Battery assembly

Abstract

A battery assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a cell stack including one or more battery cells, a busbar including one or more busbar units electrically connecting the battery cells, and a busbar frame having protrusions disposed between the busbar units, the busbar being placed on one face of the busbar frame. The battery assembly of the disclosure can suppress thermal runaway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery assembly, and more specifically, to a battery assembly with excellent stability. Background Technology

[0002] A rechargeable battery is a type of battery manufactured to convert electrical energy into chemical energy for storage, and can be reused multiple times through charging and discharging. Due to their economical and environmentally friendly characteristics, rechargeable batteries are widely used in various industries. In particular, lithium-ion batteries are widely used across industries, including portable devices that require high-density energy.

[0003] The working principle of a lithium-ion rechargeable battery is an electrochemical redox reaction. That is, it generates electricity through the migration of lithium ions and charges through the reverse process. In a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, the phenomenon of lithium ions being extracted from the anode and migrating through the electrolyte and separator to the cathode is called discharging, and the reverse process is called charging.

[0004] Secondary batteries generate a significant amount of heat during charging and discharging. If this internal heat cannot be controlled quickly, the fire can spread to adjacent battery cells, causing severe damage. Therefore, one of the primary objectives is to rapidly control the heat generated inside the secondary battery and suppress the spread of the fire.

[0005] To achieve high capacity and high output characteristics, multiple secondary batteries can be combined to manufacture battery modules or battery packs. In this case, a fire in any one of the individual battery cells can destroy the battery module or battery pack. Therefore, this risk must be prevented. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly with excellent stability.

[0008] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly with improved thermal stability.

[0009] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly capable of suppressing thermal runaway.

[0010] On the other hand, the battery modules according to this disclosure can be widely used in electric vehicles, battery charging stations, energy storage systems (ESS), and other green technologies such as solar power generation and wind power generation that utilize batteries. Furthermore, the battery modules according to this disclosure can be used in eco-friendly mobility devices, including electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, to mitigate climate change by reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly comprising: a cell stack including one or more battery cells; a busbar including one or more busbar units electrically connected to the battery cells; and a busbar frame having protrusions disposed between the busbar units, the busbars being placed on one side of the busbar frame.

[0013] In one embodiment, the busbar frame having the protrusion can be manufactured by injection molding.

[0014] In one embodiment, the protrusion may be formed of the same material as the other areas of the busbar frame.

[0015] In one embodiment, the protrusion may be formed of a different material than the other areas of the busbar frame.

[0016] In one embodiment, the protrusion may be formed of a material with better heat resistance than other areas of the busbar frame.

[0017] In one embodiment, the protrusion may comprise at least one selected from mica (MICA), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).

[0018] In one embodiment, the battery cell may include a tab for electrical connection to an external source, and the busbar frame may include a through hole for the tab to extend out.

[0019] In one embodiment, the battery cell may include a tab for electrical connection to an external source, and the busbar unit may include a slit for the tab to extend out.

[0020] In one embodiment, the battery cell may include a tab for electrical connection to an external source, the busbar frame includes a through hole for the tab to extend out, and the busbar unit includes a slit for the tab to extend out at a position corresponding to the through hole.

[0021] In one embodiment, the protrusion may extend in the direction in which the tab extends.

[0022] In one embodiment, the protrusion may extend from one side of the busbar frame.

[0023] In one embodiment, a blocking portion may also be included between any two adjacent battery cells.

[0024] In one embodiment, the monomer stack may include a housing that contains the monomer stack.

[0025] In one embodiment, the battery cell may be pouch-shaped, prismatic, or cylindrical.

[0026] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly, which may include: a cell stack including one or more cell cells; a busbar including one or more busbar units electrically connected to the cell cells; and a busbar frame, the busbar being disposed on one side of the busbar frame, the busbar frame having a protrusion extending from the side in a direction intersecting the stacking direction of the cell stack.

[0027] The effects of the invention

[0028] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly with improved stability.

[0029] One embodiment of this disclosure provides a battery assembly with improved thermal stability.

[0030] One embodiment of this disclosure can delay the occurrence of battery assembly fires.

[0031] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, even if the busbar frame melts and loses its busbar support function in the event of thermal runaway, short circuits in the busbars can be prevented by the protrusions provided between the busbar units. This suppresses additional thermal runaway caused by busbar short circuits.

[0032] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, when a fire occurs in a battery module due to external impact, overheating of individual battery cells, etc., heat transfer between individual battery cells can be effectively blocked, thereby slowing down the spread of the fire. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 A schematic exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0035] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the busbar frame and the connection structure of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0038] 100: Battery Components

[0039] 110: Battery cell

[0040] 120: Outer shell

[0041] 131: Busbar Frame

[0042] 131a: Protrusion

[0043] 132: Busbar

[0044] 132a: Busbar unit Detailed Implementation

[0045] The specific terminology used in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments.

[0046] For example, expressions such as "same" and "identical" not only indicate a state of strict sameness, but also indicate a state of difference in the degree to which the same function is achieved, where there is a tolerance.

[0047] For example, expressions such as "towards a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "perpendicular," "centered," "concentric," or "coaxial," which indicate relative or absolute settings, not only indicate a strict setting, but also indicate a state of relative displacement of angle or distance with tolerance or to the extent of achieving the same function.

[0048] To illustrate this disclosure, the following explanation will be based on a spatial orthogonal coordinate system consisting of mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Each axis direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) represents the directions extending from both sides of each axis. The X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction mentioned below are for illustrative purposes to facilitate a clear understanding of this disclosure; however, depending on the established reference, these directions may be defined in other ways.

[0049] The use of terms such as "first," "second," and "third" before the components mentioned below is merely to avoid confusion and has nothing to do with the order, importance, or hierarchical relationship between the components. For example, it is possible to have an invention that includes only the second component and not the first component.

[0050] The terminology used in this disclosure is intended to describe particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly means otherwise.

[0051] Figure 1 To illustrate a schematic perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 To illustrate a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Reference Figures 1 to 3 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery assembly 100 may include: a single-cell stack including one or more battery cells 110; a busbar 132 including one or more busbar units 132a electrically connected to the battery cells 110; and a busbar frame 131 having protrusions 131a disposed between the busbar units 132a, wherein the busbar 132 is placed on one side of the busbar frame 131.

[0053] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the battery assembly can be a battery module, a battery pack, or an energy storage system (ESS), but is not limited thereto.

[0054] The battery cell 110 can represent a rechargeable battery that can repeatedly use electrical energy through charging and discharging. As an example, the battery cell 110 can be a lithium cobalt battery, a high-nickel lithium battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a sodium battery, an all-solid-state battery, etc.

[0055] The battery cell 110 can be classified into pouch-shaped, prismatic, or cylindrical secondary batteries according to its shape. For ease of explanation, a pouch-shaped secondary battery is used as an example in this specification, but it is not limited to this.

[0056] Reference Figure 1The battery cell 110 may include a body portion 111 and a tab portion 112. The body portion 111 may store and supply electrical energy. The body portion 111 may include a positive electrode and a negative electrode. As an example, the body portion 111 may include an electrode assembly formed by stacking positive and negative electrodes.

[0057] The positive electrode may include a positive electrode active material, and the negative electrode may include a negative electrode active material. The positive electrode active material may be a material capable of inserting and deintercalating lithium ions, and the negative electrode active material may be a material capable of inserting and deintercalating lithium ions.

[0058] The tab 112 can protrude outward from the body 111. The tab 112 can be connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode respectively and protrude outward from the body 111. The tab 112 may include a positive electrode tab 112a connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode tab 112b connected to the negative electrode.

[0059] In one embodiment, the positive electrode tab 112a and the negative electrode tab 112b may protrude in opposite directions. For example, refer to... Figure 1 The positive electrode tab 112a can protrude along the +X direction, and the negative electrode tab 112b can protrude along the -X direction.

[0060] The tab 112 can connect the battery cell to the outside. The tab 112 can be connected to the positive and negative terminals of the body 111 respectively to supply electrical energy stored in the body 111 to the outside or to receive electrical energy from the outside.

[0061] In one embodiment, battery assembly 100 may represent a group of one or more battery cells 110 to protect the battery cells 110 from external impacts, heat, vibration, etc., and has high output and high capacity characteristics. For example, battery assembly 100 may represent a battery module or a battery pack. In this specification, for ease of explanation, a battery module is used as an example of battery assembly 100.

[0062] Reference Figure 2 In one embodiment, the battery assembly 100 may include a housing 120 that houses a stack of individual cells 110 comprising one or more individual cells 110. This serves to protect the individual cells 110 from external objects or impacts and to assemble the individual cells 110 into a single unit.

[0063] The outer casing 120 may include: a receiving body 121 for receiving a plurality of battery cells 110; and a receiving cover 122, which is attached to the receiving body 121 and together with the receiving body 121 forms a space for receiving a plurality of battery cells 110.

[0064] The receiving body 121 may include an opening from the top, through which multiple battery cells 110 can be received. The receiving cover 122 may be attached to the receiving body 121 to close the opening.

[0065] In one embodiment, the battery assembly 100 may further include an end cap 150. The end cap 150 may be coupled to both sides of the receiving body 121 to form one side of the receiving space. For example, the end cap 150 may be coupled to the receiving body 121 along the X direction.

[0066] In one embodiment, the battery assembly 100 can be formed into a hexahedron through a housing 120 and an end cap 150. This structure can effectively protect the internal battery cells 110 from external impacts.

[0067] In one embodiment, the battery assembly 100 may include a busbar assembly 130. The busbar assembly 130 may include a busbar 132 and a busbar frame 131 for placing the busbar 132.

[0068] The busbar frame 131 can extend along the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 110. To improve stacking efficiency, the plurality of battery cells 110 can be configured with their wide faces facing each other. For example, referring to... Figure 2 Multiple battery cells 110 can be stacked along the Y direction.

[0069] The busbar frame 131 can be configured to face the tab 112 of the battery cell 110. The busbar frame 131 can extend along the stacking direction by an amount corresponding to the stacking amount of the battery cell 110, or it can have one or more busbar frames 131 along the stacking direction corresponding to the stacking amount of the battery cell 110.

[0070] The busbar frame 131 may include a through hole 131h for leading out the tab 112 of the battery cell 110. The tab 112 of the battery cell 110 can be led out through the through hole 131h to one side of the busbar frame 131. One side of the busbar frame 131 may be in the opposite direction to the direction facing the battery cell 110. The other side of the busbar frame 131 may be in the direction facing the battery cell 110. Figure 2 In the middle, one side of the busbar frame 131 can be in the +X direction, and the other side of the busbar frame 131 can be in the -X direction.

[0071] The busbar 132 can be placed on one side of the busbar frame 131. The busbar 132 is used to electrically connect the battery cell 110 and may include one or more busbar units 132a.

[0072] In one embodiment, the busbar unit 132a can electrically connect adjacent battery cells 110. Multiple battery cells 110 can be connected in series or parallel in a manner connected to the busbar unit 132a.

[0073] The busbar unit 132a may include a slit 132h through which the tabs 112 of the battery cells can be led out. The tabs 112 of the battery cells can be led out through the slit 132h. Multiple battery cells 110 can be electrically connected by connecting the led-out tabs 112. The tabs 112 can be led out to one side of the busbar 132, and the led-out portions can be connected together.

[0074] The slit 132h of the busbar unit 132a can be positioned at a position corresponding to the through hole 131h of the busbar frame 131. Thus, the tab 112 of the battery cell can be directly led out to the busbar 132 through the busbar frame 131.

[0075] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 may have a protrusion 131a.

[0076] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the busbar frame and the connection structure of a battery assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Reference Figures 3 to 5 A busbar 132 can be placed on one side of the busbar frame 131, and a protrusion 131a can be inserted between the placed busbar units 132a.

[0078] In one embodiment, the protrusion 131a may protrude a predetermined length from one side of the busbar frame 131.

[0079] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 may extend along the stacking direction (Y direction) of the plurality of battery cells 110, and the busbar unit 132a may also be disposed along the stacking direction of the plurality of battery cells 110. In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 may include a plurality of protrusions 131a formed along the stacking direction of the battery cells 110.

[0080] In one embodiment, a protrusion 131a is disposed between the busbar units 132a and may be formed along the slit forming direction of the busbar unit 132a.

[0081] That is, a protrusion 131a can be formed in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells (z direction).

[0082] The protrusions 131a of the busbar frame 131 can be used to prevent the adjacent busbar units 132a from contacting.

[0083] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 having the protrusion 131a can be manufactured by injection molding.

[0084] In one embodiment, the protrusion 131a may be an integral structure with the busbar frame 131, rather than a structure separate from the busbar frame 131.

[0085] In one embodiment, the protrusion 131a may be formed of the same material as the other areas of the busbar frame 131. Alternatively, the protrusion 131a may be formed of a different material than the other areas of the busbar frame 131.

[0086] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 may be made of a flame-retardant plastic material.

[0087] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 can be made of a heat-resistant material that does not melt under high temperature and high pressure. In particular, it can be made of a material that can maintain its shape under thermal runaway conditions (high temperature and high pressure), and can maintain its shape at temperatures above 100°C, 120°C, 150°C, or 200°C. For example, materials such as mica (MICA), glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP), and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) can be used, but are not limited to these.

[0088] In one embodiment, the protrusion 131a may be made of a material that has better heat resistance than other areas of the busbar frame 131.

[0089] In one embodiment, if the protrusion 131a is formed of a different material than other areas of the busbar frame 131, it can be manufactured by insert injection molding.

[0090] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131, particularly the protrusion 131a, can withstand high temperature and high pressure environments and maintain its shape under thermal runaway conditions. This allows the spacing between the busbar units 132a to be maintained.

[0091] Even if the busbar frame 131 is made of flame-retardant material, the temperature may still exceed its melting point in the event of thermal runaway. If the busbar frame 131 melts, it may lose its supporting function for the busbars 132. If the supporting function of the busbars 132 is lost, contact may occur between the busbar units 132a, potentially causing a busbar short circuit. A busbar short circuit in the event of thermal runaway can cause additional thermal runaway, thereby accelerating thermal runaway.

[0092] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, even if the busbar frame 131 loses its support function for the busbar 132 in the event of thermal runaway, the short circuit of the busbar can be suppressed by the protrusion 131a provided between the busbar units 132a.

[0093] In one embodiment, the busbar frame 131 has a protrusion 131a, thereby providing excellent assemblability.

[0094] The protrusion 131a protrudes toward one side of the busbar frame 131, so as not to obstruct the lead-out of the battery cell tab 112 to one side of the busbar frame 131 and the busbar 132.

[0095] Furthermore, when the busbar unit 132a is positioned between the protrusions 131a of the busbar frame 131 during battery assembly, the busbar 132 can be easily secured to the busbar frame 131. This also allows for easy subsequent assembly of the battery cell tabs 112.

[0096] In one embodiment, the protrusion 131a does not affect the arrangement of the battery cells disposed inside the housing, thus reducing assembly difficulty and increasing design freedom.

[0097] In one embodiment, the battery assembly 100 may include a blocking portion 170. The blocking portion 170 may be disposed between a plurality of battery cells 110. The blocking portion 170 may be stacked together with the plurality of battery cells 110 along the stacking direction of the battery cells 110. In one embodiment, the blocking portion 170 may be located between two adjacent battery cells 110. The blocking portion 170 is formed of a flame-retardant material to prevent the spread of fire between battery cells.

[0098] As described above, in the battery assembly according to one embodiment, even if the busbar frame 131 melts and loses its support function for the busbar 132 in the event of thermal runaway, short circuits in the busbars can be suppressed by the protrusions 131a provided between the busbar units 132a. Thus, additional thermal runaway caused by busbar short circuits can be suppressed.

[0099] One embodiment of this disclosure can be a battery pack comprising one or more battery modules. The structure and features of the battery modules are as described above. In addition to the battery modules, the battery pack may also include a housing for housing the battery modules and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery modules, such as a battery management system (BMS), current sensors, fuses, etc.

[0100] This disclosure can be implemented in various forms, and its scope of claim is not limited to the embodiments described above. Therefore, if a modified embodiment includes the constituent elements of the claims of this disclosure, it should be considered to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery assembly, comprising: A single-cell stack, comprising one or more battery cells; A busbar includes one or more busbar units that are electrically connected to the battery cell; as well as A busbar frame has protrusions disposed between the busbar units, the busbars being placed on one side of the busbar frame.

2. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The busbar frame with the protrusion is manufactured by injection molding.

3. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion is formed of the same material as the other areas of the busbar frame.

4. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion is formed of a material different from that of the other areas of the busbar frame.

5. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion is formed of a material with better heat resistance than other areas of the busbar frame.

6. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The protrusion comprises at least one selected from mica, glass fiber reinforced plastic and carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

7. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell includes a tab for external electrical connection, and the busbar frame includes a through hole for the tab to extend out.

8. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell includes a tab for electrical connection to an external source, and the busbar unit includes a slit for the tab to extend out.

9. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell includes a tab for electrical connection to an external source, the busbar frame includes a through hole for the tab to extend out, and the busbar unit includes a slit for the tab to extend out at a position corresponding to the through hole.

10. The battery assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The protrusion extends in the direction from which the tab extends.

11. The battery assembly of claim 10, wherein, The protrusion extends from one side of the busbar frame.

12. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Also includes: The blocking section is located between any two adjacent battery cells.

13. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, include: The outer shell is used to house the monolayer.

14. The battery assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell is pouch-shaped, prismatic, or cylindrical.

15. A battery assembly, comprising: A single-cell stack, comprising one or more battery cells; A busbar includes one or more busbar units that are electrically connected to the battery cell; as well as A busbar frame, wherein the busbar is placed on one side of the busbar frame, the busbar frame having a protrusion extending from the one side in a direction intersecting the stacking direction of the monolithic laminate.

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