Insulating member, battery pack, and method for manufacturing battery pack

Abstract

An insulating member, a battery pack, and a method for manufacturing the battery pack are provided. The insulating member includes: an insulating material formed in a volumetric shape; and an internal space inside the volume shape, where the volume shape does not cover the protective circuit module on the case of the battery pack, and the volume shape covers the polarity pins electrically connected to the battery pack and exposed to the outside of the case.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0117225, filed on August 29, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Some embodiments relate to insulating components, battery packs, and methods for manufacturing battery packs. Specifically, some embodiments relate to insulating components, battery packs, and methods for manufacturing battery packs that cover polarity pins exposed to the outside of the housing without covering the protection circuit module. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, which are not designed for (re)charging, secondary batteries are designed for discharging and recharging. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in small portable electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors (such as those in hybrid or electric vehicles) and for energy storage. A secondary battery pack includes electrode assemblies containing positive and negative electrodes, a housing that houses the electrode assemblies, and terminal portions that connect to the electrode assemblies.

[0004] Such secondary batteries can be used in the form of battery packs integrated with circuitry for controlling charging / discharging operations. Considering the stability of secondary batteries containing flammable materials, the battery pack can be equipped with a protection circuit module (PCM) to effectively control abnormal operating conditions such as overcharging, over-discharging, and overcurrent. Within the battery pack, the PCM can be attached to individual battery cells, and insulating components can be attached to insulate the individual cells.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior art). Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member may not cover the protective circuit module that is integrated with and disposed above the housing of the battery pack, but may cover the polarity pins of the electrode assembly that are exposed to the outside of the housing and electrically connected to the battery pack.

[0007] In an embodiment, the insulating member may be formed with one or more bonding protrusions, which correspond to one or more guide slots formed in the protection circuit module.

[0008] In one embodiment, the insulating member may have a receiving space therein for accommodating a polarity pin.

[0009] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an electrode assembly; a housing for mounting the electrode assembly; polarity pins electrically connected to the electrode assembly and exposed to the outside of the housing; a protection circuit module disposed above the housing; and an insulating member that does not cover the protection circuit module but covers the polarity pins.

[0010] In an embodiment, the battery pack may further include an insulating layer formed on the upper part of the housing and in the lower region where the protection circuit module and insulating member are provided, and in the region other than the polarity pins.

[0011] In one embodiment, adhesive surfaces may be formed on both sides of the insulating layer.

[0012] In an embodiment, the protection circuit module may form one or more guide slots.

[0013] In an embodiment, the insulating member may be formed with one or more engagement protrusions corresponding to one or more guide slots.

[0014] In one embodiment, the insulating member may have a receiving space therein for accommodating a polarity pin.

[0015] In one embodiment, the insulating component can be molded onto the protection circuit module.

[0016] In one embodiment, the housing may include one or more protrusions.

[0017] In one embodiment, the battery pack may also include a flange, which is coupled to one or more protrusions and includes one or more insertion holes into which screws are inserted.

[0018] A method for manufacturing a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include: preparing an electrode assembly; attaching externally exposed polarity pins to a housing; electrically connecting the terminals and polarity pins of the electrode assembly; mounting the electrode assembly in the housing; disposing a protection circuit module on the upper part of the housing; and providing an insulating member that covers the polarity pins but does not cover the protection circuit module.

[0019] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery pack may further include forming an insulating layer on the upper part of the housing in a region other than the polarity pins.

[0020] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery pack may further include forming adhesive surfaces on both sides of the insulating layer.

[0021] In an embodiment, providing an insulating member covering the polarity pin may include: attaching one or more bonding protrusions formed on the insulating member to one or more guide slots formed in the protection circuit module.

[0022] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery pack may further include forming a receiving space within an insulating member to accommodate polarity pins.

[0023] In an embodiment, the insulating member covering the polarity pin may be formed by molding the insulating member onto the protection circuit module.

[0024] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery pack may further include forming one or more protrusions in the housing.

[0025] In an embodiment, the method for manufacturing a battery pack may further include attaching a flange to one or more protrusions, the flange including one or more insertion holes into which screws are inserted. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment; Figure 1B yes Figure 1A An exploded perspective view of a single battery cell; Figure 2 This illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure where an insulating member is applied to a component comprising... Figure 1A A diagram showing the previous state of the individual battery cells in the battery pack; Figure 3 This illustrates the application of an insulating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 A diagram showing the state of the battery pack afterwards; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of the insulating components; Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state before the flange is attached to the protruding portion of the battery pack housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the state of the flange being attached to the protruding portion of the battery pack housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 An enlarged view of the flange being joined to the protruding part; and Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Example embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, example embodiments may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementation methods to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as "on" another layer or substrate, the layer or element may be directly on said other layer or substrate, or there may be intervening layers. Furthermore, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as "between two layers," the layer may be the only layer between said two layers, or there may be one or more intervening layers. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements.

[0029] The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be understood to have meanings and concepts consistent with the spirit of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of each term to describe his / her own embodiments in the best possible way. Therefore, since the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of this disclosure and do not cover all the technical ideas of this disclosure, it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made at the time of filing this application.

[0030] It will also be understood that when the terms “including / comprise” and / or variations thereof are used herein, it indicates the presence of the stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0031] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc., as “identical” means that they are “substantially identical.” Therefore, the phrase “substantially identical” can include what is considered a low deviation in the art, for example, 5% or less. The uniformity of any parameter in a given region can mean that it is uniform from an average perspective.

[0032] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0033] The arrangement of any component "above (or below)" or "on (or under)" a component can mean that any component is positioned to contact the upper (or lower) surface of that component, and that other components can be positioned between that component and any components positioned on (or below) that component.

[0034] It will be understood that when a component is referred to as “connected,” “joined,” or “engaged” to another component, that component can not only be “connected,” “joined,” or “engaged” to said other component directly, but also indirectly “connected,” “joined,” or “engaged” to said other component with other components situated between them.

[0035] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The use of “may” when describing embodiments of this disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of this disclosure”. Expressions such as “at least one of…” and “one or more…” preceding / following a list of elements modify the entire list of elements, rather than individual elements within that list.

[0036] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, the statement "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B. Furthermore, unless specifically stated to the contrary, the statement "C to D" means C or greater and D or less.

[0037] When phrases such as “at least one of A, B and C (species / beings)”, “at least one of A, B or C (species / beings)”, “at least one of the group selected from A, B and C (species / beings)” or “at least one of A, B and C (species / beings)” are used to specify a list of elements A, B and C, the phrase can refer to any and all suitable combinations.

[0038] The term “use” may be considered synonymous with the term “utilize”. As used herein, the terms “basically,” “about,” and similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than terms of degree and are intended to explain the inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0039] 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.

[0040] For ease of interpretation when describing the relationship between one element or feature shown in the accompanying drawings and another element or feature(s), spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are used herein. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, spatial relative positions are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, any element described as “below” or “under” another element will subsequently be oriented “above” or “above” another element. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both upward and downward directions.

[0041] This disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Before describing the embodiments of this disclosure, a brief description will first be given of secondary batteries to which this disclosure can be applied, such as stainless steel (SUS) canned secondary batteries.

[0043] Figure 1A This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment, and Figure 1B yes Figure 1A An assembled perspective view of the battery cells.

[0044] Reference Figure 1A First, describe the appearance of the secondary battery.

[0045] Reference Figure 1A The first housing 51 and the second housing 52 can form the overall appearance of the secondary battery and can be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. The first housing 51 and the second housing 52 can provide for housing the electrode assembly 40 (… Figure 1B The space provided is provided. The first terminal 61 and the second terminal 62 can be electrically connected to the positive or negative electrode inside the secondary battery, and can be installed to protrude outward by penetrating the first housing 51. The first housing 51 can be formed with an electrolyte injection port 63, and a sealing cap can be installed in the electrolyte injection port 63.

[0046] Reference Figure 1B ,right Figure 1B The manufacturing process and internal structure of the secondary battery are described.

[0047] Reference Figure 1BThe first electrode tab 41 and the second electrode tab 42 of the electrode assembly 40 can be welded to the first terminal 61 and the second terminal 62 of the first housing 51, which is formed in a cup shape. Then, the electrode assembly 40 can be placed inside the cup-shaped interior of the first housing 51, and the second housing 52, which has a flat plate shape, can be positioned to close the opening side of the first housing 51. Subsequently, welding can be performed on at least a portion of the overlapping portion of the first housing 51 and the second housing 52, and a cutting process can be performed on some areas other than the welded portion, thereby obtaining a product with… Figure 1A The secondary battery is shown in the diagram. Subsequently, electrolyte can be injected through the electrolyte injection port 63, or additional processes such as charging and discharging can be performed to complete the manufacture of the secondary battery.

[0048] Figure 1B The secondary battery shown may include an electrode assembly 40, a first housing 51, and a second housing 52.

[0049] Electrode assembly 40 can be formed by winding or stacking a first electrode plate, a diaphragm, and a second electrode plate into a plate or membrane. For example, when electrode assembly 40 is a wound stack, the winding axis can be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing. In another example, electrode assembly 40 can also be a stacked type instead of a wound type; for example, in a stacked type, electrode assembly 40 can be an electrode assembly in which the first electrode plate, the diaphragm, and the second electrode plate are stacked in the thickness direction. 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 the housing, and the number of electrode assemblies is not limited in this disclosure. The first electrode plate of electrode assembly 40 can be used as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate can be used as a positive electrode; for example, the reverse is also possible.

[0050] The first electrode plate 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, and may include a first electrode tab 41 (or a first uncoated portion) as an area where the first electrode active material is not applied. The first electrode tab 41 can be a pathway for current flow between the first electrode plate and the first terminal 61. In some examples, when manufacturing the first electrode plate, the first electrode tab 41 can be formed by pre-cutting it to protrude to one side of the electrode assembly 40, or the first electrode tab 41 can protrude more than the side of the diaphragm facing the electrode assembly 40 without being cut separately.

[0051] The second electrode plate can be formed by applying a second electrode active material, such as a transition metal oxide, to a substrate formed of a metal foil such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and may include a second electrode tab 42 (or a second uncoated portion) as a region where the second electrode active material is not applied. The second electrode tab 42 can serve as a pathway for current flow between the second electrode plate and the second terminal 62. In some examples, when manufacturing the second electrode plate, the second electrode tab 42 can be formed by pre-cutting it to protrude to the other side of the electrode assembly 40, or the second electrode tab 42 can protrude further than the diaphragm facing the other side of the electrode assembly 40 without being individually cut.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first electrode contact 41 may be located on the upper right side of the electrode assembly 40, and the second electrode contact 42 may be located on the upper left side of the electrode assembly 40. Here, for ease of description, according to Figure 1B The secondary battery shown is defined with left and right sides, and the positions of the left and right sides can change when the secondary battery is rotated left and right or up and down.

[0053] The separator prevents short circuits between the first and second electrode plates while allowing lithium ions to move between them. The separator can be made of, for example, polyethylene membrane, polypropylene membrane, or polyethylene-polypropylene membrane.

[0054] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 40 may be housed together with the electrolyte in a first housing 51 and a second housing 52.

[0055] The housing housing the electrode assembly 40 may have a first polarity, and the polar pins (or "polar pins") exposed outside the housing may have a second polarity. The first polarity may be positive or negative, and the second polarity may be opposite.

[0056] The protection circuit module can be applied to the battery cell next to the polarity pins on the top of the housing (e.g., the upper surface). If the entire housing is of one polarity and an insulating tape is to be applied to cover the entire protection circuit module, additional process work and material costs may be required to expose access to the protection circuit module (or expose the channels of the protection circuit module) (e.g., expose the positive terminal piece connected to the protection circuit module). Specifically, if an insulating tape is applied to cover the entire protection circuit module, a lack of uniform appearance, seams, and separation due to the flexibility of the tape may occur.

[0057] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the state of the insulating member before it is applied to a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the state after the insulating member has been applied to a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of the insulating components on a single battery cell.

[0058] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The battery pack may include an insulating component 140 and an electrode assembly 40. Figure 1B The housing 110, polarity pins 120, protection circuit module 130, and insulating layer 150 are used to mount (e.g., accommodate) the electrode assembly 40.

[0059] The housing 110 can be formed by combining the first housing 51 and the second housing 52 in front and behind. Figure 1B The housing 110 can form the overall appearance of the secondary battery and can be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. The housing 110 can provide space to accommodate electrode assemblies. The housing 110 can include a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to a positive or negative electrode in the housing 110 and protruding outward through the housing, and can be formed with an electrolyte inlet, into which a sealing cap can be installed.

[0060] The polarity pin 120 can be electrically connected to the electrode assembly and can be exposed outside the housing 110. In an embodiment, the polarity pin 120 can be connected to a first terminal or a second terminal of the housing 110. The polarity pin 120 can have an approximately rectangular shape and can have a polarity opposite to that of the housing 110.

[0061] The protection circuit module 130 can be disposed on the housing 110 (e.g., on top) and can control the charging and discharging operations of the battery cells, including the electrode assembly, housing 110, and polarity pins 120. It can also perform protective operations to block current flow and protect the battery cells when an overcurrent exceeding a threshold flows, when the temperature of the battery cell rises to a temperature exceeding a set value, or when overcharging or over-discharging occurs. For example, the protection circuit module 130 can be implemented using a printed circuit board (PCB) having sensing circuitry for detecting status information such as current and voltage, charging and discharging protection circuitry, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element for limiting charging and discharging current based on temperature. The PCB may include multiple electrical components, such as charging and discharging switching elements (FETs), capacitors, resistors, etc.

[0062] like Figure 2As shown, the insulating member 140 may comprise an insulating material shaped to have an internal space (e.g., an empty internal space) therein. The insulating member 140 may be positioned on the housing 110 (e.g., on the same surface as the protection circuit module 130) to cover the polarity pin 120. The insulating member 140 may not cover the protection circuit module 130, but it may cover the polarity pin 120, thereby preventing the current from the individual battery cells (e.g., the current flowing through the housing 110) from affecting the protection circuit module 130, and thus preventing a short circuit in the battery pack. For example, see reference... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The insulating member 140 may be located on the outside of the protection circuit module 130 (e.g., the insulating member 140 may be completely outside the protection circuit module 130) to cover only the portion of the surface of the housing 110 adjacent to the protection circuit module 130. For example, the insulating member 140 may completely cover only the polarity pin 120 among the protection circuit module 130 and the polarity pin 120. In an embodiment, the insulating member 140 may have an internally formed receiving space to receive the polarity pin 120. For example, the insulating member 140 may overlap with and completely cover all exposed surfaces of the polarity pin 120. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the insulating member 140 may consist of two insulating members 140 to cover a first polarity pin having a first polarity and a second polarity pin having a second polarity. For example, the two insulating members 140 may be on opposite sides of the protection circuit module 130. The first polarity may be positive, and the second polarity may be negative.

[0063] The insulating member 140 can be made of an insulating material and can be manufactured, for example, by injection molding. The insulating member 140 can be manufactured as a single component by injection molding, or it can be formed by direct molding onto the protection circuit module 130. When the insulating member 140 is formed by direct molding onto the protection circuit module 130, the insulating member 140 and the protection circuit module 130 can be more firmly bonded. For example, refer to… Figures 3 to 4 The insulating member 140 may be formed on (e.g., only on) one side of the protection circuit module 130, such that the surface of the protection circuit module 130 facing away from the housing 110 may be exposed.

[0064] In an embodiment, as by Figure 4As indicated by region A, the protection circuit module 130 may have one or more guide slots 130a, and the insulating member 140 may have one or more engagement protrusions 140a corresponding to one or more guide slots 130a (e.g., fitted into one or more guide slots 130a). Therefore, the insulating member 140 can be easily attached to the protection circuit module 130 and its separation can be prevented.

[0065] An insulating layer 150 may be formed on the upper portion of the housing 110 (e.g., on the upper surface of the housing 110 facing the protection circuit module 130). For example, the insulating layer 150 may be located in the lower region where the protection circuit module 130 and the insulating member 140 are disposed (e.g., the insulating layer 150 may be located between the upper surface of the housing 110 and each of the protection circuit module 130 and the insulating member 140), and may be formed in areas other than the polarity pin 120. The insulating layer 150 may be positioned between the housing 110 and the protection circuit module 130 to adjust the connection between the housing 110 and the protection circuit module 130. For example, the insulating layer 150 may be fixed to the upper portion of the housing 110 to face the protection circuit module 130, and may be formed in areas other than the polarity pin 120. Furthermore, the insulating layer 150 may extend to the lower region where the insulating member 140 is disposed, and adjust the connection between the housing 110 and the insulating member 140. The insulating layer 150 may have pin holes for exposing the polarity pins 120. In one embodiment, the insulating layer 150 may be made of an insulating material for electrical insulation between the housing 110 and the protection circuit module 130, and adhesive surfaces may be formed on both sides of the insulating layer 150. For example, the insulating layer 150 may have an adhesive applied to both sides thereto. In another example, the insulating layer 150 may be formed of double-sided tape.

[0066] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the state before the flange is attached to the protruding portion of the battery pack housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the state in which the flange is attached to the protruding portion of the battery pack housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 An enlarged view of the flange being attached to the protruding part of the housing.

[0067] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The housing 110 of the battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more protrusions 111. In this case, a flange 112 having screw insertion holes into one or more of them may be coupled to one or more protrusions 111.

[0068] If the method of welding the flange directly to the housing (instead of using screws) is used, the welding work may be difficult due to the limitations of the flange welding position, and it may be difficult to achieve various flange structures. In addition, welding the flange directly to the housing that houses the electrode assembly may damage the electrode assembly.

[0069] Conversely, in the battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more protrusions 111 may be formed in the housing 110 to ensure a welding area, and the flange 112 may be welded to the protrusions 111. Therefore, as Figure 7 As shown, flange 112 can be securely attached to protrusion 111, thereby preventing damage to the electrode assembly due to welding and the implementation of various flange structures.

[0070] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] like Figure 8 As shown, the method for manufacturing a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include stages S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S260 and S270.

[0072] Stage S210 may include preparing the electrode assembly.

[0073] Phase S220 may include attaching externally exposed polar pins to the housing.

[0074] Stage S230 may include electrically connecting the terminals and polarity pins of the electrode assembly.

[0075] Stage S240 may include mounting the electrode assembly in the housing.

[0076] Stage S250 may include forming an insulating layer on the upper portion of the housing in a region other than the polarity pins. In embodiments, the method for manufacturing a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may further include forming adhesive surfaces on both sides of the insulating layer.

[0077] Stage S260 may include mounting a protection circuit module on the upper part of the housing.

[0078] Stage S270 may include an insulating member that covers the polarity pins but not the protection circuit module. In one embodiment, stage S270 may include attaching one or more bonding protrusions formed on the insulating member to one or more guide grooves formed in the protection circuit module. In another embodiment, stage S270 may include forming the insulating member on the protection circuit module by molding.

[0079] The method for manufacturing a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure may further include: forming one or more protrusions on a housing; and attaching a flange having one or more insertion holes for screw insertion to one or more protrusions.

[0080] Already referred to Figure 8 The flowcharts presented illustrate a method for manufacturing a battery pack according to embodiments of the present disclosure described above. For simplicity, the method has been illustrated and described as a series of blocks; however, some of the blocks shown may occur in a different order or simultaneously with other blocks illustrated and described in this specification, and various other branches, processes, and sequences of blocks that achieve the same or similar results may be implemented. Furthermore, it may not be necessary to implement the method described in this specification using all the blocks shown.

[0081] In reference Figure 8 In the description, depending on the implementation example of this disclosure, each stage can be further divided into additional stages or combined into fewer stages. Furthermore, some stages can be omitted as needed, and the order between stages can be changed. Moreover, even when other content is omitted, Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figures 2 to 7 Content applied to Figure 8 The content. In addition. Figure 8 The content can be applied to Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figures 2 to 7 The content.

[0082] By summarizing and reviewing, the exemplary embodiments provide an insulating member covering the polarity pins exposed outside the housing without covering the protection circuit module, a battery pack, and a method for manufacturing the battery pack. That is, because the insulating member covers the polarity pins exposed outside the housing without covering the protection circuit module, short circuits in the battery pack can be prevented by only partially insulating the polarity pins without covering the entire protection circuit module, and additional processing work and material costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since the insulating member is formed to cover the polarity pins without covering the protection circuit module, the appearance formability and processability can be improved compared to attaching an insulating tape to cover the entire protection circuit module. Moreover, according to embodiments of this disclosure, since the housing includes one or more protrusions and the flanges are joined through one or more protrusions, it is not necessary to directly weld the flanges to the surface of the battery cells, making welding easy, reducing damage to the inside of the battery cells, and ensuring rigidity.

[0083] However, the technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the above description of this disclosure other problems not mentioned herein, as well as aspects and features of this disclosure that will solve such problems.

[0084] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terminology has been used, they are used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes. In some instances, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon filing of this application, unless specifically instructed otherwise, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with specific embodiments may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with other embodiments. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An insulating member comprising: an insulating material shaped as a volume shape; and an inner space inside the volume shape, wherein the volume shape does not cover a protection circuit module on a case of a battery pack, and the volume shape covers a polarity pin electrically connected to the battery pack and exposed to an outside of the case. 2.The insulating member of claim 1, further comprising one or more coupling protrusions connectable to one or more guide slots of the protection circuit module.

3. The insulating member according to claim 1, wherein The inner space accommodates and covers the polarity pin. 4.A battery pack comprising: an electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a polarity pin electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the polarity pin being exposed to an outside of the case; a protection circuit module on the case; and an insulating member on the case, the insulating member covering only the protection circuit module and the polarity pin among the polarity pin. 5.The battery pack of claim 4, further comprising an insulating layer between the case and each of the protection circuit module and the insulating member, the insulating layer being in an area other than the polarity pin. The insulating layer includes an adhesive surface on both opposite sides of the insulating layer.

6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein, The protection circuit module includes one or more guide slots.

7. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein, The insulating member includes one or more coupling protrusions corresponding to the one or more guide slots.

8. The battery pack of claim 7, wherein, The insulating member includes an accommodation space for accommodating the polarity pin.

9. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein, The insulating member is located on the protection circuit module by molding.

10. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein, The case includes one or more protruding portions.

11. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein, 12.The battery pack of claim 11, further comprising a flange coupled to the one or more protruding portions, the flange including at least one insertion hole into which a screw is insertable. 13.A method for manufacturing a battery pack, the method comprising: preparing an electrode assembly; coupling a polarity pin exposed to an outside to a case; electrically connecting a tab of the electrode assembly and the polarity pin; mounting the electrode assembly in the case; providing a protection circuit module on an upper portion of the case; and providing an insulating member on the upper portion of the case such that the insulating member covers only the polarity pin among the protection circuit module and the polarity pin. 14.The method for manufacturing a battery pack of claim 13, further comprising forming an insulating layer on the upper portion of the case in an area other than the polarity pin. 15.The method for manufacturing a battery pack of claim 14, further comprising forming an adhesive surface on both sides of the insulating layer. Providing the insulating member includes coupling one or more coupling protrusions formed on the insulating member to one or more guide slots formed in the protection circuit module. ​ 16. The method for manufacturing a battery pack according to claim 13, wherein, ​ 17.The method for manufacturing a battery pack of claim 13, further comprising forming an accommodation space inside the insulating member to accommodate the polarity pin.

18. The method for manufacturing a battery pack according to claim 13, wherein, The insulating member is provided by molding the insulating member on the protection circuit module. 19.The method for manufacturing a battery pack of claim 13, further comprising forming one or more protruding portions in the case. 20.The method for manufacturing a battery pack of claim 19, further comprising coupling a flange to the one or more protruding portions, the flange including one or more insertion holes into which screws are inserted.

Images