Battery cell shipping tray

Abstract

According to an example embodiment, a battery cell transport tray is provided. The battery cell transport tray includes: a bottom portion that receives battery cells; a first sidewall that rises upward from one end of the bottom portion; a second sidewall that rises upward from the other end of the bottom portion while facing the first sidewall; and a reinforcing sidewall that rises upward from a side end of the bottom portion located between the first and second sidewalls, and is mounted at a height lower than the first and second sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls may each include a plurality of handle openings on their upper portions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery cell transport tray, and more specifically, to a transport tray suitable for battery cells of various sizes. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0015860, filed February 7, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are freely rechargeable and dischargeable, have a very low self-discharge rate and high energy density, leading to a rapid increase in demand for them in various fields such as energy sources. Among rechargeable batteries, pouch cells can be manufactured in various shapes and are therefore used in a wide range of electronic and mechanical products, such as automotive applications and mobile devices.

[0003] These lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are loaded into a single pallet containing multiple battery cells during the manufacturing process or when transporting finished products, and then transported to subsequent processes or to the delivery destination. At this point, the pallet is inevitably limited by the size of the battery cells it contains due to its structural design. For example, in the case of battery cells used in PHEV-G (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle-G) models, there are various sizes of battery cells, such as 540 mm or 740 mm in length in the longitudinal direction. Since existing transport pallets have a hexahedral shape with handles or borders as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a need for transport pallets suitable for the size of each battery cell model. Summary of the Invention

[0004] [Technical Issues]

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transport tray suitable for battery cells of various sizes.

[0006] [Technical Solution]

[0007] According to an exemplary embodiment for solving the above-described problems, a battery cell transport tray is provided. The battery cell transport tray includes: a bottom portion for storing battery cells; A first sidewall, which stands upright from one end of the bottom portion; a second sidewall, which faces the first sidewall and stands upright from the other end of the bottom portion; and a reinforcing sidewall, which stands upright from the lateral end of the bottom portion located between the first and second sidewalls and is mounted at a height lower than the first and second sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls may also include a plurality of open handles at their respective upper portions.

[0008] The first sidewall may further include a first sidewall reinforcement between the plurality of open handles, the first sidewall reinforcement being thicker than the first sidewall.

[0009] The second sidewall may further include a second sidewall reinforcement between the plurality of open handles, the second sidewall reinforcement being thicker than the second sidewall.

[0010] The first sidewall includes a first connecting protrusion at its upper end, and the bottom portion may include a first connecting receiving portion at its lower end, the first connecting receiving portion having a shape capable of engaging with the first connecting protrusion.

[0011] The first connecting protrusion may be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface of the upper surface of the first sidewall, and the first connecting receiving portion may be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface of the lower surface of the bottom portion.

[0012] The second sidewall includes a second connecting protrusion at its upper end, and the bottom portion may include a second connecting receiving portion at its lower end, the second connecting receiving portion having a shape capable of engaging with the second connecting protrusion.

[0013] The second connecting protrusion may be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface of the upper surface of the second sidewall, and the second connecting receiving portion may be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface of the lower surface of the bottom portion.

[0014] The first sidewall reinforcement includes a first sub-connection protrusion at its upper end, and the bottom portion may include a first sub-connection receiving groove at its lower end, the first sub-connection receiving groove having a shape capable of engaging with the first sub-connection protrusion.

[0015] The second sidewall reinforcement includes a second sub-connection protrusion at its upper end, and the bottom portion may include a second sub-connection receiving groove at its lower end, the second sub-connection receiving groove having a shape capable of engaging with the second sub-connection protrusion.

[0016] The bottom portion, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the reinforcing sidewall constitute an outer frame, and an inner frame capable of aligning the battery cells can be installed at the bottom portion of the outer frame.

[0017] The outer surface of the outer frame may be provided with multiple reinforcing ribs in a grid pattern.

[0018] The outer frame can be manufactured as a single injection-molded product.

[0019] The two sides of the outer frame defined by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the reinforcing sidewall may be open.

[0020] The height of the reinforced sidewall is less than the distance from the electrode of the battery cell to the bottom portion.

[0021] The bottom portion may include multiple openings.

[0022] [Beneficial Effects]

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, pallets suitable for transporting battery cells of various sizes or models can be provided by fundamentally modifying the structure of the battery cell transport pallet. Therefore, even in production lines producing various types of rechargeable batteries, the same transport pallets can be used without changing or modifying the pallet structure, which is cost-effective.

[0024] The effects achievable in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above. Rather, other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. In other words, unintended effects achieved by implementing the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery cell transport tray according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged 3D view of part A in the image.

[0027] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower surface of the battery cell transport tray.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged 3D view of part B in the image.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A bottom view.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of the transport tray containing individual battery cells.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a single battery cell.

[0032] Figure 8 This is a 3D view of the inner frame of the tray.

[0033] Figure 9 The illustration shows two battery cell transport trays stacked in two layers according to the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe his own invention.

[0035] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of this disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and variations may exist that can replace these embodiments and constructions at the time of filing this application.

[0036] Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known constructions or functions will be omitted when it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the main points of this disclosure.

[0037] Because the embodiments of this disclosure are provided to explain the disclosure 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 ratios of each component do not perfectly reflect the actual dimensions or ratios.

[0038] (First embodiment)

[0039] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the battery cell transport tray 100 according to an exemplary embodiment, and Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged 3D view of part A in the image.

[0040] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower surface of the battery cell transport tray 100. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged 3D view of part B in the image, and Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A bottom view.

[0041] refer to Figures 1 to 5 According to this embodiment, the battery cell transport tray 100 includes a bottom portion 101 for accommodating battery cells 10, a first sidewall 110 and a second sidewall 120 facing each other and erected upward from both ends of the bottom portion 101, and a reinforcing sidewall 130 installed between the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120.

[0042] The bottom portion 101, the first sidewall 110, the second sidewall 120, and the reinforcing sidewall 130 of the battery cell transport tray 100 constitute the outer frame of the transport tray 100. This outer frame can form the overall external shape of the battery cell transport tray 100.

[0043] Figures 1 to 5 Only the outer frame of the transport pallet 100 is shown in this specification. In this specification, the outer frame may be a part of the transport pallet 100.

[0044] The outer frame may have multiple ribs formed on its outer surface to prevent shape deformation due to temperature changes, physical impacts, etc. The outer wall of the outer frame can be improved with the ribs, and the weight can be reduced to improve the convenience of transportation and storage, and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0045] The outer frame can be formed of an electrically insulating material so as not to have an electrical impact on the charging and discharging process of the battery stored in the internal space. While not limited to this, it can include, for example, polymer or rubber materials.

[0046] The first sidewall 110 of the battery cell transport tray 100 stands upright from one end of the bottom portion 101, and the second sidewall 120 stands upright from the other end of the bottom portion 101 and faces the first sidewall 110.

[0047] The reinforcing sidewall 130 stands upright at two lateral ends of the bottom portion 101 located between the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120. The reinforcing sidewall 130 stands upright from the lower surface of the bottom portion 101 and supports the lower portions of the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120. The reinforcing sidewall 130 is mounted at a height significantly lower than the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120. The height of the reinforcing sidewall 130 can be formed low so as not to contact any portion of the battery cell 10 along its entire length.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a transport pallet 100, which contains an inner frame 140, within which battery cells 10 are aligned. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of battery cell 10, and Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the inner frame 140 of the transport pallet 100.

[0049] Figure 6 The diagram shows the battery cell 10 aligned within the inner frame 140, with the inner frame 140 mounted and stored in the bottom portion 101 of the transport tray 100.

[0050] like Figure 7As shown, the battery cell 10 includes a battery cell housing 11 and a pouch-shaped portion 13. An electrode assembly is built into the battery cell housing 11. The electrode assembly includes electrodes 12 and 14 (i.e., negative electrode 12 and positive electrode 14) and a separator inserted between the negative electrode 12 and the positive electrode 14.

[0051] Multiple inner frames 140 can be provided, and multiple partition plates 141 can be arranged at predetermined intervals G along the longitudinal direction of the inner frames 140. Multiple battery cells 10 can be arranged at predetermined intervals G between each partition plate 141 and adjacent partition plates 141. The partition plates 141 can be stably supported by being erected on the support portion 142. The inner frames 140 can be fastened at fastening portions 143 by fastening units such as bolts and nuts, and are mounted on the bottom portion 101.

[0052] In the battery cell transport tray 100, two sides of the outer frame defined by the first side wall 110, the second side wall 120, and the reinforcing side wall 130 can be open. Because the transport tray 100 according to this embodiment has a structure with two open sides, the alignment of the battery cells 10 is not obstructed by portions (e.g., electrodes 12, 14) along the entire length, thereby ensuring more space for arranging the battery cells 10, and the tray is suitable for battery cells 10 of various sizes.

[0053] For example, in the case of battery cells for the PHEV-G (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle-G) model, a different tray must be prepared for each size in order to manufacture battery cells with longitudinal dimensions of 540mm or 740mm. However, the transport tray 100 of this disclosure can accommodate both models. To this end, in the transport tray 100 of this disclosure, the height of the reinforcing sidewall 130 can be actually formed to be lower than the distance from the electrodes 12, 14 of the battery cell 10 to the bottom portion 101.

[0054] The battery cell transport tray 100 is capable of storing multiple aligned battery cells 10 within its internal space. The stored battery cells 10 are configured for one-time transport and are repeatedly charged and discharged during the formation process used to activate the battery cells 10. The battery cell transport tray 100 containing the battery cells 10 can be transported by a user or via a conveyor.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, since the two sides of the outer frame of the battery cell transport tray 100 are open, there is a concern that the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120 may flare outwards. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the support of the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120. To this end, the outer surface of the outer frame of the transport tray 100 may be provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 120R in a grid pattern. The bottom portion 101 may be provided with a plurality of openings 102 to promote heat dissipation and weight reduction. Furthermore, the outer frame including the bottom portion 101, the first sidewall 110, the second sidewall 120, and the reinforcing sidewall 130 may be manufactured as a single injection-molded product.

[0056] Multiple open handles 111, 111 can be provided on the two upper portions of the first sidewall 110 to facilitate the transport or handling of the transport pallet 100 by users. Similarly, multiple open handles 121, 121 can be provided on the two upper portions of the second sidewall 120. The open handles 111, 121 of the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120 can have the same shape. The open handles 111, 121 of the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120 can have various shapes, as long as they facilitate the handling of the transport pallet 100. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which two open handles 111, 121 of the same shape are formed on each of the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120, but their shape and number are not limited thereto.

[0057] In the case of the conventional transport tray illustrated in Patent Document 1, a handle or boundary portion is provided to connect the upper part between the first side wall and the second side wall. However, in the battery cell transport tray 100 according to this embodiment, such a handle or boundary portion is omitted, so the two sides of the outer frame are open. Therefore, in the transport tray 100 according to this embodiment, reinforcing portions 112 and 122 may also be provided on the two side walls 110 and 120 to prevent the side walls 110 and 120 from spreading outward.

[0058] The first sidewall 110 may also include a first sidewall reinforcement 112 between the plurality of opening handles 111, 111, the first sidewall reinforcement 112 being thicker than the first sidewall 110.

[0059] Similarly, the second sidewall 120 may also include a second sidewall reinforcement 122 between the plurality of opening handles 121, 121, the second sidewall reinforcement 122 being thicker than the second sidewall 120.

[0060] By providing a first sidewall reinforcement 112 and a second sidewall reinforcement 122, the first sidewall 110 and the second sidewall 120 can be greatly prevented from expanding outward.

[0061] (Second Embodiment)

[0062] According to this disclosure, the battery cell transport tray 100 can be transported individually, but is usually stacked in multiple layers and transported.

[0063] Figure 9 The illustration shows two battery cell transport trays 100A and 100B stacked in two layers according to the present disclosure.

[0064] and Figures 1 to 6 Let's refer to each other. Figure 9 Since each battery cell transport tray 100A and 100B is constructed to include a first sidewall 110, a second sidewall 120, a bottom portion 101, reinforcing sidewalls 130, 130 and an inner frame 140, which is similar to the battery cell transport tray 100 described in the first embodiment, its repeated description will be omitted.

[0065] However, when the battery cell transport trays 100 are stacked in multiple layers, preventing separation between the upper tray 100A and the lower tray 100B becomes crucial. In this embodiment, an anti-separation structure is provided to prevent separation between the transport trays.

[0066] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The first sidewall 110 of the transport pallet 100 includes a first connecting protrusion 114 at its upper end. Furthermore, the bottom portion 101 may include a first connecting receiving portion 104 at its lower end, the first connecting receiving portion 104 having a shape capable of engaging with the first connecting protrusion 114. With this connection structure, the first connecting protrusion 114 provided on the first sidewall 110 of the lower transport pallet 100B can engage with the first connecting receiving portion 104 formed on the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport pallet 100A on the side of the first sidewall 110.

[0067] More specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first connecting protrusion 114 can be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface 114i of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface 114o of the upper surface of the first sidewall 110. Conversely, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first connecting receiving portion 104 can be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface 104i of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface 104o of the lower surface of the bottom portion 101. With this connecting structure, the outer peripheral surface 114o of the first connecting protrusion 114 formed on the first side wall 110 of the lower transport pallet 100B can engage with the outer peripheral surface 104o of the first connecting receiving portion 104 located on the first side wall 110 side of the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport pallet 100A, and the inner peripheral surface 114i of the first connecting protrusion 114 formed on the first side wall 110 of the lower transport pallet 100B can engage with the inner peripheral surface 104i of the first connecting receiving portion 104 located on the first side wall 110 side of the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport pallet 100A.

[0068] Similarly, refer to Figures 1 to 4 The second sidewall 120 may include a second connecting protrusion 124 at its upper end, and the bottom portion 101 may include a second connecting receiving portion 104 at its lower end, the second connecting receiving portion 104 having a shape capable of engaging with the second connecting protrusion 124. With this connection structure, the second connecting protrusion 124 provided on the second sidewall 120 of the lower transport tray 100B can engage with the second connecting receiving portion 104 located on the side of the second sidewall 120 formed on the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport tray 100A.

[0069] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the second connecting protrusion 124 can be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface 124i of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface 124o of the upper surface of the second sidewall 120. Conversely, as Figure 4 As shown, the second connecting receiving portion 104 can be formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface 104i of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface 104o of the lower surface of the bottom portion 101. With this connecting structure, the outer peripheral surface 124o of the second connecting protrusion 124 formed on the second side wall 120 of the lower transport tray 100B can engage with the outer peripheral surface 104o of the second connecting receiving portion 104 located on the second side wall 120 side of the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport tray 100A, and the inner peripheral surface 124i of the second connecting protrusion 124 formed on the second side wall 120 of the lower transport tray 100B can engage with the inner peripheral surface 104i of the second connecting receiving portion 104 located on the second side wall 120 side of the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport tray 100A.

[0070] Furthermore, the transport pallet 100 according to this embodiment not only prevents the stacked transport pallets 100A and 100B from separating through the first connecting protrusion 114 and the second connecting protrusion 124, as well as the first connecting receiving portion 104 and the second connecting receiving portion 104, but may also include a sub-connecting structure.

[0071] For example, refer to Figures 1 to 6 as well as Figure 9 A first sub-connection protrusion 112p may be provided at the upper end of a first sidewall reinforcement 112 used to reinforce the first sidewall 110 of the transport pallet 100. Furthermore, the bottom portion 101 may include a first sub-connection receiving groove 103g at its lower end, the first sub-connection receiving groove 103g having a shape capable of engaging with the first sub-connection protrusion 112p. Through this sub-connection structure, the first sub-connection protrusion 112p provided on the first sidewall 110 of the lower transport pallet 100B can engage with the first sub-connection receiving groove 103g formed on the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport pallet 100A on the side of the first sidewall 110.

[0072] Similarly, a second sub-connection protrusion 122p may be provided at the upper end of the second sidewall reinforcement 122 used to reinforce the second sidewall 120 of the transport pallet 100. Furthermore, the bottom portion 101 may include a second sub-connection receiving groove 103g at its lower end, the second sub-connection receiving groove 103g having a shape capable of engaging with the second sub-connection protrusion 122p. Through this sub-connection structure, the second sub-connection protrusion 122p provided on the second sidewall 120 of the lower transport pallet 100B can engage with the second sub-connection receiving groove 103g formed on the bottom portion 101 of the upper transport pallet 100A on the side of the second sidewall 120.

[0073] The transport pallet 100 according to this embodiment shows a connection structure implemented by a first connection protrusion 114 and a second connection protrusion 124, as well as a first connection receiving portion 104 and a second connection receiving portion 104, and a sub-connection structure implemented by a first sub-connection protrusion 112p and a second sub-connection protrusion 122p, as well as a first sub-connection receiving groove 103g and a second sub-connection receiving groove 103g. However, in addition to such connection structures or sub-connection structures, various types of connection structures can be used to facilitate the prevention of separation between stacked transport pallets 100A and 100B.

[0074] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, since the constructions described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are only one embodiment of the present disclosure and do not represent all the technical concepts of the present disclosure, it should be understood that various equivalents and variations that can replace these constructions may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0075] 10: Battery cell

[0076] 100, 100A, 100B: Battery cell transport pallets

[0077] 101: Bottom section

[0078] 110: First sidewall

[0079] 112: First sidewall reinforcement

[0080] 114: First connecting protrusion

[0081] 120: Second sidewall

[0082] 122: Second sidewall reinforcement

[0083] 124: Second connecting protrusion

[0084] 130: Strengthen the sidewalls

[0085] 140: Inner Frame

Claims

1. A battery cell transport tray, comprising: The bottom portion is used to store individual battery cells; A first sidewall, the first sidewall rising upward from one end of the bottom portion; A second sidewall, the second sidewall facing the first sidewall and standing upright from the other end of the bottom portion; as well as A reinforced sidewall is provided, which rises vertically from the lateral end of the bottom portion located between the first and second sidewalls, and is installed at a height lower than the first and second sidewalls. in The first sidewall and the second sidewall also include multiple open handles at their respective upper parts.

2. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The first sidewall also includes a first sidewall reinforcement between the plurality of open handles, the first sidewall reinforcement being thicker than the first sidewall.

3. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The second sidewall also includes a second sidewall reinforcement between the plurality of open handles, the second sidewall reinforcement being thicker than the second sidewall.

4. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The first sidewall includes a first connecting protrusion at its upper end, and The bottom portion includes a first coupling receiving portion at its lower end, the first coupling receiving portion having a shape capable of engaging with the first coupling protrusion.

5. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 4, wherein... The first connecting protrusion is formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface of the upper surface of the first sidewall, and The first connecting receiving portion is formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface of the lower surface of the bottom portion.

6. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The second sidewall includes a second connecting protrusion at its upper end, and The bottom portion includes a second coupling receiving portion at its lower end, the second coupling receiving portion having a shape capable of engaging with the second coupling protrusion.

7. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 6, wherein... The second connecting protrusion is formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is lower than the outer peripheral surface of the upper surface of the second sidewall, and The second connecting receiving portion is formed as a step, the inner peripheral surface of which is higher than the outer peripheral surface of the lower surface of the bottom portion.

8. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 2, wherein... The first sidewall reinforcement includes a first sub-connecting protrusion at its upper end, and The bottom portion includes a first sub-connection receiving groove at its lower end, the first sub-connection receiving groove having a shape capable of engaging with the first sub-connection protrusion.

9. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 2, wherein... The second sidewall reinforcement includes a second sub-connecting protrusion at its upper end, and The bottom portion includes a second sub-connection receiving groove at its lower end, the second sub-connection receiving groove having a shape capable of engaging with the second sub-connection protrusion.

10. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The bottom portion, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the reinforced sidewall constitute the outer frame, and An inner frame capable of aligning the battery cells is mounted at the bottom portion of the outer frame.

11. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 10, wherein... The outer surface of the outer frame is provided with multiple reinforcing ribs in a grid pattern.

12. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 10, wherein... The outer frame is manufactured as a single injection-molded product.

13. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 10, wherein... The outer frame has two open sides defined by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the reinforcing sidewall.

14. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The height of the reinforced sidewall is less than the distance from the electrode of the battery cell to the bottom portion.

15. The battery cell transport tray according to claim 1, wherein... The bottom portion includes multiple openings.

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