Battery cell assembly and battery device comprising the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electric chip assembly, including: an electric chip unit including at least one electric chip; a housing including an accommodation space for accommodating the electric chip unit; and a first heat insulation member disposed inside the housing, the first heat insulation member being disposed between the electric chip unit and the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cell assembly and a battery device including the assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged, and are used as power sources in various fields such as digital cameras, mobile devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems (ESS). These secondary batteries come in various types, including lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries, and can be manufactured into flexible pouch-type cells or rigid can-type cells. Can-type cells are further classified by shape into prismatic battery cells, cylindrical battery cells, and button cells, among others. These various forms allow for diverse applications depending on the equipment and environment used.

[0003] Secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries can include positive plates, negative plates, separators, and electrolytes. A separator, consisting of insulating material, is used to separate the positive and negative plates, and charging or discharging is achieved through the movement of ions in the electrolyte.

[0004] Multiple battery cells can be arranged in a predetermined direction to form a battery cell assembly. The battery cell assembly can be housed inside a module housing to form a battery module, and multiple battery modules can be housed inside a battery pack frame to form a battery pack. Recently, a structure in which the battery cell assembly is directly housed within the battery pack casing has been proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved During prolonged use of battery devices, the battery cells may generate heat. This temperature rise in the cells can shorten the battery device's lifespan and reduce its efficiency. Furthermore, when a battery cell experiences thermal runaway, heat can propagate to adjacent cells, causing the thermal runaway to spread. Therefore, a cooling structure is needed that can both prevent the propagation of heat or flame between battery cells and stably maintain the internal temperature of the battery cells.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the cells inside the cell assembly can be effectively protected.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, heat diffusion generated inside the battery cell assembly can be prevented.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the cell assembly inside the battery device can be cooled more effectively.

[0009] The battery cell assembly and battery device including the assembly disclosed herein can be widely used in electric vehicles, battery charging stations, and other green technology fields that use batteries, such as solar power generation and wind power generation. Furthermore, the battery cell assembly and battery device including the assembly disclosed herein can be used in eco-friendly electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0010] (II) Technical Solution A battery cell assembly according to the present disclosure includes: a battery cell unit including at least one battery cell; a housing including a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell unit; and a first heat insulation member disposed inside the housing, wherein the first heat insulation member may be disposed between the battery cell unit and the housing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the housing may include: a main body portion for accommodating the battery cell; and a panel portion disposed on at least one side of the main body portion in the length direction, i.e., the first direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the main body has a shape that is open on at least one side in the first direction, and the panel portion can be attached to the open side of the main body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the main body and the panel can be integrally formed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first heat insulation component is configured to cover a first side of the battery cell and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side and the second side forming two sides of the battery cell in the thickness direction.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first heat insulation component is configured to further cover the first side of the battery cell, the first side and the second side are respectively perpendicular to the first side of the battery cell, and the first heat insulation component may be integrally formed.

[0016] In one embodiment, the panel portion may include a slit for leading the electrode leads of the battery cell to the outside of the housing.

[0017] In one embodiment, the panel portion may include a support plate connected to the main body portion and an insulating portion formed of an insulating material.

[0018] In one embodiment, the housing may contain a metallic material.

[0019] In one embodiment, the main body includes an enclosure forming a space for accommodating the battery cell and a surface connected to the enclosure, i.e., a heat dissipation surface, and the first heat insulation member may be disposed between the enclosure and the battery cell.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first heat insulation component may have a shape corresponding to the surrounding portion.

[0021] In one embodiment, the heat dissipation section may have heat dissipation holes for releasing heat from inside the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cell assembly further includes a heat transfer component disposed between the cell unit and the housing, the heat transfer component being disposed opposite to the heat dissipation portion of the housing.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first thermal insulation component may comprise at least a portion of mica, silicate, ceramic, glass fiber, and mineral fiber.

[0024] A battery device according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of cell assemblies; and a device housing for accommodating the plurality of cell assemblies; at least one of the plurality of cell assemblies includes: a cell unit including at least one cell; a housing including a receiving space for accommodating the cell unit and being open on at least one side; and a first heat insulation member disposed inside the housing, the first heat insulation member being disposed between the cell unit and the housing.

[0025] In one embodiment, the battery device may further include a second heat-insulating component located between at least a portion of the plurality of cell assemblies.

[0026] In one embodiment, the battery device may further include a cooling component for cooling the plurality of battery cell assemblies.

[0027] In one embodiment, the housing of the plurality of battery cell assemblies includes: a main body portion for accommodating the battery cell unit; and a panel portion disposed on at least one side of the main body portion along its length direction, i.e., a first direction. The main body portion includes an enclosure portion forming a space for accommodating the battery cell unit and a surface connected to the enclosure portion, i.e., a heat dissipation portion. A first heat insulation member is disposed between the enclosure portion and the battery cell unit, and the heat dissipation portion may be configured to be opposite to the cooling member.

[0028] In one embodiment, the housing is integrally formed and includes an open first end that can be coupled to the cooling component.

[0029] In one embodiment, a heat transfer component may be provided between the housing and the cooling component.

[0030] (III) Beneficial Effects According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the cells inside the battery cell assembly can be effectively protected from external impacts.

[0031] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, heat generated inside the housing can be blocked or delayed from diffusing to adjacent cell assemblies.

[0032] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the cooling efficiency of the battery device can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded perspective view of the battery cell assembly is shown in the figure.

[0035] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from the I-I' line.

[0036] Figure 4 Is Figure 2 The example shown is a variant of the battery cell assembly.

[0037] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to another embodiment.

[0038] Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a schematic exploded perspective view of a battery device according to one embodiment.

[0040] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line III-III'.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a battery device according to another embodiment.

[0042] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100: Battery cell assembly; 110: Battery cell unit 111: Battery cell; 112: Electrode lead 120: Housing 121: First end 125: Accommodation space; 130: Main body. 131: Enclosure section; 135: Heat dissipation section 136: Ventilation holes 140: Panel section 141: Support plate; 142: Insulation part 143: Slit hole; 144: Exhaust section 150: First thermal insulation component; 160: Heat transfer component 200: Battery assembly; 210: Multiple cell assembly 220: Device housing; 230: Second thermal insulation component 240: Cooling components Detailed Implementation

[0043] The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

[0044] First, refer to Figures 1 to 3 A battery cell assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell assembly 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery cell assembly 100 shown in the figure. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken from the I-I' line. Figure 4 Is Figure 2 A variant of the cell assembly 100 shown in the figure.

[0046] A battery cell assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a battery cell unit 110, including at least one battery cell 111; a housing 120, including a receiving space 125 for receiving the battery cell unit 110; and a first heat insulation member 150 disposed inside the housing 120. The first heat insulation member 150 may be disposed between the battery cell unit 110 and the housing 120.

[0047] A cell unit 110 may include at least one cell 111. The cell unit 110 may be housed within the receiving space 125 of the housing 120. A cell unit 110 may refer to an entire assembly of one or more cells 111 housed inside the housing 120. That is, a cell unit 110 may refer to an assembly of at least one cell 111. In other words, the arrangement of at least one cell 111 can be termed a cell unit 110. Figures 1 to 3 In the illustration, the cell unit 110 is shown as consisting of four cells 111, but it is not limited to this; the cell unit 110 may also include a single cell 111. When the cell unit 110 is composed of multiple cells 111, the multiple cells 111 can be arranged in various ways. For example, the multiple cells 111 can be arranged along the thickness direction of the housing 120, i.e., the second direction (Y).

[0048] Cell 111 can be composed of a rechargeable and dischargeable secondary battery. Cell 111 can have a cell casing that houses electrode components and electrolyte. As an example, cell 111 can be composed of a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery or a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, but its type is not limited to these.

[0049] The battery cell 111 can have a configuration in which an electrode assembly and electrolyte are housed within a battery cell housing forming the external material. The battery cell 111 may include electrode assemblies, each comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The electrode assemblies may have a configuration where the positive and negative electrodes are positioned with their wide surfaces facing each other, sandwiching the separator. The separator prevents electrical short circuits between the positive and negative electrodes and allows ion flow. As an example, the separator may comprise a porous polymer membrane or a porous nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the electrode assemblies can be housed in the battery cell housing in various ways, such as stacking type, jelly roll type formed by winding in a predetermined direction, Z-folding type, and stack-folding type.

[0050] Electrode lead 112 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly and can be exposed to the outside of the cell housing via a terrace. A portion of electrode lead 112 may be led out or exposed to the outside of the cell housing.

[0051] The battery cell 111 can be a pouch-type, prismatic-type, or cylindrical secondary battery, depending on the structure of the cell housing. In one embodiment, multiple cells 111 can each be configured as a pouch-type, and the multiple cells are connected in series or in parallel and housed inside the housing 120 of the cell assembly 100 in a side-by-side arrangement.

[0052] The housing 120 of the cell assembly 100 may include a receiving space 125 for accommodating a cell unit 110. The housing 120 of the cell assembly 100 may accommodate at least one cell 111 within the receiving space 125. The housing 120 may internally house the cell unit 110 for support and protection. The housing 120 may contain a material that is rigid enough to protect the internal cell unit 110 from external impacts or environmental influences and to stably maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100.

[0053] The housing 120 may be formed of a material with a high melting point to prevent heat from spreading to adjacent battery cell assemblies 100 in the event of thermal runaway or fire within one battery cell assembly 100. For example, the housing 120 may be formed of a material with a melting point of 600°C or higher. More specifically, the housing 120 may be formed of a material with a melting point of 660°C or higher, 700°C or higher, or 750°C or higher.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the housing 120 may comprise a metallic material. For example, at least a portion of the housing 120 may be formed of a metallic material such as aluminum, iron, or stainless steel. However, the material of the housing 120 is not limited to this; it may be formed of any material as long as it has the rigidity to maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100 and to protect the internal cell unit 110.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the housing 120 can be 0.05 mm or more and 5 mm or less. More specifically, the thickness of the housing 120 can be 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, or 0.15 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less. When the thickness of the housing 120 is less than 0.05 mm, the protective performance of the housing 120 may decrease because it is difficult to effectively withstand the mechanical and thermal stresses generated during external impacts or thermal runaway. On the other hand, when the thickness exceeds 5 mm, the weight and volume of the housing 120 increase excessively, which may increase the overall weight of the battery cell assembly 100 and reduce the energy density. However, this is only an example, and the thickness of the housing 120 is not limited to this. The thickness and shape of the housing 120 can be designed into various forms as needed.

[0056] The housing 120 may include: a main body portion 130 that accommodates the battery cell unit 110; and a panel portion 140 disposed on at least one side of the main body portion 130 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the first direction (X). The panel portion 140 may form the first direction (X) side of the housing 120. That is, the portion that forms the accommodating space 125 for accommodating the battery cell unit 110 may be referred to as the main body portion 130, and the portion that forms the first direction (X) side of the housing 120 may be referred to as the panel portion 140.

[0057] The main body 130 may have a structure that surrounds at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell 110. The main body 130 may have a shape that covers at least three sides of the battery cell 110. The main body 130 may have a shape with at least one open side. The battery cell 110 can be inserted into the interior of the main body 130 through the open side of the main body 130.

[0058] The main body 130 may contain a material that is rigid enough to protect the cell unit 110 from external impacts or environmental influences and to stably maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100. For example, the main body 130 may be formed of a metallic material such as aluminum, iron, or stainless steel. However, the material of the main body 130 is not limited to these; it may be formed of any material as long as it is rigid enough to maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100 and protect the internal cell unit 110.

[0059] The panel portion 140 is connected to the main body portion 130 and can form the side of the housing 120. The panel portion 140 can be provided on one or both sides of the housing 120 in the first direction (X). That is, the panel portion 140 can cover at least one side of the cell unit 110 in the first direction (X) and form the side of the housing 120.

[0060] The panel portion 140 may include: a support plate 141 connected to the main body portion 130; and an insulating portion 142 formed of an insulating material. The support plate 141 may be connected to the main body portion 130 of the housing 120 to form a side surface of the housing 120. The support plate 141 may form at least a portion of the outer shape of the housing 120. The support plate 141 may be configured to connect to the side surface of the main body portion 130 in a first direction (X) to cover at least one side of the battery cell unit 110. For example, the support plate 141 may cover the front and rear of the battery cell unit 110 to protect the front and rear of the battery cell unit 110. The front and rear of the battery cell unit 110 may be surfaces on which electrode leads 112 are provided.

[0061] The support plate 141 may comprise a material that is rigid enough to protect the cell unit 110 from external impacts or environmental influences and to stably maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100. As an example, the support plate 141 may be formed of a metallic material such as aluminum, iron, or stainless steel. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the support plate 141 may be formed of the same material as the main body 130. When the support plate 141 and the main body 130 are formed of the same material, material management is easier and manufacturing costs can be reduced. However, the material of the support plate 141 is not limited to this and is not required to be formed of the same material as the main body 130. The support plate 141 can be formed of any material as long as it is a material that has the rigidity to maintain the shape of the cell assembly 100 and to protect the cell unit 110 inside the housing 120.

[0062] The insulating portion 142 can be formed of an electrically insulating material. The panel portion 140 can be positioned opposite the electrode leads 112 of the cell unit 110. For example, when the electrode leads 112 are located at both ends of the cell unit 110 in a first direction (X), the panel portion 140 can be located at both ends of the cell unit 110 in the first direction (X) and combined with the electrode leads 112. In this case, the electrode leads 112 can be led out to the outside of the housing 120 through the slit holes 143 of the panel portion 140. The insulating portion 142 can be located between the electrode leads 112 and the support plate 141, providing electrical insulation between them. As an example, the insulating portion 142 can be snap-fitted to the support plate 141 or fixed by welding. The manner in which the insulating portion 142 is combined with the support plate 141 can be varied.

[0063] The panel portion 140 may include a slit hole 143 for leading the electrode leads 112 of the battery cell 110 to the outside of the housing 120. The electrode leads 112 of the battery cell 111 can be exposed to the outside of the housing 120 through the panel portion 140. The electrode leads 112 can pass through the slit hole 143 and be exposed to the outside of the housing 120. The slit hole 143 may have a number and shape corresponding to the number and shape of the battery cell 111 and electrode leads 112 housed in the main body portion 130. The electrode leads 112 can be electrically connected after passing through the slit hole 143. For example, the electrode leads 112 can be connected in a bent state and overlapping each other by a predetermined area. The electrode leads 112 can be directly welded to each other for electrical connection. However, this is only one embodiment, and the electrode leads 112 can also be electrically connected to each other by clamping a busbar (not shown). Thus, the electrode leads 112 can be connected in a variety of ways.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the panel portion 140 may include an exhaust portion 144 for discharging gas generated in the receiving space 125 to the outside. The panel portion 140 may include an exhaust portion 144 configured to allow gas generated inside the battery cell assembly 100 to be discharged. The exhaust portion 144 may function to safely discharge internal gas or flame to the outside when the internal pressure of the housing 120 rises above a predetermined value. The exhaust portion 144 may be formed in at least one region of the panel portion 140. As an example, the exhaust portion 144 may be formed at a position that does not interfere with the electrode leads 112 of the battery cell 111 led out through the slit hole 143 of the panel portion 140. Furthermore, multiple exhaust portions 144 may be formed. The exhaust portion 144 may be configured to remain sealed under normal conditions to prevent the entry of external foreign objects, and may break or open in the event of abnormal conditions such as thermal runaway to release internal high-temperature gas and flame to the outside. The exhaust portion 144 may include a rupture portion, a bursting panel, or a pressurized opening structure as needed.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the battery cell assembly 100 may further include a sensor unit for sensing the internal environment. The sensor unit may be disposed within the housing 120 of the battery cell assembly 100. For example, the sensor unit may sense at least one of the following: temperature, pressure, and whether gas is being generated in the battery cell assembly 100. The sensor unit may be configured to monitor whether the internal temperature of the battery cell assembly 100 rises above a critical value, and to detect early signs of thermal runaway and provide a warning signal to the system or perform protective actions. Furthermore, the sensor unit may also sense an increase in internal pressure to trigger the activation of the exhaust vent 144 or other protective structures.

[0066] The first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed inside the housing 120. The first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed inside the housing 120 to block or delay the propagation of heat between the cell assemblies 100. The first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed inside the housing 120 to prevent heat generated inside one cell assembly 100 from being transferred through the housing 120 to adjacent cell assemblies 100. That is, when a cell assembly 100 experiences thermal runaway, the first heat insulation component 150 disposed inside that cell assembly 100 can prevent high-temperature heat or flames from spreading to the outside of the housing 120. The first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed between the cell unit 110 and the housing 120 to prevent heat or flames generated in the cell unit 110 from being transferred to the housing 120. Specifically, the first heat insulation component 150 can be accommodated in the receiving space 125 of the housing 120 and can be sandwiched between the cell unit 110 and the housing 120.

[0067] When the first heat insulation component 150 is disposed inside the housing 120, the heat insulation performance can be improved. For example, when multiple battery cell assemblies 210 with the first heat insulation component 150 disposed inside are arranged inside the housing 120, heat transfer from one battery cell assembly 100 to an adjacent battery cell assembly 100 may need to pass through two first heat insulation components 150. Therefore, the heat transfer path between the battery cell assemblies 100 becomes longer, and the overall thermal resistance increases, thereby effectively delaying heat propagation.

[0068] Furthermore, since the first heat insulation component 150 is sandwiched between the battery cell 110 and the housing 120 within the housing 120, it can directly block the heat generated in the battery cell 110 from being conducted to the housing 120. Therefore, it can block heat more effectively. Moreover, when the first heat insulation component 150 is disposed inside the housing 120, it can protect the heat insulation component from external impacts or moisture, so it can maintain stable heat insulation characteristics even after long-term use.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the first heat insulation component 150 may include a material with excellent heat insulation properties. The first heat insulation component 150 may be composed of a heat insulation material with low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the first heat insulation component 150 may have heat resistance and fire resistance to withstand the high heat and flames generated during an event. The first heat insulation component 150 may have a high melting point. For example, the first heat insulation component 150 may contain materials with a thermal conductivity of less than 30 W / m·K, less than 10 W / m·K, or less than 1 W / m·K. However, this is only an example, and a variety of known materials may be used for the first heat insulation component 150 as long as it has heat insulation and heat resistance. Furthermore, the first heat insulation component 150 may be in the form of a pad, plate, or sheet.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the first thermal insulation component 150 may comprise at least a portion of mica, silicate, ceramic, glass fiber, and mineral fiber. However, the material of the first thermal insulation component 150 is not limited to these, and multiple materials may be combined as needed.

[0071] The first heat insulation member 150 may cover at least a portion of the battery cell 110. For example, the first heat insulation member 150 may be configured to cover a first side 110a and a second side 110b opposite to the first side 110a of the battery cell 110. The first side 110a and the second side 110b may form two sides in the thickness direction (Y) of the battery cell 110. That is, the first heat insulation member 150 may be configured to cover the two sides in the thickness direction of the battery cell 110, namely the first side 110a and the second side 110b.

[0072] The first heat insulation component 150 can be configured to cover the wide surface of the battery cell unit 110. The first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed between the wide surface of the battery cell unit 110 and the housing 120 to effectively prevent heat generated in the battery cell unit 110 from being transferred to the adjacent battery cell assembly 100.

[0073] Furthermore, the first heat-insulating member 150 may be configured to further cover the first surface 110c of the cell unit 110. The first side surface 110a and the second side surface 110b may be perpendicular to the first surface 110c of the cell unit 110, respectively. According to one embodiment, the first surface 110c of the cell unit 110 may refer to the upper surface in the height direction (Z) of the cell assembly 100. That is, the first heat-insulating member 150 may be configured to cover the upper surface of the cell unit 110 and the two side surfaces in the thickness direction (Y) of the cell unit 110. The first heat-insulating member 150 may cover at least three surfaces of the cell unit 110. The first heat-insulating member 150 may have a shape corresponding to at least three surfaces of the cell unit 110.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the first heat insulation component 150 can be integrally formed. That is, when the first heat insulation component 150 is configured to cover the first side 110a, the second side 110b, and the first surface 110c of the battery cell 110, the first heat insulation component 150 can be formed as an integral type with a U-shaped cross-section. In this case, the portions covering the various surfaces of the battery cell 110 are not separated or have gaps, thereby improving the heat insulation performance. Furthermore, heat leakage through the edges of the housing 120 can be prevented. In addition, in this case, the assembly process of the first heat insulation component 150 with the battery cell 110, or the first heat insulation component 150 with the housing 120, can be easier. However, this is only an example, and the first heat insulation component 150 does not necessarily have to be integrally formed. For example, the first heat insulation component 150 can also be formed separately from multiple heat insulation sheets. Each heat insulation sheet can be combined and assembled with different surfaces of the battery cell 110. In this case, the process of forming the first heat insulation component 150 can be simpler.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the first heat insulation member 150 may be configured to contact at least one of the battery cell 110 or the housing 120. For example, one side of the first heat insulation member 150 may contact the outer surface of the battery cell 110, and the other side of the first heat insulation member 150 may contact the inner surface of the housing 120.

[0076] The first heat insulation component 150 can be attached to the battery cell 110. The first heat insulation component 150 can be attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of the battery cell 110. For example, the first heat insulation component 150 can be attached to the outer surface of the first side surface 110a and the second side surface 110b of the battery cell 110. Alternatively, the first heat insulation component 150 can be attached to the first side surface 110c of the battery cell 110. In this case, the battery cell 110 can be housed in the receiving space 125 of the housing 120 in an assembled state with the first heat insulation component 150. This structure can effectively block heat diffusion generated in the battery cell 110 and simplify the bonding process between the battery cell 110 and the heat insulation component.

[0077] However, the first heat insulation component 150 does not necessarily have to be attached to the cell unit 110; it can also be attached to the housing 120. For example, the first heat insulation component 150 can be attached to the inner surface of the housing 120. In this case, the housing 120 can form a receiving space 125 for accommodating the cell unit 110 in a state of being attached to the first heat insulation component 150.

[0078] The first heat insulation component 150 can be manufactured separately from the housing 120 and then attached, fixed, or stacked to the inner surface of the housing 120. Alternatively, the first heat insulation component 150 can be integrally formed with the housing 120. For example, it can be formed simultaneously with a heat-insulating material during the molding process of the housing 120, or the housing 120 and the first heat insulation component 150 can be stacked and integrated.

[0079] On the other hand, the first heat insulation component 150 may not be combined with the cell unit 110 or the housing 120, but may be configured only as a sandwich between the cell unit 110 and the housing 120. These are just examples and various changes can be made as needed.

[0080] The main body 130 of the housing 120 will be described in more detail below.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the main body portion 130 may have a shape that is open on at least one side in a first direction (X), and the panel portion 140 may be attached to the open side of the main body portion 130. That is, the main body portion 130 and the panel portion 140 may be formed separately and then attached together.

[0082] At this time, the main body 130 may include a surrounding portion 131 forming a space for accommodating the battery cell 110 and a surface connected to the surrounding portion 131, namely a heat dissipation portion 135. A first heat insulation member 150 may be disposed between the surrounding portion 131 and the battery cell 110.

[0083] The surrounding portion 131 can form a receiving space for the battery cell 110. The surrounding portion 131 can have a structure that surrounds at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the battery cell 110. For example, the surrounding portion 131 can have a U-shaped cross-section to cover the first side 110a, the second side 110b, and the first surface 110c of the battery cell 110.

[0084] The first heat insulation member 150 may have a shape corresponding to the surrounding portion 131. For example, when the surrounding portion 131 has a U-shaped cross-section to cover the side and first surface 110c of the cell unit 110, the first heat insulation member 150 may also have a U-shaped cross-section. In this case, the first heat insulation member 150 may be configured to be sandwiched between the surrounding portion 131 and the cell unit 110 and to be opposite to the surrounding portion 131.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the first heat insulation component 150 may not be provided between the heat dissipation part 135 and the battery cell unit 110. The heat dissipation part 135 may be connected to the surrounding part 131. In this case, the heat dissipation part 135 can function as a channel for the concentrated dissipation of heat inside the housing 120.

[0086] As described above, the first heat insulation component 150 can prevent heat or flame inside the housing 120 from being released to the outside of the housing 120. That is, since the surface where the first heat insulation component 150 is provided is restricted from releasing heat to the outside, the heat generated inside the battery cell assembly 100 can be mainly concentrated and transferred to the surface where the first heat insulation component 150 is not provided. Therefore, the heat inside the battery cell assembly 100 can be concentratedly discharged to the outside through the heat dissipation part 135, and the thermal management efficiency of the battery cell assembly 100 can be improved.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the heat dissipation portion 135 may be arranged in a direction not opposite to an adjacent cell assembly 100. Alternatively, the heat dissipation portion 135 may be configured to be adjacent to a cooling component disposed outside the cell assembly 100. Figure 7 (240) relative to improve the heat release efficiency of the cell assembly 100.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the battery device 200 may further include a heat transfer component 160 disposed between the cell unit 110 and the housing 120. The heat transfer component 160 may be disposed opposite to the heat dissipation portion 135 of the housing 120. The heat transfer component 160 may be disposed between the heat dissipation portion 135 and the cell unit 110. That is, the heat transfer component 160 may be disposed on the side where the first heat insulation component 150 is not disposed. For example, the first heat insulation component 150 may be disposed on the surrounding portion 131, and the heat transfer component 160 may be disposed on the heat dissipation portion 135, in which case the heat release efficiency of the cell assembly 100 can be improved.

[0089] The heat transfer component 160 may contact one side of the battery cell 110. For example, the heat transfer component 160 may contact the lower surface of the battery cell 110. The heat transfer component 160 may be sandwiched between the lower surface of the battery cell 110 and the heat sink 135, and transfer the heat generated in the battery cell 110 to the heat sink 135. As an example, the heat transfer component 160 may include a thermally conductive adhesive, which may be sandwiched between the battery cell 110 and the heat sink 135 to improve the heat transfer efficiency between the battery cell 110 and the heat sink 135.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer component 160 may comprise a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transfer component 160 may comprise materials such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, silicone, and aluminum. However, this is merely one example of the material for the heat transfer component 160 and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0091] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the heat transfer component 160 may be plate-shaped. For example, the heat transfer component 160 may be an aluminum plate. In this case, the heat transfer component 160 can protect one side of the battery cell 110 while transferring or dispersing the heat generated in the battery cell 110 to the outside. The aluminum plate can also protect the battery cell 111 from external impacts while transferring heat from inside the battery cell assembly 100 to the outside. However, the heat transfer component 160 may also have various shapes, such as sheet-like shapes, in addition to being plate-shaped.

[0092] The heat dissipation section 135 may include structures that facilitate heat dissipation. As an example, see [reference needed]. Figure 4 The heat dissipation portion 135 may be formed with heat dissipation holes 136 for releasing heat from the interior of the housing 120. For example, the heat dissipation portion 135 may have a plurality of heat dissipation holes 136. The heat dissipation holes 136 may be spaced apart from each other, and heat from the interior of the housing 120 may be released to the exterior of the housing 120 through the heat dissipation holes 136. As an example, the plurality of heat dissipation holes 136 may be formed in a circular shape. Alternatively, the heat dissipation holes 136 may have a shape that extends along a first direction (X) of the heat dissipation portion 135. The heat dissipation holes 136 may have various shapes and arrangements as long as they facilitate the release of internal heat to the exterior.

[0093] On the other hand, the enclosure portion 131 and the heat dissipation portion 135 can be integrally formed or formed separately and then assembled. For example, when the enclosure portion 131 and the heat dissipation portion 135 are integrally formed, the main body portion 130 can be formed as a structure with at least one side open in the first direction (X) and having a quadrilateral cross-section. Alternatively, when the enclosure portion 131 and the heat dissipation portion 135 are formed separately, the battery cell unit 110 can be housed in the enclosure portion 131, and the heat dissipation portion 135 can cover the lower surface of the battery cell unit 110 and be combined with the enclosure portion 131 to form the main body portion 130. Such structures can be selected in various ways depending on design conditions or manufacturing processes.

[0094] The following is for reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 Another embodiment of the battery cell assembly 100 is described.

[0095] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell assembly 100 according to another embodiment. Figure 6 It is along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken from line II-II'.

[0096] According to Figures 1 to 4 Compared to the cell assembly 100 of one embodiment shown, the cell assembly 100 according to another embodiment differs in the shape of the housing 120. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 4 The description of the battery cell assembly 100, excluding the differences, can also be applied to... Figure 5and Figure 6 Another embodiment of the cell assembly 100 is shown in the figure.

[0097] The main body 130 and the panel 140 can be formed integrally. That is, the housing 120 can be formed integrally. The housing 120 can be molded into a single product without being combined with individual components. The panel 140 can form the side of the housing 120.

[0098] According to one embodiment, at least one side of the housing 120 may have an open first end 121. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the lower side of the housing 120 can be open, in which case the lower opening of the housing 120 can form a first end 121. The battery cell 110 can be inserted into and accommodated inside the housing 120 through the open first end 121 of the housing 120.

[0099] When the main body 130 and the panel 140 are integrally formed, a separate bonding process is not required, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the battery cell assembly 100. Furthermore, since assembly tolerances between components are eliminated, gaps that could allow leakage of flames, gases, and / or dust are prevented. This prevents flames or high-temperature gases generated inside one battery cell assembly 100 from spreading to adjacent battery cell assemblies 100 through these gaps.

[0100] Furthermore, when the main body 130 and the panel 140 are integrally formed, the number of parts is reduced, management is simplified, and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0101] The panel portion 140 may include a slit hole 143 for leading out electrode leads 112. In this case, the slit hole 143 may be connected to the first end portion 121 of the housing 120. That is, the slit hole 143 may have a shape extending from the first end portion 121 along the height direction of the cell assembly 100. When the cell unit 110 is inserted into the receiving space 125 of the main body portion 130 through the first end portion 121, the electrode leads 112 may be inserted into the slit hole 143 of the panel portion 140. That is, the slit hole 143 may be connected to the first end portion 121 to prevent the electrode leads 112 from interfering with the support plate 141 or the insulating portion 142 of the panel portion 140 during the insertion of the cell unit 110 into the housing 120.

[0102] The following is for reference Figures 7 to 9 The battery device 200 of this disclosure will be described.

[0103] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a battery device 200 according to one embodiment. Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken from line III-III'. Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a battery device 200 according to another embodiment. Figure 8 The battery device 200 shown in the figure Figure 9 The battery device 200 shown differs in shape from the housing 120 that internally houses the battery cell assembly 100. More specifically, they differ in the shape of the housing 120. Figure 8 The battery cell assembly 100 shown includes a heat sink 135; on the other hand, Figure 9 The housing 120 of the cell assembly 100 shown includes an open first end 121. Except for the points of difference, the description generally applies. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The cell assembly 100 shown in the figure.

[0104] The battery device 200 disclosed herein may include a plurality of cell assemblies 210 and a device housing 220 accommodating the plurality of cell assemblies 210. At least one of the plurality of cell assemblies 210 may include: a cell unit 110, including at least one cell 111; a housing 120, including a receiving space 125 for accommodating the cell unit 110, and open on at least one side; and a first heat insulation member 150 disposed inside the housing 120. The first heat insulation member 150 may be disposed between the cell unit 110 and the housing 120.

[0105] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The description of the cell unit 110, housing 120, and first heat insulation component 150 can be applied to the plurality of cell assemblies 210 included in the battery device 200 according to the present disclosure.

[0106] Multiple cell assemblies 210 can be arranged along the length (Y) of the battery device 200. In this case, the cell assemblies 100 can be arranged such that the sides where the first heat-insulating members 150 are disposed face each other. For example, when the first heat-insulating members 150 are disposed on the side of a cell unit 110, adjacent cell assemblies 100 can be configured such that the sides where the first heat-insulating members 150 are disposed face each other. That is, at least two first heat-insulating members 150 can be disposed between a cell unit 110 within a cell assembly 100 and a cell unit 110 within an adjacent cell assembly 100. Therefore, heat transfer between the cell assemblies 100 can be effectively blocked.

[0107] The device housing 220 may have a shape that covers at least a portion of the plurality of cell assemblies 210. The device housing 220 may form at least a portion of the appearance of the battery device 200.

[0108] The device housing 220 may include: a housing body 221 forming an internal space 225 for accommodating a plurality of battery cell assemblies 210; and a housing cover 222, which is coupled to the housing body 221. The device housing 220 may have various shapes or segmented structures. As an example, the device housing 220 may include: a housing body 221 having a cross-sectional shape open on one side; and a housing cover 222, which is coupled to the housing body 221 and forms the internal space 225. The housing cover 222 may cover the top surface of the battery cell assembly 100. At least a portion of the device housing 220 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as metal. For example, the device housing 220 may contain aluminum. However, the material of the device housing 220 is not limited to this; even if it is not a metal, a variety of materials can be used as long as they have similar strength and thermal conductivity to metals.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the battery device 200 may further include a second heat insulation component 230 located between at least a portion of the plurality of cell assemblies 210.

[0110] The second heat insulation component 230 can block the propagation of heat and / or flame generated in any one of the battery cell assemblies 100 to adjacent battery cell assemblies 100. The second heat insulation component 230 can be made of a heat-insulating material with low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, the second heat insulation component 230 can have heat resistance and fire resistance to withstand the high heat and flame generated during an event. As an example, the second heat insulation component 230 can contain at least a portion of mica, silicate, ceramic, glass fiber, and mineral fiber. However, the material of the second heat insulation component 230 is not limited to these, and multiple materials can be used in combination as needed. The second heat insulation component 230 can use a variety of known materials as long as it has heat insulation and heat resistance. Furthermore, the second heat insulation component 230 can have the form of a pad, plate, or sheet. The second heat insulation component 230 can use the same material as the first heat insulation component 150. In this case, the manufacturing process can be simpler. However, the second heat insulation component 230 can also be formed of a different material than the first heat insulation component 150, which can be varied as needed.

[0111] The second heat insulation component 230 can be located between at least a portion of the plurality of cell assemblies 210. That is, the second heat insulation component 230 can be disposed between the housing 120 of any one cell assembly 100 and the housing 120 of the adjacent cell assembly 100. The second heat insulation component 230 can be sandwiched between each cell assembly 100 to block or delay the propagation of heat or flame generated by any one cell assembly 100 to the adjacent cell assembly 100. One side of the second heat insulation component 230 can contact the outer surface of the housing 120 of any one cell assembly 100, and the other side of the second heat insulation component 230 can contact the outer surface of the housing 120 of the adjacent cell assembly 100. In other words, the first heat insulation component 150 can be disposed inside the housing 120 of the cell assembly 100, and the second heat insulation component 230 can be disposed outside the housing 120. Thus, the propagation of thermal runaway can be blocked more effectively, and the stability of the battery device 200 can be improved.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the battery device 200 may further include a cooling component 240 for cooling a plurality of cell assemblies 210.

[0113] The cooling component 240 may be a cooling plate. The cooling component 240 may be separate from the housing body 221 or it may be part of the housing body 221. For example, the cooling component 240 may be separate from and integrated into the housing body 221. As an example, the cooling component 240 may be housed within the housing body 221 and disposed between the housing body 221 and a plurality of battery cell assemblies 210. The plurality of battery cell assemblies 210 may be mounted on the cooling component 240.

[0114] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto; at least a portion of the housing body 221 may contact the cell assembly 100 to cool the cell assembly 100. That is, at least one side of the housing body 221 may function as a cooling component 240. As an example, the base plate on which the cell assembly 100 is disposed in the housing body 221 may be used as a cooling flow path to cool the cell assembly 100.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the housing 120 of the plurality of battery cell assemblies 210 may include: a main body portion 130 for accommodating battery cell units 110; and a panel portion 140 disposed on at least one side of the main body portion 130 in the longitudinal direction, i.e., a first direction (X). The main body portion 130 may include a surrounding portion 131 forming a space for accommodating the battery cell units 110 and a surface connected to the surrounding portion 131, i.e., a heat dissipation portion 135. A first heat insulation member 150 may be disposed between the surrounding portion 131 and the battery cell units 110. The heat dissipation portion 135 may be configured to face the cooling member 240.

[0116] According to one embodiment, the first heat insulation member 150 may not be provided between the heat dissipation part 135 and the cell unit 110. That is, the first heat insulation member 150 may not be sandwiched between the cell unit 110 and the cooling member 240. The cell assembly 100 may be arranged with the heat dissipation part 135 facing the cooling member 240. For example, when the lower surface of the cell assembly 100 is the heat dissipation part 135, the lower surface of the cell assembly 100 may be combined with the cooling member 240. In this case, the heat inside the cell assembly 100 can be effectively transferred to the cooling member 240 through the heat dissipation part 135. Therefore, the cooling member 240 can cool the cell assembly 100 more effectively. Thus, the first heat insulation member 150 can block the transfer of heat generated inside the cell assembly 100 to adjacent cell assemblies 100, and concentrate the heat dissipation part 135 to release it towards the cooling member 240. Therefore, the thermal management efficiency of the battery device 200 can be improved.

[0117] On the other hand, according to another embodiment, the housing 120 may be integrally formed and include an open first end 121. The first end 121 of the housing 120 may be combined with the cooling component 240.

[0118] The first end 121 can be directly coupled to the cooling component 240. For example, the housing 120 can be coupled to the cooling component 240 through the open first end 121, thereby allowing the cooling component 240 to seal the lower part of the housing 120. The cooling component 240 can cover at least one side of the cell unit 110 and be coupled to the cell assembly 100. Therefore, the cooling component 240 can effectively cool the cell unit 110 while protecting it from external impacts. In this case, heat inside the cell assembly 100 can be effectively transferred to the cooling component 240 through the open first end 121. Furthermore, since a separate bottom cover or fixing component is not required, the number of components can be reduced, and internal space can be saved, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery device 200.

[0119] The first heat insulation component 150 can block the transfer of heat generated inside the cell unit 110 to the adjacent cell assembly 100, and release it in a concentrated manner to the cooling component 240 through the first end 121. Therefore, the thermal management efficiency of the battery device 200 can be improved.

[0120] The cell unit 110 inside the cell assembly 100 can contact the cooling component 240. The lower surface of the cell unit 110 can directly contact the cooling component 240 and be cooled through heat exchange with the cooling component 240. However, this disclosure is not limited to this; a heat transfer component 160 can be provided between the cell unit 110 and the cooling component 240. That is, a heat transfer component 160 can be provided between the housing 120 of the cell assembly 100 and the cooling component 240.

[0121] A heat transfer component 160 may be disposed between the housing 120 and the cooling component 240. The heat transfer component 160 may be positioned toward the open first end 121. The heat transfer component 160 may be disposed on the side where the first heat insulation component 150 is not located. The heat transfer component 160 may contact one side of the battery cell 110. For example, the heat transfer component 160 may contact the lower surface of the battery cell 110. The heat transfer component 160 may be sandwiched between the lower surface of the battery cell 110 and the cooling component 240 to transfer heat generated in the battery cell 110 to the cooling component 240. As an example, the heat transfer component 160 may include a thermally conductive adhesive, which may be sandwiched between the battery cell 110 and the cooling component 240 to improve the thermal conductivity between the battery cell 110 and the heat sink 135.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer component 160 may comprise a material with high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat transfer component 160 may comprise materials such as polyurethane, epoxy resin, silicone, and aluminum. However, this is merely one example of the material for the heat transfer component 160 and is not limited thereto.

[0123] The above description is merely an example of applying the principles of this disclosure, and other structures may be included without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiments can be implemented by deleting some components, and the embodiments can be combined with each other.

Claims

1. A battery cell assembly, comprising: A battery cell unit includes at least one battery cell; The housing includes a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell unit; as well as The first heat insulation component is disposed inside the housing. The first heat insulation component is disposed between the battery cell and the housing.

2. The battery cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The housing includes: The main body, which houses the battery cell unit; and The panel portion is disposed on at least one side of the main body portion in the length direction, i.e., the first direction.

3. The cell assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The main body portion has a shape that is open on at least one side in the first direction. The panel portion is attached to the open side of the main body portion.

4. The cell assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The main body and the panel are integrally formed.

5. The cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first heat insulation component is configured to cover a first side of the battery cell and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side and the second side form the two sides of the cell unit in the thickness direction.

6. The cell assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The first heat insulation component is configured to further cover the first side of the battery cell. The first side and the second side are respectively perpendicular to the first surface of the battery cell. The first heat insulation component is integrally formed.

7. The cell assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The panel includes at least one of a slit hole for leading the electrode leads of the battery cell to the outside of the housing, a support plate connected to the main body, and an insulating part formed of insulating material.

8. The cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The casing is made of metallic material.

9. The cell assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The main body includes an enclosure that forms a space for accommodating the battery cell and a surface connected to the enclosure, namely a heat dissipation portion. The first heat insulation component is disposed between the surrounding portion and the battery cell unit.

10. The cell assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The first heat insulation component has a shape corresponding to the surrounding portion.

11. The cell assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The heat dissipation section has heat dissipation holes for releasing heat from inside the housing.

12. The cell assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: A heat transfer component is disposed between the battery cell and the housing. The heat transfer component is disposed opposite to the heat dissipation portion of the housing.

13. A battery device, comprising: Multiple battery cell components; as well as The device housing contains the plurality of battery cell assemblies; At least one of the plurality of battery cell assemblies includes: A battery cell unit includes at least one battery cell; The housing includes a receiving space for accommodating the battery cell, and is open on at least one side; and The first heat insulation component is disposed inside the housing. The first heat insulation component is disposed between the battery cell and the housing.

14. The battery device according to claim 13, further comprising: The second heat insulation component is located between at least a portion of the plurality of battery cell assemblies.

15. The battery device according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising: Cooling components cool the plurality of battery cell assemblies.

16. The battery device according to claim 15, wherein, The housing of the plurality of battery cell assemblies includes: The main body, which houses the battery cell unit; and The panel portion is disposed on at least one side of the main body portion in the length direction, i.e., the first direction. The main body includes an enclosure that forms a space for accommodating the battery cell and a surface connected to the enclosure, namely a heat dissipation portion. The first heat insulation component is disposed between the surrounding portion and the battery cell unit. The heat dissipation section is positioned opposite the cooling component.

17. The battery device according to claim 15, wherein, The housing is integrally formed and includes an open first end. The first end is connected to the cooling component.

18. The battery device according to claim 15, wherein, A heat transfer component is provided between the housing and the cooling component.

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