that if the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or variations thereof are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0035] Furthermore, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all subranges containing the same numerical precision within the described range. For example, the range “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between the described minimum value of 1.0 and the described maximum value of 10.0 (and including both the described minimum value of 1.0 and the described maximum value of 10.0), i.e., 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 therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Therefore, the applicant reserves the right to modify this specification and the claims to expressly describe any subranges contained within the range expressly described herein. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification such that modifications to expressly describe any such subranges will be compliant.

[0036] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc., as “identical” can mean that they are “substantially identical.” Therefore, the phrase “substantially identical” can include cases with a deviation considered low in the art, such as 5% or less. Additionally, if a parameter is said to be uniform in a given region, it can mean that it is uniform in terms of the mean.

[0037] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0038] Arranging any element "above (or below)" or "on (below)" another element can mean that the arbitrary element can contact the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and that the other element can also be placed between the element and the arbitrary element positioned on (or below) the element.

[0039] Additionally, it will be understood that if a component is referred to as “linked,” “combined,” or “connected” to another component, then the elements can be directly “combined,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or another component can be “placed” between the components.

[0040] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, if "A and / or B" is stated, it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed items. When "C to D" is stated, unless otherwise stated, it means C or greater and D or less.

[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure.

[0042] Batteries embedded in products such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and other electrical devices can be attached to the battery mounting section of the product using double-sided tape. Once attached with double-sided tape, the battery is not easily separated, and forcibly pulling it apart can cause the external material to crack or the electrode terminals to be damaged, posing safety concerns and environmental problems because the battery cannot be recycled. Recently, international standards requiring easy separation of batteries from products have been established.

[0043] Meanwhile, a pouch battery, a type of battery, is manufactured by housing the electrode assembly in a pouch, injecting electrolyte, sealing the sides of the pouch, and folding the sealed portion.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the electrode assembly of a battery (e.g., a secondary battery).

[0045] Electrode assembly 10 can be formed by winding or stacking a first electrode plate 11, a diaphragm 12, and a second electrode plate 13, which are formed as a thin plate or film. When electrode assembly 10 is a wound stack, the winding axis can be parallel to the length direction of the housing. In other embodiments, electrode assembly 10 can be a stack type instead of a wound type, and the shape of electrode assembly 10 is not limited in this disclosure. Additionally, electrode assembly 10 can be a Z-stacked electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrode plates are inserted into both sides of a diaphragm that is later bent into a Z-stack. Furthermore, one or more electrode assemblies can be stacked such that the long sides of the electrode assemblies are adjacent to each other and housed in a housing, and the number of electrode assemblies in the housing is not limited in this disclosure. The first electrode plate 11 of the electrode assembly can act as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate 13 can act as a positive electrode. Of course, the reverse is also possible; in some embodiments, the first electrode plate 11 acts as a positive electrode, and the second electrode plate 13 acts as a negative electrode.

[0046] The first electrode plate 11 can be formed by applying a first electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil (such as copper, copper alloy, nickel, or nickel alloy). The first electrode tab 14 can be connected to an external first terminal (not shown). In some embodiments, when manufacturing the first electrode plate 11, the first electrode tab 14 can be formed by pre-cutting it to protrude toward one side of the electrode assembly 10, or the first electrode tab 14 can protrude toward one side of the electrode assembly 10 more than the diaphragm 12 (e.g., further than or beyond the diaphragm 12) without being separately cut.

[0047] The second electrode plate 13 can be formed by applying a second electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) onto a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil (such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy). The second electrode plate 13 may include a second electrode tab 15 (e.g., a second uncoated portion) as a region where the second electrode active material is not applied. The second electrode tab 15 may be connected to an external second terminal (not shown). In some embodiments, when manufacturing the second electrode plate 13, the second electrode tab 15 may be formed by pre-cutting it to protrude toward the other side of the electrode assembly 10 (e.g., the side opposite to the first electrode tab 14), or the second electrode plate 13 may protrude toward the other side of the electrode assembly more than the diaphragm 12 (e.g., farther or beyond the diaphragm 12) without being separately cut.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first electrode tab 14 may be positioned on the upper side of the electrode assembly 10, and the second electrode tab 15 may be positioned on the lower side of the electrode assembly 10. In other embodiments, the first electrode tab 14 and the second electrode tab 15 may be positioned on one side of the electrode assembly 10 in the same direction.

[0049] Here, for ease of description, according to... Figure 1 The oriented electrode assembly 10 defines the upper and lower sides, and its position can be changed when the secondary battery is rotated left and right or up and down.

[0050] The diaphragm 12 prevents short circuits between the first electrode plate 11 and the second electrode plate 13, while allowing lithium ions to move between the first electrode plate 11 and the second electrode plate 13. The diaphragm 12 can be made of, for example, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, a polyethylene-polypropylene film, etc.

[0051] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 10 may be housed together with the electrolyte in a housing (not shown). In the case of a pouch cell, the electrode assembly 10 may be... Figure 2 The form shown is housed in a bag made of flexible material. In the case of cylindrical or prismatic secondary batteries, the electrode assembly 10 can be... Figure 3and Figure 4 The form shown is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal casing.

[0052] Examples of materials that can be used in secondary batteries (e.g., lithium secondary batteries) according to this disclosure are described herein.

[0053] As the positive electrode active material, compounds capable of reversibly inserting / deintercalating lithium (e.g., lithiation intercalation compounds) can be used. For example, at least one of lithium and a composite oxide of a metal selected from cobalt, manganese, nickel, and combinations thereof can be used.

[0054] The composite oxide can be a lithium transition metal composite oxide, and examples of it can include lithium nickel oxides, lithium cobalt oxides, lithium manganese oxides, lithium iron phosphate compounds, cobalt-free lithium nickel manganese oxides, or combinations thereof.

[0055] As an example, a compound represented by any of the following formulas can be used: Li a A 1-b X b O 2-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); Li a Mn 2-b X b O 4-c D c (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); Li a Ni 1-b-c Co b X c O 2-α D α (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2); Li a Ni 1-b-c Mn b X c O 2-α D α (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2); Li a Ni b Co c L 1 d G e O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.9, 0≤c≤0.5, 0≤d≤0.5, 0≤e≤0.1); Li a NiG b O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Lia CoG b O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn 1-b G b O2 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn2G b O4 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); Li a Mn 1-g G g PO4 (0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤g≤0.5); Li (3-f) Fe2(PO4)3 (0≤f≤2); and Li a FePO4 (0.90≤a≤1.8).

[0056] In the above formula: A is Ni, Co, Mn or a combination thereof; X is Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, rare earth elements or a combination thereof; D is O, F, S, P or a combination thereof; G is Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V or a combination thereof; and L 1 It is Mn, Al, or a combination thereof.

[0057] The positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery may include a current collector and a layer of positive electrode active material formed on the current collector. The positive electrode active material layer may include a positive electrode active material and may also include a binder and / or a conductive material.

[0058] Based on a 100wt% positive electrode active material layer, the content of the positive electrode active material is in the range of about 90wt% to about 99.5wt%, and based on the 100wt% positive electrode active material layer, the contents of the binder and the conductive material are in the range of about 0.5wt% to about 5wt%, respectively.

[0059] The current collector can be aluminum (Al), but is not limited to this.

[0060] The negative electrode active material may include materials capable of reversibly inserting / deintercalating lithium ions, lithium metal, lithium metal alloys, materials capable of doping and dedoping lithium, or transition metal oxides.

[0061] Materials capable of reversibly inserting / deintercalating lithium ions can be carbon-based negative electrode active materials, including, for example, crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or combinations thereof. Examples of crystalline carbon can include graphite, such as natural or artificial graphite, and examples of amorphous carbon can include soft carbon, hard carbon, pitch carbides, mesophase pitch carbides, sintered coke, etc.

[0062] An Si-based negative electrode active material or an Sn-based negative electrode active material can be used as a material capable of doping and de-doping lithium. The Si-based negative electrode active material can be silicon, a silicon-carbon composite, SiO x (0 < x < 2), an Si-based alloy, or a combination thereof.

[0063] The silicon-carbon composite can be a composite of silicon and amorphous carbon. According to one embodiment, the silicon-carbon composite can be in the form of silicon particles and amorphous carbon coated on the surface of the silicon particles.

[0064] The silicon-carbon composite can also include crystalline carbon. For example, the silicon-carbon composite can include a core and an amorphous carbon coating layer on the surface of the core that includes crystalline carbon and silicon particles.

[0065] The negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery can include a current collector and a negative electrode active material layer provided on the current collector. The negative electrode active material layer can include a negative electrode active material and can also include a binder and / or a conductive material.

[0066] For example, the negative electrode active material layer can include about 90 wt% to about 99 wt% of the negative electrode active material, about 0.5 wt% to about 5 wt% of the binder, and about 0 wt% to about 5 wt% of the conductive material.

[0067] A non-aqueous binder, an aqueous binder, a dry binder, or a combination thereof can be used as the binder. When using an aqueous binder as the negative electrode binder, a cellulose-based compound capable of imparting viscosity can also be included.

[0068] As the negative electrode current collector, a material selected from copper foil, nickel foil, stainless steel foil, titanium foil, nickel foam, copper foam, a polymer substrate coated with a conductive metal, and a combination thereof can be used.

[0069] The electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery can include a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt.

[0070] The non-aqueous organic solvent serves as a medium through which ions involved in the electrochemical reaction of the battery can move.

[0071] The non-aqueous organic solvent can be a carbonate solvent, an ester solvent, an ether solvent, a ketone solvent, an alcohol solvent, an aprotic solvent, and can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0072] In addition, in the case of using a carbonate solvent, a mixture of a cyclic carbonate and a chain carbonate can be used.

[0073] Depending on the type of lithium secondary battery, a separator may be present between the first electrode plate (e.g., the negative electrode) and the second electrode plate (e.g., the positive electrode). As the separator, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or multilayer films of two or more layers thereof can be used.

[0074] The membrane may include a porous substrate and a coating layer on one or both surfaces of the porous substrate, comprising organic materials, inorganic materials or combinations thereof.

[0075] Organic materials may include polyvinylidene fluoride polymers or (meth)acrylic acid polymers.

[0076] Inorganic materials may include, but are not limited to, inorganic particles selected from Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, SnO2, CeO2, MgO, NiO, CaO, GaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, SrTiO3, BaTiO3, Mg(OH)2, boehmite and combinations thereof.

[0077] Organic and inorganic materials can be mixed in a single coating layer or can be in the form of a coating layer containing organic materials and a coating layer containing inorganic materials stacked on top of each other.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a pouch battery.

[0079] The pouch battery includes an electrode assembly 10 and a pouch 20 for housing the electrode assembly 10.

[0080] Electrode assembly 10 and Figure 1 The electrode assemblies shown are identical. The first electrode tab 14 and the second electrode tab 15 of the electrode assembly 10 can be electrically connected by soldering to corresponding external first terminal lead 16 and second terminal lead 17. Each of the first terminal lead 16 and the second terminal lead 17 can be attached to the tab film 18 for insulation from the bag 20.

[0081] The bag 20 can be sealed together with the electrode assembly 10 housed therein by bringing the sealing portions 21 at its edges into contact with each other. In this case, the seal can be achieved using a connecting piece film 18 placed between the sealing portions 21. The sealing portions 21 of the bag 20 can all be made of a hot-melt material that generally has weak adhesion to metals. Therefore, the sealing portions 21 can be fused to the bag 20 by inserting a thin connecting piece film 18 between the sealing portions 21.

[0082] Figure 3 This is an external view of a pouch cell, showing that the sealing portion 21 is sealed and then inverted for assembly. Figure 2 The state of the upper and lower parts of bag 20 shown.

[0083] The sealing portion 21 can be folded to contact and terminate with the side surface of the battery body. As described above, the process of folding the sealing portion 21 to the side surface of the bag 20 is called side folding.

[0084] The first terminal lead 16 and the second terminal lead 17 exposed outside the bag 20 can be connected to the circuit board or electrical components of a product that uses a battery (e.g., an electrical device such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, or electric fan).

[0085] Conventionally, double-sided tape is used to attach the battery to the inside of a product in order to embed it. However, because the battery is attached with double-sided tape, it is difficult to separate later, and there is a safety hazard if the battery is forcibly removed.

[0086] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an apparatus for mounting a battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, showing a fixing member 100 for mounting a pouch battery 200 onto a battery mounting portion 300 of a product.

[0087] The sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200 can be placed in an unfolded state on the battery mounting portion 300 of the product, and the fixing member 100 can be placed on the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200 and secured using a fastening member 28 such as a screw. Here, the fixing member 100 may include a pressure portion 24 for pressurizing the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200 and a through hole 26 through which the fastening member 28 passes.

[0088] Fastening components 28 are not limited to screws, but can also include bolts, rivets, clamps, clips, etc.

[0089] The pressure portion 24 of the fixing member 100 may be in the form of a sheet or plate, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the pressure portion 24 may be formed as a quadrilateral rod.

[0090] The pressurizing section 24 can pressurize and constrain at least a portion of the sealed portion of the pouch-type battery. That is, although... Figure 4 The diagram shows that the pressurized portion 24 of the retaining member 100 covers and pressurizes the entire sealed portion 21 of the pouch cell 200; however, in some other embodiments, the pressurized portion 24 may cover and pressurize a portion of the sealed portion 21 (e.g., see...). Figure 14 (Pressurization sections 24a, 24b).

[0091] The battery mounting portion 300 of the product may be provided with a fastening hole 30, to which a fastening member 28 passing through the through hole 26 of the pressurizing portion 24 is fastened. The fastening hole 30 may be pre-formed to allow the insertion of a fastening member 28 such as a screw or bolt, or may be forcibly formed when the pressurizing portion 24 is secured by the fastening member 28.

[0092] The through-hole 26 of the fixing member 100 may be formed at a position further outward than the outer periphery of the sealing portion 21 to prevent damage to the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200. In cases where clips or jigs are used as fastening members instead of screws, bolts, or rivets, the through-hole may not be necessary in the pressure portion 24.

[0093] The fixing member 100, including the pressurized portion 24, can be made of a metal or non-metal (e.g., synthetic resin, wood, laminated paper, etc.) that has the rigidity required to fix the pouch cell 200. Additionally, the metal or non-metal material can have insulating properties, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0094] Figure 5 This diagram shows the state in which the pressure portion 24 of the fixing member 100 is placed on the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200 and fastened to the battery mounting portion 300 of the product using the fastening member 28.

[0095] Since the pouch battery 200 is not attached to the product using double-sided tape or similar materials, it can be easily separated from the product's mounting portion 300 by loosening the fastening member 28. This eliminates the risk factors caused by battery damage, allows for the recycling of the separated battery, and keeps the product's interior clean after separation.

[0096] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A sectional view of line A-A'.

[0097] like Figure 6 As shown, the lateral width w2 of the pressurizing portion 24 of the fixing member 100 is greater than the lateral width of the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200, that is, the distance w1 protruding from the side surface. Figure 6 In this case, since the entire surface of the sealing portion 21 is covered by the pressurized portion 24, there is no possibility of damaging the sealing portion 21, so the sealing state of the pouch battery 200 is not affected.

[0098] Figure 6 It also shows that when screws, bolts, rivets, etc. are used as fastening components 28, through holes 26 may be positioned to avoid the sealing portion 21.

[0099] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member 100 of a device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0100] Apart from Figure 4 and Figure 5In addition to the pressing portion 24 shown in the figure, the fixing member 100 according to the embodiment may further include a side wall 32 for supporting the side surface of the pouch-type battery 200.

[0101] The pressing portion 24 of the fixing member 100 may press and fix the sealing portion 21 of the pouch-type battery 200 by pressing the sealing portion 21 from top to bottom, and the side wall 32 may support the side surface of the main body of the pouch-type battery 200 to prevent the horizontal shaking of the pouch-type battery 200, thereby further increasing the mounting rigidity.

[0102] As described herein, the fixing member 100 including the pressing portion 24 and the side wall 32 may be made of metal or non-metal (e.g., synthetic resin, wood, laminated paper, etc.). Additionally, the metal or non-metal material may have insulating properties, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0103] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a front view of, which shows the pouch-type battery 200 mounted on a product using the fixing member 100. In Figure 8 the height h1 of the pouch-type battery 200 may be equal to or different from the height h2 of the side wall 32. For example, when the side wall 32 should not interfere with other structures located on the upper surface of the pouch-type battery 200, h1>h2 or h1 = h2 may be adopted, and h1 < h2 may be intentionally adopted such that the side wall 32 is used to prevent other structures from contacting the upper surface of the pouch-type battery 200.

[0104] Figure 9 is a view showing the fixing member 100 of the device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is Figure 9 a front view of, which shows the pouch-type battery 200 mounted on a product using the fixing member 100.

[0105] In addition to Figure 9 the pressing portion 24 and the side wall 32 shown in the figure, the fixing member 100 according to the embodiment may further include an upper portion 34 for covering the upper surface of the pouch-type battery 200.

[0106] Here, the fixing member 100 may protect the upper surface of the pouch-type battery 200 and may block physical, electrical or chemical influences exerted on the pouch-type battery 200 by other structures within the product.

[0107] As described herein, the fixing member 100 including the pressing portion 24, the side wall 32 and the upper portion 34 may be made of metal or non-metal (e.g., synthetic resin, wood, laminated paper, etc.). Additionally, the metal or non-metal material may have insulating properties, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0108] In addition, inFigure 9 In this case, the upper part 34 of the fixing member 100 may be made of an opaque material, so that the pouch battery 200 below the upper part 34 is not visible.

[0109] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member 100 of a device for mounting a battery according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The front view shows a pouch-type battery 200 mounted on the product using a fixing member 100.

[0110] The fixing member 100 according to the embodiment is similar to Figure 9 The fixing member shown is different in that: all or part of the upper part 34' of the fixing member 100 can be made of transparent material, so that the pouch battery 200 below the upper part 34' is visible and the information indicated on the battery can be checked.

[0111] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating a fixing member 100 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. Instead of... Figure 11 In the embodiment, at least the upper part 34' of the fixing member 100 is made of transparent material, as in the example. Figure 13 A through window 36 is formed on the upper part 34'', as shown in the middle.

[0112] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the pouch cell 200 can be inspected even if the upper part is not made of a transparent material.

[0113] Figure 14 The document illustrates a fixing member according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and shows a configuration in which a plurality of pressurizing portions 24a, 24b partially pressurize a sealing portion 21, rather than as shown in the example. Figure 9 or Figure 11 The fixing members 100a and 100b of the structure in which the pressurized portion 24 completely covers the sealing portion 21 of the pouch battery 200, as in the embodiment.

[0114] In this embodiment, the fixing components 100a and 100b can be used without having such... Figure 13 The through-window 36 shown exposes the upper surface of the pouch cell 200 and protects a portion of the outer periphery and the upper part of the pouch cell 200. The fastening members 100a and 100b of this embodiment may respectively include through holes 26a and 26b through which the fastening member 28 passes, sidewalls 32a and 32b supporting the side surface of the pouch cell 200, and upper portions 34a and 34b covering the upper surface of the pouch cell 200.

[0115] exist Figure 14In the embodiment shown, two fixing members 100a and 100b are illustrated, but in other embodiments, more fixing members may be possible.

[0116] Figure 15 Fixing members 100c, 100d according to some embodiments of the technology described herein are shown, and are illustrated as in Figure 9 to Figure 11 The fixing member 100 in the previous embodiment, which includes upper portions 34, 34' for completely covering the upper surface of the pouch battery 200, is modified to include fixing members 100c, 100d for covering the upper portion 33 of the upper surface of the pouch battery 200. Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Front view.

[0117] According to the embodiment, the fixing members 100c, 100d may include a sidewall 32 and an upper portion 33. The sidewall 32 is connected to a pressurizing portion 24 for pressurizing the sealing portions 21 on both sides of the pouch battery 200, and the upper portion 33 is connected to the sidewall 32 and covers the upper surface of the pouch battery 200. Therefore, even if a fixing member 100c, 100d is not formed, the fixing member 100c, 100d may include a sidewall 32 and an upper portion 33. Figure 11 or Figure 13 The wide upper portions 34', 34'' of the exposed upper surface of the pouch cell 200 shown may also expose the information indicated on the upper surface of the pouch cell 200, and may protect or support the side surface of the pouch cell 200 and a portion of the upper surface connected to the side surface.

[0118] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example applicable to the above embodiments. To insulate the sealing portion 21 of the pouch cell 200, an insulating sheet 38 may be located between the pressurized portion 24 of the retaining member 100 and the sealing portion 21 of the pouch cell 200. The insulating sheet 38 may be particularly useful when the pressurized portion 24 of the retaining member 100 is made of a conductive material such as metal, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0119] The apparatus for mounting batteries and the fixing members used therein, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described herein, can be applied to other types of batteries besides pouch batteries. For example, an outer strip for insulating or decorating the outer surface of a prismatic or cylindrical battery can be used to form a side remainder similar to the sealing portion described above, and a fixing member similar to the embodiments described above, including a pressurizing portion for pressurizing the side remainder, can be manufactured so that the prismatic or cylindrical battery can be mounted on a product.

[0120] A method for installing a battery using the aforementioned device for battery installation will be described. The following description of the method will not be limited to pouch-type batteries including the sealed portion described in the above embodiments, and will describe a method for installing batteries having a prismatic or cylindrical shape.

[0121] A method for installing a battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include: positioning the battery on a battery mounting portion of a product on which a battery including a side remainder is mounted; positioning a fixing member on the side remainder of the battery; and securing the fixing member to the battery mounting portion using a fastening member, such that the fixing member presses and constrains at least a portion of the side remainder of the battery.

[0122] In some embodiments, positioning the fixing member on the side remainder of the battery may include positioning the fixing member on each of the side remainders of the battery, for example, positioning the fixing member on the side remainder on each of the two sides of the battery.

[0123] In some embodiments, positioning the fixing member on the side remainder of the battery may include inserting an insulating sheet between the side remainder of the battery and the pressurized portion of the fixing member.

[0124] Here, operations such as positioning the battery on the battery mounting portion, positioning the fixing member on the side remaining portion of the battery, fixing the fixing member with the fastening member, and inserting the insulating sheet can be performed by automated equipment (such as a robotic arm), but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0125] According to the apparatus and method for installing batteries disclosed herein, the batteries can be easily separated from the product after they have been installed on it, thereby addressing stability issues and negative environmental impacts, and meeting international standards that require easy separation of battery packs from products.

[0126] In addition, pouch batteries can be positively used in products that conventionally use expensive metal can batteries to facilitate battery separation, thereby gaining benefits such as cost reduction and product weight reduction.

[0127] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and variations can be made thereto by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present disclosure and the equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for installing a battery, the device comprising: A fixing member is placed on the side remaining portion of the battery, the battery being positioned on a battery mounting portion of the product on which the battery, including the side remaining portion, is mounted; as well as Fastening components are used to secure the fixing components to the battery mounting portion of the product. The fixing member includes a pressurizing portion configured to pressurize and constrain at least a portion of the remaining side portion of the battery.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The remaining portion of the battery on the side includes the sealed portion of the pouch cell.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The pressurized portion of the fixing member has a lateral width greater than the distance by which the remaining portion of the side protrudes from the battery.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening member includes a screw or bolt, and the fixing member further includes a through hole through which the fastening member passes; and The through-hole is positioned further outward than the outer periphery of the remaining portion of the side of the battery.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing member also includes a sidewall that supports the side surface of the battery.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing component also includes: Sidewalls, supporting the side surfaces of the battery; and The upper part covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the battery.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, At least a portion of the upper part of the fixing member is made of a transparent material.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The upper part of the fixed member includes a through window.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an insulating sheet disposed between the side remainder of the battery and the pressurized portion of the fixing member.

10. A battery fixing member, the battery fixing member comprising: The pressurization section is configured to pressurize and constrain at least a portion of the side remainder of the battery, the battery being positioned on a battery mounting portion of the product on which the battery, including the side remainder, is mounted. as well as A through-hole through which a fastening member for securing the pressurized portion to the battery mounting portion of the product passes.

11. The battery fixing member according to claim 10, wherein, The pressurized portion is formed in one of the following forms: sheet-like, plate-like, or quadrilateral rod-like.

12. The battery fixing member according to claim 10, wherein, The pressurized portion has a lateral width that is greater than the distance by which the remaining portion protrudes from the battery.

13. The battery fixing member according to claim 10, wherein, The through hole is positioned further outward than the outer periphery of the remaining portion on the side.

14. The battery fixing member according to claim 10, wherein the battery fixing member further comprises a sidewall supporting the side surface of the battery.

15. The battery fixing member according to claim 10, wherein the battery fixing member further comprises: Sidewalls that support the side surfaces of the battery; as well as The upper part covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the battery.

16. The battery fixing member according to claim 15, wherein, At least a portion of the upper part is made of a transparent material.

17. The battery fixing member according to claim 15, wherein, The upper part includes a through window.

18. A method for installing a battery, the method comprising the following steps: The battery is positioned on the battery mounting portion of the product where the battery is mounted, the battery including the remaining portion on the side; Position the fixing member on the remaining portion of the side of the battery; as well as The fastening member is used to secure the fixing member to the battery mounting portion of the product, such that the pressure portion of the fastening member pressurizes and constrains at least a portion of the remaining side portion of the battery.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The step of positioning the fixing member on the side remaining portion of the battery includes positioning the fixing member on the side remaining portion on each of the two sides of the battery.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The step of positioning the fixing member on the side remaining portion of the battery includes inserting an insulating sheet between the side remaining portion of the battery and the pressurized portion of the fixing member.

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