Battery pack

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a battery pack housing; a cell assembly including a frame disposed on the battery pack housing and battery cells housed in the frame; a mounting block disposed between the frame and the battery pack housing; and a first bolt securing the frame to the mounting block and spaced apart from the battery pack housing, wherein the mounting block includes an insulating layer disposed in a portion contacting the frame and a portion contacting the battery pack housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0155889, filed on November 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can undergo multiple charge-discharge cycles. They are widely used as power sources for various wireless devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has significantly decreased, and the driving range of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) has increased to a level comparable to that of internal combustion engine vehicles. Therefore, the primary application of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to the mobility sector.

[0004] As rechargeable batteries are increasingly used in mobility applications, the need for their safety is growing. Accidents involving rechargeable batteries in mobility applications, such as fires, could endanger the lives of drivers. Therefore, research into technologies to improve the safety of rechargeable batteries is essential. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the technical concept disclosed herein is to provide a battery pack.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure provides a battery pack comprising: a battery pack housing; a cell assembly including a frame disposed on the battery pack housing and battery cells housed within the frame; a mounting block disposed between the frame and the battery pack housing; and a first bolt securing the frame to the mounting block and spaced apart from the battery pack housing, wherein the mounting block includes insulating layers disposed at portions contacting the frame and the battery pack housing.

[0009] In an exemplary aspect, the mounting block further includes a core block, and the insulating layer extends along the outer surface of the core block.

[0010] In an exemplary aspect, the first bolt is fastened to the core block.

[0011] In an exemplary aspect, the insulating layer is configured to electrically insulate the battery pack housing from the frame and the first bolt.

[0012] In an exemplary aspect, the battery pack further includes a second bolt for securing the mounting block to the battery pack housing.

[0013] In an exemplary aspect, the mounting block further includes a core block to which the first bolt is fastened, and the second bolt is spaced apart from the core block, and the insulating layer is inserted between the second bolt and the core block.

[0014] In an exemplary aspect, the mounting block further includes a core block to which the first bolt is fastened, and the insulating layer includes: an outer insulating layer extending along the outer surface of the core block and contacting the frame and the battery pack housing; and an inner insulating layer extending along a hole in the core block into which the second bolt is inserted.

[0015] In an exemplary aspect, the insulating layer is configured to electrically insulate the second bolt from the core block and the first bolt.

[0016] In one exemplary aspect, the mounting block includes a hollow portion, and the end of the first bolt is accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

[0017] In an exemplary aspect, the battery pack further includes a nut that is coupled to the end of the first bolt that is received in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

[0018] In an exemplary aspect, a second bolt is also included, which secures the mounting block to the battery pack housing, wherein a portion of the second bolt is accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

[0019] In an exemplary aspect, the mounting block includes a hollow portion that accommodates the end of the first bolt, and the battery pack further includes: a nut that is coupled to the end of the first bolt accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block; and a second bolt that fastens the mounting block to the battery pack housing and has a portion accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

[0020] Beneficial effects

[0021] According to an exemplary aspect, since the electrical insulation between the battery pack casing and the cell assembly frame can be maintained by the insulating layer of the mounting block, the occurrence of electrical short circuits and arcing caused by the electrical connection between the cell assembly frame and the battery pack casing can be suppressed. Because heat propagation between cell assemblies and simultaneous thermal runaway of cell assemblies caused by electrical short circuits and arcing between the cell assembly frame and the battery pack casing can be suppressed, the safety and reliability of the battery pack can be improved.

[0022] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary aspects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art to which the exemplary aspects of this disclosure pertain will clearly derive and understand other effects not mentioned in the following description. In other words, those skilled in the art can also derive unintended effects from the exemplary aspects of this disclosure when practicing the exemplary aspects of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing a battery pack according to an exemplary aspect.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cell assembly in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the state in which the cell assembly in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Preferred aspects of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary meaning, but rather on the basis of the principle that the inventor has defined the concepts of the terms in a manner he considers best suited to interpret his disclosure, and in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0030] Therefore, it should be understood that the aspects described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only the most preferred aspects of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure, and various equivalents and modifications may exist that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0031] Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of the configurations or features of the relevant disclosure are omitted where such detailed descriptions would obscure the nature of this disclosure.

[0032] Because the various aspects of this disclosure are provided to illustrate it more fully to those skilled in the art, the shapes and dimensions of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for clarity. Therefore, the dimensions or proportions of each component do not necessarily indicate its actual size or proportion.

[0033] (First aspect)

[0034] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing the battery pack 10 according to an exemplary aspect. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the cell assembly 100 in the battery pack 10 according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing 310. Figure 3 This is a side view showing the state in which the cell assembly 100 in the battery pack 10 according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing 310. Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly 100 in the battery pack 10 according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing 310.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The battery pack 10 may include a cell assembly 100, a battery pack housing 310, a mounting block 210, and a first bolt 230.

[0036] The cell assembly 100 can be mounted on the battery pack housing 310. Multiple cell assemblies 100 can be disposed on the battery pack housing 310, and the multiple cell assemblies 100 can be arranged along a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0037] The cell assembly 100 may include a cell block 110 and a frame 120, wherein the cell block 110 includes a plurality of battery cells 111.

[0038] Each battery cell 111 is a basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, i.e., a secondary battery. Each battery cell 111 may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a cell casing. The electrode assembly enclosed in the cell casing may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. Depending on the assembly configuration, the electrode assembly may be of the wound type or the stacked type. The wound type electrode assembly may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator inserted between the positive and negative electrodes. The stacked type electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separators inserted between the multiple positive electrodes and the multiple negative electrodes in sequence. The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material.

[0039] Each battery cell 111 can correspond to a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. The electrode assembly of a pouch-type battery cell is enclosed in a pouch-shaped housing including an aluminum laminate. The electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell is enclosed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of a prismatic battery cell is enclosed in a prismatic metal can.

[0040] Multiple battery cells 111 disposed in the cell block 110 can be connected in series and / or in parallel. In one example, multiple battery cells 111 can be connected in series with each other. In one example, multiple battery cells 111 can be connected in parallel with each other. In one example, when a set of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel is defined as a group, a group consisting of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel can be connected in series with another group consisting of two or more battery cells 111 connected in parallel.

[0041] In an exemplary aspect, a plurality of battery cells 111 may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and each battery cell 111 may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). Electrode leads may be disposed at at least one end of each battery cell 111 in the second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction). The electrode leads of adjacent battery cells 111 among the plurality of battery cells 111 may be electrically and physically connected to each other.

[0042] The battery cell block 110 may include a first side surface and a second side surface opposite each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), a front surface and a rear surface opposite each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), and a bottom surface and a top surface opposite each other in a vertical direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). The front surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the front surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 111, and the rear surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the rear surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 111. The bottom surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the bottom surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 111, and the top surface of the battery cell block 110 may include the top surfaces of a plurality of battery cells 111.

[0043] Frame 120 can accommodate battery cell 110. Frame 120 may include a central frame 121 and a pair of end frames 123. The central frame 121 may surround the battery cell 110 to cover the bottom surface, top surface, first side surface, and second side surface of the battery cell 110. The pair of end frames 123 may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), wherein the battery cell 110 is interposed between the pair of end frames 123. One of the pair of end frames 123 may be coupled to the central frame 121 to cover the front surface of the battery cell 110, and the other of the pair of end frames 123 may be coupled to the central frame 121 to cover the rear surface of the battery cell 110.

[0044] The battery pack housing 310 can provide internal space for accommodating multiple battery cell assemblies 100. The battery pack housing 310 may include a base plate 311 and peripheral walls 313.

[0045] The base plate 311 can support multiple cell assemblies 100. The base plate 311 can have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) perpendicular to each other. The frame 120 of each cell assembly 100 can be attached to the base plate 311 via an adhesive layer 330. For example, the adhesive layer 330 may include a thermal interface material (TIM).

[0046] The peripheral wall 313 can be connected to the periphery of the base plate 311. The peripheral wall 313 can extend continuously along the periphery of the base plate 311 to surround the multiple cell assemblies 100.

[0047] The battery pack housing 310 may also include a central beam 315. The central beam 315 may be disposed on the base plate 311 and may extend in a first horizontal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction). Some of the plurality of cell assemblies 100 may be spaced apart from each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), with the central beam 315 interposed therebetween.

[0048] Mounting block 210 can be disposed between the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 310. Mounting block 210 can be used to secure between the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 310. Mounting block 210 can be connected to the base plate 311 of the battery pack housing 310, and the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be mounted on mounting block 210. Mounting block 210 can be bolted to the base plate 311 of the battery pack housing 310, or it can be attached to the base plate 311 of the battery pack housing 310 by means of an adhesive component such as an adhesive.

[0049] The first bolt 230 secures the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 to the mounting block 210. The first bolt 230 may include a head disposed on the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 and a body portion inserted into a through hole in the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100. The first bolt 230 can be inserted into the through hole provided in the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100, and the end portion 231 of the first bolt 230 can be threaded to the mounting block 210. The mounting block 210 may include a hole for receiving the end portion 231 of the first bolt 230, and the surface of the mounting block 210 defining the hole may be provided with threads that engage with threads provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first bolt 230. The frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be fixed to the battery pack housing 310 via the mounting block 210 as a medium, and the first bolt 230 does not physically contact the battery pack housing 310 and can be spaced apart from the battery pack housing 310. Since the first bolt 230 is not directly connected to the battery pack housing 310, the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be prevented from being electrically connected to the battery pack housing 310 via the first bolt 230.

[0050] In an exemplary aspect, mounting block 210 may be disposed between the end frame 123 of cell assembly 100 and battery pack housing 310. The end frame 123 of cell assembly 100 may be mounted on mounting block 210, and a first bolt 230 may fasten the end frame 123 of cell assembly 100 to mounting block 210 connected to battery pack housing 310. The first bolt 230 may be inserted into a through hole 1231 provided in the end frame 123 of cell assembly 100, and the end 231 of the first bolt 230 may be threaded onto mounting block 210.

[0051] Mounting block 210 may include core block 211 and insulation layer 213.

[0052] The core block 211 may include a hole for receiving the end 231 of the first bolt 230 and may be threaded to the end 231 of the first bolt 230. The core block 211 may be formed of a metal such as aluminum or steel.

[0053] The insulating layer 213 may extend along and cover the outer surface of the cell 211. The insulating layer 213 may be in direct contact with the battery pack housing 310 and the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100. The insulating layer 213 may also cover the cell 211 so that the cell 211 does not contact the battery pack housing 310 and the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100.

[0054] The insulating layer 213 may be configured to electrically insulate the battery pack housing 310 from the frame 120 and the first bolt 230 of the cell assembly 100. The insulating layer 213 may be non-conductive. The insulating layer 213 may include insulating plastic, insulating ceramic, an oxide film formed by anodizing, or a combination thereof.

[0055] In the cell assembly according to the comparative example, when a thermal event such as ignition or thermal runaway of the battery cell occurs, the insulation of the cell assembly frame is damaged, and the cell assembly frame becomes electrically connected to the battery pack housing, resulting in an electrical short circuit and arcing. Specifically, in the case where the cell assembly frame is directly bolted to the battery pack housing, the bolted electrical connection makes it susceptible to electrical short circuits and arcing. Electrical short circuits and arcing can accelerate heat propagation between cell assemblies and may lead to simultaneous thermal runaway of the cell assembly.

[0056] According to an exemplary aspect, since electrical insulation between the battery pack housing 310 and the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be maintained by the insulating layer 213 of the mounting block 210, the occurrence of electrical short circuits and arcing caused by the electrical connection from the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 to the battery pack housing 310 can be suppressed. Since heat propagation between the cell assemblies 100 and simultaneous thermal runaway of the cell assemblies 100 caused by electrical short circuits and arcing between the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 310 can be suppressed, the safety and reliability of the battery pack 10 can be improved.

[0057] According to an exemplary aspect, the mounting block 210 is coupled to the battery pack housing 310, and the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be bolted to the mounting block 210. In this case, the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 is fixed to the battery pack housing 310 by the mounting block 210, and the first bolt 230 for fastening the cell assembly 100 and the mounting block 210 is spaced apart from the battery pack housing 310. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 from being electrically connected to the battery pack housing 310 by the first bolt 230.

[0058] (Second aspect)

[0059] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly 100 in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing 310.

[0060] Reference Figure 5 as well as Figures 1 to 3The mounting block 210A can be bolted to the battery pack housing 310. A second bolt 250 can be inserted into a through hole in the mounting block 210A, and the end 251 of the second bolt 250 can be threaded to the battery pack housing 310. The second bolt 250 may include a head disposed on the mounting block 210A and a body portion inserted into the through hole of the mounting block 210A. The battery pack housing 310 may include a hole for receiving the end 251 of the second bolt 250. The mounting block 210A can be secured to the battery pack housing 310 by engagement of threads on the outer peripheral surface of the end 251 of the second bolt 250 with threads on the surface of the battery pack housing 310 defining the hole in the battery pack housing 310. When the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 is fastened to the mounting block 210A by the first bolt 230 and the mounting block 210A is fastened to the battery pack housing 310 by the second bolt 250, the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be fixed to the battery pack housing 310.

[0061] Insulating layer 213A electrically insulates the second bolt 250 from the core block 211 and the first bolt 230. Insulating layer 213A may include an outer insulating layer 2131 extending along the outer surface of the core block 211, and an inner insulating layer 2133 extending along a through-hole into which the second bolt 250 is inserted. The outer insulating layer 2131 may directly contact the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 and the battery pack housing 310, and may be inserted between the frame 120 and the core block 211, and between the core block 211 and the battery pack housing 310. The inner insulating layer 2133 may extend continuously along the surface of the core block 211 defining the through-hole into which the second bolt 250 is inserted. The inner insulating layer 2133 can be inserted between the second bolt 250 and the core block 211 to space the second bolt 250 from the core block 211 and to provide electrical insulation between the second bolt 250 and the core block 211. Since the second bolt 250 is electrically insulated from the core block 211 by the inner insulating layer 2133 and the outer insulating layer 2131, the second bolt 250 is also electrically insulated from the first bolt 230 and the frame 120.

[0062] (Third aspect)

[0063] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cell assembly 100 in the battery pack according to the exemplary aspect is mounted on the battery pack housing 310.

[0064] Reference Figure 6 as well as Figures 1 to 3 The mounting block 210B may include a hollow portion 219. The hollow portion 219 may extend in a second direction between the two ends of the mounting block 210B in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction).

[0065] The end 231 of the first bolt 230 can be accommodated in the hollow portion 219 of the mounting block 210B, and the nut 240 can be threadedly connected to the end 231 of the first bolt 230 accommodated in the hollow portion 219 of the mounting block 210B. The nut 240 is fastened to the first bolt 230 by the engagement of threads on the inner circumferential surface of the nut 240 with threads on the outer circumferential surface of the first bolt 230. When the nut 240 is engaged with the end 231 of the first bolt 230, the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be fixed to the mounting block 210B. The hollow portion 219 of the mounting block 210B can be defined by the surface of the insulating layer 213. In an exemplary aspect, the mounting block 210B can be formed entirely of insulating material.

[0066] Mounting block 210B can be fastened to battery pack housing 310 by a second bolt. The second bolt 250 may include a head housed in the hollow portion 219 of mounting block 210B and a body portion inserted into a hole in mounting block 210B and a hole in battery pack housing 310. Mounting block 210B can be fixed to battery pack housing 310 by engagement of threads on the outer peripheral surface of the end 251 of the second bolt 250 with threads on the surface of the battery pack housing 310 defining the hole in the battery pack housing 310. When the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 is fastened to mounting block 210B by first bolt 230 and mounting block 210B is fastened to battery pack housing 310 by second bolt 250, the frame 120 of the cell assembly 100 can be fixed to battery pack housing 310.

[0067] The present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and aspects. However, the configurations described in the drawings or aspects of this specification are merely one aspect of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications can be made to the present disclosure at the time of filing this application.

[0068] [Description of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0069] 10: Battery Pack

[0070] 100: Battery cell assembly

[0071] 110: Battery cell block

[0072] 111: Battery Cell

[0073] 120: Frame

[0074] 121: Central Framework

[0075] 123: End frame

[0076] 210, 210a, 210b: Mounting blocks

[0077] 211: Chip

[0078] 213, 213a: Insulation layer

[0079] 219: Hollow Section

[0080] 230: First bolt

[0081] 240: Nut

[0082] 250: Second bolt

[0083] 310: Battery pack casing

[0084] 330: Adhesive layer

Claims

1. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: Battery pack casing; A battery cell assembly, the battery cell assembly including a frame disposed on the battery pack housing and battery cells housed in the frame; Mounting block, the mounting block being disposed between the frame and the battery pack housing; as well as A first bolt secures the frame to the mounting block and is spaced apart from the battery pack housing. The mounting block includes an insulating layer disposed at the portion that contacts the frame and the portion that contacts the battery pack housing.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting block also includes a core block, and The insulating layer extends along the outer surface of the core block.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein, The first bolt is fastened to the core block.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The insulating layer is configured to electrically insulate the battery pack housing from the frame and the first bolt.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: The second bolt secures the mounting block to the battery pack housing.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, The mounting block also includes the core block to which the first bolt is fastened, and The second bolt is spaced apart from the core block, and the insulating layer is inserted between the second bolt and the core block.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, The mounting block also includes the core block to which the first bolt is fastened, and The insulating layer includes: An outer insulating layer, the outer insulating layer extending along the outer surface of the core and contacting the frame and the battery pack housing; and An inner insulating layer extends along the hole in the core block, and the second bolt is inserted into the hole in the core block.

8. The battery pack according to claim 7, wherein, The insulating layer is configured to electrically insulate the second bolt from the core block and the first bolt.

9. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting block includes a hollow portion, and The end of the first bolt is accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, further comprising: A nut, which is connected to the end of the first bolt that is received in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

11. The battery pack according to claim 9, further comprising: The second bolt secures the mounting block to the battery pack housing, wherein... A portion of the second bolt is accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting block includes a hollow portion that accommodates the end of the first bolt, and The battery pack also includes: A nut, which is connected to the end of the first bolt received in the hollow portion of the mounting block; and The second bolt secures the mounting block to the battery pack housing and has a portion accommodated in the hollow portion of the mounting block.

Images