Battery module, battery pack, and vehicle

Abstract

A battery module includes a cell stack in which a plurality of cells are stacked, and a module case that accommodates the cell stack, wherein the module case includes a case body having an opening and an end cover assembly coupled to the opening of the case body, a mounting structure for fixing the battery module to a battery pack case is formed in each of the end cover assemblies, and a voltage and current sensing structure including a sensing line directly connected to the plurality of cells is formed in each of the end cover assemblies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery module, battery pack, and vehicle, and more specifically, to a battery module, battery pack, and vehicle that simplifies configuration and improves assembly convenience by implementing the mounting structure and the voltage and current sensing structure as a single component. Background Technology

[0002] A semi-permanent battery that can convert electrical energy into chemical energy and can be repeatedly charged and discharged is called a secondary battery.

[0003] Secondary battery packs include lithium secondary batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, zinc-air batteries, and alkaline manganese batteries.

[0004] Among these batteries, lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries are the most commercially active secondary batteries.

[0005] In particular, lithium secondary batteries have been actively used as batteries for electric vehicles in recent years due to their advantages such as high energy storage density, lightweight and miniaturization, excellent safety, low discharge rate and long life.

[0006] For reference, lithium secondary batteries are generally classified into cylindrical, square, and pouch types according to their manufacturing form, and are widely used not only in electric vehicle batteries, but also in ESS batteries and other electrical equipment.

[0007] Currently, the operating voltage of a single lithium-ion battery cell is approximately 25V to 45V.

[0008] Therefore, in order to use secondary batteries as an energy source for electric vehicles, battery modules are configured by connecting multiple lithium-ion battery cells in series and / or in parallel, and battery packs are configured by connecting multiple battery modules in series and / or in parallel.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module in the prior art. Figure 2 This is an exploded view showing a battery module in the prior art.

[0010] The battery module 10 in the prior art includes a module housing 11, a cell stack 13, a heat transfer barrier 15, and a busbar assembly 17.

[0011] The module housing 11 is a component used to protect the battery cell stack 13 from external impacts and other influences, and is made of a metal material with excellent mechanical strength.

[0012] The module housing 11 includes a housing body 11a and an end cap 11b, and mounting portions 11c for fixing to the battery pack housing are formed on both sides of the end cap 11b.

[0013] The battery pack housing is configured to accommodate multiple battery modules 10 for configuring the battery pack.

[0014] The cell stack 13 is formed by stacking multiple battery cells 13a to form a generally hexahedral shape, and electrode leads 13b extend from both sides of each battery cell 13a along the length direction.

[0015] Reference numeral 14 in the attached figure is a compressible gasket used to pressurize the outermost battery cell.

[0016] The heat transfer barrier 15 is a component that prevents the module housing 11 from collapsing rapidly due to high-temperature gas or flame in the event of a thermal event inside the battery module 10.

[0017] The heat transfer barrier 15 is made of heat-resistant material and can be configured to surround at least a portion of the cell stack 13 inside the module housing 11.

[0018] The busbar assembly 17 includes a busbar frame 17a and a plurality of busbars 17b, serving as a device for connecting a plurality of battery cells 13a in series and / or in parallel with each other.

[0019] The battery module 10 in the prior art configured in this way has the following problems: because a mounting part 11c for fixing to the battery pack housing must be formed in the end cover 11b, and a busbar assembly 17 for connecting multiple battery cells 13a in series and / or in parallel must be set separately, the overall configuration is complicated and assembly is inconvenient.

[0020] (Existing technical documents)

[0021] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-2024-0018889A (Published on February 14, 2024) Summary of the Invention

[0022] Technical issues

[0023] This disclosure is made to solve the various problems in the prior art described above. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a battery module, battery pack, and vehicle that simplifies configuration and improves assembly convenience by implementing the structure for installation and the structure for voltage and current sensing as a single component.

[0024] Technical solution

[0025] According to this disclosure, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a battery module is provided, comprising: a cell stack having a plurality of cells stacked therein; and a module housing housing the cell stack. In this battery module, the module housing includes a housing body having an opening and an end cap assembly connected to the opening of the housing body. The end cap assembly includes a mounting structure for securing the battery module to a battery pack housing and a voltage and current sensing structure including sensing lines directly connected to the plurality of cells.

[0026] A fastening bracket, which extends along the length direction, can be formed in both ends of the housing body along the length direction, and the fastening bracket can be fastened to the end cap assembly.

[0027] The end cap assembly may include a housing with an internal receiving space and mounting structure, and a busbar assembly housed in the receiving space of the housing and having voltage and current sensing structures.

[0028] At least one module mounting portion for fixing to the battery pack housing can be formed on the outer surface of the housing.

[0029] A pair of module mounting portions may be located at the center of the front surface of the housing and may be configured to be bolted in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the battery pack housing.

[0030] The bracket mounting portion may be formed in the housing at a position corresponding to the fastening bracket.

[0031] The bracket mounting portion can be formed on both sides of the housing, and the fastening bracket can be formed to extend from both ends of the housing body.

[0032] A through-hole can be formed on the upper surface of the housing, and a connector can be assembled into the through-hole. The connector can be formed in the busbar assembly, and the connector can send and receive information from the battery module through a sensing line communicating with the through-hole.

[0033] Meanwhile, this disclosure provides a battery pack, which includes battery modules and a battery pack housing that accommodates a plurality of said battery modules.

[0034] In addition, this disclosure provides a vehicle that includes the battery pack.

[0035] Beneficial effects

[0036] Based on the solution to the above problems, this disclosure has the following beneficial effects.

[0037] This disclosure provides a mounting structure for securing a battery pack housing containing multiple battery modules to an end cap assembly of the battery modules, and a voltage and current sensing structure including sensing lines directly connected to multiple battery cells. This has the advantages of simplifying configuration and improving assembly convenience.

[0038] Furthermore, compared with the existing mounting structures used to fix battery modules to the battery pack housing, this disclosure has the beneficial effect of improving rigidity by forming a module mounting portion and a bracket mounting portion in the housing of the end cap assembly, respectively.

[0039] Furthermore, compared to battery modules in the prior art, this disclosure has the beneficial effect of simplifying the sensing structure by housing the busbar assembly with voltage and current sensing structures in the housing space of the casing and directly connecting the electrode leads and sensing lines of the battery cell. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module in the prior art.

[0041] Figure 2 This is an exploded view showing a battery module in the prior art.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 An exploded view of the end cap assembly in the battery module.

[0044] Figure 5 This is an exploded view showing the housing and busbar assembly of the end cap assembly in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows the state after the housing and busbar assembly are connected.

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing a vertical cross-section of a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of part A in the image.

[0048] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the battery pack according to this disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 It is an illustrative representation including Figure 9 A diagram of a vehicle with a battery pack. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The advantages, features, and methods of achieving these advantages and features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to complete the disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. This disclosure is defined only by the appended claims. Therefore, in some embodiments, to avoid ambiguity in the interpretation of this disclosure, well-known process steps, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.

[0051] To clearly show multiple layers and regions in the accompanying drawings, the thickness may be enlarged. Throughout the specification, similar elements are given the same reference numerals. When describing an element (such as a layer, film, region, or plate) as being "above" another element, this description includes not only the case where one element is directly "above" another element, but also the case where another element is located between them. Conversely, when describing an element as being directly "above" another element, this description indicates that there are no other elements between them. Furthermore, when describing an element (such as a layer, film, region, or plate) as being "below" another element, this description includes not only the case where one element is directly "below" another element, but also the case where another element is located between them. Conversely, when describing an element as being directly "below" another element, this description indicates that there are no other elements between them.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 An exploded view of the end cap assembly in the battery module. Figure 5 This is an exploded view showing the housing and busbar assembly of the end cap assembly in a battery module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 The diagram shows the state after the housing and busbar assembly are connected.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery module M includes a cell stack 200 formed by stacking multiple cell stacks and a module housing 100 that houses the cell stack 200.

[0054] The module housing 100 includes a housing body 110 having an opening and an end cap assembly 120 connected to the opening of the housing body 110.

[0055] The housing body 110 has front and rear openings in the longitudinal direction to cover the upper, lower, left and right sides of the cell stack 200, and the end cap assembly 120 can be connected to the front and rear sides of the openings of the housing body 110.

[0056] The module housing 100 protects the cell stack 200 and the electrical components connected thereto from external physical impacts and can be manufactured using a metal material with excellent mechanical strength.

[0057] The module housing 100 houses the battery cell stack 200 and the electrical components connected thereto in its internal space, and the front and rear sides of the module housing 100 are open.

[0058] The end cap assembly 120 is provided with a mounting structure for fixing the battery module M to the battery pack housing, and a voltage and current sensing structure including sensing lines SL directly connected to multiple battery cells.

[0059] The mounting structure includes a module mounting section 122b and a bracket mounting section 122c.

[0060] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the end cap assembly 120 of the battery module M has a mounting structure for securing the battery module M to a battery pack housing, and a voltage and current sensing structure including sensing lines SL directly connected to multiple battery cells. Therefore, the structure is simplified and assembly convenience is improved.

[0061] Plate-shaped fastening brackets 112 are formed at both ends of the housing body 110 in the length direction, and the fastening brackets 112 are fastened to the bracket mounting portion 122c formed in the housing 122 of the end cap assembly 120.

[0062] Specifically, a plurality of first fastening holes C1 are formed on the fastening bracket 112, and a second fastening hole C2 communicating with the first fastening holes C1 is formed in the bracket mounting portion 122c.

[0063] When bolt B passes through the first fastening hole C1 and is assembled and fastened to the second fastening hole C2, the fastening bracket 112 is fixed to the bracket mounting part 122c.

[0064] The end cap assembly 120 is integrally formed with the housing 122 and the busbar assembly 124 in a manner that allows them to be attached and detached.

[0065] The mounting structure, including the module mounting portion 122b and the bracket mounting portion 122c, is formed on the housing 122 having an internal accommodating space.

[0066] Specifically, at least one module mounting portion 122b for fixing the battery module M to the battery pack housing that accommodates multiple battery modules M is formed on the outer surface of the housing 122.

[0067] For example, a pair of module mounting portions 122b can be located at the center of the front surface of the housing 122 and can be configured to fasten bolts B in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the battery pack housing.

[0068] In the housing 122, a bracket mounting portion 122c is formed at a position corresponding to the fastening bracket 112.

[0069] For example, the bracket mounting portion 122c may be formed on both sides of the housing 122, and the fastening bracket 112 may be formed in a plate shape extending from both ends of the housing body 110.

[0070] In this manner, the module mounting portion 122b and the bracket mounting portion 122c are respectively formed within the housing 122 of the end cap assembly 120. This method improves rigidity compared to existing mounting structures used to secure battery modules to the battery pack housing.

[0071] The busbar assembly 124 is housed in the housing space of the housing 122 and has voltage and current sensing structures.

[0072] Busbar assembly 124 is a device for connecting multiple battery cells in series and / or in parallel, and includes busbar frame 124b and busbar 124c.

[0073] The busbar frame 124b is formed as a plate to be housed in the internal receiving space of the housing 122.

[0074] A sensing line SL is formed on the upper surface of the busbar frame 124b, communicating with a through hole 122a formed in the housing 122.

[0075] The busbar frame 124b may include multiple frame slots through which the electrode leads 210 of the battery cells of the cell stack 200 may pass along the length direction of the module housing 100, and the busbar frame 124b may be configured to attach multiple busbars 124c to the outer surface in the same direction as the stacking direction of the battery cells.

[0076] For example, the busbar frame can be made of plastic to provide electrical insulation to the electrode leads.

[0077] Multiple busbars 124c are formed as rods made of conductive materials (such as metals like copper, aluminum, and nickel) and can be arranged in the busbar frame 124b without interfering with the frame slots.

[0078] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing a vertical cross-section of a battery module according to the present disclosure. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 An enlarged view of part A in the image.

[0079] A through hole 122a is formed on the upper surface of the housing 122 of the end cap assembly 120, and a connector 124a is assembled into the through hole 122a.

[0080] The connector 124a formed in this manner is configured to transmit and receive information from the battery module M via a sensing line SL formed in the busbar assembly 124 and communicating with the through hole 122a.

[0081] Compared with existing battery modules, this disclosure has the advantage of simplifying the sensing structure by housing the busbar assembly 124 with voltage and current sensing structures in the housing space of the housing 122 and directly connecting the electrode leads 210 and sensing lines SL of the battery cells of the cell stack 200.

[0082] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack according to this disclosure. Figure 10 It is an illustrative representation including Figure 9 A diagram of a vehicle with a battery pack.

[0083] The battery pack P includes the aforementioned battery modules M and a battery pack housing C that accommodates multiple battery modules M.

[0084] The battery pack P configured in this way can be installed in the vehicle V as a fuel source for the vehicle.

[0085] For example, the battery pack P can be installed in a vehicle V, such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or any other type of vehicle, which can use the battery pack P as a fuel source.

[0086] In addition to the vehicle V, the battery pack P can also be installed in other devices, mechanisms and facilities (such as energy storage systems that use secondary batteries).

[0087] In this manner, according to this disclosure, the battery pack P and the devices, mechanisms, and facilities (such as a vehicle V) including the battery pack P include the aforementioned battery module M. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a battery pack P having all the advantages of the aforementioned battery module M, as well as devices, mechanisms, and facilities (such as a vehicle) including the battery pack P.

[0088] [Description of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0089] M: Battery module

[0090] P: Battery pack

[0091] C: Battery pack casing

[0092] V: Vehicle

[0093] 100: Module housing

[0094] 110: Shell Body

[0095] 112: Fastening bracket

[0096] 120: End cap assembly

[0097] 122: Outer shell

[0098] 122b: Module Installation Section

[0099] 122c: Bracket mounting section

[0100] 124: Busbar Component

[0101] 124a: Connector

[0102] 124b: Busbar Frame

[0103] 124c: Busbar

[0104] SL: Sensing line

Claims

1. A battery module, the battery module comprising: A battery cell stack, wherein multiple battery cells are stacked in the battery cell stack; as well as Module housing, the module housing housing the battery cell stack, The module housing includes a housing body with an opening and an end cap assembly connected to the opening of the housing body. The end cap assembly includes a mounting structure and a voltage and current sensing structure. The mounting structure is used to fix the battery module to the battery pack housing. The voltage and current sensing structure includes sensing lines directly connected to the plurality of battery cells.

2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein, A predetermined fastening bracket is formed at both ends of the housing body along the length direction, and the fastening bracket is fastened to the end cap assembly.

3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein, The end cap assembly includes a housing having an internal receiving space and forming the mounting structure, and a busbar assembly housed in the receiving space of the housing and forming the voltage and current sensing structure.

4. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, At least one module mounting portion for fixing to the battery pack housing is formed on the outer surface of the housing.

5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein, The module mounting portion is configured as a pair of module mounting portions, which are located at the center of the front surface of the housing and are configured to be bolted together in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the battery pack housing.

6. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, A bracket mounting portion is formed in the housing at a position corresponding to the fastening bracket.

7. The battery module according to claim 6, wherein, The bracket mounting portions are located on two side surfaces of the housing, and the fastening brackets are formed to extend from two ends of the housing body.

8. The battery module according to claim 3, wherein, A through hole is formed on the upper surface of the housing, and a connector is assembled into the through hole. The connector is formed in the busbar assembly, and the connector sends and receives information from the battery module through a sensing line communicating with the through hole.

9. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: The battery module according to any one of claims 1 to 8; as well as A battery pack housing that accommodates multiple of the battery modules.

10. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising: The battery pack according to claim 9.

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