Battery cell assembly

Abstract

A battery cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a plurality of battery cells; a frame on which the plurality of battery cells are mounted; an upper cover coupled to an upper surface of the frame to cover upper portions of the plurality of battery cells; the first flexible part is inserted between the frame and the upper cover and is provided with a plurality of first flexible holes, and the upper parts of the plurality of battery cells are inserted into the plurality of first flexible holes in an embedded manner; and a lower cover coupled to a lower surface of the frame in a state where lower portions of the plurality of battery cells are partially inserted therein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell assembly, and more specifically, to a battery cell assembly in which multiple battery cells can be individually separated later by clamping battery cells to a frame.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0053114, filed on April 22, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Recently, rechargeable batteries have been widely used as a power source for wireless mobile devices. Batteries are used to power light transportation vehicles, including electric scooters, electric bicycles, and electric skateboards, which are also electric vehicles.

[0004] The use of battery-powered transportation has been proposed to address air pollution caused by fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engine vehicles. However, the process of manufacturing batteries emits more carbon dioxide than that of internal combustion engine vehicles.

[0005] European battery regulations require environmental and stability verification throughout the entire battery lifecycle, from production to recycling, to achieve carbon neutrality. Furthermore, equipment containing batteries and light transport vehicles must be configured to allow for battery separation and replacement.

[0006] In particular, LMT (Light Transport Vehicle) batteries may need to have the feature of being easy to remove and replace during the product lifecycle. Here, an LMT battery can be defined as a battery used to provide power for the traction of wheeled vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 25 kg or less, excluding batteries for electric vehicles.

[0007] Figure 1 This is an example of a battery cell assembly used in light transportation vehicles. Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional battery cell assembly is shown. Figure 3 (a) is a plan view of a battery cell assembly in which the terminals of the battery cells are electrically connected by wire bonding. Figure 3 (b) schematically shows the state of applying adhesive to multiple battery cells.

[0008] The battery cell assembly 10 includes multiple battery cells 20, an upper cover 11, a lower cover 13, and a frame 15. The frame 15 protects the multiple battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 are secured by the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 13 while being inserted into the frame 15.

[0009] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3In (a), the top cover 11 is connected to the frame 15, exposing the first terminal 21 and the second terminal connection portion 22 of the battery cell 20 to the outside. The electrode terminal block 12 is arranged on the top cover 11.

[0010] The first terminal 21 can be the positive terminal. The second terminal connection part 22 is the part that is electrically connected to the second terminal 23. The second terminal 23 can be the negative terminal.

[0011] The battery cell assembly 10 is obtained by connecting multiple battery cells 20 in series or parallel according to the battery capacity of the light transport vehicle 30. The electrical connection of the multiple battery cells 20 can be performed by a wire bonding device (not shown).

[0012] The wire bonding device (not shown) can wire bond the first terminal 21 and the second terminal connection portion 22 of each battery cell 20 to the electrode terminal block 12 according to preset coordinates.

[0013] The wire bonding device (not shown) can use very fine metal wires to wire bond the first terminal 21 of the battery cell to the electrode terminal block 12, and to wire bond the second terminal connection portion 22 of the battery cell to the electrode terminal block 12.

[0014] The aforementioned leads 13 and 14 correspond to the wires that connect the first terminal 21 and the second terminal connection portion 22 of the battery cell 20 to the electrode terminal block 12. When a surge occurs in the battery cell assembly 10, leads 13 and 14 can function as fuses, thereby interrupting the electrical connection between the battery cell 20 and the electrode terminal block 12 while being cut off.

[0015] Wire bonding has the advantage of being able to solve the surge problem, which is the biggest risk factor for batteries. However, in order to electrically connect the terminals 21, 22 of multiple battery cells 20 using wire bonding, the multiple battery cells 20 must be mounted on the frame 15 in their normal positions.

[0016] Therefore, traditionally, adhesive G is used to secure multiple battery cells 20 to the lower cover 13. (See reference...) Figure 3 (b) Adhesive G is applied to the entire lower surface of the plurality of battery cells 20 on which the second terminals 23 are arranged.

[0017] The lower cover 13 is attached to the frame 15 to cover the lower surface of the plurality of battery cells 20 on which the second terminals 23 are arranged. The lower cover 13 is bonded and fixed to the lower surface of the plurality of battery cells 20 by adhesive G.

[0018] In a conventional battery cell assembly 10, with multiple battery cells 20 bonded and fixed to the lower cover 13, the terminals 21, 22 of the battery cells 20 are connected to the electrode terminal blocks 12 arranged on the upper cover 11 by wire bonding.

[0019] During the use of the light transport vehicle 30, when some of the battery cells 20 among the multiple battery cells 20 suffer from over-discharge, damage or short circuit, it is difficult to separate the battery cells 20 individually due to the structure of the traditional battery cell assembly 10.

[0020] Therefore, in a conventional battery cell assembly 10, when a problem occurs in some of the multiple battery cells 20, the battery cell assembly 10 itself must be replaced in order to ensure the stability of the light transport vehicle.

[0021] In the method of replacing the battery cell assembly 10 in the light transport vehicle 30, normal battery cells have to be discarded along with defective battery cells. Discarded battery cells are difficult to recycle, thus posing a problem of environmental pollution.

[0022] Furthermore, the conventional battery cell assembly 10 has a structure in which the battery cell 20 cannot be separated individually, which does not comply with European battery regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a battery cell assembly 20 that can separate the battery cell 20 individually. Summary of the Invention

[0023] Technical issues

[0024] The present invention was designed to solve these problems and aims to provide a battery cell assembly that allows multiple battery cells to be individually separated later by clamping the battery cells to a frame.

[0025] By way of one example of the present invention, it is intended to provide a battery assembly for LMT (Light Motor Vehicle) that meets the requirements for battery assemblies used in small electric vehicles (LMT).

[0026] Technical solution

[0027] To achieve the above objectives, a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention can be arranged as follows.

[0028] The battery cell assembly may include multiple battery cells, a frame on which the multiple battery cells are mounted, an upper cover attached to the upper surface of the frame to cover the upper part of the multiple battery cells, and a lower cover attached to the lower surface of the frame when the lower part of the multiple battery cells is partially inserted.

[0029] In addition, the battery cell assembly may include: a plurality of battery cells; a frame on which the plurality of battery cells are mounted; a top cover connected to the upper surface of the frame to cover the upper parts of the plurality of battery cells; a first flexible portion inserted between the frame and the top cover and having a plurality of first flexible holes, wherein the upper parts of the plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted through the plurality of first flexible holes; and a bottom cover connected to the lower surface of the frame when the lower parts of the plurality of battery cells are partially inserted.

[0030] In a battery cell assembly, the terminal connections of multiple battery cells can be performed through the upper part of the battery cell. That is, all positive and negative terminal connections can be performed through the upper part of the battery cell. Therefore, terminal connections through the lower part of the battery cell can be eliminated.

[0031] To separate each battery cell from the battery assembly, the frame and bottom cover can be loosened. When the bottom cover is removed, a portion of the lower part of the battery cell is positioned to protrude from the frame. Therefore, the battery cell can be easily separated from the frame by pulling on the protruding portion of the battery cell to be removed.

[0032] In addition, the battery cell assembly may have a first flexible portion inserted between the frame and the top cover.

[0033] The first flexible part may have multiple first flexible holes, and the upper parts of multiple battery cells respectively pass through the multiple first flexible holes in an embedded manner.

[0034] The first flexible part can be integrally pressed and fixed between the top cover and the frame to restrict the vertical and radial movement of each of the multiple battery cells.

[0035] The first flexible part can be arranged such that the periphery of the first flexible hole can contact the upper surface of the frame.

[0036] The first flexible portion may have one or more first fixing holes, which are arranged to allow one or more first fixing protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the frame to pass through, respectively, around the cell space surrounding the frame.

[0037] The top cover may have one or more first cover protrusions, which are respectively embedded into one or more first slots arranged on the upper surface of the frame, and the top cover may be pressed and fixed to the upper surface of the frame via a first flexible portion.

[0038] In addition, in the battery cell assembly, the second flexible part can be inserted between the frame and the lower cover.

[0039] The second flexible section may have multiple flexible grooves, and the lower parts of multiple battery cells are respectively inserted into multiple flexible grooves.

[0040] In the second flexible section, multiple flexible grooves can be integrally formed.

[0041] The second flexible section can connect the lower parts of multiple battery cells into one unit through multiple flexible grooves.

[0042] The second flexible part may have a second flexible hole that passes through the bottom surface of the second flexible groove.

[0043] The second flexible section may have flexible ribs, which are arranged to surround the battery cell by extending a predetermined length from the bottom surface of the second flexible groove.

[0044] The second flexible section can be arranged to cover the lower part of the frame that is exposed from the bottom of the multiple battery cells.

[0045] The frame may have a circumferentially recessed step on its lower surface, so that when the second flexible part is inserted into the lower part of multiple battery cells, there is free space between the inner surface of the frame and the second flexible part.

[0046] The lower cover can be attached to the frame while the second flexible part is inserted into the lower part of the multiple battery cells, so as to restrict the up and down movement of each of the multiple battery cells.

[0047] The lower cover may have a lower cover groove recessed from the lower cover connecting surface that contacts the lower surface of the frame, and may be connected to the lower surface of the frame such that the lower cover groove contacts the second flexible part, thereby being pressed and fixed to multiple battery cells via the second flexible part.

[0048] The frame may include a first body and a second body, in which a plurality of cell spaces for inserting battery cells are opened in two directions along the length of the battery cells, and the first body and the second body may be arranged such that they can be connected in an embedded manner.

[0049] The third flexible part can be inserted between the first body and the second body.

[0050] The third flexible portion may have multiple third flexible holes, and each of the multiple battery cells passes through the multiple third flexible holes in an embedded manner.

[0051] The third flexible portion can restrict the radial movement of each of the multiple battery cells because the periphery of the third flexible hole is pressed against the first and second bodies, and the third flexible hole is pressed against the outer surface of the battery cell in the cell space of the frame.

[0052] The third flexible portion may have one or more third fixing holes, which are arranged to allow one or more second fixing protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the second body to pass through, and the third flexible portion may be placed on the upper surface of the second body such that the third flexible holes are exposed to the cell space of the frame by means of the third fixing holes.

[0053] One or more third grooves are arranged on the lower surface of the second body, and the second body can be embeddedly connected to the second cover protrusion of the lower cover through the third grooves.

[0054] One or more third grooves are arranged on the lower surface of the second body, and the second body can be embeddedly connected to the second cover protrusion of the lower cover through the third grooves.

[0055] To achieve the above objectives, according to one example of the present invention, a battery assembly for LMT (Low-Temperature Media Transfer) can be provided. The battery cells used in the battery assembly can be cylindrical or rectangular.

[0056] Multiple battery cells can be inserted into and sealed within a frame, and the gaps between the battery cells can be maintained by flexible portions. These flexible portions can be located at the upper and / or lower parts of the battery cells. The upper and / or lower parts of each battery cell can be partially embedded into the flexible portion. Therefore, through the fixed flexible portions, not only the longitudinal movement of the battery cells but also their radial movement can be restricted.

[0057] Specifically, the battery cell assembly may include: a plurality of battery cells having rib grooves recessed radially from their outer surfaces; a frame having a plurality of cell spaces for inserting battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are mounted on the frame such that the rib grooves are exposed upwards; a first flexible portion having a plurality of first flexible holes through which the plurality of battery cells pass, and arranged to fix the upper parts of the plurality of battery cells to the upper surface of the frame by being placed on the upper surface of the frame in a state of being embedded in the rib grooves of the plurality of battery cells; and a top cover covering the upper parts of the plurality of battery cells, connected to the upper surface of the frame to contact the first flexible portion, and being pressed and fixed to the upper surface of the frame by means of the first flexible portion.

[0058] In addition, the battery cell assembly may include a second flexible portion having multiple flexible slots for inserting each battery cell, and by inserting and fixing it to the lower part of the multiple battery cells via the multiple flexible slots, the second flexible portion connects the lower parts of the multiple battery cells into one unit.

[0059] Furthermore, the battery cell assembly may include a lower cover, which has a lower cover connecting surface that contacts the lower surface of the frame and a lower cover groove recessed from the lower cover connecting surface. The lower cover may be connected to the lower surface of the frame such that the lower cover groove covers the second flexible portion, and the lower cover may be pressed and fixed to the lower part of multiple battery cells by means of the second flexible portion.

[0060] The upper parts of multiple battery cells can be integrally fixed to the upper surface of the frame through the first flexible part, and the lower parts of multiple battery cells can be integrally pressed and fixed to the lower cover through the second flexible part.

[0061] The first flexible part has multiple first flexible holes arranged according to the arrangement pattern of the battery cells, and the arrangement is such that the periphery of the first flexible holes can contact the upper surface of the frame.

[0062] Furthermore, the first flexible part may have multiple first fixing holes through which multiple first fixing protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the frame pass, and the first flexible part may be positioned on the upper surface of the frame in a normal position through the multiple first fixing holes.

[0063] Furthermore, the second flexible part may have a bottom surface of a second flexible groove arranged to make surface contact with the bottom surface of the lower cover groove, and may be tightly fitted and fixed to the lower part of multiple battery cells by the lower cover.

[0064] In addition, the second flexible section may be integrally arranged with flexible ribs that extend a predetermined length from the bottom surface of the second flexible groove to surround the outer surface of each battery cell.

[0065] Furthermore, the second flexible portion may have a plurality of flexible slots arranged such that the lower part of the battery cell can be inserted into a predetermined length, and may be arranged such that it can be inserted into the lower cover slot.

[0066] In addition, the second flexible section can be integrally arranged with multiple flexible grooves according to the arrangement pattern of the battery cells.

[0067] The frame may include a first body and a second body, in which multiple cell spaces open in two directions along the length of the battery cells, and the first body and the second body may be arranged such that they can be connected in an embedded manner.

[0068] In addition, the battery cell assembly may include a third flexible portion having a plurality of third flexible holes through which a plurality of battery cells pass, the third flexible portion being disposed between the first body and the second body such that each third flexible hole is exposed in each cell space, and the third flexible portion being disposed between the first body and the second body and being pressed and fixed to the outer surface of the plurality of battery cells by means of each third flexible hole.

[0069] The third flexible part may have multiple third fixing holes through which each of the second fixing protrusions of the second body passes, and may be positioned in the normal position on the second body connecting surface of the second body through the multiple third fixing holes.

[0070] In addition, the third flexible part can be arranged with multiple third flexible holes according to the arrangement pattern of the battery cells, and the periphery of the third flexible holes can be arranged to contact the first body and the second body.

[0071] The second body may be provided with a stepped portion that is recessed from the inner surface of the second body along the circumferential direction and stepped from the lower surface of the second body, and the second flexible portion may be inserted and fixed to the lower part of the plurality of battery cells exposed from the lower part of the second body, thereby having free space with the stepped portion.

[0072] The first flexible part can be fixed between the top cover and the frame through the connection between the two, and the upper parts of multiple battery cells can be integrally fixed through the fixed first flexible part.

[0073] The second flexible part can be fixed between the lower cover and the frame through the connection between the two, and the lower parts of multiple battery cells can be integrally fixed through the fixed second flexible part.

[0074] The battery cell assembly can be disassembled in the reverse order of its manufacturing or assembly. Specifically, if the connection between the lower cover and the frame is loosened and the lower cover is thus removed, the second flexible portion and the lower part of the battery cell connected thereto can be exposed to the outside. The lower part of the battery cell has a certain gap through the second flexible portion. If only the second flexible portion is removed, the lower part of the battery cell can be exposed to the outside with this gap.

[0075] Therefore, by retaining the lower part of the problematic battery cell, it can be separated from the frame. At this time, due to the presence of the first flexible part and / or the third flexible part fixed to the frame, the problematic battery cell can be easily separated from the first flexible part and / or the third flexible part without being affected by other battery cells.

[0076] Therefore, it is very easy to separate each of the multiple battery cells from the battery cell assembly, which means that each of the multiple battery cells can be easily replaced.

[0077] Invention Effects

[0078] Battery cell assemblies with this configuration and structure have the following effects.

[0079] The battery cell assembly can clamp multiple battery cells to a frame. When some of the battery cells malfunction, the battery cell assembly can isolate the faulty cell individually.

[0080] In the battery cell assembly, the top cover, the first flexible part, the frame, and the bottom cover can be connected in an embedded manner in the normal position, and multiple battery cells can be pressed and fixed to the frame through the first flexible part, the second flexible part, and the third flexible part.

[0081] The first flexible part is embedded into the rib grooves of multiple battery cells, thereby fixing each battery cell to the frame in the longitudinal and transverse directions. This prevents the surrounding battery cells from being separated together when any one of the multiple battery cells is separated from the frame.

[0082] The battery cell assembly has a structure in which each component can be disassembled and assembled. The disassembly of the battery cell assembly is simple, making it easy to replace the problematic battery cell.

[0083] In addition, battery cell assemblies can replace faulty battery cells with new ones, thereby extending their service life. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1 This is an example of a battery cell assembly used in light transportation vehicles.

[0085] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional battery cell assembly is shown.

[0086] Figure 3 (a) is a plan view of a battery cell assembly in which the terminals of the battery cells are electrically connected by wire bonding. Figure 3 (b) schematically shows the state of applying adhesive to multiple battery cells.

[0087] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention.

[0088] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention.

[0089] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 AA section view, and Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The enlarged view is a diagram used to explain the forces exerted by the first to third flexible sections on multiple battery cells in the longitudinal and radial directions.

[0090] Figures 8 to 10This is a diagram used to explain the process of separating a problematic battery cell from a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention and replacing it with a new battery cell. Detailed Implementation

[0091] A preferred embodiment of the battery cell assembly according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention. Figure 6 yes Figure 4 AA sectional view, and Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The enlarged view is a diagram used to explain the forces exerted by the first to third flexible sections on multiple battery cells in the longitudinal and radial directions.

[0093] According to an example of the present invention, a battery cell assembly 100 can be used as a battery that can be installed in... Figure 1 Energy on light transport vehicles 30.

[0094] The battery cell assembly 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 110, a frame 120 on which the plurality of battery cells 110 are mounted, an upper cover 140 connected to the upper surface 121a of the frame 120 to cover the upper part of the plurality of battery cells 110, and a lower cover 170 connected to the lower surface 125b of the frame 120 when the lower parts of the plurality of battery cells 110 are partially inserted therein. Furthermore, in the battery cell assembly 100, a first flexible portion 130 may be inserted between the frame 120 and the upper cover 140.

[0095] The battery cell 110 can be a cylindrical battery cell or a rectangular battery cell. The structure and configuration of battery cells are known technologies, therefore a detailed description of the structure and configuration of the battery cell 110 will be omitted. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, this document will describe an assembly for assembling multiple cylindrical battery cells into a module.

[0096] The battery cell 110 has a positive terminal 111, a negative terminal 113, a negative terminal connection portion 115, and a beading groove 112. The beading groove 112 is a portion that is recessed in the radial direction from the outer surface of the battery cell 110.

[0097] The negative terminal connection 115 is arranged around the positive terminal 111, and it is the part that is electrically connected to the negative terminal 113 of the battery cell 110. The negative terminal 113 is located on the opposite side of the positive terminal 111.

[0098] Reference Figure 5The frame 120 includes a first body 121 and a second body 125, in which a plurality of cell spaces 126 open in two directions along the longitudinal direction L of the battery cell 110. The first body 121 and the second body 125 can be arranged such that they can be connected in an embedded manner.

[0099] Cell space 126 is a space for inserting battery cells 110. Cell space 126 opens in two directions along the longitudinal direction L of battery cells 110. Frame 120 has a length shorter than the length of battery cells 110. Multiple battery cells 110 can be inserted into various cell spaces 126, such that the upper and lower parts of battery cells 110 are exposed to the outside of frame 120.

[0100] In the battery cell assembly 100, the upper parts of a plurality of battery cells 110 can be integrally fixed to the upper surface 121a of the frame 120 via a first flexible portion 130. The upper part of the battery cell 110 includes a positive terminal 111, a negative terminal connection portion 115 and a crimping groove 112, and is the portion exposed from the upper surface 121a of the frame 120.

[0101] The first flexible portion 130 may have a plurality of first flexible holes 131, through which the upper portions of a plurality of battery cells 110 are respectively embedded. The first flexible portion 130 may be arranged such that the periphery of the first flexible holes 131 can contact the upper surface 121a of the frame 120.

[0102] The plurality of first flexible holes 131 have an arrangement pattern of a plurality of battery cells 110. The plurality of first flexible holes 131 are openings through which the battery cells 110 pass. The first flexible holes 131 may be arranged to have the same diameter as the diameter of the crimping groove 112 of the battery cell 110, or have a diameter within a range that allows them to make close contact with the crimping groove 112 when compressed.

[0103] The first flexible portion 130 may have one or more first fixing holes 133 around the first flexible hole 131. The first fixing holes 133 are arranged around the first flexible hole 131.

[0104] The first fixing hole 133 is arranged to allow the first fixing protrusion 127 of the upper surface 121a of the frame 120 to pass through. The first fixing hole 133 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first fixing protrusion 127.

[0105] The first flexible part 130 can be placed on the upper surface 121a of the frame 120, such that each of the plurality of first fixing holes 133 allows each of the plurality of first fixing protrusions 127 of the first body 121 to pass through, thereby enabling the plurality of first flexible holes 131 to be embedded into the rib grooves 112 of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0106] The first flexible part 130 may have multiple first flexible holes 131, multiple first fixing holes 133 and multiple first mounting holes 135 arranged on the same plane.

[0107] The first flexible part 130 can be placed on the upper surface 121a of the first body 121, and can be embedded into the crimping groove 112 of the battery cell 110 by having the upper part of the multiple battery cells 110 pass through the multiple first flexible holes 131 at one time.

[0108] The first flexible portion 130 may be made of a compressible material, such as rubber or silicone. Due to the properties of the compressible material, the first flexible portion 130 has a predetermined elasticity, such that the crimping groove 112 of the battery cell 110 can be embeddedly connected to the first flexible hole 131 in such a way that the battery cell 110 passes through the first flexible hole 113.

[0109] The first flexible part 130 can be engaged with the first fixing protrusions 127 of the first body 121 through the first fixing holes 133 and placed on the upper surface 121a of the first body 121 in a preset normal position.

[0110] The first flexible part 130 is inserted between the upper surface 121a of the frame 120 and the upper cover 140. The upper cover 140 can be pressed and fixed to the upper surface 121a of the frame 120 through the first flexible part 130.

[0111] The upper cover 140 has one or more first cover protrusions 149, which are respectively embeddedly connected to one or more first grooves 122 arranged on the upper surface 121a of the frame 120. The plurality of first cover protrusions 149 may be arranged spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the upper cover 140.

[0112] The top cover 140 can be embeddedly attached to the upper surface 121a of the first body 121 to cover the upper part of the plurality of battery cells 110. The first cover protrusion 149 passes through each of the first mounting holes 135 of the first flexible portion 130 to be inserted into each of the first slots 122.

[0113] The first flexible part 130 can be integrally pressed and fixed between the top cover 140 and the frame 120 to limit the longitudinal vertical movement L and radial movement D of each of the multiple battery cells 110.

[0114] In the first flexible portion 130, the periphery of a plurality of first flexible holes 131 can be in close contact with the upper surface 121a of the first body 121 and the upper cover 140. In the first flexible portion 130, a plurality of flexible holes 131 can be in close contact with the crimping groove 112 of each battery cell 110 in the radial direction D.

[0115] The first flexible portion 130 has a structure that is embedded in the crimping grooves 112 of a plurality of battery cells 110 in a pressing manner. This restricts the movement of the battery cells 110 in the longitudinal direction L by means of the crimping grooves 112, and this can prevent the problematic battery cells (110a, see Figure 10 When (e) separates from the frame 120, it also separates the surrounding battery cells 110 together.

[0116] The radial direction D is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the battery cell 110. The radial direction D is also perpendicular to the outer surface of the battery cell 110.

[0117] Furthermore, in the battery cell assembly 100, the lower portions of multiple battery cells 110 can be integrally pressed and fixed to the lower cover 170 via the second flexible portion 160. The lower portion of the battery cell 110 has a negative terminal 113, which is the portion exposed from the lower surface 125b of the second body 125.

[0118] The second flexible part 160 can be inserted between the frame 120 and the lower cover 170. The second flexible part 160 can be made of a compressible material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0119] The second flexible portion 160 is arranged to cover the lower portion of the plurality of battery cells 110 exposed from the lower portion of the frame 120. For example, the second flexible portion 160 may be arranged as a retainer type, wherein the lower portions of the plurality of battery cells 110 are inserted and secured by a predetermined length.

[0120] The second flexible portion 160 may have a plurality of flexible grooves 161, into which the lower portions of a plurality of battery cells 110 are respectively inserted. The flexible grooves 161 are arranged such that the lower portions of the battery cells 110 can be inserted to a predetermined length.

[0121] The second flexible part 160 can be inserted into and fixed to the lower part of multiple battery cells 110 through multiple flexible grooves 161.

[0122] In the second flexible section 160, a plurality of flexible grooves 161 can be integrally formed. The second flexible section 160 can connect the lower parts of a plurality of battery cells 110 together through the plurality of flexible grooves 161.

[0123] The bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161 supports a plurality of battery cells 110 and is arranged to make surface contact with the bottom surface of the lower cover groove 173. The second flexible portion 160 may have a second flexible hole 163 passing through the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161.

[0124] The second flexible hole 163 is an opening that passes through the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161. The second flexible hole 163 has a diameter smaller than that of the battery cell 110. When the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161 of the second flexible portion 160 is pressed against the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110, the second flexible hole 163 functions as an air channel.

[0125] Air between the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161 and the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110 flows to the outside of the second flexible part 160 through the second flexible hole 163. Therefore, the second flexible part 160 can fit tightly and be fixed to the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0126] The second flexible portion 160 may have a flexible rib 164, which is arranged to surround the battery cell 110 by extending a predetermined length from the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161.

[0127] The flexible rib 164 is in the form of surrounding the outer surface of each of the plurality of battery cells 110, protruding a predetermined length from the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161. The length of the flexible rib 164 may be arranged to be equal to or shorter than the length of the battery cell 110 exposed from the lower part of the frame 120.

[0128] When the lower cover 170 is connected to the frame 120, the second flexible part 160 can be pressed and fixed to the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110 and the bottom surface of the lower cover groove 173. The lower cover groove 173 can be arranged to contact the bottom surface 161 of the second flexible groove 161 of the second flexible part 160 and have free space with the outer surface of the flexible rib 164.

[0129] The lower cover 170 may have a lower cover groove 173 recessed from the connecting surface of the lower cover 170 that contacts the lower surface 125b of the frame 120, and may be connected to the lower surface 125b of the frame 120 such that the lower cover groove 173 contacts the second flexible portion 160, thereby being pressed and fixed to the plurality of battery cells 110 via the second flexible portion 160.

[0130] The lower cover 170 can be connected to the frame 120 with the second flexible part 160 inserted into the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110, thereby restricting the up-and-down movement of each of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0131] Meanwhile, the frame 120 includes a first body 121 and a second body 125. The first body 121 and the second body 125 are pressed and fixed by a third flexible part 150.

[0132] The first body 121 and the second body 125 are embedded and connected. The first body 121 and the second body 125 can be embedded and connected in the normal position through a plurality of second fixing slots (not shown) and a plurality of second fixing protrusions 128.

[0133] The second fixing groove (not shown) is a recessed groove from the first body connecting surface 121b and is arranged such that the second fixing protrusion 128 can be inserted. The first body connecting surface 121b is the portion that contacts the second body connecting surface 125a of the second body 125. The first body connecting surface 121b is the lower surface of the first body 121.

[0134] The second fixing protrusion 128 protrudes from the second body connection surface 125a and is arranged to be inserted into the second fixing slot (not shown). The second fixing protrusion 128 is arranged around the cell space 126.

[0135] Furthermore, the second body 125 has a plurality of second grooves 124 arranged on the second body connecting surface 125a. The plurality of second grooves 124 are portions of the plurality of first protrusions 123 of the first body respectively connected in an embedded manner. The second grooves 124 of the second body 125 are coaxially positioned with the first grooves 122 and the first protrusions 123 of the first body.

[0136] The first body 121 and the second body 125 can be pressed and fixed by the third flexible part 150. The third flexible part 150 can press and fix the middle of the plurality of battery cells 110 to the frame 120. The third flexible part 150 can have a plurality of third flexible holes 151, and the plurality of battery cells 110 can be inserted through the plurality of third flexible holes 151 respectively.

[0137] The third flexible portion 150 has a plurality of third flexible holes 151, a plurality of third fixing holes 153, and a plurality of third mounting holes 155. The third flexible portion 150 may be made of a compressible material, such as rubber or silicone.

[0138] Multiple third flexible holes 151 are arranged according to the arrangement pattern of the battery cell 110. The third flexible part 150 can be arranged such that the periphery of the third flexible hole 151 can contact the first body connection surface 121b of the first body 121 and the second body connection surface 125a of the second body 125.

[0139] The third flexible portion 150 has one or more third fixing holes 153, which are arranged to allow one or more second fixing protrusions 128 protruding from the upper surface of the second body 125 to pass through.

[0140] The third flexible part 150 can be placed on the upper surface 125a of the second body 125, so that the third flexible hole 151 is exposed to the cell space 126 of the frame 120 by means of the third fixing hole 153.

[0141] Because the periphery of the third flexible hole 151 is pressed by the first body 121 and the second body 125, and the third flexible hole 151 is pressed against the outer surface of the battery cell 110 in the cell space 126 of the frame 120, the third flexible part 150 can restrict the movement of each of the multiple battery cells 110 in the radial direction.

[0142] In the battery cell assembly 100, multiple battery cells 110 can be pressed and fixed to the middle of the frame 120 through the third flexible part 150.

[0143] The stepped portion 125c that is recessed in the circumferential direction can be arranged on the lower surface 125b of the second body 125.

[0144] The stepped portion 125c is arranged such that, with the second flexible portion 160 inserted into the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110, there is a free space between the inner surface of the frame 120 and the second flexible portion 160. The stepped portion 125c is a gap space provided so that the second flexible portion 160 does not contact the inner surface of the frame 120.

[0145] The second flexible part 160 can be inserted and fixed to the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110, and does not come into close contact with the inner surface of the frame 120 by means of the step part 125c.

[0146] If the lower cover 170 is separated from the frame 120 when the battery cell assembly 100 is disassembled, the second flexible portion 160 is exposed to the outside of the frame 120 and does not come into close contact with the inner surface of the frame 120 by means of the step portion 125c, so that it can be easily separated from the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0147] The lower cover 170 can be embeddedly attached to the lower surface 125a of the second body 125 to cover the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110 on which the second flexible portion 160 is mounted. The lower cover 170 is attached to the lower surface 125b of the second body 125 to contact the bottom surface 162 of the second flexible groove 161 of the second flexible portion 160.

[0148] The lower cover 170 has a lower cover connecting surface 172 that contacts the lower surface 125b of the frame 120 and a lower cover groove 173 recessed from the lower cover connecting surface 172.

[0149] The lower cover 170 can be connected to the lower surface 125b of the frame 120, such that the lower cover groove 173 covers the second flexible portion 160, and can be pressed and fixed to the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110 through the second flexible portion 160.

[0150] The lower cover 170 has a plurality of second cover protrusions 174 projecting from the lower cover coupling surface 172. The lower cover 170 can be inserted into the third groove (129, see below) of the second body 125 in the normal position via the plurality of second cover protrusions 174. Figure 10 In (e)). In addition, the lower cover 170 can be connected to the second body 125 using screws 171.

[0151] The battery cell assembly 100 can be assembled by simply connecting multiple battery cells 110 to the frame 120 in their normal positions through an embedded connection of the components, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the battery cell assembly 100.

[0152] In addition, the battery cell assembly 100 has a structure in which the components can be detachably assembled, wherein the disassembly of the battery cell assembly 100 is simple, thereby making it easy to replace some of the battery cells 110a.

[0153] In addition, the battery cell assembly 100 can replace some of the battery cells 110a with new battery cells 110, thereby extending its service life.

[0154] In this paper, the battery cell assembly 100 is described based on an example of connecting multiple battery cells 110 between terminals using a wire bonding method, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and the method of connecting the battery cell terminals can be varied in various ways.

[0155] The structure of the top cover 140 when the battery cell assembly 100 uses wire bonding as the terminal connection method for multiple battery cells 110 will be described below.

[0156] The top cover 140 has a plurality of first cover holes 141, a plurality of second cover holes 142 and an electrode terminal block 143.

[0157] The first cover hole 141 is an opening provided to expose the positive terminal 111 of the battery cell 110. The second cover hole 142 is an opening provided to expose the negative terminal connection portion 115, which is electrically connected to the negative terminal 113 of the battery cell 110. The negative terminal connection portion 115 is arranged to surround the positive terminal 111 on the upper part of the battery cell 110.

[0158] The negative terminal 113 is located at the bottom of the battery cell 110. The second cover hole 142 is located between two adjacent first cover holes 141. The second cover hole 142 is an opening with a different shape than the first cover holes 141.

[0159] The positive terminal 111 and the negative terminal connection 115 are electrically connected to the electrode terminal block 143 by bonding with leads 191 and 192. The leads 191 and 192 can be made of conductive materials, such as copper or aluminum.

[0160] Reference numeral 191 is the positive lead 191 connecting the positive terminal 111 and the electrode terminal block 143. Reference numeral 192 is the negative lead 192 connecting the negative connection portion 115 and the electrode terminal block 143.

[0161] In the battery cell assembly 100, the battery cell 110a that needs to be replaced can be individually separated from the frame 120 through the following process. The battery cell 110a that needs to be replaced (or also referred to as the problem battery cell) is a battery cell 110 that has problems such as damage or short circuit.

[0162] Reference Figures 8 to 10 Describe the process of replacing the faulty battery cell 100a in the battery cell assembly 100. Figures 8 to 10 This is a diagram used to explain the process of separating a problematic battery cell from a battery cell assembly according to an example of the present invention and replacing it with a new battery cell.

[0163] Reference Figure 8 (a) Disconnect the leads 191 and 192 that are bonded between the terminals of the problematic battery cell 110a and the electrode terminal block 143.

[0164] Reference Figure 8 (b) Separate the lower cover 170 from the frame 120, and then separate the second flexible portion 160 from the lower portion of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0165] Reference Figure 9 (c) If the lower cover 170 is separated from the frame 120, the second flexible portion 160 is exposed to the outside. In this state, the second flexible portion 160 is peeled off from the lower part of the plurality of battery cells 110.

[0166] The second flexible part 160 is made of rubber material, therefore, if the pressure on the lower cover 170 is released, the clamping force P on the multiple battery cells 110 (refer to...) Figure 7 The ) is also released, thus making it easy to separate it from the lower part of the multiple battery cells 110.

[0167] Next, refer to Figure 9 (d) and Figure 10(e) Separate the problematic battery cell 110a from the cell space 126 of the frame 120 and insert a new battery cell 110 into the cell space 126 of the frame 120.

[0168] By pulling the problematic battery cell 110a along the longitudinal direction L of the battery cell 110a with a force greater than the clamping force P of the first flexible part 130 and the third flexible part 150, the problematic battery cell can be separated from the frame 120.

[0169] Next, the second flexible section 160 is installed on the lower part of a plurality of battery cells 110, including the new battery cell 110, and then the lower cover 170 is attached to the lower surface 125b of the frame 120. Finally, refer to Figure 10 (f) The terminals of the new battery cell 110 and the electrode terminal block 143 are bonded together using leads 191 and 192.

[0170] The battery cell assembly 100 has a structure in which multiple battery cells 110 are fixed to the frame 120 by a clamping method. Therefore, if the clamping force P of the first flexible part 130 and the second flexible part 160 on the battery cell 110 is released, the battery cell 110 can be separated from the frame 120 individually.

[0171] By connecting the top cover 140 with the frame 120, the first flexible part 130 can be fixed between them, and the upper part of multiple battery cells 110 can be integrally fixed by the fixed first flexible part 130.

[0172] By connecting the lower cover 170 to the frame 120, the second flexible part 160 can be fixed between them, and the lower part of multiple battery cells 110 can be integrally fixed by the fixed second flexible part 160.

[0173] The battery cell assembly 100 can be disassembled in the reverse order of its manufacturing or assembly. Specifically, if the connection between the lower cover 170 and the frame 120 is released, and the lower cover 170 is thus removed, the second flexible portion 160 and the lower portion of the battery cell 110 connected to the second flexible portion 160 can be exposed to the outside. The lower portion of the battery cell 110 has a certain gap through the second flexible portion. If only the second flexible portion 160 is removed, the lower portion of the battery cell 110 can be exposed to the outside with this gap.

[0174] Therefore, the lower part of the problematic battery cell 110a can be held in place and separated from the frame 120. At this time, the first flexible part 130 and / or the third flexible part 150 are fixed to the frame 120, so that the problematic battery cell 110 can be easily separated from the first flexible part 130 and / or the third flexible part 150 without being affected by other battery cells 110.

[0175] Therefore, it is very easy to separate each of the multiple battery cells 110 from the battery cell assembly 100, which makes it easy to replace each of the multiple battery cells 110.

[0176] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art with common knowledge of the invention will be able to make various modifications, alterations and additions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications, alterations and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0177] Industrial applicability

[0178] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery cell assembly can fix multiple battery cells in a press-fit manner, and when a problem occurs in some of the multiple battery cells, the problematic battery cell can be isolated individually.

Claims

1. A battery cell assembly, the battery cell assembly comprising: Multiple battery cells; A frame on which the plurality of battery cells are mounted; A top cover, which is attached to the upper surface of the frame to cover the upper part of the plurality of battery cells; A first flexible portion is inserted between the frame and the top cover and has a plurality of first flexible holes, wherein the upper portions of the plurality of battery cells pass through the plurality of first flexible holes in an embedded manner. as well as The lower cover is attached to the lower surface of the frame while the lower parts of the plurality of battery cells are partially inserted.

2. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first flexible part is integrally pressed and fixed between the upper cover and the frame to restrict the vertical and radial movement of each of the plurality of battery cells.

3. The battery cell assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The first flexible portion is arranged such that the periphery of the first flexible hole can contact the upper surface of the frame.

4. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The first flexible portion has one or more first fixing holes, which are arranged to allow one or more first fixing protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the frame to pass through, respectively, the cell space surrounding the frame.

5. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top cover has one or more first cover protrusions, which are respectively embeddedly connected to one or more first slots arranged on the upper surface of the frame, and the top cover is pressed and fixed to the upper surface of the frame by the first flexible portion.

6. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, In the battery cell assembly, a second flexible portion is inserted between the frame and the lower cover, and The second flexible portion has a plurality of flexible grooves, and the lower portions of the plurality of battery cells are respectively inserted into the plurality of flexible grooves.

7. The battery cell assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the second flexible section, the plurality of flexible grooves are integrally formed.

8. The battery cell assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The second flexible part connects the lower parts of the multiple battery cells into one unit through the multiple flexible grooves.

9. The battery cell assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The second flexible portion has a second flexible hole that passes through the bottom surface of the second flexible groove.

10. The battery cell assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The second flexible portion has flexible ribs that are arranged to surround the battery cell by extending a predetermined length from the bottom surface of the second flexible groove.

11. The battery cell assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The second flexible portion is arranged to cover the lower portion of the plurality of battery cells exposed from the lower portion of the frame.

12. The battery cell assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The frame has a stepped portion recessed in the circumferential direction on its lower surface, such that when the second flexible portion is inserted into the lower part of the plurality of battery cells, there is free space between the inner surface of the frame and the second flexible portion.

13. The battery cell assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower cover is connected to the frame when the second flexible portion is inserted into the lower part of the plurality of battery cells, thereby restricting the vertical movement of each of the plurality of battery cells.

14. The battery cell assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The lower cover has a lower cover groove recessed from a lower cover coupling surface that contacts the lower surface of the frame, and the lower cover is coupled to the lower surface of the frame such that the lower cover groove contacts the second flexible portion, thereby being pressed and fixed to the plurality of battery cells by the second flexible portion.

15. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The frame includes a first body and a second body, in which a plurality of cell spaces for inserting the battery cells open in two directions along the longitudinal direction of the battery cells, and the first body and the second body are arranged such that they can be connected in an embedded manner.

16. The battery cell assembly according to claim 15, wherein, The third flexible part is inserted between the first main body and the second main body.

17. The battery cell assembly according to claim 16, wherein, The third flexible portion has a plurality of third flexible holes, and each of the plurality of battery cells passes through the third flexible holes in an embedded manner.

18. The battery cell assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that, The periphery of the third flexible hole is pressed against the first body and the second body, and the third flexible hole is pressed against the outer surface of the battery cell in the cell space of the frame, thereby restricting the movement of each of the plurality of battery cells in the radial direction.

19. The battery cell assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that, The third flexible portion has one or more third fixing holes, which are arranged to allow one or more second fixing protrusions protruding from the upper surface of the second body to pass through, and the third flexible portion is disposed on the upper surface of the second body such that the third flexible holes are exposed to the cell space of the frame by means of the third fixing holes.

20. The battery cell assembly according to claim 17, wherein, One or more third slots are arranged on the lower surface of the second body, and The second body is embeddedly connected to the second cover protrusion of the lower cover via the third groove.

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